Innholdsfortegnelse for 31-Mar-2022 i Horse & Hound

WHAT a treat to be asked to guest edit Horse & Hound, the magazine that has been on the kitchen table every Thursday throughout our childhoods and now in our home. It has been a chance to reflect on the amazing horses that have taken us to extraordinary places, supported by brilliant people. For our passion to become our job and business is the luckiest thing for us. It was important to include Jackie Potts (p22) as she has been our secret weapon; her dedication to the horses makes everything possible. Every yard has great staff, but to have had the constant management skills of Jackie for nearly 30 years is not normal! Having the chance to work with an athlete like Kazuma Tomoto made for an obvious H&H interview…

ARCHIE BURSARY SUPPORTS RIDERS A FOUNDATION set up in memory of a young rider aims to help others achieve their dreams. The Archie & Manni Bursary will support young riders, who will have training with William Fox-Pitt, Sam Griffiths and Sarah Bullen, as well as the air ambulance. Archie Lowe, a promising rider, died in a rotational fall in September 2020, aged 21. Friends persuaded his mother Patty to publish a cookbook of the recipes she had created and Archie photographed. Money raised from A Dorset Kitchen will go to the foundation. “I think Archie would be thrilled by this,” Patty said. • Visit: adk.zaura.com SIR MARK TODD CASE ADJOURNED SIR MARK TODD’S British Horseracing Authority (BHA) hearing has been adjourned. The BHA’s independent disciplinary panel met on 24 March…

TRUTH A rider looking for a new job has had interviews, but become stuck on one question. “Whenever they ask, ‘Why should we hire you?’ all I can think of is, ‘Because I need to support my horse’s lifestyle’,” she grimaced. Can’t think of many better reasons, tbh. JUMPING A dressage rider who made a foray over jumps showed round a nice photo when safely back on terra firma. “You both look happy,” said a pal, to which she replied: “I was – after the final fence!” MUMS A belated happy Mothering Sunday to all those who spent it driving trailers, putting up warm-up fences and reading dressage tests. A day in the fresh air, cheesy chips and time with your children – what more could one want? (A large…

MANY years ago I completed my riding and road safety badge with the Pony Club. Part of the instruction was to teach young riders how to thank other road users for their courtesy (a raised hand if able, a big smile and a thank you). I taught this to my daughter. When at school she took her cycling proficiency, she automatically used this technique while cycling. The cycling tutor was most surprised but thought it was an excellent idea that all the students should do. I must admit I was surprised it wasn’t already something taught. Perhaps if we teach simple manners to all of our young road users they will become better educated adults. Yes, cars should slow down past horses, but people are much more respectful of you…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald WE witnessed records broken on all days at the recent Cheltenham Festival, and it was an amazing four days featuring everything you could wish to see on a racecourse. The hype for the meeting was as strong as ever. The fact that we raced behind closed doors last year resulted in record attendances this year, especially on day one to see Constitution Hill set himself up as probably the best novice hurdler seen for some years. We all had the chance to buy him last year when he appeared at the rerouted Cheltenham Tattersalls sales at Newmarket. In hindsight, he was staggeringly good value at £120,000. After last year’s Irish dominance, the UK trainers really did hope to hold their end up. On day one, Nicky Henderson had…

HEWLETTS FARM Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton, Dorset For you: an eight-bed Victorian farmhouse in the Blackmore Vale, with an annexe, a detached three-bed bungalow (with agricultural restriction). Situated in a peaceful and private location in north Dorset, surrounded by gently undulating, ring-fenced farmland. For the horses: last used as a dairy farm in 2015, there are modern farm buildings and a range of traditional buildings arranged in a courtyard. The latter would lend themselves to a good range of stabling, and there are currently three boxes. Pasture totals about 47 acres. £2.45m Greenslade Taylor Hunt, 01935 423474, gth.net MELBURYVALE FARM Melbury Abbas, Dorset For you: a three-bed house with attached annexe, set in a peaceful rural location. The farm has been developed into a tourism and leisure business – including holiday…

