Endurance

Very pleased

2012-03-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

Well just managed to get on here today seeing as I'm ill so thought I'd catch up.
Just re Registered Koonic back into the EGB not sure if we'll be able to do any competitive to gain our 400km award but defo wanna do some pleasure rides, I do hope at some point he can get though a vets even just once, other wise itl be just keeping him steady with exercise so he doesn't seas up with the start of his authorities. I have also registered Ruppy today yey =] that will be going in the post tomorrow along with his entry to Haywood oaks in April just entering him in the 20km NCR class for his first ever ride.

Here are a few pics from riding Ruppy last week finally trust him enough now to get him out hacking, now to do alot more hacking out for the next 5 weeks to get him fit for his 20km.
Did I mention his spiky mane is finally starting to drop to one side yey finally starting to look like a normal horse and not a Zebra :P

falling asleep before he even goes out on a ride :O

Koonic decided cause he doesnt get as much attention any more he would make his self noticeable lol

out and about =]

News!

2012-02-24T13:24:00.000-08:00

Not long now until the endurance season starts eeeek! been so long its nearly a full year since i last went to a ride :O... well koonic is finally back into work just going steady with him for now and hoping to enter him in a few pleasure rides this year. But my main man is ruppy really wanna focus on getting him into Novice classes and getting some good grades with him, i think he's gonna love it. He seems so happy when we go out for a hack infact when we turn around to come home he slows down and stops and tries to go back other way bless him =].
Hoping to get ruppy to a ride in April fingers crossed.
well here are a few pics when it snowed that I forgot to put up of ruppy in the snow:

bit chilly out here where are my jammys !!

koonic back in his fave endurance gear :P

Good or the Bad news first ??

2012-02-17T04:42:00.000-08:00

Well I'll get the bad new out the way, Gem will not be doing endurance for now so first ride is cancelled, I'm gutted!
luckily the good news is koonic is back in work very slowly and i will be doing some small pleasure rides with him only.
I will be bringing Ruppy on throughout the summer and hoping to get him into novice classes asap
I am making no plans as plans are bad when it comes to horses!

Riding in the snow

2012-02-04T09:02:00.000-08:00

Had a ride on Gem today hoping id beet the snow as the weather man said it wouldn't start until 3 well he was wrong ! Gem didn't seem to bother too much about it though!

Riding Out

2012-02-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

Finally starting to take Ruppy out up the track now, he's taking to it really well has even decided a few times when id turned him back to go home to turn the other way and keep going further so he must be enjoying it =]. I think he'll make a great endurance horse if he loves hacking out this much!

January Pics

2012-01-23T03:34:00.000-08:00

After mucking stables out this morning I thought its about time I got some pics of horses in field, plus the sun was out (For a while) so thought why not. Here are a few pics of my lovely dogs jess and meg and some of the horses eating do excuse there muddyness they cant help rolling :P !

Meg

Jess

Rupert

Whats upppppp!!

Gem

Nom Nom!

Koonic

Gems toy boy

Punk Horse

=]

2012-01-20T12:58:00.001-08:00

Very happy with Ruppy today, had a little ride and went out on our own for first time =].
we didnt go far as it was dropping dark and raining (Yes we got soaked) but he was so good very pleased with him dying to get back on him and go for a longer ride!

Start of training

2012-01-16T04:33:00.000-08:00

Well first day went well to say the horses had been stuck in side for 2 days because of the frost, they were quite well behaved for me! Rode Ruppy first then Koonic then Gem all for 20 mins just to get them back into it. Really enjoyed spending some time with them.
here are a few pics.

Peekaboo!

RUPERT!

KOONIC! (Can't remember last time I was on Koonic, maybe 3 months ago!)

GEM! (Getting ready for our first ride in March)

Plans and Goals for my self and the horses

2012-01-13T14:28:00.000-08:00

Well time to start some hard work now as its not going to do its self, Ruppy and Gem need to get ready for endurance this season already entered Brodsworth pleasure 20km for Gem on 4th March cant wait!!
only 7 weeks to go :D:D:D.
here is a copy of my training plan for the horses for getting them fit in the next 4 weeks so the first part of their training as they are both unfit and not done endurance before, plus there is also a plan for my own personal fitness as I am now a member of the gym and need to get my riding fitness back after having a year off from endurance nearly. I'm hoping the weather wont be too harsh all the time and stop me !!

