Innholdsfortegnelse for 12-Oct-2017 i Horse & Hound

‘There are going to be bumps in the road, but we will ride them together’ JULIA HODKIN A NEW initiative to match up-and-coming riders with talented young horses is being launched by a leading stud. Future Sport Horses, which specialises in breeding quality event horses, has started a partnership programme to support British breeding and help riders make a name for themselves. The idea works by breeders and riders sharing the opportunities and the risks in the hope of furthering the success of the horse, rider and British breeding overall. Julia Hodkin of Future Sport Horses said she hopes this will address the “chasm” between British breeders and up-and-coming riders. The aim is to help alleviate the struggle breeders face with the cost of sending multiple horses away to…

ONE FOR ARTHUR This year’s Grand National winner will miss the rest of this season due to injury. The eight-year-old gelding, trained by Lucinda Russell, was found to have disrupted fibres in his right fore superficial flexor tendon. “Arthur’s welfare comes first,” said Lucinda. GLOAM A Galileo filly out of breeder’s cup winner Dank sold to Godolphin for four million guineas at Tattersalls’ October yearling sale. She is the most expensive yearling sold in the world this year and the second highest-priced ever to sell in Europe. FALFIELD HONEYBEAR Jane Somerset’s Connemara mare has died aged 24. Honeybear was supreme M&M in-hand at the Royal Highland, four times supreme at the Royal Norfolk, and a ridden finalist at HOYS, Royal International and Olympia. Her legacy is continued by her two…

JOAN LEWIS A LEADING light in both the world of showing and showjumping, Ms Lewis died on 2 October at the age of 81. She was the first woman to register as a British Showjumping (BS) course-designer and served as the organisation’s Bedfordshire area representative for 15 years. Ms Lewis rode competitively and had a passion for point-to-pointing, becoming one of the first female point-to-point jockeys to ride competitively in Britain. She was also a respected showing judge and a regular at Horse of the Year Show and the Royal International Horse Show. Course-designer Steve Williams said Ms Lewis has left an “indelible mark” on showjumping, showing and equestrianism in general. “Joan was the kindest, most warm-hearted and petite lady who stood tall as a giant of equestrianism,” he said.…

RULES For any dressage riders still confused about the new BD whip rule, you can carry one at a Premier League show, but qualify there for a championship, and you can’t have it at the latter. But you can in other national classes. And four-year-old championships. Simples. HOLIDAYS Poor Gemma Tattersall, missing Boekelo. But why? She was practising the water — on an inflatable unicorn with a rainbow mane in a pool somewhere rather hot. So we think she may have managed to contain her disappointment. MAGIC An owner asked others for help. “I’ve heard of people magically getting horses to load,” she said. “Are there any magic people who can cure a horse’s fear of being clipped?!” Er, Harry Potter? Or would it take Dumbledore for a task of…

HORSE of the Year Show (HOYS) is always a highlight in the Horse & Hound office, but this year it feels as if there were a huge number of exceptional victories to celebrate. From the 17-year-old broodmare bagging her first Cuddy in-hand title (p56), to the five-year-old coloured champion at only his fourth show under saddle (p60) plus the multiple back-to-back Royal International (RIHS) and HOYS title winners, I’d be interested to know how many bottles of champagne were popped over the five days. While watching Thistledown Van Der Vaart scoop his third successive mini natives title, I had an inkling he’d stand supreme on Sunday evening. So small in the enormous Andrews Bowen arena, yet this lovely grey — our cover star on 1 June — commanded attention. In…

THE EVENTER Horse: Ballaghmor Class (Thomas) Rider: Oliver Townend Key stats: 10-year-old 16.2hh grey Irish sport horse gelding (by Courage II) owned by Angela Hislop, Karyn Shuter, Val Ryan and Peter Ryan. Career résumé: winner of Burghley Horse Trials 2017, member of the British Nations Cup gold-medal winning team in Aachen 2017, fourth at Tattersalls CCI3* 2017 and 11th at Burnham Market CIC3* 2017. Winter routine: “Thomas is currently enjoying a well-deserved holiday, which consists of daily turnout in his own grass paddock for approximately six to eight weeks,” says Oliver Townend’s head girl Rebecca Evans. “He goes out after his first feed at 6.30am and comes back in at 4pm. When his holiday finishes, he is then steadily brought back into work, with the introduction of light roadwork, followed…

