Innholdsfortegnelse for 18-May-2017 i Horse & Hound

“I’D do it all again if I could,” said Nick Skelton, as he and Big Star bowed out in an emotional ceremony at Royal Windsor Horse Show (14 May). The Queen and Prince Philip were among those who watched footage of Nick and Big Star’s gold medal-winning jump-off in Rio, as well as stills and film from Nick’s stellar career. “I was asked by Horse & Hound a couple of weeks ago what made you so special and I said: ‘He’s a winner, through and through,’” compere Nick Brooks-Ward said. “His preparation is immaculate, his talent unbounded and his perseverance unparalled. “When you came back from your broken neck and took Arko to Athens, it was amazing. To go on and win team gold in London and individual gold in…

BLUESTONE LUKE The popular 15.2hh four-star eventer has died aged 16. Ridden by Kerry Varley, he jumped round Burghley five times, including last year, when he also completed Badminton. Kerry said: “He was the main reason I got out of bed every day.” PAMERO 4 British eventer Laura Collett has lost the ride on Clive Smith’s four-star gelding. Laura said she was “beyond devastated” but was grateful to have been able to ride him and wished new rider Gemma Tattersall “the very best of luck” with the 10-year-old. MATHEW’S GIRL The top 128cm showjumper has been retired aged 23. She started her career in Ireland and was successful at shows including Horse of the Year Show and Olympia, with Peter Charles’ children and Alena Hughes among her riders. SHANGHAI JOE…

Dressage star Charlotte Dujardin was “very proud” to become the inaugural patron of the British Grooms Association, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this week. The Queen drove herself home after Royal Windsor on 10 May. The 91-year-old was seen smiling in her Range Rover after her heavyweight hunter Tower Bridge came second in his class. Kildangan Stud’s Owen Smyth received the Irish racing excellence award at the 2017 Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards on 9 May. Owen also won the “leads by example” award. The British Eventing (BE) 2016 volunteers of the year were presented with their awards at Badminton Horse Trials. Elin Stenberg received the BE volunteer of the year award. Canadian jockey Chantal Sutherland rode her 1,000th winner at Santa Anita Park, California, on 6 May.…

FASHION A hunt supporter shared an example of sabs’ complaints; that riders wear “funny clothes”. “Apart from the masked sab pot calling the hunt kettle black, I thought, you haven’t seen what I wear when I’m NOT hunting,” he said. “Toad of Toad Hall has nothing on my wardrobe...” SHOWJUMPERS Overheard at a British Showjumping event: “I’m all for BS recording all our results [rather than just double clears] — but why did they have to start it just as my horses started having fences down?” Ah, don’t you just love horses’ sense of timing? NAKEDNESS EquiRatings’ Sam Watson revealed on Twitter he had nicked a mug showing fellow eventer Laura Collett jumping into water. “I thought if you added hot water, the clothes would fall off,” the cheeky chap…

CODE OF CONDUCT NEEDED Sir — With reference to Stuart Hollings’ thought-provoking article (opinion, 4 May), I would welcome the formation of a showing professionals’ association as this would bring accountability to an aspect of the equine world that is not fully regulated. I hope that the association would examine the fundamental issues of professionals’ qualifications and their continued development to demonstrate current skills and knowledge. In addition, it should ensure that professionals operate within a code of conduct in relation to grievance procedures, have the required insurance cover, and comply with the necessary employment and health and safety regulations. These are all matters that should be implemented, otherwise employees and clients are exposed to considerable risk. It would be difficult for a client to ensure that their trainer operates…

‘Cobs love to roll, so when confronted with muddy legs at 4am, a power wash has to be done’ My secret weapon is… My power wash. Keeping horses out has its advantages but cobs love to roll so at 4am, when confronted with brown legs instead of white, it has to be done. The biggest mistake I have learnt from… Last year, having arrived at the New Forest Show the night before — we had been locked out, which took three hours to sort — I didn’t get a chance to ride anything in. With the first horse due in the ring at 8am, I suddenly realised I did not have a saddle for one of the cobs. But it was thanks to Justine Armstrong-Small’s client, Caroline Durdin, who lent…

MY FAVOURITE PHOTOS “I just love this picture of Maybe jumping the hedge in the grand prix at Hickstead around 1980. We didn’t win, but it’s a fantastic photo!” THE DEFINING MOMENTS OF MY LIFE 1980: being selected for the British team at the alternative Olympics in Rotterdam on Maybe “This was the first of my many championships alongside John Whitaker and we won team silver. It may not be counted in the history books, but I’ve still got the medal. It was a massive step forward for me.” "He was always a good man to have on your team — we had a system that he would always go first and I would go last and it seemed to work… most of the time. He’s been a massive influence…

