As much as I love traveling the world and meeting new people - spreading the equitation science message far and wide - its safe to say there's no place like home!

Getting back from the World Games and straight back into my daily chores here at Raglan was a bit of a drag, but was made easier with the arrival of a new foal whilst I was still on my way home. The best kind of foal watch is one you are not there for as far as I am concerned, and with the mare dropping earlier than expected I didn't have to endure sleepless nights on my return home.

The foal is a filly by Ramazotti (frozen semen - he died several years ago now) out of a Jaguar / Aberlou mare. I named her "Reisa" after my good friend Reisa Bonetti who runs the amazing dressage website www.dressagetrainingonline.com where I feature as a trainer. She is a wonderful type of filly and should grow big and strong.

We also welcomed Sarah Kyle to the team for the summer - Sarah hails from Northern Ireland - one of my favorite places in the world. We meet thru a mutual friend and Sarah has made the long trip out here to increase her skills and knowledge as a working pupil for the summer. Her jobs will include stud work, collecting semen in my absence, helping break in horses and being competition groom at times.

One of the first things Sarah got to experience was Raglan beach where we take all the young horses for their first outing - once a breaker has been in the waves I think they can handle most other things! The beach has the backdrop of Mt Karioi and its truly a special spot. The photos below show Sarah on a young Landioso on the beach, and at Bridal Veil Falls - a local tourist spot.