Celebrate 2010

[sandy]

In the bleak mid winter and inspired by anastasias thread about spring I think we should all celebrate our achievements, no matter how small, of 2010.

I'll start!

I've had a wonderful time with Arizona. Was taught to longline by Sue Palmer and we've done lots of it. I've faced many challenges that go hand in hand with owning a young horse and I feel we've got an understanding and a bond. He's now got his very own saddle. I started RWYM lessons in July and hope to continue when the weather gets better.

Walkies!


First sit on!




The boy!


Your turn! ;D

[anastasia55555]

Lovely boy :-D i did my first fun rides this year which was good fun :-) and i fairly sure apollo enjoyed thundering through countryside with lots of other horses. Wasnt one minute i worried about how he would react even on the hunt funride :-D il have to find some pics another day as im on my phone at the moment!

[anastasia55555]

that was from first fun ride. Just realised the ones on photographers site have expired :-( there was a lovely one in the bluebells too :-( poo

[arabmania]

mine was finally getting back on my charissey and doing what she does best................. endurance ;D
and getting rid of my trailer and finally buying a lorry ;D
roll on next season.

[Mellymoo]

Mine would have to be doing my first fun ride (and really enjoying it!) and doing a clear round at our RC show in the summer. Oh, and competing at the Ultimate Showcase of Champions and coming 5th (as if you hadn't heard enough about it already )

Here's a different pic though:


And a link to a vid:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCGTAEeJEuQ

[happysnail]

After shaky first part of the year it's been pretty monumental. Selling equine portraits professionally now. Level 1 IH courses now complete (including visit from Monty to psychology course). Met lovely people and made such special friends helping with the 5 day in July. Owe more to Linda Ruffle, Dido Fisher and Julia Fisher and their Perfect Confidence course than they can ever, ever know. Thankyou just doesn't come close.

Lots of horse time over summer from just hanging out and pulling ragwort to very moving join-ups, long-lining, first saddle and riders. Watching the untrainable, unhandleable "dragon" absorb learning and positive human contact like a sponge so I'd let my granny hold her now. Riding, enjoying it and loving cantering again. Lived the dream of riding a black stallion. Barefoot, bitless, treeless synchronised dressage to music display. Monty and Kelly at Gleneagles was magic, especially with my lovely friends who came to help too. Equine Touch level 2.

High hopes and hard work ahead for 2011.

[anastasia55555]

Blimey happysnail! you have some serious hard work to do to better all that :-D im sure ul enjoy it!

[julz]

Mine is re-training Jay from fiery dont-wanna-know-wanna-do-it-my-way style to being in control, wanting to learn wanting to listen and look to his rider for "advice" when out riding...

Have to say... I havent broken anything or had to go into hospital for whatever reason this year... gotta be a first for me! ;D

[Yann]

I've had quite a year too, mostly very positive. I did get to the point where I thought Rio would have to be retired with her stifle problem, which I have to admit was a low point. However she's been surprising me ever since and even managed a 7 mile non comp endurance ride with no repercussions. Winter isn't troubling her so far either, which was another of my worries. Will continue to take things as they come and do as much as she is happy with.

I've also got to the point where I can stab her with a needle in her neck and she remains calm and quiet, which I'm still pinching myself about. It's taken 9 months of work with the clicker but if I can give her her booster in February without incident it will all have been worthwhile

Have had the best year ever with Tess, we did a load of non competitive endurance rides and we both had a complete blast. She's was fittest I've had her and passed her most recent MOT with flying colours, schooling has also been as good as we've had, hoping for more of the same next year

[nich]

I have semi-retired Autumn, but am so pleased she is enjoying v light work (a pootle round the woods once a week with an IH friend who is very sensitive to her needs) plus being ponied. EP has said she is looking fab especially for a retired horse as many look sad and lose condition. she is perky and bossy in the field, and loves it now we are on DIY.

I have a wonderful new horse after a false start with a loan that went wrong. I am learning so much with Brio, I went for a lighter, hotter breed and have spent 2010 sorting her out physically and doing stuff to get to know each other. been to a couple of clinics, and 3 endurance training rides, had sandra Williams to teach me some ground work. very happy horse owner.

[andyt]

Well, I left the Royal Air Force after 17 years as I was fed up of never being at home, and finally managed to take up riding. I now have my own horse and am being taught to ride mainly by Jo, my wife.

So this year has mainly been about Tully, the new woman in my life!!!!



17.1hh of 6 year old Irish Sports Horse, with a temperament to die for!!! ;D

[companymagic]

After a very sad start to the year losing one of my old horses and then by true cruel fate losing my last old horse, my world my best friends gone in less than 5 months.. I had only my Newie left and he was giving me the world’s hardest time, but that lead me in my search for answers on how to fix him to IH. Where I have booked up for the first of my training courses next year, and has given me the kick up the bum to get out of my office job and make a life for myself working with the horses I owe so much to..
So this year I find myself truly grateful for this year’s trials. It has helped make me a more positive person.. Everything happens for a reason..
I miss my old boys, but they will always be with me...

[sarahbing]

She is lovely - what a kind eye.

It's been an up and down year here, but as this thread is about the up's here goes;

Started my lovely 4 yo who is now being ridden quietly in the school and out and ready to go to his new home to do some serious competing ;D

Sorting Murphy's bucking issues with the help of the lovely soon to be RA Bridget. Going on to win both the the Prelim and Novice RC league and the shield for the most points throughout the season ;D ;D

Murphy qualifying for Lincoln ;D

Enjoying my horses every day and appreciating their support and friendship when things are tough.

[emma]

I had a really bad start to the year with my 2 geldings. Both of them had really bad laminitis before Christmas due to various things and I thought I'd have to make a very difficult decision in March. Both of them have gradually improved with a change of farrier and hay and little Angus is now off the danilon and Freddie's only on half a day after being on 4 a day!
Freddie and Angus have their first day out in the field after 5 months stuck in with laminitis



I finally got my mares backed this year after trying to decide whether to put them in foal or not. They went to Sarah Dent who did a super job with them. Dinah injured herself so has had a few months off and if she continues to improve she will be re-started sometime next year if not she will be put in foal to a lovely connie stallion. Kim is still opinionated but is going well under saddle and will start being schooled next year
My first ever sit on Dinah


My first ride on Kim

[Kelly Marks]

What a great idea for a thread - well done Sandy - and everyone contributing! I honestly think the courses have been one of my major sources of pleasure this year - always meeting such lovely people!