Kim and Util on Daymer beach Cornwall
Coming soon!!!
Bluehorse Mastery.
Comprehensive tailormade hands on practical courses.
For those students who seriously want to improve their horse knowledge .
Bluehorseuk News Updated 03/03/2010
Helloooo! From Jess Davies
Kim asked if i could do another blog now im back home so here it is!!
Wow... What a month since being back at home!!! As soon as i got back to Devon the first thing i did was stop at the yard and ride Izzy, I was literally jumping on the spot because i had so much stuff in my head to remember and i just wanted to ride! I was riding around the arena and i was talking out loud to remember all the things Kate and Kim taught me. And wow what a response i got from Izzy!!!!! I was so shocked, she was so much softer, lighter, and more responsive.... i decided i would film myself each time i rode, and i noticed even though i thought i was sitting up straight, i still had my shoulders forward. i was getting rather annoyed with this to say the least, as when i do none stirrup work im fine, and as soon as i have my stirrups back i lean forward!! its work in progress! I also had the saddler out last week, and i am getting a new saddle, as my old one is too big for me, and too tight and heavy for izzy. I rode in the one im buying and it felt lovely, i didnt want to get off, my position really improved, apparently its because im sitting in the correct saddle! we shall wait and see!! I have also started to work with my mum and her horse jake. I never realised how great he is, this summer i will be competing Jake and Izzy at all the shows we can get to, jumping and dressage! Mum is very proud of Jake, i think they have both come a long way, i put into practise some of the excercises Kim and Kate taught me on him aswell, and he has also wowed me!! I have realised being with horses is a never ending lesson, and even though it has its highs and lows, we all do it for one reason...because we love it!!! (and if your reading this and dont love it, dont do it, the horse wont appreciate it!!) Anyway, im very much looking forward to coming back down to Cornwall and seeing everyone, i really miss it!!! Especially Scruff the dog, i loved that he would join me on a hack, he's a great listener and never talked back once!!! If only he were a man!!!
Last weekend we held a clinic and lunch. We had a lot of response to this and people seemed to like the idea of having a morning learning with their horses and then a lovely three course lunch. We started the morning with a coffee and chat, making sure everyone new each other and felt relaxed. We then had course clients tack up and go to the school. Kate and myself taught, we each had an end of the arena and alternated between each person so they got chance to have some help and guidance from us both. This was a really way for us to teach because it also allowed us to see how riders worked when they were left to work on things for themselves, it was also good because both myself and Kate could discuss together what we found in the horses and also the riders!! Sue Hay prepared us a lovely lunch, which everyone loved!! Eleri Fanshaw cooked some wonderful cakes, that were soon tucked into! Having a lunch gave us time to really get to know everyone and discuss any horsey issues people were having problems with. It was good fun and so nice to see everyone having such a great time. After lunch most of the riders then when on a hack around the woods and forestry which made the perfect ending to a wonderful day.
An update on Xavante (The Duke) and Annabel. Since the Lusitano Breed Show last year I have ventured out to compete and taken The Duke on my own to a lesson at another venue. He is so good when he travels to another location and is no trouble at all, other than hoping that I don’t abandon him!
Towards the end of 2009 I decided I must overcome my phobia of working in the Indoor School so each time I returned from a hack out I went in for a little while and each time made it a bit longer.
This has worked well and I now have regular lessons with Kim which are doing both me and The Duke a power of good. Kim has been an excellent teacher and after each lesson I feel I have achieved and that we are definitely moving forwards. She has given me some good exercises and also plenty to practice. I have also joined a Pilates class and can honestly say that it is helping me with my general posture and balance.
Just before the snow kept me in my house for 2 whole weeks in January I bought a new Albion saddle and it also is a great help as my position is far easier for both me and The Duke. My plans for 2010 are to compete in unaffiliated Prelim and Novice and Affiliated Prelims. Kim has set me the challenge of Qualifying for the Regional Prelims – we shall see!!