“I WAS once asked by Horse & Hound what my secret weapon was, and I said, ‘my mum’, as everything is always possible in her eyes and she gave me so many opportunities as a result. It was great to be able to give her a tiny bit of credit for the huge amount she has done for me. “I don’t go eventing very much with so much going on with family and work; our groom Jackie Potts has always been William’s backbone in the business. When I do go, I am so blown away by how much people do for their riders and how their role is often overlooked. “It has been so much fun to at least scratch the surface on some of the amazing people who have…

Moreton (1), Dorset WHEN the BE90 section H winner, Boby, suddenly began struggling to make the time across country last summer, alarm bells rang for his owner-rider, Sheila Williams. “He never showed any external signs of breathing difficulties – no coughing or wheezing – but he wasn’t comfortable going at a fast pace, so I had him scoped to find out what was going on,” revealed Sheila of the 11-year-old part-Welsh cob gelding known as Harley, who was bought as a lockdown project two years ago but has since become a permanent fixture in her Bridgwater yard. Harley was diagnosed with asthma, a condition that has to be carefully managed through the daily use of a nebuliser mask which dispenses liquid steroids. “He has to wear the mask for 20…

A 17-YEAR-OLD gelding led a six-strong jump-off to clinch the NAF Five Star winter bronze league championship. Shannon Wilson made use of her own Casallasca’s athleticism and scope to jump the final round in a time of 34.36sec, winning by over five seconds. Shannon was given “Larry” nine years ago after his previous owner was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Larry is based at Trentvalley Equestrian Centre where Shannon works full-time. “He’s a riding-school horse during the week and a jumping horse at the weekends,” said Shannon, who made a four-and-a-half hour journey to compete at Northcote for the first time. Larry came from Michael Whitaker’s yard where it was decided he wasn’t going to make the necessary grade. “He was a bit of a write-off,” Shannon continued. “He had…

AFTER a quiet 18 months at home, Kadanz II (pictured) has been back out in the spotlight this spring. The seven-year-old Grenoble mare scored a novice gold double with Jess Davies at West Wilts EC, Wilts, twice cruising into the plus-75% zone. “I ride for other people, so she has always had the back seat,” said Jess, who campaigned eight horses last year. “She was very successful, although lightly competed, as a four-year-old, then had time off due to Covid and some slight bone bruising in the front feet. I’ll be focusing on her this year.” After buying “Berry” from Europe as a three-year-old, on the strength of a video, Jess was shocked to see the youngster come down the lorry ramp on arrival. “She was skin and bone, covered…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Dubai World Cup, Meydan Racecourse, UAE ON a night that was dominated by Japan, Frankie Dettori and Country Grammer were the winners of the 2022 Dubai World Cup, held at a buzzing Meydan Racecourse. After a couple of unusual years – 2020 was cancelled while 2021 was held behind closed doors – the massive Dubai racecourse was once again flooded with racing fans dressed to the nines and ready to cheer home some winners. Worth a cool $12m (£9.1m), the Dubai World Cup is one of the most hotly anticipated dirt races on the calendar and it was the Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer – runner-up in the Saudi Cup recently – who claimed the richest race of the night under a slick ride from Frankie Dettori. US trainer…

Share your news story Call 01252 555021 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @jones_eleanor_ MORE Brexit-related changes will come into effect in the coming weeks and months that are likely to have an impact on equestrians transporting horses between Britain and EU nations. The most significant upcoming change will be the opening of a border control post (BCP) where import checks on horses travelling to Britain from the EU will be carried out. The deadline for this has been pushed back several times, and is now set to come into force on 1 July 2022. A Defra spokesman told H&H that no additional restrictions are being placed on equine imports, and that importers will still be free to enter via any port – as is the case at present. She added that the Sevington…

