Fast Talk from the Tack room this week sees George Dolby, sitting comfortably
 on the seat saver;

George, you and Robbie Reid have been elected to jointly fill the post of District Commissioner, what are your hopes for the Burghley Pony Club in 2008?

Robbie and I are aware that we need to deliver what our members need, and that will involve lots of communication so that we are sure we know what is required. We will not forget that the Pony Club is a training organization and that we need to ensure our members have the opportunity to develop their riding skills safely.

The competitive side of me says that we will be working on whatever it takes to improve our performances to a winning level – and that we WILL be at the Championships in 2008.

Yvette will be a hard act to follow in terms of her dedication to the post, what do you most admire about her achievements over the last few years?

That she did it the hard way! Without being dis-respectful to others, there were occasions when I know that Yvette did not have the level of support she might have expected, but she delivered anyway

How did you first become involved in the Burghley Pony Club?

I put Lauren off for 3 months when she started making noises about joining – "what do you wanna do that for?" and "how we goin to get the horse there?" were key questions. In true Lauren style she persisted (she doesn’t understand "NO" – thinks it’s a version of "yes") – and it’s turned out to be the best thing we’ve ever done.

You have been the team trainer for a very successful year of Jump Cross during 2007, what have you most enjoyed about this role?

I wake up on a JumpCross competition morning, and the "buzz" starts straight away. The whole thing builds up when we leave the yard – everyone knows we are off to JX.

Then we arrive, meet members and parents, walk the course and swap views about tricky bits or the quality (?) of the opposition. Once the horses are out and tacked up I can disappear round the team members – that’s when I will be seen pacing up and down working out whether this is the day we get beaten (as if !!!???).

Afterwards, when we head home with the rosettes and unload the lorry it starts to sink in – we’ve won again…. And I’m already planning for the next one.

Lauren comments - "The last competition was easier...he got someone from the yard to drive the lorry there and back, and be my groom for the day...she was much more helpful than dad though, even helped me warm up (dad rarely even watches me warm up at JX!) Now he really has nothing to do, as he is planning for her to come next year too!"

What are your secrets for success??

Easy – I pick the right teams !

Actually, I don’t do anything - It’s all down to the members and parents, all I do is phone them a few times, encourage them to attend training sessions, and analyze a few stats on who did what in the last few competitions when picking the teams.

Your daughter Lauren is a successful rider for the Burghley.  What has made you most proud of her during her riding career so far?

How long have you got……….?

Well, starting with her first win on Red at show jumping, then first win at JumpCross, the fantastic year we had last year, the 7 x 2nd places so far on CJ at show-jumping, JumpCross and dressage (she’s only 5 and started competing in July this year), the 10 wins and 14 x second places so far in 2007….

But also finishing nowhere in an ODE at Pytchley in May in some of the worst weather she’s likely to ride in……. I think it’s called taking the rough with the smooth, and puts things in perspective.

I do know how lucky I am…….

Do you muck out her horses for her????  

Yes – I see it as a way of maximizing her time in the saddle. She does know how to muck out – just doesn’t like to practice too often.

If my efforts with a muck fork help to make her more successful then I’ve done my bit.

Apart from that, I find it really relaxing – where’s the stress in mucking out? - it helps me switch off from work, something I was never very good at doing before horses came along.

Lauren comments – "Actually, we do half each now! But he did used to do it all for me!! Admittedly I do muck out the cleaner horse (Red)!"

Have you ever ridden a horse?

A few times, but I wouldn’t call it riding! We used to hack out in the New Forest during half-term breaks, progressed to riding Lauren’s horse Red but have now been" jocked off" as I’m allegedly too heavy! Do I fancy progressing to CJ (a 17HH 5 year old thoroughbred) ? Errr - No!!!

Lauren comments – "Ermm…I would call it more perching on a horse, and jumping off pretty soon after it moves!!"

What do you enjoy the most at horse shows?

The competitive edge to show-jumping, can’t beat a good jump-off against the clock

What do you least enjoy?

It would probably be going home from a competition empty handed, if only I could remember what that’s like! 

Burgers or bacon rolls??

Bacon Rolls

Lager or real ale?

Real Ale – Lager is for girls

Chinese or Indian?

Both – but not at the same time

Dogs or puppies???

You can’t ask me that – my canine friends might read this and get upset.

(I currently have 2 dogs and 10 puppies – see below.)

Eastenders or Coronation Street?

I don’t really watch television, I prefer to read when I can find the time.

Lauren comments – "He doesn’t even know how to turn the TV on!!"

Madonna or Kylie??

Mmmmm.. Kylie, but not based on her latest recording which I detest

Who would be your ideal dinner date?

I suppose I could be dining with some glamorous thing who wouldn’t know a Snaffle from a French Link? A much more enjoyable proposition might be someone like Jenny Pitman, novelist and racehorse trainer – in fact I might just give her a ring……….

What other hobbies do you have apart from the horses and dogs? 

Photography – luckily it fits in well with the Equine activities, I can’t think of anything more photogenic than horses and water. My PC has approx 26,000 photos on it, and there aren’t many that don’t feature a four-legged friend.

Do you know anybody famous that we should know about?

I’ve met Matt Ryan, Piggy French, Jeanette Brakewell and Pippa Funnell from the eventing world, …..

And I once had tea with Lord Mawhinney who is a big-wig on the Football Association committee (previously Sir Brian Mawhinney, MP for Peterborough) – he visited the re-built premises where I was manager following an explosion in the Eastern Industry part of Peterborough.

If you were in the jungle what luxury would you miss the most?

That would be my horses and dogs – I don’t even go on holiday anymore, I prefer to spend my leisure time doing more of the things I normally have to fit around work (or does the work fit around them…….?)

If you were in the Big Brother House which luxury would you most want to take in with you?

If you catch me even watching the Big Brother House you have permission to shoot me!

What cd is currently in your car cd player?

The Winning Edge – It’s a motivational training CD (SAD, BUT TRUE)

Lauren comments – "This doesn’t stay on for longer than 2 seconds when I’m in the car! And when I’m driving you can’t hear the radio for dad sobbing in the corner (cuz I’m better than him…...or maybe he’s scared?!)" 

What would be your best Christmas present ?

I already received it when I was given my Springer Spaniel "Georgie" 2 years ago – even more so now as she and "Harry" have presented us with 10 puppies recently.

Where would you best like to spend the Festive Season??

Probably a racing yard – maybe in Kentucky or anywhere warm

Lauren comments – "I would like to think he’d rather spend it with me, Red and CJ?!"

And as with Yvette - I shan't ask your age, just your star sign!

I’m a Leo……RRRRROOOOAARRRRRR !!!!!!!

Of course you are George, soooo scary: