What Was You BEST Happiest Day With Horses Last Summer?

Elsbells

Elsbells

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We're just into March and although the days are drawing out and the birds are singing, the sun doesn't seem to want to stay for long and we're hacking out in the freezing rain again, and the rugs have to go back on!:mad:

We need cheering up, so go on, what was your best horse day last summer?:)

And what was the weather like;)
 
I had an amazing horsey summer last year (I worked for a trekking centre in Italy!)

But I think my happiest/best day had to be a 6 hour trek on my fave boy out there Tommy, he was an ex racer and we went down to the gallops and we FLEW! We left everyone else for dust! We both seemed to enjoy it, and the rest of the ride as well! The other ladies out on the hack were great company, the scenery was brilliant, the weather was... well... italian and I just didn't want the ride to end!

I loved it out there and didn't want to leave and I can't wait to go out and work there again this summer!
 
It was a Wednesday in late June (23rd I think) in a field between Northwich and Knutsford. It was a grey day and it did try to rain a bit. It was the second day of Cheshire show.
We were doing ridden heavy horse and had a 5.30am start. Me, Big Pony, Coach, free-groom (she does this day with us every year in exchange for wine), waggon driver (plus his wife and step kids) and my husband had a great day out. We were joined by my parents, friends and others at the show ground.
We had put so much effort into the prep. Schooling, cleaning, nutrition, you name it we'd worked on it. As we stepped into the ring (first, much to my coach going bonkers that she wanted me in last) Big Pony grew a hand or 2 and just turned on his presence. My 'support crew' stood by the gate next to the head of the shire section who apparently marked us out as the ones to beat from the second we went in.
We did our individual show and my boy was so sweet. Eager, attentive, listening to my every direction. We got our canter leads bob on but had a slight slip on our first canter (wet ground) that meant he wouldn't open up into full gallop but still had a lengthened canter. All that was left was the jump, we'd brought our own warm up fence so I knew he had his eye in. We picked up wrong lead and I put him on a dogged stride but he knew what he had to do, from right underneath it he cleared it! We finished off with rein-back (which I taugt him from scratch over 3 months) which was so balance even I was amazed. Salute.
Then I had the agonising wait of watching 11 other horses go. Each one scrutinised for their talents. Our best heavy friend was in there and she didn't disgrace herself, that was a relief. We were all instructed back out to walk round while the judge decided.
I felt good, BP felt good. There weren't many who had attempted half the stuff we had put in and it had been clean. But it all comes down to the judge. I looked over my right shoulder to see the steward call me in!! As my eyes welled up we walked over to head the line up. Apparently my dad was the first to notice but not being horsey asked the rest of the team, "what's she doing now? Why's she stopped?" A huge cheer went up from their corner.
As we stood there I had to give BP his kiss and hide my face in his neck. I couldn't be seen crying in front of hundreds of people.
I had promised him that one day I would find a judge who knew, like I do, that he is the best pony in the ring and get him the rosette he deserves. It's the only first either of us has ever one. We put so much effort in and it was worth it.
My childhood dream came true. BP is my first pony, I never got to do shows as a kid. We used to go and I would sit and watch all day dreaming that one day I could have a go. Wondering what it would be like to lead out the lap of honour with a red rosette dangled from my pony's bridle. Well, I can tell you it felt great! This time he wanted to gallop one side so I let him while the crowd appauled us.
That evening I treated the team to chinese take out and wine and BP got 2 pints of guiness in his tea.
Best day of last summer by miles!
(PS. Sorry for this most shameful, self indulgent post. I am aware of how boastful it could seem but this is the little girl inside me finally being a grown up princess and it was worth the wait.)
 
