
Following weeks of miserable rain, dark grey days…..Feb 16th proved to be somewhat of a rarity – a frost in some parts, and crystal clear blue skies – the perfect setting for Wayne’s first Show Out Day.
Set in the heart of Tilbury Docks on the very swollen River Thames, this new venue was the perfect setting for the day – no traffic, set down the end of a quiet dead end land, plenty of space, all hard standing, plenty of places to tie up cobs a quaint English pub and views of huge container ships loaded with cargo a few hundred metres away.
The day started early – anticipation and expectation quite rightly nervously awaited…..cars, lorries, trailers and ponies filtered in from 10.00am – carefully picking ‘their spot’ to unload and show their cobs. Wayne’s seafood stall was set up and had people queuing for such traditional British fayre – jellied eels, whelks prawns and mussels. Within 2 hours, the car park was heaving – the pub land lady was directing traffic left right and centre amongst a bustling crowd of happy ‘fair goers’. Plenty of familiar faces – some people travelled down from Yorkshire, others from Wales – not forgetting the locals from Essex! Loads of banter – the atmosphere was buzzing…children squealing in delight with the sun on their little faces, often holding one of their family ponies…very glamourous ladies showing support to their husbands and friends for their cobs, plenty of people on their mobile phones calling up their friends to come down…no one wanted to miss this day out.
Cobs, Cobs and more cobs! A few bigger heavy cobs, some steppers, and loads of good quality pony cobs – it was great to see a range of cobs from the pony cobs to the larger 14.2hh cobs. A few driving cobs there doing what cobs do well….plodding down the lanes with a family on board, the odd stepper ‘steppin an goin’ was a feast for the eyes. The sun shined on the swishing feather, the banter continued – ponies in the pub, a few deals done and definitely a date to put in your diary for next year. Thanks to Wayne and his family for hosting a friendly, well supported day, not forgetting all the new members that joined GCR - welcome to them!!!
Jane Purcell White
Set in the heart of Tilbury Docks on the very swollen River Thames, this new venue was the perfect setting for the day – no traffic, set down the end of a quiet dead end land, plenty of space, all hard standing, plenty of places to tie up cobs a quaint English pub and views of huge container ships loaded with cargo a few hundred metres away.
The day started early – anticipation and expectation quite rightly nervously awaited…..cars, lorries, trailers and ponies filtered in from 10.00am – carefully picking ‘their spot’ to unload and show their cobs. Wayne’s seafood stall was set up and had people queuing for such traditional British fayre – jellied eels, whelks prawns and mussels. Within 2 hours, the car park was heaving – the pub land lady was directing traffic left right and centre amongst a bustling crowd of happy ‘fair goers’. Plenty of familiar faces – some people travelled down from Yorkshire, others from Wales – not forgetting the locals from Essex! Loads of banter – the atmosphere was buzzing…children squealing in delight with the sun on their little faces, often holding one of their family ponies…very glamourous ladies showing support to their husbands and friends for their cobs, plenty of people on their mobile phones calling up their friends to come down…no one wanted to miss this day out.
Cobs, Cobs and more cobs! A few bigger heavy cobs, some steppers, and loads of good quality pony cobs – it was great to see a range of cobs from the pony cobs to the larger 14.2hh cobs. A few driving cobs there doing what cobs do well….plodding down the lanes with a family on board, the odd stepper ‘steppin an goin’ was a feast for the eyes. The sun shined on the swishing feather, the banter continued – ponies in the pub, a few deals done and definitely a date to put in your diary for next year. Thanks to Wayne and his family for hosting a friendly, well supported day, not forgetting all the new members that joined GCR - welcome to them!!!
Jane Purcell White