AS the days grow shorter and you can see your breath first thing in the morning, you know that the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is almost upon us.

A bit like Christmas, the HOYS marks the end of a season, the showing season, for equestrian enthusiasts everywhere.

The icing on the cake, HOYS is that special time of year when horsey folk gather together to celebrate special partnerships and a very special way of life. It is a time to celebrate friendships forged between people of all ages and backgrounds from all parts of the country, people who might otherwise never have met were it not for an all-consuming passion for horses.

So once again, on Saturday, October 6, I made my annual pilgrimage to the NEC in Birmingham and once again I was lucky enough to watch my granddaughter compete on her show pony.

The day started at 3am, when I was collected by my son, who was required to assist in a warm-up slot at 6.20am. As we had both had work commitments on the Friday, travelling down the day before was not an option. It was cold, dark and raining heavily when we arrived, but the show ground was already alive and buzzing. Loudspeakers were delivering instructions to riders in floodlit warm-up arenas and the smell of cooked breakfasts drifted across the lorry park, as we made our way to the stables, where mane plaiting was just about to commence. By this time, it felt more like 5.30 in the afternoon.

As luck would have it, our stable was one of the few that did not have its own light bulb, so I was tasked with holding a small portable spotlight which shone down on to Paddy’s mane, enabling my daughter Vicky to sew in his plaits. Stoic as ever, even at this ungodly hour, our little pony stood stock still while he was prepared for his class.

There was a slight blip in proceedings a little later, as granddaughter’s competitor number went missing, temporarily, as did my son-in-law’s admission pass, without which he would not have been allowed into the show itself, but these little things are sent to try us and fortunately, all was right in the end.

Watching them enter the top spec arena, looking so serene and professional, was an incredible experience. Paddy behaved impeccably, Bethany rode him beautifully and we couldn’t have asked anymore from either of them.

In the end, they were not selected for the judge’s final line up, but by this time that really didn’t matter, well not to me at any rate. To have had the privilege of seeing them perform in that buzzy, electric atmosphere, before a grandstand that was almost filled even at that time in the morning, was reward in itself and they did, after all, receive a beautiful, finalist’s rosette and sash, to be treasured for many years to come.

It was especially important for me to be present on this particular occasion, as this was the last time that Bethany and Paddy will be able to compete, at this level as a partnership.

On Boxing Day Bethany will be 13 years of age and despite her petite stature, from January 1, 2019, she will be officially out of class.

Personally, this is a rule that I struggle with. If a rider is the right size for a pony, not over tall or over weight for pony height and conformation, why should age matter? But in the world of show ponies it does and if Bethany wants to continue competing and developing her craft further, then she will need to do so on a bigger pony and as we don’t have a money tree in the garden, Paddy will be sold as “sadly outgrown”.

It could be said that his job with us is now complete and that it is time for him to show another small jockey the ropes and create more special memories, just like the ones that he will leave behind with us.

So what more is there to say? Other than good luck little man; may you continue to be brave, be bold, be successful, but most of all be happy and be loved, always.