Running a top yard and juggling small children sounds like a logistical nightmare — unless you are savvy enough to familarise your brood with a wheelbarrow, broom, paperwork and boot polish.
The next generation of eventers, jockeys, trainers and showjumpers are hard at work. And at the rate they’re going, we can guess who is going to be picking up the best kept tack, best kept stable and best turned out accolades at the Pony Club camps of the future. Watch this space…
Sam Watson
Slave labour at the Watsons!!! Now we know why everything is so immaculate. @watsoneventing #childabuse pic.twitter.com/WuUxI24vpr
— Esib Power (@powereventing) October 26, 2015
It’s all go at eventer Sam Watson’s base in Ireland, as sons Toby and Archie get to work with making the place look tidy… until something else looks a lot more interesting.
Nick Gauntlett
Getting ready for @Whatley_Manor @GatcombeHTrials & Henry has taken it upon himself to clean my @AriatEurope boots pic.twitter.com/HstHmJlGq6
— Nick Gauntlett FBHS (@nick_gauntlett) September 10, 2015
Gloucestershire-based eventer Nick Gauntlett’s son Henry might be able to fit in his dad’s Ariat boots, but he’s doing his best to get them shiny.
Good work Henry! pic.twitter.com/Sxjgxsh5p7
— Nick Gauntlett FBHS (@nick_gauntlett) July 1, 2015
And Henry’s not afraid to get his hands dirty with some poo-picking in the school too.
Continued below…
9 things we got up to at Pony Club camp that we’re sure wouldn’t happen now
Harry Meade
https://twitter.com/Harry_Meade/status/614401381009629184
Lily Meade knows how to keep out of the way when she’s accompanying her dad Harry to events…
https://twitter.com/Harry_Meade/status/501083990787649537
… and she’s equally happy to lend a hand at home in West Littleton, Wiltshire with fence building too. When she’s dealing with bigger poles, we suggest she ropes in little brother Charlie as her assistant…
Trevor Breen
https://twitter.com/TrevorBreen1/status/389369859685228544
The globetrotting life of a showjumper means that finding time to try out saddles can be tricky. Which is when Trevor Breen’s daughter Mia comes into play.
Choc Thornton
https://twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/547352991284875264
Jockey Choc Thornton’s son William is kitted out to deal with the hosepipe.
Ben Pauling
https://twitter.com/benpauling1/status/661500621850320896
National Hunt trainer Ben Pauling’s daughter Tilia doesn’t seem too bothered about where her pram is…
https://twitter.com/benpauling1/status/616889241512083456
…even if there is an aroma of manure.
https://twitter.com/benpauling1/status/628539124480352256
But asking her to do the paperwork might be one step too far…
