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Post by GaynorStones on Apr 4, 2014 21:35:01 GMT
In the dim and distant past I used to showjump and show...then I gave up. Then my daughter used to do workers...then she gave up. This time I couldnt so I bought a couple of welsh foals and started inhand showing. Now 11years on I still have one of the foals and he does workers with my amazing jockey and has taken us to Hoys. I am too old to ride now but I still get excited when the show dates come out and as my jockey is married and works full time I do most of the work and she comes and rides him along with the connie I bought last year to do large breeds workers. I love my showing and have the whole season planned out by March and love every minute. I do get shattered after a long day doing the stables before we set off, driving the wagon and acting as groom, cook and general run around but I wouldnt change my life for anything. Im not sure how long my jockey will want to carry on for and I have always said when she gives up then I will retire!! (But PLEASE not for a few more seasons!!) I always say you are a long time dead so enjoy and when you get home put your feet up and open the wine!!
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Post by nici on Apr 7, 2014 11:05:22 GMT
When the heavens opened yesterday, in conjunction with some wild winds, as we were standing by the side of the ring watching my second jockey ride our pony in her first ever show, I did wonder what on earth I was doing...! Knees killing today and I'm needing IV coffee to stay awake at my desk... But both kids came away with 2 rosettes and a bag of Haribo each, and new pony proved himself to be brave, very easy to have around, and he tried his little heart out for Cerys. Glad we went - even gladder that we have other, non showing activities planned for the rest of this month - a mounted easter egg hunt, a ride with BBQ organised by the hunt Cerys rode out with last season, hacks in our local Forestry land - much more appealing than another show at the moment!
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Post by comanchediva on Apr 13, 2014 8:19:09 GMT
I love shows on a Saturday, I get Sunday to recover before work on Monday! Left home at 7.15am yesterday and got back in at 8.30pm last night, think my OH thought I'd left him lol! Back to the much more civilised world of dressage next week, I can't wait
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Post by maxandpaddy on Apr 13, 2014 9:15:58 GMT
Winter Champs for us on friday...so a whole Easter long weekend to recover yeayyyyyyy!
I'm going to try and enjoy it more and stress less
1. I will not get up at 4am after spending the proceeding three nights plaiting in my sleep 2. I will not fret over the quarter marks and redo them 6 times 3. I will not stress our mare out completely by spraying, wiping, brushing, polishing at the speed of light 4. I will watch the class this time and not focus on random things in the distance 5. I will enjoy it!!!!
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Post by GaynorStones on Apr 13, 2014 15:22:16 GMT
Winter Champs for us on friday...so a whole Easter long weekend to recover yeayyyyyyy! I'm going to try and enjoy it more and stress less 1. I will not get up at 4am after spending the proceeding three nights plaiting in my sleep 2. I will not fret over the quarter marks and redo them 6 times 3. I will not stress our mare out completely by spraying, wiping, brushing, polishing at the speed of light 4. I will watch the class this time and not focus on random things in the distance 5. I will enjoy it!!!! We are there friday too but thats why I have M&Ms - no plaiting!! but do have a very dirty connemara so will probably have to wash again on friday morning!! and I will watch the class and enjoy it too. Good luck maxandpaddy
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Post by maxandpaddy on Apr 13, 2014 16:53:19 GMT
Best of luck to you too!!!
What time are you in we'l try and get there to support xx
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Post by GaynorStones on Apr 13, 2014 17:20:06 GMT
Best of luck to you too!!! What time are you in we'l try and get there to support xx Novice workers at 11am and restricted at 12noon. What about you?
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Post by maxandpaddy on Apr 13, 2014 18:07:39 GMT
148 SP class at 1.30 so should be able to come and watch at least the novice workers xxx
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Post by GaynorStones on Apr 13, 2014 18:15:04 GMT
148 SP class at 1.30 so should be able to come and watch at least the novice workers xxx Our number is 403 come and say hello if you see us xx
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Post by catkin on Apr 13, 2014 19:46:11 GMT
I am totally sympathetic to the OP and working full time I don't have the luxury of days of recovering. However, as long as you enjoy what you do, I think you can always find the energy to do it. I do know what you mean SarahP, there is a lot more to ponies than showing BUT there is a lot to like about it. Lovely ponies, days out with friends, watching other classes and then, just sometimes, the buzz of winning!
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Apr 14, 2014 8:03:11 GMT
True, and my point really was not to do it if you don't enjoy it! Nowadays I can't do it myself, so have one a year with a producer and just turn up to watch when I can, which I find much more fun!
Maxandpaddy - you could always change to natives - no plaiting and no quarter marks!
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Post by maxandpaddy on Apr 16, 2014 18:00:46 GMT
Hannah fancies a D....I've got to admit the no plaiting/quarter marks and more 'chunk' does appeal But I'm revving myself up (with a nice cold bottle of Chardonnay) for tomorrows shampoo and plaiting sesh. My plan is if I drink it all then i'l fall (faceplant) into bed about 9pm sleep well and fair better on Friday for the Winter Champs
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Post by GaynorStones on Apr 16, 2014 18:55:03 GMT
Hannah fancies a D....I've got to admit the no plaiting/quarter marks and more 'chunk' does appeal But I'm revving myself up (with a nice cold bottle of Chardonnay) for tomorrows shampoo and plaiting sesh. My plan is if I drink it all then i'l fall (faceplant) into bed about 9pm sleep well and fair better on Friday for the Winter Champs Sounds like a good plan!
