This is Woody's little sister, Zala, aged about 7 months. She is being prepared for showing next year and is already trotting out beautifully. We spend some time today getting her used to the tarpaulin and the brolly in readiness for some of the strange things she might meet at a show. She trained Dave to stand on the tarpaulin first of all and once she was satisfied that it was absolutely safe, she went across it herself. She was fascinated by the brolly and got quite cross when Sally wouldn't stop to let her inspect it properly.
The groundwork and desensitisation techniques seem to set ponies up very nicely for showing where manners and calmness are highly prized (did you see what I did there?).
This is what Audrey said about Magnum on NFED after he went to his first show:
"Here is Magnum, one of the 3 Musketeers in the book. He was at his very first show - the New Forest Pony Breed show - where his manners were impeccable, the judge was mad about him, and bless his cotton socks, he came 2nd in a very strong class of yearlings. Proud - I could have burst, and I am convinced that it has a lot to do with the ground work of training and manners taught to both him and me by Sarah."
And Ann, who owns Lovelyhill Landmark said of him:
Here is my boy lovelyhill landmark. This photo was taken at his first show where we were placed 6th overall and took best yearling in the WHP young stock class with the judge commenting on how well behaved he was for a youngster. Landmark and I attended Sarah's foal handling clinic and I firmly believe her advice and approach have influenced our success."
