Innholdsfortegnelse for 10-Jan-2019 i Horse & Hound

IT is endlessly fascinating trying to establish what makes those who truly excel in any area different from the rest of us mere mortals. What’s particularly interesting reading our masterclass with eventing world champion Ros Canter in this week’s issue (feature, p26), is just how relaxed her approach appears to be. That’s not to say she isn't working hard — quite the opposite being true — but her smart, tailored approach appears so naturally efficient and uncomplicated compared to some. Ros has a wonderfully reassuring message for any keen amateur hoping to emulate her, too — if you can’t ride one day because you’re back late from work, or you only have time to squeeze in 20 minutes in the school, well, as long as your horse lives out, don’t…

A VOTE on changes to how the British Horse Society (BHS) is run has been deferred, members agreed, as part of a request for more time and explanation. Members were asked to vote on changes to the charity’s articles of association, including how the board of trustees is appointed and made up, the appointment of a chairman and the time he or she can spend in office. The BHS also asked for the number of members required to call a general meeting to be increased from 12 to 0.25% of the membership, which works out at 250 or more members, rounded to the nearest hundred. But following debate at the members’ meeting at the BHS headquarters on 5 January, one member asked for the vote to be adjourned. The question…

FORUM TO DISCUSS IMPACT OF BREXIT BREXIT and its impact on the equestrian sector will be a key topic at the 2019 National Equine Forum. Organisers promise the event, on 7 March in London, will be a “calendar essential for all those wanting to learn the latest about the equine industry in a changing world”. Horse and rider fitness, the Central Equine Database, equine behaviour and welfare charities will also be among the topics of discussion. Tickets are available at a discount price of £50 until 15 January, after which they cost £100. • Visit: nationalequineforum.com MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH SURVEY RESEARCH into mental health in racing is entering its final phase this month. The industry-wide study, commissioned by charity Racing Welfare with Liverpool John Moores University, focuses on the relationship…

LIVERPOOL INTERNATIONAL organiser Nina Barbour said she is feeling “really positive” after the show’s successful comeback from the heartbreaking fire of 2017. The event returned to acclaim from visitors and riders after the car park fire on New Year’s Eve forced the cancellation of the final evening of the 2017 show. The show sold 26,782 tickets, which worked out at less than 10% under last year, had the final evening gone ahead. “Given those prior circumstances, and the fact that we were left with a lot of news coverage for the wrong reasons and no real positive PR for the show itself to build off, we are delighted by the result,” Nina told H&H, adding the team has had “fantastic feedback”. “We feel that this year has achieved exactly what…

FILM-MAKING An online film review of Vanity Fair has gone viral owing to the writer’s bugbear: whenever a horse appears on the big screen, the same neigh is seemingly heard, and it sounds nothing like any horse most of us have ever thought about hearing. “We’ve all noticed, so please STOP IT!” she ended. The volume of the neigh is only equal to the applause from riders. Well said, that woman. NATURALISTS Having made a deeply critical video at a New Year’s Day meet, naturalist Chris Packveg has offered himself as quarry if a pack were to go drag hunting. One at a time, now… SPELLING Feel for the rider who had a nice walk on what she thought was a bridle path — only to realise it was on…

IZZY has wanted a headcam for ages, ever since discovering eventer Alice Pearson’s videos of soaring over hedges out hunting. Izzy, 13, and very much part of the YouTuber generation, is determined to become the Pony Club’s answer to Zoella — who needs GCSEs? This year her parents relented and gave her a top-of-the-range headcam for Christmas, and Izzy is thrilled. Fame and fortune surely beckon. What Izzy has failed to factor in is, a) the British winter weather, and b) the fact that her pony, Spice, did a bit of a leg in September and is just coming back into work. Izzy’s early videos therefore consist of about half an hour of walking up the road, with the odd spook. Her mother is forced to sit through these, but…

FOLLOWING his tying-up episode (main text, far left), Bobby’s enzyme levels remained elevated. “He was rested, but each time he returned to work the levels would rise,” explains Georgie Critchley MRCVS, of Brown Moss Equine Clinic. “They never completely returned to normal. Blood testing then identified the genetic marker for type one PSSM. The condition is slightly overrepresented in draught breeds and usually tends to manifest itself at around six to seven years old, which ties in with Bobby’s profile.” “I had never heard of PSSM,” says Sarah. “We were panicking at first, wondering whether he might have to be put to sleep, but we were reassured that the condition is often controllable with management changes. “We were advised to switch him to a low-starch, high-energy diet and started an…

