Innholdsfortegnelse for 08-Dec-16 i Horse & Hound

THE Event Rider Masters (ERM) series is to expand for 2017, with plans to host legs in France and Germany as well as the UK. The series was launched this year with the goal of showcasing the sport to new audiences across the globe. “The big push for 2017 is to have international events,” ERM chief executive Chris Stone told H&H . Each leg of the shortened three-star lasts two days, with the dressage set to music and the showjumping and top 20 in the cross-country running in reverse order of merit. ERM also features a rolling podium during the cross-country, with riders moving off if another overtakes them. This year the series ran at six UK events and offered record prize money of £30,000 for the overall winner, Oliver…

‘I hope the experience is electrifying’ Christophe Ameeuw RIDERS have welcomed an “exciting and innovative” showjumping contest styled on golf’s Ryder Cup, writes Eleanor Jones . The Masters Riders Cup, presented by EEM, which runs the Longines Masters Series, and the European Equestrian Federation, will launch at the Paris Masters next December. The cup will be held in Europe and America in alternating years, with five riders from each continent. They will take part in five “duels” in each of two stages. EEM CEO Christophe Ameeuw said: “It’s always special to compete under your flag. “EEM has always strived to bring something to the equestrian world that serves the sport and its growth. I hope the experience is electrifying and elevates the spirit of showjumping competition.” Mr Ameeuw explained that…

Valegro’s retirement is to be live-streamed by the BBC, while almost all the rest of the Olympia action will also be available to viewers. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ valegro-retirement-bbc The British Showjumping national six-year-old championship is to be renamed the Big Star Championship from 2017. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ big-star-championship William Funnell and Jennie Loriston-Clarke are to take up “important roles” at the first London Spring International Horse Show. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ top-names-london-show Jockey Henry Brooke (pictured) made a successful comeback to racing weeks after he was placed in a coma following a serious fall. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ jockey-henry-brooke A trailer safety campaign has been launched by the government following the death of a three-year-old boy. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ trailer-safety-campaign Hannah Francis and the Princess Royal were among those honoured at the British Horse Society’s annual awards. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ bhs-awards-2016 More than seven million people watched as riding and…

A study on the use of a joint supplement has been accepted by the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. Dr Rachel Murray of the Animal Health Trust led a randomised double-blind crossover clinical trial on Science Supplements’ FlexAbility. The study found feeding the product was associated with lower lameness grades, and improved muscle tone. “One area we feel very strongly about is where marketing hype is often allowed to take precedence over the science of nutrition,” said Science Supplements’ Victoria Mitson. “This is a step in the right direction.”…

KYRA KYRKLUND will no longer serve as Swedish dressage supervisor due to a lack of funding. Kyra’s contract was not renewed by Svenska Ridsportförbundet, the nation’s equestrian federation, and she will leave at the end of the year. The federation cited “reduced financial resources” for dressage as the reason why the British-based five-time Olympian’s role will be discontinued. Kyra said the budget has been reduced since the Rio Olympics so she was “not really” surprised by the decision. She said she was proud of the impact she had on the sport in the six years she served as supervisor. “When I started they only had four horses who qualified for World Championships; we have around 20 now,” Kyra told H&H. “The sport has been growing and I am proud of…

IDEAL CANDIDATES Sir — I was interested in your feature “Competition withdrawal syndrome” (20 October), but surprised at an omitted option! The article referred only to families with successful horses and ponies — and I’m sure there are many parents of enthusiastic but less competitive children who find themselves in a similar situation needing to find “work” for a much loved family pet. Some of these ponies might be very suitable to convert to carriage driving, which can provide a great family interest to be shared by all members. Husbands, dads and brothers may become more involved with the added mechanical demands of the vehicle. As with riding, driving can be relaxing and non-competitive, or more demanding for those who wish to join in with driving trials or showing. To…

TO have not just one but two equestrian greats in the running for Sports Personality of the Year is quite staggering. Having already waxed lyrical about Nick Skelton’s worthiness for the accolade, now with the news that Paralympian Sophie Christiansen is also on the shortlist it’s clear that equestrianism will, as a whole, simply have to vote twice. I reported Sophie’s incredible achievements for many years in my former life as H&H dressage editor. Many of the people I wrote about then have since drifted from the lofty heights of podiums, replaced by newer stars, but Sophie is one who has retained her unwillingness to be beaten on the world stage. She was of course incredibly young when she started, being the youngest athlete at the 2004 Paralympics aged just…

