Innholdsfortegnelse for 28-Sep-2017 i Horse & Hound

POLICE and the FEI are investigating after a rider died during an international event in France last Saturday (23 September). Maxime Debost and Qurt De Montplaisir were on the CCI* cross-country course at Châteaubriant Horse Trials when they suffered a rotational fall at fence 11, which it is understood was a type of hedge. Medical staff were on the scene immediately, but the 29-year-old rider’s life could not be saved. “This is a really tragic accident and I know I speak on behalf of everyone in the equestrian community in expressing our grief at this terrible news,” said FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez. “Maxime was a very experienced rider who had been competing internationally for the past 12 years and his loss will affect so many people in our community.…

GRAF TOP The dark bay stallion by Graf Grannus has died aged 24. Graf Top, bred by Alfred Brönnemann, sired top level showjumpers and dressage horses. The 2011 Hanoverian stallion of the year has hundreds of offspring registered in Germany. CHILLI The grey mare by Colestus won the World Breeding Championship for five-year-old horses in Belgium, under British showjumper Pippa Goddard. “Amazing doesn’t even come close to what this horse is,” she said. Full report, H&H 5 October. COLUMBCILLE GIPSY Irish showjumper Gerard O’Neill took gold in the World Breeding Championship for six-year-old horses with Columbcille Gipsy, an Irish sport horse mare by Toulon. This was the second year running that Gerard has taken the title. CHIDDOCK TIME LIMIT Sammy Sykes’ pony stallion, home-bred by Sammy’s late mother Gilly Davies,…

Vet Graham Duncanson received a British Equine Veterinary Association Blue Cross Equine Welfare Award for cycling from Norfolk to Cape Town working with equine charities en route. Showjumper Harrie Smolders has won the 2017 Global Champions Tour before the final leg in Doha. Harrie took second place with Don VHP Z in the Rome grand prix to secure the win. Sue Norton has been appointed as president of the Society of Master Saddlers. She takes over from Ken Lyndon-Dykes, with Chris Taylor moving into the vice-president’s role. Top amateur jockey Nina Carberry won on her comeback to race-riding four months after giving birth to her daughter Rosie. She rode Cask Mate in a Flat race at Ballinrobe on 21 September. Lucy Miles has won the inaugural Karen Hughes Memorial Groom’s…

VETS LAUNCH ULCER SURVEY A GROUP of vets and scientists with a particular interest in equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) want to hear from owners. The researchers would like UK owners to complete a survey, whether their horses have ulcers or not. They want to find out people’s perceptions of the condition, where they obtain information on it and what treatments they are aware of. The scientists hope the results will “help ensure owners are given the best education and advice to help them recognise EGUS and manage horses optimally”. • Visit: horseandhound.co.uk/egus-survey VOUCHER SCHEME FOR VET CARE H&H charity of the year World Horse Welfare could benefit from a scheme aimed at helping owners pay for veterinary care. Vet Vouchers features a donation page through which supporters can…

MEETINGS One has to wonder why the FEI is holding its general assembly in Uruguay, having last year held it in Tokyo. Could it be a similar reason to the fact the rule changes and Olympic quota sessions are not being live-streamed, a cynic might ask? Surely not. ACCIDENTAL DRESSAGE Or should this be a good week? An H&H-er who was riding as the hunt was in the vicinity was hugely impressed by her horse’s extra, if unintended, impulsion and elevation. “I’ve never sat on a medium trot like it,” she confided. “I’ll have to ask the pack to come to shows!” TUCKING IN One was amused to hear from an insider about what makes a good police horse. They don’t necessarily have to be quiet, but they must take…

REGULAR readers of this column may remember my family lost my old ex-eventer back in February this year. Having taken the time to let the first shock subside, we thought about our next steps — it’s more than 30 years since we haven’t had a horse. The conclusion was that we wanted another horse, something sane but not dull, for Mum and I to share. And so the search began. The first few we saw were nearly right. One was perfect until a lorry drove past, when he tried to turn around and run away. Another was sold before we could fit in a return visit. Then we became a little desperate, thought we should widen our boundaries and consequently saw a few who were less suitable. One was advertised…

