Innholdsfortegnelse for 25-Jan-2018 i Horse & Hound

A STUDY exploring the differences between bitless and bitted bridles could diminish the “polar arguments” over whether one is more beneficial to the horse than the other. The research, Horses’ voluntary acceptance of rein tension with various bitless bridles compared to a single-jointed snaffle bit, found horses tolerate similar levels of rein tension whether they are wearing a bitless or a traditional bridle. The 21 equines involved in the study were fitted, in a random order, with each of the four following bitless bridles: an LG bridle, side pull, Dr Cook’s bitless bridle or Fred Rai Rope, as well as a rope halter and a conventional bridle with a single-jointed snaffle bit. TENSION METER REINS were fitted with a tension meter, which was positioned to simulate the position of a…

ARE membership clubs the future of eventing? With costs ever increasing, groups have been forming to support riders and encourage more fans to become actively involved in the sport. #theEVENTINGcrowd costs £70 to join for the first year and offers members the chance to follow promising British partnerships, while the riders receive financial support. Membership includes yard visits, course walks, video training and tips from supported riders as well as an end-of-season party. The scheme was launched by Karen Carson, director of Elite Horse Owners. “We feel traditional syndicates and part-ownership are still a big commitment for most people, especially if they are running and competing their own horses,” she told H&H. “This provides an opportunity to those who love this sport, but are never going to become syndicate members…

WITH a sound temperament, along with superb movement, rhythm and scope, Party Trick, known as Archie, is ideally placed to pass on these qualities to future generations. His burgeoning eventing career adds another string to his bow, showcasing his athletic prowess and ability to focus under pressure. Here’s how Archie does it: • Preparation: before entry to stud a year ago, Archie underwent compulsory health screening at Nick Gauntlett’s Chescombe Farm base. The yard was confirmed clear of infectious diseases such as strangles. An initial period of residence at West Kington Stud was crucial for him to become familiar with the environment, the stallion handlers and AI collection. According to stud manager Tessa Clarke, he took quickly to using the dummy mare. A breeding-soundness evaluation was performed by B&W Equine…

LARA BUTLER is riding a line of tempi changes across the middle of the huge, airy indoor school at the Bechtolsheimers’ beautiful Gloucestershire yard, where she has been stable rider for seven years. Her face is tight with concentration; she hasn’t noticed me arrive and poke my head through the doorway to watch. I can almost hear her counting in her head as she nails the line, before relaxing herself and the horse into a long-rein trot, and riding over to greet me with a smile. The smart bay she’s riding is Amiek C (Ampy), the eight-year-old Ampere gelding she owns with Anne Hutton. Lara is nonchalant while chatting about her plans to bring him out at small tour this year, but he is a seriously exciting prospect — along…

STALLIONS HIGHLAND REEL 6yo by Galileo out of Hveger (Danehill) Ran 27, won 10 (including seven Group Ones) Coolmore Stud, Co. Tipperary Fee: €17,500 (£15,500) AIDAN O’BRIEN described Highland Reel as “irreplaceable” and no wonder. For four seasons, the son of Galileo served his trainer unflinchingly all over the world, amassing more than £7.5m prize money — a record for a European-based horse — in seven different countries, a global odyssey that ended with victory in Hong Kong last month. His other six top-level middle-distance prizes included a King George and a Breeders’ Cup Turf, and he was also runner-up in an Arc and a French Derby. He never shirked a battle — a proper iron horse: “When you wanted everything, he gave you everything,” added O’Brien. JACK HOBBS 6yo…

HORSES are designed to carry weight underneath their bodies, so when we add a rider, we are putting unnatural weight on his back. To counteract this, it’s vital horses have strong core and back muscles. “All the work I do is based around trying to achieve a strong core along with suppleness throughout the body to give the horse the best chance,” advises veterinary physiotherapist Hayley Marsh. “This comes from getting them to step through and underneath their body with their hindleg, engaging their core muscles, lifting through their back and withers, and dropping through their head and neck.” It’s only when your horse is feeling his best that he will perform at his best. “For a horse to be able to work at his optimum, there should ideally be…

THICK fog, bottomless ground, poor scent and a fall in a Berkeley rhine — my recent day with Helen Hillard certainly didn’t have the makings of a good day’s hunting, but it was one hell of an adventure. Anyone who has ever hunted with Helen Hillard will tell you that following her is nearly always an adventure. In an era when the average mastership lasts less than four years, Helen has been at the helm of the Berkeley for 22, during which she has led the hard-riding Berkeley field over its fearsome country of gaping rhines (water-filled ditches) and hairy hedges with consummate style, winning over the hearts and minds of subscribers and farmers alike. Ask any Berkeley regular about Helen and you will get responses such as “legend”, “one…

Morris Equestrian Small Pony Premier, Ayrshire NATASHA HAMILTON secured her place at this year’s Longines Royal International with an impressive victory in the first of two winter 138cm second rounds with Aristo Justice. Drawn last of those who came forward to face the final round, Natasha was aware that a clean sheet was required. But, maintaining her cool throughout the seven-fence track, the Aberdeen rider took top honours and the first of three qualifying tickets for the Hickstead final. “I wasn’t really sure what to expect today as we haven’t done anything at this level for quite some time,” she said. “Thankfully my mum phoned Johnny Aird to ask him to come and help as she knew I was quite nervous. Having him there worked really well as he told…

REIGNING Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Cuddy supreme in-hand champion Broadstone Dolce Vita (Dee) has retired from the show ring. The now 18-year-old sports horse broodmare — by the Hanoverian sire Demonstrator out of the thoroughbred Deborah Coy — is jointly owned by Pearl Underwood and Billy Moran. Her successes under saddle as a riding horse with Amy Underwood include a supreme at the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) national championships at Addington in 2009, and top five placings at Royal International and HOYS each year on five consecutive trips. During her four-year career as a matron, she returned to Addington with Billy to take the Martin Wood supreme in-hand title two years running. “We’ve decided to retire her from showing while she is at the very top of…

RACHELLE TOMLINSON and Adam Spencer were married at Simonstone, Burnley, on 27 December, attended by Rachelle’s successful coloured campaigner, Loveable Rogue, as a surprise guest of honour. Ride judge Sophie Waddilove married National Hunt trainer Nicky Henderson on 12 January and Worcestershire-based hunter specialist Lucy Lockwood has set the date of 26 May to wed point-to-point jockey and Ledbury Hunt farmer Mark Wilesmith.…

AS I snuggled down in my cosy sleeping pod at one end of “Trappers” cabin, the wind howled mercilessly outside, but I felt wonderfully comfortable and quite at peace with the world. When the wind dropped, I heard owls hooting softly in the forest that surrounds the Loose Reins “ranch”, a place to slow down and enjoy the simpler things in life; the peace and quiet, the beautiful views, establishing a connection with your equine partner Western-style, and making new friendships around the camp fire while chowing down on tasty homemade food and a glass of something special. And where is this wonderful place that invites you to “stay, ride, discover”? The Australian outback? The Wild West of Arizona? Not quite, I’m in the Dorset countryside, about 25 miles from…

A NEW showcase horse trials on the Isle of Wight will have special status under the British Eventing (BE) umbrella. Organiser Stuart Buntine launched the event last spring (Eventing Life, 4 May 2017). Scheduled for 25-26 July, it will run in partnership with English Heritage at Osborne House, a former residence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The event is not affiliated to BE, but is supported by the organisation and will appear in the calendar as a “special event”. It is planned to run broadly to BE standards, using BE officials and elements of BE’s insurance, but with its own rules. Competitors will not earn BE points or qualifications. “As a showcase, it doesn’t sit completely within the rules of BE so it’s not a standard one-day event, which…

HELEN WEBBER A FORMER British youth team selector and list one dressage judge, Mrs Webber died this month aged 88. Mrs Webber (pictured, above right) gave much support to the British Horse Society (BHS) in all aspects of horsemanship, including as an examiner, and gained her BHS Fellowship in 1964. She received the BHS award of merit in 1996 and the Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. Mrs Webber competed in eventing before switching to dressage, where she rode up to grand prix level. She became a British Dressage (BD) list one judge and selector for the junior and young rider teams. “She gave excellent advice and gained enormous respect from the young people who were guided by her honesty and her genuine enthusiasm for their successes,” said Jennie Loriston-Clarke. “Helen…

