Kaz and I have had our first outings together now and Im pleased to say they have been very succesful. Our first outing was the Waitemata Riding Club Dressage day, We did 2 tests, one Training test and a Prelim( Level 1 test)  gaining a 3rd placing in the Training test and a 1st Placing in the Level 1 test, Even managing to Score 90% in the Training test!!

Our next outing was the Rosedale Dressage competition where we contested a prelim test placing 1st with over 80% and then also winning our Novice (Level 2) test, again with over 80%

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At the beginning of December saw us at our first Showing outing, being the Auckland Arabian Spectacular 'A' Grade Championship Show. This was to be a rather emotional day for me holding the very first TARJI MEMORIAL CHALLENGE class. This was a led/Ridden Challenge and I am very grateful to Kaz' previous owner Val for contesting this class with Kaz. I felt that it would have put undue pressure on both Kaz and myself had I tried to compete in it given that I still struggle with the loss of Tarji. Kaz pefrormed beautifully (scoring the highest in the ridden section) and placed 3rd overall. I was Thrilled.

We then went on to win

2x Top Fives

 2x Reserve Championships

2x Championships

and

 RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION RIDDEN DERIVATIVE MALE

Kaz is such a beautiful boy who has well and truly wormed his way into all our hearts.

Renington Good as Gold (Teddy) got plucked out of the paddock and taken to the Golden Horse Show at the end of November. He was his usual perfectly behaved self and came home home with Reserve Champion Led Youngstock among many other ribbons. He will be prepped for the Golden Horse NZ National Championships at the end of January as well as starting his formal saddle education over the Christmas Holidays.

Finally a decent break in the weather meant I could get a real test ride on Kaz. Under the watchful eye of my Instructor Jacquie, Kaz and I were put through our paces. After an exhuberant start in which Kaz decided to show off just how clever he thought he was, he settled down and did some Fabulous work. It is an amazing feeling to sit on something so well schooled where all I have to do is think what I want him to do.

He has settled in well and is a very affectionate boy who LOVES the kids and anyone who will give him apples and cuddles.

The Babys' turn to Shine!

All the beautiful weather we have had left me itching to ride and very frustrated at having no suitable horse to hop on. I decided on a whim that Donni was looking like a pretty good option, So I threw a saddle on him and girthed him up (for the first time ever), led him out of the stable and lined him up next to the mounting block.  He stood like a statue whilst I put my foot in the stirrup and told thim what was about to happen, I put some weight into the stirrup to see what he would do..... NOTHING. So on I got. Good little man stood stock still with his eyes closed...perhaps contemplating what method he was going to use to ditch me in a most spectacular way???????  Yeah Right! I gave him a little squeeze and said "walk on", and off we went- all round the paddock, he was far more interested in eating than having me on his back. I LOVE my Boy!!!

Of course Dylan had to follow suit and have a ride, so up he went too to have a ride on the wild unbroken Arab. 

 Good things come to those who wait....

 It is with my sincerest thanks to Val Alexander (Scott) that we Welcome Jayen Kazeer, aka Kaz to our team.  Kaz needs no introduction to those in the Arabian cirlcles being a prolific winner of MANY wide ribbons in both Led and Ridden sections.  As well as being a Multi Champion in Park hack and Paced and Mannered classes in Open Company,  Kaz is also a very well performed Elementary /Level 3 dressage horse. I am thrilled to once again have a beautiful well schooled horse to ride.

 My sanity will return very quickly ;-)

Inshallah Encounter+Au has recently been sold to Eren Rowling of Nelson, this was a hard decision and one that took me some time to come to terms with making, But at the end of the day I just could not get past the feeling that he was just too small for me.  I tried to put it in the back of my mind but it kept eating away at me. He has gone to a fantastic home where he will be loved and cherished with Eren who has long Admired him and his bloodlines. He couldnt have found a more perfect match.

 I wish them both all the best for the future and look forward to seeing him take on the South Island and NZs top horses at the NZ National Championship Show next year. I will miss riding him and those effortless beautiful flying changes!

