Country shows Journal - highland 2017

Hiho Silver Country Shows Journal

Style Picks Win with Mackenzie & George and Charleston Couture Behind the Riders

and more!

ISSUE 6 JUNE 2017

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Come and see the King of the Road and the rest of Hiho Silver’s amazing show team at The Royal Highland Show and beyond. What this lovely lot don’t know about jewellery isn’t worth knowing!

We’re very, very lucky to have such a great team that work on the shows!

Equestrian Village, 16th Avenue

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WELCOME

ISSUE

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to the Hiho Silver Country Shows Journal

Hello and welcome to this issue of the Country Shows Journal. We’re well into competition season now with two of Event Rider Masters’ legs completed and Badminton, Bramham and Chatsworth under our belts… and a few more besides. We’re getting ready for The Royal Highland Show and The Game Fair in the next few weeks, and we can’t wait to see who will be crowned as ERM winner in the remaining legs. Don’t forget that after the event you can vote for your #ERMsupergroom.

The lucky winner will win a Hiho Foxtail Bracelet with a special charm. We love supporting the grooms as we know what a key role they play.

In this issue we have two great Behind the Brands pieces; one from Charleston Couture and one from Mackenzie & George. We also have a great prize bundle, features from Say Sally May and Harriet Edwards, a fabulous behind the rider with Emily Mumford who works with ERM and helps manage four star rider James Sommerville’s PR, new pieces from Hiho… the list goes on! We hope you enjoy this issue.

Team Hiho x

Contributors

Andrew Ransford

Emma Warren

Rhea Freeman

Nathalie Arnold

Andrew is Hiho Silver’s very own ‘King of the Road’. If you’ve visited a Hiho stand at any event, the chances are you’ve seen him on it with his courtly ladies! When he’s not there, he’s busy designing the stand or sourcing beautiful jewellery for us.

Emma is best known in her role as Managing Director (or Queen Bee) at Hiho Silver, but she has many, many other strings to her bow! She supports lots of small businesses with their growth plans and works mainly on creative growth ideas.

Rhea specialises in anything equestrian and in addition to running her own PR and marketing agency in this area, she’s also a part of the Niche Brands team.

Nathalie is a freelance marketer with a lot of good ideas and an unwavering passion for all things creative... bringing a certain “Je ne sais quoi” to team Hiho.

Photograhy: Jake Eastham

Produced by www.nichebrands.co.uk

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Contents ERM - Legs 4,5 & 6 P29

Win WIN a prize worth over ÂŁ250 with Mackenzie & George and Charleston Couture P14 - 15

A day full of strawberries P5-6 Mackenzie & George P16 - 21 Charleston Couture P8 -13

New at Hiho P22-23

Beef & Ale with Horseradish Pies P38 - 43 Behind the Rider Emily Mumford P24-28

Harriet Edwards Style Picks P30-35

Ambassador Update P44-45 Gamekeeping P46- 49

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Slay some Clay Femmes Fatales P36 - 37

A day full of strawberries?

Doris just loves summer and is there anything more British to signal the start of summer than freshly picked strawberries. Doris is lucky enough to have Forde Abbey Fruit Farm on her doorstep and once the gates open for the season, Doris is sure to be there – basket in her hand and ready to pick strawberries, then later in the season come blackcurrants, gooseberries, raspberries and sometimes the most delicious tayberries.

This early in the season though, it’s strawberries that Doris is picking – the hot weather flushes out all the keen pickers, so the easy pickings had gone, but Doris finds that a little bit of leaf shifting can quite often yield the most delicious jewels of plump, juicy strawberries – missed by the fleeting glance of the eager picker. It’s important for the fruit farm that we pick the fruit that isn’t easily on show, or it rots on the plant which is a waste for us all.

So with just 15 minutes picking, Doris is soon strawberry laden and off to get her strawberries weighed in at the booth and paid for – then homeward bound with strawberry recipes running through her head.

So once she has rescued the bowl from the hungry hordes otherwise known as teenage boys, Doris set to and whipped the following delights up.

Firstly, a simple dessert and an easy one to transport for a picnic too…

Take a packet of meringue nests (or make your own if you do have the time), add double or clotted cream to the nest and then slices of lovely fresh strawberries on top – add a small mint garnish if you wish…simply delicious!

Next, time to make a strawberry coulis for use on the last two strawberry delights!

STRAWBERRY COULIS RECIPE 1 heaped tbsp. caster sugar 1 tbsp of lemon juice 300 g (10 oz) strawberries halved and mashed 1 tsp vanilla paste Put all of the ingredients into a small pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until soft.

If you wish you can puree, but Doris just makes sure the strawberries are well mashed in the first place.

Cool and then place in a small container and keep in the fridge.

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Next, afternoon tea comes to mind – again Doris was in a bit of a rush, so purchased some premium fruit scones, but obviously would usually bake her own. Scones always present such a dilemma – does one pronounce to rhyme with ‘gone’ or ‘bone’ and does the cream go on first (as the Devonians recommend) or last and on top of the jam (as the Cornish recommend)?

Doris – being of a practical persuasion – opted for the Devonshire way on this occasion as the coulis is a bit runnier than jam, and the cream can be lavished thickly onto the scone and then shaped to provide a boundary for the coulis. For that extra spot of decadence, Doris added some sliced strawberries to that top. Then the teapot was warmed, the garden seats cushioned and afternoon tea was taken outside – a delicious pot of Doris’s favourite tea (2 bags of Breakfast tea and 1 bag of Earl Grey) and these delicious strawberry scones – perfick!

Duly fuelled by her afternoon repast, Doris finished off some chores and then realised that the sun was most definitely over the yard arm, so time for her last strawberry delight…a little addition to her evening gin & tonic.

Drop a couple of spoonfuls of coulis into the bottom of your favourite gin glass, add ice, pour gin over and add your preferred tonic. Doris used @hendricksginuk, as she considered that the rose & cucumber infusion would sit well with the strawberries and @fentimansltd tonic. Then a quick stir with your swizzle stick and add a sprig of sharply smacked mint - and you’re ready to go. Happenchance Doris might need to make herself another soon - all in the interests of checking the recipe for you obviously...

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Be a girl with a mind a woman with attitude but a lady with class...

