It seemed rather odd this year to be celebrating the official birthday for just one pony. Diva (Melland Queen of Scots) is now seven years old, though her actual birthday is not until July. Seven years old! How did that happen? It seems like a blink of an eye since she arrived as a little yearling. She has grown into a beautiful mature mare and her character has also developed along the way. She is a very lovable pony who always makes me smile no matter what my mood might be.
January also marks the start of her show preparation. I don’t tend to rug her, but I do begin to work her on the lunge to help her lose any winter fat and develop her muscles. She has a great work ethic and so is easy to lunge. I also work her loose in the school at times and that is when she really makes me chuckle as she properly gallops around as fast as her little legs will take her. Diva is always busy, even in the field. She trots or canters to go for a drink, rather than walking, and when it is time to come in, if she isn’t waiting she usually gallops up to me.
I had worried about how she would be following the loss of Mabel but, being quite an independent pony, she has coped really well. She has other ponies in the field next door to chat to and, luckily, was already used to being stabled on her own at times.
As the weather improves, I will add leading her out around the lanes to her routine. I don’t know who enjoys it more, Diva or me.
January is also the time I start to plan which big shows we want to compete at during the season, as the county show entries have to be done months in advance of the actual show date. As soon as I have decided, I will let you know.
Once again I threw Arlo in at the deep end, affiliating him purely for the Arena UK second round show, and once again he pulled it out the bag. How lucky am I to have such a wonderful little horse? We haven’t really competed this year. I don’t really compete over the winter, and also my horsebox was away for repairs up until the beginning of June, so I had no transport even if I’d wanted to.
With the dry ground we don’t seem to be having much luck with shoes, as little madam managed to pull both her front shoes off within 12 hours the other day! We entered the arena with two shoes on for a schooling session and left it with one missing (took about an hour to find it). Then that afternoon, as I went to put some hoof ointment on, I looked down and had to double take, thinking I was looking at the wrong hoof. But, no, the other shoe was missing too.
After having a long wait and some lunch at the onsite café, it was time to get ready for the Joan Wolfe Overall Supreme Shetland Pony Championship. I got changed out of my usual showing outfit into black trousers and a maroon top with white spots, as you are expected to be a bit more “bling” in the evening.
We were all set to go for our next outing, and were super excited. That was until I heard the dreaded clunk of a loose shoe! I checked it over, praying it wasn’t too loose, but, nope, it was going to need a refit.