Innholdsfortegnelse for 1-Dec-2022 i Horse & Hound

IT can annoy riders slightly when we writers describe a horse or rider as “the next Totilas”, or “the next Pippa Funnell”. We mainly do it to increase interest in a horse or rider that is worthy of that level of interest. A lot has been said comparing Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin with world gold medallist Lottie Fry - both successful British women winning medals in the dressage arena, both called Charlotte. Easy. Carl Hester, who has worked with both in various guises over the years, draws further parallels in how cool the two are under pressure, and simply how competitive they both are. Parallels could be drawn, too, between Carl and this week's cover star Gareth Hughes. Carl trains Gareth, and both are praised for harmonious partnerships with…

CLOONEY 51 The 2019 European champion and world silver medallist will be officially retired at Geneva on 11 December. Luigi Baleri's gelding, ridden by Martin Fuchs, won the Geneva, Zurich and Lyon grands prix. WILLY DO New Zealand eventer Lucy Jackson's five-star and 2014 WEG ride, who she owned with Gillian Greenlees, has died aged 21. They were 11th at Badminton and he spent his senior years with Lucy's head girl, Emelia Hazell. WALSTEAD PAGE BOY Robyn McGee's Connemara has died from a strangulating lipoma, aged 18. With Terri Gregson, “Fred” won at HOYS and was mountain and moorland young rider champion at the Royal International.…

SHOWJUMPING ONLY IN HORSE & HOUND jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald OPINION I WAS competing at the Prague Playoffs last week, where the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) season draws to a close with the Super Grand Prix and the GCL (Global Champions League) team series concludes with the Super Cup knockout tournament. The whole weekend is a great spectacle, with big crowds packed into the O2 Arena and huge prize money. I rode there last year having qualified for the Super Grand Prix, but this was the first time I'd ridden in Prague as part of a GCL team in the Super Cup. I have been on the Valkenswaard United squad this season and we've had our ups and downs, but the highlight undoubtedly was teaming up with Marcus Ehning to win in…

WHILE giving a horse its medication in a feed or via an oral paste is a convenient and economical option for horse owners, experience shows that it is frequently prone to error. The horse either refuses all or part of the medicated feed, wastes it by scattering it on the stable floor or, alternatively, shows great resentment to receiving it via an oral paste. When a vet supplies some medication to put in a horse's feed, he or she makes several assumptions - that it will be mixed thoroughly with a feed the horse is known to like, that the horse's keeper will ensure that the horse eats all of each dose in one sitting with little or no waste, that the keeper will continue to monitor how completely the…

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HUNTING catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfaustenl23 “So you must be the new BONC,” bellowed the hunt's granny figure. Hardly the greeting the fresh-faced wannabe-Ian Farquhar was hoping to hear at the summer ball. To the uninitiated, such a term or acronym - BONC stands for Boy Of No Consequence - could inspire cliché-ridden images of young “gentlemen”, and in more recent years young ladies, conquering the Elysian Fields. But to those who forsake a gap year trekking across the Mongolian steppe for hunting at Tarr Steps, the reality can be quite different: hard work and a sharp learning curve with boundless fun. Their mothers might not like the title “Boy Of No Consequence” with good reason, but it is generally a term of English endearment. Even for those not looking to hunt hounds…

AINTREE was an apt venue for a 21-strong retrained racehorse final and coming out on top was Charlotte Porter with her own Doyen 14-year-old, Raphaeleyen (Raff). Raff, who was trained by Tim Walford and only raced once, was Charlotte's 21st birthday present. “We went to view a lorry at his breeder Jo Bensky's yard and saw Raff in the field,” explained Charlotte, who also competes in mounted games. “He was bred to hurdle, but he picked up an injury early on so his career was cut short.” Over their seven-year partnership Charlotte said Raff has had his share of “issues”, one being bitting. Thankfully, Charlotte had a solid support system in her former employers at Fylde Saddlery, where she worked for several years. “I'd tried many bits but nothing would…

ELIZA IRESON and Classic Jillz Geuzenhof nailed their competition debut together at Onley Grounds EC, Warwickshire, heading the advanced medium 91 outright and also claiming a section win at the same level. The gelding, known as “JZ”, was previously with Paralympian Sophie Wells. “I loved JZ when I tried him and had five lessons with Sophie before bringing him home in September,” said Eliza. “I've had an easy few weeks with him, but I think he's trying to work out how serious I am. He's a massive character. “This was a practice for the junior classes at the Arena UK High Profile show later this month and we had no real expectations,” she added. “He was so good, but he definitely picked up a bit - I think he likes…

