Innholdsfortegnelse for 27-Feb-2020 i Horse & Hound

THE notion of Moroccans spiking the Qatari’s shisha with cannabis, as alleged in a recent FEI Tribunal, reads like the stuff of fiction. The build-up to these Olympic Games has certainly been fraught with strange goings on as teams go all-out to qualify, but whether this particular claim of very foul play is based in fact remains to be determined (news, p4). I hope you enjoy our revamped show guide this year, a departure from previous iterations, reflecting reader feedback and modern behaviour when it comes to searching for shows. Do let me know what you think. It was painfully difficult selecting the season’s most unmissable events, and I daresay some will feel we’ve left out those which are most deserving. I’d love to hear those thoughts, too. Despite many…

NATIVE RIVER The Colin Tizzard-trained 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has been ruled out of the 2020 Festival and the Grand National after sustaining a tendon injury. The 10-year-old is out for the rest of the season. DARK LEGEND The 12-year-old ridden by Britain’s Lottie Fry scored a senior freestyle personal best of 81.03% at the Gothenburg dressage World Cup leg. It was the first time the horse has broken 80% in a senior class. DESPERADOS FRH The Olympic gold medal-winning stallion, who bagged eight championship medals for Germany in his dressage career with Kristina Broring-Sprehe, has died from an aortic rupture following his stud duties aged 19.…

HORSES’ TOES MAKE HEADLINE NEWS HORSES still start life with five toes per foot, inherited from their distant ancestors, a new study has suggested. Research on equine embryos undertaken by the University of Massachusetts demonstrated that for a brief phase, all five toes are present in the foetus. Previous studies have concluded that the horse retains one central digit flanked by two “splint metapodials” — the remains of digits two and four. The work, published by the Royal Society, indicated the two flanking toes are fusions of digits one and two and four and five — and that all five toes can be seen in the horse’s early foetal development. RIDING AFTER PREGNANCY STUDY ISSUES and barriers faced by riders returning to the sport after pregnancy are being investigated in…

WEATHER Day 5,672 of the storm. No fences are left standing. Herds of feral Shetlands are roaming the land, destruction in their wake. The muted roar is the desperate chant of riders everywhere: “Spring is coming. Spring is coming”… MORE WEATHER Talking of storms, H&H has previously given very sage advice on when to expect rain (leave horses unrugged) and sun (put rugs on). We can now adapt that to say, simply, yes, it will rain today. You’re welcome. BEHAVIOUR A Muggle parent and a childless rider were discussing bad behaviour. “You don’t know the meaning of the words until you’ve had twin toddlers,” the frazzled former said. “Ah,” answered the rider, with a knowing grin. “But I’ve got two Shetlands and a Jack Russell.” We have a winner.…

THERE’S a hallowed selection of boxes on the right as you enter Paul Nicholls’ yard, which is built halfway up a hill on a dairy farm in the Mendips, Somerset. The stable doors are adorned with green plaques, denoting previous incumbents’ Grade One successes. A whole wall is dedicated to the exploits of Kauto Star who, among his 16 Grade One wins, landed two Gold Cups and five King Georges just over a decade ago. “At one point, we had these five boxes filled with Denman, Kauto Star, Master Minded, Big Buck’s and Neptune Collonges,” says Paul, reeling off the names of his former stars. “That could never happen again, but the funny thing about these boxes is that we don’t purposefully put the best horses in them but the…

EVENTING THE season starts early this year, on the last day of February. This weekend (29 February-1 March), Oliver Townend and Piggy French tend to make the trip to Cambridgeshire for Isleham, while Nicola Wilson will take her young horses to Epworth in South Yorkshire, for the season’s curtain-raisers. “Epworth’s friendly and well run, with showjumping on a surface, so it’s always consistent at this time of year,” says Nicola. “The cross-country is encouraging so they can find their feet.” Gemma Tattersall is among many elite eventers starting out at Tweseldown (5-8 March), often with their Badminton horses — Pippa Funnell, Kitty King, Andrew Nicholson, Izzy Taylor and Laura Collett were all in the ribbons here in 2019. “I’ll take my top horses and a couple of younger ones,” says…

