redmone
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone!
Well I don't know if you'll remember, but in a recent thread, I was getting my knickers into a twist about what shows to take D & D too - I was having a small panic because I thought it might be their last proper competing year together, and I wanted them to have the best time.
A few of you had a kind word with me (a very gentle kick up the bum I think!
) and firstly told us not to aim so high (because in all honesty, Dolly isn't "that" sort of quality for a pony) and second told us to have fun! Which really, is what we needed. Also daughter's instructor advised us to do RC events, so I took them both to a riding club SJ event this weekend.
The weather was very kind, and the ground was fantastic. Which was good, as it was D & Ds first time jumping on grass
The organisers of the event were lovely, and held my worried little hand until I knew where to point D & D! At which point I left them to it and had some chocolate!
Dolly actually was a little b***er on the ground. She normally has quite good manners, but seemed to forget them from the minute she saw her travel gear on Sunday morning! We have a certain rug and headcollar for travelling and once she sees them, she knows she's going out. So when I appeared early on Sunday morning with them she tried to barge me out of the stable!!!! Once we'd got her back in line (ahem 
) she led us to the van and loaded us!!! 
At the show she just wouldn't stand still. There were a few flies but I think she just wanted to PLAY!!!!!!!
Anyway, daughter went into the clear round and, went clear!
yey!! Got a LOVELY big orange rosette! The nice lady on the gate said "this little girl offered to go first, give her the biggest rosette"!!! Awww
Onto the novice jumping class (70cm I think). It was a nice course with a few questions (hahahaha listen to me, been watching Badminton all weekend) but the jumps were lovely quality and a nice big course. OH got some lovely photos (see below!)!
Dolly was quite strong but Daughter said she felt under control and was really happy to go clear again. There was 14 in the class (mixed juniors and seniors) and 6 went through to the jump off.
Daughter went first (again!) and went clear! She did ever so slightly touch a pole and we gasped when it landed back in it's cups. PHEW!!!! It was a really good round, and although she was quick, she didn't bomb it. It was a nice sensible steady pace. I was really proud of them, and hopeful they'd be in the rosettes (due to there only being 6 of them).
Anyway, they called out the placings, and THEY WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEY!!!!!!!! AND they only went and qualified for the North West SJ Championships!!! (I didn't even know it was a qualifer!) I was expecting them to split the class, but they didn't - perhaps they don't under a certain number of entries.
It was funny to see Little Dolly at the front of their lap of honour with the big ones keeping up behind her! Awwww they did so well and I was sooooooo proud!!!!
Anyway, you were all right! Days like the above are not going to happen if I push them out of their comfort zone (and to be honest, I thought the above was out of their comfort zone due to Dirty Stop Dolly!) they were planning on doing the next class, but daughter said that as Dolly hadn't refused anything, or had a pole down (just!) she was going to take her home rather than risk denting her confidence by having "a problem" at a higher course. I couldn't agree more.
I'm thinking of taking them to the championships though, and would love to hear from anyone who has been (it's in Cheshire). I know it might be up another level, but they did earn it and the first class is 1 foot 9 inches I think. Sounds like rosettes to all, and a gift to all entrants, so even if they struggle it sounds like it could be a nice day! Thoughts?
Anyway here's the photos.....
(not bombing it, not at all mum!)
Love this photo, Dolly finally looks tired!
And this one!!!
Thank you everyone, for always steering us in the right direction. It was a lovely day and I'm so glad I took them!!! Dolly seemed to enjoy herself!!!
I have a big bag of pretzels which are very moorish and some fanta fruit twist! Sorry it's not my usual wine and good grub! I'm on my work lunch hour and I've ate everything
Well I don't know if you'll remember, but in a recent thread, I was getting my knickers into a twist about what shows to take D & D too - I was having a small panic because I thought it might be their last proper competing year together, and I wanted them to have the best time.
A few of you had a kind word with me (a very gentle kick up the bum I think!
) and firstly told us not to aim so high (because in all honesty, Dolly isn't "that" sort of quality for a pony) and second told us to have fun! Which really, is what we needed. Also daughter's instructor advised us to do RC events, so I took them both to a riding club SJ event this weekend.The weather was very kind, and the ground was fantastic. Which was good, as it was D & Ds first time jumping on grass
The organisers of the event were lovely, and held my worried little hand until I knew where to point D & D! At which point I left them to it and had some chocolate!
Dolly actually was a little b***er on the ground. She normally has quite good manners, but seemed to forget them from the minute she saw her travel gear on Sunday morning! We have a certain rug and headcollar for travelling and once she sees them, she knows she's going out. So when I appeared early on Sunday morning with them she tried to barge me out of the stable!!!!
Once we'd got her back in line (ahem ) she led us to the van and loaded us!!! At the show she just wouldn't stand still. There were a few flies but I think she just wanted to PLAY!!!!!!!
Anyway, daughter went into the clear round and, went clear!
yey!! Got a LOVELY big orange rosette! The nice lady on the gate said "this little girl offered to go first, give her the biggest rosette"!!! Awww Onto the novice jumping class (70cm I think). It was a nice course with a few questions (hahahaha listen to me, been watching Badminton all weekend
) but the jumps were lovely quality and a nice big course. OH got some lovely photos (see below!)!Dolly was quite strong but Daughter said she felt under control and was really happy to go clear again. There was 14 in the class (mixed juniors and seniors) and 6 went through to the jump off.
Daughter went first (again!) and went clear! She did ever so slightly touch a pole and we gasped when it landed back in it's cups. PHEW!!!!
It was a really good round, and although she was quick, she didn't bomb it. It was a nice sensible steady pace. I was really proud of them, and hopeful they'd be in the rosettes (due to there only being 6 of them).Anyway, they called out the placings, and THEY WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEY!!!!!!!! AND they only went and qualified for the North West SJ Championships!!! (I didn't even know it was a qualifer!) I was expecting them to split the class, but they didn't - perhaps they don't under a certain number of entries.
It was funny to see Little Dolly at the front of their lap of honour with the big ones keeping up behind her! Awwww they did so well and I was sooooooo proud!!!!
Anyway, you were all right! Days like the above are not going to happen if I push them out of their comfort zone (and to be honest, I thought the above was out of their comfort zone due to Dirty Stop Dolly!) they were planning on doing the next class, but daughter said that as Dolly hadn't refused anything, or had a pole down (just!) she was going to take her home rather than risk denting her confidence by having "a problem" at a higher course. I couldn't agree more.
I'm thinking of taking them to the championships though, and would love to hear from anyone who has been (it's in Cheshire). I know it might be up another level, but they did earn it and the first class is 1 foot 9 inches I think. Sounds like rosettes to all, and a gift to all entrants, so even if they struggle it sounds like it could be a nice day! Thoughts?
Anyway here's the photos.....
(not bombing it, not at all mum!)
Love this photo, Dolly finally looks tired!
And this one!!!
Thank you everyone, for always steering us in the right direction. It was a lovely day and I'm so glad I took them!!! Dolly seemed to enjoy herself!!!
I have a big bag of pretzels which are very moorish and some fanta fruit twist! Sorry it's not my usual wine and good grub! I'm on my work lunch hour and I've ate everything
