Innholdsfortegnelse for 2-Jun-2022 UNCERTAIN i Horse & Hound

ON the day we commemorate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, we bring readers our jubilee special, in which we take a look at some of the horses who have formed an important part of the thread of Her Majesty’s reign (feature, p36). We also talk to just a few of those Royal Warrant-holders in the equestrian world who have received such a high mark of distinction for their products or services (p38). And we take a look at the impact The Queen and the royal family have had on the racing industry in particular (p32), and conclude once again that the horseworld as a whole owes a great deal to Her Majesty’s interest in and passion for horses throughout her life and reign. We also introduce this week a new feature,…

MINERS FROLIC Tina Cook’s medal-winner, owned by Sarah Pelham and Nicholas and Valda Embiricos, has died aged 24. The pair won double Olympic bronze and European gold, Olympic team silver and world team gold. COOLEY MASTER CLASS Oliver Townend’s double Kentucky winner, who led the Brits to 2019 European silver, has retired aged 17 “sound, happy and at the top of his game”. He will live with owner Angela Hislop, hacking and enjoying time in the field. DE SJIEM Jeroen Dubbeldam’s 2000 individual Olympic champion has died aged 33, after a happy retirement. Jeroen and De Sijiem also competed at two Europeans, two World Championships and won the 2001 Aachen grand prix. KK WOODSTOCK Carl Hester is temporarily taking over the Kroll family’s 16-year-old, ridden at top level for the…

Eventer Heidi Coy, 22, was third in the Houghton International CCI4*-S on 26 May with Russal Z, helping the British team to a win at her first senior Nations Cup. Report, p44 European champion Nicola Wilson has been moved to the spinal rehabilitation unit at James Cook University Hospital, as she recovers from her fall with JL Dublin at Badminton. Polish showjumper Cassandra Orschel, 29, has become the first female rider to win the Hamburg Derby since 1975. Cassandra triumphed on the 11-year-old mare Dacara E. British Horse Society president Martin Clunes is president of the World Clydesdale Show 2022. The show runs in the UK for the first time, at the P&J Live Arena, Aberdeen, from 20 to 23 October. Former champion pony-racing jockey Harry Davies, 17, has ridden…

A SHIRE colt who lost his dam minutes after his birth has found a new family. After Mandy and Jonathan Worthington’s eight-year-old mare Penbryn Perfect Harmony died, they introduced him to Acle May Queen, who had foaled a week beforehand. Within hours the foal was suckling, having palled up with his new foster brother. Mandy told H&H she is keeping a close watch to ensure May has enough milk for both, and has bought milk pellets and milk replacer if needed. “It’s lovely to see the three of them,” she said, adding that she asked about foster mares on Facebook and her post was shared 32,000 times. “There are bad things about social media but also good,” she said. “People like a happy ending after something so awful.”…

1) What was the name of The Queen’s first pony? 2) With which horse did Carl Hester win three national titles in a row? 3) How many mares have won the Grand National since its inception in 1839? 4) Name the only horse to sire the winners of the Epsom Derby and the Kentucky Derby in the same year. 5) Who was the last nine-year-old to win a five-star horse trials? Answers from 26 May 1) Four: Amanda Pottinger, Emily King, Felicity Collins, Alice Casburn 2) Nijinsky 3) Yealand Chapter 4) Dental practice owner 5) They were proponents of Arab breeding, who brought a number of horses from the desert to their Crabbet Stud in Sussex.…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ AS several of my fellow H&H columnists have mentioned this year, the numbers forward in classes at shows have been sporadic and even poor at times. But what’s caused this drastic drop in entry numbers? I feel we have too many shows running concurrently, which ultimately waters down the competition and leaves some shows unable to cover their costs. With a swamped show calendar throughout the season, the only way to try to boost numbers going forward is more careful distribution of the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) qualifiers. The allocation of these tickets should be looked at on both a date and geographical basis. My other concern is that we have very few new people coming into the sport of showing, and I ponder why. Julie Templeton…

About Laura LAURA COLLETT, 32, is the winner of nine pony, junior and young rider medals. She achieved her first five-star win at Pau in France in the autumn of 2020 riding London 52 and the pair went on to help Britain to team gold at the Olympics the following year. Last month, she claimed her first Badminton title, again on London 52. I WALKED the cross-country straight after the briefing on Wednesday, then on Thursday I did some sponsor course walks. Thursday was busy with that and media work, which was a good distraction and stopped me riding too much. On Friday afternoon, I walked the course twice, including once with Tilly. By then I’d walked it with Yogi Breisner and I had a clear plan. I found it…

