Innholdsfortegnelse for July 30, 2015 i Horse & Hound

THE difference in the timetables for selecting British squads is fascinating. The event riders have already been chosen for the European Championships in mid-September, giving them two months to chew their fingernails and hope they can keep their horses sound. Although top eventers compete only sparingly — most will have just one or two runs between now and Blair — injuries still strike often. Only two British senior eventing squads have made it intact from selection to championship in the past 12 years and with 12 combinations on the squad this year instead of the normal six, the top two reserves can be pretty sure of a run. The dressage riders named last week have about three weeks’ build-up. But such is the sport’s predictability that three of the four…

LONDON 2012 gold medallists Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester head up the British squad for the FEI European Dressage Championships (12-16 August), writes Lucy Elder. Carl, 48, is riding Jane de la Mare and his own Nip Tuck. Charlotte, 30, will partner Roly Luard, Anne Barrott and Carl’s Valegro (Blueberry). Joining them is Fiona Bigwood, 39, on Penny Bigwood’s Atterupgaards Orthilia (Tillie) and Michael Eilberg, 28, on his father Ferdi Eilberg’s Marakov. This is the first time Fiona has made the British squad since the 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky. “To have a horse new to grand prix level and get in the team in her first year is just amazing,” said Fiona. “Tillie is the horse of a lifetime.” Reigning world (pictured left), Olympic and European champion…

ZEUS OF RUSHALL The four-star eventer owned by the Wookeys has been retired following the retirement of rider Lucie McNichol. The Burghley Young Event Horse five-year-old winner represented Britain in the 2009 European CIC2* winning team bronze. VERT DE GRIS The Grade A showjumper was put down on 13 July aged 29. He was the ride of Keith Shore for several years and took him to victory at Horse of the Year Show in 2002. He was bought by Amy Billinghurst in 2002 and jumped in the young riders classes and up to 1.40m. KELSTERTON MERLIN Vicky White’s 2008 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Champion has died. He retired from competition in 2013. The working hunter was a six-time HOYS finalist and won at Royal Windsor and the British…

• Protocols are put in place to avoid equine fatalities • Applicable rest periods are respected • Horses on rest periods are blocked from entry in national events • Use of prohibited fluid administration and any substances prohibited under the FEI equine anti-doping and controlled medication regulations in and around the field of play and at the vet gate is prevented • Prohibited substitution of horses is prevented • Prohibited vehicles on the field of play are prevented • Any individual or horse suspended by the FEI is automatically blocked by the EEF IT system from competing at national events • The role and authority of officials in carrying out their duties is respected • FEI rules on post mortems are adhered to and, where possible, the same procedure is…

A rider whose horse bolted when a motorcyclist drove too close has won a case which solicitors say is a “step forward” for other riders, writes Lucy Elder. Sarah Roberts was hacking along a bridleway in Harlow Woods, Mansfield, Notts, on 10 November 2013, when the bike passed her, causing her horse — Sky — to bolt. Ms Roberts fell and broke her ankle. The five-year-old part-bred thoroughbred was physically uninjured, but Ms Roberts said he lost his confidence completely. “I think he must have stumbled — I don’t remember coming off,” Ms Roberts told H&H. A claim was then rejected by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which is responsible for compensating the victims of accidents caused by untraced or uninsured drivers. The MIB said that as the motorbike was…

BRITISH EVENTING’S (BE) under-18 championships will now be held at Frickley Park. The National Saddle Centre BE100u18 regional team championships and the KBIS ONu18 regional championships will now be held at the South Yorkshire venue in July 2016. BE cited the venue’s accessibility and existing facilities as reasons for its choice. “Frickley Park is not only a stunning location, but also very well located just off the A1 near Doncaster, so it’s an excellent central location for those coming from around the country,” said Jane Peters, chairman of BE’s national under-18 programme.…

AS a happy hacker, last year I purchased a big Irish horse to do just that. He proved to be a fabulous ride and although I had never ventured into a show ring, I took him to a small local show, with the wrong-coloured jacket, no gloves and a snaffle. Despite this, we managed a respectful fourth. I felt that I had been criticised and was rather deflated — but I continued and acquired a new hacking jacket, gloves and double bridle. We started to win a few red rosettes. With the Festival of Hunting (report, p76) on my doorstep I decided to watch the professionals and pick up some tips, and found myself chatting to an impeccably dressed lady who explained types of hunters, their way of going, and…

