HERE'S TIBBSY....I'M BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bet you thought I had disappeared for good......I thought so too........no I have had a good long rest...too long, I want to get at it again!! What have I been up to you may ask? not a lot, instead its all been Solero this and Solero that, Solero qualifying for the Irish Riding Clubs ODE Champs, Solero jumping clear....I'm fed up with what Solero has done, if you really want to know all she did look it up on Facebook at "Drumcoura Riding Club" page.

Then to top it all, the 2 midget ponies, Rocky & Rambo, get taken to the local show and come back with all the rosettes.....Rambo won the driving class...SOD IT that's my job !! Just you wait, now I'm back it's my time...even heard the Gov. talking about taking me hunting this year...WOOPEE. AND I did get taken on the Riding Clubs outing to Annaharvy farm ...wow great galloping.

Well must go now...the Gov. is getting my double bridle all clean so maybe I will get to a show next year. To finish he's a pic of all those who went to Annaharvy Farm a couple of weeks back, my Mam's on the left.

SEASONS GREETINGS...I'M FROZEN !!!!!!!

May I wish you all the very best of the seasons greetings. What a beautiful time of the year this is...fluffy snow ....cold and crisp and even, as the song goes.

What NONSENSE !!!!

It's cold, icy, miserable and I'm bored stupid...can't get out...except to be whipped round in a daft circle in a half finished arena (the Gov. calls it lunging....I call it tedious)...missed the Riding Club New Years Day ride out...not even being fed properly...all hay and chaff...they say its for my own good....I'll tell you whats good for me ...a big bucket of hard food and lashings of sugar beet.......Happy New Year my hoof....roll on the spring !!!!!!!!!!!

YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHAT THEY GOT ME ON THEIR HOLS !!!!

They go away to sunny Morocco, I get forgotten about in the field...and then get told that they had bought me a nice present to go on my back....fair enough I thought...I get a rest then a smart new blanket or saddle cloth as a pressie. BUT NO....NONE OF THAT.....you want to know what the Gov. and Mam got me? A CAMEL SADDLE that's right a right old piece of junk that go's on those very odd looking horses when they go into the dessert...and that's where they belong. THE NERVE OF IT.....I'm still in shock...in fact I've got the HUMP..HA..HA..HA

Just you wait and see what happens if the Gov. tries to ride me with it...I'll give an almighty buck and gallop off before you can say ALLI BARBAR.

No I have my self respect...I'm a riding cob...and guess what my picture is on Facebook...just look up Rob Steinke....and I'm also on the riding clubs new Facebook site...look it up on Drumcoura Riding Club, and you can become a fan.....signed photos of myself are available ob request...I'm nearly famous.

MY FANS ARE SENDING ME PICS

YES....I've got fan mail....AND she sent me a photo of herself. That's her above, she is called Lily, lives in Sussex, is 4 years old.........and is BEAUTIFUL....a real cob...just like me !!!!! Her owner runs a magazine called Nag Mag....its for all those sensible people out there that enjoy our sort of company. I'm going to get the Gov. to put it up beside my stable....ah it's so good to feel wanted.

AND I know I did not get round to doing my blog last week......I've been poorly...got colic...its like a very bad tummy acke......so bad the Gov. and Mam got the vet. AND YOU WILL NEVER GUESS WHAT HE DID!!!!!....he put long rubber gloves on, lifted my tail and.......NO! its too embarrassing to tell you. Enough to say that if I get a tummy acke again I am going to suffer in silence........ahh vets!!! Anyway, I feel a lot better now and am raring, or should I say rearing, to go. ha ha ha
HERE...the Gov. and Mam just got back from their hols in Morocco and have got me a present...don't know what it is yet...but they say it is to go on my back...maby a brightly coloured rug or saddle cloth...log on next week and find out.

