Showing stories

[Sparkeyboy]

Not sure if I should be admitting this but I quite enjoyed browsing the comment section of the recent HOYS post on social media, as well as the discussion had on here. I was secretly relieved that the 'WTF' moments in showing happen to others as well. This is only meant in jest, what cringe/shocking show stories have you got?

My most memorable was an in-hand class where I presented the pony in front of the judge for the individual run out. Her phone rang and she answered it and proceeded to have a conversation with caller whilst looking in the other direction. When she had finished, we did our show and went back to the line up. We placed last. I didn't bother asking for feedback as I presumed she must not have liked him but she proceeded to tell me anyway that 'he does absolutely nothing for me' and walked off.

We then had the same judge in an equitation class, again, we placed last. I asked for feedback as was interested if she'd judged this class on the pony, as apposed to the rider. She said I was too long on the pony. Okay fair point I was an adult on a native pony, BUT it wouldn't have been such a hard one to take had she not placed a rider and pony in 2nd place whose rider's feet were dangling by pony's knees.

Also witnessed a stallion strike it's handler in the head during an in-hand class, judge didn't ask it to leave and i'm not sure how the guy remained standing. It got 2nd.

 

[Mustard]

We used to have a coloured pony - a pretty mare., working hunter type. I entered my daughter and the mare into a children's riding pony class - not show pony. A girl fell off and her pony started galloping round the ring, causing havoc. My daughter calmly herded it into a corner, caught it and returned it to the rider. The rider who came off was allowed to get back on. Daughter wasn't placed because the judge 'didn't like coloureds', and the girl who came off was. I know which one I thought was the best children's riding pony!

 

[conniegirl]

We used to have a coloured pony - a pretty mare., working hunter type. I entered my daughter and the mare into a children's riding pony class - not show pony. A girl fell off and her pony started galloping round the ring, causing havoc. My daughter calmly herded it into a corner, caught it and returned it to the rider. The rider who came off was allowed to get back on. Daughter wasn't placed because the judge 'didn't like coloureds', and the girl who came off was. I know which one I thought was the best children's riding pony!

Just an FYI a childs riding pony class is a show pony class.
Thats why at county shows you see the “riding pony” breeding classes and the bsps classes are always called riding pony classes.

 

[Maryann]

As a child I once entered the ring without my pony after being bucked off in the collecting ring. Once re-united we failed to get round the jumping phase of the working hunter class. The pony eventually went JA but not with me.
My bay hunter was an immature 2-year-old as he was an August foal. It was a local show and I had borrowed a white lead rein. It was a bit grubby so I whitened it with some enthusiasm and it came up beautifully. We got in the ring, the class was enormous and the heavens opened to the extent that the competitors numbers disintegrated in minutes. The 2-year-old leapt about and in no time we were both covered in the white stuff from the lead rein and the lead rein itself had turned to slime, he was a big lad and managing the situation suddenly got a whole lot harder. The mess was unreal and it was a releif when I was asked to leave the ring.

 

[Chianti]

Friend takes her daughter and her Shetland to a show. Same judge for two classes. Unplaced in one and sixth in another. At the end of the show she politely asks the judge what she can do to help her daughter do better. Judge replies that the pony need more weight on as he's too thin. Friend tells her that pony had laminitis with previous owner so she's worked to get weight off him. Judge says she agrees with that but 'this is showing'. Pony was obese when they got him and now looks great. Why do people want to show???

 

[Mustard]

Just an FYI a childs riding pony class is a show pony class.
Thats why at county shows you see the “riding pony” breeding classes and the bsps classes are always called riding pony classes.

I've not remembered the class name correctly - I would never have entered her for a Riding Pony class; as I said, she was working hunter stamp. It was a just for fun local show, and this class was meant for the pony most suitable as a kids riding pony, as in behaviour, way of going etc. Looks were not supposed to be the major part. A bit like a Best Riding club type, if that makes sense?

