SPORTABAC LTD

Several of you who are likely to read this will already be aware that we purchased Sportabac last year, and after a long process of work on a new website and ongoing negotiations with the planning department the end seems to be in sight.
So Sportabac Equestrian will be back soon, better than ever, with boots and the famous original turnout socks available to buy exclusively on line through the website.
Keep an eye on the equestrian press ( also on here ) for news of the re-launch and some great promotional offers.

Farewell Bob

Lambrigg Mozambique has now left for his new home having been stranded here for over two months past his original planned departure date due to the snow. In many ways it is sad to see the affable young chap leave, as he does have a talent for endearing himself to just about everybody he meets and has been a great personality around the yard. True to form he loaded easily and travelled well, even handling a popped air brake hose on the lorry with a much greater degree of collection than I managed to muster !

Early reports suggest that he has proved a big hit there too, and I wish Vivian lots of fun with him.

Lambrigg Rococo

Well here he is, Lambrigg Rococo aka Worzel, a bay leopard by Dollar Boy ex Starburst ( dam of Solaris and Starbuck, also dam to the 2010 scottish reserve supreme champion Lambrigg Cordelia who has undergone a name change to Spotswood Tizwiz along the line ). This is Starburst's first foal to Dollar Boy, but I plan to put her back to him for a 2012 foal having now seen the result.

He's a lovely bold foal, and absolutely huge so I wouldn't be surprised if he makes well over 16hh and may well be a keeper ! Which leaves me with the problem of who to sell instead in order to make room.

2011

Firstly a happy new year to everybody.

The last few weeks have been a constant round of feeding and watering - so here's to the delights of winter, the frozen water pipes ( still not thawed at the time of writing ), the diesel frozen in the tractors, gates frozen shut and our frozen faces. Everything taking three times longer than usual on top of rescuing neighbours on an almost daily basis from various snowdrifts. All in all enough to reduce a grown man to tears !

I have however had the pleasure of being called a divine gift by one neighbour when I gave her a lift on the quad bike after discovering her in the pitch dark walking the two hilly miles home on shot ice, pulling a sledge with her shopping on after abandoning her car on the main road !

The horses of course are thriving in the cold, bright and dry conditions.

There is other news to report, we have a new foal by Dollar Boy, more of him later. Also Kestrel attended a jumping clinic with International eventer JP.Sheffield who was extremely encouraging about his ability over jumps. Plans for Kestrel this year are to continue his showing, moving on from riding horse where he competed last season and into working hunter classes, also to start his showjumping which is a very exciting prospect for the coming year.

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.