Innholdsfortegnelse for 24-Nov-2016 i Horse & Hound

DEFRA is “making good progress” with preparation for the Central Equine Database (CED) and is to consult on equine identification rules. At a World Horse Welfare parliamentary reception last week (15 November), Defra minister Lord Gardiner said he “recognised frustration” with progress on the delivery of the CED, which Defra previously expected to be operational by 31 December (news, 9 June). “But I am pleased to report Defra is making good progress. My officials expect an initial trial group will be able to start uploading data from passports towards the end of this month, with others following next year.” Lord Gardiner added that a consultation is being prepared on rules aimed to “strengthen the identification system”. “We want views on whether to extend the requirement to microchip to horses identified…

AN MP and the RSPCA have backed World Horse Welfare’s campaign for mandatory CCTV recording in all UK equine slaughterhouses, writes Rachael Turner. World Horse Welfare launched the appeal after finding that almost three-quarters of owners would not have confidence that horses’ welfare would be protected throughout the slaughter process. The charity has collected more than 15,000 signatures on its petition to Defra, and the organisation is pushing for the matter to be debated in parliament. “We have launched a petition on the parliament website in order that we can ask for a debate on this vital issue, so we need as many people as possible to sign this petition — even if they have already signed the first one — and share with their friends and family too,” said…

The winner of the 2017 Badminton Horse Trials will take home £100,000, up from last year’s £80,000 first prize. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ badminton-prize-money The countdown to next year’s Horse of the Year Show has begun, as the names of the 2017 showing judges have been announced. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ hoys-judges Watch a video created to celebrate the achievements of wonder horse Valegro, ahead of his retirement at Olympia next month. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ valegro-retirement-video A special trophy has been commissioned in memory of jump legend Kauto Star (pictured), to mark 10 years since he won the Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ kauto-star-trophy Six lucky riders will be able to take part in a race at Cheltenham with Nick Skelton and Ben Hobday in aid of Willberry Wonder Pony. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ willberry-charity-race Freddy Tylicki and his family thanked ‘wonderful’ supporters as the…

FRIDAY night visitors to Olympia (13-19 December) will enjoy a celebratory parade of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic medallists, led by Rio Olympic heroes Nick Skelton and Charlotte Dujardin. Charlotte will be joined by teammates Carl Hester, Spencer Wilton and Fiona Bigwood, who together claimed team silver. Lee Pearson, who has won gold medals in each of his five Paralympics, will join the parade, alongside triple Rio gold medallist Sophie Christiansen and her teammates and fellow medallists Sophie Wells and Anne Dunham. “We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming such an exceptional group of riders to the Olympia Grand Hall,” said show director Simon Brooks-Ward.…

THE issue of riders’ road safety has come into the spotlight after a motorcyclist met two horses being hacked in the dark with no lights or hi-vis clothing, writes Eleanor Jones. Gary Hancock was going home at about 9.30pm on 9 November when he came across two riders. Both were wearing dark clothing and only one was wearing a safety helmet. Despite his best efforts, one horse was spooked by his motorbike and the rider fell. “She seemed a bit shocked, although she was getting up, but the other one was screaming at me, saying I’d been tearing around like an idiot,” he told H&H. “That was so annoying. I was wearing full hi-vis, had my full beam on and had dropped a gear so I was louder, so wildlife…

A BLACKPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB The club’s playing fields have been blighted by hoof prints. Players found all six of their fields covered in equine footmarks on 5 November. A ‘PARTY PONY’ Miniature pony Mandrake managed to lock himself inside his owner’s van after attending an eight-year-old’s birthday celebration. The stallion spent 40 minutes in the back of the van in Brinsmead, Australia, before a mechanic set him free. A SAFARI A video capturing a terrifying moment on a safari has gone viral online. The clip shows a lion running behind a group of riders, one of whom falls. Thankfully he was unharmed. HUNGRY RIDERS A new pop-up eatery called the Fat Pony has opened in the Netherlands. It serves pulled horsemeat, horse sausage and pastrami, and tagliatelle with horse ragu.…

