Tuesday.

I saw Rob and Naomi today, I was surprised they were still there at 4:36 (exact.)  Rob hadn't swept up properly so I told him off and did it for him, I got Sophie ready in Record time. She let me get on today which I was very pleased with, her canter felt really weird at the beginning but towards the end I got used to it again. She went really nicely and didn't spook of anything, I rode about 30 minutes then untacked her and gave her loads of sweeties.

Sunday.

Dannielle and I helped Naomi put up some poles for her and Orange in the small arena, I've never seen a jump SO HIGH. It looked like it was about 1.30m or even higher!!

Then Rob had a sit on her which she was not too happy about because she thought she was going in. Rob had her on a strong contact and tried to do straight lines and keep his right hand up, Naomi only said to carry on for about 10min but he went on for about 20. When Rob came off he didn't have to do anything, I took Orange and untacked, fed and rugged her for him. I also fed George, Val and Brownie without having to be asked! My 'friend' Hannah said she would come up on Sunday, but she didn't I was really annoyed. But I still rode Sophie in the big school after lunging and played around with a few trotting poles. The next day at school I asked why she hadn't came, I'd thought she had forgotten. But she said "I couldn't be asked" (couldn't be bothered enough- for any non-young folk! :) That made me really angry.

Weekend!

Sophie was shaved AGAIN on Friday, she's half bold but looks really smart. I started to feel better as the weekend approached, miraculously :) I still had to take a paracetamol at the yard though, still was quite warm with a major migraine. I pushed my way past it though and helped Naomi all day, the school was booked for an hour because there was a lesson going on, so I had to wait for a bit. I lunged Sophie first for about 15-20mins, she was going really really well until I went on and then all of a sudden every thing was so SCARY!! she didn't settle so I decided the best thing would be to stop for the day and just try again in the big school tomorrow. For Sint Nicholas last week was a big box of sweeties for Sophie from Grandma and Granddad, so she had quite a few of those. Well when I say a few...

ILL.

I got loads of presents on Sunday, I got a book called secretariat, Take That and The Wanted on CD's which I am listening to right now, awesome speakers to play the CD's on, and a pack of playing cards with pictures of horses on them.

Unfortunately I got a fever on Sunday evening so I stayed at home and didn't ride on Monday :(, I made a start at tiding my bedroom though. (I know my mum was sooooo shocked when she came home!!!!) I also hung up about thirty horse posters that I took out of my magazines. I'm staying at home today as well and I'm not sure I can ride today either, I'm planning to finish my bedroom and finish hanging up my posters.
I think the people that make the posters are sooooo mean!!! They put two different pictures on both sides of the poster and now I have too choose which one I prefer, I usually choose which ever one has the most or cutesiest horses on it.

I hope I'll be well enough to ride this afternoon, my parents are working so I'm home alone.

Dannielle can unfortunately not share Sophie with me, so I'll be putting up leaflets in the local post offices.

Sint Nicholaas.

I rode with Rob on Thursday, it was great service! He picked me up from school at 3.15!!! Then took me straight to the Yard. It was great, we were still able to ride in the light. Because the schools are frozen we went out to the field, and walked for a long, long time. Rob showed me reign back, and we did lots of agility stuff that Jane had set up a long while back. Sophie is great at the slalom and has no fear. Sort of.

Because it's too frozen I haven't been able to ride too much the past week, Sophie was very bouncy and full of energy on Saturday. Wendy came in as well and thankfully Houghi was very well behaved. Wendy advised to do lots of three loop serpentines, she said I could go in front for a while and then we would swap and she'll go in front for a while. It certainly worked and she soon and her head down and was very relaxed. She didn't like being behind Houghi and Houghi didn't like being in front because he started to go really lazy, he's too much of a gentleman to be dominant. So Sophie went in front again and was very well behaved, it's good to practice my steering. It was all going great untill.

There was obviously something REALLY SCARY at E and we were about to go right and she dropped her right shoulder and went sharp left I think I was saved by sitting at that moment (we were in Trot.) I think that if I would have been rising at that moment I would have been on the ground. We had a good look at the scary E and walked for a while, we decided to stop because she had been very good before that unfortunate shock. I'm sure I missed a heart beat, it was very sudden. Wendy was VERY happy that Houghi hadn't bucked unlike last time.

