Pony Club Cross Country - 25/05/07

Have finally got around to organising and uploading the following three brief clips from the Pony Club training some months ago. To watch Munchkin in action click here.
To see Bamber click here.
For Cara click here.

It must have been a long night

The lads must have had a party of their own last night - at 9.30 this morning they were all still sleeping!

Mattingley v the British weather

Sadly the weather took its toll on Mattingley this weekend with some classes on Friday ( apart from those doing dressage a day early ) cancelled. Saturday going ahead and then Sunday cancelled. For the Wellington contingent that meant David , Wendy and Susie got to do everything then David and Ciara did dressage and everybody else was disappointed.

How did they all do ?
Wendy and Scarlet went into the jumping phases on a dressage score of 29.1 were clear show jumping but then had two stops on the cross country .
David ( riding Heather Langton's horse ) dressage 33.3 then double clear and ended 4th .
Susie and Tilly started the jumping on 51.1 did two stunning clear rounds ( cross country at Hugo speed !! ) and ended 13th . Intro class next time ?
Ciara and Hugo did a fab dressage test but then the weather got in the way so all Diane's hard work on the preparation for day two was in vain.

Needless to say it has not rained all day today .

Hugo gets ready for Mattingley

Whilst I was faffing around this morning, Miss Diane was turning this young man into a fancy looking dressage pony.

Good luck at Mattingley Hugo!

Pony party video!

It's been a week-long wait but I hope you think it's worth it!

CLICK HERE for video!

CLICK HERE for the pony water party video!

Cross Country

Here are some photos of the junior ORs taken today at Fairoak Cross Country course in Rogate. A great day was had by all - though there were some scary moments! Mandy and Wendy were there as our instructors and we had the whole course to ourselves! Munchkin, Bamber, Little Cara, Geoffrey and Fox all had a fab time (as did their riders!)

Ponies in the Mist!

A few pictures taken back in June while fetching Geoffrey with Ruth one early Sunday morning...

Calling all XC fans!

Mandy's running a cross country session at Fair Oaks Cross Country Course next Sunday 22 July.

Both Mandy and Wendy have been raving about this course - check out the range of jumps. They go from mini-minimus (for old farts like me) to open for the more wild at heart.

Great timing following the Lucinda Green clinics and demo - we can all practice what we've learnt! Me and Geoff are signed up and raring to go! Have a chat with Mandy or Caroline if you're interested.

Contrasting styles!

Yesterday, at the South Berks Pony Club ODE at Beech Hill, a water tray had a different effect on Blaze than on Fox. I am not sure Blaze noticed that there was water underneath but Fox certainly did. The Kings have a picture of Kosmo at the same fence; he made as sure as Fox did that he did not get his toes wet!

Hope good weekends have been had by all of you out there!

Mandy's Clinic

Great idea having the clinic for the junior livery owners. The first one yesterday, and an enjoyable lesson was had. The focus of instruction was pitched just right, and enables a different level to that of the standard group lessons. Thanks, nice job.

North Farm Andalusians dressage day.

At last, I've managed to get some photos and videos of the NFA event published online!
Everything I managed to upload is available to view at http://mikeskeats.myphotoalbum.com

There are some photos of Lucinda and Lindo looking pretty good, with Diane on her new friend Naranjo showing that glorious flowing mane and tail. Plus there's a video of each of the girl's tests (video 195 is Lucinda, video 199 is Diane) and a message for Diane from Naranjo himself - see video 192.

Have fun watching everything and feel free to download whatever you want.

Hugo-The-Wonder-Horse

Just for Mrs Buckley - here's what Hugo's been getting up to (oh and there's some highlights of Mattingley thrown in)! Click for video!

And the winner is...

Lucinda and Lindo!

Lucinda and Lindo had a fab day at North Farm Andalusians, winning their Prelim 12 dressage class by quite a long way! Watch out Wellie Saddle Club - we've got some stiff competition! As usual, there's video!

Diane wowed us in Elementary dressage on Naranjo gaining a very well deserved 2nd place.

Jeremy saves the day

When my keys disappeared down the small hole into the cavity between the inner and outer wall at the front of Hogan's stable I was reduced to some minor acts of vandalism ( ably assisted by others who for now can remain nameless ) . The bottom slat of the outer wall was prised off using a pitch fork and we started to pull out the debris thinking the keys would soon drop out . After a while it dawned this wasn't going to happen so onto plan b , take the door off but first we need a screw driver - mutli function penknife to the rescue and one screw came out relatively easily . Didn't take us long to realise this maybe wasn't such a good idea either so plan C - get Neil out to take off the inside panels, that meant a long wait so in the interim we found Jeremy who suggested a magnet and piece of string and then produced both. Down goes the magnet and oh joy he's got something , this was carefully eased up only to reveal itself as a hoof pick . Take two and get again the magnet struck lucky and was gently pulled up and this time my keys emerged safe and sound .

Said hole is now covered by a bottle of Hogan's special shampoo and my keys are going in the tack box / instructors pocket/ office next time I ride .

With thanks to those who helped namely Ruth and Jane Rudge - anyone want a good DIY team ?

More show jumping!

The last unaffiliated show jumping until September took place today. The crowd were treated to some fab rounds and Brian's dulcet tones on the mic, as well as some extra commentary in the form of some nagging old bag (didn't realise he'd left the mic on - oops).

The Wellie gang did us proud: Cammy, Kozmo, Blaze, Bamber, Munchkin, Little Cara and Humphrey all took part. Well done everyone!

Try Me Once, or twice, or three times...

Mr Sheerin took our lovely Theo off-campus recently to practice his dressage moves. See a quick clip here.

The rain held off ...

With rain causing the cancellation of many local events yesterday 's unaffiliated show jumping had a lot more entries than originally expected . Maybe due to our jumping and warm up being indoors !!
With John away at Hickstead the course design fell to Mandy with Wendy riding Geoffrey to check lines were okay . Brian , Ruth and Caroline did the commentary / judging bit and I was the arena steward with help from the Browns - why do competitors also knock down the fences furthest from the door ?
Home crew did themselves proud with Kate winning the 2'9'' class with Pip second ( having taken a brave line in the timed section ) and Amy ( on Tilly ) in 6th . Tracy showed us what super jumping horses Christopher and Huggy are and proved the well known fact amongst clients that horses know when instructors are on board ...
Well done to Brian and Claude who had a go at the 2'9'' after I'm told, an exciting time in the warm up .
Pip and Fox then went on to win the 3'0'' class in style .

By the way - it didn't rain all afternoon !

Rustling Ring Foiled at Wellington!!!!

In the early hours of this morning (1-Jul-07) two brave staff members of Wellington Riding foiled a rustling gang in the act! Shortly after 12am, Caroline and Mandy heard vehicles entering the Wellington grounds and sprang into action. With cat-like stealth they discovered the gang in this middle of rustling a black pony into one of the fields. They pounced and pointed out that it was the wrong field and the rest of the ponies were in the adjacent field. The ruthless gang, who for legal reasons must be identified only by their first names of Lucinda, Diane, Jane and Mike, disregarded their challenge and placed poor Lindo alone in the field.

In the aftermath this morning Lindo was said to be recovering well and shockingly the gang have been seen walking freely about the grounds. What has the world come to?