Innholdsfortegnelse for 22-Dec-16 i Horse & Hound

SIR RADJAH Beatriz Ferrer-Salat’s talented grand prix horse died on 11 December, the day after posting a score of 75.7% to finish third in the freestyle at Geneva CDI. The 11-year-old gelding, who was ranked 80th in the world, died in a vet clinic due to colic. BONZA PUZZLE Matt Ryan’s former four-star ride has been put down aged 24. The gelding, who amassed more than 1,400 BE points, had sustained an injury in the field. He had been a “semiretired hack” for Tim Pople of his owning syndicate since 2010. XANTHUS III Blyth Tait’s four-star ride has been retired to New Zealand. The 14-year-old will compete in dressage and showjumping with Fiona Fraser, Blyth’s former head groom. Blyth said he might also compete the Quidam De Revel gelding next…

RACING will not be televised on terrestrial channels on New Year’s Eve, making it the first Saturday in many years not to feature coverage. The limited viewing comes as Channel 4 ends its 32-year coverage of the sport. Logistical difficulties related to the handover of equipment to ITV, which is taking over racing coverage from Channel 4, are cited as one of the reasons for the lack of terrestrial coverage on 31 December. “Channel 4’s last racing broadcast will be on 27 December with Kempton and Chepstow concluding our 32-year association with the sport,” a Channel 4 spokesman told H&H. Newbury and Lingfield are both running on 31 December. A Newbury spokesman said: “We’ve had a great relationship with Channel 4 over many years of broadcasting from Newbury and now…

PHEMIE ANGUS A legendary figure in the beagling world, Ms Angus died on 10 December aged 87. Her long and distinguished hunting career spanned more than 60 years. She was whipper-in to the Hornchurch Beagles from 1947 to 1952, before joining the Mid-Essex Beagles. During her time with the Mid-Essex, which spanned from 1952 to 2012, she served as huntsman, master, joint-master and as kennel huntsman. MARK CHAMBERS A long-standing member of the Cumbrian equestrian world, Mr Chambers died on 6 December aged 52. He was an integral part of organising and volunteering at many equine events. From Newcastle, he moved to Australia in the 1990s to work in the garden centre business, but returned in 2013 and was “wholeheartedly” adopted back into the equine world. GARRETT GOMEZ THE US…

FED up with forgetting courses? There’s an app for that. New York-based Ali Fathali created Jump Off Pro, to help riders learn courses quickly. The technology allows riders to upload a course and visualise it in 3D. “I would attend shows with my wife and watch how riders were snapping pictures of their courses on their phones to memorise them,” Mr Fathali told H&H . “Jump Off takes that process to another level; giving users the ability not only to upload a course, but to visualise the entire ride in 3D.” The app is available for iPhones and Androids for £3.69.…

LAST Wednesday we watched one of the greatest equine heroes of all time bow out in style at Olympia. There is no other horse, certainly not outside of racing, who commands the love and respect reserved for Valegro. In truth I don’t think I can recall one who has had quite the same affect on so many people’s emotions, perhaps since Milton. Tickets for the multi-Olympic gold medallist’s retirement ceremony were like gold dust. Social media went wild around the event. Media attention was rife. Everyone talked about needing Kleenex, and we’re talking about the British. This is unusual around a horse’s retirement. Even that of a great horse. It is fantastic that he has gone out on this high, but goodness he will be missed. Having done so much…

STUDIES from cattle show that poorly weaned calves struggle to cope with challenges and have reduced learning capability when compared to those that underwent good weaning practices. We know with horses that foals should not be weaned suddenly, or in isolation - paddock weaning is preferable, ideally with an older, familiar companion to reduce the degree of distress. Make sure that foals are well handled prior to weaning and understand the basic leading signals. Avoid introducing any changes of diet at weaning time.…

