LAMBOURN OPEN DAY

silversox

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Just got back from Lambourn Open Day, very exhausted but well worth it. Didn't visit Nicky henderson's yard this year, as it looked absolutely packed (not surprising) so went up to Weathercock House where Carl Llewellyn now trains. He's got it really lovely with smart helpful staff and wonderful looking horses. Mind you, he's got some pretty wealthy owners and good backers, by all accounts.

In the afternoon down in the BIG field we watched AP, Carl, Fitz, Richard Dunwoody, Marcus Foley etc school horses over fences. There was also a tug-o-war between trainers and jockeys. Best part was the show jumping knockout - AP was 1st out on a heavy, clumsy old cob, and it was won by Johnny Francome on a smart little black pony.

It's always a good day out for all the family - lots of trade stands, fun-fair, bungee jumping (to watch!!!), terrier and ferret racing and plenty of food. Make a note in your diary next year - GOOD FRIDAY - there's no racing (someone please tell Emmerdale) which is why the jockeys can come and are good enough to give up one of the few free days they do have.

One of the main organisers is Nicky Henderson, who looked 10 times more stressed than he does at Cheltenham!

By the way, wouldn't it be great if we could have a RACING category? After all, there's quite a few pages dedicated to racing in H & H. It could include Flat, NH, Arab and P to P.
 
i went to the Lambourn Open Day last year with my cousin-it was brilliant and all of the horses were gorgeous! got to go round Kingwood Stud and see the ickle foalies playing in the fields!
 
Hiya Dun glad you had a good day out
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I would like to go one day myself.
Would have loved to have gone when writing but the newspaper I used to write for was only interested in the racing from one racecourse even though we have a few on our doorstep so to speak.
Open days like that would have made great feature articles as you could update the public on the progress of any horses sidelined or roughed off for the season and discuss any future hopes for rising stars etc. Unfortunately paper did not want to expand shame really as they should have tried to follow the example of the Express and Star paper and the brilliant John Sexton which has the most informative racing columns I have ever seen in a paper outside the likes of the Racing Post and former Sporting Life.
Yes a racing section would be nice on here I agree as that is my main interest, and has been for years.
Cazx
 
I went last year a LOVED it! Best bit was when the jockeys had to do mounted games on ponies they had never ridden. Funny stuff.
xxx
 
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