ALWAYS BE YOURSELF

dorisandco.co.uk

tel: 01460 477773

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Behind the Brand

charlestoncouture @CharlstnCouture

#CharlestonCouture 8

www.charleston-couture.co.uk

Charleston Couture got propelled into the spotlight in May this year at Badminton Horse Trials. This was the first year that a prize had been given to the best dressed at the trot up (a competition proudly sponsored and judged by Hiho Silver), and Danni Dunn won the prize for best dressed lady, dressed in a bespoke Charleston Couture jacket and hat. Here, Helena Smith, director, creator and incredibly skilled designer, talks to use about the brand.

Why Charleston Couture?

The business started as a hobby and then grew from there. After making some samples for friends, people started to ask for me to make them something unique and the rest as they say is history ;-) Tell us a bit about your background…

I qualified as an accountant after I left school, whilst producing horses for eventing and dressage. I was very fortunate to work for some top names and those experiences grounded me for my first entrepreneurial business venture with my husband in 2003.

Three business set-ups later and a number of horses produced to small tour level dressage, I then got back into eventing and my interests took a massive U-turn to fashion and sewing when we moved to Gloucester.

I was really keen find a creative outlet away from horses and this seemed to be the ideal solution. I have always loved fashion, but never had the confidence to wear nice clothes, so it was either work clothes or breeches!

All that changed when I met my friend and mentor, Jilly Baker, and I really began to connect with fabrics and colour. During this time I also qualified as a cross country controller for BE, so life consists of horses, dogs, and business, which I love!

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‘‘ I have alway the confidence eith

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ys loved fashion, but never had e to wear nice clothes, so it was her work clothes or breeches! ’’

December 2015 was when the inspiration for Charleston really hit, and August 2016 saw us take the plunge with our first trade stand.

Whilst I enjoy connecting with the public, my strengths lie in creating looks as individual as each lady that visits us.

Moving forward, I’m really looking forward to expanding our bespoke work for events from trot ups, to weddings, with a number of new exciting designs being launched this year and our hat range really taking off.

What’s your USP? What makes Charleston different?

Our USP is our customer care and unique ability to marry colour and fabric to create one off and limited edition pieces that traverse the seasons and become a staple part of our ladies’ wardrobes. Combined with the ability to create new and one-off designs, whilst also being able to give a new lease of life to an existing much loved coat or jacket, means we can offer a true bespoke service to every customer.

What’s your flagship product?

Our flagship product is our Ledbury cape. This was one of the first designs that I created and has proven popular as it has true diversity in different fabrics and can be worn for many different occasions.

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What is the best show or event you attend or exhibit at?

The best show so far has to be Badminton - the win (of best dressed at the trot up) was a lovely ending. Three months of hard work, and it was an honour to win the prize against such stiff competition.

The most memorable show was the first that we attended at Chilham Park in 2016, it was very steep learning curve and the first tradestand I had ever done! We had a amazing weekend with lots of visitors and sales, which really gave me the confidence to take the next steps with the brand.

‘‘ That was the day I began to believe in myself and my business, a crucial part of any small businesses journey. ’’ What’s the funniest business experience you’ve had?

The funniest business experience was when I sold my first Ledbury cape, as crazy it sounds, you could have knocked me over with a feather. That was the day I began to believe in myself and my business, a crucial part of any small businesses journey.

What’s the best experience so far, that’s happened as a result of your business?

The best experience was seeing the beautiful architecture of the Badminton stables this year, and meeting the legendary Sam who was stabled two doors up from Zocarla, Danni’s ride this year.

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C

CHARLESTON

www.charleston-couture.co.uk

COUTURE

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COMPETITION

Win

Win a prize bundle worth over £250 from Charleston Couture, Hiho Silver and Mackenzie & George!

In this issue of the Hiho Silver Country Shows Journal we’re giving away five prizes in total from three brands that have been featured in the journal… here’s what you could win…

Mackenzie & George Felt Fedora RRP £44.99

Mackenzie & George Pheasant & Peacock Large Feather Brooch - RRP £44.99

This classic fedora is made from wool felt that makes it easy to clean and durable, and is finished with an oiled leather band to give it extra style. It’s crushable, shower-proof, has a padded inner sweat band and comes in three sizes to get the perfect fit.

This beautiful brooch is handmade in the Scottish Highlands using approximately 25-40 natural feathers that are hand arranged into an up cycled rifle casing, which is then securely mounted onto a brooch pin. It can be worn on a lapel or one of M&G’s gorgeous Felt Fedoras.

The winner of this competition gets to choose the colour of their Felt Fedora from brown, camel, navy or wine.

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COMPETITION Charleston Couture Bespoke Tweed Skirt RRP from £85 The winner of this prize will win a Bespoke Tweed Skirt, created by Helena herself. You’ll get to choose the tweed and lining to suit your tastes. The skirt will be made to your measurements and it’ll be a true one off – made just for you!

C

CHARLESTON COUTURE

Hiho Silver Exclusive Hammered Sterling Silver Pheasant Necklace RRP £49 This Hiho exclusive is a favourite with our lady gun customers. The little pheasant silhouette has a hammered finish to give the texture of feathers, and is set with silver rings so it sits flat against the wearer’s neck. This piece can also be engraved.

Hiho Silver Sterling Silver exclusive Pheasant Studs RRP £30 These plucky little birds in full flight are perfect for any country lover’s ear. Our silversmith has beautifully captured the detail of the pheasant and its hundreds of feathers to give that Hiho special touch. Finished with a butterfly back to stop him flying away!

To be in with a chance to win our fantastic prize, enter on the Hiho Silver stand at our shows (see show schedule on back page) or enter online here.

Closing date Monday 31st July 2017. Good luck!

T&Cs apply 12 - see online registration form for details.

Click here to enter  15

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Behind the Brand

Melanie and Chris Clarihew are the people behind Mackenzie & George, a stunning brand (and stand!) that’s seen online and at many shows up and down the country each year. Here Melanie talks to us about Mackenzie & George’s humble beginnings, flagship products and a Personalisation and Prosecco station – what could be better?!

Who are you and how did you start?

Mackenzie & George is run by my husband Chris and I. Our story starts all the way back in 1974! Chris’ father, Bill, had a belt factory for over 40 years, producing ladies couture belts for department stores and brands like Harrods, John Lewis, Austin Reed, Jaeger and many more, but had started to scale down the business and focus on craft shows. In 2008, Chris had recently finished university, and with jobs few and far between in that economic climate, he started selling some of his fathers belts at Covent Garden Apple Market.

