Innholdsfortegnelse for 23-Feb-2017 i Horse & Hound

A police investigation into an accusation of illegal hunting and assault by Belvoir huntsman and H&H columnist John Holliday has been closed and no charges will be brought against him. Saboteurs had claimed up to three foxes were illegally killed by Belvoir hounds on 3 December. John said: “It is no surprise charges are not being brought as I had done nothing wrong. But this has been worrying for my family and it is a relief to have it out of the way.” Polly Portwin of the Countryside Alliance said: “It is great that the charges — which were spurious and could not be backed up by evidence — have been dropped. It must be a huge relief to John Holliday that the ordeal is over. “This is one of…

ENDURANCE cases — largely from the Middle East — make up two-thirds of the FEI Tribunal’s dope test workload, representing the worst set of figures this decade, writes Pippa Cuckson. A recent spate of positive tests in Dubai and Qatar has rocketed the pending case list up to 31, of which 22 involve endurance. The news follows 12 ride fatalities in the UAE in just two months and boycotts of UAE rides by European countries. The FEI tribunal handles only the more serious doping violations, so these figures exclude first offences for single controlled medications punishable by automatic fine. All but two endurance cases involve Middle Eastern horses. Of the nine non-endurance cases, seven are showjumping, two dressage. In an unprecedented step, three endurance trainers from Dubai and one from…

NICK SKELTON The showjumper has accepted the role of patron of the West Midlands-based charity Socks & Chocs, which works to relieve hardship among homeless people. EMILY MOFFITT The 18-year-old will make her senior Nations Cup team debut for Britain on 3 March. She has dual citizenship but swapped America for the Union flag. CAROL COOPER The former showing rider, whose mother Elsie was an early patron of Ponies (UK), is the society’s new chairman. “I am honoured” she said. GUY DISNEY The captain made history at Sandown as the first person to win under Rules wearing a prosthetic limb. Guy lost his lower right leg in Afghanistan. CHARLOTTE HOGG The grassroots event rider has been appointed as deputy governor at the Bank of England. The 46-year-old’s father is Douglas…

THE three cities hoping to host the 2024 Olympics have made their final submissions to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Budapest, Paris and Los Angeles have handed over information on their proposed “games delivery, experience and venue legacy”. Each had already made submissions on “vision, Games concept and strategy” and “governance, legal and venue funding”. Frank Fredericks of the IOC described the final submission as “one of the most important milestones for the candidate cities and the IOC”. Mr Fredericks will lead visits to the three cities this year and the announcement of the winner is due to be made on 13 September.…

A new method to detect hoof problems has been explored in a Swedish study. The research, involving thermoelectric sensors, was conducted by masters student Jennie Sköld of Chalmers University of Technology. Ms Sköld hopes to support the development of an alternative diagnostic tool to other methods, such as X-rays and MRI scans. “Some injuries in the hoof capsule of horses can be difficult to detect, for example cracks or infections in the tissue between the hoof wall and the hoof bone,” said Ms Sköld. “By measuring heat in the hoof, it might be possible to detect damages that cannot be observed in other ways.” Fifteen police horses from Gothenburg were involved in the study. Sensors developed by company Hot Disk were attached to their hooves and data was recorded. The…

‘We hope to be able to improve welfare of horses with the condition’ Prof Richard Piercy A new test is now available for atypical myopathy, writes Rachael Turner. The severe and life-threatening disorder is believed to be caused by the ingestion of a toxin, which is in some sycamore tree seeds, leaves or seedlings. The comparative neuromuscular diseases laboratory at the Royal Veterinary Collage (RVC) is now offering testing of seeds, seedlings and leaves for the hypoglycin A toxin known to cause the disorder. Owners can find out if plant samples from their horses’ fields contain the toxin by sending them to the lab, where they will be tested at a subsidised cost of £50. The RVC is also offering testing of equine blood and urine samples, submitted by a…

Congratulations to the editor of Horse &Hound , keeping all horse-lovers up-to-date with welfare issues both at home and abroad. Sincere thanks to Roly Owers of World Horse Welfare and also to journalist Pippa Cuckson for doing their noble, unselfish work on the front lines, which I doubt any of us could carry out. Gratitude also is due to Lord Higgins and the members of the House of Lords, working to get CCTV made compulsory in equine abattoirs in this country (news, “Talking welfare”, 19 January). Also to Horses in our Hands research carried out by the University of Bristol, to Baroness Mallalieu, president of The Horse Trust, who called on Defra to bring into force the updated equine code of practice, which sets out welfare principles and which the…

Visiting… I love Paris, a beautiful city full of things to do and see. Eating out… My wife Vanessa is an amazing cook, so home is the best place to eat, but if we do go out, the new restaurant in Buckingham called The Garage is excellent. Getting away from it all… I would love to go back to the Maldives, but we usually end up in Cornwall. Settling down with… As a child, I read every Dick Francis book over and over again. Every now and then, I still pick one up and read it. Most memorable win… Winning the Royal International Horse Show working hunter championship in 2013 (below), when Malibu II’s owner Jane Collins was ill — it gave her a great lift. Remembering… When the small…

LAST spring, 34-year-old Welsh pony Tiny was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis, a liver disease. The 12.2hh grey mare, who was rescued from a meat market as a two-year-old and has been in Elizabeth Barnes’ family for around 25 years, was losing weight and had a reduced appetite. Blood tests showed that her liver was damaged and was struggling to do its job. With alterations to her diet and supplementary vitamins, Tiny’s health continues to improve. Recent blood tests revealed that her liver is now working well - proving that even the livers of old ponies can recover function. Some of the damage is long-term however, so her test results are not entirely normal. “We are managing Tiny’s condition, with medication, feed and special care,” says Elizabeth. “She’s full of spirit.”…

“I went to the Derwent point-to-point on the chance of a spare ride and a man called Mr Adamson was looking for a jockey for a big, ugly, raw-boned horse called Welburn Hill. I was warned off it by the other jockeys but I rode it and it won. It won seven open races on the trot before it was killed in the eighth.” “I was riding in our own hunt cup against my sons Nick and Tom. I gave them the choice of which horses to ride and I still won!” “My great friend Neville Crump tipped me off about a horse of his called Nearly A Gentleman that was going to Doncaster sales. I bought it for £3,000 and took it to Aintree in the Fox Hunters’. I…

The country: is stunning. It is in Powys, adjoins Shropshire and comprises the vales of Severn, Vyrnwy and Tanat. Neighbouring hunts are Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn’s, South Shropshire, North Shropshire, United and David Davies. Joint-masters: John Jones; Stephen Morrison; Dave Wright Huntsman: Richard Evans Amateur whippers-in: Amy Roberts, Simon Young, John Jones, Dave Wright Hon sec: Laura Hughes, 07795 087421 Countryman: Rees Andrew Hunt buttons: feature two horns crossed above the hunt’s initials. In the 1900s, huntsman John Morgan was killed outright while trying to get hounds off the railway line. He was “blown away” there and then and master Rev Pryce incorporated the horns on to the buttons from then on.…

LARA DYSON booked four tickets to Hartpury with her and the Milners’ Jazzed Up, landing the show’s top score of nearly 80% in the process. The pair bagged three titles — elementary gold, medium gold and medium gold freestyle — and were qualifying runners-up in the elementary freestyle to Gary Foggon with Gypsy Fortune, who had been second to Lara twice. Their pièce de résistance was the medium freestyle to new Tom Hunt music based on the Pirates of the Caribbean film soundtrack. The Jazz seven-year-old demonstrated his maturity, allowing Lara to show off his power to the max, although he has only been at the level for a few months. He earned 78.22%, a nine for music and interpretation and comment “Good job!” from judge at C Jo Graham,…

NATALIE MCGOLDRICK and Tricky Johnie proved the pair to beat after they took the top spot in both the novice and BE100open sections at the Jumping And Style (JAS) Final at Hartpury College. “I bought him last year as a treat to myself and have high hopes for him as he’s super talented, very easy and has a great attitude,” explained Natalie, who combines riding four horses with her job as an equine vet. “To win one class is amazing, but to win two classes is just so special and is a real boost for the season, I can’t wait for it to start.” Petersfield-based Natalie and the 10-year-old will start their season in a BE100open at Tweseldown in March with the aim of progressing to intermediate level by May.…