SAM ECROYD EVENT rider Sam Ecroyd was leading under-21 British rider in 2016 and 2017. He has finished second, third and sixth in the under-25 British championship and he hasn’t finished out of the top three at a national championship since he was 14. He runs a string of 15 event horses from his base on the Cheshire/Flintshire border. TRAINING THE STARS MANY other people had ridden Arco BB before I took him on at three-star level. He had been very strong across country, but I used this exercise often with him. Once he learned to go on a loose rein, he understood my aids.…

NAF FIVE STAR OESTRESS Compliments the natural oestrus cycle by encouraging regularity and providing herbal extracts to support hormone balance. From £24.99 for 1l naf-equine.eu/uk EQUI LIFE FORMULA4 FEET Provides 65 micronutrients that help to improve the quality of your horse’s horn and strengthen his hooves. From £36.74 for 7kg equilife.co.uk EQUITOP GLME A joint supplement designed to support joint function. Contains New Zealand green-lipped mussel as a source of nutrients for healthy joint metabolism. From £61.99 for 750g equitop-myoplast.co.uk KERX EQUISHURE A hindgut buffer that supplies a source of sodium bicarbonate, supports hindgut pH and optimises digestive function affected by changes in routine. £45.80 for 1.25kg saracenhorsefeeds.com GLOBAL HERBS MUSCLEUP Supports digestion and increases food utilisation to promote and maintain muscle…

28 December: Gornall Equestrian two-phase 1.40m.— 1, Simply Splendid (J Smith) GBR; 2, Kingston Van Het Eikenhof (E Gaudiano) ITA; 3, Happy Boy (P Barker) GBR. Equerry Horse Feeds under-25 grand prix.— 1, Scenletha (J Whitaker) GBR; 2 & 3, KBIS Caicos & Hello Disckoboy DN (O Fletcher) GBR. 29 December: Voltaire Design 1.50m.— 1, Galway Bay Jed (H Nuttall) GBR; 2,Queentina (T Meyer) GER; 3, Cochella (A Von Essen) SWE. Pullman Hotel 1.45m.— 1, Miss G Tracy (S El Dahan) EGY; 2, Coeur De Lion 22 (T Meyer); 3, Doulita (H Charles) GBR. Conway Land Rover 1.25m.— 1, Dalton W (P Barker); 2, Doobally (E Ward) GBR; 3, Silver Lift (H Nuttall). Amateur: Horse & Country TV Am-A two-phase 1.25m.— 1, Berlin (T Pearson) GBR; 2, Galano Ter Klomp…

IT transpired that the smoke above Oakham was black — there will be no Quorn and Cottesmore merger in the immediate future. After much debate and a narrow vote, the status quo remains. While a replacement for Peter Collins at the Quorn has yet to be appointed, it is good news that the present kennel-huntsman at the Cottesmore, Chris Edwards, will carry the horn next season. He was raised within a good golf shot of Belvoir Castle and is a former Belvoir whipper-in, so we watch his progress with keen interest and whole-hearted support. UTTER NONSENSE THERE has been a rather underhanded effort running to stop many traditional Boxing Day meets. Grantham town council has not escaped this deceitful campaign. The Conservative mayor caved under the pressure of vicious online…

28 Dec: 128/138cm springboard.— 1eq, Mintfield Magic (R de Sousa), Whistleton Blue Belle (I Harris) & Dimples Dilema (H Gerken). winter 128cm.— 1, Ashsars Miami Bound (I Harris); 2, Mintfield Magic. winter 138cm.— 1, Oakhurst In The Spotlight (C McGowan); 2 & 3, Top Silvio Hastak & Forlan (O Sponer). pony British nov.— 1, Key Manor Sky (L Sandford); 2, Drumcrew Prince (S Mohan); 3, Printers Assassin (X Anstee Marriott). pony 80cm.— 1, Comeytrowe Dione (A Caley); 2, Killaloe Gypsy (H Gerken); 3, Tequila Splash II (H Glover). pony discovery.— 1, Key Manor Sky; 2, Garren Lease Lad (J Betts); 3, Ballyerk Cobalt (S Mohan). pony 90cm.— 1, Lissroe Melody (C Beldom); 2, Rockfield Smokey Leo (C Needham); 3, Attrory Clover Lilly (A Courtney-Cadam). Blue Chip pony newcomers.— 1, Carnaval…