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ROYAL WINDSOR proved hugely attractive to amateur riders. There were 27 catalogued in the amateur small and lightweight hunter class, 24 in the heavyweight section and 34 in the amateur cobs. Those numbers are not surprising, as Windsor has unique charisma. How refreshing to see an amateur win the novice cobs. Classes for retrained racehorses were equally popular, with 23 entered for the Flat section qualifier and 26 for the National Hunt one. It was such a boost to see one stand overall supreme and is bound to increase their popularity. I’d like to see Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), the organisation behind this series and for which I have huge respect, rethink one of its rules. Currently, horses are de-noviced after three novice wins or any OPINION open win under…

MY first love will always be ponies and the highlight for me, as senior showing steward, was the open show pony championship. What a thrill for those six riders who performed in front of The Queen. That memory will last them a lifetime and was a fabulous advert for the British riding pony. You always worry when you have ponies going into the main ring, because of the atmosphere. It was wonderful to see riders and ponies perform so well. What an experience, too, for the judges: Gregory Goss, from South Africa, and Kathryn Pitt. We wanted an international flavour and Gregory is not only a very experienced judge, but doesn’t know any of our competitors. Royal Windsor also tries to bring in fresh faces, by pairing younger judges with…

CSI5* Royal Windsor, Berkshire “WHO dares wins,” said Billy Twomey during a pre-jump-off course-walk for the Rolex Grand Prix at the first ever five-star international show held at Royal Windsor. The Irishman could not have spoken truer words, as 12 of the world’s best were about to chase a €75,000 (£63,500) first prize over a brilliant track set by senior designer Bob Ellis. The course had everything: tempting turns, long runs and a gallop to an almighty vertical standing 1.65m plus. There was neither a seat nor standing space to be had from start to finish of the class and with three Brits among the dozen who were clear, there was plenty to cheer about. Second-drawn Guy Williams set a superb standard on his ride of only a fortnight, Rouge…

THE final day at Royal Windsor, with an exceptional grand prix jump-off and Nick Skelton’s retirement ceremony, was really special — definitely one to remember. Show director Simon Brooks-Ward asked Scott Brash, my brother Michael and me to be a part of Nick’s retirement and it was a great honour to do so. It was supposed to be a secret, so we had to hide in the stables beforehand and I don’t think Nick noticed! They did the ceremony really well, with the video and a list of all his achievements — that took a while! Riding round the arena, the atmosphere was fantastic. We couldn’t believe how big the crowds were — they were packed in and there were even cheers coming from the big screens and all around…

Floors Castle, Roxburghshire OLIVER TOWNEND dominated the international classes, claiming the Cazenove Capital Management CIC2* with Arctic Mouse and a one-two in the Strathern CIC*. He produced a masterful clear with Arctic Mouse, stopping the clock on the CIC2* optimum time to give him his 60th international win. “I rode him as a young horse before selling him to Tamara-Jane Davis four years ago,” said Oliver of the Touchdown 15-year-old. Tamara-Jane’s father died recently and Oliver has taken the ride back. “He feels very professional in all three phases — he’s an older horse with a lot of mileage and won Ballindenisk CCI3* in 2012,” added Oliver, who also filled eighth with new ride Colby II. Paul Sims was the runner-up with Last Secret, an 11-year-old mare he holds in…

THE 21-year-old Bristol University student was on “cloud nine” after claiming her first win at intermediate in section L on her first attempt at the level with Lancelot 359. Goose took time out of revising for her exams in history of art to make the worthwhile trip with the 12-year-old gelding she’s been riding for two years. “He previously evented with Jesse Campbell, but picked up an injury and they didn’t think he would event again, so I was given him,” said Goose. “People thought he’d be too strong for me — he’s 16.3hh and I’m only 5ft 5in — but he’s a total gentleman.” The grey gelding is stabled with Richard Waygood, who also trains Goose, and the rider credited her mother for helping keep “Lance” fit while she…

‘She’s getting hotter as she gets older’ KIM YOUNG ON THE SEVEN-YEAR-OLD FIRST MISS SUNRISE AS The Cabin EC, Aberdeenshire | Dumfries Dressage Katie James was thrilled with the Sir Caprimond x Sherlock Holmes six-year-old Seventh Heaven III, a daughter of the award-winning broodmare Seven Percent. Owned by Katie and her sister Lucy for almost two years, the 17hh mare has been allowed time to mature. “Lucy has threatened to event her but my diva ways won. She’s still quite green at novice and could be a little more uphill. She’s very smart, a lovely person and takes everything in her stride,” explained Katie, who enjoyed BD test training with Eilidh Grant the day before the show at The Cabin. After eight months away from competition while establishing flying…