‘A horse can sit without being compact and this is when they can drop you’ AIM From a young age, the horse needs to learn to be compact or he will never sit properly behind and lift his shoulders in true collection. For those aspiring to piaffe, it’s important the horse learns to maintain the energy and keep his hindquarters moving, not just lowering them. In all the gaits, what you are trying to achieve by collecting the horse is shorter, higher steps and contained energy. By following these principles throughout the horse’s training, you will achieve a more sensitive, reactive horse. THE EXERCISES 1 With a young or inexperienced horse, the first thing is to teach him to “change gears” — to shorten and lengthen his steps on request.…

BULANA JAMES and Jo Lambert’s 11-year-old mare by Tygo stepped into a new league this year when she finished best of the British horses at the European Eventing Championships. She and rider Nicola Wilson led the team to gold and claimed an individual bronze too. Bulana has been with Nicola since 2014 and was second at Pau CIC2* that season and won Boekelo CCI3* the next year. But the Yorkshire rider has had to grapple with braking problems to get the best from this star. Cracking these led to fourth at Blenheim CCI3* last season, then this year second in the CCI4* at Luhmühlen before her Europeans medals. “We’ve worked out how to harness her desire to please — and she’s so talented in all three phases,” said Nicola. OUR…

ALICE GORING, 25 Sport: eventing Job: osteoporosis research as part of a PhD 2017 highlight: “Making my first trip to compete abroad, in the Tattersalls CCI*, where my 15hh gelding The Little Frenchman and I finished on our dressage score.” Top tip for juggling work and competing: “Organise your week well, with a back-up plan in case you have to work late. Floodlights are definitely my best friend during the week.” Biggest mistake I’ve learnt from: “I spent years persevering with my first horse who just wasn’t right for me. Selling him was the best decision I could have made. It led me to The Little Frenchman and I have never looked back. Life’s too short to ride a horse who doesn’t make you smile, especially as an amateur with…

TONY LOCK, 44 Best thing about being a vet: “Working as part of a busy team of first-opinion veterinary surgeons; and dealing with a varied daily caseload of clients, many of whom I have known for a large portion of my career.” Hardest part about being a vet: “Managing expectations and dealing with disappointment.” 2017 highlight: “Performing articial insemination on an advanced dressage mare and scanning her in foal this spring following a career-ending stifle injury earlier in the year.” A moment that has made me smile: “Completing a 24-hour tooth rasping challenge for charity.” What the client says: “Tony is professional, passionate and has the patience of a saint (with the horses and owners). “Tony has helped so many clients and horses but it doesn’t end there. He has…

WILLOW FARM Founded: 1991 Number of members: 160 2017 highlight? Celebrated their 10-year anniversary hosting popular Pony Club camps and continued to provide children, who don’t own a pony, with the opportunity to ride and take part in regular jumping, dressage and inter-centre competitions throughout the year. Annual event not to be missed: the May Day Show on Bank Holiday Monday. Described as a “proper horse show”, it includes working hunter, in-hand and ridden classes that are open to all riders in the area. What the members say: “Willow Farm is an amazing place where children can learn to ride and enjoy being around ponies. Not only do they offer riding lessons, but also they run a Pony Club centre and offer riding holidays — children come home dirty, wet…

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Easton Park Stud, Suffolk | Keysoe, Beds Sammie Farley and Garthfach Ultra were on form at Easton Park, collecting two prelim wins with 70.57% and 73.46%. The 22-year-old bought the now six-year-old registered Welsh section D (Llanfyllin Cream Boy x Garthfach Rowan) as a three-year-old and backed him herself. “I quickly fell in love with the pretty palomino pony,” said Sammie. “We never intended on keeping ‘Obi’ for so long — he was a project pony — but he has a forever home now. “Nothing would ever tempt me away from taking this horse to his highest potential. My trainers, Tammy Ruffles and Toby Hewlett, are helping us reach that potential,” added the rider, who has a full-time job in accounts as well as her own photography/ videography business. “He’s…

