Meeting Another Blogger and The Winner is.......

Early last week, I took a drive to see Roz and her husband Neil from Dirty Feet and Rubble in my Hair .  What a delightful couple!  Neil was busy building his workshop and what a magnificent job he is doing. So as not to disrupt the good work, we left him to it. Meanwhile Roz took me off to see the horses that she works with, and also one of her own. Having lived and breathed horses for many, many years of my life, it was such a pleasure to be back among them.  Roz had told me what great horses Friesians were and what fantastic temperaments they have; how right she was - I have never seen such friendly horses. So much so, that it was difficult to take photos.  They just wanted to have a fuss made of them.  It is a breed that I have not encountered before, having worked in racing stables. I only had thoroughbreds in my care and most of my show jumpers were ex race horses.

I managed to catch these three as they came rushing across the paddock to meet us.

I am sure Roz will correct me if I am wrong, but here she is (I think) with with her own Friesian on the left.  As all the Friesians are black, I was getting a bit confused as to which was which!  The Chestnut is about the same age and is there for company.

The two youngest ones to be born; I love their curly coats, which sadly they will grow out of!

and with their Mums.

I could not resist taking a photo of this family on the farm. They are a very small breed and these little chaps are about the size of guinea pigs at the present time!! I would loved to have taken one home!!!

then there was this bunny who I suspect had made an escape from one of the runs; he was gorgeous with his long floppy ears.

Oops I digress, I went to see Roz and the horses!  In the evening, Roz and her friends were practicing for a musical ride, which is coming up quite soon.  I went along to watch and to see the Friesians at work.  I gather that they make fantastic carriage horses and that they are excellent at dressage.  I was also very interested to hear that the South African Police have recently acquired a number of Friesians  to work with, because of their amazing temperaments.

Roz showing the paces; just look at that beautiful view behind her.

The riders concentrating hard. The horse on the left is a young stallion and although he was very full of himself, he behaved impeccably.

I think that there should be 8 riders in the full ride, but 2 were missing on the evening I was there. Here are the four Friesians together afterwards.  Roz second from the right.

Thanks Roz for a fantastic day and taking the trouble to guide me all over the place.  It was so good to be back with horses again after a long spell away.   

AND

The winner of the giveaway is number 7 Dolly

Congratulations Dolly, I will be emailing you and the jewellery will be winging its way to you quite soon.