Innholdsfortegnelse for 27-Dec-2019 i Horse & Hound

LAST Tuesday at Olympia we witnessed a British whitewash in the top three places of the dressage World Cup qualifier for Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester and Lottie Fry. There was some consternation when we learned that showjumping crowd favourites John and Michael Whitaker would not be at Olympia this time. “It won’t be the same without them,” said a few on Facebook. The commentator may not have been calling out, “Come on boys and girls, cheer louder, it makes him go faster!” but all the same the crowd erupted into applause for today’s heroes — Charlotte and Carl. As for Lottie, the crowd were awed by this beautiful 23-year-old rider’s grace and strength piloting the impressive stallion Everdale. There were further Brits snatching at the top three’s heels, too —…

BOBBY The gelding who took four siblings to endurance and showing success has died aged 40. He went to the World Equestrian Games and youth Europeans and was placed in Olympia showing with the Helme family. NESBITT The former police horse, who served at the 2012 Olympics, has been put down aged 17, having suffered with degenerative joint disease. The 17.2hh gelding served with South Wales Police and retired to Redwings in 2013. KAALIF The nine-year-old swept the board at the Arab Horse Society performance awards. He took the pure Arab title, the endurance award and the Dinsdale trophy for Anja Ward, whose daughter Victoria won a junior award.…

THROWING SHAPES Anyone who thought judges too official and important to have fun, should have clocked them at Olympia during the puissance. Hurrah for the officials who swayed to Sweet Caroline and Rocked All Over the World with the best of them. PREDICTIONS Top marks to Olympia for the finale video, featuring an equine Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, telling jokes. But how did they know to do Boris? Or did they do Jeremy too and we’ll never see the outcome? So many questions. JOKES One of the Trump/Johnson jokes was, “What do you call a man from Warsaw who has four faults? An unlucky Pole.” Which caused chuckles, except from one visitor who heard Warsaw as Walsall, missed the “unlucky” and decided to be offended. Oh dear.…

I didn’t come to horses the most conventional way. When I was eight, my father stopped in mid-Scotland to give someone a lift, who then invited me to his riding school. When I arrived, he said: “Well, I don’t know what to teach you. You get on and we’ll just ride out together.” So that’s what we did for a year. I never had the usual sort of lessons until Pony Club. It was all done going up hills and down steep ravines. ‘He asked, “Would you like to see my horses?” Rather a good chat-up line’ When I was 14, my father gave me £50 to buy my first horse. I went to Glasgow and bought a gypsy cob called Trigger,who jumped like a stag. Shortly thereafter we acquired…

THE Kia Sorento SUV (pictured) takes some beating when it comes to versatility, and it’s available with some attractive finance deals. If you go for the KX-1 model, which has a 2.2-litre CRDi diesel engine and a manual six-speed gearbox, you get four-wheel drive, seven seats and, according to Kia, the ability to tow 2.5 tonnes safely. It’s a great Jack of all trades. I’d recommend the KX-2 model (from £33,650) because this adds kit like satellite navigation, self-levelling suspension and front parking sensors. These are added to the already comprehensive list of goodies, which include reversing camera, rear parking sensors, DAB radio, air-con and Bluetooth. It takes 8.7sec to do 0-60mph and, if you go easily, you’ll crack 40mpg. Every Sorento comes with a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty. How’s that for…

THE British Equestrian Federation (BEF) is “determined” anyone who wants to enjoy time with horses should have that opportunity. BEF head of participation Anna Hall says: “Thanks to the work of the BEF, our member bodies and funding partners, and other organisations, this is becoming more and more possible.” Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) groups provide riding and driving to those with a range of disabilities and needs. Accessibility mark accredited riding centres are trained by the RDA to support such people. The BEF supports Sport England’s #weareundefeatable campaign, supported by charities, and aims to get people with long-term health conditions active. Even if you do not want to ride there are benefits of being in the fresh air and around horses. It is always advisable to speak to…

