Charlie Pickman

Potential Superstars

The last month has been pretty boring on the horse front with the horses having well deserved holidays. Viking and Josh are out together and are looking like fat hairy ponies! They are both going to come in next week to start walking and getting fit for dressage and show jumping later in January.

I have been concentrating on allowing Billy to mature and get stronger so he hasn't been out competing, but doing lots of hacking and hill work. He is improving, but I think he will take a lot longer than Viking to finish growing up both mentally and physically. He is careful, has loads of scope jumping, and moves well, but to achieve his potential he has to improve his rideabilty and submission. He is a bit of a challenge at times!

Meg is happily roughed off at grass, and plans are underway for new life as a brood mare. Claire's vet 'Oliver' is going to keep her. He already knows Meg as he removed the bone chip from her hock earlier in the year, and has been her Vet throughout her eventing career. Oliver is going into horse breeding alongside his veterinary work, and hopefully Meg will produce a future superstar.

Speaking of potential superstars Summer is still growing and developing well. She is now about 13.1hh, 5 months old, is very dark bay and still has a lovely temperament. So far she seems to love company whether human or horse, and really enjoys being fussed over. Her head is broadening which is good as we needed to have 2 foal slips made for her little muzzle. It will be nice to buy something that fits! She is now has a playmate, Minnie, which is Foxy's yearling filly. I evented Foxy to advanced level. Minnie was a very small foal, possibily a twin, and there was doubt about her viability. She has grown a lot against all the odds, which is due to good management by her Owners, and is making up for her bad start. Despite being 9 months older than Summer she is not much bigger, but is more substantial and mature. It will be interesting to see how long it takes Summer to catch up. Dazzler and another brood mare are out with them as well, but we plan to wean Summer in the New Year and bring Dazzler home. Summer seems to be holding her own with Minnie, who is more dominant at present. They gallop and play together which should help them both develop, strengthen and grow up. It also gives the older mares some well earned peace!

I hope you enjoy the Christmas and New Year festivities and are looking forward to 2009 as much as I am.

Merry Christmas

Charlie

Dec 08