TATTERSALLS HORSE TRIALS & COUNTRY FAIR, CO. MEATH 27-31 MAY The peace-keeper: a kids’ area that includes farmyard pets, carnival rides, a bouncy castle and a merry-go-round, as well as a novelty dog show and mini pony rides. Plus, a convenient mound from which to watch the water complex. tatts.ie STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY SHOW, STAFFS 27-28 MAY The peace-keeper: the Big Pete Monster Truck Team’s “leaping” trucks are a star attraction in the main ring. There are hound parades, a steam railway, vintage machinery and medieval crafts, such as rope- and clog-making. staffscountyshowground.co.uk GLOUCESTERSHIRE FESTIVAL OF POLO, GLOS 6-7 JUNE The peace-keeper: a tasteful array of free fairground rides. Plus, a laid-back atmosphere for noisy children, and pitch-side picnic spots close to the action. beaufortpoloclub.com THE ROYAL INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW, SUSSEX…

THERE are still three hours until daybreak when Lottie makes the short walk from her apartment to the yard. The British dressage rider is first in at 5.30am to start feeding the horses, and begins riding at 7am. In the Netherlands in January, it’s not light until well after breakfast. Not that it matters in the cosy barns at the Van Olsts’ yard near Breda, which houses stables, a 20x60m indoor school and horse walker. The large sliding doors are kept shut, heat lamps and radiators pump out warmth, and the horses’ sleek, unclipped coats look radiant. There are around 200 horses on site, including broodmares, foals and youngsters, as well as the dressage stallions and geldings, but Lottie operates out of just one of the barns. “I feed these…

KBIS prelim 17 silv (J Hancock, R Hillier, P Bushell).— 1, Haybells Cinderella (F Hayes) 74.59; 2, Tomriland Billy (K Joyce) 73.45; 3, Thistledown Eye Drop (D Bullman) 72.59. Prestige Italia nov 37 gold (J Hancock, R Hillier, J Howard).— 1, Impulz De B (A Brown) 74.44; 2, Jesmond Rainbow (A Brown) 74.26; 3, Forever London (E Darling) 71.54. silv (A Darken, L Olsen, E Pewter).— 1, Just Dance BH (J Hancock) 72.53; 2, Jackpots Forsetti (B Young) 69.94; 3, Maggies Hope (K Low) 69.44. Baileys Horse Feeds nov FSM gold (M Drewe, J Howard, R Baldwin).— 1, Jilleke (T Reeve-Smith) 75.46; 2, Dalyhill Rocker (G Catling) 75.19; 3, Waverly Night Music (G Day) 72.87. silv (J Hancock, R Hillier, P Bushell).— 1, Jackpots Forsetti 75.93; 2, Chalk II (J…

FI GRABHAM, 12, took first and second at prelim, riding Waxwing Pocket Money (pictured) and her future pony classes partner Bernwode Broadway, scoring 70.58% and 69.17% respectively. Her mother Pippa has hammered home the importance of not losing marks for inaccuracy, which she learned from trainer Sara-Jane Lanning 20 years ago. Judging at C here, Sara-Jane said: “Fi was the outstanding rider in the class. She set up every movement and rode brilliant circles. Many seemed to think the R-S line defines the limit of a 20m circle, making them too small.” Pippa said: “We’re very strict at home with Fi’s shapes. I joked that if they weren’t right, she’d be doing them on foot!”…

FIELD HOUSE, STAFFS 13 Feb: prelim 17A Q gold (J Byrne).— 1, Dunkerrin Pandora (L Robinson) 71.55; 2, Embla Nevada (S Price) 68.79. brnz.— 1, Maidenhill Red Robin (A Kolanowska) 68.97; 2, Ower Lad (S Winter) 68.45. prelim 19Q gold.— 1, Dunkerrin Pandora 71.04. silv.— 1, Little Miss Aredis (K Hendry Griffiths) 68.75. brnz.— 1, Fluff McDuff (C Snow) 65.42; 2, Active Skyfall (S Bailey) 64.38; 3, Kildun Rocky (L Biddle) 63.13. nov 23 silv.— 1, Little Miss Aredis 69.79; 2, Dollar II (D Alexander) 65. nov 37A Q gold (J Byrne).— 1, Bellini B (P Bartram) 68.33. silv.— 1, Dollar II 62.59. brnz.— 1, Explosion VMH (S Goodwin) 65; 3, Gortmore Rosebud (A Lennon) 64.63. nov FSM Q gold.— 1, Bellini B 73.89. brnz.— 1, Sienna V 71.11; 2,…

