Horsey Update

Well, it's been a totally weird year horse-wise. Last time I posted I was all up in the air about what to do with him. First of all I advertised him for sale. (Not very extensively I might add, as I wasn't quite sure I could do it). I had a couple of calls but everyone seemed to think he was too old and no one came to see him. In the meantime a friend of a friend said she would be interested in sharing him. This would mean he could stay in Shaftesbury where he is happy and I could ride him twice a week and take him to the odd show. The rest of the time the other girl would ride and look after him and help pay his livery. Perfect!
With this all arranged I re-registered him with the BSJA (which is quite expensive) and took him to West Stour show. I missed the Discovery which is our usual class and so went straight in the 1.05m. He jumped really well and we were sixth and so qualified for the final in August. I was really pleased with him and thrilled that I had everything sorted out. Unfortunately it only lasted for a week!
I don't really know what happened but the woman who had agreed to share him changed her mind. I don't think perhaps she realised just what a time commitment she was making. Also I think he was a bit lively out hacking with her and I'm not sure he didn't scare her. Anyway I was back to square one.
I then had another offer of a loan home. The problem now was I had spent money registering him and he was going so well I didn't want to give him up! The final that I had qualified for was 1.10m (that's the height in metres and I know it doesn't sound very big but when you're the one on the horse a 5cm difference can seem like a hell of lot!) so I thought I had better have a practice. I haven't jumped a course that big since before I had the munchkin. So we did the 1.10 at Stourhead and we were 5th which was great. Unfortunately the actual final didn't go that well. I shouldn't make excuses but the ground was quite slippery and they had built these big parallels going downhill which were horrible! I felt like we didn't really get into a good rhythm and I had 2 down and some time faults. (Coincidentally they were both the parallels going downhill which probably means I messed it up because I was gutless!) It was okay considering I wouldn't have even attempted it at the beginning of the season, but a bit disappointing as we'd been going so well. You can see the photos from that show here.
Balu is now at Leigh near Sherborne which is about 20 minutes away. He is on part livery whereby they muck out and turn in and out for a very reasonable price. It means if I can't get there every day he is taken care of but I do all the riding, grooming, etc. There is a small indoor school which will be great for the winter and an outdoor school as well as good hacking. So far I am really impressed. It's busier than Shaftesbury but everyone is really nice and I can't believe how quickly Balu has settled in. He can talk to the horse next door and they seem to be great friends already. His stable looks onto the outdoor school so there is lots for him to look at all day long. He goes out at night with three other horses in a nice big paddock and seems to be totally relaxed there. Not at all like he was here at home. I haven't hacked him out yet (this was what we had problems with before) but I think he'll be fine. I've ridden him in both the schools and if anything he was a bit lazy.
So now I'm really happy again. Going to shows is still a lot harder work now I have a child to worry about but a few rosettes sure seem to make it all worthwhile! I'm hacking out this week and taking him to Dorchester show on Saturday so lets hope it all stays good!