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Was this the last Eastington Horse Show & Gymkhana?

Posted on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 by Heather Dodd

The 2013 Eastington Horse Show in Gloucestershire proved amazingly popular once again, write the organisers.

Carole Prentice and Barrie Yeates very kindly provided a super site on old pasture. Barrie having to confine his reluctant cattle in a small field for preparation and the running of the show. He also provided a lovely sight on the show field with his magnificent Shire horse. Alan and Graham did their usual professional assembling and roping of the rings. Gill and Joy have advanced their driving skills negotiating the chicanes through the waterworks in Nupend towing jumps trailers. Clive and Andy put out and collected show direction signs and manned the entrance gate all day directing and controlling traffic, while Dawn and Jane collected gate money from the cars.

A limited few loyal regulars assembled two show jumping rings the evening before, plus no limits for our hard working secretary Liz Elliott. Mary and Jenny’s judges’ lunch tent was erected plus an S.O.S. to Andrew Cozens for tables and chairs. There was a major crisis Friday evening with the Hunter Judge in A&E with a broken leg. Thankfully a very good friend stepped in to fill the void.

Apart from our annual rain shower the weather was fine. Daniel, Eric and friends filled the parking field to capacity. The 50+ show trophies were hotly contested all day with the competition in all the rings being of a high standard. A large number of quality ex-racehorses retrained to a new career showing how versatile they can be.

Angie’s Dressage arena was full to capacity enjoying this lovely spacious venue.

Later in the day all the rings were dismantled except for the children’s gymkhana which was still in full flow! Then a final gathering by Phil of the litter bins, ropes, jumps etc. ready for the cattle to return back to base the following week

Jim must have been delighted that a years’ planning behind the scenes had finally proved so rewarding.

This show has been running for over 75 years and the proceeds are donated to our local charities and The Air Ambulance, but sadly this will probably be the last unless more help is forthcoming. Due to ill health we have lost some of our real stalwarts and the limited few are finding the burden too much, so is there anyone out there prepared to help. You don’t have to be horsey, we’d be glad of any help you can give i.e., refreshments for helpers, runners between rings, putting up show jumps, car park attendants, secretarial, help man the gates etc.

It will be so sad to see the demise of this wonderful show. If you can help please don’t hesitate to call either Show Secretary Liz Elliott on 077209 87481 or Joy Spencer on 07875 172841 or Gill Spencer on 07919 552850

One response to “Was this the last Eastington Horse Show & Gymkhana?”

  1. Liz Collinson says:

    Just wondering if you are having a show this year, we came last year to spectate and brought our dogs. A great little show……Liz

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