So once again I resume my search for another gelding to love and befriend and have some fun with. Its amazing how hard it is to find something remotely suitable, but then I do have quite strict ideas about what I want.

Im sure in time the right horse will find me and for the time being I must just sit and wait and be patient- (not one of my virtues!)

Buddy (El Kheir Shakez) does not realise it yet but his retirement is about to be cut short and he will make a return to the showring at a few select shows, but sssshhhhhh dont tell him- he will be horrified!

It has taken me a wee while to get up some enthusiasm to update things. Winter is not helping...there is mud EVERYWHERE and when will it ever stop raining???!!! All I can say is that Tarji will be very happy he doesnt have to endure all the falling wet stuff.....he hated the rain.

I received a most beautiful and unexpected gift from some very wonderful Friends Nick and Louise Wilsden not long ago....It certainly bought on many tears. Below is a pencil sketch Nick did of Tarji for me. It now takes pride of place in the living room right next to the H U G E print I ordered of Tarji competing at the NZ Nationals.

Inshallah Encounter (Jag ) arrived from Australia on the 13 June after a short delay due to a problem with the plane which was discovered after the horses were all loaded. He has now made his home here and it is some what amusing to look outside and see 3 horses who are identical at first glance. He is a tough little horse who is not really concerned about the rain and weather, he also eats Grass - WOW!  Makes a big Change from Mr Posh Pony (Tarji) who I still Miss Terribly and would still swap everything I owned to have back .

June 2009

Well three weeks after losing my Beautiful boy the tears are still flowing very freely, there is not a day that goes by that I dont offer to sign my soul over to the devil (or anyone else who may be interested) just to have him back again. There have been some rather hysterical moments, including begging my Poor Husband to go and Dig him up again one night just so I could see him one more time. This was met with a resounding NO.  I was Totally irrational I know but very desperate.

Losing Tarj has been the singularly most difficult thing I have ever had to go through. Having never lost a horse before the grieving process is one which has taken quite some time to adjust to. It is not something I ever want to go through again but sadly I know I will have to in the near future when the old boys return to meet their maker. At least they have lived long and happy lives and as sad as I will be to lose them I will know they had their time here and lived it to the fullest.

Tarjis sudden loss has left me wandering what the next step will be... Do I just give up? as replacing him is impossible, or do I break Adonis in? or, do I try and find something completely different to ride?

Giving up was never really going to be an option - I would have gone mad. I was depressed enough as it was. Adonis is still a good 2 years away from being ready to break in as he is very immature. So that wasnt really a possibilty, And everything I looked at to possibly buy was "Just a Horse"

When I did look at other prospects I felt terribly guilty that I was even doing so. My decision to purchase something else was not one made lightly, however I desperately need to shift the focus from my grief and try and look forward to the future. I have not "Gotten over" Tarjis loss (FAR FROM IT!!!) and I doubt I ever will entirely. I am merely trying to distract myself from it.

I know that Tarj would want me to keep riding and offer another wonderful horse some of the loving care and attention he so relished in.

Rest In Peace.....

"Tarji +Au"

20 October 1993- 15 May 2009

To My Beautiful Boy,

You were only here with me for a short time but you made a HUGE impression on my life and all those who met you. You were the most perfect friend and companion I have ever had, on so many levels.  You have set the bar impossibly high, there will never be another that will ever come close to you. You have left impossibly big shoes to fill. 

Not once did you ever put one hoof out of line with me, or Dylan -who adored his "Tarjills" I knew I could count on you to 'step up' when it mattered most, and be the reliable trustworthy boy you always were. Always the perfect gentleman.

I waited a lifetime for my perfect horse and then along you came. I was robbed of you far too early but I guess you were needed more elsewhere.  You were my Best birthday Present ever and your loss is the worst and saddest one Ill ever be dealt.

 You will no longer have to worry about the baby boys trying to steal your feed (which of course was all in your head- they would never have dared after the first time you tried to eat them!)

