Innholdsfortegnelse for 08-Jun-2017 i Horse & Hound

DEVELOPMENT work on the controversial High Speed 2 (HS2) railway has spelled the end of point-to-point fixtures at a Midlands racecourse. Whitfield racecourse announced on 1 June “notice has been given” that work will start on the railway this year, meaning the end of the road for racing there. The Northamptonshire venue was opened by Brough Scott and Hayley Turner in 2009 and hosts three meetings a season — the Grafton, Farmers Bloodhounds and Bicester with Whaddon Chase. Charles Dixey, chairman of the Grafton fixture, said those involved with the racecourse and fixtures have “looked and squeezed and pushed”, but the course cannot be adjusted due to the location of the railway. “Sadly, it takes the bottom half of the course from the start to the third fence,” he told…

BRITISH para dressage riders have made history by swapping disciplines and becoming the UK’s first para reiners to qualify for the World Championships. Lee Pearson, Ricky Balshaw and Fiona Maynard have qualified for the championships held in the Netherlands (4-9 July). The trio secured the scores they needed at the International Garden of England Spring Show (26-30 May) at Bodiam International Arena, East Sussex. Ricky, who retired last year, sat on a horse for the first time in 12 months two days before the event. “There was a great atmosphere and I enjoyed every second,” Ricky told H&H, adding he “couldn’t have asked for a better horse”. He rode Francesca Sternberg’s stallion Yelena My Way, who has competed internationally. Organiser Francesca was delighted by the event’s success. “These riders have…

ASCOT racecourse has revealed international television deals ahead of the royal meeting this month (20-24 June). In the UK, all 30 races will be broadcast live on ITV1 — totalling around 30 hours of live coverage. Racing UK will also show more than 40 hours of live HD coverage across the five days. This year, for the first time, NBC Sports Network will show over 20 hours of live action, including the royal procession. The racecourse has also signed a media rights deal with leading Chinese sports media company Sina Sports to show the last three days of Royal Ascot in China. It will be shown on all Sina’s platforms, reaching 213 million households. The Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday (3 June) also drew further worldwide coverage, with first-time…

A NEW range of smartphone cases made from organic materials including hay allows you to “keep in touch with nature”. MMore mixes the hay, apparently picked in Austria, with an organic resin to create a case that “not only looks natural and authentic but has an aroma too”. “All those long summers at our grandparents’ place, running barefoot through the backyard, the whiff of freshly cut grass floating in the air and not a single care in the world,” the spiel waxes lyrical, adding that later this year, customers will also be able to buy small bottles of “scent refresher” to keep the hay (or rose, coffee or jasmine) smell alive for longer. Apparently, the cases “give you a style like no other”. So do our phones, although maybe the…

The showing community needs to look hard at itself to see what has to be done to keep children showing. I cannot agree with Simon Reynolds’ comment (opinion, 11 May) that introducing ride judges in intermediates would be helpful. As the grandmother of two potential intermediate riders, the reality is that they have uni studies or are starting jobs, so they struggle to have the time. Introducing a ride judge adds another thing to prepare for when time is short — and makes classes go on longer. However, many children move to other disciplines before intermediate age. I have seen Royal International qualifiers for show ponies and show hunter ponies with no entries at British Show Pony Society area shows. In our area, many children who started in showing moved…

‘The horse learns to stretch the outside of his body, lift and strengthen his stomach muscles’ AIM THIS exercise asks the horse to perform a fairly steep shoulder-in in walk on a 10-metre circle. The aim is to improve the horse’s flexibility, balance and strength. By performing and repeating this, the horse learns to stretch the outside of his body, lift and strengthen his stomach muscles and flex his neck correctly. This exercise is an effective way of encouraging the horse to cross and step out with his legs in the walk, building strength and suppleness for later lateral work, particularly the half-pass. As it is done in a slow walk, the rider/ handler can be precise and make sure that the horse is not avoiding the correct movement. THE…

GERMAN chef d’équipe Hans Melzer approached Andrew in March, asking him if he would be interested in walking the cross-country with the German riders at big events, and possibly doing some training clinics at the start of the year. “I told him I’d be very interested,” Andrew says. “I was a little unsure about the training bit of it. They do very well already, so to have someone come along at the beginning of the season and give their two pennies’ worth… “So he spoke to his bosses and came back to me and said they thought it would be a good idea to do the course walks and then, as the year goes along, possibly some coaching with the younger riders.” Badminton was the first course he walked with…

