Last wednesday (yes, a bit late writing this post), we were lucky enough to have a morning with Kim Bailey at the Gallops.
To say the day was cold, wet and windy is an understatement! Having woken up through the night to thunderstorms and howling winds, the morning faired little better with driving rains and a dark grey sky! Still, being British, Emma, Angie and Victoria wrapped up warm in Dubarry's, tweeds and wax jackets and headed off for a morning at the Gallops on Kim Bailey's Yard! Not to be outdone, our guests also straggled in, eager for the promised tea, coffee, cooked breakfast and a morning with the horses, not deterred by the weather in the slightest!
As we stood finishing the last dregs of our coffee's peering gloomily through the waterfall pouring down the window, the clouds parted and the odd ray of sunshine peeked through. It was time to dash, so Kim took us on a whistle-stop through the stables, pointing out his favourites, upcoming prospect and downright pain in the bum horses, throwing in some hilarious anecdotes to keep us entertained. Next it was into a motley group of 4X4 vehicles and an Audi to head across the sodden fields to the gallops. A few minutes in the cold with a running commentary on the horses and their condition from Kim, then back to the yard while the weather was still holding out. Finally, we were taken to the top field to watch some practice jumps and apart from Lorrin (Total Communications) 'losing' her camera lens cap because she couldn't feel her fingers (it was still in her pocket), the whole morning went without mishap.
All that remained was to sit down and eat a hearty, well-deserved full English and to thaw out before work!
We'd like to thank Kim Bailey for his generous hospitality and if you want to know more you can visit his website or follow his blog, or you can become part of a syndicate with a share in a Race Horse...
We'd also like to thank our lovely guests for coming: Frank Smith, Lorrin White, Paul Nurden, Ed Mawle, Mark Haynes, Rob Wheatman and Melanie Pomfret
You can view our Photogallery of the morning on Flickr...
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