The month of missing shoes and a stealthy Shetland!

   Chance isn't looking like a baby anymore ... the four year old mare is changing shape almost weekly now!

It seems only like last week I sent in my last blog, time flies when you're busy!! 

Apart from being very proud of both Drum's and my performance at Geelong Horse Trials, this month has been a rather messy one. 

 

   Very happy with my boy!

Firstly, Geelong. A few weeks back I competed in my first 1* since Melbourne 2012 (where we were eliminated), safe to say I was more than nervous! Luckily for me, my training over the summer and a new mindset meant we came home with a 6th placing, 66.96% dr, 8 penalties show jumping and clear and under time cross-country. All in all a good event!  

 

   Chance at a lesson; I have never sat on such a comfortable horse before

It's been within a seven day timeframe my poor farrier has had to come out multiple times for missing shoes. The first time Chance took her shoe off in the paddock, three days later Drum took one off in the float and two days after that Chance took off the other front shoe when I took her for a canter out the back! Hmmm... Sorry Michael! 

Michael says it's the changing weather (we finally have rain and brisk mornings again); but I say my horses either have deep feelings for their farrier or are desperately trying to get a few more days off. 

To top off a strange week, Panda has turned into a professional escape artist. For those of you who don't know, Panda was originally bought by our Vet for his two little boys. Soon enough, the kids grew more interested the tractors than the pony; and, well, now the 7 year old Shetland is basically ours!
Panda has always been such an easy and adorable little guy. I often bring him in for a wash, a stable companion or just to have some fun and do little kids stuff with, because my older horses wouldn't be too impressed by that. 

The escaping began a few weeks back when I saw him flying up the drive way, with halter and lead rope attached. (During the day we take him out of his yard and tie him up with a lunge rein to a tether so he can eat the fresh green grass without getting too fat!) After having to chase panda around the property for a descent amount of time  (the little chubber's fast!!!), I eventually got him back into a paddock. 
 

   Panda heard me coming, so he hid in scrub

 

To top this little stunt off, I then thought I'd lost him all together one evening, until I saw the gate into the damn paddock was open. Panda had managed to get out of his area and take a wonder through the property, saying hi to his new friends, the broodmares and retirees. 

 

   Panda ... We can see you

Apart from having to keep a closer eye on Panda, the new escapee artist, the horses are travelling well. I'm even about to hop on my 3 year old, Wyuna First Sun, for the first time within the next few days. I think next blog will be all about my Wyuna kids! I'm very excited with what they have to offer has such young horses. 

Happy riding

Lil