So Close

Richie came second again on Sunday. Which was great, apart from that this time we really thought he would win. But then this stupid horse that had not finished one jump race this season with the rider still on decided it was time to behave. That’s racing for you.

Richie jumped well, tried his best and really we could not have expected any more. But nonetheless it was a bit of a disappointment. Put in the words of mum “Why could that stupid horse not have thrown its rider off today like it normally does?”

Well, I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I feel the same way. Not that I want to see anyone get hurt mind you, but a soft fall after the fourth fence like last time surely couldn’t be too much to ask…

But Dad decided to look on the bright side of things: With the first prize also including another gym membership, at least he didn’t have to join me at the gym. The next race is sponsored by Jack Daniels – that is much more to his liking.

So That Was Why...

Thursday, 30 August 2007

After the race on the Derby day Richie had a slight nosebleed. The vet was called out, all appropriate tests carried out and the answer was a throat infection. The vet reckoned he had been put back at least 30 percent. So a fourth place was a very decent performance and more than we could have asked for anyway.

The trouble with Richie is that he must have an extremely high pain threshold. He was still eating, still happily working and pulling his leader around the parade ring before the race with that naughty school boy look on his face. No one could have known.

When he pulled one of the muscles in his back right off at the end of the season as a two year old he was only lame for two days. Luckily the injury was fairly obvious so we gave him two months off before I spent the winter slowly bringing him back again.

He is now receiving the appropriate treatment and will be checked again shortly to monitor his recovery. Hopefully he will be fit for fight again pretty soon.

Big Day for the Little One

Pic: Getting tired and more interested in chewing my shoes...

On Saturday my little baby had his first experience of the big world. It consisted of the inside of a trailer, a panel of serious looking judges and more other horses than he had ever seen in his life, and a surprising amount of them his size.

He took it all in his stride, but was fairly subdued compared to what he is normally like at home. Most of the time he stood nicely next to his mother watching the others and in the ring he followed me around like a little dog. So in other words my worry about him misbehaving was unfounded.

As for the actual evaluation it went well too. For a moment I was a bit worried as the judges seemed to take a dislike to his mother, and her neck in particular. But in the end he got good marks for his conformation and was marked down on his trot and canter.

Marks:

Type 8
Head/neck/body 8.5
Legs 8
Walk 9
Trot 6
Canter 6.5

Overall impression 7.5


I choose to explain his lack of paces with his young age and the tiring journey. The trot mark is fair enough but I refuse to worry about his canter seeing that his mother is a race horse and his father got a 10 for his canter. I opt for the excuse used by most parents when their offspring underachieve; he was just having an off day. He was just overwhelmed by the pressure. He is very talented really.

On a more serious note I have to say that at least he got good marks on the things that are impossible to improve, like conformation and walk. The canter will come I’m sure and the trot we will just have to work on. Besides the other week we happened to see Foal of the Year 2004 and it was not exactly anything to get over excited about… It is a difficult game to predict the future. I’m afraid I have to wait until he is three and I am actually sat on him to know whether I have got myself a really nice horse or not.

His First Little Friend

About three weeks ago Romantico made his first little friend. Or actually she was not so small. And in his opinion not so friendly either. Despite her attempts to approach him he was terrified.

Whenever she approached he would shy away and hide behind me or Bellis for comfort. He was like a small child clinging to his mother(s) legs at his first birthday party. Luckily his mother is well hard, Bellis that is NOT me, and sends the other two running if they get too close.

The way he has been acting lately I have to say it came as quite a surprise. This was miles away from the cheeky little sod he has been lately, raring up on his mother and biting us in the knees. Suddenly it is in his interest to behave well.

The other mare and her foal, Chloe, stayed with us for two weeks up to the foal show. Bellis seemed to really appreciate the company, although she was careful not so show it too much. And the day before the show Romantico seemed to have overcome the fear of his two month older new girlfriend and actually instigated a play fight. I’m sure they both miss them now that they are gone…

Love at First Sight

Wednesday, 29 August 2007

He’s got the longest legs, the cutest face and the softest little muzzle. From the minute he drew his first breath in this world I felt an overwhelming love for him. Two months later I can’t imagine life without him.

He is my first own horse and I cannot wait to watch him grow up. And it is something about animal babies that make you feel happy just looking at them. When he curls up to sleep he is just too cute.

I know, I am going soft. Completely and utterly. But it is so worth it!