Innholdsfortegnelse for 21-Feb-2019 i Horse & Hound

IT’S always refreshing to read an interview with medal-magnet para dressage rider Sir Lee Pearson (H&H interview, p22). Lee is an interviewer’s dream — he’s a quote a minute and not afraid to tell it like it is. He is ever open about his disability, saying it’s “what makes him interesting”. There are many things that make Lee interesting, but his disability certainly makes his ability to train horses to the top level all the more extraordinary. He is so savvy to the importance of effective marketing that he has bred an appaloosa to be eye-catching, like his multi-medal winning dun Blue Circle Boy. And he endears himself to any horse lover by appearing grateful to horses as a species, for all they have helped him achieve and all the…

SEVERAL British Eventing (BE) fixtures are going through an appeals process over the future of international classes at their horse trials from 2020 onwards. Brightling and Hambleden are among the major fixtures going through the process, with many riders voicing their support. The #KeepBrightling hashtag has spread across social media, with competitors sharing their memories of the event and saying why they believe it should be saved. Hambleden is hoping to return to the calendar from 2020 following a two-year break — the event was cancelled in 2018 due to a clash with Bicton and then planned its 2020 return to tie-in with the new tendering process. Riders have also shared their support for the popular Oxfordshire fixture. BE told members at the 2018 AGM that its fixtures team was…

BRISTOL GETS TOP NATIONAL WEIGHT GRADE One-winning Bristol De Mai is to carry the top weight of 11st 10lb in this year’s Grand National. The eight-year-old gelding, owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, is one of nine entries for dual National-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies at Aintree on 6 April. The 2018 victor Tiger Roll, trained by Gordon Elliott, has been given 11st 1lb — up 9lb from last year — and was, as H&H went to press,the 20/1 joint-favourite alongside Colin Tizzard’s Welsh Grand National winner Elegant Escape (11st 4lb). Gordon accounts for 22 of the record 47 Irish-trained entries. “The countdown to the 172nd running of the world’s greatest and most valuable chase begins with the unveiling of the weights,” said John Baker, Aintree’s managing director. NEW LOTTERY…

Eventer Lucinda Green is running a supporters’ scheme to help fund her horse Riddick VEH. The six-time Badminton winner is looking for 10 people to join her for a “year to remember” for £2,000. New Zealand eventer Sir Mark Todd is training Flat racehorse Eminent. Mark plans to run the five-year-old, principally owned by Sir Peter Vela, in two Grade One races in Australia this spring. The British Show Pony Society has announced that the Countess of Wessex has become a patron. The countess is the first royal patron in the society’s history. Irish eventer Aoife Clark has announced she is pregnant with her first child. Aoife and her husband Simon are expecting the new addition to their family at the end of April. IRISH DRESSAGE RIDER JUDY REYNOLDS SET…

MAIN ROAD The 11-year-old ride of Irish showjumper Shane Sweetnam died unexpectedly in his stable at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida. The combination had enjoyed success at five-star level. EMERALD VAN ‘T RUYTERSHOF The top showjumping stallion has retired from the sport to focus on a breeding career. With Harrie Smolders, Emerald was on the Dutch team that finished seventh at the 2016 Olympics. RHODIUM The 21-year-old KWPN licensed dressage stallion has died at the age of 21. His progeny include the licensed stallions Capri Sonne Jr, who is competing at grand prix with Laura Tomlinson, and Washington.…

FLU With all the misinformation about flu around, one has to applaud the vets who compared it to rain in Ireland: there’s “always some somewhere”. “Whether or not you get wet depends on how good your jacket is,” the vets added. Wise words indeed. SOCIAL MEEDJA Strong competition again for Flu-Related Facebook Comment of the Week — but it goes to a man who said it was thanks to “the BBC etc that people are worrying yearly vaccinations aren’t good enough.” Or possibly top vets’ advice, but close… MORE SOCIAL MEEDJA A Highly Commended in the above, however, has to go to the rider who joked she may be behind the outbreak. “I had the snots and a cough and I drove to Ludlow,” she confessed. “I think I’m responsible,…

DREAM BIG Sir — Your article “A dressage ceiling” (7 February) really struck a chord with me, as a middle-aged amateur rider with a home-bred horse, who managed to reach prix st georges (PSG). I wanted to tell you about our journey to get there. I used to event, but 10 years ago I lost the desire to leave the ground, so switched to dressage. At that time, my young home-bred mare had been successful at prelim riding club dressage, so I tentatively entered my first British Dressage prelim test — and so our “dressage journey” began. Initially, my aim was to reach elementary. Over the years, on a limited budget, we started to progress. We completed our first elementary test without major incident. Medium level came and went. Flying…

