Innholdsfortegnelse for 11-Apr-2019 i Horse & Hound

SOME horses’ connections would rather we didn’t risk jinxing their chances of victory by putting the horse on the front cover of Horse & Hound for the corresponding event’s preview issue — riders and trainers are a superstitious lot, after all — even if it is the favourite. Happily our doing so did Tiger Roll no harm, the hero romping home a little shy of three lengths clear to win his second Grand National on the trot. And so a star is born — a Red Rum for our era — a little horse bred for the Flat, which makes his prowess so much the better given our tendency to favour a David over a Goliath. It was a “where were you when…” moment, to which I would have to…

GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL FATALITIES THREE horses died at Aintree’s showcase meeting (4-6 April), including one in the Grand National. Up For Review, a 10-year-old trained by Willie Mullins, suffered a fatal injury when he was brought down after the first National fence. Crucial Role and Forest Des Aigles had both sustained fatal injuries the previous day. “It is obviously sad when we lose any horse, but it is important to note that the Grand National Festival, and the big race, have a very strong recent record since the changes implemented by the course and the [British Horseracing Authority] BHA following the review in 2011,” said BHA CEO Nick Rust. “As is the case after every race under Rules, we’ll gather information and build any relevant learning into policy.” H&H HORSES…

Swiss showjumper Steve Guerdat claimed his third World Cup title in Gothenburg on 7 April. Steve, the current world number one, took the win on 11-year-old Alamo. Report, p92 Jockey Fran Berry, 38, has retired after suffering spinal injuries in a fall in January. Fran said his rehabilitation had not been progressing and the decision was “made for him”. Showjumper John Whitaker fractured his collarbone in a fall with Argento at the Gothenburg Horse Show on 3 April. He withdrew from all competition. Argento was unhurt. German dressage rider Isabell Werth won her third back-to-back World Cup title in Gothenburg, on Weihegold OLD. It was Isabell’s fifth World Cup win. Report, p88 Eventer Emily Llewellyn has got engaged to showjumper Max Routledge. The former young rider European champion said she…

EVENTING Or rather, a bad week for geography. Not only did Kent and Essex have no FEI fixtures, most of both counties, as well as much of Norfolk and Suffolk, weren’t even on the BE map used to locate said events… PEOPLE Top marks to the rider who defied all critics of the BE website (there seems to be a theme here, Ed) by managing successfully to register herself online as a member — or so she thought. Her registration confirmation stated she was bay, 15.2hh and foaled in 2012. Wonder if she’s good to load, shoe and clip, too? SHOWJUMPING AND DRESSAGE It’s not been a bad week for either, tbh, we just felt as though there needed to be some cross-discipline balance here...…

HOW has a someone who has never had a cross-country lesson and has no coaching qualifications ended up being one of the most sought-after cross-country coaches in the world? When you realise we’re referring to Andrew Nicholson, little explanation is needed. The New Zealander is arguably the greatest cross-country rider eventing has ever seen. And, in his own understated way, he has always been able to articulate his thoughts and feelings about horses and courses well. ‘I enjoy coaching. I didn’t think I would. It makes me think a lot’ It wasn’t a path he particularly sought; it started when he was asked to walk some cross-country tracks with the German riders in 2017. Now he has agreed to train the Swiss squad, with the aim of helping them get…

Most youngsters won’t get it right first time, so persevere. Inexperienced horses tend to come around the top of the arena in a small canter. Instead, employ a consistent medium canter throughout. The rider should look at the first pole, not the fence. If the stride is wrong at this point, they will have an uncomfortable ride over the jump. Ride with a light seat and don’t interfere with the horse. The rider shouldn’t have to work hard. If they are, the exercise shouldn’t be made more difficult until the horse is tackling it without interference from the jockey.…

ON a snowy March morning in Lastrup, Germany, a shiny, well-muscled stallion floats on the lunge in one of the indoor arenas at Böckmann Stud. It could be any of the stud’s many young talents, but it’s 17-year-old Fidertanz, belying his age with extraordinary expression and elasticity. His long-term rider, Portuguese grand prix rider Antonio do Vale, stops him, approaches and clicks his tongue: Fidertanz — in a headcollar — lowers his hindquarters and produces a textbook piaffe that looks like it could go on forever, with its metronomic rhythm and impressive hindleg activity. The son of the Florestan stallion Fidermark, the grand prix winner who also sired Charlotte Dujardin’s world medallist Mount St John Freestyle, For Compliment and Fürst Piccolo before passing away prematurely in 2003, is still ridden…

BIG STAR JR KZ (BIG STAR X POLYDOR) This 10-year-old stallion, licensed by the Zangersheide in 2011, is a winner of numerous international classes with the Netherlands’ Michael Greeve, including the CSI2* grand prix at Opglabbeek in 2018 and the CSI4* Nijwa Trophy at Ommen the same year. He is now competing under the Netherlands’ Stefanie van der Brink. E-STAR (BIG STAR X HEARTBREAKER) A 10-year-old stallion, who was licensed by the KWPN in 2011, and sire of licensed son I’m A Star (x Cardento). He has jumped internationally with Switzerland’s Janika Sprunger. BABE W Z (BIG STAR X TOUT FEU D’HEX) This 10-year-old mare finished sixth at Verbier CSI3* in 2017, was third at Kronenberg CSI2* 2017 and won the Poznan CSIYH1* in 2016. G-STAR ES (BIG STAR X…

