Innholdsfortegnelse for 14-Oct-2021 i Horse & Hound

HAVING Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), one of the biggest indoor horse shows in the UK, back in the calendar after a two-year break feels like a new milestone to be grateful for. We can talk, and producer Edward Young does in his comment this week (p15), about how HOYS isn’t the same as it was in the ’70s, when it featured heavily on one of three TV channels, but in today’s world it was good to have the show taking place at all for those of us who are still passionate about showing and showjumping. I spent time on the Horse & Hound tradestand during the week, talking to spectators whose annual jaunt to the NEC was interrupted and very much missed in 2020, like so many other…

ZAGREB Sally and Philip Ellicott’s 17-year-old is retiring from top-level eventing with Alex Bragg and will now campaign at junior level with Alex’s daughter Ellouise. Zagreb finished in the top five at five-star five times. UNOWHATIMEANHARRY The four-time Grade One-winning staying hurdler, owned by JP McManus and trained by Harry Fry, has retired. The 13-year-old won 14 of his 43 starts, including the Albert Bartlett Novices’ and the Long Walk hurdles. LOT 411 The Sea The Stars filly, out of an Exceed And Excel mare, topped Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book One. Consigned by Newsells Park Stud on behalf of breeders Robert and Ann Barnett, she sold for 1.5 million guineas.…

A NEW service gives riders a QR code that enables first responders to access their vital information in the event of an accident. The ICE-scan (in case of emergency) app and service, aimed at equestrians, cyclists and bikers, creates individualised stickers that can be fixed to helmets or equipment. It allows medical and personal information to be safely stored using technology familiar to emergency services, who can access the code. App founder Bryn Williams told H&H the idea came from the tradition of motorcyclists storing vital information on paper inside their helmets. “But the last thing you may want to do is take someone’s helmet off after an accident, so the app is introducing a modern twist to an old dilemma,” he said. ICE-scan charges a £24 annual subscription, which…

I WAS interested to read your news item (23 September) on calls to include horses in the new pet abduction law, which will make stealing a pet a specific offence, not one covered by general theft laws. Back in 1982, pre-mobile phones, internet, microchips and digital photos, I had two ponies taken from a field near Newmarket. Instilling into the local police that the ponies would be in meat cans by next day, and to call the British Horse Society to fi nd out where the equine markets and slaughterhouses were, they did so and faxed my printed photographs to Southwell police station, which was next to the only market that day. Luckily, the ponies were found and the thieves fined for handling goods they knew were stolen – we…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald I THINK Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) has regained its atmosphere. This is the show you grow up watching. I was lucky to watch John and Michael Whitaker, Tim Stockdale and Guy Williams here in the past; all the greats. It’s somewhere you aspire to be, in many disciplines, and it’s somewhere it is possible to get to, for so many riders. I’d ridden here on ponies but never really done that well, then I was national champion in 2019, which qualified me for HOYS, and I won the big class the first evening on Galway Bay Jed, whom I rode in this year’s grand prix. That was a feeling I’d never had before, and to come away with the purple winner’s rug was a huge bonus…

MOSSKNOWE HOUSE Gretna Green, Dumfries & Galloway For you: a magnificent Georgian mansion constructed in Dumfriesshire sandstone and completed in 1769. The house is surrounded by 40-plus acres of grounds, with sensational views to the Lake District and fishing rights on Kirtle Water. There are nine bedrooms, impressive reception rooms, plus a gun room and gymnasium. For the horses: two singlestorey wings feature an integral garage, two stables and a tack room. Plenty of paddocks, incorporating a field shelter with separate undercover area and stable, and a 20x40m Charles Britton arena. £2m Finest Properties, 01539 468400, finestproperties.co.uk BLENDWORTH FARMHOUSE Waterlooville, Hants For you: a beautiful Georgian farmhouse with guest cottages and wonderful southerly views towards the English Channel and Isle of Wight. The property has been restored and renovated, retaining…

