Innholdsfortegnelse for July 23, 2015 i Horse & Hound

EVERY equestrian organisation has internal politics that need delicate handling and hunts are no exception. But few have had to endure the turmoil that external politics have inflicted on hunting. It is therefore very disappointing that a potential change to an unworkable law has been thwarted by what can only be seen as political point-scoring. The news that the government had withdrawn the vote on amendments to the Hunting Act 2004 last week (news, p6) came as packs were congregating at the Great Yorkshire Hound Show. Word spread quickly among hunt staff and supporters, but there remained a sense of determination to overcome what will hopefully one day be seen as a minor setback on the road to repeal. Respiratory problems among hounds have been common in the show ring…

ENDURANCE GB has declined to comment on why a suspended UAE trainer was allowed to assist British riders at King’s Forest endurance international (12 July), writes Pippa Cuckson. The prominent Dubai-based trainer Anzaq Mehmood was seen using slosh bottles at crew points in photographs, which caused a storm on social media. However, his status has fallen into a “grey area”. Crewing was not specifically addressed in FEI guidelines about the practical application of the UAE suspension. However, an existing rule prohibits suspended persons from stepping on to the field of play, and was applied in a 2011 case involving Maktoum trainer Ali Al Muhairi. Mr Mehmood is a Pakistani national, but subject to the suspension because he is administered by the UAE. He collaborated with the Dutch team and prepared…

SULTAN V The 13-year-old grey showjumper has been reunited with his former rider Bruce Menzies. The Old Lodge home-bred moved to the Saudi Arabian team ahead of London 2012, where he secured team bronze with rider Abdullah al Sharbatly. TRIG POINT Nicky Roncoroni’s four-star horse has returned to competition after recovering from a life-threatening sinus infection. The 13-year-old gelding competed hors concours in the novice at Barbury (9-12 July). Nicky said it was “lovely to have him out”. KEFIERA LH The Lickleys’ Negro x Johnson filly foal was awarded a high mark of 80 by the KWPN inspectors and has become the first British-bred Dutch warmblood to be invited to Holland for the national championship. Robert Lickley said he is “very pleased”. TOTTEN LADY H&Hblogger Rosie Fry’s former three-star eventer…

BRITISH-born eventer Stuart Black withdrew from the Canadian team on the eve of the Pan Am Games after being charged with domestic assault. Black, 56, suffers from Crohn’s disease and issued a statement saying that he stepped down for “medical reasons”. But his decision came just days after his arrest in Ontario, for “assault under the Criminal Code”. He was granted bail at Orangeville court on 9 July and is scheduled to reappear in court on 27 August.…

PHILIP HERBERT said: “Labour. In order for any of the BE machines to be properly effective they must not travel more than 0.5 miles an hour forward speed. At that speed if you see a tractor in the distance and you can see that it is moving it is probably going too fast. If the ground is hard you might have to go over it twice, first with the Agri-vator and then the Aera-vator, which works the ground in between the holes left by the bigger machine. “If you are running a big event with multiple dressage arenas plus large warm-up, two or more showjumping rings plus warm-up rings, and four or five cross-country courses plus warm-up, there is a lot of ground to cover. If the work is done…

BOSTON DELUXE Jane Lavington’s H&H cover star (9 July) has been in the wars with a foot abscess. The part-Clydesdale dressage star is now recovering at home. ASCOT RACEGOERS A man who secretly filmed up-skirt shots of Royal Ascot racegoers has appeared at East Berkshire Magistrates’ Court. Andrew Hack admitted a charge of outraging public decency, and will be sentenced later this month. A STUCK HORSE Firefighters rescued a horse in Mark, Burnham-On-Sea, Somerset (14 July) after he became trapped in a drainage ditch. The horse was returned safely to his owner. A BARBURY SPECTATOR A child watching the CIC2* cross-country at Barbury Horse Trials on 11 July suffered a badly bruised ankle after being hit by a loose horse. Jeanette Brakewell fell from Lets Dance, who jumped the string…

A LICE COLLINS questions Scott Brash’s priorities on the basis of his decision to save Hello Sanctos for Rio (editorial comment, 9 July). She then goes on to describe Kauto Star’s death as “unceremonious and untimely”. Has she answered her own question with the juxtaposition of the two comments? As a former horse owner, I firmly believe that anybody making long-term plans where a horse is involved must do so in the knowledge that, more often than not, fate will intervene and force a change of plan. Intervention could take the form of a virus, a tweaked tendon or ultimately, as in the case of Kauto Star, something terrible. Horses are, for all their size, surprisingly delicate creatures. Any “plan” involving an equine is equally fragile. In summary — make…