NATIONAL HUNT Watch the 60th Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on the final day of the race meeting on 25-26 November. newburyracecourse.co.uk EXHIBITION The Society of Equestrian Artists hosts its 2016 exhibition at the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art in Newmarket from 21 November to 4 December. www.equestrianartists.co.uk GALA EVENING The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund is hosting an “evening with the stars” in Mayfair on 29 November. Special guests include Nick Skelton, William Fox-Pitt and Zara Tindall. www.mdirf.co.uk SHOWJUMPING Keysoe is hosting a CSI2* and young horse CSI* show on 25-27 November. www.keysoe.com POINT-TO-POINT Fixtures on 27 November include Black Forest Club at Black Forest Lodge, Devon, and Cambridge University United Hunts Club at Cottenham, Cambs. www.pointtopoint.co.uk DEMONSTRATION Anna Ross is presenting a dressage to music…

Having just attended the World Horse Welfare Conference outlining the plight of “The Invisible Horse” (8 November), I was delighted to learn that World Horse Welfare is the chosen charity for H&H in 2017. Although there is immense cruelty and deprivation among horses throughout the world, it was interesting to hear the views of the speakers that there is still “invisible” suffering in this country, not only of horses kept in appalling conditions out of sight and out of mind, but also those, often competing or owned and loved by individuals, who through their owners’ lack of knowledge or understanding, are not always managed or trained as effectively and humanely as they could be. I am impressed that H&H continually champions the plight of horses kept or found in dreadful…

Learning from mistakes… I wish I had schooled more novice chasers the morning of the race. Sometimes they can go to the track too fresh. My earliest equestrian memory… Dad winning the World Cup final in 1995 on Dollar Girl (inset). She was an all-time favourite of mine — she was a real winner and we all loved her. When I’m watching… Only Fools and Horses — it’s a family thing and my dad has a three-wheel van like Del Boy. Thinking about when… The stables’ first ever winner Mister Grez is cheeky at home. One day he bucked so high he pulled the reins out of his girl’s hands and over his head, then let rip, bucking, and dumped her. The best party… Dad’s Olympic gold medal-winning party after…

MATT HUNTER* believed that he had bought a novice dressage gelding, but the horse’s antisocial behaviour soon suggested otherwise. “I realised that he might be unsettled in his new home, but the moment he got off the truck he started behaving like a stallion,” says Matt. “The next day he was near a mare and went crazy, trying to jump a fence and almost killing himself. He displayed a lot of behaviour that a gelding wouldn’t — he was unruly to ride and so explosive that I took a fall and broke some ribs. “Blood tests proved that he was a true rig, so he had an operation to remove a retained testicle from his abdomen. This involved cost and some risk, but the surgery was successful and his behaviour…

Sunday, 27 November Black Forest Club, BLACK FOREST LODGE Cambridge University United Hunts Club, COTTENHAM Sunday, 4 December Point-to-Point Owners & Riders Club, BARBURY RACECOURSE Sunday, 11 December Cornwall Hunt Club, WADEBRIDGE Hursley Hambledon, LARKHILL Ratcheugh Racing Club, ALNWICK Tuesday, 27 December Harkaway Club, CHADDESLEY CORBETT Saturday, 31 December Cambridgeshire Harriers Hunt Club, COTTENHAM Sunday, 8 January Larkhill Racing Club, LARKHILL North Cornwall, WADEBRIDGE West Percy, ALNWICK Saturday, 14 January Barbury International Racing Club, BARBURY RACECOURSE Sunday, 15 January Dunston Harriers, AMPTON Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point Club, SHERIFF HUTTON Sunday, 22 January Heythrop Hunt Club, COCKLEBARROW Jedforest, FRIARS HAUGH Silverton, BLACK FOREST LODGE Saturday, 28 January Royal Artillery, LARKHIL L Sunday, 29 January Midlands Area Club, THORPE LODGE Tiverton Foxhounds, CHIPLEY PARK Waveney Harriers, HIGHAM Sunday, 5 February Cambridgeshire with Enfield…

Age: 10 Breeding: Tullibards Shakespeare x Captain Clover Best results: 13th in his first CIC3* at Bramham 2015; 12th Bramham CCI3* 2016; 17th Burghley CCI4* 2016. How it all began: Becky bought “Socks” (pictured) as a just-broken four-year-old. She says: “Towards the end of university I started talking to Neil and Julie Record about whether they would consider helping me. They are friends of my parents, and I suggested they bought me a horse. “Socks was a big, gangly, weak four-year-old — not at all what I had in mind, but Jane Adderley, who had helped me so much through the Pony Club, persuaded me to buy him for £4,000. “He’s always been sweet and brave, but to start with trying to do a dressage test on him was ridiculous.…

