Diary of a Highland Pony and his Dun friend

30/06/2025

Frodo and I go on an adventure. Following on from last weekend’s adventures at Chard Equestrian I with some input from a friend decided that Frodo needed a training weekend, we could rejig our FSM and then work on it before areas and as luck would have it I had booked Oakley in for a Jessica Gale Dressage camp, these are excellent and when I messaged Jess to ask if I could swap horses and plans she readily agreed and I sent her a video of our current floorplan/music.

Slight scare Friday morning when I got up and back was worse than it had been in the week and I did think twice about going but as I’d paid etc…. Decided to go and play it by ear.

We arrived on Friday early afternoon for a lesson and it honestly felt as if Frodo was going to be Mr “I don’t go forwards” however his work ethic has apparently changed and he was an absolute delight we talked through ideas to liven up the floorplan (honestly if you’re only doing prelim it’s basic) without over complicating it and making him too busy. Finished up on a canter without stirrups, he was keen to keep going it would have been easy to get greedy and ask for more.

I watched some of the other lessons whilst drinking tea. Pub dinner followed and a chance to properly catch up with camp mates. Slept relatively well but back was sore in the night so had to use massage pad on it. Lesson in the morning we went to the outdoor arena to work on floorplan, this is often when Frodo decides we’re not going to canter etc….. however again he had his work ethic firmly in place and managed to run through it a couple of times and it was ok. The horseflies were out in force and by the time the lesson started I’d already killed eight of the delightful creatures. I had sprayed him liberally with fly spray but think I should have done it twice, and myself horseflies seem to ignore all sprays and just come out in force to bite us.

Lovely friend had made some picnic food for the weekend and we had a delicious lunch before afternoon sessions started.

We elected to go indoors thinking the flies wouldn’t be so prolific there were still a few in there but it was better even if it was a bit hot. We were working in pairs this time and Frodo and Monkey were well matched, I think sometimes Frodo works better with another horse in the arena and we can “chase” them centre lines/transitions were worked on, this exercise always gets Frodo working better and again I was really pleased with how he went and whilst he was sweaty when we finished he wasn’t dripping, I took him into the wash off bay and hosed him down, I might have hoses my head as well.

We went to the pub for dinner again, the food is rather good there so always nice.

Sunday morning and I sadly had to make the decision not to ride as back was worse, I needed to be capable of driving home, this did make me sad but as I’d had three good lessons I felt I was stopping on a high - we missed pole work and a flat work lesson, poles are Frodo’s favourite thing so I’m sure had he known he’d have been sad. My lovely friend did most of the mucking out for me and I managed to load the lorry with all possessions (a trolley is so handy) and finish off the mucking out. The drive home didn’t involve much traffic and we made good time, I also managed to keep back working until I got back, the walk down to the field was interesting, Frodo kindly walked slowly for me and Oakley came running over to complain about being left behind. I still need to sort the lorry and do my washing but that can be done slowly over the next couple of days.

I had yet another fabulous training camp I love the smallness of Jess’ camps with maximum of six of us so it’s big enough to be able to watch other’s training but small enough that you get to know other campers, the ethos is always of encouraging riders and horses to do their best and the facilities are lovely, very spoilt with the outdoor and indoor schools.

23/06/2025

Competition report -

On Friday Frodo and I set off for Chard Equestrian it was a bit of a trek on a very warm day but we left nice and early in the hope of missing most of the traffic so we actually arrived before the worst bit of the heat and Frodo settled well in his stable. Chard seems to be quite a breezy spot so there was a gentle breeze taking off some of the heat. There’s also a champagne bar so you can sit and sip whilst overlooking the warm up. There’s also a pizza place so we had pizza for dinner.

