Hi everyone!

Sarah (and Tippy here!)

I’ve got a v. busy month ahead as I’ve officially got two nags to look after. Gizmo’s owner has had an op on one of her eyes and isn’t allowed near the stables in case she gets dust in her eye and it gets infected - so I’m in charge of Gizmo as well as Tippy.

Gizzy is really easy to do, I just have to make sure he doesn’t eat too much spring grass! I’m going to be riding him at least three times a week, which should help him stay slim and trim. He’s stabled at night, like Tippy, but he’s bedded on straw so I’ll have to get used to mucking out straw again rather than shavings! Gizmo has a medium sized haynet at night and gets a tiny feed morning and night; so he doesn’t get jealous of Tippy munching away.

Apart from being taller and wider than Tippy, Gizzy is v different to ride. His stride is much longer and more rolling than Tippy’s. He’s also a big baby and spooks at everything! So fingers crossed I don’t bounce off!

Better go - as you know both Laura and Jennie are off at the mo!
Bye
Sarah

Hey everyone

Sarah (and Tippy here!)

Tippy is very happy again as Nick and Lauren (the farriers) paid her a visit this week, so she has new shoes to kick her heels up in! She charged around the field when she was turned out after she’d been shod!

She’s still not very happy on the Gizmo front though. She pulls a horrible face at him when I tack him up to go for a ride. He’s actually been quite well behaved. He can be a spooky wimp and jump around at every little thing – which is sooo annoying. Although, when we last rode he only spooked once - at a cat in a hedge.

So, I’ve got a v. busy weekend ahead. Extra mucking out to do (and the fields!), a week’s worth of haynets to fill, two nags to exercise… I’d better get going.

Bye
Sarah

Hiya,

Sarah (and Tippy) here

It's great that the grass is growing but boy am I having to keep an eye on Gizmo! I've watched him while he's grazing and he just seems to hoover the grass up.

I promised Stella I would keep a close eye on his weight and he is definitely getting plumper. So I've put his grazing muzzle on every day this week (which he hates and Tippy is scared of) and reduced his hard feed and the amount of hay he gets at night. It's tricky though because he gets to spend a long time turned out as I'm in the office all day - I now know exactly how tricky it is to manage a laminitis-prone horse or pony.

Gizmo looks hungry in his stable!

Tippy seems so much easier to care for. I've been watching her graze and she doesn't just pig out, she actually lifts her head up and moves around the paddock - occasionally.

I've also had a bad back this week! I do have problems with my back (fallen off too many times!) but I was riding Gizmo last week when it went. I think it's because he's so podgy that it went but it's been painful mucking out, carrying water buckets, grooming etc so I haven't even been able to ride to help Gizmo stay slim. It feels much better now and I'm going to be back in the saddle this weekend.

Bye for now
Sarah

PS Forgot to say last week - Tippy has road nails in her back shoes! The farrier says it will help grip more easily.

Hi H+P fans

Sarah (and Tippy) here

Think it might be just me blogging today. Jen and Laura went on a photoshoot this morning and have yet to come back! Think they are making the most of the sunny weather today and having a laze about in the sunshine with the ponies - can't blame them.

It's been a busy week at the stables. Gizmo's had new shoes (still looking after him) and farrier was very happy with his hooves and says there's no sign of laminitis. Which is good. Stella (his owner) came to turn him out after the farrier had been and he was very naughty!

He rolled as soon as she let him loose in the field and got his grazing muzzle off. She tried to catch him to put it back on and he legged it! Naughty boy! Stella says Tippy didn't help as she charged about on her side of the hedge winding Gizmo up even more.

But best of all... I paid a visit to my local horse trials - Belton horse trials. It was a mega event this year with loads of people (and their dogs) turning out for a brill weekend. Like everyone was there competing and giving their horses a ride out before Badminton next month.

There were some amazing horses and I've saved my faves to show you in the next issue of the mag... but in the meantime to keep you going I've dropped a few on here!

Mary King and Apache Sauce
(Mary took all her top horses to the comp - she was very busy jumping from one to the other!)

