Innholdsfortegnelse for 14-Mar-2024 i Horse & Hound

I SAW a post on social media imploring users not to be afraid to show themselves “trying”, or to show the work in progress. It takes courage, though, to show an unfinished article to the public. Laura Tomlinson shares her concerns in her column (p14) - will she be lambasted for anything less than perfection in competition? Undoubtedly Laura will apply her usual sympathetic approach, but will she be criticised for any moments of tension while her horse gains further confidence in this environment? Correct, sympathetic riders should not be afraid to go out with their horses. Laura also asks judges to mark riders more harshly if expression exists without correctness - in accordance with the scales of training. We know some judges speak to riders about what they want…

IAN FARQUHAR, a towering figure of the hunting world, has died aged 78. Capt Farquhar, known by many as simply “Captain”, was master of the Duke of Beaufort’s for 34 years (1985-2019). He hunted the Beaufort hounds from 1985-2011, and was master and huntsman of the Bicester from 1973-1985. Capt Farquhar was born on 11 December 1945, in Dorset, where his father Sir Peter Farquhar was the distinguished master and huntsman of the Portman. Sir Peter had commanded his regiment in North Africa during World War II and, after Ludgrove and Eton, Ian joined the Queen’s Own Hussars and served in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. In 1971, he became an equerry to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. One morning, despite an unusual early night, he was…

THE mother of a 13-year-old whose life has been transformed by horses said the change has brought “pure and utter happiness”. Nicola Rodriguez’s son Harry was diagnosed with autism and global development delay aged two, and sensory processing disorder aged five. Doctors said it was unlikely he would speak, or show emotion, empathy and understanding. “The future looked bleak,” Nicola told H&H. “He struggled with communication and interaction. He had no friends or hobbies, his dad and I were worried about what would become of him. “Then, last July, Harry was watching Alan Titchmarsh on television and he was driving a horse. Harry said: ‘I think I might like horses.’ I googled, found a riding school, and took him straight down there.” At Mill Lane, Willingale, Essex, Nicola and Harry…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald I WAS with David Broome recently as we celebrated his 84th birthday. He always has a balanced view on the sport of yesteryear compared with today. Indeed, it wasn’t long before we were talking about the FEI’s new Longines League of Nations (LLN) versus the Nations Cup format we’d known for years. In particular, we reminisced about Hickstead and Dublin. I was lucky enough to be on the winning team at both. It’s obviously great to win in front of your home crowd - but the Aga Khan Trophy in Dublin is such a special day when the whole nation seems to come together in the hope of an Irish victory. Whatever the result, it never dampens the spirits of the evening’s get-togethers and parties. It always made…

RIDER YASMIN INGHAM “‘PIGLET’ was the first horse Sue and Eddie Davies and their daughter Janette Chinn bought for me to ride. He was sourced by Rachel Wakefield and we tried him in Ireland when he was six years old. He tries hard and that’s what drew me to him - he’s not the flashiest mover or most extravagant jumper, but he really wanted to do it and he’s consistent. I wish other horses had his brain sometimes. “He’s not massively inspiring at home and finds everything quite boring, but at a competition his other side comes out. It’s a good thing he rises to the occasion, but we are surprised sometimes as he’s super-relaxed at home. “We lead him into the cross-country start box as he can get so…

RADNOR AND WEST HEREFORDSHIRE 14 February catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfaustenl23 IN KENNELS Joint-masters: Robert Jones, Heather Jones, Steph Gardiner and Fenella Hall Huntsman: Shaun Marles is in his 11th season, having previously been at the Ludlow Kennelman: Harry Knight, who is also the countryman Stud groom: Laura Marles, who is currently on maternity leave and has been ably covered for by Louisa Hill Unsung heroes: Christine Rogers and Colin Davies. Christine collects the caps at every meet, while Colin without fail runs the raffle with similar regularity Kington, Herefords “SO if you feel a little glum, To Hergest Ridge you should come. In summer, winter, rain or sun, It’s good to be on horseback.” Mike Oldfield certainly had the right idea when he released his song On Horseback in 1975. It was…

