Carolyn Heller (nee Lee) Reading.
I started riding there around 1970 and remember the day Princess Anne visited, I was a riding for the disabled pony leader. I remember that the Princess left in a red helicopter and arrived in London to announce her engagement to Mark Phillips the same day. I was one of the helpers who rode up and down the Radnage roads four abreast, bareback, to Church, Neighbours, Pitchers fields. And I proudly brought down Glen each weekend day in the mornings. Nothing made me happier than when the ponies were furthest away from the gate which would mean a fantastic bareback canter across the field. Whilst I am rubbish at recalling yesterday I could name every pony and horse at the stables,he was a little beauty and dynamite to ride. Richard Meade and The Poacher were there at the time and I didn't bat an eyelid. Just didn't realise what an amazing advanced place it was. I lived about 1/4 mile away in Green End Road.
If you ever want a different event to hold, an open day for old riders would be fantastic. I often think about coming in to look at how it is now, (looks amazing by the way), but wonder how it would be taken. I remember Miss Smallwood, Gill Watson, Jane Jarvis, a lovely lady called Margaret, Penny Burroughs and John Butler. Such happy days, even the tackroom looks the same as when I was there every Sunday evening cleaning and buffing.
Abby Bernard (Nèe White)
Dear Tamsin,
It was very nice to meet you today and thank you for letting me come in and take some photos to remind me of very happy memories.
I was a pupil at Radnage from 1967 until 1975 and loved every minute. My favourite horse was a dun called Rosanne, who sadly died from eating sycamore in the field. I had her for an ‘own a pony’ week. I also remember naughty Dandy, a chestnut of about 12hh, I fell off him, but of course I got back on again.
Miss Smallwood was a much revered figure and her high standards have had a great impact on me. I have 8 horses now as I have 2 horsey daughters, one into eventing and side saddle and the other into polo! I hunt, and am the District Commissioner of the Old Surrey & Burstow Hunt Branch. Well done on maintaining Radnage House to such a high standard.
I will look for some old photos.