Innholdsfortegnelse for August 6, 2015 i Horse & Hound

LAST week was one of the very best to be showjumping and racing editor, with Glorious Goodwood and the Royal International Horse Show running in parallel and each fostering great stories. There’s always something magical about Hickstead; with so many venues now investing in surfaces, it is one of the very few international turf arenas left. But with that it retains so much tradition and history. Some horses just seem to love it there, one in particular being Beezie Madden’s Cortes ‘C’. We watched in wonder as the combination scooped their second successive King George V Gold Cup. He’s a huge horse yet produces impressively fast jump-offs. They were back to their best after an unusual blunder in the Nations Cup final round. At Goodwood, Richard Hughes said his final…

PONIES ASSOCIATION UK (P(UK)) organisers were left disappointed after a steep decline in entries for its summer championships (24-26 July), writes Margaret Shaw. In its heyday, entries ran into five figures at P(UK) summer championships, but last year’s list of 2,500 was drastically reduced to just 800 for 2015. Opinion among exhibitors was that the loss of Stoneleigh — the championship venue for the past two years — and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers accounted for most of the lack of support. Normally the championships are held in August. However, this year’s date came just a week before the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS). But after being told in November by Stoneleigh leaseholder Grandstand Media that it had lost its ground and HOYS qualifiers, P(UK) organisers had little…

THE Irish squad for the European Eventing Championships (Blair Castle, 10-13 September) has been confirmed. The riders are: Aoife Clark and Vaguely North, Padraig McCarthy and Simon Porloe, Austin O’Connor and Balham Houdini, Michael Ryan and Ballylynch Adventure, Camilla Speirs and Portersize Just A Jiff, and Sam Watson and Horseware Lukeswell. Five riders have represented Ireland at senior championship level before. They are joined by first-timer, Lucy Wiegersma’s partner Padraig. A team of four will be selected from the six named riders after the first horse inspection at Blair, with the other two riders competing as individuals. Reserves are: Jayne Doherty and The Only One, Joseph Murphy and Sportsfield Othello, and Patricia Ryan and Dunrath Eclipse.…

RACING and indeed the horse as a species, was lucky to have Sir Peter O’Sullevan — whose mellifluous tones provided a soundtrack to the sport for 50 years — as a friend. In a golden era of sports commentating, from the beginning of the BBC’s coverage of racing until his last call in 1997, he was, perhaps, the greatest of them all. He was foremost a commentator, but he was no one-trick pony. He was a superb journalist and tipster for the Daily Express, an owner of two outstanding horses in Attivo and Be Friendly, a Francophile who made the most of his many connections to become a successful punter and, in later life, hosted an annual charitable racing lunch each November which raised millions for equine charities. Many a…

RARE BREEDS US zoo The Wilds has welcomed five new equine arrivals. Four Przewalski’s horse foals and a Grevy’s zebra were born at the Ohio park in June and July. AINTREE Partnered with Everton in the Community and Riding for the Disabled Association, the racecourse has hosted its first disabled riding session as part of the newly-formed Aintree Community Programme. MATTHEW WRIGHT The event rider (pictured left) proposed to his partner Victoria Peace on 23 July and she said yes. SHOWJUMPING IN LIVERPOOL Bolesworth International’s new show in Liverpool, taking place in January next year, has been upgraded to a four-star competition.…

Showjumping championships The British Showjumping Championships are at Stoneleigh Park, from 11-16 August. www.bsnationalchampionships.com Go eventing The Festival of British Eventing is held at Gatcombe, Glos, from 7-9 August. www.gatcombe-horse.co.uk Pony Club polo finals The Pony Club polo championships are held at Cowdray Park, Sussex, from 7-9 August. www.pcuk.org Exmoor pony festival The Heritage Exmoor Pony Festival runs from 9-16 August in Exmoor National Park. www.exmoorponyclub.co.uk…

Early horsey memories... My mum put me on a horse before I could even walk. There’s a picture at home of me sitting on the front of the saddle with my mum on her horse Souvenir. Watching... Don’t Tell the Bride . TV is switch-off time for me, and I love lighthearted comedy and “trash TV”, as we call it at home. Looking back… Doing a medium open regional on Wurlizer at Oldencraig. I hadn’t yet learnt to cope with his rearing and got stuck at X — Mum had to lead me out. Kevin Sparrow took an awesome picture of him mid-rear, which I framed and put up in my house the day he did his first grand prix. Wizzy is retired now, but that picture still reminds me…

