Innholdsfortegnelse for 06-Jul-2017 i Horse & Hound

ZARA TINDALL’S outstanding event horse Toytown was put down last Tuesday (27 June), aged 24. He was the horse who launched her career, winning individual gold medals at the 2005 European Championships (pictured) and the 2006 World Equestrian Games — the first British pair to hold the European and world double since the 1980s. Toytown will particularly be remembered for a storming cross-country round in terrible rain at the 2005 Europeans at Blenheim, which was also Zara’s senior championship debut. “Zara and Toytown were an amazing partnership, knew each other inside out and had such confidence and trust in each other — with any top combination that’s what it’s all about,” said multi-medalled rider Jeanette Brakewell, who was one of Zara’s team-mates at the 2005 Europeans. “At Blenheim she and…

FIRST CLASS VAN EECKELGHEM The showjumper, who was part of Germany’s bronze medal-winning team at the Rio Olympics, has died following a bout of colic. The 12-year-old was ridden by Daniel Deusser. “He was a once in a lifetime horse that I will always carry in my heart, RIP my friend,” said Daniel. VANCOUVER K Judy Reynolds enjoyed two grand prix wins with the 15-year-old Jazz gelding at Fritzens-Schindlhof’s four-star show in Austria. They took the grand prix with 75.58% on 30 June and the grand prix special with 72.26% on 2 July. SIRO The 18-year-old grand prix dressage horse has been retired. Ridden by the Netherlands’ Danielle Heijkoop, the warmblood gelding by Gribaldi was a member of the Dutch silver medal-winning team at the 2013 European championships in Herning,…

STATISTICS Last September, the FEI could not tell H&H how many people had engaged with its Olympics #TwoHearts campaign. Not possible, they said, not yet, releasing numbers three months later. Compare this to Royal Ascot, which released its stats on 24 June. Less than 90 minutes after the last race, FYI. STATISTICS (AGAIN) Fact fans may wish to know that visitors entered Ascot at a rate of 4,011 per five minutes, and #RoyalAscot appeared 98,700 times on Twitter. You may not care, obviously, but we didn’t want the number-crunchers’ work to go to waste. COMMENTARY We very much enjoyed former Derby winner John Ledingham’s thoughts on the Speed Derby: “Until someone goes faster than him and clear, he’s in a great position to win this class.” You never spoke a…

Sir — Thank you for featuring John Keen in “My inspiration” (29 June). Simon Charlesworth shouldn’t have stalked John, but joined him in his dry sense of humour and the generous gift of his knowledge. He was a real help when I first started showing at affiliated level. I will always remember the day he walked down the line to me and asked, “Have you a pair of scissors?” Like a lamb, I handed over a pair from my basket, then he walked around to Monty’s tail and cut 3-4in off the bottom. “That’s better,” he smiled, then walked back to the top of the line. He was generous with his time and skill, and he took joy from a horse well produced. The writer of letter of the week…

‘When I started jumping him we had some judgmental comments, but in the ring he shows he belongs — he showjumps as well as many blood horses’ TARA FALLON ON CROSSWELL BLUE, WHO HAS JUMPED 1.80M IT’S impossible to pin down a cob. It’s not a breed, though most have Irish draught, and they aren’t allied with any single discipline. But with their sturdy build and short legs, they are certainly the over-achievers of the horse world. And it’s as hard to find a good cob as to define one. Not that there aren’t plenty about, but a lack of breeding history and their typical start as a hairy bog-trotter makes it tricky to spot a good’un in the raw. But those that have chanced upon one know they’ve…

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IT’S now midsummer and, after a stream of spring three-day events, I’ve been enjoying a bit of “downtime” — two weddings and a holiday in Corsica. It feels like I haven’t been to an event for ages, but by next weekend we will be in full swing again. Barbury, Jardy, Aachen, Gatcombe — before we know it, it will be Burghley and we’ll be on the run-down to the end of the season, amazingly. Barbury is one of the nicest one-day or CIC courses on the circuit, and I’m looking forward to the Event Rider Masters (ERM) class there. It will be the first time that the ERM team has run a whole event, so it will be interesting to see what they do with it. The Barbury estate has…

