From many letters received from satisfied customers............ and really good success stories too!

An Update on Mickey Blue Eyes....

Just thought I’d give you another update on Mickey, who I bought from you last October.

I took him on his first sponsored ride last month, and he was wonderful. And yesterday we went to our first dressage competition, and he made me so proud. Stood by the lorry eating hay like an old pro, was so well behaved in the warm up area with all those other horses around, and then in the test was brilliant. There were mirrors in the arena, and he has never seen that before, but he was so chilled about it. A horse in the field next to the arena started careering up and down and calling, and he didn’t bat an eyelid.

We ended with 62% and 5th place. I was so pleased. We had some lovely comments from the judges too.

Helen

Hi Emma,
I thought it was time I dropped you a line re Rathlacken Lad - aka Paddy.
He is an absolutely lovely horse and has already given Kat tons of confidence - despite being such a baby himself!
We don't want to rush him as he's so young, so he's been doing some little clear round jumping and showing/riding classes. He's so well behaved, none of the judges can believe he's such a baby.
Tilly has finally finished her exams so is going to start working on his flatwork as he tends to go around a bit like a giraffe still, but there's plenty of time to sort that out.
Tilly has taken him sj and xc schooling a couple of times and he has got a great little pop in him - not too keen on water though. She managed to lead him through with her riding Bracken, then he wouldn't go in on his own...so she got her boots wet and lead him in, then got back on once he was in the middle!!

I haven't been in touch re the other two because Moose (the big kwpn) went lame and it has been diagnosed that he has a keratoma in his hoof wall in his near fore....no wonder the poor sod didnt want to jump and was being a git! Looks like an op for him.

Bracken - the Don Juan horse you like the look of - hasn't been right either and we are trying to get him sorted before deciding what to do with him. to be honest, I just dont think he is going to be brave enough xc, certainly not above Novice, so I think we will move him on. So I may be in touch then. He would certainly show jump.

Hope all is well with you.
Take care
Row

Hi Emma,
Warrior has settled beautifully. He is an absolute pleasure to do in all ways. Very sweet and affectionate but lovely manners, never pushy/bargy. Had sharp teeth floated today and he was brilliant. He is 4.5 yrs and such a sensible chap. Fine with bitting now and feather mites don't like the pig oil and sulphur! He's hacking alone/company, first or last and beginning very basic gentle schooling/lunging and he is so much softer/responsive. He loves it in the woods with the dogs and is great in the river and up and down banks etc. and bombproof on the roads.
What can I say, he's a gem and we are thrilled, thank you,
Kind regards,
Sally

Hi Emma,

I have sent pictures of Ryan!
Chloe competes most weekends for the pony club on Ryan. He does Tetrathlon, Eventing, Show Jumping and Dressage. He is very honest over the jumps and a very popular boy. He is so well mannered and quiet to handle. Just spent a fortune buying him a jumping saddle and a dressage saddle. Still he's worth it. Thought you might like to know how he's doing.
Jane.

Dear Emma

Sorry it's taken so long for me to get in touch. Just wanted to give you an up date on Alfie (now known as passport name, Harvey).
Well I might as well just copy and paste the majority of the message you received from Barbara (who I keep in touch with) about Billy (Apollo)!
When Harvey first turned up, I thought, 'crikey, I don't remember him being that big'! He just seemed so huge. My confidence, as you know, had been severely knocked and at first I would make just about any excuse I could not to ride. But Harvey is the same if I ride him every day, or if he has been sat in the field for 3 weeks! My confidence is gradually coming back and if I have a 'moment', I just repeat the mantra from his advert 'suitable for nervous Nellie, suitable for nervous Nellie'.
It was almost 5 months before I actually had the courage to canter, but he is such a rocking horse, there really was no need for me to worry!
We have been having lessons, which Harvey seems to love - they give us both a big confidence boost. My instructor is fantastic and she is amazed at the improvements we have both made. She says we should aim towards maxi cob showing as she thinks he would do very well!
Everyone we meet compliments me on what a fine example of a horse Harvey is and I am just over the moon with him.
He seemed quite happy living alone, but we have now got him a lovely 2 year old Haflinger x companion and they have become the best of friends.
I am looking forward to taking Harvey to Thetford Forest for a holiday in June and also our first sponsored ride.
My daughters have now also returned to riding as they love Harvey too and he is very forgiving to his variety of different riders/capabilities.
Harvey has a big personality to match his size, but his manners on the ground have improved dramatically. However, it is still not unusual to get knocked over from him backing in to you for a bum a scratch!
I have attached a couple of photos of our lovely boy with his friends!
Very best wishes to you,