My mum said that from when I was five or six, I was saying I wanted to be a horse doctor, so I’m living the dream really. It’s not like some equine practices where you only really see competition horses or racehorses; I treat the New Forest ponies, point-to-pointers and competition animals — but we also treat a variety of other animals. I think the most unusual thing I’ve done is “unpacking” an alpaca — the term for alpacas giving birth. I was called to go and help deliver a cria (alpaca baby) and I was told I’d have to unpack it. I thought they were joking. I’ve also had to do a Caesarean on a pygmy goat. She was so small, the owners just put her in a car…

Sit “inside” your horse’s forelegs — so don’t lean in or over the inside shoulder through turns and circles. To prevent this happening, think of the point between the horse’s ears as a table to rest a tea cup on. You don’t want the tea to spill, so look through the ears and keep that point level through all turns and circles. This will also ensure the horse isn’t tilting. Never push down or pull back on the inside rein. Thumbs must be up, and thumbnails must face the direction of the ears. There should be a small gap between the inside rein and the neck — I like to put my fingers inside this gap.…

VIVALDI DU DOM tested positive to lidocaine during the young rider Europeans, which was caused by accidental transference of a skin cream used by an “innocent party”, a cancer patient who stroked the chestnut. Harry was fined around £1,150 but has no suspension. Harry’s father Peter has conducted extensive research with a leading vet in this field, Professor Thomas Tobin, and the International Riders Club, whose professional opinion was that the “amount and mechanism of this innocent and inadvertent transfer is completely unable to produce a significant pharmacological effect. This trace level finding is therefore of no pharmacological, regulatory or forensic significance.” In a statement, Peter added: “Somehow we will put this behind us and move on, as this has been a very stressful and upsetting time. We look forward…

Can syndicates or federations help riders “keep” top horses? IN 2006, Dutch equestrian journalist Jacob Melissen dreamt up the Showjumping Fund of the Netherlands (SFN), a unique syndicate designed to keep top horses in the country. Horses under its ownership included Jeroen Dubbeldam’s world and European champion SFN Zenith NOP (pictured, below), and they were all to be sold at auction when the fund dissolved at the end of its 10-year lifespan (although SFN Zenith NOP did not sell). BS chief executive Iain Graham says BS met with some members of the SFN programme two years ago, but had concluded a similar approach could not be taken on by a national federation or governing body. “The Dutch model engaged someone to manage those horses and if they were not performing…

Belgian-bred 15-year-old liver chestnut 17.1hh stallion Stable name: Don (previously Paris) Owner: Copernicus Stables LLC Rider: Harrie Smolders (NED) Groom: Alex Tyler-Morris Breeder: Guy De Schuymer Producer: Brendon Stud, rider Louise Pavitt Prize money: nearly €2m (£1.8m) BEST RESULTS: individual silver at the 2017 European Championships; winner of the CSI5* grands prix of Hamburg 2018, Shanghai 2018, Rome 2016, Vienna 2015, Royal Windsor 2012. Podium finishes in the Mechelen World Cup qualifier 2018, GCT grand prix of Doha 2018, GCT grand prix of Paris 2018 and 2017, GCT of Rome 2017, Hamburg 2017 and 2016, Los Angeles 2016. Crowned six-year-old champion at Horse of the Year Show 2010, won Walwyn novice championship at Royal Windsor 2010, grade C champion 2011.…

FORMER OWNER/PRODUCER SHIRLEY LIGHT SAYS… “WE bought ‘Paris’ loose jumping as a two-year-old from his breeder. He showed that big scopey jump right from the word go. He was very simple to break in and his progeny are the same — you just tack them up and off you go. “At his first ever show, I told Louise Pavitt to ride him through the double to show it to him before they started and he spooked at the filler, so she gave him a kick and he jumped straight out of the double backwards — from a standstill. She wasn’t expecting that! “Then at his first outdoor school, I told her to give him a smack on the bum when he was being cheeky and stopped dead going into the…

TIN hats at the ready — it’s AGM season. The mere mention is enough to turn some MFHs to stone. Once a year, anyone with a toe in the hunt’s door has the opportunity to hold their hunt hierarchy to account. It is an important and necessary ritual, even cathartic at times. As I drove to my first AGM nearly 20 years ago, my passenger, a distinguished retired MFH, informed me that the best AGMs are attended by a couple of subscribers, a farmer and his wife who walks puppies, and a wizened earth-stopper accompanied by his favourite terrier, who might get the casting vote. My heart duly sank at the sight of a full car park and a giddy atmosphere within. I’d never attended a public execution but feared…