OASBY 7-10 March pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle Oasby (1), Lines BURGHLEY runners-up David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed put their winter dressage training into action to win their opening run of the 2024 season. The Badminton-bound pair scored 26.1 in the first phase in open intermediate (OI) section G, equal to Ros Canter and her Pau-winning ride Izilot DHI, and just shy of the 25.7 from dressage leaders Emily King and Valmy Biats. David and the 13-year-old gelding, whom he owns with Gillian Jonas and Mary Fox, finished on their dressage score on every international start in 2023. But the last time they produced a sub-30 test was at Pau 2021, which makes their improvement in this first phase particularly noteworthy. “It was lovely to be up there with Valmy Biats and Izilot…

HANNAH FOLKARD made a splash with her striking six-year-old coloured gelding Kipekee Wakati, winning both novice tests outright at Saddlesdane EC, Kent. “His name means ‘unique’ in Swahili, as his father was imported from South Africa and my other half is from there,” said Hannah, who trains with Leanne Wall and Char Lassetter. “I bred him to event. He’s big, so we’ve been waiting for him to mature, but he moves nicely and he has a brilliant attitude. He’s a joy a real character.”…

SANDOWN PARK 9 March jennifer.donaid@futurenet.com @jen_donald Sandown Park, Surrey THE £100,000 Betfair Imperial Cup whetted the appetite of racing fans ahead of this week’s Cheltenham Festival, with a pulsating contest between Go Dante and Faivoir, who are trained just a few miles apart. The traditional starter course to an epic week of sport served up a thrillingly tight finish and in the bob of heads, it was the Olly Murphy-trained Go Dante who was declared the winner by a nose, under a driving finish from title-chasing jockey Sean Bowen up the Sandown incline. Barbara Hester’s eight-year-old son of Kayf Tara was racking up his fifth career win and he’s finished in the top three on his past three starts, including an eye-catching third in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last…

FREDDIE KEIGHLEY, son of National Hunt trainer Martin, didn’t have to wait too long to record his first pointing victory when taking the conditions (level three) for grassroots riders at the Duke of Beaufort meeting at Didmarton, Gloucestershire. He turned 16 on 29 February and was “box walking” when the fixture was delayed by a week due to snow covering the course, his mother, Belinda explained. “It was a bit of a blur, but the most amazing day.” said Belinda. Freddie, who has his sights set on a career as a jockey, was riding Sametegal, who is only one year younger than his jockey, when taking the win. “Freddie went to do work experience with Paul Nicholls last summer and at the end of that, Paul offered him Sametegal, who…

Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ EVERYONE has the right to shine - and it is our duty to provide the opportunity to do so, which could benefit all of us. This was the theme of a session at the National Equine Forum on 7 March. First to present was Jane Cooper, managing director of Access & Inclusion UK, whose daughter Megan was born with a rare chromosomal condition. “That was a life-changing moment,” she said. “I realised the extra challenges people face, which I wasn’t aware of. That’s why I do what I do. “Disabled people want the same things others do from spending time with horses; the emotional and therapeutic benefits, the bond and the physical benefits. If you change, you can…

IN THE NEWS SEACOOKIE William Fox-Pitt’s 2013 Pau-winning ride, owned by Catherine Witt, has died, aged 25. The pair finished in the top 10 at five-star six times, and won Blenheim in 2012. THISTLEDOWN VAN DER VAART The Richardsons’ lead-rein pony has retired, aged 16. He was a five-time HOYS mini champion, also winning the supreme pony title there in 2017. CARRICK DIAMOND LAD The Irish Sport Horse stallion, owned and bred by Tom Jones of Greaghwillan Stud, has died aged 31. He has sired countless successful progeny.…

