Archive for 27 May, 2007
I’m working on this theory…
I’ve been helping out as a Steward (judge’s assistant) at a regular local horse show this year and as a result I’m developing a kind of unofficial work-in-progress theory on Competitive Horsey Mums (CHMs).
CHMs are a very specific tribe, but are closely related to Competitive Ballet Mums and Competitive Football Dads. They can be identified by the bags under their eyes (up since 5am getting the pony ready), distinctive calls “heels down Victoria” and aggressive behaviour (towards both the judge and their own offspring) when their little darling only finishes second.
There was the CHM at one show who insisted that although her daughter had just been squashed by her pony slipping and falling sideways on top of her, she was to get back on because “we’re here for the points” (for the end of season trophies). Another CHM tried to tell the judge exactly which qualifying-for-a-bigger-and-better-show certificate she wanted.
Thank god my parents were never like that. But it makes for a very entertaining day watching CHMs in their natural habitat.
Picture taken from Clive Power’s flickr (not of my horse show in order to protect the innocent)- creative commons rules apply.