KBIS prelim 17A silv (J Robinson, D Hamer, P Watts).— 1, Cavallina Herself (A Houldcroft) 70.23; 2, Alamo II (E Glover) 69.94; 3, Jethro S (B Moore-Taylor) 69.48. Blue Chip nov 37A gold (A Hessay, A Smith, S Smith).— 1, Hawtins Sandori (G van Vooren) 71.66; 2, Seagry Franchesca (C Hutton) 70.74; 3, Virtuoso G (J Stolper) 70.49. silv (N Burton, P Watts, S Smith).— 1, Haybrook Welita (S Clack) 71.17; 2, Illissos (E Goodfellow) 70.06; 3, Alamo II 68.45. Baileys nov FSM gold (J Robinson, L Waller, S Smith).— 1, Virtuoso G 78.05; 2, Imhotep (S Smith) 77.96; 3, Henrico I (B Bainbridge) 70.92. silv (J Harris, C Thornton, B Trower).— 1, Foxglove UCS (J Hill) 74.25; 2, Cavallina Herself 71.11; 3, Bogelys Corporal (E Maisey) 70.83. Equi-Trek elem…

Summerhouse EC, Glos | Burrows Court Farm, Glos With their winning debut at Solihull EC just the previous day, the pair secured four high-scoring medium victories in little more than 24 hours. “I’ve had her since January and I’m just getting to know her,” said Matt of Nicola Keenan’s seven-year-old Chagall mare, who did well at novice and elementary with Jess Dunn. “I’m 6ft 4in and she’s just 16.1hh, but she’s striking and more than makes up for it with her movement — she fills the arena.” Matt is off to the Wellington regionals with Helga and will aim her at small tour next year. “She’s strong in her body and ready for it,” he said. “Every day she comes out with a smile on her face.” ‘I bought him…

BURY FARM 4 Feb: prelim 15Q silv (R Baldwin).— 1, Eternal Weltoscha (K Jaye-Lipton) 71.2; 2, Dinan Darcy (A Geday) 68.2. brnz.— 1, Kestrel Harp (C Marlow) 67.6. prelim 17AQ silv.— 1, Hunter III (Y Mason) 68.96; 2, Eternal Weltoscha 66.72. brnz.— 1, Kestrel Harp 66.72. nov 22 brnz.— 1, Seagry Sanlluis (H Goate) 62.75. nov 37AQ silv.— 1, Elegido CXI VII (T Wakeley) 70.55. elem 43 gold.— 1, Saskia D’Amour (J Porter-Harris) 65.17. silv.— 1, Dushi (E Hough) 61.37. elem 59Q gold.— 1, Saskia D’Amour 64.37. silv.— 1, Elegido CXI VIII 67.5; 2, Dushi 59.21. med 61 brnz.— 1, Kayla Beech (M Nagele) 62.58. med 75Q gold.— 1, Glomf (M Day) 67.43. silv.— 1, Oculto’s Hope (K Babb) 67.83; 2, Freeman H (L Ruffle) 65.67. adv med 85 gold…

South View Small Pony Premier, Cheshire THE long journey from the northeast proved well worthwhile for Chloe Johnson, who took the first Hickstead ticket of the weekend when Castlepark Giant (Oakie) gained a decisive win in the winter 128cm second round. Having gained lower places at Keysoe and Morris with Oakie, Chloe, aged 11, kept her cool to produce the first triple clear round in the seven-strong final jump-off. “This is the first time we’ve made it into the third round and the fences were big, but Oakie is brave and has lots of scope,” said Chloe, who had to sit extra-tight when Oakie decided to balloon the last fence in the second round. Chloe is a year into her partnership with the Irish-bred 10-year-old. After just missing out on…

Brook Farm, Essex ZOE REDDAN made the most of a trip to Essex from her home in Devon by scoring a double at Brook Farm. Zoe has her own yard in Okehampton, where she breeds and trains showjumpers. She has been training with John and Laura Renwick for three years and this was just one of the regular journeys she makes to their base. “I spent a winter with John and Laura, riding and training, and I learned so much that it’s natural to keep coming back,” she explained. “They were going to Brook Farm, so I just tagged along and the wins helped pay for my journey home!” Zoe’s 1.05m open winner was the Irish-bred 10-year-old Clovers Boy, whom she has been riding for a year. “He’s a pony…

National Pony Society Area 7, Bury Farm, Bucks EXPERIENCED ponies lapped up the prizes at the first Royal International (RIHS) working hunter pony qualifier of the season. Young jockey Izzy Sharifi — still on a high from her 2018 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) centre line moment — steered her new Welsh section A ride to victory in the mountain and moorland (M&M) worker championship. Combinations were treated to a tight track in Bury Farm’s indoor arena, which produced an even split of clears across the sections. Champion was the flying 15-year-old grey gelding Malby Mahyong who is no stranger to success and has an impressive CV on the flat and over fences. Izzy, who landed the HOYS M&M ridden title in October on Glebedale Mumbo Jumbo, was making…

Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire THERE have not been many better fields assembled this season than that for the Betfair Ascot Chase on Saturday, 16 February, which included title holder Waiting Patiently plus the proven quality of Politologue and Fox Norton. But if anyone had suggested a few months ago that they’d get a 17-length beating by Cyrname — in a new track record — it is likely that even his trainer Paul Nicholls would have given them a pat on the back and asked if they needed a glass of water. Yet a horse, who was once unmanageable, was as revelatory as he had been in a handicap over the same 2m 5f in mid-January, skipping over the fences seemingly without an interruption to his stride, under Harry Cobden. “Going into…

WE woke on the morning of 7 February to the dramatic news that racing was shutting down with immediate effect. It appears that the British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) latest import, Australian Brant Dunshea, was fully on the case and, with the backing of his board, they decided that racing must cease for at least one week. Time will tell if it was a wise move but, personally, I think a week was long enough — after nearly 5,000 swabs, only a handful of cases were found to contain flu symptoms. But we must take this flu epidemic very seriously, because there are so many unvaccinated horses in this country and cases are continuing to be found — for some it could be deadly. Common sense must prevail and all horses,…

THURLOW, HORSEHEATH Saturday, 16 February Conditions.— 1, The Jackson-Stops & Fisher Partnership’s Summer Sounds (A Stevens) F Nimmo. open maiden 4,5&6yo.— 1, J Chatfeild-Roberts’ Smoke Man (T Chatfeild-Roberts) H Connors. conditions (nov riders).— 1, S Humphrey’s Local Show (W Humphrey) S Humphrey. ladies’ open.— 1, M Flinton’s Lord Topper (F Flinton) J Owen. mens’open.— 1, M Moody’s Thetalkinghorse (T McClorey) G Bailey. restricted— 1, J Whyte’s Chapelier (R Collinson) A Pennock. open maiden 7yo&up.— 1, A Vaughan-Jones & G Luck’s Bardista (A Vaughan-Jones) G Bailey. WESTERN, WADEBRIDGE Saturday, 16 February Conditions.— 1, The Little Acres Racing Club’s Chosen Lucky (L Harrison) D Summersby. open maiden.— 1, J&S Gardener’s Cloudy Music (D Edwards) D Summersby. restricted.— 1, L&H Racing Club’s Acadian (L Drowne) H Lewis. intermediate.— 1, The Stonevalley Racing Club’s…

IT was great to be back racing last weekend following a fairly torrid month for the sport in which we raced on only one weekend out of four. While recent events cannot have been helped (first the white-out and then the flu-out) the “quiet spell” began with a fixture-less weekend in mid-January. Like most equestrian disciplines, point-to-pointing relies on a well-organised and balanced fixture list, plus a good dollop of luck (with the weather for example), to thrive and meet the needs of its participants. Lack of continuity at any point in the season does nothing to help our sport, so on reflection I think the decision to have a blank weekend mid-season was something of an “own goal” and certainly baffled many trainers and riders. Going forward, further steps…

Curre and Llangibby, Howick, Gwent AFTER nearly three months off following his tibia being snapped by a loose horse after a race, Jack Tudor made a winning comeback to the track when landing the restricted aboard Barbara and Gwynn Davies’ six-year-old Billygwyn Too. Trained by Jack’s father Jonathan Tudor, who bought the horse for Barbara at Ascot, the gelding has now won two of his three starts in the year that he’s been owned by the Davies. “My husband has a form of dementia and the two things he loves most are rugby and horse racing, so I bought him a horse,” said Barbara. “Jonathan’s father, Billy, trained our previous horse Billygwyn, and now that Jonathan trains for us, we thought it would be fitting to name our new horse…

Sir W.W. Wynn’s, Bangor-on-Dee, Wrexham THE most impressive performance of the day came from the Fran Nimmo-trained newcomer Garry Clermont, who helped his jockey Bryan Carver complete a double. The four-year-old was always prominent, drawing clear to win by an impressive 15 lengths. The gelding is likely to head back to the sales in the near future, to be sold to go under Rules. “We’ve absolutely loved him from day one. I ride him every day so the pressure was on,” said Fran. Bryan’s first winner came courtesy of the Heidi Brookshawtrained Ballyrath in the confined, who saw off the odds-on favourite Undisputed (Alex Edwards). The opener went the way of the Diana Ralph-trained Encounter A Giant, under Alex Edward. Diana’s son, Alistair, explained the gelding has had a soft…