 Baileys Horse Feeds BEF Futurity 2017, various venues ‘We’ve never done anything like this; it’s brilliant that my mare has bred such an exciting foal’ LISA GREENHILL, BREEDER OF WHO’S THAT GIRL THIS year nine venues hosted the 2017 Bailey’s BEF Futurity assessment. While each of the venues had more entries the reduction from 12 venues in previous years did result in fewer young horses overall coming forward for assessment this year. Remarkably, whatever the number of horses forward, the stats tend to remain similar and again it was the potential dressage horses that ruled the roost. “That 15% of dressage entries attained elite premiums was a great indicator that British dressage breeders are breeding top-quality young animals and there is now a superb mare herd in the UK…

BSPA National Championships, Keysoe EC, Beds ALLISTER HOOD scorched through the schedule to take the ridden supreme on Kellythorpe Master Key, also known as Marley. As the day went on, Lisha Leeman’s home-bred six-year-old large plaited horse got better and better, until he clinched his final title at 9.30pm. It was a special win for Lisha, who made it to Keysoe just in time to see Marley claim top spot. The gelding is out of her late foundation mare, Meacham Mambo No 5, by Honeypot Sporran. Kevin Cousins made it two in a row by retaining the in-hand supreme with Caroline Ward’s Popenhoe Picture Perfect. In 2016, the sports pony colt was only the third yearling in the BSPA’s 26 years to claim this title; as a two-year-old, he impressed…

“WARE wire” is a shout often heard in the hunting field to warn the unsuspecting of the presence of wire hiding inconspicuously beside or behind a jump. Not so in New Zealand, where it forms the principal object to jump and is taken, quite literally, in the rider’s stride. This was just one of the differences of hunting in New Zealand in comparison to our own green and pleasant land, as I was to find out. I travelled to New Zealand’s North Island to stay with friends Guy and Melissa Marriner at the Pakuranga hunt kennels near Auckland, where Guy is the huntsman. It has been a longstanding ambition to visit New Zealand, and the opportunity of some hunting combined with watching the Lions play the All Blacks in a…

Osborne Refrigerators BDS National Championships, Addington Manor, Bucks HAVING home-produced Horsmans Momentum all the way from modest beginnings in exercise vehicle classes, Mandy Burdick was nothing less than “gobsmacked” to be named British Driving Society (BDS) national champion. While the now 11-year-old part-bred Welsh gelding has always possessed the quality to catch the judge’s eye, it wasn’t until three years ago that Mandy stepped up to her first private drive turnout. “We’ve had no one teaching us and he’s never been worked by anyone else, so we’ve always been learning on the spot,” she said. “I never dreamt in a million years he’d take me this far. He’s a cheeky boy and he’s not easy but if you get him in the right frame of mind he’ll do his damnedest…

SCOTLAND-BASED Sonja Perry recently changed her rugging habits. Her 23-year-old part-bred Arab is a poor doer and has been “seriously rugged up” in the past. But last year the mare was mistakenly clipped while Ms Perry was away and as her heavyweight rug was being cleaned, she was turned out in a lighter rug. “She spent the colder weather clipped and in a medium-weight rug but came out of the winter in a much better condition,” Ms Perry said. “It’s changed my attitude to rugging, watching her do better with lighter rugs. Since then I’ve kept the rugs off when I can and have found all my ponies have done really well this year.” Ruby Butchers is also wary of over-rugging her former racehorse. “He is hardly rugged and even…

DOES the thought of sporting clashing colours bring you out in a cold sweat? If so, a new horsey app may be perfect for you. DressMyHorse allows you virtually to try products on your equine companion to check which colours best suit him. It features items including saddlecloths, bandages and ear bonnets, from brands including LeMieux, BR and Equestrian Stockholm. Never again will you have to bore your friends by endlessly asking which colour is best for your horse — upload a picture and compare different kit in seconds. The app will suggest products that go well with the ones you’ve already chosen using its “matchy” feature. It also allows you to save different “looks” to a wish list, which you can send to friends or share on social media.…

‘Sampson would wait until Dad had gone round the corner, then march off with me to eat grass’ My secret weapon is... My background in racing and hunting, which I think gives me the natural ability to ride a variety of horses across country. My father has always worked in racing and I have hunted all my life. The biggest mistake I have learnt from… I turned a horse called Lismore Lad over at the top of the hill in soft ground at Hopetoun CIC3*. I told myself I would never try to get a horse that tired home again. My best tip for warming up… Don’t overdo it in the cross-country warm-up; galloping round in circles for ages is for your benefit, not the horse’s. My most memorable win……

