THIS PAGE IS FOR EVERYONE WHO WOULD LIKE A TRIBUTE WRITTEN

IT IS FOR MEMBERS ONLY

DYLAN

 TO START IT OFF WRESTLAW ROBBIE WHO I HAVE TO SAY I THINK HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST REGULAR COMPETITOR AT LADYLEYS RIDING CLUB

WRESTLAW ROBBIE

 As some of you will have heard Wrestlaw Robbie sadly died on Friday and I have decided to share a song I play when I have felt a loss so please click on the Jukebox.

I don't have a contact number for Elspeth, but would like her and the girls to know how sad I am to hear about Robbie.
He was such a lovely horse with a great character.
I will always remember him standing proud with his sash on after winning the intro dressage championship and then this year, leading the drill ride in Alford with Rachel.
He was loved by all that met him and I will miss not seeing him going around when I am over at Ladyleys.
Tracey Burr

Elspeth, Rachel and Sarah - I am so sad to read that you have lost Robbie. I will never forget the times we had with Robbie and Gypsy at Southside, Gordon Castle, Knock, Balquholly, Aden, riding on the beach, etc. He was a very special chap, loved by all who met him. Lesley

Thank you so much for your lovely tribute to Robbie. We are all in shock but however cruel life can be, we have all the most wonderful memories of this truly special and unique character. I have been very fortunate and had some wonderful horses throughout my life but I don't think any others have been as special as Robbie and I don't think any others will ever be. 

I got Robbie after a period of 8 years of being horseless - previous horse I had to put down with navicular and then the girls came along. We were looking for a wonder horse which could do lead-rein (for a 6 year old) first ridden (for a 9 year old) and something suitable for me, and to be honest we didn't think such a horse could exist. It was with great excitement that my sister, Nicola, and I set off to Sue Knowles in Insch to view a very novicey 6 year old highland gelding with the rather grand name of Wrestlaw Robbie. We immediately liked the look of him and decided he would do, even though he did manage to 'ping me' - pull the elastic toggle at the bottom of your fleece to full extent and then release at the optimum moment resulting in a very sore leg - this proved to be one of his special party tricks and he would do this as often as he could especially on a cold and frosty morning - how he used to love to see you dance and shout!

He arrived at Ladyleys the following week and there he stayed. He loved the yard and even told the horse whisperer that he really was a people horse and loved all the attention, especially from a certain lady, Doris, who constantly kept his tum full of an assortment of fine things. He also said he liked nothing more than to see what the other horses were up to and whether their 'training' was paying off. It is of a great help to know that he was such a happy horse and one who thoroughly enjoyed life.

Robbie started me off on dressage again and as you know proved to be very successful, the day he won the Intro Championship will always be a great day to me as there were over 20 in the class and beating Far Beyond (sorry Linda) was wonderful. He also went on to win the Buchan league and both of the Equitation Jumping leagues. This event really was up Rob's street as speed was not required just style which he had in huge amounts!! He also had a great year with NESHPES ( Highland Pony Group) winning the best overall highland, most points in jumping and best newcomer. What a boy.

I then got Arrie and so Robbie was handed over to the girls. Both of them learned to ride on Robbie and he gave them both great confidence although there were moments when he had had enough and wasn't backwards in showing them! Both the girls won the junior intro dressage leagues on him and Rachel had just really started jumping on him and was really enjoying it.    He also took part on 2 drill rides this year, the Easter one at Ladyleys and then leading the ride with Rachel at Alford. He was so proud of himself that day, even though he had to be plaited up - a no, no for a highland gentleman. 

Robbie did everything from fancy dress, family pony, x-country, cutest face,etc,etc and with over 300 hundred rosettes to his name was truly a star. We will all miss him so much, especially his best friend and no. 1 fan, Arrie, but life goes on and we just feel honoured and privileged to have had the opportunity to have such a wonderful horse in our lives

As I type through bleery red eyes- don,t think any other horse at Ladyleys has such a connection with me, he,s the first horse I got to know there along with Elspeth and the girls- I,d love a mention about my very special friend Robert- who allways got his full title and of all the fun we,ve had with him round at the old stallion block where he took great delight in rumaging through my box for sweeties, and of the many super hacks i,ve went on with Elspeth and Robbie uphills downhills exploring ! and ofcourse the highland pony shows - always a good day out and a guarentee of entertainment throughout the day from himself, whether showing off or showing him self up, needless th say he will be of great personal loss to me but the loss of a very special man to Elspeth, Rachel and Sara. thanks for giving me the chance to express sicere thoughts to them all.

Doris xx   

This was written by Doris Webster

 

And below is a short note by me

 

Elspeth, Rachel & Sarah.

I hope you do not mind but I feel the need to write about Robbie. You see we both started Intro together and I do not know if you remember but at one point in the League there was only 1 point between us, gosh it was a most exciting Summer, the most exciting I have ever had, there has not been another quite so intense as that one. That was the year of Linda with Far Beyond and the first time you ever spoke to me you said "yeh Far Beyond any of us" made me laugh which takes a lot when you are all nervous it was true but then that left us against each other, Sophie and Robbie, you and I, one class me, then you, and on and on the whole League. I was 3^rd in the League but Robbie won the Championship  and looked the part with his sash on, I can still picture it today, right now in fact. See to me he was unforgettable because you on Robbie made me feel relaxed and gave me the confidence to feel I could do this also.  Then when looking at results out and about he came up time after time and not all at Ladyleys and I would be thinking gosh there goes Robbie again, and again, Showing shows, Gymkhanas, Show Jumping then a career with Rachel and now he was supposed to start with Sarah but it was not to be.   I feel for Sarah as he would have been a delight and unfortunately she will miss out on that. I am heart felt sorry for your sadness Elspeth. 

 

Rainbow Bridge

 

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends, so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.