Innholdsfortegnelse for 02-May-2019 i Horse & Hound

IN last week’s issue, the statisticians predicted Ingrid Klimke would win this year’s Badminton. And a few days later, she withdrew. So little is certain in horse sport, but we are at least guaranteed an exciting competition at Badminton this week. It’s like Groundhog Day for Oliver Townend, returning from Kentucky with a win on Cooley Master Class and heading straight on to Badminton. He is surely a favourite to lift the three-horse trophy on Sunday, which would see him having a crack at the Rolex Grand Slam again come Burghley. An equal chance this week sits with our horse hero (p28), Laura Collett’s ride Mr Bass — a horse once destined for a very different career having failed the vetting on X-rays. Hope, then, for anyone who needs the…

WHAT’S the hardest bit about zorbing? Finding someone to give you a push, of course! Devon-based trainer Emma Massingale came up with the genius idea of roping in the her keen Connemara pony, Atlantis, to start the ball rolling… literally. Emma told H&H Òplayful” eight-year-old Atlantis was a “natural choice” for helping with zorbing, the sport of rolling downhill inside a plastic orb, which she filmed for her latest video. “When you get going quite quick and Atlantis is cantering along next to you and gives you a shove, he sends you flying,” said Emma, who had never been zorbing before. Will she ever go again, is the question……

YOUR article on selling horses (“Sold!”, 18 April) prompted me to share some of the events — which were amusing and irritating in equal measure — following my decision to sell my Friesian gelding. The advert stated that he was unsuitable for novices. Even so, enquiries came from riders acknowledging they were inexperienced or nervous, yet adamant they “just had to have him because he’s so gorgeous”. Then there was the person who cancelled her viewing hours beforehand —she’d decided he was “too big”. At the age of 13, I thought it unlikely he’d grown since I posted the advert. Then there was the rider who wasn’t looking for a horse, but wanted to know what I fed him “to get that lovely muscle on his neck”. But my favourite…

AT 28 years of age, Spot was enjoying a well-earned retirement. In the many years he had pulled a carriage for Horsedrawn Occasions, the Barnard family’s Derbyshire weddings and funerals business, the grey Gelderlander had never shown any problems with his ears, until one morning when his owner Elaine Barnard noticed some discomfort. The pinna (the external, visible part) of Spot’s left ear appeared swollen and sensitive to the touch. Dr Regina Pereira, of Pool House Equine Clinic, identified a haematoma inside the ear, a soft bulge formed from blood gathering outside blood vessels, in this case between the cartilage and the overlying skin. The origin of the haematoma was easy to find. The skin inside Spot’s ear canal was extremely inflamed — the top of the canal was completely…

• TICKETS: tickets can be purchased through the box office (08445 810755) or via theticketfactor.com. Prices start at £10. • TRAVEL: Royal Windsor takes place in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, SL4 1NG. The showground is open from 7am each morning. TRAIN: Windsor and Eton Riverside station is approximately a five-minute walk from the entrance to the show and Windsor and Eton Central station is a 10 to 15 minute walk. CAR: The nearest motorways to the showground are the M4, M25 and M3. Signage will direct you to available car parks outside the showground. • PARKING: Parking costs £8 in advance and £10 on the day. It can be booked through the box office when purchasing tickets. • CAN’T ATTEND? Stay tuned with H&H online for reports and…

Land Rover Kentucky, USA OLIVER TOWNEND achieved back-to-back wins in the USA’s flagship event, returning with the talented but fragile Cooley Master Class to scoop the honours again. Unlike last year, Oliver led throughout. He said the final showjumping round — in which he had to jump clear to win — was the most pressured he’d ever ridden. But Angela Hislop’s 14-year-old Cooley Master Class is extremely careful. As Oliver put it, “If he even touches a fence he does so very, very lightly and spends the next six apologising.” And with the rider doing his job impeccably, the $130,000 (£100,600) cheque was his. Cooley Master Class loved Kentucky last year and Oliver joked after cross-country: “He’s probably enjoyed it more than me this year — he dossed in the…

EACH year Badminton throws up a fascinating story, and hopefully this one will stand out as a great for the final year of Mitsubishi Motors’ sponsorship. The 28-year partnership is the longest-standing in sports sponsorship and has set a gold standard to which other sporting events aspire. Badminton also celebrates its 70th anniversary; it is steeped in history, and the past winners belong to a truly elite club. Badminton occupies a slot in the British sporting calendar that reaches far beyond equestrian confines. Even without any marketing, there would still be massive crowds. The people who take their grandchildren remember going with their grandparents — such heritage is the envy of any sports event organiser. This once-in-a-generation change means another brand now has a chance to step into a major…

SARAH BEADLE cried with joy when she discovered she won novice section K with 10-year-old Completely Mint at Solihull (1). “I bought him when he was seven and he had only showjumped. He was so spooky and wouldn’t even go near a log,” explained Sarah, a full-time mother of three. “We then trained for two winters with Andrew Heffernan and one day the penny suddenly dropped. Our original aim was to go out and do well at BE100 level, but now we’re entered in the CCI2*-S [previously CIC*] at Rockingham, so to wear top hat and tails will be a dream come true.”…

26 April: GP Q (P Nyston, K Mepham, M Ruddock).— 1, Erlentanz (C Dujardin) 78; 2, Sheepcote Doncalisto (L Pincus) 67.43; 3, Chagall (I Wessels) 67.4. inter I Q (P Bushell, D Lush, C Thornton).— 1, Sirocco (K Cowell) 71.89; 2, Cleopatra II (D Coakley) 69.39; 3, Finero (Z Sleigh) 69.08. PSG Q (M Santos, C Ballantyne, A Nicell).— 1, Behroez (C Audo) 71.49; 2, Francisco 51 (Z Sleigh) 68.99; 3, Rayban (K Cowell) 68.51. adv med 96Q (K Mepham, R Baldwin, S Rowlands).— 1, De Angelis II (F Brennan) 71.05; 2, San Marco (D Deutrom) 69.43; 3, Essien (A Gould) 68.73. 5yo int (J Howard).— 1, SJL Baks Zacco (A Brown) 79.2; 2, Joie De Vivre Prins (A Hardwick) 74; 3, Jileke (T Reeve Smith) 71.6. 6yo int.— 1,…

