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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 19 and has taught me as much as my first pony did and I have the scars to prove it! He is still actively competing against younger horses as well as Veteran Horse Society competitions in showing and dressage.
I must also mention my other two “boys” Buster and Dave who make the trio complete. They are both rising 9. Buster is my homebred section B grey gelding who just “popped out” when my children’s pony returned from being on loan to friends.
He is mainly shown in hand and is a pretty but unpredictable boy.
I have inherited Dave, a Dales cross Trotter, by default. He was bought for my partner’s daughter to learn to ride on and have fun . I am not sure whether she had fun, but he certainly did .She gave up riding on receiving her GCSE results and so I decided to “take him on”. Eighteen months on he has finally grown up and is about to embark on his second competition season. 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 not only because of the danger I encounter but also because of the time, money and dedication I devote to all things horsey.
Home
I am extremely lucky to have always had very supportive parents 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. My partner however has migrated from the rugby field and into unpaid groom role. He has had no choice but to be bitten by the horse bug. Prior to meeting me, he knew nothing about horses other than you can win or lose a lot of money betting on them. Now, in order to spend time with me, he is my trusty 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 |
