Innholdsfortegnelse for 07-Sep-2017 i Horse & Hound

NEITHER FUN NOR FAIR Sir — I’m new to showing and have attended three county level shows but at two of them, the judge pulled in a line-up that matched how the rosettes were awarded before everyone did their individual show. I found it very demoralising that we were judged before we did this. At the other county show, the judge pulled everyone in randomly then we rode our individual show and the placings were decided — totally the right way to do it. I’m hoping not all shows are like the first two I experienced or it will be a short showing career for me, as it isn’t fair nor fun. Molly Moffatt Crieff, Perthshire Showing editor Aimi Clark replies: “First impressions are everything in the show ring and…

CLAIRE BESWICK’S 14-year-old gelding Riley sustained a substantial wound (top) when she left a field gate open. “He galloped through, misjudged the angle and ‘unzipped’ himself on the gate latch,” she says. “You go into survival mode when something like that happens. I don’t think it hit me until several hours later just how bad it was.” Riley was first seen by Tim Adams MRCVS of Liphook Equine Hospital. After some thorough wound cleaning, he was admitted to the clinic for assessment by surgical specialist Tom Hughes. The two vets started suturing at either end of the lengthy gash and met in the middle. A relieved Claire is pleased to be able to report that the stitches — all 150 of them — helped the wound heal beautifully (above), leaving…

“I DO what I need to behind a desk but I’m very much an out-and-about person,” says Rhian Gibson, who takes the reins as the Pony Club’s new chief executive this month. “I hope people will soon see that I’m a doer.” The Pony Club certainly has lots for her to do. The last CEO, the amiable Pip Kirkby, appointed after a headhunters’ search, resigned 12 months into the job in April last year for largely unexplained reasons. And Pony Club membership is struggling. From a high point of around 44,000 in the early 80s, full membership has been in gradual decline, dropping about 10% in the past five years to just over 26,000, with another 13,000 or so Centre Members on top. But Centre Membership — a clever idea…

‘He’s a bit like Marmite, but the judges have to like him now’ TINA COOK ON CALVINO II FOUR pairs of seasoned professionals led after dressage. As expected, the 2015 winners Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW dominated the first day. Although they scored some nines, their mark of 38.9 reflected the fact they fluffed their final flying change for a five and two fours. The German pair had left the door open for an overtake. “I could have had him more in front of my leg in canter,” said Michael, smiling anyway. “Because of the pressure from the spectators, I tried to have him really relaxed. When I went in, there was less pressure than I expected and he was too relaxed.” The judges were not in agreement…

OWNER/BREEDER Geoffrey Burton had a modicum of ambition for his first home-bred in that he hoped one day to compete I Diablo Joe himself. Geoffrey certainly never imagined that the first foal he bred would take him to Burghley and gain him an armful of prizes for winning the Burghley four-year-old young event horse final — a feat most breeders only dream of. Ridden by Ginnie Turnbull (one of three in the top 10 for the Leicestershire young horse producer), I Diablo Joe is by the Dutch-bred stallion Solaris Amoureux out of a mare by The Outlaw. Joe proved the pick of the top 10 for suitability judge Blyth Tait, who gave him the highest marks for ride. “I simply sent him to Ginnie to be backed with the aim…

Millstreet, Ireland IRELAND remained a happy hunting ground for Izzy Taylor as she added victories in the CCI3* and CIC3* at Millstreet to her one-two-three in the CIC3* at Camphire a few weeks ago. Izzy’s winning mount in the CCI3* was Alex Phillips’ 15-year-old Perfect Stranger, the former Andrew Nicholson horse she has been riding since May. “Izzy and ‘Orange’ have only had six runs together, but she rides so many different horses so well that 99% of the time you wouldn’t know they hadn’t come through the grades together,” said Alex. “They got a bit close at one of the water fences because they are not completely used to each other’s rhythm, but, apart from that, they made a tough track look easy.” The pair, who added four showjumping…

