With things getting off to a rocky start – I think I read this is the worst rainfall in over 50 years! – what better pick-me-up than the “Fred & Rowena Cook: A Life After Racing” rehoming service contacting me about the most precious four-year-old gelding, who was looking for a new home straight from the British Racing School (BRS)?
Barqi certainly is striking, and they told me he had a “bold” character, which I must admit I am a total sucker for! I arranged to go and visit him at the BRS. I haven’t been consistently in the saddle since November, and when I arrived I suddenly had a slight moment of panic, because it had not occurred to me I would have to ride in a racing saddle.
I pushed those worries to one side; after all, it wouldn’t be the first time, and honestly I never used to find them a problem – and they were kind enough to make them with long stirrups, at least. Once he was tacked up, we walked around the yard. I saw a mounting block, which I eagerly leapt on. Barqi got spooked, and the lady leading him chuckled and said: “Oh, we don’t use them. I’ll need to give you a leg up.” Well now, being in a race saddle was the least of my worries, as panic set in that I am far too lanky and out of shape to get a leg up. But before I could worry about that too much, the lady chips in with: “from walk”!
As my heart sunk, my eyes clocked all the BRS students who were milling around the stable. I think my pale white face and nervous laugh made them aware this might be quite an interesting mount and they started to gather. I knew that if I thought about the situation for too long, I would have bailed, so I jumped off the mounting block, marched over and 1, 2, 3... Nope, it was a total fail! My feet barely made it two inches off the floor.
I knew next time I just had to jump my best jump. Although considerably better than the first attempt, I was now stuck with my arms around his neck and one leg just about hooked over his back, mostly hanging off his side. By this point I was the brightest shade of red, and to avoid death by humiliation I managed to clamber on. Bless this patient horse! How could I possibly not have him after he put up with that ordeal? I have to admit, though, I was a little worried they might have changed their minds about me. Thankfully not, and now priority number one – mounting block training!
Once again I threw Arlo in at the deep end, affiliating him purely for the Arena UK second round show, and once again he pulled it out the bag. How lucky am I to have such a wonderful little horse? We haven’t really competed this year. I don’t really compete over the winter, and also my horsebox was away for repairs up until the beginning of June, so I had no transport even if I’d wanted to.
With the dry ground we don’t seem to be having much luck with shoes, as little madam managed to pull both her front shoes off within 12 hours the other day! We entered the arena with two shoes on for a schooling session and left it with one missing (took about an hour to find it). Then that afternoon, as I went to put some hoof ointment on, I looked down and had to double take, thinking I was looking at the wrong hoof. But, no, the other shoe was missing too.
After having a long wait and some lunch at the onsite café, it was time to get ready for the Joan Wolfe Overall Supreme Shetland Pony Championship. I got changed out of my usual showing outfit into black trousers and a maroon top with white spots, as you are expected to be a bit more “bling” in the evening.
We were all set to go for our next outing, and were super excited. That was until I heard the dreaded clunk of a loose shoe! I checked it over, praying it wasn’t too loose, but, nope, it was going to need a refit.