Dad got a lot of pictures of Sunday (Today) I rode Sophie for only a short time, she was so much better behaved then on Saturday. I put up the tiny 2ft Christmas tree at the Yard and decorated it with lights and tinsel, there was a very cute stuffed toy like whiskey I hung up at the very top, like the angel that is usually there. Dad had to put a HAPPY CHRISTMAS lights at the top of the picture and noticeboard. Plus IT'S SINT NICOLAAS, I'm Dutch so that means Sint Nicolaas is today. The 5th is presents and the 25th is a huge family get together for us. We'll probably open our presents in an hour or so. Florian (My brother who is at hills road and who is 17!!) has to finish his Physics before we can start ripping the wrapping paper off.

SNOW!!!!!!!

I love and hate snow at the some time, it's wet and slippery and unbelievably COLD but it's great fun. We had a massive snowball fight at school, it was sort of against the rules so we were told off :) I'll get some pictures of the snow.

Dad installed a awesome light that shines onto the new arena, he was on a tall ladder at the top of the barn! I would never do that because I'm terrified of heights.

On Saturday I went with Katie, Mike and Sophie to a Collage competition, Katie wasn't actually allowed to compete because she was over age by a less then a year. They made an exception for her though. Sophie got one pole down, but still got a very pretty PINK (I know I used to hate pink.) Sash with fifth place.

On Sunday Rob, Naomi and I went to the Oakington Church and back. I had the reigns dropping really low while poor Ginger (Orange) had a strong contact :( Oh well she has to work more. We went to the field and Cantered so unbelievably fast! The wind was coooold but you could see that Sophie was really enjoying it, see needed a good run around. Naomi had to check every now and then that is was still on, it was FANTASTIC. It felt like we were going about 100mph, it was truly Brilliant. I could feel and hear my blood pumping near my ears, and my heart beating so fast. The exhilaration. (My English teacher would be proud of the words I'm using, by the way English is my worst subject.)

I've thought back of how far I've come over the last couple of years, I was quite amazed. I remember when I was Very Very little and I was too scared to give Fella a carrot or get near him, and when I first sat on him, and first trotted and cantered. Great times, from that to jumping, Cantering so fast! It really is stunning.

I'll get some pictures of the snow and the new light and arena.

Turn for the worse!!!!!

On Friday mornings I always have gymnastics at school, and last Friday we were doing balances. I had to stand on someone's knees and lean forward while holding on to their wrists behind my back, I slipped and I fell forward and hit my forehead on thin gym mats. It really hurt and I went home, we went to the doctors. He had a really weird eye light what he used to look at the back off my eye. It turned out to be a mild concussion. He said I couldn't do PE or sports for two whole weeks!! YES no PE. But NO riding, you wish...

No one can stop me riding Sophie, not even a concussion. I let Katie ride her Saturday, but rode again on Sunday I didn't do too much and did a lot of walk to halt transitions. She's finally excepting me and is standing patiently while I get on, she's even walking towards me when I go to get her from the field. Because she coming in her stable at night now and is looking out for hay (which she's getting quite often now the weathers turning.) Sophie looks a little thinner since I got her, it might be all the exercise I'm giving her.

The weather forecast says it's actually going to snow, I hope school gets cancelled so I can ride Sophie while it's still light. Last year school got closed because there was no electricity. At least Sophie wont get cold because she's got loads of rugs on.

Sweaty Sophie.

Even though Sophie has been shaved and it was quite cold, I still made Sophie sweat. We did a nice quiet warm up and even though it was dark she was behaving very well. We did a lot of canter and trot, because she had not been ridden a lot this week and yesterday we had a bit of gallop which was not intentional. Sophie is finally getting used to me and is behaving much better whilst being groomed and has excepting that she has to stand still whilst I groom her. Which was a very difficult concept for her.

Dannielle is coming to ride Sophie tomorrow with a better saddle that fits, fingers crossed that everything goes well and that she can share Soph with me! It's all very nerve-racking.

Darkness!

It's getting darker and darker now, I was at the stables really quickly after school and got Sophie ready quickly thanks to Chloes (not Solomou) help. She put up some jumps while I warmed up. I was lucky because I don't like to jump in the dark, so when it gets more winter I will have to jump in the weekends. I hate winter, it's dark and cold.

I jumped her higher then I ever have before, first I did a jump in trot and she jumped that pretty much without effort. I then put it higher and added another jump about the same hight and went over it in canter, I lost my balance alot and nearly fell off more then once while in the gap between the jumps. I need to learn how to count the strides, how to time when going into the jumping position, and to sit between jumps quickly for a few seconds. Thats alot to think about while holding her from sprinting to the jumps, holding the canter and lining her up for the jump.