WOW !!! WHAT A GREAT HOLIDAY

Just got home from a great holiday ........fair dues to the Gov. and Mam, they took all three of us, me, Bess and Tara rode Solareo....you know who she is...the flashy blond one.....my new girl friend. Beautiful place Achill in Co. Mayo..lots of mountains..& sheep......sandy beaches..& sheep....good company..& sheep...and next to my stable?...you guessed it...YES...SHEEP.There was 16 of us, most with horses and some on foot....we went on the beach every day and I even swam...YES I DID A DOGGY PADDLE.


Here are just some of my holiday pics...Tara washing me after my swim....our new puppy, Sonny, sitting up top with the Gov......Kistin, our guide, giving me a hug.

There's loads more pics...call in again next week ...we went up to a deserted village...bit like Zone Horror on the TV.

LOOK...I'M ON THE FRONT COVER

SORRY SORRY SORRY...yes its been too long since I wrote last...BUT I am going to keep up to date in the future...promise.

The Gov. has been busy writing his new book...AND look my name is on the cover...and a pic of me driving inside. AND I've been told to tell you all to visit the museum's new web site www.MuseumOfTheMasterSaddler.com its on sale there, and on eBay.

Its been all go here at the stables, I got an admirer, even sent me a pic of themselves.. a good solid cob like myself...will show it to you next week.

Guess what? The Gov. and Mam are taking me on holiday with them this weekend with the Riding Club to the mountains and beaches on Ackill Isle in Co. Mayo....watch out for the holiday pics !! All week they have been going around singing We're All Going On A Summer Holiday, loadsa riding for a day or two....got told it was a hit song years ago for a Cliff Richards......Gov. said he was once Hank Marvin's backing singer.

AND I've got a new email address, its now Tibbsy@MuseumOfTheMasterSaddler.com so come on all you pretty fillies out there lets have a picture of you all....I just love a nicely turned fetlock !!!!

WOW !!! I'M BACK IN ACTION

YES !!!!! I'm back.......its been a long time doing next to nothing since I dropped the Gov. on the arena floor and broke his arm....but look at us now. I did wonder if he would send me to the glue factory for misbehaving....but no.....here I am. We went to a great Long Distance Ride the other day at Lord Abercorn's estate and rode for nearly 4 hours in the most beautiful surroundings you could imagine....and the following week we drove an obstacle course in harness...but more of that another time. Promise it wont be so long before you hear from me again.

I told you that the Gov. was getting old....well he had his 60 Birthday Party recently...and just look at the cake....IS THAT MEANT TO BE ME???????????? the nerve...mind you the Gov. does look a bit like the man on the cake...but not ME!!
Great cake though...but none for me...I'm on a diet to get fit, get galloping, get jumping....hope the Gov. stays in the saddle this time.

I hear that this site is now connected to http://www.linkedin.com/ so is you read this do drop me a line...YES of course I can read.

Log on again soon for more news of me in harness.
I

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS...OF DIVISION 2 !!!

Well the football season has finished ...and all the Gov. can do is to go round the stables singing "We Are The Champions......We Are The Champions" ......no the red and white scarf he dressed me in isn't for Man U or Liverpool (when were they last champions?) ...its for BRENTFORD....Champions of division 2. All he talks about is Brentford this and Brentford that....we even talks about when he first started going to support them...he even remembers the team..Gerry Cakebread, Ken Coote, etc...no they mean nothing to me either.
He told me all about football...bit like playing polo....now that I would like to do...can you see me galloping up the wing on the pitch at Griffin Park? .....YES think I would like to have a go.
GREAT NEWS.....I got a new set of shoes fitted a few days ago....my first since the accident (I try not to talk about that ) ........maby I'm going to go out for a ride...or better still the Gov. may put me in my carriage again and drive me......watch this space...........

NOW I KNOW WHY THEY'RE CALLED COWBOYS!

