Carly Millbank

Merry Christmas from Carly!

The last few weeks have been very busy indeed.? Our yard is full to capacity with a waiting list with 9 horses on it which is encouraging and daunting at the same time having so many horses when the weather is so cold and icy!

We had a successful time at the BSJA Area 40 show with Wanted coming 2nd in his class and Whinny 4th in hers.? After this show, Neal and I dashed off for a quick holiday in Tenerife to soak up some rays before the big Christmas freeze set in, which it clearly had on our arrival back at Gatwick!

I have three new horses, two youngsters that are in the process of being broken, both of which are nameless - any suggestions greatly welcomed and one 7 year old called Benson.

I have been diversifying a little lately and have been doing some dressage!!? We went to our first affiliated event at Bluegate Hall last weekend with Luca and Benson.? They were both very well behaved and performed two great tests.? Luca came 3rd and Benson 4th.? The next day we ventured out again in the freezing cold to another dressage event with Whinny, Luca and Benson.? We had a great time.? Luca won both of the classes, scoring 74% and 74.5% with 9's for his paces and straight lines!? Whinny and Benson came joint 3rd with scores of 70.8%.? My aim for Luca is to do some Elementary tests in January and for Whinny and Benson to be consistent at Novice level.

Our next outing is to Towerlands mid week for some show-jumping - just to confuse the horses a little more!

The house repairs have finally commenced following the floods in the summer.? My kitchen and bathroom consists of a pile of rubble on the floor - see photo's - which is an awful sight, especially with Christmas just round the corner and no place to cook the turkey! It is however quite exciting as we are in the process of designing a new kitchen and bathroom to our own requirements and taste!? The yard has still not been knocked down, although designs are firmly in place for the new American barn style building.

Play will not stop over the Christmas and New Year period, we are off to Towerlands for the New Year show so all the horses will stay in work over the festive period in order to maintain their fitness levels.

I have a rider and groom called Charlotte starting in January to help with the workload and to produce the youngsters.? I will fill you in next time on her progress and competition debut.? She will be bringing her own horse, Bitty which she brought off us last year (a lovely 5 year old by Indoctro) which she will compete along side Whinny in age classes.

All that remains is to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2008!

Carly