I WAS hoping to have a day with the West Percy yesterday but, as is so often the case with best-laid plans, it was thwarted at the last minute. There was a hard frost overnight and the call came through at eightish to say they were meeting on their feet. Fortunately, the Tynedale were up for a day in the Scottish part of our country so I was able to head off in the opposite direction for a day with them. ‘The job seemed to involve chatting up attractive farmers’ wives at every opportunity’ It is always fascinating going out with another pack and I would like to do more visiting, but at the same time — forgive me if this makes you feel a bit sick — I genuinely…

THE flu outbreak is far from over, despite the return of racing, and all owners should play a part in helping the situation come back under control, experts agree. After a six-day shutdown, racing resumed on 13 February, with strict biosecurity controls, and only horses who have been vaccinated in the past six months allowed to run. But the Animal Health Trust (AHT) has since confirmed a number of new cases in horses outside racing, both vaccinated and unvaccinated. Philip Ivens, a specialist in equine internal medicine with a background in infectious disease, told H&H owners must take sensible action. “We don’t want people to panic but outbreaks are ongoing,” Dr Ivens said. “We need to ensure that with up-to-date vaccinations, appropriate biosecurity and surveillance, we protect our horses and…

CONEYGREE The 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero has retired aged 12. Bred by Sara Bradstock’s late father, Lord Oaksey, and trained by her husband, Mark, he was the first novice to win the Gold Cup since Captain Christy in 1974. BLACK TIE II Karyn Shuter’s 18-year-old has retired. He came fourth at Luhmühlen CCI4* (now CCI5*-L), won Burnham Market CIC3* (now CCI4*-S) and competed at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, with Oliver Townend. SIZING JOHN The nine-year-old will miss the rest of the season after an injury setback. His trainer Jessica Harrington said they will continue to consult vets and “do what is best” for the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.…

A BRITISH Grooms Association (BGA) survey aimed at grooms who may be classed as “working pupils” aims to uncover “the truth behind these practices”. Having been contacted by a number of people who are given training on the job, the BGA has launched the questionnaire to find out whether they are being employed within the law. The equestrian industry has long featured working pupils, who work on yards and are given training in return. But the term has no legal or employment status, and traditional pupils are likely legally to be employees. These grooms still have to be paid the minimum wage and benefit from workers’ rights such as paid holidays and sick leave, and employers may not offer training in lieu of money. Employers can, with employees’ consent, give…

THE FEI has confirmed it has received a mix of interest for hosting the World Championships in both the old and proposed new formats. The deadline for “non-bidding expressions of interest” for the 2022 championships is 28 February. Organising committees will be invited to submit formal bids after 26 March, with the allocation of the games planned for the 2019 FEI general assembly in November. At the 2018 general assembly, the FEI board agreed to open the bidding process for individual disciplines. “Proposals have been submitted for multi-discipline championships, with some organising committees expressing an interest in all disciplines and others for a selection of disciplines, as well as expressions of interest in hosting standalone World Championships for individual disciplines,” an FEI spokesman told H&H. FEI president Ingmar de Vos…

T’INTERNET The new British Eventing website is live and it’s fair to say it wasn’t straight out of the start box. But eventer Bruce Haskell pointed out that a project that big wouldn’t be perfect immediately, advising “treating it like a four-year-old horse”. “#hugescope #needsguidance,” he added. Spot on, Sir. SERPENTS Feel for the Antipodean rider who pulled down a horse rug only to find a guest in situ — a snake almost the size of her horse (is that a slight exaggeration? Ed). Perhaps the spiders we have to deal with aren’t so bad after all… RIDING You know when you get home in the dark to find a neighbour’s dog riding your pony? Well no, neither do we, but a US woman does, having arrived home to find…

BRITAIN’S rider with the largest medal haul is a conundrum. Sir Lee Pearson is a knight who helps in a homeless shelter several times a week; a medal magnet who “isn’t in it for the medals”; a man who’d rather merge into the background yet can’t help but stand out. “I’m the most abnormal normal person you’ll ever meet,” says the 11-time Paralympic champion. “I’d rather be monotone, to stay in the middle, but my life is lived in extremes. It goes from some people seeing me as a knight and multi-gold medallist, to others who won’t sit next to me in a bar. People can still be prejudiced against disability.” I ask if I should call him “Sir Lee”. “What, all day?” he laughs, incredulously. “It’s a big honour,…

