Just saying hello

[espinay]

I have been lurking here reading messages for quite a while now and finally thought I better post and introduce myself/say hi though I am still more likely to be lurking and learning at this point than contributing much.

My name is Tracy and I live in Canberra, though am a 'refugee' from Qld originally ;-) . I am just coming back into the horse world after way too long a break. God knows why I took this long. Thank god I have a supportive partner who actually encourged me to go out there and get a horse again!

My first love is Arabians and Arabian derivatives as that is what I was involved with way back when (waves hi to SharynH :D ) although I currently have an Irish Sport Horse who is helping me get into the swing of things. I am not competing at this point but hope to some time in the future (I have a LOT of work to do - we are doing well though considering the poor boy has to put up with a sack of potatos riding him :eek: ). I am enjoying myself immensely and have some good instructors who are helping me correct some very old bad habits and some new ones too.

My other major hobby is dogs. I have Pyrenean Mountain Dogs primarily ('espinay' is actually my kennel prefix) and am involved in breeding/showing/training. I am an Obedience and Agility instructor and have spent time studying behaviour and nutrition including a stint in the US studying Wolf behaviour.

[Freya]

Welcome to the forum Tracy! I'm sure you will be posting more messages in no time! hehe Good luck with your new horse!:)

[ann]

Welcome, Tracy! I've always had horses with some Arabian blood in them, and love the energy they produce. Perhaps not surprisingly, my dog is a cattle/kelpie cross! :D

Pleas feel free to ask any questions that come to mind in here; as you've been lurking, you know that we're supportive rather than confrontational, so feel free to post about anything that's occupying your mind.

And have fun with your Irish Sporthorse. We'd love to see photos when you can find the time to upload them.

[WordRider]

GoodMorning and welcome to DITF Enjoy your stay and learn all that you can.

Terrance

[espinay]

Lets see if this works. Photos of my boy Dasha! (not the best - will have to get someone else to take some for me as the cheeky sod just wants to stick his face in the camera :p )

[espinay]

I had to resize this one a bit more. At least I figured out how to do it! :D

[Equine Elegance]

haha! What a cutie he is! He must be lots of fun to have around. I've seen that look before, the "innocent" mischief maker - paradox I know!

[gIlBeRt]

My other major hobby is dogs. I have Pyrenean Mountain Dogs primarily ('espinay' is actually my kennel prefix) and am involved in breeding/showing/training. I am an Obedience and Agility instructor and have spent time studying behaviour and nutrition including a stint in the US studying Wolf behaviour.

Hi Espinay! I don't know how i missed this post last month but hiiii!!!! May i ask why you moved from Qld to Canberra?!?!?!?! I have only heard that is it freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezing cold down there and that was enough to make me not to think twice...hehe

i used to be involved with doggies before horsies came along! My Dad used to be an obedience instructor too. He has trained lots of successful goldies and used to breed them. I trained our first dog, Bonnie at a dog training school in Victoria...(she was more like a cat though than a dog...she would really turn her nose up when i threw a ball to her and was soooo discusted that i would so such a thing!) and i trained our 2nd dog, Clyde and he was a star at doggie school. He did soo well....then horses took over...whoops! hehe And now Jack, the 3rd dog is a monster who would never in his wildest dreams graduate from puppy class....haha!

So good luck with your dogs and you horse looks like such a sweetie too!

:)

[espinay]

May i ask why you moved from Qld to Canberra?!?!?!?!

After Uni I was offered a job down here (Dept of Defence) so made the shift. A big change but I love it down here now and much prefer the cold to the humidity. It still gets very hot here in summer, but it is a dry heat and in winter it isn't really the cold that is the issue but rather the shorter days. You end up having to do everything in the dark - thank goodness for arena lights!

I am a Sunshine Coast girl born and bred and pretty much all my family is still there. Went to pony club in Woombye and used to hang out with SharynH and her mum ;-). I will actually be up there the weekend after this one for a packed weekend of family gatherings :) . I am looking forward to that as I have not been up that way for a while.

Here is another photo of a young Dasha during his early eventing career. He was bred by Frank Tynan and Rebel Morrow rode him in his early comps but he didn't have the genius for the big grades. He suffered a leg injury a few years ago, so no more eventing for him. While he is not lame he is a bit stiff on that leg so he wont make the big grades in Dressage either, but then neither will I ;-) . He is a great horse to get me back into the swing of things though.

[gIlBeRt]

I will actually be up there the weekend after this one for a packed weekend of family gatherings :) . I am looking forward to that as I have not been up that way for a while.
.

hey! that is perfect timing for the Sunshine Coast Dressage C'Ships i think...?

[mig]

What a cutie!!!!

:D

[Freya]

Yeah he looks like a lovely, fun horsie to own!

[Franca]

Aw, what a great face! Looks like he has a wonderful personality. :)