Riding

2012-01-08T07:25:00.000-08:00

Finally got to have a ride on Rupert this weekend he was on his toes defiantly time to get some training in now with him aim is to be riding around the farm with him by end of jan.
Here are a few pics there not very good as it was dark and miserable!

A Few Summer pics to cheer us up!

2011-12-30T06:18:00.000-08:00

Trip to GG Centre ! 18/09/11

2011-12-30T06:06:00.000-08:00

Me and Gem ready for a work out at GG Centre

Finally got to go to the GG centre this month =] had a great time even the weather was nice for us :D was there about 3
hours and went in all the arenas and gallops and up big hills and chasing sheep, with Laura and Jimmy shall be back there in 2012

Off to find the Gallops

having fun on the gallops

Gems new friend JIMMY!

Eating my Dinner!

Winter Rupert 27/12/11

2011-12-30T05:35:00.000-08:00

The weather has been so rubish the past few weeks well month I should say and dark nights and work its so hard to get to do stuff with your horse in the day light. Finally managed to fit time in to do some ground work with Ruppy took him round the yard a few times then took him up the dirt track was very pleased with him was such a good boy going out on his own! here are a few pics warning he had not been brushed at that point :P!

"It's cold mum put my Rug back on"!!

I wish he would hurry up and grow that mane out!

Merry Christmas from the Horses =]

2011-12-25T03:20:00.000-08:00

Ruppy

2011-12-06T09:02:00.000-08:00

Rode Rupert Today and yesterday, he was pretty good, trying to start doing more with him now.

I'm starting to get used to him more and more.

I'll be glad when his hair has grown out !!

This is what happens when your horse finds sticky buds !

2011-11-27T10:40:00.000-08:00

Before with his Rollers in (I mean sticky buds!)

After needing some frizeeze !!

AGM & EGB Awards 2011

2011-11-27T08:29:00.000-08:00

This year the Endurance GB awards was held at Yew Lodge Hotel in Kegworth.
Here are a few pics of the night...

Jennys hair do

My bargain dress :P

Appropriate horse themed soup "Carrot Soup" YUK!

Jenni Gilberts Awards Well done =]

Ruppy Boy!

2011-10-22T13:06:00.000-07:00

Finally got back on Ruppy today, had a lovely ride on him such a good boy, here are a few pics:

Time to get Cracking!

2011-10-22T06:15:00.000-07:00

Been quite a while since I'v been on here, so much has happened in past few months, big high's to Big low's. But finally time to start getting in the training mode ready for a great 2012.
Got Gem to train ready to enter her first pleasure ride next year and now I have my new boy Ruppy, who's 6 and ready for bringing on into endurance, I'll be working with him throughout this winter just getting to know him and form a bond and start with 6 weeks walking work, I am to have gem ready for march 2012 and ruppy ready mid season so about june july.
All so exciting got a long winter ahead lots of good days and bad days ahead but the way I see it take each day as it comes and do your best. I have high hopes for my endurance in the next 2 to 3 years, my biggest aim is to ride a 100km thats my dream! and i know have the horses that can take me there. CAN NOT WAIT!

Just a few pics from riding Gem the other day:

The New Boy!

2011-09-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

Yey! Rupert aka Ruppy came today =]

All the way from wales, been such a good boy, he wasn't too fussed about anything and did really well when he was left in side on his own when the other horses went out.

Linda tacked him up and I tacked Gem up and we went for a ride for half an hour, very impressed with how he took everything in his stride.

Next few pics taken by Linda C =] (Thankyou)

=]

2011-09-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

Had a ride out last night seeing as the evening was lovely thought I'd best make the most of it as winter is defiantly on its way :(.

Just have to show this saddle, its my treeless dream team saddle and is by far the most comfiest saddle I've ever had, I dont care what any one says about all these endurance saddles and how expensive they are this one is alot cheaper and alot comfier.

