PapaFrita
Well-Known Member
Ok then, PF's first show of the year and first in her pink glory! Day started much as first show last year started; a bit nervewracking. Was late to meet trailer... much like last year, except this year it was their fault because they told me they'd be there at 9.30 and rolled up at 8!!!! poor PF barely had a mouthful of food when we hared it down to the main gate. 2km at a jog with me leading and panting like an obscene phonecaller and PF piaffing all the way and spooking at absolutely everything. To add to my strain, she pulled a shoe off in the trailer (fortunately my farrier was about to put it back on) and a grazed her hock (I'd forgotten her hock boots
) and was in a VERY crappy mood, possibly because she'd been deafened by Araucano kicking the hell out of the trailer all the trip. Frankly I think he should be given some kind of calmer because he winds all the other horses up, or simply not allowed to travel!
Anyhoo, decided not to jump 80cm as it was a pretty easy course, and go straight for 90cm and possibly 1m. As soon as I started to warm up, it was clear that PF's mood had NOT improved and her happy mouth straight bar snaffle WASN'T going to hold her for very long...
We were jumping on grass for the first time (didn't realise until we turned up) had no studs, and BOF encouragingly told me that she'd be even keener than usual
I decided that I would ignore all BOF's suggestions to "cut corners and gallop on" and go for a nice steady double clear... PF had other plans... I valiantly battled with her the first round, and then thought "OK you bee-atch, let's bl**dy go fast then!"
Fences, trees and the general public passed in a blur like the Milennium Falcon going into light speed as we tore round the course. PF jumped her socks off and turned like a polo pony. She not only jumped the double clear, but took us into the lead! Unfortunately one of the last riders pipped us to the post and we had to settle for second, but I was very, very pleased. Decided against doing the 1m as I probably wouldn't be able to stop and didn't want her possibly hurting herself.
Someone later asked me if I'd meant to go that fast, seeing as it was PF's first ever jump off against the clock.... "Of course" I smiled
Nobody mentioned the pink!!
Unfortunately my official photographer (mother) was unable to attend and BOF can't manage a camera at all, so only have pics of collecting ring and rosette giving...
Enjoy the sunshine
Receiving rosette (very smug PF!)
Me and former BOFers Sol and Pauline (PF chatting up Filipo, whom she'd never met before!
)
Anyhoo, decided not to jump 80cm as it was a pretty easy course, and go straight for 90cm and possibly 1m. As soon as I started to warm up, it was clear that PF's mood had NOT improved and her happy mouth straight bar snaffle WASN'T going to hold her for very long...
We were jumping on grass for the first time (didn't realise until we turned up) had no studs, and BOF encouragingly told me that she'd be even keener than usual
I decided that I would ignore all BOF's suggestions to "cut corners and gallop on" and go for a nice steady double clear... PF had other plans... I valiantly battled with her the first round, and then thought "OK you bee-atch, let's bl**dy go fast then!"
Someone later asked me if I'd meant to go that fast, seeing as it was PF's first ever jump off against the clock.... "Of course" I smiled
Nobody mentioned the pink!!
Unfortunately my official photographer (mother) was unable to attend and BOF can't manage a camera at all, so only have pics of collecting ring and rosette giving...
Enjoy the sunshine
Receiving rosette (very smug PF!)
Me and former BOFers Sol and Pauline (PF chatting up Filipo, whom she'd never met before!