YOU’VE been overseas and found what seems to be the ideal competition horse. But before you bring him home you’d like some reassurance of his state of health and his suitability for the job in hand — a five-stage vetting, ideally, given the amount of money you’re about to spend. According to UK vet Malcolm Morley MRCVS, of Stable Close Equine Practice, there is potential for confusion when buyers fail to understand the basic differences between the UK’s pre-purchase exam (PPE) and that offered in the country where the horse is based. What should a prospective purchaser bear in mind — and what can you expect from the process? A conflict of interest? PERHAPS the seller has already presented you with a clean bill of health for the horse —…

Ride plenty of different horses During the season, Will schools between three and six horses over fences every morning. “You can never do enough schooling,” he says. “You get some good horses and some not so good, which keeps my eye in. You may do well riding the same horse all the time, but you won’t improve. By riding lots you learn to judge a horse quickly, and I have wins on catch rides.” Focus fuels success “The hardest thing to do when you’re nervous is relax, but if you’re not relaxed you don’t ride as well,” says Will. “I used to over-analyse things and before my first race I was a bag of nerves. There are 101 things to think about in a race — speed, the best line…

IT’S beautifully set up and very smartly kept, but Mere Farm has a hint of the more relaxed ethos of New Zealand about it. All the horses are turned out, either at night or during the day, and live happily in fields of three. Tim says: “When you come to someone’s country, you have to be respectful of the way things are done and how people are. The culture is very different here to in New Zealand — over here you have to ask before you go to the neighbour and borrow his trailer! And you leave your keys in your car in New Zealand in case someone needs to borrow it…” Jonelle adds: “I think we have found a middle ground now of still being Kiwis — and are…

CLAIRE PYTCHES was the utterly determined winner of BE100 section M at Buckminster Park (11-12 July) with her home-bred 15.2hh gelding Jigilo Junior (Scottie). “I have a tendency to be a bit laid-back; the previous weekend at Purston Manor I’d been in the lead on a dressage score of 18, but I let Scottie grind to a halt at the water,” said Claire, 26. “My mum [two-star rider Patricia Pytches] told me in no uncertain terms that I needed to pull my finger out this time.” The pair didn’t quite match their dressage score from the weekend before, but a mark of 22 was plenty good enough to stay at the head of the field. Scottie is by the Jumbo-sired Jigilo, out of Claire’s 14.2hh FEI pony, Supreme Poppet. “When…

IT takes guts to meet the challenges of the grand prix as an inexperienced rider before five international judges, and then — for the first time ever — ride a special (61.52%). Litta, who rides for Iran, was on board Bayford Hall Dallaglio, Daniel Sherriff’s 2014 Rotterdam British Nations Cup team horse. “Litta wanted a grand prix horse because hers weren’t going to be ready in time for Rio. She tried ‘Lawrence’ and they clicked,” explained Daniel. Litta said: “I’ve only been riding him for three weeks and I did exactly what Dan told me: ‘Go for a steady clear round and don’t put in too much power’.” A mother of four children, Litta, 49, and Daniel are old friends. She explained: “I started riding nine years ago with a…

THREE riders recorded wins with challenging horses this week, reports Celia Cadwallader. Hollie Lewis, aiming to turn spooky Landor S-sired showjumper Landmark III into a dressage horse, rode two plus-69% elementaries at Step Aside, West Sussex (9 July). “Although we had fours as well as eights today, he was the most consistent with me in the arena that he’s ever been,” said Hollie. “He didn’t click with his former owner and after a year in a field, came to me to be sold. I ended up buying him myself. “Counter-canter was a problem, because he’d do a showjumper change. If he’s tense he forgets he can trot and goes from walk to bouncing around in canter. When he relaxes he has lovely, loose elastic paces.” Emma Roche’s last-minute entry at…

THE European Championships for juniors and young riders produced controversy this year. Clearly the weather was extreme, over 40°C at times, and that’s nobody’s fault, but there must be strategies around keeping horses and riders comfortable. Riders, as a rule, can take care of themselves (or not, in the case of fainting children) but what about the horse, who can’t? Surely there was enough advance warning? The forecast indicated a heatwave was highly likely, so why were no fans and cooling mists — which we’ve had before — provided? It’s not a question of hot areas not holding shows, but, for the welfare of the horse, there has to be a plan. I’ve competed at Vidauban several times. Bernadette Brune does a wonderful job and she can’t be held responsible.…

