Innholdsfortegnelse for 10-Nov-2022 i Horse & Hound

THIS week, we celebrate those horses who are still going strong in their twilight years, be they storming round Burghley inside the optimum like 19-year-old Classic Moet (p22), or giving leisure riders the time of their life (feature, p30), or enjoying another role having spent years in the spotlight like Promised Land, Istabraq or Topping (p34). There’s nothing we like more than the latter - seeing how the heroes of yesterday are thriving and enjoying their well-earned retirement, be it light competing, hacking, or keeping the home-breds in check. We invariably find that these horses are still the boss of the yard, are still being pampered as if they are off to Hickstead next week, and still have all the character and verve that was part of why they were…

IN THE NEWS OSLO William Fox-Pitt’s five-star winner, owned by the Fox-Pitt Eventing Partnership, has died aged 20. His 2011 included third at Chatsworth and titles at Tattersalls, Blenheim eight- and nine-year-olds and Pau CCI5*. ONE FOR ARTHUR The 2017 Grand National winner is back in Scotland after a year of Irish retrained racehorse showing with breeder John Dwan’s daughter Aisling. He joins co-owner Belinda McClung’s stepdaughter Ailsa to event. DOONAVEERAGH O ONE Irish Esib Power’s eventer turned showjumper has died aged 21. They came eighth at Barbury and won national grands prix and Dublin Horse Show. He also won the Hickstead speed Derby with Esib’s jockey brother Robbie.…

@ horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. AN IDEAL OPTION WHAT a shame the FEI did not stay with the word “permitted” for the list of equipment for advanced dressage, rather than “optional”, along with an unclear explanation as to why the long overdue use of a snaffle will (hopefully) now be permitted in all dressage tests. It is a mystery to me why a snaffle has not been allowed at top level, as it can be far more difficult to train some horses to go well in a snaffle, which some consider the ultimate training achievement. However, for a horse to be trained to go happily and correctly in a double bridle is equally an achievement. Showjumper Loughnatousa WB…

HOT on the heels of having trained Alpinista to win the 101st Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, the greatest moment in his 53 years as a trainer, Sir Mark Prescott was getting the rock-star treatment at Tattersalls a couple of weeks ago. A selfie here, handshakes, pats on the back there and, up until the first day of Book Three of the yearling sales, 1,691 congratulatory letters and cards. “None of which I’ve answered,” he points out. “It’s hanging over me because I’m normally very punctilious. On the day, [French trainers] André Fabre and Jean-Claude Rouget both kissed me.” Until the first Sunday in October, Sir Mark’s greatest moment in racing was his first ride at Wincanton. “I always thought when I rode a winner on my first…

“MOLLY is the easiest horse in the world, as long as she can go everywhere fast as that’s her favourite thing - even walking to the field has to be at 100 miles an hour. “She doesn’t like much fuss. She’d prefer to be in the field covered in mud than have you doting on her, unless the attention comes in the form of Polos - then she’s happy to talk. She’s a minimal kind of girl who loves her job and her lifestyle. “When she gets to Badminton and Burghley, she knows exactly where she is and when she sees the cross-country fences, she’s like, ‘Oh my god, it’s time’ and I have to tell her it’s a few more days. But she’s easy, she eats grass, eats hay,…

HUMAN safety while a horse is sedated for or recovering from an epidural should not be underestimated. This is because of the potential hazards posed to the personnel involved. It is easy to relax around a sedated horse, assuming they will not move. However, it is vital that you stay alert. Never trust a sedative; although the horse may seem very sedate, they can still react to pain or other stimuli and cause serious injury to themselves or people. When a horse is not fully aware or in control of their movement, they can become fearful and unpredictable. They may move or kick out suddenly, or even fall over, resulting in a potentially catastrophic situation for anybody standing nearby.…

• Good year-round turnout is essential to keep joints moving - along with stabling for a few hours each day to feed and if the weather is foul. “My boxes will be full of snoring by mid afternoon,” says Sarah Hirst of Woody Riding Centre. • Herd life - affording regular socialisation - suits most horses and can help prevent ulcers. • Most good vets understand about keeping horses serviceably sound in their later years and will help you do this. A first-class farrier can also do a huge amount to help horses stay sound. • A good arena surface, plus off-road hacking with good footing, are helpful for older joints. • Work must be balanced with age; some yards invite clients to supplement riding time with contact time, grooming…