CAREER HIGHLIGHT FOR GULLIKSEN HE’S one of the stalwarts of the sport and finally, at the age of 60, Geir “Jimmy” Gulliksen won his first World Cup qualifier — the last leg in the 2019/20 series in Gothenburg — riding VDL Groep Quatro (pictured). “Even to fall off, it doesn’t matter — I couldn’t be happier,” said Geir, referring to the tumble he took during the prize-giving. “This is definitely the highlight of my career.” Robert Whitaker and Catwalk IV finished with 12 faults, finishing just outside the top 18 in the overall league standings, meaning he needs three riders above him to drop out in order to secure a place in the World Cup Final in Las Vegas in April. He and Catwalk had won Thursday’s 1.50m jump-off class,…

NCPA Cheshire, Reaseheath College, Cheshire ANDREW COLLINS and his ever-reliable partner Surewill bagged their 2020 Royal International (RIHS) ticket in coloured ranks and the section championship at this early qualifier, as competition centres were once again tested by stormy conditions and endless rainfall. Owned by Stuart Birch, striking maxi cob Surewill has been triumphing in coloured and open cob ranks for the past few seasons. ‘We don’t normally go out this early but he was certainly happy to be back; he’s such a dude’ANDREW COLLINS ON SUREWILL Sixth as a maxi and fourth in the coloureds at the NEC in October, Surewill has been hacking and enjoying farm rides over the winter. “We don’t normally go out this early but he was certainly happy to be back,” said Andrew. “He…

Kempton Park Racecourse, Surrey DESPITE being something of a last-chance saloon as far as racecourse action is concerned for Cheltenham Festival horses, Kempton Park’s Betway Chase Day has a good record at producing Cheltenham winners; the standout candidate for a gold medal in a fortnight was the Paul Nicholls-trained Solo. The recent French import, who is still a colt, ran away with the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Adonis Juvenile Hurdle. He led from halfway and came home 13 lengths clear of Fujimoto Flyer — a Japanese-bred, French-raced and now Irish-trained filly who did her cause little good by pulling. It was the fifth time Nicholls has won the Adonis and he will be hoping Solo, a 15-length winner at Auteuil when last seen out in the autumn in France,…

QATAR claims failed dope tests that led to the country losing its Tokyo jumping place were caused by the Moroccan team sabotaging Qatari shisha by adding cannabis. Morocco takes the Olympic ticket lost by Qatar as a result of riders Sheikh Ali Al Thani, 37, and Bassem Mohammed, 32, both testing positive for a metabolite of cannabis, carboxy-THC, at an Olympic qualifier in October. The case was heard by the FEI Tribunal, which released a partial decision on 15 February. It found the two riders’ individual results must be disqualified as a result of the tests, so Qatar’s team result cannot count. The FEI has reallocated the spot to Morocco. The Tribunal heard both riders denied knowingly using cannabis in any form during the show, and are “convinced the only…

EQUESTRIANS have been urged to be aware of fake social media pages after a major venue’s page was copied by a group trying to obtain credit card details. Arena UK, Lincolnshire, became aware a Facebook page posing as the venue was advertising events. The fake pages were advertising livestreaming of shows and asking users to input card details in order to watch. Arena UK co-owner Lauren Fogg, who reported the incident to Facebook, urged people to be vigilant online. “I don’t want people to think we’ve been targeted because we don’t have good cyber security — we take a lot of time and money to make sure we’re safe for everyone to visit our sites,” she told H&H. “Make sure it’s the right page; it’s so easy to get scammed.…

