STUBBS, ENGLAND: S57C, Tack Step With Fastener

STUBBS, ENGLAND

S57C, Tack Step With Fastener

Retail Price: £30.00

Spec:

Height 30 cm
Length 39 cm
Width 28 cm
Weight 2.41 kg

It was the colour that first attracted me to this STUBBS grooming box (or the ‘tack step with fastener’ as it’s called on the STUBBS website). It’s bang on trend for this season in a gorgeous ocean blue and comes with a contrasting black steel handle, silver fastener and STUBBS logo moulded into the unique STUBBYTHENE material that this box is made from. The grooming box is also available in pink, green, red and black – but the blue is definitely my favourite.

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What really sealed my love for this product though is its strength. My two horses share their paddock with cows during the summer months and because of this; it’s essential that all the products I use on a daily basis are strong enough to withstand the weight of a curious calf or a hefty heifer. Try as I might to shoo them away at grooming time, these cows often surround my field shelter (which is located at the top of our 11-acre hill) looking for something to play with. And 9 times out of 10, that something has been my STUBBS grooming box! I have arrived at the horses most days to find said grooming box lying on its side at the bottom of our paddock, next to the gate, which is a very long way from the field shelter where it should reside!

The STUBBS grooming box has amazed me though – it has no dents and still looks as good as new. I have tried out many grooming boxes over the years, but none have survived such abuse.

The only addition I would like to see is an internal partition. The STUBBS grooming box is the perfect size to accommodate both grooming brushes and grooming products like shampoos and mane and tail conditioners etc, but both get lost in this space. A separate compartment inside this box, to keep the grooming bottles upright and away from the brushes, would be a welcome addition.

That said, the colour and strength of the STUBBS grooming box have won me over and my star rating for this product is 4.5 out of 5. I can honestly say that the STUBBS grooming box has been the best grooming box (by far) that I have ever owned. And it’s not just suitable for the equestrian enthusiast either. I think it would be a useful gift for the fishing, hunting, sailing or gardening enthusiast too. It’s a sturdy box with a lid and a fastener for a padlock, that will keep any items safe and clean.

PHOTOS TO FOLLOW…

Notes:

 STUBBS is a family owned manufacturing business, producing all their own products in their own factories in England.  Established in 1836, on what is still their main site, they have an international reputation for quality and originality.  They design all their own products and cover many trades including steel fabrication, plastic coating, joinery and even plastic moulding, all on site.

 

What we like:

 

THE STRENGTH/STUBBYTHENE MOULDING

 

THE FASTENER

 

THE CHOICE OF COLOURS

 

THE SIZE

 

THE LIGHTNESS

 

THE VERSATILITY

 

Our star * rating: 4.5 out of 5

 

 Contact:

www.stubbsengland.com/

 

*This is Frost magazine’s first ever-equestrian product review. We have lots of horsey stuff to review this summer and aim to make this equestrian section as varied and informative as possible. Next on our list is a set of 4 black John whitaker training bandages…

 

CLA Game Fair 2013 In Pictures

We had lots of fun at the CLA Game Fair. We saw the UK’s only Zorse, Zulu, and also saw lots of horses, puppies, birds of prey and great shows. There was also lots of sun and great food and drink around. We also bumped into Gold Olympic medalist Peter Wilson, watched the RDA put on a great show and did some shopping.  If you were there let us know if you enjoyed yourself, we certainly did.

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Zulu, the only Zorse in the UK. He even gave us a smile!

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20130729-164045.jpgTop Gear made an appearance. Below is a champagne bar we did not go to. No idea why.

champagne bar, CLA Game Fair, 2013

20130729-164110.jpgThis was a great riding show from the RDA (Riding for the Disabled) . The RDA is a brilliant organisation which helps disabled people ride. There motto is, ‘It’s what you can do that counts.” The people who rode were a little boy with cerebral palsy and a women with MS. Riding helps the disabled both physically and mentally. Visit their website at www.rda.org.uk

20130729-164123.jpgPuppies!

Puppies!

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Hanging out in the press tentHanging out in the press tent. James and editor Catherine.

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Michael Yardley ,Positiveshooting.com ,gun reviews. Michael Yardley of Positiveshooting.com does his gun reviews.

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Zulu gives us a smile.

Zulu gives us a smile.

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guns, shot guns, Caeser GueriniShotguns from Caesar Guerini

Bird of prey. There was a great falconry section at the fair.

