About Teddy

Before you start to read my diary I had better tell you a little bit about myself and my friends.

Well, most of you know me as Teddy, but my smart show name is Hackamore Red Herring. I have been living at MRS for about nine months now. Anna and Sarah bought me from a very nice family in Penrith, Cumbria, and since then I have been working in the riding school as well as keeping up a hectic show schedule.

I have recently gained a little brother called Oliver, who will tell you all about himself below. My friends are Rocky and Patch. We enjoy eating in the summer and annoying the big horses in the field by pulling their rugs off in the winter! You can see pictures of us playing in my Photo Gallery. When I'm not hanging out with the lads, I also have a very pretty girlfriend that I go to shows with. Her name is Honey Rose, and she is a Highland Pony belonging to Emma. She is fun to travel with, even if she does try to eat my hay instead of her own!

When I'm not looking pretty in the show ring I like playing polocrosse, which I'm getting quite good at. I also take part in numerous Pony Club activities as well as normal lessons.

Phew! Now I've got all that written down it actually looks like quite a lot of work. Perhaps it's time to ask Sarah for a bigger breakfast...

About Oliver

Hey there! I've finally got a little section to myself, but don't worry, I won't write as much as Teddy! Some of you will already have ridden me, and most of you will have seen me out around the yard. My smart show name is Doolittle Bowman, and Sarah and Anna bought me from a family in Lancashire. I am a little bit younger than Teddy and I haven't learned to jump yet. However, I enjoy my flatwork and I've also done some gymkhana games, which are great fun! My friend at the moment is a big horse called Spot. He's even newer than me, so I'm the first friend he's made!

I haven't got anything else to write at the moment, but keep checking back. I'm sure I'll be just as good as Teddy!!!

Saturday 20th September

Oliver's First Show
My very first diary entry! So, I went to my first competition today... I really enjoyed myself, it was great to get out and see more of the world. It was a horse show at Foxes on the Wirral, and me and Teddy were in the inhand Mountain & Moorland class. Teddy took Emma (of course) and I took Jenny, who is one of my regular riders. Teddy was trying to tell me what to do the whole way there, but I managed to ignore him and eat my haynet for most of the journey. I mean, I just have to walk round looking pretty. How hard can it be? I think I'm prettier than he is! Oh wait, I mean 'handsome'. Pretty makes me sound like a girl!

So anyway, we arrived in one piece and it was all very interesting, with different ponies to meet and lots to see. Sure enough, Jenny and I had to walk round the ring while the judge watched us, and then we had to do a trot. For some reason they don't ask you to canter. Maybe Jenny and Emma can't run that fast. They really should have four legs, two seems so impractical to me. It didn't make a difference though because THEY CALLED ME IN FIRST! So in to the middle we went, with Teddy in second behind us. We had to do our little show for the judges, and I must say I think we were very good. Then Teddy did the same, and the judge looked at us again. However, for some reason she then decided she liked Teddy better, so he got the red rosette and I got the blue one :-(

Hmm, I wonder how he managed that. I think it was something to do with Teddy looking a bit more filled out (I say FATTER!) than me. But never mind, I still came second, and there's always next time. The judge was very nice, and seemed to be impressed that we were riding school ponies as well. Multi-talented, I say. Of course, Teddy swanked about it the whole way home, but I rose above it. He'd better watch out at Cheshire next year...

       Jenny and I in the ring, and with Teddy & Emma back home

Sunday 24th August

National Riding Festival Open Day

It's been all go since we came back from Trailblazers. For this year's Open Day Emma and her 1.30pm Sunday class were asked to take part in a polocrosse display. We've been practising since March, and suddenly the big day was here! I was ridden by Georgina, one of my favourite jockeys, and I must say we looked very smart. Instead of my usual polished inhand bridle I had to wear bandages on my legs to protect them, and I had to have my tail all plaited up. Georgina wore her best Pony Club outfit and had her racket and ball as well, so it was a lot to remember.

       Georgina and I heading into the main arena with Anna
For our demonstration we had to show the audience all they exercises we did when we were training. These included picking up, throwing and catching, bouncing the ball, and of course the number game. it's a good job I'm used to such a big crowd because there were loads of people watching! At the end we got to canter round one at a time. That was lots of fun, and I'm ashamed to say that I got a teeny bit carried away...