“I think Ireland could get a team medal at the Europeans this year,” says Aoife Clark with her direct, unblinking blue gaze. “The pressure is off — we’re already qualified for the Olympics; we don’t have to play safe. It’s a really good chance for us — Blair, September, it may be muddy… I think we’ve got to let the handbrake off and go for it.” A huge smile lights up her face. Aoife led her country to that Rio qualification at last year’s World Equestrian Games, finishing best of the Irish — as she had done on her championship debut at London 2012 two years earlier. In between, she had won Britain’s two most prestigious CCI3*s, Blenheim and Bramham, riding Fenyas Elegance. Now she wants to step up the…

CARL HESTER, 48 Horse: Nip Tuck, 11 Breeding: Don Ruto x Animo Owner: Carl Hester and Jane de la Mare Best CDI grand prix score: 78.04, July 2015 Worst CDI grand prix score: 71.46, May 2014 The four-time Olympian could well produce a top-notch performance on this talented horse, with whom he has built a fascinating partnership. “Barney” hasn’t been out of the top two this year, finally breaking the 80% barrier in the freestyle at Hartpury last month. FIONA BIGWOOD, 39 Horse: Atterupgaards Orthilia, 10 Breeding: Gribaldi x Donnerschlag Owner: Penny Bigwood Best: 76.8, July 2015 Worst: 69.35, March 2015 Fiona returns to a championship team for the first time since winning silver at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. And what a horse to make her comeback with —…

NICOLA WILSON and One Two Many justified the British selectors’ faith in them for this year’s European Championships by winning the Owen Pugh CIC3* at Burgham. To top things off, Nicola also finished third with her direct reserve horse, Annie Clover. Only three combinations went inside the time in this hotly contested class — Belgium’s Stephanie D’Andrimont with Alexander IV (10th) and Oliver Townend with both Cooley SRS (fourth) and Samuel Thomas II (11th). Nicola’s goal was to give both horses a steady run in what will be their only outing ahead of their autumn campaigns, but such is their class that the Kemps’ and Janine Shewan’s One Two Many still won with 6.4 time-penalties, with Annie Clover finishing a second slower. Their delighted jockey was at pains to stress…

Sian Hawkes and Balham Mist “IT’S been a long time coming,” joked Sian Hawkes about her intermediate victory on Andrew Ayres’s Balham Mist, an eight-year-old son of Mill Law, who was previously piloted by her trainer Austin O’Connor. “It’s taken us a while to get to know each other but finally it’s coming together. We were sixth in a novice class here last year so I knew he liked the course, and he loves the top of the ground so it was perfect conditions for him.” Sian, who is moving to Kanturk, in Cork, in September to work for Kate Jarvey, also trialled a new tactic at Wilton in an attempt to combat Balham Mist’s tendency to get hot on the flat. “I put him over a few showjumps before…

TWO riders who narrowly missed winning last time out set the record straight at Dalkeith (2) by topping their respective sections. Jennifer Pearson rode Kay Smith’s six-year-old home-bred As You Like It V into pole position in BE100 section H having been pipped at the post at Warwick Hall (2) a fortnight earlier. Thirteen-year-old Ella Robson also put an “if only” to bed, scoring an assured victory in BE80(T) section C with Bobby Dazzler XIII, having been beaten into second place by a whisker last time out at Kirkley Hall. “I was determined to do a better dressage test. Bobby can be a diva, but he was in a good mood today,” said Ella, whose 30.5 score was a five-penalty improvement on her previous outing.…

‘Being poorly meant we bonded’ MIRACLES can happen, as freelance rider and trainer Jack Boarder is finding out. Only 10 months ago, his horse was lying on the operating table having his intestines untangled. Here, they stormed to victory in section A of the prelim championship at their first regionals, the only pair to score over 70%. Jack, who is based with trainer and rider Keith Robertson in Hertfordshire, bought the six-year-old British-bred Charisma IV from his breeder Paul Friday in October 2014. Only four weeks later the horse had to undergo surgery. “He’s a pretty sizeable giant at 18.1hh, which the vets say is probably a major factor in his getting colic,” explained Jack of the gelding by Cardinar. “Considering what’s happened to him, I’m constantly in awe of…

IS dressage in need of a plain English campaign? The most helpful comment I’ve had so far this season was “get him on the bit” during an inter II warm-up, followed by “get him on the bloody bit”. The timing, accuracy and clarity was spot-on. But even when there’s more time to absorb advice — when reading a test sheet for instance — shouldn’t words of wisdom still be straightforward and understandable to all? When I was a judge, the hardest aspect was learning what’s perceived to be the required language. Whether it’s a prelim or an advanced test, comments should be definite rather than a matter of degrees. We’ve all had one judge say “needs to be more forward”, only for the next to remark “running”. When confusing words…

