Gosh, it’s July already! What happened to the year so far?

Lots of things going on this month. Finally my new Pony Patch series has been released. There are two titles, Naughty Norton and Losing Norton. These are illustrated chapter books about a really bratty little pony called Norton, and his owner, Molly. Molly is so madly in love with Norton that she thinks he is just perfect, despite all of his (very) bad behaviour. You can check out the Pony Patch page to see more about Norton.

Keep an eye out too for book seven and eight in the Riding High series, Making Waves and Pony Trek. They are both due to be released in August.

Lots of things have been happening at home with all my own ‘ponies’. My two mares, Summer Eclipse (Jess), and Red Bickham (Bick), both have huge bellies now. The foals are both due in early September. My ‘two fat ladies’ only have about seven weeks to wait now for their new babies to arrive!

There has been a new addition to my equine family with the arrival of Haymeron Park Kentuckyman (Tuck). Like Cruise, he is a purebred Morgan. It will take some time for Tuck to settle in after living most of his life so far at Haymeron Park Morgan stud in Bonegilla. I am looking forward to teaching Tuck about the world and eventually getting him out and about to competitions.

Meanwhile Cruise and I are still going strong. We’ve been doing some navigation rides, combined training and horse trials. Cruise really seems to enjoy getting out and is still bringing home ribbons. We have even won a couple of our events! Of course, the ribbons are nice to receive but the best thing is just having fun with my horse-and with such a willing little horse as Cruise riding is always fun.

Vital Signs (Doc) has been having a very lazy life lately. My daughter has been busy with study and doesn’t have as much time to ride. I don’t think Doc really minds too much. I guess that lazing around a paddock with plenty of food and company is probably a horse’s idea of a pretty good life.

Spider is growing up fast. He is no longer small but now stands at just over fifteen hands. Right at this minute he has a long shaggy winter coat and is all covered in mud. Soon I will begin to get him ready for the palomino show in December. He’ll be groomed and rugged, and I will begin doing more in-hand training with him so he’s at his best by the time the show comes around. The way the year is flying by, December will be here before we know it.