GAIL'S UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS WORLD.

GAIL BROWN started side saddle riding seven years ago and is hooked on jumping.

"It used to terrify me but I love it now. I go cross country and you can hear the people gasping - they can't work out whether you are mad or whether you're brave," she says.

"Well, I can't work out myself whether I'm mad or brave - but it's just a great feeling when you go and you're still on when you come back!" She also competes in costume classes in a blue velvet outfit, specially made for her thanks to TV's Andrea Wonfor, the late mother of The Journal's Sam Wonfor.

Gail asked Mrs Wonfor about the availability of old TV costumes when she taught her to ride.

"She said, 'Leave it with me', and turned up with this file of paperwork to take measurements. She came back with two boxes and a hat box, with this beautiful blue velvet costume in, absolutely made to measure - it was just amazing. It weighs a ton, but it is so elegant.

"I work as a cleaner and a home help during the week, so I'm like the upstairs, downstairs story. I'm scrubbing floors through the week, then at the weekend you put the top hat on and your veil, and you're the height of elegance or you pretend to be the height of elegance.

"You think you're from upstairs at the weekend!"

CAPTION(S):

HIGH Gail Brown at this year's Northumberland County Show.