Greedy gem having her ginger biscuit nothing new there then :P

Koonic's car racing game :P

2011-08-25T13:19:00.000-07:00

Just had to share this, when we go up to feed the horses we take the pickup up with us with all hay water and food on back so Koonics come up with a game and we race him up in the car he loves it haha every time we go up he comes to bottom of field to race us up :P

Day 3 - Boxing Gem

2011-08-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

Got Gem into horse box again today though the weather was against us very windy and spooky for the horses. we'd left more of a gap before putting her in the box again but she still just walked in her self very pleased with her, just needs to work on her rushing out but were getting there.

Friday 19th August

2011-08-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

So over half way through August already, where is this year going, had a nice ride out on gem today for an hour. She's doing so well very happy with her, will be getting her in the horse box again tomorrow for some more practice.

Its been a good 5 months since I last rode koonic, waiting for his leg to get better is a pain.

Started with abit of lunging today for 20 mins just to get him back into abit of work, will keep doing this for a few weeks then up his work abit more, see how he goes.

Is it just our horses or has anyone else noticed their chestnut horses developing dapples this year.

Gem, Koonic and Emma all have big dapples on their coats this year its strange.

Day 2 - Boxing Gem

2011-08-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

Had another go today, and very happy to say she has done so good =], we got her in and out 4 times and each time she got better she now goes in without jenny having to push her in and use the lunge, can't believe how quick shes learnt, and her problem was coming out she barged through nearly hurting her self , after the first 2 tries she walks out like a normal horse she's such a smart girl very happy tonight.
Next steps are to take her up the field in the box unload her and put her back in and bring her home just so she knows what its all about.

Day 1 - Boxing Gem

2011-08-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Finally got round to getting some practice in with getting Gem into the horse box as she has had some problems with it and hasn't really been in one for 3 years.
Me and jenny had a little play around with her tonight just showing her the box abit of lungeing then abit more near the box finally got her in and out 3 times =].
She still has a long way to go she takes alot of persuading to get in the box and rushes out too quickly when she comes out but she's slowly getting there, just gonna keep practicing.
Here are a few pics:

WINDY RAINY WINDY RAINY

2011-08-11T06:10:00.000-07:00

Fed up of this weather now just want some summer but too late now as were well into August great!
any how, went out on Gem had a lovely ride on her she's loving hacking out, went right round farm, past motorway into woods up big hill love it, here are a few pics.
Sat down and wrote out our first weeks training plan starting on monday, just gonna have to dig my feet in and forget the weather or I'll never get to do anything :( hopefully she will be doing pleasure rides next year :D ( I am not planning simply preparing :P)

fave time of day for gem food time :P

It's been a While!

2011-08-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

Well alot has happened since I last posted, Koonic has now officially retired [unless his leg gets better then pleasure rides are on the cards for next year would love to get his 400km award as he is only 6 km away from it grrr] from endurance riding.

Gem is coming on leaps and bounds and I am so happy with her =] finally feel like I trust her and now its just a matter of teaching her to load again.

a few pics of gems success and hopefully next year we will be doing some pleasure rides.
I'm aiming to get her to the GG centre in September =]

Haywood Oaks 30km CR

2011-04-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

17/4/11

So at last we finally made it to a ride that was SUNNY ALL DAY !!!!!
the first time in 5 years.
Had a wonderful time such a nice ride, koonic did so well he zoomed round like a trooper at 12.25kph
and in 2 hour 20. Every thing was great, but unfortunately he was vetted out lame.

here are a few pics

OFF WE GO!

HOME

Major Oak CR Ride 32km 20/03/11

2011-03-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

Did our first CR at Major Oak (not Novice) :O

did the 32km CR we really noticed the change from Novice to Open level.

We gained a grade 3 which I was really happy about seeing as I didn't think we'd even get a grade.

The ride was lovely even the sun came out for us, really well marked even tho we got carried away in trot and missed a turning soon realized though :P.

did it in exactly 3 hours.

I noticed the last 10km home were tough on koonic and I did have to push him more than usual which completely tired me out, so know its time to up his training. (and myn too)

all in all was a great ride and got a lot of canters in =] next one Duraham on 10th April.

Koonic putting on his little Arab performance because of the tape behind him

Its this way ... no its this way

and were off

Now for the last 10km to home

Both tired and ready for our pj's

First Ride of 2011

2011-03-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

Brodsworth Training 20km Ride

March 6th 2011

Ready to set off to brodsworth (Looking abit worried there koonic)

Had a great day out today, did 20km at Brodsworth, I was quite pleased with how well he did, to say it was his first ride of the year. He was certainly a hand full my arms a very achy at the moment.

