Innholdsfortegnelse for 05-Mar-2020 i Horse & Hound

LAST year we were concerned Cheltenham could be in doubt as the racing industry went into lockdown to contain the equine flu outbreak. This year the concerns are focused around whether a human virus could have that sort of impact instead. I’ve stopped reading on the subject because it’s hard to maintain perspective — I’ve done my panic buying, we are sorted for carrots and ice cream — but a headline jumped out at me on the news stand this morning suggesting the over-60s of Gloucestershire should avoid large gatherings over coronavirus fears. My father just about fits this category and is notoriously difficult to advise to do — or not do — anything. At the time of going to press, Cheltenham Racecourse is insisting it is on for the…

UN DE SCEAUX The Willie Mullins-trained Group One winner, whose victories included the Arkle, Tingle Creek and Ryanair Chase has retired aged 12 owing to a suspensory injury. Owned by Edward O’Connell, he won 23 of his 34 starts. DARGUN The Dargun Syndicate’s 12-year-old, campaigned up to CCI5* by Emily King, finished second at his first event with new rider Piggy March (née French) in an open novice section at Isleham on 1 March. BLUE HORS ZACK The 16-year-old stallion and stalwart of Denmark’s senior dressage teams will focus on competition, not breeding, in 2020. This comes as Danish rider Daniel Bachmann Andersen aims for selection for Tokyo.…

RIDER AND HORSE DIE IN EVENT FALL CANADIAN rider Katharine Morel and her eight-year-old thoroughbred mare Kerry On were fatally injured in a cross-country fall in the USA. The pair were competing in an intermediate class at Rocking Horse Stables Winter III horse trials, Florida, on Saturday (29 February) when they had a rotational fall at fence eight. Ms Morel died in hospital. The horse sustained fatal injuries and died shortly after the fall. The United States Eventing Association, Rocking Horse Stables organising committee, and competition officials have sent their deepest condolences and sympathies to her family and friends. DONATIONS POUR IN FOR RORY’S APPEAL AN APPEAL to fund rehabilitation costs for showman Rory Gilsenan stood at £12,000 — more than double its original target — days after its launch.…

H&H Spotted online, a reader asking for ideas on what to do with eight years’ worth of H&H magazines,as her boyfriend wants the space in the living room. “Keep them and get rid of the boyfriend!” suggested another rider. We couldn’t agree more… ADDICTIONS Spotted, on the back of a horsebox, a sticker showing a jumping equine with the words: “Addictive as cocaine — twice as expensive” underneath. Riding is probably slightly better for you, too, but they have got a point… WINTER Day 32,498 of winter. Horses’ feet are webbing over. Riders can be heard muttering, wild-eyed, to anyone who will listen, that “we used to be able to ride on grass, you know — and sometimes the ground was too hard…” Of course it was, dear. Of course…

OVER the past decade, crib-biting has received much attention from researchers. By understanding this valuable work, we can contribute to the everyday management of crib-biting horses and ponies. PLEASURE PRINCIPLE GRASPING a solid object between his incisor teeth, the crib-biter will flex the brachiocephalicus muscles (running from his poll to the underside of his neck, sometimes termed the strap muscles) and emit an audible grunting sound. All equine behaviour, including crib-biting, is controlled by the “supercomputer” — in other words, the brain. In 2018, researchers from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) and Aberystwyth University revealed some fundamental brain-based differences between crib-biters and “normal” horses. These differences were discovered within two interlinked brain structures which control feelings of pleasure and motivation. The nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area of the brain…

‘Take more time with each horse rather than rushing’ AS you get older, you realise it’s worth taking more time with each horse, rather than rushing from one to another. I had a lot of horses when I was younger to make the sport pay, but with time you realise which ones you shouldn’t be riding and focus on the better ones. Dressage was my weakest phase and in my final few years eventing I spent more time on it. I also had horses with better brains, who were more trainable. My first really good horse was Irish Patriot, with whom I won two advanced classes when I first came to England. I thought it was easy, but with time discovered it wasn’t so simple. He was very like my…

WHEN the northeasterly Yorkshire wind was blowing at the Middleton, an 18-year-old Luke Tomlinson briefly let himself imagine his fellow school leavers lying on a Thailand beach. “But I was living the dream really,” says the England polo player, who arrived to help then-master Frank Houghton Brown in the summer after finishing school nearly 25 years ago, staying for the season. “The weather up there was obviously pretty tough, but it was magical when you had a good day’s hunting.” While spending a gap year volunteering with a hunt isn’t official training, “it is extremely good work experience for the future if someone either wants to go into hunt service or hunt their own pack of hounds”, says the Hunting Office’s Alice Bowden. “You are usually given accommodation, a good…

IF you plan to keep a colt entire for breeding purposes, it’s clear that he has to be something pretty special. But how can you tell if he really is a cut above the rest? And even if he does have the necessary wow factor, what are you letting yourself in for if you choose not to have him castrated? Spotting stallion potential requires skill and experience, according to breeding consultant and former West Kington Stud manager Tessa Clarke, who explains that a likely candidate should stand out from the crowd at an early age. “Of several mares and foals in a field, he’ll be the one that takes your eye,” she says, referring to that “look at me” presence that is born and not made. “It goes without saying…

