Beausmate
Well-Known Member
Anyone remember those weird Jofa helmets? Late 80s early 90s?
Horse-related things in living memory of older forumites that would surprise the younger ones.
- Thread starter SilverLinings
- Start date
SilverLinings
Well-Known Member
My elderly friend and her late husband always said that brass (clencher) browbands should never be seen on a riding horse as they are for carriage horses only (which traditionally they were). The retired cavalry officer who lived near my parents used to say the same, and they were all old enough to remember driven horses still being a regular sight out and about.I thought the brass ones were worse
The ex-army officer was in command of the last mule train in the British Army (it was in the Far East, but unfortunately I can't remember which country). He also had stories about all of his chargers who he remembered fondly, he was part of the generation of army men who loved horses to the point of obsession.
That reminds me of the army stables where I learnt to ride: the yard was immaculate and they used to paint the doors (and everything else) every year. In the late 80s a horse died and a number of others fell ill and it turned out that it was because they had ingested lead paint. Because the doors were looked after they were as old as the stables (early 1900s) and the next coat of paint had always gone on over the last one. Many of the previous layers of paint had a very high lead content; the horse that died was a wood chewer, and the others either crib-bit or would occasionally bite the door. As a result the doors were all replaced, and all the other wood fittings stripped and repainted.
greasedweasel
Well-Known Member
Yes, hideously ugly. I remember some decent eventer (?) being sponsored by them?
Surbie
Well-Known Member
Still got mine. And the gig.
SantaVera
Well-Known Member
I still use mine
nagblagger
Well-Known Member
Does anyone remember the roman nosed Penwood Forge Mill, show jumper?
The horses used o be famous, like Boomerang (Eddie Machon), the 'Sanyo's' for Harvey Smith and of course the gorgeous Milton.
The horses used o be famous, like Boomerang (Eddie Machon), the 'Sanyo's' for Harvey Smith and of course the gorgeous Milton.
SilverLinings
Well-Known Member
He was a little before my time, but still talked about admiringly when I was young (80s). This is a good summary of him, I hadn't heard the story about him jumping out of a moving horsebox before
:Retirement of Penwood Forge Mill.
When the late James Crossan bought a gelding at the 1964 Ballina Foal Fair in Co Mayo, little did he know that his purchase would become one of the most popular show jumpers ever to represent Britain. The little brown foal, later named Pennwood Forge Mill, showed his ability early on. Crossan sold him and two others to Northern Irish dealer John McCaughey, who transported the home in a trailer.
When McCaughey and a border guard argued about how many horses he had on board, it transpired that “Forgie” had jumped out over the
rear door some six miles back. He was retrieved but bored a scar on his shoulder all his life. Forgie was sold as a potential hunter, but his wayward streak surfaced when he was being broken in no one could sit on him. He was turned out, then offered to Wolverhampton dealer and owner of Penwood riding school, the late Fred Hartill.
Once Graham had pronounced Forgie rideable, the horse was sent to producer John Wrathall, who brought him on patiently and upgraded him to grade A.
“He was brilliant from the start 100% genuine and so kind”, recalled John.
Forgie really captured the public’s imagination after teaming up with Paddy McMahon who, despite his name, was born in Derbyshire, and whose only Irish connection is that one set of grandparents came from Dundalk.
Paddy had already had a three-year-stint at Pennwood. At the beginning of 1971, he asked Fred Hartill for his job back, and a legendary partnership was born.
At the start, Forgie put Paddy on the floor more than once. “His hindquarters were so powerful that he used to shoot me off. He would then look very surprised and peer down at me. I couldn’t be cross with him!” said Paddy.
After only a few shows, Paddy and Forgie were chosen for the British squad in Belgium, where they won the grand prix and jumped clear for the team. At that time, the BSJA’s policy was to send as many new names abroad as possible and among the three other first-timers was former British team manager Derek Ricketts.
Victories followed all over the world, but there was controversy when Forgie failed to make the 1972 Olympics. Fred Hartill had turned down an offer of £50,000 from a foreign buyer to keep the horse for Munich, but Forgie, who was still only an eight-year-old, did not jump as well a
s usual at the final trial at Hickstead.
Paddy and Forgie put their Hickstead gremlins to rest the following year. The European Championships were held at the Sussex venue and by the final individual leg, Forgie was in equal second place. Over a massive course, they had to go clear to take the title which they did in style.
They were now the most feted pair in Britain. Thousands joined the Forge Mill fan club, and,
with show jumping then one of the most popular sports on television, Paddy attained “pop star” status. Strangers approached him wherever he went, asking after Forgie. Paddy also finished third in the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.