TRUST and patience have paid off for Peter Mellor and Beethoven. The pair finished on 24.4 to take BE100 section B at Skipton (1). “He came to me three years ago with a habit of bolting,” said Peter, who is in his 60s. “His owner at the time said, ‘I want your honest opinion on whether you think you can do anything with him, or we will put him to sleep’. “I’ve just pecked away slowly, never pressuring him and he keeps improving. “I didn’t panic when he initially bolted — I’m the only one that rides him and he’s going beautifully.”…

Rotterdam CDIO5*, The Netherlands AN electric ringside atmosphere coupled with extraordinary heat and a brewing thunderstorm whipped up a series of challenges for the British Nations Cup team in Rotterdam. Lara Butler, Laura Tomlinson, last-minute sub Daniel Watson and newcomer Susan Pape nevertheless kept their cool to finish a close fourth to Germany in third. “They rode well in some difficult circumstances,” said team manager Caroline Griffiths, who praised their tact and grit. “While they weren’t where they wanted to be after the grand prix, the fact that they lost by such a small margin is evidence of their determination.” Her daughter Lara kept her “hot and sensitive” Rio reserve partner Rubin Al Asad from bubbling over to finish as best of the Brits. “There was a real buzz around…

Vale View, Leics | Stourport Riding Centre, West Mids Rebecca headed both elementaries at Vale View on the mare, one with plus-70%. She bought the Showmaker daughter as a just-backed three-year-old. “She was tricky as a youngster and spent a lot of time on her back legs, but we’ve turned a corner this year and these are our best results so far,” said Rebecca. “Now I have her trust, she does anything for me and has taught me so much.” Rebecca trains with Gareth Hughes, who suggested she try a double bridle. “It’s given me that extra control and has helped her to sit,” added Rebecca. “She respects the half-halt a lot more and is waiting instead of taking over. It’s suddenly just clicked and she has really come into…

Northallerton EC, North Yorks EVENTERS and all-rounders netted good results on a sweltering day this week. Event rider Tanya Buckingham-Lloyd bagged the elementary qualifier and a medium win with her new partner, Obos Impressive. Tanya bought the eight-year-old mare, previously ridden by Jonelle Price, in February this year, and is working on trying to make life a touch less exciting between the white boards. “She gets a little lit up when she is doing dressage at events, so I’m bringing her out to get some mileage. “We’re at the stage where we are still building a partnership but I’m very lucky to have found her,” said Tanya, who trains with Chris Bartle, and is preparing for the CIC2* at Barbury. “She has an amazing walk and can get nines, but…

CSI5* SPRUCE MEADOWS, CANADA IRISH riders were in sensational form, with Conor Swail snatching victory in Friday’s 1.45m jump-off class GK Coco Chanel and Daniel Coyle lifting Sunday’s 1.50m West Canadian Cup on Grafton. CSIO3* ROESER, LUXEMBOURG JOE CLAYTON was crowned the leading rider of the show, having won a 1.40m speed class on Carolus K DHI and earned some good placings with Cally V as well as finishing seventh in the jump-off with Con Man JX. Belgium won the Nations Cup, securing their place in the final in Barcelona. The GB team finished sixth represented by Michael Whitaker (JB’s Hot Stuff), William Whitaker (Utamaro D’Ecaussines), Robert Smith (Ilton) and John Whitaker (Cassinis Chaplin). They remain second in the standings with one leg to go.…

Royal Highland, Edinburgh FOR the seventh year running, a Clydesdale lifted the overall Scottish native breed in-hand supreme title — Capt Jim Anderson’s West Glen New Dawn. “She had everything I was looking for: good hair, nice movement, plenty of bone and was well handled,” said judge Cameron Duncan Ormiston, the head stockman at Balmoral Castle, whose wife Sylvia shows Highland ponies for The Queen. Unshown this year, the eight-year-old home-bred mare is by Collessie Cut Above and out of the 2006 Winter Fair class winner Fawnspark Holly. She was shown on the day by Ron Brewster. Although the mare has previously stood second at the Royal Highland Show, this marked a first win for Jim, who has been involved with Clydesdale horses all his life. “I worked with Clydesdales…

