Suffolk County Show

t’s been a busy time for Georgie and I in the last few weeks; we’re gearing up for showing this season and Georgie is due to ‘foal’ any minute.

I’ve been riding Beanie in the evenings after work and even jumped him the other day, that was rather fun as it's been years since I properly jump schooled. Who do you think struggled more, me or B? Trick question, of course it was me!

Anyway, all this schooling as been leading up to Suffolk County Show and 'Team Orange' have been really putting in the time to get B ready. Donna and I plaited up B the night before the show as we had to leave at at 4.45am as were were in the ring at 7.30am (!?) lucky B is fine looking like a complete donut in a snuggy hood. Sorry B!

So yes, at 3.30am I was up and (not so) fresh as a daisy to get down the yard and make sure everything was ready. Luckily at that time in the morning there really isn't a lot on the roads, so we got there in good time to get B settled in and used to his surroundings. B likes to be a tourist so thoroughly enjoyed it when the stunt horses road past!

He was looking and acting on good form so at 7.30am Ollie and B made their way into Suffolk's Grand Ring and ready to strut his stuff. With 18 or so other competitors it was a busy buzzy atmosphere even that early in the morning. It turns out that B must have gone well in the go around as we were pleased and excited her him to be pulled in first for the ride judge.

In no time at all (before I could even get over to them in the ring) the ride judge was up and onboard to ride B. He did give the judge a nice ride but wasn't quite as smooth as he's used to being. Maybe he didn't like the ride judge, as he's been foot perfect for every other one, who knows?

He was bought back in afterwards and stripped of his saddle to be conformation judges by the legendary Jenny Pitman. He stood up and trot up like the old pro he is and was such a good boy. He settled back in for the wait while the other competitors had their horses ridden and trotted up. 

We waited anxiously as we wondered how much Beanie's little resistance and head shake had cost him. Must to our surprise not that much as he took 2ns place in the ROR Tattersalls ridden show series class and qualified for the final at Hickstead.

He was just amazing and really showed off in his lap of honour! 

 We had a nice chill and some breakfast/lunch back at the box while we had a little while before the next class, the ROR Challenge class. B loves these as he gets to do two of his favourite things, jumping and then strutting his stuff.

Bearing in mind that Ollie hasn't done a lot of jumping, well not until she met us and we asked her to do jumps classes with Beanie, so going into her first Challenge class was a big thing for Ollie but she went in with a cool head and absolutely nailed a clear round. He really was exuberant too! 

Everyone was back into the ring for their go round and individual show. He was still basically floating for the go round and really enjoying what he was doing. Then, in no particular order they were pulled in to line up ready to speak to the judges and do their individual show. Ollie told me earlier that day that she loves doing an individual show so it was lovely to see her partner B to just glide around elegantly and prance his little socks off. He really is a show man when he gets in the ring and seems to really enjoy it. 

They both did a lovely show and used the space well, as it looked to not be easy to weave around between the fences. 

To our absolute delight B took the red rosette and has again qualified for the final at Aintree. What a little star he is!

Well worth the hard work, early mornings and tiredness when we have such wonderful days like we did on Thursday. B really is such a legend. He's taken to having a new jockey on him, he's renewed my confidence in jumping and riding again really, after my accident and just been absolutely no trouble! 

He's worth his weight in gold!

We now have a few things coming up, we have an SEIB class coming up, as well as Royal Norfolk show at the end of the month. Hopefully Georgie will have her baby on Wednesday and we can get used to taking two children to shows from now on!

How have you all got on this summer so far?

Sophie x