***Daughter and Dolly - show report and an update***

[redmone]

Hi everyone,

Are my updates getting boring yet, because they're full of all positives and no meltdowns and traumas from me????

Daughter and Dolly have had some successes recently, that I thought I'd share.

They won their April interdressage league classes, which was a starter dressage test (72.5%) and a showing class (89%) and even better was that it was a trophy month, so Daughter and Dolly were awarded two lovely trophies, in addition to the rossies and prize money!!!!! The only downside to the dressage class win, was that daughter was the only entrant rolleyes but I keep telling her that with a score like that she deserved to win! The showing class had 16 entrants so that made up for it!

Also, Daughter is a member of our riding school's interdressage league, and their team won a winter league competition and the RS will shortly be taking delivery of a set of lovely dressage mirrors for the indoor arena!!!! So I'm very proud of them, and of Daughter for being part of this.

We went to a show on Sunday, which was on a bigger scale than what we would normally attend. I fully prepared daughter for coming home empty handed (what a faithless mummy I am!!!) as I knew the standard of riding would be high after looking at previous years reports of this show.

Daughter entered first ridden and came 4th, which was fabulous!!! It's hard for daughter, because many of the ponies taking part were very much better trained and bred than Dolly. Daughter is trying very hard on working to get Dolly bending more and to be a little rounded, but it's not a natural position for Dolly and she has such a thick neck!! I was so proud of them.

Then they came 3rd in Young Handler, which was great too!! I've never been so relived for her to get Dolly to trot!!!

Lastly they entered the BSPS Pony of Hunter Type class. I tried to talk Daughter out of this class, because, well I'm not ever sure if Dolly fits this type at all. But Daughter had decided the experience would do them good, regardless of the outcome.

And they only went and came 1st!!!!!! They qualified for the Royal London Show and the BSPS Summer Championships. They would have qualified for Equifest if neglegent mummy had obtained some red form, which I didn't

The judge was lovely and said that Dolly was the perfect stamp of what they were looking for in this class!!! She said Daughter is a lovely quiet rider and she loved Dolly!!!

At some point, I was picked up off the floor in my fainted state and continued to be an emotional jibbering wreck!!!! I was sooooooooooo proud!!!!

Best of all was Dolly's behaviour. I'm so proud of her. Yes, she's on her toes, but not in a bad way. She's just excited. She behaved perfectly (even when the BSPS judge asked her to show some gallop I would NOT have let her enter if I'd known that before )!!!!!!!

So roll on summer!! I'm loving taking them out, even more so now that Dolly has settled down so much more. She's turned out to be an absolutely lovely pony. Yes, she's cheeky and sometimes quite strong and fast. But we love her so much.

Right. Now's here's the question!

Do I take them to the things they've qualified for (I'd have to spend a fortune registering them with BSPS and both shows are over 100 miles away) and honestly, I can't see them doing brilliant against ponies which are professionally produced to move and look the way the judge wants to see.

Or do I continue to be massively proud of them for qualifying but stick to our local shows etc...

Personally I think the latter. But I'd be interested in others opinons!

And here's a couple of photos as thanks for reading my epic thread!!!

Thanks for reading! Have some of my crunchie bar!!!

 

[Jay89]

Well done dolly and daughter! I personally think you ought to go to the shows you have qualified for. I love the bigger shows, always good fun and lots of classes to watch. I think even if dolly and daughter dont get placed, i think the experience of a bigger show woild be good for all those involved!!

 

[redmone]

Well done dolly and daughter! I personally think you ought to go to the shows you have qualified for. I love the bigger shows, always good fun and lots of classes to watch. I think even if dolly and daughter dont get placed, i think the experience of a bigger show woild be good for all those involved!!

Thanks!

Yes, that's what I'm torn about.

I've heard it'd be a good experience, and also much much more professional and a nice experience to have.

I just don't want their confidence being knocked. And it's a long way, and a lot of cost.

Hmmmmm

Nice to have the choice though!!

 

[debsg]

Awww what a lovely happy post. Daughter looks so proud of Dolly, and rightly so! What a fantastic achievement! They both look beautifully turned out xx
As for the qualifiers, I qualified Blaze in the Ridden Cob class for the Royal London, a couple of years back. I felt the same as you, plus couldn't really afford it so didn't go. Does daughter desperately want to go? Can you afford it? If the answer is yes, then go for it as it would be a fantastic experience for daughter and I'm sure you would have a brilliant time, even if you came home with no prizes.
hope she has a brilliant season with Dolly xxx

 

[be positive]

You are having a fab time, all those trophies a frillies

They both look very smart and pleased with themselves, its lovely when everything is going well, it makes all the hard work worthwhile.