NATIVE pony producer David Eccles was the hero of the moment when a coloured colt broke loose from its handler, shed its tack and caused mayhem in the Ridings ring. David ran into the arena, wrestled the unruly youngster to a standstill and held on tight until others — including locally-based producer Craig Elenor — could come to his aid. This solicited a huge round of applause from the crowd. BBC stars live at show THERE was much excitement surrounding the live broadcast of BBC TV’s The One Show on the second day, and presenters Matt Baker, Alex Jones and special guest James Martin were among the “competitors” in the Shetland Pony Grand National, each represented by a different jockey/pony combination. At the end of the special (live) race, the…

LYNN is more often seen competing, but she swapped into her habit here as ride judge for the HOYS ladies’ hunter qualifier. “I enjoy judging because showing is a job where you never stop learning,” said Lynn. “And if you have an experienced conformation judge with you, you can discuss your choices and learn from their views. “I also find it a great help when I’m back in the day job because I can appreciate what other judges are looking for and practise those points. “As a judge, you get a completely different perspective,” continues Lynn. “Horses you think don’t give judges a decent ride are actually lovely to sit on.”…

LOCAL producer Lucy Glover had more reason than most to celebrate when her stunning Welsh section B stallion, Carrwood Shimmering Gold, won his HOYS qualifier. “He skidded into a gate in the field a few days before Hickstead last year and went lame,” said Lucy. “He came sound and we all thought he’d just pulled a muscle, but much later he went lame again and lost weight. We took him to Newmarket equine hospital where scans and X-rays showed he had a bone cyst on his stifle.” Lucy added: “We were told he could have an operation but there was a chance it wouldn’t work, plus he could be left with scars and lumps. Because he is a show animal, the vets took a bone graft from his other stifle…

COMMENTATORS and showing classes have become a talking point this season. Traditionally, exhibitors should not be identified while a class is in progress, but some shows are breaking this unspoken rule. I believe the idea is to make showing classes more interesting to the general public. I’m all for getting spectators interested and involved, but commentary that names horses and riders should be kept until the end of a class. Of course judges often recognise some combinations. But just as judges shouldn’t be seen consulting a catalogue on a showground, so they should keep their earplugs in! In a showjumping class, knowing who a horse or rider is won’t change whether the poles stay up. But as showing is subjective, the order of the first pull-in can change as the…

WELL, they say a week is a long time in politics and now we can add hunting to that statement. “Hunting to return by back door,” they said. The free vote on the amendment to the Hunting Act 2004 was to bring English and Welsh law into line with Scotland. When Scotland passed the law in 2002, it was welcomed by our opponents. Flushing a fox to a gun or guns with hounds was considered a good way to manage the fox population and a sensible way forward. Now, fully 14 years later and with no opposition to that law from the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS), or anyone else, it has been as if the government has suggested something truly outrageous. After a lengthy “love-in with the SNP”, the…

AFTER two years of coverage of the London leg of the Global Champions Tour (GCT), the BBC has told H&Hit will not be showing the event from Syon Park (24-26 July). Last year’s event, held at Horse Guards, drew in 0.6m viewers on BBC2 on the Saturday. But in a further blow for equestrian sport on TV — after the loss of the Hickstead Derby and Horse of the Year Show — the GCT has not made the BBC schedule. “Unfortunately we’re not able to show this year’s GCT event in London due to a variety of factors but will look again at broadcasting the event in the future,” said a BBC spokesman. The event will be live streamed on the GCT website.…

FIVE British eventers are set to make their senior squad debuts at the FEI European Championships at Blair Castle (10-13 September), writes Lucy Elder. From the 12-strong squad, four riders will be chosen to take part in the team competition. Holly Woodhead, 21, who along with Bramham winner Flora Harris, Francis Whittington, Gemma Tattersall and Dani Evans makes her senior championship debut, is the youngest rider on a senior squad since 1989. “It’s crazy. I’m overwhelmed, it’s not sunk in yet and I don’t think it will until I’m there with all the seniors,” said Marlborough-based Holly. As H&H went to press on Monday (20 July) the vaulting and para dressage European squads had also been announced. The dressage squad heading to Aachen (12-16 August) was due to be named…

