Equestrian Memories :)

[QueenOfCadence]

So with all the fighting and chaos on HHO recently I thought it might be nice to start a thread that's a bit on the brighter side . So here's the idea, I'm going to post a couple of headings and under each heading you can post a special equine memory . I thought this may be a good idea as we are all at different stages in our lives and sometimes it's good to reflect . I'll start us off (use the headings that I use):

First Horse You Ever Rode:​

The first horse I ever rode was a crossbreed (possibly had a little bit of everything in him!). He was probably about 11hh (though he seemed huge to me at the time. I was 4 and he was my first solo ride XD). He was a bright skewbald with one blue eye and one brown eye. I adored him to bits and thought the sun shone through his behind, infact in my mind he was the champion of all horses and nobody was priviledged enough to ride him except for me XD. Later year however, as I got exposed to more ponies, I started realizing how naughty he was and that for years I had been his slave without even realizing it! Wouldn't trade the experiences I had with him for anything though

First Fall:​

Hmm... I actually have to think about this one... The first fall I ever had was off of a chestnut TB mare named Beguirra. We were hacking out when a horse-eating pram came up the rode. Beguirra literally took a side step and I came tumbling off (mind you I was 6 at the time and my mom was on foot next to me) - I can't really remember this fall though but I know it happened because my mother still hasn't let me live it down as I apparently begged to get back on Beguirra even though I had scraped open my arm on the tar . The first fall I can remember having was off of my first pony (who I still have), we made the mistake of buying him for a dealer who said he was perfectly safe - he through me in the riding school during a lessons and promplty continued to gallop on and jump over the schooling arena's meter high fence. He took a few more gallop strides after his jump, then stopped and started munching the grass. I remember worrying more about whether he was going to be alright than about myself XD (though I will say that there were some pity tears involved).

First Win:​

My first win ever was on Duke in a Lead Rein showing class. I remember winning and thinking that I was THE best rider ever to grace this earth and I remember thinking that none of those ponies stood a flying chance against MY Duke.

Saddest Equine Moment:​

Having to sell my Hanoverian baby recently because of finances . I remember balling everytime someone came to try him out. I had imported him from Namibia as a 2 year old and he had been mine through everything - backing, schooling, first clip, first time being blanketed. Everything. I'm still sad when I think about it but atleast he went to a fantastic home (my instructor ended up buying him XD) where he is loved and spoilt rotten

Happiest Equine Moment:​

The day I got my first pony (I still have him, ride and compete him about 10 years down the line XD). He was a stunning homozygous palomino Welsh Cob x TB gelding who had done Children's A Grade jumping. He was every little girl's dream though he was a naughty little bugger (and still is). I got him as a birthday present from my parents (though we had started looking for a pony for me LONG before my birthday and I had wanted Goldie LONG before my birthday). I remember feeling on top of the world when I loaded him into that trailer to take him home and I remember putting him into his new stable which already had his name next to it. Best day ever

Scariest Equine Moment:

Oooh, I remember this one well because it happened last year. I took Goldie (my first pony XD. Now not as young as he use to be) to Higher Inter-Regionals dressage and Equitation last year. I remember arriving and noticing that Goldie was acting up but he usually does, so I didn't think much of it... As soon as we got into the warm up to start warming up for Equitation he started going bezerk. I reared up, bucked, bolted, shied away - he was an absolute monster. I couldn't even walk him down to the Equitation arena and so had to scratch. I spent another hour trying to calm him down before our dressage - which I eventually managed to do. He did the dressage classes but he wasn't happy about it and he gave me quite a few good bucks to let me know about it. It turns out one of the novice grooms had put Tick Grease into his ears earlier and this was what had freaked him out. It was the coldest, windiest day of the year and tick grease burns when the wind blows on it. Poor pony... I have never felt so out of control in my life and I never thought that I'd literally start making peace with dying on a day because of my Goldie

The Horse That Touched Your Heart:​

Would have to be Goldie once again . He came from a Show Jumping background where he was treated more as a machine for rosettes than as a horse, he came to use with a horrible phobia of Jumping (because of a Jumping accident he had had with his previous owner). He was scared of whips and will still freak at the sight of spurs today. But the fact that one little plucky pony could turn my whole world upside down (in a good way) and accept a rather eccentric, odd teenager as his own still makes my heart skip a beat whenever I think of it. There is no greater compliment than having a horse that wont allow anybody but you to ride it :')

Your Dream Horse As A Child:​

I remember very clearly what type of horse I wanted as a child . A BIG white one that looked like a unicorn that would bow down to let me mount it, or a pitch black stallion that would rear up in dramatic moments that would be wild and that I would tame OR a buckskin pony who was tame enough to live in my house and that was small enough to sleep in my bed with me XD. Regardless to say, I'm much easier to please now and I'll settle for a nice calm sporthorse any day XD


So that's it from me ! Share your equine memories ! I'd love to hear them

 

[QueenOfCadence]

I'll share some pictures aswell (feel free to do the same)!

