MAGGIE KING AND VENTO

I found the Bluehorse website via the Lusitano Society, and asked Kate about a horse that was for sale.

I did not have enough money to buy this particular horse. I said that I was looking for a 15hh to 15hh 2in gelding, 4 to 6 years, good temperament, straight athletic mover with a good stride. I had had my old Arab mare put down last September and was not having any luck in finding a new friend.

Several weeks passed by then I got an email from Kate saying she had found a fab horse called Vento in Portugal, enclosed a photo of him cantering under saddle and said I know you don't know me but you can trust me.

Well what would you think? I think I answered that my passport was out of date, I wanted a horse in the UK and I must be bonkers considering buying a horse that I had never seen.

Kate sent me a video of Pedro ( Frederico's groom) riding Vento in the outdoor school which also included Kate riding the horse under saddle. Vento looked such a happy horse and had a lovely long well balanced stride, love at first sight!

I consulted my husband and sons as a farming family does on all potential new family members. My husband said yep he looks nice and athletic and son Tom said get a life mum and go for it! My horsey friends liked the video and asked if Pedro came with the horse!

After several panic attacks, the horse was only castrated on 20 March, , how could I trust someone that I'd never met to buy me a horse?

Well Kate gave me a list of people who would give her a reference to phone who had bought horses from her and told me that they are still her friends! Of course I phoned up! I paid for the vetting and the horse and hoped Kate's arranged marriage would work.

Vento arrived in the UK with three other Lusitanos after a long trip from Lisbon. Two days later I found myself in Cornwall meeting Vento, Kate and Frederico who were running a 2 day clinic. Kate teaches horsemanship which is a fantastic help in bonding with your horse and makes you consider the horses view of yourself as trainer.

I think we all improved our communication with the horses working on the ground (never be too proud to get off of your throne!) which had a calming effect mentally before riding your horse under saddle. This also helped to start to build trust with your horse. After all Cornwall must look like another planet after Portugal from the horses point of view.

Does all this mean I was in a calm state of mind when I first tried out Vento under saddle, of course not. I wondered what the horse would do, he wondered what I might do to him. We were both apprehensive and all over the place!

I felt a complete idiot but Kate and Fred were very helpful .

I came home with Vento much more confident and absolutely thrilled as he is such a sweet natured and gentle horse.

He has started to settle in well and adapt to a very different life on a dairy farm. He has met all the cows and our breeding bulls, the smell of slurry and scary big noisy farm machinery which he says is no problem. I've ridden out with my friend on her mare to show Vento around Dorset and alone on the farm which he enjoys. We are just starting out after the honeymoon and will have to both work hard at our relationship! If you have'nt found the horse of your dreams yet, don't give up he's out there waiting for you. Just ask Kate!

Maggie and Vento xxx