Long story short - the selling really sparked an interest in the making, and so Chris started learning how to make different types of belts (although he has been in the factory on school holidays since a toddler, so knew some of the basics). I had recently lost my job around the same time (I’m from a music/marketing/events background), and started helping Chris, and together we looked at working with natural, long lasting materials and incorporating traditional saddlery techniques we taught ourselves via YouTube (and many years of trial and error!). We combined this with modern design techniques and vintage machinery to create a standard in our making that is unique to us.

Eventually we started to do a few craft shows for his parents, with our own mini collection on the corner of the stand, until we took the plunge and set up our own business in 2012, with a loan of £1,500 pounds for our first stand at Burghley Horse Trials.

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What’s your brand’s unique selling point? What makes Mackenzie & George extra special?

We design each and every product so that it is as relevant now as it will be in 20 years time. We’re not into faddy fashion; neither of us ever have been personally, and have always looked for timeless quality in anything we buy, and that is what we design our products on the basis of as well.

Our branding is visible, but not in your face - we aim to let the designs and materials speak for themselves, with all of its natural character.

So timeless quality is our USP I guess - I know these are words that are banded about all the time so they can start to lose their meaning, but in their purest form I think is the perfect description of what we do.

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‘‘We love working with British materials and combining them in unusual ways with leather. ’’

What is your flagship product - what are you known for?

Hmm, good question! When we started we did a lot of work using tweeds and liberty prints, because we love working with British materials and combining them in unusual ways with leather.

This is something that evolved into the 'Warwick' belt - where we use real feathers hand laid inside the belt combined with shotgun cartridges. It’s a unique design that is a real show stopper, and ideal 'special occasion' belt, and we do a feather only version called the Drayton that is much loved.

One of our first designs is named after our first ever show - the 'Burghley'. It is universally flattering and a real statement piece.

In the last few years I think people have come to know us for some of our other products as well; felt fedoras and feather brooches and we have a personalisation service where we can deboss initials and names into keyrings, clutches and belts.

We met Wendy Goode - the artist behind the brooches many years ago when we were still doing Chris' parents’ stand at craft shows.

Bizarrely she was living in a tiny rural area of Aberdeenshire that was one village along from where Chris' father grew up!

We loved her work and when we saw her again a few years later at a trade show, Wendy said she wasn't going to do any more shows and asked if we'd be interested in exclusively representing her feathers on the events circuit. Of course we jumped at the chance, and the feather brooches have been a centre piece of our stand ever since. We introduced the felt fedoras as well and our customers have so much fun choosing their own combinations and adding to their collection year after year.

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What’s your best/favourite show/event – either that you’ve been to with the stand or that you attend as a visitor – or even both!

Burghley - being our birthday show has a special place in our heart! Like Badminton, it is a real cornerstone of our year, and it is wonderful to see so many returning customers - and new ones too! We love seeing our products being worn year after year and get so much lovely feedback at shows like this.

We're particularly excited about Royal Highland Show this year.

It will be our first time in a (huge!) outside stand, and we've got some lovely new products to launch, plus our Personalisation & Prosecco Station will be open - a free glass whilst you wait for your item to be personalised!

What’s the best part of your business?

Without a doubt - the customer feedback. We learn so much from listening to our customers. We want them to be happily wearing our products for many years, and we'd be nowhere without them!

I may be biased, but I do think we have the most lovely customers, and we're so happy they want to share what they love with us, and when there is something they don't love, I relish in trying to make it right.

mackenzieandgeorge @MackandGeorgeUK @mackenzieandgeorge

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www.mackenzieandgeorge.com

What are you business highs?

Having started in my in laws’ garage, it was a our own unit for our workshop three years a units here, including a soon to open showro In addition, this year we’ve welcomed Jad our show team, and Jade will also be worki the workshop. So be sure to say hello when next show!

a real milestone having ago. We now have three oom for appointments. de, Tara and Beth into ing with us full time in n you meet them at the

‘‘ It will be our first time in a (huge!) outside stand, and we’ve got some lovely new products to launch, plus our Personalisation & Prosecco Station will be open! ’’

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What’s NEW? We’re really excited to be able to introduce you to some of our new pieces…

As you know, our Cherry Roller Collection is exclusive (as in, you can only get it from us!), and we’re continuing to develop our range in line with your requests… so here are some new pieces for you to enjoy.

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Exclusive Long Chained Sterling Silver & 18ct Rose Gold Vermeil Cherry Roller Snaffle Necklace

This lovely long sterling silver chain is interspersed with little cherry rollers that combine sterling silver and rose gold vermeil beads. It can be worn on its own, doubled over or worn with other necklaces for a layered look.

Exclusive Sterling Silver & 18ct Rose Gold Vermeil Complete Cherry Roller Bracelet

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What’s better than one cherry roller on a bracelet? Five!

This stunning piece features five cherry roller snaffles, joined together with silver oval links the are soldered for security. Finished with a sterling silver s clasp.

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Exclusive Sterling Silver & 18ct Rose Gold Vermeil Complete Cherry Roller Necklace

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This piece is what we call a wow necklace – we’re sure you can see why! It’s made of eleven solid silver bits joined with silver oval links that are soldered together for security. It’s supplied on an extender chain so you can wear it between 16”-18”.

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Exclusive Sterling Silver CZ Starlight Roller Charm Beads

We’ve extended our range of roller charms to include five Starlight Roller Charm Beads. These are now available in tanzanite, amethyst, aqua, pink and white. All fit our Exclusive Sterling Silver Foxtail Bracelet.

Exclusive Sterling Silver & CZ World Horse Welfare Charm

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Show your support of this great charity with a WHW charm for your Foxtail Bracelet. For each bead sold, we give £10 to the charity. In addition to doing good, the charm is gorgeous too with the WHW logo on one size and a horse shoe with blue and green crystals (the charity’s colours) on the other.