A GOOD way to help manage equine weight and reduce the risk of laminitis is movement. Lucy Grieve, member of the British Equestrian Veterinary Association’s ethics and welfare committee, and vet Chloe Casalis de Pury agreed that implementing an exercise programme and creating a track system can be useful. “Don’t let your horse sit in the field like a couch potato,” said Ms Grieve. “Do more with them — they are athletic animals who enjoy exercise. The more they do, the fitter they’ll get, and the more you will both benefit. If you really want to enhance their daily life, invest in a track system and research ways to enrich their environments — they’ll thank you for it.” Dr Casalis de Pury said a track system restricts grazing while encouraging…

ALAN the £5 pony is heading to the Winter Area Festival Championships. Spartacus VI, as he is formally known, and Vicci Smith will be competing in prelim silver at Hartpury in April. Vicci told H&H a friend bought Alan from people living by the A19 as a foal, but he did not grow big enough. “I thought he sounded ace and I’d give him a chance,” she said. “We agreed I’d pay £1 but I only had a £5 note!” The pair got into dressage “by accident” but qualified for the Area Festival Finals, at which they finished fourth, securing a championship wild card. “I didn’t expect anything because everyone looked very professional — and there was me on my little hairy cob,” Vicci said. “He’s my, and my family’s,…

IN the early days of production, apart from plaiting, I was in charge of time management. My first task when I was showing, particularly at county shows, was to investigate whether the rings looked “buzzy” in order to gauge the working-in preparations. Competitors are more likely to travel in the early hours rather than stable overnight, so you must plan to arrive on the showground in plenty of time. As a show secretary now I often witness competitors arriving late, and sometimes they actually ask the organisers to delay their classes. It is the competitors’ responsibility to ensure they do not miss classes, especially if they follow on and are not timed. I was in a commentary box at Malvern last season when an exhibitor complained that he missed a…

NOMINATED entries for dressage, showjumping and eventing close 1 June; final entries on 6 July. Final entries for para dressage are 3 August. • EVENTING: results at four- and five-star will be considered. A long-list is expected from 12 May-1 June, from which the squad will be selected around 16 June. This means Badminton, Chatsworth, Bramham and Luhmühlen are the main events to watch Olympic contenders. • DRESSAGE: selection will be made in June. Keysoe (13-15 March), Windsor (13-17 May) and Bolesworth (9-14 June) are putting on grand prix specials to allow contenders to post some scores. Carl and Charlotte are expected at ’s-Hertogenbosch (the Netherlands, 12-15 March) and Saumur (France, 30 April-3 May), before Windsor and Bolesworth. • SHOWJUMPING: Olympic contenders are likely to represent Britain in Nations Cup…

SOME hunts chop and change their masters as frequently as the weather. Others attract people who commit to the long haul. The Haydon is one of those happy ships with a group of masters who are rooted to the area and, even more crucially, get on. The current crew have notched up around 40 years between them, setting the tone for stability throughout the hunt. Heather MacDonald is now in her 12th season as master and is also district commissioner of a well-subscribed branch of the Pony Club, the South Northumberland. She has hunted with the Haydon all her life, taking up her first post as supporters’ club secretary back in 1976. William Nicholl, who joined Heather in the mastership in 2009, when Charlie Shirley-Beavan was master and huntsman, describes…

Easton College Winter Regional Championships, Norfolk THE Hole sisters enjoyed a particularly successful campaign at Easton, winning all three classes they entered between them. Eighteen-year-old Clare Hole scooped two tickets, the first coming in the advanced medium gold with Chuchaqui LAT. The 13-year-old son of Painted Black finished on 71.05%, more than 3% clear of his nearest rival. “We’ve taken it slowly with ‘Chico’ to build his confidence in the arena,” explained Clare, who is currently studying four A levels in the hope of securing a place at university to study natural sciences. “He was my first horse and, although we’ve had him a few years, he can get worried and in a muddle through trying too hard. Taking him out a lot and working him through higher level movements…

Kings Sedgemoor, Somerset THREE riders from Collective Equestrian in Somerset, headed up by trainer and rider Elizabeth Allen, enjoyed six wins and two seconds between them. Riding Jonny Clarke-West’s riding eight-year-old Hannover II, Elizabeth landed the prix st georges (PSG). “Jonny has owned him for two years and I’ve produced him from novice level,” she said. “He’s quite sensitive and it’s taken time to build up a relationship, but he is starting to trust me now. He’s very talented and we’re developing the lift in the trot, which he is just starting to transfer into the ring.” The gelding’s highlights were his tempi changes, for which he scored eights. “It was his first show of this season and he’s done only a handful of PSGs,” added Elizabeth. “He is about…

