Innholdsfortegnelse for 25-Jul-2024 i Horse & Hound

TOMORROW at 8.30am UK time the Olympic event horses will start their trot-up, and at the same time on Saturday the first horse will go down the centre line. We've talked a lot in recent weeks about the memories, the contenders, and how having just three to a team could play havoc with the results. The horses have been prepared to perfection and the riders will be focused on not changing a thing, managing their horses in the way that has led to selection for this the greatest team. In this week's issue, Horse & Hound's experts detail the form of every horse and rider competing in Paris over the next two weeks (p34), so get armchair-ready, pencil to hand and follow all the action – with horseandhound.co.uk bringing you…

FRANZISKUS FRH The 16-year-old world team bronze medallist has been injured so will miss the Paris Olympics, where he and Ingrid Klimke were reserves on the German dressage team. SHANTOU FLYER The 14-year-old Sam Loxton-trained gelding, owned by Paul Nicholls, has retired following a 10-year career. The Graded winner had multiple placings at Cheltenham. THOMAS CRAPPER The 2017 Greatwood Gold Cup winner has died aged 17. He was bought by trainer Robin Dickin for £1,000 as a foal and went on to win £135,000 during his nine seasons of racing.…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound BEHIND THE SCENES I'VE been thoroughly enjoying your coverage in preparation for the Paris Olympics. It's great to see that grooms are named and recognised much more today than they once were. I was a groom to Terrance “Torchy” Millar in 1968, when he was on the Canadian showjumping team as the reserve rider. “It's great to see grooms recognised ” ANNE TICKLE I don't remember any specific preparations, but we were in Mexico for six weeks due to quarantine regulations and to get used to the altitude. The stabling and our accommodation were basic. There were two teams stabled together in open-fronted barns, and we shared with the Italian team. We didn't…

THE INTERVIEW THEY had just sat down to eat when the phone rang. It was to be that life-changing moment that is born in the dreams of pony-mad youngsters, grows in the minds of professionals, crystalised into reality with the buzzing of a mobile phone. “We were finishing up at Millstreet Nations Cup. My business partner Kelley Hutchinson only lives around an hour away, so I was with her and her family, having dinner,” says Caroline Pamukcu, recalling the moment US chef d'equipe Bobby Costello delivered “The Call”. “Everyone could hear him and he said that I was on the team. It was funny, everyone started crying at the table. I'm very close with Kelley's family, so she, her mom and dad, and my husband were all crying. I remember…

THE Princess Royal – as president of the FEI – organised a reception in town in LA. Ian Stark, Tiny Clapham, Lucinda Green and I thought we'd take the Olympic bus. It turned out it wasn't going the way we needed, but when we tried to get off they wouldn't let us out. So we climbed out of the window and were reported as possible terrorists. The police arrived, saw our accreditation and pulled us into two cars. I sat on a policeman's lap as we drove into LA with blue lights to the reception. And guess who was there? Muhammad Ali! We all chatted to him for half an hour. He was wonderful, very funny, good-looking, cheeky with a big smile. The whole thing was hysterical.…

CHARD 18–21 July jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald CSI Chard, Somerset ROBERT WHITAKER gave a masterclass in pressuring others to make a mistake, when he took a dramatic flyer at the final oxer in the CSI3* big tour Longines rankings 1.55m grand prix to set an unassailable target with Evert. Jumping third of 13 riders through to the second phase, he forced those that followed to take a bold risk on the final line, with several faulting at the last as they failed to match his seven-stride distance. “It was a bit long wasn't it!” exclaimed Robert. “He was amazing. He's ultra-fast – you only have to think fast and you're quick with him.” Robert and the 15-yearold gelding forged an initial six-second lead, but four riders managed to close the gap, with…

