Innholdsfortegnelse for 12-Oct-2023 i Horse & Hound

WHATEVER the grumbles about a sport, its class structures, an event or judging, there’s no denying what it means to those who have their moment in the spotlight at an event like Horse of the Year Show. You see under that light the sheer elation and culmination of what is sometimes a lifetime’s work – as it was for Danielle Heath, a star of the show ring for so many years but this her first time taking the top prize here. Congratulations as well to all who did not make the spotlight but for whom qualifying for the event was equivalent to Olympic gold. With Paris 2024 around the corner, we have a rare opportunity to showcase our sport to anyone who has ever picked up the reins and might…

IN THE NEWS WESTOVER Juddmonte’s Ralph Beckett-trained double Group One winner and runner-up in the 2023 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has been retired aged four, owing to an injury. PAIRC AN FAOI DIAMOND Anne Vestey’s 14-year-old heavyweight show cob has retired after finishing second at HOYS with Stuart Ashton. He has won major titles at shows across the country. LOT 266 The Frankel colt topped Tattersalls’ October Yearling Sale Book 1, selling for 2,000,000 guineas (£2.1m) to MV Magnier and White Birch Farm.…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound DREAM RACER ON Thursday, 22 September, Brook Cottage Farm Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and Herts and Essex Border RDA hosted gold medalwinning Paralympian wheelchair racer Anne Wafula Strike, to fulfil a dream to ride or carriage drive. She set out driving Bruce with co-driver Frank, negotiating a course of cones at walk and trot and beaming with pleasure. ITV were there to film her achievement and RDA volunteers were there cheering. It was a lovely day and the buzz and excitement were palpable. “Horses are catalysts for a sense of community” SARAH BAKER What joy horses bring -they’re catalysts for a sense of community and generosity. Sarah Baker Chairman, Herts and…

NORMAL donkey blood test reference values differ from those for horses, as do heart and respiratory rates. ● A donkey’s heart rate may range from 35 to 55 beats per minute, depending on degree of fitness and anxiety (as compared with 28 to 44 for a horse). ● Respiratory rates are higher at rest than those of horses, at 12 to 28 breaths per minute (eight to 16 for a horse), and will vary with ambient temperature – the respiratory rate increases to reduce the amount of water expended for evaporative cooling. ● A donkey’s body temperature can range over 3°C with the average being 37.1°C (37.5°C to 38.5°C for a horse).…

A STUNNING performance sealed 19-year-old Georgina Kirby-Moore and Jemma Ellison’s 10-year-old SCT Master Of The Hounds (Paddy) the Enablelink Ltd intermediate show hunter title. “I would have loved to take him for a day’s hunting; he was mannerly but he went in the gallop,” said Anthony, who asked riders for two extensions. Georgina confirmed: “His gallop is where he shines. He’s such an easy horse to ride. He had no work this morning, he just came up to the ring and went in.” Georgina also rode Paddy in the side-saddle final, where she was the youngest rider of the field. FIRST HOYS…

WHEN a prospective buyer came to view Gmail, his rider and owner were in tears. But despite the interest, and a £5m offer, the super seven-year-old and Leo Lamb are still together. They qualified for three finals at HOYS – newcomers, Foxhunter and Talent Seekers, and secured the seven-year-old championship incorporated in the latter, in which they were second. “He can be a monkey,” said Leo of Gmail, whose speed was despite a few exuberant bucks. “But he’s a dude.” The Cornet Obolensky gelding and Leo went to Lanaken for the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championships and Valkenswaard for the WBFSH Studbooks Jumping Global Champions Trophy last month, winning a seven-year-old qualifier and helping the Anglo European Studbook team to silver. “I think so much of this horse, and know…

AREA FESTIVAL SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIPS 4–8 October Area Festival Summer Championships, Arena UK, Lincs THE 11-hour journey home to Aberdeen from Arena UK was sweetened for Jade Whitelaw and seven-year-old KWPN gelding Late Night, after they enjoyed their third victorious Area Festival Summer Championships. The pair won the advanced medium 91 silver with 69.87% and the advanced medium freestyle with 75.11%. They were medium silver freestyle champions last year and elementary silver winners the year before. “He’s such a great horse and was up for both tests,” said Jade of the gelding, by Gunner KS out of Vanea, whom she has owned for three years. “He was quite excited in the outdoor test but managed to hold it together. I was pleased with him, especially as he is quite new to…