Bird of prey. There was a great falconry section at the fair. Bird of prey. There was a great falconry section at the fair.

Peter Wilson, Olympic Gold Medalist.

Peter Wilson, Olympic Gold Medalist.

Royal Ascot Style Guide: What To Wear

Royal Ascot is just around the corner, and for many, the unique dress code, that is so synonymous with the five day festival, can be a sartorial mine field. Fortunately we have a ten step guide to looking your best and avoiding any awkward faux pas.

Royal Ascot Fashion

1)   In general: Sartorial Sage and Former Editor of Vogue, Diane Vreeland once said, “Elegance is refusal” and the same goes for Royal Ascot – understated elegance is always a winner.

2)        Ladies’ hats: An essential accessory at Royal Ascot and from top hats to berets, flying saucers to feathered fancies, hats of all shapes and sizes will no doubt be on display. Show pieces are all very well and it’s fine to be bold but make sure you don’t scare small children, animals, or for that matter, horses. Avoid the much-maligned fascinator.

3)        Morning Dress: Formal gentlemen’s dress from the 19th century and obligatory if you’re in the Royal Enclosure. Make sure it’s well fitting and neither too tight nor too big. In the words of tailor Matthew Cartwright of Noden & Winsor, “If you don’t know your chest size, find out before it’s too late.”

4)        Top Hat: The fit’s key. Not so big it falls down over your ears and not worn at a jaunty angle.

5)        Dresses: You may well end up in a club after racing but the dress code stipulates that daytime dresses and skirts should be ‘of modest length, defined as falling just above the knee or longer. Straps on dresses should be at least one inch wide. It means anything strapless, or that’s too short or tight should be consigned to your wardrobe.

6)        Pants: For men and women are essential, but should never be on show. Ever.

7)        Shoes: Opt for comfort as you’ll be on your feet all day (hopefully). Chaps, shiny shiny, pointy shoes are not a good idea – patent is out and is not due to make a resurgence any time soon. As for stilettos, girls be aware you will sink on turf. Low-heeled courts are ideal and will avoid you having to purchase a cheeky pair of plastic flip flops at the end of the day, because your brand new heels have made your toes bleed.

8)        Umbrella: It’s Britain. In June. It shouldn’t rain but it might so make sure you’re prepared.

9)        Accessories: Diamonds are acceptable, you’ll be pleased to know. But leave the big shiny watches at home. If it’s large enough and shiny enough to blind a small child (or jockey – they’re around the same height) avoid.

10)     Enjoy: Royal Ascot is one of the most glamorous and exciting weeks of the year. Dress up, enjoy the people watching and cheer on the horses in each of the 30 races taking place over the week.

Royal Ascot runs from Tuesday 18th June to Saturday 22nd June. Featuring 30 top class races, including seven QIPCO British Champions Series contests, it will be broadcast live on Channel 4 for the first time this year from 1.45pm until 6pm each day.

Artist Stirrups Horsemeat Controversy.

A piece of art shocked commuters in the capital yesterday as graphic artist, Patrick Thomas, debuted his latest provocative piece, ‘Moo’, to the public, making more than a subtle nod to the current horse-meat scandal.

 

Ahead of the Affordable Art Fair which takes place early next month, the Berlin-based artist, known for creating powerful messages through the use of iconic images, previewed ‘Moo’ at Leicester Square where the artwork was aired across the tube station throughout the day.

The piece attracted plenty of attention with many commuters posing next to the displays and tweeting their amusement. However, some remained oblivious as they tucked into their burgers and strolled past the art with their weekly shopping.

Artist, Patrick Thomas, who created the piece said “It is the job of an artist to be witness to his time in history and art should have a social function and be an intrinsic part of everyday life. Art can be a powerful weapon and although this print is intentionally humorous; in the context of the horsemeat scandal currently dominating the UK press – it conceals a darker message.”

Patrick Thomas is one of thousands of contemporary artists showing at the Affordable Art Fair this March and can be found at Outline Editions’ gallery stand. The ‘Moo’ silkscreen print is an edition of 100, priced at £145 each.

The Affordable Art Fair is London’s friendliest and most welcoming art fair, with all art priced from £40 – £4,000, the fair runs at the Battersea Evolution building in Battersea Park from 7 – 10 March.

FRANKEL’S FAMOUS FANS OUT IN FORCE

An array of stars from the world of television, sport and media have come out in force to heap praise on wonderhorse Frankel, in advance of his final appearance at Ascot for QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday 20th October.