WITH about 50 horses, from foals and youngstock to mares and stallions, the daily routine here is run like a tight ship. Stud manager Greg Le Gear (pictured) oversees care of the broodmares and foals. “During the spring and summer I will be with the vet both morning and afternoon,” says Greg. “The stallions are sent to Stallion AI Services in Shropshire for semen collection, so we are usually working with frozen semen. The vets will have it ready, so it’s about the best timing for the mare. “If we have a mare ready for embryo transfer [ET], I need recipients ready. We usually pair two or three mares for that one ET, and on the day they will all be scanned. Whoever is looking the best to receive will…

THE reigning European pony eventing champion, Little Indian Feather, makes a mockery of pedigrees — one of the world’s most brilliant event ponies, without a sire or a dam to her name. The 14.1hh skewbald, winner of two gold and two silver medals under Saffie Osborne (pictured), has a heartwarming rags-to-riches backstory. Brian Hennessy was a reporter at the pony Europeans in 2017 when he recognised Little Indian Feather (Jojo) as the pony he’d rehomed a decade earlier from a pound in Co. Kilkenny. Jojo gained weight so quickly they wondered if she was in-foal, but a vet refuted this. She then cut her leg so badly they thought she’d have to be put down, but she recovered after treatment — and, a few months later, did produce a foal.…

“HE’S just got ‘it’,” Martin Watts shrugs his shoulders by way of explanation as he glances across at his childhood friend Rick Down. “Even my terrier goes straight to Rick. He’s more popular than the Land Rover.” “It” is a remarkable way with hounds. There is no packaging. Rick, who is retiring as huntsman of the Quantock Staghounds after 28 years, was simply born with the deer on Exmoor. From his surroundings, from his father Gerald — who was a harbourer for the Devon and Somerset Staghounds — and his uncle Gilly, who whipped-in to them, Rick absorbed a profound perception that established itself as an almost telepathic trust between him and hounds — whether hunting with 20 couple pre-ban, or just two hounds today. Without seeking it, Rick has…

DURING February the Cattistock paid us a visit. They had an extremely successful day despite testing conditions and their hounds hunted superbly and never stopped trying. George Pierce, their kennel-huntsman, is a fine example of the merits of the Hunt Staff Bursary Scheme. He began at the Ludlow and has steadily moved up through the ranks, gaining experience with different hunts and under several mentors. Now, after four seasons as kennel-huntsman to the Cattistock, he is the finished article and promotion surely beckons. ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVES THE meet at Belvoir Castle brought the season to an end and the sound of clattering hooves had scarcely subsided before I was heading hot-foot to the Cheltenham Festival. During my 14 years of leading in the winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase…

THE gala nights at the Winter Dressage Championships are always a great success. It was great to see such a large turnout and some up-and-coming professional riders doing well with some new horses. When Nikki Barker’s music didn’t work, the judges did the right thing allowing her to have a second chance — good for her for pulling it off. As a judge it is really nerve-racking when things like that happen, but they handled that and the other difficult moments well. Hartpury’s indoor is a great spectator arena, but it is not easy to ride in. I’ve ridden here many times and it is a big atmosphere because all the noise is directed into the centre of the school, so if you have a sensitive horse it is really…

SEEING our top riders in the grand prix was a highlight at last month’s Keysoe CDI. Carl joked he’d had super-groom Alan Davies ready to distract the judges so they missed Nip Tuck’s extended trot — typically a weaker movement for him. It reminded me to accept a horse’s weak link and build on the eights, although I would have given some of Nip Tuck’s piaffe and passage a nine or even a 10. I watched a lot at Keysoe, and got most of the results right — but not quite all. Lateral walks were still receiving astonishingly high marks. One of the disadvantages of losing the collective marks, including those for paces, is that the walk would be worth only about 3% of the marks. So does it matter…

Springboard 128cm ch.— 1, Dimples Dilema (H Gerken); 2, Bylands Music Man (P Calderbank); 3, Mintfield Magic (R de Souza). Springboard 138cm ch.— 1, Dun N Dust It (L Davies); 2, D Amour D Amerrier (A Miles). winter 1.10m ch.— 1, Trevor H (G Watkin Jones); 2, Quantico (F Young); 3, Jumping Charlie V (E Ward). BS 10yo & under style & performance ch.— 1, Killaloe Gypsy (H Gerken); 2 eq, Senateview Grace (L Knot) & Bylands Music Man (P Calderbank). 128/138cm h’cap special ch.— 1, Caher Silver (T Kyle); 2, Stadmorslow Angel (K Bromley); 3, Mayfly Green Peter (E Banks). Charles Britton Equestrian Construction winter JA classic ch.— 1, Kiltormer Hero (T Francis-Jones); 2, Beech Comber (H Cooper); 3, Horseabout Zibu (T Mauree). winter 1m ch.— 1, Opan (J…

JODIE KITTO and her gelding Maccatoo won all four classes they contested at Chard. For the past nine years, Devon-based Jodie has run her own sports therapy clinic in Dartmouth, while still finding time to compete her two horses and bring on some young prospects. “Luckily, my job is very flexible and fits in well with the horses,” she said. “I also have lots of help from my mum and my other half also pays the rent on my yard.” Jodie bought the seven-year-old Maccatoo as a three-year-old. “Sammy Cotton broke him in and I’ve produced him,” she explained. “I’ve taken things slowly, but he seems to have grown into himself recently. “One of the main reasons for my success is my brilliant coach Claire Daniels.” Jodie also does dressage.…

