Innholdsfortegnelse for 16-Nov-2017 i Horse & Hound

PETER COLLINS, who has hunted the Quorn hounds since 2002, has announced he is to retire from hunt service at the end of the 2018/19 season. His wife Lorna, the Quorn’s stud groom, will retire alongside him. It will bring to a close a career that started at the Heythrop in 1977. “I had wanted to hunt the Quorn since I was 12, so I am very proud to have achieved that dream,” said Peter, 56. “I have had a marvellous time, and have met amazing people and enjoyed amazing hunting. I thought it was time to retire — I want to go out at the top of my profession.” Quorn senior joint-master Joss Hanbury said: “Peter has produced top-class sport despite having to adapt to the present legislation. It…

HOW horses are given hay can have a significant impact on their wellbeing, according to a study. French researchers examined the behaviour of 38 horses at the French National Stud. Each horse was given 9kg of hay per day in one of three ways — on the ground, in haybags hung on the stable walls (fabric bags with holes at the top and front for access to the hay) or in a plastic slow-feeder, known as a Pacefeeder, in the corner of the stable. Hay is placed in the Pacefeeder and covered with a plate with holes, which descends as the hay is eaten. Each horse was given one of the three hay-feeding methods at random and fed like this for three weeks at a time. The hay was fed…

JENNIFER MACGREGOR MBE A DRIVING force for the promotion of equine welfare, Mrs MacGregor died surrounded by her close family and “much adored pets” on 6 November aged 85. She was chairman of the Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies (SWHP), which was set up in the early 1970s by Mrs MacGregor, her late husband Alasdair and Sheila Richards. Mrs MacGregor was appointed MBE in the Queen’s 2005 birthday honours and received the British Horse Society welfare award in 2011 and a British Equine Veterinary Association award in 2001 for “significant contributions” to equine welfare. “While we are all bereft at our irreplaceable loss, we continue as a united SWHP family, with Jenny’s ethos that ‘the horses come first’,” said a SWHP spokesman. JASPER BROWELL COLONEL Browell passed…

TACKING UP One of dealer Vere Phillipps’ grooms recently went for an unusual way of putting an overreach boot on – the “above the fetlock” look. “Oh, the joys of junior staff!!” he wrote on a picture he posted online. “College trained too!” FIREWORKS Overheard by an equestrian, a Muggle waxing lyrical on why he doesn’t think animal owners should have a problem with fireworks. Asking for “a bit of give and take”, he added: “Bonfire Night is only for three weeks a year.” Um. Where to start? COWS As well as being a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Paddy Brennan has other talents, it has emerged. A video shows the jockey taking matters into his own hands when cows blocked the M5, helping herd them to safety and clear the…

Sir — It is not often I disagree with Carl Hester (opinion, 2 November). Although I was pleased to see that he understands the need for British Dressage [BD] to standardise the quality of coaching — and I agree that the trainers he is talking about could be fast tracked — does he seriously want these trainers subsidised? Most of them earn more in an hour than I do in a day. I work 9 to 5 and have to do regular continuous professional development (CPD) to keep my job. I have to do this in my own time, paying for it out of my own pocket as well as for someone to look after my horse while I’m updating my skills. And then I have to pass a test…

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CHURCHILL AT THE GALLOP By Brough Scott THE “Greatest Briton in History” might have been top of the curriculum when you were at school — but what they may not have dwelt on is his prowess in the saddle. Former jockey and racing journalist Brough Scott delves into this lesser known part of Churchill’s life, from riding ponies around his grandfather the Duke of Marlborough’s park at Blenheim to his army days spent riding, and his success as a racehorse owner. The black and white photos of Churchill in all his equestrian guises — cantering a Lipizzaner aged 72 is a highlight — will have you diving back into this book multiple times. MS Racing Post Books, RRP £25 ISBN: 9781910497364 GOLD: MY BIOGRAPHY By Nick Skelton SINCE Nick Skelton…

