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We wish you a happy Christmas and a successful new year for 2007. Time for the annual newsletter and an update on Dean at the present. We have the same team of horses working in the school although we are trying to find a backup to help Misty and Worthy. I have been keeping an eye open, but horses like them are like gold dust. One new arrival to the team is Rhodri, a Welsh section B bay gelding who has settled really well into his new job and is a very popular ride. Murphy was not into riding school work despite being a fabulous all round horse. So he has gone to a super family on Dartmoor who confirm he likes to go swimming to help wash out his feathers. ( The mind boggles looking at the size of him!! ) We are currently lucky to have Caffraegh with us to use. He has become a very special member of the team, and together with Worthy and Maisie, they hit the national press this year with a holiday related article, and a very good photo in the Sunday Mirror! Ghashang, now a seasoned campaigner, is also still with us and many of you will have either ridden her or been escorted by her, and she is always very professional in her job. Shelley managed to qualify for all the major championships again with Kid. And then with our usual good luck, Kid stretched a ligament and has had to be box rested and re-built up over 6 months before jumping again so we are now preparing for next years championships!! We have many guests now staying regularly for training courses and we welcome beginners or more experienced riders to improve technique or work out problems. It is great fun to pick up from the last visit and then to develop on a bit further!! Show jumping club has again been very successful for both horses and riders. Some of the horses definitely favour this discipline – don’t mention dressage to Ella! Progressive tests and the progressive mornings have been very successful in developing our younger riders in all disciplines and we are seeing some good potential in the jockeys – both on the flat and show jumping. We still have the same team of staff; myself, Shelley, Hannah, Sue, Abby and Catherine (part time and at peak times) all working and developing with the clients, maintaining the horses schooling, competing them at times to improve their ring craft or sweetening up the established team of horses, and shows (or parties, as we like to call them, for the horses day out – they can really brighten them up.) Douglas Moses is the new member of the team; he replaces Daphne and is our new transport. We went for an updated model as we drive many miles and hours. Ashley reckoned he would be there more often if he had the comforts. However, the only time he joined us recently was when Shelley flew into the top of the wings, once again reassuring him that coming to shows is not such a good idea! Debbie (from Germany) came to see Viking whom she used to jump (Debs learnt to ride with us and was one of our helpers from a very early age – see the photo gallery with Red – Deb has moved on big time and works and show jumps at the very top level, presently working at a top Dutch show jumping stud jumping their stallions, and formerly working for Paul Schockemöhle and Hauke Luther. Deb was here having her nose fixed in London due to it being squished by a horse hitting her in the face! Viking you may meet during the peak seasons. He is a total professional, although quite eccentric, but still sound, safe and usable. My horse, Tops, is retired from show jumping but still escorts the rides and the young horses. I keep fit on my new mare, Crystal, who has very big ears. Tops has short legs and together they are therefore known as Shortie and Big Ears! Della and Friday came back for a holiday with the Jayne family, it was lovely to see them all happily bonded and enjoying themselves with both mares in fantastic condition. Also, Shadow has found herself a great friend with Daisy and they are becoming a very nice little partnership. Our other liveries have been also improving with their own horses over the year, including Meg and Sully still going strong, and Jim, Sarah and Bentley (Portia’s son) advancing their training. Bentley has now been to a few shows and is very confident. Sadly Portia is now retired due to lameness so is now a lady of leisure. Inca (Portia’s daughter) went to her first show; a big three day event at Wales and she was amazing and worked as if she had done it all before. She managed to come home with two rosettes and she really seemed to enjoy the atmosphere of an overnight show – which isn’t always the case!! Ella and Catherine were also put on the lorry last minute and Ella got placed in several classes. Even the commentator was amazed when she took the lead with a fairly fast round. For those familiar with Ella, they will know that she certainly has her enthusiastic or ‘nobody at home’ days!! The main letting side of the house has now been updated and refurbished and can now work as a complete letting unit or mini units, with the option for B and B (please ask if interested), accommodation for up to 9 people or 11 in special cases. The main part of the house consists of a family unit (double and single in semi divided area with en-suite bathroom) , an en-suite double (with spacious shower) and the bunk room is the same (4 singles) with the family shower room next door. All rooms have either country and/or farm views. Downstairs is the same and we can mix and match any of the above including Mini Dean by arrangement. Mini Dean is still working very well for our short breaks and I am planning a small freezer pre-prepared menu and fresh soups available for guests on short breaks who may not want to travel out every night. Please ask for details if you are interested. (24 hours notice minimum) Back to the horses; we can still offer full, schooling and the occasional working livery by arrangement. Our liveries are a great part of the group and can enjoy instruction when needed, Exmoor hacking and show training / support. Some of our clients are asking for training to develop themselves for shows and we will be offering this. Again, if you are interested in aiming for this please let us know and we can tell you more about it. It is probably a good time to thank our staff for their continued support through out all weathers. They are continually improving their skills with further training and competition ring experience (usually enjoyed) which includes some exams that go with the territory that have to be done – not necessarily enjoyed!! Again, enjoy the New Year, and we hope to see you all again in 2007 to share in the thrills and spills of horses – a crazy existence – but fun and relaxing holidays!!! Regards to you all… Tracy and the team at Dean Ode to the Horse Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride Friendship without envy, beauty without vanity? Here, where grace is laced with muscle, And strength by gentleness confined He serves without servility, Has fought without enmity, There is nothing so powerful, nothing so patient, England’s past has been borne on his back. All our history is his industry. We are his heirs, he is our inheritance. The Horse I think we should thank our 4 legged friends for the pleasure they give to so many different levels of riders, without them and their patience, it wouldn’t be Dean. |
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Proprietor: Tracy Eames
Dean Riding Stables . Lower Dean Farm . Dean
Nr. Parracombe . North Devon . EX31 4PJ . England
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