KAMA is currently eating Re-Leve, a cereal-free, low sugar and low starch mix; Equi-Jewel, a pelleted high-oil rice bran supplement, and the feed balancer Stamm 30. This will remain the same going forward. When Lizzie first met the horse, she was concerned that he wasn’t eating enough forage. He receives 12kg of hay a day, but only eats about 9kg of that ration. Inadequate fibre intake can cause gastric ulcers and so addressing his fibre intake moving forward will be an important part of his feed management regime to help maintain an optimum stomach environment. “Now that he has the all clear from vets we can concentrate on his fibre and forage intake, and aim to increase it to his optimum intake,” says Lizzie. Sian can achieve this by offering…

AFTER 34 seasons employed in hunt service, which involved looking after over 1,500 hounds and riding nearly 700 different horses, working for 27 different Masters of Foxhounds and winning numerous hound show championships, Tony Holdsworth has turned to drink. The former huntsman of the Duke of Beaufort’s, who retired at the end of the 2015/16 season, has recently launched his own label called Silver Fox Gin (pictured). Tony has spent his life in the countryside and grew up in South Devon, where his original career plan was to become an agricultural auctioneer. Fate intervened and Tony’s next stop was with the Eglinton Hunt in Scotland. This was followed by a move back to Devon with the Dart Vale and Haldon Harriers, then on to the East Devon for three seasons…

WHAT a difference a year makes, to misquote Dinah Washington, in this topsy-turvy world, where a swivel-eyed ex-city trader and crass billionaire can convince a majority that they speak for “the people”. Closer to our sporting concerns, whoever could have thought that the wallowing in mud and floods out hunting of a year ago could be replaced by nervously cantering on rock-hard ground that jars and twists horses and hounds alike? For hounds hunting in arable countries it must have been like running barefoot on sandpaper; not to say that sport has been at all bad. Settled conditions, even if dry, are preferable to volatile, wet conditions that constantly swing the barometer. Our farmers have been so supportive throughout the recent wet seasons and we have kept going despite the…

JULIE GARBUTT suffered a heart attack while riding Zodiac IV a year ago and only started competing again in October. But she won an elementary silver section at Kingston Maurward, Dorset (13 November), writes Annabel Kerby. “Luckily I was at home in the arena and, after struggling for a bit, I looked up the symptoms of angina and decided to call an ambulance,” said Frome-based Julie. “I began riding in April, but then fell over and broke my elbow and ribs — it hasn’t been a great year.” Trained by Justine Sole, Julie is a regional manager for the British Horse Society and bought her 12-year-old Zodiac IV, by Karandas J, six years ago. Destiny Billings, 15, from Ringwood, headed both novice classes on her Don Schufrosired Dovenca, 11. “Sometimes…

ADDINGTON MANOR EC Bucks, 10 November  Prelim 15Q silv (J Welham). — 1, Castlemaine Grey (A Finch) 71.8. brnz. — 1, Jaws (T Hall) 62.8. prelim 19Q gold (R Chapman). — 1, Rafael (C Jones) 64.17. silv. — 1, Castlemaine Grey 75. brnz. — 1, Cedarmount Simon (S Crosta) 76.25; 2, Damiana (F Aldridge-Newman) 68.54; 3, Jaws 68.54. nov 22 gold (J Welham). — 1, Santorini (O Cooper) 71.03; 2, Danthos Utopia (O Cooper) 69.66; 3, Vincento (S Gardner) 68.97. silv. — 1, Guiseppe (J Turney) 74.31; 2, Dirty Den (H Millar) 67.76; 3, WFS Flash Dancer (A Perry) 65.17. brnz. — 1, Cedarmount Simon 67.24; 2, Damiana 66.9; 3, Raffa Raptanz. nov 39Q gold (R Chapman). — 1, De Angelis II (F Brennan) 81.54; 2, Albireo SA (E Johnson)…

THE future of the format of the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian disciplines at Tokyo 2020 was set to be decided as H&H went to press on Monday (21 November). National federations were due to vote on Tuesday for their preferred formats. This includes the possibility of substitutions once the competition has started, which would be allowed, but incur an additional penalty. The FEI general assembly was held from 19-22 November in Tokyo. By Monday, decisions and proposals had been made on various rules and future championships. • The best eight results of the 10 legs of the FEI Nations Cup eventing series will now count, compared to seven out of nine in previous years, while details of next year’s showjumping Nations Cup series were also agreed upon. • Wild cards…

