Innholdsfortegnelse for 17-Jan-2019 i Horse & Hound

AS police and welfare charities joined forces to rescue horses found in horrific conditions in Surrey last week (news, p4), we were reminded what animal welfare charities are able to achieve. We occasionally take calls at H&H from members of the public who are concerned a charity they have contacted is not doing enough in a given situation — they’ve seen two lean horses in a field and are taking them hay because the grazing is not sufficient, for example. In most cases, the reality is that the charity is doing all it can within the law — and as long as the public go on feeding and watering these animals, there is little they can do. Only those inside the organisation know the efforts that are being made, and…

THE British Showjumping (BS) 2019 spring championships will run at Addington Manor, it has been confirmed, as the venue reopens under new management. New show director Chris Parker’s team is to run the championships (28-31 March), which are in their third year at the Buckinghamshire venue. “Taking over the reins at Addington is something I couldn’t be happier about,” Mr Parker said. “The venue has always been an incredible one for the sport and I want to ensure it continues to be that and more. “Retaining it as a show venue was incredibly important to me and being awarded the spring championships, where the show was initially launched, is the icing on the cake.” The show will feature the grade C, 1.35m, six- and sevenyear-olds’ and children on horses championships,…

NEW SHOWJUMPING AGREEMENT MADE THE British Showjumping (BS) members’ council is to appoint a new members’ liaison officer (MLO). The BS board met members, working as British United Showjumpers (BUS). The MLO will be a contact for any member who feels a complaint has not been satisfied or dealt with appropriately. It has also been agreed that no BS official will be suspended without board approval, unless immediate suspension is needed to protect the “interests and welfare” of BS members or horses, and the BS chief executive will not vote on board member appointments. BUS will now not attempt to call an extraordinary meeting or call for removal of BS board members. NHS MANAGER RODE WHILE ‘SICK’ AN NHS manager evented while claiming her bad back prevented her from working.…

THIS year’s H&H outstanding mare award has been presented to Sarah Oppenheimer for her prolific broodmare Rubinsteena. The Rubinstein x Donnerhall mare, who died in 2018 aged 22 and was the foundation mare for the Oppenheimers’ Headmore Stud, has produced an impressive dressage dynasty. The award was presented by H&H dressage and sport horse breeding editor Polly Bryan, at the British Breeders Dinner and Awards on 12 January. Sarah Oppenheimer bought “Ruby” from Julie Deverill at Half Moon Stud, who bought the mare as a foal from Christian Heinrich. “Ruby has produced so many lovely horses; every single one has been a superstar. We used a wide variety of stallions and every horse she produced turned out to be mega-talented,” said Sarah. Among Ruby’s many successful offspring are Half Moon…

Sir — I totally agree with Pammy Hutton regarding her views that training and competing should be “fun” (opinion, 20 December). No matter what level or discipline you compete at, sharing the experience with your equine partner should be the most important thing. Any successful result is the icing on the cake. I’m not the best rider in the world, but I enjoy competing in affiliated dressage with my lovely horse Raymond. We have a very close bond and just being in his company makes me happy. I also have training sessions with Calum Whitworth who works me hard to help me achieve my goals, but his lessons are always fun. We are so lucky to have horses in our lives and should enjoy every minute we spend with them.…

IT all looks so simple when demonstrated by a world champion — and Ros has trained all her horses to be mannerly. It’s all very well riding with long reins and using your body to turn your horse, but what if you have no brakes? “If your horse is rushing, ride a circle between fences,” says Ros. “If he pulls, do a halt transition so he learns pulling is not an option. Concentrate on everything you do as a rider and make it really black and white for your horse to understand. “If your horse tends to rush the last few strides, stay strong in your core with your hands low, so there isn’t the temptation to go with him and fold too early in your body. If you fold…

Keith Robertson/Wild Farm Equestrian Wild Farm is run by grand prix dressage trainer and rider Keith Robertson. Along with a dedicated team of grooms, he produces young dressage horses right through to grand prix, and runs a successful livery business. Sam Jennings A professional event rider who started her eventing career in 1999 as a young rider and was shortlisted for the British team that year. Sam successfully competes a range of event horses up to advanced level from her friendly, professional yard in Kent. Jo Rimmer A former teacher, Jo is now an international event rider and British Eventing coach. Jo has produced a number of horses up to CCI5*-L level and competed at Pau CCI4* in 2018. She combines competing with producing young horses and training riders of…

