Innholdsfortegnelse for 21-Apr-2022 i Horse & Hound

IT is beyond exciting to have Badminton and Burghley back in the calendar this year, and we are gearing up for the former in earnest. Next week’s issue is our dedicated preview, complete with full course-walk with former winner and Olympic gold medallist Andrew Hoy, who will share his thoughts on how the course will ride this year and what riders’ tactics should be. The following issue (7 May) is your essential form guide, detailing the chances of every horse and rider and highlighting those you really should watch. A must to be clutching whether in the crowds or watching on Badminton’s livestream. In this issue, columnist Andrew Nicholson gives us a sneak peek into what to expect from Eric Winter’s intense, big, serious track (opinion, p14), with The Lake…

ON CUE US eventer Boyd Martin’s mare, whom he owns with the Turner family, is out of the Kentucky Three-Day Event after pulling up “a little sore”. She was fourth at Kentucky and won Maryland CCI5* in 2021. SECRET LOVE Natasha Baker’s double European silver medal winner Sookie St James has delivered a foal, by 2021 six-year-old dressage world breeding champion Kjento. Breeder Sian Harman has named the filly Secret Love. PENDLE FIRST LIGHT Penny Hollings’ home-bred 153cm show hunter pony has been put down aged 18. “Pandora”, out of Penny’s After Dark and by Roulette, won accolades including HOYS and the RIHS in 2009 with Chelsea Foster.…

▲ GAMBLING Richard Branson has revealed that he has only bet on horses twice. His first was a 100/1 shot who won the Kentucky Derby 17 years ago, and his second the 50/1 Noble Yeats this month. Not bad for a punting Virgin… ▲ BEHAVIOUR Hats off to the police officers who took part in an amateur dressage league, during which, one competitor said, being in uniform meant both horses and riders had to be on their best behaviour. Can a horse be cautioned for anti-social behaviour, one wonders? ▲ RECRUITMENT Spotted, an intriguing ad from a photographer who is looking for an “equine expression technician” for photoshoots. One had always thought a crackly bag of treats was the only way, or is there a special ears-forward technique we’ve never…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 HOW fabulous to be back with a full crowd for the Winter Dressage Championships, with the range of classes demonstrating the variety of our membership. The new lighting arrangements make the main arena even more special with its intimate atmosphere, and it was a great social occasion. My new puppy Brian was delighted to meet so many new friends, and I was touched by so many people’s kind wishes after the recent loss of my very naughty Westie, Benjy. I’m sure we saw some future British team horses in Becky Moody’s Jagerbomb, who achieved a hat-trick at small tour, and Charlotte Dujardin’s double winner Times Kismet. British-bred horses took the first three places in the inter I, so there’s no doubt we’re creating the horsepower needed on home…

GRAND prix dressage rider Susan Pape’s national identity was dictated by her parents’ historic meeting. Her mother was German and her father was a British airman. They met during the post-World War II Berlin airlift. Susan grew up in the Netherlands after her father went to work for the Dutch airline KLM but she has lived in Germany for 40 years, is married to Ingo Pape from the Hengststation-Pape stud and she has family in England. That is why, although she competes for Great Britain, she considers herself first and foremost European. Susan met her husband after something of a fairytale entrance into the horseworld. Akin to many young girls, she had asked her mother for a pony. Wish granted, her mother took her, as an impressionable young horse enthusiast,…

“IRON’S stable name is Bentley, but our little nickname for him is Princess because he’s rather spoilt. He likes to be done first thing and if not, he gets very upset. He was quite subdued and quiet at home when he first arrived, but he’s become more cheeky. I always say, ‘Bentley, you don’t take any notice of me, you just do what you want!’ “You have to get him ready for travelling last because as soon as you put his travelling boots outside his door, he gets so excited and starts running around the stable. “He’s a funny chap. At shows, he’s looking for me wherever I am, checking we’re not leaving him alone. He does go off his food a bit at three-day events and keeps whinnying at…