Chinook III THE winner of the talent seekers immediately impressed when Richard Howley took over the ride in June. At their first show, the Tygo x Wellington eight-year-old headed Northcote Stud’s 1.40m grand prix when still eligible for British novice. A former eventer now owned by George Aitkenhead, he was upgraded to grade B and topped Bramham’s grand prix. He also gained two second placings during the Hickstead Derby meeting. “I’ve worked on his flatwork as he’s hot-headed, but he’s started to relax and has greatly improved,” said Richard. “He’s scopey and finds that part easy. Hopefully there are big days to come — he has a bright future ahead.”…

Growing up together TEN-year-old Millie Bullock and the winning home-bred first ridden Little Red Dragon were born within weeks of each other and have grown up together. The pair have been competing affiliated for just over a year — but were RIHS-bound on their next outing. The pony was named after the first ridden Allostock Red Dragon who Millie’s father, Tristan, rode to victory at the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) championships. He had further success with Rosslyn Artistic Elf, Rosevean Grey Owl and Hot Gossip. Millie’s mother, Jemma Hoey, showed Twylands Humming Bee, RIHS winner Walsoken Little Grebe and Caldwells Artful Dodger. Millie and Little Red Dragon finished mini reserve champion to the lead-rein Brookwater Toy Boy, ridden by Lauren Tate, whose mother Jenna and grandmother Evelyn are BSPS-starred…

ÔMatilda had said goodbye’ WHEN Matilda Jackson-Clutton and lead-rein hunter-type Knivers Keepsake won to take their HOYS ticket, it was a poignant moment for the six-year-old’s mother, Laura. “Keepsake had an accident in the field last November,” said Laura, who produces the eight-year-old at home. “The hardest thing was getting Matilda to say goodbye before we took her to Newmarket Equine Hospital; we genuinely believed Keepsake would not make it home. “But the results were positive and she came home to recuperate, supported by Duncan Harrison at Priors Farm Equine Vets.” The pair qualified for Hickstead on their first outing at Baston and had two runner-up spots in HOYS classes prior to this win. “Keepsake has also started Matilda off in first-ridden classes,” added Laura. “The results this season are…

DESPITE the rise in value of the Qatar Sussex Stakes to £1m, it was the Goodwood Cup, won by Big Orange, which provided the most thrilling finish to any race at this year’s Qatar Goodwood Festival. Mike Bell’s tall gelding, ridden by Jamie Spencer, was second for most of the way before making the best of his way home three out. With a furlong to run, it appeared he would be swamped as Trip To Paris came up one side and the Northumberland Plate winner Quest For More up the other. But Big Orange’s class and stamina was matched by a steely determination. In the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket he was passed but fought back and here, if Trip To Paris did not get his head in front,…

I have always wanted to retire at the top and I couldn’t think of a better place to sign off than at Goodwood — it’s a special racecourse to me. I’ve been lucky there in the past and I like it because you don’t always need to be on the best horse to win, due to the nature of the track and the way it rides. I was pleased to score a win on the opening day on Gibeon. To get another on the Friday with Belvoir Bay was a bonus, especially as both horses are trained by my brother-in-law, Richard Hannon Jr. Even though I didn’t ride a winner on the final Saturday it was still a great day. Training is in my blood, having grown up watching my…

THE FEI has told H&Hitwill be “opposing by all legal means” the decision made by the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) in relation to a new “football club-style” competition for showjumping, writes Amy Mathieson. Last month the organisers of the Global Champions League (GCL) took legal action against the FEI over an “anti-competitive exclusivity clause” (news, 25 June). The new showjumping league and team competition was masterminded by the Global Champions Tour (GCT) and was mooted last year. It intends to boost prize-money to around € 20m (£15.6m) and organisers hailed it as a “showjumping revolution”. A complaint was filed with the BCA accusing the FEI of breaching EU competition law. The BCA has now decided to suspend the so-called “exclusivity clause” imposed by FEI. “We disagree with this decision,” added…

TIM BONNER is to take up the role of chief executive at the Countryside Alliance (CA). Sir Barney White-Spunner will be stepping down as the organisation’s executive chairman after three-and-a-half years following the CA AGM in September. The board has appointed Tim to take charge when he leaves. Tim said it was a “huge honour and huge responsibility”. “I am constantly aware of the hundreds of thousands of CA members and supporters who rely on us to give them a voice. The Alliance will always focus on the core political and campaigning work it does best, but must also change to face new challenges,” he added.…

