Winter fun

All go here at 'Rivington' at present with Fenella breaking ponies and Isabelle and I schooling a couple. Added to that our normal jobs making the days quite long and tiring. I must admit it does leave you with a feeling of satisfaction especially when you are seeing progress!
I have just started schooling a pony over jumps and find I am really enjoying it. Feel more like I'm in my 20's rather than about to turn 50. Hope I can keep that happening, stuff getting old!!
Photo's are a mix of the last couple of days. The Banksia grow wild along the road side, a bright spot amongst the winter gloom. The Cacti and Red Hot Pokers are part of my mothers garden and of course the obligatory photo's of Fern and ponies.

me jumping Charlie (Rivington Wind chime/Welsh B mare)

me jumping Charlie (Rivington Wind chime/Welsh B mare)

Fenella on one of the breakers

Cacti in my mothers garden

Fenella on another breaker

ever patient Fern

Red Hot Pokers in my mothers garden

Banksia growing along the road side

Banksia growing along the road side

Banksia growing along the road side

I think these pine trees were planted by my Grandfather



Rivington Spring Rain standing guard over his kingdom!

Isabelle riding Rivington Hurrah



The good & the bad

Love my hairdresser! Two hours of just sitting and being pampered was bliss made the one and a half hour drive home worth it. That was yesterday!

Today started as per usual other than putting the weanling colt Nev out in the paddock (see photo's). Fern and I then started our rounds and were half way around when we came across the burnt out remains of a car. Stupid ferals had bogged it before torching it on the side of the road. We have young fillies in the paddock right next where these idiots torched the car...poor ponies must have been wondering what on earth was going on. Pity they can't talk!!
Tonight Fern and I were walking home from the stables and by the front door came across a poor little Red-browed Finch. It had hit the glass door and was fluttering around quite dazed. I picked him up, took some photo's and once he was a little steadier popped him back outside in a sheltered spot. He took a few minutes more to clear his head before flying off to find his mate.

bogged, burnt & left

Welsh B colt 'Nev'

Australian Red-browed Finch

Australian Red-browed Finch



Fern wondering what all the fuss is about



Blowing in the wind

I play defence in netball and on Saturday we played in windy cold conditions to be up all game and end it in a draw...very disappointing but better than a loss!
Sunday was again windy and cold. Rivington Rowena went off to her new home in the morning. Very sad to see her go but her new family are lovely and I'm sure she will be loved and well looked after. I had just sat down to lunch when the phone rang. A group of people wanting to be shown around the stud and the weather was deteriorating! They duly arrive and ask to see the Welsh Mountain Stallions and any ne14hh ponies we might have for sale. By this stage the weather has turned to gale force winds and freezing temperatures. I drive them to see the pony for sale and while they all shiver I suggest they check the website for stallions available. Yes they agree and jump back into their warm car and drive away! I feel it may have been a wasted afternoon but you never know.
Yesterday was very very wet and windy! Fern and I did our jobs and were back inside by the fire by mid morning. There we stayed until the afternoon were due to be done.
Today was another very windy day but the sun chose to shine for most of it. Fern and I did the rounds and I managed to fill another stable with shavings. Photo's are from today.

Fern

Rivington Hurrah in being prepared for the coming show season

One of the Welsh B mares with her mane & fore lock blowing in the wind

A Welsh Mountain mare with that blown away look

One of the B mares enjoying the sun despite the wind

Ducks on a windy dam

Perfect weather

This perfect weather has kept me outside and away from the computer. Fenella is home for about four weeks from University where she is studying Veterinay Science. They have just had exams. She has a whole heap of ponies booked in to be broken or educated which will keep her busy plus give her some much needed money.
I also have one of Fenella's fellow Uni students 'Sky' here doing her horse placement. Poor Sky drew the short straw as we are gutting stables this week.
Fern has been loving the extra attention but is proving to be a bit willful because of it. I have put her back on the lead which seems to be working and her focus is coming back on me again. She is asleep at my feet as I type away.
The photo's below are of the last few days.

frosty mornings & cobwebs

minimal wind equals great reflections

duck

more reflections

using AI the cows are busy jumping letting us know they are ready to be mated

Fenella riding her Welsh Cob Stallion after a 4 month break

Rivington Ascot
A young Welsh Mountain stallion