WORLD HORSE WELFARE Let It Snow £3.95 plus £4.95 p&p 01953 497239 shop.world horsewelfare.org THE INJURED JOCKEYS FUND Arriving At Ascot £7.50 plus p&p ijf.org.uk 08080 453453 THE BOB CHAMPION CANCER TRUST Ho Ho Ho, Off We Go £8 incl p&p bobchampion.org. 020 7924 3553 SPINAL INJURES ASSOCIATION Christmas Day Canter At Caswell Bay £3.50 plus £2.95 p&p spinal.co.uk 0800 980 0501 EQUINE GRASS SICKNESS FUND Shetland Flurries £6 plus £2.50 p&p grasssickness. org.uk 0131 445 6257 COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE The Belvoir £6.99 incl p&p shop.countryside -alliance.org 0370 270 9011 PETER O’SULLEVAN CHARITABLE TRUST Loose! £8 plus £3.50 p&p thevoiceofracing.com 020 8333 1411 THE MARK DAVIES INJURED RIDERS FUND The Dressage Team £5.99 incl p&p mdirf.co.uk 07710 788364 SOCIETY FOR THE WELFARE OF HORSES AND…

Priory, Surrey | Oldencraig, Surrey At Priory, Amanda turned in 72.25% on her fifth time out with Headmore Dionysus. Amanda came to dressage as a “creaky” adult and works long hours at a high-powered desk job. She commented: “I have been working hard on getting my hands more up and forward and having ‘Dillon’ working from behind.” Laura Feather, who is a busy practice manager at the Scott Dunn Equine Clinic, won the medium silvers with plus-68% riding Trina Nethercliffe’s 16-year-old part-bred Connemara, Dreamcatcher III. “When I started riding ‘Grace’ three years ago, she was very much on her forehand, so we’ve worked hard on fitness, strength and getting her weight down,” said Laura. “She’s much more up in front now and can produce some lovely collected work.” After months…

Widmer, Bucks | Checkendon, Oxon | Sparsholt College, Hants Samantha rode Carolyn Gardiner’s five-year-old mare, known as Marley, to two novice victories at Checkendon. The Gribaldi granddaughter is currently eventing at BE100 and, for the moment, Samantha has no plans to switch to pure dressage, despite encouragement from Carolyn (a List 2a dressage judge) and her trainer, dressage Olympian Trish Gardiner. “I first saw Marley on Facebook and fell in love with her,” explained Samantha, who works full-time in financial services. “She didn’t put a foot wrong here.” Tor Fenwick has had to take her time with Gucci III, an 18hh six-year-old, by Genghis Khan x Weltmeyer, to allow him to grow and strengthen. With wins at Widmer and Sparsholt, she completed his novice qualification. She said, “His brain is…

HAVING seen some of the same horses out at shows frequently this summer, I can’t help asking myself whether we are a nation that prioritises competing over training. And could this be part of the reason we lack the depth of our European counterparts? The German system of methodical training with limited competitive outings has stood them in great stead over the decades they’ve dominated championship podiums. This is why we’ve invited two of Germany’s top trainers to host the British Dressage (BD) National Convention (24-25 November). Ulf Möller is world renowned for his training and production of young horses while Michael Klimke, son of the legendary Reiner, has successfully ridden at grand prix. It’s a rare window into the German system, from which we can all learn. None of…

A FIRST FOR EQUINE BUSINESS STALLION AI Services has become the first equine business to reach the finals of the Chamber Business Awards. Tullis Matson’s Shropshire centre is a finalist in the small business of the year category, having won the West Midlands regional award. The winners will be announced on 30 November. The centre, which stands stallions including Big Star, Arko and Ramiro B, underwent a £1.5m refurbishment earlier this year, creating an impressive state-of-the art facility for semen collection, freezing and worldwide export. IRISH SPORT HORSES TOP TABLES THE Irish Sport Horse Studbook has topped the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) eventing rankings for the 22nd time since the rankings were established in 1994. The highest Irish sport horse in the individual rankings is Cooley Cross…

