Ruby Grimshaw enjoys horsing around
Every year at the beginning of June my friend S and I go to the South of England Show, the Derby Show, the Jumping Derby Meeting at Hickstead at the end of that month and to the Longines Royal International Horse Show in July. I also used to go to the Badminton horse trials in Gloucestershire, but that needs more energy and time than I have nowadays. It is such a pity equestrian eventing is usually only covered by Sky. It is more exciting, in my opinion, to watch someone falling into a lake or clearing a five foot jump minus horse than follow a dart hit a board or see a few coloured balls dropping into net pockets. I expect some people will not agree with me.
“We enjoyed tasting all the free samples on offer”
Anyway, over the years S and I have made an important rule about our annual visits. After enduring a few miserable outings which were memorable less for enjoyment than for whinging toddlers not willing to sit in pushchairs or youngsters grumbling about watching yet another show jumping round, S and I made a decision. We would not take with us young offspring belonging to either our relatives or close friends. Adults would be considered but not if they were accompanied by above mentioned small people. Dogs would be allowed (S has one.) They know how to behave. S and I have thus experienced several years of enjoyable, if selfish, days out. The only time I remember feeling depressed at the South of England Show was in 2001, that dreadful year of foot-and-mouth. Apart from horses there was not a farm or domestic animal to be seen, and an air of despair hung over the visitors and exhibitors alike.
This year, despite drizzle and dark clouds, we had a lovely time at The South of England Show. We particularly enjoyed tasting all the many free samples in the food tent, dipping into the curry sauces, pronging the little pieces of cheese and knocking back the ginger beer or cider offered to us in diddy plastic cups. When I was walking through the shopping mall in Churchill Square last week, my mind somewhere else, as usual, I saw this little plastic cup containing a thick white liquid waved in front of my nose. Instinctively I put my hand out with the intention of downing what appeared to be a nice little cream liqueur. Fortunately, just in time I realised it was a beauty lotion for the skin. I don’t expect it would have helped the beauty of my stomach much.
