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Tuesday 7 February 2012
YOU don’t have to be a horse racing enthusiast to appreciate the brilliant start to the jumping season witnessed round National Hunt circuits over recent weeks.
IT’S the time of year when short days and poor weather necessitate more time spent indoors so I found myself thumbing through some old books that were due for return to their rightful owners, having spent more than ample time on my own book shelves.
“IT’S all over bar the shouting,” as they say and this seems to be the case following the Horse of the Year Show which signalled the end of the showing season for the vast majority of exhibitors.
JULY brought with it many unexpected pleasures during a month that seemed full to capacity, not least of which was a judging trip to ‘Royal’ St Boswells.
HAD ANYONE told me that one day I’d be sandwiched in the back of a Land Rover next to World Champion three day event rider, Lucinda Green, I’d have told them they were having a laugh.
THE DUST seems to have settled on the two equine welfare stories that hit the headlines last month – however, I suspect the unusually dry weather in southern England and the resultant lack of feed may well induce further misery to horses and ponies during the coming year.
I JUMPED at the chance recently to judge at the Scottish Schools Equestrian Extravaganza organised on the first Sunday of May by one of Glasgow’s most prestigious independent schools, Craigholme, in conjunction with Ingliston Country Club.
ENTERING THE 40th year of breeding ponies, it may come as a surprise to readers that I continue to enjoy the ‘buzz’ of this time of year when the anticipation of the new crop of foals becomes a reality and the complications of foaling and covering raise their heads yet again.
With the sun shining at last and four days of racing from Cheltenham, what better an expression of contentment could be found in March?
As I came across a small group of Highland ponies recently looking down towards Gleneagles at the head of Glen Devon, I had to wonder why DEFRA has recently put forward a proposal to introduce a single passport issuing organisation for all equines.
Have you noticed that the television adverts for cosmetics, deodorants and perfumes rapidly took a dive after Christmas only to be superceded by similar-looking glamorous and youthful gods and goddesses flaunting the joys of holidaying abroad?
I feel almost guilty submitting a photograph of a fat, healthy, happy pony playing in the snow when I know that there must be hundreds, if not thousands, of others in less than favourable conditions at present.
IT’S AMAZING how different societies and organisations spring into a different form of life as soon as the show season comes to an end.
Well it’s all over for another year and the question left ringing in my ears ask me: “What was that all about?” Of course I refer to The Horse of the Year Show, billed by the official programme as, ‘The World’s most famous horse show’.
AT A time when the economic climate continues to question the future of equestrian pursuits, it is encouraging to learn that the Scottish Horse Show celebrated its half century last month.
IT HAS to be a sign of the ageing process that, having been an active participant for more years now that I care to (or can) remember, I am finding it increasingly difficult to go along to a show as a spectator.
MEMORIES OF an excellent and rain-free Royal Highland Show linger on a month after the event as we reach the mid point of the summer’s showing calendar.
NATIONAL PONY Society (NPS) Scotland Committee member, Kirsty Miller, must have been well pleased with the display boards which she had assembled to celebrate 50 years of the NPS in Scotland.
AS A wind of change has whistled through Whitehall in recent days with the advent of the country’s new coalition government, the equestrian world can only but wonder what changes it will bring and how it will affect the industry.
Spring sunshine, the arrival of foals and Tony McCoy winning the Grand National – what more can a person ask?
I am glad to say that I’ve enjoyed a fair amount of favourable feedback about last month’s column when I made special mention of the rule books to which we all have to adhere.
At last there is a sense that the season is about to change as the snowdrops peep through the ground and the lengthening days compensate for the continuing low temperatures.
I am resisting the temptation to write about the cold weather – which is difficult since it has dominated our lives here in Scotland for almost a month now.
JUDGING TRIPS to Ireland have always proved to be entertaining as well as enjoyable so it came as little surprise to me that a recent judging sojourn to the Emerald Isle lived up to all expectations.
Although I am absolutely no fan of boxing, news of David Haye’s remarkable victory over the 7ft 2in Russian, Nikolai Valuev, for the WBA Heavyweight Championship of the World, has given me hope that ‘David and Goliath’ struggles do exists and winning against incalculable odds can be achieved.
After a couple of recent visits to Musselburgh racecourse, I am of the view that it is a worthy contender for a racecourse of the year award. MELANIE SCOTT
After a couple of recent visits to Musselburgh racecourse, I am of the view that it is a worthy contender for a racecourse of the year award.
