Innholdsfortegnelse for 20-Feb-2020 i Horse & Hound

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’ - Whyte Melville AFTER speaking to New Forest commoner Lyndsey Stride for this week’s “All in a day’s work” (p16), I’d like to move there. The idea of nightjars flying round the house catching moths in an evening, and walking the children to school through the forest rather than dodging buses, checking the ponies en route, sounds like a lifestyle from another era. Hard graft no doubt, but seemingly idyllic. It’s interesting how we seek escapism through anything from horses to mindfulness. The pressures of today are different from those of 50 years ago, but no less real. Some want to get away from life’s stresses by escaping to the country. Others see no…

THE line-up of teams due to compete for dressage medals at the Tokyo Paralympics has been confirmed. As well as Great Britain, the Netherlands and Germany, who qualified at the 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG), the USA, Italy, Sweden, Canada, Singapore, Denmark, Belgium, Australia and Austria will be competing. These places were on offer to the top seven FEI-ranked nations, apart from the three that qualified at WEG, and the top countries in Asia, Oceania and the Americas. Host nation Japan will also field a team and while Russia has qualified, its participation is yet to be confirmed owing to the country’s doping scandal (news, 9 January). Each country may send up to four riders to Tokyo. Britain has won at every Paralympics since dressage was introduced in 1996. But…

CONTAMINATION FEARS PUT TO BED AN assurance scheme aiming to minimise the risk of prohibited substances occurring in equine bedding has been launched by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA). The BETA NOPS code for bedding will “bring peace of mind to equestrians” by ensuring bedding products are manufactured and packaged in ways that conform to best practice. A three-month consultation will be held for manufacturers interested in joining the scheme. AN END TO OUR CLOCK CHANGES? THE EU is proposing an end to seasonal clock changes. The plan would mean a permanent shift to the winter or summer time clock. A House of Lords subcommittee published its report on the proposal on 11 February. Baroness Donaghy, chair of the EU internal market sub-committee, said the government has “stuck its…

British dressage rider Sonnar Murray-Brown scored his first international win in the CDI three-star in Le Mans, France (13-16 February), with Erlentanz. Sonnar said he was “over the moon”. Jockey Paul Hanagan fractured a vertebra in a fall from Requinto Down at Newcastle. The former two-time British Flat champion was waiting to hear if he will require surgery. FEI jumping director John Roche will retire at the end of February. John has had responsibility for all aspects of FEI showjumping since the position was created in 2007. Australian carriage driver Boyd Exell won his ninth World Cup final in France, and announced the retirement of team wheeler 23-year-old Demi. Boyd said she had “given everything”. Olympic dressage rider Laura Tomlinson won her first international with Rose Of Bavaria in the…

TAFFECHAN MISS MONEYPENNY Georgia Rhodes’ Welsh section D has died age 13 after colic. The mare was a HOYS, RIHS and Olympia finalist and champion at the Great Yorkshire with her partner Lauren Beaumont. KACHY The sprinter was fatally injured at Lingfield on 15 February. The Tom Dascombe-trained seven-year-old, owned by David Lowe, won nine of 28 starts including the all-weather sprint championship final. ZUCCHERO OLD The 2019 world young horse champion six-year-old has died following colic. The dressage stallion, owned by Star Horses, won gold under Germany’s Frederic Wandres at last year’s championships in the Netherlands.…

CASH Talking of racing, trainer Fergal O’Brien seemed spot on when he suggested Boris Johnson, the HS2 rail link fan, would be a good owner to take to the sales. “So your budget’s £400k? Yes. How about this one for £800k? Just write a cheque for £1.2m then?” Sounds about right… AUTOCORRECT Oops of the week to the trainer who texted a young pony’s owner to say she’d been “hitting her every day and I think she’s starting to accept it.” A pause, and then “BITTING! I promise I have not been hitting your pony!” Phew. JACKETS A dressage rider thought she’d be the nattiest in the warm-up when she spotted a striped burgundy “tailcoat” and topper for sale online, until oh. It was a Willy Wonka outfit. Could have…

