Innholdsfortegnelse for 26-Jan-2017 i Horse & Hound

“YOU haven’t changed my life, you’ve saved it”. Liam, 16, is one of a number of young people who have taken part in a pilot for Changing Lives Through Horses. The British Horse Society (BHS) programme, which launches today (26 January), is aimed at secondary-school-aged people more suited to an “alternative education environment”, and aims to provide skills for further education and employment, as well as the desire in participants to return to or enter work, education or training. The idea is not new — similar programmes are run throughout the country — but this is the first national scheme of its kind. More to give “ALL our lives, the BHS has been teaching people about horses,” chief executive Lynn Petersen told H&H . “Now we’re saying the horse has…

ENDURANCE GB (EGB) will continue to back rides supported by Emirates at Euston Park, Suffolk, this summer despite a backlash from members about horse welfare issues in Dubai, writes Pippa Cuckson. EGB has also declined to ask Euston to adopt the FEI-approved “Boudhieb protocols”, which have notably reduced high speeds in Abu Dhabi. Instead, Euston will continue its best condition award, which puts no cap on speed. Requests from other UK ride organisers to adopt Boudhieb will be discussed by the EGB board this weekend. The news follows four confirmed fatalities at Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum’s Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC) in three recent rides (news, 12 January). DIEC only returned to FEI competition last month after the FEI disaffiliated it last April because “horse welfare could not be guaranteed”.…

THE QUEEN A horse, stags and a bag of salt were among the gifts given to Her Majesty in her 90th birthday year. The horse was given to her by the Mounties at Royal Windsor. AP MCCOY The former champion jockey has put on nearly two stone since his retirement thanks to a taste for chocolate biscuits. A recent health check has made him rethink his diet. PEDER FREDRICSON The Swedish showjumper has been awarded the Jerring Prize at the Swedish Sports Gala (16 January). The accolade is given to an athlete for sports achievements during the past year. DEMELZA HAWES The dressage rider suffered broken ribs and a laceration to her liver in a fall at Addington on 15 January. “I will not be coaching or teaching for a…

REGENT’S UNIVERSITY LONDON has launched the country’s first polo scholarship “as part of a drive to support student excellence and bolster a global reputation in the sport”. Two undergraduate places will be offered annually to applicants who show excellence in polo. To be awarded a place, students must have an offer from Regent’s, and submit a 500-word statement on what polo means to them, as well as a video of them playing and a reference from a registered polo club. • Visit: www.regents.ac.uk…

BABETTE COLE THE author and illustrator of children’s books died this month aged 66, following a short illness. She bred hunters and with her beloved home-bred Hot Tip, won multiple national side-saddle titles. The pair also hunted and team-chased as part of the Legover Ladies side-saddle team. Among her books were Princess Smartypants and the Fetlocks Hall series. She is survived by her husband, James Gutans. MARGOE HAMMON THE popular Pembrokeshire horsewoman died on 6 January, aged 74. She was known for her abilities in starting young and difficult horses, including 1987 Grand National winner Maori Venture, and also had showing success at national level with ridden and in-hand hunters. Mrs Hammon hunted with the South Pembrokeshire for more than 30 years. Her final years were spent introducing her great-niece…

‘People still seem buoyant and keen to spend’Simon Middleton EQUESTRIAN retailers enjoyed a “great Christmas period”, writes Lucy Elder. The news follows announcements from a number of major high street stores of bumper festive shopping figures. Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) revealed the UK economy grew at a faster pace than expected in the third quarter of 2016 and that the average UK household’s disposable income rose by almost £600 last year. Despite fears over Brexit and the US election, the positive trend appears to have continued into the festive season. Simon Middleton, director of leading equestrian products distributor Zebra Products, said the company’s December sales were up 40% compared to the same period in 2015. “Sales are up and we’ve had the best December we’ve ever…

I’m one of the fools Julie Templeton mentions in her showing comment (“Fools breed, the wise buy”, 29 December). Having seen so many show pony breeders giving away stock as there is “no market” made me wonder what our children will be riding in years to come. How many of our top riders came up through show pony ranks? Back in the 1970s and 1980s many of our best lines were sold abroad and now we are buying back these old bloodlines remarketed as sports ponies. I’ve found myself a quality stallion and some beautiful, well-bred small broodmares and am going against the tide to try and keep some of these old lines going. They don’t just look good; they jump and move well enough for dressage, too. Soon everyone…

