Innholdsfortegnelse for 31-Aug-2017 i Horse & Hound

BRITAIN’S para dressage riders continued the team’s unbeaten run at the European Para Dressage Championships (21-23 August), taking a host of individual medals as well as the team title in what was a golden week for the squad. The team, which was made up of debutantes Suzanna Hext (Abira), Erin Orford (Dior), Julie Payne (Athene Lindebjerg) and the much-medalled Sophie Wells (C Fatal Attraction), was in the silver medal position with one rider left to go. Julie and Athene performed an elegant test to secure the team gold for Britain. The Brits also secured freestyle gold medals in every grade they contested, with the final medal tally standing at six golds, one silver and one bronze. British chef d’equipe Sarah Armstrong said “thrilled is an understatement”. “We have had a…

PRESENTING The legendary stallion has died at Glenview Stud in Co. Cork aged 25. Presenting was champion sire on four occasions. He sired 666 winners including Cheltenham Gold Cup victors Denman and War Of Attrition. COOLEY RORKES DRIFT Ireland’s Jonty Evans and “Art” competed for the first time since Art’s purchase was secured, in the CIC3* at Millstreet, Ireland, as a prep run for Blenheim CCI3*. After a good dressage and clear showjumping, Art slipped between fences cross-country and fell, which meant elimination. NEON WOLF The Harry Fry-trained racehorse has been put down after he sustained a tendon injury in a “freak accident”. Six-year-old Neon Wolf finished runner-up in the novices’ hurdle at Cheltenham in March. “He had the potential to go right to the top,” said Harry. AMAZING ROMANCE…

THIEVERY Helen Tredwell’s mum had a warning for whoever stole the rider’s hat. “Having worn the hat for two years, riding up to eight horses on many a hot day, it may prove extremely hazardous” she said. “In the interests of all, a swift return is the only safe option.” You have been warned. SMUGGLING Sharp-eyed Southwell stewards foiled a punter’s plan to sneak a tipple into the racecourse when they realised her sandwich was rather weighty. Inside, they found a bottle of vodka, amid the salami and some tired-looking tomato. A for effort, D for attainment, we’re afraid. PRIZE MONEY Britain’s lack of a team at the showjumping Europeans sparked a question on prize money there. It appears entry was €525 per horse, the prize fund €750,000. “Wow that’s…

Sir — With regard to Stuart Hollings’ opinion (17 August), I feel there are other factors to be considered as far as unfilled championship and supreme classes are concerned. It’s not just about the potential lost earnings. For me personally, it’s a question of good manners. Spare a thought for those who might not win a qualifying class but miss the chance to go through to a championship if a rider doesn’t come forward. What about the judges who have taken time and effort to award places in the qualifying classes? I’m sure many relish the chance to view the crème de la crème, having waited around until the end of the day. What about the public who have paid to watch? And the sponsors who have donated cups and…

BRITAIN’S gold run has to come to an end sometime — but it was not going to happen in Gothenburg. The European Championships reached a nail-biting conclusion as Britain snatched gold from the hands of the Danes, continuing their remarkable legacy. Britain has never been beaten in para dressage at European, Paralympic or world championship level, but if ever victory was not going to be ours, it would have likely been this year. In a major shake-up to the dominance of the old guard, the British selectors took a risk and cast an eye to the future, fielding a team that featured three championship debutantes in Julie Payne, Suzanna Hext and Erin Orford — the latter a late substitute for Natasha Adkinson. The all-female quartet was completed by the hugely…

THIS championship was the first under the new competition structure, in which the individual test was performed first, and the team medals were determined solely from the results of the second day’s team tests, rather than a combination of both scores. “It feels very strange doing the individual championship test first — it’s a much harder test to do on day one,” said Britain’s Erin Orford. It certainly created increased intensity within the team competition, and was praised by Rio gold medalist Natasha Baker who was commentating in Gothenburg (see comment, p37). As well as brand new tests within each grade this year, this has also been the first championship featuring the relabelled grades.…

THIS championship is the first since the proposal of the FEI Dressage Committee to implement the “HiLo Drop” in 2018, on the recommendation of the Dressage Judging Working Group. Under the proposed new rule, the highest and lowest judge’s score for each test would be dropped, and the average of the remaining scores forming the final percentage. Where such tiny margins mean the difference between gold and silver, this rule has the potential to alter the outcome, compared to if all seven scores are taken into account. “I’m frustrated by the idea of the HiLo Drop rule,” admitted Sönke Rothenberger, who would have remained second in the freestyle had the rule been in use, albeit by an even smaller difference. “Two judges had me first, and five judges had Isabell…

