Tom,
I was looking for something amongst my store of images yesterday, & this photo popped up.
For some reason it rings a bell - I must have had reason to save it - and I'm sure it involved you, or your Diary, but I can't think what or why. Do you remember it, & what it was about?
| Click to see full-size image. |
Facts- I don't know this man, his clothing is too 'pat' and his halter is on a yearling colt.
So this is what I think and why I think it.
At Appleby and the other horse fairs there are lots of horses sold openly, sometimes for quite large amounts of cash.
When a sale takes place it is usually a noisy affair which attracts a crowd of onlookers.
Sometimes, one of the onlookers will get caught up in the excitement and want to get involved.
Over the course of a few months he adopts what he perceives to be the correct attire, trousers and waistcoat, open neck shirt with dikkler, (neckerchief) Tricker boots and hazel crop.
He starts talking to and mixing with the horse dealers, they welcome him into the fold.
Eventually, he buys a colt foal that seems much sought after, one that he has see change hands frequently for ever increasing amounts....
I'm sure you can guess the rest.
Author