This is my new excuse, Cowley, my current most favorite place in the whole world, has literally stolen me away from my latest promise to the blog!

While the "works" are being carried out at the new yard (including fixing one or two minor floods!) we have been unable to school so have had to spend all our time hacking the horses out.

For me, this was like my worst nightmare!  Not one to waste time hacking and always impatient and lacking time, I very rarely do ride out, although the horses of course have to, Sharron and Lynette and whoever else we can rope in normally have this pleasure!

However, I did venture out for a trip around the village with Rossi with groans of protest.  He marched out like a fire-breathing dragon, announcing his arrival to the villagers and making his presence known.  While stomping along the back of Cowley Manor, I noticed a group of Japanese tourists who had stopped about three hundred yards in front of us, dropped to their knees and started to very enthusiastically, take our photographs!  They had several small children in tow and, as they approached we had to pull over into a lay-by to let them pass.

As the children "aahed" and "oohed" Rossi, (being Rossi) changed immediately from being a raging bull to an absolute pussy cat, dropped his head, stuck out his tongue and invited them to come and pet and play with him. 

They, of course, were delighted and spent several minutes petting and stroking him, having their photographs taken and delighting themselves in the presence of this super-sweet stallion who, of course, lapped it all up.

They then went on their way and he, once again, turned into a tiger!

The very next day, Libby and I went for a lovely ride and "explore" (If I am honest, I think we actually just got lost!!!) and it was delightful!  We were totally spoilt for choice and could not actually decide where to go.  We finally asked a very helpful farmer how to get home and he pointed us in the direction of a bridle path which, after some negotiation, took us back to the right road. 

I enjoyed myself so much that I didn't even realise how bad the weather had been until we got back.  I was absolutely soaked through. Coming from a girl who, after living in Spain, at the mere sniff of rain, will not even consider sitting on a horse unless it is in an indoor is a really big deal!

Libby and I have continued to explore, although not as much as I would have liked (Sharron is still having fun there!) and it is lovely to see how the villagers and walkers are so friendly, warm and welcoming.  The horses, of course, are charming them with their soft characters and stunning beauty and we have had several comments as to how lovely it will be to see these gorgeous horses out and about.

Next week however, all of the drainage should be fixed so it will be back to the school - and Hilary..........

Again, it has taken ages to write and I apologise but it seems that we barely have a minute to think these days!

I was lucky enough to spend a week in Dubai to soak up some winter sun and "work".  I spent a fab day at the Dubai Polo Club on the Friday afternoon with Abby Blom who purchased the lovely Entendido through our agency about four years ago.  As I always stress, relationships take time and effort to build and it was very clear that these two are now totally bonded!

It was so lovely to see the obvious adoration the pair have for each other and the total trust Etty now has in his owner.

I was also lucky enough to be shown around the polo club and enjoy a super day out, thanks Abby for your very kind hospitality - it was a terrific day!

Saturday was a super day, staying at The Palm, Atlantis, which was great fun and totally OTT for a yardie girl like me.  For those of you who have never been, you must try it, there are 17 restaurants, several beaches, a waterpark and the most amazing spa!!

Sunday I was then lucky enough to be invited to visit the Royal Stables in Fujairah where a handsome procession of Spanish and Arabian horses were paraded in front of me along with a miniature donkey, a baby camel and a percheron, all of whom had been rescued!!  The lucky trio have found themselves in the most incredible home and sit quite happily alongside all of the, dare I say it, higher quality, racing, showing, breeding and competition stock!

After that, I was shown around the zoo, where all of the animals looked fit and healthy and well and to prove it, are all breeding beautifully.  I stroked a leopard and she actually purred - it was incredible!  There were several endangered species at the zoo and the keepers and managers are doing a fabulous job of maintaining a successful breeding program - well done guys! 

After that, I had a couple of days of work and (just a little!) play and came back on Wednesday to freezing cold temperatures and even some snow!

It wasn't all bad though, as we finally made the move to our new stables in Cowley, Gloucestershire.  Unfortunately,  Cowley does have its own micro climate and, while the rest of Gloucestershire was at 5 degrees over the weekend, up there on the hill we were in minus 7 and a foot of snow!!

It didn't stop us from having fun though, and Sunday, armed with several children, a few sledges and lots of layers of very warm clothing, we claimed it as our own, even making two hand-holding snowmen (who were still there today, even after the snow had disappeared!).

The horses have travelled and settled beautifully despite the weather and are now enjoying the new and lovely hacking in the surrounding countryside, while we all get busy on tidying, fencing and making it "ours" - even my sister Elle, who jumped on the mini digger at the first opportunity!!!

