This week was not only exciting but also out of the ordinary — we were heading to Newent for a yard tour and demonstration at none other than Carl Hester’s yard.
These were no ordinary gates
It’s almost a three-hour drive from our home in Cheshire, so we set off early, hoping to find the nearest Starbucks enroute. We’d allowed extra time in case of traffic, but with a smooth journey and no delays, we arrived with time to spare. That gave us the perfect opportunity to head into Newent and visit the Valegro statue — a must-see for any dressage fan.
After that, it was back in the car for the short drive to Carl’s yard. Normally, driving through gates wouldn’t be anything remarkable, but these were no ordinary gates. I could hardly believe I was heading up Carl Hester’s drive. Once parked, we joined the other attendees by the outdoor school before making our way into the indoor arena to take our seats.
The grand finale was a real treat
We watched a series of horse-and-rider combinations, with Carl talking us through each one and sharing his insights. The session began with Lucy Scudamore on one of Carl’s breathtaking four-year-olds, a young horse brimming with potential. We then saw two talented partnerships — Sadie Smith with both of her rides, followed by Matt Frost and his horse. The grand finale was a real treat: Carl himself riding Fame, the horse he’ll soon be competing with at the Europeans.
It was fascinating to see the horses at such different stages of their journeys. Whatever level you ride at, there’s always something to learn — and watching Carl work was a masterclass in itself.
I dashed outside like a child
After the riding had finished, Carl had Valegro and Utopia brought in and spoke warmly about their retirement. Then came an announcement that made my heart skip a beat — we were invited outside to have our photos taken with them.
One of the questions that I regularly ask as part of my dressage interview with riders is ‘Dream horse to ride?’ My answer like so many others would be Valegro. So you can imagine my excitement. I dashed outside like a child racing downstairs after Father Christmas has been on Christmas morning (a feeling I’ll admit I’ve never quite outgrown) and suddenly found myself standing beside Valegro, camera ready. To my delight, I was told I could hold him myself. Those photos will be cherished forever. Afterwards came photos with Utopia, and finally with the man himself — Carl — who was wonderfully generous with his time despite the steady stream of people both before and after me.
Just as we were about to pack the camera away, I noticed that Valegro was standing alone. It felt like the perfect chance to steal a few more moments with him — and what a joy it was to share kisses and cuddles with him. He really is a special horse. Among the attendees that day was Julie Davies Bennetts, my most recent “Chatting With” interviewee. As those interviews are usually done in writing, it was lovely to meet her in person and put a face to the words.
All too soon, it was time to head home. We left Newent with hearts full and memories we’ll treasure for a lifetime.