Innholdsfortegnelse for 8-Feb-2024 i Horse & Hound

WHAT’S particularly apparent from this week’s news story looking at complaints around the inaugural British Show Horse Association Rising Star championships at London ExCel (news, p4) is how much it means to competitors to compete and to win at such a prestigious event and venue. While the championship was developed in part to support county shows and encourage new and up-and-coming combinations, some competitors feel extremely strongly about what processes should have applied, and in some cases these are at odds with those that were. For all to be happier, either the process needs to change or the expectations do. What is absolutely clear to us is that no competitor who believed themselves to be eligible to compete and was allowed – or even invited – to do so should…

RIDER DIES AFTER POINTING FALL YOUNG rider Keagan Kirkby, 25 – described as “one of our best” – has died as a result of a point-to-point fall at Charing, Kent, on Sunday, 4 February. The Injured Jockeys Fund said the horse Keagan was riding ran out through the wing of a fence. The on-course medical team attended immediately and despite air ambulance support, he could not be saved. Keagan, a respected member of Paul Nicholls’ team, was employee of the month in December 2021. He was also shortlisted for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards rider/ groom category 2024. Paul said: “Sadly Keagan Kirby, one of our best, hardworking lads, lost his life. RIP Keag, we will all miss you terribly.” HUNT SUSPENDED OVER FOOTAGE THE Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt…

Showjumper Harry Charles has secured his World Cup Final place. He and Sherlock came third in Bordeaux, and sit second in the western European league. Trainer Willie Mullins won all eight Grade Ones at the Dublin Racing Festival, with a second Irish Gold Cup running for Galopin Des Champs. Report, p50. New Zealand five-star event rider Monica Spencer made a permanent move to Florida, USA, last week as she aims for a place at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Pony Club announced that vice-chair Clare Valori is stepping down, after six years. A spokesman said her “outstanding contribution” is appreciated. Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Conor O’Farrell returned to the saddle on 2 February at Catterick, after over six months with a dislocated shoulder.…

FORMER top sprinter Goldream was voted winner of a new Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) award. The Group One winner and racehorse retraining and rehoming organisation New Beginnings won the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Community Impact Award (31 January). The 15-year-old visits hospices, hospitals and schools, and “gives so much pleasure” said Kevin Atkinson of New Beginnings. “He seems to instinctively know what to do. To see someone at the latter end of life smile, because a horse has touched them, is phenomenal. You can’t buy that.”…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_ journo_ IF the 2023 season taught me anything it’s that the dynamics of showing are constantly changing, and there will always be something that surprises you. Never in my lifetime did I ever imagine that I would witness a 138cm show pony [Swan Lake] take supreme honours at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ridden by a 33-year-old jockey. This did not sit well with me even though the combination came via the part-bred route rather than the mainstream show pony section. We produce riding ponies for children, and by allowing older jockeys to ride them, is the term suitability and craft of producing ponies going out of the window? Ardenhall Blenheim’s back-to-back show pony of the year victories in 2022 and 2023 were not given enough credit.…

Need to know MR BLUE SKY UK Age: 15 Breeding: Westphalian by ChaccoBlue out of Docenta (by Cento) Riders: Guy and Maisy Williams (previous: Derek McCoppin, Caroline Phillips and Emmanuel Bertho) Owner: Caroline Phillips Breeder: Paul Schockemöhle Greatest achievements: equal first HOYS puissance, equal first Rouen puissance, equal first LIHS puissance 2018; equal first HOYS puissance, third LIHS puissance, equal first Liverpool puissance 2019; first Hickstead 1.40m, equal first Bolesworth puissance, third HOYS puissance, won LIHS puissance 2021; third Royal Windsor puissance, second Bolesworth puissance, third HOYS puissance, equal first LIHS puissance 2022; first Bolesworth puissance, second HOYS puissance, first LIHS puissance, second Arena UK six-bar and under-25 qualifier 2023. Two Hickstead Derby completions 2019 and 2022. RIDER GUY WILLIAMS “I CAN’T believe the attention he gets, but I think…

