Thats it! Its all over! The competition that I'd been working towards for the past 18 months has been and gone!
I almost thought we weren't going to get there due to transport issues, me trying to fend off a stomach bug and the A38 being closed on the way up. If there where any signs, surely those three would of been them? But we made it! Ended up buying a truck, filling myself with Immodium and paracetamol and going a long way around to get out of Cornwall...Apart from that, it all ran pretty smoothly!
We where lucky enough to be saved a space next to a friends lorry so after realising we had left the tent poles at home (urgh...I know...face palm) we ended up sleeping in the back of the trailer. Despite it smelling of Ruairi's urine, it was really quite cosy! We kitted it out with fairy lights, had a gazebo next to us and the sun was shining. Perfect! except it was a little too far from the toilets for my convenience!
Ruairi settled into his stable quickly and was relieved to have a walk about after being in the trailer for 4 hours.
Day 1 - Tuesday
Tuesday was Ruairi's rest day. He spent the day chilling out, came out for a hack around the show ground and we spent our time watching friends in classes and supporting them.
Day 2 - Wednesday
My Novice Picton class was 8am, this was a bit of relief as the weather forecast was hot so it meant I could get that class out of the way before it got too hot. Unfortunately, Lisa also became ill and spent her time throwing up in a feed bowl during my class. Nice...
The standard of highlands in my class was exceptionally high, and where all competing in the Open HOYS class on the thursday. Our ring had been moved onto a piece of ground that is usually used for car parking, so you can imagine how hard it was. There was no grass covering and I could feel every single canter stride coming up through his legs. For this reason, I don't think he performed at his best as he doesn't enjoy working on hard ground. But it can't be helped.
We where 7th, just out of placings, but I was proud of him for stepping up and doing his best for me.
We then competed in the Mare and Gelding Highland class at around lunch time. Ruairi went back to his bedroom for some lunch and a snooze whilst I had some lunch and changed into my inhand finery. This time rather than my usual kilt, I wore a Cornish Tartan kilt. We where originally pulled in 4th, and then moved up to 3rd against some incredible ponies. He was also highest placed gelding which meant we had a trophy to take home!
Later on in the day we met Fiona with her gorgeous highland Holmedown Orange County (Brian). We hadn't met before, let alone ridden together but did the pairs class together which took us through to the evening performance. As Brian is also a novice pony, we spent most of our time bumping tummys and hoping we both got the correct canter lead.
The evening performance was my highlight of the day. Loud music, people cheering and a fantastic atmosphere. We where placed 3rd for our performance which we where both chuffed to bits with. Both ponies loved the atmosphere and Ruairi felt incredible on a better surface.
Day 3 - Thursday
After my Picton class on tuesday, I planned to do the Open M&M Gelding class. This was purely because I wanted to see how he got on in a different ring, and he was sustaining his energy really well. After a confidence blip from me, we came 4th in a big class. Dead chuffed with the boy!!
Overall I am very pleased with him. He didn't put a foot wrong during the whole duration of the show and was a total pleasure to be around.
I was very lucky to be kitted out with a cotton sheet, warm up numnah and clothing for myself from Kilminorth Cottages. So a big extra thank you for their support. We both looked very smart :)
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