Innholdsfortegnelse for 4-Jul-2024 i Horse & Hound

MOST teams have been chosen for the Paris Olympics, and boy what teams, what excitement and what a competition this is going to be. As Mark Phillips referenced (opinion, 27 June), the teams of three pose a challenge, as the pressure of all scores to count means there isn’t the slightest room for either error or misfortune. There’s no denying it will add to the tension, but these riders can handle and thrive under pressure. Add to the mix that if Charlotte Dujardin wins any medal in Paris she will become the most decorated female British Olympian – what a story that would be for the sport. We wish all selected riders the best of luck and look forward to celebrating your successes. If you have not yet subscribed to…

FOUR DEATHS TO BE INVESTIGATED THE British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is to investigate four equine deaths at Newton Abbot racecourse on 25 June. Happy Helen, Hallowed Rose, Bala Brook and Cuzzicombe all suffered fatal injuries. The BHA said “losing four horses at a single fixture is rare but this does not reduce the seriousness with which the BHA takes this matter”. It added: “Our thoughts are with everyone connected to the horses who suffered fatal injuries. The loss of any horse is always a dreadful occurrence… so a day like yesterday is one that deeply saddens all of us who love the sport. “All four deaths will be thoroughly investigated to understand as best as possible how they occurred, and a report will be compiled on the condition of the…

Dressage star Charlotte Dujardin will be Britain’s most decorated female Olympian if she wins a seventh medal in Paris. She is equal with cyclist Laura Kenny. Showjumper Matt Sampson and 16-year-old stallion Daniel won the CSI5* 1.60 Pan American Cup grand prix at Spruce Meadows, Canada, on 30 June. Five-star event rider Louise Harwood is recovering from spinal surgery following a fall from a mucktrailer. She will spend six weeks in a body and neck brace. Trainer William Haggas won another Group One when Tom Marquand rode Dubai Honour to victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France on 30 June. Showjumper Paul Barker won the 2024 British Masters title with 12-year-old stallion Green Grass at South View Equestrian Centre, Cheshire, on 30 June.…

oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr THE Olympic team has been announced and what a team we have. The selectors have had it easy as the highestscoring combinations have clearly been Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin, Lottie Fry and Becky Moody. Congratulations also to our youth teams who have been working their socks off, with some doing their school exams alongside competing to earn their team places at the European Championships. They can often be found swotting in between tests and even doing exams online in between competitions. Most of the under-25 team are starting out as young professionals and affording time away from earning their living can be a juggling act. It’s also important to remember that our teams are not just about the three or four riders selected but also the support staff,…

I first came into contact with horses at about seven years old. I was young and my autism resulted in a constant need to be occupied, so we would go for days out at a farm park near my home in Suffolk, and every visit would include a short pony ride. We would always ride up and down the same short route, and then the pony would return to its stable, where I would always spend time stroking its face and looking into its eyes. As I grew up and moved through various stages of education, I struggled more and more. During my time in mainstream high school, I reached breaking point. The bullies – capitalising on my emotional fragility and social difficulties – would throw food, punches and verbal…

KUDOS CLEAR ARC BRIDLE BY LEMIEUX Crafted from European leather, this bridle is designed to minimise pressure on the delicate areas of your horse’s face. The headpiece is padded and anatomically shaped for good ear clearance. £179.95 lemieux.com POD X BY PIVO The new and improved hands-free solo filming device now features a 30-degree vertical tilt. Also includes motion tracking to keep you and your horse in the frame, so you can now get the best angle for every shot. £344.43 uk.pivo.ai ELITE EXTRA SHORT LUXUS LEATHER RIDING BOOT BY RHINEGOLD Following a redesign of its boots, Rhinegold has diversified its sizing to help riders of all body types find their perfect fit. Crafted from high-quality leather, these long boots now come in an extra-short length and four calf widths.…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ LINCOLNSHIRE SHOW 19–20 June Lincolnshire Show, Lincolnshire Showground THE in-form Team Ward enjoyed a clean sweep on their first visit to Lincoln. Elsie Lynch partnered the already qualified 133cm worker Noble Peppermint to a win and section title, ahead of Ruby Ward on Angela Hunt’s 143cm victor, Lady Dublin Of Corderry (Dory), who landed her second Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket in as many days. “He thrives on a tricky course” ELEANOR HIRST “Pepper” qualified at Midland Counties, and Dory headed the native workers at Cheshire two days previously. There could have been a team treble here too, but Ruby’s mother Kelly Ward – who qualified for HOYS with MJM Laszlo at Hambleton – is now recuperating from an operation on her ankle. “We normally do…