I'm surprised people can think about all of that, I always say with everything that practise makes perfect.

Rob's back!!

Yesterday I made delicious chocolate brownies too celebrate Robs return, I have too admit that Mary Lou's brownies are way better :) I rode with Rob we talked a lot about his holiday visiting Mary Lou in America. I really miss Mary Lou and Tetley (her horse.)

I found some pictures of us three before Mary Lou and Tetley went to America:

This is Mary Lou with Tetley on their first ever dressage test!!

Tetley and Fella loved each other so much! Fella was definitely not himself for a little while after Tetley, but Houghi soon came into his field to keep him company.









We all liked to chillax after a days hard work, we all liked to sunbath and eat our dinners. Smile Tetley!











Tetley liked to travel in style to America!!!!! Luxury. Even people don't get this good service in a taxi.



















Rob really noticed a difference in Fella, Naomi really can make wonders happen. He was being a proper dressage horse.


Mum says this blog is like a psychologist, that has put me off doing this blog oh well parents. Can't life with them and you can't life without them. :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

We had a big Reunion on Sunday, Rosie came down unexpectedly and gave Sophie loads of big cuddles and cuddles. Chloe and Katie were down as well, Naomi was there and now Rob was back.

Danielle??

Sophie was naughty getting her out of the field and kept running away, Danielle's mum came to see what was taking her so long. As soon as their were the two of them Sophie behaved well, knowing it was a lost cause. Danielle did well considering she hadn't ridden in ages, unfortunately Naomi's saddle was too small for her, and mine is tiny because I am too. So she had a little trot with Soph but soon stopped, they said they would get a saddle for in a weeks time. This was Sophie's miracle. She only had too ride once now, not twice (which I was definitely planning too do.) I did quite a lot of canter and trot with her. Keeping her working was difficult without a schooling whip. I was quite nervous because it was the first time that someone I didn't know so well, was watching. I think Sophie knew they were watching because she was on her best behavior!!

Whisky (Naomi's very cute and awesome dog) was enjoying the sun while she still could, and for as long as she could. She was walking around tongue sticking out, looking around for food. She has always been very spoilt by everyone.
She looks so cute in the picture!!!!!!

Naomi rode Fella today, we groomed him very well he was so muddy!! His whole face was covered in mud, I got him sparkling clean though. Except his ears which were really difficult, because I'm not tall enough to reach. It looked really strange a beautiful clean horse with muddy ears.

I'm looking forward too seeing Rob again tomorrow, I've arranged to ride with him. I'll give fella the biggest makeover in history.

Noami has asked me to create a blog for the stables, and so that the people there can use it and edit it. I'll be working on two blogs now. It will be coming out soon.
So keep it touch folks!!

Too Windy.

Yesterday it was very windy, I can't ride her yet when its blowing to hard because i'm not strong enough. I need to get some muscles. I stopped riding her for the day. I did get a good twenty minutes solid riding from her. I still can't get the bit from her though, well I can in halt but only for about three or four seconds and then it's gone again. And in walk it's a lost cause, Rosie says to practice my seat first. It's good advise.

It was too windy too ride her today as well, it gets too scary. Oh well I don't mind, she can have an extra two days off now. Because tomorrow its bonfire night, which means its going to be too scary too ride.

And on Saturday, the person is coming to ride Sophie to see if see wants to share Sophie.  Naomi has to asses her to check. (Just in case.) I'm not good at that stuff. I'm looking forward too it!!!  I like her, shes really nice and great fun too, we laughed a lot when I met her at first. I'll probably ride her again later in the day, because shes being ridden in the morning. I've asked Chloe if she wanted to ride with me that day.

My First Hack.

I'm so excited today was my first hack and it's Halloween, Spooky or what. Naomi came with me on Orange, Rosie said Sophie's great on Hacks. She told me that one time that she went on a hack there was a big lorry with hay stacks on it, that wasn't scary at all she just ignored it. But a puddle or a twig that wasn't there before is so life threatening.

It was only a short hack to the pub back but it was still awesome, and now Sophie will have a bit more variety for a while. At the beginning Naomi tried to pull me off Sophie for the camera, dad had to embarrass me by following us with the camera. But there we go that's what dads are for. But I'm thankful for it because now I have pictures for the blog.

