ALL IN A DAY’S WORK
On the eve of Royal Ascot, Emily Baxendale tells us about why horses are her anchor, riding in bin liners and being asked for The Queen’s crown
In 2015 my business Emily-London was the official hat-maker for Glorious Goodwood,
and I was invited to ride in the Magnolia Cup. I hadn’t ridden for 10 years but when the opportunity came up it felt like the right time to get back into it.
It was an amazing experience in so many ways – I was going through a divorce and had three tiny children – horses gave me back my spark and riding in the race opened doors both personally and professionally. Raising money for charity while experiencing the thrill of racing at Goodwood is a huge privilege, and remains one of my most treasured experiences.
As training for the Magnolia Cup began, I was put in touch with Jim Boyle in Epsom and I began riding out at South Hatch.
Perfect Pastime – a stable stalwart with character in spades and an infectious love for life – soon became my trusted ally. He raced 95 times during his career, loved the game and had mastered playing it entirely on his own terms.
I rode him in all four of the Magnolia Cups I participated in. He scooped me up at a time when I needed it and for that I am forever grateful. He bounced out of his stable every morning, never knowingly in any gear other than jog, and merrily scattered the string with his mischief. He may not be quite so fondly remembered by everyone else at the yard but I just adored him!
Currently I’ve had to put riding out on the back burner as it’s peak season for us and the business is really busy.
Work always comes first, but after Royal Ascot there will be time again for a little more work-life balance.
Horses are both my anchor and my outlet – everyone needs an escape. I love the adrenaline of riding out but I also love that when I’m riding I’m not thinking about anything else.
I first discovered fashion just after I had left school.
I was studying and had a brief interlude of modelling jobs, which were as character-building as they were exciting. In one of the couture houses in Paris I was told by the casting agent that if I wanted to be in their show in two weeks’ time then I must lose 4cm from my hips. I was told to smoke, go running in bin liners and not to set foot in a boulangerie…
I tried all three. I remember riding in bin liners, it was ridiculous! Lots of rustling and sweaty shoulder-in. It didn’t work and I didn’t lose the weight. At the time I remember the disappointment but looking back, what a fantastic experience. The mysterious backstage world of the couture house stuck with me and I knew I wanted to work in the industry, just on the other side.