Alexanders Horseboxes Oswestry Scope Festival, Shropshire YAZMIN DAVIS landed the top-billed Alexanders Horseboxes 1.45m grand prix and world ranking points with the sole double clear on Zilverster II to conclude the 20th year of the Scope Festival at its new venue. “I felt the pressure with no clears but it actually suited my mare, she’s not a speed horse and had I been drawn earlier, I would have pushed on more,” said Yazmin. Eleven of the 40 starters produced round-one clears over course-designer’s Raf Suarez’s track, which asked technical distance questions over tall verticals and open, square oxers. But the jump-off was a different story as the raised track claimed faulters at every fence as early riders chased the clock. Just past the halfway stage, Annabel Shields with her newly-crowned…

SCOPE debutant Nicole Lockhead-Anderson claimed victory in the final pony class of the week. Riding last-drawn Gangnam Style II, the Scottish rider clinched victory in the Squibb Group Dunglenn 148cm championship. “This is the biggest track we have jumped and the pressure was on to the last fence,” said Nicole. “It was a big upright and it needed treating with respect, so I gave him every chance to it.” Fourteen combinations progressed to the final round, where Shaunie Greig set an early target with Casino Royal VIII. But Nicole has produced the Irish-bred eight-year-old from a complete novice and they have enjoyed a great third season. They are Horse of the Year Show (HOYS)-bound for the newcomers and Foxhunter finals, and recently scored two wins at the national championships. “We…

THE legendary stallion Baloubet Du Rouet has died at the age of 28. The stunning selle Français son of Galoubet A x Starter goes down in history as one of the most successful showjumpers of all time, most famously known for his partnership with Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa, before going on to become one of the most successful breeding stallions in the world. Baloubet was bred in France by Louis Fardin and originally produced through young horse classes by Nelson Pessoa, with whom he also competed at the 1998 WEG in Rome, finishing 11th. But it was at the end of that year that Nelson’s son Rodrigo took the reins. They scored a hat-trick of World Cup victories, reigning from 1998-2000 — the only horse-rider combination to achieve such a feat…

WHEN you see Laura Kraut and the grey 10-year-old Confu (pictured) in action, you won’t be the first to remark about the similarity between the Holstein gelding and Laura’s great partner Cedric. Well, it turns out quite by chance that Confu, who she bought at the start of 2016, and Cedric are related — a fact only brought to her attention by Philipp Weishaupt at Aachen recently. Cedric’s sire Chambertin is by Cambridge, while Confu’s dam Riga II is by the same stallion. “Ever since I got Confu, he’s had a personality that was not too dissimilar to Cedric and everyone’s always asking me, ‘Is this the next Cedric?’ but of course they broke the mould with Cedric,” says Laura. “But [knowing they are related] makes him that bit more…

CROSS-COUNTRY course-designer Alec Lochore (above) sent the riders on a similar route to the 2015 European Championships this time, having largely reversed the track last year. The fact this route requires horses to climb steeply, before dropping down, then climb again — compared to a more consistent rise on last year’s track — made this quite a test, although Alec was very conscious of horses catching their breath at the top of hills when siting fences. The terrain was accentuated by rain earlier in the week leaving the ground holding in places. The fastest CCI3* horse — Balladeer Miller Man — was 47 seconds over the optimum time, while last year one beat the clock and two others were within 22 seconds of it. “There’s a temptation to soften the…

AMANDA BRIEDITIS made a catch ride a winning one when she partnered Kalypso Du Buisson Z, who belongs to her bosses, Tim and Jonelle Price, to BE100 victory at West Wilts (2). Amanda, 21, is originally from Sweden, but moved to Wiltshire two years ago as a work jockey for the Kiwi couple. “I ride a lot of their young horses, so was familiar with this one when Tim text me in the morning to ask if I’d step in and ride him when he realised he couldn’t,” explained Amanda, who rode her own horse, Boleybawn Fernhill, at the recent young rider European Championships in Millstreet. “Kalypso a very sweet horse; scopey and a lovely character. He’s by the same sire [Karandasj] as [Tim’s 2014 Luhmühlen winner] Wesko and shares…

CLARE HEAP’S brace of advanced medium wins with Fabio V were something of a miracle. The nine-year-old had 18 months off after getting cast in the stable, shattering his sesamoid bone and suffering a hairline fracture of the long pastern. “My dad, Dave, decided we had to do everything possible to save him, and Ian Wright operated on him at the Newmarket Equine Hospital,” said Clare, who is a primary school teacher. If that wasn’t enough, Clare had viral meningitis four weeks ago, and Fabio also cut his eye open recently. “It’s been a stop-start season and this [win] has been a long time coming!” said Clare. “He is my world — the cheekiest chappy. He’s only done 30 tests in his whole life; this is the best he’s gone.…