WHITAKER VICTORY GEORGE WHITAKER rode Martin Wood's brilliant nineyear-old Peanut to win the CSI2* grand prix at Green Valley Estate, the Netherlands. “It was amazing - he jumped five rounds at the show and didn't have a fence down,” said George, who chose the wider turn options from last draw in a 13-strong jump-off. “I just tried to get in a good rhythm, get up to full speed and make it as easy as possible for him. He was phenomenal.” UNSTOPPABLE EPAILLARD FRENCH rider Julien Epaillard's winning streak continued to the CSI5* Madrid Horse Week, where he galloped to a big class double in Friday's 1.50m jump-off class and Sunday's Longines FEI World Cup qualifier, with the 10-year-old mare Caracole De La Roque. “A streak like this only happens once…

gemma.redrup@futurenet.com @gemmaredrup Border, Hexham, Northumberland JACK POWER made a storming return in his first week back since breaking his foot in eight places, with an assured victory in the men's open with Exod'Ela. Jack was riding high after also scoring on his first ride back under Rules for new boss Nicky Richards on Friday (25 November). “It's been a dream start to the season,” said the 22-year-old, crediting the “unreal” team at the Injured Jockey Funds rehab centre Jack Berry House for their help following his “unlucky fall” in August, when a young horse slid over on the road. “They have me fitter than when I was race-riding last season, they have me stronger and they have me mentally better. “I had a great season last season, I rode eight…

Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 01252 555021 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ EVENTING legend Tina Cook has called time on her elite-level career, after her European medalwinner Billy The Red was put down aged 15. Tina, who has three Olympic medals, as well as being European champion, and winning world team golds and silver and European team golds, told H&H it is “the end of an era”. She will still produce young horses and compete up to three-star level, but also support her daughter Isabelle, 17, who events, and her 15-year-old son Harry, who are her main priority now. “I've had a fabulous career,” Tina said. “There is more I'd like to win. But I've been able to be competitive, and aim for British teams, for the…

Multiple Paralympic medallist Natasha Baker and her husband Marc Jaconelli are expecting their first child next April. The couple married in March this year. Olympic dressage champions Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB won the Stockholm CDI grand prix and the freestyle, in their first CDI5* since Jessica gave birth in August. Australian driving champion Boyd Exell won his fourth World Cup leg of the series in Stockholm. Boyd, who has won four out of four events, said his team is “just flying” at the moment. KBIS British Equestrian Insurance managing director Guy Prest is stepping down after more than 30 years. Guy will remain with the company as a non-executive chairman. Grand Nationalwinning jockey Rachael Blackmore will swap the racetrack for the London International Horse Show to join…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. AMAZING ADDINGTON FURTHER to Carl Hester's comments about Addington Equestrian (opinion, 17 November), I have many happy memories of competing in dressage at Addington during the 1990s. However, my very first visit to the impressive and beautiful showground was as a writer for Jook Hall in 1992. I had driven her to Addington because she was going to judge some dressage classes there. And I can still clearly remember the very young Carl Hester performing his grand prix test in the old, dark, indoor arena on Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer's Giorgione to glowing comments from Mrs Hall, which I wrote down with great awe while trying to watch and learn at the same time. Lisa Mayhew Church Stretton,…

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ONE of the most evocative sporting paintings from the early 20th century is Cecil Aldin's glorious depiction of the Warwickshire hounds away from Watergall, set to a backdrop of grass and hedges being tackled by a huge field of thrusting riders. Little has changed in the oasis of old England that surrounds Watergall cover, where 56-year-old hunting farmer Mark Warner holds the annual Warwickshire hunt team chase. He hosts an inter-hunt clay-pigeon shoot and has even allowed the local beagle pack to have their puppy show on his lawn. Mark's grandfather was a tenant of Warwickshire master Lord Willoughby de Broke and was given the chance to buy the farm, as the landlord knew hunting would be secure in his ownership. “My grandfather was mad keen on his hunting and…

Wellington Riding, Hants AFTER two international outings, Commodore Platinum is quickly establishing himself at inter II. Anna Jesty's eight-year-old gelding, nicknamed “Olly”, headed the class with 68.38%. “He had wobbler syndrome as a foal, so it's a miracle he's done so well,” said Anna who, at the time, wondered whether she'd ever be able to ride him. “We backed him late and took it easy until he started to feel ready to do more. “Olly is very easy and loves his job, so he tries hard,” added Anna, who trains with Anna Ross. “He has a natural talent for piaffe and passage and finds it fun.” Elementary winner Rose Hugh-Smith is happy to be back in the arena after breaking her shoulder on a company sports day. “I fell over…

