Innholdsfortegnelse for 11-Feb-2016 i Horse & Hound

‘High-level riders learn to hide injuries, and they hide them well’Andy Thomas, BEF physiotherapist RIDERS are risking serious injuries by not being honest about their physical condition, according to health professionals. The issue was brought to the attention of the Medical Equestrian Association (see box, right) at its annual conference (21 November, 2015). Andy Thomas, lead physiotherapist for the British Equestrian Federation (BEF), has worked in close collaboration with Team GBR in all disciplines over the past 10 years. “High-level riders learn to hide injuries, and they hide them well,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to see many different riders, but I’ve also seen a lot of lying and the panic as soon as the rider knows you are onto them. I’ve had riders coming into my treatment area with…

QUADRILLE riders have been left disappointed after discovering that the British Riding Club (BRC) final will no longer be held at Olympia, writes Rachael Hook. Olympia cited timetable, parking and stabling constraints as reasons for cancelling the fixture. From 2016 it will be held at an alternative venue. “The committee had to make the regrettable decision to discontinue hosting the quadrille,” said a spokesman. Riders have expressed their disappointment at the decision. Kent’s Moat View Riding Club (pictured, left) was the winner of the final for the fifth time at December’s show. “Having the final at Olympia gives you something to really work for — it will be a great loss,” team member Sam Prior told H&H. “To even ride in the warm-up arena and see backstage is amazing. In…

CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN The dressage star has signed a modelling contact. Double Olympic gold medallist Charlotte will be working with London-based MOT Models within the sports personalities division on high-profile campaigns. ALLISTER HOOD Showing producer Allister is out of hospital and recovering at home after breaking 11 ribs when he was crushed by a horse at the end of January. The producer is hoping to be fit in time to ride at Royal Windsor (11-15 May). LAUREN HOUGH US showjumper Lauren has undergone knee surgery for a minor meniscus tear sustained while riding at her Florida base on 24 January. She hopes to return to competition in three to four weeks. NIC ROLDAN The US polo champion has become an official ambassador for Brooke USA, a fundraising arm of the global…

A “winged” saddle pad has been designed to prevent pressure on a horse’s back behind the saddle. The HRP Equestrian wing saddle pads are designed to sit inside the gullet of the saddle and are cut to stop them touching the horse’s back behind the cantle. The product was among the innovation award winners at the British Equestrian Trade Association’s (BETA) 2016 fair (24-26 January). Helen Ross, of HRP Equestrian, commissioned Hartpury researchers to compare pressure behind the saddle between a conventional, square-cut saddle pad and the winged inventions. “I had a sensitive horse with a problem — the saddle pad was rubbing behind his saddle and it was affecting his gait,” she said. “I needed to find a solution, but it did not exist.” The study, A preliminary investigation…

A major step forward in the understanding of tendon injuries has been made. Researchers from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Liverpool have discovered why tendons in older horses may be more prone to injury. In a study published last week (4 February), samples were taken from different parts of the forelimb superficial digital flexor tendon from groups of four young horses (three to six) and four older horses (17 to 20). The equines used were half- to full-thoroughbreds, and all had been put down for reasons other than a musculoskeletal injury. Researchers identified the specific proteins that help the tendon fibres to slide past each other, and found that these are replaced less quickly as a horse ages. “As a rider, I am very aware of…

FINDUS The frozen food group involved in the horsemeat scandal in 2013 is to be rebranded. Crispy Pancakes will be swapped for a like-for-like item under the Original Pancake Co, while the rest of range will come under a Chef’s Classics brand. A POLICE HORSE A Thames Valley Police horse suffered a three-inch cut after members of the mounted section came under attack from troublemakers at the Oxford United vs Millwall FC match (2 February). AN UNIMPRESSED OWNER The owner of a horse who starred in a picture that won the photographer a £2,000 holiday is outraged that the snapper didn’t ask her permission, despite the fact the shot was taken from a public footpath. A STUCK HORSE Cheshire firefighters rescued a pony from a canal on 2 February. “Babe”…

EXHIBITION Enjoy a display from the family archives of equestrian cartoonist, Norman Thelwell, at Mottisfont, Hants. The exhibition runs from 16 January–10 April. www.nationaltrust.org.uk RACING Watch National Hunt racing at Newbury racecourse’s Super Saturday meeting on 13 February. newburyracecourse.co.uk SHOW A Valentine’s show is being held at Leamside Equestrian Centre, Tyne and Wear, on 14 February. Classes include The Coloured Horse & Pony Society (UK) qualifiers. www.equoevents.com DRESSAGE Addington Manor Equestrian Centre’s British Dressage regional winter championships are being held from 11-14 February. www.addingtonmanor.co.uk SHOWJUMPING Keysoe Equestrian Centre, Beds, is hosting a three-day showjumping show from 12-14 February. www.keysoe.com POINT-TO-POINT Fixtures this week include the Percy at Alnwick, Northumberland, and the Vine and Craven at Barbury, Wilts, on 14 February. www.pointtopoint.co.uk CLINIC Cross-country training sessions, focusing on rider confidence, are…

