3Beasties
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure if we are qualified enough to post in Competition riders so I have posted in here instead
We took Millie to her first Hunter Trial today (2nd ever competition) and has a great time.
We weren't sure weather she would do the 2'3" or 2'9" but when we got there and walked the course we decided that the 2'9" was up to height and all the fences were solid with some tricky jump. We didn't want to over face her so entered her in to the 2'3" individuals. Little Jockey was happy with the course, her only worry was the water as Millie has been known to refuse to get her feet wet
Unfortunately as we had got there a little late and the classes were small they had nearly finished that class so they said we could go round at the end of the pairs 2'3" which we were also entered for.
Had a mad dash to tack up and did a very quick warm up before they were called in for their pairs round. I had given the little jockeys instructions to let Millie lead as although she has never done a course before I felt that compared to the other pony (Robin ridden by Little Jockeys Sister) she was less likely to stop. Robins rider wasn't happy about this, completely ignored me and at the start kicked on so that she was in the lead
Robin hesitated at fence one and two which resulted in Millie doing the same, then predictably he stopped at No. 3 and as Millie was probably to close to him she stopped as well. They both jumped it on their 2nd attempt and then Robin carried on in the lead, another awkward (think cat leap
)jump over 4 and then a stop at 5 (the water) at which Point Little Jockey Kicked on and got to lead. Carried on really well and went clear the rest of the way (with Millie leading
)
Slightly annoyed with Little person but hopefully she has learnt that I am always right and do talk sense at times
Back to the box for what we thought would be a nice break only to hear them calling Little Jockey back to do her Individual round
Told LJ to really kick on as I thought that A. Millie might nap back to Robin who was still at the Box and B. She knew the jumps and was not going to be taken by surprise so would be ready to stop at the scary ones.
(This is the best bit
)Anyway much to my delight she set off without a backwards glance, stayed in a steady but forward going canter (most other people seemed to trot all the way) throughout (except at the water were LJ pulled he back to trot even though she said Millie felt like she wanted to canter!) and went clear!! To say I was pleased was an understatement, and LJ's face was a picture
We were both so please with the Little Ginger Pony!
There was quite a big group of us supporting them and I must admit we were quietly confident that they would get placed, when the results went up we were slightly surprised that they weren't even in the top 6, and even more shocked when we found out there were only 11 in the class!!
We went to speak to the overall judge to see what they were judged on just to get some feedback and she said that they were judged on style rather then time. Fair enough we thought, she may have been one of the quickest but they obviously didn't like her style.
We asked where they had been placed overall to which she replied "ahhh, we had a bit of a debate about this when we were judging and it was decided that you went round HC as you went after the pairs class!!" So no placing and no rosette which we were slightly disappointed about especially as they had gone so nicely, slightly miffed that we also had to pay £25 for the class
(I hope I don't come across as a pot hunter because I'm not, Honestly).
All in all we did have a great day, we can put it down to experience and at least we now know that Millie is capable of doing a HT. Considering it was only her 2nd show/competition she was extremely well behaved, she stayed so calm throughout and preformed fantastically.
When she got back to the box, bearing in mind she had more or less done two rounds back to back, she wasn't even blowing so hopefully that means she is fit enough to hunt
A few Piccy's - will post more in PG!
I love this photo as it shows how pleased LJ is
And what Millie thought of the whole things
So, so proud of my super little Pony
We took Millie to her first Hunter Trial today (2nd ever competition) and has a great time.
We weren't sure weather she would do the 2'3" or 2'9" but when we got there and walked the course we decided that the 2'9" was up to height and all the fences were solid with some tricky jump. We didn't want to over face her so entered her in to the 2'3" individuals. Little Jockey was happy with the course, her only worry was the water as Millie has been known to refuse to get her feet wet
Unfortunately as we had got there a little late and the classes were small they had nearly finished that class so they said we could go round at the end of the pairs 2'3" which we were also entered for.
Had a mad dash to tack up and did a very quick warm up before they were called in for their pairs round. I had given the little jockeys instructions to let Millie lead as although she has never done a course before I felt that compared to the other pony (Robin ridden by Little Jockeys Sister) she was less likely to stop. Robins rider wasn't happy about this, completely ignored me and at the start kicked on so that she was in the lead
Robin hesitated at fence one and two which resulted in Millie doing the same, then predictably he stopped at No. 3 and as Millie was probably to close to him she stopped as well. They both jumped it on their 2nd attempt and then Robin carried on in the lead, another awkward (think cat leap
Slightly annoyed with Little person but hopefully she has learnt that I am always right and do talk sense at times
Back to the box for what we thought would be a nice break only to hear them calling Little Jockey back to do her Individual round
(This is the best bit
There was quite a big group of us supporting them and I must admit we were quietly confident that they would get placed, when the results went up we were slightly surprised that they weren't even in the top 6, and even more shocked when we found out there were only 11 in the class!!
We asked where they had been placed overall to which she replied "ahhh, we had a bit of a debate about this when we were judging and it was decided that you went round HC as you went after the pairs class!!" So no placing and no rosette which we were slightly disappointed about especially as they had gone so nicely, slightly miffed that we also had to pay £25 for the class
All in all we did have a great day, we can put it down to experience and at least we now know that Millie is capable of doing a HT. Considering it was only her 2nd show/competition she was extremely well behaved, she stayed so calm throughout and preformed fantastically.
When she got back to the box, bearing in mind she had more or less done two rounds back to back, she wasn't even blowing so hopefully that means she is fit enough to hunt
A few Piccy's - will post more in PG!
I love this photo as it shows how pleased LJ is
And what Millie thought of the whole things
So, so proud of my super little Pony
