On Thursday we had a couple of exciting new arrivals at Ampney Park... My two ponies from Sydney, Australia!
Vinnie and I with our National Novice Pony Champion sash
in 2006
Introducing Vinnie (14.2hh bay Part-Arab) and Legacy (12.2hh chestnut riding pony). I have owned both of them for years and years, Lego being the longest at 15 years. I learnt to ride on these guys, Lego would be so cheeky and taught me how to actually stay on a horse, and we had many successes in the show ring when I was aged 7-12. Vinnie is my sister's old pony, and I took him over when I was 13 and learnt dressage on him. Because of this little bay pony, I discovered dressage and how interesting, challenging and rewarding the discipline can be. He was where it all started.
Legacy and I at a show when I was roughly
about 8 years old!
They are here because I am not in Sydney to look after them every day, and my mom is often in the UK with me, and it is difficult for my dad and sister to look after them as they have work every day, and our usual groom that comes to look after them has moved to New Zealand. We wouldn't give them to anyone else to look after or sell them, because they are part of our family. You don't give family members away just because they aren't needed anymore! You take them with you :)
Vinnie is only 12 and has a lot more riding years in him, so I'd like to get him working again and hand him to a pony rider to compete on. Lego is 18 so pretty much retired, maybe I'll do the odd beginner lesson on him.
They came off the plane really tired, but brightened up when we gave them hay in the lorry and felt even better once they came home to their massive stables and got rugged up warm! It's quite funny, Vinnie has the biggest stable out of all the horses - the mare and foal stable. It's the only stable we have left, we have a full yard now!
Vinnie's massive stable all fresh and
ready to go
Legacy meets Chad the "giant"!