Innholdsfortegnelse for 14-Feb-2019 i Horse & Hound

I SAW a post on a parenting group on Facebook last month where one parent asked a question along the lines of: “My daughter isn’t vaccinated against a disease that has been prevalent in our area lately — any ideas for what I can do to protect her?” And of course someone had written in the comments: “Nearly there…”. It still staggers me that anyone would be reticent to vaccinate a child or horse against a condition that could prove fatal when there is a trusted vaccine available. As racing was cancelled last week and responsible trainers and owners took every possible precaution to limit the risk of equine flu spreading, there were those who continued to insist they would not vaccinate their animals. Some are reluctant to vaccinate any…

JAMES WISEMAN, an 18-year-old who has been volunteering with the RDA for two years, says the organisation “saved him”. James, who spoke at the reception, said two years ago, he would not have been able to address guests in the House of Commons. “My home life was a struggle, so I wasn’t outgoing and I struggled with depression,” he said. “The yard helped me better myself; they showed me what was right and wrong.” James told H&H at first he just“helped out with the heavy lifting”, but he moved on to more regular volunteering, eventually earning his certificate as a carriage-driving coach. “I’d never passed anything; that was my first certificate,” he said. “Helping made me feel needed. My confidence went up and my depression down. “It saved me really.…

THE HORSE TRUST has extended its educational arm into a series of online short courses. The first set of students graduated with the level three diploma in equine legislation, welfare and field skills in May. The course led to a number of enquiries from people asking about training on various aspects of equine welfare, so The Horse Trust launched its first set of short courses to cover key areas. The e-learning service launched this month and initially offers eight courses, with plans to add more over the coming months. These cover areas including health, behaviour, nutrition, transport, plus the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Control of Horses Act 2015. The programme is designed for people who need to keep their understanding of new regulations up to date, but need training…

Five-time ladies’ point-to-point champion Gina Andrews has been given the green light to return to racing. Gina suspected she had broken her collarbone in a fall, but X-ray confirmed no breaks. Eventing legend Michael Jung beat many of the world’s top showjumpers to win a CSI5* class at Bordeaux on Friday, 8 February. The rider scored a second victory in the indoor cross-country. Jonty Evans has been jumping his Olympic ride Cooley Rorkes Drift. The Irish eventer, who sustained a serious head injury in June jumped at Talland with the help of Pammy and Brian Hutton. Douglas Whyte, 13-time Hong Kong champion jockey, has retired to focus on training. The 47-year-old from South Africa has amassed 1,813 wins since his first Hong Kong ride in 1996. Swiss world number one…

DIANA STIDWORTHY (NÉE CLOSE) THE former head stud groom at Cayton Park Stud, Mrs Stidworthy died on 25 January aged 71. She started her career preparing show ponies, polo ponies and hunters before moving into racing; firstly at Three Ashes Stud for Martin Bourdett-Coutts and then Cayton Park near Wargrave in the 1970s. At the time Mrs Stidworthy worked there, Cayton Park was owned by one of Britain’s leading thoroughbred breeders, the late Gerald Leigh. It was later sold and was the original Juddmonte Farm. Mrs Stidworthy was particularly renowned for her forensic approach to feeding and expertise in preparing yearlings. She leaves a loving family. KATHERINE (KATE) BORER-WEIR A TALENTED vet and specialist in anaesthesia who made huge contributions to teaching, research and the understanding of laminitis, Dr Borer-Weir…

THE merger of Redwings Horse Sanctuary and the Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies (SWHP) is a “major development” in Redwings’ operations. The merger, which was officially completed on 1 February, also involved the establishment of a new centre, Redwings SWHP, in Monmouthshire. SWHP had been carrying out “vital” welfare work for 40 years from its base in St Maughans, Wales, housing more than 60 rescued equines with some 250 more out on loan. Its site was unsuitable for the merged organisation as it was the home of founder and former chairman Jenny MacGregor, who died in November 2017, and her late husband Alasdair. Mrs MacGregor started negotiations to merge with Redwings in 2012 and was “fully supportive of the two organisations coming together”. The merger means Redwings…

‘I was left holding two Shetlands saying, “What do I do with these?”’ From when I was little I wanted to join the army; I wanted to be an infantry soldier. It was family tradition and I wanted to follow my grandfather. I left school at 16 and the next day I was in the careers office. I joined the 3rd Battalion in Fort George in Inverness in 1996 and was deployed to Kenya, Hong Kong and Northern Ireland. I served in Germany with mechanised fighting vehicles and trained as a mortarman, before serving in Kosovo, Iraq, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Kenya. I returned to take over recruitment for the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Seven months into that, the pony major at the time was medically discharged and I was…

KIRSTIE LEIGHTLEY YOUNG showjumper Kirstie has been based with Guy Williams in France for the past three years, competing alongside him in Europe and internationally. Partnering chestnut mare Thais D’La Verrerie, whom Kirstie has produced, she has enjoyed success in international four-star classes and earned a placing in the 2018 Hickstead Speed Derby. TRAINING THE STARS THE warm-up is crucial to the outcome of your performance. Every horse is different, so it’s important to tailor your warm-up to your horse and build on an effective routine for future competitions. My top mare, Thais D’La Verrerie, has always been incredibly sharp wherever we are, but particularly in the warm-up. Over time we have developed a really effective warm-up routine. For sharp horses like Thais, who are used to being turned out…

SOME people believe that competition horses in Europe spend every day they aren’t working standing in their stables. That certainly doesn’t happen here, where each horse’s routine is planned carefully. “Most of the horses get turned out every morning and we also hack through the woods. We’re surrounded by trails that go for miles,” says Sam. “I usually go for a short hack first on every horse and then do flatwork — we call it dressage in Europe! — and incorporate exercises aimed at each horse to work on the weak points. We probably jump once a week, depending on the competition schedule, but not anything big. It’s mostly gymnastic exercises. “And when we’re going to a show on grass, we can practise in the jumping field and remind the…

