Although the weather can’t make its mind up between winter and spring, and the ponies are still in their winter woollies, somehow the first show of the season was upon us!
With it being the Coronation year, we thought going to a show held on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk would be a nice way to kick off the year. The Sandringham Pony & Horse Show had affiliated Shetland pony classes for the first time. A full range of classes included Standard Mare and Standard Gelding, so both Diva (Melland Queen of Scots) and Jackson (Melland Jackson Jive) were entered.
As Diva lives in Rutland and Jackson in Cambridgeshire with my sister Michelle, we made our way to the show separately. It was a surprise when I had just parked up the horsebox to see Michelle pulling in next to me. Perfect timing!
The show was in a lovely setting, and after getting our bearings and having a wander around the trade stands, we got the ponies off the horseboxes to be ready for their classes.
Jackson’s class was before Diva’s and he put his best hoof forward to win a strong class. What a great way to start the season off.
Diva went in the next class and I was pleased with how she performed; however, she didn’t do as well as Jackson and was pulled in fifth. This result didn’t put a damper on the day as it was lovely to get her out again and I couldn’t have been more pleased for Michelle and Jackson.
My friend Jill came with us and provided a wonderful picnic for us all to enjoy once the ponies were back on the horseboxes. Flora the dog was definitely pleased that Jill was there as the picnic included dog treats too. The ponies weren’t forgotten and had some carrots before we travelled home.
Showing is very subjective but you can still have a lovely day even if the rosette isn’t the colour you had hoped for.
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.