Kates been busy the last few weeks, yesterday she went to meet a lady who had a lot of lovely horses some which have a lot of potential. One horse being an andalusian 4year old mare who is already standing at 17hh now! With the right work this mare is certainly one to watch out for in the future.
We are also busy organising our clinic and lunch which is taking place this Sunday. The idea of Sunday is to find out what people want to get out of coming to our clinics, whether it be working more on the ground and doing liberty, or whether they want to ride more. This day is going to help us ensure that there is something for everyone. For instance some months we might have a clinic specifically on ground work and understanding of the horse where as other months we may work on shoulders in and leg yields and sometimes even just going on a really long ride through the forestry and woodland. We are planning to run this type of clinic once a month with the additional option of lunch so feel free to bring a friend – you don’t have to be horsey but you may want to watch and then stay for a delicious lunch.
I’m just starting to bring Balota back into work. She has been turned away since Mid October to grow and mature. She is a lovely little mare she has basically lived out throughout the winter months only coming in when we had that real hard ice and snow snap. Just had some shoes put on her so am planning to ride out towards the end of the week. She will do several weeks of hacking to help strengthen her muscles. Taking a young horse out hacking keeps their minds busy there is always plenty to see whilst your out riding and its interesting for them.
We also now purchase our feed form Houghtons Saddlery which is based in Launceston. Alex and Rachel who now taken over the business have gone from strength to strength and what used to be a fairly small saddlery shop is now growing into a huge really competitive business. We receive our feed order every fortnight which is perfect for the storage space we have. Houghtons have proven to be really competitive with prices and are very reliable. We’d also like to wish both Alex and Rachel all the best for 2010!!
We still have a couple of liveries slots still available.
Having come out of the winter feeling a little flat and rather tired, we have re booted ourselves and are feeling really focused – our word this week is POSTURE!!
Bluehorse Blog!
I have been asked by Kim to write a little blog about my stay here at Bluehorse, but I don’t really know where to begin! I think I am going to start by saying a huge thank you to Kate who has taught me so much in such a short space of time and to everyone at the yard who has made me feel so welcome. There are very few places in the world like Bluehorse, and I feel very lucky to have been apart of it, even just for a couple of weeks! Everyday was a learning experience, and I will never forget my first ride on Pig, and how shocked I was at how little I knew!!! Pig is one of the most tolerant horses I have ever met, not to mention fantastic and very easy to love! I am really looking forward to my mare having a foal from him, I can’t stop going on about it! I’m finding it very difficult to put my experience into words, because in order to understand it you have to do it yourself! The horses are all so happy and relaxed here, and so are the owners!!! I think its rare to find people who understand horses like Bluehorse does! I can’t wait for the clinics and will definitely be coming down with my horse, my poor Dad will be spending more time driving myself and Izzy down here than someone who events I should think! I’m not good at writing things like this, so I going to stop now! But I shall be going back to Devon with a lot of things to practise with my mare, and a big smile on my face!!! Yet again thank you Kate, Kim, Ant and everyone else I have met and most likely scared with my madness and ability to not stop talking!!!
Love Jess Davies
Exmoor.
Lauren King
Lauren is a 17year old girl who Kate met whilst she was out in Australia on her first visit. Kate spend a lot of time with Lauren whilst she was over there. Lauren is going to be coming over to England in April and spend three months training with us. I understand she is very excited about coming and I am looking forwards to meeting her. This is a horse that Lauren has out in Australia.
BLUEHORSE NEWS 2010
Welcome to 2010!!!
Well what a long winter! Wind, Rain, Snow, Frost, Ice, Burst Pipes, certainly not the weather Ms Mably was experiencing in Australia!
With Kate away for three months it was a busy time for me at the yard, and that was before we had the fortnight of ice and snow and could barely move about! Thinking back could have hired the yard and outdoor school out as an ice rink!