Caroline Barnes
May 11, 2010

Hi Emma,

I bought Lloyd from you a few years ago and thought you would like to know that he still well and just fabulous! Never thought I could have done some of the things we have done together - he really is one in a million. Please check out the photos of us at cross country yesterday - he was a superstar and cleared everything!

Thanks again and we will be back when we need another one!

Best regards,
Kim

Dear Emma

I just can't believe my luck, I absolutely adore this horse. Billy is now known as Apollo and just goes from strength to strength. Has not put a foot wrong since we have been together and oh boy does he try ! His flatwork is coming on brilliantly. He just gives and gives, I am confident he is going to make a brilliant maxi show cob. We went out for his first walk and trot a week or so ago, I was so proud of him, he behaved impeccably and enjoyed himself so much. His shyness didn't last long once we got to know each other.

He is everyones favourite at the yard, he loves free schooling over fences, jumping under saddle needs a bit of work, but his confidence is growing all the time. We are off to another walk and trot test next weekend so wish us luck. Have attatched a couple of pics of him at his 1st dressage. (Still can't get those feathers totally white!). Looking forward to a fun filled showing summer. I hope you are well and that business is going well.

This horse really is one in a million, Thank You Emma x

Barbara

About Rathkyle Dawn...

Hi Emma,
Just another update! Dawn has proved to be superb. I am hunting at least once a week sometimes twice and hacking in between. We jump everything including the big deep ditches with ease. I have just started do some show jumps at home and intend to show jump and do the hunter trials this summer. As you know I had not really ridden properly and Dawn has really taught me and helped.
Thanks again! When I get some photos I will mail them over.

Regards,
Dave

RANGER

Reg Grey Connemara bought from Emma Hinkley 2009. Super pony club horse.

Rider Amy Leeson

Pic of Barney (before he got woolly)

Just to let you know how over the moon I am with Barn what a lovely sweetie he is - everything you said and more. Since I got him from you in April (where does the time go!!) he has turned into a wonderful horse to ride - as you said he is very quick to learn he softens on the bit and rounds up beautifully now plus has a huge jump albeit when he's turned out he pings over the X-country jumps to get into the next fields.

Hope that all is well with you and it's not too snowbound where you are!!!

Wishing you and all at Clip Clop a very merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Ann Hurran

Hi

I just wanted to let you know how Mickey and I are coming along.

Everyone at the yard absolutely loves him. He’s such a sweet lad with a real character. He always comes over to everyone to say hello and help with the poo picking! As you know, I am a very nervous rider, but I have actually been pootling about in the yard on Mick bareback!

We are taking things really slowly, and as I still don’t have a saddle (I managed to borrow one for a while, so we have been out on hacks and he has been great!) we are doing lots of groundwork, and working on things like standing at the mounting block! He has the odd day when he pootles off when you try to catch him, but nothing is done at speed and (touch wood) I’ve always managed to get him. And this is getting better.

He has been great out on the few hacks we’ve been on. Even when the horse in front trots off, he doesn’t try to catch up or anything. He is perfectly happy to plod along at his own pace. He also leads past scary things.

