Nighttide

The update on little Surf  – NIGHTTIDE – is that she’s now just shy of nine months old (born April 12) and is a full-fledged weanling.  She lives in a pasture with four other warmblood girls about 20 miles or so from my house.  She handled weaning very well…once she realized that she was a horse and not a human!  She had never seen other babies before, and so acted as if she didn’t belong with them…and as a result tried to climb the fence in order to get back with her people.  After just a  few “explanations” she got it, and now she’s just growing up.  I (and other members of her fan club) visit her once or twice a week, depending on schedules.

Here’s a bit about her.

Surf’s personality remains absolutely stellar: She loves people and prefers to be with them.  To quote what the German judge repeatedly said about her at the Oldenburg GOV inspection, “She’s so sweet!”  Complete strangers go on and on about her because of her personality.  She is also amazingly non-spooky.  Nothing seems to faze her.  A few weeks ago we walked her all over a flapping grey tarp held down by tires in blustery conditions, and she didn’t bat an eye.  Incredible!

Physically, she’s growing well.  She’s getting taller, but she still looks “immature” in the sense that she’s still all legs.  So…hopefully that’s a sign that I won’t be dealing with joint issues!  She can take all the time she wants to grow…I’m in no hurry.

As far as her movement goes, she seems to prefer to travel like a hunter without much knee-bend.  I find that curious since Raven doesn’t move like that, and Lingh certainly doesn’t, either.  On the other hand, she is tremendously limber, with a shoulder range if you pick up a leg that is much more characteristic of Lingh.  However, Holly Simensen of the Oldenburg GOV said to me more than once after Surf was inspected that Lingh babies tend to take time to develop motion, and she said that Lingh, himself, did, too.  Again, I’m in no hurry whatsoever.  Besides, I’m getting the distinct impression that she may want to be a jumper (which began when she jumped out of a turn-out at age of two weeks!), which happens to dovetail with something else that was commented upon after the inspection–when Surf was 3-1/2 months old.  The person said that the woman assisting her was very interested in Surf as a hunter if I didn’t want her (which, of course, isn’t the case!)  No clue if she was just being nice or what, but it was an interesting comment nonetheless.  Whatever Surf ends up wanting to do is fine, and watching her grow and develop is half the fun!

I’ve attached a few pictures of the Munchkin.  The first shows a friend of mine holding her.  My friend is not very tall…those boots she’s wearing are kids’ boots!…so it’s not as if Surf is 20 hands tall.  The next two illustrate the typical situation with Surf: All the kids come out and mess with her, and she’s always gentle and obviously loves the attention.  The last picture is a cute head shot.  Please don’t mention the halter…the kids insist that she wear that ugly thing because it belonged to another horse in their “group”!  …but Surf doesn’t mind, as long as she’s getting petted, fooled with, and fed peppermints and cookies.

Happy New Year, thanks for asking how she is doing.

Tall legs !

Many hands on "Surf"

BUSILUS IN COMPETITION

Busi has been on holiday out in the field for the last 6 weeks but prior to that she got a regional qualification at Preliminary level and Novice Freestyle.  I am delighted and the regional’s will take place at the end of February so I am really looking forward to that.  She has also qualified for the Petplan Championships down in England at Hartpury in April so I hope to take her down south to that.  I plan on getting her back into work this week after her short  break.  She has been amazing and achieved alot in a short space of time.  I have attached a picture and also a copy of her picture and a small write up that appeared in the Horse and Hound. It has always been a dream of mine to get a picture in the Horse and Hound so now I have acheived that.  I am just delighted with her. I will keep you posted on our progress this year.

THE BACK STORY….

We purchased Busilus as a timid and quiet character back in October 2009 as a three year old, she was unbroken and unhandled and seemed very sharp indeed.  Due to the very hard winter in Scotland we were unable to start her training until the end of February but my what a fantastic horse she is turning into.  She very quickly turned into a quiet, trusting and very affectionate horse.  Within 2 days of handling she was catching and tieing up, having her feet picked up.  Right away we knew that she was going to be extremely intelligent.  Within a couple days of the long reins being introduced she was being long reined around the roads and tracks of the estate where we live, totally unphased by anything.  I have produced quite a few horses now and have never had one with such intelligence that is so keen to learn and please.  She really seems to love her work and when the time came to back her she was so quiet… a far cry from the worried filly we first saw back in October.  She is so trusting too and what a cheeky wee character she now has.  She just seems to love her work and has a great attitude, I think she will be a fantastic dressage prospect with the brain she has.  She gets alot of love and affection and I know that she too loves us and enjoys her new home and life… as soon as we go outside she comes over to the yard to see what we are doing…. so inquisitive.  I cannot wait to start riding her properly, she is the most exciting prospect I have ever had 🙂

Thanks
Sam

Making the dream a reality....a story in Horse and Hound ! Fantastic !

Bellinghton (Lingh x Farrington) – 20/11/2009

Mireille Klip sparkles with her horse Bellinghton (Lingh xFarrington) born 14/04/2006. They are featured on the website of the owner Karin Offield of Lingh.http: / / www.offieldfarms.com / Offield /-breeding stallions/Lingh. Blingh is a beautiful bay gelding and is reasonably short behind the saddle, and already has very strong hindquarters and shows a lot of  flexibility and natural upward movement.  He has an ideal character and together with Mireille it’s a good combination. Keep up the good work Mireille!  www.dressuur-training.nl

“Dear Karin,   I would like to let you know how how Bellinghton is doing!  I started in July with competitions in the B Level , after 5 competitions I am now in “L”.   I get a lot of compliments for him, and also people want to buy him! He looks more and more  the same as his father!! “

JANUARY 4,  2011

” With us every thing is all right !   We won the first in the Thursday Show with 197 points.  Now we are starting in the L1.

Below you will find a small youtube video of Bellinghton during last Thursdays dressage.  It gives you an idea how things are going over here. Best regards, Mireille