I would suggest that you continue to enjoy the local shows for now, get out and do as much as you can and gain that valuable experience this season , with the aim of moving up next year, there is plenty of time.

The big show atmosphere can be overwhelming for children as well as the ponies, I would suggest a trip to one without the pony you can really take it all in and make future plans without the stress and expense of actually competing this time.

It will also give you something to aim for, plenty of new challenges for next year.

 

[Gracie21]

I also qualified for Royal London at the weekend, also unsure about whether to go, because it will cost a small fortune, but I'll probably go anyway I'm hoping it will be a great experience for us both.

Well done to Dolly & Daughter, they are looking so fantastic! And well done mummy for holding it (nearly) all together, you must be so proud!

 

[Ibblebibble]

oh wow wow wow, many congrats to daughter and dolly!!!
I love your happy posts, a refreshing change from the doom and gloom and ranting (of which i'm guilty of today lol)

 

[OldNag]

Wow, what a lovely and uplifting post. I just love following Daughter and Dolly's progress, they are a fantastic team.

I can't answer the show question with any authority, I don't have that type of experience. But I would say if you've qualified then why not go for it. The worst is you come away empty handed but with a shedload of experience, and it will be something Daughter can remember for years to come. And Dolly is just a lovely pony so you might not need to be pessimistic

 

[ameeyal]

I do enjoy reading how the pair are getting on.
I would stick to your local shows, my be have a drive out just to watch one.

 

[Mince Pie]

Many congrats! Daughters face says it all

If you can afford it I'd go to the bigger shows, but prepare Daughter for the fact that she may not get placed. I'm sure she'd enjoy herself no matter what as she seems quite level headed from what you've said about her.

 

[jhoward]

yay! i love reading your updates, and they are not boring atall!! its a lovely journey to read.

re the bigger stuff, its busy, and yes the class is high, but its also people like yourselfs qualifying.

what i would say is if your planing on going, then go out and try to qualify for a few more classes to make it worth your whilse going.

royal lond has a website, but the schedual is HUGE and not always easy to understand, some classes are free, if you have qualified, some not etc.

may be take daughter to watch at some of the bigger/serious stuff 1st and see how she feels, and if she still wants a go at it?

 

[lcharles]

Awww well done!! x Bet your soo proud! x Little tear in my eye reading it!! Could feel how proud you are!! x

If you can afford it i think you should definately go for the bigger shows, what a brilliant experience it would be! x If she won first place then she obviously IS what the judges are looking for! x

 

[Lolo]

Dolly and mini-redmone are looking awesome

Al and Reg qualified for some Equifest/ Royal London stuff last year (the inhand and ridden racehorse class and large riding horse I think!) but decided against going last year as they were still getting to grips with showing, despite him quite enjoying people crooning over him... This year they've entered a county show and will do the qualifiers again- hopefully, the extra experience he's gained by doing more will mean if they do qualify when they go they'll stand a good chance of doing well.

So much money for just experience :/

 

[ebonyallen]

Wow her smile says it all. Well done to Dolly and of course your daughter great news happy posts not boring so carry on, and we look forward to the next one

 

[Ruth_Cymru]

I love seeing your updates- what a great partnership your daughter and Dolly have, made even better by the fantastic support you give them. I'm looking forward to the next instalment

 

[dafthoss]

I've already said it but massive well done

If you do go to equifest (I'm sure you can qualify again) I'll come along and cheer/groom for you as its not far from me and I might even bring the yellow one along if I get round to doing some showing this year as he qualified last year but I decided he wast estalished enough on the flat to go. You dont need to register for equifest either you can just do the classes you qualified for and any of the ones that you dont need to qualify for.

 

[abercrombie&titch]

Well done to you all!! Personally, I'd go to a county show and have a look at whats involved in a class, let daughter decide if she'd like to have a go, and if so let her - it's all fantastic experience for both daughter & dolly - they'll only get better if they have a go & practice!