DONNPERIGNON Anna Kasprzak’s 17-year-old gelding has undergone a second major eye operation. The Finnish warmblood, with whom Anna competed at both the London and Rio Olympics, is expected to return to competition next year. CORNASCRIEBE GLENPATRICK The six-year-old’s sale almost doubled the Goresbridge Go For Gold Select Event Horse Sale’s record top lot, selling for € 160,000 (£137,500). He was one of two bought by Ellie Guy, for eventer Millie Dumas (report, p62). CALIFORNIA CHROME The five-year-old American thoroughbred is heading to stud next year, for a $40,000 (£32,000) fee. The Lucky Pulpit son, who won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness in 2014, will stay in training for the rest of the year. MANY CLOUDS The 2015 Grand National winner is due to return to Aintree next month in…

YOUNGER stallions offer better prospects for their progeny, according to a recent study. The research, carried out by University of Limerick student Alison Brassil, focused on racehorses — 20 stallions and 26,650 offspring over a 25-year period. Ms Brassil aimed to determine whether the proportion of successful progeny changes as stallion age increases. Age appeared to have a significant effect on all parameters of racing performance, suggesting that breeders could benefit from using younger stallions. The dissertation, titled The Effect of Paternal Age on Progeny Performance in Thoroughbreds, won the BETA equine thesis of the year award on 11 November. The award is designed to reward the work of equestrian undergraduates. “I want to work in the thoroughbred sector and, while I know that my study is just a scratch…

THE horse world has thrown its weight behind initiatives to tackle bullying during a week-long movement to target unpleasant behaviour, writes Lucy Elder. Tudor Rose Equines’ Not On My Yard campaign launched during Anti-Bullying Week (14-18 November), with the aim of tackling bullying in equestrian circles. Samantha Thurlow, Alan Jones and Nicky White set up the group in January to provide riders who lacked confidence with a chance to try new things without fear of pressure or judgment (news, 21 July). “Through this we discovered that bullying is a very taboo subject in our equestrian world, with all ages, disciplines, levels and professions affected,” Ms Thurlow told H&H. “It’s not really addressed, and we thought: ‘We need to do something about it’.” The launch was held at Greater Manchester Police…

THIS year’s sire rankings have been announced by the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses — and the 2015 top stallions have held their places in all three Olympic disciplines. De Niro, Diamant De Semilly and Contendro I are the highest ranked in dressage, showjumping and eventing respectively, as was the case in 2015. De Niro is closely followed by Gribaldi, who also keeps his 2015 rank. Showjumping sire For Pleasure continues his rise to second place from fourth in 2015, while Heraldik XX was rated second in eventing, up from third. Versatile Kannan rose from 55th place last year to 10th in eventing, and is also ranked fifth in showjumping.…

THE HON MARK VESTEY A leading figure in polo and president of wheelchair sport charity WheelPower, Mr Vestey died on 5 November aged 73. He held a four-goal handicap and won numerous major trophies including the Gold Cup four times, the Queen’s Cup and Ruins Cup. After a hunting fall left him paralysed from the chest down in 1984, Mr Vestey continued to be a great supporter of the sport. A chairman of Cirencester Park Polo Club from 1988 to 1992, he was a board member until his death. “He was an inspirational leader and his loss is immeasurable,” said a Wheelpower spokesman. NOEL DE QUINCEY A judge and showing producer, Mrs de Quincey died peacefully at home on 14 October aged 90. She was president of the National Pony…

A call for tougher penalties for those who attack police animals has been debated by MPs after a petition reached more than 120,000 signatures, writes Lucy Elder. The petition, titled: Give status to police dogs and horses as “police officers”, was started on 10 October after a police dog and his handler suffered stab wounds while attending a call in Stevenage. It proposes that police dogs and horses are given protection “that reflects their status” if they are assaulted in the line of duty, similar to protection in US federal law. Currently, attacks are dealt with under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Criminal Damage Act 1971. During the debate, held on 14 November, minister of state for policing and the fire service Brandon Lewis said he had written…

THERE are many who claim to have been born in the saddle, but how many youngsters can say they’ve won their first rosette at less than a year old? Darcy Ella Makin was 10 months old when she trotted up her first centre line – with some help – and came fifth in a charity dressage show on 13 November. Darcy – wearing pristine cream jodhpurs and a tweed jacket that may have been slightly on the generous side – rode Shetland Super Splash to win her first rosette. “She absolutely loved every minute of it,” said proud mum Jade Campey (pictured, top left). The show was held at Mill Lane Stables, in Brayton, North Yorks, in aid of the Poppy Appeal on Remembrance Sunday. The judge’s comments included “accurate…