Bicton Summer Tour Week II, Bicton Arena, Devon SIAN EDWARDS held her nerve in the area trial to jump the sole double clear with her established partner, 15-year-old Elessar. The combination were the only ones to jump clear in the first phase around Raf Suarez's track and risked a steady clear from last to jump. Event rider Alex Bragg took the runner-up spot with Hegglelane Houston, carrying through their four faults from the first round, but stopping the clock 10 seconds faster. “The only option was a sensible round” SIAN EDWARDS “It's the worst feeling going last when you need to just jump a steady clear, thinking that if I have one down, the four-faulters will beat me. I wasn't feeling the love for it!” said Sian. “I knew that…

HIGHLIGHTS 8–14 July 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 Hunters Equestrian, Glos SPEARHEADING her team with a prix st georges (PSG) win on her first outing with Salo, Pippa El Derby masterminded a successful day for The Talland School of Equitation. “Salo is an absolute dream,” said Pippa, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer and was recently given the ride on the 18.2hh gelding. “He's saved me in such a dark time – he makes me want to get up in the morning. “He knows the job, as he's been there and done it, and we clicked really quickly,” added Pippa of the…

PHILIPPA HENDRY and Flyer Des Coupeaux notched up a fourth win of the season in a BE100 section at Upton House. The pair, who have an incredible 14 career wins to their names, headed section H on their dressage score of 22.3. Even more remarkably, Flyer – a Contendro-sired nine-year-old – was born with a cleft palate, although this wasn't diagnosed until he began ridden work. “He has had a tie-forward operation to correct the problem and easily makes the time at this level, but I worry what would happen if I really pushed him,” admitted his rider. “He's also a headshaker who doesn't have good feet.” Philippa lives in Marlow, where she runs a vineyard at home with her husband. “My husband would like sun for the grapes, while…

SHOW horse specialist Kirstine Douglas has been going full-steam this summer show season, securing seven HOYS places so far. Most recently, at the Scottish Horse Show, Morean Hamilton's middleweight contender Rich Man Poor Man booked his return to the NEC in open weights before netting the section title. The 11-year-old ex-racer, a former double Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire champion, adds this to an SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse pass achieved in a 24-strong field at Greenlands EC earlier in the week. At this year's Royal Highland, Marianne Hughson's exciting six-year-old lightweight The Cruising Norseman, a son of Irish Draught stallion WRS Elvis, finished in the bridesmaid spot, only to bag his ticket three weeks later at the Great Yorkshire. Standing in the spotlight at the Highland was Morean's small…

BSPS Scotland, Highfield Equestrian at Howe, Fife AFTER a five-year hiatus from the show ring, a 22-year-old made a triumphant comeback to win her first HOYS ticket and the section title. Hannah MacGregor steered her own Roseways Classic Touch (Cassie) to the intermediate worker spoils before impressing in a strong championship showdown. Cassie, a 14-year-old by Zig-Zag, was bought in September 2020. “She's our dream horse,” said Hannah, who headed off to university soon after Cassie joined the family. “It was hard balancing everything, and heading home to Preston every weekend wasn't working.” Hannah's mother, Claire Punshon, was on hand to help, and took Cassie's reins, doing everything with her from beach rides to competing at the Show Teams and Rising Stars (STARS) championships. “Mum has played a huge part…

Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ THE Olympics are about to kick off – and “it's getting very exciting now”, at the equestrian event venue near Paris. H&H spoke to British Equestrian (BEF) head of performance support Amanda Evans and head of operations and logistics Sophie Thomas on Monday (22 July), as the British Olympic event horses were on their way to France on LeShuttle. They were to stay in private stabling to break up the journey, before heading to the venue when the stables opened on Wednesday (24 July). Ms Evans and Ms Thomas were among the support team that had travelled to Paris, to prepare for the Brits’ arrivals. “We've been busy setting everything up ready for the arrival of the team,…