I NORMALLY think of myself as a positive person. However, as we start to come out of the wettest winter ever and with coronavirus dominating the news day after day, I’m struggling to be confident about the upcoming season, Badminton and the Tokyo Olympic Games. I write from America where we never hear about anything that happens in Europe. But 2020 is different! Hearing Switzerland is cancelling events of more than 1,000 people, airlines are calling off flights, the money markets are taking a dive and there is the possibility of the virus killing millions worldwide, you can’t help wondering what the future holds. On a brighter side, I hear the virus likes cold weather and that it will become less virulent as the weather warms up. On the home…

Wellington Riding Winter Regional Championships, Hants DANNIE MORGAN added to his growing tally of titles with three here. He put his tactful riding skills into play to ease Knoxx’s Figaro to prix st georges (PSG) and inter I victories. In Friday’s PSG, Fig, who finds busy warm-ups nerve-racking, didn’t show his usual softness in the ring. However, the Jazz x Krack C gelding, owned by David Knox and Lisa Morgan, is a such a quality horse that his performance was still good enough to finish top. The next day, Dannie rode a more forward inter I and the fluency was restored for a second win. “We haven’t had the best preparation for the regionals,” explained Dannie after the inter I. “We had planned to go to Addington but he had…

Equissage Pulse Para Winter Championships, Myerscough College, Lancs HIGH scores were set as the crème de la crème of British para dressage gunned for places at Tokyo 2020 in the first major showdown of the year. Sophie Christiansen claimed both first and second place in the gold grade I championship with two relatively new exciting rides. The 13-year-old Last Minute gelding Innuendo II scored a huge new personal best of 78.13% to be crowned champion, with the seven-year-old mare Die Furstin also producing a smart test to finish runner-up on 75.36%. “I wasn’t expecting it because he is still pretty new to me and he was quite fresh,” said Sophie. “We have been working on a new warm-up with my trainer and he was bubbling on the edge, so I…

STRIKING coloured stallion Hiawatha made a splash at Parwood EC, Surrey, where he took the elementary 57 outright with a plus-75% score. “He’ll be lovely when he learns to be brave,” said Anna Miller, who rides “Bo” for Liz Wenman and is helping the Harmony-sired eight-year-old build confidence. “He’s hot and responsive, but not spooky or silly, and such a trier that he tends to panic if he gets something wrong. “We think he’s special,” added Anna, who trains Paralympic star Sophie Christiansen. “He’s a loose, easy mover and he’s suddenly finding gears at trot that I knew were in there but he didn’t. For the first time in competition, we produced the medium trot we can do at home — for an 8.5.” Anna then rode Finland to a…

ALISON CAHILL’S 11-year-old mare Estpoint is regaining form after a year of health niggles. The Westpoint daughter, who sustained an injury and then developed ulcers, headed the novice 38 at Bury Farm, Buckinghamshire, building on some consistent results. “She can be quirky and sharp, but in the arena she’s a professional,” said Alison, who bought “Eva” from her owner. “She is such a jolly character and so genuine. We’ve built a nice bond and I’m keen to see how far she can go.”…

AFTER 17 months out of action, Samba Dancer bounced back with a 75% inter II win at Stourport RC, Worcestershire. “As soon as the judge rang the bell, he got really excited,” said Kate Cowell, who rides the 14-year-old son of Samba Hit II for Chris Richards. “It was as if he got his competition hat back on and rolled up his sleeves. He has obviously missed it.” “Sammy” was established at grand prix in 2018 when he was sidelined with a soundness issue. “We gave him time off, which seemed to take forever,” said Kate. “The break has done him good, as he’s come back hotter in the piaffe and more reliable in the tempi changes and canter pirouettes. The best thing was that he did it with such…

THE rapidly escalating threat from coronavirus was on everybody’s mind during this show, with several riders expressing concern over possible event cancellations and travel restrictions. The Shanghai leg of the Global Champions Tour, due to take place on 8-10 May, is at particular risk of cancellation. “We have to see how things happen over the next few weeks — this could have a real impact on shows, as they won’t take place if there is too much risk,” said Austria’s Max Kühner, who is on the board of the International Jumping Riders Club. “It might mean riders miss out on rankings points, but some things are more important than our sport.”…

21 Feb: 128/138cm.— 1, Mister Proper (T Kyle); 2, Monkey Munchkin (S Proudley); 3, Lennon Prince (S Campbell). Royal Highland 128cm Q.— 1 & 3, Bylands Music Man Koda (P Calderbank); 2, Little Miss Millie II (T Hogan). 22 Feb: 90cm.— 1, Buttons Two (L Watchman); 2, Cefn Sweetlife (B Wild); 3, Farchyns Sienna (B Harland). BS 11yrs & under.— 1eq, 14 tied. Graham Heath 128/138cm.— 1 & 2, Lissduff Royal & Mister Proper (T Kyle); 3, Noahs Lady (M Lawson). winter 128cm sec rnd.— 1, My Little Liesel (L Boman); 2, Painted Lady IV (S Proudley); 3, Just Dandy (M Snowden). winter 138cm 2nd rnd.— 1 & 2, Mister Proper & Playboy Van De Zoetewei (T Kyle); 3, Misty Bay II (E McCoy). BS 128/138cm h’cap special.— 1, Printers…