My first riding memory... It was probably when I was about 10 years old on a fat grey pony on our lawn in Sussex that my mother was determined to get me to ride. I had a pet jackdaw called Jock that followed me everywhere and he suddenly flew out of a beech tree and landed on my arm. The pony freaked out and after galloping for a good way suddenly slammed on the brakes and ejected me in a heap of tears. My biggest indulgence... Fishing tackle. Curing my fear of riding... Although I was involved with the beagles at school at Marlborough and was a keen falconer, it wasn’t until H&H hunting correspondent Rory Knight Bruce convinced me, aged 15, to go for a quiet day with the…

SITTING on a tiny red velvet bench designed to look like a gondola on a faux canal with a Venice mural backdrop is pretty surreal. Less so for my interviewee, Edward Gal. We’re in the Austrian Alps for the magnificent Glock’s CDI (report, 4 June), an international dressage show owned and curated by Edward’s sponsors, Gaston and Kathrin Glock, of handgun fame. Every few minutes waiters ask if we’d like a drink, while celebrity chefs churn out gourmet fare. But this opulence isn’t what Edward most appreciates about his mega-rich sponsors. What he really values is knowing that horses won’t be sold from under him. He has a sense of security that, until four years ago and despite worldwide success, still eluded him. At home in Holland, former grand prix…

TIM’s first choice for Rio is Wesko, owned by Christina Knudsen and the Wesko Syndicate. The KWPN 12-year-old by Karandasj won Luhmühlen CCI4* in 2014. “He’s a dude,” says Tim. “He’s such a strong character, he’s almost human. Everything he does is with his own interests at heart, but not in selfish way — he’s so generous with his work. Life comes easy to him. He’s got a compact little body and loves to gallop and jump rather than actually being built to gallop and jump.” Jonelle says: “Our history is Kiwi thoroughbreds, so for us venturing into that foreign blood was unknown territory. It’s been a learning curve for us to learn about how to bring out the best in these foreign-bred horses because they are so different; you…

I AN WILLS piloted the eight-year-old Hartpury Sky Is The Limit to victory in open intermediate (OI) section W, producing the joint-fastest cross-country round of the day in the process. The pair lay sixth after the dressage, but coming home 15 seconds under the optimum time around Tweseldown’s twisty track — the same as eventual third Andrew Nicholson and Liberto II — propelled them up the leaderboard. “He’s been consistent all his career, he’s always done a good test and been a great jumper,” said Brackley-based Ian. “Across country he’s still coasting with the handbrake on, but I can ride sufficiently tight lines with him to fences, which makes him quick. He’s so easy to ride and has always been such a professional.” The gelding by Take It 2 The…

THE 22-year-old, who finished third in the intermediate section, almost chose rugby over eventing. Jack was playing for Gloucester’s under-16 team when a snapped Achilles tendon six years ago ended his days on the pitch. “When I was rehabbing I decided to sit on a horse, and it kind of went from there,” said Jack, who “dabbled” in a bit of point-to-pointing before setting his mind on eventing. He is now stable jockey for Austin O’Connor and is in charge of producing a range of horses, from four-year-olds to intermediate campaigners, including his ride here, the seven-year-old LB Liberator. “My aim is to do a CCI2* before the end of the season — probably Osberton,” he added.…

THE 41-year-old mother of one from Crawley, West Sussex, finished on her dressage score of 25.8 to head BE90 section F at Tweseldown (3) with Rhineroe Hero (Noah). “He couldn’t trot in a circle and he’d never seen a cross-country fence when I bought him 18 months ago,” said Nicola of the 11-year-old gelding, who had been kept entire and was fulfilling stud duties until 2013. “I bought him as a hack to accompany my then five-year-old daughter on her pony and to hunt occasionally. I never planned to event him, but he has surprised me with his easygoing nature and trainability.” Clare Bradshaw THE Liskeard-based rider, who is aiming for the new Corinthian Cup national amateur novice championship at the Festival of British Eventing next month, enjoyed a confidence-boosting…

• SENIORS High performance manager: Nick Turner Dressage coach: Ian Woodhead (new) Showjumping coach: Gerry Flynn (new) Vet: Hugh Suffern • YOUNG RIDERS High performance manager: Sally Corscadden Dressage coach: Heike Holstein Showjumping coach: Mark Kyle (new) Vet: Will Lalor • JUNIORS High performance manager: Debbie Byrne Dressage coach: Terry Boon Showjumping coach: Tom Doherty (new) Vet: JP King (new) • PONIES High performance manager: Becky Cullen (new) Dressage coach: Sue Smallman Showjumping coach: Tom Doherty (new) Vet: Con Kennedy…

