No one-trick pony

I’M one of many riders whose best riding years were in the 1960s and 70s. In the 70s you had one horse and did everything with them; eventing, dressage and showing. My 15.2hh mare, Tearnside Melody, evented when it was called BHS eventing and there were only three categories: novice, intermediate and advanced. She was fab at dressage and a winner in the show ring, too. Most importantly, it was fun.

Fences were huge and nailed together; you didn’t wear back protectors and you had a GP saddle for everything; the only boots you had were felt brushing boots with leather straps that took days to dry, and you only wore two studs, one on each hind foot.

There were no sections for young riders or young horses – simply put, if you were advanced, you were Badminton level.

Horses had no special diets: a few rolled oats to give them a bit of fizz and a bran mash with Guinness was a treat after competing.

The pony pictured is my 13.2hh Steven at the North Shropshire Pony Club branch oneday event. We won our under-12 class and I still have the grooming kit prize.