SNEC, West Lothian Her brace of elementary silver wins with Kermit The Frog (Kiwi) has buoyed her recovery. After a horse fall in April 2016, Elisabeth required extensive spinal surgery and now has five fused vertebrae. “I am very fortunate and thank the NHS — they were fantastic,” said Elisabeth, a BHSI and UKCC level three coach, who explained it took a long time for her to gain strength again. Her event horse was sold, so to get back to riding she rode her retired eventer. “In August, my friend Pippa Hahn said she had the perfect horse for me. I took Kiwi on a month’s trial and he’s been the most gentle, genuine horse — I feel completely at ease with him. He has exceptional manners and wants to…

I HAVE been talking with the Olympia organising committee to try to include para dressage at the show in future. It features at other World Cup shows — there is a para freestyle class at Amsterdam and last year the Swedish para rider Felicia Grimmenhag gave a demonstration with Patrik Kittel at Gothenburg. I’ve been on the rampage about this for a while because we don’t get that exposure in this country. We have amazing shows, such as Windsor, Bolesworth, Hickstead and Liverpool, but our para riders don’t get included in these events and it feels as though we’re being pushed to the side. We should have our place at some of the UK’s major shows, even if it’s just a five-minute demonstration. It would give our riders and our…

FRANCESCA BRADLEY was looking for a university that could accommodate both her career ambitions and her dressage horse. She settled on Hartpury, where she could study an equine science degree alongside training at young rider level. “I was intrigued by every area of the degree, from physiology to nutrition,” she says. “I was also interested in the Hartpury Academy system. I had to submit an application, which included my competition record and a video, and after a trial day I was accepted into the academy for the three years I was there. “By the second year I had decided to follow my dream to ride at the highest level,” adds 23-year-old Francesca (pictured, right, competing). “I did my first young rider home international that year and travelled abroad to compete…

WITH her heart set on a career in the equine welfare industry, Sophie Cookson set out on her study path by taking a higher national diploma at Merrist Wood College. But it was her time at Sparsholt College that gave her the CV she needed to secure her “dream job”. Sophie, 28, is now welfare operations manager at the British Horse Society (BHS), where she oversees more than 200 welfare officers and plays a part in some of the charity’s major publicity campaigns. “I always loved the welfare side of things,” says Sophie, who spent two years at Sparsholt completing a top-up equine BSc followed by an MSc. “That’s why I chose the science degree, because it covered biology, physiology, training and welfare.” After a bad riding fall at the…

BORED of your job? You’re not alone. According to a recent survey by Investors in People, one in four of us is unhappy at work and a staggering 47% of the UK workforce expects to be looking for a new role within the next 12 months. It’s easy to coast through your career ignoring those niggles of dissatisfaction — but what if you could land a new job you genuinely love? Even better, what if you could build a career around your equine interests? That’s just what Esme Close, 28, decided to do when she began training as an equine massage therapist alongside her office job. “I always dreamed of what it would be like going to work every day and being in contact with horses as part of your…

BRITISH competition riders have been reassured over the use of accredited supplements after an FEI ruling on failed dope tests. The FEI Tribunal has released its decision on two dressage horses who tested positive for ractopamine in February 2017. The report said although the results were caused by contamination of a supplement, and neither rider was at fault, the FEI stated it is “of the opinion that by using a supplement in the first place, the PR [person responsible; the rider] is already negligent”. US riders Kaitlin Blythe and Adrienne Lyle’s rides, Don Principe and Horizon respectively, were both fed Soothing Pink made by Cargill Inc, which admitted responsibility. Testing found the supplement fed to the horses was contaminated by ractopamine, a drug that reduces fat content in animals reared…

ALL STAR 5 Irish showjumper Denis Lynch’s ride has been retired to stud aged 16. He has won and been placed in grands prix across the world, his major successes including team gold in the 2017 European championships. DEVON TOUCH OF CLASS The prolific show pony has died from colic aged 16. Bred by the late Betty Skeet, she stood supreme champion at Ponies Association (UK) as a youngster before enjoying much championship success under saddle. CALIFORNIA D’HORSET The seven-year-old, who finished fifth at the 2018 World Breeding Championships for young horses under French rider Yannick Dirou, has joined the team of US event rider Phillip Dutton.…

