Still no sign of Cricket

Its now been 4 weeks and 1 day and still no sign of Cricket. Really hope she is alive and just lost somewhere. Hope she comes home soon.

Cricket come home

My poor little Cricket has been missing since Wednesday 22nd April. Hopefully I'll find her soon before its too late. Cricket please come home - me and your sister miss you.

OMG we got an extended trot

Had an OMG moment last night with Star. We did our first ever extended trot and it was quite nice too. OK it was only out hacking but still its progress! Now lets see if he can repeat the task and do it again in the future.

Next week he's getting shoes put on so will be interesting to see how much of a difference that will make. Poor little boy is finding the ground quite hard at the moment and thinks the stones are quite ouchy.

Also tonight will be the first time I've got him tube drenched as well. Dont know if he's been done before I got him so will be interesting to see how he behaves. Shouldnt be an issue but I'll reserve that until the deed is done.

Stars Big Day Out

Introducing Star (or Ballinamore - that's his flash race name). Star is a 4yr old Standardbred who's breeding is by Courage Under Fire out of Basoko. I've had him for about a year now and hes been lightly hacked out for that time and learnt all sort of wonderful things like how to open gates (and close them again without getting stuck in the gate), puddles can be walked through and not stag leaped over and chasing cows and sheep can be good fun.

On Sunday 18th of January he went to his first ever ribbonday at Papatoetoe PC. All very mind boggling for a young little fella to try and figure out. All these horses to talk to and all this stuff to sniff. For his first time out we was quite well behaved considering - only had a couple of semi bucks/kick outs. Not sure if it was excitement or he wasn't sure of the arena surface flicking up at him. Was a bit hyped up to start but within the hour had settled down and was most probably knowing him thinking 'ok I've done this now its getting boring - whats next'. He came home with a total of 3 ribbons - all of them 4ths. First one was for turnout, second one was for rider and horse combination and last was for pairs with his friend Jimmy (graze together in the same paddock).

Thought I better let you see the photo of him and his first ever ribbons. Hopefully he will get a lot more especially when he becomes a big horsey.

More things that should not be.

This is Beggar. Approximately about 10 years ago Joey and Beggar meet and from there on had a great time exploring and having fun together.

Beggars main mum was assigned to work overseas so he found 2 new sort of temperary mums who loved him heaps as well. He finally moved down to live in Pahiatua where he was happy.

On the 20th September 2008 his current mum went out to check on all the ponies to find Beggar had passed over the Rainbow Bridge. Only a couple of hours earlier he was a happy boy eating grass. He passed quietly and peacefully and that is what we all want for our loved ones.

This message is for Beggar - if you can hear me help Joey cross the Rainbow Bridge easily so you can both be together and have fun - go for a good hoon. All of us that love you both will see you both again on the other side. Dont worry we will bring the oddfellows.

Bye bye my little boy :-(

Some days you just wish never come. That was today. At just after 11am today I had to say goodbye to Joey because of colic. He was such a brave little boy and hung in there long enough for us to get him home and let him lay at rest with his friends.

Joey my boy I will miss you soooooo much. He was such a great boy, totally honest, reliable and such a brilliant companion to me over the last 12 years. He was my rock in hard times and brought me back to reality when I need it.

I got him on the 18th December 1996 and still remember the panic of the first storm that we had that following January. Boy what a storm and went out to the grazing to check on him like all paranoid new mums do and couldnt find him anywhere. All the other horses where shivering their little bums off and thought the worse after 30mins and still no horse. Finally found him - he had wedged himself into a nice little bush and you could only just see his ears popping out the top. Guess what - yip nice and warm and dry. Good sensible boy.

Every single show he went to he never came home without a ribbon. Even the toughies like the Easter Show and Clevedon ORD or the Franklin A&P. Think he use to flutter those eye lashing of his at the judges. Paced the whole thing and still come home with the goodies.

Joey did not look his age and diffinately didnt act it either. At the age of 30 (and as of last weekend - Labour weekend) could still out do my young one for going for a little blat.

My little boy RIP and have a good time over the rainbow bridge - one day again we will ride together and go for a good blat - just me and you.