All Rugged up and Nowhere to go?

Hello Everyone

Big T here - and I mean BIG! The Stud Manager says I've grown - up and out according to him, but I'm not sure about the latter - not very flattering if you ask me. I don't know what he expected, I'm here to grow and as you know I ALWAYS do as I'm told.

As you can see from the latest photos, its a bit colder now so we are rugged up during the day - I rather like the natty red myself - it does help to keep the rain off and boy have we had a lot of rain recently - on the upside though the grass has kept growing which for a growing girl is rather key. I still have my friend with me - although between you and me, although she is lovely out in the field, she does get a bit wild when we go in, and is always trying to get our of her stable. Now why she wants to do this I can't imagine - its soooooo cosy and snuggly inside and of course we get our grub which is the main attraction as far as I'm concerned.

I've heard a rumour that I'm going back to Summerdown before Christmas - so watch this space - as long as Santa knows where to find me I don't mind.

Bye for now - from a contented

Thelma

Under the Weather

Oh Dear! I've been feeling rather sorry for myself as, just when I was feeling really perky and ready to run in another race, I came down with a temperature. What a disappointment - I was all psyched up and feeling as fit as a flea and then wham, I bet one of the others gave it to me - I won't point any fingers but.......

Anyway, after a course of antibiotics and a few days on the easy list I'm back on form and easing back into my work routine. I must say it hasn't been too difficult as the weather has been absolutely gorgeous and I have loved having the warm sun on my back - its been so warm at night too. I'm sure it won't last so I shall make the most of it while I can.

Now its started raining again and my Trainer said I did a good piece of work on the grass so he is hoping to find a race for me before the end of the season. So onwards and upwards that what I'm thinking. Hopefully I can report back from the racecourse soon - but time is running out fast - so hopefully I can outrun time!

love Fleur

Racing About

What have I been doing Thelma says - well let me tell you. I've been RACING - thats what! Just how much excitement can a girl take.

It all started a couple of weeks ago when I had my first canter on the grass. It went well and I heard my Trainer say that I might be ready for an entry. Now I had to ask one of the others what that meant, but when they told me it meant I could go racing I really pricked my ears and started to put my best foot forward. After all this is what I'm supposed to be doing.

So, a couple of weeks later the day arrived. Off I went in the horsebox with three others - which was nice as it was quite a long journey. Then out the other end and into the course stables. After a while, a bit of a walk to another stables where the Trainer came and saddled me up. Now, I noticed that the Mrs was there with some others so I really was on my best behaviour, especially as my Groom had made me look so smart - I particularly liked my rather natty red and green browband - how nice did that look?!

Then off to the parade ring with the other horses - my what a lot of people and noise there was - I spotted the Gaffer, the Trainer and some of my other Owners and then my Jockey! This was for real. A loud bell rang and my jockey came over, got a leg up and then we were off to the start.

Now my Trainer had been very thoughtful and sent the Head Lad to the stalls to lead me in - now why they thought he had to do that is anybody's guess as I was as good as gold - so in I popped and, before I knew, it the gates were back and we were off and there I was running in a race. Now we went a bit lickedy split but I kept up and I was right there - on and on we went - up and down and then I could see the winning post. Now I have to admit I did get a bit tired just before the end and ran out of puff a bit, but I kept going and when I looked up I realised I had come fourth! Me - in my first race. Now I was really pleased with that - but what would the rest of the team think?

I needn't have worried - they all seemed really delighted as they gathered around me and told me what a clever girl I'd been - well I agree with them - I think that WAS rather good. Then before I knew it I was back at the stables for a wash down, into the horsebox and then home and tucked up in my stall having dinner.

What a day - I was glad to get home for a rest - but I definately think I'm going to like this racing business - after all its what I'm bred for.

By the way its a small world - one of the horses in my race was A who went to the Stud with Big T back in the summer (I beat her home!). Imagine that - do you think Big T and I will ever end up in the same race? I'll have a think about that one!

From a tired but happy

Fleur

Going round in circles

Here we are again - where are we - well back at Fonthill Stud. I can't keep up. One minute I'm here, then I'm there and then I do it all over again! Well after the visit from The Mrs, The Gaffer and some Owners and together with The Trainer and their decision that I just need some time to keep on growing - I am rather a big girl (though perfectly formed)- they will unleash me onto the racecourse in the new year.

I'm a bit disappointed as I wanted to get on with things this year, but if The Trainer thinks its the right thing to do then who am I to argue? So, anyway back onto the lorry I went and am now back enjoying a nice leisurely time in the paddocks with lots of lovely grass. The same team are looking after me and everyone is very kind so whats not to like? The Mrs and The Gaffer came by to see me after a few days of settling in as they live very close by. I'm sure they will pop in regularly so that will be nice as I like being sociable and its a bit quiet here after all the hustle and bustle of the yard.

