About Us
Mick J Puxty
Deborah Avis
Sam & Poppet
Freya Avis and George Salter
Serena and Shauna Puxty
Donna Puxty
Holly
Mick J Puxty - Head Horseman
Mick was born and bred in Battle, East Sussex and moved to Somerset in 2007. He has over 30 years experience of working with heavy horses. What he doesn't know, nobody knows about working with heavy horses, as the saying goes. Mick breaks in all his own horses, as that way, he knows what they will be like.
He was first introduced to working with heavy horses back in 1978, when he was just 17 and working for Ann Williams at her Pick Your Own Fruit Farm (Nortons) in Sedlescombe, East Sussex. He worked with Ann's horses called William and Kelly; doing general farm work, for example, harrowing, hoeing, wagon work, potato ridging and lifting. It's all thanks to Ann, that he has got to where he is today!
In 1980, he entered into his first ever competition ploughing match (Canterbury, East Kent) with two borrowed horses called William (owned by A Williams) and Princess (owned by A Bran) at the age of 19. Disappointedly, he came 6th out of six, so basically - last! And continued to be placed 'last' over the following 3 years of ploughing.
In 1989, Mick bought his first Shire gelding named Valiant (known as Vally), 2 year old, at Wisbech Heavy Horse Sale (Cambrigeshire) for £600. Mick kept Vally at a friends farm (Gerald Winter - Nashes Farm, Crowhurst) and helped Gerald to break in horses for other people.
Chris and Evelyn Davis bought a Shire horse gelding called Golliath (known as Golly) and sent it to Geralds for breaking. After Golly was broken to harness, Chris and Evelyn didn't want to split Golly and Vally up, so they invited Mick to bring his horse (Vally) to live with Golly on their farm (Streetfield Farm, Heathfield) and this was the beginning of a lifelong friendship and his ploughing career to change for the better...
Mick would borrow Golly from Chris and Evelyn to pair with Vally and began Competition Ploughing with them, travelling all over the country.
Chris and Evelyn purchased Poppet, a Shire mare, on 22/3/98 aged 3 from Peterborough Shire Horse Show as Golly was going into retirement. Golly lived to the ripe old age of 38 and died in 2001.
Mick teamed Poppet with Vally, but unfortunately, Poppet played up and became dangerous to use, so they decided to let her have a foal instead. Mick borrowed a mare called Remy from Andrew Player (the creator of our website) and paired her with Vally, they worked together for approximately 2 years. During this time, Poppet had her foal (2000) and she was named Alice. Mick still would not use Poppet for ploughing, so he broke Alice in to work and paired her up with Vally when she was just 2 years old, they worked together for 2 years then Alice tragically died at the age of 3 in a 'freak accident' in her paddock due to a storm (2000-2003). Mick had no other option but to bring Poppet back into work, by this time she had thankfully 'quitened' and was willing to work, so he paired her back with Vally and they continued to work together as a team until May 2006 when Vally sadley died at the age of 19 (1987-2006). Micks ploughing career really took off and in 2005 he won the All England Ploughing Match and the Championship with Vally and Poppet.
Chris and Evelyn bought Sam a Clydesdale x Shire as a yearling in 2005 from the same place as where Poppet was bought. Mick broke him into harness at the age of 2 and he started ploughing in 2006. The start of Sam and Poppet's career together began....
In 2008, Mick purchased Sam from Chris and Evelyn and was kindly given Poppet on a permanent loan.
Deborah Avis - Master Groom
Deb is Mick's partner and the Master Groom, responsible for the plaiting and turnout of Sam & Poppet at shows and competitions. Friends within the ploughing crowd, have helped her to perfect the art of plaiting with the flights. Her other role is to keep Mick fed and watered whilst he works the horses, this can be impossible at times because he won't eat whilst working them! It's all good fun and she wouldn't swap it for the world.
Deb also owns her own horse 'Maisie' who is a Irish Cob X Shire a smaller version of the heavies (15.2hh). Very pretty and although she is ridden, she is being broken in to harness. Imagine how pretty she would look pulling a small market cart?
Sam & Poppet
The stars of the website! Sam & Poppet live in a herd with approximtely 15 other horses at a friends farm, just half a mile away from where we live. Although they work together as a team, they have different friendships within the herd. Sam is in love with Ruby, maybe because she is the same colour as him? And Poppet can be a bit of a loner at times and is really just interested in eating all day and all day long! Sam will always look out for her though...
Sam's Facts
Breeder: Tony Bull, Nantwich, Cheshire
Breed: Clydsdale X Shire
Date of Birth: 21st April 2004
Colour: Bay
Sex: Gelding
Full Name: Arclid Sam the Man
Sire: (Dad) Stanthorne Monty
Dam: (Mum) Berryhill Pearl
Dam's Sire: Barnhill Goalkeeper
Currently Stands: 18hh
Charachteristics: A very loving playful personality, loves all the attention, the more the merrier, especially children wearing hats or brightly coloured t-shirts! He can be mischeivious at times, especially when ploughing - by walking all over the plot with his huge feet!
Poppet's Facts
Breeder: Graham Ward, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Breed: Shire
Date of Birth: 21st February 1995
Colour: Dark Bay
Sex: Mare
Full Name: Decoy Poppet
Sire: (Dad) Stanley House Aristocrat
Dam: (Mum) Decoy Gem
Dam's Sire: Stypewood Earl
Currently Stands: 17.2hh
Charachteristics: Is gentle, kind and willing, a true lady, loyal to her master and keeps her patience with Sam whilst teaching him the ropes. However, she will get cross with him from time to time when he has his mischevious moments...
Freya Avis and George Salter
Freya Avis - Head Groom
Freya is Deb's daughter, she learned to ride when she was 11 years old and now competes on her own horse Willie (Thorobred x Irish Darft) at Hunter Trials and Cross Country. We keep teasing her that one day she can ride Sam (he has never had anyone sit on his back) and compete with him! One day, Freya says....
George Salter - Apprentice
George is Freya's boyfriend, was a definate city boy until he met Freya, now he owns a pair of wellies, a shooting jacket and a flat cap. He has become very confident around the horses now, hmm... maybe try George on Sam's back all boys together eh? George also cooks a wicked breakfast when we are away.
Serena and Shauna Puxty
Serena (Groom #2) and Shauna (Groom #3) are Mick's younger daughters, who live in East Sussex and come to stay during their school holidays. They have grown up around heavy horses and love to help their dad with the ploughing when they are able to come to the matches and shows. Serena is excellent at plaiting their tails. Shauna is keen to learn the art of plaiting, however needs to grow a bit first so that she can reach!
Donna Puxty
Mick's eldest daughter, who also lives in East Sussex, grew up around all his working Shires.
Holly
Is a Weimaraner and was rescued via the Weimaraner Club of Great Britain (2004). Sadly, we were her third owner in her first 12 months of life! But now she lives 'the life of Riley' and thinks that the horse lorry belongs to her, she loves the outdoor life and gets just as much attention as Sam and Poppet do from the public.