Officials

Today, I took the first step on an exciting new venture. I headed to the British Show Jumping National Training Centre in Leicestershire for an Officials Induction Day.

The weather was utterly foul. The windscreen wipers on The Comedy Car were going so fast, I feared one might fly off! Let’s face it, that’s not that far fetched! Still I arrived with a minute to spare for a very informative day.

They went through the pathways you can take to become a BSJA Official. You can do one, or them all depending on your areas of interest. I want to do the Judges one first. I’ll see about the rest.

I already judge, steward and commentate at unaffiliated level. This is formalising things I enjoy doing. As much as I love jumping. I know there will come a time when I don’t want to jump. Or can’t. So this is my way of paying it forward and giving back to a sport I love. That and it keeps me involved still.

I have no clue where it will take me. But every adventure starts with a first step…

Strongman

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without World’s Strongest Man. It’s such a tradition. I grew up watching Geoff Capes, Bill Kazmaier, Jon-Páll Sigmarsson and Magnús Ver Magnússon. Legends of the sport. And yes, it’s a sport.

Then we moved on to Mariusz Pudzianowski, Zydrunas Savickas and Brian Shaw. Giants indeed.

Now it’s the turn of Tom Stoltman and a new crop of athletes. The loads they carry are insane. The feats they perform, jaw-dropping. Tonight they were throwing a kettle bell that weighed more than me over a 15 foot bar!!

Puts my annual Christmas tree carry challenge to shame…

Not cricket

Blimey it’s been hotter than Satan’s armpit today! I thought I’d treat Buddy to a bubble bath this morning. Well you’d think I was trying to kill him from his reaction. Funny boy.

He was not happy at having his mane or tail washed. And tried to trash his new shoes by scrapping the ground in disgust. Still he looked very smart after a tidy up post-bath. And I was very happy to get wet!

He retired to his field. While I retired to the shade with the kittens and a few good podcasts. There are so many crickets in the garden. Found this chap on my car chirping away.

It was a little bit like being on holiday. Sat in the heat, listening to them. Headed indoors to watch England in the football and now the rugby. No cricket though. I’ll leave them outside.

History made

Today Rachael Blackmore made sporting history by becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National with victory on Minella Times at Aintree.

She deserves all the plaudits today. As does the horse and everyone involved with him.

One of the things that makes equestrianism so special is that gender doesn’t play a factor. Men and women compete on an equal footing. It doesn’t matter about the gender of the horse either. Mares, stallions and geldings all compete each other. It’s about you and your horse on the day.

Wonder why racing has taken so long to catch up.