My daughter has a pony. DD calls her neigh-neigh (not the pony's real name, but she seems to answer to it anyway.) She loves her neigh-neigh! But has been a bit un-impressed by the weather lately and has refused to leave the house to go and see her. Pony is only in the back garden, but hey-ho, I don't want DD to hate doing the horses and she is only 2 so I let her off.
I suggested we take neigh-neigh out the other day in the trailer and 'find 'owndz' (otherwise known as hunting. This is an activity DD and I enjoy together, but normally in the warmth of the car, with heated leather seats, tea and milk, and lots of chocolate.) DD jumped at the chance and wanted to go there and then! I managed to persuade her we had to clean the pony first. So we carried out the activity whereby all of the muck and mud is transferred from the gee-gee to the person. The pony's coat is so thick that the only way she was going to be dry next day was to get up early and blow dry her. So that's what I did.
So we set off to the meet, which was a charity bloodhound hunt featuring 2 packs of hounds, and they were to be hunting a gang of army types running across some of the biggest hedges in the area. Clearly 2yo DD was not going to be jumping any of these (even though she asked so nicely and said 'p-leeeeeeeeease, Mummy, neigh-neigh brrr-ump!' (She can't say jump properly yet.) I packed a little satchel with lots of choccie bars and wipes, put on me best hat, and plonked DD on the pony.
Within seconds we had been photoed and interviewed for Local Rider mag. The pic of DD and pony was gorgeous! Unfortunately I cannot show it to anyone, as I am also in the picture - 'glowing,' shall we say. Either that or like someone who has eaten all the pies. I have my scan next week, so hopefully will not be announcing my pregnancy to all my friends when they stop to flick through a magazine while standing in a queue at the feed store.
Next DD decided she was 'FINISHED!' riding her pony. And wanted to get off. Then back on. Then back off...... You get the picture. A media type chap came over and asked how old DD was - '2! Oh, can you put her back on the pony for a photo, please.' So we obliged (there was chocolate bribery involved,) and just at that moment a hound stood up and put it's paws against the saddle and sniffed DD's face (well, it was all chocolatey.) The photographer went 'got it!' and I asked if I could have his details so I could get a copy of the pic, because I reckoned it would be a lovely one, and he said 'don't worry - you'll be seeing that picture again!' As he wandered off someone whispered 'that's the Horse and Hound photographer!' So we will wait and see.
We set off after the hunt on the first line, but after a few minutes DD started to ask to get off again. I wasn't keen on the idea of being stuck with a toddler who didn't want to be on her pony miles away from the trailer, so we boxed her back up and continued in the car. DD refused to take her riding hat, tweed jacket and tie off for the entire duration of the day.
And bless her, we got a puncture on the way home and didn't get back until gone 6pm, and although she was hungry herself she insisted on helping me feed her neigh-neigh before she went back into the house.
I can't wait till I can ride with her on a lead rein. It's going to be fab!