***Daughter and Dolly update....and a little about me!!!***

[redmone]

Hi everyone!!!!!!

Just thought I'd give a quick Daughter and Dolly update, as it seems to have been a while!!!

They've been out and about quite a bit (despite a brief break, due to MOT horsebox issues but we're now on the road again!) and have done quite well recently!

They went to an end of season championship and came home with 2nd and 3rd. Dolly was a star, especially as it was freezing and our "after lunch" classes started at 3pm (when we arrived at 11am!) so we were all cold and a bit fed up by then, but Dolly was ever so good!

Even though they missed the last x2 riding club dressage events (due to weather and MOT) they managed to finish the year 5th and 6th, and have won a couple of trophies, which is lovely too!!!

And they've won a few other bits and pieces too, which has been lovely.

We had a dodgy moment recently when a judge (for one of those online judged competitions that we do) commented that daughter was "too big" for Dolly, and well, I went a bit mad and ended up complaining. I'm all for the judge's say being final, but I was a bit angry about that (it somehow seems worse having something like that down on paper, then just said in the showring!) but we ended up getting an apology so, I can't complain (didn't stop me )!!!

All in all, Dolly was been brilliant recently! She seems a bit more on her toes going into winter, but nothing naughty!! Just a bit speedy when jumping!!

Speaking of jumping.....

And here's a few others.....

I love how orange she is on this one!!!

Love this one too!

And this is my new favourite! Happy days!!!!


A final note about my riding progress!!! Well, I've had my robot horse lesson, which was awesome and completely and utterley knackering and I've had a "real" lesson on Eddie who was brilliant and looked after me so well! I plodded around a bit and was reminded just how long ago it's been (and how much heavier I am now ) but I loved every minute of it and can't wait for another lesson! I'm determined to get back to it! I just want to be able to hack out with D & D!!!!

BUT I'm sure none of you told me how much pain I'd be in once I started riding again. OMG!!!!!!! Didn't help that we did the 4 hour round trip to HOYS the day after I'd ridden, my legs weren't feeling the love!

Anyway, a final D & D photo.....

Thanks for reading everyone!!!

I would offer you some bacon butty but it's all gone you can have some fizzy snakes and lucozade, but perhaps not at the same time like I've just done

 

[AmyMay]

Wonderful, wonderful photo's. I think that your daughter's face says it all really.

Thanks for the update.

p.s - how many days before you could walk again

 

[Maisy]

Dolly & your daughter have come a very long way It just shows what can be achieved with perseverance and patience....

It won't be long before you're posting pictures of yourself popping jumps like that!!!

 

[katie_southwest]

How ridiculous to say Shes too big!!!!
Love your updates, great photos

 

[redmone]

Wonderful, wonderful photo's. I think that your daughter's face says it all really.

Thanks for the update.

p.s - how many days before you could walk again

Thanks!! They REALLY make a great team!!!

The robot was worse than the real horse - about 4 days that time.

The real horse - about 3 days!!!!

And although I could walk, I couldn't have stopped a pig in a ginnel

 

[redmone]

Dolly & your daughter have come a very long way It just shows what can be achieved with perseverance and patience....

It won't be long before you're posting pictures of yourself popping jumps like that!!!

Thanks!!

I think it might be a while!!!! I couldn't do rising trot for giggling!!!

 

[redmone]

How ridiculous to say Shes too big!!!!
Love your updates, great photos

I was really angry about that!! But I appreciated that they did apologise. I just said I thought it was inappropriate and insensitive. Daughter is 4 foot 10 inches, and weighs just under 5 stone. I doubt there's many ponies she'd actually be too big for

Thanks!!

 

[hobo]

What a lovely report and that first picture what a jump. I also think she looks great on Dolly and no way to big silly judge.

 

[redmone]

What a lovely report and that first picture what a jump. I also think she looks great on Dolly and no way to big silly judge.

Thank you!

I thought it was a very odd thing to pass comment on! Couldn't believe when I read it. I know I've "fixed it" for now but I'm sure it'll stick in the back of daughter's mind.

Ah well......

 

[FfionWinnie]

What a lovely update.