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Post by comanchediva on Apr 20, 2014 12:15:57 GMT
It's only lunchtime and I'm home!!! We've mucked out already so might actually catch up on an hour's sleep this afternoon. I love dressage!! How's everyone's weekend been? X
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Post by maxandpaddy on Apr 20, 2014 12:40:27 GMT
Hmmmmm a more organised experience and not AS shattered as last time. Less stressful except for my OH meeting us at the yard a little later than us (about 2 hrs later hahaaaa) to do the driving and his car not starting so late setting off (apologies to desmond we didnt have a lot of time pre-class time to come and find you)
She looked good but still not as weighty as they seem to need to be nowadays, her show was 'ok' no mishaps whereas a few wrong legged/spooked but we only managed 10th
Not sure really, I enjoyed it more but gawd its a lot of work and effort to end up at the bottom of the line
So its dressage on Wednesday lol lol lol...gonna give it a try at our local club and see how it goes. I'm not ruling out more showing YET but starting to wonder if we're in the right class/ if we're out of our depth/ if its worth it
xxxxx
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Post by fanfarefan on Apr 20, 2014 16:08:01 GMT
im so glad ive down sized to minis , no plaiting quarter marks , just wash and go !!!!!! the only down side is the clipping all summer with a toad who hates being clipped
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Post by GaynorStones on Apr 20, 2014 19:00:58 GMT
Hmmmmm a more organised experience and not AS shattered as last time. Less stressful except for my OH meeting us at the yard a little later than us (about 2 hrs later hahaaaa) to do the driving and his car not starting so late setting off (apologies to desmond we didnt have a lot of time pre-class time to come and find you) She looked good but still not as weighty as they seem to need to be nowadays, her show was 'ok' no mishaps whereas a few wrong legged/spooked but we only managed 10th Not sure really, I enjoyed it more but gawd its a lot of work and effort to end up at the bottom of the line So its dressage on Wednesday lol lol lol...gonna give it a try at our local club and see how it goes. I'm not ruling out more showing YET but starting to wonder if we're in the right class/ if we're out of our depth/ if its worth it xxxxx Sorry to hear it didnt start off as planned. We only had 1 pony there and I even had time to make us a bacon sandwich first! Our classes were a bit delayed due to a fall in the ring but as our classes followed on in same ring it didnt cause any problem. We then had time to go back to wagon for lunch, watched some classes. had a look round the stands oh and the odd glass of wine! Then early tea and ready for evening performance. Cant remember the last time I have been so relaxed at a show. It was great - wish they could all be like that. Only downside it was really cold during night even with heating on in horsebox!
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Post by nici on Apr 22, 2014 13:08:44 GMT
Mmmm we came home from holiday 7pm Easter Sunday. Straight to the yard to bring in our little C. Quick glance over - no mud (hurrah for fine weather!) Popped her in stable with a mountain of hay and a feed. Got to yard 9am the next day, loaded up, drove about 45 miles (boring!) to Marbury Farm on the Cheshire/Shrops border. Unloaded, tacked up, and child & pony set off with a bunch of friends on an 8 mile farm ride with about 100 optional jumps. Time for a bacon butty and a snooze in the sunshine for me before they came back, tired but buzzing and with loads of photos and videos to show me.
Quite a long day out because of the distance / traffic, but very relaxing for me!
Fun rides are the way to go - far less stress than showing!
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Post by comanchediva on Jul 23, 2014 20:58:52 GMT
Can't believe it's nearly the end of July and almost 4 months since maxandpaddy started this thread. The year is flying by but we're having a beautiful summer and trying to make the most of the weather when I'm not working!.
So I was thinking the first time I replied to this thread was the end of March just before NCPA Lancs spring show and how much we've achieved since then and was wondering how everyone else is doing / coping lol x
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Post by maxandpaddy on Jul 24, 2014 8:15:13 GMT
Well I'm stressing less and enjoying things more as the seasons gone on. Maybe thats what I needed to do and the stress fest was just nerves and lack of confidence
I have to say my favourite shows have been the smaller agricultural ones where people actually talk to you - shock horror!!!!! Friendly folk clapping and encouraging each others kids - who'd have thought it?!!!!
We were lucky at GYS being one of the last to arrive for our day trip out they plonked us right at the back on the grass, which was lovely. No posh wagons, no nasty gravelly surface, our nearest neighbour was a tent! So I could pretend it was a little show in a field and stay chilled
Learnt a lot this year:- Me chilled = chilled teenager and pony Plaits look better the morning after Inhaling pony products isnt good for concentration Dont say hello to Producers they will ignore you Remember a hat for stripping ...a woolly one in summer looks daft
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Post by comanchediva on Jul 24, 2014 21:07:57 GMT
The local agricultural shows are my favourites too. Got 3 coming up in August in 3 different counties but all within an hour's drive (only just realised that) and love them all!!
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