General Chat

I usually hate these sorts of things, because everyone seems to vote for the person they like rather than whose doing the best. But I had to watch this as it was horses and apart from keeping Diarmud in over Anna I think the voting has been pretty fair. Elaine - you have been missing a great programme, try and catch it tonight. Angus Deyton (spelling) is a funny bloke isn't he and not really suited to presenting this type of show - but I did laugh at his quip at Diarmud last night. lol I hope Sara or Jenny win tonight. Kaye x

Thanks Kaye, I thought as much, looks like I will have to sit thru it all till FOH comes on. Well Diarmuid style wasnt too good (especialy the dismount) but I suppose he made up for it with loads of enthusiasm. Elaine, I have enjoyed it but then I love horses. The bit I dont like is Angus Deayton, he is so smug and I dont think at all funny as the presenter. Marilyn

Hubby just had a look on the Sky TV Guide and apparently it's part of the Sports Relief Night - like they have Children in Need. The whole thing kicks off at 7pm and sometime during the events they will have the Only Fools On Horses. Kaye x

Marilyn - he did make a right pigs ear of dismounting didn't he! And that's supposed to be the easy bit. lol I am so glad he's gone - I actually thought his style wasn't very good at all and thought he looked like a little fat dumpling bouncing around on top his horse! lol I'm sure it's on again tonight - I think it's the Final. I will have a check and get back to you. Kaye x

We were 'flicking' channels last night, and saw that it was on ... so I watched about 15 minutes of it, before the break. Think another programme came on and so we 'flicked' channels again and I fell asleep. What I did see wasn't very much ... and I can only 'assume' that 'voting' was taking place ...?? Didn't see much ...so can't comment, but wish I had seen more of it before last night. Have I missed a good programme or was it 'rubbish' ? Elaine ;-)

Did anyone seen Diarmuid dismount last night after the first round? It was hilarious. Having said that I admire them all for what they have done. I wouldn,t have attempted some of those fences after years of riding. Nicky Chapaman doing two clears after her fall the other night. I would like to have some of whatever she is on!! Does any one know if its on tonight, it doesnt seem to show in my paper. Marilyn

at last the mad irish man Diarmund has gone lol

I agree with you Lily about the presenters. They dont seem to know what they are doing..... and there is not much continuity

I dip in and out of this prog. cos I love horses... I think both presenters could have been better, not sure how but they just don't seem at ease in the job. At least the panel know what they're talking about! Not like some of these celeb. talent shows! I shudder to think what phone bills people notch up, voting, but I suppose it's a drop in the ocean compared to mobile calls? Lily

Poor lass,,,, she was saying she was alright and asking if the horse was alright but you could see she was putting a brave face on it. Think she got hurt a bit more than she was making out. Hope its not to bad for her.

My son is lucky enough to be in the Met. Mounted Branch. A dream job for him, Linda

Sally and Marilyn - I really for you both loosing such dear friends. I have two gorgeous dogs and know that one day I will have to face the inevitable and know how hard that time will be. But you are both so lucky to have had horses and must have some lovely memories? I'm nearly 33 now and have been wanting a horse ever since I can remember - had my first not real one when I was just 1 - my Dad made me a lovely Rocking Horse. Maybe one day my dream will come true? Andy - you are right about poor old Matt and his horse (Peter isn't it?). Peter seems to be easily spooked and I guess once they get spooked in that sort of situation it's hard for them to get their confidence back. As you say Matt was way ahead of the others to begin with and it's a pity that he's struggling now, as he seems to be a very good rider. I think Dermiud is getting by on an awful lot of Irish luck, although he did do much, much better last night. He doesn't seem to concentrate quite as much as the others I don't think and maybe that's why he doesn't always do well? It's been brilliant watching it - they hardly ever have this sort of thing on tv anymore. It has made me nostalgic too and even Hubby is thinking it might be quite nice to try riding - although he's scared of horses. lol Kaye x

Kaye, with regards Matt, it's possible that both horse and rider have lost a bit of confidence. To me, at the moment, Matt appears to be the only one who has regressed from where he started whereas the others, in particular Nicki and Suzi have definitely improved. Matt can't afford another nightmare round otherwise I think it will be curtains for him, as those that remain are far more closely matched than before. As for Diarmuid, I thought he stepped up significantly last night but we'll have to wait and see whether that was a flash in the pan performance or not - I get the feeling, he comes across as being somewhat impetuous at times.

Also wanted to say, why are they led in and out of the arena and have to be helped on and off the horses? Seems like they can only do showjumping without actually being in control of the horses!! I would hate to have been led in and out like a child on a lead rein... Marilyn

Sally I know how you feel. Had my Lady put to sleep 6 years ago after having had her for 20 years since she was just 4 . I couldnt go thru it all again especially with my arhtritis which made owning a horse very difficult, everything is just so physical !! I have been watching fools on horses and its made me all nostagic wanting to ride again and remembering all the fun we had . I never did any showjumping though too much of a coward, I think all the celebs have all done rather well considering how long they have been training. Marilyn.

I did do a bit of riding in my younger days and did a cople of pony trekking days when we were on holiday in wales and Devon. Surprised that Paul Nicolas has gone. Thought he was quite good and popular.

Not so lucky Katy......I have owned horses, and was at my last yard until I had to have my lovely Louis put to sleep last October, and I decided then it was too painful to go on........still keep all my friends up there though. It is an arable farm, 10 minute walk over fields, and was my life twice a day, nearly every day. There are 24 horses on the yard, and a good mix of people from young children, to a 73 year old lady who is as fit as a fiddle. Penny met her on our mini-meet. I never had an illness, or even a cold until I left the yard, something to do with shovelling horse-s...t perhaps. They are all down to earth people, and mostly work in the field of care, in one way or another.......none of us had much money, and what we had we spent on our pets. It can be as expensive as you want to make it........I never fell into the trap of designer togs.........miss the life like stink.........but all good things etc.....

Sally - do you own a yard or work at one? Either way you're lucky in my book - I would love to be around horses all the time, they are such amazing creatures. I haven't ridden for years now, but used to love it when I was a teenager, I have a dodgy back now which puts me off going again - I can't afford to fall off. Also I can't bear the thought of being taken out on a trek with a load of other people and just walking along a road and then back - utterly boring. Maybe one day I'll find somewhere that does lessons and take it up again - don't think I'll be doing any jumping though as the last time I did some I nearly fell off! lol Kaye x

I do agree that it was unfair for Suzi to be so close to being booted off - she has come on leaps and bounds and I am so impressed by her. I'm not an expert on Horses, but I did ride for many years and love them to bits - money is the only reason I don't have one of my own - and it seems to me that Matt's horse is a bit easily spooked and that he doesn't have such a good raport with it - he comes across as quite a hard rider I think and maybe his horse needs someone a little warmer? I don't think they're well suited and would be interested to hear some other opinions on that. I still think that Irish twit Dermiud (spelling) should go soon, although he has improved a lot - I just think the others are much better. I hope Sara Cox wins - I think she's done brilliantly. Kaye x

Hiya Katy......you have a look at the girl who grooms for Sara Cox, that is Jeanette from our yard. She wrote in reply to a request in the H & H and was accepted. She is having a lot of fun riding the horses, and getting a lot of tuiton from Tim Stockdale. I was surprised at the level of competency of the novice riders, even though they have gone through weeks of intense training, and are riding Grade A jumpers. The horses look very calm to me. I have a lot of admiration for them, especially Ruby Wax, who looks more like me, getting of her horse. Sorry to go on, but this has been part of my life for many years and I'm finding it hard to retire......