My first pony and still my little silly bum:

And The One That Got Away (The Hano I had to sell):

 

[sandi_84]

First Fall
Whilst working at a small stables as a teenager we all went out for a hack with me riding backup on my friends favourite pony (not my favourite barrel bellied highland mare), a beautiful eriskay. Got to the gate through the forrest and got down to close it and everyone left me! Was a bit annoyed coz even then I knew you weren't supposed to do that but they didn't hear me shouting them to wait.
Climbed up the gate a bit so I didn't have to mount from the ground and sat (nice and gently as always) in the saddle. The second my butt touched leather he took off after his mates putting in a massive buck for good measure! I could swear I somersaulted in the air! Landed on my back in a huge squisy mud bog Couldn't help but giggle (which strangely I do even if I hurt myself) at how stupid I must have looked layin on my back up to my ears in mud and trundled off squelchily to find the rest of the hack.

 

[MizzPurpleKitten]

First Horse I ever Rode:

I honestly cannot remember the first horse I ever sat on as I was 2yrs old, but the first horse I rode in a lead rein lesson at my riding school was a Skewbald Cob called Warrior, I was 4. We went for a lead rein walk out and it was lovely, the cheeky sod even stomped on the instructor's foot

First Fall:

Lady! My first Love....a Big Grey, pretty sure she was Anglo Arab. I was 8 and had Lady for a 'course' (own a pony week basically with daily lessons etc), she bolted when it was our turn to canter, threw a few huge bucks in for good measure, I came off and landed with my arm beneath her thundering hooves.....Pretty painful fall!

First Win:

Lady again, in a Gymkhana at the riding school, God I did love that mare!

Happiest Equine Moment:

I have 2, one was the day I brought Lewi home (my first ever 'own' horse, as I'd loaned quite a few previously) I still have him now, 14 years on, and will never ever give him up. The other was the day I first happily cantered on Max, and realised he truly is everything I ever dreamed of in a horse, and he's all mine!

Saddest Equine Moment:

This probabnly seems very petty, but the saddest moments for me have both been very recent, The first was about 4 weeks ago, when I looked into that sweet little face of my Lewi and saw lots of little grey hairs on his face......It just brought it home that he's getting older (although by no means old yet) and that one day, he won't be with me anymore, I have no idea how I could ever live without him. The other was being faced with the possibility of losing my horse of a lifetime a few weeks ago (Max), he'd been losing dramatic amounts of weight since the end of summer, was very lethargic all the time and was generally not himself.....the vets thought the worst and told me to prepare for such and I can honestly say I've never cried so much in my life as I have these past 4 weeks over my boys.....Thankfully Max is well on the road to recovery now and Lewi is still his young-at-heart self

Dream horse when you were a child:

Either a Dapple Grey Arab (or Arab X Welsh) wish a pink nose or a Jet Black Warmblood with a white star.

 

[MizzPurpleKitten]

Scariest Equine Moment:

Again there are 2, The first I was 14 years old and I was hacking out with my best friend at the time, I got off Lewi to open a gate and her pony for some reason kicked out (They were the best of friends and shared a paddock so no idea what caused it), Lewi bolted, and I mean BOLTED. He ran all the way down the bridleway, across trhe small road and onto the dual carriageway......I genuinely thought I'd lost him and started calling everyone I could for help. About 15 mins later (after calling police, Dad, Yard Owner etc) I heart hooves on the road and thought it must be the yard owner coming to look for him, actually it was Lewi, being led by a McDonald's worker.....He asked if Lewi was mine and promptly informed me he'd taken himself through the drive-thru so he left and set out to find where he'd come from! Yes, seriously a true story. The other, again, Hacking out with my best friend but this time was last year, went for a gallop on a local track, Max set off too early, slipped around the corner, his backend went from under him and he landed on top of me.....he fractured my hip and bust my nose....when I managed to move to try and grab him he bolted, he obviously thought I might hit him or something (he was clearly panic stricken bless his heart). Again I genuinely thought I'd lost him, luckily the local riding school were out hacking the same route a few miles behind us and they rallied around to catch both Max and my friend's horse who had dumped her unceremoniously in a hedge following our accident and also run off! They were both caught and reuinted with us, completely unscathed....I went off to A&E as soon as I made sure my boy was home and safe in his stable!

Horse that Touched your Heart:

There have been many, but the one who touched my heart that has never been mine in any real capacity was a big Dark Bay TB X Mare called Mishka owned by the riding school I learned at. I truly fell for her, hook line and sinker. When they told me she was for sale I was heartbroken and begged my Dad to buy her for me, he tried but the Yard Owner refused as she said she was unsuitable for a girl of my age (I was 11, and although young I was not lacking in experience thanks to that riding school teaching me very well, I also rode this mare on every ride I could....I was one of the only 2 who could ride her happily without being dumped!) so she took her to the sales. I have never stopped looking for her :-(

 

[Shantara]

first equine
Donkey called Tricksy!