 

[Sparkeyboy]

As a child I once entered the ring without my pony after being bucked off in the collecting ring. Once re-united we failed to get round the jumping phase of the working hunter class. The pony eventually went JA but not with me.
My bay hunter was an immature 2-year-old as he was an August foal. It was a local show and I had borrowed a white lead rein. It was a bit grubby so I whitened it with some enthusiasm and it came up beautifully. We got in the ring, the class was enormous and the heavens opened to the extent that the competitors numbers disintegrated in minutes. The 2-year-old leapt about and in no time we were both covered in the white stuff from the lead rein and the lead rein itself had turned to slime, he was a big lad and managing the situation suddenly got a whole lot harder. The mess was unreal and it was a releif when I was asked to leave the ring.

White show halters give me flashbacks. I took a companion pony to a local show for some in-hand and the halter slipped off his head. He escaped the class and caused a riot running in-between everyone's horseboxes and trailers. It took 4 people clinging on to him whilst we wrestled it back on, shoved him in the trailer and took him home. That was his first and last show.

 

[thefarsideofthefield]

I was pulled in 1st on my Fell mare after the go around in a huge mixed large breeds class which was a qualifier for a society championships . She did a pretty much foot perfect show and , although I never expect to win , I was quite surprised to find my self pulled in last after the final walk round . The judge handed out the rosettes and then the steward was dispatched all the way down the very long line to stand in front of me and say , in a booming voice that everyone on the showground must've been able to hear ,
" The judge has asked me to tell you that heart bar shoes are not allowed under the rules of this class . "
I replied " Thank you for that information . If I ever get my pony shod I shall bear it in mind " .
There was a long silence whilst everyone gazed at my pony's bare feet and the steward turned a little pink , and then I added , helpfully ,
" You might also want to share that information with the rider of the black Section D wearing heart bar shoes who has just won the class " .
She sidled back up the line and the judge let the placings stand .
Showing eh ?

 

[minesadouble]

I honestly think local level showing is a total lottery depending on whether the judge has any knowledge that is relevant and the first idea about conformation.

When we first got our lovely old RoR we took him local for his first ever outing. There were only two in the class and our boy went foot perfect though a little tense as it was indoors and he had very limited experience of indoor arenas. Conformation wise he was hard to fault.
The other horse looked as though it had come straight from the racetrack, it was like a kipper, no top line at all, zero schooling in evidence and went with its head in one county and its hocks in the next!

Ours got 2nd because 'he looked Sharp'! It was so blatant that the owners of the winning horse came over after the class and were so apologetic, they were actually mortified and said they had no idea how in the world the judge had them the wrong way round.

Ours went on to do very very well under some decent judges and their little horse progressed into a lovely allrounder. We used to see them sometimes out and about and we would have a good laugh about the show in question.

 

[Kaylum]

Hacked my horse up to the show with my friends when I was a teenager, wanted to go in the clear round. He would not leave his friends and decided rearing would be a better option so decided he should go home as he was getting dangerous. He would not load so hacked him home but didnt get that far, he reared with me and I fell off. He ran back to the show about 3 miles away on the road. Proceeded to run round the showground and was a total idiot. My friend finished her class and we went home. Not my finest hour.

 

[Mari]

I was once placed last in a senior handler class. The judge said my horse was too well behaved.

 

[Mary3050]

Friend takes her daughter and her Shetland to a show. Same judge for two classes. Unplaced in one and sixth in another. At the end of the show she politely asks the judge what she can do to help her daughter do better. Judge replies that the pony need more weight on as he's too thin. Friend tells her that pony had laminitis with previous owner so she's worked to get weight off him. Judge says she agrees with that but 'this is showing'. Pony was obese when they got him and now looks great. Why do people want to show???

This drives me mad and this is why I stopped showing . One of my horses was a top show horse who’s previous owners gave steroids from a young age 5/6 . The horse may have won everything going and was dragged all over the place to every show possible. I feel in love and didn’t know all this when I purchased . Now suffers with EMS, PPID and arthritis all where early onset .

