Innholdsfortegnelse for 23-Dec-2021 i Horse & Hound

IN a week when West End shows were being forced to cancel, there would have been a fair few wondering if the London International Horse Show would have the chance to run to its conclusion – not to mention querying how much attendance would be affected by the ongoing pandemic. And yet, not only did it happen, with everyone turning up in their droves to watch and support their heroes, it was an absolute triumph in its new venue. I drove, and parking was ridiculously easy. But the Docklands Light Railway stop is right there, too, so any fears for those braving the opposite side of London from the show’s traditional home of Olympia should have been crushed early on. On arrival you’re hit with the vast choice of food…

DIAMOND HILL Alexander Harrison’s ride has died of colic aged 10. Alexander produced him from a three-year-old, riding at young rider and under-25 Europeans. They came third in the grand prix freestyle at Keysoe in October. LEVISTO Z The showjumping stallion, who scored top placings in grands prix worldwide with Belgium’s Judy Ann Melchior, has died aged 24. He retired in 2013, continuing to stand as a sire, and has progeny jumping at the highest level. SILVER STREAK The Grade One-winning hurdler, trained by Evan Williams, has died aged eight after sustaining a fatal injury in training. Les Fell’s gelding won eight times over hurdles, including the Grade One Christmas Hurdle in 2020.…

OWNERS need to better understand why horses perform behaviours such as crib-biting and weaving, research has highlighted. A dissertation, by University of Winchester animal welfare science, ethics and law student Stephanie Pluto, looked at abnormal repetitive equine behaviours such as box-walking, weaving, crib-biting and windsucking. Five participants, equine and animal researchers and professors answered three questionnaires on these behaviours, including owners’ understanding of why they are performed, whether horses experience obsessive thoughts comparable to humans and whether diagnosing these behaviours as a “manifestation of obsessive compulsive and related disorders” would be helpful to gain a more “sympathetic” understanding from owners. “These are coping mechanisms”GEMMA PEARSON The participants discussed the fact that although it is “possible” horses experience obsessive thoughts and there are “similarities between human and equine obsessions due to…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound OUR MIGHTY RED OUR daughter, Niamh, got her first pony during lockdown 2020 when she was just 2½ years old – a 27-year-old Shilstone Rocks Dartmoor called Red (Red Wind II), who has been a saint. She has been a calm nanny to Niamh and shown her the ropes, happily and patiently wandering around the countryside until we find the perfect spot for elevenses or picnics and now little local shows. Red has seen several families of children through this first stage and all have gone on to become cracking little jockeys. These golden oldies give so much back, while asking for little in return. They are to be cherished and offer so much…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 THE future looks bright for our youth teams, with a new influx of horsepower competing at Keysoe High Profile show earlier this month. It’s good to see some former grand prix horses being passed to younger riders, such as Headmore Delegate with Charlotte Hill, Extra Time with Ruby Hughes and Rosalie B with Sarah Wallace. All these horses can help strengthen our arsenal ahead of a home youth European Championships at Hartpury next year. The general consensus is that the best way to learn is with a schoolmaster, but for those aspiring to be senior professionals it is essential to ride all sorts of different horses. “Training a horse oneself can give an advantage” Mette Dahl, 15, is still in ponies, but showed great versatility in piloting the…

The Whole Earth Man V Horse pits horses and riders against runners in a 22-mile race across the Welsh countryside. I’ve completed it nine times, most recently finishing fifth horse and ninth overall with my horse Bel, my best result to date. It’s my all-time favourite event, it’s completely bonkers but I adore it. It’s my dream to make it on to the podium one day. The race has become really popular over recent years. Now there are around 70 horses and 600 runners. The terrain is challenging which gives runners the chance to win against a horse but it’s only happened twice since the race started in 1980. Prize money is only for the runners and it increases by £500 each year until a runner wins. The current prize-pot…