AN FEI dressage forum will run this year to tackle concerns, but it would be a “grave error” to think welfare issues are “just a dressage problem”. The Swedish equestrian federation and the Gothenburg Horse Show hosted a meeting at the show (21-25 February), attended by representatives from federations, show organisers, researchers, the FEI and World Horse Welfare. The Swedish federation’s secretary general Johan Fyrberg told H&H horse welfare must be addressed. “The pattern we have seen is abuse in private business, at stables in training. There are not very many cases, but there are some, and that is serious. “This is about actions, not about words” ROLY OWERS “There’s a big discussion in the equestrian world,” he said, adding that although this applies to all disciplines, recent cases “have…

DANCING Applause for National-winning jockey Davy Russell, who made it to the semi-finals of Dancing with the Stars. Not only has he got the moves (including a Tiger Roll?) he also made Cheltenham. A win-win. OPTIMISM Overheard, two riders gazing into the downpour. “Well,” one said brightly. “It’s definitely spring rain now rather than winter rain.” Possibly true. But stop now please. READING Top marks to the young rider who dressed as a Thelwell character for World Book Day, with straw in hair, arm in a sling and a “black eye”. We salute you, young lady. FALLS “Ah, the highs and lows of horses”, one rider was heard to murmur as she limped into the yard. The high being the apex of her parabola when her mare put in a…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. WELFARE FIRST ANNA ROSS (comment, 29 February) makes many good points. Rather than being a sport in which the majority train and care for their horses with a focus on long-term wellbeing, dressage is in danger of becoming one in which a quick turnaround for commercial reasons is prevalent. We need open discussion and change, and a topdown approach that doesn’t encourage compromising welfare. A refresh of the UK test structure is a good start, and more time and money is being invested in training judges. But those at the top of the sport are still rewarded for flamboyance over correctness, with horses looking anxious and uncomfortable as opposed to willing and relaxed. “We need open discussion and…

HACKS are the only horses routinely asked to perform individual shows, and this can be a game-changer. “I would like to see more originality, and not have the show go on forever,” asserts Tim Wiggett. “It must look effortless; I hate to see trot work at lOOmph trying to show an extension and pushing the horse out of its rhythm. Avoid a rein-back unless you are sure it’s going to be executed correctly. A simple, short show done well is much better.” Simon adds: “When I went out to do a show I always threw the kitchen sink at it. My mother, Andrea, said I should always remember I might only be in that position once, so to make the most of it. The show should be structured, but you must…

BREATHTAKING “SUSIE EDDIS and working hunter pony Beat The Boss winning the 2015 Royal International supreme pony title. He was only the second working hunter pony to take the title. I was privileged to be one of the supreme judges that day and although I’d seen him jump a brilliant clear in his performance round, it was only in the International Arena supreme championship that we could properly see his brilliant paces, selfcarriage, great gallop and wonderful manners. When he trotted out past me, he took my breath away.” Margaret Shaw MAKING HISTORY “AT the 2015 Royal Welsh Show, the late Dr Wynne Davies MBE sprinted into the record books. With enthusiastic support from the grandstand crowd, the sprightly 83-year-old breeder completed a full length of the main ring at…

DREAM-MAKER headed prelim and novice classes at Elms Farm EC, Lincolnshire, with Ashlene Bagshaw, who rides the nine-year-old home-bred for Alan Drane. “I backed and produced her, but she was five when Covid hit and we’ve had quite a few horses to train, so we haven’t done much,” said Ashlene, who describes the mare as independent and easy to manage. “She was competed last year by Jessica Baugh, but I’ve now been given the chance. We’ve just started training with Hannah Moody.”…

TWO people who have had a major impact on improving equine welfare were joint winners of the Sir Colin Spedding Award on 7 March. Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) livestock and entries coordinator Amanda StoddartWest and RSPCA case officer Kirsty Withnall were honoured at the National Equine Forum. H&H has covered much of Mrs Stoddart-West’s work, including setting appropriate rider-to-horse weight ratios and introducing certain welfare stewards. “In the event of any of the welfare advances being challenged, Amanda has remained firm in her application of the principles, and because of her efforts, these are now being widely adopted across other shows,” her citation reads. Mrs Stoddart-West said she was “incredibly honoured”, adding: “I couldn’t have achieved any of what I have without the support of my employers the Yorkshire Agricultural…