HUNTERS EQUESTRIAN 17 April: prelim 15Q gold (C Hogg).— 1, Dora Bella I (J Siu) 66.2. silv.— 1, DiMinutive (K Byam-Cook) 71.8. brnz.— 1, Cloud Atlas (M Guion) 67.6; 2, Alfie VI (S Montague) 63.4; 3, Mendip Princess (J Hodges) 63. prelim 17Q silv (S Buttenshaw).— 1, Dora Bella I 64.83. silv.— 1, DiMinutive 68.28. brnz.— 1, Xiviers Shimira (E Skill) 66.03; 2, Cloud Atlas 64.66. nov 22 gold.— 1, Hawtins Lirica (L Elliott) 68.79; 2, SP Dakota (B Murdin) 67.93; 3, Hawtins Fianello (B Goodwin) 64.48. silv.— 1, One Last Bound (F Dowding) 67.76; 2, Elduko (S Mann) 66.9; 3, Annie Jelli (A Parfitt) 64.31. brnz.— 1, Milly’s Ace (N Simpson) 61.9; 2, Toby Tobias (J Baird) 60.86. nov 38Q gold (C Hogg).— 1, Hawtins Fianello 74.19; 2, Hawtins…

Eland Lodge, Derbys | Allens Hill, Worcs At Eland Lodge, Kate Lister posted a day-high score of 74.33% on her own Fiskus, a seven-year-old by First Selection out of a Laurentianer x Disco-Fürst mare. The chestnut gelding only tried his first advanced medium at the end of March. “Fiskus was bought through Henry Boswell Dressage last September; he competed on the Sunshine Tour in October, placing second in the international six-year-old class. He’s now training at PSG,” explained Kate. “We’re aiming him at the seven-year-old international classes later on this season. The test at Eland Lodge felt fantastic: every time he goes in the ring he’s improving and growing in confidence,” concluded the rider. Also fairly new at the level are Allens Hill advanced medium winners Sian Nash and 10-year-old…

1.05m.— 1, TGF Junior (S Crosby); 2, One Question (A von Essen); 3, Be Careful As (JP Sheffied). Connolly’s Red Mills newcomers.— 1, Phoebe Red Rivers Pride (M Swanne); 2, Simpatico (K Pytches); 3, Edarousi VD Tojopehoeve Z (D Anderson). 1.10m.— 1, Ashwood Atalena (R Page). 1.15m.— 1, Bloomfield Millpond (D Morton); 2, A Guillermo Z (B Bick); 3, Ali Baba (E Brooker). Equitop Myoplast Foxhunter.— 1, Southend (D Walton); 2, Outcharm (M Swanne); 3, Trueleva Blue (S Crosby). 1.20m.— 1, Millfield Verve (S Hedges); 2, Leonidas Red Rivers Pride (M Swanne); 3, Grennanstown Sarco Luxhill (T Kyle). A,B&C h’cap.— 1, Diola (P Allen); 2, Newton Pacific (R Smith); 3, Ringo R (J Snelling). D&H 85cm amat.— 1, My Ballyglass Queen (P Winn); 2, Cantarel Van De Distelhoeve (K Peers);…

RIHS, M&M, WHP (P Rennie, A McHale) 122cm.— 1, E Byrne’s Littledean Morning Light; 2, G Whetter’s Barhill Danny; 3, E Campbell’s Annandale New Approach. 133cm.— 1, K Wislon’s Rhum Archie; 2, L Wraith’s Popsters The Love Machine; 3, E Campbell’s Huwil Blue Bobbie. 143cm.— 1 & ch, C Hayton’s Caoran Beg Macdara; 2 & res, C Mackintosh’s Woodbank Smokey Sam; 3, S Ferguson’s Brooksan Kitchener. exc 143cm.— 1, S Robson’s Carrigoir Melody; 2, S Robson’s Bellindene Rhuaridh; 3, E Smith’s Gobell Idwal. open (J Furness, A McHale) Dart/Ex/Shet. — 1, K Errington’s Shilstone Rocks Tornado; 2, E Kirkbride’s Dykes Blueberry. A/B.— 1, Huwil Blue Bobbie; 2, K Watson’s Birkinbrook Cello; 3, K Etherinton’s Krypton Spider. C/D.— 1, E Boardman’s Dyffryngwy Sir Picasso; 2, K Common’s Coednewydd Quantum Leap; 3,…

DUCKS K Lenihan (Edgcote) A McClung (Mosshouses) DOUBLES B Carver (Stafford Cross) Z Baker (Knightwick) A Chadwick (Garthorpe) S Jukes (Woodford) T O’Brien (Woodford) D Andrews (Upcott Cross) W Biddick (Upcott Cross) R Stearn (Aldington) D Peters (Thorpe Lodge) B Jones (Lydstep) A Edwards (Eyton-on-Severn) R Withey (Kingston St Mary) W Biddick (Kingston St Mary) G Andrews (Edgcote) J Teal (Easingwold) TREBLES J Tudor (Lydstep) D Andrews (Trebudannon) Z Baker (Paxford) P York (Parham)…

OLYMPIC disciplines have clashed over whether unofficial video evidence should be allowed in appeals. The use of video evidence was raised at the FEI sports forum (15-16 April). Panellists from the Olympic disciplines were divided over whether unofficial video recordings, such as smartphone clips, should be considered by officials when riders challenge their decisions. It has been a particularly hot topic in eventing, where appeals over the controversial flag rule (news, 11 April) have hinged on one camera angle. FEI deputy legal director Áine Power said “a lot has changed” since the video rule was introduced in 2012. “We all walk round at an event with basically a high-definition video camera in our pockets,” she said, referring to mobile phones. She added the FEI has been discussing updating its rules…

CARL AND PETER TEAM UP FOR DEMO DRESSAGE superstars Carl Hester and Peter Storr are teaming up for a masterclass at this year’s Bolesworth International (12-16 June). Following Carl’s demonstrations over the past two years, he will join rider, trainer and four-star FEI judge Peter on the evening of 12 June for the event, “80% is the new 70% — through the eyes of the judges”. The pair will cover what judges look for, how attention to detail can up marks, and “turning good into amazing”. Wednesday and Thursday will feature a CDI3* grand prix and freestyle respectively, while CSI4* showjumping starts on the Thursday. RUN AT HICKSTEAD IN TIM’S MEMORY TEAMS of up to 10 people are invited to enter a run in memory of Tim Stockdale at the…

