Preparations started the day before, as ponies were groomed, tails washed and tack cleaned. The warm water shower at Home Farm was a real luxury! On Thursday morning Donna, Patsie and Liz loaded Meg, Marco & Shadow onto trailers for the trip to Lowlands.
All our riders took part in the new Handy Pony course, with excellent results. It was exciting to have riders competing off the lead rein this year.
Chris & Neil, both riding Meg, dominated the senior classes, in the independently ridden and led classes respectively. Many congratulations to Mathew on Shadow, who was a well-deserved winner of the junior class. His score of 96.5 was the joint best result of the whole day and Matthew was delighted to win a lovely trophy, to keep for 6mths. Meg was not wholly co-operative about the flower planting obstacle, but Jo W’s perseverance paid off, to come very close second in the independently ridden class. Jo P rode very well and collected a second rosette, with Marco.
Our Group also dominated the junior class, with Charlotte (Shadow) coming a close second behind Matthew. Arthur enjoyed riding Marco and came 4th and Holly on Meg collected the fifth rosette.
Our riders proved their knowledge of grooming and looking after ponies by taking part in the stable management quiz.
Special mention must go to Meg, Shadow & Marco. They were very busy all morning, especially Meg and behaved perfectly, despite being pestered by horse flies. They were a credit to the Group.
It was lovely to welcome along so many parents and supporters, to share in the achievement and enjoyment of our riders.
It was also an opportunity for us all to congratulate Ro on her recent MBE – a well-deserved honour for many years dedication to RDA.
Last but not least many thanks to all our helpers, who enabled our riders to have such fun – not just on the day but all the practising beforehand too!! Not to mention tack cleaning, shampooing ponies & providing transport.
Well done everyone – a wonderful team effort
Karen – June 2012
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