Well, that was a long blog but hopefully has brought us somewhere up to date! 

I will also just let people know that our next Spanish Clinic will be 22nd - 25th March and there are two places left.  For those interested, please do email us at spanishhorsesuk@gmail.com

 I did want to write last night but unfortunately, I just didn't have the energy (it was all I could do to fill my well-deserved glass of red!!).

I have always thought that Sunday was a day of rest, a day to relax and enjoy a rest after a hard weeks work.  I was wrong!

HILARY was there with us yesterday at the yard and she gave us a real Sunday Roasting!  I have to say, I have never met anyone quite like her, the first time I met her, she owed me a tub of Sudocrem by the end of our session and she has never looked back!  I have actually nicknamed her "H" in my mind - I feel she is worthy of just being a letter.....

I thought I was going to die after my first horse, but then, things just got worse when she "upped the anti" with the gorgeous new stallion who had just arrived and really gave me a workout whilst being exceptionally sweet and kind to him..??!  He was a little unsure at first as he had only come off the lorry on Thursday and it was our first time together but he was such a good boy and really tried his hardest - even though he really had no idea what I was talking about most of the time!!

Luckily Hilary started falling in love with him and softened just slightly at the end, even allowing a "good trot, nice work" once or twice before then adding "now I want it bigger" almost immediately afterwards (groan!!)

Are these trainers never pleased?  Do they just enjoy watching our faces contort with pain as we lift harder and harder?  Sometimes I feel like they get such a buzz out of making us sweat!

Luckily then, it was my turn for a break and Sharrons' turn to be tortured!  I hid in the stable with my Primoroso trying not to giggle at the groans, cries and squeals of pain coming from the arena - it was like music to my ears!

Unfortunately, it was soon time to take my coat off as my turn came round again, I didn't mind so much though,  Primo may not be as correct as the new boy, or as easy to ride and keep straight - but he sure is fun!

After lunch I had promised to take my girls swimming - which I duly did.  A ll I wanted to do was sit in the jacuzzi all afternoon and I watched with envy as people relaxed, chilled and enjoyed the lovely massage effects of the water while I was being jumped, climbed on and splashed but two excitable and energetic young ladies!

How my Sundays have changed.........

I can't actually believe that I have time to write again!

Today has been a lovely day, starting back at Longcross again after a long summer break!

I had new horses and new staff to work with and, as always, the first day back after the summer season is hard - will they like me?  Will I like them?  Will we understand each other/get along/speak the same language even!!!???

Luckily my "lifers" were there to get me back into the swing of things with some of the fab new horses who have been purchased lately and are being ridden at present by the lovely Georgia!

Her first mount was the lovely black stallion "Gen" (Gereno) who has been with them for a few months now and worked beautifully.  My head doubled in size when, after our class, Georgia told me that "she had never felt him like THAT before, it was amazing!!"

I set myself a little goal at that point - to make her feel even better tomorrow.....!

Shortly after arriving at the hotel I received a picture from Sharron of my little Minchkin at the yard. 

Minchkin must have decided that Sharron needed help skipping out, and picked up her tools!

She has also obviously decided to take over from me by stealing my Primoroso from under my very nose!!


Much to my dismay he doesn't seem to be complaining!

I think I need to get back - before everything is taken from me!!!

Apologies to everyone yet again for my delay in writing - it has been a manic few months!!

Firstly there was the Barcelona trip before Christmas, then the Paris trip and then Ireland!

The launch of Horses4Homes is imminent, with a rescue of four rare Eriskay ponies before we have even gone live and a queue of people waiting for launch who are just desperate for advice and help.  The lucky Eriskay ladies have actually gone to their new home today as conservation ponies and we hope they will be very happy - it is a great feeling to be able to provide such a service and shows that all of our hard work is already paying off.  We would also like to say a big "thank you" to everyone who showed their support and even offered donations in response to this rescue!

For anyone who feels that they may be able to offer homes to horses please do keep an eye on the site and register your details or, contact rebecca.evans@hauctions.net.

Then, of course, there was Christmas, before which we took delivery of the lovely "Marismeno", who will be available for schoolmaster classes (well, if Sharron will ever get off him!!).  He has settled beautifully and we hope he will be very happy with us for a long, long time!

Then, we also had to say a very sorry goodbye to Rasta and little Flo Bo, who have gone to their new home with Tracy and Graham Watson.  Rasta has been with us since she was a two year old so there were a few tears but, we are sure that, with Tracy, who already has two Spanish Horses and trains with Carl Hester, Rasta will have the competitive home she deserves and, like her brother Duque, owned by Amy Long, we will see her out and about with her name in lights!!!

