
TGP’s Sarah Heseltine keeping warm on polo groom duties
January Blues
I recently popped to our local tack shop to buy a pair of £14 stirrups for Polo Mad Son, but came out with not only the stirrups and an Ariat base layer for said small person but also a rather delicious long blue coat for me (it was on sale!), and I decided to wear it home rather than walk in with a big carrier bag (and let’s be honest here, I wasn’t thinking of the environment). I may have asked my son not to mention that it was new as Horse Phobic Husband knows I’m partial to coats!
Now, the morale of this confession is one must never ask a child to not mention something (excuse the double negative)…as soon as we walked in to the kitchen, said Darling Son enquired with a cheeky smile that he had never seen the coat I was wearing and was it new?! Cue much hopping from leg to leg and a quick dash to feed the horses!
Anyway, back to keeping warm. This outfit has been tested on two of the most bitter and windiest days so far this year and I fear they won’t be the last. Whether you’re on grooming duties, cheering from the rugby touch line or doing your own horse, I have genuinely got keeping warm down to an art form and have never been happier.
Feet First
Starting at the feet and working upwards, invest in a good pair of boots. Mountain Horse’s Snowy River Paddock Boots are heavenly both for riding and wearing at events. They have a snug faux fur lining and are also lined with Thinsulate. I always wear two pairs of socks. The first pair are lifesavers, M&S Heatgen ankle socks (pack of 2 £8) and the second are 100% cotton from Happy Socks. Always put the M&S ones on first as this really makes all the difference.