I WAS delighted to see Pat Shaw’s letter extolling the virtues of native breeds as efficient converters of poor-quality forage and being effective conservation grazers (30 January). In addition to Suffolks and Exmoor ponies highlighted on the BBC’s Countryfile, their calendar features another rare native breed on the page for June — a beautiful Eriskay pony, demonstrating its ability As a keeper and breeder of Eriskay ponies myself, I am amazed at the wonderful job they have done in clearing nettles, thistles, willowherb and rush from areas overrun with weeds — and at the lovely mixed to survive on what the local habitat provides in marram grass on Luskentyre beach, Isle of Harris. grazing sward that eventually emerges. Ruth McMinn Inverurie, Aberdeenshire The writer of letter of the week wins…

‘Everyone can help in the quest for ethical and evidence-based management and training’ IN our family, there’s a saying: “They can who believe that they can.” I first saw it at my grandparents’ house, framed at the top of the stairs. One day it was missing. Apparently the cleaner slipped while dusting it and broke the frame. I came across the broken pieces in the attic and have decided to have it repaired. But this time, I might hang it on the ground floor. When it comes to training tips, the one I live by is to treat every horse as an individual and work within its own strengths and weaknesses. I also think it’s important to keep learning about horse anatomy and function; it will support your riding and…

Kildare Hunt Club, Ballycutlane, Co. Kildare SOMETIMES you just know you’re in for a good day. Though the mysteries of scent remain exactly that — mysteries — to most of us, there will be something indefinable in the air that tells you hounds might just go like smoke today. The calibre of the horses at the Kildare’s Ballycutlane meet, the businesslike air of a field of nearly 70 riders, and the number of strange collars and buttons from other packs, including a group from the Myopia Hunt in Massachusetts, was enough in any case to tell me that a serious day’s hunting was anticipated. The Kildare Hunt Club, as with so many Irish packs, emerged from amalgamations of private packs kept by Anglo-Irish landlords. The hunt officially came into being…

‘I’ve had several horses but she was the best ever — a treasure’ FEW know their hunt country as well as Pat Bromell, senior master of the Silverton in Devon, knows hers. Now 88, she has hunted there all her life and Serena stands out among her horses: “I’ve had several horses but she was the best ever — a treasure.” Pat bought the 15hh mare at Exeter market in about 1982, aged five: “She looked nice in the ring, gentle. She was strawberry roan and our huntsman had one at the time, so she caught my eye,” she says. Serena was good from the off: “She came from Cornwall and knew all about hunting.” Pat was then hon secretary and her late husband, Norman, was an amateur whipper-in, “so…

Onley Grounds EC, Warks WITH highlights including tempi changes and piaffe-passage work that earned them nines, a winning grand prix test represented a step forward for Theodora Livanos and Dono Di Maggio. It was a year ago that the Greek rider, 18, teamed up with the Dimaggio gelding, who was ridden by Emile Faurie to a team bronze at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon. “He has taken some getting used to, but the test felt good,” said Theodora, who has based herself with Emile. “We had some ‘happy mistakes’, as I call them, a few little blips, but I’m really starting to get to know him now.” Emile’s rider, Tom Goode, piloted five horses to win seven classes, with a clean sweep of plus-70% scores. “It was cold,…

Parwood EC, Surrey DYLAN DEUTROM and Sunlit Uplands scored a confidence-building inter II win to further cement their partnership. “We’re both new and still green at the level, but things are improving fast,” said Dylan, who rides the Hanoverian gelding for Matt Hicks and Sarah Warry. “We’re building on our work over the winter and taking each step as it comes. I’m excited for the future.” Matt, who has trained Dylan since he joined Hicks Equestrian five years ago, added: “The horse is athletic but sensible and has an extraordinary talent for piaffe and passage. We’re hoping that he and Dylan can do under-25 grand prix.” “Stunned and amazed” was how Andrea Kirby felt after winning a novice with 76.3%. Andrea, a stable manager for the Oppenheimer family, bought the…