WHAT a show. It was a very British affair for a World Cup qualifier, but it was a real celebration of the best our nation has to offer with some special guests — notably Germany’s Frederic Wandres with the British-bred Duke Of Britain — giving everyone a run for their money. The short grand prix rode much better then last year. I’m glad the canter zig-zag was included, as it’s a key test of balance, and that the very difficult trot half-passes, the ultimate test of suppleness, have remained. Having the one tempi changes in between the pirouettes tests straightness and control, as the rider needs ultimate collection for the pirouettes but must be brave to ride forward for the changes up the centre line in between. Take this as…

IT’S been a landmark year for Irish rider Mikey Pender and Brit William Whitaker, and they kept themselves firmly in the spotlight when they divided the spoils in a thrilling Cayenne puissance. Mikey, riding Paul van den Bosch’s Hearton Du Bois Halleux, blasted into the frame with a victory in this year’s Hickstead Derby, while William has had a great year jumping the Global Champions Tour circuit with new US employer Rushy Marsh Farms. Both made a return to British soil to jump at Olympia, and these two combinations exuded precision and class as they aced the full five rounds, finishing up with a flawless trip over the 7ft 2in (2.18m) wall. Incredibly, it was William’s ride RMF Charly’s first puissance and he was foot-perfect in every heat. Brought to…

Welcome stakes.— 1, Flipper Darco UK Z (H Smith) GBR; 2, Bintang II (L Renwick) GBR; 3, Dante RZ (M Jung) GER. Aztec Diamond Pony Club mini-major.— 1, Everest D (K Hovland) NOR & Lambay Off Broadway (L Ramaci); 2, Dante RZ (M Jung) & Uqurm D’Emery (C McCraken); 3, Anvil’s Every Little Helps (L Renwick) & Dimples Dilemma (H Gerken). Santa stakes.— 1, Important De Muze (D Kenny) IRL; 2, RMF Echo (W Whitaker) GBR; 3, F One USA (B Maher) GBR. Musto inside edge stakes.— 1, Chica B Z (M Fuchs) SUI; 2, Cupido (G Williams) GBR; 3, Denver (H Smith) GBR. Cayenne puissance.— 1eq, RMF Charly (W Whitaker) GBR & Hearton Du Bois Halleux (M Pender) IRL; 3, Mr Blue Sky UK (G Williams) GBR. Shelley Ashman…

OPINION  IF anyone thinks the showjumping scene in America is an improvement on the British version, they’ve got it completely wrong. In fact, I’d go so far as to say the sport is quite a bit better over here in the UK. British crowds in general are so much more knowledgeable, which makes for a great atmosphere, particularly at indoor shows such as Olympia. This is probably because a much larger percentage of British people have some affiliation with horses through hunting, racing or other equestrian sports. In the USA, fewer people know what they’re watching — and the rest of them don’t really understand why we love horses. In America, competing is also very expensive. There’s absolutely no comparison with jumping here. To be fair, the prize money there…

BURY FARM 9 Dec: prelim 15Q gold.— 1, Fiery Fergal (B Angel) 64.8. silv.— 1, Billy Sinatra (R Harrison) 67.6; 2, Madam Mimm (L Green) 64.8. brnz.— 1, Coednewydd Oliver (J Johnson) 65.2; 2, Uran Maisy Grey Mist (J Card) 59.4. prelim 19Q gold.— 1, Carnhill Cooper (J Engestrom) 68.13. silv.— 1eq, Loughrea Prince (M Cooper) & Burlington Cascaletto (R Harrison) 66.67. nov 23 silv.— 1, Estpoint (A Cahill) 67.71; 2, Icarus (D Britnell) 66.46; 3, CSF Why Me (D Britnell) 64.58. nov 38Q silv.— 1, Estpoint 70.16; 2, North Sandro (N North) 68.39; 3, Hamberlins Pwala (S Dobson) 66.61. elem 40 silv.— 1, New Princess (A Shirtcliffe) 69.84; 2, Danger Mousey (N Flowers) 66.45; 3, Seagry Safira (L Williams) 64.52. brnz.— 1, Danaroso (R Jones) 65.97; 2, Harry 7171…