The other ponies doing the demo with me were Tuppence, Honey, Tucker and Seren.

Saturday 26th - Sunday 27th July

Arriving at Stoneleigh

It was a pretty long drive, but we finally got to Stoneleigh Park late on Friday evening. Emma had all my things packed, and it was nice that she managed to get me tucked up in bed straight away in my stable. Apparently Emma stayed in some kind of temporary stable made out canvas... that must have been chilly!

Day One

One the first day Emma woke me up with breakfast in bed. I could get used to this... The weather was very warm, and Emma and her husband Steve started to get me ready for my class. I don't think Steve has been in

the Pony Club, he didn't seem to know any of the parts of the grooming kit! For once in her life, Emma was ready early... so early in fact, that we were standing by the ring at half past ten for a class that began at quarter to twelve! There were different breeds of small M&M ponies in my class, including another Dartmoor pony - a grey one! She was such a pretty little girl pony that I didn't mind too much when she beat me, although I think Emma did. After the class I got to retire to my stable with a nice big haynet. This was much better than my usual Saturday working, especially when I got to spend much of the evening grazing leisurely around Stoneligh Park with Emma.

Day Two

I got breakfast in bed again today, but Emma was obviously feeling a bit more herself because we had to trot to the ring to get there in time. The weather was baking hot, and my coat decided to start falling out. Steve has now mastered using the rubber curry comb, so perhaps Emma will let him have his Handling & Grooming badge soon. I wonder if they make Pony Club sweatshirts that big...? I was pulled in as the reserve Champion, which was fab. The little grey girl pony was Champion, but I think she deserved it for being so pretty. I tried to ask her where she was from, but Emma kept getting in the way. However, as Reserve Champion we had to pose for lots of photographs, which I always enjoy. Then it was time to go home and back to the riding school. What a busy weekend! Roll on the next show.

Friday 18th July

Getting Ready for Trailblazers

Only a week to go before I am on my way to Stoneleigh. Emma and I have been very busy practising our trotting up for the judges. I have to say, she's doing quite well. I should have her trained by next week! Preparation has also involved lots of baths, which I'm not as keen on when the weather is on the chilly side. Let's hope it's going to be worthwhile and we come home with a rosette.

Thursday 10th July

I'm In the News!

Great excitement!!!! My picture from the Cheshire Show is in top equestrian magazine Horse & Hound today, in the 'Horses in the News' column. I think I fit in rather well with all those international showjumpers and eventers. Emma take note... I would like a posh new rug with my name embroidered on it in red and gold letters please. Thank you Horse & Hound!

An Update from Oliver

Oliver is getting on well in his new home. He's very cheeky, and loves to say hello to everyone. Hannah and Alison have started to lunge and ride him, and hopefully he will be joining me at the shows next year. As long as Emma remembers who her favourite Dartmoor pony is I don't think I'll mind too much...

Friday 4th July

Let Me Introduce Oliver!

As if one Dartmoor pony isn't enough... they've only gone and bought another one! Actually, it's not too bad having a little brother. Oliver arrived this week. He's another bay dartmoor like me, but a bit younger. He's lots of fun to play with in the field, and has been meeting all the gang bit by bit.

Thursday 26th June

A Day Out Jumping

Today has been a little bit different... I've been jumping. Hannah, Alison and Gina went over to Alsager to do some showjumping, and Hannah took meeeeee! I haven't done a lot of jumping, so it was a good opportunity to get going over some exciting fences. By the end of the session I think I was rather good at it. Hmm, maybe one day I'll be a working hunter pony... You can see the pictures of my best jumps by clicking here.

Tuesday 17th June

Success at Cheshire Show

What a day! I've been out to Cheshire Show today, and was very very chuffed to win my class! I was first in the Inhand Dartmoor Pony class for 4 years and over. And if this wasn't exciting enough, I got to spend the whole day with my girlfriend Honey Rose.

Cheshire is a bit different to other shows - there's a lot more going on for starters! Luckily Anna managed to run fast enough (with a little encouragement from Emma!) to show me off, and the judge paid me some nice compliments too. I think I suit red rosettes the best.