October 27, 2021

Heartland Regional: Haybale Jumping

Oh my goodness, you guys are not even ready for the cuteness and hilarity of this blog post.

This year, our show offered a new class designed to give the Section A's and B's and their children something to do on Saturday: in-hand haybale jumping.

All photos courtesy of Leah

IT. WAS. AMAZING. 


They had warm-up rounds, a hunter round and then a jumper round, with kids ranging in age from probably 8-13ish. The rounds were a mix of ponies who were totally game, and ponies who knew exactly what they could get away with.

"Do I have to?"

Totally game

 

The most hilarious round of the day came from one of the smallest competitors, who had the most conniving bay pony. This pony was the physical embodiment of that "pray if it's a pony" meme. 

See, the kids were supposed to go around the hay bales while the ponies jumped them, but this pony was like "Dude if the kid's going around so am I!" and proceeded to do exactly that.

So then the kid reasoned that the pony was going to do whatever she did, so she tried jumping the hay bales herself to see if the pony would follow, even though I think that was technically against the rules. Which worked...for two fences.

...and then the bay pony was like "I'm onto your new game, kid, and I decline to participate" and started going around the haybales, so the kid was jumping the haybales and the pony wasn't. I tried to stifle my laughter so the kid didn't feel bad, but it was very very hard. Been there, kid.

This sequence is too good and must be shared in its entirety. Kid goes over...

Pony says nah...

...and goes around

For the rest of that round, the pony put as little effort into jumping the fences as possible, but the kid did get it around eventually. It was a great horsemanship lesson for the kid. And highly entertaining for the spectators!

Fine I guess

They've already said they're doing this again next year, and I already can't wait, hahaha.

15 comments:

  1. It was so hard not to laugh, and I didn't want the kids to think we were laughing at them but like.... Damn conniving ponies 🤣🤣

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    1. I knowwwwww, I wanted to be like we're not laughing at you, we're laughing at your pony!

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  2. I've loved each one of your posts from the show but this HAS to be my favorite! Gotta love a naughty pony!

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    1. Honestly me too, lol, I couldn't wait for this one to post. It was amazing.

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    1. Isn't it? I could not stop laughing. Quietly, so I didn't offend any children.

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  4. Hahahaha! Definitely the best class ever. Every show should have this. Also, I feel this could be a fun drinking game for adults.

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    1. Oh my gosh but for real though, lol. I don't think it'd be quite as funny with full-size horses.

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  5. So cute! You are making me excited to hit up these Welsh shows!

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    1. Yes! You're going to love them. Just, uh, make sure you read the rulebook lol.

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  6. Showing at Welsh shows sounds like an amazing family fun centered atmosphere! Are there lots of them around the country or are you just lucky enough to be near one?

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  7. These are fantastic shots :D True story time, our first event had hay bale jumps in the show jumping and SOMEONE very nearly pulled off grabbing to eat it from a near gallop. Those kids really have no chance :D

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  8. I have a little pony at the yard who is half Nooitie and half Section A, and dang if that isn't the most conniving little beast I've ever met! One riding school mom was deeply concerned that his wayward habits were as a result of some dreadful physical problem, and insisted on being there when the chiro came out to see him. The first words out of the chiro's mouth when she looked into his eyes were "What a delightful little s***!" and that is a perfect description, lol

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