Innholdsfortegnelse for 29-Jun-2017 i Horse & Hound

‘What are we doing losing sponsors? It’s hard enough getting them’ NICK SKELTON THE British Equestrian Federation’s (BEF) decision-making has been challenged following funding cuts and the loss of key sponsors. All three Olympic disciplines were told this year’s funding for youth teams would be axed, leaving them with a £30-35k deficit. Funding has also been cut elsewhere, leaving some of equestrian sport’s governing bodies with a £70k shortfall. This meant British Showjumping (BS) had to stand down chefs d’equipe Matt Lanni and Alan Fazakerley, while British Dressage (BD) had to ask under-21 team members to meet some travel expenses themselves. “We’ve had to tighten the belt in our youth teams and have less personnel travelling to shows,” BS chief executive Iain Graham told H&H. “We often have children,…

Punters’ favourite Frankie Dettori missed Royal Ascot (20-24 June) due to an arm injury picked up on 13 June. He said it was “soul-destroying” and he will “count down the days until next year”. Popular event rider Ben Hobday had to withdraw Mulrys Error from what would have been their first senior team appearance at the US Nations Cup leg after the horse picked up a minor injury. Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin is appearing in an epiosde of a new children’s television series. Netflix Original series Free Rein follows Zoe and stallion Raven. Australian dressage rider Tristan Tucker was eliminated for taking his hand off the reins to pat his horse in an inter I test in Denmark. Riding with both hands is “obligatory” under FEI rules. Nottingham Trent graduate…

FEI TO DRAFT NEW JUMPING RULES A WORKING group put in place to review showjumping invitation rules and event requirements has agreed that “no drastic changes” to the latter are needed. Representatives of the FEI, national federations, organisers, riders, owners and officials produced recommendations which will be passed to the FEI’s jumping committee to draft rule change proposals. The meeting (20-21 June) came about after the topic was discussed at the FEI sports forum (news, 20 April). Recommendations included a varying percentage of riders invited by different bodies and that an invitation system is needed for all CSI levels except one-star. EVENTERS TO JOIN PONY CLUB CHAMPS EVENTING will be included in the Pony Club regional championships this year. The series, launched in 2016, is intended as a chance for…

TELLING IT HOW IT IS Has Brendon Stud been afflicted by buyers with more taste then cash? The stud is selling “top horses”, said head honcho Shirley Light, who advised not to call “if you have champagne taste but lemonade money”. But would she loan? Or include tack? I think we should be told… ASBO PEACOCKS Fiona Bigwood’s car has been scratched, by one of her peacocks. It’s a hard life. But did it attack as it mistook its reflection for another peacock? If so, surely that’s a cast-iron excuse for never washing the car again… VERSATILITY Former showjumping world number one Scott Brash tried his hand at polo in a celebrity match. Apparently, he was the best of the celebs, scored both goals — and it was the first…

L-PLATES FOR HORSES? Sir — I totally agree with your article about riders doing their bit to keep horses safe on the roads (news, 15 June). Hi-vis and thanking drivers for slowing is essential. But training is also a must. My husband and I hack out regularly with our horses — fortunately, they are used to roads and traffic, but many aren’t and they have to be trained to get accustomed to road work. We’re lucky to have a road running alongside one of our fields, so we are able to train our horses to be aware of the sight and sound of traffic. Obviously the day comes when they have to take to the road for the first time, and we’ll always take an experienced horse for company. Even…

‘I look at cross-country fences and like to think I could pop over them, but in reality I’d sh*t my pants’ Best bit of advice... After a disappointing performance about 15 years ago, I was talking to David Hunt about how my horse had felt so good warming up and going round the edge of the arena, and then just dropped me during the test. He looked at me with the look I have come to know so well, and said: “How does the horse know the difference between one side of the white boards and the other?” After some pouting and sulking, I admitted it didn’t — it must be me. Since then I have made sure I take responsibility for how the horse goes, and ride the same…