The only time his halo has slipped was after our last long hack. He got excited when he realised we were back at the yard, and cantered off down the track. We turned him around and got him to walk it, and there were no more problems. I’m not that worried, as he is still young and hasn’t been here long.

He is always the same lovely boy – never any different from one day to the next. The weather doesn’t seem to bother him or anything.

We are having lessons once a month, and I know it’s early days yet, but I am so pleased with him.

Thanks for matching me with Mickey!

Helen

Ps if I had the money I’d be back to buy Billie for the boyfriend – he’s talked about him loads since we came to try Mick and him.

Hi Emma

Good to talk today; glad everything's going well with you in your new yard. I often have a look at your website.

Attached are 2 pics of Ballymar; I do adore him and it's just unfortunate about the hind limb 'blip'. I'll do everything I can to give him the best chance for a sound future because he really deserves it. He's a very kind and forgiving little horse - very easy to do and with that sensible Irish brain! Horses as lovely as Bally don't come along every day.

Take good care ...

Best wishes,

Gerrie & Ballymar xx

Hi Emma

Just an update on how Ben-hence Oxo-is doing. I bought him from you in November 2008.

He never fails to amaze me and how true to your word he proves to be everyday. His flatwork is improving all of the time-we have weekly lessons with my dressage instructor and wow-what a transformation!!

You described him as a 'laid back chap' and yes, that definitely rings true!! He is rising 6 and we were hacking through the high street today and we met our first bus!!! He didnt bat an eyelid!!! I was so chuffed with him!! I would just like to say thank you once again and would like to assure anyone considering buying from you to believe the written description given-Ben has proved to be exactly as described-with lots of great hidden extras!

Melissa and Ben x

Hi Emma

Hope you're keeping well.
Thought I would send you a picture of Fergus and me at Hickstead this year. He came 5th in the ridden coloureds and 2nd inhand coloureds. We were up against all the proffesionals again and he more than held his own. We went to Hoys last week after winning the cob qualifier for Search For a Star back in July.

He found it very exciting and got very strong so we didnt get placed which was a shame as he was one of the nicest there. There are some nice pictures on the hoys web site. We were in class 31a on the Wednesday in case you take a look.
He has won several championships at riding club level and has also been placed at a lot of the county shows. I love him to bits.
I was asked by Horse and Hound to do an online diary for our build up to HOYS thats on the H& H website which was quite an honour as he was chosen from 70 other finalists. I would love to find out anything about his history before Gary bought him from you, if you could help in any way that would be great.
I am so lucky to have Fergus, he gives his all at the shows and is a real sweety at home. Not a novice ride but thats how I like it, keen but safe. Anyway I could go on and on but I won't.
Would love to here from you.
Regards, Rose.

Hi Emma,

Just a quick update on Vinnie the liver chestnut gelding by The Artist I bought from you 3 years ago. He continues to be a joy to own and I took him out to dressage the other week and we won. The class was full and we have to go in the open section so I was thrilled. Then yesterday my sister did a BE80 event on him ( She is getting him going xc ready for me to just sit on and be a passenger as xc is not my most favourite activity! ) and he came 3rd! He did 34.5 dressage and went double clear with just 3 time penalties xc. Had he not had the time he would have won as the winner finished on their dressage score of 36. It's only his 4th BE80 event which makes it even better and only the 4th time he has ever done a xc course!!
Thats it now til next season so I will continue to sj and dressage over the winter and who knows what next season will bring?!
I hope clipclop traders is continuing to do very well under your excellent eye for decent riding club horses. There are so many dealers out there who have horses just not suitable for the average riding club person but I think you have the balance just right-nice looking types, good temperaments which are so important and most of all fun, easy horses which is what it's all about.
Continue the good work and i will carry on sending and recommending people to you.

Best wishes,

Jo and Vinnie x

Emma,
Just to let you know that Connies Gold scored 62% and 64% in her first two prelim tests today!
I was obviously thrilled and received a 4th and 1st rosette.
She has settled in really well and is receiving lots of love and compliments.
Hope you are well and making other people like me happy with their new friends :-)

Cheers, Jan.