HORSE&HOUND VET CLINIC THE horse’s hoof can be imagined as a semi-flexible “thimble” attached by very firm bonds to the internal structures of the foot. These attachments – the laminae in the wall and the corium of the sole – are intimately bound to the hoof and separate from it only in extreme circumstances, for example in cases of laminitis. But if infection gains entry through a defect in the hoof wall or sole, or if these structures are penetrated, this attachment can be partially separated, resulting in pus accumulating in the separated area. This may be under the sole, under the hoof wall, or sometimes under both. The pus is trapped and cannot escape, and as the hoof is in effect a rigid box that cannot swell to accommodate…

I HAD taken two years out of hunting to run the Crown Hotel on Exmoor when the phone rang. “Alastair,” said the unmistakable voice of Newton Rycroft, “will you come and hunt my hounds? My huntsman has shot himself!” Well, it turned out that an accident with a humane killer had resulted in a wounded foot and I certainly wasn’t going to turn down the opportunity of hunting this remarkable pack of hounds. For several months I travelled down to the New Forest twice a week to stay with the Rycrofts and hunt the hounds the following day. They were everything that I had been told. They drew fast and wide, hunted with enormous drive and accuracy, and with a very good cry indeed. They were biddable, easy to handle…

South East Hunts Club, Charing, Kent ON a day that ended in tragedy with the death of Keagan Kirkby in the final race (see news, p6), Charlie Marshall and his sister Izzie won five of the six races on the card. A Quick Risk won the 2m4f maiden on debut under Charlie for trainer Martin Wanless and owner Jane Wanless. “I’d never seen him before today and Martin had been keeping him under the radar as he is [Grand National winner] One For Arthur’s half-brother,” said Charlie. “Martin said he’s been doing well at home so I let him have some space over the first, where he was quick and slick, and then he had a huge turn of foot from the back of the second last. He went clear…

HORSE & HOUND GOODNIGHT A SEASONED and well-respected professional huntsman, whom Adam knew when he was young, once offered him some pearls of wisdom about wives. “You don’t want one that hunts,” he said forcibly. In his view, a wife who was out hunting and “messing about with horses”, as he put it, was neglecting their main function – that of looking after their husband. I’m sure there are huntsmen who like a wife’s input in all aspects of their lives, but for him the role was purely domestic. A view that would rarely be aired today. I often think of this on the days that Adam goes hunting and I, for whatever reason, do not. And I think of it without rancour because, looking past the sexist overtones, that…

Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ A TITLE reallocated, questions on some qualifications and a judge dismissed after 37 years: the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) Rising Star series has sparked debate. The lightweight cob title awarded at the London International (LIHS) has been reallocated. H&H has heard concerns over the amateur status of some others at the final, but the BSHA said all concerns about the Rising Star classes have “now been investigated thoroughly”. H&H reported in 2022 that the new series focused on, the BSHA said, “encouraging more to join in and have a go”. But Alan Mickleburgh, the BSHA judge dismissed, thinks it will have the opposite effect. “All this misrepresentation is going to put them off,” he told H&H. Mr…

▲ U-TURNS An old FEI statement said: “The cloning of [horse or rider] with a view to competing at international level would be unacceptable.” The FEI now allows cloned horses. Pretty sure cloned riders still aren’t on though… ▲ ADVICE Overheard from a trainer as a rider went into the ring: “Remember, don’t scare the judge.” Always top priority, after staying on, that is… ▲ CAKE The RoR awards featured a cake with icing models of horses, and patron Zara Tindall. Just don’t tell the national papers or we’ll read of Zara “donning a dark-blue icing blazer and sugar-tipped boots”. Sigh. ▼ SCAMMERS This week’s award to he who was so close, so very close, to sounding believable. Until he said he lived on a ranch in London. Is that…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound REMEMBER OUR HUMANITY CHAT about the state of our sport, social media vitriol and the threat to our industry misses the point. We need to look at the bigger picture. Have we forgotten basic human kindness? We all love the same creature; we should be empathetic to each other. “Let’s trust the FEI and governing bodies to do their jobs” ANDREA BRISTOL I worry that we will start to see more riders and trainers leave the sport through fear of being trolled. Look at what has happened to footballer Eni Aluko, who has left the country due to concerns for her safety as a result of trolling. We must work together to prevent a…