IT may be argued that placing studs in a horse running on hard ground will increase jarring, as the studs will result in the foot decelerating more quickly and create greater forces in the limb. In my opinion, however, the risks of injury caused by not placing studs are greater, as the horse is more likely to slip on take-off or landing and when turning quickly. Furthermore, hard ground can often be greasy on top. Horses can soon lose confidence if they feel themselves slipping, resulting in reduced performance. Opinions vary as to whether to stud just the “corners” (pictured, below), that is the lateral (outside) stud hole of each shoe, or whether to stud both medial (inside) and lateral aspects of the shoe. While having two studs in each…

Stable name: Ricky Age: 14 Breeding: Irish sport horse (Ricardo Z x Clover Hill) Owner: Sue Simmons Background: Nigel found Golvers Hill as a four-year-old for owner Sue Simmons, whom he used to teach. Bred in Galway, Ireland, and sold at Goresbridge, Golvers Hill had come over to Les Moorhouse’s yard in the north-east of England “We bought him because he was a nice horse who did things well,” said Nigel. “He turned out to be careful with a big heart and we’ve been very fortunate with him.” The horse originally had a dual career, competing in both working hunter classes with Sue and showjumping at novice and discovery with Nigel. “Eventually one year as an eight-year-old he qualified for the working hunter, newcomers and Foxhunter at Horse of the…

CHRISTINE SPANNER bought Topflight True Carlo as a five-month-old foal and has produced him herself, eventing, hunting and team chasing. “You name it, he’s done it,” she said. “I used to compete him myself until I got too old and decided the younger ones should have a go!” His preparation for the Speed Derby involved hacking on all terrains. “I ride him out in all weathers, up hills, down hills, through mud and sludge,” she said. “He lives in the field and is my only horse other than a retired one.” While the Theodor x Cavaletto gelding has always been successful — winning the British Novice final as a five-year-old at Scope — this was his biggest win. “I’ve watched this since I was a child and been in awe…

Hickstead Premier League and Dressage Masters Championships, West Sussex VICKI THOMPSON-WINFIELD, affectionately called “Queenie” by Carl Hester, burnished her crown at Hickstead. Vicki partnered Sam Francis’ PRE stallion Mango Jacaro to win both the Premier League grand prix and the special with their highest scores to date, 71.16% and 73.33%. British Dressage’s chairman of selectors David Trott presided at C for their grand prix special. “It was a clear round, loads of activity and the horse really sits and does a classical piaffe: I gave eights for those and the [associated] transitions every time,” he said. “Vicki has had a great season with him because he’s consistent and he’s the same internationally. Vicki has been one of our top British riders for a long time, but hasn’t had the horses.”…

‘We nearly lost him to colic — now everything is a bonus’ EMILY CONSTABLE ON MOOR THAN HANDSOME Arley Moss Dressage, Cheshire | Bold Heath, Cheshire | South View Arena, Cheshire “I can’t tell you how many videos I looked at but when I saw him I persuaded my husband to drive to Luton and we bought him,” said Sarah. That was three years ago and the pair haven’t looked back. They head to the Area Festival next at medium and then the regionals at elementary, though her Arley Moss double was at novice. “It was a last-minute attempt to qualify for the novice regionals as well,” said Sarah. Last Sunday’s fixture at Bold Heath was particularly successful for north Wales-based Sue Wynn-Jones, who rode her own Inglenooks Silvaline…

‘On fast ground in summer he is a monster’ MICHAEL BELL ON BIG ORANGE Royal Ascot, Berkshire IT was a vintage Royal Ascot; great weather and a little champagne puts everyone in a good mood. However, ultimately, whether the showcase gets five stars or three comes down to the horses and the quality of the racing at Royal Ascot this year did not let us down. There were some outstanding performances and the fast ground lent itself to speed — three track records were broken on Tuesday (20 June). However, if one contest encapsulated what a horserace is all about it was Thursday’s Gold Cup, won by Michael Bell’s popular Big Orange. Very like James Fanshawe — who won Saturday’s Golden Jubilee with The Tin Man, Richard Hannon, whose…

FROM my three Royal Ascot runners, I knew Rajasinghe would have a live chance in the Group Two Coventry Stakes and it had been the plan for a while. For him to win the race and provide me with my first Royal Ascot victory — in my second season as a trainer — was a dream come true. It’s nice when a horse as good as him delivers on the day. He has now run twice and won twice — there were horses in the Coventry Stakes who’d raced more and it was a big step forward for him in the two-year-old ranks. However, I wouldn’t have run him if I didn’t believe he was capable. All my horses run under the Rebel Racing banner at the moment, which is…