Saturday started fairly early with out first test at 8.44 so needed to be on around 8.30 he was on my hands in the warmup so not easy to get him going nicely but it was ok (ish) and so I felt optimistic when we went off to the music arena. It wasn’t the best test but tbh although I wanted a qualification score it wasn’t the end of the world if we didn’t get it. He didn’t spook (unlike some of the other horses) and it was sweet enough. We then had a wait until a prelim quest again he warmed up ok, not bothering by the other horses in the warmup although someone retrieving an over reach boot required a stare and someone spooking at the pandas meant he thought the horse was rearing at the trainer helping them warm up - so had a mild spook (stare) at them. Test started well and felt ok until I had a ‘where do I go next’ and the bell rang, I had indeed gone wrong but the judge had watched a movement too many before ringing the bell so it took a while to work out what I’d done wrong 🙄🙈 sorted it out, picked it up and finished with no issues. Funny moment was hearing a dog bark in the judges hut, obviously I laughed and Frodo did nothing. Again a sweet enough test but not feeling amazing tbh new venue and heat I wasn’t expecting too much. Felt hot and bothered so spent and hour or so chilling in the lorry for some of the afternoon before heading to the champagne bar for Aperol spritzers whilst watching the retired racehorses warm up.

Early dinner and an early night was had as first test was even earlier on Sunday. Frodo seemed more awake than me on Sunday morning and again warmed up ok, felt flatter but was listening to me for the most part. Music first and test went better apart from a small blip at the beginning, I went to enter he went to stop and I knew it was a 💩 moment so turned and asked for the music to restart having taken a breath (and hoped he do his 💩) he wasn’t as forward going but I had a plan for making the music work, he did eventually decide a 💩 would help so obviously we stopped for it 🙈😳 but did manage to finish the test with the music and came out feeling a mix of emotions, such lovely music and I’d forgotten how much I enjoy music. We then had a long wait for his next test of three hours and I debated withdrawing from it. However went to find my music sheet and it turned out I’d got a podium placing (3rd) so that buoyed me up and I decided it didn’t really matter what happened as it was Quest and more about fun than scores. So warmed him up again later and he felt sluggish and just unwilling to go, the test didn’t go as well as it should but at least satnav worked we got the worst score I’ve got at this level in a while but it’s horses for you, it was quite humid and we both struggled it then tipped down with rain and the temperature was much nicer.

I bought a sandwich and a very nice brownie for the journey home, and a coffee!! Did I mention how good the food is at Chard? Tbh everything about the place seems to run like clockwork the shop not only have the little things you might have forgotten - hairnets etc…. But also shampoo/toothpaste etc…. The office staff couldn’t have been more helpful as I’d actually totally changed my mind on level to compete at and changed from Quest to music for two tests it was sorted without issue. The warm up steward was brilliant her voice carried well across the big warm up and she kept you informed on times and made sure you knew exactly where you were going and was so friendly at the same time. I went to qualify for areas at music and got the two scores required so now to work on improving our performance so we can have as much fun as possible and be proud of what we’ve achieved.

It took quite a while to get home but the traffic could have been worse and trust me Frodo came off the lorry as if he’d been on there for a short while and was thrilled to be turned out and galloped (well it was more like a short canter) to his field mates I’m sure he told Oakley all about his weekend.

01/06/2025

My daughter sent this showing our hooliganism- honestly he’s so polite in canter I can stop him at any point although add another pony or two to the mix and it might be different

Little Lodge Farm

01/06/2025

On Wednesday Frodo and I trucked off to Little Lodge Farm for a few days of fun, the M25 played ball and the journey was uneventful for us and we arrived in good time. I sorted Frodo’s stable, although tbh the bed was down I just had to put his water etc… in there and sorted the cabin out, I was meeting my daughter there so I wasn’t alone for too long although the M25 wasn’t as kind to her. She had decided to bring her dog with her so I parked the lorry by the lodge for her to sleep in as dogs aren’t allowed inside.

She did eventually arrive but by that time there was either time to ride or walk the dog, we decided it would be kinder to walk the dog so once Gary was in his stable we started dog walking, sadly (or not) we passed the lovely new bar on the way so it was a must surely to go dog walking with a glass of prosecco 🥂🤷‍♀️😂

Next morning we put the boys out in their fields and had breakfast/mucked out and took Zeytin (the dog) for his walk - I should have mapped it as would know how far we walked as he loves water we started with the river so he’d dry off when walked.

