Latest / Between the Flags / The Calm Behind the Scenes — meet Charlotte Andrews
Transcript
- fiona: G'day legends and welcome to Between the Flags, your Aussie eventing chat show. We'll bring you honest conversations, expert insights and a bit of cheeky fun from the riders, the coaches and even those amazing folks shaping our sport in Australia and beyond. Whether you're a young rider chasing your first star class start, a parent, a horse owner who lives and breathes eventing, Between the Flags is your go-to chat show. prue: G'day legends and welcome to Between the Flags, your Aussie eventing chat show. We'll bring you honest conversations, expert insights and a bit of cheeky fun from the riders, the coaches and even those amazing folks shaping our sport in Australia and beyond. Whether you're a young rider chasing your first star class start, a parent, a horse owner who lives and breathes eventing, Between the Flags is your go-to chat show. fiona: ride along with Prue Barrett and Fiona Hughes. Stirrups up, let's go eventing. prue: Ride along with Prue Barrett and Fiona Hughes. Stirrups up, let's go eventing. fiona: Hi everyone, I'm coming to you from Belgium as we get ready for the Australian team eventing camp to start tomorrow, which is Thursday. It's quite a reunion of old friends at the moment with Golly Barton and Sophia Hill joining Sam Wood, Sam Jefferies and Oliver Barrett here at our pre-camp. If you've listened to our chat with eventing team vet Nathan Anthony, you would have got an insight into how important the groom's role is at these championship events. prue: Hi everyone, I'm coming to you from Belgium as we get ready for the Australian team eventing camp to start tomorrow, which is Thursday. It's quite a reunion of old friends at the moment with Golly Barton and Sophia Hill joining Sam Wood, Sam Jefferies and Oliver Barrett here at our pre-camp. If you've listened to our chat with eventing team vet Nathan Anthony, you would have got an insight into how important the groom's role is at these championship events. fiona: We all know how valuable a great groom is and I have the pleasure today of talking to Charlotte Andrews, who this time round is grooming for Sam Woods. Hi Charlotte, thanks for joining me here today. Hello Prue, I'm quite excited and a little bit nervous I must admit. you and me both, don't worry. So we like to start at the beginning and the beginning I guess I'd like for you to go is clearly your English, don't think we need to hide that fact, but you now live full time in Australia. prue: We all know how valuable a great groom is and I have the pleasure today of talking to Charlotte Andrews, who this time round is grooming for Sam Woods. Hi Charlotte, thanks for joining me here today. Hello Prue, I'm quite excited and a little bit nervous I must admit. you and me both, don't worry. So we like to start at the beginning and the beginning I guess I'd like for you to go is clearly your English, don't think we need to hide that fact, but you now live full time in Australia. fiona: So tell us, where did you grow up and how did it come about that you moved to Australia? So I grew up actually in the New Forest on a little farm that my grandparents gave my mother and father. And I rode lots of little ponies that granddad gave me. He was a horse dealer. So that's kind of where my love of horses started. And then we moved to Somerset and I went to school and I always had ponies. prue: So tell us, where did you grow up and how did it come about that you moved to Australia? So I grew up actually in the New Forest on a little farm that my grandparents gave my mother and father. And I rode lots of little ponies that granddad gave me. He was a horse dealer. So that's kind of where my love of horses started. And then we moved to Somerset and I went to school and I always had ponies. fiona: And I eventually left school and thought, what am I going to do? And ended up in New Zealand for a year and thought working was rather fun. So I went for a couple of job interviews, one with Sam Griffiths and another with the now Georgie Goss. And she actually offered me the job straight away. And I had my interview with Sam's wife and prue: And I eventually left school and thought, what am I going to do? And ended up in New Zealand for a year and thought working was rather fun. So I went for a couple of job interviews, one with Sam Griffiths and another with the now Georgie Goss. And she actually offered me the job straight away. And I had my interview with Sam's wife and fiona: I ended up going down the route of working for Georgie, which is great fun. I ended up buying very good horse offer. And that's kind of where my journey began then. So I worked for her for a couple of years, thinking I was going to be a rider. Turned out I definitely wasn't brave