By Alasdair Crosby
The Jersey cow always enjoys a significant share of column inches, so, for a change, let us look another famous quadruped in the Island – the horse (and while we are about it – the hound).
Sadly, gone are the days when there were over 1,000 horses in the Island and there were countless equestrian events and opportunities to ride.
Go back to the post-war era and there were still many horses being used on farms, and at a farmers’ race at a point-to-point meeting, the horses would become race horses for the day.
The late ‘Honest Nev’ Ahier would recall one such race in 1952, when he was on the back of the family horse and his father had given him instructions that he should follow another horse over the last fence and then take the lead. Nev was going so well that he kicked on – and the horse refused the last fence because it had no leader! After catapulting through the air, Nev was taken to hospital by ambulance and when his father visited him, there was no sympathy, but a telling off for not obeying orders and losing him money!
But more recently than that, there were still golden years for all enthusiasts for equestrian sports. Derek Clackett is a former chairman of the Jersey Riding Club and the Jersey branch of the British Show Jumping Association (BSJA), former Pony Club District Commissioner and former president of the Jersey Drag Hunt. Now in his 80s, he still rides regularly and last year made a short presentation recalling ‘the days of old’ in the 1960s and 1970s:
‘The BSJA was formed in the late 1950s, followed by the Jersey Riding Club, which catered for most disciplines. The Jersey Drag Hunt and Chase Club were always around and growing in membership. In fact, there were two point-to-points each year, held on New Year’s Day and Easter Monday. The Pony Club was growing in membership and the Hunt held Pony Club Hunts in between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, and during the season.
‘The Jersey Drag Hunt held monthly cross-country events at venues such as Woodbine Farm, Bigrel Farm, Trinity Manor, Rozel Manor, Cowley Farm, Netherton Farm, Roselands, Col de la Rocq, Hatherleigh, La Sergenté, Les Niemes, Northdale and others places. These events included One Day Events, Two Day Events, Hunter Trials, Handy Hunter and Teams of Four. All of these venues are no longer used.
‘The BSJA held rallies before the major shows and these included the Liberation Show, St Lawrence Charity Horse Show, Country Horse Show, St Martin’s Horse Show, BSJA Member’s Show and the West Show. There were two Shows held at Springfield Stadium and International Shows were held at Haie Fleurie and Trinity Show Ground. Many of these shows attracted visiting competitors including teams from the British Army.
‘The Dressage Group was formed; the Jersey Driving Society and the Riding for the Disabled charity were gaining membership and popular sponsored rides were held. During this period the Jersey equestrian community was developing and thriving – there was even a waiting list to become a member of the Jersey Drag Hunt.
‘To support these equestrian interests there were a number of busy riding schools – Multina, Millbrook, Louanne, Brabant, Bon Air, Sorel, Les Ruettes – they have either all gone or now don’t function as riding schools.
‘There are two main factors for this decline. First, ‘in the old days’ there were well far more horses and ponies, more riding families and plenty of demand and interest in all riding disciplines. Hence the number of activities available to riders; moreover there were probably fewer outside activities to lure people away. Secondly, with fewer horses and ponies, consequently any competition class has fewer entries and all clubs have to adhere to the current rules and regulations with the onerous health and safety rules.’
Both horse and hound are central to the story of the Jersey Drag Hunt – founded in the 19th Century in Jersey and the second oldest drag hunt in the British Isles. It might be helpful to point out that the word ‘drag’ is not used in its common, modern sense, nor does it mean dragging a dead animal around as a bait for hounds. The hunt chases after a dragged stinky rag (when there are hounds) or rides over a pre-planned course across country.
But as far as the Jersey Drag Hunt is concerned, sadly, no longer are there any hounds. The recent retirement of the Huntsman, the expense of finding affordable accommodation for a replacement huntsman or kennelman near suitable kennels, and the lack of income because of fewer members than in the past – these are all contributory factors.
Joint Master of the Hunt, Christie Barette, explained that the Hunt is having problems in attracting membership. Last season, the biggest field (number of riders attending) was slightly less than 25. A few decades ago that would have seemed a very thin turnout indeed.
But regular Hunt followers are still coming out regularly and many of them are just as passionate about their sport as are any enthusiast of any sport. It is, after all, the one equestrian activity in Jersey that is not competitive: everyone is equal, no one is trying to better anybody, and everybody who comes out hunting is doing so simply to have a good time and to enjoy on horseback the Island’s countryside.
So, the story is by no means negative overall. It could also be said that there are certain advantages in not hunting with hounds: one positive result is that there are no worries about hounds losing a scent or running into a road – or into mountain bikers or dog walkers coming the opposite way along a narrow path.
Also, without hounds, it is easier to pick a line most suitable to the age and experience of the ‘field’.
It is hoped that one day, the hounds might return – even if it is just paying for a huntsman and a few couples of hounds to visit from the UK for short periods during the hunting season.
So, if horses in Jersey are not nowadays kept for agricultural reasons, they do continue to play a major part in the lives of many Islanders and in their sporting, leisure and social interests.
The Home Farm Equestrian club and British Show Jumping Association come easily to mind as sporting associations, as does the Jersey Race Club, which regularly attracts large crowds to its meetings at Les Landes, but suffers from a lack of both local and visiting trainers.
But for anybody wanting to learn to ride there is a real lack of riding schools: these days, they are simply unprofitable as commercial ventures.
It is not as if the whole of the Island’s equestrian sector is moribund and in terminal decline. There is still lots of enthusiasm – passion, even – to maintain it. There is something for a keen horse rider to do almost every weekend throughout the year. Even the Drag Hunt’s Pony Club has increasing numbers attending its annual camps.
So, what of the future? Well, there is something that could help perpetuate and enhance this sector: a Centre of Equestrian Excellence.
We have Thrive – a centre for sporting excellence. Just imagine: a traditional farmyard, now no longer able to be part of the modern agricultural economy. Boxes could be rented out to visiting horses, thus encouraging competition not only in racing but other equestrian disciplines. It could also be used as a training centre.
It could provide temporary accommodation for visitors: perhaps the Hunt could use it to accommodate a huntsman and hounds coming over for short periods or it could even be a permanent home for the Hunt’s hounds.
It could provide hirelings for those who cannot at present find anywhere to learn to ride and set them on course for future membership of one of the equestrian clubs.
It would favour the talent and potential of young Islanders to help them further their own talent, and also, it would perpetuate the fine tradition of horsemanship, that the Island would be poorer for losing.
Needless to say it would need sponsorship – but might there not be someone who has enjoyed equestrian pursuits in the UK and who would be happy to help sponsor an equestrian centre of excellence in Jersey?
Applications for this vacant position are warmly invited. Please contact Rebecca Flath, secretary, the Jersey Horse Association, on info@jerseyhorseassociation.com
This article was first published in the Jersey Evening Post and is reprinted here by kind permission
