Rhaglen 6 Ceffylau Cymru

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-In this series,

-we're very accustomed...

-..with seeing horses walking,

-trotting and, sometimes, galloping.

-This time, we'll see them jumping -

-and, perhaps, I'll jump too.

-Welcome to Ceffylau Cymru.

-In this programme, we go behind the

-scenes of the showjumping world...

-..with expert Eurig Eynon.

-We'll look at the buying,

-the selling and the training.

-We also join young showjumper

-Nia Williams in a competition...

-..and canter across the sea

-to the Emerald Isle.

-Our journey starts

-on Eurig's farm...

-..in Llanvihangel Crucorney,

-Monmouthshire.

-Eurig, who hails from Cwm Gwaun...

-..has been riding and jumping horses

-since he was a boy.

-He has jumped for Wales and has won

-at the Horse Of The Year Show.

-He's a horse man

-through and through.

-My maternal grandfather kept horses.

-I lived on the farm with him,

-and he put me on a horse every day.

-My interest grew from there.

-How did you get into jumping?

-I started jumping when I was seven.

-It was my life.

-I was lucky enough

-to make the Wales team many times...

-..and to go to the

-Horse Of The Year Show many times.

-When I left school, I went to work

-with the great John Whitaker.

-You mentioned John Whitaker.

-The Whitakers

-are a famous showjumping family.

-They're still at it.

-John's still jumping

-in his sixties.

-Yes, a very famous family.

-You learnt a lot there.

-You learnt a lot there.

-

-Yes, a great deal.

-I learnt about the job.

-I was there for two years, and

-should have stayed two more, maybe.

-That's where you caught the bug.

-That's where you caught the bug.

-

-Yes.

-It's been in my blood since I was

-a child, without a doubt.

-Jumping, winning, competing.

-It's just a huge buzz.

-Do you consider yourself

-a competitive person?

-I'd have to say that I was.

-Winning was quite a buzz.

-Coming second or third

-wasn't the same.

-But that didn't happen often.

-I wouldn't say that...

-..but it was a bit more special

-to get a red rosette.

-Eurig is taking a break

-from competition at the moment.

-Nowadays, he buys and trains horses,

-specializing in jumpers...

-..aiming to sell them on

-for a good price.

-How do you make a living now, Eurig?

-We train showjumpers.

-I've got a girl riding here now,

-so I don't jump as much myself.

-We still bring on showjumpers

-and sell them on.

-How long does it take

-to train a horse?

-It's a lengthy process.

-We buy them as young horses.

-We'll sell some earlier than others.

-We've had one or two

-for three or four years.

-Some will be sold within six months.

-What have you learnt

-about buying and selling?

-Not every horse we buy

-turns out to be a good one.

-We have learnt a lot.

-It's a matter of trial and error.

-A bit of luck.

-You must buy something you like,

-but luck is involved too.

-Emily Manieri from Italy is helping

-Eurig to train the horse Popstar.

-She also competes on his behalf.

-Where do you go to buy horses?

-We go onto the Continent

-to buy them, and to Ireland.

-Where did you get this horse?

-She came from Ireland,

-the Goresbridge sales, a year ago.

-She's coming on quite well.

-We think a lot of her. She's ready

-for a good year next year.

-Maybe someone else

-will own her afterwards.

-What was it about her

-that caught your eye?

-If I buy a horse,

-I always consider...

-..first of all,

-if it's a jumping horse.

-But I always think

-of a second job for them.

-If they're not good enough,

-they might make eventers...

-..or show horses or hunters.

-She's a smart-looking horse.

-If she doesn't

-make the grade as a jumper...

-..she'll definitely

-make a good eventer.

-What's your dream,

-as a buyer and as a trainer?

-Well, I think everyone

-has the same dream.

-Getting a superstar horse.

-Rearing it or buying it.

-If you have one

-that's good enough...

-..the money you can get

-can change your life.

-It'll probably remain a dream,

-but we'll carry on pursuing it.

-Until you achieve it,

-and then retire!

-That's right!

-This is Just Jasper.

-He has won a class...

-..at most shows

-across Great Britain.

-This horse has cleared two metres.

-So, he has earned his retirement.

-He certainly has earned it.

-He's coming out of retirement

-for one day only...

-..to educate you!

-What am I going to do?

-What am I going to do?

-

-You'll jump a short course.

-Jump the cross-pole, back over

-the blue one, over the water tray.

-OK.

-He knows more than you, OK?

-Just steer him.

-So, I have to keep my eyes open?!

-It's up to you. You don't have to,

-as long as he knows where to go.

-What's the most important point

-to get right?

-Stay in a canter rhythm.

-Don't rush, stay at a canter.

-That's all I want you to do,

-and he'll do the rest.

-I'll leave it to him.

-OK, a quick loop to pick up pace.

-Yes, that's right.

-Pick it up to a canter. Good.

-The orange one first.

