As coming from a background of hunting, cross country and jumping I knew very little on proper flatwork. Another point Ian made was to take Rosie up in a contact...my initial thoughts were "of course I am in contact with her....sure I am sitting on her back" not realising a contact with the bit. This was the hardest task of them all. First off a racehorse is trained to run as fast as possible with its nose out in the event of need at a photo finish. Rosie wasn't very "heady" as she was showjumping and had a feeling for the bit. We spent hours which felt like weeks encouraging Rosie to take a contact with the bit. I wasnt long loosing weight between working my hands and squeezing for dear life with my poor legs for 1 - 2 hours straight. Many a tear was shed at the frustration of this exercise. There were days when I would ask Rosie to canter a straight line but instead we would do a half pass the entire length of the field, all on her terms!!!! I would cry and come in out of the field saying I give up and we are not showing this lunatic mare. Mary and Ian stook with us and encouraged us all the way. Then all of sudden one day it fell into place and there was Rosie riding in an outline with a smooth loose canter stride. The feeling of her accepting the bit and dropping her head with her back end raising as she engaged her hind was the most amazing feeling. I has gone from sitting on a 15.2 hh mare to thinking I was on an 18hh dressage horse. Ian had spent hours upon hours with me and finally our hard work was showing. I became consumed with flat work but of course we had many a hiccup along our training route as most horses do.
So there is was the weekend of our first show, Corrandulla Show. On the Saturday we set out for a quick spin so I could sweat her up to wash her for our big day. We were out the field which we call "the showjumping field" and yes you have guessed it is a field filled with showjumping fences. Rosie was feeling frisky and was winking at all the gelding in the yard. Off we went into the field and it was like all was lost. She dragged me around the field and of course there were tears shed. Ian felt so sorry for me that he sat on Rosie and she decided "Eh hello Ian get off" and lodged her hip up on top of the wing. While all this was unfolding I was standing in horror looking at this fab little mare act the goat and not a bead of sweat on her. Ian fought and fought and eventually she gave in. That is one lesson I have learned with this adventure, the thoroughbred is this most intelligent and stubborn breed you will ever meet. If they have a bee in their bonnet they will put in a good effort to stay in the right (reminds me of myself at times haha). Typically the longer you work a horse the more relaxed they become however with a racehorse it improves fitness and stamina and they can put in a good fight when they think they are right.
I brought Rosie back into the yard thinking how on earth will I get this mare to the show tomorrow. I had to shake it off and get her prepared along with little Coco who I was also competing at the same show. I scubbed and rubbed her as presentation is a huge factor in showing also. As you become more familiar with the game and people will you meet people who love to share their crazy yet effective methods for grooming and then you have the lunatics who think if they tell you what shine spray they use you will beat them next day out and simply reply "ah I used nothing!". As they say "You cant make a silk purse out of a sows ear!" and the reason I say this....no matter how much grooming product your choose to use, it is essential to feed your horse correctly for skin, weight, coat, etc. So whether you use a cheapy such as good oul vinegar or Supreme Products Sparkle, it simply does not matter unless you have a proper animal who is fed correctly. After my 3 years of showing experience I have possibly spent more money on the horses make up than my own!!
I have the pleasure of a nine to five jobs but at the weekends where most people get a lie in, we get up extra early. Sunday morning approached and as soon as the sun rose we were on the road to the yard. I groomed Coco and we loaded up the showjumpers to hit the road for Corrandulla. We had 5 horses for the first 2 classes. The sun was splitting the rocks, the crowds were rolling in and everyone was in flying form. All the horses went superbly. After I finished up with Coco after her 1m class, I went up to the showing area to collect my number for my jacket. If truth be known this was my first time to even look at a show class. The judging was taking place on class 5 at the time and Rosie was entered into class 27...we had loads of time to chill beforehand. We strolled around the showgrounds and tipped off home to Grange to get Rosie prepped. Rosie was all dolled up and I sat down to a salad sandwich and cup of tea to be awoken to a screaming call from Ian shouting where the hell was I there was only one class left before Rosie.....I nearly choked, coming from showjumping we imagined with 22 classes to go we had years to waste...no sir not in this game...there were no entries some classes. Rosie was thrown into the box and we sped off to the show while I stripped off my jumping gear and dress myself into this hideous tweed attire. Shane was driving and nearly killed the steward on the gate when he stopped us to sell a schedule. Rosie was pulled down off the box and I jumped up. We had a quick trot and then the final call was made for the class. I was a ball of nerves thinking will she half pass the ring and end up in the connemara ring with the stallion parade after her previous performance. Ian's last words were "Hope you dont win because if you do you will expect it everyday and love that dont happen in the showing world!". I looked into the ring to see 8 other horses and thought holy God what do I do in here. In we went and I thought keep your corner and listen to the steward, we did just that. So Rosie was pulled into first place (I didnt realise what was going on so I didn't experience the butterflies I later developed). Next thing I was told to strip....STRIP....excuse me...WTF! I looked around and the other were taking off the saddles not their own clothes...ah ha now I get ya! So I stood the mare up and was told to walk and trot her. I did just that and retacked her. TA DA we won!!I was so thrilled especially after the day we has put in on Saturday and the fact of not having a clue what was on. I was told to wait in the ring for the championship...the what I thought?! We did not win but I didnt expect to as I walked along side these cute little RID foals. I came out of the ring and there stood Mary and Ian like two proud parents with her trophy and grins like the Chesire cat. Lots of photos were taken and the local newspaper took some also...I thought I could get used to this bring on Dublin. We loaded Rosie up into the horse box, we were buzzing and thirsty for a night out (shock horror) but Ian being the trainer wasn't long putting me into my place. He said go enjoy your night but we are back to the arena on Tuesday with no hangover as we have Ardrahan show the coming weekend. My social life was pretty much over......