LONDON 2012 heralded a new era for dressage: gold medals won with softness, harmony and positive power. Eight years on, and our sport is divided over the spectacular versus correctness. But why can’t we have the two together? Surely Olympic-standard excellence and flowing horsemanship should not be incompatible? If dressage is becoming a circus for freakish horses, where do we go from here? Will we end up with purpose-bred equines with exaggerated movement akin to those much maligned dogs at Crufts? I winced at a recent prix st georges test scoring over 80%, yet the horse was dipped in the back with wildly flying front legs. It epitomised my fears. Judges, you need to get on the same page. What you choose to reward or penalise maps out dressage’s direction.…

15 Feb: Blue Chip pony newcomers.— 1, Sam 003 (A Tucker); 2, Miami Bubble Gum (E McCulloch); 3, RS Cassini (A Morris). 1m.— 1, Portmore Stroller (R Proudley); 2, Glanvyrnnwy Baby Boo (L Notman); 3, A Second Chance (L Notman). Blue Chip Pro sparkle JC/JA h’cap.— 1, Derryisland Lady (G d’Ambrosio); 2, Nightgirl Van Het Sonnishof Z (T Kyle); 3, Dapple Grey Dew Drop (E Jacques). Charles Britton Equestrian Construction winter JA classic.— 1, Ammanvalley Santino (H Barker); 2, Nightgirl Van Het Sonnishof Z; 3, Merlijn VD Bisschop (J Billington). winter JC.— 1, Robin Hood Lad (R Proudley); 2, Miami Sandyman (A Black); 3, Conella II (E Heagren-Bond). pony Foxhunter/1.10m.— 1, Hietvelds Bjorn (T Kyle); 2, Beech Comber (R Proudley); 3, Atomic Du Bary (T Kyle). pony 1.15m members cup.—…

BSPS Area 13A, Poldice Valley Arena, Cornwall THE British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Heritage ridden classes attracted strong entries, producing Kathryn Pitt’s choice for the supreme of show. This was the Welsh section A Wyedean Sinatra, ridden by Amelia Watson. The duo have been crowned Pretty Polly home-produced mini supreme champions at Hickstead on three separate occasions, and here they stepped up to win the junior ridden spoils as well as the first ridden. Reserve supreme went to Yasmin Lewis and Bunbury Sail, who topped the show hunter pony line-up. Sam Laity — who celebrated his 11th birthday on Valentine’s Day — steered his new ride Barney IX to the working hunter pony championship after winning the nursery stakes. The combination were making their first appearance together. “Barney is now…

Kiwi eventer Jonelle Price and her husband, top eventer Tim, welcomed baby girl, Abel Casey, on 10 February. The Prices said their son Otis is proud to introduce visitors to his “liddle” sister. Two-time Grand National-winning jockey Leighton Aspell retired at Fontwell on 23 February. Leighton, who will still do pre-training for people, said the retirement was “emotional”. Para dressage rider Suzanna Hext will focus on swimming for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics after making the “difficult” decision to step back from equestrian competition for 2020. Olympic medal-winning American showjumper McLain Ward and wife Lauren have welcomed a new baby girl, Madison. Madison is the couple’s second daughter and sister to Lilly. British Eventing’s (BE) chief sport officer Paul Graham is leaving at the end of February. Paul, who started…

MR MOSES Frank Slattery’s coloured cob, who stood champion at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), Great Yorkshire and the Royal Highland, has died aged 26. He was ridden by Zoe Hyslop and competed at HOYS 10 times. CHIASMA Frankel’s two-year-old full sister (Galileo x Danehill) has gone into training with John Gosden. Bred by Juddmonte Farms, she is only the second filly out of Kind — the other being Joyeuse (by Oasis Dream). CARROWMORE GEMSTONE The pony eventer medallist, who won European team gold, team and individual silver with Louisa and Rose Nesbitt, has retired aged 23. “Eze” also enjoyed success with Annabel Yarrow and Lily Stamp.…

