Innholdsfortegnelse for 30-Jun-2016 i Horse & Hound

VICTORIA PENDLETON Victoria made her reappearance on a racecourse a winning one in the Countryside Alliance’s charity race at Newmarket on 23 June. “It was amazing to win here today, and to be asked to take part in the race,” she said. ALEX HUA TIAN Images of the eventer and World Horse Welfare patron’s horses have raised almost £3,500 for the charity. The images auctioned were donated by photographer Matthew Seed. “I’m thrilled that the event was a success,” Mr Seed said. LIAM JOHNSON Mr Johnson is the new general manager of Huntingdon racecourse. He has been a trainee general manager for the past 18 months. “Ian has impressed us with his drive and commitment,” said Amy Starkey of Jockey Club Racecourses. AP MCCOY The retired jockey received his knighthood…

THE Animal Health Trust (AHT) is inviting anyone who has used an equine water treadmill to contribute to research it is carrying out. The veterinary charity wants to hear from venues that have the facility, and owners of horses who have used them. Data will be “critical for making informed and rational decisions on the selection of horses and protocols for training and rehabilitation,” an AHT spokesman said. The charity would also like to hear from vets involved with horses undergoing water treadmill exercise. •  For a link to the questionnaire, email carolyne.tranquille@aht.org.uk…

THE new Newmarket visitor centre is on track to open this autumn with Joe Grimwade, former stud manager of the Royal Studs, at the helm. Mr Grimwade will educate the public on former racehorses in his role as Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) yard and public engagement manager at Palace House, the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art. Up to eight former racehorses will be stabled in the Rothschild yard, which has been restored after 20 years of lying derelict. Visitors will be able to watch and “interact with” the horses, who will be undergoing retraining. There will also be a “selection of racing equine heroes” visiting the centre for the public to meet throughout the year. Mr Grimwade has worked in the bloodstock industry for nearly 40 years…

EQUINE charities have urged tourists to make responsible decisions this holiday season, writes Rachael Hook. Brooke has been promoting its Happy Horse Holiday Code, which aims to improve the lives of equines in the tourism industry. The code offers guidelines on the use and care of animals and rider weight limits. It also advises how to report concerns. Holiday companies such as Thomas Cook, Direct Holidays and Air Tours have championed the worldwide campaign. Brooke cites several examples of bad practice. These include overweight or very tall tourists riding small donkeys, horses pulling overloaded carriages, ill-fitting tack and insufficient rest time. “With the increasing use of animals in tourism, there was an opportunity for us to spread messages to act responsibly,” said Brooke’s Kimberly Wells. “Within the agenda, equines are…

ONE H&H fan will now be able to read her favourite magazine while sitting on it. Samantha Digby-Baker, of Ditsy Dee.Co which “breathes new life into old and tired furniture”, was commissioned by a friend who owns an equestrian centre to give two chairs a makeover. She used copies of H&H and strong glue in the project Mrs Digby-Baker, whose two daughters are also H&H readers, said: “Using magazines is much more time-consuming than craft paper, which I use on other pieces. But I learned so much as I was reading the magazine at the same time, it was fantastic. “My friend was over the moon, she loved them – it’s lovely when people appreciate your work.” EJ…

“Don’t panic,” say the experts, as we get over the shock of the majority of the British voting public electing to leave the European Union last Thursday. Leave voters maintain the optimism they held during the campaign, while Remain voters buy into the notion that there’s no benefit in preaching a self-fulfilling prophecy — prompting recession by warning of recession, for example. There is, of course, no sense catastrophising, however the only truth we can be certain of is that we do not know what will happen over the next two years, and what ultimate impact Brexit will have on equestrian business and horse welfare. It is heartening, though, to be reassured that work on the new Central Equine Database, by Equine Register, will continue despite the result (news, p6).…