A YARD OWNER Two field shelters plus tack and equipment have been stolen from a livery yard in Norfolk (21-22 July). The shelters took seven hours to be installed and were concreted into the ground. GOLFERS The owner of a golf course in Salt Lake City has been left frustrated after riders galloped across the greens and tore up the ground with their horses’ hooves. Police are now looking to trace the riders. DEE KENNEDY The four-star event rider endured “the most terrifying experience of her life” when Chequers Playboy’s bit broke clean in two on the gallops. Luckily both horse and rider escaped injury. A BATTLE RE-ENACTMENT GROUP A saddle used in the First World War is among equipment stolen from The Anglesey Hussars. The North Wales group had…

WELL-BRED, AND WELL DONE Sir — On your showing pages (Kent County report, 23 July), there are two photographs of horses winning their tickets to the Horse of the Year Show, one the Cuddy supreme in-hand, the other the ladies’ side-saddle. These beautiful horses are by stallions who are father and son from the Etheridge Farm Stud in Dorset. Aunty Iris is by Roviris; Isle Bright by his son Aveia. What an amazing achievement for the breeders. Kate Cameron Ilford, Somerset WHY RIDERS MUST STAND OUT IN TRAFFIC Sir — Your analysis of whether coloured horses are less likely to be in a road crash (news, 2 July) reminds me of an incident involving a “vanishing” skewbald. I was admiring my friend’s skewbald pony walking towards me, when it just…

THE logistics of competing five horses internationally requires teamwork, and Boyd believes this is often underestimated. “People concentrate on horsepower and equipment and neglect the team of people. The people around you at a competition are important,” he says. “They are your gauge and it takes as long to establish that team as it does the team of horses.” While Boyd doesn’t find the psychological pressure of a big competition imposing, having the right entourage alleviates some of the stress. “I don’t think it gets to me, I feel I thrive on it to make me focus, although the people around me might tell you otherwise,” he says. “But they know how I prepare and what I need to do.” He adds: “To be able to maintain concentration for the…

The head turners Portugal’s Lusitano mare Batuta is showing phenomenal talent at just nine years old. She and Gonçalo Carvalho would have won at Vidauban CDI5* in March, had they not been disqualified for failing a drugs test. They’re sure to win admirers at Aachen. The old and the new Patrik Kittel’s Deja may be making her championship debut for Sweden, but the Silvano mare (above) has been scoring plus-80%. At the other end of the scale, Minna Telde’s one-eyed stallion Santana has World Equestrian Games, Olympics, World Cup final and European Championships under his belt. The super stallion Keep an eye out for Birgit Wientzek Pläge and For Compliment, who are long-listed for the Swiss team. The 11-year-old Fidermark son was a bronze medalist at the World Young Horse…

ABSOLUT OPPOSITION (MILEY) 10yo black gelding By Fleetwater Opposition out of Ruffos Star, by Ruffo Owned by: Rosie Glaister, Katie Coventry and Nana BE points: 127 Best results: 12th Blair Castle CCI3* 2014, 19th Blenheim CCI3* 2014, 52nd Badminton CCI4* 2015, 20th Hopetoun CIC3* 2015 Autumn aim: Burghley CCI4* In Nana’s words: “Always looking for mischief; if he’s bored he’ll find a way to amuse himself.” ABBEYLARA PRINCE (ABS) 9yo chestnut gelding By Ard VDL Douglas out of Finnea Lady, damsire unknown Owned by: Emily Roser BE points: 198 Best results: fifth seven-year-old British Young Horse Championships 2013, 36th Boekelo CCI3* 2014, sixth Saumur CCI3* 2015 Autumn aim: Pau CCI4* In Nana’s words: “A phenomenal jumper, exceptionally kind and Toby’s favourite.” ELITE SYNCOPATION (BUG) 12yo grey gelding By Golden Bash…

BEEZIE MADDEN cemented her role as the Royal International’s first lady of Hickstead, writing herself into the history books with a second consecutive Longines King George V Gold Cup win. Last year, the 51-year-old American became the first woman to claim this title since the class was opened up to both genders in 2008. This year, she partnered her incredible gelding Cortes ‘C’ to the first successive victory for a combination since 1962. “I’m happy to keep breaking the records,” said Beezie. “The last time this happened was before I was born and I can’t say that very often any more!” Motivated by a disappointing performance in Friday’s Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, the New York rider was on focused form with her prolific 13-year-old championship partner. She produced the second…

