ImmyS
Well-Known Member
So me and Arlo had our first ever show today and we had a really lovely day. I went with absolutely zero expectations and the aim was just to give both of us a good confidence boosting experience.
Boxed up and head over to the show ground, was a bit of a rush as the lady I was with had earlier classes, but we tacked up together so I could walk Arlo round and settle him in. He got slightly nervous and agitated when his travel buddy went into the ring but after having a calm walk and trot around he settled well and then stood nicely and watched the classes.
Then came our turn to go in and I was super nervous. He felt a bit tense in the ring, where he had felt lovely and relaxed trotting in the warm up, but I think my nerves have a big part to play! He was tense but he really tried hard and stood perfectly in the line up.
Well he only blimmin came in 2nd!! Super proud of the little chap and the judge and other competitors were really complimentary about him which was so lovely to hear as he’s come such a long way from the timid little rising 4 year old that I couldn’t even get on!
I was debating whether to do another class but we had waited around a while and he was so well behaved I wanted to end on a high so we packed up and head home with grins on our faces!! 😀
Arlo is 5 tomorrow so a lovely birthday present.
And thank you to anyone who commented on my other threads with advice for turnout, it was super helpful.
All ready to head to the show -
Super happy after our class
And a short clip of the in the ring, I really need to let him swing on more as I think I hold him back and make him tense.
And back at home looking happy with his frizzy hair do.
Boxed up and head over to the show ground, was a bit of a rush as the lady I was with had earlier classes, but we tacked up together so I could walk Arlo round and settle him in. He got slightly nervous and agitated when his travel buddy went into the ring but after having a calm walk and trot around he settled well and then stood nicely and watched the classes.
Then came our turn to go in and I was super nervous. He felt a bit tense in the ring, where he had felt lovely and relaxed trotting in the warm up, but I think my nerves have a big part to play! He was tense but he really tried hard and stood perfectly in the line up.
Well he only blimmin came in 2nd!! Super proud of the little chap and the judge and other competitors were really complimentary about him which was so lovely to hear as he’s come such a long way from the timid little rising 4 year old that I couldn’t even get on!
I was debating whether to do another class but we had waited around a while and he was so well behaved I wanted to end on a high so we packed up and head home with grins on our faces!! 😀
Arlo is 5 tomorrow so a lovely birthday present.
And thank you to anyone who commented on my other threads with advice for turnout, it was super helpful.
All ready to head to the show -
Super happy after our class
And a short clip of the in the ring, I really need to let him swing on more as I think I hold him back and make him tense.
And back at home looking happy with his frizzy hair do.
