Time was ticking, and as the hours grew closer, I was getting more and more nervous. As Master drove behind Mistress Jessica, in to the woods, I was asking if now was too late to turn around and bolt for the motorway back to His home.

It clearly was, as He continued to follow the trail of the car in front, in to the secluded woodland, and parked up with that determined kind of parking that says, "We're not going anywhere now kiddo, you've had it!" I unpacked the boot, as we were a good two or three minute walk away from the stable area, and nearly had a hernia from the amount of equipment I’d brought. Not only the usual pony stuff, bridle, boots, etc. but also energy drinks, and a tuna and pasta salad that I'd been nibbling at to get some energy stored. There was no doubt that my body was quite bouncy, if not from the energy, then definitely from the amount of Lucozade floating around my system, wanting out. W/we started with listening to the specified warnings, and various advice on what to do, and not do, and what to watch out for. After this, and another few minutes general chit chat and looking at what Silver Sparks had done for himself (cleaver pony!) I changed in to my tack, and was issued with a waist harness, to which I was strapped in. Having a couple of plastic bags was handy, as footwear does get quite messy in the woods, and they needed to be separated from the rest of the clothing in my bags.

Once I was ready, and covered with a blanket (it was quite cold) Master was sorting out the sulky W/we were going to use, and tried to call me over by name :-) Of course, I didn't respond, and He had to come over and lead me to the cart. That marked the start of His learning curve!

Now this was the oddest feeling of all. The carts are well designed, and the straps that attached the cart to my waist, felt like springs as the cart sort of bounced around me. It was definitely an odd sensation, but I didn't have too long to get used to it, as Master was handed a whip, sat in the cart and I got a deft crack across the arse and was told to "walk on!"

I had read quite a bit of what people had to say on the subject of pulling away, and gritted my teeth in readiness for the hefty pull - which didn't quite happen. I was able to get the cart going without too much difficulty. Not only that, but I found that I had enough energy to pull Master around most of the courses which had been lain out, as Master made it His business to explore every nook and cranny that had been cleared, even making me burst in to a canter now and then. (and that DID wear me down)

Pulling a cart of this type, and listening to reins, is definitely an odd experience. my arms were strapped around my back, so the only limbs that were free, were my legs and head. my head was securely strapped to the harness, and under control of the reins, and my legs ... well, they were sort of in a world of their own as they fought to keep purchase on the ground and keep propelling U/us forward.

It wasn't long before I realised that because of the angle of Master to me, that the reins were cutting in to my shoulders quite badly. There was nothing I could do about it, however, as I wasn't prepared for that, so I just had to bear the pain from the rubbing - well, it wasn't as if I didn't have other things to worry about, like simply trying to keep going. The reins did wear quite a grove in my shoulders by the end of the day, so that was a lesson learned the hard way.

With the balance and weight of the cart, pulling Master on a level surface wasn't difficult at all, but the moment there was even a slight incline, or a slight decline, things got much tougher as the cart got harder to pull, or harder to stop it from pushing me. Eventually, my strength gave out and I "refused" by falling on to my knees - i'd given Him all that I had, so after covering what must have been every path that had been lain out, W/we returned to the "paddock" and I drank from a trough. my head harness was still on, the bit was still in my mouth and I was still attached to the cart, so I found that the best way to get down was to get my legs apart as much as possible. I could then bend from the hips to get my face in to the water. I was definitely sweating, though. No doubt about that. I knew, when I stopped, that I shouldn't take on too much water, only a couple of sips at most. So as I stood there, recovering, a blindfold was put around my head and it was off out to the woods once more.

As well as having a drink, Master was given two brushes, one hard and the other soft, to rub me down with. What can I say ... it was pure bliss. After sweating so much, being rubbed down properly is just so invigorating for the skin and ... oh ... just a litt... oh, yeh ... mmmm ... left a bit ... uuhhhhh, that's hit the spot.

Trotting around the forest blindfolded was somewhat easier than being able to see where I was going. I had to put complete trust in Master, however, and that wasn't too difficult. Progress was considerably slower, but it made some definite changes. As I couldn't see where W/we were going, I couldn't use my own mind to make adjustments for corners, potholes, etc. This put the emphasis firmly on Master's ability to drive me. And drive me He did, only once brushing up against some brambles. W/we didn't venture far, however, as I heard the rumblings of a generator as it changed it's location around my head, so at least I could judge how far W/we were away from the paddock.

After covering what seemed like at least half of the course like this, Master took me back to the paddock, and I drank a little more from the trough, giving everyone another nice view of my backside as I spread my legs again. I was then brought out of role, and joined everyone at the table for a nice, hot meal of spaghetti bolognaise, with melon and red fruits for desert. A quick look at my boots told me that the speed lacing was starting to give way at the top, so although it would hold for the rest of the day, it certainly wouldn't last again, i'd need to do something about it - mental note to self, don't use speed lace for this kind of event - or if I do, at least have eyelets at the top of the boot. I also had three nasty blisters on my heels, and they were starting to hurt badly - another mental note to self, make sure I wear boots in properly before this kind of event - I didn't have any trainers so I couldn't follow Sparky's advice and bring some. For the moment, I donned another pair of socks and put the boots back on again.

With lunch settled, it was back out to the course. This time, however, I was hitched to a competition cart, and this was decidedly heavier to pull. Master took me out in to the woods and took a couple of pictures. He drove me round for a little more, with me tiring all the time, and then it was back to the paddock, where I was unhitched and led to the dressage ring, where Lady Sharlotte taught Master the art of dressage by putting Sparky through his paces. After this, it was my turn, and Master's whip wasn't long enough for me to feel His instructions, so He brought me closer to Him, which lessened the circle and made the whole exercise very difficult for U/us both. Master will be getting His own whip for next time.

After this came a skill slalom competition, for which I was harnessed back up to the heavy competition cart as it's shorter than the sulkies. The other ponies did it first, and then W/we followed. Master had to back me up a couple of times before W/we navigated the whole course, but W/we eventually finished it. To make it farer, the second time it was done while I was blindfolded, and Master drove me down and up the course without a single fault! It wasn't against the clock, but for a first time it was a bit of a stunning performance - I secretly think that Sparky's worried about the competition when I get fitter.

With the course finished, W/we all returned to the paddock and changed to go home again. I enjoyed it, but was totally exhausted. As for Master ... well, as I watched His face in the car, His grin stretched from one ear to the other, and His eyes were 120w Halogen lamps - so I think it's safe to say that W/we're returning to play another day!

When W/we pulled up in a service station to use the toilets, I was reminded that the woods are a very natural place to be, as I h
ad a tick in my leg. Fortunately, I was able to get it out without much fuss, but i'll definitely be making sure I carry a cigarette lighter next time.