Course changes THE cross-country, with a new start and finish, ran in an anticlockwise direction. “I prefer the other route as it seemed to flow better,” said Andrew Nicholson. “The combinations were very good and the ditch and rails at 11 was a proper fence but I did think that there were too many small fences in-between. They made the questions more serious, in particular at that last combination.” This fence, which caused the majority of the problems across the three sections, was a small log coming uphill, three strides to a big brush parallel and another big brush skinny a further three strides later. It was the latter part that caused the trouble with a number of combinations running past it. “The small log in made it a bit…

DESPITE only clambering into bed at 4.40am on Saturday morning, Steph Dowle, who works behind a bar at weekends, still pulled a novice win out of the bag at the Smiths Gore-sponsored Frickley Park (1) on 25-26 July. “Luckily, my dressage wasn’t until just before 5pm, so I managed to catch a few hours’ sleep,” said the section N winner, for whom this was a first run in nine months with her 14-year-old partner, Just Like Joe. “I’ve competed Joe up to CCI2* level, but at the start of last season he started to feel stale, so I spent most of 2014 and the winter months just hacking and letting him enjoy life again with no pressure,” said Steph, whose dressage score of 26.5 was a career best. “I was…

Amelia James THE 13-year-old was delighted to secure her first win at her local event, Dauntsey, aboard her pony, Hayestown Donny. “It was the biggest, most technical course I’ve ridden; when I walked it I never imagined I’d get round, let alone go double clear,” admitted Amelia, who beat her godmother, Kathryn Harris, into second place in BE90 section A. Francesca Brough FITTINGLY, the West Sussex-based rider scored her first win with her five-year-old Ferdi III at Borde Hill (2), where her mother, Di, was secretary on the day, her father, Miles, sponsored a section and her sister, Cassie, was in charge of the mid-morning “bun run”. “Being a local event, it’s extra special to do well here,” said Francesca, who bought the Verdi-sired gelding from Flora Harris last year.…

LOCAL breeding came to the fore with horses bred in Aberdeenshire heading two qualifiers. Jennifer Johnston scored 72.52% with MFS Caliana to win the open medium and Debbie Murray rode Fancy Man MFS for 71.15% to top the elementary restricted championship. Jennifer was pleased with the progress shown by her “talented but hot” MFS Caliana, an eight-year-old mare by the Moray Firth Stud’s MFS Vision (see box, p69). “She was 100% with me and gave me a beautiful feeling, she’s more established and happy at this level,” said Jennifer. Debbie and the Fidertanz seven-year-old “Fendi” are the reigning national novice champions and previously won the prelim championship at the winter championships in 2014. “I’ve been putting pressure on myself recently and I’d been almost forgetting about the quality of pace,”…

...of a supreme title MEGAN THOMPSON, 12, was rewarded for a long wait when her attractive 133cm show hunter pony, Hindleap Oliver Twist, claimed the area supreme pony title, beating eight other combinations. The family began showing the seven-year-old last season, but have so far just missed out — twice by only one mark — on HOYS qualification. “We are still hoping to get there,” said Megan’s mother, Rachel Cowan, who produces the pony at home in Buckingham. “We figured today that we were already soaked through and couldn’t get any wetter, so we might as well stay for the supreme; it’s success at the fourth attempt for us.”…

A record entry of previously qualified young horses contested the final of this year’s young dressage horse of the future. But there is a lucrative first prize of £3,500 and a bespoke Albion saddle to be won in this established competition — now in its 27th year. The 44 four- and five-year olds of all types and gender, judged by Erik Theilgaard and Nicky Barrett, included many combinations who have already come to prominence this season. It was, however, the five-year-old Lone Star II who came up trumps for Windsor-based Willow Kemp, who was beyond excited with her prize. “This is my biggest prize ever — last year we won the best turned out,” said Willow, who acquired Lone Star in Germany two years ago. The five-year-old by Lord Loxley…

FRANKIE was on fire — he was top jockey with six winners, plus he was driven in a Porsche at 274kph around the Goodwood circuit by his boss Sheikh Joaan. His victory on the Charlie Hills-trained Magical Memory in the Qatar Stewards’ Cup nearly overshadowed the retirement of Richard Hughes. The sprinter is owned by Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, a syndicate run by Sam Hoskins, who revealed: “We have Ryan Moore’s feedback to thank for that. He rode him to finish sixth in a nursery here last year and told us to put him away and geld him.”…

Beagles WITH kennel cough not affecting numbers as much as the foxhound show taking place on the same day (see the Festival of Hunting report, 23 July), 16 packs of beagles competed at this year’s Peterborough Harrier and Beagle show. The long morning’s judging culminated in the doghound championship being awarded to Christ Church and Farley Hill (CCFH) Valour 14, the winner of the entered doghound class. The veteran Old Berkeley Farrier 07 was awarded reserve. Judges Alastair Jackson and Kevin Price MH (West Somerset) were impressed by the overall number of exceptional hounds forward in the morning. Alastair, in his long and distinguished career as a Master of Foxhounds (MFH) and former director of the Hunting Office, will have judged more hound shows than most, but commented that he…