All the horses have come into 2010 looking very well, they are all nice and weighty and still bright in their coats. During the winter the young mare Bolota was turned away to develop and grow on, she has now just come in and will begin working over the next couple of weeks, she is looking great, really filled out, turning her away was a really good idea. Kates’ horse Almansor certainly missed her! He has had a fairly quiet winter with lots of turnout and gentle hacking he is only a young one too so a break certainly didn’t do him any harm.
Sarah Turner has successfully sold her warmblood mare Fab, and has settled in really well at her new home. Sarah is now on the hunt for another trusty stead!
Sara Hymas who had her Arab, Beau with us for some schooling has successfully put him out on loan and he too is getting on really well, Sara has now got herself another arab on loan and is really enjoying getting back in the saddle.
All the livery horses seem well, and owners happy, with the fortnight of ice and snow none of the liveries were able to get to the yard, poor Annabel who lives out near the moors didn’t move from her house for over two weeks!! But the daily updates on her horse the Duke kept her sane!
I’ve been teaching Luella on her horse – Ticao over the Christmas period and she has really improved she is developing a real understanding and feel now with Ticao. Keep up the good work Lu!
Sue is back riding Zenu! And is loving it, Zenu had to have some time off last year due to damage in the ligaments in his back, he has been to Gloucestershire and been seen by the top equine specialist Sven Kold and he is really pleased with Zenu’s progress, so fingers crossed for 2010!
Sarah Turner won tickets to go to a Carl Hester demonstration and take a tour of his yard in Gloucestershire the day Kate was due to arrive home. Sarah invited me to go with her! I was some exciting!! I arranged cover for the yard and off we went. We only got lost once! Which was very good for us! When we arrived at his yard we had about a two hour ridden demonstration. He showed us two young horses to begin with and how he works them in, then he got his grand prix horse out – who was gorgeous! ( I sat there praying for a lottery win!) Then Carl rode Dolendo his other Grand Prix horse and showed us some high level movements. I learnt so much from those two hours. We then were taken to a restaurant for a carvery lunch. It was a really great day. Thanks Sarah!!
Kate arrived back on the 19th January, she looked really well and obviously rather tanned. Kate returned full of energy, excitement and ideas for taking Bluehorse forward.
Freddie arrived last week for a couple of days to give some lessons and to catch up with Kate. Freddie looked really well and enjoyed his time here.
2010 is going to be a busy year for us here at Bluehorse, we have lots of plans and ideas for the yard. We are also looking for a couple more full liveries so if you are interested then give us a call or email.
bLUEHORSE NEWS by Kate Mably
Bluehorseuk Australian News
Gday.
I have come to Western Australia to visit friends, teach and escape the winter blues .I touched down and a few days later slightly bleary with Jet lag had an evening demonstration in a very prestigious venue called Brookliegh in Perth WA. I was following in the footsteps of Philippe Carl who had been there the week before. I was also on the Abc radio which was really fun after the nerves had subsided.
Billy too hot to move .
The first thing I noticed is that horse people are the same the whole world over, and lack so much confidence in themselves maybe that is something that attracts us to horses in the first place.
I have been teaching at a lot of clinics throughout WA and discovering that there are a great many underused quality horses here. People seem to keep so many I guess it is the fact they have the space. One lady had over 200 .
My first Clinic was in Giddgiganup hosted by a wonderful family called the Kings who have a Welsh cob Stud. They are such kind and hospitable people; they have some very nice horses. Lauren one of the daughters is at the age of 17 already starting her own business with horses and is a very talented and competent horsewoman .One to watch in the future.
I spent a week working with some interesting a varied horses one in particular that I would have bought home with me .Clyde an 11 yr old Percheron cross who had never had a bridle on .He had been trained using natural horsemanship and was a soft as butter .A very clever and talented horse .Who confirmed for me that Training your horse in a natural way is such a benefit for the horses future. I put a bridle on him and asked him to collect and he was very happy to work with me, Delightful.