Tears aside, life has to go on, so I will continue to tell you about our latest trip to Barcelona before I log off!

I took the ladies with me this time, as it was Kings Day aswell (like they needed more presents!!).

We had a super week, saw lots of horses, ate too much, spent time at the beach in Sitges and met the Kings themselves!!

I also fell in love.......  Again......... He was, big, black, beautiful and branded Peralta - oh, and he happens to have a cream gene.......

Ok, so it has been quite a lot more than the promised two days yet again!

I have been away again in Barcelona (where I saw a fabulous 6yr old with "GP" stamped all over him!!!) a gorgeous Candau stallion with more front leg than Totilas and an incredible black boy who has already been snapped up by one very lucky lady!

So, as you can see, I have been a busy bee!  On my return from Barcelona I had arranged to take my two ladies to Essex to see Sue and Frank and, as whenever we go to Essex Sue, Frank, Hannah and Charlotte never give me a look in with the girls, I figured I would be able to write the blog on Barcelona there (see, forward planning and everything!!).

However, that was not to be.  The girls, as expected, were taken from me straight out to the trampoline and all motherly duties and titles stripped from me for the next 48hrs.

However, the blog I was instructed to write was not about my current Barcelona trip but (as I was handed a CD with approximately 200 very large pictures on) about the demonstration we did at Ingatestone Saddlery in the summer!

How could I say "NO" when everyone had put so much time and effort into the demo and Ingatestone Saddlery had been kind enough to ask us (anyway, I need to keep on finding content for the blog!)

So, I step back in time to write about our demo and promise I will write the Barcelona blog in the next few days......... ;-)

We were honoured to be asked to give a demonstration of the Spanish Horses at Ingatestone Saddlery, Ingatestone, Essex in July of this year.

It was the shops' ten year anniversary and we celebrated with a weekend of fun, including a demonstration by Pat Pirelli, saddle fitting, a barby, bouncy castle, face painting and best, of all 10% discount in the store!!!

We also got to try and test the new Albion saddle, specifically designed for the Iberian horses and being used in the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.  Yes, I want one!!!!

Pics of the demo below, all the boys of course behaved impeccably!

OK, so it has been several days again but, in all honesty, what have I got to write about!!??!!

Sharron calls my eldest daughter "Little Miss Sunshine and Showers" due to her dramatic mood changes (she is three I hasten to add!), and I have to say, I am feeling much the same this week!

Minchkin, this is dedicated to you.....

So, on Tuesday Libby came for a class, which showed that her pilates sessions are working beautifully as her lateral work is coming along so well  (we managed to keep the passage through the half pass and get a super half pass canter), it was just lovely to see her again and watch her enjoy the Spanish boys, I really do  think that I get almost as much pleasure from the lessons as the riders, these horses are so inspiring!

When she finished we were running a little tight on time so I bullied her into coming on a quick hack with me on my new man which she agreed to very easily!

We took these two stunning creatures for a plod around the lanes and, when I commented to her that it was only the third time I had sat on his back she was aghast "..But Tarma, you are not even wearing a hat...??!!"

My flippant response was simply "..but he would never hurt me Libby..!" and I thought no more of it until later when the moment was re-enacted in my mind.  I had meant every word.  How could I have meant this after knowing an animal for literally one week?? Was it simply just the Spanish breed as I have always thought it was or an instinct and a special feeling between me and this new beauty?

Maybe I am of an age where I have finally met that "special someone" or, is it just that these guys are so lovely, I really could fall for each and every one..??

I cant work it out.  All I know is that, since he had his back treated on Friday and has needed "a day in the box, one in the paddock and two days on the pessoa.." before I can ride him again, coupled with the fact that I am off to Barcelona tomorrow until Thursday so wont be able to ride him until Thursday afternoon at the earliest, I have gone from being up in the clouds to down in the doldrums super quick....

Could it be love?  Really??

Ok, so it has been four days (not the promised two) but the blog has been on my mind I swear!

In my defence, I have been super busy! Apart from hosting my little Annabelle's second birthday party on Saturday (how the time flies!!) I have also fallen madly and desperately in love!

I am sure the hopeless romantics out there will sympathise and understand, nothing else seems important - I can only think of him right now and, although I know I have a pile of work building, I just cant seem to drag myself away!

Those Liquid brown eyes, which follow my every move.  His perfectly formed ears and strong, muscled shoulders, soft black nose and beautifully rounded bottom.  I really am totally besotted!

Rossi is beside himself, he senses a real competitor for my affections and is is just hilarious to watch the two of them in action!  They are stabled next to each other (it is a vision, it really is) and, no matter where I am or what I am doing two sets of eyes follow. They both stand beautifully proud, with their heads up, each trying to look more impressive than the other.

