Every show organiser's nightmare was realised by the Southern Counties Heavy Horse Association when it was decided two weeks before the event that the chosen and advertised site was too wet to hold the Show.

The harrow cart allows the driver to sit in a safe position behind the harrows

After several phone calls and meetings, Robert Sampson offered grounds at Harbridge Farm near Ringwood. Wheels were put in motion to advise horse owners, members and the media of the new venue and the Working went ahead. Public attendance was, of course, affected but those who did find the site were treated to a fine display of equine activities.

The day dawned overcast but brightened later with some glorious weather. The mix of horses was excellent with all the British heavy horse breeds represented, although the Percherons far outnumbered any other breed, due mainly to the Sampson family's commitment to them.

Dolly, Andy Musgrove's Percheron driven to a fertiliser spreader by Steven Barnes

The Southern Counties Heavy Horse Association, always trailblazers, incorporated a Progress Day into their Working - progress into modern heavy horse machinery has in recent years grown in this country to new heights. Gone are the days of walking behind a horse and most modern implements are accompanied nowadays by a seat. The first implement I came across was a harrow cart made by Robert Sampson. This cart allows the driver to sit in a high seat behind the harrows in a completely safe position; cross bars travel from under the seat across the harrows to the front draught bar. Another unique feature is the castor wheels that allow the set-up to be turned very tightly.

The Spring Working is an ideal place for the novice horse to meet the public and learn different skills, sights and smells.

John Cattermole brought his young Shire, Ben, to try his hand at ploughing and David Mouland also initiated his recently acquired Clydesdale into the use of new equipment and working with his stable mates in pulling a modern manure spreader imported from America. This machine has been geared to accommodate the speed of the horse and gave a very good account.

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