“THERE are lots of people like me,” says Amanda Owen, star of the documentary TV series Our Yorkshire Farm, which draws in millions of viewers each week. “I love hacking out, riding in a pair of wellies, just enjoying it. I’ve ridden a bit of side-saddle, but it’s never been my goal to do travers and renvers. I like something I can get on and go – I’m not going to spend time schooling it.”
She may be talking about her approach to riding but there are, of course, very few people like the Yorkshire Shepherdess, as Amanda is nicknamed. For those who don’t watch Our Yorkshire Farm, Amanda is the matriarch of Ravenseat Farm, wife to Clive, mother of nine, a shepherdess with 1,000 sheep to tend, 40 beef shorthorns, six dogs (sheepdogs and pet terriers) and four horses in various shapes and sizes.
The Owen brood live the sort of life many wish children could still live today. In the middle of nowhere deep in the Yorkshire Dales, “screentime” isn’t a thing, smiling children willingly carry out their set chores and – most appealing of all – their scruffy pony hangs out in the living room by the open fire.
Amanda is refreshingly down-to-earth. On TV we see blissful views of babbling brooks, wild moors and children gambolling about with the lambs in the cowslips and harebells. But when we speak on the phone on an autumn Monday morning, Amanda is just drawing breath after packing the children off to school. The previous day, she’d been driving sheep across Southwark Bridge in London, a ritual celebrating our historic dependence on animals. Today it’s back to the daily grind.
Denne historien er fra November 04, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra November 04, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