Arley Moss EC, Cheshire | Northcote Stud, Lancs | Aintree EC, Lancs Sharon bought the French-bred Master Enrico D’Epris as a four-year-old, but the following year the horse started to exhibit some alarming symptoms. “He was ataxic behind with moments of hyperflexion and was in and out of the vets for a year, having every scan under the sun,” said Sharon. “They couldn’t find what was wrong and I’d decided to turn him out for a year when someone suggested Campbell Thompson look at him. He diagnosed Australian stringhalt, removed his lateral digital flexor tendons and it was a miracle cure.” Former broodmare Bowland Donner Hit (Sandro Hit x Donnerschwee) won both novices at Northcote Stud with plus-70% for owner/rider Collette Hincks. Collette bought the mare, who’d had three foals,…

Brendon Stud, West Sussex Louise Harnett’s home-bred Delilah (Ellie) was piloted to advanced medium 98 victory by Janice, who manages Louise and Robbie’s Belmoredean yard. “Ellie’s amazing at home with Robbie, but he decided that competition tension combined with her long hindlegs means grand prix is too much for her,” said Janice, who had previously competed up to elementary. “I had been riding Ellie on her quiet days for a year, then daily with Robbie’s help since June. The aim is for us to compete at PSG.” Maxine Vainio achieved a trio of wins on her French-bred eight-year-old Lusitano stallion Vagabond De Massa. They competed at medium and advanced medium, achieving plus-70% in the latter, their debut. It was their first show this year as Maxine is studying abroad while…

Quainton Stud, Bucks | Eland Lodge, Derbys She was riding international dressage rider Nathalie Kayal’s 12-year-old gelding DHI Alligator, by Special D. “I’ve been working for Nathalie for nine months and she is allowing me and my best friend Alexa Iona-Smith, who also works for her, to compete Alligator,” explained Charlotte. “He has competed up to PSG, so he’s a fantastic schoolmaster for us. This was my first show on him and my first ever BD competition.” Charlotte plans to continue riding and competing Alligator alongside her own horse, whom she events. “Natalie has give me an amazing opportunity and I feel very lucky,” added Charlotte. At only his second show, the four-year-old Dutch warmblood gelding Ilucy headed prelim 14 with 71.9% at Eland Lodge. The son of Everdale is…

Bucks County, Aylesbury ABBE BURCHMORE-EAMES’ “local” county show is one she never misses — but until now a win in the area trial has always eluded her. The 25-year-old rider had a fighting chance with three rides forward in the class, but it was her familiar partner Wilandri E who collected the £1,000 winner’s cheque when he delivered the quickest of three double clears. “He probably wins one area trial a year — it was nice it was this one,” said Abbe, who lives 30 minutes from the showground. “It’s good to win in front of friends at your home show.” Five from a modest start list of 15 progressed to the second round, with Emma Slater delivering a competitive opening clear on Mark Haines’ Art D’Usance. She was undercut…

CSIO5* Gijon, Spain FRANCE clinched a narrow but assured victory in the concluding leg of the FEI Nations Cup before the final in Barcelona at the end of the month. The French quartet led from the outset, finishing a fence ahead of the Netherlands, with Jur Vrieling acting as chef d’equipe, who amassed a total of eight penalties. Newly crowned European champions Ireland, sending out some new combinations as part of their “planning for 2018”, produced some great performances for third on 12 points with pathfinder Shane Breen (Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker) riding a double clear at this combination’s first Nations Cup, helped by team-mates David Simpson (Keoki), Cameron Hanley (Quirex) and Anthony Condon (Balzac). The course resulted in plenty of reshuffling of the leaderboard in round two but the…

Retraining of Racehorses National Championships, Aintree Equestrian Centre, Liverpool LIZZIE HARRIS piloted Wild West, a stunning chestnut son of Galileo, to stand supreme champion in the elite series final at this championship show, now in its third year at Aintree. Riding side-saddle, Lizzie and “Westy” produced an immaculate individual show that included leg-yield, counter-canter and simple changes, to catch the eye of judges Yvette Dixon and David Minton. “All the horses in the final were stunning and there was no telling who the judges were going to go for. When they called out my number I couldn’t believe it,” smiled Lizzie, a former jockey. “It was intense but amazing to ride in the final in the big atmosphere of the evening performance.” The versatile nine-year-old also headed three other classes:…