His career choice Growing up it was always about showjumping, that was all there was. I never thought to do anything else. His favourite show The Great Yorkshire — it’s where I grew up. I won my first big grand prix there when I was 15, and the Cock O’the North was the one thing I always wanted to win, so I was thrilled when I did. His top horse of all time I’d say Mr Springfield is probably the best horse I’ve had. We finished fourth individually at the Athens Olympics, as well being on winning Nations Cup teams and taking third at the Spruce Meadows grand prix. It would be nice to have another horse like him.…

SOME movements in the test are harder than others. Here are the top three to look out for: • Working trot down the centre line in single file, line up abreast, two metres apart, halt on the BXE line, rein-back three steps: riders need to be supremely accurate to ensure they halt exactly two metres apart from each other, in a straight line. Horses need to behave in the halt and not mind other horses standing so close to them while in the rein-back, which must be straight. • On the long side all six riders turn right onto the diagonal, changing the rein in medium trot: riders must turn all at the same time and no horse should be in front or behind another — they must all be…

FROM a personal perspective as coach to the Brazilian team, the Pan Am Games were a huge success. We took team silver and individual bronze medals, which probably surprised a few people, but I thought we had a decent chance and so it proved. The venue — Caledon Equestrian Centre, about an hour from Toronto — was stunning, with first-class facilities. It made last year’s World Equestrian Games look even more of a shambles! The cross-country took place an hour away. It was a fairly small area, but it was undulating, and the Australian course-designer Wayne Copping had done a good job of making use of the whole site. The track was on the soft side for a CCI2* but, considering the varying abilities taking part, it was a fair…

BRITAIN was denied a third consecutive Longines Global Champions Tour (GCT) London grand prix title when a sensational effort by John Whitaker fell short by an agonising 0.08-second margin. Victory was conferred on Swede Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, whose nagging consistency over the GCT series finally broke through. An early draw in an epic jump-off forced him to maximise his opportunity with Casall ASK and the experienced stallion ably delivered. “I was fifth to go, and when you have a jump-off with 12 starters you have to give everything or someone will beat you before long,” said Rolf-Göran, who has finished in the top 10 with the 16-year-old Holsteiner at every leg the pair has jumped so far this season. All the first-round clears retained impeccable sheets in the second phase, where…

METTE ASSOULINE was the only rider to achieve double title status. She won both advanced medium and prix st georges (PSG) titles riding her father Torben Lubke’s AD Ratino. “He was meant to be a short-term project but I enjoyed him so much he’s become a long-term one,” said Mette. The nine-year-old is by Rotspon out of a Walt Disney mare and has low mileage but a lot of potential. “He’s the horse that has got me back into competition, and he is showing he’s very talented for the grand prix work,” Mette added. Despite a spook in her PSG test, Mette scored 68.94%, though she felt that the horse was less confident in the arena than the previous day. “Still, the things that came off, came off well,” she…

AN Irish hunter with an unhappy past scored an unexpected double novice win with his owner Ellie Wass, on the pair’s affiliated debut (15 July). Ellie, who runs Upton Pyne EC in Devon, used the two day tickets she and James received as unaffiliated champions at Bicton Arena last year to make their British Dressage (BD) debut at the venue. Ellie took on James two years ago, as he kept bolting with his owner. “He’d probably been mistreated in Ireland and was incredibly nervous,” said Ellie. “He was scared of his own shadow but I knew that there was a really nice person underneath it. It has taken ages for him to trust me. “I hunted him hard in the winter with the Taunton Vale and he also team chases.…

A threat to my marriage WHEN Ceulan Calon Lan stood reserve for the HOYS Cuddy qualifier at Royal Cornwall Show in 2011, Rhydian Donati, an electrician, and his then girlfriend Bethan (née Hooper) were offered a large figure for him. However, when Rhydian telephoned breeder Dr Wynne Davies to ask for advice, Bethan shouted: “If you sell him the wedding is off”. Rhydian and Bethan are now married and keep Calon Lan at their Milwas Stud. “Calon Lan was sold as a foal and much cheaper than he would have been to anyone else in order to keep him in the area,” said Wynne. Rhydian’s interest in Welsh ponies started at just 12 years old when he started visiting Wynne’s Ceulan stud and worked there for 25 years.…