SHEPHERDS OAST Hunton, near Maidstone For you: a detached single roundel oast conversion set at the end of a no-through lane in a small enclave of houses. There are three bedrooms, plus an open-plan loft area with options to adapt as further accommodation (subject to permission), and a detached garage with a first-floor home office. Outside are well-kept gardens with wide lawns giving an open outlook, and a vine-covered terrace ideal for alfresco dining. For the horses: currently there are no equestrian facilities at the property, but there is ample space to add stabling and a riding arena within the immediate grounds and paddock to the front of the house (subject to permission). The property is approached from a gravelled drive into a spacious parking area that will accommodate several…

HEAD “He has a kind, well-placed eye — they are wide apart on a flat forehead, giving room for brains,” says Lucinda. “He has a little bit of white round the eye, which makes it harder to tell what a horse is thinking, but as his eye is lovely and big, he looks honest. “His ears are not too big, nor too small. There’s enough room between the jawbone and neck, which is good for flexion in the dressage phase.” FRONT END “He has a tremendous front end with a sloping shoulder,” Lucinda says. “His front end is as good as I’ve seen. He has long forearms and good, strong knees — the knee is big enough to allow plenty of room for the tendons to come out in the…

‘Every National Hunt owner buys a horse with the will of getting it to Cheltenham, and if they manage that, even if the horse isn’t first past the post, if it runs well, it feels like they have had a winner’ BEN PAULING NEW Year’s Day dawned and in the shadow of Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham Racecourse is welcomed into 2018 with a deluge of rain. Ben’s sole runner for the day is Paul and Clare Rooney’s Willoughby Court, making his first return to this course since his Festival victory last March. His race, the BetBright Dipper Novices’ Chase, is due off at 1.25pm. Ben arrives at the racecourse a little after midday and his first port of call is the weighing room where he meets Willoughby’s jockey for the…

WHEN the hammer came down at a record-breaking £6.3m for the sale of top sprinter Marsha during December’s Tattersalls Mares Sale, it was a major milestone for the Elite Racing Club, the owner and breeder of the superstar filly. The 10,500-member club, which was founded in 1992 by business entrepreneur Tony Hill, is unique, not only because of its longevity, but also for its established — and now proven successful — thoroughbred breeding operation. A dual Group One-winner and daughter of Acclamation, Marsha was bred at Oak Lodge — the club’s chosen stud across the Irish sea — and is out of Marlinka, another home-bred owned by Elite Racing, who also ran in the club’s distinctive white and black-spotted silks. Marsha went into training with Sir Mark Prescott in Newmarket…

“He’ll be a busy boy at the regionals,” said Sara Squires, who has been riding Anne Wilkinson’s eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding since October. The pair scored 82.41% to head the novice 37 qualifier and 78.75% in the elementary 57 qualifier. Anne bought the chestnut at Brightwells as a four-year-old. After contesting some young horse classes, he spent a quiet couple of years at home before re-emerging on the competition scene last autumn. “He has improved so much since — he’s now lighter, fitter and his movement is getting better and better,” said Sara, who trains with Matt Frost at AM Dressage in Gloucestershire. “He has great rideability and he’s such a cool customer. Of his three fab paces, the walk is a nine any day of the week.” Jo Dyer won…

SHARP-EYED viewers may spot some familiar faces on both large and small screens in the coming months. Show riders including Kevin O’Connell, Scott Dixon, Leon King, Frazer Atherden and reigning HOYS supreme Oliver Hood — as well as steward Jordan Smith — have been busy acting as extras and stuntmen in various film and TV productions. Due to contractual restrictions, their exact roles have to be kept under wraps for the time being. “We all had a brilliant time and a great laugh,” said Frazer. “The mornings were early and the days long, but we’re used to that from showing. Plus the horses we got to work with were awesome.” However, it was far from plain sailing for Scott, whose woes began when his bag went missing on the trip…

