The most beautiful horse in the world

 

Hello my dear readers, I have to admit that I am not that often behind my computer these days, I try to slow down a bit and to enjoy these holidays with my family. But I really had to share this news with you!

This month the most beautiful horse in the world is been chosen in Paris at The World Championship for Arabian Horses. The winner is the Belgian stallion QR Marc, which is owned by the Belgian Paul Gheysens, of the stud Knocke Arabians.

An exceptional performance, because such beauty contests are usually dominated by horses from the Gulf region.

QR Marc has won international prizes before: last year he won an international beauty contest in Dubai. The horse now has about 700 descendants, including many who also won prizes.

 

QR MARC source http://knockearabians.com

 

QR MARC source http://knockearabians.com

 

Video of QR Marc at the World Championship for Arabian Horses-Paris 2012 Source Youtube

 

Click on this picture to see more of QR MARC.Video of QR Marc and owner Paul Gheysens of Knocke Arabians. Source Nieuwsblad.be

 

Click on the picture to watch this video of QR MarcSource Vimeo

 

If you are interested to see more pictures of QR Marc and Arabian horses, please visit the Knocke Arabians website HERE.

Being a Belgian and a true horse lover I was very proud to hear that a Belgian horse is chosen as the most beautiful horse in the world !

Congratulations to QR Marc and Mr Paul Gheysens of Knocke Arabians!

 

I do hope you all enjoy these last days of the year!

xx

Greet

Mango & Lea

 

Dear friends, so many of you asked me about Mango recently. Thank you so much for the interest in the well-doing of my precious one! So sweet of you all! Therefore, today I would like to brief you about her. A year ago Mango became a member of our family (see my post here)!

Mango is doing fine! Even though she is already 18 years old, she is still in an excellent condition. She is very well cared for at the manège and she seems to be very happy!

I try to ride her as much as possible. Sunday afternoon is our fixed appointment and depending on my job schedule, I try to be with her two or three times a week, to not only ride her but of course to pamper and comfort her!!

My son Anthony took these pictures of me riding Mango yesterday.

 

This summer Mango spent many days on the grass-land with her friend Rioja. The 2 mares became inseparable friends and they even have their boxes next to each other.

Mango (left) and her friend Rioja.

 

Next to Rioja’s friendship, Mango is taking advantage of yet another remarkable friendship!!

Naast de vriendshap van Rioja, profiteert Mango nog van een andere bijzondere vriendschap!!

‘The Friendship of Lea’

‘De Vriendschap van Lea’

And this part of this post I will write even in Dutch abling Lea to follow this post.

Yes, today I love to introduce you to Lea.

Ja, vandaag wil ik u voorstellen aan Lea.

Lea is a very sweet and smart 12 year-old-girl and an excellent horse rider. And she really loves horses!!

Lea is een heel lief en pienter meisje van 12 jaar en een uitstekende amazone. En ze houdt heel veel van paarden!!

I often noticed that there was a mutual understanding between Lea and Mango. That is why I asked Lea if she agreed to ride Mango in her free moments, on the days that I am not able to ride Mango.

Ik had reeds dikwijls opgemerkt dat er een klik was tussen Lea en Mango. Daarom heb ik haar gevraagd of ze met Mango wou rijden tijdens haar vrije momenten, op de dagen dat ik het te druk heb.

And yes, she agreed! Lea not only rides Mango, she also helps me to take care of Mango!  Isn’t that wonderful?!

En ja, ze was akkoord! Lea berijdt niet alleen Mango, ze helpt mij ook om voor Mango te zorgen! Is dat niet fijn?!

Lea and Mango

Lea as a groom!

 

Lea and me saddling up Mango.

 

These 2 pictures of Lea and her own horse Speedy, I took this summer when Lea was attending her first jumping competition.

Deze 2 foto’s van Lea met haar eigen paard Speedy, nam ik deze zomer toen Lea deelnam aan haar eerste jumping competitie.

Lea with her own horse Speedy.

 

Thank you so much sweet Lea for all your help, your love and devotion to Mango!

Dank u wel lieve Lea voor al uw hulp, uw liefde voor en toewijding aan Mango!

 

 

Thank you again my friends, for the interest in Mango! I so appreciate it !

Happy weekend to each and everyone of you!

xx

Greet

Horse crazy

 

 

Horses do my heart beat faster. I can’t help! I am crazy about them.

 

What is cuter than a horsy nose?

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Or more expressive than a horse’s eye?

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And what is more adorable than a mare with her foal?

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I am crazy about my sweet mare Mango!

We both know each other already very well since I obtained Mango last year.

I love watching her galloping in the grassland.

This picture was taken a few weeks ago, one of the first days of spring. She really felt spring tickles!

