RIHS

[BaldricksWife]

Has started! Good luck to all MN-ers who are competing and to those going down to watch, enjoy!!

Thanks Baldricks. We're leaving at 4.15am tomorrow as DD is in SHPs mid morning. Then we are staying overnight and going to New Forest on Thursday. We then go home before returning to RIHS on Sunday for SPs. I'm also fitting in a couple of days at Goodwood so hope the weather on the South Coast is better than here in the East!

I'm going on Sunday, got my tickets .

If you can't get there in person you can catch a lot of the live action on hickstead.tv , although from what I've seen it only covers the big jumping classes in the main arena, whereas I prefer wandering around the smaller rings to see the natives and cobs. I did enjoy my Sunday last month watching the Derby on my laptop, while my family were left to their own devices, even the horses got their tea late . It's still on there if anyone fancies catching up with it. You have to register but it only takes a minute and it's free, the only problem is remembering which password I used!

The weather is lovely atm at Hickstead, also taking a detour to New Forest on Thursday and also looks dry. Then back to Hickstead until the end. Really excited (sad).

Lucky thing. I wanted to go to the New Forest this year (we camped last year and it was great) but unfortunately serious illness in the family has made it impossible to get away. Ah well, next year!
Hickstead is only 20 mins up the road so I can get away with that one .

We made the sad decision to retire our mare at the New Forest on Wednesday so won't be going down to the Ri for the workers on Friday. She has spent the last 10 years at the top and as far as we know she is the only m&m worker that has made return visits to the Ri (6 in all) and has always jumped clear! She finished yesterday with the best jump mark possible 20/20 in the hoys and will now spend her days teaching my daughter to ride and have fun

Baldricks how are you getting on?

DD loved her ride on 13h SHP at RI and he gave her a great gallop. Not in placings but only a 5yo with his best years ahead of him.

We then ran him again at New Forest today and he was pulled top in strong HOYS class. He got the highest ride mark, which was really pleasing, but beaten by Parkhills Beckham as our young lad looked tired in strip after yesterdays exertions. Shame New Forest couldn't have come before RI because he was pinging at Hickstead!

Back to RI on Sunday for 128 SPs. We came 5th last year but no expectations this time. Just hope DD enjoys her ride (could be her last on her as she'll be for sale next week..)

Pixel- hope you got to go to Hickstead! Butkin, sounds like you had a good RIHS and like us were sooooooo close to that HOYS ticket at new Forest we could smell it! Kangaroo- I think I like the sound of your M&M worker, wish I could find one like that! Had a good RIHS and pleased with our placing- now to try and land a 'Golden Ticket' to HOYS, NPS here we come...........................

Good luck at NPS. We're ducking that as can't over run youngster. Stoneleigh next for him.

SP went really well and Jennie Loriston Clarke gave her 46 for her show which was very pleasing - 4 more than Rotherwood Rainmaker! Sadly confirmation judge not so keen which was a shame as she's been getting good marks all season. If we'd had the same RI confirmation mark as 2014 we'd have been 2nd - if only !

Ooo a thread about showing! Sounds like your pony did well at RI Butkin. I'm off to NPS tomorrow with my baby Connie. HIs first year under saddle so we're just hoping for good behaviour!

Do let us know how your got on at NPS Stressed! Hope he went well.. How old is he and what classes are you doing - Pictons?

NPS was a loooong day! Parked right next to that ticket again but fluffed show- about 30 forward. Madness. Debating Stoneleigh as at Equifest which is simply our fave show and reluctant to up sticks and go for a day trip, you have gotta be in it to win it though.............................

We're not going to Equifest. We used to enjoy it in the early years but they started milking it with too many classes and now it's just a bun fight. Lots of aggro there last year although I'm sure they will step up security this year. We may go for a look though.

We're not sure how Stoneleigh will work out but I loved riding at the Royal Show there so will be fun to go back and nice to be at a show with top show jumpers etc. I expect the qualifiers will be rammed..

Decision made, we will be staying at Equifest and cracking open a bottle to toast whoever qualifies! Loved the Royal Show when it was on, such a shame such an iconic event folded and would have enjoyed going but.................. so good luck there Butkin. Stressed- how did your NPS go?

Just to let everybody know that we finally cracked it at BSPS Summer Champs. DD and her 13SHP won and qualified in the HOYs class and then went Reserve Champion... Such a great place to get their ticket and such a relief. It means we don't have to go to Moreton In the Marsh and can go to Burghley instead on Saturday - whoop!!

Also we've now sold our wonderful 128SP mare to the first people who came to look at her and she was picked up from the Champs.

We're now in the market for a small (under 14 hand Connemara) to do M&M Workers and/or a 14 hand SHP.. Think we may jump the 13.2 SP class as DD is getting too big and may only get one more year out of one.

Well done Butkin! It really is the best feeling in the world! Thrilled for you and your DD- have a great time! x

Thanks Baldricks - even managed to get a room at NEC Hilton Metropole - the one time of the year we don't mind paying over the odds for a hotel!!!

Fingers crossed the rain stops in Stamford now...

Well done Butkin! HOYS is just the best place to ride. Am hoping baby Connie might manage one day.

He had a good NPS from a learning point of view but sadly not the judges cup of tea in the Picton. Only 4th despite a good strip and foot perfect show. Took a fence in both the workers classes- he hasn't mastered jumping banks yet but the course was really technical and he coped well so still pleased with him.

Anyone got anymore shows lined up this season?

Ps good luck looking for a small Connie. There are some lovely ones out there.