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Ceri Smith

@ceriismith

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Little and large 🖤

I had both these boys as stallions to train and produce at the same time, and now I have them both back at my yard as geldings! I also considered putting each of them to my own mare at one point to breed a beautiful dressage horse with a phenomenal temperament but I was too chicken each time 🙈 Now though, they are two of the soppiest and sweetest geldings on the planet who I still thoroughly enjoy working with.
How could I not get a photo of the two boys together?😍

6yr old Welsh Section B Raven bred and owned by Mrs C Davies.

5yr old Friesian Reitse owned by Mrs R Chamberlain.

Wearing @jessicafoxequestrian discount - CERI10

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#horsetrainer #horselove #formerstallions #welshsectionb #friesianhorse

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I took inspiration from @benfrancis for this one.

So often when I see posts reflecting how far they’ve come I think about my little business. So often I put my own mare’s progress to the side. I’ve been guilty of thinking we’re not advancing enough and putting pressure on myself as a trainer, and her as my horse, to be a representation of my work and therefore must always be the best and constantly getting brilliant results. As I result of this, we both slowed down the speed of our progression as a partnership.

I’ve been fortunate to acknowledge this and in the last 6 months specifically we’ve both enjoyed working together again. I saw Ben Francis’s post and for some reason it made me think of Fanta’s progress. I watched a video from only last week which I didn’t post because I didn’t think the quality of her canter was good enough and then found a video from one of her very first canters under saddle. The first clip made me so happy at the time because my little youngster had managed to pick up and hold canter for a circle of the school, even though the transition, the quality of canter, and the riding is ‘horrendous’. It instantly made me feel bad that I’ve not acknowledged between myself and my team mate how much she really has improved. I’m aware this horse puts her heart and soul into every ride with me, and although I’ve changed my mindset on viewing her as a representation of my business, she really is the perfection reflection of me. We choose progress over perfection and we’re in it for the long game, that has always been my mindset when it comes to training other peoples horses. In order to achieve that, training takes small steps and we focus on the small details before moving up.

A little reminder that the beginning isn’t suppose to be easy and that persevering keeps the story going. It’s okay when things are messy, difficult, unbalanced, wobbly to start. It’s okay when mindset and techniques change to enable growth. I think this applies a lot with horses, but also business, hobbies and personal life.

Breeches from @jessicafoxequestrian
Discount code - CERI10

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Long trip to the beach with only the one horse power.

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Different looks, same elegance. Ceri & Fanta showing what JFE is made for — versatility, performance, and pure connection. 🤍

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Another successful weekend of playing ponies but not a single photo of said pony. So the smallest Smith is modelling today’s result 🥇

Yearling colt owned and bred by my brother and sister in law.

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#dressage #winnerwinnerchickendinner #winner #nephew #rosette #dressagecompetition

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An emotional little ride tonight, Fanta had her injections today so I couldn’t ride her properly, but I didn’t want to leave without a last play on my little girl 🥹

Tomorrow I start a new chapter at a new yard, and when I say this decision hasn’t been easy, it really hasn’t. I’m not ready to say goodbye to New House and everything it hasn’t to offer, but my business has changed and flourished and I’d be silly to turn down the opportunity to expand that so much closer to home. To have the ponies 5 minutes from home and at a slightly bigger yard is idyllic!

So tomorrow we pack up and move the horses. I’m delighted to say that once I’m settled, I’m actually then fully booked until July (maybe space to squeeze in one more😉).

I am very grateful for all the wonderful horses I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with along with the owners in my time at New House. I am forever grateful for the love and support, from old and new!

To Stuart, I will say this now as I’ll be a blubbering mess tomorrow. You have been a wonderful landlord and I am so sorry to say goodbye (for now). You have supported me, loved the horses, and allowed my business to expand a ridiculous amount in the last 14 months.
But you’ve always given Fanta and me and safe space and for that I’ll be eternally grateful. I never went into detail of why I was looking to move previously but you gave Fanta a home. By that I do not mean a stable. I mean somewhere where she’s been safe, relaxed, happy and herself. Somewhere my parents haven’t had to wake up at 5am every morning to come to the yard with me, somewhere safe and loving. When I moved my mental health was horrendous and I was fully prepared to give up completely. You gave Fanta somewhere safe and that’s allowed me to remember why I love what I do, and why this has always been my dream. I cannot thank you enough. We are going to miss yourself, Ron, Marvel, Malachi and Nia so much. From the absolute bottom of my heart thank you 🤍

Disclaimer because this is social media - no I do not condone riding without a hat on. But sometimes we have to enjoy a play with our ponies, even when nursing a bad injury..

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Bugger the new year..

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY FANTA ❤️

Thank you for being my best friend for 365 days. You were the best decision I ever made, you’ve made a little girls dreams come true, and you were well worth the 23 year wait.

Today is about Halona Fantabulous, tonight the whole world will be celebrating😉

I’ve never loved, laughed and stressed harder than I have with this little one, every moment is worth it.

Happy New Year from myself and Fanta. I hope 2024 brings you as much pleasure as owning this little one has for me!

Happy one year noodles ❤️

📸 @marthalilyphotog

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Halona Fantabulous dancing her way down the long arena at @kelsallhill last week 🤩

8th in Prelim 15 with a few additional movements
2nd in Prelim 19 with a super competitive score

📸 @ktequinephotography

Wearing the compete elite baselayer and leggings from @jessicafoxequestrian #gifted

Bridle, saddle pads and accessories are from @gsequestrian
Jacket is from @shires_equestrian
Bitted by @expertbits

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#equestrian #equestrianlife #equestriansport #equestriancompetition #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagerider #dressagetest #dressageriding #dressagecompetition #warmblood #halonasporthorses #palomino #palominohorse #younghorse #mare #horselover #horselove #firsthorse #lovemyhorse #jfe #gsequestrian #expertbits #shiresequestrian #ktequinephotography #kelsall #kelsallhill

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Is that a second place at @kelsallhill ?

Fanta’s hardest test to date, Prelim 19 and the first crack in a long arena (having not even schooled in one🙈). 65.68% just 0.2% behind first!!

Not her highest score, but her best ride as far as I’m concerned, no silliness, jumping, spooking, or additional gymnastics, straight in and cracked on with the job asked. Just lost the canter for a stride at one point which affected the score putting us in second.

Chuffed to pieces ❤️

HUGE thank you to @estherbarton for all her help today and everyday!🥰

And to Diane Hesketh-Jones for her help in our sessions☺️

Wearing the compete elite collections from @jessicafoxequestrian. Use CERI10 for 10% site wide!

Trainers for those who care are @tedbaker I do not advise wearing them around the yard, they’re too nice!

Her show rug is @cavallo_boots.fashion
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#equestrian #equestrianlife #equestriancompetition #horse #younghorse #competition #competitiontime #success #dressage #dressagehorse #palomino #palominohorse #littlewins #wins #progress #younghorsetraining #younghorsedevelopment #jessicafoxequestrian #jfe #equestrianfashion #equestrianstyle #brandambassador #tedbaker #lovemyhorse #besthorse #firsthorse #kelsallhill #kelsallhillequestrian #kelsall

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Finally sharing Lenny’s finished portrait! 🧡 I definitely fell in love with him as I was doing his portrait… Who am I kidding? I fall in love with all of them.

So many fun elements to this piece too! I just loved capturing the coppery metals of his collar, the pattern on his harness, his lollopy tongue, but mostly the rich browns in his eyes 😍

Would you have guessed it was drawn on A5? I never would have thought I could achieve that on a small scale.

#spaniellife #happydoggie #ilovemydog

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