‘Carl’s strategy paid off and he romped home’ UNDERSTANDABLY, this year’s event was dominated by Valegromania. However, let’s not overlook Carl’s achievement of winning the World Cup qualifier. In the grand prix and the freestyle, Carl delivered a masterclass of dressage riding with Jane de la Mare’s Nip Tuck. In the grand prix some observers thought it was a close call between him and Hans Peter Minderhoud on Glock’s Flirt. I found it interesting to explore the contrast between the performances. Carl places weight on harmony and ease, whereas Hans Peter capitalises on impulsion and risk. By the time the feature class came around the following night, Carl’s strategy paid off and he romped home. All the Brits rode well, which bodes positively for the future. Laura Tomlinson’s lovely mare…

“FAIR play to Katy Marriott-Payne. Uphill James Fox is a beautiful section A, but he hasn’t always given Katy his all in the ring. He chose the right moment to do it. The judges used a huge range of marks, which is the way it should be. There was confliction, with some large margins — for example a five and 38 for one section D’s performance — which shows a big difference in what they are looking for. But that’s what you get when you have four judges. For example, Sharon Thomas is extremely hot on good manners; she likes a good gallop, but always rewards a good show. I personally like to see pizzazz, but I thought several riders played too safe. Some pushed their ponies out of a…

A change in format OLYMPIA trialled a new option for this year’s World Cup driving series, which allows organisers to run the deciding phase as a shortened format “winning round”. Previously each leg was decided on two counting rounds where the scores were combined. Stuttgart, Stockholm and Geneva have used the format - modelled on a jump-off - and it has met with a mixed response from drivers. “When you start from scratch over a shortened course, five penalties for a knockdown is extremely heavy,” said Koos de Ronde. Boyd Exell agreed: “The second round should be tougher. In this format you can have a lucky shooter win. Balls are too expensive in a short course - it’s too tempting to slow down a gear and drive for a clear.”…

• THE FEI Nations Cup final returns to Barcelona for a fifth year in 2017. The Real Club De Polo De Barcelona, the venue for the equestrian events at the 1992 Olympics, will once again host the event at the end of September, in its 120th anniversary year. A total of 18 teams will compete at the final. • SHOWJUMPER Jasean Spraggett, 24, from Leicestershire will be among the riders competing against Nick Skelton, William or Alice Fox-Pitt, Ben Hobday and Tina Cook in the Champions Willberry Charity Race at Cheltenham next April. More than 600 members of the public applied for the race, run in aid of The Bob Champion Cancer Trust and Hannah Francis’ Willberry Wonder Pony Charity. It is hoped the day will raise at least £100,000…

Ascot and Haydock 17-18 December @hannah_lemieux1 DO YOU HAVE A RACING STORY? Email: hannah.lemieux@timeinc.com ‘He had to work harder today, but he probably has a bit more class than he lets on’ Barry Geraghty on Unowhatimeanharry UNOWHATIMEANHARRY took another step towards filling Thistlecrack’s role as top dog among staying hurdlers when he won the JLT Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot’s traditional pre-Christmas meeting last Saturday afternoon. Since joining Harry Fry, the eight-year-old is unbeaten in his past seven starts and gives the impression that we’ve not got to the bottom of him quite yet. This season he has followed the roadmap set out for staying hurdlers, taking in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, in which he pleasantly surprised his trainer by beating Ballyoptic six lengths, and now the Long…

‘On the verge of magic’ Irina Maknami WE have asked top international judges, from various countries, what Charlotte and Valegro have done for the sport, and how judging this extraordinary partnership has differed from, or even changed, their judging careers. Selene Scarsi talks to five judges from the UK, Russia, France, Italy and Holland, including Isobel Wessels, who sat on the panel for each one of Valegro’s record-breaking tests. ‘I had never seen a grand prix performance of such a consistently high level’ DR VINCENZO TRUPPA, ITALY “I judged Valegro in the very early stages of his international career, when he was still relatively green and not yet the flawless performer he is now. I remember thinking that if one were to pick each individual movement, he would not have…

