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.
Anyway, when my lovely friend, Emma, asked if I wanted to go to a stayaway with her, promising showjumping, sunshine and Pimms, who was I to say no?
Well, we got the showjumping, but the Pimms and sunshine went straight out the window. In fact, to my disappointment, I think it rained every day. Picture it: the middle of July and everyone is walking around in big Equidry coats as they’re so cold and wet!
Anyhow, the first day of showjumping comes around. I just popped us in the British Novice category as I was nervous, having not competed in a while. I figured we’d be rusty, and our warm up certainly left lots to be desired when Arlo stopped unexpectedly a couple of times. I wasn’t feeling very optimistic going into the ring, but Arlo’s head was back in the game and he jumped a lovely clear up until fence nine, when his jockey lacked steering and he locked onto fence six and jumped that twice! He came out of the ring incredibly proud of himself, thinking he’d jumped a fabulous double clear, and all I could do was laugh. A sack-the-jockey moment, 100%.
Day two was much more successful, when my incredible little Connie went and won his class, out of over 70 horses. My steering was much better, and Arlo jumped out his skin for the fastest double clear in his section. I just love how proud he is of himself when he comes out the ring and he knows he’s done a good job. He absolutely does know, and he’s always so determined. I just love him for it.
Day three I entered him in the British Novice again. I felt like I was getting a little more confident again, but still didn’t fancy the Discovery. We had another double clear, and this time placed fourth. What a star!
Coming into the last day, we decided we deserved a drink on the Saturday night. This little extra bit of encouragement meant I entered the Discovery on the last day.
I don’t know why I get nervous showjumping. Send me around a 100 cross country course or over some hedges and I’m fine, but when showjumping I get my knickers in a twist a little. But I needn’t have worried, as Arlo jumped a lovely round for just four faults in the jump-off at the second-to-last fence. I couldn’t have been happier with him.
So, all in all, a very good week. I don’t really have the motivation for day shows. I only jump one class on him and, with the distance I have to travel, I much prefer a stayaway. I’ll see if I can persuade myself to get out and about before potentially heading to the championship show at Arena UK in September.
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.