Innholdsfortegnelse for 20-Oct-2022 i Horse & Hound

THE nominations have been filtered and the shortlist is announced this week for the Horse & Hound Awards in partnership with NAF (p46). I defy anyone to read the stories of triumph, devotion, sacrifice and strength in these pages this week and not be moved. Going about our daily lives, it is so difficult not to get bogged down in the doing - not to mention the stress and the worrying - of work and life. But when you read inspirational stories of greatness, triumph over adversity or incredible selflessness, it is an excellent reminder to take a moment, step back, think about who we want to be as riders, horse owners, humans even, reconsider our ambitions and how we would like to achieve them. I am in awe of…

Swedish world champion Henrik von Eckermann married fellow showjumper Janika Sprunger on 11 October. The couple said it was a day they will remember as “one of the very best ones”. Former eventer turned apprentice jockey Saffie Osborne rode her firstever Group win, a Group Three at San Siro, Italy, on the Ed Walker-trained Random Harvest on 16 October, British grand prix dressage rider and influencer Olivia Towers has announced her engagement to her partner Frank Kelly. The “future Mrs Kelly” said she was “trying to take it all in”. Head lad Clifford Baker received the judges' choice award at the McCoys, which recognise excellence in jump racing. Clifford has worked for trainer Paul Nicholls since 1996. The Donkey Sanctuary has appointed Marianne Steele as chief executive. Marianne said she…

A British Horse Society (BHS) Scalextric-style track mimicking a rural road has gone down a storm with drivers - who compete to be the slowest to complete it. The BHS has been using the track at motor shows and events. BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox told H&H users “drive” model cars on the track designed as a country road, with horses and riders and a carriage driver, and drivers are told about the BHS Dead Slow road safety messages before they tackle it. Its a great way of getting people on to our stand and engaging with them,” Mr Hiscox said. “We have a Top Gear-style leaderboard, and its great. We've had people coming back, to see if they still had the slowest time, or have another go. And…

Edited by Alex Robinson alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ WE'VE just about come back down to earth after the 2022 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and what a show it was for our sport. My team and I had a particularly fantastic year, finishing with View Point (Sean) winning the supreme horse title for the second time, before he was retired from the show ring. I was asked several times ahead of the show if I felt the pressure returning to HOYS with him this year and I definitely did. I was apprehensive as I knew in my heart that the fairytale would come to an end at some point, but I'm glad we got to draw the curtain on our terms. I took a risk asking Sean for a flying change…

SALLY RANDELL says: “We are really good at knowing what our horses want – we've had loads come here that have no confidence, so you've got to build that confidence up. It takes a while, but we've got different ways of doing it and it works. We get them out in the field as much as we can. “I think a really important thing about training racehorses is that you ‘gallop home’, so our gallop comes home [in the direction of the stables] and it is the same at Martins Hill. They are putting their maximum effort in while coming home, rather than away from it and it keeps them happy. “Both gallops have the same surface and are very short. Another thing about day-to-day work with a racehorse is…

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JANE BUCHAN from Baileys offers her top money-saving tips for winter feeding START NOW IF you have an older horse or pony who struggles with poor dentition and chewing hay or haylage over winter, make sure you feed a good forage replacer to keep fibre intake high and encourage weight maintenance as the grass starts to decline. Waiting until they have already started to lose weight will make it that much harder to get their condition back when the weather is colder. The same applies to the poor doer. The sooner you act, the less likely you will have to resort to feeding vast volumes of expensive bucket feed to maintain weight. ASSESS WEIGHT MONITOR your horse's body condition regularly through the winter months, using body condition scoring, a weigh…

Horse & Hound Awards 2022: celebrating the stars of equestrianism in partnership with ISLA MILLER BASED in Thurso in the north of Scotland, Isla grew up on the Pony Club circuit, eventing and showing at local level. While at college she worked for Seaforth Saddlers, attending shows with her employers, and soon caught the showing bug. Isla, who works as a senior project engineer, hasn't let her location stop her from contending all the major shows and she has been placed at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) multiple times. “The life-work balance is a challenge but horses are my passion,” says Isla. “Thankfully, work allows me to be flexible with my hours, so I often work longer days so I can spend the…

