Innholdsfortegnelse for 24-Jun-2021 i Horse & Hound

HUGE congratulations to 23-year-old Mollie Summerland, who won the German five-star in Luhmühlen last weekend (report, p42), making her the first British rider in a decade to do so. It was some achievement even to make it to Germany, a challenge that most British riders - understandably, and for good reason - opted out of. But Mollie wanted to maintain momentum, having finished 10th at her first five-star in Pau last year. Where so many have seen dreams go up in smoke this year, Mollie isn’t letting the effects of the pandemic hamper her five-star and championship ambitions with Charly Van Ter Heiden in any way. Equally, Laura Tomlinson is not giving up on her 2021 championship campaign (comment, p16), making the most of a rule change allowing exemption for…

SAFETY SUMMER TO RUN THIS YEAR THE British Equestrian Trade Association is running a “Summer of Safety” to replace its annual safety week. The three-month awareness-raising initiative will focus on tack, yard biosecurity, horse and rider safety, horse health, and road and feed room safety. The drive will be promoted on social media using the #BSOS21 hashtag. There will be “helpful, informative content, such as posts from experts, rider tips, live sessions, competitions, video clips and podcasts to share the key messages”. • Visit beta-uk.org LIVE EXPORT BAN GOES BEFORE MPS A PROPOSED ban on live export for slaughter and new legislation on livestock worrying have been introduced in parliament. The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill had its first reading on 8 June. If it is passed, the UK will…

Showjumper William Funnell has been ruled out of the Olympics, after breaking his ankle in a fall from Equine America Billy Diamo at the Sopot Nations Cup leg in Poland on 20 June. Event rider Mollie Summerland, 23, enjoyed her first five-star victory at Luhmühlen Horse Trials, her second event at this level, on her own Charly Van Ter Heiden. Mollie said it was the “best day ever”. Showjumper Scott Brash made history with a 13th Global Champions Tour grand prix win, on Hello Jefferson in Stockholm. Scott has qualified for the LGCT Super Grand Prix in November. Champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy took the top jockey title at Royal Ascot with five wins, including the Coronation Stakes on Alcohol Free and the Golden Gates Stakes on Foxes Tales. Dressage…

YOUR readers might be interested to know that the pony held by Princess Elizabeth in “A royally good start” and ridden by Princess Margaret on your front cover (10 June) is the Welsh pony Vardra Silver Mint – foaled in 1931 and bred by Mr Matthew Williams of the Vardra Stud, Tonteg, Pontypridd, and sired by Vardra Sprig. He was a 13th birthday present to Princess Elizabeth in 1939, who rechristened him Greylight. When the Princess Royal was presented with a photograph of herself and Kirby Cane Greensleeves at the 2006 National Pony Society Show, she said that Greensleeves would gallop then stop suddenly, causing her to fall off – but the pony taught her a lot. The Welsh pony Llanerch Topaz was presented to Prince William in 1986, then…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ KEEPING everyone safe in the show ring has meant changes in the way classes are run. In some cases, this means riders warming up in the ring itself to avoid having to share small collecting rings – and I hope this change is here to stay, at least for novice horse classes. Being able to ride a young horse around the ring to acclimatise him to his surroundings is a win for everyone. Show horses must have good manners, but they aren’t police horses. While most judges make allowances for novice moments, this gives riders the chance to start from a level playing field. After all, showing is the only discipline where horses are expected to go into a strange environment and perform straight away. In dressage, you…

Saddlesdane EC, Kent A CAREER high of 74.12% earned Braveheart VII the medium 73 qualifier – a result of his growing confidence, according to his owner-rider Sian Larken. “He can get a little nervous and his top lip twitches,” said Sian, who trains with Luke Baber-Davies and bought “Ludi” at six days old from his breeder in Germany. “But at Saddlesdane he was feeling as confident as he does at home.” Ludi, a son of Bon Bravour – who was outstanding as a young horse and later moved to Anky Van Grunsven’s stable – has always impressed with his ability and attitude. “Suppleness in the lateral work can be a challenge, as he is short-coupled, but in the past year he has started to come into his own,” added Sian.…

THE international stairway series is a focal point of the summer show circuit, but Simon Buckley ponders whether it’s time for a shake-up. “The international stairway has been a great series but it possibly needs a revamp now. It’s still a good prize fund but when you compare it to an international show, it’s worlds apart. That class was hard to win on Friday – it was bigger than a two-star ranking class and you’re jumping for less money, so that’s something we need to address,” he said. “We need to move the sport on and Brexit and the Covid situation has really been a chance to do that. You can see by the calibre of riders here such as Holly Smith and Angelie Von Essen that there’s a need…

ARGUABLY the most popular winners of the show were the duo who topped the HOYS ladies’ side-saddle qualifier, Emma Dewhurst riding Michelle Feeney’s eight-year-old grey mare Ballyhoulihan Rags To Riches. While an elegant show horse in the ring, “Reagan” is of unknown breeding and had a sad start in life. “Her former owner found her in a barn and bought her out of pity,” said Michelle, who runs an events haulage business with her husband. “She was skin and bone and had two weeks left to live. “I came across her advert when I was sitting in the O2 Arena car park loading a lorry – I had a feeling that she was the horse for me, so I bought her with the money I’d got from my divorce. She…

A MAMMOTH M&M lead-rein qualifier was headed by the eventual champion, Shetland mare Sharptor Keepsake (Lady Lillian), ridden by four-year-old HOYS first-timer Alice Bowling-Hartenfeld and led by her mother, Katherine. Eight-year-old Lady Lillian is on long-term loan from Debbie Spears. “An unbroken Lady Lillian was dropped off at our yard when Alice was just one year old,” said Katherine. “Alice has done all the work with her since the saddle went on. “We had to wait and do our lead-rein show last,” added Katherine, who had to hotfoot it to another ring to pilot Highland pony Lochlands Maggie May into third place in her qualifier. “We were placed fourth at Stoneleigh the previous week and after coming home and tweaking a few things, we were ready for our day. “And…

Share your news story Call 01252 555021 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @jones_eleanor_ MEDALLISTS, record-breakers and rising stars are in the mix for the British Olympic and Paralympic dressage squads. The four Olympic combinations to travel to Tokyo - a team of three plus an alternate - will be announced, along with reserves, on Monday (28 June). The para squad will be announced on 16 July but the nominated entries lists for both, from which the final squads will be drawn, have been confirmed. Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin heads the list with her 2018 world team and individual bronze medal-winning ride Mount St John Freestyle, owned by Emma Blundell, Jill Blundell and Carl Hester. She is also listed with Renai Hart, Carl Hester’s and her own Gio as a direct reserve. Carl Hester…

RIDERS have been wearing yellow ribbons in memory of 15-year-old Tiggy Hancock. The rising eventing star was injured during squad training in Dublin on 16 June. She was taken to hospital, where she later died. Jockeys at Royal Ascot, as well as riders in other disciplines, wore yellow ribbons in her memory. “All the jockeys will wear them today,” said Oisin Murphy, who took the top rider’s title at Royal Ascot. “We’re all thinking about Tiggy and her family.” Having had success in working hunter pony classes, Tiggy went on to represent Ireland at the 2019 under-16 European eventing team championships, where the team took bronze. She finished fourth and sixth in the CCI2*-S at Millstreet 2020, on Coppenagh Spring Sparrow and Monarch Of The Glen. “Tiggy was well liked…

MAJOR SIR DAVID BLACK BT. MAJOR SIR DAVID BLACK BT. has died aged 92 after a life dedicated to the army, civic duty, country sports and family. His lifelong natural charm and wit eased him through what he happily conceded was a “lucky life”. Born in 1929 and raised at the family seat Midgham House, near Thatcham, Berkshire, David rode across the county boundary when the family moved to Elvendon Priory near Woodcote in Oxfordshire in 1947, eventually settling across the valley at Beech Farm in 1997. After Eton, he joined the Royal Horse Guards (the Blues), “prudently” marrying Rosemary Hardy in 1953, daughter of his commanding officer, Lt-Col Sir Rupert Hardy. These were idyllic years for a young officer ascending the ranks, with postings in Europe, hunting all over…

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle I’M not sure anybody envies the monumental task facing Helen West when she takes over as chief executive of British Eventing (BE). However, if the Bicton international was an example of the calibre of her work, then the sport in this country can look forward to a bright future. She led a strong team to run such a successful event - including showjumping designer Jamie Perryman, who did a fantastic job - and to find a title sponsor in Dr Geoffrey Guy’s Chedington Estate was impressive. I’ve criticised the standard of cross-country courses at some of the upper level “replacement” events this spring. However, given the short notice preparation time, perhaps I’ve been unfair. At Bicton, though, Helen and her team produced topnotch four-star long and short courses…

