Innholdsfortegnelse for 25-Apr-2024 i Horse & Hound

THE FEI has been urged to be bold and ambitious, and make evidence-based decisions to ensure equine welfare is always at the forefront of horse sport. There will be a session to discuss the final report of the independent Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission (EEWC) at the FEI sports forum (29–30 April). The aim is to “discuss a proposed practical plan”. The final report, “A good life for horses: a vision for ensuring the future involvement of horses in sport”, was presented at the FEI general assembly last year (news, 30 November 2023). It included 30 recommendations and asked the FEI to determine what a good life is for sport horses. It also urged the FEI to adopt the precautionary principle; putting horse welfare as the focal point in decisionmaking…

My mother always said that my first word was horse. Growing up in rural New Zealand, there were certainly plenty of horses to love. It was a relationship that was written in the stars. I understood their language and they graciously tolerated mine. From my Pony Club days to serious event riding, then finding myself living in Uganda, my passion for horses never wavered. In 2000, I had the opportunity to learn to be a safari guide in Africa. My training trip took me all over the continent. I remember very clearly touching one of the wild Namib desert horses. This lovely bay stallion just wandered up out of the desert and stretched his neck out, briefly connecting with my fingertips, before heading off into the dunes. I've been stationed…

ROYAL WINDSOR Preview ROYAL WINDSOR is the first of three majors – followed by the Royal International Horse Show and the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) – that professional riders set their sights on for the season. “It's the first time that the north and south come together, and we're often seeing each other's new competition for the first time,” confirms multi-Windsor champion Danielle Heath. “You might think you have something special at home, but you won't truly know how good it is until it's been to Windsor.” Danielle has won on novices at Windsor several times, but one horse stands out in her memory for selling his potential after a victory, aged four – Paul Mortimer's small riding horse, Whittakers Prince. “When he got into the Castle Arena…

ROYAL WINDSOR Preview WHO are showjumping's rising stars? We meet a quartet brimming with talent, ambition and that all-important competitive spirit. “HARD WORK IS PAYING OFF” THE past three years have been a whirlwind for 20-year-old Connie Adams. This young talent has gone from juggling her A levels while producing three young horses, to a stint at the Billy Stud and she's now Nations Cup teams, training with Helen Tredwell. This is the second time she's contested the flagship class at Royal Windsor and she brings 10-year-old Jagger III (VDL Zirocco Blue x Indoctro). “I've had him since a five-year-old so it's taken a lot of hard work – at first, it was just my mum and me doing it pretty much as amateurs, although I've started doing it professionally…

HOWEVER magnificent King Edward's achievements, the 18-year-old Catch Me Not S was outstanding in third. Peder Fredricson explained how he manages the veteran. “He can't count how old he is!” said Peder. “He feels really fresh, better than ever. I try to keep him moving, out of the stable a lot. I lunge him a couple of times a day to keep him supple, but not tire him. “We give him a long break after shows and leave him alone for a week. He goes in the field with a friend, resting. “I don't need to teach him new things nor does he need fitness, but as he's older I need to train him to be explosive, to keep his body quick. I do a lot of grids, never high…

FIRST WIN CLAIR REED and her former show horse Pinpoint II triumphed in the bronze section of their first-ever advanced medium test, at Prestige Equestrian, Gloucestershire. “It has taken us forever to teach ‘Dori’ her flying changes, so I wanted to see if we could do them in a test environment,” said Clair, whose role as an occupational therapist for the NHS meant that at some stages of the pandemic, she was unable to see the Sandreo mare she'd only recently bought. “We train with Pammy Hutton and we're now starting to string the changes together at home. My goal this year of prix st georges is maybe not completely out of our scope.”…

IN THE GENES WHEN Mia Whittaker landed the novice winter worker title on Raine and Gary Harthern's home-bred Power Blade intermediate Hoghton D'Abruzzo (Arthur, pictured), history repeated itself as his dam, Hoghton Solitaire – also homebred by the couple – claimed the same title herself here in 2018. The daughter of Demonstrator went on to have a successful career in intermediate workers, competing at RIHS and HOYS. Arthur, nine, is still produced at home at the Hartherns’ yard, where Mia, 21, shares the ride with Freya Baldwin. “Freya does the flat classes, but is now pregnant so I do the jumping,” said Mia, who juggles this with working full-time as a genealogist and riding for producers Karl Morris and Liam Glynn. “Arthur's done well in small hunters with Freya and…