1. Before applying a bandage to the affected part of the foot, pick out and dry the three frog grooves, and remove all mud and debris. If a poultice or pad is used cut a generous piece (immersed in hand-hot water if a poultice and gently squeezed) and then push it into the grooves of the hoof to help secure it. If the coronary band is being poulticed – to soften the skin there to ease the break through of pus – the poultice material should extend to mid-pastern to allow for downward slippage. 2. Then use a roll of cohesive bandage, paying particular attention to the rim of the hoof. The bandage should extend to the mid-pastern level but should be applied only loosely in this region. If the foot…

ONE of my favourite things to do is to take my hounds visiting. Every hunt country is unique and provides its own set of challenges; this may be the rocks and bogs of Dartmoor, the imposing hedges of the Blackmore Vale or the deep ditches of the Fens. When visiting another hunt country the stakes are higher. Reputations can be enhanced or eroded. Have a great day and the locals will talk about it for years – on the reverse side if you have a poor day you run the risk of being written off as useless. The thing I like best is the unpredictability of it. You turn up with no preconceptions or prior knowledge of which way the trails are likely to be laid and are often blissfully…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald HIGHLIGHTS 19–28 January CSI2*/CSI*/ CSIAm-A, Kelsall Hill EC, Cheshire THE rising star of Richard Howley’s stable, nine-year-old Zodiak Du Buisson Z, demonstrated his international promise as he swept to victory in the inaugural Cheval Liberté and Windmill Farm Estates CSI2* 1.45m grand prix. A band of determined young riders faced off against older hands for the €9,306 (£7,950) top prize in this seven-strong jump-off, which launched with a solid clear from Fraser Reed and Westbank Rio. Fraser’s fellow under-25 rider, Jennifer Billington, immediately snatched a 1.75sec advantage when she took out a stride to the last on the brilliant Flipper Darco UK Z. It was enough to keep her in the runner-up spot when a bid from prolific partnership Sandy McLean and Gino F showed her time could…

Bury Farm, Bucks CVS JAGERMEISTER – a horse who was so tricky as a four-year-old that he was nearly put to sleep – continued a consistent run of qualification for the Blue Chip Championships for his owner Clare Wilson Stanbridge. Clare bought the 15-year-old gelding as a two-year-old from his breeder and although “nothing bad had ever happened to him”, he was incredibly distrustful of people. “It’s taken me a long time to get to where we’ve got with him and he’s like my left arm now – I couldn’t be without him and love him to bits,” she said. “But as a four-year-old, he was on another level. “He had everything checked and there was nothing wrong, but he was nervous, cold and sharp, and I’d never have got…

IN THE NEWS HARDY EUSTACE The dual Champion Hurdle hero has died in retirement aged 27. He was trained by the late Dessie Hughes to the back-to-back victories with Conor O’Dwyer. BOHEMIAN The 14-year-old who Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour rode at Tokyo and won European dressage medals is to be cloned. He is now owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Centre. PAPINEAU Godolphin’s winner of the 2004 Royal Ascot Gold Cup has died aged 24. Formerly trained by Saeed bin Suroor, he competed in dressage and showing and visited hospices.…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald WINNING the recent four-star home Nations Cup with the UAE squad was a great result. They’re a talented team of riders, who were capable of qualifing for the Olympics before I joined them, but they’ve been working hard since. So it was nice to have built on all our groundwork and hopefully we can continue to do so. We had a nice mix of two young riders and two more experienced. Although the competition was nothing like going to the Olympics, there’s always a lot more pressure performing in front of your home crowd, so it was nice to see them thrive – you never know how people will cope until they’re in that situation. The difference between my job and Di Lampard’s is that I’m responsible for…

My parents met when they had horses stabled next to each other, and there have always been horses at home. Eventing is my passion; I’ve been lucky enough to produce horses to Badminton grassroots level and I’m now competing my horse Freddie at one-star – and I split my time between London and my parents’ home in Shropshire, where my horses live. While reading French and politics at Durham, I became more horse-obsessed than ever. It was then that I was selected to ride for the British universities’ team, which took me all over Europe, and this was the first time I had brands making contact wanting to support me. I started working as a content influencer with a couple of equestrian clothing firms and was grateful to do it…

