November's Diary

Week 1

We are sorry for the delay in this weeks diary.We have been having computer problems!

Well as we have already said we have had a little computer trouble this week.
This is the second time this week the diary has been written.
The first locked it self-leaving us unable to use the file.
Please excuse us if we are a little brief this week, computers are not our favourite things at present!

Ardy passed the vet on Monday so Ina has a new toy, just in time for her birthday this week!

We have a new horse in which we have nicknamed Bertha. She is a very large bay 5-year-old mare. She has settled in well, and has a super temperament. When we have done some more work on her, she will be for sale.

Wednesday we went to Ireland to stay with Marks family.
We had a very relaxing time, eating far too much. With the odd drink.

Thursday it poured with rain giving us a perfect excuse to stay inside all day.
A rare treat for us.
But we couldn't stay away from the computer.(this was before we fell out with them!)
Gillian (Mark's mother) wanted a web site to promote their stallion and dogs.
So we all set to work on Ballyvolan House Stud's site. Click to take a look.

While we were in Ireland we did some modelling for Tally Ho breeches. In the beautiful setting of Ireland National Stud.
Luckily it was a lovely day, although it did get a little chilly standing around in shirts by the end.

We flew home early Sunday morning, in time to ride a few horses and give a lesson.
They do say, there is no rest for the wicked!

	While we were away the local Harrier Pack, The Trinity Foot Harriers had their opening meet at the Yard.
It was a shame we missed the sausage rolls and port. But everyone at home had fun!
	John Huntridge one of our owners, on Marvel who Mark evented all year.

More next week.

Week 2

Well another very wet week.
With even more computer trouble.

Our poor computer has been to the computer doctor 3 times! if it crashes again we will be taking a hammer to it All seems ok at the moment, but we will not hold our breath.

Actually the computer did choose a good time to be temperamental, We only have about 3 each to ride at the moment.
So this gives us time to do plenty of teaching, along with getting other jobs done.

Tanya much to Mark's disgust has been on a massive tidy up campaign.
Anything that does not move is in danger of going either in a bin or packed.

It must have been catching as Zoe, (our head girl) has given the yard the same treatment.
The tack room is spotless.

Berth the big mare is going well. She could do with a few days hunting but all the hunting near here was cancelled due to the wet, but we hope to get her out soon.

One of the dogs in the yard Sam a Springer Spaniel gave birth to 8 pups. They are rather boring at the moment - sleeping and feeding. They will much more fun in a few weeks when they start running around.
	There are a few still for sale, if anyone wants a Springer pup. We are told they are very well bred working dogs.

The other thing we want to get done before Christmas is to sort out staff for next year.
We would like a working pupil, with or without his or her own horse.
Anyone interested can mark&tanya@queenholme.com

Well there is not much else to write about this week.
So we will catch up again next week.

Week 3

This week we spent a couple of days at Doncaster sales.
Always one of the coldest spots in England this week was no exception.

We have bought horses from the sales on several occasions; sometimes we are lucky, sometimes not.
The benefit of buying from a sale is the chance to see lots of horses in one place.
On the downside, there is usually no chance of trying them.
At Doncaster you can see the horses trot up outside the ring, and check their legs.

We try to chat to the vendors as much as possible, but they do not always tell the truth!

On this occasion we purchased 2 chesnut geldings.
We have not named them yet, and both look alike. Very confusing!

It is always fairly nerve racking the day after we get them home.
What will be the reaction when you put a saddle on them!!

The 2 we bought seem to have been both backed but little else.

We are really pleased with them. One is a 4 year old that moves exceptionally well.
	The other a 5 year old who also moves well.
We have popped them over a little fence and both had a nice attitude jumping boldly.
4 YEAR OLD	5 YEAR OLD

Thay look green in these pictures, but this was probablly the first time they had jumped.

The idea with these two is for us to bring them on to sell.
Which is a shame as they both look like having lots of potential.
We have put them on our FOR SALE page has they are already very good.
We are sure they won't be here for very long.

This week proved to be a fairly sociable time.
Not only were there several other event riders at Doncaster shopping, but also we organized a group of friends to meet at a local Chinese for dinner on Thursday.
Then Sunday we spent a very enjoyable relaxing afternoon at Maria's, a friends.
Having lunch and watching the rugby. (Well it was raining!)

The great thing about the winter is that we have the time and energy to go out!

The bad thing is Tanya's is threatening that we have to decorate the kitchen next week!

Week 4

Quite a relaxing week again, with not a lot to write about.
So please excuse the short diary.

Just for a change it rained most of the week.

Tuesday we spent the day interviewing a few girls for the working pupil vacancy.
We still have not filled the position yet, so if anyone is interested please email.

We decorated the kitchen, and that was so successful we continued onto the lounge!

Next week, the bedrooms!
(but we have not told Mark yet!)

Wednesday evening, Tanya went with Emily and Polly, her pupils. To a dressage competition at Forest Edge.

This was Emily & Lilly's first show. The arena was rather dark, and spooky. The first test she was very spooky, but improved over the three tests. Polly did very well. Winning one test and coming 2nd in the other two.

The two new horses are going well.
We have given them stable names, Bill & Ben.

Not very imaginative but very suitable, they really are very similar. We gave them a loose school and they jumped very well.

The weekend was a sociable affair with dinner at friends.
We slightly overindulged leaving us a little worse for wear on Sunday!