The Beginning

I am Helen and I first met Jake, as he is known to his friends nearly 10 years ago.  It was my third or fourth time at that particular riding school and had heard about him, but had not had the pleasure of seeing him.

I hadn't been in Scotland for very long and desperately missed horse contact which prompted me to start having riding lessons 2 months after 'immigrating'.

I still remember it as if it was yesterday, the first I saw of him was his huge dappled hindquarters as he was lead into his stable.  My jaw dropped and there was a sharp intake of breath, presumably mine.  He turned around facing the door way, looked me up and down, looked me in the eye and resumed the attack on his haynet which was rudely disturbed earlier on.  It was as if he had decided I was of no consequence and not worth bothering about, I felt decidedly dismissed.

From that time, I was hooked.  I was struck my his size, but mostly by his 'don't give a damn' attitude.  I was in love and I still am to this day.

Jake is a 16.3 hand (1 hand = 4 inches) at the shoulder grey (was dappled) Clydesdale x Highland gelding.  The size of the Clydesdale with the looks and personality (including cunning) of a Highland Pony.  After 10 years, his cunning and intelligence still astound me.