IT can be an interesting experience taking a new ride out hunting for the first time, especially at a big meet like New Year’s Day. But Chris Cooke, who had bought Zeb only a few weeks beforehand, and taught him to jump in the meantime, had no problems on his mule. Five-year-old Zeb had a good look, his “big ears were flicking here and there, taking it all in”, but the mule took the day, and large stone walls, in his stride. Chris, of Cornwall Swimming Horses, hopes to take Zeb out again, and expects him to be swimming in the sea with clients this summer. “People are now saying: ‘I’ve got this 16hh mule I’m having trouble with.’ And I’m thinking, ‘Do I need another horse? No. Do I…

Sir — I had already been wondering about drones and horses before the recent incident at Gatwick airport. How are riders and horses going to react to encountering a drone flying along as they hack out? Will horses be put to flight sufficiently when out at grass to incur injuries? A drone could easily fly quite low — low enough to present a hazard to the horse — although use can be legitimate, for example the inspection of crops. Artificial intelligence is making great strides in agriculture, and it is only a matter of time before there is an incident where horse meets drone for the first time. Should there not be some guidelines incorporated into the newly proposed legislation regulating their use around livestock? Anne Howard Thetford, Norfolk The…

GOOD things come to those who wait. Or, in eventing terms, good things come to those who graft day in, day out, holding fast to the belief that one day the stars will align with the right horse at the right competition at the right moment. For Tom Crisp that time came at Pau last autumn, when he broke into the top 10 at a four-star after 17 years of trying. His partner was Liberty And Glory (Lori), a feisty little home-bred mare belonging to his wife, Sophie, and father-in-law, Robin Balfour. Ironically, the mare was never expected to step up to the mark like she did. It was only her second CCI4* (now categorised CCI5*); her results until then had been mediocre, and a dressage score of 37.8 had…

IT’S a bleak, wintry morning at Ros Canter’s north Lincolnshire yard. The North Sea is just a few miles away, and the easterly wind has a Siberian chill. A bay mare, Shannondale Nadia, is tied in a stall under heat lamps as Ros tacks her up, before they head out to her impressive all-weather arena, which features both showjumps and a variety of cross-country fences. Ros has set up some boards that square off one end to resemble a dressage arena, and moves straight into a brisk trot. “My warm-up varies from horse to horse,” says Ros. “I like them to be relaxed, but not with their heads on the floor. Generally, I don’t think a long warm-up is necessary. Horses are flight animals and designed to get up and…

IN an age of labour-saving devices and techy extras to help us achieve our goals, for those wanting to take the extra step, here are a few new training tools to consider... • The Equestic SaddleClip attaches to your saddle and sends key stats, such as your horse’s symmetry, rhythm and intensity of work, to an app on your phone, which gives you a measurable insight into your training. • The Equilab smartphone app tracks similar statistics and estimates your horse’s energy consumption. It also allows you to make a note of your sessions and connect with friends (or your coach) if they also have the app. • The Polar equine belt allows you to attach a heart-rate monitor to your horse. With a bit of reading up to help…

Theraplate UK Liverpool International, Echo Arena, Merseyside LIVERPOOL again proved to be happy hunting ground for the Irish, as Shane Breen and Golden Hawk continued the Emerald Isle’s unbeaten grand prix record in this Theraplate UK-sponsored class. After last year’s devastating car park fire, which forced the cancellation of the final night of the 2017 show, organiser Nina Barbour vowed the 2018 event would return as “the best show yet” — and it did not disappoint. Ireland’s Billy Twomey, who won the class in 2015 and 2016, was among the 30-strong field. Faults were spread across Alan Wade’s imposing 1.60m track, with the first clear coming from the eventual winners. Seven combinations, including four Brits, jumped clear and Billy ‘It’s lovely when they come up with the goods’ WILLIAM…

Richmond EC, N Yorks Port Royal EC, E Yorks Northallerton EC, N Yorks Martha Jobling-Purser had her first outing with former British team pony Valido’s Starlight, and won an elementary at Richmond. Her family bought Starlight a month ago for Martha to compete alongside her successful show ponies, following a recommendation from trainer Bobby Hayler. “I’ve always done dressage with the show ponies, but I want to aim for the pony FEI tests with Starlight,” said Martha, 14, who was reserve champion at the 2018 Horse of the Year Show with show pony Litton Cerise. “I’m lucky — Starlight is very switched on and knows exactly what to do.” Sue Allerton’s D Akieda is the reigning Badminton grassroots BE90 champion, and Kimberley Marshall has just taken the reins with a…