CHANGING TIMES FOR TOP BRANDS EQUESTRIAN brand LeMieux is going up for sale for more than £150m. Former Olympic eventer Robert Lemieux and his wife Lisa founded LeMieux in 2006, and in 2022 it was the 66th fastest-growing company in the UK in The Sunday Times 100. In other brand news, Champion and Toggi have changed hands, as Michael O’Rourke’s investment company TDL bought a majority stake in Finest Brands Holdings Ltd. New British safety wear and lifestyle brand Evoke has unveiled two new riding helmets, following a £3m investment. Vale Brothers, the parent company of Harry Dabbs, Jeffries, Thermatex, and Nuumed, which went into administration four months ago, has been bought by Baaj Capital and is “absolutely still in business”. BRAMHAM’S NEW TITLE SPONSOR BRAMHAM Horse Trials (6-9 June)…

Olympic eventing team gold medallist Laura Collett won five classes from six rides at Tweseldown on 9 March, a week after her win at Poplar Park. Champion pointing trainer Tom Ellis is taking out his professional licence and will train home-bred Latenightpass for the Grand National, with wife Gina riding. Dressage legend Carl Hester copresented the prize to the working group winner at Crufts, Neville. Carl said he “could have taken Neville home”. Five-star event rider Kylie Roddy will be chef d’equipe of the Brits for the 2025 CCI3* European Cup. Wellington manager David Sheerin is chef de mission. Irish showjumper Jessica Burke and Express Trend won the CSI4* 1.55m grand prix at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour, on 10 March.…

oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr OPINION I AM delighted to say, following a brilliantly organised regional championships at Wellington (report, p62), that we have three home-bred horses qualified for the winter championships. Sarah Rogers and I will be contesting the prix st georges with Forest Hill and Full Moon II respectively and Sarah will also be riding Viva Lotta in the inter I. We are excited to see what the venue change brings, having been spoilt with Hartpury for many years. But I am sure that Addington will make for a cracking championships too. I am excited for the 2024 season, but I must admit that it’s not without trepidation that I venture to some of these higher-level shows with spectators. There has been so much acrimony on social media and I feel…

It all began about three years ago when Rob Burrow MBE had a charity match at the Leeds Rhino rugby league ground. Rob is a former Leeds Rhino player who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019. I was at the match, I’m a passionate rugby league and horseracing fan, and I had an idea to bring the two sports together and see what we could do to help raise awareness and funds for MND. I think I’d had a bit too much red wine but I decided that what we should do is go and buy a horse! I spoke to former jockey Mark Dwyer who led me to Henrietta Knight and we selected a very well-bred horse by Kayf Tara. We named him Burrow Seven after…

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“IN the show ring today we still seek sparkle, elegance, lightness of hand and free, flowing movement, in which the horse really points its toe. A true show hack will have a long, sloping shoulder to enable a good length of stride, and the neck should rise up out of the withers in a graceful curve, leading to a quality head. Limbs must display good flat bone - no less than eight inches, as hacks should be able to carry a man. “The hindquarters and hindlegs must be powerful, with length from the point of hip to the hock. The back should be short, with strong, powerful loins and a well ribbed-up body with depth through the girth. A small and elegant horse - not a pony.”…

“Isn’t Isabelle lucky that she’s got somebody she can talk to about horses?” ALTHEA GIFFORD ON THE MULTIGENERATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM Celebrating 1884 140 2024 years WE kicked off by discussing how each of their careers started… ALTHEA: My father had a farm and I hunted with three packs in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. I veered into showjumping when I left school because I just wanted to ride and I had two horses who were more showjumpers than eventers. After a while, I missed cross-country. I had a grade A showjumper called Fanshaw, with whom I won showjumping junior individual bronze and team silver. I’d hunted him and I thought it’d be rather fun to event him. He sailed through a whole season from novice to advanced. At that time, the British…

