AKA – Chika!! I’m aware this might not be very interesting to many non-horsey people, so if it isn’t, skip on 😀 But as this blog is about my life to a certain extent to, she must feature!
To all you horsey folk out there however, this might be interesting:
Chika (Rowberton Flamenco) is a Thoroughbred x Appaloosa 16hh mare, and is one of the best things to ever happen to me. I got her in February 2005, and after a slliiigghtly rocky start (she has quite a buck on her, and being a green 5year old, was not quite sure how to control herself!), we got it together and have done a bit everything; a couple of showjumping competitions, cross country training, endurance rides and shows, although my main passion in riding has always been dressage, so that is what we focused on. We even got placed at the Summer Regional Championships, which was such a huge deal – I got to complete one of my ambitions; cantering around the edge of the arena in a prize giving!! Definetly a very proud moment 🙂
Now I’m at uni, competing has had to take a back seat, so for now I’m just enjoying riding her when I can (weekends), hacking and playing about. I sure do miss her when I’m away though!!
Oh see, I knew I liked you! I’m a horse person too, although I do never ride anymore. 😦
Hey! Yeah I saw pictures of your horse on your blog, he’s beautiful! How come you can’t ride anymore? I feel your pain, I hate being at uni and not being able to ride 😦
She is so beautiful – so glad to have found your blog! I used to ride – from the time I could walk up until a year or two ago – and miss it so much. Maybe I can live vicariously through you? haha
🙂 Thankyou! You’re welcome to live vicariously through me!! I can’t say there will be much crazy horse action now though..I hardly get to ride either with uni!! That’s a shame you’ve stopped 😦
Thanks for stopping by!!
Freya, your girl is beautiful and it looks like you’ve done an awesome job with her training! You both look like a lovely, well-matched pair and the dressage photos are awesome…haha, me and my boy need to get better with our dressage–you know the saying about good jumpers being made on the flat… 🙂
I’ll definitely be back–I’d love to see some more of Chika!
Thankyou!! Now you’ve said that I might load up some more pics of her – I have enough!! Haha yes I do know that saying very well!! My sister is a jumper and she hates dressage 😛 Thanks for the comment!
Chika is beautiful! At one of the barns I rode at in college, I rode a 16.2 hh draft cross named Lola … I still miss that horse!
It sounds like you are quite the accomplished rider! The woman who owned the barn I rode at my senior year was big into cross country, dressage, etc. I only did hunt seat. Cross country scares the hell out of me, but I love to watch it!
Oh gosh, cross country scares me too!! I’ve never competed in it, just done training and that was scary enough 😛
I’ve no idea what ‘hunt seat’ is…I think that’s an American term!
Reading this makes me miss my Appy mare so MUCH! I’ve never done dressage but I’ve spent years showing in hunter shows, jumpers (which I adore!), and doing hunter paces. It’s great to see someone else interested in both fitness/nutrition AND horses…I never see that! My horse was definitely my best friend. 🙂
Awh! Appaloosas are the best 🙂 I have no idea what hunter paces is…I’m assuming jumpers is showjumping and hunter shows is probably working hunter classes…it’s hard to translate US horse shows to UK horse shows 😛
Horses do make incredible friends actually – better than any other animal I’ve ever had 🙂
Thanks for commenting 🙂
She’s absolutely loooovely! 🙂 I think her colouring is so pretty – I like the appaloosa patch.
And I know exactly what you mean about missing her when you’re at uni, I’ve shared a horse for two and a half years now (2 of which I’ve been at uni) and the first thing I always do when I get back is go straight to see him!
You’ve obviously done well on her, well done 🙂 it’s good to read a blog that is from the UK and also involves horses 😀
Yeah the blanket is so cute!!
It’s horrible being away from them at uni 😦
BEAUTIFUL!! Just came across your site- I used to do alot of eventing- I loved Jumping!! Haven’t ridden in a few years…Thanks for sharing
Hi Freya,
I stumbled upon your blog a few weeks ago and love it! You have so many great recipes. I also love reading about you and Chika (I love her name!) since I have a horse too and have ridden since I was little.
I hope to try some more of your recipes out soon. Have a good Thursday!
Maddie
Thank youfor commenting, and I’m so glad you enjoy it! I’ll certainly check out your blog 🙂
Your mare is very pretty. I have 4 horses, love them to pieces. Have been riding since I was 2. I still show and love every minute of it! Do you only have Thoroughbreds, or do you have different breeds also?
Thank you 🙂
Chika is a TB x Appaloosa, my sister’s horse is pure TB (though the one before him was a TB x irish draft). My last horse was an arab though – we just have whatever suits us 🙂