WHEN I look at the meet card for the Christmas period, I feel a bit apprehensive — the normal two-days-a-week scenario ramps up to three. How can you possibly fit Christmas in when there’s so much hunting to do? People ask what we’re doing these holidays. To be fair, it’s a standard question at this time of year. “Going away?” they quiz, all innocence, at which point I have to suppress the urge to say, “Duuur,” while childishly circling my ear with my index finger. When everyone else is on holiday, that’s when it really ramps up for huntsmen and their families — Christmas is a busy time and with the day itself falling on a Wednesday this year, sandwiched between two days of hunting, it is in danger of…

BRITAIN threw down the dressage gauntlet last Tuesday night (17 December) by taking the top three places in the Olympia World Cup leg. With eight months to go until the Olympics, Charlotte Dujardin and Mount St John Freestyle, who had topped the grand prix the previous night, won the freestyle on 87.52%. Carl Hester and Hawtins Delicato scored 84.47% to take second place, while Lottie Fry and Everdale scored 82.62% to finish third. Charlotte said: “It’s only her third time doing that test, and I’m so pleased with her. “The atmosphere was buzzing, it was a full house and I could really feel it. But she’s coping well and I couldn’t have asked any more from her.” Share your news story Call 01252 555021 Email eleanor.jones@ti-media.com @ eleanor_jones_…

THE Event Rider Masters (ERM) series will feature two UK legs in 2020, including a new venue. Burnham Market, Norfolk, will host the opening leg of the series (10-11 April), with Chatsworth, Derbyshire, to hold the second leg (16-17 May). The addition of Burnham Market follows the loss of the leg at Germany’s Wiesbaden Pfingstturnier, owing to an “extremely congested” German competition calendar. The change to the calendar comes as a boost to the UK, which lost ERM legs previously hosted at Barbury and Blair Castle horse trials in 2019. Legs three and four are Belgium’s Concours Complet D’Arville (27-28 June) and France’s Haras De Jardy Eventing Show (11-12 July). ERM returns to Ireland’s Millstreet, Cork, for its second year, providing the fifth leg (28-29 August), while France hosts the…

NATIONS CUP LEG TO RUN IN CANADA CANADA will have an eventing Nations Cup leg in 2020. Bromont (15-18 August) will host the only North American leg. Bromont Horse Trials organiser Sue Ockendon said the addition is “really important” for North America, which did not host the competition in 2019. The other legs will run at Ballindenisk, Ireland (23-26 April), Houghton Hall, Norfolk (21-24 May), Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy (9-14 June), Strzegom, Poland (2-5 July), Le Pin au Haras, France (12-16 August), Waregem, Belgium (10-13 September), and Boekelo, the Netherlands (1-4 October). BADMINTON WINS MAJOR AWARD BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS has been awarded the L’Année Hippique best event award 2019 — outdoor eventing, for the third time in six years, having won in 2014 and 2016. The international publication’s award, voted…

Eventer Piggy French was presented with the British Equestrian Writers’ Association trophy in recognition of a “phenomenal” year of success that included 15 international wins. Jockey Oisin Murphy retained his annual Flat jockeys’ title for 2019. The 24-year-old, who secured 220 wins during the calendar year, said he was “thrilled” to win the title again. Horse Sport Ireland announced Michael Blake is the new high performance jumping director. Michael, who replaces Rodrigo Pessoa, said he is “delighted” to take on the role. Former British eventing chef d’equipe Yogi Breisner has joined the Windrush Equestrian Foundation young eventers’ scheme. He will advise and mentor riders next season. Amateur jockey David Prichard won the Fegentri Gentleman’s League world amateur jump championship 2019. He secured it with 18 points, including a win in…

