29/05/2026
This time last week Sally, Dana and friends were all hard at work preparing to make their annual trip to Sheepgate tack and togs!
The ponies were spotless and many thanks must go to Judith for scrubbing them clean!
So Saturday evening they loaded off and where on their merry way!
Sunday morning came round and they could tell it was going to be warm! So refreshments were on hand for both horse and human! The stables were cool and shaded! Hosepipes a plenty so lots of washing off!
Sally took Marty round the arena walk and finished off walking round on a long rein one handed ! (If you know Marty this itself is an achievement!)
Dana and Pablo were up next with their two tests! Pablo was a super good boy in the “normal” tests! And next up was their music! Dana had never done any music before so this was their first time they had help and a pep talk in the week from Lucy! (Giving them the inside tips!) The music was great fun and Pablo lit up!
Sally and Marty was then next for their tests! Starting off with the music tests before the elementary! As usual when asked if she knew where she was going she simply replied to “no!” Laughed and off she trotted! Marty tried his little socks off and achieved their goal once again of relaxation! Next up was their normal test! And once again Marty was a super star and did all that was asked!
Sunday evening! Off everyone went to the beach! Dana went on a pier for the first time! Fish and chips were consumed! And of course a nice ice cream to wash it down with (the diets of athletes!)
Monday!
The final day and although it was still warm there was a slight breeze and once again a plenty of refreshments and hosepipes everywhere! Sheepgate practically throwing water bottles around like missles! And hosepipes were like water pistols and the stables stayed nicely in the breeze!
Dana and Pablo were up!
First up was their music test! And although it didn’t go exactly as planned for their second ever attempt it was still pleasing!
They then had their normal tests! And gosh did Pablo preform his socks off! He strutted down that centre line and he showed off Dana then had one minute to spare before the music prize giving for the weekend! So Sally kindly took Pablo and Jane G and Dana went to prize giving where they then took 3rd place overall!
There was then an hour to spare between the music prize giving and the normal test prize giving so they did what any self respecting person would do at Sheepgate! Eat crepes and spectate!
The second prize giving was then ready so off they all trundled with them giving prizes in reverse order (once again Dana expectations where low!) they got to third place nothing.. second place nothing… then 1st place and Dana’s name was called! She couldn’t believe it and turned to Sally! She had come 1st!
It was then turn for Sally to ride through her tests!
Sally started off with the music tests and once again no clue as to where she was going but once again she pulled it off ( if anyone knows Sally she is infuriating for doing this!) Marty danced beautifully and once again danced his socks off!
It was then time for the normal tests Marty once again danced beautifully but by the end he was very tired! However he was a poppet and couldn’t ask any more of him!
It was then turn for Sallys prize giving! The main aim of the weekend was relaxation and this was achieved in bucketfuls! Sallys classes where quite large and they managed to finish 5th place in the music and 9th place in the normal tests! A huge bonus to a lovely weekend!
They then packed up and off they trundled very happily home!
A massive thank you goes out to Jane G who came along with them and helped and supported in every way!