Carl Hester CO-OWNER AND TRAINER Carl is the most important person in Valegro’s life. He is co-owner and trainer of “Blueberry” and trainer of his rider, Charlotte Dujardin. He calls him “The Professor” because Blueberry seems to know instinctively how to do everything. Valegro was never over-competed and he is retiring him at the top of his game. Carl has secured him a home for life. Charlotte Dujardin RIDER Charlotte was an up-and-coming rider working for Carl, when her partnership with Blueberry began nine years ago. They have since won national titles, Olympic, European and World gold medals and hold three world records. She describes him as her “best friend” and he has opened up numerous opportunities for her around the world, including a personal appearance at New York’s Rolex…

‘It could be a huge boost to the sport’Phillip Dutton A decision on when and where a new CCI4* event could be held in the United States is to be made next month, writes Lucy Elder. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has invited bids from venues to host a four-star in autumn 2018 or 2019. This would be the second event of this level on US soil and a seventh globally. “We currently anticipate that the task force will make a recommendation regarding a venue for a new CCI4* to the USEF board of directors at their January meeting,” a USEF spokesman told H&H on 14 December. Fair Hill in Maryland said this month it was in the running (news, 8 December). All four of the other possible venues…

Badminton Horse Trials is holding a competition to design its final cross-country fence for 2017. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ design-a-badminton-fence Carl Hester was ‘delighted’ to be awarded honorary fellowship of the British Horse Society, the highest qualification the society offers. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ hester-bhs-fellow The United States Eventing Association is proposing to make all front rails on cross-country oxers frangible to forces from below and above to improve safety. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ us-eventing-safety Charlotte Dujardin was given a Christmas present by fiancé Dean Golding at Olympia — a rocking horse replica of Valegro (pictured). • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ valegro-rocking-horse Six lucky riders have been chosen to ride in a race at Cheltenham with Nick Skelton and Ben Hobday, in aid of Willberry Wonder Pony and the Bob Champion Cancer Trust. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ lucky-charity-riders Two rare Black Forest mares have found a new home with American pop…

WORKING EQUINES 2016 has been a landmark year for the charity Brooke, which has met its goal of reaching two million working horses, donkeys and mules in a single year. Chief executive Petra Ingram (pictured) said: “This is one of our proudest achievements.” EX-RACERS A Christmas ball in aid of the Racehorse Sanctuary has raised £18,000. The event was held on 10 December at the Royal Automobile Club in Epsom. VETS A North Yorkshire veterinary company has invested more than £100,000 in state-of-the-art equipment. Minster Equine, which has branches in York, Ripon and Malton, bought digital X-ray machines and ultrasound equipment for its Ripon equine unit. READING Publisher Forelock Books is supporting equine charity Ride High by encouraging people to buy a book. Buyers can get a 10% discount, and…

TWO mares and their foals are returning to health at a Blue Cross rehoming centre in Staffordshire, after being abandoned. The mares and foals were in the worst condition of a group found in the Midlands with protruding ribs and hip bones. Seven-year-old Little Miss Agatha and her foal Rio, and four-year-old Marple and her foal Poirot (pictured) will be looking for homes in the new year. “We were so worried,” said Tess Scott-Adams, centre manager at Blue Cross Rolleston. “We feared Little Miss Agatha and her foal, who were in an even worse state, would not make it. But thanks to the care they received they are well.” In 2017 the charity will look for short-term homes for the foals until they are four, when their future as potential…

WEIGHT AND WELFARE Sir — There has rightly been much discussion on the issue of welfare of the horse in regard to the weight it is expected to carry (feature, 10 November). There has also been a lot of publicity about the fate of endurance horses under the harsh regime imposed upon them in the Middle East. These horses are in the main slender, fit Arabs, likely to weigh about 400kg. I am sure many will weigh less. Alone among horse sport outside of racing, horses competing in endurance at top FEI levels are required to carry minimum weights. At 75kg (11st 11lb) this equates to almost 19% of the horse’s weight. Add to this the fact that these horses are being asked to do 160km (100 miles) at high…

INTERVIEW Alice Plunkett on her work, the Event Rider Masters and being William Fox-Pitt’s wife VET What makes the perfect equine athlete EVENTING Who to watch in 2017 CHARITY OF THE YEAR World Horse Welfare: taking on rescue horses HUNTING Chiddingfold, Leconfi eld and Cowdray, and Zetland SHOWJUMPING Onley and Maelor DRESSAGE Top tips from Emile Faurie, plus highlights COLUMNISTS Peter Charles and Sylvia Loch…

