He's been coming for lessons the last couple of months after outgrowing his old Sec B gelding Buzz and expressed great interest in buying or loaning one of our jumping ponies. We don't have any for sale but loans are always an option, provided they stay at the yard and whatnot.
We spent the last few weeks trying him out on a few possibles, starting with everyone's favourite Ferrari on legs, Jazz. Rory said that while he did like her, her form over fences just wasn't what he was looking for so he'd have to pass. I can see what he meant though, I don't think I've ever seen her bascule properly, she just leaps everything like a stag.
Next up was Luna. She was actively competing in unaffiliated showjumping at her previous home so we thought she'd be ideal but alas, it was not to be. Although he could find no fault in her ability or potential, they just didn't click and he said he wouldn't want to loan her long term only to find that they had absolutely no bond whatsoever.
Finally, there was Digby, and almost instantly we could tell that this was going to be the one.
Digs is focused, very quick on his feet and could jump the moon if you put a pole in front of it which was exactly the kind of attitude Rory was looking for.
We put up a few fences in the outdoor school and stood back to watch...
They jumped everything cleanly and very professionally - clearly a match made in heaven!
Rory's agreed to try him out for a month and see how things go before we make it a more long term arrangement but so far it's looking good!
We haven't done much in the Riding Club recently but after a consultation with all the kids, we've decided to organise a Junior Showjumping Team for events and things. So far we've only got three permanent members (Izzy McDonald, Rory Burns and Kelly Martin) but we're hoping to get a few more joining up once we've got some competitions sorted out for the future.
