Saturday 7th October 2017
Leamington Spa (Chris) and the NEC (Jennie)
So now to my 'mission', and the reason I needed to be near the station - I was off to the NEC for the day. Our ten year old grandson, Noah, has been going to Riding for the Disabled for some years now and his (early) Christmas treat for this year was to visit the Horse of the Year Show. Rain was forecast, but I know from previous experience that the NEC is always warm inside and I did not want to have to carry a coat around all day, so the dilemma was - would I get to the train station in the dry? I did!
Our son, Mark, and Noah had caught the train from Derby and were just outside the barrier waiting for me when I arrived. The queues at the NEC were short and the security checks slick and thorough enough. 'DAY' in red was stamped on our hands, so we could go out and in again if required (bags and bodies were searched again each time you entered) and we were in to find stalls selling more 'stuff' for horses than one could ever dream was possible! You also need more money than I am every likely to own! From ties, belts, jackets, boots, bridles, saddles through to horse boxes - I am sure you could spend many fortunes kitting out yourself and your horse if you had the means to do so. Forget trailers that are towed behind Range Rovers - the horse boxes on show here were in a class of their own.
There were several similar to the one above - all selling for in excess of £200,000. One comes complete with stalls for up to 5 horses, a 'drop box' for the groom (not entirely certain what that is) and a full sized bath for the tired rider!! A different world and quite an eye opener. Viewing was by appointment only, so not for the likes of us I am afraid.
We had not come for the shopping, but to watch some show jumping. I am not naturally a 'horse' person - I like a fence between me and a horse, but I used to watch the show jumping on the television in the days when Harvey Smith, David Broome, Pat Smythe, Nick Skelton, Anne Moore, John and Michael Whitaker were just some of the names to conjour with. Would I recognise any of the names around today?
We found our seats and very good ones they were too - a good view and also comfortable, which is always a bonus.
The first competition we watched was a Grade C event (whatever that means) - we arrived about half way through the first round, followed by the jump off against the clock, the prize giving and finally the lap of honour. Whilst the course was dismantled and re-assembled for the main event of the afternoon, 'The Thistledown Stakes' we dashed off to find a bite to eat that we could take back to the arena. The instructions received before the show were that 'picnic hampers and glasses' were not allowed to be taken in, but looking around we were sure that a sandwich and drink in a plastic bottle would be okay.
We were back and safely seated just as Thistledown Stakes was about to start with 29 International riders representing 8 nations. We actually only saw 28 as the Egyptian was withdrawn. The standard was high, the horses magnificent with rippling muscles and very shiny coats groomed to perfection. Several had red ribbons in their tails. The names, for the most part, were unknown to me, but to my surprise both John (62) and Michael (57) Whitaker were taking part along with John's son, Robert. John and Robert both made it to the jump off. Robert ended the event 5th, John 7th and Michael, who had missed the jump off with just one time fault in the first round, was 8th. They are certainly a family who still dominate this sport.
This is a very expensive pastime and knowing what top tennis players and golfers earn in prize money, I had always assumed that show jumpers at the top of their game might be in the same league, but not a bit of it. The entire pot for the Thistledown Stakes was just £10,000, the winner ( Titouan Schumacher, France) getting £3300. We stayed for the start of the Pony Foxhunter Championships for youngsters aged 12 to 16. Despite their tender years, the ponies and jumps were large and the standard high. The winner's prize was £540 which makes (to me) the relatively meagre winnings of the International event all the more surprising.
Sponsorship is obviously the name of the game and the sponsors were there in force - at one end of the arena there were about four tiers of tables and chairs with table cloths and ribbons adorning the front. Behind the tables sat the 'great and the good', all dressed to the nines. No unseemly rush to queue for a sandwich and bottle of water for them - they had a silver service lunch with wine served as they watched the riding!
There was a small amount of dog activity - a 'sniffer' spaniel was spotted a couple of times, busy making the rounds ensuring we were all safe. His/her diligence and concentration on the task, despite people wandering around all over the place, was amazing. Guide Dogs for the Blind representatives were also there in force. We got chatting to a gentleman with a guide dog 'Natalie' who knows Tracey, Tim and Tracey's guide dog 'Oakley' from nb Sola Gratia.
Did we enjoy the day? Most decidedly yes. Noah announced it as 'one of his best days ever'. Mark and Noah had a good journey home and despite a 27 minute delay I too got back safely. As the train passed through Coventry it was pouring with rain. Wet and bedraggled folks joined the crowds on board - no chance of a seat for love, nor money. Would I get a soaking on my walk back to the boat? No! - luck was with me - it must have followed me south as it started within 5 minutes of my return.
So what did Chris do whilst I was away? Apart from the obvious Monty walks he was busy with his paint brush and black paint and our starboard side is now looking much better with the 'war wounds' touched up.
Next it was the turn of the cream paint and the tunnel band is also looking pristine
The 'solids' container from the composting loo was also emptied, cleaned and re-charged and then
finally, he turned his attentions to his culinary skills and made a cake and very good it is too.
