The heat is on.....................

Wow - now that's what I call a great weekend.

Top sun , nice breeze, great company, great food and above all the grounds and stud at its best - makes all those cold, wet rainy and hard November days worthwhile.

Lots of news ----- the headlines in brief.

Four legged cargo delivered by Mark safely to Canada.

Dave came to visit for the second time since his op.

Mable produces a beautiful liver chestnut filly by Studley - she is called Jana

Howard came to visit

Jo and Kevin called .

Good luck to Tora with her shoulder Op next week

West Coast Circuit schedule published

Labradoodle puppies had first solid food.

Chelsea won the FA cup - ( I am allowed a sentence of pride after 46 years of supporting the blues)

Cash went home.

Sarah and Ziggy became new residents - well Ziggy anyway.

BBQ on Saturday night - great fun and good company.

I tried a new lawn mower - like it lots but think it is too much gold even though the old one is on its knees.

Loads more to elaborate on but now need a shower and a kip.

Monday is day off - and I have earned it.

And then it was Friday

A good day - weather tempered by a breeze and lots of activity.

Lisa had a WED day that seemed to go really well.............John and Dean blew up the Dihatsu - it that how you spell it. anyway we fixed it too. now its full of water as well as diesel. More turnout paddocks were made.

Hannah was as happy as Larry when she visited - Who is Larry ?

the AA and RAC went to Jerry's rescue in the guise of Mark and John but the car came back still needing ICU.

Leslie and her new QH started her show preparation with a groundwork lesson.

None of the three expectant mums became Mums............ah well hot weekend weather wise promised so that will probably set them off.

more to follow

for blogs sake - two

thanks to all those who made a comment. - thought I was a desert without and oasis for a while.

Not much to report for Wednesday - no foals - Issy and Mable are hanging on - why I don't know but they seem to want to . Why would you wan to do that ?

Nice article about Monty's visit to TMS in the Mendip Times. - thanks Celia.

More to follow - later today

For blogs sake !

Good morning campers.......

Now listen up. tis 2.19 in the morning and I'm penning this blog. Does anyone read it ? Are you out there or am I guilty of some wierd form of literary masturbation. Save my soul. let me know you are reading my crazy jottings - make a comment so I know I am not sitting here metaphorically playing with my keyboard.

Puppies are well - foals are doing just great - Chris has decamped to Kelston - Farrier Chris trimmed and shoe'd all day - Dean paddock cleansed for England - great Job. Chilli had a visit from Mum and friends. Showed 'em what he could do .....and the boy did good !

Agility classes were full and it was great to see the Sparrow enjoying his new hobby. Ludo failed miserably at the tunnel or perhaps I failed miserably at the tunnel.

Come on folks - talk to me .

Midwife lou......

Katie had puppies. Lena had Bjorn. Celia had a dressage test - Chris rode Jonico and Dave came to visit and that's just a smidgen of what has happened this weekend.

Katie delivered six beautiful cockapoos - Lou was the midwife which cost her lunch and a sore back. (sitting on a hard floor without proper support for four hours ) . Lena gave us a beautiful and big Jac Wonders Who colt at the very civilised time of 8.45 in the evening. Cat and Emma were lucky enough to be there at the time - thanks for their help.

The weather was just glorious and it was great to see all the horses out and about. Jo came over to visit and we enjoyed her company. The lamb at were provided a great lunch on Sunday with the whole scooters family in tow, Dooey included.

It was great to see Dave on his first to the farm since his heart attack - we've missed him and hope that now he is fully on the mend we'll see more of him. Dean, Dom Lisa turned the yard round with help from yours truly whilst Lou coped magnificently with a full house of B and B'ers , six puppies, one foal, two dinners eight breakfasts, one insemination and a host more other things .

Dinner at scooters tonight which will help take the strain.
Much more to follow later today ......

Enjoy the bank holiday.

Jac foal for Texas and Chilli is officially dummy broke

Chris Neeld-Leslie's mare Texas gave us a stunning palomino colt by Futurity winner Jac Wonders Who - a really classy breeding outdone by the colt on the floor - picture to follow. Mum and son are doing really well.

Chilli decided to join the dummy broke club yesterday - he was a star. For those you haven't a clue what the author is rambling on about one of our guest stallions completed his first stage of training in the breed barn :)

Hannah seems to have found a saddle that fits .....let's hope so ........good news for Lisa too as it is one of hers.

Thanks to Tora and Hannah for their help in moving horses last night.