Hunters EC, Glos “We finished just 2% behind Charlotte Dujardin in the first class,” said Terrie, who took time out from running The Croft Equestrian Centre in Berkshire to compete at Hunters. “I’ve been telling everyone!” Terrie bought her 14-year-old gelding out of the field six years ago, bringing him on herself. “He can be tricky in the ring as he tends to back off and become spooky,” she said. “We’ve been training with Matt Hicks and it’s all getting a bit softer and easier. We just need to get the changes clean to move up to advanced medium.” In the novices, Terrie’s five-year-old gelding Hail Storm produced solid performances, while Hartpury College student Louise Gallavan won both silver sections with Kate Carter’s seven-year-old mare Akira Euphoria. Louise teamed up…

‘I think she improved with every round and jumped better’ MATT SAMPSON Wettenhall, Cheshire MATT SAMPSON claimed the first ticket to the Equitop Myoplast Foxhunter final in the most brilliant style with a real “blink and you miss it” round riding Ebolensky (Leni). Nine contested the second jump-off in this first second round of 2017 and after an acute turn back in the middle of the course and a racing gallop to the final fence, few would have laid odds on this pair being beaten as Leni matched her rider’s determination stride for stride. “Leni is a real character and we’re both as crazy as each other; that was an awesome round,” said Matt. Raf Suarez set a tough, but fair course for the 49-starters and it struck just…

‘She did about four shows last year and this is her first outing of the season’ LUCINDA DARGAVEL ON FIRST LASS OF DARGAVEL NPS Area 25 Spring Show, Leyland Court, Bristol A HOME-BRED Highland continued her unbeaten form when standing Picton mountain and moorland (M&M) novice champion. First Lass Of Dargavel, owned and bred by Lucinda Dargavel, is a seven-year-old mare partnered by Mathew Lawrence. “She did about four shows last year and this is her first outing of the season,” said Lucinda. Produced by Mathew, First Lass, by Tower Clyde, went on to clinch the ridden silver medal championship and the British Isles ridden title. Katy Marriott-Payne took reserve in the Picton (see box) riding Bodynys Kaino. Katy had earlier won the M&M intermediate championship with Lesley Parker’s…

WE have the date — 8 June. Put it in the diary. Things must be put straight before the day, a decision of the utmost import will be made, the consequences of which will affect the lives of many in the ensuing months, nay years. Yes, 8 June; the Belvoir Hunt puppy show. The more observant will have noticed that there is also to be a general election that many did not foresee; for the first time in many years, there is a real chance of a large Conservative majority in the House of Commons. To the surprise of many and to their great credit, the Conservatives have retained their pledge to repeal the Hunting Act 2004 in their election manifesto. Exciting times indeed. I have little doubt the Tories…

Cumberland Hunt, Aspatria ALISON CHRISTMAS made her first visit to Aspatria one to remember as Orissan Jim and Carlos Gardel, both ridden by Gillon Crow, gave her a first double as a trainer. Paddy’s Wish (Donal Delahunt) set out to make all the running in the Subaru restricted and was still three lengths up two out from Orissan Jim, but Gillon’s mount finished like a train and asserted inside the last 50 yards to score by half a length. Alison, who is based at Silkstone Common near Barnsley, said of the 10-year-old: “I bought him privately in May 2013 but he’s had a string of injuries since and was forced to miss the 2015 season after fracturing a splint bone. You would think he had a loyalty card with the…

LAST week there was an interesting announcement by the Point-to-Point Owners and Riders Association (PPORA) chairman Robert Killen. In an email to members, the chairman stated his intention to move things up a few gears, with attention drawn to a document which sets out the PPORA’s vision and aims within point-to-pointing. I would encourage everyone who has an interest in the sport to take a look at this document ahead of the forthcoming AGM at Stratford Racecourse on 9 June, where it will be introduced for endorsement by the membership. Two things in particular caught my eye as being very positive moves and in my view they should be applauded. Firstly, a new membership category will be introduced at a reduced rate — supporter membership, and secondly, three additional committee…