WOMEN DRIVERS A rider who came to the rescue when a posh car was stuck in a flood, because the recovery team didn’t want wet feet and she had her wellies on, was also amused to be told how to drive her horsebox in such conditions by a number of male drivers… always appreciated, chaps! OPTIMISM So the school’s flooded, the fields are waterlogged and many roads aren’t much better. But let’s look on the bright side — good water jump practice for the approaching eventing season? Worth a try? MAKING AN EFFORT A rider FaceTiming her absent husband was surprised to be asked why she’d “got all done up”. “I haven’t,” she said, confused. “I’ve just had a bath, I’m clean.” Ah. Riders and Muggles alike know where you’re…

I THINK the National Pony Society’s weigh-in scheme is a great idea, as it offers guidance on feeding ponies a balanced diet to keep them in tip-top condition. Many confuse show condition with fat, so the scheme will be a useful way to educate people about their pony’s health. However, while it will get people talking about equine obesity, a topic that needs addressing, until show judges start crediting the animals that are a healthy weight and condition, owners will continue to ignore their vet’s advice on overfeeding in pursuit of that red rosette. Without judges supporting vets and nutritionists by rewarding those who keep their ponies at a healthy weight, the changes needed to fix the obesity problem in show horses and ponies won’t happen. Ellie Marshall Smith Leeds,…

Scotland The Scottish Horse Show Royal Highland Showground, Edinburgh, 8 July WHAT’S ON: competitors from all over the UK come to compete in nearly 100 classes from working hunter to first ridden, with many HOYS qualifiers to boot. WHAT WE LOVE MOST: this show is a qualifier for the two-day Caledonian Showing Championships, held in October. Royal Highland Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, 18-21 June WHAT’S ON: a large number of showing classes including Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers as well as top British Showjumping (BS) classes offering generous cash prizes. WHAT WE LOVE MOST: its famous blue sashes but also the superb social scene and shopping. BS Cabin EC Sunshine Tour The Cabin Equestrian Centre, Aberdeenshire, 14-19 July WHAT’S ON: five days of jumping including Scottish Champions Tour…

WILLIAM uses six or seven raised poles in a line for all his horses to develop their core strength and walk pace. They are spaced specifically according to each horse, but roughly a yard (about 90cm) apart, so the horse can step down once between each pole. “I put them in blocks and use wooden poles so you don’t have to keep jumping off when they knock them,” he says. “I sometimes do them on a long rein, sometimes on the bit — it’s not particularly to stop them being clumsy, although heavy poles help this, but to develop their strength,” he says. “I’ll start with three or four reps, building up to 10 in a session. It’s harder than it looks — you can tell with the young horses,…

FEBRUARY “fill dyke” has lived up to its reputation, the problem being that the dykes are already full. As I write, the River Smite has been transformed from a stream to a likeness of the mighty Mississippi, and the vale of Belvoir resembles the bayous of Louisiana. Careful consideration is being given as to how far toward spring we will continue to hunt this season. A few weeks ago, we accepted an invitation from the “canny lads” of Northumberland to hunt the Tynedale country, a treat indeed. We enjoyed an excellent day — after a hunt of over two hours, the mileometer had reached double figures. The evening brought its own adventures in “Toon”, aka Newcastle-upon-Tyne, beginning with supper and concluding in the early hours with only my second-ever visit…

TRACY FALL credits her win in the medium silver freestyle to a new training method she has implemented with her horse, Mount Pleasant Herman, with the help of trainer Jenku Dietrichsen. “I’ve been working with Jenku for the past year and he has transformed ‘Herman’ through in-hand work to improve his self-carriage,” explained Tracy, who scored 72.39%. “His way of going is now lovely and light thanks to using movements such as rein-back to canter in-hand. I think it’s a lovely way of training, instead of feeling like you have to resort to different bits of kit. “Herman gave me everything in the arena. He has always found himself as the bridesmaid instead of the bride, so it’s lovely that he has now won himself a sash.”…

