Innholdsfortegnelse for 26-May-2016 i Horse & Hound

LEAVING the European Union could have a negative impact on the equine industry — but could also be an opportunity to change it for the better, experts believe. Former Defra ministers, businesspeople and representatives of organisations from Weatherbys to the British Equestrian Federation met at the Horse Trust, Bucks, last Friday (20 May) to discuss the facts that could influence next month’s vote. Horse Trust president Baroness Ann Mallalieu QC said: “Sometimes, the equine industry has not spoken with a single voice. “I hope we will be bringing together all the sectors to discuss matters of policy — I hope there will be strong views but also dissemination of the facts from people in different parts of the industry. “I’d like us to use this opportunity of having so many…

THE appointment of Eric Winter as the new Badminton cross-country course-designer has been described as “exciting” by leading Britishriders, writes Lucy Elder. Giuseppe della Chiesa has designed the four-star track for the past three years and many felt he had struck the right balance with this year’s course (comment, p55). Eric will replace Giuseppe, who was offered the opportunity to continue but declined due to “shifting life priorities and new personal commitments”. “Being also a true believer in the benefits of changing course-designers from time to time, I wish Eric all success,” he said. Eric, who has been the course-designer at Blenheim for the past 10 years, was technical delegate at Badminton between 2011 and 2014 and also rode at the four-star in 1991. He said it is a “dream…

Hickstead’s international dressage competition in July has been cancelled owing to lack of funding • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ hickstead-cdi-cancelled The husband of Philippa Humphreys, who died in an eventing fall, said she “knew the risks and accepted them unconditionally” • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ humphreys-statement The owner of point-to-point series champion Northgeorge handed the keys to the Subaru Forester he won on lease to the horse’s jockey, Byron Moorcroft, saying: “He’s done all the hard work” • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ p2p-champion-keys The director of supplements company Equifeast has apologised for an article in which he linked magnesium to eventing deaths • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ magnesium-article Racing bodies have signed up to the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ racing-mental-health Bath racecourse took in some 100 people evacuated from their homes after a World War II bomb was found nearby • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ bath-racecourse • A hunting horn that was…

GRANDSTAND-Stoneleigh Events has revealed it is no longer able to put forward the National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre (NAEC) at Stoneleigh Park as the venue for the 2019 European Championships. As a result, the British Equestrian Federation, in conjunction with British Showjumping and British Dressage, will not be submitting a formal bid to the FEI to host the championships. Grandstand-Stoneleigh Events and NAEC had been identified as a preferred organiser and venue for a UK-based bid.…

ENGLAND will host just two home international test matches this year, after a major fixture was lost due to lack of funding, writes Rachael Hook. Cowdray Park’s May test match was cancelled as a sponsor could not be found. The game, organised by the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) and hosted by Cowdray, had been supported by hotel company St Regis. However, when St Regis’ sponsorship deal came to an end, the company did not renew its coverage and a replacement backer could not be found. “It’s very disappointing,” a spokesmanforCowdraytold H&H. “It is one of the most popular events, but without sponsorship you can’t carry on. “We desperately hope to get the test match back in the future.” David Woodd, chief executive of the HPA, said that it has become…

DONKEYS The public has been warned against feeding unsuitable treats to a group of donkeys who give beach rides in Clevedon. The donkeys’ owner said the animals were at risk of putting on weight or becoming unwell. DOGS The RSPCA has offered advice to owners after 10 dogs were reported to the charity as being left in hot cars at Badminton Horse Trials (4-8 May). The dogs were removed from the cars unharmed. A LOST PONY A Shetland pony was handed in to police in Reading after he was found wandering on the M4. The skewbald pony was cared for by staff at the police station while they waited for his owner to collect him. A SEA HORSE Police and firefighters were called out to rescue a horse from the…

