I grew up with horses and both my parents rode. I was in the Grafton branch of the Pony Club, competed on teams and went to the Pony Club championships, and was master of the Stowe Beagles while at school. I did some novice eventing and a lot of hunting in my youth, as one could at that age without any other responsibilities in life.
My father and I tried to farm pigs for a few years. Then my parents converted the pig buildings into hunter livery stables, which was great fun.
I went to New Zealand on the Inter-Pacific Pony Club exchange, involving teams from the UK, Japan, Canada, Australia and Hong Kong. That was wonderful. When the month was up, I stayed for five more.
We lived in Warwickshire and my father and I would help Noel Palmer build the course at Wellesbourne Horse Trials. When Noel’s job with the British Horse Society changed, the organisers asked me to build. Noel gave my name to many others he’d worked for, so I went from zero to it being a full-time job.
I met designer Colonel Henry Nicoll, who was on the Burghley committee, when I was building the Pony Club championships course at Stoneleigh. Burghley was looking for someone to help Bill Thomson, so I came for a week in 1980, started building in 1981 and gradually took over.
Denne historien er fra August 31, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra August 31, 2023-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
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