THE British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has revealed two more appointments to its World Class programme. Georgina Sharples will take on the new head of performance support role and Caroline Griffith has been appointed World Class dressage performance manager. The head of performance support job involves ensuring horses and riders have access to the best vets, medical support and scientific developments. Georgina is currently British Paralympic Association head of performance. She has worked there since the Beijing cycle and was deputy chef de mission for Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016. Caroline is moving from her BEF position as lead coordinator for the World Class podium potential programme to take on dressage from Richard Waygood. A change in structure means she will oversee both podium and podium potential squads. “Caroline’s transition highlights…

A NEW scheme will help address the stable staff shortage within racing, it is hoped. Applications are open for an initiative developed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), British Racing School (BRS) and Northern Racing College (NRC), supported by the Racing Foundation. The scheme, which is free of charge this year, consists of a four-week training course followed by a work placement. “Following a pilot, we established a requirement to upskill equine college graduates with more specific training to get them ready for employment in a racing yard,” said Carole Goldsmith of the BHA. The training will take place at the BRS and NRC, with 16 places on offer at each this summer. Applicants must be in their final year of an equine or animal-related qualification at an equine college…

AS I arrived at the control post in Hungary (news, p6), I was worrying about my horses. My big mare had escaped from her field and had had a great time thundering about. She was in very capable hands but I wasn’t there and I worried. I was still worrying when a truck pulled in, 20 horses on board. I looked through the bars and realised — no one had ever worried about these. Haltered with twisted string, packed tight, these horses were making their last journey, due to end in death, in an Italian slaughterhouse. I compared my worrying to these animals, no different to my horses, or yours, only these were born in the wrong place, to the wrong people. More heartbreaking was seeing them unloaded. Caked in…

OVERALL IMPRESSION “There are only good things to say about this horse,” says showjumper William Funnell, who runs the successful Billy Stud. “He immediately strikes you as a really nice stamp of a horse with good hindlegs and particularly strong hocks. “He looks like an athlete through and through. He just oozes power from his hindquarters and that’s what you want in a showjumper. If I tried a young horse that looked like him I’d immediately think, ‘There’s a future grand prix horse’.” HEAD “He has lovely big ears — I never know how much truth there is in the saying that big ears mean an honest horse, but the ears are still something you like to notice,” says William. “He has a very nice outlook and we all know…

‘Winning! I do like winning — it gives you the most incredible buzz. But there’s no thinking back now — I’ve just got to get on and do it’ "THERE has always got to be a time to stop and I think mine is right now,” says Nick Skelton. “It probably was the toughest decision of my life though, because you never want it all to end, do you?” He says he’s feeling fine about hanging up his show jacket. He even says that, second time around, he’ll finally be content with his decision to retire from the sport that has been his bread and butter, his passion and his ticket to some of the most thrilling adventures in the world, for the past four decades. “I think it will…

MY FAVOURITE PHOTOS “With my sons Dan (left) and Harry (centre) at the Cheltenham Festival in 2010. Dan was working for Paul Nicholls then. Six years later he trained his first Festival winner, ridden by Harry” "We’ve known his retirement has been coming for some time, but it’s still strange. But don’t forget we all went through this before when he broke his neck — for 18 months that was it, he was never going to ride again. So it really is the end of an era this time, but nothing will really change except he won’t disappear off to jump at a show once a fortnight. Of course, everyone will remember him for the Rio Olympics — everything we’d hoped for and dreamed of — it was just incredible.…

‘I’ve never ridden a horse this good. All he wants to do is win and he’s up for anything’ GEORGIA TAME Royal Windsor, Berkshire AOIFE O’CONNOR rode the stunning stallion Billy Du Montois to victory in this year’s Walwyn novice championship. “This is my first ever Windsor win — in fact, it’s the first ever clear round I’ve managed to jump here,” she said after winning one of the most coveted titles among Britain’s producers. For the first time, the class was confined to six-year-old horses, with the best 12 from the earlier Foxhunter class going through. Jay Halim led off on Aragon Z, the only non-British-bred horse among the jump-off quartet. This smart grey was produced by Alfie Bradstock and Jay took over in February. Aragon is inexperienced,…

THE prolific dressage sire Dimaggio made his mark on the first day of Royal Windsor, having sired not just the winner but also the runner-up of the advanced medium freestyle class. Kate Smith topped the rankings on her Royal Windsor debut with her own De La Veiga (Dimaggio x Weltmeyer). Kate and the powerful 10-year-old gelding scoring 75.05% for Coldplay routine. Suzanne Lavandera, who won the 2000 world young horse championship on Dimaggio himself, claimed second with Janet Gee’s Keystone Daganay. The nine-year-old stallion, who scored 72.66%, boasts the same Dimaggio x Weltmeyer breeding as De La Veiga.…