Horse & Hound Awards 2022: celebrating the stars of equestrianism in partnership with MAGNOLIA MAGIC Ashleigh Wicheard wins Goodwood's Magnolia Cup ASHLEIGH made headlines when leading her fellow amateur jockeys in taking the knee in the paddock before going on to win the Markel Magnolia Cup charity race at Goodwood. “I have been trying hard to promote diversity within the sport, just really by being a face In the paddock,” said Ashlelgh, who Is a work rider for Neil Mulholland and won convincingly on the Scott Dixon-trained Dark Shot. “It's probably the most impactful thing I could have done. You can talk a lot and you can read a lot, but actually, when you see things - actions speak louder than words. “I've put everything into winning this. The fact that…

Horse & Hound Awards 2022: celebrating the stars of equestrianism in partnership with THE LATE BRENDAN MURRAY BRENDAN was official Team GBR eventing farrier for 26 years, including duty at seven Olympic Games and over a dozen World and European Championships. He spent 22 years with the King's Troop, ending as master farrier for the regiment, and was part of the cortège for Princess Diana's funeral. As part of the British team entourage, Brendan was a linchpin behind the scenes. He would set up immaculate beds for the horses, hang the flags and look after the grooms. Brendan was also the show farrier at the London International Horse Show and had a sideline as a stunt rider and farrier in films. A satisfied client says: “Brendan's life was devoted to the…

Horse & Hound Awards 2022: celebrating the stars of equestrianism in partnership with NICOLA WILSON EUROPEAN champion event rider Nicola Wilson (pictured with her gold medallist JL Dublin) suffered serious injuries in a fall at Badminton Horse Trials in May. She spent more than four months in hospital undergoing intensive rehab and physio work as she relearnt basic life skills, and returned home in September. Robyn Gray, who joined Nicola's yard in January and has been riding her youngsters, won the Burghley young event horse five-year-old title this year, on Jack Of Clubs. “Nicola is so positive in everything she's going through as well as about the yard and horses,” Robyn says. “Her positivity is still rubbing off, although she needs it herself.” Nicola said in August: Obviously I'm not going…

Sparsholt College, Hampshire RIES' CASTORE made his first PSG a winning one, scoring 75.15% to take the class. “He came from Denmark and this was only his second show,” said Sadie Smith, who is currently riding the 10-year-old gelding for Laetitia van der Wyck. “He's an easy-going type of guy and went in and did everything correctly.” Sadie was a novice runner-up with her own Tramontana For Elfenblume. The five-year-old British-bred mare, described by Sadie as “very hot”, lives out 24/7. “It has taken her a long time to mature, but she's coming into her own,” said Sadie. “She's clever, but doesn't like being alone. The fact that she stood on the lorry on her own between tests was the biggest achievement of the day.”…

IF you want to encourage young racegoers who are perhaps not aficionados (yet), you could not have a better outcome than Frankie Dettori (pictured), someone they all know, riding a brace of Group One winners on 3/1 favourites. Ascot, a happy hunting ground for most of Dettori's career, was where it went pear-shaped for him in June leading to his “sabbatical” from John Gosden. But this was the old Dettori; confident, stylish, easy. First up was Ralph Beckett's amazingly versatile Kinross, running out a winner in the Sprint. “What a horse,” said Beckett. “He pulled a shoe off 10 days ago and has paper-thin soles, but he doesn't need to work at home. I always wanted to do this Ascot over six furlongs on soft. He'd struggle over six on…

Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 01252 555021 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor IMPROVED education and teamwork are key to providing young horses with a start that will set them up for happy, healthy and sound lives long into the future. This was the key message from the first “Better Beginnings” event, organised by the British Horse Foundation (BHF), on 10 October. The aim of the conference, at which a variety of experts spoke, was to focus on management of youngsters, from before conception to two years old, seen “through the lens” of horse sport's social licence to operate. “These are challenging times, with increasing threats to equestrianism, and our social licence to continue to work with, care for and nurture horses,” said BHF chair Jane Nixon. “We…

