Cuteness overload... Clydesdale Lead Rein Dressage (Picture heavy)

abbijay

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 April 2011
Messages
1,384
Location
Cheshire
Visit site
Some of you on here may recall that I got my first "pony" years ago and he set me on the dressage path. Unfortunately he did his tendon last year and as a result has become a beautiful and much loved field ornament. He is now completely field sound and suitable for a spot of light hacking and I cried my eyes out when I was able to get back on board.
My twins are now at a riding school and pony club centre that ran a dressage competition during the school holidays. And I had a silly idea...
I didn't tell my kids and on the morning of the show I snuck off to "ride my other one" but 2 hours before their tests I reappeared at the house with the trailer on the back of my car and a rather special horse inside. Their reaction was like seeing the presents under the tree on Christmas morning.
118264954_10158603869618895_3794610809100660257_n.jpg
We just had a lovely day out. I cried several times out of sheer motherly pride for all 3 of my "babies". For a horse that hadn't left his field since last November he dealt with it like the old pro that he is, tied to the trailer for hours while we attempted to get a field kept monster show ring acceptable and in strange surroundings with lots of excitement. When I took him home he was tired but it was obvious that his day out had cheered him just as much as the kids!
118617077_2649299405311797_7651654597697671435_n.jpg
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
I have always told my children that it doesn't matter how you do as long as you try your best and get to take the best horse home but I was rather chuffed that the old man turned on the charm against the 12hh ponies and won the class for my daughter, not to mention that her twin brother took best turned out prize so I had 2 happy children that night.
118343122_3409832032410677_3496170233166778390_o.jpg
118515189_10158615503178895_2154390861712226374_n.jpg
118651665_3430353370358543_4828244453467139831_o.jpg
An 18.1hh clydesdale shouldn't be the ideal mount for a pair of 7 year olds who had never trotted a 20m circle until that day and I know in proper lead rein you should only be attached to the noseband but we had so much fun! After all, isn't that what it's about?
 

abbijay

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 April 2011
Messages
1,384
Location
Cheshire
Visit site
Lovely! It looks as if you all had a brilliant time
I wonder how many of the riding school children went home and pestered their parents for a Clydesdale
Hopefully lots!! Me and Alfie did a dressage demo at their Xmas show back in 2018 so I'm hoping we've started the love of big horses in a few of them. Alfie also carried Santa in with his presents for the kids. My kids are basically convinced that this horse is magical!
 

HazuraJane

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 April 2017
Messages
214
Visit site
Echoing all the previous comments here . . . lovely story and thank you for the pictures! They'll never forget the day you surprised them with a horse. <3
 

misst

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 January 2008
Messages
5,244
Visit site
What a fabulous time you all had! I am so envious - that time when the kids are just competent enough to do a competition and enjoy it - but you still get to be 100% involved. All 3 of your "babies" looked amazing and while "taking part" is important, at their age a rosette is always an added joy for everyone. Brought a lump to my throat.
 
Top