Pheonix - Second The Best by Kate Smith

No one expects their first show to go perfectly and it hardly ever does, but for Gary and his horse Phoenix it was just a step in the right direction. Gary had owned Phoenix for a few months when he entered the Dovehill Show, but those few months were enough time for him to realise that his horse had a great talent for jumping. Phoenix's downside was her stubborn personality. She was a friendly, willing horse most of the time but every so often she had a mood swing that changed her into a stubborn, stroppy mare that wouldn't move for anyone. These mood swings seemed to happen at just the wrong times - in the middle of a class lesson or an introduction to Gary's friends for example - but no one knew what caused them or how to stop them.

The Dovehill Show began early on a Saturday morning and Gary's first problem was unloading Phoenix from the trailer. The 15.3hh chestnut mare stood at the top of the ramp, nostrils flaring and eyes wide, and refused to move. All the practice sessions at home went perfectly, but when it came to the real thing all the practice runs flew out the window. After missing their first showing class, Phoenix finally walked out of the trailer, turning into the calm, friendly horse she was before. Gary tacked her up and rode her around the show ground getting her used to the sights and sounds and busy atmosphere. After warming up, the pair went into their class - the part-bred and Anglo Arab class. Phoenix behaved impeccably, showing everyone her true colours and eventually came in a deserved second.

The show jumping was held in a large arena at the centre of the show ground. Phoenix behaved beautifully in the ring. She thrived on all the attention and loved to show off her style, jumping a lot higher than she needed to over the fences. As Gary and Phoenix soared over the last jump, Phoenix had a mood swing and bucked as she landed. This resulted in Gary clinging on around her neck trying to scramble back up into the saddle. He managed to remain on Phoenix as they left the arena and only came off when

the mare did another little buck sending him flying through the air and landing softly on the ground. They got another second for the jumping, clearing the jump-off 2 seconds after the winners.

Gary decided to call it a day after coming second in the gymkhana and cancelled the tack-and-turnout and in-hand classes they were entered for. He tied the three blue rosettes onto Phoenix's bridle and posed for a photo for the local newspaper.

"Three second places is good going, but how do you feel about not winning a class?" The reporter asked Gary, in a distinct Irish accent. "Oh, I'm happy with seconds," he replied. "Red clashes with Phoenix's

coat anyway!"

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