ANHIDROSIS (anidrosis, or incorrectly anhydrosis), from the Greek meaning “without sweating”, is a condition primarily of horses in – and failing to adapt to – hot, humid climates. There appears to be no age, sex or significant breed predisposition and no hereditary component. With constant humidity and high environmental temperatures, blood adrenaline levels can become persistently elevated, leading to the sweat glands becoming insensitive to adrenaline. A progressive atrophy of the glands may then occur so that the ability to sweat is lost altogether, with such horses especially susceptible to overheating and incapable of any level of work. While no reliable treatment has yet been identified, some affected animals may spontaneously recover over time.…

TRACEY LAWSON hardly expected to win one title, let alone two. She kicked off her week by winning the Equi-Trek elementary title with the nine-year-old Quotenkonig son QT (pictured) and then added the Prestige Italia novice silver to their haul, with a super score of 77.16%. “I watched Charlotte Dujardin doing the same novice test and tried to copy everything she did – obviously it paid off, although I haven’t quite caught her up, ” said Tracey, referring to Charlotte’s Prestige Italia novice gold win on Times Mon Amour, with a score just 0.5% higher than her own. “I was pleased with the elementary test, but I was trying to go for more looseness and flamboyance in the novice, ” she added, having described QT as “like a kite” when…

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market (1), Norfolk OLIVER TOWNEND was unassailable in both four-star sections, as is so often the case at Burnham Market. Swallow Springs, a former five-star ride of Andrew Nicholson, got things off to a great start in Barefoot Retreats CCI4*-S section C on a 24.6 dressage, then proceeded to add just 1.6 cross-country timepenalties to secure the win. “He’s obviously very experienced and this was his Badminton prep-run, ” said Oliver of the 14-year-old owned by Paul and Diana Ridgeon. “I couldn’t be happier with how he went in all three phases – he wasn’t there to win, but he put himself into a winning position and I knew he could afford to be four seconds over the crosscountry optimum time and still win, so…

South of England (1), W Sussex GASPARD MAKSUD enjoyed a red-letter day at his local event, taking the open intermediate (OI) spoils with Jane Young and Martin Thurlow’s exciting Cevin Z daughter Zaragoza II and one of two intermediate sections with his own She’s The One. The nine-year-old Zaragoza II, who was bred by Jane, already has a burgeoning CV to her name, having last year won an advanced at Wellington and clocked up a top-10 finish in Blenheim’s eightand nine-year-olds. “She didn’t really come into her own until she was six”GASPARD MAKSUD ABOUT ZARAGOZA II “She wasn’t very impressive over a fence as a four-or five-yearold, so didn’t really come into her own until she was six and started to understand her job, ” said the Surrey-based Frenchman. “People…

REIGNING under-20 European and world duathlon champion Lucy Bednall added an ONu18 win at Weston Park (1) on her own 10-year-old mare, Ballyheerin Bay Dancer (Wanda), to her wide-ranging sporting CV. The 17-year-old has twice represented England in duathlon, a sport that combines running and cycling. “When I train, I try to incorporate exercises that will benefit both my riding and running, ” explained Lucy, whose fitness regime includes hill and track sessions, bike rides and strength training. Lucy is currently on a gap year before taking up a place at university to read veterinary medicine. At Breckenbrough, Amelia Ludiman took the ONu18 honours with her own Levitate. The combination recorded one of only two double clears within the time. “I’ve only had her since September, but she’s a really…

Pytchley with Woodland, Dingley, Northamptonshire UNDER glorious sun, Dale Peters rang in the Easter weekend with four wins from six rides. “I seem to be lucky around here. I’ve had a treble here before, so now to have a four-timer all on horses from home makes all the hard work in the winter worthwhile, ” said Dale. The Midlands trainer-jockey opened with a surprise victory in the hunt members on My Uncas, swiftly followed with top honours in the conditions (level three) on The Unmentionable. Peacocks Secret walked over in the mixed open, with The New Kid benefiting from the addition of cheekpieces in the restricted to complete Dale’s trophy haul. Champagne Glory gave birthday boy Zac Baker another reason to celebrate. The Stuart Morris-trained five-year-old’s strong jumping performance was…