DAVID SUNDERLAND A HUGELY popular and trusted jockey’s valet at point-to-point courses across the country, Mr Sunderland died on 15 December at the age of 76. Born in Wexford, he came to England in 1959 and rode a total of 59 winners in his career as a jockey. His biggest win came in the 1976 Topham Trophy (now the Topham Chase) at Aintree, aboard the Edward Courage-trained Lictor. Mr Sunderland was a familiar, friendly face in the weighing room for many years across the south Midlands and Midlands areas, as well as further afield. He died suddenly, hours after he had been carrying out his valeting role at the Barbury International point-to-point. Tributes and memories have poured in from across the pointing world, of his jokes, his kindness and how…

MUGGLES Feel for the unhorsey husband who was confused to find a pair of stirrups on the bread bin. “Don’t ask me, I’ve no idea why they are there. I didn’t even know you could ride a bread bin,” he said. “But it hasn’t bitten or kicked me yet.” It must be far too well-bred for that. THIEVERY To the yard, where riders were discussing the reported theft of jewellery worth £50m from heiress Tamara Ecclestone. Amid lots of talk about principles, one rider piped up: “If anyone raided my jewellery box, they’d only find my horse’s cap teeth.” WEATHER For any pony-mad youngsters who did finally get that four-legged friend for Christmas, are they, or more probably their parents, starting to regret it and wishing they’d gone for a…

MY good friend Ann MacNab, Connemara breeder, rider and passionate supporter, unexpectedly and sadly passed away on 15 December at the age of 90. She only spent two days in hospital, but insisted on taking her Horse & Hound with her in the ambulance, as she didn’t want to miss out. She even managed to find a way to read it with her oxygen mask on — content to the end that she was up on all the current news. Happy hunting, Ann, with all your Connemara mates who are already there. Julia Woods Ely, Cambs The writer of letter of the week wins a bottle of Champagne Taittinger…

MY parents, Wilfried and Ursula Bechtolsheimer, have given me great guidance over the years. Their best piece of advice has probably been to stay self-critical, but to always maintain a sense of humour. My father also passed on probably the best piece of horse management guidance I’ve ever received. He advised me always to do my research — just because things have always been done in a particular way, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best way. In a similar vein, the training tip I try to live by is that if something isn’t working in the way I would like, don’t just carry on trying the same thing, but stop, think and approach the problem from another angle. As I’ve gained experience, one of the biggest changes I have made…

CDI-W London International Horse Show, Olympia FOR the first time since Valegro’s record-breaking days, Charlotte Dujardin was crowned champion of the H&H-supported Olympia freestyle. It was a thrilling night of personal bests, sizzling scores and a sense that British riders really have the potential to be the best in the world next year, with Carl Hester and Lottie Fry flanking Charlotte on the podium after each delivering truly standout performances. In fact, with four Brits in the top five, this was the most successful Olympia for British riders since before the 2012 Olympics. ‘I’ve had real highs and lows in 2019, and I’m so happy to finish the year with this’CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN For Charlotte, to be reinstated as the queen of Olympia five years after setting the grand hall alight…

THIS year’s field featured five Olympia first-timers, and riding here has long been the dream for former showing champion Louise Bell. She has risen swiftly through the dressage ranks with her Ublesco gelding Into The Blue, who was bred by John Whitaker. Louise’s ringcraft always shines through in her performances, and here the Olympia crowd loved her catchy pop programme featuring Sweet Home Alabama, Rewrite the Stars and a Despacito remix for their slick canter work, featuring 21 super one-time changes. “I’m delighted the crowd loved it — he’s a real people horse. He loves doing one-times too so we just keep on going!” said Louise, who took up dressage in 2011 for an H&H discipline swap challenge. “This is all H&H’s fault,” joked Louise, who finished in ninth place…

