Hugo-The-Wonder-Horse

Just for Mrs Buckley - here's what Hugo's been getting up to (oh and there's some highlights of Mattingley thrown in)! Click for video!

And the winner is...

Lucinda and Lindo!

Lucinda and Lindo had a fab day at North Farm Andalusians, winning their Prelim 12 dressage class by quite a long way! Watch out Wellie Saddle Club - we've got some stiff competition! As usual, there's video!

Diane wowed us in Elementary dressage on Naranjo gaining a very well deserved 2nd place.

Jeremy saves the day

When my keys disappeared down the small hole into the cavity between the inner and outer wall at the front of Hogan's stable I was reduced to some minor acts of vandalism ( ably assisted by others who for now can remain nameless ) . The bottom slat of the outer wall was prised off using a pitch fork and we started to pull out the debris thinking the keys would soon drop out . After a while it dawned this wasn't going to happen so onto plan b , take the door off but first we need a screw driver - mutli function penknife to the rescue and one screw came out relatively easily . Didn't take us long to realise this maybe wasn't such a good idea either so plan C - get Neil out to take off the inside panels, that meant a long wait so in the interim we found Jeremy who suggested a magnet and piece of string and then produced both. Down goes the magnet and oh joy he's got something , this was carefully eased up only to reveal itself as a hoof pick . Take two and get again the magnet struck lucky and was gently pulled up and this time my keys emerged safe and sound .

Said hole is now covered by a bottle of Hogan's special shampoo and my keys are going in the tack box / instructors pocket/ office next time I ride .

With thanks to those who helped namely Ruth and Jane Rudge - anyone want a good DIY team ?

More show jumping!

The last unaffiliated show jumping until September took place today. The crowd were treated to some fab rounds and Brian's dulcet tones on the mic, as well as some extra commentary in the form of some nagging old bag (didn't realise he'd left the mic on - oops).

The Wellie gang did us proud: Cammy, Kozmo, Blaze, Bamber, Munchkin, Little Cara and Humphrey all took part. Well done everyone!

Try Me Once, or twice, or three times...

Mr Sheerin took our lovely Theo off-campus recently to practice his dressage moves. See a quick clip here.

The rain held off ...

With rain causing the cancellation of many local events yesterday 's unaffiliated show jumping had a lot more entries than originally expected . Maybe due to our jumping and warm up being indoors !!
With John away at Hickstead the course design fell to Mandy with Wendy riding Geoffrey to check lines were okay . Brian , Ruth and Caroline did the commentary / judging bit and I was the arena steward with help from the Browns - why do competitors also knock down the fences furthest from the door ?
Home crew did themselves proud with Kate winning the 2'9'' class with Pip second ( having taken a brave line in the timed section ) and Amy ( on Tilly ) in 6th . Tracy showed us what super jumping horses Christopher and Huggy are and proved the well known fact amongst clients that horses know when instructors are on board ...
Well done to Brian and Claude who had a go at the 2'9'' after I'm told, an exciting time in the warm up .
Pip and Fox then went on to win the 3'0'' class in style .

By the way - it didn't rain all afternoon !

Rustling Ring Foiled at Wellington!!!!

In the early hours of this morning (1-Jul-07) two brave staff members of Wellington Riding foiled a rustling gang in the act! Shortly after 12am, Caroline and Mandy heard vehicles entering the Wellington grounds and sprang into action. With cat-like stealth they discovered the gang in this middle of rustling a black pony into one of the fields. They pounced and pointed out that it was the wrong field and the rest of the ponies were in the adjacent field. The ruthless gang, who for legal reasons must be identified only by their first names of Lucinda, Diane, Jane and Mike, disregarded their challenge and placed poor Lindo alone in the field.

In the aftermath this morning Lindo was said to be recovering well and shockingly the gang have been seen walking freely about the grounds. What has the world come to?