Pridey

I had the most amazing phone call this morning from a lady enquiring after a pony I had on loan some years ago, Claymore Pride Vll. She had made contact with me via another member on HPEC who passed on a message for me. I emailed the address I was given and included my phone number and today the lady rang me. Apparently, she had googled Pridey and a post I had made on HPEC back in 2005 came up thus she was able to trace me via another member who was a contributor on another forum. Seemingly, this woman has been offered Pridey, now 17, as a companion/light hack and wanted to know some of her background and the story of her time with me. She was unaware of her past medical history and the reason I had to return her following vetting and was obviously quite shocked to hear the diagnosis. There is no money changing hands between this woman and the family who currently have Pridey so I doubt there is any deceit. At any rate I was aable to tell the woman that despite Pridey`s limitations, her nature was honest and very genuine and she had clearly been able to fulfil her potential with her current owners.

I learned that she had arrived at her current family via a dealer and that she had been sold as part of a job lot - unbelievable given her pedigree and the price her breeding and colour demands. Happily for her she was bought by a family who has loved and cared for her and basically kept her as a pet for a number of years. I`m not sure how the lady who contacted me knows Pridey`s current owners but she was keen to hear my part of her story. It seems that Pridey has a couple of progeny, one of whom was foaled before I had her but of whom I was unaware. Interestingly, there is also one for sale . . .

I actually found it quite emotional. For many years I have wondered what became of my beautiful little Rum pony. Although she was mine for such a very short time she was my first ever pony and I was deeply attached to her. I was heartbroken when she failed her vetting and I was advised to return her to her owners. I can remember the day we took her back and we put her in the orchard on her own. I was on nights that night and walked out of handover feeling very low indeed. Mel had noticed my sagging shoulders and had placed a hand on either side and given me a squeeze for reassurance. All these years later and I still recall that act of kindness.

The lady who rang is going to keep me informed of progress. She has promised to email me to let me know what happens, especially after she speaks to Pridey`s current owner. I have said that I am happy for my number to be passed on for this other lady to know a bit more about the pony they have loved for all these years. My hope is that I will be able to visit Pridey in whichever home she is at.

Incredible, after all these years of wondering, that I should now know what became of her.


Pridey (right) with Willow

Norty

In front of Dudley`s stable is a lovely lawned area which separates the top yard from the bottom. Within an hour of Dudley moving there he had barged through the chain on his stable to munch on the lush green grass, to my absolute horror. Today, I missed sliding the bolt into the holder, an error Dudley spotted within nanoseconds and which he exploited to the full in order to access the grass. I was mortified to see the big, deep hoof marks on the soft wet grass. Fortunately he stood while I caught him and led him back to his stable, remonstrating as I went. He looked suitably chastised - even putting himself in the `norty` corner! Bless!

The HiPo and the Heffalump

We had a lesson yesterday in which Dudley excelled and which I, well, didn`t! The format at the moment is that Sarah will ride him first to warm him up and to get him going then I will take over. Yesterday was no exception. For Sarah he did his usual stuffy beginning then click goes the switch and he loosens up and is responsive and forward-going. Cue me getting on and although he initially stepped off quite well (following a pure Thelwell moment when he leaned over the border of the school to help himself to some grass), he slowed down and tossed his head and was generally not terribly co-operative. That boy really made me work and at the end of it we were both huffing and puffy and sweating not inconsiderably. Sarah took some photos which don`t portray the amount of effort that I at least was putting in. One thing they do show is just how much weight I have put on - I look like a regular heffalump sat atop of a much fitter HiPo. It`ll hopefully shame me into getting myself into gear and lose some weight. Hopefully!

The Expert:


The Learner:


The Heffalump:

Strange

Strange how things work out, isn`t it? I knew that one of the young girls who rides Blue is called Martha and having spotted her with her father one day at the yard, thought that I recognised him. She was there again today, this time with her mother who I definitely knew as they used to live down the road in Deb`s old house! Today I came back in on Dudley and she looked across and asked if I lived at such and such a place which I confirmed. She asked my name and I greeted her with hers, to her surprise! Turns out she`s quite a chatterbox and I was there for some considerale time before Dudley became ever more impatient and insisted on his liberation. Boldly, she asked if it might be possible to have lessons on him. I have no issue with this as she is a gentle person who I know would not hurt him. The only issue would be how she rides so the upshot is that Sarah is happy to give Jane a lesson on him and she will assess her suitability for Dudley. I have said that we`ll have a trial period and if it proves beneficial for all concerned, we shall proceed.

One thing it has made me realise is that I can never share him! Having a lesson once a fortnight is one thing, riding him more often is quite another. Dudley is my boy and I just don`t want to share him! Maybe once over but not now. He`s mine!

Silver Linings

Dudley and I have moved again. Not through choice and very traumatic at the time. The other liveries displayed an array of feelings from shock to outright tears which helped to soften the blow and offered much by way of consolation. As happens at times like these, human nature is laid bare to gaze upon and to reflect anew the kindness and care that crises so often bring. This was no exception and I was moved to the core by the outstanding consideration shown by Carol in securing us a place to go, and to Hannah, Sue and Chloe for helping us make the move. I am exceedingly grateful and not a little humbled that they should care so much.

I had thought that Dudley was settled at the other place and maybe he was. What I realise now is that he was probably keeping his head down and staying out of trouble. What is very evident in our new abode is that he is happy. In fact, very happy! It`s been some time since he`s played with me, unpicking velcro, removing my hat and generally joshing around with me. He whinnies when I walk up the drive to his stable, his beautiful big, black eyes fixed on my approach. He has a routine that seems to suit him and companions who don`t attack or intimidate him. He`s just a lovely, relaxed, happy pony; a pleasure to behold.

I thought he was settled in the other place. I thought he liked the busyness and the comings and goings. He was a popular pony who attracted attention through his quirkiness and good nature, who kept a blackened eye on all who passed his stable. He had his `corner` in the paddock, the right angle formed by hedge and fence in which he would park his head, backside out, switched off to the world. Was he merely creating space, his place of peace and quiet, much the same as I sometimes do? I don`t know. What I do know is that he is happy now and that, for me, is worth everything, the silver lining of a big, black ground.