FOR many British businesses a Royal Warrant is the ultimate accolade. To display the words “By appointment to Her Majesty The Queen” is a cast-iron endorsement of your products and the services you provide. There are around 850 warrant-holders in total, a diverse group of companies of varying sizes covering all aspects of life in the royal household. Many are equestrian-orientated, as you would expect of a monarch who is a lifelong lover and champion of the horse. Chris Hunnable, whose wife Katie Jerram-Hunnable produces The Queen’s show horses, has recently taken over the management of Schnieder Boots from his stepfather Rudolf Schnieder, who received a Royal Warrant from The Queen about 20 years ago. When we speak, Chris and Katie are setting off to parade The Queen’s horse, Barbers…

“HE’S goey but sensible and kind,” said Clare Bullman of Godrics Dionysus, a winner at elementary and medium with her daughter Daisy at Topthorn Arena, Suffolk. “We’ve never had a stallion but he’s no bother. He goes out every day and sleeps in his stable; he has been so quiet from the start.” Daisy, 13, started riding 14.2hh “Haymitch” two years ago while he was based with her trainer Elli Darling, who competed him in young pony classes. “We’ll try to qualify him for the six-year-old pony championships,” Clare added. “He’ll also have a go at the FEI pony team test and we’ll aim for the pony teams.”…

THE silver tour grand prix at Wellington went to Lucy Townley and the eight-yearold Billy Olga (pictured), who finished a good 1.50sec clear of nearest rivals Carolyn Bowman and Cash. On a good day out for the Billy Stud team, Pippa Funnell finished in fifth with Tarzan and husband William in sixth with Billy Rasputin. Billy Olga was one of seven embryos taken off the Cassini mare, Pikeur Calanda, in the same year, all by Billy Congo, and Rasputin is her full brother. “We had four of them at the show and they all have a super canter and super technique,” said Lucy. “They are all big, rangey, grand prix types who never really did young horse classes. “Olga has just spent a couple of years quietly jumping newcomers and…

AN ultra-competitive HOYS intermediate championship at Stoneleigh concluded in a surprise victory for Craig Elenor and Sara Parrott’s winning small show riding type, first-season five-year-old Roseberry Fascinator (Hattie) and 15-year-old Alice Binks. Hattie, who is owned by Alice’s grandmother Jane Bennison, fought off strong competition in winning large show riding type Forgeland Hyde Park (Issy Mears) and show hunter type Manhatten (Harriet Dennison), eventual reserve. “It was a very unexpected result for such a young horse; we’d earmarked her as one for the future,” said Sara, of the Chiddock Time Lord daughter. Craig and Sara were unanimous in their vision for Hattie when they went to view her. “We both have to agree when we view a horse, and thankfully we both walked out of the stable and said we…

gemma.redrup@futurenet.com @gemmaredrup Fitzwilliam (Milton), Dingley, Northamptonshire AFTER a 38-year wait, the Kelly Morgan-trained Escoltador provided Sheena Harris with a winner as an owner. Escoltador is co-owned with Tik Saunders, who also co-owned and trained Present Ranger, the winner of the PPORA Fitzwilliam (Milton) conditions (level two) 8yo&up on the day. “You take your chances and there have been disappointments along the way, but aren’t we lucky?” Sheena said after Alice Stevens piloted Escoltador to his 11-length win in the maiden (no weight for age allowances). “He was exceptionally green to start with, so I just kept it simple and went for the middle, because I just didn’t want anything silly to happen like for him to duck out,” said Alice of the six-year-old, who won on his fourth attempt pointing.…

BUT for Nijinsky, who was from his second crop, Northern Dancer may never have scaled the heights as a sire in Europe. Northern Dancer won the first two legs of the US Triple Crown in 1964 but faltered in the Belmont Stakes. He raced almost exclusively on dirt, which would not have endeared his progeny to European-based buyers. However, he claimed two US sire championships and four in Britain and Ireland, the first of them in Nijinsky’s Triple Crown year of 1970. He would become the world’s most sought-after sire. At the height of his fame one breeding right to Northern Dancer sold at auction for $1m. The fee was payable irrespective of whether the mare got in foal or not.…

Share your news story Call 01252 555021 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @jones_eleanor_ THE equestrian world is mourning the loss of one of the greatest Flat jockeys of all time, Lester Piggott, who died on 29 May aged 86. Lester’s family confirmed he died “peacefully” in Switzerland on Sunday morning. He had been receiving treatment in hospital that week. Known for his unique and distinctive style, the “Long Fellow”, who was almost 5ft 8in tall, had a background steeped in racing. Lester’s grandfather Ernie was a champion jump jockey, his father Keith a successful jockey turned trainer, and his mother Iris was of the great Rickaby racing family. “His statue will always honour one of our sport’s great champions”PHIL WHITE Lester rode his first winner aged 12, and his first Derby winner six…