MY horses have an enviable lifestyle. We’re big believers in keeping them moving and busy, not stationary and bored, so they have large stables and spend a lot of time in the field, where they stay naturally fitter. I would keep them out 24/7 if the climate allowed it. We’re spoilt for choice with good hacking, indoor and outdoor schools, a horse walker and gallops. Because the horses don’t lead a sheltered life, they’re less likely to get overexcited. It’s a labour-intensive system but it’s instrumental in keeping them relaxed and happy. Generally, I take horses the way they are. It’s important to be adaptable and to develop what you’ve got. With young horses this means giving them time. Mine don’t have to fit a bill or go a certain…

“ONCE you bond with a Lusitano, you don’t go back,” says Sherene Rahmatallah of Sussex Lusitanos, as I prepare to mount Boca Negra, a striking grey stallion. “They are athletes, but they always want to work for you. And when you get off, they’ll follow you around like a dog.” This unique relationship is the concept behind what promises to be a highlight of this year’s Olympia Horse Show. Sixteen Lusitanos — the indigenous Iberian horse from Portugal — will take to the famous London arena, among them several national champions, to demonstrate traditional Portuguese equitation in a moving display to music. Iberian horses have become more familiar in recent years, especially making their mark in mainstream dressage, with success at all levels up to grand prix. Portuguese rider Gonçalo…

•“Do your fast work on the best ground available, but try to vary the surfaces,” says Tina Cook. •“Remember that the quality of your horse’s work is as important as the quantity,” says Harry Meade. •“Although lungeing has a lot of benefits, it should be avoided until a horse is almost competition-fit as it puts strain on tendons and ligaments,” says Natalie McGoldrick. •“Never be afraid to amend your plans,” says Eric Smiley. “If your horse isn’t fit enough come March it is far better to wait a few weeks than risk injury.” •“When you’re on the road, only trot on the uphill as it puts less wear and tear on the legs,” says Harry. •“Remember that fitness programmes will vary hugely between horses and there is no ‘one plan…

‘The judges couldn’t hear it’ THERE were a few quibbles after a number of competitors’ music was disrupted due to supposed interference from the livestreaming and PA systems. One rider who feels her performance was affected was PSG championship runner-up Rachael Clark, riding her 12-year-old mare Wilhemina II. “I started my test but then the music cut out, and when it finally came back on, there was so much interference that the judges couldn’t hear it,” said Rachael. “We’ve scored 82% for that floorplan before, and we usually get nine or 10 for the music, but we only got 7.5. I’m thrilled with how she went, but it’s still disappointing, especially as changes were made to reduce the interference after my test. “That aside, this show has been a great…

‘He flips an Ikea bag over his head and bashes himself round the face with it’ AS British Dressage awaits Valegro’s retirement thoughts turn to finding future superstars. Speaking to Caroline Griffith at the nationals this year she reminded me what a challenge there is ahead. At the recent World Class pathway viewing day they were searching not just for grand prix horses but superstars of the future. Horses with the potential to reach near 80% — just to help us stay in the medal zone. It was heartening to see how many breeders attended the Oldenburg stallion licensing earlier this month in Germany to research the young stallions and interesting to hear from a breeder’s perspective what they are looking for. As a rider I’m looking for potential grand…

‘It’s 15% more expensive to compete abroad’ Ihadn’t been to Arena UK for a while and I’m impressed with the improvements — the permanent stables and lighting is good and the surface is excellent. There’s plenty of room here and I was able to get some good work into the horses. But owner Norman Oley tells me the government are re-rating equestrian centres and he’ll be facing another £30,000 in rates — for some centres that’s the difference between profit and loss, and British Showjumping should be lobbying ministers (news, p12). The equestrian industry brings a lot of revenue, is a leisure industry and a sport and should be rated as such — we need these centres to produce our horses and we don’t want to lose them. As the…

I AN BOYLAN claimed the title of British National Foal of the Year for owner and breeder Neil Harrison with the stunning colt foal Courtview Coronation. This was the second time in three years that the team has taken top honours at this prestigious showcase event. Courtview Coronation, foaled in February, is by Anton Scandal, a young stallion whose progeny are just coming into their own, out of Litton Jubilation, who had a successful career as a show pony under saddle. He took the show pony championship under judge Janet Kershaw before standing supreme pony champion and taking the national title, on this his first outing. “We are very excited about this one,” said Ian. “He may remain entire as a breeding stallion, but he is such a lovely stamp…

