Issues we’ll miss concerning the summer season exhibiting season

Other than these choose few who’re competing on the Horse of the Yr Present (HOYS) in a number of weeks, it’s that point of yr when us super-competitive exhibiting fans lastly get a second to sit down down, put the kettle on and mirror on the summer season season simply passed by.

The place did these eight months simply go?! The highs, the lows, the triumphs, the falls; whether or not you’re going into winter glad along with your 2024 successes or much more decided to smash subsequent yr out of the ball park, it’s been one hell of a trip.

Whereas there’s completely little question you’re wanting ahead to a season of hibernation, there are some elements of the summer season time period that you’ll actually miss, till you must go and do all of it once more subsequent yr.

Listed below are eight issues we are going to miss concerning the summer season exhibiting season…

1. Being higher wanting

Whereas people can usually look extra engaging in the summertime (whats up tanned, clear pores and skin), we’re referring to your four-legged buddies right here. Shiny coats with out rugging or over-priced oil dietary supplements, mud-free over-garments and a sure angle which comes with the spring air, the hotter months actually do make for a extra engaging horse. After many months in “low season” situation, you’ll marvel how he involves look so magnificent come summer season.

2. Socialising with out actually socialising

You possibly can meet a few of your nearest and dearest on the street at horse reveals. With a standard curiosity, shared hardships and the identical means to talk horses for six hours continuous (one thing which might bore any muggle to tears), it’s no marvel you get withdrawal signs when separated out of your present buddies for too lengthy. Throughout winter, you’ll have to truly dress up and head out in public in the event you really wish to discuss to somebody. What a ridiculous concept.

3. The athlete life-style

So ignoring the luggage of Haribo consumed throughout late evening lorry journeys and the occasional (alright, frequent…) burger van purchases, getting ready a horse for the present season requires some fairly intense graft. The sheer quantity of coaching, lifting, shovelling, strolling, working and basic bodily exercise required each day is spectacular. Generally, your pacer app can tally up over 20,000 steps per day, so these quick meals buys don’t even contact the edges. Throughout winter, because the nights attract and your horse settles into his winter break, you would possibly end up at a unfastened finish and people jodhpurs would possibly turn into a little bit cosy across the waist (particularly after the Christmas festivities).

4. Shopping for horsey stuff you actually don’t want

“You solely stay as soon as” is the phrase which has single handedly ruined your credit score rating this yr. With the summer season reveals brings an abundance of shiny new equestrian gadgets you simply needed to have, and also you’d should be a hard-nosed, savvy shopper to not fall sufferer to among the tantalising sale presents these equestrian low cost outlets are screaming at you. “I’ve already acquired a fleece rug, I don’t want one other”, mentioned no horsey lady, ever.

5. Successful rosettes

Not fairly certain who first labored out the associated fee vs. revenue margins concerned with competing a horse, however paying lots of and hundreds in pursuit of a small piece of colored ribbon appears logical, proper? However, each rosette is a mirrored image of the journey you and your horse have been on, and successful a purple one won’t ever get previous. And in the event you handle to win a sash, properly…

6. How organised you had been

After we’re trudging alongside within the depths of winter doing the naked minimal it may be onerous to think about that point within the season while you juggled becoming reveals within the diary with all of the coaching with present preparation alongside full-time work and the each day trials and tribulations of household life. You marvel the way you presumably managed to suit all of it in whereas staying sane, particularly as even the smallest duties really feel like a battle throughout winter.

7. Going to your favorite reveals

Whereas the massive finals are the intention for lots of the exhibiting group – and the summer season welcomes the celebrated Royal Worldwide closing at Hickstead – a few of our most-loved fixtures are those who maintain a token for various causes. Perhaps you want heading to your native present that’s simply 5 minutes down the street, otherwise you adore driving within the large grass rings at among the main counties. Which is your favorite summer season present to attend?

8. Being on the street along with your greatest buddy

Nothing beats it. Travelling round to competitions along with your greatest buddy within the again consuming his hay, able to put these hours and hours of coaching into play. Win some, lose some – it doesn’t actually matter as you’re all the time a winner while you get to take your particular one residence.

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H&H exhibiting editor

Born and raised within the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the exhibiting scene. She has certified and competed ponies on the Royal Worldwide, Horse of the Yr Present and Olympia and has first-hand data of the present points within the exhibiting world in addition to the horses, ponies and riders who compete within the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 since when she has cemented its place because the main equestrian publication for each exhibiting reviews and present exhibiting information within the UK.