enough. I didn't want to jump the big jumps. And so... prue: I ended up going down the route of working for Georgie, which is great fun. I ended up buying very good horse offer. And that's kind of where my journey began then. So I worked for her for a couple of years, thinking I was going to be a rider. Turned out I definitely wasn't brave enough. I didn't want to jump the big jumps. And so... fiona: It was time for a bit of a change and I was making a few plans about going into rehab and rehabbing horses. And I spoke to Sam Griffiths because at the time he was coaching me and he said that my business plan was very good. The only thing I lacked was a little bit of experience. I was quite young at the time and his headgroom was leaving. It was the amazing Imo. And so he offered me the job as his headgroom. prue: It was time for a bit of a change and I was making a few plans about going into rehab and rehabbing horses. And I spoke to Sam Griffiths because at the time he was coaching me and he said that my business plan was very good. The only thing I lacked was a little bit of experience. I was quite young at the time and his headgroom was leaving. It was the amazing Imo. And so he offered me the job as his headgroom. fiona: And that's where my love of Australian eventing came from, I think, working for him for years and running his yard, doing the badminton's and the burleys and all the in-betweens. So I think that was where my grooming career really took off. And I did a few jobs with some young riders. And I just got to a point in England where I've probably done 10 seasons. prue: And that's where my love of Australian eventing came from, I think, working for him for years and running his yard, doing the badminton's and the burleys and all the in-betweens. So I think that was where my grooming career really took off. And I did a few jobs with some young riders and I just got to a point in England where I've probably done 10 seasons. fiona: and they seem to merge into one another and the winters are long and cold and I fancied a change and so that's actually what brought me to Australia and I became very good friends with Bec and Chris Burton and they packed me off over here after Covid and said you must go and see Alex Townsend and obviously I visited old friends whilst I was over here. prue: and they seem to merge into one another and the winters are long and cold and I fancied a change and so that's actually what brought me to Australia and I became very good friends with Bec and Chris Burton and they packed me off over here after Covid and said you must go and see Alex Townsend and obviously I visited old friends whilst I was over here. fiona: Shane and Nikki included. so I kind of said to Shane, any chance I could come to Adelaide with you? Because it was a five star I hadn't done and made some good connections and made the decision that Australia was the place I wanted to stay. So I went home for a short while, got my visa sorted out and then came back out. So I've been permanently in Australia for three years now. prue: Shane and Nikki included. so I kind of said to Shane, any chance I could come to Adelaide with you? Because it was a five star I hadn't done and made some good connections and made the decision that Australia was the place I wanted to stay. So I went home for a short while, got my visa sorted out and then came back out. So I've been permanently in Australia for three years now. fiona: We're very glad you made that decision. Now this is not your first time grooming for someone at a championship. So tell us who you've groomed for before and maybe a little bit of heartache before that because I kind of get the feeling that maybe there were some other championships that you didn't manage to get to. You don't need to fill in all the gory details but just a know a little bit of a heartache story I'm sure sometimes. Well I've definitely packed for a World Games before and prue: We're very glad you made that decision. Now this is not your first time grooming for someone at a championship. So tell us who you've groomed for before and maybe a little bit of heartache before that because I kind of get the feeling that maybe there were some other championships that you didn't manage to get to. You don't need to fill in all the gory details but just a know a little bit of a heartache story I'm sure sometimes. Well I've definitely packed for a World Games before and fiona: As we all know with horses, sometimes things don't quite work out as you planned. So I actually have had some amazing experiences grooming at Five Star and become quite experienced, but actually hadn't done a championship until I met the wonderful Sinead Lovings. And she and her amazing horse, Bold Venture, have taken me to places I actually... prue: As we all know with