BRITAIN'S young riders have enjoyed a successful weekend in three disciplines, bringing home a haul of European medals, in all colours. In showjumping, the children-on-horses team won gold and the junior team bronze, and Olli Fletcher (Hello William) was crowned individual young rider champion. In dressage, the young rider team took bronze, and Annabella Pidgley won individual silver and freestyle gold in the under-25s. In vaulting, sisters Milly and Evie Jessett won bronze in the pas de deux event. Olli Fletcher and Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham's 12-year-old former eventer jumped a superb double clear to clinch his first individual gold. “To win with my best friend is very special” OLLI FLETCHER “I've been coming to the youth European Championships since I was 12, and to finally take individual…

World Horse Welfare has elected Sam Bullard as chair of its board of trustees. Sam, who has been a trustee since 2018, takes over from Michael Baines. Model and presenter Jodie Kidd has been appointed director of Hickstead. The former pony showjumper is the third in her family to hold the role. Champion jumps jockey Harry Cobden is expected to be out for a couple of weeks after sustaining a knee injury when he was unseated on 21 July. Amateur jockey Alice Procter will remain in hospital following a fall on 20 July. Alice sustained serious injuries and has undergone spinal surgery. Paris Olympics-bound French showjumper Kevin Staut won the CSI5* 1.60m Rolex grand prix with 11-year-old Beau De Laubry Z at Dinard on 21 July.…

RABBITS To Falsterbo, where Martin Fuchs won the Nations Cup… of rabbit showjumping. Yes, you read that right. Yes, we need one. No, there's not enough space to say just how much we love this. PRIORITIES Overheard, the parent of a rider bemoaning costs. “But if they get into horses, they'll never have money to buy drugs,” a pal noted. Good point. DONKEYS A donkey who went missing from his owners’ US home five years ago has been found, living with elk (Oh deer! Ed). They've decided to leave him as he's happy. Plus catching him would be easier said than done… FATHERS Olympic Team GB announced its entries for Paris in numbers, including 327 athletes, 24 sports – and 10 mothers. No mention of numbers of fathers, one notes……

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle BY the time you read this, I'll be in Paris, covering my third Olympics as an accredited journalist, alongside fellow H&H staffer Martha Terry and photographer Peter Nixon. I spoke to all the British team event riders a couple of weeks ago and something Ros Canter said really struck a chord: “Tokyo was so different because of Covid. I keep imagining competing at the Olympics with empty stands and I think I might get a shock as it'll be so different.” I realised as she said it that I'm the same – the fact there will be crowds in Paris hadn't really occurred to me. I worked three Olympics for H&H at home before my first on the inside, in 2016. Because of security concerns, Rio was also…

I coordinate the fence judges and crossing stewards for three horse trials in Northumberland. This equates to finding volunteers for 11 days of cross-country with Burgham (24–28 July) as the biggest requiring about 240 slots to be filled across four days. Some people are amazing and sign up for every day. Others can do several half-days or one full day. I worked all my life in education and was head of a department in Newcastle City Council in charge of children aged 16 to 19 and adult learning. I also worked on national policy with a variety of funding agencies for post-16 education. It was a busy job and means I have lots of experience in managing and organising things. The volunteer coordinator role came up just as I was…

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HIGHLIGHTS 9–14 July pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THIS PAGE? HAVE YOU WON A SECTION? Email eventinghighlights@gmail.com within 24 hours of your event and please include a contact telephone number Upton House, Oxon EMMA HYSLOP-WEBB set out on the cross-country with the intention of giving her four-star campaigner, Jeweetwel (Huey), a “nice, easy run” at intermediate ahead of their autumn targets, but the pair had the opposite experience, thanks to a tearaway terrier. The dog escaped from his owner at fence two and pursued the 10-year-old gelding for the next 12 fences before he was eventually tackled to the ground at fence 14 and returned to his red-faced owner. “Full marks to the dog —he showed some stamina,” laughed Emma, whose 2.4 time-penalties proved to be the…