LESLEY PEYTON-GILBERT LESLEY, a senior assessor for the British Equestrian Federation futurity programme, has trained horses from youngsters to international grand prix, including stallions ZV Lagos and Woodcroft Garuda K. She has lived in the Netherlands and Germany, where she was trained by Ellen Bontje, Tineke Bartels and Ulla Salzgeber. TRAINING THE STARS THIS is an exercise I use with all my young horses, but it is especially helpful for riders; it teaches them about timing, by half-halting and putting the leg on, after each pole.…

• ABC QUANTUM CRUISE, 10YO (OBOS QUALITY X CRUISING) Form: double clear at Nations Cup, competing at five-star shows. Harry says: “His rideability is a little tricky, but he has the scope and the carefulness to be an Olympic horse.” • SIECO, 10YO (CACHAS X LORENTIN) Form: fifth at Liverpool CSI4* 1.50m; won at Horse of the Year Show 2018. Harry says: “He was only backed at six, so he’s underdeveloped, but he’s a good clear-round jumper so we’ll aim at Nations Cups.” • VIVALDI DU DOM, 14YO (CASALL ASK X VENEUR DU PRELET) Form: individual and team silver at junior Europeans 2017. Harry says: “He’s not doing so many shows now but he’s better than just a young rider horse — he’s the most careful I’ll ever ride.”…

DON’S GROOM OF FIVE YEARS, ALEX TYLER-MORRIS, SAYS… “HE’S quite dominant, so you have to be leader with him — you can’t really be his friend or he’ll take advantage! But he’s very smart and he’s not like our other stallions — he’s tiring because you have to concentrate all the time. He likes to test new people and keeps them on their toes. “He’s very good in the stable and just loves to sleep. At shows, we actually request a double box for him so he can lie flat out like he does at home. Travelling, too, he just goes to sleep and doesn’t move. But when you open the ramp, he’s ready to go and you can’t get him off the truck quick enough otherwise he tries to…

SUMMERHOUSE EC 8 Feb: prelim 15Q silv (A Payne).— 1, Classic Muire (R Brown) 65.4. prelim 19Q silv (S Mobley).— 1, Classic Muire 66.66; 2, Alvescot Winning Ticket (A Russell) 63.54. brnz.— 1, Little Man III (D Bates) 59.58. nov 23 gold (A Payne).— 1, Hawtins Quattro (L Elliot) 73.33; 2, Denali (S Squires) 68.75; 3, Benica B (H Cumming) 68.33. silv.— 1, Sheepcote Jackson (E Lovell) 69.16; 2, Horeb Loan (S Cullen) 67.5; 3, Jodona (K Dyer) 66.25. brnz.— 1, DPUK Dun Surprise (P Jenkinson) 63.75; 2, Escley Side Gwyllam (C Simpson) 61.25; 3, A Sandrason (S Cox) 61.04. nov 37Q gold (S Mobley).— 1, Denali 73.51; 2, Hawtins Quattro 73.33; 3, Hawtins Sandori (G Van Vooren) 73.14. silv.— 1, Sheepcote Jackson 71.66; 2, Horeb Loan 68.14; 3, Jodona…

I RECENTLY returned from competing in the UAE, which was a great experience. My horses are now fresh as daisies, ready for the new season, having had sun on their backs. The timing worked well as January is always a bunfight trying to get into the European shows while the tours in Spain and Portugal had yet to start. I did four shows — a three-star, a four-star and two five-stars — and there was some serious competition. Decent combinations had come from Europe and the standard from the local countries is now high. The footing at each venue was excellent and we didn’t see a cloud — it was pleasant month of training and competition. I’ve noticed the UAE riders have not only improved their standard of riding, but…

Morris Equestrian, Ayrshire REIGNING Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) silver league champion Lucy Stewart has started the defence of her title in great form. She currently stands first and second on the Scottish silver league table and added to her points tally with a double of wins at Morris recently. Lucy began with victory in the 1.10m amateur class on the 13-year-old Glow DK, a horse she has owned for seven years and produced herself from the start. She then took the top two places in the 1.15m members’ cup, winning on her HOYS champion Cancun II and taking the runner-up spot with Glow DK. Although another HOYS qualification is an ambition, Lucy is pragmatic about her chances. “Winning once was a dream and I’m not sure if dreams…

AFTER more than five years away, Welsh rider Kath James has returned to showjumping and has introduced her seven-year-old identical twin daughters Daisy and Issy to the sport. When she retired originally, Kath kept one of her horses. “I thought I might try riding again, so I brought him home and the twins became interested,” she explained. Daisy and Issy began riding 18 months ago and were given two competition ponies last Christmas. After joining British Showjumping, they quickly gained their double clears for the stepping stones final at this year’s national championships, where they will be joined by Kath, who now competes up to 1.30m level. Daisy rides 14-year-old Whiskey Joe, while Issy partners Irish-bred Back In The Black. “They do everything themselves, including mucking out, grooming and feeding,”…