No more "Marshmallow kisses" for me and no more cute fluffy face waiting impatiently for its next meal.

You fought so hard right to the end, My heart bleeds for your loss.

 See you on the other side Beautiful boy....Huge Hugs and Marshmallow Kisses XOXOXO

If Tears could build a stairway
and memories were a lane,
I would walk right up to Heaven
And bring you back again.

 No Farewell words were spoken
No time to say Good-Bye,
You were gone before I knew it
And only God knows why.

 My heart still aches in sadness,
And many tears still flow,
What it means to lose you,
Only I will ever know.

 But now I know you want me
To mourn for you no more,
To remember all the happy times
Life still has much in store.

 I Promise you'll never be forgotten,
And I pledge to you today
A hallowed place within my heart
Is where you'll always stay.

May 5th 2009 -4 weeks Post Op

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! Tarjis incision has all but disappeared...... I am thrilled with how it is looking BUT was Disappointed with the fact that he was STILL coughing. I managed to get a sample of FinishLine "Air Power" and gave him a dose of that....WOW!- What a difference- His coughing has decreased Dramatically, hence I now have a supply of this fantastic product and will continue to use it when needed. It has made more difference than the steroids ever did.

We have had our first rides since his operation and in True Tarji Fashion he needed a rocket up his Butt to get out of a walk  It is Fabulous to be back on his back.

4 weeks Post op

April 28th 2009- 3 weeks Post op.

 The vets said that at the 3 week mark I would notice a huge improvement in the incision and I thought, "3 weeks, yeah right" But WOW! it has shrunk heaps. It is now only about 2.5cms long.

From the side you wouldnt even know there was anything under there. He is due to be re-scoped today to make sure all is good and then hopefully get the go ahead to resume work. In anticipation of this, I clipped him as he is SOOOOOO HAIRY! Unfortunately his throat latch on his bridle sits right across the incicion so I will have to leave it undone and just hook it up on the other side for the time being.

 Below are pics 3 weeks post op

side on pic from last week- incision is hardly noticeable

April 21st 2009

As promised- One week on- more pics. Im really pleassed with how its looking. As you can see it has started to "flesh up" and close over from the outside. Hopefully we wont have too much of an issue with Proud flesh- the vet tells me that is unlikely given the good blood supply to the area. Apparently Proud flesh is more prevalent on legs etc because of the poor blood supply. We will see, I might have to salt it later if it does "overgrow"

He is SUCH a good patient, he just stands rock solid whilst I wash it and pick the scabs off. eeewwww!

I forgot to get before cleaning pics. Will load some tomorrow.

2 weeks Post op. Starting to fill in and pink

April 2009

Tragedy Strikes.

Tarji had picked up a Virus earlier in the season which caused him to cough when warming up, I didnt think too much of it it given that nearly EVERY horse in the area had the same Virus. He seemed to improve and I all but Forgot about it. UNTILL about the beginning of the month when his coughing got drastically worse. He began coughing up to approx 40 times every time he ate his feed (3x daily). He acted like he had something stuck so after 2 days of monitoring him and with no signs of Improvement, I took him to the Vets to see if we could get to the bottom of it.

His lungs were all clear, No temperature to indicate any infection, so we decided to Scope him to see if anything was out of the Ordinary. And thats when my world came crashing down around me.

The vet spoke that word that no horse owner wants to hear...Tumor. And not just a small tumor either, one that had grown from one side of his Larynx to the other, leaving only 1/3 of his airway left open. The vets took a biopsy to test it and I would have to wait an Angonising week to hear the results.  So I took him home balling my eyes out as the vet had said it was pretty huge and there werent many options available, Particualry if the tumor was in fact cancerous. 

 The Biopsy results came back inconclusive but that the lab "thought" it was Benign but couldnt be sure given the size of the sample, Brilliant now what did we do???? In my "panic stations- must cure him at any cost mode" I rang around to find out if Surgery was an option. Fortunately I wouldnt have to drive him the 6 hour one way trip to Massey and instead managed to get him seen at Vet Associates in Takanini Sth Auckland YAY!