Addington Manor High Profile Show, Bucks EMILE FAURIE and Hof Kasselman’s lightly competed Café’s Caletta (Café Au Lait x Calato) put in an assured performance to win the mare’s first grand prix. The 10-year-old is a supple, elastic mare with bags of presence, and this was only her sixth-ever dressage competition. Although there were some green moments, she scored 73.2%. “She’s a very special mare,” said Emile. “She’s hot but in a nice way; reliable and straightforward.” Caletta came to Emile 18 months ago, having been showjumping up until three years ago. This was the first stage in her campaign to compete abroad and potentially secure a team place for the European Championships. This mare has lots of highlights — she is light-footed and springs off the ground, and although…

Home-bred by joint-owner Karen Pearson, the 13-year-old Brackenmoor Shiraz has only just begun her dressage career. “She has lots of raw talent and some lovely medium movements. She’s just not ready to string St Leonards, Cornwall them together yet,” said Debbie Glennon, Ella’s mother. Tavistock-based Ella joined BD when she was five and is trained by Clare Deithrick and Pammy Hutton. Another youngster, Scarlett John, 13, who is also helped by Clare Deithrick, topped both mediums with plus-68% riding the 14hh 11-year-old BKS Grand Design. “That was their best score ever and we’re hoping to go to a Premier League show this year. We’re new to the sport and never really thought we’d get to the point where we could realistically think about competing at that level,” said Scarlett’s mother, Emma.…

NO wonder dressage is often referrred to as “stressage”. Of all the equestrian disciplines, ours demands the biggest application of mind over matter. When heading for a big hedge out hunting, shortening your reins, sitting up and keeping your legs on rarely goes amiss. But dressage? Goodness, it’s intense; every stride is scrutinised by a judge. As palms sweat and butterflies do aerobatics in the stomach, almost every competitor must have questioned whether this is fun. So what’s the problem, exactly? Is it that dressage riders take themselves too seriously? What precisely are we worried about? Maybe finding the answer to that is the key to coping with killer nerves. Maybe we’re stressed about letting our trainers down? Well, no, we’re paying them, so they won’t mind. Or maybe we’re…

Onley Grounds winter classic, Warks JAMIE WINGROVE landed victory in an exciting Dark Deer grand prix with Ephonie P. Thirty-eight contended the 13-fence track set by course-designer David Cole. Fifteen made it through to an action-packed jump-off, with Olympians Billy Twomey and Robert Smith in the mix. The course delivered, with several in contention risking an ultra-tight turn to the final oxer, only to see the back rail fall — including Billy on Lady Lou. Jamie opted for a more conventional line and it paid off. “It was better to go round and keep the rhythm,” said Jamie. “This is my local show and they’ve done a fantastic job; the surface was great with good courses.” This proved a good warm-up for the Neustadt, Germany, 2* meeting the following week…

70cm h'cap.— 1, JJ IV (B Tabernor); 2, Brieryhill Matador (C Griffith); 3, Myshall Duncan (M Hulme). stepping stones 128/138cm.— 1eq, 13 tied. Pikeur winter novice.— 1, Windale Thunder Cloud (A Jones); 2, Celtic Golden Girl (T Davies); 3, Miss Texas (O Davison). winter 128cm.— 1, Borderhill William (T Kyle); 2, Remington Steel (E Banks). winter 138cm.— 1, Mister Proper (T Kyle); 2, Kiltormer Dan (M Digby). Blue Chip newcomers.— 1, Madam Clover Q (E Quigley); 2, Edge of Glory (R Bassnett); 3, Just Sonic (O Palin). 1m open.— 1, Beech Comber (H Cooper); 2, Loatland Cousin Minnie (O Davison). Voltaire Design coral.— 1, Park Chanel (B Garwood); 2, Merllyns Mermaid (I Carpenter); 3, Faith X (J Billington). Blue Chip Pro sparkle JC/JA.— 1, Carnaween Laura (T Kyle); 2, Beech…