THIS year’s HOYS working hunter course, with its theme of stately homes, was a pleasant surprise. Over the past few years, we’ve come to expect spooky fences and a busy arena, but David Cole’s track was designed to encourage power jumping — just as it should. A worker is meant to keep travelling, not be forever hooking back and turning. The track was full-on from the start, opening over a box hedge parallel. There was plenty of room between fences, coupled with a variety of obstacles, which invited flowing rounds. The organisers hoped for around 10 clears from the 37 starters and achieved just that. No one rode through the finish leaving an arena littered with debris, but 11 of us fell victim to the same set of rustic planks.…

A SERIES of polished, confident performances culminated in a major triumph for home producers when Madison Dalley, 13, landed the coveted Kathleen Wood show pony title. Her partner, the former SEIB Search For A Star victor and reigning Royal International (RIHS) Pretty Polly supreme, Archwood Romeo Gigle (Jack), was previously produced by Team Jinks in Yorkshire but joined the Dalleys in South Wales after winning his 138cm class with Madison here last year. “Our aim was just to try to win the class again if we could — as home producers we never dreamt we could be champion,” said Madison’s mother Leah. “Maddie has lessons from Jess Prichard but does all the schooling with Jack herself. He’s an absolute pleasure to produce — he needs very little working in, does…

A TRIP to the Dressage Ireland national championships never fails to raise the spirits. Things were more organised than in 2014. The standard was better too, albeit with room for improvement, while participation has doubled — 840 tests is going some. OK, not all surfaces were great and the music judges may have suffered earache. There was still a slight gradient — dubbed “the hill”. But three 20x60m arenas indoors and an excellent atmosphere compensated. We’re lucky to have Area Festivals, but Ireland had Trond Asmyr — former FEI director of dressage no less — judging. Mark Ruddock, another top judge officiating here, wasn’t sure when he last judged a prelim. Mr Asmyr had surely not judged at novice level for years. How fabulous for those lucky competitors. WINTER SHOPPING…

Karen Griffin posted more than 76% on the 19-year-old Just Believe — “an absolute dream horse” — originally purchased 10 years ago for Karen’s youngest daughter to do Pony Club activities with. He then went on to a successful career with Karen, including the 2012 nationals. “Three years ago, my middle daughter, Danielle Waller, took over. She won the prelim 15 silver at Keysoe and, as I went along that day, I decided I’d enter the novice freestyle and ride to our old nationals music,” explained Karen, who is a full-time midwifery sister. “I hadn’t ridden to this music for years, nor practised in any way, so I went wrong as soon as I started. I had to improvise the entire trot part. I was worried I wouldn’t walk at…

The show’s top scorer, Nathalie, 19, is from Sweden and one of a succession of overseas riders who have joined the Oldencraig staff to train with Vicki Thompson-Winfield. Echo is a Zjengis Khan x Jazz eight-year-old owned by Penny Brinley. Nathalie said: “He’s not too hot, but has lots of energy — I would say perfect. We did our best test so far. Vicki has a good system, so my riding has improved a lot since I arrived six months ago.” At Hickstead, Kerry Mackin produced a 73.04% elementary 57, riding David and Angela Jones’ 17.3hh five-year-old stallion Hurricane (Spielberg x Florencio). “This is only his second elementary and he gave me such a polite ride,” said 5ft 3in Kerry. Joanna Henbrey moved her Blue Hors Zack x Romanov five-year-old…

Paralympic medallist Sophie Wells has become the first para rider to receive the Equestrian of the Year Trophy at Horse of the Year Show. “It’s huge for para dressage,” she said. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) thanked head of handicapping Phil Smith for his “loyal and distinguished service” as he announced he is to retire after 22 years in the role. Brooke global ambassador Charlotte Dujardin will visit Ethiopia to see the work of the equine charity first-hand, with dressage rider Alice Oppenheimer from 24-30 October. Wiltshire-based Alicia Hawker has won the Mark Todd Bridging the Gap Scholarship. The 23-year-old will be given training with Mark, feed, nutrition advice and Mark Todd clothes and horsewear. Farrier Scott Manson won best shod in the heavyweight show hunter class for the third…