PARKLANE HAWK The former racehorse who won Burghley 2011 and the 2012 Kentucky Three-Day Event with William Fox-Pitt has died aged 22. Owned by Catherine Witt, he raced from the age of two to seven, coming to Britain in 2010. TWENTYTWO DES BICHES The 15-year-old mare is recovering after breaking a bone in her foreleg during the CSI5* Paris grand prix (20 March). Twenty was a member of the Swiss squad at the Tokyo Olympics with Bryan Balsiger. FRH BUTTS ABRAXXAS The Heraldik son, who won eventing team gold at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and 2011 Europeans with Ingrid Klimke, has died aged 25. He competed at all six senior championships between 2007 and 2012.…

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle MUNSTEAD last Sunday marked my first BE90 of the year, in the sun on perfect ground. As it’s a local event, I walked the course on Saturday and there was no obvious reason to go wrong, so I wondered what I’d missed when I saw eliminations for errors of course on the scores, mostly at fence six. This consisted of a step up to an arrowhead, with an alternative at element b, so I can only assume riders jumped the alternative in addition to the straight route rather than instead of it. The other errors, I suspect, were competitors jumping the BE80 or BE100 fences alongside ours. The dressage and showjumping both ran very late. There are numerous reasons this can happen, some of them no one’s fault.…

KAZUMA TOMOTO’S rapid rise up the eventing ranks has not always been smooth, despite the ice-cool performance that secured fourth place at last summer’s Olympics. Midway through Kazu’s ambitious four-year plan to be selected for Tokyo 2020, he was competing at Saumur. After the dressage, the steward checking his horse Brookpark Vikenti’s bonnet managed to remove the bridle. “Kazu warned the steward that the horse was really head-shy, and he freaked out, pulling off his bridle and bolting with just the reins round his neck,” says Alice Fox-Pitt, who had phoned their shared groom Jackie Potts hoping for a happy update on the test while the ordeal was playing out. “He jumped over a whole Jaguar from boot to bonnet and hurtled through the trees into the forest. Eventually Kazu,…

“MY owners Sue and Janette are close to Rachel Wakefield of Uptown Eventing and she came up with a couple of horses when we were looking for Banzai. We loved everything about him when we saw the photos and videos. “He was owned by his breeder Pierre Gouye and ridden by Axel Coutte. We went out to France to try him. He was quite raw looking, but we could tell by his stamp that he was special. “When I was riding him, I could see all over Janette’s face that she was making the hearts for eyes emoji! When I jumped him, he had an amazing stride and jump and was so balanced. He felt like an unbelievable canvas to build on. “He has a strange character – he’s quite…

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“I REALLY enjoyed the series H&H did when for instance a jockey rode an eventer – Timmy Murphy rode my European team gold medallist Moon Man – so I wanted to commission this piece because I feel there is so much to be gained from sharing ideas between the disciplines. “We tend to work in our bubbles, but from a commercial perspective it would be great to have more crossover within our training. For instance National Hunt trainer Henry de Bromhead has dressage riders schooling his horses on the flat – I think all racehorses would benefit from going in a nice balance and self-carriage. “It gives riders and trainers another angle, a different attitude, rather than just training within our own systems.”…

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle Cirencester Park (1), Glos GRETA MASON’s advanced intermediate (AI) win on Cooley For Sure was a landmark for the pair: the 15-year-old horse’s first-ever British Eventing victory, his 24-year-old rider’s highest-level success to date – and their seasonal debut. Only Olympic gold and silver medallists Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser scored better in the dressage, with 22.3 to Greta’s 27.2, and, when Tom withdrew after both pairs had showjumped clear, Greta went to the cross-country in the lead. A faultless performance in that phase meant she took the class, with Austin O’Connor and his Tokyo ride Colorado Blue 2.3 penalties behind in second. “He’s the boldest horse I have ever ridden – he loves it”GRETA MASON ON COOLEY FOR SURE “He’s the boldest horse I have ever…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo UK Ponies and Horses (UKPH) Spring Classic, Onley Grounds EC, Warks SIZABLE classes full of hungry competitors itching to get back into the ring culminated in a dazzling supreme, where the lead-rein icon Thistledown Van-Der-Vaart (Charles) took top honours with Penny Richardson, aged six. Supreme judges Anthony Evans and Clare Dew were instantly drawn to the Welsh section A gelding, who has ruled the mini circuit for several years. “He smiled with his ears pricked the whole time,” said Clare. “He stood like a rock and behaved impeccably.” Charles, now 13, is being produced from the Richardson’s home for the first time this year, and has recently forayed into first riddens with Penny’s sister, Lilly, aged nine. The pair stood novice mini champions at Mid-Wales show on their…

