I am off on my travels again south to stay with my mother.

Since the funeral, she has had an operation and needs my nursing care and support now.

This summer, I have spent so little time at home, that I am finding it difficult to feel settled anywhere.

I have also made a concerted effort not to get too involved with home life.

They are managing fine without me.

However, I have let myself become briefly reacquainted with the foals.

At the moment, they barely know who I am but I get to tickle and receive a random nose kissey if I am very lucky.

There will be plenty of time later.

Since being sheared, the Sheeples are on fine form.

‘Bert has, at last, put on weight and looks wonderful.  All rounded out – his harsh time on the scattald (open hill) has been forgotten.

Lambie alternates between pretending he doesn’t know me or wanting biscuits.  He is very fickle and easily bought.

My little vegetable garden is going great guns too.  I did a bit of a thinning and tidy up and we had rocket for supper (so proud of myself, sniff – my first growings!)

Out in the big field, my boys are doing well.

I miss them more than words.

Everyone who lost weight this winter has put it back on again.

Once I get back properly, Newt and Albie will be gelded.

It has to be done.

And Her Maj?  Well, she is thrilled I am home and I know she is happy sleeping in Daisy’s room when I am away, so I will just count the days until I am back again.

To be honest, I am finding this very difficult.

Out of the blue, on the Saturday evening, one of the Show Committee came up and asked if Daisy would like to take part in a “best of four” class on Sunday.

None the wiser, she agreed and we were all thrilled – Daisy had been asked back to compete on the Sunday, rather than just sit there and watch.

And so, on Sunday, Kappi and Daisy returned.

Daisy had to show four gaits – walk, trot, any-speed-tölt and canter.

I will admit we were all a tad nervous since Kappi was so stiff in tölt but the extra night’s rest had worked miracles and Kappi had his beautiful tölt back plus a stonking trot and a wonderful canter.

Apparently, they take the 3 highest scores of the four gaits shown.

There were seven in the class and Daisy won!

Happy smiles everywhere for Team Thordale (and yes, I cried every time Daisy and Kappi were on the track – every single time I sobbed).

We refuse to do the what-ifs (ie what-if we had arrived another day earlier so Kappi could have rested for longer).

Kappi and Daisy did what they did to the best of both their abilities.

Daisy’s riding was beautiful and Kappi did his absolute very best.

No one could ask for more.

Yes, Kappi got his Krispy Kreme donut, as promised.

He deserved it and that was the deal (between him and me – we had a conversation earlier).

The next day we drove home to the boat – it took years out of my life but we made it safely home.

Our learning curve was vertical but I think that is not a bad thing.  Next time…….

So, here’s what happened.

The Saturday tölt was not a success.

Kappi had a horrible stiff pacey rolling tölt which was very sad.  Daisy and Bjørn (her trainer) had tried their best but it was quickly very obvious that Kappi had found the long trip (14 hours on the boat, plus another 12 travelling to England) very hard going.  Next time, we will send him with a horse transporter a week early.

This was a family event – Floss (my youngest) had just finished her four year university course and came to join us.

But you can’t make a horse do what he can’t do and Kappi struggled from all the travelling plus the weather – it was instantly more than 10 degrees than what he was used to.

Dear Kappi did his very best but it was not enough.

Daisy/Kappi were in two classes – the advanced tölt class (T1) and then a four gait class (walk, trot, slow tölt and fast tölt and canter).

Ok, slow and fast tölt were not brilliant but Daisy and Kappi achieved an amazing 7.5 (out of 10) for their walk.  That is fairly incredible in anyone’s book.

Walk

Trot

Canter

Fast Tölt

So that is how Saturday went.  Not brilliant but things we learned – Kappi needs time to acclimatise and it is a false economy to rush things.  I feel bad for Daisy and Kappi. I let them down but it won’t happen again.

Family motto – whatever it takes – quicquid capit – 不惜一切代價

Firstly, I am sorry for the small pissy little blogs while I have been away.  Personally, I blame the shitty expensive internet from Travelodge and also total exhaustion from me.  After a day of driving and being a supportive parent, I don’t actually have the energy to write a blog.

Anywho, we are all finally home from the Icelandic Horse Society of Great Britain (IHSGB) Summer Show and British Championships 2017.

Spalding is a very long way – it took us 12 hours to get from Aberdeen to Lincolnshire.

Ok, it was a very long haul but totally worth it – we met many nice people and their horses and it was also a great weekend.

The boys were brilliant – Waffle was perfect and Kappi did his very best.  Travel takes so much out of them

We took Waffle to the showground the first day but soon realised that he was perfectly happy at the livery yard so, from then on, left him there as he was much happier.

On our first day, Daisy rode Kappi in the afternoon on the oval track to practice and to get him used to the set-up.

Then, on the Saturday, Daisy got ready for her first competition.

It was a tölt class.

Kappi struggled as he had not had enough rest so they did not achieve the best result.

But, that is what we learned.  All that travel needs at least two days for Kappi to recover. He had been standing in the box for a long time, despite frequent rests en route.

The boys did not stay on the showground and I had arrange for them to stay at a wonderful livery yard – about 5 miles down the road from the showground.  Waffle made many friends and Kappi had a chance to walk and relax.

More tomorrow…..

We are on the boat after a long and successful trip. Yes, one red rosette and we are very proud of Daisy and Kappi. Waffle was also an exemplary Shetland pony who made many friends.

We are on the boat now. My feet are vibrating from the driving. We left Spalding at 05:00!

Gin and tonics all round. More tomorrow. Night, night xx