YOUR CHANCE TO APPEAR IN H&H WORK is under way on the 2022 Horse & Hound reader issue - and we want to hear from you. The annual special edition (29 December), is your chance to share your inspiring stories. There are four categories in which H&H is looking for submissions: “The day I met” a human or equine idol, beating the odds, fabulous photos and venerable veterans. Please send your stories to martha. terry@futurenet.com, by the deadline Tuesday, 1 November. The best entries will feature in our pages. NEW ACE EVENT SERIES LAUNCHED A NEW British Eventing (BE) arena-based competition series will run this winter, aimed at appealing to riders at all levels. Anyone Can Event (ACE) qualifiers will run across the country, from 70-100cm, and is open to…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound PUBLIC PERCEPTION UPON speaking to a city-dwelling colleague recently, I have begun to appreciate j ust how wide the disconnect is between the general public and equestrianism. You have covered this in your news pages with articles such as, “Efforts to overcome ‘disconnect’ between the public and horses” (1 September), so what are the changes in the way we gather information and form opinions? Recently, I Googled “showjumping”. What comes up at the top of the search engine? As you'd expect, British Showjumping, but closely followed by “People also ask” and the top one is, “Is showjumping cruel to the horse?” The answer to this is a damning one from People for the…

Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald IT has been a long, hot summer, which has been difficult for both Flat racing and jumping, as the fast ground has dramatically reduced the field sizes. It doesn't make for good viewing and it's not good for punters, racecourses or trainers. Frankly, this summer might have been the start of its death knell and the sport needs to address the problem before it's too late. When I started my training career, there was no summer jumps racing. There have been calls to introduce a summer break as many staff, even jockeys, struggle to have days away from the sport. It is time to realise that welfare now comes into the equation and a healthy break of six weeks would do us all some…

NEITHER Fergal nor Sally (pictured) were born into racing – or horses. He says: “My dad was a bus driver and my mother a breakfast cook. I am the youngest of six – my brother David got into ponies and [another brother] Brian and I followed him into horses then into racing.” Fergal came to England, to the British Racing School, when he was 16, and was then sent to work at Tim Forster's, who trained three Grand National winners in Shropshire. “You talk about being lucky in life – I've been so lucky in so many instances,” Fergal says. “That was just the best – great people, a great place to learn and I met two of my best friends in life there.” He then spent 18 years working…

PRACTISE this approach for oral medicine or wormer with a syringe loaded with molasses or apple juice. When you can place the tip of the syringe in the corner of the horse's mouth, start to drip a little bit in slowly. You'll soon find that they enjoy “taking their medicine”! When you do then need to use this technique for real, again dip the tip of the syringe in molasses. To practise, wash out and use an old worming syringe, or your vet will be more than happy to provide you with a syringe.…

Horse & Hound Awards 2022: celebrating the stars of equestrianism in partnership with Nominated and voted for by you, our heroes of 2022 will be revealed at a glittering, star-studded ceremony on Wednesday, 30 November at Cheltenham Racecourse - so get your votes in now! You can vote and book tickets at horseandhound.co.uk/awards HOW TO VOTE HAVING read the stories of our nominees in the following pages, don't miss your chance to vote now for the one you feel most deserves the win in each category by visiting horseandhound.co.uk/awards For full terms and conditions relating to voting for these awards, visit horseandhound.co.uk/awardsrules2022 Voting is open for one week only. Voting will open on 20 October 2022 and will close at 23:59 on 27 October 2022. You are voting for the winners of…

Horse & Hound Awards 2022: celebrating the stars of equestrianism in partnership with BANZAI DU LOIR 11yo Selle Français gelding, Nouma D'Auzay x Livarot Rider: Yasmin Ingham Owners: Sue Davies and Janette Chinn Breeder: Pierre Gouye YASMIN repeatedly described Banzai - whose moniker is the banana emoji and who loves nothing more than a good roll - as “the ultimate event horse” during their week of winning World Championship individual gold. And his performances throughout every phase bore out her approbation as he scored 22 for third after dressage, finished just three seconds over the cross-country optimum time and showjumped clear over a tough track. “He's incredible in the dressage, fast, agile and brave across country and coming into the showjumping, he showed everybody he was jumping a clear and there…