THE first HOYS ticket of the new showing season went to a home-produced five-year-old gelding and his delighted owner, who will be making her own debut at the world’s most famous horse show after spectating for the first time in 2021. Property valuer Hollie Butterworth was in the saddle of her own and her farrier husband Michael Butterworth’s Acle Direction (Adie, pictured) whom they’ve owned for less than a year. “We had Adie’s sire, Leverton Leon, for some time, but we eventually retired him from riding due to soundness issues,” said Hollie. Adie was bred by Brian Banham, who enjoyed his own success at the National Shire Horse show with Adie’s half-brother Cotebrook Arkle, who was crowned in-hand stallion champion and booked his ticket in the Shire horse of the…

FRESH from her elementary gold winter regionals triumph at Myerscough College last month, Indianna continues to notch up the wins. Vikki Pengilly’s Florencio mare headed the medium 73 at Stretcholt Farm, Somerset, with 72.94%, before taking the advanced medium 92 on her debut at the level with almost as much again. “She’s out of a Krack C mare and can be sharp, but that sharpness is working in my favour as the work gets harder,” said Vikki, who found Indianna, now eight, though her former boss Sandra Biddlecombe. “Her attitude is really trainable and she’s the kindest mare; it’s just about keeping her on-side and focused. “We’ll hopefully work towards PSG by the end of the year,” added Vikki. “I’m so lucky I found her.”…

catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 Middleburg, Foxcroft, Virginia THE pretty Virginia town of Middleburg is deservedly known as America’s horse and hunt capital. Home to the headquarters of the American Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), the National Sporting Library and the renowned Red Fox Inn, it is also within hacking distance of some of the nation’s most famous packs of hounds. There is the venerable Piedmont, established in 1840, the fashionable Orange County, where I am assured even the coyotes have slightly turned up noses, and the Middleburg Hunt itself. The Middleburg hunt a country approximately 10 by 15 miles in Loudoun County. It is a rolling country of grazing land interspersed with lovely oak woods, mature enough to be easily ridden through. The hunt was established in 1906 under the mastership of…

RULES on who will need an operator’s licence are also changing from 21 May 2022, and equestrians are urged to check whether these apply to them before they travel. The changes are relevant for those who have small horseboxes (up to 3.5 tonnes) or tow a trailer (regulations already apply to larger vehicles). Those using vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes, as well as cars and vans towing trailers with the same gross train weight (2.5 to 3.5 tonnes), and are transporting goods for hire or reward, must comply with the new rules or risk fine and/or prosecution. ● Visit: gov.uk/guidance/transport-goods-in-and-out-of-the-uk-using-vans-or-car-and-trailers-from-21-may-2022…

Irish showjumper Jack Ryan, 20, has moved to Belgium to train with Olympic gold medallist Jos Lansink as part of the Rolex Young Riders Academy. “It’s a very exciting opportunity,” Jack said. Retired National Hunt jockey Nina Carberry won Ireland’s Dancing With The Stars on 27 March. Nina, who was partnered with Pasquale La Rocca, said she “couldn’t sum it up”. Ireland’s Patrick Hickey, 22, has joined the Breen Team and got off to a good start, winning the seven-year-old title on Z7 Porsche at the British Showjumping Spring Championships (24-27 March). Racing legend Frankie Dettori won his fourth Dubai World Cup on 26 March, with the Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer. Frankie last won in 2006 with Electrocutionist. Trainer Chris Barber, 24, saddled his first winner under Rules, Famous Clermont,…