He did make 2 new friends and was nice to ride with two other ladies on the way round.

He even managed the new horse styles or styes what ever there called, not too impressed with them as there metal and abit dangerous. He wasn't too sure about them.

Got round in 2 hours 20 which is fine for a pleasure ride just wanted to enjoy it and not rush round.

Very nice ride and well marked.

Here are a few pics

Instead of Rosette at the end =]

Weather Sucks

2011-02-21T08:17:00.000-08:00

Finally got to ride today =] but the weather was pretty miserable. got abit soggy. Rode koonic for 1 hour 5mins and gem 35mins, didnt do much as they haven't been ridden in a week but gems not been ridden in a month so she need bringing back into work. got my work cut out for me =]

Gem finally getting ridden after a month or so off work she was good and she looks mega orange today hehe

Gem loving her face tickled she like her legs doing too =]

kissy kissy

Koonic's new saddle pad very expensive but very comfy for him his other had warn out with 5 years of riding and over 700km of endurance rides :P

Race For Life

2011-02-16T10:53:00.000-08:00

Please sponser me for the race for life 10km at Leeds 25th June 2011
It's for a very good cause and I will be very grateful
Heres my link

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/kellycrowther2011

If horses could speak

2011-02-16T09:23:00.000-08:00

I'd ask him what on earth he was thinking when he decides to go roll in the muddiest spot in the field and rub his head in it!!!!!

Just a few pics, beginning my training now properly =]. got my first ride of the year very soon just short of 3 weeks will be round quick, we shall be training alot as we have a 64km ride to do in may :O.

Before - The muddy mess of a horse

After - Alot of hard graft and dust

His coat is really starting to moult at last, :D summer coat coming through can't wait to see him sparkle again

1st of Feb

2011-02-01T11:05:00.000-08:00

So january flew by in no time at all, cannot believe how quick its gone not long now until my first ride in march on 6th at Brodsworth=]. Took koonic out riding today only did 45 mins need to crack on now and work him harder his long coat has been putting me off cause when he sweats its such a mess and hard to sortout, but his coat is finally starting to come off =].
Here are a few pics from today nothing exciting, I really need to do more on this blog.

I don't really know :P

Koonic's Achievements

2011-01-16T13:30:00.000-08:00

Here are our achievements over the past 5 years together

I'm so proud of him and love him to bits.

Hopefully 2011 will be our best year =]

Roll on March

West Riding (Local) Awards 15.1.11

2011-01-16T04:06:00.000-08:00

AGM Awards for West Riding Group

Well last night was the Awards do for 2010 achievements, me and my friend went to see what

everyone had won and have a catch up with everyone, to my surprise I actually got my 2009 trophy

back and an achievement rosette, so I was quite shocked, having it 2 years in a row, I'm very proud of my boy koonic and I hope 2011 will be our best year yet and hopefully next year I'll be picking up another award you never know. Thats my aim any way. Our first stop will be Brodsworth in March =]

Picture Taken by Kerry =]

Picture taken by Kerry

Back to work (Well riding)

2011-01-05T04:05:00.000-08:00

After 3 weeks off riding with Gem from the awful weather its back to work!

This is what she thought of it :P

"Mmm I'm not sure if i want to go out in the cold"

Back in her pj's and ready for bed

:O

2011-01-01T09:41:00.000-08:00

Got on carrie today for the first time in about 4 years or more, I think she was a bit shocked haha

she needs a good spruce up after rolling in the mud :( she's looking abit scruffy

roll on summer so I can give her a good bath

Riding in the FOG

2011-01-01T07:51:00.000-08:00

I Took koonic out the other day and it was pretty foggy, I don't think he minded at all really just having a look around. It's very strange riding in the fog when you can't see 2 meters in front of you, on the way back the mist vanished and suddenly you could see everything again very strange :P

Merry Christmas !

2010-12-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

A Few horsey pics from xmas =]

Snow Again!!

2010-12-20T06:17:00.001-08:00

Just a few Phone snaps

Then & Now

2010-12-11T14:08:00.000-08:00

Cleaned the feed and tack room today =]

took a while but now all ready for new year!

