A Competitive Streak Show Update
By Run Free
•
21st Jan 2013 •
2,296 views
•
1 comments
|
|
I hope you have all read about my special pony Angel's first competition, if you haven't then please select the link below this article to check it out or view her entire story.
If you have read about Angel's first competition you will notice a large improvement, but it certainly was not a good show. We were eliminated, but I was allowed to complete the course one more time, even after our elimination.
Or second show was in Autumn 2011. After a stressful day full of cleaning tack, washing the ponies, polishing boots and ironing show jackets it was time to load the two ponies and the horse into the lorry and head off to a small yard about an hours drive away. Once we arrived we unloaded the troublesome three and realised we arrived over an hour before my class.
About thirty minutes before my class I tacked up and prepared for my warm up. I extended and collected Angels trot and canter before easily popping over some small cross poles. As we moved on to verticals things were going very well, Angel didn't set a hoof wrong! Even when one girl on a large horse bolted past us Angel just carried on like a star. We jumped a few spreads and ended up jumping 80cm. I was confident knowing there was not a single jump above 65cm in the ring. My instructor had me trot into a 65cm vertical to be sure that we could handle everything that might go on in the ring. I rested Angel for 5 minutes while the course was changed from 50-55cm up to 60-65cm.
The Show
As I entered the ring I was confident, I trotted around the 'evil' jumps and cantered over towards the first fence, ironically this was the most challenging to me. It stood at 65cm but was quite wide and brightly coloured. Angel was very hesitant, but with a tap of the whip and words of encouragement she cleared it! A smile quite similar to that of the Cheshire cat's creeped across my face. The next jump was a 60cm, very plain jump. There was no hesitation on Angels behalf.
I was feeling proud of my little pony, but this is where things got tricky. We had to canter towards the gate and change the rein to jump number three A, B and C. We had a good canter, but as we passed the gate Angel swerved, sending me off to the side. I quickly re-mounted and we set off towards the combination. As we arrived at fence three A, Angel dug her feet into the ground and refused to jump, then stopped again at three B. I had to go back over both as it was a bounce and she hesitantly jumped them before stopping at three C. I circled around and rode strongly into three C and managed to get a cat leap over it and knock it down.
Now along we came to fence four, a 60cm spread very similar to fence one. With some strong riding we cleared it and headed towards five and six. Now five and six were plain and simple fences, almost the same as fence two, but with different colours. It stood at 65cm, but they were in a bad spot. Both were on a diagonal line away from the gate full of ponies. As we cantered up Angel spun again and I landed back on the floor before jumping back up and kicking on.
Unfortunately, my efforts were in vain as she refused yet again.
On the third attempt I managed to awkwardly trot over both fences and knock number six. Finally we came to the end as we cleared number seven (the exact same jump as number one) and walked out of the arena.
I took Angel straight back into the warm up arena and jumped the 80cm spread left up. Without hesitation she cleared it again and again and again. We even raised it to 85cm and over she went, happy as ever. I don't know what made her so hesitant to leave the other ponies. We even do it regularly at home, but today she was so different.
Me and my silly little mare jogged out of the warm up, Angel held her head and tail up high and her ears pricked up as if she had won the class. She was happy as she had ever been as she munched on some grass beside Buddy. Now I always knew my mare had her strange habits, but I still can't figure out what is up with her at shows. She couldn't have been better up until fence three, maybe they were too small for her? Maybe she simply didn't enjoy it? Maybe all she wanted was to make new friends? All I know is she wasn't jumping away from those other ponies.
I'm very grateful to my instructor, Richard, who was a great help while I was in the ring, and to the owners of the stables who allowed me to continue after my falls. Who knows, maybe, just maybe, one day we will secure a clear round or come home with a rosette, but for now I will continue practicing to make that dream happen! |
|
|
PonyBox
MOD
Sounds like your off to a good start for just beginning to show.
Sounds like your off to a good start for just beginning to show.
|
Jan 27, 2013
• 3,003 views
|
|
|
|
|
More News by Run Free
|
|
14th Jan 2013 |
Shows and Events |
Run Free
Hopefully everyone knows my special pony, On Angels Wings or Angel for short. This is a story about all the special moments we shared together. I got inspiration for this story from a photo album on Facebook named "cause we don't ...
|
|
12th Nov 2012 |
Shows and Events |
Run Free
I pushed into a nice canter and looked for the first fence, a small spread. As we turned the corner we set up straight into the fence and before I could think Angel dug her heels into the ground and refused to jump, this seemed to ...
|
|
5th Nov 2012 |
Shows and Events |
Run Free
In short order we signed up for the Killinick Harriers Hunt branch of the Irish Pony Club. Pat (the yard owner) was a strong influence on the club after hunting with them for as long as I can remember. After an instructor watched ...
|
|
4th Aug 2012 |
Shows and Events |
Run Free
On October 16th 2010 I met my dream pony, the red and white mare with no name. She was extremely thin and unfit, but she was quieter than a lamb. I worked hard on ‘fixing’ her, feeding her, grooming her and getting her fitness up ...
|
|
31st Aug 2011 |
Shows and Events |
Run Free
I had been very upset lately. My mare Star had been sold after 5 years. Dad said he would get me another mare, a young one if I was up to it. I knew he would get me a new mare, but at the time I thought no mare could top Star, she ...
|
|
15th Jul 2011 |
Shows and Events |
Run Free
On Angel’s Wings is my newest horse. I am writing this article as a thank you to her. It is just one way of thanking her for everything she has done for me in the last 9 months.
First here is some information about Angel. She i ...
|
|
9th Jan 2011 |
Shows and Events |
Run Free
Sadly I heard no reply. I was so scared and hopeless, but at least I have my Midnight back. Finally, after a while Midnight slowed back to a walk and I dismounted quickly. I was fine and so was Midnight and his beautiful herd. Slo ...
|
|
21st Dec 2010 |
Shows and Events |
Run Free
We galloped for half an hour wandering over thousands of trails on Mustang Mountain. Soon Black Beauty got tired so we slowed to a walk. Where could he be I thought. I tried to clear my mind, think of where he likes to graze. Sudd ...
|
|
|