‘There’s nothing more disappointing than being told about a potential superstar, only to find it has a front leg the shape of a banana’ THERE is a saying that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. We are currently enjoying some downtime in the sun. It’s so important to take a break and recharge your batteries. I believe the show horses should have the same privilege — but don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t involve a plane ticket. Most of the older horses have either gone home or are enjoying some hunting, while the youngsters are in and learning the job. I’m not a fan of the seasoned horses being up and rugged and in full work doing the same old things. Yes, it’s good to have…

WITH the season up and running, here in Edgcote, Oxfordshire, we’ve been busy preparing the horses for the season, our first runners heading for Chaddesley Corbett on 27 December. We’re not in a hurry to run them too early as it makes for a very long season, and the aim is to finish in June with as many horses as we started with. To that effect, after the roadwork, we do as much core strength work as possible, with trotting uphill and flatwork for horses with a poor topline. Three of our work riders boast different skills: one is a showjumper, one an event rider and the other very good at dressage, so we use their strengths for the horses who need it. We haven’t done as much slow canter…

POLO EXPERIENCE DAY Introduce someone to polo by buying them a day at the Cirencester Polo Academy. £100 per person www.cirencesterpolo.co.uk BOOT BUTLER BOOT JACK A unique, patented design that will keep your socks from getting muddy and wet when you remove your boots as it has two surfaces. £29.99 www.bootbutler.co.uk OKAVANGO HORSE SAFARIS Riding in groups of a maximum of eight, this is the most intimate way to see Okavango’s wildlife and beauty. From £480 per night www.okavangohorse.com ANIMAL PORTRAIT VOUCHER Buy someone a voucher for an Ali Bannister animal portrait and they can be involved in the whole process. As much as you want to give www.alibannister.com FEETZ POCKET WELLINGTONS Overshoe boots that are in effect wellies you can carry…

‘I’ve never had a feeling like it, all the hairs on the back of my neck stood up’ WE knew straight away that Cue Card was brilliant. We had him as a three-year-old, and when he went to Rodi Greene, Rodi said he was the best horse he’d ever broken. He was a superstar from the minute we put a saddle on him, he just had that air of brilliance about him. When he was younger we’d have to put the handbrake on, you couldn’t hold him. He was ferocious on the gallops, always wanting to get to the top first. Now he’s more relaxed, though he’s always willing to work. He won his first race — a bumper at Fontwell in January 2010 — so easily that I said…

Minimum eligibility requirement (MER) to increase to: a dressage test of not more than 67 penalties (from 75), and a clear round cross-country exceeding the maximum time by no more than 75 seconds (from 90) for one, two and three-star competitions, and by no more than 100 seconds (from 120) at four-star. A combination will incur 50 penalties rather than elimination if a horse’s head, neck or shoulder passes the wrong side of a flag when it has attempted to jump an obstacle. A rider can choose to re-present and incur 20 penalties or carry on, and risk the 50 penalties. They can no longer ask the fence judge for clarification. It is thought this rule is designed to help teams remain in the competition, as it offers little advantage…

BIG STAR The Rio gold medal-winner is recovering from a twisted joint. He will miss Olympia, and this weekend’s five-star in Geneva, at which Nick Skelton had hoped to stake a claim on the Rolex Grand Slam. He is expected to be fit to jump in January. DON CARISSIMO Gareth Hughes’ ride won his first international grand prix in Roosendaal CDI this weekend (4 December). The 11-year-old gelding scored 72.49% in the grand prix special, beating Anders Dahl into second on his Rio ride Selten. CJ’S KEMOSABI The gold medal-winning showjumping pony has died at home at the age of 26. The cob partnered a string of riders to success. His highlight was the pony European championships in 2005, when he won individual gold and team silver for Louise Saywell.…

A new owners’ series of showing classes will “fill a gap”, according to H&H columnist and showing producer Simon Reynolds. The British Show Horse Association (BSHA) is to run classes at a number of shows next year, including its national championships in September, aimed at owners whose rides are professionally produced. Simon said the classes provide a much-needed opportunity for owners, as many are over-faced by the prospect of competing against professional producers in open classes, but are not eligible for amateur classes. “It’s very exciting,” he said (comment, p71). Victoria Buckland, who owns Simon’s maxi cob Cobswallop and is sponsoring the new series, said she thought it was a “fantastic idea”. “I don’t get to ride my horse that often, so to ride in a class that isn’t a…