Before

After =]

Bye Bye Snow... For now

2010-12-10T07:10:00.000-08:00

The Snow has finally started to thaw (at long last)

But now comes the mud and Koonic, lovely as he is has decided he needed to have a roll...

So back to the mud and wind for a while grrr!

2010-12-02T13:48:00.000-08:00

The AGM / EGB Dinner Awards

On Saturday 27th November it was the AGM and EGB awards. This year it was down in Daventry at the Barcelo Daventry Hotel, I went down with 4 other people and we had a great

time. It kicked off with the AGM meeting which did last nearly 4 hours, lets just say by the end I could barely walk :P. A lot of people didn't make it due to the snow, luckily we got the in good time, after the meeting we headed back to our rooms to relax and get ready for the awards do at 7.30pm. Everyone got to dress up and have a fun night with all the horsey people. The meal was lovely and we watched the awards, well done to everyone that won something =]. Me and Laura snuck a few bottles of wine in well about 2 bottle for 4 mini ones hehe, and then we danced until early morning. It was defiantly a night to remember.

The dance floor

Laura & Me

More dancing there was even a bucking bronco here :P

2010-12-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

Horses stuck in for 2 days now...

You can't see the four here as their all hiding from the snow (or eating)

Koonic here braving the snow

The horses have been in now for 2 days, may not seem like much but its been hard work pushing the wheel barrow through the snow ect. and the most frustrating thing is not being able to ride :(. Koonics going mad, brought him out today for 5 mins walk round where its isn't slippy and he was rearing up and trying to play tug of war!!!

We brought Gem out and she rolled 3 times and brought carry out and she also had a roll

They seem to love the snow for rolling any how.

Horses opinion

2010-12-01T05:54:00.000-08:00

So this is what Carrie thinks of the snow!!

SNOW SNOW SNOW

2010-11-29T03:18:00.000-08:00

What's one of the worst weathers to have with horses... SNOW!
Took a few pictures today (29.11.10) of the horses in the snow! I tried riding Koonic but it was way too slippy to go any further than in the yard so we only did half an hour he was chomping at the bit...

(Click on the image and it will make it bigger =])

Yes this is a rose!!!!! its nearly december and its snowing and there's a rose out (strange)

The thickness of the ice in the horses bucket!!

Upgraded

2010-11-25T13:14:00.000-08:00

Swish

2010-11-20T13:04:00.000-08:00

Swish Indoor Rug

Put Koonic's new indoor rug on today, its the best one we've ever got, its so snug and fits really well, I defiantly recommend it thats for sure, and at only £21 bargain.

Doesn't he look posh

SWAP

2010-11-16T07:41:00.000-08:00

Me and Jenny did a horse swap today...
wanted to see what Gem was like with someone different riding her, she did pretty well, even though both horses had a tiff up the field after the dustbin wagon went passed. Gem was probably the best behaved, seeing as koonic liked spinning round, bucking and having quite a high rear. There is no stopping that boy.
managed to calm them down and had a nice 2 hour hack out, such a nice sunny day, a perfect winters dat =].

Jenny and Gem (it was actually lighter than it looked here as the sun was behind us)

Koonic the leader

Cold and Frosty Morning

2010-11-15T06:31:00.000-08:00

Took Koonic out for a ride this morning, was so cold you could see your breath just breathing out your nose.

The fog came in too, but he was a good boy for a change :)

Moving up =]

2010-11-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

EGB upgraded =]
After 5 years at Novice I thought it was time to move up to Open level in endurance.
So now I can do CRs instead of Novice ones. My aim in 2011 is to get him to advance so I'll need to do a 80km with him, that will be scary for me, better get training hadn't I :P

Here are his master cards his green one is for Novice and I'v had that since 2008 when I started competitive rides. he's done so so well and I'm really proud of our efforts, moving up might not seem a big deal to these big endurance riders that do 160km in a day but to me and koonic its a mile stone =]. Now its time for us to go up in the endurance world and see what happens.

My Novice Master card now finished =] I have had such a good time with the novice classes, managed to get 6 grade 1's. 2 grade 2's, a grade 3 a grade 4 and a pass =] he's getting better and better every year, so I'm hoping I'll have a great year in 2011.