Share your news story Call 01252 555021 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @jones_eleanor_ AN Olympic eventer and a rider who was paralysed in a fall are raising funds for research that in trials has enabled those with spinal-cord injuries to regain movement. Former world champion Ginny Elliot is a patron of Spinal Research, for which trustee Tara Stewart has been raising money since she was paralysed from the neck down in 2014. Tara told H&H research into neuromodulation, electrical stimulation through the skin or implants, is the subject of clinical trials in which participants have had improvements. “I’m on a trial involving stimulation through the skin and we’ve had remarkable results, ” she said. “I’ve become stronger, recovered some sensation and have been able to activate my legs a bit. When I had…

WORK CONTINUES TO HELP UKRAINE COLLABORATION continues to help equines in Ukraine. The Foundation of the Horse, the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), has donated $50,000, to be distributed through AAEP’s partnership with the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and the BEVA Trust. The groups are working with British Vet Professionals for Ukraine and British Equestrians for Ukraine. “Animals have not been spared the horrific death and destruction in Ukraine. Monetary support is what is truly needed to allow us to get medical supplies and equipment to veterinarians and owners, ” said BEVA president-elect David Rendle. BRITISH EVENTING IT WORK UPDATE THE British Eventing (BE) IT steering committee is overseeing a strategy to replace the IT system bit by bit with accredited third-party suppliers. At…

Champion pointing trainer Tom Ellis broke Jack Barber’s record for the number of winners in a season, set at 51 in 2014/15, with an across-card four-timer on Easter Saturday. Olympian Bobby Costello has been named as US Equestrian’s interim eventing chef d’equipe and team manager. His tenure will include the 2022 World Championships in Pratoni, Italy. Australian grand prix dressage rider Jayden Brown, rider at Terry Snow’s Willinga Park, is relocating to the UK with the Willinga Park horses to work towards the Paris 2024 Olympics. New Zealand Olympic showjumper Samantha McIntosh is relocating to join Cian O’Connor’s team. She will produce, and is taking her own horse, Takapoto James S. Alan Hill had his 400th winner as a trainer in point-to-points and hunter chases, with Normofthenorth, ridden by Izzie…

I WAS delighted to read Jennie Loriston-Clarke’s comment about soundness in dressage horses (7 April). Over the course of a 48-year career as a veterinary surgeon, I have seen enormous changes and many have responsibility for these – such as breeders, owners, judges, trainers and vets. As long as judges award a premium to flashy horses with huge extravagant paces, these animals will attract premium prices and inflate the market for expensive overtrained youngsters. Many of these animals never experience turnout and are reliant on the quality of the surfaces that they work on. And I’ve had many owners refuse my advice to hack out, even as part of a programme of rehabilitation following injury. My own profession also needs to examine itself. While our remit is to mitigate pain…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ WHILE the 2022 season is now well and truly underway and qualifiers are starting to ramp up, it seems entries on the whole are looking fairly sparse at many events nationwide. This begs the question: should some classes be offering two places at the final when entries across the board are so low? The British Skewbald and Piebald Association (BSPA) has always awarded two RIHS qualifications in each section, but at two shows I’ve recently attended, it’s been noted that the exceeding 153cm plaited coloured horse section had zero competitors forward. At another show just a single plaited horse exhibit was presented, essentially meaning that out of six potential qualifying places that were on offer, only one ticket for a major final was actually awarded. To earn that…

It’s my wife Elaine’s fault we got into horses. Although I’ve been around farms and therefore horses since childhood, I didn’t take to horses until 2009. We live on a smallholding and my wife arranged to overwinter some Shires. It wasn’t long before we had our first Shire, Henry, and Park Farm Horse Logging followed a bit later. I always had an enthusiasm for forestry work. By offering to work with experienced horseloggers, I was able to learn the techniques. The pros were grateful for the help and I soaked up the experience. It’s not full-time as timber work mainly takes place in the winter, which is probably a good thing as it’s full-on hard graft. Chaining up timber in the brash and undergrowth, then guiding and following the horse…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships, Hartpury, Glos WHEN Becky Moody decided to put a nice, but not terribly exciting, home-bred four-year-old up for sale back in 2018, she couldn’t have known that four years later she would be thanking her lucky stars that nobody came to buy him. That four-year-old was Jagerbomb, the Dante Weltino gelding who has since blossomed into one of Britain’s most exciting upcoming horses, and he proved that first impressions can certainly be deceiving when he claimed a superb small tour hat-trick. The pair kicked off their week as first to go in the Magic prix st georges (PSG), and their 76.08% proved untouchable. Two days later, the pair added the Superflex inter I title to their collection, before rounding off the show…

