While Georgie has had a horsey free weekend, I have not, I've been flat out! I was at South Suffolk Show at the lovely Ampton Racecourse to groom for my wonderful friend Ali!
Ali competes her RoR Connor in the same classes as Georgie and we've known each other for a long time so when Georgie wasn't competing and Ali asked me to groom I jumped at the chance!
I was thinking of attending anyway to watch the classes but this absolutely gave me the excuse to go instead of sitting at home doing nothing.
It was quite nice to not have to go to a yard first to get the horse ready and travel there, I could just jump in the car and go to the event.
I had arrived just moments after Ali so pulled up and we got Connor off the trailer and tacked up so Ali could work him in and let him settle in and see his surroundings. Connie worked really well and was nice and relaxed so I was pleased to see him nice and chilled.
I had a little while to give Connie a nice brush and really get him sparkling and clean. I then slowly tacked up while Ali got herself ready and in a moment we were both ready. Connor was still really nice and relaxed after being tacked up so to allow him to see the rings and get any excitement out of his system so we made our way to our ring. Showing was most certainly in full swing and there was mountain and moorlands everywhere, beautiful side saddle riders and show jumpers absolutely everywhere. Saying that the atmosphere really wasn't too buzzy and everyone seemed to be in good spirits which lead to a nice happy abmosphere.
We did have quite some time to wait but it was good, it kept Connor quiet and gave us a chance to watch and socialise a little.
Once the cobs had finished in our ring it was a quick once over and a leg up for Ali and we were ready to go. He was still nice and calm and got in to the ring in a great state of mind! It was a relatively full class for an unaffiliated couple of thoroughbred classes which was really nice to see as it's such a super well organised show.
Anyway, back to showing. So i'd say 95% of the horses in the ring were nice and calm and taking it all in. Connor was one of them and was very relaxed and enjoying himself. He went round the ring in 3 paces beautifully and again on the other rein just as nicely. The judge pulled the horse in in no particular order so I made my way in to the ring to groom and wait to watch the judge ride Connor.
4th to go he gave the judge a lovely ride and went beautifully. I quietly told Ali how well I thought he'd done and waited patiently to hear the results. The ride judge really was very good: she had lovely gentle generous hands, she gave them a decent length of ride to access them (rather than rushing each horse) and was overall a nice understanding rider which was lovely to see!
We waited and waited for the judges deliberations; I actually really liked that they took their time in talking between themselves and accessing each horse between themselves. We waited anxiously to see how Ali would get on and I was over the moon for them to be pulled in to 3rd. Really very good considering Connor has been his ex-trainers hack and Ali had pulled him out the field on Saturday afternoon, given him a quiet ride and a clean up and that was all.
On a personal note I am so pleased for Ali to do so well. She gives such a lot of her time to taking her therapy pony Jack to old people's homes to greet those poor people with dementia, plus running her own business and looking after a toddler! Plus for someone that is so tough on herself to really see her riding pay off and get a good result, I am so pleased!
We stayed at watched Ali's sister in law and my friend Hetty compete her Mum's horse Monty who also came third in the in hand class, super considering he hasn't really done showing. Well done to them!
Back at the boxes we had a cup of tea and a cake and reflected on a lovely day had by all! I certainly enjoyed myself thoroughly! Really, any excuse for me to groom!
I also took my camera along and am so pleased with how these photos came out, Connor looks mega! Turned out entirely with Smart Grooming products.
It's now couple of weeks until Suffolk County Show where we'll be up super bright and early for our 7.30am class!! B will be keeping his work varied and exciting so he's a relaxed, engaged, happy horse!
Well done to everyone who took part this weekend, I saw some seriously smart horses and ponies!
Sophie x
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