WITH the days getting longer and spring around the corner, these winter development classics give riders a great chance to get new horses up and running. South View is one of the few centres with a natural surface, which perhaps puts riders off competing here, which is a great pity. In my opinion, the ground jumps very well. There were 19 clears out of 34 starters over a strong 1.30m track in the winter B&C, which shows how well horses perform on it. With a good range of classes, the schedule works well as riders can bring young and green horses. Despite the excellent prize money, entries were low and the organisers must be disappointed with the lack of support. At these shows, all prize money in the schedule must…

TEAM GB had to settle for eighth place in the opening leg of the FEI Nations Cup jumping season in Al Ain last week (16 February), while the class was won decisively by 2016 Olympic gold medallists France. It was always going to be challenging for the Brits who, due to a mix-up with quarantine regulations, were forced to field a team of just three riders. Louise Saywell, Joe Clayton and Nigel Coupe were a man down after Robert Smith was unable to travel his horse. “I only found out at the ‘12th hour’ that I was supposed to have been in quarantine two weeks before the show, instead of competing in Bordeaux,” Robert told H&H . “It certainly wasn’t a case of me not wanting to go, but somewhere…

‘If you could buy a horse like him every year you’d spend millions on him’ Paddy Brennan on Cue Card HISTORY suggests that 11-year-olds do not win the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup, but there are few horses more likely to defy convention than Cue Card. In a racing life that started in 2010 with a 40-1 upset in the Champion Bumper and has now included nine Grade One victories, the veteran’s stock might have never risen higher than in the Betfair Ascot Chase on Saturday (18 February). Crowd reaction would suggest so, with Paddy Brennan and his mount receiving an ovation of a level seldom heard at the polite Berkshire course, at least away from the Royal meeting. He had travelled with all the zeal of old over a now…

AFTER Lutteur III became the third French-bred horse to win the Grand National, in 1909, there was a wait of a century for another. But since Mon Mome ended the Gallic drought at Aintree eight years ago, French breeders have struck twice more, with Neptune Collonges (2012) and Pineau De Re (2014), and now have the favourite for the 2017 edition in Vieux Lion Rouge, winner of the National trial at Haydock on Saturday. The eight-year-old was produced in Normandy by François Cottin, a leading jumps trainer and breeder. Graduates from his stud include Hors La Loi (Champion Hurdle), Cyborgo (Stayers’ Hurdle) and L’Aventure (Welsh Grand National). Vieux Lion Rouge, by Sabiango out of Indecise, is of the French AQPS (autre que pur-sang) strain, horses which cannot be classed as…

FOR the first time in three years, this February meeting at Howick (19 February) went ahead, having been cancelled the previous two seasons due to wet weather, reports Stephanie Bateman. A dry day drew in a decent crowd and, despite the holding conditions, strong entries resulted in two divisions of the restricted and open maiden. After suffering from a bout of seconditis last season — 23 in total — Bridgend trainer Jonathan Tudor managed to put his curse behind him and bag the first three races of the day, the trio of equines all carrying jockey Richard Patrick. Jonathan's treble kicked off with a win in the hunt members’ for Jeanne Thomas, who sadly died before Christmas. It was the 10-year-old gelding Stony Road’s third hunt members’ victory in a…

UAE showjumpers are set to head to Barcelona this September, after the team qualified for the FEI Nations Cup final for the first time. The team were seventh in the Nations Cup in Al Ain (16 February), the only qualifier for Middle Eastern countries. Qatar finished second in the competition, securing the other qualification slot. The UAE finished on 36 faults, with their team of Mohammed Ghanem Al Hajri, Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi, Sheikh Majid Bin Abdullah Al Qassimi and Abdullah Mohammed Al Marri. Sheikh Majid Bin Abdullah Al Qassimi told H&H it “feels great” to have qualified. “There’s a lot of pressure in competitions like this,” he said. “We don’t often compete against this calibre of rider, so you have to up your game.” Showjumping is growing in the…

