August Bank Holiday Monday
I decided to have an impromptu open day to raise some money for Spinal Research ....

Here is how the day went ...

All set up first thing in the morning	Having a good time ... but only Gary is by the wine while the yard tours were going on
The Pointers still have to be exercised - Artic Fire poses ...	Oh dear - could it be too much wine ?...  one of my dad's friends checks out his racing abilities!

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Glenkyle Stan wins at his first show:
Our superb Connemara won first place at his first show this weekend - June 07

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NOVEMBER 2006

Riding out in November - we managed to persuade someone back in the saddle after a 2 year break!! (Middle)
Vicki on the left on her horse Stand Easy and John out hacking having ridden about 6 times in his life!

Qualifying the Point to Pointers with the Old Berks - Nov 06
Richard on Lollie	The hounds are off!

We've even got Janie out of the office and into poo picking!!
August 8th 2006

Almost the End of Another Patrick Print Summer Camp - a lunchtime drink being enjoyed!
August 4th - 6th 2006

Richard Dunwoody and Stan Mellor discuss Jockey Styles on 28th July 06

Which shiny new toy would you prefer?
If you fancy becoming a racehorse owner then click on horses for sale ....
If you want to drive a Ferrari - let us know by e-mail and we will forward information!

Our Newbury Runner - Smarty's Double!  Running in a Charity Race - July 06

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Smarty on the gallops - one week before his last run with jockey Ben Garner

A night to remember followed by ...
A day with Champion Jockey Richard Dunwoody ...

December 2005 brings fond memories of a wild Christmas Party and everyone going jumping crazy ... Wednesday night was followed by a crisp Thursday morning which helped sort out some sore heads!!!  Everyone enjoyed their night in the Blower (thanks to Luke Harvey and his team) and we were very lucky to get Mick Fitzgerald to award the Christmas Raffle prizes.  The winners were:  Hours Riding - Georgie, The Ultimate Racehorse Experience - Steven and the Loan horse for a week - Jim and Margaret.  Fortunately no one had a camera at the party so we're going to say what goes on tour stays on tour!!! ... But - don't miss out on the next party!!!   Below are some photos of the following day ....

Leslie on Cottage, Karine on Paris and Jenny on Levity - Richard on foot!

We were so hung over from the Christmas Party that we forgot we were showjumping....  Margaret thought she was riding in the Champion Hurdle!!

July 2005

We had our first party last Saturday with Donna and her band playing - Basement 33.  Everyone had a great night and thanks to everyone who helped set up, take down and cook the food (Sally and her mum!!).  It was such a good night that I think we will have to have another party in August!

The second showjumping clinic also took place this weekend which went very well - here are some more photos 

 Jackie is back schooling Icharis - here he is in action ... what a georgeous horse!

June 2005

A good time is being had by all - we have had our first showjumping clinic which went really well - everyone enjoyed themselves and learnt lots from Caroline ... we were all definitely completely exhausted after the three days!  Glasses of wine were enjoyed on Sunday night!  Thanks to Caroline and everyone who attended - here are some photos of the first jump!

Spring Fever! The spring is here and everyone has spring fever enjoying the long summer evenings and the warmer weather.  We have been enjoying dressage clinics with Patrick Print and there is lots more to come with Patrick this summer including a two day adult camp in August!  We're all looking forward to the show jumping clinics with Caroline Grime also in June and July. We have lots of lovely new horses in from Ireland - I don't expect they will be here for long but we are enjoying their company while they are here, they include Pete, James, Bracken and Cloud.  I have also bought myself a fantastic new horse called Russell. The long summer evenings are back so we are out hacking after work ... here are some photos to wet your appetite .... after a stressful day why not chill out riding  .... Our lovely ex-racehorses - Social, Lass and Paddy

The site is back up!!! And guess what else is up.... The New Horsewalker!!  Pictures taken 26th January 2005

Bluey comes into the house to listen to  Flirty at 2.30 on Fox FM

The Grand Opening for a Brand New Year! ... .... And The Duchess was confused and thought the vast expanse must be sea (her eyesight must be failing) she cut the tape (horse bandage!) with the words ...  "May God Bless her and all who ride within her ..." For some reason (below) we found this rather funny - we sent her merrily on her way to Portsmouth (in hope of finding some sailors) - full of champagne of course!
31st December 2004
Florence and Finn take the first footsteps	Followed closely by the yard mascot
Lass looks across to Paris	Thanks to all of you who came along to support us for the opening.  Hopefully you enjoyed the champagne! Thanks also to Florence and Connor who rode so well And to Dinah the Duchess for coming to do the grand opening speech!

Hogan enjoying a day with the hounds	The Old Berks Hunt Christmas Eve Jockeys Meet  at Holistic Horses - 11am    Paris and Judith Lisa and Shamrock
Anyone seen a fox? Anyone seen Alan Daly?	Mr Bond .... Pilgrim Bond,
! Anyone seen Social Climbers jockey? Simon McNeill goes for the coloured horse instead - sorry Socie!	The huntsmen
And the horses keep coming - the meet congregates all round the yard ... 180 horses came to the meet!

The School has started - the drainage is going in today ... 7th December 2004

LOAN A HORSE FOR THREE OR SIX MONTHS ...
 WHAT A GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT!!!!
It's great fun to own  your own horse - you can ride when you want, with who you want or just chill out on the Ridgeway on your own if preferred ...
I have some super horses available for loan this winter including Hogan, Fred, Bluey and Brad - why not check out this link .... HORSES FOR LOAN

All in a winters Day ... (Late November 2004)

We Support Hunting!

 
For a VERY un-political person I'd just like to comment on why we support hunting at Holistic Horses ...

a ... Paris LOVES it! ... just look at the picture!

b ... From my research if hunting is banned Foxes will still be culled, therefore by not supporting hunting you are supporting the death of many hounds, horses and working dogs and a more painful end to a Foxes life.  Currently we are fortunate enough to be able to view healthy foxes living happily due to the 'natural selection' that hunting with dogs ensures.  Healthy foxes tend to get away whereas old, or ill foxes get killed instantly by dogs (this is nature - think of a safari).  Farmers keep up hedgerows for the hunt which encourages healthy habitat for mice, spiders, birds etc etc (all part of your natural English food chain).  With the demise of Wolves there is no other natural way to cull Foxes ... they WILL be shot or poisoned ... but which ones will be shot? ... The obvious ones - the healthy dog foxes - not the mangy old ones hiding in cover - therefore our healthy fox population gets diseased coupled with foxes have a miserable death from poison or a possible slow painful death through gun shot wounds.  

Personally I HATE having to poison animals ... last year I found it unbearable when a rat full of poison crawled up the yard waiting for his death - the only way I could end his suffering was to borrow a terrier to give him a natural quick death .....

Please please think seriously about what animal rights is really about - is it really about taking away the most natural death for any animal to more chemical warfare and so call 'humane' killing??

Listen in to 102.6 Fox FM.  You may hear more from Jo (left on Ronan) and James (on Paris) at 8am and 1pm respectively (weekdays) about their riding experience at Holistic Horses.  James has been requesting horsey jokes for Paris, so if you have any good ones let me know!

Check out this link for more music and a good resemblance to the above picture!

http://svt.se/hogafflahage/hogafflaHage_site/Kor/hestekor.swf

an ecstatic Kate who now owns Tom