THE use of a technique commonly used to diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder in humans has been used successfully to assess horses’ lung function. Australian researchers say using a spirometer on horses will help assess respiratory limitations and whether various treatments administered have been effective. The equipment, which involves a face mask and stocks, was tolerated well by the horses, the researchers said. “Further evaluation of the technique as a tool in the diagnosis or monitoring of respiratory disease in horses is required,” they added.…

THE BHA The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has won governing body of the year at the UK Coaching Awards, while BHA jockey coach Rodi Greene (pictured) was a finalist for the performance development coach of the year award. FIREFIGHTERS Redwings Horse Sanctuary has loaned a trailer to Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service to help them transport their training “horse”, Randy. The 15hh model horse helps train crews how to rescue equines in trouble. HERTFORDSHIRE HACKERS Riders have celebrated the opening of a new bridleway linking Sandridge, near St Albans, with Nomansland Common. The dual surface route is suitable for use by walkers, riders and cyclists. A LUCKY RIDER Amber Williams has won a £4,000 Horseware and AA Equestrian wardrobe. The competition was run on the H&H stand at Badminton and…

CELEBRATION Women in Racing is holding its Christmas lunch at Cheltenham Racecourse on 9 December. Alice Plunkett will be speaking and there will also be a silent auction. www.womeninracing.co.uk AUCTION A collection of historic racing tickets and passes, expected to fetch up to £38,000, is to be auctioned by Dix Noonan Webb in London on 13 December. www.dnw.co.uk RACING Don your festive knitwear for Lingfield’s Christmas Jumpers Raceday on 10 December. www.lingfi eldpark.co.uk POINT-TO-POINT Fixtures on 11 December include the Hursley Hambledon at Larkhill, Wilts, and Ratcheugh Racing Club at Alnwick, Northumberland. www.pointtopoint.co.uk SHOWJUMPING A three-day showjumping show is being held at Addington Manor, Bucks, from 9-11 December. www.addingtonmanor.co.uk POLO Watch high-goal arena polo and enjoy live music and a Christmas market at Westcroft Park Polo Club, Surrey, until 18…

Horses are flight animals, and sudden noises will send them running. We know this, yet every year we read about horses being scared out of their minds by fireworks being let off next to them (news, 1 December). While it would be lovely if people intending to have firework displays would remember to let all their neighbours know, this isn’t going to happen, and I read in the same issue of H&H that the government believes further regulation is not needed. So, why don’t owners do something to get their horses accustomed to fireworks? Horses learn by habituation, so try a desensitisation programme. Start by playing fireworks sounds to the horses, making sure they are in a safe place and have food to hand. Keep playing the fireworks sounds, putting…

Getting away from it all… The Isle of Mull (pictured, above), with our great friends the Gibson-Flemings, lobster-potting, fishing and walking. My secret weapon... My terrier The Slug. She’s dead cool and comes everywhere with me. When she was a puppy, I had a sticky situation with an unhappy farmer and, while I was talking to him, she managed to lock me out of my van, with the spare keys and my phone inside. It was a great ice-breaker, and the man concerned and I have been firm friends since. My most memorable win… Beating super-fit eventer and Heythrop field master Mike Jackson three years in a row in the fathers’ race at Bledington School. My favourite place to eat out… Steak night at The Antelope in Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset…

FROM 13-19 December, visitors to Olympia Horse Show will witness 16 of Portugal’s top Lusitano horses and competition riders. The display, set to an emotive mix of traditional Portuguese and more modern music, will demonstrate the power and athleticism of these extraordinary horses, with riders wearing handmade Portuguese outfits, and most carrying a vara, a long pole used for working cattle. “The standard won’t fail to impress,” says Sherene Rahmatallah of Sussex Lusitanos, who is coordinating the display with Filipe Pimenta, whose team is behind the award-winning Ponte de Lima horse fair. “The horses and riders will perform flying changes, piaffe, passage, pirouettes — all mostly one-handed. It will be quite mesmerising.” For more information, visit www.olympiahorseshow.com…

