Innholdsfortegnelse for 13-Apr-2023 i Horse & Hound

WELL done to those victorious at last weekend's dressage and showjumping World Cup Finals in Omaha (report, p40). Qualifying for that show takes huge commitment in miles and hours during the worst of the winter months and though the huge indoor atmosphere isn't for every horse, those who thrive in it are thrilling to watch. Sometimes we think dressage is predictable - and the winners of that final, Olympic champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB, certainly started as favourites - but it was refreshing to see a new partnership landing second in Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Blue Hors Zepter. Our spotlight horse this week is David Doel's Kentucky-bound ride Galileo Nieuwmoed, a “pretty cool” horse who won a recent four-star short in the Netherlands and was sixth at…

IN THE NEWS CANNAVARO Bubby Upton has withdrawn her mother Rachel's 16-year-old from Badminton. Bubby is still entered on Cola, with whom she completed the event last year. CLAN DES OBEAUX The two-time King George winner is to retire owing to a minor “niggling” injury. Trained by Paul Nicholls for Paul Barber, Alex Ferguson and Jed Mason, he won five Grade 1s. OAK GROVE'S CARLYLE The 15-year-old jumper has moved from Ireland's Daniel Coyle to young US talent Alexander Alston. He won the 2022 Rotterdam grand prix with Daniel.…

A JOINED-UP approach would improve enforcement of welfare laws, and licensing activity, it is thought. Representatives of the British Horse Society (BHS), World Horse Welfare, the RSPCA and National Equine Welfare Council, and vets, police and MPs, were at a meeting organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) on 28 March. They discussed improving enforcement, including licensing of animal activities. It was agreed that law can do little to improve welfare without effective enforcement. The APGAW report identified concerns with enforcement and suggested a new model. “There is not much evidence of joint working, and there are limited resources, inconsistent expertise and lack of training,” said APGAW policy advisor Marisa Heath, who called for a legal requirement for local authorities to use “dedicated animal welfare officers”, shared…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. WARM-UP ETIQUETTE WHEN working-in for competitions, many riders understand the “pass left to left” rule and “walk on the inner track” to allow those working at a faster pace to use the outside track. But many think that when riding on the right rein, it is acceptable to almost ride on the track when passing another horse. Horses are naturally claustrophobic and to feel they are being squashed is too much for some. So be aware of the other horses and if you see one that's obviously scared of being crowded, please give it more space. Don't continually squash the poor horse against the arena wall until it is reversing in sheer panic to get away. “Give…

HORSE&HOUND THE INTERVIEW CHILDHOOD reminiscences over a kitchen table - and an impromptu post on Facebook - marked the start of what has now, in just four short years, become one of the most prestigious grassroots championship events on the showing circuit. Add in the sheer determination and drive of the Lancashire-based mother-and-daughter team of Sharon and Sarah Harrison, and you have the recipe for the uber-successful STARS - Show Teams And Rising Stars - championships. This unique event, held at Aintree Equestrian Centre, has all the glitz, bells and whistles and is aimed squarely at riding club members; qualification to compete depends on points earned through the season at club events. So who are the Harrisons and what prompted them to embark on this project in such challenging times?…

“GALILEO is like a giant child. He's very opinionated and knows he's top dog on the yard. I love looking after him, but he can be Marmite - some people don't like him because he pulls faces and is grumpy, but on the right day, at the right time, he's lovely to look after. He's full of character and life. “He kicks the stable door whenever it's feed time and until he's given some hay, even if it's just a handful, so he hasn't missed out. “At events, he's a bit feral for the first couple of days. He gets upset when his friends leave him. But once he's been ridden and had the energy taken out of him, he calms down. He loves to roll in the mud -…

GENDER EQUALITY SO often it's a brave handful of boys who head off to Pony Club camp, ready to be surrounded by a swarm of girls. Throughout the country, yards are full of teenage girls, grooming and bathing and perfecting their tail plaits while their brothers are playing football or messing around on tractors. But wait a tew years and the young men are rising to the top of the equestrian sports, while many of the girls have given up. The senior ranks of showjumping are dominated by men - while in top-level eventing and dressage, the balance is fairly even. Why does this happen? The Pony Club is notoriously female heavy, and Tim Vestey, chairman of the organisation, admits “rather embarrassingly” that “out of23,000 members, less than 5,000 are…