Amongst them is Michael Owen, a racehorse owner himself who said, “Like all athletic greats, Frankel has a knack of making exceptional opposition look inferior,” whilst fellow Premiership footballer Tom Cleverley said, “In football terms, Frankel reminds me of Ronaldo – big, strong, tall, imposing and most of all very fast. He’s an incredible horse.”

And the comparisons don’t stop there with TV presenter Clare Balding comparing him to Usain Bolt and the football pundit Robbie Savage likening Frankel’s domination of the sport to the record-breaking exploits of Arsenal’s Invicibles team of 2003-04.

And, according to super-middle weight boxing champion, Carl Froch, Frankel’s had to take more hits that his rivals in order to stay at the top of his game: “When you are the best, it’s harder to stay on top as rivals go at you that extra bit harder so they can be the one to say they beat you. So when you measure Frankel’s success and consider that, like a boxer, he’s had to take the hardest shots any of his rivals could muster, he’s a true sporting great.”

“Every sport needs a jaw-dropper. The kind of athlete who makes you stop and stare. Frankel is racing’s Usain Bolt. He makes it look so easy, it’s almost ridiculous. I feel privileged to have seen him race and I have certainly never seen a better horse in my lifetime.” Clare Balding, Presenter

“Like all athletic greats, Frankel has a knack of making exceptional opposition look inferior, or in his case, proper Group 1 horses shape like mere handicappers. His talent transcends our sport, like no other horse I can remember during my lifetime.” Michael Owen, Footballer

“It’s not often you get a sporting legend that’s not human, and even less often for something or someone to be unbeaten throughout a career. In football terms, Frankel reminds me of Ronaldo – big, strong, tall, imposing and most of all very fast. An incredible horse.” Tom Cleverley, Footballer

“It’s amazing to have such an incredible horse as Frankel. He’s better than anything else out there, so we’ve all been really lucky to have the chance to see him. It’s also been absolutely brilliant for Sir Henry Cecil – he’s not been in the best of health lately, so I’m really pleased he’s had Frankel to keep his spirits up.” Harry Redknapp, Football Manager

“Frankel’s achievements are the equivalent of Arsenal’s 2003-04 Invincibles side when they won every single one of their matches. Even people with no interest in the sport know all about Frankel as he is a total one off – and a great tribute to his trainer Sir Henry Cecil.” Robbie Savage, BBC football pundit

“The world’s best racehorse trained by the greatest trainer I’ve seen, Frankel and Sir Henry Cecil really are the perfect combination, and in what has been the most remarkable sporting year, their achievements will live long in the memory of all race fans.

“I was fortunate enough to be at Royal Ascot this summer to witness his extraordinary Queen Anne Stakes win, and incredibly he looked even better when stepping up in trip in the Juddmonte International at York. It is entirely fitting that Frankel is the headline act at the second QIPCO Champions Day, as he is without doubt the ultimate equine champion.” Jeremy Kyle, Presenter

“When you are the best, it’s harder to stay on top as rivals go at you that extra bit harder so they can be the one to say they beat you. So when you measure Frankel’s success and consider that, like a boxer, he’s had to take the hardest shots any of his rivals could muster, he’s a true sporting great.” Carl Froch, Champion Boxer

“I think Frankel is a freak; he has to be the best flat horse of all time.” Nick Skelton, Olympic Gold Medallist

“Frankel is a phenomenon, a once in a lifetime horse who has made the difficult leap from a star of our sport to a superstar that has transcended racing.” Alex Hammond, Sky Sports

“Henry and his team have handled Frankel impeccably. When he accelerates, he destroys the opposition in about 100yds. He is a magnificent racing machine.” Sir Michael Stoute, Racehorse Trainer

“Quite simply the best horse I’ve ever seen in the flesh. Truly magnificent and I’m delighted for Sir Henry Cecil. We pray he wins.” Alan Brazil, Radio Presenter

 


QIPCO British Champions Series – the world’s finest Flat racing

www.britishchampionsseries.com

Pane in The Neck.

PANE IN THE NECK

Talk about being saddled with a difficult job…Housewife Emma Massingale has found a novel way of window washing without a ladder.

The 29-year-old balances on the back of her two horses to reach the upstairs panes of her farm in Bradworthy, Devon.

Married Emma, an equine behaviourist, said: “In my line of work, even house work is never dull.”