"Thank heaven for the All Weather gallop"

Well, maybe that wasn't quite how it was phrased around the yard on Saturday morning, but with the sky a (well, blue actually) shade of sky blue, and less than average rainfall in recent week, our vast array of grass gallops were rock hard.

I mean, it was sore on the human feet if anything more that a leisurely stroll was attempted. And you thought our woodchip gallop would be of most use during the winter months - pah!

With our all round, man-about-the yard Garry constantly harrowing the 5f strip, carefully providing consistency by smoothing in accumulated woodchip from the edges, we've been able to train the horses just as we've liked.
This has helped not only those in from summer grass, but the couple of the string we've had in all summer in faster work.

With all of the weekend work-riders in on Saturday morning, we completed our morning gallops in 2 lots

First up were :
Snapping Turtle (Ross) and Hawaii Klass (Garry) who came up twice, with the second time being a faster piece of work, probably their last of this nature as their both in at Hexham on Friday.
Tomahawk Wood (Kyle) and Bollin Julie (Connor) were taken up just the once at a steadier pace, but are coming along nicely.

 There were a trio of horses doing some road work - 'Achilles' (our unraced River Falls gelding) (Kingy), Ellistrin Belle (Callum) and a newcomer to the yard a young Gamut gelding (Callum).

Snapping Turtle (Ross) and Hawaii Klass (Garry) lead Bollin Julie (Connor) and Tomahawk Wood (Kyle)

Second lot all came up the woodchip gallop twice Shades of Midnight (Garry) and Hartforth (Kingy) has their first piece of faster work on the second time up, and pleased us with attitude and fitness, although that Hartforth treats every opponent as an enemy. Shady didn’t bat an eyelid as he was jostled all the way to the top.
Bollin Fiona (Harris) and Charlie Bucket (Jordan) are not so far forward at this stage, but also came up the middle twice, at a more steadier pace.

There are several horses still to come into the yard, either from a elongated summer break, or that are finishing off their education.
You always hope you find a hidden gem amongst newcomers, so keep we'll keep you posted on horses that are making significant progress.

Potassium syndicate pick a lovely morning

An absolutely glorious late summer's morning on Saturday in God's Country welcomed the Potassium Syndicate to Dodlands Steading.

It was great to see Bob and Ann especially as they made the long trek from the West Coast of Scotland to be there bang on time. The Bannermans - Sandy, Rory and Nick - were there plus Belinda to make a quorum for the partnership.
Those who hadn't seen Shades of Midnight since his Hexham bumper win were suitably impressed and the gelding in appearance - he really has done well over the summer, and looks strong and powerful.

Hartforth and Shades of Midnight under scrutiny of the Potassium group

Shades of Midnight worked with the battle-hardened Hartforth and impressed his owners immensely. It's early days, and we can all see how he progresses in his faster work over the next 3-4 weeks. We described him last year as a 'very promising sort' - see, we do get things right from time to time - and by golly, he isn't half!

Undoubtedly, he'll be suited by galloping tracks, and whilst another bumper outing could be in the offing, we may look to school him over hurdles. The family jump well, so it's fingers crossed and hope for the best.

And finally, those Potassium People wish to thank the hostess with the most-est in making everyone feel at home, and swear those scones just get better and better. Wonderful Helen!

Second time up, and Shades of Midnight works well