tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post4687272422441953950..comments2024-03-29T09:08:05.850+00:00Comments on THE SMALL THINGS: A rather surprising Friday; or, a shaggy horse storyTania Kindersleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355967725006605825noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-84249182057293042292012-02-20T12:43:54.653+00:002012-02-20T12:43:54.653+00:00This story reminds me of an early tale from my par...This story reminds me of an early tale from my parents marriage.<br /><br />My Grandmother had laways claimed a ham was cheap, so my mother had given my father 50p to make a bet and then goen to buy a ham for my Grandmother visiting. The ham turned out to be very expensive and took up all the housekeeping money they had.<br /><br />Fortunately my Dad had pciked well with his bet, got a win on long odds and it paid for the family food for the month. Since then he has always been allowed to bet as he likes as one time his bet saved the bacon!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00414010663277948166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-72103290894922355372012-02-19T11:17:06.413+00:002012-02-19T11:17:06.413+00:00I know absolutely nothing about horses or racing b...I know absolutely nothing about horses or racing but you always evoke a picture of Eliza Doolittle when you write like this!Mysticahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10941269615559681014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-62237581413942687212012-02-18T23:55:42.934+00:002012-02-18T23:55:42.934+00:00The Hub and his bro used (in a previous life) trai...The Hub and his bro used (in a previous life) train race horses for two stables. They has a theory that some horses are just born with a competitive streak, some have an innate sense of occasion, some just love the racing crowds, and sone just love galloping as fast as they can whenever they are let. They reckon if you get several of these gifts in one horse, and train him/her right, then you have a winner because the horse just adores racing. Myself I think its magic watching horses gallop, and like you say, some horses have an extra sprinkle of magic to them.Hecketyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06065779986583259061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-19282951595331151932012-02-18T14:44:55.430+00:002012-02-18T14:44:55.430+00:00i LOVE reading your racing accounts; it feels as i...i LOVE reading your racing accounts; it feels as if I'm right there, right then...<br />As for racing in general, as much as I love horses, I couldn't win a wager if there was only one runner in the race...So I also love that you/ Zarkander scored big time on this.Pat (in Belgium)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02367089351412953926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-83815285110299650312012-02-18T14:02:08.596+00:002012-02-18T14:02:08.596+00:00Is it me, or does the marking on Zarkander's f...Is it me, or does the marking on Zarkander's face look like Scotland?<br /><br />Also - THE PICTURE OF THE FENCE WITH THE TREES. GAHHHHH! Too gorgeous for words!!!!Marchelinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11201825708442679157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-65934374775191388952012-02-17T22:39:43.259+00:002012-02-17T22:39:43.259+00:00Sorry about your name, really don't know how t...Sorry about your name, really don't know how that happened.Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04182056939307439272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-8893456187298031282012-02-17T22:00:38.778+00:002012-02-17T22:00:38.778+00:00Tanka what I like is the exuberance of this happen...Tanka what I like is the exuberance of this happening on a so-called school day; how wicked that sounds! But it is half term; at least where I live it is. I'll look out for Zarkandar from now on.Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04182056939307439272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-16223047454508368082012-02-17T20:46:57.525+00:002012-02-17T20:46:57.525+00:00>> once in a generation horse << Spea...>> once in a generation horse << Speaking of life's gifts . . .<br /><br />I'll shut up now. You must have to pack. ;-)<br /><br />BirdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-73985495311274774192012-02-17T20:03:04.440+00:002012-02-17T20:03:04.440+00:00Bird - so glad you noticed the eye. My mum always ...Bird - so glad you noticed the eye. My mum always says he has the look of eagles. It's what she says Arkle had. It's the sign of a real champion, a once in a generation horse.Tania Kindersleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18355967725006605825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-44455263627604653722012-02-17T20:00:24.892+00:002012-02-17T20:00:24.892+00:00So glad you talk about what you love. It's gre...So glad you talk about what you love. It's great fun learning more about steeplechasing. And it is always wonderful to see a trainer who can take care of his horses with that kind of skill. Thank you! <br /><br />PS Best video, in my opinion, was the one where Kauto Star and Master Minded were out for a work, just bowling along through the countryside. It wound up with Kauto, standing quietly in his stall with his lad. Love his eyes.