Monday 28 May 2018

Greatest Horses - Dutch Courage


Dutch Courage was a striking dark bay dressage stallion, ridden by Jennie Loriston-Clarke, together they took British dressage to the forefront decades before Charlotte and Valegro!


Born in January 1969 his dam was Higonia (a Guelderland) and his sire a thoroughbred called Millerole XX.  Jennie spotted Dutch Courage in February of 1972 in Holland.  Together with Mrs Steele they bought him and transported him back to the UK.  He was turned out for the summer to grow up and then later in the year they began to train him to saddle.

Known as Bill at home he could be naughty when he was bored, but he was easy to train and keen to learn.   

At 6 years old he competed in his first Prix St. Georges.

1977 - 8th at the European Championships

1978 - Bronze at the World Championships (the first ever Dressage medal for Great Britain)

1980 - 6th at the Alternative Olympics

Between 1978 and 1985 they won the National Dressage Championships 6 times, competed in 224 dressage competitions; winning 127 which included 32 Grand Prix, 8 Grand Prix Specials and 21 Intermediare II.

Sadly, just before the 1984 Olympics Bill developed a virus and he couldn't compete.  He was then retired back to Catherston Stud where he had been covering mares whilst also competing for most of his life.  Two of his most famous offspring where Dutch Gold and Catherston Dazzler, both of whom competed at international level in dressage.  


Catherston Dazzler

Bill enjoyed his retirement with Jennie until in 1991 at the age of 22 he suffered a severe colic attack and had to be put to sleep.

My new video just went up 'May Sunshine'  on my You Tube channel?   
Horse Life and Love. Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates on Chesney, Basil, Tommy and Daisy.

Until next time!   
Jo

Sunday 20 May 2018

May sunshine xx


Finally, some sunshine, the boys have been loving it :)













Have you seen April's video 'Spring for a day!'  and later this week I will be uploading my May video. Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates on Chesney, Basil, Tommy and Daisy.

Until next time!   
Jo

Saturday 12 May 2018

April 2018 Review



The month finished well, Basil and I can get going now, weather is improving and sun is shining.  Basil has lost most of his winter coat and is looking super shiny and healthy, Chesney and Tommy still have some to lose. 




This is how April looked:

1st - rode in the arena for about half an hour.  Basil is starting to look for a bit of a contact which is progress.  We had a short trot on each rein, once around the arena - too fast though because he wanted to canter!

3rd April - lunged today, it was a bit windy and Basil went loopy at the end.

6th - lunged today, he was better, still a little loopy.

7th - rode in the arena again, today we did some serpentines in walk and some leg yield too.   Slightly longer trots today but they were still a bit fast and I don't have much control so I think I will put his flash strap back on his noseband next time.

8th - same as yesterday J

I was ill :)


14th - & 15th - lunged again, better, still a bit excited.

17th - tried to lunge, really windy, total disaster.

18th - rode today, same as last time but with the flash strap on.  I did feel slightly more in control.

20th - lunged - good!!

21st - arena today.  Walk circles, loops, serpentines and leg yield on each rein.  We had 3 trot on each rein today is better but they are too fast still.

22nd - hack out today JJ  First for months and Basil was really good considering how long it has been.  We did jog home as expected.

25th - lunged today and he was pretty good.

27th - physio came out today to check on Basil.  Really pleased with his progress and she says she won't need to come out and see him again.  We can get going properly now.

29th - lunged - good.


Have you seen my last video 'April Showers!'  on my You Tube channel?   
Horse Life and Love.. Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates on Chesney, Basil, Tommy and Daisy. 

Until next time!   
Jo