First horse
Lucky!! He was a star! He napped a bit, but was good I miss that pony so much.

First fall
Was also my first canter I guess I was just bounced off!

First win
Never won anything on a horse
However, I won a show with my dog! Best cross

Saddest moment
When Blobby died suddenly. I had promised him a polo I never saw him again, or gave him that polo. When everyone had left flowers on his door, I left a polo.

Happiest moment
Not sure I could put my finger on this. Blobby, Archie and Ned have all given me great moments.

Scariest moment
When Bracken bolted and then did rodeo style bucks. I fell off and did my ankle in. I got straight back up and didn't realise the pain until I got home. My ankles, knees and back have never been the same

Horse that touched my heart
NED!
We're both mixed up pups who haven't had a fair life (That's a lie, I've had a brill life, but my relationships have left me on the brink a few times). We've really helped each other grow

Childhood dream horse
This - http://static.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/577110-bigthumbnail.jpg
Or this - http://www.theequinest.com/breeds/images/suffolk-punch-1.jpg

 

[Lolo]

first proper equine
Joey pony

14hh silver dun, he was 9 and I was just turned 11. He was amazing, an absolute saint with the most genuine attitude going. He was very lazy though!

First fall
When I first jumped, I forgot to steer so literally cantered into the wall at the end of the school. Pony swerved, I didn't!

First win
On Joey! We won a hunter trial- the 2'9 class Proudest moment ever. We also won 'Best in ride" at camp that year- I still have the little trophy in my bedroom!

Saddest moment
I have three. When Joey died, on the year anniversary of having got him, very suddenly of an aneurysm. He was just turned 10, and very fit and healthy to all appearances. The photo below is us about 3 days before he died.

The second one was when my 'replacement' pony for Joey broke down out hunting. He spooked, landed in deep plough and jumped out. He went to gallop on to keep up but couldn't move properly- he was hobbling. I got off, and he refused to budge so I ended up getting back on and we hobbled back to the lorry park. I sobbed the whole way- I was only 12, and I knew he wasn't going to get better from this.

My third is when Cheeky was PTS. He was old, and I knew it was coming from back in early June- he'd gone lame and his arthritis had totally seized him up. I was a mess for most of that summer. I got my exam results on the 21st August, found I'd got into my first choice of uni and so went and celebrated with my friends as planned. He deteriorated dramatically in those 2 days and mum had him PTS. After 5 happy years with him and owing him so much I never got to say goodbye.

Happiest moment

Cheeky and I had such fun together, almost all my moments with him make me smile so much. But this one was a special moment- we were doing a 2'9 ODE and I was looking forward to it. I'd had such horrendous confidence knocks and now I trusted him enough to go out and have fun.

Scariest moment
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/5415_1176628502977_1446041645_30485207_1013065_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/5415_1176628542978_1446041645_30485208_2354606_n.jpg
This. I lost control, and he literally slammed into the fence at top speed. I stayed on this, but as I circled away my stirrup leather snapped. The stirrup iron started hitting his stomach and he bolted. I couldn't do anything but cling on but realised this was futile- he was heading home and I was going to come off. So I bailed, only he spooked as I went so I landed in front of him and got kicked along. It terrified me, and I ended up hugely bruised and battered. He was caught, I got back on and we finished the course though just because I had a sneaking feeling I wouldn't get back on if I didn't right then.

Him heading to the lorry, as he always did in times of trouble!

The only other time I have been truly terrified was when I was 10. I was riding a horse called Wally and something spooked him and bolted. He went for nearly 4 miles down roads with me desperately trying to pull him up before he turned a very tight corner and I was too tired to stay on so was flung off. It hurt, but it also was something that made me very wary out hacking- to this day, cantering out hacking scares me and I only will with my sister as I trust her 100%.

Horse that touched my heart
All of them, but Cheeky mostly. He was truly the best thing that has happened to me and I miss him every single day.

 

[Cadfael&Coffee]

First Horse You Ever Rode:​

I can only imagine was Pip superstar on the lead rein, little **** when off it!! so was bought my first pony (Lace- grey in my sig) when i was 3

First Fall:​

I can't remember!!

First Win:​

I can't remember this either!! i do remember winning a medal for coaxing my green pony around a working hunter course, only to stop at the last fence cause i cantered him into it!! everybody else had had a refusal or knockdowns, but i got a medal

Saddest Equine Moment:​

When my darling boy stood stock still for the vet after he broke his knees. Broke my heart cause he was in such shock, and he didn't even flinch when the vet got his needles out which is completely and utterly out of character

Happiest Equine Moment:​

any moment i have been around my horses- each and every one will be with me until i die

Scariest Equine Moment:

Waiting to hear about my Bunny after her accident... she bolted down the bridle path, and i had to frog march my friend and her pony (who had caused the damn accident) back to the yard (1/2 mile!!) so i could find an adult to help.
Luckily she was caught a couple of miles away, but mum wouldn't let me go with her to get her, because it sounded like she would have had to have had her shot.
luckily she brought her home, but the waiting was horrible

The Horse That Touched Your Heart:​

all of them. every single one. and there's been a lot of them!!

