Django went on his 3rd ever outing just before Christmas, to a fun in hand show. I could not have asked for more from this perfect little character! He loaded well, travelled like a rock, stood around between classes like he had been doing it is whole life, and soaked up the atmosphere in the ring without hesitation. Infact he was so good, he puts my other boys to shame at 7 months old. I have such high hopes for this horse.
We entered a couple of classes with tinsel all around his headcollar, which I was expecting him to at least notice, but nothing, he lead nicely and the only "moment" we had was when he was called into first place and he leapt in the air - but I guess i'll let him have that one, he did win after all!
Then onto the fancy dress class, this costume was weeks in progress, not because the outfit was extravagant or difficult to make, but because it involved Django wearing a rug and bright, flashing lights - things a young foal often hasn't seen! This desensitising took a lot of evenings of food bribery and dressing up, and it was completely worth it. With all the flashing, flapping and rustling, we came joint second.
It was a roaring success for a first show, even if I did have to dress up as a giant present!
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.