For goodness sake your daughter is a wee skelf how on earth could she be too big for that pony

I love her sparkly browband too

 

[Turitea]

I really enjoy your updates on D & D. They look great together and re D (the 2-legged one ) being too tall/ big or whatever for D (the 4-legged one ) ... all is good. Hope you all have a brilliant autumn and winter together.

 

[JFTDWS]

I was going to comment about how good dolly and miniRm look, but since you taunt us with mention of a bacon butty, then snatch it from our grasps at the last second I shan't

I hope you have your next lesson booked in too

 

[Ruth_Cymru]

Fantastic to hear how well they're doing together- the judge was obviously a little nuts, they'd have fallen off their chair seeing 5ft7 of me on my 14.3! I hope the comment hasn't concerned your Daughter, she looks fab on Dolly

Next update I expect to see photos of you on your horse as well, be it mechanical or real

 

[Shysmum]

WOW - huge smile here !!

 

[dafthoss]

Saw that fist photo on fb this morning the pair of them look fab together!

As for the judges comments she is obviously off her head, but I will send you the photos of me on some thing dollys size so you can show daughter and tell her not to worry.

Glad your lesson went well, but when are we going to get pictures??!

 

[nikCscott]

LOVE D & D posts!

Well done to them both and you on the riding too! Hacking out with your children is the BEST!

These judges but be getting so use to over horsed children D&D look perfect and will continue to for a while yet!

Good job Judge didn't see me on naughty sec a yesterday!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Super photos! Where are the ones of you?

Well done to all of you, you've come a long way in a relatively short time. I'm another who thinks that judge was totally wrong, on lots of different levels. In the pics with the rosettes D's knees are in exactly the right position on the saddle.

 

[redmone]

What a lovely update.

For goodness sake your daughter is a wee skelf how on earth could she be too big for that pony

I love her sparkly browband too

Thanks!!!

I really enjoy your updates on D & D. They look great together and re D (the 2-legged one ) being too tall/ big or whatever for D (the 4-legged one ) ... all is good. Hope you all have a brilliant autumn and winter together.

Thanks very much!!

I was going to comment about how good dolly and miniRm look, but since you taunt us with mention of a bacon butty, then snatch it from our grasps at the last second I shan't

I hope you have your next lesson booked in too

I shall accept your compliments anyway! And then I have the bacon butty and the nice comments too mwhahahahah!!!! Yep lesson booked, I'm in an "every other week" slot but with any cancellations!!! No pain no gain!!!

Fantastic to hear how well they're doing together- the judge was obviously a little nuts, they'd have fallen off their chair seeing 5ft7 of me on my 14.3! I hope the comment hasn't concerned your Daughter, she looks fab on Dolly

Next update I expect to see photos of you on your horse as well, be it mechanical or real

Ha ha! Yes but I bet you weigh about 6 stone so are nothing for your 14.3! Daughter is recovering well from the comment, she wants me to book her into pony racing school to cheer her up

WOW - huge smile here !!

Thanks shysmum!

Saw that fist photo on fb this morning the pair of them look fab together!

As for the judges comments she is obviously off her head, but I will send you the photos of me on some thing dollys size so you can show daughter and tell her not to worry.

Glad your lesson went well, but when are we going to get pictures??!

NO PHOTOS!!!!! Well actually, I have two, but not showing them

Got your message by the way, will show Daughter later and message you back!! THANKS LOADS!!! x x xx

LOVE D & D posts!

Well done to them both and you on the riding too! Hacking out with your children is the BEST!

These judges but be getting so use to over horsed children D&D look perfect and will continue to for a while yet!

Good job Judge didn't see me on naughty sec a yesterday!

ha ha ha wish I could bomb about on little ponies, although I think the one I rode might "just" have been a pony

I think judges wanting over horsed kids is just as bad as them placing fat ponies highest!!! About time they were a bit more responsible methinks!!!

Super photos! Where are the ones of you?

Well done to all of you, you've come a long way in a relatively short time. I'm another who thinks that judge was totally wrong, on lots of different levels. In the pics with the rosettes D's knees are in exactly the right position on the saddle.

The photos of me are in my phone!!! And staying there!!!!!!

