I think it’s fair to say it has been a little manic since my last blog and, as I’m writing this on my way to Equifest, I don’t think there is any chance of it slowing down!
I had a great day’s showing at the Royal International (RIHS), even though I had to do my show on Windy in the thunder and rain. I think the few weeks off have done him the world of good and he did a fab show to come 4th in a very strong line up. I was really pleased with his first time there.
I also had Warwick in the Connemara and New Forest class. He didn’t let me down, coping with the large class in a small ring very well. We didn’t get placed, but I wasn’t disappointed with him at all. I do love the RIHS, but I really wish that the M&Ms got to compete in a better ring. They are some of the best classes, but are tucked away on the River Lawn, which is not the best place to show off their wonderful paces.
From RIHS, we headed up to NPS with Windy and Warwick. Warwick had another great two days being placed in all his classes including the HOYS class, the Peasedown Intermediate Final and also coming second in his Picton final. This was a great result as it was my main aim with him this year.
Windy was clearly feeling blue up there as his run continued with 2nd in the Dargavel young final, 2nd in the Silver Medal ridden final, 2nd in the Silver Medal in-hand final and reserve in the British Isles Supreme Final. You can’t say he isn’t consistent!
It was a chance ride on my friend Lauren’s fell pony that helped me cure the blues. She asked me to jockey Evo (Byebeck Evolution, pictured top) in the HOYS class for her. It was all a bit last minute, as I had spent Wednesday running from ring to ring, so I only had 5min to have a quick trot around before I went in. Lauren and her mum gave me some great advice and off we went.
Evo gave me a great ride and I felt we had done a good show. When they called my number out as the winner it was a brilliant feeling — I heard Lauren give out a little shout as she was in the class on another pony. I was so thrilled to have won the class and qualified him for HOYS. It was a total surprise having never sat on him before, but that made it all the more special.
But the excitement didn’t stop there. We had a HOYS championship to compete in, which once again involved a bit of ring jumping and me doing the championship in my short boots. Evo gave me a lovely ride and a good gallop. We had a totally different judge this time, so we all had to give shows again. It was a top line-up of ponies and I couldn’t believe it when I was pulled forward as champion. What an amazing moment!
So I think we all decided the moral of the story is I can’t win on my own ponies, but put me on something I’ve never ridden before and there is no stopping me!
We have pretty much been on the road constantly since NPS, but I think I will leave those updates till next time — Equifest is calling so I better go.
Chloe