Lucy Weigersma and Beckli
(Lucy just did the dressage with Shaabrak as she's keeping him in cotton wool before Badminton)

Cheeky chappy eventer Matthew Wright and Cermont

Ruth and the awesome Two Thyme
(Check out this month's issue of H+P - out now - for some shots of Two Thyme at home)

Andrew Nicholson
(I was very pleased to see Andrew riding while wearing glasses. I now have to wear glasses all the time and it was cool to see someone else riding in them! I suppose it helps if you can see what you're jumping.)

Happy Easter

Sarah

Hiya

Sarah (and Tippy) here

I hope you’re all having a cool holiday!

Natalie’s gonna kill me for telling you but you will never guess what happened on Saturday! If you ever needed a reminder as to why it’s sooo not cool to reach behind a horse’s legs – read this.

Natalie was grooming Joe and instead of going around the other side to groom his other back leg she reached across. No, she didn’t get squashed, trampled or kicked (but this could have been a problem), she got poo-ed on! As she reached around, Joe thought he’d do a crafty pile and it went all down Natalie’s back!

Linda and I, who were also grooming shouted out to warn her but it was too late. It was so funny. Tippy had a big grin on her face and I thought she might try the same!

Bye for now
Sarah

Hi

Sarah (and Tippy) here

Tippy is in for a very ‘lucky’ summer! The first two swallows arrived back a week last Saturday. I was in Tippy’s stable and I thought, I recognise that sound and looked up and there they were – none the worse for their long journey home.

Over the last week more birds have arrived back, at guess there are about 20 now, all very noisy and determined to get the best nesting spot. Unfortunately for Tippy, one pair has decided to build their des-res, chick-rearing home on the middle of the beam slap bang above her head. They’ve already covered her rug in droppings and I’ve started wearing a cap while I muck out. It looks like we’re both gonna get covered in swallow muck over the next few months while they’re nesting and raising their family (they might even get two families in). So, by my reckoning Tippy and I are going to be very lucky indeed this summer!

I always look forward to the swallows arriving each spring – they do a great job fly-catching over Tippy’s field – but I’ve got a feeling I will be very pleased to see them leave again this autumn!

Bye

Hi

Sarah (and Tippy) here

Titch, the Shetland and Tiggy's bezzer mate, has the thickest coat ever! She is sooo woolly and her coat is coming out by the handful. She's been caught out by the very warm weather and is moulting non-stop to try and catch up. Linda decided to help her out the other night by giving her a thorough groom in the field. She ran out of time and didn't have time to clear up all the hair, so had to leave it.

I was still at the stables after Linda had gone and within a few minutes there were jackdaws pecking up Titch's hair to take to line their nests with. I was even more impressed by a genius rabbit who was stuffing its mouth with hair to carry back to make its burrow snug and cosy. I think there might be baby bunnies shortly!

Hi

Sarah (and Tippy) here

Everyone else has been out visiting cute foals this year and I haven't! So I decided I was going to go and find some. I went to visit the Quainton Stud in Buckinghamshire. They currently have five foals, all fillies! One had even been born the night before we arrived and was well sweet. New foal and her mum were still stabled waiting for the sun to come out again and warm the weather up before they ventured outside so I could get really close.

Many of the stud's horses are related to top showjumping horses and one of their best stallions Chateau de Brion recently got his Holstein breed license - this means his foals will be approved as full or part-bred Holsteins (which is one of the most popular breed choices for showjumpers). When the stallions aren't at the stud they are ridden in top comps by Ben Maher.

The Quainton Stud will be hosting a top showjumping competition, parading their stallions and showing visitors around on July 31 if you fancy a visit. Log onto www.quaintonstud.co.uk and click on shows for more info.

Hey everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

I've got some pics of the Quainton stud foals I went to see last week - check them out

Long legged chestnut foal

The foal who didn't want her photo taking!

Sleepy foal

Cutey long-legged foal

Hiya

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

Just gotta let you know - Hannah (H+P's showing expert) is feeling very proud of herself at the moment! Her horse (well technically her mum's horse) Gainstown Bridge, aka Bouncer, was 2nd in the Small Hunter Class at the Royal Windsor.

Unfortunately Hannah was not riding him at the time, as she got mullered by another horse just before the show. She was out exercising one of the show horses when he decided to tank off and smash her leg against the side of a narrow gateway, so she isn't able to ride at the moment! Not wanting to lose her entry fee for not turning up at the show, she persuaded her boss, David Tatlow, to ride Bouncer for her. Hannah was particularly proud as David hadn't ridden Bouncer before the class since last October but Bouncer was pretty well behaved for him. So well done Bouncer!

