11/09/2026
Last Sunday we attended Thorngumbald show.
What a fabulous day it was. We had some fantastic placings 🙌
Well done to each and every one of you 👏
I know there were a few hiccups here and there, but I want to thank you all for how you handled everything. It just showed how special our team of ponies are and just how amazing our riders are. The children proved just how awesome they are when there were some adults behaving like children, the children stepped up and behaved like the adults should have.
I won’t say too much as I don’t want to take anything away from what an amazing job the show organisers did from start to finish. Top job 👌. First year taking it on, you should be extremely proud.
I stood back and watched everyone from our team, as well as strangers on the sidelines, step up when one of our riders, who has autism, didn’t get to do an individual show and show off what she had been practicing so hard to learn. Hours and hours had gone into it. Poppy and Mia spoke out for her and other riders to be able to ride it, but they ended up being punished for it. Spoken to rudely and placed at the bottom of the line up. That will be a conversation for another day. Whilst I appreciate you may be able to judge a class off the line up, that’s not what it’s all about, that child completing an individual show means the world to them, the novice horse gaining the experience that’s needed. So many different instances as to why a main class shouldn’t be judged like a championship.
My point of this post, is to bring awareness to others, that life isn’t black and white for everyone. And sometimes, there’s a reason as to why someone is questioning decisions that are being made, when the pattern changes for one, it can create chaos for others. But punishing someone for standing up and asking why, is just sad. I never comment negatively and what I take from this is how proud I am, proud of the ponies, proud of my girls and extremely proud of our whole team.
Another family watched it unfold, and as the classes ended, we got our rider back onboard, took them to the side and she completed her individual show, everyone cheered. She could then tick it off and that the pattern was now complete. The family from the sideline, gave our rider their sash. How amazing is that. Complete strangers. Our rider actually placed high in the class so it wasn’t about rosettes, just being able to complete the pattern was enough. It meant so much more to our rider.
I just want people to behave with integrity, behave with compassion, most of all with respect. What is being presented in front of you might not be the full picture. Think before you act 🙏🏻
Added to the post, is a couple of pictures I have been sent.
One of our riders got awarded the Best rider award 🙌.
So proud of you all 🌟⭐️
