The right day……….

Arriving at Hartpury Equestrian Centre on the ‘right day’, was a good start.

Hevans EV Cattorrius & Hevans EV Pascalius were both warmed up, shown around and dressed over in time for our first class. The first thing I noticed was the amazing surface in the indoor arena, level and compact made running easier for the daisy cutter……

I will admit on this day both horses turned out exceptionally well, competing English style made a huge difference in their appearance.

BAPS NATIONAL.

British Appaloosa Society National Breed Show 2014

 Hevans EV Catorrius

As the day unfolded it was clear he was the Judges ‘type’, his manners better although he still insisted on proclaiming  “I am a two-year old colt”!  Words of wisdom from people with their own experiences,  keep telling me “don’t give up, he will grow out of it…..” I find very encouraging and I appreciate any advice given.

Reus excelled himself winning the Best Conditioned, Most Colourful Other and second in the 2 & 3-year-old Colt’s class’s. Qualifying for the Championships he won Champion Young stock and was awarded the Audrey Callis Memorial Trophy. Winning the Champion Male he was awarded the Oslo Plate and he gained Reserve Champion in Most Colourful and Champion of Champions.

Winning the Supreme In Hand Championship made the day being awarded the Linda McCartney Trophy was very special for obvious reasons.

Reus BAPS NATIONAL 2014  (4)Reus BAPS NATIONAL 2014  (6)Reus BAPS NATIONAL 2014  (19)

Reus BAPS NATIONAL 2014  (21)

Hevans EV Pascalius

Evee was placed down the line in her first class and an honourable 3rd in Most Colourful Other.

In her defence she has never experienced so many horses in one place, it took a while for my mother to settle her.

Evee BAPS NATIONAL 2014   (9)Evee BAPS NATIONAL 2014   (10)

Evee BAPS NATIONAL 2014   (3)

 

Thanks to my mother, by the time I entered the ring with Evee for the Yearling Filly Class she was settled and “with me”.

Evee tracked up and completed her show without putting a foot wrong.

Standing beautifully before the Judges, she was awarded a well deserved and appreciated 1st place.

Evee BAPS NATIONAL 2014   (1)

Another outstanding performance resulted in her first Champion award in the Female Championships.

 

Evee BAPS NATIONAL 2014

 

 

This was certainly the right day for Redheart Appaloosas.

The night before, the night before …………….

Friday 15th August.

There is a lot of preparation the night before a show. Finishing work I collected my girls from their “Kids Club”, got the horses in from their fields, worked Reus, bathed and plaited him. Frank came and worked Evee, I then bathed and plaited her.  A few other jobs completed and all was good to go.

Saturday 16th August.

Fed horses at 5am, loaded and on road for 7am to Hartpury College / Equestrian Centre , it was only a short drive away which meant no pressure. Our arrival was like entering a ghost town.

Not sure how many people have done this but I can confirm I am now one person that has gone to a show a day early, better than a day late I guess.  Thankfully the short journey home was most entertaining as my children thought it was hilarious funny, as I explained it was “a trial run”

Surprised to be un-loaded at home, the horses enjoyed a relaxing walk around the lanes.

 

Hevans EV Pascalius

Hevans EV Pascalius

Hevans EV Cataorrius

Hevans EV Cataorrius

 “All dressed up and nowhere to go”

The worse thought;

I knew they would need bathing and plaiting the night before (again) the British Appaloosa Society National Breed Show ON Sunday 17th August 2014.

 

Progress at the Nationals……..

Keen to leave at 5am, I then realise it was too dark to turn Hevans EV Cateaster out into the field because she has night blindness. As soon as it was light enough Easter, Catori and PP were turned out and we loaded Hevans EV Pascalius and Hevans EV Catorrius into the lorry.

A straight run up the M5 to Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell for the ApHC UK National Breed Show.

APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (19)

Frank very kindly warmed Reus up, he always needs to exert some energy.

 

Crystal ensured Evee had stretching her legs, had a good look around and was settled.

APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fantastic day for Crystal and Evee, 2nd in the Yearling USA filly class, 4th in the FPD Halter female open and following in her mothers foot steps (PP) she won the UK Yearling filly class taking the APHC UK Nutland Carpet Salver. Crystal qualified for the ApHC UK young stock championship and was placed Reserve Champion. Absolutely delighted for Crystal and Evee, a promising second show and an exciting future for another potential brood mare at Redheart Appaloosa’s.

APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (8)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (1)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (3)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (7)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (2)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Evee (4)

I have worked Reus hard over the last three weeks to enhance his performance at the shows. I believe this effort had paid off, he won the ApHC USA two year old colt class and the USA FPD Halter open male. He then went USA Grand Champion Stallion winning the USA bronze trophy.

In the UK class for two year old colts he took first place which qualified him for the UK Grand Champion Stallion which he won and was awarded the Tiptoe Stud Shield.

We also won the Spotless Salver in the non characteristic class.

APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (13)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (11)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (6)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (12)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (9)APHC UK NATIONALS 2014 Reus (16)

 

However, he let him self down in the ApHC UK Supreme Championship, even though I believe we were in the running for Reserve (being asked for a repeat show), Reus clocked him self in the arena mirror and was very aroused by his reflection. I totally get that!

Reus APHC UK NATIONALS 2014ApHC UKEvee APHC UK NATIONAL 2014

ApHC UK National Breed Show 2014

A well deserved day for the horses and a very enjoyable day had by all, topped off with a super picnic supplied by Frank. Just Brilliant.

More pictures updated on the horses pages.

Shiny Silver…..

We are all ready for the Appaloosa Club UK National Show tomorrow. Last years silver has been cleaned and engraved.

Looking at the 2013 winnings of Hevans EV Catorrius it was a pleasure to read the previous winners and wonderful to know Reus’s name is engraved along side some outstanding horses.

The Yearling Colt Trophy , The Male Champion, The Spotless Salver and The Yearling Colt Class winner. It seems so long ago, it feels like he’s been a big two year old forever.

 APHC National 2013

The lorry has undergone a little improvement, the addition of an extended partition (full width and extended height, ceiling to floor). This has enabled a colt and a filly to travel together. I am confident (after a few trail runs) we can make the National Show in one trip.

I have great company tomorrow, Crystal is leading Heavans EV Pascalius, Frank is helping with Hevans EV Catorrius (I also heard he’s bringing a picnic – hope its not just the chocolate bar), my mother is meeting us there and will be supervising the children along side their father who is in charge of photography.

Lets see what the day brings us?

Central Prefix – Our Identity…

Absolutely delighted to recieve Redheart’s prefix certificate, from Central Prefix Register.

All future home bred Redheart Appaloosa horses can now be registered with the Appaloosa Horse Club UK & The British Appaloosa Society with this prefix.

CENTRAL PREFIX REGISTER

CENTRAL PREFIX REGISTER CERTIFICATE

 

An opportunity for prospective buyers to create their own name after the Redheart prefix.

 

Back to Basics……..

 We have achieved a great deal in Hevans EV Catorrius’s training to date. Reus has his own paddock, he can see the girls and is not isolated, he is settled and we do not work him in his own paddock. He is lunged, worked in hand and driven in a separate field, there is no confusion on “work” time!  We also use a round pen or go for a walk in hand around the lanes. I never let him get bored and am always striving to find new challenges.

Hevans EV Catorrius

 I am confident and firm with him, never letting him know he is physically stronger than me. Long reining has given him a great opportunity to see the world outside the farm gates and keeps him focused on going forwards.

 Hevans EV CatorriusHevans EV Catorrius

A well behaved colt is a well-trained one, I am always on my guard for everything that is going on around us and I am constantly thinking ten steps ahead of him. It is tiring and frustrating to loose placing’s because of his hormones, in time I am sure he will switch off at the shows.

Hevans EV CatorriusHevans EV Catorrius (10)

At present, Reus is turned out during the night and stabled during the day! This change  has enabled him to have a longer duration of time out in his paddock, avoiding the flies and eating the grass instead of standing in his field shelter out of the sun. 

REUS JULY 14 (1)

I hope this change along with a structured training plan will enhance his concentration & performance?

3 1

 He really has a kind nature when his hormones are not aroused……….

Education………

Before

Before

Another change made at Redheart Appaloosa’s has involved the purchase of a few sheets of ply board, a few pots of paint and the help of my daughters.

We have had great fun at the start of the School Summer Holidays making a secure “round pen” to help build the relationship with the young stock!

 

 

 

 

During (2)During (3) During.

 

The decorated panels should enhance a bold approach to similar surroundings in the future for the young stock.

 

After

 

Hevans EV PascaliusHevans EV Pascalius

Hevans EV Pascalius was amazed!

 

 

Hevans EV Catorrius (4) Hevans EV Catorrius (2)

Hevans EV Catorrius  quietly walked around looking at each design!