AFTER a five-year absence on maternal duties, Rachael Barton’s return to the showing scene resulted in clinching the Fotografer supreme M&M championship on Chilham Pursuit (Piglet). “With Rachael’s son Leo now five, I thought he would be the ideal pony to get Rachael back in the saddle and start showing again,” said Julie, who got Piglet on loan from owner Michelle Larkin at Christmas. The seven-year-old son of the recently deceased Castle Comet went through the card as, after heading his (HOYS) Connemara and New Forest line-up, he then claimed the section tricolour before standing overall supreme. “My last ride at HOYS was on the Dartmoor Moortown Honeyman in 2007, so qualifying today is just the ticket,” said Rachael.…

FORGET Big Brother or I’m a Celebrity… Get Me out of Here! — a camera in most show secretaries’ offices on show day would make better viewing. This would be even more intriguing when the marks sheets are viewed, if my recent North of England shows are any indication. I’m surprised, given the number of reality documentaries, that no one has produced a behind-the-scenes programme on running a horse show. Being a show secretary seemed more straightforward 20 years ago — why has this changed? Could it be that the more show organisers spoon-feed competitors, in an effort to be “exhibitor-friendly”, the more needy said competitors become? Even when it clearly states in the schedule that entries are taken on the day, it appears that owners need reassurance that the…

AS with the main ring, the entrants for the Old English classes were down on numbers with only five packs showing, writes Mark Hankinson . The Percy’s dominance of this show continued once again claiming both championships and the lion’s share of the top prizes. Noticeable amongst the absentees were the Sir Watkins Williams-Wynn who were not eligible this year as their joint-master and huntsman Richard Tyacke MFH was judging. He was joined by Andrew Cook MFH, huntsman of the Dumfriesshire & Stewartry in Scotland. The first class for unentered doghounds was a comfortable win for Percy Pompous, who had just come hot foot from competing in the equivalent class in the modern foxhound ring. Second placed Warwickshire Saunter was a well-made son of Belvoir Samson 12, with the Brocklesby’s…

CANADA, one of the world’s strongest jumping nations, has lost its Furusiyya Nations Cup round as a result of loyalty to long-term sponsor Rolex, writes Pippa Cuckson. The late cancellation of the qualifier by Spruce Meadows seems to be the latest casualty of the FEI’s sponsorship lockout. It has also left Canada without a place in the 2015 Nations Cup finals in Barcelona — the country finished second last year. Unlike Europe, North America has only three series qualifiers. Canada sent “rookies” to Mexico to gain experience, expecting to grab its Barcelona slot at Spruce Meadows. But on 10 April, Spruce cancelled, too late for Equine Canada to find a replacement venue. In December 2012, the FEI agreed a 10-year, £120m exclusivity deal with Rolex’s rival watchmaker Longines. This ended…

DUTCH dressage duo Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival will not be competing at the European Dressage Championships next month. The rider withdrew her top horse from the 2015 Dutch dressage championships (17-19 July), saying he was “not fit to compete”. It was the final Dutch team selection trial. The combination, who were pipped to Olympic gold in London by Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, have had a difficult couple of seasons. The horse was off for several months in 2013 with a cardiac arrhythmia but were in the bronze medal-winning team at the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Edward Gal on Glock’s Undercover, Hans Peter Minderhoud on Johnson, Diederik van Silfhout on Arlando, and Patrick van der Meer on Uzzo make up the squad.…

PROPOSALS put forward by Károly Fugli, chairman of the FEI driving committee, at the FEI Sports Forum include: • Competition to be held over three days, not four • Minimum 20 athletes • On dressage day, the team competition to consist of either an individual test to music or two drivers from each nation performing a pas de deux • Changes to the cones format, including the possibility of a “jump-off”-style round against the clock, with seconds converted into penalties for the top 10 drivers. Course to include two “obstacles”, similar to indoor driving trials • Team composition of two athletes per team and no drop score, plus one individual…

OLYMPIC champion Steve Guerdat is free to compete again after a provisional suspension imposed last week (21 July) was lifted on Monday (27 July), writes Amy Mathieson. London 2012 gold medallist Nino Des Buissonnets tested positive for banned substances codeine and oripavine, as well as controlled medication morphine at the CSIO5* at La Baule on 17 May. Steve’s other mount, Nasa, tested positive for codeine and morphine, with traces of oripavine, but not enough for a positive test on the latter. However, Nino Des Buissonnets (pictured, left), with whom he has been shortlisted for the Swiss team at the European Championships, remains provisionally suspended until 19 September. Last week Steve said he was “surprised and deeply saddened” by the positive results. On 23 July the Swiss rider had a preliminary…