New Zealand eventer Blyth Tait is to design his first international cross-country course at Burgham International. The former world champion will design the national courses and the CCI2*-S. Para dressage rider Suzanna Hext broke the British para swimming S5 record for the 200m freestyle at the international meet at Tollcross International Swimming Centre on 26 April. Irish eventer Jonty Evans has made his first competitive appearance, with Cooley Rorkes Drift, since his fall last June. Jonty won both his advanced medium tests at Hunters Equestrian. German event rider Ingrid Klimke has withdrawn SAP Hale Bob OLD from Badminton Horse Trials (1-5 May). Ingrid said “Bobby” had not been himself for the past few days. British eventing performance manager Dickie Waygood is recovering from broken ribs incurred in an accident at…

LOT 112 The two-year-old filly set a record at Goffs UK’s April Doncaster Breeze Up sale (24-25 April), selling to Stroud Coleman on behalf of Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa for £450,000, by Longway Stables. IRIS’S GIFT The dual Grade One-winning gelding has died aged 22. Trained by Jonjo O’Neill and owned by Robert Lester, he won 14 of his 25 starts under Rules including the 2004 Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. TED Sally Oultram’s Clydesdale has died aged 21. An ambassador for rare breeds, he was the subject of The Story Of Ted children’s books and a popular guest at major events, including Horse of the Year Show and Blenheim.…

KARMA Readers may remember this column last week contained a mention of a showjumper who failed to set the sat-nav. The next day, the column’s author forgot to set the sat-nav, being caught on film shouting “Where am I going?” to herself mid-jump. There’s a moral here… SELLERS Good old Oliver Townend. As well as being friendly to a Pony Club volunteer at the Kentucky Three-Day Event, he also, when told her mother had bought a horse from him and was delighted with it, asked if said mother was ready to buy another horse. Carpe diem, good sir! LEGENDS Legendary former jockey AP McCoy showed he’s still got it by winning a race at the Lambourn Open Day — on a camel. It may not be the Grand National but…

Preparing for this year’s Grand National with Tiger Roll was terrifying. You know the dangers of the race and I’m so attached to him, which means that all I want is for him to come back safe. There’s such a massive build-up to the race. The moment we came into the parade ring, the crowd started roaring and applauding — and that was before he’d even gone out on the course. It was amazing to be standing there holding him. Everyone just adores him. It was like he was a celebrity, but he was so cool. The hype never gets to him. Watching the race is terrible. Everything goes through your head — you’re thinking the best and the worst. Last year, when the Gordon Elliott-trained Tiger Roll also won,…

JESSICA DUNN AFTER winning team gold and individual bronze at the 2009 Youth Olympic Games, Jessica went on to collect numerous regional and national titles including top final placings in young horse classes with the Keenan family’s Fyona and Helga. She is based with her team of horses in Lancashire. TRAINING THE STARS HELGA has energy to burn, but is a little short in the neck and very hot to the leg. I ensure she works in self-carriage to help the contact become more consistent. This requires a lot of lateral work, patience and the ability to be one step ahead to help balance but not restrict. A strong seat always helps.…

WITH some high-calibre young horse classes in the schedule, Royal Windsor can be an excellent place to spot future showjumping talent. You saw them here first… COLMAR BREEN EQUESTRIAN’S German-bred son of Colestus out of a Quidam’s Rubin mare first caught the eye when tying for top spot with a double clear under Shane Breen (pictured) in the annual class for six-year-olds in 2016. The now nine-year-old is currently jumping at five-star level with the Irishman, gaining recent top placings at the Global Champions Tour of Miami and in Dubai. Head to the Frogmore Arena on Thursday, 9 May at 1.50pm to watch the class of 2019. ARKUGA LAURA RENWICK’S home-bred inherited impeccable jumping genes from his sire Arko III and dam Beluga (by Heartbreaker), a former top ride of…

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THIS YEAR’S PAGEANT? I presented the Diamond Jubilee Pageant and The Queen’s 90th Birthday Pageant, both at Windsor. Presumably the powers that be were happy that I didn’t muck things up so they asked me back! WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? Variety is the key — there are horses and riders from all over the world, each group with their own style and their own skills, but I would have to choose the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery as my personal favourite. They never cease to thrill the crowd with their astonishing horsemanship. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THE RUN-UP TO THE EVENT, AND WHAT WILL YOUR ROLE AS COMPÈRE INVOLVE? I’ll be rehearsing with all the participants before the first…

PONY CLUB CHAT OLIVER TOWNEND thanked the Pony Clubber manning the dressage exit (pictured, above) — and got more than he bargained for: “She announced I’d sold her mum a horse and she was happy with the way it was going. I asked if her mum was ready to buy a new one yet!” said Oliver. FULL BROTHERS VERMICULUS, ninth under Lauren Kieffer, is a full brother to Snooze Alarm, Lauren’s first Kentucky ride in 2010. Both are Anglo-Arabs by the Arab stallion Serazim out of thoroughbred mare Wake Me Gently (by Unpredictable). Lauren was the only rider to complete on two horses, also taking eighth on Paramount Importance, who was a European team silver medallist with Ludwig Svennerstål in 2017. WINNING SIRE RUNNER-UP Tsetserleg is by the Trakehner Windfall…

Withington Manor, Glos VITTORIA PANIZZON and Borough Pennyz romped to a 10-mark victory in advanced section F, showing that a change in the way Vittoria prepares this exuberant, eye-catching 16-year-old mare, who has proved delicate over the years, is paying off. She explained: “I keep her off artificial surfaces, except for a jump once or twice a month. She does much less galloping; she does a lot of hacking on our hills, and she does some form of water exercise, either on the water treadmill or in a lake on the farm next door, once a week. “The only time she wears a dressage saddle is at a competition — she knows how to do the movements and flatwork in the school makes her uncomfortable and cross. She is much…

EMMA MELHUISH, a farmer from Cornwall, won the BE100plus at Bicton Arena (1) aboard her own 10-year-old, Woodfalls Brook, finishing on their 25.8 dressage. ‘He has needed to adapt to a more amateur way of riding’EMMA MELHUISH ON PRODUCING WOODFALLS BROOK “The win serves as great prep for our next outing to the Mitsubishi Motors Cup BE100 championship at Badminton,” said Emma, who bought the 17hh gelding four seasons ago. “It’s taken a while for us to gel as he’s been produced by professional riders and has needed to adapt to a more amateur way of riding. But now we have spent two seasons at BE100, we are really established. I would like to aim him for a CCI2*-L [previously CCI*] next,” added Emma. H&H’SFESTIVAL OF EVENTING ENTRIES are open…