AI.— 1, Collien P 2 (W Furlong) 30.1,4,6.4=40.5; 2, Belle De Reve (P Belvederesi) 40.4,4,0.8=45.2; 3, Cooley Zest (W Furlong) 38.3,0,13.2=51.5. OI.— 1, Pencos Crown Jewel (T Jackson) 27.3,0,1.2=28.5; 2, Spano De Nazca (G Bartlett) 30.9,0,0.8=31.7; 3, MGH Grafton Street (P Funnell) 28,1,9.6=38.6. OIu21.— 1, Samarkand (M Warburton) 35.5,0,0=35.5; 2, Classic Affair (M Faulkner) 33.3,0,3.6=36.9; 3, Just Amazing III (F Collins) 35.7,0,2=37.7. int sec N.— 1, Cream Of The Crop (P Belvederesi) 29.1,0,5.2=34.3; 2, Kroon Leader (N Lucey) 30.7,0,5.2=35.9; 3, Dream Big (T McEwen) 32.7,4,1.6=38.3. sec O.— 1, Ghost Buster Fortuna HH (S Jenman) 28.9,0,3.2=32.1; 2, Tricky Johnie (N McGoldrick) 30.2,0,4.4=34.6; 3, Rehy Royal Diamond (T McEwen) 25.5,4,8.4=37.9. ON.— 1, Quantanamo Z (S Jenman) 29,0,0=29; 2, According To Archie (H Ford) 27.8,1,2=30.8; 3, Fernhill G (C Clarke) 24.5,2,6=32.5. ONu18.— 1,…

BE105 sec E.— 1, Hasty Imp (D Zander) 29.3,0,0.8=30.1; 2, Independent Johnny (J Savill) 30.3,4,0.4=34.7; 3, Angels Spirit (A Sparrow) 32.5,4,0=36.5. sec F.— 1, JKS Topgun (C Hordle) 26,0,2.4=28.4; 2, Knockmullen Flyer (J Savill) 28.3,0,1.2=29.5; 3, First Date (J Davis) 27.8,0,3.6=31.4. sec G.— 1, Bernhard III (F Dyer) 28,0,2.8=30.8; 2, Dario Fo (B Loffet) 30.3,0,3.2=33.5; 3, Balham Hill (M Steel) 33.5,0,2.4=35.9. BE100open.— 1, Penhill All Dun Up (H Holland) 26.5,4,0=30.5; 2, Diamond Ricardo (S Parker) 30.8,0,0=30.8; 3, Nelgorde Naheez (L Gasston) 31.3,0,0=31.3. BE100 sec A.— 1, Ballylennon Remo (R Harvie) 30,0,0=30; 2, Belaero (E Fredericks) 31.5,0,0.4=31.9; 3, Lady Guinevere Elm (L Goodey) 32,0,0=32. sec B.— 1, Myspires Perfect Resolution (J Copsey) 23,0,0=23; Harry Duke (G Beach Patrick) 3.8,0,0=31.8; 3, Great Jones (S Lewis) 31,0,1.2=32.2. sec C.— 1, DHI Highlight (J…

GORDON ELLIOTT: Silver Birch (2007), Tiger Roll (2018, 2019) GINGER MCCAIN: Red Rum (1973, 1974, 1977) and Amberleigh House (2004) FRED RIMELL: ESB (1956), Nicolaus Silver (1961), Gay Trip (1970) and Rag Trade (1976). Also... WILLIAM HOLMAN (1856, 1858, 1860) WILLIAM MOORE (1894, 1896, 1899) AUBREY HASTINGS (1906, 1915, 1924) TOM COULTHWAITE (1907, 1910, 1931) VINCENT O’BRIEN: (1953, 1954, 1955) NEVILLE CRUMP: (1948, 1952, 1960) TIM FORSTER: (1972, 1980,1985)…

TIGER ROLL is a phenomenal horse. For him to win for the second year running — the first horse to do so since Red Rum in 1974 — was really something. There’s a lot of talk about him being small, but when horses have heart and lungs, they don’t need bulk. He tries really hard and is a wonderful horse. In my eyes, he could have won the Gold Cup if he’d run in it. It’s amazing for the public, too. The longevity of horses is part of the sport, it’s one of the things that people love about National Hunt racing. They see the same horses run and win year after year, and get to know them — you don’t get that so much on the Flat. Tiger Roll…

Spooners and West Dartmoor, Cherrybrook, Devon WILL BIDDICK enjoyed a double and is now just five wins off equalling the all-time record in the saddle, which is currently held by Richard Burton. Biddick’s first leg of his double came in the conditions race on Kernel Victor, having taken up the running two out, before going clear over the last fence to win by 10 lengths. The Ed Walker-trained Kernel Victor is jointly owned by keen racing enthusiast John Pearn. “I bought a share a year ago, having been unwell for sometime, and he is the first I have been associated with for three years,” he said. “I have known Will for a long time and pleased he has ridden a winner for us.” Will’s successful day continued in the intermediate…

