Since my last blog I have, like many of you I’m sure, been battling through the snow and ice to try and continue riding and keeping the ponies safe and warm.
Keeping my ponies at the highest point in Kent is not very helpful in weather like this and walking across the fields with snow above my knees became very tiring! Thankfully, when I was totally snowed in, my Mum and Dad were around to feed and check the ponies as they live a short walk away.
Thankfully the snow and ice has now gone, and I have finally got back in the saddle. Sandy is pleased to be doing stuff again, although I think my Dartmoor Francis was happy living wild in the field!
So as we come to the end of one season, It’s time to look forward to another. This season has had many personal highs and lows for me; From judging at RIHS and qualifying Jacob for HOYS, to saying goodbye to both Jacob and Toby and also losing a close friend. I feel like I worked hard and maybe took on bit of more than I could chew at some points, but it was good to test myself.
If I am honest, next season is feeling empty without my little cob to ride, but I am keeping my fingers crossed he might make an appearance somewhere!
So to the future — Olly Burchell is working
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
hard on my new project for next year, a black section C called Popsters Debonair (known as Pop at home). He is quite different to Jacob and has some large shoes to fill, but it will be nice to have a totally new unshown pony out. I enjoy bringing on the novice ponies and I am sure it will bring some entertainment along the way.
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I will continue to show Sandy and finally get Francis out. I am also very grateful to Steven Hulston and Sarah Moscrop, who have offered me a ride on their New Forest and to the Sheehy family, whose Dartmoor stallion Foxleat Victory I will also be riding.
So as we say goodbye to 2010, I want to say a big thank you to everyone that made this year so much fun. To all the societies that have worked hard to keep showing going for people like me who love what we do, thank you very much. 2011 looks like a year of change for everyone and I can’t wait to get stuck in!
Happy New Year to one and all — I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone in the New Year.
Chloe
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Chloe is a successful amateur showing rider and judge, who has been blogging on Horseandhound.co.uk since 2010. She mainly competes in ridden Mountain & Moorland classes with her team of ponies, as well as riding for other people. She lives in Kent and works full-time in London, so has to fit the ponies in around work.