The Vet there was Fabulous and said she could try and remove it under Anesthetic the next day. So reluctantly I came home with an empty Truck and left a bewildered Tarji down there.

 What an agonising day I had waiting ALL day to find out if he had woken up OK. Finally at 4pm came the call, all went well, Non cancerous, but TWO VERY large growths removed.

The two Growths

And in True Tarji fashion he woke up and remained lying down for a good half an hour before even attempting to rise. Pays to be lazy aye, You hear far too many horror stories about horses trying to get up too early after an Anesthetic and breaking legs and necks etc. Tarjis laid back attitude might have just saved his life.

So the following day Mum and I headed down to check on the patient, who was not particularly pleased to see me.  How could I do this to him?, All for the greater good I told him trying very hard to believe my own words. He came home the following day on mountains of medication with an icky looking incision/wound in his throat, which I am told will heal without even a noticeable scar. Scar or no scar Im just pleased I still have my lovely boy at the end of all of this.

Thank God for Insurance, cause this is going to be one Huge Vet Bill

I just have to say Mike at Quadrant Insurance has been fantastic all the way through. They have enabled me to make the best decisions for Tarji without worrying about the costs involved. ( I would have done whatever it took regardless but it was nice to know that I didnt have to pay the WHOLE bill.)

I am told I am allowed to start riding him again 4 weeks after his surgery However I think I will leave it a bit longer than that. He is happy in himself and back to being Boss of the property. So there you have it. The full story. You would not believe the stories I have heard about what happened to him!!!

Below are some pics I will update them each week.

                  1 Day Post op. From underneath Head up.  1 day Post op. From the side Head down

            1 week Post op before and after Cleaning. 

The Green slime is Saliva and Grass. They do not stitch up the flesh and skin as it abscesses and needs to d

1 week Post Op After cleaning. From underneath, Head down.

You can almost see the green bits of grass in this pic. This picture was taken no more than 3 minutes After I had cleaned it so it is still draining really well.

March 2009

The weekend of the 28 Feb / 1st March was our biggest  yet. Absolutely foul weather set in on the Friday evening and I spent ALL night lying in bed trying to decide wether to make poor Tarji compete at Helensville A&P show the next day. When I finally awoke after very little sleep, the wind and rain had eased off slightly (but was still pretty yuck) and I decided I had already paid my entry fees so we would go anyway and it wasnt exactly a very long drive being only 15 minutes down the road.  Upon arriving at the showgrounds we were greeted by Pauline and Murray (Tarjis previous owners from Australia) Tarji wasnt interested in a family renunion only the lush grass under his feet.......Typical. (Pauline and Murray had made the trip from Tarjis homeland to watch him at his first NZ National Championships the next day)

I am pleased to say that in less than desirable conditions Tarji trotted out with Champion led Purebred Arabian gelding. He then went on to "do his bit" in the ridden being sashed Champion Ridden Purebred Exhibit and SUPREME Champion Ridden Arabian. It was a pity the weather put some people off competing but I was happy to take home the lovely ribbons AND LOTS of prizemoney

Home we went, plaits outs, pony out in the paddock and mud for a roll and a rest, Repack the truck, then pony back in to the stable to be prepared for the next day. My sole aim at the Nationals was to Qualify Tarji(make the Final)  in his Ridden Gelding class AND remember the damn dressage test which I had struggled with for the last 2 months. I was thrilled to finish the test with not one course error YAY Even more thrilling was that we were later announced NZ NATIONAL TOP  5 ARABIAN DRESSAGE HORSE!! I was so stoked- I would have been happy to have gone home then and there..... but there was more work to do.... Tarji was his reliable consistent self and Qualified in his Ridden class. He then performed a lovely workout and went on to be sashed NZ NATIONAL TOP 5 RIDDEN PUREBRED ARABIAN MALE. I was RAPT. I LOVE MY BOY!!!!!!