HIGHLIGHTS 7-9 April jennifer.donaid@futurenet.com @jen_donald Fairy house, Co Meath WILLIE MULLINS maybe recovering from having a new hip fitted, but it has not slowed his horses down. On Easter Day, he sent out the eight winners across Fairyhouse and Cork - improving his previous best of seven at Christmas albeit with multiple runners, but the key ones were Ashroe Diamond and Flame Bearer. A year ago, Ashroe Diamond, by Walk In The Park, won the mares' bumper at Aintree, which promised a lot. Over hurdles, she is unbeaten against her own sex and defeats against Marine Nationale and Facile Vega do not exactly scream disgrace when taking on the boys. But having missed the Jack de Bromhead Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham due to a setback, she readily won the…

THE Jockey Club mares' maiden was won by four-year-old mare Smugglers Haven (pictured), who was making her racecourse debut under Alice Stevens for Francesca Poste at Dingley. Despite the positive ending, the race didn't start as well as it could have. “The race itself went smoothly for me, although the start was a bit chaotic with Jack Andrews' horse Queens Walk broncing and Thomas Weston's Milan Cyclone refusing,” said Alice, “But luckily, she ignored it and jumped well on the whole. She was very professional, but we just had a novice jump at the last, where she was feeling a bit lonely at the front on her own.” ONE TO WATCH The mare, by Elusive Pimpernel out of Our Grace, will now head to the sales.…

Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ EVENTING came together to talk about the future in a meeting at Thoresby following many withdrawals among the top-level classes. England's dampest March in 40 years according to the Met Office has sliced through the eventing calendar. At the Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park, organisers BEDE Events, headed by director and course-designer Stuart Buntine, made a mammoth effort to keep the show on the road. They moved arenas, scrapped most novice and intermediate classes and rejigged the timetable. The idea was to prioritise the classes for those using Thoresby on their five-star pathway. Many withdrew, but for the ones who stayed, the courses rode well. Mr Buntine told H&H on the Sunday he was not pointing fingers…

Britain's Harry Charles is ranked the top showjumper in the country for the first time, 39 points ahead of second-placed Ben Maher, with Scott Brash third. Olympic and European champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl won her second consecutive World Cup on TSF Dalera BB, scoring 90.48%. Report, p44. Welsh showjumper Mark Edwards won nine classes at the first Wales and West show of 2023, including the grand prix on Flying Tinker II. Report, p52 Trainer Harry Whittington is to relinquish his licence and focus on pretraining. His CV features Grade Ones at Aintree in 2016 and at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival. British showjumper Robert Murphy has moved to Belgium, enjoying a good first training show for Jos Lansink with a team of young horses.…

PONIES The tiny pony who led US officers on a two-hour chase has found a new home. Police said all charges; criminal trespass and resisting arrest, have been dropped. Phew. CHEESE Tennis ace Novak Djokovic reportedly bought a farm producing £1,000/kg donkey cheese. He hasn't tried it yet; maybe he'll do so with some grand ham, or orange deuce, or (Enough. Ed). CHAMPERS At the World Cup Final, the riders on the podium champagne-sprayed each other with abandon. This should be a thing for every class, just for staying on. It's a major achievement at times. POO A tiny rider asked if a pile of horse poo from last week had disappeared. “I wish it had but no, I cleared it,” the coach said. “That's what you get for signing…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 OPINION THERE'S no denying that Britain is not where it used to be in the para dressage world order. There are several things we must address to change this, one being the classification system that determines the grade in which a rider competes. I was classified into what is the current grade III when I was 12 or 13, and as my disability is “confirmed” and not degenerative, I haven't been reclassified in the 20 years since. London 2012 put our sport in the limelight, with many people seeing it for the first time and wanting to be involved, which is fantastic. But the new wave of riders coming through are being classified under a different process, while many of us who have been in the sport a…

