I mean it is one thing to unload a full load of horse supplies, saddle and this stuff alone if you came alone to a show with one person or came with many horses. But we were here with one horse, one and two persons...
Well, let me say, that we had considered bringing more than our most successful Thoroughbred stallion. But the other stallion ‘Anthem’ was going through some illness. Nothing concerning but he was not on top of his abilities. So we cancelled him for this show. And another one 'Oxalagu' was currently at stud. So no shows for him either. So all was left to one, Callejon and Ella, his trainer.
I would not be so pissed if we haven't had a car drive of around 6 h from Delamere to the Isle of Wight. It was exhausting and even more exhausting that I was unloading all the things alone. Ella who travelled with me was gone. She wanted to bring the stallion and some stuff into his temporary bay at the stables and then coming back to help me. Well, she never returned.
Grumpy, I grabbed the last heavy feed sack from the car and pulled it into the grey light of the day. There was a sun here and there but also big clouds. I looked around at all the horse stuff and sighted. Well, better get to start now before it starts raining. I just lifted the saddle and some smaller feeding stuff and went inside.
I was surprised of the stables. There was no piece of dirt anywhere. The stables where we were accommodated were made of dark and elegant wood. Simple but very classy. We were early today so this part of the stables were nearly empty. Just a few riders and horses were here unpacking things.
I faltered under the weight as I got near to bay number 6. I placed my load down and lifted my head. I saw Callejon and Ella. She was sitting in a hay bale her face in pure concentration. Her sight was on the stallion, who calmly stood behind his stable guard, watching the other horses with curiosity in his brown eyes.
"Ehhh, Ella?" -"Yes…” she replied preoccupied in thought. "What are you doing?"- "I am listening." I blinked doubtfully. „To whom?" -"Him." She pointed at the stallion. "And why?" I answered a bit angry. She could definitely have helped me! "I am trying to find out what he is thinking." I looked at her and then at Callejon.
I was surprised that she was so calm. Normally Ella was definitely not the calmest competitor. She always was nervous and searched for methods to calm her down. Breathing. Yoga. Yes she tried it all. But that was a bit ridiculous.
"Maybe just eating and how to get to the next fresh pile of hay?" I answered sarcastically and grumpy. Ella seemed to be a bit sulky of my comment. I lifted my hands in defence. „Alright, alright, Sorry... Is everything fine with you?"- Yeah, I am. I was just..." She looked at her hands. "I am always nervous and scared of the pressure. Have you seen the stables? Not even a spark of dirt, wet straw or horse droppings. I just did not felt well and then I looked at him. And he was so calm and that I just brought him here and watched him. And now I am a bit confident." She smiled and looked up from her handy straight to my face.
I was a little impressed because as I saw that it was the first time since we started our journey that she was relaxed. I smiled. "So you feel alright?" my anger was gone within seconds. "Yes, I think so." She beamed at me and jumped of the hay bale. "Let’s get the things out of the car. I think he is hungry." We laughed and went back to get the rest of all things. The Yeatman Classic Cup went well for both of them. Ella was calm and Callejon gave his best and both of them made a good team.