NEW 10-PART TRAINING SERIES “A KNIFE and fork are useful for eating, but put them in an ape’s hands, and they can be dangerous,” points out dressage legend Kyra Kyrklund as she discusses the double bridle. Caroline Moore, FBHS and British Eventing youth performance coach, shares Kyra’s concern: “It’s an effective tool in the right hands, but it’s often seen in the wrong hands. If the curb rein is used too abruptly and with too sharp an action, it can seriously bruise the horse’s jaw and cause all sorts of back issues from the horse hollowing away from the action.” Both experts warn against using the double bridle for the wrong reasons. Caroline says: “In the eventing world, people sometimes go to the double bridle when they feel the horse…

catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 Wexford, Newbawn, Co Wexford “WEXFORD is a real paradise for those foxhunters who want the blood and bones of the thing, those bred to love sport rather than follow fashion,” wrote the late novelist Molly Keane in the 1930s. Mrs Keane knew the country in the days before wire and modern intensive farming, but her words remain as true today as they did 90 years ago. It is a gently undulating country with wild little coverts lying in the shallow valleys, and fields divided by huge, overgrown double banks, a country that has drawn sportsmen since Colonel Pigott of Slevoy Castle hunted his own hounds here in the 1780s. Johnny Howard hunts the Wexford hounds, as well as the neighbouring Bree Foxhounds, having taken over both roles from…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald LONGINES FEI WORLD CUP QUALIFIER 1ST HARRY CHARLES (GBR) on Stardust 2ND HARRIE SMOLDERS (NED) on Monaco 3RD JOHN WHITAKER (GBR) on Unick Du Francport Winning owners: Princess Haya and Peter Charles Breeder: Gestūt Lewitz (Germany) Groom: Georgia Elwood London International Horse Show, ExCeL London HARRY CHARLES took the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier in a thrilling jump-off in which the age range of the riders was a whopping 46 years, with old and young alike giving it their all to try to win this prestigious class. It was a fitting showcase for a superb week of sport in the new home for “Olympia” – and one that felt miraculous in happening at all as Britain teetered on the edge of the Omicron precipice in the build-up to…

JODIE HALL MCATEER repeated her win from two years ago in the Voltaire Design under-25 championship. Riding Mademoiselle-A (pictured), the 21-year-old was the dominant force from the off, winning the morning’s qualifier and then starting last in the jump-off after the fastest first-round clear. “I’ve been based in the Netherlands all year training with the Schröder brothers,” said Jodie, who is a member of the Switzerlandbased young riders’ academy. “They’ve been an unbelievable help to me, but they couldn’t be here today so Scott Brash stepped in and I’m grateful to him.” The two-stride double of verticals at fence seven accounted for almost half the first-round faults and only Jodie and Joe Stockdale started the jump-off on a clean sheet. They were joined in the final showdown by the three…

JACK WHITAKER joined the ranks of his family members who have won at this show when he took the Longines Christmas cracker on Saturday evening. “It’s a very big deal for me and difficult to put into words – I’ve been coming to Olympia ever since I was born,” said the 20-year-old. This was Jack’s debut in the five-star classes, although he has competed in the pony division and young rider class. Half the 20 starters jumped clear, so the early jump-off riders calculated a fast clear would be needed to win. But speed came at the expense of poles down and there was no clear before fifth-drawn Jack, riding his father Michael’s Valmy De La Lande. His 41.48sec left an opportunity open for a faster challenger, but three of…

GREEK rider Theodora Livanos was the first competitor into the arena at the ExCeL, but had an extra hurdle to cross when her noseband broke during her warm-up with Dono Di Maggio OLD (pictured). This was Theodora’s first international test on Dono since November 2019. The 20-year-old, a student studying art history at Columbia University in the USA, bought the horse after he was a world team bronze medallist in 2018 with Emile Faurie. Dono is still based with the British rider, who took the national championship title on him earlier this year. “Emile keeps Dono going wonderfully and I fly back and forth,” said Theodora, who was diagnosed with osteomyelitis (a bone infection) in her leg in February 2020, undergoing major surgery and months of rehabilitation. Singapore’s Caroline Chew…

RIDE judge Natalie Middlemas awarded her highest show mark of 48 to the eventual reserve Salcombe Starehole Bay. “The rider came out to impress us,” said Natalie. “She used the ring and showed off the pony’s paces; a lot of riders seemed to want to get their show over and done with as quickly as possible. The rider of the Dales pony also came out and went for it, and the Welsh section C went beautifully, too. “A few riders could have improved their shows by taking more risks. This isn’t a normal occasion so you shouldn’t play it safe. A lot of performances also contained too much canter work and I wanted to see more trot from these native ponies. “There were several young ponies in the line-up, too,…

TRACEY MAY’S eight-yearold gelding QT followed a 74% win in a competitive novice class at Fairoak Grange EC, Berkshire, with a 71.5% elementary victory, giving her hope after an “annus horribilis”. “I’ve gone from being in the biggest mess to trying to find a new way forward,” said Tracey, who suffered a year of personal problems. “QT is honest and faithful. My trainer Damian Hallam has kept me going and puts a smile on my face by the end of every lesson.” “He’s a poppet, who’s been waiting for his time”TRACEY MAY ABOUT QT Tracey bought the Quotenkonig son five years ago, when she was keen not to be known as a “one-hit wonder” with a Gelderlander she was competing. “QT has been on the back-burner, waiting for his time,…