CATHERINE BOYD almost thought twice about competing on Friday 13th, but thankfully it turned out to be a lucky day. Piloting her trainer Andrew Lovell’s 17-year-old Oldenburg gelding Kummel II, she landed both medium classes at Tall Trees Arena, Cornwall. Catherine, who works full time as a letting agent, and fits in riding before work, took on the ride when Andrew asked if she’d like to help ride “Kevin” due to his own lack of time. This soon led to her competing him. “Riding Kevin has been an absolute dream; he knows his job so well but definitely likes to keep me on my toes, and I am a regular visitor to the gym to make sure I can do him justice,” said Catherine. “We have qualified for the Area…

Società Milanese per la Caccia a Cavallo, Scaldasole, Italy IT was mid-afternoon and hounds were gathered round their huntsman on the maize stubble at the corner of two woods. Horses steamed in the cold winter drizzle and the field chatted happily about the thrills and spills of the last run, while Col Toby Bridge put his horse at the bank back into the trees to look for a stray hound. It could have been anywhere in England, except that the voices were Italian and we were somewhere south of Milan on the great, flat western plains of the Po valley. The Società Milanese per la Caccia a Cavallo is now the only registered pack of hounds in Italy, and its masters and members have always been keen to make their…

THE Canadian showjumping team have lost their 2020 Olympic place after a rider tested positive for a banned substance. Nicole Walker was provisionally suspended by the FEI on 11 November after testing positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, from a sample taken on 7 August at the Pan American Games, Lima, where the team were fourth. It was decided at a hearing on 4 December, requested by Nicole, by the Panam Sports Disciplinary Committee, that Nicole’s results from Lima would be disqualified and replaced by team member Lisa Carlsen, resulting in the team dropping to seventh. A spokesman for the FEI said the disciplinary commission ordered Panam Sports to recalculate the team showjumping results accordingly. “The recalculation means Canada drops to a score of 84.07 and loses its team…

QUARRYCREST ECHO Piggy French’s world team gold and European team silver medallist has been sold. The 12-year-old has been bought from Jayne McGivern as a potential Olympic horse for Japan’s Toshiyuki Tanaka. LIL ROCKERFELLER The dual-purpose stayer will not run again this season owing to a tweaked tendon. The eight-year-old has won 11 races, on the Flat and over fences, with Neil King and previous trainer Richard Hannon. GALLYHILL The four-year-old fetched the highest sum for a pointer at Tattersalls this year, selling for £450,000 to Gold Cup-winning trainer Henrietta Knight. Gallyhill, who won on his pointing debut, was offered by Jamie Sloan.…

THE British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has appointed new World Class Programme jobs, aiming for “much-needed” stability ahead of Tokyo 2020. Eventing performance manager Richard Waygood will take on the role of performance director up to and including Tokyo, operations manager Sophie Thomas is promoted to programme leader, Event Horse Owners Association director Alex van Tuyll will support Sophie, and British Dressage communications manager Winnie Murphy will also cover the head of communications position for the BEF. Richard said he had “no hesitation” about the challenge. “Once every four years the ultimate sporting occasion arrives and it’s everyone’s ambition to be involved and to positively influence medal-winning performances,” he said. “We have a professional and dedicated team of riders, owners, grooms and support staff who are more than up to the…

A BLIND and deaf rider has helped develop a device that allows him to ride more independently. Richard Brumby was presented with a shield by the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers, whose charitable arm supports those with sensory disabilities. It was in recognition of his riding progress, as well as his “fundamental” role in developing the device, which vibrates to tell him to turn, ride forward or stop. It is hoped the technology can be advanced to allow other RDA groups to use the device. RDA coach Doug Smith said Richard shows “tremendous courage”, while Richard’s mother Mary said since joining the RDA group, he has been able to compete and win red rosettes, “something none of us expected to happen”.…

