Will you come and help me?

I've just heard Nicky and Abby talking; it turns out that they are looking for someone else to come and work here in the stables!

It's quite exciting; I wonder who it will be? It would be great if it could be you!

If you  want to find out more its on our website: http://www.calvert-trust.org.uk/exmoor/work-with-us

Big plans for 2014

We have had a busy time this year with loads of brilliant people visiting me! (Also a few people may have ridden and driven the others). It is now getting a lot quieter here which I thought meant we all got a holiday; but I thought wrong!!

We are all in horsey boot camp getting fitter and doing some different stuff. This is actually great fun – even Brin and Teddy think so – I think! 

Hendrix told me about going out for a lovely long drive. Henry and Bertie have been practising being dressage ponies, something about balance to help our riders?! 

Brin and Teddy have been doing some faster work with the staff riding them, usually they are the slow and steady guys. Apparently they are both going to get a bit fitter to make their job easier.

I have been doing all kinds of stuff, including jumping mini grand national type jumps in the arena.  I heard Nicky and Abi talking about big plans for me next year, I don’t know what they mean but I’ll keep you posted!!

Here comes the big guy in red...

The staff have been up to something here, there is lots of shiny stuff around the yard, I think I remember from last year it’s called tinsel.  

Also they have decorated the carriage so that Hendrix can take Father Christmas somewhere to deliver some presents. 

All ready for the big guy in the red suit!

I am sure Hendrix will feel very important and we won’t hear about anything else from him for ages!

Snow? No thanks!

Hi everyone it’s your favourite pony blogger here!

I would like to say a HUGE pony thank you to everyone who voted for Calvert Trust Exmoor in the Peoples Millions. Teddy said that means more people can come and see me (and the other horses!). 

__________

The weather is getting colder and all us horses and ponies are now wearing our Winter Woolies in the fields.

Here's me looking gorgeous in my Winter Woolies!

I overheard the stables staff say they were preparing for snow.  I remember the white stuff from last year and have every intention of being tucked up in my stable nice and cosy, watching the snow fall through the window!!

I know I'm a tough little shetland but I'm too small to be outside when it snows; I'm so close to the ground my tummy gets cold very quickly!

Did you see me on TV?

Did you watch our film on ITV WestCountry news?

I don't have a TV so I haven't seen it; The film crew from ITV who made it were lovely and took lots of film in the stables, but they said it will only be 90 seconds long, so us horses are dying to know who made it into the film!

I hope it was me; I'm definitely the best looking horse at Calvert Trust Exmoor!

gorgeous aren't I!

Anyway, its not too late to vote yet, lines are open until midnight; please call 0871 62 68 104 to register your vote! you can vote 10 times from each phone; thank you for your help.

I need your help today!

Hi Folks, its me again, the Mighty Atom!

Today is our big day, its People's Millions day! Please can you vote for us, and so the lovely staff here can use the money we will win to support people like my friend Charlie?

I heard the stables staff saying you can vote up to 10 times from any phone, to vote call 0871 62 68 104.

If I could, I would, but horses aren't allowed to use phones! can you please do it for me instead? Thanks folks!

Can you do me a favour?

Can I ask a very big favour of you?

I understand now that us horses here at Calvert Trust Exmoor can’t vote BUT I wondered if you would vote for us?

I've heard that people are allowed to do more than one vote, which got me thinking…

...would you mind voting on my behalf?   Apparently everyone can vote more than once, so if you could do some voting for all of us in the stables we all would be very happy indeed!

Thanks so much – we will all keep our hooves crossed!

 

Please Vote! Thanks!

I'm going to need your help...

I was very excited last time I did the blog but I must admit to being a little disappointed today.

Why is that you might ask?   
   
Well last time I told you about the People’s Millions and asked if you could vote for us on Monday 25th November – I’m sure you all will if you can. Well it seems only right that I should ‘do my bit’ and was quite ready to do my share of voting.    

All ready to do my bit

But I was chatting to Hendrix and Brin yesterday about voting, Teddy took me to one side & told me that us horses aren’t allowed to vote!! 

Now that doesn’t seem quite fair; what do you think?

However, Teddy is usually right about everything, so he must be right about this. What a pity!

