This winter has been quiet and a bit of an anti climax after such a fantastic year. First of all, Hugo went back home to his owner, we all miss him so much, he was such a great character and a real trier. But these things happen, and he left here a much happier and easier horse than when he arrived, so nice to know that I did a good job.
Toro went to Willesley for a scan as he was a little unlevel after the win at Pencoed, and we found a small tendon tear in his left fore. He has had a tenoscopy and the annular ligament cut, and has been on box rest since the end of October. We are now able to walk him, although the recent weather (snow and ice) has curtailed the programme to bring him back into work. Sadly, there is no way I will get him fit for the Winter Regionals, but there is always another day!
Chico has adopted my daughter and she has been hacking him, and went to do her first Walk and Trot competition at the beginning of December, she got 63% and he was angelic with her. He has now realised there is any easier life out there and makes it quite plain which he prefers when I ask him to work properly! However, although I no longer plan to compete him seriously, he is still working towards Grand Prix, he can do all the movements after a fashion, and even those dratted one time changes!!
Anthony has been training hard and we have been concentrating on his suppleness in the half passes and also his changes which are now pretty secure. I plan to get him out at Advanced Medium by the summer. He is going to the Stallion Expo at Keysoe in February, I am really excited about this as we have never done a stallion show before, it is very new to us. I have decided to stand him at stud this year, he will be available A.I from West Kington Stud, and I will need to get him out and about to market his services. He went to Sparsholt between Christmas and New Year and won the Medium Qualifier, that is two Mediums he has won out of three starts, so I am really pleased with his progress. But it still needs polish so we keep at it.
Of course the recent heavy snow and freezing weather has put just about everything on hold, the boys (apart from Toro) have been out playing in the snow, so at the top are a few pictures of Anthony having fun.
