Pony Club 🐴

We are now officially members of our local pony club, very exciting. The weekend was busy with Saturday spent riding, washing and packing the ute ready for Sunday. Sounds simple but realistically this took us most of the day. Matt is busy mustering so he doesn’t get weekends off at the moment so it was just the kids and I. We headed out mid morning to catch the horses, it was a bit cooler so they needed to get them nice and warm to break a sweat so we could wash them. Ashton sits in his car seat on the buggy for most horse activities so he is safe but can still see what’s happening. He can however escape when he’s sick of it and this generally this means we have to wrap it up and finish later because he’s just a hazard to himself running around with no regard for his safety. Anyway, this is exactly what happened so we had to finish off later in the afternoon. Sunday was rally day which meant for a reasonably early start, well for me anyway. I like to get up before the kids, enjoy my coffee and get myself ready. Once the kids were up and eating I went up and fed the horses, the ringers started to arrive at the yards as I was leaving and one made comment ‘oh you’re a dedicated horse woman up here before everyone else’ erm no not really I’m just the kids strapper! 😉

We left about 7:30 and were on the road in full discussion around what the day might have in store and who would be there etc etc I was excited to be going somewhere and doing something with the horses but a tad nervous at the thought of doing the day as sole parent, particularly as Indi’s horse is new to us and I had no idea how he would handle the day.

Three kids, two horses and one of me…what could go wrong right? 😜

I am relieved, pleased and super proud to say the day went without incident! Horses and little people were both fantastic. They did pole bending, obstacle courses, treasure hunts and all sorts and for 90% of the time unassisted by me. Ashton happily watched from the pram or the play pen and was an absolute angel. The girls rode the whole time and no one or pony had any meltdowns. Winner winner chicken dinner.

Often I lay in bed at night and cringe at my parenting style and skills and wonder if I’m too harsh and expect too much from my little people (that’s a whole other blog!). But there was a moment at pony club yesterday that justified me, even if only for a moment. We were sitting for lunch and the kids were off playing and Lexi comes and says to me ‘Mum, my horse was off so I caught him and put him in the stable’. She’s four! I was so proud, I thought wow, she is a four year old playing with her friends but has the maturity and skills to catch her own horse and problem solve an issue. 🤩

Needless to say the kids are keen as mustard for next months rally and I’m sure their little outing will keep them motivated and eager to learn more.

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