USUALLY a week of hard frost instigates rogue behaviour from hunting fanatics – a quick dash to the Alps or a day’s visiting in a “softer”, less windswept country ensues. The Covid pandemic stopped all hunting activities last season and left two young huntsmen frustrated and bored.
However, a call for help came from 51 Degrees, a training delivery outfit for wildlife rangers specifically focused on antipoaching of ivory and rhino horn in Kenya. It was running a basic training and patrol medics course and needed some external consultancy support.
Well, Batten and Bailey provided the perfect duo, Nicko with his previous military experience (Major in the Royal Marines) and Henry with his in-depth background in mammal management (foxhounds, the handling and breeding of, and an incipient career as an amateur jockey). So with the shoes whipped off the horses for the season, we got out of the UK.
Fortune struck twice; on arrival in Nairobi we were able to witness the first-ever East African all-female polo tournament. If you think it takes courage to jump the upturned dandy brushes of the Shires, you haven’t seen ferocious horsemanship like these tough females. They are not to be trifled with: hard-riding at blistering pace and with precision skill.
With no planning, we launched from HQ, which was actually Jessie and Jamie Excell’s house in Karen. Our mounts for this trip were two 250cc Dutch-designed, Kenyan-made Kibos. These we rented from a company called I-Ride Nairobi which appeared to be based in the middle of an outdoor cocktail bar. If only they knew how we intended to ride them, the service might not have been so good.
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.
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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
