It’s nearly December and we’re celebrating all things festive at H&H this week as we launch our first ever advent calendar cover (out today, 20 November). It’s a time for celebration, for family, for food and drink… and of course, for horses. How many of these strike a chord with you as we approach the Christmas period?
1. How many days in a row am I going to get to ride my horse with all those days off from work?
2. Yay! It’s nearly time for Olympia! How much Christmas shopping should I do there? Will the deals be better there or online?
3. Can I squeeze in a Christmas Day morning ride around manhandling the turkey in and out of the Aga/cooker?
4. How much tinsel is an acceptable amount to wear on said ride?
5. Is a new saddle something I can put on my Father Christmas list? Or is that just greedy?
6. Do I really have to go to boring Great Aunt Nora’s on Boxing Day? That seems like a waste of a day that could be spent out riding and/or hunting.
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7. Should I get Dobbin apples or carrots or mints for Christmas?
8. Will he get jealous if I leave a treat out for Father Christmas’ reindeer?
9. How many mulled wines are acceptable before toddling out to do late-night stables?
10. Does everyone send their horse a Christmas card or just me? What about hanging a stocking outside his stable?
11. What’s the weather forecast? I’ll be really naffed off if we get a big freeze or two weeks of rain just when I have time to enjoy my horse.
12. Can I get my mum/sister/friend a subscription to H&H as her gift so that I can read it?
Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s Christmas special, including our exclusive Thelwell advent calendar cover (issue dated 29 November).
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