-The orange one first.

-

-Yes.

-Look where you're going.

-Look at the jump.

-Steady.

-We'll make a showjumper of you yet!

-I don't think so!

-No more playing about.

-Let's jump something proper.

-Are you ready?

-Um...

-..no, not at all!

-Right, pull up then.

-I'm trying.

-I'm tired.

-I'm glad to have done what I have.

-I didn't expect to do that today.

-You've seen an apprentice.

-Next, let's watch an expert at work.

-Eurig's friend, Andrew Davies,

-is one of the best.

-He achieved success

-with the British team...

-..and in 2003,

-his horse Limbo...

-..was top of the British

-Showjumping Association rankings.

-That year, Limbo was sold

-for over 1,000,000.

-At the time, it was a record price

-for a showjumper.

-Andrew and Eurig

-are lifelong friends.

-Have you ever beaten Andrew?

-I've beaten him a few times.

-Yes, now and again.

-Was there a great rivalry?

-Only in the ring.

-Once we were out,

-we were firm friends again.

-Would you compete against him now?

-If I'd lose a bit of this belly,

-I'd give it a go!

-How do you think you'd do?

-I'd win.

-Of course. No doubt.

-Was there a lot of competition

-between you?

-A lot.

-I can remember

-when I first started...

-..one of my ambitions

-was to try and beat him.

-He was **** impossible.

-He kind of won everything.

-He's a good mate to ask...

-..what I did wrong,

-what the horse needs doing.

-It's good to have

-a bit of an ally as well.

-To be completely honest with you.

-To be completely honest with you.

-

-Absolutely.

-Probably too honest half the time.

-Is it important

-to have a bond with your horse?

-Very, very important.

-You know, if you're

-working round them all day...

-..and riding them,

-you find out their personalities.

-Whether they're a bit obnoxious

-or a bit quiet or a bit sharp.

-No, it's really important.

-In every equestrian discipline...

-..I think

-that's what divides horsemen...

-..with people

-who just get on and kick on.

-What makes Andrew a good jumper?

-You need a lot of things.

-First of all, he's got talent.

-What we call feel.

-That's something

-a lot of people don't have.

-What we call a natural feel.

-Knowing that he can get the horse

-to work with him as one.

-We teach a lot of people to jump,

-and we try to teach it.

-But essentially,

-you're born with it.

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-In this episode

-of Ceffylau Cymru...

-..I look at the world of showjumping

-with the expert, Eurig Eynon.

-He buys sport horses

-from Holland and Germany...

-..where breeding and training

-standards are way ahead of Britain.

-But he says that the standard

-of Irish jumpers is improving.

-He tries his luck at many sales

-at Goresbridge, near Kilkenny.

-He did well here last time,

-when he bought Popstar.

-This time, I'm keeping him company.

-Ireland's Goresbridge sales

-are famous.

-People have travelled far

-in search of a bargain.

-There's a lot of choice here.

-Hopefully, Eurig will have

-some good luck on the Emerald Isle.

-We've come all the way to Ireland.

-What are we doing here?

-I'm hoping to buy

-a performance horse today, if I can.

-A jumper.

-We'll see.

-I come out here regularly.

-Sometimes, we find one,

-sometimes, nothing tickles my fancy.

-We've come to have a look.

-What sort of prices

-do horses fetch here?

-Today, I should think they'll be

-anywhere between 1,000 and 10,000.

-Something like that.

-Are there bargains here?

-Are there bargains here?

-

-If there are, I hope we find one.

-What do you look for

-in a jumping horse?

-One that jumps cleanly,

-that doesn't want to hit the jumps.

-A horse that moves nicely

-More than anything,

-one that I like looking at.

-How important is it to see

-the horse jump before you buy it?

-Very important,

-because you can look in the book...

-..and, judging by its breeding

-it should jump like a kangaroo...

-..but it can't jump

-over its own shadow.

-This horse has caught your eye.

-What is it that you like about it?

-It's nice to look at, first of all.

-It's pleasant on the eye.

-It has quite good breeding.

-From what I've seen so far,

-it shows as quite a nice horse.

-Do you think you'll bid for it?

-Do you think you'll bid for it?

-

-That could well happen.

-I need to see

-its veterinary certificate.

-Every horse here

-has been vetted in advance.

-That's different

-to what happens back home.

-In our sales back home,

-you buy them first...

-..and if you want them vetted,

-you take them to the vet afterwards.

-But it's nice to see

-a veterinary certificate.

-You can see if they're clean...

-..or if there are problems,

-you can see what's wrong.

-Then it's up to you to decide

-if you take the risk or leave it.

-Are they problems

-that you can work on?

-Sometimes.

-But because I buy a jumper

-to bring on and sell on...

-..if there's anything wrong with it

-as a four-year-old...

-..it'll often remain a weakness

-for life...

-..and a vet will always flag it up.

-Knowing that, it's pointless for me

-to work on that horse for two years.