AFTER reading “Showing faces a volunteer crisis’’ (news, 25 May), I feel even more blessed and consider myself to be one of the luckier show organisers. At the North of England Show events, we have such a dedicated team of excellent, experienced and impeccably turned-out stewards — although we are always on the lookout for good “legger uppers’’ to assist in the ridden classes, who seem to be as scarce as new ride judges. The steward is not only in charge of the smooth running of the ring — which, importantly, allows a judge to focus entirely on his assessments — but he is also there to make sure that societies’ rules are observed, competitors get the same fair crack of the whip and the ringside views a well-presented spectacle.…

Two years after a life-threatening fall, event rider Sophie McCormack has returned to competition. She finished fifth in a BE100 open at Farley Hall on Max Warburton’s Hartleymanor Viceroy. Jockey Michelle Payne has been suspended for four weeks after a positive dope test. She was prescribed an appetite suppressant, but said she did not check whether it breached rules. The British Equestrian Federation has appointed David Hamer as head of performance pathways. He is the lead for the England excel talent programme and takes up the position on 1 July. Eventer Carrie Byrom raised over £2,500 in a 24-hour ride for Stable Lives, which aims to bring veterans and their families together. She rode one-handed as she broke both arms in a fall. Leicester City Football Club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha…

DON’T MISS SHOW GUIDE LISTINGS H&H’S mammoth autumn and winter show guide, celebrating the competition season, will hit newsstands on 14 September. If you want your show, event or clinic included free of charge, please send the date, venue, town, county, secretary’s telephone number and details of disciplines (stating whether affiliated or not) to: Hannah Lemieux, Horse & Hound, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough Business Park, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7BF or email: hhshowlistings@timeinc.com. The closing date is Friday 4 August at 5pm. This magazine is a must-have for competitors, packed with features as well as the ultimate show guide listings. BHS RIDE OUT UK EVENTS RAISE £9K MORE than 1,100 people took part in the British Horse Society’s (BHS) Ride Out UK month events, raising nearly £9,000 for off-road riding.…

FANCY splashing out on a new pair of stirrups? Well, a stylish set featuring beautiful detailing which has stood the test of time is about to go on sale. Riders know that when it comes to equipment it is often necessary to spend a bit to get good quality. But the owners of this particular set will need especially deep pockets — £40,000 to £60,000 deep, to be more specific. Christie’s will be auctioning a set of Charles I’s 17th century stirrups tonight (6 July). The set was made for his coronation and features slotted treads and “bowed side-pieces decorated with incised shells and lightly punched scrollwork”. They have also been involved in another significant part of history — it is believed they were used by William III in the…

‘Winning the speed championship I was going so fast I could hardly see for the tears in my eyes’ Getting away from it all… Hunting in Ireland with my local packs the Scarteen and Wexford. I love the banks, and because the fields are small, there’s a lot of jumping. Eating out… The Chinese restaurant at The Castle Inn at Hickstead is so handy. We’re also looking forward to going to our great friend Jodie Kidd’s new pub, The Half Moon in Kirdford, West Sussex, which opens this month. Watching… My favourite television shows are currently Poldark and Designated Survivor. Looking back… Out hunting one day, I decided to gallop through some floodwater. My horse tipped up and we water-skied through it on our sides. Most memorable win… The speed…

HENRI, a six-year-old warmblood gelding used for showjumping, failed to meet the expectations his owners had when buying him. There were no apparent reasons for his poor performance, other than a one-off episode in his past when he was reported to have “tied up”, so he was referred for a full orthopaedic examination. Physical examination, including limb palpation, revealed no significant abnormalities. Henri resented deep palpation of his back, however, which resulted in muscle spasm. There was no obvious lameness when he was trotted up and lunged, but he showed a poor-quality canter with limited flexibility through his back and a tendency to become disunited. Bone phase nuclear scintigraphy detected nothing abnormal. Blood samples indicated moderately elevated muscle enzymes. Based on these samples, along with his health history and current…

