On Friday 31st May, the yard was visited by the local Pony Club. I invited them following a discussion with The Boss and Mrs B over our customary tea and cake. My initial idea, in order to promote Cilmery Races (full post on this topic to follow) and showcase harness racing in general, was to invite the Irfon & Tywi Pony Club (which I myself was a member of some years ago) to the race meeting on Wednesday 19th June. Once there, I planned to demonstrate the harnessing up process, and then invite them to watch the racing and perhaps present one of the winners with the headcollars that we've bought. The Boss pointed out that we would probably be running around like headless chickens trying to get horses ready and onto the track, and would therefore not have time to give them a talk/demonstration on the day, and he suggested that we invite them to the yard instead at a convenient date prior to the meeting and then give out free tickets to those who attended. This suited the PC down to the ground, and it was arranged for them to come over to the yard at 5:30pm on the 31st May. On the evening we had eight PC members and five parents in attendance.
I began the talk by introducing myself, the central cog in the whole machine, then The Boss, the glory-hunter and showman, Mrs B, the unofficial boss and one who tries to keep us on the straight and narrow, and Julie, the second driver and challenger for The Boss' glory. We then moved out of the sun and into the shed to introduce our audience to the team. First up was Melinda, then Sammy, Jingo and Laddie (I had to explain that Laddie isn't a tiny racehorse but a yearling whose mother was trained and raced at the yard a few years back and now he lives with us), then came Big Mac, Maverick (on boxrest) and finally Bongo. We were frank with them, I must admit. The Boss touched on the pitfalls of the current handicap system and how it adversely affects Sammy as a G5 on a circuit with few G5 horses for him to race against, often with him off ten yards behind G4 horses. We had to explain the injury that has caused Maverick to be on boxrest, and our hopes that he would recover enough to race in the future, and The Boss even admitted how difficult it had been to break Bongo. We then answered a few questions, including questions about the optimum size for racehorses, the ages they can race at and the breed as a whole. I touched upon the world record for a mile and also the British record, as well as the action that the horses use (pacing not trotting). Everybody who attended had been harness racing before; most of them had stayed after the showing/gymkhana/jumping at the annual local show, where Wales & Border Counties race in the afternoon.
We then moved back outside and I talked them through a basic set of harness. I was helped by my able assistant Thomas, who held up each piece of harness in turn for me while I gave a brief overview of what the equipment was called and what its purpose is. We discussed additional pieces of tack, as well as different blinkers and overcheck bits on the three bridles we had laid out.
Jingo then made himself very popular by standing to have the harness put on in front of the group (one parent was overheard saying 'oh I could just take him home' - Austin if you're reading and you decide to sell, we'll track that person down!). The jog cart was hitched on and while I dashed to harness Sammy up in private, Julie and The Boss held Jingo steady in the cross ties whilst a number of the PC members had a sit in the cart. The Boss told me there was a queue and a few of them had a go, however they all said 'no' when he jokingly asked if they'd like to take Jingo up the track! Once Sammy was ready we sent The Boss and Julie up to the track and we followed behind on foot, taking in the view and discussing the purpose of the walker which can be seen on the walk up.
Once up on the track we stood in the middle and watched the two horses warming up quietly for a few laps. It was now that I explained the basic training regime for the horses, and how it varied depending on each horse's requirements. I further explained that nearly all tracks in the UK are left handed, however each horse is jogged over an equal distance in both directions in order to keep muscles balanced and equally developed. Both horses pulled in for me to put their overchecks up and then The Boss decided he would show off Sammy's speed by whizzing around the track. The group enjoyed the show, and I described the sorts of speeds these horses can get up to on the racetrack. After a couple of laps of blatant showing off, the horses warmed down and we followed them down to the crossties to watch them being washed. The group all agreed that the horses live quite a good life, as none of their own ponies get a hot shower after they've done any work, which is something our lot are treated to on a daily basis!
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| Colin & Dark Fox |
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| Julie & Woodstone Jingo |
Once the horses were back in their stables, we answered a few more questions and everyone had a cup of tea or a glass of squash and a biscuit. On a final tour of the stables I asked the members which horse they liked the best, and the results were mixed. Jingo was naturally the favourite on the evening, due to his impeccable behaviour with the children and his gorgeous face, Sammy and Laddie also had fans but most surprising of all was Big Mac, who acquired a new fan in his fan club! It may well be his first...
Mrs B handed out the complimentary tickets and drummed the race date into the group, and we hope to see as many of them there as possible on Wednesday 19th June. A good time was had by all I have since been assured by the PC organiser, and after they'd all left and the horses were fed I could finally relax!
Fingers crossed now that they make it on the evening, as I think they will be impressed by the spectacle, particularly with the promise of some top quality horses coming to the meeting.
Over and out for now,
Sarah (#1 Groom and Tour Guide)
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