August  2008

NFA have had some wonderful feedback from our "Introduction to the Spanish Horse Days", and can highly recommend these informative and educational days. For full details, please email us on the contact page. (see note on testimonials) from Julie and Sarah,  our latest guests!  p.s.  Thank you Julie and Sarah, it was a pleasure to have you, sorry you had to make the last cup of tea of the day, and THANKS for washing up! 


August 2008

Our next clinic with Fiona Foy will be 7th September, please see clinics page for further details.
The clinic held on the 9th August was very successful, and all clients interested in attending the next one should contact us as soon as possible.
Despite pouring rain on the 9th of August all those who rode had a great time and Fiona was fantastic. 

                      

Thank you Fiona.



15th July 2008

NFA ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE APPOINTMENT OF SUZIE HARRINGTON AS OUR NEW MANAGER AND TRAINER.

                                                

Suzie has over 30 years of equestrian experience, working with all types of horses but mainly Warmbloods and managing successful equestrian centres within the east of England. In her early equestrian career, she had a sponsor, - (Barbour and Spillers) who supported her and a team of 6 show jumpers and with whom she competed in Grade A show jumping. Her work with Warmbloods led her to a competitive career in dressage, which she will continue with at NFA. She is more than delighted to pass on her expertise in the way of training, and will be setting up a structured training programme for each individual horse and his needs. 

Suzie is delighted to be working for NFA, "the horses, the team, the facilities are all simply fantastic".



05.06.08

I had a wonderful update from Helen that really made me smile. It's so great to hear how well she is getting on so I thought I'd share it with you:


Really I am writing to give you an update on Hugo (the wonder horse) who has just competed in his (and mine for that matter) first novice one day event. I'm so proud of him I could burst and simply have to let you know how amazing my little horse is.

Although we weren't placed Hugo was BRILLIANT. He was a little 'keen' in the dressage so we didn't fare too well in that discipline but we only had 4 faults in the SJ (his 1st ever 2'9 course) and we went clear XC.....it was sooooo exciting!

Throughout the whole day Hugo was impeccably behaved and relxed and he really looked after me, who was a complete bag of nerves.

Although Hugo has taken some time to settle in here he is now very chilled and seems to really enjoy life. He and my other horse get on famously, he now has a huge appetite and has put on heaps of weight, in fact he's a bit of a glutton given half the chance, and is even a little cheeky sometimes. But what he always is, is brave, kind and 100% honest!

I fell truly blessed to have such an amazing horse and thank you Sheila for bringing him to England in the first place.

Attached are some pics of Hugo at the ODE for your interest.

I do hope you are well and look forward to catching up with you some time.

Kindest regards
Helen

              
      


This just goes to show how fantastic these horses are. They really will tackle anything. Well done Helen and Hugo.



April 2008

As of the end of April NFA has moved to a wonderful new yard in idyllic settings and with endless superb hacking, peace and tranquility.   We are all extremely excited about our new location, -  and really look forward to welcoming you.  As usual, the kettle is always on!

We would like to extend extremely warm thanks for the wonderful support from Naomi Vance Webb, Fiona Foy, and Rebecca and Ellie Mallinson, - without their support and encouragement, I do not know how we would have made it to our lovely new yard!  Thank you all so very much!




The Iberian Performance Show at Hartpury, 1st & 2nd September 2007

Whilst we were all sad that the BAPSH Annual Championships was cancelled due to the horrendous weather last year, the IPS at Hartpury was a brilliant substitution. We took 6 horses:

Our own 3 year old bay stallion Jerezano-M and 4 year old bay gelding Silex-Can did not compete but stood out from the crowd behaving immaculately in the warm up arenas drumming up lots of attention!

Becky and Ellie's 'NFA Carbonero' put on a stonking performance, as one of the only Black Spanish Horses at the show, in the Elementary (5th) and Medium (4th) dressage tests

                                                          

 Ivon did us proud, and showed his true talent  on the saturday in the Low-Equitation Males and Novice Dressage classes.     
   
                                                          
 
Carol Nicholas' 4 year old PRE Gelding, bred by the Marques of Quintenar was placed 5th in the CRC Young horse class, in his very first outing. He did so well.

                                                         




Dressage day

We held a lovely day on the 30th June, where past and present sales and livery clients came together for a clinic and informal dressage day, Fiona Foy provided invaluable feedback allowing us all to learn a great day. Many thanks to Fiona indeed and all the wonderful team at North Farm, who worked their socks off despite the miserable weather!!!!

Thank you to all who came. It was great to see you all again and even meet some new faces. Here are just a few of the messages I recieved afterwards.

Dear Sheila

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and Polly and all the staff at NFA for a fantastic Dressage Day.

I have to say I was somewhat nervous about bringing Lindo back to see you but I needn’t have worried. Diane and I arrived (somewhat frustrated having spent an hour in a traffic jam) to find that Lindo had already arrived and had been settled into his rather comfy and palatial accommodation and was looking completely at home.

Whilst Diane got to grips with the gorgeous Naranjo (thank you so much Becky and Ellie for lending him for the day) I got Lindo warmed up. Polly gave us plenty to think about in our clinic and there are a few things I will definitely be practicing before we come back again.

Despite first time nerves, I got through my Prelim test without major upset and was delighted with how well Lindo behaved. Everybody was really encouraging and there was lots of support from the gallery. I was last to go in my class and didn’t even think about looking at the score-board as we were busy getting Diane ready for her Elementary test. Imagine how surprised I was with my score when you suggested I go and take a look!!

It was a lovely relaxing wind-down from the day to be able to chill out in Polly’s garden at the barbeque and it gave us a chance to chat to some of the other competitors. It’s always good to be able to talk “Spanish horses” with other fanatics and I picked up some great ideas. The opportunity to discuss our tests with Fiona was a rare opportunity as well and her insight was invaluable.

Altogether an excellent format and a really enjoyable day, we certainly will be back again.

Much love from Lucinda and Lindo
and all the gang, Diane, Jane, Mike, Ruth, Brian and Julian.