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Oh many many over the years! I've been told my stallion was "too feisty" as he jig jigged into the ring announcing himself with grunts and winneys - not full on neighs boy sounds that lasted all of 1 side of the arena before he shut up and walked.

I was judging the other day and put a pony 2nd of 6. She was a nice stamp. After all classes and the championship the owner came over and asked what they could do to improve their placing next time. I said the pony was too fat and needed to lose some weight. That started a 5min tirade with a whole load of information I didn't need to know about them and the pony.

I've won classes I shouldn't have, I've stood last in classes I shouldn't have, I've shown the wrong colour pony numerous times, I've shown the wrong breed of pony numerous times. I got left on the ring ropes once when my shetland decided he wanted to go back to his brother at the trailer. I fell off when an overly enthusiastic steward flapped the rosette bags next to me mid gallop. I've totally failed to move in a class. If you can do it I've done it!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I remember taking our £80 Welsh pony ( bought from a market) into a youngstock class fir experience. He was beautiful looking. The class was huge. Whilst standing in the line up the lady next to me asked where I had got him etc etc so I told her. She then told me all about her fantastically bred expensive Welsh. I was pulled in first and the judge said she couldn't wait to see him back under saddle!!

 

[Mary3050]

I was pulled in 1st on my Fell mare after the go around in a huge mixed large breeds class which was a qualifier for a society championships . She did a pretty much foot perfect show and , although I never expect to win , I was quite surprised to find my self pulled in last after the final walk round . The judge handed out the rosettes and then the steward was dispatched all the way down the very long line to stand in front of me and say , in a booming voice that everyone on the showground must've been able to hear ,
" The judge has asked me to tell you that heart bar shoes are not allowed under the rules of this class . "
I replied " Thank you for that information . If I ever get my pony shod I shall bear it in mind " .
There was a long silence whilst everyone gazed at my pony's bare feet and the steward turned a little pink , and then I added , helpfully ,
" You might also want to share that information with the rider of the black Section D wearing heart bar shoes who has just won the class " .
She sidled back up the line and the judge let the placings stand .
Showing eh ?

I find it highly annoying

I was pulled in 1st on my Fell mare after the go around in a huge mixed large breeds class which was a qualifier for a society championships . She did a pretty much foot perfect show and , although I never expect to win , I was quite surprised to find my self pulled in last after the final walk round . The judge handed out the rosettes and then the steward was dispatched all the way down the very long line to stand in front of me and say , in a booming voice that everyone on the showground must've been able to hear ,
" The judge has asked me to tell you that heart bar shoes are not allowed under the rules of this class . "
I replied " Thank you for that information . If I ever get my pony shod I shall bear it in mind " .
There was a long silence whilst everyone gazed at my pony's bare feet and the steward turned a little pink , and then I added , helpfully ,
" You might also want to share that information with the rider of the black Section D wearing heart bar shoes who has just won the class " .
She sidled back up the line and the judge let the placings stand .
Showing eh ?

The amount of times I have had this happens at area shows with large breed class is unreal . I have had judges get mixed up Between a dales and a fell. I specifically remember at big show with evening performance going in for the championships . After winning the Connemara/New forest class earlier in the day . The judge shouts “the bay section D please” . Everyone looking very confused . She kept flapping at me to come in . I went what is she went yes you . I walked over and said we aren’t a Welsh . She laughed and went should have put my glasses on . Gets even better as the only bay was mine all the Welsh were black, palomino or chestnut ?

