Innholdsfortegnelse for 24-Oct-2019 i Horse & Hound

A FEW weeks ago, I mentioned I couldn’t say enough good things about vets, who I’ve seen a lot of lately with three horses getting on and now no longer with us. Their ability to deal well with people — more difficult than horses after all — on top of the breadth of their knowledge, astounds me. Their kindness and energy despite gruelling, unsociable hours — I just cannot rave enough about the vets I’ve met. There were a fair few tears when Skippy couldn’t get up last month. Emma Houghton, who came out on an emergency from Bell Equine, has seen it all before, of course. Her concern was making sure my horse was comfortable. She was so reassuring. As a vet, you go to work on weekends knowing…

HORSE owners have been reassured about joint injections after a study indicated they may have more complications than previously thought in humans. Research carried out by the Boston University School of Medicine, and published in journal Radiology, found corticosteroids could speed up disintegration of joints, or cause complications. But British Equine Veterinary Association council member and orthopaedic surgeon Ollie Crowe told H&H that joint disease varies “enormously” between species, and while traumatic arthritis occurs in horses, conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis do not. “While all treatments have some associated risk, the complications reported following intra-articular corticosteroids in osteoarthritis in people does not appear to be seen in horses,” he said. “The evidence of collapse of the bone that supports cartilage has been shown not to occur in equine joints, and…

OLYMPIA GRAND PRIX SHORT AGAIN “ROUND two” of the shorter grand prix pilot will take place at Olympia this year. The FEI schedule for the London International Horse Show (16-22 December) states that a shorter grand prix will be ridden. It adds that the test cannot be used to earn Olympics ranking points or minimum eligibility requirements, while ranking points will be awarded as per current ranking list rules. H&H has reported that the FEI hoped to introduce a new grand prix test this year (news, 3 October), while Olympic gold medallist Laura Tomlinson hopes it “works a lot better than last year’s attempt” (comment, p64). STRANGLES PLEDGE MARKS MILESTONE THE welfare charity behind an award-winning strangles campaign is marking its first anniversary and hopes poor biosecurity can be banished.…

Eventer Piggy French has broken her own record by claiming her 15th international win of the season, at the six-year-old World Young Horse Championships on Cooley Lancer (Report, p56). Irish champion jockey Ruby Walsh will join the ITV Racing panel for the 2019/20 National Hunt season. Ruby said he is looking forward to offering his views from a jockey’s perspective. Trainer Nicky Henderson won the American Grand National with Brain Power, ridden by Nico de Boinville. Nicky said he “could not be more delighted” for owner Michael Buckley, Dressage rider Louise Bell claimed her first foreign grand prix win at Le Mans, France, on 19 October. Louise won the grand prix freestyle with her former working hunter champion, Into The Blue. Multiple medal-winning eventer Nicola Wilson is back in the…

RESCUED horses will be given a purpose helping young people in need, thanks to a new collaboration between the RSPCA and British Horse Society (BHS). The BHS is working to get equines rescued by the RSPCA into BHS-approved riding centres, where they can be rehabilitated alongside people involved with its Changing Lives Through Horses (CLTH) scheme. CLTH works with “disengaged” young people, aiming to get them back into training, education or employment. The aim is to expand on the scheme, while giving a purpose to some of the thousands of horses and ponies taken in by the RSPCA every year. BHS president Martin Clunes launched the joint project this month at Limes Equestrian Centre, Suffolk, which has already taken in rescued horses Cobain and Barlow. He said: “I’ve been a…

CLARITY North Korea’s Kim Jong Un was pictured on a horse, up a mountain. And why? “He, sitting on the horseback atop Mount Paektu, recollected with deep emotion the road of arduous struggle he covered for the great cause of building the most powerful country with faith and will as firm as Paektu”. So there you go. LANGUAGE A team-chasing video emerges in which a rider can be heard saying a rather bad word. Laughter is also heard, but not from she who wrote: “I did not bring you up to use that language however scary the jump was!” Mums always know. MORE LANGUAGE An H&H-er in a warm-up also apologised for using the same expletive. In her defence, she was in mid-air when a horse spooked on to her…