‘She’d never admit she only competed at prelim’The TV dressage critic The showjumper on the international circuit DARREN (main picture, left) is not enjoying Madrid. The sun is hotter than at home in Sheffield, and a sunburned scalp means his hat is agony. He never normally takes his baseball cap off, so why did he yesterday? And his stomach is rumbling ominously; he went to a tapas bar last night and, after a few San Miguels, was brave enough to try his first calamari. He hasn’t been far from a Portaloo since and is not looking forward to walking the course — it’s a worry, and he can’t remember where his spare breeches are. The horses are jumping great, but Darren’s still struggling with the concept of jumping late at…

‘The whole sorry saga was an abuse of time, process and resources’ THE 2004 Hunting Act has muddied the waters sufficiently to make the life of a hunt servant somewhat challenging. The stupidities of the Act are manifest. It makes it an offence to hunt a mouse with a dog, but not a rat; you can legally hunt a rabbit but not a hare. You can flush a fox to guns with two dogs, but if you use three you commit an offence. A fox can be flushed to a bird of prey with as many dogs as you wish. Most of us make use of the exemptions in the Act as well as following an artificially laid line. I have noted beforehand the ease with which one can be…

‘It’s worryingly easy to turn into a showing robot’ I wish I had £1 for every time someone commented how glad I must be that my horses are on a winter break. Some people like to turn show horses away, but I reckon a change is as good as a rest. They’re athletes, so surely it’s better to keep them ticking over and doing different, enjoyable things? All mine go hacking and, depending on individual needs, might go hunting, cross-country schooling, or are ridden on the clinics I run. I want to put a different face on their work so they’re fresh to showing when the season starts. Without this, they can start anticipating and getting awkward because they think they know their day job too well. Riders benefit from…

OWNING a pointer through a syndicate is a great way to get involved in the sport, and an affordable way to experience the thrills of ownership. Plus, you get a real flavour for what goes on behind the scenes. Yard visits are encouraged, whether it’s just a social call or to watch horses on the gallops, and owners’ picnics in the lorry park are fun with a capital F. To attract and keep owners, the sport needs to look after them. Two topics that spark an annual debate are prize money and the allocation of car passes. The prize money — with a few exceptions — is paltry, especially when it’s shared out between syndicates, which often have up to 12 members. Nobody would say they are involved in pointing…

MIGHTY NICE Phillip Dutton’s Rio Olympics ride has been named international horse of 2016 by US Equestrian. The 13-year-old Irish sport horse gelding took the title soon after Phillip was named the federation’s 2016 equestrian of the year. JACK THE GIANT The ex-racer turned showing champion is enjoying a third career. The 15-year-old, who won the racehorse to riding horse championship at HOYS 2016, won both tests at his first British Dressage show with Clare Poole. BUSINESS CLASS The seven-year-old eventer has been sold and will be seen in future under American rider Allie Knowles. He represented Ireland at the world breeding championships at Le Lion d’Angers last year with Sophie Richards. NIPPON D’ELLE The 16-year-old will be retired to concentrate on a breeding career, with former rider Bertrand Pignolet.…

TWO venues have been shortlisted to host a new CCI4* in the US in 2019. Great Meadow, Virginia, and Fair Hill, Maryland, are in the running to hold a seventh global four-star. H&H previously reported the new fixture would take place in either 2018 or 2019 (news, 22 December). A spokesman for US Equestrian has now confirmed that, if accepted by the FEI, it will take place in autumn 2019 due to the changes in location and date of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, which will take place at Tryon, North Carolina, next year. Teresa Condon, director of operations at Great Meadow, told H&H the venue would be “honoured and positively prepared” to host the next four-star. “As home to the first and only FEI eventing Nations Cup outside…

BRITISH EVENTING (BE) is seeking a grassroots member to join its sport committee. The rider should have a “particular interest and experience in taking part in grassroots competitions and be willing to represent views and opinions of the grassroots membership”. The sport committee’s role is to co-ordinate and lead the running of BE competition. Its responsibilities cover areas including rules, standards, safety management and fixtures. The position is voluntary but expenses will be paid. The rider will be expected to commit to at least four dates per year. • Emails expressing interest, including CVs, to debbie.marfell@britisheventing.com by 3 February.…