Warwick Racecourse, Warks AMATEUR jockey Sam Waley-Cohen is a regular sight in the Grand National and it would appear, following Saturday’s McCoy Contractors Civil Engineering Classic Chase, that his ride for 2020 is sorted after the family-owned Impulsive Star beat Calett Mad 3¼ lengths at Warwick on Saturday, 12 January. Two years ago, the race was won by One For Arthur en route to Aintree success and last year Milansbar went on to finish fifth in the National after winning Warwick’s biggest chase. However, Impulsive Star would — even with a revised rating — be borderline to get into this year’s National after posting his first success in two seasons over fences. First, the novice chaser and his amateur rider have unfinished business at Cheltenham. The one bonus of not…

AS a competitive sportsman, I enjoy point-to-pointing for the chance it gives me to compete and win. The fact that I can do this while using the skills I learnt as a child, on an animal I love, makes it all the more enjoyable. I also get a great deal of satisfaction from watching horses I have ridden progress on to bigger and better things. The sport has received some criticism recently for pandering to the growing trend of “win and sell” horses — typically four- and five-year-olds who may only grace the racecourse once before being sold to the professional side. Equally, there have been grumblings about the number of former top National Hunt horses migrating back to point-to-points and hunter chases, because they are failing to cut the…

TWO horses have been put down and more than 100 removed from a farm in Surrey after a large-scale RSPCAled investigation involving a number of organisations. The charity has confirmed that 204 animals were taken away in total, including 123 horses, eight donkeys and 59 dogs, owing to welfare concerns. Two horses who were found collapsed at the site, in Ripley, were put down, as was one goat, but the RSPCA said the rest have been taken to different animal centres. Two people were arrested, Surrey Police have confirmed, a 65-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman, both from Woking. Both were taken in to custody and interviewed by the RSPCA and a police officer, and have been “released under investigation while enquiries remain ongoing”, a police spokesman said. An RSPCA…

CASSIONATO Michael Whitaker’s 2016 Olympic ride Cassionato has joined Jamie Gornall and will be aimed for the Europeans and 2020 Olympics. He is owned by Gary and Beverley Widdowson and Jamie’s father-in-law Chris Blundell. STRIKE SMARTLY Tom McEwen and Daisy Berkeley’s former ride has died aged 12 following colic-related complications. Daisy took him to advanced, before Tom took over the reins in 2017, winning two three-stars and completing Badminton. WILLOUGHBY COURT Ben Pauling’s star, who gave the trainer his first Cheltenham Festival win in the 2017 novices’ hurdle, has been put down due to a joint infection. Despite vets’ best efforts, the eight-year-old could not be saved.…

At a British Horse Society (BHS) meeting on 5 January, questions were raised. H&H put these to chairman David Sheerin... H&H reported that a vote on changes to how the BHS is run was deferred (news, 10 January). But other questions were raised at the meeting... H&H: There were questions on constitutional changes, particularly the role of the nominations committee in appointing trustees, role descriptions and the make-up of the board. Some were concerned this takes control away from members, or could be abused. DS: Over the past five years, under CEO Lynn Petersen, the BHS has grown membership by 40% by listening to what members want, with industry changes and issues affecting equestrians. We want to be better, bigger, stronger and more relevant. We want to future-proof so we…

BILL ELSEY THE dual Classic-winning trainer (pictured, above) died on 2 January aged 97. He took over the licence from his father, Charles, at Highfield Stables in Malton in 1961 and went on to enjoy victories in the 1967 Oaks with Pia and the 1973 St Leger with Peleid. The Yorkshire trainer saddled many other major race winners; his CV also included victories in the Eclipse at Sandown, Ebor at York and St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Mr Elsey retired in 1996 and leaves six children, six grandchildren, and his second wife, Susie. FRANK MORGAN A RACING and point-to-pointing stalwart in the Welsh Borders, Mr Morgan died from cancer aged 69. Born into a farming family, he started his career as an auctioneer, valuer and agricultural specialist under…

IRONY The League Against Cruel Sports has apparently been labelled a “parasitic organisation” by, er, sabs. Hmm. Anyone fancy buying those heroic defenders of wildlife another coffee? No? COMPLIMENTS Glowing at a successful round in training, a beaming rider turned to her trainer. “Much better — you’ve finally learned to stop faffing and leave the horse to get on with it!” the trainer stated. Ah, that Holy Grail of the showjumper. SADDLE SOAP Overheard at a show, two riders discussing New Year’s resolutions. “Mine is to clean my tack,” said one, proudly. “What, more often?” asked the other, her confusion mirrored in her friend’s face as she replied: “No, I just think it’ll need doing this year.” Well, maybe better than not at all, we suppose……