WHAT a difference a month makes. I started my last column (6 December) talking about walkovers and matches; since then I have attended three fixtures — at Clifton-on-Dunsmore, Chaddesley Corbett and Larkhill — which have attracted a total of 265 runners. That’s an impressive number and, encouragingly, the racing was very competitive at all three meetings. It was exciting to watch and we saw some very good winners, boding well for the rest of the season. The maiden races at Chaddesley (28 December) and Larkhill (6 January) were particularly interesting, and brought a topic that polarises opinions back into focus: four-year-olds. Both attracted a large entry which required divisions. There were 24 runners across the two divisions at Chaddesley — this included four-year-olds — and both produced exciting finishes. At…

A LOVE of manual therapy prompted Tegan Hemingway-Wood to study the subject at degree level and set up on her own. She opted for a three-year BSc (Hons) course in equine therapy and rehabilitation at Warwickshire College, which offered the right mix of theory and practical work. “I’ve had a lot of horses with injuries and issues, so I’ve always had an interest in therapy and rehab,” explains Tegan, 24, who has showjumped since childhood. “After my GCSEs I did a BTEC — an extended diploma in horse management — at Brackenhurst Campus (Nottingham Trent University). The degree was then a channel to what I wanted to do all along.” Tegan graduated from Warwickshire in 2016 and started a diploma in equine sports massage with Equi-Therapy, which involved a week’s…

Swiss showjumper Steve Guerdat has reclaimed the top spot in the FEI Longines world rankings. Steve has overtaken Dutch rider Harrie Smolders with a 55-point lead. Eventer Georgie Strang has got engaged to New Zealand rider Jesse Campbell. Georgie said she was “starting 2019 the happiest girl in the world” after saying yes on New Year’s Eve. The Pony Club has announced David Ingle is the new interim chief executive with immediate effect. David recently acted as interim chief operating officer to the British Equestrian Federation. Irish showjumping senior high performance director, the Brazilian former Olympic gold medallist Rodrigo Pessoa, has signed a two-year contract extension. Groom Max Corcoran will become the next United States Eventing Association president. Max, who has groomed for Karen and David O’Connor, will take up…

ALVARADO The 14-year-old, who finished fourth in two Grand Nationals and was twice placed in the Scottish National, has been retired from racing. Trained by Fergal O’Brien, he won eight of his 36 starts. DAVENDY S US showjumper Jessica Springsteen’s ride has been retired aged 16. The mare and Jessica won on the Global Champions Tour, as well as enjoying success at shows including Royal Windsor and Wellington, USA. TELLYTUBBS The star show cob has been put down aged 24, following a bout of colic. His success in the ring included champion cob at Three Counties for three consecutive years, plus championship titles at HOYS and Royal Windsor.…

A CHEEKY TIPPLE The Cheltenham racegoer caught on camera taking a sneaky sip out of what appeared to be a pair of binoculars has won some admiring comments. Our only thought was, would a fake telescope have fitted more liquid in? Cheers! BEING DIFFERENT Spotted, in a horse and pony facts-type book, a picture of a pair of brushing boots, with the explanation: “These are to protect the pony from sustaining injuries while it is being brushed.” Which is an interesting way of looking at their function, it’s probably fair to say... NAMES Feel for the commentator who faced having to mention Fukuto in a hurdle on Saturday. His owner reportedly only bought the four-year-old because of his name. Let’s just hope no one will be shouting it in disgust…

IF you suspect that your horse is displaying signs of tying-up… • Contact your vet immediately and keep the horse as still as possible; movement may worsen the condition. Leave him in a comfortable stable if you can, with plenty of bedding in case he chooses to lie down. • Avoid transporting him long distances as this will increase the energy demands placed on the affected muscles. • Keep him warm while waiting for the vet. A cooler rug will help dry him off if he is sweating heavily. • Offer water to help rehydrate him. Providing hay might calm him if he becomes anxious, but remove all feed if there is any suggestion of colic. • Have a suitable container ready in case he urinates — identifying a urine…