VERITY MURRAY was delighted to take the 143cm RIHS qualifier and stand reserve champion on her own 12-year-old Welsh section D stallion Gems Hobo, who also won and stood reserve in the novice section. “I bought him unseen from an auction page on Facebook,” said Verity. “I loved the look of him and his breeding. My gut instinct was that I just needed that pony.” The pair have been together for nearly three years and, as of September, have enjoyed a run of being unbeaten in working hunter classes. Their tally includes wins at the BSPS Heritage championships and Royal Berkshire. “It’s taken a long time to get him fit and supple,” continued Verity. “I plan to compete him in the HOYS qualifiers and do some dressage this year.”…

CAROL VORDERMAN has become one of the regular celebrity racegoers at the Cheltenham Festival, and she could yet have her very own runner at the meeting some day if Subway Surf can continue her progression. The former Countdown host is part of the Surf OnTheTurf syndicate which also includes former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, and both were at Ascot to see their mare, who had already won an Irish point-to-point, as well as a Ludlow bumper on her debut for Kim Bailey. Subway Surf, a close relative of useful chaser Loosen My Load, who was bought for £35,000 last year, battled on for third in what looked a reasonable bumper. “I was so nervous, my knees are still shaking,” said Vorderman, who has visited Subway Surf at Bailey’s Gloucestershire…

MOVE over, Mayfair; stand aside, Strand; time’s up, Trafalgar Square. Those standard Monopoly squares are just soooo last season, darling; anyone who’s anyone will soon be playing Monopoly with a special new Donkey Sanctuary set. Created with Monopoly manufacturers Hasbro to mark the charity’s 50th anniversary, the new set swaps chance and community chest for straw and carrots, the stations for farm vehicles and hotels and houses for barns and shelters. Other properties include specialist paddocks, vet facilities and donkey rehoming, as players follow an animal’s time with the sanctuary, from intake to finding a guardian home. Just watch out for the possibility of being hit with vet and feed bills as you move round the board — and, of course, the potential for family arguments has gone nowhere……

Sir — I refer to the “In Brief” column on p6 of 7 February’s issue. Reading both reports, I urge people to notice that 204 animals were terribly mistreated at the Surrey farm and found on one day — some horses so badly mistreated that they had to be put down. On the other report, it is noted that 201 horses lost their lives at the races in the whole year of 2018. The horses in Surrey suffered months of neglect and cruelty compared to the racehorses, who are loved and treated like royalty, and whose loss is a tragedy to all involved. We recently lost a much-loved horse at Ludlow called Herecomestheboom, a Cheltenham winner. He fractured a leg and was put to sleep by a team of vets…

THE RIDER, HARRIE SMOLDERS, SAYS… “I first rode Don as a seven-year-old when we were at the Brendon Stud buying another horse, Warrior, for a client. I could feel all the scope, all the carefulness, but for us the price was too high. “But a year later he was clear in the grand prix of Hickstead and we had a client who was interested in buying something very promising, and Copernicus, who are still the owners, bought him. “He’s been jumping clear rounds all his life and what makes him special is that you know exactly how he’s going to be tomorrow — he’s very manageable, very straightforward and that behaviour makes him so consistent. It’s rare to see such a big horse who is so careful. But because he’s…

Fingal Harriers, The Fox Inn, Co. Dublin THE first time I entered the Fingal Harriers country in north Co. Dublin was by driving to a Rolling Stones concert at Slane Castle in 1982, a little further up on the banks of the Boyne. I was struck then by its patchwork of small grassland fields, quartered by yawning ditches and “bullfinch” hedges, like a waffle on a gridiron. With the neighbouring Meath, Louth, Kildare and Ballymacad cancelled because of frost, more than 80 riders, up to 15 who were side-saddle, assembled at Raymond Sutton’s welcoming Fox Inn at Ballymadun, near Ashbourne, in bright sunshine and what was to be wonderful going on old turf. “It will be over some lovely grass country, suitable for all,” joint-master Mick McGrath had assured us.…

‘She’ll perk up and perk down, whatever I need. I’ll talk to her and she responds’ SOMETIMES, prayers are answered. “When I became a master, I said, ‘Hello up there, help me,’” remembers Lulu Hutley, joint-master of the Surrey Union. She had started hunting aged 39, five weeks after the birth of her fourth child, and was looked after by brilliant borrowed horse Toby for 10 years, but eventually needed her own. All her family hunted, so “if I was to remain part of the family, I had to hunt. It was a baptism of fire.” A friend knew of a likely candidate in the Heythrop country, so Lulu went up there with her daughter “who is a good rider; I’m not!”. She tried Peanut, originally from Ireland, and “found…

