The End of the Naught-ies

[PaddyMonty]

As we move toward a new decade, what have been the highs and lows of last 10 years (horse-wise) fo you?

To start off....
2000 saw my first foray in to the world of BE, riding what turned out to be my horse of a lifetime. I sadly lost him in september 2000 in very nasty circumstances and pretty much stopped riding for 3 yearsafter that. Several horses came and went, none could hold a candle to the boy I lost.
Then along came Ed. It was love at first sit (no thats not a spelling mistake). He was supposed to be on loan but 3 weeks after collecting him I bought him. 20 months later he was PTS due to shiver.
Since then I've just ridden for other people.
The naughies for me are best summed up as "better to have loved and lost than.........."
Gone but not forgotten..
Wally

Ed

Happy times. Hacking out on Ed with my daughter on her ancient pony, also now gone.

Roll on 2010

On the plus side I've met some really great people in the horse world over the last 10 years. Some have become firm friends. Long may that continue.

 

[brightmount]

Fantastic photos Juno and beautiful horses. I became a horse owner at the beginning of the noughties so I suppose that's what has defined the decade for me too, but I've been through the mill with some of my horses and sometimes wonder if it was worth it. However it was the platform that has got my daughter to vet school, so that's one good thing at least to come out of it all. And I got to meet you lot on HHO lol!

 

[Morrigan_Lady]

I love that pic of you and your daughter.
Ed was a real stunner, Im gutted I never got to meet him.

As for my highs and lows - The BIGGEST low, was loosing Marsden in a horrific accident on 20th December 2004

I gave up riding for a while, as I swore he would be the last horse Id ever ride. BUT, after taking my friends intermediate eventer xc, the bug got me back!
I then sold my mare and bought Archie!!

We've had LOTS of ups and downs and after being told he would never jump again, then Id never ride him again, and then last xmas he was going to be PTS, he is now back in full work and going FAB! So thats got to be one of my biggest highs

Getting Coryn would be another massive high, she is perfect and defo my show jumper of a life time!

 

[Chestnutmare]

mmm...same for me...

I boughht my baby boy Merlin 10years ago...and lost him this year had some damn good times in this time with him and we've had some real lows too...as you do but wouldnt have changed a thing about it...except to have him back again...
Next ten years will bring some more fun I'm sure and I am hoping to get out more to shows...heres hoping anyway

 

[BackInBlack]

your horses look lovely its so sad that we lose them. i lost my mare after 14 years of ownership in 2007, horrendous. really wanted to do some cross country so went on to buy a lovely 5 year old who turned out to be broken winded, had 2 years seeing if there was anything i could do to improve his health but alas he just hasn't got the stamina so he has gone to a lovely home to be used as a light hack. now have a beautiful new 4 year old who is just a star. have bought 2 lovely little ponies on which my children are learning to ride. still haven't done anything with them as such ie competitions etc, just happy to have horses!

 

[JVB]

not loads over the years but 2005 was the most eventful...

Lost Gus in March, big softie 3yr old to wobblers, such a sweetheart and heartbreaking to witness.

Gained Bulger in April, ex team chaser, was supposed to be short term loan will now never part with him - he had a rough owner and is a total gent and lovable character, although will always only want to gallop!

Gained Vanter in June, my second youngster and it has been hard but we are getting there and again, will never part with her - so proud of what we have both achieved.

Lost Lucy in July- my first horse and still not quite over it, she was beautiful and amazing and will never be replaced.

So, all that happened in 2005 between March and July, since then I had a bad fall in 2006, became mobile in 2008 and am looking forward to see what the next ten years brings!

 

[quirky]

A busy 10 years for me ....

2002 - Got married and had my first daughter

2003 - April - Bought a horse that I was going to do a bit of everything on, he had the potential to be very special.
December - Lost my pony who I'd had for 15 years at the age of 17.
2006 - Had my second daughter

, got made redundant

2008 - Had horse, who due to his temperament never fulfilled hos potential, pts

. Bought a young little horse to enjoy and have fun

. She is worth her weight in gold to me, we'll never be world beaters but she is safe and fun, which is all I ever wanted

2010 ....... could prove intersting as looks like we'll be moving across the country and going into business. A whole lifestyle change

 

[AmyMay]

The lows are loosing my beautiful, beatufil girl. So missed, every day.