ON.— 1, Rusticoats (J Hobbs) 23.3,0,2.4=25.7; 2, Wills Rebel (H McFarlane) 26.3,4,0=30.3; 3, Starbucks (S Bullimore) 18.8,0,11.6=30.4. ONu18.— 1, Moangarriff Duke (J Corser) 28.8,0,0=28.8; 2, Class Booze Cruise (J Corser) 29.5,0,0=29.5; 3, Bookhamlodge Pennylane (I Watson) 29.8,1,0=30.8. nov sec J.— 1, TS Shanghai (G Frow) 27.8,0,0.8=28.6; 2, Gringolet (K Richards) 27,4,4.4=35.4; 3, Noble Hotshot (A Tough) 34.8,0,0.8=35.6. sec K.— 1, Completely Mint (S Beadle) 28.3,0,0=28.3; 2, Kilcandra Capitol (S Berry) 30.3,0,0.4=30.7; 3, Liquido Van De Bucxtale (A Hullis) 30.5,2,0=32.5. sec L.— 1, Billy Beaufort (L Yallop) 30.3,0,0=30.3; 2, Pembroke II (O Cooper) 29.8,0,0.8=30.6; 3, Greenlanes Hudson (G Wood) 30.8,0,0=30.8. BE100open.— 1, Singing Usk (S Davies) 18,0,3.6=21.6; 2, Indiana Du Vlist (H Coy) 22.3,0,0=22.3; 3, Woodlands Be Daring (S Hargreaves) 23.8,0,0=23.8. BE100 sec H.— 1, Be Careful As (J-P Sheffield) 25.3,0,0=25.3;…

Port Royal EC, E Yorks | Richmond EC, N Yorks Jessica Ely piloted the Vivaldi nine-year-old to two plus-70% novice victories, which completed their qualification for the summer regionals. “I knew him as a show horse but bought him with dressage in mind just over a year ago,” said Jessica, who produces show horses with her sister Rebecca at their West Yorkshire base. “I took him to Horse of the Year Show myself last autumn, but he’s a warmblood and can be a bit too flamboyant for the show ring. “He’s also huge, at 18hh; I’ve spent time strengthening him so he can cope with a 20x40m arena. He’s very switched on and calm and is finding it easy so far. I hope he can move up the grades.” The…

SHEEPGATE 18 April: prelim 17Q gold (M Richardson).— 1, Baroness T (C Hollis) 73.97; 2, Indigo R (L Spradbury) 70.36; 3, Udine GSA (L Spradbury) 63.45. silv.— 1, Marble Arch VIII (K Hughes) 66.03; 2, Loughkey Rose (L Hobson) 66.03. brnz.— 1, Soulby’s Shades O’Blue (F Benton) 64.14. prelim 19Q gold (J Head).— 1, Baroness T 70.42; 2, Indigo R 67.71; 3, Gitina (A Bates) 67.71. silv.— 1, Loughkey Rose 63.54; 2, Pot Of Gold III (T Thorne) 58.13. brnz.— 1, C’Est La Vie I (RL Morphey) 67.92; 2, Soulby’s Shades O’Blue 61.88. nov 23 gold (M Richardson).— 1, Breight Said Fred (L Hughes) 72.5. silv.— 1, Chamonix II 71.67; 2, Donna Melissa (E Lumb) 68.96; 3, GHS Kafene (J Kavanagh) 68.13. brnz.— 1, N’Ice Lad Mon Ami (B Parkhouse)…

PACHESHAM 21 April: elem 45 gold (A Greenaway).— 1, Hawtins Salento (R Haryett) 68.27; 2, Damask Rosa Mundi (T Fenwick) 68.1; 3, Inzell Indigo (S Rogers) 66.55. silv.— 1, Furstin Caprice (S Hayes) 63.27; 2, Alfie XXX (P Blazkova) 61.55. brnz.— 1, Kilgreaney Samson (T Simpson) 67.75; 2, Subaltern Will (C Felstead) 63.79; 3, Downtown II (C Evans) 62.06. elem 57Q gold (S Rowlands).— 1, Hawtins Salento 72.67; 2, Damask Rosa Mundi 67.85; 3, Inzell Indigo 65. silv.— 1, Furstin Caprice 65.53. brnz.— 1, Downtown II 66.78; 2, Kilgreaney Samson 65.89; 3, Tyringham EV (A Scott) 63.75. med 69 silv (A Greenaway).— 1, Ravel (J Mawer) 63.93. brnz.— 1, Igor Du Banny (R Almond) 67.87; 2, Dubai (K Monks) 66.66; 3, Cwmcownwy Anabelle (P Blazkova) 61.96. med 75Q silv (S…

BURY FARM 15 April: prelim 15Q gold (C Davis).— 1, Farnley (T Mrazkova) 81. silv.— 1 MK San Cero (S Hetherington) 64.4. brnz.— 1, Wetterway (O Baker) 69; 2, Over The Limit (L Crouchman) 65; 3, WFD Cinderellow (L Clarke) 63.2. prelim 17AQ gold.— 1, Farnley 80. silv.— 1, Edward II (P Heilbron) 73.44; 2, MK San Cero 65.17, brnz.— 1, Wetterway 69.48; 2, Spring Serenade (A Hall) 67.58; 3, Over The Limit 64.65. nov 22 gold (C Alston).— 1, Fortunas (J Dawes) 69.31. silv.— 1, Totili London (F Langley) 71.37; 2, Rockwell Farrah H.F.D. (S Graves) 69.82; 3, Harlequin II (S Vousden) 68.48. brnz.— 1, Loughrea Prince (M Cooper) 66.2; 2, Trefddyn Crackerjack (V Pearson) 66.03; 3, Seagry San Luis (H Goate) 65.51. nov 37AQ gold (J Head).— 1,…

WHEN the then sport horse breeding editor asked if I would write the inaugural Horse & Hound breeding column, I had no idea whether there was enough material to sustain a regular opinion piece, let alone whether readers wanted to read one. Well, 12 years — or three horse generations — later, we are both still here. However, all good things come to an end — this column is my final say. Looking back, there has been plenty to say, although some topics have cropped up a few times and several have seemingly become a mantra. And so some advice, for the final time, from me: • Please register your foals with a British studbook. Initial registration with any European book means that studbook will receive recognition for any future…

