bryony gill

Farming, Agriculture

Suggested by Harriet Gill

Harriet writes, “Bryony is the top plough-woman in the country and has brought her team of horses on from birth. She has featured on various tv shows bringing awareness to a rare breed of horse and a dying art in farming.

Bryony is not from a farming background, but started learning to plough at the age of 16 from Alfie Trethewy, a true cornishman with a family history in the field. She has since brought on the pair of horses shown in the photo here.

Typically when ploughing you have a team, one leading the horses and one controlling the plough, but Bryony has mastered doing it on her own. Bryony ploughs solo.

Ploughing with horses is more environmentally friendly than the huge machines commonly used today. It creates shallower furoughs which keeps the fertile top soil closer to the surface.

Bryony and Alfie run Pikna Shire Horses based in St Austell. They do working demonstrations and competions as well as weddings, balls and carriage rides.

Bryony is my sister but mainly she is my role model. She is so strong and a force to be reckoned with.”

Quote from Cornwall Live article, 01.08.21, “According to Bryony these gentle giants, one of only five equine breeds classified as at risk…are magical to work with, but much like people aren’t without their character quirks. When everything’s going right with the ploughing and the horses are working nicely for you, it’s a phenomenal feeling. While you’re not rushing physically, it’s still an adrenaline rush.”

piknashirehorses.co.uk