SIDNEY

Emma,
Charlotte was after finding out if you are at Hickstead for all of the time or just some of the time? What are you doing there too? Charlotte was asking Julie but she forgot what you said. They are going to be over there too.

As you can see from the attached pictures our new family member is settling in very well indeed. He has been named SIDNEY. This was due to my mother-in-law giving Charlotte her inheritance before she kicks the bucket (her words), so she can see her enjoy him. Sidney was my late father-in-laws name.

The other picture is of Charlotte with Charlie and Sidney.
Sidney is ever such a lovely horse.

Regards,
Anthony.

PARIS
Hi Emma, Hayley here hope you're well, great news about fuzzy what a super star. Thought I would send you a picture of Paris the bay mare got from you dressed up bloody funny but it will look good on ya testimonial thingy. She is an awsome little horse jumping really well been doing xc training on her too think she will do really well eventing and gonna affiliate her too now my arms all sorted- she didn't have a foal in the end not her it was the stud none of their AI worked on my horses so gone for natural this year but not on her she is too good! She is a freak but i like her you get used to her deciding to join you up the yard after jumping out of her field or letting herself out of the stable!

Anyway all the best x

PRIVATE QUIGLEY
Hi Emma,
It is 2 years since I purchased 'Star' now known as Private Quigley from you. And what a Star he has turned out to be!!

He has an amazing sense of humour along with talent!
Last season he competed in 5 BE Intro's and was placed in the top 4, 4 times!!

He had a virus at the end of the season so his season ended early, shame as he was ready for PN. We started again this season at Tweseldown at Intro, he pulled it out of the bag again and was 3rd! South of England was his next event at PN, he was in the top 10 after dressage and sadly had little look at a drop on the cross country which under strict ruling was classed as a refusal, so he was out of the placings but his performance was tip top and he did not find the move up any more taxing and jumped out of his skin! As in the photo!! He is the best little horse with the biggest heart.
Thank you Emma for this super little horse that has excelled in everything.
Helen x

LORD ARTHUR, dressage champion produced by Christine O'Connor, bought by Emma Hinkley, Cavan sales. Connemara gelding.

Hi Emma,
WELL??? Laura and RT finished 2nd in the Prelim (2nd to Murrum Park Phantom of the Opera) JUST LOOK HIM UP ON GOOGLE!!!, the best page to see his tumultuous achievements is www.wpcs.uk.com/society/veteranhorsesoc08.html.

He was bred in Australia and has been a prolific showing/dressage winner over there. He has one Search for a Star show pony at Olympia 2007, SHP at HOYS, PuK Compeitition Titles in 2008 and has 246 Dressage Points, and has represented GB and won at Grand Prix level dressage. She also finished 3rd to him in the Novice. L & RT were really looking forward to doing the dressage to music in the ride off, but was In second place. We did feel the boy did not go his best yesterday and said at the time it was a ummmm! Performance. We did not know the results until all comps had finished as no scores were put up until the end (an NPS thing).

Have got some photos which I will send you a copy of.
Regards, Christine & Laura O'Connor

Dear Emma,
I thought I would drop you a quick line and let you know how Toby (you had called him Spotted Dick) and I are getting on since I bought him at the beginning of December. I am really pleased with him – it has taken him a little while to settle in, I think he has had quite a few moves in the last year, but is now fine. He is much more forward going than he was and can buck beautifully! After three different bit changes he is now happy in a Myler and his mouth is still and we have good direction! My friend (who kindly came up and collected him with me) and I go for hours up through the woods and onto the moor and he loves it. He is also brilliant in traffic. We are getting set to do some fun rides now the weather should be improving and hope to go cubbing in the autumn. The biggest change is his manners on the ground. They are still a long way from perfect, but it dawned on me the other day that I haven't been flattened against the stable door for several weeks now and he is much more aware of where my feet are rather than stomping all over them! He has got a huge character and at only 4 does very well at nearly everything and I am sure we will have many long and happy years together. Thank you so much for being so straight forward and honest about him, having only ever been given horses, buying one was a very different ballgame and I am really glad I came to you. I would certainly recommend you to anyone – even though you are over six hours away from Devon! Best of luck with your business and when I get around to taking some pics I will email you one.
Sally

