Hi
Jennie here

I have yet another new pony! Jane and Bev decided I would perhaps benefit from a smaller mount, rather than 16.2hh Shylock (since my legs barely came below his saddle). I was gutted cos I had really fallen in love with the big man, but could understand what they meant – he’s a big horse to collect together and I just don’t have the strength to do it.

So, this morning I was introduced to Desmond a little bay pony with a small white star and two white socks at the back. We’d met before when he used to come on hacks with me and first pony Breeze when we were in training for our sponsored ride last year but I’d never ridden him. After Jane pointed out which one he was in the field I wandered out to bring him in…and he ran off. I shouted at him that I hoped this wasn’t a sign of things to come in our relationship!

Back in the stable I gave him a jolly good groom (I can now appreciate how annoying hairy ponies are; the stable was covered in clumps of hair when I’d finished going over him with a rubber curry comb!) Jane kindly leant us Harvey’s dressage saddle which she said would make things easier for me. Desmond was a very good boy taking his bit and just opened his mouth as soon as his bridle came near him.

Bad habit number one was quickly discovered though; Desmond does not like having his girth done up. He turns his head round to you and snaps his teeth together when you do it. Oh, and bad habit two is that he trumps – a lot!

Once on board we started with some square turns in walk. It was strange being back on a pony after Shylock. Desmond is a typical school pony and a bit more stubborn than Shylock but he is very responsive if you do the right thing. He highlights your faults which is useful. I have a tendency to sit to one side and getting him to turn in the other direction without readjusting my seat meant he just stopped!

Desmond is half Trakehner and when I took away my stirrups I found it hard to sit into the saddle. He has a VERY bouncy trot. I gradually started to get used to it but I did find myself gripping the saddle on occasion to balance myself.

Next week I’m going to have two lessons and as and when I can fit them in around the magazine work this will become the norm.