The clear rounds day I Mentioned was on Saturday, and it went really well! I did four rounds, one at 2’3”, one at 2’6” and two at 2’9”. Ollie was super!
I did get some media, but it’s not the best as it was just a cell phone camera. Oliver is so cute though, he makes up for the not very good photo quality.
here is the video of my first 2’9” round.
And here is lots of pictures!
The show itself was great! But remember how I said that we trail ride over? We do… and we did. However, apparently blackberry bush cutters like to work on Saturday? With their big noisy machines? And block the whole trail while chopping it down? The “absolutely nightmareish” (in the horses eyes anyway.) Tractor/chopping machine was smack in the middle of the trail that my sister and I needed to take to get to our show. Also, it was turned on.
Clearly it was scary. We ended up having to dismount and lead our horses (Brianna was riding one of our coaches horses Foxy) past the big scary machine. Which was fine. It wasn’t a big deal… but… there was a… creek right behind the bush cutter. So we ended up walking through the creek and getting completely soaked and having our boots fill up with water. Lovely. Also take into account that all this is happening before 9am so it was quite cold out. Luckily, after the creek there was a log that we used to mount up again, and the trail ride continued without incident. Or… did it? From my house to the show grounds, is a 20-30 minute hack. You have to cross 3 creeks + 2 large lake-like puddles. At that point we’d crossed 1 creek and 1 puddle. We crossed the next puddle without a problem. Then came the next creek…
A Little History.
this is the creek that goes by the name “treacherous river”
after the “Treacherous river” is what goes by the name of “hippie campsite.” OR “party area” OR there was even one person staying there who was a Sasquatch hunter? When it is a hippie camp (that is what it was on Saturday, which is much better the “Party area”) It often has 1-5 school buses that have been converted into RVs, 1-3 tents. 1-4 cars, and a couple couches scattered around in the bushes for resting on. There is also normally at least one dog. Did I forget to mention the people? There is always lots of hippies hanging around to. Because the “hippies” don’t normally say much (just something like “heeeyyy duude.”) they are fairly scary for the horses-people hiding in bushes + mysteries dog woofing that cannot be seen + lots of school buses. It’s always fun to ride past. Haha… not.
also, Happy April fools everyone!* I couldn’t think up any cool jokes this year unfortunately (NOOO!!! 😫) but I read the funniest posts on Emma’s blog and on Emily’s blog. Maybe I can think up something like that next year? 😁 (hehe, beware.)
*this post is not a April fools joke, as much as I wish the hippie camp didn’t exist, it does. 😦
Ponies and Potter 
Hehe that chopper machine thingy was SCARY!! And honestly, the camp was better than normal… at least all the broken glass seemed to be cleaned up…
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Yes, very scary!🚜
and the camp was a lot better… like you said, no broken glass and I didn’t see any nails either!
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Oh my! I don’t think I could’ve gotten May anywhere near that chopper machine. Your rounds looked great tho. Thanks for joining in on my April Fool’s Day Fun 🙂
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It was definitely a battle getting past the chopper! And thanks:-))
I was secretly looking forward to a May baby! 😂
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Hi Maren,
Loved reading your blog and both you and Ollie look like a great team!!
I especially liked photo 5 of you jumping – it is the one looking at the left side of you, 2′ 9″ jump, and Ollie looks as if he has so much clearance even at this height!!
I know that horses can get very freaked out by loud noises so it must be been rather tense for you and Brianna on your journey over to the Clear Round class. I hope you did not get too wet although getting water in your boots must have been awful!!
I was getting very worried about your journey through the “Treacherous River” area and hoping you were not feeling scared. OR, HAVE YOU APRIL FOOLED ME???? If so you are a very good story teller…….
Hope Daisy and the babies are all well, also Finnigan. xxxxx
I love hearing from you so keep on sending please, lots of love, Nanny x
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Ollie definitely isn’t bothered by the hight at all:-)) the bigger the better in his mind!
The tractor was very noisy! And we got pretty well soaked with water unfortunately 😂
The treacherous river (no, not a April fools joke lol) is quite big… once you’ve been through it a couple times it’s not so bad though. Daisy and babies are well! (Finn is to)
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Yay! Sounds like a fun show! I just found your blog, I ride with Sarah B when I’m working in your area and I think I’ve seen you two around and been to some of the same events. Hoping you have a great competition year!
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It was super fun thanks!! I hope you have fun riding/showing this year as well!
I think I might recognize Bridget from some shows to!
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