We had another weekend full of horse riding. On Friday Mary went along with the 3 ladies who run the "our" stable, De Wildhoef. They had to go to Woudenberg in the centre of The Netherlands to take some teaching exams, and needed a few victims to act as pupils. They went with 5 horses and 3 pupils, and Mary spend the whole day grooming, riding and chatting. And it happened to be her birthday as well!
In the evening Mary and Paula had their own exam at the stable, the F6 dressage level. Although they had some hiccups during their rides, they both managed to pass. And they can go to the next level!
On Saturday was their regular day of voluntary work at the handicapped stable Madurodam. Paula and Dorien cleaned out the stables, took the horses for some exercise on the beach and helped with the lessons. Mary took a break as her next exam was due in the evening. However, during the day it turned out that due to some administrative mistake by the stable the exam had to be postponed.... Mary found some comfort with Smokey (or Smook), her timeshare horse, that she rode in the paddock to exercise and train him.
The next day it was Dorien's turn, she had to to the F5 level exam. She passed F4 last time and was the only F5 participant. She did very well, better than Paula and Mary, so everyone at the stable was very surprised that she didn't pass. Unfortunately this is a jury sport, and not a straight race to a finish. A disappointing end to a very busy weekend.
Mary and Dwight are ready for their F6 test
Paula and Sixteen are ready as well
Paula is going to give some instructions to Mary and Smook
Dorien and Sixteen looking forward to the F5 ride