IT’S 13 years since Alex Hua Tian went to his first Olympics, riding as an individual for China, as the youngest-ever eventer to compete at the Games. Thirteen years on, returning as part of a team, he will still likely be among the youngest. But this is no longer the 18-year-old who took a year out of school. After two Olympics, including a top-10 finish in Rio, multiple World Championships and medalwinning Asian Games performances, Alex heads to Tokyo as part of a nation whose strength in equestrian sport is growing. “The whole dynamic is totally different,” says Alex, 31, looking ahead to riding as part of an Olympic team for the first time. “I really think China has the opportunity to be one of the major forces in equestrian…

RISKY BUSINESS FOR years, equine vets and owners have been familiar with painkiller phenylbutazone (bute), but we now know it is not the harmless medicine it was once perceived to be – and should not be given long term or as a routine medication. Bute is classed as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and other medicines in the same family have recently been developed to treat inflammation and pain – such as meloxicam and flunixin, which have fewer side effects. Vets in Denmark studied horses given these NSAIDs when they were treated at the veterinary hospital in Copenhagen; those with no history of colic, low worm burdens and under treatment for issues such as lameness and respiratory problems received these as part of their therapy. Within two days of starting…

MOUNTHOOLY HOUSE Jedburgh Roxburghshire For you: a Georgian farmhouse with seven bedrooms set in 14.32 acres of land. The house is built of rendered stone under a slate roof and dates back to the latter part of the 18th century with later additions. At ground level you will find three reception rooms, a kitchen, an office and a conservatory. Outside there is a log shed, single garage, two garden stores, a potting shed and a greenhouse. There is also a mature lawn that extends around the back of the house. There are pedestrian and vehicular rights of access through the neighbouring farm into Mounthooly House. For the horses: there are two well-fenced fields with a water supply. To the east of the house are the main outbuildings, which consist of…

ABSORBINE SILVER HONEY This bitter-tasting antimicrobial barrier spray gel combines natural manuka honey and MicroSilver to soothe and protect skin. £25.24 for 8oz absorbine.co.uk EQUI LIFE FROG SUPPORTS These can be bandaged to your horse’s feet to provide support and comfort while suffering from laminitis. £22.45 for a pair equilife.co.uk HY EQUESTRIAN INVISIBLE SPRAY PLASTER This invisible dressing creates a durable film that protects minor cuts and grazes. £13.50 for 200g hy-equestrian.com NETTEX VETERINARY SURGICAL SCRUB This antibacterial, antiseptic scrub helps prevent the spread of bacteria. £7.83 for 500ml nettexequine.com ANIWELL FILTABAC This antibacterial wound protection cream helps prevent damage to skin. It can be used on any exposed area, wound or irritation. £5.60 for 50g aniwell-uk.com NAF NATURALINTX HOOF POULTICE Designed to fit the hoof, enabling ease of application.…

Berriewood, Shropshire EMMA LAWTON notched up a double with half-sisters Little Mill II and Coco Reef, who are both owned by breeder Beverly Mason. “Beverly sent me BE90 winner Little Mill to get going again after some lameness issues,” explained Emma. “After a careful programme of rehab, she’s not had a problem since.” Beverly then sent Emma BE100plus winner Coco Reef – who is also out of the mare Fairleigh – in October 2019. “Coco is quite unsure of herself, but she’s come into her own in the past few months,” said Emma, who events full-time from her yard in Cheshire. Jo Bednall and Lostock Dukebox put a recent setback firmly behind them when they headed BE90 section C. “He put his front feet in the ditch of a ditch-palisade…

Aintree International EC, Merseyside HOLLY WATSON and Furst Oskar headed the advanced medium 85 with a personal best at the level of 71.47%, two weeks after taking the Area Festival advanced medium silver title at the same venue. It’s another step towards prix st georges (PSG), where Holly hopes to be by the end of the year. The pair teamed up eight years ago, when Holly was 16 and Oskar just three. “He was my first dressage horse,” explained Holly, who took the Fürstenball gelding through the early levels with help from her non-horsey dad, Paul. “YouTube and reading were our best friends. We were at a really helpful yard, but sometimes ignorance is bliss. “Oskar has always had an amazing temperament and a lovely rhythm, so he flew up…