THE combination of shock, joy and disbelief on the face of amateur home-producer Tina Billingsley was a delight to behold when she was called into second place in the Leeman maxi cob championship with her striking novice, The Grey Goose (Tubsy). Just to appear at HOYS had been a lifelong ambition for Tina, and she was quick to acknowledge the help and support she has had from friend and neighbour Ginny Oakley-Pope. “I’ve dreamt of riding in the International Arena at HOYS since I was about 10, but I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Ginny,” she said. “I did manage to qualify my home-produced heavyweight hunter back in 2006, but unfortunately he had an injury two weeks before the show and I also injured my leg badly too,…

YET again, this year’s Price Family in-hand supreme was hotly contested, but also – as has happened in recent years – ponies greatly outnumbered horses, prompting many ringsiders to question whether it might be time for a revamp of the structure of the qualification system. Awarding qualifiers to fewer shows, but offering two tickets – one to a horse and the other to a pony – is one idea currently being mooted in order to try to balance the numbers. However, this could adversely affect the number of entries at “nonqualifying” shows, which would then suffer financially. Another suggestion is to retain the same number of qualifying shows, but pre-assign either a horse or pony ticket to each one. TALKING POINT…

HORSES in a range of classes were sporting liquid titanium hoods – and they’ve been the talk of social media this year. Harriet Biddick said Night Of Glory OL, who is quiet at home and in the warm-up, changes in the ring. “She wears the hood from 7am on the day she jumps, and it really seems to help keep her calm,” she said. Guy Williams’ rides Mr Blue Sky UK and Cicero II (pictured) were also wearing them. “They’re both a bit nervous and ring-shy,” Guy said. “They seem to work. It’s not that they’re not brave, but they’re a bit flighty, and it’s really helpful.” Alice Watson’s Ikar K, third in the senior newcomers final, is “hot and sharp; nothing nasty but he gets a bit excited,” she…

“I COULDN’T fault them,” said Luke Baber-Davies of his three winners at Dressage At Belmoredean, West Sussex. Luke headed the medium 61 with Kerouac, who was making his debut at the level. The six-year-old gelding, Gavin James’ first home-bred foal, scored 73.45%. “Kerouac is divine, with loads of energy and the biggest canter,” said Luke. He then took the medium 73 qualifier with his “lockdown purchase”, Tom’s Diamond. “I was looking for a horse for a client when I saw Tom on video,” he explained. “He’s 18.1hh, so there’s a lot to keep together, but I love him. He’s unbelievable. You can go as slow or as fast as you like, but the rhythm stays the same.” The day was complete with a 70% inter I qualifier win with Carenzo…

Chestnut colt, foaled 1 April 1764 By Marske out of Spilletta, by Regulus Owner: William Wildman; subsequently Dennis O’Kelly Trainer: George Elton Breeder: William, Duke of Cumberland Jockey: John (Jack) Oakley Eclipse was by Marske, a stallion of little repute when he sired Eclipse, but who subsequently surfed Eclipse’s wave to become leading sire twice. In the preEclipse era, Marske’s stud fee was half a guinea; he was sold for a pittance to a Dorset farmer when the Duke of Cumberland’s horses were dispersed on the duke’s death in 1765. Eclipse’s dam, Spilletta, finished last of three on her sole racecourse outing but was by eight-time leading sire Regulus.…

Share your news story Call 01252 555021 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ EQUESTRIANS can no longer “stand on a castle and tell people to go away” but must engage with the public for our sport to survive. To keep its social licence to operate – public acceptance of involvement of horses in sport – equestrianism must keep horse welfare as its top priority, but also show this to the outside world. The latest tool to help this is an ethical framework for decision-making; developed by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) with World Horse Welfare. Charity CEO Roly Owers joined those involved in the framework at a workshop on 4 October. The idea was to help inform the second phase of the research, which “aims to help provide sporting disciplines with a…