I have been travelling up and down the whole WA giving lessons and enjoying every minute and every encounter with horses and their owners.Though the distances are huge in Comparison to the Uk .
I was lucky enough to go to a local country show which was wonderful apart from the fact they had a stand with poisonous snakes on. Anyone who knows me knows that is my phobia .It was interesting when I though about it from a horses point of view no amount of desensitising will get me over that one.!!!!!
I am currently in Serpentine teaching on a very nice property owned by Sylvanna Miller ,Sylvanna was brought up in the UK and was taught by Emille Faurie.
I have been teaching Sylvanna ‘s body to remember her childhood training.
I am really enjoying working with all her horses and look forward to a 6 day clinic hosted by her on the 12th Decmber providing the weather gets a bit cooler it is 39 to 40 degrees today .Phew!!!!!!!!
My journey continues into January . I have no idea what is happening bak home in the Bluehorse yard in the Uk apart from it is cold and the Christmas tree is in place.I trust Kim to look after everything what a gem she is.
I wish you all a happy Christmas and hope the New Year brings you lots of confidence to fulfil you horsey dream. Kate xxxxxxxx
Wow the last months have flown by and so much has happened!
Tinto a lusitano came from Portugal where although trained, his training had not given him the confidence to cope with his new life in the Uk .
He had a number of issues and eventually Kate was asked to help.
We realised he had had a bit of break down something Kate is very experienced at dealing with .We had to rebuild his confidence he is a horse that needs some one to one time an experienced home .We are delighted that he has now settled into his new home on Exmoor with Sue Willford. Sue is planning to take Tinto hunting this season which I am sure he will love!
The yard wasn’t quiet for long, as the arrival of Unico. a 10 yr old stunning grey lusitano gelding, owned by Frederico .
He came to us for some schooling and some training in September. Unico was a real pleasure to have around he is a really genuine horse and such fun to ride! Unico was only with us for a few weeks he has now moved to London and is being looked after by Sara Jago and is going to be used for Frederico to give lessons to when he is over teaching.
Kate also has another horse in Portugal a 3yr lusitano stallion called Belver who has excellent breeding and oodles of Potential, he is being lightly backed at the moment and is for sale in the spring .
Antony Fanshawe has purchased a lovely horse, a big grey 17hh 3yrs gelding. Ant is going to leave Bencatal in Portugal over the winter where he will continue his training with Pedro Farto until Kate gets back from Australia .Bencatel is a fabulous horse with top dressage potential really exciting for Bluehorse !!
THE BLUEHORSE CHARITY DEMO
We held a big charity demonstration on 5th September here at Bluehorse to raise money for the charity of Adam’s Hats.
Adams hats is a charity set up by Sue Hay, who keeps her horse on livery with us. Sue sadly lost her son, Adam when he was 12 to a rare cancer called neuroblastoma, a charity was then set up to raise awareness and to help families like Sues’ cope with this devastating disease. A lot of people came to our evening. Sue gave a short talk whilst riding her horse Zenu about Adam and the charity which was extremely moving.
We were very honoured to have Kate Walker a wonderful opera singer come and sing for us, she rode her own horse and sang Queen of the night on horse back, her son also joined in with the riding and it finished up with both herself and her son riding together on the same horse whilst Kate sang . I call that multi tasking
Frederico and Kate M rode together in complete Portuguese traditional costume ,they rode Unico and Quioshque they looked amazing together performing a pas de deux whilst Kate Walker sang.
Kate did some Piaffe and passage and Frederico two time flying changes and to finish they galloped out of the arena!
There was then the ridden fashion show and auction on horse back, Luella Bartley kindly offered to auction some of her collection .for the charity. Becca Mably wore a very bright pink dress which looked spectacular as her horse did the most athletic excitable canter , Luella wore a purple outfit which was a shirt, skirt and jacket set, and I wore a t-shirt and rather nice fitted jacket. We had lots of fun, riding around in the clothes and then they were auctioned and there was some very keen bidders!! You know who you are!!