ORGANISER’S VIEW BURNHAM MARKET’S organiser and cross-country course-designer Alec Lochore said that he was “pretty pleased” with how the event went, but that his thoughts are with Caroline March after her fall. He also commented on how his courses rode. “I was surprised how differently the courses rode on Saturday compared to Friday – there was more trouble on the Saturday, but I think that’s because the advanced section on Friday is full of very good horses who don’t need to run in the four-star section because they already have their international qualifications. “There was plenty of chatter about various fences on the course, but a four-star track should be just that – it shouldn’t be built softer just because it’s earlier in the season.”…

A RIDER who started a clothing brand aged 17 hopes her success will encourage more people of colour into equestrianism – as work continues to increase the industry’s diversity. Caroline Ogunshola, who founded Lusso Equestrian Apparel, told H&H she started riding aged 10, near her home in London. “I was very lucky; it cost £8 for a weekend; any more than that and I couldn’t have done it, ” she said, adding that horses took a back seat while she studied for her A levels and then a business admin apprenticeship. “But horses have always been a big part of my life and in lockdown, I started watching Heartland, ” she said. “It made me want to start again but everywhere was closed so I decided to use my interest…

NIC WHEELER MR WHEELER died on 3 April, while out with the Coakham Bloodhounds, of which he was senior master and huntsman, aged 69. As a child, Mr Wheeler learnt to ride at Beauport Park Riding School in Hastings before getting his first pony Magpie. Magpie lived in the garage and Mr Wheeler and his sister Jane used to ride on the beach. While he was at school, he hunted with the Blean Beagles. He went to the East Essex Hunt in 1973, then the West Kent in 1976, where he was in hunt service. He became a member of the Coakham in 1989 and took over as huntsman in 1990, remaining so until he died. That year was the beginning of his greatest achievement, the breeding and schooling of…

THE role horses have played through The Queen’s life is being celebrated in a set of equestrian commemorative coins. The collection, compiled by Hattons of London, brings together four coins, one released each at her coronation, the 1977 Silver Jubilee, 2012 Golden Jubilee and this year’s Platinum Jubilee. Each features an image of Her Majesty on horseback, and the collection includes the John Bergdhal-designed £5 coin released in January in honour of this year’s celebrations. “Following a tradition of equestrian portraits of monarchs dating back to the 1500s, we have brought together the most iconic equestrian-themed crown coins created to celebrate landmark moments in The Queen’s reign, ” said Simon Mellinger, Hattons of London managing director.…

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle AT this time of the season, all roads lead to Badminton. Usually the only time I go there is to compete, but this year I walked the cross-country course for the event’s official course preview in early April. Driving up in my car and pulling up outside the Badminton office gave me goosebumps, just like driving the lorry in on the Wednesday morning of the event itself. There’s something very special about Badminton, and I definitely had that rising feeling of excitement and nerves going round the park, seeing the grandstand already in place and the marquees going up. I enjoyed walking around with the course-designer, Eric Winter, and giving my two pennies’ worth on what he’s done and how I thought the combinations should be jumped –…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald THE 2022 Grand National meeting was great – three days of excellent racing were capped by a 50/1 shot winning the big race. Outsider he might have been, but when you analyse the form, you realise it was a well-planned plot that came to fruition. Noble Yeats had to qualify to be allowed to run and that meant he had to be placed over three miles, which he did, showing his form by finishing second to one of the best novice chasers in the country in Ahoy Senor at Wetherby. He was also ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen – who is not only a hugely capable amateur rider but his record around Aintree and in other big races must be the envy of most jockeys riding – and trained…