‘I tried to ride in a soft and relaxed way so that we were quick to and away from each fence’ GEMMA TATTERSALL ON HER WINNING TACTICS Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth, Derbyshire “I WAS determined to be the first female winner — and I’ve even done it on a mare,” declared Gemma Tattersall after pocketing £16,000 for winning this year’s first leg of the Event Rider Masters (ERM) CIC3* series riding Quicklook V. The 32-year-old is the first female rider to be added to the ERM roll of honour and she set a new record for the lowest finishing score with the 12-year-old grey, owned by The Pebbles Syndicate. They were the only sub-40 finishers and their dressage penalty-mark of 33.7 was only beaten by one other: Thomas Carlile’s…

WITH more than six weeks of dry weather, the ground conditions were a hot topic preceding the event, but concerns were unfounded as the going was good, with the organisers’ efforts praised. Three days of continuous ground work, including pumping 75,000 gallons of water, verti-draining and agri-vating the entire course, dressage and showjumping arenas and warm-up arenas ensured the ground was excellent. “We all appreciate the effort made to get the ground good for us,” said Wills Oakden. Oliver Townend added: “More people should make the trip up, the event is first class and ground is always good.” “I like coming here,” said Ben Hobday. “They look after you, there’s good prize money and the ground is good, plus there’s a bar in the secretary’s tent.” Paul Sims said: “It…

• KIRRIEMUIR (1) Nov. — 1, Quincy IV (C Padfield) 30.8,0,0.4=31.2; 2, Power Blazer (W Oakden) 31.5,0,0=31.5; 3, Oughterard Cooley (W Oakden) 34,0,0=34. BE100 sec D. — 1, Killossery Kameo (D Gatherer) 27.8,4,0.8=32.6; 2, SDF Loriot (K Smith) 32.8,0,0=32.8; 3, George A (C Padfield) 27.8,4,2.4=34.2. sec E. — 1, Balhagarty Lancelot (L Webster) 27.8,0,0=27.8; 2, Blaze (E Buchanan) 29.8,0,0=29.8; 3, Macgregors Cooley (W Oakden) 28.3,0,4=32.3. BE90 sec A. — 1, Finnan Boy Blue (C Stewart) 30.5,0,0=30.5; 2, Platinum Crackers (S Robb) 30.5,0,2=32.5; 3, Hadise DV (L Collins) 29,4,0=33. sec B. — 1, Greenburn Sunrise (J Moses) 20.3,0,0=20.3; 2, Jumble (R Johnston Harman) 22.5,0,0=22.5; 3, Blue Thor (C Pennycook) 19.8,4,0=23.8. sec C. — 1, Maori Blend (A Broad) 31,0,0=31; 2, Fan Daby Angus (A Waugh) 27.5,4,0=31.5; 3, Vrouwke II (L Tanner)…

Bicton College, Devon | Kingston Maurward, Dorset | Tall Trees Arena, Cornwall “I have been working towards this for the past 18 months and I was completely elated when I finished,” said Sue, 44. Sue was riding her ex-racehorse Stellar Cause, an 11-year-old by Giant’s Causeway who was imported from America as a yearling. This was Sue’s first test since July, at Tall Trees. “He’s had some arthritis in his hock, but this was such fun that I don’t think I’ll ever ride a ‘normal’ test again,” said Sue, who is trained by Erica Oldham, Adam Kemp and Matt Frost. Wimborne-based Elizabeth Ellis, 14, headed both novice bronze tests at Kingston Maurward on her part-bred New Forest pony Mockbeggar Milly. The partnership joined BD in January after Elizabeth, who is…

Frensham Priory, Surrey | Hickstead, West Sussex Her future grand prix ride Canhoto Laranjeira scored nearly 68% in the PSG at Frensham Priory under Hollie Lewis. Carolyn herself won the silver section on another Lusitano, Xerife, whom she originally bought to hack. “Canhoto has fabulous movement once he gets going, but he’s very difficult to ride,” said Carolyn. “He arrived from Portugal able to piaffe and passage, but without a clue how to walk — and it’s taken two years to teach him to take a contact.” Hollie and Canhoto also produced a 66% first inter I. “They came across the diagonal in medium trot and he went straight into a contact for the walk; Hollie did a brilliant job,” said Carolyn. Natasha Powell-Richards’ sights are set on FEI pony…

