Abi eleven

Abi turned eleven at the start of the week. With all her school and horse riding commitments we were lucky to be able to share two celebrations with her during the week ... the first on Wednesday after school - afternoon tea and some present opening ............   

Presents are mostly horse related, of course .......

Except for the metallic water paints, which went over rather well ..........

Yesterday afternoon we were back at Forest Park for Abi's regular riding lesson with Victoria.

This is Abi's third (and a bit) year of riding, and the classes are increasingly technical. Yesterday afternoon she had a lot of circuits incorporating poles and cavaletti jumps. She handled X - Claim (a five year old gelding) beautifully!

The girls all enjoy the "after the lesson" time with the ponies/horses too.

Time to catch up with old friends too (we all love Casper)!

.. and Abi's favourite at Forest park - Belle, the most beautiful horse of all!

Abi asked for a brownies birthday cake so, of course, I did my best. Joshy cooked a beautiful meal last night and the conversation over dinner got very lively, as usual (thank you Ella). Abi ended up arranging her own cake and candles while her sister held the floor (cultural appropriation, gender politics were the main topics last night), but we all stopped to wish this darling girl the best birthday ever. Happy birthday Abi!