Need to know IRON IV Age: 13 Breeding: Aquilino x Donnerschlag Rider: Selina Milnes Owner: William Rucker Breeder: Sofie Nuydens Greatest achievements: sixth Kilguilkey CCI4*-S 2018. Fourth Blenheim CCI4*-L 2018; third Bramham CCI4*-L 2019. Second Houghton CCI4*-S; 10th Barbury CCI4*-S; fourth Burgham CCI4*-S; eighth Pau CCI5* (all 2021). RIDER SELINA MILNES “WE found Iron as a rising six-year-old at Richard Sheane’s Cooley Farm. I didn’t even sit on him, but I fell in love with him. He moved, he jumped, he had pizzazz and it was one of those times when you see a horse and have to have it. “He’s straightforward to deal with but a bit of a worrier – he likes routine and if he’s left in the field for an extra half hour, he’ll scream to…

THE top three horses in the inter I flew the flag for British breeding. Becky Moody’s Dante Weltino son Jagerbomb is out of her former top competition mare Udysee, by Jazz. Meanwhile, runner-up Alice Oppenheimer’s small but mighty Headmore Dionysus (pictured) is British-bred by Dimaggio out of the Headmore Stud’s late foundation mare Rubinsteena, whose offspring have now amassed 15 national titles between them, plus plenty of reserves. The Headmore Stud, run by Alice and her mother Sarah, had six representatives competing at Hartpury this year. “We’re super-proud, ” smiled Alice. “I bring horses here year after year, and it’s lovely that we’ve got so many other home-breds dotted around with other riders this year. Many of them grew up together as foals, so it’s great that they’re here competing…

“HE couldn’t have given me any more in there, ” said Nicola Morris after her winning Baileys Horse Feeds novice freestyle on Headmore Bugatti. “He hasn’t seen anything like this before and he tried his heart out – I cried as I came down the last centre line.” Nicola, an accountant, credited Alice Oppenheimer, winner of the gold version of the same class, for getting them to this point. “Alice has helped us loads and I couldn’t have done it without her. “I’m trying very hard to retire to spend more time with the horses. I’ve been really busy with work the past six months so it’s been really difficult juggling horses and work, but work is starting to quieten down now, so I can concentrate more on horses. But…

MARK DAVIDSON was delighted to finish runner-up in the CCI3*-S aboard Susie Wood’s eight-yearold Cooley Goodwood (pictured). “This is our first season together – he was originally produced by Piggy March, who I have been based with since the start of 2020, and she has very kindly passed the ride on to me, ” explained Mark, who moved south from Cumbria to Piggy’s Northamptonshire base to “be more in the thick of things”. “He’s been improving every time out in the dressage this season, then he showjumped really well and I thought I’d get stuck in on the cross-country. He thrives on it. He’s such a good jumper, you’d happily canter down to anything on him – he’s really cool, ” said Mark, who has now set up on his…

