Signs of the Times...

Over at Hickstead, it seems that Thelwell's rosy-cheeked, indulgent gymkhana parents have given way to something more like, well, Karen Matthews:

Director Lizzie Bunn said wet weather last summer forced junior classes out of the main arena, leading to "very unacceptable behaviour" from parents.

"My father started Hickstead nearly 50 years ago and I've actually been running the show for 21 years and I've never had to witness the scenes that we had last year," the show secretary said.

In fact, they've decided to scrap the event altogether, in the hopes that an older age group might be more civilised:

She said she had now decided to replace the event with a Young Rider group for 18 to 21-year-olds.

"We just hope that the slightly older children know how to behave a bit better."

Good luck with that, Mrs Bunn..!