Summerhouse EC Winter Regional Championships, Glos THE week before the regional finals, Abi Hutton took Farrell for a preparatory outing at Summerhouse, where the eight-year-old reared and ran backwards three times. But this time she and the Fabregas gelding claimed the advanced medium gold title with 70.35%. “Paul Fielder told me not to ride for anything higher than sevens as Farrell can be very sharp and I thought I might have problems,” said Abi. “But he only did two tiny spooks and gave me a lovely ride as he finds everything so easy. He does a lot of spinning and leaping at home, but he’s improved my riding no end in that sphere.” Abi also finished second to herself in the same class with another eight-year-old, Suspension Giraldo, making her…

Half Moon Stud, Dorset | Chard EC, Somerset Olivia desperately needed an outing before the regionals for her six-year-old Rock Diva. “I was willing to travel anywhere as she hasn’t been out since November,” Olivia explained. The partnership, trained by Roland Tong, topped 70% in an elementary and then also headed a medium. “I was in two minds whether to do the second test, but she has the most incredible brain and learns everything new in about five minutes,” said Olivia. The Rock Forever daughter was bred by Katarzyna Koch in Germany, and Olivia bought her unseen as a two-year-old. Yeovil-based Pippa Tucker headed an elementary at Half Moon Stud on her 17hh home-bred 10-year-old Rambo VIII, who is by Karandast. “He’s really chunky and I’m only 5ft 2in, so…

Cherwell, Oxon | Bury Farm, Beds | BS Guernsey, Ch Isles The Sir Donnerhall x Brentano five-year-old was bought by Pat Ruck as a foal, and her novice wins came at Cherwell. “It was her first novice and first time out since October,” said rider Rebecca Cowderoy, after Sissily spent most of her warm-up in the air. “She’s a huge mover with super-expressive paces.” Rebecca was equally enthusiastic about her own and Maria Wellman’s British-bred six-year-old Fortunatus I, by Floriscount, who won his first medium on 72.2%. The gelding was awarded eights for his canter half-passes. Sara Garvie and Ri Alto (Ricardo Z x Ferragamo) achieved their highest score of 68.81% at inter I at Bury Farm. “Finally, the way of going he has at home is becoming established in…

TELLING someone you’re a dressage rider usually provokes one of the following responses: “Oh I’ve seen it on the telly — horse dancing with music”; “Why do you wear those magician’s outfits?” or, “Do you have whips and spurs? I’ve read Jilly Cooper,” the last one usually accompanied by a wink. Immersed in the world of horses, it’s easy to forget there is a whole world out there, of which we are only a tiny part. But that other world’s view of our activities impacts on our future in the Olympics, our lottery funding and our sponsorship opportunities. We need to be inviting, accessible and open to scrutiny and ethical questions. There will always be grumbles and human error, but the field of play should fundamentally be fair, points justifiable…

90cm.— 1, Parkour I (P Boocock); 2, Maisiemay (L Caroline); 3, Koraika (I Saunders Cook). BS 11yo & under.— 1eq, 18 tied. Graham Heath Equestrian 128/138cm h’cap.— 1 & 3, Lissduff Royal & Mister Proper (T Kyle); 2, Buttons Two (R Proudley). winter 128cm 2nd rnd.– 1, Castlepark Giant (C Johnson); 2, Camizion (S Wicks); 3, Bunbury Conquest (E Irvine). winter 138cm 2nd rnd.– 1, Buttons Two; 2, Rochevalley Red Baron (P Wright); 3, Follow Jazzy Lady (O Carpenter). BS 128/138cm h’cap special.— 1, Carrowvila Izzy (E McCoy); 2, Ashurst Quicksilver III (T Holt); 3, Icaris W (R Proudley). Graham Heath Equestrian 128/138cm h’cap.— 1, Buttons Two; 2 & 3, Lissduff Royal & Living The Dream (T Kyle). winter 128cm 2nd rnd.— 1 & 2, Coreys Princess & Borderhill William…

West Wilts EC CHARLOTTE DOEL flew the flag for the showjumpers at West Wilts, where she put the event riders who flocked to the show in their place by winning two classes. Charlotte is married to top eventer David Doel, but intends to stick to the coloured poles. “I’m not about to go over to the dark side,” she joked. “The best thing about the show was beating my husband, but he’s hopefully getting used to it now!” Charlotte headed the 1m open on her 17-year-old grade A gelding Vivre La Vie B. “He was supposed to be semi-retired, went on loan to a friend and came home in disgrace,” she explained. “He’s won both his classes this season and as long as he’s happy, he can keep on jumping.”…