"We’ve had a pretty busy summer here at Contessa. Congratulations to all our NVQ students who have achieved their qualifications and to Sarah and Amy for passing BHS exams. We’ve had three Unaffiliated Dressage Competitions, two Sarah Gemmell Vaulting Clinics, two John Adams Show Jumping clinics and a stage 2 training course all of which went very well. We also had a new addition to our events list in the form of Crystal’s Western Taster Course. Sarah had another Bank Holiday Show Jumping Clinic which was completely full and very successful.

Children's summer party

The 10th July was our annual Children’s Summer Party. It was a full afternoon of vaulting, handy pony show jumping, a pony quiz and lots more. We also had our annual presentation of Child Rider Awards and Pony Club Progressive Tests. The weather was fantastic and everyone had a great time.

This year we decided to hold a Client’s Summer Show which we haven’t done for a couple of years. It was a great day. We had seven classes including Veterans, Best Rider, Best Condition & Turnout, Cutest Pony/Rider, Pony Club Pony and Ridden Warmbloods. Well done to everyone that took part and special congratulations to Helen and Regitse and Tommy and Tessa for winning both of their classes. The horses were beautifully turned out and it was a difficult job for the judges. Huge thanks to Sarah for organising the day and to everyone for making the day run smoothly.

Staff coming and going

It’s also our busiest time of year in terms of staff changes. Marta joined us for a five week working holiday from Italy. She was a pleasure to have on the yard and we hope she will come back to visit us. Rita joined us in June from Hungary, having previously worked in elsewhere in England and Ireland.  Karin joined us from Sweden in August, having spent ten years in Spain. We’re hoping she’ll adjust well to our lovely weather. Welcome to our new team members. We were very sad to say farewell to Elly and Helen who have finished their training with us and coincidently are both going to work as Teaching Assistants. Thank you very much both of you for all your hard work. You’ll be missed by many, staff, clients and horses alike.

We’re leaving you with a lovely poem that Elly wrote for us as a parting gift about all of our Contessa horses. Those of you that know the horses will really appreciate it."

An Ode to the Equine Characters of Contessa

 
Contessa is bursting with characters galore,
This is an ode to those equine who are at the core.
 
Golden girl Anni is sent from above,
She gives all that she has and it’s this that we love.
 
Polly Pocket the princess is adorably cute,
But get in too close and she’ll give you a boot (with a dinky sweet foot).
A beach-ball sized stomach this pony has got,
Spotting possible food you’ll be dragged off at trot.
The patientest pony that you’ll every meet,
Her pirouettes are amazing and her centre lines a treat.
Her bed is pristine and a pleasure to be done,
But enough about Poll for there’s more left to come.
 
Big brown-eyed Suzy is a voluptuous beauty,
Though scared of it all, she is such a cutie.
Against the wall of the school your leg she will scrape,
And at Lamb and Flag she DOES try to escape.
 
Beautiful Maisie, her nose is quite funny,
Point her at a fence and she jumps like a bunny.
 
Talking of jumping, if Red Bull gives you wings,
Then Tarra must have had a load of the things.
 
Real is a pin-up, despite his frog eyes,
He fills all that see him with wonder and sighs.
Give him a chance and bolt open will be found,
I’ve heard he’s the ‘easiest horse on the yard to get round’?!
 
Puro is another of the boisterous three,
Yet for vaulting he’s as patient and sweet as can be.
 
The girliest mare on the planet is Jaya,
For a ‘quality’ horse, she is quite the player.
 
Benisa makes you feel like you ride like a pro,
But enter her personal space and soon will you know.
When in her saddle she’s gentle and mild,
But at Lamb and Flag she turns feral and wild.
Independent as a cat Ella’s not touchy-feely at all,
Give her a canter aid to strongly, she’ll put a hole in the wall.
 
Sandy’s our shark-horse so kids, back three paces,
She’s amazing to ride but keeps pulling those faces.
At teaching kids canter she is not a stranger,
But watch out for your ankles, they could be in danger.
 
Charmer’s Prince Charming with his long flowing mane,
If he ran out of tricks he’s just not be the same.
 
Fergus is regal, a grand moustache to show,
He keeps an eye on Contessa at night did you know?
 
Connor is another of our gentle, sweet giants,
Though it can take some effort to make him compliant!
 
A big hairy cob is dear Harry, sweet pea,
But he doesn’t like flies, especially not at C.
 
Beautiful Krystal looks surprised all the time,
Staying on the same rein will help all to be fine.
 
Solo’s a munchkin with ears out of bounds,
A grand-prix dressage horse just in a small package (and a little too round!)
 
Tally’s a sweetheart with startled deer-eyes,
She doesn’t ask much but a smaller door would be nice.
 
A golden llama is Moonie who doesn’t like being left out,
He jumps for the stars and when hungry he’ll shout.
 
In her heart Paigle is a crazy wild thing,
She pretends to be old then speeds off with a spring.
 
Reg is a heart-breaker, for her eye-lashes you’d die,
A true classy horse yet she can be strung high.
 
There are many ways to keep Romy at bay,
The best thing I’ve found is just give him some hay.
He’s a super stud to ride but can be a pain.
Especially when cantering on the right rein.
He’s sometimes nervous when jumping but what works a treat,
Is singing which helps him to pick up his feet.
A sweet-tempered cheesecake is our lovely Q,
Though wiggly-tongued and dirt’s best-friend she’ll not be satisfied with blue.
 
Sweet handsome Luke can be quite the Jekyll and Hyde,
From tortoise to hare in the space of one ride.
 
Detzky’s big and itchy with ‘buttons’ hard to find,
The positions he pulls to scratch that spot blow your mind.
 
George is a darling who has googly eyes,
At the field gate his energy is quite the surprise.
 
Zeus’ bed always immaculate must be,
His mum he adores though please learn to whinny!
 
Charly’s so handsome with manners very smart,
This with his washing-powder scent has captured Maisie’s heart.
 
Yves is an Arab who’s supposed to be grey,
His canter’s to float on a cloud some do say.
 
Marcus is big, orange and special you know,
His power and presence seem to everyday grow.
 
Intelligent Lanzo’s amazing but fragile,
For an older man he’s incredibly agile.
 
Deskant is a gentleman and round the ladies gets excited,
It’s just a shame that for Reggie that his love goes unrequited.
He’s a handsome black horse with an inquisitive nose,
But becomes terrified when you wriggle your toes.
Take care when you’re giving fresh shavings to him,
For he’ll lie down and roll whether you’re out or in.
He breathes like Darth Vader and his charisma astounds,
A horse more impressive could rarely be found.
 
Joker lets himself out of the field at lunch-time,
So lively and friendly, he does like to dine.
 
Sweet, gentle Gambler in our memories will always remain,
Without him Contest’s not been quite the same.
 
P.D. is the ultimate in and in awe we all stand,
When she demands a scratch we obey her command.
And then there’s wee Tess, our little bean,
She’s the whizziest old lady that’s ever been seen.
Although her eyes aren’t as good as they could be,
Paigle and Zeus are still her loyal groupies.
 
Their quirks and uniqueness make them a delight,
When TL says ‘That’s horses’, we’re glad she is right.