Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

When Allison Mann, Principal at EST Leeds, first asked me if I'd like to show a donkey at the Great Yorkshire Show to represent EST, I said I'd be happy to take Jack, a cheeky little brown donkey who I was responsible for training and looking after. It was a month away and nothing to worry about yet!

Jack is our youngest donkey at the centre and I had been very busy breaking him into harness this summer - so busy in fact it didn't seem two minutes until it was only a few weeks before the big show! I thought we had better start practicing! Jack is a pretty little donkey and a real show off, but usually only when he wants to be. I know Jack is partial to a Polo mint and thought that the rattle of the paper and the promise of a mint or two should be enough to get his ears pricked and him looking his very best! My only problem was going to be that after eating the mints, Jack likes to stick his tongue out and I didn’t want him doing that at the judge on the day!

The next two weeks running up to show was a very busy time trying to get everything in place. Jack and I managed to scrape together a few practice sessions, but I was still a little worried about how he would behave on the day as this was going to be his first show.

It was a 5.00 am start, the morning of the show. I felt more sleepy than nervous as I'd been on the late shift the day before collecting donkey and staff that had attended the show that day. Over and over again I checked I had everything I needed! It had been a long time since I'd done any showing in-hand and these days I prefer to enter the ridden classes when showing my own horse.

I dropped the staff and donkeys that were on the stand for the day at the show just after 7.30 am before returning to the centre for Jack. Then it hit me - what had I forgotten and needed for the show? Graham had quite a surprise when I ran back into the centre and told him I needed him to go to the shop and get me some baby oil!

It was 10.30 am and we made our way back to the show with my groom for the day, one of our volunteers, Maria!

The donkey classes (class 42) were due to start judging at 2.00 pm so we had a bit of time to relax. Jack settled into the pen on the stand with Eeyore and Leo and I started to get my things ready. It was a good job I checked the schedule as I had been unsure if I was in the second classes and not the first. The entries seemed a little low with only 7 entered in my class. I was glad we were supporting the show and taking part as the number of people exhibiting donkeys has dropped and it was a great shame to lose the driving classes last year and it would be a greater loss to put an end to the showing classes due to poor entries. At the stand the donkeys were pulling in quite a large crowd and a lot of people promised to come and watch Jack in the ring.

It was nearly time! Both Jack and I were dressed and looking our best! We were both feeling laid back and relaxed. I could see our support team starting to gather around the ring, EST staff and volunteers and some of my family. It was great to have so much support! My hat I was borrowing from a friend arrived seconds before we were due to show!. Then we were all set.

We walked around the ring and Jack looked so smart, I felt so proud or my little boy. He behaved so well and when it came to our turn to trot he strided out like a star. That was the part I'd been dreading as Jack often likes to set off cantering when he should be trotting but he was 'foot perfect' on the day! Even when the judge asked to see his teeth he grinned willingly and politely allowed him to pick up his foot!

We were pulled in 3rd which I was very pleased with! However, when I realized that it was the great British champion donkey stallion and the GB miniature champion donkey that had beaten us and we came out with 'Best Gelding' I was thrilled!

We trotted our lap of honour. Jack had done so well and didn't stick his tongue out at anyone until we were safely out of the ring!

We returned to the stand to change but no time to celebrate yet. I had to get Jack back to the centre before heading straight back to the show for the third and final time to collect the staff, Eeyore and Leo. We all collapsed back at the centre a little after 8.00 pm. It had been along day for everyone but I think well worth it.

I'd like to say a big thank you to all that supported Jack and I ... we had a great day.