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katefox1812
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1612 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 7:23:37 PM
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(well, about 15 people on Sarah's thread - does that count?  )
...here are a few new photos of Tobago, as a proper grown-up 4-year-old, taken by the amazing Emma Maxwell about 3 weeks ago. And then a bit of news...
Tobago waving hello to his AL friends:
Just looking pretty:
Showing off his blingy new halter:
And again:
Looking all tousled and cute:
These are just 'glamour' pics - but I think Emma has really captured some of his character.
Now for the news... After over a year (on and off) of preparation - long-reining, loose-schooling and more recently some loose-jumping sessions, Tobago is now backed!
Well, actually rather more than just backed: he was jumping cross-country fences on only his 3rd day under saddle!
(Before anyone shoots me, they were only a few small fences, from a trot/slow canter, on soft ground, with a very skilled lightweight jockey. And Tobago's highly qualified and experienced trainer - who has lived and worked with him every day for 2 years - felt this was well within his capabilities and would do him no harm at all.)
Tobago's first rider is a super National Hunt jockey, who is hugely impressed by him and cannot stop raving about how balanced and agile and fantastic he is. He adjusted instantly to the weight of a rider - none of the usual 're-balancing' - and on Day 1 was doing walk, trot and canter in a beautiful outline. Day 2 he did the same plus jumping a few poles. Day 3 he was jumping tree-trunks and tyre fences.
His only 'fault', according to the nice jockey, is that he's a bit too keen, a bit too forward-going - so he's been doing some quiet hacking to get him to chill out. He's been with this rider just over a week now, and has started some grid-work and even jumped a row of racing hurdles on the gallops (although he wasn't allowed to do this at racing speed, of course).
The jockey says he is a lovely responsive ride, uphill, light in front, beautifully balanced - and has a huge jump - very scopey and careful, really snaps up both in front and behind; could be a seriously good showjumper. He told me today that you can trot Tobago into a 3ft pole and he will just ping it like it was nothing.
I know this sounds like rather a lot to be doing so early on, but both trainer and jockey have reassured me that Tobago has had a huge amount of groundwork and preparation, and is simply an exceptionally talented horse and this is all very easy and great fun for him. He is very happy and loving every minute - so I'm happy too.
And that's the news! No ridden photos yet, I'm afraid, as I have not been well enough to go and watch him being ridden - but I hope to get some soon...watch this space!
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mogwai
Platinum Member
England
2717 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 7:30:13 PM
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WOW! I couldn't believe he would look more beautiful than the last time i saw pictures, but he does! He is out of this world.Thank you so much for sharing him  [: |
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kcv1223
Gold Member
England
651 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 7:34:30 PM
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What absolutely fabulous shots - he looks amazing Kate. Baz is a chip off the old block, you can see him in his daddies eyes
The two year old Tobago I saw (and loved) has really come of age - he looks stunning.
Congratulations to all involved (included Emma for some lovely pictures) - roll on 2009 (filly please, filly please )
Karen x |
www.alkaraarabians.co.uk |
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Dee1
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
64 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 7:34:32 PM
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OMG!
What can I say. Stunning, and he looks so happy.
Kate you really must be so very proud, and rightly so.
I do hope that you are feeling a bit better now?
You have a lot of peoples support so hope us AL's can send some well wishes your way.
Big hug x |
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sarahjo
Silver Member
England
262 Posts |
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Gerri
Platinum Member
England
4211 Posts |
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natntaz
Platinum Member
England
2919 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 7:47:19 PM
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He looks stunning kate, hope Zariah lives up to a bit of her
dad Fantastic photo's Emma
Hope you are feeling better to  |
   
