We had three different plans for our first ever visit to Black Forest Lodge, all weather and ground dependant, and it was 'plan c' that won the day. That involved a rare trip for Derek in the passenger seat (how would he cope?), and my car being loaded with
AGA banners and tools. We made good time down the M5 - despite the occasional loss of power from my 'AGAmobile', and we skidded into the course through the mud at around 10am, to be greeted by one of the warmest welcomes we've had so far ... and let me tell you we have had a few!
AGA sales are my priority, however, it was nice to see Beazo in selling mode so early in the day ... although I'm thinking that we should provide some
AGA carrier bags for the hundreds of Big Green Annuals that he sells at every meeting!
Another Beazo photograph and I'm only two paragraphs in! John offered to carry Charlotte's saddle then promptly walked four yards and put it on the fence and insisted I take a photo - who's blog is this? The crowd started to head up the hill to watch the first while Charlotte set off for the changing tent ... carrying her own saddle!
There were six declared for our 6th
AGA ladies open race of the season and I was fairly confident that the six would give us another competitive race. Two
AGA finalists were in the line-up (Charlotte Prichard and Hannah Lewis), both with chances, and I had also spoken to another
AGA finalist earlier - none other than AGA Total Control Champion Claire Hart, who had called me when we arrived at the course. Claire wanted to know how long it would take to get from Chipping Norton to Milborne St Andrew as she had just been offered a nice spare ride in the ladies - the AGA man doesn't half come in handy for all kinds of different things!
The stand out horses in the paddock were Mac Halen (above) and Squadron, although it has to be said that they all looked a picture, it was also nice to see Alex Dunn back in AGA action on Rainbow Tree - who was almost a last minute withdrawal after he sustained a cut in the horse box.
Hannah Lewis was happy for me to take the photo above but I'm prepared for a good telling off for using it in this blog post! Below you can see Charlotte Prichard and her mum, both are rarely without a smile on their faces, and are used to the AGA man popping up in front of them with a camera.
I think it's time for me to let the photos do the talking for a while as I took quite a few in the paddock, both before and after our AGA race, so here goes.
Derek takes a close look at the AGA runners with Lynda and Charles Rogers from
Higher Beeson House B&B - they were amongst the first people to sign up for AGA Home Business.
Mac Halen has a good look at the BFL paddock.
Pre race in the paddock - Duc De Normandie, Squadron, Jayo, Rainbow Tree and Clew Bay Clove.
Jayo returns to the winners enclosure after finishing 2nd to Squadron.
Charlotte and Mac Halen (4th), with dad Ian.
Alex and Rainbow Tree (3rd), the smile is because she has had a good spin and also earned her first AGA points of the season!
Hannah is mentally preparing herself for the Beazo interview!
A great photo of proud connections.
Adie tells Derek how it was done.
Post race interview for Hannah's husband Adie Wintle.
Beazo gets in on the act!
Someone in this photo wants to buy something from the AGA man!
Hannah - never mind those beautiful AGA Pointing mugs, where's your silks?
Those AGA Pointing mugs are a "must have" this season.
Can you spot our AGA flags in the distance? The day was nearly over and it was time to say farewell to all of our new friends from the Mid Devon Hunt, following a very enjoyable day at Black Forest Lodge. It was our first AGA qualifier of the season in the Devon & Cornwall area and we are looking forward to our next visit in April, for the Four Burrow at Trebudannon. We skidded out through the mud and we were soon back on the M5 and heading for home ... with lots to talk about on the way!
