True Addiction Northern C Show

True Addiction Northern C Show

Even the professionals have bad days; the amateurs always think it is against them. But not on this occasion.

We attended the northern group C show on Sunday 20th June with Sarah our resident rider who had just returned from a 3 week holiday in Canada and myself, still out of action and recovering from a broken leg. During Sarahs absence I was left with no other option but to find a rider to try and keep two horses schooled and riding fit for competing.

On the day, AKLAH KESTREL was first up in the pre-novice, he was worked in and settled and came forward for the class on time, but was the only horse forward. He performed exactly as we expected him to and managed to take it in his stride with no other horses in the ring with him. He is still very young and these outings are a great education for him, it is just a shame that others never supported the class, I think next year it may not be held. We have only just got them into the timetable through requests, but as always competitors do not support.

TRUE ADDICTION was next up in the Open ridden gelding class. Sarah had worked him in earlier in the morning and after not riding for 3 weeks, and suffering jet lag, she found it difficult to decide when to quit, leaving him with enough energy to compete in his class. This is a learning experience for Sarah as she works towards becoming a top professional rider. Once in the ring the partnership between Sarah and TRUE ADDICTION was not quite what it had been at the last show, proving that you cannot just get on and go, expecting the horse to carry you. Though TRUE ADDICTION was not particularly naughty he was not working with Sarah and the performance lacked presence and professionalism, resulting in a pull into the line well down the placing’s. The judge got on to ride and by this time TRUE ADDICTION had run out of steam and just could not perform as required. The overall performance resulted in standing at the bottom of the line, which just goes to show that the performance and result you get out of a horse is proportional to the dedication and work you put in.

Next time Sarah will not be going on holiday before a competition!