BREEDING stallion Vorvashill Vertigo produced the standout scores at Half Moon Stud, Dorset, twice topping 80% to win both prelims. Alysia Matravers, who rides “Rudi” for Kari Christopher, is also eventing the versatile if low-mileage 10-year-old Grafenstolz son. “He was quite fiery when he came, but he’s a pussycat really,” said Alysia, who formerly competed traditional cob dressage stallion Tiger Tim. “It was quite difficult for him to get his head back in the game when he had been covering, but the aim now is to get some competitions under his belt and to move him up the levels.”…

SHOWJUMPING legend Robert Smith provided a masterclass on eight-year-old Nonante in the 1.30 novice championship, in which a water tray provided issues for many. “It was a tough track but at the end of the day, there were seven clears – it was a good track and you had the better horses coming through,” said Robert. “I played it a little safe at a couple; it was a beatable time but you still have to jump the jumps and not be caught out. It was up to height and you wanted a very good novice to jump it. “Nonante lost a bit of time last year, so she hadn’t done a lot of shows but she’s very talented. The year’s just opening up so I’d like to get her qualified…

THE German Olympic eventing team for the Tokyo Olympics has been confirmed, after a final trial at Luhmühlen Horse Trials. The team is Sandra Auffarth with Viamant Du Matz (reserve horse: Let’s Dance 73), Michael Jung with FischerChipmunk FRH (reserve horse: FischerWild Wave) and Julia Krajewski with Amande De B’Neville. Andreas Dibowski is the alternate, with FRH Corrida. Christoph Wahler is the second reserve, with Carjatan S, and Anna Siemer (FRH Butts Avondale) the third reserve. The three riders named for the team were in the top five in the CCI4*-S Meßmer Trophy at Luhmühlen; Michael won (and was fifth in the CCI5* on FischerWild Wave), Sandra second and Julia fifth. Michael, who will defend his individual title in Tokyo, said he was “overjoyed”, adding that the Games postponement may…

FEIGTLING Louise Saywell’s multiple HOYS winner, owned by Graham Ward, has retired from top-level showjumping aged 16 to enjoy his senior years with Sara Lamyman. The pair had numerous wins across Europe. JOAN OF ARC The Galileo filly completed trainer Aidan O’Brien’s full set of Classic wins across England, France and Ireland, with her victory in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly under jockey Ioritz Mendizabal on 20 June. GENTLEMAN Sir Lee Pearson’s European, world and Paralympic medal-winning ride has died aged 20 after a happy retirement with Lorna Harvey. His CV included team gold and individual medals at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.…

▲ JUMPING Online comment of the week goes to he who chipped in on a thread asking for clarification on what various codes mean on British Showjumping results. “Looks like my results,” the rider observed. “More Es than a field after an illegal rave!” ▲ BALL GAMES We will not name the rider who, on arrival at a show, was bemoaning her lorry’s sluggishness en route. Investigations found the cause – her terrier had wedged its ball under the accelerator pedal. Anyone for tennis? ▲ PEST CONTROL A rider with a mouse problem at the yard was advised to be liberal with use of WD40. “Will that get rid of them?” She asked doubtfully. “No, but it’ll stop them squeaking,” a pal said. Boom, boom. ▼ TURNOUT A Muggle watching…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 WHILE planning my column, I thought that I would be talking about having had a frustrating end to my short-lived 2021 campaign. My top horse, DSP Rose Of Bavaria (Betty), was late to get out competing after a six-month gap, then I went to Compiègne and had two cautious and fairly average rides. There, I was still feeling the fact that we had not been in the ring for so long, and I was taking a moment to trust that all was well with her after she hadn’t been right. I was ready for my second show before Olympic team selection in Le Mans last week, and excited to show that Betty and I are back to last year’s consistent form. But then the Delta variant hit hard,…

I started riding as a child, hanging around on friends’ farms and begging a ride. Eventually my parents were able to buy me a Welsh pony, Ruby, with whom I did Pony Club. She was so sweet and taught me so much. Living in Scotland, I was conscious of the existence of Eriskays – my mum had read a feature on this rare breed of ponies living on an island, which the islanders were trying to preserve. But I didn’t think much more about the breed until 16 years ago, when I had a thoroughbred. Sadly, his companion, an Arab, died of grass sickness and so I began to think what sort of companion I could get that would be helpful to the equine world. I remembered the Eriskays and…