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BEHIND THE RIDER

Emily Mumford from Inkpot & Press

Emily Mumford from Inkpot & Press talks to us about what goes on behind the scenes at events – as a member of the Event Rider Masters team and as a PR and for a four star event rider, we hear what it’s really like…

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I

run a tiny little PR business offering PR, Social Media and Copywriting support to Equestrian, Artisan and Countryside-based businesses. Having worked for a very high-flying copywriter during Uni and then going on to manage a busy local cafe/restaurant and country clothing store situated on a privately owned stately home estate, I found my dream job as Assistant Events Director at BEDE Events Ltd where I learnt a huge amount about all aspects of running both National and International Equestrian Events from booking loos to looking after sponsors, I’ve done it all!

‘‘ I decided to follow my dreams and set out on my own as a freelance PR agent in April 2016. ’’ I somewhat fell into doing the marketing for BEDE which involved promoting Belton International Horse Trials, The Gillespie MacAndrew Hopetoun International Horse Trials and The Osberton International Horse Trials inc. The British Eventing KBIS Young Horse Championships as well as the five other national events that we ran at the time - Oasby (1) & (2), Shelford (1) & (2) and Prestwold Hall. I absolutely loved this part of my job although it took up a huge amount of my time… Seeing the results that effective marketing could achieve first hand gave me a huge buzz and coupled with my “logoleptic” tendencies, I decided to follow my dreams and set out on my own as a freelance PR agent in April 2016.

to be involved in the Sport, it just seems to have happened that way so far and I’m not complaining!

I am very lucky in that I get to work with the amazing James Sommerville and his team managing and delivering his PR. This involves liaising with both Equestrian and National mainstream media, sourcing sponsors, writing Press Releases, monitoring social media activity (his head girl Lucie is incredible with keeping everyone up to date over SM), attending events with the team and generally “fan-girling” at every given opportunity - which isn’t hard to do!

I’m currently working with a number of very exciting clients, some of whom are event riders, others run larger event and sales yards and some are companies immersed heavily in the world of eventing. There isn’t a prerequisite for my clients

Another of my clients is the incredible Event Rider Masters. I don’t actually do the PR for ERM but am part of the team on a Freelance basis helping out wherever I can. I’ve been referred to as a “vitally important pair of safe hands” which is lovely and

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I guess describes exactly what I am to the ERM team.

My role is very flexible. If there is a hole that needs plugging I’m the one who plugs it, which I love. It enables me to learn and experience new things every time I work with the gang and so far everything I have been tasked with has been fab! Recently at Leg 2 in Wiesbaden I spent time working within the Graphics department alongside CGS. Our regular ‘equestrian eyes’ weren’t with us in Germany so I was deployed to be the ‘spotter’ and to keep the real graphics pros on the right lines. I even got to play with putting the graphics up on screen myself which I LOVED. Working closely with the Red Handed TV crew is incredible – they are a seriously talented bunch who are still only

‘‘I’ve been referred to as a ‘vitally important pair of safe hands’ which is lovely and I guess describes exactly what I am to the ERM team.’’

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in their equestrian programme infancy and what they are achieving already is phenomenal. I genuinely can’t wait to see what they can do at Blenheim!

I experience so many “wow” moments in my job but my absolute highlight both professionally and personally has to be putting James (Sommerville) and his beautiful top horse, Talent, in to the Badminton start box for their first ever go at 4* this year. The whole team work so incredibly hard and Talent isn’t the easiest of horses but somehow they have got him to the very top of the sport and both boys were amazing all week. Personally being there with them gave me a huge buzz as Jimmy and Lucie have become very good friends of mine so to see them both achieve a goal as big as that was very emotional.

Unfortunately Badminton didn’t quite go to plan when, having ridden a near foot-perfect round, Talent and James had a misunderstanding at Fence 19 on course and parted company. The boys picked themselves up and reminded us all why they are so incredible by winning the Open Intermediate at Bishop Burton and finishing seventh at the CCI3* at Bramham International Horse Trials. I went to see the team on Saturday and took a trip to the Hiho stand too. I’m hoping to be walking James and Talent into another 4* start box at the beginning of September but I don’t want to jinx anything so shh!

‘‘ The Event Rider Masters is, in my opinion, the most exciting thing to ever happen to eventing.’’ has the be the look on Sarah “Cutty” Cohen’s face when she realised she had won Leg 2 in Wiesbaden.

I genuinely don’t believe that there has been a more deserved winner than Sarah who keeps her lovely boy Treason at home in the field with her daughter’s pony and no facilities whatsoever. She kept referring to herself as a happy hacker which I loved!

The Event Rider Masters is, in my opinion, the most exciting thing to ever happen to eventing.

Offering unprecedented Prize Money Pots, regular main stream TV coverage, live action online streaming and excitement the likes of which have not been seen in Eventing for a very long time, I genuinely believe that it is the future. Working towards making the sport more attractive to big player sponsors, the ERM team bring together expertise from the Worlds of event organisation, multi-media distribution, top-level event riding, racing and tv presenting to offer a Series that will revolutionise Eventing as we know it by showcasing it at it’s very best to Global audiences.

It was a year ago to the day that I was sitting in the Riders’ briefing at Bramham with my lovely friend Emily Prangnell (who was competing in the U25s) when Paul Tapner tapped me on the shoulder. They were short of someone to help with the live social media coverage of the ERM dressage and he wondered if I could step in and I haven’t looked back!

There have been a few already but my stand out favourite moment of the 2017 series so far

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‘‘I will never forget seeing what I think epitomises Event Organisation when one of my colleagues walked towards me wearing ill-fitting marigolds, bin juice quite literally all over her and the Grantham Cup tucked under one arm...’’

I am seriously looking forward to going abroad again with the ERM gang and we head out for Leg 4 to Haras de Jardy just after Leg 3 at Barbury, but I think I am most looking forward to the Series Finale at Blenheim in September. The forward leaps that ERM has already taken since last year in terms of technology, coverage, organisation and support have been phenomenal so to see what they can achieve at the end of this year makes me very very giddy!