ON hearing about a dispersal sale at a breeder’s yard in Denmark last year, Bridget Tate went to see the 30-plus horses for sale. “I had an unbroken mare called Maggie in mind, and when I saw her in the flesh she was definitely my favourite,” explained Bridget, whose top horse Hawtins Werona had just sustained an injury. “Her journey to the UK hit her hard, though. She was lying on her side and coughing when she arrived.” The 17.3hh Dimaggio mare, called Dancing Magic, is now rising six and has been backed by Greg Sims and Stena Hoerner. After embarking on her competition career in January, she won three times in a week — heading both prelim and novice classes at Radfords EC, Powys. “Maggie is amazing, better than…

A NOVICE double at Prestige Equestrian, Glos, sealed six high-scoring wins in a row for Daniel Bremner and Freddie Mercury KNM. “He takes everything on,” said Daniel of Eli and Geir Sætersmoen’s Metall gelding, who was bought 18 months ago. “If you ask him a question, he’ll give you an answer, even if it’s not the right one. He’s always trying to do the right thing.” Impressed with the seven-year-old’s brave and honest approach, Daniel added: “Eli will be taking him on herself soon. I’m excited to see how he develops with his owner this year.”…

IT hasn't gone unnoticed by parents and trainers alike that the experience of ponies competing in the second rounds is doing a power of good for their young jockeys. Although qualified ponies Playboy Van De Zoetewei and Top Silvio Hastak were notable exceptions at ages nine and 11 respectively, most ages here ranged from 16 to 29. It became a talking point that there were few rising stars on the horizon. Gee Bradburne and Mark Kyle were just two parents who highlighted the difficulty of stepping up small ponies. “Apart from the premiers, there are few small pony classes on offer,” maintained Gee. “Ponies and riders generally start in smaller height open classes where distances are set for 148cm ponies. “Consequently, the more inexperienced riders and ponies can find it…

CONGRATULATIONS to the all-female British team in the Nations Cup curtain opener in Florida (see report, p54). The trio took the powerhouse US team — also all women — to a jump-off on their home soil and only just missed out on taking the honours, proving a timely boost for British showjumping at the start of the series. In Olympic years, these competitions are a hotbed of intrigue. Which combinations are finding form? Which nations look strongest? Which chefs d’équipe face a selection nightmare? With all roads leading to Tokyo, riders are in fierce competition for one of just three places on each of the streamlined Olympic teams. But while those in Florida are displaying their potential team credentials in a seemingly honest and sportsmanlike manner, the “skulduggery” of a…

NPS Area 7, Bury Farm Equestrian Club, Beds WHILE storm Ciara ensured most winter shows were rained off, the team at National Pony Society (NPS) Area 7 made use of the secure and dry indoor arenas at Bury Farm to host the first set of 2020 Royal International (RIHS) mountain and moorland (M&M) working hunter pony qualifiers. Ross Keys secured an early ticket with his talented Welsh section D stallion Dycott Welsh King. The 13-year-old bay scooped the exceeding 143cm class before galloping to the championship. “He jumped amazingly today,” enthused Ross. “I’m our biggest critic and anyone who knows King knows that anything can happen with him as he’s so opinionated.” The duo have been at the top of the working hunter pony ladder for several seasons, but Ross…

I AM probably a sucker for punishment, but I recently attended the biannual gathering of the race-planning committee for pointing, which took place earlier this month at Huntingdon. The committee was formed a few years ago and is responsible for reviewing race conditions, as well as the opportunities for horses and riders coming into the sport. Summing up the committee’s purpose, it involves the reviewing of and advising on potentially the single utmost important ingredient of pointing — if race planning and conditions are wrong, everything else around it starts to fall apart. There is no getting away from reality, the committee was introduced in response to declining numbers in point-to-pointing — both equine and human. In essence, the “powers that be” recognised action was needed to stem the downturn.…

