Equimins specialises in producing natural horse supplies, products and supplements for the major areas associated with caring for a horse. All products are proudly made in the UK and excellent specification quality products are of paramount importance. Using this blog we want to share some of the knowledge we have gained through nearly 30 years of experience. 
SO Equine’s July update- showing success for Sophie!
The last two months have flown by; so much has happened I don’t know where to begin…
We have a new 4×4 to pull our horse trailer. We had been towing the trailer with our large estate car but it gets a little embarrassing when you’re stuck in the mud at the showground and you have to get out and push! Now we arrive in style, and I am making up for lost time by filling up the calendar with outings…
The maiden voyage with our snazzy new
transport was to fetch a round pen. I can’t wait to see what Ferdy thinks of it, he will be spending a lot of time in it very soon, exciting!
Ferdy has been introduced to tack, the first time he wore a saddle was very uneventful, but that’s just the way I want it, even though it does make for very dull story telling! He’s just so sensible, one day I’ll say Ferdy won gold at the Olympics again, yawn.
Minnie and I took part in the 12 mile pleasure ride through the Chatsworth estate, after the BHS pleasure ride back in May when Minnie jogged all the way to the finish I was determined we wouldn’t have a repeat of that performance… Minnie was excited and jogged at the start but she calmed down and we calmly walked the rest of the way to the finish, hoorah!
Last weekend I took Minnie to her first show, we came 3rd in an in-hand class and 1st in a ridden class. She thoroughly enjoyed herself, although to be honest the day almost didn’t happen… a freshly bathed Minnie decided to rub her whole body on the stable wall covering herself in sticky orange cribox just as I was about to load her, making us late, I resisted the urge to burst into tears and throw her back out in the field in a dramatic display of annoyance. Hmmm, can you dye grey horses bay? Just wondered…
She redeemed herself a little by walking straight onto the trailer with no hesitation, a good journey and then a mad rush at the showground to get her ready, I was resigned to the fact that we’d missed our first class so imagine my delight when they announced over the loud speaker that they were “ever so sorry that the pony classes are running late”… YESSSS!! So we had time to preen AND breathe, at which point I realised I had completely forgotten to wash her forelock, cringe! Huge apologies to the family parked next to us and especially their little girl who heard my colourful language when I realised this…
We made it to the arena with no problems, the veteran in -hand class; this was judged on suppleness, health and temperament. We didn’t warm up beforehand; instead we stood watching the class before us whilst Minnie stuffed her face with rich showground grass, during Minnie’s individual trot she exploded in a coughing and spluttering fit spraying clumps of said grass all the way round the arena, she must have looked the picture of health, not. She was impeccably well behaved though… all things considered I was delighted to come third in a large class. My hairnet kindly waited until the end of the class before giving up and spilling my hair everywhere, I really need to practice hair buns, one of those moments you wished you’d had a girly childhood instead of climbing hay stacks, where is your big sister when you need her?! Is it just me who feels like Worzel Gummidge in show gear? Oh, it is just me then…
We returned to the trailer, listening eagerly for the announcement of our ridden class, I tacked up and was just attempting to rescue my hairnet when I heard my name being called out, they were waiting for us, a public shaming, cringe again!
With no trotting allowed in the lorry park I was grateful for her trademark power-walk. She proudly entered the ring, and then we stood while a rider did their individual show. I forgot that Minnie doesn’t do standing still; we really should have worked on this at home. While the judges’ back was to us I must have circled Minnie ten times, repeatedly asking her to stand, she started throwing a hissy fit and bouncing on her front legs, threatening to rear, cheeky mare! Finally she gave in and stood like an angel, typical Minnie. This was almost to the second that the judge turned and invited us to come forward.
The judge was lovely and very complimentary of my seat and hands and telling me she thinks I will go very far in showing, and when I’m famous she’ll enjoy telling people she judged me so early in my competitive career, what a confidence boost! Minnie got her red rosette, plus a qualification for both the Equestrian Life Championships and the Royal London Show.
My first experience of showing all by myself, a few hiccups and more practice in all areas needed, but so chuffed I persevered and didn’t throw her back out in the field in the morning…
August is almost here, a busy month ahead; Jason has a show this coming Sunday, and the following weekend I’m having a lesson on Minnie with our fab trainer Hannah Esberger (who is not only sponsored by Equimins but just got married, congrats Hannah!) and it’s also the Equestrian Life Champs. There are a couple more shows, plus pleasure rides booked in, and then Minnie is at the Royal London Show… I feel exhausted just thinking about it all!
All my horses look amazing, which I believe is thanks to their diet of Equimins Advance Concentrate Complete pellets, which they have all year round, they love it!
Until next time…
Sophie
