ABOUT
WHY MUMSHAYNET?
Well, firstly, we wanted to provide a space for anyone new to the world of horse, a place where they could find answers to questions that they might be too shy to ask, such as ‘what the hell is this brush for?’
But then we also wanted to build a community of like-minded, horse-centric, love-until-I-die equestrians who simply want a damn good read occasionally.
As luck would have it, there are professional journalists on the MH team – all of whom have served time on national newspapers – which means we have the tools to bring you the kind of real-life stories that rarely grace the pages of the equestrian press.
But this isn’t about us. It’s about you. The man, woman or child who has ever loved a horse or dreamed of loving a horse. The heroes who regularly sacrifice nights out and days in to be with a horse. The many among us who have shed blood, sweat, tears, and way too much money on a horse, and still walked away thinking we were the lucky ones because of that horse.
You are our kind of people, and we want to hear your stories, to learn of your adventures, to see your pictures. We want to share the huge highs, the awful lows and the reality that is horse life.
So, don’t be shy. Get in touch. And if we think we can do your story justice, we will run it. Simples.
WHO IS MUMSHAYNET?
ANDREA
Andrea is a former national newspaper columnist, journalist, subeditor, and best-selling author (at least in Germany). Despite a life filled with thrills, spills, and too much David Beckham, all of this paled into insignificance the moment that horses entered her life. Naturally, it started with one and now there are four. Along with her horses – Lucky, Mina, Sundance and Bodhi – Andrea lives with five rescue dogs and four street cats. Perhaps unsurprisingly, she is single.
KATHRYN
Kathryn worked on four national newspapers during an illustrious 25-year career in journalism, covering major stories across the world before hanging up her notebook.
For a while, voluntary work called and she ploughed her efforts into supporting teenagers with special needs before taking up the reins of a small, independent charity offering a safe and supportive space to adults struggling with mental health issues. The organisation won several awards during her tenure.
After opting for semi-retirement last year, Kathryn swapped suburbia for a rural small holding in the Brecon Beacons and returned to owning horses after a 20-year hiatus. She is now the proud owner of three youngsters, Hector, Tristan, and Trudy, as well as a rescue dog called Jonty, two cats, two pigmy goats and 25 chickens.
People-wise, Kathryn has been married to non-horsey Patrick for the past 26-years.
IAN
Ian wrote a few magazine articles before giving up journalism to go digital native.
He's spent the last 28 years learning the black arts of software development and has designed websites and user interfaces for multi-billion dollar technology companies, market research giants and some of the biggest live sound acts that have ever played for an audience.
He doesn't know very much about horses, but is smart enough to do as he's told.