THE ridden small breed title fell to working Dartmoor stallion, Meering Rocket, partnered by Natalie Mulrooney (née Middlemas), contesting her first HOYS class for seven years. “Nat is a close friend, so we persuaded her to ride him here,” said producer Steven Hulston, who coowns Rocket with partner Mark Reeves and Frances Thornley-Taylor. “This was Nat’s ‘comeback’ show and Rocket’s first HOYS ticket, so a special day for us all – he even has two ladies waiting for him this evening at home as a reward.” FIRST HOYS TICKET…

A WELSH section A mare and her 12-year-old jockey jointly booked their RIHS debuts at the head of Hickstead’s M&M first ridden qualifier. Annabelle Parker was in the saddle of her mother Janina’s eight-year-old Floreat Crocus (pictured). The Heniarth Quinnell daughter is based with the Parkers’ neighbour Georgia Darlington, who bought the pony as a project three years ago. “Annabelle learnt to ride at a riding school, but when I broke my ankle she came to hack Crocus, and my former top pony Wortley Celebration, out for me,” said Georgia. “When Janina approached me about buying Crocus I was delighted as it meant she could stay on production with me.” Annabelle started showing two years ago. “This is the first season either of them have done any qualifiers,” said Georgia,…

ISLE OF MAN-BASED rider Rebecca Le Blond scored her first win in six years at the Dubarry-sponsored Eland Lodge (2) aboard her own 16-year-old gelding, Minstrels Quest. Rebecca’s four-day long trip to the mainland had to be planned with military precision – as do all her eventing outings. “We caught a ferry on Thursday evening, stabled overnight at a yard in Heysham, on the Lancashire coast, and drove on to Eland on Friday morning,” explained Rebecca. “We then competed on Saturday, travelled back to Heysham on Sunday and caught the overnight ferry to arrive back home on Monday morning.” Rebecca divides her time between her day job as an office manager and her “sideline” job taking in breaking and schooling liveries. “We don’t have much in the way of competitions…

Chard Equestrian, Somerset ROSEWATER DANNY BOY, a horse who could be described as a comeback king, scored a prix st georges (PSG) silver section win and also claimed an outright victory at the level. “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” said Hannah Bailey, recalling the numerous times over the past 12 years when vets had told her that Danny might not return to work following injuries. “I genuinely take each day as it comes, but life’s too short to sit and wait so we’re pushing on with the dressage to see where we can get. “He’s a really cool little horse, so clever and so much fun to take anywhere,” added Hannah, who has now stopped eventing Danny to preserve him for the flatwork. “He’s a pony through and through and…

HORSE&HOUND THE PICTURE, THE STORY Olympic countdown 3 weeks to go Stockholm was the scene of Britain’s first eventing team gold and first individual medal (bronze for Frank Weldon and Kilbarry). The event was somewhat overshadowed by incidents at fence 22 (pictured), upright rails at 1m in height placed in a 2.5m-wide ditch at the bottom of a gully. This fence caused 28 refusals, 12 falls and sadly one horse fatality from the 57 competitors.…

Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ Dressage CARL HESTER FAME 14 OWNERS: rider, Fiona Bigwood and Mette Dahl BREEDER: VOFG and M Gerritsen BREEDING: by Bordeaux 28, out of a Rhodium mare GROOM: Lucy Scudamore CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN IMHOTEP 11 OWNERS: Carl Hester and Coral Ingham BREEDER: T Huizing BREEDING: by Everdale, out of a Vivaldi mare GROOM: Francesca Gorni LOTTIE FRY GLAMOURDALE 13 OWNERS: rider and Van Olst Horses BREEDER: J Rodenburg BREEDING: by Lord Leatherdale, out of a Negro mare GROOM: Richard Hauwaerts BECKY MOODY JAGERBOMB 10 OWNERS: rider and Jo Cooper BREEDER: Becky Moody BREEDING: by Dante Weltino OLD, out of a Jazz mare GROOM: Kim Masson Eventing ROS CANTER LORDSHIPS GRAFFALO 12 OWNERS: Michele, Archie Saul BREEDER: Lordships Stud Writtle College…

1) The horse industry is worth £9bn a year to the UK but faces ever-growing challenges that require an effective horse identification system. What will you do to implement digital horse ID? 2) More women, over-45s and disabled people ride than take part in other physical activity, yet unfair business rates are restricting access to riding. What will you do to ensure this activity remains available for everyone? 3) Last year 66 horses were killed on the roads and the situation is getting worse, while access to-off road riding is becoming more limited. What will you do to keep horses and riders safe?…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald I AM absolutely thrilled to have won my fifth Hickstead Derby and the whole day served as a reminder that there really is no other occasion in the sport quite like it. My father was a showjumping farmer from Kent and, as a young kid, we would always come up around harvest time and he would jump at Hickstead. Watching Eddie Macken winning with Boomerang for the fourth time and taking the trophy home was a lasting memory and the whole draw of the Derby started for me then. I first jumped in the class when I was 17 – riding a six-year-old who belonged to Cyril Light – and we completed the course. But my five wins have all come since 2006 – it took me a…

LESLEY BARWISE-MUNRO BSc, BVM&S, Advanced Practitioner CertEP, MRCVS, is based at Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group, Northumberland. Her special interests are in casualty management and causes of poor performance, in particular lameness diagnostics treatment and rehabilitation methods, including orthopaedic farriery. She is senior vet surgeon at Newcastle Racecourse and an FEI official veterinary surgeon – she was a cross-country vet at London 2012, Rio 2016 and the World Equestrian Games 2018. Lesley enjoys eventing and hunting her own horse, and hillwalking, when time allows.…

MORE than two decades ago, horse dealers of the time were doing the rounds at Ballinasloe Horse Fair in the hope of spotting a prospect or two among the crowds. One gentleman’s experienced eye was drawn to a young coloured colt tied to a lamp post and while he undoubtedly saw a glimmer of potential, the talent and scope possessed by Gigolo, as the horse was eventually named, could never have been predicted on that day. Soon after, “Jiggy” was gelded and backed before he was sold to Joseph Mastroianni of Kingston Riding Centre. His initial days after crossing the water were spent learning the ropes in the school, being hacked around Richmond Park by the centre’s grooms. Jiggy’s earliest claim to fame was being briefly borrowed by legendary jockey…

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle HIGHLIGHTS 19–23 June Alnwick Ford, Northumberland MIKE JACKSON showcased his “rebooted” stable of horsepower when he took the Hambro Sport Horses CCI3*-S with Heather Bell, Gwen Meacham and his own exciting seven-year-old, Girls Gamble (Dougie). The pair have been runnersup in two seven-year-old classes this year and won an intermediate at Aston-le-Walls (1) in May. “I had a rethink and a reboot during Covid, and Dougie was one of the first horses I bought after that, from Jodie Amos,” said Mike. “He’s a character, but he’s careful, and when you’ve produced a horse all the way through, that consistency and knowing and understanding each other pays off.” The pair were fifth after dressage on a score of 29.2, but leapt to the top of the leaderboard courtesy of…