FAME AND GLORY The Aidan O’Brientrained racehorse, who won 14 of his 26 starts, has died of a suspected heart attack aged 11. He was retired to Coolmore Stud, Ireland, at the end of the 2012 season having won more than £2.3m. CHESHMERE FLASHMAN The Cheshmere Stud’s homebred Welsh section C stallion has died. He was 15. Ridden by Terry Clynes, “Flash” chalked up five ridden section C titles and three reserves at the Royal Welsh, and stood third at the 2011 Horse of the Year Show. GOONYELLA The 10-year-old racehorse trained by Jim Dreaper has been retired at Greenogue, Ireland. Goonyella won at Punchestown in 2013 and the Midlands Grand National two years later, and was fifth in the Grand National last year. ZONIK Dutch dressage rider Edward Gal…

A set of electronic guidelines to help improve vet safety are to go to all British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) members. A BEVA-commissioned report in 2013 found equine practice was the most injurious civilian profession (news, 18 September 2014). It suggested an equine vet could expect to sustain between seven and eight work-related injuries that prevented practising during a 30-year career. Data from the Health and Safety Executive showed this is very high compared to other civilian jobs, including the construction industry, prison service and fire brigade. A statement from BEVA said the guide aims to “challenge prevailing attitudes and culture”, and also outlines how vets can make on-the-spot risk assessments. Vet and behaviourist Gemma Pearson wrote a leaflet on spotting some equine warning signs, which is included in the…

EXPERTS across the disciplines will address the FEI sports forum 2017 in Lausanne, Switzerland (10-11 April). Day one will focus on showjumping, exploring the future of the Nations Cup. There will also be a presentation on the online invitation system as well as discussion on CSI/CSIO requirement, dress code and youth development. On the second day, FEI officials will be discussed, including an update from the dressage judging working group. There will also be a session on eventing risk management and presentations on injuries in endurance. The forum will be streamed live at inside.fei.org.…

50 SHADES OF TRAINING Trainer George Baker was on the red carpet at the premiere of 50 Shades Darker, thanks to his quick thinking a few years ago. Having secured permission from the books’ author EL James, George named a horse Fifty Shades of Grey, who has had a number of wins, as has Fifty Shades Freed, but Fifty Shades Darker was “less good”. No comment on the quality of their namesakes. TONY THE PONY The tiny star of Celebrity Big Brother appeared on This Morning on presenter Holly Willoughby’s birthday. The equine can be hired, along with colleagues such as Travis the cane toad, but for Tony, an “extra charge applies”. He is a celeb, after all. RULE THE WORLD Everyone enjoys a trip to the Big Smoke –…

YOU know when you take your horse on a plane and you have to leave him on those uncomfortable plastic seats, without a glass of champagne in sight? Well, no more. The world’s first private equine airport “lounge”, the Ark Pet Oasis, Equine & Livestock Export Centre and Aviary In-Transit Quarantine centre at JFK Airport, had its official opening on 13 February. With horse — and other animal — luxury the priority, the $65m (£52.2m) state-of-the-art facility provides “essential resting stalls in a spacious, modern environment” for equine travellers. So your horse can enjoy rest, food, water and care while his documents are processed. Home’s going to be a bit of a let-down……

WE know spring is coming here at H&H when our number of press day pages, processed on a Monday and covering that weekend’s action, starts to escalate. This will be my 12th full year as H&H’s eventing editor, but I still get excited about the first eventing reports, starting with British Eventing’s indoor finals in this issue and then Isleham in 9 March magazine. I know I’m not the only member of staff who has been geekily checking out entries for the early fixtures — it’s always fascinating to see which horses have quietly moved riders over the winter. When I was a teenager, the publication of H&H’s show guide was an unmissable sign that the summer season was on the horizon. Mum and I kept the guide religiously, pored…

RESEARCH into equine liver disease continues and there are many questions that need to be answered. Much of the recent work has investigated newly discovered liver viruses in horses, such as the equine hepacivirus that has some similarities to the human hepatitis C virus. Researchers are trying to understand how common these viruses are, how they are transmitted and what effects they can have on the horse. Fortunately, these viruses don’t appear to cause serious disease. Vets still find it difficult to predict which horses will recover from liver disease and which will not. Recent and ongoing studies are aimed at deepening our understanding of biopsy and blood test results. The parasitic infection liver fluke, which can affect horses and donkeys, is another area of study. Rates of infection vary…