I was interested to read your article on successful riders from non-horsey backgrounds (feature, 28 January). I too did not come from an equestrian background, and progressed no further than the local riding school. However, I was able to direct my equestrian enthusiasm to my daughters, who both carried the flag in their field. Polly Williamson (née Lyon) won three individual and three team gold medals at junior/young rider level, was ninth at Badminton and rode for the senior squad aged 20. Tory Jowett, also née Lyon, rode successfully between the flags, with five wins in one season in ladies’ open point-to-points, plus several others. They had to put up with my mistakes, lack of experience and riding dubious animals. But the next generation is more fortunate. Polly is able…

FROM pastel-coloured razors to girly ballpoint pens and anti-perspirants, women are frequently told that they need certain things. Thankfully, the equestrian world is refreshingly free of this kind of hype. It’s a place where women race in Grand Nationals and men do dressage, competing on equal terms. A horse is a horse, and as yet there’s no model available in pink or purple for the discerning lady rider. Yet while the idea of a “woman’s horse” seems somehow unnecessary, surely there are horses whose build and temperament would merit this label? And how about from the horse’s point of view? Are there those that prefer — or respond better to — the female touch? We know that horses are sensitive creatures, capable of experiencing emotion. Are they really as gender-neutral…

THE hunt was founded in 1745 when Squire Evelyn moved with his hounds from his home in Kent to Arnsworth. There he established what initially was a gentleman’s dining and sporting club, part of which involved hunting, and this soon evolved into the Hampshire Hunt. In 1795 the Prince of Wales (later George IV) hunted with the Hampshire Hunt and gave the hunt members permission to wear his emblem, the Prince of Wales feathers on the hunt button. Since then every subsequent Prince has continued this tradition.…

NICOLE LOCKHEAD ANDERSON took second in Sunday’s 138cm second round riding Shappen Pilgrim, but it was not without anxiety and drama. As they entered the arena, they crashed with the previous partnership leaving, Emma Cook and Mitchel Troy Welsh Express. At the judge’s request, Nicole left the ring to give Pilgrim the once-over. “I wanted to check he was OK and was worried we wouldn’t be able to jump, but he’s very experienced. It didn’t seem to affect him at all,” said Nicole, who jumped further down the order in the eight-pony decider.…

AT just nine years old, Naomi Howard-Batts is already making an impression on the showjumping circuit. She has won the past four 90cm classes riding her 10-year-old, 135cm part-bred Connemara gelding Quarry (pictured, below), whom she recently bought from Oli Fletcher. The pair’s most recent win was at Crofton Manor, Hants (30 January), where they won the 90cm open. “We bought the pony only in October but they’ve clicked straight away,” said Naomi’s mother Melanie. “She hadn’t done a 90cm until she got Quarry, but already she’s keen to move onto the bigger 1m and 1.10m tracks.” Despite his obvious penchant for showjumping, Quarry hasn’t always been a jumping pony. “He started life as a riding school pony for the Riding for the Disabled Association [RDA] but was quickly spotted…

NEW leagues starting this year will recognise those serving in the forces and eventing. These have been set up in a joint venture between British Eventing (BE) and Forces Equine, an independent 1,100-member body supporting service personnel who ride. The leagues — Aeris at BE80(T), Argentum at BE90, Aurum at BE100 and Adamas at novice — are open to Forces Equine-registered riders in the navy, army, air force, police and emergency services, as well as their dependents and reservists. Competitors will accrue points for placings and double clears, with prizes for the winners. “I expect 200-300 people to compete in the leagues this year,” said Forces Equine founder and chief executive Debi Heath French. “Competing is difficult for forces riders when they keep being posted every two or three years…

IF you are bored of a winter’s evening, phone up your local aggregate merchant and find out the cost of 20 tonnes of stone dust. Then phone a timber supplier and explain that you need 40 tiny Christmas trees, for the middle of June, and dozens of bundles of high-quality brush. If you are quoted less than £3,000 for these items, can I have the number of your suppliers? These are some of the costs I did not think about when I opened the file called “Event spreadsheet” in 2014, when we decided to run a horse trials on the Farley Estate. I finally totted up over £41,000 worth of costs over two days (see table, below). I then looked at entry fees (set by British Eventing — BE). If…