HAROLD ZOET, from Holland and owner of Ysselvliedt Stud, judged the section Bs. He was judging in the UK for the second time this season after being at Glanusk in May. “I like a bold Welsh pony eye and a look-at-me attitude; a good front with correct conformation and movement,” said Harold, who runs an online tack shop and is a part-time county MP. “My pet hates are bad feet, no type and no expression of Welshness.” His choice for champion was the Davies’ Cadlanvalley Georgia, with Alex Williams’ Thistledown Golden Zumba reserve. “Both had the X-factor, but my champion had perfectness,” concluded Harold.…

Ashbourne, Polo Ground, Derbyshire ALMOST a year to the day after giving birth to her son Freddie, Katy Green finished top of the Cuddy working hunter qualifier, booking another visit to the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) with her heavyweight I’m A Diamond. Katy has produced the 12-year-old son of Ricardo Z since he was five, competing at HOYS on eight previous occasions. “I was banned from jumping after I passed the six-month stage of my pregnancy last year,” said Katy. “This is one of our favourite shows, so we always try to come here, but last year Freddie had arrived the previous day and I was grounded.” Katy, who has had three second places and 11 thirds in HOYS classes this season, was delighted to finally get her…

Penrith, Cumbria CONWY VALLEY Gaynor 15 took the coveted overall foxhound champion prize at Lowther, elegant and regal as she was perfectly positioned on the flags by Jake Jones, 18-year-old son of Conwy Valley huntsman Jason Jones, in his smart tweed livery. It is thought that a Welsh foxhound has never claimed this honour before, but she was so outstanding in her immaculate confirmation and grace that a huge cheer went up around the ring when her victory was announced. “For organisers to put the Welsh hound classes on showed great foresight and it was a timely reminder of the contribution this type of hound makes to the hunting world,” explained Ian McKie, who judged the Welsh foxhounds with great aplomb. “The classes were well supported and it was a…

Berkeley Group Pony Club Open Championships, Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire A MIXED Area 9 team pulled together to squeak a five-penalty victory over second-placed, three-man Monmouthshire in the open eventing championship. The team comprising Flo Finzi (Bonnie, VWH), Henry Hobby (Touch Royale, Old Berkshire Hunt), Honor McFarlane (Strattonstown Nico, Old Berkshire Hunt) and Tom Bird (Night Fury, Heythrop Hunt) got together at the last-minute for their area qualifier when there weren’t enough open eventing competitors from their respective branches to create a team. “We never dreamt we would qualify, let alone win the championship,” laughed 14-year-old Henry, who was riding his father’s hunter and former advanced eventer, Touch Royale. “We’re thrilled that between us we jumped four clears across country and three clears in the showjumping,” said Honor, eluding to the…

Essential info VISITING BURGHLEY (31 AUGUST-3 SEPTEMBER) HEAD to burghley-horse.co.uk or phone 01933 304744 for ticket prices, timetable and more info. THE H&H TRADESTAND VISIT us at stand number B21 to pick up the latest magazine and sign up for fantastic subscription offers — save up to 31% and receive a gift such as an Ariat jacket (RRP £84.99) or save 50% without the free gift. • Enter a competition to win a new wardrobe for you and your horse worth more than £4,000, plus find out more about how our event entries website Equo can help you as an organiser or rider. • On Friday, physiotherapist Clare Howard from The Balanced Rider will be on the stand with the Flexchair system, which can assess your…

Belgian Olivier Philippaerts was unable to compete at last week’s European Showjumping Championships as he dislocated his shoulder in a fall in training at the event. Showing rider Stephanie Hill has been crowned Miss England and is to compete for the Miss World title. Stephanie has been placed at the Horse of the Year Show. Eastenders actress and horse lover Pam St Clement is supporting Brooke’s “high teas for gee-gees” campaign. The charity is encouraging people to host tea parties to raise funds. Eventer Gemma Tattersall’s fourth place in the Event Rider Masters at Blair with Pamero 4 secured her the series title ahead of the final leg at Blenheim. “It’s an incredible feeling,” said Gemma. Australian eventer Sam Griffi ths will return to action soon. Sam had a fall…