LORD LUCAN II scored his sixth outright win in a blossoming dressage career, heading the elementary 40 at Solihull EC, West Midlands, with 71.29%. William Scott explained that Lucan had been backed in the past but re-started aged eight once he was with new owner Caroline McCracken. He was then produced by another rider before arriving at William’s yard in April to be sold. “He’s a big-moving horse and he’s taken a long time to develop, but he’s a trier and it’s all clicking into place,” said William of the lofty 11-year-old Lord Leatherdale son. “We now hope to keep going as far as we can. “He’s gone from being a field ornament to everything,” added William, who trains with Julie Yardley and rode Lucan to 12th place in the…

WHEN we get a new horse here, Adam needs someone to hunt them a couple of times before he takes them out. This involves shadowing him on a hunting day: something I tend to avoid. Anyone who has been in a relationship with a huntsman will know that hanging out with them on a hunting day is not conducive to marital harmony. Unless you happen to be one of those super-cool hunting wives/girlfriends who could hunt hounds themselves. But my horse is lame at the moment and there wasn’t anyone else available, so I agreed to go. The next morning I found myself falling at the first hurdle when the new horse, a 17.2hh giraffe called Joe, was refusing to stand alongside the lorry ramp so I could get on.…

Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ NIP TUCK, one of the “great champions of British Dressage” and the 2016 Olympic ride of Carl Hester, has died aged 19. The Don Ruto gelding was owned by Carl and Jane de la Mare, at whose home he has lived since his retirement at the end of 2019. Jane shared the news that on 25 September, Nip Tuck, known as Barney, was put down after “a short, sudden illness”. “Carl and I are heartbroken,” Jane said. Carl bought Nip Tuck from the Netherlands as a yearling and although he was always sharp and nervous, he flourished under Carl’s training and guidance to become a stalwart of the British team, winning three silver medals. Nip Tuck made his…

IN THE NEWS ELLAS DRUM The 15hh advanced event-winning mare, who was also a grade A showjumper and had top placings in the show ring – all with Laura Johnson – has died aged 24. ELIAS 494 The Friesian dressage stallion, who competed with Belgium’s Marc-Peter Spahn at the 2022 London International, has retired from top-level sport, aged 14, to focus on breeding. SCOTS GREY The Nicky Henderson-trained Terimon son, who won the 2007 Aintree Foxhunters Chase, has died aged 28. He later enjoyed team chasing before retiring to Wales.…

Showjumper Joe Stockdale was crowned HOYS leading athlete, and leading under-25 rider. He had multiple placings, including a win with Ebanking. Report, p52. Showjumper Tabitha Kyle is recovering from a fractured neck sustained in a hit-and-run car accident in the Netherlands. It is hoped she will be able to ride in five weeks. Producer Danielle Heath won the supreme horse of the year title at HOYS for the first time, with the Mears family’s Forgeland Hyde Park. Report, p30. Burghley champion Oliver Townend returned to the top of the world rankings. He takes over from Ros Canter who held the position for one month. Star 17-yearold apprentice jockey Billy Loughnane, recorded his 100th win of 2023 with a hattrick at Wolverhampton on 7 October.…

