ROMEO - The HOYS Boy!
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Romeo is an EHPPS horse fostered by Nina Woollard. Now we appreciate Romeo is a very special lad - but it's thanks to Nina's hard work and dedication that made Romeo into the horse he is today! WELL DONE THE PAIR OF YOU! |
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| Romeo and Nina Woollard | |
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| We left bright and early on the Tuesday morning as we’d heard so much about the “queues” at HOYS and didn’t want to be rushed for time. Packing everything into the trailer seemed to take forever, but we were soon on our way. There was me, Aideen (our driver) and grooms, Manda and Vicky—oh, and of course, Romeo too! The journey took around five hours, although we had a couple of stops along the way. Romeo was vetted with his Equine Passport being thoroughly checked; everything was okay so we made our way through to the car parks. Romeo’s stable for the night was nothing impressive and I initially thought it was far too small (10’ x 10’), but then I saw some 17hh show hunters in them and didn’t feel quite so bad. The problem with competing on the first day is that the stables are completely empty and you have to provide your own bedding. We prepared the stable ready for Romeo’s arrival and, after a long walk to stretch his legs, we bedded him down for the night. In true Romeo form, he was eating his hay within seconds. It was now around 4.30pm, so we left Romeo in peace and went to have a look around. We watched the ponies exercise in the arena—about 30+, all charging around on the same rein to tire them out for the following big day. My exercise time was 8pm, so at 6.30pm we made our way back to Romeo’s stable to groom, tack up and be in the collecting arena for 7.30pm. There was so much going on that you had no time to panic or get nervous. The exercise session went really well, including a bit of schooling around the “scary” rockery in the middle of the menage. We cooled off and then walked back to the box to tuck Romeo into bed for the night—once he’d had his tea of course. The girls and I then retired to the hotel for food and sleep. | |
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The
following morning we were up early to sort Romeo out. Once he’d had his feed, one of the girls walked him while I
mucked out. It sounds such a
silly thing, but I was so happy that Romeo had eaten a full haynet, drunk
his normal amount of water and passed the normal amount of droppings—it
meant that he’d had a comfortable and stress free night.
We then set about preparing him for the ring. We washed his legs and tail and gave him a thorough
groom—covered him in chalk … we walked him around at one point and
every time he placed a leg, a big “poof” of chalk dust came off his
legs! A top level professional groom once recommended that I paint
Romeo’s hooves black, even though he clearly has white legs, as it would
show his legs and coat off more. After
all the preparations were completed around mid-morning, we put Romeo back
in his box to have another chill out.
We went into the N.E.C. where I met my parents to have a walk around and spend some time with them. Aideen went to watch the show jumping (which she loves … she is Irish after all!) and Manda and Vicky went off to do some shopping. We all met up as my time drew closer, and finished preparing Romeo. There was a real buzz in the air as all the ponies and children were preparing for the Prince Phillip Cup. Romeo, as ever, was completely calm and quiet, in fact he was almost falling asleep. Once we were ready, we went into the collecting ring for a nice, relaxed warm up. Romeo’s legs were bandaged from hoof to knee/hock …. his legs WERE staying white! The M&M Classes were in the ring when we were warming up so we could hear the crowds cheering … still Romeo was chilled and calm. The M&M Championship went in, my Class being in 10 minutes. I removed Romeo’s leg bandages and had a last minute polish up. |
| The curtains open and in we went. The lights were blazing and you knew you had to give a perfect ride for the crowds. Fortunately for me, Romeo is a complete tart and as soon as he gets in the show ring, he tucks his head in beautifully and lightly, fllicks his legs and uses his bottom—it felt like an absolute dream. All I had to do was make it look as easy as it was. As in a normal showing class, we walked, trotted, cantered on one rein, changed the rein (right next to the fake rockery which had been oh so scary the day before, but not now!) | |
| We then got pulled in. It was evident that the Judge preferred her lighter cobs as the three heavyweight cobs came 8th, 9th and 10th, Romeo being 9th. I was a little disheartened at this time. We dismounted and usually would have stripped out but because the class was running to a strict time scale, we left the saddles on. When we were pulled out for our confirmation, Romeo stood lovely for me, looking like the handsome chap he is. Majorie Ramsay, the Judge, actually commented on how she liked the way I’d painted Romeo’s hooves black. He walked and trotted up well and then we went back in line. The Riding Judge, Rachel Oliver, then got on him. He appeared to go well, light off the leg, using himself, nice and relaxed, working into the contact … I was so pleased. When she’d finished riding him, she brought Romeo back to me in the line and asked for confirmation of his age (5 years old). When Rachel Oliver had finished riding all the horses, we mounted and proceeded around the arena while the Judges discussed the placings. That was possibly the tensest few minutes of my entire life! The Judges had microphones in order to narrate what their thoughts were in the judging. There was a Master of Ceremonies in the arena too. The MC started talking … “and the final order for the 2008 Search for a Star Ridden Cob is 7… 9… 1, Nina Woollard and Romeo”! Woo Hoo—me and Romeo! We walked forwards and Romeo stood there like a true champ. At this point, I spotted my parents and the girls in the audience. All I could see where their grins. The rest of the line up got pulled in … 1st—4th, not changing at all from the initial line up. I was SO proud of my boy. He warranted a place at HOYS because of the way he is ridden. At his age it is incredible (and I should add that he is particularly nice to ride). We then did the lap of honour, which is a wonderful feeling especially after all the prim and proper riding beforehand. Just putting your leg on and cantering around the arena because you have been placed at HOYS. | |
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We
then left the arena and found Manda.
She had instructed me beforehand that I could NOT cry in the arena.
I turned to her and said “Can I cry now please?” and
just broke down in tears. I
was the happiest person there that day.
Romeo had hugs and treats galore—which were well deserved. I had a big long cuddle with mum and made her cry too.
My dad was bouncing around all over the place in excitement.
It was soon time to get Romeo home and we spared no time in packing up and getting the superstar onto the trailer. We left HOYS at around 6.30pm and got home at 11pm—a long long journey. As ever, Romeo travelled like an angel. He is a superb horse—he takes to anything and always tries his hardest to please. Romeo has settled into a competition lifestyle of long journeys and staying away from home and to think this is his first year of competing. He has made me the happiest mummy ever. He is a true superstar and I am so very proud of him. Nina Woollard |
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