MOTIVATION Overheard at a show, a rider talking herself out of the next class. “She jumped well,” she said. True. “She worked really hard yesterday.” Also true. “To be honest, I can’t be bothered,” she added, after a pause. Ah. Now we get to it. NUDISM Top man Geoff Billington took the live-stream mic for the leading showjumper of the year at HOYS. Of one tricky fence, he opined: “They have to be as careful as a nudist over a barbed wire fence to jump that.” Thanks for that mental picture, Geoffrey. TROLLS Lots of people being nasty to Bridget Andrews, who fell while in the lead in a race. Of course it’s easy to be a good rider when you don’t leave your armchair, but of particular note was…

Sir — I was interested to read Carl Hester’s remarks in his column (opinion, 5 October) in which he highlights the gripes about the British Dressage (BD) National Championships. Carl also suggests getting rid of the BD web forum so that “everyone who has a gripe will be forced to air it at the AGM” and I agree. Let’s do away with opportunities for people to air so much “bile” as he terms it, as it has become all too easy to fire off a tirade of abuse. However, more concerning is the knowledge that these attitudes and thinking exist, and they appear in ever-increasing numbers. As an ex-Pony Club district commissioner, while we often had to deal with face-to-face confrontations and disagreements, I obviously was blissfully ignorant of the…

‘Riders are often afraid of bending the neck because they feel they’ll lose control of the body’ AIM I FIND that when people come to me for training, their horses are fairly straight, but have limited independent neck bend. Correct neck flexion is where you bend your horse’s neck a little bit on whichever rein you are on, and the horse’s body stays on the same line. Riders are often afraid of bending the neck because they feel they’ll lose control of the body. Independent neck flexion enhances all lateral work and is good for balance, keeping the horse between your inside leg and outside rein. It is a great tool if your horse is spooky in the arena, as you can flex him to the inside to discourage him…

THAT September we went off to the Parkgate Show near Chester. The sun was shining, the ground was good and we were enjoying the day. I had jumped in one class and got a feel for the ring, which was a bit uneven, a bit hilly. The ring was on a bank so it wasn’t level. We got ready for the International Trial and in I went on Lalique (pictured). We jumped the wall then turned back to a triple bar going uphill. It was fence six or seven I think and Lalique was jumping clear. The triple bar was quite wide and on approach I placed her a bit too close. As she took off I couldn’t push or help her, I had to sit still. I wasn’t worried…

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“I’VE never been so nervous about anything in my life,” confessed Robert Walker as he watched son Sam, 13, post his first HOYS win, scoring with the 133cm show hunter pony Millwood Kaiser Chief [pictured, right, winning at NCPA Derbyshire Festival in the spring]. “When they were calling the numbers out I couldn’t stand still, I was shaking and felt sick,” he confessed. “The pony has had five wins this season and would be on form, but this is HOYS and anything can happen. I wanted it so much for Sam because he’s worked like a Trojan helping us this week — he even rode some of the hunters in for me — and was exhausted last night. Yet he got up this morning bouncing.”…

THE international jumping schedule was reduced by a day this year, now running from Friday to Sunday. This meant that two classes were lost, but the same prize fund retained, making the remaining classes richer. “Last year [the prize fund] was divided over 11 classes — this year it’s divided over nine,” a spokesman for the show said. “This has allowed us to increase the prize fund for a majority of classes. For example, in 2015 the smaller classes had a prize fund of £4,000 but this year they have a prize fund of £10,000.” The spokesman added that the decision to reduce the international schedule was to fall in line with other international show durations.…

Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Future Elite championship, NEC, Birmingham IT was another masterly performance from Charlotte Dujardin, who smashed the 80% barrier to land victory riding Emma Blundell’s MSJ Freestyle. Despite the electric atmosphere, the Fidermark daughter defied her eight years by soaking up the crowds and pulling off a foot-perfect inter I freestyle performance to score 84.91%. Fresh from a short break after the nationals — where she was crowned national inter I supreme champion — the mare pricked her ears, flicked her toes and looked every bit the Olympic champion she is destined to be. “That’s what makes her so special — she can go into the arena with that presence and nothing fazes her,” said Charlotte. “That’s the biggest arena and audience she’s ever had…

“Because of his age, I do stick to the freestyles now as I can tailor the floorplan to his strengths, which just takes the pressure off him,” explained Sarah, who trains with Adam Kemp. “The thing is, I’m pregnant, so it will be a question of finding another PSG freestyle to compete in while I can still fit into my breeches — I'm not sure how long that will be!” Sarah bought Armons Fantasia, by Rockhill Admiral out of a thoroughbred mare, as a yearling, so they have learnt everything together. “He is such a dude,” she said. “A bargain basement, who has turned into an absolute superstar.” The inter I freestyle was won by Sue Carson riding SCS Bonsai on a score of 67.24%, although everyone was far more…

The pair headed the silver novice sections at Quainton Stud. “I got her nearly a year ago, but we’ve only done a handful of shows,” said Elaine of the 10-year-old mare by Benvenuto. “I keep her at home on a farm, so she’s had to contend with pheasants and farm machinery, which has helped her brain. She’s quite sharp out hacking, but it means she is quiet and relaxed at a show.” Elaine is working towards elementary. “She’s easy to ride in a test and consistent in the contact; it’s just about ensuring she has the right amount of energy,” said Elaine, who trains with Caroline Hutley. “It’s been a matter of learning to press the right buttons at the right time.” Liz Geldard and Plush Music scored a double…

A horse recovering from surgery for kissing spines won a qualifying novice gold on his first outing since. Jennifer Johnston-Harman’s talented five-year-old by Sir Caprimond, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, scored 73.5% at Mundole and also enjoyed a pair of victories at the Cabin. “He started getting a bit tight last year, so I had his back X-rayed and the vets found some vertebrae pressing against each other,” explained Jennifer. “He had surgery in January and also some vertebrae shortened. It’s been a long recovery. He loves his jumping and could easily be an eventer. He felt arena-green, but he’s generous and not spooky. It’s nice to ride a novice with no expectations,” added Jennifer. Lucy Matheson led a freestyle elementary with an impressive 70.19%, riding the Fürstenreich 10-year-old mare Fernandra.…

Military Boekelo, The Netherlands THE New Zealand team proved they could once again be a force to be reckoned with at next year’s World Equestrian Games by winning the FEI Nations Cup final at Boekelo. Two of their riders finished in the top 10 with exciting 10-year-olds — Tim Price, who took the individual title on Joanne Pullan’s Cekatinka, and Mark Todd, seventh on David and Katherine Thomson’s McClaren (see box, top right). “We needed that — New Zealand has had a tough few years in team competitions and so it was good for the country,” said Tim. Dan Jocelyn, 26th on Grovine De Reve, and Blyth Tait, 28th on Havanna Van’t Castaneahof, completed the Kiwi team. It was Tim’s third CCI3* victory in two months: he won Haras du…

BOEKELO is unique. No other event has an atmosphere like it on cross-country day, and it is famous for its parties. The organisers want to do everything possible for the riders, and the new all-weather arena for dressage and showjumping is fantastic. I was a little disorientated when I arrived, because the whole site has moved and changed around, but it still has a very special feel. It is disappointing, therefore, that despite ongoing improvements in so many areas, the cross-country track doesn’t seem to move on in the same way. I know the track runs over a great many small plots of land belonging to different people, and it must be difficult to coordinate working on it, but more could be done on the footing. This is one of…

DESPITE a last-minute cramming session on how to perform a rein-back, Francesca Fitzherbert’s seven-year-old MGH April (right) posted a respectable dressage score of 27.5 to win the BE100plus at the Knight Frank-sponsored Dauntsey Park (2). “It was a sack-the-jockey moment for not realising — or practising [the rein-back],” admitted Francesca, who bought “AP” as a four-year-old two-and-a-half years ago. The rider has an enviable set-up in the Peak District. “The yard belongs to my mother and stepfather, who provide invaluable support. We are surrounded by hills, so fitness work is unavoidable,” she said. Francesca described the daughter of ARS Vivendi as a workaholic: “She is very bright and a dominant character. If I’m giving other horses attention on the yard she knows it.”…

