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The Philanderer
When I recently commented on a Facebook photo of The Philanderer and Comberton Clancy out in the field together little did I know how prophetic it was to be! My comment was 'which one would you choose' as a joke because very seldom (if ever) do you end up with a HOYS champion looking at you over your stable door!
I knew 'Phil' was back in work because I help Carol out a couple of mornings a week during the season as a change from my desk job at home. When Jayne Webber said to me would I like to ride Phil that day I think the smile on my face said it all! As I put my foot in the stirrup and hopped on board I had to pinch myself that I'd been asked to ride Phil, and I took him into the school with a tiny bit of trepidation. I was aware of his tricky reputation so I was waiting for the fireworks but they didn't come and he was the perfect gent.
Photo: Sara and Phil bonding!
When you get on Phil you are struck by how much there is in front of you which makes you feel very secure. When you ask him for trot he virtually floats and makes you feel like an amazing rider! Canter is just how you want it to be with no effort and I was quite hoping someone would walk by and admire me but everyone was busy so I had to admire myself in the lorry windows instead! After we'd finished working in the school I didn't actually want to get off but I did and the first thing I did was text Carol and tell her that that was the best thing that had happened to me on a horse!
I had already bonded with him when he was on box rest, walking him in hand around Carols huge yard and getting used to the fact that if he spooked at something on the first circuit you could bet he would spook at it on every circuit from then on! I always loved doing anything with Phil because he has that aura about him that you get from a great actor or model who turns heads wherever they go.
After a while I heard it had been decided that Phil was to retire from the ring as his rehab from his injured tendon would mean the season would be pretty much over by the time he was right again. I do find it pays to be cheeky because I said to Carol could he 'retire' with me and she said yes as he wouldn't want to be watching the others go off to parties and be left at home! I text my partner Andrew immediately and his reply was 'do you want him'? which I thought was a daft question so I soon found myself driving home one day with Phil in our lorry!
The hunters are at grass at our summer yard now so Phil was introduced to the family cob, known as The Cob, and our show pony Charlie who was mesmerised by Phil and grazed as close to the fence as he could possibly get to him. Phil of course took everything in his stride and was grazing within minutes of being turned out.
We are really lucky to have amazing hacking through a friends farm and into the forest which Phil loves, he wasn't certain about puddles to begin with but soon got over that and Andrew told me I wasn't to tell Carol he'd got mud on his toes in case she sent someone over with some shampoo and a hairdryer... very funny! He wasn't sure about negotiating a narrow gate with a puddle in front of it until I assured him he wasn't going to dissappear up to his middle like Dawn French in the Vicar of Dibley puddle sketch and trusted me that it was safe. Of course The Cob had to shut the gate while Phil stood looking beautiful.
I think I've got over checking him in the field every five minutes just to make sure he's real, and I'm determined he's going to be a horse instead of a show horse, but I have given in and he's got a blue water bucket as yes they were right, he won't drink out of anything else!
Photo: Sara out with the SC & RMA drag hounds
As to the question everyone asks, what will he do now, he's loving chilling out at the moment and I really think he's enjoying the one to one attention. He's so laid back it's like having James Bond about the place and if he were a man he would be the sort to have a chilled glass of champagne waiting for you when you got in! He may find himself doing the odd star appearance at the Royal Military Academy accompanying the SC & RMA hounds parading at various polo matches and military days there, as Andrew is senior master in his spare time.
We've also been invited to mounted hound exercise around the Academy in the summer which will be nice, and will also get him used to hounds as Andrew is determined he will come hunting in the autumn!
Carol needn't worry as Andrew's idea of hunting and mine are quite different, he's at the front hedge hopping and I'm near the back with the girls comparing hip flask recipes dodging the mud. And, I don't go if it's raining!
With two daughters in the family it won't be long before he is teaching them the ropes of how a proper horse should feel either! His good looks won’t go to waste as he is about to embark on his modelling career, being a test pilot for all our showing products before they go on sale on our showing website!
The main thing is that he's going to be adored and enjoy his life with us as a member of the family and I have to thank Carol and Jayne so much for entrusting their much loved boy to us.
Sara Egan
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