SHOWING rider Karen Ledger’s sponsored New Year’s Day swim in the sea off the Isle of Wight — now in its third year — has broken records. More than £2,600 was pledged to Karen’s All Because Of Freda Cyprus-based dog rescue charity, and the number of participants rose to nine: Karen, Lesley Sutton, Cherry Butcher, Ryan Bennet, Rich Hollingshead, Andy McDowall, Stephen Bryant, vet Olivier Ghesquiere and amateur lead-rein producer Tegan Arnold. “The sea was very rough this year,” Karen declared. “We were very glad to come out, but the money raised made it all worthwhile — we even had several dogs in attendance too.” Two names were also picked at random to win spot prizes when the total passed £1,000 and then £2,000 — the winners were Sue Legg…

Haydock Park, Merseyside THE victory of Un De Sceaux at Ascot made him a millionaire, however, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained The New One was already one before he lined up for Haydock’s Unibet Champion Hurdle Trial, which he won for a record fourth time. Having been stalked all the way up the straight by Ch’Tibello, the writing looked on the wall for The New One — who had never been beaten at Haydock — at the last, where Dan Skelton’s seven-year-old went on. However, you do not win more than £1m in prize money over hurdles without some never-say-die attitude in your DNA and in a stirring finish, on a horrible wintry day, The New One rallied to get his nose back in front — winning by half a length in…

I LAUGHED out loud and tasted salt as the sea spray whipped into my face. The game little mare beneath me stretched out and smoothly shifted into yet another gear, slicing through the whitewash of the gently breaking waves. Ahead, the rest of our group stretched out along the seemingly never-ending shoreline, tails streaming. This was the moment we had all been waiting for — the exhilarating early morning beach gallop, along 5km of deserted coastline, on the final day of our trip. Four days earlier, our surroundings had been very different, albeit just as stunning. Leaving our base of Can Sort, near Vilaür in the eastern corner of Catalonia, early on Thursday morning, we wound our way inland, through dense forest and rolling, rural farmland, getting to know our…

DEBATE has been rumbling over the weight given to the UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) by British Dressage (BD). The body requires instructors to have achieved UKCC at the required level to teach at BD regional training days. But there has been discussion over the cost and time the courses take as well as whether this is excluding some experienced trainers. The UKCC is a template that governing bodies tailor to their requirements, with focus on coaching skills. The technical content of the BD UKCC, decided upon after consultation with trainers, was introduced in 2001. PROHIBITIVE COST A BD spokesman said the UKCC requirement was introduced over a period of five years. “By making this a requirement it has improved consistency of delivery across the country, and enabled BD to engage…

AN equine and human fitness tracker and a supplement for relaxing a horse’s contact were among the winners at this year’s British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) innovation awards, handed out at BETA International (21-23 January). Horseware won two awards and was twice highly commended, which CEO Tom MacGuinnes described as “unprecedented”. “I’m gobsmacked,” he told H&H. “We won three awards before and that was a record; to get four is mad.” The judging panel “loved” Horseware’s Horsepal 1.01 horse monitor, which won the general category, adding: “It will give equine owners peace of mind.” The Estride fitness tracker, which measures horse and rider activity, was highly commended in this category, and described as “fantastically innovative”. Horseware was also highly commended in horsewear for its Amigo Hero ACY Plus rug, while…

GOVERNMENT plans to pay farmers to open their land to the public could be great news for riders, the British Horse Society (BHS) believes. Environment secretary Michael Gove set out how Defra will work with farmers after Britain leaves the EU, when the “perverse” common agricultural policy (CAP) no longer applies. Among his plans for a “green Brexit” was the idea to pay farmers subsidies for improving public access to their land. BHS access director Mark Weston said the charity has been working with partners such as the Byways and Bridleways Trust and the Open Spaces Society on using farming funds for public benefit. “We see this as an opportunity to increase access, for the British public to enjoy our countryside and rights of way,” he told H&H. “This [announcement]…