The highs are getting my outstandingly beautiful and gifted boy. I am grateful every day to be soo lucky.


.

 

[humblepie]

Love the photo of the horse and pony in the original post. This thread has made me cry. I lost my 24 year old at the start of this month and reading the other threads about horses that have gone to the big green pasture in the sky has got to me. Big hugs to them all.

 

[Natch]

Ahh lots of similar stories, mine's another loved and lost one.

June 2000, right before my GCSEs and completely unbeknown to me, my parents went looking for my first horse. He was the first one they went to see at a dealers (not completely as stupid as it sounds, they took my YM of the time who was a real old school expert and knew the dealer well) and decided to take him on a week's trial to see if I liked him - plan was if I didn't they would just send him back and not tell me they were looking untl I had done my exams - they didn't think they'd find a superstar before I had!

So along came Henry, a 15.2hh show cob with sweet itch who dished, and I was asked by YM to ride him to try him out for the riding school - nothing unusual there, I thought. I worked for her and often rode new RS ponies, and knew she was looking for a bigger horse or two. I went home early the day he arrived despite everyone's efforts, because I sensibly had school work to do! But came back the next day to ride him. Oddly I thought. mum insisited on coming up to watch me ride. Said mother almost had a heart attack when I got on him and he spun and started jiggling about! Turned out he had just spotted a coloured cob being led up the lane, and judging on future experiences we don't think he had met a coloured before!

Still, I rode him into the school and out for a short hack without further event, and by the time we were on our way back I turned to mum and told her I loved him and that I knew money was tight but if I could have him on loan from the RS it would be wonderful. She just said "we'll see what we can do" and smiled to herself. Still I had no idea, until we got into the tack room afterwards and both my parents and my YM were there, and told me he was mine if I wanted him. Cue instant tears of shock and awe, YM thought I was going to faint, so made me sit down with a mug of sweet tea!

A wonderful year went past with Henry turning his hoof to pony club rallies, dressage, showing, fast teenage hacks, schooling, being an ideal RS horse for nervous and capable riding school riders alike, and taking mum on nice steady hacks.
Sadly in August 2001 after a month long battle with a cut and infected tendon sheath, Henry's life was taken from us, aged just 7.

He was my horse of a lifetime, my soul mate, and I smile and feel sad whenever I think of him and the short time we had together. He influences he hugely to this day, in ways I never would have dreamt possible.

Huge thanks go to my old YM, who sat me on another horse (the coloured cob Henry spooked at the first day!) when Henry was in horsepital and I didn't want to ride: looking back its the fact that my last ride wasn't on Henry that made it easier for me to get on another horse a few years later.

Horses came and went, until I met Frankie. He was a young pony who had got fed up with his previous rider, and invented a few habits to amuse himself along the way, such as putting his nose on the ground during transitions! We had tears, tamtrums APLENTY and Serious Talks on several occasions. We went from an unbalanced wobbly trot to our first walk/trot test, from being unplaced in shows to being pulled in second (okay, would have stayed there if we hadn't subsequently tried to run the judge over but still

). We've been galloping across beaches and stubble fields, to a horse camp, on fun rides and got up to Novice level dressage. He's given me a taste of everything I've wanted to do, and all in all 3 1/2 years later he's turned out all right!

Started the noughties with a brilliant cob, ended it with a brilliant cob. All in all not too bad

(Sorry its an essay!)

 

[Angua2]

Lots of highs and lots of lows too.
2003 was getting my first horse, Sid, after years of waiting then 2008 was the down of having him PTS due to colic ( which will be 1 year next tuesday!).
2006 saw the aquisition of my current horse. A horse that, unfairly to her, stayed in the shadows until Sid was PTS. I always thought he was a horse of a lifetime, and maybe he was in his own way, but my mare is now in the spot light and is far eclipsing him in everyway.

there is always highs and lows with livestock, but that is what makes it all so worth while.

 

[minesadouble]

HIGHS;- -

The arrival of my youngest daughters - Millie in 2007 and Poppy in 2009.

