As the summer draws to a close, the East Anglian Shetland Pony Group hold their performance show at World Horse Welfare in Norfolk. The show holds classes for everyone from affiliated, registered pony classes to driving classes, various fun classes and gymkhana events for the children.
It is always a friendly show and so it was perfect for Erin and Tilly’s first-ever show. Toplarch Tilly Trotter is a two-year-old skewbald miniature Shetland pony filly and, although she was eligible for the affiliated classes, we opted for the fun ring as Erin is only seven years old. Diva (Melland Queen of Scots) also came along, but more about her later.
Erin and Tilly’s first class was the Young Handler, where the handlers had to be 16 years and under. Erin did a great job to be placed seventh in a big class. They then went into the Cheekiest Pair class and came out with second place. Erin really wanted to go into the Longest Mane and Tail Class as she spends a lot of time keeping Tilly tidy at home and, to our delight, they won. There was an obstacle course where the fastest time won and Tilly and Erin flew around it to earn third place. Erin had an armful of prizes and I am sure she has the showing bug. We hope to bring them back for the group’s spring show where Tilly will be in the age and type classes.
Diva had stood on the box whilst we started the classes with Tilly, and she was quite happy to do so as she had a big net full of lovely hay to keep her occupied. Her classes were in the afternoon as I opted only to do the Standard Mare class and the Intermediate Pony (4-6yrs) class to avoid clashing with Tilly’s classes. As Diva is now six it was her last chance to enter the intermediate pony class.
My lovely pony put her best hoof forward and won both classes, bringing home a trophy we won on our last visit to the show two years ago.
I can’t mention this show without talking about my little dog, Flora. I met her for the first time at the show two years ago and formally adopted her on the 2nd of October. She loves coming to the shows with me; in fact, she pretty much goes everywhere with me and is a great little friend. So happy Gotcha Day, Flora!
(Diva’s photos courtesy of Fae Loudoun Photography)
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.