MARK PHILLIPS rightly commented that this year’s Luhmühlen cross-country was not a four-star (comment, 22 June), but the organisers seemed happy with the result. This was Mike Etherington-Smith’s first year as Luhmühlen designer and no doubt the track will grow, but the event is always a weak four-star. Over the past eight years Luhmühlen has on average produced a significantly higher percentage of combinations clear inside the time than the other four-stars. When a three-star is labelled a four-star, the victims are the less experienced riders, who think they have jumped round their first four-star. They are likely to be unprepared and overwhelmed when they face the real thing, producing ugly pictures. The course-designer then gets blamed despite setting an appropriate test. Moving forward, there are two options. Should Luhmühlen…

THREE riders celebrated a double at Rackham. Lisa Pilbeam took two BE90 sections with Bellatrix III and Aneisidora Ruby Lights, Sam Penn scored with Burntwood Sorrel (BE100) and Derroon Allegra (BE90open), while Melissa Joannides won at both levels, with Hay Josephine (BE100) and The Elvis (BE90). It was an especially hectic weekend for Sussex-based Lisa, who had three horses running at Stratford Hills the previous day. “Big thanks have to go to my mum for grooming in the heat,” said Lisa, who posted her best finishing score of the weekend [18.9] aboard Ellie Crosbie’s home-bred Bellatrix III. The seven-year-old mare, whom Lisa took on last year when Ellie was pregnant, is by Wish Upon A Star out of Ellie’s ex-advanced mare, Spellbound VII. “We lost Spellbound, aged 25, a couple…

THE eight-strong squad that will represent Britain at the CIC2* European Championships in Tongeren, Belgium (27-30 July) has been named. These championships take place every other year and are for riders and horses who have not competed at a CCI3* or CICO3* in the two years prior to the championship, unless as a junior or young rider, and who have never completed a four-star or senior championship. The event involves a team dressage test, with all six team members in the arena at once, as well as the usual phases. Britain will field a team of six and two individual riders, who will defend the team silver and individual gold medals won in 2015. The selected pairs are: Simon Ashworth (Sunny III), Steve Garrod (Ufonzo), Nicky Hill (MGH Bingo Boy),…

Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, West Sussex NOT many riders have the distinction of winning a major showjumping class at Hickstead one day, claiming a Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) working hunter ticket two days later, then finishing equal third in the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby itself, but Holly Smith accomplished that in some style. After Quality Old Joker out-galloped everyone to win the Bunn Leisure Tankard (report, p38), Holly switched to working hunter mode to pilot Foxcovert Grey in his first affiliated worker. The rider had only been back in action for a few weeks after breaking her tibia and fibula in a fall four months ago. “Grey is a hunter through and through. He has field mastered with the Quorn and Readyfield packs and can take any…

EMMA BOARDMAN and her seven-year-old Welsh D gelding Dyffryngwy Sir Picasso headed a marathon ridden native section, but the most emotional reaction of the day came when Royal Mail postwoman Iysha Pitman was called in as reserve with her Fell stallion Bybeck Kasper (pictured) to claim her first ever HOYS ticket. It has been a rollercoaster ride for home producer Iysha recently, as having won at Royal Windsor with her three-year-old Fell colt Bracklinn Travis, she recently lost her beloved seven-year-old Welsh section C campaigner Glebedale Dexter to colic. “I then messed up my show at Derbyshire Festival with Kasper,” she said. “Everyone said my luck would change but I didn’t think it would change like this — it will be the first time at HOYS for us both. “People…

A BEF spokesman said that after the Rio cycle, the BEF reviewed its World Class and Excel programmes, involving the Olympic discipline member bodies. “It was apparent there were opportunities and issues we needed to focus on to sustain our winning edge,” she added. “UK Sport and Sport England were consulted, to enable us to build their confidence ahead of bidding for funds. “We prioritised four areas: coaching, tailored individual athlete support, a more scientific approach to performance gains and horsepower, which can’t be funded from government sources. “Our previous structure and method of operation did not readily support these, so we had to design a new model. This formed the basis of our UK Sport bid, and was well received, delivering a better outcome than we might otherwise have…

