What is your 'Moment'?

[skint1]

Not me but my daughter.
She'd had such a difficult time with her mare Bella, especially at competitions, then one day it all just came together, just the once mind, but what a glorious day it was
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[Spot_the_Risk]

Not a competition, no prizes, but my first ever hack on Tinner last April during his backing process - grinning from ear to ear!

 

[Madam Min]

Apart from the day I got Chloe, our moment would be competing at the local big show ( sadly no longer in existence), for years I'd gone to the show hoping one day to compete on my own horse there and be on the other side of the fence as a competitor, this is Chloe and I in the riding horse class, we came 5th! For me, it was like going to the Olympics!

 

[Garnet]

Some fabulous pictures on this thread . . .

This is my moment -

This is me and my wonderful Syd, in 1993 when we were Novice level eventing. This photo shows his amazing colour, how he tucked his front legs up and how happy he always was when we were jumping. In all his jumping photos his ears are always tightly pricked. I had him from when he was five until last year, when he was pts aged 28 - a very special boy who was with me for over half my life so far. If we could choose several "moments", I would have chosen some with my children riding him in recent years - he adapted through his life from copper-coloured kangaroo to happy hacker to lead rein pony.

My true horse of a lifetime.

 

[Clare85]

Loving all of these, thank you all for posting. Keep them coming, it's quite heart warming!

1ST1 - your horse is absolutely stunning!

charlimouse - that is some drop! Kudos!

 

[Spiritedly]

This is my moment. My son is autistic and dislikes any form of contact and finds it hard to sit still, the pony had come off Dartmoor and came to us wild and completely unhandled. My son sat in the stable patiently every day talking to him, three weeks, to the day, after we got him my son went into the stable and Harley went straight over to him and gave him a 'kiss'. They still have a really close bond.

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[Clare85]

Oh Spiritedly, how wonderful. What a special moment to catch on camera too

 

[Garnet]

This is my moment. My son is autistic and dislikes any form of contact and finds it hard to sit still, the pony had come off Dartmoor and came to us wild and completely unhandled. My son sat in the stable patiently every day talking to him, three weeks, to the day, after we got him my son went into the stable and Harley went straight over to him and gave him a 'kiss'. They still have a really close bond.

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Horses are such incredible animals - what a lovely moment! I can't imagine how you must have felt about both your son and the pony - there are no words . . .

 

[kez1001]

Sneaking down to the yard early one morning (I was 14) and finding this:

And also 4 years later, when she still made me as happy and made me laugh as much as she always will. Her first introduction to a ditch:

I love this ditch pic! It made me lol what a lovely pony

This is my moment. It's out xc schooling my late exracer mare. I lost her tragically in an accident a few months after this pic was taken but looking at this pic makes me feel so proud and happy of the little horse she became. From a toast rack racehorse that bronced me off every time I got on to a fabulous little horse I could take anywhere and do anything with miss her lots.

 

[Hedwards]

My moment is a bittersweet one from July 2013. My time with Mickey had been eventful, having discovered not long after I bought him that he had stomach ulcers, and had a few scary falls. My confidence was bashed, and it too a long time to overcome. We successfully treated the ulcers and forged on, aiming at the local county show, just a local rider class. He was an absolute star, an absolute pro throughout the entire show, he hacked there and back, we came 6th, which sounds rubbish, but I didn't care. However a couple of weeks earlier I'd had to have my old mare Connie put to sleep. As I was pulled into the line up I was over come with emotion, Mickey had been wonderful, but I was also suddenly overcome with grief for connie. I'll never forget exactly how I was feeling in this photo! Plus Mickey looks absolutely amazing!

 

[TandD]

I think I have a number of 'moments' all that I love remembering....

But this is one that will be with me for a long time! Unfortunately I don't have any pictures as my mum had my horse at the end of the lunge line!

After a year of an injured horse and rehab I got back on my horse after 3 months of 'backing'. Going through stages of thinking firstly he would be pts, then I would never get a roller on him, then saddle and achieving each stage was amazing! However the day I tacked him up, put my foot in the stirrup and swung up into the saddle was incredible! I couldn't believe that after 9 months of thinking that I'd have to retire him or at worse pts I was actually sitting on him again! Then with my mum leading him round we had a walk around the round pen! And he was perfect!!!
Along the same lines was the first time I cantered him once I was back on! It was only 1 20m circle....however the last time I had cantered him he just broncked around the school. My smile was so big as I couldn't believe I had my horse back to ride again!

 

[CobsGalore]

This is my moment. My son is autistic and dislikes any form of contact and finds it hard to sit still, the pony had come off Dartmoor and came to us wild and completely unhandled. My son sat in the stable patiently every day talking to him, three weeks, to the day, after we got him my son went into the stable and Harley went straight over to him and gave him a 'kiss'. They still have a really close bond.

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This is just beautiful.