WHEN Mary and I set out for hunting on Saturday, my heart wasn’t really in it. We had high winds again, something that has blighted a number of days this season; they were whistling around the treetops in a menacing way, which could only bode ill for the day ahead. Unboxing, it took all my strength to close the trailer door. I was clinging on like Mary Poppins with her umbrella, only with far worse language. Feeling defeated before we’d begun, I told Mary we’d give it a couple of hours and call it a day. It was a lovely meet at a neighbour’s farm and afterwards we hacked up the road to a celebrated patch of gorse where, despite my gloomy predictions, hounds took a trail away with gusto.…

TWO international showjumping tours held in December and January have been sensationally stripped of Olympics and Longines world rankings points after the FEI admittedthat some show schedules were mistakenly approved. The decision means that Sri Lanka’s Mathilda Karlsson loses her individual place at the Tokyo Games; it has been restored to the original contender, Hong Kong’s Kenneth Chen. H&H reported last month that multiple December showjumping fixtures held at Villeneuve-Loubet, France, and Damascus, Syria, included Olympic and Longines world rankings points classes with entries confined to just a tiny handful of riders (news, 30 January). In January, Villeneuve staged further shows with drastically limited invitations. Several riders significantly improved their Longines world rankings before the launch of the new FEI merit-based CSI invitation system this month (3 February). The FEI…

DARGUN The 12-year-old gelding, now owned by the Dargun Syndicate and who was campaigned up to CCI5* level by Emily King, has joined Piggy French’s string ahead of the 2020 season. TIGER ROLL The back-to-back Grand National winner shares the top weight of 11st 10lb for the 2020 race (4 April) with stablemate Delta Work. The Gordon Elliott-trained 10-year-old is yet to qualify as he needs to run in a chase before Aintree. JUS WITH GENOA The dam of five-star medal-winning eventer Winsome Adante, and who was the backbone of Julia Hodkin’s Future Sport Horses stud, has died aged 32. The mare leaves a dynasty of competition horses.…

THE FEI is urging riders to be vigilant for the signs of equine herpes virus (EHV) after cases of the neurological form of the virus have been confirmed in multiple continents. Four horses died in the outbreak of neurological EHV-1 at Crofton Manor, Hampshire, last month. But in total, more than 70 cases of this form of the virus have been reported — in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway and the Czech Republic, as well as in Canada and the USA — since 1 January last year. The neurological form is considered by the FEI to be “a significant threat to equine health and events”. “Changes have been made to 2020 FEI veterinary regulations so horses that show clinical signs or have been in contact with affected…

A COUPLE who met while stewarding and an eventer were among the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) award winners. BSPS council member, judge, steward and show director Sharon Thomas won the outstanding personality of the year award, as she “always makes showing fun and enjoyable for members,” said BSPS vice-chair Paul Cook. Former BSPS Area 6 chairman Mary Allison, also a panel judge and steward, was given a long service award, in recognition of her service to the equestrian world as well as BSPS. Ms Thomas said: “Mary is one of our many stalwart volunteers; always there whatever the weather, with a smile.” Long service awards also went to Tony and Alison Georgakis, who met while stewarding at a BSPS event 20 years ago. The stars of the future award…

HE’S a 14.2hh mule who was scared of raincoats — he’s now a Welsh waste-busting warrior. Marty and his owner, Sari Maydew, go litter-picking weekly in Carmarthenshire. Sari told H&H Marty came into her life six years ago. “I couldn’t catch him and he didn’t like some noises,” she said. “I couldn’t wear a raincoat as he didn’t like the rustle, so I’d have to strip off in the rain to catch him, but it was so rewarding.” She persevered, and on in-hand walks, noticed all the rubbish, and thought she could do something about it. “If everyone did a little bit, it would be so much nicer,” she said. “And Marty loves it. From a mule who was terrified of raincoats to one who will stand while I stuff…