Health and fitness • With unlimited access to food in the Olympic village, you have to be quite strict with yourself. • The facilities are fantastic, too. It’s tempting to jump on an exercise bike when you see all the non-equestrian athletes heading off to the gym, but there’s a chance you’ll pull a muscle if it isn’t something you’d usually do at home. Exercising control • Every rider would probably admit to overworking their horse at the Games. If others are riding theirs three times a day, you think, “I should do that”. • You must be strong and stick to your plan, without letting Olympic euphoria take over your life, your mind and your way of riding. Dotting the ‘i’s… • You need to feel that you’ve done…

THE Bunn Leisure Derby trial lived up to its name, playing out as a fitting test of jumping, rather than a battle against the clock. It was the sole double clear that earned David Simpson the € 8,118 (£6,800) first prize. The locally based Irishman captured a three-strong jump-off from final draw on Gotti Van Paemel — a rangy, clean-jumping grey, whom he describes as “a lovely horse, but so slow. There are boats that are quicker”. “The only reason I jumped him off was because the other two boys had a fence down, and I thought he’d jump clear and win it,” said David. “If they had been clear, I’d have jumped two fences, given him a pat and saved him for Sunday.” Shane Breen was on determined form…

AN amateur home-produced combination overcame a high-class field to claim the small riding horse ticket. Dog groomer Heather Rothwell had no expectations when she set off from her Lancashire home on her own with the seven-year-old all-rounder, Erik, whom she has on loan from Jodie Harper. When she was called forward as winner of the 15-strong class, her surprise and delight were clear for all to see. “I had a bad fall three years ago and lost my nerve,” said Heather, a Lancashire-based mother-of-two. “Jodie is having a baby and I was lucky enough to pinch Erik - who is the most fantastic all-rounder - two months ago as a confidence-giver. Just the journey down here on my own was daunting enough, and I had to ask in the collecting…

Swift action GREAT communication between Danielle Heath and John Harvey led to the purchase of Josephine Ready’s show hunter pony (SHP) champion Wolferlow Esperanto. Prior to Cheshire, this new partnership claimed the champion novice title at the BSPS winter championships and they also gained their Royal International ticket at Arena UK. “Danielle rang to say she had a nice 153cm SHP if I knew anyone looking for one and we were,” said John. “We drove straight up to have a look and bought Esperanto on the spot - and then rang the owner, Sarah Ready, to tell her.” The Libro seven-year-old had previously done dressage and eventing. Josephine added: “We clicked straight away. He gives a great ride, has lovely manners and he loves to gallop. It’s great to get…

THE British team won the Nations Cup in Strzegom for the second year running, led by strong performances from Ros Canter and Izzy Taylor, both of whom finished in the top 10 and on their dressage scores. The Brits were fourth out of the eight teams after dressage, with Germany out in front. Ros and Allstar B were best placed in eighth on a score of 46.2, followed by Izzy and KBIS Briarlands Matilda, 11th on 48.5. Laura Collett (Cooley Again) and Holly Woodhead (Fernhill Facetime) were further down the field of 53, with marks of 58.3 and 59.2 respectively. Michael Jung held the stage once again after the first phase, taking the top two places — and the only two sub-40 scores — with FischerTakinou (34.2) and FischerRocana FST…

WHEN the Stratford Hills BE100open winner Cundlegreen Birthday Girl (Becky) jumped clear around her first open intermediate at Little Downham (3) last October, neither her owner/ breeder, Vanessa Francis, nor her rider, Caroline Smith, had any inkling that the mare was six months pregnant. “I only discovered she was expecting in January this year after she returned to work and had been clipped out,” admitted Vanessa, who still has no idea when and how her mare conceived. “She produced an unexpected, but very lovely, filly foal in March.” The wily father turned out to be Felinfach Tory Boy — who is also Becky’s sire. “It’s lovely to continue the family line, although I didn’t mean it to be quite so incestuous!” laughed Vanessa. Caroline and Becky finished on their dressage…

TWO British riders will make their squad debuts as Team GBR takes part in the first eventing Nations Cup outside Europe, at The Plains, Virginia, USA, on 8-10 July. Ben Way, who works full-time in property and impressed at Badminton this year with 12th on Galley Light, will compete on Posy Kopanski and Peter Finer’s Willows Tipster. And US-based Brit Justine Dutton also rides on the team, with either Huck Finn or Jak My Style. Jodie Amos (Wise Crack) and Rosalind Canter (Zenshera) make up the quartet. Philip Surl, British Nations Cup squad chef d’equipe, said: “We as a team are looking forward to contesting the first leg to take place outside Europe. “The Plains organising committee have generously supported us in the transport costs and accommodation for the three…

THE Dutch team stood atop the Nations Cup podium at what was a mandatory Olympic selection trial for them. In the grand prix, they were spearheaded by Hans Peter Minderhoud with a masterful performance on Glock’s Johnson that earned over 79%. It’s only a matter of time before the massively uphill son of Jazz enters the 80% club. In the special, the pair were relegated after Hans Peter went wrong at the end of the test, setting off across the diagonal for the trot extension as in the grand prix, rather than going large. “The poor boy had an amateur on his back today,” rued Hans Peter. “I was stupid — I rode 11 changes instead of nine and I didn’t circle when I went wrong. I wasn’t collecting points;…

Back after babies TWO ladies who’ve both had two babies were on flying form. Sonia Baines made her first foray since the nationals in a one-time-only attempt to qualify at prix st georges with Alison Singleton’s Sirius Black (Stedinger x Rotspon). She won both huge classes and was the only rider to nail two plus-70% scores despite having only 10 minutes to warm up for one due to the nearby road closure (see box, p72). “The tests were mistake-free, but as a true competitor I’d always look for more supple and more uphill,” she said. Sonia has dearly missed being able to compete during her baby break. “I’m only having the two children, so hopefully that’s my longest break out of the way now,” she said. The Chesterfield-based rider “trains…

At elementary ABI JACOBS and her eight-year-old The Jays Ghost In Cavalier won both elementaries at Boyton Hall at their first attempt at the level, with scores of over 73% and 75%. “I’ve had her since an she was an unbacked three-year-old and produced her myself,” said the full-time nanny, who affiliated the mare only six weeks ago. After achieving her novice regional qualification quicker than expected, Abi’s trainer Elli Darling made her change her Boyton Hall entries from novice to elementary. “I was a bit shell-shocked,” admitted Abi. “But I grinned from start to finish - we both had a ball and loved every second. I enjoyed it so much I wouldn’t have cared if we’d been last, but when I looked at the scoreboard I squealed with joy.…

JAMES SMITH showcased his biggest grand prix win to date and produced an impressive performance on home turf with Tyson Uno, landing the £6,000 prize pot. Last drawn of the six who had progressed to the second round, some careful tactics from the young Dumfries rider meant he was able to cross the finishing line half a second ahead of his nearest rivals. “I knew I could take a stride out in the last line — it had been a bit tight for him first time around and even though it was beside the huge grandstand, he seemed to rise to the challenge without any fuss,” said James. With a CSI2* grand prix win in Mijas earlier in the year kick-starting their success, James added: “This is the one I’ve…

THE final selection of British combinations heading to Rio in all disciplines is set to be revealed next week. The long-list of horses and riders nominated for the Games (5-21 August) was released on 21 June, with the decisions on teams due to be announced on Tuesday (5 July). The final Olympic entries — four horses per team plus a travelling reserve for each discipline — have to be made by 18 July and will be chosen from the long list. For the Paralympics, to which equestrian Team GBR will be sending five combinations, the horses and riders will be revealed on 14 July. EVENTING THREE riders on the eventing long-list were on the silver medal-winning team in 2012. Tina Cook, William Fox-Pitt and Nicola Wilson were on the London…

