Christine is a member of Area 8 and had an interesting and varied career with horses dating from the 1950s when she started as a groom with FJT Doney in Gloucestershire (father of the BSJA course builder John). This was followed by time with Col, CHS Townsend FRCVS a pre-eminent equine vet of his day before joining Major Gerald Gundry, joint master of the Beaufort Hunt. Her last employer before she retired as a 'brood mare' was with Laurie Morgan, and Australian owner who rode his own steeplechaser Colledge Master to success in the Aintree Foxhunters and is probably better known as an Olympian 3 day event rider with Salad Days. Christine unfortunately has to miss the opportunity to go as his Olympic groom due to family commitments.

Her involvement with side saddle began when a Mrs Dick of Tetbury gave her a lovely Champion and Wilton side saddle and two habits because 'no one young was riding side saddle any more, she had given up but was delighted to see Christine sideways on her employer's ,Mr James, an Irish horse dealer, horses.When the family took over the saddle and habits retired to the loft until her interest was reawakened by another of Jo's pupils.

Although the family took over the horses, she has kept her eye in, with being the organiser of Aldershot RDA for 21 years and is still helping after 30!

Last year (2004) Christine started to ride side saddle again with Jo and only 3 months later was placed 2nd in the 'senior' mature riders class at the National Show in 2004 thanks to the loan of Crown Counsel, all 18 hands of him, (although we told Christine he was 16.3-ish!), very kindly offered by Shirley Justice-Vose of Scottish Side saddles.

Her enthusiasm is endless (and she is passing on her enthusiasm as her daughter Sue now also rides side saddle, enjoying jumping in particular).  We hope that both Ratty and Christine they will  be around to celebrate their co-century and beyond in similar style.