NOMINATE YOUR TOP TACK SHOPS THE British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) is seeking nominations for its 2018 retailer of the year awards. BETA is inviting the public to submit equestrian shops or websites which offer “exemplary service”, with separate categories for internet or mail order businesses and stores. Judges will take into account “all aspects of good retailing practice”, including presentation, knowledgeable staff and delivery. Everyone who nominates a business before the 24 November deadline will be entered in a draw to win a saddle. The winners will be announced at BETA’s gala dinner on 22 January 2018. Visit: www. retaileroftheyear.org.uk WOCKET WOY IS HEADING FOR HOYS FANS of Wocket Woy and the Producer will have a chance to meet the social…

AMONG the equine welfare cases reported to and taken in by the RSPCA last year was four-year-old Prince. He was found abandoned in Berkshire with a “horrific” leg injury that was so severe it exposed parts of his tendon. The 15.1hh gelding was taken into the care of the charity’s Lockwood Centre in December where he received treatment and rehabilitation. “Prince was, understandably, very unsure of people but the grooms at Lockwood worked tirelessly to rehabilitate him and treat his severe injury and help him to trust people again,” said an RSPCA spokesman. “Thankfully, he is now healed and is ready to find a new home.”…

ROCK ON TEAM GB! Sir — A couple of weeks ago, I came home from our local event, crestfallen after my horse had a disagreement with his rider on the cross-country and took a tumble. It was back to the drawing board. The following day, Saturday, we were off on holiday but not before a look at the European Championship cross-country — no early clears and the course was asking questions of both horse and rider with skinnies, corners and tricky angles to negotiate within the time. All the riders and horses at this level have shown promise, but how many riders use their heads when riding a course? The first rider out for Britain, Oliver Townend, indicated the problems that lay ahead to his team-mates as the horse lacked…

‘I’m not even daring to think about next year yet. But after Poland I hope we’ve done enough to attract the attention of the selectors again’ “I never dreamed I’d have anything like this," says a beaming Nicola Wilson as she shows me round her new yard, a former dairy farm brilliantly converted by her husband Alastair. “We have 99 acres which is far more than we’d imagined,” she explains. “But it was very run down, and there was only us bidding in fact. It’s funny sometimes how things work out.” Few people deserve “things to work out” more than Nicola Wilson, one of the most approachable, upbeat and talented riders in the sport. She and Alastair really go out of their way for people — he even co-drove the…

IT was impossible not to marvel at the performances of Sweden’s Therese Nilshagen and her scopey stallion, Dante Weltino OLD, who traded places with Carl Hester to finish fourth and fifth in the special and freestyle respectively. Therese and Dante were denied their chance to compete at their first championships when the 10-year-old by Danone was spun at the trot-up in Rio last year, but they finally had their chance to shine here. “It was a very hard time for me in Rio, but we took a lot of time to get him really sound again,” said Therese, who added that Dante is available via frozen semen while they pursue his sporting career. “I was so nervous at the trot-up here though, even though I knew he was sound. I…

Final medals Team Ireland Sweden Switzerland Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships, Gothenburg, Sweden IT has been 16 years since Ireland have been able to call themselves the European champions. However, that hiatus was euphorically put to bed in Gothenburg thanks to a thrilling finale that culminated a rollercoaster week of fortunes for the Irish quartet. Below the lights of the Ullevi stadium they proved that under their new chef d’equipe, the showjumping master Rodrigo Pessoa, they are the team to beat. With no British team in Gothenburg, showjumping fans this side of the Channel fully got behind their Irish neighbours. Riding a quartet of stallions, Cian O’Connor (Good Luck), Shane Sweetnam (Chaqui Z), Denis Lynch (All Star 5) and Bertram Allen (Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve) did not have the smoothest of…

ELOISE BURDEN registered her first Scope wins and gained a memorable championship double in the Bright Star and novice masters finals. Riding the former BE100 eventing pony Beech Hill Arthur, Eloise used the pure-bred Connemara’s long stride to win. “He is always focused in the ring and I knew if things didn’t work out it would be my fault,” said Eloise. Although Eloise’s novice masters winner Coolatooder Liath (pictured), also a Connemara pony, was bought just six weeks ago, the pair have quickly formed a winning partnership having triumphed four times prior to Scope. “She’s a quick pony who can power forward and make up time,” added Eloise.…

THE Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) will take place in Scandinavia for the first time, reaching Stockholm, Sweden, in 2019. A new event, hosting jumping, dressage and family entertainment, will be presented as part of Stockholm Summer Horse Week. “We are fortunate to have a number of cities keen to join our calendar and it is important in this modern sports landscape to take showjumping to city centres to give new fans an opportunity to see this fantastic sport,” says Jan Tops, president of the LGCT.…

