My first equestrian event for 2017 was at the “See What It’s Like” Show with Dawn Helm from Amherst area as judge. Dawn’s mom was one of my supervisors when I worked Post Partum at Highland View Hospital.

It was a sunny day with a northerly winter wind stirring up the sand and new leaves but these horses were seasoned and under calm control. Only one took exception to the lady in the bright blue coat and scary tripod so I timed my escape and headed for the stands.

The grey was exquisite, the pony cheerful and willing and, I admit, I didn’t expect a palomino. Dressage is such a quiet, controlled discipline that accomplishments and errors were lost on me, an amatuer. But the discussions that took place at the judges box gave me the impression that learning and teaching were encouraged and the purpose of the day.

And I was trigger happy. Sigh. So there were 1225 photos to sort, save/delete, crop and (at country speeds or lack thereof) upload to the blog. It’s complete now so please enjoy and download as you wish.

We had three snowstorms in a week and were feeling a bit of cabin fever – but today the sun is out, it’s saying 9degrees on the deck and that’s enough to bring us some hope.

The drift just outside my door was about 5 feet high, now reduced by the bounding jumps of the grandkids. I’ve got a little path around the heaviest drift but it’s jcy, always a worry.

The horses at the vet’s, just down the road, have been out all winter. I suppose that’s less manure to shovel and they seem content.

I’m trying to get all my saved photos here on pages for you Everytime I open a folder I feel like I want to gloat – lots of nice ones to come!

There’s a horse farm in Cherry Valley where Mosher’s Belgians are housed and bred.

I’ve followed them over the last few years: when we bought in Belfast, it was a highlight of the drive to town. Three or four foals arrive in the spring, I watch them grow over the summer and look for them at the Exhibition at Old Home Week in August.

This foal was born in 2010.