William Shakespeare actually has King Richard the Third crying: “A horse, a horse. My kingdom for a horse” just before he dies in battle, and there were lots of horses (and dogs) at the Rye and District County Show last weekend.
The weather last Saturday on this beautiful but very exposed hill top site near Icklesham was very changeable as blue sky changed to dark clouds and various tents were very welcome – particularly the Pimm’s tent – when the heavens opened at lunchtime. But the wind did move the clouds on.
The horse show kicked off at 8am with the mini jumping and junior novices in the rings at the back of the large site and the public were then allowed in from 10am when the dog show show started in the rings at the front, with the Dog Grand National (see main photograph, above) .
This requires the owner and dog to stay attached as they jump their way around the course, once for the elimination stages, and twice for the final.
The referee gave helpful advice such as: “Throwing your dog over the fence is not allowed, but you can cheat as much as you like.”
During the day there were a number of displays in the central rings including falconry, gun dogs, heavy horses, wildfowling, side saddle riding and ferrets along with a few tents including Country Living stalls, the Pimm’s tent, and one for St Michael’s Hospice.
The Country Show raises funds for the Hospice and its services which include an In-patient Unit, Day Services, Hospice at Home, and volunteer-led Hospice Neighbours and Bereavement Services.
Gun dogs gave an interesting display of being guided by whistle to retrieve “objects that had been shot” which, unlike sheep in sheep dog trails, do not shoot off in unexpected directions.
Always expect the unexpected, though, as the dog show included obedience trials, and a very loud loudspeaker announcement so startled one very large dog that the dog and owner parted company in opposite directions, abruptly scattering the crowd.
Rye Town Councillor Bernie Fiddimore was among the dog show judges, though, and swiftly restored order – as former mayors have learned to do.
Another popular area was the classic car show with one of the oldest on display being a 1924 Morris Cowley. Many of the owners were picnicking outside, and sometimes inside, their cars in order to keep a close eye on their prized possession. “Some say the older the car, the easier it is to walk off with it,” muttered one owner.
Terrier racing at the roadside front of the show was equally popular, and another traditional appearance was made by the local Hunt’s hounds as the weather improved.
Photos : Seana Lanigan
Image Credits: Seana Lanigan .
Rye Town Councillor Bernie Fiddimore is unaware of the incident involving a dog and owner parting company and wants to know why resumption of order has been attributed to her! She was judging ‘Fun ‘ classes only and had nothing whatsoever to do with the Obedience section.