Post by harleydales on Jun 7, 2009 19:47:56 GMT -1
Well, we had a great day and came home with a rosette! OK, we were 9th out of 9 but she was a total star from start to finish and I am so proud of her.
Yesterday was an extremely shaky day for me (after a rather stressful and tiring day on Friday) and I tried plaiting but my fingers just wouldn't do it. So to be honest I gave it up as a bad job - the show was for education rather than winning and it wasa small rifing club show, and it turned out there were others not plaited too so we didn't look daft. Her mane is quite long, and that's how I like it and don't want to trim it just for a few little shows.
She had a sort of bath because it was so cold here yesterday, and a mane and tail wash and was turned back out with a fly sheet and neck cover to keep her clean!!
Early morning, up and out to fetch her thankfully still clean!! Mike came with me to help with loading etc but I'd have been fine on my own, she was so good. Loaded at home no bother at all, straight on. Mike popped the ramp up while I came out the front door and off we went.
Arrived at the show and she was yelling her head off at the other horses, but I left her in the box while I went for my number and she stood quietly (apart from yelling). Got her out and she was up on her toes but respectful and mannerly. I let her have a good look around and then tied her up to wait for our class.
There were 9 in our class, all BIG horses so she did look rather little in with them all, but she was so good. She walked happily round and waited fairly quietly for her trot (but managed to get the cheek piece of her bit up my nose!!
).
She trotted really nicely, was a little strong perhaps but came back to walk when asked and stood while the others trotted, then the judge pulled us all in.
Elle stood very nicely in the line, maybe not square but quiet and happy, just watching what was going on. When it was our turn she left the other horses no problem and stood quietly while the judge looked her over, then did a good walk away and trot back.
We were still last - the judge said she was just small compared to the others and her trot was a bit 'lumpy'
- I said what her breeding was and she said the field wasn;t the best to trot on anyway. She did then say she loved Elle and thought she was a sweetie!!
And we got a rosette that says 'SPECIAL' on it so Elle thinks that must be what she is - of course she is!!
Back to the box, cup of tea and a sarnie, a blether with a few folk then loaded to go home. This time Mike didn't do a thing, I put her on and got round to the back and the ramp up no problem, she just stood calmly.
So we may not have won the class, but as far asI am concerned it was a brilliant day - we got there, did our stuff and got home with no nasty moments, panics or scares. Elle was a star all day and I can't ask for more than that for a first outing.
Couple of pics....
Edited to add there were some strange people there! One horse couldn't trot because the girl was holding it literally by the bit rings (and it was placed higher than us
) and another who got moved down was in a total grump and wouldn't talk to me in the lineup - the other girl (who moved up) was yapping away like we were out for tea, it was nice!!!
Yesterday was an extremely shaky day for me (after a rather stressful and tiring day on Friday) and I tried plaiting but my fingers just wouldn't do it. So to be honest I gave it up as a bad job - the show was for education rather than winning and it wasa small rifing club show, and it turned out there were others not plaited too so we didn't look daft. Her mane is quite long, and that's how I like it and don't want to trim it just for a few little shows.
She had a sort of bath because it was so cold here yesterday, and a mane and tail wash and was turned back out with a fly sheet and neck cover to keep her clean!!
Early morning, up and out to fetch her thankfully still clean!! Mike came with me to help with loading etc but I'd have been fine on my own, she was so good. Loaded at home no bother at all, straight on. Mike popped the ramp up while I came out the front door and off we went.
Arrived at the show and she was yelling her head off at the other horses, but I left her in the box while I went for my number and she stood quietly (apart from yelling). Got her out and she was up on her toes but respectful and mannerly. I let her have a good look around and then tied her up to wait for our class.
There were 9 in our class, all BIG horses so she did look rather little in with them all, but she was so good. She walked happily round and waited fairly quietly for her trot (but managed to get the cheek piece of her bit up my nose!!
).She trotted really nicely, was a little strong perhaps but came back to walk when asked and stood while the others trotted, then the judge pulled us all in.
Elle stood very nicely in the line, maybe not square but quiet and happy, just watching what was going on. When it was our turn she left the other horses no problem and stood quietly while the judge looked her over, then did a good walk away and trot back.
We were still last - the judge said she was just small compared to the others and her trot was a bit 'lumpy'
- I said what her breeding was and she said the field wasn;t the best to trot on anyway. She did then say she loved Elle and thought she was a sweetie!!And we got a rosette that says 'SPECIAL' on it so Elle thinks that must be what she is - of course she is!!
Back to the box, cup of tea and a sarnie, a blether with a few folk then loaded to go home. This time Mike didn't do a thing, I put her on and got round to the back and the ramp up no problem, she just stood calmly.
So we may not have won the class, but as far asI am concerned it was a brilliant day - we got there, did our stuff and got home with no nasty moments, panics or scares. Elle was a star all day and I can't ask for more than that for a first outing.
Couple of pics....
Edited to add there were some strange people there! One horse couldn't trot because the girl was holding it literally by the bit rings (and it was placed higher than us
) and another who got moved down was in a total grump and wouldn't talk to me in the lineup - the other girl (who moved up) was yapping away like we were out for tea, it was nice!!! 
she looks brill you looks ok too ;D just one thing, owww cheek peice up th nose 
What a wonderful first outting!!! And a Special rosette to boot 
LOL...maybe that was for managing to get her cheek piece up your nose? ;D Cripes that had to hurt