RESCUED HORSES The Devon-based Mare & Foal Sanctuary has celebrated its 25th anniversary of becoming a registered charity. There are usually more than 300 horses in the organisation’s care at any one time. AN UNUSUAL HORSEBOX Isle of Wight charity The Pop Up Soup Kitchen has bought a horsebox that it plans to convert into a mobile bistro, with all profits going to the charity. WANNABE JOCKEYS Members of the public will be taking to the track at York racecourse in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support on 17 June. The 12 riders have each pledged to raise at least £3,000 . NEW ARRIVALS A group of 10 Exmoor ponies has arrived at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve, Tyne and Wear. The project hopes to raise the profile of the endangered breed…

AN occupational health pilot scheme for the racing world has been given a two-year extension following a successful trial. The one-year scheme, funded by the Racing Foundation, has been giving health and wellbeing advice to stable staff in the Newmarket area. Almost 400 staff took part in “tackroom talks”, which aimed to increase awareness of the importance of good physical health and wellbeing, as well as how to access available support. The talks were tailored to each yard and topics included nutrition, alcohol awareness, cardiovascular health and injury prevention and management. The project stems from the British Horseracing Authority’s 2013 review of welfare provision for racing staff, which identified a lack of specialist occupational health support. “The health and welfare of racing staff is of great importance, and the trustees…

SOME have suggested the work the British Horse Society is doing in using horses and equestrian settings to help young people re-engage with society (news, p4) should be secondary to their equine welfare work or pursuit of training. I disagree. The more that horses can have a positive impact on people’s lives, and be seen to be doing so, the better for our industry as a whole — not to mention society. That might sound like a rather selfish approach, but so be it if it’s one the self-interested are prepared to adopt. Horses are good for people, as has been proven time and again, and that is one reason they and those providing access to them deserve government support. Something that has set British riders’ fortunes apart for decades…

1. Priceless, eventing PRICELESS by name and by nature, this Somerset-bred horse, by Ben Faerie out of Reckless, boasted a flawless career-spanning record of never incurring a single cross-country jumping penalty. Such unrivalled consistency — Priceless (right) never finished outside the top 12 at any three-day event — helped him hold both world and European team and individual eventing titles at the same time. He was also the first horse to win Burghley twice (1983 and 1985). Ridden by Virginia Elliot (née Holgate), his medal collection also included individual gold at the 1985 European Championships and 1986 World Championships and team silver at the 1984 Olympic Games, where he also took individual bronze. 2. King William, eventing “WINNING Badminton in 1992 on King William was the best moment of my…

LIST ONE judge Kirsty Mepham awarded Harriet Mercer and Moody Blue their best advanced medium mark to date at Oldencraig, Surrey (14 January), reports Celia Cadwallader. A 16-year-old cob pony, Moody Blue was bought as a two-year-old, and continues to reward Harriet’s efforts, this time achieving 69.26%. “Blue bolts if he sees a tractor, so instead of hacking he has Equine Aqua Training, which has vastly improved his core strength and flexibility,” said Harriet. “I’ve also been taking him to the gallops at Coombelands Equestrian near Pulborough. “We gave him a two-month break at the end of last year and just had fun. We did some arena eventing and also some unaffiliated combined training. If we give him a jump he as a bit more spark when he comes back…

NICOLE LOCKHEAD ANDERSON again made a productive visit to Cheshire. The Scottish rider gained a winning double in the qualifiers for the Blue Chip Pro sparkle JC/JA and Charles Britton Equestrian Construction winter JA classic championships on Pochantas. She also led the way in the second winter JC qualifier riding Gangnam Style II. Nicole’s three wins netted her tickets to the Blue Chip championships, the Royal International Horse Show and British Masters. Having ridden Pochantas briefly last year, Nicole had only just renewed her partnership with the scopey mare, and a win in the Blue Chip Pro sparkle JC/ JA on the first morning proved the ideal warm-up for the winter JA classic the following day. “We won here at the HPI [Home Pony International] in October, so I knew…

‘When he wings one he can get three lengths on a horse’ Daryl Jacob on Bristol De Mai’s jumping BRISTOL DE MAI, a Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained six-year-old, entered the Timico Gold Cup equation when he scored a thumping victory in the Peter Marsh Chase, his first try at three miles, last Saturday. History records that six-year-olds do not often win the Gold Cup — Long Run was the first since Mill House in 1963 — and nor do greys (Desert Orchid is the only one), but that is unlikely to put the trainer off another crack at winning the race he won with Imperial Commander back in 2010. With Ascot’s Clarence House Chase abandoned because of frost — it will be rerun at Cheltenham on Saturday — the focus of attention…