HAVING endured three bits of bad luck – two syndicate horses breaking down and a 300-year-old tree in his garden blowing down in Storm Barra – owner Mark Ansell had a change in fortune at Haydock on Saturday when the Richard Newland-trained Enqarde (pictured, number 12) won the Virgin Bet Tommy Whittle Chase by 10 lengths. Ansell, grandson of Colonel Sir Mike Ansell who was blinded by friendly fire in the retreat to Dunkirk – but was credited with revitalising showjumping after the war – was at university with Newland. When the trainer won the Grand National with Pineau De Re, they hooked up again. “We used to go to Cheltenham together from Cambridge and when he won the National, I said if he’d ever allow me to have a…

“Father Christmas is not known for driving a Fiat Punto, but I’m pretty certain it was him” ARE you one of those people who hates the taste of turkey? Cringes at the word Santa? From the moment those old Christmas favourites start jangling on the radio, I am full of mixed feelings about the festive season. It’s the same with the Christmassy music. We all have our favourites and ones we love to loathe. Are you a Chris Rea fan crooning along to Driving Home for Christmas or do you enjoy a good screech to Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You? I never get bored of Wham’s Last Christmas or the sexy, rasping voices in the Pogues’ classic, Fairytale of New York. Noddy Holder makes me want…

Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 01252 555021 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @jones_eleanor_ ORGANISERS of the London International Horse Show say they are “delighted” with how the show ran at its new home, which was praised by riders and spectators. The show was held at the ExCeL centre, London, for the first time, having had to move from Olympia owing to redevelopment work. “Having run the London International Horse Show at Olympia for the past 49 years, it was with some trepidation that we made the move to ExCeL,” show director Simon Brooks-Ward told H&H. “The team has worked extremely hard to make the show work in these halls and while we knew that the experience for the competitors would be much improved because of the space and facilities…

Dressage legend Carl Hester won the British Equestrian Writers Association lifetime achievement award, while Olympic star Ben Maher won the outstanding achievement award. Grand Nationalwinning jockey Rachael Blackmore was crowned world sport star of the year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. Rachael said winning was “unbelievable”. Champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy has handed in his licence to focus on rehab. He will face charges on allegedly breaking Covid rules in 2020, and two on positive alcohol tests, next year. Showjumper Robert Murphy, 21, received the Ella Popely award at the London International. Set up in memory of young rider Ella, the award offers mentorship from a top rider, this year Peter Charles. Trainer David Elsworth, 82, has called time on his stellar career. The trainer of…

A RIDER who is receiving palliative care for cancer has been honoured by the Side Saddle Association. Aberdeenshire-based Joanna Hare, 62, was awarded an ambassador certificate in recognition of her “determination, willpower, encouragement, and inspiration to side-saddle riders”. Joanna, who was told in 2019 she had three to eight weeks to live as it was found her breast cancer had spread to her brain, has been working through a “bucket list” with her gelding Freddy and friend Fiona Mackinnon. This year Joanna and Freddy competed side-saddle at the Caledonian Showing Championships. Side Saddle Association president Jane Pryor told H&H Joanna is “an inspiration to us all”.…

1) Silver Piece won consecutive Olympic gold medals with the same rider. Who is the only other horse to have done so? 2) Which sport are cloned horses not allowed to compete in? 3) Name the horses who were Charlotte Dujardin’s two national dressage champions. 4) How many wins did Princess Anne have on the Flat in Britain? 5) What is the name of The Queen’s first pony? Answers from 16 December 1) Golden Miller, 1934 2) He went to live with the Dettoris 3) 1978 4) Fum 5) Khadijah Mellah.…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ WHAT a show season it’s been and, like many, I’m enjoying a well-earned break from the show ring after a manic term both in and out of the saddle. It was wonderful to be back at the most anticipated shows, including the Royal International (RIHS), where I was on the ground reporting, and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), held in October. As well as watching the famous faces deservingly lift some of the highest titles at HOYS, it was refreshing to see some new stars, including a few homeproducers, have their moments in the spotlight. All credit to Grandstand Media who ran a slick, entertaining and memorable event and put on a fantastic showcase for all our horses, ponies and hard-working riders. I was lucky enough to…