FROM the aptly named Lottery's success in the inaugural Grand National in 1839, to Red Rum's remarkable hat-trick in the 1970s and Rachael Blackmore's pioneering victory two years ago, the Grand National has produced nearly a double century of fairy-tale finishes. As Rachael says: ‘ This race captures the imagination of every young person with a pony, and to actually fulfil something like that is just unbelievable.” The post-race television interviews and headline stories give a taste of what it means to win Aintree's world-famous steeplechase - there have been outpourings of joy and heartfelt tributes, plenty of tears and even winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald's famous quip to BBC presenter Des Lynam: “I've never enjoyed 12 minutes as much before in my life. After that, Des, even sex is an…

LUCIA CAROLINE, 11, returned home to Sussex with three titles, including one on a 26-year-old pony, 138cm Sonas Barney (pictured). The pair topped the leaderboard in the under-11 championship, with almost four seconds to spare. “I've been riding him for a couple of months. He did HOYS [Horse of the Year Show] in October with Georgia Hall, but he's having an easier life now. He's really amazing and bouncy and likes to go fast,” Lucia said. She went on to deliver the fastest of two double clears in the 128cm final with Living The Dream, pipping Ella Kay and Toplines Royal Wonder to the win by just under one second. The family have owned the pony for 10 years and he was previously ridden by Lucia's sister, Lauren, before the…

HIGHLIGHTS 27 March-2 April alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ BSPS Area 15A, Addington Manor EC, Bucks A PONY who defeated all comers in 122cm show hunter pony ranks at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) last October made a triumphant debut in a new guise at Addington. The Peters family's lovely roan section B, Annandale Phoenix (Ronan), now 16 but as perky as ever and produced by Russell Ingram, won his UK Ponies and Horses (UKPH) small breeds junior qualifier to give Maisie Peters, 12, a first Royal International (RIHS) native ticket. In plaited ranks, Ronan began his career on the lead-rein with Sam Walker and worked through to opens. “Maisie is now out of the show hunter pony class but we couldn't bear to part with Ronan,” her mother Melanie explained. “He…

ENGLAND WIN A POLO THRILLER THE Westchester Cup will return to England after a “thrilling” match in the US. The England side of captain Tommy Beresford, James Beim, Max Charlton and Mark Tomlinson were 12-9 winners, on borrowed ponies, in the 20th running of the historic tournament. Tommy was named most valuable player. The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) thanked the United States Polo Association, the National Polo Center, and “all the generous owners who lent wonderful horses”. HELP FOR HORSEY BUSINESSES THE Association of British Riding Schools, Livery Yards and Equestrian Centres (ABRS+) hopes to offer practical insight at its Riding in the Community Conference on 15 May. Speakers will bring “expertise and a wealth of experience” to Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex, as they hope to help people “safeguard and…

A NANNY goat and an orphan foal have formed an “incredible bond”, with the goat climbing on bales of straw to feed “her” baby. Trudy Goulding, of End House Stud in Lancashire, was heartbroken to lose her mare Beauthea hours after she had given birth to Sophea. Trudy told H&H Beauthea had a twisted gut and could not be saved. The vet recommended goat's milk, but she bought a goat, Nana. “They've really bonded,” Trudy said. “Sophea needs a mother and Nana would be distraught if I took her away. “Nana talks to her, licks her and they curl up together - it's fabulous.” EJ…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald SHOES or no shoes? That is the question everyone's asking at the moment. Several top riders are now competing their horses without shoes, including the world number one Henrik von Eckermann, winner of the World Cup Final at the weekend, and Olympic medallist Peder Fredricson. The CSI5* grand prix in Basel, Switzerland, was won by Max Kiihner on EIC Cooley Jump The Q, whose shoes he'd only recently taken off, which says a lot, while Henrik of course won last year's world championships with a barefoot King Edward. Julien Epaillard, who was one of the first to jump at the top level without shoes, is another who has been hugely successful. Peder and Henrik even missed Aachen last year one of the best shows in the world -…

HORSE&HOUND IN THE SPOTLIGHT Need to know GALILEO NIEUWMOED Age: 12 Breeding: Carambole x Harcos Breeder: J.W. & A.P. Jurrius Rider: David Doel Owner: Gillian Jonas Greatest achievements: second Haras du Pin CCI04*-NC-S 2019; 13th Blenheim eight- and nine-year-old CCI4*-S 2019; fourth Renswoude CCI4*-S 2021; 15th Pau CCI5* 2021; fifth Kronenberg CCI4*-S 2022; sixth Badminton CCI5* 2022; first Maarsbergen CCI4*-S 2022; team third Haras du Pin CCI04*-NC-S 2022; third Ballindenisk CCI04*-NC-S 2022; fourth Pau CCI5* 2022; first Kronenberg CCI4*-S 2023. RIDER DAVID DOEL “I WENT to try a horse at Joy Dawes' yard and she asked if I'd take Galileo to sell for her. It was only through Joy's sheer persistence that I ended up with him - he was stuffy, wouldn't really go and had slightly flat front feet…