Exciting Times!

I’ve just heard about a very, very exciting project for the Calvert Trust Exmoor which I've just got to tell you about!!!!
It’s called the ‘People’s Millions’  which in its self sounds very grand & exciting!  

Well Calvert Trust Exmoor is in the running to receive a grant which the folks here would put to very good use. Teddy told me that ‘The People’s Millions’ is a grants programme funded by the ‘Big Lottery Fund’ and apparently the winners are decided by a public vote!   

Now at first I thought Teddy meant that just the good folks of Devon would be voting; but he told me that the whole of the UK will be voting! WOW!!!!!

It’s all happening on November 25th,  and he said that we will be on T.V.; another WOW!!    

He said that we need everyone we know to vote and to get their friends and family to vote, and anyone else they might know to vote…

...would you please vote for us? 

I’d be ever so pleased if you would and do ask all people you know to vote as well.  If you want to know more about this then have a look on our website as I'm sure all the details will be there.

THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH ALL OF YOU!       

Tired but Jolly Happy!

Yours truly is feeling a bit tired BUT jolly happy! Why’s that you may ask?

Well we’ve been very busy at Calvert Trust Exmoor with another Open Day.  It was great, we saw lots of people at the stables & the weather even behaved itself (or for most of the time anyway!)

I have to be honest, I didn’t have to do any carriage driving like Hendrix or Maxwell, but I was greeting all the folks as a representative of Calvert Trust Stables. 

Were you there? Did you have a great time?  I hope so! If you want to know when the next Open Day is keep an eye on our website for news of events coming up, like our facebook page or follow us on twitter; you could check them out (once you’ve read my blog of course!) 

We also had a group of lovely folks on a Horse Experience Weekend and I did some of my agility work with them;  they all did well and it was great to feel them get more confident as they progressed on the agility course.    

That’s why I’m a tired but happy pony; but all I need is a day off in my field and I’ll be ‘ready to rock’ again!

Just what I need after a busy weekend!

Getting darker

Another bit of news is that we've all moved fields now the stables are back to normal. I'm back in my own field next to the archery; I'm still close to the others and the view is great!   

I've also noticed how it’s getting darker very soon after we've finished work; that means one thing to me…

…it’s going to get colder!   

Looking dapper in my lovely warm rug

No worries though as I've got my nice rug on!

Let There Be Light!

Yours truly was the first of us guys to go into the indoor arena; and what do I think? One word sums it up…

...WOW!!!!!

It looks so much bigger & it’s so much brighter; Teddy may have been joking about the sunglasses but having seen it for real he might just have a point!

In fact it’s been the topic of conversation in the field in the last few days as none of us expected it to look so different!

The Indoor School in use

Mind you I think that will be it for a while now; we've had a new surface, new watering system & now new skylights. 

You know, It’s almost as if we've now got a brand new indoor school…

...aren't we lucky!

Running with the Herd!

You’ll never guess what I did!

Yours truly manage to get out of my field and have a run with the other guys, it was so cool!!

I had a great time playing about with the others until someone must have seem me and told the staff. So here I am back in my own space now, but it was fun while it lasted!

Now I bet you’re all wondering how I managed to get out of my field; did I put my new jumping skills into action?  did I get down onto my knees & sneak under the fence? 

Well that would be telling! I happen to know that the staff read my blog so I’m just going to leave you all guessing!

Practicing my escape skills?

In the Big Field

I forgot to tell you that while the roof is being done I’ve changed fields; I’m now the big field down the road with all the others.  How cool is that!   Mind you I’ve got my own ‘mini-paddock’ inside the field –  shame as it would be great to run round with the others.

But they’re a good bunch & most of them come up for a chat during the day.    What’s really good is I’ve got to know Lammert a bit better – he’s really cool & so big!

Lammert visiting me in my mini-paddock

I’ve got to be a bit careful though………..I noticed Brin giving me a funny look when I was chatting to Lammert yesterday & I don’t want to upset him as he’s a good mate!

Busy doing nothing...

It’s really busy here at the Calvert Trust Exmoor – although yours truly is able to put his feet up! Why is that I hear you ask as we are usually so busy here at the stables? Well it’s good news & very exciting!

