Going to be famous!
I have been asked for Radar's name so that he can appear in the write-up of Saturday's hunt. I've been waiting for him to get a mention ever since he started to jump so well, and this will be his week. I'll let you know when it's up, in fact I'll probably copy it and post it here and swell his already considerable size head.
He was game for a long hack this morning. Not tired or stiff in any way that I could tell. The rest of my week is a bit difficult Radar-wise, with not enough time to do him real justice, so I took up up to my friend's house and she rode back with her three year old. It did the baby good to have company, but Radar kept asking when we were going to gallop - the only times he has ever hacked in company is when we are hunting.
I've been having flashbacks of how good he is. Two people on two separate occasions said they wanted to follow me over the next fence because they knew Radar would jump it in spite of hunt (red-coat-rider) horses refusing. He is getting quite a reputation for reliability. And of course it is totally justified. I can't remember the last fence he stopped at that was jumpable.
I was quite pleased with myself at the end too. There was a nice biggish hedge to be jumped, and the field master did it at the second attempt. I knew Radar would fly it but I also knew he was tired by then. I thought to myself "you can do it well, and you will finish in exactly the same state as you are now - thrilled with him. Or you could mess up the very last jump we will be doing, and ruin your memory of the whole day. What have you got to gain?". There is always next week.
Poor Jazz is getting neglected the last few days, but he does have an outing to Sonia on Wednesday for the first time in about two months!
C.
posted by cptrayes @ 6:12 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Oh, boy, if Radar isn't full of himself by now, he will be when he stars in the article. Perhaps you shouldn't show it to him?? *lol* What a nice compliment. It is SO nice when other people recognize the true quality of your horse. Congrats.
Exciting that you will be able to ride with Sonia. From the descriptions of your rides at home, you are ready to go a step further with your work. I'm sure it's going to be a great lesson.
May winter continue to be kind to you so you can enjoy your boys.
Radar has certainly found his niche in the horse world! What incredible fun for both of you. I think you are so brave and capable!!!
Easy to be brave on horses like Tetley and Radar who want to get to the fence before you do ML - they are extremely alike in character.
I don't think we should let him read it, Jean, do you?
C
Woo hoo go Radar! You certainly manage to pick em!
Interesting comment about bravery. When I was riding Russell, I would tackle almost any fence. He was one of "those" horses who'd just take you to the jump. PJ had the same attitude, but far less training, so he gave me similar confidence. Toby is a chicken--totally capable jumper, but ready to shy at anything "different." He made me lose my nerve about continuing my jumping career. (Probably just as well with my knees and increasing age.)
Horses like Radar just make you want to jump. I'm happy you found him so you can have all the fun you crave.
If they publish his picture, then definitely don't let him read the article. Otherwise a quick glance with a comment such as, "Oh, then mentioned what a great hunter you are in the magazine. See?" would be OK. That way when the other horses on the hunt mention his stardom, he will know he was mentioned, but still not have a full concept of his celebrity.
My gosh, you will have to buy him a custom embroidered rug at this rate. (Radar Superstar Hunter Extraordinaire: RSHE) *lol*
Just struck lucky Mandeight. Jazz and Zippy weren't exactly what we thought we were getting!
It's just a mention in despatches on the website, Jean, so not too much to swell his head. It's up now on "weekly update" on cfdh.co.uk
C
So are you going to go for the snow shoes?
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