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Your Horse Live - Part 3 AND Talland Part 3

Your Horse Live - Part 3

We survived.  Stella started the weekend as a UXB and ended it very glad to be back home with her buddies!  She was an absolute star every time we dragged her our of her stable, and coped admirably with the 'circus' in the final day's warm-up


Tory and I were so proud of her and so grateful to Alison Kenward for the opportunity to play there.  If we have proved to only one audience member that anyone can do dressage to music then it was all worthwhile

I am not sure I would do it again.  It cost us a fortune, Tory and I had to take holidays from work, and it was so so stressful for humans and horses alike.  

However, it was a baptism by fire for Stella who has had a relatively quiet calm life up until now - and she stepped up to and beyond the mark doing everything asked of her (except standing still!).  What a legend

We were very proud to be given the opportunity to represent Equestriman.co.uk too.  Amazingly comfy breeches which really stood out.  We received so many compliments :) They are designed for men but Tory and I both found them very comfy and flattering.  Normally after I've ridden I can't wait to put my jeans or my joggers back on, but we walked round YHL all weekend in our breeches and forgot they were there!


 This month, on November 11th, as every year - we remembered those who gave their lives in war to give us our freedom and peace.  The YHL team played the Last Post over the speakers, and as I stood and reflected, I was thankful that we and our horses do not have to go through what our grandparents and great grandparents did.  Never forget, always be thankful.  Be kind


Talland Part 3

We are planning to go back again and again so this could get boring for you my dear readers!  

This time Tory and I took our friend Rachel, who had always wanted to see Talland and to know what it's like learning there from such esteemed people.  We had a fab girly trip out with lots of nattering in the car on the way there and a lovely lunch on the way home (we'd earned it)

This week I was back on the enormously tall Taco, and Tory was on a grey horse we had not met before - Ash.  The focus was on setting up for the half pass, and once my brain had caught up we found it surprisingly easy!  Easy to do, not easy to do well of course but that's for the future

Hilary was complimentary about our riding to Rachel, and worked us as hard as ever.  It is all starting to make sense now and we genuinely feel we have made improvements in our understanding with these lessons.  Priceless


Taco - such a sweety
And yes I was as shell-shocked as I look (and impressed by the couple of tempi-changes I accidentally asked for and Taco willingly gave!)


Ash - too tired now!

With the current rain, mud, general darkness and misery, Stella and Beau haven't done much over the least couple of weeks.  Christmas is looming and time is at a premium because of holidays from work meaning we have to get ahead of ourselves before we go off

It's the same every year.  I envy those who can make it all work and keep riding and competing over the Christmas period.  The focus for us is family so it's better just to keep the horses gently ticking over until we can get them and ourselves back into the swing properly next year (thanks Tracy!)

This year will be tough.  We didn't have last Christmas but delayed it all until this July (Mum should have been better by then but so so sadly she died in June) so in reality this is the first Christmas without Mum.  This is made more challenging because she really was the beating heart of our little family unit.  We will still have fun though and Father Christmas is very busy already

Mum would be cross if we were miserable or changed anything about how we celebrate because Christmas has always been a really big thing in our family (you really have NO idea!).  So, for her and for ourselves, we will be as jolly as ever and share the love

TTFN and much love as always, 

Tam, Tory, Beau and Stella with the marvellous Equestriman.co.uk


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