Being hunt secretary of a large pack is like being a company secretary. I do all the admin, which includes the accounts, running the database, and taking minutes. I pay bills, organise things such as electricity contracts for the kennels, and I support the masters in every way I can. I am sort of the “hunt receptionist” — any visitor’s first point of contact. I collect the cap on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and Ruth Clarke helps out with collecting it on Thursdays. If I can make people feel welcome and confident that they will have a great day, then nine times out of 10 they will do. I started hunting with the Cottesmore 32 years ago, aged 22. I had never hunted before — my parents weren’t horsey and I…

WILLA NEWTON WILLA is a 28-year-old British event rider based in Leicestershire. She represented Britain at three consecutive young rider championships, winning team gold and individual silver in 2011. This season she has notched up two top-10 placings at five-star events, including eighth at Burghley and fifth at Luhmühlen. TRAINING THE STARS MY former top-level horse, Newmarket Vasco One, was notorious for getting tight and tense in the dressage but, as he was thoroughbred, I didn’t like overworking him because he’d get sore. I’d get to the event early and settle him by showing him his environment and getting him used to the atmosphere, which would help him in the arena.…

H&H’s new diarist on a young sire’s dazzling debut — and being sweet to stallions if you want them on side Lottie Fry ‘It’s like Glamourdale was saying, “Oh yes, I know I’m good”’ LOTTIE, 22, is a British dressage rider based at Anne and Gertjan van Olst’s stud in the Netherlands. She is the reigning under-25 European champion. IT’S been a busy week! The main focus was a stallion show in Münster, Germany, to which I took Glamourdale and Kjento. Glamourdale was the last to go on the night, which is a real honour, but it was a very late finish and we eventually got home at 3.30am. Kjento (Negro x Jazz) has just turned four and is approved with the KWPN and Oldenburg studbooks. He was doing his…

FLY RUGS HORSEWARE AMIGO VAMOOSE EVOLUTION FLY RUG £149.50 Tested by: Rob Waine Performance: 10 Style: 9 Fit: 9 Value for money: 8 Amigo says: This aqua/orange fly sheet features a super-light disc front closure and the latest in Vamoose insect control technology. Most insects cannot see certain colours — research has shown that most insects aren’t sensitive to many shades of yellow, orange or red. They can, however, see ultraviolent (UV) lights very clearly, which is what attract insects. You may notice that flies are attracted to certain colours, but the chances are that this object is reflecting light in a way that is attractive to these insects. Rob says: I thought this fly rug was bright, lightweight and I really liked that it came with a spare front…

11 Jan: med 75Q gold (A Bostock).— 1, Guarantee (F Brennan) 69.19; 2, Costa III (J Turney) 68.24; 3, Letzler Tanz (J Bright) 67.7. silv.— 1, Welthausen Onour (K Moisson) 67.43; 2, Ab Barroco (C Lutener) 66.08; 3, Don Proviano (S Allen) 65.68. adv med 91 gold (E Mackie).— 1, De Angelis II (F Brennan) 72.44; 2, Palimera (J Harvey) 70; 3, Freddie Mercury (L Davison) 68.85. silv.— 1, El Zorro (R Marsden) 68.08; 2, Fiorello (R Marsden) 67.82; 3, Right (L Goodman) 65.9. pony team gold (A Nicell, J McGarel-Groves, C Porterfield).— 1, Cognac IX (A Pidgley) 70.13; 2, Ine (A Pidgley) 69.4; 3, Brasil (H Tottman) 67.14. pony indiv gold.— 1, Ine 71.63; 2, Cognac IX 71.22; 3, Bathleyhills Sea Wurzel (O Langley) 65.28. PSG Q gold (J…