Just as a wind down the next weekend I took Tarji down the road back to Helensville for a local Open show. Im pleased to say he came up trumps again bringing home Champion Ridden Open Hack.

His last show was his debut in the OPEN PARK HACK ring at an A&P show. Not expecting to even be given a second look against some of the countrys TOP Show Hacks I was most excited when he was Sashed RESERVE CHAMPION NOVICE PARK HACK. He even went on to Win his Paced and Mannered class with the judge saying he was "Hard to fault" and commenting on how lovely and soft he worked.  He then went on to be placed 2nd in his OPEN class next to one of the most sashed Park hacks in the country. Imagine my suprise when we were also placed highly in the Open Height class!!! I was Thrilled with him as there was A LOT of TOP horses there (some having their last chance to qualify for Horse of the Year) and after all, he was just a little Arab competing against the Big Guns..... I didnt get any pics as I wasnt expecting to win anything so left the camera in the truck HA HA!

So not a bad effort for having only been together for 4 months!!!  Huge Thanks to Pauline and Murray for making the trip and supporting us at the Nationals, and holding the pony whilst I ran around like a chook with no head LOL! It was a huge help to have you there telling me what buttons Lisa used to push to get the best out of him.  we will get there in the end.....Huge thanks to Lisa for the fantastic job you have done schooling him and to Kris and Keely Bisset for being so accomadating in my purchase of him, and allowing me to have my "Horse of a Lifetime"

Also Huge Thanks to my long suffering groom AKA Mum, Im sure you prefer grooming for Tarji than for Sassy!  

Well Tarjis winter fluff has arrived and so with it comes the end off the season for him. What a Fantastic first season we have had!!

I am looking foward to picking up his lovely new saddle this weekend and having a wee tootle around in it.......

Tarji with Pauline and Murray at the completion of his classes at the Nationals. (Tarjis ears Look HUGE!!!!)

Feb 2009

Disapointingly the Northland Classic Arabian Show was cancelled due to lack of entries, I was gutted about this as I was really looking forward to it. So instead of staying home and moping, Tarji and I headed off To Helensville for a Dressage competition. Once again he proved his worth placing 3rd in his first test (Prelim 1.1 with a score of 66%) and 2nd in his other test (Prelim 1.4 with a score of 68%)  I was very happy with his as usual super consitent and accurate performance.  

January 2009

Happy New Year!!!!

Just before Christmas "Tarji" set out to play with the "BIG kids" in Open company at the Coatesville Pony Club Open Show.  I am thrilled to say that once again he came up trumps and beat off a huge field of horses of All Breeds, to win Champion Open Hack!!!! He was (as usual) foot perfect all day and won over many 'non Arab" people. He now has quite a fan club and a list as Long as your arm of people wanting to buy him. Needless to say he is NOT FOR SALE - LOL!

His next outing is Warkworth A&P Show on the 18th January, then The Northland Classic Arabian Show on the 25th January.

Tarji at Coatesville Show with Jade Normans lovely Derivative mare Silver Mannequin (by Magistad) (who also performed very well) in the background

7th December 2008

Farewell Sassy! With very mixed emotions we farewelled Sassy to cold depths of the South Island this month. Sassy has gone to a lovley new home in Christchurch with Jessica Jacobs where she will be loved and cherished (and much more utilised!). She is settling in well with her new friends and so far her Boys here at home have not appeared to miss her too much yet! It was a very hard decision to let her go and not one made lightly, she is like my first born child however the time and opportunity were the right ones for her.

On the 7th December, Jaytee Intrigue +Au (aka Tigger)  attended the "North Island Arabian Championships" held at Isola Equestrian Centre in Waiuku, Sth Auckland. Where he placed a very creditable 4th out of a very strong class.Tarji and I also strutted our stuff and as usual Tarji was awesome and never put a foot wrong all day, He placed 3rd in Nth Island Open Purebred Male under saddle and 4th in Nth Island Open Paced and Mannered Purebred Arabian Exhibit.   He also placed 4th in Turnout, and 3rd in Best trotting Purebred arabian.