horses, sometimes things don't quite work out as you planned. So I actually have had some amazing experiences grooming at Five Star and become quite experienced, but actually hadn't done a championship until I met the wonderful Sinead Lovings. And she and her amazing horse, Bold Venture, have taken me to places I actually... fiona: thought I was only ever gonna dream about going as a groom. So whilst I was over on my first trip to Australia and I did Adelaide with helped J. Mack at Adelaide and met Sinead and Sam and Golly and everybody and I very quietly at the end of Adelaide Sinead said, you know, I'm going to Arkham. I'm going to Europe and going to Arkham hopefully. And I said. prue: thought I was only ever gonna dream about going as a groom. So whilst I was over on my first trip to Australia and I did Adelaide with helped J. Mack at Adelaide and met Sinead and Sam and Golly and everybody and I very quietly at the end of Adelaide Sinead said, you know, I'm going to Arkham. I'm going to Europe and going to Arkham hopefully. And I said. fiona: I've never done one of those and I'd really, really like to come with you. Let me know. Anyway, typical Sinead style. I hadn't heard anything from her and it was about a week out and she messaged saying, can you come to camp and come to Arkham? So obviously I dropped everything else I was planning on doing. And I just sparked up a bit of a love affair with Bentley and I think Sinead had a nice experience at Arkham having somebody that... prue: I've never done one of those and I'd really, really like to come with you. Let me know. Anyway, typical Sinead style. I hadn't heard anything from her and it was about a week out and she messaged saying, can you come to camp and come to Arkham? So obviously I dropped everything else I was planning on doing. And I just sparked up a bit of a love affair with Bentley and I think Sinead had a nice experience at Arkham having somebody that... fiona: was perhaps a little bit more experience working for her. And she said to me, if we go to Paris, will you come? And it was tentative, and I said, absolutely. And so we did. We got to Paris, and I did a fair few of the shows in the lead up to that. And so Paris Olympics was my first championship, which was a pretty amazing one. prue: was perhaps a little bit more experience working for her. And she said to me, if we go to Paris, will you come? And it was tentative, and I said, absolutely. And so we did. We got to Paris, and I did a fair few of the shows in the lead up to that. And so Paris Olympics was my first championship, which was a pretty amazing one. fiona: It was a tough spot to fill for sure, being with Earth. But to be honest with you, by the time you get there, it's about the team. And it doesn't really matter what you are doing there. It matters that you're there. And so it was an incredible experience and one I will never forget. And one I didn't know, you never know whether you're going to be able to. prue: It was a tough spot to fill for sure, being with Earth. But to be honest with you, by the time you get there, it's about the team. And it doesn't really matter what you are doing there. It matters that you're there. And so it was an incredible experience and one I will never forget. And one I didn't know, you never know whether you're going to be able to. fiona: come to another one and so you have to make the most of each one you go to. And obviously Bentley has decided that this year wasn't his year for WEC but very luckily for me I've built a really good relationship with Sam and Sinead and they've decided that I've qualified enough so you can come for Sam. Well that's good. Now it is right to assume that the groom looks after everything to do with the horse however prue: come to another one and so you have to make the most of each one you go to. And obviously Bentley has decided that this year wasn't his year for WEC but very luckily for me I've built a really good relationship with Sam and Sinead and they've decided that I've qualified enough so you can come for Sam. Well that's good. Now it is right to assume that the groom looks after everything to do with the horse however fiona: We both know that the job involves other skills as well, like sports psychologist, event planner, tactician, therapist, and many, many more. I would love to hear your thoughts about the relationship between the groom and the rider. Clearly you've groomed for many different riders, so with that comes different personalities and preferences. What are your tips for managing this particularly in a high pressure environment of top competition? I think you have to stick prue: We both know that the job involves other skills as well, like sports psychologist, event planner, tactician, therapist, and many, many more. I would love to hear your thoughts about