A NEW virtual learning space has been launched for riders, FEI officials and equestrian sport fans. FEI Campus is a free online resource for horse lovers and professionals. The content and courses have been created by equestrian experts and include a variety of topics, from training and stable management to education on veterinary needs, equine behaviour and also for judging certification. “FEI Campus is a milestone for equestrian sport,” said FEI president Ingmar De Vos. “We’re connecting to millions of fans by sharing invaluable content on a sport and hobby we all love, and we’re modernising the way we educate our officials and athletes with the natural efficiencies that come with e-learning.” One of the intentions is to make it less expensive for current and future FEI officials to get…

HOLLY COWARD A FORMER long-serving chairman of British Horse Society (BHS) Scotland, Mrs Coward died on 6 May aged 88. She is remembered for her “tireless” work for the good of the horse in Scotland and served as BHS Scotland chairman for 19 years, steering the society through its early stages. Mrs Coward spent much of her life volunteering, organising and helping the Pony Club, Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), horse trials and hunts. She is survived by her sons Nick and Simon and their families. GILL ANSLOW DEDICATED RDA volunteer Mrs Anslow died on 8 May. Mrs Anslow was a former head of Guildford College and joined Farnham RDA group in 2013. Her achievements included transforming the group into the first charitable incorporated organisation in the region and…

ANTIS Three cheers for Ashby Show, which refused to cave in to sabs’ pressure to take hound parades out of the timetable. The show committee said it “ensures every event is fully compliant with UK law” and there was therefore no reason to change it. Says it all, really. ADVICE After two tack burglaries within five days in the same area, Kent Police helpfully warned owners to “ensure riding equipment is securely stored”. A press release said that “where possible tack is not visible and is stored out of site”. Not visible and out of site? Or even sight? WATER Talking of sights and sites, the Retraining of Racehorses east region posted an update before a clinic on a hot day. “Temperatures are set to be in the high 20s,…

I WAS fascinated to discover that Hickstead Derby winner Golvers Hill initially had a dual career (horse profile, p34), excelling as a working hunter under his owner Sue Simmons and as a showjumper with Nigel Coupe, who partnered him down the Bank last weekend. Also at Hickstead, Holly Smith won a Horse of the Year Show working hunter ticket in the show ring, as well as finishing third in the Derby on Quality Old Joker. She also showjumps her working hunter Foxcovert Grey and the pair recently completed a British Eventing novice class. Meanwhile, I spent last Sunday watching polo at Cirencester Park, where the Warwickshire Cup final started the action and we then saw England’s Swarovski ladies’ team thrash the USA, the latter game providing the more flowing spectator…

UNDER the glistening sunlight, Hickstead’s iconic ring has never looked more spectacular. The footing was next to perfect and the Derby field was as strong as it has been in recent years. There were some brilliant riding displays, none more so than Nigel Coupe, who produced his horse to perfection for the occasion, showing all of his years of experience to capture the famous Boomerang trophy. There were some hard-luck stories, and William Funnell’s round on the exciting Billy Buckingham with just an unfortunate stop at the bank was one. Willy will be kicking himself for a time-fault but should be delighted with how his young horse coped. One of the most impressive rounds was by another first-timer, Quality Old Joker ridden by Holly Smith, who looked a future Derby…

DOUBLED AND DAMNED LIST One judge Anita Darken, who judged a different PSG class from Nathalie’s, was also concerned about open mouths. “More horses at small and big tour are being ridden in snaffles, which I think is a good thing,” Anita said. “It is a welfare issue. The sport is more competitive now and riders are not necessarily training their horses for the length of time it takes for them to be strong enough in the back to maintain self-carriage.” International trainer Kyra Kyrklund believes snaffles are fine at national level but when asked at the show whether snaffles will ever be allowed at internationals, she replied: “I hope not! Riding in a double bridle requires more skill from the rider. I wouldn’t want that skill taken away from…

