On Sunday morning at Badminton we sent EN’s guest British correspondent Lady Martha Sitwell into the Trade Fair trenches on a very important mission: shopping. Well, “pretend” shopping, at least. If money was no object, what would she buy? Our Lady returned several hours later with flushed cheeks, a faraway look in her eyes and very long, very expensive shopping list.
It’s not everyday I get given an unlimited budget with which to go shopping at Badminton Horse Trials. It wasn’t really the case last weekend either, but when Leslie wanted to get me out of her hair so she could concentrate on letting you all know how Michael Jung was getting on I was delighted to accept the “How much would Martha spend at Badminton?” challenge.
As this is an imaginary list, my first purchase is only-imaginarily-for-sale Sam, and to be honest given how he napped during his lap of honor after winning he would probably benefit from a bit of hunting. I think it’s fairly safe to assume, even at his age one wouldn’t get much change from a cheque for “£1,000,000, Apply to Micheal Jung.”
Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Next is something I’ve been LONGING to do for absolutely ages and that is a riding safari in Kenya. I chose Off-Beat Safaris because I found owner/founder Tristan Voorspuy utterly charming and his gin and tonics were stiffer than a ramrod.
Excluding flights all-inclusive trips start at £3,570 for a pure bush experience and go up to £5,740 for the ultimate safari choice of eight nights mobile camp plus two nights at the luxury Deloraine House, where one can play polo or just laze by the pool. Obviously, I’m going for the more expensive.
Probably not something you’re going to run across out whilst fox hunting. Photo courtesy of Off-Beat Safaris.
There were several fur coats I lost my heart to from Vintage Collectable Clothing.
Harrods Blue Fox Fur, £1,795
A Men’s Canadian Wolf Coat, £1,295
Model not included. Photo by Martha Sitwell.
A Ladies’ Canadian Wolf Coat with Arctic Fox Trim, £1,495
It does suit you, darling. Photo courtesy of Martha Sitwell.
Canadian Red Fox Fur Coat, £1,595
A very rare BJRGER CHRISTENSEN Russian Sable ¾ Length Coat, £4,495
And a few wraps and stoles, starting at £90.
Contact Richard Leach at [email protected] for a private viewing or your own fur party.
I also fell passionately in love with a beautifully cut Red “Alexander” Jacket from Katherine Hooker: £650
Scarlet if convenient. Photo courtesy of Martha Sitwell.
“Soporific,” a painting by Debbie Harris who does original sporting art, limited prints and undertakes commissions: £1,200
Photo by Martha Sitwell.
A beautiful blue sapphire and diamond bangle circa 1901, £6,450 from Walter Bull & Son. I could have been tempted by the 1930s diamond swallow broach, too: £1,750.
Photo by Martha Sitwell.
A new shooting suit from Ratcatcher, available from Charles Wall Country Clothing: £650
Made-to-measure, new hunting boots, as opposed to unboxed boots that leave me squelching before I’ve even got on my horse, would be a SUCH a luxury. And the only man to get those from, every hunt subscriber and servant swears, is Mr. Davies of Davies Riding Boots:
Brown, £990
Black, £920
And trees, £495 a pair
Photo by Martha Sitwell.
Cashmere socks, £20, and numerous jumpers, £75, from the Glenalmond Tweed Company:
Photo by Martha Sitwell.
The things I did buy were a vegetable brush from the Oxford Brush Company, best thing for cleaning hunting coats: £4.95
Or scrubbing potatoes. Photo by Martha Sitwell.
And I was very tempted by the ostrich feather dusters, good for fancy dress AND practical too: £38.95
Photo by Martha Sitwell.
And a large, rectangular black Venetian glass cocktail ring from Diana Ingram for £20.
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Well-done spending all that imaginary money, Lady Martha! It’s a hard job but somebody has got to do it. For more of Martha’s Badminton adventures, check out her cross country course analysis here and Q&A with Mark Todd here.
