Sunday 30 September 2012

My first cross country clinic

I had to walk into uncharted territory today, through a town and out the other side, and was quite brave considering.  When we got to our final destination I saw some jumps and an inviting green space.  I was seized by the urge to rush madly about and as soon as I was allowed to face the first log I was off, charging along feeling the wind rushing past my ears, leaving the other participants until they turned into specks in the distance.  Then, I leapt over small rustic obstacles, bravely tacked some water, jumped up some steps and then hurtled down again, failing to stop and scattering the spectators.  I heard Her muttering about brakes being lacking and the onlookers said She looked pale.
My heroic deeds of derring do would have been captured on Her helmet cam if only She had remembered to switch it on.  She only turned it on at the very last fence, so to prove that I did go, it is here.

You can just about hear how impressed the onlookers were with my outstanding performance.  I felt it deserved rather more than the peppermint I received at the end.  I had to carry Her back home as well, but at least I got some apples on my return.

Tuesday 18 September 2012

R.I.P. Tilly

Today the vet came again and I had to trot about once more and was pronounced sound, if not a natural athlete (the cheek of it!), Hanuman was stabbed with a pointy needle and Posy had the lump on her back looked at.  Finally, we got to go out in the rested field at the bottom and had lots of fun prancing around in the long grass.  It took a long time before we realised that Tilly was missing.  She said that Tilly has gone to canter round celestial pastures, flirting with boys, and won't be coming back. 

Posy is now strutting about as the undisputed Queen of all she surveys.  Hanuman is quite puzzled by Tilly's absence, so I am being strong for him.

R.I.P. Tilly, mother of Braveheart and Hanuman and thoroughly nice person

Monday 10 September 2012

Lassoing Demonstration

I went for a very pleasant woodland ride with my chum Ariel yesterday.  I haven't seen much of him lately because he has been away a lot learning how to wear ropes. 

As far as we can tell, the purpose of these ropes is to be unravelled into a long length so that Ariel can stand on the pavement while his rider goes into the local store to buy newspapers and chocolate.

Ariel arrived resplendent in a new western saddle with extra ropes attached.  He had been away on a Western weekend learning how you might rope calves, etc.  We were just moseying along in the woods when Ariel's rider decided to give us a lassoing demonstration.  We stood with bated breath anticipating the zing as the rope cuts the air and flies to capture some remote object.  Actually, it fluttered for a few seconds and then flopped to the ground in front of us.  As Ariel moved forward for the retry, the noose caught fast on a tree stump and tightened up so much that it took a lot of manoeuvring to release it. 
She enjoyed this demonstration hugely.

Sunday 9 September 2012

Travelling Lite


She decided that it would be a good idea to give Posy her first taste of travel and we went for a practice trip to Lidwell in the lorry.  I was meant to be babysitting, but there was no real need.  Posy thought the travelling part wasn't too bad but felt it was very difficult to walk in the stiff leg boots.  I could learn from Posy as she proved very adept at extracting the maximum number of carrots for each loading attempt.

When we got back, Hanuman was lured into the lorry with some peppermints.  He was a bit puzzled by it all but went in and then didn't want to come out again.



Tuesday 4 September 2012

Hanuman curries favour

Today She decided to see what Hanuman would do in the arena when let loose.  He just followed Her everywhere and She was thrilled and forgave him all the chewings and destruction wreaked before this day.  She thinks he may have a precocious talent for horse agility.



Hanuman said that he was just following the alluring aroma of peppermint coming from her pocket and was very pleased that this had been so well received.