My new Master card all new ready for 2011 OPEN Level here we come :D

Memories:

Just been looking at my Ride Log book, ever since I started with endurance from 2006 I'v kept a log, all my pleasure rides up to CRs

It's lovely to look back at everything I'v done with Koonic and how far we've come. we've taken it slow but its how its happened and what we've been happy with. I laugh at how I did my first ride at 4 hours 10m, and it was only 25km, (the terrain was dreadfull, stoney and very hilly and we got lost a few times)
to know doing a 42km in 3 hours 40m nearly double the distance but alot quicker, it does make me laugh.

Jumping Gem!

2010-11-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

Jumping Gem today...
had a go at jumping gem today over a little pole, she's never jumped in her life and she did pretty well to say. she wasn't sure at first took me a few goes to get her to go near it then over it, but she got all excited and giddy bless her. had to stop though after a while as the field god a bit boggy. We then had a hack out came across some chinese lanterns on the floor she wasn't impressed and neither was I there's loads since bonfire night, something will be getting hurt.
any way here are a few pics, the jumping pics are not great as it was hard to get with her flying round so I got my head cut off haha.

Avoiding the fence the first time, she was a bit worried about it

Giving it a good go even though she leaped over it like a cat

just been over the pole didn't quite catch it

Have you noticed I don't own a head on these pics =]

she actually jumped the FLAT pole bless her :)

I think this pic was the landing pic haha

On the way up the field for a nice hack =]

on the way home =]

Autumns here!

2010-11-01T06:20:00.000-07:00

Took Gem out on her own today...
She did really well never put a hoof wrong. we went to the end of the lane which is a mile away and she went to the road having a nosey at all the cars. she's getting used to it now, and its just the head shaking we need to sort out and she'll be great. Even got a canter out of her in the big field, she's doing well now both with and without company. I can't wait to take her to the GG centre in Feb to see how she gets on with Koonic in the horse box and seeing other horses and new places. I think she will be great, she seems to take everything in her stride.

Here are a few pics my mum took today while I was out riding.

[In the yard warming up]

[off on our way up the track]

[up the track doing really well]

[at the end of the track watching the cars on the road]

[here she is heading home and usually she would be jogging back or being silly but now she's walking back chilled and even walking through puddles (she has a fear of water) she is getting better every day]

[Having a canter on the open field, one thing I never thought I'd do with her as I was worried about her being bolshy and bolting, but she's loving it and has a lovely little canter.]

[after a good hours work out]

Picture overload time =]

2010-10-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

Had a very interesting ride today!!
Koonic was very naughty doing his bucking bronko thing, i had to get on him and show him whos boss, poor jenny trying to stay on! Gem was an angel, bless her she never put a foot wrong and we had a good canter, she didnt bother about koonic having a paddy. here are some pics of today =]

The 2 pics above of Koonic having fun with Jenny (buckeroo much!) I told you he's a one person horse hehe

Frosty Morning

2010-10-25T08:20:00.000-07:00

Took Gem out this morning after riding Koonic:
its first time I'v ridden her with out her being out in the field, so I was abit wary of how she would behave, but she was good as gold we even went and had a little canter up the field, she's getting very good now. plus we went out on our own without Koonic for company, so I think she's getting used to riding both alone and in company so I'm very happy with her/
Here are a few pics from this morning, its was lovely and sunny but a little bit nippy, oh and I also have my new riding jacket on that came as I was tacking her up, can't beat a Caldene riding jacket, so cosey.

Endurance 2011 List

2010-10-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

So here is a list of some of the rides on next year that I plan to go to with Gem or Koonic or both =]

Kelstern
Major Oak
Haywood Oaks
Dukeries
Wharncliffe Chase
Helmsley
Kildale
Dialstone
Robin Hood challenge
South Yorkshire
RAF Cranwell

That's the ones I'v found so far and will see next year what others pop up.
Roll on 2011, already eager to get started.

(more updated coming soon)

We found a pot of gold!

2010-10-19T08:58:00.000-07:00

Jenny came today and we took both the horses out for a ride:
Gem was really well behaved for me and we had a little canter up the field too, so i was very happy she is doing so well and I can't wait to get her into endurance.
Koonic was naughty and was to excited to behave him self so had quite a few bucks and spins but calmed down in the end for poor Jenny.