 

[redmone]

Awww what a lovely happy post. Daughter looks so proud of Dolly, and rightly so! What a fantastic achievement! They both look beautifully turned out xx
As for the qualifiers, I qualified Blaze in the Ridden Cob class for the Royal London, a couple of years back. I felt the same as you, plus couldn't really afford it so didn't go. Does daughter desperately want to go? Can you afford it? If the answer is yes, then go for it as it would be a fantastic experience for daughter and I'm sure you would have a brilliant time, even if you came home with no prizes.
hope she has a brilliant season with Dolly xxx

Thank you!!

I'm so proud of them both. Daughter would love to go, but isn't pushing for it. She's always happy for anything we can do and is never demanding. It's a good plan on her part, as we always go OTT on her because she never asks for anything!!

I wouldn't mind the travelling, and entry fees etc.. but the membership to BSPS alone is going to set me back £100+ and we will need to get a height certificate, so no idea how much that would be too.

Still unsure.....!!!!

 

[redmone]

You are having a fab time, all those trophies a frillies

They both look very smart and pleased with themselves, its lovely when everything is going well, it makes all the hard work worthwhile.

I would suggest that you continue to enjoy the local shows for now, get out and do as much as you can and gain that valuable experience this season , with the aim of moving up next year, there is plenty of time.

The big show atmosphere can be overwhelming for children as well as the ponies, I would suggest a trip to one without the pony you can really take it all in and make future plans without the stress and expense of actually competing this time.

It will also give you something to aim for, plenty of new challenges for next year.

Thank you!!! It has been a lot of hard work to get them where they are now, but definately worth it!!!

I think your advice is really really good. Both sticking with the local shows for this year and in going to one of these bigger shows without pony.

Whilst they tend to get placed at local shows, they're a long way from being confident about winning anything, so perhaps need to try to get more experience first and then maybe it all won't seem as daunting.

It's difficult because I don't want them to miss an opportunity, but can't shake the feeling that we are well out of our depth!!!

 

[redmone]

I also qualified for Royal London at the weekend, also unsure about whether to go, because it will cost a small fortune, but I'll probably go anyway I'm hoping it will be a great experience for us both.

Well done to Dolly & Daughter, they are looking so fantastic! And well done mummy for holding it (nearly) all together, you must be so proud!

Thank you!

And well done you too!!!!

I did nearly hold it all together!! I'm not the emotional type, but definately welled up a bit when they did their individual show so confidently!!!

 

[WelshRuby]

Got all teary reading that - often think back to your first panicky posts and now look at all of you - winning qualifiers no less! very WELL DONE!

 

[Fools Motto]

Just to say a huge well done, D + D look VERY smart!

I'm in the same camp as go to a county show, get the jist of the standard before heading to London. At this rate they will be plenty more qualifiers to win!! It also sounds like, because you are doubting the cost of membership and fuel/distance then your heart isn't in it completely. Go to more local shows, spend the money on an extra lesson or three, and next year.... D+D will be unbeatable!!
Again, brilliant, well done team Redmone.

 

[FMM]

How fabulous - I have read your posts over the past months and they just get better and better!

Re doing BSPS etc. You need to be aware that for hunter pony classes the turnout is always tweed jackets for the rider with brown or oxblood jod boots and the pony must be in a plain bridle with a plain leather browband. If doing novice, then a snaffle is fine, but in an open class at BSPS they would expect a double/pelham bridle.

For Royal London the turnout should be the same, but the are probably less strict about the bridle. Personally, I would not bother with BSPS and just do ROyal London and try to perhaps qualify for Equifest (in August) where there will be 3 or four classes a day for 4 days that you would be able to do. Be aware that most of the stabling has already been allocated so if you are thinking of that, then you need to get a move on!

Local shows can be far more fun - you have 3 or 4 classes that you can do and maybe add some jumping in as well. At a BSPS show you will probably only have one class that you can do most of the time and it is horrendously expensive to join you, your daughter and the pony. I have decided that despite having a pony that has previously done well in top level showing, I am not prepared to spend in excess of £100 in registration fees to do a couple of classes.

So - my recommendation is find an equifest qualifier and do that. There are plenty of classes at Equifest you don't have to qualify for, and they also have loads of home produced classes where the pro ponies cannot compete.

Best of luck - whatever you do, make sure you have lots of fun!

 

[minesadouble]

Echo what FMM has aid really and wanted to add if she has qualified for BSPS 'Bright Stars' then don't think you need to register to do these classes at the Champs - not 100% certain of that but worth checking out.