HAVE YOUR SAY ON NEW REGISTER VIEWS on a register of practitioners offering equine-assisted therapy (EAT) and learning (news, 18 March) are being sought during October. Establishing the voluntary UK Human Equine Interaction Register (HEIR) is aimed at providing governance and credibility across the industry. Ed Bracher, RDA chief executive and chair of the HEIR steering group, said: “For some time, the sector has considered introducing minimum standards to promote best human and equine welfare, care and professional practice, and provide greater clarity and credibility of services and programmes. “The steering group has made good progress, but we need to hear the views of those who operate within this important field to make sure we get it right for everyone.” • Visit: surveyhero.com/c/HEIRUK by midnight on 31 October. THESIS AWARD…

AMAZINGNESS Hats off to Alice Oppenheimer, who ran the London Marathon then rode two horses in the Dressage Future Elite at HOYS four days later. We understand riding may have been less painful than walking, or doing her boots up, but we salute you, Madam. TUCKING IN One was tickled by the sign at the NEC during HOYS with a helpful arrow pointing to “Judge’s lunches”. Just how is that poor judge managing to do everything at the show, and how does he or she have time to eat lunch, let alone many? FOOTBALL Spotted on social media, a rider asking for help with a rather opinionated gelding’s undesirable behaviour. “I’m not a fan of Spurs,” she stated. Is Arsenal more your cup of tea? Or are you more a…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound UTTER HEARTACHE ANYONE who drives a horsebox and has read about eventer Nick Gauntlett’s horrific incident on the way to Blair Castle Horse Trials could not help but shudder. For Nick and British-based US rider Sophie Hulme to lose four horses is unthinkably overwhelming. Of course, one can be grateful there were no human fatalities, but all involved must learn to manage the scars remaining from such a tragedy. The outpouring of sympathy has been extremely gratifying and now we must transfer that into a tangible legacy to commemorate these wonderful creatures, who trust us implicitly when we share our aspirations with them. A group of us will endeavour to set up a…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 WHEN I can’t sleep, I fret about who wins and who doesn’t. The world is “happy” with multi-gold medallists Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB. But I preferred Charlotte Dujardin’s test to the second-placed combination (Cathrine Dufour on Bohemian) in the freestyle at the Europeans, who, to my mind, did not show quite the harmony the gold medal-winner gave us – the same harmony that Carl Hester has brought to today’s dressage scene. Carl Hester was wickedly undermarked in the special, yet softness and ease prevailed in his test. Across the competitive sphere, violent rider movements and obvious spurs have no place in the upper echelons. And how long before “behind the vertical” is routinely marked down? Force and “holding” hands that pull backwards won’t keep dressage…

SAFFIE OSBORNE has her eyes on the future. And that future is looking bright. The event rider turned Flat jockey is in demand. At the time of writing she has had the most rides of any apprentice since the start of the 2021 title race, her best month for winners on record and stands second in the apprentice jockeys championship. It would be easy to take those stats at face value, to mark her as a “one to watch” and carry on. To do that would be a disservice. Saffie’s first year on the track has been anything but plain sailing, with two falls resulting in serious injuries in the space of nine months, making those numbers even more remarkable. Our conversation comes a week before yet another frustrating blow,…

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jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Horse of the Year Show, NEC, Birmingham “SHE was due a big win,” said Harry Charles of the 11-year-old mare with whom he defeated all comers to take the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) grand prix. Harry and Stardust, a relatively new ride, jumped one of only two double clears in the leading showjumper of the year finale, coming home six seconds ahead of Ben Walker on Creevy Taylor. Harry has not long had the ride on the Chacco-Blue x Con Air 7 mare, but they made Kelvin Bywater’s technical track, over which only four of 25 starters jumped clear, look easy. “I’ve done a handful of grands prix on her, and come second in one, but now she’s won, which she deserved,” said Harry. Harry noted…