British Hanoverian Horse Society (BHHS) and Warmblood Breeders-UK (WBS-UK) stallion grading, Home Farm, Leics WINNING two championships in two days is a rare feat, but one that was achieved by Lynne Crowden’s young home-bred stallion Wild Love, who claimed the title at both the BHHS and WBS-UK stallion gradings, both held at Home Farm, Hothorpe, on two separate days. The two-year-old bright chestnut Wild Love is by the Woodlander Stud's home-bred stallion Wild Child out of Words Of Love, who is by For Compliment. He was bred by Lynne, who bred his sire, his dam, his grandsire and two grand-dams. “He is line-bred to Louisiana [champion mare at the BHHS show] and is certainly the best stallion that we have ever bred,” said Lynne. Two-year-old Fascinize (For Romance x Don…

AN ecstatic Louise Samuels won her first riding club title after completing only her second freestyle with her six-year-old Galaxy VCG (Gino) in the senior novice with points championship. The livery yard owner joined the Essendon club this summer and looks set to be a useful member, as long as she remembers her test. “I forgot my test in a recent Area Festival final, so I worry,” she said. If it did not go to plan, it was not obvious. Louise’s catchy compilation featured tracks from Olly Murrs, Robbie Williams and Amy Winehouse. Louise has owned Gino since he was three and has brought him on with help from Toby Hewlett and Roland Tong. “I smiled all the way through,” she said.…

THE manager of the teams that together notched up seven European Championship medals this summer has won the 2017 British Showjumping (BS) Award. Clare Whitaker was presented with the honour at the BS awards ball (3 October) after 40 years of dedication to the sport. “The British Showjumping Award acknowledges excellence, commitment and contribution and we were delighted to award it to Clare,” BS chief executive Iain Graham told H&H. “Clare has played an instrumental role in top level development of the sport in this country and her focus on giving youth riders a solid platform has seen our young riders dominate for decades. “This year, the youth teams brought home seven medals from their respective European Championships, which only serves to highlight the incredible success of the framework she…

LIVERPOOL WILD CARD ON OFFER THE FEI showjumping show at Keysoe (24-26 November) will feature a Liverpool International Horse Show wild card for the first time. The wild card will be won by the highest-placed British rider not already invited to the four-star Liverpool show, and determined by points earned in the 1.40m, 1.45m and ranking classes. It will allow a rider to enter three horses for the CSI4* tour at this year’s show (28-31 December). Keysoe’s Simon Bates said he was “delighted” to work with the Liverpool show, which he described as “the most exciting addition to the major show calendar in this country in recent years”. NO BAKEWELL SHOW TO RUN NEXT YEAR THE Bakewell Show will not run in 2018, as directors rest the land and have…

IMAGINE if your horse’s poo could charge your phone, power your television and even help save the planet. Well, a top international showjumping and dressage show in Finland is taking going green — or rather brown — to the next level as 100% of the event’s electricity will come from manure. The annual manure output of 14 horses is needed to power Helsinki International Horse Show (18-22 October), which hosts a World Cup qualifier CSI5* plus a CDI3*. The electricity will be provided by Fortum’s Järvenpää power plant and its origin will be verified by Fingrid’s “guarantee of origin” system. It is believed this is the first time in the world that the electricity for a major horse show will be produced entirely courtesy of horse manure. The company, Fortum…

‘A showjumper once advised me that strides are like men — don’t go for the first one you see’ My secret weapon... A neck strap — I ride most horses in one. It’s not just the young horses, the advanced ones can leave the ground on the way back from the dressage and you need to be able to hang on. Best tip for the warm-up... Just stay relaxed and don’t look at anyone else. Concentrate and stay in the bubble of just you and your horse. My first pony... He came from a riding school and was hot, naughty and spotty — we called him Yttops (Spotty spelt backwards) and I used to ride him in the field in just a headcollar. Worst trait... I sometimes have complete mind…