JACK LEESE scored his first CIC* win at Brand Hall with Anne Taylor, Vanessa Mayor and Anne and Richard Long’s Ms Independant (right) in the Rookery Park Stud-sponsored class. The 14-year-old Courage mare has competed successfully up to CCI3* with Richard, but after Chatsworth Richard let Jack have a go. “I knew the time was tight, but she’s so experienced I could shave every corner,” said Jack, who went across country not knowing he had a few penalties in hand. “I’ve watched her go around all the big events with Richard so it’s a real honour to take over the reins and have her go like this for me.” Bonnie Bartlett finished eight marks in arrears in second with Hayestown Clover Quin, with last year’s winner Bazaars Chief in third…

Kingswood Area Festival, Staffs LUCINDA BELLIS sported the biggest grin in Staffordshire after riding the thoroughbred/Welsh cob Camlough Mainstream to win the medium and advanced medium classes. The little dun stands at 14.3hh and is one to have benefitted from recent changes to British Dressage (BD) grading rules. “It has meant he can compete at Area Festivals at medium level,” said Lucinda, who has done one prix st georges (PSG) with the pony and hopes to have another crack in the future. “Nine years ago, he contracted the equine herpes virus and we nearly lost him. At best, I thought he might retire to the field, but when I started riding him, I couldn’t believe he could get back to what he was. He’s better than ever.” Diane Wilson rode…

 Elaine Taylor rode David and Jackie Lamb’s home-bred Umenno five-year-old mare to top a prelim at Mundole. ‘He’s a bit behind for his age but thrives on diffi cult work’ FENELLA ROSS ON DONDERSTEIN “She came for backing at the end of 2015 and never went back. She’s a self-assured, independent character but couldn’t have behaved better,” said Elaine. Freelance IT consultant Alison Townsley achieved a brace of novice silver wins with a day-high of 73.04% with San Summer Hit, completing their summer regional qualifi cation. Alison, who has recently moved to Inverness, has owned the 14-year-old Sandro Hit mare for 10 years and is currently training for her BHSAI qualifi cation. Fenella Ross collected two medium silver wins with her talented but sensitive Donderstein at Tillyoch. The United…

Jo Glover rode the pure-bred Highland gelding Rhinns Point Domhnull Hendie to win the silver section of both prelims at Tushingham. The 11-year-old by Sunny Of Runivard x Glenmuir Monarch has won big in the show ring but is now trying his hand between the white boards for Lindsay Probin, who bought him last year. “I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis so I need the right horse,” Lindsay said. “I saw him advertised at the beginning of last year, thought he was a bit too good but then the advert came up again last July so I went to have a look. “I was smiling as soon as I got on him and I’d bought him before I got off!” Sadly Lindsay’s arthritis has flared up so her trainer Jo has…

THE recent result at Compiegne CDIO5* is one I find most exciting for the future of British dressage. Spencer Wilton, Hayley Watson-Greaves, Gareth Hughes and Dan Watson are all knocking on the door of future teams and, to see them bring home the Nations Cup against some strong competition, was just what the country needed. Supernova’s 78% score in the grand prix special indicates medal potential. How brilliant it would be to see him and Spencer take this forward to the Europeans. The result, however, needed more and quicker exposure. In these days of fast media, news needs to be out the minute it happens and this news took too long. Another thing is, dear shows, if you’re going to have a live stream, do make sure we can watch…

Jane Dracup and her 16-year-old former eventer Cut It Fine won the bronze section of a medium and another overall at Richmond, 11 months after their last competitive outing. “We mainly train at home now with Tori Peter,” said Jane, who has nursed her horse through a knee fracture, colic surgery and the removal of a sarcoid in the 10 years they’ve been together. “But we still put in a lot of work and the veteran championships gives us something to aim for. I was astounded to win the qualifier overall, and hope we will move up a level after we’ve got all our qualifying scores.” A horse who lives with lions, tigers, zebras and a black rhino won both elementaries at Yorkshire Dressage. Dominant (Tango x Welt Hit II)…

THE American leg of the Longines Masters Series, the Grand Slam of indoor showjumping, is moving from Los Angeles to New York in 2018 and will serve as the grand finale of the international competition following Paris and Hong Kong. Season three of the indoor series will kick off in Paris in December, before heading to Hong Kong in February and reaching its conclusion in New York in April 2018. The reigning World Cup champion McLain Ward (USA) said: “The Longines Masters Series has always provided highly competitive, world-class events in Paris, Hong Kong, and most recently Los Angeles. As a local New Yorker, I am thrilled this event is moving to New York. It is a great opportunity to showcase the best in showjumping in one of the best…