LEADERS AS AT 16 JULY WORLD RANKINGS Michael Jung (GER) BRITISH EVENTING LISTS LEADING RIDER Andrew Nicholson LEADING HORSE Diane Brunsden and Peter Cattell’s Leonidas II, ridden by Mark Todd GOLDMAN CUP (UNDER-21) Emily King FAIRFAX BRITANNIA LEAGUE Holly Woodhead FUTURE TALENT TWO-STAR LEAGUE Angela Hislop’s Cooley SRS, ridden by Oliver Townend FOUNDATION POINTS RIDER Oliver Townend FOUNDATION POINTS HORSE Katie Hancock’s Kilcandra Rambo Ray, ridden by the owner GRASSROOTS RIDER Lucinda Crawford GRASSROOTS HORSE Kilcandra Rambo Ray…

A LICE OPPENHEIMER on the eight-year-old Tantoni Sir Soccrates, and Maria Eilberg on 12-year-old Royal Concert, each enjoyed a small tour win and a second place. A nervous Royal Concert (owned jointly by Hermione Black, Penny Pollard and Maria) had his high point, 76.05%, in the kür but had been led to the arena entrance by trainer Ferdi Eilberg. Maria said: “He was a bit sharp in the freestyle. Last year I stuck to doing inter I because I thought music would be too much for him.” This year Maria is realising an ambition. “When I was a small kid I watched Anky [van Grunsven] ride canter on Bonfire to Roxette’s Fading Like a Flower when she was challenging Isabell Werth on Gigolo. I saved [the memory up] for Royal…

FORMER pony squad and British team rider Bethany Rose Horobin, 17, recently said goodbye to 14.2hh Gigolo, whom she has competed since she was 12, and hello to Cachet, a 17.2hh eight-year-old Vivaldi gelding. Marion Hollands, who judged their 69.11% debut advanced medium at Blue Barn, Kent (11 July), said: “They have a lovely way of going.” Beth, who is 5ft 5in, said: “We were told Cachet was 16.1hh. He’s huge but his temperament is amazing. He hasn’t competed much but isn’t fazed by anything and is so willing to try for me. “He has a lovely walk and uphill canter. We’re working on our extended trot — I have to get stronger myself to hold it all together. “We plan to take him to a junior rider viewing day…

DOUGLAS DUFFIN registered the biggest win of his career when Quidam BZ outpaced his rivals to win the coveted Ripon Select Foods Cock O’The North championship. “‘Cash’ has jumped here twice before and has been clear every time. Today he was unbelievably smooth in the first two rounds,” said Douglas. “He is a big-jumping horse with masses of scope. Sometimes his rideability lets us down when we go against the clock — but thankfully not today.” Since 1968, this showjumping championship has provided a fitting finale to this popular show and once again it saw a huge crowd packing the ringsides. Course-designer Bob Ellis could not have written a better script, with four equally determined riders contesting the third and final round, as the penultimate fence — the traditional double…

GERMANY’S Ludger Beerbaum picked up a home win in the CSIO5* grand prix of Mannheim riding the 12-year-old grey mare Chiara. The pair were last to go in the 15-horse jump-off around Christa Jung’s 1.60m track and managed to knock a second off eventual runner-up Beezie Madden and Cortes C’s time. Robert Whitaker was the best-placed Brit — he picked up eight penalties in the final round aboard Catwalk IV to finish 13th. Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet steers Conrad De Hus to victory in the GCT grand prix — ‘He was perfect in all three rounds’…

I missed riding at the Great Yorkshire show again this year, after I broke two ribs last week in the jump-off of a class at South View. My horse Candy Boy split his legs over a back rail; I went over the top and was kicked down the ring. I’ll be out of action for another three weeks — it’s one of those occupational hazards. The Great Yorkshire is a show I have grown up with and I always compete there if I can. For me, it is the best county show on the circuit. It has a great atmosphere and a fantastic grass ring, which is enjoyable to jump on when we see synthetic arenas so much of the time. The Cock O’The North was as strong a class…