After lunch it was time to ride and once tacked up off we set it was glorious in the woods and a lovely time was had by both of us, the boys go well together and Frodo was pleased to be out in company. I must remember to mention this is the only place I’ve ever heard a cuckoo and it didn’t disappoint this time. However apparently Frodo and I are hooligans and were encouraging Gary in bad habits (too much cantering) so when we got back my daughter took Gary round the field on his own, I wished I’d done the same thing as the canter up the gentle slope looked lovely but I know I’d have been tempted to find a log to hop over, the jumps looked too big for us.

Obviously a walk in the early evening with a glass of prosecco was a thing so honestly we had to do it. Back to the cabin for dinner and checks on the horses, thankfully the weather was good so we could sit outside to eat which meant we could sit with Zeytin and he didn’t miss out, or go into my lorry all wet.

Another good night’s sleep and Friday morning dawned all too soon, boys in field and dog walk sorted it was lunch time, in the afternoon we elected to walk the dog and I’d ride Frodo as we are hooligans we were on our best behaviour to prove we can behave. Daughter took Gary for a solo hack and all was well, I sat drinking Prosecco whilst she rode which was very pleasant.

Boys in bed dinner cooked and eaten time for our last sleep, it was rather sad setting an alarm for the morning ensuring I didn’t sleep in and not have enough time to pack.

Saturday morning got the cabin all sorted and then the stables, lorry stuffed full of all the belongings and then down to the lorry park for our last ride, Frodo honestly just wanted to eat the grass by the lorry and was quite disgruntled about being tacked up but obviously he did nothing norty and we were on our best behaviour all ride. We took the dogs with us (yes we’d acquired a second one by this time) and it was blissful walking through Thetford Forest with the sound of the birds (particularly the cuckoo) we finished with a trip to the river, Frodo said no thanks and really didn’t understand why Gary felt the need to paddle and splash in the water, I may/may not work on this one as would like to take him to the beach but not if it’s going to be an ordeal for the pair of us. It was very sad to load up and go home, obviously we took advantage of the food van before leaving I had a delicious feta salad, it felt like a long drive home but actually it was mainly light traffic and not too bad. Needless to say Frodo was thrilled when we got home and I put him in the field, he can have a few days off so I can recover. Oakley needs riding today as I have a lesson tomorrow although not sure how my body will feel about that.

14/05/2025

Last Friday Frodo and I headed off to Parwood Equestrian Centre for BD Camp - we were lucky enough to join the youth camp as there were a few places unfilled so they opened it up to adults. We arrived in time to head out onto the canter track, and whilst he wasn’t racehorse speed he did manage two laps of the track (ok we had a short walk between laps) not sure which of us smiled most.

He obviously settled well in his stable and I settled into the lorry, with dinner cooked for me (have I mentioned how well catered BD Camps are). There might have been a glass of wine consumed but I still managed a relatively early night.

Saturday after feeding we headed into breakfast, full English, and then got Frodo ready for our first lesson. I’d chosen to have a session with Harry Payne as he’s not local and coming down from Scotland where highland ponies come from means he does actually teach a highland or two so knows how to get the best out of them. It was a shared lesson and we had a lovely youth rider in with us Frodo thought her mare was rather pleasant and when they went trotting down the long side he found a better turn of speed, this is always good news as means I can get him to go forwards. We did many a transition and leg yield/circles in all paces, thinking about having a contact without him hanging on me.

In the afternoon we ran through prelim 6, the canter with the change of rein is my nemesis and sure enough on the second canter he dropped me, so once we’d done our final halt I picked up the canter and did it again and as usual it was better, I need to ride it in the test with more determination. I was happy with the test on a warm ish day after a good lesson in the morning I knew it would be harder and so a fair 62% was ok, knowing I can pick up more marks.

Frodo also went on the weighbridge and whilst I knew he was overweight I’d hoped he wasn’t needing to lose 30kgs, he certainly doesn’t like that idea at all, so more work and keep the feed portions on the small side, he gets plenty of forage so try and keep it more limited when the grass is better.

Saturday evening was all about panicking when I realised his water bucket was leaking, thankfully Imperial Equestrian Ltd had some small buckets and a fellow camper had a spare so between the two he had enough water however he was happy to be tucked up eating haylage whilst I had dinner and made new friends. Not such an early night.

