Doris Day (2)

It is most fitting that Julie and I should go to visit Lady Doris of Janesmoor in a full blown storm, just like the night I discovered her seven years ago, all skin and bones up the track from my fields. That night I asked her gently, "Do you want to come home?". She followed me back to the gate and into the yard and that was the last bad day she ever had.

After four weeks with me, having basic medical checks and plenty of food, she was found a place at the Blue Cross, and from there a loving home as a companion. I had hoped to see her a few years ago after the gentleman who had her contacted me, but the pandemic intervened and we lost touch for a while. 

Her whereabouts are still a secret and so I felt privileged to go and meet her. She welcomed me easily and just to remind her I said, "Do you want to come home?" and I like to think that she said, "No thank you, I am very well here." 

Her loaners love her and her companion very much and take good care of their welfare, measuring their weights once a week, They were such pleasant people and I should think that Doris thinks that they are her angels. 

If you want to read about Doris then there is a blog on 20.3.17 and on on 3.4.17. Storm Doris was on 23.2.17.

Skip, Skip

Last weekend, Harri and I went to meet Stephanie and her beautiful Arabians. I have a special soft spot for Bernie, (Eastworth Bernini) who is now a grown up stallion who has been doing a bit of showing. Here he is at his most natural in the winter field.

He has the most amazing temperament and was quite happy to let me give him a loving hug, accepting it with very good grace. 

Like many horse owners, Steph has recently experienced the devastating loss of one of her horses, Eastworth Ahmoshini, known to everyone as Skip. 

This amazing mare has been the backbone of Stephanie's career as a trainer and show producer, and is intertwined with her family too. She achieved wins and championships in the top Arabian classes with Steph and her daughter, Amelia. but turned her hooves to everything from dressage, hunting, movie films, and taking part in the London New Year's Day Parade as well as teaching people how to ride.

There were so many precious and poignant moments which brought tears to everyone's eyes.

 When Amelia beat Stephanie.

Following her father's coffin as a mark of respect.

We all know how absolutely devastating it is to lose a horse, especially when they take away huge files of your own archives.

Sweet Indy

I couldn't resist going to see my friend's rising three-year-old Arabian filly, Indy. For her age, her manners are pretty remarkable and like all Arabians, she is a gifted child. 

Legend in His Own Lifetime

Some ponies are legends in their own lifetime. Take Digger for example. He was bought from Beaulieu Road Sales Yard for £35 and is ridden, in the style of a Kirsty McColl, by a Girl Who Works Down the Feedshop Swears... (not as much as she used to!) called Georgina Hunt. On Boxing Day this year, after months of fittening herself and her pony, she won one of the races at The New Forest Point to Point - over what should have been a distance of 3 miles but is often more. Digger who is only 13.2 h.h. beat much taller ponies and other competitors who have been riding this race for many more years. Well done Georgina and Rushmoor Roly (Digger).

Happy Christmas

Eleven years ago, I loaned out our ex-racehorse, Chancer, to a lady called Nicky, complete with a loan agreement that had more dotted i's and crossed t's that you can imagine. From the outset she has treated him as her own, taking the best care of him and never leaving me in any doubt that we had made the right decision. From time to time, Julie who owned him before me, and myself have gone over to see him, kiss him on his nose, and give him a warm hug (and an illlicit packet of Polos). He has always looked well-cared for. Nicky is always happy for us to turn up when we like.

Chancer would have been very valuable if he had lived up to his sire's record of success. Horsechesnut is one of the most famous racehorses in the world for his wins in South Africa. 

Chancer was the more er, laid back type, and didn't really see the benefit of running fast, or at all. 

Nothing will change in reality, but we thought it was more than time for Chancer to be Nicky's and only Nicky's so we left her a card telling her the good news. Hopefully she will enjoy her Christmas present who is now 21. Update: actually she tells us she likes things exactly as they are and knowing that there is always a fall back position for Chancer. Has to be the happiest loan agreement ever known!

Even after 11 years he remembers how to do his 'carrot' stretches.

Prince of Pepperbox

 

Very sadly, Prince's field mate who stayed out at night with him when the big horses went in, died of colic. Luckily, the yard owners had another pony they could put in the field with Prince so that he wasn't alone. I think he likes him:

Night night, sweet repose

 

 

Several of my friends have lost their precious horses recently. I know that the pain is immense. We all wish that they could live forever, or at least that we could leave at the same time. This poignant photograph was taken by another friend of mine, she lost a soulmate of hers not very long ago; it makes you see the beauty in things. Poetry in a picture.