She's 14 hh and 22 years old this year and still worth her weight in gold.
I still ride her and recently did an organised ride across Dartmoor with her from Hound Tor to the Warren House Inn (you just have to end up at a Pub don't you?). I enjoy doing pleasure rides as it's great riding over unknown terrain and as the routes are planned by someone who knows the area, you just have to turn up and enjoy yourself. I have joined Endurance GB this year for the first time and hope to participate in some of the 16k (10 miles) non-competitive rides, so will see how I get on.
I also took Penny to a Torbay & District Show recently where she was entered for some fun classes with my son's partner's little girl who is 5 years old. The little girl had never ridden before and I had managed to pick up some riding kit for her at local car boot sales
however, it all fitted a treat and in we went for our first class 'pony with the biggest ears' and were placed 1st. The little girl beamed from ear to ear and went on to get a 4th rosette in another class. Penny has done a bit of everything in her life. My daughter and I have jointly owned her for 15 years. Prior to that she was in a trekking school on dartmoor as a 5 year old and then sold to a private home for 2 years until outgrown as a 7 year old when we purchased her.
She has done all PC activities with my daughter, competed successfully at local shows in all disiplines, hunted, HT and CC and dressage. She has also produced 2 foals.
She still has the great ability to adapt to the rider and will happily go into a quiet plod for a novice child, but will move up a few gears with a more experienced rider, and still enjoys the odd gallop through our local woods.
What more could I want from or expect from my loyal friend?
Hope some of you have been as lucky with your 'friends' as I have.
Julie.
You are a very lucky lady!
