Back in Wiltshire today - I'm sure we'd moved from there last week but no; this was a pre-booked hack for Julie over the Marlborough Downs. It was nice being back as after a week it didn't really feel any different but strange really that we were now an hours drive from the stables (in the opposite direction), not half an hour. Be that as it may, we arrived at the Pewsey Vale Riding Stables and Julie was informed she'd be riding Blue, the horse above. Blue likes having his nose tickled and relaxes to almost sleep. To ride him I'm told is like sitting in a sofa, comfortable, relaxing and safe. So all was in place. However another lady had booked herself onto the 2 hour ride, after only a couple of lessons and had never cantered before. The groom Kelly wouldn't take her out as she was too inexperienced so after a kerfuffle and change, the lady got Blue and went off for a short hack with another groom. Julie was given Raymond (below) to ride. 16.2 hands of hunter x thoroughbred type young gelded-stallion with an ego and a temperament to match. It will be a good ride. Off they went, off I went and returned in about 2 hours. Apparently the ride was excellent, Raymond gave Julie some goodly gallops, but the little scamp was also in a mood to be naughty, bucking, jumping sideways, jumping upwards and generally being a pain. As Julie said he's fun to ride, but one can't relax as it's all hands to the pump keeping him in order. Lovely looking horse thought - or at least I thought that before he bit me on the hand as I went to get the bridle so Julie could remove the saddle - a perfect end to the morning, as I sat having lunch with friends covered in a bandage (okay a small plaster). As for lunch with the friends, well that's a whole other story for another time...... nice scotch egg salad I have to say.
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