IRISH HOT ON THE USA’S HEELS IN Wellington, Florida, the $150,000 (£117,000) Nations Cup went to the USA, with Ireland (David Blake, Darragh Kenny, Paul O’Shea and Billy Twomey) taking the runner-up spot, ahead of Australia. Darragh also won a speed class in the week with Carthano. Britain’s Alexandra Thornton was presented with this week’s leading lady rider award after finishing third in the grand prix riding Charielle. KIWIS’ ‘SPECIAL PLACE’ NEW ZEALAND claimed their second-ever Nations Cup victory, when beating Egypt to the top spot in Abu Dhabi. Host nation UAE and Syria qualified for this year’s final in Barcelona. New Zealand’s first win came at the same venue two years ago. “This is a special place for us,” said Daniel Meech, who jumped the only double clear. Ireland’s…

I, ALONG with over 300 other people, travelled to the East of England Showground in January to pay my respects to an icon of the old order, Davina Whiteman, who sadly passed away a month earlier. One could argue that she was the most influential person in my life, steering me away from a possible legal career into the wacky world of showing. Apart from introducing my brother Nigel and I to this discipline at the highest level, she also opened our eyes to many other equestrian avenues — hunting, racing, showjumping, dressage and eventing. More importantly, Davina taught us so much about life, including sportsmanship, appreciation of our animals and particularly respect for our elders. As mentioned in Tricia Johnson’s letter (23 January), the gathering was like a school…

Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace, Horseheath, Cambs JACK ANDREWS’ 100th career victory and a double on the day at a bright but blustery Horseheath means he now joint-leads the jockey championship with Alex Edwards, on a running total of 14 victories. It seemed only fitting that one of those victories came aboard the mightily impressive five-year-old Fumet D’Oudairies, who came home two lengths clear in the intermediate ahead of the promising The Three Off The Tee Partnership’s Getting Closer (Charlie Marshall). Purchased at the end of last year for just £800, the son of Della Francesca has now won all four of his starts for The Ice And A Slice Racing Club and trainer Tom Ellis. “I get on him now and just think, ‘You are a good horse.’ He’s the…

SITTING and reflecting on what should have been a busy February, it’s hard not to get a bit disheartened by the relentless poor weather that meant I only went racing on two days of the month. As a jockey, the overriding feeling is one of frustration at not being able to get out and do what we love doing — racing horses. This frustration is by no means confined to the riders though, with trainers, owners and horses all having their plans disrupted. There is nothing worse than getting all dressed up and having nowhere to go. A lot of credit must go to the race meeting committees and organisers who, in conjunction with the Point-to-Point Authority, have in most cases been very clear in their decision-making and swift in…

CHANGING human behaviour could be key to improving welfare — and potentially averting an equine health crisis. Experts were to discuss the topic at the National Equine Forum (NEF) today (5 March). NEF vice-chair Pat Harris told H&H information is no more than facts if not used. “Often one of the biggest challenges in applying new knowledge is providing it in a way the user can not only understand implementation is important, and why,” she said. “Changing owner, rider, feeder behaviour is often key, which is why this year’s NEF has chosen to concentrate on this critical issue.” Zac Baynham-Herd, of the government’s Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), said people do not make decisions just based on information and intentions; environment and context have an effect. He said either an automatic…

THE British Equestrian Federation (BEF) believes closer collaboration with the Olympic disciplines will benefit “all who enjoy equestrian sport”. The BEF, British Dressage, British Eventing and British Showjumping are to form a joint working group to “explore the potential for closer collaboration across equestrian sport”. The announcement comes after discussions between BEF interim chair Malcolm Wharton, interim CEO Iain Graham, and the Olympic disciplines’ boards. The working party will “review all aspects of the operation”, including shared services, and develop a “joint approach to deliver the strategic objectives of each organisation”. Mr Wharton said: “We have discussed the principle of working more closely together with the boards and I am very encouraged by the initial response. It is early days and undoubtedly it will take some time to develop and…

GLOCK’S ROMANOV The medal-winning dressage stallion has died aged 20. He had success under Denmark’s Sune Hansen and Dutch riders Edward Gal and Hans Peter Minderhound, winning European team silver with the latter in 2013. DOUBLE TRIGGER The triple Goodwood and Doncaster Cup victor, who also won the Ascot Gold Cup and was formerly trained by Mark Johnston, has died, aged 29. Bought for 7,200 Irish punts (£7,966) in 1992, he won more than £550,000. BRIAR The 29-year-old has been included in the Gothenburg Horse Show hall of fame. He went to five Europeans, winning three bronze medals, four World Championships and three Olympics, with Sweden’s Jan Brink.…

MORE WINTER Two riders hacking out, enjoying a brief dry, even sunny (shock), interlude; but with heads down and jackets zipped to the neck against the lazy wind (can’t be bothered to blow around you so it goes straight through). “It would be ideal drying conditions — if it didn’t keep raining,” observed one. Well, yes… FEED ADVICE Overheard in a feed shop, a rider asking for the owner’s expert advice. “What would you recommend for more stamina but without the fizz?” she asked. “Er, a new horse?” suggested the shopkeeper, helpfully. Um... WOMEN Spotted, on a banner campaigning against the donkey skin trade, the phrase: “When donkeys are killed or stolen, women turn into donkeys.” And while we get the point, and the seriousness of the issue… really?…