‘A striking pony; he caught our eye within seconds’ JUDGE RACHEL COOPER ON THISTLEDOWN ARCTIC MONKEY White Rose County, Temple Newsam Park, Leeds MORE than 12 hours of competitive showing concluded when Thistledown Arctic Monkey and Alice Binks were crowned best in show by brother and sister judging duo Matthew and Rachel Cooper. “Our winner is a striking, well-put-together pony, full of presence, who caught our eye within seconds. He performed a great gallop, as one would expect from a top show hunter pony [SHP],” said Rachel, and Matthew concurred. The on-form Arctic Monkey is owned by Alice’s grandmother, Jane Bennison, who purchased the six-year-old 122cm from Fayre Oaks sale in 2013 via a telephone bid. “He can live up to his name sometimes by pretending to be a…

WELSH section C stallion Bodynys Kaino made his ridden debut a winning one. The chestnut won the Picton section C class and stood reserve in the Picton M&M novice ridden championship. Partnered by Katy Marriott-Payne, Kaino, by Lynard Mister Tom, has previously won in-hand titles but has only been broken this year. Paula Whitlock has leased the five-year-old from owner Shane Rogers after she and Katy spotted him. “We both thought he’d be great to produce under saddle and Shane agreed to let us have him,” said Paula. Katy added: “He’s too nice to rush but we have very high hopes for him.”…

Knutsford Races Club, Tabley “I THINK I went half a circuit with no irons,” announced jockey Sam Burton after scoring his second career win in the maiden aboard Indian Hawk. A distraction from another horse at the first obstacle resulted in Sam having to make an exceptional recovery after finding both legs on one side of the saddle. Trainer Nicky Tinkler added: “He was only beaten by a neck on his debut [at Charm Park last month]. He goes to the sales next week.” High Counsel made all to take an eventful 2m4f mixed open with a number of the field going the wrong side of a gate that had blown over exiting the back straight for the first time. Immy Robinson’s mount demonstrated how versatile he was, having finished…

• Three to a team for all disciplines, no drop score. EVENTING One reserve combination per team: penalties for substitution to be finalised. Dressage reduced to one day. Technical level defined as “Olympic level”: four-star dressage and showjumping. Cross-country will have a 10-minute optimum time, 45 jumping efforts, three-star technical difficulty. SHOWJUMPING Individual event to take place before team competition. Twenty teams plus 15 spaces for individual nations. DRESSAGE A fourth combination to compete as individuals. Team medals to be solely decided on grand prix special. New “heat system” including “lucky losers” for grand prix: 18 riders to go forward from grand prix to freestyle. Top eight teams from grand prix to qualify for grand prix special. New system for grand prix starting order, grand prix special set to rider’s…

1927 Ada Cole launches World Horse Welfare (then the ILPH) with the aim of securing laws to prohibit the transport of British horses to Europe for slaughter 1930 Ada Cole’s dying words were: “There is still so much to do… the work must go on!” 1937 The ILPH drives through the Exportation of Horses Act, which effectively stops British horses being sent to Europe for slaughter 1950 Minimum values for horses going from the UK to Europe are adopted as law, outpricing the slaughter trade 1954 The Slaughter of Animals Act raises horses’ welfare provision to the same status as cattle 1996 Jilly Cooper delivers a petition to parliament signed by 3.3m people protesting against long-distance transportation to slaughter 2004 The EU agrees a regulation which sets better conditions for…

‘How can we appeal against the 2017 figures when the 2010 ones still haven’t been sorted?’ CATHERSTON STUD’S ANNE DICKER EQUESTRIAN businesses hit by rate hikes are voicing frustrations over the appeals process. Catherston Stud — whose rateable value has more than doubled for 2017 — said it is challenging the new figures despite not having had its 2010 appeal looked at yet. “I’ve contacted the valuation office and they have come back to me because there are anomalies in our calculations,” the stud’s Anne Dicker told H&H. “But you have to ask, how can we appeal against the 2017 figures when the 2010 ones still haven’t been sorted? “It feels as if the government is picking people with horses as easy targets because they think they are minted.…

CHARITY JOINS EUROPEAN FORUM H&H charity of the year World Horse Welfare is “delighted” to have joined the European Commission’s animal welfare platform. The charity’s Roly Owers said: “The key issues we hope to address include responsible horse ownership and the need to promote good welfare as part of strong standards of competition, industry, biosecurity and routine management.” CATCH UP WITH ERM ACTION ON TV ANYONE who missed the first 2017 Event Rider Masters leg at Chatsworth (14-15 May) can catch up with the action. For the first time, a one-hour highlights programme will be broadcast tonight (18 May) at 7pm, on Sky Sports, repeated “multiple times” across the network. ERM has secured distribution of highlights programmes across the world, in countries including the US, Australia, the Middle East and…

