Scottish Championships Day 2

On Saturday night SERC posted that there would be no more Facebook updates from the Champs because… “tactics”!!!  Initially Endurance GB agreed to tow the party line but then they removed that post and went rogue, posting as the day went on and keeping everyone in the loop. There was a fair bit of drama and every team had disappointments but Jessica finished the two day 160km in second place (behind the absolute machines that are Georgina Vaughan and Vlacq Journeyman), she was in the Home International Cup Team which was won by Scotland (Wales won the Home International Trophy Team).  Rebecca and Chamfron by Dand had a great spin round on their second day, he came flying in up the stubble fields with a perfect heart rate and unfortunately also a slight head nod on the trot up, presumably just a stone bruise as he was grand half an hour later.

Scottish Championships Day 1

We headed up to Scone for the Home International and Scottish Endurance Championships.  Rebecca is doing the 2 day 60km and Jessica the two day 160km on the Scottish team.  Cody was on the Scottish team in 2021 which was held in England that year, he was the novice horse and won his class, this year he is entered in the top distance.  Sula wasn’t entirely convinced to be leaving a warm bed but soon cheered up sharing the important dog crewing duties with Max.  Star of the day was the English junior rider Alfie-jay and pony Pebbles, 50km is a long way on very little legs!!!

Spotted on my travels.

The Moffat ram has acquired a cone, this may be to cover up his (rumoured) missing ears…  The fabulous gravestone is for the Pinder circus family in Dumfries.  Made it up to Scone horse trials with Jessica and Rebecca, apparently I only took photos of all the Bavarians I spotted - these two belonged to the Hiho Silver Jewellery trade stand.  Then we went to the last night of the Edinburgh tattoo.

Chamfron Outings

Pretty sure the first lad is the 2011 Arrayan Numa foal out of Wearview Gypsy, now well in his teens and the second photo is probably Chamfron Beltane Fire (sadly I’ve had no contact since she was a foal).  Chamfron Paloma has been having fun at Area 8 camp and Chamfron Compostela has been out showing (love her current colour!)

Garden Update

The garden is starting to settle and soften now, two trolley loads of plants went in the border of disappointment and everywhere got a good layer of bark.  We will repeat a visit to the Borders college plant sale next year as every plant is thriving and has flowered all summer long.  Loads of toads and frogs and a hummingbird moth have visited and we have a bumper crop of strawberries.

Spotted at work

Views from the office!  Poppies at Parliament and a full size replica spitfire in Moffat.

More Endurance

Chamfron Colorado was out last weekend, a 50km at Sheeppark.  This weekend was Tentsmuir with Colorado back out for another 50km and Chamfron by Dand cruising round the 30km.  Not much Chamfron action down south, probably because they’ve been living in an oven for months and the ground is harder than concrete.