BSPS Gold Cup Sports Pony final, Land Rover Burghley, Lincs IRISH event rider Lucy Hancock and Coppenagh Spring Sparrow were crowned the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Gold Cup champions. The pair were impressive throughout to enter the reverse-order showjumping phase as last to go with a convincing lead of nearly 16 points over Georgia Darlington and Lisa’s Dream. This three-stage contest kicks off with a dressage test, followed by a performance section over cross-country-style fences where style marks are earned plus an extra mark for the gallop. Any jumping penalties incurred here or in the final showjumping phase are deducted and the highest final score wins. The last showjump has an optional joker, worth 10 bonus points for clearing it but costing a hefty 20 if it is knocked…

“SIGNIFICANT” changes are on the cards for international dressage competitions. The FEI’s dressage judging working group (DJWG) has submitted proposals for changes to the rules for 2018, including “HiLoDrop” scoring and partial removal of collective marks. HiLoDrop scoring involves not taking into account the highest and lowest scores for each movement in a test. An average would be calculated from the remaining scores. ”HiLoDrop ensures the consensus view of the jury predominates in the final result and is not unduly influenced by one judge being exceptionally low or high,” the DJWD stated. The group has also called for removal of collectives, bar the rider’s score, as they are “already taken into account in the movement scores”. Olympian Carl Hester said the changes “were worth a try” but he had reservations…

“WE need to be very careful,” the FEI president has warned, when the controversial “blood rule” was discussed by the International Jumping Riders’ Club (IJRC). Ingmar de Vos joined club members, owners, riders and national federation representatives at the IJRC’s AGM at the European Showjumping Championships on 26 August. The club was discussing the FEI’s proposed changes to the blood rule, which states that “minor cases of blood on the flank will not incur elimination” rather than the current instant disqualification (news, 20 July). But Mr de Vos said the issue needs to be “clear and transparent”, adding: “Today, it is that blood is blood.” “We need to be very careful,” he said. “When the proposals were made, there was already a big discussion in German media about how the…

THE individual freestyle final at the FEI under-25 European Championships (30 August-3 September) was abandoned part-way through due to electrical failure — which meant all competitors shared the prize pot. Despite heavy rain lashing the competition venue in Lamprechtshausen, Austria, the individual and team finals had already taken place, with Germany dominating. Lisa-Maria Klossinger on FBW Daktari won individual gold, and helped her German team-mates to gold, ahead of the Netherlands and Sweden. Britain did not send any riders. “A disaster” was how Nicky Barrett, who was at the show as a trainer, summed up the event, which is now in its second year. The first few riders in the freestyle to music completed their tests without major mishap — though there was some crackling heard — but during the…

NR STOWMARKET Ringshall Hall Farm For you: a six-bedroom Grade II-listed barn conversion in a rural setting off a country lane with far-reaching views. The gardens include a terrace to the rear, a woodland area and a pond. For the horses: a range of traditional outbuildings including a detached stable building with two boxes, a tack room and a feed store. Set in 10.31 acres. An extensive range of former piggeries, other outbuildings and land are available as separate lots. £950,000 Savills, 01473 234800, savills.com NR BECCLES Fairfield Farm For you: a farmhouse with two established holiday cottages, set in a peaceful rural location close to the coast. There are four bedrooms in the main house and planning consent for an extension. Outside are pretty gardens and…

FRONT AND SHOULDER “He has a huge chest for a compact little horse,” says Lesley Whitehall, who has judged Fleetwater Xecutive several times during his long show ring career. “He has a lovely bit of depth behind his elbow. When you look through the front of him, he has a good set of 36DDs! He has a beautiful front and lovely shoulder, there’s plenty of heart room and depth of girth. Even in the dark, a blind man could put a saddle on him and it would be in the right place.” FIRST IMPRESSIONS “He makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck,” says Lesley. “He’s a lovely cut of a horse. He always catches your eye just because of the way he carries himself. He says…