Yorkshire Sport Horse, Borrowby, North Yorks A POLISHED round over a testing course gave Michaela Bowling a first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) worker ticket with her latest project, the Irish-bred Ekstein 12-year-old Portphillip CE. Although the pair finished second in the class — pipped by “Phillip’s” previous owner and Michaela’s best friend Sarah Lears with her already-qualified Tyrone — a spectacular gallop then sealed the day with the section title. Here, the enthusiastic partnership beat dual Royal International (RIHS) victors Katrina Braithwaite and Killderry Rupert, winners of the amateur class for the third year running. Ian Brown’s clever open track in the sloping arena was much lauded, testing accuracy, balance and control as well as scope. Only six of the 25 starters returned clear, and Phillip returned the…

Hertfordshire County, Redbourn SARAH GWILLIAM and Jean Patey’s home-produced Silverspring Jagger never put a foot wrong in the huge main arena to win their heavyweight cob class and become Debbie Monaghan-Bentley and Bonnie Burgess-Biggerstaff ’s choice as champion. Wiltshire-based Jean was thrilled with her six-year-old gelding, who produced a stirring gallop to take the title. “I bought him from near Peterborough after being let down over another horse I was thinking of buying and going to see him on the off-chance,” she said. “It must have been my lucky day.” Sarah, a part-time account manager who also runs a racehorse pre-training and point-to-point yard, was equally delighted. “He’s just qualified for the Royal International [RIHS] and won his first championship,” she said. Sarah was also reserve champion in the hack…

ON Saturday, 18 March, the East Lincs Basset Hounds held a unique closing meet in the centre of Lincoln. Keen supporters Liz and Clinton Slingsby hosted the meet at their home, the closest private house to Lincoln Cathedral. Following a lawn meet, hounds moved off to be paraded along the south side of the Cathedral before being exhibited in front of the historic West Door, where hounds were well received by hundreds of tourists. Here joint-master and huntsman Mark Guy said a short prayer of thanksgiving and blessing for the hounds, hunt and farmers. Hounds then moved to a recently carved pillar on the Cathedral’s West Front, designed to symbolise the countryside. The recently unveiled carving includes a hunting scene of huntsman, horse, hounds and fox. After leaving the West…

DEPARDIEU VAN T KIEZELHOF Showjumper Guy Williams’ ride has died after a suspected heart attack. The 14-year-old was with racing trainer Charlie Mann, being prepared for the Hickstead Derby, when he died on 26 May. The gelding had enjoyed international success including seventh place in the 2015 Hickstead Derby. FERNHILL FEARLESS The 17-year-old eventer has been put down following an accident in his stable. “Sparky” contested the 2014 World Equestrian Games with US rider Kim Severson where he was placed 22nd. He was also 11th at Kentucky CCI4* that year. HALF MOON DYNASTY Michael Eilberg’s grand prix mare is recovering after a hacking accident on 31 May. “Mollie” spooked and got caught in a fence before unseating rider Greg Sims. She then ran through several fences and jumped a hedge.…

THE Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) has engaged a manager to oversee an overhaul of the way it trains saddle fitters. Equine college lecturer Alastair Southerland will review the system by which fitters become qualified, with the aim of changes starting to be introduced within 12 months. SMS CEO Hazel Morley told H&H trainees currently take part in a two-day introductory course, then spend about three years learning on the job with a qualified fitter. After this, they must complete a four-day qualification course and take exams. “We’ve found there’s a gap between someone who wants to be a fitter and getting qualified,” she said. “We’re looking at increasing the training; at the whole system and how we can give more help, and develop a training pathway.” Ms Morley said…

SINGING What do you do if you don’t get into a big show? Follow showjumper Matt Sampson’s example by recording a song: “Oh Nina [Barbour], please can I come to your show, Nina”, pleading to be allowed into Bolesworth. It worked, as he got a wild card. But was it due to a good voice or to ensure he didn’t sing again?! A CHEEKY TIPPLE To the first H&H eventing championships, where a rider, on a hot afternoon, dropped off her commentary sheet. “I’m very sorry about the writing, but I’ve just had a large glass of wine,” she confessed. No need to apologise in the slightest. HACKING Spotted, on the roads, a rider dressed in high-vis — with a twist. The tabard read not “Please pass wide and slow”,…