BILLY NIKON had never been to an indoor show before – but the seven-year-old turned not a hair as she and Lucy Townley cruised to win the Equitop GLME Foxhunter final. Seven of 25 got through the first, technical, round but the Billy Stud’s Plot Blue mare and Lucy kept their cool. They were last to go in the jump-off, by which time only Joseph Trunkfield and Idwerd had jumped clear. “A few weeks ago, William Funnell said, ‘When you go in the jump-off, don’t be protective to try to jump clear, go for it,’” Lucy said. “She rattled the second fence because I was a bit nervous and held her, and that mistake settled me. I thought I had to ride her properly and give her every chance to…

IT was a good show for Jason and Katrina Moore (pictured, right); the Essex yard came home with two HOYS pony titles. Both leading pony showjumper Elissa Herrman and 138cm champion Tilly Bamford keep their ponies there, travelling from Hampshire and Gloucestershire respectively to ride when they can. “We’re absolutely thrilled,” said showjumping coach Jason, father of Claudia Moore, who was on the gold medal-winning pony Europeans team in 2018. “This is Tilly’s first season in 138cms, so we thought if she could come in the top five or six, we’d be delighted, so this is fabulous.” TALKING POINT…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 Keysoe International, Beds THE growing strength of British dressage shone as established stars and new faces proved they are pushing the sporting bar ever higher. British-bred horses swept the board across the small and big tour senior classes, headed with a spectacular double by Lara Butler and Kristjan across the grand prix (71.26%) and special (72.96%). The pair were riding the crest of a wave of success, following their two top-10 placings and team podium finish at Aachen CDIO5* last month. “He’s 16 years old, but he really doesn’t feel it,” said Lara. “He’s like a fine wine – ageing well.” The London International Horse Show is next on the cards for the Bechtolsheimers’ Polarion home-bred. “He had a bit of downtime after Aachen and I picked him…

Aintree International EC, Merseyside CHARLOTTE LUTENER, who notched up a 70%-plus PSG qualifier win with her 11-year-old Blue Hors Zack mare Full Fusion BS, is making the most of her last year at young rider level. “We’ll be stepping up to under-25s over the next year or two,” said Charlotte, who was aiming for a good test-run ahead of her third international at Keysoe. “Although not always the easiest ride, ‘Florence’ is hardworking and we have a good bond. Building that partnership has really paid off; she’s my world.” After a jumping accident that landed her with a broken back, Ellie Barlow has been rebuilding her confidence. While her trainer Sarah Higgins had competed her 12-year-old gelding Elixer for two years, Ellie has returned to the saddle and headed the…

Brook Farm EC, Essex BEAT BOX took a step closer to PSG with two convincing advanced medium wins. “We just have a few things to tidy up at home, so hopefully I’ll be dusting down my tailcoat again soon,” said freelance trainer and British Dressage south and east coaching representative Tracy Wright, who trains with Char Lassetter and bought the nineyear-old Bretton Woods gelding from Germany as a four-year-old. “He’s a leggy horse and his changes are big, so I’m hoping we can fit them all in one line.”…

catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 AS a “newbie” octogenarian, one might think former East Kent huntsman Richard Blakeney was perfectly entitled to hang up his boots, put his feet up and enjoy life at a slightly more sedate pace. But then you would not know or understand this true hunting man, whose lifelong passion for hounds (both in a breeding and hunting sense) remains unabated and who celebrated his 80th birthday by hosting a lawn meet at his home in Stowting, Kent, with old and new friends from the past eight decades. Richard has always been a proud man of Kent. His father was headmaster at a prep school in Sidcup, as well as district commissioner of the local branch of the Pony Club, and this was where Richard, along with his brother…

RUMOURS of Eclipse’s prowess were rife ahead of his racing debut. He’d taken part in a trial at Epsom, where touts and bookmakers gathered to assess the colt, but the trial took place some time ahead of their arrival. All they found on the famous downs was an old woman who witnessed the event and described it thus: “...a horse with a white leg running away at a monstrous rate, and another horse a great way behind, trying to run after him; but I was sure he would never catch the white-legged horse if he ran to the world’s end.”…

