The Silent Journey Home
Hi,
Right.
Back in the stable now.
Finally.
And I’ve just finished explaining the day to Moonshine…
because honestly, I needed someone to hear it.
Leaving the Ring (Apparently My Fault)
It starts immediately.
We come out of the ring.
She storms off.
Tells everyone to leave her alone…
while still smiling and patting me like everything is fine.
I said to Moonshine — you know that look?
He knows the look.
It’s not fine.
I was just waiting for it.
And here it comes.
“That carry on was not acceptable.”
There it is.
“It costs so much to bring you here and you can’t behave for six minutes.”
Six minutes???
I explained to Moonshine — she couldn’t decide what she was doing.
One minute one leg.
Then the other.
Pulling. Stopping. Turning.
I didn’t know what direction we were going.
And now it’s my fault?
Also…
she forgot the show.
But yes.
Let’s focus on me.
Loading Up & Immediate Blame
We get loaded up.
Eventually.
And straight away:
“I’m not coming back here next year.”
Moonshine laughed at that.
We all know she will.
“This show is a disgrace. Nothing runs on time. No organisation.”
I pointed out to him…
this is the same person who left the house 45 minutes late.
He just nodded.
The Judge, The Bribe & “That One”
Then it shifts.
“Did you see that one over there… the one standing talking to the judge?”
I looked at Moonshine.
He already knew where this was going.
“She definitely bribed him.”
Right.
That’s why she won.
Not the performance.
Not the fact she looked like she knew what she was doing.
No.
Corruption.
“That’s why I didn’t come first.”
Of course.
Nothing to do with the wrong leg.
Or the buck.
Or the general confusion.
No.
It’s that one.
And the judge.
Moonshine said nothing.
He didn’t need to.
The Red Rosette Situation
I told him this as well.
She really likes those red things.
The rosettes.
They mean a lot.
I don’t understand it.
You can’t eat them.
So I don’t see the point.
He agreed with that.
The Qualifier Panic
Then panic.
“We’ve only two qualifiers left.”
I said to Moonshine — two sounds fine to me.
Could mean less of this.
But no.
That’s not how it works.
Bert, Diesel & My Future
Then Bert — her husband — starts.
Properly starts.
“We can’t keep running up and down these roads for that thing in the back if he’s not going to buck up his ideas.”
Moonshine actually looked at me at that point.
“That thing???”
Exactly.
I’m standing right there.
But to be fair…
she defends me.
And that’s why I like her.
“It was the white tape at the side of the ring.”
Ah yes.
The tape.
“It flickered just as the man in the bowler hat was looking.”
Very intimidating, to be fair.
“He just needs one more chance.”
Correct.
Finally.
Some sense.
Bert wasn’t having it.
“I’m not driving six hours to be treated like this.”
Fair.
“This is unfair working conditions.”
Also fair.
Moonshine said he could see both sides.
Mother (The Only Sensible One)
Her mother tried to calm things down.
Lovely woman.
Always kind to me.
I told Moonshine — she’s the only one making sense most of the time.
“Maybe just—”
“Stay out of it.”
Rude.
Very rude.
She gives treats.
She should be listened to.
The Silent Journey Home
Then it all goes quiet.
The bad kind of quiet.
Bert driving.
Her staring out the window.
Not speaking.
I said to Moonshine — you could feel it.
That tension.
He’s had that before.
He understood.
Arrival (Finally)
We get home.
And I’m thinking — great.
Stretch.
Roll.
Relax.
No.
Lorry stops abruptly.
Nearly lose my balance.
Doors fling open.
I’m manhandled down the ramp.
Still no talking.
Just… silence.
Strange atmosphere altogether.
Final Thoughts (As Told to Moonshine)
I finished telling him everything.
He just stood there.
Didn’t say much.
Didn’t need to.
Honestly…
it was a strange day.
Humans are a complicated and emotional mix.
Very hard to keep up with.
I think I’ll need a quiet week.
Maybe another chat with Moonshine later.
Just to fully process it.
See you at the yard,
Charlene
Founder – World Equestria