I was once asked if working in Event Organisation was as glamorous as it looks… I’m sure you can imagine my answer, and working for ERM is no different (don’t get me wrong though, I wouldn’t change any of my clients for the world!) The hours are long, the weather can be cruel and most of the time you are in the middle of a random field with sketchy internet and almost no phone signal. I will never forget seeing what I think epitomises Event Organisation when one of my BEDE colleagues walked towards me wearing ill-fitting marigolds, bin juice quite literally all over her and the Grantham Cup tucked under one arm… I’m not sure you can match the buzz though, standing back and watching what you have worked tirelessly to organise being enjoyed by thousands of people in exactly the way you hoped it would be…

www.facebook.com/InkPotandPress/

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UPDATE At the time that this issue of the Hiho Silver Country Shows Journal gets distributed, two of ERM’s legs will be complete and there’ll be five to go, but with Barbury at the start of July and the next three events following in fairly quick succession, we wanted to give you the lowdown on Haras De Jardy, Gatcombe and Blair…

Leg 4 Haras De Jardy

The Jardy International Eventing show is where the fourth leg of ERM will take place.

15th and 16th July

parklands, meadows and woodlands, with an indoor riding school, old stables and modern

The event is held in the outskirts of Paris at the famous Jardy stud in 75 hectares of equestrian facilities too.

Leg 5 The Festival Of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park

5th and 6th August

Set in the stunning grounds of Gatcombe Park, The Festival of British Eventing sees leg 5 of ERM. Spectators have a great view of the cross country course from within the natural bowl in the park, and there’s plenty more for them to enjoy too with amazing tradestands, food and drink, arena activities and attractions that all the family can enjoy.

Leg 6

With the backdrop of Blair Castle, the only Scottish based ERM leg is set to see the

Blair Castle Equi-Trek International Horse Trials

competition really hotting up with just one more leg to follow. In addition to ERM, Blair

26th and 27th August

also a country fair over the weekend for spectators to enjoy.

also runs four days of competition and sees over 1200 horses on the estate each year. There’s

Who won the first two legs?

Leg 1 was held at Chatsworth and was won by Gemma Tattersall on Quicklook V. Bettina Hoy took second place on Designer 10, and Thomas Carlile took third with Upsilon.

Leg 2 was the first European ERM leg and was held in Wiesbaden, Germany. The all female podium saw Britain’s Sarah Cohen and Treason take first place, Julia Krajewski from Germany take second with Chipmunk FRH, and Sweden’s Sara Algotsoon Ostholt take third with Reality 39.

All previous legs can be viewed at www.eventridermasters.tv, and the legs listed above will be streamed live as they happen. Whether you manage to attend the events in person or not, ERM’s technology allows you to be fully involved in the action, wherever you are. One hour highlights programmes are also being screened around the world, including on Sky Sports in the UK from the Thursday after each event.

To find out more about ERM and watch the events live, as well as view footage from last year, see www.eventridermasters.tv.

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STYLE PICKS WITH

Harriet Edwar Our very own A Girl About Country, Harriet Edwards, has taken the reins for this feature and chats about all the things she loves

as well as her style picks for the season ahead. Harriet has been a Hiho fan for a long time and, latterly, a brand ambassador. She has

three horses, she shoots and she’s a really lovely lady who we’re proud to work with.

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rds

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H

ello! For everyone who doesn’t know me, my name is Harriet Edwards and I am the person behind country style and lifestyle blog, A Girl About Country.

So who am I? Well let’s start from the top…I’m at least a fifth generation (that’s as far as I can trace back!)

Farmer’s Daughter, born and raised on a farm in the Heart of Rural England and it’s fair to say that I’m a true country girl, happiest when I’m in the middle of a field with my horses, dogs or shotgun for company. I’m also a bit of a nerd, working full time in the Pharmaceutical Industry whilst studying for my second Master’s Degree (I know, I am crazy!), this time in Regulatory Affairs – what I do for work.

When I’m not working, I can usually be found on the farm with my three best friends who happen to also be my horses; Ali, DD and my old pony Panda. My horses are my world and have been ever since I got my first Shetland pony at the age of 3, although I don’t spend as much time with them now as I’d like. I am an eventer, or at least I try to be! I used to compete my bay horse, Ali at British Eventing events, now just to be clear - I’m not talking 4* level or anywhere close to that but we had a blast and I was so lucky to have such a wonderful (and sometimes very interesting!) ride. Ali is taking some time out at the moment as I’m currently training my youngest horse, DD who I also hope to compete later in the year – although being the only person ever to ride this horse as I broke her in myself, it could be a big ask! She’s a total sweetheart though, kind brave and genuine – the total opposite of Ali! – so I have high hopes for her.

If I’m not riding, I am trying to find the time to partake in my other passion – shooting. Having grown up on a farm, I have been exposed to shooting from a really young age. We are part of a local farm shooting syndicate, which my brother and uncle have been members of for many years. I used to think of shooting as a man’s sport, a Saturday morning annoyance when I wanted to ride in the woods but risked getting shot because the

“I’m a true country girl, happiest when I’m in the middle of a field with my horses, dogs or shotgun for company.”

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way it has. I am a scientist and so stereotypically, I’m not that creative. However those who know me well will tell you that I have a mild shopping addiction, my friends shoot were around doing something! However, my view

and family refer to me (rightly or wrongly) as the style

has completely changed since having a go myself - don’t

queen with one too many pairs of shoes or handbags!

get me wrong, those Saturday morning woodland diary

I’ve always been really passionate about country style,

clashes are still super annoying! I started going along

but it’s often seen as dowdy or unfashionable although

to the local clay shooting ground with my brother, but

I completely disagree. Done properly, country style is

feeling a bit deflated because I was the only girl there

not only practical, it’s timeless, elegant and classy and

and I was also pretty rubbish. That’s when I decided

so I have always been an advocate. But back to the blog,

to attend my first all ladies clay shooting day, with the

with the shopping addiction in mind, it was actually my

Shotgun & Chelsea Bun Club and I haven’t looked back.

friends at my favourite brand, Fairfax & Favor (possibly friends because of the previously mention shopping addiction!) who persuaded me to give blogging a go, after the success of sharing my photos of their beautiful products on Instagram. The rest, as they say is history.

“Done properly, country style is

My blog is not exclusively about country style, I also

not only practical, it’s timeless,

about the countryside and everything it has to offer, it’s

elegant and classy...”

write about my life in the countryside. I am so passionate a perfect place to grow up, raise a family and grow old – as well as everything in between. Give me a muddy field over a bustling city street any day of the week. The country side has often been viewed as boring by those who have not really experienced it before and I’m really keen to change that perception. I’m also really keen to

I am now a regular at such days, particularly with my favourite group – the Femmes Fatales, who have not only improved my shooting, but also my social life!