<br /><br />BirdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-2541358831141044042012-02-17T19:37:09.138+00:002012-02-17T19:37:09.138+00:00Bird - Paul Nicholls is very talented indeed; he a...Bird - Paul Nicholls is very talented indeed; he also has a really good team around him, and he always thanks them publicly after a big win, which is very touching. One of the amazing things about Kauto Star is simply that he has been kept sound for season after season. Admittedly, they always say good horses are sound horses, but Nicholls does seem really to nurse his horses and that is a great skill in itself, and something for which I truly admire him. Love the thought of you watching the stable on the YouTube: the miracle of the internet. :)Tania Kindersleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18355967725006605825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-48407765039040169832012-02-17T19:33:42.156+00:002012-02-17T19:33:42.156+00:00Joanne - it will be a great long avenue of daffs. ...Joanne - it will be a great long avenue of daffs. My clever sister planted the bulbs years ago, and we see more each year. It's a real spring treat.Tania Kindersleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18355967725006605825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-20985454906946751122012-02-17T19:24:29.340+00:002012-02-17T19:24:29.340+00:00Love it! And you didn't say right out, but pe...Love it! And you didn't say right out, but perhaps, if all goes right, you have a young 'un to be your standard bearer when Kauto finally goes off to lounge on a beach with a gin tonic.<br /><br />Must admit that after reading about Nicholls in your blog, I've taken to watching vids of his barn on Youtube and when the Racing Post does its visit there each year. What talent (his horses for sure, and he must have some too or they wouldn't all be so good). . . Love it when a horse has the pure guts to power through a small opening ~ how can you not like them when they try so hard, for no other reason than to come home first?<br /><br />Thanks! Definitely an upper.<br /><br />BirdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-50556673017409820892012-02-17T18:05:50.254+00:002012-02-17T18:05:50.254+00:00An exciting race! Will that become a field of blo...An exciting race! Will that become a field of blooming daffodils? How long they must have been spreading.Joanne Noragonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09834682329952369721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-74386207833036969292012-02-17T17:37:18.687+00:002012-02-17T17:37:18.687+00:00Tammy - so glad you liked the post. I always worry...Tammy - so glad you liked the post. I always worry a bit when I bang on about the racing. But he IS such a beautiful horse, and I hope a champion who will be with us for a while.Tania Kindersleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18355967725006605825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-13443876783381869082012-02-17T17:31:26.075+00:002012-02-17T17:31:26.075+00:00Tania ~ you had me glued to the edge of my seat! ...Tania ~ you had me glued to the edge of my seat! What a beautiful horse Zarkandar is with such a power of determination. You placing your bet was refreshing. Not over thinking it in the moment and just doing it (something I need to work on)! Have a good trip. ~TammyTammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279234338005417645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-24360688635727572042012-02-17T17:04:37.742+00:002012-02-17T17:04:37.742+00:00Jennifer J - what a lovely comment. I love how you...Jennifer J - what a lovely comment. I love how you switch the trusting the instinct thing into a wonderful positive instead of a rather dodgy and reckless negative. I shall carry that thought with me as I drive down the M6.Tania Kindersleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18355967725006605825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-50029311193310326732012-02-17T17:02:35.072+00:002012-02-17T17:02:35.072+00:00Woohoo! Bravo! I must admit that I don't alwa...Woohoo! Bravo! I must admit that I don't always read the horse-racing posts (shame on me) but this one had me scrolling down the page line by line as the tension rose. Instinct is a marvellous thing; I only wish that I could trust mine the way you do yours. Loved the fact that you didn't dare to watch the race live! Glad to hear that things are looking brighter for you and hope your trip south goes well.Jennifer J Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01760925413986340709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-90185248145257792802012-02-17T16:56:55.910+00:002012-02-17T16:56:55.910+00:00Lucille - I feel that if I can give my Dear Reader...Lucille - I feel that if I can give my Dear Readers a tiny jot of vicarious excitement, then my work is done. It has been a funny old few weeks, but the lovely horses really have been lifting my heart, and I'm so glad they touch yours too.Tania Kindersleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18355967725006605825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-12841264374839490112012-02-17T16:55:43.313+00:002012-02-17T16:55:43.313+00:00Jacqueline - what a lovely thought! Glad you enjoy...Jacqueline - what a lovely thought! Glad you enjoyed the race.Tania Kindersleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18355967725006605825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-22308410380687414682012-02-17T16:50:28.883+00:002012-02-17T16:50:28.883+00:00Cor! I could do with some excitement in my life li...Cor! I could do with some excitement in my life like that just now. Will make do with vicarious type.Lucillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14414527658216916537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-47622154610102410182012-02-17T16:42:07.974+00:002012-02-17T16:42:07.974+00:00Sounds like another pair of high heels is in order...Sounds like another pair of high heels is in order to properly celebrate your illicit winnings! <br />Thanks for taking me along on the race...very exciting it was too!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00728645243327906117noreply@blogger.com