Piccies from today's show

[scaredycat]

I took Jaf to our second ever show today. He was such a star! After months of hard work building up his confidence and calming his stressy behaviour, I was over the moon at how he just tool the whole show thing in his stride. Although he was falling asleep in the line-up which was funny but not very helpful!

OH came along and took a couple of piccies. I had jods and long boots on in the in-hand classes as I was going to do a riding class afterwards, but Jaf and I were knackered so I decided to call it a day.

We didn't do that well results wise; 6th in Riding Horse, 7th in Unregistered Part Bred and 6th in Hunter Horse type. But we had fun which is the main thing. Not sure why we didn't do better - judge said that she was put off placing us higher as Jaf's hocks click. But she really liked the fact that he's barefoot.

(and why do hacking jackets make you look like a balloon?? well it does me anyway).

[kaleigh]

thanks for sharing your pics & a big well dine. i totally agree it is about having fun, not winning & i bet like my horses your horse is a winner to you!

[Louise C]

Lovely pics - well done, and agree with Kaleigh:-)

[scaredycat]

Oh totally! Jaf should have a special rosette for being the calmest horse there - he just wanted to eat grass.

The only problem we did have was when we unloaded him, my OH opened the back ramp as well as the front ramp on the trailer and Jaf tried to go off backwards but one leg dropped off the side which scared him a bit. When we tried to load him, he was having none of it, which is very unusual (either that or he was copying the unloadable horse that was in the space next to us). We spent about 10 minutes firstly letting him sniff and look, then doing the back and forth schooling thing, then finally edging forwards and having a nice long look and sniff.

[jennyb]

Well done, he looks lovely! Don't know why you didn't get placed higher either, picky judge, perhaps? The only thing I could point out is to have your hair in a bun with a hair net over the top, but that's being uber picky indeed!

Like his freezemark, btw!

[pipgibson]

Sounds Familar!!! The going to sleep bit, Harly always does it!!!

Glad you had a good time. Thats what its all about enjoying your-selves.

You both look lovely. ;D

[scaredycat]

Thanks guys. I did have a hairnet, but it hid itself just when I needed it! But the best bit is, I had to use a plaiting band to tie it back as my hairband broke whilst I was trying to put it up. Was ok until I tried to take it out - OUCH!!!

[specialsparkle3]

Well done Rennie, Jaf looks very smart, and you enjoyed yourself, and remember, at these shows the judges are not qualified, and to say what she said proved it. (very unprofessional remark)
As long as you are taking home the horse YOU like best, that's all that really matters.

[Carole]

Think you have turned yourselves out very well, yes you can nit pick but you both look very well done. You may not have come higher this occassion purely as there were others that took her pref. more but another judge another day ....... and to be honest 4th and 6th is very good. What more could you have asked if you enjoyed it thats what matters.

[marywelsh]

well done rennie, i am keeping an eye on your showing as jaf is the spitting image of otter and his clicking is lower down in his fetlock

[scaredycat]

SS3, should I be put off showing because of his clicking hocks? I know its all down the judges preference on the day, some like the cobbier types, some like greys.

Thanks Carole. It was bloody hard work. I thought I'd plait Jaf up the night before so that I wouldn't have to panic the following day. I borrowed another liveries stable and Jaf stayed in over night (something he wasn't impressed with) and promptly rubbed his tail plait out. Oh well, you live and learn. My plaiting still leaves a lot to be desired though! I've got until Sept 3rd to practice. My tail plait is ok, but my mane plaits aren't great.

[specialsparkle3]

Lots of horse's hocks click Rennie, don't worry about it

[scaredycat]

Thanks SS3. I guess I just got a bit paranoid as this woman at the yard always goes on about Jaf's hocks, and then the judge picked us up on it.