1 WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? a) iii; b) iii; c) i; d) iii 2 NAME THE FACE a) Vanir Kamira; b) Al Boum Photo; c) Hearton Du Bois Halleux; d) MGH Grafton Street; e) Classic Briolinca; f) Twinshock Warrior; g) Explosion W; h) Clooney 51; i) Midnight; j) Bella Rose II; k) Vancouver K; l) Our Cashel Blue; m) Enable; n) Toledo De Kerser; o) Altior; p) Midnight Dancer II 3 TRUE OR FALSE? a) False, it was his sixth; b) False, they won silver at WEG 2018; c) True; d) True, the other is Pippa Funnell on Supreme Rock; e) False, they went to Sweden and Italy 4 BLURRED VISION a) Piggy French; b) Gareth Hughes; c) Georgia Wilson; d) Ben Maher; e) Oisin Murphy; f) Jayne Ross 5 WHO…

AN accurate passport description is essential. All UK equines must now be microchipped, but not everyone has a microchip reader and these readers sometimes fail. A microchip may even migrate from its inserted position. A good drawing and a full written description of a horse’s colour, white marks, whorls and other identifying marks is therefore fundamental to his identification. Vets are told that they should not use overtechnical terms when completing passports, but simple language that can be understood by any sensible horseperson. Legally, all horses must have a passport before they reach 12 months, but most breed societies insist on registration before this age, usually by the end of the year in which the foal is born. Finding whorls and marks on a fluffy young foal, however, can be…

“WHEN I’m in hospital, I’m poorly Adele, I’m a patient. But when I compete, I’m the same as everyone else — and that means everything. “I trot down that centre line and for four minutes, I’m not someone who’s dying, or someone to feel sorry for, I’m just me. I’ve got a bit of me back.” It is 10 years since Adele Edwards was diagnosed with, and treated for, ovarian cancer. But this spring, she was told it had returned, and spread. “They can’t cure me but they’re trying to keep me going as long as possible,” she says, from hospital where she is undergoing chemotherapy treatment. But the shattering diagnosis, the treatment, the second major surgery — “they cut me open from my belly button to my pubic bone”…

London International Horse Show, Olympia MARTIN FUCHS has been on fire this year. The Swiss rider became individual European champion this summer, added the first leg of the Rolex Grand Slam at his home show in Geneva earlier this month and finished in style by taking the Longines World Cup honours at Olympia. Course-designer Alan Wade tested the riders with a first-round track that demanded scope and care from horses and technical expertise from their riders, but six top combinations made it through to the jump-off. There could easily have been more, as American rider Laura Kraut was foot-perfect on her lovely gelding Confu, only to finish a heart-breaking nine-hundredths of a second over the time allowed. Brits Ben Maher (F One USA) and his young compatriot James Wilson (Imagine…

NINE-YEAR-OLD Liala Ramaci of the Essex Hunt North branch blitzed the Aztec Diamond Pony Club mini-major with a searing round on her eight-year-old mare Lambay Off Broadway (Dinky, pictured). The young rider, partnered by Olympia first-timer Karina Hovland of Norway riding Everest D, could not have wrung another millisecond from the track and set a three-second lead. Penultimate combination Michael Jung and Charlotte McCraken came within 0.26sec but couldn’t quite catch Liala’s all-out dash down the final line. “I knew I had to go clear and she had to go fast — and that plan worked!” said Karina. Liala said the experience had been “amazing”. “We practised some tight turns before but that was all,” Liala said. “I have to ride her forward all the way.”…

YOUNG RIDER Red Morgan landed one of his most high-profile wins to date when he jumped the sole double clear of the Voltaire Design 148cm mince pie stakes on Bodyssee Des Avelines (pictured). He was joined in the jump-off by Hannah Barker (Ammanvalley Santino) and Lila Bremner — having her last ride on Lapislazuli, who was sold after the Horse of the Year Show. Both Hannah and Lila faulted at a red and white oxer — jumped across the centre of the arena — handing Red the win on the 12-year-old Belgian mare, whom he has partnered for two years. “It was a good track and technical enough. It’s a tight arena and the distances were short — you needed a careful pony to jump it,” said Red. The 15-year-old…

