Shetland is not always beautiful.  Shocking, I know, but there is the odd day when really I think it could make more of an effort.

Today would be a case in point – non-stop rain, and I mean proper rain, since last night.  Instead of soaking into the already sodden ground, it is quickly falling off the hill instead.

Still the dogs have to be walked and so, bedecked in my survival suit as it says it is waterproof, I set out, nose down not looking back…..

… until I noticed I had my two little woolly friends running after me.

Bless them, no matter where I go, and as long as I don’t have a Minion with me, my sheepies follow.

BeAnne and Loki are used to this ridiculous situation now.  They just do their own thing.

BeAnne is still considered Group Leader, though by the woollies.

They sometimes dawdle at the back but if you shout, they quickly come running.

I got home vaguely dry but feeling very worthy.  Apparently it might stop raining one day – tomorrow would be nice.  Time is drawing near and I want to go out riding with Flossie before she goes back up.  She is getting on very well on horseback.

He looks so good in it.  I just couldn’t resist.

We are not gender specific in our house with colour and I think Taktur carries this Hot Pink fleece and satin (yes, I said satin) rug off very well.

This rug is for special occasions.  Taktur will be wearing it when he goes to shows.

I think he will stand out.

Nope, I definitely know he will stand out!

I am particularly taken with the gorgeous silver brocade at the back.

Pure craftsmanship (cough).

And the KP Coat of Arms definitely excudes Class with a Capital C!

Taktur was very happy in his new-to-him rug.  He had no problems with it so I have wrapped it up carefully and put it somewhere safe for our next show outing.

Now, I wonder if I can find a matching one for Storm.  Is that a jealous face I see?

Oh golly, look what I have just found on Fleabay!  Off to measure Taktur’s mini-me.

Bjørn very kindly gave Flossie a proper riding lesson to teach her the essential basics of riding.  The foundations from which it all comes from.

It has been a very long time since Floss has wanted a real riding lesson from a real instructor.

Both Iacs and Flossie listened carefully to the instruction.

And then carried it out to the best of their ability.

The Olympic Games Selection Committee were busy so they sent a substitute to watch on their behalf.

There was walking and trotting and Floss learned halt and half halts on both reins.

They both looked very good and, more importantly. relaxed.

And then Bjørn asked Floss to cross her stirrups – a slight panic but Floss acquiesced.

Floss said the first ten seconds were scary and then she got used to it.

This is her “Concentration” face.

So off they went without stirrups to practice steering, halts and half halts.

Again, there was listening.

Concentration (both) ….

And even a smile as Floss realised she could do this.

The end of the lesson arrived and out came Iacs’ imaginary nose-wheel.

So well done my Flossie – you were brilliant and thank you Iacs – you were a gentleman and thank you Bjørn for the “proper” lesson.

❤ So proud – sniff – so proud ❤

Now this is a new low.

I have had to sit on this blog for 24 hours before I wrote it because I didn’t want my laptop to spontaneously combust with my anger.

I found this photo of Lyra who is apparently in need of desperate help and ££££ on Twitter…….

It was been reposted, or forwarded, 59 times.  Even lucky Clare Balding (presenter, writer, broadcaster) has received it.

Here is the GoFundMe.com page that the tweet was linked to.   You can see that since December 2014, 41 generous folk have donated £1100 of the £10k they need based on Lyra’s photo.

@nfieldanimalhav is Northfields Animal Haven.  It is not a registered charity but a registered not-for-profit organisation based in Scotland.

This is the original photo.  My photo.  My photo of Lyra as a yearling about to have all her fur stripped off.  No one looks their best this time of year but she is certainly not a rescue case.

You may remember the blog I wrote – https://myshetland.co.uk/for-sale-foal-fur/

So you can imagine my rage to see the begging-for-money photo featuring a Shetland pony, a very healthy Lyra, that has NOTHING to do with the Animal Haven and is not in need of rescuing.

This is Lyra, by the way, a few days ago saying goodbye to her owner, Daisy, who, no doubt will be very keen to talk to her father about this situation.  He is a lawyer.

I am raging.  I hate thievery and deception.

Another day, another lesson but this time with a very critical audience watching.

Flossie can tack up Iacs on her own now.  I left her to it but checked it before she got on.  All was fine, though I tightened the drop noseband by one hole because I am mean like that.

First, she started off by walking Iacs on a long rein so he could stretch down and trundle along with his nose on the floor.

Then she gradually gathered up the reins and the work began.  Note the addition of the purple crop.  It is more of a visual aid for Iacs as he was about to go to nod-off   If Iacs knows his rider has it, then he wakes up.  It has never actually been used.

The Art of Steering was mastered.

Trot or Bimble, as it is known, went along nicely – this is a little known Icelandic gait.

Even canter on both reins.  Go Team Flossie!

Watching carefully and making notes were the Olympic Games Selection Committee.

They even checked one of the obstacles to make sure it was positioned correctly.

The final obligatory nose-wheel walk.

After the lesson, Flossie said her legs and bum ached.  I told her this meant she had used them to ride as opposed to being a passenger.  Iacs had his “no comment” face on.

After the tiniest carrot reward, Iacs was returned to his field while was Flossie was left to face a rigorous questioning from the Olympic Games Selection Committee who were both in agreement that she did very well at that weird riding thing!