the relationship between the groom and the rider. Clearly you've groomed for many different riders, so with that comes different personalities and preferences. What are your tips for managing this particularly in a high pressure environment of top competition? I think you have to stick fiona: to your set of rules that you have. So for me, time management is absolutely in the front and foremost, most important thing that I probably do. Never ever giving my rider anything to worry about. So their horse is always tacked up five, 10 minutes before they want to get on it. You have to be super organized. prue: to your set of rules that you have. So for me, time management is absolutely in the front and foremost, most important thing that I probably do. Never ever giving my rider anything to worry about. So their horse is always tacked up five, 10 minutes before they want to get on it. You have to be super organized. fiona: And I think if you can nail that bit and even if you feel a little bit like a duck on top of the water, you look very elegant and everything looks very calm. Underneath you might be paddling like hell, but you have to maintain composure because at the end of the day, their job is to get on the horses and perform at their best. And so if they have half a mind worrying about you and a problem you may be having, prue: And I think if you can nail that bit and even if you feel a little bit like a duck on top of the water, you look very elegant and everything looks very calm. Underneath you might be paddling like hell, but you have to maintain composure because at the end of the day, their job is to get on the horses and perform at their best. And so if they have half a mind worrying about you and a problem you may be having, fiona: you're already adding detriment to their performance. So I think that's the rules I use for every rider I work with. And then every rider is different. I've had many quiet moments with Shanae and I've had a couple where I've read the room and I've gone, I think she needs a bit of a G up here. Come on, get on and get on with it. Stop overthinking things. prue: you're already adding detriment to their performance. So I think that's the rules I use for every rider I work with. And then every rider is different. I've had many quiet moments with Shanae and I've had a couple where I've read the room and I've gone, I think she needs a bit of a G up here. Come on, get on and get on with it. Stop overthinking things. fiona: I think the more you get to know your rider, the easier that conversation is to have. look, I've been very lucky that I've spent enough time with Sam and Sinead to know them well enough as to when I can have that conversation and when I can't. But I think if you just stick to your ground rules of, as well, just don't leave any stone unturned. And every rider is going to appreciate. prue: I think the more you get to know your rider, the easier that conversation is to have. look, I've been very lucky that I've spent enough time with Sam and Sinead to know them well enough as to when I can have that conversation and when I can't. But I think if you just stick to your ground rules of, as well, just don't leave any stone unturned. And every rider is going to appreciate. fiona: If they are not giving you a second thought, that means you're doing your job properly. Yeah, very good advice. Very good advice. So I mentioned that we're in the pre-training camp in Belgium. The Australian based horses have flown over a week ago and are settling into a routine. What tips and tricks do you have to settle them in over here? And what will you be doing to help them adjust to moving into Arkham next week? prue: If they are not giving you a second thought, that means you're doing your job properly. Yeah, very good advice. Very good advice. So I mentioned that we're in the pre-training camp in Belgium. The Australian based horses have flown over a week ago and are settling into a routine. What tips and tricks do you have to settle them in over here? And what will you be doing to help them adjust to moving into Arkham next week? fiona: So we try and keep their routine as similar as we can really. So Australian based horses, they live out pretty much all the time. The weather's good enough and the ground's good enough to keep them out in the paddocks. So we're very lucky here where we have camp. We have paddocks. So our horses have been out a lot and grazing and been happy and... prue: So we try and keep their routine as similar as we can really. So Australian based horses, they live out pretty much all the time. The weather's good enough and the ground's good enough to keep them out in the paddocks. So we're very lucky here where we have camp. We have paddocks. So our horses have been out a lot and grazing and been happy and... fiona: Just that process of them having grass and fibre running through them helps you to get them eating well and drinking well. It's just your basics really in this process. There's bits that matter when you get to the show, but the reality of it is that you try and maintain that horse's routine to the best of your ability. And when you manage that, then they will eat. prue: Just that process of them having grass and fibre running through them helps you to get them eating well and drinking well. It's just your basics really in this process. There's bits that matter when you get to the show, but the reality of it is that you try and maintain that horse's routine to the best of your ability. And when you manage that, then they will eat. fiona: and they will drink and they perform better. yeah, keeping things the same. Obviously if you don't have, like we have with the turnout, lots of hand walking, lots of grazing and just keeping them relaxed and happy. Yeah. Yeah. Now, I'm not sure how this is going to sound, but I'm going to give this a go. You are somewhat more experienced in the role this time around than some of our other grooms. prue: and they will drink and they perform better. yeah, keeping things the same. Obviously if you don't have, like we have with the turnout, lots of hand walking, lots of grazing and just keeping them relaxed and happy. Yeah. Yeah. Now, I'm not sure how this is going to sound, but I'm going to give this a go. You are somewhat more experienced in the role this time around than some of our other grooms. fiona: How do you try and support the younger grooms in the team who are experiencing their first team gig? Now, I love this question even though you're calling me old. So the most important thing for me when it comes to younger grooms is communication. So for me, anyone that knows me, I could talk behind the leg off a donkey, but... prue: How do you try and support the younger grooms in the team who are experiencing their first team gig? Now, I love this question even though you're calling me old. So the most important thing for me when it comes to younger grooms is communication. So for me, anyone that knows me, I could talk behind the leg off a donkey, but... fiona: Having a friendly and happy environment in which everybody feels they can talk and speak up when they're worried about something is so important. it doesn't mean that I need to tell these... They wouldn't be here if they didn't know how to do their jobs. And they are a fantastic group of girls and having a great time with them. But sometimes when you're at your first championship or at your first big show, prue: Having a friendly and happy environment in which everybody feels they can talk and speak up when they're worried about something is so important. it doesn't mean that I need to tell these... They wouldn't be here if they didn't know how to do their jobs. And they are a fantastic group of girls and having a great time with them. But sometimes when you're at your first championship or at your first big show, fiona: For some of these girls, know, this is the first time they've even been to the big, big shows and been to Europe. They have questions. And for me, I just want to be open and friendly enough that they feel they can come to me and ask. And I will advise them as well as I can. And I'm also happy you kind of can play the middle man role a little bit. You know, this is a question for your rider, but actually. prue: For some of these girls, know, this is the first time they've even been to the big, big shows and been to Europe. They have questions. And for me, I just want to be open and friendly enough that they feel they can come to me and ask. And I will advise them as well as I can. And I'm also happy you kind of can play the middle man role a little bit. You know, this is a question for your rider, but actually. fiona: this bit I could probably help you with. I think it's not really, they know how to do their jobs. It's about just being there for them. When they have that moment of, God, when they walk into Arkham, I have that moment too, but I think I've probably had that moment enough times to know how to handle it and deal with it. prue: this bit I could probably help you with. I think it's not really, they know how to do their jobs. It's about just being there for them. When they have that moment of, God, when they walk into Arkham, I have that moment too, but I think I've probably had that moment enough times to know how to handle it and deal with it. fiona: And do you have a favourite event? Like of all the events you've been to around the world? one? Or maybe it's maybe a good experience at the best event. I don't know. It's a hard question, I know. I think I've probably got two. Can I just say you're not allowed to say Wallaby Hill because we