Equestrian
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At the end of November, a new ex racehorse came into my life. Woody is a four year old (technically still three) 15.2hh bay gelding, and he is lovely.
I haven't posted anything on here for a while- partly because I've been trying to pitch ideas to paid platforms, partly because time seems to become tighter with every passing week, but mostly because I haven't been hunting this season.
You can do anything aside that you can do astride, with the exception of jousting (or so I am told). For generations of women riding side saddle in the hunting field gave them their sole opportunity to be equal to men
Around three hundred years ago three stallions made their way from the sun- baked Middle East to the grey shores of Britain. Known by the names of their owners, they were the Darley Arabian, the Godolphin Arabian, and the Byerley Turk. Today every single thoroughbred alive can be traced in direct male descent to one of these stallions. You may be able to marry a place in Burke's Peerage, but the Weatherby's stud book is closed.
Tonight across the country hunting mothers will hold their children a little closer. In every pack someone will remember another rider lost to the chase. Those who are still hunting will take an extra swig of port before a big jump and reassure themselves today is not my day.
The animal rights movement needs to take a step back, look at the real issues facing livestock globally, and work with farmers to ensure that everyone benefits. And ultimately, they have got to stop spreading lies.
It has been almost four months since I received a phone call to stop my day-job farm visits, and the start of lockdown rules which initially stopped me from riding. When the BHS advised riders to avoid riding in order to reduce pressure (caused by accidents etc) on the NHS, I immediately stowed away my saddle and offered Woody some time off. I'm incredibly clumsy (I have a scar in my eyebrow from walking into a gate), and with Woody not even being four years old at the time, continuing to ride seemed very foolish.