The Breed
The History of the Friesian Horse The Friesian horse is a truly ancient breed with a long, romantic and sometimes uncertain history. It was developed many centuries ago in the Northern province of the Netherlands known as Friesland where its origins are thought to have been descended from the primitive forest horse. Although originally bred as a draft horse, the breed s size, and graceful, nimble presence later led to it being developed into a finer boned nobleman s steed. The Romans were responsible for bringing the breed to British shores and here they have influenced the history of our very own Shires, Clydesdale, Fells & Dale horses. By the middle ages the Friesian horse, well known for its strength, agility and presence, was in great demand to act as destriers (medieval warhorses) throughout Europe by Knights and Crusaders, to carry them,dressed in full Armour, into battle. During the 16th & 17th Centuries, when demand for a heavy war horse decreased, the Friesian faced a very uncertain future. With the horse facing extinction, Andalusian blood was introduced to lighten the breed, making it more favourable and popular with the famous riding schools of France and Spain. The breed was especially popular in Britain during the 18 th & 19 th Centuries where the horses were in great demand for agricultural and funeral use. It was estimated that there were over 700 Friesian horses in the London area alone.
It was at this time that they acquired their nickname of Belgium Blacks. Holland at the time did not have a sea faring port, consequently the horses were transported by land to Belgium and on to the port of Antwerp. From there they were conveyed on barges to the horse repository at Elephant and Castle in London, to be sold at market on Mondays, known locally as Black Monday due to the colour of the horses and the funeral directors congregating there to purchase them. In 1879 a group of Dutch farmers, dedicated to preserving the breed opened the registry book Friesch Paarden Stamboek. The popularity of the horse declined in the 20th Century due to the invention of the petroleum driven motors and the German occupation of Holland during World War 2. Today the breed s popularity has seen its numbers rise greatly, due to its versatility in all equestrian events not to mention its perfect temperament as a family pet. Breed Characteristics Long Black Flowing mane & tail Elegant arching neck High stepping trot.
The Team
Head Coachman : Peter Gibson
I started riding and driving horses at the age of 9 years old in 1979, as at that time my mother worked for the horse job master David Goodey and therefore all my spare time was spent in his yard. David Goodey had a vast collection of over 200 horse-drawn vehicles and 160 horses. All of these were used for promotional and film work, as well as weddings and funerals. Alongside this he was also running a very popular and successful riding school. When I left school I worked for Mr Goodey for five years, working on films, weddings, funerals and any other type of work and promotions associated with horses and carriages. This gave me the opportunity to work on many film sets, such as: James Bond Octopussy in the show jumping scene Hamlet (starring Mel Gibson and Glenn Close) Jack the Ripper (starring Michael Caine and Lewis Collins) Robin Hood 1991 [where I doubled for Will Scarlet (Owen Teale)] (starring Uma Thurman and Patrick Bergin) Sherlock Holmes (doubling for Jeremy Brett) Sherlock Holmes 2009 & 2011 (starring Robert Downey Jr & Jude Law) The BBC production of Allo Allo Pirates of the Caribbean
Fantastic Beasts and where to find them Cinderella 2015 (starring Cate Blanchett & Helena Bonham Carter) The BBC production of Cranford (starring Dame Judi Dench) The BBC production of Taboo (starring Tom Hardy) as well as numerous other productions. In 1990, I started my current employment with Thomas Cribb Carriage Masters, my main role being to drive the horse-drawn hearse at funerals and show the horses at County Shows in the Light Trade Class in which we have had many successes. Since I joined the company my role has expanded to cover that of overall manager of the stables. In 2000, we started showing in the Coaching Class at County Shows culminating in wining the Royal County of Berkshire Coaching Class in 2005, being the only Friesian team to win a Coaching Class in the UK. Our other accomplishments are as follows: The BDS Light Trade Champions in 1994, 1998, 2005, 2006 National Light Trade Champions in 1991, 1992, 1999, 2006 Royal Windsor Horse Show Light Trade Championship 2014, 2015, 2016 Coaching Class Winners 2005 Royal County Berkshire Show Numerous other County Show winners awards in the Light Trade section
Red rosette at Royal County of Berkshire
Coachman : Kevin Hutchinson
I was introduced into the equestrian world at a tender age of 5; by the time I left school I was an accomplished rider and could also drive. At 16 I finished my education and went to work for a horse master in Derbyshire, and here I remained until 1991 when I was offered a placement at the Royal Mews as a Junior livery servant. Over the years I progressed to Coachman and been very fortunate to have taken part in State visits, Royal Ascot & the Golden Jubilee. 2002 was the Golden Jubilee year and also the year when I received the RVM (Royal Victoria Medal) which is awarded for personal service to the Queen. Then in 2011 I left Her Majesty s Service to join the mounted police and took part in the London Olympics. In 2015 the opportunity to work with the Friesians presented itself and I said yes. Over the last few years I have competed in numerous events and won the National Trade Champion in the BDS (British Driving Society) End of Year show at Addington Manor. Part of my weekly work along with driving and taking care of the horses is as a transport manager for the horse boxes which are all top of the line Oakley built and HGV and Operator licenced. I also have to make sure all the experienced staff we employ have the Animal Welfare Training Certificate.