‘Learn what you need from a mistake then put it behind you’ Earliest equestrian memory… Loving the smell of my mother’s horse’s muzzle when I was about four years old. My first pony… Silver — a grey, 13.2hh Anglo-Arab who I thought was the best pony in the world. He did everything: trekking, bending, bareback races — you name it, he did it. The biggest mistake I’ve learnt from… Playing a bad shot in golf and letting it negatively affect the next shot. Learn what you need from it then put it behind you. The same goes in eventing. My tip for schooling… Insist your horse walks properly right from the beginning of the session, without nagging them. It sets the tone of the work to come. My tip for…

PINK, non-pigmented skin is thought to be more at risk from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the most common type of tumour affecting equine male genitalia. A foul-smelling discharge from the prepuce (sheath) or spots of blood on the hindlegs may be the first sign of problems. The surface of the skin on the penis may change in appearance or colour, developing ulceration or nodule-like lumps on the shaft or tip. Early detection of SCC is key, as the condition can be malignant and metastasize (spread) to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Masses can grow and worsen if left untreated, causing bacterial infection and discomfort. Keeping an eye on these areas can be difficult, however, especially if the horse prefers to urinate in private or without protruding…

‘One jockey said at the start that he was the pick of the paddock’ PADRAIG BEGGY ON WINGS OF EAGLES Epsom Downs, Surrey AIDAN O’BRIEN and his Ballydoyle stable — the most successful thoroughbred breeding operation in the world — is synonymous with producing Classic winners. On Saturday (3 June), the trainer landed the Derby yet again, but with one of the least expected of his six runners, Wings Of Eagles. O’Brien will not turn 50 for a couple more years and there is time aplenty to break all the Classic records going. However, such dependable success at the highest level has both pros and cons. There are those who say such a monopoly is strangling the sport in Ireland — and not doing it too many favours here…

THE two best Classic sires of the modern era, Galileo and his late Coolmore stud-mate Montjeu, might consider the latest events at Epsom to be a matter of paternal pride. On Friday, the Oaks went to Enable, by Galileo’s son Nathaniel, and the following afternoon the Derby was won by Wings Of Eagles, by Montjeu’s son Pour Moi (pictured). Trained in France by Andre Fabre for the Coolmore partners, Pour Moi was the third of Montjeu’s four Derby winners, after Motivator and Authorized and before Camelot. On Saturday, there was an echo of his spectacular victory in 2011 — Pour Moi charged from last to first to deny Treasure Beach (by Galileo) in the last stride and Wings Of Eagles swooped fast and late to catch Cliffs Of Moher (by…

PROVING that age is merely a number, 71-year-old Sally Pidsley (pictured, right) was the only rider in the 70cm class to finish within the optimum time across country aboard Tranwheal Tineth Moon. She held her position at the top of the leaderboard following the cross-country — adding one fence down on the final day to her dressage of 29.75. The retired nurse has always ridden — a broken knee following a fall 18 months ago could not deter her from getting back in the saddle. “It’s such fun and great to have a challenge like this to keep fit for. As the saying goes, you ‘use it or lose it’ — you just have to keep going,” said Sally. The grandmother drove her 13-year-old mare up from her base near…

HOW to market eventing is a constant topic of discussion and comparisons can be made with other sports such as tennis. Although the Grand Slams have subsidiary competitions such as the doubles, it’s all about the singles titles. It’s easy to follow the headlines — Nadal’s been knocked out, Federer is cruising through, Murray is still in… In eventing, it’s much easier to peddle this sort of clear-cut story when there is just one feature class. At Badminton and Burghley, it’s easy to have a vague awareness of the leaderboard — who’s gone well, who’s out of the running. I wonder if other big events could be more focused on their top class — particularly in the case of prestigious CCI3*s such as Bramham or Blenheim — which would then…

Wiesbaden, Germany SARAH COHEN was the surprise winner of the inaugural continental leg of the Event Rider Masters (ERM) in Wiesbaden, standing on the top step of the first all-female podium in the competition’s history ahead of Julia Krajewski and Sara Algotsson Ostholt. Sarah, the lone British representative in the 25-strong field, triumphed with Preci-Spark Ltd’s 15-year-old Treason, two superb jumping rounds coupled with a solid dressage performance securing them the €19,000 (£16,000) winner’s cheque. “I’m absolutely gobsmacked; I came here to enjoy it and to be competitive, but I never expected to win,” said the mother-of-two. “I only have one horse, which is why I could come as I don’t have so many commitments at home. I came with a friend in my two-horse lorry and we have thoroughly…