I have been to some of the most amazing shooting grounds across the country and been lucky enough to be part of some amazing experiences – this year I got the chance to head up to Yorkshire on an all ladies game shoot which was unbelievable. Most importantly though, I have met some of the most fabulous people, who I am lucky enough to call my very closest of friends. For anyone who is thinking of giving clay shooting a go – I urge you to attend one of these days, you will not be disappointed!

So as you can see, my life is a little busy to say the least, but when (or more accurately, if ) I have any spare time, you’ll find me writing my blog – A Girl About Country.

I can’t take the credit for the idea of starting a blog, in fact when I did start it, I was completely sceptical and never thought for a minute that it would take off the

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spread the word to fellow countryside dwellers. The countryside can be a lonely and isolated place at times and so I think it’s really important to encourage a sense of community and spread the word about various social events to bring people together. It’s definitely been harder writing about my personal life and experiences, it makes you feel quite vulnerable to put yourself out in the open on the internet, but I actually think these blogs are the ones that have been the best received and it makes it all worthwhile when I hear back from my readers to say

Hiho Cherry Rollers The exclusive collection from Hiho epitomises equestrian style, which is only to be expected from the best country and equestrian jewellers around! I love everything in the cherry roller collection, because they are so effortlessly stylish and elegant – I’m never without my cherry roller bangle or bespoke pearl and rose gold cherry roller necklace. What I love so much is that you don’t have to be equestrian orientated to appreciate or love the collection, it looks just as amazing adorning the slickest of city slickers as it does on horsey people. I have my eye on the new long chain cherry roller snaffle necklace because it’s a little bit dressier whilst remaining true to its equestrian heritage, definitely something to wear on a day or evening out and I think would look particularly lovely with a plain summery dress.

they have been encouraged to give something new a try.

So my plans for the next few months…

More of the same really! Trying to balance all of my spinning plates and also enjoy some much needed downtime. I’m looking forward to heading to some social events over the summer months – I love attending the big Horse Trials such as Badminton and Burghley (for the shopping as much as the horses!), I’m also heading to the polo, attending some more shooting events and country fairs.

I’m also looking forward to spending some time at home, sometimes I am rushing around so much that I forget to appreciate that. I have a gorgeous little kitten, who goes by the name of Oscar – an exotic shorthair who is the biggest character out there – I’m sure he thinks he’s a dog! I’m going to try and fit in a little seaside break too for some proper rest and relaxation because my wonderful partner James is just as busy as I am and sometimes it feels as though we are passing ships in the night!

In terms of A Girl About Country, there’s so much to look forward to there as well. I am celebrating a huge milestone and anniversary with my blog so I have a huge competition to thank everyone for their support, because without that the blog wouldn’t be a success.

Aside from the competition, there’s lots of exclusives, behind the scenes and exciting things to come, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled!

With so many exciting events to attend and things to do, I’ve picked out my summer country style essentials that are guaranteed to smoothly transition from mucking out to going out, picnics to polo and walks along the beach to evenings out.

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Fairfax & Favor Drivers Fairfax & Favor has something special for every season and unfortunately for my (Fairfax & Favor) purse, so now does my wardrobe! I love everything that is on offer, from the signature Regina to my new crush – the over the knee Amira – who knew that country style could take inspiration from the city and produce such an elegantly stylish result? But my top style pick, that can take you effortlessly from long summer days to wintery ones, has to be the array of loafers that Fairfax & Favor have to offer.

The Apsleys are gorgeous as are the Henleys and they are both super comfortable – perfect for long walks or out shopping. I wear mine to work as well as casually and quite often wear them in between changing out of my riding boots!

“I am so passionate about the countryside and everything it has to offer, it’s a perfect place to grow up, raise a family and grow old – as well as everything in between.”

A Tan belt It’s probably an understatement to say that I am a Tan Fan. All of my accessories are tan and for very good reason. Tan is a classic look, it goes with everything and in my opinion adds a touch of elegance to any outfit. It’s less harsh than black and so is perfect for any season. A good tan belt is the perfect finishing touch to casual and smart outfits alike. One of my favourites is the Badminton belt from Mackenzie & George because it’s so beautifully made and the attention to detail is exquisite – the small brass snaffle bits are a stylish addition – equestrian style is a thing this season even for non-equestrians! It’s also thin enough to make the perfect waist belt and looks great paired with a summer dress.

A good shirt... …can elevate any casual outfit to something more. I think a well-fitted shirt styled with a good pair of white jeans and the previously mentioned Fairfax & Favor drivers is an outfit fit for so many different occasions from an evening in the local pub, out to dinner, a country show or point to point. I really like the Teddy Edward Morpeth shirt, it’s classically crisp white – perfect with dark or coloured jeans and has a beautiful femine cut that will flatter any shape. I also love the Oxford Shirt Company frill shirts, which have a subtle frill along the button line and are super soft.

www. agirlaboutcountry.com

@harriet_lily

@harrietledwards

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F

ounded in 2014, all girl gun club Femmes Fatales celebrated its third birthday with a bang, at the prestigious Royal Berkshire Shooting School in April.

Eighty women from all over the country flocked to the venue, arguably the UK’s best clay shooting ground, to take part in a fierce, but fun competition. Putting their shooting skills to the test on the challenging range of ‘English Sporting’ targets, the girls produced some

perfect conditions for some serious clay slaying.

Competitors were grouped according to their level of shooting experience: Novice, Intermediate and Expert - giving newcomers to the sport the same opportunity to win some of the fabulous prizes up for grabs from some amazing brands such as Gamebore, Fairfax & Favor, Kate Latimer (taxidermist) and Clare Shaw (artist)

incredible displays of ability.

The 2017 Femmes Fatales Cup was junior shot Amy

The celebrations didn’t begin at the clay ground though,

schoolwork, while the runner-up was Hannah Gibson. Full

in fact the ladies marked the third anniversary with a fabulous party the night before - hosted by Femmes Fatales’ sponsor DryFire, a shooting simulator that allows the user to practice the sport in the comfort of their own home - or in this case, in the swanky cocktail bar at The Elephant in Pangbourne. Not only was it a lot of fun, it was a great opportunity to get some last minute practice in before the big day.