Harolds Park Farm, Essex | College of West Anglia, Cambs | Boyton Hall, Suffolk Gillian Portus posted an impressive 75.45% on six-year-old Roman II’s debut outing. “I bought him six weeks ago, as a project, from my friend Sally Beanland — I first met him while teaching Sally,” explained the BHS Accredited Professional (UKCC level 2 dressage). “I’m used to quirkier horses and ‘George’ is unusually sensitive to the aids for his type and very straightforward: I remember thinking during the tests, ‘This is too easy, there must be something wrong!’. Gillian’s successful week continued at the College of West Anglia, where she debuted her quirky Wanadoo Too — who shares the sire Wolkenstein II with Carl Hester’s Wanadoo — in his first advanced, scoring 64.41%. “Before he came to…

WHEN Niki De Macedo was fired into orbit in the showjumping warm-up at Chatsworth in May, it resulted in a mandatory 21-day suspension with concussion. South View was her first show since, and with four wins from six tests it turned out to be some return. Bally Finnegan (above), whom she was riding at Chatsworth, won two elementaries and Great Eaves Isaac clocked up a pair of wins at medium. “The suspension is there for a reason and it took me a couple of weeks to get over it, but now I’m raring to go,” said Niki, who is aiming for the CCI* at Blair Castle with Bally Finnegan. Great Eaves Isaac has evented to novice level, but now sticks to dressage after colic surgery. “He owes me nothing,” said…

Snowball Farm, Bucks | Sparsholt, Hants | Bury Farm, Bucks Inga required 10 qualifying points and achieved her goal with wins at Snowball Farm and Brendon Stud and two seconds at Bury Farm. “Aero” has already been qualified for novice regionals by Justin Clubley, who had the ride to give the Riverman gelding some competition confidence. “I bought him last September and it took us a few months to gel,” said Inga. “He grew too big — 18hh — for his previous owner. He’s a very sensitive horse who hasn’t done much.” Edward Johnson scored 77.12% in medium 69 and won two other medium classes at Bury Farm riding Regula Stricker’s 13-year-old gelding, Pimmento. “Regula has asked me to help get him to the next stage and I’ve taught him…

SHEIKH NOT STIRRED SHEIKH MOHAMMED must have been pleased with Godolphin’s treble on Tuesday, including a Group One double thanks to Ribchester and Barney Roy and its return to superpower status, however, he kept his emotions pretty low key. THE BELL SHOW ITV RACING’S Oli Bell excitably chased his uncle Michael Bell’s Big Orange down the track after the Gold Cup, microphone still in hand. CHAMPAGNE CHARLIES MEDIA coverage of Ascot drunkenness. Just under 300,000 people attended the races over five days, two of which were the hottest of the year. There were a couple of fights and arrests for being drunken and disorderly. COVENTRY GOES TO SPENCER AN emotional Richard Spencer, 28, gave spectacular notice that he can train (comment, p58) when Rajasinghe — his ninth winner under Rules…

DAISY MINTER, 15, recorded her first win in the novice under-18 at Stratford Hills aboard her 14.2hh, Another Island (Oscar, pictured). The pair trounced their older and taller rivals to finish on 29.3 — and were the only duo to keep a completely clean jumping sheet. “Oscar is so quiet at home that you wouldn’t think he’s capable of jumping these sorts of tracks, but he flew round here,” said Daisy, who is a keen follower of the Suffolk Hunt. Up north, ambulance technician Holly Robertson steered her own seven-year-old Shannondale JD to a first win at Burgie in the BE90. “I bought him as a blank canvas three years ago and he’s turned out to be very good,” said Holly, who works shifts. “I get given my timetable five…

BRITS HEAD TO USA MATTHEW HEATH will make his Nations Cup debut in the British squad for the leg at The Plains, Virginia, USA, riding One Of A Kind II (pictured). He is joined by Nicky Roncoroni (Watts Burn ) and Emily Llewellyn (Emirati Nightsky), plus US-based British rider Justine Dutton (Jak My Style). EVENT CHANGES THE new horse trials due to run at Donington Park this year has been cancelled. Shelford (2) has moved from its original date of 16-17 August to take the Donington date (26-27 August ) and will run the classes originally scheduled for Donington. WORK FOR BE BRITISH EVENTING (BE) is seeking new regional under-18 coordinators in the south-west and south-east. These are voluntary roles and the deadline for applications is 21 July. More info:…