A surprise glanders scare at the Deodoro Olympic horse park in Rio (pictured above), which the 2016 Olympic organisers kept under wraps until last week, has caused concern within the equestrian industry. Team GBR World Class performance director Dan Hughes is at the Rio test event this week (5-9 August), awaiting updates. Glanders is a deadly bacterial infection, largely wiped out around the world but which reappeared in Brazil 15 years ago. The Brazilian government has been criticised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) chief Dr Bernard Vallat for not being “more transparent about the situation”. The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) was among the national bodies only advised of the scare on Friday (31 July), even though the first case emerged in April. Glanders causes nodules and ulcers…

ARGENTO John Whitaker’s 13-year-old stallion has taken the lead in the July FEI WBFSH world rankings. Hello Sanctos was previously ranked number one, but has now fallen to sixth. Last week John said the horse would not be available for the Europeans (news, 30 July). PARZIVAL Dutch dressage rider Adelinde Cornelissen has said she is likely to be retiring the 18-year-old Jazz gelding next year. The London 2012 silver medal-winner was previously pulled from European Championships selection (news, 30 July) due to lack of fitness. LIVING THE DREAM The showjumper who parted company with Swiss rider Pius Schwizer last month (news, 30 July) and went to Stal Tops has now been sold to Victory Equestrian Sport, owned by Athina Onassis de Miranda and Doda de Miranda. U-GENIUS Shares in the…

THE racing and equestrian worlds were in mourning last week after Sir Peter O’Sullevan died at the age of 97, writes Amy Mathieson. The “voice of racing” died peacefully at home in London on 29 July. During his career the popular commentator called more than 14,000 races, including the Grand National 50 times. Sir Peter enjoyed good health into his 90s — he even drove himself to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting in Paris in October 2012. However, he suffered a mild stroke in 2013 and his health had been declining in recent months. Besides being a great fan of the sport he was also a successful owner, winning the 1967 King’s Stand Stakes at Ascot with Be Friendly and the 1974 Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham with Attivo.…

FAILURE to qualify for Rio could have serious financial implications for nations heavily reliant on state funding. UK Sport slashed Britain’s funding when the jumping team failed to qualify for Athens 2004. However, these parameters have since changed and are now measured not just by medals won, but by the number of potential medallists developed across all sports. Team GBR World Class performance director Dan Hughes said: “We will be selecting the strongest possible squad for Aachen to build on the excellent start our new performance manager, Di Lampard, has made. Despite three Nations Cup wins under our belt, we know there is no room for complacency; medals and Olympic places in Aachen will be hard fought, and even harder won. “But morale in the Team GBR camp is extremely…

On Wednesday 22 July I walked into my yard, only to see my world turned upside down. There had been a break-in, and saddles, clippers and other equipment totalling way over £3,000 was stolen. I’m an amateur rider — as many of us are — and work extremely hard to save up for my equipment. These “people” broke in, opened all the gates in the fields, tried to take a quad bike and, when they discovered it doesn’t work, they looked to my locked and secured tack room. They were in there for two hours according to neighbouring CCTV. But one of the most uplifting things is how the community — both equine and local — pitched in and how many offers of help I have had. The social media…

UVEITIS is a generic term used to describe inflammation of the blood vessels and vascular tissues within the eye. In the horse, the disease can separately involve the front of the eye (when it is termed iridocyclitis) or the back of the eye (chorioretinitis), but in many cases the entire eye is affected to some extent. The inflammation can arise from trauma or blood-borne infection, but in the horse the disease is most commonly endogenous — meaning there is no identifiable external cause. In these cases, evidence is mounting that the disease has an autoimmune origin. This arises when the normally low-key immune responses within the eye — maintained that way to avoid triggering inflammation likely to damage the very sensitive and vision-critical structures — fail to recognise these ocular…

• Sunday, 16 August: dressage freestyle 2.50pm–4pm on BBC2 and 12.20pm-4.20pm via the red button (times TBC). Viewers using the red button will have the option of watching commentary-free • www.feitv.org — paid-for service covering all sessions • For up-to-the-minute reports and updates from the team, special and kür competitons, follow www.horseandhound.co.uk/tag/european-dressagechampionships • Don’t miss our 15-page report, out Thursday, 20 August, to relive the action, read expert commentary and see the best photographs…