Cherwell CC, Oxon HILLGROUNDS FEINLINE stepped up to elementary, twice scoring plus-75% for a convincing double win. Holly Bates explained that she and her mum Jo first saw “Basil” as a foal, in a 15-second video. “We knew that a lot of people wanted him, so within an hour we'd bought him,” she said. “It was a risk at the time, but it's paying off now. He's amazing to ride and he gives you such a feeling of power. “Basil thrives on work and loves learning,” added Holly, who trains with Serena Pincus. “He wants to be challenged and he enjoyed having more to do in these tests. “He is occasionally a little sharp, but it's just a case of channelling all that energy in the right direction.”…

RYAN MOORE'S year is ending in a flourish - after riding three winners at the Breeders’ Cup at the start of the month, he won the Japan Cup, worth £2.6m to the victor, on the home-trained Vela Azul in Tokyo on Sunday, writes Marcus Armytage. In winning his 16th Group One of 2022, he had to be at his best to get the jet black Vela Azul (pictured, right) home by three parts of a length from Shahryar. Unusually for a Japan Cup they went no gallop and, shuffled further back than ideal, he had a dozen horses in front of him turning in. The first gap that opened was something of a culde-sac; from thereon, the jockey's gymkhana skills and Vela Azul's acceleration helped him weave through the tightly…

CALIFORNIA Edwina Tops-Alexander's five-star grand prix-winning showjumper has retired aged 15. Edwina and the L'Esprit daughter won the 2018 Global Champions Tour super grand prix, and two Paris CSI5* grands prix. ALGEBRA Julia McLean and John Glenn's five-star eventer, ridden by Natalie Blundell and Andrew Hoy, has died aged 24. He and Natalie were Adelaide runners-up in 2012, and competed at Badminton, Burghley and Luhmühlen. TEAFORTHREE Trainer Rebecca Curtis's first Cheltenham Festival winner, in the 2012 National Hunt Chase, has died aged 18. His accolades also included runner-up in the Welsh National and third in the Grand National in 2013.…

FORMER champion apprentice Marco Ghiani has apologised “unreservedly” for taking cocaine, as he faces six months out. The jockey, 23, tested positive for a metabolite of the Class A drug in August, after three rides. He admitted taking cocaine twice - on holiday in Italy in July and in the UK on or about 23 August, two days before his test. The panel heard Mr Ghiani, champion apprentice in 2021, recognised that was a “very grave error of judgement” and he has “reflected considerably since on how he got into that position”. “Mr Ghiani succumbed to a temptation at a time when he felt vulnerable professionally,” said Rory Mac Neice, representing the jockey at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) disciplinary hearing (24 November). “He puts a great deal of pressure…

DRESSAGE ONLY IN HORSE & HOUND polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 OPINION SINCE my last column, I have had the great privilege and excitement of having my top horse Rose Of Bavaria back in the ring twice after a year off and it felt wonderful. The efforts that go into rehabbing a top horse and rebuilding strength and fitness are immense. My whole team at home played a part in this and it feels great when the work pays off. There is a buzz in the air on our yard now. Riding the grand prix on “Betty” feels just like slipping back into my comfiest slippers and I hope we can get cracking out on the international circuit again next season. A BADGE OF HONOUR A CURRENT hot topic in dressage is double bridles…

The Super-Secret Diary of Holly Hopkinson came about because I wanted to convince my daughter [right, with Charlie] that I wasn't a complete doofus. She sees her mum [CEO of News UK Rebekah Brooks] going off to the office every day and was slightly suspicious of what my job was. So I wanted to prove to her that I could do something. The idea came during Covid when there was a flight to the countryside. We have a derelict farm in the Cotswolds, so it felt right that a bunch of townies, the Hopkinsons, would choose to live in this grotty farmyard with animals pooing everywhere and really not living the dream at all. Holly felt she was living the nightmare and it made sense that she needed an ally,…

GLENMAYNE Galashiels, Selkirkshire For you: an impressive Victorian baronial mansion, which has been completely renovated to provide a welcoming home and stunning Italianate gardens. The house has eight bedrooms, and retains a wealth of period features, such as carved and marble fireplaces, panelling and ornate plasterwork. Set high above the River Tweed in 30 acres. There is also a three-bedroom lodge cottage and a groom's flat. For the horses: the former walled garden houses a 19×45m all-weather arena with dressage mirrors and viewing area. There are four looseboxes, feed room and tack room. There is a covered horse walker. Within the walls of the garden are a number of extra storerooms/stables and a wash box with heat lamps. OIEO: £3.75m Knight Frank, 01896 807013, knightfrank.co.uk FURNACE OAST Edenbridge, Kent For…