• Top showing producer Robert Walker: “Apart from correct conformation, I look for freedom of movement and a good shoulder, as it’s a riding cob I want, not a driving cob.” • Cob owner Nicola Martin: “We bought Will.I.Am from Goresbridge Sales as a just-backed four-year-old. He was a weedy pony no one else wanted, but we bought him for his attitude — he was a cool customer with a sparkle in his eye.” • Kate Slattery, heavyweight show cob rider: “Go for good conformation and bone substance — and that ‘look at me’ quality. My cob Cointreau has a great overall outlook and a handsome head, a kind eye and is very correct for his type, with short cannons.” • Adriana Vaux, cob convert: “They need character and a…

‘I was galloping along and suddenly met a family of six spectators — like rabbits in the headlights’ OI WINNER ANDREW JAMES Tigga’s Saddlery & The Norfolk Lighting Company Great Witchingham (2), Norfolk ALEX KENNEDY made the most of her first visit to Blackwater Farm by riding Lissangle Cavaletto B to victory in the young riders’ advanced intermediate (AI) class. This section was scheduled originally as an open intermediate (OI), but with the blessing of British Eventing (BE), the organisers upgraded it. The decision proved correct, as all 14 long-listed partnerships arrived to test their form before the European Championships in Millstreet, Ireland, later this month. None of the starters in the earlier classes could get inside the cross-country time, but the young riders made it looked easy. Sam…

AT the FEI World Cup final in Omaha, Katrina Wüst explained to a group of us top riders what the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) seems to have in mind for the future of judging. We all agreed it was very worrying. I have nothing against a code of points as guidance for judges. There has already been much hard work towards producing guidelines and a code of points to give clear advice on the more difficult parts of judging. The starting set of guidelines was agreed in January by a group of five-star judges. But what is under discussion now is a system based on the idea of starting with a mark of 10 and deducting points according to a strict formula. How can you start from 10 for…

‘I was hanging out the washing at 8.15am when I was asked if I could ride the CCI2* test at 9.30am’ LIZ DOWN ON STEPPING UP AT THE 11TH HOUR Badgworth Arena, Somerset | Colraine EC, Cornwall “I was hanging out the washing at 8.15am on the Saturday of Nunney International Horse Trials when I had a call to say their ‘guinea pig’s’ lorry had broken down and could I step in and ride the CCI2* test at 9.30am,” said Liz. “I only live 15 minutes away, but the horse was in the field and she’d never done a test on grass. I went into panic overdrive, but looking back, it was really good fun. “I gave the judges something to discuss as there were good bits and bad…

EXACTLY 20 years ago, an international symposium titled “A Sport Horse for the Future” was held in Cambridge. The delegates heard papers from various people involved in breeding here and in Europe. On the back of this the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) commissioned research into British sport horse breeding and in March 1998 the subsequent report, A Breeding Strategy for the British Sport Horse Industry, was published. I was recently reminded of these and reread the initial report and its detailed follow-up, Towards the Implementation of a Breeding Strategy for the British Sport Horse Industry. Basically, the report’s recommendations supported a centrally organised and structured breeding programme with the aim of producing quality sport horses, of value, for British riders to compete in international competition. It suggested that…

AMATEUR CLASSES GEORGIA CABB risked all to bring Uragan home ahead to win the amateur 1.20m masters. Chasing some fast rounds, Hartpury College student Georgia heeded advice from one of Uragan’s previous riders William Fletcher to make a risky turn. “I wasn’t going to do it, but William said to trust him, so I did,” said Geogia, who is just a few months into her partnership with the agile grey gelding. “I bought him when I started college and he came with me. He rides like a pony; he lands running and he loves to jump off,” added Georgia, who won two classes at Aintree’s silver league fixture a week earlier. Clear rounds became progressively faster in the first 1.20m class of this meeting, until Nicole Lockhead Anderson and B…