I HAVE always encouraged members into the Prince Philip games training. Learning how to get over the line first is at the heart of it, and I thought this was a great way to get into the team spirit and learn how to come first or last. My youngest son qualified for the Prince Philip Cup when it was at the Horse of the Year Show [HOYS] at Wembley. He went on to train the Prince Philip Cup senior team and took them to HOYS at Wembley many times, winning it in 1991. Some of my proudest moments are when the Wylye Valley mounted games team holds the cup high, as worthy winners. Finding and making games ponies and then being able to pass them on to younger members is…

FIND MORE GREAT PRODUCTS ONLINE For more children’s riding clothing and footwear, visit horseandhound.co.uk/buyers-guides HOLLAND COOPER BABY SNOWSUIT Ideal for taking your baby to the yard with you, it has detachable padded mittens and booties. £149 hollandcooper.com HY EQUESTRIAN CANTERBURY ZIP JODHPUR BOOT Children’s buff leather boots with zip front and a pull tab. £28.99 hy-equestrian.com ABUS-PIKEUR AIR DUO Adjustable helmet that has been designed for comfort. Up to standard for riding and cycling. From £149.95 pikeur-eskadron.com CHARLES OWEN HARLOW JS1 PRO Meets three international standards and comes with a matching pastel pom-pom silk. From £135 charlesowen.com STEEDS RITA COMPETITION JACKET Elegant design with lace collar, rear bow detail and zip pockets. £54.90 kramer.co.uk MOCHARA MINI TECHNICAL LEGGINGS Stretchy leggings that can be worn in and out of the saddle.…

STONEHALL HARRIERS 12 January catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 IN KENNELS Master: John Finucane Chairman: Timmy Hanley Huntsman: Jamie Crosse Whippers-in: Selina Braddish, Mark Siney, Paudie Hanrahan Hounds: 20 couple of Irish harriers Acting secretary: Anne Cregan: +353 87 2436554 Hunting days: Saturdays Neighbouring packs: Co Limerick Foxhounds, Limerick Harriers, North Kerry Harriers Hirelings: contact secretary Stonehall Harriers Dromore, Co Limerick “I’M a harrier man through and through,” young huntsman Jamie Crosse told Horse & Hound. “A lot of foxhound lads don’t like them, ‘cos they can’t manage them. If you go messing with harriers they’ll break your heart. You can’t gee them up too much; they have to be settled at all times.” John Finucane, who hunted the Stonehall Harriers for 11 seasons, agrees. “They have a freer nature; they’re not as…

oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr HIGHLIGHTS 22–28 January Parwood EC Winter Area Festival, Surrey RIDING high after a hat-trick of wins, LucyAnna Westaway was in for a further surprise – courtesy of Olympic eventing legend Pippa Funnell. “I live near Pippa and she said, ‘Well done’ to me in the village shop,” she laughed. “It was the icing on the cake.” LucyAnna took the prix st georges (PSG) silver and inter I bronze with AHI O’Malley, the 13-year-old gelding she hopes will take her to grand prix. Owned by Frances Davies, who recently gifted LucyAnna a third of him, Malley is by Martin and out of a Jazz mare. “He’s a nice mix and great fun,” said LucyAnna, who trains with James Rooney and Andrew Day. “We’ve learned the routine he likes; we…

RUBIN REGAL scored a plus-70% elementary double win at The Grange EC, Devon. Anouszka Dabrowa’s seven-year-old gelding has been produced and competed by Tom Carter who rides for Elite Dressage. “He was the first horse I rode when I started here, so it’s been exciting to see him move up the levels,” said Tom, who was prelim silver national champion in 2023 with Beth Bainbridge’s Newton Despina. “He is a big horse but a gentle giant – so genuine and honest.” ONE TO WATCH…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald HIGHLIGHTS 1–4 February Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher, Surrey “I’M ELATED but speechless,” admitted trainer Sarah Humphrey after the apple of her eye, the big-jumping eight-year-old Nickle Back, landed a milestone first Grade One winner for the small, hard-working team from near Newmarket. Jockey James Best’s celebratory roar has become increasingly familiar this season as he’s landed a string of high-profile races, and he too was celebrating a landmark first Grade One in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase, returning to a standing ovation from his colleagues. “If you get him into that rhythm as James does, he’s very quick over his fences,” said the trainer, who is now unbeaten at Sandown. “I always thought this track would suit him – he has such a high cruising speed…