Your Dream Horse As A Child:​

my ponies were the best horses in the world as far as im concerned they were then too

thanks for this post- i've a lot of sad memories, but i treasure them all

 

[kiritiger]

First horse I ever rode :

Little black dartmoor mare called Jasmine. She was the first pony I ever rode at the first place I learnt to ride and as it turns out also the last. I never rode her in between those times though, not once!

First fall :

Welshie mare called Melody. The pony behind got too close and Melody double barrelled her. I fell off but got straight back up and got back on but I seem to remember that the girl on the other pony cried even though Melody didn't make contact with her or her pony. It's funny what you remember though!

First win :

I actually can't remember my first win but one of my most memorable was when I won a chase-me-charlie on a truly fantastic pony called Ollie. Not only was he probably in his mid-twenties at the time but he was a full time RDA pony. He had the oddest jumping technique which was to get right underneath the jump and just pop over it leaving no room to spare. He would do this at any height and I really think it was a factor in his longevity. In conclusion, he was a bit of a freak of nature but a fantastic pony.

Saddest equine moment :

Doing work experience at Horseworld came across an abuse case which involved a horse who was the sweetest, kindest, most trusting horse I have ever met and it just made me sad to think that anyone could do that to such an animal.

Happiest equine moment :

My first and so far only time going hunting. It was one of the best days of my life.

Scariest equine moment :

Being bolted with across an open field and knowing the last time this horse did this involved air ambulances and broken legs. I bailed.

The horse that touched your heart :

There are two. Pony at the second riding school I went to called Penny. Definitely not a pony I'd like to own because she was club footed and very difficult to keep sound. However, she was for the most part very much of the attitude that 'I will if you will'. She just made me laugh and I had the best XC ride I have ever had on her.
The other was also 'scariest moment horse'. He touched my heart because I'd ridden him for maybe 9 months while his owner had a broken leg and then went off to uni and didn't see him for 12/13 weeks. When I came back he still recognised me. That was very touching for me.

Dream horse as a child :

Supreme Rock.

 

[Tnavas]

First Horse I Ever Rode:​

I have no idea what his/her name is or who he/she belonged too but this is where it all began

First Fall:​

I was with friends Mary Hagger (Bambi) Jane Hagger (Puzzle) Amanda Rigden (Little Joe and Jane Grover (Shandy) They were riding in the field down the back of the farm and let me ride - I could only just rise to the trot at this point. Like all kids we dared each other all the time and they dared me to jump Shandy - first jump was just wonderful, sadly second not so good, flew off on landing and dislocated my shoulder. When I got home in a lot of pain, dad rubbed Sloanes linament into it - too hard, I didn't know which hurt the most my shoulder or the linament burn.

First Win:​

Best Rider or Best Condition & Turnout at Adeles Gymkhana - can't remember which came first. She ran a gymkhana every month from April on and we would all ride down there and have an amazing day then ride oour ponies back home again. Not a single trailer or horsebox in sight.

Saddest Equine Moment:​

When Sherryll sold Softee - I sobbed my heart out - for some reason this little horse had really stolen my heart. I gave up riding after this happened and had no horses at all for a couple of years.

Happiest Equine Moment:​

The safe arrival of these little ones Serenade and Fantasia

Scariest Equine Moment:​

This bad boy bolted across a 100acre paddock I had him on a circle and had almost pulled the bit through his mouth but he wouldn't stop - in the end I headed him for the very high perimeter hedge, he didn't stop but turned left leaving me to carry n through the top of a Black Thorn hedge - I was removing thorns from my legs for almost a week after - seriously painful, scarey but also exhilerating too

The Horse That Touched My Heart:​

My beautiful Clydesdale mare Serenity - it was love aat first sight and 8 years later I still love her the most. She listens to my woes with her head on my shoulder and muzzle buried in my neck, she always wickers to me (except when I put a muzzle on her) she will be with me for ever.

My Dream Horse As A Child:​

Any pony would do - I remember rushing to the window every birthday & Xmas desperately hoping that my pony would be in the garden. When talking to my mum the other day she doesn't remember me being pony mad - this is quite interesting considering she had written in my baby book - "First words - Pretty, Gee gee" I was almost 1yr old

 

[sandi_84]

Had a bit of time this morning so thought i'd fill in the rest...

First Horse You Ever Rode:
My sister's first horse when I was about 4, don't remember anything about him other than he was called Gaylad strange name!