REVAMPED ADDINGTON AWAITS RENOVATION works have begun at Addington Manor Equestrian Centre. The international outdoor arena will have its surface removed, the base of tarmac washed and 1,600 tonnes of Cushion Track Premier surface laid. The 20x60m outdoor arena will have the same new surface laid and a new 50x100m outdoor arena is being constructed before the end of July. AUGUST FUTURITY ENTRIES NOW OPEN ENTRIES are now open for the Baileys Horse Feeds/British Equestrian Federation Futurity Evaluation series of 2017. The evaluations will take place at nine venues from 14-30 August and are open to British-bred young horses, from foals to three-year-olds, with the potential to do dressage, endurance, eventing and showjumping. Head to britishbreeding.org for entries and more information. CROWN JEWEL JEWEL JOHNSON, 12, has won May’s NAF…

FELICITY BAKER, a primary school teacher in Cupar, was in disbelief when lifting the coloured horses ridden reserve and non-native HOYS qualifier with Alfie Moon II (below). Felicity contests intermediates with Alfie too, and they won under this guise the previous day. “Alfie can be quite buzzy and he definitely felt the atmosphere,” said Felicity. Rachael Cross was surprised to collect a HOYS ticket in the exceeding 143cm M&M working hunter pony division when Sailles Lad was runner-up to Cheshire Show victors Stephanie Peto and Bisterne Diva. “He’s bold to ride, but I thought there were some tricky lines,” said Rachael, who has owned the 11-year-old Connemara for three years.…

CAITLIN BRADLEY, 16, could not contain her delight when her six-year-old intermediate of show riding type Firecrest C gave her a first HOYS ticket, so it was celebrations all round when the section sash came their way too. It was third time lucky for the Templeton-produced pair, who finished third at Derbyshire Festival and again at Midland Counties. “My granddad, Keith Hamilton, bought Firecrest for me after HOYS last year,” said Caitlin, who formerly competed with her home-produced Connemara but had not contested HOYS qualifiers until this season. “He knew how much I wanted to get to HOYS as it’s been my dream forever — until this year, we’ve always produced novices from home.”…

GRACE REDFERN'S home-produced four-year-old Sarn Shepherds Hill not only took the in-hand hunter title and overall in-hand supreme, but proved a star under saddle on his ridden debut. The lovely chestnut won his Irish draught class — earning his ticket to the Blue Chip final — and then stood section champion. “He was bought from a photo as a two-year-old when Grace’s 30-year-old Shetland died,” said Grace’s sister Eve. “Until he arrived, we’d never even seen him in the flesh but we certainly weren’t disappointed. We’d never had a draught before but we’re hooked now. “They’d only done one local show in-hand so far this year so their results today blew us away.” Grace, 17, an A level student and part-time McDonalds employee, broke in “Shep” herself and his production…

Archie David Cup final, Guards Polo Club, Berkshire WATCHING Milly Hine accelerate down The Queen’s Ground with poise and clinical determination heading for goal, it’s hard to fathom that she is just 15 years old and in the midst of her post-GCSE celebrations. Currently on a zero-goal handicap, she helped Shalimar clinch the Archie David Cup in the tournament’s 60th year, by eight goals to Snake Bite’s five — and was named most valuable player (MVP) in the process. With just a few days’ notice Hine had stepped in for her brother Ned, who had a clash with a Gold Cup match. “I was a little bit nervous to start with,” she said. “But I just took a deep breath and everyone was telling me to have fun. “Running down…

AN owner’s product for thinning hair and homeopathic remedies kept in Tramadol bottles are among causes of recent positive dope tests. In decisions published last month, the FEI Tribunal found South African showjumper Jonathan Clarke bore no fault for the presence of banned substance Minoxidil in Felix Van De Mispelaere’s sample. The horse had been fed barley grass and presented for the vet at the one-star show in South Africa in August 2015, by Mr Slade, who owned the horse with his wife. The tribunal accepted the source of the contamination was Mr Slade’s hair tonic, which he rubbed into his scalp twice a day. No further sanctions were taken against Jonathan, who had been provisionally suspended for eight months, but both and he and the owners have to pay…

