I have no regrets that I stuck to my guns and didn’t steward at the big agricultural show today. OK, so I had to pay the entrance fee and buy my own lunch, but it was worth it. I didn’t have to climb out of bed at the crack of dawn, and for once, I was able to watch the action in the main ring. A group of horsy ladies of a certain age arrived as I sat watching a hunter class. “The chairs have been commandeered,” said one. “They’ve been commandeered. Comm-an-deered!” Their chat centred on the eventing world. They’d been to Blair last week, and didn’t like the way the British young riders all rode the water jump the same way. “They bounced in. They bounced. Think what that will do to their horses’ legs. The French didn’t ride it that way,” said another. Next weekend, they were off to Burghley. Today, they sat in the sun and tried to pick a winner from the small hunters.
We saw pony show jumping, stunt horses and riders and the hunt. After the hounds had galloped around the ring a few times, the commentator invited the watching children in to meet them. There is something very endearing about foxhounds; they are always waving their sterns and they always seem to have a delighted grin on their faces. So did most of the children, until they reluctantly had to leave their new friends and return to their parents.
The show was, as always, a wonderful cross-section of humanity. Joules Girls in pearl earrings, farmers, hunting types, pensioners, families out for a day with the kids. And of course, there were more of those dreaded bargains to be had; and had they were. I really am suffering from a guilt trip now. Thankfully, the Joules stall wasn’t as tempting as the one at Thirlestane, but there were plenty more temptations to separate a gal and her money.
Unfortunately, the cattle, sheep and goats were missing this year but there was still something for just about everyone: local food, clothing, jewellery, paintings, crafts, fairground rides, tractors, trailers, cars and motorbikes, and of course, horses, horses, horses …
10 comments:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymru/canolbarth/safle/llambed/pages/sioe_llambed07.shtml?1
Not quite on the same scale, but I was back in the land of my fathers last week or so, and visited Lampeter Show [Sioe Llambed]. Like 'Glendale' many of the other animals were missing but compensated for by seeing the horses, from little Shetlands to the shire horses.
I am not a horsey person really, but it was a jolly day out, and although there weren't pearls to be seen, there were a few fine fillies in Joules tops in evidence.
What the 100 or so students from Rome, over to learn English at the University of Wales in Lampeter over the summer holidays one can only guess... Happy days..
Managed to miss it this year, but the baggy bottomed second son was/is there - I doubt he got much further than the beer tent!
The daughter got second place with her hound at puppy judging this year - she was thrilled. They all look the same to me. Sigh
I shall be back soon m&m. Just catching up!
Lizzie x
Yup, love lollopy hounds....missed them today (and the horsey ladies) at the Hawkridge Revel...ended up pulling up carpet instead (aren't I a girl who knows how to have fun!!)....
Sounds like a good day out M&M, and the weather was kind yesterday too!
I had a grand day out on Saturday looking round the fab international market that was on in Carlisle. Lots of fab food, local produce, wonderful scarves, ethnic dress/jewellry/stuff etc.
Didn't buy much off the market but bought a fabulous jacket in Principles sale for £13 and some jeans in New Look for £10 so not feeling too guilty about that - all pretty bargainous. I am however hankering after a Principles dress for £45... and still want the only-one-in-the-world-dress for £85.
Yes, I'm with you. I'd never steward either.
our local is Driffield Ag show, town and country mix, tractors & 4wd mix with rabbits, WI & flower pots. Nothing like it!
The horsey women sound fab, I would have been a bit more scathing writing about them!
I am getting rather impatient M&M, I am waiting for the pic of you in your JOules top, wearing only your pants, like the ones you linked too!
Pigx
It was a grand day out, as wallace & Gromit wouldhave it.
Pig, that ain't never gonna happen...
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