First Win:
Got a clear round at a gymkhana and then my one and only first at handy pony

Saddest Equine Moment:
When the stables I worked for when I was younger sold my favourite pony. They let me go with her to meet her new owners who had heard I was really upset. They were lovely and assured me they would take great care of her and gave me a huge box of chocolates. I cried the whole way home and probably for about a week straight afterwards

Happiest Equine Moment:
Sorry got two...
1)Finally getting Bracken to box (she was horrible at first), I had worked and worked at it trying to be gentle and not make it scary for her until finally she would go in, stand for a bit and come out perfectly. Felt a massive sense of achievement and was soooo proud of her!
2)Me and my friend's day at our first gymkhana was so much fun. After winning (between me and another girl from the stables) a heap of rosettes and a big trophy (hers not mine ) we got home and told the Owner all about it. She was a horrible person (made me cry by telling me it was my own fault getting kicked when in fact i was standing there minding my own waiting to go into the ring and some numpty pulled her horse into the teeny gap between me and the person in front and her horse - a known kicker - lashed out with both back feet at my pony) and she took all of them away from us. She put them on display for a month and then put them in the bin! The HAPPY bit is that when the lovely lady who ran the gymkhana found out about what this awful woman did she sent my friend and I doubles of everything we had won but bigger AND an extra one for "being brave" for getting back on and jumping a clear round after being kicked

Scariest Equine Moment:
I have two of these as well...
1)Getting chased out of a field by a usually lovely gelding because the mares were in heat. Found it really scary to go back in the field with him for ages after that because he was clearly out to do some damage that day
2) On a hack out we were walking the path alongside a really busy road. My neighbour was out blackberry picking and heard us coming so she stuck her head out of the bushes to say hello. Bracken spooked at everything and a disembodied head was just too much for her! She ran straight out into the road and into the path of an oncoming log lorry! Managed to get her under control and out of the way in time but my heart was in my mouth.
My mum could see us from the livingroom window and she really thought I was going to die

The Horse That Touched Your Heart:
"My" pony Bracken at the stables when I was younger. She was so sweet natured and did everything I asked her we had loads of fun schooling, jumping and going for hacks. She even had a foal called Rose that I helped back so I felt an enormous connection with her

Your Dream Horse As A Child:
It's Otto, he looked such a lovely lad and so talented too! Such a shame he died recently

 

[dollymix]

Some lovely stories here...what a nice thread! Here's my contribution

First horse you ever rode

Ok - pretty sure I will have ridden others before, at fairs, the beach etc, but my first riding lesson was when I was 7 yrs old and it was on a little bay mare called Pink Lady. I come from the most un-horsey background imaginable, with parents who still think i will 'grow out of it' (I am 29 this month!). I remember pulling up to the yard in the back on my mum's car and she said "I hope you don't get put on that thing!" - like a riding school would put a beginner, who is 7 yrs old, on a strapping 16hh+ hunter type for their first lesson! Anyway, Pink Lady was about 12hh and i remember being led round the indoor school in trot, giggling like mad...and so the obsession began!


First Fall

I honestly can't remember...but the first I remember again involved my poor mum. At the place I started helping out, as a treat, the YM used to let us girls ride bareback to the field on sunday night. It was a bit of a free for all tbh, with health and safety well and truly out the window. I was riding a little chestnut (who my parents eventually relented to buy) called Beauty...I rememeber galloping hell for leather across the fields towards the paddock and come to a sliding stop at the gate, and rather gracefully sliding all the way down Beauty's neck as she immediately stuck her had down to munch the grass!!! I still rememebr my mum's scream and look of horror whilst I lay on my back with Beauty stood over me!!!


First Win

Again on Beauty! She was a fab jumper (when she wanted to) and I remember taking her in the clear round jumping, set at about 2'3 and getting my first rosette! It was just before we bought her and I remember her owner (who was a riding instructor and making a concerted effort to win my parents over) saying you'll have to have another go when your mum and dad arrive. So in the afternoon, when they showed up I had antoher go and Beauty proceeded to throw me off twice!! Her owner then got on and Beauty proceeded to bronc around the ring trying to get her off too!!! She was presented with a special rosette for naughtiest pony by the ring steward!! haha I'm still amazed that my parents eventually agreed to buy that pony!


Saddest Equine Moment

Although horses i've been closer to have been pts, the one that i found hardest, probably because i was much younger, was when the stables Shire Horse Ben died. He had been taken to an equine hospital for an emergency operation following colic and we had a phone call to say the operation had gone ok, and he was in the recovery stall. 20 mins later they called back again to say that he'd had a massive heart attack and died. I remember me and the other helpers being in floods of tears. I think it wasn't helped my the first call, where we all felt relieved...to be called back just 0 mins later to hear he' gone was devastating.


Happiest Equine moment

This is a hard one - I've had so many...but I think my happiest was probably the day that my mare foaled. Dolly gave birth 2 weeks earlier than we'd though she'd foal and I remember the YO ringing me and saying "you know this horse who isn't going to foal for another 2 weeks...." I just screamed down the phone and was dressed before you could blink! When i arrived the YO said to be very cautious if I go in as she'd been in to take out the haynet and Doll had been quite protective. When i peeked over the door, Doll did a ittle nicker and when I went in, she went behind the beautiful black foal and nudged her at me as if to say 'Look what I've done'!! I still have Doll and her foal, Luna, who is now 7 yrs old and to this day i think the reason why Luna is so happy around people is because Doll practically threw her at me on the day she was born!