RECYCLING A member of Tokyo 2020 staff shared a photo online of people donating old phones which “will become medals”. We’re not sure why or how it’ll work and can only hope a text doesn’t come through during a medal ceremony… COMMENTARY So farewell then, Nick Skelton and Big Star, two legends of showjumping. But did we hear your horse being referred to as “Big Time” at one point on Sunday? Maybe that’s why The Queen appeared to be wiping her eyes afterwards... VERTI-DRAINING Yup, you read that right, and it’s what Chatsworth did to its warm-up area. It means, says t’internet, punching holes up to 150mm for 25mm width of tine to 75mm depth on fine turf with pencil tines (whatever that means). A roller follows to smooth the…

“AND it was all yellow…” No, not the lyrics of Coldplay, but this year’s Badminton Horse Trials. The 2017 event was awash with mustard-coloured jackets and Cornish spectator Ria Hattam was among those seemingly embracing the latest trend. The weather was somewhat chilly and Ria picked up a new yellow coat at the horse trials and soon realised she was not the only one to have done so. She posed for pictures of herself and the 16 unsuspecting members of the public who were all also sporting the same coat. The hilarious photographs, captioned, “When you buy a new yellow coat at Badminton and quickly discover everyone else did too”, have gone viral on social media and been reported in the national press. “Who knew that walking around Badminton taking…

Sir — Richard Gurney is right to point out in his forthright article (opinion, 4 May) that an increased majority for a Conservative government in the general election could provide an opportunity for repeal of the Hunting Act 2004. However, canvassing for Conservative candidates by the hunting community is unlikely to be enough. It will have to be followed by an effective campaign to educate MPs about the welfare problems of the fox population, which can only be solved by repeal. The Hunting Act reduced the status of the rural fox to vermin which may be shot and snared at all times of the year. Vixens are likely to be wounded or shot dead by lamping parties while their cubs are underground. Not surprisingly, the rural fox population has fallen…

After a blissful — but competitive — childhood in the saddle, Nick began his illustrious career under the expert tutelage of Ted and Liz Edgar and was soon making his name… THE DEFINING MOMENTS OF MY LIFE 1973: My first international show “Riding Himself, I was on the junior team at the Dublin Spring Show with Gary Widdowson — so he was there when it all started and little did I know that he would be there when I finished, 44 years later, as the owner of Big Star.” "He was always a winner. You won’t find anyone more dedicated and that’s what made him great. He had so many successes from the Derby to Aachen and he often won on what I would call moderate horses. For the past…

1 BIG STAR “HE’S the ultimate horse [see Horse Hero, p24] and without doubt the best I’ve ever ridden. He was only five when I got him but you could see he had all the attributes then and the older he got, the more they became apparent. “The final three rounds he jumped in Rio were as good as he’s ever jumped — and he gave me a similar feeling when he won the Aachen grand prix in 2013, and the German championship [Warsteiner Prize] there in 2012, too. He never jumped a bad round and you can probably count on two hands the number of fences he’s had down in eight years of competition. “When you walked the course, you didn’t worry about anything with Big Star — as…

ROYAL FAN “WOULD you like me to hold your horse for you?” said world number one Kent Farrington to Canadian star Tiffany Foster. The reason Kent was offering his services as Tripple X III’s temporary groom was to allow ardent royalist Tiffany the chance to catch a glimpse of The Queen. The cunning plan worked and Tiffany was suitably impressed. “I just love The Queen. She’s so cute — and so tiny too,” she said. RETURN TO ACTION FORMER British national champion Clark Glasgow pulled on his breeches again to jump at Royal Windsor. Clark wasn’t appearing in the international classes, but as part of the winning Cambridge team that took on Oxford Saturday’s varsity challenge. The challenge comprised dressage and showjumping on horses contestants had never sat on before.…

DESIGNER 10 was pulled up early at Badminton following a cross-country run-out, but a change of bit and Bettina Hoy having recovered from illness meant they were back on form here. “I had a fever and felt very ill for two days before Badminton, and when he’s fit he’s keen and I just wasn’t strong enough to ride him,” said Bettina, who was using a Sprenger KK bit in the horse’s mouth for the first time. “I had much more control today and we came to be competitive. Hans [Melzer, German coach] told me to make sure I go for it and his words were in my mind when we left the startbox.”…