FURTHER to N Watson’s letter on dressage judging, (10 October), I am a trainee judge at intro and prelim levels. I do try to find a positive comment for all, but we have to judge what we see and can’t second guess someone’s “true” riding ability away from the arena. The reverse would be that someone suddenly rides a brilliant test, but we don’t mark them down, thinking, “Oh, that’ll just be a one-off”. If a rider is consistently getting poor marks, then stepping back from competing for a while might be sensible and using the entry fee money for training until confidence returns. Everyone meets the odd criticism, but if one critical comment is going to put a rider off for life, perhaps competing isn’t for them. There is…

THE sesamoidean ligaments form part of the suspensory apparatus. Two bones at the back of the fetlock, known as the sesamoid bones, act as an anchor. Above them runs the suspensory ligament, from fetlock to hock/knee, and below them sit the distal sesamoidean ligaments. The anatomy of the sesamoidean ligaments is complex. There are four ligaments in each leg, with fibres running in different directions and with different attachment points. Together, they act as a relatively tough and elastic “sling” that provides support to the fetlock and pastern region. Due to their function, most injuries to these ligaments are thought to be caused by overextension of the fetlock joint. While the specific event may be unknown, this type of acute injury is most likely the result of a one-off bad…

THE rain has come; the nights are drawing in. The hunting season proper is getting closer. This very fact causes great excitement in our house, with the children losing any semblance of sanity. However, in the stables we try to make this as unexciting as possible for any new recruits. Introducing horses to the hunting field is great fun — occasionally in a “yeee-haaa, fasten your seatbelt” kind of way — and very satisfying. You will need lots of patience and as much time as you can possibly spare. ‘Horses know a flustered rider from a calm one and act accordingly’ Get your horse used to being ridden with others in open spaces. Please don’t expect an animal that has spent more than half of its life in a manège…

Oasby (2), Lincs RIDERS put challenging seasons firmly behind them to come out on top at Oasby, the sole British Eventing fixture to run at the weekend, where the ground and courses received praise. Edie Campbell was surprised and delighted to score a double across an intermediate and a novice section aboard Fireball F and Glendew respectively. Fireball led the dressage on 27.7, jumping double clear and adding 16.4 cross-country time-penalties to their first-phase total. They then faced a nervous wait as the final result came down to the last combination — Bill Levett and This Ones On You. A steady round from the Australian rider meant Edie took the win. “I love the course here as it is a proper galloping track,” said Edie, who trains with Henry Boswell…

7yo.—1, Happy Boy (T Price) NZL 30.1,0,0=30.1; 2, Cooley Moonshine (E Halliday-Sharp) USA 29.3,1.2,0=30.5; 3, Brookfield Benjamin Bounce (T McEwen) GBR 27.2,0,4=31.2; 4, Grafennacht (W Fox-Pitt) GBR 29.9,0,4=33.9; 6, Cristal Fontaine (K King) GBR 30.5,0,4=34.5; 8, Lordships Graffalo (T McEwen) 31.8,0,4=35.8; 10, Halenza (H Coy) GBR 33.3,0,4=37.3; 12, Jewellent (C Abbott) IRL 29.7,0,8=37.7; 14, Cock A Doodle Doo (W Newton) GBR 31.1,0,8=39.1; 15, Russal Z (H Coy) 32,0,8=40. 6yo.— 1, Cooley Lancer (P French) GBR 26.7,0,0=26.7; 2, Dartagnan De Beliard (T Carlile) FRA 28.3,0,0=28.3; 3, Inchello DHI (Y Sanderson) NOR 26.3,0,4=30.3; 8, Shannondale Mari (E Power) IRL 34.1,0,0=34.1; 10, Vamonos (E King) GBR 34.3,0,0=34.3; 11, Cartown Galaxy (H Hankey) 35,0,0=35.…

ISSIE THOMPSON described her win at Askham Bryan in the under-18 open novice as “overwhelming”. Riding her mother Lucy’s 10-year-old home-bred stallion Pennineview Silver Concorde, Issie finished on her 32.5 dressage to win by 3.6 penalties. “‘Connor’ tries so hard and I’ve worked with Helen Bell on maintaining our rhythm on the cross-country to save time,” explained 15-year-old Issie, who took over the ride from her mother halfway through this season.…

