I hope you have all had a good Christmas and are now looking forward to and planning your rides for next year.  There are now ride dates available on most of the EGB websites for you to start putting dates into your calendars.  Apologies for the delay in posting this blog, but I was enjoying a family Christmas myself.
 

              Please enjoy the short video/slide show below, and don't forget to check out all the photos from the ride in the equestrian ride gallery on this website.  There are also extra photos to be viewed on my Facebook page album at the following link. 
 

The weather the day before was not very good at all, it was blowing a gale and torrential rain which caused it's own problems marking up the route and having the re-direct the route away from the inaccessible places.  Full credit to the organisers who put in the effort and kept this ride on for everyone.
 

On arrival at our paddock the locks were frozen as the night temperature had dropped significantly.  While Helen went to get Falcon ready, I warmed the chain up in my hand for a minute to allow us access, only to be greeting with frozen trailer hitching lock and latches.  These were released with warm scented water (we only had a Lenor bottle) to get these operational again. 
 

A steady drive off the paddock and down the avenue due to ice on the road, but we arrived at the venue safely and in good time, and greeted by a festively dressed, Elfish looking Kerry.
 

    Due to a malfunctioning camera I was asked if I could photograph this ride, I had only planned to do a personal shoot and scouting out locations for another day.  I expected a long a cold morning waiting for Helen to ride out and return to the venue.
 

Photographing this ride is great, I had been here before and seen where Kerry had taken some great shots so was going to head straight there.  Easy Peasy, however, this was now removed from the route, so reverted to walking through the estate down to the canal to try and get some photos with a pleasing background.
 

Christine Hull on Orange tinted Rudolf
 

There was a good turnout for the last ride of the year with plenty of you joining in with the fancy dress Christmas theme.  Everything from tinsel around the reins to full on horse tights, cow bells and tinkling reindeer bells, not to mention lights platted into manes.
 

Plenty of walkers were enjoying the sight and sound as you rode around the canal and were asking what it all was in aid of, and brought a smile to their faces. 
 

Prizes were dished out at the end of the ride, as well as plenty of food goodies and Christmas Crackers for the participants.
 

Late comers at the canal
 

As we now approach a new year, it is time to reflect on the year gone by and to what you are wanting to achieve in the new year.  Start planning out your rides by going to the official EGB group websites near you.  Don't forget to check out neighbouring EGB groups and treat you and your horse to a new ride to help keep things fresh and make new friends.  I really would like to thank everyone who has ordered prints from me and that you have lots of memories from the rides you have participated in.
 

Take care of yourselves and hope to see you next year.