 

[Megibo]

Cantering my mare across the showjumping arena in the jump off, winning us the class First class we won together..easily one of the proudest moments of our nearly 9 years together! This was 2009, me aged 15 her aged 10!

 

[KidnapMoss]

Some lovely photos!!

Mine is this one I think pony on my wedding day, couldn't resist putting a cardi on over my dress and going down for a cuddle, he was loving watching the guests arrive!!

Or this one, taken after a dressage prize giving at addington. I think he is smiling also it sums up 7 year of hard work on a former asbo, now a sweetheart

 

[p87]

This won't look like anything significant except to those of you who know the story and what went on, but here is my moment. A year ago I finally got my boy after 10 years. He was just off the trailer, changed into his new jammies and out for a walk around his new home. The immense feeling of relief and happiness that he was officially mine and in my hands was overwhelming, I could have slept in his stable with him that night just to let it sink in! He has had a year out from doing much work at all which he desperately needed, and now he is - almost - fully recovered we have a busy year of shows ahead of us - 2014 is going to be our year, so expect photo overloads!!

 

[Spiritedly]

Oh Spiritedly, how wonderful. What a special moment to catch on camera too

Luckily I was taking photos of his progress every day so had my phone out as my son walked in.

Horses are such incredible animals - what a lovely moment! I can't imagine how you must have felt about both your son and the pony - there are no words . . .

Even now this photo brings a tear to my eye, unfortunately my son has grown taller than the pony so he has never been able to actually ride him but we are breaking him to drive so the can go out together that way. Harley has already towed his sledge.

 

[Umbongo]

I loaned a mare who was opinionated, stroppy, spooky, nippy and generally not fun to ride or look after. She wouldn't hack, wouldn't jump, wouldn't go near water, spooked at everything etc. I built such an amazing bond with her, she began to really trust me....and it is a bond I have not had with any other horse. Sadly I had to give her up due to unemployment, but I have never met a horse like her since.

This is my favourite photo. We had a canter on the beach, jumping drift wood and she even SWAM in the sea. I think this photo sums up how happy we both were that day!

And one of her in the sea (bay in the middle)

 

[spotty_pony]

Has to be this one!

This was Closing Meet with the Cottesmore Hunt in 2012. This is me and my 15hh super Appaloosa Captain Pugwash. This was the first fence of the day - following this we then jumped our first ever hedge (downhill!) and I remember thinking in mid-air over the third fence: 'this must be what it feels like to ride at Burghley!' Probably not quite the same but certainly good enough for me. He gave me the ride of my life that day and jump his socks off! What a little star!

 

[JustMeThen]

Not so much a moment, but a day. After a bad experience moving up to novice the season before, this was our return debute. I was terrified. I picked this event after looking at the xc pictures from previous years, but was unprepared for the sheer size. And lots of experienced people wandering around muttering how they had rarely seen a novice track this big hardly filled me with confidence. So to get a 29 dressage, 2 down sj (sj was causing carnage, average was about 12 faults) and a clear xc...I can still remember EVERY moment in the saddle that day. And replay it in my mind far too often given he's now probably not going to return to this level due to injury & age.


My grin going into the treble says it all - without wanting to sound boastful, I had the perfect shot and I knew it [which is rare]


And riding for my life xc

photo of me (5 foot 8) next to that jump


One of the best days of my life without a doubt. We came 8th and got our first proper point which was the icing on the cake.

That treble picture is brilliant! And hat off to you, ain't no way I'd be jumping either of those XC fences

 

[JustMeThen]

Some lovely photos!!

Mine is this one I think pony on my wedding day, couldn't resist putting a cardi on over my dress and going down for a cuddle, he was loving watching the guests arrive!!

Or this one, taken after a dressage prize giving at addington. I think he is smiling also it sums up 7 year of hard work on a former asbo, now a sweetheart

this is so cute, especially the bottom one, his face is lovely!

 

[Lolo]

This is me, and my old horse. I almost quite riding when I was 13, I completely lost my nerve and a series of unfortunate events culminated in me deciding I only wanted to hack and maybe do some dressage. I didn't want to jump or go fast. We found Cheeky out of desperation- we'd been looking for several months and mum phoned up about him because he was the right height. He was all wrong as well. Too old, too naughty, too strong... But something clicked between us and even though he did everything I hated, jogging and spooking and generally being a tit, I trusted him and he came home days later.

This photo is us, after a hack with my little sister. We jumped round all the hunt jumps together, and I loved it. He was completely batty and so naughty, but I trusted him totally and he always looked after me. I still was very nervous but on him I was braver and better. This photo just sums us up- he made me laugh.

I miss him a stupid amount still, even though he was PTS coming up to four years ago now. He was truly a once in a lifetime horse and he gave me so much.

