We do so many events and activities we like to post our news below for all to see.

January 2010

Happy New year to you all!

Snow!!

Having just recovered from the snow before Christmas, we had heavy snowfall with deep drifts to mark my birthday! Plans for a nice relaxing day with a trip to town to see a show were scrapped as staff called in unable to make it to work. The trains weren't running anyhow and I ddn't want to be stranded in town for the night. I donned my ski suit and went in to help the staff who had made it in. It is really pretty and very magical with everything blanketed in white, but we still have to feed care for over 30 horses and with no riding there is no income.

On the plus side, the horses were enjoying a bit of a holiday after a busy summer and it's great to watch them rolling and playing in the snow, although I hold my breath when they all go daft and start galloping and sliding around and I think of the possible vet bills!

The Shepherds had a great time and romped almost non stop, collapsing occasionally on the bit of stable that I was trying to muck out!

If you go onto the Surrey Horsewatch (or SAFE) website, you will read about incidents of plaiting all over the south east. I was emailed regarding a horse was found tied abandoned at a ferry port. It had apparently been stolen from the Guildford area and it was thought that it had been left behind as it was microchipped and did not have the correct passport to go with it. Several incidents of horses found plaited in their fields have been reported since and the eqine industry is concerned that they are being marked for theft.

We found Samson with a plait in his mane and I have had all the Wildwoods horses microchipped. The thought of any of them disappearing (possibly for the meat trade) is dreadful. Since then we have found both Iris and Scout with plaits. It is very worrying that someone can go into the field with the horses and do this without being seen as the fileds are in full view of the yard and the house.
We have recently had an excellent CCTV security system installed and are very much on full alert!!

Review 2009

It has been an amazing year for me. After running the business for over 30 years I am gettting some time to travel and explore the world on horseback!

I was excited to be accepted to ride on the Blue Cross Challenge in February, riding over the high Andes in Ecuador around Cotapaxi, the highest active volcano in the world

My mount was a tough looking Criollo dun approx 15.2 called Vayo (pronounced Bi-yo, which means dun). He reminded me very much of the horse ridden by the Man from Snowy River, one of my favourite movies! .

Most of the horses were working horses, used to cutting and roping cattle, gaited with a quick, ground -covering walk and a superb slow hand-canter.

 

We had been told that we would have a good chance of sighting condor and suddenly there it was soaring around the mountains!! An amazing sight! It soared in the air currents for a while and was gone and I realised I had been holding my breath!

We did the 2nd highest canter in the world at 3,989 metres!! The horses pulled up blowing hard because of the altitude, but were very fit and recovered quickly. We rode approx 120 miles in five days and raised over £18,000 for the Blue Cross and had had an unforgettable experience. Despite snow flurries and altitude sickness, I enjoyed myself immmensely. Thank you to all who sponsored me and made this trip possible.

I was back in the UK for just a few weeks, then off to Borana, Kenya with Jean who is part owner of Ranger. She celebrated her 74 birthday out there. We spent the day driving round Lewa Wildlife Conservancy where we saw both black and white rhino, grevys zebra and watched entranced as a newly born elephant was greeted by his family.

His mum and her entourage tried to help him stand on wobbly legs and there was a terrific hoo-ha and trumpeting to celebrate the event, with everyone jostling to touch him with their trunks.

Jean was told we were going out on a night drive to spot lion that evening and was treated to a surprise  bush supper (silver service, of course!) The cake,  lit with candles, was brought to the table by the African staff in starched white coats, singing a haunting African melody in perfect harmony . It was very “Out of Africa”! Jean never thought that when she started riding fourteen years ago that she would be cantering amongst the game in Africa. She also had a hip replacement a few years ago. It shows what can be achieved! Riding is such a fantastic way to see those faraway places. Here we are pictured below. The picture of Jean on the right was taken with a stunning backdrop of Mount Kenya

In September I returned to Botswana, Africa to ride with PJ & Barney at Okavango Horse Safaris. I took with me two sisters who rode with me a couple of years ago from Pushkar Fair to Korta Escape in Rajasthan, India, my friend and former Yard Manager Sid’s family business.
They brought along a friend who was phobic about snakes. Luckily there were no sightings on this trip. This was not the case when I returned with Ella in October (a treat for her 16th birthday). Barney shot a huge black mamba, one of Africa’s most feared deadly snakes!!!
I am so lucky to be able to return for a free safari whenever I want and they welcome me as part of the family. I worked out there with them for a few months in 2000 helping with the horses and driving around the Delta - an unforgettable expereience!

If you want to read more about my adventures out there then go to the Winter 09 page, or emeil me and I will send you my Okavango Diaries.
Horse & Hound once listed riding in the Okavango Delta as one of the "things to do before you die!"

A few new horses joined us this year, including Quest, Mr, Chips and Mr. Tom. I update the website on a regular basis and they now all have a thumbnail picture on the “our horses” page. Thanks to Ian’s tuition I am almost computer literate now! I have even been working on a new brochure which we hope to have out soon.

We have had quite a busy year despite the recesssion, but funds have been hit hard by the prolonged cold spell with over 30 horses to feed and care for. I am still trying to remain positive, but it will be a while before we can build the funds back up.

 Thank you for riding with us in 2009 and we hope to see you again in 2010.

Anthea