Buying 'Mickey' for my eldest daughter in 2005 - a reluctant purchase on my part as I thought he was the plainest pony had ever seen, he then blossomed into a real swan who took my non-jumping daughter to jumping 1m + tracks within a few months, winning and getting placed showjumping and county level WHP. A true saint of a pony who I could never thank enough! He has a home with us for life.

Watching my sec C bought as a weanling grow up and become very succsessful under saddle.

Finally getting my mare in foal after numerous failed attempts!

LOWS;-
By far the mega biggest blow having our beloved Shorty (Windborne Eclipse) PTS due to a severe mystery illness. The most beautiful and loving pony we ever owned,even when he was very ill he could always muster up a whinny of greeting and look pleased to see us despite his own suffering. God bless you Shortstuff RIP.

Almost insignificant by comparison my lack of time to ride caused by said youngest kiddies!

Looking forward to 2010 -
to see my eldest daughter competing her first 'proper horse'.

Hopefully getting my much awaited foal - please god let it be a coloured colt! But I'll settle for a live one of any sex or colour!

Doing some little shows with Millie on the L/R on her ancient pony Bertie.

Hopefully getting more time to ride myself - unlikely but I can always hope.

 

[bushbaby28]

ooooh good post!!

erm well I suppose I must have started riding around 1999/2000 when I was 13 so a lot has happened!!

2001- My first fall!!!

2003-2007 started sharing 2 horses who taught me a hell of a lot!

2007 got Horse no. 1- Barney

Summer 2008- Adult riding camp. first XC. best week of life

Autumn 2008- Barney diagnosed with side bone and had to have winter off :-(

2008- Horse no. 2 Kali. my baby

a lot of up's and downs but so glad we kept going and I didn't give up on him.

2005-2009 Uni riding club- excellent!!! made the best mates ever.

Dec 2009- got 71% in dressage

hehe

 

[Mosh]

2000-2005 I was still riding at a riding school but in November 05 i got my first loan pony! Didn't get on with her but loved having a pony all the same
In june 06 had a mare on loan but her owners took her away after just one month.

In october 06 I bought Mattie! And have him ever since, We've had loads and loads of lows but recently its all been on a high and went on our first canter out on a hack!
I've ridden other horses but Mattie will be Mattie and I can't bear to get rid of him!

 

[Kat]

Wow the noughties have been an eventful decade for me, they've seen me get back into horses and make massive progress with my riding. They have also seen me go from heartbroken after a big break up to newly married!

2000
Turned 21
Graduated from uni
Started Post Grad
Split with long term boyfriend
Hadn't ridden regularly since 95 due to time and money

2001
Got a new part time job, discovered the manager was a former RI, shortly after she got back into horses and I started riding the ex-racehorse she bought.
Finished Post Grad and started looking for a proper job

2002
Got a proper job and had to stop riding the ex-racehorse
Decided to have some lessons again, and found a new riding school

2003
Went on a riding holiday to spain with my sister
Continued with riding lessons, but when I changed jobs moved to a different and more advanced group. It was a bit of a step up at first but made me work harder and progress faster.
Changed job

2004
Did my first proper show, indoor showjumping and came home with two firsts and a second having gone double clear in every round, despite the course builder getting the heights wrong and all the fences being bigger than expected.

2005
Started riding a welsh cob for a livery at the riding school, it was great experience and I loved being able to hack out again. It persuaded me I could manage to look after my own horse and I considered buying him. The arrangement lasted about six months, was gutted when it ended and that she had changed her mind about selling him, started to think about getting my own.
Started competing regularly at the riding club using school horses, dressage and showjumping.
Met a lovely man at the riding school, who offered to groom for me at a forthcoming show, we got drenched at the show, I took him out for a thank you drink afterwards, and he kissed me.
Got made redundant and was very glad I hadn't bought the welsh cob. Horse buying plans went on hold while I found a new job and due to the long commute at the new job.

2006
Boyfriend started competing again with my encouragement, couldn't persuade him to jump though.
Did a pretty full competition season - dressage mainly as enjoying working with a particular horse.
Boyfriend asked me to move in with him while we were having a beer in the pub garden after a riding club show.

2007
Pretty full competition season with the boyfriend again this year but I struggled a bit for a suitable regular ride.

2008
Got engaged
Didn't compete much this year due to time comitments and availability of decent horses. Did win the first ever WH class I entered though!

