The explosion of interest in horses, show jumping and eventing began midway through the last century. Enthusiasm for all things horsey shows no sign of diminishing despite the rapid progress in mechanisation and motorised speed sports.

The reasons for this are easy to understand. The attractive nature of the horse and its noble versatility has appealed to man for longer than history itself. Those lucky enough to enjoy contact with horses and ponies realise that they have much more to offer than the faster, noisier and lifeless alternatives. For centuries the horse was the principal means of transport and strength for its two-legged master or mistress. Now the emphasis has moved from transport and utility to fun, pleasure and competition. Gradually different breeds of horse and ponies have been strained and developed to suit a wide variety of equestrian activities. The lucky warhorses bred in Canada and Ireland who survived the carnage of 1914 -18 War retired to the English hunting field. Some competed in cross country events or raced point-to-point. Some retired to stud and went on to enhance Britain's native bloodstock.

Showjumping
Horses deserve their popularity. If well treated they are easy to train, and willing to please. Uniquely adaptable, they are both bold and calm, and very trusting. The self-same horse can shine in eventing, showjumping and dressage. And if put to the task carry a rider for a distance of 100 miles per day, with head held high. At the same time this animal is capable of expressing displeasure and registering dislike of its human partner if that person fails to measure up - often by painful and humiliating means - and nothing can be done to repair that trust. Once the damage is done, the relationship remains scarred for life.

One of the greatest attractions of riding is that it can be enjoyed at every level, according to skill and experience. Once called The Sport of Kings, more and more people of all ages and backgrounds are discovering this pastime and deriving unlimited pleasure from riding, either as active participants or as interested spectators. The current success and high profile of equestrian events owes much to the guidance and dedication of enthusiasts, starting with the organisers of the country's thousands of pony clubs where the young, and sometimes very young start out. Another factor is the increased wealth enjoyed by a larger part of the population nowadays.

The care and keep of a horse or pony, including riding lessons, horse transportation to shows, training and riding instruction, is an expensive pastime, while the nation's shrinking agricultural industry affords more grazing and greater space for horses and riders to roam and train over.

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