SATURDAY’S first class ran as planned, but fences were blown down by Storm Hannah as course-designer David Cole was preparing the HOYS talent seekers track and the rest of the day was postponed. A hastily revised schedule for Sunday included the talent seekers and 1.45m grand prix, while the Big Star six-year-old class ran in the second ring. “We tried our hardest to run as competitors had travelled a long way, but conditions worsened and we decided it was too dangerous to continue,” said secretary Maz Quinney. “Sadly, we lost a few competitors who couldn’t return for the talent seekers on Sunday — Geoff Billington was one and he agreed with our decision.” Jay Halim rejoiced at the change after finishing second on Gentle. “It suited me, I was at…

I’M still recovering from the fall I had from Argento in Gothenburg last month (news, 11 April), in which I broke my collarbone. Luckily, Argento was absolutely fine and has been busy with stud duties for a couple of weeks while I recuperate. But falling off is, unfortunately, all part of the game, and often happens when you least expect it. Although a broken collarbone is a fairly common injury in riders, this is actually the first time I’ve broken mine — I just couldn’t get my arms out when I fell so my shoulder was the first thing to hit the ground. I have been relatively fortunate injury-wise over the John Whitaker has been one of the world’s leading showjumpers for more than four decades years. I broke my…

RIHS, WHP, nursery (P Mallender, C Collier) .— 1, S Galliers’ Cottown Little Rupert; 2, S Houlden’s Pebbly Principal Boy; 3, S Thompson’s Golygfar Neo. nursery.— 1, Pebbly Principal Boy; 2, C Lanni’s Birkinbrook Arabella; 3, S Wright’s Cheshmere Tara. 133cm (P Mallender, E Hector) .— 1,W Calder’s Coco Bongo; 2, J England’s Baby Buttons; 3, P England’s Lettermuckoo Lucy. 143cm.— 1, L King’s Turloughrevagh Boy; 2, J England’s Rosshill Paddy; 3, C Garrett’s Landslow Melody Maker. 153cm.—1 & ch, S Dennison’s Imperial High Tide; 2, D Taylor’s Kiltartan Moonlight; 3, C Short’s Evolution. INT.— 1 & res, K Waterson’s ABC Liberty Belle; 2, P King’s Shersheen Courage; 3, K Hirst’s Fabiro Z. 133cm.— 1 & res, K Ward’s Noble Peppermint; 2, L Curbishley’s Fairrose Fantasy; 3, K Raine’s Miami…

DURING the British Equestrian Writers’ Association lunch at Olympia, I was asked what has been the most significant change on the showing circuit in recent years. Could it be the introduction of the marks system when judging ponies? Or perhaps the popularity of the relatively new coloured and mountain and moorland (M&M) classes, which often put the numbers in traditional plaited sections to shame? After much thought, I opted for the increase in opportunities for the amateur and home-produced competitor at top level across the board. Apart from the many classes seen in showing schedules across the country — especially at the various end-of-season championship shows — amateur riders are also given a shot at the big time in their own category during Royal Windsor and the Royal International weeks,…

EQUESTRIAN BACKGROUND SARAH rode her family’s home-produced show ponies from lead-rein onwards, most notably the show pony Ocean Fair Bubble. At 18 she progressed to horse classes. Her most successful exhibit has been the legendary hack Pearly King. She has been a BSHA board member for 13 years. AIMS “BEING a competitor, I understand the importance of creating a wonderful, relaxed atmosphere on show day as not all exhibitors are there, like the professionals, to do a job.” PET HATES “COMPETITORS constantly ringing to ask starting times (which are in the schedule) and numbers entered (when entries are taken on the day). Also, seeing non-qualifying sections but nevertheless equally important novice and amateur classes poorly supported.” MUST-HAVES “A GOOD working relationship with the venue owner and a rapport with our…

Harley Equestrian Silver Spur, Barnets Barn Farm, Warks DESPITE Storm Hannah battering the country with gale-force winds, runners and riders of the fourth Silver Spur hunt ride, set in rolling Bicester with Whaddon Chase country, were not deterred. Going one better than last year and finishing first past the post was team chase veteran Stephen Clark, 64, on a horse he was riding for only the fourth time. Aboard 12-year-old Slim, a three-quarters thoroughbred, Stephen took it up after the final fence to pass the two other competitors in front, but the race wasn’t without incident. “What a wonderful day I’ve had, but we were about 50 lengths down after being carried out at the sixth,” said Stephen, who was given a lead by hunt race specialists Yvonne Goss and…

Bet365 Jump Finale Day, Sandown Park, Surrey THE two-time champion chaser, Altior, raced into the record books at Sandown Park on Saturday, 27 April — the last day of the domestic jump season — when victory in the bet365 Celebration Chase earned him a record 19th straight win over obstacles. At Cheltenham, he had equalled the previous record set by Big Buck’s and, while there is no reason he couldn’t win a third Champion Chase, he has been beginning to look a little more vulnerable over two miles. Going to the last, the Alan King-trained Sceau Royal looked like he had “Bambi” in his sights, as he had done at Cheltenham. What Altior now needs is a very strongly run two miles, or further. His rivals now know that if…

RUBINS NITE Hayley Watson-Greaves’ ride is to return to work after an accident when his bridle and fly veil slipped at Doha CDI (8-10 March), causing him to bolt. He will miss Windsor, but will campaign for Europeans selection. ALTIOR The National Hunt hero scored his 19th consecutive victory, at Sandown under Nico de Boinville on 27 April. Trained by Nicky Henderson, he has set a world record for consecutive wins by a jumps racehorse. CHIARA 222 Ludger Beerbaum’s double European silver medal-winner has been put down aged 16 after colic surgery. She won many CSI5* grands prix and helped Germany to fourth at the 2014 World Equestrian Games.…

THE 2018/2019 jumps champions have been crowned on the final day of the National Hunt season at Sandown on 27 April. Paul Nicholls took the champion trainer title for the 11th time, having won £3,307,573, including a win at the Cheltenham Festival with Frodon and success in the King George VI Chase at Kempton with Clan Des Obeaux. Richard Johnson was named champion jockey for the fourth time following 200 wins this season, including with La Bague Au Roi at Kempton on Boxing Day and two five-timers at Perth on 18 August and 27 September. JP McManus was champion owner with 94 winners. Bryony Frost, who missed the Grand National with a broken collarbone, was champion conditional jockey, her 50 winners including Frodon at Cheltenham. She said: “I’m beyond lucky…

