Well I've had quite the spiffing weekend attending a horse show. Now before you all think I'm some posh little lady who lives and lunches on an estate and rides all the time in a stuffy jacket, shirt and tie, that is NOT the case. I'm scruffy looking on the best of days, and riding in those clothes all the time? Pfft, no thanks, too hot and a faff to put on, I just whip on a hoody and jeans and go, that's how I roll. No such thing as clean horse keeping. If you want to look like a walking scarecrow with burst seams (hay gets everywhere) with essence of poo wafting from your sweaty clothes, then it's just the thing for you!
Now the lovely pony above is called Minstrel, he belongs to a friend of mine. He is a Fell and I've been working with him to get him less spooky and just help him feel more confident in himself. Training has been great, he's so clever and very responsive to everything I throw his way. He's still not a fan of plastic bags, but as with all training, it will take time. He likes hugs, scratches, carrots and disliking green tractors a passion of his.
So what happens at a horse show? I can hear you all muttering. So this is my first show with Minstrel and he did me proud. Straight out of the trailer he took a dislike to the horse next to us, but he soon settled down. I washed him down and threw his saddle and bridle on and we went to warm up before our show class started. The day before the show I was riding him and he forgot that I cannot pass through low hanging branches, so I now l have a lovely bespoke temporary pattern on my face.
Now the lovely pony above is called Minstrel, he belongs to a friend of mine. He is a Fell and I've been working with him to get him less spooky and just help him feel more confident in himself. Training has been great, he's so clever and very responsive to everything I throw his way. He's still not a fan of plastic bags, but as with all training, it will take time. He likes hugs, scratches, carrots and disliking green tractors a passion of his.
So what happens at a horse show? I can hear you all muttering. So this is my first show with Minstrel and he did me proud. Straight out of the trailer he took a dislike to the horse next to us, but he soon settled down. I washed him down and threw his saddle and bridle on and we went to warm up before our show class started. The day before the show I was riding him and he forgot that I cannot pass through low hanging branches, so I now l have a lovely bespoke temporary pattern on my face.
During the warm up, you work the horse both sides. I had to keep Minstrel moving as he was a little bit excited and I had to get him settled in his stride and get him listening to what I was asking him. We had a wee trot around and had a go at some of the dinky jumps. He's jumped before but just for fun.
This helped get him settled and listening. It helped me relax as well. Relaxed rider, relaxed horse is the best advice I've ever received.
So then I got called to the area where my show class was happening. I felt very important being summoned over the tannoy. Reminded me of a time I'm sitting at a train station and they called me by my name over the tannoy, turns out I'd dropped my life in a folder, without noticing and some lovely person handed it in.
Anyway, I digress. So I rock up and check out the competition. Eh, stuff that.
So then I got called to the area where my show class was happening. I felt very important being summoned over the tannoy. Reminded me of a time I'm sitting at a train station and they called me by my name over the tannoy, turns out I'd dropped my life in a folder, without noticing and some lovely person handed it in.
Anyway, I digress. So I rock up and check out the competition. Eh, stuff that.
Lucky for me, Minstrel did not give a badger's bottom about the competition, he was there to have fun. The judge got us all lined up and I had to go first. Knickers! I was hoping to get placed somewhere in the middle so I could suss out what everyone else was doing. I hadn't the foggiest so was just doing what I knew. I was very nervous but MIni took it all in his stride. The judge called me forward, examined Mini and we then did our piece.
Then we had to wait for everyone else to finish their piece. Mini got bored and wanted to go do something else, pawing the ground, I was getting hot and sweaty in the jacket. The last person finished their show piece and Mini and I were out of there in a shot (sans rosette, but we didn't care, we were having fun) Time for some jumping!
I took mini to do the clear round which is small jumps for beginner horses and if you manage to jump them all you get a rosette the end. Mini refused one jump but we were was having a blast so really didn't care! I could finally get that jacket off and roll up my sleeves and relax.
I took mini to do the clear round which is small jumps for beginner horses and if you manage to jump them all you get a rosette the end. Mini refused one jump but we were was having a blast so really didn't care! I could finally get that jacket off and roll up my sleeves and relax.
Weeeeeee! Such dinky jumps!
I had such a fun day, and Minstrel did too! He'll be going to next months show and he will be more experienced and come on nicely.
I had such a fun day, and Minstrel did too! He'll be going to next months show and he will be more experienced and come on nicely.