DRESSAGE Somerford Park, Cheshire, has a British Dressage Premier League show on 28-30 May. www.somerfordpark premierleague.com EVENTING Watch the UK leg of the FEI Nations Cup at Houghton International Horse Trials on 26-29 May. The Norfolk venue is also hosting CCI* and CCI2* classes. www.musketeer.co.uk POLO Enjoy the Heroes Polo Day at Tidworth Polo Club, Wilts, on 29 May, in aid of charity Help for Heroes. The day features three matches, including the para polo Heroes Cup. www.tidworthpolo.com COUNTY SHOW Go to Surrey County on 30 May at Stoke Park, Guildford, for showjumping, showing, displays and shopping. www.surreycountyshow.co.uk POINT-TO-POINT Fixtures on 29 May include the West Somerset Vale at Cothelstone, Somerset, and the North Herefordshire at Hereford. www.pointtopoint.co.uk RACING The Zetland Gold Cup will be held at Redcar racecourse, North Yorks,…

I would like to congratulate Emily King on her performance at Badminton (report, 12 May). I feel hugely for Emily and Brookleigh regarding their fall so late on in a really impressive round over a true four-star course. What I would like to commend is her reaction both immediately and in the aftermath of what happened. While I am sure she must have been frustrated and upset, Emily showed nothing other than concern for her horse and a trace of her mother’s best rueful smile as she was led away from Brookleigh to be checked by medics. Then, later, good humour, pride in what they had accomplished and a quiet determination to bounce back. I have been involved in eventing for many years and have seen many, many examples of…

LAUNCHED in 2008, Airbnb connects hosts from across the world with guests wanting to rent a room, or a whole house for anything from a few days to several weeks. Becoming a host is easy: you can register your property on the Airbnb website, where you create a free listing to give prospective guests a feel for your property. You can choose whether to let a shared room, a private room or the entire property, and whether you offer a B&B type of service. You can also specify criteria for who can book your property, and when it is available. Once guests book a stay at your property, you get emailed their details and can decide whether to meet them in person to hand over your keys or find another…

THE British teams are expected to be announced on 5 July, in coordination with the British Olympic Association. Contenders are usually already in the World Class Performance elite squads and no long or short lists will be published. 19 JUNE: achievement of FEI minimum eligibility requirements (MERs). This is a compulsory proof of competence, through attainment of clear rounds in three-star showjumping and eventing, and two minimum scores of 64% in international grand prix dressage. (It is a mere formality for the Brits, though one or two countries will likely not meet the MERs and their Rio places will be reallocated). 5 JULY: Britain announces equestrian teams. 8 JULY: latest date to nominate riders to the British Olympic Association. 18 JULY: Rio sport entry deadline. LATE JULY, TO BE CONFIRMED:…

Iwasn’t keen to comment on the debate following the recent tragedy in the USA involving Philippa Humphreys — it’s an endless topic with no satisfactory conclusion. There have been three deaths in the sport already this year, and while no one incident is more or less tragic than the other, the fact that a six-month-old baby has been left without a mother has touched a nerve. Social media has been flooded with angry outbursts, lots of finger pointing and heated calls for radical changes in the name of safety. In my experience anger never solves any problems. But amid all the hysteria have been some thoughtful, sensible and touching comments, none more so than from Philippa’s husband Peter, who said: “Philly lived and breathed the sport. For her, the cross-country…

NATALIE MCDONALD and Assisi Gilmo recorded their first victory in just their second affiliated event when they emerged victorious from the 32-strong BE100 section R at Aston-le-Walls (2). Assisi Gilmo, an 18-year-old son of Cavalier whom Natalie has been riding for just three months, is enjoying a career change, having previously contested showjumping and working hunter classes. “Thanks must go to Jane Robertson and Sam Livesey for giving me the opportunity to ride this calibre of horse,” said Natalie, who has only recently returned to eventing following a three-year maternity break. “It’s nice to feel that even after having had time off I still have the confidence to do it.” Cheshire East-based Natalie juggles riding Gilmo with a part-time job as a business support officer for the local government and…

COMPIÈGNE hosted France’s first official five-star international dressage competition, which was also the third leg in the first year of the trans-Atlantic Nations Cup series. The USA designated the venue as their first Olympic selection competition in Europe, and their team dominated the event with Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet topping the grand prix podium with 77.44%. Laura Graves rode Verdades into second with the team carrying off the Nations Cup indisputably. The British team of Laura Tomlinson (Rosalie B); Lara Griffith (Rubin Al Asad); Hayley Watson-Greaves (Rubins Night) and Anna Ross (Die Callas) were closely matched, all scoring within 1.5% of each other to finish in sixth place. Unfortunately, the five-star grand prix special was cancelled after overnight thunderstorms and torrential rain left the main arena under water for…