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Luckily the weather was great, dry but not too sunny - the

Easeman who juggles her shooting training with her scores and category winners can be found at www.femmesfatales.co.uk along with the full diary of future, nationwide events that and ladies can attend, whether they’ve never shot before, or are keen clay shots.

Guests at each event will have the chance to win a gorgeous Femmes Fatales friendship bracelet created especially by HiHo Silver!

To find out more about Femmes Fatales, see www.femmes-fatales.co.uk or follow them on social media – you can find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. www.femmes-fatales.co.uk

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Say Sally May BIG Bite sizes Beef and Ale with Horseradish Pies

These not-so-little guys are incredibly versatile and promise to fill up tummies as a complement to a cosy dinner party, or your pending summer picnics galore!

Quick, simply, and indulgent to taste, here’s my favourite pie recipe just for you.

Serves 3 (makes 3 individual pies)

Ingredients : Pastry - Totally “cheated”! For convenience we used one frozen block of ‘Jus-Rol’ Short Crust Pastry (500g) – defrosted.

- 3 mini loaf tins (ours are size: 9.5cm x 6.8cm & 4.2cm deep).

- 1 egg for making an egg wash for the pie tops before baking.

Filling - 350g of diced, lean steak.

- 200ml of your favourite ale (we chose Greene King Suffolk Springer Ale for its deep, almost toffee rich flavour).

- Half a large, diced red onion.

- 4 large, diced chestnut mushrooms.

- 2 tbsp vegetable oil.

- 4tbsp plain flour.

- 200ml of your favourite beef stock/jus. We bought pre made, jellified jus for thickness, however you can use 2 regular beef stock cubes mixed.

A generous tablespoon of horseradish sauce.

A handful of fresh thyme.

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Filling Before we start, marinade your beef in your choice of ale for an hour.

Leave overnight for an even deeper flavour.

Once marinated, strain the beef from its boozy bath, and keep the ale to one side. It’s time to brown the beef. Add your diced beef to a lightly oiled, medium sized pan and cook on a high heat until browned entirely. Set aside.

Taking the same pan, lightly oil once more, and add the onion and mushrooms still on the high heat to get them cooking good! Before any potential onion burning, turn the hob down to a low heat for 5 mins until both ingredients are well cooked.

Now add the flour to the mix, and stir until the flour turns brown (a slight gravy should be forming now!).

Return the meat and any juices back into the pan to join the onion and mushrooms, and mix well. Pour in the ale from marinating, as well as your chosen beef stock/jus, and your hearty helping of horseradish sauce. Further add some sprigs of rosemary, and cover the pot on a low simmer for around 45 minutes to an hour.

Tip: If your mix is looking a little too watery, sieve in some plain flour to thicken.

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Pastry Cases Grease your pie tins with a little butter to avoid sticking.

As the filling simmers away, roll out your pastry block and take your mini pie tins.

Sit them open top down on the pastry (you want a thickness of no more than a £1 coin), and cut around them, leaving around 5cm excess edging.

Do this for all tins, then gently line each of their newly made “pastry cut outs”, and remove any excess pastry flapping over the edge of each tin. Any excess can be rolled together and made into the pie tops or decoration!

Cut out pie tops from your remaining pastry, ready to seal in the tasty meatiness!

The Final Pie Pre heat your oven at this point to 220C/200C fan/gas 7

Once your pie filling is cooked, and the meat is tender, remove from the heat and begin filling your pastry cases, in their tins, ready to bake.

When filled, pop on their pastry tops, and pinch to seal around the edges.

Make yourself some decorative leaves, or whatever you wish for the top of your pies!

Give each pie top a brush with beaten egg, and pierce a small hole in each to allow steam to escape in the oven.

It’s time to bake! Add the mini pies to your pre heated oven, and enjoy the show as they turn golden in the next 40 minutes.

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Once your pies are looking beautiful and tempting, remove from the oven and allow to rest for up to 10 minutes.

Serve with lashings of thick, beef gravy accompanied by creamy mash potato or thick cut chips, and your favourite veg for a truly comforting supper.

OR Refrigerate a batch in cling film to take with you in a picnic hamper the following day!

Serve alongside your favourite cheeses (I recommend a crumbly stilton), mustard, more horseradish, and pickled onions for a summer day picnic feast.

Crack open your favourite summer ale or cider too, if you wish, to wash it all down!

Recipe by Say Sally May

Perfect to take with you in a picnic hamper the

Picture “A Girl About Country�

following day!

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An Ambassador Update!

A

s you’ll know if you follow us on social media, we work with a few carefully selected brand ambassadors… here’s a quick update on what some of them have been up to…

Sophie Callahan got married on 3rd June to the lovely Sam Blinman.

Both looked stunning on their big day and then jetted off to Jamaica for their honeymoon. We’re not remotely jealous of the sun, cocktails and sea that the couple enjoyed. No. Not one bit. We wish Sophie and Sam all the best with this new chapter of their lives…

Sophie also commentated on the trot up at Badminton Horse Trials in May, and wrote an article for the Badminton Horse Trials website.

She blogged about it too.

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The lovely Harriet Edwards is fast approaching her 10k on Instagram! Harriet’s beautifully written blogs and stunning pics showing her keen eye for style have gained huge amounts of fans. Find out more about Harriet on page 28.

Our latest brand ambassador to join us is Andrea Owen – aka Mud On My Mulberry. Andrea has been a long term Hiho fan and we love her use of video as well as imagery for her followers and fans. Her lookbook feature is a new addition to her blog and we love her style. Andrea has horses and dogs and has just started shooting too!

A new addition to our brand And Emily has been incredibly busy! She helped judge the best dressed at the Badminton Trot Up with our King of the Road, she’s been competing in the Event Rider Masters, she’s been featured in Style Reins… the

ambassador family !

Andrea Owen, aka Mud on My Mulberry...

list goes on!

Watch “HIHO SILVER #BESTDRESSED PRIZE WINNER”

•

STYLE REINS THE MAGAZINE FOCUSED ON EQUESTRIAN STYLE

SUMMER 2017 £3.95

Wanderlust

See the wonders of the world from the back of a horse

“Dress to

IMPRESS!”