 

[Mince Pie]

I haven't got a photo as was out hacking solo, but my moment would be last summer when I got lost out hacking. I had given up and used the AA route finder on my mobile so was riding down roads and my pony isn't too brilliant in traffic - anything over the size of a 3.5t van or trailers and he panics slightly. Anyway there was a bloody great big bus was behind us and my lad didn't even flinch! I didn't even notice it until it was right behind us whereas normally we'd be dancing around before it got that close, I think he knew that he needed to look after me as it was my second day back in the saddle after my operation on my back.
The second one was from a few years ago where he really looked after my little sister, he truly is a gem and I'm lucky to have found him. He still has his moments but when it counts he is rock solid and totally dependable.

 

[1ST1]

1ST1... wow, just WOW. Really beautiful photos, what a talented horse.

1ST1 - your horse is absolutely stunning!

Thank you both , he is very special to me.
And what a nice idea for a thread! Even though I am really busy right now, I keep coming back to read your heart-warming stories and I am loving each and every one of them. This thread made my day.

 

[NZJenny]

Big lump in my throat and sweaty eyes reading this thread.

I have four horses, one is just a two year old, so apart from the moment when I decided she was coming home with me, we haven't really had many moments. But I'm sure that will be the first of many.

My other three, wow. Two of them I bred and was there when they were born, and that's definitely a moment. I have also started two out of the three of them (happy to pass that work on, now I'm a bit older) but that first ride is special.

Some of my best moments have been endurance riding. Zara taking out Best Conditioned at the South Island Championships had me in tears and speechless. Ardashir completing our 160 km - I was crying so hard at the finish I couldn't see where we were going. I have retired from the sport now and Diva has only done the shorter rides, but that first 80 km ride is such a big ask, it's another "moment".

The other moments I love are the little ones that are special to owning a horse. A gallop on the beach on a perfect morning. When you "get" lengthening. Half pass was something I never thought I would do - do now. Watching four horses playing on a windy evening. The smell of health horse, and whisker kisses.

And I'm so looking forward to a lifetime of more moments.

 

[SarahF]

This pic of a lovely moment between me and my best friend Apaat a few weeks back became extra cherished this week...

On Thursday I thought my faveourite horse wasn't gonna make it. Can you believe the vet suspects someone deliberately went at his leg with a cutlass/machete?!? (common garden tools here)
Don't ask who or why - if I knew, I sware that person would have no feet by now!

It looked like they tried to cut off his hoof with one blow - but thank God as bad as it looked it missed his tendons/ligaments and was stitched up under local anaesthetic. He is even putting weight on it and walking fine!
Barring infection (including tetanus - God forbid!) he should recover.
I love this horse so much he didn't deserve such wickedness
Please pray for his speedy recovery.

 

[Zebedee]

What a great idea for a thread !

Having spent almost my entire life with or around horses I have had many moments, some have come during competitions, I have foaled down four of my own + a few for other people, & I have had some wonderful 'breakthrough' moments while schooling.
The one that sticks out however took place about 40 years ago. I used to ride my pony from our rented field back to my home on the outskirts of the town - about three miles each way. When I got there I would put him in the front garden to graze while I had a drink & something to eat. On sunny days I would often just sit in the garden reading a book while he grazed & people walking by did massive double takes at the unexpected sight pf a pony in a (not very big) garden.
One day I'd ridden home & Peter was untacked & wandering around while I sat in the sun reading. I was aware that he come over towards me but was paying much attention until I heard a muted thud & a grunt from behind my back. I looked around & he chosen to lay down - right beside me. I moved around so that I was resting against him, & there we stayed, dozing in the sun, until it was time to tack him up & take him back to the field.
It might not seem like much of a moment, but it was the one that sprang to mind even after all these years
Peter was my first pony, purchased by my (unhorsey) father who thought that £50 on a yearling represented a significant saving on the £300+ that an older broken in pony would cost. It didn't matter that for the first few years I owned him I couldn't ride him. I had my own pony & that was all that mattered. He never left my ownership either, & was put down at 23yrs after a field accident.

 

[Bam.]

This is my moment. My son is autistic and dislikes any form of contact and finds it hard to sit still, the pony had come off Dartmoor and came to us wild and completely unhandled. My son sat in the stable patiently every day talking to him, three weeks, to the day, after we got him my son went into the stable and Harley went straight over to him and gave him a 'kiss'. They still have a really close bond.

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This made me well up.
What breed of pony is he?

 

[Zebedee]

I love this horse so much.
Please pray for his speedy recovery.

That's a beautiful picture. I do hope that Apaat continues to make a good recovery from such an atrocious attack. Please keep us updated

 

[LD&S]

This is my moment. My son is autistic and dislikes any form of contact and finds it hard to sit still, the pony had come off Dartmoor and came to us wild and completely unhandled. My son sat in the stable patiently every day talking to him, three weeks, to the day, after we got him my son went into the stable and Harley went straight over to him and gave him a 'kiss'. They still have a really close bond.

[/URL]

A beautiful picture and story.

 

[Clare85]

SarahF - sorry to hear about what has happened to Apaat, that is absolutely terrible. I hope he makes a speedy full recovery. What a beautiful picture.