MELANIE LAWLESS’ piebald cob is now officially a dressage horse after a surprisingly good debut. The 59-year-old rider has just got back in the plate following a total knee replacement, but her dressage horse is “off games for a year with a suspensory ligament injury”, and she was missing competing. Step forward Fosters Boy (Hector). Melanie said: “My trainer Sophie Dickinson suggested that I have a go at British Dressage (BD) on my little cob. I wasn’t sure, but being so keen to compete I thought why not. “I registered him last week and made a late entry at Burrows Court Farm. “Not only did we win both prelims but Hector scored 75.21% and 71.3% under different judges. So now he is going to have to give up his day…

ROB BEVIS followed his victory in the 2015 International Stairway by repeating the feat this year. This time he was riding the eight-year-old Chablis ET, who jumped one of only two double clears on testing ground. “I saw Rob jump and thought I could easily beat the time, but my horse slipped,” said second-placed Helen Tredwell, who was riding her father Alan’s dynamic grey, Larksong. “Then all I could do was stay upright and come home clear.” Golvers Hill and Nigel Coupe were the only other pair to jump clear in the first round but, having lowered both parts of the double in the second round, they had to settle for fifth. Sammie-Jo Coffin, who was knocking at the door all week, took third with Willem De Lux after dislodging…

AFTER a year of mostly top five-placings, Louise Drinkwater (pictured) has finally broken the first-place barrier when winning the 95cm open at Cherwell Competition Centre, Oxon (15 May). It was the first class she has won with her 12-year-old gelding Laras Time, by Time Out M, whom she bought a year ago from her trainer Julian Mincher. “We’ve been stepping up the levels and trying to get our rounds a bit smoother and faster, and although we keep coming fourth and fifth, a win has so far eluded us. This weekend we’ve finally broken the record and have made it into the winning spot,” said Louise, who has lessons once a week with Julian. “I’ve been working on being more competitive and faster in the ring, so in the smaller…

PETER CHARLES said recently that Britain is the best place to produce horses (comment, 28 April), and I agree with him. We have many very good shows. New additions this year are Cherwell Competition Centre near Oxford and the recently updated Pyecombe, both of which have superb all-weather arenas, good facilities and really bright showjumps. The infrastructure is there to produce our horses. But before long we must address the fact that we are producing fewer top riders capable of jumping clear rounds at super league and grand prix levels. Before anybody reminds me how successful our young riders have been at two-and three-star shows, very few people appreciate the difference between those and a five-star competition. It only becomes apparent when you get into those arenas and walk the…

THE prolific Exmoor gelding Tawbitts Mystic Major (pictured) made his return to the ring after a two-and-a-half-year break. The 15-year-old was shown in-hand by Jessica Please and is jointly owned by the Tawbitts Stud and Jessica’s mother Sarah, after she was gifted him by Hilary Williams on her passing. Major only went back to the Pleases in March and came in from the field the week before arriving at Bicton to stand champion in the Exmoor and Shetland section, and picking up reserve in the silver medal championship. Major has won at RIHS, been to HOYS four times and to Olympia twice. “I have nothing set in stone for him this year as he has nothing to prove, but I could not resist bringing him out when he looks so…

NEW to the market for the hunting enthusiast are Bluecuckoo’s bespoke cushions (pictured). Made from British cavalry twill — the same material as hunt coats — the cushions can be embroidered with your hunt button and are designed in all shapes, sizes and colours, even coordinating the different hunt collars. The company is the brainchild of Lizzie Pinney, director of the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles (AMHB), who told H&H : “The beauty of these cushions is you can design them however you like. They are great for retirement or thank you presents; I am currently doing a couple for a wedding with the hunt button on the front and the names of the bride and groom on the back.” For further details see www.bluecuckoo.co.uk…