2009
Turned 30
Only competed once this year due to time and money and getting a bit disillusioned with the riding school.
Married my husband
Decided to buy our first horse together

 

[bex1984]

10 years ago I hadn't been near a horse for 5 years. Started riding again in 2005, when I took my mum to spain for her 50th birthday and ended up riding across a mountainside with a crazy spaniard with a mullet!! Started part loaning a horse the following Feb, bought one in Aug 06, fell out with him over the winter, bought Murphy in March 07. He's taken me from being terrified of, well, everything, to trying a bit of everything

 

[TelH]

Low point was when Minnie was pts 14th Dec 2006, she was the 1st horse I ever owned and was pts aged nearly 24 after breaking her leg in the field

Highs...lots...the 1st show I took Minnie to in 2003, we won a trophy and from then on I was completely bitten by the showing bug... bought Riva in 2001, Lulu in 2002, Jazmyn in 2003 and The 2 E's, Elspeth and Ebony, this year...Won lots more rosettes and trophies...Minnie was a champion 3 times and Lulu with her cranky legs and iq of about 2 1/2 won at Ponies UK...showing that sometimes the winner is not the one with the most talented or valuable pony but the one who tries the hardest and who wants it the most

 

[BeckyD]

My low point is losing Cass, my horse of a lifetime, on 9 July 2001. We had 7 fantastic years together (6 of those as a pet/beautiful field ornament due to injury). I then didn't ride for a few years (living/working in London) until finances eased a bit and I started lessons again. Other lows: My friend losing her pony, Red, Ronnie getting injured again and again and again, and watching another friend have a very nasty fall off her horse when we were out hacking. For a few seconds I really thought the worst.

I've had a few high points involving horses:

1) Riding my friend's pony (now sadly gone as well) round RAF Halton sponsored ride. Pulled my arms out but I had a great time (despite a silly fall!).

2) Buying Ronnie on April Fool's Day 2007 (yes, I know, but I wasn't superstitious then

)

3) Having a jumping lesson with a BSJA coach and for the first time I felt like Ronnie really had power and scope, and was so bold, sailing over everything despite the fact he wouldn't go near a filler just 2 months earlier. I was blown away by him.

4) Sponsored ride at MKEC with my friend, Ronnie was brilliant and the ride was fantastic.

5) Hacking Ron out the other weekend, for the first time in 16 months, and him being a saint

I am so lucky!!

 

[Chavhorse]

10 years ago had not ridden for 10 years since I gave up working in a riding school and teaching.

2004
Moved to Cyprus with my then OH

2005
Out of blue wanted to try riding again, never one to do anything by half I went out and bought Maios from the local Army Saddle Club. A month later OH said he wanted to learn to ride and wanted to buy a horse so we bought Martini between us.

August 2005
OH and I break up and I buy him out of both horses. I also move to a cottage down at the Farm where the horses are kept. Realise that Maios and I are no match and Martini is my horse of a lifetime, loan out Maios to the Instructor at the farm and concentrate on enjoying long fast hacks in the countryside on Marti.


2006 and most of 2007 are spent in an idyllic bliss of waking up seeing my horse in the paddock, riding in the morning before work, walking my dogs in the mountains and on the beach, easy non stressful days and nights on my veranda miles from anywhere with the night sky, a good bottle of wine, some candles and my favourite music.

September 2007 I meet james at a BBQ held by a friend he is quite safe as he lives in the Netherlands 3000 miles away and can not possibly interfere with my lifestyle! WRONG!

January 2008
I arrive in the Netherlands with 2 suitcases, my home is rented out all my furniture sold as is my car, my 3 rescue dogs are in kennels awaiting clearance to fly to Holland, with great pain I have decided that for Marti at 16 it will be too much to make the 10 day land and sea journey to arrive in the middle of a Dutch winter, he has been loaned out to the daughter of a good friend.

March 2008
Max Mollie and Muttley arrive on an aeroplane and discover that Holland is wet and cold and are not overly impressed, they see snow for the first time ever and look at me as if I am attempting murder.

April 2008
I take on the loan of an T/B called Challenger I have no idea how apt his name is going to be!

May June July 2008
Challenger is turning out to be very unpredictable one day he will be fine the next he bolts, one minute he is behaving like an angel the next he is rearing and doing all he can to dump you....I have his back checked, teeth checked, tack checked and a full vetting nothing shows up.

