volatis
Well-Known Member
Another long day (why do we put ourselves through this) but pleased to say we survived, but I was glad to see my bed last night. I took Portia who actually belongs to my boss in the 3yo eventing section.
Two years ago I was looking to buy some broodmares and wanted my boss to come and see a Trakehner breeder I knew, as I was hoping to impress her with what a superb breed this is. And its always nice to have a 2nd opinion when you are horse shopping.
One of the mares we looked at was a little grey by Abdullah (Olympic gold medallist), a stallion I had adored as a child for all wrong reasons (he was pretty and grey
). I liked the mare a lot, she had attitude and spark, and we were then shown her yearling daughter by Axis. Well instantly this filly came spooking into the indoor school I really liked her and I could see my boss thought she was nice too. She then whispers over to me, 'what do you think' with a grin. I replied, this is really nice and i love the pedigree to boot, grinning back, and next thing I know we have come up with a plan that my boss will buy the yearling, I'll pretend she is mine, and she'll come home to Lincolnshire with us, with the bosses husband none the wiser.
We showed her last year and after proving she is beautiful as well as a sporthorse, the filly (Portia) was Champion hack at the royal show last year, which also meant we had to stop pretending she was mine after she got her write up in H&H. As well as being a poncy show pony, Portia won the loose jumping class at East of England and at the Trakehner breed show and was 2nd in her sporthorses clases at Lincoln, Suffolk and Norfolk despite not being a chunky hunter
Anyway thats all some background on her and on why she is very special to me despite not being mine. She was a total star yesterday, chilled to the point of being asleep while we waited for the vetting, and ready for action as soon as she saw the jumping lane. Vet loved her
giving her 9.5 for both sections and said she was beautifully balanced, super limbs and great outlook. Judges liked her too, and although they marked her down a little for having a little too much condition (well she is a poncy show pony) so a 9 for her topline and being a little soft in the pasterns (have to confess I dont think I know what this means but have heard it said a few times now at the Futurity) so got a 8.75 for limbs. Everything else was a 9 or better including a 9.5 for athleticism.
She pinged down the jumping lane and was a monkey to be caught (my fault for not taking any food in, I never need it at home) and throughly enjoyed herself and we ended up with an ELITE AWARD
So pleased with her, we think she's pretty smart but nice to have that vindicated. Boss was really really pleased when I got home last night so I hope I am slowly converting her to this sporthorses.
Sadly I never did get to buy her dam. She died of a suspected brain hemorage just weeks after I went to see her, when I was convincing my OH to buy her. I just have to convince my boss to one day let me breed a foal of my own from Portia. Best try and stay in her good books!
Two years ago I was looking to buy some broodmares and wanted my boss to come and see a Trakehner breeder I knew, as I was hoping to impress her with what a superb breed this is. And its always nice to have a 2nd opinion when you are horse shopping.
One of the mares we looked at was a little grey by Abdullah (Olympic gold medallist), a stallion I had adored as a child for all wrong reasons (he was pretty and grey
We showed her last year and after proving she is beautiful as well as a sporthorse, the filly (Portia) was Champion hack at the royal show last year, which also meant we had to stop pretending she was mine after she got her write up in H&H. As well as being a poncy show pony, Portia won the loose jumping class at East of England and at the Trakehner breed show and was 2nd in her sporthorses clases at Lincoln, Suffolk and Norfolk despite not being a chunky hunter
Anyway thats all some background on her and on why she is very special to me despite not being mine. She was a total star yesterday, chilled to the point of being asleep while we waited for the vetting, and ready for action as soon as she saw the jumping lane. Vet loved her
She pinged down the jumping lane and was a monkey to be caught (my fault for not taking any food in, I never need it at home) and throughly enjoyed herself and we ended up with an ELITE AWARD
So pleased with her, we think she's pretty smart but nice to have that vindicated. Boss was really really pleased when I got home last night so I hope I am slowly converting her to this sporthorses.
Sadly I never did get to buy her dam. She died of a suspected brain hemorage just weeks after I went to see her, when I was convincing my OH to buy her. I just have to convince my boss to one day let me breed a foal of my own from Portia. Best try and stay in her good books!