SWISS showjumper Pius Schwizer has lost the ride on five of his top horses, after his partnership with owners Quinoa Stables ended suddenly earlier this month. The horses — Caretina De Joter, Living The Dream, Amira, Dundee Vd Dwerse Hagen and Newton De Haut Bois — were moved from Irish rider Cameron Hanley’s yard to Pius’ in January this year. Carentina De Joter and Living The Dream will now be going to Global Champions Tour supremo Jan Tops in the Netherlands. Carentina De Joter will ridden by his wife, Edwina Tops Alexander, but it is unknown who will take on Living The Dream as yet. The remaining three horses will be campaigned by young Swiss rider Morgane Dassio. “Owner Eleonore Paschoud stated the pressure that came along with the huge…

AMERICAN PHARAOH The champion racehorse who became the first Triple Crown winner for 37 years last month (6 June) will be appearing in a special feature in US Voguemagazine. GB POLOCROSSE The British team has risen to number four in the world rankings after finishing fourth in the 2015 polocrosse world cup. JENNIFER DONALD H&H’sshowjumping and racing editor gave birth to a boy, William Ewan Henry (pictured left), on Tuesday 7 July. William weighed in at 9lbs 8ozs. Jennifer said she is “delighted”. MICRODAVE The tiny American miniature foal who picked up countless fans when his birth was reported on www.horseandhound.co.uk last month (23 June) has partnered up with an equally small companion. Microdave now shares his stable with a dwarf micropig named Bean from a neighbouring farm to his…

Watch eventing See the CIC3* at Burgham Horse Trials, Northumberland, from 30 July–2 August. www.burghamhorsetrials.co.uk Go to the theatre Based on racing writer Roger Mortimer’s letters, play Dear Lupin comes to London. www.apollotheatrelondon.co.uk Glorious Goodwood The festival runs from 28 July-1 August. www.goodwood.com See dressage Watch para dressage riders compete in the CPEDI with classes from one- to three-star at Bishop Burton, Yorks, from 4-9 August. www.bishopburton.ac.uk…

Watching… Channel 4 Racing. I’m glued to National Hunt racing and will watch the Cheltenham Festival for all four days on TV. My favourite pub… The meat dishes at The Bell at Alresford in Hampshire are amazing. I’m a massive puddings person but I don’t usually have room there. Indulging in… Chocolate. I can’t get enough. Creme eggs and Freddos in particular — we buy them by the box load. I only like cheap chocolate. Avoiding cities… I don’t really do towns — there are too many people — and I avoid clothes shopping at all costs. The only places I like going are the yard and shows. I’m the most boring person you’ve ever known! Reading… Horse & Hound is about the only thing I read. I also like…

• Clifton Lush (pictured, below), who was third at Badminton this year with Jock Paget, broke his withers when he was spooked in the paddock by a thunderstorm and fell under a gate. His withers are now very flat in shape as a result. • A nasty accident on the way to the field caused the same injury to Nana Dalton’s eventer Elite Syncopation (pictured, far left). It’s thought that pain from a tooth abscess made himrear up and fall backwards onto a hardcore surface. “There were visible cuts on his withers,” recalls Nana, who had to wait an agonising 10 minutes before he regained consciousness. “He fractured four vertebrae, which later became infected and parts of bone had to be removed. He now looks bizarre but he’s on great…

Finding the right horse • When I’m picking a new horse I don’t get on it unless I like the look of it. • I look for a horse that makes me smile when I’m sitting up top. • Choose something whose natural reaction — for example sharp or laid-back — is as close to your natural riding style as possible. Enjoying training • If you don’t enjoy the training process and only find satisfaction from your results you’re going to be bitterly disappointed. With this game, you never know where you’re going to end up. You have to be able to enjoy the journey. It’s not about how big a horse moves, it’s about how it moves and the partnership you create. Impressing the judges • Frame, rhythm and…