Still I have plenty of time to dream about racing - I wonder what LouLous up to?

Bye for now

Thelma

Looking good

Well hello - Big T here. What have I been doing since I last wrote I hear you ask? Let me tell you - I went back to Summerdown where to be honest there hasn't been a whole lot of summer about. I mean last night it was soo cold that I had to have my rug on overnight in my stable - in August!!!!

My days have been the usual routine - up early, a bit of breakfast and then out on the gallops, a wash down, a pick of grass and more eating - lovely. I've also been growing I think. This week though my Team came to see me and, thank goodness, it was a lovely morning - the sun was shining and I have to say it was rather lovely out on the gallops. I did a very sedate couple of canters up the all weather strip and then the Team came to see me in the yard.

Now according to my Trainer, I'm still growing and up behind whatever that means - with a name like Primacy I personally don't think I'm behind anything, but then what do I know! Anyway it all sounded good - apparently I have big ears, a deep girth, lots of bone and a big backside - all of which are considered good things I heard someone say - but I am still growing so I'm going off to have a bit of growing time back at the Stud. Now I have to say that sounds good to me as I will be out in the field again with a chum and will be eating all that lovely summer grass. As long as my chum knows who the boss is everthing should go swimmingly, and I know The Gaffer and The Mrs will pop in to see me as they are just around the corner - lovely.

So I will be taking it a bit easy while Fleur is working - perfect!

love from a very laid back

Primacy

It never rains .......

You haven't heard from me for a bit - but I'm still here! This week I had a visit from the Team. Now last time The Gaffer and The Mrs came it was a lovely day - well you couldn't say the same this time. It was horrible! Talk about wet,wet,wet!!!!!!!

Now I don't mind too much but, as we came up the gallops, I could see the Team all huddled together in their wet weather gear trying to look as though they were enjoying things. I don't see how - it was lashing down. Anyway, I did two canters up the all weather strip and did well I think. I feel that I have grown up quite a bit. I've stopped fidgeting all the time and just do my work calmly and nicely. I think all the riders like getting on me now as I'm so relaxed.

We didn't dwell on the gallops as it was so miserable and just headed home as soon as we could for a nice rub down and a pick of hay. The Team came to see me in my stable - I heard lots of admiring comments which was nice, and the Trainer said I had come on a lot and that he was pleased with me which was even better. Now I was so settled and took no notice of all the people in my box and just ate my hay and then had a nice roll as my coat was a bit itchy after all that rain - they just had to move aside a bit!

Hopefully, next time they come the sun will shine and I can show off my lovely coat - wet weather does nothing for a girls hair.

from a soggy stable

Fleur

On my toes

My Trainer is keeping me on my toes - you'll never guess where I am? I've been sent on a little holiday, along with my mate A, to the Stud to have a little R & R. Not that there's anything wrong with me, but my Trainer thought that as it is still early in the season,and I'm still growing, I would benefit from a nice little holiday.

Well I'm all for that! I've got a lovely cool stable at the top of the hill right beside A, and we are turned out every day in the field where there is lots of lovely grass and a nice bit of shade when it gets hot. It's bliss! All I can eat, a nice view, a friend to play with and people who fuss over me.

I do like to keep them on their toes though and all this sunshine, food and fresh air has made me feel full of the joys of spring, and if I'm feeling particulary full of myself I will have a little rear and prance on my way in and out of the field just to show everyone how well I am. I also have to keep and eye on A and make it quite clear to her who is boss - there can only be one top horse in a field and thats ME!

Enough of all this - time for a little afternoon nap in the sun I think.

From a very chilled (PS - don't you think I look well)

Primacy

On the Up and Downs

Bonjour from LouLou or Fleur as I think I shall now call myself. Life here at Kimpton is great, the sun is shining, I've got lots of new pals, I'm out on the gallops and I've settled in. What's not to like?

I have a lovely big stable in a what I now know is called a Dutch Barn, and there are about 60 of us in this barn alone - can you believe it? My stall is on one side and I rather like it, as not only can I see about 30 other horses when I look out the front, but I have a window at the back as well - so I can look out and see all the comings and going to the yard - its better than telly, as there is always something going on. The Trainer's office is at the end of the barn, high up and he can see us when he's up there and make sure we are all behaving. Talking of which - I've had visitors. The Gaffer and the Mrs came to see me (and of course I behaved beautifully), which was great.