BRITISH vets are working together to supply essential animal medicines to Ukraine. The profession joined forces when the conflict started, as British Veterinary Professionals for Ukraine, to support both human and veterinary medics. A spokesman for the group said “the way is now clear” for medicines to be sent, using established contacts with private and state vets and existing logistics chains to ensure the supplies go where they are needed. The group has already organised shipments of humanitarian aid. “Animals have not been spared from the horrific death and destruction in Ukraine and support is needed urgently to limit their suffering,” said British Equine Veterinary Association president elect David Rendle. A list of requirements, and ways in which people can contribute, is available on the British Vets for Ukraine Facebook…

1) Which eventer holds the record for the number of five-star wins, and how many; 2) What is Carl Hester’s father’s name and what is he famous for? 3) What was top-level dressage and event rider Ruth Edge’s maiden name? 4) Name the former Badminton director who also won Olympic gold; 5) What year was the inaugural maxi cob of the year final held at HOYS? Answers from 24 Mar 1) Frankie Dettori, six; 2) One of King Solomon’s horses. Legend has it that the original bloodlines of all Arab stallions derive from this one horse; 3) Nickel Coin, 1951; 4) Insular; 5) Glentrool Trophy.…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 AT Keysoe CDI, our first home international of the year, I had the chance to catch up with Sarah Stoute, the new owner of the venue with her husband Richard. They have ambitious plans for Keysoe’s future as a world-class venue. Already the facilities are exceptional, and the aim is to provide a stress-free and welcoming experience for all. “As I drove home, I reminded myself that it’s only dressage. I repeated this until, 24 hours on, I felt better” The scope of competition available – from clear-round jumping evenings to internationals and even trials for the Shetland Pony Grand National – is so wide-ranging that there is something for everyone from the fun rider to the team hopeful. Sarah’s vision is for even more. There are plans…

COMPETITION is a test of equine athleticism and the contrasting demands of different disciplines provide a unique challenge for vets. Considering the time and financial investment involved in producing an advanced competition horse, regular veterinary monitoring is invaluable for early detection and prompt treatment of any issues. “The choice of studs should always be based on ground conditions” Legs and feet NO FOOT, NO HORSE REGULAR, high-quality farriery is critical. Good foot balance is crucial to avoid abnormal stresses on structures higher up the leg. Remedial farriery can support areas of weakness, such as palmar heel pain, collapsed heel, coffin joint and navicular issues. Solar bruising is common in thoroughbreds, who tend to have flat feet and thin, soft soles. It can be exacerbated by excessive exercise on hard surfaces.…

ASK any top rider what the key to their success is and a response you’ll hear time and time again is their team around them. From owners and sponsors, farriers, vets and physios to grooms and trainers, they all play a fundamental role in getting the best out of the horse and athlete. Another crucial member of this team is often one closest to them, offering unwavering support from the sidelines. These individuals see the riders at their best, their worst and everything in between. We find out more about these influential people behind the scenes. BORN to a champion jockey father, the late Josh Gifford, and an international showjumping mother, Althea (née Roger-Smith), Tina Cook says she was “very lucky” having two knowledgeable parents. Althea won the Queen Elizabeth…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald British Showjumping Spring Championships, Northcote Stud, Lancashire DESPITE being second-last to perform in the jump-off, 22-year-old Lancashire rider Robert Murphy and Julie Andrews’ How Easy kept their heads firmly in the game to triumph in the winter 1.35m championship final. Easy, a Talan 10-year-old bay gelding, manoeuvred impressively tight turns while searching for long strides on the approaches with Robert in perfect harmony, to finish on a time of 42.12sec. It was just enough to inch Nigel Coupe and Drewmain Cedric’s time of 42.37sec into second spot. After watching earlier combinations roll the last fence, Robert knew how to tackle this specific jump-off situation. “It was a fairly long course so I knew I had to stay calculated,” he said. “There were some tight turns to technical jumps,…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 Wix EC, Essex AFTER a difficult first class, Lucie Manna and Fynjela D bounced back to head the inter I with a promising 71.76%. “‘Fynn’ is strong-willed and can be unpredictable,” Lucie explained. “I retired during the first part of the prix st georges [PSG] and took her back to the collecting ring. She was really light in the frame in the next class and quite incredible, which was rewarding.” Lucie has owned the 12-year-old Armani mare for seven years, and employs certain tactics with Fynn when issues arise. “Trying to remain calm myself is the biggest thing, so I take a couple of big breaths and have a pep talk with myself,” she said. “I then focus on the basics, such as keeping her long and low,…