SUFFERING TACK MALFUNCTIONS •ALEX POSTOLOWSKY was leaving the CCI* dressage arena after her test when Denver VIII’s bridle came off; luckily ground jury member Sue Stewart leapt from her car to replace it before any harm was done. •LUDWIG SVENNERSTÅL also suffered a lost bridle when his ERM ride El Kazir SP blundered through a showjump. Ludwig stayed on, but when he righted himself the bridle was hanging from the grey’s nose. Remarkably, Ludwig managed to lean forward and replace the bridle from the saddle before completing his round. •THE first runner in the CCI3* across country, Michael Owen, had to pull up Jims Pal when his bit broke a third of the way round the course.…

Firle Place, Sussex IRISH rider Michelle Kenny scored her first win on English soil — and her first international success since her days in juniors — in the CIC* at Firle Place. Michelle, 27, moved to her new base near Crowborough in Sussex two months ago, and this was an excellent way to make her mark on the local eventing scene. She won the class on RLE Nuans T Volt, a six-year-old by T Is Voltaire out of a thoroughbred mare. She also finished fourth on the Ars Vivendi son RLE Cavalier Vivendi — the only horse to finish on his dressage score (53.1). “They are exceptional horses — it’s hard to find quality like these two,” said Michelle, who combines eventing with showjumping. “They both showjumped abroad up to…

ALEXANDER MOOR celebrated a first win at Solihull (2) with a horse he only teamed up with two months ago. Jacky Medlock’s Last Flight II (aka Champ) was previously campaigned by Vicky Brake, who competed him up to three-star level. “It was quite a surprise to win as I’d only gone with the aim of achieving my qualification to ride at BE100,” explained Alexander, 16, who has been based with advanced eventer Tom Rowland this summer. “Champ is teaching me the ropes and I am learning a huge amount from both him and Tom. My jumping’s improved enormously in the last few months and I’m starting to understand how sensitive I need to be to get the best out of some horses.” The duo topped a BE90 section on a…

Addington Manor EC, Bucks WITH a catalogue of 66 horses forward, it was perhaps not surprising that there was a no-nonsense feel to Brightwells August Elite sale. Thankfully for the auctioneers, bidding was brisk and two-thirds of the horses found new homes with 12 making more than £20,000. Potential showjumpers were most in demand — 10 of the top 12 priced horses had jumping pedigrees. The top price of £39,000 came twice; the first time for lot 25a, Creto, a seven-year-old medium level dressage mare, bought for a British young rider. Creto is by the Holstein Conteur, the sire of Helen Langehanenberg’s international small tour mare Annabelle. The second high point came for the penultimate lot, Gember Z. The three-year-old stallion not only demonstrated an impressive jump, but also possesses…

Irish Draught Society (GB) Breed Show, Arena UK, Lincs ONE of the few remaining omissions from the CV of owner/ breeder Julie Cornthwaite and her magnificent pure-bred, Bowland Lucky Slipper (Louis), was remedied when they occupied their first Blue Chip Challenge top spot and banked £1,100. The upstanding nine-year-old faced 37 other finalists in this annual finale, where each horse is ridden twice and assessed by four judges in total. “To me, he represents all that is good about the breed,” said Anne Leaver, who officiated as ride judge alongside Matt McGivern. “He oozes quality and we both thought he gave the most fantastic, mannerly ride.” Louis, a fifth generation home-bred from Julie and husband Michael’s Bowland Stud, was supreme and reserve supreme in-hand at this show in his youth…

MY latest judging appointment was at the Irish Draught Horse Society annual breed show (report, p98), which I thoroughly enjoyed. The show attracted big numbers and I was encouraged to see so much enthusiasm and passion for the breed. It was a real showcase, particularly for breeders and producers to show their stallions, mares and youngstock. There was something for everyone, with in-hand, showing, dressage, side-saddle and working hunter classes. It really shows just how versatile and trainable the breed is. I judged the workers, where I think entry numbers could be higher, but it certainly wasn’t lacking in quality. In fact, the only two clears in the open were from two stallions. The winner, Brian Murphy on Gortfree Lakeside Lad, was fresh from a big win in the performance…

FEI World driving championship for ponies, Minden, Germany TARA WILKINSON excelled on her senior championship debut to take gold for Britain in the pony pairs. Lying in silver overnight, a little over five penalties separated her from Germany’s Jan-Felix Pfeffer going into the final day. She delivered a neat cones round with Emma Burge’s pair of Capitola Mr Houdini and Menai Lone Ranger, adding one down and one for time around a very tight track that produced just the one double clear. When Jan-Felix’s pair locked on to the finish too early, he struggled to steer them back on course. One cone plus an expensive six time-penalties saw him concede gold by a 0.26 of a penalty margin. “I wasn’t expecting to win but you always aim for it,” said…