 

[tda]

I was pulled in 1st on my Fell mare after the go around in a huge mixed large breeds class which was a qualifier for a society championships . She did a pretty much foot perfect show and , although I never expect to win , I was quite surprised to find my self pulled in last after the final walk round . The judge handed out the rosettes and then the steward was dispatched all the way down the very long line to stand in front of me and say , in a booming voice that everyone on the showground must've been able to hear ,
" The judge has asked me to tell you that heart bar shoes are not allowed under the rules of this class . "
I replied " Thank you for that information . If I ever get my pony shod I shall bear it in mind " .
There was a long silence whilst everyone gazed at my pony's bare feet and the steward turned a little pink , and then I added , helpfully ,
" You might also want to share that information with the rider of the black Section D wearing heart bar shoes who has just won the class " .
She sidled back up the line and the judge let the placings stand .
Showing eh ?

?????

 

[Mary3050]

I mean I have so many to choose from over the years . But have to say so glad you posted this after a bad horsey day of everything going wrong this gave me a little smile .

My favourite has to be when i entered a riding club novice ridden (walk & trot ) a big show said no lead rein . The class was over subscribed to many horses for the ring. Resulting In horse being squashed together and being in two rows with the little ones at the front . Pony in front with child kept backing into my horse the class went on for so long . So off I went did a lovely show . Get back in line up a few minutes later pony in front kept going nuts running back kicking with back legs little rears. Small child couldn’t deal with it so judge allows mum in with leadrein . Noticed a few wasps . Then the they started coming more and more my horse backed up a little went forward and bunny hopped. Judge sent the steward over to tell me to get it under control or leave . Then the pony in-front started again it’s hoof made contact with my youngster and all the wasps he went back and tried to get away . Judge went get it out now there are children . So hanging my head in shame I left “ well my very upset 4 year old was coxed out of the ring by my friend” young horse was getting more and more stressed and began rearing . So I jumped off … into a rabbit hole twisting knee . I started crying with pain. Judge just looked and shock her head . Turns out I dislocated my knee an old injury . My other friend carried as I just wanted to leave . My poor youngster had been stung so many times side of his neck swelled up his backend and stomach . So had I !

Best news was that the pony and child won “ for having to deal with such a badly behaved horse and rider “ . At another show a few weeks later. A lady approached and said she was also in the class a few lines down . Apparently the child in front had a pocked of sweets that mother had given them .Child kept getting them all over and that’s why so many wasps came !

 

[fetlock]

I have a similar equitation class tale. These classes were something of a speciality for my working hunter pony as, beautifully schooled and with manners to match, nothing could touch him. His rein backs in particular were sublime. Anyway, at a BSPS show to my delight there was an equitation class. Pony did his usual walk to canters, perfect serpentines, foot perfect four step rein back, with none of the other two dozen doing anything but the usual showing type of show.

The winner of the class was one of the daughters of a very well known (and successful) local show pony family. The pony was spectacular throughout as far as performing on only two of its four legs at any one time goes. It was mayhem, and the rider utterly petrified. Things took a turn for the worse when the pony decided to violently nap as she passed the entrance during her show, and threw her off, before legging it out of the ring with its tail in the air as she sat in a heap on the grass bawling her eyes out. Half a dozen individual shows later (from others),family finally managed to persuade her to get back on the pony and, still crying, back she came into the ring. Winner, winner, Chicken dinner - she only went and won.

I finished last of twenty four . Forty years ago, that was. I still haven't got over it.

 

[silv]

You couldn't make this up but it is true,

I was riding in the championship class for riding horse with one other competitor on a much inferior horse to mine, it had been down the line all season. Anyway it was really naughty and bucked it rider off and left the ring, the judge allowed the rider to go and retrieve the horse and get on and carry on with the class. It got champion and I got reserve. In all fairness I think the rider was even surprised. This was a proper agricultural show not some little local show. I could have put in an objection but didn't bother, as I thought it was hilarious.

Another show I had a lovely coloured mare at the time with the most fabulous movement, she was stunning. The judge was horrible and told me that big flash paces have no place in the show ring and I should not ask for them! I just replied that that was her normal way of going and her movement was natural. This was a well known breeder of WB's who said that, maybe she was jealous of my lovely mare who was not a WB! Anyway that judge is well known for being unpleasant.