Horse & Hound Awards 2022: celebrating the stars of equestrianism in partnership with ISABELLE COOK Age: 17 Best horse: “Mexican Law is a home-bred by Billy Mexico. My mum rode her to advanced and I started riding her last winter. She's half-owned by Jim Chromiak, who has been a long-standing owner with Mum. She's a really good jumper and fun to ride.” Proudest moment this year: “Taking individual silver and team gold at the junior Europeans, which was unexpected. It was my first championship and being on home soil at Hartpury made it special.” Equestrian inspiration: “My family. My mum, Tina Cook. If I'm having a problem, I have somebody on hand who is experienced to help me. My grandmother Althea Gifford is also knowledgeable and very strict on how I…

Horse & Hound Awards 2022: celebrating the stars of equestrianism inpartnership with DUNCAN BALLARD B&W Equine Vets “I'M a farmer's son and have always been surrounded by animals. Aged 10 or 11, I saw a cow caesarean at home and I thought that was pretty special. From that moment on I knew what I wanted to do. When I first qualified in 2000,I was involved in the foot-and-mouth outbreak, before moving to equine practice. “A standout moment this year was attending to Avon and Somerset police horse Rocky, who had been hit by a car at about 50mph while on patrol. I attended the scene and have followed the case all the way. He is still in recovery, but the wounds are pretty much healed. He is walking out and starting…

Horse & Hound Awards 2022: celebrating the stars of equestrianism in partnership with CARLTONLIMA EMMA The Queen's beloved hack EMMA is known as one of The Queen's favourite riding ponies. The Queen's stud groom and manager Terry Pendry bought the Fell pony from Thomas Capstick when she was eight. Aged nine, she had a foal by Murthwaite Look At Me, named Balmoral Vision, after which she was produced for the show ring by Lizzie Briant. She had a short but successful showing career, including Cuddy supreme champion at Devon County, and qualifying for HOYS ridden finals and the Olympia mountain and moorland supreme championships final. She also appeared in three pageants at Royal Windsor. Following her retirement from competition, she went on to be hacked out in Windsor Great Park by…

ON the same day that Rachel Clark and Wot Glamour headed novice section P at Askham Bryan College, the mare's half-sister, Wot Perfection, was crowned ridden coloured champion at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in the hands of Richard Telford. The half-sisters, who are both out of a De Niro dressage mare called Walinko, were bred by former five-star eventer Charlotte Ridley, for whom Rachel works. “I broke Wot Glamour in, although I was never meant to do all the riding,” explained Rachel, who stepped up to the plate after Charlotte suffered a bad leg injury 10 years ago. IN THE GENES…

GILLIAN PORTUS and Hammerwood Riola claimed a novice double at Bluegate Hall Farm, Essex, with scores of 72.41% and 74.19%. “My dad bought me the horse just two weeks before he suddenly died in May,” said Gillian. “He had always taught me to be very independent and it was unusual for him to be keen to buy a horse, but he had told me a few months previously: ‘You work so hard, I'd just like to see you do well.’ “We've been working since to keep her in front of the leg, as she could be a bit lazy, but she pinged around these two tests,” added Gillian of eight-year-old “Kanga”. “She has never been to Bluegate but she's a pleasure to take to a show and she excelled herself.…

Half Moon Stud, Dorset AFTER gravitating towards dressage with Cerrighedd Yago when she bought him as a four-year-old, Donna Willis is now notching up novice and elementary wins with the piebald. The pair took a class at each level. “He's getting stronger” DONNA WILLIS “Yago is really cool,” said Donna of the eight-year-old, who is by Welsh part-bred Diggers Gold and out of a traditional cob mare. “He was quite hairy and fat when I first saw him, but there was something about him. We've since enjoyed cross-country, hacking and beach rides. “He does have a small window for stamina and it can be difficult to get him up at the front, but he's getting fitter and stronger,” she added. “We're aiming for our first medium at Christmas-time.”…

