The 'confidence tour' continues with another indoor show at a nice but spooky venue - which is exactly what I'm looking for at the moment and I think Merrie and Boris are starting to get the hang of the indoor thing.
Boris started the day in disgrace though, as I made the mistake of reading about equine ulcers the night before which he used to suffer from. Having discovered the perils of 'splash' ulcers online I decided that if I didn't turn him out into the field before he went to the show he would definitely struggle. So I trolled out of bed at ‘Stupid O Clock’ (bearing in mind I was due to leave at 6 am) and turned him out wearing what I thought was impenetrable anti mud wear. When I returned to get him, to my horror I realised that Boris had showed his gratitude by sploshing over to the one and only puddle in the field and rolling in it losing his anti mud bonnet that I had so carefully arranged and which I had virtually sellotaped to his ears, and he had plastered himself in liquid mud.
It just so happened that my helper Epy was having a day off and I was flying solo, so with no time to lose there was no choice but to load him up and sort him out at the show. Merrie who never even gets a shaving in her tail was looking smugly on as I spent the gaps between tests furiously scrubbing him with his special brillo-pad-anti-mud tool. Back-up arrived in the shape of his owner Beverly who took on the task of removing the mud from his ears with a wet wipe!! 'I hope he doesn't rear' said Mum doubtfully looking at Boris's muddy belly...
Merrie kept her attention really well, just one misunderstanding about a half-halt to win the first test on 71% and then a really super test in medium 75 to win again on 79.8%. which is our highest score ever so far! So her owner Judy and I were really pleased with her, she's out of medium points and has now completed her qualification.
Boris was a little nervous at the beginning but he still won the advanced 100 with a high score and Beverly and I were chuffed with his new found bravery. I think Horse Hero needs to make a new video on 'how to plait the very short bits of mane that your horses winter rugs have rubbed off' though, as plaiting Boris was the fiddliest job ever. I did a very good impression of Mrs Ramsey whilst in the process and any suggestions are very welcome before next week’s effort.
The wild card allocation for the Winter Championships saw more of my clients through to another nine classes at the Champs’. Most of my clients have been counting down the days until the cards were allocated and waiting with baited breath and crossed fingers but one more relaxed contender had to be informed by me via text as he didn't check the site. 'I'd better get the horses in from the field then' said his wife! Thank goodness I'm not competing and the Masterclass which I'm taking is in the evening, as its going to be very busy. The unstoppable Epy who helps me at home has qualified in three classes which is just great; Ali is coming for the whole week and also back-up in the shape of Laura, my weekend helper, who is coming too.
I heard this week that that my former Grand Prix ride, Liebling II (Lenny) has been sold to Canada. It wasn't a surprise as I was told by his owner that he was leaving to be sold when he went to Carl's yard. He's such a great horse and has done team GB proud with his two tenth places at the European championships with myself and Carl. I'm sure he will enjoy a luxury lifestyle, although I hope his new owner has earmuffs for dinner-time, as he is a legendary door kicker!!
Next week I go to Patchetts on Monday with MK and Boris and then to training and on to Myerscough Premier League show. MK and I will get to do his Grand Prix music in public for the first time and Boris will do his first ever Gala night and Inter 1. So I'll keep you all updated when I get back.
P.S. I have been to the gym ten times but I think my fat is solidifying instead of dissolving!!