After only being backed for 4 weeks we entered Aklah Kestrel, a home bred 4 year old gelding, into a local dressage show for his first ridden outing. Never been anywhere, except to change grazing fields as he grew up, this lovely youngster has the right attitude towards life.

Taking everything in his stride, on arrival he was a little excited having all these other horses to work with, he just wanted to say hello to them all, trying to stop and talk to each one as they were warming up for the competition.

Plaited and ready to go!

Plaited and ready to go!

Kes settled in a matter of minutes, and started to work just as he did at home. By the time he went in for is test, the light had faded and darkness was upon us casting shadows around the arena and the poles on the ground that were set as the boundary of the dressage arena.

Kes took a look at the judges and said ‘your scary’ as he entered the arena, but once he had been around the arena he was ready to compete. He settled into his test with ease, had a couple of moments not sure which side of the pole he should go but on finishing gave a little whicker as if to say ‘was that ok, have I finished?’.

Once he was rugged up and happily eating his hay net, while in the trailer, the awards were given out. What a result, 6th place in his first ever ridden competition, his first rosette.

Watch out for him in the ridden show ring!