SEVENTEEN-year-old Flo Finzi of the VWH Hunt, who made up part of the winning mixed Area 9 team, won section A riding Bonnie, finishing on her dressage score of 27.5. “It’s all thanks to my trainer Jenna Jewitt as she came up with a new warm-up routine for Bonnie, as she used to get tense in her dressage,” explained Flo, who is also working towards her Haddon Training level three as an apprentice for Jenna at her Rectory Farm base near Cirencester. “We warm her up for an initial 20 minutes, keeping things simple and Bonnie on my side. Then we put her back on the lorry and then get back on just before our test, ensuring everything is short and sweet. Our dressage marks are improving as a result.”…

BRITAIN were frustratingly close to securing medals at the European Dressage Championships in Gothenburg (22-26 August). Germany took the top spot in the team competition, while Germany’s Isabell Werth also secured gold in the grand prix special and the freestyle with Weihegold OLD. Britain’s riders were off to a challenging start when Gareth Hughes’ ride Don Carissimo was withdrawn due to injury, leaving them a team member short. The Brits finished just two points short of the bronze medal, which was won by Sweden, with Denmark taking silver. Carl Hester and Nip Tuck were Britain’s highest placed combination in the freestyle and grand prix special, finishing in fourth and fifth place respectively. “It hasn’t really been our week — it started with losing Gareth just minutes before the trot-up, which…

CALLS for rural driving lessons have been welcomed by the British Horse Society (BHS). Road safety charity Brake is campaigning for compulsory lessons on rural roads for learners as part of a system it hopes will reduce accidents. “High speeds, sharp bends, narrow lanes and vulnerable road users make rural roads the most dangerous,” said Jason Wakeford of Brake. “A graduated licensing system, including a minimum learning period will allow new drivers to build up more skills and experience over a longer time.” The BHS launched its Dead Slow campaign last year and has been working with the Department for Transport and the Driving Instructors Association to improve conditions for riders. BHS safety director Alan Hiscox said the charity welcomes initiatives that could reduce fatalities on the roads. “The safety…

ANN POTTS THE highly successful National Hunt owner has died aged 69 after a long illness. Among Ann and her husband Alan’s top horses was this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Sizing John. “Ann and Alan Potts created their empire together and Ann was an absolute pleasure to talk to,” said trainer Colin Tizzard, with whom the Potts had 15 horses, including the successful chaser Fox Norton. “Ann was a beautiful person and l so enjoyed her company,” added bloodstock agent Tom Malone. “She and Alan were a great team and I will always remember her fondly.” R W F POOLE MBE WILLY Poole died on 18 August at the age of 76. He was a master and huntsman for 21 seasons in countries as far afield as Dartmoor and…

TALKING Jonty Evans is going to have his hands full after he goes cross-country, fellow rider Bruce Haskell pointed out. “That’s going to be one savage cell phone bill to call all the owners!” he said. Hope your free minutes are up to the challenge, Jonty. HONEST ADVERTISING Spotted: “Free to any home, ex-racehorse who hasn’t decided what he’s good at yet but it’s not racing, dressage, showjumping, cross-country, being shod, clipped, plaited, hacking, being led to the field, being caught in the field, being led from the field.” Showing, perhaps? ROS CANTER No, not the newly crowned European eventing team gold medallist, but a Spanish woman, whose Twitter account, @roscanter, was tagged by British Showjumping in a celebratory tweet. It was retweeted nearly 600 times. Oops.…

AT the 2013 European Eventing Championships, when Britain was in the doldrums, William Fox-Pitt commented: “These things go in cycles, the Germans won’t be winning forever.” Four years on, the European Championships in our three Olympic disciplines couldn’t have shown this more clearly. Our eventing team gold two weeks ago followed a barren Rio, while Britain’s showjumpers and dressage riders — who raked in two golds and a silver at last year’s Olympics and also won team medals at the last Europeans — came home empty-handed (report, p32). Multiple factors contributed, from the decision not to send a showjumping team, with priority going to the Nations Cup series, to bad luck with horse injury, which resulted in us fielding just one showjumper and a three-man dressage team including a reserve…

