Saturday 22 May 2010

Last month's update

Can't believe it's been a month since I updated this! Time is flying by. Soon my exams will be over and I'll have the whole summer to spend with ponyface :)

Sunday 2nd May - Mottram Show
We did the working hunter class in the morning, our first go! The course was on maaajorly uneven ground and it was quite slippy but she loved it. She was a star. Unfortunately we knocked one and they had 6 clears (was a huge class) so we didn't get through to the individual show bit but I was very pleased with her behaviour. God knows what happened to her but she went mental in the afternoon. I think it was just such a big show and it all got to her a bit much. We were the only ones in the in-hand spotted so we got a red rosette but I was a bit miffed really because I really wanted our first 1st to be deserved. She behaved like a right berk. Leaping into the air and trying to take off. The judge said she was 'really quite naughty'. No shit sherlock. I took her in the ridden coloured but she was still majorly on her toes so I pulled her out. She was really jumpy on the hack on the way back. I think it was all just too much for her. She was great in the morning though so I'm focusing on that :)

Sunday 9th May - Hargate Show
We hacked over in the morning and she was fab. Our first class was ridden coloured and there were 3 in there. We came 2nd and I agreed with the placing. She was a very good girl and was concentrating most of the time. Good start to the day.

2nd class was senior novice equitation. We came 2nd! I was soo pleased because there were about 8 in the class. She went really nicely, nicer than the one that came 1st in my opinion, so it must have been my riding that let us down. Still, very chuffed with her!

3rd class was in-hand spotted/pally/roan etc. She seems to get really excited in in-hand classes. Quite good though as long as she doesn't flip out. She stood up nicely for the judge and I ran as fast as I could. We won!! There were 4 in the class and I was expecting another one to win as it looked like a fancy little show pony. Yey for Saffy!

Final class was riding club pony. She did an amaaaazing show. Absolutely brilliant. She was really energetic so was lovely and forward going. I was so pleased :) We turned towards the jump, all ok, got to the jump (1ft 6 maximum) and she comes to a grinding halt. Grrrrr! She stepped over it and then jumped it fine from the other direction. There were about 7 in the class and nobody else refused it so I was expecting to come last but we ended up with 4th. The judge said we would have come first if she'd have jumped it properly. We'd have gotten a trophy too!! Never mind. At least I know what we need to work on!

Sunday 16th May - Urmston Show
First class was novice/green horse. She went quite well but I think in future I really need to warm up properly before doing any classes. We came 3rd. We were originally pulled in 5th because idiot here got the wrong leg and didn't notice but our individual show bumped us up. To be honest the winner didn't particularly seem novice or green but meh.

2nd class was senior equitation. It was on pretty uneven ground but she coped well with it. We came 2nd. Again I'm sure her show was better than the winner's but my riding probably ruined it. I really need to focus on keeping my heels down.

3rd class was riding club horse. I was determined not to let her refuse the jump again! She did a nice individual show and cleared the jump well. We came 4th, would've come 3rd if I'd have cantered her to the jump. Fair enough, I didn't want to risk it. Definitely something we're working on though.

Final class was ridden coloured. It was a bigger class than last time with some very nice looking coblets. The winner from last time was also there. We came 2nd!! I was probably the most pleased with that result as we beat the person who won last time and came 2nd only to a very well schooled traditional cob. Overall another very good day :)


So this weekend she has a weekend off from showing while I revise for exams. Next weekend we're going showjumping (mini ones!). Really looking forward to it. She really had her jumping head on today and was getting excited bless her :) The weekend after that she'll be having another quiet weekend because of exams then we have Urmston and Hargate charity show the 2 weeks after that. It's going to be a busy summer!