SPOOK FIRST, THINK LATER

Sorry I can’t help further hahaha! 

Clearly you have reading and comprehension issues. It was my mare's first ridden show. We entered the encourage section, in all the "open" classes for the purpose of using the environment for exposure and training. It happens that whilst some people use encourage rings to train horses, some people also use it for their kids to learn. I will again remind you we only entered the open classes, and our age classes. We did not do any of the kid workout classes, nor did we enter any Jnr classes. There were plenty of riders in the encourage ring who were the same age as myself or older on a lot more experienced horses winning plenty of ribbons against kids. My mare is very green and barely finished with her backing. I additionally had only taken her out of the paddock to start working on ridden work 2 weeks prior to the show- perhaps 4 times in total. She's a rescue and tends to explode rather than deal with stress in a normal way. Prior to the ridden classes, she had been rearing all morning, bolting and had been very anxious and unable to stand still. So yes, I'm proud of my mare because she got through the show despite how much she was struggling with the atmosphere. I'm proud that she didn't rear or display dangerous behavior with myself on her back, and I'm proud of my friend for coming up with the solution of herself leading Birdy and me rather than myself ride on my own. You might have everything handed to you anon, and your horse may be perfect. I'm working hard with my mare to expose her as much as I can. If I need to swallow my pride, take two steps back, and have a friend lead us so my mare can end the show on a good note rather than go completely backwards and develop a fear of going out to shows in the future I will. I care about my horses welfare ultimately and I'm not going to push her when she is struggling, that would be cruel.

Some older horses require regular exercise and easy riding in order to stay fit enough to survive. I attempted to retire him, he struggled. He doesn’t cope with retirement, he requires fitness and muscle to survive well.  He’s coming out of illness and retirement. He’s going to be stiff but the vet has given him full clearance. He’s not going to be a competition horse, he just requires regular work to assist with condition. So mind your business, you silly little bully. 

I’d say keep going :) Smooth seas never made a skilled sailor :) 

Thanks xx

Birdy rocking her boink kit <3

My little family <3 

Birdy came home with reserve champion led, first place in her age class, first in fiesta, third in horse/handler and 4th in smartest on parade at the AHAA Andalusian spring show <3 

She’s so freaking cute! 

We have a show next week!