So now to my 'mission', and the reason I needed to be near the station - I was off to the NEC for the day. Our ten year old grandson, Noah, has been going to Riding for the Disabled for some years now and his (early) Christmas treat for this year was to visit the Horse of the Year Show. Rain was forecast, but I know from previous experience that the NEC is always warm inside and I did not want to have to carry a coat around all day, so the dilemma was - would I get to the train station in the dry? I did!
Our son, Mark, and Noah had caught the train from Derby and were just outside the barrier waiting for me when I arrived. The queues at the NEC were short and the security checks slick and thorough enough. 'DAY' in red was stamped on our hands, so we could go out and in again if required (bags and bodies were searched again each time you entered) and we were in to find stalls selling more 'stuff' for horses than one could ever dream was possible! You also need more money than I am every likely to own! From ties, belts, jackets, boots, bridles, saddles through to horse boxes - I am sure you could spend many fortunes kitting out yourself and your horse if you had the means to do so. Forget trailers that are towed behind Range Rovers - the horse boxes on show here were in a class of their own.
We had not come for the shopping, but to watch some show jumping. I am not naturally a 'horse' person - I like a fence between me and a horse, but I used to watch the show jumping on the television in the days when Harvey Smith, David Broome, Pat Smythe, Nick Skelton, Anne Moore, John and Michael Whitaker were just some of the names to conjour with. Would I recognise any of the names around today?
We found our seats and very good ones they were too - a good view and also comfortable, which is always a bonus.
The first competition we watched was a Grade C event (whatever that means) - we arrived about half way through the first round, followed by the jump off against the clock, the prize giving and finally the lap of honour. Whilst the course was dismantled and re-assembled for the main event of the afternoon, 'The Thistledown Stakes' we dashed off to find a bite to eat that we could take back to the arena. The instructions received before the show were that 'picnic hampers and glasses' were not allowed to be taken in, but looking around we were sure that a sandwich and drink in a plastic bottle would be okay.
We were back and safely seated just as Thistledown Stakes was about to start with 29 International riders representing 8 nations. We actually only saw 28 as the Egyptian was withdrawn. The standard was high, the horses magnificent with rippling muscles and very shiny coats groomed to perfection. Several had red ribbons in their tails. The names, for the most part, were unknown to me, but to my surprise both John (62) and Michael (57) Whitaker were taking part along with John's son, Robert. John and Robert both made it to the jump off. Robert ended the event 5th, John 7th and Michael, who had missed the jump off with just one time fault in the first round, was 8th. They are certainly a family who still dominate this sport.
This is a very expensive pastime and knowing what top tennis players and golfers earn in prize money, I had always assumed that show jumpers at the top of their game might be in the same league, but not a bit of it. The entire pot for the Thistledown Stakes was just £10,000, the winner ( Titouan Schumacher, France) getting £3300. We stayed for the start of the Pony Foxhunter Championships for youngsters aged 12 to 16. Despite their tender years, the ponies and jumps were large and the standard high. The winner's prize was £540 which makes (to me) the relatively meagre winnings of the International event all the more surprising.
Sponsorship is obviously the name of the game and the sponsors were there in force - at one end of the arena there were about four tiers of tables and chairs with table cloths and ribbons adorning the front. Behind the tables sat the 'great and the good', all dressed to the nines. No unseemly rush to queue for a sandwich and bottle of water for them - they had a silver service lunch with wine served as they watched the riding!
There was a small amount of dog activity - a 'sniffer' spaniel was spotted a couple of times, busy making the rounds ensuring we were all safe. His/her diligence and concentration on the task, despite people wandering around all over the place, was amazing. Guide Dogs for the Blind representatives were also there in force. We got chatting to a gentleman with a guide dog 'Natalie' who knows Tracey, Tim and Tracey's guide dog 'Oakley' from nb Sola Gratia.
Did we enjoy the day? Most decidedly yes. Noah announced it as 'one of his best days ever'. Mark and Noah had a good journey home and despite a 27 minute delay I too got back safely. As the train passed through Coventry it was pouring with rain. Wet and bedraggled folks joined the crowds on board - no chance of a seat for love, nor money. Would I get a soaking on my walk back to the boat? No! - luck was with me - it must have followed me south as it started within 5 minutes of my return.
So what did Chris do whilst I was away? Apart from the obvious Monty walks he was busy with his paint brush and black paint and our starboard side is now looking much better with the 'war wounds' touched up.
Next it was the turn of the cream paint and the tunnel band is also looking pristine
The 'solids' container from the composting loo was also emptied, cleaned and re-charged and then
finally, he turned his attentions to his culinary skills and made a cake and very good it is too.
A successful day all round.
2 comments:
I'm so pleased that Noah had the best day ever at the show! It sounds wonderful and I'm also amazed that the prize money isn't very large.
Good to hear that Chris also had a productive day, the cake looks super and I bet it didn't last long.
Lynn x
I too am glad Noah enjoyed the day and yes the cake is very good, but it has not all gone yet! We have been good - there is still some left for our next set of visitors tomorrow. Jennie x
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