We Did It!!

I have finally got it together to report on Northumberland County Show!!

The start to the day wasn't as we had hoped- Merlin wouldn't load into the box and in the end we managed to get him in by physically pushing him up the ramp into the box. However, once he was in there he travelled great and didn't seem to mind the whole job!

We finally arrived at the show ground at 6.30am and then the great clean up began. Merlin who was pristine the night before had thought that it would be good to lay in his shit. Covered from head to foot he had a rather green alien like glow about him! His beautiful white feathered feet also had the green thing going on and my father and I had to bath him from head to foot. About two hours later and a bottle of shampoo and stain remover he was back to the pristine chap he was the night before!

Luckily I met up with some great people who were old hands at the showing malarkey and held my hand right through the process.

Merlin was so well behaved that I am rather dreading the next show as I have a feeling that he has pent up mischief to release!

I was up to high doe by the time we got to the collection ring and the waiting was making it worse for my nerves. Merlin however decided that this was the perfect opportunity to take a nap in the sunshine- I wish I'd had his confidence!

After walking and trotting out for the judge, he decided that we were to take second place which I was ecstatic about. We were beaten by the people who helped us so I was rather relieved as I would have felt bad if it had been the other way round.

We then had the afternoon to chill out (and for me to grin permanently about the placing) before going on grand parade in the main ring with all the other 1st's and 2nd's of the day.

The grand parade was great and Merlin obviously wasn't bothered about it as he decided that this again was another great opportunity for a sleep!

We again had trouble getting him in the box but fortunately we had the help of lots of others so we did it much quicker than on the way down!

After coming home, I had to phone the Clydesdale Horse Society about another matter. The lady was asking about the show and afterwards she said that I was to be awarded to Clydesdale Horse Society shield for the best yearling in show (they had to be fully working downstairs to get it hence why the people who beat me at the show didn't win it as theirs was gelded) and that she needed his full name so she could have it engraved- I shall receive it soon. Wooohooo!

The day was fab, Merlin was an absolute star and the bonus was the shield. But to be honest whether we got anything or not I would still be chuffed to bits as he did so well considering it was all new to him and me. He really settled my nerves, what a lovely chap!