‘Mum made me promise I’d be back from riding by 8.15am so that we could get to school on time without me looking too dishevelled’ JOCKEY RICHARD JOHNSON AT the end of a long summer break, the cries and complaints of reluctant offspring about heading back to school are inevitable. And for pony-mad kids it’s not the early alarm call that’s the biggest shock (they’re used to that already, after all), it’s those horse-free days. Mornings of grooming their ponies, afternoon hacks and weeks at Pony Club camp are replaced by chemistry and double maths. Obviously the riding doesn’t have to stop when children and teens return to school, but it’s much more of a challenge if they want to pursue a serious career in the sport, and requires…

WHEN Amy Schiessl scored an international personal best of 69.5% at the young rider European Championships in 2016, representing Great Britain aboard her partner of 10 years, Mr Mercury, it marked the pinnacle of her dressage career so far. But this year, since becoming the TopSpec sponsored rider for 2016, Amy has achieved yet another lifelong goal — riding at grand prix on a horse she has trained, aged just 21. Add that to becoming medium gold regional champion on the seven-year-old Knoxx’s Figaro this summer, and it’s been quite a season for the young rider. We find out some of the secrets to her success, from training and planning to feeding for optimum performance. AMY says: “With £1000 to put towards training this year thanks to the TopSpec sponsorship,…

Millbry Hill Richmond (2), North Yorks BUBBY UPTON dominated the under-21 open intermediate, winning with her junior European gold medal ride Eros DHI with Cola III close behind in second. It was Eros’ first time out since the Europeans, and Bubby had to work hard to keep a lid on the eight-year-old. “He thinks a lot of himself anyway and he was very excited in the dressage,” said Bubby, who also picked up an eighth place with Cannavaro, achieving a trio of double clears. “I just let him cruise round the cross-country rather than going for the time, and he felt unbelievably good.” Cola III, a former ride of Vicky Tuffs, is being aimed at the seven-year-old class at Osberton. Bubby, who is now on a gap year with her…

Wellington Riding, Hants Lucy, 19, was riding her eight-year-old Goodtimes gelding Extra Time. “I was very surprised to win as neither of us knew what we were doing,” said Lucy, who trains with Richard Barrett and has owned Extra Time since he was a yearling. “He was very chilled and I think I was relaxed because I didn’t know what was going to happen.” The pair will compete at the upcoming nationals in the medium gold section and Lucy has also qualified Rudy at novice. James Burtwell managed to fit in judging a prelim class, leaving him just a minute to get his first horse into his first test. But multi-tasking clearly worked as James won the novice gold qualifier with Veritas VS, a medium with Burlington B, the elementary…

Northallerton Equestrian Centre, North Yorks Lisa’s ride, Breit Crusader, has had a quiet time recently, competing in only four shows to gain qualification, but pulled off a score of 69.39% to win the inter I, over 4% ahead of his nearest rival. “My mum has been with us this year after serious surgery so I haven’t been able to do any competing until a couple of months ago,” said Lisa, who won the advanced medium winter regional title last year on the Breitling 11-year-old. The pair had already clocked up a respectable 66% in the PSG, but Lisa felt he was behind her leg. “I wouldn’t normally do both tests back to back, but needs must,” she said. “He felt like he was dropping behind me in the first test,…

Edenbridge & Oxted, Lingfield, Surrey KEITH DOYLE was the star of the opening day’s John Coldman Area Trial. As well as giving himself a late 47th birthday present by taking the £1,000 top prize on Darren Hegarty’s Harlequin Dunraven, the Hampshire-based rider was third with a young prospect, Jill Boyd’s eight-year-old Elmo Brown. Only three of a classy field could answer every question over David Ackland’s course, to be joined in the jump-off by the fastest four-faulters from round one. However, when Alfie Bradstock (KBIS Caicos) and Darren Wise (Calaero) faulted again, the class became a battle between Keith’s two rides and Alex Thompson, who made the long journey from Nottingham with his super-consistent Cathalina V. Keith jumped another good clear on Elmo Brown, then Alex shaved a fraction off…

