No, the stag's not real, but he works pretty well from a distance. I'm sure he would more than do the job of spooking the horses on the cross country course which I suppose is the aim of him as he is positioned in the thick of it, amidst the very beautiful undulating parkland of the Haras du Pin.
Poor old Muddy was fooled even close up but then she hasn't the sharpest eyes, poor love. There is a distinct lack of Mini in the picture, our black and tan Jack Russell as she, little cow had disappeared on a bunny hunt ten minutes earlier and I was in no position for hanging around needing to get back for Roger's dressage.

Yes the weekend gone we played at being dressage queens and it paid off almost.Turnip was the most sensible he has ever been at a 'venue' and produced a pleasant little test for a mark of 64%. He was in the cycle libre class which is for 4 and 5yo's and a super little class it is too. Luckily all the trot work can be done rising which is rare to find here, they are obsessed with the need to sit and Turnip is just not strong enough for that. Don't think it helps, him being small, me being tubby,all counts towards making him very tense and unhappy. The best thing of all though (and a very intelligent idea) is that you are allowed 3 mins within the boards to perform a few movemnts before they ring the bell. This was a godsend for Turnip as it allowed him to relax and get used to them. It was the real deal with fancy solid boards and flowers and loud speakers and a test going on next door; all that jazz. If he had had to do the test straight off it would have been a mess but those few minutes were invaluable. I can't think of how many young horses I''ve ridden who would have benefitted from that!
His test is proudly displayed by clicking on the following link to Turnip's Photo Diary

Roger was there for two tests which was lucky since the first was a bit of a performance. Dead as a dodo during the warmup  he lit up like a Christmas tree AGAIN as soon as we entered the arena. He was a monster and kicked out the boards in the first canter transition, performed a change in the canter loop and had another explosion during the first walk to canter. He did well to come last! I should have been furious but he feels amazing when he's showing off.
However I wasn't going to find it funny twice and I'm pleased to say he had calmed down very nicely by the second test and we would have won but had to be content with second as I forgot the test! So we were neither of us on best form for the day but I returned home happy with both boys, having recouped a fair amount of our entry fees.There are no photos or videos of Rog as my cameraman had to babysit Turnip, a shame but having gone so well it seemed a shame to stress him out after the event, or risk the damge to the trailer.

Arriving home I was brought down to earth with a bump, quite literally. I took a tumble in the chemin (laneway) in the near dark riding one of the others. I have a black and blue leg and ripped muscles or tendons in my shoulder at the top of my collarbone. It's three days down the line and I still haven't dared ride yet. It's pretty painful and I'm scared to damage it further. It's a right pain as I was supposed to be competing Ned near Paris at Bonneville Boissetts on tues in the 6A class; I was keen to do it; not only as it pushed Ned up a peg but also because it's a good venue with a super xc course and a lovely spacious and sandy sj arena. You  just don't take these things for granted over here!