Great Meteor Day update

It was impossible not to commemorate the Great Meteor of 1783. It entered the atmosphere over the North Sea, crossed England in a south westerly heading and went out over the channel and then it observed the Montgolfier brothers assembling the first manned balloon and disintegrated in despair. A mere three months later, the balloon was launched and before anyone knew it, a man walked on the moon.

As for Shovelstrode, we have had a quiet spell. BACK BEFORE DARK in the Magnolia Cup is the only recent runner, where she acquitted herself honourably and gave Jasmine a good day out. That will be the closing of the horse’s racing career and she will make a nice addition to a riding school somewhere being not too big and very even tempered.

The bulk of the yard came back from their summer breaks in small groups starting in early July and up until the start of August. There had been a mind to have one or two summer jumpers but the drought meant that some of the courses simply could not avoid quick ground and the heatwaves were not the sort of weather our horses would appreciate. Former stable hero Monty’s Award would probably be appalled at such snowflakery, but in terms of weather tolerance, he was very much an extreme sun worshipper. As for running plans, we shall see how and when the rain come to help – just being cooler does not necessarily mean wetter, and we need sustained rain to make galloping and schooling practical.

We are also planning to add some new photos to the site shortly, of the human and equine team.