AT her first show since having a baby six months ago, Tasha Wakely won the pick-your-own class riding advanced 108 on her recently gelded Lusitano Zagalote II at Addington Manor EC, Bucks (28 January), reports Stephanie Bateman. The dressage instructor has owned the 10-year-old for two years and decided to have him gelded four months ago. “He was a bit of a handful at shows, but being gelded has totally transformed him,” said Tasha. “When I went in the ring the first time here, I started doing the wrong test — advanced 105 — so I had five minutes to learn advanced 108. It was the first time I’d ever ridden that test and at that level, so it was a real bonus win. “We’ll try and qualify for the…

LUCY STRAKER, who has three titanium ribs following a freak accident while loading horses last year, won both elementary tests at West Wilts EC, (28 January), with her new ride Follow Me, writes Annabel Kerby. “I am still getting my strength back, having not ridden for nearly three months. I have only had Follow Me since Christmas as I needed something to boost my confidence after the accident,” said Lucy, who also broke her scapula and suffered a collapsed lung in the incident. The eight-year-old Oldenburg mare by For Compliment was found for Lucy in Switzerland by Tiggy Lenherr. “She a quick learner and I hope she has all the capabilities of going to grand prix,” said Lucy, who is trained by Olivia Oakeley and Isobel Wessels. Sally Hall, who…

CLAIRE HAYES laughed as she talked about her part-Clydesdale Black Bottoms, a plus-75% novice 39 winner at Oldencraig: “‘B’ has to be the world’s nosiest horse.” But one day in 2014 B’s nose got him into trouble and he came in from the field choking. “He was rushed to my vet, Duncan Harrison at Priors Farm, Forest Row,” said Claire. “At one point it was thought that it might be an inoperable tumour, so I went to the hospital the next day to say goodbye to him.” Duncan explained: “The whole area above the larynx was abnormal and was very inflamed. B had been rescoped several times but we couldn’t see any foreign body so we took biopsies. He had been on antiinflammatories to reduce the swelling, and in the…

ADDINGTON MANOR EC Bucks, 28 January Prelim 19Q gold (J Welham).— 1, Heavy Metall R (I Murray) 73.18; 2, Lima (J Harrison) 63.41. silv.— 1, Apple Blossom (A Lidstone) 70.68; 2, New Tricks (D Sperry) 69.55; 3 Dirty Den (H Millar) 67.27. brnz.— 1, Daneglow (E Graves) 69.09. prelim 17Q gold (C Alston).— 1, Heavy Metall R 70; 2, Entendido LXIV (R Clark) 63.46; 3, Lima 62.88. silv.— 1, Apple Blossom 71.15; 2, New Tricks 67.88; 3, Chulo Msuay (N Vorster) 66.54. brnz.— 1, Centaur Madonna (R Rowell) 67.69; 2, Daneglow 66.92; 3, Quarter Of (L Le Geyt) 66.54. nov 23 gold (P Connolly).— 1, Diablo Dancer (C Millard) 69.07; 2, Fiero (O Cooper) 68.7; 3, Rusalka (O Cooper) 67.78. silv.— 1, Sorrelcourt Masquarade (S Gannon) 69.44; 2, Bounty (M…

IT doesn’t matter how many times you lose a horse, it never gets any easier. Harbour Court went to Higham (24 January) because the ground was beautiful and it’s a good build-up to Cheltenham. The men’s open race was going brilliantly — he’d never travelled so well on such a quick track and was in front at the fifth last. But on landing, he suffered a hindleg injury. My son, jockey Joe Hill, swiftly pulled him up and within seconds, the vet diagnosed the injury as fatal and he was put down. These events are handled with the upmost efficiency. At every meeting there are at least three screens to shield the horses from spectators, one horse ambulance and a knacker’s truck. The on-course vets follow the horses round the…

1 Create alternative eating sites within a stable that is as large as possible 2 Feed little and often 3 If your horse is a good doer or is gaining too much weight, try using double or triple haynets and soak hay for 12 hours to leach calories 4 Allow natural grazing behaviour by encouraging him to forage for feed 5 Hang swedes from the ceiling and float apple in water to occupy him 6 Keep concentrate feeds very small, offering a handful at a time if necessary 7 Freshly picked grass is usually enough to perk up picky feeders 8 Regular grooming sessions will keep your horse’s coat in good condition…

‘I often felt like a rag doll while I was jumping him and would never have won the style prize, but he sure got the results’ I first saw Genesis, or “Ginge” as he was called, in November 1989 when I went to work for Fred Brown in Yorkshire. Mr Brown had a good string of horses, but all the buzz was around Ginge, a good-looking five-year-old Hannoverian who had been well-placed in the Foxhunter final at Horse of the Year Show. He was only 16.1hh, but rode like a 17.2hh with oodles of jump. He was very headstrong and I tried to dominate him at first, but quickly realised he had to go his own way. I often felt like a rag doll while I was jumping him and…