SARACEN HORSE FEEDS QUEST CHAMPIONSHIPS 27-30 October polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 Saracen Horse Feeds Quest Championships, Bury Farm, Beds CAMARADERIE was strong in the Three Hunters And A Hippy team, who won the Team Quest title ahead of 23 other teams. From Worcestershire, the quartet of Chloe Stiley, Naomi Tailby, Vicki Lee Gibbs and Sarah Lovatt fielded a team more used to galloping across the hunting field than dancing in the dressage arena. This was the team’s first appearance at the championships and they started their campaign in April. Sarah has been the impetus behind the team, together with their trainer, dressage rider Nicky Patrick, who held fortnightly training sessions. Sarah describes her mount, Bawnslieve Boy (Merlin), as a “party pony” who loves to be involved. “He enjoyed his weekend,” said Sarah.…

KELLY ARTZ rode Kailaani to a 73.92% medium 75 qualifier win at Vale View EC, Leics. The pair continue to impress after moving to the UK last year from California, where the 10-year-old Johnson mare was bred by US team rider Leslie Morse. “Kai is the coolest horse ever,” said Kelly, explaining that the mare’s damsire, Tip Top 962, enjoyed a lengthy and successful international dressage career with Leslie. “For me, it was literally love at first ride. Kai is tall but extra-sensitive and so serious at a show - any mistakes are usually because she’s trying too hard. ONE TO WATCH “Showing indoors is quite new for her, plus this was her first competition at night,” added Kelly, who is based with her trainer Gareth Hughes.…

ON FORM KELSEY LOVE claimed four wins in a week, including a double with Ballyengland Midsummer (left) at Wix EC, Essex. The seven-year-old, owned by Johnny and Sharon Kirkham, was having a successful season at BE100 until he suffered a minor injury. “While he loves to jump, he’s a proper all-rounder with the head and the paces for dressage,” said Kelsey, who followed a novice 38 win with a 70% score at elementary, on the horse’s debut at the level. At Topthorn Arena, Suffolk, Kelsey claimed both prelims with her former racehorse Pasqualita. Bought as a project just three months ago, the five-year-old mare has made a confident start to her British Dressage career. “She’s a sassy one,” said Kelsey of the petite thoroughbred, who had raced on the Flat…

Share your news story Call 01252 555021 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ URGENT changes are needed to the “outdated” Veterinary Surgeons Act, say veterinary professionals - as calls for new legislation continue. On 25 October the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons met MPs, peers and stakeholders at the House of Lords to discuss the need to replace the Act with new legislation. It is hoped any replacement would include paraprofessionals, such as physios and equine dental technicians, becoming regulated under the RCVS umbrella, and the RCVS held a publication consultation for feedback on the topic last year (news, 25 February 2021). The meeting focused on the “importance of a vet-led team” and it was discussed how the profession had changed since the Act was brought into force in 1966. Lord Trees,…

ANN CATHERINE ENSTEN THE fearless and passionate horsewoman (pictured, below) died peacefully at Hillcroft House Nursing Home, Stowmarket, Suffolk, on 29 September, aged 89 Born on 21 October 1932 at Sarratt, near Rickmansworth, she was the daughter of Olympic sprinter Guy Montagu Butler and Catherine Edith Dalzell Sherer, a high diver. She was raised with her sisters in Westland Green, Hertfordshire, and it was unsurprising, given her parents’ sporting prowess, that she became very keen on sport, especially horses. Mrs Ensten acquired a motorbike with a sidecar for her faithful collie, Wilkie, and the pair were a frequent sight travelling to her work with horses. In her early 20s an opportunity arose for her to travel to Ireland to develop her skills at the riding school run by Lt Col…

