Headcase Henry Does it again

Kelly has a knee Op tomorrow, but she desperately wants a morning out in The Country before she is out of the saddle for months. Brian is coaching (Jockey's at a race meeting).

Lucky me! I get Henry for the morning. I didn't ever expect to be dressing up like this again!

Henry (Smiling)and Harry. With me and Kelly - both grinning from ear to ear!

Bucket List Time.

I don’t have a bucket list, but if I did........

I’ve always wanted to ride on the beach. I grew up in the midlands, it wasn’t going to happen!

Nowadays, as well as riding out for James, I do a bit for Brian and Kelly as well. They have a breaking and pre trading yard (Brian is a recently retired Jockey). 

Kelly knew of my childish longing, and had a young horse she is producing that would benefit from the experience, so off we went, me on Headcase Henry (Kelly’s awesome hunter) and Kelly on Harry. Brian and Jeff were on camera duty and Kelly’s girls came along for the fish and chips!

Thanks Kelly, I had a ball!

My Other Life

I may be technically retired, but I do manage to put a bit of graft in. Recently I have started riding out for Brian and Kelly a bit. Rarely to my horsey exploits get caught on camera, but Kelly was filming to send to the owners of the filly Brian is on. I'm the one with the red lid!

A very varied day!

We have a lovely life up here, but very few days show the extremes of it quite like today.

I was riding out first thing (nothing unusual about that) and to say the least it is a bit wet up the gallops. Not sure who got more mucky, me or Mary? we both needed hosing down when we got back to the yard!

Then this evening it was all change. A very rare occurrence, me in a frock and Husband in his Black Tie. Off to the Roundthorn for a night of fun and dancing with pals.

Horses and High Pike

The morning starting with horses is nothing unusual - in fact twice a week it's pretty much the norm. This week every morning is starting that way and for a change, I've taken the camera today.

The Best Boy - Silk Hall

He's such a sweetheart

Breeze has been going over to the yard with me ever since she was tiny. One of her favourite parts of the yard is the sand ring. She waits eagerly by the gate and if she's lucky enough to be allowed in, she's off. I swear she thinks' she's a racehorse. She just loves it in there

Back home later in the morning and after lunch we decide to head over to Calebreck. We've got Molly for a few days and it's a great spot for her.

"Aww come on, we've only just started and you want me to sit?"

Lots of old mine shafts round here

Molly loves rolling on the dry grass

"if you think you're coming in my (new) car looking like that, you've got another thing coming!"

Carlisle

We had a cracking afternoon racing today. James had four runners and one of those was my favourite, the lad who has pride of place above our wood burner. Here he is, showing just what a handsome chap he is after finishing 2nd. Love this horse!

Hamilton Park

It's not often we go racing, and even more rare that I take any photos, but we had a trip up to Hamilton Park today to watch one of Jame's horses run. It was a beautiful day and it's a beautiful course, so I felt compelled to get my phone out!

Our friend and Trainer Barry had a runner in an earlier race, Richie leads up in the paddock. You might guess he spotted me with the camera by the big cheesy grin!

And their off

Barry's horse ran to a very creditable third

Barry and Richie in the winners enclosure

Now it's  Rosie's turn. Bred by James, ridden by me (on many occasions but definitely not today!!). Rosie is still learning the ropes so is here for the experience today

Ridden by Fergal Lynch today

If you fancy experiencing flat racing, we can highly recommend Hamilton Park. Excellent Owner's and Trainer's lunch and facilities and a really lovely spot. Just a shame it's so close to Glasgow!

North West Driving Club - Dalemain

I've been grooming for Sam again. This time at the North West Driving Club One Day Event at Dalemain

Sam came 3rd, which is a pretty good effort as it was his first ODE.

A Few Horsey Pics for Sue!

The easiest way to get a few pics to someone is by just emailing a link, so if you're not interested in horses - look away now!

Penrith Show

Having been down to visit Mum and Dad for a few (very hot) days, we 'flew' back on Friday as I had been asked to Groom for a friends son at Penrith show. Flying back was a bit of an understatement. We crawled up the M1, then the M18, then the A1, and when we came to another standstill on the A66, diverted via Barnard Castle as we were sick of being in stationary traffic with every Tom, Dick and Harry who had decided that it was officially the first day of the school holidays!!

Anyway, the crap journey was worth it


After pre judging in the driving field, we then drove through Lowther park on the 'Leisure Drive' part of the competition. Then it was into the main ring for the final judging. It was about 30' and I was sweltering in shirt and tie and long trousers. Sam must have been so uncomfortable.

Larky behaved so well, and Sam did a great job keeping up the family tradition.

The lap of honour for 'Team Fawcett' as we leave the ring...................

..................to go and Celebrate.
Sam won his class and won the Overall Driving Championship. At 14 he was the youngest in the driving classes by about two generations. Well done Sam

Silky Smooth

Of all the horses I ride, one has always been a bit of a favourite. He's the Lad of the yard. Just as likely to ping off all fours for no apparent reason as he is to go in a straight line, but he's a real cheeky chap with attitude in bucket loads. We've always known he has gears and an engine as well and he's a real bundle of fun in the stable too. He's done pretty well in the past, and he's really gone and proved himself this time.

Breeze With Ease & Fred

Just for a change there are no pictures of spaniels in this post. I rarely post pictures of James' horses because I rarely take any - mainly because I'm normally on them at the time. However, a new(ish) mobile phone means that a few snaps at the races (when I am obviously NOT on top) is easy. A beautiful day and a trip across the penines took us to Sedgefield this afternoon, where we had two runners. Of all of James' horses, these two have probably had more attention from me than most. Breeze With Ease (Breezey Wheezey), was a bag of nerves when he first came into the yard, and at the time, James was away, so I rode him daily for a while. He took a lot of patience and needed a quiet approach, but he really settled down. Now you know where the inspiration for a certain Young Ladies name came from!

 And Predatuer (Fred). This chap is a big powerful chaser, who has come back from a horrendous injury. When he started back in work, we thought he would never make it.

I am so pleased to say how wrong we were. He is loving his racing, and though today wasn't his day, he has done us proud on previous outings.