We are still waiting for the bluebells to bloom in and around the paddock, they seem reluctant to flower this year; probably too cold. The grass is very slow to appear in any quantity and we still have to supplement the grazing. Recent weight checks show that the ponies are holding their own but the grass would be welcome. The temperature this week was down to six degrees and a lazy North East wind that would rather go through you than round you.

We are grooming the ponies at every opportunity to rid them of their loosening winter coats and George looks to have an odd combination of coats, his neck, shoulders and tummy have gone into his lovely bright bay summer colour and his back and quarters are still dark brown. Golden Flame has been very touchy feely this last few days and shows no reluctance to come in when called. Rolo and Charlie always come in when they hear us about and stand with their heads over the paddock rails. Boss and Smartie usually amble in, probably because the others have.

Dru and a group of volunteers recently took George, Rolo, Charlie and Smartie to the Avon Dam on a training exercise for the Ten Tors Jubilee Challenge with a group of our disabled students and it was very successful. Not so quiet at home though, Boss stood in the paddocks and called all day. Golden Flame was with him but it did not make one jot of difference. He wanted his herd back!

As you know, Rolo and Smartie have formed a coalition at the bottom of the pecking order and now feed together and groom each other. This is a great relief as the atmosphere was getting very tense even though the others had come to terms with a new herd member.

This last weekend Rolo, George and Boss went to Okehampton Battle Camp for The Ten Tors Jubilee Challenge. Dru and her team of volunteers prepared the ponies on Friday and then drove them over to “Okey”. Saturday morning saw them up and ready at the crack of dawn with ponies and the disabled children ready for the gruelling walk ahead. This was the fifth time that George has completed the walk. Imagine 2,500 excited, young people, helicopters and vehicles around you. We can all be proud of the ponies and of Dru and her volunteers who complete this challenge each year. They all finished the walk safe and sound and we will give you a fuller story in the next newsletter.

Please remember we now have five ponies in the Adoption Scheme, Golden Flame, George, Charlie, Rolo and Smartie.