After the ridden display there was more items which had been kindly donated by various companies and people for auction, this included paintings, sketches, holiday cottages, holiday to Portugal, vets treatment, healing treatment vouchers and many other items. The auction really helped us to raise money so we would again like to thank all those who were so kind as to give us auction gifts. Once the auction was finished the music started, a local lad Joey sang and played the guitar, Bonnie Mably also sung with him and she sounded great – think her mum and dad were rather proud parents!!!
Then it was over to the Bucket Boys a rocky band, the indoor arena was soon alive with dancing and singing everyone had a such a great time. As the evening progressed the spit roast was ready to start carving! The ladies had been sat by the pig for 14 hours waiting for it to cook and turning it every 15 minutes – oooo it tasted good and certainly was worth the wait!!
At midnight a 150 wish lanterns were sent off everyone writing their wishes on the lanterns the sky looked amazing! It was a very emotional moment for all .
The party continued well into the early hours of the morning and everyone seemed to be have a great time. The evening was a real success, it was lovely to get everyone together and also to raise money for such a special charity. We would like to thank every one who helped, supported and donated for this event and without your help it would never have happen. In total we raised over £8500 which is fantastic. A REAL BIG THANKYOU!
Finally Kate is getting ready for her Australian trip she will be away until January .Lucky Kate missing out on all the winter mucking out. Though I know she has a gruelling teaching tour ahead of her.
Best wishes to all Love Kim
The difference Bluehorse makes
An amazing collection of people gathered together at Bluehorse on 5 September to raise an extraordinary £8500 for Adam’s Hats, a charity that works to improve the quality of life for young neuroblastoma cancer sufferers and their families. This comes with the biggest thank you possible to Bluehorse and friends.
A stunning demonstration of classical riding, using Bluehorse Lusitanos, including opera sung on horseback by Kate Walker, was followed by an auction of promises ranging from pieces from Luella’s summer collection, to holiday cottages in Cornwall. Wine, pasties, a hog roast and ice-cream accompanied dancing to the Bucket Boys, and the evening culminated in a launch of 100 beautiful Wish Lanterns.
The people who came were amazing in number, in provenance, and in their generosity, having in common their attraction to all things Bluehorse. They all wanted to be included in the extraordinary community that Kate fosters at Bosneives, they wanted to be in the Bluehorse gang. And out of respect for the skill of Kate and Freddie and the team they put together, they also wanted to engage in Adam’s Hats, caught up in shared commitment and privilege of making a difference. No evening could have better demonstrated for me what Bluehorse is about: supportive, non-judgemental, levelling, collaborative and fun.
Speaking about Adam’s Hats on the night, and trying to explain why I thought Kate had connected with this charity, I said I thought it was because the charity in many ways, is trying to defy convention; it is not joining the throng of supporters of the most common cancers, but focussing its lens on just the handful of children who suffer from neuroblastoma. Similarly, Bluehorse takes the road less travelled by asking asks riders to develop a dialogue with their horse, before expecting great results in the saddle – also defying more usual convention.
On reflection, I would have added that Bluehorse and Adam’s Hats are natural partners because they share the philosophy that every individual matters in their own individual way – one horse, one rider, one child, one family at a time. Everyone deserves the same attention and focus, and that, for me, is why it is difficult to stay away for long from Bluehorse. I think everyone who came to the wonderful event staged on 5 September now feels the same way.
Susan Hay
What a fantastic Summer (not) certainly plenty of grass in the fields.
Our horses have never looked so content and well.
The lusitano breed show was a great success.
This year we took The Duke owned by Annabel Darrel-Rew.
This was a big occasion for Annabel, not only was it her first time she’d towed a trailer, but she also competed in the Pure Breed Gelding Class which is always popular and a tough class. Annabel did really well, she controlled her nerves well and stepped up to the challenge. Overall Annabel came fifth and she was thrilled. Annabel kindly let me ride the Duke in the Novice Horse class, I was really pleased with him and he went very well.