I AM probably not the only one who thinks the horseworld can learn a lot from the very sad passing of Caroline Flack, and the subsequent “Be kind” social media campaign that has followed. With the rise of social media, people can now express their opinions easily to a large audience, and very often those opinions are neither kind nor helpful. Whether you are a professional or a pleasure rider, people are not made of steel, and therefore these comments and opinions will have an impact on them. People will approach things differently with horses and get pleasure from different disciplines; maybe hacking, dressage, eventing or just spending time grooming. As long as the horse is being looked after and not being abused, does it really matter? Let people enjoy…

WHEN we looked into learning differences between crib-biters, horses who weaved and a group of stereotypy-free controls, we were surprised by the results. Both the crib-biters and weavers learnt a simple button-pressing behaviour much quicker than the non-stereotypy equivalents. While pressing a button might not equate to the real-life training scenario, I’ve spent the five years since the findings were published asking owners and trainers what they really think. At least 90% of the people spoken to find that horses who crib-bite are fast learners and fast thinkers, and do their jobs very well. Since this supports our 2015 findings, it might be time for a rethink. Rather than an unsightly, unwanted “vice”, crib-biting seems to go hand in hand with positive performance attributes.…

Two Bridges, Yelverton, Devon “HUNTING hounds on Dartmoor is a totally different thing,” said Mid Devon master and huntsman Duncan Hume. “You’ll see as much houndwork in a day as you will in a season in the Shires.” Well, I’m sure if you are a Dartmoor regular you do, and how lovely for you, but during the first hunt of the day, a three-and-a-half-mile point and six as hounds ran, I honestly couldn’t look up. The terrain we were crossing — at a speed that continually felt a gear too high — seemed so treacherous that I found it hard to drag my eyes away from it. If I did, it seemed likely that my hireling, Storm, would fail to spot some lethal bog/lump of granite/hole and we would tumble…

KIERAN KENNEDY’S interest and pride in his stallions is obvious on arrival at Coolballyshan Stud. His wife, Natalie, sweeps me into the long, covered yard and Kieran opens a stable door to show me the hugely popular and successful stallion OBOS Quality 004. “OBS”, as the family call him — and this is very much a family affair — is 28 now and his record speaks for itself: he was a Nations Cup showjumper under Denis Coakley and Dermott Lennon and his progeny include last year’s Burghley winner MGH Grafton Street, ridden by Pippa Funnell, and the 2015 European showjumping team bronze medallist Castlefield Eclipse, piloted by Paul Estermann for Switzerland. Kieran is bubbling with enthusiasm as his brother Liam brings out the stud’s other six stallions, including the Olympic…

MARES with a link to Britain have worked well for Spy Coast, for example Rolette (pictured), Ben Maher’s 2008 Olympic ride. Robert Lourie, Lisa’s ex-husband, bought Rolette after the Beijing Olympics and the horse’s biggest success with Spy Coast has been as a broodmare. She produced 14 foals for Spy Coast from 2010 to 2019. One of her first foals, Kimmel SCF, a 2010 gelding by the late Amaretto D’Arco, was sold to an amateur and jumped at 1.50m level with Timothy Hendricks and Joie Gatlin. She has several promising jumpers in the pipeline, including Madagascar SCF, a 2012 gelding by Diktator VD Boslandhoeve. The farm has less experience with Billy Bianca, bred by the Billy Stud in Britain. Ridden in competition by Laura Kraut and Richard Spooner, the British-bred…

Isleham, Cambridgeshire PIGGY MARCH (neé French) picked up where she left off at the first event of the 2020 British Eventing season. From her eight rides over the weekend, she scooped three victories, two second placings and one third. The best of those wins came in the open intermediate (OI) aboard Jayne McGivern’s 10-year-old Calling Card, where they added 9.6 cross-country time-faults to a 25.2 dressage. “I’m absolutely delighted with him — I really felt today that he was my friend,” said Piggy, who took over the ride from Aoife Clark at the end of 2018. “I’ve always thought a lot of him, but there have been certain areas I’ve thought we’re not quite on the same wavelength, but I’m really excited about him after today.” Piggy hasn’t had the…

KBIS Equestrian prelim 17 (C Elvin, H Bradley, M Coultas).— 1, Krafty Saratoga (F Boddy) 72.13; 2, Langaller Get Set (V Pye) 69.89; 3, GF Dupuis (L Olsen) 69.71. Prestige Italia nov 37 gold (T Trotter, C Ballantyne, H Hutchinson).— 1, Tom Cruz (M Schleicher) 70.37; 2, Dark Diamond (J Minion) 68.89; 3, Iggy Pop BEK (H Esberger Hancock) 67.84. silv (H Hutchinson, C Ballantyne, T Trotter).— 1, Brackenspa Houdini (H Hopkinson) 69.94; 2, Igor B (K Hall-Jackson) 69.32; 3, Frisco VI (S Wastall) 69.26. Baileys Horse Feeds nov FSM gold (H Bradley, C Elvin, S Staines).— 1, Samurai Jubilee (P Hayler) 75.19; Iggy Pop BEK 74.26; 3, Wred Willow (H Lowe) 70.93. silv (C Ballantyne, C Elvin, L Smith).— 1, Brackenspa Houdini 72.31; 2, WS Jackson (L Geraghty) 72.04;…