Morris EC, E Ayrshire “WE call him Mr Consistent,” said Emma Preston of her 24-year-old gelding Without A Licence, who notched up a novice silver section win. “He can do the novice tests with his eyes shut, so he went in and did what he does.” The sprightly veteran, who has excelled at disciplines ranging from eventing to showjumping and working hunter classes with Emma over the past 15 years, will now take a competition break after the removal of a small sarcoid. “He’s an absolute saint at home but he loves a party,” added Emma. “At a show, he’s convinced it’s been laid on purely for him.” “He’s convinced a show has been laid on for him” EMMA PRESTON ON WITHOUT A LICENCE…

IN THE NEWS JE T'AIME FLAMENCO The star jumping stallion, ridden by Ireland’s Billy Twomey, has been put down, aged 24. He won seven international grands prix and has sired many top-class offspring. ROSE OF BAVARIA Laura Tomlinson’s dressage grand prix mare has retired at 14 to be a broodmare. They won at Donaueschingen CDI3* in 2021 and helped the Brits to third at Aachen 2023. CHF COOLISER The five-star event mare, who has finished runnerup at Pau and Luhmühlen with Tom McEwen, has welcomed her first foal – a Diarado colt, born to a surrogate mare.…

▲ DRIVING A rider who had driven to the feed shop and back was delighted to find a cup of tea she’d left on the bumper still there, full. Credit to the driving, or has the council filled in some potholes? (The former. Ed). ▲ FIVE A DAY A rider heading for a stayaway show was asked if she had proper food for herself. “I have got fruit,” she said, adding when pressed: “For my Pimm’s.” A perfectly balanced diet. ▲ TELEVISION Loose Women had a debate last week: “Do we underestimate the danger of horses?” No. No, we don’t. Especially that which they can cause to shrinking bank accounts. ▼ LURKING Police were called to a campsite to reports of someone suspicious in the bushes. Turns out the culprit…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound FAMILY FUN WE loved the front cover of the H&H anniversary issue (6 June) and we had a family competition to list as many people and horses that we could! To maintain family accord, could you possibly tell us who’s who? Suzy Gibson Bridgnorth, Shrops No problem! Clockwise from top left: Frankie Dettori; Marion Mould/Stroller; Lucinda Green/Beagle Bay; AP McCoy/Don’t Push It; Charlotte Dujardin; Edward Gal/Totilas; Jennie Loriston- Clarke/Dutch Gold; David Tatlow/Book Of Kells; Zara Tindall/Toytown; Rachael Blackmore/Minella Times; John Whitaker/Milton; Nicola Wilson/Opposition Buzz; Tom Queally/ Frankel; Robert Oliver/ Kings Warrior; Ron Barry/ Red Rum; Sophie Wells/C Fatal Attraction; Richard Dunwoody/Desert Orchid; Eddie Macken/Boomerang; William Fox-Pitt/Tamarillo; David Broome/Countryman; Anne Dunham/LJT Lucas Normark; Her Majesty…

HORSE&HOUND THE INTERVIEW AND so it is over. For 40 years William Fox-Pitt has graced the sport with his skill and charm, but as he himself says: “Nothing lasts forever”. At Badminton in May, fans were treated to a final glimpse of those navy colours rolling round the famous parkland turf, the familiar tall physique poised above a galloping horse as it skipped over the biggest fences in the world. The following day, he announced his retirement from the top level of eventing. There had been mutterings all week at Badminton that this could be William’s last. But with such a glorious round putting him second before showjumping with Amanda Gould’s Grafennacht, and a runner-up prize at Maryland on their previous CCI5* run, the 55-year-old seemed to be back to…

AUTHENTIC was an incredibly smart horse – he was just a winner. He loved the big venues, and when it came to leaving the ring he wanted to stay. He wanted to show everyone what he could do and he was a real championship horse because he never ran out of energy, he had a lot of blood. I think people thought he looked difficult to ride but really, he wasn’t that complicated. He retired at 14, the year after winning team gold and individual bronze in Hong Kong. He had an injury and we didn’t want to bring him back at that age after all that he’d done.…