We were very happy to see so many Bluehorse’s at the show all with their owners who seemed delighted .
Sometimes people ask Kate how she could possible sell a horse, but seeing them all at the show looking so well , happy and relaxed makes it all worth while.
We have just said goodbye to Amanda Haskenham who came over from Australia for six weeks of intense training. She was a lovely lady, with a great sense of humour and it was a pleasure to have her around.
Amanda did a lot of riding whilst she was with us, her main project was working with Blue, who is owned by Leon Clifton. Blue is a 4 yr old lusitano gelding. Leon kindly allowed Amanda to work with Blue and almost treat him as if he were her own. Amanda’s riding just kept improving,
Kate gave Amanda lessons every day on different horses determined to help Amanda develop her natural ability to feel . Quioshque our schoolmaster had to be prised from Amanda’s suitcase He taught her a lot .
Kate spent quite a lot of time also showing Amanda around the Uk and Portugal this was the fist time Amanda had been to Europe.
She came to the Lusitano Show with us which she really enjoyed and was surprised at how much she learnt just watching!
A Trip to Portugal for 4 days, to meet Freddie and do some more riding, Luella Bartley was went on this trip and by the sounds of it they all loved it! Especially attempting to ride a bullfighting horse a real treat .Luella definitely wants to ride more bullfighting horses in Portugal.
Kate has been invited back out to Australia to teach November, December and January she is calling it her gap year but I am sure she will be very busy .She has quite a following out there now in Perth and Sydney .
As soon as Amanda left two more of Kate’s student from Aus arrived.
Everything at Bluehorse is running smoothly. We had the new arrival of Almasor who is Kate’s pride and joy.
He is a four-year-old grey stallion. I think Kate is going to have lots of fun with him – she has been doing some ground work with him to improve his understanding and trust, now she is mainly getting to know him, taking him out of rides, showing him different things and doing some light schooling. She took him out for his first gallop round the field earlier in the week!! He is a very well bred horse with nice conformation and lovely athletic paces. Watch this space .Kyra Kirkland is now competing on a Lusitano. Carl Hester has a some in his yard who says they can’t do dressage!
I have been working a lot with Bolota recently. She is only a 3year old. Been taking things really steady with her and it has really paid off. Because she is so young my main aim with her was to gain her trust and get her to enjoy work.
I spend most of my time hacking her out, giving her plenty to look at. She hacks out alone or in company and is proving to be a real genuine mare. I have not worked her very much in the arena; I don’t feel there is a big rush for this as I can do a lot of what I want with her when we are out. It is important that a young horse understands to go forwards and enjoy being ridden there is plenty of time when they are older and more mature to work harder in the school. Also being a young horse she hasn’t go the muscles or balance to be demanded too much of. So far she hasn’t put a foot wrong she is so polite happy and relaxed I am very lucky, as I know she is pretty special for her age
We are now awaiting another new arrival - Ant Kate’s partner has bought a 3yrs luso gelding, he’s 17hh already! so is going to make a lovely big horse! Think Ant it quite excited! Ant and his daughter Eleri will look forward to the future when they are able to go out riding together.
On a sadder note we are saying goodbye to Charlotte Whatmore who has been working for Kate for two years now. Charlotte has been taught and trained by Kate and has really enjoyed herself. She is now a very competent horse woman. A wonderful groom Charlotte arrived as very shy timid young girl , she is now confident and very able .Kate has no problem to recommend her or any job.
I’ve known Charlotte for many years as we used to work with each other previously, she is a great laugh to work with – I was helping paint the office the other day and there was still some remains of a paint fight we’d had a while back which made me chuckle! Luckily.
Charlotte is only 18yrs so I think she wants to see the world and explore life a bit more. I think she is heading to New Zealand in November with her boyfriend, which is really exciting for her.