Last week they all cleared off to be Trecies....this week they became cowboys......YES complete with Cows!!!!!!!!!! ....... Talk about "Home On The Range" & "A Four Legged Friend"....this four legged friend got forgotten about...AGAIN... and they went on a round up....YES I know it was for charity and that's great...BUT what about me.......just wait...I'll be back soon....I heard the Gov. singing (very badly I might say) "Back In The Saddle Again"....so I live in hopes.

In the meantime, here is a selection of photos taken at Bunnageddy Equestrian Centre in Co. Roscommon that the Gov. and Mam bored me with when they came back....although I do like the bucking bronco....think I might try that trick....oopps...I already have.....

There they are, Tara, Mam & Annette representing Drumcoura Riding Club.....But it should have included MEEEEEEE

THEY'VE ALL BECOME TRECIES NOW

They've all gone mad....completely stark raving bonkers!!!! AND...just to rub my nose in it, they tell me that as I am the P.R.O. for Drumcoura Riding Club that its my responsibility to promote their madness. YES...they have all gone to a Trec competition this weekend....evidently it involves bending poles, reining back, standing in a circle while the rider gets off, jumping, opening gates, loading in a horse box........but I can do all of those things....and faster....you should have seen how fast the Gov. dismounted me at the indoor school just before Xmas........well its not my fault he landed up side down...still his broken arm is on the mend now.

Just look at them.......Bess, Blondy....they even call her the golden horse.....more like a cowboy horse to me, and on the left a grand little cob...don't know his name but he does look smart.

O....then there's Rachel who instructed everyone and scored the competition......she's gas...drove her mule from the top of Ireland to the bottom to collect for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

And there they all are...enjoying their day out as guests at Lakelands Riding Club......while I get left at home...AGAIN.

Still the Gov. and Mam have told me that they are going to a carriage sale soon and will get me a present.......now what could that be? ....can't wait.....

THEY'VE GOT ME DOING THE MUSEUM'S PUBLICITY NOW

Well would you believe it.......the Gov. and Mam have made me an offer I can't refuse. Publicise their museum ......or half food rations.....now a horse has to keep his integrity...but he has to eat....so.......................

Roll up, roll up come to the Museum of the Master Saddler....or visit its new web site http://www.museumofthemastersaddler.com/ I'm told that it has all the latest news, exhibits, books by the Gov. and even his art work. Now I think that deserves an extra helping of course mix and sugar beet, don't you.

ITS PADDY'S DAY...AND I GET LEFT AT HOME !!!

Its 17 March...Paddy's Day....the ponies get groomed...plaited....dressed up in their best harness and get taken to Ballinamore for the parade.....which they win, but I'm not going to mention that...AND what do I get...I'll tell you...I GET LEFT AT HOME. YES I know life isn't fair...but that's no excuse...well not in my book.

Just look at them...there's Mam and Jeff who has helped out at the stables while the Gov. was recovering from a broken arm after he fell off me...do you think that is why I got left at home? Well he is out of hospital now with a load of paper staples up his arm and hip...they chopped a lump of bone off his hip and put it in his arm...sounds a bit odd to me.

Look at St. Patrick...he looks even older then the Gov....AND he is as old as the hills. AND there's also a picture of Bookie the new pony in a beautiful set of farm harness.....AND whats this?.....why its Rambo having a drink of beer with the Gov. outside the pub after the parade....THE NERVE OF IT....he gets best beer AND PRINGLES...and I get wet grass...that's enough....can't take any more...I'm off....if you want to see more Paddy Day pics log on again over the weekend......beer indeed

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING

I feel so bad....and it's ALL MY FAULT!!!!!!!!!
YES the Gov. is going into hospital today to get cut open and have metal plates bolted inside his arm...and all cos of ME. His broken arm hasn't mended so he needs an opp.....only hope he forgives me. He always tells me to look on the sunny side of life...so here's a picture of me and the Gov. being washed by my friend Emer....actually only I got a cold hose wash! It was taken on our Riding Club visit to Castle Leslie last summer...o for those hot summer days. Hope they will come again and...think I'm going to break down....poor old devil...he didn't deserve this...will let you know how he gets on...