A HOME-PRODUCED coloured mare continues to shine bright in the show ring both under saddle and in-hand. Charlotte Merrigan Martin and her 16-year-old Solaris Dwenqua were non-native performance pony winners at London International (LIHS) last December, and at this year's Great Yorkshire they booked a return to the prestigious final in veteran ranks, after leading a 39-strong preveteran class and the section championship. “Charlotte's following the family tradition; her dad won the coloured in-hand championship with Merrigans Heaven Scent, and I was reserve with Merrigan, who also won the ridden championship twice. Merrigan's Legacy was also an in-hand champion there,” said Charlotte's mother, Clare. At Great Eccleston, Charlotte and “Dwenqs” netted their return to the LIHS performance pony final. Charlotte recently gained a first-class honours degree in biomedical sciences, winning…

Harry and Foxhunter were no strangers to the podium as they began their 1952 Olympic campaign having won three King George V Gold Cups and team bronze at the previous Games. The course, designed by Björn Strandell, featured a 5m water jump that was not for the faint of heart. The pair didn't start well, with the rider blaming a poor warm-up, but the duo's clear second round won team gold for Great Britain, a feat not repeated until London 2012. Olympic countdown 0 weeks to go…

Great Britain MARI DURWARD-AKHURST ATHENE LINDEBJERG 17 OWNERS: Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Rob Waine BREEDERS: Beches BREEDING: Gribaldi x Alberte Lindebjerg GEORGIA WILSON SAKURA 10 OWNERS: rider, and her parents Geoff and Julie Wilson BREEDER: G Eilberg BREEDING: by Supertramp, out of a Rockstar mare NATASHA BAKER KEYSTONE DAWN CHORUS 13 OWNERS: Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, the Bakers BREEDER: S Lavendera BREEDING: Dimaggio x Escudo SOPHIE WELLS DON CARA M 15 OWNER: Rowland Kinch BREEDER: HM Melis BREEDING: Don Jovi x Rafurstinels GROOMS: Liz Geldard and Beth Revill Ireland MICHAEL MURPHY CLEVERBOY 17 OWNERS: rider, Bronte Watson, Elder Klatzo, Sue and John Murphy BREEDER: G Gijsbers BREEDING: by Vivaldi, out of a Kennedy mare KATE KERR HORAN SERAFINA T 13 OWNERS: Broomfield Farm, Pam Kerr, Roseanna Lawlor and Louise Porter BREEDER: K Hoerner BREEDING: Rossgold Sunstar x Lungau JESSICA MCKENNA DAVIDOFF 188…

NEW CUSHING'S SURVEY IS OUT THE Royal Veterinary College (RVC) hopes a new study on PPID (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, or Cushing's disease) will help improve monitoring and treatment decisions related to the condition. The common hormone disease affects about a quarter of horses and ponies over 15 and has signs that can affect quality of life, including laminitis. An aim of the study is to help develop a validated equine quality-of-life tool to assess the impact of PPID and so aid decision-making (Vet clinic, p26). The RVC is asking owners of horses with or without PPID to complete a questionnaire. ● Visit: rvc.uk.com/PPID-test-survey-2024X JUMPING CHAMPS VENUE CONFIRMED A CORUÑA has been confirmed by the FEI as the host city of the 2025 European Showjumping Championships. The event will run…

A FIREFIGHTING farrier who saved an elderly dog after her home caught alight said it is outcomes like this that “make it all worthwhile”. Shropshire farrier Jamie Reed, who is also a retained firefighter for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, was called to a fire in a bungalow in Oswestry on 9 July. “There was a fire in the property, which Pebbles, the poor dog, was in,” Jamie told H&H. “There was no one home; when the owner got back, he found his house on fire.” Jamie said the 80-year-old owner of the house managed to call 15-year-old Pebbles out of the bungalow, but she ran to hide at the back of the property, where his crew found her. “Pebbles was suffering from shock and very scared,” he said. “We…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_ journo_ WE are well into the thick of the showing season now and many of you will be heading to the Royal International (RIHS) at Hickstead, and a host of other major championship shows that are scheduled throughout August. The weather has not been kind and hopefully someone will turn the tap off soon, as our traditional wool jackets are not designed for the relentless rain we have endured so far. A SELFLESS GESTURE AT the Great Yorkshire earlier this month, a heartwarming act of sportsmanship nearly broke the internet for all the right reasons. In the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Welsh section C class, a third-placed competitor dismounted and forfeited his place to ensure another exhibitor didn't lose their chance at a HOYS ticket. “It…

