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‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the yard
Not a creature was stirring; the ground froze too hard
The stockings were hung by the stables with care,
In hopes that the yard owner soon would be there
The horses were nestled all snug in their straw,
Except for the Shetland, who’d forced open his door
And husband in his boxers, and I with my booze
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Had just settled our brains for a long winter snooze
When out on the drive there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the Shetland showed just what he’d done
Gone round all the doors, wide open, every one
Then what to my wondering eyes did I see
But a miniature pony, and eight loose liveries
With that little old gelding, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles, to the garden they came
And I whistled and called all the horses by name
But not a blind bit of notice they took, not a pardon
Through the vegetable patch and on to the garden
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
In the yard Super Groom arrived with a bound.
She was dressed in LeMieux, from her head to her toe,
And her clothes were all tarnished with mud splats and snow;
A bundle of baler twine flung on her back,
And she looked like a peddler just opening her pack.
She spoke not a word, but went straight to her work,
And caught all the horses; then turned with a jerk,
She sprang to the Shetland and tied his door fast,
And away she drove, all drama had passed.
But I heard her exclaim, ere she drove out of sight –
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.