THE FEI is stepping up its clean sport educational programme in the Middle East after announcing the region’s third positive test for a banned substance in two weeks, writes Pippa Cuckson. Jordanian rider Nayef Al Fayez has been provisionally suspended pending a tribunal hearing after Obama Al Aswad tested positive to the anabolic steroid boldenone, and a cocktail of four controlled analgesics and anti-inflammatories, at an endurance ride in Amman, Jordan, on 21 May. The FEI had only just announced two positive tests for EPO (news, 16 June) — the first time the prohibited substance favoured by disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong was detected in FEI competition — in horses ridden by Emiratis at a 100km CEI* in Doha, Qatar, on 22 April. Thirteen of the 26 riders worldwide who are…

Showjumper Guy Williams finished second in the British Speed Derby at Hickstead, but was disqualified under the FEI blood rule. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ guy-williams-hickstead-disq Rio-bound Irish showjumper Greg Broderick has been given the go-ahead to compete at the Games after questions were raised over his ride’s ownership. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ going-global-ownership London 2012 silver medallist Zara Phillips has missed out on being long listed for the Rio Olympics. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ zara-phillips-miss-rio Gareth Hughes is out of the running for a place on the British dressage team at the Olympics, after his mare went lame in the warm-up at Rotterdam CHIO . • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ gareth-hughes-rio The Masters of Foxhounds Association is to investigate activities suggesting breaches of its rules may have taken place at the South Herefordshire Hunt. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ south-herefordshire-hunt-16 World and European champion SFN Zenith NOP (pictured) is one of six…

MARK TODD is set to ride at his eighth Olympics after the New Zealand eventing team for Rio was revealed. The five-time Olympic medallist will be joined by Jonelle Price, Jock Paget and Clarke Johnstone, with Tim Price as travelling reserve. New Zealand’s individual dressage place at Rio goes to Julie Brougham. The names of the team riders were made public on Monday (27 June). Mark, 60, will also break the New Zealand record for the country’s most senior Olympian.…

CHARITY H&H’s deputy art editor, Emily Secrett, and a team of riders took on a charity dragon boat race (18 June) for Exeter Leukaemia Fund. The team finished fifth and have raised more than £700 for the charity. POLICE HORSES A memorial plaque has been laid to honour all police horses in the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffs. The plaque is to be unveiled following a service by Metropolitan police chaplain, Reverend Jonathan Osborne. ROMANTIC GESTURES Love was in the air at this year’s Royal Ascot (20-24 June), where a proposal was caught on camera. She said, ‘yes’. HORSE LOVERS The British Horse Society has launched a new membership category for those who may not be owners or even ride, but care about the lives of horses in the UK. Money…

NEARLY 70% of horses have at least one sarcoid, according to a new survey. More than 800 owners, riders and professionals were asked for their experiences with sarcoid diagnosis, management and treatment. A spokesman for microcurrent technology company ArcEquine, which carried out the study, said: “The greatest concern reported was the welfare implications for affected horses and ponies, followed by the potential impact on athletic performance. “Given the growing evidence that sarcoids are likely to be caused by the bovine papilloma virus, which is able to evade the horse’s immune system, the survey also asked about the proximity of cattle to affected horses and about methods used to control flying insects.” The results showed 71% of horses affected by sarcoids had been within 3km of cattle. Insect transmission was considered…

JUMP FOR JOY Sir — I couldn’t agree more with Graham Fletcher’s comment (16 June) about the chasm between Foxhunter first rounds at 1.20m and needing to be able to jump a 1.50m course at speed to qualify for the final. Try telling an owner that although their horse is qualified for the regional competition, it isn’t ready to jump it. Invariably the response is, “Give it a try”, followed by disappointment and a horse with damaged confidence — the opposite of what the competition sets out to achieve. The solution? Why not add another layer of qualification. Jump the initial four double clears in a calendar year, then hold, say, 12 qualifying competitions throughout the country between February and July. Riders could choose to jump at any six, to…