▲ DINOSAURS Visitors to HOYS will have seen ads for events there including Jurassic Park in concert. Featuring T. Rex, one assumes, or maybe some rap(tor). Weak, Ed. ▲ SLEEP Overheard at HOYS, on the last national class on Sunday morning. “The only one who gets to see that is Geoff Billington on his way home,” quipped a wag. He is a diligent one, that Geoff. ▲ RULES During the Foxhunter final, Harry Charles was asked if he’d ever won it -a no. “I did ring last night to see if I could get a lastminute entry,” he said. “They said it doesn’t work like that.” Surely room for one more? ▼ CHILDREN The story of Leo Lamb and Carron Nicol being offered £5m for Gmail attracted attention; some saying…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 HOW can we make sure Carl Hester gets the knighthood he surely deserves? He is a genius and the person behind almost all Britain’s current dressage success, including the recent European team gold medal. His training is brilliant, his riding outstanding. His methods and philosophy, so generously shared, are the shining beacon that will maintain our sport’s precious social licence to operate. Carl deserved to be knighted long ago. Am I going to have to go and knock at The King’s door? If so, it won’t be quietly… “BRILLIANT AND INSPIRING” WHAT can I add to the many accolades following Britain’s glorious gold medal at the European Dressage Championships? Wow, they were so good: the riders, the support team, the whole production was brilliant and inspiring. OPINION So,…

A FORMER driving pony shone over fences to win the junior 122cm worker title with his 10-year-old jockey. Millie Mortimer steered her mother Bianca Mortimer’s 13-year-old gelding Templedruid Carob (Admiral) to victory on their debut at the NEC. Admiral has been with the Mortimer family for three years and he had been a carriage-driving pony prior to him joining their stables. “He’s the perfect pony,” Bianca said. “He’s totally bombproof, probably from his time as a driver.” The pair are also seasoned Pony Club contenders. “Anything fun, Admiral will do it,” said Bianca. “I knew that he would jump the course at HOYS but neither of them has ever competed in this type of atmosphere before. We just wanted to come here and have a nice time.” FIRST HOYS WIN…

THE NEC roof must have been tugging at its moorings as John Whitaker and Shane Breen cleared 1.85m to win the Thistledown Investments six-bar. After 16 starters had been whittled down to Shane (Cato Boy) and John (Sharid; pictured, below) in the final round, the pair had the option to share first or go again. “I said, ‘Why don’t we go again, for the craic?’” Shane said. “The crowd loves it when you have a go and it’s lovely we both went and jumped clear.” Both horses – Prince Torki’s 14-year-old, who has jumped many a six-bar with John, and Nikki Rutter Giaponne’s nine-year-old, who was making his debut in the class with Shane – made nothing of the huge verticals, popping as if it was a grid at home.…

OSBERTON 29 September–1 October pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle Osberton, Notts EMILY KING and Jackpot led from the first phase to end their season on a winning high with their third three-star victory of the year. The pair headed in to tackle Beau Wood’s influential showjumping course in the Investec CCI3*-L on their dressage score of 25, having finished bang on the crosscountry optimum time. With Kitty King and Cristal Fontaine just 0.2 of a penalty behind, there was no breathing room. But Emily and the scopey nine-year-old didn’t need it – ending with a confident clear to seal the title in this battle of the Kings. “I was aware I had no room for error,” said Emily, who was riding the Polly Schwerdtproduced gelding for owners Vicki and Stewart Irlam. “I thought,…

AGED just 13, Violet Hawkins claimed the medium 73 bronze with 69.61% riding her 12-year-old 14hh Welsh part-bred gelding DZL Royal Sunrise. Violet trotted down the centre line for the first time only two years ago. “They continue to exceed my expectations,” said Alex, Violet’s mother. “We’ve had him just over two years. In that time, they’ve had an Area Festival win, an Area Festival championship, an inter regionals win, Home International win, regional win, national championship win, Premier League win, High Profile win and an international CDI win. “The ponies are home-produced. It’s down to hard work, passion and commitment, plus help from Jayne Turney.” Violet’s aims are to ride in a tailcoat and compete at the Europeans. ONE TO WATCH “We’ll concentrate on the pony international classes now,”…

Arley Moss, Cheshire “HIS age and mine, together, almost added up to our score,” laughed Toby Blake-Frost after a 72.65% PSG win with evergreen gelding Wessel II – the former grand prix ride of Alicia Dickinson. Now 20 and a schoolmaster at Alicia’s Dressage Institute, Wessel had a window without pupils that Toby took advantage of. “He hasn’t been out for three years” TOBY BLAKE-FROST ON WESSEL “He hasn’t been out for three years but he felt good at home,” said Toby, of the Jazz son nicknamed Grandad. “He knows his job, so it’s a case of keeping him fit and supple,” added Toby, who last year set up dressage training business Blake-Frost Equestrian. “And he’s a real show-off. We’d like to have a go at inter I.”…