Sunday was more of the same - joint lesson in the morning, we did walk pirouettes whilst fellow rider did canter pirouettes. Frodo obviously didn’t put up any extra moves but did work hard and still loved the horse sharing the lesson. Lot’s of transitions and at long last the feeling that Frodo can still push from behind, he just chooses not to most of the time.

Another test in the afternoon, sadly not the one I’d planned and did prelim 4 instead although I’d started riding prelim 6 but shortage of sheets meant I had to change the plan. All good though as it’s still a long arena test so not really that sad. Frodo was tired and struggled to do the test so rather than run through the rough bits I elected to take him home. I’m sure it takes longer to pack up than it does to unpack on arrival.

Did I have a good time at camp well that’s a resounding yes, BD South and South East certainly know how to lay on a good camp, the right mix of training and learning - as well as lessons and test riding we did pilates and mindset coaching the youths were all so lovely and not at all phased by the handful of senior riders there.

It was lovely to get home and find Oakley waiting to greet us, I had a lesson on him on Monday and have to admit I did regret my life choices slightly as was so tired and just a little achy from the pilates, obviously not from the riding 😂 then yesterday Frodo and I went to Crockstead Equestrian Centre for a lesson with David Rumsey Dressage I had this plan that I wanted to work on a floor plan for some dressage to music, we did get it filmed and looking at the video has made me quite despondent about my riding and Frodo’s way of going. However as we were just concentrating on the floor plan and not much else I think I need to be kinder to myself- I would be horrified if I was that unkind to someone or if someone was that unkind to me so it’s not ok to be unkind to myself.

13/05/2025

One of my funniest photo’s Paul Green of PDG-Event Photography captured the moment Frodo and I had a difference of opinion he was going over the poles to our left, he did listen when I redirected him and this is the end result. Not sure which I find funniest the mane or how he looks like he’s two different horses.

06/05/2025

Totally this.

This needs to be said.
The equestrian world is full of passion, pride and unfortunately, online bullying.

We ride because we love our horses.
We train with care, commitment, and compassion.
We don’t do it for the likes, we do it for them.

But the reality is:
One day, your training feels flawless.
The next, you ride down the centre line… and your horse goes lame.
You’re eliminated.
You leave the arena holding back tears, head straight to the stables, and immediately start doing what good horse people do:

Calling the vet. The physio. The farrier. The nutritionist.
You check everything. You act fast. You do it for your horse.

But the internet doesn’t see that.

It doesn’t see the long nights, the massive bills, the endless worry.
It just sees a 10-second clip and people feel entitled to judge.

ENOUGH.

We need to stop tearing each other down.
Bullying riders online without context, compassion, or facts…is not okay.

Behind every horse is a team that cares deeply. Welfare always comes first.
Let’s support each other. Let’s be the kind of community our horses would be proud of.

If you’ve ever been judged unfairly, if you stand for kindness, if you believe in horse welfare above all speak up. Be the change.

Share this post if you agree

05/05/2025

This 👌 you never know what someone else is going through and you saying good luck etc may make them feel better that day. It takes nothing to be kind.

05/05/2025

Competition Report - on Saturday Frodo and I went to Golden Cross Equestrian Centre to do another long arena test, I’m finding them quite tricky in comparison to short arena tests and it’s showing up some gaps in our training. My lorry is away (it should have been back) so luckily a friend was also going and had space in her trailer so she offered us a lift. Frodo fair raced up the ramp and started tucking into the hay for Toby rather than his own haylage, Toby preferred the haylage so all was fine.

He warmed up nicely, lot’s of calling horses and people on first outings so it was noisier than normal but Frodo copes with it so no problem.

Test time and went to go into the arena to warm up before the bell but it actually went before we got in there so shoved him into trot and off we set, pleased to say he didn’t break in any of the canters and whilst it wasn’t the best test we’ve done it also wasn’t the worst, we had such an awful schooling session the night before I declared I wasn’t going, so tbh this was a bonus test. One funny is when we went into the arena to do our test around the outside he shouted, I’m not sure he’s ever done this before and for some bizarre reason known only to my brain it triggers a ‘I’m about to die’ reaction from me so obviously the worst time for him to shout however it gave me a good feeling and it felt like he was telling Toby that he’d be back any moment.