‘WE WILL BE WITHHOLDING THEIR PRIZE MONEY’ SADLY, only three out of a possible 16 eligible animals contested the Tony Fluck overall ridden pony supreme, but the talking point was not so much the number of absentees — the heat was undoubtedly a major factor — but that no “apologies” were received. “It is disrespectful to the show and rude to the sponsor not to turn up,” one official commented. “Under the circumstances, we would have been sympathetic had people sent word, but as it is, we will be withholding their prize money.” HEAT GIVES LICENCE TO STRIP OFF AS temperatures soared, officials made repeated announcements that competitors — especially small children — could remove their jackets, but few did. This left officials, judges and ringsiders wondering when common sense…

‘She can be hot to ride but she took the atmosphere in her stride’ GEMMA MAZUR ON DRB DAUNTLESS LADY Cumberland County, Carlisle DENISE RICHARDSON-ROWELL had a red-letter day at her local show when her three home-bred horses all stood top of their respective sections. First, she stood hunter champion with Heggle Lane Hollywood, who later went on to lift the overall supreme title. The home-bred five-year-old gelding (Jack) topped next year’s Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) lightweight hunter qualifier. “He’s already qualified for this year at Puddledub and was supreme hunter at Ayr County, ridden by Kirsty Aird. He was lightly shown in-hand and was ridden champion here last year,” said Denise, who bred the sire and dam. “His sire Hollywood won the six-year-old final at Horse of…

South of England, Ardingly, West Sussex FOR the first time in this show’s history, both championships and one of the reserves were awarded to unentered hounds. There was also a marked decrease in the number of packs present, with recent staff changes and polling day both taking their toll. While a resurgent Heythrop claimed both championships, the local packs gave them a run for their money, winning many of the classes. All nine of the local packs present contested the single entered doghound class, with a convincing win for Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray (CLC) Mascot 15, a handsome son of Heythrop Magnum 11. The unentered couples proved one of the strongest classes of the day, with some smart-looking hounds in the ring, including the CLC’s eye-catching brothers Dragon and Droitwich,…

Windsor Great Park, Berkshire JESSIE DUDLEY APICELLA’S Aghaderg Stand And Deliver stole the show at Smith’s Lawn. The bay hackney pony is used to stardom following his Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) victory in 2015 but snatching supreme at the BDS Annual Show has completed his collection. “To say I’m thrilled is an understatement,” said Jessie. “He felt on top form even with his 3.30am start. It’s just so nice to win this after so many years and this is the only major championship he hasn’t won.” It was a double delight as Jessie has been chasing the elusive KBIS British Equestrian Insurance hackney type class for the past decade: “I’m absolutely over the moon, I can’t believe it. It’s only taken me 10 years to win the hackney…

Warwickshire Cup final, Cirencester Park Polo Club, Gloucestershire THIS was a game that could have gone either way right up until the fifth chukka, when El Remanso missed an equalising penalty that would have altered the rest of the game. Things really can be won or lost in a split second, and the ripple effect of that missed goal meant the end of their chances, and Bardon instead lifted the Warwickshire Cup. El Remanso started rather too strongly, when Fred Mannix, riding one of Mikey Howe’s ponies Paz, belted the ball upfield from the line-out but unfortunately also belted Alejo Taranco in the process. After a short delay in which Taranco established that perhaps he didn’t need an ambulance after all, Martin Valent put the first goal on the board…

IF I get to be a tenth as good as John Keen, I’ll die a happy man. If you’re involved with showing — and I started breaking in horses at the age of 13 — you take influences from a lot of people. I was very lucky when I was growing up because there were those legends of the job, such as Robert Oliver, David Tatlow and Vin Toulson. But my mum always said to me: “Watch John Keen.” I would sit and watch him working his horses for hours. I don’t suppose he knows that; I was probably stalking him! For me, he was a genius. He’s best known for hacks but he could do the same with anything. He never looked like he was doing much: his hands…