It was also my birthday this week. I'm getting very old! Tippy decided she would help me celebrate by getting down and rolling in her field and getting covered in mud - thanks Tippy! So I spent my b'day evening grooming her.

Thanks also to Jen and Laura who bought me a pair of Crocs ready for the Pony Club Championships. We've discovered you can wear Crocs when you take a shower in the mobile unit at the Championships - then you don't have to stand on the floor! Jen wore flip flops last year and managed to lose one, still to be found, but Crocs stay on your feet more firmly. So cheers ladies!

Best go as mag is going to press.

Sarah

Hi

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

Bad news - my back has gone! I was just walking along on Tippy the other day and it went. She didn't do anything wrong at all. I just felt a nasty pain in my lower bad and decided I ought to get off quick. Good old Tippy was very well behaved as I struggled to dismount and led her back to the yard.

So Stella, Natalie and Linda are taking it in turns to look after Tippy while my back gets fixed. I've still been going to see her and she's been very gentle nuzzling me. But she can't quite work out why we can't go riding at the moment. Although I don't think my boyfriend is going to be as sympathetic as Tippy when he realises he's got to muck her out, groom and feed her this weekend! Oops forgot to tell him!

One thing my bad back has made me realise is how painful it must be for horses and ponies to have to wear a saddle which doesn't fit them and pinches. It must be agony! Even though I'm pretty sure Tippy's saddle is okay, I'm going to get a saddle fitter to come out and give it the once over - just in case.

Hey, Sarah and Tippy here:

Good news! My back is feeling much better (thanks to everyone who's been asking about it). Also thanks to Stella, Natalie and Linda who've been helping look after Tippy.

I still can't ride, carry water buckets or pick out hooves - but can just about manage to muck out okay. Although Madam Tippy seems to be doing her best to irriate it again. I was leading her out to her field the other day and she was the first out. Big mistake!

She decided she just could not cope being all alone and would simply die if another horse didn't appear soon, so started leaping around. Luckily I managed to get her in the field and shut the gate before she tried to leg it, although she did do a very high pitched neigh right next to my face. My ears are still ringing! Stella wasn't far behind with Gizmo, so Tippy needn't have panicked but managed to wind Gizmo up sooo much he spend the next 20mins charging round. Mares - who'd have them?

The first of the swallow eggs in the nests above Tippy's stable hatched this week. There are some very busy swallow parents around. Unfortunately the weather hasn't been great for feeding very young chicks (cold and wet) so I hope they are all okay. There seems to be plenty of cheeping going on though!

Hey, Sarah and Tippy here:

Great news – I’ve started riding again. My back is much better although I’m still getting the odd twinge. I’m taking it very steadily, just walking, which is really annoying Tippy. I’m going to have to find someone to take her for a canter! If she doesn’t get a good run out every now and again she gets very twitchy on her hooves, like she’s going to explode or something.

Also, I’ve just got to show you this pic:

Isn’t it hilarious! Laura’s looking all summer cool. It was taken last week on a photoshoot when the photographer was testing his camera and lights. He could have found a cute pony to take a pic of!

Bye for now

Sarah & Tippy

Hi

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

It's been an up and down week weather wise. Tippy's in her stable at the moment, as rain was forecast but the sun's been shining all day. She'll be in a good mood when I get to the yard tonight. She much prefers spending time outside.

Although, the silly old fool did a really stupid thing this week. I got her in from her paddock the other night to find her legs (only up to her fetlocks) covered in little bites. They didn't seem too sore but must have hurt nonetheless.

I guess she'd been standing on a red ant's nest of something and they'd got annoyed with her clod hopping hooves crushing their house and bitten her to move her off. All I could say to her was: "I hope the grass was worth it Tippy!" As she was no doubt after some tasty grass when she trampled their nest.

Hey everyone!

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

Tippy got some new neighbours on Tuesday, although they had to be evacuated a couple of days later.

Tiggy hasn't been in for a while so her stable was empty. Linda shut her dog, Saffy, in there for a few hours while she took Tiggy out for a ride. When she came back she let Saffy out as normal. The next morning, she realised Saffy had been digging in the straw at the back of the stable and went to investigate. Scattered amongst the straw were some tiny hedgehog babies - but no sign of mum! We decided to gather the two babies together and put them under the straw and leave them for the day to see if mum came back.