know that Alex is your boss. It's Wallaby Hill, isn't it? No, it's I think Arkan for me. prue: And do you have a favourite event? Like of all the events you've been to around the world? one? Or maybe it's maybe a good experience at the best event. I don't know. It's a hard question, I know. I think I've probably got two. Can I just say you're not allowed to say Wallaby Hill because we know that Alex is your boss. It's Wallaby Hill, isn't it? No, it's I think Arkan for me. fiona: and for many grooms, it's just the most incredible place. And it took me a very long time to get to one and it did not disappoint in any way, shape or form. It is quite phenomenal to be there. And the other event I have really, really fond memories of actually is Adelaide because Bentley has won Adelaide and taken me into the big prize giving and I... prue: and for many grooms, it's just the most incredible place. And it took me a very long time to get to one and it did not disappoint in any way, shape or form. It is quite phenomenal to be there. And the other event I have really, really fond memories of actually is Adelaide because Bentley has won Adelaide and taken me into the big prize giving and I... fiona: won the Grooms Prize there one year and I just, I feel like although I moved to Australia for a change, a little bit of a change in my life, actually feel my career actually took off. I hit the ground in Australia and off I went. I've been to two championships. I've ended up falling into a place with two riders who are incredible and prue: won the Grooms Prize there one year and I just, I feel like although I moved to Australia for a change, a little bit of a change in my life, actually feel my career actually took off. I hit the ground in Australia and off I went. I've been to two championships. I've ended up falling into a place with two riders who are incredible and fiona: I just, for everything I've done in Europe, it just really holds a place in my heart because I feel like I owe Australia so much for all the experiences I've had. So, yeah. That's great. And a favourite horse? Well, I think you did mention one, but there could be others, I'm sure. You've worked with a lot of horses. I have, I have. I've probably, I've actually probably got a top five. prue: I just, for everything I've done in Europe, it just really holds a place in my heart because I feel like I owe Australia so much for all the experiences I've had. So, yeah. That's great. And a favourite horse? Well, I think you did mention one, but there could be others, I'm sure. You've worked with a lot of horses. I have, I have. I've probably, I've actually probably got a top five. fiona: I will be honest with you Prue, I listen to your podcast when I go running. So, and I often think, if I ever got on Prue's podcast, with Prue and Fiona, who would I say my favourite horses were? Well, lucky you asked the question. So good job you did. Happy Times and Paul Atbrocher probably are two of the most incredible horses I've ever looked after. Bold Venture, for all his menacing around, he is the horse that's taken me to the most incredible places. prue: I will be honest with you Prue, I listen to your podcast when I go running. and I often think, if I ever got on Prue's podcast, with Prue and Fiona, who would I say my favourite horses were? Well, lucky you asked the question. So good job you did. Happy Times and Paul Atbrocher probably are two of the most incredible horses I've ever looked after. Bold Venture, for all his menacing around, he is the horse that's taken me to the most incredible places. fiona: And then the other two, no one will probably know, but my own horse that I have ended up to three star, he will always be special for me. And a young horse that Alex Townsend actually bred, he's called Skippy at home, he's a WHF coyote. And I rode him as a baby horse and he just... prue: And then the other two, no one will probably know, but my own horse that I have ended up to three star, he will always be special for me. And a young horse that Alex Townsend actually bred, he's called Skippy at home, he's a WHF coyote. And I rode him as a baby horse and he just... fiona: I don't know, it's just a special character. Something about them, isn't it? Yeah. Just something about them. Okay, so I've got some quick-fire questions for you. All right, now you can take these however or wherever, or you can expand on them even. We might even start a whole, you know, we've got the time. So, and I sort of put this one in because I know there's a bit of history on this one, but first one is pulled, plaited or natural tail? goodness, there is some history on this one. prue: I don't know, it's just a special character. Something about them, isn't it? Yeah. Just something about them. Okay, so I've got some quick-fire questions for