POWER BLADE Harthill Stud’s thoroughbred stallion has died aged 25. A son of Fine Blade, Power Blade proved himself as a sire of showjumpers, eventers and showing winners, including Oliver Townend’s Power Drive and Katie Jerram’s Woodfield Indo. NAVIGATOR William Fox-Pitt’s former four-star ride is enjoying a second career on the hunting field with Sophie Beaty, granddaughter of one of his owners, Catherine Joice. The 18-year-old, who won Bramham in 2008, has been out with the Bicester and Pytchley. RISK OF THUNDER The winner of seven consecutive runnings of the La Touche Cup at the Punchestown festival has died of a heart attack aged 27. Trained by Noreen Hayes and then Enda Bolger, the son of Strong Gale was owned by Sean Connery. YOU MUST KNOW There was a sad…

FEI president Ingmar De Vos has told H&Hhe is “confident” ahead of Rio 2016, despite a number of issues in the run-up to the Games, writes Amy Mathieson. Last week the International Olympic Committee (IOC) hosted a meeting for all 28 summer Olympics international federations and Rio’s organising committee, amid concerns surrounding finances. Around $500m (£347m) in expenses must be cut to remain within the $7.4bn budget. It was the first time such a gathering has been arranged. “It was a very good initiative,” said Ingmar. “It was important to have an update on where we stand, and to look at specific issues regarding the economy. There is an urgency to reduce costs, but it is important that our athletes — both human and equine — as well as spectators…

A horse owned by Fazaa, the premier stables of world endurance champion Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, has tested positive for reserpine. The seven-year-old Bellarine Rosebud was sampled at Bou Thib when ridden by Marwan Al Marzooqi on 2 January, though went to compete again 20 days later before the test result was notified. Horse and rider are now provisionally suspended. Rosebud was sold to the UAE from Australia last year, where she had completed 900km in national competitions.…

HORSE & HOUNDhas launched its second commemorative issue — The Cheltenham Festival: A Celebration. The thick, glossy publication features the highlights and the history of the world’s most prestigious National Hunt meeting, bringing together special reports that cover the race between 1815 and 2015. The Cheltenham Festival: A Celebrationfocuses on the history and heroes, with well-loved horses such as Desert Orchid, Kauto Star, Dawn Run, Best Mate and Sprinter Sacre, as well as top names including AP McCoy, Willie Mullins and Martin Pipe. It is now on sale in WH Smith and other stockists for just £9.99. Visit: www.horseandhound.co.uk/  cheltenham-celebration…

ENDURANCE GB (EGB) has responded to scandals in the sport in the UAE, saying the organisation is “deeply concerned and shocked” by recent online footage. On 30 January five riders — including the first three over the line — were disqualified from a junior/ young riders 120km ride at Al Wathba for beating their exhausted horses. A video clip of the final stages of the race went viral, leading to many calls on social media for the UAE to be resuspended immediately (see page 7). “The board has been closely following with interest the progress of the FEI in improving horse welfare in the UAE, in accordance with the agreement put in place with the Emirates Equestrian Federation [EEF],” read an EGB statement. “While there have been reports of improvements,…

WANT to get fit for the summer competition season? Then a piece of gym kit designed with the rider in mind could be just the ticket. An antique “chamber horse” is up for sale at Cheffins’ March fine art auction (9-10 March), Cambridge, with an estimate of £400-600. The mahogany exercise chair, from the Regency period, is designed to imitate the motion of riding. Invented by Henry Marsh in 1740, the chairs were widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries — they could even be rented by the hour at apothecaries. They were particularly fashionable among the over-indulgent wealthy members of society, who would bounce up and down on the chair to burn off their rich diets. A version was even made as a nursery ride for King George…

THE who’s who of eventing turned out for the International Eventing Forum (IEF) last week — it has become a pre-season must-attend for seeing and being seen. This year’s rundown involved two sessions with riders being taught by a top trainer, plus three talks. While I applaud all opportunities for swapping ideas in eventing, especially in the name of safety, I feel the forum falls slightly between two stools. Is it a lecture demo where the less knowledgeable can learn from the greats? Or is it a chance for the sport’s thinkers — top-level trainers, course-designers, judges — to share information and debate? At present, while it’s always an interesting day, I’m not sure the format satisfies either aim. Maybe the organisers could consider looking at the Global Dressage Forum…