SARAH ENNIS’ seventh place at the European Eventing Championships in Strzegom equalled Aoife Clark’s seventh at the London Olympics as the highest placing for an Irish rider at a championship this millennium. She was in real touching distance of an individual medal; as Horseware Stellor Rebound is 13, she should, in theory, have another couple of cracks at making the podium with him. But this impressive result on the 42-year-old’s third senior championship performance hides a dramatic story. We meet at Burghley, where Sarah is making her debut with BLM Diamond Delux, and the stress and tension of the past few months pours out of her. “Ten days before the Europeans, I’d given up thinking we’d make it there,” Sarah admits. “He [Horseware Stellor Rebound, known as Rocket], was sore…

NICOLA WILSON, EVENTER THIS ever-popular rider — always polite, with a smile for everyone — has been a frequent and reliable British team member since 2009, when she and Opposition Buzz first acted as pathfinders. Since then, she has won European team gold twice, plus bronze and silver, Olympic team silver and world team gold. But this year, Nicola has surpassed all her achievements with her first individual medal — a bronze at the European Championships in Strzegom on Bulana. The pair were seventh after dressage, moved up to fourth by finishing just one second over the cross-country time and then secured the team gold with a showjumping clear under pressure. CIAN O’CONNOR, SHOWJUMPER THE bitter disappointment of not going to the Rio Olympics last summer was put behind the…

SOPHIE RICHARDSON, 23 Grooms for: Kathryn Robinson and Giovanni Ugolotti. 2017 highlight: “Watching Let It Bee finish 12th in the Event Rider Masters at Blenheim — he’s my favourite and I went to Rio and Badminton with him. Going out with him is always a highlight.” I decided to become a groom when... “I’ve always wanted to work with horses and love going to the big shows, so being a groom enables me to do that. I worked with Kathryn and Giovanni as a working pupil and then went back two years later in 2015 as head girl.” Top grooming tip: “Don’t get stressed — being a groom can be hard work so always have a plan and be as organised as you can.” Words from the boss: “She cares…

ANDREW NICKALLS Farriery career: began in New Zealand aged 16. I decided to become a farrier when... My family always had horses but I decided at 13 to do farriery. I came to England in 1999 and got my diploma. 2017 highlight: seeing Great Britain win their first medal at the world championships for Icelandic horses [see client comment below]. Top tip for a budding farrier: all these supposed “old guys” you think don’t know as much because they don’t go bragging about it on Facebook etc — we know a lot! What the client says… “He has been amazing as the farrier for the New Zealand event team and was commended on his shoeing at the World Championships for Icelandic horses, where the vets and farriers doing the trot-up…

The tack shop Wadswick, near Corsham Step into this country emporium to buy a hairnet, and you will leave laden with a new wardrobe for every eventuality. The sprawling selection of bits, breeches, gifts and feed has come a long way since the store’s first product line of homegrown potatoes when it opened its doors in the 1980s. Opening times: Mon-Sat: 9am-5pm, Sun: 11am-4pm wadswick.co.uk The equestrian centre West Wilts Equestrian Centre near Trowbridge Riders from the surrounding counties flock to this Mecca for competitions and training, from unaffiliated hunter trials and evening showjumping to an intermediate horse trials. With a 30.5x72m indoor school and two outdoor arenas, competitors aren’t short of space to clock up some mileage. westwilts.com The picnic spot Barbury Horse Trials , near Marlborough…

SsangYong South of England (2), Sussex IT may have been a five-year wait since Katie Preston and Templar Justice’s last victory, but for the past three seasons they have been among Britain’s most consistent partnerships at two- and three-star level. The Kent-based equine vet and her little 10-year-old thoroughbred soared round a tough CIC2* cross-country track in the fastest time of the day and produced a lovely showjumping clear to win the class and gain their best ever result. “I’m thrilled. He picked up a small injury at Barbury, so instead of taking him to Blenheim I decided to give him a fun run,” explained Katie, who has produced the son of Weston Justice and Welton Vivat — a mare previously competed by Emily Baldwin — from the start. “He’s…