Lyndsey Stride on catching wily ponies, keeping up the breed’s quality and the joy of seeing the next generation emerge At the heart of the New Forest is a core of large commoning families — around 700 commoners who have rights to graze their animals in the forest. Commoners come and go, but nobody starts alone. My granny was a romantic, a Londoner who cycled all the way here and camped in the New Forest. She didn’t have a clue when she moved here in the 1930s. She was helped by Charlie Penny, who was my husband Robert’s great-grandfather. There is nothing lovelier than going out into the forest and seeing your ponies — especially when they’ve had a foal. It’s magical. Riding in the forest alone a hobby hawk…

“WE need to be clear about this: it can’t be ‘business as usual’,” says Nick Herbert, the new chairman of the Countryside Alliance. “We can’t spend the next five years waiting for the next hiatus. We have to use this time profitably, and that is about getting on to the front foot in terms of the promotion of our country sports. You can’t do that unless you are sure the sports are in shape to promote properly.” Nick, a former minister of state for policing and criminal justice who stepped down as a Conservative MP at the last general election, does not mince his words when asked what hope there is that the Hunting Act 2004 could be altered in hunting’s favour, or even repealed. “The Conservative Party’s manifesto was…

A FIRST outing with her four-year-old gelding Harvard JH reminded Holly Bates of the ups and downs of working with young horses. The Governor son braved the blustery conditions to win a prelim with 73.54%, before wedging the front half of his body over the anti-weave grille of the horsebox she had borrowed. “He didn’t panic — it was as if he tested it out and realised he’d made a big mistake,” said Holly, who is expecting her first baby in August and bought “Harvey” through Darren Mattia. “We have so many people to thank for helping him out. “Harvey relishes his work,” she added. “Riding him always puts a smile on my face, although I was crying as I went up the centre line — just because the wind…

PARWOOD EC 6 Feb: prelim 17A gold (P Frankish).— 1, Strategy (J Walker) 78.45. silv.— 1, Kildedals Attention (F Clarke) 67.76. brnz.— 1, Woodlands BOB (L Harvey) 70.69; 2, Oxhill Bill (R Price) 67.59; 3, Newgrange Amber (C Caxton) 64.66. prelim 19 gold (H Wells).— 1, Strategy 69.58. nov 22 gold.— 1, Damosel (S Edwards) 71.21. silv.— 1, Headmore Dramatica (A Kirby) 70.52; 2, Pembridge Vitality (A Stonehill) 66.38; 3, Nextdays Harlequin (L Wright) 65.69. brnz.— 1, Honalulu (K Good) 68.28; 2, Penfull (K Lynch) 64.48; 3, Woodlands Be Comical (S Brooks) 63.79. nov 37 gold (P Frankish).— 1, Damosel 62.96. silv.— 1, Headmore Dramatica 76.3; 2, Hero (Huroos) (G Peckham) 71.11; 3, Pembridge Vitality 69.63. brnz.— 1, Honalulu 65.19; 2, Penfull 64.07; 3, Woodlands Be Comical 62.59. elem 43…

TAKING a gamble with a horse she bought on the strength of a video is at last paying off for Natalie Widdowson. Her Dutch-bred gelding Ivan III may have tested her mettle, but he continues to win — claiming novice and elementary victories at Port Royal EC, North Yorkshire. “I saw him as an unbacked three-year-old and liked the way he moved,” explained Natalie. “But he has proved tricky in training and I’ve had a few broken bones. “He’s quite small but incredibly quick when he does go,” she added of Ivan’s sharp manoeuvres, which have knocked her confidence and prompted her to wear an air jacket. “But I’ve always had faith in him, even when a lot of people haven’t. At least he has the decency to go out…