Hooded benefits • I’m a big advocate of using hoods. With my buzzy horses, I find that putting them in a hood really helps to settle them. It blocks out the noise and keeps them focused. Keeping fit • I usually have three or four rides every weekend during the season, which keeps me fit. Nothing gets you fitter than actually riding in a race. • Riding and mucking out five or six in the morning and then clipping and doing yard chores also helps. And breathe • A lot of people hold their breath during a race and then suddenly their legs go to jelly and their arms go limp, so it’s really important to remember to breathe. • Race riding is hard on your legs, so my advice…

RESEARCH has so far failed to find any differences in the way horses respond to male and female humans — not just during ridden work, but also when handled. But there is evidence that horses can recognise individual people by means of olfactory (relating to sense of smell) and visual cues, as well as recognising a familiar voice. Dr Carol Hall of Nottingham Trent University explains: “As a naturally herd-living, social animal, the recognition of familiar ‘others’ by a horse is a very important aspect of survival, as is the avoidance of sources of potential harm. “Human males and females typically exhibit differences in body odour, vocal characteristics and visual features such as size, shape and movement patterns. The pairing of clinical odours and painful procedures is suggested as an…

BRITAIN’S Laura Renwick finished sixth in the last Western European league World Cup qualifier on Bintang II, earning a ticket to make her final debut in Gothenburg next month. “I’m delighted,” she said. “I’m surprised to have finished 13th in the league when I only contested five qualifiers [riders can count six results], but it shows Bintang was very consistent.” The contest did not look ideal for the 10-year-old because 17 made the jump-off — five more than designer Uliano Vezzani predicted — and while he is careful and scopey, Laura admits the son of Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve is not the fastest. In addition, Bintang lost a shoe in the warm-up before his first round, delaying his start time, plus the other front shoe during his performance. “That was…

Feel-good fundraising fact THE Eventing Family recently sent cheques for £10,445.75 each to Cancer Research UK, Spinal Research, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Teenage Cancer Trust after successful fundraising efforts last year. Auchlishie to get an upgrade AUCHLISHIE EVENTING, which hosts Kirriemuir Horse Trials (7 May), has received planning approval for new guest accommodation and visitor facilities. The new building will help with security, control and administration of events, as well as providing a fixed base for support staff, veterinary and medical services. Design competition for kids YOUNGSTERS aged five to 16 can enter a competition to design the wings at the side of the World Horse Welfare Garden Gates fences at Badminton this year. The theme is the “invisible horse” and the aim is to help raise…

BREAKING your neck and shattering your elbow in a fall would be enough to put most people off riding, but not 66-year-old Kathy Marsden. Just three months after an operation to fit metal plates in her neck and shoulder, she is back out competing. “Stoke Mandeville hospital did a grand job replacing my elbow and stabilising my neck,” said Kathy. “My qualification for the regionals, tremendous love for my horse and sport, and the wish to wear my new competition jacket all spurred me to rehabilitate myself as quickly as possible.” At her first show back since September, she was third in a very competitive medium at Addington Manor EC, Bucks (28 January). Kathy was riding her 10-year-old gelding Flamingo Van’t Palmenhof, by Darco, whom she bought three years ago…

JUDGING by ante-post markets, this year’s Cheltenham Festival was all looking a bit predictable, but events in England and Ireland on Saturday provided a reminder that in jump racing the only thing that is predictable is its unpredictability. Willie Mullins won three of the four Grade One races at Leopardstown. Predictable. But he won two of them with the least fancied of his three runners in those races. Unpredictable. The big race was won by a Walsh. Predictable. But Mark Walsh rather than Ruby Walsh. Unpredictable. Mullins might well have made it four had Valseur Lido, who now looks a viable Gold Cup outsider, not decanted Ruby Walsh at the last in a dramatic Irish Gold Cup, which was eventually won for the second year in succession by the Mark…

How does your day start on a raceday? I am up at 5.30am and the first thing I do is check the weather forecast. Then I’ll ring the clerk of the course, Barry Johnson, and we will put a weather update on the racecourse’s website by 6.15am so everyone, including the trainers, are informed before making their journey. At first light, usually around 7am, I will walk the course with the rest of the grounds team to check all is OK and everything is in place. How do you prepare the racecourse? ONCE I have an idea of the weather forecast - usually a week before the meeting - I can plot where the chase and hurdle courses will run. Occasionally both courses have to share bends if there are…

