Finally a day cold and wet enough for me to sit still and get to the paperwork. I admit two years is a bit much....now that Meghan Benge is going to be prodding me for more current info on this site there should be an improvement in my blogging.
Ponies are plodding along. Last summer Audrey Bostwick with guidance from PJ and Tara Crowley, borrowed my stallion, *Shilstone Rocks Snow Shoes, for the pleasure show season. They captured several nice wins and ribbons at the likes of Devon, Brandywine, Lorenzo, and Walnut Hill (winning the ride and drive class under the careful eye of Muffy Seaton....different whip/rider for that class). The win at Walnut Hill was special for me as it proves what versatile ponies we do have. Shoes was shown at times as a pair with Tracey Morgan's wonderful gelding, Gaylen Romeo (Joe)....also in a four in hand, tandem and unicorn.....amazing. What a group team Crowley is....very organized and professional in all they do to prepare a pony and driver. So many thanks to Audrey and the Crowley's....what a group!
Tracey Morgan ventured to Germany this time with her three power house Darties (*Lizwell Gambling Queen...aka Maude....Farnley Coquette, and SingleTree Tabitha Twitchit) for the pony world championship in combined driving. For her fourth time representing the USA, Tracey proved once again that the Dartmoors are competitive in world class competition. She left the USA undefeated at the various selection trials (Live Oak, Sunshine State can't remember the others). The event was very well organized and plenty of competition! Tracey, Kenny and the ponies were sitting 9th as the cones began and then......Tracey drove that tough course with the wind at her back.....she had the fastest time of anyone, and with only one ball down....she finished 4th and thus moving from 9th overall to 5th! It was amazing! Galloping and turning as small ponies can do on a very tight course! The USA Team finished 4th.....we would have loved to medal....and they almost did....
Back on the home front, I have only one mare in foal...SingleTree Gwynneth to Shoes, and that foal is sold. At this point I am only breeding for foals that are prearranged....as the market improves I would still like to breed Lace Wing to Shoes and Lizzie to...haven't decided yet. Gwynneth will go on to high school with Tracey after weaning and hopefully start her competition career.
I am now learning to drive a pair. After acquiring all the tack, equipment, etc.....I finally got to "get into the driver's seat". Definitely a challenge, but I love it....my circles are getting rounder and not such a multi sided figure. Haven't hit any trees, and seem to be able to stop when needed. It is a blast! I borrowed "Joe" for a while so I could drive Shoes and Joe....that got me started. Now it is down to Gwynneth and Shoes til the weather is impossible.....then the carriage gets put away until spring. I hate cold weather....will drive a single til it warms up again.
With the market having been so weak for selling ponies, it has been interesting to watch as a slow recovery seems to be appearing. Several good performance ponies have sold, and there does seem to be a demand for Dartmoors that ride or drive. The key is to have a pony that is in work. Not one that worked last year, or could do the job....but ponies that are out there doing. So those that are for sale....get them into a job. And have them doing their job well.
A new product that I am excited about. A hay bag ( www.busyhorse.com ) that is easy to fill and slows down the rate of inhaling. They are sturdy and very useful. Check out that web site!
So now I have updated. I have some new pictures to post....will zap those to Meghan. Will try to be more active on the site. Susan
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