Gallifraygypsycobs

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📣 The news you’ve all been waiting for! ENTRIES OPEN TOMORROW!

Please share far and wide!

Thank you for your patience as our small team pulled together a schedule and sponsorship.

We are so excited to see you April 11th and 12th. Don’t miss out, it’s going to be epic 😎

📍Claudelands Event Centre

A note to partners who get involved with us horsey peeps ...

Please read carefully.
This is your induction. There will be no refresher training.

1. Do not ask about “basic horse costs.”
There are no basics.
Everything costs £20.
Stop asking. 🚩

2. You will spend long periods outside holding things.
Horse.
Bucket.
Fork.
Coffee.
Sometimes emotional space.
Accept it.

3. You are now Chief Videographer
Film the whole thing.
Not the floor.
Not your feet.
Not half a circle.
Miss the good bit and we will remember forever.

4. “I’ll just be 30 minutes” is a concept, not a promise.
It exists outside of time.

5. Just eat dinner without me.
I’ll eat later.
Or not.
Or I’ll eat three biscuits at 10pm and call it a meal.

6. “I’ll be five minutes” means at least an hour.
Do not ask why.
Do not look confused.

7. Get a good waterproof jacket.
Don't question it just get one.

8. You must admire all horses equally.
Even the ones that are clearly gremlins.
But the ones I own are the best.

9. You will understand the boxes that arrive at the house do not need questioning. .
It's just stuff.
Like...more....stuff....
...
For the horse (and me...probs another coat)

10. Weather will be discussed constantly.
In detail.
On repeat.
This is vital information.

11. Your clothes will smell of hay, mud, and horse.
This is permanent.
There is no escape.

12. You will be asked to hold a horse “just for a second.”
This second will last 45 minutes.
And you will become besties by the end of that 45 mins.

13. Weekends are not yours anymore.
They belong to the yard.
You may attend as a guest.

14. You must show interest in rugs.
Yes, they all look the same.
No, they are not.

15. If we go to a show.
Just exist.
I love you.
But please only speak to me when I'm done and fed.

16. You will learn to nod sympathetically at vet bills.
Do not gasp.
Do not flinch.

17. You may not suggest selling the horse. Ever.
This is grounds for immediate dismissal.

18. You will be expected to understand that horses come before plans.
All plans.
Including yours.

19. Photos of you may include horse heads, mud, or half a human.
Be grateful.

20. Despite all of this…
If you show up, hold things, film badly but try,
and love us anyway
you are deeply appreciated.
Even if we don’t say it while we’re “just popping up the yard.”

Horse partners.....we love you and sorry if we don't say it as much as we tell the animals.
You're truly appreciated for your support and care 🥰

Welcome to the lifestyle.
There is no opt-out clause. 🐴🤣 you've signed your life away....🙈

The hopeful crew- Antonia (yearling) and Maisy
(Nearly 2yrs).

Gorgeous wee Alfie has had a super, kind and careful start to life and only due to life changes for his owner is he available to a new home. Could be gelded before leaving for a new home and would be the most amazing kids pony.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GLw8Psz1y/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Hallelujah for common sense and horse welfare !! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ALWYfVo5v/?mibextid=wwXIfr

*** WHY HORSES SHOULD NOT BE JUMPING UNDER SADDLE WITHIN WEEKS OF BEING BACKED ***

I’m always shocked and saddened when I see posts and adverts stating how a horse has been backed for several weeks and is now already jumping under saddle. I’m sorry, but that’s nothing to be proud of. I’m very sure there will be many that disagree, but you are setting a young horse up to fail.

If we give our competition horses a couple of months off, we spend weeks, maybe months, carefully bringing them back slowly to build up muscle. Yet a 4 year old with bone and muscle that is completely unconditioned to carrying the weight of a saddle on their back, let alone a 10 stone (and the rest) rider, is cantering and jumping within 4 weeks of having weight on their backs for the very first time?

Young horses should be taken extremely slowly after backing, as it takes months for them to develop the correct muscles to carry the weight of a rider. In my opinion, it is acceptable to back a horse at 4 years old (PLEASE don’t start posting that damn chart of growth plate fusions, or I’ll just delete and block!), PROVIDED the horse is given time to develop the correct muscles to carry themselves and a rider. I absolutely wouldn’t touch a 4 year old that had been backed for 4 weeks and was already jumping under saddle. Sure, they are likely sound and would pass a vetting, but it’s setting them up for orthopaedic issues in the future. Treat an unbacked horse’s fitness and muscle/bone strength as you would treat a horse that’s just had a 2 month holiday, at least.

It’s not impressive that your young horse is jumping (normally hugely over jumping, so even worse for them) within 2 weeks of being backed.

Slow and steady wins the longevity race.

Just appreciating the ear fluff on our stunning partbred (German riding pony x GC) filly. You can just start to see the real colour under the baby coat and she is my favourite, never goes out of fashion colour- black🥰.

Lease home wanted: Piper (black ice x sweet sherry) is in foal to GE Pride's Freedom and due early September - LDOS 08/10/2025. Piper is a measured 15.2, black mare with a fabulous jump, and correct movement and conformation. She has had two stunning black tobiano fillies to Freedom previously (Gallifray Adelaide and Gallifray Emily) and an Oakley c**t we have retained. One filly is currently being produced by an awesome family and we still have the two year old in our paddock. We are looking to lease Piper for this foal and possibly longer depending on circumstances. The foal will be black or black tobiano. Piper is a great mum and easy to do everything with. We would prefer she stayed within 2-3 hrs of Hamilton but open to further afield depending on situation. This is a mare we seriously rate both for her own ability and that of her foals. Not a free lease (stud fee plus vet costs) but all the hard work is done. Pm for more info.

This is written for the TB industry but is applicable to any anyone who owns horses - well worth a read https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1293652489460480&id=100064472238264

We’re pleased to release the NZTBA Welfare Guidelines for Thoroughbred Breeding in New Zealand.

These guidelines reflect the care, judgement, and horsemanship already practiced across our breeding industry. Much of what’s in them will feel familiar. In many cases, it simply puts into one place the good practice breeders and farm teams are already applying every day.

They’re designed to support good judgement and practical decision-making, alongside the experience people already bring to their work.

📄 The guidelines are available on our website under 'Welfare' and are also available to download here: https://tinyurl.com/2mb5xxzk

Jim Bob has arrived back from the hills at Rita’s to join Jasper on the Journey to Grown Up. Jimmy is a 4yr old, out of a lovely Tb (Viking Ruler) mare and is by GE Pride's Freedom.

Jasper is ticking along nicely on the go slow to go fast principle. Nearly ready to start long reining and moving to having someone ie Margot on his back. Has been super relaxed and cooperative about a bit, light side reins, saddle blanket and surcingle, and starting to lunge at walk and trot.

Rising 2 year old Maisy gets a bit overlooked in the photo opportunities but had my phone with me this afternoon. Purebred filly out of Gallifray Lilith.