First ever hunter trial!

[TedMonkey]

Ted was such a star!

We've never done any x country jumps excepts for logs and tyres and we've never jumped a course of jumps and we've never had to go of on our own away from other horses before. Frankly he was amazing considering. It was quite a big ask for a little pony.

Warm up

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/ctaylor302uk/Ted/one-5.jpg

There were 13 jumps about 2ft ish.

First little log

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/ctaylor302uk/Ted/two-6.jpg

Second was the brush and there was no way were were going over that (at this point I heard 'would someone like to go on the course and give them a hand' over the tannoy!), so after a couple of tries we gave it a miss and headed to number three (a step) which Ted walked down.

Lots more refusals around the course and I missed out about four jumps, however ...

Of the more natural looking ones (he was a bit worried about the ones made out of light coloured wood) there were three that he absolutely flew. Came into them in canter and he was just gorgeous.

Jumped this little log really nicely, but came to grief at tiger trap.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/ctaylor302uk/Ted/three-6.jpg

At this point should have done the chair thing, but made the decision to miss out the two scary jumps and end on a positive experience the tyres - which he flew.

Cantering home with a smile on our faces.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/ctaylor302uk/Ted/four-4.jpg

The people were so nice and didn't mind that we were technically eliminated about million times. I was so proud of Ted - he didn't nap for home once and refused out of (both our ) inexperience, not naughtiness.

Afterwards we had a little hack in the forest. We lead in canter for the first time and I just let him go and he stretched out and loved it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/ctaylor302uk/Ted/five-5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/ctaylor302uk/Ted/seven-3.jpg

We even met this little deer.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/ctaylor302uk/Ted/six-5.jpg

Back at lorry, discussing the day with his new pal.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/ctaylor302uk/Ted/eight-4.jpg

Happy now, but tired and hot! Love my boy - he really looks after me.

[injioho]

Aww bless him. Glad he was a good boy, he looks like he loved it! Well done to both of you! No wonder you're so proud he looks ace! :D xx

[Anni~Bell]

Well done hun! :D

[My Crazy Clan]

Well done! hes lost a lot of weight and looks great for it.

[coloredred]

Well done to you and Ted! Once he's done it a few times he'll be flying round!

[gem]

Wow well done!! You're a braver woman than me :lol: Can't believe the change in you both since you first got him, it's incredible. Big big well done!!

[banjo]

well done on it going so well!!! Bet you have a huge grin on your face,
So when s the next one planned for?

[TedMonkey]

Rhea - I know. I've actually had to start giving him pony nuts because of his increased workload.

Gem - I was v scared, but became strangely calm once we got going. The jumps seemed very big and very solid - Ted thought so too! Once we had lost it at the second jump it didn't matter what we did, so we did it at our own pace with no pressure. Just wanted us both to enjoy ourselves really.

Banjo - Have been invited to do dressage at Fenning Farm next weekend. Our first ever prelim test (eek).

[TedMonkey]

Just to add- we probably would have done better if I had been more forceful/confident, but I didn't want to 'beat' him around course. In fact didn't use whip at all.

On one of the more inviting ones I just pointed him at it and went 'come on Ted, its a lovely one, we can do this' - and he took me over and flew ......

No braking problems, no napping, no bucking just one happy (and slightly confused) ponio and one very happy me!

Apparently he is now stood in field looking proud of himself!

[Cobby Keri]

congratulations, a good confidence giving day, good for you. I got a big ask of doc next week at a hunter trial, its a demanding course so hoping he will do me proud,

[IcarusGirl]

What a lovely course for your first go! Well done ted! I bet you're chuffed!

[~*Danni*~]

Hi Everyone!! :D This is my first ever post on this forum, and I did my first ever Hunter Trials today too!! :D Well Done, my wonderful Pony and I weren't brave enough to do anything other than the minimus and our Fab Friends did the pairs with us and we had an awesome time!! :D No messing about like She (my Pony :P) usually does and a lovely -almost clear :P- round :D Good Luck with your Pony, He looks Loverly :D xxxx