Friday, January 31, 2014

Clodaghs Capaills

Here I'd like to introduce you to the motley crew at Blackberry Stables. 
For anyone who is wondering 
'Clodagh's Capaills' is a term in Irish, meaning 'Clodagh's Horses'.

Tubs - The Grandmother
Tubs is a grand lady standing 14 hands 2 who is the overseer of everything that goes on in Blackberry Stables. She is the mother hen with a reserved temperament and a careful nature. She'll also make sure you don't fall and rider safety is her utmost concern. Tubs susses out her rider in seconds and knows the level she needs to put out for the rider on board, she's steady and true. However she is a mare and has her moody days too like any woman I suppose!! But she loves nothing more after a hard days work than to potter down the field and have a good olde roll.

Star - Speedy Gonzales
Star measuring 13 hands 2 never let it be said that he won't give the bigger chaps a run for their money. I've seen him win showjumping competitions while up against fully grown horses!! Star likes to do everything fast that's trot fast, canter fast and jump fast, he whips around the arena. One of the harder ponies to practice sitting trot on as he can trot at near canter speed. However he's a steady stable speed merchant. 

Arthur - Sir King Arthur
Named for his noble and regal appearance however in the royal court I feel he'd be more of a jester! His demeanor is more like a teenager that just smoked a doobie, doesn't fuss or stress always relaxed. However he will put the foot down if he wants a feeding, he'll start to kick his door to get your attention. This is when he turns into a bit of a Seymour from 'The little shop of horrors' FEED ME, FEED ME, FEED ME NOW!!!!! 
No pony here, Arthur stands 15 hands 2 but he has a baby face and teddy bear eyes and is only the tender age of 4, ahhhhhhhhhh.

Roman - Roman the Centurion
Just as his name suggests he is always on his guard. He's a real worrier, sometimes I look at him and its as if he is having a 'Wizard in Oz' moment, the part where its "Lions, and Tigers and Bears OH MY, Lions and Tigers and Bears OH MY!!!'. Though standing an impressive 16 hands 2 he seems unaware of his height and stature and is a real gentle giant. In the arena he'll make you work for your supper and definitely strengthen your lower leg. He loves his cross country but he'll hide behind you leading him up the field in case any of those Lions, Tigers or Bears decide to attack!!!

Oscar - The Dapper Gentleman 
Oscar is the gent of the yard always patient, kind, soft and mellow. Standing 16 hands 1 he has to be this height to be able to accommodate his Big Heart. Oscar has two different colored eyes however I feel this just adds to his gentlemanly persona, I picture him as one of those gentlemen of yee old times who wears a monocle and is ever so pleasant, always uses please and thank you. Oscar is always the utmost gentleman, for instance when your leading him through a gate its as if he says 'oh after you ma lady' with a gentle bow of his head as if mimicking a waving hand gesture to go with the sentiment. If your feeding him he will stand back in his stable as if waiting to be served and doesn't crowd or trample his waiter. In the arena he still holds his mannerly demeanor and once asked to do something he carries out the task with the greatest of ease and fluidity.

Scooby - The Gemini loner
Scooby has two personality's one in the arena and one outside. He's a horse that loves his own company and is happy staying out on his own away from the main herd. He easily gets bored and falls asleep in the arena but will awaken for a round of jumps and ping each one with the grace of an Arabian Stallion. Nicknamed 'Weight Watcher' by one of the ladies that rides him due to the amount of effort the rider must exert in order to get and keep him going!! At times he reminds me of a wonkie supermarket trolley that has a mind of its own and that you must be on your mint guard to keep it between the aisle and they're always that bit harder to push! However cross country? this is where Scooby shows his other side (being a Gemini) he's sparky and fresh and full of fun and will jump and canter to your hearts content.

Shadow - The Quick One
Just like her name shes like a shadow, here and then gone in a flash. This 14 hands pony is a typical woman a real thinker and over analyzer. You can see her wheels and cogs turning all the time. She is nearly 5 years old and is VERY inquisitive and down right nosy at times. Shadow is a very intelligent pony, one of the bi-products of her relentless thinking. Be it her youth or naivety she is as brave as a lion and will jump nearly twice her own height. She is very fast and can turn not only swiftly but sharply, as they say, she could turn on a penny. Her youthfulness makes her fun and she has a drive in her that is sparky, spunky and sometimes spontaneous.

Trigger - Del Boy 
Standing only 12 hands 2 don't let this ponies height deceive you into thinking he's cute and cuddly. He is a cheeky little pony but very funny and definitely has the pony version of 'wee man syndrome'. He is a real Houdini and a true escape artist with his side kick Bart always close to hand!!  Trigger is very clever and is a real opportunist (where escaping or food are concerned) and new age forager. While every other horse and pony are getting slimmer in the winter months little Trigs still manages to put on weight!! I have my own nick name for him as 'The Ridgeback Rebel' of Blackberry Stables, because of his renegade mohawk like mane.

Bart - Del Boy's brother in arms Rodney
Bart is very like the Simpsons character in his 'I didn't do it' attitude, even though he definitely has!! Another cheeky pony who stands 12 hands high. He has a strong opinion of himself and likes to do his own thing when the notion takes him, for example going the completely opposite way to the rest of the ride in a lesson. He can jump his own height and flies in canter. I always think this comes from his gangster lifestyle that he has had to run away from the police after committing some misdemeanor like the little juvenile delinquent that he and his partner in crime Trigger are!!

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