SPECTATORS were treated to a stunning display of horsemanship at Richmond Equestrian Centre, in Tunstall.
Specialist horse trainer Ben Atkinson and his Action Horses put on a live performance including the art of Liberty, where horses move without equipment in a smooth and rhythmic dance, performing tricks.
The display was a family affair with Mr Atkinson’s mother, Jill, in charge of the music and organisation, his fiancee Georgie Jackson part of the ridden demonstrations and his father Mark providing horses for re-enactment. The Atkinson family, from East Yorkshire, diversified from dairy farming into equestrian and have been providing horses and riders for TV and films for the past 25 years.
They have featured in episodes of the highly popular historical drama Poldark, Anne Boleyn, All Creatures Great and Small and the forthcoming series The Larkins.
Andrew and Abigail Turnbull, from Richmond Equestrian Centre, said: “We feel very privileged that Ben and his team enjoyed their time with us. We couldn’t have asked for nicer weather, which was the icing on the cake to two incredible demonstrations of beautiful horsemanship and riding.”
The event was delayed several times due to the Covid-19 pandemic but the couple were delighted to have scheduled the event before the end of the year and are looking to rebook next year.