THIS year’s Blenheim was a success. The cross-country courses were good, and I liked the new riders’ tent and where it was situated. The Event Rider Masters’ (ERM) final was very exciting, and I was delighted to finish third in the series overall — rather better than last year’s dismal effort where I didn’t score any points at all! I believe the final will take place elsewhere next year, which is a shame for ERM as Blenheim is an amazing venue, but I think Blenheim will be the biggest loser as ERM has attracted a new global audience and fan base to eventing this year. The series has built on last year’s beginnings, and next year will be even better. I’m certainly all fired up for it. The competition has…

Field House Petplan Equine Area Festival semi-final, Staffs EMILY WATTS started her day with a third in the BE80(T) at Kelsall Hill horse trials riding a friend’s horse, then finished it with a win in the bronze prix st georges (PSG) riding her own Rascalini. “My dressage at Kelsall was at 8am so I was done and dusted very early, went home, picked up ‘Rascal’ and came straight here,” said a delighted Emily, who has had the Rascalino gelding for three and a half years. “Sometimes it feels like I’ve had him forever as he hasn’t been the easiest through a lack of confidence, but I feel we’ve really turned a corner. Today was the first time he’s ever behaved in front of Felicity Scott, one of the three judges,…

Hunters Equestrian, Glos | Hartpury College, Glos Hunters Equestrian winner Boleros Dream, who has been in training with Charlie Hutton, has a tendency to leave the ground. “He has been prone to a bit of a broncing spree, but he’s learning not to buck and to use his body in the right way,” said Charlie of Holly Lovelock’s five-year-old gelding by Benetton Dream. “From a trainer’s point of view, he is otherwise a straightforward horse — the rest is easy. “I didn’t know what to expect as this was his first competition, but I’m pleased he kept all four feet on the floor,” said Charlie, laughing. “He gave me a lovely feel, which is great news for Holly in the long-term.” Gemma Lewis headed the novice qualifier at Hartpury College…

Field House, Staffs | Northcote Stud, Lancs HAYLEY UPTON won the prelim 19 at Field House riding Lynn Pickering’s “seriously smart” Lindeth Glad Rags (Gladys). “She has so much potential and she’s an absolute pleasure to ride,” said Hayley, who is out getting some mileage on the Welsh section D for Lynn. Lynn bought Gladys after months of searching — and getting stuck in a two-hour traffic jam on the M6. “When I did finally get there, it was freezing cold, blowing a hurricane and I rode figures of eight around the kids’ toys in the arena and felt as safe as houses, so I bought her,” said Lynn. “We do the schooling at home in a 20-acre field using nettles as the markers, but we’ve come on leaps and…

Royal County of Berkshire, Newbury Showground, Berks HAVING topped the International Stairway league in 2016 and 2017, Helen Tredwell demonstrated unrelenting form to land the first counting edition of 2018 with Larksong. Phil Ashworth’s main ring tracks were on the nail both days, with skilled building in Sunday’s International Stairway resulting in the vast majority of the field finishing on four faults, which were scattered throughout. From 18 starters, three produced clear rounds. Joining Helen was Mennell Watson (Whisper In The Wind) and last year’s winner Rob Bevis, this time partnering Chablis ET. Olli Fletcher and his junior European bronze medallist Hello Disckoboy DN also left all the poles standing, but collected a time-fault. With so many four-faulters, riders were pushing for time in the first round, hoping to earn…

CSI3* ROLEX CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK, USA (20-24 SEPTEMBER) THE $216,000 (£160,000) Rolex grand prix, held under the bright lights of the Manhattan skycrapers, went to home rider Kent Farrington riding Creedance, with the runner-up spot secured by his team-mate and the show’s leading rider Hardin Towell (Lucifer V). Shane Sweetnam ensured the Irish flag was represented in the nine-strong jump-off, finishing sixth with Indra Van De Oude Heihoef while Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire, who also finished fourth in an earlier speed class, collected four faults in round one on Luibanta BH. Kent donated his $71,280 (£52,800) prize-fund to Direct Relief, a charity benefiting the victims of recent Hurricane Irma and other natural disasters. “This is a very special venue, very impressive for the horses,” said Kent. “Warming up in the…

