Innholdsfortegnelse for 12-Jan-2017 i Horse & Hound

BRITISH RIDING CLUBS (BRC) has issued a clarification to its eligibility rules following concerns from members. The rulebook for 2017 originally stated that competitors who have competed under FEI rules in the previous five calendar years may not compete in that discipline for BRC. This sparked worried comments from some members, who feared that they would no longer be eligible to take part in riding club competitions. This has now been amended and the new wording published on the BRC website and Facebook page, and emailed to all areas. “A rule amendment has been issued which shows that for 80cm and 90cm [eventing competitions] you cannot have done a two-star or above, for 100cm you cannot have done a three-star or above; for 100plus there are no restrictions,” a BRC…

ENTRIES have opened for the 25th and final Martin Wills Writing Awards. The competition is for fact or fiction writing on a horse-racing theme and is open to young people living in the UK and Ireland. It is being run in conjunction with the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art and Racing To School. The awards have four age categories: under-26, under-18, under-15 and under-12. Prizes include money, trophies and the winning entries will also be published in the Racing Post and the Irish Field. • For more information, visit: www.willswritingawards.co.uk…

WILLBERRY WONDER PONY A jumping show at Wix Equestrian Centre in Essex has raised £4,280 for Willberry Wonder Pony. It featured nine classes from 1’6” to 3’6”, a raffle, cake sale and auction. SPANA The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) was named best animal welfare charity for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and won the best in prevention of cruelty to working animals award at the 2016 Animal Health Awards. OLIVIA INGLIS FOUNDATION The foundation launched in memory of the Australian eventer who died in a fall last March has undertaken one of its first projects, building a water jump for the Berrima District Pony Club. EQUO EVENTS H&H’s events entry service is celebrating having a record number of competitions in its database. “We are delighted…

AN unflappable nature is essential for police horses. But one in particular has captured public attention recently for his attitude in the line of duty. Metropolitan Police horse Invictor found overnight fame after a picture of him appearing to board a red double-decker London bus went viral. Simon Crowcroft, constable of St Helier in Jersey, was visiting north London and spotted the grey with his head inside the rear doors of the number 43 — which travels between Halliwick Park and London Bridge. Invictor was not trying to avoid tapping his Oyster card for a free trip to Haymarket, but was being held by rider PC Dan Smith. The officer had boarded to help a passenger who had been taken ill, while Invictor obligingly waited calmly at the doors of…

IT is hugely concerning to hear of livery yards, riding schools and competition centres being subjected to business-rate increases so significant they will be forced to re-evaluate their business models — possibly depriving riders of their facilities and services — should their appeals to reduce price hikes be unsuccessful. The sport needs to focus on increasing participation to validate funding and allow equestrianism to thrive. Should riding schools and livery yards need to increase prices further for what is already an undeniably expensive sport, what chance is there of meeting that increased participation requirement? There is hope of appeal, and rate relief for those most extremely affected (news, p4), but the ideal would be for rates to go in the other direction entirely, and for this saving to be passed…

THOMAS ASSHETON SMITH, HUNTING MASTER and huntsman of the Quorn from 1806 to 1817. In his book Foxhunting in Paradise, Michael Clayton says: “He combined tremendous drive as a huntsman with an extraordinary capacity for crossing the most formidable country on any horse.” A first-class cricketer and later an MP, Thomas was one of the great Corinthians of the 19th century. DAVID BARKER, HUNTING EUROPEAN showjumping champion in 1962 and a member of Britain’s team at the 1964 Olympics, David hunted the Meynell and South Staffs hounds in the 1980s and 1990s. His skills as a horseman were legendary, making that serious “jumping country” look like a hunter trial course. GEORGE BOWMAN, DRIVING AFTER a career spanning more than 44 seasons, the widely respected senior Bowman still competes his horse…