THE British Racing School in Newmarket holds point-to-point preseason training days, which include a Yogi Breisner schooling session and practising falling off “safely” from a mechanical horse. Riding out as much as possible will improve both your fitness and riding - the Point-to-Point Owners’ and Riders’ Association (PPORA) also organises jockey coaching sessions at Oaksey House and Jack Berry House. Prepare all your kit the night before and make sure your stirrups are the correct length before you get on. “I’d advise riding out in your kit at home first - those breeches can be very slippery,” says Lawney Hill. On raceday, walk the course with someone experienced who knows the track and can help you throughout the day, particularly with the weighing in and out process. “Don’t forget to…

THIS IS HUNTING UK, a recently formed organisation set up to help promote hunting across the UK, has launched an enamel badge (below) to help raise funds. “On the back of the good work which This is Hunting UK has begun across the country as a whole, we are asking people to consider supporting the cause by purchasing a badge,” explained chairman James Barclay. “This is Hunting UK is a group of rural and urban people who are dedicated to promoting the conservation, cultural, social and financial benefits that hunting provides,” he continued. “We aim to educate and inform the public and other interested parties while proactively supporting the other rural organisations and hunting associations.” The badges are available at £5 plus P&P. •  For more information or to place…

FOXHOUNDS Duke of Beaufort’s.- 24 Nov, Greenway Farm, Tockenham, 10.45am; 26, Worcester Lodge, 11am; 28, Park Farm, Beverston; 30, Shirehill; 1 Dec, Dumb Post, Bremhill; 3, Cat and Custard Pot, Shipton Moyne, 10.45am. BLOODHOUNDS Coakham.- 27 Nov, St Clere Estate, Heverham; 30, Rickney Farm, Rickney Bridge; 4 Dec, Larkins Brewery, Chiddingstone, 12 noon. Farmers.- 27 Nov, Middle Farm, Brill; 4 Dec, Grange Farm, Evenlode, 12 noon.…

“THE transition to canter isn’t about putting the perfect canter aid on, it’s about balancing the horse and encouraging them forward,” explained Ferdi Eilberg while training his son Michael on the four-year-old Rihanna. The thread of all the presenters — a veritable showcase of dressage luminaries — was not to be afraid of making mistakes and to capitalise on them for competitive performances. Michael’s mare by Rousseau showed the basic building blocks for a green horse. “Don’t dominate a young horse, just guide them,” said Ferdi. “Michael is using 80% feel and 20% strength with this mare. You don’t want to ride with the rein — you want to guide with the rein. You want to ride with the seat to better influence the horse’s balance.” Both Michael’s and the…

BRITISH DRESSAGE’S (BD) latest push to increase membership is already reaping rewards, with more than 1,500 new members this year. It’s due to a diverse raft of associate championships, from retrained racehorses to native ponies — even draught horses. This really is dressage for all. Martin Clunes brought his Clydesdale Bruce to Keysoe to contest the draught horse championship, a new addition this year. (Fact for the day, which I didn’t know: Clydesdales could be pitted against Fjord horses — both are draught horses as the Fjord have been used for hundreds of years by Norwegian farmers.) The native classes have been a massive success with more than 600 forward for the championship and with Lusitano, Spanish, veteran and Forces Equine for our forces and emergency services, there really is…

A multiple Paralympic gold medallist fears she may be unable to continue in the sport if funding does not rise, writes Eleanor Jones . Sophie Christiansen (pictured), who has won eight Paralympic golds, and European and world medals, says she is “so grateful” for the UK Sport grant she receives, but she struggles to make ends meet. “The funding I get isn’t enough to cover everything,” she told H&H . “I can’t look after my own horses so I have to pay full livery, and for people to come to shows. I’ve got by through fundraising, and I’ve had really good people to help, but I think there should be a bit more money, for up-and-coming riders who can’t draw on that.” Sophie would like to see more sponsorship of…

JESSICA MENDOZA The British rider has been selected for the Elite Horse Owners showjumping fund (to launch in December). The fund will buy three to five horses for Jessica to campaign from 2017 through to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. LAURA TOMLINSON The British dressage rider is expecting her second baby, a boy, and is due at the end of March. Laura still plans to ride at Olympia (13-19 December) and will be competing at Oldenburg (24-27 November) riding Rosalie B. ULF WILKEN Swedish Mr Wilken, who led the International Group for Equestrian Qualifications for 10 years, has been succeeded by Christoph Hess of Germany. Mr Hess is an international dressage judge and coach. Britain’s Islay Auty is now vice-chair. PAUL HANAGAN Paul’s contract as first jockey to Sheikh Hamdan…