CSI2* AUTUMN MET TOUR, OLIVA NOVA, SPAIN IN a tremendous outcome, British showjumpers powered home to fill the top five spots in Sunday’s €30,000 grand prix, with Daniel Neilson taking top honours on the nine-year-old gelding Major Delacour (Ksar-Sitte x Leopard). From a field of 56, 14 combinations set off across the immaculate footing in a race against the clock, also in hot pursuit of ranking points, but Daniel’s clear in 47.03 seconds proved unbeatable. “He has a really big stride, and there were a lot of long runs in the course, which suited him,” he said. “He was very good to me to the double of verticals; I turned short there and he tried so hard. “He’s still green, but he is getting better and better all the time.…

MATTHEW WRIGHT will be returning to top-level competition next year after buying four advanced horses — Prince Mayo (previously ridden by Paul Tapner), OBOS Colombus (Mark Todd), Franzipan (Ludwig Svennerstal) and Wanskjaers Carlsson (Christoffer Forsberg). The Retford-based rider recently received the all-clear after four years of cancer treatment. “I’ve been a little bit quieter [in terms of competing] the past few years while I was going through all that, but the past two months I’ve been getting the right signs from the doctors,” said Matthew. “That prompted us to go out and come back with a bit of a bang. “There’s no reason now why I shouldn’t just get on and make a good go of it. I look at eventing very differently now I have [my wife] Victoria and…

NEW SPONSOR FOR KENTUCKY LAND ROVER has signed a four-year agreement to be title sponsor of the US four-star at Kentucky, which will run from 26-29 April next year. Kentucky is the second four-star to run under Land Rover’s title sponsorship as the company also support Burghley. IEF LINE-UP NEXT year’s International Eventing Forum (5 February at Hartpury College, Gloucester) will focus on “What’s the limit?”. Speakers include former British dressage team member Sandy Phillips, Irish four-star rider Eric Smiley, performance psychologist Charlie Unwin and Swedish event team manager Fredrik Bergendorff. More information available at horseandhound.co.uk/ intevforum2018 TWO RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIP ANDREW HEFFERNAN — a four-star rider, accredited coach and B list course-designer — and gold list course-builder Guy Herbert have been awarded the 2017 British Eventing (BE) course-design scholarship. The…

BRITISH EVENTING (BE) is to carry out a second investigation after a horse was badly injured at Osberton Horse Trials (27 September-1 October). Jemima Stewart’s Vendi Fox (Herbie) had completed his dressage test and was in his stable when he sustained a major wound behind his elbow that extended into his chest cavity. The gelding became stuck while attempting to jump his door. He was treated by the event’s vet, who asked for an ambulance to take the horse to a vet clinic, but did not leave the site for hours — during which time he was kept sedated — as Ms Stewart felt the transport provided by organisers Bede was unsuitable for purpose. She said neither she nor any of Herbie’s other connections had a trailer licence, so could…

LA BIOSTHETIQUE-SAM FBW Michael Jung told H&H his 17-year-old double Olympic champion will go to Badminton 2018 if he feels well. Rumours of his retiring from championships were flying, but Michael said that decision was made after Rio 2016 so Sam can compete without pressure. FRANKEL The stud fee for the legendary racehorse will rise to £175,000 next year. Since his retirement from the track five years ago, Newmarket-based Frankel has sired winners including Cracksman and Soul Stirring. SPRING PASCAL Samantha Thurman-Baker’s dressage gelding has retired, aged 16, due to soundness issues. The combination went from prelim to grand prix and competed at two junior European Championships. LITTON ENTERPRISE The riding pony was named show pony personality of the year at the Showing Council/Showing World Show Personality of the Year…

FORMER footballer Michael Owen has put his tumbles behind him and is aiming for glory on his race-riding debut at Ascot. The former striker is landlord of Manor House Stables, where trainer Tom Dascombe is based, but had not ridden before this year. He will partner four-year-old Calder Prince in the charity race on 24 November, held in aid of the Prince’s Countryside Fund. A clip from his assessment day at the British Racing School showed the former England footballer hitting the dirt twice, but remounting and enjoying a gallop. He admitted this was the first (and second) time he had fallen off, and that the experience has given him a respect for how easy jockeys make it look. “It’s fascinating how good they are and how difficult it has…