My earliest Olympic memory… Going to watch the 1988 Seoul Olympics with my family. At the time my father was president of the Spanish Olympic committee. It was an amazing experience, which made me want to be a part of it. Watching an Olympic event… I always get emotional watching the team sports when Spain is playing. I love sitting in the grandstand with a Spanish shirt on, supporting the team. Other stand-out Olympic sports for me are … Water polo (because I had a boyfriend who was a water polo goalkeeper), handball and gymnastics. My most memorable win… My two medals at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez. That’s when you realise all the sacrifice, the effort and the countless hours of training have been worth it. Best…

WHEN Westfalian dressage stallion AMD Don Havidoff showed colicky signs, it was thought to be due to the recent trauma of becoming cast in his stable. Vets decided to operate, however, when the discomfort worsened. “He was pawing the ground and throwing himself on the floor,” said rider Matt Frost, explaining that the seven-year-old had suffered an inguinal hernia. “They opened him up and removed the affected testicle, before stitching up the inguinal ring to provide more support. “We later decided to have him properly gelded, as he had been bought as a sport horse and not a breeding stallion. He underwent further surgery after developing an adhesion in the bowel, but he had the chance to mature during his lengthy rehab and it has all healed brilliantly with no…

THERE’S not much you can do about the weather — but if this show had been anywhere other than Hickstead, I don’t think we would have been able to jump. Even though it rained so much, the ground was still unbelievable in the main ring, with no patches of mud to be seen. For the Derby itself, the Dyke did get a bit boggy but the team did the best they could to dig out the wet patches and fill them in with surface — they made it as good as it could be. There’s definitely not much anyone could have done with Saturday’s downpour, which made it a little slippery on top. I have to confess I didn’t even hear the thunder and lightning overhead — I must have…

• THE R&R Stephenson Jewellers five-year-old jumping championship went to Pippa Goddard riding Tom Williams’ Toki II, who was bought out of Brightwells as a three-year-old. This mare by Cascall has really consistent form in young horse classes, finishing in the top 10 in finals in Lummen and on the Sunshine Tour. “We won the four-year-olds here, so we’ll try and win the six-year-olds next year as well,” said Tom. • ROWAN WILLIS captured the Ready Supp six-year-old championship with Flow Girl. The mare has big boots to fill, being owned by Alan Waldman, who sold Big Star as a young horse. “It’s never easy in the main ring and she’s never done anything like that before,” said Rowan. “She has a good attitude - we had to do a…

NATIVE ponies should be surefooted, but the River Lawn ring at Hickstead’s Derby meeting was a squelch too far. The going was so bad that some competitors withdrew from the native British Show Pony Society Heritage supreme classes; even after a six-hour drive I contemplated leaving my pony on the horsebox and saving him for another day. Fortunately, Fell ponies have a naturally round way of going, making it easier for them to cope with such conditions. Townend Schubert (Bert) can be a real wimp, but he moves like a wheel and his action allowed him to go through the ground more easily than ponies with a lower, ground-covering action. For some, it was a tendon injury waiting to happen. Organisers should have moved the classes into a more suitable…

THE home-produced two-year-old riding horse filly by Zirkon caught many eyes in the Cuddy qualifier, where she finished a close reserve at her first-ever attempt. Suffolk-based Melanie Firth and her sister, Kathryn Pitts, bought the loose-moving chestnut from breeder Jennifer Gilchrist as a foal, and despite her young age, “Noo” stood champion in-hand riding horse at Equifest last year. This term’s outings brought the champion hack/riding horse and reserve sport horse titles at Suffolk, and she stood reserve hack/riding horse in strong company at Midland Counties. Noo’s athleticism, conformation and overall demeanour drew fulsome praise from Cuddy judge Carl Hester. “She has stunning paces and moves with such lightness and grace,” he said. “She is a fabulous show horse, but her career could go in any direction - including dressage.”…

AT the conclusion of some marathon novice M&M classes, Jonny Stevens and the Klompjes Ivanhoe seven-year-old Wildhoeve Okidoki (pictured) took the tricolour. Owners Gordon and Frances Miller brought the Dutch-bred Fell stallion over from the Netherlands last year for stud work and then responded to Jonny’s request to show him. In their first few outings Jonny and Oki have won the BSPS and National Pony Society (NPS) champion novice titles and they were supreme at NPS area 11. “He came lightly backed and has said yes to everything,” said Jonny. “The set show here had plenty of circles and canter, which was difficult for a true novice, but he just said, ‘OK, let’s do it’.”…

