Espadero RPB 'this snow is such a bore'
What a start to the new year! Along with the rest of the UK we experienced some of the coldest weather conditions I think I have ever experienced in Cornwall.
Initially it comes with great excitement, fabulous photograph opportunities and the novelty factor. HOWEVER! After 5 days of solid icy yards, horses confined to stables, frozen hoses and the prospect of carrying water to fields and stables, not to mention the slips and falls – frankly the novelty has started to wear a bit thin. I never thought I would look forward to the usual wet and windy winter days we are use to.
All credit has to go to Kirsty, Rosie and Sara whom made it into work and spent hours each day in the freezing conditions, their efforts very much appreciated by Paul and I.
Snow aside, life at the stud is hectic, with 11 horses in work and generally only one rider available each day. We have welcomed Louisa, Gusto and Afortunada JW back to the stud and the teaching schedule is pretty intense.
The girls have done a great job on their respective NVQ’s generating quality evidence for their portfolio’s, the standard of work is high and I hope they can keep this level up and present completed portfolio’s that represent the high standards we strive for.
Rosie has been working on her module related to feeding and horse health monitoring and has some fabulous work records and assessments that show a level of competence above a level 2 apprentice. Kirsty is working on her horse health unit and at level 3 has to demonstrate a higher level of knowledge and understanding of a much wider range of horse health issues. I am really pleased to see 5 pieces of evidence all written well and referenced to the standards. I am hoping at the assessor visit this week we will see Rosie complete her unit 202 and Kirsty her 302 unit. Both girls attend Duchy College, Cornwall as part of their Apprentice (Horse Care) contracts. Great progress girls.
Riding and training of riders and horses at St Piran’s Stud (although hampered by the snow since last Wednesday) continues to progress well. Rosie has started a training diary for herself and her horse Coco on www.club caballo.com so if you would like to follow her progress as a trainee dressage rider then go to : http://clubcaballo.com/index.php?topic=986.0 and a topic about her life as a student at the stud : http://clubcaballo.com/index.php?topic=987.0
We have started a video training diary to plot Rosie’s training which will make a fabulous record for her. http://clubcaballo.com/index.php?topic=994.0
We continue to offer a variety of purebred and partbred Spanish horses for ssale at St Piran’s Stud. These can be seen @ http://www.st-pirans-stud-spanish-horses.com/FORSALE.html
Ridden Spanish horses (Andalusian’s) for sale include Intensa Su and Inta Su. Purebred Spanish colts and fillies for sale include Estiloso RPB, Entonado RPB and Euforica RPB.
…finally we move to pre-foal watch time with Capi and are starting to increase her diet to finish the foal to bes growth and development. This week coming we look forward to welcoming Peter Maddison-Greenwell of El Caballo de Espana, our long standing trainer back to the stud for a private training clinic. More news on this next week……