Before we set off someone came to do the guttering, the horses wernt quite sure what as going on, so they decided to watch him :P

At the end of the dirt track, a mile from home this is the 4th time shes been up now and I think she's loving it, she hasn't tried to jog back yet so I'm very pleased with her progress.

Rainbow, we had a canter up and it chucked it down we were soaked, but there was a pretty rainbow!!

A well earned roll after doing so well, she was still soaked from the rain so when she got up all the shavings were stuck to her tut tut!

Very Happy Girl

2010-10-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

Gems big aim: Complete =]

Very happy today, managed to get Gem all the way to the end of the lane which is a mile away.

usually she wants to jog back and is silly. but she behaved so well and seemed to love it, the cars didn't even phase her. So I'm very proud.

We even managed a canter up the field, she cantered by koonic side and they loved it.

I'v always been worried about cantering in the open as she can be bolshy and head strong but she loved it.

So I'm very happy today =] we rode for 2 hours which is the most Gems ridden for so when I took her bridle off after riding she gave me a big yawn hehe.

Robin Hood Challenge Professional Pictures

2010-10-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

Both Pictures by David Saunders Photography

Just wanted to share two of my favorite pictures of koonic

it just shows how much we both love what we do and how much fun it is.

The pictures are by David Saunders

Gems first time away from home

2010-10-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

Gem

Gem a mile away from home not putting a hoof wrong

Koonic and Jenny

Hacking out

Jenny rode my boy Koonic today and I rode Gem, gem's not been away from the farm since we got her, shes quite green. today we got her 1 mile away which is a great goal for us and she walked back fine, so I'm so chuffed with her.

Koonic behaved him self too, which was a miracle

These pics were hard to take with an arab in one hand the wind blowing and trying to keep her still.

but we managed =]

successful day completed :)

Training Begins

2010-10-09T04:19:00.000-07:00

Winter Training

Just a quick picture of me and Gem enjoying the sun out riding,

she had a little tantrum out but we ended on a good note, horses eh :P

Winters on its way

2010-10-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

Monday Morning

So the endurance season (for me) has come to an end for 2010, and Koonic is in his pajamas having a little break.

The aim for winter is to bring Gem my little mare into work, she hasn't done endurance before and I plan on brining her into it next year with Koonic who will be with her with my friend Jenny.

I really think she'll make a great endurance prospect so we shall see in the next 5 months.

GEM

She's a bonny little girl isn't she, shes pretty green, but were building up a strong bond and shes been fantastic I can just get on her and ride after 3 weeks, she's very sweet natured.

I plan on taking her to Major oak next year and doing the 16km with koonic.

and just see how thinks go.

I'm not looking forwards to the dark nights and cold weather, winter seems to have caught up with us pretty fast this year.

I'll be updating my blog more, when I get riding this weekend looks promising so I'll get some pics and tell you how we've gone on.

Speak soon

Robin Hoods Bay

2010-10-04T05:45:00.000-07:00

The Robin Hoods Bay Pleasure Ride
3rd October 2010
20km

[Rain Rain Rain]

I was the first to arrive at the venue, as soon as I opened the horse box door I felt the first drops of rain.

and as of then it chucked it down ALL day.

Me and Laura were surposed to be doing the 33km, it rained and rained and rained.

The 33km got scrapped and we did the 20km it was actually a relief as we were soaked through to the skin.

It's definatly the wettest ride I've ever done. Because of the wet ground we had to take it slow in most parts so the horses didn't become lame or pull a shoe and luckily they are both sound.

The venue field was pure mud by the end of it, and ever vehicle that came in and out had to be towed.

Unfortunatly the weather let the ride down, we rode 100 meters from the sea and didn't even see it because of the mist, we missed all the views. Fortunately me and Laura were still smiling at the end of the ride even if we looked like drown rats.

as you can see from the puddles how much it rained, it took us 3 hours just to do 20km after getting lost and having to go slow over muddy and slippy terrain. that puddle wasn't there when we arrived.

The last ride of the Season

Many thanks to all the organizers and helpers on all the rides.

You are much appreciated

Robin Hood Challenge

2010-10-04T05:29:00.000-07:00

Robin Hood Challenge
5th September 2010
32km
Grade 1

Robin Hood has to be one of my favorite of the year.