The act of “soring” to encourage the extreme action of Tennessee walking horses could be a thing of the past, as the US government has made a legal amendment. See next week’s H&H (2 February) for more. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ soring-welfare-law A police horse who led the procession at Royal Ascot in 2016 has retired. Samson has joined his former stablemate Caesar at The Horse Trust. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ samson-retires Three horses escaped uninjured after their stables were deliberately set alight on 14 January. Police are appealing for information. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ arsonists-target-stables Sprinting legend Kingsgate Native (pictured) is staying at the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art, Newmarket, and visitors will be able to meet him. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ kingsgate-native A “working horse/pony” class has been added to the Search for a Star showing series. It replaces the working…

THE potential impact of Brexit on the equestrian industry will be among key topics at the 2017 National Equine Forum (NEF). Government officials, vets and senior industry figures will meet in London for the 25th annual NEF on 2 March. The Central Equine Database will also be discussed, as well as issues including tack, bits and horse welfare. In addition, the Sir Colin Spedding Award will be presented to an individual or organisation that has made an important contribution to the equestrian world. Tickets are on sale to equine trade delegates and professionals for £100. • Email: mary.martin@nationalequineforum.com…

 BRITISH-based polo players are facing a staffing crisis as a result of a Home Office crackdown on visas for foreign grooms and low-goal players, writes Aurora Eastwood. ‘It’s the people in the lower echelons who will suffer’Martin Brown The government has not changed its stance on banning the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) from endorsing visa applications for grooms and players below a five-goal handicap (news, 27 October). With the season fast approaching, there is now a lack of skilled staff to care for ponies. “It will affect me if I don’t get a high-goal team here for the season,” former high-goal player Martin Brown told H&H. “This wasn’t caused by the HPA. But it’s the people in the lower echelons of the game who will suffer.” The HPA has requested…

THOROUGHBREDS Donkeys will take the limelight at Hurworth point-to-point on 18 March. Six long-eared steeds will tackle a race, with the aim of “revitalising” the meeting. POLICE Officers in Cambridgeshire were given the run-around when a small pony escaped. The pony was eventually captured and put in a field, although he was “not very compliant”. HUNGRY CUSTOMERS A “sick note” from a Queensland chef has gone viral on social media. “A horse I have a share in has just won a big race and I have had a few drinks and cannot make it back into work,” he wrote. Irish Constabulary was first past the post in a $250,000 race. TATTOO REGRETS Celebrity and equestrian Katie Price has hidden a tattoo of her ex partner Leandro Penna’s name by getting…

EXAM SYSTEM LIMBO Sir — I couldn’t agree more with Pammy Hutton (dressage comment, 5 January). The British Horse Society (BHS) has confirmed an exam-system overhaul but we are not in the loop regarding these changes. As much as I try to support the system, we appear to be sitting in limbo. Do we enter our students for exams or wait until the new structure is “revealed”? Please let these changes allow more transparency from an assessment perspective, but also allow specialism from rider and coach. People specialise far earlier in their riding and coaching these days, hence why many are simply using the UKCC route. And please can the entire member body be let in on the developments? Harriet Martin Cambridge Alex Copeland, director of education at the BHS,…

When I am watching… I’m a massive Trekkie at heart and probably a bit of a geek. Since I was a kid I’ve loved Star Trek, Star Wars and the thought that there is something else out there... The biggest mistake I have learnt from… Making sure my horses are fit enough. I had a bad fall when I was younger because of this so I’m very conscious about making sure I’ve put the preparation work into them at home. My tip for warming up… Give yourself enough time. When you’re rushed your mind isn’t focused on the job and you don’t do yourself or the horse justice. My favourite pub... The Mulberry in Chiddingfold (below). I work one shift a week there and love the food and the surroundings.…

•Leicestershire is a hot spot for particularly gung-ho hunt rides, including the Melton Hunt Club (19 February) and Harborough Ride (25 March). •Among the favourites of team chasers are the Atherstone’s and Bicester’s twisty courses. They have real rider-frighteners but the bold know they jump beautifully (autumn season dates are awaiting confirmation). •Thrusters with horsepower to match their hunting nerves head to the Ledbury when it meets at Tweenhills, the toughest of the Belvoir at Hose Thorns and Widleys in the Beaufort country.…

