Post by harveydales on May 7, 2015 5:14:26 GMT -1
Last Sunday I took Harvey to a local Pleasure Ride with Sheila/Jaycee and Sue/Eric. It is known as the "Pillar Ride" and is all on woodland tracks through the Brocklesby Estate with plenty of long,wide grassy tracks ideal for cantering.
This was Sue and Sheila's first time but I've been a few times over the years. It wasn't until I was half way there in the trailer that I remembered the last time I went, about 5 years ago, I swore to myself I would never go again. That time it was a nightmare of a ride. Dolly pulled the whole way round and Harvey did his twisting bucks and leaps every time we met another horse. Even the long gallop at the end didn't tire him.
The time before that, I let little Nikki take Harvey and he bucked her off twice only yards from the start so she gave up and led him home in hand.
This time there were more people there than ever. I think there must have been about 200 in total! All 3 of us were regretting coming but we bravely set off and all 3 ponies were absolute
the whole way round. We had a couple of horses bolt past us out of control, there was one loose horse on the course and so many people in general that it was impossible to make the most of the lovely tracks. 
The final uphill half mile canter was fantastic and it was the first time I've been able to really enjoy a good, fast canter on Harvey and feel safe! He didn't buck once, didn't get over excited but clearly enjoyed himself. We were even able to remain behind others while cantering and he didn't pull to overtake until the very end! Most of the ride I could enjoy on a loose rein. Now should I be happy or worried that he is getting too old..........
There were loads of photos and I can't decide which ones to buy. These were taken on the final 1/2 mile finsh and I should add this must be an all time first to capture all of us in action, we are no.s 2813 to 2840 with Harvey in the front, then Jaycee and then Eric: www.smile-event-photography.co.uk/portfolio381849p7.html
These were taken not long into the ride, 8563-8565: www.smile-event-photography.co.uk/portfolio381844p2.html and 6566-8581: www.smile-event-photography.co.uk/portfolio381844p3.html
This was Sue and Sheila's first time but I've been a few times over the years. It wasn't until I was half way there in the trailer that I remembered the last time I went, about 5 years ago, I swore to myself I would never go again. That time it was a nightmare of a ride. Dolly pulled the whole way round and Harvey did his twisting bucks and leaps every time we met another horse. Even the long gallop at the end didn't tire him.
The time before that, I let little Nikki take Harvey and he bucked her off twice only yards from the start so she gave up and led him home in hand.
This time there were more people there than ever. I think there must have been about 200 in total! All 3 of us were regretting coming but we bravely set off and all 3 ponies were absolute
the whole way round. We had a couple of horses bolt past us out of control, there was one loose horse on the course and so many people in general that it was impossible to make the most of the lovely tracks. The final uphill half mile canter was fantastic and it was the first time I've been able to really enjoy a good, fast canter on Harvey and feel safe! He didn't buck once, didn't get over excited but clearly enjoyed himself. We were even able to remain behind others while cantering and he didn't pull to overtake until the very end! Most of the ride I could enjoy on a loose rein. Now should I be happy or worried that he is getting too old..........
There were loads of photos and I can't decide which ones to buy. These were taken on the final 1/2 mile finsh and I should add this must be an all time first to capture all of us in action, we are no.s 2813 to 2840 with Harvey in the front, then Jaycee and then Eric: www.smile-event-photography.co.uk/portfolio381849p7.html
These were taken not long into the ride, 8563-8565: www.smile-event-photography.co.uk/portfolio381844p2.html and 6566-8581: www.smile-event-photography.co.uk/portfolio381844p3.html
I have bought a photo of the three of us and one at the start of the ride on my own. 
