Test of metal as his race name or better known around here as Stormy. Was brought roughly 2 years ago to train as a clerk of the course horse for Tim. Stormy had been through a few very short term homes after leaving his race owner. Since he is such a flamboyent big boy that the people found difficult to contain. With his massive movement doesn't make him the easiest horse to ride but we love him all the more. After 2 years of hard work training him at the track with the race horses he is proving himself to be a great assesst. He knows his job on the track and has been known to body slam horses that are jumping around too much when being held. Can also gallop after a runaway race horse and pull it up on the track. It takes a lot of training and skill to teach a horse to be able to do what he does for a living. You will often see Tim at the Maryborough Trials of a sunday morning with Stormy out strutting there stuff on the track. Tim and Stormy are in the process of being qualifield to do race meetings so I am sure it won't be long till they are at many different tracks all the time together not just there for training.

Tim and Stormy at the Maryborough Trials holding a horse.

Stormy has also had the pleasure of leading the races out on many occasions even some of these times he has carried a flag to take the race winners back to the post. He has even done this at Moonee Valley for some of the biggest race meetings in the year. Stormy just keeps of proving to use what an alrounder he can be but also becoming Tim best mate.

Redwood Races Trotting down the straight.

Ballarat Pacing Cup leading race winners back.

Breeders Crown after having Stormy 2 weeks.

Tim and Stormy have also done the odd Showjumping Day and a tiny bit of training of dressage at home. They have had great fun jumping Stormy is a keen jumper even though green at it since not that much training has gone into that side of him he enjoys the chance for some different work in his routine.

Bannockburn Teesdale ARC offical Showjumping day.

Dunolly Showjumping Day

Training some dressage at home together.

Even though I had ridden Stormy on occasions in the past I hadn't really ridden that much. Well 2 weeks ago I got bored and thought I would work Stormy for Tim and get his dressage to improve for myself and little in the hope that maybe I could jump him as my jumping bug had come back only wanted to do little jumps and slowly but still wante the chance to do some jumping again. After my first ride was quite interesting I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself in for as he isn't the easiest to ride not that he has naughty just such big movement and still a little unbalanced when it comes to arena work. As he spends so much time on the track. After a few rides and deciding that wally needed a spell I thought I would have my weekly lesson on him. Boy did Karen make us work and really helped me with some solutions to a few things I wasn't happy with. So now I am starting to get some really nice work out of himeven though still quite messy he is showing marked improvement in that front.

After feeling quite at home on him I thought I would have a little jump at home with Tim's help. Well it went so well we even cantered over the jumps numerous times. I think my jumping bug has come back. After having some fun thought well there was an opptunity to get level assessed so thought it was a good idea and then I could maybe do the odd horse trials as Stormy would be fun on cross country I thought.

Off to visit our friends over at Central SRG to get level assessed and to also join in on there inclub show for the day. Also at Broadford PC grounds they have a really fun cross country course so thought could achieve 3 things in the one day. Yesterday off we headed to Broadford with Stormy and George in tow. After making them look stunning the day before and plaiting and doing my usual over the top self. Got all ready in the show outfit as it was tight between being level assessed and the show starting so I ended up having to do the jumping side in the dressage saddle. Luckily Stormy was so safe and lovely to me just flowed over the jumps. So now we are ready to out grade 4 across the board.

Then into the Show ring for the Smartest on parade class my faviroute and always pleased if I place in this one as I always try my best to have a very neat and tidy gear as well as a nicely presented horse. Well I was really happy when I won it. The other classes we had some very good horses in and even though Stormy worked really well we still have some work to do. We got a 2nd, 3rd and a 4th for the day so one of every placing for the different classes.

Then afterwards we went for a little more play on cross country this time with the right saddle and gear on board felt much better. We had a blast jumping so many different types of jumps and then lining a few up together and even having a little gallop round the track it was the highlight of the day.