Tinsel tails and Eilberg elves
Anna Ross
“FOR many years I was a Christmas Scrooge, in a reasonably bad mood,” reveals Devonbased dressage star Anna Ross, whose Elite Dressage operation comprises a busy training yard of 40 or so horses at Barons Wood Equestrian Centre.
“Last year we took five grand prix horses for a hack down the Devon lanes, all tinseled up”
ANNA ROSS ON THE CHRISTMAS DAY RIDE
“But I’ve changed my ways. Beth [Bainbridge, Anna’s rider] is bonkers about it all. She’s said all along that the tree this year would be a big one and it would go up early.”
With the Newton Stud in close proximity and around 350 horses across both sites, the festive season is a flurry of activity.
“We’re quite a large community with a sizeable team including riders, vets and farriers based here, and usually hold a big party for everyone in the run-up to Christmas,” explains Anna. “I’m always well-staffed on the yard. Half of the team will cover Christmas and half New