Rossi, in desperation, finally reverts to his "tongue trick", sticking it out and holding it between his teeth, so I will stroke it.  He knows that I fall for this one every time and that this is one thing our new boy cant do!

Hello Again to everyone and please accept my apologies for not keeping on top of the Blog - I had promised myself I would do so at least every two days, but time just whizzes by!

I was honoured to be asked to help out at the BAPSH show, a SICAB qualifier and the first of its kind outside of Spain.  My duties included looking after the judge "Don Ignacio Bravo Garcia" and the commentary!

Looking after Ignacio was scary enough as, although I do know him and have worked with him in the past, everyone knows how tricky these guys can be!  However, that was a piece of cake compared to the commentary, which somehow changed from "just announcing the awards" to the whole weekend ("Oh, did we not make ourselves clear on that one...?!?!?").

Joking aside, there were a few hiccups (announcing the wrong class, wrong sex, wrong times etc etc!!) but I actually got into the swing of things by the end of it and was so pleased to see the horses doing well and everyone doing their best to make it a success.  Anyone who wishes to book me for further shows and doesn't mind a Gloucestershire accent and their horses being announced in the wrong order, feel free - my services are!!

I have to congratulate all of the winners but would like to just mention some of the horses sourced by me in the past.   These included the owners of my first ever PRE mare Lluna Rombo owned by Gil Gibson who at the age of 12 I believe (how time flies!!) won the adult mare section and Duque, owned by Amy Long who came second in Morphology in the very strong adult stallion section.  I have to say Amy that the judge really liked your boy but, unfortunately, he didn't see your medium walk in the functionality and so you dropped some points there!  Also, as always to Michelle Van Meurs and Isleno who did extremely well to win the Adult Movement Champion award - yes, Ignacio did love him and commented several times on how lovely it was to see a Spanish horse enter the arena full of "alegria", calling attention to himself with a "look at me" attitude!

I have mentioned these three specifically as they are all individually and privately owned and have been for several years by the same owner.   I think it shows just how important it is to build a relationship and a bond with your horse, trust, understanding and communication are paramount and cannot be developed in a short space of time.  All of these horses tried their absolute best for their owners and it was a pleasure to see these partnerships working so well!

Everyone worked so hard to make the show a success and I think we all had a good time.  Well done to everybody and lets hope it goes as well next year!

The show finished on Sunday and, on Monday I flew to Sevilla with Ignacio to meet with some lovely clients to visit the Bariain Stud and also the stud of Solera Bravo.  The trip was very interesting, not just because we saw some incredible horses (some of whom will feature on the site in the next few days!!) but, also because we had a car accident (I wasn't driving I promise!!) and managed to land ourselves in a beautiful town in the middle of an enormous agricultural fair!  It was so incredibly busy but even in among the throngs of people and chaos, we managed to find sanctuary in the form of a Parador Hotel, where we had evening dinner in an open air restaurant in the historic centre of the town.....

Just when you think that life doesn't get much better, I landed back in the UK and on Friday managed to get to the yard to ride my (yes "MY") new horse, who had arrived while I was away.

In typical style, we tacked him up and hopped on.  It was Friday, which is bin day where we are.  He saw the bin lorry, buses, lawn movers, rubbish bins overflowing, skips, trains, level crossings and just about everything else that could have possibly been thrown at him and just strolled around without a care in the world - I fell in love and haven't stopped smiling since.  Rossi just looked on, he really did think he might have serious competition and was not impressed!!

I couldn't ride today as it was Annabelle's second birthday (so a fabulous excuse!), but cant wait to get back on board tomorrow.  That is of course, if Rossi hasn't opened the new boys' stable door and "set him free" in the meantime.....!!

Just writing a last minute note before heading off to bed for the night as today I had the rare treat to spend some time in the field with the mares and babies - it happens less and less lately!

Sometimes we forget just how amazing these horses are.  A client and good friend of mine, Ruth, passed by to say hello and see the girls and we climbed through the fence and into the field hollered at the top of our voices.

Twelve stunning ladies, of varying shapes, sizes and colours, lifted their heads, took in our forms and came galloping down the field towards us - what a sight!

They stopped just in time, said hello and then took off, doing a lap of honour and showing their moves before coming back for another fuss and cuddle in the early afternoon sunshine.

Ruth had actually come with the intention of finding a lady for her beautiful stallion branded Senorio de la Bariain but, really, how could she make a choice???

Could it be my Pinturero filly,  Granddaughter of Rondeno, the incredible Rasta or the lovely little Flo Bo whose sire isi branded Guadiana de la Nobleza, whose sire was owned by the Palmoral??