I don’t know if you’ve heard but we’re having new skylights in the school.   Now until I spoke to Teddy, I though skylights were some kind of bird; well it sounded right to me! 

Teddy told me that skylights are the parts of the roof that let in the sunshine; to be honest I’d never noticed them so maybe that’s why they’re having new ones.Teddy reckoned that it’ll be so much brighter in the school we might have to wear sunglasses!

I managed to sneak into the arena and a get a photo when the workmen had gone home; can you tell which half they have done? :-)

half and half!

Just as I was planning which pair of ‘shades’ to get, Maxwell told me that Teddy was only joking! Pity, I think I’d look good in a pair of Ray Bans…

...what do you think?

You'll never guess what I've been doing!...

You’ll never guess what I’ve been doing...

...Yours truly has been Show Jumping!!!

Well, maybe show jumping is not quite right; but I have been jumping over some coloured poles & looking GOOOOD!!! 

here’s some photos of me in action to prove it!:

I never thought that I’d get a chance to jump. To be honest it’s never occurred to me to ‘have a go’ before! but now I’ve done it I feel great, I can’t wait for the next time...

....I wonder if they do Shetland Show Jumping without a rider?!?

Lammert's a BIG fella!

Hi there! You know I talked about our new horse, well I didn’t really tell you very much about him other than he’s a nice chap, so I thought I would tell you a bit more!

Well, firstly he’s a lot bigger than me: yes, I know that most horses are bigger than me but I mean much, MUCH bigger than me! Lammert looks much bigger than my mate Brin, & Brin is the biggest horse I’ve ever met!   

I had a word with Teddy to find out a bit more about him as he knows everything about anything that’s worth knowing about around here. According to Teddy, Lammert is a Frisian horse, which is a breed from Europe (wherever that might be!); Frisians are always black in colour and have long manes and feathers on their legs – that sounds exactly like our new guy & I know he’s caught the eye of a few of our guests already!

Teddy told me that he’s almost ready to start doing some work with our guests; but just as with all the new ‘recruits’ he will start off slowly so he can get a feel for  the job. I’ll keep you posted as to how he gets on.

Lammert? Really?!?

We’ve got a new horse at the stables, and his name is Lammert; yes, I know it’s a funny name but he’s really very nice!
   
I’ve only met him over the fence as he’s in the field next to mine, but he’s very nice and so relaxed. he told me that he does driving as well as riding and seems to like both the same.

Lammert enjoying some yummy grass

He couldn’t believe that someone my size could pull a carriage; he’s obviously not met many Shetlands!   We are very strong, in fact for our size we are stronger than a big horse; I bet he doesn’t know that!

Anyway, Lammert is a nice chap and I reckon he’s going to fit in here just fine. You never know he might like to do a bit for my blog; but I’ll let him settle in first.

Time flies when you're having fun

Hi Guys!

Sorry I’ve not been ‘online’ for a bit, but I’ve busy here & time seems to have ‘galloped away’!

As you’d expect we’ve had loads of people over here at the stables & yours truly has been doing my bit.  You already know how good I am at agility and carriage driving, but I’m know showing people how to long rein!

What’s that I hear you say? Well it’s a bit like driving with me in a  carriage; but minus the carriage!  How cool is that?  

Mind you I don’t want to be doing it too much as I’ve only got little legs you know!

Carriage driving without the carriage!

Getting a bit colder?

Is it me or is it getting a bit colder at night?

I noticed that Maxwell is looking decidedly ‘woolly’ now; He’s usually the last to get his summer coat & the first to start growing his winter one!    

Maxwell in his winter coat... (joking, sorry Max!!)

Having said this, I’m still keeping warm enough in the field & if a get a bit chilly I’ll have a nice trot round which soon gets me warmed up!

Talking of trotting round the field - I don't know exactly what was going on this morning but Bertie, Brin & Henry were having some kind of race with each other!  Not sure who won but it made me tired just watching them!  They soon calmed down when they were taken into the stables though, I spotted all of them munching away at their breakfast as if nothing had happened!

Open day fun!

We had a very exciting day a couple of weeks ago, with lots of new people visiting Calvert Trust Exmoor for our Open Day.