DANNIE MORGAN’S High Hoes Estelle is a true dressage diva in the making. Wellington was her eighth show and she added the novice gold freestyle to the novice gold title she won at Merrist Wood. In the 11 tests Dannie and Estelle have completed they have never scored less than 71% and they have two scores of 80% and above. They should be very competitive at the winter championships in April. Estelle is owned by Dannie and his breeder, Nicky Callam. Nicky bred Estelle from a Laudabilis mare, Liza Minnelli, and she is by the top German grand prix stallion Escolar. “She was a huge foal,” recalled Nicky. “Her legs just kept coming out and I wondered if there was a body at all. At two years old I saw…

Gr II nov A silv (G Lewis).— 1, Game Over (V Bower) 70.22; 2, Criminal Girl (J Phillips) 68.26; 3, Just River (E Stevens) 63. gr III nov A silv (G Lewis).— 1, Mallmore Ardrahan Lad (I Slack) 69.2; 2, Vygo-w (G Cook) 67.4; 3, Wavere Springs Rubieux (V Nurcombe) 66.6. gr IV nov A silv (G Lewis).— 1, Wonnacott (T Dyer) 69.31; 2, Parsley II (S Bates) 67.93; 3, Aegrus Ophelia (A Griffiths) 62.76. gr V nov A silv (G Lewis).— 1, Giant SQBS (E Skerrett) 69.22; 2, Zorra Verte (E Skerrett) 67.19; 3, Prototype II (S Pedersen) 62.66. gr I team test gold (S Leitch, G Lewis, J Mcgarel-Groves).— 1, Strong Beau (G Blake) 71.37; 2, Lebensfreude (M Durward-Akhurst) 70.18. gr II team test gold (S Leitch, G…

“DENVER deserved a better mark than I did,” laughed Chloé Jacques after an advanced medium 98 win with the Oldenburg gelding — despite a small rider error — at Step Aside Dressage, West Sussex. ‘I want him to enjoy it’ The French rider, who co-owns Denver IX with Agnes Sommain, is working with David and Angela Jones at Highview Stables in West Sussex and sometimes trains there with Vicky Thompson-Winfield. “Denver is not the most courageous horse I know, but he’s lovely,” said Chloé of the German-bred Dresemann son. “I want him to be strong enough to find things easy and enjoy it, so we’re training to build his confidence at PSG and inter I,” she added.…

THE promising new partnership of Rose Hugh-Smith and Ulyssa claimed the PSG at Wellington Riding, Hampshire, with 72.5% — their fourth victory at the level since they teamed up late last year. “She’s a fun horse to work with,” said Rose of Ian McRobbie’s nine-year-old Uthopia mare, a former British Dressage small tour PSG champion with Lizzie Murray. “We’ll be developing her natural paces a little and will see where the season takes us.” Rose, who trains with Emile Faurie, received confirmation earlier this month that she and “Sasha” are in the British young rider squad. Despite being in the midst of her second year at University of Warwick, studying politics, philosophy and law, strikes by teaching staff are freeing up extra time for training. “We don’t have so many…

Richmond EC Small Pony Premier, Yorks AFTER being placed in their two previous qualifiers at Keysoe and South View, Emily Irvine and Bunbury Conquest (Questy) made it third time lucky when winning the meeting’s second winter 128cm second round. “We qualified first time out last year, so I’m relieved to get our ticket this time — to win the class and on a triple clear for the first time was extra special,” said Emily, one of five combinations through to the third round. “The course was tricky, with fences coming up quickly, but it felt easy for Questy.” The 10-year-old rider took over the reins of the youthful Bunbury Figero 19-year-old after Horse of the Year Show in 2017, where he finished fourth for Charlie Atkinson. Emily beat second-placed Flo…

I PAID my first visit to Al Shaqab in Doha, Qatar, last week (report, p94) and what a fantastic show it is — as riders we couldn’t ask for better facilities. The arena is huge and the surface is perfect — that sand and fibre mix works very well. We can ride on the gallops as well as in the various rings, and the stables are fantastic — air conditioned and really big. It makes such a difference not having to worry about the horses staying in rickety, older stables. I’d seen videos of the venue before I came here, and my father Michael Whitaker had told me about it, but it was still different to what I expected — the stadium is massively open. There’s not so much atmosphere…

BSPS Area 5, Arena UK, Leics A NEW combination made their mark on their first outing together. Twelve-year-old Lilly Rodgers and Roseberry Little Diamond (Pearl) won the novice 133cm working hunter class on route to the championship. Pearl was scouted out for the worker circuit by Lilly’s mother Hannah in September. “Lilly is out of nursery classes now and we wanted something to jump the open tracks with this year,” said Hannah. “We bought Pearl off Tammy Heathcote at the Roseberry Stud. Lilly loves producing the novices. Our plan is to do some eventing as well.” Brooke Pickering and 143cm winner Kyle Spartacus (Connor) were placed reserve. “We bought Connor just from a picture from Rach Roberton at the end of October,” said Brooke’s mother Claire. “He’s everything and more…