The ride was good going, it was a sunny day ish, and to top it all off we got to gallop on the all weather race track at southwell race course. I will defiantly be going back next year to do it all again.

The race track at southwell
we galloped nearly the full way round, I could have gone round all day, I see why jockeys say they get so much adrenaline.

After galloping the racetrack we crossed the finish line and went back to the horse box, getting ready to vet.

Kildale

2010-10-04T05:12:00.000-07:00

Kildale
11th July 2010
32km Novice cr
Grade 1

Report:

As ready as we’d every be we set off on our 2 hour journey to Kildale, feeling hopeful for the weather to be nice, but didn’t realise just how windy it would be when we arrived. The venue was in kildale show field next to the village hall and what a lovely spot to have it in. With the vetting passed and all tacked up, we headed off to the time keepers and set off on our mission to finish Kildale in one piece.

The views were breathtaking and which made up for the stony ground. Just as we expected the moors were very windy and feeling lucky that I had a chin strap on my hat soldiered on through.

A good few kilometres in and we came across views of the ocean, which we just had to stop for to take a picture. The highlight of the ride came around half way in when Roseberry topping came into sight and what a sight it was, a rough path up but worth it, you could even see the people at the very top, how interesting that would have been to ride up there.

Heading towards the finish and here is where it got tricky, fun, challenging and a bit scary. First came the hill with the big tree routes and when I say big I do mean big, more like steps, it certainly got my heart beating more as koonic is not the most sure footed horse in the world. It was defiantly a challenge and as if that wasn’t hard enough right at the side of us was a low helicopter I was shocked to see it hovering just over the field from us, we then went past a bike rally which was pretty noisy and got koonic a new lease of life which pushed him on towards the end so I wont complain.

Then at last came the road towards the venue, now needing to refuel and unstick myself from the horse I was glad to see the horse boxes at the other side of the hedge and to have completed it all in one piece. We then did our end of ride prep and walked him to the vet, getting the all clear and finish heart rate of 38, making me the happiest girl there (in my opinion).

With a grade one and a bacon and egg sandwich we said our good bye’s and headed off home, all in a day’s hard work.

By Kelly Crowther

Riding at the start and (Right) Riding towards Roseberry topping.

Helmsley 2010

2010-10-04T05:05:00.000-07:00

Helmsley
20th June 2010
42km Novice cr

I found Helmsley a tough ride, its what I call a true endurance ride, this was my first 42km of the year and I felt koonic was ready for it.
He did fantastic and got a grade 2 at an average speed of 11.4kph.
I was also surprised of my own fitness and discovered I was alot fitter than last year, all the training must be paying off.
The route was varied with some quite tough hills and a fair amount of stoney forest track, but there was also some lovely grassy going and a couple of fords to pass through

A picture of me and Laura with Koonic and Jimmy before we set off.

(Above) Koonic and jimmy

(Above : At a Water point, Crewing)

(left: The Venue)

Walking to the finish line Me in the blue and Helen in red number 5

The Dukeries 2010

2010-10-04T04:45:00.000-07:00

The Dukeries
Day 2 - 30th May 2010

Here I managed to get a grade 2 at a average speed of 14.2kph which was the fastest we've done yet. The going was fantastic on this ride. We did the 30km Novice Cr
The 2nd ride of the year was at Dukeries, This ride is a big event, consisting of 3 days.
Many riders compete over a period of 2 days.

A picture of the venue

Koonic and me waiting to be vetted

Half way through the ride me with Koonic (at the back) and Laura Dickens with Jimmy

After completing the 30km, here we are vetting doing the trot up.

The First Ride of 2010

2010-10-04T04:34:00.000-07:00

Haywood Oaks
11th April 2010

For the first ride of the year I did the 30km Novice cr ride
I managed to get a grade 1 averaging 10.9kph.

It was a great day, the weather was sunny, Koonic behaved himself and we made it round with no injury.
We had to be vetted before and after the ride to check he was sound and we passed fine.
It's always a riders biggest concern.

The Haywood Oaks ride was on for 2 days, the classes ranged from 30km to 120km.

Cantering to the finish line just around the corner.

Many people took part and everyone enjoyed their day. Here are a few pictures.