Here at the stables we did carriage driving – well, Hendrix & Maxwell shared the driving as I am a bit out of practice with my driving at the moment (I’m just so busy with other things, you know how it is!)

Hendrix at the open day

Hendrix told me that he had lots of fun taking different people in the outdoor arena, they had a go at giving him clear voice commands to go forward & to halt.  He also said that he took them round a course of cones, which he just loves doing!

By all accounts the day went really well; people also had a go at some of the other activities that we do at CTE - if you missed it this time round then keep your eyes open for the next one!

inundated with little people!

Hi guys, I’m back again for a bit to keep you informed as to what’s going on here at the stables.

I thought Henry did very well for a first time blogger, don’t you?   His first blog was sent off before I got a chance to ‘edit it’ – which is why there wasn’t any full stops or commas!!!  

I’ll give him his due though, the second blog was so much better; I’ve heard the staff say how quickly he picks things up & I totally agree with that! He’s very keen to do the blog again so you will hear more from him soon.

Meanwhile we’ve been busy here with more smaller people visiting the stables – that’s great for me as their more my size!   When I mentioned this to Teddy he said it’s because the schools have broken up....

.....I must have looked a bit puzzled as he then explained it meant the children weren’t at school at the moment rather than the schools were damaged. Phew!!

Guest Blogger Henry 3: The trouble with Flies

Hi, Henry here with a bit more info about me.

Pilgrim told me that a picture of me has already been on the blog – so how do you think I look?   I’ve been told that my coat has a good shine and I’ve got nice dapples too (that’s where I’ve got a mix of dark and light brown that form a nice pattern on my body), pretty cool, yes?

I do have trouble with flies in the heat as when they bite me it makes me itch so very much!   I know I shouldn’t scratch but I can’t help it and because of this I can get quite sore.    People call it  ‘sweet itch’ – but believe me there’s nothing sweet about it at all! 

Anyway, to help keep the flies off me I wear a light rug that covers most of my body, plus I have a face mask so the flies don’t get in my eyes. The first time I went into the field with all this on the other guys teased me something terrible, but I don’t mind one bit as I feel so much better. I also get a mini bath once a week and the staff put a cream on that helps to stop the itching; so this year I’m doing a bit with my skin, but I can’t wait for it to cool down!

The latest in 'fly-street' fashion!

I’m one of those horses that looks forward to the cold weather; that means no more flies!!!!!!

Good news - Pilgrim says that I can do the blog again, but he’s got things he wants to tell you so he’ll be doing the next one;  so bye for now but we’ll talk again soon.

Guest Blogger Henry 2: Barefoot and Indoors

It’s Henry again.

Pilgrim’s just given me a lesson in writing things down properly.   He says that I can’t write things how I say them and he’s shown me a few new buttons I must use when I do the blog! I’ll give it a go and see if I can do things how he wants them done;  it’s more stuff for me to learn – but it’s such fun!

Anyway; Did you know that I’d never been ridden in an inside area until I came to Calvert Trust Exmoor?
It’s really cool and easy on my feet, as I wasn’t wearing metal shoes when I first got here. I now have shoes on my front feet and I just love the cool noise I now make walking out to the field!

Teddy told me that he went ‘barefoot’ for a while until last year and much prefers having front shoes on; I totally agree with him and talking to Hendrix last week he reckoned that when I’m doing more work on the tracks I might get back shoes as well – cool!

Pilgrim’s just been round and said I did OK with the blog; he showed me a few things that weren’t quite right and changed them for me, but otherwise it ‘up to standard’.   He said I could do one more – great stuff!

Guest Blogger Henry 1: New Kid On The Block

Hi! it's Pilgrim - I promised Henry that I’d start off his first blog – he wants to do it right and felt that if I said hello to you all first he’d then feel better about writing the first bit. 

