Garden of England Autumn Show October 4/5, 2008
A small enthusiastic group arrived at The Garden of England Showground at Bodiam to participate in the first show to be held totally in the new indoor arena. We all had to scrape ice off our windscreens before we could get started. The arena surface rode extremely well and was well suited for both the Pleasure and Reining and the venue will be a great asset especially in the light of the atrocious weather that shows have had to contend with this year.
A special event in Pleasure and Trail was held on the Saturday with Doug Allen judging. Rosie Coles bit the bullet and with borrowed boots and Stetson climbed on board her daughters horse Cee Ed Zip. This was the first time Rosie had ridden Bear and the first time she had been on a horse in 4 years. Amateur competitors beware Rosie went and won the class and is raring to go next season.
The Junior & Senior Trail classes were combined to make a hotly contested 6 horse All Ages Trail. This was narrowly won by Terrie Heid Brazier and Docs Summer Sky, beating husband Adrian and Whatta Fancy Blaze by half a point. This was sufficient for Sky to achieve her Superior in Trail, I think if he had beaten her it would have been acceptable grounds for divorce. This was the culmination of an historic season for Terrie and Sky. At The East Coast Show earlier this year they achieved their Superior All Around which is winning 50 All Around Titles and at the final show of the year they won their 50th point to earn a Superior in Trail.
On the Sunday there was no frost but about an inch of rain fell. The arena was shortened by 3 bays to give a warm up area still leaving a huge arena to ride in. Mark How judged small but close fought classes. Horses, competitors and spectators were well covered along the side of the arena and Rachel set up her Speciality Coffee Stand along side the arena so there was no reason for anyone to get wet. The secretary even dragged herself from a warm office and set herself up ringside to avoid competitors (and herself) from having to go out in the rain. Dry access the coffee stall being a high priority.
RESULTS ATTACHED IF i HAVE DONE IT RIGHT!
