['I learned a new trick to putting up a ladder that I wanted to try out at our countywide training the other day.', 'How did it go?', 'Not too well.  I ended up dropping it which was really loud.  I could feel all the eyes on me.']
Oh no! I hope you didn't feel too humiliated.
I was training with my crew in front of a lot of people.  I thought I would try a new trick to throw a ladder.  I ended up dropping it and made a loud noise that every one looked at.