Chris Gardiner  -  Health & Safety Officer/Committee Member
I am married to Jacquie and we own a number of Shires, which we have built up over the last 8 years when we started in the Shire Horse world with our first horse, Hector. We now show, drive, work, as much as we can in our leisure time.
We have also started to breed our own Shires under the Hurst Green Shires name.
I am a very committed member of SESHA and would like to see the Association flourish.
I have met a large number of members since joining, and have gained a lot of knowledge from them.
Nearly everyone you meet in the Association has the one main aim of promoting and maintaining the breed.

We have just moved in to our new facility which is located on the Kent/Surrey border, which now gives us a lot more space and opens up a lot of exciting future opportunities.
I work within the Building & Construction Industry, and part of my responsibilities require me to ensure my company comply with the current Health & Safety regulations. In order for me to maintain this position I have had to attain relevant industry qualifications, and I am continually updated of new legislation.
I try to use my knowledge of working with horses and my professional role to shape my position as Health & Safety Officer.

Jacquie Gardiner – Treasurer / Stallion Keeper
I am married to Chris and have had a passion for horses all my life, having come from a farming background - with my first experience of horse riding being the cart horse used for pulling the milk float !
It was always my ambition to own a Shire Horse and have the chance to work our own land.
We have worked hard and learnt so much on the way. I am passionate about SESHA, without the association or indeed some of its members we would never have bought or shown our first Shire – Hector.
I would like to see the association go from strength to strength encouraging and helping, improving and promoting the Heavy horse and bringing the members a social and working network.
As my role of Treasurer is all encompassing, I am keen to see the members enjoy the
association and their horses and we should do all in our power to encourage interest from
the general public as well. I am a great believer that the Heavy horse has a future and to that
end I am really pleased that we have four very good young handlers who qualified for the
championships this year and we should, and actually do, encourage them and having now been
able to make our own young handler class a qualifier , we need to really get the youngsters involved.

As the Stallion Keeper, I would certainly like to encourage all our members to become involved with the breeding and improving of the Shire breed. We are one of a very few who encourage our members to breed by offering a subsidy to the mare owner, and I have certainly noticed over the last three years that we have not been getting many applications through. Whether this was due to the lack of Premium or Super premium stallions in our area I do not know,  last year we even allowed Approved Stallions but still had no full applications. This year the AGM has decided that we will pay out on registration of a live foal rather than just a covering. We are hopeful that this will bring a better take up on the subsidy allowance.

DAY OUT COMBINES SHIRE HORSE SHOW AND KENT LIFE MUSEUM

The Heavy Horse and Country Show on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August, the biggest Shire and Working Horse show in the county, takes place at Kent Life at Sandling near Maidstone ME14 3AU.  The weekend will include a heavy horse tug of war and displays of working horses using traditional techniques as they plough the land.  Organised by SESHA (South Eastern Shire Horse Association) in partnership with Continuum (Kent Life) Ltd, the admission price includes entry to both the Show and the Museum. Tickets £8 adults, £7senior citizens, £6 children,  under-threes free.  The Show is open from 10am each day.  Please visit www.shirehorse.org.uk or www.kentmuseum.co.uk for further information. 

The first day starts with fascinating displays of agricultural working horses which are used to work the land on a regular basis.  See the sheer muscle power of these giants as they work the land, cut hay and harrow using traditional techniques. You will see exciting timed trials of horsemanship, where horses with implements such as logs, weave through hazards and obstacles to compete to be the fastest.  During the morning there will be a Dressage Display and at lunch time there will be a Heavy Horse Tug of War and The Oatlands Pipe Band. There will also be displays on how to harness the horses correctly and comfortably during the day.  A Grand parade of all Heavy Horses present will take place towards the end of the afternoon.

On Sunday there is a full schedule of Showing classes including a Mare and Foal at Foot category where you will see the youngest of these horses side by side with their mothers.  There is a Young Handlers class where handlers aged 13 to 18 show off their skills. There will be Ridden classes, turnouts including Brewery Dray, Wagons and Tip Carts and a class for two-wheeled Ladies’ Carts.   The Museum’s own Shire Horse, Bella, will be showing in the Novice and Veteran Categories.  All horses will compete for the Supreme Champion Cup and this will be awarded at the end of the Show, followed by a final Grand Parade of Heavy Horses. It is anticipated that all breeds of Heavy Horses will be represented at the Show.
There will be trade stands, childrens amusements, refreshments, demonstrations going on throughout the two days.  A seated grandstand area will be provided overlooking the arena.

Show Secretary:  Jackie Shearman 01737 645843

For further information you can read;
The SESHA Trade Stand Regulations here
SESHA Trade Stand Application Form 2009
You can also read the Show 2009 booklet here