Age: polo ponies often compete into their 20s, but some have had hard lives. If they are sound and willing, many take to new careers even in their late teens. Action: Aurora Eastwood says that if you want a jumper, look at the way he moves. “Most ponies are bred to be close to the ground with low action, and they run really flat to help with hitting the ball,” she explains. “If you want a multitasker, you need a pony who is bouncier off his hocks.” Retraining: most polo ponies have been trained to neck-rein and to go with no contact in the mouth, so need to be ridden accordingly until (and if) they accept it. Respect: Karen Huyton says it’s like handling ex-racehorses. “Have a go at everything…

I have said before in this column that a championship is a separate class and you have to find something extra. By definition, a supreme championship takes it to the limit, as this year’s Royal International proved. All credit to Jayne Ross on supreme champion Time 2 Reflect — but I know she’ll agree that Jordan Cook, reserve on his small hack, Fleetwater Xecutive, gave her a close run for her money after they finished on joint marks and prompted a two-horse ride-off. As an amateur, Jordan brought this horse through from the Search For A Star series and then served his professional “apprenticeship” with Pearl Underwood. He’s worked hard and should be an inspiration to all amateurs dreaming of making showing a career and hitting the big time. Congratulations,…

Double trouble TWENTY-TWO out of 42 starters faulted at the customary double of gates, sited this year on a curving line from the open water and jumped away from home. Traditionally railway gates, they have featured in the course for at least 50 years and this pair have been jumped in the King George V since its move to Hickstead in the early 1990s. “You don’t see gates on their own that much anywhere else in the world and to see them in a double is hard,” explained course-builder Kelvin Bywater. “It was a difficult line this year asking them to lengthen and then be careful.” “Those gates are always difficult,” said Beezie Madden. “When you make them a double it’s hard for horses to concentrate on the first one…

THE Royal International is always a great show. The weather forecast at the start of the week wasn’t so good but by the end it was gorgeous — and that always helps to make any show feel a bit more special. To my eye, the crowds were up, the stands were all full for the big classes and there was an excellent atmosphere. Ireland didn’t have a team for the Nations Cup, which was disappointing, but it was still a really enjoyable class for me to watch and to walk the course. The jump-off was an exciting conclusion and you would have definitely picked Beezie Madden as the favourite going in. She turned a bit tight and it went wrong for her but it shows everyone has an off-day. Janika…

I was interested to read that Mark Todd wants to see the end of the alligator in the water at Barbury (comment, 16 July). It’s on the list for change, partly as the three-star will have a new track next year. But I’m left with a lingering question about rider responsibility. Many horses, particularly in the two-star, left a leg and several got an early bath. There was a boat strategically placed before the alligator so riders could take a chance and approach on the angle or go around the boat and jump the alligator square on. Everyone who got wet took the angle. Is it up to the course-designer not to give riders the angled option or should it be the riders’ responsibility to do what’s best for their…

Upping the tempo EIGHTEEN-year-old Naomi Lawrence attributes her win in the ONu18 at Aston-le-Walls (3) to riding her horse, So Quiet (Wispa) in a more positive rhythm across country. “Wispa had only showjumped when I bought him 18 months ago and it took me ages to get him going forward,” she explained. “I almost sold him at the end of last season because we kept getting eliminated or having to retire.” A winter dedicated to cross-country schooling paid dividends. “Nigel taught me how to ride forward without interfering and not worry about looking for a stride. The more we did the better Wispa went. This season we’ve achieved the optimum time at almost every event,” she said.…

IT takes experience and mettle to compete a relatively young horse at a regional championships. But to take a horse that has contested prix st georges (PSG) only four times, and go on to win the class with over 70% is sheer brilliance. And that’s exactly what Emile Faurie did aboard Emma Blundell’s stunning Mount St John De La Beaute — despite the mare only wearing three shoes. “She pulled a hind shoe off in the stable and we tried all of Saturday afternoon to find a farrier, but had no luck,” explained Emile. “Keysoe’s on-site farrier was on the golf course, and we tried two other local farriers with no joy, so I rode her with three shoes on.” Emile has had the ride on the seven-year-old by Don…

‘Our first competition for 10 months’ IN a fairy-tale result, Jo Hamilton made her return to competition a winning one when topping the open advanced medium with Corchapin. Jo spent nine weeks in hospital after receiving a serious head injury after a fall from “Colin” while training at home in December. During Jo’s rehabilitation Colin was competed by Kate Cowell, who also trains with Carl Hester, for whom Jo was head girl for 10 years. Colin arrived back at Jo’s less than a month before the regionals and Jo thanked Kate Cowell for looking after him. “This is our first competition together in 10 months, he truly is my perfect partner,” said Jo. They headed the warm-up on the opening day with 73.55% and the qualifier with 73.16%.…

