I need to find out the details of the *Horse of the year show*
and the *Olympia* christmas show.
Its only for spectating (shame I havn't got any horses to enter
this year:p ) BUT whatever I put in on my computers search engine
i get NADA, NUZZINK, ZILCH What am i doing wrong and can anyone help
please

Hi Ali, here you go.....
HOYS at NEC this year. Booking office opened 22nd March .Telephone
0870 0101052. Book online at www.hoys.co.uk. Adult tickets from £16.00
Concessions for children and oaps. Hope this helps.

Olympia Xmas Show..phone +44(0)20 7370 8202 for tickets.
Found these on Google search engine.

Thanks Phillipa
I appreciate you taking the time to look! Can't wait to go. Now I have just got to find a sitter for the kids!
Ali

Hi Ali, I used to have horses myself, so know exactly how you feel about those wonderful animals!!! It was no problem ,my pleasure

My sister and I went to Olympia about 5 years ago ..it was wondeful :D The atmosphere , sounds and smells all great. Only problem was my sister (who has asthma) found the dust began an attck and she had left her inhaler at home so we ended up going home early

Have fun

Melody

Oh Melody what a shame!! You will have to go again and enjoy the full evening, and check she has her inhaler this time

I just love the smell of horses and leather and hay and saddle soap etc etc etc
I went to the East of England Show a couple of weeks ago and just sat watching the show jumping and sniffing the air :o
ooooooeerrrrr i hear you all cry :p Unfortunatley my two boys got extremely bored and cross with me coz they all found it " sooooo boooooooorriiiing as my 8 year old (who is actually Kevin the teenager) :D said !!! How can horses be boring. Some people have no taste!

Hi Ali, Horses boring????? My goodness people havnt lived if they havnt smelt saddle soap and leather!! Creaking saddles, banging your ankle bone on the stirrup iron, the smell of the blacksmiths work,getting your foot stamped on, galloping across fields on a early summer morning.Oh dear, how I miss it all:(

If you don't mind me being cheeky and asking Phillipa, What made you give them up?
I have only taught on and off freelance since my youngest was born (he's 4) and have not ridden for 3 years as I put on to much weight during pregnancy I have kept up with with collage courses on advanced stable management and Instuctional Techniques, so I do not get Rusty. When my 4 year old starts school this year I am going back to work! :D
Cannot wait. Also will then be able to afford to keep a horse again :D OOOOOOOOHHHH the excitememt of it all I can barely sleep !

Hi Ali, I dont mind you asking at all.When I was younger I was manageress of a riding school for about 11 years. The last horse I had was a grey arab, who, although pure bred was the essence of good behaviour!! Sadly for me I had to make a choice two years ago. I was diagnosed as having osteo arthritis in my spine and hip, and was told by the hospital if I had a fall the consequencies could be dire. After a great deal of thought and soul searching, I thought it would not be fair to my family and dogs if I was to be laid up permanently, so with much reluctance i let my horse go. As I have riding for over 40 years I miss it terribly, and what makes it worse, I have horses going past the house every day. I considered taking up driving, but decided the temptation to ride the horse instead would be too great. However, I am lucky in that I have lots of wonderful memories, and to anyone who reads this who has never experienced the joy and freedom of riding a horse, I can only say.....you dont know what youve missed!!!

Philippa

How awful for you...but as you say at least you have had all those wonderful memories and years of falling off, being trampled, had bruised feet from being stood on, being snotted over, caughed on !!! But on a serious note, sorry to hear that you have osteo arthritis, you did the best thing for you and your family...