FEELING THE PINCH PUTTING a twitch on a horse’s upper lip to restrain him or allow an unpleasant procedure to be performed is sometimes controversial. But how does a twitch work — and is it just a matter of hurting the horse so his attention is diverted from the clipping or injection? Vets in Michigan took eight young Arabian horses that had never been twitched or clipped. They stood them in a familiar grooming area with a calm, older horse that they knew, so that they were not anxious about being alone. Their heart rates and the variability of their heartbeats were measured; these are a reliable indicator of stress and pain. The plan was to clip the inside of their ears. Half were clipped without a twitch and half…

 Horse of the Year Show, Genting Arena, Birmingham ‘Scamp’s temperament is his strong point’ ALI TALBOT (YOUNG LOCHINVAR) TEAM HOOD once again brought two major players through to the Ripon Select Foods supreme Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) championship. But whereas last year Allister carried off the title with Our Cashel Blue, it was role reversal when, under judges Joy Hall and Pat Pattinson, his son Oliver was catapulted into the spotlight aboard the champion riding horse Diamonds Are Forever (Freddie). “It was quality through and through — we loved it the minute we saw it,” said Pat. “We both agreed that it was an out-and-out champion.” For Allister it was a touch of déjà vu as he rode “Blue” and Freddie to successfully defend their 2016 respective…

SOME animals appear at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) season after season and are always in the placings. It is a credit to them because, while they may change hands — and this applies particularly to ponies — they retain the quality and conformation to qualify each year. There are a select few who not only appear every year but also take the top spot. This time I think there were more repeat winners than ever before — and that’s just in the ponies. Thistledown Van Der Vaart claimed the mini mountain and moorland (M&M) championship for the third year running and went on to stand Ruckleigh School supreme pony of the year. Townend Schubert marked his third consecutive win in the Fells and Dales section. In workers, both…

YOUTH triumphed over experience in a hard-fought CHAPS coloured championship where, after a nailbiting wait, the top spot went to Simon Charlesworth with Martin Wood’s hugely impressive plaited horse victor, Doorleys Prince (Paddy), a five-year-old heavyweight hunter attending only his fourth ever show under saddle. Team Wood rivalry was rife, as he pipped an ultra-determined Michaela Wood with her beloved native stallion Login Lucky Lad, class winner for the fourth year running and reserve last season too (see box, right). Standards were again high in this popular section and all eight contenders fully deserved their places. “It was very close in the championship, and the gallop was the decider. They had everything to fight for and the large horse really went for it,” said Karen McTiffin-Thomas, who officiated alongside ride…

 Horse of the Year Show, Genting Arena, Birmingham ‘If I’d gone for a clear, I’d have ended up fifth, so you’ve got to have a go. He’s a horse with the ability not to be fazed’ NIGEL COUPE ON GOLVERS HILL NIGEL COUPE and Golvers Hills’ astounding season hit the stratosphere as they added the £13,200 leading showjumper title to their already extensive spoils. “I say it’s amazing every time but at the moment it truly is,” said the 46-year-old Lancashire rider, who has also laid claim to this year’s Hickstead Derby and the coveted Cock o’ the North with the Irish gelding. It was a stronger night for the Brits in this grand prix than in recent years, with the home side seizing the top three placings in…

IT’S been a few years since I was able to jump at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) but it’s a show we like to come to — there’s a good atmosphere, a full house and great sport. This year it fitted into my schedule well. I went to the nations cup final in Barcelona and the Global Champions Tour (GCT) in Rome with the top horses and they are now having a break, so it was a good moment for some of the younger ones to compete at a three-star show. It is our first indoor show of the season and gives us a fantastic opportunity to let the horses experience a show with so much atmosphere. The level of competition in Birmingham is always high and it’s tough…

