The Big Night!

I showed Bluey and Ringo in a very memorable class. It was the Huntland Farm Pony Derby. I have been waiting for this class for a very long time!
This class was special because it was at night time and it took place in the biggest ring at the WEF show grounds. This ring is called the International Ring. When you first enter the ring, you walk under the a very large bridge. This is the same entrance the Grand Prix riders walk through each week to do the big classes. Finally, it was our turn to walk under the bridge.
The course was very fun and long. You cantered straight to the first jump off the right lead. This jump was black with green brush in front of it. Then, you stayed out and turned left to your second jump. This jump was probably the spookiest in the whole entire course. It had standards shaped like barn doors and for a decoration, it had hay bails in front of it which the ponies had to jump over. Right after the hay bail jump, you had to look to your next jump. You had to jump the second jump and the third jump like a bending line making sure you looked fast! Before you knew it right after you turned the corner when you were finishing jumping the third jump, you had to turn the corner to the next jump. It was right by the in-gate and right after you jumped that jump, you had to guide your pony to another jump. The fourth jump to the fifth jump was a bending line. If you didn't look at your next jump over the fifth jump, then you would miss the sixth jump. This jump was on the end of the ring came up super fast. You had to turn your pony over the sixth jump so he could see the seventh jump. The seventh jump was right in-between the in and out so it was hard for the ponies to see. You had to turn your pony over this jump so you made the course handy. The next to jumps was an in and out. When you were jumping over the out, You had to look to your final jump. It was a single oxer far away and toward the in gate.
Riding the course, hearing the scores and watching my friends ride their ponies was amazing. At the end of the small pony derby, we were asked to return for our awards. We headed in reverse order from 12th place to 1st. My pony Ringo was awarded 10th and Bluey was 3rd. After the ribbons were presented we got to canter around the ring for the victory gallup. Feeling the wind on my face and hearing the crowd cheer, made this a night to remember!

photo courtesy: Mancini photos