Meanwhile I set Laura the task of phoning St Tiggywinkle's Wildlife Hospital to see if there was anyone near the stables who would be able to care for the hedgehogs if mum didn't come back to the nest. Luckily Laura tracked down Sadie at Hedgehog Row, because that night when I got back to the stables the tiny hedgehogs were still there all alone.

I put the two babies in a box and then had a good dig through the stable in case there were anymore. I found another one. All three were very weak but still alive. When I got to Sadie she examined them and said they were two or three days old, very cold but a good size. She was hopeful she would be able to hand-rear them once she'd warmed them up.

I'll keep you posted!

You will all be pleased to hear the hedgehog babies are simply thriving. Sadie, at Hedgehog Row, says they opened their eyes for the first time yesterday!

There are two little girls and a little boy and apart from Sadie being very tired, the hedgehogs are doing really well. They get their last feed for the night at 2am, just like if they were with mum (who would then go out to find some tasty slugs and snails to munch on) and their first feed of the day at about 8am. If they were in a nest with mum she would then feed then throughout the day, so Sadie is having to feed them every couple of hours every day!

She says they are very lucky as so many young animals living in the wild will have been lost in this week's floods.

Check out this pic of the cattle grid on the track to Tippy's stable. Luckily she was tucked up in her stable when the worst of the rains came!

Hi all

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

As the weather was sooo super and warm last weekend, I gave Tippy a bit of a wash and brush up. She's always pretty clean, but as the sun was shining (about time too!) I spent some time washing her mane and tail.

Tippy loves having a shampoo - so she can go straight back out in her field and roll!

When I was grooming her though, I realised she's actually moulting and starting to get her winter coat. The weather has been so cold and dull this summer, Tippy's giving up hope of there ever being any sun and is getting ready for winter!

Hey all

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

Tippy and I spent a very lazy evening yesterday picking cherries. There are some great fruit trees around the bridlepaths we ride on and Tippy decided we weren't moving until we'd picked some cherries, last night when we were hacking out!

She gets right under the trees so I can reach up and pick the ripe fruit for her. I have to take the stones out and then she can eat them.

You have to be careful though, to make sure you know what you're picking i.e. that it's edible fruit and that she doesn't move and knock you off under a branch. I always tie a knot in my reins and take my feet out my stirrups. Then if she does move a bit quick I'll just fall off and not get caught hanging out a tree!

Hey all

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

The most disgusting thing ever happened last night. As you know it's been raining none stop recently so I thought I'd nip out to do some poo-picking in between showers. As I raced around Tippy's field with the wheelbarrow wearing rubber gloves, I somehow managed to get Tippy poo in my mouth! It sort of splashed up as I tried to scoop it up! Gross! I would not advise it.

I must give a big shout out to everyone at Minchinhampton Pony Club this week. They've been having their camp and despite the awful weather had an amazing time.

Check out this piccy of instructor Sarah and her ride:

Also, don't forget to download our Ellen W podcast. She chats about winning at HOYS last year with Henri de Here (and also Jennie makes a star of herself doing the intro!).

See ya xx

Hi everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

I have discovered how to get a pony muddy in one easy step - even when the field is dry!

1. Cover the pony (Tippy) in fly gel, cream and repellent
2. Turn them out
3. Watch as they roll in the dustiest patch of the field - usually next to the gate
4. And spend the next three hours grooming when their coat has dried out

It was not good - Tippy was filthy and very dusty.

As you've probably guessed Tippy is getting irritated by flies so I'm trying some products from Global Herbs.

I'm feeding her FlyFree (which smells awful, but she eats quite happily). It's supposed to repell flies from the inside out, although I should have started feeding it a couple of months ago to get the full effect. I'll keep you posted on how we get on.

I've also got a pot of Deflect fly repellent cream. Smells okay to me, but seems to be keeping the biting flies away.

Hey everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

The whole H+P office has been really upset to hear about the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in Surrey. It’s really sad news for all the affected farms.

It's worth remembering though horses and ponies cannot catch FMD – this means that unless you are in an affected area it’s still okay to go to your stables.

