Outings Away From The Farm

We purchased a horse float some years ago now and it has been useful for taking sick horses to the vet, picking up new horses and taking us all to various venues for entertainment.  All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy so we always look forward to outside events.

Racing At Waterlea Racetrack

These photos are from the late nineties when they held the first Family Fun Picnic Race Day. Private owners took their own horses to the track for a wild assortment of wacky races, including the Clydesdale Scamper, where, when the starter blew his whistle, some scampered and some parked up.  Spindle and Clonbern were just waiting to go into the Birdcage for their first race. Clonbern has been plaited and primped and preened and is very excited to be back on the track.

Sparky And Clonbern Going Fast!                     The Walk, Trot And Canter

The first year we took just three horses but as the years passed we took in a whole bunch, with lots of the Volunteers sharing horses over the day's races. Sparky and Clonbern were always very competitive.  During that day Sparky managed to stamp on both Rod's and Karla's  feet, black toe nails all round! The second photo shows Clonbern, Gemini and Pod just about to launch into the Canter phase.

Go Gemini!                                                         Wait For Me Guys!

Gemini was tiny but very stocky, being Hackney pony, Clydesdale cross. Tina wanted a break from the next race and Rod hopped  on for the Clydesdale Scamper.  The steward gave him a handicap and made him start further back as he said he wasn't a proper Clyde.  Gemini became rocket powered and tore off after the opposition. This was his first outing away from home and he was a very excited little horse, having spent the previous night at the track between Clonbern and Ellie.  Rod got a lot of comments going down to the start about his horse shrinking in the wash!

In The Birdcage                                               Waiting To Race

Rod and Sarah and Spindle and Clonbern in the Birdcage at Waterlea. The other photo has Kathryn on Ellie, Karen on Pod and Sarah on Clonbern all nervously waiting to be called for the next race.

Let's Go Mum !                                                 Are We Off ?  Are We Off ?

Clonbern has always had front shoes on for being ridden but for the Race Day she always had all four shoes on. As soon as Rod put on her hind shoes  -  she KNEW she was going racing, and for the next couple of weeks she indulged herself and behaved like a thoroughly spoilt Race Horse, with bells on !  Pod, with Karen up, hadn't been back to her hometrack since she had left racing and she was on her toes from the second we all arrived there. Karen wasn't sure this was the same horse she was used to riding at home!

Swimming Hole

This is a big bend in the Taylor River which we trekked to  on a very hot Sunday. Ellie is quite a big horse and she is in deep but little Syd has set off with gusto and literally swims rings round the other horses like a furry crocodile.

Tina on Jack, Rachael on Davey, Linda on Ellie and Syd  -  courtesy of Syd!

I Think My Feet Might Be Wet!  -  In Fact Everything Except My Hat!

Heidi At The Woodbourne Christmas Party         Sandy With Small Passengers

Each year at Christmas we were invited to take ponies to the Airforce base for the Airforce children to ride.  Heidi, Sandy and Sergeant Pepper have all perfomed this task over the years.