AN FEI spokesman told H&H: “The welfare of athletes, human and equine, is of the utmost importance to the FEI and one of the key focuses in eventing is to improve the global comprehension and development of the sport from a risk management perspective. “Following the 2019 risk management seminar in January [news, 18 April], the FEI set up a working group to investigate new ways of reducing horse falls in the sport. The implementation of video-profiling fences on the cross-country will provide the opportunity to collect evidence at competitions, which will assist in understanding issues to help improve the sport, and identify factors to decrease the number of serious injuries to athletes and horses. The analysis of the images, which will be transformed into data, will be aligned with…

MAURICE EVANS A DEDICATED volunteer and stalwart of the equestrian world, Mr Evans died on 5 April aged 90. He spent 44 years helping with the Albrighton Woodland Hunt branch of the Pony Club (AWHPC), serving as president for 31 of those. During that time, he received two Cubitt Awards for long service and was also a long-time supporter of the Albrighton Woodland Hunt. Mr Evans worked as a farm manager for the Marsh and Baxter dynasty at Ashwood Farm, near Kingswinford in the West Midlands, between 1963 and 1994, and it was during this time that his interest in the equestrian world blossomed. His two sons, Guy and Martin, became members of the AWHPC and competed in showjumping and eventing. Mr Evans was a regular and generous host of…

WILDLIFE Hot on the heels of the campaign to ban shooting pigeons and crows comes news of potential lawbreakers — including a donkey, who we will not name, who has killed three pigeons since last Thursday. Should he be reported? POSTMEN A riding club advertising a forthcoming dressage competition has stressed that no email or phone entries will be accepted; competitors may only enter by post. This despite the fact that times will be displayed online… FACTS Don’t you just love potential buyers — or not? Hands up everyone who’s been selling a horse, listed all but the kitchen sink, and then been asked for “more information”. Always tempted to reply: “The capital of Peru is Lima”, or “Cats don’t sweat”. More information, isn’t it?…

“HORSES in the wild don’t have fly rugs, you know, and they seem to survive,” Molly’s owner tells her as she painstakingly does up the seemingly endless straps that swathe Molly in the most expensive, high-tech fly sheet on the market. Molly cannot think of anything worse than being a “horse in the wild” — it sounds absolutely ghastly. Occasionally her loving and slightly anxious owner thinks Molly ought to spend time “just being a horse in a field”, but Molly soon sorts this out by pacing the fence endlessly, having excessive reactions to really quite mild fly bites and looking sorry for herself. It always works. She likes to come into a cool stable, well furnished with bedding, a large haynet, automatic drinker and a tasty feed during the…

KATIE PRESTON was sitting in the car park of her local pub when she listened to the message telling her she was going to Badminton. “I’d heard my phone ring earlier, but I was having dinner with friends so I didn’t answer it. I wish I had now, I would have had another glass of wine!” grins the Kent-based equine vet as she recalls the precise moment a week earlier that she found out she had been promoted from wait list to start list. Badminton entrants generally fall into three categories: established professionals, up-and-coming — often young — professionals and, to a far lesser extent, amateur working riders. For the latter group especially, this moment is the culmination of years of grafting, plotting and dreaming. It is a chance to…

It helps to switch from an “advanced” outline to a stretching outline when schooling. I use this a lot in canter; I will ride one full circle in an active canter and then one full circle in stretching, ensuring that the tempo and speed don’t change. Once you find that easy, start to make transitions in and out of canter, ensuring they come solely from the horse listening to the seat. Never pull back on the rein. Take your hand wider if you’re struggling to create softness, but don’t pull it back towards you.…

IN 2016, Mandy Collings witnessed her daughter, Emily, pilot their five-year-old 148cm show pony Chiddock Hour Glass (Pippa; pictured) to victory in their novice class. Fast-forward three years, and the pair have just returned from the second appearance at the Area Festival dressage championships. “We bought Pippa directly from her breeder, Gilly Sykes, and backed her at home,” says Mandy, who admits that she never expected to foray into the world of British Dressage (BD). “She then went to Gayle Holder’s yard to be produced for a season. Her third-ever outing under saddle was Windsor where, incredibly, she ended up winning the novice. It was an ‘I can’t believe it’ moment. “It was the first year that the novices had been held in the Adelaide Arena and they had carriages…

ARIEL GRALD ARIEL GRALD (pictured, right), 30, jumped through the second and third elements of the Rolex Grand Slam Challenge with a flag caught between her knee and the saddle. “He got a bit distracted and drifted right at the first triple brush arrowhead, so I whacked the flag with my knee and it got stuck,” said Ariel. She finished best of the home side first-timers in 12th with Anne Eldridge’s 10-year-old Leamore Master Plan, whom Ariel chose in Ireland as a five-year-old. HAZEL SHANNON HAZEL SHANNON (pictured, above), 26, travelled from Australia to compete WillingaPark Clifford, having won Adelaide four-star (now five-star) in both 2016 and 2018. “I’d done Adelaide four times and wanted to do another five-star, plus if you want to represent Australia [at a championship], you…

Adv sec F.— 1, Borough Pennyz (V Panizzon) 29.3,0,6=35.3; 2, Fernhill Rock Star (B Upton) 35.9,0,9.6=45.5; 3, Sportsfield Adventure (J Watts) 34.6,8,4.8=47.4. sec G.— 1, Colorado Blue (A O’Connor) 34,0,10.8=44.8; 2, Gortfadda Diamond (E Chandler) 31.2,0,19.2=50.4; 3, Super Cillious (V Panizzon) 37.1,6,8=51.1. OI sec E.— 1, Quicklook V (G Tattersall) 15.5,0,10.8=26.3; 2, Hester (A Bragg) 24.6,0,2.4=27; 3, SRS Kan Do (K Roddy) 25,0,3.2=28.2. sec E.— 1, Billy Beware (P Funnell) 20,0,5.2=25.2; 2, Calmaro (L Collett) 22.7,0,4.8=27.5; 3, Jalapeno III (G Tattersall) 22.1,0,5.6=27.7. OIu21.— 1, Glasker Sweet Clover (F Collins) 23.2,0,2=25.2; 2, Royal Fury (H Coy) 26.1,0,0.8=26.9; 3, Darius IV (F Swallow) 26.1,0,2.4=28.5. int sec B.— 1, Diachello II (J Campbell) 25.2,0,4=29.2; 2, Carver Doone (T Rowland) 28.9,0,3.6=32.5; 3, Kings Rose (E King) 33.9,0,0=33.9. sec C.— 1, Aunt Augusta (R Fry)…