Got him back to the trailer untacked etc…. And shoved him back in to wait whilst Toby did his stuff, and he totally did strut and do his stuff.

We came home with a pretty purple rosette and another score for areas so as that was my aim I’m a happy bunny. Yet again it’s taking me an age to choose photos so they’ll be added later. Sadly Frodo did blot his copybook on Saturday by treading on my foot when being turned out and it’s gone a love shade of black etc….. however he then nannied the baby horse of my friend in good style yesterday making sure he did nothing to upset the baby ex racer on his first ridden ride out so I think I can forgive him.

02/05/2025

Oakley has (for him) had a relatively busy week we had a lesson on Monday at home working on getting him more supple and listening to the rider, me trying to remember to keep an even weight on the rein and working him into my outside rein. We ended the lesson in canter with a nice transition, sadly I seem to think that it’s scary and then forget how to ride once I snapped myself out of it the canter is actually rather nice, in the downward transition I do need to remember to keep him forwards and balance the trot. He worked hard and needed washing off, thank you RM1 Alva for the Alva Cleanse as it works so well.

Then on Wednesday we prepared for a virtual dressage test, the arena was all measured out and the boards and letters in all the correct places, looking smart if I say so myself. What I hadn’t thought about was getting nervous after all I ride in the arena at home all the time so why should today be any different, I’d learnt the test and have ridden it several times before so should be able to ride it relatively well but who knows what will happen once the camera is filming.

He warmed up nicely and soon enough I was ready for my friend to start videoing, I hadn’t thought about the fact Oakley had never seen a person holding a phone at C before a car yes but a real person no - he had a look checked in with me and we got on with it. The test felt nice enough but I’m never sure how it’s gone until I get my scores and feedback from the judge, as it’s a summer series there’s plenty of time to gain marks and do better - it’s quite a journey with Oakley and it’s been a bit of a roller coaster in how we go (a bit up and down) however it’s a journey not a race and I admit I am enjoying the journey. No it’s not always fun and sometimes he’s quite tricky to ride and I question my ability to do him justice and then other time he tells me he’s not sure he can do it and I handhold and show him he can, sometimes I also need handholding to help him.

I was going to school him this morning but have to admit having ridden Frodo I declared I was too hot and he got turned out without being ridden, it’s going to be cooler over the weekend so will ride him then.

20/04/2025

Three lessons and three hacks - last Sunday Frodo was entrusted to safely take a beginner rider down the road and back, he was apparently well behaved so they went in the school for a canter, this is Frodo’s favourite way of doing things, and something I occasionally do to freshen him up. I’m so proud of the way he looks after a less capable rider, we’ll gloss over trying to rush into his stable for his tea when they got on.

Then on Monday I had a lesson with usual trainer and instead of having the session on Oakley (as he’d had a busy weekend) I had it on Frodo we worked on suppleness through his body, he wasn’t thrilled with this and it was very hard work for both of us but particularly for me as I’d had a busy weekend.

Tuesday and Frodo and I went to Crockstead Equestrian Centre to have a lesson with David Rumsey Dressage, I was particularly excited as not only was rain forecast but Crockstead have just had a new surface put down so I was excited to be able to ride on it. Honestly I would never have thought a surface would make that much difference but it felt super bouncy. To get Frodo more supple, pushing from behind and listening we did transitions in the corners and five metre loops in the canter/trot he wasn’t so keen on this as it made him work hard.

On Friday morning we accompanied a youngster down the road to get him used to hacking out, I’m very lucky that Frodo takes his job of es**rt very seriously and allowed the horse to come inside of us if necessary and to bump into his bottom without a reaction. He was super and a very steady boy. Then on Friday afternoon we went for another hack this time a much longer on up and down hills and past a local cross country field - this time he wasn’t required for babysitting purposes so when we walked over the blue arrow painted on the road he felt fine about having a small spook (following the direction of the arrow to the edge of the road) he moaned and groaned about the steepness of the hill (or was that me). He happily spooked at a small boy jumping the jump (my idea 🙄) and generally marched out. It was glorious to be out on a sunny afternoon and we happily chatted and laughed our way around, this time I put my stirrups on the correct length which made life easier. It’s so nice to be able to hack him along on the buckle which is something I never thought I’d be able to do. We saw geese in a field and a huge herd of deer as well as very few cars. The bluebells are all blooming and the woods look stunning with a carpet of blue flowers.

