Despite the excitement of the recent pre-match build-ups, it has been a disappointing sporting season for me so far this year. My alter ego, Roger Federer, fell out of the Wimbledon championship far too early and, despite setting aside my birth nationality to support my adopted country –
along with all the other WVS equine residents – England lost on penalties to Italy in the Euros final. Very sad but, as Roger and I both know, thanks to our impressive, combined experience, youth has time on its side and I am sure the England boys will live to fight another day.
On a more positive note, Hudson (along with the rest of us) was happy to welcome Superintendent Anne back riding after her prolonged recuperation following her daft accident playing padel (I have commented before on this topic, so won’t go there again). I was also able to bring some pleasure to Annabel, She Who Must Be Obeyed’s delightful granddaughter (out of Sasha, daughter number one and Teacher Extraordinaire), as – for the first time – I offered her a taste of the joyous experience that it is to ride me!
As we all know, when newbies arrive at WVS, it typically takes them some time to settle in and accustom themselves to the various routines that we more established residents take so easily in our stride. In that spirit, I would like to make an honourable mention of Elvis who has now overcome his apparent anxiety around the very useful water trough near the windmill; I was pleased to witness him following my example and finally taking a cautious drink (I won’t dwell on the fact that he took a few elegant sips whereas I – in keeping with my more boisterous character – tend to immerse much of my face which I find the best way to get really satisfying mouthfuls). Another step towards Elvis becoming a seasoned WVS equine, as well as being a most congenial hacking companion.
Strangely, there hasn’t been too much other news of note at WVS since my last report but, instead, we can consider what is coming up over the next couple of weeks. Of course, today is so-called Freedom Day (or better said, Groundhog Day, according to what I hear from our owners). Those of us who have been here long enough can also look forward to reacquainting ourselves with former Head Carer, Jenny Rudall, as she is scheduled to make a guest appearance this week, to teach the current batch of Carers on Tuesday afternoon as well as giving some lucky punters a lesson on Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, I won’t be here to see her, otherwise I am sure she would have been most impressed by how well I am enduring and how much my flat work has improved, despite my advancing years. Her loss obv! And on Saturday, there is the much-awaited WVS Summer barbecue, at which I hope to have a front pew; it’s always fun to watch our humans drink too much and — if only they were sober enough to realise it — thoroughly embarrass themselves!
As the Summer draws to a close, we can turn our attention to the 2021 sponsored rides (brought forward to September this year to avoid the rutting – deer, that is – season in Richmond Park). The Old Bird oddly no longer takes part — I think she finds the current fancy dress element a step too far, although as someone who clearly has never properly grown up, it is hard to understand why she wouldn’t revel in it. I doubt I would get away with mentioning the pinnacle of her silliness (so I won’t – I value my treats too much), but I think I can disclose that she has just invested in not just one, but two, sets of bunny-themed bed linen – need I say more? In any event, Auntie Caroline usually pulls rank to ensure she gets the pleasure of riding me on the Sunday sponsored rides, so she will definitely be looking forward to the resumption of this excellent charity (and fun) event after last year’s enforced cancellation. This year, they are raising funds for the eventual overhaul of the Black Ring, so a very worthwhile cause: I am still enjoying the new surface in the Sand Ring – it certainly gives us horses a measure of freedom as we don’t have to be worrying about dips and peaks or boggy patches: big thanks to the cheery Wimbledon Common boys who help maintain it (and keep the Common safe for all of us).Off now to Manor Farm, where I am currently hanging out with the more mature boys, which makes me, as a youthful 24 year old, feel rather sprightly. Pod, as you all know, is 28, while Amy’s two elderly gents are also older than me – Ollie, a former Grade A showjumper is 26 and Dun It, in his younger days a member of the Greek show jumping team, is now at least 32 – giving me confidence that many more happy years lie ahead for me too. Given that Pod used to event, I am obviously spending my time in rather exalted company but, even though I have resisted engaging too much in the way of competitions (so as to give others a sporting chance), we all muck in together and — at least at the moment — are pretty focused on eating as much of the luscious grass as we can. (I hear the Manor Farm girls are somewhat relieved that this has made me a little less desperate to barge into my box in the evening for supper, but I am confident that they’ll forgive me if – or more realistically when – I resume my previous not-so-appreciated habits.)
More next time, if possible accompanied by scurrilous photos of the barbecue.
Rory x