A ”productive” meeting between Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) and Irish showjumpers has resulted in plans all parties hope will result in an Olympic medal in 2020. Top-ranked riders joined the governing body for a session discussing the high performance programme for the next Olympic cycle, in Dublin last Tuesday (15 November). Liam Moggan from Coaching Ireland led the meeting, at which a rider liaison group was created. “Six riders were put forward as representatives of Irish riders in five different regions around the globe where Irish riders are based and regularly compete,” said an HSI spokesman. “A designated rider representative will be appointed. It is envisaged this person will not be a rider currently available for Nations Cup team selection. “It is envisaged the rider representative will liaise with HSI…

AN online survey will explore owners’ decision-making and treatment choices when horses are wounded. The study is being conducted by Emma Cunningham-Sawyer of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham. Data collected will be presented in Ms Cunningham-Sawyer’s dissertation and may be presented at conferences. Participants must be aged 18 or over and all responses will be anonymous. For more information visit: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/  horsewoundsurvey…

HORSEY ART A group of more than 20 artists from seven countries are selling equestrian works to raise funds for Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre in Spain. The artworks, which are inspired by horses at the centre, are available online at www.easyhorsecare.net A LUCKY H&H READER Donna Roberts has won two tickets to Valegro’s official retirement ceremony at Olympia on 14 December. She will also receive a meal in the members’ restaurant, a backstage tour and one night’s stay in the four-star Millennium Bailey’s Hotel. RDA The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has been selected as this year’s charity for the Westcountry Equine Fair. The event takes place in Westpoint, Exeter, from 3-4 December. WINDSOR RACECOURSE Scenes for drama series The Crown have been filmed at Windsor racecourse. The…

A new series to boost jump racing in the North will be launched in January. The “Northern Lights” series features 75 qualifying races, culminating in five £25,000 Class 2 handicap finals, to be held on Northern Lights Finals Day at Carlisle in December 2017. Qualifiers will be held at 14 racecourses north of and including Doncaster, from January to November. “Although there have been improvements in prize money and the quality of the programme at some northern racecourses, there has been a worrying decline in the population and quality of jump horses being trained in the region over recent years,” said Richard Wayman, chief operating officer for the British Horseracing Authority. “This series has been designed to provide an immediate boost to participants in the north by giving the connections…

RIDING WHILE PREGNANT Sir — The letter on the subject of riding when pregnant (10 November) filled me with a mixture of disbelief and dismay. Anybody who rides or works with horses is by definition accepting a certain level of risk. Similarly, motor racing is dangerous, and this is openly acknowledged and accepted by those who wish to compete. Individuals have the choice of whether they participate in these activities or not. Individuals also make the choice to become pregnant. Pregnancy is not an illness, it is a normal human condition. Do we expect women to be “confined” for nine months and prevented from living a normal life? Of course we don’t. There are far more accidents every year caused by using a ladder or driving a car. There would…

WHETHER or not to ride during pregnancy is a contentious and personal issue. The idea suggested by one reader that there ought to be a point after which women are not permitted to ride (letters, 10 November) was bound to cause debate. I can understand why some people feel women should not ride during pregnancy, as riding is a risk sport and often a pastime, not a necessity. I do wonder if any of those who hold this opinion are the same individuals who bustle pregnant women onto trains a foot from the platform, or text while driving precariously close to the car in front on fast roads in wet weather. These have concerned me more in terms of risks to my unborn baby than riding, off-road, the horse I’ve…

LAST year I did the London to Paris bike ride — goodness knows how I fitted it in but I trained for six months. It benefited me massively, and was a real eyeopener because I realised I was using different muscles. I’ve found my riding has improved since. The older I get, the more important it is to keep fit, and if you’re “riding fit” you’re just using the same muscles. I ride all day and every day, but for people with only one horse it’s something they should think about. They should be fit enough to carry themselves, rather than letting the horse do all the work. I’ve just taken up Pilates because I have arthritis and I get stiff, and I also use a rowing machine. Horses get…

1. Onions A bag of onions hangs in every barn. “They’re Mum’s idea. Supposedly they absorb bacteria and infection. One year they died and nothing ran well, then last season we put the onions back out and I had a good season. So now the onions are a must.” 2. Hunting Jacqueline tries to hunt twice a week, and takes her pointers too - most recently One Conemara and Fine Parchment. “Normally I back off hunting when I start pointing because I don’t want to get injured, but this year I can keep going,” says Jacqueline. Sam adds: “Hunting keeps riders and horses fresh, especially the older ones. Plus the young ones learn to settle and stand still.” 3. The walker This facility is key to early fitness work. “I…

