Post by sunshine on Aug 28, 2007 13:14:56 GMT 1
Hello All,
Just wanted to tell you about my day out yesterday at a local show, nothing major, just an outing to practice for next weekend.
First off, the lorry's clutch went so had nightmare and got a lift with someone else in their trailer. Troy never ever been in a trailer in all his 17 years, so I was a bit nervous. He shot off backwards the first time as its not as roomy as a lorry but with some nuts we coaxed him on.
Typically I missed my in hand vets - Arrghhhhh. Despite a good practice at home on the weekend, so I have no idea how the C&T Champs will pan out.
We did a jumping class - thrilled with him as it was my first 2ft 6 class on him with a jump off straight after, if I hadnt got lost and crossed my tracks I think we could have been quite quick and all the poles were still in place - so in my eyes it was a clear!!
sfdigital.morephotos.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?action=viewphotos&size=fullsize&pagenum=46&id=5247986&eventid=36784
sfdigital.morephotos.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?action=viewphotos&size=fullsize&pagenum=40&id=5247980&eventid=36784
sfdigital.morephotos.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?action=viewphotos&size=fullsize&pagenum=45&id=5247985&eventid=36784
sfdigital.morephotos.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?action=viewphotos&size=fullsize&pagenum=41&id=5247981&eventid=36784
He does look handsome even if i do say so myself!!
The chalk worked wonders too. Plus his tail looks lush now its been pulled.
Well then we did Riding Club Horse. The ground in the arena was appalling, soft and boggy and very poor.
So we are walking round, just four of us in the class. Then I am starting to wonder where the judge is.
Well believe it or not, the lady stood in the centre of the ring in tshirt, shorts, flip flops and sunnies is the judge!!!!!! So then after walking round, we are asked to line up - so no walking, trotting or cantering round as a group so the judge can get an initial impression. Instead whilst we are lining up she starts to tell us what to do for our individual show, including showing some lengthened strides of trot?! Then do the quite substantial jump which was a spread - normally its a cross pole of about 2ft - 2ft 3.
Then after we do that (plus trying to keep the lad concentrating on me instead of the scary 2 shires pulling a dray next to the arena whilst I am cantering!), we then have to walk around on a 20m circle around the judge and she then asks us to do various transitions as she is looking for the most obedient horse!!!! Though how she could keep an eye on all four of us and compare I don't know. I thought I had entered the wrong class and was in best rider!! I couldn't believe it.
Anways we were placed last (4th) and justifiably so, as Troy was not at his best, esp as the going round in a group helps to fine tune him.
The judges comments to me, were nice horse, though the others worked rounder and were a better standard (they were indeed but saying it made me feel rubbish) and then she said she did try to place me higher whilst deciding first place by doing the exercises at the end to see if any of the others would make a mistake!!!!!!!
The winner was an unplaited TB - not that is anything crucial but still........ showing etiquette.
I am sorry, that is appalling. The judge making no effort in her appearance, not communicating why the format of the class had changed, and then to do the thing at the end?! We should have done it individually again.
A very strange class and a big disappointment. Even if we had been placed first I still would have found it very odd.
Never mind. I shant be going back to Littlewick next year for numerous reasons.
Just wanted to tell you about my day out yesterday at a local show, nothing major, just an outing to practice for next weekend.
First off, the lorry's clutch went so had nightmare and got a lift with someone else in their trailer. Troy never ever been in a trailer in all his 17 years, so I was a bit nervous. He shot off backwards the first time as its not as roomy as a lorry but with some nuts we coaxed him on.
Typically I missed my in hand vets - Arrghhhhh. Despite a good practice at home on the weekend, so I have no idea how the C&T Champs will pan out.
We did a jumping class - thrilled with him as it was my first 2ft 6 class on him with a jump off straight after, if I hadnt got lost and crossed my tracks I think we could have been quite quick and all the poles were still in place - so in my eyes it was a clear!!
sfdigital.morephotos.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?action=viewphotos&size=fullsize&pagenum=46&id=5247986&eventid=36784
sfdigital.morephotos.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?action=viewphotos&size=fullsize&pagenum=40&id=5247980&eventid=36784
sfdigital.morephotos.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?action=viewphotos&size=fullsize&pagenum=45&id=5247985&eventid=36784
sfdigital.morephotos.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?action=viewphotos&size=fullsize&pagenum=41&id=5247981&eventid=36784
He does look handsome even if i do say so myself!!
The chalk worked wonders too. Plus his tail looks lush now its been pulled.
Well then we did Riding Club Horse. The ground in the arena was appalling, soft and boggy and very poor.
So we are walking round, just four of us in the class. Then I am starting to wonder where the judge is.
Well believe it or not, the lady stood in the centre of the ring in tshirt, shorts, flip flops and sunnies is the judge!!!!!! So then after walking round, we are asked to line up - so no walking, trotting or cantering round as a group so the judge can get an initial impression. Instead whilst we are lining up she starts to tell us what to do for our individual show, including showing some lengthened strides of trot?! Then do the quite substantial jump which was a spread - normally its a cross pole of about 2ft - 2ft 3.
Then after we do that (plus trying to keep the lad concentrating on me instead of the scary 2 shires pulling a dray next to the arena whilst I am cantering!), we then have to walk around on a 20m circle around the judge and she then asks us to do various transitions as she is looking for the most obedient horse!!!! Though how she could keep an eye on all four of us and compare I don't know. I thought I had entered the wrong class and was in best rider!! I couldn't believe it.
Anways we were placed last (4th) and justifiably so, as Troy was not at his best, esp as the going round in a group helps to fine tune him.
The judges comments to me, were nice horse, though the others worked rounder and were a better standard (they were indeed but saying it made me feel rubbish) and then she said she did try to place me higher whilst deciding first place by doing the exercises at the end to see if any of the others would make a mistake!!!!!!!
The winner was an unplaited TB - not that is anything crucial but still........ showing etiquette.
I am sorry, that is appalling. The judge making no effort in her appearance, not communicating why the format of the class had changed, and then to do the thing at the end?! We should have done it individually again.
A very strange class and a big disappointment. Even if we had been placed first I still would have found it very odd.
Never mind. I shant be going back to Littlewick next year for numerous reasons.
I've had the same, and it's such a shame some shows don't make more of an effort to get smart, experienced/knowledgeable judges. 
