On this day in Wembury, 19 August 1992
The Western Evening Herald reported on a distinctive achievement at a local stables: Wembury Riding School now had its own lady farrier, Ann Bearne, believed at the time to be one of only a handful of qualified women farriers in the South West.
The article explained that Ann had trained formally and was fully registered, able to carry out all farriery work from routine shoeing to remedial care. For the riding school this meant horses could be treated promptly on site, reducing delays and giving young riders the chance to see skilled equine work up close. Ann described how much she enjoyed the physical and technical demands of the job and the close working relationship with the horses.
The riding school itself was busy with lessons, RDA riding for disabled sessions, and preparation for local gymkhanas. Owners Ann and Tony stressed the value of having a qualified farrier as part of the team, particularly during the summer months when visitors and holidaymakers brought extra activity to the yard. The story offers a snapshot of Wembury’s equestrian community in the early nineties and highlights the steady breaking down of gender barriers within traditional rural trades.
Source, Western Evening Herald, 19 August 1992.