Buzz buzz buzz - Brought the boy back in...

and I still love him to pieces! I just can't get over how laid back he is. Nothing phases him and never has. He's Mr Cool through and through, even when the neighbour chooses to fertilise the boundary paddock as soon as I get back on him after he's had a four month break serving mares! I am perched up on him all paranoid that he's going to freak out and he's like 'Whatever!'.

I only rode for about 10 minutes today as there is no point in pushing it. Lots of walk to halt, halt to walk, walk to trot, trot to walk and a few rein backs to make sure he remembers - he does :o) And one little canter at the end just to mix it up a bit (and see what he would do).

As you can see he is still in with Aine and Maude and Aine was absolutely fascinated by the proceedings and followed us around quite a lot. Very cute. We gave her feet a quick trim while we were there - only her second trim and she was excellent so we are very pleased.

I have a few photos of today's ride and a boring little video that I will add later for anyone who wants to check out the boy. My only real concern today is that I am still convinced he is really far too small for me. I know I still have a lot of weight to lose (and watching the video just reinforces my determination to lose it) but I can't help but feel he would look a lot more aesthetically pleasing with someone about, oh I dunno, a million kg lighter on his back :o(

This is the time when I wish I had the money to pay someone to campaign him for me. I want to keep him here for me to ride and enjoy but also want to see him out and about really strutting his stuff and, lets face it, I aint the rider to get him out there doing that. I guess that I just have some soul searching to do.

Walking in the hay paddock

Aine 'helping'
Watching the fert going on

Aine is very interested!
Aine, take notes please

Short Meg photo video

The song, 'Carter's Fair' is written and sung by Kate Bramley from 'The Bad Pennies'. Kate and Jez Lowe recently played at 'The Lounge' in Carterton and Nick was the support act for the performance. The song is kinda perfect really.

92A - This is pretty scary!

Robbie - Sire of Champions!

Just had the best morning at the Masterton A&P. The weather was on our side and the sun shone brightly for our classes. Meg was an absolute super star and I could not be happier with my sensitive little girl's behaviour.

We had a last minute near disaster when I took her float boots off after we arrived only to find that the BLACK dye in them had leaked all over her lovely white stockings!!! All those weeks of painstakingly preparing her only to be foiled by the very things that were put on to try and keep the darned things clean! Fortunately Dazzle Dog came to the rescue and I managed to scrub it all off but it set us back a bit time wise. I had offered to turn out Kim's mare as well as Meg so was rushing around like a bat out of hell between the two of them primping and preening like a thing possessed. We squeaked in on time by a whisker helped by the fact that our judge was a little late (last minute things like picking out of hooves was thus attended to in 'over time').

Meg thought the showgrounds and other horses were out of this world but never let the atmosphere get to her and stood perfectly for her plaiting. I was worried she would fidget when we were putting the sprigs in but no, stood like a rock and soaked it all in. She even trotted out nicely in the filly class which was the one thing I was a bit worried about. The judge commented very favourably on her trot too.

After our classes were finsished we took her on her very own grand parade around the show grounds and she LOVED it. She marched out with her ears pricked taking it all in. She drew lots of admiring comments too, which was nice. We're not surprised of course because we think she looks rather gorgeous. She'll be even better in a few years time when she is a mature horse.

Results:

Best presented - 1st place

Filly 2yo and under - 1st place

Best walking - 1st place

Best footed - 2nd place (stupid sand crack!)

CHAMPION Registered Clydesdale - Rosemarkie Silver Tray and WJB Potts Trophy for overall points.

and RESERVE CHAMPION went to little Amos who behaved himself most admirably for such a baby. So, well done Robbie - you are now a sire of Champions!

Meg with her pretty purple sash and my matching hat, haha! Meg and her proud Dad Check out that tail!Bein' judged
Best walking clydesdale

Champion

Champion
Before the turnout
A neckful of pretty ribbons
Poser