DRESSAGE riders, horses and volunteers are among those nominated for the prestigious Horse & Hound awards. Olympic silver medallist Spencer Wilton is one of four shortlisted for the professional rider of the year award, in recognition of his stellar results over the past year with Jen Goodman’s Supernova II, helping Britain to a close fourth place at the European Championships in Gothenburg. Carl Hester’s Gothenburg ride Nip Tuck is up for the Cavalor horse of the year. Once gangly and uncoordinated, “Barney” has become a stalwart of the team, finishing fourth individually. Nip Tuck goes up against Pammy and Charlie Hutton’s 17-year-old Abira, who, together with Suzanna Hext, claimed an incredible three gold medals at the para Europeans, the horse’s fifth European Championships. All four members of this year’s gold…

This time it was River Rise Isabella, a four-year-old owned by Charlotte Dujardin and ridden by Rob Barker. “She’s phenomenal,” said Rob of the chestnut mare, who is by Don Frederic and shares a dam, Nicky, with Charlotte’s star River Rise Nisa. “She doesn’t really have a weak pace; she just has lots of growing to do and she’s green.” Rob then headed both elementary silver sections with Hamlet, Andrew Fletcher’s young Uthopia x Jazz gelding. “He also lacks experience as he only started competing this year,” said Rob of the five-year-old he partnered to novice silver victory at the nationals last month. “His canter is his standout pace.” Thea Millward and Walentino 77 headed the medium 75 qualifier silver section, before winning the advanced medium 98 qualifier outright. Thea…

Mandy bought Giomf, a six-year-old Sorrento x Goodtimes mare, three years ago. Already qualified for the winter regionals at medium, a win in elementary 43 and a second in the qualifier secured elementary qualification. “She can be a hot horse, but she did two really good tests,” said Mandy. “She’s one I’d like to keep.” Two medium wins completed winter qualification for Ruth Schaffier’s Eaton I, who is by Warrant. “We bought him as an unbacked three-year-old and sold him to Ruth, but because she has a bad back, I’ve got the ride,” explained Mandy. Deborah Collins and Zubikarlo completed their second grand prix on 67.5%, a good score for a combination new to the level. “He felt mentally confident and his tempis had more ‘sit’,” said Deborah, who has…

TO see Mark Todd fold up his long arms and legs aboard McClaren, seventh here in his first CCI3* — and only the second CCI of his life — is to be reminded of his partnership with the diminutive Charisma in the 1980s. McClaren is probably smaller — the son of Clarimo appears to be barely 15.2hh, but he has the heart of a lion and the jump of a gazelle. “He was at novice level in the spring — to do what he’s done this season is incredible,” said Mark, who first came across the 10-year-old when he was brought to him for lessons. “He’s a great character — tough and very intelligent, and he thinks he’s fabulous,” said Mark, who hopes he will be one of his back-up…

IT seemed as though the gods were conspiring against this 18-year-old on the morning of this event, where she recorded her first intermediate win in section Q. “We had a blowout on our lorry en route and so I had to switch sections from the under-21 to the standard intermediate — the normal intermediate had more competitors and therefore I could get there in time to do a later dressage,” explained Isabel, who is taking a gap year to concentrate on riding. “I had only 10 minutes to warm up for my dressage.” But her luck changed as she finished on her dressage of 25.5 in section Q riding her home-bred Quite Something. “He was bred out of my mum’s dressage horse and was meant to be her next dressage…

• Coopers Marquees Bishop Burton (2) ON.— 1, Prince Mayo (M Wright) 22.5,0,2=24.5; 2, Renegade Marmalade (S Ecroyd) 28,0,0.4=28.4; 3, Jack In The Box III (G Taylor) 23.8,0,5.2=29. nov sec E. — 1, Will 2 Win (T Coombes) 25.8,4,6.8=36.6; 2, Meirama (R Robinson) 28,8,2=38; 3, SBE Grafensbrook (S Brown) 25.8,4,9.6=39.4. sec F. — 1, Kellypsa Van T Asschaut (S Oliver) 32.8,0,1.6=34.4; 2, TT Little Guy (A Boulton) 31.3,0,8.4=39.7; 3, Extender (J Kavanagh) 31.4,6.8=41.8. Nu18. — 1, Ericantos VDB (S Abel) 25.8,1,4.8=31.6; 2, Windy Miller (H Stott) 26.5,0,5.6=32.1; 3, May Time III (M Foster) 28.8,4,0=32.8. BE100plus. — 1, Trendy Magic Touch (K Stephens-Grandy) 28,4,0=32; 2, For Vehlage (S Ecroyd) 33.3,0,0=33.3; 3, Epic Tale (A Colver) 30.3,0,3.6=33.9. BE100open. — 1, Montenagro II (S Trotter) 31.3,0,4.8=36.1; 2, Cookie Rich (E Richardson) 32.5,4,0=36.5; 3,…