HUNTSMAN Richard Lloyd remembers: “We had met at the Coronation pub on a pouring wet day, and hounds ran across a flooded brook, which the whipper-in and I crossed. “‘Mr B’ was field master and had not realised how deep it was, so when he tried to cross, his horse nosedived and plunged him into the brook. Mr B surfaced doing breaststroke with his hat floating down the water, while his horse returned to the bank and got stuck in the sand. “I swam back, freed the horse and got it over to our side. Mr B was getting out of the water and he said to me, ‘you never tried to save me’. “I replied: ‘With due respect, Sir, you can swim but your horse can’t.’” “We retrieved his…

TOUCHDOWN M, Sophie Wells’ 17-year-old, has come out fighting after six years out of work. He suffered a tumour in his foot that prevented him from competing at the Beijing Paralympics, and then sustained a tendon injury in the field. “I’ve done just two competitions on him since 2008, and we didn’t know if he would ever come back, but he’s the most talented horse I’ve ever trained,” said Sophie, who has given the ride on him to her protégée Izzy Palmer, who was there to watch in preparation for her next international class. “Everything he does is a bonus.” ‘An orphan at six weeks’ DELILAH ROSE, Victoria Carr’s home-bred prelim winner by Flayne Don Daiquiri, was orphaned at six weeks when her dam died of toxic shock. “We managed…

HAVING watched high-level dressage for a significant portion of my 18 years, it’s hard not to notice the rise in average grand prix scores. Being in my last year of school, I had to submit a project for every subject and, having made it my aim to reference horses in as many of them as possible, I chose to study the quality of judging and riding for my maths report. I can imagine only two reasons for the rise in average scores: either the quality of riding is getting better, or the judges are inflating the scores with time. Since my father, David Stickland, studies dressage scores all the time, I started with a sample of 18,757 international grand prix and special tests between January 2011 and December 2016, evaluating…

KATIE-JO NIXON was a double winner with Chilean Dream and Harelaw Hermes at The Ian Stark EC, Roxburghshire (12 February), where bracing weather across Scotland continues to challenge the hardiest of riders, writes Melanie Scott . Several horses found the outdoor warm-up exciting and Chilean Dream improved on the day to lead a novice bronze. The rising nine-year-old mare was bred by Katie’s mother Fiona Walling, by the Arab stallion Al Sood and out of the Macrocket thoroughbred/Irish draught mare Polo’s Dream. “She was very naughty in the first novice but settled well and relaxed, although we need to work on the medium trot. I was very pleased to receive a nine for the first halt,” said Katie-Jo, who has now qualified for the British Dressage (BD) Arab Horse Championships.…

“JAS is all about participation and riders getting out there, getting their eye in and having fun,” said Andrew. “The course flowed well and there were options to take short cuts, which some did beautifully. Others didn’t do them as well and it really affected their arena craft. “We introduced a double of corners for the first time this year, which has been a really good adaptable question, and we also opened up the distances at the championships. “It’s difficult to pitch the course at the right level as the standard is high, but I think we achieved it. Everyone seemed to be happy and that’s what it’s all about.”…

WE have to be positive. Despite finishing eighth, our performance in Al Ain threw up some encouraging signs in our pre-division-two Nations Cup campaign. It was disappointing to have only three riders competing in the Nations Cup, as we had no discard score. Robert Smith was unable to travel as there was a misunderstanding with the UAE import licence. The riders did extremely well despite this and their spirit was positive. Joe was unlucky, it was nearly a double clear for him with two well-ridden rounds. Nigel’s one mistake in each round should easily be rectified as Golvers Hill was fresh after his winter break. Louise’s horse Cordalis 7 started both rounds well, giving the fences plenty of air right up to the combination. He was then distracted by the…

‘Making a horse out on the hunting field was something Bill Bryan instilled in me’ WHEN I was 17, I was studying as a farm student and in the next village along was Bill Bryan’s yard of show horses and point-to-pointers. I first saw Bill out on the hunting field in about 1958, and he was a legend in Herefordshire. Bill consistently produced and rode top young show horses for owners across England, but his exceptional ability was as an all-round horseman. He would show a horse, hunt it and then if it was a thoroughbred he would race it too. Making a horse out on the hunting field was something he instilled in me. He had a lot of famous horses of the time — one that stands out…