▲ WILDLIFE To a racecourse in the US where an alligator was caught on video casually strolling on to the track. One could almost hear the horse boggling at said reptile in said film saying, “I TOLD you there were crocodiles…” ▲ PRANKS It’s not known if the head of a school in Montana, US, was aware of the state law requiring principals to look after horses ridden to school by pupils. He does now, as 12 students did so on their last day. But he said they left less mess than after last year’s prank… the mind boggles. ▲ A CHEEKY TIPPLE In the US, apparently, they run “champagne classes”. One rides one’s dressage test holding a full glass and without, the aim is, spilling any. The questions are:…

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle IT’S been a refreshing treat to return to Chatsworth and Rockingham over this past month, after three years away due to Covid. We’re so lucky to be able to compete in such places – the effort that had gone in to make these true internationals was incredible. Their courses were so well dressed and presented. Owners love these great days out which they can enjoy with their families, with the tradestands and extra entertainment. Both venues had a real buzz in the dressage and showjumping arenas and people out on the cross-country, which offered horses an educational experience. I had two sevenyear-olds at Chatsworth who are both aimed at Le Lion d’Angers, where there are always crowds everywhere – so having that practice is valuable. With all that…

OLIVER, owned by Ruth Baxendale (pictured left, with Oliver) and her mother Allison Freeman, was diagnosed with trigeminal-mediated headshaking syndrome at the end of last year, with signs appearing suddenly on Christmas Eve. “He was acting as if he had something on his nose – trying to scratch it and twitching his head. A few days later out hacking he would walk normally for a bit, then freeze and clench his teeth,” says Ruth. “The following day he was twitching in his stable, so we called the vet. He was sent for a head CT scan and was diagnosed. “We tried a nose net and a UV-blocking eye mask, and I added a magnesium and boron supplement to his diet,” continues Ruth. “When none of these worked, we tried PENS…

WHAT’S in a name? There’s a great deal to it in horse racing, especially when it comes to The Queen and her predecessors on the throne. In this year of the Platinum Jubilee, countless new collections have been themed in some way around celebrations commemorating the first British monarch to spend 70 years on the throne. In racing, however, The Queen has long been commemorated by races named in her honour. Pride of place belongs to the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, which will be run in October at Ascot, the monarch’s very own racecourse. Since this year marks the 67th renewal of a long-established race, the sport’s authorities had to be a little more imaginative in conjuring a racing landmark befitting of the Platinum Jubilee. Racing had to confront the…

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle Barefoot Retreats Houghton, Norfolk IBBLE WATSON, 19, and her own Aristoteles S Z won the British Eventing (BE) national under-21 championships in style, heading the section from pillar to post. The result was all the more impressive because Ibble, a team gold and individual silver medallist at the 2019 pony European Championships, is in her first year of young riders, plus Aristoteles S Z only had a handful of BE points to his name this time last season and was competing in his first CCI3*-L. The pair completed on their dressage score of 21.7, a healthy margin ahead of runners-up and defending champions Oliver Jackson and Viktor Krum on 27.1. “What a horse!” exclaimed Ibble after her win on the son of Nick Skelton’s 2004 Olympic mount Arko…

IRISHMAN Fred Scala bounced back from a serious accident last December to make his seasonal reappearance at Howick (1) memorable for all the right reasons. He won a BE100 section on Croft DK (pictured), a new ride for this year who was making his eventing debut. He also finished second in a novice on Corriebeg Supernova. Fred was out showjumping on 10 December 2021 when the accident happened. “I’d just got up on a young horse and he put his head between his knees and went plunging off – a proper rodeo job,” he said. “I was thinking that I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay on when the decision was taken away from me – he went stage right and spat me out on the hardcore.” Fred has been…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald CSI2* Chard Equestrian, Somerset THE three-day international turned into the Mark Edwards show, as the Welshman hit sizzling form to score an incredible hattrick with home-bred horses, including the top-billed, two-star grand prix with Montreuxs Tale. It was all won despite injury. “I was leading a horse out on Tuesday and it jumped on my foot. It’s just badly bruised, and I got my boots on and managed to ride on Thursday,” said Mark. “It’s harder to walk than ride and still sore; walking the distances on the course-walk is the hardest part.” Mark began his onslaught in the 1.40m two-phase as the Tinkers Tale x Corleone 12-year-old outpaced their 44 rivals by 0.44sec. They were again unbeatable in the grand prix. Course-designer Paul Connor asked the 50…

