EVENTS & NEWS

9th July 2008 We are all getting ready for this years BAPSH show and after it sadly being cancelled due to the flooding last year everyone is crossing their fingers for good weather. For those who don't know BAPSH stands for the British Association for the Purebred Spanish Horse and the show will take place in Hartpury Gloucestershire on the 2nd and 3rd of August. It is a really great opportunity for anyone wanting to learn more about the PRE as it has classes in breeding stock, dressage, parades in Spanish costume and fun events. Entry forms have to be in by the end of this week, so if you want to come along with your Andalusian hurry over to the BAPSH website and print off your entry forms! Best of luck! 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 though 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 new, larger yard, to accomodate even more horses for people to come and view. Although there is still a lot of work to be done on the new yard our lovely landlords are steaming away for us. We currently have a fantastic brand new outdoor arena and six beautiful boxes, access to miles of hacking in beautiful and peaceful locations, and glorious grazing which the horses are simply relishing in.  We also have a temporary yard with ten boxes and grazing until the building work has been completed.  We are all really excited about our new yard and hope you will all be able to come and visit us when everything is finished. (Photos of our quiet/rehabiliation unit and the outdoor arena can be seen on the livery services page) 26.11.07 It is with heartbreak that we announce the passing away of "Teddy" today, - atonishingly 43 years old and fit and well until his last day, today. All at North Farm Andalusians have had a heart-breaking day, we will miss Teddy terribly. These are pictures from only 2 months ago - still enjoying real quality of life. Bye bye darling Teddy, you will never know how much happiness you have brought to so many children. xxxxxxx             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 earlier in the 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 30.06.07 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. Dear Sheila, I would like to thank you and all your staff for a really lovely day yesterday, The day was very relaxed and we all had a great time (despite my husband being COMPLETELY NON HORSY!!), it was so lovely to meet up with all the other Andalusian owners and their trusty steeds. Look forward to hearing from you tomorrow. Many thanks once again. Love, Helen. (Jugoso Owner) Hi Sheila and all THANKYOU ALL so very much for such a fab event this weekend. It was such fun and brilliant to meet other owners as well as riding and learning a lot.   Hope you're managing to have a slightly more restful day today to recover!!!!!!!! Much love Carol And a final thank you to Fiona Foy, who did the judging, and wrote a very sweet note: Thankyou Sheila for inviting me to judge at the NFA Competition Day. As always, I was made to feel so welcome by all the staff, and it was great to see so many of your clients there. One thing is for sure about NFA, you don't just sell horses! It is clear, from talking to your clients that you offer a pre and post sales service which cannot be matched in your line of business, and it is proved by the number of people prepared to travel long distances to take part in this event. It was an interesting evening, with horses and riders at all levels taking part. I hope I was able to help a few riders get on to the right track, it is hard enough to ride a good test, but when one has to learn how to ride a Spanish horse well in addition, it is no mean feat! But all looked very happy in their partnerships and the horses tried so hard for their riders, all of whom did a fantastic job. And then we all relaxed and had a party! So different from my normal judging engagements! So thankyou again, I made many new friends and had a very pleasant evening - despite the rain! Best wishes, Fiona