Hacking out my new horse in the sunshine, with good friends. I'd only had her a few days I think and they boxed and rode over to come out riding with me.
Here's a pic.
The weather was lovely and warm, with a crisp breeze off the sea. Sadly that was the first and last epic hack we got to do, due to injuries, moving house, injury again and now my pregnancy, my dear Clover is a field ornament. But a gorgeous one.
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When I got Sparks :)

Most special thing I own I think and never thought I'd ever have a chance of owning one like him. He was an absolutely perfect and extremely grateful gift! I was at a bit of a low point, and he brightened things up :)


Photos the first day I got him - We'd literally just halter broken him just minutes before these were took.

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E_Lister said:
I had an amazing horsey summer last year (I worked for a trekking centre in Italy!)

But I think my happiest/best day had to be a 6 hour trek on my fave boy out there Tommy, he was an ex racer and we went down to the gallops and we FLEW! We left everyone else for dust! We both seemed to enjoy it, and the rest of the ride as well! The other ladies out on the hack were great company, the scenery was brilliant, the weather was... well... italian and I just didn't want the ride to end!

I loved it out there and didn't want to leave and I can't wait to go out and work there again this summer!
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Wow thats sounds amazing, I'm VERY jealous! I'd love to do something like that...can I ask how you found such an opportunity?
 
Oh I have a couple. I loved the day we went to watch the Coloureds at RIHS. We had nothing qualified so just went down there in the car, found a spot to sit in and stayed there allll day long watching lots of friends compete and hundreds of stunning horses and ponies!! We moved for the occasional toilet break/cup of tea/food.

Another one was the Royal Windsor, where we took my friends little traditional coloured. I always love that show and last year was no exception.
 
It would have to be one of the common ridings I did, such an amazing experience being in a ride of over 350 horses! Selkirk was my first, bit chilly start (4am!) but stayed dry. The ride (on the black horse on the rhs)

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In the afternoon there is a race meeting, and as I had taken part in the morning's ride I was 'qualified' to enter the ladies race. Never done anything like it before, and you only get to sit on the horse in the paddock immediately before the race (all unknown horses) but I WON!

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This and a huge trophy that I give back this year.

It was a bit bittersweet as I would have loved to have done the ride on my own horse, but he was injured (and won't be ridden again :( ). Other than that it was a great day and one I hope to repeat again this year :D
 
Definatley just a summers hack through the forest. No photos but just boxed up last minute decision and went it was fab fab fab!!
 
When i went to try my first ever owned horse out. Went last min, was soo nervous. I rode absolutly apppallingly at first within about 20mins was off on a hack (i am normaly nervous of new horses). Came back with the biggest smile and went to pick him up 2 weeks later :-)

He's been a diamond ever since!
 
Cant decide whether it was taking my mare (who i thought id never be able to ride again) round a course of jumps or winning his first championship with my youngster who was known as wee fleabag when i got him - amazing summer:-)
 
Rhino the common ride looks fantastic but also terrifying! So many people and such a lot of noise. I guess you know if your horse can carry you through something like that, he's pretty bomb-proof! Not sure I'd be brave enough to find out what my boy made of it though!
 
Skipping round tatts pc champ xc making it feel very, very easy on my 5 year old - although the best bit of that round was the fact that this water shy horse at the start of the year flew into the water over a big log (for us) with no second thoughts and required no extra riding - we jumped it as though the water wasn't there!!
The fact that at the start of 2011 he would just about walk through water (drops in didn't quite understand) whereas at the end of 2011 he was cantering through it very very happily and even jumping in! :D
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TakeAChance said:
Rhino the common ride looks fantastic but also terrifying! So many people and such a lot of noise. I guess you know if your horse can carry you through something like that, he's pretty bomb-proof! Not sure I'd be brave enough to find out what my boy made of it though!
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It was a hireling, I'd never sat on him before :p :D
 
The day I jumped this

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Not only did I compelete my first BE Intermediate, but we were placed and got some more shiney BE points :D. My other horse was also placed in her BE100 section.

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So both horses came home with rosettes and prizes :D!
 
Really nice summer day in August, it wasn't too hot. Went round Offchurch Bury Chasers course. Really good few gallops and jumping!! Pony and I both loved it!
 
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