BE90RF sec C.— 1, Silver Cloud III (V Ardern) 23.3,0,0=23.3; 2, Dolores II (L Stokoe) 22,0,2=24; 3, The Real McCoy IX (A Corlett) 25.8,0,0=25.8. sec D.— 1, Belville Clover (E Page) 27.3,0,0=27.3; 2, Beau Jangles VI (C Hardie) 28.8,0,0=28.8; 3, Ska Buachaill Mor (S Ridgway) 29.3,0,0=29.3. BE90 sec A.— 1, Vision B (D Titterton) 31.8,0,0=31.8; 2, Humdinger HBC (T Danisevich) 35.3,0,0=35.3; 3, Raya (E Dove) 31.5,4,0=35.5. sec B.— 1, Lucky Pursuit (J Jones) 30.5,0,0=30.5; 2, Hinwood Springtime (F C Chivers) 29.3,0,1.6=30.9; 3, Bee Master Cobra (M Hughes) 32,0,0=32. BE90open u18.— 1, The Juggler III (L Diggle) 31.3,0,0=31.3; 2, Clontumpher Dream (L Brennan) 32.8,0,0.8=33.6; 3, Lakelands Robby (T Cernyw) 31,0,3.2=34.2. BE90RTC.— 1, Cloonelara Summertime (P Hendry) 26.3,0,0=26.3; 2, Tarka IV (H Doyle) 26,0,0.8=26.8; 3, Wexford Pimpernel (D Pinney) 29,0,0=29. BE80(T) sec…

SHEEPGATE 11-13 Oct: prelim 17Q gold (S Hambridge).— 1, Kiki CDS (V Glasow) 70.17; 2, Woodcroft Bali (G Day) 62.24. brnz.— 1, Soulby’s Shades O Blue (F Benton) 58.28. nov 23 gold.— 1, Duchess Calina (B Bexon) 58.33. silv.— 1, Cash Flow (A Fillingham) 68.33; 2, Hoe Zoo G (S Ringrose) 68.33; 3, Woodcroft Liberte Mon Amie (S Britton) 67.92. brnz.— 1, Freckleton Illumino (C Arris) 62.5; 2, Soulby’s Shades O Blue 59.58. adv med 92Q silv (S Payne).— 1, Elason (S Bloor) 66.62. prelim 19Q gold (S Hambridge).— 1, Southgrange Tout Suit (L Edwards) 68.33; 2, Woodcroft Bali 66.46. nov 37Q gold.— 1, Duchess Calina 65.37. silv.— 1, Hoe Zoo G 68.52; 2, Woodcroft Liberte Mon Amie 67.78; 3, Jupiler (J Reay) 65.74. brnz.— 1, Freckleton Illumino 63.89. elem…

WHEN her plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro fell through at the last minute, Siobhan Elliott made a late entry at Half Moon Stud — winning both prelims with her eight-year-old event gelding One Carat. “I had to pull out of my trip the day before leaving when my husband injured his hand,” said Siobhan, who last year crossed more than 250km of the Sahara Desert to complete the Marathon Des Sables, raising money for the Hannah Francis Willberry Wonder Pony charity. One Carat, known as “Bear”, was bred in Cornwall and is by sport pony stallion SOS Kantje’s Unicolour. “Thanks to our trainer, Hannah Biggs, Bear scored eights for rhythm,” said Siobhan. “He really is a cool dude — laid-back, but willing.”…

Olympia semi-finals, Dart/Ex/Shet (R Keeling, D Spears).— 1, J Stone’s Firle Ricardo; 2, L Calcutt’s Shilstone Rocks North Westerly; 3, D Barr’s Firle Giorgio). D (Z Hadingham, M Nimmo).— 1, G Hughes’ Llanarth Fair Lady; 2, K Thomas’ Kaybrook Midnight Comet; 3, K Orchard’s Brynithon Parragon. A&B (C Pearsall, S Donger).— 1, M Burchell-Small’s Rowfantina Old Romantic; 2, C Regan’s Clanmill Jewel In The Crown; 3, V Oakes’ Skellorn Royal Anniversary. Fell/Dales/ Highland.— (J Paterson, C Smalley).— 1, C Gough’s Lunesdale Dixie; 2, G Simpson’s Griseburn Faye; 3, Z Marsden’s Wellbrow Diplomat. NF/Conn.— 1, K Bowling-Hartenfield’s Cree Marvin; 2, V Edwards-Sonnex’s Mallards Wood Apollo; 3, V Clark’s Walstead Guiness. C.— 1, L Scott’s Lynuck The Showman; 2, A Gilmartin’s Gems Malt Whiskey; 3, D Barr’s Synod Reilly. breeds, Shet (J…

CONTAMINATION is back in the spotlight with new cases of failed dope tests as a result of feed. French showjumper Fanny Skalli and South African endurance rider Nico-Meyer Le Roux were both cleared of wrongdoing in separate cases, the decisions published on 4 October. Ms Skalli’s ride, Amitie Des Douces, tested positive for the prohibited substance ergonovine at Gorla Minore CSI2* in March. The drug, which can be found in some fungi, is used to treat heavy bleeding after childbirth and has no therapeutic use in equine medicine. Ms Skalli asked the her feed’s manufacturer to test for the substance, which was discovered in tiny amounts. Owing to the quantity she fed, it is plausible this could cause a positive test. Her meticulous practices to ensure clean sport were taken…

ENABLE The dual Arc winner will remain in training as a six-year-old, owner Prince Khalid Abdullah has confirmed. The John Gosden-trained mare was pipped to a record hat-trick, and the 2020 Arc is “an important target”. WICKLOW BRAVE The Willie Mullins-trained horse, who proved his talent in both codes with an Irish St Leger as well as Cheltenham and Punchestown Festival wins, was put down after a fall while leading the American Grand National. DRUNKEN DISORDERLY The 2005 Hickstead eventing grand prix winner has been put down, aged 29. The grey contested the 2004 Olympics and two European Championships with Mark Kyle, as well as finishing 15th at Burghley.…

ORGANISERS of the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) are reviewing the system by which the leading breeder awards are decided, after one went to a man convicted of animal welfare offences. David Hinde was named Dartmoor breeder of the year, an award decided on the success of stud prefixes. Ponies with his Pumphill prefix had amassed the most points of any Dartmoors. H&H has been contacted by members of the public who disagree with the decision to give the title to a man who was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a pony and banned from keeping equines, but went on to breach the ban and cause unnecessary suffering to another pony, leading to a longer ban. A HOYS spokesman explained that the awards are based “only on factual…

A RIDER with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome has clipped a zebra pattern on her horse to raise awareness of the rare condition. Caitlin Padgett, 23, said people with rare illnesses often refer to themselves as “medical zebras” — something more unusual than a horse. She has been unable to ride recently because of her illness, which causes weakness in connective tissue, leading to hypermobility and a range of other problems, and faces numerous challenges. “I have an unstable bone in my back pressing on a nerve and I can’t feel my legs when I ride, so I haven’t been able to get on,” Caitlin said. “But now my physio has said to me, ‘Why wait?’” “It’s been great to raise some awareness and give my pony a cool haircut in the process!”…

VICTORIA HESFORD VICTORIA is one of the most successful young producers of show horses in the country. She was dual champion at Horse of the Year Show in 2015 with hack Whalton Forgery and cob Randalstown Musketeer, both owned by the late Clare Twiston-Davies. This year has seen stellar performances with Tracey Veale’s lightweight coloured cob Red Rock III, who has stood champion at Great Yorkshire and Devon County. She is based in South Wales with her partner, international showjumper Andrew Davies, and their son Archie. TRAINING THE STARS THE hack Whalton Forgery found it hard to maintain a steady, balanced canter at first. Hacks are required to perform with a high level of collection. These exercises helped him become a star.…

OI.— 1, Altaskin Jack (J Sommerville) 33,0,8.4=41.4; 2, Cruisings Slainte Mhath (A Farrar-Fry) 24.3,4,13.2=41.5; 3, Uppercourt Cooley (G Spence) 27.7,0,16.8=44.5. int sec G.— 1, Banzai Du Loir (Y Ingham) 23.2,4,16=43.2; 2, Edison NJ (J Sommerville) 34.3,0,9.6=43.9; 3, Loxleys Last Stand (B Levett) 27.3,9,13.2=49.5. sec H.— 1, Fireball F (E Campbell) 27.7,0,16.4=44.1; 2, RNH My Lord (N Gwynne) 30.2,0,19.6=49.8; 3, Huberthus AC (B Levett) 31.4,0,19.2=50.6. OIu21.— 1, Renkum Corsair (S Cresswell) 25.9,0,13.6=39.5; 2, Mermus R Diamonds (R Coney) 28.9,0,12.4=41.3; 3, Szanel (L Robinson) 32.7,0,8.8=41.5. ON.— 1, Forgeland Tiger Tot (K Corteen) 33.5,0,0=33.5; 2, Jagos Mill (H Scholl) 30,4.4,0=34.4; 3, Boris VII (R Smith) 34.8,0,0=34.8. nov sec A.— 1, Wish List (T Rudkin) 28.3,0,2.4=30.7; 2, Max E Million (G Frow) 31.5,0,6.8=38.3; 3, Irene Leva (R Smith) 34,0,4.4=38.4. sec B.— 1, Glendew (E…

ON.— 1, NPS Devon (D Berkeley) 26.5,0,0=26.5; 2, Emorka P (M Ford) 27.3,0,2=29.3; 3, About Time Too V (G Howe) 29.8,0,6=35.8. nov sec B.— 1, Bounty Castle (B Woolven) 25.8,0,0.4=26.2; 2, Royal Spring (T McEwen) 29.8,0,1.6=31.4; 3, Tempest Wick (D Reader) 27.5,4,2=33.5. sec C.— 1, Storm Clara (D Reader) 25.8,0,2.8=28.1; 2, Cadiz (E Flanagan) 33.3,0,0=33.3; 3, The Secret Jewel (G Spence) 34.3,0,1.6=35.9. sec D.— 1, Cutton Bentley (E Clist) 33.5,0,2.8=36.3; 2, Ete Rose (L Dallison) 35.5,0,3.2=38.7; 3, Stormhill Riot (D Bizzarro) 32,4,4.8=40.8. sec E.— 1, Carlingfords Hes A Clover (L Harwood) 29.8,0,2=31.8; 2, Isington Irish Spirit (H Dzenis) 28.3,0,5.6=33.9; 3, IPW A Bit Of Banter (L Collecott) 33.5,0,0.8=34.3. PON.— 1, Red Dandy (H Clarke) 29.8,4,3.2=37; 2, Monroe Lad (L Beckley) 33.5,0,6.8=40.3; 3, Night Fury (E Jennings) 35.8,8,2.4=46.2. BE100 sec G.—…

WE have known for nearly three years that the 2020 Olympic eventing will run on a three-to-a-team, all-scores-to-count format, but with Boekelo running the Nations Cup in this format, fans and riders have started to take in how it works. Having worked through the format to write a guide for the H&H website (horseandhound. co.uk/2020eventingformat), I believe one of the most confusing parts is that in some cases of elimination, a rider can continue in the subsequent phase(s) or be substituted. In other cases, the team must carry non-completion penalties in the next phase(s) as well as in the one the rider was actually eliminated in. Knowing which elimination is which is crucial. The competition will be more confusing than the traditional drop-score format. At Boekelo, the only teams who…

SINCE my last column, my husband and I have managed to get away on a four-day mini break — no horses, no children. This is a rarity for a cross-discipline horsey couple. In fact, I had a few cheeky comments on my instagram surprised to see that Mark really exists, as he does not feature as much as the horses do on my social media. I still haven’t nailed hashtags nor how or why to share “couply” pictures with lots of people. I am quite a private person really, but I suppose its all about moving with the times. This brings me on to the newly revived topic of a shortened grand prix, again to be trialled at Olympia. I believe it’s a great idea in theory to have a…

THIS year’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) was one of the best for entertainment. There were some exciting classes and Lorenzo is the best act of all time. There’s no doubting the show’s significance to the circuit and show centres appreciate the importance of being awarded HOYS qualifiers and the resulting extra revenue. The enthusiasm of British Showjumping (BS) members to compete at this prestigious event remains undimmed. It’s a unique experience to compete in front of such large crowds in an atmosphere whipped up by excellent commentators, lights and music. This year’s crowds were receptive, as we found when my wife Tina and I did a demonstration. Sons Will and Olli were riding and Rory Bremner was compère, with his brilliant wit and impressions. But nothing’s perfect and…

ELLISE SOUTER, 14, has landed four tickets to the Blue Chip Championships. The Buckinghamshire-based rider’s great run began at the British Showjumping Area 38 show at Berkshire College when she and Anne Mayden’s Irish-bred stallion, Expats Guardian Of The Seas (Guardian), galloped to victory in the sapphire class. Then at the same show, Ellise headed the coral qualifier on her own Carraun Phaidin (Woody). The following weekend, Ellise headed to Cherwell, where Woody won the sapphire and a double clear from Guardian in the discovery qualifier took fifth place and another Blue Chip ticket. Ellise was given the ride on the six-year-old Guardian in February by the pony’s producer Hollie Pearce, who is now her trainer. “I thought riding a stallion might be different, but he’s so much fun,” she…

VICTORIA EDWARDS-SONNEX caused a major formbook upset when her lovely seven-year-old Forester, Mallards Wood Apollo, overcame the might of the Connemaras to claim his Santa ticket in an exceptionally strong semi-final on day one, finishing second. The typey grandson of Robert Maton’s New Forest legend Mallards Wood Goddess is out of her daughter, Mallards Wood Delphi — one of few ponies to have dislodged Goddess’ Forest-bred crown at her local county show. “I was thrilled with this result, particularly in a class of so many beautiful Connemaras,” said home-producer Victoria, who also has a two-year-old out of Goddess waiting in the wings at home. “In Apollo’s first open season, he qualified for and was placed in the open, amateur and Pretty Polly finals at the RIHS and was fifth at…

QIPCO British Champions Day, Ascot Racecourse, Berks FOR most of the season, with the exception of the first couple of days of Royal Ascot, fast-ground horses have been able to hold sway. But the soft-ground specialists finally got their chance to shine when the mud was flying on the most valuable day in the calendar, the ninth QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday, 19 October. The ground might have done for Stradivarius in the Long Distance Cup when he went down by a nose to Kew Gardens but, that said, the two biggest races on the card — the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and the Champion Stakes — were both won by horses who are as at home on the quick as they are on the soft. Back…

UPSILON Tom Carlile’s Event Rider Masters star is recovering from a mystery illness. He is not expected to compete again, but Tom hopes to give him a happy retirement and a return to breeding has not been ruled out. MOROMAN Britain’s 2015 top hunter chaser and multiple point-to-point winner has been put down aged 12 owing to health reasons following a happy retirement. He also took Stratford’s Foxhunters Champion Hunter Chase. MOLLY MALONE V Ballywalter Farms’ mare, who took Bertram Allen to his first senior championships, has retired to have foals. The 15-year-old won grands prix, came third at the World Cup Final and seventh at the World Championships.…

▲FIRE ENGINES A four-year-old put on a pony by his hopeful mother appeared to enjoy his first ride. “Mummy,” he said, with great solemnity, “I like horses as much as fire engines.” There could be no higher praise. ▲EXCUSES To H&H Towers and aVery Important Meeting. Which one staffer missed, as the whipper-in was injured so she had to step in, and to which another wore muckers as she’d done the horses en route and forgotten shoes. Ah well. If there’s anywhere such transgressions should be forgiven… ▲BRITISH EVENTING British Dressage has just launched a shiny new website — and within hours, complaints emerged online. Hear that sigh? It’s the relief of the BE staff across the corridor at Stoneleigh, thanking the lord they’ve been through all that...…

‘I’ve never been a revolutionary, but I’ve always tried to make incremental improvements along the way’ IT is odd to think of Badminton without Hugh Thomas at the helm. After 31 years as director, his announcement — soon after this year’s event — that it had been his last, caught everyone by surprise. “I wanted to stop when I didn’t have to because I was unwell, or I’d overstayed my welcome,” reasons Hugh, 71. “The late Duke told everyone ‘Hugh’s promised to see me out’,” he laughs. “I hadn’t, but he said it so often, I almost believed it.” The transition from working with the late Duke to the new one has, claims Hugh, been smooth: “Of course, it is a big change because I worked with his father for…

FOXHOUNDS ENGLAND & WALES ALBRIGHTON & WOODLAND Joint-masters: A Crane, Miss K Dudley, J Plant. Hon sec: Mrs G Plant, nickthomas961@gmail.com Huntsman: J Walsh. Meet: Tuesdays & Saturdays. Subscription & cap: apply hon sec. aandwh.co.uk ASHFORD VALLEY TICKHAM Master: Mrs C Manser-Baines. Hon secs: Mrs C Back, christina.back@ ashfordvalleyhunt.co.uk; Mrs A Bardsley, annette.bardsley@ashfordvalleyhunt.co.uk Huntsman: N Staines. Meet: Wednesdays & Saturdays. Subscription & cap: apply hon sec. ashfordvalleyhunt.co.uk AVON VALE Joint-masters: M Smith, S Radbourne, M Broad. Hon sec: Mrs K Money-Kyrle, 07966 799747, Mrs K Smith, secretary@ avonvalehunt.co.uk Huntsman: Mr S Radbourne. KH: O Thompson. Meet: Tuesdays, Saturdays & alternate Thursdays. Subscription & cap: apply hon sec. avonvalehunt.co.uk AXE VALE Joint-masters: Mrs E Tancock, C Holmes. Hon sec: Mrs S Maynard, sally.maynard6@ gmail.com KH: C Shillam. Meet: Wednesdays & Saturdays. Subscription & cap:…