OSLO William Fox-Pitt’s four-star winner has been retired. The 15-year-old gelding, owned by the Fox-Pitt Partnership syndicate, has three-star titles to his name and won his first CCI4* in Pau 2011. DJP ROYAL HEIR The Rudd family’s 153cm show hunter pony died aged nine after a short illness. The 2013 Horse of the Year Show victor had numerous county successes and qualified for the 2017 Royal International. DIAMONDS POUR MOI The four-year-old ran in black and yellow colours at Newmarket on 1 July to mark that the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art has been shortlisted for the Art Fund Museum of the Year.…

BLENHEIM International course-designer and builder David Evans is to build the cross-country course at the 2020 Olympics, it has been announced. Mr Evans and his team, who built the track designed by Mike Etherington-Smith at the 2008 Beijing Games, have been chosen to work with designer Derek di Grazia in Tokyo. Mr Evans, who lives in Oxfordshire, has worked at venues including Bramham and Gatcombe as well as Blenheim, whose CCI3* course he is designing this year. Blenheim event director Mandy Hervieu said: “I am delighted that David and his excellent team have been awarded this prestigious contract for the Tokyo Olympics. “Blenheim’s cross-country courses are superbly built and beautifully presented, with outstanding attention to detail, and it is great to think that there will once more be a little…

PEDICURISTS Lizzie Bunn’s daughter Ellie Brown wants to warn others of the importance of wearing proper footwear around horses after she lost a toe in an accident. And we salute her for the observation: “The one bright side is that I should get 10% off pedicures now!” Every cloud… CELEBS Another week, another equestrian web story; actress Selma Blair going to a show. “Her gear included a chic black jacket, a snappy pair of boots and a helmet, and she leaned over Darko’s neck as he leaped gracefully over a hurdle,” it read. Good god. HEALTHY EATING A showjumper heading for the Scope Festival clearly has her priorities right as she researched takeaway outlets near the new venue. Within hours, she found Chinese, Indian, pizza, kebab and chips — all…

HEARING that Zara Tindall’s Toytown had died last week was literally a “rip up the front page” moment. By 11am the next morning, we were sourcing pictures for a tribute cover and planning a special feature in this week’s magazine (p30). Our picture editor delved back into the archives for the best photos — not just action from Zara and Toytown’s highs, but early shots of them together and the intimate at-home portraits too. I spent a day reading old reports about those heady golden days and frantically working the phones to ask Zara’s team-mates and other greats for their recollections. Much as this is a sad time for Zara and all Toytown’s connections, it was a privilege and a joy to put together this tribute to the regal chestnut…

EARLY YEARS ZARA was just 18 and Toytown (Noddy) was rising seven when they teamed up in the winter of 1999/2000 (see Mark Phillips’ story, right). The horse had a price tag of £24,000. The chestnut — not yet sporting his famous white spots, which came later in life — had competed at pre-novice and novice with Meryl Winter (now Connaughton) and he and Zara accrued good placings in 2000, stepping up to intermediate in August. By the end of the following season they had completed their first two CCI2*s, at Burgie and Windsor, although the showjumping demons that would haunt them showed at Windsor, where they had five fences down. “I WAS doing a Pony Club instructor’s seminar somewhere near Gatwick and spotted Toytown with Meryl Winter. I asked…

SO SMART and STARRY NIGHT Ten Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) championships between them WHILE their characters were polar opposites, Camilla Neame’s two cob superstars had one thing in common: they were out-and-out winners. Between them, they would claim 10 championships at HOYS, starting with coloured heavyweight So Smart. “Robert Walker — who, along with his wife, Sarah, was absolutely instrumental in their success — wasn’t a big fan of coloured horses, but when I told him about ‘Smarty’ he said, ‘Send him up and we’ll see what I can make of him’,” says Camilla. “He started that season as supreme at the North of England spring show and finished it as supreme at HOYS.” In his four seasons in the ring, So Smart would go on to win…

