It's Been a While.....

....since I've updated. A little busy with kids/uni work/horse/dogs etc! We have been very quiet with Squiggy coming along nicely and starting to exert her authority in the field. One poor lad she goes for constantly and then when she's in season she comes over all coy and flirty. You can see the poor boy is totally confused. The joys of having a mare!

No showing recently. I think she was getting a bit bored and fed up with it all (can't say I blame her!). We had planned on the Grand Slam in October but she now resembles a woolly mammoth as it's getting a bit chillier. Thats us done for the year I think.

Of course, as usual, if anything staggeringly exciting happens I will update promptly.

Looking forward to the winter with the mud, ice, rain and all the other things that make a horse owner's favourite time of the year!

Royal Highland Show 2009

So, with Dougie as my unpaid groom we got up at 4.30 (yes, 4.30) and got the horses ready. Connie (Carla's little pony) was coming along as babysitter, so off we went.

I have to say, it was a very nice and relaxing day. Both horses were chilled and Squigs lay down within 10 minutes of arriving and had a siesta! (well she had missed her usual morning nap...)

She was a really good girl and we were 6th in our class. Dougie was in charge of filming and of course managed to capture Squiggy jumping on me, my bottom from behind as I ran and also made innapropriate comments all the way through the DVD. However, not in a position to complain as I need to secure his services for next year!

Our First 1st!!!

Today was Jumps E.C. in Carluke. Up at 5am *yawn* and set off in good time. However...apparently the A73 is different to the M73 and in typical style, I was lost. Never have I got to this bloody place without getting lost. Anyway, after a heeuuge detour we arrived and got settled.

Our first class was Youngstock and there were 4 in our class of varying types and breeds. Squig performed well, but had the usual ants in her pants at the 'standing still' bit! Judge liked her and the clever lady placed us 1st!! Woohoo! So pleased. This means we qualify for Saltire Series and also Festival of Champions in Edinburgh. A couple more day trips for us, Yeah!

We also had In Hand Hunter/Sports Horse, by which time she was reaallly fidgety but did well again and came 2nd. I think I'll buy that nice lady judge a bunch of flowers for her expert judging...

That all meant we had a Championship to do today aswell, but there was a big break in proceedings and then about 7 more classes. I decided that she had done enough for the day and we had a long journey home so we shared a can of Irn-Bru and hit the road.

All in all, a good day had by all and sweet dreams for me tonight!

Easterton 4 May '09

So we took a little trip out to Milngavie yesterday for a quiet little show. Had to be on the rainiest day of the year of course... Luckily we weren't on grass, but still managed to look like swamp monsters once we had finished.

Squig travelled well as usual and was (again) very excited at the show. She also clocked a stallion trotting about and decided to show off a bit! 6 in the class and we were placed 3rd, which is probably pretty fair considering the others in the class and she didn't perform as well as usual.

On the way home she decided she didn't want to load, bit of a shocker as she is usually so keen! Anyway after a bit of a fight she relented and we got home in one piece. The next one isn't for a few weeks (thank god). I think we had better do some trailer practice before then......

Well to fuel the rumours that I haven't enough to do, I've made a little vid about Squigs. Please bear in mind this is my 1st attempt! Enjoy!!

Baby Squiggy

A very kind man gave me some pictures and footage from when Squig was only 2 days old...Enjoy!

Grand Slam 11th April '09

Well we had our first outing of the year and we certainly enjoyed ourselves....! Early rise for our class at 8.30am, and I think Squigs was a bit put out that she wasn't allowed her full breakfast....Anyway, she loaded (as usual) no problem atall and after bit of stomping and neighing we were off.

Luckily we didn't have to wait around for long and she was hugely excited to be out and about. She got lots of tips on how to misbehave from a hyper horse in the collecting ring and actually had the nerve to rear up! I just turned and saw the underside of her belly and so she got a slapped wrist from me. Bless, I think she thought that was what we were 'meant' to be doing!

She calmed down though and behaved impeccably in the class. There were 8 in it and thankfully it didn't take too long. We were pulled in 3rd and managed to keep our placing after individual show. Chuffed doesn't describe it. So happy and proud that she was sensible but still lively enough to look like she really enjoyed it. She does enjoy her wee trips out and about!

She couldn't wait to get in the box and away home to tell all about her day. Had such a good day and hope there's lots more to come. Can't wait to do the ridden classes now.....

Showtime.....

It's that time of year again...We have entered for the Hunter section at RHS '09 again as it was great experience last year. Squig has a brand new bridle for shows as she burst out of the last one!

Doing a few Hunter classes this year (dependant on how her coat looks) but I think she'll be looking good as it's coming out nicely already.

We had a nice little 'hack' today and the sun was shining (for once!) so I took the oppurtunity for a few pics (see left). First show coming up is Grand Slam at Ingliston at beginning of April. As usual, will keep you posted!!

Clever Girl!

Well, still quiet for us and Squiggy is wintering very well. She's looking really good and her coat is shiny (better than last year - a bit fleabitten looking!). She getting quite big and standing around 15.1 hh at the withers. Her bottom is bigger though so a lot of growing still to do.

We had a saddle on her aswell! We just sat it on her back to see how she coped and bless her she was fantastic! We did the girth up too and although she had a good look she took it all in her stride. I think she will be a great horse to train as she's so willing and tries to please.

Show season soon so watch this space........