To Jane - 'slainthe' - you know why .........

Good luck to all at the East Coast Show this weekend at Bodium.

Ilan's July clinic is beginning to fill up - please make sure you are on the list to avoid disappointment.

More to follow................it's 2.57 a.m. and two of the mares are looking restless. Have to go.

Engagement - Dave and Judy

Many congratulations to Dave and Judy who announced their engagement yesterday.

Dave has been a member of the Mendip Stud team for four years now and we think of him as one of the family we all send him and his fiancee our very best wishes for their future together.

Happy Days Dave and a quick and speedy recovery from your recent problems.

WES area 3 show Sunday - 14th June

The Area 3 show schedule will be available in downloadable pdf format as from 12.00 today from the following sources.

http://www.themendipstud.com/
http://www.davidgray.biz/area3.htm

All Area 3 members will be sent hard copies.

ALL WES MEMBERS ARE INVITED AND WELCOME TO COMPETE AND ATTEND. WE'D LOVE TO SEE YOU ALL. - if you are intersted and would like a schedule are unable to download from the internet please e-mail on wes@themendipstud.com

If you need to join or renew your WES membership please go to the WES website via the link below and download an application form and get your membership sorted in time for the show

http://www.wes-uk.com/

Limited stabling is available for the preceeding night - first come first served. contact wes@themendipstud.com

WE ARE LOOKING FOR SPONSORS FOR PRIZES AND TROPHIES - IF YOU ARE ABLE TO HELP OR SUPPORT BY CONTRIBUTING IN THIS WAY PLEASE CONTACT JOHN BY E-MAILING wes@themendipstud.com

Great opening night.

What a great start to the Little Orchard Agility Classes. Sparrow representing those who live on the farm did us really proud - he loved it and Jerry handled him like she'd been doing these classes all her life.

Thanks to all who came and for the way you all looked after our home. Looking forward to further fun and progress next week.

Stu has sent in this link.

http://www.little-orchard.co.uk/news/2009/05/19/a-great-night-for-agility

The day after Sunday

Well it's my day off . And it's been typical. Started at 6.45 a.m. and finished at 7.15 p.m. with the joys of foal watch to come . On this basis a holiday is a scary prospect :)

If you are reading this Tora - all went well with Dylan.

It was great to see Jo - thanks for your help. We had a great meeting with Mark from Toggi and are looking forward to seeing him and his team later in the year. The WES area 3 schedule is just about finished and will be sent out tomorrow.

Mable is looking to beat Lena on the first to foal front but Issy is still keeping us guessing.

Thanks too to Imogen for all her help today - Big thanks too to Dean and Dom who yet again pulled out all the stops.

Tomorrow sees the first of the Little Orchard Dog Agility classes. Please go to their website for further information or to the Mendip Stud Group on Facebook. Contact number if you wish to participate is 07736 425527 and ask for Sarah.

Congratulations to Kim.

Weekend whittlings ........

Big thanks to All at Scooters End for a great Italian evening last night. Praise too for Jack who after a little coaxing (perhaps that's coaching) allowed Ludo to roam his territory.

A really nice Sunday - great lunch with care of Chris - thank you :)

horrid rain this afternoon but a very pleasant and dry early evening.

looking forward to my Monday off.

Saturday ..................

Ah well a day without a full diary for a change - now I've said that all will no doubt change....................

Ruby and her babies are doing really well and she is beginning to be a little more like her good ole self. Katie continues to grow and ludo is just adorable.

Issy and Lena are still keeping us waiting - Lena looks enormous and Issy just doesn't seem to be able to make up her mind.

Butties today from Hannah - we think or rather hope .......

Andrea visited and picked up her dog food Robert went back to Portugal. Wills' football tam have their prize giving this weekend.

Ginny .............born at 00.55 Friday

Ginny - filly born to Chic - Docs Wizzin Chic by Jac Wonders Who

Long legged and very correct and probably buckskin - will know for sure in the daylight - named after Virgina Wade by Malcolm and Elaine who witnessed their first foaling - congratulations to them.

For anyone interested in quality youngstock this is a must see baby with fantastic breeding.

More to follow ...........

when we get up :)

Viva Daisy !

We had Daisy and her 6 friends visit in the evening for an impromptu demo managed and orchestrated by Lisa. Everyone seemed to love the horses and their temperament. Lisa did a great job ably assisted by commentary from yours truly and a demo by Lou on Copy.