 

[fetlock]

You couldn't make this up but it is true,

I was riding in the championship class for riding horse with one other competitor on a much inferior horse to mine, it had been down the line all season. Anyway it was really naughty and bucked it rider off and left the ring, the judge allowed the rider to go and retrieve the horse and get on and carry on with the class. It got champion and I got reserve. In all fairness I think the rider was even surprised. This was a proper agricultural show not some little local show. I could have put in an objection but didn't bother, as I thought it was hilarious.

Another show I had a lovely coloured mare at the time with the most fabulous movement, she was stunning. The judge was horrible and told me that big flash paces have no place in the show ring and I should not ask for them! I just replied that that was her normal way of going and her movement was natural. This was a well known breeder of WB's who said that, maybe she was jealous of my lovely mare who was not a WB! Anyway that judge is well known for being unpleasant.

I remember one particularly unpleasant show pony judge.

On the first encounter, she placed my pony last out of four and, as she came over to give me the rosette, said in a booming voice "what on EARTH have you done to your pony's leg!!!". There was nothing wrong with his leg- any of them (though plenty wrong with his head and, to be fair, she had ample reason anyway to place him last- but the leg wasn't one of them). All three heads of the other kids ahead of me in the line up swivelled round to stare at my pony's legs, whilst I sat, wanting to curl up and just die with the shame.

Next time we showed under her she must have forgotten about her aversion to one of his legs because, it being a very rare occasion in that he behaved, she pulled him in first. Just as she was again about to hand over the rosette however, he decided to execute a perfect pretty vertical rear. Off the pony my 12 year old self slithered, never to get that red rosette or- in fact - any rosette at all. I remember like yesterday her shrieks of "Get out. Get your pony OUT of my ring!"

 

[fidleyspromise]

I honestly think local level showing is a total lottery depending on whether the judge has any knowledge that is relevant and the first idea about conformation.

When we first got our lovely old RoR we took him local for his first ever outing. There were only two in the class and our boy went foot perfect though a little tense as it was indoors and he had very limited experience of indoor arenas. Conformation wise he was hard to fault.
The other horse looked as though it had come straight from the racetrack, it was like a kipper, no top line at all, zero schooling in evidence and went with its head in one county and its hocks in the next!

Ours got 2nd because 'he looked Sharp'! It was so blatant that the owners of the winning horse came over after the class and were so apologetic, they were actually mortified and said they had no idea how in the world the judge had them the wrong way round.

Ours went on to do very very well under some decent judges and their little horse progressed into a lovely allrounder. We used to see them sometimes out and about and we would have a good laugh about the show in question.

I love how you managed to bond over this with the other competitor.


I don't have any outrageous stories but then I've only showed a handful of times.

At a very local small show I was in ridden M&M class with my Highland and pulled in first and judge stated she has no muscle but she had to come first as she was the one most true to type. I was flabbergasted and felt so undeserving of that rosette. I didn't think Pony was that bad.

I then had an in hand class where my other pony was the only competitor and I'd read a bad behaved Pony should not win and took that to heart so with my young pony bucking and plunging I retired. Judge later said should have kept her in for the experience.

I had another day at a bigger local show where I was told my Highland needed more condition. No thank you - she was a BCS 3/5 and hacked and schooled several times a week.

Hacked 2 hours to a show so Pony was forward and excited. Did her trot lovely but I struggled to keep up with her. in hand judge said if it had been a ridden class she'd have won? I think it was an M&M class and she took third. (Turns out this popped up on my FB memories today from 11 years ago as she got 4th in working hunter and 6th in her ridden novice class).

 

[Snowfilly]

I had a friend who got given a ‘best of breed - Fell’ rosette with her highland. Who was yellow dun. It was a Native Pony Society show, at that. Luckily, he was only a yearling out for ring practice so she was amused more than annoyed.