you. All right, now you can take these however or wherever, or you can expand on them even. We might even start a whole, you know, we've got the time. So, and I sort of put this one in because I know there's a bit of history on this one, but first one is pulled, plaited or natural tail? goodness, there is some history on this one. fiona: So many, many years ago, Shane came over to the UK and based with Sam and his very lovely group, Rachel, would often come over but couldn't come over for all the events. And Rach desperately tried to teach me to platter tail and I was atrocious at it. And one day I thought, right, I'm just going to take a video of her doing it, okay, the video and... prue: So many, many years ago, Shane came over to the UK and based with Sam and his very lovely group, Rachel, would often come over but couldn't come over for all the events. And Rach desperately tried to teach me to platter tail and I was atrocious at it. And one day I thought, right, I'm just going to take a video of her doing it. Okay, the video and... fiona: I'd I kind of then was in the UK, so I had a lot of pulled tails and I didn't really think too much of it. And when I came out to do, well came out and went to Adelaide with Shane, I thought, shit, I can't pull a tail, I can't plait a tail. God, what am I gonna do? And I remembered that I had this video. prue: I'd I kind of then was in the UK, so I had a lot of pulled tails and I didn't really think too much of it. And when I came out to do, well came out and went to Adelaide with Shane, I thought, shit, I can't pull a tail, I can't plait a tail. God, what am I gonna do? And I remembered that I had this video. fiona: So I watched it on the way to Adelaide, because it was a long way. And I watched it and I watched it and I watched it and I thought, God, please let me be able to do this when I get there. And I could. Anyway, I plaited a few tails and they looked good. I was happy enough with them. Anyway, I went to Aachen that same year and I plaited Bentley's tail and I was out in the grazing paddock and goodness gracious me, Alan who groomed for Charlotte Dujardin, prue: So I watched it on the way to Adelaide, because it was a long way. And I watched it and I watched it and I watched it and I thought, God, please let me be able to do this when I get there. And I could. Anyway, I plaited a few tails and they looked good. I was happy enough with them. Anyway, I went to Aachen that same year and I plaited Bentley's tail and I was out in the grazing paddock and goodness gracious me, Alan who groomed for Charlotte Dujardin, fiona: came over and he said, did you plait that tail? And I went, can talk to anybody, and I went a bit pink and I went, yes. And he said, that's the best tail plait I've ever seen. And that was it. I nearly retired on the spot. I felt my God. So I must admit, now plaited. Okay, markers or no quarter markers? Well, when I was in England, I did get a bit of a name as quarter marker queen. So I have to say quarter marks. Although there won't be any at Arken because... prue: came over and he said, did you plait that tail? And I went, can talk to anybody, and I went a bit pink and I went, yes. And he said, that's the best tail plait I've ever seen. And that was it. I nearly retired on the spot. I felt my God. So I must admit, now plaited. Okay, markers or no quarter markers? Well, when I was in England, I did get a bit of a name as quarter marker queen. So I have to say quarter marks. Although there won't be any at Arkan because... We're all clipped but... yeah. One less thing to do. Thread or bands? Thread. Every day. Number on saddle cloth or bridle? I do like it on the saddle cloth. I think it doesn't take... You've not got the unlevelness of the bridle and it doesn't take away from a pretty horse. But don't take anything of it if I put it on Lloyd's bridle. fiona: We're all clipped but... yeah. One less thing to do. Thread or bands? Thread. Every day. Number on saddle cloth or bridle? I do like it on the saddle cloth. I think it doesn't take... You've not got the unlevelness of the bridle and it doesn't take away from a pretty horse. But don't take anything of it if I put it on Lloyd's bridle. What's your quickest time on plating a horse? this is a great story. So when I first started working for Sam, I had an absolute mare. was, I was horrendous. I went to Chatsworth, which was miles and miles and miles away. And I balled up initially because I'd forgotten the passports, but luckily someone else was coming from home, so they bought the passports with them. Then I got there and he had one in the four star. prue: What's your quickest time on plating a horse? this is a great story. So when I first started working for Sam, I had an absolute mare. was, I was horrendous. I went to Chatsworth, which was miles and