AMELIA MAYCOCK and the 14.2hh Carnsdale Ghostbuster enjoyed a confidenceboosting win in the BE80(T) at Norton Disney (1). “He’s a real family pet, ” said Amelia. “He has arthritis in his neck, which has to be carefully managed, but he’s the sweetest pony.” “He’s a real family pet” Norton Disney is a happy hunting ground for the pair, who won the BE80(T) championship at the venue in 2020. They have their sights set on reclaiming the title with a trip to Bramham, the new home of the series finale, in June.…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ BSPS Area 15 Spring, Ashfields Carriage and Polo Club, Essex A TRUE family affair was witnessed in the supreme as Katie White of Team Hillyard led her seven-year-old cousin Emily Cooper and her stunning lead-rein pony Rowfantina Hideaway Harry to clinch the overall sash. The Welsh section A, who is owned by Emily’s parents Phil and Tash Cooper, was judge Pearl Underwood’s choice to be supreme of the field, all after booking a Royal International (RIHS) pass and taking the mini Heritage championship. “It was nice to lead family, ” said Katie, whose younger sister, Charlotte Tuck, was also present in the supreme aboard Holly Levett’s Connemara stallion Culmore Silver – now RIHS bound in three classes – who was eventual first reserve after netting the overall Heritage…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Stainsby Grange, North Yorks CHARLOTTE ARNOLD excelled in Stainsby’s newly opened outdoor arena to claim first and third in the 1.30m open, incorporating the Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP Royal Highland Show (RHS) young masters qualifier. Charlotte, who returned to competition at the end of February after a two-month winter break, headed the line-up with her 10-year-old Plot Blue x Voltaire mare, Leestone Blue Voltet, also collecting third place with nine-year-old gelding ABC Caruso. “They are both my little miracles, ” said Charlotte, who previously nursed both horses through long rehabs following surgery. “They are both mine, I enjoy them and they will stay with me forever.” Her mare, “Porky”, was a consistent winner through five-, six-and seven-year-old classes, but then had 18 months off following a hock…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Fairyhouse Racecourse, Co Meath, Ireland CONSTITUTION HILL might be the most exciting horse over hurdles for next season but Galopin Des Champs, a last-fence faller when 12 lengths clear of Bob Olinger in the Turners Novice Chase at Cheltenham, holds the equivalent position among this season’s novice chasers. His 18-length win in the BoyleSports Gold Cup Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday did nothing to dissuade that view. After an exemplary (if less flamboyant than Cheltenham) round of jumping, he jumped the second-last two lengths up but motored clear to win 18 lengths with an impressive turn of foot. The thing I really liked about him was that, when he was properly trapping down to the last, he completely ignored Paul Townend who, at that speed, saw a…

gemma.redrup@futurenet.com @gemmaredrup Dartmoor Foxhounds, Flete Park, Devon THE next generation were in command as up-and-coming riders claimed the lion’s share of the silverware. Otis Morgan enjoyed his first double, riding his second and third pointing career winners aboard Skylander in the hunt members, and Alternatif in the conditions (level three). “I knew Skylander would jump this course beautifully; he won here last year and he suited the ground perfectly today, ” said Otis, whose rides were both owned by the Dartmoor Racing Club and trained by Annabelle Bacon. The 17-year-old’s victory aboard Alternatif tasted particularly sweet, because it marked a turning point in the combination’s form. “Coming up that last hill, knowing that he really wanted this and that he was going to get this, was the best feeling for…

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle RESULTS England and Wales final at Arena UK: arena eventing 100cm. – 1, El Gaucho DHI (L Wittich, Newmarket & Thurlow Hunt); 2, Rocketman (L Denyer, Mendip Farmers’ Hunt); 3, Highlight 11 (S Barber, Vale of Aylesbury Hunt). 9 0cm. – 1, Prince (I Morton, Flamstead); 2, Elite Diamond (A Styth, East Cheshire); 3, Abergavenny Xandra (E Hancox, South Nottinghamshire). 80cm. – 1, Cocoa IV (A Ross, Grove Hunt); 2, Memo II (W Tulloch, Axe Vale Hunt); 3, Glory Days (H Watkinson, West Lancashire County). 70cm. – 1, Hillin Morgan (P Reid, Flamstead); 2, Pipers Last Stand (A Baron, Atherstone Hunt); 3, Flame (L Hunt, Heart of England). dr: open spring ch. – 1, EMS Futura Estrella (S Smith, Llangibby Hunt) 69.84; 2, Wacton Billy (R Parsonage, Ludlow…

SPRINGTIME is silly season for ponies. Spring grass is like a drug when they have been making do with hay all winter. They can smell it, they can see it, the air is charged with a new potency and freshness. The season takes a while to arrive here on our hill so when it comes, it is all the more exciting. Throughout March, we stare disconsolately at grey pasture and bare earth until one day, seemingly overnight, there are patches of green bursting forth in the sunshine. The effect is instant. Ponies and horses that went out looking lean are suddenly all curves with shiny summer coats emerging from their clips. Naughty ponies up the naughtiness a notch, old-timers take on a new lease of life. Even Bruno, the equine…