“It’s a rollercoaster”

A LATE-COMER to riding, Chelmsford Cathedral organist James Davy plunged into the eventing world in his late thirties with his first horse Mullarky V.

“I set myself the challenge of attempting my first British Eventing [BE] 80(T) with ‘Max’ by my 40th birthday,” says James, who achieved his aim at Munstead last September, just weeks before the big day. “It has been a bit of a rollercoaster. I was first inspired more than a decade ago, when I visited the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe, but it took until last year for all the ducks to be in a line.”

For James, who is also master of the choristers, riding complements the indoor focus of his working life. The eventing has taken a bit of explaining, however.

“People tend to think that horses are scary and dangerous, and a lot don’t understand why I’m so passionate about it,” he says. “But my employers have been very open-minded. The whole team is very supportive.”

James can be at the cathedral as early as 6am to practice the organ before the choristers arrive, and often finishes late in the evening after a concert or recital.

“I keep Max on full livery, which takes the pressure off, and I can often free up some time to ride him in the day,” says

James, who hated sport at school but admits that he has been truly bitten by the eventing bug. “Riding and organ playing are similar, in that both are typically started early in life. There’s been a bit of catch-up, but not in a negative way.”

WHEN TWO WORLDS MEET: “The younger choristers in particular often ask me about Max and are excited when I show them bits of film,” says James. “I’d like to find a way to bring him to the cathedral. He’d love the attention, as long as they were wielding carrots or Polos.”