Thanks so much for your comments!! Lovely to hear from you

 

[alijanem]

At last, I've been dying to hear how you got on with the robot horse!!! And well done to Dolly and Daughter - am flabbergasted that a judge could say she was too big. What on earth must I look like on our 13.1 Welsh B???? Don't know if you remember me but last time I commented we had just bought a pony and I was a nervous wreck. Still am a bit of a wreck at times and know we'll have ups and downs but can't be too bad as we now have two ponies!!!!! I must be mad. Somehow ended up with a matching pair of palaminos - Welsh A and Welsh B. Took them out for first time together on Sunday and got a few comments especially as golden labrador matches too. Keep us posted as I love reading your updates and it gives me inspiration for my two daughters.

 

[rhino]

That top pic is great, well they all are but that's my favourite!

Looks like daughter&dolly are going great guns, and agree that is one silly judge!

Very disappointed not to see any pics of your lesson though

ETA think I've just friend requested you on fb

 

[Ruth_Cymru]

Ha ha! Yes but I bet you weigh about 6 stone so are nothing for your 14.3! Daughter is recovering well from the comment, she wants me to book her into pony racing school to cheer her up

That's very kind of you to imagine me as 6 stone, but I don't think I've been that weight since I was around 12 Having said that, at almost 10 stone I'm still not in any danger of flattening my arab, so your Daughter and Dolly have nothing to worry about

 

[Lolo]

Too big? What crap! She looks the right size on her now, you've got a good year left before the mutterings even begin about too big. And even then, miniRM is very very mini! I hate it when children are on ponies who are too big for them as the trend nowadays. Al rode her flying coblet until you could see her feet either side of his belly when she was at jumping length, and he still pinged 1.10m courses.

They look so grown up and like they're having so much fun She's old enough for a hairnet now though I reckon rather than plaits...

 

[LauraWheeler]

Yay thanks for the update. Ignore the to big comment. They should see me on Herbs Well done miniRM on all the winnings you'll need a bigger house soon to desplay them all
And that jump in the first pic It's huge Herbs and I could nearly go under that

 

[Ibblebibble]

too BIG?! good god i think the judge should go to specsavers! D and D are a great team

 

[Fools Motto]

Fab photos!
All of you have come such a long way, it has been a pleasure to 'read-be' part of it!
Well done, total stars - all of you. (tis a pleasure to read such a positive story).

 

[Twinkley Lights]

She looks so happy and what a lovely pony. I can't see what the judge was thinking (perhaps wanted pony for themself). Good luck with your riding too and I really hope to see piccies of you both out one day!

 

[Snoozinsusan]

I love your updates.

No way is she too big! That sort of comment can really upset children. I had a Welsh A (11.2hh) whose rider may have been a bit tall but no way was she too heavy. She was told at Pony Club that she was too big and after that she gave up with him! Ridiculous!

Actually, now that I've searched for the photos of them, maybe she was a bit on the tall side!

D and D have no worries in that respect! What a great partnership!

 

[redmone]

At last, I've been dying to hear how you got on with the robot horse!!! And well done to Dolly and Daughter - am flabbergasted that a judge could say she was too big. What on earth must I look like on our 13.1 Welsh B???? Don't know if you remember me but last time I commented we had just bought a pony and I was a nervous wreck. Still am a bit of a wreck at times and know we'll have ups and downs but can't be too bad as we now have two ponies!!!!! I must be mad. Somehow ended up with a matching pair of palaminos - Welsh A and Welsh B. Took them out for first time together on Sunday and got a few comments especially as golden labrador matches too. Keep us posted as I love reading your updates and it gives me inspiration for my two daughters.

No way!!! Of course I remember you!! How on earth did you end up with TWO matching ponies!!! lol!!!! I thought we were mad Well done! I'm sure everything is going to be great for you!!! Enjoy!!!

That top pic is great, well they all are but that's my favourite!

Looks like daughter&dolly are going great guns, and agree that is one silly judge!

