Liz Taylor

Two new arrivals for Liz

Quite a lot has happened since I wrote my last blog, firstly Enigmatika has had a couple of outings out inhand and did very well.
We first took her to a Royal London Qualifier at Bromyard Equestrian centre. Bromyard has some lovely facilities and was just perfect for an inexperienced horse.

We showed her in the Pure Bred Arab class, and also in the Rare and Foreign Breeds class – she gained 3rd place in both classes so we were very pleased with her, comment was passed on how well she looked and how it was nice to see a grey horse’s coat so shiny...I’m not very good at grooming, so I put it down to the feed she was having - Alfa-A!
We then took her to the Midlands In Hand Show at Gracelands, again she behaved impeccably and gained a 3rd place in the Amateur handler class...preparations going well for her first Endurance Ride!

Enigmatika was entered for the 32km Novice Endurance Ride at Cirencester Park on 18th June, as a final preparation for this we boxed her over to a friends yard and went out on a fast hack with a group of horses up May Hill, came back, they swapped horses and Ennie and I went out with their second string. Enigmatika was impeccably behaved again and really enjoyed it!
One of the most important aspects of training an Endurance horse is that it must go well in any situation, it must be able to ride on its own, keeping speed, enthusiasm and momentum, but likewise it should be able to travel happily in a group of horses, in front, behind or in the pack, being forward going but not stupid and still concentrating and behaving...not wasting all of that ever important energy pulling your arms out or being stupid.

We were all set for her first outing, trailer loaded, horse fit and me keen... and then Karaanza started dripping milk the evening before. So, after a night of no sleep (on foal watch!), we had a very healthy very stunning little chestnut filly foal born...and big bags under our eyes...which prevented us from going to Cirencester. Karaanza was over a week overdue, and obviously kept her legs crossed until Cirencester weekend on purpose!

I was quite disappointed missing Cirencester as I was very much looking forward to taking Ens on her first ride but obviously ecstatic with the new arrival, we have now two plans for July...a Pleasure ride organised by our local group, and a Novice endurance ride at Ludlow Racecourse, as I would very much like Enigmatika to get her novice completions under her belt for this year.
After that night we had a few more sleepless ones to follow as Falaina started rapidly dripping milk..and 4 days later she produced the most gorgeous little bay (grey?) filly for us, exactly 11 months gestation. This little lady popped out with her mums attitude and confidence, and I look forward to completing 160km on her in a few years....

Very proud of both mums and foals, and all are healthy and well which was the most important part! Hopefully both will be super little endurance horses!

I will let you know how Ennie and I get on at our Endurance ride!

Liz