It’s been a strange month and it seems to have disappeared down the plug hole, so this month it’s more like bringing you up to date with at least something I’m involved with as I expect you don’t actually read the Berkhamsted Review (other local newsletters are available - like ‘The  Citizen’ - but you need to be a member of the Citizens Association for that!), so here goes:

Agility at Blenheim Palace

Was it really only in the spring that I was asked 'and what are you doing on the 12th/13th September' as only wives can.
'Nuffin, as far as I know', I replied. 'Oh, we might be going to Blenheim Palace' that weekend', she says.
Over the months the tale unfolded. Apparently, her Agility Dog Club had been asked by the Kennel Club if they could do a demonstration at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials. We would be able to stay in the caravan for free and be really near to the ring where this demonstration would be part of 'alternative country activities' section of the event. There would be 4 sessions and a good time be had by all.

Mind you, by the time we had just a week to go, the sessions had been reduced to one on Saturday and another on the Sunday, passes were 'in the post/will be couriered/at the gate' even 2 days before we were due to go. As I hitched up the caravan on Friday afternoon, e-mails were still arriving and the gate to use as an entrance was changed.
We set off towards the venue and apart from a broken down articulated lorry on the M40/A34 roundabout, the indicated entrance being closed and guessing how to wind our way through Friday evening traffic in Woodstock village, we arrived at a small entrance with two security men just waving us through. Our instructions were to telephone 'our leader' who would come, find and guide us to the others. Naturally, my description of a nice large lake on my right and large house just beyond didn't mean a thing, so onward we drove and came across a 'caravan parking' sign. As you all know, I'm quick on the uptake and instructed my driver to follow the signs. 'Our leader' was looking the other way, but spotted us and guided us into the field full of assorted horse boxes, tents and caravans. The grass was about 6 inches high, level as a mountain range and you also notice that horse owners/riders have no idea what comes out behind their mounts.

As dusk was rapidly creeping up, the fencing was erected and off I went to find water. I found 6 portable toilets together with 2 trailers with 6 portable showers. A couple of waste water tanks, pipes all over the place and a queue around THE tap. Caravanner's generally use water barrels and roll them to and from the water supply. Horsy people use buckets. I filled my first barrel and suggested that the girl with her two buckets behind me, filled her buckets before I do my second barrel (see, I'm very accommodating for a pretty face). First bucket foamed well, so I asked what she was going to use it for. 'Drinking', she says. I gave her a look that suggested that perhaps that wasn't a good idea. 'Oh, I remember, I used that one for disinfectant to clean the van out with. I'll use that for washing and cleaning my teeth', was the excuse just before filling the second bucket. As I started to fill my second barrel, she expressed concern that I would find it difficult to carry to 40 litre barrels of water back to the caravan. I pointed to the handles which allowed the barrels to be rolled back and a little light bulb lit.

The following day was Saturday, the sky was blue, the wind non-existent and summer actually made it to a weekend. It was then that we discovered the ring where we needed to perform was only about one and a half miles away. So much for the 'camping near the ring'. The equipment trailer had been hauled there earlier in the week, so all that was needed was a briefing and then cart our personal bits such as chairs, shoes, cold drinks for dogs and handlers etc. (as we had no idea at this time exactly what we might find one and a half miles way!) and naturally the dogs - 3 dogs in our case. Naturally, we had to walk following 'our leader' who knew where he was going and us trying to keep up. Through the tent village with all kinds of shops selling everything from food to wellies to stables to toys and then 'Blenheim ring' came into view. The main arena was on the right and ours was the smaller one to the left, with the hearing dogs for the deaf doing their bit.

We learnt that the advance party who were supposed to put all the equipment together forgot the key to the trailer on the previous day, so rather than walk all the way back, decided not to bother. This meant that after marching from the 'field' to the ring for over half an hour with dogs, bags, chairs etc., the equipment still had to be put together. Meanwhile, hundreds of members of the public were still arriving and there we were loaded like pack horses trudging through the 'retail tent village' trying to find the equipment trailer. We found it hiding behind the Kennel Club tent and in front of the go-cart track.

We were part of a day long alternative entertainment for the horsy types. Other attractions included side saddle horse riding, hearing dogs for the deaf, display of mules, fencing and Kennel Club Agility (Watford Agility Club). The fencing didn't turn up, so we had to go on early. This display comprised of a very long agility course (most club members bitterly complained that it was too long and they were kn**kered by the end) although the second part was a relay race between different sized dogs, which the fairly large crowd enjoyed.
On the Sunday, we were first in the ring (so the equipment didn't have to be taken down etc.), so the combination of an early start, slightly overhung display members (and public) and a slight chill in the air meant that the audience were thin on the ground, although as this was a 'try out', only to be expected. The course was smaller, the relay just as hectic and to finish the demo, children from the audience were invited to try their hand at agility using some of the club dogs (and our well known prate/plodder - Jamie). From past shows, we know this always goes down well, and this event was no exception.

After dismantling the equipment and packing it away, as we marched back to 'base' we met at least one couple who were sorry that they had arrived too late to see the group in action. We understand the Kennel Club were pleased and it may well happen again next year.

In case you are wondering, I never did find out if the fencing was two blokes trying to kill each other or someone building something to keep sheep in, perhaps we will find out next year.