ON.— 1, Geffory (I Bamford) 23.5,4,0=27.5; 2, Wainthropp (S Murray) 29.5,0,0=29.5; 3, CES Silver Chip (J Neilson) 31.5,0,0=31.5. ONu18.— 1, The Face Of Rome (E Webster) 22,4,0.4=26.4; 2, Valentino III (G Buchan) 28.3,0,0=28.3; 3, CDS Rock Away Beach (X de Wesselow) 29.8,0,0=29.8. nov.— 1, Casper Z (E Macaulay) 22.5,0,2.8=25.3; 2, Cooley Carneyhaugh (E Parker) 26.8,0,0=26.8; 3, Life In Time (G Burns) 24.5,4,0=28.5. BE100open.— 1, Jumble (J Johnston-Harman) 25.5,0,0=25.5; 2, Balladeer Gatsby (D Scott) 33,0,0=33; 3, Flash Steel (E Whiteford) 36,0,0=36. BE100u18.— 1, Shannondale Flight (B Walker) 27,0,0=27; 2, Caballo Rojo (R Grant) 27.8,0,0=27.8; 3, Heaven Eyes (K Grant) 28.5,0,0=28.5. BE100 sec H.— 1, Laghey Clover (S Bultitude) 27,0,0=27; 2, Rockcon (E Macaulay) 29.3,0,0=29.3; 3, Rainbows Little Rock (E Coghill) 30,0,0=30. sec I.— 1, Vistimar (K McLaren) 25.8,0,0=25.8; 2, Grande Dame…

NORTHALLERTON (1) BE100plus.— 1, Full Throttle II (L Oldroyd) 25.8,4,0=29.8; 2, Shannondale Annie (B L Harrold) 31.8,0,0=31.8; 3, Decanters King George V (L Burton) 24.3,8,0=32.3. BE100open.— 1, Lionheart (A I Roberts) 27.8,0,0.4=28.2; 2, Burlea Seamerchant (M Birkbeck) 29.5,0,0=29.5; 3, Aosta Sam (S Trotter) 32.3,0,0=32.3. BE100 sec G.— 1, Castlesize Go Easy (J Rushbrooke) 28.8,0,0=28.8; 2, Crownhill Smoke (J Burnley) 31.5,0,1.6=33.1; 3, Faerlie Fancy (V Blount) 22,12,0=34. sec H.— 1, Penpont Showgirl (S Platt) 30.5,0,0=30.5; 2, Lizzie B (S Bartlett) 30.8,0,0=30.8; 3, Upsalls Lorna (S Jimmison) 28,0,2.8=30.8. sec L.— 1, Miss Offaly Skippy (J Kavanagh) 30.3,0,0=30.3; 2, Georgia Rain (F Lemke) 31.5,0,0=31.5; 3, Wot Glamour (R Clark) 31.8,0,0.8=32.6. BE90 sec A.— 1, Black Jack V (K Brickman) 20.8,4,0.8=25.6; 2, Cooley Empire (S Rankin) 21.8,4,0=25.8; 3, Barton Blount (W Hoggard) 22.5,4,0=26.5. sec…

Keysoe Premier League, The College EC, Beds MARIA EILBERG and Royal Concert faced a tense moment ahead of their winning grand prix freestyle performance as a technical issue threatened to scupper her music. But one spare CD, a laptop and a sound system rejig later and the pair were given the green light. “It’s a fine line when it comes to doing too much with them, so I was very pleased that he kept it all together,” said Maria. The pair rode to a Rod Stewart soundtrack, compiled by Gary Patterson, which they debuted here at the High Profile show in December, to secure a confident win on 73.17%. “We worked quite hard on getting it together with the music last year as we didn’t end up doing the nationals,…

Dumfries Dressage, Dumfries | Tillyoch EC, Aberdeen Carla and Hey Good Looking GK claimed the novice under-21 Area Festival Championship title in April, and continued their winning streak with a plus-70% victory at Dumfries. “It’s set to modern music which seems to have been quite popular with the judges and suits the horse well,” said Carla, 16. “We are currently training at medium and have had a couple of lessons with Jane Rutherford since the championships. My aim is to qualify for Area Festivals at medium this summer, and we’ve already qualified for the elementary summer regionals.” Another rider to train with Jane won at Tillyoch. Elspeth Macdonald headed an advanced medium with Take This, a 17.1hh 19-year-old KWPN gelding. “Having been horse-hunting for several months, I found him through…

Colraine EC, Cornwall | Chard EC, Somerset “He’s over 18hh and has taken a really long time to rehabilitate and get right,” Tiverton-based Tyler, who is trained by Pammy Hutton, said of the Uphill 11-year-old. “I bought him unseen four years ago and it took me the first 10 months to get him to go forward out of walk. “He’s a complete anomaly and gets nervous at competitions. We start by walking for about 15 minutes on a long rein and then take things gently.” Helen Askey headed both novice gold sections at Colraine on her home-bred Rockoko, by Woodlander Rockstar, who has had a quiet winter while Helen completed her equine sports massage training. “It was a tough course, but it’s really helped my understanding of how all the…

AS I write this column I am on my way to Hagen in Germany, to compete at a big four-star show called Horses and Dreams. It is my first major competition since having my third baby and it comes off the back of a very frustrating season last year. My stallion, Duval’s Capri Sonne Jr (Cas), suffered very bad allergies and lost a lot of confidence in the ring. He broke out in hives every time he came off cortisone for an international, and I’m hoping we can avoid that this year. The vets have come up with a potential solution, which involves giving him a series of regular allergy vaccines over a period of time to try to make him resistant. The problem is pin-pointing what he was allergic…