miles and miles away. And I balled up initially because I'd forgotten the passports, but luckily someone else was coming from home, so they bought the passports with them. Then I got there and he had one in the four star. Well, we opened her vaccination page and she was two days out of date for her vaccination. Sam, know, as polite as Sam was, said, Anyway, he strutted off and I thought, no. So I unplatted her. That was a big mistake too. Cause then he got her into the national class cause you only needed a yearly, not six monthly. And so he rang me and he said, I'm on the way back. I'm on in about 10 minutes. And I'd fully unplatted the name. fiona: Well, we opened her vaccination page and she was two days out of date for her vaccination. Sam, know, as polite as Sam was, right. Anyway, he strutted off and I thought, no. So I unplatted her. That was a big mistake too. Cause then he got her into the national class cause you only needed a yearly, not six monthly. And so he rang me and he said, I'm on the way back. I'm on in about 10 minutes. And I'd fully unplatted the name. So I re-platted and it took me about five and a half minutes to re-plat the mane and leg him back up. So top to bottom, bottom to top, left to right, right to left. I do top to bottom. Okay. Yeah. Okay. And always on the off side? Yes. prue: So I re-platted and it took me about five and a half minutes to re-plat the mane and leg him back up. So top to bottom, bottom to top, left to right, right to left. I do top to bottom. Okay. Yeah. Okay. And always on the off side? Yes. fiona: Even if they're... Only they can see you're twitching. They buy the other side, they will go the right side. Okay, now what are your top five items in your grooming box? If you could only take five things. So, Arkan, next week you're only allowed five things. Okay, well number one on my list, although I won't need it, but it has come with me because it goes everywhere with me, is my quarter mark brush that Rachel Watts gave me. gosh, yes. prue: Even if they're... Only they can see you're twitching. They buy the other side, they will go the right side. Okay, now what are your top five items in your grooming box? If you could only take five things. So, Arkan, next week you're only allowed five things. Okay, well number one on my list, although I won't need it, but it has come with me because it goes everywhere with me, is my quarter mark brush that Rachel Watts gave me. gosh, yes. fiona: So that's number one on my list for every single show. Men and tail spray, because you don't want to lose any tail. A nice, a good shampoo that gets them clean. You only really need one brush. People are lying otherwise. And baby oil. Yeah, yeah. So keep it simple really. It's not what you got. prue: So that's number one on my list for every single show. Men and tail spray, because you don't want to lose any tail. A nice, a good shampoo that gets them clean. You only really need one brush. People are lying otherwise. And baby oil. Yeah, yeah. So keep it simple really. It's not what you got. fiona: It's what you do with it. Is that the right way to look at that? All right. Well, that is fantastic. I'm so glad to be able to talk. It's really fun. And it's actually really fun doing it like I'm with you. Yeah. a metre away from me. Whereas normally we do it through a screen. So this has been really fun. Is there something I've missing? As you know, you've thought about the questions you wanted. Are you sitting there thinking, why didn't she ask me that? I've got an answer. I don't think so, Prudence. Because otherwise we would be here for the next. prue: It's what you do with it. Is that the right way to look at that? All right. Well, that is fantastic. I'm so glad to be able to talk. It's really fun. And it's actually really fun doing it like I'm with you. Yeah. a metre away from me. Whereas normally we do it through a screen. So this has been really fun. Is there something I've missing? As you know, you've thought about the questions you wanted. Are you sitting there thinking, why didn't she ask me that? I've got an answer. I don't think so, Prudence. Because otherwise we would be here for the next. fiona: and everyone will get quite bored. My battery will go flat on my phone. That's right. All right, well thank you and absolutely all the very, best for the week that is coming up. Thanks, Charlotte. Thank you. prue: and everyone will get quite bored. My battery will go flat on my phone. That's right. All right, well thank you and absolutely all the very, best for the week that is coming up. Thanks, Charlotte. Thank you. fiona: Thanks for riding along with us and hope you enjoyed the show. Catch you next time Between the Flags. prue: Thanks for riding along with us and hope you enjoyed the show. Catch you next time Between the Flags.