SOLE OWNERSHIP LUDLOW hunt point-to-point secretary Sarah Dawson (above) owns seven pointers. HORSES: Qrackers, Gauvain, Sybarite, Minella For Party, Queen Olivia, Swift Escape and Call Me Clover. “I’ve been a pointing enthusiast since I was a child and have ridden most of my life,” says Sarah. “I live close to the horses’ trainer Tor Collins, so often go riding in the mornings. I don’t have a contract — I’ve had horses with Tor for eight years and I believe she is one of the best in the country.” COSTS: £1,000 per month all in for each horse, plus vet bills. THE BENEFITS: “I live for point-to-pointing and am still single with no children, so every penny I earn goes on my horses. I was so close to being champion owner…

CHRIS JORDAN plays a significant role in helping Becky manage her horses and her career. She has been involved with the equine side of Charlton Down House for the past 32 years through several ownerships of the estate, and two years ago joined the team again to help Becky. Becky says: “Chris is a vital member of the set-up, particularly from a mentoring point of view given my non-horsey background. She has a wealth of experience in managing performance horses and this has been integral to my success in the past couple of years. “I have a tendency to overthink things and Chris is very good at keeping me level. “Chris is the first person I call on in a crisis and the first person I celebrate with.”…

DURING a cross-country lesson with Saracen ambassador Francis Whittington in August, concerns were raised about Kama’s gastric health. The gelding’s performance displayed classic signs of being uncomfortable in his stomach, most noticeably swishing his tail a lot, not being willing to go forward and sometimes bucking in protest when Sian applied her leg. When Sian discussed Kama’s progress with Saracen’s senior nutritionist Lizzie Drury, they agreed that Sian would go home and seek veterinary advice in order to assess what was going on. In the days after that session, Kama was scoped and diagnosed with grade four squamous ulcers. These are the type of ulcers that form rapidly in the top third of the stomach and tend to affect performance. With guidance from the vet, Kama was put on a…

THREE hours drive west from Gloucestershire and I was back where I started. This unspoilt area of Pembrokeshire farmland, bounded on three sides by the sea, was occupied first by Normans and then Flemish settlers relocated from England, the Welsh being kept out by the Landsker Line of castles. English became the prevailing tongue and, even now, Welsh accents are rare in Little England Beyond Wales. It was thus unsurprising to find the South Pembrokeshire hounds are modern English, with only a few broken coats among the throng that met at Cresselly House, home to Hugh Harrison-Allen MFH. John Bartlett Allen kept hounds at Cresselly from 1789 and they have stayed ever since. Illustrious names such as Ikey Bell and Captain Ronnie Wallace, who judged the puppy show every year…

HUNTING enthusiast Richard Walton (inset) and his friend John Cavana recently walked 100km in three days raising money for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF). They were walking in memory of the field sport enthusiasts and employees who served in the Great War along the frontline of the Somme. “One hundred years on we still remember them,” said Richard. “The ABF Soldiers’ Charity continues its work giving support to soldiers and former soldiers from the British Army, and their immediate families.” Forming part of a larger fundraising group, they walked from Lochnagar Crater in France, which was created by an explosion on 1 July 1916, and finished at the Menin Gate in Belgium with the Ceremony of the Last Post. The group has raised in excess of £180,000. •  For further…

FOLLOWING the disbanding of the Chipstable Hunt at the end of the 2015/16 season, a new hunt club has been formed. Keen supporters of the pack wanted to help keep the former country open for legal hunting and to offer their subscribers wider opportunities for trail-hunting in the local area. “Having received generous support from neighbouring hunts, the aim has been fulfilled and reduced-rate days have kindly been made available to hunt club subscribers by the Tiverton Foxhounds, the Taunton Vale Harriers, the Dulverton Farmers and the West Somerset for the forthcoming season,” said committee member Helen Goff. Great deals on print and iPad subscriptions at www.horseandhoundsubs.co.uk/subs…

