When my workplace, Oakham Veterinary Hospital, announced plans for an open day I immediately volunteered myself and Diva (Melland Queen of Scots) to take part.
Diva is a lovely, friendly character and I felt she would be a good ambassador for the Shetland pony breed and for the practice too.
We arranged for some sheep hurdles to be delivered and rubber mats put down in the pen they created to keep her comfortable throughout the day without bedding being blown everywhere.
As the open day was to raise funds for several charities, I had a think as to how Diva and I could help. I bought a beany Shetland pony toy and decided to do a “Guess Diva’s Weight” competition with the toy going to the nearest guess. When we arrived, I put Diva on the weighing scales and took a photo of her with the weight displayed as proof for when the winner was announced towards the end of the day.
Diva’s presence proved very popular with both children and adults. The children were delighted to be allowed to stroke her. One little girl came back so many times that when her dad lifted her up, I let her brush Diva’s mane. It was lovely that something so simple could put a big smile on everyone’s faces. The adults who came over to see Diva reminisced about riding Shetland ponies as children.
At one point I took Diva into the sand school for a play. As usual she went bombing around, bucking and squealing, to the delight of the spectators.
Some charities had trade stands at the practice for the day and so Diva got to meet the organisers of The Mutts Nuts Rescue and Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue.
As the day went on people kept entering the “Guess Diva’s Weight” competition, and it was fun to see what people were putting. Some guessed she was about the same weight as a large dog and others as if she was a big horse! The fun thing was that a little boy called Arthur who was trying to win the toy for his little sister got the weight spot on!
I would love to take Diva out and about to more events as she didn’t put a foot wrong and we both enjoyed it enormously.
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.
This show almost passed me by as I was unaware of the show organisation. Luckily, the schedule was posted on one of the Shetland pony Facebook groups that I am a member of. The show was being held at Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex, which is where I should have gone to a show a month or so earlier, but was ill and unable to take Diva (Melland Queen of Scots).
Since the show, Bob’s been enjoying a bit of a rest with a few lunge sessions and being lightly ridden, but I’m gearing him up hopefully for a show either this weekend or next. Wish us luck, and the poor arena pole pickers too, as he does like to send some sailing!