Blogmas Day 22: Horses

I have loved horses for many years, and was lucky enough to be a hardcore, 100% horse-mad pony owner in my teens. We visited the December horse show at Olympia on a number of occasions during that period, and I always try and watch it over Christmas, if I can find it amongst everything else in the schedule. Thankfully this year it was broadcast on BBC so is available on iPlayer, although as of a couple of years ago, the venue is now ExCel and the event the FEI London International rather than Olympia so does lack the charm of its predecessor. However, having been to ExCel for a conference some years ago and witnessed the vast halls and effective people-channelling organisation, I’m sure is a far better place both to ride at and to visit.

I watched it all a bit back to front, but I loved the dressage. I always used to find it boring but perhaps in the same way that I now like Radio 3, the skill and execution and pace is more suited to my stage in life! It really is like ballet, and the horses are so athletic and beautifully presented.

Here are some scribbles in my interim Seawhite sketchbook (I’m hoping Father Christmas might bring me some nice new ones…) with my trusty Blackwing Pearl: