Innholdsfortegnelse for 27-Oct-2016 i Horse & Hound

ARAB horses’ hearts are comparatively larger than those of other breeds, a recent study has found. Scientists from the University of Paris-Est recorded data from 340 endurance horses aged between four and six, between 2011 and 2014. It found purebred Arabs did not have the smallest hearts, although they were the smallest horses involved in the study. “Small body size might be an advantage in endurance competitions,” said the researchers. “However, other factors, such as the heart’s dimensions relative to the body, or the capacity of rapid heart-rate recovery after the race, appear important and should be studied.” Despite the differences between breeds, no significant variations were found between genders. The study also explored changes in the horses’ cardiac dimensions. It found the size of the left ventricle increased in…

RIDERS are invited to help make eventing safer by taking part in a new study. Myerscough College PhD student Heather Cameron-Whytock is researching factors that contribute to horse falls. She is carrying out data analysis on the past 10 years of British Eventing (BE) competitions. Ms Cameron-Whytock plans to collect data from 2017 BE competitions, and is calling for riders to help gather the information. Horses and riders will wear heart rate monitors for one training session and in the cross-country phase of two BE competitions. Saliva samples from both horse and rider will also be taken, before and after their cross-country round, and analysed for “stress hormone” cortisol. Ms Cameron-Whytock said the data will provide information about demands on horses and riders, and could mean more accurate assessment of…

FUNDRAISING To celebrate the return of jump racing at Hereford racecourse, the track’s Rusty Bridge Restaurant held a fundraising event that raised over £10,500 for St Michael’s Hospice. Richard Johnson and Peter Scudamore were among the guests. ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE The oldest veterinary school in the English-speaking world has celebrated its 225th birthday. To mark the occasion, the college invited alumni to attend special events, including a gala dinner, film screening, ethical debate and campus tour, on 15 and 16 October. THIRSTY RIDERS The recently launched Riders Retreat is a 1970s horse trailer transformed into a licensed mobile bar, at which equestrians can enjoy a tipple or two. BROOKE Grand prix dressage riders Bobby and Paul Hayler performed a demonstration at Quob Stables in Southampton for equine charity Brooke. More…

MOST injuries sustained by Flat horses on race days in Britain are not career-ending, according to a recent study. Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and the British Horseracing Authority researchers analysed 14 years worth of data and found that 70% of recorded injuries were minor. “It was not surprising to find that most veterinary incidents reported on race day are relatively minor and not career-ending. This is of course a good thing,” said author Sarah Rosanowski from the RVC. “Although the good news is that the majority of injuries are not life-threatening, the fatality rates in British Flat racing have remained relatively stable rather than declining over the past decade.” The study, Descriptive epidemiology of veterinary events in Flat racing thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000 to 2013), found soft tissue injuries,…

ENDURANCE AT ITS BEST Sir — I was delighted to read your positive article on Tricia Hirst’s magnificent achievement at the Red Dragon Festival of Endurance (reports, 13 October). After so many negative reports of malpractice and excessive speeds, this showed what our wonderful sport is really about: reading the conditions correctly, knowing the limitations of your horse and yourself, and being prepared to venture out in all weathers. Then, after successfully completing distances of up to 100 miles in a day, being thrilled to receive no more than a beautiful rosette and a sound horse. This is true endurance riding: the perfect demonstration of the special partnership built up between human and horse over several years and many miles. Rosie Marsh Halstead, Essex TAKE CARE! Sir — At the…

REPORTS from the ever-popular Countryside Alliance Newcomers’ Week indicate large numbers of people are enjoying hunting for the first time. It looks as though the impact of Brexit may yet be felt in many aspects of our everyday lives, however thankfully hunting continues to be a wonderful distraction from that for all those who follow on horse, on foot or in a car. Spectacular images from the first of the opening meets have already been coming through, but excitement builds ahead of the big day for the packs getting under way over the coming week. In our hunting special, Adrian Dangar reminds us that however well prepared meets may be, weather conditions on the day will usually determine the sport hounds can provide (see p38), so expectations must be managed.…

Fitness without the fuss • I used do a lot of running and swimming to keep fit, but now I have two children I don’t have time, so I incorporate my own fitness into my riding. • For cantering or hill work I shorten my stirrups more than I would for cross-country so my legs have a good workout and I work on my core and balance. • For cavaletti work, I often ride without stirrups so that I can work on myself as well as the horse. Sit and smile • You often see riders working too hard in the dressage, as they have not taught their horses to respond to light aids. • When you create energy with your leg it is vital to give with your hand,…

• “I don’t try to fit anything else into my day on a Friday,” says Sophie White. “I get my horse ready before I do the school run, so that when the children are home it’s all about the ponies.” • “Organisation,” says Rachel Griffin. “You have to be organised with six ponies out. “Everything is laid out ready on a Friday night so that it’s not too chaotic on a Saturday morning and everyone can enjoy themselves.” • “Chocolate,” says Sophie. “The children stuff as many chocolate bars into their pockets as they can. If they’re cold, they eat more chocolate rather than go home.” • “Porridge made with milk and golden syrup for breakfast,” says Miranda Denne. “And pockets stuffed with chocolate.” • “A couple of hogged manes,”…

INGRID KLIMKE was talking Tokyo 2020 after Weisse Duene finished in her own league in the World Championship for seven-year-olds. They won by more than 10 penalties from Pippa Funnell and Billy Walk On. “I’m so excited that Pippa and I both have horses to keep us going for another four years,” said Ingrid, who last won here on her debut in 1998 with Sleep Late, who competed at two Olympics. Pippa put up the first sub-40 score with a workmanlike test on Friday morning. Only Ingrid could better it, posting 36.9. “She’s very sweet, never over-sensitive, spooky or bothered by the spectators,” Ingrid said of Weisse Duene. These two lay more than five penalties ahead of Austria’s Charlotte Dobretsberger (Vally K), who was stunned to find herself in such…

Thomas Tulloch THE 17-year-old topped off his first season on horses with victory in CIC* section N, his first senior international victory. Thomas was part of last year’s gold medal-winning pony European team with Spirit VI. He made a flying start in his bid for junior team selection by claiming his debut win at this level riding a seven-year-old son of Solitair, Bally Blackjack (pictured, above). It was also the horse’s first triumph at one-star, having had a previous career showjumping. The 16.1hh gelding is joint-owned by Jancis Tulloch, Susie Guild, Rose Paterson and Sarah Wills. “We bought him from a showjumping yard at the beginning of this year - he’s a pretty horse and does a good dressage test,” said Thomas. “He has a huge jump, but I have…

ALTHOUGH 2016 was an Olympic year, we lacked standout moments on the home scene. Michael Jung’s Rolex Grand Slam and his second Olympic title were the highlights — it’s just a pity he isn’t British! Many nations have changes for next year. Chris Bartle is the favourite to take over from Yogi Breisner as British performance manager. Meanwhile Eric Duvander and Clayton Fredericks are leaving the New Zealanders and Canadians. In the new Team GBR, there must be closer collaboration between British Eventing and the World Class programmes. We need co-ordinated coaching so that the transition from ponies to juniors and young riders and beyond is seamless. At present we have too many coaches saying too many different things, and then we wonder why we don’t see more riders coming…

Lily Payne THE 12-year-old made an impressive international debut as the pathfinder for British riders in the new children-on-horses section - an FEI initiative. Children aged 12 to 14 years are eligible and the tests are at elementary level. Although there were only four riders forward for this new section, the scores were high and the competition between the top three was close. Lily rode three consistent and mature tests on Ann Savage’s Beckhouse Cancara and claimed victory in the team test (71.38%). She was also third in both the prelim and individual with over 68%. “The opportunity to ride ‘Cara’ arose and it was an instant partnership,” said Lily’s mother Sarah. “The trust and harmony between them is outstanding and since Lily is tall for her age the decision…

‘Ralph was prone to weight gain’ FOR those of us who have ended the summer with a portly pony or a horse who has enjoyed a little too much summer grass, all is not lost. The colder winter months are the ideal time to shift those surplus pounds. One horse owner who took advantage of winter weight loss last season was Alexa Thomson, with her rather round 15hh coloured cob Ralph. Like many cobs, Ralph was prone to weight gain, and every spring since Alexa had owned him his girth has had to be let down another hole. Alexa also noticed that Ralph was often the last horse on the yard to get his summer coat and, determined not to let the same scenario happen again, she set out to…

LOOK out Nick. There’s a new Skelton on the block — and this one is also winning grands prix. At this year’s All Stars show, 20-year-old Chelsea Skelton — no relation — had the three days of her life, culminating in the best win of her career in the closing grand prix. This was no fluke result, either. A brilliant first-round clear gave Chelsea and Caramba pole position in the seven-horse finale and when she returned for the jump-off, she had Laura Renwick and new ride Con Chilli to beat. But with the confidence of youth, Chelsea set off at speed. Caramba answered every question and they breezed through the finish to take the £3,000 top prize by almost 0.4 of a second, to a huge ovation from the capacity…

• NICOLE PAVITT and Shahenaz won the six-bar at the CSI3* St Lo, France, the sole rider to clear 2.10m. Nicole also finished in the money on Areeb OL in Saturday’s big speed class while Guy Williams took the runner-up in Sunday’s speed competition on Titus, with Ireland’s Dermott Lennon third on Valent. • ON the Autumn MET Tour CSI2*, Chloe Aston racked up an incredible four-timer with a hat-trick on Amigo T and another win with Cecilia. Niall Talbot of Ireland won Saturday’s 1.45m jump-off class on the ever-dependable 15-year-old Nicos De La Cense. Alex Butler (Hallowberry Cruz), Anthony Condon (Dakar RS) and Jonathan Gordon (Cesha Old) were also Irish winners this week. Dominic Webb and Archie gained a brace of victories on the Silver Tour and Ellen Whitaker…

I’VE just packed off nine horses for a tour in Mijas, Spain — how times have changed since the first Sunshine Tour kicked off in the mid-1990s. Originally, there were just the spring tours designed to get horses started outside early in the season and to escape the winter blues. Now, because the facilities are absolutely beautiful, the venues at Oliva Nova, Mijas and Vilamoura are all trying to maximise their potential and have started autumn tours. Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) used to mark the end of the outdoor and beginning of the indoor season, but the tour in Mijas won’t end until the third week of November. The attraction of this option is that our indoor shows are fading out, especially in the south. At my most…

VERDICTS are still coming in on whether the first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) junior ridden mountain and moorland (M&M) championships lived up to expectations. I have to admit I was initially dubious about the concept; the final was originally announced as a stepping stone for riders aged 10 to 14 years on small breeds, to ensure that their progress wasn’t being stifled by adult riders, but many people believed that it could potentially turn out to be just another M&M first ridden class added to the timetable. Having watched it, I’m now happy to climb down from the fence and say that it was a great starting point. While I feel the eligibility for this final still needs tweaking, on the day the right combinations were rewarded and…

ALMOST a third of horse owners are not using the right wormer to treat encysted small redworm, new statistics show. Responses to this year’s National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) show that although 77% of respondents intended to treat for the parasite, of the 89% who could remember which wormer they used, only 68% had correctly used moxidectin, alone or with praziquantel. The remainder used a product not effective in treating the encysted larval stages of the parasite, which can be fatal in horses, or one for which there is evidence of resistance, such as a five-day course of fenbendazole. Vet Wendy Smith, of animal health company Zoetis, said: “Encysted small redworm still kills horses, particularly young animals or those with an incorrect worming regime. “It is your responsibility as an…

IT’S worth remembering that some of the riders presenting these horses were probably in the biggest atmospheres of their lives, performing in front of a large audience in an electric atmosphere. Young horses can be unpredictable, and so can nervous riders’ reactions. Who hasn’t allowed tension to creep in under a test environment, which wouldn’t happen at home? Perhaps the young, inexperienced horse offers too much power in this atmosphere, and riders less capable or knowledgeable than Charlotte resort to the rein to try to cap that exuberance. This in no way means this method is desirable; far from it. But it is on some occasions understandable , and these riders will undoubtedly learn from the ensuing online furore.…

ADELINDE CORNELISSEN With the upcoming retirement of Parzival, Austrian entrepreneur Herbert Jerich said he will no longer sponsor Adelinde. Mr Jerich helped her keep the ride on the chestnut in 2009 when his co-owner wanted to sell his share. GEMMA HOGG The assistant trainer to Micky Hammond for the past nine years is one of four new judges to be announced for the 2017 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards. Ms Hogg will be joined on the panel by Julian Dollar, Ollie McPhail and Hazel Peplinski. SARAH MYHILL The team chaser is out of action for the rest of the season following a hunting fall. Sarah, a member of the Fox Grant Thrusters when they were national champions in 2014, cracked a vertebra but was reported to be in good…

POLO’S governing body is predicting a staffing crisis following a Home Office crackdown on visas for foreign grooms and riders, writes Sarah Radford. The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) has been suspended from endorsing visa applications after a string of sponsors had their licences withdrawn last month. Of 15 compliance visits to polo yards by UK Visas and Immigration, all 15 were suspended, with the Home Office saying they did not believe the 90% grooms and 10% players involved were at an elite level. Stringent enforcement, and plans to tighten criteria further, have now sparked concerns over the availability of staff. The HPA’s chief executive David Woodd has said people are in effect being stopped from employing overseas grooms, unless they are playing high-goal polo. “Grooms don’t grow on trees and…

PERRI THE CAT Show rider Lucinda Kathryn Scott-Morgan’s cat Perri stowed away on her lorry when she travelled from Wales to the Heritage Championships (15-16 October). Perri escaped on arrival at Arena UK, Lincs, but turned up outside the lorry door the next morning. THE ARCHERS’ BARTLEBY Bartleby, Joe Grundy’s beloved horse in the Radio 4 soap The Archers, has been under the weather. Fans speculated that the horse’s demise could mark the beginning of the end for elderly Joe. A STUCK MARE A horse was trapped in mud in Hants on 13 October. Firefighters moved her to safely within two hours. A HORSE-SLAPPER A woman in New York was caught on camera slapping a police horse’s hindquarters. The horse reacts by lifting his leg and the woman falls over,…

SHOWING The Willberry Wonder Pony Charity Show hosted by Rushden and District Riding Club will take place on 30 October at Glebe Farm Equestrian Centre, Northants. www.glebefarmec.co.uk FUN RIDE Enjoy a five-mile fancy dress Halloween ride in the grounds of Elvaston Castle, Derbyshire, on 30 October. www.bhs.org.uk CONFERENCE Take part in a fire and safety conference run by the British Horse Society and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service on 31 October at Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre, Salisbury. www.bhs.org.uk EXHIBITION The Spirit of Horses equine photography exhibition will run until 5 November at Cranleigh Arts Centre, Surrey. www.cranleighartscentre.org BALL The British Show Pony Society area 1a will hold its end of season ball at Redworth Hall Hotel, Co. Durham, on 29 October. www.equoevents.co.uk CLINIC Boost your performance…

I am increasingly concerned about the reported cases of horses not surviving the long journeys after being transported from the UK to Europe (news, 29 September). Dead and distressed horses are frequently found in loads, having endured a horrific journey. Sadly it is sometimes the case that an elderly horse who has had a good life ends up being transported abroad for slaughter, instead of owners taking the responsibility of having their horse put to sleep in familiar surroundings. It appears checks at the ports are not adequate as the reports of (in some cases) the multiple death of horses in transit still continue. Defra, the governing body for regulating the transportation of live animals, does not appear to be enforcing the law at the ports adequately to avoid these…

Eating out… I love a Japanese at Wabi in Horsham, but equally enjoy a good steak at our local country pub, The Black Duck. Watching… I’m a big fan of TV series, my favourites being Suits, Sons of Anarchy and Homeland. Looking back… When I was 18 and trying to impress the judges, my horse lost its balance, having performed a few unscheduled moves, and fell over. He then casually got up and trotted past the judges’ box out of the arena, dragging me behind due to my foot being wedged in the stirrup. Getting away from it all… Escaping to the Maldives and Thailand, where I love to go diving. My biggest indulgence… Horses take just about everything I have. Listening to… A classic 1980s soundtrack, particularly Bryan Adams…

CANDY FLOSS, a 10-year-old Irish sport horse/thoroughbred mare (pictured left, in the field after treatment), was caught up in a strangles outbreak at the livery yard where she was kept. Each of the horses at the yard underwent endoscopic examination and lavage of their guttural pouches to identify which were infected. When Candy’s pouches were scoped, a small, soft chondroid was found in one, indicating that she was indeed harbouring infection. Candy was admitted to an equine hospital, where the chondroid was removed under sedation using a trans-endoscopic basket forceps - an instrument used to grab the solid ball of pus and pull it out via her nose. After removal of the chondroid, her pouches were flushed twice daily with very dilute iodine solution. This was followed by direct installation…

RADIO breakfast show editor Jessica Rudkin is used to making headlines, but the Chipping Sodbury-based rider stole the limelight for herself at Broadway (2), on 15-16 October, when she won BE90 section A with her own Proper Dazzler. “It’s only taken us three years to win a section!” said Jessica, who fits riding around working for two radio stations — BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Somerset. She made the video tributes to Hannah Francis that went viral just before the inspirational teenage eventer died from cancer in August. “I ride first thing in the morning before work, usually while listening to one of the stations’ breakfast shows on my phone so I can review it with the team later,” she explained. “Dazzle is used to hearing all sorts of background…

Stephanie Sacks THE 13-year-old ended her season on a high at Oasby (2) with victory in a BE90 section and a sixth place in the open novice under-18 riding Kingsland Prince Of Tide (Rueben) and Louise’s Pet (Donald) respectively. “The ponies are very different to ride - Rueben is quite lazy and can drop behind the leg, whereas Donald is very enthusiastic,” said Stephanie, who is at boarding school in Ascot and travels home to Lincolnshire most weekends to ride. “Emily Prangnell keeps the ponies fit when I’m not there and she teaches me, too, which is great because she knows both ponies inside out.” Stephanie, who is a member of the Blankney branch of the Pony Club and won two BE100s back to back last year with Rueben, has…

SOUTH-EAST Daganay’s progress accelerates SUZANNE LAVANDERA and Keystone Daganay made up for lost opportunities this season by securing their advanced medium regionals ticket in one outing, reports Celia Cadwallader. They scored 72.37% and 76.05% at the final show of 2016 at Hickstead, West Sussex (15 October). ‘Merlin’ had been due to compete at the Merrist Wood regionals in February and at the nationals, but hospitalisation following an eye injury caused owner Janet Gee to withdraw from the Stoneleigh show. The eight-year-old Dimaggio x Weltmeyer stallion has not competed since July. Commenting on their advanced medium 98, judge Mark Ruddock said: “Suzanne’s masterly riding showed itself in the way she read her horse. She knew moment by moment when to turn down the power and when to ask.” Suzanne added: “He’s…

ROSEMARY MCKERRELL’S home-bred Di Angelis (Treliver Decanter x Donnerschlag) is back on track after a potentially career-threatening injury. In February, the six-year-old mare pulled out of her headcollar and ulcerated her cornea. At first it seemed to be healing well on the surface, but the deeper layers of the eye deteriorated. With her eyeball on the point of rupture, she was rushed to the Royal Veterinary College where she was operated on by ophthalmic surgeon Rick Sanchez. While the mare was under anaesthetic he took a pedicle graft from the conjunctiva, which was drawn up to form a patch over the cornea, leaving part (the pedicle) attached so the blood supply remained intact. Twelve weeks later, the stub of the pedicle was snipped off. “It was really clever stuff,” said…

THIS young stallion impressed with previous rider Lucy Bunn and has continued to turn heads with Julie Andrews, who picked him up in September after he was bought by Emelie Marsh. Julie first saw the six-year-old son of Billy Congo and Orange Juice, another international performer, with William Funnell in the summer at Bolesworth. “I was sitting watching with Emelie and when he came into the ring I remarked on what a beautiful horse he was. By the end of the round, we both wanted him,” said Julie. “William Funnell wanted him to stay in Britain and he’s given me so much advice. This horse has got everything. He already has foals on the ground, but his manners are impeccable because he’s been produced so well. He has the brain,…

A four-year-old Dartmoor gelding at his first-ever show under saddle eclipsed all competition to land the BSPS Native Pony Heritage overall supreme of show title. Craig Elenor’s beautifully mannered lead-rein contender Springwater Sadlers Wells (Wellie) had not even been in a show ring since appearing in-hand as a yearling, but made his mark from the outset by winning his restricted mini class on the first day. However, this was just the beginning of a remarkable run that defied all the odds. In the busy evening performance, this lovely gelding performed like an old pro — beautifully ridden by seven-year-old Cate Kerr — to land the restricted mini title, reappearing the following afternoon to stand overall Heritage mini champion. Then came the “big one”. Against a star-studded line-up — which included…

A visit to Cheltenham in the autumn is always a sign of an impending cranking up of the action for National Hunt fans and, with the Flat season now deemed to end on British Champions Day at Ascot (15 October), the home of jump racing’s Showcase meeting took on even more resonance as it kick-started the season. What the forthcoming National Hunt season really needs, however, is a few solid inches of rain. The ground was perfect at Cheltenham but, to get it so, clerk of the course Simon Claisse had been watering since August and, until we get rain, the real stars of the jump season will be coming out only in dribs and drabs. So far the two trainers sending out the most winners have been Paul Nicholls…

PHOTOGRAPHS on social media from the Swedish young horse championships in Flyinge — at which Charlotte Dujardin was the test rider — have sparked heated debate online about rollkur. Rollkur, or hyperflexion, is used to describe a horse ridden very over-bent, using force to achieve the frame. A set of photographs and a video posted on Facebook by an animal rights advocate showed riders warming up horses behind the vertical — significantly in some cases. In the footage, Charlotte can then be seen riding the same horses in a much more open frame. The post has had nearly 2,000 shares, with many condemning the way the horses were presented by their own riders, and some going as far as to call it abuse. Anne J Mackay wrote: “So unnecessary! The…

EURO PRINCE Eventer Clare Abbott hopes to retain the ride on her Rio partner after he is sold at Goresbridge next month. The 13-year-old gelding, who finished 37th individually with Clare at the Games, is one of the lots at the “Go for Gold” sale on 14-16 November. MOSCOW FLYER The legendary chaser has been put down at the age of 22 after a bout of colic. Trainer Jessica Harrington paid tribute to the “once in a lifetime” horse, whose victories included the Arkle and two Queen Mother Champion Chases. SFN ZENITH NOP Jeroen Dubbeldam has kept the ride on his Rio mount for the present. The Showjumping Fund of the Netherlands has agreed to allow Jeroen to compete Zenith, who was not sold in its auction last month, until…

Our roads are not race tracks, said MP Jake Berry, who is pushing for changes to the driving theory test to protect horses and riders. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ jake-berry-road-safety Jockey Wilson Renwick hopes to “do a Pendleton in reverse” as he retires from jump racing with hopes of becoming an elite cyclist. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ wilson-renwick The Beaufort Hunt joined forces with others in the rural community to donate aid to those in the Calais “Jungle” camp. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ calais-jungle-aid Valegro (pictured) will have “the send-off he deserves” on the Wednesday evening of Olympia, and also appear on the Tuesday. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ valegro-retirement Riders including Ben Hobday, Gemma Tattersall and Laura Renwick are supporting a ball in aid of Willberry Wonder Pony. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ willberry-ball Animal charity the Blue Cross says it has seen an “unprecedented” rise in the number of abandoned…

A rise in prices at this year’s drift sale marks a “positive” step for Dartmoor hill ponies, according to welfare groups. At the last remaining traditional sale, for which ponies are herded from the moor, held by Rendells at Chagford market on 12 October, an encouraging 80% of lots were sold. Prices were up on average £12.52 per pony on last year and three times their 2014 values, when 55% of ponies changed hands. “It was a very upbeat atmosphere and there was a variety of buyers,” said Lorraine Clark of South West Equine Protection (SWEP). Demand was highest for coloured and spotted types, with one piebald filly selling for £367.50, and two spotted fillies for £262.50 and £315. “The last time we had a sale like that was 2006,…

NEW championships introduced by British Dressage (BD) have helped “remove the stigma” attached to the sport, writes Rachael Turner. Since 2014, BD has launched several new competition series aimed to open up dressage to more types of horses. The championships include competitions for native horses and ponies, traditional gypsy cobs, draught horses, veterans and retrained racehorses. Most recently, BD announced its Arab dressage championship (news, 20 October), for pure and part-breds. The new leagues have been well received by riders, particularly the native breeds competition, which was introduced this year (news, 28 April). More than 500 combinations have qualified for the final (30 October), which has classes from intro to prix st georges. “We are delighted to welcome so many to the championships,” BD’s sports operations manager Paul Graham told…

LOOKING to make a speedy trip across the capital? A study has found that in parts of London, buses travel slower than a horse-drawn carriage, and in some areas they barely outpace pedestrians. The research revealed that their average speed on the busiest London roads was just 3.8mph. An average horse’s trot reaches 9.3mph — more than twice the speed of the bus. The average person walks at a speed of 3.1mph. However, if carriages were to make a resurgence in London, they too would have to contend with stop-start traffic in central streets, so their speed would inevitably drop to the same level of the buses. The study was conducted by traffic information company Inrix for The Sunday Times, and looked at 18 urban areas across Britain. It also…

HE may be named after a popular family game that falls down easily, but Jenga II remained rock solid for Louise Harwood to top the CIC2*. The pair led from pillar to post, having produced a 40.5 dressage, and finished 4.8 marks ahead of their closest rivals Steve Garrod and Ufonzo. The 12-year-old was home-bred by his owner Cynthia Higgon — who names all her horses after board games — and has been a consistent three-star campaigner for Louise. “I took him showjumping in the week before Aldon and we managed to beat the jumpers, winning the newcomers at Summerhouse. He’s a super jumper but can have the odd silly rail,” said Louise, who faced a four-hour drive home to Herefordshire. “He’s an opinionated horse to ride, but he did…

Lucy Holland THE college lecturer had a round trip of nearly 300 miles to secure her win in the BE100 regional final at Bovington (2). “I didn’t realise I’d qualified for a regional final until all my local events had been and gone,” explained the East Sussex-based rider, who partnered her own Beaghmore Mat (pictured) to victory. “I joked to my friends that I had better win as it had cost me a fortune to get there. “It’s been a long-held dream to ride at Badminton. I lost my confidence with a previous horse and the thought of riding around a BE90 was daunting, so to win at BE100 level is a real shock.”…

A large British contingent collected their fair share of spoils at the autumn show held at Boulerie Jump’s huge and busy complex in Yvré-L’Éveque. Henriette Andersen and Warlocks Charm secured the unanimous vote of the judges when they danced their way to a comfortable win in the grand prix kür. The harmonious combination rode to music by Tom Hunt and showcased their extended canter into double pirouettes and their lines of expressive flying changes to earn 75.3%. “He has been on top form this weekend and today he answered all the questions. It’s easy to be on the music when the horse is listening to you. I couldn’t have asked for any more from him tonight — he put in a huge effort,” enthused Henriette as she fed ‘Ted’ his…

‘I squashed everything in’ THE “I must be mad” award goes to Deniqua Westwood for winning the silver section of both elementaries at Crow Wood EC, Lancs (14 October), riding her own Serafina IV - while 39 weeks pregnant. “They gave me two due dates but the first one was obviously wrong and 24 October is supposed to be D-day,” said Deniqua, whose biggest problem was fitting into her jodhpurs. “I begrudged spending money for a large pair of jods for one outing so I squashed everything in and luckily my riding jacket is made of a very stretchy material.” Deniqua is still riding seven horses a day at home, and is reckoning on being back in the saddle a maximum of one week after the birth. “It’s my livelihood,…

DRESSAGE for all is the theme for this year’s British Dressage (BD) National Convention but does BD really provide dressage for all? Maybe, but it’s not the same for all. If we are to have three tiers — bronze, silver and gold, as in the new structure — then surely we should have three championships, and each of those should run twice a year. Perhaps with the benefit of hindsight BD should have stated what it wanted to achieve, devised the ideal championship structure, then built the system around getting the right people to the right finals. Trying to turn a two-tier system with a two-tier championship into a three-tier system still with a two-tier final format was always going to create problems. Maybe if there was a bronze summer…

“TRAVELLING with horses in the dark can present certain challenges, but anticipating these and thinking ahead can ensure that both you and your horse stay safe,” says British Horse Society director of safety, Alan Hiscox. “Before going out on any journey, always ensure that all lights on the trailer, towing vehicle or horsebox are working correctly. You should tell someone where you are going, and what time you expect to be back.” Alan also advises being prepared in the event of a breakdown. “Ensure you have suitable breakdown cover and equine rescue in case of emergencies. Always carry a torch and keep hi-viz in your vehicle, for both you and your horse. This can be used if you break down and need to transfer your horse to a different vehicle.”…