Reaseheath Equine, Cheshire | Myerscough Arena, Lancs It was a first win at novice for the Cheshire rider, his first win riding Ruth Watson’s Come On gelding Rongai, and a first dressage outing for the latter in two years virtually to the day, not to mention a first British Dressage (BD) outing for Neil in three years. “He’s an absolute pleasure to ride,” said Neil of the 17-year-old gelding, who has evented up to CIC* and been a stalwart of the East Cheshire Combined Training Group’s riding club teams. “I’m used to the more ‘dobbin’ end of the market and he is so responsive and rideable compared to anything I’ve had before,” explained Neil. That said, the second test didn’t quite go to plan after major sat-nav issues “I went…

Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA), Berks The pair won two elementaries and were joint-winners of the medium qualifier at BCA. The Irish Draught/thoroughbred (by Hazass), who belongs to Ann Quinn, had a late start because of an injury as a youngster, and was not backed until he was six-and-a-half. Now 12, the former show hunter is carving out a dressage career and was fourth at elementary silver at the 2018 Summer Music Championships. “I wouldn’t normally do three tests but he was a bit spooky last time out,” commented Amanda, who runs a competition livery yard in Chorleywood. Her pupil Eleanor Macfarlane also had a successful day winning two bronze sections at novice and elementary with her first horse after ponies, Smooth Emperor. Freelance trainer Cara Hayward, who has recently…

Connolly’s Red Mills newcomers.— 1, Zebermill (A Thompson); 2 & 3, Whisper T & Outcharm (M Swanne). 1.10/1.20mh’cap.— 1, Utah’s Utopia (J Botham); 2, Dahar (O Fletcher); 3, Zodiac Z (G Marshall). Blue Chip Karma performance.— 1, Gandi (J Head); 2, Larocco A (S Williams); 3, Moonraker (C Nicol). B&C.— 1, Kilrodan Sailorette (N Hill); 2 & 3, Don Diablo & Cornascriebe Ferro (D Farnsworth). winter 1.35m.— 1, Bling Bling IV (J Crippen); 2, Sebastian VII (H Tredwell); 3, Boogie Woogie (A Thompson). Connolly’s Red Mills newcomers.— 1, Fenna ES (J Crippen); 2 Cevins Pleasure (M Fursedonn); 3, Echo P (G Howe). winter 6yo.— 1, Vinella X (L Jackson); 2, Darjeeling Desir (D McKinlay); 3, Ilserov (M Fursedonn). Equitop Myoplast Foxhunter.— 1, Echo P; 2, Millfield Cascade (B Thompson); 3…

A “MISUNDERSTOOD” horse bought by coach Georgie Webster for £1 has repaid her many times over, and with three wins since the start of 2019, has upgraded to B. The 15.1hh Kernow Karma (Red) arrived at Georgie’s Suffolk home three years ago with a reputation for being “dangerous”. “My vet discovered back problems and with the help of a physio and chiropractor, he’s happy again,” said Georgie. “He’s comfortable at 1.10m level, but I’m considering stepping him up to 1.15m and 1.20m next.” Georgie’s main discipline is eventing. “My partner and his daughter are showjumpers and I think they’re converting me. With a horse like Red to ride, it won’t be too hard,” she laughed.…

RACING is very much a family sport and there are many people who have sons and daughters following in their footsteps. On Saturday, 12 January, the latest big story hit the headlines when Jonjo O’Neill Jnr won the prestigious and highly-competitive Lanzorote Hurdle on Big Time Dancer at Kempton. His father, Jonjo Snr, was one of the best jockeys around in his day; I won’t forget his rides on so many great horses such as Dawn Run and Sea Pigeon. Now his son has taken over the mantle and is certainly a jockey to follow for the future. Father and son have the same charm and smile, which hides a steely grit to succeed. A former Cheltenham College student, Jonjo Jnr was not allowed to ride in races until he…

Yorkshire Area Point-To-Point Club, Sheriff Hutton CHERRY COWARD and her team enjoyed a successful day, taking three of the day’s races. The local handler saddled Path To Freedom in the conditions race (division two), and the seven-year-old went one better than his runner-up spot in the same race 12 months ago, with an eight-length success under John Dawson. “All three horses were wearing number 11 saddlecloths, so it must have been down to that,” quipped Jacqueline Coward, the trainer’s daughter. “This was his first run of the season, but the ground played to his favour and he loved it.” The first division saw the Dale Peters-trained and ridden Benefit Of Luck record a four-length victory. “I think he could go to the very top, he’s got a great cruising speed…

