In twenty four…
Millimeters and hours. Rain that gets right into you. You know what I mean – wet rain that burrows deep into the bones. Days to be got through. Wet, wet, wet…
Mark and Lavinia Sherwood with us first thing yesterday to watch GOOLOOGONG school under Tom Cannon. Jumping in proper jumping weather. Wild and windy and wet….
And still battering down when Terry Withers, a great mate and supporter of the much missed Henry Ponsonby, joined us to watch some of the babies cantering…
Still raining now. A day for “steady” and not for “button pushing….”
Despite the torrential and incessant, the team sailed and smiled through their work. Hot baths will have felt especially good…
Compare and contrast with Tamworth in Australia where “It’s A Tata” has just won the 6th in blazing sunshine. But “Down Under” they are drifting towards melancholy autumn as we see the hope laden buds of spring begin to emerge…
Taxing and tiring ground for those juggling Cheltenham plans. Go for it on rain soaked ground and risk a very hard race, or keep the powder dry ? Juggling is part and parcel…
Trials Day on Saturday. The last hurdle and fence to be jumped for many before the “be all and end all” of mid March. Sadly and inevitably, there will be plenty of shattered dreams through February. The worst telephone calls of all are those that bring bad news, and gut wrenching kicks to the stomach. “Part and parcel” – but unbearably tough at times….
One’s own deep raw disappointment multiplied by having to pass the bad onto others…
Today’s antepost Festival markets will look very different for some of the races come post time as several “intended” are forced to be “non runners….”
The ginger feel of equine legs becoming ever more fraught with nervous anxiety as big days and targets click calendar closer…
Be lucky, guys and girls…..