Forgie was retired after the 1979 Royal International Horse Show. He began a new career making public appearances and meeting his fans from all over the world Fred even built and en suite bedroom for visitors to stay in. Fred’s daughter, Valerie, rode Forgie every day until he died of colic a few years later. “Forgie wasn’t built to jump, but he had such a big heart. He was an extraordinary horse and one of the true greatest of all time. A horse that was an enormous part of the Golden Age of Show Jumping.
rabatsa
Confuddled
The other showjumper that I really remember was Vibart. He had a fantastic kick back and they would not have him in the Olympic team because of this.
nagblagger
Well-Known Member
Was it Ryan's Son who used to buck?
rabatsa
Confuddled
SilverLinings
Well-Known Member
I know Stroller was only 14.1hh, but it is really noticeable in that video how much smaller all the horses are compared to today's showjumpers.
Ceifer
Well-Known Member
Before my time too but we lived close to Penwood Forge stables and there was a tack shop there in the 90s still. Long gone unfortunately
. I’ve ridden a fair few offspring of Its The Business in my time. Some fabulous and some not so great
2 Dragons
Well-Known Member
Jeff McVean and little Claret were the favourites at my riding school, we used to try to copy Jeff's style of jumping, this did not always end well.
Kunoichi73
Beware... My Plants...
Yes.
cauda equina
Well-Known Member
Annette Lewis was amazing
Bobthecob15
Well-Known Member
At badminton this year they had a museum with lots of memorabilia and had several cross country outfits that belonged to Ginny Leng and Lucinda Green…my 9yr old looked shocked that they wore knitted jumpers for XC and body protectors notably absent in the early 80s photos
I’d forgotten about bell overreach boots, the sound they made was fab
and body protectors notably absent in the early 80s photos I’d forgotten about bell overreach boots, the sound they made was fab
little_critter
Well-Known Member
My first pony came with a brass clencher browband (14 years ago). I still have it and it really suits my current horse.I thought the brass ones were worse
Gloi
Too little time, too much to read.
I have one too.
suestowford
Well-Known Member
I went to Badminton in the late 80s and body protectors were just coming in to shops then. I bought one at Badminton that year. If I still had it I'd show you a pic of it, it had thin panels of foam, they were only about 1cm thick. Nothing like the ones you get these days, and not offering all that much protection really.At badminton this year they had a museum with lots of memorabilia and had several cross country outfits that belonged to Ginny Leng and Lucinda Green…my 9yr old looked shocked that they wore knitted jumpers for XC
scruffyponies
Well-Known Member
Me too (30 years ago). I kept the bridle when he was sold as a driving pony. The pony who inherited it is now retired, so it's relegated to 'spare', but still perfectly good.
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite
Well-Known Member
^^^ Drench with coke: I've still heard this recommended. Apparently there is a substance in coke (can't remember now what it is) which you can use to clean a coin overnight: just leave it in a glass of coke and by the morning job done. If I've got a tummy upset a tin of coke'll usually sort it!
Copper sulphate: had a farrier here within the last couple years recommended this exact same thing. A very well renowned remedial bloke he was too.
Had one with pin-fired legs here not long ago: was recently PTS. Lovely old horse. Ex-racer/hunter.
Remember gymkhana games and hacking 8 miles to a local show & then hacked 8 miles back again: competed and came home festooned with ribbons. As I live in Devon I recall too a well known Devon female Olympian who'd come along to the local show and compete alongside the rest of us! Happy days.
Re. catalogues: I still remember the Jacatex ones: my mum bought me a pair of their Riding Trousers when I was about 13, and I still have a photo of me in them at Camp when I was about 16!! Somehow they still fitted me. Loved their stuff. It lasted. That's probably why they sadly went bust.
AthenesOwl
Well-Known Member
I loved those catalogues, even though I didn’t have a horse, and only bought the occasional item of clothing. I used to love going through and very optimistically circling the things I’d buy if I did have a horse and adding up how much it would cost.
Off to order a Shires catalogue now for a nostalgic afternoon of fantasy shopping!
suestowford
Well-Known Member
I'm in the market for a new riding hat, so I've just spent an hour looking round the tack shop. Hats are such dull colours now, it seems you can have any colour as long as it's black. I mean, even in days of yore you could get brown, navy and green.
So I thought I could get a hat cover. And I could have as long as I liked black, navy or pink. With pompoms on them. I am so not a pompom kind of person!
I did buy a hat, and shall wear it plain until I find something I like that isn't covered in fluff
So I thought I could get a hat cover. And I could have as long as I liked black, navy or pink. With pompoms on them. I am so not a pompom kind of person!
I did buy a hat, and shall wear it plain until I find something I like that isn't covered in fluff
SilverLinings
Well-Known Member
It's a shame velvet hats aren't commonly available in brown and dark green anymore, I remember in the 90s the brown ones were popular with showjumpers for a while. Mind you, if you owned one of the black ones back then they eventually faded to a kind of brown after a couple of years, so was the brown option in new hats just to stop it looking new?!
