Lang Lang Show Fun Ring

Last year I took Sabina to a show.  I put her in with the professionals, and let her have a go.  She came back with a few ribbons, but when we got home, she commented that she was kind of hoping for more ribbons, and some different colours.  Not just white.

So this year I attacked the whole thing from a different perspective, and took her into the fun ring at the Lang Lang Show.  I kind of expected 6 other ponies in the ring, with a couple of dirty kids, and an opportunity for Sabina to "clean up".

To make sure we really had the best chance, we washed and scrubbed Tornado till he was sparkling, then wrapped him up in cotton rugs from head to toe.

Upon arrival to the show we had our first "show stopper".  The show was so packed, that we pretty much couldn't find a parking spot.  I had never envisaged this, and so we missed our first class.

Finally, with unbreakable smiles on our faces we rocked up to the fun ring.  Show stopper number two ... so much for the 6 grubby ponies.  There were about 20 immaculately turned out ponies, scrubbed squeeky clean, with manicured tails, and riders to match.  Fawn jodhpurs, long sleeved shirts, stocks, matching vests, jackets, you name it.  And, there was Sabina in her pony club uniform.

Never mind.  We held our heads high and proud and joined in the "fun".  In the end Sabina competed in 5 classes, and she got four different coloured ribbons.  After class number 5, she cracked it, as in her opinion Tornado had the longest tail but the judge seemed to fail to notice this fact.  So we called it a day.

When we got home, my husband enthusiastically asked "So, how was it?  Did you have fun?"

"No!", Sabina replied flatly.  "It was just walk and trot.  We didn't get to gallop.  It was no fun at all!"  And she stormed off towards the house.

You see, the problem was that just a mere day or two before the show she was riding Tornado in the top arena.  The seven acre haying paddock.  And he took off on her.  Full gallop, and pretty much as fast as a mini can go.  I sat there, on my horse, and just screamed at her "Look up and hold on.  And look UP!".

The next thing I heard was ecstatic giggles, as the pony finally pulled up to a stop at the gate.

"Ok, just walk him back", I instructed.

But no.  I saw a distinct kick (from Sabina), and the pony was back in full gallop, Sabina giggling all the way to the next gate.  Needless to say, this went on for some time.

Like mother, like daughter.  Eventing, here we come.