More mortifying than anything - I took my then 20 year old Clyde into ‘condition and turn out in hand’ to get him settled. He was a very experienced show horse, who’d previously shown in harness and to a cart before I got him and we’d done a lot of in hand. Anyway, that morning he decided to be a sod and neighed and bounced his way round, including a full on capriole the first time he went past the mirrors. Steward came over and congratulated me on doing a good job handling my youngster and getting him settled; I had to confess we were there for the veteran class.

 

[thefarsideofthefield]

The judge who , whilst explaining the set show to a large breeds class , said that she would like us to do a " stretchy outy trot " across the diagonal . " Like this " she said and then demonstrated the extravagant " stretchy outy trot " required with her arms , complete with flicking hands .( Cue delighted Welsh riders , the rest of us - not so much ! ) .
The judge who was , I think , trying to be ' encouraging ' who gave me my rosette and said " You all deserved to win but I placed you 3rd because she ( points to neighbouring competitor ) was 2nd . ..... and that one ( points to the top of the line ) was 1st " .
Ahhh ! So that's how it works ?

 

[BBP]

I took my old Welsh B to a veterans ridden class at a local show. It was pretty well attended with about 20 competitors in the class. All fine in the go round until asked to pick up canter and I realise my girth was way too loose. And I realised it only because the saddle starts to move up her withers at which point she shoved her head between her knees, gave it a good old bronc and took off, starting what felt like a mass stampede around the ring of at least 50% of the competitors, all having a jolly old time! Funnily enough I did not get placed! My pony was about 27 or so at the time.

In her youth we think she must have been a pretty decent show pony, used to standing at the top of the line. On our first few shows she came 1st in most things, and the time she did come second she was outraged, she tried to sidepass her way along the line up to where the first placed pony was standing. It felt very clear from her outraged expression and trying to subtly push the other pony out that she felt the judge had got it wrong and ‘didn’t he know who I am??!!’.

 

[fetlock]

Once we decided to part ways with the lunatic show pony with the rearing problem, a schoolmaster/confidence giver was duly purchased to repair the damage. He did the job admirably, except where jumping was concerned, which was what I wanted to do more of. He would begrudgingly oblige, but 75cm/80cm was his limit and on a good day. Those good days were far from frequent, and he was a real dirty little stopper too. As a result, I jumped quite a few fences without him, landing face first in the grass on the other side of the fence. He did win a few local RC WHP classes when in the mood, but even if he had been more obliging on the jumping side, he was never going to be quality enough for BSPS anyway.

For reasons unknown, I persuaded my parents to take us to a BSPS show that Summer and not just any BSPS show, but the area's annual pre-Peterborough WHP show. This was held in the international arena at an equestrian centre, the huge grass arena modelled on Hickstead. So not only was the course bang up to height (in the days when the max heights for the class were 3ft 9, with a 4ft 6 spread), it included a couple of imposing dry ditches, a table/raised tennis court thingy to jump up onto, two strides and back off, Devil's Dyke, Derby bank (which I don't think was included) and a very wide water jump.

I can't remember my thoughts on all of this as I walked the course but guessing I wasn't particularly bothered, because the odds of getting past the first large, but straightforward, first fence were non existant anyway, so I only had one fence really to think about.

So, my turn came about and in we trotted. Much to my utter astonishment, and very probably the pony's too, we soared over the first three fences intact. Unheard of! Then we came to the next obstacle - not a fence but a footbridge. They'd gone bezerk with foliage here, so in orer to get through this ground level and very narrow footbridge, you had to fight your way through a 6 foot long jungle of bullfinch-like shrubbery.

Never the bravest by a long shot and probably in total shock after the first three fences (I know I certainly was...), the pony took one look and was having absolutely nothing to do with it - not once, not twice but three times. And so we were eliminated, at the one obstacle that didn't actually involve any jumping. I'm going back 40 odd years or so again so my memory of the finer details is sketchy, but can't remember being particularly bothered, and guessing quite relieved, considering what fence horrors were to come next, on the other side of that bridge.