I must admit to a seasoned reporter like myself, writing the blog is like rolling downhill – but of course it is his very first time! So may I introduce Henry – the ‘new kid on the block’ here at Calvert Trust Exmoor; 

Henry enjoying a ride in the outdoor arena

Hi every one I’m Henry I’m 6 years old and Ive lived on a farm close to here for as long as I can remember
I was with a few other ponies who were all great but different and we shared the farm with loads of cows who were also great
My owner used to ride me round the farm and sometimes one of the other ponies would come too but the cows take a lot of time to look after so I havent been for a ride on the farm for ages
When she heard that the Calvert Trust were looking for new horses my owner thought it would be a nice for me to come and work as Im only young
I found it all a bit strange when I first come here but now I love it  I get lots of attention and Ive been learning loads of new stuff
I tell you more next time because Pilgrim said I shouldnt say everything all in one go

and my next guest will be...

Good news! I’ve decided who to ask to be my next ‘guest blogger’.

He took a bit of persuading, but Henry eventually said he’d ‘like to have a go’! I thought it would be nice for you to find out a bit more about him and I’m guessing he’d love to talk to you all. In fact he’s a bit of a chatterbox when he gets going!

Henry enjoying some Long-reigning

I promised him that I would help him to get started; but I don’t think it will take Henry long! So watch this space!!

Dapper? Moi?

As you know, yours truly is a modest pony but I can be heard ‘blowing my own trumpet’ if the need arises; so here it goes!

I was having a grooming session one morning when I heard a member of the stables staff comment on how trim I looked and how shiny my coat is at the moment. In fact they went as far to say that this summer I’m looking the best ever! 

How good is that! I’ve been feeling pretty good lately; after hearing this I grew to almost 10 hands! Of course the pressure is now on to keep looking this good...

Handsome fellow aren't I!

Hendrix's Higher Heights!

Do you remember me telling you that Hendrix is sharing my field?   Well, you’ll never guess what he did...

...My field has a stone wall on one side which is really quite high, or so I thought.   Well one night I was looking for Hendrix and I couldn’t see him anywhere. A little while later he turned up, but wouldn’t tell me what he’d been up to, he just looked rather smug; like he knew something I didn’t OR that he’d been doing something he shouldn’t!

The Escapologist

The next night I had Bertie out with me instead of Hendrix, no idea why until I overheard the staff talking; Apparently Hendrix had CLIMBED’ up this wall and been eating the grass on the top!!  The staff found out because he left hoof prints & 3 droppings on the top! 

I’m not sure if it was Hendrix being brave or a bit silly; but either way he’s not going to get another chance!

Horsing around with Hendrix

I must tell you, I've got a ‘Bailey replacement’!!

What I really mean is that I’ve got one of the other guys sharing my field & keeping me company – it’s Hendrix. You may remember him as he was one of my ‘guest bloggers’ last year.

Hendrix pulling his carriage

Anyway, we get on really well; we about the same age & love to ‘horse’ around (couldn’t resist that one!!!) plus he’s the nearest to me in height!

The only problem is Hendrix has already started to talk about when he might get to do the blog again, because I’d said ‘what a good job’ he’d done & how Hendrix ‘knows all that’s going on in the stables’! 

I don’t remember saying any of that - but it might be a good idea to have a guest blogger again; But who?

I’ll put my ‘thinking cap’ on – but not take too long this time, ha ha ha!

Bye bye Bailey, Bye bye...

I got a bit of a surprise the other day; My little mate Bailey said he was going to another home in Cornwall! 

He’s going to be the ‘centre of attention for lots of children’ (his words, not mine) - which will suit him down to the ground!   

I shall miss him; it was great having someone my own size to chat with; But I’m glad that he’s found a good home.

Of course the trouble is I didn’t get a chance to pay him back for leaning his head on my bottom! I think it was a case of me taking too much time planning what I was going to do; that’ll teach me!

I shall miss my little buddy

Henry's in the gang!

Hi, it’s your mini reporter once again. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve written the blog…

….we’ve been so busy & I’ve tended to relax in the field with the sun on my back rather than think about doing my blog;  I bet you’ve felt the same when the sun is out!

The guys here are all doing well, particularly Henry.    He’s truly ‘one of the Gang’ now & has been working with our guests; both for grooming and being ridden.     I’m really pleased for him, but he talked about nothing else for ages afterwards!     

Henry's first  gallop (with Abi)

He also said something about how  he can’t wait to see his photo on a key ring...

...now I wonder who told him that?