•The following charts, suggested by leading riders, are based on a 12-week fittening programme from the time a horse comes in from the field after a complete break to the first event of the year. •For a horse that has been kept in light work post-season, or one that has been hunting or competing in other disciplines, it would be appropriate pick up further down the line, as indicated. WEEK 1: around 30 minutes’ roadwork walking each day. WEEK 2: build up to 45 minutes’ walking on the road each day. WEEK 3: increase to 60 minutes’ walking on the road, incorporating a few more hills. A horse that has been lightly hacked, mostly in walk, three or four times a week over the winter can start here. WEEK 4:…

Master: Jean Clemmit Chairman: Tim Osborne Hon sec and field master: Emma Newham Huntsman: Stephen Hall Hunt groom: Mandy Hall Amateur whippers -in: Richard Cana and Leslie Evans Amateur countrymen: Dave Punter, Chris Jackson and Dave Thompson Tumbler: poor Mandy Hall, who was bucked off at the meet The most forgetful person: Abbie Coates, who boxed up her horse to go to the meet but forgot her saddle Star horse: Bob the pacer, ridden by Andy Pemberton Star pony: Woodend Marigold, second at HOYS and ridden by the chairman’s granddaughter, Lola Carabine…

‘I rode normally, thinking I had plenty of time. I couldn’t believe it when I had time-faults’ Louise Whitaker on her first ride, Ruby VIII LOUISE WHITAKER cruised into the top spot of the winter premier grand prix on the talented eight-year-old Leen OL to secure the £1,000 winner’s purse. “I took out a stride to the double and kept tight everywhere but didn’t go stupidly fast and thought I was beatable,” said Louise. “I must have been faster than I thought.” That hadn’t been the case in round one of the 29-entry feature class as she’d picked up time faults on her first ride, Ruby VIII. “I rode normally, thinking I had plenty of time. I couldn’t believe it when I got time-faults. I sped up on Leen,”she said.…

‘We’ll need to iron the massive great ‘yahoo’ launch out of his vocabulary’ Nicky Henderson on Altior UN DE SCEAUX must have been relieved to see that Sprinter Sacre was only in the Sandown paddock to parade and not to race before Saturday’s Betfair Tingle Creek. Without his old vanquisher, Willie Mullins’s gutsy eight-year-old was able to land one of the biggest two-mile chases in the land — after a battle royal from the third last with the people’s favourite Sire De Grugy, who was bidding to become only the second horse after Flagship Uberalles to win three Tingle Creeks. The advantage kept appearing to shift from one horse to the other before Un De Sceaux finally prevailed. It is unlikely there will be many better races this season, after…

PRINCELY PLAYER made an unstoppable return to the racetrack after more than two years’ absence with a win in the members’ conditions under Sean Houlihan. Just three out of 10 starters finished the race, with Princely Player crossing the line four lengths ahead of Royal Riviera (Ed Bailey). Trained by Sandhurst-based Karen Hobbs, the nine-year-old by King’s Theatre has had time away due to injury. His last run before Sunday was under Rules in a hurdle at Worcester in June 2014, while in training with Karen’s brother-in-law Philip Hobbs. “We haven’t looked beyond today, but we would like to go hunter chasing with him eventually,” said Karen, adding that Sean gave Princely Player a “great ride”. Meanwhile, there was no catching Treacyswestcounty, trained by Laura Horsfall, in the intermediate. Ridden…

Showjumping, clear-round Dressage, combined training Showing Eventing, Jump cross, hunter trials Other ALNWICK FORD EQUESTRIAN NORTHUMBERLAND, NE65 8EQ Alnwick Ford Equestrian holds more than 150 affiliated and unaffiliated showjumping, dressage, cross-country and demonstration events a year. Facilities include a 28x90m indoor arena, a 30x60m outdoor arena, cross-country course and café. JANUARY ALTOGETHER EQUESTRIAN WILTS, SP4 ODW Altogether Equestrian encompasses a multitude of equestrian services providing high-quality training, events and services in a fun, friendly but professional environment. The core of Altogether Equestrian lies with dressage training for horse and rider at all standards. Based at the beautiful and historic stables at Cholderton House, it provides fantastic facilities to train horses and riders to international levels. JANUARY BADGWORTH ARENA SOMERSET, BS26 2QU Badgworth Arena is situated close to Junction 22 of…

THE FEI’s removal of the “final four” phase of the showjumping world championships has sparked mixed reaction among riders, writes Eleanor Jones . As part of new rules that come into effect next year, the finalists will no longer have to ride each other’s horses. The winner will instead be the combination with the fewest faults in the team and individual rounds. London 2012 team gold medallist Peter Charles supported the move. “It’s a great idea,” he told H&H . “I believe the world champion should be the one at the top after all the jumping. Changing horses makes it a bit of a Mickey Mouse really. It’s only 1.40m as the horse has to go round four times, and it’s all dependent on the draw.” Peter cited one championship…