OBOS COOLEY, NINE-YEAR-OLD GELDING BY OBOS QUALITY 004 Owners: George and Jayne Apter Best result: second Ballindenisk CCI2* 2015 Piggy says: “He’s a new ride for me this year. The Apters have owned with Mark Todd and William Fox-Pitt, so it’s an honour they chose me to ride for them. He’s a horse who has grown on me since I’ve had him. He’s a big horse, but the more I do with him, the more belief I have in him and there’s more to come. He’s aimed at Blenheim CCI3*.” JUMP JET III, SIX-YEAR-OLD GELDING BY CAPTAIN CLOVER Owner: Piggy’s boyfriend, Tom March Best result: won four times at BE100 and novice Piggy says: “We bought him from Donal Barnwell as a four-year-old. Tom owns some horses for me to…

ALTHOUGH it left riders a little soggy on Friday, the 24 hours of rain that fell prior to Saturday’s advanced classes made for near perfect going at Aston. Herefordshire-based Louise Harwood repeated her 2014 victory on Whitson in section I. The 12-year-old, initially bred for the show ring by owners Roy Baker and Emma Baker-Jones, was sent to Louise’s yard seven years ago to be sold, but never left. Clocking the second fastest round of the day cross-country to add just 0.4 of a time-penalty to a dressage score of 29.1, Louise clinched victory by 3.8 penalties. “Whitson obviously likes Aston,” said Louise, who has recently started training with dressage rider Adam Kemp. “I’ve only had two lessons with Adam so far, but I can already notice a huge improvement…

Syon Park THIS new venue for the third running of the London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour (GCT) met with universal approval from competitors (see also news, page 5). Last year’s iconic setting at Horse Guards Parade in central London had drawn criticism after horses and riders were forced to cross St James’s Park to access the competition arena. Logistics were also problematic at the location, with a shuttle service required to ferry competitors from the lorry park to the stables, and restricted space for stabling and warm-up. While glamorous backdrops are a longstanding feature of the GCT, what Syon Park lacks in instant recognition it makes up for in practicality. An unexpected oasis of parkland in Isleworth, situated just nine miles from Charing Cross, the 200-acre site…

THE youngest winner was Dylan Deutrom, Matt Hicks’ 17-year-old working pupil. Riding Matt and Matthew Metcalfe’s eight-year-old Balance (pictured, right), the competition newcomer scored 74% to win a novice restricted title. The other novice restricted champion, Pintingo II, was the only PRE horse at the nationals last year, after getting a wild card for the prelim championship. His rider Sara Malpass, who is head girl for Edward Creamer, did not look for an Iberian specifically but is enjoying Pitingo’s good temperament and personality.…

I can imagine how hard it is for people who have never sat in a dressage judge’s box to understand how difficult the job is. I can also understand how easy it is for the “armchair critics” to point the finger and jump up and down the moment judges have the slightest differences within their scoring. Our judges are a hardworking group of individuals with unquestionable integrity, who are doing their utmost to give correct and logical marks for every movement, but they are human beings, not robots. When one is judging up to 50 horses a day, as was the case at the World Equestrian Games, each judge has to decide upon 1,850 marks per day. This amounts to 12,950 separate scores from seven judges — 25,900 separate scores…

‘It was 50/50 whether he’d ever come sound’ AS a five-year-old, Don Juan — who won the elementary 53 at Richmond EC, North Yorks (18 July) — was making waves in both dressage and young event horse classes. But when a mystery lameness didn’t resolve in 2013, owner-rider Elaine Wormwell discovered he’d shattered his pedal bone. “The vets gave him a 50/50 chance of ever coming sound again,” said Elaine. “We then embarked on extended box rest and a rehab programme, but the inactivity triggered other problems. He became difficult to manage and I was really struggling.” In February Don Juan’s problems became so overwhelming that Elaine nearly had him put to sleep. “But then I remembered what a super horse he’d been before his injury and gave him one…

‘I’m not supposed to be here’ PAUL JARRETT made an unexpected showing debut and bagged the hunter breeding championship with the two-year-old home-bred filly Hidden Agenda. Co-owner Delvin Evans was unable to show and usual handler Jack Cochrane could not due to an association with the judge in the past five years. “You don’t realise what goes on in the ring,” said Paul. “Anne Bassett asked me if Jack would be sacked. I had sweat pouring down my face and told her his salary will be doubled.” Record breaker CEULAN CALON LAN’S breeder Dr Wynne Davies, 83, leapt into the record books as the oldest person to trot up a horse in this main ring. Wynne reported Royal Welsh show for Horse & Hound for more than 50 years, and…

