8 The Showing Journal Know Your Judge

Charlotte out hunting on the grey pony with her father Charles and her sister Emma.

is approximately a 50/50 mix of horses and I had a pony almost before I was born. I am people. I have been so lucky in that this work the eldest of four daughters — we all rode as has taken me to some wonderful yards. I very young children. As soon as we were able, worked on Joseph O’Brien and Willie Mullins’ we were introduced to lead rein show classes horses which was a huge experience when in and then progressed through the ranks — first Ireland. Prior to that, I spent six months in ridden, show ponies etc. London working for the London 2012 Olympics, ‘My father dabbled unsuccessfully in a bit of Midlands-based Charlotte is a judge which was then followed up by a few months point-to-pointing. I think he came home from on the BSHA ride and conformation in Doha, Qatar, working on the United Nations Ascot sales with a yak or two, bought for next panel (side saddle included), SHB Climate Change Conference. to nothing. The story is that one of them put (GB) ride panel and the RoR panel. him through the wing of a fence and he suffered multiple fractures to his leg, which I think was She returned to the UK a few the end of it. years ago, having been based for ‘Pony Club soon grabbed my interest and all six wonderful years in Southern I wanted to do was jump fences. Days hunting Ireland, near Kilkenny. with the Warwickshire Hunt — where Dad would accompany us on a beautiful horse that Mum had endeavoured to get fit and sparkling am a registered chiropractor for for the day out — are some of my earliest people and animals and have run my memories, together with Warwickshire Pony own company since 2005,’ she says. Club membership. ‘I have a private clinic based in a spa ‘Ion Lincomb Farm, just outside Stourport-on- Severn. Outside of the lockdown, my work

Charlotte and her faithful Labrador Elmo. ‘I’m hugely active and do lots of things that I love – tennis, netball, running (I’m entered for the London marathon whenever that may be Charlotte and former advanced event horse held!) and long dog walks. My dog, Elmo, is my Watermark III. right-hand man, and I’m a huge lover of skiing, water sports, working out and trying to be the ‘In my late teens I got the bug for eventing best physical version of myself possible!’ and again, was so fortunate to have an eventer Tell us about your early riding days bought for me. Known as ‘Harold’ — his registered name was quite a mouthful, ‘The ‘I was so incredibly lucky in my childhood Haberfield Hoo Dunnit’! — he was a Welsh cross Charlotte, on the left, with her younger sister Emma. days. My grandparents bred Welsh ponies and Thoroughbred, with the Welsh side having some

www.theshowingjournal.co.uk August 2020 9

Charlotte and her eventer Singapore Sling.

disastrous runs under Rules. I worked on his back and took him three times Charlotte eventing Harold, who taught her so much. a week to Robert and Jackie Chugg’s where they had a loose schooling lane. He was Shire in it! However, things didn’t quite turn a couple of hunting occasions with purchases. a disaster and I decided until he could learn to out as planned as he was the naughtiest horse We got these going, evented them, hunted them jump on his own, then I wasn’t going to attempt I’ve ever had. We quickly learnt after two events and they became life-long family members in it on his back. Time after time I took him, that we had to be led into the start box for the most instances. I was also extremely lucky to alongside regular chiropractic treatments, and cross country – the first two events involved him be loaned Watermark III. He had been round I had almost given up hope. Suddenly, one day, bolting with me out of the start box before the Badminton and also the Europeans. The late he was in the loose school and he had a massive green light and not being able to get him near it Peta Beckett had him in his heyday, and when buck and a squeal and decided he quite liked again. she tragically died in 1999, Susanna Bordone jumping again. He took off round the ring and started attacking the fences — the penny finally ‘Once we got in and out of the start box then had him in Italy on the proviso that the dropped. So to go from that to having my winner successfully, we then also quickly learnt that family could have him back when his top-level on him was a nice achievement. He then went he would nap back to the boxes at any possible days were over. At 16hh he wasn’t very big but on to be a schoolmaster for a couple of different opportunity. I had to be five steps ahead of him he was a huge character and taught me so much people starting their point-to-point careers. all the time, which taught me valuable lessons — especially in the dressage phase. I had a lot of that I would never have learnt from an easier fun on him. My youngest sister, Katie, then had ‘In the mix of all of that I rode side saddle, ride. him to do Pony Club things on him and we both mainly on the hunting field but I competed in the took him team chasing and I took him hunting, junior championships and headed up through ‘His dressage also left a lot to be desired – he which totally blew his mind – funny after the ranks in showing classes; I gave polo a go was a monkey and always tried to find a way out. everything that he had done and all the places and more latterly, and in Ireland, I concentrated But we got on famously, and once retired from he had been. But it was so great that he enjoyed on youngsters, getting them going and having eventing — we did complete a 1* I think (in old life with us. He is now back at Peta’s family home some fun in the show ring. It has been so lovely money) — people were in awe of what we could and I believe still grazing on the lawn and very to come back to my roots, so to speak, and I feel jump on the hunting field. happy in full retirement. like I’ve almost gone a full circle. ‘I could never queue for a fence as he was ‘I then decided that point-to-pointing looked ‘Winning the coloured class at my first Royal so naughty which meant I had to look to the good fun and successfully gave that a go, having Dublin Show was a big highlight. It’s the best left and right for other options. Gates, hedges, a few rides and training a few at home also. I show of the year and an amazing atmosphere wire – once we were jumping I could trust him remember my pointing with great fondness. I which takes a special horse to cope with. I was so with everything. The nappiness never left him, got my winner — which was great fun — on a lucky to have the ride on Pat Loughlin’s Salarno, though, and we once had a mishap where he horse called Prioritisation owned by Nick Shutts. who then went and won the last qualifier in the reared on a car roof. Luckily no-one was inside The horse came to me because he had totally UK for HOYS in 2013.’ and we all came out totally unscathed, but I lost his confidence jumping and was having was told on more than one occasion that he was dangerous and What started your I shouldn’t be interest in judging? riding him. But he was a legend for ‘I think it was a natural other reasons to progression and always me and I struggled on the cards. However, to explain to when I was in Ireland, a people that I did local show had been let feel safe on him. down by a judge. Last He taught me minute I stood in as ride probably most of judge and loved every what I know now, second of it. It’s great and I will always sitting on these beautifully be grateful to him produced horses that are for that. their owners’ pride and joy. ‘I pursued I got asked to judge more, eventing for a few over in Ireland, and then years and competed when I came back to the UK up to 2* back in the a couple of years ago, it was day. Dad got the Tack adjustment on always the plan to apply for Charlotte winning her first point-to-point on Nick Shutts’ Harold out hunting. bug for Ireland and Prioritisation. the panels over here.’ came back from Continued overleaf... www.theshowingjournal.co.uk 10 The Showing Journal This is why I love Know Your Judge judging the 1. Food heaven and youngsters. hell? They’re new Quick fire Heaven: Gosh, I’m to it and tend not a fussy eater and to really enjoy questions... really love good food being out. It’s and good wine. A a great way for rare steak with a good them to learn, red always whatever their future goes down careers are. well, likewise a nice fish dish with a Chablis. 4. Straightness –