I got to strut my stuff on the gallops - although no-one was going as fast as I wanted to, as I really wanted to show what I could do - so I just had to settle down and go the pace that was set. We have a lovely round gallops at the back of the barn and then quite a steep gallops up the hill. Now I've been used to going up hill as Tom's gallop climbed up the hill, but it wasn't as steep as this one, as you can see from the photo, so I've had to get used to it. The first time I went up I was a bit puffed but now I take it in my stride. Then it was back to the stables for some grub and time for my visitors to stop by and admire me - which of course they did! I heard them make lots of nice comments about how well I looked - and I must agree with them as with all this lovely sun I'm in my full summer coat and gleaming - gorgeous if I do say so myself!!!

From Fleur

First in Line

What a hectic week its been here at Summerdown - and boy, has the place been living up to its name, its been wall to wall sunshine here. The ground has been hard so its been just the all weather gallops for us all, buts that fine, as long as we get out and about I don't mind.

Now I had to move stables this week. I'm in a two horse unit up in the field because I'm afraid I knocked my old one about a bit! You see, I have this habit of kicking out when I'm eating (to be honest, I don't even know I'm doing it) and, as I have rather a strong kick, I've messed the stable up a bit - ooooh dear. So, I'm going to try and kick the habit (pun intended!) with the help of Martin my groom.

Enough of that though - on Sunday it was the open day for the entire stables - all our various owners came and we were all paraded in front of everyone. Now, those of you who have been paying attention, will know that I've done this before - so I wasn't worried at all. Beforehand, The Gaffer and The Mrs and some of my Owners came to see me in my box before going to settle in for the parade of horses.

Now then, guess who was the first horse out of the yard for the parade? - yes, you've got it, little old Meeee! I guess you could say I was well named - after all, Primacy leading the parade seems very right to me. I behaved well and showed myself off nicely in front of about 200 people. Then afterwards The Gang (as I shall now call them) came up to see me, and Martin took me out of my box into the field so that everyone could have a good look at me. From what I could hear, they liked what they saw - they can come again then!

From a leading horse.

Thelma

Au Revoir

Its little old me - Louise. You thought I'd been left behind didn't you? Moi - left behind, not a bit of it. This week I said goodbye to Tom and the team and headed off to my new surroundings. Where am I - well between you and me I'm not too sure - it wasn't too far away in the lorry and its called Kimpton Down Stables - but as for where it is - who cares? I don't, because I'm here. What can I tell you - its busy, busy, busy and there are lots of us. There was no time to rest on my laurels, as the very next morning after I had arrived, it was off and out up the gallops with the rest of the string. Now I have to say this is a bit of a step up from Toms where one or two of us went out together - there were lots of us - all very jolly. I think I'm going to like this.

I had a few days of this and then, guess what? I was loaded up into the horse box again and off we went - don't tell me they were fed up with me already - oh dear, had I been naughty? I needn't have worried - when we got to the other end - there was The Gaffer waiting for me, phew!!! He explained that I would have a label put on my bum and that I was going through the ring, and then I would be going home. It all seemed very odd to me, and I was a bit anxious for a moment and got a bit hot and bothered. I settled down though and thought I behaved rather well as I went round the parade ring and into the sales arena - then before I knew it I was out, back on the horse box and home. I don't know if this is their idea of a day out or what - I didn't think much of it myself, so I was glad to be back home and all settled back into my nice snug stable.

Don't you think I've grown, and as for my coat I rather like my new colour - its deeper and richer than before - I think next time I see The Gaffer I shall ask for a proper portrait to be taken so that I can really show myself off.

Love Louise

Finding my Feet

Well everyone, here I am at Summerdown and I'm loving it. There is soooo much going on I can't tell you! For a start there are about 80 of us - yes, 80 - can you believe it, so there's never a dull moment. I have a lovely large stable up the top as they call it, with some other newcomers and we are all just getting to know the routine.

First of all, and most importantly from my point of view, the food is great. I'm getting about 12lbs a day, so I'm more than happy. But of course I need it as I'm using lots of energy growing and going out with the string in the mornings. I go out with a mixture of horses of all ages, and I heard my rider say that I'm sensible and good when we're out. Not something you can say about all of the two year olds - some of them are proper flighty little creatures.


Now on Saturday I had visitors! The Gaffer and The Mrs stopped in to see how I was doing and I got lots of pats and admiring looks. It was great to see them. I have to admit that I showed off a bit as I went up the gallops - after all I did want to impress them, and show them how well I do everything - so I just went a little bit faster up the gallops than my partner horse! I heard The Mrs say how much I'd grown and how nice I looked. Well of course I look nice - I have nearly lost all of my winter coat and when the sun shines so do I. The Trainer told her that I am a 'happy horse', well of course I am - I'm just loving it all - bring it on is what I say.