I FULLY support the sentiments of Carl Hester and Laura Tomlinson in their recent columns (opinion, 6 and 13 February) regarding online bullying. Real horse welfare concerns should be reported to British Dressage, but it should be remembered that some people feel simply riding a horse is abuse, some adamantly argue that the use of bits is cruel, while to others, riding a horse 1cm behind the vertical is tantamount to assault. There are many viewpoints. Riders and trainers can best prevent unintentional horse abuse via education. Alienating riders by “naming and shaming” leaves the impression that this tactic is used to emphasise a person’s own virtue, rather than trusting their own performance to highlight the effectiveness of their training philosophy. IMPRESSIVE RIDING THE recent Addington Premier League show had…

THE Richardson family scored the mini M&M honours with their duo of Shetland ponies. The ultra-consistent snow-white gelding Briar Snowman and Lilly Richardson, seven, won the first ridden en route to the championship, while younger sister Penny, four, and Joanne Howells Bevan’s newly broken lead-rein Briar Snowfox scooped reserve. Six-year-old Fox, half-brother to multi-mini champion Snowman, was contending his first-ever ridden show. “Fox has an amazing attitude to work,” said Lilly and Penny’s mother, Lucy. “He loves to please; he’s very like Snowman in his personality.” “Joanne didn’t have the time to do much with him,” continued Lucy. “She asked if we’d like to have him for the girls, so we broke him in over the winter and will do some novices this year. The judge was very complimentary of…

TIGER ROLL’S bid to emulate Red Rum by winning a third Grand National began at Navan in Ireland on Sunday, 16 February, when the 10-year-old finished fifth in the Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle, won by Cracking Smart. Tiger Roll (pictured) was having his first start since Aintree last year, having also had a small chip of bone removed from a fetlock joint in the autumn. He caused a surprise last year when winning the Boyne Hurdle and, having tanked through the race under Keith Donoghue, for a moment going to the second-last he looked like he would win it again. However, having only started cantering on 1 January, he paid for his early enthusiasm and was just touched off for fourth — 14 lengths behind his stable companion, Cracking Smart.…

CHRIS HOUSE THE respected vet and former British Equestrian Veterinary Association (BEVA) president died on 11 November 2019, aged 65. Mr House qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1978 and founded the veterinary practice House and Jackson in Essex in 1980. The business was awarded hospital status for equines by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2016. Throughout his career, Mr House was a champion for welfare; he was a member of the National Equine Welfare Council and was involved in the reform of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. He served two terms on the BEVA council and was president of the association in 2008 to 2009. He was also appointed to the Farriers Registration Council, leading the disciplinary committee from 2013 to 2018. In 2014, Mr House…

MYSTERIES Just how did a brand-new chimney-sweeping brush end up in a bag of shavings? The rider who opened it wasn’t too bothered though, as it was probably worth more than the contents and it beats finding a mummified lizard in the hay. LOVE (FOR HORSES) Spotted on Facebook on Valentine’s Day, a rider professing her undying love for her husband. All fine, until it turned out it was he who had written it. “I got bored while you were with your true love, the nags,” he said. Men, know your place! JOURNALISTS Ah, the annual Grand National weights announcement press lunch. Always a joy, although as one hack suggested this week, possibly it should be limited to 40 journalists as a safety measure. And as a pal chimed in,…

NICK, 56, grew up hunting with the Essex Foxhounds and the Cambridgeshire Harriers. While reading law and then land economy at Cambridge, he hunted the Trinity Foot Beagles. On leaving university he worked for the Conservative Research Department on the environmental and then agricultural desks — “a job of extraordinary interest for a young person because you are working with ministers”. He spent six years at the British Field Sports Society as director of political affairs, and founded and hunted the Newmarket Beagles. “The hounds were too big,” he explains. “They were almost harrier-sized at the shoulder. When you are young and fierce and can run like a stag, you think that’s tremendous. When you are in your 30s, it is less fun. So after 14 seasons I realised it…

