Sunlight coming through

This morning feeding the girls. Stunning!

Life in Normandy, bursting with activity!

Working like mad to get everything done!
Preparing the construction of the barn. Plants arriving for the various projects. And taking care of the horses! But we love it!

DEDEM Creations at Prix L'Arc 2016, Chantilly

L'Arc took place this year at Chantilly. The aim was to be comfortable without being boring!

Happy girls!

This morning the girls were totally relaxed taking a nap. Normandy seems to agree with them!

First Flower has arrived

On the 1st of May our first foal was born in Grandouet. Very sweet and social. We call her First Flower.

1st day out without Mom!

1st day out after seperation from the mares. They seem more than happy! They have auntie to watch over them. So far so good!

And then the horses came running!

And then the horses came running! Like the result of finished product of the running horses.

The foals have establishd a delicate balance of eating together!

After a very hot summer with not much grass to eat things are looking up. The grass is green again, and cool enough to play!
The 3 foals of this year have established a delicate balance when eating together. The secret is that there is more than enough for everybody!

Then there was Nr.3

Thursday 7th of May a beautiful spring day, our 3rd foal was born outside. Everything went very smooth and she is very elegant already! We named her Felicia Jode (Masterstroke - Flying Plover)

Batik and horses not easy to combine!

Horses are most beautiful in full live, when moving freely. To attempt to create a motive with horses in batik seems a trap for doubtful images, bad taste etc, without doing the horse any justice. 

The only solution seems to make it as simple as possible and create a rhythm. 

Now eagerly waiting for the execution of these ideas!

Then there was number 2

After a week of frustrating boring problems, like no internet etc. The week finished very well with the birth of a foal by No Control and Siyouni. She is a beauty and social! We called her Nandina Jode.
2 more foals to be born in May.

First foal born

Still cold and windy , but spring is in the air. First foal was born this week. Although it was the first foal ever,  the delivery went very well without any suffering for the mare nor the foal. Always a big relief.
We called her Idesia Jode.

Special prices for a special cause - Selling for ARCC

In Deauville during the coming few days during the December Sales at Arqana. There will be another special sale at Gallerie Mondiale. The aim is to raise money for ARRC. Gallerie Mondiale has selected a wide range of art objects. The atmosphere is easy going one walks in for a coffee, tea or glass of wine and have a look at all the marvelous things available. 

A nice break from the sales at Arqana as well and serving an important cause.

Tocgold sold in Deauville!

Last week our first 'product' was sold in Deauville. A very important moment for us as it's an important test. Showing your first yearling to the 'world'. A rather nerve racking idea resulting in some sleepless nights. When Tocgold arrived in Deauville he behaved very well, he presented well and looked stunning. The sale went well.
We passed the test on to the next phase for Haras de la Lande Chevrier!

Our first product off to 'school'.

Tocgold our first born has reached the age that he needs to learn to walk properly before he will be presented at the sales in Deauville.
We went to visit him after his 1st week, the 1st changes are apparent, his is getting more form and is looking better than ever! Which is rather reassuring.
When he was born he was just a small foal, now it's slightly different as his mother Tocqueville is the sister of TREVE, the star of 2013!

The end of summer, foals leave their mothers!

The end of summer means big change in the lives of the foals. They have been separated from their mothers and after one week staying inside they went out today for the 1st time. Big adventure! They seemed quite happy!
The mares are more than happy to leave their foals, and to be calm!
As all the horses can see one another the separation is not very traumatic!

A very lucky Prix de Diane for Jode (Joyaux - Dedem) breeders

It's highly exciting to watch a race when a friend's horse is participating. But watching a race in which the sister of your own mare Tocqueville  (plus her offspring: Tocgold and Tamarix Jode) participates is a complete different sensation. It's exhilarating and nerve racking at the same time! We were standing behind the breeder, owner and trainer Mrs C.Head-Maarek and for her it was such a relief and joy when her filly Treve won the race!

And then there was number 3, it's a boy Tamarix Jode!

The last foal was born on a Sunday morning just before I was about to leave for a week. The birth was hard for the mare as the foal was quite big, but with some assistance it finished well!
As I left after the birth we had to get reacquainted again when I came back! But with some patience Tamarix Jode decided I was Ok.

Magic place to stay!

A magic place to stay indeed. We took our Mare Flying Plover and her foal Falkia Jode to the Haras Victot, where we have selected the stallion King Salsa. 

On Friday we went to collect them ourselves as it's such a beautiful place it's magic every time  On the way back Falkia installed herself in the van and traveled home like a princess.