THE Sayer family had built the courses in their summer fields when torrential rain three days before the event meant that the water meadows flooded. “The British Eventing technical adviser did the course inspection at 12.30pm on Tuesday and as he left the heavens opened,” said David Sayer. “We had two inches of rain in two hours and warnings that it was coming again. We had a contingency plan, so we changed back to our spring courses and rebuilt everything. The credit has to go to my son Robert, who did most of the hard work.”…

FIONA and Nicholas Lambert, who own Caroline Powell’s winning CIC* ride, Flipper K (above), had two more good reasons to celebrate by the end of the weekend. Fiona’s father-in-law’s ex-racehorse, Sun Wild Life, jumped clear across country and scored a 25.8 dressage in a BE90 section. The seven-year-old, who ran in his last race in December, had only joined Caroline’s yard four weeks before Brightling. Meanwhile, in Austria, Georgie Spence’s winning Wiener Neustadt Nations Cup CIC3* ride, Halltown Harley, was initially owned by the Lamberts and competed by their son, Angus. Caroline then took him to three-star level before he joined Georgie’s stable last year. “It’s been a good weekend all round,” said Fiona.…

PAUL GAFF topped two sections at Keysoe (2). The rider was coming back from dislocating his shoulder in a fall from Gift O The Gab in May. Stepping down a level to BE100 paid dividends with victory on the six-year-old mare. “At 17.1hh, she’s powerful but still very weak, so we’ve played around with bits and it has paid off,” said Paul. His other win came in a BE90 on Yu Komiya’s Chacco Boom. “He is one of the nicest horses I’ve ridden — he’s so brave and will jump anything,” said Paul. KEYSOE (2) RESULTS ON. — 1, Baxo (A Ho) 26.8,4,0=30.8; 2, Scarragh Silver (H Witchell) 29.5,0,1.6=31.1; 3, Wincent (N Gamblin) 35.8,0,0=35.8. nov sec A. — 1, Very Queen (C Giraudmaillet) 28.3,0,0=28.3; 2, Oaken Eddie (H Hankey) 31.3,0,0=31.3;…

• SKIPTON (1) ON. — 1, Renegade Marmalade (S Ecroyd) 25.3,0,0=25.3; 2, Comarcos Primero Naciado (P Brown) 26.8,0,0.4=27.2; 3, Greatown (P Stockton) 26,4,1.2=31.2. nov sec E. — 1, Welham Mile High (B Norman) 24.5,0,2=26.5; 2, Santiago S (A Farrar-Fry) 19.5,4,5.2=28.7; 3, Carrick Adalto Girl (A Postolowsky) 16,8,6.8=30.8. sec F. — 1, Kelshamore Dandy (A Postolowsky) 31,0,6=37; 2, Azerley Donald (M Broadley) 31.5,4,3.2=38.7; 3, Sarchie (R Canter) 26.3,0,14.4=40.7. sec G. — 1, Jack In The Box III (G Taylor) 28.5,4,0=32.5; 2, Barolo IV (P Brown) 33.3,0,1.2=34.5; 3, May Time III (M Foster) 33.5,4,0=37.5. BE100open. — 1, Rineen Silver Rocket (P Boyton) 22.5,0,0=22.5; 2, Carissimo Z (P Boyton) 25.3,0,1.6=26.9; 3, Gino Vanelli (H Wright) 29,1,0=30. BE100 sec A. — 1, Sir Alfred II (P Stockton) 26.3,0,0=26.3; 2, G Star (A Postolowsky) 26.8,0,1.2=28;…

SNEC, West Lothian A GYPSY cob continues new British Dressage (BD) member Donna Summers’ winning run. They accounted for two novice bronze classes, including a weekend high of 76.96%. The eight-year-old Blue Domino, a 14hh piebald gelding, was purchased two years ago from a dealer as a companion pony for Donna’s own horse. However Donna explained that Blue has shown such aptitude and willingness that she decided to compete him. “He’s a bright, happy chap that learns quickly,” said Donna, who works for her husband’s joinery business. “I’ve been competing at unaffiliated level and friends suggested I join BD — it seemed so serious but I thought I’d give it a try. I registered in May and he’s won every time out — it must be beginners’ luck. “He’s a…