IRISH NATIONS CUP VICTORY THE Irish squad of Richard Howley (Consulent De Prelet Z), Jessica Burke (Namamia), Kevin Gallagher (Ballypatrick Flamenco) and Jenny Rankin (Carmela Z) combined for a tremendous victory in the Longines EEF Nations Cup of Lisbon. Great Britain’s young team finished eighth. A FEMALE WINNER AFTER 47 YEARS POLISH rider Cassandra Orschel (pictured, below) became the first female rider to win the Hamburg Derby since 1975. After a four-way jump-off for the four-faulters, she and the 11-year-old Dacara E claimed victory with the only clear. In the Global Champions League, the legendary pair of John Whitaker and Marcus Ehning teamed up to claim top honours.…

catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 FOR those suffering withdrawal and missing the buzz and camaraderie of hunting, there are plenty of other activities to get your teeth into during the off-season. A good place to start while your hunters are enjoying a well-deserved break is to get on your bike for a morning of hound exercise. “Most hunts have designated days through the summer when they invite people to join them on hound exercise while the hunt horses are on their holidays,” says Polly Portwin, the Countryside Alliance’s director of hunting. “It’s a super way to keep in touch with your hunting pals, and you can usually take the kids, too. “They’re out for about an hour and go at a hound’s jog pace, so it’s not particularly fast. There’s sometimes a breakfast…

NIJINSKY’S owner, Charles Engelhard (pictured), was a larger-than-life character who made his fortune from trading in precious metals. He befriended the author Ian Fleming, and was said to have been the inspiration for Fleming creating the character Goldfinger in the eponymous James Bond book. On meeting The Queen immediately after Nijinsky’s Derby triumph Charles’ braces snapped, obliging him to keep his arms clamped firmly to the sides of his trousers while chatting to Her Majesty. The Queen Mother was most amused.…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 SINCE my March column in which I wrote about relaxation (17 March), I have made some big progress with my up-and-coming horse Fallatijn (Finn), and we were able to enjoy our first CDI win at Hagen CDI3* last week. We scored personal bests in both the grand prix and the special, and it is always lovely to hear the British national anthem, especially on German soil. To have Lara Butler next to me in second on our home-bred Kristjan felt very special too. As a rider with four children, I have very little time to worry about what is said on social media, but it has come to my attention that for many riders at different levels, including the very top tier, life can be made very unpleasant…

I’m one of four civilian trainers for the Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch, and I assess the mental and physical suitability of the horses we get in, prior to purchase. I have three horses at a time, from unbroken three-year-olds to older ones that have had other jobs. I also feed, muck out, sweep the yard and clean kit; I do everything. I train the remounts – that’s a military expression from when cavalry officers lost a horse in battle and would be remounted with a new young one – until they’re deemed suitable to go to central London and continue training with a mounted officer. Some are in and out in three months, while others are here for a couple of years – we aim for six to nine months. “One…

HARLOW MS1 PRO HELMET BY CHARLES OWEN This MIPS (multi-directional impact protection system) helmet, designed in collaboration with Harlow White, features triple-standard protection, including PAS 015. It’s finished in a matte navy with a rose gold emblem, and a matching navy silk with rose gold embroidery is also included. Available in standard or round fit. Sizes: 52-62 From £155 charlesowen.com LACE RIDING GLOVES BY FELIX BÜHLER These elegant lace gloves are as eye-catching as they are functional. The breathable mesh at the back of the hand prevents heat build-up, while the inside of the hand offers good grip on the reins. Available in black, navy and white. Sizes: XS-L £23.90 kramer.co.uk EQUISEAT AID Do you struggle with straightness or stability in the saddle? Do you want to give your horse…

1926 PRINCESS Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor is born on 21 April at her maternal grandparents’ home in Mayfair. She was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, who would become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. 1930 THE Queen’s grandfather, King George V, gives her a Shetland pony, called Peggy – and her passion for horses begins. 1933 AGED seven, Princess Elizabeth begins her lifelong love of Corgis when her father brings home Dookie, a Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi. 1942 THE princess pays her first visit to a racing stables, that of Fred Darling, who trained for her father. Aged 16, she was enchanted by the “satiny softness of a thoroughbred”. 1943 THE inaugural Royal Windsor Horse Show is staged, originally to raise funds for the war effort…