BRITISH EVENTING LISTS Leading rider Oliver Townend Leading horse The Soul Syndicate’s Arctic Soul, ridden by Gemma Tattersall Goldman Cup (under-21) Sam Ecroyd Fairfax Britannia League Sam Ecroyd’s Wodan III, ridden by the owner Calver Wealth Management Two-Star League Barbara and Nicholas Walkinshaw’s Billy Walk On, ridden by Pippa Funnell Gatehouse One-Star League Saffron Cresswell’s Cuffesgrange Little Ric, ridden by the owner Foundation points rider Alex Postolowsky Foundation points horse Becky Rignall’s Burntwood Sorrel, ridden by Sam Penn Mitsubishi Motors Cup rider league Stephen Rankin Mitsubishi Motors Cup horse league Stephen Rankin’s Edouard Van Het Cabernhol, ridden by the owner…

JUST as with horses and people, some events have it, some don’t. I can honestly say I was taken aback by the splendour and majesty of Bolesworth International. Having been invited to the inaugural invitational dressage class at Olympia in 2003, where you now can’t get a seat for love nor money six months in advance, I’d bet that Bolesworth is on the verge of something big. Despite the appalling tropical storm that raged over Cheshire, all eight invited dressage riders turned up to compete. I’ve never met a more helpful, smiley bunch of people in my life as the Bolesworth volunteers. The thought that went into looking after us was amazing, even down to hampers for the grooms on their journeys home. Of course it was sad that some…

SL LUCCI The Peters family’s superstar dressage pony has been leased to British rider Anya Kolleth, a contender for this year’s pony Europeans in eventing. Phoebe Peters said that she is delighted he has remained on British soil. UTHOPIA The sale of Carl Hester’s London 2012 gold medal-winner has been completed. Wilsons Auctions, which handled the sale, confirmed the bidder on 27 May is his new owner, and the £165,000 bid was paid. The new owner does not want to be identified. HELLO SANCTOS The Rolex Grand Slam winner has been included in the Aachen hall of fame. Fellow Olympic gold medal-winner Valegro has also been added, as has European and world showjumping champion SFN Zenith NOP. CÖSTER The 2003 team and individual European showjumping gold-medal winner has died aged…

LOW attention in horses may be an indicator of back pain, according to a recent study. A team of researchers from the University of Rennes 1, France, evaluated 100 horses to assess the state of their spines using two approaches: a licensed chiropractor’s diagnosis and static surface electromyography, a technique that measures muscle tension. The horses’ observation of their surroundings was used as an indicator of attention. This behaviour included head movements to scan the surroundings, and “gazing towards the environment while the body remains immobile”. Lower attention levels and back disorders were found to correlate. “These results yield interesting indications for evaluating animal welfare, as attention engagement could become a reliable indicator of chronic pain,” the researchers said, adding that the study could be developed for other domestic species.…

THE British Horse Society (BHS) exam system is failing trainees and employers, some coaches believe, writes Eleanor Jones . Instructors told H&H of concerns over the system, which they say “lacks credibility”. BHSI and former four-star eventer John Thelwall asked: “Are we losing the opportunity of rewarding good, empathetic teachers as a result of archaic principles maintained by the BHS? “There are so many stories of really good trainees unable to pass the BHSAI because of some riding shortcoming. “The best riders do not necessarily make the best teachers, any more than the best teachers are necessarily the best riders. The exam system should be tailored to ensure good empathetic teachers are not lost.” When contacted by H&H , the BHS said it was exploring a non-jumping option “beyond the…