‘Everyone plaits and I get the giggles because my horse is hogged’ Former endurance rider Jill Thomas ALL sports boast a rule book — that vital tome that riders pore over to extract golden nuggets of information to ensure that they don’t make a faux pas. But what about the unwritten rules — the things that the experts forget to tell you and which, if you don’t follow them, make you stick out like a sore thumb? Riders who swap disciplines in later in life tend to feel more exposed to ridicule as they cannot hide behind the inexperience of youth. Sara Simmons, though, has the answer. When she switched to affiliated dressage after 20 years of carriage driving trials she lapped up every word in her new rule book,…

THE British Equestrian Federation (BEF) Equine Pathway programme is no longer running — but alternatives are available, writes Eleanor Jones . Due to a drop in UK Sport funding (news, 15 December), the scheme, which identified potential medal-winning horses as part of the World Class Programme, has ended. Event rider Ibby Macpherson received a letter from British Eventing (BE) saying her eight-year-old Evantos K was eligible for the pathway — but that it no longer existed. “The letter was ridiculous,” Ibby told H&H . “I’m really disappointed. I’ve had horses on the pathway and found it very beneficial. “I think losing it will make the sport more elitist as it’ll be more expensive.” Other riders have bemoaned the loss of training provided to horses on the pathway. Other options BUT…

Voting is now open in a competition to design the final cross-country fence at this year’s Badminton Horse Trials. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ badminton-fence-design The owner of a Nissan Navara, a model whose chassis has snapped on occasions, wants to raise awareness of the issue. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ nissan-navara-chassis Trainer Gordon Elliott revealed Outlander would not run in this year’s Grand National, just after the horse was given top weight. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ grand-national-weights Former tearaway horse Collin (pictured), who was destined for slaughter two years ago, has won a big class at Wellington, Florida. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ collin-wins-florida The British Show Pony Society is running classes for young competition ponies, in all disciplines. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ young-pony-classes Retraining of Racehorses has changed plans for a tiered registration system, replacing them with a “simpler approach”. • www.horseandhound.co.uk/ ror-registration-changes Dealer Jean Luc Guillambert, of Ascot Horseboxes, has been sentenced…

COMPETITORS new to eventing – and potential coaches – will benefit from a new Sport England grant. The British Eventing (BE) Charitable Foundation is awarding the grant of £8,550 to support two eventing taster days, and a series of follow-on sessions. In line with Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign, the project will be open to women aged over 26 who are not BE members. Both sessions will take place at Tweseldown, Hants, and cater for up to 20 riders. The grant will also provide a bursary for two coaches to complete the UKCC level two eventing-specific qualification. • Visit: www.britisheventing.com for dates, yet to be confirmed.…

SAFETY Model Kendall Jenner (one of the Kardashian clan) has been pictured posing in a little Versace number on the back of a horse. Standing on the back of a horse. And not a hat or a sensible item of footwear in sight. Is she trying to prove how safe the horse is, à la Facebook ads? INTERNET EXPERTS Talking of Facebook, an owner asked for advice on how to persuade her mare that shoeing isn’t that bad. One “barefoot” fan repeatedly commented to say the mare obviously wants to be unshod as “horses tell you what they want”. “My horse wants unsoaked sugar beet,” someone replied. “Should I let her have that too?” COMEDY Stand-up comedian Jack Whitehall has been involving horses in his UK tour. Having ridden on…

THE HARD ROAD Sir — The letter from Dr Sara Farmer referring to kicks received from horses (9 February) reminded me of the time my sister and I went for our weekly riding lesson aged eight and five. I used to trail behind her, being the younger sister, and when she decided to pat a pony on the hindquarters she was landed with a kick — but shot backwards in time not to be hurt. However, in my usual place behind her I was knocked face down on to the indoor school floor (a luxury 55 years ago). The surface was peat and had just been watered to keep the dust down. My second memory is of a saying learnt 50 years ago, which concerns the article “Good vibrations?” (vet,…

