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The Horse of the Year Show
October 2008.
This year The Horse of the Year Show celebrated its Diamond Jubilee Anniversary and I, as Honorary President, welcomed audiences from far and wide to what we hoped would be one of the most fabulous Horse of the Year Shows ever.
Our show had something for every one, some 100 classes exhibiting a variety of breeds and providing a chance for the public to witness, first hand, supreme talent and skill in absorbing competition. It's always a treat to witness World Class Show jumping, that raises the bar so brilliantly, every year.
Also this year, we featured the traditional displays of the Household Cavalry, performing the musical ride, which was so emotional I personally loved every minute and the crowds' favorite the Heavy Horse Parade to make all of our hearts sing. As always, there was an Aladdin's cave of equine merchandise and, for the unconverted, a chance to discover, up close and personal, the beauty and noble mind of our equine friends.
I joined as honorary president of The Horse of The Year Show in its landmark 50th year. Looking back, I have seen countless enterprising, challenging and creative changes, all designed to make this show one of the most desirable tickets in the equine industry, whether one is exhibiting, performing, supporting or a member of the thousands applauding as the many fantastic events, over the five days, unfold.
For promoter Mark Wein, this was his final year at the helm, as he has decided to move on to pastures new. From the outset, he and former partner Mike Gill injected, power and magnetism, in an effort to create what has become an extraordinary extravaganza, encouraging all walks of life to join us in our bountiful enthusiasm for all things equine. On the night of the gala we all wished him well in what ever his next venture.
Taking over the show is Sandy Anderson, a horseman through and through with an abundance of enthusiasm and energy and I am truly looking forward to working with him and our creative new managing director Helen Pettit.
Talking of that night, it was indeed a special one and the finale a show all of its own. Sky television did an outstanding job in their coverage of the many events and the very last scene was taken up with a parade of past performers and officials whom I'm proud to say I led arm in arm into the arena, two eminent gentlemen whom served the show in the 1950's, Dennis Coulton and Lol Weaver. What a great pleasure it was. The evening ended with the velvet voice of my husband Simon MacCorkindale who stood silently beside the most gorgeous coloured Shire before reciting, to the music of Elgar's 'Enigma Variations', the Ode to the Horse.
On a personal note, as a horse breeder and exhibitor, I am acutely aware of the preparation needed for an event such as this for all those competitors, owners and exhibitors. The extraordinary labor of love involved in preparing. The early mornings, the even later nights, the all weather conditions in which to work, the wind, the cold, the immeasurable amount of rain that hasn't stop falling on English soil over the past months. We do it all, ever hopeful for a few exceptional moments in the spotlight, a chance to shine. That is what makes every moment of the effort worth while, what ever life affords us, we all need aspiration and a goal. My father's favorite saying to me as a little girl was "be lucky" and I hope that many, many participants were throughout that magical week.
Once again we raised the National Exhibition Centre roof with pride and admiration for the excitement, achievement, passion and commitment of equine lovers from all parts of the globe and above all, celebrated the pure magic of our loyal, abiding, trusting, determined super stars - the horses.