18 Apr: CSL Transport nov Q.— 1, Dereen Flyer (E Smit); 2, Attyrory Golden Lady (E Heagren Bond); 3, Prospects Diamond (M Stowe). Sir AP McCoy 11 & under Q.— 1, 11 tied. Business Waste Management inbetweeners Q.— 1, May Lass (C Beldom); 2, Marno (S Sparkes); 3, Lisroe Melody (L Hill). Whitaker children on horses Q.— 1, Cartouche II (H Barker); 2, Cindy VI (A Weightman); 3, CSF Cancruz (I Stenning). Harcour JA Q.— 1, Newtown Samson (E Smit); 2, Lapislazuli (L Bremner); 3, Whos Arco (A Vernon). Gascoigne under-18 Q.— 1, Clearways Angelina (G Sims); 2, Cartouche II; 3, Cocktail D’Azur (L Bremner). Instant Upright JC Q.— 1, Coolatooder Liath (E Burden); 2 & 3, Lisboy Diamond Delight & Major Obos (A Vernon). Arco Developments prelim Q.— 1,…

25 Apr: Connolly’s Red Mills newcomers.— 1, Ryans Butterscotch (I Smith); 2, Ica D’Emma Z (A Hempleman); 3, Seapatrick Cardento (T Pearson). 1.10m.— 1, Lady Warrior (I Ketteridge); 2, Capistelle JX (H Tiley); 3, Pauldaries Mysteque (S Baker). Equitop Myoplast Foxhunter.— 1, Heartbreaker Dream (C Flynn); 2, Idanibur W (N Pavitt); 3, Twistaire Pleasure (M Shirley). 1.20m.— 1, Trevoulter Lady Utah (H Webster); 2, Kinkeen Diamond (M Drea); 3, Winner B (T Gray). 1.30m.— 1, LK Rocky (H Webster); 2, Coquette Chapotiere (G Tame); 3, Okehurst Abbervail (M Drea). 1.40m.— 1, Silver Wave (B Dalton); 2, Corbeagh Luxor (S Goding); 3, Clyde VA (S Breen). British nov.— 1, Elmondo Too (S Lincoln); 2, Isabelle I (S Franks); 3, Millfield Cordula (G Maksud). 90cm.— 1, Renkum Graziana (T Cottrell); 2 &…

BSPS Winter Championships, Arena UK, Lincs ANOTHER sparkling, foot-perfect performance from “lead-rein queen” Sharn Linney with her latest charges, Evie Haywood and her mother Rebecca’s seven-year-old Welsh section A Thistledown Vodka Soda (Theo), beat off seven determined rivals to secure the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) restricted supreme title. “The standard was very high but this pony went beautifully, had its ears forward and was full of presence,” declared judge Anne Bullock, a staunch BSPS supporter and volunteer whose own showing credentials include home-producing the 1987 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) show pony champion Groundhills Amazing Grace. “I believe a supreme champion has to be as near perfect as possible and this one was,” she said. “Sadly some did not stand for inspection and this ruled them out.” Devon-based…

RIHS, cobs (N Taylor, A Fradley) l’wt.— 1 & ch, R Stevenson’s Copenhagen; 2 & res, E Litt’s Randalstown Brannigan; 3, P Mortimer’s Freddie Kruger. hw’t.— 1, D Harrod’s Topp Hatt; 2, G Purgac’s Ballygar Joker; 3, D Barton’s Kincullen Moonstone. maxi.— 1, S Pritchard’s Hob Nob; 2, M Bowley’s Colour Graphix; 3, V Wilson’s Wreck It Ralph. hunters (K Sears, M Jones) sml.— 1, C Hartley’s Lenhalls Legacy; 2, C Roberts’ Carnsdale Huntsman; 3, J Hackworth’s Full Cry. l’wt.— 1 & res, J Day’s Sydney Poitier; 2, J Tyldesley’s Rehy Horizon; 3, D Barton’s Challacombe. m’wt.— 1, D Harrod’s SVS Camelot; 2, C Jacques’ Ballinpark Endeavour. h’wt.— 1 & ch, V&G Lovick’s Isle Bright; 2, A Hebron’s Correnagh Cove; 3, S Walker’s The Parishoner. amt (K Sears, M Jones)…

IT was bag-packing time for some last week as they headed to their new positions in hunting. By now, the new staff will have met their hounds and started the huge task of getting to know the new country and people. Both the hunts and the new staff will need time to settle in. Too many people try and change things too quickly. Everyone wants to make his or her own mark on a hunt country, but just remember that the hunt has been there long before you. Your job is to maintain it as best you can and hand it over in as good a position — or hopefully better — than you found it. Masters and staff need to establish a good working relationship and help each other…

CHAMPION TRAINER: Paul Nicholls (£3,307,573) for the 11th time. BEST WINNER: Cyrname in the Ascot Chase. RUNNER-UP: Nicky Henderson (£2,908,481). CHAMPION JOCKEY: Richard Johnson (200 winners, pictured) for the fourth time. BEST WINNER: La Bague Au Roi in the Kauto Star Chase and the Flogas Chase at Leopardstown. RUNNER-UP: Harry Skelton (178 winners) CHAMPION CONDITIONAL JOCKEY: Bryony Frost (50 winners). BEST WINNER: Frodon in the Ryanair Chase. RUNNER-UP: Ross Chapman (36 winners) CHAMPION OWNER: JP McManus (94 winners, £2,147,994). BEST WINNER: Espoir D’Allen in the Champion Hurdle.…

IT has been a fantastic season for jump racing and Sandown Park on Saturday, 27 April, closed it in style. Champions were crowned and equine stars were paraded — and both were shown huge affection by the large crowd of true jump racing fans. Sandown is a natural amphitheatre and Saturday’s racing did not disappoint. The awesome Altior took his total to 19 on the trot in the Celebration Chase. Nicky Henderson has trained this horse to perfection and the same can be said about his jockey, Nico de Boinville, for his remarkable riding. The newly crowned champion trainer, Paul Nicholls, scooped two races, while Nicky Henderson matched that — the last day of the season very much reminiscent of the previous 12 months. REKINDLE THE DREAM THIS season, Tiger…

Farmers Bloodhounds (Drag), Edgcote, Northants TRAINER Laura Horsfall, who has been hit by the deaths of three horses this season, was relieved to finally get off the mark when Follow The Paint landed the hunt members’ race. Will Thirlby sent the mare for home turning into the straight, and she galloped on powerfully to cross the line seven lengths ahead of Our Sox (Tristan Durrell) in the five-year-olds and over contest. Laura lost Treacyswestcounty and Gypsy Charm before they made it to the track this term. Her Maidford stables near Towcester suffered a further blow when Shah Of Persia died of a heart attack in the horsebox park after running at Larkhill. “It has been a long time coming,” she said. “It means a lot because of the way this…