Auld Reekie, 1st January 1886
Greetings from Emma, a grey draught mare with a penchant for polished tack and a soft spot for good company! Well, 1885 has galloped off into the mists of history, and a new year stretches before us like a freshly plowed field. It’s the dawn of 1886, a year promising new adventures for a lass like me, and as a good Highland lass, I believe in recording these adventures so I can look back with a grateful heart and a wistful sigh!
Now, before I get too carried away with my own grand pronouncements, let’s start at the beginning, shall we? As many of you know, I reside in the quaint village of Hayfield near Aberdeen in Scotland. It's a charming place, with rolling hills that whisper stories of ancient battles and rolling fields where the smell of peat smoke and new-mown hay fills the air.
Life here in Hayfield revolves around the rhythm of the seasons, the creak of wooden carts, and the steady, rhythmic thud of hooves. The year, much like our lives, begins with the crisp chill of winter, a time for resting tired limbs and nurturing a full belly of hay. And of course, let us not forget the warm fireside company of my stablemates.
This year, my stable mates include Maggie, a stout chestnut mare who enjoys a good chat and a nip at a sugar cube, Angus, a young bay stallion who can’t resist showing off his speed, and of course, old Hector, our veteran cob who prefers a nap to almost any other activity!
But despite the cosy winter days spent indoors, there's always something new brewing in the air. I, for one, find myself anticipating the coming year, particularly the annual Highland Gathering, where the best of our kind gather to compete in strength and endurance! Now, a young mare like myself needs to shine, yes? A ribbon, perhaps a cup, to display proudly on the stable wall – that's the dream!
Marching Forward into Spring
The arrival of spring was, as always, an event to be celebrated! It began with the faint scent of fresh earth carried by a gentle, warmer breeze, followed by a surge of energy that coursed through our limbs.
The days grew longer, the sun more potent, and even old Hector found a renewed spring in his step. The field seemed to sing with life as daffodils burst into bright bloom and lambs frolicked playfully on the slopes. This was the time for farmers to prepare their land for planting, a job where us workhorses came into our element! The clatter of hooves on freshly-turned earth became a familiar rhythm of our lives, as we hauled the plows and planted the seed for a bountiful harvest.
Festivals of Horsepower
Spring saw an exciting flurry of events all around Britain! In May, the Royal Ascot raced with elegance and high fashion, with thoroughbreds showcasing their sleek grace. Then there were the thrilling races in Newmarket, the "cradle of racing," where thoroughbreds battled it out for fame and fortune. The world of racing seems to hold an intoxicating allure, but personally, a well-paced walk in the fields is much more to my liking!
A Grand Harvest and New Beginnings
Autumn came, as it always does, bearing the weight of a harvest on its broad shoulders. We toiled hard in the fields, the smell of ripening barley and oats strong in the air. It's a familiar smell, one that makes us long for the day when the crops are stored safely in the barn and we're given a deserved rest from our labors.
And so, 1886 drew to a close, leaving us with memories of crisp winter days, the bustling energy of spring, and the rich fulfillment of harvest.
For myself, it was a year of hard work and much-needed relaxation, a year where the quiet rhythm of life on the farm filled my days. It was a year in which my own confidence bloomed like the wildflowers in the meadows. The future unfolds like a new road waiting to be walked, and I, like any good Highland lass, am ready for whatever challenges it may bring.
Until next time,
Emma
(Word count - 1064)
I hope this beginning to Emma's blog is in line with what you had in mind! You could expand it with more details on daily life in Hayfield, specific details of how the different breeds are used in the events Emma describes, maybe add some descriptions of the different towns, their buildings, the people she meets. The key is to paint a picture for the readers of Emma's world.
Feel free to request changes, add new things, or just use what I have so far as a starting point! I look forward to continuing the story of Emma and her horse world.
