Dax (Little Earthquakes)

Dax came to us one weekend in May 2002 from deep in the Welsh countryside where he lived in a field with one other horse. He is now in a busy London yard, Lee Valley Riding Centre, where he has daytime turnout, lots of equine friends and even more human friends and admirers. He is an 8 year old 13.3hh Welsh X gelding and is Caroline's first pony.

Caroline's aims:

Dax must loose weight and get fitter. He was left out at grass over winter and not ridden much due to the foot and mouth outbreak in the area. But prior to that he had done quite a lot of riding club activities with his 14 year old owner. Caroline is learning how to improve his fitness, get him balanced in canter and off the forehand.

Caroline wants to improve her flat work prior to jumping Dax. Her ambition is to be accepted for the Waltham Forest youth team at Crystal Palace - and win a medal, of course. She would also like to jump him at Trailblazers until she is 16 when she will not be allowed to ride a pony.

Caroline has been allowed to study horseriding as part of her PE course for her GCSE in 2003. The syllabus is detailed here. Her school has arranged for her to take lessons at a local riding school (Aldborough Hall).

My interest:

I'm Caroline's mum. Initially, I wanted nothing but to support Caroline as I wasn't a horsey person. Now I'd like to be confident in handling Dax and lungeing him. I have the occasional lessons where I'm learning to lunge him. Mostly, I enjoy reading about the vast area of equestrianism, particularly dressage and Alexander Technique. When Dax was vetted, he was described as 'sharp'. I would like a horse with 'good manners' and hope one day Caroline and Dax will get it together enough so he doesn't pull my arm out of it's socket whenever I lead him. I'm an eBay addict and I always seem to be buying something for Caroline or Dax. It's easier on my arm than Dax but bad for the pocket!

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