Bury Farm, Bucks DRESSAGE and livery yard proprietor Alison Cahill and 10-year-old mare Estpoint scored a double novice win on their debut outing together. Alison took on “Eva” from owner Julia Penfold a year ago, but illness kept the mare off games until recently. “She was diagnosed with ulcers and had six months off to recover from them,” explained Alison. “It’s taken her a long time to be happy again and get stronger because she was quite weak through her back, but I’ve found a new saddle — StrideFree Saddles, by Peter Horobin Saddlery — which has made a huge difference and allowed her to work through her back properly.” Alongside ulcer treatment, the mare, by Westpoint, is also benefiting from more time “being a horse”. “She spends a lot…

RICHMOND EC, YORKS 11 Dec: prelim 18 (A Smith) gold.— 1, Karakter W (M Chapman) 72.5. silv.— 1, Foxhills Autumn Snow (S Good) 68.04. brnz.— 1, Celtic Storm (V Devine) 67.12; 2, Talisker Storm (M Chambers) 66.73; 3, Hugo (J Robinson) 65.58. prelim 2Q gold.— 1, Karakter W 71.21. silv.— 1, Ducal Apache Star (I Bloomfield) 69.48. brnz.— 1, Talisker Storm 67.41. nov 28 silv.— 1, Ducal Apache Star 66.46; 2, Adana (L Bell) 64.17. brnz.— 1, Cludo IV (B Smart) 67.92; 2, Simply Scarlett (H Bromley) 66; 3, Saint Amour (E Watson) 62.29. nov 34Q gold.— 1, Itsy (J Ryder-McKay) 67.38. silv.— 1, Tullineaskey Whorly Girl (E Gough) 68.33; 2, Lola IV (V Hodge) 66.67; 3, Adana 65. brnz.— 1, Cludo IV 66.67; 2, Simply Scarlett 65.95; 3, Saint…

EVENT rider Jack Stancombe enjoyed a one-two at novice at Summerhouse EC, Glos, riding Kathryn Harris’ two eventers Key West B and Watermill respectively. He also took third at medium riding 10-year-old dressage horse Grevaldi, who is owned by Katie Withers. “I’ve been riding Grevaldi since August and he’s now qualified for the regionals at medium,” said Jack. “I’ve been riding Key West B for two years and he has evented up to BE100 level. I only took the ride on Watermill a month ago — this was just our third outing.” Jack competes the event horses in dressage during the off-season before they start showjumping. “It’s really good for them, and actually Watermill and Key West B have had three one-twos in our past three outings,” said Jack.…

THE weather has remained consistent across Belvoir domains. Consistently wet, that is. Statistically, a fall is more likely to result in drowning than a broken bone. We are now beginning to refer to “port and starboard” sides to coverts and “weigh anchor” instead of “hounds please”. HOPE AT LAST IT cannot have escaped anyone’s attention that the Conservative Party won a resounding victory in a general election. Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party were rejected by the British electorate, an event that has reaffirmed my faith in the UK. Under Corbyn, Labour had become an extremist organisation with an “animal rights manifesto”. A Corbyn win would have resulted in the end of trail-hunting, grouse moors and driven game shooting. National Hunt racing would have been on the countdown to prohibition…

‘Parading hounds, he galloped faster when the crowd cheered’ THE Irish’ occasional tendency to exaggerate was in evidence in the late 1990s, when Paddy (pictured above, left) and Bob arrived at the Old Berks kennels. “There was the usual talk of ‘hunted two seasons in Ireland’,” remembers huntsman Michael Scott, “but as the lady master struck a deal, my then-wife quizzed the groom. He revealed they’d only just been backed!” Both turned out to be “good servants”, but it was clear that Paddy was a huntsman’s horse. “My whipper-in at the time, Simon Jones, reckoned he was probably the best he had ever sat on across country,” says Michael. Paddy was only 16.1hh, but he was “a bold, brave horse who gave you the confidence to tackle anything”. He even…