Local Stories Gorgeous greys By Nicola Moore, from Wilsden, West Yorkshire
purchased my first horse at the grand age of 34 from a very close friend who’d had her from a three year old. She was a beautiful grey, Thoroughbred/Irish Draught mare called Millie, who was so brave and reliable, and we had six amazing years together until I unfortunately lost her to laminitis in 2016. I was not looking or planning to buy another so soon, but a few weeks later the same close friend tagged me in an post about a six year old Irish Draught/ Thoroughbred grey mare for sale. I wasn’t particularly interested but something made me book a viewing and that’s where I discovered that she was also called Millie!
I Millie one, left, Farice in the middle and Millie two, right
has been amazing and within a year, we’d won our first dressage test and she was placed regularly.
Despite having a massive scar on her back leg, she arrived home a few days later. After some digging on Facebook, I found her breeder who advised Millie was a very weak foal and the scarring was from pressure sores after not being able to stand for 24 hours. She had to be bottle fed. MIllie
In November 2018 she was heartbreakingly diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia (head shaking) with her symptoms starting following a spring/ summer of high pollen. All our plans and aspirations were on hold at least for the winter months. It was never my intention to ‘get rid’ of her as she is a fit and healthy girl other than the head shaking.
During this summer, as I couldn’t ride Millie, I started to ride a friend’s (grey) pure-bred Arab called Farice. My friend had four at the time and was looking to
Farice, the Arab Millie the first
downsize and advised he would be for sale. He’s done nothing but hack since he was backed a couple of years ago, but as he was so genuine and fantastic in traffic, I took the plunge to become a multi-horse owner.
He was with his previous owner and other three horses for pretty much all his eight years so I was extremely nervous to change his life completely. I needn’t have worried, though, as he’s taken absolutely everything in his stride and has such a personality. Within two months, we did our first dressage test and he was amazing. He’s since gone on to do several more, always placed and always turning heads, flying the flag for the breed that sometimes gets bad press. I hope to progress with his dressage and also get back into showing with him. I may even dare to dream of getting to HOYS with him as he has some good showing bloodlines, including the ‘Champion Maker’ WH Justice.
Proud Mum By Leah Donald
T
his is Daisy or if you want her posh name, Cuinniegan Kilronane Lass.
She is a four year old Connemara who is by the amazing Castle Gizmo. I have recently finished backing her and she is now having a winter break. We hope to have her out competing on the flat this year. She has been so good to back and hasn’t put a foot wrong, and I am so proud of her.
Cuinniegan Kilronane Lass, aka Daisy
Daisy hasn’t put a foot wrong 8 EQUESTRIAN PLUS FEBRUARY 2020 | For advertising telephone 01380 734373
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