EVENTING has Badminton and Burghley. Showjumping has Hickstead and Bolesworth. Flat racing has Ascot and Newmarket. Jump racing has Cheltenham and Aintree. I will offer no prizes for guessing which of the above are my favourites, but there tends to be so much hype nowadays around the pinnacle venues that some of the supporting “grassroots” meetings do not get the backing or recognition they deserve. I say this with Cheltenham and Aintree now over and filed into the archives for another year. In a period when there seems to be a significant bias towards employing Irish-based riders for the big amateur races, it was refreshing, therefore, to see both Foxhunter Chases won by British-born and based jockeys. The rides by Alex Edwards (Hazel Hill at Cheltenham) and Tabitha Worsley (Top…

TIGER ROLL wrote his name in the history books when he became the first horse to win back-to-back Grand Nationals since Red Rum 45 years ago. The nine-year-old, trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Davy Russell, beat 66/1 chance Magic Of Light to the post by nearly three lengths at Aintree on 6 April. Davy, 39, whose win on Tiger Roll last year was his first National victory, said: “He’s one hell of a horse.” Gordon added: “We work very hard for this the whole time. I’ve got a brilliant team behind me, and all my family at home. Davy ’s mother died last year, and this was for her; my uncle Willie Elliott died this year and this was for him.” • Report, p108 Share your news story…

ZAGREB The 15-year-old gelding is Alex Bragg’s sole ride at Badminton after he withdrew Barrichello and Shannondale Percy. Zagreb and Alex completed the event in 2018 and came third at Blenheim CCI3* (now CCI4*-L). PRIDE OF PLACE Martin Surtees has bought Jill Day’s prolific lightweight hunter. The nine-year-old, produced by Robert Walker to win at the RIHS, will join Benjamin Button and Caesars Palace, also sourced from Jill. DONO DI MAGGIO OLD Emile Faurie’s world team bronze medal-winning ride will now compete under Greek dressage rider Theodora Livanos. The 12-year-old has been sold with the aim of qualification for the Olympics.…

US senators have reintroduced a law amendment it is hoped will help stamp out “soring” for good. The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, an amendment to the Horse Protection Act, aims to close loopholes allowing trainers of Tennessee walking and other horses to take measures such as applying caustic chemicals to horses’ feet and using stacked shoes and ankle chains to produce the “big lick” gait. The act goes further than a previous proposed amendment, which was put on hold by president Donald Trump two years ago and has since been dropped. It was reintroduced by Mike Crapo and Mark Warner on 3 April. “Horses have been a part of our Commonwealth’s history and culture since the settling of Jamestown and, like all animals, they deserve to be treated…

ANY rider who has ever sighed over the cost of keeping horses; we have the answer. Or, rather, a possibly slightly hopeful horticultural website has. Gardeningexpress.co.uk is selling horse manure infused with roses, lavender and rosemary at £199 per bag. The aim is to allow city gardeners to fertilise their plants without offending the neighbours, and though company founder Chris Bonnett understands it is not cheap, he “firmly believes many gardeners will think it worth paying the extra to make the garden smell good as well as look good”. So there you go. Surely they’ll need reliable suppliers — or some enterprising riders can pick some flowers and undercut this product by selling for a mere £175 a bag? New saddle, anyone?…

WHILE stewarding at a show recently, it was with some surprise that I saw the unmistakable Quality Old Joker, the top-level ride of Holly Smith and winner of puissances and international grands prix. Even more surprising was seeing Holly in the collecting ring, mentoring a young rider on the horse. On mentioning this to Holly, she explained it was thanks to the rider (and an additional rider on another of Holly’s horses) that it was possible for her to compete on the Sunshine Tour, as they’d kept the yard at home running smoothly in her absence. Holly’s take on it was that it was a way of saying thank you and giving both girls the opportunity to compete on her top-class horses. What a refreshing, generous attitude. All credit to…

“MY bromance with Fidertanz started some time back, in 2006,” says John Barlow of the eponymous British stud, who has used Fidertanz directly six times, not counting his sons and grandsons. “I’d just started breeding horses and knew I wanted to breed quality, not quantity. I remember the Böckmann stud manager Wibke Hammermann buzzing about this new young stallion they’d bought to use primarily on their De Niro mares. I was lucky enough to see one of the first Fidertanz foals to hit the ground: an absolutely beautiful bay colt, clearly top quality. “I took their advice and used Fidertanz, but it wasn’t until further down the line that I realised how lucky I’d been to be introduced to this special stallion right at the start of his breeding career.…

ONES TO WATCH… ● Evita Van’t Zoggehof (2010, bay mare): competed internationally (pictured, left, with Italy’s Lorenzo De Luca) up to CSI5*, including a 1.50m victory in Mechelen in December, and won a 1.45m at Leipzig CSI5*. ● Evitason Van’t Paradijs (2010, chestnut gelding): international placings up to 1.60m under Italy’s Matteo Zamana. ● Jameelah (2013, grey mare): consistently in the top six in age classes in 2018. Starting her international career this year with Ireland’s Jackilynn Breslin. ● Emly IX (2013, chestnut mare): has been jumping consistently at 1.10m level and will make her international debut in six-year-old classes this year, also with Jackilynn Breslin. ● Askeaton II (2013, bay mare): made her international five-year-old debut in Bonheiden in 2018 with Britain’s Sarah Lewis.…

