Two new members of ‘staff’ have been causing something of a stir at the Hawk Conservancy Trust, near Andover. Murphy is an Irish Draught horse standing at 17.2 hands high, whilst Samson, a Shire Cross, stands at a massive 18.2 hands high. Both horses have been ‘employed’ as part of a daily historical re-enactment which sees a mounted falconry display and staff dressed in medieval costume.

The truth behind 'old codger'

Chief Executive Officer, Ashley Smith, said: “We are always trying to find ways to educate our visitors in as entertaining a way as possible. This new display, which is set to music, demonstrates the partnerships which existed between man, horse and falcon. We also include other characters such the maiden with her merlin and the ‘cadgeman’, from which the name caddy and old ‘codger’ comes from. ‘Hawks & Horses’ is a highly choreographed display and we have been rehearsing and training for months. Now we are ready for our visitors to see the finished display and I certainly hope that they approve!”

The display requires a high level of equitation and falconry skills as the birds and horses are moving at speed. There is also a huge element of trust and synchronisation between the participants as they recreate a scene that would have been common in times gone by. The task of training the hawks and horses fell to Assistant Curator, Jimmy Robinson.

A choice of careers

Jimmy, who had to choose between a career in horse-riding or falconry as a lad, explains: “It’s great to finally be able to combine my two favourite occupations – horse-riding and falconry! Our birds of prey responded really well to the training and Samson and Murphy were really quick on the up-take too. Once upon a time falconry from horseback would have been a fairly common sight in the countryside. But now the Hawk Conservancy Trust is one of the only places in the country where you will see it.”