Somerford Park Premier League, Cheshire TWO hundred and fifty years ago a phrase was coined for an unbeatable racehorse, “Eclipse first, the rest nowhere”, and at Somerford’s Premier League it could have easily have been rewritten as “Charlotte first, the rest nowhere”, such was the Olympic champion’s domination. Even by Charlotte’s lofty standards it was a good day at the office, with eight wins from eight classes. “What a day, what a weekend,” was some understatement from the rider. Of her five winners, it was Mount St John Freestyle who stole the show with over 78% at both prix st georges (PSG) and inter I. “She is so exciting for the future and I hope she will be my horse for the World Championships next year,” added Charlotte. “She makes…

AGAINST THE ODDS JO WALKER’s inter I winner Bommela R has had a quiet year so far, having ripped open a six-inch cut on the inside of his mouth. “He’d been chewing at the chain across his door and pulled back,” said Jo, who trains with Joss Edwards. “He had to have the cut stitched, but luckily it missed the corner of his mouth. I rode him in a hackamore for six weeks and now you’d never know he’d done it. We’ll spend the summer doing a bit of jumping and going up the local gallops — he has to be the biggest and slowest horse who uses them!”…

They then repeated the feat four days later at Fairoak Grange. Liz Connolly’s home-bred Razzle (Ragazzo x Inspekteur) has been at advanced medium for six months and has now got to grips with her flying changes. “The problem originally was a lot of flying and not a lot of changing,” joked Kim. “I’ve had a few lessons from David Hunt alongside regular training with Spencer Wilton and it’s so exciting that both have said ‘Razzle’ and ‘grand prix’ in the same sentence!” Kim also had a personal best at medium with 79.65% on her own Rubins Rhapsody. Louise Phillipson’s six-year-old Royal Classic mare, Rain Dancer, winner of two high-scoring elementaries at Windmill Farm, is part of a family dynasty with her sister, brother and mother all in residence at Louise’s…

TELEPHONE bidders spiced up Brightwells’ Aintree Sport Horse Sale as Variant, the sale topper, made £24,000. The lightly backed Viscount x Perpignon three-year-old, consigned by Kent-based Harrington Horses, was a wildcard entry to the sale and he started a telephone bidding war with protagonists from Russia, Romania and the US. It was one of four people bidding from the latter, Julie Dodd, who signed for the attractive chestnut. The next highest price, and the first through the ring, also ended up with a ticket to the States. This was the athletic looking Canterbury x Candillo Z filly Canterella Van De Hogeborg Z who made £15,000 following a bid from Sarah Segall. “Social media and live streaming of the preview and sale nights is sparking international enquiries across the spectrum of…

Suffolk, Ipswich “I CAN'T believe it. I’m almost speechless,” said Helen Tredwell after she and her father Alan’s home-bred Larksong had done the near-impossible by winning both flagship competitions at this year’s show. For the past decade, Suffolk has offered the incentive of a car for anyone who could win the International Trial and Stairway classes on the same horse. Sadly, the sponsor withdrew just before this year’s show, so the agricultural society put up a £3,000 prize for anyone who could pull off this most difficult of feats. Helen and “Biscuit” began their run of success in the opening day’s International Trial, in which the jump-off thrilled the packed and very knowledgeable crowd. Paul Connor designed the ideal course and there were many places where riders could make a…

ONLY IN HORSE & HOUND OPINION BRITISH SHOWJUMPING (BS) recently implemented a new system whereby every round a horse jumps, including its time, is now shown on its record, rather than just whether it had jumped double clear or been placed, as was the case before. I can see the pros and cons of this new transparency. It’s great if you’re buying a horse as you can now see whether it jumped two double clears at two shows, or two double clears at 10 shows, having been eliminated at the other eight. But I’m looking at this from a producer’s point of view. A lot of the time we’re going in to the ring to train the horse for the next level and if a horse makes a mistake, they…

Surrey County, Stoke Park A WHIPPER-IN with the Surrey Union hunt has made the perfect start to his showing career. In just two show ring appearances, Russell Ingram has ridden Colin Selley’s large riding horse Reality to two Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) tickets in the space of seven days. When the new combination was selected by Sam Tanner and Rory Gilsenan as riding horse champions at this show, their supporters’ cheers rang round the showground and Russell’s smile lit up a cloudy Bank Holiday Monday. The seven-year-old Reality, a prolific winner in hand, was bred by his owner and is produced locally by Gayle Holder. He and Russell took their part-bred Arab qualification the previous weekend. “It’s been a long road and a lot of work to get him…

