Loraine Homer’s showing blog: getting the balance right

We have had a break in Cornwall, where both Alice and Harry completed their level three sailing and Harry mastered waterskiing. It’s very important they have a bit of all-round life, as much as we love the shows.

Harry went to our local Warwickshire hunt show where, with his grandfather [David Tatlow] in charge, he was placed in 3 jumping classes.

He also picked up the cup for the best hunting pony on his beloved dun Connemara Toby. It’s a beautiful old silver trophy that I won back in 1980 on a pony called Born Free.

Reading the names engraved on it, past winners include Simon Sherwood, who partnered the great Desert Orchid, and King George VI Chase winner Sam Waley-Cohen. Big footsteps to follow in, but I’m certain Harry will race-ride one day.

I was interested to see how the new move of horses from the East of England Show to the Festival of Hunting at the same showground would work out. It was an encouraging start, but I would like to see more unison between the horse show and the hound show — many people at one show didn’t know the other one was going on!

Alice and I made the trip to Stithians for a lovely sunny day. She made a few errors riding the beautiful Chinook Excel, but these, I’m pleased to say, were eradicated the following day at Mid Herts Country Show, where they stood top of a strong open 138cm show pony class.

My father always told me you don’t learn anything if it always goes right. The combination look ready now to take on the world.

I gave a talk to the BSPS Area 6 young judges team, whom I’ve been helping. You never really know how things will go until you stand up and start talking. I was extremely pleased with the night and the participation from the girls and their mums, too.

We have another session coming and I have a few plans to put them through their paces. I wish we could implement some of them on the present panel judges — after all, any show is only as good as your judge…

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