THERE’S something majestic about Scotland, a land like no other. Home to native breeds including the much-loved Clydesdale and the Eriskay pony, Scotland is famed for its scenery and visitors are welcomed with open arms to a unique sense of camaraderie. But a proud Scot can be a force to be reckoned with and when it comes to equestrianism, they rightly have much to be proud of with top studs, medal-winning riders, and training grounds producing past and future success stories. The long, harsh winters and often lengthy travel to competitions certainly teach riders about grit and determination, but combined with breathtaking views and islands that offer Caribbean-like beaches, there are worse places in the world to be an equestrian. A dressage rider who knows a lot about this determination…

Will Edwards (21) HORSE: 11yo SHW Candies B (Chacco-Blue x Heartbreaker), owned by Carl Edwards. “Anybody can ride her – a train could go past and she wouldn’t flinch – but as soon as she sees a fence, she turns into a hot, feisty mare. I only ever jump her at home the day before a show and no bigger than 1.10m, otherwise it’s just hacking. When you go in the ring, you know that you’re going to be there or thereabouts. The bigger the occasion, the better she is.” PREVIOUS WINDSOR FORM: “I’ve never jumped there, but it’s a fantastic opportunity to compete in a five-star arena with a five-star course-builder and atmosphere.” ABOUT WILL: “At home we have a whole system for bringing through young horses, like we…

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle Longines Luhmühlen, Germany MOLLIE SUMMERLAND became the youngest winner of the five-star at Luhmühlen last week, leading throughout on her own Charly Van Ter Heiden. That the 23-year-old Brit made it to the event at all was an extraordinary feat – when the German travel ban hit, she was desperate still to ride at her second five-star and continue the momentum after 10th at Pau last year. Understandably nervous of making the journey alone, with the requirement for multiple border crossings and 10 days out of the UK, she asked journalist Tilly Berendt if she might go with her. Tilly masterminded the pair’s trip across Europe – as a measure of what she took on, at one point in the build-up, she made 40 phone calls across four…

Vale View Premier League, Leicestershire polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 ROBYN SMITH and her elegant black stallion Francesco 77 (Frank) concluded an intense four weeks of competition with a brace of wins. They headed a competitive inter II on the first day and then, hoping to improve on their third placing in the under-25 grand prix at Somerford Park’s Premier League, secured the win here, 3% ahead of the second-placed Natasha Rumble and Show Boy. Frank, a 13-year-old son of Florencio I, produced an attractive test, showing real flair in the changes and canter work, with just some green moments in piaffe and the passage transitions. “Every step he was listening to what I wanted, and he really tried. We have so much to work on but it was a great start,” said…

IN a long-awaited affiliated debut together, Vikki Pengilly and Hot Couture III dominated at novice at Severnvale EC, Monmouthshire. “We’ve owned her since she was four, but she was quite a weedy type, so we decided to put her in foal,” said Vikki of “Vogue”, now eight, a daughter of the recently deceased stallion Hotline. “She bred us a beautiful Secret colt, who is now three. “Vogue has always had an unbelievably trainable temperament, but she’s a big mare now with a lot of engine and power,” added Vikki. “It was a blessing to have to take our time with her.” FIRST WIN…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Royal Highland Showcase, Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh THE Royal Highland Showcase took on a different format this year with no spectators, instead operating live-streaming to viewers at home. But the lack of crowds didn’t take away from the spectacle of the feature classes. Simon Buckley took Friday’s 1.55m international stairway on 12-year-old Elia as a big, open water proved influential with only four clears from 23 in the first round. “When you need him to turn up, he turns up,” laughed Simon. “We were first to go [in the first round] which is always hard, but he’s a quick horse and he’s better suited to that pace so I was the fastest clear. “The jump-off was a long slog; I felt my horse was a little tired and…