Revenge is a dish best served cold

Do you recall me talking about getting my own back on Bailey for resting his head on my ‘hind quarters’?    

Well I’ve yet to think of a good thing to do in return, so I may well have a chat to my friend Teddy & see what he comes up with. He’s so experienced & been around longer than me, so he just might have a ‘cunning plan’…

…will let you know what he comes up with!

Special Brew?!?

I am fed up with flies!!!!!!!!! Especially HORSE FLIES!!!!!!!
The trouble is now it’s warm & sunny they seem to have appeared from nowhere!

Now as you know I’m not a pony to complain, but I’ve had enough of them buzzing round me while I’m trying to work!
   
It seems I’m not the only one.  Had a nice chat with my mate Hendrix & he was telling me that the flies are bothering everyone.   The staff are putting ‘smelly stuff’ on all of us to try to keep the flies away, but it only seems to work for a little while then they come back!

I heard one of the staff talking about making up a ‘special brew’ of fly repellent – not sure what that could be…

...to be honest I don’t mind as long as it works!

Will keep you posted!

Hot hot hot!

Hi everyone – hope you are all doing OK in the rather hot weather…..it’s great that the sun is out but I wish it wasn’t quite so hot!!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed my bath  the other day……..but the effects have worn off now & it’s not good for me & Bailey to have a bath too often as it dries our skin too much!   
The others are doing OK in the heat (I think); they get a nice cool wash down at the end of the day then are put out into the field - heavenly.

Of course, we shouldn’t really complain about it being warm & dry after last year…

…what we all wanted then more than anything else was to see the sun & be dry! 

Having the Spa treatment!

This week the weather is  lovely and hot.  The only problem is that Bailey and I hail from colder parts (the Shetland Isles), and we still have our long Winter coats…. just in case! 

Today was the warmest yet and we were feeling a bit hot and bothered. The staff noticed this and soon we were having a bath!!

Bath time!

Bailey has never had this done to him before, he was a little worried about the hose pipe, I think he thought it was a snake. He soon realised though how lovely it is to have a cold shower when its so hot!

I of course have had this treatment lots of times,  being an old hand I was completely relaxed and showed him how it’s done, I even had the staff wash behind my ears for me, which was a special treat! I bet not many horses get this sort of spa treatment from their humans, but I deserve only the best. 

Chat soon, got to go and dry off in the sun!

Cheeky Bailey

That Bailey is a cheeky lad you know!

Cheeky Chappie Bailey!

We were allowed to go loose in the big outdoor arena today for a bit of a run about & fun. All was going well until Bailey decided to put his head on MY BOTTOM!!  

I tried to get away from him, but however quickly I turned or fast I went he was still there!!!!   

In the end he got bored with that game & left me alone…

...It’s now up to me to find out what I can do to annoy Bailey!       Watch this space!!

Bye Bye Bruno

Do you remember my mate Bruno?   He did the blog for me a while ago –  and has been at Calvert Trust Exmoor for a long time (I heard it’s been 8 years!)

Mr Bruno!

He’s now gone to a new home; where he’s going to have even more love & attention and spend his time riding out with his new owner – lucky boy!!

We will all miss him of course, but I wish him lots of luck in his new home.

Back in the saddle...

Hi guys!
It’s been ages since I talked to you - I'm not sure where the time’s gone!!!!

Thanks for all your lovely messages and emails, its especially nice to hear again from people that have already been here to see me - don't forget you can email me on pilgrim@calvert-trust.org.uk.

This is me reading your messages!

We’re all very busy at the stables; meeting lots of new people & working hard. The boys were telling me the other day how much they enjoy talking our guests down by the Reservoir; it’s so nice & quiet and makes a great change from the arenas.

Let’s hope the weather stays nice & dry!

Max is back, Hurray!

Good news!!!
After his long rest, Maxwell is now as good as new & back to work.
He said he’s so pleased to be back in action; reading between the lines I reckon he was getting rather bored not doing anything.

Max hard at work

He also told me about his new best friend…

...Brin! 

Maxwell said they both have lots of fun & games in the field; they even have a competition to see who can get the muddiest!

I know who wins that one - Maxwell – I’ve seen him come in from the field many times looking more brown that black & white!!