AT 83 years old and after 39 years in office as joint-master of the Pendle Forest and Craven Harriers, Michael Bannister’s eyes still shine as brightly as ever when he talks about his life. In his lovely home in front of the lake at Coniston in North Yorkshire, the words “lucky” and “privileged” are the ones he most often uses. His long-standing joint-master Jane Pighills describes him as “the most wonderful optimist”. “If the going is bottomless then Michael thinks it’s ‘top of the ground’; if the water is a foot deep in the gateway, Michael thinks you will only get your toes wet,” she says. Michael is as slim and dapper as ever; in fact he points out that he is a stone lighter now than when he left…

‘A shifting scene of terraced emerald grazing smirched with scabs of limestone, bramble, gorse and bracken’ COUNTRY BASED around Welshpool, the landscape is a shifting scene of terraced emerald grazing smirched with scabs of limestone, bramble, gorse and bracken. Spinnies rise from valleys singularly engraved by ice millions of years ago. Hunting is its ideal companion. This scenery can only be fully appreciated from on high. As hunting people we are so fortunate to be granted exclusive access through its guardians — the farmers — to such a panoramic landscape. This tide of valleys and hills is both intoxicating and relentless. The Tanatside is not fashionable, flash or famous. It does not boast a lengthy hunting pedigree, nor a vale of fly fences and famous subscribers. It is, however, comfortable…

THE Household Cavalry race was run as part of the Melton this year, over the first 2 1/2 miles of the 3 1/2-mile course. Ten serving soldiers and officers took part, all mounted on military working horses - the same horses who will be on parade in London for the Major General’s Inspection next month and Trooping the Colour in June. Capt Jeremy Sudlow of the Blues and Royals was first home on Llamerai, and Lance Corporal Berry - also Blues and Royals - was second on Lingen. First Lifeguard home was Capt Harry Boyt, adjutant of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.…

WINNING one regional title is an achievement, winning two is impressive (or greedy depending on your viewpoint) and aside from Elaine Wormwell, three other riders racked up doubles. These included Jess Dunn winning the medium gold on the first day with the much-admired Fyona (left), who is owned by the Keenans, and the advanced medium gold with Jennifer Whittaker of White Hill Stud’s LG Alicante Valley. “It was extra special winning as my dad Fergus was over from America and it’s the first time he’s seen me compete since 2011. It’s also the first time Jennifer’s horse has qualified for the winters so it was big - huge - celebrations all round!” said Jess. Ruth Edge won two out of two with Power Sport Horses’ PSH Twilight, an entire son…

JUSTINE ARMSTRONG and Xique Tramagueira posted a grand prix personal best at Kingswood EC, Staffs (11-12 February), with 68.4% , writes Jo Prestwich. “We also received our first nines, for piaffe and the piaffe/ passage transition,” said a delighted Justine who was having a first outing of 2017. Xique was bought in Portugal six years ago. “I went on holiday with a friend who bought Xique’s younger brother and I ended up having a ride on Xique and bought him — as you do!” Justine trains with Stephen Clarke and this was their first outing since finishing sixth at November's Masters du Cheval (MCI) championships in Turin. Sue Bradshaw rode her own and Ian Kyle’s Genius K to win the gold section of both novices at Foxes Riding School, Wirral…

ALEX HARDWICK’s first outing at advanced medium with Royal Diamont at Bury Farm, Bucks (6 February) resulted in two good wins for the Royal Diamond seven-year-old, reports Helen Triggs. “He loves his job and always wants to be ridden. He thinks flying changes are the best thing ever,” said Alex, who only lightly competed the gelding last year because of her other competitive commitments. Alex had two mid-70s scores in the medium with her second ride, D Arilla, winning medium 76 and coming second in medium 79 to the in-form Claire Abel and Ro Coco, who posted 78.33%. Arilla was bought in September and this was Alex’s first show with the six-year-old mare, who was bred by Pat Ruck. “She’s really talented with all the right attributes. I’m not rushing…

