Jenni_
Well-Known Member
We pottered along to our Riding Clubs showing show on Saturday to do a few classes and have a fun, no pressure first outing. I'm not a showing person - so we begged borrowed and stole kit and I threw her together and off we went.
We got along early as our lift was stewarding, so we entered the condition in hand. She's full of the joys of spring at the minute, and although she's not naughty, I thought it would just be an opportunity for her to have a walk about and settle down. 4th place in this class, and the judge said she was too skinny - wonder what she'd have thought when she came to me a month ago
We also entered the ridden condition class as a last minute thing too but this wasn't popular at all - I was the only one to turn up... so automatic red ribbon, but a red ribbon none the less
Onto the novice horse. She hadn't quite settled yet, so I had to ride her quite tactically. In hindsight I should have taken more of a contact and ridden her forward and saw it through the sass but with it being our first time out I was just that little apprehensive. Overall second out of 7 so chuffed with that.
Next up was the hunter class - tiny bit more settled but was not for standing still in the line up as she was finding it all far too much fun. Did a fantastic extended canter, but I really had to sit on her to bring her back she was enjoying it far too much. Due to her impatience we were second again - but the judge noted that even though she is probably on the fine end of the spectrum for a hunter, she's workmanlike, forward, and looks like she'd quite happily ride across country all day, hence her placing.
Due to the classes being relatively short, I entered the Ridden Horse too - by this point she was starting to settle and take a better contact. Second again to a lovely horse with beautiful paces, who was just more established and consistent.
But aside from it all, we'd qualified for the Championship, so I held out for it to see if I could finally get the really consistent and settled individual show I was looking for - and she delivered. It was flowing, rhythmical, the transitions were fluid and she gave me such a good feeling.
To my delight we were chosen as Reserve Champion, with the judge commenting that it was the best she had gone throughout the classes and if she'd gone like that previously it would have been first places all round. Big pats for Princess <3
Credit - Fiona Brims for the photographs (which I have purchased and have full permission to use)
All in all it was a fun, confidence boosting day out. She may be fresh but she remained sane and sensible and was an absolute joy to take out - standing tied up at the trailer, racing up the ramp both going and coming back. Going to brush up on our showing skills and maybe so some more over the summer, but our next outing is Dressage on the 30th so I'll be back with more pictures and a report for that.
Another mention to Angus at Lohoar Sports Horses for putting me on to her and convincing me I could live with a mare, she really is fantastic.
She also has an unofficial job as 'Oversized Pony Club Pony' - the kids on the yard can't get enough of her, and she loves them to bits. I do think I'll lose her to them eventually
All in all I still can't believe the big silly toad is mine and I still feel very lucky
We got along early as our lift was stewarding, so we entered the condition in hand. She's full of the joys of spring at the minute, and although she's not naughty, I thought it would just be an opportunity for her to have a walk about and settle down. 4th place in this class, and the judge said she was too skinny - wonder what she'd have thought when she came to me a month ago
We also entered the ridden condition class as a last minute thing too but this wasn't popular at all - I was the only one to turn up... so automatic red ribbon, but a red ribbon none the less
Onto the novice horse. She hadn't quite settled yet, so I had to ride her quite tactically. In hindsight I should have taken more of a contact and ridden her forward and saw it through the sass but with it being our first time out I was just that little apprehensive. Overall second out of 7 so chuffed with that.
Next up was the hunter class - tiny bit more settled but was not for standing still in the line up as she was finding it all far too much fun. Did a fantastic extended canter, but I really had to sit on her to bring her back she was enjoying it far too much. Due to her impatience we were second again - but the judge noted that even though she is probably on the fine end of the spectrum for a hunter, she's workmanlike, forward, and looks like she'd quite happily ride across country all day, hence her placing.
Due to the classes being relatively short, I entered the Ridden Horse too - by this point she was starting to settle and take a better contact. Second again to a lovely horse with beautiful paces, who was just more established and consistent.
But aside from it all, we'd qualified for the Championship, so I held out for it to see if I could finally get the really consistent and settled individual show I was looking for - and she delivered. It was flowing, rhythmical, the transitions were fluid and she gave me such a good feeling.
To my delight we were chosen as Reserve Champion, with the judge commenting that it was the best she had gone throughout the classes and if she'd gone like that previously it would have been first places all round. Big pats for Princess <3
Credit - Fiona Brims for the photographs (which I have purchased and have full permission to use)
All in all it was a fun, confidence boosting day out. She may be fresh but she remained sane and sensible and was an absolute joy to take out - standing tied up at the trailer, racing up the ramp both going and coming back. Going to brush up on our showing skills and maybe so some more over the summer, but our next outing is Dressage on the 30th so I'll be back with more pictures and a report for that.
Another mention to Angus at Lohoar Sports Horses for putting me on to her and convincing me I could live with a mare, she really is fantastic.
She also has an unofficial job as 'Oversized Pony Club Pony' - the kids on the yard can't get enough of her, and she loves them to bits. I do think I'll lose her to them eventually
All in all I still can't believe the big silly toad is mine and I still feel very lucky
I love the ones that just enjoy their jobs.
, showing are trying to stamp out ridiculous attitudes like that! Yes for showing they would want more top line and perhaps a little more coverage, but anyone can see she is a good fit weight!