FOR 83% of grooms to state that they suffer from stress and or mental health issues is a frighteningly damning indictment for the equestrian industry. This was the finding of a recent survey of 1,300 grooms, carried out by the British Grooms Association (news, p8). The profession has forever required an incredible work ethic coupled with skill and compassion — characteristics it appears in many cases are not only going unappreciated, but pushed to their limits. We received a reader’s letter recently — which I refrained from publishing — suggesting that those in the horse world struggling with mental health issues or finding themselves the subjects of bullying should simply “kick on”. I strongly reject the notion — which in any event shows a complete misunderstanding of mental health issues…

HARRIET NUTTALL and her father are batting adjectives across the marble-topped kitchen island like balls in a tennis game. “You’re determined,” says Rupert. “I bet you’d also say argumentative,” says Harriet. “You’re obstinate.” “I’m also hard-working, chilled and I’m a glass-half-full type of person.” Add to that congenial and good-humoured and you have Harriet Nuttall, one of Britain’s rising-star showjumpers. At this point in time, what she can’t add to the narrative is “European Championship team member” — and these are definitely not her words. She is too lacking in bombast to imply that she should have been given a ticket to Gothenburg to join a duo rather than the usual quartet. “It’s easy to say I would have done well, but I never got the chance, so I have…

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THELWELL SADDLE NECKLACE Made with Thelwell’s iconic cartoons in mind, this exclusive sterling silver necklace has a sweet saddle that can be engraved. £45 hihosilver.co.uk HAPPY HEADBANGERS HAT COVERS With designs from ladybirds to dinosaurs, foxes and beagles; includes reflective fabric and can be personalised. £25 happyheadbangers club.com PICKLES THE PONY GROOMING KIT This rucksack contains all the grooming essentials: dandy brush, body brush, curry comb, mane comb, sponge and hoof pick. £19.95 bridlewayequestrian.com EQUIPORT DIAMANTE SHOW JACKET Perfect for any young showjumper who loves a touch of sparkle, these technical show jackets are hard wearing and waterproof. £266 equiport.co.uk LAZY ONE CRITTER BLANKET Transform into your favourite animal at bedtime, playtime, or any time with a simple hood and huge hand…

JUDGE Mary Robley got out of her car to compliment Molly Key on her elementary 44 with Eastborn D, which earned 77%. Mary explained: “The horse’s movement went right through his body. He wanted to work and was light and obedient. They exuded presence and ability.” The Westpoint x Tuschinski eight-year-old’s talent has proved too hot to handle for previous riders, but Molly said: “I’m pleased that now other people are seeing how special ‘Bourne’ is. I haven’t asked him to go above second gear yet, only to go from A to B. “He’s naturally well-balanced and his hindleg is always where it should be. I don’t even have to ask for half-halts — he does them by himself — I’m just the lucky pilot.”…

Coleg Sir Gar, Carmarthenshire | Burrows Court Farm, Glos Lodor Carl, who headed both novices at Coleg Sir Gar, is a 14.1hh Welsh section D gelding. His stablemate Robin V, standing almost a foot taller, finished runner-up each time. “Robin is a leggy 17hh, with some warmblood in his breeding,” said Katie, who is a GP in Pembrokeshire and trains with Ninou Humfrey. “They’ve both been eventing, but I wanted to get them out [in affiliated dressage competition] to see where they were.” Lodor Carl was a sharp youngster who lacked trust when Katie bought him three years ago. “He was a bit feral, but now he’s an absolute dream,” she said of the seven-year-old son of Welsh cob stallion Penstrumbly Sax Mad Johnny. “He’s level-headed, but he has that…

