Chamfrons at Fort William

The endurance boys, Chamfron by Dand and Chamfron Colorado were out together at Fort William, both round 30km on Gold.  Jessica won the Samson Quaich for the lowest heart rate of the day and Best Condition.  Photographer on the day was Rachael Thorne who had ex Chamfron broodmare Millcroft Malinmore and gave her a great home until the end, small world!

Keep Moving - Week 12

On Sunday we headed over to Whitelee Windfarm, the UK's largest onshore windfarm with 215 turbines.  After getting a few miles in and some excellent tray bake in the cafe we caught up with Rebecca who was just finishing her first (30km) ride of the season.  Steps were done locally or long reining Cactus during the week then on Friday night we strolled around Edinburgh after a faultless "Wee Tour of Scotland 2025" tasting menu at Wedgewood that had left us stuffed.  We were back in Edinburgh on Saturday but only dashed from the car to the EICC as the rain was hammering down (wait a minute, what is this wet stuff?!)  We went to see Murder Trial Tonight which is an immersive theatrical production in which all the members of the audience become the jury at a trial.  The Doorstep Case is based on a true story which starts with a video of Megan Irvine’s last hours before she’s found strangled at home.  You evaluate all the evidence and cast your vote, in our case 75% of "The Jury" found the defendant Not Guilty (this included myself and Craig) - you are then shown a video of what happened in the case the production is based on, where her husband was wrongly found guilty and actually served eight years before being released.

Chamfron Colorado - hacking in the hills

 

Keep Moving - Week 11

I rode Cactus at the start of the week on a lovely newly harrowed arena, I have struggled to improve his way of going in the school so I have taken a step back this week and I am going to long rein him more regularly.  The first trot photo is quite telling, he doesn't bend on a circle, he leans at a 45 degree angle.  When you add me on the top, probably crooked, flailing furiously and ineffectively to try and straighten him back up the whole situation gets frustratingly messy.  He enjoys the long reining and I think I am seeing an improvement as the week has gone on.  Had a stroll past mum's house on Saturday, have had a good laugh at the retrospective planning application I spotted this week, fair to say the neighbours now realise they scored an own goal.

Chamfron Nicobar - Photoshoot

Susan and Prickle had a fabulous photoshoot with Carenza Pinn Photography last week, getting some stunning shots despite the fog not lifting, rather loving the green door!

Keep Moving - Week 10

A lurgy ridden week, all steps done and targets met but not with much enthusiasm.  Some lovely spring days, we did the Riverside walk at Thirlestane on Saturday in the sunshine.

Closing Meets

 Chamfron Tizona and Chamfron Firefly had their last day of the season this weekend.

Keep Moving - Week 9

Cactus did a few more of this weeks steps and we ended the week with a wander around Gullane.  Finished February with a phone award for 10,000 steps a day for a month (first time since October 2021) and another for "Perfect Month" closing my Move ring every day (first time ever) - in reality a 55 day streak.   That said I haven't lost any weight, my riding feels awful and as a result my horse is going like a hairy yak.

SERC Annual Trophies

Rebecca and Chamfron by Dand picked up some more trophies at the SERC AGM

Two day 60km winners at the Champs
Trooper Trophy (Presented to the combination with the most points achieved from 80km classes)

Distance Rider Trophy (Presented to the horse and rider combination with the most points)

Storm Trophy (Awarded to horse 16 years and over with highest annual distance under SERC Rules)

Runner Up 

Ashanti Trophy (Presented to the horse with the most points in the current ride season)

Cassidy Trophy (Presented to the rider with the most points in the current ride season)

Out with the Bloodhounds

Chamfron by Dand and Chamfron Firefly out with the Fife Bloodhounds.

Keep Moving - Week 8

Had a quick sit on Cactus on Sunday before getting my steps in round Floors.  Work miles on Tuesday including a slight detour to peer at the Ramsey Monument on Penicuik Estate.  Then after a week stomping up and down the railway line I had another sit on Cactus on Saturday and then walked seven miles around Edinburgh, down the High Street, through Holyrood Park and around Newington.