HUNTING BELVOIR 30 September Edited by Catherine Austen catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123…

HUNTING SYNDICATE manager Ed Seyfried of Old Gold Racing has thrown himself into team chasing, taking on the sponsorship of the Warwickshire and fielding teams under the name of Old Gold Racing Goes Team Chasing (pictured). Luck was not on his side as he was ejected from his horse in the warm-up. Too battered to take part, he was swiftly replaced by Emily Rose. Then Emily and team-mate George Edgdale both tipped off at the ski jump. After a lengthy pause, they continued and were able to complete, without troubling the timekeepers excessively. “It's a brilliant sport if that was the 2.30 at Southwell it would have been game over, but we were able to swap riders and carry on,” said a rather sore Ed. “We have 19 horses racing…

I WAS delighted to open my email inbox recently and discover an open invitation from the recently formed British Hound Sports Association to the inaugural “Trail-hunting Hound Trials” in Gloucestershire on 30 October. Hound trials are similar to sheepdog trials, or field trials for gundogs, in that they are essentially a working test of the ability of that particular breed to fulfil the purpose for which it was bred. I have long since held the view that the summer hound shows, while they have many useful functions, are not a great place to select stallion hounds unless, of course, you follow up with a lot of homework as to the working abilities of the animal in question or, better still, borrow the hound and watch him hunt. “I welcome the…

BAAEED Europe's top-rated Flat horse was beaten for the first time on his final start in the Champion Stakes. Shadwell's four-year-old, trained by William Haggas and ridden by Jim Crowley, came fourth. Report, p96. HARBOUR PILOT Jacqueline Mars's 19-yearold, ridden by Hannah Sue Hollberg (nee Burnett), retired after finishing 10th at Maryland five-star (report, p74). The pair contested 12 five-stars, finishing eighth at Luhmühlen. WILLOWCROFT REGAL BRONZE Jerome Harforth's stallion has died, aged 20. “Skippy”, the first British riding pony imported from Australia, has sired numerous winners as well as being a successful in-hand pony himself.…

The Horse & Hound Podcast H&H discusses the latest news on The Horse & Hound Podcast: horseandhound.co.uk/podcast THE FEI dressage committee is “in favour” of keeping the double bridle compulsory at the top levels of international grand prix - as the debate continues. The FEI independent ethics and wellbeing commissions recommendation to make double bridles optional in grand prix dressage - and spurs optional in any FEI discipline - came to light when the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) and International Dressage Trainers Club (IDTC) published a letter strongly opposing the proposal (news, 6 October). The letter, which has since been removed from the groups' websites, raised points including their opinion that opposition to the double bridle stems from a “lack of understanding” of how and why it is used,…

SURVIVAL A rider telling a non-horsey colleague about her first show on a youngster said her main aim was to get through in one piece. He thought, then replied: “Well, if your only criteria for success is to survive, you're guaranteed to be successful for the rest of your life.” True. ALTERNATIVE SCIENCE A first-time breeder who did the “dangle a ring over the mare” trick to determine the foal's sex, was delighted to see it move in a circle, highly scientific proof it's a filly. “That'll be the coltiest colt that ever colted then,” said a pal. Harsh but fair. NAMES We will not name the leading rider who gets slightly confused by his continentally-bred horse's rather long and complicated name. “I know the different words of it, but…

Edited by Pippa Roome pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparocmeorkyle LAST week I went to Maryland five-star en route to coursedesign duties in Florida and North Carolina. This second running was a considerable improvement on the inaugural event, especially for horses and riders. It was sad, though, that organisers did not heed advice on the site layout, which still needs an overhaul with regards to people flow, tradestands, food outlets and so on. Ian Stark seemed a lot more comfortable this year in his fivestar shoes and did a good job, though with half the field inside the time, some might say it was too easy. But five-star design is a learning process and it takes a new designer three years to get it right, whatever the track. In Maryland, there is a lot…