BADMINTON has been part of my life since before I could walk. My parents used to leave me sleeping under a tree and collect me once they’d walked the course. As a kid, in the Beaufort branch of the Pony Club, I dreamt of riding there one day. How times have changed! My first win in 1971 earned me £250, and my rail down in 1968 cost me £100. Last weekend Andrew Nicholson took home £100,000 and Michael Jung’s rail cost him £46,000. History is made year after year at Badminton, but seldom have emotions been so stirred as by Andrew Nicholson’s win, especially following his comeback after breaking his neck at Gatcombe in 2015. Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW have won six four-stars, but this supreme partnership have…

‘He’s so uphill, he feels like a plane taking off!’ ABI HUTTON ON HER FOUR-YEAR-OLD WINNER SUSPENSION INNOCENT Addington Premier League, Bucks BECKY MOODY scored an emphatic victory in the grand prix at Addington’s Premier League show on Carinsio. They collected 71.03%; Vicki Thompson Winfield was second with Mango Jacaro on 67.97%. “It was a solid test with some good marks, but there is still loads of room for improvement,” said Becky. “We’ve had some issues with the walk, so the fact that he did actually walk was great!” Becky has brought the 10-year-old Painted Black x Beaujolais son, owned by Julie Lockey and Becky’s parents, Anne and Patrick, all the way through the grades. “He’s an incredible horse with real loose athleticism who, when his brain has things…

DUCKEY BANK, winner of the prelim silver title, suffered a serious near hind superficial flexor tendon rupture after kicking a water bucket shortly after he had qualified for the Badminton Mitsubishi Motors Cup last year. Seven months of box rest and exercise on the walker followed and owner Becky Gibbons did not ride him again until January. He only started cantering in March. “The tendon is still not exactly where we want it but I’m trusting him to guide me as to what he can do,” said Becky, who is currently on maternity leave from work. Fortunately Duckey Bank is on livery at Wellington and he is booked into the new Equine Rebalance Therapy Centre for water treadmill and saltwater spa therapy to strengthen his tendons. Becky hopes to return…

Houghton Hall, Cambs Kirsten Fox collected a double elementary win on her mum’s 12-year-old Dutch-bred Cocktail’s Antar, by Cocktail’s Whinny out of a New Forest dam. “We got him last year for Mum to learn to do dressage after a 15-year break: she’d given up riding to let me do it,” said Kirsten. “We bought him from a one-minute video through the help of my friend and trainer Jayne Lancashire and didn’t even try him out, as we could see how lovely he was from the clip. “These are his highest percentages so far and I was especially happy as I was riding with three displaced ribs and couldn’t really move my right shoulder. But he’s a total dream and looks after any rider, and the tests felt like riding…

I READ Anna Ross’ comments on why our juniors and young riders are not in the medal zone (9 March) with interest. I agree that continuity is essential for a smooth transition between each level. Factors including funding, horse power and competitive opportunities impact outcomes. The standard of riding over the past decade has risen dramatically as the British Young Rider Dressage Scheme (BYRDS) has developed. There is now a logical pathway for young riders that facilitates not just competitive development, but also understanding of the correct way of going and the scales of training. Regional activities demonstrate that progression is about all-round development. Riders aiming for squad training are invited to a viewing day based on their scores. Squad training happens over three weekends in the autumn; it’s here…

South Staffordshire College, Staffs | Field House EC, Staffs Judy’s 70.38% win with Furlongs Black Jack came at South Staffs, Judy having switched to dressage after a lifetime in the show arena. “I looked at plenty of horses but they all felt too unpredictable. I decided I’d buy the first one I felt safe on, which was ‘Bazel’,” said Judy, who trains with Patsy Bartram. “We started with some intro tests as we couldn’t canter and we’ve now done a few elementary tests, but the aim is advanced when I’m 80 and then I can wear top hat and tails.” Field House ran four-, five- and six-year-old young horse qualifiers, with last year’s four-year-old national champion Hawtins San Floriana claiming a win and setting herself up for a tilt at…

SHOWING’S super-steward Phil Judge (pictured, above) is taking on a new challenge to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Phil — the first to admit that his current physique errs on the “cuddly” side — will cycle 54 miles from London to Brighton on 18 June in memory of his brother, Richard, who also showed ponies successfully as a child but died from a heart condition when he was aged just 19. “I miss my brother now more than ever, and I want to do something to help others,” explained Phil, an international haulier. “I’m overweight, getting old and haven’t cycled for over 20 years, but I’m actually really enjoying it.” Phil will be accompanied on the London-to-Brighton challenge by his best man Dale Burden and Ed Babbington, husband…