Sports Horse Breeding in the North West Spring, Myerscough College, Lancs FOR the third year running, Matt Cooper soared to the top of the season's inaugural HOYS working hunter qualifier, this time with his super-keen but mannerly Toronto AZ who later secured the overall working hunter championship, ahead of Alice Pimbley and Heatseeker. In 2022 Matt was victorious here riding Coevers Candy, while his winner last year was his current HOYS hero Bellevue Tomboy. Tsar Hero 16-year-old Toronto, whom Matt has ridden since an eight-year-old, finished second at the RIHS last season. He qualified for HOYS, too, being piloted by Mark Davidson at the final as Matt was in the saddle of Tomboy, the eventual winner. “We considered retiring him to the hunt field for a quieter life, but he…

FAVOUR AND FORTUNE (pictured, leading) gave Scotsman Alan King a victory on home soil when landing the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle. The six-year-old has been battling well all season on soft ground, including a sixth place in the Supreme at Cheltenham. But given his preferred better going and joining handicap company for the first time, he battled it out well in the colours of Hemmings Racing for jockey Tom Cannon and looks exciting for next season. ONE TO WATCH “We've always loved him,” said the trainer. “I wouldn't have the ammunition I've had in the past, but he's certainly the best of the novices.”…

Tynedale, Corbridge, Northumberland “I'M living on cloud nine!” said Venetia Thompson, after scoring her first win on her pointing debut on Lucky Lucarno in the Izibella Welch conditions race for veteran and novice riders. Venetia, who also events and has competed to intermediate, said she was in “total disbelief” after the win. Lucky Lucarno, a 12-yearold gelding trained by Tom Sowerby – who owns the horse with Julie Sheppard and Dave Hardisty – last won three years ago and was pulled up on his two previous runs. The pair got a good shot to the fence at the corner, and despite Venetia being certain something would catch them, nothing did. “Tom has been a huge supporter and let me ride his horse, who is his pride and joy. He's done…

TWO further fixtures have followed Aachen in withdrawing from the FEI Dressage Nations Cup series this year (news, 28 March). The news means the 2024 series is down to three legs, from its original six. The remaining legs are Wellington, US, which ran in February, Compiègne, France (2–4 May), and Pilisjászfalu, Hungary (8–12 May). Aachen, Falsterbø and Rotterdam will go ahead with their own team competitions. The split has come about because of an updated rule that requires organisers to send invitations to all national federations. If the number applying would mean too many starters, the organiser must accept the best teams based on average world ranking points. The FEI said “promoting inclusivity and transparency” were behind the changes. Patrick van der Meer, dressage sports director of CHIO Rotterdam, said…

TIM and Jonelle Price say an Olympic year involves sacrifices in terms of not having many horses for spring five-stars. Each will have only one for Badminton and they are not going to Kentucky. “We've got to try to have a couple of horses each primed ready for the Games, even though they might not end up going,” says Jonelle. She will aim Grappa Nera, the Pau 2022 five-star winner who was off injured last year, at Badminton. She hopes the up-and-coming Hiarado and Senor Crocodillo will be “in the mix” for the Games, backed up by 17-year-old world team bronze medallist McClaren. Tim aims to have six horses qualified for Paris. He will take Vitali to Badminton, while the Maryland 2022 winner Coup De Coeur Dudevin and world double…

THE term temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain has been used broadly for a number of years for horses with poor performance and head shaking. However, true TMJ pathology is very rare. The temporomandibular joints connect the jaw with the rest of the skull on each side of the head, and provide articulation between the mandible (lower jaw) and the maxilla (upper jaw). They are two independent joint compartments separated by a biconcave disc (meniscus). This disc and the articular surfaces of the joint are unusual in that they consist of a fibrocartilaginous material that is able to adapt to the loads of mastication – chewing – over time. This differs from other commonly investigated joints in the musculoskeletal system, which are protected by hyaline cartilage (which is more flexible but can…

DRESSAGE FEI WORLD CUP FINALS 16–20 April Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr FEI World Cup Finals, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia PATRIK KITTEL won the World Cup Final at the ninth time of asking, riding Touchdown. The freestyle went to the wire, as the top three were drawn last – and split by just 0.26% in the final reckoning. But the Swede's James Bond routine stole the show, with Denmark's Nanna Skodborg Merrald second aboard Blue Hors Don Olymbrio, and Germany's Isabell Werth third on DSP Quantaz. Patrik remembered being a spectator when his now trainer Louise Natthorst won the World Cup Final 26 years ago. “I couldn't believe how cool the World Cup was – and now I've won it myself,” said Patrik. “It makes me cry! I've done so…

HIGHLIGHTS 1–14 April 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 Burrows Court Farm, Glos “I THINK he'll make a lovely little grand prix horse,” said Elder Klatzko of her homebred gelding Finest Frederico Hit, a 76.49% winner in the medium 75 qualifier. Nine-year-old “Freddie” was entire until he was five years old when Elder's busy schedule and mare-filled yard made keeping a stallion less practical. “He's conformationally perfect and looked like the real package from the minute he was born, but he only made 15.3hh,” she said. “Luckily, he's deep in the girth and big enough for me. He finds the collected work very easy, he…