British Riding Clubs Topspec Dressage to Music Championships Bury Farm, Bucks THE handsome silvery Connemara stallion Prince Nestor danced his way to victory in the elementary with a Riverdance music programme of Irish reels. Twelve-year-old Nestor has been ridden by Sam McEwan (Meon) for two years since his owner, Clarissa Dugmore, retired him from showing. Sam is a mother of two young boys from Winchester and has specialised in training native ponies. “He’s had to learn to take more weight behind, compared with showing,” said Sam, who trains with Dannie Morgan. “He loves the music and comes alive in the freestyle classes.” Sam’s programme was put together by Sara Green and featured Irish music from the stage show, Riverdance, as befitted Nestor’s Irish heritage. “The winner was delightful to judge,…

Bicester with Whaddon Chase, Newton Morrell, North Yorkshire A SWASHBUCKLING round from Relentless claimed the Skinner’s Pet Foods open qualifier over a twisting, flat track. Despite two speedy runs from their arch-rivals — the Team Rideaway squads — Rowan Cope, riding Arthur, led Relentless rapidly through the early fences and thundered on through the water. Seeing a long stride at the first of the switchbacks, the pair crashed through the top of the fence before Dickie Barrett and the inexperienced Mo mirrored them — Mo pitching on to his nose after the fence. Matt Mackley had to sit tight aboard Digger at the next but they cracked on, with team debutant George Henderson keeping pace in fourth on Monster. Big leaps at the first hedge ate up the ground and…

British Horse Feeds’ Red Dragon Festival of Endurance, Builth Wells, Powys FIFTEEN combinations lined up in the cold and wet at Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells to head up to the remote Welsh hills. Thirteen made it safely through a gruelling day of relentless rain and hill fog. Four combinations were spun after the overnight hold then one retired early on course. With intermittent drizzle continuing the next day on to already wet and now churned tracks, this race was about skill and experience, not speed. By the final vetgate, Lauren Mills and Oakleaze Farm Czarko, aged 20, had a 15-minute lead as fog descended over the hills. Lauren forged ahead, her experienced old boy taking her safely home, to canter triumphantly over the finish. This was a memorable…

Showjumping, clear-round Dressage, combined training Showing Eventing, Jump cross, hunter trials Other ALTOGETHER EQUESTRIAN WILTS, SP4 0DW Altogether Equestrian encompasses a multitude of equestrian services providing high-quality training, events and services in a fun, friendly but professional environment. The core of Altogether Equestrian lies with dressage training for horse and rider at all standards. Based at the beautiful and historic stables at Cholderton House, it provides fantastic facilities to train horses and riders to international levels. Sun 19, British Dressage Sun 26, British Dressage AYR RIDING CLUB VARIOUS LOCATIONS Ayr Riding Club hosts training and competitions from group flatwork, showjumping and working hunter training to more specialised training of riding a dressage test and preparation for competition. Wed 1, membership Wed 1, Patrick Print poles for flatwork special session lessons…

IN 2006, I happened to be standing at the side of the ring during the evening performance at Ponies (UK) Summer Championships at Newark and Notts Showground. I was working as a groom on a showjumping and dealing yard and I didn’t know anything about showing, but I went to Ponies (UK) because my boss’ daughter was riding there. I watched Simon Charlesworth on one of Sarah Carey’s horses, I think, during the Horse of the Year Show hack championship. They were both so elegant, and Simon is such a wonderful rider to watch — he rode one-handed and was in complete harmony with his horse. That’s when I knew it was what I wanted to do — I wanted to wear a top hat and tails like Simon, and…