MARTIN LETTS was a very good friend of mine and was indeed a “great foxhunter” in every sense. He died only relatively recently - in February 2022, while still a master of the College Valley and North Northumberland Foxhounds, a role he had held for no fewer than 58 seasons. He had the distinction of having hunted beagles, otterhounds and foxhounds. He was one of the most respected houndsmen in the land. His early days, however, were spent in the orchards and hop fields of Kent; a far cry from the rugged Border country with which he was associated for most of his life. It was with the Bolebroke Beagles that he had his early hunting experiences. The master, Philip Burrows, had been in office since 1934 and, being very…

MYERSCOUGH PREMIER LEAGUE 5-10 March oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr Myerscough College Premier League, Lancs ON only his third start at the level, James Bond won Sunday’s - and his first - grand prix class on 70.8% under Becky Moody. “He can do it all, but he’s green at the level and still developing balance,” said an understandably delighted Becky of Jo Cooper and Pat and David Webster’s 10-year-old stallion. “It’s fantastic to get his summer nationals qualification so early in the season and I might get him to a couple of internationals this year if the opportunity arises.” “Q”, as he is known at home, was bought as a three-year-old and is one of just two stallions at the Moodys’ Yorkshire base. “If he wasn’t so easy, he wouldn’t still be entire,”…

A CLEAN sweep at elementary at Scottish National EC, West Lothian, served as perfect preparation for the forthcoming Area Festival finals at Addington, for Lilly Godfrey. Lilly describes Fourstar Struck, who headed both classes, as “a winning machine”, explaining that she “fought tooth and nail” to have him when he came to her for schooling last year. “He’s an absolute gent but he lights up at a show,” she said of the 11-year-old Dutch warmblood/thoroughbred gelding, bought by her uncle. “I call him my Valegro, as he just goes out and does it for you.” Lilly’s eight-year-old Eastwood S son, Knoxville V, was twice runner-up to his older stablemate. “Knox is a bit Jekyll and Hyde - he’s super-talented but hotter and he lacks the experience and exposure,” explained Lilly, who…

HIGHLIGHTS 26 February-3 March alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ NPS Area 13, Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex, Warks LILLY WALKER, 16, triumphed on her 2024 debut with her family’s home-produced Welsh section B gelding Melau Aramis (Teddy), who took home the top honours in the Royal International (RIHS) mountain and moorland (M&M) young rider championship. Teddy, an eight-year-old by Zonneweide Royal Lustre, is no stranger to the spotlight; he stood reserve junior champion at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in his debut season in 2022, the same year he finished third in the opens with his former producer Lauren Brill. Lilly and Teddy were also second in the intermediate young riders final at the RIHS last July during their first year as a home-produced combination. “He’s a dream pony who loves people,”…

IZZY WALKER and Swan Lake (pictured) were foot-perfect to lift the plaited pony tricolour on their first outing together at Northern Counties Pony Association (NCPA) Spring Spectacular. The now six-year-old mare, who was bred by Jerome Harforth and David Dixon out of Dance All Night by Llanarth Top Cat, was crowned supreme pony at HOYS last October with Sophie Staveley. “She is a big step up for Izzy as she still has three years left in 128cm classes,” said her father, Robert Walker. “But she’s one lucky little girl to have the ride on her.” Robert himself netted the horse spoils riding Jill Day’s five-year-old novice hunter Flashpoint, a brother to the team’s now-retired HOYS and RIHS supreme winner View Point (Sean). “He is very similar to Sean when it…

MY friend Emma and I went for a day with the Percy last week. As so often with best laid plans it was wet in the morning with high winds forecast. A tentative, “Are we still going?” came through on WhatsApp first thing as some others had already cried off. “Yes def,” I replied, because we had been planning the trip for ages. An hour later Emma was here with her trailer to collect me and Mary’s pony Issy - with bacon sandwiches on board for the journey. It was still raining when we arrived at the meet, a farm on the coastal plain the other side of the A1, but the sky was looking brighter. We had chatted so thoroughly all the way there that we had almost forgotten…