THE author recently surveyed a large number of horse owners to determine what clever ways they were using to get their animals to take these tablets, and received detailed information on a striking 24 different methods The most popular was to hand-feed the tablets slotted neatly into the holes of two or three Polo mints per tablet. The horse is given a few Polos first, then the “medicated” Polos are offered. Other “tricks” that may be are used are: ● conceal a tablet in a fig roll, a piece of apple or banana (unskinned), a hollowed-out piece of carrot, or a ball made from a slice of dampened bread ● dissolve the tablet in apple juice or water and add to a small amount of feed – ensure the horse…

PARIS OLYMPICS Form Guide 0 weeks to go How to follow ● Find all of H&H's online Paris coverage at horseandhound.co.uk/paris-olympics-2024 ● To keep reading after five articles, readers will need to buy a subscription either to the website or to the magazine. To buy a Horse & Hound website unlimited subscription, visit horseandhound.co.uk/join. Or, for great value, visit magazinesdirect.com/XHHbrandsite brandsite for a magazine subscription that includes unlimited website access plus the digital version of the magazine. ● If you are already a magazine subscriber, find out how to activate your website access at horseandhound.co.uk/subscription-benefits ● Magazine reports: 1 August – eventing; 8 August – team showjumping and dressage; 15 August – individual showjumping and full Paris photo special. ● The BBC will broadcast some of the Olympics on BBC Sport and…

ANNABELLA knew she had big boots to fill when the Pidgley family bought the Apache x Tango powerhouse Gio in 2021. Under the guidance of Charlotte, she and Pumpkin have developed into a formidable partnership. Going last in the freestyle, Annabella displayed nerves of steel. “I watched Helen [Erbe, for Germany, with Carlos FRH] and knew I had to ride well,” said Annabella, who won with just shy of 80%. “But I love that intensity, and having an amazing dancing partner like Pumpkin raised my game. “It was an incredible test,” said Tom. “She needed more than 78.1% for gold, but went in as cool as a cucumber.” TALKING POINT…

HIGHLIGHTS 8–14 July Edited by Alex Robinson alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ 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 Scottish Horse Show, Highfield Equestrian at Howe, Fife A MOTHER and daughter duo were overjoyed to be called forward at the head of a 26-strong Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) mountain and moorland (M&M) lead-rein qualifier before they lead the mini championship. Jade Gardner and her daughter Reeva's winning mount was their own home-produced Welsh section A mare Glyncoch Honey Pot. The immaculate seven-year-old has lived with the family for two years. She qualified for HOYS in her previous home and narrowly missed out on her ticket last term. Six-year-old Reeva will enjoy two…

ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD Scarlett Ellwood had only just recovered from the surprise of winning her first-ever HOYS ticket in the ring at the Scottish Horse Show when she went and booked her second pass less than 24 hours later. Last season, Scarlett got to HOYS via the wildcard series. This was her first taste of that glorious qualifying moment, though. Scarlett and her home-produced eight-year-old Menai Man Of Troy (pictured) first moved up from the bottom of the line in the junior small breeds class to finish second behind the already qualified combination of Prestyn Patterson and Celton Avallon. It was a last-minute decision to contest the qualifier, said Scarlett's mother, Anna: “We swapped the entry from the workers to the juniors,” said Anna, who works in the nuclear industry. “It took…