Five-star eventer Tom Jackson married his fiancée Sabrina Pryer on 3 October. Tom, who was second at Burghley on Capels Hollow Drift, said: “What a way to round off the year.” Showjumping world champions Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward won the Verona leg of the World Cup on 6 November. Britain’s Harry Charles and Romeo 88 came third (report, p63). Olympic eventer Pippa Funnell is one of the first to win the Pony Club’s Cherry Award. The award, in memory of former chair Cherry Mitchell, acknowledges “exceptional service” to the club. Hampshire-based equine vet Rebecca Fellows, of Stable Close Equine practice, has qualified for the 2023 Ironman World Championships, to be held in Hawaii. Conservative MP Thérèse Coffey was appointed secretary of state for Defra on 25 October. Most…

SIZE To Germany, where a 50cm tall, 35kg Shetland may be, his owner hopes, the world’s smallest pony. His name’s Pumuckel and he has, according to his owner, some “airs and graces”. A Shetland? Airs and graces? Surely not, we hear you cry... THE LORD To a show where a commentator was having issues with his mic. During one class, he said, or tried to: “And in fourth, it’s...” Sadly the mic cut out at that point, but cut in just in time to record his frustrated “Jesus!” One would have thought he’d have done better than fourth... ACCURACY A new book called White Horse is, according to a reviewer, about “supernatural horrors - and everyday horrors”. Anyone who’s ever owned a grey will testify to the aptness of both…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 THE FEI’s independent Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission recently made the recommendation that double bridles should be optional in international grand prix dressage, and that riders should have the choice to compete in a snaffle and without spurs. This has created great debate. There’s strong opposition to this from groups of international riders and trainers who fear that it is a “dumbing down of the sport” dictated by public, rather than expert, opinion. This is at odds with others who see it as a move forwards, in line with public perception and modern welfare expectations. Cynics might suggest that top riders and trainers are invested in retaining the current rules; they are of course succeeding under them. “High-handed communication will not work with people or horses” Tradition is…

NAF FIVE STAR GASTRIAID To be fed daily for total gut health. Targeting digestion from the point of ingestion, this supplement promotes correct function and gut integrity from foregut to hindgut, giving your horse a happy, healthy tummy. From £34.75 for 1.8kg naf-equine.eu DODSON & HORRELL DIGESTIVE SUPPORT Promotes the normal population of bacteria within the large intestine. Ideal for sensitive digestive systems or those horses undergoing changes in diet or routine. £19.15 for 1.5kg dodsonandhorrell.com TOPSPEC DIGESTIVE AID Designed to optimise digestive health and stimulate appetite in horses. Contains a pure, protected probiotic yeast and prebiotic MOS as well as vitamin B12. From £37.50 for 3kg topspec.com BAILEYS DIGEST PLUS A prebiotic that supports the bacterial populations of the hindgut as they get used to new fibre sources arriving…

HUNTING UNITED PACK 18 October catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 United Pack, Shropshire 18 October THE Shropshire and Welsh borderland of the United Pack - the largest two-day-a-week hunting country in the land boasts some of the most dramatic scenery anywhere in Britain. Open sheep pasture, tracts of forestry, small coverts and gorse breaks sit beneath an open sky from which you can see for miles to the Radnor Beacons or over to the Welsh coast, many more miles distant. It also boasts the one-time home and public house, The Anchor, of one of hunting’s great characters and writer, C N de Courcy-Parry, known as Bay, who, for more than 50 years, wrote for Horse & Hound as Dalesman. Although Parry hunted other packs, notably the Staintondale, North Herefordshire, Wexford, West Warwickshire and…

WHEN Hannah Watson (pictured, right; white bib) suffered stirrup failure on Hector midway round the Cotswold open and eventually pinged off - complete with stirrup - over fence 21, one might have expected her teammates in Gin For A Spin to leave her standing. AGAINST THE ODDS Not so: these gallant local first-timers caught her horse two fences later and waited for the chief steward to bring her along on the quad. Once reunited she then had to go back and jump the fences she’d missed before they regrouped to finish.…

THERE was a new twist to the annual freestyle challenge, which in the past featured invited top riders competing against each other. This year, the professional rider was paired with an invited prelim rider who also rode a freestyle test. It demonstrated that you can create an exciting and watchable freestyle programme at any level. Ann Housden and Haweswater Ignatius (Iggy) were paired with international grand prix rider Nathalie Kayal and her prix st georges (PSG) partner Woodcraft St Emilion, and the duo came out on top of the field of six pairs. Ann introduced Iggy, a noise-sensitive Fell pony, to freestyle classes this year as he can wear acoustic ear covers. She used lively Latin music. “The music needs to be upbeat as he’s not your typical dressage horse,”…

