A bit of colour...

There's nothing like a bit of colour on a dull day.....

This tree is always stunning.....

The way we were!

This is a photograph of a scanned image of a photograph taken at this time of year when there were hay stooks in the fields....I'm guessing about 60 years ago.....that's our white house on the left... looks a bit of a drieke kind of a day but it is an old photograph!

This is the same view taken this evening at 7.30pm...the little stone bothy is gone and there's a new hay shed, a cattle shed on the left, two big sheep sheds on the right and lots more trees for shelter belts...this can be a windy valley....silage bales are in the field these days....

I can't say 'all is safely gathered in' just yet but you have to take advantage of this good weather while you can!

The Mosstroopers Gymkhana.

As Kyle is now a Junior Mosstrooper, he was invited to take part in the gymkhana...it's just for fun...a few pony games, best turned out and handy pony....

This was Kyles first time at this type of event and he came home with two seconds and a third.....no wonder he is smiling!

The Big One!

The Hawick Common-Riding is the first of the Border festivals and celebrates both the capture of an English Flag in 1514 by the youth of Hawick at a place called Hornshole and the ancient custom of riding the marches or boundaries of the common land.

The Cornet for the year is elected at the beginning of May, well in advance of the festival proper, when the Provost's Council, on the recommendation of the two previous Cornets (called the Right and Left-Hand Men) invites a young man to act as Cornet. The Halberdier, accompanied by the Drum and Fife Band, carries an official letter of invitation to the nominated Cornet.

In the weeks preceding the actual Common-Riding, on each Saturday and Tuesday, the Cornet and his supporters are out on their ride-outs in the course of which they visit surrounding villages and farms.  Last Tuesday the 'ride out' went to Priesthaugh Farm but the main ride-out, usually two weeks before the Common-Riding weekend, is the twenty-four mile ride to Mosspaul and back.  This is a big ride...over rough terrain..up hills, down valleys and through forests out into the Borderland hills where the weather usually does it's worst....the weather forecast was not good and after last weeks drenching it was a tough decision weather to ride or not as the weather at home that morning was a little rough to say the least!

But we got everything ready and made the decision at 10.45 to load up the horses and off we all went...

Here they are ready to go muster at Backdamgate for a 12.00 start......

Here's Kyle and his Granda heading off up The Loan...ten minutes later there was a really rough hailstone storm.....agghhhh!

This is the first gallop of this ride at Pilmuir...can be a bit tricky but luckily there were only two fallers....hopefully no serious injuries....horse riding is a very high risk sport especially when riding small ponies in among these big horses...Kyle is lucky to have the support of his Dad and Granda!

At the Binks....photo by Fieron

Kyle arriving with his Dad at Mosspaul......photo by Fieron

Kyle was lucky to have a hauder (holder) booked for his pony.....

We picked a good place for a snack....

Time to go back to Hawick.....

What a great photo!

This one photograph makes all of the worry worthwhile!

Sorry didn't mean to leave anyone out...flat battery!

Arriving back in Hawick at 8.15 pm...it's been a long hard day...


I'd like to thank everyone for viewing my photos, videos and blog over the past few weeks and for all of the emails and comments...it's great that everyone can share in this momentous occasion.....In previous years I have ridden this and the other Saturday rides.....it isn't always easy and the riders can hit many obstacles along the way..... Kyle has come so far over the past few weeks in his riding ability and confidence....Kyle you are our 'Hero'!

It turn out fowl????

The first half of Saturday's Ride Out was not too bad.....wind in their faces but on the whole dry weather

Here is the Cornet with his Right and Left Hand Men and the Acting Father just behind.....leaving Hawick at 12.30.

On the way to the next vantage point Fieron and I stopped by to take a photo of Echo and her foal Hailey.

We next saw the horses on the very top of our own hill at The Heights at Alemoor...then on to Philhope Bridge.

 

It was blustery arriving at Philhope Bridge at 3.30.....Photo by Fieron

But by the time the riders left it was a different matter.

But Kyle kept on smiling!

Arriving back in town at around 8pm ...still raining!

That was a hard ride of around 24 miles...it rained all the way home, less than half of the riders arrived back in Hawick....so well done Kyle!

Following the Cornet!

The Cornet and his followers rode to Lilliesleaf on Tuesday but Thursday evening was the Junior Ride Out for the Primary School aged children...this will be the last year that Kyle can take part as he goes to High School this year, he was accompanied by his Sister Fieron today who will be able to ride around the park with the Cornet for another three years.....Don't they look smart?

Fieron and Rosie......

As I've said previously....I will be buying these photos from Lesley and then will upload from the CD.

...

Fieron having a bit of a trot....Well done Fi....

The ponies behaved really well and we all got a bit of exercise including Kyle and Layla who are now ready for their next 'ride out' on Saturday!

More Ride Outs!

So during the lead  up to the main day of the Common Riding (in June)  there are 'ride outs' on a Tuesday and a Saturday...last Tuesday's ride went to Cosgmill...the horses are riding out to check the town boundaries to make sure everything is in order!

This Saturday's Ride Out was to Roberton....it's was a lovely day although there was a chill in the air at times, during the picnic however, the sun came out and there was a warm breeze.....

An estimated 249 horses leaving the Auld Grey Town....

Taking off on the first gallop... great riding position Kyle!

Here are our three men......right in the middle.....

Arriving at Roberton for the picnic

Family and friends are waiting and there are picnics at nearly every car......

There had been a lot of rain during the week but the horses could still cross the river although they had to choose the right path as there were big boulders under the water...you could count them and let me know how many horses there are.....well you could if you had a moment.....

Kyle crosses somewhere around the seven minute mark....

Part 1.....

Part 2.....

Graham riding my horse Dibbly.....Photo taken by Fieron

Robin riding Bess and Kyle riding Layla....Photo taken by Fieron

Back in town....Kyle had been riding so fast that his hat cover blew off....Well Done Kyle!

Our Man of the Moment!

Our Man of the Moment….

Saturday was the first ‘Ride Out' of the Hawick Common Riding Season….it was a momentous occasion for our Grandson Kyle….his first proper ride out, he's eleven years old..….very nerve racking for us adults but everything went very well…Layla, his pony, behave so well and after the first canter on open ground we all started to relax a little….so I’m afraid there will be lots of photos of horses and Kyle for the next five or six weeks as the ride outs progress….

Here they are leaving town at 1.00pm.....Granda, Dad and Kyle.....

The count was 218 horses leaving Hawick.....

Time for a pitstop....it's thirsty work....

Today they rode out to Bonchester Bridge and back..it's about 15 miles in all, Fieron and I were the support crew and photographers, we followed by car....

Here is a video of some of the 'ride' at Hawthornside Hill.....

Back into town safe and sound at 8.15pm
Well Done Kyle...we are so proud of you!