hugh deschamps

When I moved my horse to the stables in Hillcrest, I had no idea how much one
man would influence my life. HUGH, the farrier, owned a Ridgeback-cross called
LINUS, a dog who had been through the army with Hugh and went everywhere
with his master. Linus would go out with the horses twice a day, follow Hugh
around the stables and make himself comfortable on Hugh's bed every night.

I wanted a dog like that, but if Linus was only half RR, how amazing would a
pure bred Ridgeback be? Hugh also wanted Linus to have a coat to wear, not
just to hold, like his cartoon namesake did, so I made this one...

I bought my first RR in 1981, SHANDY was mismarked as she had a white sock
on her left font leg (white is permissable on feet only). She was the perfect
companion and as a first Ridgeback, taught me so much about the breed in her
own wonderful ways. Shandy went to a School of Horsemastership with me, and
she was admired by many as she grew, especially Linus! My friendship with Hugh
remained strong, even after 6 months of the "mink & manure" set!! I did
eventually rethink my career options as being a girl groom in ZA was not wise,
even with a Ridgeback at my side.

I went to college in Durban & studied Food Service Managemnt. Before I
did that, I had worked at the Peasants' Kitchen in Hillcrest, where Hugh
had first taken me for a meal in 1980. Hugh had many girlfriends, but none
lasted very long... When Hugh did really notice my womanhood I was affraid
of his expectations (he had always had his way with other girlfriends).

Hugh proposed to me but I turned him down and have regretted the fact
that I never said why. It must have hurt his feelings, and have always
wished it wasn't so.

Hugh married Trish and they had a little girl;

Kerry-Anne was born on 28/6/1984. They had another
girl & then a boy, but sadly they didn't stay together.

Hugh was an excellent farrier and had saved a young
THBD colt from destruction; he had a club foot and
Hugh managed to keep him sound 4 weeks out of 5.

He sired a colt and I bought that yearling, calling him
"Beauchamps" as a combination of Biggs & Deschamps...
Hugh liked that and he was a lovely horse, never lame
all the 6 years that I had him & Hugh was my farrier.
I sold Beauchamps in 1989, sadly, when I returned to
the UK. We now have a Dartmoor pony: every day when
I pick out his feet I think of Hugh & wonder
how/where he is. Unfortunately, we lost touch in 1990
and I have searched in vain to find Hugh...

I believe that when someone touches your life in a special
way, they deserve to know how special they are. Thank you
HUEY, for all that I am because of knowing YOU.