ADVENTURE DE KANNAN The one-eyed wonder horse was retired before the Hickstead Derby. Trevor Breen and his Hickstead specialist and 2014 Derby winner “Addy”, wearing a wreath of apples and carrots, were given a standing ovation on a last, unmounted, lap of honour in the iconic arena. HALF MOON DYNASTY Michael Eilberg’s grand prix mare has returned home from Three Counties Equine Hospital following a hacking accident on 31 May. She is making good progress and walking out well, said Michael, who thanked everyone who treated “Mollie” and sent messages of support. PAKISTAN STAR The gelding shocked fans when he pulled himself up in a race in Hong Kong. The strongly fancied four-year-old, who had become an internet sensation by winning from impossible-looking positions, slowed to a walk then halted…

Sir — What a superb dressage comment made by William Micklem (opinion, 15 June). Translations are never that accurate, and “submission” implies the horse does what it is asked because it has to rather than because it wants to. This is often compounded by the judges’ comments — “needs to be rounder, more uphill, more supple, needs more self-carriage” — which assess the horse’s way of going, not its mental attitude. As riders, we get a feel for how a test has gone. Obviously it’s discouraging to feel you’ve ridden a 62% test, but score 56% with negative comments. Yet when a judge marks according to the level with comments that are helpful, it is encouraging — just as it is if it all goes wonky on the day, but…

Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby, West Sussex “IF you keep going, eventually your luck will turn,” said Nigel Coupe, as he landed the Boomerang trophy 27 years after his first attempt. After a 10-year absence from the Derby when he “didn’t have a horse capable at this level”, it was this winning Irish gelding Golvers Hill (Ricky) who brought the 46-year-old back from the wilderness two years ago. “I used to come here on 12.2hhs and 13.2hhs and stay to watch the Derby,” said Nigel. “You have dreams at that age and then you get older and wiser and think it’s never going to happen. But Ricky was one of those horses that just found me. There might be more talented horses out there but he loves the job and the…

HOLLY SMITH faced a 13-week lay off after breaking her tibia and fibula in a hunting fall back in January, in which she landed on her feet. The 30-piece break required surgery to insert rods and plates and a long non-weight bearing period. Holly credits her personal trainer Stefan Taylor with enabling her to get back in the saddle as soon as possible. “I had a lot of help from the personal trainer I used five years ago when I broke my other leg,” said Holly. “I was doing proper one-hour workouts without standing up. “I was allowed to swim before I could put weight on it, so I tried to keep my fitness up that way and then as soon as they said I could walk, I could ride.…

THE recent Bolesworth CDI (report, 22 June) was fantastic. Congratulations to Nina Barbour and her team. The arena was challenging but friendly to the horses, and spectacular for the spectators. The grand prix and small tour classes were great to watch, with many new stars coming through. Having the young horse selection trials for the World Championships was a terrific idea and, although some horses were a little overawed by the circumstances, it was great experience for them. Young horse classes are a bit like dressage’s version of a beauty pageant. If you put five different grand prix riders in the arena to judge, we would probably all pick a different horse as the winner. Sometimes the horses that are too slow in the hindleg “hot up” in the atmosphere,…

‘I bought her as a mature horse who could teach me a thing or two’ SUSANNAH GIVONS ON BARONESS Brendon Stud, West Sussex “I bought Baroness in Germany two years ago as a mature horse who could teach me a thing or two — and it’s worked, but it’s been a lot harder that I thought,” said Susannah. Baroness is a copper-coloured chestnut, and is hot, sensitive and spooky to ride. “In the beginning we weren’t working as a team,” said Susannah. “I started training with Sarah Millis 10 months ago and she loves Baroness because she always wants to work. Sarah took us back to basics and helped me learn to ride her more from the seat. “Jane Kendall, who judged our qualifier, saw her on a particularly…

Farley Hall, Berks THERE was a last-minute switch at the top of the leaderboard in Saturday’s advanced intermediate when eventual winner Kitty King contested her time-penalties across country. Kitty and the flashy grey gelding Vendredi Biats led the dressage on an impressive mark of 23, adding a clear round before the final phase. An easy spin around Farley Hall’s well-built, galloping track left Kitty bemused when she later looked at the scoreboard. “I had about 10 time-penalties next to my name, but as I had been wearing a stopwatch I knew I had been comfortably within the time allowed — I even slowed down coming up to the finish because I knew I could,” explained Kitty. “It turned out the time I’d been started on for the cross-country had been…