YOUR child has flown, heading off to university or an exciting grown-up life elsewhere, but the nest is not quite empty because they’ve left a horse at home. He’s as much a part of the family as the departing teen, with his relentless requirement for food, attention and new shoes, and you’ve promised to look after him into his old age (or at least until your offspring returns at the end of term). In the meantime, what do you do with him? Jo Theze hadn’t ridden for decades when her daughter Harriet asked her to keep Irish gelding Rosduff Limited Edition (Rossy) “ticking over” while she was away at the Royal Agricultural University. Five years later, Jo and Rossy have achieved a double clear in all six of their British…

A LARGE field of subscribers, visitors and hunt staff from all over the country attended Peter Collins’ final meet as Quorn huntsman. Held at Abbotsleigh Lodge, Kirby Bellars, by kind permission of Richard and Katrina Cass, there were also hundreds of people on foot to say goodbye to Peter, who has hunted these famous hounds for 17 seasons. The hunt and the hunt supporters’ association hosted a very well-attended champagne tea at the kennels afterwards. There was also a cocktail party, attended by 140 people, at Saxelbye Park, home of former Quorn master Etta Madocks Wright, on 16 March, where Peter was presented with the funds raised from the testimonial meets held in his honour and collection, plus a bronze statue of two hounds cast by Juliet Cursham. Farmers Bloodhounds…

NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships, Hartpury, Glos BEING prepared for the unexpected is part of the art of being a rider. Being able not to just cope, but to produce an outstanding performance is the mark of a winner. So when a music mix-up threatened to scupper Nikki Barker and Durable’s chances in the Superflex inter I freestyle, Nikki was prepared to give it a go. “I thought, well, if I have to go, I’ll just well and truly freestyle it,” she said. Thankfully the judges agreed she could slot in at the end, giving her time to go and find the correct music — a compilation from Kill Bill, put together by Ros Kay. “He felt amazing and really ready to go in,” explained Nikki.“Then we had the…

SENIOR HORSES AN impressive five horses among the World Cup lineup were aged 17: Verdades, Damsey FRH, Swede Tinne Vilhelmsen Silfvén’s Don Auriello, who finished ninth South African Tanya Seymour’s Ramoneur 6, who was 18th, and Irish rider Judy Reynolds’ lovely Jazz gelding Vancouver K (above). They had a disappointing ride from first draw in the grand prix, when “JP” was unsettled in the atmosphere and spooked badly. They made up for it in the freestyle however, improving their mark by 10% to finish 11th with a brilliant 79.35%. THE PARTIALLY BLIND HORSE THE ride of Denmark’s Daniel Bachmann Andersen, Blue Hors Zack, stole hearts. The renowned breeding stallion has been blind in one eye since the age of six, when he was hit in the eye by the metal…

HERE in Gothenburg, they really know how to put on a show. Equestrianism in Sweden is absolutely huge; the crowds are very knowledgeable and excited, which makes for an incredible atmosphere. And what sport we have had. I was blown away by Steve Guerdat’s performance; the man really is a genius. I said that after he went clear in the first round of the final class that it was all over — I have been following Steve’s career for 15 years and when he smells blood, no one else has a chance. He reminds me of AP McCoy in racing, with that killer instinct and 110% focus. Of course, everyone at that level is focused, but Steve has an extraordinarily sharp mind and you just know he is going to…

I RECENTLY received a prize for a placing in a British Eventing (BE) grassroots section, which set me thinking. I was so delighted to be required at a prize-giving that I’d have waited all afternoon for the fancy rosette and packet of Polos, but it was fun to receive a goody bag from the section sponsor as well. Opening it, I saw a weigh tape (useful) and what I thought was a bag of horse treats — lovely, Alfie was good, now I can reward him — but it turned out to be a pouch of supplement from the section sponsor. I understand that the purpose of sponsorship is to raise a brand’s exposure, but I don’t think my horse needs a supplement. And if he did, I assume two…

OI.— 1, AKD Cooley Lockdown (W Oakden) 28.4,0,2=30.4; 2, Shadow Man II (B Hobday) 29.1,0,2.4=31.5; 3, Shadow Puppet (E Hobday) 32.5,0,0=32.5. ON.— 1, Chasmarella (L Crawford) 34,0,0.8=34.8; 2, Quincy IV (C Padfield) 35.5,0,0=35.5; 3, Geffory (I Bamford) 28.3,0,7.6=35.9. nov sec D1.— 1, Miss Contender (M Pringle) 32.3,0,4.4=36.7; 2, Shannondale Shuircruise (G Dukes) 32,4,3.2=39.2; 3, Carrick Diamond Showman (D Scott) 33.3,4,0=39.3. sec E.— 1, Highway II (B Innes Ker) 24.3,0,0=24.3; 2, Watervalley Diamond Guy (L Fenwick) 24,0,4=28; 3, Carrick Diamond Warrior (D Scott) 28.8,0,0=28.8. BE100 sec A.— 1, Good Girl Susie (D Crawford) 24.8,0,0=24.8; 2, Mr Monkey Puzzle (K Stark) 26,0,0=26; 3, Aragon House Liana (C Padfield) 26.3,4,0=30.3. sec B.— 1, Para Handy II (A Johnston) 29.3,4,0=33.3; 2, Little Joe III (J McKie) 31.8,0,2=33.8; 3, Inevitable RS (A Hawley) 28.8,4,1.2=34. sec…