THE hound show season is fast approaching with the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show and Festival of Hunting — held on 20 July at the East of England Showground — being the highlight for many. In addition to the many hound shows held across the UK, the increasingly popular Irish Masters of Foxhounds Associations’ annual hound show is becoming a date to add to the diary for many hunting enthusiasts. The show will take place at Stradbally Hall, Co. Laois on Sunday, 3 July, by kind permission of the Cosby family. There will be a presentation of the Horse & Hound Cup to the best couple of young bitches as well as two unentered championships with trophies presented by the Foxhound Kennel Stud Book. The National Hound Show, which attracts packs…

TOMATILLO The Hon Finn and MW Guinness’ clone of Badminton and Burghley winner Tamarillo is standing at their Biddesden Stud this year, for £800. The three-year-old was backed at William Fox-Pitt’s yard, but is now “taking mares”. DON COSSACK This year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has been announced the highest-rated jumps horse for the second season running. The gelding, who is now out with a tendon injury, was given a rating of 177, following his Festival performance. BART VI Jay Halim’s top horse is out for the summer following colic surgery. The 10-year-old gelding underwent an operation for a blockage and spent 10 days in hospital. He is now on box rest at home and vets are confident he will make a return to full work. RULE THE WORLD This…

THE RSPCA has backed a rider’s petition calling to ban the use of fireworks except on certain days. The campaign, which will be debated by MPs on 6 June, calls for fireworks only to be set off on, and during the weekends directly surrounding, Guy Fawkes’ Night, New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year. The petition was launched by Lincolnshire-based rider Julie Doorne after her friend’s mare aborted a foal following a fireworks display in 2014. “A second friend’s horse had to be put to sleep due to stress colic following a fireworks display,” Ms Doorne told H&H. The petition has reached more than 100,000 signatures and Ms Doorne is now urging others to write to their MPs to ask them to attend the government debate. The RSPCA has…

FREE hormone tests are being offered for horses with suspected Cushing’s disease, now known as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). The scheme is being run by the 2016 Talk About Laminitis disease awareness initiative, supported by Redwings, the British Horse Society and World Horse Welfare. The laboratory test is free, but owners will still need to pay the vet call out and examination fees. The free tests run from the beginning of June until the end of October. It aims to raise awareness of the connection between PPID and laminitis and has gathered data from more than 36,000 horses, ponies and donkeys since 2012. • www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk…

KAREN HUGHES “GENUINE and lovely” top international groom Karen Hughes died on 16 May following a long battle with cancer. She dedicated her life to grooming and was well respected on the eventing circuit. Ms Hughes worked at countless Olympics, World Equestrian Games and European Championships for some of the world’s top riders, including Harry Meade, Clark Montgomery and Andrew and Bettina Hoy. “Her dedication to the horses in her care was second to none. A genuine and lovely person will sadly be missed,” said close friend Sharon Mepham. In 2015, Ms Hughes was presented with the British Grooms Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. FREDDY SERPIERI THE former FEI first vice-president and president of the Hellenic Equestrian Federation has died aged 77. Mr Serpieri was a member of the Greek National…

FRESH efforts have been made to improve road safety for horses and riders, writes Rachael Hook. On behalf of the Pass Wide and Slow campaign group, Suffolk-based riders Christine Brindle and her husband John have created a video to help encourage and educate lorry drivers to pass horses safely. The footage shows instances in which riders have been passed in an unsafe manner, as well as instructions for drivers. Mrs Brindle also met the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) last month (20 April). RoSPA runs courses for freight drivers with sections covering how to pass vulnerable road users. “Cyclists, the disabled, the elderly and pedestrians are featured, but not riders,” Mrs Brindle told H&H. “I asked RoSPA if they could include riders. They agreed and I will…

GREAT team player? Punctual and reliable with a strong work ethic? National Trust Wales has the perfect job. There’s just one catch: you must be a horse. The charity is seeking two working equines “happy to get their hooves dirty” to join its “whinnying team” and pull carts around the Erddig estate, Wrexham. Its current Shire “employees” — Jerry and Claire (pictured) — are retiring after around 34 years’ combined service. Other responsibilities include tail-swishing, and the successful applicants can expect a competitive salary, plus “treats on special occasions”. “There’s no place here for blinkered neighsayers who shy away from responsibility,” reads the advert. “You need to be a natural leader. You plough your own furrow. You never follow the herd.” Interested? The HR (horse resources) department is accepting applications…