ALTHOUGH I jump here regularly, the spectator stands, hospitality marquees, flags, trade area and arena dressing transforms South View into a completely different show. There is a great build-up to the grand prix, where the atmosphere is always electric. The British Masters is a favourite show of mine, but I have suffered misfortunes. I watched from a mobility scooter after breaking my pelvis in 2014, but won the grand prix with Mystic Hurricane the next year. Laid up with broken ribs and collarbone last year, I didn’t even make the show and hated watching the grand prix on livestream. It was a good class though and I decided I wouldn’t have been quick enough to win it anyway. With Mark McGowan building you expect tracks to be big and strong,…

PROUD TO BE SCOTTISH THE inclusion of some new signature jumps caused much discussion among riders and some problems for a few in the main ring classes. The new designs included the Forth Rail Bridge, a Highland cattle wall, Aberdeen Angus planks and the Wallace Monument. Show director Anne Logan explained: “It’s important for the Highland Show that we create our own set of jumps but also that we recognise the various regions in Scotland. They have been a lovely addition to our main ring showjumping and we hope to continue this theme as we move forward.” LEADING RIDER AWARD WITH a victory every day of the show and numerous placings amounting to more than £5,000, James Smith earned the title of Norbrook leading rider and RHS Scottish rider. He…

Equi-Trek Aintree, Liverpool, Merseyside BEA ROBINSON and Guinness swept the board in the side-saddle classes, going through the card to earn the picture of elegance title before standing Equi-Trek supreme horse champion. The following day they added the reserve supreme of show. “Guinness was on song all weekend. He is one of a kind who can turn his hand to anything,” said Bea. Over the three days, Guinness and Bea were also placed in dressage, working hunter and concours d’elegance classes. Guinness, an Irish draught 12-year-old, is a seasoned hunter for his owner Fred Clarkson, and Bea has been riding him for the past four showing seasons. They came to Aintree on good form having won three classes and the championship at Derby Festival and, more recently, they clinched the…

MARCUS PROBITTS, 15, made his show-ring debut a winning one, showing Fiona Grant-Chivers’ bay colt LS Raffico to win the best in show novice in-hand category in the new Aljassimya amateur challenge. “Marcus has been coming after school to work and play with LS Raffico,” said Fiona, a friend of Marcus’ mother, Cheryl. “He got into showing by accident really when my son Luke asked him if he’d like to tag along to a show with us last year. He’s done all the work himself, which is as required in these new classes.” Marcus and LS Raffico first headed the novice junior colts class, before judges Annette Dixon, Barbara Cary and Sandra Plant picked the pair as the show novice champion. “I think these classes are a brilliant initiative —…

Blaston, Leics THE Grove and Rufford hounds reigned supreme in the shadow of the golden cockerel weathervane on the spire of Slawston Church. Huntsman Paul Larby had all his hounds in tip-top condition and they took both championships with fine examples of the modern foxhound, beautifully balanced as they glided across the ring. Perfectly timed in the show calendar as an opportunity for huntsmen and their charges to have a preparatory run-out before the major hound shows, there was a most convivial atmosphere and a host of hound enthusiasts were packed around the ringside in the afternoon. Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) director Tim Easby and William Deakin, retired huntsman of the Warwickshire who now supervises the MFHA bursary scheme for young hunt staff, presented Tom Henson of the Essex…

‘I must have watched that video 80 times, stopping and rewinding to analyse every element of his swing’ I WAS 18 and out in Argentina for the first time. I really had no clue about polo back then, and one of the grooms gave me a video of the 1993 Argentine Open final. Chapaleufú were playing and Eduardo Heguy played at back and took the penalties. I must have watched that video 80 times, stopping and rewinding to analyse every element of his swing. He has this movement he does that starts his swing — he probably doesn’t even know he does it, but I copied it. I trialled for a high-goal run with Labégorce the following summer, got the job but broke my wrist. Eduardo called me to ask…