Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2010 | Page 106

the rider

Island Life - August/September 2010

Mordy pictured at Southsea Common taking part in a charity event 2006
around the streets of London. We do
that for three nights, and then we do
another night when we take the state
coach out and do a dummy run with
the new Lord Mayor inside.
“The timing on the day has to be
spot on because we have to go from
Guildhall down to Mansion House, and
that is on a strict time scale because it
is televised. The TV programme starts
at 11.0am from Mansion House, and
they like to have us coming down the
road just around the corner when the
programme begins.
“Sometimes we can have a new horse
or a couple of new horses in there,
and that could present a problem. But
this will be my fourth year, and so far
so good. Sam comes up and helps on
the Saturday, but unfortunately cannot
get away from our horses during the
week.”
Steve admits: “I had very little
knowledge of horses even though I
started out in farming years ago, and
then became an engineer. Windmill
Farm was owned by Sam’s parents,
which opened in 1980 selling horse
feed. We bought the business and the
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farm in 1996.”
Sam explained: “I started with
horses when I was just three, riding at
Briddlesford, and it went from there.
I qualified for the Horse of the Year
Show in 1999, and have done well all
over the country with side saddle. I
have also done quite well at dressage
and showjumping. My dad rode years
ago just for fun, and my parents
thought it would be something nice for
me to do.”
Steve smiled: “I’m a bit of a country
bumpkin, and because I was in farming
I have always known a bit about
livestock in that form. Then we found
we had a soft spot for Shire Horses, and
it is a nice hobby we can do together.”
But there is much more to Shires and
Clydesdales than just showing them.
Preparation is a key part to visiting
any show. Steve said: “How long does
it take to prepare a Shire Horse for a
show? Indefinitely!
“We work with them all the time to
keep them fit. But to go in a show ring
a single set of harness will take you a
day to clean; a pair’s set will take you a
day and a half to clean, and I will start

washing the horses’ legs a week to 10
days before a show.
“They will also have a couple of
all-over body baths during that time. So
it is meticulous preparation. Our biggest
Shire is 18.2 hands – a long way up and the smallest is 17.3 hands.
“Shires and Clydesdales are both rare
breeds, because breweries have stopped
using them with their drays. It is really
in the hands of the private individuals
to try to keep the breeds survi f