Ken Lyndon-Dykes’ Column
The Experiences and Thoughts of a Saddle Fitter.
This month:
ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE - & IT REALLY IS A SMALL WORLD.
As you can imagine, in the course of my job and in relation to my various interests, I meet some fascinating and charming people. Often the phrase 'it's a small world' proves to be true - and so it was recently.
I think I'm the only Society of Master Saddlers' Qualified Saddle Fitter who occasionally flies himself to appointments in his own ex military jet plane. Almost certainly this is the case in Britain although in the States, where distances are a huge factor, other Saddle Fitters may use this form of transport. I've been passionate about aircraft since I was at school and actually obtained a pilot's licence before I passed the driving test. In those days you could take the test for a pilot's licence at the age of sixteen whereas, like now, you had to be seventeen to take the driving test. Recently it was as a result of my interest in flying that I was invited to the truly magnificent wedding of an Indian prince. The ceremony was held at the Southall Mosque. It was my first visit to the mosque and I was absolutely bowled over by its size and magnificence. Everyone, including my son who accompanied me, was dressed in traditional robes. It was an amazingly colourful and moving occasion. Afterwards we drove all the way to Leeds Castle in Kent (often described as 'the most beautiful castle in the world') for the reception. There were 350 guests and the entire occasion was truly wonderful. I had the pleasure of watching a friend undertake a celebratory flypast in my aircraft. The wedding was extraordinary and was undoubtedly one of the most memorable occasions in my life.
Now to the 'small world' connection. A couple of days later I was talking to Rupert Fairfax at Thorowgood, the well known saddlemakers, telling him about my wonderful experience. 'Do you know Leeds Castle?' I innocently asked. 'I know it very well - after all, I was brought up there as a small boy.' The penny dropped. Of course, Leeds Castle had been in the ownership of the Fairfax family for centuries. What a wonderful place in which to grow up. Nowadays it is one of Kent's - indeed, the UK's - premier heritage destinations and as such every year it is enjoyed by thousands of visitors from home and abroad.
As you might imagine, in just the same way that my job affords opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds, so it allows me to see a huge variety of equestrian yards. Some are magnificent. State of the art, complete with wash units for the horses, shower units for the staff, heated tack and staff rooms, a purpose-built rug laundry, drying rooms - and feed rooms that resemble a celebrity chef's kitchen. The stables themselves have wonderful proportions and are in immaculate condition. Others are tiny and consist of a single pony stable with an area in the garage or shed in which to keep the tack and feed. Whilst it must be wonderful to be able to afford the very best for all the animals in the yard, I learned long ago that opulence doesn't always lead to success.
A case in point. I recently visited a smallish riding school run along very old-fashioned lines. Although quite basic, it was immaculately tidy. The squared off muck heap put me in mind of the belief that a well maintained muck heap indicates a well managed yard. The ponies, tied up outside the stables with good gaps between them, were in the process of being groomed by young clients, the oldest of whom was about fourteen or fifteen. There was no horseplay - pardon the pun - and I was struck by their competence. I learned that they were getting ready to attend a Pony Club rally and had arrived early to feed the ponies and clean their tack. Before I left the yard the children set off in an orderly line escorted by two members of staff. The proprietor had owned and run the yard for over thirty years and I expressed my appreciation of the really terrific standards she maintained. Later that day she telephoned to give me some details I needed - and she told me that her clients had won the rosettes for the best turned out ponies, the cross country and show jumping. They were competing with children who were riding their own ponies, some of which would undoubtedly have cost very considerable sums. What a pleasing and heart warming story.
KEN LYNDON DYKES specialises in fitting competition horses and also in remedial and 'difficult' fittings. He is available to give talks and demonstrations for any type and size of equestrian group. Call Ken at head office - 01622 844440 - or on his mobile - 07973 501873.