Kelso Racecourse, Scotland DEFINITLY RED “will win the Grand National” was the bold prediction of trainer Brian Ellison, after his popular chestnut ran out a comfortable winner of the William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Premier Chase at Kelso on Saturday, 29 February. The 11-year-old has already had a couple of spins around Aintree. He was pulled up at the ninth in the One For Arthur-winning National in 2017 after being brought to a standstill at Becher’s Brook, but had a better experience in December when 14½ lengths behind Walk In The Mill in the Becher Chase. However, he still doesn’t come across as an Aintree specialist like the winner of that race. Nevertheless, for a horse who was verging on Gold Cup class, he has a nice weight of 10st…

CAMBRIDGESHIRE WITH ENFIELD CHACE, HORSEHEATH Saturday, 29 February Intermediate.— 1, The Ice And A Slice Racing Club’s Fumet D’Oudairies (J Andrews) T Ellis. PPORA Club members’ conditions race for novice riders.— 1, G Peck’s Groundunderrepair (C Butler) E Peck. men’s open.— 1, The Shy John Partnership’s Wick Green (P Mason) P Mason. ladies’ open.— 1, The Cranfield Family’s Back Bar (I Marshall) A Hill. restricted.— 1, J Wilson’s Minella Wizard (J Andrews) S Morris. open maiden.— 1, W Wales, N Bloom & T Moore’s Mammoth (G Andrews) T Ellis. COMBINED SERVICES, LARKHILL Sunday, 1 March Novice rider conditions.— 1, A Bromley’s Ballykan (B Bromley) P Rowley. restricted.— 1, The Morenmore Racing Club’s Rien Du Tout (W Biddick) C Budd. ladies’ conditions.— 1, T Williams’ Faraway Star (P Topley) T Williams.…

Jockey Richard Johnson returned to the saddle with two wins at Musselburgh with Made for You and Dubai Guest, 37 days after he broke his arm in a fall at Exeter. Commentator John Kyle has been named as a finalist in the outstanding live event announcer category of the One Voice Awards on 9 May for his work on the H&H Awards 2019. Hascombe and Valiant Stud’s James Frank was crowned employee of the year at the 2020 Godolphin Stud and Stable Awards. Zimbabwean James also won the stud staff award. Jockey Jack Andrews secured his 100th pointing win at Horseheath on Fumet D’Oudairies on 29 February. Jack had his first win at the venue five years ago. Report, p108 The Road Club’s Bill Vine trophy was awarded to Bob…

A TV presenter who has never ridden is to try his hand at dressage with Charlotte Dujardin. Dan Walker and his BBC Breakfast presenters are each to be paired with a British athlete to learn a new sport, to celebrate this year’s Olympics. Charlotte appeared on video with Valegro to tell Dan of his challenge — at which he could be heard telling colleagues he had never sat on a horse. The BBC told H&H Dan will “learn the basics” — and Dan said on Twitter: “What could possibly go wrong?”……

My “day job” is as a consultant surgeon based in Plymouth, where I primarily work on bariatrics, or weight-loss surgery. I also do emergency surgery in the trauma unit. I started out as a junior doctor in Cheltenham, where the racecourse’s senior doctor, Sue Smith, was a consultant in intensive care. She would often take one of us junior doctors up to the racecourse for the day to experience how things were done there. I went on to become a doctor at the racecourse in 2005. My background is not horsey, so I have found my work at Cheltenham fascinating — I’ve learnt a lot about horses and their unpredictable nature. I enjoy working in a big team of medics, but the role is very different to anything else I…

HAZEL SHANNON has just joined a very elite group of event riders. Since winning the world’s latest CCI5*, the 27-year-old Australian — as-yet little known outside the southern hemisphere — now sits alongside Andrew Nicholson, Michael Jung and Kim Severson as having ridden one horse to win three five-stars at the same venue. That’s some accolade. “It doesn’t feel like my name should be alongside those people,” says Hazel, who didn’t start eventing until she left school and went to work for top Aussie coach Heath Ryan, in New South Wales, where she’s still a working pupil. Her victory at Adelaide in November added to the titles she won in 2018 and 2016 with the chestnut thoroughbred Willingapark Clifford. Hazel’s tale is the sort that inspires the likes of National…

4yo bay gelding by Sea The Moon (GER) out of Wemyss Bay (Sadler’s Wells) OWNERS: Bill and Tim Gredley TRAINER: Dan Skelton JOCKEY: Harry Skelton BREEDER: Stetchworth and Middle Park Studs (the Gredley family) PRIZE MONEY WON: £71,243 BIGGEST WINS: 1m2f maiden stakes at Chelmsford (October 2018); 2m juvenile hurdle at Warwick (November 2019); Grade Two JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham (November 2019) and Grade One Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow (December 2019). CURRENT ODDS FOR JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE: 9/2…

