So the Olympia countdown has well and truly begun with less than 2 weeks until the big day.
After the BSPS heritage champs Windy (pictured above) went home to his owner Lynda Calcutt for a little break, but he has been back in Olympia preparation mode for the past few weeks. His main preparation consists of chasing the other ponies up the gallops, something he is gradually getting better at!
He is looking great and, although he doesn’t know what he is in for yet, I am hoping he is going to take it all in his stride. If he behaves anything like Pop did on his outing there I will be absolutely thrilled. Whatever happens I am just aiming to have a brilliant day and try our hardest to do everyone who is coming to support us proud. There is nothing quite like Olympia and I already have my Christmas jumper washed and ready to go!
With the others having a few weeks off, I had some more time to focus on Jacob, but with so few daylight hours we are once again confined to weekend only riding. Before I lost all the daylight I did get the chance to take ‘the old man’ to his first outing under saddle for a few years. He wasn’t quite as thrilled about it as I thought he might be. I am sure he thought after covering for a few years all his hard work was over!
I have been focusing on getting Jacob’s strength back slowly as he was injured while doing his stallion duties at stud. We have spend lots of time walking out hacking, but after a couple of schooling sessions I decided he was ready for a day out.
Jacob out at his first show for a while
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
The day before I had to give him a good tidy up — his mane was so long and Jacob does not like having his mane pulled one little bit so that proved eventful in itself. At the show he was very well behaved. He got pulled in 2nd in a large class and was by far the smallest in there. He emember what to do in our show and managed both canters and to bounce higher in a small kind of extension — Jacob is known for not being the liveliest of rides!
We ended up 3rd and got our Equifest ticket, but I really didn’t care where I ended up. I was just really pleased to have him out and about again — something for a little while I wasn’t sure if it would happen. Now I can’t wait to do some veteran classes on him next year — the no gallop rule in those classes is perfect for him.
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Since the Heritage champs Pop has found himself a lovely new home and, although it was really hard saying goodbye again and I was desperate to keep him, I am thrilled with where he has gone — especially as I still get to see him! I want to wish Lauren all the best with Pop. I am sure he will bring you loads of fun and happiness.
I look forward to seeing you all at Olympia.
Chloe
Picture top: courtesy of Equinational
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Chloe is a successful amateur showing rider and judge, who has been blogging on Horseandhound.co.uk since 2010. She mainly competes in ridden Mountain & Moorland classes with her team of ponies, as well as riding for other people. She lives in Kent and works full-time in London, so has to fit the ponies in around work.
