Last week saw what seems to be the beginning of Summer, which is great for grass growth and relaxed strolls around the Common, but also brings the joys of flies and sweat – at least if you should be so foolish as to over-exert yourself.
But nothing stays the same, so we have to be adaptable. For example, although we recently had to say goodbye to our lovely Covid volunteers, this past week we have welcomed seven Spanish students (six amigos – Adrian, Hector, Jorge, Juan, Manuel and Math – and just one amiga, Veronica). They all seem very friendly, hardworking and willing to learn and I am sure they will also succumb to my charms once they have had a chance to get to know me – after all, they will be here all Summer, so plenty of time for bonding, even if I am only at Wimbledon three days a week.
Although I knew the overhaul of the top ring was imminent, I have to admit to being a little bit surprised to see all the activity in and around it, which nearly stopped me in my tracks on Friday on my return home from a lesson in the black ring with South African carer Jackie (I am glad to say that I decided it was my turn to play teacher’s pet and demonstrate how all the exercises should be done). I think we horses are all very excited about the prospect of getting a proper professional surface to work on in the sand ring and we can’t wait to get in there and see what a difference it will make!
More important to me, was having been able to spend some quality time at Manor Farm chilling out with Pod, WVS’s oldest and – he thinks – most revered resident. I used to feel rather competitive towards him as he triggered a rare sense of inferiority in me (I could imagine he believes he has a more aristocratic lineage than me), but the days we have spent together have brought us closer. He’s now my bestie and I am so glad we will be enjoying plenty more hours together as he is going to adopt my WVS/Manor Farm routine, at least for the time being. We are lucky enough to share a huge field, just the two of us, which is overflowing with delicious grass right now and I am doing my best to keep it under control, although I overheard She Who Must Be Obeyed instructing the Old Bird to keep an eye on MY weight, in case I overindulge… (I could, as it happens, turn that right back to OB, who is looking very “well” at the moment – that human euphemism for “carrying a good few pounds more than is really desirable”.)
Back at Wimbledon, Pod and I enjoyed a leisurely stroll round the Common last Saturday, including a couple of very well-mannered (non-competitive) side-by-side canters and ending with one of the joys of Summer – a visit to The Hand in Hand for a spot of grazing for us and some liquid refreshment for She Who Must Be Obeyed and the Old Bird. We were warmly welcomed by Manager Andrew – he obviously recognises class when he sees it, but I understand he is equally charming to all his customers. Certainly, Pod and I enjoyed ourselves mightily, snacking for our own pleasure (even SWMBO raised no objections on this occasion) and allowing numerous little children to admire and stroke us, showing how we also like to bring sunshine into the lives of others – we are both such selfless beings!
Wimbledon fortnight starts in a couple of weeks and, bizarrely, many of the shops and businesses in the Village vie with each other to win the Wimbledon Village Tennis Windows Competition. It seems a no-brainer to me this year – surely WVS must triumph! Two of our loyal riders (who were also much cherished volunteers), Helen and Shane, have together designed what must be the best display in the Village for us, with all the WVS residents drawn by Helen – what talented clientele we attract! One gate shows a raft of equine competitors (Hudson, Champers, Lily, Cosmo, Duke, Bertie, Honey and Mario) and the other a host of equine spectators, of which I am one, sitting in prime position in the front row, accompanied by my trademark carrots. I would point out that, although I don’t feature among the competitors who might attract the most attention from those not in the know, I am still planning to shine by organising a veterans’ exhibition doubles match – the bay team (Pod, 28, and me, 24) against the black team (Louis, 24, and Bamboo, a mere stripling of 19). I think we know who will win, one way or another…
One peculiar bit of livery behaviour this past weekend cannot go unmentioned. The Queen of Communications foolishly offered to tack up her own Dexter but inexplicably chose to use MY saddle: apparently, she was focused on fitting his nose net correctly and overlooked checking the rest of the kit. I would consider such a mistake hard to believe if this were not the same owner who many years ago once tried to tack me up, mistaking me for her own horse (the lovely Rolo), so we can only assume her subconscious is at work, allowing her jealousy of the Old Bird to come to the surface. Which, of course, makes her actions both understandable and forgivable – after all, who would not want to own me?!
Pod and I will be busy enjoying the luscious grass in our field down at Manor Farm over the next two weeks (while I keep an eye on my weight, Pod apparently being exempt from this particular concern), but I am sure there will be plenty more titbits of WVS gossip to share with you next time!
Rory x