Natalie Pix. Essex. Tariq ibn Radfan and Taroub |
Edited by - natntaz on 23 Nov 2008 7:50:13 PM |
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Deboniks
Platinum Member
England
3776 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 8:05:07 PM
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| Lovely photos!He's very handsome, good luck with his future |
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Nut
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
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Loisrose
Bronze Member
England
217 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 8:20:20 PM
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What a handsome boy & fabulous pictures!!
kcv1223 - good luck for a filly, your colt was a lovely little lad! (who even my non-horse mother lusted over!) |
www.loisrose.co.uk |
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Asima
Bronze Member
Wales
176 Posts |
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Miska
Gold Member
United Kingdom
627 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 8:26:07 PM
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Wow - he is truly stunning.
Sounds like he is going to be a truly talented horse (well he already is!)- look forward to seeing pictures of him ridden! |
RIP Ettie 2003 - 2010 |
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basbob
Gold Member
France
1356 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 8:33:14 PM
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| Congratulations you!! He is truly beautiful and soooo clever! |
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fidodido
Gold Member
England
797 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 8:45:59 PM
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| WOW! He is stunning no wonder you feel so proud of him. Fantastic photo's and beautiful halter aswell. |
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templars
Platinum Member
England
1852 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 9:10:58 PM
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In the words of Craig on Strictly ......."FAB......U.......LOUS"
What a stunning boy!
Told you he'd event (ha ha!!)
Goosebumps all round now!!!! Wow, wow, wow, wow |
   www.eviepeel.com    |
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katefox1812
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1612 Posts |
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lady tee
Gold Member
United Kingdom
785 Posts |
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Timbercroft
Gold Member
Wales
936 Posts |
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katefox1812
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1612 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 9:38:47 PM
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Thanks again everyone.
The plan for next year is - we hope - to do the NaSta performance test and a couple of stallion gradings, as there are a lot of WB/sport-horse breeders who are very keen to use him. Probably not ridden showing, as I would rather get him out there 'flying the flag' in open competition with other breeds.
But we'll see - it really depends on what he turns out to be best at, and what he most enjoys. |
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trinity
Gold Member
Scotland
1126 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 9:52:27 PM
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Kate - fantastic photo's. He is simply stunning. I bet you can't wait to see him under saddle. Hope your feeling well enough to get to do that soon. What a credit to you and his trainers. Fabulous.
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Beck |
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Sundance
Racing Moderator
England
932 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 9:57:50 PM
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Wow Kate he looks amazing, what a beauty he does indeed get better with age, a proper masculine stallion, you clearly have a good eye for a horse. I love that pic of him waving as well!!!
Looking forward to seeing pics of him being ridden, sounds like he loves doing his work and as you can imagine I am particularly pleased he's being ridden by a jockey which begs the obvious question.....what will he do under saddle next year ?????
Paul |
Paul
www.zayinarabianstud.co.uk |
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PhoenixBoysOtherMummy
Silver Member
England
299 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 10:00:06 PM
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| WOW!!! He is stunnign! |
  
Pics of Smartie Pants by mattymoo ~~~ Penllyn Pirate ~~~~~Phoenix Boy |
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Esstaana
Bronze Member
England
192 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2008 : 11:13:30 PM
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WOWOWOWOW!!!!
He's so beautiful!!!
Can't wait till my fillys a little older(well 3 years...), would love a colt from him - smiles sweetly for a discount hehe!!!
The piccies are lovely, cant wait for more of ridden and jumping |
   
Adh Esstaana
Wigan, Lancashire |
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SarahA
Silver Member
476 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2008 : 12:16:52 AM
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| What stunning photos, i love the one of him waving and the cute one, (any chance you could get me a copy of these if i give you the pennies Kate,) really pleased he has taken to the ridden so well, not that i ever had any doubts, Keep the pics coming, i love them:) |
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katefox1812
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1612 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2008 : 12:29:39 AM
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| Originally posted by Sundance
Wow Kate he looks amazing, what a beauty he does indeed get better with age, a proper masculine stallion, you clearly have a good eye for a horse. I love that pic of him waving as well!!!
Looking forward to seeing pics of him being ridden, sounds like he loves doing his work and as you can imagine I am particularly pleased he's being ridden by a jockey which begs the obvious question.....what will he do under saddle next year ?????
Paul
Well, apart from aiming for the NaSta performance test, as I mentioned, it really will depend on what he likes best. There's a super professional dressage/sj rider who is keen to have Tobago to bring on and compete - he's coming to have a sit on him sometime soon, and if they get on well, Tobago will probably go to him for a while for some more training.
So I suppose if this all works out, he may be out doing a bit of dressage and maybe some sj next year.
I think this jump jockey was a very good choice for backing and starting him, though - he is a brilliant rider, just oozes total calm and confidence, so even excitable horses trust him and calm down.
LOL I thought you would approve of our choice of rider! But if you're hinting at a racing career....it's very tempting, but I'm not sure it would be quite right for him...and the NaSta and grading have to take priority...but I'll ask the jockey what he thinks of his speed next time we talk. He won't have allowed him to gallop yet, as he's trying to keep him calm and steady. |
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skinny sue
Bronze Member
England
219 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2008 : 10:23:51 AM
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| Well folks haven't been on for a while due to circumstances beyond my control, but something told me to have a quick peep today to see what is happening in the big wide Arabian world and ooh my God am I glad. The man I intend to marry here in full exquisite technicolor. My God Kate he looks amazing.Please please be careful, wrap him in cotton wool when hes jumping, we dont want a hair on that stunning boy getting hurt. I desperately need a poster size copy of him waving hello, he really is what dreams are made of. One day I will put my arms around that shimmering neck and bury my head in his mane. PLEASE PLEASE let us know when he will be out and about, I need to feel his breath. You are so lucky to be his Mum. Best wishes for his big boy career xxsuexx |
sue p |
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What lovely lovely pics! I bet he looks verrrry nice with a saddle on!
