Artist Darren Bird, known as Birdie, on the emotional moments that inspire his drawings, and his passion for horses and those who care for them

David Broome has ridden several household names in his career, but he holds special affection for a certain grey thoroughbred with an arrogant swagger, who drew fans from rivals, team-mates and spectators alike, writes Bernard Bale

“Everybody seems to die at Christmas, or there’s an explosion. You can’t just have a Christmas where you sit around and something wonderful happens. Unless it’s a baby.” Cheryl Fergison played lovably

A Christmas shopping trip turns into a chance to catch up on pony gossip for Tessa Waugh , who is on the back foot as far as present buying is concerned but replete with tales of happy new homes

Shared rides, developing riders and comeback horses produced a series of hardearned victories

The Big Issue, 2nd floor, 43 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 1HW letters@bigissue.com@bigissueuk @bigissue.com@bigissue /bigissueUK thebigissue ↑ I completed LeJog (Lands End to John O’ Groats) for charity la