11th March 2009
This is the story of how we came to own Master Catchphrase, known to us as Fraser. In an unbelievably short space of time he has made his way into all our hearts, and this will log his time here with me, Mac and Nina.
Anyone who has followed our journey with Beano will know that things didn’t turn out as planned, and anyone who has encountered Beano will know that he is not an easy horse! He is very bright and likes to keep himself entertained… Anyway, my friend Louise very kindly put me in touch with Ben Verning, one of the partners at MB Equestrian, who provides a selling livery service. He and Mark (other partner) worked wonders with Beano, getting him going nicely again and finding him a lovely home with an experienced showing person who is used to opinionated Section D’s. Ben asked what our requirements were for our next horse (Toffee, like all horses, needs companionship), and I jokingly said ‘between 12 and 15 years old, between 14.2hh and 15.2hh, gelding and a total sofa’. I told him our rather modest budget, and thought no more of it, because Ben deals (mainly) in competition horses. Last week I received a text from him saying ‘potential sofa arriving within next few days’, and the rest is history.
On Sunday we met Ben and Mark at their friend John Whinnet’s immaculate and picturesque yard and were introduced to Fraser. Our initial reaction was horror – he is HUGE! A ‘good 16.2’, according to Ben. Hmmm. We were swayed though by his gentleness and his beauty – he has the kindest eye I have ever seen on a horse. He is 10, and has spent the last five years in a riding school, which has sadly fallen victim to the current economic climate, like so many before it.
Nina rode him, in the school and down the road, where Mark revved his car past him tooting the horn. No reaction. Mac then rode Fraser in the school, and despite saying en route to the yard that he wouldn’t even ride him, he walked, trotted and cantered. We agreed to buy him, and to collect him at the end of the week. The next day John rang to say the vet had been to look over him; he was fine and he offered to bring him over as it was too windy to tow. So, less than 24 hours after first clapping eyes on him, he was here!
Not knowing anything about his past we are finding out about him as we go, but he does seem ultra-sensitive and anxious at times. Generally though he is very mellow and cuddly. He and Toffee talked over the fence for a while, then we turned them into the same field. Toffee was determined to show him she is the boss, which he accepted with no argument. The next morning (yesterday), when Nina turned Toffee out, he got very upset – I think he thought she was abandoning him. It was a very worrying two minutes for him, before he went out to join her. Last night he was more relaxed, and lay down in his stable. This morning he was a lot quieter on the way to the field, although he still panicked a little bit when Toffee went out.
I am hoping to get some decent photos at the weekend. He lost a shoe in the field yesterday, so if that gets put back on, and the saddler can equip him when he comes out on Saturday, Mac is planning to hack him on Sunday. For now, these photos will have to do.
This is the story of how we came to own Master Catchphrase, known to us as Fraser. In an unbelievably short space of time he has made his way into all our hearts, and this will log his time here with me, Mac and Nina.
Anyone who has followed our journey with Beano will know that things didn’t turn out as planned, and anyone who has encountered Beano will know that he is not an easy horse! He is very bright and likes to keep himself entertained… Anyway, my friend Louise very kindly put me in touch with Ben Verning, one of the partners at MB Equestrian, who provides a selling livery service. He and Mark (other partner) worked wonders with Beano, getting him going nicely again and finding him a lovely home with an experienced showing person who is used to opinionated Section D’s. Ben asked what our requirements were for our next horse (Toffee, like all horses, needs companionship), and I jokingly said ‘between 12 and 15 years old, between 14.2hh and 15.2hh, gelding and a total sofa’. I told him our rather modest budget, and thought no more of it, because Ben deals (mainly) in competition horses. Last week I received a text from him saying ‘potential sofa arriving within next few days’, and the rest is history.
On Sunday we met Ben and Mark at their friend John Whinnet’s immaculate and picturesque yard and were introduced to Fraser. Our initial reaction was horror – he is HUGE! A ‘good 16.2’, according to Ben. Hmmm. We were swayed though by his gentleness and his beauty – he has the kindest eye I have ever seen on a horse. He is 10, and has spent the last five years in a riding school, which has sadly fallen victim to the current economic climate, like so many before it.
Nina rode him, in the school and down the road, where Mark revved his car past him tooting the horn. No reaction. Mac then rode Fraser in the school, and despite saying en route to the yard that he wouldn’t even ride him, he walked, trotted and cantered. We agreed to buy him, and to collect him at the end of the week. The next day John rang to say the vet had been to look over him; he was fine and he offered to bring him over as it was too windy to tow. So, less than 24 hours after first clapping eyes on him, he was here!
Not knowing anything about his past we are finding out about him as we go, but he does seem ultra-sensitive and anxious at times. Generally though he is very mellow and cuddly. He and Toffee talked over the fence for a while, then we turned them into the same field. Toffee was determined to show him she is the boss, which he accepted with no argument. The next morning (yesterday), when Nina turned Toffee out, he got very upset – I think he thought she was abandoning him. It was a very worrying two minutes for him, before he went out to join her. Last night he was more relaxed, and lay down in his stable. This morning he was a lot quieter on the way to the field, although he still panicked a little bit when Toffee went out.
I am hoping to get some decent photos at the weekend. He lost a shoe in the field yesterday, so if that gets put back on, and the saddler can equip him when he comes out on Saturday, Mac is planning to hack him on Sunday. For now, these photos will have to do.
He is registered with Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain, only nobody has told him that his great-grandfather was Northern Dancer and his great-great-great-grandfather was War Admiral! He is very laid back...
We have no specific plans for his future other than to enjoy his company and some fun outings.
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