THE 127th Peterborough Royal Foxhound show was sadly diminished by the lack of competitors. Particularly noticeable was the absence of such influential packs as the Duke of Beaufort’s and North Cotswold that — like many others — have been afflicted by this summer’s bout of kennel cough. While the VWH and Grove and Rufford claimed the top prizes, it was an opportunity for many of the smaller packs to shine, in particular the Fitzwilliam who won the unentered doghound championship. Two experienced amateur huntsmen judged the doghounds: Andrew Osbourne MFH of the Cottesmore and Will Bryer MFH of the Cattistock. Only six packs were in the ring for the first restricted unentered class with a wide range of kennel types on display. After some deliberation, the West Norfolk took first…

ENGLAND reclaimed the Coronation Cup in superb style, with James Beim leading the team to a masterful 10-6 victory over South America. Having lost the coveted trophy to Argentina in 2014, this year’s team came on to the field visibly hungry to recoup the title, which they duly did. They outplayed their opponents throughout, producing brilliant four-man polo. For James Beim, who took over the England captaincy from Luke Tomlinson at the beginning of this season, the victory brought relief as much as exultation. “It couldn’t have gone better — it’s a weight off my shoulders,” he said. “I really didn’t want to have to watch the other captain lifting the trophy. I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and I wanted to be the one to lift it.” It…

THE British showjumping team for the FEI European Showjumping Championships suffered a further blow at the weekend after John Whitaker revealed that he would not be making his top ride Argento available for selection. After the pair were pipped to the post by Sweden’s Rolf Göran-Bengtsson by just 0.08seconds at the London Global Champions Tour (GCT) grand prix on Saturday (25 July), the GBR team stalwart said the pair wouldn’t be jumping at the Europeans (11-23 August). The Europeans is the final chance Britain has to qualify for Rio 2016, after injury and dismal performances at last year’s World Equestrian Games left the country without a spot at next year’s Olympics. Individuals may still qualify via the world ranking system, which Scott Brash currently heads. “Argento is a fantastic horse,…

THE RSPCA will no longer pursue those accused of illegal foxhunting through the courts, writes Polly Portwin. This decision follows a review by Stephen Wooler, former chief inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), after the charity was accused of wasting funds and donations by prosecuting hunts for political reasons. The report, carried out last year, made 33 recommendations on the charity’s investigation and prosecution activity. It advised that the RSPCA should continue its role as a prosecuting body, but the organisation accepted it needed to adapt its approach to law enforcement. One of the criticisms levelled at the RSPCA was the amount of money spent on prosecutions under the Hunting Act. In 2012, the RSPCA spent £327,000 prosecuting the Heythrop Hunt, in Oxfordshire. David Bowles, of the RSPCA, said:…

THE British driving and reining squads for the FEI European Championships have been chosen. Representing Team GBR in the driving at Aachen (19-22 August), will be Dick Lane, Karen Basset and Wilf Bowman-Ripley. Reserve is Pippa Bassett. The squad was chosen following the final selection event at Sandringham in Norfolk (26-28 June). Also heading to the championships is Great Britain’s reining squad, who were chosen on 15 July. Francesca Sternberg, Doug Allen, Shane Borland and Josh Collins will compete in Aachen from 14-16 August.…

LONDON 2012 British team gold medal-winner Tripple X III has scored again, this time with the Canadian team, writes Amy Mathieson. Ben Maher’s former ride partnered Canada’s Tiffany Foster at the Pan American Games in Toronto last week (23 July). The 13-year-old stallion was bought by Eric Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stables last April, following a dispute between Ben and his longterm backers Mike and Emma Phillips. Canadian 2008 Olympic gold medallist Eric then sold the horse on to Artisan Farms LLC, for whom he and Tiffany ride. Tiffany’s victorious teammates were Yann Candele (Showgirl), Eric Lamaze (Coco Bongo) and Ian Millar (Dixson) (pictured, right). Argentina secured silver. The USA — which had won gold in both dressage and eventing (news 18 and 23 July) at the Pan Ams — took…

