Summer floods

The sheep all got clipped - the lambs then spent the next couple of days wondering which one was mum! They were then all taken down to the low fields, but had to be brought up to higher ground in a hurry last Wednesday when there was a danger of the fields flooding (July?!?). Hopefully now there will be some better weather on the way.

Last ever Pony Club area competition

Rachel is 21 now and this was therefore her last ever competition representing our Pony club - we all trooped over to very nearly the East coast, 3 teams of dressage riders and Rachel doing the open as an individual. Two teams had second placings, the other a third, and several children were placed individually too. Rachel had the unfortunate bad luck to be doing her test as a group of children (competitors who should have known better) clattered up the road behind the arena. This proved rather too much for Sonny to concentrate and his test was quite tense, although Rachel rode him really well considering he just wanted to gallop off with them. She then helped with the novice team, and was really chuffed that Jethro came 2nd in his arena.
Rachel's college friend Anna and her Mum came to see us with their beautiful 7-month old Newfoundland puppy, Ruby, who was an absolute hit with everyone!

A very wet July!

Unfortunately, Cumberland County Show on 18th July was cancelled due to the overnight rain (plus the rest from the previous day!) causing the high risk of flooding on the showfield. We did however go eventing on the Sunday with Sonny at Cumwhinton. This was his first attempt at a slightly higher level, cross country fences at 1metre high, so I was a bit (understatement) nervous. He was super though and had a double clear which put him in 11th place.
Back to Cumwhinton the following Sunday, Rachel aboard him this time for Pony Club area, he again went really well with a great cross country clear. Fizz is back in work after his back injury but was not quite up to a cross country run at this stage.
Last weekend it was Cockermouth Show on Saturday, a lovely day out, some red rosettes among our little gang (Fizz, Jethro and Billy pictured above) and a couple of trophies too.