Sunday 23 June 2013

I set a Good Example once more

She has decided that Posy needs more trips to dressage contests, to further her education.  I was enlisted as Travel Companion and Good Example.  Once I am in the lorry, Posy goes in straight away, although she did complain loudly a number of times on the way to our destination.  Once there, I showed her how to make the best of the situation by munching your way through as much haylage as possible.
 
I advised Posy how to handle judges at dressage contests.  I find it best to amble up to the judge and look sweet and friendly.  With the judge's heart thus melted, one can collect a string of '7's without exerting oneself too much and get comments like "What a lovely horse, he appears so gentle and willing", and this secures you a ribbon and carrots.

Sadly, Posy did not take my advice and ran about neighing.  Her comments read "Posy appeared rather distracted and tense at times." 
The video 'highlights' below show Her attempting a 20m circle in canter whilst Posy spotted that something was going on in the canteen (She muttered darkly afterwards that they were preparing horse burgers), the part where Posy trots briskly towards 'B' was meant to be a free walk on a long rein.  At regular intervals, Posy neighs loudly to make sure everyone knew what a horrible time she was having.



Rather surprisingly, Posy didn't come last and got some ribbons too, although She has no idea how that could have happened.  The loading problems experienced at Posy's last outing didn't materialise, since as soon as I went into the lorry, Posy tried to climb in beside me.  Overall, She decided that Posy was slightly better than last time, but I, of course, was the hero of the day.

Wednesday 12 June 2013

Morning Exercise

We spend most of our time in the field but are free to wander in and out of the stables as we please.  Except that in the mornings She likes to shut us in our stables and Her idea is that we all stand to attention, ready to spring into action and do the exercises She has dreamt up for us.


What She doesn't realise is that, now it is summer, the grass is growing faster than we can eat it. We have been up all night working hard trying to keep the fields trim and by the morning we are all exhausted.

Sunday 9 June 2013

Hero award

The results of my heroic efforts last weekend have only just arrived.  It turns out that the envelope She had left behind was too small.

Apparently I scored 65.4% and it was good enough for sixth place (out of fourteen) - commendable given that my only preparation was a haircut.  She thinks this is better than Posy would have done and so I am a hero all over again.



Monday 3 June 2013

Zero to Hero

Just lately, She has been putting powdered Polo mints into my breakfast.  There is a faint taste of something else as well, but it's mostly mint flavour, yum.

Me, this morning, traces of delicious minty breakfast are still visible
Posy was due to go to another dressage contest yesterday, so imagine Her horror when Posy came in with a slightly swollen hock and Not Looking Right at All.  Next thing, I am being dragged out of the field, given a swift bath and haircut, and taken up to Duchy College.  She said that, if I felt up to it, the judge might as well watch me plod round as watch an empty space.  I was very excited to be going to a party again and my feet have been feeling much more comfy of late. 
With no warm up and no idea of what the test was, I went into the arena and gave it my best shot and tried very hard to impress the judge.  We got 64% which She thought was very creditable under the circumstances and given some 'dire' turns.  She was thrilled with my efforts and I got lots of carrots for trying very hard.  I met a number of my admirers and I was very reluctant to leave.

Thanks to Posy's being inattentive and accident prone, I have regained my 'Most Favoured Horse' status.  Ha!