OUR story about whether roads can ever be safe for horses (news, 7 April) has piqued readers’ interest. We’ve published nine letters on the topic so far and received plenty more which we’ve been unable to squeeze in. This week, we bring you more on this, with new safety initiatives and information about a flashing light crossing in Lambourn (news, p12). Many of the ideas are about educating drivers, something I was thinking about while hacking on the weekend. At some point in my pony education, I’m sure I was told to thank all drivers, whether they slowed down or not. The intention was to show those who had passed too quickly that riders are polite, well-meaning folk and encourage them to take their foot off the accelerator next time.…

ASIDE from riding ability, good organisation is really important for polo. You need to spend lots of time at the stables and know everything that is going on with your horses — whether they are tired, fresh or heavy. As a rule I ride my horses every two days as a minimum (outside of their normal fitness routine). As the season progresses this will lessen slightly as their fatigue increases. Another important factor is arriving at the games nice and early. It’s an easy way to get ahead — I like to be there at least an hour before. I will have the team talk (in high-goal this would have been the day before) and then I try to relax. I will warm myself up 35 minutes before the match…

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SAUMUR provided a fascinating Olympic trial, with the top two putting themselves at the forefront of selection for Rio. Surrey-based Australian Chris Burton and Santano II led throughout the NAF Superflex CCI3* to beat the home hope Thomas Carlile on Upsilon by 2.2 penalties. The best of the dressage tests came on day one, with the top three remaining unaltered through Friday. Chris’ smooth test on Santano, a black nine-year-old by dressage stallion Sandro Hit, took the lead on Thursday with 40.2 — and stayed there. The British and Swedish judges (Sandy Phillips, at C, and Christina Klingspor, at B) ranked him first, while the French H judge, Catherine Agaesse, was less impressed, putting him 10th. Santano holds the world record for the best finishing score at a CCI since…

Chloe Minshaw THE 23-year-old and Veloumani Tess Ly (right) led the dressage in BE100 section F at Llanymynech (1) on 25.8, and two fault-free jumping performances ensured they were never headed. “He’s definitely a talented young horse but I wasn’t expecting to win as he is still quite green,” said Chloe, a working pupil for Arthur Duffort who bought the seven-year-old from Saumur in October 2015. Maddie Oliver THE Newcastle University student and Polished Class (left) found themselves in the winner’s enclosure for the first time after adding nothing to their dressage mark of 32 in BE100 section L at Floors Castle. “It was his showjumping round that did it as we were one of only six clears in his section,” said Maddie, 21, who bought the six-year-old son of…

YOUNG horse qualifiers are in full swing with the Futurities soon to follow. Both are opportunities for studs and small breeders to showcase their youngstock. I have a tiny breeding programme but have never presented any of my homebreds for Futurity evaluation as — for a long time — I thought it was compulsory to wear white jeans. So I was proud when my five-year-old home-bred Gary (by Showmaker) won his young horse class with 8.4 last week. He was ridden by Beth Bainbridge, prepared by Ali Berman, and was even jumping with my boyfriend Marcelo Tosi — an Olympic eventer — the day before. It’s a tricky task though, as judges have to assess what is in front of them in terms of paces. How do they actually spot…

MIRANDA BEAUFORT — the Duchess of Beaufort — has said goodbye to both her big tour horses, Maurits II (left) and Joshua XIV. “I recently had to have them put down at the same time,” she told H&H . “Although they didn’t compete abroad, quite a story goes with them. “Maurits was given to me by Isabel Read when she died — what a present. He was competing at grand prix at Somerford Premier League last year, aged 22.” Miranda bought Joshua, who competed up to inter II, as a yearling from Holland. “He was fifth in the Hickstead young horse class final and was a multiple regionals winner up to prix st georges,” she added.…

A Dales pony that has spent the winter hunting and team-chasing lifted the Rotherwood Furniture £300 overall supreme ridden title. Despite the lateness of hour as the sun set over the racecourse, Kilmannan Robert The Bruce performed a mannerly freestyle show in front of judge Claire Bell to collect the spoils. Bill Ireland’s 11-year-old Dales stallion, ridden by Richard Telford, is a previous winner at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and will now be aimed at Olympia qualifiers. “The pony performed a lovely free-moving show,” said Claire. Bill bred the Village Defender 11-year-old out of his Olympia champion Kilmannan Black Pearl, and he was supreme in-hand at Ayr last year. Richard, who also topped the hunter supreme with Cheryl Bunton’s Bally Blarney, said: “Bruce is very versatile and hunts…

