The winter went as expected. Giving ski lessons during the day and at the end of the day it was time to go to Issy. A winter full of fun. In the spring I started at my new job in a riding stable. This turned out not to be quite what I expected, but soon something else came my way. An even bigger challenge that I was really looking forward to. Finn also came to Austria and immediately had to get started. From a very beautiful summer to a very cold winter at the end of the year. Everything and more in this blog about the year 2017.

The winter.

I gave ski lessons 6 days a week. From Sunday to Friday. Besides skiing and of course après-ski, I went to Issy a lot in the afternoon. We mainly went outside. The riding area was often a bit muddy or frozen and riding outside was just as good! Enjoy the surroundings, the fresh air and the beautiful mountains together!

In February I received a call from the Netherlands during my work. It was the owner of the stable where Finn was standing. He told that Finn had a colic attack and what to do. Of course I wanted a vet to come as soon as possible, especially now that I couldn't go and see her myself. Fortunately, everything turned out fine. This also made me think, I would prefer to have my horse close to me as soon as possible. Luckily I could have another box at the Kiendlerhof, so transport was arranged for her at the end of February. She arrived safely and I was thrilled to have both of my horses with me.

Second Foal.

In mid-February, Issy was due from her second foal. On February 11 the time had come. It was a stallion, a full brother of Infinity. This time the name had to start with an A, because the father is Almquell. From day 1 he was very curious and immediately set out to discover. He was certainly not afraid and immediately came to hug me. His name became Aventuroso, which means adventurous in Spanish. A name made for him. Because the name is very long and not easy for everyone, his name was soon shortened to Rosso in the stable. I really like it when a horse has a more chic name, with a meaning that suits the horse. This way a horse remains unique. But I also do like it when the name can be shortened to a nice stable name, a name that everyone can pronounce. I have actually done this with all my foals so far.

Rosso grew well and was a sweet foal, but with its own character and therefore did not let anyone touch him just like that. The foal checkday was in September. I introduced Rosso to the jury, he was not considered good enough for the stallion selection and so he had to be sold. I put it up for sale and after a while I found someone who was instantly in love. When the time came, I took him to his new house. In the meantime he has changed stable, but is still with the same owner where he is doing very well! I am very happy that he ended up so well!

Yearling Inspection.

Now that Finn was in Austria, I could immediately start preparing for the yearlings inpection. This was on April 2 at Fohlenhof in Ebbs.. We practiced at her walking next to me. For those who do not know how such a thing works, here is an explanation. When you enter the ring with your yearling, you must first line up for the jury. The jury prefers to see the mane on the left side of the neck. When setting up it is then important to position your horse in such a way that the free side can be seen. You should also make sure that all four legs are visible.

The back legs should be completely open, the front legs should be slightly closer together. As soon as the jury has seen enough, you will receive a signal to show your horse in walk. You have to walk clockwise in a triangle. The first side of the triangle is angled away from the jury, then the longer side so that the jury can see the horse from the side and finally towards the jury. Then you have to line up again and as soon as they have seen enough you can leave the ring. Infinity did fine during the presentation. She received an IIa + rating and I was proud and satisfied.

Jumping.

In the Netherlands I had already jumped a few times with Issy. This was a success and I wanted to do this more often with her. First trot cavaletti a few times and then a small cross. The enthusiasm was certainly present again and she did her best. We kept jumping, even if it is only a small hop just for fun!

A new job.

I started at my new job in mid-April. I went to work there as an all-round stable worker, I think this title is the best fit. I took care of the horses, kept the stable clean and every now and then I accompanied a ride outside. I was mainly busy with cleaning up and reorganizing everything in and around the barn. After a week, I was not so sure if this was what I wanted.

Although there were certainly beautiful moments, the surroundings were beautiful and I was able to accompany wonderful rides, there were also things I didn't like...

When I was at Issy's stable on a Tuesday afternoon, I spoke with the stable owner. Maybe he knew something else. They were looking for a stable rider at Fohlenhof in Ebbs. I had already applied several times at this company, but never heard anything. He called the manager and I was able to drop by for an interview on Wednesday morning. I was hired. Because I was still in my trial period at the other company, everything was arranged quickly and I was already able to get started in May.

Fohlenhof Ebbs.

I started my new job at the beginning of May. I had to clean out stables, got some horses to ride and give some lessons. I had a few mares to ride and two stallions I was responsible for. In the beginning they were Maigold and Newcomer, two great horses that I learned a lot from.

The stallion test was scheduled for the end of the summer. The stallions that were approved that year had to pass a 30-day test in riding and driving. I got 3 as my responsibility. Amoroso, Mirado and Nautik. An enormous experience and challenge, which at times was really not easy, but no less fun. In the fall the tests were for the mares. This is less heavy than for the stallions, but here too the mares had to be ridden and driven. Almost all mares were still green and had to be trained. Furthermore, there were a kind of pony camps during the summer holidays, we had to ride shows on Fridays and there were several parades. Very varied, sometimes heavy, great fun and never boring.

Alm summer.

In Austria, the cows go up the pasture in summer. But many horses can also enjoy the wonderful pastures in the mountains. Finn was also allowed to join the other horses that went up the pasture this year. She went up the alpine pasture together with a few others. Always recognizable from afar, Finn was the darkest in the club.

They were in a great spot, a place that serves as a ski slope in winter. When I first went to visit Finn, it was crazy to be there where I normally only come down with skis. But what a great place, they have a good life there. Finn did very well in the pasture, she continued to grow and that was clearly visible at the end of the summer!

Lots of snow!

The first snow fell at the beginning of November. The first flakes of many! There was also regularly a lot of snow in the valley, so we could enjoy riding through the snow. Something that had not really happened in the winter of 15/16 and 16/17. Issy turned out to love this. And I! What a wonderful feeling to be able to gallop through the snow!

At the end of the year, Issy had already gotten a nice belly again, I had her covered again in the spring immediately after Rosso. This time by another stallion, Amerigo. I ride her as much as she indicated herself. If she didn't want to gallop anymore, that was fine too.

A year in which many new things came my way. A year that I really enjoyed and where I was looking forward to everything that would happen next! On to 2018!

Love Fabiënne