A group of riders and vets from the University of Bern, Switzerland, is studying collapse and sudden death in horses and is looking for information. “If you have ridden, trained or treated a horse that collapsed or died during or shortly after exercise we want to ask you to please fill in a questionnaire. We know this is a difficult, but your input is very valuable,” said a spokesman for the group. • Names of people and horses will remain confidential, visit: www.surveymonkey.com/s/SCDrider-trainer…

JENNY NOLAN A large tree branch crushed the joint organiser of Eridge Horse Trials’ car earlier this month (19 July). A SPOOKED SWIMMER Firefighters spent more than two hours leading a horse to safety after he became stuck in a canal in Tyldesley, Wigan (13 July). Crews used a boat and ropes to lead the bay horse to an area where he could safely climb out. A BOXER PUPPY Hugo, a 10-month-old boxer, managed to swallow a 21in riding crop. Vets in Newton Abbott, Devon, were able to remove the whip and Hugo is now recovering at home. A PLYMOUTH DRIVER A motorist is appealing for help after finding his car badly damaged. A witness claimed a frightened horse “wearing red shin pads” damaged the car.…

BRITISH-BRED, AND PROUD Sir — I enjoyed your interview with Leslie Law (16 July). The horse Tout De Suite — with whom Leslie has been so successful — was bred by us. He was registered as Treveat with Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain and British Eventing, but his name was changed when he was imported to America and registered with the FEI. He has classic British breeding — he is by Catherston Liberator out of Welton Edwina, the full sister of Welton Envoy (Blyth Tait’s Kentucky CCI4* winner) by Welton Crackerjack. We should celebrate these top British-bred horses. Vin Jones Preci Event Horses, Leics TRAVELLING ACROSS THE USA Sir — Regarding the article on travelling across the USA (transport special, 16 July), I too have had experience of hauling…

“WHEN you’re doing the same things over and over, you need a bit of a break to freshen up,” states Robert Smith firmly. After three years away from the competition circuit, Robert has returned and is ready to stamp his mark. And it’s not some half-hearted comeback either — he is aiming at Rio. He’s been to an Olympics before — finishing fourth individually and highest of the Brits in Athens in 2004. But now, at 54, he’s hungry to secure a spot in next year’s main event. For the past three years, Robert has dropped off the radar, moving to Holland, training and dealing horses, but not riding very much. “I just lost interest in it,” he says. “Some of the horses went off, some of the main ones…

#kickingcancersbutt KATE ROCHER-SMITH of Dassett Eventing not only sponsored the eight- and nine-year-old advanced class at Aston, but also raised more than £1,500 for charity. Kate’s team “worked tirelessly to pull this class and fundraising effort together”. The team sold blue fuzzy bug stickers for a suggested donation of £1 in support of two nominated charities. Money raised will be split between the Bobby Robson Foundation, as chosen by Ben Hobday, an event rider recently diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, and MPD Voice for Kate’s aunt, Sheena Hawkin, who is suffering from blood cancer. Dassett Eventing contributed another £5 for any riders in its class who wore their fuzzy bugs in the showjumping. “It has been truly incredible to witness the sheer generosity of people, I can’t thank everybody enough,” said…

Fern Wilson THE Eridge BE90 winner not only juggles eventing with studying to become a vet, but also does shift work at the weekends to pay for her hobby. “I don’t ride on weekdays as I stay in London, but at weekends I travel back home to Headley in Surrey and ride at one end of the day or the other. I work for a catering company, so I have to be in early, from 6am, or work late into the evening.” Fern bought her 15hh piebald gelding, Killea Colours (Charlie), as a project before she began her degree at the Royal Veterinary College in 2012. “The idea was to sell him on to a Pony Club home, but that hasn’t quite happened,” she said. “He is a lovely, easy…

THERE was only one complaint to be made about the London GCT — the weather. It not only rained solidly for two of the three days, it was also freezing. We were thankful for the cover over the warm-up as without it we’d have been absolutely drenched. The new location at Syon Park was top-class. There was a lot more room than at the last two London shows, particularly Horse Guards where the warm-up was incredibly tight. Losing the central location did mean it lacked in atmosphere, but the weather really didn’t help. It would have taken an extremely dedicated person to sit out in the stands on the Friday. That said, with a show like this it is important to attract as many people as possible and I wonder…

