I'm visiting from South Africa! (In Oxfordshire)

[LadyGascoyne]

And it's FANTASTIC!!! So so beautiful. We arrived on Monday and we've just had the greatest time so far. The countryside is beautiful, the people are lovely and the weather hasn't been too bad at all! We are staying with my parents who live just outside Burford, fairly near Oxford. Stunning countryside and some exquisite horses!

 

[Chestnut horse]

Hello and welcome I hope you enjoy a great visit, it's a pity the weather is so grotty though, hopefully it will change for the better soon.

 

[Girlracer]

It is beautiful, I am in the North Cotswolds, about 40 minutes from Burford; I'm incredibly lucky. Hope you're having a great trip, hope these storms pass soon

 

[Lolita]

Hope you enjoy your stay, although I'd love to be in SA right now!

 

[rascal]

Enjoy your visit.
My hubbys aunt lived in South Africa for most of her adult life and loved it.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

We've been fairly lucky with the weather here. We keep seeing the news and it looks quite scary in other places.

We managed to get a great view of a Boxing Day meet. I'm finding the horses so different. Much more solid and well put together (in general ;-) ) There is a fabulous looking yard right next door to my parents' cottage. Haven't ventured in, as I'm sure they'd prefer it remained private, but getting lots of cuddles over the paddock fences.

Missing my Neurotic Thoroughbred terribly!
Especially at the meet. I did mention to my 20 year old brother, as the horses set off across the fields, that she'd be on her back legs by now. His comment was that "Stormy would have no legs by now!" Such faith my family has in that horse!

 

[Hen]

Welcome to a lovely if soggy part of the UK! I am about`15 mins north of Burford and enjoying a Christmas break hacking out around the Cotswolds - dodging torrential downpours

 

[LadyGascoyne]

You must be very close Hen, we're about 3 miles north of Burford! Which village are you in?

 

[Inthesticks]

Sounds lovely, I am only 20 mins from Burford out towards the villages on the other side of Stow on the wold.. glad you got to the hunt as well

 

[Hen]

You must be very close Hen, we're about 3 miles north of Burford! Which village are you in?

I'm in Kingham - did you go to the Heythrop meet in Chipping Norton?

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Yes, it was fantastic. Really enjoyed it. Were you riding? There were some spectacular horses there. We're in Swinbrook.

 

[Lolita]

We've been fairly lucky with the weather here. We keep seeing the news and it looks quite scary in other places.

We managed to get a great view of a Boxing Day meet. I'm finding the horses so different. Much more solid and well put together (in general ;-) ) There is a fabulous looking yard right next door to my parents' cottage. Haven't ventured in, as I'm sure they'd prefer it remained private, but getting lots of cuddles over the paddock fences.

Missing my Neurotic Thoroughbred terribly!
Especially at the meet. I did mention to my 20 year old brother, as the horses set off across the fields, that she'd be on her back legs by now. His comment was that "Stormy would have no legs by now!" Such faith my family has in that horse!

What are the horses/equestrian scene like in South Africa?

 

[LadyGascoyne]

We have a big horse racing scene so lots of Thoroughbreds. Show jumping and eventing are also very popular. Most other horse sports are around too; polo, dressage, endurance etc. On the whole, I find the South African horses a lot more stringy and light-weight than the British horses. There seems to be a lot of Thoroughbred, Arab, American Saddler in most cross breeds. Appaloosas have also become very popular these days. I'm loving your fabulous cobs and heavier draught crosses. They look so noble and stately.