At the pub we met some of Naomi's friends going into the pub, (I had no clue who they were.)
Dad wanted to make some nice pictures with the nice orange trees in the background so we went past the turning into the stables, and a little way onwards then we went back. The picture was pretty good, but dads camera started acting up all the time.

 We had a great time talking and laughing. Orange accidentally put her foot in a small hole long the stretch of grass where you can see orange and me walking.
It surprised me that they suddenly shrunk down, but she was fine though.

I helped Naomi get fella ready, he was soooo muddy!! I bet he rolled just to annoy me, he was being really difficult with his back legs. I did one but I asked Naomi to do the other, I still love him just as much though.

For Halloween I made a dummy and my dad hung it up, you could hear the people scream before they can to the door. They were so weary after the shock you had enough time to slowly go to the door!!

Show Jumping Once Again.

Katie sent me a text last night asking if she could borrow Sophie for a Cross country/Show Jumping Competion today, I naturaly said yes and she went at 11 today. I wont be going because I have homework, I mean how unfair is that!! Just because I'm a kid, but there we go life is unfair (Like school which I also hate). Chloe went as well with Houghi, and they be doing just as well.

I bet they'll do a double clear like last time, I'm actually pretty sure of it. I've got a lot of faith in them. Chloe went first and got a clear round, which is great. Katie was great and they did a clear round, Katie said Sophie was an angel and that she even jumped the bushes no problem Sophie is such a legend.

Katie will still ride Sophie once in a while, because George needs some time to recover. Plus that'll give me time to catch up on some more homework, which I'm not looking forward too.

Pictures are coming soon.

First Horse!!

I'm so glad I've got Sophie now, I've had a great time so far. I still can't believe it. I'm working hard though doing loads of chores at the stables, and my parents have been black mailing me into doing chores at home, because I have a horse. I was too speechless for words on the day. Even if I've only got her on loan, but Rosie doesn't really do anything with her know. Because shes gone to Bristol for school, shes taken her new horse Sprout with her as well.

 I've just started jumping and were taking it very easy, were starting so low that Sophie can step over it, were slowly building it up and now were doing quite a bit higher, still have to work on the steering and the canter though.




 (Rob and Fella, Wendy and Houghi, Me and Sophie.)

 (Me and Sophie)

Rob (Fella), Wendy (Houghi) and me (Sophie) went up to the field About two weeks ago and had a great time cantering round, and letting Sophie do a few jumps in the mean time. My dad took some great pictures of us riding together.

It was going great until Houghi bucked because he was the dominant male and he was at the back, Wendy sat the first buck but when Houghi bucked a second time Wendy lost her balance and
 fell to the ground luckily she was all right after lying still for a few minutes.
(Me holding Sophie and Houghi while Wendy gets up.)     

 

  We all clambered back on and cantered round again. When we came to the same place by the bushes, Sophie jumped from something in the bushes and went right, which was away from the evil horse eating bushes. But I lost my balance and felt myself falling off, so I sort of jumped out of the saddle and fall off at the same time on to the soft grass. Luckily I bounce so no harm done, (not to mention my "Body protector" I was wearing) Houghi was fine with me losing my balance and Sophie jumping but when I fell off, Houghi started misbehaving and bucked a couple of times. Which caused poor Wendy to fall off again. The horses are well trained though and stopped as soon as we were off, Rob helped Wendy up on Houghi again. This time we decided not to canter round and just walk for a bit, but I soon got a bit bored and did a couple of smallish jumps with Sophie.
                                     

Katie (Rosies sister) rode Sophie in a collage showjumping competition, they were in teams. I went with them as a groom, and we had a great time together, they did a double clear round together. Sophie was the best, most beautiful, most well behaved horse there though, obviously!! There were a lot of pony's that did better because they could make such tight corners it was like they were going to fall over.

George (Katies horse.) had hurt himself a couple of weeks back and had had to stay at the equine hospital in Newmarket, but today he came back. Naomi talked me into making a welcome back poster for George half an hour of him coming back, only I didn't have any paper so Naomi told me to improvise seeing I am a kid and thats what i should do, so I used up a couple of notebook pages and pinned them too George stables door. :) George was so cute and though it's hard too read a horses expression we were pretty sure he was happy too be back.

Now Robs gone to Colorado for two weeks and San Fransisco for one week straight after wards, Naomi and me are lunging and riding Fella for him. It's so cool because now I have two horses to give cuddles and carrots too.  
 (For More info about this look on Tetley Times.) 

Wow that's a lot of stuff that's happened in the last month, though from now on I'll probably update it once a week!!