Very disappointed not to see any pics of your lesson though

ETA think I've just friend requested you on fb

Errrm. I don't have a friend request I wonder who you've requested thinking it was me I'll PM you a link to my FB!

ps I love the top pic too, it's a crap photo but daughter was very proud to clear a "real" metre rather than 95cm and me telling her it was close enough Dolly really flies!!!

That's very kind of you to imagine me as 6 stone, but I don't think I've been that weight since I was around 12 Having said that, at almost 10 stone I'm still not in any danger of flattening my arab, so your Daughter and Dolly have nothing to worry about

Wish I was 10 stone Thanks though!

Too big? What crap! She looks the right size on her now, you've got a good year left before the mutterings even begin about too big. And even then, miniRM is very very mini! I hate it when children are on ponies who are too big for them as the trend nowadays. Al rode her flying coblet until you could see her feet either side of his belly when she was at jumping length, and he still pinged 1.10m courses.

They look so grown up and like they're having so much fun She's old enough for a hairnet now though I reckon rather than plaits...

I've told daughter she can have another pony when she can use her feet for brakes and boy does she need brakes sometimes

She wears a hairnet/bun case for dressage and most other classes - just showing she went for the plaits because it was a fun show and I wanted her to get use out of the posh (expensive!) bows I had made for her ages ago!!! She has a bun net under the back of her hat normally, promise!

I totally agree with you regarding the trend for "bigger better" ponies - for goodness sake, I think someone's bought really bad if they're growing out of them in a year or so!!! We've decided to keep Dolly forever, so daughter has literally got forever on her. I do love that pony.....

Yay thanks for the update. Ignore the to big comment. They should see me on Herbs Well done miniRM on all the winnings you'll need a bigger house soon to desplay them all
And that jump in the first pic It's huge Herbs and I could nearly go under that

Thanks! We DO need a bigger house!!!!!

too BIG?! good god i think the judge should go to specsavers! D and D are a great team

Thanks! You're all making daughter feel MUCH better!!

Fab photos!
All of you have come such a long way, it has been a pleasure to 'read-be' part of it!
Well done, total stars - all of you. (tis a pleasure to read such a positive story).

Awww thank you!!! You've been with us all the way!! It's funny, I see so many "problem" posts - I almost feel boring now, with my shameless proud mummy posts!! But I am so proud. Of both of them. They've both come along so well. I saw them tonight, out in the rain, schooling in an arena with 4 other (older) riders. They just got on with it, cantering around people, leg yielding etc... words can't say how proud I am, and how much I love them both (oh that really was soft wasn't it!!!)

She looks so happy and what a lovely pony. I can't see what the judge was thinking (perhaps wanted pony for themself). Good luck with your riding too and I really hope to see piccies of you both out one day!

Thank you! No chance re my photos. Partly to be honest, because I don't feel quite right posting photos on me, strictly speaking on someone else's horse. And partly because I look like a sack of spuds on him. He's beautiful though!

I love your updates.

No way is she too big! That sort of comment can really upset children. I had a Welsh A (11.2hh) whose rider may have been a bit tall but no way was she too heavy. She was told at Pony Club that she was too big and after that she gave up with him! Ridiculous!

Actually, now that I've searched for the photos of them, maybe she was a bit on the tall side!

D and D have no worries in that respect! What a great partnership!

Naw, she wasn't too big. Awesome photo!!! Again, comments like that really "p" me off! A few judges in the early days told daughter that Dolly was too strong for her. Well, really what was she supposed to do about it? Sell her? Shoot her? Give up and trade her in for something else that she wouldn't have learnt half as much on??? I just think, kids ride the ponies that are bought for them. If the judge (or PC person) thinks they are seriously not right for them, then surely a "well done" to the child, and quiet word in the ear of the parent is a more sensible course of action??? I just think it's a bit mean critising a child for something they have NO control over whatsoever.

Then there was the judge that BEFORE D & Ds ridden show said "good luck, I just don't like chestnut ponies" ha ha ha ha!!!! Think they came 3rd or 4th out of lots, so can't have done bad!

 

[rhino]

Errrm. I don't have a friend request I wonder who you've requested thinking it was me I'll PM you a link to my FB!

Oopsies!

 

[redmone]

Oopsies!

hahahahaha!

Got you now!!!!!