Royal International Horse Show 2016

On Monday we headed down to Hickstead with Longdon Black Jack ready for the NTCP class on Tuesday morning. He absolutely loved the new surface in Ring 5 and flew up the hill for his gallop! We were initially pulled in 5th in a class of 42 ponies. Jack is always 'Mr Reliable' and he gave me everything in his show, it is possibly the best he has gone this year! We didn't need to do any fancy serpentines or walk to canters, we stuck to a simple show and it obviously worked.

When the results were called in reverse order and they passed 5th place without our number being called, i started to lose hope. However we were called forward in 2nd place!! I was absolutely delighted and the pony deserved it more than anything. We had a great spin in the championship too.

After a long journey back to Devon, we unpacked and repacked before heading off to the New Forest Show on Wednesday night. I did have a feeling when we were leaving that we needn't have bothered! Grace Trebble had her first ride in an Open HOYS class on Kalusta Hucklberry Finn and finished a creditable 6th in a strong class.

Mister Belstaff was a bit tired in the hot weather but still went well to finish 6th in the HOYS Maxi Cob class.

Back home and another turnaround to Hickstead on Friday morning, safe to say we were pretty tired! Mister Belstaff went the best he's gone all year in the Maxi Cob Championship, the judge came back with a huge smile and was so complimentary about him which was lovely. He finished just out of the placings but we were so pleased with how he went and he loved the big ring!

On Sunday i led Michelle Woodman's delightful 4yo 'Cosford President' in the Show Pony Lead Rein Championship. He behaved impeccably for a baby to finish in 12th place.

A big thank you to the girls at home for keeping everything running smoothly at home this week!