WINTER

" The North Wind doth blow and we shall have snow. "

The weather vane on the stables predicted as much yesterday, and sure enough we woke to a light covering of snow on the fells this morning. It certainly feels as though winter has arrived.

The progress of the ridden horses continues well, Confetti has completed her six weeks initial backing and has been turned away to consider the experience until the New Year, while Bunny is attending working hunter clinics and showing us just what a talented jumper our 'dressage prospect' is ! Accordingly we may have to consider a slight change of discipline direction for the Rabbit.

Lambrigg Confetti

How time flies. It seems but a moment ago that Confetti was a foal at foot, yet just look at this strapping three year old taking the first steps in her training to become a riding horse.

Lambrigg R. Smartie

Recent news of Smartie is that he came second in the BE100 open at Hendersyde Park in August ridden by Heather Larson, he is competing now at BE novice with 17 points.

Obviously I am delighted to see him doing so well, but what makes it even more exciting is that he shares his dam ( Diamond of Lambrigg ) with our 2yo colt Lambrigg Cappuccino whom we are planning to put forward for his stallion license. In his own right Cappuccino was awarded a First Premium in the eventing section at the BEF futurities, and was also a winner in sport horse youngstock as a yearling and the hope is that he will prove his breeding by producing both eventers and show horses.

Lambrigg Prospero

Jane's foal has been given his name - PROSPERO, not only Shakespear's magician king but also the name of a distant moon, thus continuing the lunar theme of his sire and grandsire. A suitably illustrious name for such an important little chap.

Here he is at fourteen days old, still too small to be turned out with the older foals but growing visibly by the day.

Hey Hey Hay (lage) !

It's happening - we are finally getting our haylage in. This year has been particularly bad for grass-based anxiety, months under several feet of snow followed by an exceptionally cold and dry spring, rounded off with the worst drought for over 30 years have taken their toll on grass growth, and the usual warm fuzzy feeling of satisfaction and security as the fodder crop is baled and stacked throughout the summer has been noticeable by it's absence........until now.

Thankfully the final tally of bales per acre actually looks like it will be surprisingly good. Worth the wait ? Yep most definitely !

Northern Appaloosa Show.

Rowberton Messalina and her colt foal Lambrigg Mozambique went to the Northern show today, and both came home with 1st place rosettes - Excellent news yes ? Well, apart from the fact that there was no competition....where is everybody ? Last time we competed a foal at the Northern show it was with Starburst ( now dam to both Solaris and Starbuck ), she won her class, which if memory serves had 17 or so other foals in it on the day.

Still, there is much to be taken away from today. The judge had some very complimentary things to say and Bob has gained valuable experience which will stand him in good stead for years to come. Hopefully there will be a nice photo of the pair of them too because even if I say so myself they both looked beautiful, Messy scrubs up surprisingly well for a 16 year old broodmare !

August Plain Jane x Lambrigg Solaris

Jane has foaled, and it doesn't take a great deal of imagination to work out why we are delighted with the result. This bay near leopard colt is our first foal by Lambrigg Solaris and he has a multi discipline performance pedigree to be proud of.

Anyone who fancies having a seriously smart and instantly recognisable spotty as their next competition horse is welcome to get in touch as he will be offered for sale in due course. I have every expectation of a glittering future ahead, but for now I am enjoying wasting time simply watching him !

Betty and Bob

The two foals born earlier in the year (both by Eclipse ) are now growing big, so I took the opportunity of a break in the unseasonably wet august weather to grab some photos today .

Lambrigg Amaretto ( Betty Freckles ) and Lambrigg Mozambique ( Bob ) enjoying the grazing with their dams Amaretti and Messalina. Bob is reserved and will be off to his new home at weaning where, fingers crossed, he will blossom into a dressage star for his new owner Vivian. Betty will be staying with us and joining her dam and two full siblings Kestrel and Confetti as another permanent fixture !

Trailblazers Championships

How about this for a haul of rosettes ! After an epic three nights away at the championships Kestrel and Katy missed out on taking the reserve champion slot by a tiny margin of just two points. I'm so proud of the boy, he's unflappable at shows and a consumate professional in the ring, it's all too easy to forget that he's only a four year old in his first ridden season.

Are you getting this ?

Look at me Mr Photographer - I have a SASH !

Of course we tell Kestrel all the time that he is the most handsome and clever boy imaginable, so it's no surprise that when he goes to a show he expects nothing less than to be the star. Here he is winning the ridden championship at Barton EC earlier this month, the following weekend he also won the riding club show horse class at the ApHC Northern show, his first time out over jumps ! What a clever boy indeed.

Thank you to Dave Gaskell for the photo http://www.davegaskellpictures.com/

Welcome.

Welcome to the very first entry of the Lambrigg blog, anyone interested will now be able to read more regular snippets of news and day to day minutiae from our yard - Enjoy !