Stable name: Windy Breeder: Elizabeth Newbolt-Young Owner: Lynda Calcutt Rider: Chloe Chubb Best results: five-time HOYS finalist (winner in 2016, 2018 and 2019); seven-time RIHS finalist; four-time Olympia finalist (best of breed in 2017 and best of breed and fourth in 2019); twice Cuddy in-hand finalist (third in 2015); supreme in-hand M&M at Herts County, South of England, Bucks County, NPS Spring Festival and Ponies (UK); twice ridden and 11-time in-hand silver-medal winner.…

OUR long-suffering vale farmers now bid us farewell as we head for the hills and woodland for the twilight of the season. Their relief is only matched by mine at not having to ask them again until autumn. February also means the hunt AGM and the pantomime. Contrary to rumour, these are separate events, and as I appear on stage at both, the tin hat might get two outings in a fortnight. By the time this column appears, both will be over, gloriously I hope — although with hindsight, the hundreds at the pantomime may be wishing they’d opted for last week’s AGM formality after seeing my efforts in the cancan. Voluntary humiliation is par for the course for an MFH, but I am assured that by now the video…

ONLEY GROUNDS EC 4 Feb: prelim 15 gold (S Bullock).— 1, Harvard JH (H Bates) 68.4. silv.— 1, Ivan The Terrible (M Morgan) 63.2. prelim 19 gold.— 1, Harvard JH 73.54. silv.— 1, Ivan The Terrible 64.38. brnz.— 1, Caerini Chikateta (H Cart) 67.92; 2, Bungowla Captain Sam (J White) 64.58. prelim FSM brnz (K Bates).— 1, Caerini Chikateta 71.94. nov 23 gold.— 1, Atterupgaards Belafonte (T Goode) 71.67; 2, Ivanhoe (R Hughes) 71.25; 3, Rockwell Osmium (C Hutley) 67.5. silv.— 1, Crunch Du Magma (L Care) 65.83; 2, Brownscombe Francesca (K Arnold-Herrick) 63.96. brnz.— 1, Quinqaginta (J Beavan) 67.5; 2, Lismore Limerick (M Rendle) 64.79. nov 38 gold.— 1, Atterupgaards Belafonte 75.48; 2, SP Dakota (M Frewin) 69.68; 3, Ivanhoe 69.19. silv.— 1, Burlesque II (A Walker) 75.32; 2,…

NATASHA BAKER’S trainer Lisa Hopkins stepped into the breach — or should that be breeches — to ride Natasha’s Tokyo Paralympic prospect Keystone Dawn Chorus to a plus-75% novice win at Merrist Wood College, Surrey. “Natasha had scratched her eye while removing a contact lens and came back from A&E on the morning of the show wearing an eye patch,” explained Lisa. “I had no competition gear with me when she rang to ask if I could ride ‘Lottie’, so I found an old jacket and borrowed her breeches. “I’m always happy to take the reins of this mare,” said Lisa. “She was a bit go-ey, but it was a good run-through ahead of Natasha’s regionals at the venue and the para winter championships at Myerscough College.”…

MATT JENKINS is back in business after an extended competition break, taking the medium 69 outright with Steigenberger at Mendip Plains EC, Somerset. “I’ve been so busy that I had no time for my own horses,” said Matt, who was running a large livery yard. “I’m still teaching but I’ve downsized to achieve a better work-life balance.” Matt enjoyed early success with “Stig” after buying him as a four-year-old. Now 13, the Stedinger gelding is cracking on with the more challenging work. “He finds all the advanced movements quite easy,” said Matt, who trains with Alice Peternell. “He has his changes and can go sideways in his sleep. It’s now a case of putting it all together.”…

