After the two PC camps we moved on to Rogate and District Riding Club Camp, what a change in the weather there was - torrential downpours and some very wet riders and instructors but no sessions were missed and everyone remained in very good spirits despite their near drownings. In between all of this we have had fun doing a few photo shoots both canine and equine which is always a treat.
Joe is soon heading off to France on his motorbike for a few days holiday while I will be at home holding the fort and enjoying a few hunt rides, doing some much needed housework and sorting out...... can't wait for the hunting season to begin!
Hope everyone is having a great summer.
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Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Albion England’s head office and factory in Walsall on Monday within her capacity as Perpetual Master of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers.
Highlighting the growing innovation in the Design and Manufacture of Saddlery and Leather Goods, Her Royal Highness was given a guided tour of the Albion England factory by the company’s founders Paul and Sherry Belton.
Sherry Belton, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Albion England said: “It was an immense pleasure to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to Albion England on Monday. We thoroughly enjoyed showcasing our work here in Walsall and are very proud of the contribution Albion England has made over the years to the areas thriving saddlery and leather goods market. The business has diversified beyond all belief since it began and continues to be a glowing example of the prosperity within the equine industry and Walsall’s leather skills offering. It was a joy to hear HRH The Princess Royal’s contributions and an honour to be selected as one of the hosts within this visit.”
HRH The Princess Royal’s visit explored the increased importance placed on the relationship between Design, Manufacturing and Saddle Fitting with the ultimate aim of improving both rider and horse performance and welfare.
Walsall is renowned for the quality of its leather products, and has been the ‘home’ to British saddlery and leathery manufacture for many years. Albion England has been a stalwart of the Walsall saddlery scene since 1985 and has produced world class saddles from its HQ here for more than three decades. Albion England joins more than 52 producers, large and small, in making a considerable contribution to the maintenance of this important skill, to the sport of riding and to British business.
HRH The Princess Royal gave a speech in which she said: “As Perpetual Master of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers part of our role is to support and ‘Champion British Saddlery’, so today has been particularly useful in learning what the challenges and opportunities are. There is no doubt in my mind that all are extremely ‘Proud of Walsall’ and the role that the town has played in these industries in the past, and still does today. This ‘Celebration’ of your products in the Hub has served to underscore the ambition you all have and the success you enjoy.”
The visit focused on how best to provide future generations of employees with the necessary skills and continuous professional development opportunities they and their employers businesses will need to remain competitive and successful as there is currently a skills deficit in the industry.
Albion England is proud to employ over 75 craftsmen and women of many generations in its Walsall factory, producing over 100 British-made saddles a week and supplying the very best of the equine world. Testament to the brand’s credentials, industry stars including Laura Tomlinson, William Fox Pitt and Emile Faurie to name but a few, who proudly compete from the seat of an Albion saddle.
HRH continues: “From what I have seen today, it seems to me that linking experience and long tested traditional methods with those things learnt from science and performance will encourage innovation, and ensure that British Saddle Manufacturers remains the benchmark for others to try and emulate across the world. I have seen much evidence from all those that I have met today that this is and will remain the case, and I congratulate you all in your endeavours.”
For more information on Albion England, visit: http://www.albionengland.co.uk
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information or press enquiries, please contact Ellie Mainwaring at Bloxham PR – [email protected], 01452 346466
LYCETTS FESTIVAL OF HUNTING PROUDLY PRESENT
A NEWCOMERS GUIDE TO HUNTING
Ahead of the much anticipated Lycetts Festival of Hunting, the event’s title sponsor Lycetts offer an introduction to hunting.Lycetts Festival of Hunting, which takes place at the East of England Showground on Wednesday 18th July, is an annual showcase for the world of hunting and the countryside community, boasting the greatest gathering of hounds in the UK. The prestigious event also includes the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, which celebrates its 130th anniversary this year.
For many, the day marks the highlight of the summer social calendar and provides the ideal opportunity for newcomers to immerse themselves in the world of hunting. As many a seasoned Lycetts Festival of Hunting visitor will tell you, the hunting community welcome newcomers with open arms and relish the opportunity to share their enjoyment in the sport with others. The following guide offers tips and tricks for newcomers looking for a valuable insight into the world of hunting ahead of the landmark event:
FOUR THINGS FOR FIRST TIMERS
A first outing with a pack of hounds can be a daunting experience yet taking note of a few key things will help newcomers quickly feel at home. The following may prove useful:
- At Least One of You Should Know What You Are Doing! – A novice rider on a novice horse is frequently going to find the day a challenge. The happy hacker who has never put a foot wrong may become so excited by the day that they behave entirely differently to normal: pulling like a proverbial train or barging and pushing. It is often best to hire an experienced hunter for the first few days until the rider knows the form.
- Be A Gracious Guest – Meets are not provided by the hunt but by individuals. The often lavish provision of drinks and food is due to the generosity of the host and it is therefore always polite to thank them when leaving the meet.
- Listen Out for Calls of ‘Whip on The Left’ or ‘Huntsman on The Right’ – This is a signal that hunt staff will need to pass and should be given priority. Make sure one’s horse is facing them and the hounds as they pass. Never allow the horse’s rear end to be facing the hounds.
