Midlands Equine Fair, Malvern by Lee Jose

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From the Editor:
Thanks Lee for sending in a really interesting write up and this lovely photo of Fancy. We have seen Fancy represent the ApHC UK at numerous events and she really is a great ambassador for us. She is also an incredible flirt - my type of girl!

After a terrible journey Joyce and myself finally got to the Three Counties Show ground, arriving with the shop and Fancy. We decided to settle Fancy into her box then have a meal and an early night so we could get up early and get stuck into work. The shop was fairly easy to set up and we had a really good spot right opposite one of the show rings. As usual Fancy took everything in her stride and was really well behaved. Mel arrived with her new stallion Wa Ha Dar and what a stallion! He was also well behaved and received a lot of compliments from the general public.

David Burleigh Smith was there to do a road safety talk and unfortunately could not get his horse to the fair. He asked if he could borrow Fancy for his demonstration, but I was not sure. I don't like people riding her unless I know them and I know they know what they are doing. So after quite a chat with David I finally agreed. 11.45am Fancy was tacked up and ready to go. As we waited for David the heavens opened and poor Fancy and myself got soaked through. So into the arena they went, one soggy horse and David who had only met her five minutes beforehand. My heart started to beat faster as I saw her in the arena without me (it has never happened before). Would she behave? Well I shouldn't have worried; Fancy did everything asked of her without a care in the world. She stopped, backed up, leg yielded both sides, loped from a standstill, turned one way then the other and showed everybody that road safety is easy when you have a horse that will do all of this with the smallest of cues.

One of the conditions that I allowed Fancy to do this was that David would introduce Fancy, myself and the ApHC UK and at the end of the demonstration he would talk to people from our stand. I was so proud of my horse I gave her a big hug and loads of kisses when she came out of the arena. David was very pleased with her and I agreed he could do the same on Sunday. 3.30pm Fancy and I are ready to do our bit and yes you have guessed it, the heavens opened and we got soaked through again! So soggy horse and soggy rider enter the arena with a brave smile firmly pressed on. So many people had gone home by this point and in the other arena they had some stunt riders, therefore the breed parade was only watched by five or six people, very disappointing! Sunday was a lot better although we got drenched for a third time. The time of the breed parade was changed to 1pm and what a difference this made, loads more people watched and it felt more worthwhile. After the parade everybody wanted to say hello to Fancy. With people all around her stroking and petting her she loved it. By 5pm we were all tired, the shop had been quite busy. Both horses gave the Appaloosa horse a boost in the public's eye and it was time to pack up. Everyone joined in to help and it took no time at all. Shop loaded, horses loaded all present and correct. I am glad to say the journey home was much better and before I knew it we were home.

My thanks to Joyce and Mel for an enjoyable though wet weekend and a special thanks to Joyce for her hospitality and encouragement throughout the year. Biggest thanks go to my Appaloosa mare Fancy!