• Wet weather caused the white boards to get splashed during the first day, but Richmond’s Donna Woods was determined they’d look smart for day two. She was spotted washing them at 5.30am. • The Welsh contingent named their teams after famous Welsh singers, and had a soundtrack for each team on an iPad. As the Wales Tom Jones team lay second overnight, the Welsh boyo was heard at full blast in the lorry park on Wednesday night. • Olivia Whitelaw’s Twylands Tiffin went for an unscheduled gallop round the lorry park after his stable door wasn’t secured when he returned from his medium test. Catching him proved a huge team effort, with around 30 people involved, but he went on to finish second in the FEI pony test. •…

IN a rare result, the Horse & Hound Foxhunter was shared between Dave Quigley with EIS Datero H and Morgan Kent on HK Horses’ Furioso, equalling on time for the coveted Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) tickets. From a field of 88, 18 reached the jump-off, with John Whitaker and Cassini’s Chaplin setting a seemingly fast target. Increasingly risky turns successively earned the lead until Dave sliced half a second from Vicky Young’s time on Cleo VII. Dave acquired Datero a year ago — the Zapatero seven-year-old is owned by Equi Investments Showjumping, a syndicate of 12 investors organised by Rupert and Izzy Webb. “He jumped in Spain but I’ve taken him quietly and not done much with him, although he had to go fast today,” said Dave of…

AFTER claiming the supreme in-hand mountain and moorland (M&M) title on the first night, Jean Smith’s section C mare Twyford Elenora returned two days later to claim the Hindley Cup as supreme champion of show. Twyford Elenora was the only in-hand entry in the supreme championship at a show plagued by decreasing entries — they welcomed 800 this time, compared to 2,500 last year (see news). However, the jovial 18-year-old skipped along for handler Sam Watson. Jean had previously bought one of Elenora’s colt foals from the late Alison Mountain at the Twyford Stud, later selling him to the Czech Republic. Following Alison’s death in 2013, Jean returned to the stud to buy his dam before the estate was dispersed. “The aim was to show Elenora in-hand and she has…

‘I was unconscious in hospital’ MANY wouldn’t have persevered with the feisty H Naharra (left), but owner Sue Rose was convinced her efforts would be worth it in the end. “I bought H Naharra as a three-year-old and she was hypersensitive. Everything we’ve done with her has been difficult, from backing to getting her to let the farrier do her feet,” explained Sue. “When H Naharra began her showing career she wouldn’t let judges get on and we have been asked to leave the ring several times. When she was first placed in a class she bit the judge.” In an attempt to desensitise the grey, Sue took her to a Le Trec competition with a friend. “It was a disaster and I ended up unconscious in hospital,” said Sue,…

...of a HOYS ticket THE Kendal-based family made a triumphant New Forest debut to collect a first-ever HOYS ticket at the head of the show pony section, scoring with their home-produced 148cm victor, Rotherwood Peeping Star, beautifully ridden by 16-year-old Zoe Burton. “We’ve been really close in HOYS classes this season and had qualified for the Royal International, so we thought if we were going to come all this way south, we might as well come here as well,” said Janine Burton. “It’s been our ambition to compete at HOYS — and finally we can.”…

A bonus for British-bred ‘Harry’ HILLGROUNDS WOLKENHALL and his rider Katie Bailey had the longest wait for the final result, having been first in the arena at 8.30am. The intervening seven hours proved to be a good day’s work, however, as Wolkenhall finished third and received the prize for the best four-year-old — a bonus £150 on top of their prize of £1,300. Wolkenhall was also the best British-bred, although the prize for this was simply the satisfaction of a job well done for his breeder Clare Skinner, from Devon — and his rider, who produced him. Wolkenhall is one of the first crop for his sire, the now-gelded British-based Hanoverian, Wolkenderry (Wolkentanz I x Londonderry). He is out of Clare’s Dutch-bred mare Akilah (Sandreo x Ferro) who was bought…

Young hunters award The Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles (AMHB) Young Hunters Award 2015 went to Toby Every. He enthusiastically helps his father David — huntsman at the Park Beagles — and holds hounds for his father in the show ring throughout the summer. Vote-OK gets the thumbs up AMHB Chairman Max Rumney presented George Bowyer, National Director of Vote-OK with the Mid Essex Salver for his work mobilising the rural community during the recent election campaign.…