SOMETIMES the hunting gods intervene and produce the best sport on the most unpromising mornings. We were near the sea on the arable land last Saturday. A small group of us were standing beside a large covert not far from the coast. Chat pinged back and forth about the unsuitability of the morning: the air was hot and still and we were being bitten alive by midges. In the covert all was quiet but every now and then a hound would emerge, tongue lolling. “I can’t see this improving,” I thought, scanning my watch. A few minutes later there was a cry, deep in the wood, followed by another and then another until it formed that solid band of noise that we all go mad for. Soon hounds were streaming…

Charlotte Dujardin won her fifth consecutive Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Dressage Future Elite title, with Imhotep. Charlotte, who has won the class on five different horses, was “thrilled”. Swiss Olympic team gold medal-winning showjumper Peder Fredricson, 49, became world number one for the first time in his career. Peder said he was “very grateful” to his team. Showman Allister Hood received the equestrian of the year award at HOYS. Allister, who took the HOYS supreme title in 2016 with Our Cashel Blue, retired at the Royal International. Jump jockey Robbie Power returned to the saddle with a win on the Henry de Bromhead-trained Gin On Lime on 3 October. Robbie had been sidelined since May after having back surgery. Olympian Harry Charles was crowned leading showjumper of the…

1) Name the first racehorse owned by The Queen with The Queen Mother. 2) Name the eight-legged Norse horse ridden by the god Odin. 3) Munich, 1972 – who’s the missing name? Mark Phillips, Richard Meade, Mary Gordon-Watson and _________? 4) Which rider holds the record for the number of medals won in equestrian sport? 5) What is the identifying feature called where the horse’s hair is growing in different directions? Answers from 7 October 1) A Musical Joke by Mozart 2) Altair, Antares, Aldebaran and Rigel 3) Archer 4) Buckbeak 5) 15.…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ THE build-up to this year’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) was probably the most stressful I’ve experienced; or I’ve just forgotten how much goes into it after having a year off. The darker nights, stress over flu vaccinations and having a lot more time to think in the runup all contributed to the worry. When we pulled into HOYS after not being there for two years, it really does remind you what a huge undertaking it is. It’s such a massive show and we must thank Sandy Anderson for putting it on; I can’t imagine there would be many people who would be willing to take HOYS on as a commercial enterprise. It also hit home how hard everyone works, including the security, stable and parking guys,…

I grew up in a large Regency house. Next door had a stable in which the greengrocer kept his cart and horse. I used to pop over the garden wall and sit with that horse in the straw while he munched hay. I got so absorbed; that’s where it started. I was posted to Malta in 1948 as a cartographer in the Army. My letters home needed illustration, so I bought a £2 box camera. My first racing picture was of my commanding officer Frank Weldon winning a race there. I was demobilised, and set up my photography business in 1953. My book, In the Shadow of Cleeve Hill, originally came about because I wanted my family to have something to keep when I’m gone. It took seven years; I…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ Horse of the Year Show, NEC, Birmingham ROBERT WALKER’S already-sensational season peaked when Jill Day’s uber-elegant View Point pulled out all the stops to land his first Supreme Products supreme horse title – a spot Rob last occupied in 2007 with the great riding horse Broadstone Doulton and the year before on Camilla Neame’s grand cob So Smart. Twelve worthy champions lined up for Connemara breeder and former racehorse trainer Henrietta Knight, accompanied by legendary jump jockey Richard Johnson. They were looking for an obedient, mannerly horse suitable for its job and able to extend; they said afterwards that they found this and more in their champion. “The hunter fitted the bill perfectly and also had fantastic movement,” said Henrietta, and Richard was in full agreement. “It is…