IF you’re struggling with loss of confidence, there are lots of ways of tackling the issue. Here are some ideas for taking positive action: • Sue Gould-Wright offers both online content and classroom teaching of rider biomechanics and equestrian Pilates as a foundation to better rider fitness and stability, and hence improved confidence. She also uses a Racewood Dressage Simulator horse for postural assessment. Visit www.equestrianpilates.co.uk for more details. • Caroline Andrews is a “horse rider confidence specialist” and offers “horse-less” sessions in person or via Skype/phone calls to help overcome fears and anxieties. She uses a mix of techniques including neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy. Visit www.confidenceforriders.com for more details. • Kath Pinington is a British Horse Society (BHS)-accredited professional coach and former advanced eventer. She works with horse…

‘My advice is to free your mind and your arse will follow’ THE greatest fun of dressage riding is that, although I’ve been lucky enough to train horses to senior team level at grand prix, I never stop learning. In my thirst for knowledge I took to social media over Christmas. I was looking for videos as I tend to switch off at diagrams and theoretical chats, and was unprepared for the obsession above all else with horses being trained and ridden sometimes just a centimetre behind the vertical. I realise I won’t be able to go to Tesco in my Pikeurs now for risk of ambush by angry “classical” ambassadors for what I’m about to say, but as they’re unlikely to use restraining devices or force (apart from the…

COLIN TIZZARD ended 2016 with a string of big winners and his start to 2017 was not too shabby either when Finian’s Oscar landed his yard the first Grade One of the year as the authoritative winner of the 32Red Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown last Saturday. While Thistlecrack and Cue Card are at the other end of the scale and finished articles, five-year-old Finian’s Oscar is still at primary school. If Tizzard really is to put the wind up Paul Nicholls in the trainers’ championship this season and next, he needs as much success in this division as he does with his older boys. Hitherto the trainer’s modus operandi has been to buy stores and wait three years before he finds out whether they are any good. It was the…

THE seven-year-old Westerner mare (Joe Wright) proved that last month’s maiden victory at Alnwick was no fluke with an impressive 20-length win over Indigo Island (Philip Thomas) in the restricted. Confidently ridden, Weston Flame came from off the pace to lead three out and was out of sight by the last to give trainer Justin Landy a 13th winner from his last 14 runners between the flags since December 2015. Grantham farrier Jimmy King, Justin’s uncle, runs The Heading For Home Partnership. He said of the syndicate’s star asset: “She’s still improving and saw out the additional half mile without any problems. We’ll probably step her up into intermediate company next time.”…

THE Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is undertaking a review of its guidance on alternative and complementary medicines and therapies. It follows an NHS homeopathy review as well as guidance issued by the Advertising Standards Authority in September on homeopathy. Last year H&H reported on a petition calling for a ban on vets from prescribing homeopathy for animals (news, 9 June). The RCVS currently recommends a “cautious approach” to homeopathy, and that normal evidential standards be applied to complementary treatments. “We believe it is also essential such treatments, until proved, are complementary rather than ‘alternative’ and used alongside conventional treatment,” said an RCVS spokesman. “Whatever views there may be within the profession, it is clear there is demand from some clients for complementary therapies. It is better they seek…

WOODLANDER DORNROSCHEN Michael Eilberg’s 10-year partnership with the mare, with whom he was shortlisted for Rio, has ended. The 15-year-old dam of Woodlander Farouche is to be a broodmare at owner Lynne Crowden’s Woodlander Stud. OPLITAS Giovanni Ugolotti’s four-star horse has been retired aged 16. He was long-listed for the Rio Games with Giovanni and competed Badminton 2016, as well as winning Ballendenisk (1) CCI3* in 2015. He is now “happily enjoying retirement”. LEGOLAS 92 Dawn White-O’Connor has taken over the ride on Akiko Yamazaki’s 15-year-old gelding. The Westfalian and Steffen Peters were on the US teams that won bronze in Rio, gold at the 2015 Pan-Am Games and finished fourth at WEG in 2014. DYNASTE The 11-year-old has been retired. David Pipe announced the decision after Dynaste finished seventh…