World champion eventer Ros Canter has announced she is pregnant with her first child. Ros and her partner, Chris McAleese, are expecting the new addition to their family in July. American dressage rider Laura Graves has been named US Equestrian’s equestrian of the year 2018. Laura won individual and team silver at the World Equestrian Games at Tryon. Groom Lucy Seddon has won the British grooms award at the Haddon Training British Grooms Awards 2019. Lucy, who works for eventer Tom McEwen, said she was “honoured”. Jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jnr won the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton on the Jennie Candlishtrained Big Time Dancer. It was the 20-year-old’s biggest win to date. Report p82. Former Olympian and Catherston Stud owner Jennie Loriston-Clarke won the lifetime achievement title at the British Breeders’…

GAS LINE BOY The Aintree specialist has been retired following a stellar career. Trained by Ian Williams, the 13-year-old finished fifth and seventh in the 2017 and 2018 Nationals and won over the fences in the 2017 Grand Sefton. LIANOS Rodrigo Pessoa’s 1998 World Equestrian Games gold medal-winning ride has died aged 32. His major triumphs included two victories in the Spruce Meadows Masters, plus wins at Aachen and World Cup classes. HARDROCK Z Venezuelan showjumper Emanuel Andrade’s 2016 Olympic ride is among 14 horses owned by his father, Alejandro, to be sold via an online auction. It follows Alejandro’s sentencing for money laundering.…

EXPERTS Most yards have that one livery who knows everything. Feel for the rider who was messaged by this person to call the vet urgently as her horse’s false teeth had fallen out. Um. That’s the remnants of her salt lick, but thanks anyway. HORSES Horses are soooo 2018, darling, it’s all about the mules now. We’ve had dressage mules, jumping mules, TREC mules — and now a £30 miniature mule called Napoleon, taking his five-year-old rider out hunting. What more could one possibly want? FOOTBALL The owner of a two-year-old colt called Tony the Pony has offered his service to her local Premier League club, as he’s a keen player. Tony apparently plays daily — and as Huddersfield Town is deeply mired in the relegation zone, a four-legged recruit…

RIDING in January isn’t really much fun. Jodie wishes she could pack her horse away tidily in a stable, go to Barbados and get said beast out again in six weeks’ time when the light is a bit better. However, she has qualified for the Mitsubishi Motors Cup at Badminton and really wants to get a few runs in first, so work starts now. Jodie doesn’t have an arena at home, so several times a week it has to be roadwork. After a terrifying near-miss with a car hurtling through the lanes early on a particularly dark morning, she goes out and spends a fortune on as much hi-vis as she can find, knowing she should have done it years ago. Now Jodie and her horse Bonny are decked out…

A SMART grey horse is trotting purposefully round Ros Canter’s huge multi-purpose arena. There are permanent cross-country fences — including a water splash — as well as various arrangements of showjumps. Ros explains that she tends to mix all the disciplines up in a session. “I don’t separate them — sometimes I will start with some flatwork, move on to do a few jumps and then back to the flat,” she says. Ros caters the warm-up to the individual horse, but says it’s not usually necessary to spend a long time in each pace. Today, as a biting Siberian wind whips across the arena, she moves Polly straight into a forward-going trot and canter. The young mare is relaxed and Ros’ reins are fairly long, though she adds, “If they’re…

FLICKER, a muddy palomino part-Shetland, trots across the field, shaking her knotted mane. She stops, nuzzles my pockets, and rubs her nose against my back. Tina and Cumbria, two retired high-goal polo ponies, stand against the green hill and blue sky, watching. “Which horse would you like to work with?” asks equine psychologist Jo-Anne Karlsson. Tina reminds me of Bonnie, my own black pony with a dark brown muzzle whom I would ride bareback as the summer sun rose over the mornings of my adolescence. Riding across stubble fields and through dark woods, I told her my secrets. “Tina is highly sensitive,” says Jo-Anne later. I lead Tina into the manège, Flicker and Cumbria follow. Jo-Anne instructs me to imagine four different areas of my life within the manège, and…