IT was a case of “like mother like daughter” in the CCI2*-L prize-giving, when seventh-placed Tina Cook (Kings Lane, pictured above, top) lined up alongside her 17-year-old daughter Isabelle (pictured above, bottom), who finished 10th with Tina’s former five-star partner, Elisabeth Murdoch’s Calvino II. “She works incredibly hard,” said Tina. “It was a lovely moment when we were both in the line-up but I am secretly happy that I beat her as I have to try to retain some kind of power balance!” IN THE GENES…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 Somerford Park Premier League, Cheshire “NEVER did I think we’d go all the way to under-25 and now senior grand prix – what a legend he is,” declared Lewis Carrier, after winning both the grand prix and grand prix special with his own 14-year-old Diego V. In the grand prix, Lewis posted 72.59% to take over top spot from Samantha Thurman-Pickett, who’d held the lead from first draw until that point after a lovely test on Gerardo. Lewis and Diego then scored 72.77% to complete their grand prix double in the special, ahead of Lisa Marriott and Valucio in second. Lewis bought the Spielberg gelding as a four-year-old after his then trainer Diana Fisher tipped him off. “She went to see him, rode him and then told me…

CLASSIC BRIOLINCA (pictured) made a winning return to international competition, heading the CDI3* grand prix with 76.15%. The 16-year-old Trento B mare was being prepared for a Tokyo Olympics campaign in 2021 when she sustained a leg injury. She impressed at Compiègne, her first major outing since then. “She was amazing; as the test went on, I felt her relax into it,” said Gareth Hughes, who rides Briolinca for her co-owner Julia Hornig and praised his groom Steph Sharples for her hard work in helping bring the mare back to fitness. “I’m still being a bit careful with her after such a long rehabilitation, so I know there’s still more in there, but it’s so nice to have her back,” said Gareth. TALKING POINT…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo Stoneleigh Horse Show, Stoneleigh Park, Warks A FORMER hunt master’s steed sealed a first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket after heading the horse working hunter qualifier. Teacher Chrystia Reynolds and her mother Denise Reynold’s Fantastic Jack headed a strong field, including several former HOYS finalists. Jack was bought as a fouryear-old for Chrystia’s father, Nick Reynolds, to ride when field mastering for the Bicester Hunt. “He was a gangly ugly duckling, but we soon realised he was lovely” CHRYSTIA REYNOLDS ON FANTASTIC JACK “Jack arrived looking like anything but a show horse,” said Chrystia, who has appeared at the NEC on working hunter ponies, but noted that Jack will be her first horse to grace the show. “He was a bit of a gangly ugly duckling…

AFTER losing her beloved show horse last year, 20-year-old Eve Duggan was overjoyed to win the first horse championship of her career on Megan Hall’s elegant lightweight Bloomfield Kylemore (Isaac). Eve secured the RIHS hunter accolade with the 10-year-old grey gelding at White Rose County, the same show she stood reserve supreme at in 2021 with her late mare Withymoor Damsel (Daphne), who died last October. “I’ve been on the hunt for my own next superstar since I lost Daphne, so I’m grateful to have the opportunity to ride beautiful Isaac for the season,” said Eve, who coaches alongside running her own business, Achieve Competition Events. “I picked up the ride on him at last year’s RIHS, and I’ll pilot him this season before Megan takes over the reins.”…

martha.terry@futurenet.com @marthaowenorterry British Riding Clubs (BRC) NAF Five Star Combined Championships, Aston-le-Walls, Northamptonshire SAMANTHA NEWELL and Music Man went home with myriad prizes after they finished first individually in the 100 challenge and also helped Area 6 to team glory. The pair collected five penalties around a tough showjumping track, over which no one produced a fault-free round. They went on to collect 0.4 of a cross-country time-penalty to leave them 0.8 of a penalty clear of Sophie Reason and Heartstopper (Saffron Walden RC). “I was very surprised to win after having a pole down,” said the High Wycombe RC member. “I have two young sons and work full-time and don’t get to compete often, so I’m really pleased with this result. It certainly made the 4.30am start worth it.”…

A GROUP of us, mothers in our thirties and forties, have been meeting once a week to play tennis. It’s a session called “Rusty Rackets”, for people who haven’t played for a while and want to get back into the swing of it again, excuse the pun. I’ve always loved a bit of tennis; largely uncompetitive, mostly singles, ideally playing opposite a man equally matched in ability whom you quite fancied. That was before I was married anyway. Adam isn’t into tennis. Summertime for him is donning a kennel coat and getting back on his bike for hound exercise. “I’ve seen Adam and the dogs this morning,” trills Margaret, our serially cheerful taxi driver, who arrives each day to take Jack to school. The word “dogs” used for “hounds” has…