Goodknight Percy is back at school

Mrs Whillans will remind us that the local schools went back several weeks ago......

Goodknight Percy has gained quite a bit of racing experience through his 6 runs as a juvenile plus a couple more in 2016 on the flat, but jumping is quite a different matter.
With Tomahawk Wood acting as a lead, we ventured across the valley to the Shirley-Beavan's fine yard (where the focus these days is on hunters and pointers) just beyond Bonchester Bridge. There's a large open schooling area, with a sympathetic surface which is ideal for introducing young horses to jumping.

'Percy' was naturally a little hesitant and unsure upon first sight of low-lying poles but with 'Chuckie' leading, he warmed to the task by the end of the session. 'Percy' will be given further jumping lessons over our own hurdles lane and back at Bonchester in the next couple of weeks. If all goes well, he's not far off a run, and we'd be looking for a juvenile hurdle where the ground has a bit of ease in it

Goodnight Percy leads his stage double Hartforth

'Sid' & 'Kerr'

If we'd had a filly in training with the correct name the heading could have read 'Sid & Nancy' but then again it can be difficult dealing with one 'punk minded' youngster far less two. As an aside, Alex Cox's film of the same name telling the tale of the fatalistic, dysfunctional couple's downward spiral in the late 70's was re-released last month. John Lydon is not available for comment....

'Sid' returned from grass last week and we had our vet Sarah attend to a minor issue, so it'll be a couple of weeks before he starts his road work, but 'Kerr' (Keyboard Gangster) checked out okay and has been ridden each day on the nearby lanes. Couple of weeks more and the gelding will commence light cantering on the gallops each morning.