CROSS-COUNTRY BOOTS VEREDUS E-VENTO XC EVENT BOOTS £120 for a front pair Tested by: Sam Jennings Performance: 10 Style: 9 Fit: 8 Value for money: 7 Verdeus says: The Veredus E-vento XC event boots aim to combine maximum protection with comfort for horses going cross-country. They are made with micro-perforated neoprene Aerox, with 3D mesh ducted fabric to guarantee double ventilation. Being fully waterproof, the boots don’t absorb or retain water and although they offer robust protection, the boots are lightweight and boast protective pads in polyurethane foam, which helps reduce the shock felt during high impact. Sam says: These cross-country boots are smart and of good quality. They proved to be a really good pair of lightweight boots that were extremely breathable, very easy to put on and take…

IT must be nearly 30 years to the day since I last went hunting. I think that was with the North Cotswold, but I also had the odd day with the Heythrop. Jean Ballard, who was a List One dressage judge and also secretary of the Heythrop, had become rather forgetful by that stage and I clearly remember her asking me for my cap three times in an hour. I had obviously paid it at the meet, yet even as I turned to go home, she was still shrieking after me! I never really knew anything about hunting; I was working for Jannie and Christopher Taylor at Bourton-on-the-Hill, producing young eventers, and I just took horses out for an hour and a half as part of their education, so I…

PEOPLE often ask me about a career in hunt service. In considering my response to this question, there’s no denying the fact that hunting has changed an awful lot over the past 20 years. If you’re looking to make a fortune by working very few hours, a career in hunt service definitely won’t be for you. However, if your interests include hounds, horses, hunting and the countryside, there are few better ways of life. Despite the obvious problems, including the political situation, I always find it very encouraging to see the amount of young people we still have showing interest in this career. One of the challenges we face is people feeling that the older generations have “seen the best of hunting”. While this may ring true in some ways,…

Yorkshire Riding Centre, N Yorks Lauran Lee picked up both red rosettes in the prelims on her Irish Sport Horse Roberto C. The pair used to compete in British Showjumping until Lauran had spinal surgery and was advised not to jump. “I had always worked with horses and enjoyed jumping and hunting, but had to change my career after the operation,” said Lauran, who is now a dental receptionist. “I started doing dressage on a ticket and he did really well, so now we’re hoping to progress.” Lauran and the nine-year-old have qualified for the winter regionals, and are training with Katherine Heslop in a bid to move up the levels. Hilary Janion, who has had dressage success on her former show horses, had two novice wins on her new…

BRITISH-BASED RIDERS IN THE MONEY AT the CSI4* Al Shira’aa International in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Shane Breen immediately hit winning form, taking the opening day’s 1.45m jump-off class on Can Ya Makan. His brother, Trevor, and William Funnell were among the UK-based contingent in the prize money. SUCCESS FOR CAREY IRELAND’S Shane Carey won the CSI2* grand prix in Sopot, Poland, riding Maria Gretzer’s nine-year-old mare Fecybelle, taking home the top prize of nearly €6,000 (£5,350). KENNY’S IN THE FAST LANE THE Winter Equestrian Festival at Palm Beach International EC, Florida, kicked off this week. Among the opening raft of winners was Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and Billy Dorito, who swooped to glory in a 68-strong 1.40m speed class. “I actually didn’t think I was going to be that fast!” said…

BILLY JACKSON gave the fences plenty of air to qualify for the winter seven-year-old with Sophie Fawcett. “He’s a dude,” said Sophie, who bought the Billy Congo x Andiamo seven-year-old from Billy Stud 15 months ago after her parents David and Jayney Rogers spotted him jumping at Addington’s British Young Horse Championships. “He’s brave with oodles of jump. He thinks he knows best sometimes but that’s not a bad trait,” added Sophie, who is off to the imminent Vilamoura, Portugal, tour and will aim for the Foxhunter and talent seeeker second rounds in the summer.…

10 Jan: Connolly’s Red Mills newcomers.— 1, Clint Star (A Silk-Jones); 2, Gambler B II (A Bishop); 3, Nikita Van Het Geinsteinde. 1.15m open.— 1, Grand Cru I (A Bradstock; 2, Killagriff Ohio Lou (A Bishop); 3, Polly EM (K Bedford). Foxhunter/grade C.— 1, Wellington Grandorie (K Mercer); 2, VC Vie De Valencio (C Franks); 3, Miss Tangelo (A Beck). 1.25m open.— 1, Calista II (J Mincher); 2, Greenlanes Balou Star (K Mercer); 3, Thomascourt Atlantis (A Bishop). winter grade C.— 1, Garande (J Winter); 2, Tincabell (T Roche); 3, Doublem Chacco (J Mincher). winter national 1.35m open.— 1, Eebay (A Bradstock); 2, Carlos F (R Moss); 3, Heathrow (K White). 11 Jan: Connolly’s Red Mills newcomers.— 1, Billy Pearl (L Hill); 2, Hot Air (G Tattersall); 3, Chilli’s Prince…