As I trotted out, my Dad trotted in. Non horsey and the highlight of the few shows he ever attended being the burger van, since there wasn't a burger van at this particular show, he'd had nothing else to do but to watch my round. Outraged because his daughter had been eliminated unfairly in his (absolutely clueless) opinion, for something that didn't even involve an actual fence (and probably wound up by my mother), he decided to storm the judges box for a ruckus.

So off he pelted, taking the steps leading to the commentary box tower two at a time, and a ruckus with somebody lurking up there duly occured. With who, I don't actually know, because (thankfully) it wasn't the judge, who was exactly where they should be - in the middle of the ring.

 

[Baywonder]

Many years ago I went to a local show with a fellow livery. We both entered a couple of showing classes, and in one, I was pulled in second, whilst fellow livery was waaayyy down the line.

As we left the ring, said livery's mother was furious with the result and said, very loudly, "There is no-one in that ring who should have been placed above my DD!!!"

I just looked at her, and she sheepishly said "Well, apart from you, of course..." ?

 

[Baywonder]

Oh, and another time, I had only had my first pony a few months, and a fellow livery was attending a show with her HUGE black mare. The owner asked me and my friend if we could go along with the transporter and look after her mare at the showground until she arrived by car. We agreed and set off, foolishly thinking the transporter would wait there too.

Wrong. Said mare was unloaded, and she pranced around at the end of her lead rope, eyes on stalks. We asked the guy if he could wait, and he said "No, I'm not paid to do that" - and off he went!

We were left trying to keep hold of this loopy mare for about half an hour, and to say we were relieved when the owner arrived is an understatement!

They did go on to win their class though!

 

[First Frost]

County level mixed M and M small breeds. Pony did lovely show and go around and was pulled in 4th out of about 10. Judge came along with rosettes and complimented me on his manners and movement but said unfortunately he was 'a little coarse in the head for a welsh Section A'. I replied that, that could be because he is a Dartmoor!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I took my old Welsh B to a veterans ridden class at a local show. It was pretty well attended with about 20 competitors in the class. All fine in the go round until asked to pick up canter and I realise my girth was way too loose. And I realised it only because the saddle starts to move up her withers at which point she shoved her head between her knees, gave it a good old bronc and took off, starting what felt like a mass stampede around the ring of at least 50% of the competitors, all having a jolly old time! Funnily enough I did not get placed! My pony was about 27 or so at the time.

In her youth we think she must have been a pretty decent show pony, used to standing at the top of the line. On our first few shows she came 1st in most things, and the time she did come second she was outraged, she tried to sidepass her way along the line up to where the first placed pony was standing. It felt very clear from her outraged expression and trying to subtly push the other pony out that she felt the judge had got it wrong and ‘didn’t he know who I am??!!’.

Honestly the veterans are the WORST! They think they can get away with blue murder!

Flint had been a prolific show winner and racing shetland in his day. I retired him at 22yo as he had a melanoma on his willy which meant he couldn't put it away properly and he hated inhand showing, I had no rider for him as he was very much an Open pony through and through. At 28yo he looked absolutely amazing and so I said sod it! He can go to our local show 5miles down the road and do the local shetland group show the week after because I had nothing else to take. So we got to the agricultural show and Flint went into his pen not a bother and was looking about quite enjoying his wee day away from home. I had entered him in the Inhand Shetland Gelding class and the Lead Rein class with a borrowed rider. He hadn't been ridden in 6 years (and still hadn't until said random child got on him at the show!) so I thought it would be too much to ask him to do the Open Ridden even though he hated Lead Rein. So in we went for our inhand class and Flint was jogging and pulling my arms out when we were supposed to be walking! Trot was at suspersonic speed that also included canter! I couldn't stop laughing! This was the pony who grew to HATE Inhand with a passion by the end of his career and here he was positively bouncing round the ring! We stood up in front of the judge and he asked how old he was, I replied with "How old do you want him to be?" The judge guessed at 14 or 15yo as he was white so was obviously old enough to have lost any trace of silver. When I said 28yo he just laughed and said he would never have guessed he was that old. So we walked away-ish, spun round the corner and shot off in trot back. Somehow we eneded up 5th of 9! But he always was a very good example of his breed, when he behaved!