HORSE&HOUND ALL IN A DAY'S WORK “Horses have given me a life I could never have dreamt of and I will be forever thankful to them” I was small when my family left Italy for Mozambique. My parents are volunteer doctors. The agreement I made was that I would follow them if I could have a monkey, a horse and a dog. We ended up with two monkeys, a guinea pig, a multitude of dogs, some cats and, indeed, horses. So I got a great deal. Mozambique was going through a civil war and there were land mines everywhere. One of the only safe spaces for children to play outdoors was at the former riding school, where they used to train the army. They still had some horses and I…

OLD WINCOMBE FARM Shaftesbury, Dorset For you: a beautifully situated equestrian home with direct riding access to the Cranborne Chase AONB, yet within walking distance to the town of Shaftesbury. There are three bedrooms and three bathrooms, a sitting room with log burner and impressive kitchen-diner with vaulted ceiling, inglenook fireplace and log burner. For the horses: the yard comprises three stables, tack room and hay store. The grazing is divided into four postandrailed paddocks. There is also a 20x40m all-weather arena and exceptional hacking. Set in 4.37 acres. £795,000 Fox Grant, 01722 782727, foxgrant.com THE BEESTON Wettenhall, Cheshire For you: a three-bedroom endofbarn conversion in a semi-rural hamlet. Downstairs features a sun lounge and Indian stone patio. For the horses: four stables including a foaling box, tack room and…

DENGIE sponsored riders give their top tips for reducing feed bills in winter. Dressage rider and trainer Anna Miller likes to use a powdered vitamin and mineral supplement in her horse's rations: “I feed a good-specification vitamin and mineral supplement, rather than a balancer, alongside a good-quality chaff as it works out more cost effective for me when feeding the whole yard.” “Find a good-quality balancer and check the ingredients to make sure you aren't doubling up on specific nutrients,” event rider Tanya Buckingham-Lloyd recommends. “For example, many vitamin and mineral supplements or balancers already contain biotin, so it may not be necessary to use a hoof supplement as well, therefore saving you money.” “Most horses don't need concentrates, especially those working at lower levels,” advises international dressage rider and…

Horse & Hound Awards 2022. celebrating the stars of equestrianism in partnership with LAURA COLLETT Badminton winner THE 33-year-old topped a “whirlwind 18 months” when she won Badminton in May on London 52, adding a second five-star title to her win at Pau in 2020, plus Olympic team gold last year. “I remember watching Pippa Funnell winning on Supreme Rock. She's always been my idol and I wanted to be her, winning Badminton… I can't believe I'm now me, winning Badminton,” said Laura after her win. Laura was an uber-successful youth rider, winning nine under-21 medals, but things have not always gone her way since - two of her three senior championship bids before Tokyo had ended in elimination and she lost the sight in one eye in a serious…

Horse & Hound Awards 2022: celebrating the stars of equestrianism in partnership with OBAMA Access pony OBAMA, 19, is a much-loved pony whose primary aim is to contribute to the wellbeing of the most disabled members of society. His owner Simon Mulholland set up Pony Axe S, which takes wheelchair users to the places where wheelchairs cannot take them, such as along the seashore, and driving pony Obama is a key player. Simon acquired Obama in 2009 when the pony was six. “I was looking for an awkward animal to train to drive, and Obama was recommended - he came off the Welsh hills and was unrideable,” says Simon. “Obama has since taken plenty of people to the beach for their first time and some for their last. He has done…

Horse & Hound Awards 2022: celebrating the stars of equestrianism in partnership with POLLY HOLBROOK POLLY works for event rider Laura Collett and joined her team in June 2021. Career highlight: “Watching Laura and London 52 complete the cross-country at Badminton this year. I couldn't bear to watch and I just remember bursting into tears as she galloped past me. Seeing them cross the finish line is something I'll never forget.” Her top tip?: “Stay humble and never be above any job.” A special horse to Polly: “This is a hard one! A current horse on the yard would have to be Mr Bass - he always puts a smile on your face and is such a character. I also have a horse of Laura's who has retired from eventing, called…