From the 'happy horse' - Thelma

Ready to Spring

Hello everyone - its me LouLou. Isn't it just gorgeous at the moment? I'm just full of the joys of spring and loving getting about in this glorious sunshine. It makes my coat gleam and I'm getting rid of all that winter fluff.

Tom came and had a chat with me the other day and said how well I'm doing and that I was looking fantastic - well of course I am.

Now that Big T has gone - and I must admit I had a bit of a lump in my throat when she left - I am looking forward to moving on as well and am longing to see my new yard. I think that I'm ready for my move too as I know I've grown and am feeling ready for the challenge. Although its very beautiful here - the views from the top of my wood chip gallop really are lovely - I think I'm ready for a bit more hustle and bustle. In fact thinking back I quite miss events like the Opera - now I didn't think I'd ever hear myself say that!!!!


So here I am ready to spring into action.

Happy days Louise

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow......

I've gone! Where you ask? To my trainer of course - keep up!!! Its me, Thelma, and I've just arrived at Summerdown - isn't this just too exciting for words!!!!!!

I was just quietly minding my own business at Tom's, doing the usual things, when I'm all rugged and bandaged up and loaded onto the horsebox and off we went. Now I have to say I wasn't sure where I was going, but as soon as we got there and Tom opened up the box I just knew where I was. I mean, even I could tell that this is a seriously grown up establishment. There are smart stables everywhere and loads and loads of horses. I can't tell you how many as I can't see them all but, from the amount of people and activity, I can tell that its lots more than I've ever seen in my life before.



Now, it was a bit of wrench leaving Tom and of course LouLou but I do think that I'm ready for the wider world and all the excitements ahead. I think I have settled in well, the food is just as good as it was at Toms, which of course was one of my main concerns, and the people looking after me seem really nice - I'm sure I will get to know exactly who they are in the next few weeks. I get ridden out as part of the string - doesn't that sound grand - all of us are new to this but I felt quite up to things as Tom has taught us everything that we need to know. There is so much going on that my head is all of a spin. I will make notes and tell you more.

From a seriously grown up Thelma

Moving On..............

Here we are at the end of January already, and we heard Tom saying that we will soon be moving on to our Trainers. How exciting will that be. Will we like them, and more to the point will they like us? Well they should, as we have been beautifully educated. But we're not too concerned, as being girls we can generally wrap chaps round our little fingers - or can we?

In preparation for our move we have just had our flu jabs - absolutely nothing to it - we are now both soooooooo chilled (as you can see from Lou's photo) that we can do just about anything. I have mastered the art of having all my feet done from the same side - so there Gaffer - who said I didn't have balance!




At the moment we are playing the game of imagining what it will all be like when we move on - its hard to know as our experience is somewhat limited and we have probably led quite a quiet and spoilt life to date. Well not always quiet, as we have had helicopters and operas to contend with as well as the odd goose. Our new yards should be bigger and busier - even more to look at - so for the moment we'll keep dreaming and as soon as we know we're off, you'll know - so we'll just keep up the good work and wait for our marching (or should that be trotting) orders.

in anticipation

Thelma and Louise

Out and About - at Last.....

First of all Happy Birthday to us - we are now officially two and as if to celebrate this the snow and ice has finally gone and it has warmed up a bit. Gosh it was chilly over the holidays - now it may all look very pretty but it meant that we couldn't do a lot as the yard was all frozen and snowy, as was the the track we use on the hill. So it was just the horsewalker and the small ring for us which after a while was a bit repetitive. So to say we were pleased when we could start hacking up the gallop again is an understatement. I think LouLou even had a little buck to celebrate (and just to keep the team on their toes as well!)


Our other excitement is that The Gaffer and The Mrs came to see us - I think they were suprised at how much we have grown and it was the first time that they had seen us being ridden, which of course makes us look sooooo grown up. We gave an exhibiton of trotting in the ring, changing direction and legs and looking very collected - although Lou always seems to want to go a step faster than she's supposed to - whereas I do exactly as I'm told. I heard The Gaffer say that we both moved well and were looking very balanced.



What's Thelma talking about - I was fantastically well behaved - and showed myself off to perfection, its just that I like to get on with things and want to overtake Thelma once in a while. Thank goodness it was a lovely sunny morning and so my coat was looking particularly gorgeous if I may say so. We had about 15 minutes in the ring and then we walked out of the yard over to the all weather gallop and did a couple of very sedate and collected gentle canters up the hill. Everything was looking so nice in the sunshine it was a joy to be out. As you can see, The Mrs took some nice photos and you can see how well we are coming on. Athletic - I think The Gaffer said about me - so take that Thelma!

Roll on warmer days - we can't wait for spring.

a bientot

Louise and Thelma (see I've overtaken her at last)