An Eventful Life

The Beginning

I mounted my 15.3hh Irish Sport Horse gelding, Jester, and rode him out of the stables.

Jester and I set off at a trot on a trail ride to go to a Cross Country course in the bush.

We walked along the trails. After about 10 minutes, we found the Cross Country course. I nudged Jester into a trot and we began a warm up, some light flatwork and popped over a few low jumps.

There were a total of 10 jumps on the course, consisting of arrowheads, logs, oxers, roll tops, ski jumps, walls and water jumps.

They were all around the same height of 1.50m except for the water one which was about 1m wide and the logs which were around 70cm.

We began cantering, as we reached the first jump, a log, we flew over it, a rush of excitement flowing through Jester and I.

Flying over the next jump, an arrowhead, and the third jump, a ski jump and the rest of the jumps.

We had a competition coming up and we were training as much as we could, so we did the course a few more times.

After jumping, we stayed a bit longer, allowing Jester to have a drink at the creek and a rest before we went back to the stables.

~

I rode back and mum was there and she helped me untack and groom Jester.

We drove home, chatting about the show coming up.

A few minutes later, mum came upstairs.

"I cannot wait!" I screeched, flicking through the pages of the rules and classes book for the show. Mum laughed. "I'm super excited too," she said. "we always are."

~

My alarm went off. I turned over and switched it off. I just wanted to sleep. "I mean why would I set my alarm for 5am? There's no need for that." I thought. Wait a second. Today was show day!

I jumped up and got dressed into some jeans and polo shirt. I went downstairs and mum was there, cooking breakfast.

"Are you ready for today?" She asked, a smile spreading across her face. "Yes! I'm so excited. I can't wait! I'm just as excited as I always am at all the competitions we do." I answered.

We ate breakfast then went and put the float onto the back of the car. "What time is it?" I asked. "6:00am" mum replied. "Let's go!" I said.

We jumped in the car and drove 5 minutes away to my riding instructor's, Amanda's, place to pick up Jester, as we agist him there.

"Are you ready for our day, Jester?" I called to him. He snorted, trotting over. I fed him a carrot. He munched happily, then I pulled his halter on & lead him over to the float.

"Megan! You're here! I was just about to get Jester ready for you. Or should I say, Kirby Park Irish Jester!" Amanda said. Kirby Park Irish Jester was Jester's show name. "Thanks Amanda." I spoke, smiling.

I told Jester he was a good boy, whilst I convinced him to go into the float, with the help of a carrot. I fetched his black bridle, black saddle, leg boots and heaps of brushes and horse hair ties.

We were off again, heading for the showgrounds. We arrived and it was 6:30am. Heaps of people were already warming up, going over tests and jumping practice jumps.

I decided I should do that too. I unloaded Jester and tied him up.

I went back into the float and got dressed into my show gear, my white jodhpurs, white long sleeve cotton shirt, blue tie, short sleeve best designed for eventing, tall black boots, and leather, white gloves. I tacked him up and mounted.