‘She doesn’t have a massive stride, but if she leaves everything up, she’s difficult to beat’ Paul Sims on Wadorijke MENNELL WATSON and Whisper In The Wind saved their best until last, as two placings over the opening two days were a prelude to a superb winning performance in the final winter national 1.35m open. “This is only his third outing after a break,” said Mennell. “It was a big test for him in the 1.40m on the first day, where he finished third, and this was a tough class, but he did what he had to do.” Nine of the 19 starters contested the jump-off and five maintained a zero score in a close-run finish. From penultimate draw, Mennell knew what he had to beat and, although Whisper looked…

THE blood rule is part of a package of horse welfare that needs to be brought back into context, so I am pleased to see the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) has been making recommendations to the FEI. When you have a high-profile incident such as Bertram Allen’s — when he was disqualified for a spur mark after winning the Olympia grand prix in 2015 — it quickly brings the situation to the fore. Bertram was the perfect example of the rule gone wrong, as it was clear that he doesn’t abuse the horse. The officials were applying the letter of the law — that the presence of blood equated to automatic disqualification — but it brought home the need to be able to apply common sense. It wasn’t an…

Spain 14-19 Febuary CSI2* Costa del Sol Tour HIGH winds and rain brought a halt to all but two classes in Mijas last Sunday, but Max Routledge battled through to score his biggest win with the one-eyed Stapleton Mist, a former ride of Peter Charles, in the grand prix. A tight turn after a wide oxer secured the € 6,150 (£5,260) top prize and world ranking points. “He’s scopey so I knew he’d cope with that turn,” said Max. “He copes really well with one eye - he just tilts his head slightly coming into fences.” Friday’s 1.45m two-phase, worth € 5,535 to the winner, resulted in a tie between William Funnell (Billy Cool) and Frenchman Olivier Robert (Eros). William also finished third on Billy McCain. Carron Nicol took the…

VALEGRO’S sire Negro has been awarded the coveted KWPN stallion of the year title for 2017. Now 22, the keur-awarded stallion has produced a string of impressive offspring aside from the double Olympic champion, including Alfranco (Gill Davison), Numberto (Severo Jurado Lopez and Spencer Wilton) and Nintendo (Charlotte Jorst) — all of whom are international grand prix horses. Negro, who is owned by the van Olst family, has spawned a new generation of dressage horses. Although thought to be a little heavy-set when he first stood at stud, the temperament and talent he passes on have rendered him invaluable as a sire and genetic stamper. He had a short show career under Anne van Olst before injury, but he was the best Dutch horse at the 2001 World Championships for…

‘Ringcraft is key, especially if you’re not aboard the best in the class’ AS we embark on another busy season, every showing rider should remember that their animals are totally reliant on them for the best chance of succeeding in the show ring — so no pressure there! There is a vast difference between riding competently and taking the performance to another level in front of a showing judge. Ringcraft and showmanship are the key elements to success in this game, particularly when you’re not aboard the best in the class but must persuade the judge otherwise. I remember once speaking to Peter Brookshaw senior after he had judged the show ponies in Peterborough’s main ring. He was so disappointed that the older jockeys missed the chance to “sell” their…

ACCURATE and frequent going reports are essential to enable trainers to make educated decisions about whether to run their horses or divert to a more suitable course. There are many organisers who are on the ball and put out up-to-date reports regularly in the lead-up to a meeting, but there are still occasions when a going report seems like it’s subject to the Official Secrets Act. There is a solution to this problem — better communication. A lot can change overnight when the great British weather is involved, so common sense must prevail. We saw an example of this when the recent Brocklesby fixture was postponed. Regular updates were issued throughout the week and once the decision had been made to postpone, the news was very quickly circulated. It should…

LIKE the vehicle, a “coach” should take his pupil from one place to a particular destination. Whether that’s from nervous beginner to their first BE90, or young pro to grand prix debut, the sense of progress is the same. So how do we find a coach that will help us “go places”? If we have no aspiration to compete above grassroots level, is there any point in clinics with Carl just for a glimpse of genius — or should we save the cash for regular, if ordinary, instruction? What to look for SIMON LAWRANCE, former four-star eventer and now an under-18 trainer who trains riders “from nought to four-star”, believes a key factor is trust. “Young riders and amateurs, particularly, need a coach they can trust — someone at the…