THE spectre of kennel cough once again cast its unwelcome shadow over the show. With those entrants that had competed at Builth (25 June) quarantined, and with many others also keeping away, numbers were much depleted. To further dampen the spirits of this usually upbeat and ebullient show was news from Westminster of the setback to proposed changes to the Hunting Act. However, it was another successful year for the Grove & Rufford (G&R), who again won both championships. With only four of the competing packs in the ring for the first restricted class, judges Henry Berkeley (joint-master of his family pack) and Edward Foster — former master of the South Shropshire and the Wheatland — quickly made their decision. Their obvious choice was Morpeth Marksman, a strong, scopey son…

NICOLA THORNE had three reasons to celebrate when she won the CEI3* 160km on the nine-year-old LM 42 (Bonita), took the best condition honours and achieved elite rider status all in one day. For Norfolk-based Nicola, King’s Forest is as close to home turf as it gets, with the sandy forestry tracks similar to her local training grounds. The hot weather the day before made for harder going, ideally suited for her slight-framed 15hh mare to travel lightly on top. “We set out as part of a small group but as the ride progressed we were able to pull away and rode the last two loops on our own,” said Nicola. “Bonita is small but staunch, and really gave her all to the ride.” Nicola’s main aim for the day…

GROWING up, I had a lot of ponies, but life never really kicked in until Wildfire came on the scene. My father Fred bought him locally as a 10-year-old for £60 in 1957, and in the second season we had him, he was the leading horse in Britain. He was an army horse originally and needed reforming when we got him, so we used him as a hireling for hunting that winter. At the first show we took him to he was eliminated and Father said we’d give him one more chance. At the next show he had four faults the first day and won two classes the second day. Life just got better and better after that. We took him to the Royal Three Counties show that year and…

PROPOSED amendments to the Hunting Act 2004 due to be put to a vote in Parliament on Wednesday, 16 July, were shelved at the eleventh hour last week, causing dismay among the hunting and farming fraternities. The decision was made by the government after it emerged that the Scottish National Party (SNP) would vote on the changes being put forward — a matter that had been much speculated upon since the Conservatives returned a majority in the election. As it stands, it is possible to hunt with a pack of hounds to flush wild mammals, including foxes, out to waiting guns in Scotland. In England and Wales the limit on the number of hounds is just two, however the Statutory Instrument (SI) due to have been put forward by the…

THE FEI has warned against the use of the muscle stimulant Fustex because it may contain the banned substance propoxyphene, a narcotic pain reliever, writes Pippa Cuckson. Fustex is made by the Argentinean online seller Chinfield S.A. Propoxyphene was not listed as an ingredient in product information at the time of a doping offence involving Emirati endurance rider Sheikh Hazza Al Nayhan, but was detected in a Fustex sample tested for the FEI by the Horseracing Forensic Laboratory. Last month, the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced Al Nayan’s 27-month ban to 18 months as a result. “Lack of knowledge regarding the ingredients will not be a valid excuse in any equine anti-doping procedures,” said an FEI spokesman. Earlier this year the FEI tightened up legal loopholes over supplements, highlighted…

The Hand Equestrian Centre is due to reopen as a training centre for police horses and dogs. The former competition venue in Clevedon near Bristol closed on 17 December due to financial reasons (news, 25 December 2014). It has now been bought by Avon and Somerset Police to house the mounted and dog sections. “This is an exciting opportunity for the constabulary to move into a state of the art facility which will enhance the public order training for police officers and potentially others across the region,” said a police spokesman.…

CAVALRY HORSES Soldiers and horses from the Household Cavalry enjoyed a dip in the sea on 3 July at Holkham Beach in Norfolk, during their annual four-week training camp. EMMA MASSINGALE The equine trainer (below) has returned from her four-week challenge on an uninhabited Irish island. Emma backed two previously unhandled Connemara ponies without the use of tack or enclosures. NATIVE PONIES Murthwaite Mercy, a five-year-old grey mare, sold for a reportedly record-breaking 7,000gns at a reduction sale of the Murthwaite Fell Pony Stud in Florida after the death of breeder Thomas Capstick. PETER NIXON The H&Hphotographer is in the final three of an international photography competition. The winner will be announced at the European Championships in Aachen on 22 August.…

