Saturday Morning Ride From Lodge Farm Stables, Known As `robinson's'.

A Memory of Hoddesdon.

I'm on Bess, the pony with the white blaze who is watching the photographer. I' m leaning out of the saddle trying to hide, although we'd agreed to be photographed. We'd met the cameraman by chance and had been surprised to encounter anyone at all.

This was the only time I rode Bess - usually I had Rocket, a skewbald whose name was a real misnomer. Dear old Bess was an elderly chestnut, in her 20s, memorable for always being interested in what was going on. Sadly, she eventually had to be put down, so we had to take all the ponies out and away from the farm while she was being shot. The knacker's lorry was still outside the farmhouse when we got back; I can see it now. At least the other ponies were quite unaware of what had happened.

I rode at Robinson's between 1957 and 1960, in my early teens, and I think this photo probably dates from about 1958. The only other name can come up with is that of the pony on the right - she's a dark bay called Kitty and looking bored was usual for her.

it was a great surprise to find this, recognise the ponies, and realise that I'm in the picture!