Oh dear, it is really over a week since I last blogged, it feels a lot longer, such a lot happens in a week when the children are off school, and now I feel completely rusty as I attempt to put all of the events into ‘blog land’.
Show day has been and gone, with eldest daughter already looking forward to next year’s event. She had a fantastic time with Hansel, the pair of them coming home laden with rosettes, a first, a third, a fourth, and a clear round in the jumping at the gymkhana.
The happy farmer set off early to the show field with horse, daughter and trailer, leaving a trail of jackets, welly boots, and lead ropes in their wake. At 5.30am we had heard eldest daughter trying ever so hard no to waken everyone as she gathered her things together and went off to catch Hansel and begin grooming him in preparation for the big day. The rest of us arrived at the show field a little later, after my son’s chanter lesson, armed with flasks of hot coffee which we washed down with crusty rolls filled with ‘island-reared’ pork and beef being served from one of the many stalls. The younger two disappeared off to the bouncy castles and various side shows, only reappearing periodically to get more change out of the happy farmer.
Meg won best Clydesdale in show and was done up to the nines with flowers and tack gleaming.
The happy farmer met an old friend, Robert, over visiting the island specially to visit the show. Robert is an old hand when it comes to horses. He appeared over and gave eldest daughter a hand with the horse, and some fantastic tips between her various classes. In the end nothing would do but he had to jump on and have a quick ride, funnily enough the naughty horse took him straight in the direction of the beer tent, or was it the naughty rider leading the horse a stray? At the beer tent surprisingly Hansel met many old pals, the farrier, who had spent a few hours the day before the show doing the horse’s feet and offering advice, the game keepers, the editor of ‘The Scottish Farmer’, and a few more besides. What does that tell you about the happy farmer and his daughter’s horse?! As Hansel returned he was hotly pursued by the local game keeper, who couldn’t resist having another shot on Hansel, having ridden him bare back in a previous blog. This time Hansel, bless him, cantered off around the back of the show field, going in the opposite direction to the beer tent.
Until next time…
Show day has been and gone, with eldest daughter already looking forward to next year’s event. She had a fantastic time with Hansel, the pair of them coming home laden with rosettes, a first, a third, a fourth, and a clear round in the jumping at the gymkhana.
The happy farmer set off early to the show field with horse, daughter and trailer, leaving a trail of jackets, welly boots, and lead ropes in their wake. At 5.30am we had heard eldest daughter trying ever so hard no to waken everyone as she gathered her things together and went off to catch Hansel and begin grooming him in preparation for the big day. The rest of us arrived at the show field a little later, after my son’s chanter lesson, armed with flasks of hot coffee which we washed down with crusty rolls filled with ‘island-reared’ pork and beef being served from one of the many stalls. The younger two disappeared off to the bouncy castles and various side shows, only reappearing periodically to get more change out of the happy farmer.
Meg won best Clydesdale in show and was done up to the nines with flowers and tack gleaming.
The happy farmer met an old friend, Robert, over visiting the island specially to visit the show. Robert is an old hand when it comes to horses. He appeared over and gave eldest daughter a hand with the horse, and some fantastic tips between her various classes. In the end nothing would do but he had to jump on and have a quick ride, funnily enough the naughty horse took him straight in the direction of the beer tent, or was it the naughty rider leading the horse a stray? At the beer tent surprisingly Hansel met many old pals, the farrier, who had spent a few hours the day before the show doing the horse’s feet and offering advice, the game keepers, the editor of ‘The Scottish Farmer’, and a few more besides. What does that tell you about the happy farmer and his daughter’s horse?! As Hansel returned he was hotly pursued by the local game keeper, who couldn’t resist having another shot on Hansel, having ridden him bare back in a previous blog. This time Hansel, bless him, cantered off around the back of the show field, going in the opposite direction to the beer tent.
Until next time…
What a lovely blog - feeling a bit under the weather today, unusually, - so very nice to read about what was so obviously a good time. Well done to all of you - lovely photo of eldest with Hansel.
ReplyDeleteJust been catching up (apologies 6 weeks hols and all that!)
ReplyDeleteAwful this foot and mouth worry.
Really enjoyed reading, although I have never been fortunate enough to ride/be into horses.
Your daughter is lovely, and so is Hansel...
warmest wishes
xx
Sounds like the rural idyll every city dweller dreams of!
ReplyDeleteLovely blog, lovely pictures. Well worth the wait! Smashing horse and what a stylish young rider.
ReplyDeleteCerikey - didn't she do well. I too never really rode - but loved horses . . . what a wonderful childhood to have a horse . . .
ReplyDeleteAnd as for Hansel heading for the beer tent . . mmmmm
Lovely show ....lovely food...lovely horse heading for beer tent!!! I wonder how that happened. Lovely that eldest has won some prizes to bolster her pride.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of your girl with Hansel. Bet you swelled with pride! I was a horsey girl, used to dream of living in the country and having my own pony, it does all look idyllic. Glad you're abck - I was wondering where you were!
ReplyDeleteWell done for all the winnings!
ReplyDeletewell done! in the ribbons!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your daughter! What a wonderful day you all seem to have had. Lovely photo of your daughter and the handsome Hansel.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo's. The beer tent always seems popular with the male's doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteCrystal xx