CSI5* Longines Global Champions Tour of Stockholm, Sweden A FORTNIGHT after his teammate Ben Maher landed the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) grand prix of Valkenswaard, Scott Brash triumphed in the Stockholm equivalent, riding his Olympic hope Hello Jefferson. Competing in the city’s Olympic stadium, the Scotsman found the winning edge over Edwina Tops-Alexander with new ride Fellow Castlefield, while US rider Spencer Smith claimed his first LGCT podium in third with Georgina Bloomberg’s 12-year-old mare Quibelle after a high-octane four-way jump-off. Spencer opened the decider with a fast four-fault round (39.58sec) before Colombian rider Carlos Lopez (G&C Arrayan) smashed through the last fence after a chancey approach, finishing on eight faults in 40.29sec. Scott was next out the starting blocks, catapulting around the arena with the most accurate of…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ Royal Highland Showcase, Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh A GELDING and future ridden pony achieved a rare feat as he rose above his rivals to stand overall Highland pony champion. Sarah-Jane Forbes and her male champion, six-year-old Kincardine Uist, by Glenbanchor Gillebrighde out of Kincardine Gael, got the nod to stand supreme over Susan Wardrop’s home-bred female champion, the Carlung Jed 10-year-old Querina Of Carlung. The decision, however, was not reached without some conflict, as respective male and female section judges Pat Stirling and Bruce Haliburton both pushed for their champions to be crowned overall. In this instance, the day’s umpire, esteemed breeder Willie Allan of the Millfield Stud, was called in from the sidelines to pull the final champion. “For the benefit of the breed my heart would…

Three Counties Equine, Three Counties Showground, Worcs CLAIRE OLIVER made a fairytale return to the show ring to win, take her Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket and stand champion with Susan Granger’s lightweight cob Freddie Kruger. This was Claire’s first outing since a freak accident on the road in late March left her with a fractured pelvis and collarbone - and it was Freddie’s first appearance in the ring since 2019. Claire, who only started riding again three weeks ago, was already on a high here as Susan’s exciting middleweight hunter Cudlic Spartacus (Sparky) was third in the 11-strong middleweight division. “I just hoped they would both go well, as the Three Counties Show holds so many happy memories for us,” reflected Claire, who was quick to credit…

BSPS Wales flat show, Pencoed College, Bridgend A JOCKEY in her last year in the 148cm class rode to the RIHS show pony sash. Anton Dancing Romance and 17-year-old Vienna Hounsham added their ticket to a Pretty Polly qualification achieved at the BSPS winter championships. “Freddie”, a former member of Team Ahern, is now produced by Vienna’s mother Nichole Gaskin on the Isle of Wight, while Vienna is at boarding school in Somerset. “We bought him at the end of the 2019 season and, given the situation, they’ve only managed four outings in total,” said Nicole. “Shows take a lot of planning; I usually get the ferry across on Friday night to pick Vienna up from school ahead of a weekend of showing. Freddie got it right today; he was…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Royal Ascot, Ascot Racecourse, Berks AT some stage in the future, Royal Ascot 2021 will be remembered for the terrific horses which bestrode its stage; the milers Palace Pier (pictured winning, left), Poetic Flare and Alcohol Free; the middle-distance mares Love and, my favourite, Wonderful Tonight; the new kid on the staying block Subjectivist; and the sprinters Campanelle, Dragon Symbol, Oxted and Dream Of Dreams. But in the immediate aftermath, while we are still drying out from Friday’s deluge which meant the last two days were run in very testing conditions – heavy is for Cheltenham – it was the return of crowds to racing in some numbers for the first time in 15 months that was one of the main themes of the week. The limited window…

catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 South of England, Ardingly, West Sussex FOXHOUNDS THE bitch championship at Ardingly seemed like not only a run-off between a host of the most beautiful foxhounds in the south of England, but also the culmination of the first step towards normality. Hound show chairman Gary Lee and his wife Fee, who acts as show secretary, must have been thrilled to see all their hard work come to fruition. North Cotswold breeding was the principle influence in the show catalogue, a good example being Stormcloud 18. The white Thurlow brood bitch winner had bags of quality and looked a shoo-in for the champion rosette. Master of the Thurlow Robin Vestey was taking a keen interest in proceedings. Their pack has been revitalised by a North Cotswold draft brought by…

SUMMER has arrived and with it, warm air, blue skies and a happy amnesia about the harder months of the year. I am still obsessing about grass growth, but now I am worrying that the ponies are getting too much. Released from lugging haynets to brown, grass-less fields, I stare at the verdant growth and worry about the effect it has on ponies’ stomachs, necks and feet. Feeling hooves and crests for signs of laminitis is my new groove. The farm is humming with young life and the birds start singing at three in the morning – there are only about four hours of proper darkness this far north in high summer. On our weekly perambulations hacking around the farm, along with the calves and lambs, Jim and I have…