ABSOLUTELY CLASSIC (Connie; pictured, right) was crowned Roseberry Stud ridden part-bred pony of the year with her 14-year-old rider Amelia Lockhart. The seven-year-old British Riding Pony, by Whiteleaze Dominion out of Absolutely Glamourous, was bought by her owner Caron Scudamore from her breeders Vicki and John Keen. She was purchased for Caron’s daughter, Zara, who campaigned her during her novice season before she went to Kirsty and Amelia Lockhart. Amelia and Connie – who is in her first open season – won both of their HOYS tickets, in both the part-breds and 148cm show ponies, on the same day at Midland Counties. “When Zara went off to university Connie was going to be a field ornament,” said Caron. “We’d like to breed from her in the future so I rang…

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle Childeric Saddles Little Downham (3 & 4), Cambs DAVID DOEL monopolised the advanced section at the Fenland venue, finishing first, third and fifth on his three rides. David, 28, said his horses finished “roughly in the order expected”, with Patsy Mason’s experienced veteran Mr Hiho topping the bunch. He has followed the 17-year-old by San Remo since competing alongside him, then ridden by Emily King, in his junior days a decade ago. “I’m so chuffed, I’ve had Mr Hiho for five years and he can be inconsistent,” David said. “He’d been a bit too perky in the dressage lately and doesn’t always want to play ball, but he’s really talented.” His two five-star rides filled third and fifth, with Dunges Don Perignon mirroring his recent Wellington advanced third,…

AFTER a laminitis scare in June, Victoria Turner’s slimmed-down mare Rubiks Cube is back in action – winning the prelim 15 qualifier outright at Port Royal EEC, North Yorks. “She had none of the classic signs and never looked overweight, but it can be deceptive if a horse stores fat internally,” said Victoria, who helped 15.2hh “Ruby” lose 59kgs after a diagnosis of laminitis caused by underlying equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). “I brought her back into work in July and stuck to a plan, dropping her down a level for her first trip out. I hope to qualify her for the prelim gold regionals while I bring her back to where she was in the winter.” AGAINST THE ODDS…

martha.terry@futurenet.com @marthaowenorterry BRC TopSpec Dressage to Music Championships and BRC Quadrille, Bury Farm, Bucks JILL BRANSBY and Hardi Van Het Vijuerhof went home from the British Riding Clubs (BRC) TopSpec Dressage to Music Championships with a clutch of prizes after they triumphed in the senior prelim and finished second in the senior novice without points. “He’s a quirky ex-showjumper I bought as a blank project seven years ago,” said the Solihull RC member. “It has taken a long time for him to settle into dressage; it’s only been the past few weeks where we’ve really established a connection between the back end and the front so I’m amazed to have won.” Jill, who suffers from lupus, and the 14-year-old Belgian gelding performed their test to the same music from Hobson’s…

HAVE you played your part in helping to secure the future of trail-hunting on National Trust land? If not, you’ve got just a few more days to help defeat a proposal to ban this lawful activity from taking place on land managed by the institutional landowner. The Trust’s members have been invited to vote on a members’ resolution which proposes to ban trail-hunting, exempt hunting and hound exercise on Trust land. We are urging members to vote against this resolution, by either voting online or by returning the voting forms found in the Trust’s AGM booklet, before voting closes on 22 October. A number of hunts apply for licences to access Trust land each season and would consequently suffer a loss of important trail-hunting country if this access was denied…

OLYMPIC dressage rider Laura Tomlinson designed her own Gloucestershire equestrian facility based on the many yards she had visited. She also took on board feedback from her staff. “The best bit of advice I can give people when designing a yard is to be influenced by the people using the yard every day,” she says. “They know what works and what doesn’t and it’s all about making everything as time-saving and practical for them as possible. The horses benefit from the better atmosphere when everyone is happy and working efficiently.” Laura’s indoor school is attached to a barn housing her internal stables (pictured), grooming bays, feed and tack room, laundry room and clubhouse with two groom’s flats in the roof space. “There is a walkway from the stables to the…