August 2008
Holidays in UK have a fantastic week riding on Dartmoor get my love of riding back that Challenger has somewhat ruined over the last few months...decide after much soul searching that I am not enjoying him and that I will ask the owner to have him back.

Back home in Netherlands I am riding Challenger out for the last time with a friend and he bolts with me I wake up to see a nice man with a uniform on asking how many fingers after alledgedly saying Who gives a [****]" I pass out again.

I have a broken shoulder, a fractured hip, fractured knee and broken ankle I can also only see out of 1 eye.

October 2008
Still in a lot of pain but able to see properly again I go back to work one Saturday James suggests a car ride, we drive to the old yard and standing in Challengers old stable is Vardi a 3.5 year old Appaloosa x Warmblood gelding.

April 2009
Vardi is four years old has been backed and goes off to a Trainer to work through a Young Horse Programme he is due to be there 3 months where I will work with him as well then he will move back and be 10 mins from my home.

June 2009
2 days before he is due to come home Vardi casts himself and catches his off hind foot in the stable divider we think he was hanging for at least 5 hours....he is very bruised and battered and we have no idea how bad the damge is to his leg all we do know is that he is dead lame and needs mega dose pain killers.

After 3 days the pressure sore where he was lying erupts, the skin on his entire near side comes off in strips, he is still on stong pain medication and has to have the skin dressed 6 times a day.

July 2009
Finally off the pain meds but he has a huge wound on his fetlock and is still dead lame....he is turned away for the rest of July and August.

September 2009
Vardi is started back in gentle walk, 10 mins a day rising to 30 mins over a couple of weeks he handles it well. No lameness.

October 2009
By now vardi being long reined in the school at walk for 30 minutes at a time and long reined outside for an hour a day no lameness at all in late October my trainer sits on top of him all is well

November 2009
After owning him for more than a year I sit on my horse for the very first time. I have three sessions only in walk then move him to his new home.

December 2009
Vardi and I hack out - first time hs has been under saddle outside the school.

We have our first trot and also our first proper joint lessons with an instructor. We are working towards entering an entry level dressage test in Summer 2010.

Dogs, bloke, job and life is all good as well

And apologies its a novel but it has been a rather eventful 6 years!

 

[BBs]

2000
Saw me compete my then 20 year old horse Bertie in the National Hunter Trial champs at Windsor finishing 25th. Also purchased a just backed 5 year old IDXTB

2001
Foot and mouth year meant little in the way of competitions for the young horse but we did have the odd training session.

2002
Finally started eventing and had a few placings with my very talented but highly spooky IDx

2003
After a hit and miss season either having a super run or getting dumped due to madams spooking I decided to sell my mare as she wasnt ever going to be brave enough to go higher than PN.
I sold her to RLF

where she has the best home ever.
My parents then purchased Winston who had won a PN.
It was also my old horses last competition. He then went on to be a hack/fun ride horse in his twilight years.

2004
Disaster in the form of losing total confidence.
Neither I or Winston gelled with each other in our SJing and I broke my nose during a Yogi clinic.
This was the start of a years complete re-train and confidence building sessions

2005
Back on the road and jumping DC and finishing 3rd at our first OPN.
Winston continued to be consistantly placed or jumping DC throughout that season.
It was also the European Champs at Blenheim where i got to steward the SJing.

2006
Bertie finially retired from ridden work.
I went to WEG in Aachen to cheer on team GB
Winston continued to event but his season was hampered with pussy-foot and later was diagnosed with Ringbone, which ended his eventing career

Late 2006 I went to see a just backed 4 year old KWPN by Polansky who was meant to be sold within a few months.

2007
Saw Snoopy hit the eventing scene in fine style finishing 11th twice and 9th at only his 2nd PN.
We contested BN jumping DC, BYEH where we were highly placed and just had a jolly good time.

2008
My father died

Snoopy broke and had a year off whilst being treated for soft tissue damage.
Winston came back into work and was ridden by Halfstep at a few competitions.

2009
Snoopy came back into work scoring 66%, 67% 69% and 67% in two outings. Also returned to show jumping and jumping DC.
Winston started elementary dressage and won 3 on the trot with 67% twice and 64%
Bertie was pts in September aged 29 years, we'd been together 18.5 years.
I moved house.