Coachman : Lee Cross I joined the local East End funeral directors in 1992 as an apprentice. I spent the next eleven years learning the trade as a funeral driver and bearer. Then around 2003 I wanted to progress my career and the horses had always fascinated me. It just so happened that at that time a grooms positioned opened up and I jumped at the chance to improve my skills and learn about taking care of the horses. 16 years later I am HGV qualified (so I can drive the horse boxes) and a skilled coachman. Over the years I have competed and won various trophies but in 2016 BDS (British Driving Society) show Smiths Lawn introduced a new event Vintage Vehicles Class and I am very proud to have taken home the Red Rosette. I have also been fortunate to take a role in numerous films and TV shows.
Coachman : Phil Sharpe I grew up in East London and lived behind a bakers which at the time still used a horse drawn vehicle, this is where my interest in horses begun. By 24 I had my own ex race horse and I regularly played polo for Silver Leighs Polo Club. Not long after, my interest in other equestrian areas like the driving peaked and this is when I met Peter Gibson. It was through Peter and working along side him that I was offered the position of 3rd Coachman and jumped at the chance. Although retired now, I am often still up the stables helping out and driving on busy weeks. It has proven hard to give up something you have spent most of your life doing and are very proud of. Over the years I have been in many horse shows, films and television productions. Two of my most memorable are the 2011 film, War Horse, and the 2009 Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law.
Stable Hands The day to day running of the stable yard falls under the supervision of three full time stable hands under the keen eye of the yard supervisor Sarah Cook. The stables are based in Essex with easy access to the M25 & A12, and consists of 30 acres of grazing land, along with a state of the art horse walker, ménage, & bathing stall. It is the stable hands responsibility to see to running of the yard and welfare of the horses. At present the stables consists of 16 Friesian horses, 2 Hungarian Greys and 2 Grey Gelderlanders and not forgetting Little Tom our miniature Friesian (Falabella). Mucking out 21 stables makes for a busy morning not to mention exercising, bathing, grooming the horses and cleaning harness for any funerals, weddings, filming, shows or cart markings they may have the next day. The horses medical health is looked after by a local vet overseen by the Royal Veterinary College should one of them fall ill. Like humans some of our horses have special dietary requirements and these needs must also be met. There are no short cuts when it comes to the health our animals. It is the care and attention to detail that all the staff put into their work that helps make us a premier turn out.
Harry & Little Tom
Carriage Restoration
Carriage Restorer : David Childs
Carriage restoration is my family business; my first memories as child was of my father Mr George Childs having his hands covered in and smelling of coach paint I think it was always going to be the case that when I left school in 1982 I went straight into the profession. My father was also trained as a traditional sign writer and we worked on the construction and restoration of prestigious pub signage for many brewers. Along side this we restored horse drawn carriages belonging to private collectors in the UK and Europe, but also carrying out the coach lining and sign writing for other restorers. It was while doing this that I met the Scammel brothers in Canning Town who were carrying out the restoration of a Dottridge Hearse. This fascinated me, between my father & I we carried out the gilding (applying the gold leaf decoration) and coach lining, which turned out to be the local carriage masters first horse drawn hearse in the early 1980s. This was the start of a long working relationship with Scammel Brothers where I worked along side Mr Bert Scammel, a gentlemen who taught me a great deal about the art of coach painting. When the brothers retired I took over their workshop and also the restoration and maintenance of the growing collection of original carriages that the carriage masters were collecting. In 2004 the carriage masters offered me the chance to become an employee of the company and move to a purpose built restoration workshop at their stables in Navestock. Since then the facilities have grown allowing me to carry out a greater array of work using as near as possible traditional materials and techniques. This is something that is important to me. It may not always be the quickest or cheapest way but it is undoubtedly, in my opinion, the correct way. My duties at the stables also involve maintenance of the carriages, our hearses work harder today than they probably would have done 100 years ago so a great deal of time is spent keeping our carriages which are working museum pieces in tip top condition. I also have the job of preparing the Plumes.
Many people aren t aware that three ostrich feathers are used to make up one plume. The feathers used are the premium wing feather and as such demand a high price. Another part of my weekly duty is the general maintenance of the facilitates. As the stables have expanded over the years so has the time spent keeping on top of the maintenance of a busy yard. Myself and head coachmen Peter can often be found repairing fences and fixing stable doors as well as ensuring that good health and safety practice is being adhered to. I am very proud of the collection of vehicles that we have built up over the years and enjoy my part in their continuing working history.
The Farrier
Jason Robertson I apprenticed in 1989, but I have been around the Navestock Stables since 1986. In 1992 I qualified as a Farrier and a year or two later I took on the care of all the yard s horses. In 2001 I joined the Worshipful Company of Farriers and became a Freeman of the City of London. I love my work and I have been very fortunate over the years to have shod for professional race horses and the Calvary. I was offered the position of Farrier to the Royal Mews but I turned the offer down to remain with the Friesians here and their growing stables.
Our Horses