Equisupplies Calmsden, Glos ELLIE CLIST, 17, won novice section D on Cutton Bentley on the pair’s first attempt at the level. “It was a massive surprise to win — we were aiming just to complete,” said Ellie, who is an A-level student at King’s College in Taunton. “We bought ‘Riley’, who is nine, last November from his owner/breeder/rider and we’ve had an amazing season given the fact I’m not very experienced, with nine top-10 placings.” Ellie, who is hoping to study medicine, credits her mother, Trudy, for a lot of her success. “Mum is amazing — she often picks me up from college with Riley so I can train.” Fifteen-year-old Holly Clarke put a run of three third placings in spring pony trials behind her when topping the pony open…

ASKHAM BRYAN ON.— 1, Edison NJ (J Sommerville) 29.5,0,0=29.5; 2, Rockstar VII (E Carvey) 32.5,0,0=32.5; 3, Finnigans Gold (E Bradley) 29.8,0,5.6=35.4. nov sec H.— 1, Sir Percy Piggott (W Andrew) 34,0,6.8=40.8; 2, Ballyoskill Boy (H Bagley) 34.5,0,9.6=44.1; 3, Loretos Frolic (I Andrew) 37,4,7.6=48.6. sec I.— 1, Z7 Catastrophe (L Teal) 26.8,0,0=26.8; 2, Miss Pandora (J Sommerville) 27.3,0,0=27.3; 3, MHS Seventeen (S Bowe) 25,0,2.8=27.8. ONu18.— 1, Pennineview Silver Concorde (I Thompson) 32.5,0,0=32.5; 2, Equitrek Atom (I Saxby) 31.3,0,4.8=36.1; 3, Beltane Queen (R Scott) 36,0,0.8=36.8. BE100open.— 1, Forestland Of Drayton (H Bagley) 28,0,0=28; 2, Aberville (G Clarke) 30,0,1.6=31.6; 3, Be My Romeo (G Prest) 29.5,0,2.8=32.3. BE100 sec L.— 1, Stanhopes Travelling Man (E Clarke) 22,4,0.4=26.4; 2, Copperhall Barney (A Kirkwood) 29.8,0,0=29.8; 3, Annaghmore Lad (A Smith) 26.5,0,4.4=30.9. sec M.— 1, Classy Rebel…

Indiv nov.— 1, Shadana (A Ratcliffe, North West Cosmopolitan) 71.01; 2, Sycamore Stirling (D Rhodes, South West Daffy Ducks) 70.62; 3, Vancouver LG (L Williamson, North West Mojito) 70.57. indiv elem.— 1, Project Vilmar (C Ravenhill, Wales Total Eclipse of the Heart) 68.36; 2, Fantastic Khan (L Russell, North West Piña Colada) 68.19; 3, Horatio IV (S Gaunt, Northern Eclipse) 68.1. indiv med.— 1, Donaulied (K Lawrence, Southern Lanson) 69.82; 2, Fiasco II (B Collyer, Southern Taittinger) 67.61; 3, Ekko Falkenfurst (G Zaremba, Central Duchesses) 67.47. indiv adv med.— 1, Urban Knight (J Littlejohn, Eastern Portobello Road) 70.18; 2, Penhaligon Rockstein (R Hurst, Eastern Hendrix) 69.62; 3, Whatapallaver (M Gardner, Central Princesses) 69.41. indiv PSG.— 1, Dalvangs Lorenzo (H Colgate-Hardaway, Southern Bolinger) 68.51; 2, Faran (B Smith, Southern Lanson) 66.81;…