 

[brighthair]

can't remember that far back!!!

2000 - HOYS grooming for a friend, I had 2 horses then.
2001 - going to college and taking my horse with me, sold my 2nd horse
2002 - being at home in the summer and playing horses all day - lows, lost my horse, gave up riding
2003 - 2007 - no involvement except when forced to at college - I was on an equine course!!!
2008 - May - advertised for a share horse and got one
2009 - share horse sold :-( but I stayed at yard. Highs - Talland!

 

[muddy_grey]

Gosh 10 years is a long time.
2000-started in Australia where I met my OH
returned to England in March and had the best 6 months competing my little superstar Biz and hanging out at the yard and with the gang. Oct I started Uni

2001 - Hated Uni, but plugged on. Spent the summer competing the Biz and the high was definately competing and getting frillies at Hickstead. Then at the end of the summer the yard closed down and Biz went on loan.

2002 - I decided to sell Biz to the lovely lady who had him loan. Still hated uni, but oh well.

2003 - Graduated (thank god) and moved in with OH. Started having lessons with a great instructor.

2004-2006 - I obviously did nothing special!

2007-8 - Bought Moo and had a lovely 18months getting back into horses. Then had the most horrible experience at a yard and ended up moving to London and selling Moo. Big low was finding out that she had been PTS. We still miss her. Moved 2 more times

2009 - Has been the worst year ever. I started the year looking for a new horse. Then my Dad was diagnosed with Cancer and the horse idea took a back seat. High is definately Dad being given the all clear. Also had a selection of the worst staff ever, tenant not paying rent etc etc. Ending the year glad it's over. Half-heartedly looking for a horse and very much in need of a holiday.

 

[KatB]

This decade kind of shaped my riding. Went from being a very average riding school teenager, to having owned some fantastic horses and having some FANTASTIC horsey experiences.

2000: I was 14

First year I was left to my own devices to ride some fantastic horses owned by a very kind (and trusting!) person who is probably the only reason I am still riding. First Dressage competition, first Sjing competition and first full season hunting!!

2003: Went to see a cob for a friend, told her not to buy him as he was younger than originally advertised (and almost a hand smaller!). She brought him, 2 weeks later I was riding him to get him going, 6 weeks later I had him on loan as she couldn't cope with him. I brought him at the end of 2003, my first horse!!

Hunted him in derbyshire, a bit of a step down from 16.2hh= hunters to a 14hh coloured cob, but still the best thing I have ever sat on out hunting.

2005: Decided I wanted a horse to event. Went to ireland on my 19th birthday, and came back with my GORGEOUS coloured boy, Godfrey as a 3yr old. Put Bob cob on loan in October 2005.

2006: Quit office job, moved to Gloucestershire to work as a Working pupil with a NZ event rider. Competed in my first BE event, Stockland Lovell PN. Got a 39.5 dr, 2 down sjing, clr XC

HOOKED!! Did my first ever ODE on my own horse at Brooksby college. 37dr, 1stop Sjing and clear XC

Met some fantastic people this year, all of which are still very close friends.

2007: Came home, did BE on Goddy horse. Won my first ODE on my horse produced by ME!

Got a 70% dressage

2008: Competed in first PN on horse produced by me, and came 10th

Also did first 1.05m track SJing coming 2nd

2009: Sold Goddy horse to a perfect PC home, brought strange but talented 4yr old who will hopefully be my Intermediate horse

Roll on the next decade....

 

[somethingorother]

Wow ten years is a long time, i was only 11!

So i'll skip at bit as it's still been eventful. Lots of highs and probably more lows.