THE issue of CCTV recording in equine slaughterhouses has been debated by MPs. Liz Saville Roberts MP brought the matter to Westminster Hall on 29 November following World Horse Welfare’s calls for CCTV to be made mandatory in UK equine slaughterhouses (news, 24 November). Ms Saville Roberts spoke of the benefits of installing CCTV in abattoirs, both for equine welfare and for slaughterhouse operators themselves. “If we are concerned about welfare, it is our duty not to be blinded by sentimentality, but rather to improve reality as we find it,” she said. “It is important that all horse owners can afford to provide a humane death for their animals.” Many MPs spoke in support of the campaign, and Defra minister George Eustice said the government has not ruled out the…

RICHARD WAYGOOD The former British dressage squad performance manager is to take on the same role for the British eventing team, working alongside performance coach Chris Bartle. Richard said he was “very excited”. ZARA TINDALL The event rider and her husband Mike are due to welcome their second baby in late spring 2017, and are said to be thrilled with the news. The couple had their first child, daughter Mia, on 17 January 2014. The baby will be The Queen’s sixth great-grandchild. MEGAN JONES Australian eventer Megan is out of action due to a head injury sustained in a fall at home on 23 November. She believes her horse slipped, and they both fell. She suffered serious concussion and she and her horse are now recovering. TOM JONES Mr Jones…

RESEARCHERS at the University of Glasgow hope to gain further understanding of sarcoid development and identify better treatment. The Donkey Sanctuary and the university are working together on the “exciting” project. They believe the study “has the potential to reduce pain, suffering and even loss of life, and diminish the stress suffered by donkey, owner and all others involved in looking after these unpredictable cases”. Head of research Faith Burden said: “Sarcoids are the most common skin tumours to affect horses, donkeys, mules and ponies. Although sarcoids are cancer, they do not spread, but can still be very unpleasant and sadly some animals have to be put to sleep due to the presence of such lesions.”…

A TRAPPED HORSE A grey horse was found stuck in a cattle grid near Bridgnorth on 28 November. He was winched to safety. VANDALISM Offensive language was sprayed the side of a horse on Canvey Island, Essex. Owner Mollie Marie Savage found her coloured horse had been daubed with antiseptic spray, which had been taken from a tack room cupboard. THEFT A therapy Shetland pony in Poole has been prevented from visiting children at a charity-run special needs school after his owner’s trailer was stolen. Police are investigating. AN UNLUCKY RIDER Hannah Faithfull, 18, became stuck on a horse after her hips seized up while out riding in Southampton. Emergency services lifted Hannah to safety and she was able to return to work after taking a day off to recover…

HORSE lovers can now enjoy a getaway with an equestrian feel thanks to a unique glamping trailer. The unusual accommodation, nestled in a pine forest in Inverness, Scotland, is available on Airbnb for just £30 a night. Named The Prancing Pony Wild Glamping Pod, the kitted-out horse trailer sleeps two people and comes complete with a built-in shower, kitchen sink and composting toilet. “The Prancing Pony Wild Glamping Pod is a converted horse trailer using almost entirely reclaimed materials,” said the owner Stacie MacDonald. “If you’re more Girl Grylls than high heels, and guys if you are looking for somewhere to be a wild man of the woods, then you’ve found it.” • Visit: www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/14766176…

18 pages of 2016’s memorable moments • The best pictures and quotes • Thrills and spills • Horses and people who made their mark • Hot topics • Those we lost SHOWJUMPING Training with Shane Breen, plus Rolex Grand Slam action EVENTING Olympic team gold medallist Thibaut Vallette; Eventing Life HUNTING Report from the Bilsdale and the latest news in Hunting Life POINT-TO-POINTING Wadebridge, Larkhill and Alnwick SHOWING Training tips from producer Libby Cooke VET The causes and treatment of inflamed legs, plus vet news RACING We bring you the latest from Cheltenham COLUMNISTS BYRDS director Janet Horswill, Dan Skelton and David Simpson…