BETHANY SLINGER has been riding the prelim dressage winner Maigold Rose for more than two years, since buying her as a school horse for her mother’s yard. “She’d been on livery and when she came up for sale we bought her,” said Bethany, who works for and trains with Melissa Chapman. “I liked her so much that I decided I’d have her for myself and we won our first three British Eventing events. I wanted to have a bit of fun, but I never realised how good she’d be.” Bethany and “Zeva” have won at the riding club championships and been on the second-placed team for 3 Valleys Riding Club, but this was their first trip to Aintree. “I plan to be here next year, along with doing some more…

NPS Area 4, Tockwith Show Field, W Yorks WHILE owners Lucinda Craven and Nicola Lester were holidaying in Spain, their 11-year-old Horninglow Hawkshead booked his first mini ticket to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) after heading a 22-strong first ridden class. He will be joining two other Shetlands at the final in Birmingham. It will also be a debut visit to the NEC for his eight-year-old jockey Jennifer Sellers, who had a practice run with the pony off the lead-rein at Stoneleigh two weeks earlier. “He’s a little Christian with the heart of a lion who has taught many children to ride, and he hunts with the Holcombe,” said Lucinda’s mother Sue. It was a similar story when a team of friends from Manchester and Essex, who have only…

A MORE proactive approach to tackling business rates could help the equestrian sector, a riding school owner believes, as the campaign continues. Walter Brinzer, of Chelmsford Equestrian Centre, said the industry needs to recognise that the updated valuations, which determine how much businesses pay, “don’t make sense”. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) quotes out-of-date information in its guidance notes for officers setting rateable values — the British Equestrian Trade Association 2011 survey rather than its 2015 results. But when H&H questioned this, the VOA insisted “such reports are a secondary source of data”. A statement acknowledged “significant changes” between the surveys, “including a fall in the number of horses from 988,000 to 944,000 and the number who ride from 3.5m to 2.7m”. But the VOA says its primary source of…

THE link between riding and knee problems, and the importance of seeking specialist advice, has been highlighted by a top surgeon. Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Professor Ian McDermott, who specialises in knees and sports injury, has stressed riders need to “listen to their knees” when it comes to injury prevention and rehabilitation. “If you have a problem, get it looked at by a medical professional,” he urged, adding that it is important to find a medical specialist who understands the sport. Mr McDermott said two-thirds of the knee problems he sees are sports-related, and riders make up “a lot” of that category. Women are at a significantly higher risk of certain types of knee injuries than men due to hormone differences. This is significant as around 74% of riders in the…

RIDER road safety has sprung to prominence again after a spate of incidents this summer. BBC Essex discussed the issue on 29 August after 19-year-old Megan Leggett was injured in a fall from her horse Ellie, who was spooked by a cyclist. Claire Lilly of Canewdons Equestrian road safety group spoke on Sadie Nine’s show with Simon Warr, a cyclist from Colchester. “It can be quite daunting on the roads for riders accessing bridleways,” said Claire, who added that the group tries to educate other road users. But Simon questioned whether riders should be on the roads. “I dread seeing them because I am aware the size of a horse can do so much damage so quickly,” he said. “We have to think very carefully with the increase of traffic…

THERE are seemingly endless ways that a horse can hook, hitch or impale himself, given half a chance. It’s all the more galling when you know that a particular calamity could have been prevented. Most avoidable injuries involve protruding fittings such as door bolts and gate latches, or equipment that becomes tangled. Stitching, stapling and sorting out the damage is all part of the veterinary caseload, but what do the experts feel are the most common culprits when it comes to yard dangers? According to Kieran O’Brien of Penbode Equine Vets, many owners mean to do the right thing by attaching a loop of baling twine to a metal ring before they tie their horse up. But if the twine is too thick — particularly likely if it’s taken from…

