Blakesley Show 2019

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Every year in the middle of Summer my work diary becomes hectic. Boxes upon boxes of branded merchandise are sorted out between rotas of colleagues who are free on the first Saturday of August, packing up my truck and all of us traipsing over to a field with barely any phone signal, let alone 4G. Once there, we will all work hard to fill the bare bones of a marquee with our brand, hoping that clients and other attendees will visit our stand to learn about the business we dedicate a third of our life to. Put like that, it doesn’t fill you with much excitement. Yet, there is something thrilling about Blakesley Show day. Arriving before the first announcement to put your brand’s stamp and design on to a plot of land that will be visited by hundreds and hundreds of guests. Figuring out the best games and prizes to attract more people to encourage more business, as well as speaking to those people who have heard of us and have thought of moving to us but haven’t quite got there yet. Also spreading the word about charities we are supporting and exciting events that we are planning. Blakesley is the perfect place to provide a fantastic first impression and I’m happy to say that my team definitely did that!

My colleagues Chloe and Jade showing off how busy our stand was for the majority of the day.

Blakesley Show itself is a local legend, having been organised annually for 135 years. Generations of farmers and their friends and families have been visiting the show ground for years with their cattle, sheep and horses in the hopes of winning a qualifier on home turf. It’s also a chance for these same farmers to peruse the latest farming technology, purchase locally sourced products and support their neighbours and country sports that may well take place on their land. You can also be sure of an education, learning about stock judging, the history of the Shire horse and also how local hunts operate within the boundaries of the law.

Some of the sheep entered for judging.

2019 was no exception. Even though I was busy with work for the majority of the day, the local sense of community was undeniable. If you didn’t know the person walking past you, you can guarantee you’d know one of their friends. If you weren’t a member of the local Grafton Hunt Pony Club, or if you’d never tried hunting with the Farmer’s Bloodhounds, you could ask a Master or previous member about their experiences at their stand. You can also be sure you’d get given a free drink and you’d find some complimentary refreshments at another stand close by.  

This Shire horse on the display team was giving me some inspiration for my own traditional cob’s feathers!

After attending many country shows in the past, I’m happy to say that Blakesley is the only one with a true local feel. It’s not so much about companies making money, but about companies and organisations giving back to the community that has supported them over the years. I’m happy that the company I work for has given me the opportunity at representing them at such a prestigious local show and, even through the stress and tears of organising, I can’t wait to begin the journey all over again in 2020.

The Towcester & Onley Equine Vets stand inside our TVC marquee.

Listen, laugh and try not to fall off.

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As of yesterday, I am no longer a showing newbie. By no stretch am I claiming to be good at showing, or even massively successful, yet I have tried it and thought I would compile what I learned from my first experience…

  • If you have a grey / mostly grey horse, ensure that travel boots are clean before you place on newly washed legs. This will save you a lot of stress and baby wipes.
  • Make sure you are correctly dressed. I wasn’t wearing a shirt and tie, but did look smart in a coloured stock. Also, it was unaffiliated level so I probably got away with a hell of a lot more than I should have done. Maybe consult Horse & Hound for facts about showing etiquette.
  • Instead of the fancy sheepskin numnah, opt for a simple plain turnout. A black or brown numnah (no fluff allowed) will suffice. Also, if you show your horse clipped make sure that the numnah and saddle cover the unclipped saddle patch. Nobody needs to see a square block of hair poking from underneath a smartly rounded saddlecloth (hands up, I am guilty).
  • Also, make sure that tack is simple and traditional. I need to invest in a Hunt Cavesson bridle to emphasise Pancho’s (beautiful) face. The judges do not like modern gimmicks, so avoid them completely. No drop nosebands and no bits that “look like they’re from a Western movie”- direct quote from the judge.
  • Remove all boots from your horse. This was a big no-no that I found out after I entered the ring with overreach boots on.
  • If you have a big arena to show your horse in make use of ALL the space. It’s no good trying to show a large horse on a 20 metre circle. Really let your horse stretch out in canter and gallop so that the judge can effectively judge all paces.
  • Make sure you listen to the judges instructions. Line up when asked to (oops) and when they ask you to step forward towards the judge, make sure you point your horse’s nose in the right direction- towards the judge (guilty again).
  • Don’t stress out if your horse is naughty. Cantering disunited, napping, neighing and also refusing to stand when he had hands run down his legs- this all happened. Horses are horses, don’t put unnecessary pressure on your partnership. There will always be another day. Don’t sweat it.
  • Lastly, a smile says a thousand words. Smile, look pleasant, act like you love trotting round in front of a group of people even if you have a sweaty upper lip and needed a breather 5 minutes ago. There’s nothing worse than looking unapproachable and miserable. This last point can be a general piece of life advice if you so wish.

 

I didn’t bag any prize money, win loads of rosettes or get given a medal. But I did have a good day out with my amazing (yet quirky) horse and I learned from my experience.

Next time I attempt showing who knows what will happen, but I am excited to give it a go.