SPAIN TOUR CANCELLED IT may have been frustrating for those looking forward to competing at Vejer de la Frontera in Spain from 19 October-5 November, but centre owners in Britain probably breathed a sigh of relief when the autumn tour was cancelled last week. The organisers at the Dehesa Montenmedio showgrounds are in the middle of a programme of improvements that includes new grass arenas, stable blocks and lorry and car parking areas. “We’re so sorry to cancel, but we need to focus our time, energy and personnel on this project to ensure everything is ready and make the 2018 Sunshine Tour the best ever,” said event director Teresa Blazquez. CELEBRATIONS FOR JUMPING ROYALTY A GROUP of riders travelled to Portugal recently for the wedding of Tamara Czartoryski and Lourenco…

EMMA BOARDMAN was responsible for the first-placed small breed winner in the Olympia classes with the Dartmoor, Dykes Dark Damson, ridden by Abbie Kirkbride. NAME Anne Rigby HERE ’s home-bred four-year-old gelding D has been lightly took c aigned,a qualifying for the RIHS and winning thefth o Picton er final at the National Pony Society , Summer ye -old he has ridden since s. he was six.“He’s a very good jumper, but“I also e s sho e h ed his a dam Dykes Lily Mead and he likes granddam Dykes Daisy Mead,” added Emma.…

Meynell & South Staffordshire, Booth Hay Farm, Derbys RELENTLESS showed they are back and mean business when taking top spot in the Skinner’s Pet Foods open qualifier over an unforgiving track. The line over the solid blackthorn hedges on undulating ground at Booth Hay Farm had been tweaked to give a less demanding “pop” over the final fence. However, this meant tackling the huge drop in front of the judges’ box as fence five and brought in a new second fence — a wide hedge with an upright rail in front. In their customary lead role, Simon Coady and Risky Beauty goggled at the second but then gained confidence as they took the team through a tight turn from three to four. Rowan Cope and Matt Mackley were bunched up…

JOHN TYLOR MR TYLOR died suddenly on 9 September aged 75. He was a chairman of Kirtlington Park Polo Club for many years and held the same position for the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) from 1991-1995. He was also a member of the HPA international committee and was awarded the HPA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. Mr Tylor was a three-goal player during his career in the saddle and his wins included the Royal Windsor, Junior County Cup, Holden White and County Cup. CHARLES HENRY GORDON-LENNOX THE Duke of Richmond, Lennox, Gordon and Aubigny died peacefully at Goodwood House on 1 September, aged 87. He held senior positions in the church and is credited with restoring Goodwood racecourse. The duke and his wife, Susan Grenville-Grey, hosted dressage championships for 21…

GOLF One stumbles across a golfing blog in which the player credits working with horses with helping her putting. The question is, would a spin round the greens improve our riding? Or should we just stick to a trip to the 19th hole…? REFLECTIONS The same golfer remembers being told by the person helping her work with the equines that “horses are mirrors”. We really hope they aren’t, as we’re looking rather hairy and long-eared if that is the case… AWARDS All at H&H were delighted to hear, via email, we’d won an award. And what for, I hear you ask? Outstanding service, apparently. This award came from a hotel company, which congratulated us on our good reviews for cleanliness, facilities and rooms. “Keep up the good work!” said the…

Sir — As the eventing season enters its final quarter, I wonder if it’s time to rename British Eventing (BE) novice? When my niece started eventing 25 years ago, there was pre-novice, novice and that was it. Now with the introduction of BE100plus and the newer BE105 — which I think are both great ideas — there are five levels below novice. It is quite hard to explain to parents whose children have come up through the Pony Club system, where “novice” actually means what it says, that they might need to rethink before they blithely enter their teenagers for a first run under BE rules in a novice section. Could it not be renamed BE110, to be spoken as “BE one-10”, or “BE one-one-oh”? Or what about “BE pre-intermediate”?…

ANDREW NICHOLSON’S BADMINTON WIN THIRTY-THREE years of trying, a record of 37 completions. Such were the statistics touted repeatedly after Andrew Nicholson finally broke his Badminton duck in May this year. The New Zealander had been so close to victory many times before, but never pulled it off. Then this year, he piloted Nereo to victory. Andrew’s achievement was all the more remarkable because he has fought back after a terrible fall in 2015 that nearly resulted in paralysis. “I always knew I’d have this day. I just didn’t know when it was going to happen,” he said after victory. JONTY EVANS’ CROWD-FUNDING TO SECURE COOLEY RORKES DRIFT ON 9 August, the counter ticked over to confirm that one of eventing’s most extraordinary campaigns had been successful. A month earlier,…