Hi Emma,
Glad to see you are up and running again (although I gather that it has been for quite a while). I bought Bruno off you last August and he is a diamond (apart from a few set backs but we are now in full swing of things). He is doing really well, we're off to lessons almost every weekend and the odd day out competing.

I was wondering if you were able to push me in the right direction soI would be able to trace his background. I seem to recall you mentioning he was by Cavalier two 4 joy or Cavalier jump 4 joy but am not quite sure!!

If you are able to send me anything that might help it would be appreciated. I have attached some pictures just so you can see how he's coming along.

Love Mel and Bruno xxx

Hi Emma,
It's been a year to the day I think since I bought Marlon from you ( I renamed him Solomon...) and I just wanted to thank you. He is just wonderful, everything you said he would be but much much more! He is much more forward going now, loves his jumping, is great fun to ride and just pretty cool really ( as you can see from the enclosed photo!). We have had plenty of hunting and done several sponsored rides etc, but have mainly been doing dressage ( never thought I would say that!) - he is often placed( that beautiful step of his!) and we were also fourth in his first hunter trial.
All in all a great year and I hope I have many many more with him!
Hope all is well with you.

Best wishes,
Martha Allfrey

Hi Emma,
Just thought I'd let you know that Red was perfect travelling to his new home and has started to settle in nicely! This weather is truly atrocious today so they've all has a day indoors!
Pete has been working well on the ground doing some lunging with him and has successfully joined up with him – sweet! I am not so good at lunging so need some practise! I have, however, been riding him and we have both begun to trust each other. He was so on his toes for the 1st few days – it's a busy livery yard with trailers and lorries coming and going and lots of different people and dogs to get to know! But he seems to be very happy in his stable and we love him! Pete has made him a new stable name plate for his door! Josh can't wait to ride him, but that will be a bit further along the line I think! He is very forward going at the moment, but I am sure he will settle down as he gets used to the wind and sea down here! It is a big, open, scary place for new horses!

I took him out on his own for a ride up the tracks and along a small stretch of road, which he coped with admirably. We also went out for a hack with his new buddy horse, Sam (who he shares a field with) and we did lots of roadwork and met quite a few vehicles and ‘scary’ things which again, he looked at but didn’t turn and spin off! Phew! We ended our session yesterday, with some small coloured fences in the school, which he loved. I have a professional dressage rider coming hopefully on Friday this week, so we are looking forward to that!

Thanks for all your help and keeping Red with you until we had a space in the new yard. I think you have sold us the right horse – watch this space! There is a jumping show on at the end of the month which another girl is probably going to and has space in her lorry for us, so we shall keep fingers crossed that all goes well and we can go for some experience!

Good luck with your other horses – I wish we had the money to buy Solomon as well, for Pete!
Take care, best wishes,
Theresa, Pete, Josh and Red xx

Hi Emma,
Really glad to see you are up and running again, hope everything is going well.
I thought I'd send you a quick update on China Blue (or Smokey Blue as is now his name, there was already a China Blue in BE and I wanted a one off name!), who I got from you in August. He has turned out to be an absolute superstar and I am so pleased I found him!! His flatwork has come on in leaps and bounds and he's happily jumping 1m tracks already. The absolute best thing about him is his attitude, he is brave, honest and only has to be shown something once....exactly as you said he was!! He did his 1st BE event at Pulborough in October, did a lovely dressage test, clear show jumping and stormed round the xc, just having a baby look at the ditch and water on the way (he'd only been schooling once!!). I love him to bit's and cannot wait for next season, he is going to be so much fun. All going well he'll do the intro at Tweseldown in March and I am about to do his BSJA registration. Also hoping to get him out hunting very soon, which i think he'll love!