CSI5* Longines Global Champions Tour Final, Doha, Qatar DUTCHMAN Harrie Smolders was officially crowned 2017 champion on the Longines Global Champions Tour, but the biggest cheer of all erupted for home rider Bassem Hassan Mohammed, who delivered an emotional home victory in the final grand prix of the season. “It’s been really hard work but it feels very special to make this crowd happy,” said Bassem, who was pitched against 17 of the world’s leading 20 riders in this season finale. Nine riders blitzed round Uliano Vezzani’s shortened course against the clock but the Qatari rider and the big-striding Gunder negotiated a route two seconds quicker than his closest rivals, Janika Sprunger and Bacardi VDL for Switzerland, with the new European champion Peder Fredricson third on H&M Christian K. “It’s…

HAVE you taken a brilliant eventing photo in 2017? If so, enter our amateur photographer competition. The prize is one money can’t buy: press accreditation to the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 2018 (2-6 May), giving free entry to the event plus access to the media areas. We’re looking for classic action pictures, but also quirky angles, backstage and innovative photos. To enter, send a maximum of three photos — taken at British Eventing or FEI affiliated events during the 2017 season — to hhpictures@timeinc.com with the subject line “Eventing photo competition”. Please attach each photo to a separate email with a minimum file size of 3MB and a maximum file size of 10MB. Please include in each email details of the horse, rider and venue, the photographer’s name, address,…

‘She has the right attitude; she’s strong and is a big team player’ PAUL NICHOLLS ON PRESENT MAN’S WINNING JOCKEY, BRYONY FROST Wincanton, Somerset WHATEVER Paul Nicholls wins this season, it is unlikely to be more popular or better planned than the hard-fought victory of the Bryony Frost-ridden Present Man, owned by the race sponsor Mark Woodhouse, in the 56th running of Wincanton’s Badger Ales Trophy Handicap Chase at Wincanton last Saturday (11 November). The seven-year-old beat the persistent Final Nudge by a head with eight lengths back to Theatre Guide and — riding like a seasoned professional — there is no question Frost’s 5lb claim was the difference between winning and coming second. Frost, the daughter of Grand National-winning jockey Jimmy, sprung to prominence when she won last…

WE have had a few more winners recently and were especially pleased with Colin’s Sister in the Grade Two West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby a couple of weeks ago. She beat some really nice horses and was very impressive — she put in a super run and I’m thrilled. Cap Soleil also ran a cracker on her hurdle debut at Newbury last week and I was delighted with Master Dee coming second at Aintree over the weekend. He’s now finished within the top three in all his runs. Meanwhile, Strong Glance ran really well to win the bumper at Southwell on Monday last week. We had his dam, Strong Westerner, when I first started training. But sadly she broke her pelvis and never ran, so it’s really nice to have…

Event rider Matthew Wright will donate any prize money he wins next season to charities Orchid and Mind. The eventer has recently bought four advanced horses (Eventing Life, p83). The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has appointed Lizzie Lockett as its new chief executive. “I am delighted and feel honoured to have been chosen to take the college forward,” she said. Joseph O’Brien has become the youngest trainer to win the Melbourne Cup, taking the victory with Rekindling on 7 November. The 24-year-old said he was “over the moon”. Four-star event rider Lucy Kemplay has thanked all those who came to her aid and have supported her since her fall at Aston-le-Walls. Lucy suffered a brain injury but is on the mend. Dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin was “really humbled” to…

SOCIETY MARKS ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY THE British Horse Society (BHS) is celebrating 70 years of “bringing horses and people together”. The BHS, which was formed in 1947, is running a series of celebrations for its anniversary, themed “I didn’t know the BHS did that”. Events will focus on the range of work carried out by the BHS, including education, access, safety and welfare. Charity president Martin Clunes said: “It’s a huge privilege to share my life with horses, so I’m proud of the BHS for giving people the chance to share their lives with horses throughout the past 70 years”. • Visit: bhs.org.uk CALL FOR OWNERS TO HELP BEAT COLIC RESEARCHERS behind a campaign aimed to “beat colic” are again asking for horse owners’ help to evaluate their own scheme.…

