Willow - A lovely bay mare that replaced Seamus.

I replaced Seamus with a lovely 16.2hh bay TB mare called Willow.

She was a beautiful mare with a smashing jump and lovely movement, perfect for dressage and jumping. Mind you she was not as friendly and loving as Seamus, but they say mares are like that.

At some stage after I got Willow I shared her with a friend. Willow was then given the competiton name "Joint Account".

	Willow has a great jump		Willow looks great under saddle
	Other photos of Willow		Willow in the New Forest

Willow devloped a problem and could not be ridden so we tried putting her in foal to Plato. Unfortunaltly she did not stay if foal. It is a pitty, I think they would have had an amazing foal.

Unfortunatly Willows illness became quite serious and she could not be cured, and she had to be put down.

I shall always remember Willow for a ride we had in a thunder storm, it was probably one of my most pleasurable riding experiences ever.

I promised to exercise her Willow one weekend. I was supposed to ride her in the morning, but I had been busy out all day ... I think I had been shopping, but I can't be sure. All I can be sure of was the fact that it was a lovely hot summer, and it had been hot and dry for very a long time.

It was a lovely hot day, and as I was driving around I remember wishing for air conditioning in my car.

Well I was very late for my morning ride ... it was now 4pm in the afternoon. Anyway, as I neared the yard I noticed very tiny specks of rain on my windscreen.

As I parked my car and walk down the stable yard to Willow it started to rain lightly.

As I got her brushed her and tacked her up it started to rain heavier.

As I got on her it the rain was getting quite heavy and Philippa gave me a bright yellow rain sheet to keep Willow dry ... I was just wearing thin cotton breeches and a T-shirt.

As we left the yard it really started to pour down and the thunder and lightening started. We were amidst the beginning of a torrential downpour.

You know how it smells when its has been really dry and you can tell a heavy rain is approaching ... it is wonderful. What is even better is the smell of the flowers and greenery as the rain revitalises them ... the smells are intense and reach deep within.

The sensation of the warm rain falling down and soaking into my clothes was very nice ... even erotic. The sound of the rain crashing down and the raindrops bouncing off the road was very hypnotic and very relaxing.

To round it off, the thunder and lightening show in the sky was a picture to see ... together it was all a rush on all the senses.

Willow, was really on edge - dancing on her toes ... alert ... ears pricked, she was amazingly well behaved considering the bombardment of rain and thunder ... she was right there under me ... between hand and leg ... in control, but ready to go.

It was a most fantastic ride. We only went round the block on the roads ... and dispite its simplicity it was one the best experience I have ever had on a horse, and one I will never forget. I can only hope to have it again on another horse like Willow.