The round pen certainly has brightened up the training / education sessions, as we head back to basics with Reus and prepare Evee for the Appaloosa Horse Club UK National Breed Show.

Testing & Pushing the Boundary………

Achieving the “mileage” on the showing circuit with Hevans EV Catorrius, today we attended the APHC UK Southern Show at Pachesham Equestrian Centre in Surry.

Gaining 2nd place in the male under three years and Reserve Champion Young Stock.

SURRY 195

 

Assessing Reus behaviour recently in the ring, it is my assumption he has realised during his “show”, there is an opportunity to play and show off without being reprimanded!

This behaviour is  totally unacceptable especially so late in the season!

SURRY 663    SURRY 819

He has learnt to “switch off” outside the ring, he will walk around the ring with other horses and will stand for the judge.

SURRY 007SURRY 057

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being aroused by the ladies and getting his penis out is nature, I only try to distract him, dealing with his behaviour and gaining his concentration is key and seems to be working.

Reus was imprinted at birth and has been educated to a high degree of manners and understanding. There is nothing I cannot do with him at home, he is a very sweet, calm and intelligent natured horse and a very quick learner. Nothing phases him and his inquisitive nature enables me to achieve more in his education than most two year olds I have dealt with. Perhaps this is one trait of the Appaloosa shining through?

It is the testosterone that switches Reus character at the events. The presence of this hormone gives him a thicker “cresty” neck and a more muscular physique. On occasions his presence makes him head strong and hard to handle and sometimes he is unpredictable with his actions.

SURRY 180

 

I am always on my guard for a high leg or a swing from his head, 

aware of the danger and consequence should he get loose in the ring.

 

It is not in Reus’s character to intentionally misbehave, It is my understand that he is pushing the boundaries and testing me?

 

Just like “the terrible two’s” of a child!

 
My aim is to persevere and change his attitude, going back to basics at home. We need to enhance our bond, I need to regain his trust and respect starting with a change of routine. A possible change to future showing maybe to compete English style, this will give us more control in a bridle and the bonus of being allowed to carry a showing cane will help reiterate who’s boss!

We have a few weeks before the Nationals, I hope to achieve a significant difference by this show!

Time will tell….

 

 

 

Hormones Oop’ North…….

An early start for Hevans EV Catorrius, a straight run on the M5 and M6 to the Appaloosa Horse Club UK Northern Show, held at the very impressive venue of Myerscough College. Preston. Lancashire.

We arrived an hour before the first class to allow Reus to stretch his legs, have a look around and warm up. He was an absolute dream but as the horses started to arrive and the first class got under way the hormones kicked in…….again!

 

1 2 3 4

 

Although he won the APHC USA main registered Appaloosa young stock, placed second in both the APHC UK colts under three and Open Colts / Stallions any age he was an absolute nightmare to handle!

There was no way he could possibly get a place in the Championships as he spent most of his time on his hind legs with his penis out!  We don’t get this problem at home even though we have four females in his surroundings, therefore it is very difficult to reprimand him at the shows.

 

      PRESTON 043                     PRESTON 153

 

I am sure (hope) this is a phase he is going through and in his defence the indoor arena was very humid with the scent of either a “in season” filly or the scent of female urine held in the surface of the indoor arena?

 

This show was our first indoor venue for 2014 but an experience to remember for next time….…….

Sponsored Colour At Cadam…..

Although a straight run on the motor way the three hour journey for Hevens EV Catorrius was for one reason, to qualify for the Royal London Show.

Reus was warmed up on the lunge and dressed over before taking the  Baps & ApHC UK Main Register in-Hand Young stock three years and under. 

Task completed!

 

Festival of Colour @ Cadham 043                   Festival of Colour @ Cadham 366

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The venue at Terry’s Patch formally known as Terry’s Lawn was delightful.

Two good size rings on the flat, a well organised team coordinated the classes to perfection.

A very friendly show that attracted many colourful horses from ALL BREEDS!

 

Festival of Colour @ Cadham 155

Hevans EV Catorrius qualified for Royal London Show

 

This was the first competition Redheart Appaloosa’s sponsored, I was delighted to talk to Emma Feltham with her 4 year old mare called Mischief Maker.  A well-built, calm and correct Appaloosa X mare who took the In Hand Championship. Her breeding is Tiptoe Little Joe out of a registered New Forest Mare called Summer Time Girl. Very many congratulations…….

Festival of Colour @ Cadham 419

 

Emma Feltham & Mischief Maker

Championship winner sponsored by Redheart Appaloosa’s