DO YOU WANT TO HEAR SOMETHING COMPLETELY STUPID?

Here I am reading this weeks edition of Horse and Hound....what do you mean horses can't read.....corse they can...anyway there in this weeks issue it is reported that a Professor Nutt...don't laugh, I kid you not....and he claims that it is no more dangerous to take the drug ecstasy then to ride horses.......ya really!!!


This Nutt fellow is chairman of the Home Office advisory council on the misuse of drugs. He claims that riding is a "DANGEROUS ADDICTION" and....wait for it.....would recommend control under the Misuse of Drugs Act...even class riding horses as a class A drug.......LAUGH?...I haven't stopped since.

ME a class A drug!!......can you imagine it ...the Gov. being brought before the court charged with being in possession of an illegal substance with the intent of using it to blow his brains........Nutt by name and nutt by nature I say.

Do you know how daft I think this is?......I think I will write to the Horse and Hound and give them a horses perspective of this matter....doesn't that Nutt fellow know the difference between a drug for ravers and a good solid cob....I hope you all do.Let me reiterate...the drug ecstasy makes people have an inflated opinion of their capabilities until they fall down and break their bones...whereas riding horses makes people have an inflated opinion of their capabilities until they fall down and bre............yes well, the Gov. goes back to hospital this week and hopes to be out of his plaster cast soon...oopps.

I'M GOING TO BE PART OF IRISH HERITAGE

YES THAT'S RIGHT....I'm going to be part of Irish heritage....well part of Heritage Week at least. Every year there is a European Heritage Week and each year the Gov. and Mam put on a display in their museum....you've got it...they are so old, there the museum pieces...well that's what I think. AND this years exhibition is going to feature ME!!! Well that's what it said in the local paper last week....said I was going to be the star of the show...well it will make a change from those 2 little piglets stealing all the limelight every time.

They are going to dress me up as a farm horse...do you like my new bridle? the Gov. bought it on eBay...then I'm going to have loadsa fancy harness on me so I really look the business....don't know if I'll look as good as this chap in the photo....HOPE SO!!!

So if you are around these parts on the weekend of 29-30 August do call in to have a chat with me and see me in all my finery.

THERE GOING TO TURN ME INTO A WORK HORSE

Here I am enjoying my lazy days turned out at grass while the Gov. 's arm mends and what do I hear?........mutterings of me being dressed up as a working farm horse for the museum's Open Weekend....what a nerve. I mean ME.....a great example of a riding cob...and what do they do to me?....get some rusty old horse machine out of the hedge...paint it up to look like new.......try an old farm collar on me for size...and tell me its all to do with Heritage. Heritage my hoof....look at the harness...they are even going to put BELLS on me...I'll give them Ding Dong........I tell you all this talk of being a farm horse doesn't ring my bell!!!!!!!!

On a more serious note, the Gov. goes to hospital this week for an x ray of his arm that he broke when he fell off me......well he did fall off....honest I didn't drop him. Hope he's going to be OK and not need to be nailed together with shoeing nails. Watch this space.

I'MFEDUP WITH ALL THIS COLD WEATHER

YES...I'm getting totally miffed with this weather.....haven't been out in days....just want to get out and have a good gallop around.

The Gov. went to hospital last week and got his plaster cast cut off...he now has a plastic cage on him....looks very ultra modern...like something out of Star Trek......The Borg......he even came in the stable the other day and told me "resistance is futile"....and that I would be "assimilated"....he has gone completely off his trolley!!!! "Trekie" my hoof.....he's lost it.

AND do you want to hear a joke?....they told him at the hospital that when his broken arm mends it will be crooked.......so there he is with a wonky leg and a bent arm...and he expects me to ride in a straight line.....think I will be like a rowing boat with one paddle...going round in circules...ha...ha...ha

AND FINALLY......to remind me how lovely it is to go out riding in the warm sunshine...here's a pic of me out last summer with my friends.