a few photos from Zana's clinic and the Performance Show

[Fi]

I really hope this album link from the dreaded phototbucket works!

s1119.photobucket.com/user/fionasam/library/

otherwise I'll load a few photos manually.

Had a really good long weekend immersed in Dales Pony stuff. Bliss! I took young Sam up to Malham for a 2-day clinic on the Friday and Saturday and the little guy did so well. I've taken it steady with him this summer and I'm so glad I have - we had some lovely feedback from Zana. Our balance is coming on lovely, it helps that he's naturally well balanced (but that was part of the remit when we went shopping!). We're also a lot straighter than back in May, and I've come away with some exercises to further improve us.

We had a group session hack on Friday afternoon - it's the furthest he's hacked and over some tough terrain, but he was as good as gold. Quite happily following in stallion Apollo's capable hoofprints. I walked him through the fields (due to my own worries - my old horse would've probably bolted) but needn't've worried he was fine. Walked through the streams all fine, he did do a double take at a Yorkshire Water sign which made me chuckle as they are my employers and ergo pay for all the hay.

Saturday he tackled quite a few of the Le Trec obstacles we set up.

Sunday I helped at the Performance Show - and can recommend it to anyone that is considering it. It was a great way to meet people and ponies. Stewarded the Handy Pony so saw all the competitors, and have come away in the firm belief that Le Trec is the future!! The top 3 Handy Pony scores by a considerable margin were Treccies.

Was then delighted that 'my' trainer and another of her pupils earned Open Champion and Reserve. Was also really pleased to see Oscar and Kirsty do so well in the Intermediate too. Go Team Malham! So heartening to see that some of the training guidance I'm getting off Zana is paying dividends for her with Apollo. He's only 6, and it was only his third show. Don't think I'll be setting my sights quite so high! - all being well (fingers and toes crossed, you never know with ponies) I'm hoping to take young Sam next year and do the Intro. Better do some Trec practice....

[Debbie]

The link worked for me! So many lovely pics you can really see the bond you and Sam have already

[harveydales]

It worked for me too. Fabulous photos! Lovely to see how well you and Sam are coming on. It really was worth the wait to find that perfect pony.

[dalesnfellfan]

Lots of lovely photos, Sam looks lovely and you look good together, definitely worth taking things slowly with him, you've got many wonderful years ahead of you with together.

[nedales]

Fabulous job Fi, you and Sam have come on so quickly!

[nedales]

I am going to add to this that I keep a library of Zana videos from clinics and lessons to keep me on task re balance, approach and...focus. Very useful!