Photographs of Epsom Downs by Caroline Baldock

All these photographs were taken by Caroine Baldock on Epsom Downs. They have not been photoshoped, or altered in any way from the moment the camera clicked. They sow the fibre sand gallop, the road to Downs house, the grass valley gallop, and the 9 furlong gallop. they are all genuine.       

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Staffordshire Zebra

Order: Perissodactyle, Family: Equidea, Genus: Equus Grevy Or should we say: Order: Perissodactyle, Family: Equidea Staffordshire, Genus: Spanish Zebra. This is a lovely Victorian piece about 1850. There were two versions one looking much more like a Zebra with a short, spiky mane and better designed stripes. This one is hilarious, with its Spanish mane,

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A History of Side Saddle Equitiation

This brief history is a tribute to elegance, to the women who learnt to aspire to its greatest heights, and to the men who lived in the thin air at its summit. Art is an illusion; it is our response to creation. Art is the manifestation of mankind’s desire to leave his own mark in

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A Brief History of Epsom & its Racing Heritage

The first recorded history of Epsom dates back to the earliest Saxon period when it was variably known as Ebbisham, Ebesham or Epsham. Its name derives from the presence of a spring in the chalk hills known ” the Earthbourn from whence the Princess Ebba, in time to become the wife of the first Saxon

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Old Straight Bits

The age of this bit is hard to know it has some age on it. It is a Newmarket with the two rings. It has a serrated edge, with a curved mouth piece so it would be severe.  Provance: South Hatch Museum, the Pitt collection

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An Old Pony Bit

This bit is very unusual. It is very small so was for a pony, It has leather biscuits at the sides. the bar is straight and covered with leather. The brass sides would ave reins attached to the end of shank and the cheek pieces to small loop near the bit. Hard to know if

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Bridoon

The bridoon is part of the double bridle, it raises the head whereas the Pelham or Banbury , lowers it. This bit is of some age. More than 100 years old. It is beautifully made by hand. I would love to know who made it.

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Rubber Mouthed Bits

The mouth with the rubber mouthpiece is what I call a very dead bit. If you have a horse with highly sensitive bars or a tongue, then it may well do the trick. When I was out in california working for Monty Roberts I used to ride Son’s Party Girl in one as she was

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