“I GOT sent two Gigginstown House Stud horses — one which won a race or two and the other was Tiger Roll. The horse I had initially wanted ended up no good. If you don’t have luck on your side, you have nothing. The rest is history.” • Trainer Gordon Elliott recalling when Tiger Roll turned up in his yard “I FELT the pressure a lot during the build-up to the National because I knew he was the horse who could do it. I didn’t want to let down the butcher or the taxi driver, who had their fiver on Tiger Roll. I felt I was riding for the whole country. There was the weight of two nations because the English and Irish have both got behind him.” • Winning…

DEFRA is investigating and has put breeding restrictions in place after equine viral arteritis (EVA) was confirmed in two stallions at a yard in Dorset. Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said the department had taken “swift action to limit the risk of the disease spreading”, and that a full investigation into the source and possible spread is under way. “Owners of mares and stallions are urged to have their animals tested before they are used for breeding,” she added. EVA is a notifiable viral disease in stallions, and in mares who have mated or been inseminated in the past 14 days. It can cause flu-like symptoms, and weakness in foals or abortion, especially in the second half of pregnancy. “These findings remind us that we must all be vigilant for…

A SECOND phase of research will aim to deliver more specific guidelines on the ideal maximum horse to rider weight ratio. Following a successful pilot, involving four riders ranging from light to very heavy, funding has been secured for further work. The initial study showed excess rider weight can cause lameness, muscle tension and pain in horses (news, 8 March 2018 and 13 December 2018). Sue Dyson, head of clinical orthopaedics at the Animal Health Trust, who led the study, told H&H the next phase is expected to run this July involving four riders all classed as heavy. “In the previous project we didn’t finish any sessions with the heavy or very heavy riders [as the horses showed lameness of discomfort] so we couldn’t determine what the cut-off might be,”…

PINEAU DE RE The 2014 Grand National winner returned to Aintree on 4 April for the Retraining of Racehorses parade. The 16-year-old gelding, ridden by Lizzie Doolitte, is enjoying a successful second career as an eventer. BASIL DE MULO The gelding sparked a search involving police and the RAF when he went missing on 6 April after he and rider Karen Grieg parted company in an endurance ride in Suffolk. He was found safe on Sunday, and Karen was unhurt. PRINCE DUNDEE The Lucinda Russell-trained racehorse claimed his first win months after returning from standing surgery on a fractured cannon bone. The six-year-old won over fences at Hexham on 26 March under Blair Campbell.…

▲YOUTH It was a great week for event rider Warren Lamperd, who managed to replace the tie he’d forgotten thanks to a loan from Jonty Evans — and it took years off him. So much so he was entered into the under-25 section at Belton. Got any ties you’d like to sell, Jonty? ▲BREXIT Poor old BE. Not only the website, but the fixtures list; it’s fair to say many members aren’t happy. At all. One suggested sending the succinct email: “Dear BE. WTF?” A wag replied: “You could send the same to Theresa May.” Was she going to make a BExit? ▲CONFUSION On the same note, a BE statement on the fixture list said: “To respect organisers and the sensitivity of the information provided, BE has kept the details…

VISION loss is often gradual and may go undetected. Ask yourself these questions and call your vet if you sense that something is amiss. IS YOUR HORSE LOSING CONFIDENCE? Look for subtle changes — he may become uncertain in his gait, especially in dim light, or reluctant to walk over unfamiliar ground. He might bump into walls or fences, perhaps misjudging the width of a stable door and knocking himself. HAS HE BECOME BOLSHY OR UNPREDICTABLE? Walking over or barging into a handler could indicate altered vision. A horse will be more prone to accidents and injury if he is unable to assess hazards. IS HE LESS CERTAIN IN THE FIELD? Be aware of behavioural or pecking order changes, especially among established herds. A horse with poor vision may follow…

IMOGEN MURRAY EVENT rider Imogen Murray was long-listed for the 2018 World Equestrian Games with her top horse Ivar Gooden, with whom she recorded top-15 placings at Burghley in 2017 and Badminton in 2018. She runs a string of event horses from her base in south Leicestershire, where she also keeps two pure dressage mounts. TRAINING THE STARS IVAR GOODEN was a hotheaded youngster and would speed up on the approach to a fence rather than maintain a consistent rhythm. I started using this exercise when he was four. He would come around the top of the arena in a small canter, stick his head in the air and rush off. It took me six months using this exercise on a regular basis to see progress, and I’ve reaped the…

SHORT of moving to Kentucky or Ireland, some less monumental actions could make a difference to a foal’s prospects. Consider renting or moving your horse to appropriate land for its formative years. Thoroughbred foals born in Newmarket studs are often moved to limestone-rich areas, such as Gloucestershire or Yorkshire. And dressage rider Lottie Fry has four yearlings (pictured, below) born at the van Olsts’ Dutch stud who are growing up at her father’s Yorkshire farm, because “in the Netherlands it’s sandy and the grass doesn’t last”. Test your soil to see what it is deficient in; then, in consultation with your vet, this can be fed as an additive. Sandra Low Mitchell says: “Soil type is very important — at Balcormo we are deficient in copper, cobalt and selenium, so…

EVERY once in a while, a stallion comes along who offers the whole package. Yet few can rival the almighty Big Star, the reigning Olympic showjumping champion with Britain’s Nick Skelton and the 2012 KWPN horse of the year. While crowds worldwide were dazzled by his breathtaking display of raw talent, athleticism and will to win back in 2016 at the Rio Olympics, breeders are now being bowled over by his abilities and prospects as a top class sire. The now 16-year-old stallion, who currently stands at Stallion AI Services in Shropshire, was bred in the purple for showjumping. His sire, the exceptional Quick Star, is the son of the multi-grand prix winner Galoubet A — who is also the sire of the great breeding sire Baloubet Du Rouet —…

