Well sort of a mix match weekend but the good most certainly outwayed the bad. Had to work most of Friday as we weren't leaving till 5-not great when you have to drive to monmouth and the directions you are given are to the old showground not the new one which you are supposed to be going to. This resulted in driving round a council estate and then country roads on which we had to turn round in the lorry plus the big trailer on the back!! Fun fun fun especially when pitch black-hmmmm good lorry driver me thinks.
We eventually arrived around 10pm so had to set up all the temporary stables on the side on our trailer, sort out 8 ponies, a tent and then eventually have dinner around 11.30! As we are all aware the one time you really want things to be quick and easy they never are and true to form the stables were a little on the difficult side to put up mainly due the unlevel ground but up they went and the ponies were all settled for the night. Bless them they really do cope well with all the chopping and changing and travelling etc. After all that we had a very nice meal actually which Pat kindly cooked for us then I felt after that a little drink was in order then off to bed around 12.30.
Off the alarm went at 6.30!! My body was not in agreement and really felt that it should stay where it was after a 7.30-12.30am working day nd have to say not sure I could blame it. The camp beds aren't that comfy especially with the old injuries that like to occassionally say hello. All the ponies seemed to have travelled well and came out of the stables in the morning all fresh and very bouncy. The first class with the larger ponies was at 12.45. What an excellent class that was for us the course and going really suited our ponies and we had a great draw with our better pair of ponies going second. We won with the Chippendales and then came 4th with Spic and Span so a good morning work all in all. The smalls class was at 4 and after last weeks little scare we had decided to change the pairings round. First in were Chaz and Dave who had never been driven together before not even at home- honestly we must be completely mad who in their right minds would do that but there we go. To be honest that actually did a very nice little round i mean we only took it gently and just cantered them round but they did a nice little clear and we all breathed a sigh of relief. Then we had bright and Breezy with Chaz replecing Dave after he proved that him and Apples(breezy) really didn't get on. This proved to be a much better pairing and they both seemed really happy and were going really well untill the elbow where we came in slightly too fast and couldn't quite make the turn. Never mind they then continued well to finish the course. So although we didn't qualify either of those two pairs for the championship we were all really pleased with the four of them. So these are the parings that shall remain for the season:
The chippendales aka bunny and magic
Spic and Span aka esme and susie
Chaz and Dave aka Dave and Carla
Bright and breezy aka Apples and chaz
Then on to today and the show championship. Again the ponies came out of thier boxes rather lively in the morning for their walk shall we say but then that is usually a good sign. We loaded up as much as we could and took all the temporary stables down so we could go asap so as not to get caught in the traffic leaving the showground. I really do love the shows but sometime it really is just nice to get home. Anyway we had a good draw again with Spic and Span going 4th and the the chippendales going last so again we had our better pair going second. Spic and span did a super clear round probably one of the best rounds they have ever done and finished up 3rd so we are really pleased. Then bunny and magic went in and set off like a rocket unfortunatel we hit the 3rd pair of cones as bill said he was thinking too much about the turn from 3 to 4 so turned slightly early-driver error. They really were very quick and really felt super from the back and even with a ball down which adds 5seconds onto your time they still managed to come 5th!!!! If they had gone clear they would have won as the had the quickest time! however as we slowed down I noticed that something wasn't right so we pulled up and it soon became apparrent that the harness had broken which we assumed must have been after the end as we were pulling up. the ring had come off which attaches the cropper to the front and the trace carriers-not good as we then had harness by the magic's back legs. we took it off anyway and all was fine. Then looking at the pictures after you can clearly see the harness had broken going through either 8 or 9 so we finshed the course it would appear with only half a harness on one pony. it could have been really nasty but luck was on our side-phew!
A very easy journey home sorted out the ponies then home for a very much needed shower!!!! Tonight I have been treated to very nice meal out at a local Italian then we went out to see a couple of friends.
The weekend hasn't allowed me much time for reflection which has been good keeping my mind busy. There were times this weekend when I got a little sad and memories came flooding back of someone who was incredibly special to me a person I really could have seen myself growing old with who had a fatal motorbike accident 6 months ago. Bless him but now I have some super memories which can never ever be taken away from me after all it is better to have loved someone so completly that you would do anything for them and they for you and to have lost them then to have never met someone so incredibly special at all. he is still with me and always will be my own little guardian angel.xxx Mike understands too as had known him for many years so we both help each other along when times are hard. I still miss him terribly but I am never really without him but I still expect him to walk through that door with that cheeky grin on his face and say some cheeky comment!
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