WILLIAM FOX-PITT and Yogi Breisner will be among the speakers at the British Horse Society’s (BHS) 2017 national coaching convention. Sophie Wells and Danny Anholt will also be sharing their wisdom at the event, which takes place at Hartpury College on 6-7 March. “Whether working at grassroots or Olympic level, coaches will come away with new techniques, a better understanding of their coaching style and action plans to develop potential for clients,” said a BHS spokesman. “The event is a great opportunity to network and meet other coaches, sharing best practice and top tips to succeed.” • Visit: www.bhs.org.uk…

CRIME Ricky Lee Tomlinson, 27, of Cauldon Drive Chesterfield, who spray-painted a horse’s face, has been given a suspended prison sentence. A SWIM A horse found himself trapped in a freezing swimming pool in Hertfordshire (28 December). Firefighters worked for more than two hours to lift the horse to safety. A TIGHT SQUEEZE Aptly named retired racehorse Tight Squeeze has been rescued from a deep ditch. The 20-year-old mare fell in the ditch on 31 December, but is now recovering well. AN IT MALFUNCTION British Eventing has had problems with its membership renewals process. Members were told to ignore emails saying they had bought a new membership as a one-off or those that said their membership had lapsed although they pay by direct debit.…

GOOD COMPANIONS Sir — In August last year I was honoured to rehome two companion horses from H&H‘s charity of the year World Horse Welfare’s Belwade Farm in Aboyne. I am so delighted to have been able to help these two horses, as well as Belwade Farm which was, at the time, bursting at the seams. Remo and Retanach Orion, whose full sister, Retanach QT, featured in your rehoming feature (29 December), have settled in well with my neurotic pure-bred Arab and they have become part of the family. They are the most affectionate of horses which, considering their terrible start in life, is a reflection of the excellent care and rehabilitation they received at Belwade Farm. I would encourage everyone who can to rehome with World Horse Welfare, as…

• Pack of the week: VWH • Photos from Joss Hanbury’s Quorn testimonial meet • Interview with Warwickshire senior master Charmian Green PRODUCTS SPECIAL Nosebands, rugs and latest yard technology EVENTING Piggy French’s inspiration, and how to handle the showjumping warm-up SHOWING Top tips from Katie Jerram SHOWJUMPING Interview with Olympic silver medallist Peder Fredericson, plus Bury Farm Premier Show DRESSAGE Addington High Profile and at home with Rio reserve Lara Griffiths COLUMNISTS Carl Hester, Dan Skelton and Pauline Harkin…

SHOULDER ANATOMY A ‘ball and socket’ joint, the horse’s shoulder is attached to the trunk only by muscles, tendons and ligaments. The lack of a collarbone allows an increased stride length and greater running efficiency PRETTY much every day, a horse owner will inform their vet that their horse is “lame from the shoulder”. The fact is, he probably isn’t. Nine times out of 10, nerve blocking will indicate a problem further down the limb. As vets, we do understand that to a rider the horse with a forelimb lameness feels “tight in front” and doesn’t want to swing the limb through from the shoulder, but this will occur regardless of where the pain is coming from in the forelimb. Most forelimb lameness in sport and pleasure horses will have…

AIM THE half-halt encourages the horse to transfer weight onto his hindquarters, which results in better balance and greater impulsion. To start the process of teaching a half-halt, the first step is to be able to make effective trot-walk-trot transitions. EXERCISE STEP 1: start by trotting on a large circle. Stay in rising trot for every step until the horse makes his first walk step. Practise reducing the length of the trot steps in tiny increments. The aids you use for this depend on the individual horse, but can involve the use of your voice, sitting tall, using a little bit of rein, and rising slower and lower in the saddle. Get a friend to watch how the horse is tracking up (hind hoof imprint relative to front hoof imprint)…

