From Oxford,
United Kingdom David Puckey is an international Tentpegger, galloping through
the countryside on his gorgeous horses Brandy and Audrey. David is the Training
Officer for British Tentpegging and
the European Co-ordinator for the new World
Tent Pegging Federation. He is
Captain of the RLC Tentpegging Team
(Army) Ox & Bucks.
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| At the International at Bodney vs SA on Brandy |
Welcome
David!
When did
you meet your first horse?
Probably
a hairy trekking horse on Bodmin Moor, aged about 10 (me not horse).
Do you
have a favorite horse breed?
I like
TB, TB Cross and Arabs, anything that has speed and brains, and hopefully
manners.
What is
your current stable configuration?
I have 2,
Brandy my 19yo TB Cross hunter who is now retired on loan but still in good
work, she’s done me well and earnt her retirement but still has fun, and 7yo
Audrey, a full TB ex racehorse who is sweet, has manners and is a great pegger.
What is it
like to Tentpeg?
Great
fun, the exhilaration of galloping flat out, but the calmness and precision to
hit the peg.
Describe
your current tentpegging team...
Audrey is
my current Tentpegger, I’ve only had her since September last year but she is
turning out to be a little star. She’s a light fast 16hh so ideal for the game,
she has enough manners to stay calm at the start and then go flat out and back
to calm again.
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| Audrey at her first ever competition last year |
Where have
you competed?
Lots of
places, in the UK the ‘standard circuit’ of Aldershot Army Show,
Royal Windsor, the Royal Tournament at Melton Mowbray and the HCMR Mounted Camp
in Norfolk, plus some new venues.
Overseas
I’ve been on GB Teams to Oman and India. Both have generally
faster and smaller horses than most of us are used to over here. The tracks are
usually much longer, 2-300m at least allowing for a full gallop, generally
on dirt or harrowed sand. It’s always interesting to draw lots for horses, have
a little while to try them out, two practice runs and then crack on with a full
International competition.
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| The first time in Oman |
What awards/trophies have you earned?
I have a
team Bronze for Indian File the first time in Oman followed by a
Silver for Team Lance in India. At home I have been Master at Arms (best
overall) at Aldershot, the Royal Tournament and the HCMR Open Day at
Bodney Camp.
When is
your next event?
Bicester
and Finmere Show 11 Aug.
Do you
have a favorite competition/tentpegging arena?
A good
long run anywhere, 100m is the minimum but 150-200m is better.
Besides Tentpegging,
what other equestrian events do you enjoy?
I really
enjoy hunting. Also in the UK whilst technically ‘Tentpegging’ I really enjoy
Sword Lance and Revolver which is not practiced much overseas, and which to my
knowledge only the UK still practices to near enough the original rules for
1911!. This is the old cavalry skill at arms test engaging 8 targets over 45
seconds with all 3 weapons, a true test, and great fun!
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| Engaging the first sword dummy |
Do you
have advice for Tentpegging success?
Train
with an experienced trainer, get a good fast but mannerly horse and school
it well, use a good sword and lance, and practice.
What does horsemanship
mean to you?
Getting a
real partnership between horse and rider, being able to totally trust as well
as control your mount.
Follow
David…
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1 comment:
Great interview! :)
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