Scariest moment

I was riding with a friend in some local parkland and this man started following us....literally, everywhere we turned, he showed up again. we thought we lost him in some woodland, but when Doll spooked i turned around and he was meters behind us again (the only way he could have caught us up was by running through some mashy land)...me and my friend just looked at one another and set off for home at flat out gallop! At the time, we were laughing but thinking back on it now...it was ver scary what could have happended if one of us had been riding out alone. We did report him to the police and told everyone we knew i nthe area to be extra vigilent too....


The Horse that touched your heart

Although I have loved all my horses, Luna is the one who i have special affinity with. I don't know if it's because I bred her and have known her since the start..but she is my special girl. It's like a scene from Black Beauty when i go to catch her, as she always gallops over, whinneying her head off and it always makes me grin like an idiot!


Your dream horse as a child

for some reason, I always dreamed of having a black gelding called Socks!?? no idea why!!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

First ride I dont remember it was way way back in the 60s or early 70s

first fall again i dont remember had so many when i was learning

first win well didnt have too many but the Butter Biscuit won many coloured

I have 3 saddest moments

1, The Butter Biscuit who collapsed after 6 months of treatment, never found the cause but she was so skinny like fur and bone, My b/f and i spent the whole night with her with straw bales around her She tried so hard to get up but each time she got her front legs out she fell forward again, the next morning she was PTS aged 25. She died in my arms .NEVER EVER will there b one to replace her


2nd my Little Bonnie only owned her 6 weeks, she colicked in the first week rushed up to vet with intestines through gut wall. 6 weeks later it happened again this time there was no way forward , she also died in my arms aged 5

scariest moment

well had many but one sticks in my mind, being bolted off though the woods near Park Farm where i did my training on a x race horse 17,2 going through bushes 6ft tall yes i got dragged off in the end.


happiest moment

had many also

first was when my parents agreed to let me have The Butter Biscuit.

when I went down and collected my other mare in my sig pic one
having Bonnie in my life.


horse that touched your heart
The Butter Biscuit touched my heart always will,
also my grey mare would do ANYTHING for her.


dream horse as a child ( b 4 my horses entered my life )

prob


the black stallion thought he was amazing

 

[debsg]

First Equine: A huge grey show hunter belonging to my mum's friend. He was called Blue and I was two. My mum has a picture.
First Pony: Midnight, 12.2hh, Dartie x, I was 10, my parents bought him from the riding school where I had lessons. They told us he was 10 too. He was actually 20
First Fall: Off Midnight, before I owned him, during a jumping lesson. Landed on my back across a jump.
First Win: On my 14.2hh half Hackney called Solo. My mum bought him for £250 with all his tack and rugs (70's) on a Weds, pulled his mane & tail, gave him a bath, took him to a show on Sunday and won three jumping classes on him! I'd never had the bottle to jump before, that wonderful pony gave me so much confidence and took me all the way through to Junior Foxhunter finals
Happiest Moment: The day my Blaze became mine, 5/10/05. Had been out of horses for years. Sharing her was my way back in, then I bought her. And I wouldn't sell her for £20
million in cash
Saddest Moment: When my TB mare, Jasmine's, mum had to be pts, when Jas was 12 weeks old. She had old injuries exacerbated by foaling (she was a rescue, unknown to be in foal when I took her on) She was such a sweet kind girl, only 7 when she died. Seeing Jas all alone in that huge stable, lying as close to Blaze's wall as she could get, was the most awful thing. Next day she went in with her Aunty Blaze, who fostered her. They have been together ever since.
Scariest Moment:When I came off x country, aged about 19, got stuck under my horse in a ditch and he was kicking me repeatedly as he tried to get out. I lived to fight another day!!
Horse That Touched My Heart: Has to be my best girl, Blaze. I've never had, nor ever will have, a bond with a horse like I have with her. I would give up every possession that I own, scrub the streets with a toothbrush and wear a bin bag if that was what I had to do to keep her. She is my world

 

[debsg]

Forgot the dream horse!!
I was always totally in love with Marion Mould's little Stroller and would have given anything to own him. Years later, when I did my AI, Marion's yard was minutes away from the place I did my training. I used to hack past Stroller, now retired and out at grass, and see him almost daily. Which was nearly as good. But not quite

 

[fidleyspromise]

First Horse You Ever Rode:
The first horse I ever rode was Lulu. An amazing little, grey 14hh heinz 52. She was at the riding school I learned at and was so fab.

First Fall:

My second riding lessons on a little Shetland x Welsh. Lead file trottng to the rear exercise and I didn't stop in time, despite being yelled at not to get too close and the pony in front kicked out, my pony cantered off up school and may I say proudly I stayed on. HOWEVER, pony then got to instructor and stopped beside her as I slithered to the ground at her feet I got straight back on - no thinking otherwise!