Saturday found us back at CLeanne Wall Coaching Centre this time for a lesson with Leanne Wall Coaching I always enjoy these sessions as she makes it fun - she had some football markers along the long side to make the arena into a 20 wide arena so Frodo and I had to stop drifting out and my task was to keep his straight on my terms not his - and to ensure that if I’d asked him to bend to the outside he maintained it until asked to flex in the other direction. It was hard work both physically and mentally, we did however get a really nice canter at the end of the session with me really feeling as if he’d never stop. I just have to remember to put into practice what we learnt rather than slip back to old habits.

Frodo is taking Easter Sunday as a day of rest and wishing his sister the rabbit aka Brownbread Easter Rabbit a happy birthday.

15/04/2025

This page has been somewhat neglected for the past three weeks or so and this is because I’ve been busy with both the boys. Frodo has done a bit of hacking (on Ashdown Forest) a competition and several lessons, Oakley however has been very busy he’s done some competing and lessons and then best of all he’s been to camp.

Last weekend I took Oakley to Froxfield Dressage for a camp run by the lovely Jessica Gale Dressage I’d checked with her before taking Oakley that she was happy to handhold and encourage me to ride Oakley but equally be supportive if I declined to ride. So with this in mind we set off on Friday afternoon for the journey, Oakley hasn’t always been a comfortable traveller and so I’ve kept everything as local as possible to build his (and mine) confidence. He obviously travelled like a well seasoned traveller and arrived the other end wondering where he was. I got his stable ready and unloaded him and put him in there and her just started eating his haynet as if he spends most weekends there.

We’d preordered an Indian for dinner on Friday night which Jess kindly collected for us all and we sat around outside eating together, I had done another camp with the same people so it was lovely to have a catch up with them all food eaten, horses checked we all went off to bed to get some sleep.

Saturday morning and Oakley was quietly pleased to see me and still had some hay left and had worked out how to use the auto waterer so I knew he wouldn’t dehydrate. Quick muck out and all to soon it was time to get him ready for our first lesson, we were in the indoor so it was all very easy, at our allotted time I took him in there and walked him to the mounting block which is at the far end so gave him some walking time to take in his surroundings and by the time we got to the block he was super chilled and happy for me to get on (ok he might have been vaguely apprehensive) he stood really nicely I think he was admiring himself in the mirror. Really nice lesson working on serpentines/circles and transitions with varying patterns of circles within the serpentine to help suppleness and to keep him gently moving. We managed this in walk and trot.

In the afternoon we had our second lesson and Oakley was much more settled, I opted to stay in the indoor and keep it all low key and simple. We managed to get into trot much quicker and he was much more settled in the contact, I think he’s finally getting used to his new bridle. Towards the end of the session one of the other campers asked about his canter and next thing I knew I was voluntarily cantering, only got he correct lead on one rein but did canter on both reins and did I mention how lovely he was? He was rather happy at the end of the lesson to be led back to his stable and a hay net.

Sunday morning was a group polework session, which I said I’d do in hand - don’t ask but I went straight to the mounting block and we did it all ridden. Oakley seemed to enjoy the session until about half way through when some tension crept in so I quietly took him to the other end of the school and we worked over poles from that end. We opted to leave the weekend there as felt he’d find another lesson and the drive home too much. Needless to say he loaded well and travelled home like the pro he now is and was really pleased to find himself out in the field with his mates.

To say I had a lovely weekend is an understatement I had huge amounts of fun my fellow campers were all supportive and so kind to each other offering encouragement at every turn and a sympathetic word if necessary. Jess is a wonderful coach and was very careful to set a good balance of pushing and hand holding she knew from the messages I’d sent her that I wasn’t sure taking Oakley was a good plan but was sympathetic about my nerves, I really needn’t have worried he was such a good boy.