‘Separation anxiety is based on instinct and survival due to horses being prey animals’ SEPARATION anxiety occurs when a horse is parted from others, or occasionally from a person. Some can cope as long as other horses — any horses — are around. Others, however, have bonded to one horse in particular and become anxious when separated, even when other horses are present. The degree of distress depends on the individual. Some will be reluctant to eat, or may occasionally whinny, while others enter such a state of blind panic that they can easily injure themselves attempting to reach the other horse. When separation takes place, a part of the brain responsible for fear — the amygdala — is activated. Horses have one of the largest amygdala of any species…

‘A gruelling hunt of some 30 miles in steep rugged hill country is testament to these hounds’ stamina’ The Border, Otterburn, Northumberland 3 December THE River Rede, which flows into the North Tyne at Redesmouth, was shrouded in dense fog as I headed north approaching the meet and prospects for my day with the Border foxhounds looked bleak. Jane and Joe Walton were hosting the 10.30am meet at their Otterburn farm, where Jane trains horses and runs a B&B and it looked like we were in for a long wait while the murk cleared. It’s always a thankless task hosting a meet on a foggy morning, but Jane’s supplies of sausages and whisky were more than plentiful. Thomas Scott is joint-master and huntsman and his morning must have been a…

WILLIAM ROBERTS, 17, made his advanced debut at Houghton Hall, Cambs (11 December), just one year after his first prelim. William was riding Matthew Cox’s Jazz 14-year-old Korenbloem Vamos, writes Selene Scarsi. Trainer Matt said: “I first started to teach William a year ago. He didn’t know anything about dressage, and had only done walk-and-trot tests. As I started to teach him I realised that he has a lot of natural talent — he’s elegant and has great feel. When I broke my collarbone, I taught him on my grand prix horse. His dream was to compete in tails, so who was I to deny him that!” William added: “I’m so grateful to Matt for letting me ride ‘Aston’. It’s really helped me develop the feel for the grand prix…

THE trophy for the national six-year-old championships, now renamed the Big Star Championships, is being handcrafted by internationally renowned equestrian sculptor Carolyn Morton. The bronze, entitled “Making History”, will be one-eighth life size and depicts Nick and Big Star jumping over one of the Rio 2016 fences. “I am particularly excited about the opportunity to create a legacy trophy of Big Star as he is a horse that has not only made such a mark on the sport in Great Britain but also on a global level,” said Carolyn. “I went to the yard where we spent time taking all his measurements and I look forward to bringing his talent, physique and incredible personality to life through the sculpture for future winners to be inspired by.”…

Grand prix 87.46% Olympia CDI-W, 16 December 2014. A flawless test for the combination’s return to competition since the previous August’s World Equestrian Games, in front of record crowds for a grand prix night at Olympia. (Previous record: Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, 87.129%, Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final, Lyon, 19 April 2014) Grand prix special 88.022% Hagen CDI4*, Germany, 29 April 2012. A perfect, powerful special at the first outdoor show of the 2012 season (aptly named “Horses & Dreams Meets Great Britain”), a taster of things to come before the London triumphs of the summer. A historical record too: Valegro’s first record-breaking performance, and the combination’s first attempt at the Olympic special. (Previous record: Edward Gal and Totilas, 86.46%, CDIO Aachen 2010) Grand prix freestyle 94.3% Olympia CDI-W,…

THE equestrian world is celebrating after Rio stars Nick Skelton and Sophie Christiansen finished in the top five of this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award (18 December). Showjumper Nick secured third place behind the winner, tennis player Andy Murray, and triathlete Alistair Brownlee. Nick received 109,197 votes, more than double the number secured by fourth-placed runner Mo Farah, who received 54,476 votes. Eight-time Paralympic gold medallist Sophie came fifth with 37,284, ahead of athletes such as cyclists Laura and Jason Kenny. British Showjumping “couldn’t be more proud” of Nick’s achievements, including Britain’s first individual Olympic showjumping gold. “At the age of 58, having recovered from a broken neck, Nick has been embraced as an inspiration to all that you should never give up on your sporting dreams,”…