STEPHEN CLARKE’S notoriously positive judging ethos at top level is always admired. And he gained a slew of new fans during his demo, which featured a gypsy cob, a Lusitano, a Welsh mare and a Friesian. “When judging, awarding scores is about fulfilling the criteria. I don’t care if the horse is sky blue or pink with spots,” he declared. “If they can fulfill all the criteria then they will get the points. It’s as simple as that.” His presentation was refreshingly absent of remarks about horses’ limitations and instead focused keenly on their capabilities and bringing out the best of their potential. He helped Charlie Samuel-Camps make the gypsy cob Glasshards Warrior much more reactive, and showed Martin Greet how to relax the Welsh section D mare Watling Welsh…

AT Houghton Hall, Amy Bird won her first-ever elementary music class with an impressive 77.69% on her eight-year-old 17.2hh Hanoverian Special Brew (by Stedinger). She rode to a floorplan and music by Equivision’s Kim Ratcliffe and Julie Geraghty, which included Coldplay, Tinie Tempah and Snow Patrol. “We chose Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars as it was played at my wedding, and it fitted his walk,” said Amy, who is based at Houghton Hall. “Judge Lesley Burling wrote that he’s a super talented horse and that the music suited him well. We played to his highlight - his canter - for which he scored eights or higher,” said Amy, who credits regular training with Dan Greenwood and extra help from Kim Darlow for the horse’s improvement. “I’ve owned him since he was…

ANNABEL SHIELDS continued her fairy-tale year with Wet Wet Wet, when she added the £2,000 winter grand prix to her impressive list of achievements in 2016. A strong field of 34 was reduced to eight for the second round, where some tempting options and long runs were offered by course-designer Rafael Suarez. Annabel kept her route economical throughout the first half of the course, then allowed the 13-year-old grey a free run to the final vertical to clock an unbeatable time. This took the pair’s winnings to just over £40,000 in 12 months. “I first jumped him here last year in a 1.40m and since then it’s just been an absolute dream year,” Annabel said. “I honestly couldn’t have expected to achieve half of what I’ve done so far, let…

‘She came from Ireland and after she arrived she got fat. Then one morning we found a foal in her stable’ Charlotte Dole on Avondale Sparkle JUST three weeks earlier, 13-year-old Oliver Tuff finished in the money here in the horse All Stars show. He again made the five-hour journey from Devon with ponies on the wagon this time and went home with two wins and four tickets to the Blue Chip finals. Oliver’s run began on Oakwood Daisy in Saturday’s sapphire qualifier. Eloise Smit and Bearnaderg Star held the lead for some time, but Oliver squeaked ahead by just 0.01 of a second. Oakwood Daisy is one of two ponies Oliver is producing for Mandy Hall and Paul McAteer; his other ride for them, Slieve Bloom Harry, also took…

IF only someone could get behind showjumping in Britain the way Mark Bellissimo has in the US. What he has created in Tryon — where the 2018 World Equestrian Games will be held — is a real coup. Under his influence as the biggest show organiser in the US, the number of rankings classes has increased from a handful to hundreds. The Longines Masters is now a huge event in Los Angeles, which was established to rival his Central Park show in New York. In the winter, there is the equestrian fair in Wellington, which is a modern equestrian lifestyle event with great prize money, which helps create opportunities and jobs. In the summer, Tryon in North Carolina provides another chance to compete at a world-class facility. Mark always collaborates…

COLIN TIZZARD’S excellent season continued at the weekend when the popular Cue Card belied his veteran status and raised the roof at Haydock by winning his third Betfair Chase in the past four years. The Timico Gold Cup at Cheltenham is still four months away, but with Thistlecrack also in his care, the Milborne Port trainer now has the first and second in the betting for jump racing’s blue riband in his yard — while also training Saturday’s Hennessy favourite, Native River. Cue Card fans might be startled to learn that the bookmakers make his stable companion — an exciting prospect but nevertheless still a novice — the favourite for the Gold Cup. But, after beating Coneygree 15 lengths on Saturday, it is the 10-year-old Cue Card who has set…

‘Nostradamus was a standout performer of his time: he could perform on any track and on any ground’ TALL and leggy, but handsome with good bone, Nostradamus was a dark brown son of Normandy, bought out of Arthur Moore’s yard by Capt. Tim Forster for my father-in-law, John Sumner. He had shown some decent form in bumpers and great things were expected. After a glimmer of promise in novice hurdles, results soon deteriorated, and when all the excuses were exhausted, Nostra came to us in the autumn of 1979. He hunted hard and team chased with The Ratcatchers, displaying natural balance and courage, and we quickly reignited his enthusiasm. With confidence restored, the following season Nostra won the Grand Marnier award for the leading horse, unbeaten in 11 consecutive point-to-points.…