Port Royal EC, N Yorks A MATURE performance by her five-year-old Nelson Van De Gathe earned Natalie Widdowson two novice wins. When Natalie was looking for a “smart but sane” youngster after a confidence knock, agent Rebecca Dudley came up with the goods. “Rebecca said he was bombproof and he has never put a foot wrong,” said Natalie, who bought the Dutch-bred gelding at three and imported him from the Netherlands. “He’s not a world-beater but he absolutely holds his own. He’s quiet and laid-back, but you can razz him up.”…

SMALL ponies are not uncommonly adept at escaping and getting themselves into tight spots, but this one in Malta was in a tighter spot than most. The Maltese Civil Protection Department was called out on 25 September about a pony in distress. A spokesman for the department told H&H the pony broke out of his paddock and fell into a man-made ditch about 35cm wide. “That kept the pony from suffering more harm,” he said. “He slid down very slowly so suffered practically no injuries.” The pony was lifted out and galloped off unhurt.…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald OPINION OVER the past three years, the places I have travelled to thanks to this profession are unbelievable. My horses have more stamps in their passports than most people get in a lifetime! But I’ve missed out on the action at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS, report p50) in recent years, so I couldn’t wait to be back doing what I love in front of a home crowd. It’s the pinnacle of the year for so many British showjumpers, and I truly hope that the national talent being showcased is one thing that never has to change. If you’d asked me last week whether I’d have stood a chance of winning the grand prix with Hardessa, I’d have told you no. I wasn’t sure if we’d even…

VISIT HORSE & HOUND’S VIRTUAL SHOPPING VILLAGE horseandhound.co.uk/directory/shopping COLDSTREAM SOUTHDEAN With a faux duck down filling, this windproof jacket offers a flattering silhouette. £114.99 coldstreamequestrian.co.uk ARIAT CLAIRBORNE Jacket made with ethical down insulation and recycled fabric with a faux fur trimmed hood and water-repellent finish. £300 ariat.com MACKEY BLOUSON With a fleece-lined inner, this jacket has multiple pockets, elasticated cuffs and a zip-out lining to allow rear embroidery. £60.95 mackey.ie HARRY HALL ALL-WEATHER Waterproof with an adjustable drawcord waist. It has storm cuffs and a large rear riding vent. £145 harryhall.com TOGGI CEDAR Robust coat with storm shield shoulders that allow water to run off, and a drawcord waist that accentuates the silhouette. £199.99 toggi.com CAVALLO GOLDA Warm and practical quilted jacket that features a voluminous statement hood with drawstring…

HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW Ponies A BREEDER achieved a dream result as his home-bred mare rose to the occasion to lift the Supreme Products supreme pony of the year championship. Jerome Harforth’s exquisite part-bred champion Swan Lake, piloted beautifully by Sophie Staveley, gave a gorgeous account of herself in both the pre-judging and the final presentation, held in the evening performance, to reign ahead of 12 other champions. The five-year-old, a lightly shown Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) debutante, was full of charm and elegance, and she performed with ears pricked, being both mannerly and eager for the job at hand; a true showgirl in every sense. Judges Philip and Rosemary Hilton agreed that they “couldn’t take their eyes off her”. Philip added: “It had extraordinary movement.” There…

HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW Natives A HOME-BRED New Forest stallion dazzled on his first Birmingham appearance to lift the National Pony Society/ Baileys Horse Feeds mountain and moorland (M&M) ridden pony of the year championship. Judges Alex Kelly (performance) and Antony Bell (conformation) had the unenviable task of sorting the 11 quality-filled classes held across two days. Alex, who has ridden at HOYS many times, set a show that focused on the ponies’ trot. “I asked each combination to walk away and trot back, and for them to trot right across the diagonal, to see if they were balanced and anticipating the transitions,” she explained. “I also wanted to see enough of the walk.” Alex added: “Each of our winners was a naturally balanced athlete. The standard of turnout…

HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW Coloureds A MARE and her rider advanced on the second place they achieved here 12 months ago to win the coloured horse and pony of the year championship. Rhianon Loader was elated to win her first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) final riding Stephanie Fitt’s home-bred seven-year-old Castra (Cassie). The beautiful non-native pony winner didn’t put a hair out of place during the championship, all while showcasing her floating paces and ability to lower and go during the gallop. The classes, sponsored by the Coloured Horse and Pony Society (UK), were judged by Mathew Lawrence (conformation) and Polly Mallender (ride/show). In the championship, the pair agreed completely on their champion. “She was full of quality,” said Polly, who was making her HOYS judging debut.…

HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW Senior national championships ALLANA CLUTTERBUCK won her first HOYS title after 10 years of trying – the Redpost Equestrian Foxhunter championship with Dirk IV. Allana, who has been competing at HOYS since she was 12, and Michael Bates’ 10-year-old pulled out all the stops to win by one second. “I’ve thought about winning for years, and what I’d say if it happened, and now there are no words,” said Allana, who was deceptively fast with the Nectar De Roches gelding. A ground-covering stride and forward riding put them on the attack from the start. “I don’t think I’ve ever ridden a horse like this; whatever you ask, he’s on it” ALLANA CLUTTERBUCK ON DIRK IV “I knew I had to be really fast,” she said.…

LAUREN WILKINS’ family took a gamble in buying Eloclea Ro.Del Colle San Marco (pictured) – and it certainly paid off. Lauren earned her first HOYS ticket, and her first HOYS win, with the nine-year-old mare in the Enablelink pony Foxhunter championship. She knew she had a tough job but she rode forward from the start, taking advantage of the athletic, nippy blood mare’s long stride and turnability to win by three seconds, from Hollie Gerken and Ballycarrow Mirahs Sparrow. “I didn’t expect that at all,” Lauren said. “She’s the first pony I’ve had to do this kind of thing, so it’s amazing. “I just had to get the turns in; the one to the double I was a bit nervous about, but I knew she could do it – but…

BETH STARKEY celebrated a first win in only her fourth event riding Heather Owen’s schoolmaster, Monbeg Horizon (Louie), at Kelsall Hill (2) in the BE100open. The nine-year-old gelding previously competed to advanced level with Michael Owen, but he stepped down earlier this season due to suffering from shivering and stringhalt. “His conditions meant that he couldn’t wear hind shoes, but that’s not a problem at the lower levels,” explained Beth. “He rarely shivers or has stringhalt under saddle and now that he is turned out 24/7, has a high-oil diet and regular physiotherapy, he is doing really well. “I hadn’t evented for five years before taking on Louie, so it’s been a huge learning curve for me as well as an honour. He has an amazing personality and a huge…

HIGHLIGHTS 25 September–1 October Burrows Court Farm, Glos “IT’S all heading in the right direction,” said Andrew Bradley of his journey with DJ Attitude, who scored a pick-your-own class inter II win with 71.18%. “In places, he showed much more relaxation. "He’s an extremely talented horse but has always suffered from a bit of tension,” explained Andrew of the 13-year-old Ampère gelding he co-owns with Maggie Martin and Jane Gillman. “We’ve been experimenting with ways to warm him up and trying to make sure that everything is in place at home. “It’s taken a lot of patience, but we’re starting to work through it,” Andrew added. “We’ll aim for some Premier Leagues next year and I’d like to think that somewhere in the next season he’ll try his first grand…

Onley Grounds EC, Warks TOM GRAHAM headed the grand prix with Frascati 72. Shirley Rixon’s 16-year-old First Grade gelding is once again proving consistent at the level after a two-year absence with injury. “We’re consolidating the work and the aim is to step back up to Premier Leagues,” said Tom. “He’s quite a laidback character and makes you work for it, but when you do get it, it’s fantastic.” Tom also took the prelim 15 with Laura Bendell’s five-year Spanish mare, NR Salerosa. “She has a superb work ethic and takes everything in her stride,” said Tom.…

HUNTING PUCKERIDGE AND ESSEX 25 September catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123…