LONG EXPECTED B, who bounced back to competition this spring after being gelded, scored a neat novice double with Sarah Stewart at Prestige Equestrian, Glos. “He was a perfect gentleman as a stallion but there’s been a distinct improvement since he was gelded – a bit more ‘go’, more focus and more confidence,” said Sarah of Hitmaker-sired “Huey”, who was purchased entire from the Woodcroft Stud last October. “If I could draw my perfect horse, Huey would be it,” she laughed. “He’s drop-dead gorgeous and beautifully uphill. At nearly 18hh, he’s a big horse, but he’s definitely one for the future.”…

gemma.redrup@futurenet.com @gemmaredrup Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire and Eglinton, Overton, S Lanarkshire TRAINER Ray Owen’s tailored approach to his horses and team was rewarded with a golden double and a runner-up spot across the open races. The established partnership of Immy Robinson and Thyne For Gold bagged their third win of the season as a combination – and second in as many weeks – with victory in the ladies’ open. “He used to hang quite badly. We did some investigating last summer and we found that he had kissing spines. So we had some treatment done. And now, what a different horse we’ve got,” said Ray of The Tyrnog Racing Partnership’s 11-year-old gelding. “He’s won three races and been second twice this season against a very good horse, Dundrum Wood, from Tom…

Nigel Baring NIGEL BARING cut his teeth hunting the Savernake Staghounds, but it was at the Duhallow (1896-1908) and then the Limerick where he forged a reputation as a brilliant master and huntsman of foxhounds. EVEN those hunting legends well-known as game-changers in our sport learnt the basics of hunting from someone. Ikey Bell was a great huntsman and the most influential hound breeder of the 20th century. It is said that he learnt all he knew about both hunting and hound breeding from Nigel Baring, the brilliant and dedicated master and huntsman of the Duhallow and the Limerick. Born in 1870 to the Baring banking dynasty and, like Ikey, with an American mother, he hunted the Savernake Staghounds in his early twenties after leaving Oxford. He was a polo…

A LAST-MINUTE entry proved a worthwhile decision for Joe Neal, who was presented with the Gibson Cup as highest-placed under-21 rider for finishing 11th aboard “family horse” and team chase stalwart Henry. “He is fit, so we thought we would give it a go and it paid off,” said Joe, 19, who made the decision to come on Wednesday, the entry closing date. “He hunts with the Ledbury and takes you into fences just so confidently, he is an absolute machine. You can take him to a hunt race, then at home my mum and sister can ride him, he’s just so chilled out and easy to do.” ONE TO WATCH…

I’VE partied in some funny places this year – if you stretch the word party to include meets. On Saturday, the Berwickshire met at an old World War I and World War II airfield in the pan-flat, arable section of their country. We look out over this orderly, cultivated expanse from the top of our hills here. From there you look up to the serene and shapely hills; a large strip of forestry stretching across one, indicating the place where we live and farm. Both vistas are picturesque in their way and each delivers a completely different hunting experience. The airfield had gathered a particularly big crowd on this day because it was the Berwickshire’s last day of the season and to add to that, it was the last day…