December 2009

We had an exciting start to the month with a pony hunting trip to the UK. Martin & I travelled up to Nottinghamshire to view Aimee Toseland's rising 2 year old filly Tetley (Twywell Rosie Leigh). It was nice to catch-up with Aimee and to see her fantastic stallion Twywell Samuel Pepys relaxing at home. Normally we only ever see him in the showring.

Then a mad dash up north to Teeside to view Hilary Coverdale's striking bay roan stallion Coverdales Carnival King. King is the last entire male link to the bay roan stallion Wharfedale Prince Regent, so our interest had been sparked on the basis of his bloodline alone. Fortunately, King proved to have a fantastic temperament and exceptional movement, so it was basically love at first sight and a done deal.

Pack your suitcases Tetley and King. You are emigrating to France! 

 

The trip concluded with another manic cross-country dash to Norfolk where we collected two rescued greyhounds Hamish & Velvet from their foster home. Hamish (brindle) & Velvet (snowflake blue) are ex-racing greyhounds, saved by Kerry Greyhound Connection in Ireland, then brought to the UK for rehoming. We had been wanting another greyhound since Flossie-Jo died in September. Hamish & Velvet had been in rescue for nearly a year as the rescue charities find it very difficult to rehome two dogs together. However, the Rhodes softies came along, and we took the pair! Hopefully our Pharaoh Hound bitch Inca will make friends with her new pack members. Otherwise I predict absolute chaos! 

 

Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year x 

November 2009

Weanling Viking left for his new home in Belgium at the start of this month. He has been bought by Frederic Tielemans, a Natural Horsemanship practitioner who hopes to use Viking as a hippotherapy pony, working with children and adults with learning and physical disabilities. Viking loaded into the trailer calmly and travelled to his new home without incident.

We wish Viking and Fred every success for the future. Viking was a lovely, gentle foal who we will miss dearly, but we are happy that he has found such a fantastic new home.

Immediately after Viking left we decided to introduce his brother Vanguard into the main herd, in the hope that the company of new ponies would help to lessen the loss of his brother and best friend. After several excited moments, Vanguard quickly settled in and has palled-up with Becky who we call "The Peacemaker" as she likes every horse she ever meets!