jeeve
Well-Known Member
My son and I have joined local adult riding club, which is very small. As my son has been ill and his horse (Clydie/TB cross - 4 yrs) is very green, we wanted to start as low key as possible.
When we arrived at Gymkhana, no one else was there, although it was advertised gates open 8.30 with 9.30 start. At 8.45 an organiser turned up, and by 9.30 about 15 horses & riders. The judge failed to show up, so the trusty organiser had to judge as well.
First class - turnout was the biggest class all day (6 people), (my son's pony came 6th but as she has never been rugged, trimmed, and only just very quickly washed the day before, that was fair).
Then a progression of other classes I think the biggest of which was 4 people, despite that they did well, placing first and second in a few classes and 4th in others. It was a great day for Grace his horse as she is still working on straightness and consistency in walk and trot. All the events they went in were walk/trot only.
Grace, sometimes called Disgrace did make her mark though - escaping from her yard twice in the day. The first time we tied a rope across the gate and she jumped out within 30 seconds of being put in there. The second time a bit later in the day, my son went for a ride on the other pony we brought along to keep Grace company and she shot out under the rope and went for a canter around the show ring while judging in place. So after that the gate was reinforced and she spent the rest of the day quietly in her yard.
I was a bit surprised the classes were so small, but a few people brought there horses along just for the day out and did not compete at all. Everyone was really friendly and I got lots of tips from the people on turnout, so maybe next time she may not be such a disgrace.
When we arrived at Gymkhana, no one else was there, although it was advertised gates open 8.30 with 9.30 start. At 8.45 an organiser turned up, and by 9.30 about 15 horses & riders. The judge failed to show up, so the trusty organiser had to judge as well.
First class - turnout was the biggest class all day (6 people), (my son's pony came 6th but as she has never been rugged, trimmed, and only just very quickly washed the day before, that was fair).
Then a progression of other classes I think the biggest of which was 4 people, despite that they did well, placing first and second in a few classes and 4th in others. It was a great day for Grace his horse as she is still working on straightness and consistency in walk and trot. All the events they went in were walk/trot only.
Grace, sometimes called Disgrace did make her mark though - escaping from her yard twice in the day. The first time we tied a rope across the gate and she jumped out within 30 seconds of being put in there. The second time a bit later in the day, my son went for a ride on the other pony we brought along to keep Grace company and she shot out under the rope and went for a canter around the show ring while judging in place. So after that the gate was reinforced and she spent the rest of the day quietly in her yard.
I was a bit surprised the classes were so small, but a few people brought there horses along just for the day out and did not compete at all. Everyone was really friendly and I got lots of tips from the people on turnout, so maybe next time she may not be such a disgrace.