Joint-masters: Duncan Hume (huntsman), John Lightfoot, Phil Heard Kennel-huntsman/ countryman: Ben Hastie Hon secretary: Fiona Jeffery, secretary@middevonhunt. co.uk Haven’t had enough hunting this season? The Mid Devon don’t finish until the middle of April, so if you live up-country and your season has been cut short by the wet, head down to Dartmoor — but hire a local horse. Quote of the day: while in the Household Cavalry, Duncan groomed for Richard Waygood when the latter was eventing at top level, and then attended the advanced military equitation course at Melton Mowbray before joining the riding staff under Richard’s wing. Richard said: “I was heartbroken when Duncan left the Household Cavalry as I really rated him — as I still do. I was very proud of the way he allowed…

HUNTING a racehorse can be hairy if they think only of getting their nose in front, but Kingsmere knows the difference between the races and the hunting field. “He is unique,” says Joss Hanbury, senior joint-master of the Quorn. “You can’t hold most racehorses, but he could race and then go hunting. He knew where he was.” The Hanburys have a surfeit of great home-bred horses, but Kingsmere’s ability to excel in two spheres clinched his place on this page. Kingsmere was born in 2005, by King's Theatre out of Lady Emily, a half-sister to top-class hurdler Mighty Man. “We put him into training with Henry Daly when he was five,” recalls Joss, “when he had already won a point-to-point and been autumn hunting.” He has a decent record, running…

OBOS QUALITY 004 BREEDING: Quick Star x Domino IN A NUTSHELL: 28 this year and available via frozen semen, OBOS Quality 004 is the grand old man of Coolballyshan. Sire of a raft of top-level eventers and showjumpers, including Burghley winner MGH Grafton Street, the smart five-star horse Class Affair (ridden by Zara Tindall) and Nations Cup showjumpers Lisona, Castlefield Eclipse and Mark Q. LAGANS OBOS QUALITY BREEDING: OBOS Quality 004 x Cavalier Royale IN A NUTSHELL: son of the stud’s grandee stallion, a beautiful six-year-old who won the three-year-old potential event horse at the Dublin Horse Show in 2017. VIVANT BREEDING: Fuego Du Prelet x Landino IN A NUTSHELL: a compact 22-year-old former showjumper who contested two World Equestrian Games and the London 2012 Olympics; progeny include 1.60m showjumper…

DR MODESTY BURLESON (pictured, far right with Lisa), who has been Spy Coast’s resident vet since 2010, is viewed by Lisa as “sort of my second-in-command — she always takes up the slack”. Modesty came to Lexington for a one-year internship at the prestigious veterinary practice Rood & Riddle. “I planned to go home, but I met my husband here,” says Modesty, “and then Dr Tom Riddle asked me to be resident vet at Shadwell Farm,” which is owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. She then stayed on as a Rood & Riddle associate. One day, the clinic received a colic emergency call from Spy Coast. Everyone else was at Keeneland for the thoroughbred sales, so even though she was fourth on the call list, Modesty wound up…

FULL BOARD YOUR stallion stays at stud for all or part of the breeding season, for semen collection and/or servicing mares on-site. Pros: he’ll be in experienced hands at his most hormonal time and can focus on the job in hand, with ready availability to meet mare owners’ needs. Cons: a more expensive option, which may interrupt competition plans. Consider for: an older, more established stallion in popular demand. WALK-IN SERVICE YOU take the stallion to stud as and when needed, for semen collection. Pros: this can fit in around a stallion’s competition schedule, with the added bonus that he won’t associate home with breeding duties. Cons: requires organisation and transportation, for frequent visits, with good biosecurity at the stud. Consider for: a younger stallion not yet at his competitive…

OI.— 1, Calling Card (P March) 25.2,0,9.6=34.8; 2, Cooley Monsoon (P March) 22.7,4,10.4=37.1; 3, Crambamboli (A Clark) 32.1,4,12=48.1. int.— 1, Ringwood Madras (B Way) 34.3,0,13.2=47.5; 2, Baskin Wicked Game (A Clark) 36.4,0,22.4=58.8; 3, Mr Bing Bong (A Clark) 38.6,8,49.6=96.2. ON.— 1, Fire Fly (T Jackson) 30.8,0,2=32.8; 2, Dargun (P French) 31,0,4.4=35.4; 3, Brookfield Quality (P March) 31.5,0,5.2=36.7. nov.— 1, Hendrix (H Needham) 34,4,0=38; 2, Irene Leva (R Smith) 29,4,5.2=38.2; 3, Annsfort Quality (J Wise) 32.5,0,7.6=40.1. BE100open.— 1, Black Jacko (A Price) 24.3,4,0=28.3; 2, Sycamore Lad (M Spratt) 31.5,0,2=33.5; 3, Ive Dun Talking (H Lloyd-Townshend) 30.5,4,0=34.5. BE100 sec D.— 1, Cooley Goodwood (P March) 23.3,0,0=23.3; 2, Mexikann (H Smith) 24.8,4,5.6=34.4; 3, Killaloe Quality Lad (A Clark) 28.5,4,2.4=34.9. sec E.— 1, Prince Ted (A Marshall) 26.5,0,1.2=27.7; 2, Swell Touchdun (A Clark) 30.5,0,0.4=30.9;…