‘I learnt two things from my father: never stint on quality, and always have a grasp on the detail’Philip Cowen on the secret of the Fernie’s success JOHN BALL is one of the Fernie’s — and hunting’s — most famous coverts. The marvellously old-fashioned covert, perched on the side of a hill, sits at the head of the equally well-known Saddington Vale. If you let your eye follow the sweep of the vale down towards Saddington village, you will see a superlative country of grass fields, neatly trimmed hedges and old-fashioned post and rails. It is probably one of the best set-out and well-organised countries you will see. It is the sort of country that Snaffles would have loved to have painted, and as you ride across it you can…

OWEN BASFORD (pictured above), a professional hunt servant for nearly 40 years, has died at the age of 96. Born in Bangor on Dee, North Wales, Owen’s family moved to the Cotswolds when he was a child. In 1935 at the age of 15, he was offered a job at the Old Berkeley West kennels to learn how to whip-in, and then went to the North Cotswold to become second horseman to Major Scott. In May 1939, Owen moved to the Cotswold Hunt. The outbreak of war came in August, and hunts were curtailed. Owen enlisted in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC). He trained alongside vets and could equal their skills at the end of training. Owen was sent to Palestine attached to the Yorkshire Hussars to aid a…

AS the UK prepares to leave Europe, British showjumping needs to do the reverse and move closer to the continental model. Myself and many others in the sport are beginning 2017 by pushing for a strategy to improve our national system by making it more akin to Europe’s. The key to that is to offer what all our top and upcoming riders want — opportunities to acquire sufficient FEI rankings points to get high enough on the computer list to be eligible for the better international shows. To make this happen, we want more British shows to be allowed to run FEI rankings classes. To keep any additional costs manageable, these classes could be run at the end of existing show schedules, as often happens in the US and parts…

• Taken a great picture? DON’T forget you have until 20 January to enter our amateur photographer competition and win press accreditation to Badminton. Details, plus terms and conditions: www.horseandhound.co.uk/photocomp2016 • Eventing boost in China BRITISH-based Chinese rider Alex Hua Tian was named China News Week’s most influential sportsman of 2016 during December. Alex won the Event Rider Masters at Bramham and finished eighth at the Olympics on Don Geniro. • Apply for funding THE Horse Trials Support Group is offering British eventers who are not receiving funding from any formal organisation the chance to apply for financial support for the 2017 season. Details: http://tinyurl.com/HTSGscholar • Design a Badminton fence BADMINTON is running a competition to design the final fence on this year’s cross-country course. Entries are open until 29 January and the shortlist…

 IT was a day full of doubles as many returned for the second ‘That was a proper race and he dug in’Dean Summersby on Chosen Lucky Wadebridge meeting of the season (8 January), writes Megan Furse. Trainer Chloe Newman recorded two wins, Sobre Tresor (Taylor Pook) fighting for victory in the ladies’ open when the 11-year-old held on from the final fence to pip Start Royal (Gina Andrews) by a head. “He wasn’t quite right before Christmas and we couldn’t put our finger on why, so we backed off the work,” said Chloe. Taylor added: “I started to panic when we were three down with a circuit to go and knew I had to go when I did.” Then Minim Mouse (Joshua Newman) won division two of the open maiden.…

A rule allowing short jackets in top-level dressage has been introduced to help modernise the sport, writes Rachael Turner . Prior to the change, those competing at CDI3* or at the FEI championships had to ride in tailcoats, but now all riders will have the alternative option. According to the FEI, the rule was introduced to enhance dressage’s appeal to a modern audience. “We are always looking at ways in which all our disciplines need to modernise in order to maintain relevance with audiences and the wider sporting landscape,” an FEI spokesman told H&H . “Over recent years we have given dressage athletes the possibility of wearing more colours, and we are also seeing more athletes wearing helmets [rather than top hats]. There are different opinions about the helmet in…