THERE is a formula to breeding horses successfully according to Shane Breen and, for the past decade or so, the top Irish showjumper has been working meticulously on the logic behind producing top-quality jumping horses. From his picturesque West Sussex base at Hickstead, which he shares with his wife Chloe (née Bunn) and young family, Shane runs a stud alongside his showjumping yard, with the help of his stud manager, Greg Le Gear, who oversees the stud’s band of 20 broodmares. Shane’s growing breeding operation has its roots back in his native Ireland. After investing in some broodmares with his cousin, John Griffin, the pair “struck off on a good note”, as Shane explains, with his consistent ride Cos I Can being the first home-bred. “Cos I Can planted the…

YOU have to admire the chutzpah of Karen Darosa’s 11hh Dartmoor mare for her lofty aspirations of motherhood. When a flashy 16hh warmblood stallion unexpectedly visited her field, she climbed aboard a straw bale to present herself to this glamorous suitor. Some 11 months later, Darosa D’Amour (Bubbles) was born. Bubbles went on to take the 138cm ranks by storm, competing at Horse of the Year Show and Hickstead, before being retired to stud due to injury. The grey even passed through the hands of the billionaire Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, whose daughter Arina rode him. His current owner, Jodie Shaw, is now standing Bubbles as a Sports Pony Studbook Society (SPSS) graded stallion aiming to produce sports ponies, but admits that his existence highlights the lottery of breeding.…

START SLOWLY HACKING is a good place to begin, although don’t be surprised if you soon feel restless. “It was so boring,” says Jo Theze, who challenged herself with a new discipline. FIND A ROLE MODEL “I THINK Mark Todd is incredible,” says Philip Short (pictured, right), who would watch eventing on TV before he took up the sport himself at 61. “We’re the same age — although the similarity ends there.” IDENTIFY YOUR WEAKNESSES… GILL SMITH, who is following an online Pilates and yoga course for dressage riders, says: “Merlin can be a bit spooky, so I’ve realised that I need to strengthen my core.” ...BUT RECOGNISE YOUR STRENGTHS TIME out is not wasted, according to Fiona Benger. “I’d learnt so much by taking my daughters to Pony Club…

JOHN HENRY ONE of Ireland’s “greats”, John Henry (pictured), huntsman of the Meath Foxhounds for 40 seasons, died on 10 March aged 79. Rarely has foxhunting in Ireland been better served by a thoroughly professional huntsman loved well beyond his home county. Two of his sons, Kenny and John (junior) continue the family tradition by sharing the Meath horn, with Kenny hunting the doghounds and John the bitches. John Henry Senior — as he was known — had a passion for his family, foxhunting and Gaelic football. Under his tutelage the sport shown was renowned and such was the quality of the kennel he bred, the hounds consistently won many championships at hound shows, including the national show at Stradbally. Born in 1940, he started with horses at age 13.…

Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships, Hartpury Arena, Glos A MARKING mishap meant the elementary silver prize-giving was delayed when class winners Lisa Clarkson and Giannova initially had their scores added up incorrectly. “We got hit with sideways rain and sleet so I wondered if he would even walk during the test, but he did,” said Yorkshire rider Lisa, who has a career in pensions. “When I looked at the scores and saw we were in 20th place I took him back to the stable, took his plaits out and gave him his tea. I got back to the lorry and received a call from my trainer, Becky Moody, who said there had been a mistake and we had actually won. Becky did his plaits in seven minutes; I think that…

Longines FEI World Cup Final, Scandinavium, Sweden THE great Steve Guerdat brought the house down when he became just the fifth rider in history to claim the World Cup title for a third time. It wasn’t even on his top horse, Albfuehren’s Bianca, but instead with the much less experienced Alamo, an 11-year-old Ukato gelding bred in the Netherlands by the Nanning family. Steve admitted he had had some reservations about bringing him. “Bianca is my number one choice for the Olympics next year, so I thought that on the way there she doesn’t need to do all the championships. I thought that even if I had a small chance with Alamo, I would take it,” said the Swiss world number one. “This is his first championship and he has…

Weston Park, Shrops NICOLA WILSON proved unbeatable around Weston’s rolling acres, winning the two advanced classes with Bulana and Yacabo BK, both owned by James and Jo Lambert. Yacabo, who joined Nicola last summer after being produced by Andrew Nicholson, led throughout section L, adding just 2.8 time-penalties to a smart dressage of 23.4. Bulana was second after the first phase on 24.3, but dressage leader Oliver Townend, with the Badminton-entered Cillnabradden Evo — who scored an outstanding 18.9 — withdrew before showjumping. Bulana is Badminton bound and will head straight there after today’s run. “It was a great run before then for the horse,” said Nicola. “She’s had a few entries to give me options of where to go, but this was the right one to come to —…