THE big-moving L’Espoir mare Wa’Spoir warmed up in the sleety rain at Radfords EC, Powys, to win both mediums. “She hasn’t been out for a while, so there was a bit of air between me and the saddle at first in the medium trots,” said Tracy Tomlinson, who has ridden Nicky Owen’s eight-year-old home-bred since she was backed. “Once she softened, I could really sit into her. “She has the most amazing trot, but with so much power behind she has struggled with the canter,” added Tracy, who trains with Carl Hester. “But she’s now really getting control of her body. She has a good head and shows natural talent for piaffe and passage — there’s so much more to come.”…

8 Feb: 90cm.— 1, Ellies Miss Chief (N Lock); 2, Take A Chance II (C Gaw); 3, Paulank Redbreast (T Travis). BS 11yrs & under.— 1eq, 21 shared. Graham Heath 128/138cm.— 1 & 2, Playboy Van De Zoetewei & Lisduff Royal (T Kyle); 3, Top Silvio Hastak (O Sponer). winter 128cm sec rnd.— 1 & 2, Runaway Dolly & Carrowvila Izzy (K Bradburne); 3, Whinney Lass (S Rogers). winter 138cm sec rnd.— 1, Dycott Masterman (I Saunders-Cook); 2, Drumaclan Flight (T Squibb); 3, Airbourne Freddie (L Gilbertson). BS 128cm special h’cap.— 1, Little Turbo (M Smith); 2, Printers Assassin (O Anstee-Marriott); 3, Gelvin Castle Grey (F Marriott). 9 Feb: Graham Heath 128/138cm h’cap.— 1 & 2, Lisduff Royal & Mister Proper (T Kyle); 3, Coltstown Dun Cruiser (C Gaw). winter…

Palm Beach Masters, Deeridge Farms, USA A THREE-MEMBER British team forced a jump-off with a strong four-member US squad in the Longines FEI Nations Cup. Each country fielded one rider to break the tie. Alexandra Thornton delivered a clear with Cornetto K, but finished in 36.34sec to put Great Britain second in the first Nations Cup of the year, unable to match the 33.11sec set by the USA’s designated rider, Olympic multi-medalist Beezie Madden on Darry Lou. Beezie was aware Alexandra was a real threat when she planned her jump-off strategy. “I’d seen her do a few beautiful jump-offs with that horse. I wanted to make sure I didn’t get beat on time. I didn’t want to be too cautious and have a rail or leave the door too wide…

Ascot Racecourse, Berks RIDERS ONTHE STORM put himself right in contention for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham despite, in the end, running out a somewhat fortunate winner of a dramatic Betfair Ascot Chase on Saturday, 15 February. A four-runner race with a 4/11 favourite is not usually destined to provide such drama, but Saturday’s £150,000 chase was full of it. Traffic Fluide, who looked to be coming to snatch victory off Riders Onthe Storm, was a last-fence faller, as was the odds-on favourite Cyrname, who looked booked to finish a tired fourth. Both horses took horrid falls and while Traffic Fluide’s tumble may have cost him the Grade One contest, for a while it appeared to have cost Cyrname — jump racing’s highest-rated chaser — a good deal more. But,…

BROCKLESBY, BROCKLESBY PARK Saturday, 15 February Hunt members.— 1, C Pickering’s Nicki’s Nipper (C Pickering) A Pickering. PPORA club members’ conditions.— 1, The Armstrong Partnership’s Absainte (W Easterby) R Tate. mixed open.— 1, All For The Craic Partnership’s Duhallow Tornado (T O’Brien) O Pimlott. intermediate.— 1, The Oak Partnership’s Dubai Quest (G Andrews) T Ellis. restricted.— 1, K Loads, S Andrews, B Crawford & S Spence’s Benefaktor (G Andrews) T Ellis. Jockey Club open maiden for mares and fillies.— 1, T Lacey’s Gold Clermont (T O’Brien) S Lacey. open maiden.— 1, C Jones & T Ellis’ Striking A Pose (G Andrews) T Ellis.…