UNDERWEIGHT HORSES DENGIE ALFA-A OIL This high-calorie fibre feed is perfect for fuelling work and promoting condition while supporting the digestive system. From £14.99 for 20kg www.dengie.com CHESTNUT DIAMOND Formulated to provide a higher level of energy/calories, this feed includes quality fibre that provides slow-release energy without over-relying on starch. £97.50 for a 130kg feed bin www.chestnuthorsefeeds.co.uk ENDURO PERFORMANCE High-oil, energy-efficient mix, fortified with vitamins and minerals, with high fibre levels for digestive health and antioxidant protection. £14 for 20kg www.saracenhorsefeeds.com EQUERRY SPORTS MIX This contains quality protein for muscle development, cereals for high energy, oil and linseed for stamina and added vitamins and minerals. £12.25 for 20kg www.equerryhorsefeeds.com FIBRE-BEET Contains Speedi-Beet and high-quality alfalfa with added biotin to help build and…

THE FEI is under pressure to remove the 2016 endurance World Championships from Dubai (10-17 December), as the UAE’s horse welfare crisis escalates. A petition demanding a new venue attracted nearly 3,000 signatures in three days, more than 800 of them from Britain. The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) has asked the US Equestrian Federation to demand a venue change, plus a minimum one-year suspension on the Emirates Equestrian Federation (EEF), while the Swiss federation has suggested a boycott if the event goes ahead. The FEI and EEF last week (3 February) halted all UAE rides until “at least” 11 February while solutions were sought. AERC chairman Michael Campbell said: “There is little evidence that last year’s suspension has made a lasting impression on the UAE.” The one clear exception,…

RENOWNED US trainer Jimmy Wofford believes that eventing will have to leave the Olympic Games in the future, as he envisages the sport being compromised too far by the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) demands and venue choices, writes Pippa Roome. “My personal view is that one day we’ll have to leave the Games. But we’ll hear screams of rage from the pro riders,” said three-time Olympian Mr Wofford, 71, acknowledging that much of the funding of professionals is tied up with the Games through national performance schemes. “But we must consider horse welfare first in all deliberations, pro riders second. We’re not at the point yet when the Olympics compromise us so much we should leave. But I can foresee that point.” Mr Wofford made the remarks during his talk…

EQUINE feed manufacturer NAF has confirmed that it will continue to sell Devil’s Relief, but that the product will be made in a “dedicated” facility in line with new FEI rules. InDecember H&Hwarnedridersto take care when using devil’s claw in 2016 if they are competing under FEI rules, as the active ingredient — harpagoside, an anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties — appears on the FEI’s controlled medication list. “The decision to include it on the FEI list makes that grey area clearer for competitors,” said a NAF spokesman. “Devil’s Relief is now not advised for use during competition. It will continue to be available in store to meet consumer demand, however, and as part of NAF’s commitment to quality and clean sport it will be manufactured in a dedicated, controlled facility.”…

A HORSEY ENTREPENEUR Shropshire-based rider Debbie Boston received a small business award from Nick Brown, the business expert on BBC Radio 2’s The Jeremy Vine Show, for inventing a product that helps people mount their horses safely from a trailer ramp. WIM ERNES The Dutch dressage team trainer was seen back in action ringside at Jumping Amsterdam on 29 January. Wim was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour at the end of December. TONY THE SHETLAND A Shetland pony has shot to fame after appearing on Celebrity Big Brother.“Tony” was brought to the Big Brother house as a treat for Gemma Collins’ 35th birthday. EQUESTRIAN SPORT ON TV The FEI has signed a deal with Premier Sports to broadcast both Nations and World Cup dressage and showjumping events across its…

THE International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said it is “closely monitoring” the situation surrounding the Zika virus in Brazil ahead of this summer’s Games. Since the first reported case in Brazil in May 2015, the mosquito-borne virus, which can cause flu-like symptoms, has infected around 1.5 million people in the country. There has been an increase in the number of babies born with microcephaly — underdeveloped brains — in Brazil, and authorities are trying to determine if there is a connection. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared it a global public health emergency. “We are in close communication with the WHO and the Rio 2016 organising committee on this topic,” read a statement from the IOC. The statement also confirms that there is a Games-time plan in place to…

FAST AND FURIOUS Sir — I wonder if enough care was taken over the decision to shorten the time window before competitors receive “too fast” time-penalties for finishing under the optimum time in British Eventing (BE) events up to novice level (news, 7 January). There can be no logical reason for this change. The existing rules allowed for a gradual (and therefore safer) transition up to novice. By scrutinising their times at BE100, a rider could ensure that they were going at just under 520metres per minute (the required speed at novice) immediately prior to the move up to novice. That meant that the giant step up to novice cross-country only required an increase in three aspects — height, length of course and complexity of course. Under the new rules,…