especially side saddle Hell: Mushrooms – I do and in the gallop. try them now and again A horse can only as they are in a lot of things cover the ground but urgh, no, I can’t do it. It’s properly if he/she something to do with the texture Photo courtesy of Louise O’Brien. courtesy Photo is going straight and smell! Also any type of offal – and all the power is Pat Loughlin’s Salarno when champion coloured at Royal Dublin 2013 pictured with Andrew Pickwick kidneys, liver etc. Big no no. and owner Pat. moving forwards from behind. What is your most memorable show ever 2. Shopping treat you judged? 5. An obvious one but they have to be well can’t resist? mannered. I can often forgive the odd I’m not a big shopper jink, depending on the circumstance and ‘I think the answer to this one would be the but get me in a sports especially with four-year-olds, but ill Hunter Show in Ireland at Barnadown. Nothing shop with a load of manners, napping, rearing or not wanting very out of the normal happened but I met lots trainers and workout to move forwards are unfortunate no no’s for of new people, who are now very close friends gear and I might go wild! me (as they are for all judges). Saying that, and it was my first slightly bigger show judging. if a horse gets into a habit of doing this it is Michael Lyons was the conformation judge and 3. Beach holiday or safari? incredibly hard to get it out of them. we have remained good friends ever since. I I haven’t been on a safari and this is have had a couple of horses for him since then definitely on my bucket list. I’m much that I have brought on, and he has remained a What are your pet hates when judging? more of an activities girl – huge supporter of mine.’ after spending a day or so 1. Too much make-up on the horse – my on a beach I get bored. Which is your favourite horse ever hacking jacket has unfortunately suffered a Give me the mountains judged? few brush-ups against horses that are totally any time! covered in the stuff. I can’t stand it. Be subtle when using it — less is more! 4. Favourite tipple? ‘I haven’t been lucky enough to have judged There are a few answers in any major championship shows in the UK 2. It’s a shame when nice horses are in the to this – a gin lover, Pimms to date. This year I was due to ride judge in the wrong class. We have to judge to type which in the summer, a dry rosé in RoR finals at Hickstead in July and hopefully means however nice your horse is, if it is in the summer or a nice red in the this appointment will be carried over to next the wrong class it won’t feature. winter; the odd cold beer also year. Last spring I judged up at Hamilton Spring 3. Too much bridle path cut at the top of goes down well on a summer’s Show and got to ride some absolutely fantastic the mane and too much clipped off at the evening. horses. Robert Walker had a gorgeous four- bottom. I know we’re trying to enhance year-old, Redwood Surprise, which gave me an conformation of the front and withers, but 5. Favourite night out? absolutely super ride. I believe it was his first I can’t stand seeing great strips of the mane I love my nights in (dull, I know!) but show, and to come out that early in the season clipped off at the top and the bottom. I would have to be boring and give a feel like he did, made me think I was and say a good pub 4. Badly fitting saddles. The horsey nation, in sitting on something really special. I would love dinner and drinks. That or general, has got so much better with this but to have sat on him this year as a five-year-old.’ kicking back with a BBQ you still get the odd time. I don’t mind what with friends — I’m easily saddle I ride in – I’m not fussy, providing What are your five must-have attributes pleased! in a show horse? the horse is comfortable. I’ve yet to come across a saddle that I 6. Secret passion? can’t ride in. That being Winning in whatever From a ride said, I have seen some I do. I hate losing and perspective: shockers and wondered am fiercely competitive, 1. They have to take me how on earth the horse whether that be against forwards but I have to was putting up with it myself or on the netball or tennis be able to put my leg at all! courts. I blame myself when it goes wrong on. There’s nothing 5. I know this might which only drives me to improve. worse than a horse not be a controversial being rideable. issue but I’m really 2. They have to go well against the short on both reins. Far hacking jackets that too often, horses adults seem to have tend to go better adopted. Correctly right-handed than fitting hacking left-handed. I can’t jackets, I believe, stand it when you get should sit mid-thigh obvious imbalances in and should not end at ways of going. the waist! For 3. They have to enjoy me it ruins the end end what they’re doing. Charlotte and her first ridden ponyMarie Rose (Mandy). whole picture.

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