THERE’S a saying that “you run out of horses before you run out of shows” and the current calendar certainly illustrates this predicament. I use a fantastic app, My Show Advisor, that lists all show dates right through the year. The amount of international fixtures is now staggering. The calendar is so intense, it’s going to be intriguing to see how we’ll to continue to supply our riders with enough good horses to jump the Global Champions Tour (GCT), Nations Cups, Rolex tour and the other big shows. If you look at a rider like Ben Maher, who had a brilliant season on the GCT with Explosion W, you have to ask, where is his second horse? The same is true for many top British riders, and meeting the demand…

VICKI MORTON is proof that you don’t have to spend millions to be a successful owner. None of her horses cost more than £9,000 and most were considerably less, but by the end of 2018 they and rider Hannah Tiley had accumulated 75 wins, plus prize money of nearly £8,000 in classes from amateurs to Foxhunter level. A former showjumper — “I had a good horse who lugged me round 1.30m classes” — for years, Vicki combined riding with a full-time job in London. She gave up due to knee problems and now gets her showjumping kicks from watching her horses compete. “I’m a hands-on owner. A mare and two youngsters are at a stud and the other nine are on DIY livery, so doing them keeps me busy,” she…

ALL CHANGE ADDINGTON EQUESTRIAN CENTRE in Buckinghamshire reopened this month under a new team. The venue is now managed by former international showjumper Chris Parker, already a well-known director of major shows. New indoor and outdoor surfaces have been installed and other improvements are ongoing. For more information, visit addingtonequestrian.com CALLING EARLYBIRDS TICKETS have gone on sale for Royal Windsor (8-12 May), the Hickstead Derby meeting (20-23 June) and the Royal International (24-28 July). Windsor’s prices start at £10 for general admission. Hickstead’s tickets are held at 2018 levels and start at £20. For more details, visit rwhs.co.uk and hickstead.co.uk PASTURES NEW LIFE is certainly changing for William and Elisabeth Whitaker. As well as a new job for William, they have waved goodbye to Fandango, who will enjoy a slower…

DUNSTON HARRIERS, AMPTON, SUNDAY, 13 JANUARY Conditions 9yo&up.— 1, S Humphrey’s Local Show (W Humphrey) S Humphrey. open maiden.— 1, J Whyte’s Chapelier (R Collinson) A Pennock. mixed open.— 1, J Exelby & A Hill’s Broken Eagle (J Andrews) A Hill. restricted.— 1, C Blockley’s Tullys Touch (J Andrews) J Ibbott. intermediate.— 1, D Everard & Miss A Hardy’s Chosen Rose (R Collinson) A Pennock. conditions (for novice riders) 6yo&up.— 1, M Chatterton’s Minella Friend (G Chatterton) C Bealby. NORTH CORNWALL, WADEBRIDGE, SUNDAY, 13 JANUARY Hunt members.— 1, P Mann, P Emmins & D Kenealy’s My King (K Buckley) J Tickle. Club members (for novice riders).— 1, The Little Acres Racing Club’s Chosen Lucky (L Harrison) D Summersby. ladies’ open.— 1, T Malone’s The Last But One (J Supple) T…

I SHOULD have stayed in bed yesterday morning. Alec was back from school and Sally, the new pony, was needed for hunting on the Saturday. We pulled her out of the field and tacked up ready for a quick ride. Less than 200 metres down the road, Alec called out: “Mummy, there’s something wrong with Sally.” “What? Keep going, I’ve got loads to do when we get back,” I replied, distractedly. Alec tends to over-egg things, and he’s always talking. Sometimes you zone out and start pondering what you can make for supper or other existential conundrums that fill the day. “Come on, keep up,” I called back to him. ‘People think it’s very zen living away from everything — it really isn’t’ “Listen Mummy, I think Sally’s lame,” at…