NOBODY wants to be on the first team not to win gold, although it would be more understandable if it had happened at this championship because it was such a new team. However, they did brilliantly. The other nations have come on so well, especially Denmark. They didn’t quite come from nowhere, but they totally smashed it with four top performances. To be able to drop a score of 71% is amazing. If it had been a 77% we’d have been screwed! Julie Payne was thrown in at the deep end, with such intense pressure to get a big score. We knew she could do it, but it’s horses and anything can happen. Latvia’s Rihards Snikus caught my eye — in fact, his e freestyle made me cry! He so…

WHAT a novelty it was to watch the Europeans on FEI TV on my phone when I should be at work — now I know how my supporters feel! Being able to watch para dressage on live stream is a great step forward for our sport. This was the “championships for experience” and I am so impressed with how well the girls performed. I was chuffed for the two grade III girls — Britain’s Suzanna Hext and Erin Orford. I could sit here and fill you in on their back stories of grit and determination, but what you really need to know is what talented riders they are. How do you even do a half pirouette if you don’t have any legs, like Erin? Suzanna always presents a harmonious picture…

SOMETIMES, as a championship approaches, you get a feeling that it’s just not going to go your way. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who felt it just before lift-off in Gothenburg. Pictures of Carl being treated by paramedics — for what luckily turned out only to be his “selective hearing” in need of a syringe — were followed by Gareth’s horse Don Carissimo going lame at the vet inspection; this meant we were down to a three-man team. And we’d already substituted Emile’s first-choice ride, Weekend Fun, for his less experienced Lollipop 126 due to injury. But once a championship is underway, the only thing that matters is what is delivered on the field of play. As pathfinder, Emile did a truly first-rate job with Elena Knyaginicheva’s Lollipop…

Individual medals Freestyle Isabell Werth (GER) Weihegold OLD Sönke Rothenberger (GER) Cosmo Cathrine Dufour (DEN) Atterupgaards Cassidy THE name Weihegold loosely translates to “sacred gold” in English, and it was a hallowed performance by Isabell Werth’s incredible mare that earned the title of European champion with a personal-best freestyle, making Isabell the first rider ever to complete a hat-trick of golds at the European Championships. It moved the usually steely Isabell to tears on the podium, proving just how much this means to her, even after so many years and so many medals. But while Isabell was celebrating her 17th individual medal at the top of the podium, to her right and left were riders claiming their very first. The combined ages of 22-year-old Sonke Rothenberger and 25-year-old Cathrine Dufour…

CONGRATULATIONS to Ireland winning European gold, what a great team effort. So often we hear our British riders saying we have no owners, but the Irish could have filled two teams in Gothenburg — every rider has made their own opportunities and have gone all over the world doing so. As a rider, you have to go out and sell yourself, knocking on every door. Just look at Irish eventer Jonty Evans — through social media he raised half a million pounds to keep his horse. But you also have to want to be at that championship enough. There’s no better planner than Cian O’Connor. He still jumps on the Global Champions Tour and is on a team in the league, but this year he set out his horse Good…

GLORIOUS MUD! HEAVY storms affected the new venue at Oswestry in the early part of the week and several took to Facebook to complain bitterly about waterlogged stables and mud. But the complaints were far outweighed by riders vigorously defending the show’s organisers, and from Tuesday onwards the sun came out to play and the showground dried quickly. Novice 85cm debut winner Courtney Thompson was on her first visit to Scope and thoroughly enjoyed it. “We’ve had a fabulous time and will definitely come again,” she said. George Babes (son Graham won the five-year-old title) has attended every single show of the 20-year history. “We live in Britain — it rains! The organisers have tried their utmost and I think they’ve done a fantastic job in putting on a show…

A FULL-BROTHER to Tinka’s Star, the colt foal out of Tinka’s Serenade by Big Star sold to Old Lodge at Bolesworth Elite Auction for £92,000, has also been bought by the stud. The new foal (pictured) was born four weeks after his brother. The stud also bought an embryo out of Tinka’s Serenade by Cornet Obolensky. “Old Lodge are delighted to have secured these foals. They will stay in the UK and join our stock of foals and young horses,” they said.…

Blair Castle Equi-Trek, Perthshire SHANE ROSE came to Blair thinking he could win all three classes he’d entered. While it wasn’t to be in the CIC3* when his temporary ride Happy Times wasn’t on his best form, the Australian cracked an impressive double when he took both the Event Rider Masters (ERM) and the CCI2*. His ERM winner Virgil II moved up from ninth after dressage with a double clear and the second-fastest cross-country round, particularly impressive as such soft ground is not what he is used to in Australia. “He’s like me — obnoxious, but when you put your thumb down he does as he’s told,” joked Shane. The 12-year-old, who belongs to his rider and Michelle Hasibar, now flies home to Australia and will be prepared for next…

