We had ponies and rode around the family farm as kids. Heavies have always been an interest, so it didn’t take much to get us hooked. One day when I was about 12, we went to watch a heavy horse match, loved it and met up with a lady called Ann Williams, who told us we should have a go ourselves. She taught Dad and he got himself a pair of Shires, then I had a go.
Before long, my two younger brothers, Daniel and David, and I each had a pair and we all still plough. Now I have nine heavies and a little Welsh section A for the kids. We also do the heavy horse turnout classes throughout the summer, but the horses don’t mix jobs; I have separate heavies for ploughing.
We started from scratch. Ann didn’t have a lorry, so Dad would take her and her horses in his 7.5-tonne, then when he wanted to take his own pair as well, he had to get a bigger lorry. When we were all taking our pairs to competitions as a family, we’d take the 44-tonne artic, with three pairs of Shires.
Now I just have a 26-tonne and a trailer. Horses are my hobby; I run a timber haulage business with my own lorry, and these big trucks are easy enough to drive if you do it for a living.
Denne historien er fra October 12, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra October 12, 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
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions