Moving to a new and exclusive yard

Gusbear

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17 February 2012
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Was Richmond, Surrey now a mountain forest in Oz.
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I've just accepted a very, very rare place at at 5* livery yard close to where I currently keep my boy. Although where he is currently kept is a very friendly yard it will be like going from a tent camping holiday to a 5*+ luxury all inclusive resort for him. I even had to undertake a job like interview with the elderly YO before I was deemed acceptable for the yard. The place we are going to only has places come up every few years, if ever (only managed to somehow get a place as one of the YO's horses was suddently PTS and I happened to call them the day after) is owned by a very old and well monied and connected gentleman that rents his stables out to 'invited guests' only and is the ultimate in horsey homes e.g. Indoor arena, spotlessssly clean stables, in house clinics with the best of the best, 4 feeds a day and only about 8 horses on the yard, spoilt and turned out in the most prestine and fully grassed fields I have ever seen. You name it, this place has it. The lovely and thankfully down to earth YM introduced me to the YO. I was duly invited into his manor house and greeted by him in his three piece suit and his niece wearing her tweed skirt and pearls (goodness, had I known earlier I would have had a facial and my nails done prior ;)) I spent about 30 mins being grilled and 'interviewed' before I was acknowledged as being acceptable and duly welcomed into his 'family' of horsey people.
To say I am nervous is an understatement. This is a yard whereby horses either compete at the top notch in dressage or are 4* eventers. Here I am a Middle Aged nervous woman that would like to be able to jump at least 3' without managing to fall off or throw up and too scared to hack out alone against the rest of the stable that seem to be ready to compete in the next Olympics.
I am paying a Kings Ransom to stay there and hope that the knowledge, experience and confidence of my fellow liveries will somehow rub off me and my neddy and one day I'll too be a confident horsewoman with a well educated horse.
Please wish me luck as I feel as though I've bitten off more than I can chew today.
My OH seems quite bemused by the whole thing and can't quite work out how I managed to 'pass muster' considering my Aussie accent and the YO's dislike of anything remotely antipopean. I must be a good actress or something?
Feeling a tad nervous, anxious and have I done the right thing sort of mood.
 
Thanks. I tend to lack confidence and feel like I will be the numpty amongst the elite. Thankfully the YM is very down to earth, friendly and welcoming and seems to think neddy and I will fit in quite well.
Perhaps I have underestimated my abilities. In any case I am still feeling a little overwhelmed and somewhat in-experienced for this yard however I feel as though neddy and I both need somewhere we have the opportunity to improve and excel.
Hopefully once I find my long lost brave and confident pants then we will both do well,and be able to go onto bigger and better things.
I so hate change. Hoping my neddy settles well and likes his new home.
 
You often find that people who really have money, i.e. old money (sounds like the owner and his niece fit into this category) are much nicer than people who feel that they have something to prove and show off with fast cars etc. I think he sounds very sweet and he clearly likes to spend his money on making sure the animals are looked after beautifully.

Try not to feel intimidated by the other liveries, I think that the fact you got through the interviewing process probably shows that the YO and the YM think that you'll fit in well, on a yard like that they'd want a quiet life with no bitchiness etc. I think you'll love it :)

I'm in London as well and would love to know where this yard is, PM me if you'd prefer ;)
 
Sounds amazing! In my experience folks like this, who have all passed the test just like you did, love a junior recruit and will be thrilled to share their knowledge with you. Plus there is bound to be something you're great at that they might struggle with... Hacking for example, I know lots of dressage horses that don't like to hack whose owners would be thrilled to have a supportive and sensible companion. I'm sure it will go well for you, pop back and post us an update in a couple of months!
 
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