For some folk a bank holiday is a good excuse to catch up on some sleep, to see relatives, revive the forgotten lawn or for a small, dedicated few, spend two long days at whichever equine events take our fancy.
As with the May Day bank holiday, this one came with all the promises of sun but alas; nothing but grey cloud, mist and drizzle. Constantly I am told ‘None such hardy folk as the Cornish’ and therefore was not put off by the incoming weather and headed off with a friends horse for my 2017 showing debut.
The horse, Jenson is a 165cm bay 6YO gelding; bred, broken and produced by Gloria Vincent and her teenage son Matthew.
Matthew is currently sitting his GCSE exams and C+ PC test so has little time at the moment to focus on the steed. Before the exam timetable was published, Jenson was entered in a class at the prestigious Royal Cornwall Show so has ended up with no jockey, therefore I have been lucky enough to get the call up. Hence the bank holiday weather was braved in order to get Jenson to a busy show where he behaved impeccably, looked top class and won his hunter class so fingers crossed for Royal Cornwall.
The following day dawned with sunshine promised and another trip east on the A30 (I never go west on the A30; it only heads towards Lands End) to take my 4YO mare Ruby to her first hunter trial. The event was very well attended and meant I had little need to rush; lucky for me because I had gone on my own. Thankfully Ruby is a quiet sort and is happy to stand on our trailer munching on hay. She schooled well beforehand and was pleased to keep working and resting. To cut a story short she stormed around the 80cm course with all the courage and interest a 4yo should.
An outing this weekend is being planned and then onto The Royal Cornwall the following week…
Bed-Down Brand Ambassador Charlotte Clarke
