Chloe Chubb’s showing blog:
Well it has been another couple of weekends of firsts since my last blog, with my Welsh section C Popsters Bertie Wooster having his first ever outing and Dartmoor Shilstone Rocks North Westerly (Windy) having his first outing of 2013.
I finally decided to brave the cold with Bertie and get him out to his first show. Now for most people this is probably as simple as getting the pony in, washing, clipping and off you go. Having mine in a field with no stables, lights or running water creates a whole load of obstacles in itself.
First off I moved Bert and Francis to my friend’s yard to wash and clip. Although Francis wasn’t going, I can’t move one without the other! To say the dirt was ingrained was an understatement. Three washes later Bert’s socks started to resemble a sort of whiteness. I then boxed both ponies up and transported them to another yard to be stabled for the night. The next morning Francis was chucked into a field while I took a neighing Bert off to his first show and to become a grown up!
Arriving at the show it was freezing and I soon remembered why I didn’t like winter shows. Bert came off the lorry and I jumped on to see how he coped. I needn’t have worried, 15min later and our warm-up was complete — if only all baby ponies were this easy.
We went off to compete in our first class — the NPS pure novice qualifier. Bertie did a lovely go round in a really large class of ponies. I was really pleased to be pulled second and then even more pleased when we went out and did a really nice little show with correct legs and everything. I couldn’t have asked for more and we stayed second to collect our winter champs ticket.
This weekend it was Windy’s turn to return to the ring having been back in at Ollies yard for just four weeks after his winter rest at owner Lynda Calcutts. Thankfully he seemed to remember what it was all about and didn’t even decide to put in the usual Windy style buck in the warm-up arena!
It was great being back on Windy and we soon found ourselves back in step winning our class and going on to stand reserve champion in the BSPS novice class. Not a bad start to the season and a bit different to mine and Windy’s first show together last season, where he promptly deposited me in the ring! We have clearly both come on a lot since then.
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Lynda, Windys owner also gave me some great news to top off the weekend by confirming he is now staying for the full show season as he was due to head to stud to cover for a few months. A new arrangement means he now gets to do a full season and we can also crack on with the workers. Although I am thrilled about this I imagine Windy might be a little disappointed about the new arrangement!
Chloe
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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.