Emily King talks FASHION, FAMILY & SPORT in the spotlight

Summer Riding Style Gorgeous greens you’ll want to be seen in

45

Interview

by Say Sally May

Gamek

Country living runs deep in my own life growing up. Not so much on my mother’s side, but my father’s, who grew up in the small village of Wolvey in Warwickshire. I’d always be visiting my granny each weekend to be shown the newness in the garden every time. New beans here, garlic growing there, and “look at that pesky blackbird under the netting, trying to eat all of the red currants!!”

Rabbit spotting was a common game to play, and learning how to make whistles from fat reeds of grass Is still something I’m trying to master today!

Lloyd, my husband, is very similar to me too in that his family also have connections to the “ways of the country”, and right on topic, long term household friend Richard Williams, his lovely wife Janet, and two children, Jack and Evelyn live to the beat of the game-keeping lifestyle, from Banbury to Kingussie!

I thought I’d learn more from Richard and this fascinating career choice, from the ground up!

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Lloyd (my now husb

with his brother Rh taking the dogs out w

keeping

band) on the left

hys on the right, with Richard.

Richard, what brought you to gamekeeping?

Has it always been your career? How did you enter the profession?

I’ve always been interested in shooting, my dad was involved in a pheasant shoot when I was a kid and I went beating and helping out with that.

I left school and did a YTS in Gamekeeping at Warren Farm one day a week for 2 years. After my course, I did a local farmers’ shoot and worked part time on a farm! Then got a full time beat keepers position in Newbury before I moved back to Banbury to Edgcote Estate where Lloyd and Rhys used to come and stay. I was there for 11 years until we moved up to Scotland.

‘‘A typical day depends on the time of year. The busiest time for me is from July to February. This is when I have my birds to look after.’’

What does a typical day entail for you as a gamekeeper?

A typical day depends on the time of year. The busiest time for me is from July to February.

This is when I have my birds to look after. The mornings always start with walking the dogs, then the pheasants need to be fed. This is done by hand by walking around pens whistling, chucking food (wheat) on the floor for them to feed upon. Pheasants are kept in release pens when they first arrive at 7 weeks old. Once they have settled they are then released into the wood but by whistling it encourages them not to wander to far from the wood. This is done morning and evening.

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Partridges are slightly different these are put into small pens out on the hill to get them used to environment then released, but these are not fed by hand but by hoppers which need to be refilled every 3 days. This takes many hours to do, taking out approx. 1 tonne of wheat at a time.

From September to February we shoot on average 3 times a week so my day is taken up with organising clients and beaters on top of feeding the birds.

Vermin control is a big part of the role along side habitat management for game and other wildlife. I also do lots of fencing and other jobs on the estate. I have to build all my pens, clean and sanitise all the feeders and drinkers.

What do you enjoy most about being a gamekeeper?

I enjoy the shoot days, and seeing the end product knowing how much work I have put in to allow the clients to have a good shoot day.

I do like working outdoors I couldn’t work in an office.

‘‘The job is really restrictive and once I have my birds I am tied to being here.’’

Are there any challenging aspects of being a gamekeeper? Have you ever experienced any tough parts of the job you can share?

The tough part of the job is the weather and the long days especially in the summer months. The job is really restrictive and once I have my birds I am tied to being here.

Dogs! Lloyd tells me stories of a time riding round with you and your working dogs when he was younger. I just generally love dogs, so I’m naturally going to ask about them, haha, so who do you have in your team nowadays?

So the dogs....

We have four cockers, Bubble, Coco, Magic, Echo. One (mad!) springer spaniel Kelly, two German wire haired pointers, Smudge and Hamish, and Jack has a Border Terrier PJ.

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These are used to push the pheasants back to the woods, they have a tendency to wander off the estate. On a shoot day they are used to push the birds over the guns and pick up the dead game.

‘‘The kids are not interested in following in my footsteps but they both go out beating on a shoot day... I guess because they get paid!’’

Are you ever allowed any “time off ” from the job? Seems like a profession which needs constant attention to some degree. How does your own personal time management work with gamekeeping?

I do get time off however it’s normally in the the spring when the weather is crap! It is hard to get away as we always have to have someone to look after the dogs, but once I have the birds I am tied and can’t get away from the estate for more then a few hours as the birds need to be fed morning and night.

Jack and Ev, your two super children! Do they have an interest in following in your footsteps do you think?

The kids are not interested in following in my footsteps but they both go out beating on a shoot day I guess because they get paid, we have to force Ev to go out! Janet wouldn’t be keen on Jack being a gamekeeper because the pay is rubbish and it is a very difficult job with little reward! It is lovely living in such beautiful locations but it’s not your own home it is tied accommodation.

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Hiho ON THE ROAD

Royal Highland Show

Little Gatcombe Horse Trials

Barbury International Horse Trials

Bleinheim Palace International Horse Trials

22nd – 25th June 6th – 9th July

Great Yorkshire Show

13th - 17th September

11th – 13th July

LeMieux National Dressage Championships

The Peterborough Festival of Hunting 19th July

8th - 10th September

13th - 17th September

Game Fair, Hatfield House

Osberton International Horse Trials

The Festival of British Eventing Gatcombe Horse Trials

Cheltenham The Showcase

28th - 30th July

4th - 6th August

The Berkeley Group Pony Club Championships 18th - 22nd August

Blair Castle International Horse Trials 24th - 27th August

28th September - 1st October 27th & 28th October

Cheltenham The Open 17th - 19th November

Olympia - The London International Horse Show 12th - 18th December

Cheltenham - The International

Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

15th & 16th December

31st August - 3rd September

Show dates 2017

We look forward to seeing you at our show stand throughout the season. If you’re not coming to see us, don’t forget that we have two shops in Sherborne and Dorchester and we’re always online at hihosilver.co.uk.

If you need help with sizing or finding the perfect gift, our Countess of Contentment is available to help you on the phone too!

We’d love it if you joined us on our social media, we can be found at: www.facebook.com/hiho.silver.jewellery, www.twitter.com/hihotweet, www.instagram.com/hihosilveruk and www.pinterest.com/hihojewellery.

Keep in touch with Hiho ...

Hiho Silver Country Shows Journal is a digital publication produced by Hiho Silver in association with Niche Brands. The written and visual contents are protected by copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, neither Hiho Silver nor the contributors can accept liability for errors or omissions.

House and Wine Ltd trading as Hiho, registered in England no. 05627807 50

hihosilver.co.uk 01460 221 006

June 2017