Superflex inter I gold (M Terry, M-A Horn, F Wilson).—1, Lazulith (R Bryson) 69.74; 2, State Secret (S Bell) 66.75; 3, Rivaal (S Edwards) 65.75. Magic PSG gold (D Lush, M-A Horn, L Wall)— 1, Absinth W (M Key) 70.92; 2, Lazulith 69.61; 3, Bjerresmindes Zoa (S-J Lanning) 68. Charles Owen adv med 98 gold (D Wardle, M-A Horn, J Head).— 1, Headmore Bella Ruby (A Oppenheimer) 70.66; 2, St Giles Bon Bon (N Buchanan) 69.45; 3, Royal Angelina (R Swain) 67.94. silv (L Whetstone, T Cowie, S Andrews).— 1, Keystone Rumour (M Brown) 69.04; 2, Casino Scandal (J Price) 69.42; 3, Conexion (H Kenny) 67.41. Nupafeed adv med FSM gold (M-A Horn, J Head, A Duck).—1, Headmore Bella Ruby 77.33; 2, Delhurens Sunshine (S Wilson) 70.94; 3, Pepperwood Casanova…

KBIS prelim 17A silv (S Edwards, H Bradley, S Smith).— 1, Noble Top Hat (J Dutton) 70.69; 2, Fiji CDS (J Varley) 70.52; 3, Short Clough Master Class (N Connolly) 69.6. Prestige Italia nov 37A gold (H Bradley, S Kingwells, A Smith).— 1, Jerrydale (S Taylor) 73.4; 2, Classic Jillz Geuzenhof (S Wells) 72.59; 3, Waverley Fellini (G Sims) 71.91. Equitrek elem 59 gold.— 1, Classic Jillz Geuzenhof 73.94; 2, French Noir MFS (D Lever) 72.71; 3, Inocencio DHI (M Chapman) 70.68. Theraplate med 75 gold (K Barker, F Lace, J Ward.— 1, Don Cara (S Wells) 71.58; 2, Waverley Dante (G Sims) 70.68; 3, Fidalgo T (G Sims) 68.38. silv (A Smith, J Ward, K Barker).— 1, Fendy VCG (F Newall) 69.77; 2, Daleron (A Ingoe-Topham) 69.73; 3, Showstar…

11 Feb: prelim 15Q brnz (A Webster).— 1, Victoria (V Goody) 66; 2, Sjimmy (S Laflin) 66. prelim 17A Q brnz.— 1, Sjimmy 66.5. nov 23 gold (F Foy).— 1, Kamuelas Platinum (E Allen) 66; 2, Don Dellero (T Jones) 64.3. silv.— 1, Flamgoch (L Hoskins) 63.9. brnz.— 1, LSS Lanzarote (R Batting) 68.9; 2, Coombeland Crown Cruise HSH (R Batting) 66.4. nov 38Q gold (A Webster).— 1, Don Dellero 66.9; 2, Kamuelas Platinum 66.4. silv.— 1, Ava Luna (J Dyer) 65.6; 2, Flamgoch 61.9. brnz.— 1eq, Coombeland Crown Cruise HSH & Chip (A Miller) 65.9; 3, Jandine (L Mesquita) 63.5. elem 43 silv (F Foy).— 1, Space Telescope (J Male) 63.7. brnz.— 1, LSS Lanzarote 66.7; 2, Ava Luna 65.6; 3, Chip 62.5. elem 59Q silv.— 1, Danson Don…

DESPITE being dumped as a two-month-old foal, Cleo XV is holding her own between the white boards. Fourth-year PhD student Yasmin Ahmed and six-year-old mare Cleo won both prelims at Alnwick Ford. “She was dumped in our fields aged just two months so we bottle fed her, but she was given only a 20% chance of surviving,” said Yasmin, who gets up at 4.20am to fit the horses in around her PhD. “She’s such a fighter and her amazing attitude pulled her through. We thought she’d be a happy hacker, but she’s really turned her hoof to dressage. She’s qualified for the Area Festivals and then we’ll step her up to novice.”…

WHEN eventer Roberto Scalisi took on ex-racehorse Alamein for £500 to bring on and sell, little did he know the horse would turn into an intermediate eventer and successful dressage horse. “I bought him two years ago with Ros Hayward, but we got too attached to him,” said Roberto, who won both elementaries at Vale View. “He’s won at British Eventing [BE] novice level, done his first international and first BE intermediate, so this was a little outing before we go eventing.” The 10-year-old is now qualified for the elementary regionals. “It’s really cool considering that two years ago he was running flat out for his life and he’s now on the bit doing dressage between the white boards,” adds Roberto.…