Adv sec K.— 1, Bulana (N Wilson) 24.3,0,1.2=25.5; 2, Youve Got The Lux (H Hankey) 28.6,0,0=28.6; 3, Native Spirit (J Robinson) 28.9,0,2.4=31.3. sec L.— 1, Yacabo BK (N Wilson) 23.4,0,2.8=26.2; 2, Fonbherna Lancer (I Taylor) 27,0,1.6=28.6; 3, Diamond Ructions (L Lockwood) 29.1,0,4=33.1. OI sec M.— 1, Cooley Showtime (J Price) 29.3,0,12.4=41.7; 2, Cuffesgrange Ars Royale (C Jenkins) 33,4,6.4=43.4; 3, Don Geniro (A Hua Tian) 26.6,4,15.2=45.8. sec N.— 1, Cloud Dancer II (J Price) 22.5,0,4=26.5; 2, As Is (A Nicholson) 25.5,0,6.4=31.9; 3, Calmaro (L Collett) 27,0,8.4=35.4. OIu21.— 1, Moher Prince (M Kennedy) 31.4,4,0.8=36.2; 2, Forever Noble (H Needham) 29.5,4,3.2=36.7; 3, Red Jazz (L Robinson) 32.7,4,1.2=37.9. int sec I.— 1, Cooley One To Many (D Berkeley) 30.7,0,4.4=35.1; 2, Atlantic Vital Spark (W Fox-Pitt) 30.7,0,5.6=36.3; 3, Florencina R (D Jocelyn) 32,0,8=40. sec J.—…

Randox Health Grand National Festival, Aintree Racecourse, Merseyside TIGER ROLL, the little warrior and sporting legend, became the first horse to win back-to-back Grand Nationals for 45 years, when he beat the Irish mare Magic Of Light by 2¾ lengths at Aintree on Saturday, 6 April. The first National I witnessed live was Red Rum’s first win in 1973, when he caught Crisp in the shadow of the post in one of the greatest races of all time, let alone Nationals. I was there a year later when he beat two-time Gold Cup winner L’Escargot a good deal easier, and I was also there for his third in 1977; however, I never expected to see another horse win it more than once in my lifetime. So many good National winners…

DOES HE KNOW looks a smart prospect following his debut success, under John Dawson, in the maiden conditions race. He worked his way into contention on the second circuit before taking over two out. He found plenty to hold off the fast-finishing Teescomponents Boy (William Easterby) by half a length. “I’ve finally achieved my dream of having a four-year-old debut winner,” said owner Jacqueline Coward. “I pinched him out of my grandfather Mick Easterby’s field and that’s why I called him Does He Know. “He’s very sharp and switched on — almost too wise for his age — and credit must go to Jack Andrews, who broke and schooled him last year.”…

STAINTONDALE, CHARM PARK Saturday, 6 April Club members’ conditions.— 1, P Greaves’ Neville Woods (P Greaves) P Greaves. restricted.— 1, J Teal & F Attmore’s Sheperds Cave (J Teal) J Teal. mixed open.— 1, S Easterby’s Black River (W Easterby) W Easterby. confined.— 1, S Easterby’s Monsieur Jourdain (W Easterby) W Easterby. open maiden.— 1, R Marley’s Withoutmoreado (J Teal) R Marley. maiden conditions.— 1, J Coward’s Does He Know (J Dawson) C Coward. ESSEX WITH FARMERS & UNION, HIGH EASTER Saturday, 6 April Restricted.— 1, M Ward & W Ward’s Shamat (K Gowing) M Ward. club members’ conditions.— 1, Turner Family’s Franks A Million (R Stearn) E Turner. PPORA club members’ conditions.— 1, J Whyte’s Chapelier (R Collinson) A Pennock. ladies’ open.— 1, L Maloney’s Don’t Do Mondays (I…

Open.— 1, Fox Grant Dot Com (Y Goss, W Grant, P Nichols, A Hall); 2, Wishful Thinkers (L Brown, M Linehan, M & A Mackley); 3, Boring Gorings (F French, C Alexander, R Johnson, J Stevenson). intermediate.— 1, Fox Grant Thrusters (W Grant, P Lovett, A Stone, M Linehan); 2, Cottesmore Meltonians (H Walker, M Bealby, M Nicholson, I Thore); 3, Eternal Optimists (H Chamberlain, M & A Mackley, S Robbins). intermediate (bogey time).— 1, Ludlow Lunatics (K&G Hingley, G Owen, F Powell); 2, Ciren Sirens (H Stephens, E Hitchman, S Fowler, T Belsham); 3, Champagne Stompers (W Blum, PJ Gyldard, P Lloyd, F Radford). novice (bogey time).— 1, Yee Ha Dapper Dobbins (T Ivings, K Thornton, E Home, B King); 2, Worcestershire Gateshutters (K, R & E Bucknell, C…

Snr team dr.— 1, South Durham Saddle Club (V Parker, H Williams, C Tough, D Dalby) 12; 2, Atherstone & District RC (H Wyles, D Kickham, M Watts, E Brandrick) 13; 3, Solihull RC (L Butler, J Bransby, K Orford, O Szajna) 18. arena 1.— 1, Divine San Siro (D Kickham, Atherstone & District RC) 205.5; 2, My Grey (S Dye, Crown RC) 201.5; 3, Tynant Snap Dragon (K Edwards, Frampton Family RC) 201. arena 2— 1, Myshall Travis (D Dalby, South Durham Saddle Club) 152; 2, Park Lane (N Batten, Shropshire South RC) 152; 3, Mulberry Field Delwedd (E Brandrick, Atherstone & District RC) 147. arena 5.— 1 & snr dr ch, Himoons Spellbound (K Tyrell, New Forest RC) 167.5; 2, Chance T (A Pett, Towy Valley RC) 166.5;…