What's been your best horsey moment of 2011?

[penny3]

finally having the guts to do my first xc comp and getting 4th in a big class and galloping my new pony across the beach for the first time

 

[MrsHutt]

Well, getting my first horse at the grand old age of 51! and the ups and downs since then!

But there were two moments that stand out:

1 first hack out (after all my 'issues' due to previous loaner )

2 coming back from 4 weeks holiday and thinking it would be a difficult ride, but he had come on sooooo much with all the schooling YO had done while I was away - he was a STAR! (made me look good )

 

[Stacey6897]

Cuddling my ex racers, she was very badly headshy, I'm guessing she's been ear twitched at some point, I've been gently working on cuddling her until in October, she let me stroke between her ears, and nuzzled me rather than tolerating me, lush!

I asked Mike to stand on a log, just to see if he would...

Oh yeah, riding in the Calgary Stampede, that was pretty cool

 

[samsbilly]

Being told by my fantastic instructor that i had managed to some how transform my ginger ninja from a horse that could struggle cantering around the arena, to one who wouldn't make a bad attempt at a medium affiliated dressage test! makes it so worth the blood sweat and tears.

 

[Chestnutmare]

Getting a new horse that has helped me re build my shattered confidence he is truly a star and boy I cannot wait for 2012 for all the parties to attend with him

 

[Stacey6897]

I asked Mike to stand on a log, just to see if he would...

Mike standing on said log, what a good boy!

 

[Super_Kat]

Mike is an awesome name for a horse

Firstly..... Seeing my pony playing in the Polocrosse World Cup, under South Africa, Who only went and freaking won!!!

He's the spangly looking chestnut 4th from right (although you can't see the 3rd horse!) LOVING the crowds before the first game against Ireland underneath the South African Team Captain

Under the South African team captain again in an easy win against the good old U S of A

And giving 2 time world champions Australia a spanking under another SA player (who he had an unhealthy love of, he's called woody for a reason, the poor lad refused to go near him unless he played him!)

Then in September at the national championships.
We'd had an easy first game (where I smashed a member of the opposite team in the face), scraped through the second game (only because the head hit I dished out didn't get blown up ) then in the final I got moved around in my section from midfield to defence then to attack as my other players weren't firing on any cylinders. We went into the final 2 goals down, I was ill, in pain and exhausted, my horse wasn't as fit as she needed to be, had nothing in the tank by the last chukka, still had all the pace in the world but no handle or brakes. But I put 3 goals through the posts and we won. I got off and cried.

I also picked up a best player award to boot.

I really couldn't ask for more genuine, beautiful horses

 

[mulledwhine]

Tazzle - what stars, lovely pics well done to your two babies

 

[muddygreymare]

I have loads, just seeing her so happy every single day is an amazing thing. But one of the best has to be taking her out for a good gallop for the first time in nearly a year. It was amazing and she absolutely loved it too. But really, just having the privilege of owning her and her being sound and happy has been a highlight of my year, 'cause without her I doubt i'd have survived this year as it's been pretty rubbish, but Bella made it worth carrying on

 

[monkeybum13]

Completing our first endurance ride. Only a 30km NCR but I can't wait to do more next year

 

[MrsMozart]

Getting back in the Dizz after six months enforced non-riding (due to broken back)

Buying Grey Mare for D1

Taking the Dizz to dressage camp at Eland

Seeing D1 take Grey Mare showjumping

Building up some top line on the Dizz and seeing her start to offer a steady head carriage finally, after three years of owning her

Getting the right pup for D2

 

[riding_high]

finally backing my pony and being able to go for a canter on him.
watching him do so well at in hand showing.
seeing him deal with his very first outing, a fun ride, and loving every minute of it.

my horse.....
being able to ride him again, never thought the day would come and even thought i'd have to let him go by now and nearly lost him a couple of times but thanks to a great vet and my horses determination he pulled through and i have had a chance to get a couple more rides on him. to me it's the best feeling ever and the first time i rode him again i cried, just magical.

 

[LeannePip]

i cant pick just one so be prepared for a photo overload :S

1)backing my little Pip i've owned her since a yearling and we've been through quite a bit of **** but we've come out the other side and she makes me so proud every day by just being her!!

2)Riding her out on her own and she was as good as gold

3) showing her this season - she won every time out along with other placings and went reserve champ against mature horses (photos second youngstock, 2nd Best conditioned 1st Hunter pony, reserve hunter of show)

4) seeing her now, maturing into a sensible (sometimes) level headed (when she wants) easy (on her terms) young horse and the rate she learns and picks things up is incredible - below photos are from the last week

-after a month of 'knuckling down'

-second time jumping on the lunge

-second time jumping under saddle like a complete pro!

she is incredibly entertaining and there is never a dull moment when she is around - see below - Pips interpretation of doing step downs - this is not a one off and this was not the first time shes done it, she has always done it even under professional riders :L just making life more exciting for every one :L