PARTY TRICK could be excused for having a bit of a swagger. Nick Gauntlett’s home-bred five-year-old stallion, a son of Badminton and Bramham winner Chilli Morning, is already making his mark in Burghley young event horse classes and is on his way to BE100. In addition, he can boast a grading as a champion stallion with Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain and last year sired his first crop of foals. Combining a competitive career with breeding duties was something his own sire accomplished with ease, but can Party Trick do the same? Managing a stallion that excels in both activities is certainly possible, but requires expertise, organisation and a thorough healthcare programme. Good nutrition is crucial not only to maintain healthy condition for fertility, but also to provide the…

Dartmoor Peat Cot, Devon AT 11pm the night before I was due to go hunting with the Dartmoor, the sky over the hunt kennels was clear as a bell and glistening with stars. At 8am the following morning, the fog was so thick that we could barely see to the end of the yard. Tom Lyle, joint-master and huntsman of the Dartmoor, stomped into the kitchen, dark eyebrows drawn together in a fierce frown. “Bloody fog. I don’t know whether we will be able to go or not,” he said briefly. We did what everyone does these days, and consulted our phones, which promised us that the fog would lift at 11am and come back in at 5pm. I admit I was dubious — there wasn’t a breath of wind…

Jade rode Lindsay Moffat’s EV Amore Mia to win two qualifying gold novices, and also scored 77.78% to head the freestyle. “I wanted to get her out to Morris ahead of the regionals (23-25 February) as the arenas can be intimidating,” said Jade of Lindsay’s home-bred Amour G x Samber skewbald mare. “This has set us up well; it was her first visit here, but she dealt with it really well and was superb all weekend. “I used music that was originally produced for another horse, but it suits her better. It’s classical with a soft, girly beat to it,” added Jade. The Only Way Is Micklow achieved 75.37% to stand runner-up to Mia in a qualifying novice, before winning two separate novice classes. “He’s level-headed with a sensible, trainable…

 Aintree International Equestrian Centre Junior Elite, Merseyside ‘She’s laid-back, so I rev her up for the jump-off ’ RED MORGAN ON POCAHATAS TICKETS to the Blue Chip Championships were eagerly sought in five qualifiers and Liv Morritt faced a tough challenge to head the largest jump-off field in the Eskadron discovery competition. From second draw, the Yorkshire rider showed the way in the 16-strong jump-off with a carefully worked-out plan on Aherlow Fred, a 13-year-old Connemara. “The course flowed well and there were time-saving turns, so I was always thinking ahead to the next fence,” said Liv, who was celebrating her first Blue Chip ticket. “Fred can be quirky, but he is careful and he takes care of me.” Course-designer Gill Pollard set good, varied courses over the weekend…

Barbury International Racing Club, Barbury Racecourse, Wilts SOMERSET trainer Chloe Newman’s patience with Saddlers Encore was rewarded with a notable victory in the mixed open over Barel Of Laughs, who finished third in the 2017 Cheltenham Foxhunter Chase. Formerly trained by Philip Hobbs, the nine-year-old Saddlers Encore had been off the track with a deep flexor tendon injury since October 2016, having finished 33 lengths in third behind Thistlecrack in a novices’ chase at Chepstow. However, Chloe nursed the son of Presenting back to fitness and the 14-1 shot was brought home with a late run by her nephew, Josh Newman, to beat Barel Of Laughs (Alex Edwards) a length. “He did his box rest with Polly Curling and he has had a lot of rehabilitation with us. It was…

“IS 10am too early for champagne?” asks Coworth’s equestrian assistant manager Katelyn Winter Hutton, as I’m legged up on to a freshly bathed Oscar, a polite liver chestnut standing 17hh. What a way to start a day I think, as Katelyn and I set off for a hack in Coworth’s beautiful 240-acre estate on two former show horses, with the prospect of an early glug of bubbly at the end. This is the Champagne Celebration Ride — basically a rather lovely hack — but there are plenty of alternative riding options if you’re after something more taxing. I could have had a dressage or jumping lesson on a schoolmaster (and there’s a former prix st georges campaigner among Coworth’s 12 equine residents) or polo tuition with a Guards Polo Club…