The next day, Wednesday, was the day before the show and we donned our hi-vis again when in the showground. The ponies were mucked out and had their hay and waters replenished and next on the list, was a walk around the showground to get our bearings as the classes were early the next day.
Despite its proximity to the airport, the showground is lovely and it was fantastic that the classes for in-hand Shetland ponies (both standard and miniature), Highland ponies and Clydesdales took part in the main ring. Scotland’s native breeds were really showcased and we were very excited to be a part of it.
We picked up the show catalogue and I could not believe it when I saw that 27 were entered in Diva’s (Melland Queen of Scots) Yeld Mare 4 years and over class. I don’t think I have been in a class that size since I was doing Royal International Qualifiers with my ridden coloured cob, Mabel, back in the day. Jackson (Melland Jackson Jive) had 11 in his Gelding class.
All prize winners in the Shetland, Highland and Clydesdale classes were required to take part in the grand parade on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. We both hoped that the ponies would do well enough to qualify for the parade, but with the numbers in Diva’s class, we would have our work cut out - so fingers crossed.
We took the ponies out for some exercise that evening and made our way to the main ring. The entrance is over a grass-covered bridge which made it feel very special and unlike anything I had seen before.
The ponies were put to bed, Flora had a lovely long walk and then it was just one more sleep until we were competing at the Royal Highland Show!
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.