A week after wonderful Royal Windsor, I’m still buzzing. Whatever else happens in my showing career, winning the Tattersalls Retraining of Racehorses championship on Barbers Shop, the last horse bred by the Queen Mother and owned by Her Majesty The Queen, will be hard to top. Standing supreme at the Royal International or Horse of the Year Show is unforgettable, but Windsor gave me the most moving experience of my career. There was enormous pressure on me and my team, but think how ride judge Vicki Fahey must have felt. Riding The Queen’s home-bred horse for the first time, under her watchful eye, as part of the celebrations for her 90th birthday, must have been a real test of nerve. Vicki, who alternated rides with Sam de Caprio, drew Barbers…

THE annual northern trip of the RS Surtees Society on 12-13 March took members to Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, where many based themselves at The George in Stamford while stabling their horses with society member Paul Chenery, reports Frank Houghton Brown. The RS Surtees Society was founded and chaired by Sir Charles Pickthorn at a time when not a single Surtees title was in print; Sir Charles effected a complete republishing of the Surtees canon. His wife Helen, Lady Pickthorn, succeeded him in the chairmanship after his death and Rob Williams, a former master and huntsman of the Mendip Farmers’, took over from Lady Helen some six years ago. Rob has reinvigorated the society by organising a number of regular events, lectures and an annual northern trip that has encouraged a…

ON the final day of the northern area season, R Theveryman initiated doubles for jockey Nick Orpwood and trainer Jacqueline Coward in the restricted at Hexham racecourse (22 May), writes Peter Burgon. The seven-year-old travelled well behind the leaders before being produced with a well-timed challenge to overhaul Twelveoclockhigh (Catherine Walton) half-way up the run-in and score, a shade cosily, by two lengths. Jacqueline commented: “He has been a bit unlucky this season but loved this quicker ground. I’ve always liked him and his recent efforts were not as bad as his form figures of P3PPFU in the race card might suggest. In fact I thought I was going to win on him two starts ago when he fell three out at Easingwold.’’ Recent Aspatria scorer Fight Away Boys completed…

HIROSHI HOKETSU The Japanese dressage rider, 75, has abandoned his aim of competing as the world’s oldest Olympian at Rio 2016 after his horse, Brioni W, fell ill. “I will prioritise helping to restore my horse’s health,” said the three-time Olympian. NICOLE PAVITT British showjumper Nicole secured the biggest win of her career to date at Béthune, France, in the CSI3* grand prix on 16 May with Shahenaz. She was just 0.1sec faster than second-placed Irish rider Anthony Condon. KING MOHAMMED VI The King of Morocco has been named Owner of the Year 2015 by the Jumping Owners Club for his stallion Quickly De Kreisker, who has enjoyed a string of successes, including winning Al Shaqab’s five-star grand prix. THOMAS MESSENGER The National Hunt jockey has retired from the saddle.…

THE cost of equine courses at universities could be set to rise again. The government released a white paper on 16 May, part of the Higher Education and Research Bill, which revealed proposals to lift the current fee cap of £9,000 by linking fees to quality of teaching. It would mean institutions that meet standards set out in a new Teaching Excellence Framework could raise fees in line with inflation. The scheme will be introduced over the next four years, with the first qualifying universities able to raise their fees from autumn 2017. The paper also sets out plans to help more higher education institutions achieve university status. H&H reported last year that the popularity of many equine-related university courses was up, despite the hike in fees to £9,000 from…

THE British team has been revealed for the inaugural under-25 dressage European Championships. The event takes place in Hagen, Germany, on 16-19 June, and Alex Hardwick (Donauwein), Bobby Hayler (Valentino II), Pippa Hutton (Duela) and Ryan Todd (Charlex Eskebjerg) make up the team of four. Alex, Bobby and Pippa are all taking direct reserve rides with them, with whom they will contest the CDI2*. The under-25 championship is made up of an inter II test, a grand prix and a grand prix freestyle. Team medals will be decided on the results of the inter II and individual medals will be on offer for each remaining leg of the competition.…