Onto the ridden. The random kid hopped on and we went for a wee practice walk and trot. As we did a 2nd trot so the rider could get used to trotting on a shetland I just thought "What the hell have I got myself into!?! This thing is a lunatic!" Well nothing else for it! Into the ring we went. Flint marching along like he was 4yo again. You know how in lead rein the leader is just literally holding onto the end of the loose lead rein proving the pony is safe as houses and you are just there as a final safety net? Yeah? Well that didn't happen! I had a finger looped through Flint's noseband to stop him trotting off at warp speed! And this was just on the go round! We came to our individual show and Flint was well and truly up for it! He was wired! We walked away, trotted back and I had to swop my finger through the noseband for 3 fingers through his bit ring! The little toad! He even managed to sneak in a few strides of canter! He was honestly having so, so much fun and i could do nothing for laughing! Thankfully the child on board thought it was all great fun too so she was giggling and beaming from ear to ear as well. For some bizarre, unknown reason we were pulled in 2nd. I apologised to the people placed below me for that! I honestly could not believe how much fun the old boy was having! It really made my year!

The following weekend Flint was bored with showing so he slopped round his 2 inhand classes and he did the lead rein as the most perfect lead rein pony you could ever wish for. All loose lead rein and sweetness and nice. We were eventually pulled 2nd after a lot of conversing between the steward and the judge. Flint finished his career with the Reserve Ridden Champion rosette. And I heard a lot of people muttering that he must have been doped after his behaviour the week before and that it was clearly obvious as his willy was hanging out a bit. Flint most certainly was not doped. He was always wild at his first show of the season let alone his first pony party for 6 years! And if anyone cared to look at the pictures from the week before his willy was out a bit then too as he really couldn't put it away completely.

Flint was one of these truly awesome ponies! And at 28yo he deserved to have his fun!

 

[Sparkeyboy]

I mean I have so many to choose from over the years . But have to say so glad you posted this after a bad horsey day of everything going wrong this gave me a little smile .

My favourite has to be when i entered a riding club novice ridden (walk & trot ) a big show said no lead rein . The class was over subscribed to many horses for the ring. Resulting In horse being squashed together and being in two rows with the little ones at the front . Pony in front with child kept backing into my horse the class went on for so long . So off I went did a lovely show . Get back in line up a few minutes later pony in front kept going nuts running back kicking with back legs little rears. Small child couldn’t deal with it so judge allows mum in with leadrein . Noticed a few wasps . Then the they started coming more and more my horse backed up a little went forward and bunny hopped. Judge sent the steward over to tell me to get it under control or leave . Then the pony in-front started again it’s hoof made contact with my youngster and all the wasps he went back and tried to get away . Judge went get it out now there are children . So hanging my head in shame I left “ well my very upset 4 year old was coxed out of the ring by my friend” young horse was getting more and more stressed and began rearing . So I jumped off … into a rabbit hole twisting knee . I started crying with pain. Judge just looked and shock her head . Turns out I dislocated my knee an old injury . My other friend carried as I just wanted to leave . My poor youngster had been stung so many times side of his neck swelled up his backend and stomach . So had I !

Best news was that the pony and child won “ for having to deal with such a badly behaved horse and rider “ . At another show a few weeks later. A lady approached and said she was also in the class a few lines down . Apparently the child in front had a pocked of sweets that mother had given them .Child kept getting them all over and that’s why so many wasps came !

This made me feel stressed just reading it, what a nightmare! Hope your horse was okay. Nothing worse than being in a line up and something in the middle is doing 360s and scattering the rest of the line up.