It’s definitely time to introduce the new kid on the block. Retired racehorse Lord Ben.
I would use the term “Ex-Racer” however this chaps incredible 9 year racing career deserves more recognition and having a flawlessly injury free long term career.
He was given to me by his lovely owners who said “he owes us nothing, and we owe him the best home”.
I feel totally blessed to have the opportunity to retrain him and my lord (pardon the pun) is he ever a graceful and elegant boy.
He is adoring cuddles and one to one time. He will fall asleep in your arms at any opportunity and my heart melts every time!
He has taken to schooling like a duck to water, already working in an outline, and so ready for dressage! I have even already introduced him to some jumping.
Down side – grass! His feet only have to touch grass and my whole life flashes before my eyes. So we have set ourselves some homework, lots of walking and quiet lunging on grass and to find a steady hacking buddy to teach him that grass doesn’t always been GO!
Possibly to contradict my last sentence though I am planning on introducing him to horseboarding which is a sport myself and my other half enjoyed for many years. We are really excited to hopefully get started again in May.
He has already towed the board around and didn’t batter any eyelid, so fingers crossed he chills out enough for me to start picking up some speed without any leg contact always meaning 300mph!
Watch this space…..
After having a long wait and some lunch at the onsite café, it was time to get ready for the Joan Wolfe Overall Supreme Shetland Pony Championship. I got changed out of my usual showing outfit into black trousers and a maroon top with white spots, as you are expected to be a bit more “bling” in the evening.
We were all set to go for our next outing, and were super excited. That was until I heard the dreaded clunk of a loose shoe! I checked it over, praying it wasn’t too loose, but, nope, it was going to need a refit.
This show almost passed me by as I was unaware of the show organisation. Luckily, the schedule was posted on one of the Shetland pony Facebook groups that I am a member of. The show was being held at Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex, which is where I should have gone to a show a month or so earlier, but was ill and unable to take Diva (Melland Queen of Scots).
Since the show, Bob’s been enjoying a bit of a rest with a few lunge sessions and being lightly ridden, but I’m gearing him up hopefully for a show either this weekend or next. Wish us luck, and the poor arena pole pickers too, as he does like to send some sailing!