CARRS FARM Wolsingham, Co Durham For you: this is an attractive stone-built three-bed farmhouse with 21-bed bunkhouse and over 100 acres of land in glorious North Pennines countryside. The property benefits from a number of eco-features including a wind turbine, solar panels and borehole water supply and water purification system. There is a mix of wildflower meadows, grassland and woodland. For the horses: outstanding equestrian potential with six stables, outbuildings and plenty of space for a manège. There is direct access from the farm to bridleways. A rainwater harvesting system provides water for the livestock. OIEO £1m Finest Properties, 01434 622234, finestproperties.co.uk COLLINGE FARM Backford, Cheshire For you: a traditional seven-bed farmhouse dating from 1847. There is a conservatory with impressive views over the garden and open countryside. For the…

ON this day in 1888, Vincent Van Gogh chopped off his own ear. The man and his artwork were unfortunately only posthumously celebrated and thus the act passed with very little incident. In fact, the lug-lopping was merely a precursor to his eventual suicide two years later. Having begun this column about as pretentiously as possible, I’ll continue. As anyone vaguely interested in art history will attest, Van Gogh set high standards and worked himself into the ground. While drinking heavily he lived a lonely sort of life, suffering the inner turmoil of an unrecognised genius. His sadness, and longing for attention, must have been gargantuan. Why else would someone inflict so much pain on themselves? Particularly days before what is internationally recognised as one of the happiest events in…

THIS London Christmas show moved to ExCeL (pictured, left) for the first time this year as its usual home at Olympia is undergoing redevelopment. There was some scepticism as the old venue is much-loved – so much so the show has always been known simply as Olympia – but the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, helped by the brilliant crowds. “They’ve improved the facilities, but kept the atmosphere,” said Austrian rider Max Kühner. The show organisers were able to take advantage of more space at ExCeL, particularly in the warm-up and backstage areas, but kept the feel of Olympia wherever possible. Dressage winner Charlotte Dujardin said: “I’m not going to lie – it’s not the same because I think there’s nothing like that grand hall, the roof and everything being so…

WORLD CUP shows tend to be known by the city they are in, but the London International Horse Show has always been known as Olympia, as that venue is just so iconic. So when it had to move to the ExCeL centre through circumstance, we had no idea what to expect. I didn’t even know where the ExCeL was. But what we learnt was that it is as much the team that run the show that create the magic it is known for, as the venue. The organisers did an amazing job and deserve all the praise they get. With such a large venue, it could have had a rather sterile feel, or seem just like any other World Cup show, but it didn’t – it had a wonderful London…

Solihull EC, West Midlands DANTE VX wrapped up his year with an “ace” inter I qualifier, by Michael Eilberg’s reckoning – an opinion that was reflected in a winning score of nearly 75%. Ferdi and Geri Eilberg are well accustomed to hearing their son rave about the 18hh gelding. “Mum and Dad keep making fun of how much I love this horse,” admitted Michael. “You always find pros and cons – some horses are talented for extension and some for collection, while others are in the middle and a bit average at everything. But Dante can go from one end of the scale to the other. “Add to this mechanic his energy; he feels amazing in his engine,” he added. “And again, his attitude – he’s always trying. The only…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @ jen_donald Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire BY rights, Champ should be having a second crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, but it is very possible he could turn up there a day earlier for the Stayers Hurdle after he won the Howden Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday. The race was billed as a “confidence booster” before going back chasing but it is funny how these things work out and, of course, it is not like we haven’t been here before; the most successful staying hurdler of the past two decades, Big Buck’s, only switched back to hurdles after fluffing the last and unseating his jockey in the Hennessy Gold Cup. Two seasons ago, Champ won the RSA Chase and looked a chaser of immense promise, but…

HORSE SPORT ON OLYMPICS LIST EQUESTRIAN sport is proposed for inclusion at the 2028 Olympics – but there are new hoops for disciplines to jump through to secure their places at the Games. Although horse sport is likely to be included, there are no guarantees on individual disciplines for any of the 28 sports on the list. The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) discipline review features six areas, in line with Olympic Agenda 2020+5 recommendations. These include cost, uniqueness, universality, gender equality and relevance for young people, and environmental sustainability. FEI president Ingmar De Vos said he is “confident” equestrian sport has its place at Los Angeles 2028. “The collective future of equestrian sport depends on our position in the Olympic movement,” he added. “The endorsement from the IOC following the…

