Chris Maude, 48, on bellyaching laughs and providing an ear for jockeys when the chips are down
![The Master Valet](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5174/259968/5a53efbbe30ad/The-Master-Valet.jpg)
We carry all the jockeys’ kit to the various race meetings every day, so that when they arrive, their breeches, boots, saddle and silks are all in the right place. People are often surprised to hear that most jockeys wear tights under their breeches! At the end of the day, when it’s all covered in mud, we make sure we get it to the correct race meeting the next day. We get to the racecourse around four hours before the first race, and a typical day can be 12 to 14 hours long. But I’m used to it — it’s a way of life.
I was a pretty average jump jockey and had no idea what I wanted to do next
I just knew I didn’t want to be a trainer because I’d seen other jockeys go into training and lose all the money that they’d won racing. John Buckingham — who was famous for winning the 1967 Grand National on the 100/1 Foinavon — used to valet for me, and the opportunity came up for me to buy his business in 2001, so I took it.
Esta historia es de la edición January 04, 2018 de Horse & Hound.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 04, 2018 de Horse & Hound.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![Waterproofs, wellies and windscreen wipers](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5174/1814848/sm6soX_cq1725011193388/WATERPROOFS-WELLIES-AND-WINDSCREEN-WIPERS.jpg)
Waterproofs, wellies and windscreen wipers
Tessa Waugh braves a downpour for a trip to the Rydal hound show and is rewarded with a party atmosphere, the joy of rural traditions and even - eventually - a spot of sunshine
![It's nearly time...](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5174/1814848/WlZfGxqsY1725011113909/ITS-NEARLY-TIME.jpg)
It's nearly time...
H&H's hunting editor Catherine Austen - and her horse are keen for the new trail-hunting season to start
![Satin slips into top spot again](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5174/1814848/6ZZtUhxAE1725010737162/SATIN-SLIPS-INTO-TOP-SPOT-AGAIN.jpg)
Satin slips into top spot again
A Blencathra bitch takes the championship for the second successive year at this feast of fellhounds and Lakeland life
![New heights for Festive Fare](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5174/1814848/cO9ropSjd1725010397686/NEW-HEIGHTS-FOR-FESTIVE-FARE.jpg)
New heights for Festive Fare
Two former racehorses shine in their new guises, while home-producers reign in multiple sections
![Cornet returns to the top](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5174/1814848/zVSFwqbMl1725010171970/CORNET-RETURNS-TO-THE-TOP.jpg)
Cornet returns to the top
An exciting youngster steps up after a patch of four fault-itis and an \"amazing\" horse makes a remarkable recovery from multiple fractures
![Young talent comes Goode](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5174/1814848/J6apKpDR-1725009973836/YOUNG-TALENT-COMES-GOODE.jpg)
Young talent comes Goode
Tom Goode snatches grand prix victory by a whisker, while a mare who's had six months out of competition makes a winning comeback
![Quirky Concorde flies high](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5174/1814848/6JGtiauHv1725009634273/QUIRKY-CONCORDE-FLIES-HIGH.jpg)
Quirky Concorde flies high
A promising but tricky eight-yearold takes the top class, while there are also wins for a former carriagedriving horse and one who used to dump his rider
![Oakden Keeps It in Scotland](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5174/1814848/mH3WUl_nk1725008818563/OAKDEN-KEEPS-IT-IN-SCOTLAND.jpg)
Oakden Keeps It in Scotland
Blair signs off with a final farewell, at which Wills Oakden pilots Keep It Cooley to a third successive victory here
![Can Brits upset Dutch dominance again?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5174/1814848/nmt_vlleg1725008653213/CAN-BRITS-UPSET-DUTCH-DOMINANCE-AGAIN.jpg)
Can Brits upset Dutch dominance again?
The Brits will head to Paris as underdogs, but it will be an enticing battle at the top
![Safe, with spark, and something special](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5174/1814848/QRNjU2Z7u1725008383185/SAFE-WITH-SPARK-AND-SOMETHING-SPECIAL.jpg)
Safe, with spark, and something special
What do para dressage riders look for in their ideal equine partner? Victoria Malcolm consults coaches, riders and judges to find out how to source and train a Paralympic horse