Big well done to your daughter

 

[FMM]

Didn't realilse you meant Bright Stars - in which case you don't have to be a member but you will only have one class to do at the champs, so still not convinced it would be worthwhile compared with Royal London or Equifest to be honest.

Assume she is doing the mixed height hunter pony? Again, I would imagine many of them will be in double bridles as this is not a novice class - just a class for non members. However, everyone in the final gets a rosette for turning up and they place up to 10 in each class so you would not go away empty handed.

 

[redmone]

Wow, what a lovely and uplifting post. I just love following Daughter and Dolly's progress, they are a fantastic team.

I can't answer the show question with any authority, I don't have that type of experience. But I would say if you've qualified then why not go for it. The worst is you come away empty handed but with a shedload of experience, and it will be something Daughter can remember for years to come. And Dolly is just a lovely pony so you might not need to be pessimistic

Thank you!!

I keep feeling like I'm doing them a disservice by saying they might not be up to that level yet. After all, I did say to Daughter "don't expect to come home with anything, this is much more than you've done before" last weekend!

But I also think I need to be realistic for them. Some of the ponies we saw at weekend looked very very expensive! And some of the "training" techniques I saw was quite frankly shocking!!! All manner of gadgets worn in the warm up ring, ponies ridden hard by young adults and then little kids popped on, parents shouting instructions whilst kids performing individual shows in the arena, not to mention ponies handled a little roughly for my liking.

I'm sure you've all seen it all before, but it took me (naively I suppose) by surprise. Makes me proud that daughter just gets on with it herself!!!

But it does seem a lot for her to compete with sometimes!

 

[redmone]

Many congrats! Daughters face says it all

If you can afford it I'd go to the bigger shows, but prepare Daughter for the fact that she may not get placed. I'm sure she'd enjoy herself no matter what as she seems quite level headed from what you've said about her.

Hi!

Thank you - yes, I can honestly say I think she was extremely happy and pleased with herself on Sunday!! She was made up with getting a 4th so it was unbelievable to get 1st in the BSPS class.

She is very level headed and not got an ounce of bratness about her. She's a very quiet and thoughtful girl, and has never given me a day of trouble in her 11 years. Which is why I try to give her the world lol

She qualified for the championship at the show at weekend, which was (badly planned) about 4 hours after her last class. Her dad wasn't feeling 100% (he's VERY allergic to horses ) and Daughter decided to go home after her last class as she didn't want Dolly sat on the box all of that time.

When we got home, Dolly was turned out in the field with her pal. Daughter said "well, if I'd done the championship she wouldn't have got as long in the field. I'm glad we came home".

Think I was as proud of her then, as when she won her class!

 

[redmone]

yay! i love reading your updates, and they are not boring atall!! its a lovely journey to read.

re the bigger stuff, its busy, and yes the class is high, but its also people like yourselfs qualifying.

what i would say is if your planing on going, then go out and try to qualify for a few more classes to make it worth your whilse going.

royal lond has a website, but the schedual is HUGE and not always easy to understand, some classes are free, if you have qualified, some not etc.

may be take daughter to watch at some of the bigger/serious stuff 1st and see how she feels, and if she still wants a go at it?

Thank you! I think you're 100% right here. I'm going to find somewhere to go to watch first.

And the more I think about it, the more I think they need longer to get used to competing before doing something so big!

I'm quite amazed to be having this conversation to be honest!!

All I remember is "OMG have I made a HUGE mistake!!!!!" seems a long time ago now!!!

 

[redmone]

Awww well done!! x Bet your soo proud! x Little tear in my eye reading it!! Could feel how proud you are!! x

If you can afford it i think you should definately go for the bigger shows, what a brilliant experience it would be! x If she won first place then she obviously IS what the judges are looking for! x

Aww thank you!!! I'm never the sort to get emotional and I surprised myself on Sunday when I welled up with tears ever so slightly!!!

I am massively proud of both of them.

 

[redmone]

I've already said it but massive well done

If you do go to equifest (I'm sure you can qualify again) I'll come along and cheer/groom for you as its not far from me and I might even bring the yellow one along if I get round to doing some showing this year as he qualified last year but I decided he wast estalished enough on the flat to go. You dont need to register for equifest either you can just do the classes you qualified for and any of the ones that you dont need to qualify for.

Aww thanks DH!!! The fact that Equifest is not far from you makes it seem even further away from us!!!

But I would LOVE you to come see us one day!!! Mini RM would love to meet you and the yellow one!!!!!