HORSE CRISIS: A SOLUTION Sir — Your recent coverage highlighting the work of horse welfare charities rehoming record numbers (news, 11 June) allowed, I believe, an unwarranted opportunity for these organisations to indulge in self-congratulation. My partner is a generous supporter of World Horse Welfare and we were both unimpressed with that charity’s spokesman patting himself on the back, rather than reporting that his (and a number of overlapping horse charities) are achieving more with their annual income of many millions in preventing the need for record rehoming in the first place. They have been established for many decades and seem farther away from real progress than ever. Perhaps the large numbers of rehoming centres are part of the problem in acting as a public safety net for irresponsible owners.…

Edward is nervous about some proposed changes aimed at widening dressage’s mainstream appeal and improving the sport for television. “I don’t think shortening the grand prix is the right thing to do,” he says. “I wouldn’t watch a sport I didn’t like because it was shorter. People are either interested or they aren’t; they’ll watch or they won’t. “And what would you take out — remove some piaffe? We currently have three; one from the left rein, one from the right and one in the middle, so which would you take out? Same with the pirouettes — should we do one way only? I don’t think so.” Edward prefers the look of the topper over the crash hat in grand prix tests, although he trains and warms up in protective…

SHOWING CLASH OF THE TITANS: HALLMARK IX VS STARRY NIGHT TWO of the greatest cobs of all time will battle for the maxi championship title on Saturday, 1 August — Robert Walker’s ride, Starry Night, and Simon Reynolds’ mount, Hallmark IX. The two have met in the show ring before. Hallmark IX triumphed for owner Heather Clay at the Derbyshire Festival in June, but at last week’s Great Yorkshire Show (report, p68), Camilla Neame’s Starry Night was pulled forward first by the judges. “I’m obviously going to back mine; he’s the best horse I’ve ever had and the best I think we’ll see in a long time. Plus he’s in great form,” says Simon of his four-time Horse of the Year Show maxi winner. Robert, whose five-time HOYS heavyweight winner…

IT was Rachael Faulkner’s first Tweseldown Horse Trials as organiser after taking over the reins from long-standing leader Brynley Powell. Although Rachael has plans in mind for the venue that are being kept under wraps for the time being, she had made some more immediate changes, including a remapping of all the cross-country courses. “We have bought some new fences and put in a new coffin combination. We also used the new Aera-vator for the first time, which helps loosen up the soil underneath where it compacts,” said Rachael. “I want to give the cross-country a parkland feel by using more of the old racecourse, while also making use of the undulations in the middle of the course. We also chopped down some trees around the water to solve some…

IT is great to see plenty of new combinations lining up for Britain at the Europeans at Blair (news, p8) — there are a good number that could challenge for the medals. It’s not a coincidence that the British Equestrian Federation bid to host the European Championships the year before the Olympic Games. Selectors understandably don’t like taking team rookies to the Olympics but since the host nation at the Europeans can field 12 combinations — rather than the usual six — Blair provides a chance for plenty of contenders to cut their teeth at a championship, providing greater options for next year. As Britain gained Olympic qualification at last year’s World Equestrian Games, the main focus for the Europeans will be to win medals, with Germany, the Netherlands and…

• BRITISH eventing fans will see two COMMENT leading American combinations at Burghley as they have received United States Equestrian Federation autumn competition grants to help towards travel. The pairs are Colleen Rutledge and her home-bred Covert Rights — who is by the thoroughbred/ Clydesdale stallion BFF Incognito and featured in H&H’s recent article on heavy horses (9 July) — plus Lynn Symansky with Donner (pictured, right). • YOUNG American riders suffered disappointment this month as the under-21 CCI2* at the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (14-19 July) had to be run as a non-championship division. The event is contested by teams from different areas of the continent, but Canada did not put forward a young rider team — at least two countries must field teams for…

Schianto, partnered Jens-Erik Marcussen’s Alcazar x Coriander 11-year-old Alibi D. Their third in the grand prix was followed by a 70.52% winning grand prix special. The horse was more relaxed in his second test, allowing his super active hindleg ‘I was under some pressure. It wasn’t perfect but he was with me and he tried’Alice Oppenheimer on Headmore Delegate, second in the grand prix special DENMARK took it to the wire but finally proved unbeatable in the Hickstead Nations Cup. The Danish team combined the strength of Anders Dahl’s Wie Atlantico’s eight years’ grand prix experience and the shiny new talent of Sidsel Johansen’s ride, Alibi D with strong backing from Sune Hansen on Charmeur. “Atlantico still feels as fresh and as good now as he did five years ago,”…

