BURLY STRONGMAN SCARED OF HORSES NOW HAS SIGHTS ON HOYS
As a solider who fought in Iraq and a competitor in gruelling Mr Strongman competitions there wasn’t much that scared Mathew Bailey… except for horses.
At one point, the clip clop of hooves was enough to send the burly motorbike fanatic cowering behind a hedge until they passed by.
But then he came face to face with a hairy seventh-month-old foal called Diesel who unexpectedly and swiftly stole his heart.
“It was love at first sight,” said Mathew, 43. ”As a complete nervous novice, a young foal was probably the worst possible purchase ever, but there was something about him which tugged at my heart. I handed over £600 and that was it – he was mine.”
Former squaddie Mathew, who served with the Royal Corps of Signals, had nursed a lifelong fear of horses, which makes the transformation of the hefty bodybuilder even more remarkable because fast forward five years and Mathew and his beloved 15.3 cob gelding are winning in showing competitions, both in-hand and ridden.
And they now have their sights on the internationally acclaimed “Search for a Star” class at next year’s Horse of the Year Show.
Mathew, who is married to Debbie and lives in Blackpool, said: “It really has been the most amazing journey and partnership. I couldn’t imagine life without Diesel now.
“Horses to me were previously akin to fire-breathing dragons, I was absolutely terrified of them. I saw them as these big snorting beasts and I wouldn’t hesitate to cross the road if I saw one coming.
“I knew so little about them that if anyone mentioned HOYS I would have thought it was some kind of Chinese sauce.”
Mathew, who once dragged 200kg props and lifted 120kg barbell weights in front of cheering crowds, decided to try and overcome his fear by organising a two-hour pony trek for him and Debbie, who is a horse lover.
“Debbie has always loved horses and ridden them and I felt guilty I was holding her back. So, for my 35th birthday I decided to completely surprise her and I booked us both on a two-hour hack at a local trekking centre.
“Debbie honestly thought I’d lost my mind. She was convinced I was pulling her leg as she knew how scared I was of horses, but I was determined to confront my fears.
“As the day approached, I thought to myself ‘you’ve taken leave of your senses, mate.’ I was honestly terrified and shaking like a leaf, but I consoled myself that it was a controlled situation and knowing I was a complete beginner they were unlikely to give me a finely tuned thoroughbred to ride.
“They led out a coloured cob and assured me he was a total plod as I tentatively stepped onto the mounting block and attempted to scramble on. It wasn’t pretty!
“I held on for dear life as we walked up and down hills, my bum went numb and I could barely feel my feet. The memory of that ride still haunts me, but I did it and I didn’t fall off.”
Mathew admits he wasn’t instantly hooked by the experience, but he found himself visiting the yard regularly when the owner offered Debbie a job helping out with treks and looking after the horses.
“I found myself being around horses more and more and my confidence grew. It was then that I met mare Princess who had this grey furry thing at foot. I’d never seen a baby horse before. Diesel was such a friendly foal who followed me everywhere. I was smitten."
Despite Debbie warning Mathew that horses were massively expensive to keep and required huge amounts of time, one evening he came home to tell his wife that he had 'bought something.’
“She knew instantly it was the foal," he said. "And that was the beginning of mine and Diesel’s journey together.
“Within weeks I was spending every weekend at the yard, stroking Diesel, feeling his legs, walking him out. Soon he became like a big dog following me everywhere with his nose in my back. He would also playfully try and nip my back legs. He carried the lead rope in his mouth.
“If I whistled, he trotted straight over to me for a cuddle. It was a bonkers journey full of trial and error, but such a rewarding one, which cemented the trusting bond we have today.”
Mathew, who left the army in 2007 and now works as a logistics coordinator at BAE Systems, slowly began backing the magnificent bay dappled cob, sitting on him for the very first time as a three-year-old.
“It was the most incredible feeling to think we had got this far. Here I was, on this big, strong muscular animal, the very sort that would have previously sent me running for cover, but now riding my very own horse.
“Diesel could have easily reared and bucked and hurt me, but he was such a gentle boy and looked after me. We bounced off each other as we continued to learn the ropes together. I could ride down the lane with the other horses kicking off in the fields around us, but he stood steady as a rock.
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s full of character and energy and has his moments, but he seems to have saved those until I was a more experienced rider.”
As Diesel grew into a handsome horse who won lots of admiring glances, Mathew was encouraged to show him. The pair travelled to Manchester where they won their very first In Hand competition. Mathew was then amazed to discover his sire was a multi-winning HOYS champion called Boston.
More red rosettes followed until a judge called Mathew over and suggested he started ridden showing classes.
“I’ll never forget the moment,” laughed Mathew. “The judge called me over and asked if Diesel was mine. She then playfully slapped my hand and told me she wanted to see me start riding and showing my horse.
“So that’s what I’m doing now. We came 4th at The Royal Lancashire in our first competition and are aiming for HOYS next year, which is pretty unbelievable.
“I’ve had lots of offers to buy Diesel, one woman basically told me to name my price, but I’ll never part with him. He’s the love of my life and I could never bring myself to sell him. I would miss him beyond belief.
“Don’t get me wrong, he can be a monumental pain the bum sometimes, but he’s my fantastic gentleman, the most amazing things have happened in my life thanks to him.”
Despite her scepticism, Debbie was also bitten by the horse-owning bug and ended up buying a seventh-month coloured cob called Tommy last year.
Meanwhile, Mathew and Diesel’s journey continues to touch people, so much so they have built a popular fanbase on social media.
Mathew said: “I started posting stories and photos about Diesel and I on Facebook and was astounded by the reaction. The interest and positive support blew me away so I’ve now set up our own online site to keep people updated.
“The horse world can be quite a snobby and fickle environment where people look down their noses at each other, but I hope I’ve inspired others to have the courage to get out there and take part.
“I’m just an average bloke who had no experience of horses whatsoever so if can do it others can. Go follow your equestrian dreams as horses are simply incredible.”
