Perhaps not the best weather, slightly drizzling in the morning and rather cold so I kept J in his stable, quick lunge before the class to warm him up and off we went to marshalling. J did a stellar job, got the gate – that’s show horses. He left in exceedingly good company, and perhaps my pick of 1st – 6th was rather upside down compared to the placings. If we all liked the same it would be a boring thing, I guess seeing what is in our class so often I do have favourites though I love a few of them like my own, would most gladly take them home. (LOL so I’m fairly biased). I guess slightly disappointing as the judge loved one-handed work & J is very well-practiced at that (perhaps due to me having a rather dodgy right hand anyway!). The best thing though was coming out, we had a lovely chat to another show hunter competitor who I respect greatly who gave the nod for E to perhaps become a hunter when he expands with age.
Onto our side saddle classes! Same judge, so she went in looking a little different to normal LOL the things a small amount of white makeup & white browband can do!!! Again a little disappointing as in the workouts relayed to us by the steward a few things got lost in translation. Not to worry – J was a star & we were 2nd in the rider & 3rd in the Galloway. Looking forward to next year 🙂
Grand Parade time – J stayed in the stable as I cannot ride two & E is so cruisey. Nothing spectacular or exciting happened thankfully, got around reasonably safely
Later in the evening, it was time for the side-saddle challenge. I checked and we were allowed to go in with a martingale & had J bandaged up. He was the most fired up he has ever been in his life! Massive crowd in the stands was cheering & clapping…with the guy on the mic getting everyone going. J was pawing & spinning and rather wanting out! Thankfully I know him rather well so I convinced him standing(ish) would be a good idea. The general idea was to go around a few cones as fast as you could, over a jump of a decent height OR skip it for a 5 sec. penalty then fast back to eat a cupcake and drink a cup of tea. Two would go at a time, on courses next to one another. Or at least that what I could ascertain as it was incredibly noisy & J wanted to stand head on to everyone not what we were doing…love him!
J did a stellar job of going fast, I just hung on LOL stopped midway as the girl also going went over the jump….I think both J & I just stopped in awe!!! Galloped back, pulled up…ate the cupcake, struggled with the tea.
J got 2nd LOL no idea how with the time penalty!! Guess his fast is fast! Absolutely well done to the winner, she was incredibly brave jumping! Lovely prize from Adore Tea who sponsored the event.
Back to the stables to untack and help J get over his mini heart attack. A rather long fireworks display to end the night!
Gallops & Garlands 