BURNLEY-BASED mother-of-two Christina Turner sprang a major surprise when her home-produced 20-year-old Little Countryman — who looked a picture — moved up from sixth to second in a strong heavyweight cob class to claim the pair’s first RIHS ticket for eight years. Christina has owned the former SEIB Search for a Star and open HOYS and RIHS finalist for 16 years, but he has been on the back burner for the last six seasons. “I’ve been busy with the children, but decided to bring him out this year and see how we did,” said Christina, also second in the horse’s senior class here. “My main aim is to try and qualify him for Olympia as then he will have been to all three major shows before he begins a quieter…

DON’T forget to book tickets for hunting’s summer highlight, the Festival of Hunting (19 July, East of England showground). Advance tickets — £12.50 for adults — are available until 12 July; children under 12 attend free. As well as the hound show classes, there are showing classes for horses, including Horse of the Year Show qualifiers, inter-hunt relays, for which entries close on 30 June, and working terrier classes, alongside an excellent selection of tradestands. New for 2017 is an invitation-only horn-blowing competition, hosted by Lycetts and sponsored by The Hunting Shop, and a best-dressed lady competition. • Visit festivalofhunting.com for more information and to book tickets.…

A COUPLE of weeks ago, my mare Velvet Dream — the only foal out of my fabulous 15hh pointer Supreme Dream — started to have her first foal at 4.30am. We nearly lost them both as the foal was coming backwards and the mare’s waters had gone. It took almost three hours to haul out the huge colt foal and the vet, Sam Burton, gave him mouth-to-mouth. It made me think about how different breeding cows is. In the cattle world, you know every single statistic about the bull, so that you can match him with your cows. However, with stallions, there are none. If you have a mare who is broken winded, bleeds or has had a tendon injury, it is so important to match her with a stallion…

Jockey Alex Edwards achieved his 100th career win on 29 May. Alex rode Namako to victory at Albrighton and Woodland (South) point-to-point at Chaddesley Corbett racecourse. New Zealand eventer Lucy Jackson and her partner, jockey Harry Wallace, have welcomed a new daughter, Evie Wallace to the world. Evie watched her father ride a winner days after she was born. Ronan Murphy has been appointed as chief executive of Horse Sport Ireland. Mr Murphy, a breeder and competitor, has a masters in equine reproductive physiology. Champion National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls has had his first Flat winner. Paul’s daughter Megan rode five-year-old gelding Zubayr to victory in a maiden at Kempton on 31 May. The Racecourse Association has appointed Andy Clifton as racing director. Mr Clifton is head of communications and…

ROLEX SHOCK FOR US FOUR-STAR ROLEX has pulled out as title sponsor of the Kentucky Three-Day Event. The company’s name has been synonymous with the US CCI4* since 1981 and Rolex will still be its official timepiece from 2018. Lee Carter, of organising company Equestrian Events Inc, said: “If you look at corporate sponsorship, it’s rare to have one that lasts as long as this has; we’re extremely grateful to Rolex.” The company’s support of the eventing grand slam is contracted to 2019 and Mr Carter said he “hopes it will last longer”. PUBLIC INPUT FOR NEW VET STUDY THE Animal Health Trust (AHT) wants input on a study into pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), also known as Cushing’s. The AHT is working with the universities of Liverpool and Nottingham…

SLEEPING IN Riders staying in lorries at a recent show may not have had as much sleep as they’d have liked. This was thanks to the stables’ metallic nature, and the horses seeming to be staging the world door-banging championships. It was hard to choose a winner, as all were so dedicated. LOCAL NEWS A website ran a story on an “unusual sight” — three traps, pulled by three ponies, on a road. And that was it. It is not known who the “riders” were, the article said, but they caused no issues. Lord knows what the story would be if someone spotted a cow… PRODUCTIVITY The increase in the number of equestrian events to view online is great for fans — maybe less so for bosses. With the German…

I TOOK up running at Easter last year. I’ll never be a natural runner, but for the first 12 months, I was able to steadily improve my times and distances. Then, about a month ago, it all got a bit harder. I’ve had various niggling pains and some days I just feel tired. The irony is, if my competition horse felt this way, I’d lay off his work and call the vet. If he was lethargic, I’d ask for him to be tested for viruses. If he was lame, I’d want that investigated. But as a human athlete — albeit a low-level one — I haven’t been to the doctor or a physio. I’m pretty sure it’s nothing much, so I just keep plugging on, but it’s dispiriting. We riders…