SHOWING BSPS WINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS 12–14 April Edited by Alex Robinson alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Winter Championships, Arena UK, Lincs TEAM JINKS reigned supreme in the hotly contested winter novice finale, assessed by Arena UK general manager Teresa Stratford who had a classy line of nine to consider. Her winner was the charming Heritage mini champion, five-year-old leadrein contender Glebedale Silver Dot (Socks), partnered by a confident Scarlett Smith and led by Adam Forster. “My champion was a splendid example of a Welsh section A with a pretty head, correct conformation, a daisy cutting action, superb manners and loads of presence,” said Teresa. “He was an absolute joy to watch and I'd have liked to take him home for my granddaughter.” This little grey – already through to…

ANOTHER exciting four-year-old shone to land a first Hickstead ticket. Emelia O'Brien, 10, has only contested a handful of shows with her mother Emma's home-produced hunter pony Mount Pleasant Tegwen (pictured), but the pair won the young show/show hunter pony class on day one and made it a double when heading the RIHS qualifier on day two. “This was Emilia's first-ever open class after first riddens,” said Emma. “It was also her first time outdoors so a big step up for her. We decided that in view of the pony's age, we would withdraw from the final day's classes and go home on a high note.” ONE TO WATCH…

SELF-EMPLOYED dog groomer Jodie Smith made a triumphant start to the season at Sports Horse Breeding in the North West's spring show with her elegant home-bred riding horse Strathallens Tiger Tyme (Arthur, pictured) who won in both amateur and open ranks before securing the latter section title. The Kilvington Scoundrel 10-year-old is out of Jodie's late thoroughbred mare Tiger Tot, who was a HOYS in-hand supreme finalist as a three-year-old. “Sadly, we lost Tiger Tot last year,” said Jodie. Arthur, who is currently based with Team Bennett, has only been lightly shown, as Jodie explained: “He's quirky and he's been hard work along the way, so we've mainly focused on novice classes, though he narrowly missed out on his HOYS ticket last year. Everything has just clicked with him recently,…

“HE DIDN'T PANIC – THAT EPITOMISES PATRICK” PATRICK WADGE, who looks set to be crowned champion conditional jockey on Saturday, showed his superb horsemanship with a victory in Ayr's Jordan Electrics Ltd Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle on the Lucinda Russell-trained Czech Her Out (pictured, leading). “She's a tricky filly to keep right because she ties up and she needs to be ridden every day, and she's a bit grumpy – in the summer, she lives out,” said the trainer. “They went off at a crazy pace and Patrick did a great job – that sort of race epitomises how he rides, he didn't panic, he just sat there and let it all happen.”…

HAPPIER, healthier horses across the board was the aim of a session held as part of efforts to combat equine obesity. The Horse Trust hosted the training on 16 April as an extension of the Weigh to Win initiative, which involves giving awards to the horse or pony of the healthiest weight in showing classes. Attendees took part in interactive sessions, during which they assessed horses’ body condition and looked at ultrasound imaging to see where fat was deposited. The charity's head of research and policy Jan Rogers told H&H the event went well, with a range of guests. “Welfare is a critical area to be addressed” PAUL COOK “There was really good engagement,” she said, adding that the consensus was that the situation is much improved, but there is work…

ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) may never replace judges – but products incorporating the technology may help them, and horses and riders. Two creations on the market are aimed at improving equine training and performance; Ridesum's AI Horse Analytics and the TeleRein C IT. The former is designed to benefit performance and welfare, by acting as an objective measure of a horse's head and neck position, with data fed to a smartphone app. Karin Lindell, CEO and cofounder of Ridesum, said that by offering real-time feedback on the horse's head position, “riders can make informed decisions that enhance both performance and welfare.” Ms Lindell told H&H that by removing subjectivity, they are also “taking out the emotion and the uncertainty”. “We're not judging the rider,” she said. “This is a learning tool,…

COSBY GREEN, 23, has been based at Chedington, training with the Prices, since they moved there. The up-andcoming US rider's horses include fourstar rides Highly Suspicious and Jos Ufo De Quidam and the former Buck Davidson campaigner Copper Beach. She finished 16th on him on her fivestar debut at Pau last year and will aim him at Badminton. “She's a really good cross-country rider and has a sound head on her shoulders,” says Tim. “She's fortunate to be in a position to be able to do a venture like this – but equally her family are supportive and they look after her but don't spoil her.” Jonelle adds: “She has opportunity, and the work ethic and talent to go with it – those don't always go hand in hand.”…

