Duchess: Hello everyone I have been asked to tell you about the great time Henry and I had on Sunday. We were both groomed really well on Saturday and the arena had been levelled and watered so we had a slight inkling that something exciting might be going on. Then on Sunday morning Nicky arrived really early with her friend Emily, and they fed Henry and myself and groomed us AGAIN! Something was definitely going to happen.
Over the past few weeks Nicky had been practising riding me and Henry, and we were about to find out why. Henry had plaits put into his mane and I had my feathery legs and lovely long mane and tail brushed out. Suddenly outside the stables we heard hoof beats which we didn't recognise, how exciting!
Nicky tacked Henry up and took him outside, he was gone for about half an hour and when he came back he said with a slightly surprised voice that he had just done his first ever dressage test in front of a judge! Now I also have never done dressage before but I am happy to try anything new so when my tack was put on I was quite excited.
Nicky got on me and we went to the outdoor arena to warm up. We practised my paces and standing really still. There were some other horses also warming up who were strangers and some of them were behaving as though they were a bit excited and showing off!
I just got on with my work in the usual way as I always like to try to do my best for whoever is riding me. Soon it was my turn to go and perform for the judge. In we went and after the judge rang the bell I was off, showing my lovely paces and behaving myself beautifully as usual.
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| Showing my lovely paces |
It was all over quite quickly but I did get a big round of applause when I did my final halt and Nicky saluted to the judge. I returned to my stable feeling very happy that we had performed well. I had a word with Henry about his test and he was a little overexcited about the whole thing. He said he had also met some strangers in the warm up and had wanted to go and say hello and bounce around with them but Nicky had just asked him to concentrate on the job in hand! Henry is quite young and not quite as sensible or experienced as me; Nicky said he was a little bit like a teenager at their first disco!
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| My Final Halt |
Nicky soon came back into the stables and she had two rosettes in her hand and a little trophy! I was amazed to have won my class and Henry was very excited to have been placed second! Of course he now thinks he knows it all and will be able to compete at the next Olympics!
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| My Rosette and Trophy |
I have explained that we only did an introductory test which is for horses who haven’t done dressage before but he has been telling Bertie and Jack how fabulous he is. We need to bring him back down to earth! When we go out into the field tonight I shall gently remind him that I am the girl in charge.
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| Henry's Rosette |
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