WHEN Andrew Nicholson looks back at Badminton 2017 in years to come, what will he remember? “The feeling I got from the other riders straight after I won,” he says immediately. “You often get people saying, ‘Well done, you deserve it’, then they walk off and you think, ‘Oh yeah…’ But this felt like they really meant it.” We are sitting in his kitchen at Westwood Stud in Lockeridge, near Marlborough in Wiltshire. His wife, Wiggy, is cooking supper and their children, Lily, 12, and Zach, eight, are playing with the dog on the lawn. Nereo, the bravest, toughest of horses whom, Andrew says, gives his rider “his heart, his mind and his body” in the start-box, is gazing peacefully out of his stable window. The Badminton trophy is on…

• Eventer Ros Canter (South Wold North): “I remember fancy dress musical rides, Shania Twain — and I’m still best friends with my Pony Club girls. Our camp was at Market Rasen Racecourse and on the Thursday nights it was tradition to frighten the little ones with a re-enactment of the headless horseman running around the racecourse.” • Dressage rider Ruth Edge (Aberdeenshire): “Camp took place on the Dunecht estate. If someone fell off during cross-country training, it was guaranteed the pony would gallop across the golf course and another rider would be sent to retrieve the pony, much to the golfers’ annoyance.” • Dressage rider and H&H columnist Pammy Hutton (VWH): “I absolutely loved my days with the VWH, especially the avoid-the-instructors hidey holes in Cirencester Park.” • Irish…

AS a trainer, having a win on the same day as the historic Derby was particularly overwhelming and emotional. Sovereign Debt’s victory in the Group Three Investec Diomed Stakes on Saturday (3 June) was not only my first win at the Derby Festival but also my first at Epsom. We got back to Yorkshire at 8pm and the celebrations involved a couple of bottles of champagne with our tea. Sovereign Debt is such a genuine horse who just keeps upping his game. We’ve only had him a few months and although he doesn’t show a lot at home, once he gets to the races he has so much ability. Last weekend provided a rollercoaster of emotions for me, following the passing of Sovereign Debt’s former trainer Dandy Nicholls on Sunday…

THE lightning and thunder before the Oaks was matched in drama by Olivier Peslier’s decision to bail out from the American filly, Daddys Lil Darling (pictured beforehand) as she galloped full tilt towards the start and stalls. The filly, who had been stabled nearby in Epsom, had been spooked by two claps of thunder and having appeared relaxed then bolted. Peslier, who is considered one of the stronger jockeys in the weighing room, was fighting a losing battle when, with all the aplomb of a successful stunt man, he took his feet out of the irons, lowered his feet, let go of the reins and slid off the filly’s nearside. I am not sure what is braver in those circumstances; staying on as you hurtle towards an immovable object or…

Tamsin, from Alton, has been based with Matt Hicks for nine years, and is also trained by David Hunt. She bought the Carpaccio son when he was at advanced medium level five years ago. “There were some big mistakes as he got a bit enthusiastic in the one- and two-times, but there is so much to improve on,” said Tamsin’s mother, Jackie. “Tamsin does shift work in Tesco as it works well with her riding. She’s very committed and is the only person who ever sits on him.” Nicola Hodgetts travels down to Okehampton from her finance job in London to compete her mother Jane’s gypsy cob The Joker II. The partnership headed both novices at Wellbeck. “We bought him as a happy hacker, but he has big, loose, forward-going…

CHRISTINA DODD’S 76.53% debut affiliated freestyle at Merrist Wood came at elementary aboard Broscoe Samuel, who represents the critically endangered Dales pony breed. “Sam’s a very active, fun pony — and he loves working to music,” said Christina. “After he heard our music begin he was like a little coiled spring and I wondered if I could keep the energy contained.” List One judge Sally Merrison complimented Chrissy on her floorplan and to-the-beat music. Chrissy said: “I did both myself. I kept the floorplan simple, using the whole arena — not so easy for a 14.1hh pony — and showed off Sam’s responsiveness with simple changes. “My husband, Gavin, and I used to do Latin American dancing. He has a good ear for a beat and helped me choose tracks…

 “He’s such a fabulous horse that a 45-minute journey doesn’t seem so long and I really enjoy playing with him,” said Brendan. ‘He’s probably the most straightforward horse I’ve ever backed and I must have done about 500.”’ MELISSA GERRARD Nicola Howell-Williams bought the embryo transfer eight-year-old by Nibeley Union Jack when he was just backed and produced him until last year. “He has a lot of power and didn’t know what to do with it. He’s hot to ride, but also a bit disinterested and so needs a lot of variety in his life,” said Brendan. Thea Millward, 18, took time out from revising for her A levels to win an elementary silver at Summerhouse on her eight-year-old Walentino 77. Thea, who is looking forward to concentrating on…

