ROYAL WINDSOR  HORSE  SHOW  -  MAY 14^th and 15^th 2009

         At 6.00 am on Thursday 14^th may, a very excited Frances, Katie, Bob, Claire, Jerry and I set off on our great adventure to the Royal Windsor Horse Show. After a trouble free journey in Katie’s box expertly driven by France’s dad Jerry, we were directed to our parking spot with a lovely view of Windsor Castle, which was to be our home for the next two days.

              We walked through a very impressive collection of large shiny horse boxes and carriage trailers belonging to other competitors and saw some fabulous horses on our way to find the stables for Carys Mai and Archie, which were just 4 boxes away from Robert Smith’s horses. We had a short time to take in some of the sights and sounds of this top class event which included showing classes, horse drawn carriages, RDA fancy dress and show jumpers, who were clearing fences I would have preferred to walk underneath!

              It was soon time for Frances to walk and plan a course for her Novice Top Score show jumping round in which more difficult fences score more points. The highest scoring fence was an upright of planks worth 200 points or minus 200 if knocked down. Frances nervously warmed up along with 23 other riders. She rode a brilliant round and finished 5^th which meant she was through to the championship round with 5 other riders in the main Castle Arena.

             With commentary by the famous Mike Tucker she held the winning time in the jump off right until the 6^th rider went in and knocked 3 seconds off her time. She was proud to have gained 2^nd place to loud cheers from her thrilled supporters.

              Later that evening we lucky enough to see some of the immaculate military riders at close quarters as they entered the main arena for the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo and watch them perfecting their routines for their performances inside. Cass and Archie soon got used to carriages, bagpipes and cannons being fired! Definitely

‘bomb- proof!’

              After a night of champagne celebrations and silliness, Friday dawned and it was Katie’s day to jump in the Intermediate class. Her class did not start until 4.40 pm so we just had to go shopping to settle her nerves. Events on this day included more show jumping, four in hand carriages, ridden and in hand showing and the Shetland Pony Grand National. We also happened to see Prince Philip strolling around!

              Katie and Archie looked immaculately turned out as they entered the ring, Katie having planned a clever course to include all the high scoring fences. She rode in her usual impressive, rhythmic style but luck was against her on this occasion and the top plank of the Joker fence fell! This meant minus 200 points with little chance of gaining back the loss. She accumulated a good score in a competition where some riders were even unlucky enough to fall off.

             “Thank you,” Katie and Frances for qualifying so that we could all go to the fabulous RWHS and for competing there in such superb style. I was a very proud chairman. Thanks also to Claire for being a top class groom to them both, to Bob for his support and ‘domestic’ skills and to Jerry for his safe driving. This was definitely an experience to remember.

Bev Higgs.