I am thrilled with how far we have come in just a short while. We still have more work to do but are making excellent progress.

9th November

Tarji  and I attended the Rosedale Open Show and I am pleased to say that at only our second outing together we came home with Champion Ridden Hack!!

He was a a gentleman all day except for one small episode where he took exception to an overhead Helicopter and very nearly took flight with it .

However he did show off exactly how much trot he does have so in future he will have to put a bit more effort in to his lengthens!

1st November 2008

Happy Birthday Sassy!! Wow 11 yrs Old- Where has the time gone?!

Sassy has FINALLY come back into some work much to her complete disgust. She was rather fancying her life of leasure in the paddock, however she must have known it wouldnt last forever. We were overwhelmed by the interest in leasing/ purchasing Sassy but for the time being she will remain here as I feel she will be wasted as a broodmare and I really cant bear to part with her. However if and when the right home does come along I will have to bid her farewell as I cannot do both her and Tarji justice. 

Second Ride after 10 months off

Sassy doing what she thinks she was born to do. Pity Mums such a chicken now LOL!!!!

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What a difference a few weeks makes....... Tarjis' coat has almost completely made its appearance -Thank God!!  I was starting to get worried. He has put on more weight, but is still a bit off where I would like him. I am slowly learning his "Buttons" and found out that he does some pretty cool flying changes amongst other things. We were just playing around the other day when I thought I would see just what he does know.... I was pleasantly surprised when he very kindly obeyed every aid and decided to show me all his moves. VERY cool! All going well and weather permitting we have our next outing on the 9th November. I say weather permitting as I dont think Tarji is the sort of horse you can ride in the rain! He HATES it. It is so funny to watch him walk (almost Trot) BACKWARDS down to the stables for his feeds just to keep his bum to rain! I must video it!!!

Tarji feeding his face

--------------------------------------------------- 

Adonis is now being prepped for the North Island Champs next month. Cindy Rowe very capably picks up his lead for me as I just cannot run LOL!!!  If only he would stop playing in the paddock with Teddy he might actually hold some condition! The little buggers seem to spend all day Playing! He is growing well and was measured at 15hhs the other day. His back legs are longer than his mothers and his rump higher than hers so he should make a good height for me.

Donni After his bath

October 2008

 First outing

Tarji and I made our ridden debut last weekend at the AAHC Open Ribbon Day. He was a perfect angel all day and It was so great to get back out there. We are both VERY unfit and he needs alot more weight on and some topline but that will come with work. His coat has suddenly come through also so he is much darker now. Heres a few pics of us in action- Not bad for only our 7th ride .

September 2008

Well finally on the 17th September 14 days overdue Baby Keira Alyssa Brambley decided to make her entrance into the world. Finally I can now get on Tarji and get to know him.So being the impatient person I am only 10 days after Keiras arrival I hopped on Tarji and had a ride. What a FANTASTIC feeling. After all the months of him being stuck in Australia, then not being able to ride due to being pregnant, I was finally able to have a play with him. He is awesome Just what I had hoped for. he was perfectly behaved even after so long a break.

I hope to have him out at some shows soon  just for some fun and experience.

            Keira Alyssa --6 hours Old

JUNE 2008

 The King arrives!!!!!

On Queens Birthday weekend we all piled into the truck and took off down to Karaka to pick up Tarji from Quarantine. All the staff at the Quarantine facility loved him and said he was the favourite.

So Tarji has been in my paddocks now for the last 2 weeks and although he took a little while to settle in, (not helped by Buddy being an absolute meanie to him) he has adjusted well and he is now best friends with Sassy.

At 29 weeks Pregnant I am not allowed to ride him (under Ramons orders - although I did sneak in a quick ride today), so Mum gets to have all the fun with him for the next few months. I took him down to the Pony Club today for a test ride for her and he was a perfect Angel especially after not having been ridden since November when I rode him last.