TRIBUTES have been paid to three-time Derby-winning jockey Walter Swinburn, who has died aged 55, writes Lucy Elder. The great and good of racing remember Walter as a gentleman, a “genius” rider and brilliant horseman. On leaving school, Walter was apprenticed to Herbert “Frenchie” Nicholson from 1977 to 1980. The following year — aged just 19 — he scored his first Epsom Derby victory, aboard the legendary Shergar, by a record-breaking 10 lengths. In an interview with H&H in 2002, he said Shergar was his “best memory in racing”. The pair then went on to claim the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot later that year. Among Walter’s many other notable wins was the 1983 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on the Patrick Biancone-trained filly All Along,…

DUTCH PONIES An eatery in the Netherlands is serving up My Little Pony Burgers made from horsemeat. The Food Guerilla is run by a pair of artists and is based in Breda. A TRAPPED EQUINE A horse became trapped on a gate in Riddings, Derbyshire, on 12 December. Firefighters rescued the horse after he was sedated by a vet. DONALD CERRONE The martial artist suffered an eye injury in a fall out hunting. The United States star said the wound was superficial and it has since healed. GARY PLAYER The 81-year-old golfing legend is selling his 431-hectare ranch in South Africa where he bred racehorses. “We’d like to downsize because this is quite a big farm,” he said.…

RACING Go to Kempton Park racecourse for the Winter Festival, featuring the King George VI Chase, on 26-27 December. kempton.thejockeyclub.co.uk ROAD SAFETY Join Wocket Woy, the Pwoducer and the British Horse Society at Greater Manchester Mounted Police’s Chorlton base for a riding road safety event on 29 December. hannah.carrick@bhs.org.uk FESTIVE SHOW Enter Leyland Court’s unaffiliated showjumping pre-Christmas show at the Bristol-based equestrian centre on 23 December. www.equoevents.co.uk CHRISTMAS DAY Enjoy a festive ride, as well as tucking into the turkey, while your equine friends will no doubt appreciate a few of Rudolph’s carrots! WELSH NATIONAL Watch the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on 27 December. Opera stars Bryn Terfel and Rebecca Evans and the Bridgend Male Voice Choir will sing in the parade ring before the racing. www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk POINT-TO-POINT The…

I thought I would write to you with a lighthearted story that most horsey families will understand. My horse of a lifetime, Hector, was bred by a lovely couple who own a riding school, and also some home-bred youngsters which they have for sale occasionally. Fifteen years ago I went to see Hector, who was at that time a gangly four-year-old. He was surrounded by children protesting I couldn’t take their Hector away. He’s now a 19-year-old retired eventer who has Cushing’s but he’s still worked and kept active. I also have a four-year-old boy who is at primary school: life is hectic with work, dogs, horses and a child, so luckily school is close to home. One afternoon I was running late as usual, but was determined to ride…

My secret weapon is... My wife, Sophie. She plays a vital part in our business. I met her when I was the stable-manager at Bramham Horse Trials, which I did for about five years — she was helping a friend, Nessie Chanter (née Lambert), who was competing. When I am getting away from it all… Cornwall on a beach with the kids (Milly, six, and twins Fred and Harry, four). Sophie and I try to get away for four or five days together on our own as well. The biggest mistake I have learnt from… Not to run horses under a [7lb] penalty when they have won. You are running them again too soon, and trying to outfox the handicapper, which rarely works. When I am watching… It’s all about…

USE the “park” exercise to train your horse to remain calm when left: • Face your horse and take a step backwards. If he follows you, step him back to where he started and try again. If he doesn’t, step back towards him and give him a scratch. • Build up to where you can take several steps back without him following you. Repeat the exercise in several different places and environments until it is really solid. • Now practise in the environment in which he normally becomes anxious. For some horses this is the stable, so park him inside, away from the door, and make sure you can walk out backwards without him stepping towards you. • Once established, try parking him while his companion leaves another stable nearby.…