CASH A student working on new horsey products asked riders for suggestions. After ideas such as retractable lunge lines and glow-in-the-dark hoof oil (really? Ed), the best was “A money tree to pay for the b*****s”. MORE CASH Overheard, two dressage trainers talking about how they were taught. “We had to hold £5 notes against the saddle with our knees,” said one. “You had £5 notes?” asked the other. “We only had £1s.” After a pause, she added: “Actually, it was dock leaves most of the time…” TRAINING Winning is simple, according to Martin Keighley’s young son Harry, whose homework was instructions on “how to have a winner at Cheltenham”. It included “Tell the jockey the plan”, “cheer” and, our favourite, “celebrate with champagne in the winners’ room”. Easy.…

DRIVING through the manned gates, it felt a privilege to be approaching the grounds of Balmoral Estate. The estate stud manager, Sylvia Ormiston, drove us along quiet twisty lanes, bound by majestic Scots pine and British native hardwood trees, to the main stable block and office area, only a stone’s throw from Balmoral Castle. It felt as if we’d stepped back in time, as we passed several picturesque holiday cottages built in the traditional grey granite characteristic of this area. Sylvia has been the manager of The Queen’s Highland pony stud at Balmoral for 10 years and her husband Dochy is the farm manager, looking after the Highland cattle. Initially the broodmares and youngstock were mainly based in the south at various locations, but a plan was set in motion…

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Yorkshire RC, North Yorks | Richmond EC, North Yorks Chloe Mariani was up from her home in West Sussex for training with Christopher Bartle and Jane Bartle-Wilson at the Yorkshire RC (YRC) when she discovered there was a dressage competition during her stay. “I entered and then realised I had no competition gear,” said Chloe, who represented France at the junior European eventing championships this summer. “I had to borrow everything — the team at YRC were so kind.” She won a prelim with five-year-old Castor HZ and a novice with nine-year-old Uccla Du Leou. “I was pleased with them both. Uccla made the judge laugh when she sneezed on her stretching circle, disturbed the surface, frightened herself and shot off, but I managed to get her back,” added Chloe,…

THE Hanoverian stallion Riccione has been put down aged 21 after breaking his pelvis in his stable. The Regazzoni x Arogno son was bred by Heinrich Ehlers in Germany and initially stood at St Ludwig and Warendorf studs. He began his dressage competition career under Emma Hindle (pictured, right) as a 10-year-old before being acquired by Hans and Sandra Grunder and moving to Switzerland. He competed at the 2010 young rider European Championships under Swiss rider Simona Aeberhard. Riccione leaves behind 22 licensed sons, and 46 state premium daughters.…

SHOWJUMPING is a wonderful sport to be involved in these days and it’s mind-blowing how much it’s changing. The standard just gets higher and higher and I’m simply in awe watching top riders competing these days. The Global Champions Tour has undoubtedly played a part in the sport’s expansion — this season has been fantastic and it continues to set new benchmarks. The series is now escalating at such a rate in terms of popularity and the quality of riders who want to jump there. I interviewed Edwina Tops-Alexander in 2014 and I asked her then: “How can it get any better than this?” and yet it’s kept improving and become even more richly endowed. But you see it at every show, every tour, around the world — showjumping has…

WORLD RANKINGS Michael Jung (GER) BRITISH EVENTING LISTS LEADING RIDER Oliver Townend LEADING HORSE Bulana, owned by Jo and James Lambert, ridden by Nicola Wilson GOLDMAN CUP (UNDER-21) Sam Ecroyd BRITANNIA LEAGUE Will Furlong and his own Collien P2 CALVER WEALTH MANAGEMENT TWO-STAR LEAGUE Mollie Summerland and her own Charly Van Ter Heiden GATEHOUSE ONE-STAR LEAGUE Saffie Osborne and Lord and Lady Blyth’s Little Indian Feather FOUNDATION POINTS RIDER Nicola Wilson FOUNDATION POINTS HORSE AND MITSUBISHI MOTORS CUP HORSE LEAGUE JJ Malone, owned and ridden by Alyson Parker MITSUBISHI MOTORS CUP RIDER LEAGUE Laura Ridout Don’t miss our exclusive interview with leading British rider Oliver Townend (above) in next week’s H&H (dated 23 November).…