Bonzo Bounces out of Bad Books!

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JenniferB

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Hmmm pretty poor attempt at alliteration but it is Monday and I've got a headache...

Mr Bonzo has been skating on very thin ice of late. His attitude is 'interesting' - I nearly got very closely acquainted with the tarmac the other week when he decided to have a broncing fit on the road because I dared to check him back in trot, and to be honest although he's a smart horse with plenty of pop I've never really bonded with him the way I have with previous horses. He's almost stallion like in a lot of his mannerisms - reckon he was probably cut late, and he can be a bit of a swine. But despite serious thoughts about advertising him I decided to give him a chance to be turned out once the fields were open again and get out to a few more shows and see how we got on for a couple of months before I made my mind up.

The last time we competed the both of us ended up on the floor, so I decided a step down to British Novice would be a nice confidence giver and with that in mind toddled off to Dalry show at Rowallan on Saturday. As usual missed walking the track, but it looked inviting enough and not too tricky so wandered off to tack up and get changed. Tacking up is always interesting but I tried really hard to stay calm (I get really stressed and frustrated at him cos he's really pushy and fidgety) and got ready without any bloodshed or unwanted removal of tack - he's been known to take his bridle and boots off when I turn my back!

Went into the warmup and he was sweet as you like - not particularly tense or gobby - cue big smiles! My friend came in to give me a few fences as shouty man was otherwise engaged, on shouty man's instruction she 'reminded' me to sit and wait, sit and wait - not easy when the majority of jumping I've done in the last 6 months is over chase fences on P2Pers ha ha!

After getting EVERY fence right outside (and that never happens) wandered down the tunnel and into the ring. He had a spook at a fence on the way in which is very unlike him, but growled at him and off we went. I was expecting to get towed round and have several fences as there would be nothing to back him off but my word he was a star! I tried really hard to sit quietly and let the fences come, and he took up the bridle and just took me round sweet as you like. Clear round the first phase and into the second phase! There was an oxer with white wavy planks and white poles. I rode like a plank to it, he picked off a Bonzo 'ping' stride and just about went over the wings but landed sensibly and carried on without rushing or fussing. I tried to maintain my rhythm and not get too excited, got a couple of sensible turns in without going nuts and finished on a DC for 3rd so prize money and a frilly! So pony is for the moment out of the bad books, if he keeps polishing that halo he might even get to meet the HHOers that haven't met him yet at Blair...

Ooops mega long post again and not even any pics to break it up. I'm rubbish, sorry!
 
Fantastic, I think his naughtiness was cos he was missing his parties ;) Sounds a brilliant outing back though, and you can never moan about a DC! Naughty mare DID manage to drop me out hacking last week, so I think it's these characterful creatures that give us the most fun ;) Look forward to more Bonzo reports :D
 
Ouchy at getting dropped on the road - naughty pony! Think Mr B prob has been missing his parties, but we have our last P2P meeting this weekend then the summer stretches long ahead for plenty of shows hopefully, got my local (literally down the hill from the yard) in a fortnight so aiming for BN and Disco there then back to straight in at Disco with a view to NC by the end of the summer with any luck!
 
Sounds a good plan! She didn't drop me on the road, just a track which was as hard as tarmac :rolleyes: I'm taking her jumping tomorrow, and was umming about doing the NC... but have decided to jump the disco and see what happens... it's all about control at the mo!!! ;)
 
Control? What's that then? Think Saturday was the first time in weeks I've felt even slightly in control - I swear mine is worse on the gallops than all bar 1 of the pointers I ride! Best of luck with your classes at the weekend, expect piccies...
 
Naughty Bonzo! :rolleyes: but they do say the talented horses can be ... quirky :p and at least he keeps you on your toes/ bum ;) well done on the money and the frilly and for persavearing with him xx
 
Must indeed be the name - my B wouldn't even entertain fancy dress mind you! He had another day off yesterday cos we had hurricane force winds so tonight could be 'interesting'...
 
Thanks Measles! Not going to KB (shockingly have NEVER actually made it there, hoping to rectify that this year when shouty man finally gets V going!), due to lack of show days attended we never really started picking up DCs and he's too ring rusty to realistically be competitive at 2nd rounds this year. Next year...

Will you be making it down to 'my' show on the 4th (Newmilns)? If Saffy doesn't already have her qualification for the RHS we've got the last Fox qualifier. Much cheap entries and we pay out all advertised prizes even if numbers are low, am I selling it to you?
 
We should be good to go for Newmilns :) A is in middle of his highers so we've not been able to attack RHS quals the way we might otherwise have done but he has next year and the next and so on. For me, education comes first - call me old fashioned! Last exam the day before Newmilns so planning to be there and bring one of the new people for the more novice classes, probably Darko.

Don't even mention Bonzo to A - he sounds like his dream horse! :D KB is very nice and lovely and local to us which helps :) Will try to do Area ML at Ingliston on Sunday as well, I think..
 
measles said:
Don't even mention Bonzo to A - he sounds like his dream horse! :D KB is very nice and lovely and local to us which helps :) Will try to do Area ML at Ingliston on Sunday as well, I think..
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Ha ha he'll change his mind when he sees him (or more likely hears him kicking seven shades of crap out of the lorry). Be lovely to see you guys there, link to schedule should be on the BSJA Scotland site but we've everything from BN through to 1.30m, with Scope and SHOYS quals as well. Just hoping the weather picks up a bit! Agree with education being important, if I hadn't stuck in at school there's no way I could have afforded to have B now - sensible rather than old fashioned I'd say, and a lot more realistic than a lot of the YR parents...xx
 
WELL DONE :) Hope you are pleased with that?? Did you get offered a free cup of tea/coffee instead of the rosette?:) You should come to Ingilston on Sun Bonzo will love it :)
Measles you sound ALOT like my mum did!! Even know she is like that about exams but i think its for the best :)
Q
 
Quadro no it was Dalry show so no rosette for coffee exchange! But I'm a big kid anyway and like to take the rare frilly I actually win home, and the £1 profit I made once entries and first aid were paid was enough for a can of juice anyway lol.

We're racing at Hexham on Sunday so can't support ML this year unfortunately, will get to it one year! You coming to Newmilns the following week or did you say you were working?xx
 
I like the rosette as well its like proof! Im working the weekend end of Newmilns which is rubbish :( Hopefully we will catch each other at a show soon!!
Good luck with the p2prs :)
Q
 
Woo hoo well done on the clear and the rosette! :D

Norty Bonzo - he made it up for his naughtiness though by being a good boy in the ring :)
 
Sarah would you believe I've had him for close on a year? And you're one of the closest HHOers to me lol!

OneInAMillion he's a bit of an arse but I think all the good ones have a bit of attitude - that's become my mantra as he's trying to plant me/headbutt me/remove tack/trample me ha ha!

JenniferS I was in the British Novice. Bonzo is a dark bay with a white star, he was plaited up and had a grey saddlecloth with blue trim. I wear a dark grey jacket and a velvet hat and was probably gurning like an idiot! Would be ace if you did have any pics though, I'm a total sucker for them!

Babybear yeah the stuff in the ring almost makes up for the naughtiness, just hope I'm in the ring more often in the next couple of months!
 
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The ML show will be alright, but think Drymen and Stewarton (sadly no longer doing BS) might struggle. B getting stud holes in his new shoes today - if this weather keeps up won't need them cos won't jump at Newmilns. In fact if this weather keeps up there might not be a show to jump at...xx
 
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