Tattersalls Horse Sales...

      

As you'll know if you read my blog that I am studying equine science and thoroughbred management and part of the course is to familiarise yourself with the industry, so a trip to Tattersalls was organised by the lectures...

So what is Tattersalls? Well Tattersalls was founded in 1766 by Richard Tattersall, Tattersalls is the oldest bloodstock auctioneers in the world and the largest in Europe. Today, Tattersalls is an international firm offering 10,000 thoroughbred horses each year at 15 sales at either its Newmarket headquarters in England, or at Fairyhouse outside Dublin, in Ireland...

When we first arrived a quick tour was carried out by our lecturer, she gave us a brief insight into the running of the stables is like if you are at Tattersalls to sell; from the living conditions of the studs too the extent that some owners will go to ensure that their horses are provided with the best care...

This is just one of the stables blocks dedicated to the owner and their horses, more of these were scattered around the surrounding area...

Whilst in their stable clients are able to ask to see a horse face to face and in walk, from this they can decide whether they are interested in the animal or not; vets are also used at this point to ensure that there isn't anything majorly wrong, as once a deal is made it cannot be revoked...

The book above is a catalogue of the horses that will be sold during the day, the book hold the horses pedigree line, wins at races and members of the same blood line that have been successful in the racing industry...

The gentleman leading the horse above is called Tommy he is on my course and currently has a job showing yearlings and working in stud management...

Horses are lead around the outside enclosure to allow clients to see what their general appearance and condition is, the way in which the horse moves and how inquisitive it is...

The horse then enters the selling ring were it is paraded around and bids are placed, I have to admit this was a very fast moving concept but thrilling at the same tonight; you just have to be careful that you don't accidentally bid on a horse! 

A few famous faces appeared around the bidding areas, jockey Willie Carson purchased a yearling for £40,000

The most exciting sale that is witnessed was that of a bay colt yearling that sold for a cool £260,000!

Lou Lou's Vintage Fair...

Vintage Fairs? nothing could excite a vintage lover more... So when I heard of Lou Lou's Vintage fair I just had to go and have a nose! The fair started at 12pm at the Town hall in the Oxford City Centre, so I headed out around quarter too as I wasn't 100% sure where about the town hall was; but thanks to a friendly bus driver I managed to find my way...

If you read my previous blog you'll know that I recently purchased the cashmere jumper, silk scarf and beret from a vintage shop on my previous shopping journey... All for £20.00! Love a bargain!

The Entry fee was a small £2.00 that was for the whole day, there were a number of stalls all with different vintage treasures and trinkets; the particular picture above was a stall that was selling around 8 different kinds of ladies vanity sets from £35-£55...

I personally found that the town hall was an excellent choice to hold the vintage fair as the architecture inside on the ceiling was breath taking, just added that something special... 

Live music was also provided by Emma Stevenson, who sang some of the 40's, 50's and 60's classic hits, that we all know and love...

Brooches and rings were sold at practically every stall, but non of the two were the same...

One stall was selling a number of sunglasses for £5.00 each, much to my delight I bought two pairs; but had to restrain myself as I saw around seven pairs that could quite happily live with my glasses collection...

A makeup and hair stall were offering hairstyles and makeover at the fair, they also displayed many new makeup products that were on sale; from brightest blusher to a suttle lipstick, they had a wide range...

Tin signs and prints were on sale, all different and unique, the large signs were being sold at £10 and the regular sized signs were on sale for £6...

Afternoon Tea was provided in the adjoining hall, a selection of delicious cakes were on sale and tea or coffee was presented in china cups and saucers; tea being a huge love of mine I just had to join the band wagon... So a pot of tea and a slice of Victoria sponge, and I have to say it may have been my favourite purchase...

 

 So What Did I Buy?

                 Gold Earrings: £4.00        

             Blue and Gold Earrings: £6.00

The coasters were £3.00 each or 4 for £10.00, there was a huge range of different prints from Gil Elvgren portraits, Audrey Hepburn, Vintage posters, Lauren Bacall and of course my favourite Elvis...

I am absolutely in love with the shape of these sunglasses! The exaggerated wings are my idea of perfect...

 

      Tortoise Frame: £5.00

     Cream Frame: £5.00

Prints were also on sale, these too came in different categories; ranging from vintage posters, original photographs from 1950's, Elvis, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart...

    Each print was £5.00

Moving to University...

           

So on the 13th September I headed off to Oxford with Mom and Dad in a car literally bursting at the seams with my life's possessions, my time slot was 1:30 - 3:00 so ensure we got there in time we left Birmingham at 11:30. In all the journey took around an hour with an added extra half hour as we got lost in Oxford! This did however give me a glance at the beautiful and historical city I'll be living in for the next 4 years of my life...

You can probably guess my favourite colour from my new room...

Two pin boards are provided one above the desk top working area and the other besides the bed on the wall. To add some vintage glamour to my boudoir I placed Gil Elvgren portraits all around, with some flowers and clips attached around to add some 3demension to the board and make it that little bit more special...

The pin board above my desk also holds some Gil Elvgren portraits my favourite being that of the picture on the top right next to the Rhythm riot poster; pictures of my nearest and dearest are also a must that had to be added just to remind me of were I come from and what matters in life. Wow that sounded very deep! If you follow me on instagram or my previous blogs you'll know that horses are a huge contributor to the person I am today, so obviously I had to have pictures of my two big hairy girls...

Some of the wonderfully cute and cheeky bits and bobs that add to the vintage feel of my room...

Jars of chocolate or sweets are the way to your house mates hearts!

Exploring Oxford is one of the top goals on my to do list, so off exploring I went; never have I seen more breath-taking architecture in one place! Every turning and corner offers a new building or piece of history that makes Oxford the wonderful place it is today.

 

The shopping is one of the best, there are a number of high street shops such as Zara, Top shop, Warehouse and even a Jack Wills; I even managed to hunt down some vintage shops, were I might have been a little naughty...

Cashmere Jumper = £12.00

Cream Beret = £4.00

Silk Scarf = £2.00

 

There is a vintage fair on 11th October at the Town Hall in Oxford called 'Lou Lou's fair' so I shall attending and then blogging about it for you!

 

At university im studying 'Equine Science and Thoroughbred Management' which I am thoroughly enjoying at the moment! Learning the anatomy and physiology of the horse has to be my favourite part, seeing how these tremendous athletes are made will blow your mind!

 

Next week we have a trip to Tattersalls which is a market for horses, so look out for my next blog that will have all the details of how I got on...

Meet my university family...