KBIS prelim 17A silv (L Waller, H Ashley, I Auty).— 1, Fourstar Struck (C Roberts) 71.49; 2, Grannoushka (N Akers) 70.8; 3, Hugo X (J Clark) 70.57. Prestige Italia nov 37A gold (S Andrews, J Surr, F Wilson).— 1, King IV (J Palmer) 74.07; 2, Identiek HB (D Deutrom) 72.96; 3, G Star (M Frost) 72.46. silv (C Gardiner, S Lanning, D Lush).—1, Furst Pheonix (J Davies) 73.45; 2, Full House ( C Arnold) 72.71; 3, Moelview Prince Consort (S Roberts) 71.42. Baileys nov FSM gold (S Andrews, S Petty, R Baldwin).— 1, High Hoes Estelle (D Morgan) 76.11; 2, Pauldarys Tiger Two Sox (L Wickes) 75.55; 3, Blousey Brown (J Palmer) 73.79. silv (A Duck, S Lanning, S Cumine).— 1, Headmore Dramatica (A Kirby) 73.42; 2, Salsa D’Amour (E…

WHILE in Florida recently at the Adequan Global Dressage festival at Wellington, I was amused to turn the tables and interview war correspondent turned dressage journalist Kenneth J Braddick, who has often asked me for quotes. British Dressage provides media training for up-and-coming riders, but even after all these years, having that conversation gave me an insight into how we as riders can prepare to give a positive perception of our sport in the media whether it’s the “on side” specialist titles or mainstream. There’s a BBC guide that advises a reply of 30-40 seconds to a question. Basically, if you’re shy, you need to stretch, if you talk too much, you need to shrink. I’ve been lucky to have horses with their own stories — Legal Democrat whose career…

HUNTERS EQUESTRIAN 23 Feb: prelim 15 gold (M Philpott).— 1, Denby Du Ritz (O Cooper) 71.8. silv.— 1, Charming Ideaal Barones (L Hughes) 60.4. brnz.— 1, Lynwood Twenty Twelve (V Ingles) 65.4. prelim 17A gold (S Cumine).— 1, Denby Du Ritz 74.48; 2, Stanley Grange Heir Supreme (E Dunkley) 71.72. silv.— 1, Charming Ideaal Barones 61.03. brnz.— 1, Lynwood Twenty Twelve 68.45. nov 23 gold (M Philpott).— 1, Just Magic BH (O Cooper) 71.67; 2, Idorijke (P Hutton) 67.71; 3, Iris Nobile (M Norris) 65.42. silv.— 1, Stanley Grange Heir Supreme 66.04; 2, Iris-Mere (D Hodson) 63.54. brnz.— 1, Whiskey Opposition (A Page) 66.88; 2, Dunkerrin Boy (L Pinder) 63.54; 3, Jannes Link (J Norman) 62.29. nov 37A gold (S Cumine).— 1, Landea (R Barker) 76.67; 2, Just Magic BH…

TILLYOCH EQUESTRIAN 23 Feb: prelim 17A gold (E Gammie).— 1, Lonsdale Legend (A Watson-Anderson) 66.55. prelim 19 gold.— 1, Lonsdale Legend 68.13. nov 23 brnz.— 1, Glyncoch Red Rascal (A Gray) 70; 2, Sheeaun Magpie (A Fernandes) 62.71; 3, Golden Delicious (E Maguire) 62.29. nov 38 brnz.— 1, Golden Delicious 65.48; 2, Sheeaun Magpie 63.23. elem 45 silv (G Peters).— 1, Jolijn T (A Pullem) 66.03; 2, Tempelton Temptress (H Lawson) 63.79; 3, Balhagarty Royal Dhu (M Booth) 63.45. elem 53 silv.— 1, Jolijn T 68.24; 2, Gideon II (S Duncan) 66.18; 3, Tempelton Temptress 64.85. med 61 silv.— 1, St Antine (F Maxwell) 64.48. med 73 silv.— 1, Solaris Amoureux (A Mackenzie) 68.53; 2, St Antine 64.26; 3, Macklin Royal (C Stott) 60.88. adv med 85 silv.— 1, Solaris…

MAKING her debut in winter 138cm second rounds on the opening day, Millie Lawson was pleased enough to finish seventh on Noahs Lady (Nora) and collect her first ticket to Hickstead. But it was an even better result a day later, when they produced a triple clear to finish runner-up in the second qualifier. Millie, 12, found the mare tricky at first but, after four clinics with Ludwig Svennerstål and Anthony Condon, everything fell into place. “Nora always wanted to rush her fences, but after the clinics she now listens to me and reacts better to my leg and hand. This weekend has given me much more confidence,” said Millie.…

WHEN our ancient trailer arrived three or four years ago, I was thrilled. We’d just got hold of some ponies for Alec and Mary, needed something to drag them around with, and that old, green trailer — which towed my own ponies around aeons ago — symbolised freedom of the most exhilarating kind. Seeing it there in the yard felt like passing my driving test all over again. My father dragged it up from Wiltshire — a torturous journey made worse due to a detour via the Taunton Vale kennels to collect a horse for Adam and a couple of hound puppies from our friend Guy, who was a master there. Back in Wiltshire, the old trailer had been in semi-retirement after being replaced by a swankier version in the…