Unfortunately, horses and ponies, like us, can carry the disease. This means that in affected areas, bridleways and footpaths may be closed, horse shows may be cancelled, farms may be out of bounds and the travelling of horses in boxes and trailers may be restricted.

You might also spot disinfectant areas for washing and dipping boots and even car tyres at gateways. Be responsible and listen up the instructions of people in the know – but don’t panic about your fave pony – he cannot catch the disease.

Let's hope all the official get it sorted asap.

If you want to find out more log onto www.defra.gov.uk

Hi everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

It's been a mad week here at H+P. We've been a Ponies (UK) show every day as well as rushing into the office to do the mag. Everyone is exhausted and Tippy is getting v. annoyed cos her dinner has been served late every night.

Big shouts outs to:
Ellen, Kimberly, Lauren, Ellis, Dawn, Kels, Phoebe, Maddie, Lou... who came to say 'hi' if you're passing by the stand don't forget to let us know you're an H+P fan.

Must dash as we're off to the Pony Club Champs on Sunday!

Hey all!

We've had a busy few weeks visiting you lot at some shows.

Check out some pics

Some of the Burghley PC

This BYRDS team did a dressage quadrille display

Laura was a busy bee on the H+P stand everyday

Polocrosse was fast and furious

We love Lucky. He was on the Winners stand next to us and sat up begging everytime he saw another dog he wanted to play with!

There was dressage to music too!

Hi everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

Have you heard? The ILPH Rangers club is now up and running. Membership is totally free and members get a fab welcome pack and access to the exclusive members’ only area of the website which has screensavers, videos and cartoons on. You can join easily online by visiting www.ilphrangers.org

Tippy and I have just signed up!

Hi everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

Poor old Tippy really isn't feeling very happy at the moment. She got stung by a wasp inside one of her ears when she was turned out. She’s had a droopy left ear, which looked very pathetic. She's sooo naughty she just won't wear a fly mask for more than two seconds.

I know it was a wasp as I found a wasps’ nest in an old rabbit hole in the hedge next to her field. The wasps didn’t look too friendly so I ran pretty quickly back down the field!

I called the vet who said her ear could have been a lot worse and has given my some steroid cream to help it heal and to soothe it. She also said to try to make Tippy wear her fly mask so flies didn’t go in the injured ear and irritate it more - easier said than done! So Tippy has spent the last few days inside while the ear healed. She can now prick it again so I know she’s feeling better.

Hey everyone

As Tippy's recovering from her wasp stings at the moment - we all went to Burghley this weekend!

Here are the pics:

William Fox-Pitt and the gorgeous Parkmore Ed. William had a brill comp - he didn't just win he also launched his new autobiography 'What Will Be'.

And of course we can't forget the amazing Ballincoola!

Mary King remembered to lean back on Apache Sauce!

Lucy Weigersma and her 'sport's car' Shaabrak

Polly Stockton and the veteran Tom Quigley were second!

Zara Phillips and Ardfield Magic Star nearly didn't make it through the half coffin!

Keep your eye on Piggy French and her new horse Paris - they're gonna be a force to be reckoned with next year.

Oliver Townend's stable jockey Angus Smales competed at Burghley this year too.

Hey everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

Tippy's ear has healed and she's feeling fine again. The vet said to keep her fly mask on to stop any flies getting in and irritating it as the skin is still sensitive, but apart from that she's very happy.

We're now in training for a local sponsored ride. This will be the first 'event' Tippy's been to for some time so hopefully I'll keep control. We're only going to be doing the 10 mile option as she's no spring chicken. We're also opting for a late start time so we won't upset any other riders by just going steadily. I've decided that I will get off and lead her if she needs a break so I'm going to have to get fitter too!

I'll keep you posted on how we get on!

Hey everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

Don't forget it's sooo nearly Hoof it for Horses, the International League for the Protection of Horse’s (ILPH) annual fundraising day. This year's mega event takes place on October 6 (the Saturday after this one).

You could organise your own event or take part in one of the ILPH’s sponsored walks, even the Horse of the Year Show which is on that day is getting involved. For more info log onto www.ilph.org/hoofit

Even the ILPH's mascot Hoof it Harry is getting involved. He's going to be running about so much on the day he's in training now!

