Tally goes XC schooling (and behaves himself!)

[clairebearnz]

Mum and I drove my float and what is now my car (the family towing vehicle) down to the South Island over the weekend so I can use it to get the boys out competing. Of course, I took the first opportunity to take Tally out XC schooling at a local pony club. He was (remarkably) superb, jumped everything beautifully and not a buck or a rear. Someone's replaced my horse!

First, gratuitous scenic New Zealand

On the ferry, somewhere in the Sounds.

The Kaikoura coast and Seaward Kaikouras

The residents of the Kaikoura coast.

And the extremely happy grey pony

As I now have my own transport, I may take both boys to the Kaiapoi showcross on Saturday, then Fready has Okuku combined training on the 15th then Amberley ODE on the 22nd. My friend unfortunately fell off fairly dramatically at an ODE a couple of weeks ago and spent 4 days in hospital with a concussion, so I inherited her entries.

 

[Splatthekat]

He looks like he's having an absolute blast! And I love kaikoura... Very jealous of your weekend!

 

[TarrSteps]

Horse looks fab, well done on scoring transport, and the scenery is amazing! Lucky you.

 

[JFTDWS]

Fabulous photos! Pony looks fab, but I love the first pics too. Good luck with your next outings

 

[MileAMinute]

So much love for Tally! Lovely pics too. Good luck for the upcoming ODE and hope your friend is feeling better soon!

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

Tally is looking awesome in the pics! Very happy and nice array of fences to practice over.

The photos of your trip down just make me miss NZ! It is SO stunningly pretty!

 

[Lolita]

Seriously stunning photos and Tally looks awesome.

 

[Bills]

Wow, those pics are amazing! And your horse looks pretty awesome too

 

[HotToTrot]

Great pics!

 

[montanna]

Wow, what lovely photos.
Lovely little chap too, he looks like good fun

 

[clairebearnz]

We're very spoilt with the scenery down here, particularly now I'm down south. Lots and lots of mountains. I'm hoping to explore more of it over the next couple of years.

Tally is having a glorious time down south. Usually, around this time of year, he starts to stiffen up but hasn't really done so this year. He's hacking out nicely and went plunging into the somewhat frigid river yesterday morning (I didn't appreciate that too much, oddly enough).

The young ones are also behaving well. Fready continues to be incredibly level-headed and is developing into a lovely mover.

And Missy now wears a rug. Small victories with her.

 

[EveningStar]

I love the seals, I'd always have to pull my nose out of whatever book I was reading to look for them when we did our trips to the South Island.

Tally looks fab, pleased to hear he behaved himself for once! Are you enjoying it down there?

 

[clairebearnz]

I do love the seals, but in terms of NZ animals, I can't go past the kea. I was in Arthur's Pass with a couple of friends the other week and we had a glorious time watching the kea, while also defending my car from the *******.

I am really enjoying it down here, especially now it's stopped raining as much. My project is going (remarkably for science) well at this stage and the horses are great. Winter will be tough but I have a lovely yard with nice facilities now and the pony club eventing season to look forward to.

 

[Shrimp]

Your photos make me want to go back to NZ so much! Absolutely beautiful and looking great xc, best of luck with the eventing season