I HADN’T been to Blair for years before this weekend. It really is beautiful, with the most stunning backdrop — but I have to say flying there rather than driving all the way does help! It was well run, with big, enthusiastic crowds and lots going on, although I’ve finally realised I’m becoming a bit of a grumpy old man and didn’t go to any of the many parties. Unfortunately a lot of rain on the Tuesday night and further rain on other nights did knacker the cross-country ground, particularly on the early uphill section, which was a shame. The main arena held up reasonably well, but was a bit sticky on the last day for showjumping. I was only riding three-star horses there, but from what I could tell…

Pembrokeshire County SO much rain fell overnight that commentator Carey Knox referred to conditions in the main ring as “ideal for bog snorkelling”. Consequently, there was a last-minute relocation to a jumping ring for the Cuddy in-hand and supreme championships, where all classes had been cancelled. Twelve came forward for the Cuddy in-hand qualifier and judge Robert Parker-Jones shortlisted five. Having had a second look, particularly at their walk and trot, Fouroaks Coco Chanel got the nod. With her head high and alert, the 14-year-old section A broodmare moved effortlessly around the saturated ring alongside her owner Sarah Tibbey. “She was true to type, pretty and had scope with correct movement and conformation,” assessed Robert Parker-Jones. “Coco” last won here two years ago when crowned section A and overall Welsh…

AMY COOK had to abandon her HOYS ambitions for this season after her mother Julie suffered serious injuries in a carriage accident. The family runs a carriage driving business at their home near Nottingham and Julie was hurt when one of their vehicles overturned. Amy has stepped in to run the company, putting her competing on hold. However, Julie asked Robert Walker if he could take Amy’s horse, the middleweight hunter Mr Darcy Dancer, to try to qualify him for a trip to Birmingham. The horse duly arrived at the Walkers’ yard three days before Ashbourne, where finished second in his weight division behind Jayne Ross and Bloomfield Valhalla and secured the HOYS ticket. “This is such good news for the Cook family,” said Robert. “Amy will ride the horse…

York Racecourse, North Yorks ULYSSES was the Greek king, in Roman mythology, whose idea to break the deadlock in the Trojan War was to send in the wooden horse. There is nothing, however, remotely wooden about his equine namesake who has become one of the stars of the summer. Winner of the Eclipse and runner-up to Enable in the King George, Maria Niarchos’ four-year-old — by Derby winner Galileo out of Oaks winner Light Shift — gave Sir Michael Stoute his sixth Juddmonte International at York’s Ebor meeting. Ulysses had looked good without quite being a world beater after scrambling home from Barney Roy in the Eclipse but on the Knavesmire at York he posted his best performance so far. At home on any ground, he is not only continuing…

THE gold-medal winning Welsh section C pony pair Capitola Mr Houdini and Belle Du Jour were home-bred by their owner Emma Burge. Veterans of two previous world championships, “H” and “Belle” also competed at Pau 2013 with Emma at the helm and at Breda in 2015 driven by Roger Campbell. They are by Emma’s stallion Pontyled Caradog and out of the mare Thorneyside Heidi. “I bought the stallion from [Thorneyside Stud’s] Peter Gray as a three-year-old and drove him for years. We used to call him ‘Jaws’ as he had a tendency to eat jumpers, arms and legs plus other things,” said Emma. “I bred quite a lot with Heidi — I crossed her with a sport pony and had three from that pairing, but they never quite had the…

I WAS in the Beaufort branch of the Pony Club with the Bullen sisters Jane (now Holderness-Roddam) and Jennie (now Loriston-Clarke) and Mike Tucker. The first instructor to get hold of me was Colonel Alec Scott, who won team bronze at the 1936 Olympics, then Frank Weldon and Bertie Hill. All three inspired me, but Bertie was the biggest influence. Bertie and Frank were team gold medallists at the 1956 Olympics and Frank told me I needed to train with Bertie, so I based myself with him the winter after I turned 18. Like many young riders, I came out of the Pony Club thinking I could ride. But after a month with Bertie, I realised I didn’t have the first clue what I was doing. I arrived in Devon…

AS I come in to the main arena before my test, I always consciously stretch myself, make myself tall, raise my head and think, “Here I come!” Body language most certainly helps put me in the right frame of mind. Then it depends on the horse — with brilliant movers like Ringwood Cockatoo I would always do some medium trot to wow the judges. With a nervous horse I might do a bit of shoulder-in or flexing to get their focus solely on me. When the bell rings, I walk, strike off in canter and then do one more transition to a very collected walk for a couple of strides, and again into canter. It means I have prepared for the first movement of the test as close to it…