‘Riding at Badminton would be a dream’ WILL FURLONG, 22 Sport: eventing Biggest achievement: winning the under-25 CCI3* at Bramham in June with Collien P 2 and making his Nations Cup team debut. Equestrian inspiration: “Tina Cook. She has consistently produced top-level horses over so many years and she makes the best of the facilities she has at home, which are nothing extravagant. She is always a reliable British rider.” Aim for 2018: “I’m hoping to gain qualification for a four-star event next year with my mare Collien P 2. It will be my first four-star — obviously riding at Badminton would be a dream, otherwise I could consider taking her to Luhmühlen.” JAKE SAYWELL, 21 Sport: showjumping Biggest achievement: winning team gold at the young rider European Championships this…

MARY TUCKETT, 56 Mary has held the voluntary position of chairman of the Pony Club since 2014, as well as volunteering for British Eventing in a variety of roles, including fence judging, starting and timekeeping. Highlight of 2017: “As part of the British Champions Series, we were able to take children and parents on a tour of Newmarket Racecourse during the Guineas Festival this year. A lot of people hadn’t been racing before and came away really inspired — just seeing one child smile makes all the hard work worthwhile.” Top tip for volunteers: “Make sure you own a good set of waterproofs!” What the fans say: “It’s virtually impossible to give as much time and effort to equestrian volunteering as Mary Tuckett. It’s not just this year, but for…

LITTLETON MANOR, REIGATE, SURREY, £3.75m Louise Harrison of Savills says that Littleton Manor, near Reigate, in Surrey is looking like good value, having been reduced from £5.25m to £3.75m. This 70-acre equestrian estate has played host to many top riders, including Gemma Tattersall, Pippa Funnell and Lucinda Green, who called it “a wonderful, compact and multi-faceted facility with going that enables us all to train and school even when nearly everywhere else is shut”. Littleton Manor comes with a Grade II-listed manor house, a four-bedroom staff cottage, further accommodation, a 22-box main yard, 39 other stables, all-weather dressage and jumping arenas and a British Eventing-accredited cross-country course. Savills, 01737 230202, savills.co.uk BRICKHOUSE FARM, COLNE ENGAINE, ESSEX, £1.95m Zoe Napier says the facilities at Brickhouse Farm, near Halstead, on…

Soley House, near Hungerford With a cinema room, snooker room, swimming pool, tennis court and wine cellar, you might wonder when you would have time for the horses in this Georgian-style house, built in 2004. But with an American barn with 18 loose boxes, a tack room, workshop and store room, Olympic-size indoor riding arena, an outdoor manège and 116.7 acres, it won’t take much persuading to get in the saddle. What’s the damage? Excess of £12.5m Find out more: savills.com , 01635 277705 Manor Farm, near Chippenham We’re dreaming about this 17th-century Grade II-listed former farmhouse, situated on the edge of the picturesque Wiltshire hamlet of Draycot Cerne. The stable yard forms a pretty courtyard between the coach house and the one-bedroom cottage, and within the…

THE eight-year-old Lonestar, owned by rider Paul Sims’ father Steve, scored his first intermediate win in section M, finishing an impressive five marks ahead of Piggy French, whose ride in this section was Templepatrick Cooley. The winner is by Handel out of Russetwind and was bought as a five-year-old from breeders Redhill Stud in Telford. “I was told there was this big, beautiful bay horse with my name written all over it and I should go and have a look,” said Paul, who was the fastest around the Mark Phillips-designed track. “He did nothing until he was six; he’s big and quite sharp so we left him to develop but he’s got that ‘edge’ that will make him good. I think he will be my next four-horse. “I looked at…

