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Post by cadeby on Jul 14, 2016 17:21:09 GMT -1
To join in with the Dales Pony Society Centenary Celebrations, members of the Association Française du Dales have undertaken a series of President's Rides in France. The aim was to ride and drive a total distance of 500 kms, this being the distance between Calais and Barnard Castle. Here's a collage of the french team's efforts : Particular mention goes to Natacha Dabo, the former Secretary of the Association, who rode 320 kms of the total distance herself, with her lovely grey mare Ouadaye (Gretaside Prince x Pelfintax Peaseblossom). Martin and I were mere lightweights in comparison, riding 120kms in total with Inca (Wolsey Quebec), Belle (Aquilasstud Maebelle) and Jacques (Kingmaker Union Jacques). Isabelle Thibault, the President of the French Association, clocked up all of her kilometers DRIVING her Dales mare O'Connor and young stallion Baron de Kingmaker, mostly off-road with her 2 Beauceron dogs running alongside.  We had a giggle for the final km of the ride. This was completed by Galileo de Kingmaker, our 2 month old grey colt. Galileo scampered alongside his dam Argill Lady Beth as I rode her bareback to the end of our driveway and back. Galileo was fascinated by the Centenary sash that we had commissioned for the ride, so I couldn't resist taking his picture, and awarded him a DPS rosette for his galant effort    The DPS have commissioned a series of brass plaques for each Area Group that are taking part in the Presidents Ride. I photographed the french plaque next to a french lavender - it seemed fitting All the plaques will be carried through Barnard Castle during the Presidents Ride finale.  Finally, special thanks from the French Association go to Lucy Dentith who agreed to act as the French Representative on UK soil. Lucy and her Dales gelding Tim (Ittingston Blackthorn) carried the french Centenary sash and rosette on a section of the Pennine Way Ride. Lol at Tim who clearly needed a sneaky, energy boosting snack for his hack  |
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Post by Fi on Jul 14, 2016 19:27:27 GMT -1
Fabulous! Never mind the short distance Galileo did, all efforts should be equally rewarded and applauded! Will the rosette he earnt go with him to his new home?? |
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Post by Fi on Jul 14, 2016 19:27:37 GMT -1
Fabulous! Never mind the short distance Galileo did, all efforts should be equally rewarded and applauded! Will the rosette he earnt go with him to his new home?? |
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Post by harveydales on Jul 15, 2016 5:40:21 GMT -1
Brilliant! What a fabulous collage and special well done to Galileo - surely that must be a record for the youngest ever pony taking part in a ride  |
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Post by cadeby on Jul 15, 2016 13:46:57 GMT -1
Fabulous! Never mind the short distance Galileo did, all efforts should be equally rewarded and applauded! Will the rosette he earnt go with him to his new home?? Only if me or Martin are prepared to sacrifice one of our own |
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Post by dalesnfellfan on Jul 18, 2016 11:01:59 GMT -1
Fabulous collage, I love the photo of the plaque, well done everyone especially Galilao
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Post by ikklecob on Jul 31, 2016 17:14:51 GMT -1
Lovely photos what a super effort by everyone.
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Post by maggie on Aug 8, 2016 12:47:49 GMT -1
What a fantastic effort and lovely photographs. Vive la France!   |
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Post by Debbie on Aug 16, 2016 18:49:28 GMT -1
WOOOOOWWWW!!!! What an amazing writeup, loads of fantastic pics and how uber cool you get a plaque to commemorate as well?! I wish we hadn't been so distracted by our farm soap opera this year. There's so many wonderful activities going on to celebrate the 100th  As for Galileo ~ adorable!!! I'm so glad he and his mum got to be a part of the celebrating too. What a cutie  My only regret is that there's only one LIKE button |
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Post by cadeby on Aug 16, 2016 21:49:27 GMT -1
We didn't get to keep the plaque Debbie. There was a plaque commissioned for each DPS Area Group, then they were all collected back in and mounted on a leather collar that Jo Ashby carried around her pony's neck through Barnard Castle at the head of the Presidents Ride  We all got one, or more, of these lovely rosettes from the DPS :  ...and French members got one of these as well :  This is Belle (Aquilasstud Maebelle) modelling her french rosette after completing a 10km ride on french soil  |
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Post by Fi on Aug 17, 2016 20:01:31 GMT -1
Ooh, that French rosette is lovely!
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Post by cadeby on Aug 18, 2016 14:25:25 GMT -1
Ooh, that French rosette is lovely! Thanks Fiona. I commissioned the french rosettes myself, so I chose something I like, lol. They were made by Hobbit Rosettes in the UK |
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Post by Debbie on Aug 26, 2016 14:56:29 GMT -1
We didn't get to keep the plaque Debbie. There was a plaque commissioned for each DPS Area Group, then they were all collected back in and mounted on a leather collar that Jo Ashby carried around her pony's neck through Barnard Castle at the head of the Presidents Ride I got to see Jo and her pony wearing the collar. Not to sound silly, but it almost made me weep from the emotional impact. Seeing Jo get the honor of having her pony wear the collar, but also knowing what each plaque represents. Okay, I got weepy, but in a joyful good way How neat that you got to design the French Rosies!!! I think they look very smart indeed |
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