Their scores included a personal best of 73.2%, at Swallowfield. Chartered surveyor Ruth bought the 11-year-old Irish sport horse mare from a riding school two years ago. After a year getting to know one another, Ruth began competing her in unaffiliated competitions before joining British Dressage (BD)this year. “I didn’t have any transport until January so it was tricky getting out and about, but we’re now making the most of it,” said Ruth, who trains with Keith Richards. “She can be quite spooky, and I hadn’t affiliated her before because I thought we’d be out-classed, so to get these results is very promising.” At Addington Manor, Natalie Banks and the six-year-old KWPN mare Giloma headed both elementaries with plus-70%. Natalie rides the Lord Leatherdale mare on behalf of The Unicorn…

CSIO5* ST GALLEN, SWITZERLAND IRISH riders notched up a one-two in the Longines grand prix. With 13 pairs in the jump-off, the pressure was on, but Bertram Allen, 21, soared into the lead on Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve, nearly one second clear of his team-mate Richard Howley (Chinook). “Today was as good as Hector has ever jumped,” said Bertram. “His first rounds are often quick, and it worked to my advantage, being drawn last to go against the clock.” Richard, competing in only his second five-star grand prix, added: “I wanted to put down a good marker as fourth to go. There were some fast riders coming after me, but my horse is quick, too. It is difficult for me to get an opportunity to compete at these five-star shows unless…

MEMORIAL SHOW TONY PEARSON is organising the Russell Pearson Memorial Show, in memory of his father, at T&P Equestrian, Maidenhead, Berks, on Monday, 19 June. On offer are rugs, sashes, bottles of bubbles, leading rider prizes and great raffle prizes — all in aid of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance. Classes range from British novice/90cm to 1.30m with a £350 first prize. Entries: pearsonequestrian@gmail.com THANK YOU CABIN FORMER top competition horse and broodmare Divine Des Cabanes has passed away at 26. She jumped with Judy Ross and Simon Crippen having been bought in France as a three-year-old. She qualified for the newcomers, Foxhunter, grade C and seven-year-old finals at Horse of the Year Show in one year and jumped on young rider teams. “Thank you ‘Cabin’ for the great fun…

LAST season there were raging debates about overweight riders on ponies. This half term, it’s been underage/underweight riders showing horses — whatever next! In a recent letter from the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) regarding the first topic, its judges were reminded that the research into the weight ratio of riders to animals is still a work in progress. Until the results are published, they must use their professional judgement to determine where to place a pony which is overweight or how many marks to deduct when a competitor is unsuitably mounted. More importantly, BSPS judges must be careful of any comments made to these riders, preferably witnessed by a steward, as some of them are image-conscious teenagers. DOES SIZE MATTER? BEING told that riders occasionally starve themselves days before…

THE Warwickshire are launching what joint-master Dr Lynne Deakin thinks is the first “hunt riding club” for more than 70 years. “We are hoping to be an affiliated riding club by July,” says Lynne. “We have lots of exciting plans. The idea came because I have organised the inter-hunt relay teams for the past few years, and it’s about getting Warwickshire hunt followers out and about during the summer. The trainers we use have a connection to the hunt — such as our training officer, former professional event rider Jo Aston, who hunts with us regularly — and we hope to encourage people who are new to hunting or who have had a break from it to come and have a go. “We are organising our first ‘camp’ in July,…

THE annual procession of horseboxes and removal lorries criss-crossing the country, moving hunt staff and masters, has ceased. From landing in a new hunt country, there are just 16 weeks before hunting starts. If moving house is the most stressful experience, then starting a new position, often with new staff, a pack of hounds to learn and a constituency of possibly thousands of farmers, subscribers and wider supporters must be off the scale. New schools for the children must be found too. Am I alone in thinking that Ofsted should rate schools according to the proportion of parents who are happy to do the school run in hunting boots or wellies? There can be few roles which require so much information, some of it highly sensitive, to be absorbed almost…

Pembrokeshire, Trecoed A 150-MILE trip from Newbury to Wales paid off for owner and trainer Tim Underwood, who headed both the intermediate with five-year-old mare Cheltenham Mati and the ladies’ open with 10-year-old gelding Golden Crisp. Tim now heads the leading owner championship as well as the Subaru restricted series. “I brought Cheltenham Mati, who is top of the Welsh PPORA young horse championship, to try and get a place in the intermediate because we were one point behind in the Subaru series. But she went one better and won, putting her ahead,” said Tim. “Only Alan Hill’s Pride Of Parish can beat her now.” Tim brought Golden Crisp along for the ride in the hope of a place in the ladies’, but he also went one better to win…