UMA THURMAN The US actress and model has been injured in a fall from a horse and “broke a few bones”, according to her representative, but should make a full recovery. CRIME Eventer Sarah Stretton’s yard was trashed by vandals, who smashed through gates, stables and fencing in a stolen tractor. Thankfully her horses were not harmed. AN UNLUCKY PONY A mare has been rescued from a canal after falling off a Warwickshire towpath with her rider (17 June). Firefighters pulled the pony to safety using a harness attached to a tractor. SYDNEY DRIVERS A farmer rode his horse across Sydney Harbour Bridge causing tailbacks in a bid to promote protecting land. Glenn Morris and his horse Hombre walked south across the bridge.…

CONCERT Jess Glynne plays at Haydock Park on 1 July. The singer will donate part of her fee to Retraining of Racehorses. www.thejockeyclublive.co.uk POLO Support good causes at Cheshire Polo Club on 3 July. Two matches are on offer, and a champagne reception, in aid of the Alder Hey Children’s Charity and the Mark Davies Injured Riders’ Fund. www.mdirf.co.uk VETERINARY Dr Philip Ivens will give a talk on “sarcoids, melanomas and more” at RB Equestrian, Milton Keynes, on 5 July, from 7-9pm. info@rbequestrian.co.uk EXHIBITION Impressions of the Turf, featuring contemporary artists’ work, is on at the Osborne Studio Gallery, London, until 9 July. www.osg.uk.com SHOWJUMPING Keysoe EC, Beds, has a British Showjumping show from 5-7 July. Classes range from 90cm to 1.20m. www.equoevents.com GAME FAIR The Game & Wildlife Conservation…

The statistics on riders seriously or fatally injured in rotational falls at FEI horse trials (news, 16 June) were sobering for anyone who events. However, I was pleased to see that despite almost double the number of riders competing in the past 10 years, the number of injuries or deaths has more than halved. I then read with great interest Lucinda Greens thoughts, which accompanied the piece. Lucinda quotes Ginny Elliot, one of the best cross-country riders of the sport, as saying the last three strides were the horses; if you saw a stride, ride to it; if not, sit up and keep your leg on. At Badminton this year too many four-star riders seemed unable to ride in this way, instead decelerating as they fiddled into fences with their…

‘I allowed myself the privilege of thinking, at 52, “you might know how to shoe a horse”’Haydn Price HAYDN PRICE Farrier to the British dressage and showjumping teams “IT wasn’t about the gold medal,” smiles Haydn Price. “It was seeing my clients’ horses — who I’ve looked after for years — succeed at the 2012 Olympics. “The maintenance of top-level performance horses isn’t easy, and it was only when I left London that I allowed myself the privilege of thinking, at the age of 52, ‘you might know how to shoe a horse after all.’” Haydn holds the position of consultant farrier to the British Equestrian Federation and team farrier to the British dressage and showjumping teams, a role he has had for the past 17 years. His first pony,…

FEEDING competition horses can be a challenge, explains Lizzie Drury, Saracen’s senior nutritionist. Requirements for individual horses will vary according to factors such as bodyweight, condition score, discipline, environmental factors and rider ability. However, the common factor for all performance horses is that they will train and compete under a variety of stressful conditions that can adversely affect health and performance. With this in mind, it is always important to re-assess not only your horse’s performance and attitude to work, but also his body condition, throughout the season. Condition scoring is an assessment of your horse’s body fat coverage and should form part of your routine management plan. With practice, condition scoring is an accurate way of ensuring that your horse does not gain or lose too much body condition,…

HICKSTEAD proved a happy hunting ground for Team Hood as they claimed the hunter champion and reserve titles with their top middleweight Potters Ace and winning heavy Lord John. Potters Ace is in his fifth season being produced by the Hood family, and he was again superbly ridden by Ollie. Having won at British Show Pony Society area 16, this was only their second outing this year. “I know what he can do; he knows what to do and he has a proper engine to gallop with,” said Ollie. While the champions are seasoned campaigners, Henrietta Spencer was having a first outing with her new acquisition, Lord John, who was picked up from Lincoln Show just four days before Hickstead. “I was looking for a hunter, saw him on Facebook…