Horse & Hound Awards 2022: celebrating the stars of equestrianism in partnership with JUDITH DAWSON JUDITH, 87, never misses a meeting with Woodchurch Driving Group Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and has been one of their key volunteers for over a decade. She attends every club day, fundraises and keeps the ponies fit in the winter, driving them twice a week all year round. Why did you become a volunteer? “My job was in occupational therapy and I've always had a love of horses. I'd ridden, but never really had anything to do with carriage driving. I was on a home visit and saw pictures of carriage driving on the walls - that's how I found out about it.” Memorable moment: “I was driving a young autistic man; we used…

Dressage at Belmoredean, West Sussex CALDIENNE made a winning comeback after a year out of competition, heading both advanced mediums with Kirsty Mepharn. “She's quite an opinionated mare and took advantage of my dodgy right leg last year,” said Kirsty, who was off for a while after a hip replacement. “We've since taken our time with her. When she's with you, she's good. She really knuckled down.” The home-bred nine-year-old, nicknamed “Wren”, is by Anne Baldock's Calderon I, the warmblood stallion Kirsty took to grand prix level. “Wren learnt her changes quickly and easily and is working towards PSG [prix st georges] at home,” Kirsty added. “She has a good work ethic, but she does tend to be all go and not a lot of whoa. I'll want that power…

STEPH CROXFORD'S gelding Mr Jurist produced a 70%-plus inter II test to take the top spot at Newbold Verdon EC, Leicestershire. “We did a bit of freestyling, as he seems to think you get extra marks for that,” laughed Steph of the eight-year-old Dutch driving-bred gelding, nicknamed “Slug”. ONE TO WATCH “It's all about getting experience. He's a big, chunky horse with a lot of presence, but he's a bit of an introvert and in the arena he shrinks to a mouse. He just needs to relax, so he can go out and give what he does at home. “Riding a test with Slug feels like pushing him uphill through treacle,” added Steph, who likens him to her husband's Series One Land Rover. “But he's very kind and he finds…

A WINNING DOUBLE FOR WHITAKER JACK WHITAKER and the 12-year-old mare Scenletha (pictured) racked up a tremendous five-star winning double at the Kingsland Oslo Horse Show in Norway. The pair's first victory came in Friday's 1.50m speed class and they followed up in Sunday's 1.55m jump-off. “She's in unbelievable form and it felt like the more we jumped, the better she got,” commented Jack, who just incurred four faults at the penultimate fence in the opening leg of the World Cup series riding Equine America Valmy De La Lande. The winner of the class was 25-year-old Swiss rider Bryan Balsiger with Dubai Du Bois Pinchet after an 11-way jump-off. “I was waiting for a big win with her, so I'm over the moon,” he said. KILKENNY IS BACK IN BUSINESS…

Beaufort, Sopworth, Wiltshire THE Fox Grant vs Ride Away duel continued at the Beaufort, with Phil Nichols, Anna Stone, Jamie Goss and Abbie Weatherstone reuniting as Fox Grant Dot Com to score from a late draw. In its third year, the varied intermediate track continues to bed in, with some devious switchback hedges, alongside a wall, drop log pile and some serious climbs and descents. Phil Nichols, on his seasonal debut after his recent wedding, was kept up to his work on Creepy by Jamie and Connor, with the others galloping on in their wake. They made light work of the turns, and gathered together smoothly for the pen. Running down the final hedge line, Jamie swung into the lead to take them home. “These horses work together so well,”…

I'M sure if we are being honest, we all have moments of disliking, perhaps even loathing, our horses. And even the saintliest have their moments, just like people. No one can be perfect all the time. Yesterday morning, it was wet and windy when Jim and I set off on our lonely circuit around two hills that line the road to the farm. The route is an excellent lung-opener for the horses once they get a bit fitter. It begins with a long, steep pull up the first hill in walk. A trot and canter through the saddle at the top. Another steep descent and then a good canter or gallop up the other side. The last section is all downhill, steep in places with the farm steading directly below.…