THE most hotly-contested novice championship of the show is that dedicated to the novice hunters, in which the top two animals from respective lightweight and heavyweight classes battle it out for one overall title. The classes are currently held in the Frogmore Arena which, while unquestionably smaller than the iconic Castle Arena, still provides a charged and buzzy atmosphere for horses to contend with. Numerous legends of the hunter scene have commenced their careers as the Royal Windsor novice champion. Kirsty Aird will judge this year's ride section of the classes. She adds this appointment to her CV, which includes judging appearances at Royal Dublin, the Great Yorkshire and Balmoral. “As these are novice classes, I won't expect the horses to be as established as opens, but I'll be looking…

FEI WORLD CUP FINALS 16–20 April Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald KING EDWARD added yet another jewel to his gleaming crown by successfully defending his FEI World Cup Final title with Henrik von Eckermann. At the end of three days’ jumping in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, King Edward was the only horse to go through the three classes without lowering a single pole. He won the speed class, he won the jump-off class and on the final night, he won the tworound decider. As the only pair to complete the five rounds on a clean sheet, this valiant chestnut was spared a jump-off as the outright winner of the finale. He is the first horse to win back-to-back World Cups since Shutterfly did so in 1998/1999, joining…

Forest Edge Arena, Norfolk TIGER BLUE, a grandson of Little Tiger – the tiny event mare who completed Badminton and Burghley with Phoebe Buckley – took two prelim titles with his owner Michelle Seward. “I saw him born and I've had him since he was six months old,” said Michelle, a friend of Polly Taylor, who owned both Little Tiger and Tiger Blue's dam, Don't Stop Me Now. “He's very cheeky and quite opinionated. He's great.” Michelle's 15.1hh gelding, by Connemara stallion Fenrose Bonny Blue, is also enjoying some low-level eventing. “He moves beautifully and enjoys trying new things,” said Michelle, who trains with Owen Moore. “I've never done much dressage, so the two of us are learning together.” A new partnership excelled at elementary. Flora Hayes and her seven-year-old…

WELSH MASTERS 11–14 April Wales and West Welsh Masters, David Broome Event Centre, Monmouthshire MARK EDWARDS’ relentless form is often at its most reliable on Welsh soil and although he relinquished the grand prix here last year, this time he was back to claim an unequivocal win, storming 3.49sec ahead on the remarkable Flying Tinker II. Marlene Edwards’ 13-yearold gelding, who was H&H's 2023 showjumping horse of the year, returned from rankings wins in Italy to make light work of Raf Suarez's 1.40m track, jumping the quickest of four double clears in 36.9sec to secure the £1,600 winner's cheque. Mark's nearest rivals were left tightly bunched around the 40-second mark, with 0.45sec splitting Bethanie Knight (Mr Thunder) in second, Nick Benterman (Billy Quids In) in third and Serena Kullich (Benfields…

HIGHLIGHTS 6–7 April HAVE YOU HAD A NOTABLE WIN IN THE SHOW RING? Email alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com within 24 hours of the show for your chance to appear in this section North of England Spring, Warren Farm EC, Merseyside A HOME-PRODUCED lead-rein of hunter type shone in a competitive Royal International (RIHS) mini championship to claim the win. Eva Talbot, five, and her mother Emily Barton's Welsh section B Maxwelltown Mabon (Ozzy) were in the hands of leader Samantha Roberts, who also led them to placings at both the RIHS and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2023. Ozzy, who is by Eyarth Peridot, joined the family from Team Jinks as a three-year-old. Eva's grandmother Jacqueline Barton, who helps produce him, was there to see them win. “He's a cheeky and…

HIGHLIGHTS 17–20 April Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Coral Scottish Grand National Festival, Ayr Racecourse, Ayrshire IN the wake of I Am Maximus's victory in last weekend's Grand National, Willie Mullins signalled his intention to target a raft of British meetings in his all-out quest to claim a historic British trainers’ championship. With the season finale at Sandown fast approaching (Saturday, 27 April), the Closutton office went into overdrive with plans hatched and sweeping entries made. The team's first scalp over key rival trainers Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton – who joked that their best hope of keeping the trainers’ crown on home soil was a ferry strike – came with an astonishing 4,462/1 four-timer at Ayr. This included a headline success with 18/1 shot Macdermott in the Coral…

FIRST WIN PATSY PAGE landed an emotional first win at Chaddesley with her family-owned Rockhamtom (pictured, leading). Patsy learnt to ride in riding schools and equine college, before getting into racing aged 20. She studied a racing degree at Hartpury University and worked for Julie Mansell, who trains Rockhamtom, before joining current boss Adrian Wintle. “I just haven't given up – I'm glad I stuck with it,” said Patsy, who has been through some difficult times in her three seasons of point-to-point riding. “He's been knocking on the door for four races, coming second and third, but really close. For him to just take me and go… it was amazing,” she said. “He's not the easiest at home, but he's always so happy with life – he's so willing and…