I am loving that British events have embraced livestream. Being able to watch Hartpury Festival of Dressage and Barbury Horse Trials —held on the same weekend — made it possible to stay in touch with both competitions on the same day. However, keeping up with who was riding when, at which venue, was a little challenging and it was all rather time-consuming — the weekend was not exactly productive otherwise. The gala evening at Hartpury was particularly enjoyable, especially the young horse prix st georges class, in which Isobel Wessels did a great job as compère. It was notable that, of seven finalists, the top four horses (Woodlander Farouche, Tantoni Sir Soccrates, Dahling and Sheepcote Don Calisto) were all British-bred — and two of them were ridden by second-generation British-bred…

GIRL power reigned at Kingston Maurward, Dorset (19 July), where mares from Jodie Phillips’ New Forest yard won at every level, writes Andrea Oakes . Jodie describes Enjoy II, the six-year-old she rode to wins at elementary and medium, as the most trainable horse she has had. “She’s so straightforward and genuinely loves it,” said Jodie, who bought the Lord Leatherdale mare as a six-month-old weanling. Jodie also scored a novice victory on Springaway, a Catherston Springsteen mare she is riding while owner Angela Denning recovers from injury. “I’m taking Springaway out to give her experience,” she said. “She was so much more grown-up this time.” Lauren Phillips (no relation) then scored a 73.42% advanced medium qualifier win with her seven-year-old mare Hot Chocolate. Lauren has come over from Jersey…

CEULAN CALON LAN proved he is a golden boy in more ways than one, when the palomino left Royal Welsh Show with a handful of titles, including a ticket to the Cuddy final. Horse entries totalled 3,176, with 2,184 in-hand exhibits, and Jennie Loriston-Clarke selected Ceulan Calon Lan as her in-hand champion. The seven-year-old Welsh mountain pony, who is owned by newlyweds Rhydian and Bethan Donati (see box, above right), also stood reserve supreme of show — behind Michael Howell’s champion driving exhibit Gwenllan Gwilym — the judges applauding his natural, unshod action. Judge Mike Daley, who awarded Calon Lan the in-hand palomino championship, said: “His action is up and beyond his age — he really is exciting to watch.” Calon Lan, who is out of Ceulan Cariad — herself…

AMY MITTEN picked up two qualifiers, first heading the large hack and reserve with Cosmopolitan and then winning with Inschagem Of India in the intermediate show hunters. Three years ago Amy broke her back at Cheshire Show when Cosmopolitan put his leg in a rabbit hole in the ring, resulting in Amy being off for more than a year. This is Amy’s last season riding Inschagem Of India as the 10-year-old Gem Of India mare will be put in-foal to Tiger Attack next year.…

Champion doghound VWH Scoundrel was walked by former joint-master Mark Hill, who initially named him Scottie after the hunt’s renowned hound breeder. However, when Scottie and his siblings returned from walk and Martin Scott found out about the name, he insisted it was changed, claiming it would be unlucky. So he was renamed, but to something that Mark felt still reflected the good major! Scoundrel also has a distinguished pedigree, his tail female line goes back to Beaufort Saucy 00, who was lent to the VWH by Capt Farquhar. Saucy in turn goes back Petrel 32, given to the late Duke of Beaufort by Ikey Bell and one of the original Welsh outcrosses that created the modern foxhound. Petrel’s tail line can traced back to Brocklesby Cloudy 1740.…

Good going FOR the first time, the morning match — in which Black Bears beat Tempest 8-6 in the British 10-goal Championship — was played on the number two field, and players praised the quality of the Queen’s Grounds as a result. “Without four chukkas played on the field that morning the ground was very smooth, which made for fluid play and more field goals,” explained Beim. “It’s an important thing to look at again in future.” Borrowed horsepower PLAYERS on both teams benefited from the generous loaning of ponies, with only Llorente playing solely on his own horses. Several of England’s standout ponies were borrowed from other English players including Charlie Hanbury, Ed Hitchman and Ollie Cudmore, as many of the Brits’ horses were already in Spain ahead of…

MR BUMBLE got me there, but Opposition Buzz made me. I was just starting out when Rosemary Search asked me to ride him when he was six. He was a novice, bold and brave with a lovely trot but a very strange way of jumping. He would jump and land on all-fours with his back end first, but he just got better and better, and in time we could go faster. He gained confidence and became a phenomenal cross-country horse. He was always keen to get to the other side of the fence, and his love of cross-country was his great strength — he had the will and found the way. He was passionate about it. When he was young he wasn’t the most comfortable horse to sit on and…