First Win:
I was in a gymkhana after my second lesson Ride to the top, ride and lead back and my wee legs were going like the clappers Pony was a gorgeous chestnut named Lucy.

Saddest Equine Moment:
Hmmm, this one is a toughie. Lots of my fave equines were older when I met them and are now in the Sky. I think this has to be when I sold my beloved Arab X TB. He was a little star and although finances had the biggest role in selling him, I do have to admit he was too much horse for me.

Happiest Equine Moment:
Again, this is a toughie BUT I put in an offer for my ArabXTB and didn't expect it to be accepted. My instructor came over and said "Are you taking your horse out today?" I was like "yeah, might take him cross country." And instructor calmly said to another livery, "she hasn't realised what I said." I then started jumping up and down and squealing. How uncool for an 18yr old My first pony and would you believe that as the first day he refused a jump

Scariest Equine Moment:
This is easy! My little New Forest had never been near a road. I was taking fly mask off in field and had head collar around her neck. She jumped backwards, tearing leadrope out of my hand and to watch her career around field scared to leadrope trailing and the fear in her eyes is something I will never forget. She took off, jumped the gate, misjudged it, ripped it from its fixings and took off down the road. By the time I got out of the field, she was out of sight. I ran like hell, jumped in car and followed her.
I couldn't find her and tears streaming down my face, felt so ill and pony had it turned out, gone into someones garden and waited until we retrieved her. Not a scratch on her, thank god.

The Horse That Touched Your Heart:
Tilly - she is so opinionated and stubborn but the day I went up the boggy field and called to her and she came trotting over to me was amazing. The pony that didn't catch! She is so sweet and everyone loves her. She takes everything in her stride and has taught me so much. - including that when she is acting all innocent is the time to watch her.

Your Dream Horse As A Child:
Easy! Patricia Leitch has a lot to answer for here. I always wanted an Arab like Shantih.

 

[Tonty Tont]

First horse I ever rode;
I don't remember her myself, as I was only about 3, but she was a little skewbald mare called Coco. She was quite naughty, but I loved her to bits However, my riding instructor was horrible (I now know that he was an alcoholic) and terrified me, so after only a few months I refused to go back and didn't ride again for 8 years

First fall;
It was my first canter off the leadrein and I was riding a 15hh horse. I kicked him on into canter going around the corner, he put in a huge buck, and I gently rolled to the floor :embarrassed:

First win;
I haven't won anything yet But I did come second out of six in an in-hand class with a Shetland I was really proud of myself

Saddest equine moment;
When my loan pony was sold. I loved him to pieces, but I had to choose between him and my Tont. It was the hardest decision I've ever made, as Tim was the perfect riding pony, and Tont was an unbroken, half wild, 14 year old. But I had an incredible bond with Tont, and although there have been many times where I have regretted my decision, he means the world to me

Happiest equine moment;
Many, many moments, all with my Tont From when he lay flat out in the field whilst I sat with him, to when I backed him myself, to when I was loose jumping him and he cleared a huge jump

Scariest equine moment;
When I was in the field with 8 big horses and their 70 year old owner, and her 16hh TB youngster spooked and galloped into her. She went flying through the air, and landed unconcious on the ground with the horses all charging around. I honestly thought she was dead - I've never been so terrified for both her and my own life.

The horse who touched my heart;
I was given Tont as an unbroken 14 year old, and he truely has a piece of my heart. I have backed him myself, and I can do anything with him. I trust him completely, and he trusts me too. I love him more than anything in the world

My dream horse as a child;
Anything with four legs I was pretty desperate

 

[Madam Min]

The first horse I ever rode was Gem a 13.hh bay mare. I had my first ever riding lesson on her, she was a proper lady and very sweet.

The first time I fell off was the first time jumping, again another riding school pony, he went over the fence ,put his head down and I slid down his neck and got a mouthful of tan bark and had to wash my mouth out with the nearest hose!

First win was a team gymkhana at pony camp when I was about 10

Saddest equine moments are retiring my OH's ex eventer and retiring her to his sisters in Holland and saying good bye to a friends horse the day before he was PTS. I'd known him since I was a kid and did so much with him he was like my own.

Happiest equine moment is the day I got Chloe on loan!

Scariest equine moment was going pony trekking when I was kid. My brother fell off twice and me and my dad ( who had never ridden in his life) ended up galloping flat out across fields and ditches narrowly missing a 5 bar gate to the yard, only to be told afterwards that the ponies were used to race along the beach!

The horse that touched my horse would be Joyce, my OH's ex eventer. I started riding her after a 5 year break and she gave me my confidence back and taught me so much!

Dream horse as a kid, would probably have been anything, I would have given my right arm as a kid for what I've got now, am so lucky!

 

[hula]

First Horse You Ever Rode:
A little coloured school horse that was 13hh and was called Scout.

First Fall:
My second lesson on a young fat pony called Tommy... we had an accidental canter... lol!

First Win:
Unaff 60cm SJ when I was 10 on a 14.2hh Toby.

