Frensham Sponsored ride

Out official Photo - Big smiles from both of us

After a fitful night’s sleep the day was upon me – Frensham sponsored ride was here.

Preparation for the ride was a bit frantic. Trailer, car to tow it, and capable chauffeur was organised days before, thankfully I have lovely family and friends who stepped in last minute. I failed at pre-registering, but the organisers reassured me that it would be fine to sign up on the day. The week before I jumped Sofie a cross poll in the sand school to see if she jumped. Yes she does, and with a lot of enthusiasm. I however have somewhat forgotten about the nuances of jumping – like how to count a stride, set up for a fence, get over the fence, ride from the fence – OK I have entirely forgotten how to jump. Never mind, I’m sure it will come back to me on the day :s.

And then it was the day. I was accompanied by our usual hacking buddies (and fellow members of fat pony club) Gem and Harry. Both Sof and Harry loaded smoothly. Unfortunately, once said fat ponies were on the trailer it was clear the tyres were flat. Bugger. Not wanting to un-load we decided to go to get the tyres inflated on route. My father kindly agreed to drive – a decision he would soon come to regret. On sued the most ridiculous 100 point turn in the garage. I chased away anyone on the forcourt as we battled the trailer round the narrow space. Sof took it all in her stride but Harry found the forward revers forward experience rather unsettling.

Tyres inflated we were back on route. Unfortunately someone gave me the role of navigator. I have been known to get lost in the ladies loos, I should never EVER be allowed near directions. Despite the very clearly written instructions, and a sat nav, I still managed to force two more U turns into our journey. An hour later our trailer full of very stressed humans and a stressed Harry pulled up. Miraculously Sof seemed quite chilled about the whole affair.

I think I had used up all my stressing in getting there. I was no longer fretting about the ride. Bit more faffing then we were on-board and ready to go. We were some of the last competitors round the course.

ready to mount - I hate my body protector
which appears to have eaten my neck

faffing with tack

about to head off

I had no idea how Sofie would react. She was clearly excited to be at a show ground but not frantic like I expected she might be. Once we were on the course we put them both into a trot to settle them down. Sofie was lovely, lead the way quite happily. We had a pair of horses canter pass us in the other direction at close range, and she did not react at all. She looked at the other competitors go over the fences, and whilst she clearly wanted to join them she did not bolt. She let people pass us without a fuss. I finally plucked up enough courage to allow Sof a crack at one of the smaller fences – I could almost hear her shout yippee as she flew over it. She was a little disappointed I wouldn’t let her jump all of the big fences from there on in, but we had great fun over the ones I felt brave enough to attempt. Not one refusal from her and we almost never had a lead. On occasion, normally after a fence I had a momentary break failure but she came back to me eventually. There was one moment where she took a disliking to a gelding that we ended up riding round with. She reversed at him at speed then bolted off when I scolded her. She might be a little bit in season still. Other than that she was perfect.

 

Harry was very well behaved as well, except for his sudden and bizarre decision to drop to the floor and roll mid-walk. Took both me and Gem by surprise. Luckily Gem just managed to step off him when he was on the floor and got him up before he squished his very expensive saddle. Sof just looked on disapprovingly.

 



tired ponies ready to go home

Anyway in conclusion, awesome day out. I have a cross country machine on my hands. Next time I will learn how to jump and will have a crack at the big fences.