Henry did well in his classes, a second ( condition out of 24 ), third, fourth and sixth bless him - hes a bit nervous about been handled by strangers so by the end of 8 classes he's got over that - dog showing is a lot noiser, all that yapping gave me a headache, than Pony showing but as I sat on my backside in the chair all day its not as exhausting
Very sunny and warm at the weekend, poor Tess is moulting like mad and not comfy at all, keep shedding it off but its an endless job. the others not too bad considering. Nuts has now been moved in the boys paddock as her tum was visibly expanding hourly on the ample supply of fresh grass, Tess now has 2 acres to herself , although shes not too happy about being on her own even though she can touch the others over the fence, Nuts is equally not happy at being restricted, the boys at non plus about the whole thing and too busy trying to find something to eat.
We took the opportunity to start Charlie off with the Long Reins, upto now he has been lunged but we need to get him going off in front ready for when we re break him later on - considering he has not had the long reins on before he took it all in his stride, we have had two successful sessions now - first day with the off side rein over his back and daughter at the shoulder , both reins, walk and trot, turns and figure of eights perfect by the end, Sunday o/s rein over his back, but daughter slowly moved back and was driving him on from rear with rein falling over his hind quarters, he is working from behind and moving onto the bit nicely, lovely outline, no bucking or messing around at all and he is much more relaxed than he has ever been, this winter out seems to have done him good and he is at last grown up.
daughter will work him daily, either lunge, long rein or walk out, next week end we will advance him to long rein proper - a couple of weeks and we will hopefully start the re backing process, next weekend it will be Acorn and Nuts turn as well, Acorn has been try to act uninterested in what's going on, sniffing and tipping up the grooming bucket and running off with the lunge rein at the end seemed to be his thing, Acorn does long rein nicely - infact he's much better than on the lunge but having a wilful persona means a battle if he is not in work mode, We are going to try long reining Nuts in an effort to get her going off the lead for the grandchildren this summer, she needs weight loss first so introducing more exercise will help with that.
Seen a little local fun show in June for the Shetlands and Grandchildren so all being well we will get them out and about and have some Fun with no pressure attached.
We may do a couple of higher level shows with Charlie in hand later on in the season, after his travelling issues he has only travelled on his own, so we are going to try and travel him with one of the shetlands that way I can do a couple of classes as well, also gives us the option for Emm to do some extra as well, although would have to be Saturdays as her Sunday mornings are taken up with Gym now, gets more difficult with the children as they grow up and interests expand but she has asked to do some this year so we will see, we also have Devon and Thomas to think about so they may get some on ~Sundays, but it won't be every week and we won't be chasing qualifiers , it too expensive and clicky now at high level - rather spend the time enjoying them at home and a few locals.