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NEVER WORK WITH ANIMALS: THE UNFILTERED TRUTH ABOUT LIFE AS A VET By Gareth Steel, £14.99 Vet Gareth Steel shares the moments of humour, horror and heroism across his 20-year career caring for creatures great and small. But it's not just a telling of entertaining tales - the book was inspired by the author's wish to add realism to the image of the veterinary profession and working with animals often created by TV programmes and other accounts. Verdict: “I found this book intelligent, well-written and entertaining. It brings into sharp relief how much time and care vets and vet nurses expend for our animals, and how much we should value them.” Vet editor Briony Reed JOJO'S JUMP By Stephanie Mason, £7.99 A pony-themed book for the preschool and early-learner age…

STARS CHAMPIONS OF CHAMPIONS 17-20 November Edited by Alex Robinson alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_ journo_ Show Teams and Rising Stars (STARS) champions of champions, Aintree Racecourse, Merseyside A PINT-SIZED pony stole the show, and the hearts of everyone in attendance, at the ever-growing Show Teams and Rising Stars (STARS) champions of champions finals, where he lifted the supreme ridden accolade and finished reserve in the in-hand supreme, shown by two brothers. Riding and Pony Club competitors flocked to the anticipated fixture in their droves and the hours of hard work and dedication put in by the STARS team had paid off, as Aintree was transformed into the ultimate championship show bringing home-producers’ dreams to life. The star pony in question was Elaine Tomlinson's super-cute Shetland, Birchmoor Drover. The 16-year-old first-ridden winner took…

DRESSAGE polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 HIGHLIGHTS 14-20 November HAVE YOU WON A BD CLASS? DO YOU OR YOUR HORSE HAVE A GREAT STORY? Email dressagehighlights@yahoo.com within 24 hours of your win for a chance to feature on these pages The Horse & Hound Podcast Don't miss Irish international rider Abi Lyle on The Horse & Hound Podcast this week Myerscough College, Lancs KIRSTIE CLARKE scored wins at both ends of the spectrum with horses at different stages in their careers. Riding to a James Bondthemed soundtrack, she claimed the advanced medium freestyle with Fenella Quinns 11-year-old KWPN mare Ghita Fille De Zita S. “This is my third month with her and every time I ride her, we get better,” said Kirstie of Ghita, or “Queen G”. “Her talent is limitless, but she's…

Hunters Equestrian, Glos WHILE he didn't quite live up to his name, Sheepcote Deadly Warrior made a brave attempt at his second show to win at novice. “He's quite a nervous horse, but this time he was surprisingly confident,” said Lucy Goodman, who backed “Dennis” as a youngster and recently bought him. “He's green but very capable, with great energy. I hope to qualify him for the novice regionals and will aim him at the seven-year-old classes next year.”…

SHOWJUMPING HIGHLIGHTS 17-20 November jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Onley Grounds, Warwickshire MADIESON BLAKESLEY'S partnership with the 15.2hh mare Kyra continued to go from strength to strength, as they headed both the Blue Chip Karma performance qualifier and a hotly contested 1.20m grand prix. Madieson bought the seven-year-old around a month before this year's Hickstead Derby meeting, where they launched a run of form by winning the novice final. “I bought her off the same person I bought my old horse from. I said, ‘I want something like my horse only a bit younger,’ and he said he had the exact type. She even bucks in the warm-up in the exact same way as my last horse,” Madieson said. “I wanted to jump her in 1.20m and 1.30m classes this year to see…

RACING jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald HIGHLIGHTS 25-27 November Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire SEVEN days earlier, National Hunt racing had seemed to be sleepwalking towards a kind of existential crisis. But on Saturday afternoon, it felt as if the season had suddenly woken up. The issues of small fields and changing conditions in Britain, seen so starkly on the card at Ascot the weekend before, are likely to remain hot topics, so the return of some old favourites along with the brightest of future stars was particularly welcome. Newbury's signature meeting had begun with a bang as Champ held off Paisley Park in the Long Distance Hurdle, and Saturday's Coral Gold Cup attracted a respectable line-up. It is a race that still matters to lovers of jump racing, clearly demonstrated by trainer Dan Skelton's…

IT can feel like a tightrope at times, a marriage. Naturally I go around believing that 99% of the time I am in the right, that I do everything I can to make for a happy and harmonious life. Adam is usually so preoccupied with all things hunting that I don't always give him credit for doing the same. Then something happened that made me think that he is, in fact, a very tolerant man who gives a lot of leeway where more volatile and demanding husbands wouldn't. Yesterday, I was having a lovely time loading all the rubbish that we have collected over the years into a great big pile in preparation for a bonfire. It was a beautiful November day, far too warm for hunting and not a…