News from 2010

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SAM BEATS GRASS SICKNESS

3rd Nov '10

Exactly eight weeks ago Sam (Kyzyl Double or Quits) went down with Grass Sickness.

Starting with mild colic and reluctance to eat, the illness - thought to be caused by a toxin released by the bacterium clostridium botulinum (see www.grasssickness.org.uk) - progressed to a point where after a week he refused all food and had suffered terrible weight loss and dehydration. Carrots tempted him to eat, supplemented with cut grass, and after 11 days he began to eat a little mix. He began to drink again and to gain strength, although it has taken two months for him to be able to eat haylage in sufficient quantity without choking.

Day 13. Beginning to re-hydrate.

He was very lucky in that he can only have been mildly affected, as this illness carries a 95% mortality rate. But his courage also brought him through; he was determined to keep eating throughout, if I could only find something he could manage, and never once was sorry for himself.

He is now off the sick list, though as thin as a rake and still not 100%.

For the full account, see "Sam's Grass Sickness Diary".

Putting on weight nicely under the winter coat.

CLEOBURY MORTIMER INTRO ODE, SEPTEMBER 5TH

5th September '10

Another step up, and our goal for the season. Unfortunately just beforehand, the course owners were in dispute with British Eventing, and de-affiliated the competition. However, the same classes were run over courses of BE standard.

© E S Photography www.esphotography.co.uk

It started to rain as we arrived, and was belting down steadily as Roz and Aina did one of their less accomplished dressage tests! This was followed by a most uncharacteristic run-out in the SJ - possibly due to the slippery ground, as she lost her footing on one particularly tight corner. (Must use longer studs next time!)

The XC was running well ahead of time, and a lot of competitors took the chance to go early and get off home out of the rain. We waited out our time, and were rewarded by the rain stopping and the sun coming out, to give rapidly improving conditions. It was worth the wait, as the two of them gave a copybook performance.

SECOND TIME LUCKY AT MONMOUTHSHIRE SHOW

26th August '10

A must on our calendar, despite the débâcle last year when entries collapsed, Djargalan's class was passed over and everyone ended up getting their entry fees back!

Despite a horribly early start and pouring rain, we came back for another go, and Django was placed fourth in the Sporthorse Breeding two-year-old class.

WORCESTER RIDING CLUB ODE, HILLTOP XC COURSE

22nd August '10

A step up in level from the first competition three weeks ago. Ainur's steadily improving dressage delivered a score of 36, followed by a clear SJ round. The pair of them went fluently round the XC course until near the end, when the smallest fence on the course caused them two stops. Through the water, though, with only the briefest of looks - one problem on the way to a solution!

ROZ AND AINUR BACK IN COMPETITION

1st August '10

Having missed the first five months of this year due to spraining a hock in the snow, Aina is now fit and ready to go. After a few dressage and SJ classes (including placing 3rd in a strong class in the Prelim 6 at Huntley on July 25th), Roz entered her first ODE of the year in a small novice class at Cleobury Mortimer. The pair finished with only time faults added to their dressage score.

SJ at Cleobury Mortimer
© E S Photography www.esphotography.co.uk

SAM'S FIRST FOAL ON THE WAY

30th July '10

Sam (Kyzyl Double or Quits) has begun his stud career. Sue Perks' mare Ismere Vardy (Stable Name Rosie) has been scanned in foal at twenty-eight days.

Conception was by frozen AI, carried out at Twemlows Hall. Rosie, a fourteen-year-old maiden, took at the first attempt - a great credit to the mare, the stallion and, above all, the AI tecnicians.

(Awaiting photo of Rosie)

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