Patience is a virtue • I don’t believe in hurrying a horse. I’ve always been patient when it comes to progress. Horses need time to mature, both physically and mentally. • I tend to buy my horses at three and produce them through the grades, so this approach is essential. Jump to it • I combine eventing my horses with pure showjumping during the season. • A horse might showjump once or twice during the week and event at the weekend. • All my horses jump higher in affiliated showjumping classes than at events, so an intermediate will be negotiating 1.20m to 1.25m fences. Time for a break • Unless a horse is particularly backward, it will be turned out for a six- to eight-week break over the winter. •…

‘The surge of adrenalin can overload a horse emotionally’Richard Maxwell on start box issues THE cross-country start box is a hotbed for nerves, apprehension and excitement. So what plan of action should riders have? British Olympic rider Kitty King likes to keep things relaxed and stress-free. “Once warmed up, I walk to the start box area, going around and in and out of it several times,” she explains. “I walk into the back of the start box when I have five or 10 seconds left and sometimes let the horse stand quietly until we can go,” she explains. “There’s no panic when the starter says ‘go’ — I move forwards into a trot before picking up canter on my young horses to give them time to find their rhythm and…

I’VE been coming to Olympia for 25 years but this was my first time designing the World Cup course. My neck was on the block but I’m pleased it went down well. The class offered good sport and excellent entertainment — there were different tests all the way round, asking riders to lengthen and shorten the horses’ stride patterns. The aim is to ask the riders to find solutions to the problems rather than ask unfair questions of the horses. There are lots of components of a good class — you need a good course, riders on form and in the right draw — but every now and then it gels and delivers some real sparkle. The fences were all new this year with 10ft poles, and the wings weren’t…

‘It’s depressing to take two days to put on a meet and see a only a few followers’ I was toying with the idea of writing something political but I don’t want to be known as a one-trick pony; I always seem to bang on about where hunting stands politically. I will just mention that I was disappointed to see Zac Goldsmith lose his huge majority of 23,000 in Richmond (particularly as the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent spent many hours helping him to get elected). People say politicians are not sincere, that they live in a bubble and that they need more conviction. So, Zac resigned on a matter of principle because he had said he would if the Government backed a third runway at Heathrow, as it…

WE can reveal a very exciting and exclusive feature in Horse & Hound next week (29 December). Nick Skelton very kindly allowed 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy to ride his Olympic gold medal-winning partner Big Star — and we think AP might just have found a new career. “Get yourself a jacket and a pair of boots, there’s a new job for you in showjumping,” said Nick to the Grand National-winning jockey, who retired from racing last year. The words “Tokyo” and “2020” were definitely mentioned. • You can read all about this meeting of three legends next week — it’s not to be missed!…

‘He is genuinely scared of most things, so I spend a lot of time making him feel comfortable in his skin and his surroundings’ SUPER NOVA, aka “Neville”, was doing a demonstration at Badminton Horse Trials with Carl Hester when I first saw him, and when Carl called me a few months later to say he was for sale, I went to try him. He was very responsive to my aids and I felt that I could work well with him, so Jen Goodman and I bought him. Neville is a very sensitive horse and gets the hiccups if he’s upset. He also has a habit of sucking on his bedding like a pacifier. Unfortunately, Neville has also proven to be accident-prone, and in the six years I’ve had him,…

‘Charlotte rode the test like she was trying to win another bloody gold’ AS the dust settles after Valegro’s retirement ceremony, I’m at pains to point out that although this has been an emotional rollercoaster, Valegro hasn’t died. And he’s not leaving us. He’ll be celebrating Christmas back home, munching away as normal and it’s not the last chance for people to see him. In fact, the morning after Olympia, he was already back out in the field alongside Nip Tuck. It was such a special evening. The whole arena felt like being back at London 2012 in a sort of vacuum of pride, with everyone’s emotions heightened. The experience was sensational and gave everyone watching goose bumps. The most emotional part for me was him doing his test and…