Rhosymeirch Surprise HOYS QUALIFIER!!!!
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August 2003 brought great joy when Rhosymeirch Surprise qualified at Hickstead for the Horse of the Year Show. Nicki had worked so very hard to get him to this standard and was justly rewarded. Surprise pulled out all the stops and gave a superb show. The judge adored him and even appreciated his slightly cheeky attitude to life! The final at the NEC Birmingham was an experience not to be missed. We knew we were the underdogs and were not expecting to be in the top line up but just to BE THERE was a huge achievement in itself. I'm not ashamed to admit I wept when I saw the old boy. He lives with Nicki in Essex at the moment and we don't see him as often as we would like to because of the distance. I just wanted to hug him but as he always misbehaves if he knows I'm around I had to keep my distance and admire from afar until after he had performed. The atmosphere in that arena with the lights and tension was mindblowing. Surprise's fan club came too and he had lots of supporters around the ring. Friends who had qualified ponies too were just like us - numb with nerves!! We were like a load of zombies. The only one having fun was Surprise who I am sure was laughing his long white socks off at us. 'Cowface' was a star and we were just bursting with pride as we set off home down the motorway with our qualifiers rosette and HOYS plaque (sad but necessary!) Sorry off now to mop up another tear.