May Day

Well it's been one busy week, starting with Heathfield Show!! Not on the M25 but windy lanes with fast cars that insist on over taking on a double white line approaching a bend. Luckily, they didn’t wipe me out! With the first class at 7.45am, it was an early start. Jovian collected a second in the Maxi Class and Volantis was Champion Cob. New boy, Planet Nine, competed at his first proper show where he was ridden by a ride judge and finished second. He went really well and was off to Herts County to continue his education with stable mate, Prospero, who came in the lorry today to have a look around before he does his first proper outing.

It was another early start the following day to Herts County Show but the M25 was clear! The plan was to get two novice, or should I say very novice, cobs out!! After Heathfield I hoped it would make it easier for them to cope, and it did! Planet Nine gave me a good but slightly green ride, the judge, however, didn't do so well. He did nothing wrong but she didn't find the right canter button and he finished third. Prospero had a low pull, although he went reasonably well for her and finished third. So not bad for a county show.

However, it was a bad day as I lost my new hunter who was about to start his career. He broke his leg in the field, so the Baileys Team are all very upset. At least a day at Surrey County Show would help us all to focus on something else.

Surrey County is my local show and it was a really good day, especially after the tragic events beforehand. Gallifrey, Carole West's cob fuelled by Baileys was Champion Cob and stable mate, Volantis, picked up the Reserve place. Cappa Sham was second in the Maxi class but went on to be Coloured Champion. Mr Oosh was a bit unsettled with the tail end of the cattle parade sharply followed by the hounds exiting the main ring, and as if that wasn't enough, the heavy plant machinery was motoring round the main ring! It was a bit of a test for my riding ability! However, he did manage a fifth place! Now it's off to Bath and West!