Police made inquiries after a video emerged of shots being fired near the North Cornwall Hunt’s first 2017 meet but said no laws were broken. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ shots-fired-near-hunt The owners of three horses found dead in suspicious circumstances within a week have appealed for help in finding those responsible. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ appeal-three-horses-died Berlin is the latest city to join the Longines Global Champions Tour showjumping series for the coming 2017 season. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ new-gct-venues Owners who want to compete in Retraining of Racehorses classes and events will have to pay an annual, tiered, registration fee for the first time. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ ror-registration-fees Limber up your fingers and get knitting to create Hattie the Horse (pictured, below) in aid of equine charity SPANA. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/spana-big-knit A devastated owner found 12-year-old rescue pony Monty dead on Christmas Eve after he was…

DANIEL DEUSSER The German rider is the new world number one showjumper on the Longines rankings. Daniel pushes fellow German Christian Ahlmann into second position. SCOTT BRASH A statue of the British Olympian jumping has been made from horse shoes. The sculpture has been erected in his home town of Peebles, in the Scottish Borders. DARREN EDWARDS H&H columinist Darren received the November/ December Howdens Jockey of the Month award. He was nominated after riding his 200th winner between the flags. PAUL GAFF The Oxfordshire-based event rider will be swapping four legs for two wheels to tackle the London to Paris bike ride on 19 April to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust. PRINCESS NATHALIE ZU SAYN-WITTGENSTEIN The dressage rider will succeed Rudolf Zeilinger as Denmark’s national coach. The…

THIS year’s Cheltenham Festival is offering record prize money, thanks to a £190,000 boost to the total. Of the 28 races running between 14 and 17 March, 23 are to benefit from increased prizes, with a total of £4,305,000 on offer. The Arkle and the RSA novice chases’ funds have been boosted by £25,000 each, while the JLT and the JT McNamara National Hunt novice chases are offering £20,000 more and the OLBG mares’ hurdle £10,000 extra. Eighteen races have £5,000 increases each, while the only ones to miss out are the five most valuable, including the Gold Cup.…

HAVE you ever thought your horse was trying to tell you something? A recent study suggests you might be right. Research by scientists at Kobe University, Japan, revealed horses will ask for a human’s help when faced with an unsolvable task. The study by Monamie Ringhofer and Shinya Yamamoto tested whether horses would try to attract a human’s attention if food had been “hidden” in a bucket out of their reach. In the first part of the experiment, a human “caretaker” stood outside the field and was “unaware” a carrot was in a bucket. In the second part, the “caretaker” stayed next to the field while an assistant concealed the food. In both scenarios, the horse tried to “tell” the human about the carrot by touch and eye contact but…

I count myself privileged to have known the showing legend Roger Stack, who was as well-known for his repertoire of rude anecdotes as he was for his depth of knowledge about showing and, indeed, all things equestrian (obituary, 5 January). As a member of the press, I had to serve a long apprenticeship — it took about 10 years — but eventually he decided I was “all right” and could be trusted with nuggets of information and his personal, mostly unprintable, views. Woe betide anyone who ever misquoted him or, peril of perils, got the “wrong end of the stick”. Roger was passionate about horses and showing, and had his own strong views which he was always willing to air – but he was also happy to listen to others…

My secret weapon is... Nothing fancy — just hard work and determination. The biggest mistake I have learnt from… When I was younger if I had entered a competition I would go regardless. Nowadays if the horse doesn’t feel quite right I’ll save it for another day. Don’t let owners pressure you or your competitive instinct take over — it’s better to withdraw and regret it than to run and regret it. When I am getting away from it all… At the end of every season I like to go travelling and I never go anywhere more than once. I’ve visited a lot of places in Africa and South America, including Mount Kilimanjaro (pictured, above) and the Inca Trail. When I’m competing at… Bramham (pictured, below). It has a lovely…

1. He was born in the same year his father, Joe, became joint-master of the Fernie. 2. A keen beagler, he was a joint-master and huntsman of the Eton College Beagles (1989-1990), and whipped-in to the RAC Beagles. 3. He is chairman of British Team Chasing and a director of the Harborough Hunts Club Ride. 4. He has come second, third and fourth in the Harborough Ride. 5. He is head of Rural Estate Management at Bruton Knowles, the national property consultancy. 6. His wife Victoria and daughter Imogen also hunt with the Fernie.…