Regards

Natasha

Hi Natasha, Thanks for that nice message, and I know in my heart of hearts I did the right thing. The ironic part about it is the Dr. at the hospital thought it was probably caused by all the times I feel off and landed on my back!! I think I know who the culprit was too. My very first horse that I saved up and bought for myself, was very very cheap. I was young, foolish and had no commitments, so it seemed a good idea at the time. She was probably the most comfortable horse I have ever riding, but omg what a b****!!! 100% on the road, but as soon as she felt grass or earth under her feet, she was gone..and she didnt have any brakes, hence the very cheap purchase price. Her favourite trick was to go flat out through the woods, and when we got right towards the end, aim at a tree and suddenly stop dead. Then do a series of three or four really high rears, finished with a couple of big bucks. Sometimes I stayed on, sometimes I didnt, and I fully suspect that it was her behaviour that is now giving me problems. However, if Im totally honest, I wouldnt have changed a minute of it. lol

I'm soooo glad I don't have a horse like that now !!! Even at 32 I think your priorities change..when I was younger, I would have loved a horse like that, but now I like to take the safer option..but when I think of the risks I'd taken when I was younger....going full pelt gallop on the beach (with no breaks) aiming for the water to try and slow the horse down, forgetting that he didn't like water and then bucked me off and decided that he was going to go for a walk up the slipway onto the main road!! :D

But like you I wouldn't change a thing....

We must of been mad, but as you say it dosnt matter when you are young, its only later you see what could have happened. As we said.oh the happy memories.

I have alot of those memories !!! :D

I think when you are younger, you have "no fear" either, I used to "race ride" on the beach, to exercise the racehorses, I wouldn't dare do that now..mind you the poor racehorse would end up looking like a thelwell horse with all 4 legs sticking out with me on their back...wasn't the "liteweight" person I used to be !!:D

I'm quite happy just having my 11 yr old boy as a pet now...since I broke my leg 2 years ago, I haven't ridden. I must say I'm not actually missing it at the moment as I'm more into the dog showing now..but I'm sure if I didn't have Percy I would be lost without something to do at 6am seven days a week, 365 days a year !!! D

Oh the devotion!!!! Its not so bad in the summer, quite nice in fact, but oh, those cold dark winter mornings, in freezing sleet lol

Please don't...I really do not like the winter...that's why my boyfriend gets up first to go and feed and put rugs on !!! :D :D

Hang onto him like grim death then, what a treasure!!!!!!!!!

Hi Ali

I know what you mean about the smell of horses :D (not the bottom end though :D :D)

When I groom my 11 year old and I get to his mussle I just give him loads of kisses as he smells lovely !!! :D :D He looks at me as if I'm very straaannnnggeee :D

Natasha

Hi Natasha
You even miss the smell of the bottom end when you've been away a while !!!!!!! :D
Whats the update on your loan situation? Have you got it all sorted out now? What is your 11 year old?
Blimey i didn't mean to bombard you with questions!!
:D
I have had lots of different horses and ponies growing up but my favourite was the one I had when I was 10. She was a 14hh Liver Chestnut ArabxaNew Forest. I had her until I was 16 when I went to work away from home. I put her out on loan then later sold her. I still think about her loads and tried tracing her. She would be about 22 now. I would love to see her again

Hi Ali

Yes Biddy is going to his new home in Tanworth-on Arden on 28 July I'm unstable now, so can't guarantee what I'll be like nearer the time..

He is going to a lady that runs a horse sanctury and is looking for a horse of her own to hack out and eventually show. And she does not live that far away from my Aunt (who we stay with quite frequently when going to shows)..so I can see him whenever I want. I'm seeing him in September when we are going to the Gundog Society of Wales show. So that has put my mind at rest..My 11yr old is called Percy !! I know awful pet name but he just suits it down to the ground..He is an absolute babe, so good, he is an ex-racehorse too...

I think because I didn't actually own my own horse until 6 years ago (which was Percy) I find it difficult letting go..but a good home awaits him...bet you think I'm a right sop !! :D

Hi Ali

My Olympia booking form came through last week - Website is http://www.olympiashowjumping.com Tickets from £12.

I want to go but hubbys not so keen I love Olympia it is the best show of the year really sets you up for Christmas with the atmosphere :D

Tracy

Thanks Tracy
That is fantastic. I am definatley going this year Luckily My hubby although not horsey is very enthusiastic about going. For him though its more that he wants to spend a whole day and evening with me without the kids :D We do not get the opportunity much these days:(
I wish I could go for the whole show:( (time and money stops me:( )
Thanks again
Ali