Pony Madness!

Jess and Naomi have both been pony mad this year!
It started when they were offered the loan of a local pony on condition that their mum come with them and learn how to tack the pony up (to those uninitiated that means put the saddle, bridle, and reins on). Alison rose to the challenge although a little nervously at first and was gradually brainwashed along with the girls and is now showing symptoms of a most fatal disease– PONY MADNESS!
Jessica and Naomi were further infected when their great grandma Bell offered to pay for a pony riding holiday. The offer was immediately accepted and it did not take long for the holiday to be booked. Great Grandma Bell will live in the girls memories forever now, because their riding holiday at the Cornish Riding School, was described on their return as the holiday of a lifetime. Pony madness had now reached an incurable stage and there was nothing to be done but agree that they needed a pony, if and only if they could prove commitment to the upkeep and care of a pony. Jessica duly accepted and met the challenge, getting up every morning at 6am to go up to the fields and provide Breeze with a welcome carrot. Unfortunately Naomi suffers with lying in syndrome and preferred her warm and comfy bed.
The search is now on for a friendly riding pony for Jessica (and Naomi to assist). We are hoping to re-home a pony and have made links with a number of horse and pony re-homing charities. So watch this space for next year!
Our year ended in style with a trip to the NEC in Birmingham to see the Spanish Riding School of Vienna., the oldest riding school in Europe. To put that in perspective Great Grandma and Grandad Bell saw them in Vienna 50 years ago! Jessica and Naomi loved the show but their highlight was seeing the Metropolitan Police horses jump through hoops of fire. Guess what they want to do when they grow up?