Here he is then. The yellow boy at his second show, late May 2008. The wind was blowing a gale, and we didn't do any ridden classes, he was all over the place in the bad weather. He did, however, win Western horse in hand, and, of course, Handsomest Gelding! His first show was in March, when he was ridden by a neighbour's daughter, and he tried so hard. He had a fourth in family horse or pony, and a fourth 'in hand coloured horse'. It was the first time we had taken him 'out' so we thought he did a fine job.

He is having a break from his english dressage lessons this month (with Jess Glasow), he could only be ridden western when I bought him, and I am trying to teach him to showjump! Hahaha. He has been a veritable baby over this process. It took ages to get him to trot over ground poles, he was more likely to walk over and tread on them, probably as a result of his western training. He is now jumping up to 1ft fairly confidently (WOW), if he is allowed to have a good look at it first, and maybe even walk over it. Just taking it really steadily, a tiny bit every day. In 4 weeks he has come on beautifully, and I am hopeful that we will be fit to have a jumping lesson some time soon(er or later!).

His excellent braking and light mouth make the change to jumping easier, because he doesn't rush, or pull, and if we can build his confidence I think he shows promise for the future.