Royal Highland Show 2014 - Part 2 - Welsh Ponies In Hand

I took millions of photos as usual, all of which can be found here. As ever, feel free to take and use as reference, just remember to credit!

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Right next to the Ridden Highlands were a variety of wonderfully coloured little ponies - how could I resist? I think I took more photos here than anywhere else at the show but they were just so photogenic, it's really no wonder. (I was having a little trouble getting the white balance right to begin with as the light levels kept changing with the sun coming out, then going in again so apologies for some of them being so dark.)

I'm not sure if I'd missed all the Sec As or if their class was on later (I think I remember seeing Sec A stallions at one point) but I'm pretty sure these were all Sec Bs.

That little braid behind the ear is a Welsh speciality.















Smutty palomino is one of my favourite colours on ponies and there were a fair few at the show this year.








Keep an eye on this one... :P



I remember this little palomino stallion from last year - those bend orr spots are so distinctive! I managed to find him online and identified him as 'Cadlanvalley Georgie Boy' - such an elegantly put together little pony.



He was mostly well behaved, but threw his head up a bit when being asked to turn at the trot.



He wasn't the only one either...



...several ponies acted up when cornering...



...or just trotting in a straight line!





After they'd all been trotted up it was time for the judges to get a closer look. Legs were straightened out, necks extended and every pony put their best hoof forward...





...well...



...nearly...



...everyone...



...anyway!



I don't think he meant anything by it, he was just getting a bit too excited. I loved his handler (who I kept thinking looked a bit like Hodor from Game of Thrones XD) and his attitude though, he didn't freak out or act aggressively towards the pony, just calmly held his ground when he went up, kept him in check and didn't lose his temper. In fact, no matter how many times he reared, I don't think the smile slipped from his face. (..and he reared rather a lot. XD)












I call this sequence 'Help, I've forgotten how to horse!'









Somewhat unsurprisingly thanks to his behaviour, the little dappley monster left without receiving a rosette



I don't think 'Hodor' seemed to mind though. :D





Part 3 coming soon!