First Outing and I'm Stressed

Oh my god, how kind of you all to remember! I have only just stepped back in the door and sat down - sorry to keep you waiting 😂

I am absolutely over the moon with the big man, I couldn't possibly have asked more from him. He put up with a numpty like me plaiting him in the morning (my excuse is I only have chin length hair with short back and sides so forgive the photo you're about to see!) and then he loaded like an absolute pro, travelled a dream despite it taking 45 mins to do a 20 min journey due to an event on locally, ignored entirely the 40+ motorbike club coming past on the single track road and then stood on the trailer when we got there. I popped his bridle on in the trailer and then took him out, he grazed a little, had a look around, had a wee and then scoffed for 30 mins till the class.

In the class he was very good on the whole, incredible for a 4yo on his first trip out but if I am being picky he was slightly mannerless in terms of speed meaning both me and my friend who took him in the class after mine circled him towards us at some stage - a major faux pas! In my class he did have a little rear and a jump around when the two horses in front did the same, so fair enough, but he got over himself very quickly. Stood in the line up, bit fidgety but totally okay by me.

After that we had a catch up with some people, tottled over the lorry, he walked straight back on despite the people in the next lorry having issues loading theirs, and then I unbridled, moved his haynet closer and left him to it while I put bits away and I even then went and got us a burger (within sight of the trailer, not that he could have cared less!) We eat that, he had a big drink and then he travelled home just as great as he travelled there.

I had 3 people come up to me to say they loved how well behaved he was being and they didn't know his age when they said it, so that was a super proud mum few moments! So despite coming 4th out of 4, and 6th out of 6 (due to bad handlers!) I am thrilled with today and will happily take him out on my own to anything in the future.

The only confusing bit is that despite qualifications for Sunshine Tour and Arena UK being given to only 1st-3rd, the judge gave me one in 4th and I overheard the steward saying to her 'thats only for 1st-3rd' and she replied 'Don't care, I don't play by the rules'.. so not sure why I was given it, or whether it was a pity gift, but it was very kind. I don't think we will go as they're very big shows for so early on but nice all the same.

Photos as promised, (these are of friend as she hasn't sent me the ones she took yet, but she won't mind) ETA: I did travel him on the correct side, but the camera I use mirrors it!

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If there are good pro ones I'll pop those in here a bit later on, I intend to buy a couple
 
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