- Volume Control – While chatting with other riders is key part of the day, there will be times when the Huntsman and Field Master need to listen carefully to what is going on. They will not appreciate loud conversations at these times and so it is always worth being attentive.
TOP TERMS
Like any sport, hunting has its own vocabulary. Picking up the hunting lingo by knowing these terms and using them correctly will help newcomers become a dab hand at hunting in no time. Top terms to know are:
- Jump – In hunting circles the word ‘jump’ is a verb and not a noun. Those in the know will talk about ‘jumping fences’, not ‘doing jumps’, despite fences often being referred to as hunt jumps.
- Hunt – A ‘hunt’ is the collective noun for the institution. It is also the period of time the hunt is actively following a trail. It does not refer to the day (which is called a ‘day’s hunting’).
- Run – The active period of following hounds as they follow a trail across country is referred to as a ‘run’.
- Country – The word ‘country’ is used by hunting people to describe the geographical area over which a hunt operates with two distinct meanings. It can refer to the type of ground a specific hunt usually crosses or it can refer to the actual geographical reach over which they hunt. Each hunt has a clearly defined country within which its meets are held.
- Good Morning / Good Night – Hunting people will greet each other at the beginning of the day with ‘good morning’ and, whatever time they go home, they will say ‘good night’. This is just the way it is and does not mean they have lost their marbles.
NEVER JUDGE A HUNTER BY HIS HAT
It is easy to be impressed by beautiful horses and immaculately turned out riders. However, one thing hunting teaches is never to judge by first appearances. Here are a few examples:
- The man in scruffy tweed and wellies who holds open a gate is quite probably the owner of the farm or estate on which the hunt is taking place. Greet every person on this basis and novices won’t go wrong.
- Not every good hunter would fare well in a showing class. Not judging by appearances also applies to horses. Sometimes the ugliest of animals will be a spectacular hunter. Amateur hunters can usually spot these horses by the warm greeting other riders give them, often referring to them by name.
- Follow the elderly fellow in the faded coat. When crossing difficult country, do not follow the dashing man on the fine steed, but rather the elderly fellow in a faded coat who knows every inch of the country and will know the safest crossing places. He or she will neither waste time nor energy, preserving these for a serious run and they will invariably be right up there at the end.
A HUNTING WHO’S WHO
There are many people involved in hunting and it is often very tricky to tell the key members apart. When it comes to the mounted field, there are a few types to look out for:
- Masters and Officials – Once the day begins, everyone is equal. But some are more equal than others! These are the Masters and Officials who run the day. The Huntsman, Whippers In and the Field Master should be easy to spot. The next most important person is the Hunt Secretary who will welcome hunters as they arrive and collect the cap. This is the money hunters pay at the beginning of the day, which goes towards the management of the hunt, including looking after the hounds.
- Thrusters – These are the people who ride at the very front of the field, usually as close to the Field Master as they can get. They will dazzle with their courage and impress with their tenacity. Many of them will be very experienced and skilled riders. However, they may not be the best people to emulate. Newcomers to hunting will learn a great deal more if they observe more modest riders who watch hounds and conserve their horse’s energy.
- Children – Younger hunters on small ponies may appear sweet, yet never underestimate them. Many will have been hunting since they were toddlers and will out-gallop and out-jump the best adult riders. They are easy to spot by the determined glint in their eyes and their quiet manner. Follow them at your peril!
- Pilot – Newcomers will quickly learn that some people never refuse at fences. Outward appearances may not make this obvious. For those wanting to follow someone over a fence who is going to give ones horse a good lead, be attentive and work out who is a good pilot and, if possible, slot in behind them. A good indicator is a quiet rider on a happy-looking horse.
- The rest – Old hunting prints would have us believe that almost everyone dazzles and jumps their way across country. In fact, there are often more who don’t do this than those that do. Surtees once said: “Happy are they who hunt for their own pleasure – and not to astonish others”. Within every hunt, there are those who simply ride at their own pace, go through the gates and avoid difficult situations. They may not astonish others, but they will certainly be enjoying themselves.
Lycetts Festival of Hunting is organised by The East of England Agricultural Society, in association with Addo Events. The event takes place on Wednesday 18th July, at the East of England Showground, Peterborough.
To book tickets, which are now on sale, and for more information, visit: http://www.festivalofhunting.com
Also trying to understand instagram which is taxing my small technical brain at the moment FB seems so much easier!
Hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful weather and keeping comfortable in the heat. WE are out and about at shows etc most weekends and also busy with photo shoots so hopefully we will see everyone somewhere soon.
]]>We are sure there may be a few teething problems but hopefully they can easily be sorted and you will be patient with us.
We will also try a few blogs when we have time so please check it out!
If anyone would like a photo shoot done while the summer is here please contact us and have a chat about it while the weather is good. Autumn is also a lovely time to do them with the gorgeous Autumn colours. We are always happy to go to a favourite ride /walk location, commons, woods, beaches etc so looking forward to hearing from you!
Hope you all have a great summer with your four legged friends - have fun!
Sue and Joe :)
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