‘It takes two to pull — your horse won’t pull if you don’t’ MICHAEL JUNG taught me this exercise when I trained with him in Germany. I took a horse called Opera House who was strong across country and it transformed him. I use it in the school on all of my horses. Its beauty is in its simplicity and it translates so well from the school to a cross-country schooling course and then on to a competition. TACKLING THE ISSUE 1 Warm up in walk, trot and canter. During the canter, work on a loose contact and keep the reins close to your body — maintain the same rein length as if you would if you were doing dressage. At the same time, ensure that your horse’s neck is…

ROS does not believe horses have to be worked six days a week. Her own horses are turned out as much as possible, and during the season she will ride them only four times a week. In fact, she has often found short breaks to be beneficial. “Often when I’m away they will hardly be ridden — just hacking and one lunge a week,” says Ros, who turns most of her horses out 24/7 in summer. “So many times, when I come back the horse will have learnt what I’ve been trying to teach him, just by being out in the field. And Allstar B (pictured below, at WEG) was barely ridden for a whole week a fortnight before WEG because I was at a three-day. He had just one…

I HAVE 16 horses on my list to ride where I’m based with Anne and Gertjan van Olst in the Netherlands. Some are only three-year-olds so they’re not ridden every day — I’ll aim for 12 or 13. Anne lets me get on with the young ones myself while she schools her horses, then in the afternoon she’ll give me a lesson on three of the older horses. It’s an amazing privilege. The three I’m focusing on at the moment are Everdale, Dark Legend and Glamourdale. Everdale is a beautiful breeding stallion who’s really popular in the Netherlands. He has a double stable as he’s so big, and he thinks he’s king of the yard. Last season was his first at inter II, and he’s now working at grand prix.…

LIVERPOOL is a super show; it gets fantastic attendance and it’s brilliant that showjumping is being brought into other areas of the country, getting more people involved in the sport. Everything has run really well, the riders all really like it here — the arena is a fantastic size and there has been good-quality jumping, with not too many competitors, which is perfect for an indoor show as it keeps the crowd entertained. Nina Barbour has done an amazing job at putting more good shows back into the UK, which is something the sport desperately needs. For me, Harriet Nuttall was one of the stand-out performances of the week — her win in the 1.50m with a very fast jump-off was very impressive. To win a ranking class at Liverpool…

A RATHER select band of Fife faithfuls braved bitterly cold conditions at Sam and Jane Parsons’ meet at Easter Kellie Farm. Sam is farm manager for Toby Anstruther’s Balcaskie Estate; the Fife hunt across this considerable estate regularly and Toby has allowed them to build a number of inviting jumps across it. Joint-master Lady Balniel acted as field master, and followers — including event rider Wills Oakden and his wife Steph, who brought out four young horses to educate — had great fun jumping walls on lovely old turf. Two of the Parsons’ sons, Archie and Murray, are definite “thrusters” — they share their mother’s horses, which means that Jane can only hunt during the week these days. Robert Howarth has been professional huntsman to the Fife since 2013, while…

Blue Barn, Kent Claudia is 15 and looking forward to a year competing in pony classes. She and the 12-year-old Rubinia 37 won the medium 75 overall with 67.02%. It was only her second attempt at the level. Claudia reported: “‘Rubi’ had a lot of energy and it was a struggle to contain it, but I was proud that I did because it’s something I’ve been working on.” Rubi is by the well-known Welsh section B jumping stallion Constantin, and was found in Germany by Bobby Hayler. Claudia’s mother and support team, Catherine, explained: “Bobby said she could find her a ‘taxi’, but that Rubi would teach her to ride.” Claudia, who now trains with Dan Sherriff and is on the pony progress squad, added: “My previous pony was 19.…

Jimbo Furry Foot is a true all-rounder cob, who has proved he has a talent for dressage. Fairoak Grange, Berks | Berkshire College of Agriculture, Berks The 15.1hh traditional Blagdon cob was bought six years ago as a nine-month-old foal by Natascha and Baz Whitehead. He spends part of his time hacking and going to the pub with Baz, a London armed response police officer. Natascha competes him in dressage and won a novice bronze at Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA). “We bought him from a Horse & Hound classified ad, and he loves showing off in the arena,” commented Natascha. Alexandra Hopkins, who won the silver elementaries at BCA, has been eventing her eight-year-old mare, Waldon Wild Ruby. “I wanted to do something different with her, and it has…

