Monday 10 September 2007

Totally Horsed Out!



On Friday it was Chris's Birthday, and each year we do an "activity" day. Last year I took him mountain biking - which he absolutely hated, so this year I booked a picnic lunch trail ride at Brenfield, Lochgilphead. We had a wonderful day and Chris really enjoyed the outing. We rode up in the hills on and off the forestry tracks for three hours - brill - there was only one downside to the day and that was the weather - it was dull and threatened to rain all morning, so we couldn't really see the view! By 4pm it was pouring, but by then it was too late as we had had the horses swimming in the sea and were soaked anyway!
After our ride, we took the dogs to a forestry walk near Cairnban, and let them run about for an hour. By this time we were completely soaked to the skin and had two very wet dogs. So we packed up and went to stay with friends that live nearby and had a bottle of champagne to celebrate. Then when we had managed to dry off, Chris and I went for dinner at the local Inn, which was superb. (Our friends could not join us for dinner, as their daughter was having a Birthday Party that night too.)
Saturday, after a wonderful breakfast, we headed home. I had to get Bombay and Maud ready for Strathendrick Riding Club open show on Sunday. This meant, schooling, brushing, cleaning, plating (Bombay only) and cleaning tack. A very busy and long day. I also had to try and wash out the salt sea water out of my leather riding boots and get them dry for Sunday! I'm happy to report that I did manage to get them clean and almost dry for the show.
My sister prepared a fabulous packed lunch for all the family on Sunday. Her two girls were riding Maud, and they did exceedingly well. Maud was placed 5th in the ridden M&M class, but unplaced in the pony club class. There were so many ponies in the pony club class and all of them very experienced, but our Maud held her own and did her best - she was getting very tired and her class ran for an hour! Bombay too won a 3rd and 5th place in the two classes he was entered in too.
So that's it for another year. I would jut like to take this opportunity to thank my sister and her husband for the fantastic packed lunches they have so generously supplied on each outing and for letting their children compete on Maud help to educate her; the girls for being enthusiastic; Mum and Dad for the use of the horse box and the horse - Bombay; and finally Chris for being there - even if he didn't watched the right classes! Also for looking after my dogs on these days.
Until next spring!