2002 fell for the love of my horsey life Czar.
Next few years spent working at the riding school, was a good time
2004 i found out i had scoliosis and would need major surgery in the future.
2004 Met the most fun and amazing pony in the world and had 3 happy years of fun with him before he was sold
2004 also saw me loaning my first pony not from the riding school. Blackjack; fat, hairy, bolshy Fell X.
2005 gave up Blackjack after numerous attempts by him on my life

Also got my 2 amazing share horses who taught me so much and made me a real rider. Teneray from being so lovely but whizzy. Had so many amazing times glalloping about bareback. And Fidget for being a pain in the bum, he taught me stickability.
December 2005 i broke my foot really badly and had to give up share horses.
2006 easter time found out younger brother had leukeamia and also had my surgery, supposedly meaning no riding for a year. 4 weeks later got with my wonderful OH. a month later had my first hack. Owch. No riding for another 2 months. Then back to hacking, schooling and eventually jumping by end of the year.
2007 My brother finally lost the fight... i started uni 3 weeks later. Met some amazing friends and had lots of general good times.
2008 got my car =) and went on a dream riding holiday in Ireland.
2009 found my new share horseys

...and Czar died

Am hopeful that 2010 will bring some better times, although it also brings the real world after uni! nooooo

Enjoyed reading everyone's posts, and it was nice to write all that down and make sense of a busy few years.

Looking forwards to everyone's 2010's!

 

[only_me]

I started riding in 2000, so the naughties have been interesting for me

I went from the centred, well adjusted girl to horse mad and covered in mud teenager

My mum loved it

not!

highs-
Learning to ride

riding lots of different ponies
Getting pony of lifetime "dino" who i brought on and took from pc level 2 to open pc level

and winning our areas in all disciplines, and coming 5th at the pc championships in sansaw

considering this was my first proper youngster, was very pleased with myself

Getting my horse merlin, who hopefully will be fantastic, he is great but just that bit further to go

Being able to compete and look after horses whilst still getting top notch exam results and getting into the uni of my choice

having a fantastic time in pony club
making friends for a lifetime
Buying and selling young horses giving me life experiences and enabling me to buy a car and fund it

Eventing properly
Being recognised as a good rider in pc and outside pc
Having fun with all the beasties
Developing my horsey knowalegde


Lows
Not significant enough to be considered a low, every low i had becomes a "life experience"

 

[Solstar]

Oh gosh, need to turn my thinking cap on!

2000- I was 12 years old. Sold my wonderful first pony- we'd bought him as a 14.2, 4yo just backed Connemara for £600. (don't worry, my mum knows what she's doing!!) When he went he was an 8yo, PC allrounder- bombproof, a jump like a stag and a hunting superstar.

2001- Finally got Solo after looking for nearly a year. I had had a horse on a share but it wasn't the same!! Had been looking for a youngster, maybe ID x. Ended up with a 7yo ex racer.

2002- Took Solo to PC camp. Competed all summer, attempted to hunt him- disaster. Found another horse, Rupert, who belonged to my grans friend- hunted him instead.

2003- Moved yards- Solo went from having 26 acres to roam with a few bullocks to having a smaller field, with another horse, and a stable!! I finally had someone else to hack about with.

2004- Went to PC camp. We 'escaped' and caused bedlam. Was asked to leave!!Competed a bit more. Moved yards again- this time upto my current yard, an ex stud, 60 horses...huge!

2005- Left school with 10 GCSE's but only half an A level. Met my OH. Started & left a boring factory job packing school uniform. Passes my driving test. Attempted to hunt Sol again- soon decided not to persue that idea!!

2006- Spent a year schooling other peoples horses- jumped 5ft on Sol. Hunted my friends coloured cob. Red came onto the yard with his old owner.

2007- Found a 'proper' job, which involved driving alot, but I loved it. Bullied my OH into buying Red for me. One of the best things we did- 15hh, 19, inc tack and rugs £700. Hunted him all season.

2008- Got a job at Fox Saddlers. Continued to ride/school other peoples horses. Started clipping as a sideline aswell. Groomed for my friend at shows. Hunted Red.

2009- wow, what a year I've had. Competed Solo, competed Red. Moved into my new house. Got my dog. Still working at Fox's. Had a challenging horse to school this summer- started off being a complete plonker- had him going nicely in 8weeks- he was PTS afetr a severe bout of colic after that. R.I.P Smithy. Started schooling my friends mare- potentially a nice MW Hunter for next season. Retired Red from hard work/competiton. Decided jumping wasn't really for Solo- it's just too exciting- I cant hold him. He works beautifully on the flat though Dressage is our next step for 2010. attempted to hunt Solo- stupid me, do I ever learn? Toured the country showing the coloured cob I'd hunted.

an eventful decade for me!!