Scary stuff

So, the time has come to take the next step and ride Ras at a competition on my own – this time without 3 ‘bodyguards’ to protect us!

First, a solo practise was needed. Not completely alone (if you can count the company of a slightly hung over teenager), we set off into the distance with just the sounds of the birds, the footfalls of Ras and the moans of pain from our accompanier; past the wild dogs, the savage ducks, the life threatening logs piled up ready to fall onto us, we made it back to base. Not the fastest time ever though – our pace having been dictated by a certain person now lying on the floor, pleading starvation and a continuing headache!

The day of the competition arrives, the sun is out and, with a slight chill still in the air, we’re ready. The vet check complete and tacked up, I’m slightly unnerved as I don’t think Ras realises we are here to do something - he thinks it’s just a picnic where someone checks your vitals! Off to the starting gate, suddenly he sees the other horses setting off and coming back. Head up high (very high) he snorts and does a token run sideways, then actually can’t be bothered to do anything else, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

Then the countdown - 3, 2, 1- go, go Ras go. And a slight problem; the grass is very long and, obviously, must be infested with horse eating snakes - so we set off at the most pathetic speed with Ras darting from side to side staring at the ground. Once on to the road, all is well - until ‘the bins’- well known in this area for, you’ve guessed it, eating horses. So we take a very wide berth of these potentially life threatening objects and we’re off again. I want us to maintain a steady speed and to come back relaxed, so ride him with a loose rein and let him find his own balance. Checking my watch as we descend a rocky path, we screech to a halt as he stares and, if he could point at the offending object, he would. I’m also staring, trying to see what on earth it is he is looking at - and then it becomes obvious. There, in the middle of our path is a sleeping boar - one of those wild ones that pretend to be a rock and, when the poor unsuspecting horse goes by, eats them up. Well done Ras for spotting this. We creep past and then just to be on the safe side, tear off into the distance - until the clicking paparazzi catch his eye and he has to pose for the camera - head held high, back nice and hollow (any of your horsey folks know this is NOT a good pose!).

We complete the course at the fastest speed, and after vetting his heart rate is 46 bpm - which compared to the last event ( 58 bpm) is a massive improvement. My crew were fantastic, and provided me with a much needed calming aura as they bombed round the course, cameras in hand and taking lots of great photos.

A fantastic day with all the family getting involved - and Ras really enjoyed being the centre of attention. I’m looking forward to the next one – hope he is too!.