Ginn
Well-Known Member
Well I couldn't be prouder of my baby - she was an absolute star from the moment I arrived at the yard (at 5.45am!
) until the moment I put her back in her field at 1pm (upon which I went home and promptly fell asleep
As I said, arrived at the yard at 5.45 (and I don't "do" early starts!), dragged a rather bemused looking donkey out of her stable, fed her and mucked out and then promptly attacked her - and myself in the process - with the hosepipe, followed by a good shampooing with Pantene 2 in 1 (makes their coats soo soft!) and then at about 7 set to work plaiting her up, which she stood like a pro for
Friend arrived with her trailer at 8.30 on the nose and by 5 past 9 we had arrived. I was expecting T's eyes to be on stalks - the show is a huge agricultural show with just about everything you can imagine (except no livestock this year
). I changed and then unloaded her upon which she had a good look around and decided that there was nothing terribly exciting.
Walked her down to the rings and I was shaking with nerves (my YO who had come along offered to go to the bar for me
) She had a little wobble over a huge pile of metal fence railings but once she'd realised that they weren't alive and moving she was ok with (oddly enough she was more than happy to chew the erected ones
). She wasn't bothered by anything else, the tents, tractors, small children running round, the noises, tannoy, bouncy castle - didn't bat an eyelid, daft donkey
Then in was our turn, by which point the shirt under my jacket was dripping with sweat. Went in the ring and she walked around by a poppet, wasn't bothered by the horses cantering around in the next ring or the horse infront of us that was dancing on 2 legs
she just bumbled round half asleep!! After what felt like an age walking around we were called into the line up - 8th of 8
and this was her only baby moment as she decided that she'd rather either turn around and watch everything else or keep moving but she didn't feel inclined to stand alongside the others - rather at right angles to them
But she was quiet and was rather bored by this point so I can't fault her for it
She was a little impatient for the judge when we were called out but she was good, walked and trotted up nicely and I had perfect brakes when I pulled her up which was a relief. So all in all she behaved impecably
We ended up 8th of the 8 (so last
) but to be fair she was far to small and fine for the class - she is not and never will be a show hunter so the placing was irrelevant - but the top placed horses were stunning and really deserved to do well, I felt privilaged to be showing alongside such lovely horses with my gangly legged, overgrown donkey!
She exceeded my expectations and I couldn't ask for more
She then stood tied to the box for 1/2 hour (something she's not done before) while we packed up, unplaited etc and loaded and travelled home well so a good end to a good day
Also want to say a HUGE THANKYOU!! to SpottedCat came and supported us - it was lovely to see you
Will post some pics in the gallery shortly
As I said, arrived at the yard at 5.45 (and I don't "do" early starts!), dragged a rather bemused looking donkey out of her stable, fed her and mucked out and then promptly attacked her - and myself in the process - with the hosepipe, followed by a good shampooing with Pantene 2 in 1 (makes their coats soo soft!) and then at about 7 set to work plaiting her up, which she stood like a pro for
Friend arrived with her trailer at 8.30 on the nose and by 5 past 9 we had arrived. I was expecting T's eyes to be on stalks - the show is a huge agricultural show with just about everything you can imagine (except no livestock this year
Walked her down to the rings and I was shaking with nerves (my YO who had come along offered to go to the bar for me
Then in was our turn, by which point the shirt under my jacket was dripping with sweat. Went in the ring and she walked around by a poppet, wasn't bothered by the horses cantering around in the next ring or the horse infront of us that was dancing on 2 legs
She was a little impatient for the judge when we were called out but she was good, walked and trotted up nicely and I had perfect brakes when I pulled her up which was a relief. So all in all she behaved impecably
She exceeded my expectations and I couldn't ask for more
She then stood tied to the box for 1/2 hour (something she's not done before) while we packed up, unplaited etc and loaded and travelled home well so a good end to a good day
Also want to say a HUGE THANKYOU!! to SpottedCat came and supported us - it was lovely to see you
Will post some pics in the gallery shortly