LET’S face it, there’s so much to love about the London International Horse Show — inspirational dressage, pulsating jump-offs, high-speed Shetlands and everyone’s in the festive spirit. But just to give you a flavour of what’s happening at this year’s show (13-19 December), we bring you our top eight reasons not to miss a second of the seven-day extravaganza… •It’s going to be emotional THE nation’s favourite dressage horse will have his official retirement ceremony on Wednesday evening. Although his final competitive outing was at the Rio Olympics, this will be his formal departure from the competition spotlight. The 14-year-old gelding has nothing left to prove and no more records to break. His team have decided that he will retire at the top of his game, though he will continue…

‘I was too competitive when I was younger; I don’t feel the pressure anymore’Serena Pincus on enjoying her inter I win LEAH BECKETT bounced back from a below par performance on day one to smash the prix st georges (PSG) kür and take the PSG small tour championship. Her 75.04% was the highest score of the show and propelled her to the top from 15th overnight. Leah was riding Eva and Shaun Measures’ 10-year-old home-bred gelding Russki, by their stallion Rimskij Korsakov. The gelding’s performance to a Rolling Stones medley was powerful, uphill and consistent, and included a pirouette-change-pirouette on the first centre line. “Yesterday I had some really expensive mistakes including a big spook and missing the pirouettes,” said Leah. “I had to come in today and nail this…

‘A dressage freestyle is like MasterChef ’ “DRESSAGE to music is about enhancing the performance,” stressed novice freestyle judge Fiona Wilson, who felt some riders were on the wrong track. “A lot of riders did things that weren’t required at novice, like the give and retake of the rein, or wasted their arena time doing serpentines that weren’t markable.” Wendy Jago, who judged the elementary, added: “Don’t overcomplicate. It’s a bit like MasterChef - some ambitious cooks put in 17 ingredients when 12 would have been perfect. If you put in movements that are acceptable at the level but not actually required, you need to be sure that the judge is clear as to what, where and why. It’s important that the floorplan, as well as being…

‘Would passports and studbooks simply become divorced?’ MANY of us are avid supporters of the equine charity World Horse Welfare. It does a tremendous job not only in rescuing and rehoming neglected equines but also in lobbying on a higher level, such as in its ongoing campaign to ban the long-distance transportation of horses for slaughter in Europe, and the more recent one calling for the provision of CCTV in all UK equine slaughterhouses. However there is one recommendation put forward by World Horse Welfare, with regards to the recent report on the effectiveness of the Animal Welfare Act, that I envisage many will disagree with, namely “examining the possibility of establishing a single Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO)”. World Horse Welfare also recommends that “the equine identification system needs to…

THE trainer, who retired from race-riding two years ago, has about 35 horses in training near Worcester - 10 under Rules and the remainder for point-to-points. He took out a full licence 18 months ago to give him greater flexibility and enable him to hang on to the horses he felt were too good for the point-to-point field. His mare Tullow Tonic (pictured) completed a quickfire hat-trick by winning the mezzanine7.com Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Sandown, which was Weston’s first winner at the racecourse. “It wasn’t the plan to rattle off three on the bounce,” he said. “But she seemed fine after winning at Leicester on Thursday and we thought we’d have a crack while she was in good order.”…

WINNER of the novice riders’ Laura Thomas suffered an uncomfortable moment after she weighed out 3lb too heavy. Despite unknowingly carrying the extra weight, her own and the Barbury Racing Club’s Karinga Dancer (pictured), whom Laura also trains, won by 25 lengths. “He was not a planned purchase. I went to Doncaster sales in May to buy Express Du Berlais for our owner/jockey James McNeile [the pair also ran in the same race] and Karinga was one I had my eye on for him,” explained Laura. “But I decided that as he didn’t have form at three miles and as I was buying for an owner, I really needed to get something 100% that I knew was going to do the job. “I was only in the ring as a…

MOULTON COLLEGE EC is an approved British Horse Society (BHS) training and examination centre with facilities that include a 40x60m indoor arena, an outdoor arena, a café, a cross-country schooling field, a mechanical horse and a variety of hacking routes across the college estate. The centre also benefits from a purpose-built hydrotherapy facility with an aqua treadmill, hydrotherapy spa and swimming lane, as well as an on-site veterinary clinic that provides day surgeries. Accomplished, professional staff deliver quality event management expertise, bespoke training and individualised hydrotherapy programs to meet the needs of clientele across the region. The centre regularly hosts British Dressage and British Showjumping competitions alongside a range of unaffiliated events: funs shows, clear round evenings and educational clinics. Due to the wide range of facilities, the centre also…