In February 1996, Gavin Scofield and I purchased a rather skinny and very orange bay mare. She started us both on such a long journey of discovery, not only about ourselves but about horses and how we both could help them. Deli was an extremely bright, electric at times, and an extremely expressive little mare. She was only just 15.3hh, but had the personality of a much larger horse.
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| Just before our first ever Advanced dressage test |
I have many fond memories, some good, some bad...
spending many months too frightened to canter her in the arena due to the explosions which would ensue soon after the transition; our first affiliated elementary test, gaining a massive 42% and a comment from the judge of "what a madam"; to taking me not only once, but twice to Olympia; winning twice the London Riding Horse Supreme Championship in Hyde Park, the only horse to-date to have taken two Supreme titles but also Reserved Championship. Being kicked on the side of my knee during a quadrille rehearsal as she thought I was another horse daring to go near her whilst she was being tacked up! Her first year under side-saddle and at her second ever showing show, she came third, a fine achievement as this was at the Royal International Horse Show, if she had stood still for the judge, she would probably have won! We gained our top hat and tails and points in our first ever Advanced Dressage Class. We managed three Prix St George tests together and she so just loved doing Flying Changes.
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| Kent County - BRC Demonstration |
We decided in 2009 to retire her from competition as she was showing intermittent signs of lameness in her right fore. Although xrays were non-conclusive she was treated for navicular syndrome. With help from Gavin and good riding and regular schooling, we managed to keep her sound and in full work. She still worked through the PSG tests and was working well on piaffe and passage. She became the most wonderful schoolmistress for so many, especially young Jess Quaife-Buckle, who rode piaffe and changes on her. Winter evenings 2010/2011 caused us much amusement, watching Deli spook around the arena doing her utmost to upset Jess, but Deli would still give Jess the confidence to literally "hang on" and learn a good independent and balance seat.
On moving to Fiona and Calum's yard in late summer 2010, Deli worked her charm and helped Fiona regain her confidence which she had lost over the sudden loss of her own horse Bobby from a broken leg. Deli looked after Fiona in her well mannered way, but once she had realised Fiona could ride, the spooks and silliness reappeared out on hacks and in the school. Her last real good deed was to get Louise Simpson-Brown back in the saddle having broken her neck during a freak riding accident just before Christmas. Deli was put through her paces and I so enjoyed watching this partnership - flipping through sequence changes, half passes and finally gave Lou her first experience of sitting to piaffe steps.
On Monday 17th, Deli had a mild seizure in the field, she was on three legs and holding her neck very stiff and tense, at first we thought just a tweak, but then again in the stable she had a long and more difficult seizure. The vet came on Tuesday and we increased the amount of painkillers. Gavin came and treated her on Wednesday, but the seizures and pain continued. On Thursday morning, she had another which caused her pain and left her exhausted. I made the decision, and this very special mare left our world.
I am sure she is somewhere causing totally mayhem getting everyone in order and explaining the finer merits of a good flying change and how to catch a rider off guard with a wicked spook!
Sleep well little Deli... gone, but never to be forgotten.
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| Advanced Medium Winter Regionals |
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| Supreme Champion, London Riding Horse Parade, Hyde Park |