We all wish Charlotte the very best with whatever she decides to do. I am sure she will be back !!
BLUEHORSE NEWS May 2009
Wow, summer is here!!
Horses are all turned out no rugs in the long grass, less stables to muck out everyone generally smiley and happy.
The Bluehorse team have been busy performing at the Penrose Fair, which was fun. It was a lovely fair, held ias a fund raising event. A proper traditional country fair, the weather was warm with clear blue skies.
Kate and Charlotte Attlee’s practicing paid off as they performed a ‘pas de deux’ which was really good,.both horses looked very smart together.
Charlotte Whatmore rode Ticao a horse who always loves to show off in public he seems to understand his job so well doing flying changes on a small circle .
Anky brought her Spanish stallion and she rode in Spainish costume. Her horse Flamenco became the high light of the as he leapt into the air
Craig and Rachel Allen- Wilkinson came for a weeks training and stayed for a few weeks here with us at Bosnieves. They own two lovely Spanish geldings, one is rising five and the other nine. Both horses and riders worked really hard developing their relationship on the ground and also on board. I think they would have quite liked to have moved in .We really enjoyed having them here they are so positive and have both embraced what Bluehorse is trying to put across. More and more it is about the relationship you have with your horse .
We have a new arrival in the name of Tinto, is a nine year old 16hh bay lusitano gelding. He has recently been imported to the UK and is here with us to further his training and Ultimately to sell.
He is schooling well and hacking out. Tinto is looking for a new home so feel free to call for some more information on him. A very nice all rounder
Kate is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Almasor her new 4yr Stallion on the 12th June Kate intends to train him from the start to teach him to follow the feel .Which she believes is the main difference between normal and natural training. A horse that is willing, thinking and calm.
We have lots of horses coming here regularly for boot camp (a weeks assessment) We seem to have the ability to make the people and the horses feel more confident to make changes for the better.
Kate has lots of clinics coming up around the country one on Oxford then Winchester and after the Lusitano Show a pony club event in the Half moon Stud in Dorset.
Anyone wishing to come along and watch is welcome.
One of her Australian student is coming for 6 weeks training, which should be good especially as Kate plans to go back to Aus in November.
All in all we are very happy with the progress of Life here in Cornwall. We are now getting ready for The Royal Cornwall show .
Well it’s been another busy time here at Bluehorse! The fields are finally looking greener and full of grass.
Two new horses arrived from Portugal, they have settled in very well.
Ticao is a 9yrs old lusitano-gelding schoolmaster, he is owned by Kate’s partners daughter Elerie. They are getting on really well and having lots of fun. A clever horse and really sweet Elerie is very lucky to have him as her first horse.
The young mare, Bolota 3 yrs has just been backed by me with the help of Kate and is riding away well.
When she arrived she had had nothing done to her, she has literally been caught in from the field that day and loaded onto the lorry so she was barely halter broken at this point. She has been really fun to work with, her mind is great she really thinks about what she is doing and once she has worked out what we are asking her she gets it straight away. Bolota is one to watch in my experience of horses she is quite special.
Last month Kate and I were invited for drinks to see the Kings Troops at the Barracks in London– this was a whole new experience for me as I had never been to London before. It was a very interesting evening; we watched a jumping lesson and then were shown around the Barracks (I must say their tack and tack room was immaculate!)
We met a member of the London riding club who has kindly offered us the use his riding stables in Richmond Park for our charity demonstration in September, which we are really excited about. We will be bringing the horses up and we have two very good Opera singers and we are working on a band for the evening. Also an Auction of promises.
Anyone wishing to help please contact Bluehorse the Charity is Adams Hats, which supports families who have children with cancer, and does a lot of research with some pretty exciting results.
