Hey there,

Jennie here:

It’s finally happened, and knowing what a shop-a-holic I am, I’m surprised it’s taken me this long, actually. But, I have finally bought my first horsey accessory.

No, unfortunately I don’t have my own pony to be buying such things for, but I do have a new house. I know, I’m not really making any sense. Let me explain…

I’ve moved into my new house and therefore I’ve had to buy lots of stuff like ironing boards, hoovers, light fittings, not to mention sofas, TVs etc. Anyway, I needed a laundry basket and my mum, having read H+P and spotted some Tub Trugs and thought they would be ideal for the job!

So off we went, I got a yellow one (to match my blue and yellow bathroom) and mum got herself a red one (to match her red kitchen utensils). Now all I need is a pony…

Hi everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

It's finally time! Tippy and I are doing the sponsored ride this Sunday. We've trained hard and are both fighting fit. Tippy looks even better than normal.

She knows something it going on already but I know that as soon as she sees the trailer ramp down, she's going to get mega excited. She's always really easy to load - you just point at the ramp and up she goes - see she loves going places sooo much.

I'm going to be taking my lunch out on the ride and some mints for Tippy. I have to take something for her or she'll refuse to budge when I eat my sarnies! Wish us luck.

Hey guys

Laura and Thomas here:

Way hey, I got around the Great North Run - 2 hours 37mins, not bad I don’t think although my big sis did beat me. Did anyone see me on TV? I started next to a man who was dressed as a tree and can you believe he beat me! Beaten by a tree, unbelievable!

George has gone away to be broken in this week. He has gone to a yard up the road. He is doing really well. He loaded up straightaway when we took him and wasn’t bothered at all about leaving Thomas and the others, but I think the are missing him!

Bye

Laura

Hey there!

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

Tippy & Sunny fill up on hay before setting out!

Setting out

Well, we did it! Ten miles - not a problem. Tippy set out at the fastest walk ever on the sponsored ride, she was so happy to be out and about. And when it came to trotting she left poor old Sunny and Natalie behind. We only rode steadily though and it did take us over two hours to notch up the mileage.

Oh and for all you doubters out there, neither Tippy nor me have any aches and pains after our excursion. I guess it pays to get as fit as you can before attempting any long ride.

Bye for now.

Hi there

Jennie here:

Bet you’re all very excited to be on half term now, aren’t you? Don’t forget to take lots of piccies and email us with news on all the horsey stuff you get up to this week.
I’m very excited today too cos I’m finally getting back in the saddle. But you’ll never guess whose…Tippy’s!

Sarah and I are going for a hack out on Gizmo and Tippy later on today and I can’t wait. Tippy is fitter than she has been for ages after her ten mile ride with Sarah last week. I’m expecting her to be quite a fresh ride for me after such a long break from lessons.

Unfortunately, this isn’t going to be a regular jolly. But I have a western lesson coming up which will be a challenge in itself with a whole different saddle and position to get used to, without having to overcome the fact I haven’t been on a horse in months. And so, Tippy is kindly going to be my warm up. I’ll tell her all you said ‘hi’. Have a good week x

Hey everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

Tippy is back on top form after the sponsored ride! She got very annoyed with Gizmo yesterday though.

He’s in the field next to hers but has to do everything she says. Although, Gizmo sometimes has other ideas and he broke through the electric fence away from Tippy yesterday. She couldn’t do anything but trot around, neighing to him and telling him to come back where she could see him! Gizmo is NOT in her good books and got a real telling off.

Gizmo’s owner, Stella has decided to keep him inside today until she gets round to mending the electric fencing tape he broke through. Poor old, Gizmo it’s not a good time for him.

Hi everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

I've asked Tippy new bestest friend, Claire to blog on what it's like spending time with cheeky mare.

Claire says:

Tippy is a pretty good pony to ride. Once, when we were out riding, there was a tractor parked on the other side of the road. I thought she might spook at it, but she took one look at it and walked straight past. I was pleased and it gave me more confidence. She doesn’t seem to be scared of much when I ride her.

She’s also good to be groomed. She lets you pick out her hooves and stands still when she’s tied up. She even picks her feet up herself sometimes, but that’s usually when she wants a treat!

Tippy hardly moves at all when you groom her, although she does stand with her back legs close together, which can make it difficult to brush them. She’s easy to tack up too and doesn’t try to bite you when you do her girth up (well, not always).

Tippy looks after me when I ride her. When I’m trotting she makes sure I’m okay and if I get something wrong, or she doesn’t understand she just stops. As I’m just learning to ride, Sarah took us to the school the other day, to help me get my trot sorted. I rode on a lunge line and Tippy too good care of me, especially while I was doing rising trot.

She can be funny though. When you tie Tippy up, she sometimes lifts one of her front legs up. This means she wants a treat or she’s waiting for her breakfast or dinner. Then, whilst I’ve gone to mix her feed, she does a poo. Sarah says this is because she’s excited as she knows we’re getting her dinner ready!

Tippy & Claire are good mates.