Chic, Lena and Issy are under the camera............chic seems to be the most likely to give up her foal next but you wont get me betting on it.

Hannah has some positive stuff to work on with Ren thanks to some advice from John H and Lou was delighted with the good report she had on Copy from Lucinda and her team.

Peanuts arrived safely from Wye Oak and Mark has done a great job on the arena.

All in all a pretty good day.

looking forward to seeing Chris in a few days time .

We have Malcolm and Elaine as guests and some new visitors who are off to a scooter rally in Torquay.

Lucy is sending down some of her families famous pork pies - hurry up Mr Postman.

Bits and Pieces

Lisa gave a great evening entertainment to the RDA team from conquest...........they are looking at working closely with us in the months to come. A Stud visit is in the process of being planned for them to see the mares foals and stallions.

Sarah's Chili is doing just great and will be learning all about the breed barn this afternoon.

Ruby is being a great Mom - Lou is having to hand feed her at the moment. Jenny Fry took some pictures of the foals which she or Lily were going to post - can't wait to see them.

Gem seems to have settled well and we are looking forward to meeting Peanuts on Friday.

Lucinda (dentist) and Cat came to visit the farm, Lady A and Ruby. And all that plus a vets visit all before 4.00 pm.

Dog Agility classes - One week today

Dog agility classes with the Little Orchard Dog training team start this time next week. Places on the course are all taken up but spectators are welcome to watch the dogs and their owners being put through their paces.

NEXT TUESDAY - MAY 19 th - 6.00 p.m.

At the Mendip Stud .

Tea coffee and light refreshments available.

Animal Magnitism baby

04.25 a.m.

Hula gave up another stunning foal - she always seems to out produce herself - a beautiful filly out of Chris' stallion Animal Magnitism..... Both mum and baby are doing just fine and it's so appropriate that she should be born on the same day Chris's flies into the UK for one of her regular visits.

Pictures will follow once the sun is up, the wind has dropped and when the pair are out gadding about in the mare and foal paddocks.

Ruby and her litter of nine are well - Mum is still very tired and exhausted and Lou the midwife is being kept busy at both ends of the farm .......

Thanks to all those from Horseworld who have written in for the competition. We'll make the draw on Friday.

Dave

Really good to hear from you Dave ...................Glad things are beginning to get a little easier for you now - good luck with the nurse today.

1 Comments:
At 11 May 2009 10:17 , dave h said...
hi its dave,so pleased to hear that ruby had her pups.im feeling better each day.thank you all for get well cards.

Make it 9

Ruby has now had 9 babies - God willing all are fit and well.

Ruby .............7 pups so far..........

Ruby our wonderful labradoodle started to produce her first litter at about 5.45 this morning. Lou was the ever watchful and present midwife. Ruby is doing just fine although a little confused and tired. Seven so far - we will have to wait and see if there are any more in the offing.

Will keep folk updated as things progress.

Huge thanks to Cat who went out of her way and provided ice cream and chocolate sustenance for the foal and puppy watchers last night. went down a treat - well at least some of it.

We are all pleased to have Tora, Hannah, Ren and Dylan here. Let's hope Ren gets fixed soon and can carry Hannah for miles and miles in her endurance season.

Demo at Horseworld.

Lou and Lisa, Copy and Splash wowed the crowds at the busy Horseworld Open Day. Debbie P turned up camera in hand and was our official photographer. Pictures to follow please Debs. Both horses were stars and the day was made all the more pleasant by the wonderful weather.

Looking forward to our day off tomorrow.

Still mares to watch ............so its not all no work all play :--- when is it in the horse business.

Saturday BR clinic and other news..........

Yesterday was a fascinating day with the visit of Jamie and Anita from equine reproduction.......We all shared notes and ideas. great people to work with and fun to be around.

Today saw the BR clinic underway with Di, Dom, Lesley, Debbie, Kate and Channon - everyone had a great time and Lisa once again made the day a real treat for everyone.

Hannah and Tora provided breakfast butties - mine was simply wonderful - full of calories and fat and very bad for me - I loved it.

Lots of folks dropped in to look at the babies - Venus is proving to be quite a crowd pleaser. Jenny took some pictures which I hope she'll share with us all.

Mark brought Chris' piano to Scooters so we'll have an evening or two of live music in the not too distant. Looking forward to that. Nichola, Tom, Sue and Eric left for Spain today - I'm sure they'll have a great holiday in the sun......

Lots of enquiries about the WES area 3 show and other events taking place here in the next month or so.