SPARSHOLT COLLEGE 13 Oct: prelim 15Q gold (J Welham).— 1, KL Decan Dun (D Mansfield) 74.2. silv.— 1, Ronaldo II (GB) (L Hawkins) 73.4; 2, Delsie (E Halfpenny) 71.4; 3, Swagger Lee (C Thorne) 64.6. brnz.— 1, Quarryfield Kaydee (S Hanson) 67.6; 2, Furstin Quartz (D Martin) 67.4; 3, Bakeburn Skylark (S Booth) 64.8. prelim 17Q gold (H Lewis).— 1, Beezies Marble (S Taylor) 68.27; 2, Aabenethys Eywas Bay Lady (G Abernethy Palmer) 66.37; 3, Indiana Dream (E Weston) 65.69. silv.— 1, Swagger Lee 70; 2, Ronaldo II (GB) 69.48; 3, Maia VI (S Phillips) 66.72. brnz.— 1, Furstin Quartz 70.34; 2, Millennium’s Star (C Baglin) 64.13. nov 23 gold (J Welham).— 1, Keystone Deluxe (S Green) 64.58. silv.— 1, KL Decan Dun 70; 2, Isara Trina (K Lockyer) 66.66;…

JACOBUS D is proving a model dressage horse after a novice double at Bury Farm EC, Bucks — the same week he appeared in Horse & Hound’s fashion feature. “We call him Digby, or Little Orange,” said Millie McBride of the “pocket-sized” 16.1hh De Niro gelding she rides for Claire Gallimore. “We bought him in Holland through Tristan Tucker and we’re using groundwork and Tristan’s TRT method to give him confidence. “He’s the loveliest horse. When I went to try him, Tristan said they’d must have sprinkled him with fairy dust.”…

18 Oct: Connolly’s Red Mills newcomers/1.10m open.— 1, Trevoulter Lady Utah (H Webster); 2, Tammy’s Girl (L Long); 3, Woodlands Chilli Morning (P Digby).1.15m open.— 1, Saber (L Long); 2, Woodlands Chilli Morning; 3, Clint Star (A Silk-Jones). Equitop Myoplast Foxhunter/1.20m open.— 1, Croquant De La Pomme (L Long); 2, Naomi 55 (N Wilson); 3, Horace Slughorn (N Wilson). DDS Demolition 1.25m winter qualifier.— 1, Kesara 22 (L Edwards); 2, A Silk-Jones (C Nobile); 3, Catoo Van De Helle (T Greenwood). winter grade C qualifier.— 1, Larigo II (T De Gruchy); 2, C Chant (For Robin); 3, Cachento (H Webster). national winter 1.35m open.— 1, Ella Sandra G (L Edwards); 2, Zagahorn (M Armstrong); 3, Harlequin Dunraven (K Doyle). 19 Oct: Connolly’s Red Mills newcomers.— 1, Ivar D V (L…

British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Heritage Championships, Arena UK, Lincs A SERIES of enchanting performances from Olivia Brightmore, nine, and her super-mannerly home-produced Shetland Lotuspoint Cassius, garnered not only the restricted and open ridden titles, but a first ticket to “see Santa” at Olympia and, ultimately, a first supreme of show award for her family. The grand finale featured several experienced pairs, but supreme judge Joanne Griffin had no doubts about her winner. “This was a truly lovely combination — in complete harmony and presenting a beautiful picture,” she said. “The pony is a good example of its breed, never put a foot wrong and combines a bit of ‘attitude’ with perfect manners.” This is the second season for the locally based pair. Cassius was bought last April as a…

NOW that the dust has settled after the 2019 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), I have noticed some derogatory comments on social media about how professionals win everything. I really didn’t see this as the case this year. Yes, we saw some record-breaking results, but we also saw a lot of home-produced triumphs — I counted 14 — which is fantastic. However, we must not take away from the record breakers. The show pony Rotherwood Rainmaker recorded his sixth win, admirably retiring at the top, as did Michelle Cuerden’s dual HOYS winner and 2019 coloured champion Del Boy, who was ridden by Vikki Smith. Vikki’s sister Amy and her pony Laburnum Richard also recorded their third HOYS win. Lead-rein pony Thistledown Van-Der-Vaart won his fifth mini mountain and moorland…

WE rural people don’t always appreciate how much we rely on our ability to drive, until the prospect of not being able to looms. Even if most of my time behind the wheel is spent ferrying children and their errant ponies. Back in February a letter arrived from Northumbria Police saying that one of us had been caught speeding in Powburn, a village not far from here. A quick look in the diary revealed that it was me, not Adam, who was driving that day — I was taking Alec back to school. I couldn’t remember being flashed by the mobile van, which is not surprising really as I was buzzing along at 50mph in a 30mph limit. Not great. I filled in a form pleading guilty and waited to…