Siblings Home Alone!

 

With Laddie back to work and Cloud back from her visit to Brae, the two palominos are happy to experience some family time. Both by the palomino stallion Canyonleigh CloudChaser; Cloud out of C. Amazing Grace, and Harry (foreground) out of C. Belle Olympia.

 

Sir Galahad surveys his new work space

 

Laddie was ready to get stuck into some serious work at last. He stepped up the tail ramp of an imposing big Deamer's Horse Transport as if it was his personal limousine...which it really was , as John had made a special trip to transport him just before his Christmas break!!

Travelled and disembarked like a pro: now we just have to pray for some coolish weather for Jeremy so he doesn't sweat off all his Christmas cheer too quickly!

New Best Friends

 

With Cloud and Maybellene away at Colonial Park Stud, visiting Brae Galaxy, Victor happily playing with Kerry, and Gracie with her new family, Harry and Galahad have had quality time together to relax and become trusting buddies. The boys no longer have to show off their machismo in front of the girls!!

Calendar boy

 

Kerry and Victor step up to the mark for a 2013 Calendar shoot!

Hunter Valley in the background: Maitland Vale from Anambah

Stepping out at Novice level

Kerry enjoyed a fairly relaxed day with Victor at the Alexander Park T-shirt day competition on Sunday. Some very nice leg-yieldiing and 15m canter circles before he nodded to the judges!
Bit of a clown at heart, I think!
Thanks to Chris Sullivan for the photos!

Learning the alphabet

Victor is back to work on the flat with Kerry Sullivan. Lovely to watch his confidence and athleticism develop. He's just thriving on the dressage training ladder under Jeremy's watchful eye and direction.
The exercises  working off the leg, shoulder-in, renvers, travers, leg-yielding, half-pass are improving his strength off his quarters and his flexibility, and he is becoming more able to give an immediate response. Brain/understanding and muscle strength are developing to allow him to confidently react to the slightest indication of an aid.
Today he was extending his understanding of the rider's aids as he worked on the turn on the haunches, establishing a good marching pace as he begins to sit on his haunches. Then Kerry asked for canter from a standstill and return to a walk, or halt. He's really developing an understanding of the response required for increasingly refined aids.
He is so chuffed to get a pat when he gets it right! Really works for his pats!!

Victor had his first exposure to jumping yesterday, with Emma Bishop. He rubbed a crossrail when trotting over his first upright, but didn't touch a thing, thereafter! Some lovely canter work off both leads.
The verdict? Bold, talented and very quick to learn! After 30 minutes he was jumping 60cms in really good 'form'. That's the height of Introductory eventing jumps.
Emma says he feels very like Paeon.
Today, settled back to his dressage work with Kerry very happily.