Chamfron Tizona out with the Ross Harriers

Feels like Spring

Some gloriously warm days to lift the spirits and get moving.  Both boys have been ridden this week and despite time off, front shoes and a new saddle Cactus feels exactly the same to ride, this is not a good thing.  I can’t work him out, there are moments, four or five strides down the long side, where he powers up and swings along but the vast majority of the time you are fighting the voices in your head “how many legs is this horse lame on?” and “can I ride at all?” - I don’t enjoy it, I come off him frustrated and sad.  He has so many good points, he is insanely quiet, he would never think about bucking or taking off, other horses cantering around the outside of the arena gets a whatever response.  Ambulance behind the hedge with blues and twos on and he’s trying to get closer for a look.  He’s a kind horse that wants to work I just think physically he can’t, he’d probably would still trundle round some fields but he is not comfortable travelling to get to those quiet hacks.  He came with a few “not ideal” issues, flare on all four feet, seasonal head shaker, a biter (completely at odds with the rest of his temperament) and his fitted with us saddle always wanted to shoot off to the right but equally he is an easy keeper, never pins his ears at the saddle, always seems jolly.  I feel there are horses with much more obvious issues still in full work but for my sanity he will be relegated to occasional walks around the arena on sunny nights.  

I have lost enough weight that I am happy sitting on Spider a little more and he is very jolly, in true pony style he is let down by the warning system of his naughty ears which activate before the rest of him.  I was worried he’d had too easy a winter but hopefully we can keep him leaner than last year.  Doglet is still living her best life!

 

Dog showing!

Sula went to the fun dog show at Muirfield Riding Therapy, winning the puppy class.  She did some serious socialising and we introduced her to Otto a fellow Bavarian.

 

Hibernating!

It’s been a wet start to the year and my step count has fizzled away to nearly nothing but I have occasionally, when the sun has shone, made it out.  Including one sit on Spider, many trips to the beach with an enthusiastic puppy, a visit to the Duddo standing stones and Jessica’s hen do. 

Chamfron Tizona - Showjumping

A successful outing with all poles left up for fourth in the 80 and second in the 90.

End of season trophies, part 3

It was the overall SERC AGM today and Jessica picked up her keepsake trophy for her first two day 160km and the winners trophy for the 2 day 60km at the Champs.  Rebecca won the veteran horse 50km series and got a keepsake trophy (silver award) for riding at 7 of the 8 branches in 2025

Lucy and Chamfron Toledo had their first arena eventing outing of the year, a double clear and a 2nd qualified him for the ACE Championship at Aintree.

End of season trophies, part 2

Chamfron by Dand’s haul for the 2025 season from the Tayside AGM

First in

Bose Cup - most points gained by horse and rider in all types of rides

Veteran Horse Trophy - highest mileage for a horse aged 16 to 20 years

True Fact Trophy - horse and rider with highest distance in 50km rides

Second in 

Scottish Tourist Board Senior Quaich - rider with the highest points over four rides

Highest Distance Trophy - overall mileage

Golden Blaze Award - horse and rider with most gold awards in year

Jacobite Warrior Trophy - horse and rider with the highest distance in 30km rides

Plus his 1500km and 2000km rosettes.