BEING bred for hunting isn’t holding back 17.3hh home-bred gelding Allegro III, who won the medium 75 at Stourport, Worcs. Zara Griffiss was asked to school the Irish Draught/ thoroughbred gelding for the hunting field, but quickly learned of his dressage talents and refused to give him back. “His owner Patrick Legg asked me to bring Allegro on, but when I started schooling him, I realised he was actually really talented and took him to his first dressage competition where he scored 72% at novice. It was at that point I told Patrick he’s not going hunting again.” The 10-year-old is now being aimed at advanced medium.…

IT has been a busy winter, and in addition to attending two junior premier shows here at South View, I have also officiated at four other winter classics around the country. This has been one of the best supported, with quality riders and a good calibre of horses. While recent storms have created havoc across the country, Cheshire remained one of the least affected counties, although the temporary stable field here has suffered. I walked the stable area several times and thought the organisers managed the situation sympathetically, offering plenty of top-up straw and bedding. As much as we would like to, we can’t alter the weather. Riders reported that they loved the size of the main arena — it boasts a long ring, a well-maintained surface, and plenty of…

‘I have always said that any bit in the wrong hands is a problem’ THE country has been battered by storms; if you were thinking of emigrating, this winter would be the decider. One week it felt like we had moved to three different countries in as many days. We were in T-shirts with bright sunshine one day, then felt the extremes of gale-force winds and torrential rain the next. We even had snow. Thank goodness for indoor schools as it has been tough to get consistent work from the youngsters. However, preparation is well under way for the coming season. We have run a few training clinics this winter that have proven very popular. It is great to see that enthusiasm in general has not been dampened. Our pupils…

KEMPTON PARK provided a good day for the small Herefordshire yard of Tom Symonds on Saturday, 22 February. The trainer was assistant to Nicky Henderson for many years and was always regarded as a brilliant sidekick. All he needed was a good horse to show off his ability as a trainer and Sir Peter and Lady Gibbings’ Song For Someone winning the rescheduled Betway Kingwell Hurdle demonstrated just that. Young trainers need a big winner to get going, so this should really help Tom establish himself. The prep races for Cheltenham are over with and we now have the Festival preview evenings to entertain. Personally, I don’t really enjoy them because we all just argue or supposedly discuss the Festival races and potential winners. I am actually doing one in…

SOUTH EAST HUNTS CLUB, CHARING Saturday, 22 February Open maiden.— 1, Mr & Mrs C Poste’s Kenyan Cowboy (J King) F Nimmo. Jockey Club & RoR veteran conditions 9yo&ups.— 1, The Huntin, Shootin, Fishin Partnership’s Generous Ransom (J Andrews) D Phelan. men’s open.— 1, A Ward-Thomas’ Full Irish (J Andrews) D Phelan. ladies’ open.— 1, M Flinton’s Darius Des Bois (F Flinton) J Owen. conditions.— 1, J Burton’s Earlshill (L Burton) T Ellis. restricted.— 1, R Freeman & D Gardner’s The Golden Rebel (J Andrews) J Wadland. DUNCOMBE PARK, YORKS Saturday, 22 February Hunt members’.— 1, J Kibble & J Younger’s Snow Castle (J Wright) G Brewer. confined.— 1, C Milburn, P Kench & Mrs C Milburn’s Six A Side (W Milburn) W Milburn. restricted.— 1, S Easterby’s Panthers Creek…

I THINK we can safely say that 2019/20 hasn’t been the best of seasons. I was talking to a master from further down the country the other day and he agreed. “And anyone who says any different is lying,” he said robustly. First it was wet: biblical amounts of rain throughout November and December. Then more recently the wind came along, blowing a gale on hunting days, dropping back to a normal speed for the rest of the week. In the entire season to date, I can count on one hand the times Adam has entered the house dancing the conga and feeling pleased with the day. ‘Most southern horses stand, freezing, at the gate as if to say, “Take me back to the Shire”’ Boxing Day, which rarely amounts…