Nervous Mum!

The time has eventually arrived for Squigs to go to boot camp! I delivered her to Debbie Rodwell's yesterday to begin her education. Feeling very nervous in a child's-first-day-of-school way but I'm sure she will be fine. We visited her today (I know, she's not even been away for 24 hours) and she looked tired bless her. However, the girls at the yard tell me she is being very sweet and is behaving impeccably. Let's not count our chickens quite yet however, she's not had anyone on her back yet!

I Promise I'm Not Neglecting the Blog...

....it's just very quiet! Squigs is coming along nicely and the weather has been so awful we haven't been out to play much. Not long now until D-Day, I feel a few phone calls coming on to see which lucky person wants to back her in the Spring. I'm also trying to get fitter to be able to handle her properly when I'm on board - I dare say I'll be hitting the deck a few times! We are waiting patiently for Spring and Squiggy is looking good due the addition of a turn out rug (the snow was awfully cold....). She has managed not to wreck it which I am pleasantly surprised with!

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!!