AVAH HEATH, 11, scored a 75% silver section win in a competitive novice 38 qualifier at Hunters Equestrian, Glos, with Koningshoek-Jackpot (Jack), the 14.2hh stallion she teamed up with in August. Avah also headed the prelim 15 silver section with five-year-old Woodlander Wales stallion WfD Just Dillon. “Avah is driven and is constantly looking for ways to improve,” said her mother Nicky. “She keeps both ponies with Lucy Cartwright and Daniel Bremner. Jack came with a few things to be aware of, but he and Avah got to grips with one another within a couple of weeks.”…

A TEST of ups and downs resulted in an elementary 44 win at Foxes RS, Cheshire, for Steph Blundell and her “gentle giant” Croft That’s A Fact (pictured above). “He was a bit of a monkey,” said Steph of the showjumping-bred gelding she has owned for eight years. “Even though he was quite hot, we scored our highest-ever marks for the medium trot and free walk on a long rein.” Steph, who trains with Abi Lyle and Rui Campeão, added: “We’re working at medium at home and we’ve just introduced the changes, which he finds exciting. He does tend to do the bare minimum he can get away with, but he’s a sweet boy with plenty of talent.”…

IN THE NEWS LORDSHIPS GRAFFALO An embryo bred by Pennie Wallace, that will be a full sibling to Ros Canter’s 2022 Badminton runner-up and World Championships ride Lordships Graffalo, sold to the US via the Sovereign Auction House for £21,500. PRINCESS ZOE Patrick Kehoe and Philomena Crampton’s 2020 Prix Du Cadran winner, trained by Tony Mullins, has retired aged seven. The mare finished second to Subjectivist in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot 2021. DON FREDERICO The Hanoverian sire died on 31 October aged 25. The Donnerhall son took the Grande Prize in 2009 and was Hanoverian stallion of the year in 2012. His offspring include Don Johnson FRH and Diva Royal.…

CHARLIE MACKESY’S heartwarming The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse has been adapted for the small screen and will debut on the BBC this Christmas. The illustrated international bestseller, published in 2019, tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse as they travel together in the boy’s search for home. “The journey of making the film of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse with my incredibly gifted animation team has been a magical one,” said Charlie, who co-directed the film with Peter Baynton. “I never dreamt it would happen - but it’s so moving to think the story will be watched at Christmas. “I hope it brings a bit of joy, laughter and comfort.”…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald OPINION I ENJOYED competing at Arena UK’s Winter Classic at the weekend and they did very well to take it on at short notice and make it a success. I always find Lauren Fogg, proprietor and secretary, accommodating and welcoming - she always finds time to help everyone. I don’t know if British Showjumping has a set schedule for the winter classic series and I’m assuming Arena UK took on [original venue] Keysoe’s schedule, but it could have really done with a 1.40m on the first day. It would have been nice to jump a 1.40m on my horse SES Goldstar on day one, give him a day off, then jump the grand prix on day three - he just lacked a bigger track warm-up. Otherwise, the schedule…

Need to know CLASSIC MOET Age: 19 Breeding: Classic x Bohemond Rider: Jonelle Price Owner: Trisha and Sophie Rickards and rider Breeder: Elaine Hepworth Greatest achievements: fourth Caen World Championships 2014; 20th Badminton CCI5* 2015; second Gatcombe’s British open championship CCI4*-S 2015; fifth Burghley CCI5* 2015; 10th Badminton CCI5* 2016; third Burghley CCI5* 2016; first Badminton CCI5* 2018; 19th Tryon World Championships 2018; first British open champion at Gatcombe CCI4*-S 2019; seventh Kentucky CCI5* 2021; eighth Maryland CCI5* 2021; 11th Badminton CCI5* 2022; fifth Gatcombe’s British open championship 2022; fourth Burghley CCI5* 2022. *VETERAN Special RIDER JONELLE PRICE “I RODE Faerie Dianimo for Trisha Rickards, who owns Classic Moet (Molly), and I jumped at the opportunity to ride her, but I’m sure Trisha won’t mind me saying she wasn’t particularly…