AthenesOwl
Well-Known Member
The first riding hat I bought as an adult in the early 2000s was a lovely navy blue velvet. It would have been my dream hat as a child!
You need a friendly dressmaker to sort you out with a bespoke one in the colour of your choice, without fluff of course. I’ve just taken a look and you can buy patterns to make your own on Etsy. My other hobby is sewing, so perhaps I should set up a sideline in hat covers for forumites?
I'm in the market for a new riding hat, so I've just spent an hour looking round the tack shop. Hats are such dull colours now, it seems you can have any colour as long as it's black. I mean, even in days of yore you could get brown, navy and green.
So I thought I could get a hat cover. And I could have as long as I liked black, navy or pink. With pompoms on them. I am so not a pompom kind of person!
I did buy a hat, and shall wear it plain until I find something I like that isn't covered in fluff
You need a friendly dressmaker to sort you out with a bespoke one in the colour of your choice, without fluff of course. I’ve just taken a look and you can buy patterns to make your own on Etsy. My other hobby is sewing, so perhaps I should set up a sideline in hat covers for forumites?
Sealine
Well-Known Member
This has reminded me of a navy velvet Christy Beaufort hat I once had. I'd completely forgotten about it. I loved that hat.
Lyle
Well-Known Member
I grew up as a child riding the in 90s.
If your pony was silly, you'd cut back it's feed first.
You were NOT allowed to blame the pony, ever.
Ponies were ridden all day long on weekends, as well as after school.
Brushing your pony, feeding your pony, poo picking after your pony, everything pony was the absolute best, regardless of weather.
I'd hack over an hour to PC, ride all day, then hack the long way home (near 2 hours) with friends, dropping them off along the way, usually hurrying to make it home before dark in winter.
Tack shop catalogues
actual catalogues with pictures and descriptions, not the fancy 'look book' vibe they have now.
You could buy a saddler made, English leather bridle for less than a mass produced, poor quality bridle these days.
In Australia, brass browbands and big oval brass buckles on bridles were the bees knees
I remember getting my first oilskin coat (driza-bone) for my birthday/Christmas. My absolute joy when boxing day was pouring rain and i got to try it out! (Usually not the case, with Christmas being in the summer).
Suede chappettes with tassels and colours. Oh I loved mine, they were actually really, really cool. I can't find anything like that now.
If your pony was silly, you'd cut back it's feed first.
You were NOT allowed to blame the pony, ever.
Ponies were ridden all day long on weekends, as well as after school.
Brushing your pony, feeding your pony, poo picking after your pony, everything pony was the absolute best, regardless of weather.
I'd hack over an hour to PC, ride all day, then hack the long way home (near 2 hours) with friends, dropping them off along the way, usually hurrying to make it home before dark in winter.
Tack shop catalogues
actual catalogues with pictures and descriptions, not the fancy 'look book' vibe they have now. You could buy a saddler made, English leather bridle for less than a mass produced, poor quality bridle these days.
In Australia, brass browbands and big oval brass buckles on bridles were the bees knees
I remember getting my first oilskin coat (driza-bone) for my birthday/Christmas. My absolute joy when boxing day was pouring rain and i got to try it out! (Usually not the case, with Christmas being in the summer).
Suede chappettes with tassels and colours. Oh I loved mine, they were actually really, really cool. I can't find anything like that now.
Michen
Well-Known Member
Has anyone got a photo of a plaited straw bed!? I can't find one online and want to see 
Bobthecob15
Well-Known Member
Suede chaps!! Forgotten about thoseI grew up as a child riding the in 90s.
If your pony was silly, you'd cut back it's feed first.
You were NOT allowed to blame the pony, ever.
Ponies were ridden all day long on weekends, as well as after school.
Brushing your pony, feeding your pony, poo picking after your pony, everything pony was the absolute best, regardless of weather.
I'd hack over an hour to PC, ride all day, then hack the long way home (near 2 hours) with friends, dropping them off along the way, usually hurrying to make it home before dark in winter.
Tack shop catalogues
You could buy a saddler made, English leather bridle for less than a mass produced, poor quality bridle these days.
In Australia, brass browbands and big oval brass buckles on bridles were the bees knees
I remember getting my first oilskin coat (driza-bone) for my birthday/Christmas. My absolute joy when boxing day was pouring rain and i got to try it out! (Usually not the case, with Christmas being in the summer).
Suede chappettes with tassels and colours. Oh I loved mine, they were actually really, really cool. I can't find anything like that now.
vickyb
Well-Known Member
In the 60's there used to be a saying - 'If you can't ride, wear a brown hat'. I don't know how it came about, but it was enough to make most people stick to black velvet hats. My black hat was made of cork and was as malleable as a straw sun hat.