Post by dollylanedales on Jun 15, 2008 20:54:52 GMT -1
Against my better judgement I decided to take Oliver with Folly to a local show today. He looks so well at the moment, and seems to have got over his fetlock being swollen, and is back to his normal lively self.
Got to showground and Oliver was quite good to being with. Very interested in what was happening on the field. Got a bit excited when people started unloading their horses though. Gave him quite a bit of rope so he could graze while Folly was in Youngstock. Thats where the morning began to go wrong!!
As soon as Rick walked away with Folly, Oliver went demented. He was pulling on the rope to try and follow. As a precaution I had already looped the baler twine three times for security, to ensure it would not snap .....it began to creak badly, so I added another piece of twine. Then Oliver got his leg over the rope, his favourite trick. I dare not untie him from the wagon or he would drag me off up the field .....nor could I unclip his headcollar for the same reason. Luckily someone I knew was parked next door, and she came over and helped, by holding him while I quickly unclipped him and rescued his leg. He managed to get caught by his leg 1o times in total while Folly was in the ring. My friend came over to see us, and he did quieten down while he inspected her, but in his enthusiasm to look at her up close, he spilled her coffee ...thankfully she was not in her show gear!!
Folly came back, and I stayed at the trailer with her while Rick took Oliver for his class. I could see across to the field to watch the class.....all the classes were big as there were a lot of qualifiers, so there was a wait until their class went in. Anyway, he stood pretty good waiting. Once he was in the ring he did manage to walk round in quite a contained manner - well for him that is. He managed his little trot for the judge, and looked good. He then got fed up waiting in the big class, so started acting up big style. He bucked three times, and whizzed round, how Rick held him I don't know. When it was his turn to go in front of the judge, he virtually dragged Rick towards her, in his excitement to see her, and they skidded to a halt inches from her nose ......Oliver then dropped his head and tried to graze. Again he managed a lovely flowing trot in his individual run out,.
Somehow, by a miracle the judge pulled him in 4th. It was a strong class and there were some stunning ponies in. She told Rick he was a stunning looking pony, good conformation and movement, fantastic muscle tone, and that neck was amazing, all in all a first class pony ....but, yes, Olivers behaviour. She said she had no choice but to put him 4th. I am gutted that because of him being an idiot in the ring, he is being pushed down the line. Although I do agree thats right ....but thats just Oliver.
Oliver got back to the trailer and resumed his grazing, alongside Folly, quite calm, and you would not know it was the same pony. Except he did manage to remove the light lens from the trailer ......
Oh, Folly got 5th in youngstock, and she stood as good as gold on her own while Oliver was in the ring ....she can teach him a thing or two about manners
Rick and I were battered and bruised from dealing with Oliver, but we dropped him and Folly off, and took Tyson to a driving day!!.
Just prior to this pic, Oliver had bounced back from the ring, like a coiled spring, and he was very lively. Poor Rick had a vice like grip on that lead rein!!
Folly watching Olivers antics in the ring!
Got to showground and Oliver was quite good to being with. Very interested in what was happening on the field. Got a bit excited when people started unloading their horses though. Gave him quite a bit of rope so he could graze while Folly was in Youngstock. Thats where the morning began to go wrong!!
As soon as Rick walked away with Folly, Oliver went demented. He was pulling on the rope to try and follow. As a precaution I had already looped the baler twine three times for security, to ensure it would not snap .....it began to creak badly, so I added another piece of twine. Then Oliver got his leg over the rope, his favourite trick. I dare not untie him from the wagon or he would drag me off up the field .....nor could I unclip his headcollar for the same reason. Luckily someone I knew was parked next door, and she came over and helped, by holding him while I quickly unclipped him and rescued his leg. He managed to get caught by his leg 1o times in total while Folly was in the ring. My friend came over to see us, and he did quieten down while he inspected her, but in his enthusiasm to look at her up close, he spilled her coffee ...thankfully she was not in her show gear!!
Folly came back, and I stayed at the trailer with her while Rick took Oliver for his class. I could see across to the field to watch the class.....all the classes were big as there were a lot of qualifiers, so there was a wait until their class went in. Anyway, he stood pretty good waiting. Once he was in the ring he did manage to walk round in quite a contained manner - well for him that is. He managed his little trot for the judge, and looked good. He then got fed up waiting in the big class, so started acting up big style. He bucked three times, and whizzed round, how Rick held him I don't know. When it was his turn to go in front of the judge, he virtually dragged Rick towards her, in his excitement to see her, and they skidded to a halt inches from her nose ......Oliver then dropped his head and tried to graze. Again he managed a lovely flowing trot in his individual run out,.
Somehow, by a miracle the judge pulled him in 4th. It was a strong class and there were some stunning ponies in. She told Rick he was a stunning looking pony, good conformation and movement, fantastic muscle tone, and that neck was amazing, all in all a first class pony ....but, yes, Olivers behaviour. She said she had no choice but to put him 4th. I am gutted that because of him being an idiot in the ring, he is being pushed down the line. Although I do agree thats right ....but thats just Oliver.
Oliver got back to the trailer and resumed his grazing, alongside Folly, quite calm, and you would not know it was the same pony. Except he did manage to remove the light lens from the trailer ......
Oh, Folly got 5th in youngstock, and she stood as good as gold on her own while Oliver was in the ring ....she can teach him a thing or two about manners
Rick and I were battered and bruised from dealing with Oliver, but we dropped him and Folly off, and took Tyson to a driving day!!.
Just prior to this pic, Oliver had bounced back from the ring, like a coiled spring, and he was very lively. Poor Rick had a vice like grip on that lead rein!!
Folly watching Olivers antics in the ring!
You and Rick must be exhausted after all those antics and I bet Oliver is still bouncing with energy! ;D
Obviously Oliver thinks its all a bit too exciting then. Well done for all, though!! 