Our aforementioned client wrote this about Valentino a former CYD rescue horse and now one of two CYD horses resident at Ride Rio Grande:
'Clare had (once again) previously assessed my requirements and ability and had decided that Valentino was to be the horse for me and she was not wrong. He was a treat! A handsome looking, 10 year old, grey, Pure-Bred Spanish gelding. We spent a little time in the school to get a ‘feel’ for each other and he was immediately a responsive and willing buddy. Then we headed out for a trek. He was ‘fit as a flea’ with plenty of character and boy could he move! He had stamina, fitness, was very sure-footed over lots of different terrain and a lovely, kind and spirited personality. I decided that my relationship with him was sealed and we spent the whole holiday together.'
Not all of the CYD horses are suitable for us but where they are we have aimed to give them a home and is one more thing that we hope strikes a chord with our past and future guests and demonstrates that we are a genuinely caring organisation.
And to round this up, it wouldn't be a Ride Rio Grande article if there wasn't a recipe to share. This month the recipe is a sauce, Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce which I shall be making in copious amounts soon and selling at the 'Friends of CYD Xmas Fair.' It is a simple recipe that can be married with Thai Fish Cakes the recipe for which I also provide, or splashed on salads and rice dishes year round due to the diversity of it being equally enjoyable hot or cold!!
Riding Holiday Special
60 December 2013, Issue 3 www.everythinghorseuk.co.uk www.everythinghorseuk.co.uk December 2013, Issue 3 61
Valentino is a 10 year old pure Raza Espanol. Amongst many others, Valentino was had a wealthy owner but was left to starve until the CYD Santa Maria Horse Rescue got involved. Valentino was one of the lucky ones. He is well schooled for both English and Spanish riding, very responsive and fast.