Bob sat Normandie with a 7 foot ash pole yesterday afternoon for the first time. We haven't done too much with them in regard to actual "tools" of the man at arms trade, save for the introduction of armour and some weapons, but no lance work. Recently we have been working with an awesome trainer/instructor to assist with Normandie's balance and Phantom's tendency to evade the bit (because she knows she can). There has been tremendous improvement in just a month's time. So by next year, they should be ready for the field events.

Normandie found the "lance" to be quite interesting. He didn't shy away from it, though initially when it appeared to the side of his head, he looked at it askance before deciding that it was no threat and that it might even taste good. He nosed it a few times and then ignored it as Bob moved it from right side to left several times.

We did a couple of turns around the back ring without incident. What can we say, the lad is pretty much bombproof. Every trainer who has met him always says he'd make a good hunter.

Phantom got to watch and wasn't overly impressed with the exercise. This afternoon it will be her turn to examine the lance. I can hear the snorting already.