Chilterns Show

We've just had a fantastic weekend at the Chilterns Show in Great Missenden. We were there for a two day duo so Ronan, Tinker, Alex and myself set off in the lorry on Friday, with Rebecca following in her car, and Tim due to meet us on site. We arrived in the pouring rain, got absolutely soaking setting up, and really weren't looking forwards to performing in the continuous torrential rain that had been forecast. However, the Jive Pony good weather luck we've been having all season continued and although it rained before (so much so the organisers offered for us to pull the show), in between and after all our shows, not once did we get rained on whilst actually performing! Hurrah!

All the shows went well, although they weren't our easiest. The arena was on quite a slope, and after all the rain was very slippery, but our boys were fantastic and really looked after us - especially in the Roman Riding which was quite tricky in some points (think cantering fast downhill and around a corner, on slippery grass standing on the backs of two horses)!! There was also a helicopter taking off and landing quite close to the arena which although didn't bother Tinker or Ronan meant we couldn't hear any of our music - choreographing schmoreographing!! Despite the difficulties the shows were all really enjoyable - we don't let little things like helicopters get in our way!

There was lots of other entertainment during the two days, such as flyball, mounted games (those ponies can really shift!), ferret racing, falconry displays and a strong man competition. On Sunday we saw Britain's Strongest Man (who was absolutely HUGE!) set a new world record by dead lifting 365kgs - nearly sixty stones!! And he made it look easy! The falconry displays were fascinating, and were the same we'd seen before at the Middlesex Show (where the enormous vulture flew over me and Tinker) - and the birds were still massive! Although Ben's (the lovely bird man) birds are all amazingly well trained, in his show he tells stories of how one bird bit him one hundred and eleven times during a twenty one day training session, and also how he had one bite his tongue whilst he was talking to it! I think I'll stick to the horses!! Have a look at the little video below to see just how big one of the birds is - and this wasn't even the largest!! You can find out more about Ben and his birds by visiting his website.

After our final show on Sunday afternoon who should come and introduce himself but lovely Lloyd the helicopter pilot! Having teasingly berated him for causing us such difficulties throughout our shows, I asked if we could have a ride in his chopper - and he said yes! Before we knew it (and I hadn't even had a chance to change out of my costume) Rebecca and I were taking to the skies! It was incredible - like being in a flying bubble. Because it had been raining, everything looked really green, sparkly and beautiful. We could see the show ground spread out below us, as well as houses and gardens (lots of swimming pools and trampolines) - you can be really nosey in a helicopter! All too soon it was time to land, but not before I'd taken some video - just have a look!

I also took loads of photos of the flight, as well as lots of other bits and pieces from the weekend - just click here to have a look. We're off to the CLA Gamefair at Belvoir Castle on Thursday for a three day duo. Although we all love the show, we do three performances a day for them - so it's always knackering! I'll let you know how we get on next week...

Lots of love

Rosie xx