Another great hunting day today. Dry, good footing, not too warm and not cold and plenty of nice hedges, soem of them pretty big and one with a drop higher on the landing side than Radar's ear by about a foot - that must be a minimum of 8 feet.
He's getting better and better. He seems even more powerful, if that's possible, than he has ever been. He is getting his eye in from a much faster pace too, and instead of getting too close he is taking a real flyer and soaring over them. He had a lot of comments from the rest of the field about his performance today.
I've had an update from Buttie. They have found him a little boy rider to ride until Willow is bigger and he has settled really well, apparently. Willow's mum confesses to being somewhat addicted to brushing his mane. He must be in seventh heaven!
I need to update you about Jazz and the spring grass, but tomorrow will have to do, a bath is calling.
C
Photos:
YOu can see, I think, from this one and the one before it just how fast we are travelling to cover this distance in two shutter clicks:
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/aljohnstonphotography/photo?photo_id=3348897417
He jumps timber a lot better than he used to as well:
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/gallery/photo?photo_id=3348792536
And this is a good photo too, though it's a bit embarassing to be captured staring quite so hard into the camera lens!
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/gallery/photo?photo_id=3348832792&vendor_id=3026691
Flying on horseback is so much fun. I was just waxing a bit nostalgic on my blog today about that.
ReplyDeleteThe hunt sounds wonderful and Radar seems to thrive on the thrill. What a perfect boy he is for you to get your jumping "fix" in on.
As for Buttie? A boy to ride him at the start is just perfect. They should get along just fine. As for his mane? Would you have had the time or inclination? Just think how happy he must be!
Ooh, I love brushing manes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting up links to your hunt photos. They are so interesting - certainly a different world to me. More powerful - awesome!
Radar looks great! Keen to go and more than capable. Back in the day, would have loved to jump some of those obstacles too!
ReplyDeleteHe was on fire on Saturday Jean, just jumping out of a gallop without slowing down, so absolutely confident and happy.
ReplyDeleteML Tetley would have made a fantastic hunter too, wouldn't he? Radar and he have the same work ethic, but Tetley likes schooling :-)
C