I've attached a couple of pictures, they are from Pulborough. He's filled out and muscled up even more since then and grown a little too, he's nearly 16hh now.
Thanks so much again and look out for us out and about. I would (and have done!!) recommend you to anyone looking.

Take care,
Laura

Hi Emma,
Glad to see you are up and running again and i hope things are going well for you since you moved in. I can't believe i will have had Vinnie 3 years this April, the time goes by so quickly. Vinnie continues to be a little star. We are now competing at novice level dressage and at our 1st novice came 3rd with 65% and our 2nd novice last week we came 4th with 67.5% so i am really pleased. Our jumping is going well too and he has jumped double clear everytime out and the last competition we did he came 5th and the class was full-i also took it steady in the jump off as we have not done that many comps yet so still building our partnership and as its going so well wanted to have another confidence building trip! We went to a jump clinic last saturday and he was great fun and we eneded up jumping a rather large parallel of 3ft3 down a grid which Vin loved! Planning another trip to camp in Salisbury this year with him and lots of clinics and competitions so will keep you updated with our progress.

Love Jo and Vinnie x

Hi Emma
Hope you had a good xmas and are over your flu.
Just to keep you updated-me and Ben-hence Oxo-are doing just fine. We have had a couple of lessons from my dressage instructor and he always tries his heart out and is improving every time I ride him. A lady on my yard was watching me ride him today and she came over and commented that she would love to video him and show me what he looked like to ride. She couldn't believe the difference from the first time she saw me ride him-which was a compliment!!! Obviously, we have been restricted with the weather recently as it has been so cold here with snow and frost. Ben has such a fan club at my yard its unbelieveable!! Three people have offered to buy him if I ever decided to sell-which I wouldnt-but I would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank-you'.

Me and Ben have a long way to go-yes- he is very green and many experiences for him are 'first time' but I love him and I am so glad I came to you.
Many people have asked where I got him from and I have told them and sung your praises.
Good luck with your other horses and I will keep you posted!!!
Melissa.

Hi Emma
Just so pleased to hear from you!! Here is a Christmas Card with our best wishes and also a photo of Roisin - taken after we had won a Dressage League competition over six months.
She is really the most wonderful horse we could ever have bought - my trainer Hayley says that I have now got my third horse of a lifetime. We have lessons every week and she is now doing some really nice lateral and medium work and everybody who sees her thinks she is gorgeous!!
We do hope your move has been successful - are you still importing horses from Ireland? I have several people who have asked me where I got Roisin from and I tell them who but of course I shall now have to say the Clip Clop Traders.

Is Becky still with you? If you are in touch with her please will you send our love and very best wishes to you both. Merry Christmas and a Happy and successful 2009.
Love to you
Stephanie.

Hi Emma,

Great to see you are up and running again with your business and new home, hope all is going well but I am sure it will - you are a survivor and damn hard worker.

Wonder Boy is smashing, it was worth while sticking with you until the time was right for me to buy and you had the horse that was exactly what I wanted. He is admired by everyone for being such a handsome man, a fine looking horse and how well behaved he is. I always recommend you to people and hopefully one day someone will travel a distance and see the eye you have for horses and buy something from you. We have 2 flat work lessons a week with him but I shall probably have him out hunting because he loves being out and about, so a trailer is on the shopping list now. He had a massage and hunter clip last week so he is feeling pretty proud of himself.

We had a few boxing matches at the start and I thought what the bloody hell have I bought but I quietly worked with him and he keeps his front legs on the ground most of the time now and it they are up in the air he is just full of beans saying I can make my own way to the paddock thank you, see you later!

I shall send you a picture when we are on our 1st hunt meet.

Take care, Cerise.