There's No Place for us....
So… there was me, in the barn, gazing admiringly at our handsome pony from a safe distance, when J thrust his reins into my hand and dashed off for a nervous pre-ride dash to the loo. Clyde is a well-mannered pony (though I always sense a dark and cunning undertow to his unblinking façade) so I felt no special fear, indeed, I straightened my shoulders with pride and glanced around to see if anyone was around to notice my casual, confident handling of my giant charge. Pony-Mum in command!
The next minute I was flying through the air at the end of the rope with my feet stuck out horizontally behind as Clyde cantered down the barn, skidded to a halt in front of Tilly’s oatfilled bowl, kicked it neatly out of her reach then plunged his muzzle in and began to chomp away greedily, ignoring my weak cries - ‘No!’ ‘Don’t! ‘You naughty horse,’ etc. Pulling his head up was like trying to budge one of the Seven Pillars of Rome and he had his ears whipped flat back, exuding menace from every bristling hair as he stuffed his face with Tilly’s feed. When Pony-girl came in she shouted – at me, not the culprit! - marched up to him, yanked up his head and slapped him sharply on the nose. Clyde’s ears sprang up instantly into friendly-mode and there he stood good as gold while he explained to her that it was all my fault, the very picture of pony innocence, only marred by the stolen chaff dangling from his hairy chops.
Arabella, Pat’s suggestion for a possible lift to the next Blade’s Hill mini-showjumping, has fallen in with Kaitlin, Bolshy’s owner. The two go everywhere with their heads together, planning the summer’s shows. I think it’s a fair guess it will be Bolshy’s perky ears poking out of Arabella’s trailer while Clyde stays home, don't you? Sudeley Show is in May and for PG and Clyde to debut there would be a disaster. We were counting on at least one practice run at Blade’s, a much less formal and competitive affair than Sudeley. Not looking good....
The next minute I was flying through the air at the end of the rope with my feet stuck out horizontally behind as Clyde cantered down the barn, skidded to a halt in front of Tilly’s oatfilled bowl, kicked it neatly out of her reach then plunged his muzzle in and began to chomp away greedily, ignoring my weak cries - ‘No!’ ‘Don’t! ‘You naughty horse,’ etc. Pulling his head up was like trying to budge one of the Seven Pillars of Rome and he had his ears whipped flat back, exuding menace from every bristling hair as he stuffed his face with Tilly’s feed. When Pony-girl came in she shouted – at me, not the culprit! - marched up to him, yanked up his head and slapped him sharply on the nose. Clyde’s ears sprang up instantly into friendly-mode and there he stood good as gold while he explained to her that it was all my fault, the very picture of pony innocence, only marred by the stolen chaff dangling from his hairy chops.
Arabella, Pat’s suggestion for a possible lift to the next Blade’s Hill mini-showjumping, has fallen in with Kaitlin, Bolshy’s owner. The two go everywhere with their heads together, planning the summer’s shows. I think it’s a fair guess it will be Bolshy’s perky ears poking out of Arabella’s trailer while Clyde stays home, don't you? Sudeley Show is in May and for PG and Clyde to debut there would be a disaster. We were counting on at least one practice run at Blade’s, a much less formal and competitive affair than Sudeley. Not looking good....
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