My favourite restaurant... Gaucho on Sloane Avenue in London. I adore a steak and red wine. Watching... Downton Abbey. My previous head lad David “Davina” Edney told me about it and I never missed an episode after that. Looking back... I was very cross with my owner Hugh Lawson for letting Carnaval Prince roll while waiting for the showjumping at Aston-le-Walls. But the tables were turned at the prize-giving at Haras du Pin. Hugh and his wife Ann were in fits of laughter at me trying to keep him from rolling in the ring. It became a habit of his when he got excited. Settling down with... Any sporting biography. Competing at... Floors Castle horse trials (below) in Scotland. I love going back to where I spent my Pony Club…

“IT’S a little more complicated than that,” explains Philip Ivens MRCVS. “Bacteria and viruses have mechanisms to survive in different temperatures, depending on their type. While extremes of temperature such as a hard frost will kill many organisms, cold weather diseases, such as equine flu, will survive. “What’s more significant with regards to disease is when winter weather causes husbandry changes. If the field is wet and a horse has to stay in, he’ll probably be in closer contact with others and more at risk of disease that spreads through direct transmission. “A warm, wet winter presents the worst of both worlds. There’s less cold to reduce levels of bacteria and viruses, and more chance that infectious disease will flourish as horses are stabled together.” Up-to-date vaccinations and yard biosecurity…

‘I had hoped this one might want a quad bike, not another pony’Huntsman Will Hudson on the latest addition to his family THE Hampshire Hunt, or HH as it is better known (not to be confused with the neighbouring Hursley Hambledon), is one of England’s oldest hunts. It also has a reputation for being friendly and welcoming, so despite the dire weather forecast I was looking forward to my day with them. Unboxing at the farmyard behind Rotherfield Park were joint-masters Sio Axel-Berg and Rupert Harvie. Sadly Sio is retiring at the end of this, her 10th season, and although she intends to continue helping in the background it will be a great loss. She has been an extremely hard-working and conscientious master, helped by husband Luke who is also…

“A fish stinks from the head down: well done. Now, master, do you take water with your whiskey?” So began one of my most memorable rollockings. The retired general-cum-gentleman farmer was understandably incandescent that wire had been cut to gain access to a field, only a stone’s throw from a perfectly serviceable gate. That it was his neighbouring farmer who had cut the wire in a moment of venatic enthusiasm was an inconsequential detail that I thought best not to mention, preferring to absorb his thunder in the hope of emerging relatively unscathed and maybe even having gained a little respect. I will never forget the general’s wife, who kept popping her head round the door of the study, presumably to check that I hadn’t been consumed or simply withered…

IN a tense, hard-fought jump-off that went to the wire, Faye Sutton secured Sunday’s winter 138cm second round with a final-round flyer on Shutter Fly. “He’s amazing, a legend, and so easy I clicked with him straightaway,” said Faye, 13, who has had the ride on the 18-year-old since October and will make her first Hickstead visit this year. “He’s strong, but that can help in a big ring and it’s best to dare him in a jump-off, he knows he’s at a show and rises to the occasion.” Faye relies heavily on Geoff Billington’s help. “Fly can be sharp. At home we do a lot of control work and calm him down. Geoff’s brilliant and gives me lots of confidence,” she said. Faye enjoyed a bumper weekend, gaining the…

NIKKI LLOYD ended her run of seconditis when winning the 85cm class at Petley Wood EC, East Sussex (31 January) riding her 12-year-old gelding Zaragoza. She had been placed second nine times, so a win was seriously overdue. “I’ve now done my four double clears for the second round later in the year,” said a relieved Nikki. “I bought him only at the end of the summer so we’re still a relatively new partnership, but he’s already doing really well.” Nikki showjumped as a youngster but gave up when she was 15 and returned to riding only three years ago. “I broke my leg in April 2013 and had to have a year off,” said Nikki, who is a confectionery sales rep. “A horse landed on top of me and…

WI TH this being an Olympic year, my thoughts have turned to our World Class Programme and how it could be made into a more productive system. I clearly remember four years ago, in the run-up to the London Games, asking [then British Equestrian Federation performance director] Will Connell for assistance in taking my horses on tour to Oliva in Spain. When I put forward my plan — which did not involve going to Florida — I was told that only riders who signed up for that tour would be given funding for their trip [ahead of London 2012, UK Sport offered additional funding for horses competing in Florida]. With luck, this time around, money will be distributed more evenly to those horse and rider combinations who have specific ideas…

