Martin Clunes is SUCH a nice guy!! I think he is the first real TV celebrity I have met, and he certainly is a good ambassador - he is not at all diva-ish (he even picked up droppings - clearly knows the way to horsey ladies hearts) and his absolute love for his horses really shone out. I was bowled over that he remembered my name, which I think says tons more about him than it does about me. Martin baught along his two baby clysdale horses. They were 11 months old, huge, and called Bruce and Ronnie. His horses were handsome boys, in lovely condition and beautifully turned out by the horses lovely ’nanny; who had come along to the demo too, and, as someone who has turned out horses for many a less-famous diva - I really appreciated the ’team effort’ feeling and mutual respect from the Clunes camp, it was like one big family outing. We really had an ‘ahhh’ factor night, between Martin Clunes himself getting a fantastic join up with Kellys youngster Corky, then these two baby clydies with their bootleg flared-feathers and big baby faces, and then the transformation of a dramatically earshy horse, Rocky - and finally the challenge of loading Cricket - all 10hh of him!! I rarely get to see Monty ride Copy, because I am normally getting the loaders ready, but due to the fantastically efficient help of Annabelle Harling we had the loaders walking around at the back of the arena in plenty of time so I could see Monty riding by peeking over the IH lorry. Its inspiring to see how minimal and light the communication between Monty and Copy is, it really is invisible. The audience were also in for a treat when Martin had a play on Copy too - he did a great job but it certainly showed how finely tuned those controls were!! I have known Corky since he came over from Ireland as a hairy 3 year old, so I’m brimming with pride at how well behaved Corky was at his first ‘party,’ he really is starting to look absolutely dashing, and behaved like a gent too. But, for me, and for many others I think, the horse of the night was Rocky, who was even more earshy than Tilly last weekend. Not only that, but Rocky was bigger, stronger, and his muscles went solid with tension and adrenaline the moment attention turned to his head. Monty worked through largely the same process, riding Copy and leading Rocky while handling his neck and head. I did notice that initially he worked more while walking about than standing still, compared to with Tilly last weekend. Again we saw the unbelievable transformation, and when Rocky accepted touch on both ears and poll, face, top of neck, without pulling back or rolling his eyes, his owner (and every one else I suspect!) got pretty emotional. It is amazing how, when you get it right, they really seem to want to let it all go and be able to relax. I went into the pen and put my hands where Montys hands were and kept rubbing, and with four hands up there Rockys nose started to twitch and he started to groom Copy’s mane! Really, though, the best part of the demo, and the part I feel really lucky to be able to witness, was back behind the scenes, in the quiet stable block, where Rockys owner stayed with Rocky after he came back from the arena, stroking his head and ears again and again and again. I went back in to the arena to help during the interval, but kept hearing reports from different people who walked past the stable and seen happily stroking, with small audience of people who knew Rocky from home and couldn’t believe it. Best of all, there is news on the IHDG of Tilly the earshy horse from last weekend, apparently she lost her halter in the field, previously an absolute disaster due to the difficulty in getting it back on, but now, the owner was able to put it on and off 3 times with no problem so decided to leave it off all together! This technique does seem to be one of the more drastic for providing a really huge opportunity for the horse to overcome the majority of their phobia in one session, obviously there is still work to do, but it seems that the results are both dramatic and longlasting.

And so, having unloaded the lorries with Annabelle, Jimbo, Han and Brenda (from the IH office) and travelled back via Harvey (who was delightful, floppy ears and smiles all round!) last night, it’s the post-tour reality check now. Despite watching 2 films, eating nachos and chocolate pudding last night, I still don’t feel very recovered and would be happy for a pajama day, but, on the other hand, I’m off to see the lovely Dawn - who naps, which is my absolute favourite problem, so another cup of coffee and I’ll be game!!

Taking the new video camera with me, so if I get the camera whispering right, there may be video footage uploaded later!!

Rosie

xx