Larkhill Racing Club, Wilts SAM JUKES stole the win in the open maiden (division one) on Miss Seagreen, whom the jockey also trains. The mare cruised past Hon The DJ (Tommie O’Brien) and Ballyjim (Martin McIntrye), who were neck-and-neck over the last, to win by less than a length. “She’s a little pocket rocket,” said Sam. “We were quite a way back at one point but her pace is so consistent and she was jumping really well so we caught up quickly. Coming into the last, I thought I could get there if I kept kicking.” The six-year-old daughter of Black Sam Bellamy wasn’t originally destined for Larkhill, but was feeling well at home so Sam changed the plan. “I think she will be a soft-ground horse, so I wanted…

LARKHILL RACING CLUB, LARKHILL, SUNDAY 6 JANUARY Conditions.— 1, C J Bennett’s Marcle Ridge (S Jukes) S Jukes. ladies’ open.— 1, J Gane, I Fogg and P Nicholls’ Monsieur Gibraltar (H Tucker) R Loxton. open maiden 5yo&up (div I).— 1, C J Bennett’s Miss Seagreen (S Jukes) S Jukes. open maiden 5yo&up (div II).— 1, G Davis’ Hello Jazz (R Withey) A Davis. men’s open,— 1, S W Dunn’s Stellar Notion (J Andrews) T Frost. restricted.— 1, H Waight and S J Rawlins’ Coco Live (J Savage) H Waight. conditions’ race (for novice riders).— 1, J E A Harbison’s Storm Lantern (J Harbison) J Johnston. WEST PERCY, ALNWICK SUNDAY 6 JANUARY Hunt members.— 1, D&S Davidson’s Worcester Pearmain (N Orpwood) T Dobbin. restricted.— 1, P Southerington’s Monte Alban (J Wright)…

Sandown Park Racecourse, Surrey THERE may have been bigger names from racing’s future on the card at Sandown Park on Saturday, 5 January, but it was blast from the past, Houblon Des Obeaux, who was star of the show, winning the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase — the final of the 2018 veterans’ series. It was a second decent win of 2019 for the on-form pair of trainer Venetia Williams and jockey Charlie Deutsch as they had also struck with Aso at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Slightly ironically for a 12-year-old gelding — who was runner-up to Many Clouds in the Hennessy Gold Cup, ran in Coneygree’s winning Gold Cup in 2015 and finished 10th in the 2017 Grand National — the £61,900 first prize was the biggest of his…

IT was during the final year of an honours degree in equine science at Reaseheath College that Ashley Neely started developing her own start-up business. Enthused by her lecturer’s passion for parasitology, she set up Northern Ireland’s first mobile faecal egg counting service for horses and farm animals. “By the end of my last year, everything was ready to go,” explains Ashley, 25. “A start-up company gave me a mentor and helped me secure funding. I then self-studied my SQP [to qualify as an animal medicines advisor].” Ashley’s degree choice was based on her interest in equine health, specifically nutrition. Her studies in this area have enabled her find additional employment with nutrition company Bluegrass Horse Feeds. “The worming business is expanding but very seasonal, so I can fit it…

JO WILKINSON was a hotel manager when she decided she wanted to make horses her career. She enrolled at Derby College, completing BHS exams as external qualifications, and her level three in horse management. She then became yard supervisor at Derby, with the opportunity to achieve further qualifications. “It’s been a busy four years,” says Jo, 28, looking back at the exams she has passed. “I’m now a teacher in equine — qualified to instruct in riding and stable management both on the yard and in the classroom — after achieving my Certificate in Education and BHS stage four care and riding. I teach post-16-year-olds and help students train towards BHS stages one to three. “Just before I applied for that first course, I had been working at a professional…

CHRISTMAS is over and New Year, too, but the aftermath of the festivities seems to run and run. We have all been hunting like mad, but the work involved is monumental. Since Alec broke up in mid-December, I have been on autopilot sprinting back and forth between the house and the stables, cleaning tack, washing ponies, feeding, mucking out and then rushing indoors to keep the domestic show on the road — mountains of washing, catering, dishwasher stacking, surface wiping, tidying and food shopping that all seem to supersize in the holidays. The new year has begun but there is no time for introspection or resolutions. The body keeps going, doing everything that needs to be done, but my brain feels like the exploding-head emoji, always in mid-erupt. “Are you…