TWO eight-hour journeys paid off for Aberystwyth-based Dafydd and Sian Morris when their flashy Welsh section C stallion, Moorcroft Master Tom, captivated Cuddy in-hand judge Carl Hester to claim the coveted Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket. A strong field of 15 contested the main ring finale, and Carl made a thorough inspection of each animal — even asking for a further walk and trot from his six finalists before reaching a decision. Dafydd and Sian’s charismatic six-year-old showed exactly why he had taken the section C and overall Welsh titles on the first day when, in the capable hands of Dafydd, this ultra-correct stamp consistently produced a powerful, expressive trot that generated spontaneous ringside applause. “He won because of his fantastic movement and presence,” said Carl, who also…

• HTSG raises £30,000 THE Horse Trials Support Group (HTSG) has raised over £30,000 to support the British Olympic eventing team, which will be used to cover the cost of sending a reserve horse to Rio this summer. BEF World Class performance director Dan Hughes said: “We are incredibly grateful to the fundraising efforts of [HTSG chair] Rosemary Barlow and members of the HTSG for the support they have given to the British teams this, and in previous years.” • New event A British Eventing (BE) fixture will run over a new course at Horseheath, Cambs, on 13-14 August. The Vestey family are hosting the event, Tim Barling is the organiser and Tina Ure is the course-designer. There will be classes at BE80(T), BE90, BE90open, BE100 and BE100open. • Special prizes UPTON House…

MANY factors contribute towards cross-country safety, including fence design, qualifications, horse and rider fitness and training. But perhaps the most significant factor that influences safety at the higher levels is the type of horse that we are now riding. Traditionally event riders competed horses primarily chosen for their stamina, courage, sure-footedness and agility, and they were trained to bring out the best of their ability in the dressage and show jumping phases. Horses were naturally fast, nimble and quick-thinking to be good across country. The ability to travel easily within themselves at speed and jump out of a gallop was instinctive. The modern sport promotes big-moving horses with a deliberate, careful jumping technique. They are not as economical in their gallop or able to jump out of their stride as…

• LAURA NEWTON was due to ride Urban Hit in the grand prix, but the lorry she was travelling in was involved in a head-on collision en route. “A car drifted onto our side of the road and hit us, taking our wheel off, which resulted in us ending up in a ditch,” she said. “Urban’s owner Pam Johnston and I escaped with cuts and bruises. Urban banged his face in the impact and had a few scuffs, but he’s a tough horse, he stayed very calm and waited to be rescued. “We’re all very lucky to escape with just superficial injuries.” • MEDIUM winner Laura Casbolt also had an eventful journey home. Her lorry caught fire and the police and fire brigade were called. “Luckily we managed to get…

A family effort JILL ARCHBOLD recorded her first affiliated wins on her 18-year-old ex-racehorse Physical Force, and credits her success to her family. “I used to lead him up during my university holidays and my brother-in-law used to ride him in races. We always loved him,” said Jill. “I didn’t think twice when he was offered to me.” Then Jill’s job took her to Hull, where she works for the BBC, and the horse stayed at home in Hartlepool. “We’re trying to qualify for the British Dressage veteran championships, so we entered at Port Royal which is nearest to me.” “My sister Helen has been riding him and is an equine masseuse so keeps him supple, and my mum washed and plaited him then drove him down. I just had…

‘The band rehearsed The March of the Gladiators at mega-decibels — he spent a lot of time on his hind legs’ IN 1983, six-year-old Wily Imp was given to my business partner, Bill Noble, as he wasn’t doing well in his eventing training. My advanced horse had just been diagnosed with kissing spines so Bill asked me to ride him. He was a full thoroughbred, said to be by Impersonator. He was sensitive and difficult, but I enjoyed the challenge. He was nervous, highly strung and quite naughty, but we bonded well. He went from novice to grand prix in three years and was national champion in 1987. We were stabled by the racetrack in Seoul and he could hear the eventers galloping by. He wouldn’t walk for the first…