‘I stuck out like a sore thumb in my navy coat among the tweed’Camilla Swift WHEN a hunt swap with the Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn (Wynnstay) was first mooted, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I certainly didn’t need asking twice, writes Camilla Swift . Travelling to Wales after a long Monday in the office didn’t sound that joyful a prospect, but the train service (lovingly referred to as the “Whitchurch Flyer” by locals), proved to be far more reliable than Southern Railway. In just over two hours I was delivered from Euston to Whitchurch — in Shropshire, but close to both Cheshire and Wales. There I met my host Tessa Dollar, who explained the ins and outs of the hunt and the country. Luckily for me, Tessa and…

‘I make no apologies for building on the German breeding system’ WITH every new year comes a new challenge and 2017 is already proving no exception. Woodlander Stud is, essentially, a German breeding operation — standing stallions, managing broodmares and foaling and producing youngstock. We have based our activity around the best practice and we would like to think we have improved in many areas of horse care; most significantly farriery, worming and nutrition. I make no apologies for building on a system of production and development that has delivered long-term success for sport horses for over 100 years. We have foaled down over 500 horses and have bred, produced or both, for licensing and beyond, more than 20 approved stallions. Wavavoom, Supertramp, Clapton, Fransje, Freddie M, Wild Child, Summertime…

‘Weak youngsters pushed too early will have short careers’ THE 2017 dressage season has kicked off with full force, with shows galore, the new British Dressage young horse forums and regionals looming. There was also a stallion show at Bury Farm that lit up social media for all the wrong reasons. The event is for breeders to showcase their stallions to potential clients and to promote UK breeding. If you’re not a stallion or broodmare owner this event might ordinarily pass you by. Not so this year. For those of you unaware of the commotion, I’ll recap: Woodlander Stud’s Lynne Crowden (guest columnist, p65) showcased some of her rising three-year-olds under saddle. One of them, Double Bubble, was ridden very sympathetically by Lynne’s long-time in-house rider Carsten Sandrock. The video…

‘Roger would unfailingly propose to all the pretty customers’ FOR me and many others, it was a very sad end to 2016. The equestrian community was united in grief with the loss of showing supremo Roger Stack, shortly after 18-year-old showjumper Ella Popely was killed in a car crash. I first came to know the larger-than-life character Roger when I moved to Forest Green 30 years ago, and he became like a second father to me with his help and forthright approach to life. As Roger and his wife Bridget scaled back their business and The Billy Stud expanded, I started renting their property and went on to purchase it when Bridget died in 2010. Roger helped manage the farm and became a big part of The Billy Stud, being…

‘It’s an incredible honour to ride for Her Majesty’ Kinvara Garner KINVARA GARNER, 14, will join Lizzie Briant and Katie Jerram-Hunnable this season as a member of The Queen’s showing team. She will partner the recent royal purchase, Whalton Highwayman (Fred), who will be campaigned in 143cm show hunter pony ranks. “Kinvara rode as The Queen’s childhood self, the Princess of York, in Her Majesty’s 90th birthday celebrations at Royal Windsor Horse Show and made a big impression,” said Terry Pendry, stud groom and manager of the Royal Mews, Windsor Castle. “This is a lovely pony, bred in the purple, and we are all looking forward to seeing them out together.” Fred, an 11-year-old by the late Kilvington Scoundrel, was bred by Joanna MacInnes and is the last foal out…

‘He was a great buy. He’s straightforward to train and easy to ride because he jumps well and stays’Jack Veysey on The Dapper Fox A huge crowd gathered at Black Forest Lodge to mark 20 years of racing at the West Country course, and a record number of entries were attracted. Cowbridge-based trainer Robbie Llewellyn was left celebrating his first training double when Master Tim scored in the restricted and Agentleman took division two of the open maiden. Master Tim (Bradley Gibbs) was a 16-1 shot and he led for the majority of the three miles, only briefly headed by market principle Kalasaya (Alex Edwards). Robbie said of the nine-year-old gelding, who was previously with Zara Tindall: “He injured a tendon after winning his maiden with Zara, and lost his…