-Eurig had his eye on this bay horse.

-But after inspecting the animal

-and its veterinary certificate...

-..he decides not to bid.

-Goresbridge attracts a horde

-of buyers and enthusiasts.

-But after studying the horses

-in the stables and the arena...

-..only potential bidders

-usually enter the selling ring.

-The auction is winding up now,

-and it has been a long day.

-Have you had any luck?

-No, not today.

-I haven't bought anything.

-One that I fancied went too high.

-Two others had problems

-on the veterinary certificates.

-I left them alone, so no luck today.

-But that's the way it goes

-and I'll come back another time.

-We had a day out, if nothing else.

-A cold day, but a day out.

-A cold day, but a day out.

-

-Yes, a very cold day.

-After leaving Ireland

-empty-handed...

-..I met a young showjumper

-from the Llandeilo area...

-..who has tasted success

-all across Britain.

-Nia Williams competes

-with her horse Webster.

-He was bought

-in Holland by Eurig...

-..who then trained him

-and sold him on.

-Eurig won on Webster in 2010

-at the Royal Three Counties Show.

-When did you start showjumping?

-As far as I can remember...

-..at this competition...

-..I was four years old.

-Here, I was five.

-Then six and upwards.

-What does your usual year entail?

-The year starts

-with a few winter shows.

-Probably one or two a month.

-The agricultural shows

-start in May...

-..and run through to September.

-Then the horse has a winter break

-before starting over.

-The Pencoed Jumping Show is one

-of the year's first competitions.

-Nia's keen

-to get back in the saddle.

-I went to find out more

-about the competition element...

-..and to offer her some support.

-It's your first competition

-this year.

-Are these small events important?

-Yes, they're important

-to develop confidence...

-..for the bigger jumps to come

-later in the season.

-What's your objective this year?

-This year's aim

-is to hopefully improve enough...

-..to compete in the 1.30m class

-by the end of the summer season.

-How do you achieve that?

-In one step,

-or by progressing gradually?

-I'll be going gradually higher...

-..to ensure that I'm confident

-with the new heights.

-How have you prepared for today?

-I had a lesson with Andrew Davies

-a couple of weeks ago...

-..to prepare for today.

-A refresher for you and Webster

-after some time off.

-Webster's had two months off.

-It was nice

-to have a refresher...

-..to make sure

-everything was OK for today.

-Did it go alright?

-Did it go alright?

-

-Yes, it went really well.

-Are you ready to compete?

-Are you ready to compete?

-

-Yes, I'm ready for today.

-Eurig's also at the show,

-with his horse Popstar...

-..ridden by Emily Manieri.

-It's the season's first event,

-and the excitement is palpable.

-Who will hop the hurdles, top

-the triple bar and outdo the oxer?

-It's a small show in Pencoed,

-something to start them off.

-This pony did a bit in the summer,

-but it's her first event indoors.

-We put her down a class.

-How did she get on?

-She got one down, but I was happy.

-Is it nice to see horses

-that you trained competing?

-Yes, I'm glad to have sold

-a lot of horses locally.

-Everyone has fun with them,

-and that's nice to see.

-Do you hope to beat them?

-I hope so, and that everyone

-likes what they see and buy more!

-Nia's first competition

-is the 1.05m round.

-She passes the timing marker

-and jumps the first.

-Over the second.

-Webster's picking up a bit of speed.

-It's the double next.

-She's over the first one...

-..and the second.

-The fifth fence is the black one.

-She clears it,

-and there's another double next.

-She clears the first one,

-and the second.

-Two fences left,

-and a tight turn to save time.

-She clears that one as well.

-I think Webster's enjoying himself.

-Only one fence to go.

-This is for a clear round.

-And she's over it.

-You've finished competing

-for the day, Nia.

-How did you get on?

-How did you get on?

-

-It went well today.

-I was second in the 1.05m

-and I got one down in the 1.10m.

-You must be happy with that.

-You must be happy with that.

-

-Very happy at the year's opener.

-What was your priority today?

-The most important thing today

-was to get a clear round.

-Second place was a bonus.

-A promising start at Pencoed...

-..for another busy year

-in the showjumping calendar.

-After all, nobody knows

-what tomorrow brings.

-What is the future for you?

-Carrying on, hopefully.

-Paying the bills, keeping the family

-in the manner they're accustomed to.

-Hopefully, maybe...

-..finding that good jumper

-that will really put us on the map.

-Could you ever imagine

-a life without horses?

-No, never.

-Horses will be in my life

-as long as I draw breath.

-Horses have brought me

-great happiness over the years.

-Being with a horse...

-..it's obedient,

-it's a very trusting animal.

-I've had lots of fun with them...

-..and I've had lots...

-..of horses with problems...

-..and turned them around

-into nice straight horses.

-It's been a great privilege for me

-to live with horses all my life.

-Horses have been good to me.

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