Week 26 - Italian Pony Championships

This really was a horsey week for me and the girls. And a really exciting one too! On wednesday early in the morning we started our four-days adventure in Cervia on the Adriatic coast, where four of the pony girls, including Sofia, partecipated in the National Pony show jumping Championships. On Monday they had their last little training, on Tuesday they prepared the ponies and on Wednesday we drove to Cervia. I went there with Carlotta and Sofia, while Daniele had to stay in Rome to finish his school exams. They went well and on the 29th he could start his summer holiday.
Every morning we got up early to go to the competitions and in the afternoon we went to Mirabilandia (a big amusement park) where the girls and also, or maybe most of all, their riding instructor had a really good time. These days out with the ponies and the girls were a really good experience. Sofia did really well with the pony, Giorgia, but unfortunately she forgot to ride through the finish line on the first day and got disqualified. Her riding instructor was really glad with her riding anyway and also with the pony. The fences were high and the courses difficult and I think most of the ponies and the pony riders had much more experience in this kind of competitions, while it was the first time for both Sofia and Giorgia.
I like the determination of both Sofia and Giorgia that this photo expresses.