BHS West Midlands, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire

Beverly Hudson - Committee Chairman Worcestershire
Equestrian I will celebrate my 40th birthday this year (2006) and have been lucky enough to have been involved with horses since the age of nine. I was the plump kid with no balance, but how I looked forward to my Sunday morning lessons! My keenness led me to become one of the stable helpers at Hartlebury Riding Stables. I am not sure that this improved my riding but it certainly did improve my social skills (stable lads). My parents thought that jodhpurs were only for professionals and I spent the first few years of my equestrian exploits sporting a pair of green tracksuit bottoms and a bright orange cagoule .Those of my friends who really loved me called me “frog legs”. At the age of 14 I was lucky enough to receive a pair of beige jodhpurs and I finally felt that I had made it!

	During my teens I was asked if I would like to look after a pony while her owner was pregnant. Three children later I was still the carer of a very misunderstood 14.1 hh black mare called Minty. She was amazing and taught me the art of basic survival whilst mounted. Minty stayed with me for the rest of her life until she died at the grand old age of 37. When she was 24 I bought a six month old Welsh section D to bring on as I thought my mare would obviously be retiring. She had different ideas. My cob is now 16 and has taught me as much as my first pony did and I have the scars to prove it! My horses provide my escape route. I compete locally for enjoyment, family and work commitments permitting.
Work I qualified as a Diagnostic Radiographer in 1987. My day job consists of managing the MRI/Neuroradiology Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Life at work is very busy and new advances in equipment and treatment techniques mean that patient care is constantly moving forward and poses more challenges for all involved in health care delivery. As a result of my work I am a staunch advocate of the importance of wearing a suitable riding hat and adequate body protection as I am unfortunate to encounter the not so lucky individuals on a day to day basis. My work colleagues think I need my head looking at because of the time, money and dedication I devote to all things horsy.
	Home I am extremely lucky to have always had a very supportive family who back me in everything I choose to do. My two lads have grown out of ponies and have progressed onto the rugby field instead. All is not lost though as my partner, who also has two children, has a daughter who has been bitten by the horse bug. She is my constant companion on those short bleak winter days and long lazy days of summer when equines always come first. Life is too short to spend it cooking and cleaning .I like to think that my fridge magnets sum up where my priorities lie “Dull people have immaculate houses” and “You can touch the dust but please don’t write in it.

Tea at The Palace
On 17 July 2007on behalf of The British Horse Society I attended the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace accompanied by my partner Jon. We took afternoon tea in the gardens, rubbed shoulders with Royalty and strolled around the lake, before spending a relaxing hour sitting, listening to the military band and eating a Royal tub of ice cream. It was quite an experience, never to be forgotten! Bev

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Beverly Hudson - Committee Chairman Worcestershire