BRIDGET PARKER is taking over as the organiser of Nunney Horse Trials this year (17-19 June). The 1972 Olympic team gold medallist (left) organised Frome Horse Trials, also in the grounds of Southfield House, in the 1980s and the venue still belongs to the same owner, Angela Yeoman. When the committee of Longleat Horse Trials was looking for a new site in 2011, it was Bridget who made the connection, which resulted in the event moving to Southfield. “Mrs Yeoman was district commissioner of the Wylie Valley branch of the Pony Club when my daughter Katie [now Burton] was in it so I’ve known her a long time,” said Bridget. “They are a very established committee, so I will try not to interfere. My main job will be as liaison…

Jocelyn claims $9,750 (£7,500) in US showcase DAN JOCELYN finished third in the $75,000 (£51,700) Asheville Regional Airport Wellington eventing showcase in Florida last weekend (5-6 February). The British-based rider travelled to the USA with fellow New Zealander Tim Price and both borrowed two horses to ride in the showcase, running for the second time as part of the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival. Dan and Devil Munchkin (right) - an eight-year-old Dutch warmblood who has competed at two-star with his owner, 21-year-old Canadian Sable Giesler - kept a clean sheet to move up from 13th after dressage. “It’s been an unbelievable experience and something I’ll certainly be taking home and telling everyone about,” said Dan, who sat on the horse just once before his dressage. Eleven competitors made the 3min…

JULIA KIRBY paid tribute to her advanced schoolmaster Jazz II when reflecting on her best-to-date score of 69.6% at advanced medium with Windspiel 219 at Oldencraig, Surrey (29 January), writes Celia Cadwallader. Julia lost her super-sensitive mare Jazz II in December. “The two years riding Jazzy were the making of my riding. She made me a sensitive rider and filled in gaps in my knowledge,” she commented. She describes Natalie Brown’s 17-year-old Wolkenstein mare Windspiel (JLo) as not the biggest mover, but willing. “She comes off the lorry at 100 miles an hour and wants to do it. She is properly trained and her work is correct and she’s never spooky. “Since Jazzy went, JLo has been based with me,” added Julia. “I have only worked her solidly for a…

THERE seems to be a tendency to overreact in some quarters of the dressage world — you wouldn’t call 999 when you get a cold, would you? Or, maybe, it’s just laziness. Why do people pester judges and federations with queries which are easily answered by a few clicks on the FEI website? I had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the computer age, but even I can negotiate my way around the FEI site — although admittedly it’s a lot more user-friendly than it used to be. For example, if in your freestyle you don’t perform a canter half-pass left, don’t expect a one or a two for it. If a compulsory movement is completely omitted, it’s a zero. It’s on the website. Of course there are times…

THE highlight at Musselburgh was the celebration of Ryan Winks (pictured, right) after Chestnut Ben won the Toteexacta Scottish Champion Chase. Winks, who rides for his father Peter, is unlikely to make the Racing Post’s “30 under 30” feature this week (unlike H&H’s acting racing editor Hannah Lemieux): although a 7lb claiming amateur, he is 35. He gave a double punch of the air as Chestnut Ben crossed the line, executed a perfect flying dismount in the winner’s enclosure - then sang We Are The Champions on the public address system. Having started out as an apprentice for Les Eyre, Winks spent 15 years sailing the world as a singer on cruise ships before going point-to-pointing again in 2009. Never mind the Scottish Champion Chase, this was his Grand National.…

THE Coronation Gold Cup, one of the Classic races of the point-to-point season, proved to be a fairytale success for local trainer Harriet Waight and her grey gelding Impact Area. Just over 12 months ago he won his first race at Larkhill as an unregistered hunter under his usual rider Louis Muspratt. After being registered, he scored another three times last season, culminating in a hunter chase victory at Fontwell. This season he has recorded a treble at Larkhill, and this was probably the best of those wins. Always tracking the leaders, he took up the running after the 12th fence and despite the close attentions of Warne (Sam Waley-Cohen), and latterly Templebraden (Zac Baker) and Real Milan (Jack Jones), he kept finding more on the run-in to record a…

Showjumping, clear-round Dressage, combined training Showing Eventing, Jump cross, hunter trials Other ADVENT SHOW CORNWALL, PL32 9QF This local show raises money for the parish of Advent. It is held on the first May bank holiday of each year. It combines a horse show, dog show and gymkhana. Fun for all the family with hot and cold food available. MAY Mon 2, horse and dog show ALNWICK FORD EQUESTRIAN NORTHUMBERLAND, NE65 8EQ Alnwick Ford Equestrian holds more than 150 affiliated and unaffiliated showjumping, dressage, cross-country and demonstration events a year. Facilities include a 28x90m indoor arena, a 30x60m outdoor arena, more than 80 jumps, a cross-country course, conference facilities and a café. FEBRUARY Thu 11, Lee Smith test riding Wed 17, Equo unafil showjumping series Sat 20, Blyth Tait eventing…