Holme Park Flirt

Holme Park Flirt was born in 2002 by Holme Grove Prokofiev out of the mare Holme Park Fantine. She was backed as a 3 year old at the end of the 2005 and sold to Gill Brittle in Scotland and went to his new home in August 2006. Below are some of the e-mail communications I have had from Gill since having Flirt (stable name Fleur).

From: Gill Brittle
Sent: 31 March 2008 08:37
To: Susan Attew
Subject: A big hello from Fleur!

Hi Susan and Everyone,

I’m sure you are all busy with foals arriving and about to arrive. It’s great to read of all the new arrivals on your website.

It’s quite difficult to really update you on Fleur since the only way to describe her is perfect! She is the happiest, cheeriest, kindest, hardest working of horses and is a complete delight. We’ve entered the world of affiliated dressage and went away overnight to our first affiliated outing at the end of February. No major successes but we were pleased with our marks, a lot of improvement by the rider is required but that is why we are so addicted to the sport. Fleur was wonderful and not one hoof did she put wrong. One judge commented “calm and obedient test despite the horse in the corner” – we didn’t even notice it. Fleur’s concentration is immense and she is not disturbed by anything. This weekend we did well despite riding in the worst downpour imaginable. So, today we will hack out and enjoy a nature ramble. We met the bin lorry a couple of weeks ago in a narrow street with lots of parked cars. This was worrying but the men were great – they switched off the engine and all came out to pat her! I was really laughing and Fleur was highly entertained by all the attention. We then walked carefully passed it.

Hattie’s ligaments in her front legs are healing very well and we have started canter work. So both horses are in fine form and are very funny together. I am not sure about sisterly love but they do put on a good show. Let’s hope we can start putting on lighter rugs and enjoy some warmer weather.

I hope Fantine and Prokofiev are well – do let me know how they are. I hope First Class is enjoying the start of her training. If she takes after her sister you have another total star.

Lots of love from Gill, Fleur and Hattie.

(And yes she is 6 today!!!! A special carrot and apple treat is in store!)

Gill Brittle

Reply to Gill 31/03/2008

Oh How lovely to receive your update on Fleur! She has always been such a delight to work with and it is so rewarding for us to know what pleasure she is bringing you. All this family do seem so trainable - he brother HP Fortius is doing really well in his home and they love him to bits. HP Fiasco went to his new home last week and is a great cause for amazement of his new owner at how he has taken everything in his stride.

We are trying a new experiement this year as we plan to breed Fantine to Legend which will be really exciting. Just have to be so patient with breeding though as takes 11 months to see the results!!

Happy Birthday to Fleur and a big hug from us all at Holme Park Stud!

Love Susan

It’s great to keep up to date with all your news on the web site. Some very sad and some very happy. It’s just so good to hear how everyone is doing.

Fleur is just a treasure. As you know, Hattie is on the long road to recovery after damaging her suspensory ligaments. Thankfully she is making good progress and we are continuing our rehab programme. Fleur has had to step into her shoes and has delighted in it. We’ve been doing a few small shows and will continue this over the winter. We’ve got about two shows a month which is great. She does very well and is always a complete joy to compete. She is really not bothered by much.

Today, the weather continues to be unseasonally mild, and we took advantage of our stubble fields. The delight of a canter round the fields in the sunshine. Whoops of happiness all round. Fleur never even flinched even when we set off a very cross rabbit that we had disturbed.

Delighted to see Fortius going to his new home. I am sure he will be superb. Hope Fantine and Fiasco are well. Love to all the horses and humans of course.

Ci, my great friend and trainer always says that Hattie and I are like a pair of comfortable slippers. Yesterday when I came back on Fleur she said how wonderful to have two pairs of comfortable slippers! That’s how it feels too. We’ve competed twice over the last week and this week, we shall hack. Then she shall have a few days off whilst I go away and party. The we shall get back to work………

Sorry I cannot make the open day but hopefully I will manage in 2008. I’m sure there will be lots of picture on your web site and if possible, I’d love a DVD.

Fleur is in splendid form. She is now hacking out by herself as well as enjoying the company when we hack out with friends. We’ve been to four shows now and her behaviour at each has been exemplary. Whether we go alone or with Hattie, she is great and it’s a pleasure to take them away to shows. Her flat work is improving and nothing fazes her at all – apart from my appalling riding! Lucky me to have her and Hattie to keep me on the straight and narrow. She is really funny too and has quite a sense of humour. Including holding onto the door handle of stable loo and not letting you out. She thinks this is so funny and has caught quite a few of us thinking we were stuck there for the day. She then lets go and when you open the door you are greeted by Fleur standing right in front of you, ears pricked and with a big smile on her face.

I loved the email from Mr Prokofiev. Do say we like his grandfather’s music very much and it’s certainly prompted me to see if we should use any of Prokofiev’s amazing music when we get to the dressage to music phase.

All is going well here with progress being steady. We now measure in at 15.2hh (well almost). Fleur went to her first show yesterday and I had hoped to send you some photos but as it poured all day I didn’t bother. Luckily we had a large rug for Fleur and she was warm and dry. She was totally amazing – not one hoof did she put wrong. She settled very quickly and was very calm and popped into the indoor arena to do her test. I was thrilled since to be quite honest, it’s not all been plain sailing but that is horses, especially young ones. Anyway she won her walk and trot class, the very first test she has done. I am over the moon her whole attitude was such a delight. Her second test was even better but since we don’t canter in public yet we were well down the placings. I didn’t care since the aim was to go out on our own. This she did and was wonderful.

We’ve been out hacking quite a lot too and nothing daunts our girl. Except The Magnificent Shetland Seven! Several very hairy, very muddy and very boisterous shelties galloped towards us. Fleur spun round before deciding that these hairy horrors were well within her capabilities and she stalked past – making me promise that she never, ever has a bad hair day like that. I was in fits since she was horrified – she thought they were hideous. I’m with her on that.

I’m really enjoying the time with her and Hattie. Both girls are going from strength to strength.

I keep checking to see how Prokofiev is doing, and the rest of your horses. The web site is super.

I hope everyone is well and all the horses are doing well too. Congratulations on your mares being awarded elite status. You must be delighted. The new mare looks absolutely gorgeous too. Your web site is very good but I must say that my heart was in my mouth watching Limbo’s sale. No doubt yours was too. I’m sure he’ll have a wonderful home and its good news for everyone.

Fleur has won all our hearts. She was described as fabulous this morning as we were strutting our stuff in the outdoor school in what felt like a force 9 gale. Alys has also told me to tell you that she is a total stunner. She was lead horse on our hack and was an angel whilst the two lads who should know better, wound each other up to the point that we dispatched one home early on his own!

We’re aiming to try some small competitions in the New Year. Our Dressage Group holds their shows on our yard so it’s an ideal place to start. We cheated on Monday and rode around the dressage boards and markers. I awarded us a 9 for all our movements! She is an amazing little horse and every day is such fun.