And yes I try to ride Mango as much as possible. It is not only the most wonderful way to relax, riding Mango and taking care of her, gives me tons of energy!

The passed days I tried to take some good pictures of Mango to send to my friend Céline, the author of the blog Céline Chollet Aquarelles. Céline is a very talented aquarellist. She posted earlier on her blog about the aquarelle she made of my home (here). So now I would love to ask Céline to make an aquarelle of Mango!

 

Here are some of Céline’s aquarelles of horses.

Aquarelle by Céline Chollet   source Céline Chollet Aquarelles

 

Aquarelle by Céline Chollet   source Céline Chollet Aquarelles

Aren’t they beautiful?

If you don’t know Céline’s blog yet, you really should visit Céline at Céline Chollet Aquarelles.

 

Preparing this post, I filed lots of images. I really could go on posting wonderful images of horses or images of all things equestrian. I had to make a choice between the filed ones.

source Pinterest

There is so much to tell about horses as all horse lovers will know. And if you love horses you definitely will surround you by all things equestrian.

 

I can’t wait to receive these saddle napkin rings I ordered at my friend Tina of the blog The Enchanted Home. Tina opened an online store where you can find the most gorgeous accessories for the home : The Enchanted Home Shop.

Saddle napkin ring. Source The Enchanted Home Shop

 

Love that door handle and…        source unknown

 

this doorstop !                    source unknown

 

And that coat rack!                    source unknown

 

And to think about all the horse’s and rider’s equipment!!!

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Ralph Lauren

 

Gucci

 

Hermès

 

I wished I had a saddle room as these here!

source Pinterest

 

Interior designer Beatrix Kleuver   source Beatrix Kleuver

 

The interior designer Mira of the Belgian company Country House had a brilliant idea!

For her clients who are big horse lovers, she turned on an old barn into a livable space, abling man and horse to enjoy each others company in a cosy setting!

Click HERE to read and see the full story! Amazing!

Barn transormed into a cozy setting by Country House    source Country House Photo credit Fotografie Claude Smekens

 

For ages, we have seen hanging paintings of horses in the home.    source Pinterest

 

And why not having a party at the stables?

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‘Chosen by a Horse’ is the title of the book that I am reading these days. Although I haven’t finished it yet, I can tell you so far that it is a wonderful book and a heartbreaking story!

Cover ‘Chosen by a Horse’ by Susan Richards Soho Press, Inc.

‘The horse Susan Richards chose for rescue wouldn’t be corralled into her waiting trailer. Instead Lay Me Down, a former racehorse with a foal close on her heels, walked right up that ramp and into Susan’s life. This gentle creature—malnourished, plagued by pneumonia and an eye infection—had endured a rough road, but somehow her heart was still open and generous. It seemed fated that she would come into Susan’s paddock and teach her how to embrace the joys of life despite the dangers of living.’

An elegant and often heartbreaking tale filled with animal characters as complicated and lively as their human counterparts, this is an inspiring story of courage and hope and the ways in which all love—even an animal’s—has the power to heal.

 

And finally, I love to share with you a beautiful horse poem.

My Silent Teacher
(Submitted by: Chris Riley)

Lowers his head when I put on the bridle
He is always going the extra mile
Telling me what to do without speaking a word
We unite like part of the herd
My guardian angel never lets me get hurt
Finding a soft spot for me to land in the dirt
No matter what my instructor thinks of my ride
He always is holding his head up high filled with pride
Grooming his coat until it glistens and it shines
Taking care of him as if he were mine
He never gets mad at me no matter the error
Never over reacting to my fears and my terror
Guiding me over jump courses
Soaring with wings
My silent teacher shows me marvelous things
Giving me gifts only magic could bring
My little warrior never taking a break
Teaching me to ride as long as it takes

(The Horse Lover’s Corral)

 

 

Mango and me wish you all a sunny and wonderful weekend!

xx

Greet

 

Relaxing spring weekend

I hope you all have had a wonderful and relaxing weekend.

Jan and me were looking forward to a calm and quiet weekend after a few very busy weeks.

Jan was working in the garden a few hours because we really had a beautiful spring weekend here in Belgium and yesterday he went with our dog Ralph for a walk in the countryside of Brakel, the village where we live.

As he hadn’t his camera with him to take pictures, I googled to find a few pictures of the countryside of Brakel.

Source : unknown

The church of our village.  Source : here 

Source : here

Source : here

Source : here

Source : here

  Picture by me

While Jan was walking I went horseriding. After my fall in november last year, I ride Mango again since January. I am still very cautious and do not take much risks.

I love being with Mango to take care of her, to brush her and to treat her well. 

I wear a protective jacket.

Doesn’t Mango look wonderful and healthy at her age of 17?

And what about your weekend?

xx

Greet