Happy New Year everyone! Sorry this is a bit late but things have been a little bit hectic here. We had a wonderful last 2019 evening and saw 2020 in with some very good friends - David and Di were the ultimate hosts as ever. Di is just so good at table decorations and all the sort of things I am rubbish at so I had to take a photo so that I can look and learn...!

The table before things got messy
 

Just getting messy enough...

This morning Andy Hartgrove came round to help us trim the foals feet - We thought they were fairly well handled and the three girls, Popalong, Stacey and Vicky were all very good,  However, the surprise package was Jasper, Velvet Steel's son who up until now had been very friendly and relaxed but turned feral and wouldn't let us anywhere near him. When we eventually got the head collar on he then refused to pick up his feet so Doug had to go back to basics with him in the sand school. He fought and fought, and threw himself around angrily swishing his tail but eventually Andy managed to get the front ones done - He will have to come back to do the backs. It just shows 'nurture and nature' though as his Mum had exactly the same quirky streak in her and had to be managed accordingly. It is often the quirky ones who turn out to be the better racehorses, we hope....





 

Jasper having a lesson on how to behave.