A NEW ARRIVAL H&H’spicture editor Richard Tole and his wife, Janine, welcomed the birth of their son, Joshua George, on 12 May. Joshua weighed 6.8lbs. NEWCASTLE RACECOURSE The racecourse has installed a new all-weather track. Joey Haynes and Tap The Honey were the first winners on the new surface on 17 May. YOUNG RIDERS Promising showjumpers have been selected for theYoung Riders Academy team through the European Equestrian Federation. The five-strong team will be given training at a professional yard. VETERANS Older riders or those with veteran horses can join a special dressage championships (14-16 October). This is the second year the British Dressage and Veteran Horse Society competition will run.…

A custom–made horse crossing on a busy road in Lambourn is enabling horses to get to the gallops more safely. More than 150 riders have used the system since it was installed just outside Lambourn last month. Trainer Harry Dunlop said the crossing is “invaluable” for the 50 horses at his Windsor House Stables. “It’s simple to use and drivers generally slow down, which is fantastic,” he said. Other trainers in the area and in Newmarket have shown an interest in the rider-activated warning lights. “We hope it will be rolled out in other notorious hotspots,” said Will Riggall of Jockey Club Estates. The British Horse Society’s Mark Weston said it was “most welcome”. “It’s something that may be usable in other locations to make crossings safer for horses,” he…

HORSES FOR COURSES Sir — It was terrible to read of the season’s third eventing fatality (news, 19 May). A lot of thought needs to be put into why these awful accidents keep happening, despite advances in course-design. Yes, courses are getting more technical, but most of the accidents seem to be happening at straightforward fences, and there doesn’t seem to be any relation to tiredness as the accidents are spread around the course. Without commenting specifically on any of these cases, I have some general observations about what has changed since I first competed in affiliated eventing nearly 20 years ago. First, the type of horse. Back then, almost everyone rode part or pure thoroughbreds. These horses are built for speed; they are agile and think for themselves. But…

IS HE REALLY LAME? LUNGEING on a 10m or 20m circle is a regular part of a routine lameness work-up and of a pre-purchase examination for soundness. Many subtle lamenesses become more obvious at trot on a circle. Horses that appear to move perfectly in a straight line may become notably lame when lunged, especially if the surface is firm and the circle small. Vets in Sweden and the USA screened more than 200 riding horses in regular work that the riders believed to be sound. They measured the up and down movement of the head and pelvis using extremely sensitive accelerometers fixed to each horse’s poll and croup. From this group they chose 94 horses that had symmetrical head and pelvic movement when each of the pairs of limbs…

WILL Franky step up Dolley Whisper to four-star after making light of this troublesome track? They added 10.4 time-faults cross-country to move up from 18th to sixth. The little mare has been defying expectations all her life. “My mum bought her as a three-year-old from a YouTube clip,” said Franky. “She arrived from Holland as a tiny whippet - 14.2hh. I told mum to send it back! “She’s now 15.3hh, and warmblood, not made for eventing, but she gets in gear and stays there,” added Franky. “There were some serious questions on this track, but she is so good on a line. We have a conversation all the way; I only need to sit up a fraction and she’ll twitch her ears and understand. “We’re qualified for Badminton, but I…

CARL HESTER reigned supreme in the three-star competition held at the beautiful French venue of Compiègne, just north of Paris. He piloted Nip Tuck (Don Ruto x Animo) to win both the grand prix and the special, and took the grand prix freestyle aboard Wanadoo. Nip Tuck did well to settle in the grand prix after he was startled by two white vans that pulled up close to the arena just as he was about to begin the test. Riding an extra small circle incurred the pair a penalty for late entry but, in spite of this, they won with 74.16%. Carl’s second-string horse, the Wolkenstein II 11-year-old Wanadoo, produced a confident test to stand third, with the pair separated by Swedish duo Patrik Kittel and Delaunay. In the grand…

TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Phoebe and her 13hh part-bred Dartmoor New Oak Thyme (right) scored an impressive 82.12% to win at prelim at Brook Farm EC , Essex (14 May), on what was only their third affiliated outing. “Phoebe, Thyme and their trainer, Siobhan McHale, have worked consistently as a team together for the past five years. When Phoebe started competing her leg did not even come past the saddle flap,” said Phoebe’s mother, Pippa. “It has been a long process, as Siobhan has had to teach Phoebe to teach Thyme, but the hard work is now really paying off. This result is after years of chipping away and proves that anything is possible with patience and perseverance.” Phoebe also rides on the British Young Riders Dressage Scheme (BYRDS) Eastern region team -…

THE FEI’s dressage and para dressage director Trond Asmyr has left due to health reasons. Norwegian-born Trond has been on long-term sick leave since August 2015. He has been with the federation since June 2009 and brought decades of judging experience to the role. He was pivotal in implementing the recommendations of the dressage task force, created after the 2008 Olympic Games, and initiated the 2010 round table on hyperflexion with the major stakeholder groups, which resulted in a redrafting of rules. “He has done so much for the sport and has been a truly dedicated member of the FEI team,” said FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez. Trond added: “Leading the dressage department at the FEI has been the best job in the world and I’m really sorry to leave…

• A mini Tillie FIONA BIGWOOD’S British team medal-winning mare Atterupgaards Orthilia (Tillie) has had a foal via embryo transfer. The chestnut filly (below) was born in the early hours of 11 May and is by the Jazz son Don Juan De Hus. • Hurley switches nationality ALICE HURLEY will now compete under the Irish flag. The small tour rider follows in the footsteps of Roland Tong and Dane Rawlins in changing from British to Irish nationality for competition. Alice specialises in Iberian horses, with her top horse, Deseado CCV, currently competing at inter I. • Vivaldi is on song again EARLIER this month, Scottish dressage rider Jo Barry ventured out on a training outing with her small tour horse Vivaldi V (below) after more than two years off work. In that period…

LAURA RENWICK enjoyed plenty of success in Madrid, topping off her two wins at the Spanish venue with team victory in the Global Champions League (GCL). Partnering up with the USA’s Laura Kraut, the British rider produced a double clear aboard her top horse Bintang II. As team “Rome Gladiators”, the pair took their first win of the series and rocketed up the rankings board to sit in fourth on a total of 130 points. “Bintang got even better in the second round than the first — the size of that ring really helps him,” said Laura Renwick. “He has a huge stride and I could just use that to my advantage in the second round. After Laura Kraut did such a great job I just tried to go as…

THE Cheshire and Wynnstay Hunts are co-hosting a summer lunch at Bolesworth International Horse Show on Friday, 17 June. Daniel Crane, sporting artist and joint-master of the Scarteen Hunt, will be exhibiting his work in the lunch marquee that overlooks the all-weather Castle arena and is a short distance away from the main arena and shopping area. A limited number of tickets — which include VIP entry, a champagne reception and a three-course lunch — are available for £55. Contact Laura Cardwell (Cheshire Hunt) on 07812 214933, ljc@lymmtruckwash.co.uk or Tessa Dollar (Wynnstay Hunt) on 07771 907782, Tdollar@btinternet.com…

PAINT THE CLOUDS is making an indelible mark on the Horse & Hound Cup, and at Stratford last Friday he won the season-ending championship for the second time in three years. The 11-year-old’s record in the race now reads two wins and a head defeat (on unfavourable ground) in three appearances. Not bad for a horse whose veterinary history records two pelvic fractures and a tendon injury, setbacks that two years ago saw his trainer Warren Greatrex opt for a less rigorous return to the track via hunter chases. Paint The Clouds was opposed in the market for the 58th running of the race, the Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunters’ Chase, by Marito, the Northern Irish horse who finished ahead of him in their two most recent meetings —…

ALTHOUGH the running of horses slows down at this time of year, it’s still busy because trainers will be studying sales catalogues. Sales such as Doncaster offer a variety of racehorses including store horses, Irish pointers, and exposed National Hunt and Flat horses. I’m usually buying for an owner, so I look to buy a horse that has run three or four times (it shows he is trainable), that has some form, and I prefer maidens so that we can progress up the ladder. I look for horses aged five and six because, by then, they have usually run, which means they have all their flu jabs, registrations, microchip and passport sorted, and had all its “youngster” issues done and dusted such as teeth out, and curbs and splints will…