The last month has been quite mad with the hunting season ending and the show season starting. I am up to my eyes in it but it’s all pretty good at the moment. I have been to another show with Pug Pony and it was quite funny, I have to say. I drove myself in my fab little lorry to Hartpury (what a place) to get there for lunch time, only to be waiting till 6pm for my class to start. The course builder must have had a sense of humour as there were no clear rounds and we had to jump into a pen with a water tray turned long ways. I think the ponies did not quite get it... apart from my Ronnie who just jumped straight over it, but we had a few fences down as the distances were a joke and he is not ready to be strangled to a fence yet (not that I want him to be anyway).
He took most of it in his stride but then got star struck in the trot up and would not walk let alone trot!! It was very funny and all part of the learning curve plus he was still in the final line up. I did ask some people if all the Mountain & Moorland Working Hunter courses were so terrible and they seemed to think they were. Well all I can say is it's no wonder most of the children in these classes do not progress on to horses as the courses do not allow them to ride with rhythm - you just can't! I will have to suss out the situation and go to a few more shows but I think they need help.
All my other horses are good and have been having a great time show jumping and clocking a few pennies on their cards which is always nice. I have my old groom coming back to work for me which is fab news as she left about four years ago and I have missed her ever since. I was delighted when she asked if she could come back as she is not just a groom, she is like a personal assistant too. Plus she knows me inside out and is like family, so I can't wait.
I also turn into mother at this time of year as all my pupils start their shows and I sit by the phone waiting for them to ring with the news. Last weekend I was at a show as trainer and I got more nervous watching than I ever do when I am riding! They all went very well, all were placed and one won and was Champion so a very good start. Keep it up guys!