Stratford Hills, Essex JUSTINE FORDHAM nearly quit eventing last season, but under scorching sunshine at Stratford Hills, she pulled off her second BE100 win of the year with Kilcandra Rambo Ray (Riley). “I had a huge confidence crisis at the beginning of last year and almost gave up eventing for good,” revealed the mother of three, who was only persuaded back into the start box after teaming up with Riley, a pure-bred Irish draught, last July. “My previous horse had an accident at Isleham in the spring and became really difficult. I turned into such a wimp, even out hacking. Riley doesn’t have a bad bone in his body.” The 11-year-old gelding has an outstanding record at the lower levels. He won the BE90 Mitsubishi Motors Cup last year with…

BLENHEIM will offer increased prize money and enhanced facilities for competitors, owners and visitors this year (13-17 September), thanks to “substantial” investment from new title sponsor SsangYong Motor UK. “It is a minimum three-year deal with the most substantial figure that Blenheim — an event owned by British Eventing [BE] — has received in some years,” said BE’s chief executive David Holmes. “Increasing revenue and investment around Blenheim, to benefit the wider sport, is one of BE’s foremost objectives in our commercial strategy. As such this achievement by Blenheim’s team has played a huge part in the strategy taking its first step forward for BE.” Blenheim runs three classes this year, the CCI3*, the eight-and nine-year-old CIC3* and the Event Rider Masters final. David Evans, long-term course-builder at the event,…

LEADERS AS AT 22 JUNE WORLD RANKINGS Michael Jung (GER) BRITISH EVENTING LEADING RIDER Oliver Townend LEADING HORSE Xavier Faer, owned by Trisha Rickards, Nigella Hall and rider Tim Price GOLDMAN CUP (under-21) Sam Ecroyd BRITANNIA LEAGUE Will Furlong and his own Collien P 2 CALVER WEALTH MANAGEMENT TWO-STAR LEAGUE Vicky Collins and Avrina Milton’s RSH Contend Or, ridden by Felicity Collins, and Michele Saul’s No Excuse, ridden by Ros Canter GATEHOUSE ONE-STAR LEAGUE Bubby Upton and Rachel Upton’s Eros DHI FOUNDATION POINTS RIDER Nicola Wilson FOUNDATION POINTS HORSE Think Tank Think, owned and ridden by Sophia Icke MITSUBISHI MOTORS CUP RIDER LEAGUE Alyson Parker MITSUBISHI MOTORS CUP HORSE LEAGUE Think Tank Think, owned and ridden by Sophia Icke…

Royal Cheshire County AT the end of a run of reserves, Margaret Sumner’s Briar Snowman galloped away with the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) junior mountain and moorland (M&M) championship after heading his small breed class for Grace Litherland. “This is my first championship win and he went for it; it felt as if he grew a hand in the championship,” said Grace. Pampered pony Snowman has his own solarium and hot shower at home and, in return, he keeps Margaret’s lawn well-manicured. Normally, the arrangement works well, but he was in the bad books before the show when he uprooted a newly planted daisy bush. However, the charming Shetland redeemed himself at Cheshire by adding a second HOYS ticket when he headed the open small breed class. Colin…

UNSUITABLE and/or poorly explained individual shows are the hot topic in native pony showing circles. Many riders are fed up with ponies being asked to perform set shows that would be more suitable for hacks, and with the specifics of a set show being poorly explained. To me, a native pony’s show should demonstrate that it can go in a forward and flowing way in accordance with its breed. So why has it become the fashion this year for judges to ask for set shows that don’t give riders a chance to show off their ponies’ natural paces? I have got nothing against set shows, but some of the ones we have been asked to perform seem more like dressage tests and do little to highlight breed characteristics. For example,…

KINGS HEAD HOTEL LADIES’ INTERNATIONAL RJ POLO ENGLAND ladies beat the USA by a convincing 11-4½ in a brilliant, open game that kept the crowds in the stands following the Warwickshire final. Captained by Nina Clarkin, team-mates Tamara Fox, Heloise Wilson-Smith and Izzy McGregor played brilliantly against a tough and determined USA side. England face a rematch in a few weeks, following the Royal Salute Coronation Cup at Guards Polo Club — the first time a ladies’ game has been held on the flagship International Day. “I hope to grow it,” said organiser Tamara. “We can show this is effective women’s polo.”…