Catch-up. Must try harder!!!

Last year I was terribly remiss in posting regular updates on the Kingmaker blog, and we're now 5 months into 2014 and I have failed to post any 2014 news. I really must apply more effort, or even SOME effort!

So, it's catch-up time :

2014 got off to an exciting start with the arrival of two new ponies all the way from County Durham. Kingmaker Union Jacques, a rising 6 year old black Dales gelding bred by us, came home to France to be my principle riding pony. Jac has been brilliantly broken to ride by his previous owner Sarah Dowson and is an honest and enthusiastic pony who will turn his hooves to anything. He loves to jump, although I'm not too sure if I still do!!!

Jac arrived fit and fully clipped. Cue some fun rug shopping, although I think this one I chose was a tad too big!

Number 2 pony is (whispers) not a Dales but their smaller cousin the Fell Pony. 
We are delighted to welcome the very pretty seal-brown Fell mare Greenholme Spice to France. Spice is unbroken and has spent her life as a broodmare. She makes super, typey foals. Spice was purchased in-foal to Fell Pony stallion Grahamsley Cracker Jack, so we will look forward to the arrival of her baby towards the end of May 2014. It will be interesting to compare the two breeds.  

 

February brought some spectacular flooding, leaving many of our fields and driveway inundated. Turn-out for the horses became a logistical nightmare, and as the waters receded we were left with a sea of deep and very gloopy mud, which the horses seemed to cope with admirably, whilst we humans fell over in it many times!  

 

 

 

 

 

March arrived with several dark and heavy hail storms :

 

 

 

...and some spectacular winter sunsets. I was delighted to see this large bird of prey (possibly a Buzzard as we have several resident pairs of those on the farm) perched high up in a tree enjoying the fiery sky as much as me : 

 

 

 

King also seemed to appreciate the beautiful evenings, or maybe he was just dreaming of girlfriends to come :

 

  





Meanwhile, King and Wilf's former wives were all becoming nicely rounded. From left to right are Becky, Inca, Gem, Tetley and Spice :

 

 

 

Which brings us nicely on to our 2014 foals....

 

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