Saddest Equine Moment:
When my favourite riding school pony was pts when I was 12, I practically lived down stable yards aged 9-now, but he was the first one I felt like I had bonded with. He was very old, and very unwell and I knew it was for the best... I sat and cried in a stable the day afterwards, until a very kind old lady sat me down with a cuppa and cheered me up somewhat.
The second was when the horse that most touched my heart got sold (never mine, just borrowed) when finances got into trouble, the lady that took him though was lovely.

Happiest Equine Moment:
(sorry riding school moment again aged 11 this time) Watching all the riding school ponies going out into the field for the first time in the spring, and seeing how happy and springy they all were (even the old creaky ones). Love seeing horses to this day happy and in the field.

Scariest Equine Moment:
Besides my accident, this has to go to a 14.2hh pony that I rode up a fell in the lakes 18months ago whilst accompanying a childrens trek. I was supposed to be bringing up the rear (ha!) and hurrying the stragglers along. We got to the top on a fell and for no reason he reared and bolted, and I could do nothing at all, he was zig zagging all over the place, very near the steep edge of the fell and very near the pits that they burn heather in. I did think that I was going to go over the edge and eventually dismounted myself and rugby tackled the ground (ended up with half the fell in my jods) looked up and the bugger was just sniffing round my feet, so got up slowly and was talking nicey nicey got 2 inches away from him and off he went and disappeared down the fell.

The Horse That Touched Your Heart:
A very very large cob, 16.2hh, coloured, fat, who was the softest horse you could have ever wished to meet, he was saved from the meat man and we fed him up and brought him on, gorgeous gorgeous horse. He used to get very excited whilst out and about, but was the first to stop if someone wanted to pet him. He was so gentle with little ones and other ponies.

Your Dream Horse As A Child:
That very very large cheeky cob described above. Never ever wanted anything fancy or prancy, just a big soft sloppy cob.

 

[spotty_pony]

First horse I rode:
I can't remember the name of the very first horse I sat on when i was younger but I started riding properly aged 12 and rode a lovely old grey mare called Rumba, a 13.2 steady riding school pony.

First Fall:
I had been riding for about a year and was riding a cheeky Welsh Section D called Scout. He was known for being quite spooky and quirky. I was on a pony day at the riding school and we were trotting into a small cross pole jump with barrels as wings and he spooked at the barrels, whipped round and bucked me off!

First Win:
A Pony Club Novice Show Jumping class when I was 14, riding my spotty boy (whom I still own six years later!)

Saddest Equine Moment:
When we had to have our old boy put to sleep last year.

Happiest Equine Moment:
I've had too many to choose just one but if I had to pick it would probably be either one of the fabulous days out hunting me and my boy have had together or working with some of the horses I have worked with who have been nervous/untrusting of people and seeing their expression the first time they realise they can trust you - it's the most rewarding feeling ever!

Scariest Equine Moment:
Falling off my mum's young horse a few years ago. My hat came off and I banged my head on the wall and got knocked out and ended up spending the night in hospital with concussion.

The horse that touched your heart:
Every single one of them - I couldn't pick one in particular!

Your dream horse as a child:
I always wanted a palomino pony with a golden mane and tail. I am still a big Haflinger fan today!

 

[Jackson]

First Horse You Ever Rode:
I don't remember the first horse that I ever rode, but my first little pony was an unbroken 4yo shetland pony who I was given for christmas when I was also 4. Mum just ploped me on to her, told me to hold on, an we used to plod for miles with only an occasional little buck of protest from her!




First Fall:

Off of the same pony as above, she bucked me off in to a massive puddle/nettle/mud bath, I can honestly say that I can still see the ground where I landed now





First Win:

I had an evil little strawberry roan welsh pony when I got a bit bigger, who I would ride at pony club once a week and generally end up being bucked or bolted off every week that I took him.. But he was a handsome soul, so I was over the moon when we won tack and turn out at one show!

Saddest Equine Moment:
I'm really not sure about this one. I've had quite a few, but all have been very indirect.




Happiest Equine Moment:
Having the trust in Jack to take him and canter over the fields without mr gag.. doesn't sound like much, but he is a slight nutcase in open spaces, and so am I! It feels so great, and it's nice to be able to look back now, as we are having a few issues with behavior and see that calm + speed is achievable!

Scariest Equine Moment:
Haha, there's too many to list

When this (!!) little pony bucked me off in canter, I went flying and she ran over the top of me, her hoof landing just an inch away from my face.

And more recenty? I'm not sure. I tend to be in situations and feel nothing, then look back and think.. hang on, I should have been ****ing myself


The Horse That Touched Your Heart:

Jack, without a doubt.. we are a personality match, which is unfortunately a bad thing, coz no one wants my personality! But he is such a beast. I really don't have words to describe how much the hairy thing means to me

Your Dream Horse As A Child:

One that wouldn't buck me off!! Seriously, until jack came along, who has only ever used a buck to eject me from the saddle once, I have never owned a horse who wasn't a serial bucker