Freddie has been over giving lessons – the yard is always buzzing when Freddie arrives!! All the horses went really well and we had lots of fun Kate has some really good lessons on Quioshque doing lead changes, piaffe, passage and also working on the start of Spanish walk. What a lovely special horse he is .Kate and Charlotte Attlee and Tipico are perfecting their Pas de Deux the two horses work well together.
On the other hand Kate and Charlotte keep loosing it and getting the giggles.
We have also been busy with horses in for schooling. Michelle……… brought her young Andalucian horse up for some training, she came on really well she was struggling to maintain a forward gait so we taught her the phases – hair, skin, muscle, move!! Towards the end of the week the change in the horse was remarkable . Michelle is delighted and I am sure she will be back soon .
Sarah Turner has come with her warmblood mare Fab, she is a lovely mare about 9 yrs old, Fab was troubled and had been weaving and not very sociable she has really settled down and is enjoying work and has been less stressy in the stable. There is something about Kates yard that really helps horses to settle and relax. I think they know Kate is the boss.
Sarah was pretty nervous of Fab but using some Natural horsemanship gave Sarah a better understanding of Fabs behaviour .
Sarah is staring to enjoy her mare again and is looking to start competing her very soon.
Tracy… has come here with her mare who had problems with her rearing which can be very scary, With our help and a better understanding the mare is starting to feel more confident . Now we have to work on Tracey. It is hard to trust a horse again once you have been scared.
We are now focusing on getting our selves and the horses ready for a demonstration, May 29th at. Penrose in Cornwall for a charity fair.
Kate is devastated as her best horse, Pimp has pulled a ligament and will be off work for a while. He loves an outing .Kate and Pimp have a special bond .
We are looking forward to The royal Australian visit in June.
Kate and Freddie are starting a new venture having a property in a very special village in Portugal, so they can take people on a fabulous riding holiday .
Including A visit to the Portuguese riding school, talk to some breeders, ride some fabulous horses, See the mares and foals and eat plenty of delicious food drink lots of wine .
Freddie knows all the best restaurants in Portugal and is a fantastic host .
Kate has been invited back to Australia this winter clinics are being booked up in advance . She has made some great friends in Aus It seems like a lot of them are coming to visit us this year which is exciting .
I have bought a horse with my boyfriend a really sweet 16 2 coloured cob with a really good temperament we have called him Benson .He has moved in and seems very happy .Freddie said he was not his sort of horse but soon changed his mind when he saw him in the arena I think he was impressed. Benson has a long way to go yet.
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Finally we are back up and running with our new improved website.
2009 is going to be a busy year, Kate has just arrived back from Australia, where she has spent the last 6 weeks out there teaching and taking clinics – and of course soaking up some sunshine!! She had a fantastic time and has come back inspired and fully refreshed. Kate met lots of new friends whilst out in Oz, some of which are going to be coming over to do some work experience with us this summer.
Well, whilst Kate’s been enjoying the sunshine, the weather down here in Cornwall has been quite different! There was about a week at the beginning of January where we had fourteen horses stabled and all the water froze! - Nightmare!! Luckily we have a big lake and lots of buckets!!
During January, Olivia Pile from Oxford brought her horse Clover - an irish sports horse down to us for some schooling work, I worked with him a lot. He was a lovely horse with a really good mind and was a pleasure to work with. I even took him hunting before he went home which was great fun! Olivia actually went over to Portugal at the beginning of the year and has bought a lovely lusitano called Xaile – he is going to make a very nice horse.
We have a new livery – Charlotte Attlee and her daughter Alice have moved their horses to our yard. Charlotte actually purchased her horse Tipico from Kate about four years ago. Alice has a connermara X pony which she is having lots of fun with. Alice is quite keen on showjumping.
We have just had a visit form Freddie, he has been down giving lessons and of course kept us entertained! It actually snowed whilst Freddie was here, so he couldn’t get home so we took him sledging down Withiel hill – think he really quite enjoyed it!!
We have two new horses arriving towards the end of March - which is very exciting!
We are also going to be holding some regular dressage competitions and clinics.