It all was going so well. I was enjoying the long Platinum Jubilee weekend, being off work Thursday and Friday. I got plenty of jobs done on the Thursday and then on Friday I washed Diva (Melland Queen of Scots) in preparation for Midland Counties Show the following day. I then donned my glad rags and went to a friend’s party in the afternoon. It was lovely to catch up with everyone and Flora was invited too.
An early night was had, but we had the luxury of not needing to leave until 11am for Arena UK as it is not far from home. Diva practically trotted up the ramp and travelled well. Once there I checked Diva and took Flora for a little walk to assess the likely time of our class.
Back at the lorry I changed into my showing outfit, made sure Flora was settled in her bed in the living area of the box before getting Diva brushed and bridled. She really takes no time to get ready. I led her up to the ring and was pleased to see my friend Marilyn there waiting with her pony.
As we chatted, I started to feel ill with stomach ache. It got worse and worse and I told Marilyn that I didn’t think I could take Diva in. Marilyn then very kindly offered to show Diva for me, all I had to do in return was hold her pony as I leant on the railings feeling decidedly crap.
Despite being ill, it was actually really nice to be able to watch Diva be handled by someone other than me as you get to see the whole pony. I did manage a chuckle when Marilyn gave Diva a practice trot up and asked if she normally squeaked! I assured her that it was quite normal and not an indication that the pony was about to be silly.
They looked great together and were placed second in a very strong Shetland Mare 4yrs and over class behind a multi-championship winning pony. Unfortunately, I couldn’t bask in the glory as I just wanted to get home, so I stole Diva back, grabbed my kit bag and got Diva loaded on the lorry as soon as I could. I had a little sit down with Flora and took some medication before heading home.
So although it wasn’t quite the day I expected, Diva still got to enjoy her class and was shown brilliantly by Marilyn, who even remembered to collect the prize money for me. Diva’s next outing is the trip of the season to the Royal Highland Show. We can’t wait!
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.