Swallowfield EC, Warks INKA III, a nine-year-old KWPN mare who did her first affiliated novice a year ago, claimed an overall win in the medium 61 with 70.17%. “She was a client’s horse and basically landed at my feet,” said Lyndsay Gammon, who had previously been training the Florencio daughter and jumped at the chance to buy her. “She’d been imported from Holland and had had two foals. When we first started competing, she would curl her tail over her back and snort like a stallion, clearing the collecting ring, but each time out she’s calmer and quieter.” Lyndsay, who trains with David Trott as well as Gareth and Rebecca Hughes, lost her advanced horse Glorestan Jazz earlier in the year. “I was devastated, but Inka saved me,” she said.…

“HE’S been a long-term project,” laughed Emma De Launay, whose 14-year-old home-bred gelding Jet Stream O headed the PSG qualifier at Dressage at Hascombe, West Sussex. “He’s big and sensitive, can be clumsy and has a short concentration span. Finally, he’s coming into his own, though. “We had a bad start to the season when he spooked at home. He fell on me and I broke my collarbone,” added Emma, who trains with Dane Rawlins. “But we’re making it up for it now. He’s becoming consistent and I can ride without having to help him. AGAINST THE ODDS…

JASMINE PERCIVAL collected Blue Chip qualification at her first affiliated show, after winning the Bliss of London pony sapphire winter championship qualifier with Maylands Toyboy at Ponderosa EC, Newport. Jasmine has had the 14-year-old blue and white gelding on loan from his owners Libby and Holly Preece for nearly a year. FIRST WIN “We’ve done some unaffiliated but this is our first affiliated show. I didn’t expect to qualify as there are usually some really good competitors,” said Jasmine, who produced one of just two first-round clears. The gelding was born at Mole and Liz Edmonds’ Maylands Stud and is of unknown breeding, out of a cob mare who arrived from Ireland in foal. “We’re not sure what he is but we think maybe there’s some thoroughbred in there!” Chepstowbased Jasmine, 15,…

HIGHLIGHTS 24-30 October alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ BSPS Area 17, Onley Grounds EC, Warks WORKING hunter classes drew healthy entries as combinations looked to put the miles in ahead of winter. Eventing convert Lily Brennan, 15, returned to her roots to score a double in the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) winter worker stakes classes at 90cm and 1m aboard her mother Lucy Brennan’s French-bred six-yearold Granit Des Iris (Milo). The Quest Du Buhot gelding, who stands at 153cm, was sourced by the Brennans nearly two years ago from Lucy Care and he’s taken Lily up to novice level on the event field this summer. “He’s a dear soul and has been wonderful,” said Lucy. “Lily started eventing on her 14-hander and she caught the bug. Although we couldn’t have done it…

RACING HIGHLIGHTS 4-5 November jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Wincanton Racecourse, Somerset and Exeter Racecourse, Devon THERE were two tremendous weight-carrying performances over the weekend; the popular Frodon in the 6lst Badger Beer Chase at Wincanton on Saturday and, 24 hours earlier, Greaneteen in the Betway Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. Both won first time out carrying 12st and both were trained by Paul Nicholls. Frodon had won the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton on the same card in 2016. He has not missed a season since and has a loyal West Country following his exploits with Bryony Frost in the Ryanair, the King George VI Chase and Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. FANTASTIC START “OUR start was fantastic,” said Bryony, who has been out injured for six months. “Being on the inside…

THE opening meet is a big marker in the hunting year, but it doesn’t always promise the best of days. One for the masters and huntsman to get under their belt, a bit like Boxing Day. Last Saturday, Caroline, one of Adam’s joint-masters, was looking around at the scant gathering of people. “Do you think there will be many out next week?” she asked. “I’m not sure,” I replied uncertainly. “It will be a poor do if we only get 12.” We needn’t have worried. As we trotted towards the home of the family who have hosted this occasion from time immemorial, we were far from alone. Just shy of 40 mounted at the meet and a good gathering on foot. People from bigger hunts might scoff, but for us…