‘He can almost carry himself, most of the time, but sometimes he still goes splat, like a beached whale’ HANNAH POWEL ON THE 17.2HH ELEMENTARY WINNER SHOW DANCE Oldencraig Petplan Equine Area Festival semi-final, Surrey “I WAS fading as the test went on,” admitted Emma Bird, the advanced medium silver winner. Emma, from Brentwood, Essex, had ridden Georgina Pearson’s Sir Bastien only three times in the past three weeks as she has suffered a debilitating bout of shingles. “I rode Sir Bastien on Thursday and Friday, for 10 minutes each time, just to practise the changes,” said Emma. “Georgie did a wonderful job on him while I was poorly, but she hasn’t ridden at the higher levels.” Despite some blips in the final movements, Emma was nevertheless thrilled with…

 Oldencraig, Surrey | Merrist Wood, Surrey ‘Almansor is 17hh and not a typical “baroque” horse. I bought him specifically to do BD competitions’ LAURA SMITH Norfolk-based rider Laura was rewarded with an overall win on 67.03% in the advanced medium 85 at Oldencraig with Almansor, her partner for next month’s Paris Masters du Cheval Ibérique (MCI). The combination will be making their third appearance at the MCI European Championships among a record 40-strong British contingent. Laura said: “Almansor is 17hh and not a typical ‘baroque’ horse. I bought him specifically to do British Dressage [BD] competitions and he’s more the sports type you see more of now.” In 2018, the MCI Europeans will be held in Britain for the first time, at Addington. Jade Dawson has recently returned to…

Hargate Arena, Derbys | Vale View EC, Leics Riding her own eight-year-old warmblood mare Martha G, Lynda headed novice 27 at Vale View with plus-70%. Lynda bought the Arthur G mare as a youngster and produced her, competing in unaffiliated dressage until a year ago when her trainer Robyn Wetherall encouraged her to go affiliated. “I rode until I stopped to have a family in my 20s and then bought Martha G when my children had grown up,” said Lynda. “She was weak as a youngster, so we gave her time to mature, but we quickly realised her dressage potential. Since affiliating, she has qualified and competed at two prelim regionals. We’re now aiming for novice regionals.” The pair’s test at Vale View was one of their best so far.…

EVERYONE wants the chance to compete at the nationals. Or should the nationals simply be the best in the country at each level? The word is that the main body of the membership want their championships to be a two-tier event, featuring both the inspirational, the gold, to watch the best of the best, and the aspirational silver classes that are within their potential reach. Our current two-tier system isn’t working as the silver section needs redefining. The aspirational feel is being lost for our core group of members as the winner of every section at the nationals 2017, barring two, was either a self-declared professional or a World Class talent-spotted combination. In its definition British Dressage [BD] states: “Silver sections are designed for those combinations that have achieved more…

AFTER nearly slipping up after the seventh fence in the first round of the International Stairway and losing a stud, Helen Tredwell deployed a new innovation by farrier Nigel Turner. The rescue stud can be used when normal studs are spinning and unreliable, as they are able to tighten up in loose stud holes. “Nigel is a friend of our farrier and sometimes shoes for us when our farrier MY is on e holidaook . the ed me to try them out and see what fi I thoughtfi ,”ftaid Helen.“Theyon O e a scr rouw that r gets g an wider and -old tight he has ridden sed them a couple of timesy g nood jumpery do what e the age hay — lwa I can’t fault n an them…

FRANCESCA CUMANI may be better known as one of the team from ITV Racing, but she has a future in showjumping if her performance at Newmarket’s recent open day is anything to go by. Despite strong opposition in the Clipper Logistics Racing Personality showjumping class, Francesca pushed trainer Roger Varian into second place. She was riding the 21-year-old 138cm pony Breeze, who is usually partnered by nine-year-old Suffolk BS academy member Lara Boman. This was the third year of the competition, organised by Newmarket-based BS coach Mia Palles-Clark. “It was a lovely day and a lovely class. I trained the riders who could make it on the Monday before the event and the horses were sourced by me and the riders themselves,” said Mia. “Francesca rode really well and although…

WITH the season drawing to a close, it’s useful to take a step back and reflect on the past few months. I’ve been encouraged to see an increase in the number of mares qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in the mountain and moorland sections this year. It’s a huge bonus for breeders if a mare has a successful career under saddle, as it shows she can perform and enhances her CV for when she goes to stud in later life. While some people are reluctant to consider a mare for ridden classes because they can sometimes be deemed as “unpredictable”, I’ve found often that, if you work with a mare the right way, they can be extremely rewarding. There’s also a belief that stallions automatically have…