Circa 1973 when I was about 10 years old, I was give a purple autograph book.

It is full of autographs.  The usual ditties from my primary and secondary school.

Anyway, I found the book tucked away in a drawer and in it were my autographs.

There are the usual from my family, but there are also a few famous ones from the horse world. My parents once took us to Hickstead in 1973.

Paddy McMahon – he won the European Show Jumping Championships in 1973.

Dick Stillwell – a well known trainer of top show jumping and eventing riders.

Jane Holderness Roddam (née Bullen) – a British event rider.  She won Badminton Horse Trials in 1968 and 1978 as well as Burghley Horse Trials in 1976.  She competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, winning team gold for Great Britain.

The luscious Richard Meade – Britain’s most successful equestrian Olympian. He was a triple Olympic gold medalist and the first British rider to win an individual Olympic title. He also won five World Championship medals, including team golds in 1970 and 1982.

Marion Mould (née Coakes) – an English show-jumper. She competed for Great Britain at the 1968 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal in the individual jumping event.  She was also the owner and rider of the famous Stroller (14.1 hands bay gelding), who  jumped one of the only two clear rounds in the Olympic individual championship. In 1967, Marion rode Stroller to victory in the Hickstead Derby, the only pony to have ever won this event.  Stroller was a legend and I remember we all aspired to be Marion and Stroller in our childhood dreams.

George Hobbs – show jumper

And, lastly, Chris Collins – show jumper.

These autographs have brought back some good childhood memories.

(Other autographs include Peter Pears, Murray Perahia and Imogen Holst – but that’s for another day!)

I am suffering from yesterday – I need to rest.

So, today’s blog will be short.

Everyone is fine.

Lambie is being special.

He is practising his “noble prow”.

From both sides.

In fact, if there was a sheep modelling agency, Lambie would be signed up immediately.

Lambie is truly perfect.

He could even be a screen-saver – (let me know if you want me to send you a copy of the photo!)

‘Ster was in one of his aloof “everyone-could-be-a-murderer” moods.

I could be bothered with talking him out of it, so I took my camera to photograph little Albie drinking his lunch.

I particularly wanted to share with you Albie’s “lovely” milky whiskers.

Every year the Shetland Pony Breeders of Shetland host The Viking Shetland Pony Show.

Today it took place at the Cunningsburgh Show Ground – a new venue from usual but one that worked very well.

There were three rings – the Ridden Shetland pony ring…..

The Standard Shetland pony ring….

And the Miniature Shetland pony ring.

There was winning…..

… and smiling.

Good horsemanship

Expertly shown ponies.

As well as foals that looked like teddy bears!

New friends were introduced

Tentatitive friendships made

while Mutual Admiration Societies were formed!

Leaky bucets hauled.

The rain, it did fall.  Oh, how it poured.

One pony was determined to spend her day sitting down getting more and more filthy.

Lauren was given the job to help!

The judges worked hard.

Apparently the sun shone briefly – I do not remember this.

And on the other side of the road, there was the Mind Your Head Fun Run and Walk.  For me, the words “Fun” and “Run” do not work well together in the same sentence.

But, despite the god-awful weather, there was good turnout and everyone went at a fair pace.

Photos were taken (I can vouch for that).

A film crew was present (along with BeAnne’s most favourite toy furry animal ever).

And winners made – Snelsmore Karisma, the Overall Reserve Champion from Bergli Shetland Pony Stud.  Note, all Lauren’s efforts were rewarded.  One beautiful pure white and black Shetland pony as opposed to the green version she wanted to be.

I am exhausted.  Totally dead.  I need my bed.

And this is my most favourite photo of the day.

Efstur, our Icelandic horse colt foal, will have to be micro-chipped before the end of the year.  It is imperative we achieve this.

With it in mind, we are introducing Efstur to the thought of wearing a head collar.

He likes the head collar.

But he couldn’t eat a whole one!

Flossie is using the “look-at-your-friend-wear-it” method of training.

We let Efstur play with it.

And Flossie rewards him for taking an interest and not running away in a panic.

Then there is the rope, which we use to simulate something around his head.

He needs to get used to the feeling of this…..

…. and around his nose.

Efstur needs to learn that no one has ever died from wearing a head collar.

He likes the rope.

Next is the feeling of putting something round his neck.

Flossie and Efstur have been working very hard together for the past week and their efforts are beginning to show.

We all agree that, having brought Hjalti home, there has been a change in both of them.

Hjalti enjoys his “big brother” role in this herd and has risen to the challenge beautifully.

Efstur, on the other hoof, is a devoted disciple of Hjalti and worships the ground he tölts on. His behaviour has improved immensely since Hjalti’s arrival.

If Hjalti says everything is fine then Efstur believes him.

Hjalti is Efstur’s voice of reason, along with teaching him his manners and looking after him, in return.

It is a lovely relationship to watch.

Taktur started his competition training again a few weeks’ ago.  It is not all going round in endless circles in the indoor school.  We like to go outside too.  It broadens the mind.

Taktur’s training will be a long slow process and one that Daisy, his owner and rider, takes very seriously.  Bjørn Roar Larsen (FEIF Instructor/Trainer Level 3) did the foundation work and now it is time for Daisy to take over if she wants to establish a good working relationship with Taktur. Bjørn is their trainer.

Nothing will be rushed and Taktur’s mental and physical health are Daisy’s priority – as well as his Big Hair!

And his Big Tail.

I love this photo – Daisy’s silly grin says it all.

She adores Taktur.

They make a great team.

He is the black stallion she has always wanted (sadly, Indy was just that bit too small).

I was riding Haakon, as always a bit behind – we are not as fast as we used to be, when we spied Daisy and Taktur sharing special moment together …..

Daisy:  One day, all this will be yours
Taktur:  What?  the curtains!

with apologies to Monty Python

Another soppy minute together.

As always, training is not about looking beautiful, it is about working the muscles that make the beauty.  So “long and low” is hugely encouraged.

This has to be my most favourite view.  Haakon’s happy little black-tipped ears pointing towards the world in front of us.

Haakon has always taken an interest in his surroundings.  He rarely spooks because he is continuously looking around evaluating the situation.

And yes, we do come across cars, occasionally and yes, everyone is fine, even tractors and quads.

We ❤ our horses.