▲ MASKS To the Show Formerly Known as Olympia (SFKAO), where, as was the case at HOYS, a number of horses were sporting titanium facewear. “I thought masks were just for humans,” quipped a wag. “Do the horses have to sanitise their hoofs too?” ▲ TRANSLATION There’s often entertainment from the translations voice-transcribing software comes up with from riders. At the SFKAO, the app decided one dressage rider had said “she does all the gory stuff”. That’s actually all the grand prix stuff, fact fans. Phew. ▲ LEGENDS Lastly from the Show That is Not Called Olympia, a demo of why John Whitaker is just the best. Winning a CSI5* on a borrowed horse and third in the World Cup, after which he joked: “I think I just need more…

LAST year, with my part-bred thoroughbred retired and with me in my sixties, I wondered if I should look for a new horse. Despite having ridden since childhood, I’ve never been a brave rider and the thought of taking on a new horse was daunting. And while I love thoroughbreds, I was nervous of forging a new partnership with this type of ride. Therefore, I decided my criteria were small, safe and not green and in July 2020, my 10-year-old, 14.1hh gypsy cob Holly arrived, untried, from Ireland. She was described as “very forward going but she won’t buck or rear”. And while we’ve had a few minor disagreements, I enjoy every single minute I’m in the saddle. Holly is a joy and my confidence is at an all-time high.…

“I’M ready to give everything for Great Britain,” declares Sameh El Dahan, with an energy and positivity that exudes from this utterly charming rider. “These are new beginnings, a new adventure, and I’m ready for the next challenges.” You’d be forgiven for not recognising Sameh’s name from British squads, and that’s because until just a few months ago the 36-year-old was flying the flag for his native Egypt. He helped his country achieve Olympic qualification for the first time in 60 years – one of his proudest moments, he says – and he’s jumped at two World Championships. He was propelled into the spotlight when winning the Rolex Grand Slam at Spruce Meadows in 2018 and qualified for this year’s Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix. But a dispute…

“KIRSTY and Ellie are new to the yard this year and early in the season we set out to plan for 2022. We had initially intended to buy a three-year-old, but after hearing that Eddie was on the market, me and Kirsty agreed that he looked like a really nice pony for Ellie to step up to the 148cm class. “This year has been about establishing Ellie and Eddie as a combination and they’ve kept building each time out. They really came together at the BSPS summer championships and it was here that we really caught a glimpse of what was possible. They clicked and it was lovely to watch. “For me, Eddie is a true 148cm with pony characteristics, quality and limb. He’s very correct and is so pleasing…

Olympic fever The summer seems a long time ago now, but we were gripped by the action at the time. How much do you remember about Tokyo? 1 In which year did Lottie Fry’s mother Laura ride on an Olympic team? 2 Who is the only member of the silver medal-winning Australian eventing team based in Australia? 3 Which two teams jumped off for the showjumping team gold medal? 4 How many horses on the British Paralympic squad made their senior championship debut at Tokyo? 5 Only one of the 18 horses who competed in the Olympic freestyle was not a warmblood. Who was it? 6 We all remember who won the individual medals, but who finished fourth in the eventing? 7 Who was the oldest rider on the British…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 London International Horse Show CDI-W, ExCeL London SOME think of dressage as the staid relation in the horseworld. But that was far from the truth last Friday night as riders battled it out in the freestyle that forms the London leg of the World Cup, in a class supported by Horse & Hound. We might have missed the beautiful curved ceiling of Olympia’s Grand Hall this year, but the packed crowd did all they could to raise the roof of the ExCeL, the well-received new venue for this Christmas show. Britain’s heroine, Charlotte Dujardin, was the spectators’ darling, winning here for the fifth time. She took the competition reins once again on Gio – her Olympic and European medallist, who has been sold to the Pidgley family for…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ BSPS LeMieux supreme Heritage M&M ridden championship, London International Horse Show, ExCeL London LIKE a fine wine, Lynn Scott’s Welsh section C stallion Lynuck The Showman proved he has only improved with age, as he lifted the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) LeMieux supreme Heritage mountain and moorland (M&M) ridden championship on his fifth appearance. Ridden by his usual partner Rebecca Penny, “Peanut” – best Welsh section C for the fifth time – impressed ride judges Pat Pattinson and Natalie Middlemas to win solid, but not leading, show scores of 44 and 41, putting him into fourth position after the performance section. It was the stellar type and conformation points of 48 and 45 awarded by judges James Munro and Vanessa Clarke respectively that put Peanut and “Becki”…