‘All horses have a favourite leg to land on and this exercise highlights that’ AIM The aim of the exercise is to improve straightness in the horse and the accuracy of the rider on a circle. Over time, it will also improve lead changes over a fence, as the horse develops his agility. THE EXERCISE 1 Set up the exercise of four verticals and two oxers in the school. The blocks (X on diagram) act as markers, to help you ride a consistent, even circle. The inside circle should be 20-25m, and then 30-35m on the outside. With young horses, the blocks ensure they don’t fall in or out (depending on which line you are taking), and simultaneously make sure the rider stays accurate. 2 Young horses often waver in…

KBIS Wellington, Hants SARAH BULLIMORE and Lilly Corinne zoomed to a convincing win in advanced section T, finishing two seconds under the time across country. Their dressage score of 23.4 was so good that a pole down in the showjumping was irrelevant. “I didn’t feel like I was going flat out — I just let her run, and she is fast,” said Sarah. “This was a welcome result. I’ve been trying to second-guess what the selectors didn’t like about her [the pair were left off the long-list for the European Championships] when she’s gone so well this year.” The 13-year-old mare, owned by Sarah’s husband Brett and the Seahorse Syndicate, now heads to Blenheim for the Event Rider Masters final, and then Pau CCI4*. She was the only one to…

Shelford Manor (2), Nottinghamshire A HORSE having his first run since 2015 has bounced back from a career-threatening injury to win the BE100open. Two years ago, Gaynor Green’s 13-year-old gelding Zep sustained an injury to the impar ligament in his foot. Examinations at both Newmarket and Rossdale’s provided a bleak prognosis. “The only thing I could do was rest him and see,” said Gaynor, who bought the Burggraaf son from Piggy French eight years ago. “About a year later, I looked at him in the field and thought, ‘You’re not lame any more’.” Gaynor, who works full-time as an occupational therapist, now has her sights set on novice and a CIC*: “I train with Nini French. She told me I wasn’t allowed to move up until I had some decent…

Edenbridge & Oxted, Ardenrun Showground, Surrey ONE month after capturing the supreme and reserve titles at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS), Allister Hood was again at the top of the line to capture a £1,000 prize. This time it was his RIHS reserve supreme, Lady Caroline Tyrrell’s wonderful cob Our Cashel Blue, who was John Dunlop’s choice, leaving riding horse champions Libby Robertson and Hoghton Valentino in reserve. Lady Tyrrell was almost overcome by another big win. “Every time I look at this horse, he makes me smile,” she said. However, Our Cashel Blue isn’t completely perfect. “He seems to know when we’re going to a show and the night before he makes sure he gets covered in poo,” explained Allister. “He never does it on normal days.” Our…

THREE girls from BSPS Area 6 made a triumphant debut in the popular young judges’ competition at the BSPS summer championships (report, p80). The squad consisted of Alice Homer, Jade Hateley and Olivia Minihane, and their win also marked a “first” for their mentor, Alice’s mother Loraine. The individual title went to former SEIB Search for a Star victor Will Morton, who then sealed his week with a HOYS ticket in the cob section aboard Woodfield Choice.…

WOCKET WOY and the Pwoducer (alias jump jockeys Mattie Batchelor and Marc Goldstein) made an unscripted showing debut at Stoneleigh. Partnering event horse Harry — hastily borrowed on the day from Grandstand Media’s Sally Unwin — and dressed in clothes lent by competitors David Froggatt and Team Young, Mattie attempted to compete in the native worker section. Followers of the internet sensations will know that anything can happen and Woy’s show ring debut was no exception. An enthusiastic audience watched as he negotiated the course — despite a couple of refusals — before entering the conformation phase. “Now please strip,” said judge Mary Allison — swiftly adding as Mattie started removing his jacket, “No … the horse, not you!” Convinced that money rules, Mattie then offered Mary £20 to secure…

 THE person in showing I’ve always admired is Allister Hood. He’s a great horseman — I used to watch him at shows when he was working the horses. He is a consummate showman and there’s something about the way he works his horses that draws you in — and you can pick up on the little things he does. Even now, if I’m at a show I will go and watch him — I’m still learning! ‘You have to admire him as he’s 60 now and is still at the top of the showing tree’ You have to admire him as he’s 60 now and is still at the top of the showing tree. He won the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) supreme in 2016 with Our Cashel Blue,…