MANY PSG riders, as evidenced by their tests, would like to see sabotaging walk pirouettes eliminated. Judge Katrina Wuest, at C, said: “There were so many issues: contact, flexion, open mouths — all happening just in front of the judges! “It’s one of the small movements but it tells the judge a lot about the rideability of the horse, and trainers often neglect these small unspectacular movements. They lose points unnecessarily. “I don’t think walk pirouettes are easy. You have to collect the walk, turn and ride forwards and backwards at the same time, get the correct flexion, keep the horse on the bit… “But they’re not a problem. If the rider starts shoulder fore, they all work out. Often riders don’t take the shoulders with them, then the horse’s…

...at novice NEW British Dressage (BD) member Nicky MacArthur rode Cantolino to win their first novice class at Muirmill. Progress has not been easy with the Corcovado skewbald five-year-old — bred locally by showjumper Andrew Hamilton — whom she purchased as a five-month-old foal. “I was there when he was born in a field only half a mile away from where I keep him now. He’s strong willed and has not been the easiest,” said Nicky, who has endured a broken shoulder, ribs and tailbone through several falls. “His body was mature but his brain stupid, but I feel we’ve now turned a corner now and grown up. I’d done some unaffiliated dressage and felt he was progessing well so decided to join BD. “He’s well bred and moves well…

BRINGING three horses into the final jump-off of the Horse & Hound Foxhunter second round, Louise Saywell saved her best until last to win the class with Dassler. Having been offered the ride on Billy Twomey’s Dassler just three months ago, Louise had previously registered good results at Balmoral and Bolesworth. “‘Bobby’ jumped clear every day at Bolesworth and the deciding factor here was going for two turn backs to big oxers,” said Louise. “While I wouldn’t attempt it on any other horse, he has so much scope and ability and he picked up easily off one stride. “I’m over the moon — we had the last fence down at Weston Lawns for sixth but this has made up for that disappointment,” added Louise, who also brought Dienna and Cuprice…

A home-bred, lightly shown, Irish draught filly exceeded all expectations to give a Yorkshire family their first ever Cuddy supreme in-hand ticket, beating 13 other quality contenders. Shelley Hollins’ Leyward Diamond Jubilee, an athletic, compact three-year-old by Alice’s Diamond Slipper, was beautifully shown by producer Paul Langrick and impressed from the outset with her super limbs, exceptional walk and lovely outlook. Judge Hopper Cavendish was completely won over. “This is an exceptional example of the breed, with all the ‘plus points’ you could possibly hope for,” she said. “When she came out for her individual show, I stood back and thought, ‘What don’t I like?’ — but there was nothing. She has a beautiful front, lovely short cannons and a marvellous back end; she’s also so light on her feet.…

Stephen Howard on HOYS M&M mini champions Hope Ghosts Little Boy and Bonnie Probert-Price OUR champion was delightful and everything one would look for in a first ridden pony. From the moment it came into the ring it was definitely going to be in the frame. It was beautifully produced and so mannerly that it kept its place at the top. Tweetie Nimmo on the HOYS M&M mini classes WE had very strong entries for the lead-rein and first ridden classes, which were full of quality ponies. We were delighted with our results and they were definitely a joint decision between Stephen and myself. Jump judge Carolyn Whiteley on the M&M WHP track A lot of the faults were pilot error and it was certainly a riders’ course. You had…

THE champion bitch hound — and indeed the entire winning two couple — owe their lives to hard-working vet Emma Falconer. When the whelps were a couple of weeks old they suddenly started to go into a rapid decline and, having already lost two litters in similarly mysterious circumstances, huntsman Paul Larby feared the worst. He rushed them to the vets, where Emma nursed them back to health and then kept three of them — including Banish — at walk.…

THE Pieres-led King Power Foxes (KPF) pulled further and further ahead in the last chukka to win the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup, beating UAE Polo 14-8. Following their Queen’s Cup victory in June, KPF won the first lineout but didn’t score the first goal — that was UAE’s honour. Facundo Pieres then hit a superb pass to Top Srivaddhanaprabha who had read the play perfectly and scored to make it 1-1. A fairly chaotic succession of plays ensued, culminating in a Pony Club-style clump of players all standing on the ball and a sandwich — whistle. Play resumed and battled its way up the field, whereupon Hugo Lewis got sucked into an unlucky foul, swiftly converted by Lucas Monteverde. Facundo got his revenge by scoring — dribble dribble, bang — from…