VISIT HORSE & HOUND'S VIRTUAL SHOPPING VILLAGE horseandhound.co.uk/directory/shopping DERBY HOUSE SPEC-TACO-LAR LIGHTWEIGHT COMBO This fun rug has a 600D outer, a shaped combo neck and adjustable leg straps. 4ft—7ft 3in £54.99 derbyhousestore.com LEMIEUX ARIKA FEATHERWEIGHT TURNOUT A900D rug with a detachable neck, three belly surcingles and the option to add liners. Bft 3in—7ft £129.95 lemieuxproducts.com RUGGLES V2 STANDARD TURNOUT Made from a 1200D fabric with a Teflon coating and nylon lining, this rug comes with attachments for a neck cover. 2ft 9in—7ft 6in From £51 ruggles-horse-rugs.co.uk STORMX ORIGINAL DORRIS THE DACHSHUND OG A 600D rain sheet with twin buckle fastenings and adjustable cross-surcingles and leg straps. 4ft 6in—7ft 3in £57.99 hy-equestrian.com MACKEY EQUI SENTIAL TURNOUT LIGHT With a 600D outer, front surcingles, low cross-surcingles and fleece wither protection. 4-7ft £63.95…

THE World Cup Final featured a depleted field after three top contenders withdrew ahead of the freestyle. The Netherlands' Dinja van Liere and her double world bronze medallist Hermes NOP scratched just moments before they were due to ride their grand prix test, as the stallion was declared “not fit to compete“. Dinja's compatriot Marieke van der Putten then pulled out ahead of the freestyle. Torveslettens Titanium RS2 showed colic signs and later ended up needing colic surgery. And many were disappointed not to see Ingrid Klimke bid for glory, 21 years after last competing at a dressage World Cup Final. She and Franziskus FRH finished fourth in the grand prix, but withdrew from the freestyle after the stallion had a “misstep”. “Franz's well-being comes first and we have withdrawn…

WELSH section D gelding Cruglwyd Tango continues to turn heads, taking both prelims at Silver Leys Equestrian, Hertfordshire. ONE TO WATCH “Everyone is very complimentary about him,“ said John Osborne, who rides the 12-year-old gelding for his boss Amanda Miller. “We're showing people, but it was trainer Ali Berman who suggested we try dressage with Tango. I'm loving it. “He's an absolute gent and he tries his heart out,” added John of Tango, who has scored pius-72% in all but one of the six prelim classes he has contested. “It doesn't all come easily to him, but he has a naturally good canter and we're working hard to lengthen his neck and develop rhythm.”…

ON a cold and blustery March day, the Teme Valley met on a wild piece of open moorland in the Welsh hills near Knighton to close their season and celebrate the tenure of professional huntsman David Savage. He is retiring from hunt service, having hunted the pack - a mixture of Welsh and fellhounds - since 2011. David took over from his father Roy, who had hunted the Teme Valley hounds since 1978, after the latter's death. That means a member of the Savage family has hunted those hounds continuously for the past 45 years. It was a bittersweet occasion but well supported with a huge crowd on foot and on quad bikes. Current and retired hunt staff and masters from across the country visited to pay tribute to David…

HORSE&HOUND GOODNIGHT WHAT are you doing now that hunting has finished? Hanging from a harness in the treetops wasn't high on my to-do list when the season rolled to a close. But I have a friend called Katie for whom the expression “iron fist in a velvet glove” was probably written. Her upbeat and positive persona belie a steely determination that is impossible to resist; somehow you find yourself doing things that you would usually run a mile to avoid. A few years ago, Katie arranged a trip to a water-sports centre that boasts an obstacle course suspended over a pond. When you slip off the ropes and ladders, you fall into the water below. The plan was to take our two eight-year-olds and I was all for it with…