He is such an honest and sweet horse whose nature just continues to blow me away, he is sooooooo easy to deal with. He is everything and More that I wanted and the wait to get him home was well worth it.

What a HUGE relief to finally have him home.

            Mum having a play with my new toy.

MAY 2008

  

APRIL  2008

 We are expecting our 2nd (and last!) human baby on the 2nd September. This pregnancy has been far easier than the first with very little morning sickness THANK GOD!

I am still riding at this stage much to Sassys disgust. The horses are all very hairy and looking rather ferral.

Tarji is about to head off to Quarantine at Huntley Lodge in Melbourne. He is set to fly to Auckland on the 17th May and be relelased to me from post arrival Quarantine the last weekend of May.. It has been a long wait but will be well worth it to finally have him home.

NOVEMBER 2007

We have just returned from Australia and visiting the very beautiful "Tarji"  I am over the moon with his purchase, he is everything (and more) I had hoped for and I am really looking forward to next season.

An "out of work" Tarji

Teddy has attended his first show and placed a very creditable 2nd amongst some strong competiton. I was very proud of the wee fellow for his first trip outside of the property. He loaded onto the truck with ease and travelled without dramas. He is such a Dude! I LOVE this pony.

October 2007

Our biggest news this month is the Purchase of the Australian Purebred gelding "Tarji"

Tarji is a proven schoolmaster who will join our team in the coming months providing me with another reliable versatile gelding to show now that the old boys have retired from the show ring. He will be campaigned alongside Sassy when he arrives as soon as the EI  in Australia has been eradicated.. See the gelding page for more info on this beautiful boy with his Silver tail. 

With the arrival of spring so came the joys of it for the two boys Adonis and Teddy.  Hence they have both been gelded. They both appear to have forgiven me now for taking their "manhood" and have settled well into life as geldings.

Sassy has returned to work and is looking like the break has done her the world of good. She is working better than ever and Im looking forward to taking her out to shows under saddle in the next couple of months. She has a new rider for the season and is building up a great partnership with Stephanie.

August 2007

The horses are Moulting!!!!! Spring is in the air.

Donut (Adonis) took his weaning exceptionally well with no dramas. He is now a "Big boy" and has been wearing a cover over the coldest months. He and Teddy are great mates and spend HOURS playing with each other in the paddock.

The old boys have survived the worst of the weather rather well. We had a bit of a scare with Sassy (Persephone) not long ago when she developed a massive infection and refused to eat or drink anything for more than 4 days. She lost a LOT of condition and is still on a long and rocky road to recovery.  She seems to be back to her dominant self but it will be a while before she is 100% and looking anything like her old self.

I am hoping that she will be right in time for a few shows at the end of the season but if not I may have to pull Buddy out of the paddock again just to keep myself sane!

With the sale of Coco, we were left with a gap on the property.    This month we welcome the arrival of "Renington Good as Gold" a Partbred Welsh palomino colt. Teddy is by the well known pony sire Greenlee Caspar. His purchase sees us heading in a whole new direction. Look out for him in the Welsh and Golden horse classes next season. He is destined to be Dylans future lead rein Pony and in the meantime a companion for Adonis.

"Woodlands Coco" has been sold to a lovely home in Levin. He made the big trip recently and looked quite amusing when he was put on Inter Island Transports BIG truck. He will now get a lot more attention and be utilised a bit more.

"Adonis" continues to Flourish. He will be weaned at the end of winter. He is quite tall, standing 13.2hh at 4 months old. Hopefully he will be bigger than his mother but stay a park hack.

All the horses are getting fluffy and Adonis in particular resembles a woolly Yak.

The very successful grey partbed mare "I'Ida" (Rockdon Regahl x Sahara Doll) has been sold to the Jack family of Kaukapakapa.

  I had not planned on selling her so soon and was growing very attached to her.  She was a lovely mare and I was quite sad to see her go. However she is just across the valley and I can still see her and keep up with her progress. She will be out under saddle next season with her new young rider.