Arrigle Boy

My appreciation of all that is the world of horse racing was sparked when I was in my late teens and out riding in my home village and had a chance meeting with Don, a local trainer, who said if I wanted to ride his horses, to call round and see how I got on. 

I got brave and called round a while later, knocking on the door with extreme trepidation, bearing in mind there is a difference between most horse types but these stunning thoroughbreds were in a different league to what I had known previously, no more valuable emotion wise but in terms of power, speed, flight instinct and agility very different to what I was used too. 

Don simply said right meet me at the field, get on this horse and if you can keep him down to a canter right round the field you can ride him out. I took one look at this stunning 16.3hh chestnut with 4 white socks (thinking to myself the old adage 4 white socks, leave them alone) and a beautiful star on his forehead I was awe-struck. I did notice how fit he looked and the size of his powerful neck. I got on him, thinking well nothing ventured I guess he’s just another horse. He was clearly determined to go at the pace he wanted too, full pelt but I was equally determined that would not happen. 

I was told he was called Arry, I was just amazed and elated by him, what a fabulous horse.

I was then told how Don had become a local permit trainer in the first place. He had fallen down a 100ft quarry somersaulting onto his back whilst out hunting with his former owner, who said to Don if you can get him out you can have him, he paid the owner a few hundred pounds and proceeded to get him back to health, his legs had several really nasty scars for the rest of his life. Don then took riding lessons from a locally based showjumper and horse trainer Jimmy Lister.

By the time I came to ride out at the stables, he had 3 lovely horses in training a head lad who now is a trainer in his own right in Yorkshire. I rode and helped out at the weekend and holidays, it always felt such a privilege to be around these horses.

 Arry was a bit of a conundrum however, he was a totally loving gent when you were on his back and out and about - you took care of him and he took care of you. When you went in his stable however it was his domain, he was never happy; they, like us I guess, are all different and the differences I respected and loved with wonder. These times taught me so much about life.

During this time I saw a lot of the country on many trips to national hunt courses with the horses, emotions were always high as we watched the horses do what they did best always with a mixture of excitement and concern for their welfare.

 Arry turned out to be a horse of a lifetime, he always tried so hard for his riders, during his racing lifetime running in approx 30 races being placed in half of them, winning 4. He qualified and ran in the biggest national hunt race in the world which is a race that is the holy grail for many trainers and although Corbiere won, the race was amazing. I was just so relieved Arry was safe, he refused at the chair and Chris Pimlott dramatically went over the fence on his own, but he was also unharmed. It was always going to be a big ask since he had just recovered from a bruised heel and had not raced before this. We were nevertheless so proud and what a couple of days that was! 

Don Eddy moved and ran a yard in Malton for many years having many successes. Then his partner Karen Mclintock took over the license and up until recently had been training from their idyllic yard in Northumberland, their passion for racing and racehorses is still so clear and lifelong. 

Brian Ellison the former head lad had many successes over the years on the flat and over jumps. He had a recent runner in the national, definitely red which became a heart horse for many and he was unlucky in his two attempts at the race, he has now been retired. 

I still feel so privileged to be part of the story in my own little way, as a big lass from a small village. The image of these horses is ever etched on my memory. As it is for any stablehand throughout  the world with a passion for horses. I feel blessed that these images and feelings I can translate into my artworks.