OK!!! So as a parent, you always want what is best for your little people. As a horsey parent you always dream that one if not all of your children will share your passion for horses. Not to be a pushy parent.... but please my lovely off spring, please try the pony thing, dip your toe in the stirrup and give it a go!!!
Well, for a few years both Matilda & Fergus shared the love until one day Fergus found a football!! Goodness knows where he love and talent for this came from, as neither myself or Paul have been involved in the kicking a ball sport... but hey ho... the little man loves it! He still pops the toe in the stirrup, but as and when he chooses......
Matilda on the other hand, she continued with the love for ponies and the passion until one day warming up for the dressage, her lovely pony dumped her.... Mmmm... she did get back on at the time and rode her down the driveway, but that was it. For what seemed like forever, Matilda had no interest in getting back on and no way was I going to force her... When the time was right she would give it another go.
A couple of months down the line she decided to take over lunging and showing a little interest again... Ooooo... how exciting!!! Inevitably, this lead to Matilda getting back on and finding her mojo!!!! OH MY!!! How excited was I?! Mainly due to the fact that she is such a talented little rider and has so much potential.... So we start again, I have soon come to realise that no matter what I say, I'm wasting my breath, Matilda is not listening... We have reached a point where the mother and daughter teaching has to come to an end. We always finish up spending more time bickering than learning. So, as much as it crushed me, it was time to hand over the reins of instruction. Who would take on the Matilda challenge?
In steps Adam..... Our friends Adam & Charlie at a nearby yard have given themselves the task of taking on the little lady that has been struggling to listen to the wise words of her Mum. My goodness, I bet she wished she'd listened now.... She now has a very strict regime of riding daily and putting in the hours and the hard work it takes to progress. This has been a few weeks now and...WOW!!! My little girl has grown into a wonderful, happy, hardworking little lady. Having found friends with the same interest and passion has her has also helped along the way.
Then time came where we were taking Matilda to her first BD event at Oldencraig... (Nothing like starting small and working your way up)!!! Her first test was prelim 15 (I mean really, I'm not sure I would even want to take that on in a 60x20 arena). We went for it anyway... Let's say it was eventful to say the least and we had a few little hiccups, including Cherry forgetting her etiquette and what type of event she was at, resulting in her jumping out of the arena (we were not eventing or show jumping (maybe we should have pointed that out to her sooner)). Either way, Matilda came out beaming and having enjoyed every minute. 7th in a class of 7, but as we had said to her... we were there to get used to the atmosphere and being in the arena.
The second class comes up thick and fast.. It's her Fledglings test.. we go in, she seems pretty relaxed. As the test goes on, she's doing OK, it's all a little rushed but she has made it!!! Again, beaming like a Cheshire cat... So I am elated that she has had a cracking time and that Cherry has behaved (ish). Scores are on the doors..... She has only gone and come 3rd!!!!!! Yes, 3rd!!!! There were 8 in the class and it was tough competition. She came home with a cracking 76%, a lovely lead rope, a great experience, a gigantic smile and well on the road to getting places................. watch this space and Matilda's progression and let's see where this journey takes us!!
A MAHOUSIVE thank you Adam Matthews, Charlie Hockin, Yvonne Huber, Di Hockin for your tuition, guidance, help, support and friendship, Hana Miczova for holding the fort making time possible for me to get Matilda where she needs to be, Fergus Marshall for being so patient and driving around the West Sussex countryside, Paul Marshall for being the supportive husband... Hahahaha... I'm now laughing to myself as this has become an Oscar speech, but I really need everyone who has helped in one way or another to know just how grateful I am to even give Matilda this chance to progress and investing time into her that you don't have to>>> Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!
I AM ONE VERY PROUD MUMMY!!!!! xxxxxx