Ruby is only a few days away from her first litter - can't wait to see what she produces - if they are anything like her we'll be delighted. Hula looks as if she'll be foaling down pretty soon and the other girls are all cooking nicely.

Thought for the day..........A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a weapon of math disruption.

Hannah was right

Oohps ...........Hannah was right - no friday blog......sorry to all.

Contribute to the blog

Morning all..............


Bookings have already started to come in for the Ilan Clinics in July. Make sure you get your name on the list if you want to take part as place will all go pretty quickly.


Three mares came in last night and were added to foal watch - Hula, Lena and Chic who join Izzy and Bridie. - It's looking to be a busy few weeks.



A couple of thoughts for the day :

The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran. &

A backward poet writes inverse.

Back on the road again...........

Yesterday saw us take a quick trip to Norfolk. Two youngsters delivered into the safe keeping or the Rowe sisters - a brief cuppa , a hello and bye to Ash and then back to Somerset with Jess in the lorry. Senna and Cooper travelled really well and settled into their new home pretty much as if nothing had happened. Big thanks to Hannah and Colin for use of the lorry. Thanks to Dom and Lou too for keeping the conversation going and my eyes open as the day miles rolled by.

We decided to postpone the Club show this weekend due to clashes with Badminton and other local events - we'll rearrange as soon as we can.

BR clinic here this coming weekend.

ILAN ROSENBERG NEW DATES 15TH AND 16TH JULY...................BOOK NOW AS THESE WILL GO QUICKLY.

All sorts going on with the Vets today - scans, flu's and tets, microchips yada yada............

Lou is off to Sanctuary today to drop off feed.

Thought for the day: The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.

Bank Holiday weekend.................

Lou and I went to Wells to see Dave yesterday evening - he is making a good recovery from his operation. He asked us to say ' Hi ' to everyone and thanks to so many for their good wishes, cards and texts.

Sarah worked with some of the yongsters and gave us all fantasic tips and practises that will help around the farm big time. She has a wealth of knowledge and ability and is a great teacher.

Mark returned form a successful trip to Europe with Magnum in the early hours. Both seemed to have travelled well.

Tora and Dylan joined the new recruits to TMS - a warm welcome to them.

Thanks to Wayne's skills the tractor is running beautifully and we can get the farm work done at double speed - nothing worse than a slipped clutch is there :)

New dates for Ilan clinics will be announced tomorrow.

Adam if you read this please give me a call - couldn't raise you on your mobile yesterday.

Lots of people called to hear about Monty's visit which was great as it shows the blog and facebook are working.

Anyway that's enough of this for now - cloudy skies but dry today according to the weather Gods............have a good day everyone.

Monty Roberts visits TMS........

One of Saturdays highlights was the visit of Monty Roberts to the Mendip Stud. Working on some preparatory ideas for his Autumn tour Monty followed up his initial meeting at the Your horse live show and came to TMS to meet with us and to ride one of the horses.

Unlike some celebrities he was super approachable , full of good advice and interesting ideas and at nearly 74 rode like a man at least 40 years his junior ! He was in short simply inspiring. We are looking forward to working with him and Kelly in the fall.

The weather did us proud too, the sun shone , the wind was notional and the the Stud looked at its best which all contributed to a fascinating day.

Hannah rode the farm for the first time on Ren and to her surprise survived. The are both welcome members to the TMS community.Thanks to who Jerry bought cakes for the crew which were quickly demolished before going off to collect her Smoothy who arrived later in the afternoon and settled straight away. Think we should make it 'cakes on Saturday' as it was a great way to get everyone together. Pepper completed the weekends arrivals.

Thanks to our team for being our team yesterday - ' you were all as good as it gets' Guy you were a star.

Dawn and Adam also paid us a visit, took us to dinner , brought us milk tray and generally spoiled us - it was great - thanks guys you made a good day great.

Goodbye April - Hello May

April seems to have slipped away .............We have five foals on the ground . All doing well thank God. Spring is truly here. Hannah arrived with her Arab Ren today - they seem to have settled well.

We are looking forward to Smoothy coming in over the weekend and for Cooper and Senna to go to their new home. Stuart has settled well and is enjoying being back at his birth-home . Chilli has moved in as if he owns the place and is about as laid back a you could expect.

Star of the week this week goes is shared between Cash and Jonico - the first for learning how not to be a prat and the later for never being one.May will bring lots of events and comings and goings here at TMS .........we'll keep you posted.