Day 110 - Cold.

Calum and Baggy took Grotty Groom over to see the Boys this morning. Grotty got kitted out in her jodphurs and psyched herself up to have a little ride on Joey. The closer they got to the yard, the more scared that Baggy got. She had that feeling you get in your stomach before an exam, or an interview or having to speak in public. You know the one - a combination of feeling sick and panicky. Pointless of course, if unavoidable. Particularly pointless today however as, as we approached the yard, Clever Bird realised that the Boys were out in their paddocks. There was also a dressage competition on at the yard. And it was a big one. Baggy immediately stopped feeling scared and panicky. No chance of Grotty riding after all then. Phew. But interestingly (and this is a jolly good thing), Grotty was really rather disappointed that she couldn't ride after all.

Having unloaded Minty Mutt from the car (down his ramp so that he didn't hurt his leg again), Grotty and Calum went to watch some competitors. They quickly realised just how cold it was in the wind. The wind that seemed to be hoollying down the yard, even though everything was completely still. Much too cold to be standing around in. Yes, the burger van was doing a roaring trade. Baggy was good though. Just had a cup of tea. The same can't be said for her husband! Slightly warmer, they went back to watching the competition. Within minutes, they were once again cold. Clever Bird would just like to apologise now to Baggy's bloggees who live in Scotland, Poland, Canada, Sweden, Ukraine and any other country that has "proper" cold. She realises that cold is relative. But the truth is that Baggy is a whooz and feels the cold a lot. But it must have been pretty chilly because Calum put an extra layer on and then went and sat in the stable to warm up. The Mini's refused to even get out of the car. They decided to give it one last go. It's always good to see the competition that Grotty and Calum will be up against if plans work and they are competing in the summer. Or not! Grotty recognised three different professional riders competing in the Preliminary class that Calum and Grotty would be in. Admittedly on young or spooky horses, but still. Let's face it when it comes to competition, Joey's done none, Wesley's done two. Calum's done none, Baggy's done two. Ah well. Lots of practice will be required.

This was demonstrated shortly thereafter when Joey and Wesley were brought in from their paddocks. Joey was absolutely terrified of the burger van and was refusing to go past it. All well and good except that it was parked right outside their stable block. He wasn't too impressed with the white dressage boards that "live" outside the arena when Grotty rode him the other day either. Lots of training! Grotty walked over to Wesley and gave him a lead just as Joey decided that hay was more important than being scared and set off once more. Grooming the Boys soon warmed Calum and Grotty up. So off they toddled to watch the next classes up. The Novice classes. Quite a lot of the horses were very spooky. One tried to canter backwards out of the ring. Another trod on a white board and tried to buck its rider off. Another looked like an unexploded bomb. Pretty much all down to two things. The photographer and his wife sitting right next to the arena in foldaway chairs, with massive fur hats on, looking down to keep warm. And the judge's car in the arena just past the entrance into the manege. Just as the horses got used to these two scary things, the judge honked the car horn to get the competitor to start. Cue large or small spook from many horses. The photographer suddenly stood up and started clicking his camera. Cue shy, spook or stop. Lots of training. Not to mention the fact that even were Grotty already back in the saddle, Baggy could not get through a four-minute test for love nor money at the moment! She would be totally exhausted after about a minute of "proper" riding! Lots and lots of training. Starting with getting Baggy back to tribal dance classes this week. Shimmy, shimmy.

Baggy is now finally warmed up and sitting in front of the fire while Creative Clara blogs, before Baggy and Calum head off out shortly to go to an 18th birthday party. Time to choose a very warm going-out outfit............