Hey everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

I've had a few days off work and while I'm feeling ultra-refreshed and ready to go again, Tippy's exhausted!

She's not keen on being ridden every day! Well it's not so much the riding as all the scary stuff she's seen while we've been out hacking. The annual hedge-trim on the bridleways and lanes around the stables has started and we keep trotting round a corner and coming face to face with a massive tractor and hedge cutter. Scary or what?

Tippy's also annoyed as pretty much every day we've been out for a hack, it's rained and she's come home soaked. I've had to dig out my cooler rug to get her dry and comfy.

Also, to keep you updated! Most of the swallows left the beams (above Tippy's head) last Saturday for their long migration south. I think they knew the cold weather was on its way. There are five remaining birds, three youngsters and two adults. I guess they are waiting for the young birds to be strong enough to make the journey.

Bye for now!

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 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.

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.

Hey everyone,

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

It's just me blogging this week - soz! Jennie's poorly and Laura's at Your Horse Live. So if you're going to YHL pop round to say 'hi' to her. She'd love to meet you all, especially as it's going to be FREEZING this weekend.

Anyway the latest news on Tippy's yard is that a new horse or pony is coming. I don't know more than that but will keep you posted!

The latest goss is that Katie Price will be signing copies of her new book ‘My Pony Care Book’ on Saturday November 17 (so that's in a week's time) at Derby House's Wrightington store in Lancashire, from 1pm.

But, she'll also be joined by all the members of the British Eventing Pony Team who won both Team and Individual Gold at this year’s European Championships in Germany. The Pony Team will be at the Wrightington store from 10.30am to sign autographs and answer any questions you might have on breaking into pony eventing.

Click on www.derbyhouse.co.uk and follow the link to the stores page, for more info.

Hey everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

It's my fault the weather has got cold! Tippy was getting so sweaty and sticky everytime she was ridden I got Granville to clip her this last Monday. She'd turned into a little bear and now she's got much less hair - so - it's suddenly got frosty.

But don't panic, I'm not letting her get cold. She's had a blanket clip so it's just the hairy bits which were getting sweaty which are now hair free. Plus, she's wearing a cotton sheet, bib, fleece hood, blanket and rug every night - she's as warm as toast.

I think she quite likes being clipped as she stands so still and loves getting groomed afterwards. Although she's not going to be happy at the moment as it's dark and she's still outside. Oops - I'll be in trouble!

Ellen W isn't hanging about! We might not have celebrated Christmas yet, but she's already focussing on the New Year.

The top Caldene sponsored rider says she will be aiming to:

Get selected for the Olympic showjumping team
Be named as one of the top three GB jumpers
And make it into the top 15 in the world

No pressure then!

Ellen's aiming high next year!

Hi all

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

Have you heard? We've got a brand spanking new ebay shop so you can now get your hands on the latest issue of H+P without even leaving your keyboard. Click on this link...
http://www.horseandpony.com/shop

Buy the mag using paypal and we'll get a copy in the post to you no messing!

Hiya

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

Big changes at Tippy's yard! The new pony has arrived. His name is Eclipse and he's a 13.3hh Fell pony. He's black apart from a little sickle-shaped snip on his nose. I think that might be why he's called Eclipse.

He seems to be keeping himself to himself at the moment! But I'm sure that'll change soon.

He's got a very long mane and tail, including a long forelock so perhaps he can't see Tippy smiling at him! Anyway will keep you updated.

Bye for now
Sarah

Hey everyone

Sarah (and Tippy) here:

A special message for everyone who thinks Tippy is a perfect pony - SHE IS NOT! She was very, very naughty this last weekend.

As you know Claire is learning to ride on her and the time had come for her to try a little canter. They were having a nice little canter together when Tippy got a bit too quick and Claire couldn't stop.

I eventually managed to catch them as Tippy tanked past but as I made her stop sooo quickly, Claire bounced off the side. Good news is she's fine and was happy to get back on. Claire is now riding Tippy in a flash noseband to help to stop her taking hold and pulling the reins through Claire's hands. She is a very naughty pony!

Claire is now doing some more riding without stirrups to help her strengthen her seat and keep control of Tippy!

As promised a pic of Tracey and Eclipse (the new Fell pony)

H+P's pony Tippy wants to say: "Merry Christmas!"

No prizes for guessing what she's up to today!