Spring Classic

Anyone else struggling now we've lost an hours sleep? Waking up on Sunday morning certainly was hard but with the prep for the ponies UK spring classic show we needed to get to the yard plait and wash legs etc.

With our class being the second to last of the day it was weird getting to a show at 1 o'clock in the afternoon! Although the benefit being that there would be less people around. Although saying that it was still a very busy day with lot's of competitors. 

We arrived and Georgie got on pretty quickly in order to go and school B and get him seeing everything and used to the atmosphere! Probably a good thing as Georgie walked by the ring and saw two giant inflatable champagne bottles in the middle of the ring. The atmosphere really was quite buzzy and electric. B seemed to work in ok but not his usual game face in my opinion. 

We made our way back to the trailer afterwards and had some food quickly and 'tarted up' B and get him ready. We then made our way up to the ring expecting the 4 classes and two championships to take some time but they went by quickly so I had to rush to put quater marks in and give him a quick once over! 

In the warm up again and the ring the atmosphere did get suddenly quite 'buzzy' which I hadn't noticed before, maybe it was because the ROR classes were the last 2 of the day and people wanted to get home. B got in and was doing well and seemed pretty on form for the circumstances. We were pleased to be pulled in to second place for the ride judge so I made my way in and waited with Georgie.

The ride judge arrived and got on and B seemed on good form, he was going so nicely when.... he took a dislike to some bright sun patches on the floor of the area and slightly spooked/didn't really want to go by them. The ride judge urged him on and round them which he did, went to the other end of the area and carried on lovely. Although we felt the damage had been done. On his way back in and much to our luck the music speaker system directly behind us did a 'record scratch' and skipped which made B flinch and sadly that was that.

We stripped the saddle off none the less and B proceeded to stand beautifully and do a wonderful trot for the conformation judge. G got back on and waited to see where she'd come in the end. 

Sadly we dropped two places down to fourth do not a totally wasted journey but a disappointing start to the proper show season.

 
Although not to be disheartened we spent the drive home discussing the round and things we can take away from the experience to work on. Firstly we do not do a lot of indoor showing, or even schooling, so we're going to endeavour to do more of that. We also are going to play music when schooling outside to desensitise B to that so that won't bother him. We're also going to put things on the floor of the school to also desensitise him to things like that. The ironic thing is B isn't that much of a 'spooky' horse but we think working on these things more will help make him less sharp and aware when inside. 

We've never done this before but we're also contemplating using ear plugs to see if they'll help just take the edge off.

Overall a little frustrating because Georgie and I know that B can do better than this but we're all gone home with things to learn and change. Me included! I need to be less competitive and let disappointment roll off my back and not let it show apparently.

I did however love using my new camera and got some cracking shots that I am really pleased with so, I hope you like them and look out for more in the future!

Sophie