Two
sisters, both having strong connections with the equestrian
world, but in very different ways, will be joining forces
at the Burghley Horse Trials in September. Rachel Adams
of Original Stone Troughs will be in the spotlight as
the result of an invitation to create a special display
in the Members' Enclosure featuring an authentic stone
drinking trough. However, being the centre of attention
is nothing new for Rachel's sister, Helen Bell, the international
3-dayeventer who represented Great Britain at World and
European Championships 1993 and 1994. Coincidently, the
sisters both married farmers, but while Helen went on
to deal in horses and run a Cross Country Training centre
near Thirsk, Rachel began collecting authentic stone drinking
troughs as a hobby. She has now turned her hobby into
a growing business. Spurred on through business generated
by her website (www.stonetroughs.co.uk) Rachel has become
the leading specialist in the UK, usually offering a choice
of more than 50 troughs at any time. Often more than 150
years old, authentic troughs are becoming increasingly
scarce and as well as providing a superb feature, they
are also a good investment for the future. Many of the
larger troughs are sold back to people with livestock
or horses to become the centre pieces of refurbished stable
yards or courtyards. Other country dwellers have simply
put a small trough near their back door as an easy way
of washing mud from Wellington boots. |