THERE is always the potential for kick injuries in groups of horses, but some measures can mitigate the risk, including: ● grazing with the same group – changes should be avoided as far as possible, allowing the pecking order to be maintained and any unavoidable changes to the group made carefully ● keeping the management routine the same ● grazing mares and geldings separately throughout the summer if possible ● providing adequate grazing and space according to the number and size of horses all year round ● providing shelter in the field to protect against the cold in winter and the sunshine and flies in the summer – adverse weather conditions can cause unsettled behaviour ● keeping the group of horses unshod behind if possible ● maintaining good control when…

IN 2019, Lesley Cook’s New Forest gelding Okedene Justin (pictured) was victorious at the world’s most prestigious showing fixture, HOYS. However, the showman, now 14, came from exceptionally humble beginnings. His rider, native specialist Hayley Reynolds, was responsible for discovering him when he was a three-year-old colt. She bought him unseen from a shack in a city-centre allotment. “He was advertised as a project pony for £260,” explains Hayley. “The pictures weren’t great, but I saw a copy of his passport and his bloodlines made me think he was worth a punt. I put down a £50 deposit and the owners gave me a postcode, but no other details on where he was – when I went to collect him on the way home from a show, it was an…

IN THE GENES TWIN sisters Tabitha and Evanthe Hughes, 13, had a red-letter day with their home-produced ponies when both gained their HOYS passes here at their first attempt this term. It was especially memorable for Tabitha as this is her first season in plaited classes. Here, her mannerly 138cm show pony Ecclesbourne Byron Bay (pictured) -acquired last October -eclipsed the opposition to win his class and land the section tricolour. Evanthe also won to gain her return pass with her 2023 133cm show hunter pony finalist, Warleigh Fantastic Light.…

oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr HIGHLIGHTS 17–23 June Rotterdam CDIO5*, Netherlands WITH Olympic fever bubbling up ahead of the Paris Games, Britain’s Becky Moody gave the Netherlands hopefuls a run for their money on their home turf – finishing seventh with Jagerbomb in the grand prix before achieving a podium place in the special. Team GB didn’t rank in the Nations Cup – which was won by the Dutch – but Becky’s 74.68% score to finish third in the special was within touching distance of both the Danish winners Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Blue Hors Don Olymbrio (75.91%), and the Swedish runners-up Patrik Kittel with Touchdown. “We didn’t have the best preparation,” admitted Becky, who had been back onboard just a week prior to the event following a fall from another horse. “Luckily,…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald HIGHLIGHTS 18–23 June Lincolnshire Show, Lincolnshire Showground ANGIE THOMPSON’S eight-year-old home-bred mare Sanavisto continued an impressive run since stepping up at the start of the summer, winning the area trial with four seconds to spare. Despite being only 15.2hh, “Rosie” has more than held her own against bigger horses this season, winning a grand prix on her first attempt at Bath and West and coming second in the area trial at Royal Cornwall. “She is tiny but so brave. We had to jump straight in the trial here as there was no warm-up class and while she might not have all the jump, she is brave enough to get stuck in and give it a good go,” Angie said. The table A9 format really came into play in…

catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 MOZART’S 40th symphony begins as if it’s always been playing, driven with passion and momentum. Beneath the surface, the individual lines play their parts, weaving to produce a sensational result, not unlike the delivery of a major event. And the Festival of Hounds is no different. “Are you going to Peterborough?” is asked throughout the country from spring onwards. Today, it could mean one or many things. Are you showing hounds? Are you in the inter-hunt relay? Or are you simply going to see friends and watch the country’s finest hounds show, even in passing while spending a king’s ransom in the shopping village? All the components take meticulous planning and execution by a small yet dedicated team, supported by an army of volunteers. When the gates open,…