Bella Goes To The Beach!

Well I have been promising myself that I would take Bella to the beach soon and as my cousin came down this weekend I though I would kill two birds with one stone and take him, Dougal and Bella to the Beach together (with the help of my mum!).

After a good play and bareback session with Bella in the morning (prior and proper preparation)



Followed by a pub lunch, we set off online to the beach. Mum and Will played with Dougal whilst I played with Bella. Then me and Will hoped on Bareback and had a little walk round on the beach, exploring rock pools (Dougal wanting to lye in them!) and general having fun. I then got off Bella and we headed home, stopping off on the way back for some small children to come and stroke to ponies :)



Once we got back we had a visit from Janie who hasn’t seen Bella in years so it was a shock for her to see how big Bella has got!

New Field Shelter Arrives!!

The pony's are now living in luxury! Their new Redmire field shelter has arrived!

Dougal Goes To The Beach!

Well the tides, the weather and timings have finally all come into play so we took Dougal and his ever loving sharer Becca, to Climping Beach.

As Dougal has never been to the beach before we played online first and he had a whale of a time splashing in and out of the rock pools.


Once I was happy I hoped on and had a little ride round then gave him a good canter, giving him the chance to take off if he wanted, but of course being Dougal he didn’t and satisfied he was safe I handed him over to Becca to ride.


I’m not sure who enjoyed it more Dougal or Becca but I think its safe to say they both had fun. Thanks to Liz for taking the pics!

Merlina Returns

Today Liz’s old Show Jumping Mare returned after being sold 4 years ago. Welcome Back Mellie!!

Liz Comes To Visit

Bella Has been home a week or so by this point and we have had a few rides in the field ane a few short hacks out.

Liz came to visit us today, armed with phone with camera! Here are some pics of our riding session. Thanks Liz for taking them.

First Ride When Back

After Giving her a few days to settle I saddled up for our first ride together at home. I Must confess I was somewhat apprihensive, but I ran through everthing as I had with James and everything when perfectly. She wasn’t even worried about Jon’s Jack Russell puppy – Poppy, playing tuggie-tuggie on her reins !

Bella to James Roberts

Well In August 09 I took the plunge and sent Bella to 3* Parelli Professional James Roberts of the JR Foundation Station, Whiltshire, to be started for riding.

I couldn’t be happier with the result. Bella has come back like a changed horse. She went away as a cranky stroppy teenager and has come back a sweet, gentle, calm mare who is a pleasure to own. I must say James has got the most amazing facility's and the whole place is clam, friendly and relaxing.

During her time there I visited her there on the 2^nd week. Watching James work with her and many other horses was a real eye opener. I learnt so many tricks/tecnics and skills just from watching him. I really got to see what focus really meant!

I was shocked to see have far Bella had progressed in only a week! I must confess I had to do a lot of licking and chewing to get my head round the idea of her being a ridden pony! After seeing him work with her for a week I was even more convinced that I had made the right choice in sending her. My old mare was there having some schooling so it was great to see her and her new owner again too.

When I returned after the 3^rd week for the two day hand over, I was again shocked at how far she had come and I was privileged enough to get a private lesson with James in the afternoon. He went through all her training and made sure I was up to speed on what I need to do when I got home ….. Then I got my 1^st ride on her!! Wow!! I couldn’t believe how good it felt to finally be on her. She was so calm and steady that it was as if she had been doing it forever. James talked me through Direct and In-Direct Reins, Lateral Flexion, Follow the rail and transitions.

After riding for about half an hour in the indoor arena, we went and played with some clover leaf patterns in the outdoor arena, then headed off round the savvy park to ‘check fences’.

On day two of the handover all the colts and their owners, escorted By James, Josh & Janine (his working students) went on a trail ride in the Whiltshire countryside. It was great to see all the horses being such cool, calm and collected partners and we all came back beaming from ear to ear not wanting to get off!

We traveled home the next day, and even though I was sad to leave James’s (I would have happily move in!) I was looking forward to being able to ride Bella at home.

Big thank you to James, Vicky, Josh & Janine for making us both feel so at home and If anyone gets the chance to go I STRONGLY recommend it. It will be the best decision you ever make for you and your horse and I can't wait to go back with Bella for some Clinics!

Here are the links to the video's of our first ride together. Enjoy!

Level One Online Addition

Well I plucked up the courage and finally did it! Have a look and see what you think:

Jo's Level one

The Result: Level 1++ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


31 August 2009
Dear Jo,

Thank you very much for your audition! The assessment team
has viewed your audition and it was a pleasure. We appreciate the
opportunity to be a part of your horsemanship journey!!

Let me be the first to congratulate you on achieving a Level 1 Savvy
On Line!!! I have attached your scorecard for your review and you
should receive your certificate within 4-8 weeks!!!

Thanks again for your dedication to your horse and to the Parelli
program. We look forward to viewing your future success. Have fun
and keep it natural!


Yours Naturally,
Rhett Fincher

Parelli Audition Team 2009
www.parelli.com

Master Dougal

Dougal has been my solid rock over the past 10 years that I have known him. He always gives 100% and is willing to please, all in is own laid back way. He is owned by my best friends sister, who in the spring moved and offered him on loan to us.

After having my confidence some what shattered by Bella, Dougal should me what fun horses could be again and has given me a chance to see things from a different point of view.

Dougal when I meet him with my best friend Liz:

Dougal and Me now:

Although my time is mainly taken up with Bella now, I still ride and Play with Dougal weekly and he continues to be my rock. It has been great watching him explore his personality through the Parelli program. He is now the main partner for my mum who is now dedicated to learning more about Parelli.

Arabella

Bella has been my main equine partner for the past 4 years. I bought her as a 5 month old foal back in Oct 2005. We have had our share of ups and downs but thanks to starting Parelli with her 1.5 years ago we are now on a continual up.

Bella age 5.5 months old:

Bella now – age 4.5 years old:

I owe a great deal to Bella as it was her that sent me down this path as she is one of the most challanging, highly sensitive and dominant horses I have ever known, But as a great man says ‘ When the student is ready the teacher will appear’

I want to take this opportunity to thank My parents, Liz, Gill, My partner Jon, and all my close friends and family who have supported me through both the up and the down times. Also to Beth & Terri, and all the Savvy Sussex group for coming to my rescue and supporting me when things went really wrong last spring.