Enjoying the sun and working hard!

Hi there, it’s you mini reporter once again, with all the news from the stables here at Calvert Trust Exmoor.
You may have noticed that I’ve not done the blog for a while…

……been busy enjoying the sun and working hard of course!!!

I do love a good roll in the sunshine!

The new chap, Henry, has settled in really well.   He’s in the same field as all the others (except for Bailey & I that is) and seems to get on with everyone, just like yours truly!

I've just had a lovely day working with some of our guests.  

I didn’t do much agility, it was more about them getting to know me and feeling confident walking with me on the yard.

They all did well and I could feel when they began to relax and gain confidence in themselves & in me…

...it’s one of the many things I love about my job!

New things are happening!

A strange thing happened last week……… a big yellow ball appeared in the sky! It suddenly got warmer and the grass started to grow!  I checked with Duke and he told me the sun was out!  Hopefully that means summer is on the way and we can all enjoy lots of grass! :-)

do you remember I said there was lots of work going on in our indoor arena? Well I've been in there now, and its great! 

We've got a new super springy floor that's great to run around on, and a rain making machine so we can have rain indoors even if its sunny outside! (I'm not quite sure why the staff want to make it rain indoors, but they seem pretty excited about it!)

The rain making machine in use, and our lovely new floor!

I've also heard the staff talking about getting new windows in the roof of the arena, they said we are looking for 96 people to each buy one, and we have 61 so far, so it won't be long until we have lots of light in the arena too!

If you want to be one of the "Noble 96" or just find out a bit more about it, there is a page about it on the Calvert Trust Exmoor website.

Henry is settling in...

Our new stable mate Henry is doing really well. He has become Dukes best friend which is great; Duke's been here a long time and he knows all there is to know about being a Calvert Trust Exmoor horse!

Henry enjoying our outdoor arena

He has been training every day with Nicky and Abi and he tells me he is learning new things all the time. He gets ridden and I have heard the stables staff talking about him pulling a carriage in the future – I bet he’s not as good as me at that though!

Showing my Best Side

Hello guys Pilgrim here to give you an update from the stables here at Calvert Trust Exmoor. Things are busy at the moment and we have lots of visitors to the stables, as well as lots of work going on in our indoor arena - I don't know what they are doing, but when I find out I will let you know!

I am back to full work now doing agility and pulling my carriage. It’s great to be doing what I am good at and showing people how useful a miniature Shetland can be!

I love pulling my carriage!

People love getting close to me for photographs and of course I always show my best side. Not that I have a worst side! 

Amazing Place, Amazing People

This place is full of amazing people, both those that work here as well as our guests.  

Having just heard about my friend Rebecca, I then hear about Matt and his incredible 15,000ft sky dive!!!!!   I see Matt when he pops in for a chat; he’s one of the fantastic team of folks we have who keep Calvert Trust running smoothly for all the staff & guests.

What’s really great is that he’s doing this for us here at the stables!!  We need a new surface in the indoor arena & skylights in the roof – so he’s hoping to help raise money towards them – Thanks Matt, you’re a star!!

I will be supporting him of course, but only in spirit - I’m a talented guy but I think flying is a bit out of reach even for me!   If you want to support Matt then go to his website http://www.justgiving.com/Matt1977  for more details.

I wonder what I could do to help the Trust? ideas on a postcard please………….

Keeping you up to date

As you know I like to keep an eye on what’s going on here at Calvert Trust Exmoor.  Well I’ve just found out about an incredible challenge that one of the instructors here at the Centre is doing later this year.

I've got a good nose for a story!

Rebecca, who I know very well as she’s worked me on many occasions, is cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats for Calvert Trust Exmoor - which is nearly 1,000 miles!!!

Now I’m not sure exactly how long a mile is, but I reckon to cycle nearly a thousand of them must be a fair old way!  

I know she’s got the support of all here at the Trust; but if you would like to show YOUR support, then just go to her webpage: http://www.justgiving.com/Calvert-Trust-Exmoor
  
I’ll be with you all the way Rebecca. Well in spirit anyway; it might be a bit too far for me to walk, trot or drive - I’ve only got little legs you know!