‘Lies and half-truths have become pseudo-facts’ PLAGUE and pestilence aside, there are few acceptable reasons for hounds being an hour late at the meet. During World War II, not even a direct hit on part of the Essex Union hunt kennels prevented Arthur Webster (father of my childhood huntsman at the Belvoir, the genial Jim Webster) arriving at the meet on time after a long hack. My recent scrape with danger and resulting tardiness was less damaging, if not for my pride. As is my wont, I was checking some country a decent walk from my car on the way to a meet before Christmas, held in celebration of the intrepid David Robinson’s 75th birthday. Despite my shepherding attempts, a lone sheep was insistent on repeatedly running downhill towards a…

‘Can you guarantee a future for that foal you’ve set your heart on?’ HAVE you really thought it through? Is that stallion you have set your sights on really the best match for your mare? Of course the prospect of a foal is exciting. But exactly what is it you want to breed? And do you really need to breed a foal at all? Yes, it’s that time of the year when we start making plans for our mares. Each year brings a relatively large proportion of new potential broodmares into the pool — the mares that no longer have a job. The competition mares that have reached their limit, those that need time off to recuperate from injury, the ones that have seen their rider from Pony Club to…

WHEN 12-year-old Holly Hughes arrived here for her first ever affiliated show, she could only have dreamed how well it would go. Hertfordshire-based Holly and her little chestnut pony, Toytown Jasper, are seasoned competitors at unaffiliated shows, but they looked equally at home here to win Sunday’s British novice before taking their ticket to the Blue Chip discovery final in the following class. “We went to Hickstead for the Sunshine Tour show and Holly won three classes there, which persuaded us to move up a level,” said Holly’s mother Jo. “We had no idea what to expect and we were both so nervous that we couldn’t even eat. We’ve had a wonderful time and everyone’s been so nice. It’s been the best day.”…

‘Substitution contradicts the sport’s underlying principle’ AS we start 2017, eventing faces changes of a magnitude not seen since the steeplechase phase was dropped. I fear the unintended consequences. All the championships — Olympic, World and European — have now been reduced to a 10-minute three-star track (5,700m), with 45 jumping efforts. The Europeans have been at three-star for nearly 20 years now and the Olympic Games have in effect been a three-star in practice if not in name, to enable developing countries to participate. We bemoan the fact the last true four-star championship, the World Equestrian Games (WEG), is now history. The FEI says riders should not compete for the first time at four-star at a championship for safety reasons. I can see that, but that is why WEG…

TWO of the weekend’s winners were reformed characters after taking time out to follow hounds. Subtle Sovereign’s (above) Larkhill victory followed days out with the Taunton Vale and West Somerset Vale. “He got bored of going up the gallops and came to us a bit sour,” said trainer Teresa Clark. “We took a gamble and went hunting for a change of scenery. He’s been going regularly, jumping epic hedges, and he’s a happier horse.” Trainer Dean Summersby hunted Wadebridge winner Air Glider (below) with the North Cornwall “to sweeten him up”. Dean bought the seven-year-old, who was formerly under Rules with Dan Skelton, from Doncaster sales. “This was his first run for me. He’s very laid back and quiet, so I hunted him to freshen him up. He was plenty…

AMID the excitement of the new season kicking off, I had embarrassingly forgotten that I ended last season on 199 career point-to-point wins. Therefore, it was probably fate that number 200 would come on the weekend between penning my first column and it going to print ( H&H , 1 December). I am fortunate to have received some fantastic and loyal support since starting riding, so to achieve the milestone at a local track, Black Forest Lodge, in front of people I see most weekends for seven months of the year was fitting. Furthermore, to do it on “Cecil” for Attheraces and ITV broadcaster Luke Harvey brought added media interest for point-to-pointing: never a bad thing. The great thing about our community is that you feel welcome wherever you appear…