HACKING to and from a meet can sometimes the best part of the day. It does have to be said, though, that it’s not always either safe or practicable these days. Roads are busier now, cars are faster and drivers seem more impatient than ever. There’s no doubt about it, unless you have a good network of bridleways or know local farmers happy for you to cross their land, it’s not easy. Long gone are the days described by Nigel Peel MFH, who, as a child, would regularly hack 10 or more miles to meets from his home at Kirdford, West Sussex. “We had a lot of hunting gates in our country then — and they all worked so you could keep off the roads quite easily,” he remembers. How…

Manor Grange Stud, W Yorks “I’m enjoying coming up with new routines that contain some surprises,” said Martin, who has just struck up a partnership with Equidance. “This was my first opportunity to try them out on the judges.” Victoria, Jonathan and Valerie Russell’s Diane won the medium freestyle with new orchestral music to suit her character. She also won the advanced medium. “She can get a bit hot and she finds the changes exciting. We’ve done a lot of work through the winter with Becky Moody to establish them.” Kay, Fern and Rory Carroll’s Hamilton won the novice qualifier with Martin, with a personal best of 76.77%, and danced to a clubby Fat Boy Slim compilation to pick up second in the freestyle, earning compliments from judge Claire Marie…

WEST WILTS EC 31 Jan: prelim 17Q gold (H Evelyn-Wood).— 1, Brookmist Blue Legend (R Cook) 68.44; 2, Impresario (I Bernhardt) 65.34. silv.— 1, Full House (C Arnold) 65.86; 2, Classic Muire (R Brown) 63.1; 3, Ballyowens Winston (D Dean) 61.55. prelim FSM gold (S Buttenshaw).— 1, Miss Dotty (J Guthrie) 69.44. silv.— 1, Starstruck (S Blake) 66.66; 2, Ballyowens Winston 63.61. nov 37Q gold (H Evelyn-Wood).— 1, Giamore (L Ferrier) 69.07; 2, Sycamore Stirling (D Rhodes) 65.92. silv.— 1, Bogelys Corporal (E Maisey) 68.7; 2, Dancing With Mr D (H Wicks) 64.81; 3, Brookmist Blue Legend 64.63. nov FSM Q gold (S Buttenshaw).— 1, Jannick (D Rhodes) 76.11. silv.— 1, Bogelys Corporal 74.16; 2, Miss Dotty 68.05. brnz.— 1, Bobbie Dazzler (J Lloyd-Parks) 69.44; 2, Starstruck 64.72. elem 53Q…

FOR many riders, this time of year means making a big choice. Should they stay in Britain and do the national circuit or go on one of the tours in Spain or Portugal? I’ve done both in the past and this year my partner Bryony and I decided to stay at home. The cost of tours is huge. As well as entry fees, to get there you have ferry and diesel charges and countless tolls to pay. Another important fact is that you can’t take every horse on the yard, so how are the owners of those left at home going to feel and what on earth do you do with those horses when you’re away anyway? I honestly think British Showjumping has got it right with the winter classic…

7 Feb: Bordeaux young sires masters.— 1, Davignon KDW Z (N Deseuzes) FRA; 2, Chateau Petrus (D Lynch) IRL; 3, Chrome D’Ivraie (F Angot) FRA. 8 Feb: 1.40m speed.— 1, FischerDaily Impressed (M Jung) GER; 2, Kel’Star Du Vingt Ponts (J Guery) BEL; 3, Chacco Rouge (F Bertrand) FRA; 6, GK Casper (B Allen) IRL; 7, Jacintha VH Kriekenhof (M McAuley) IRL. young sires masters.— 1, Faut-Il Des 7 Vallons (G Wathelet) BEL; 2, Chateau Petrus; 3, Bresil De Riverland (G Wathelet) BEL. 1.50m speed.— 1, Apart (P Devos) BEL; 2, Dana Blue (M van der Vleuten) NED; 3, Chesall Zimequest (S Delestre) FRA. 9 Feb: 1.45m speed.— 1, Jacintha VH Kriekenhof; 2, FischerDaily Impressed; 3, GK Casper. Longines FEI World Cup.— 1, Tobago Z (D Deusser) GER; 2, Iron…

Blue Chip pony newcomers.— 1, Kengarth Sally Anne (D Ross); 2, Happy Hero (E Burden); 3, Trevor H (G Watkin Jones). 1m.— 1, Jet III (R Proudley); 2, Spot The Okehurst (C Miller); 3, Eskers Oreo (I Sheader). Blue Chip Pro sparkle JC/JA.— 1, Tobar King (A Morris); 2, Granouche (S Greig); 3, Hietvelds Bjorn (T Kyle). Charles Britton Equestrian Construction winter JA classic.— 1, Newton Samson (E Smit); 2, Flavia (M Heath); 3, Kiltormer Hero (T Francis-Jones). winter JC qual.— 1, Family Affaer II (R Proudley); 2, Teagan Arla Rose (S Greig); 3, Horseabout Zibu (T Mauree). pony Foxhunter.— 1, Coolatooder Liath (E Burden); 2, Bermudez BDA (D Williams); 3, Castletown Lady Ricardo (E McCornick). 1.10m.— 1 & 2, Airflow & Blidworths Fluffy Duckling (M Heath); 3, Toy Story…

CSI5*: 6 Feb: Bainbridge 1.40m.— 1, Bull Run’s Prince Of Peace (K Vanderveen) USA; 2, Amsterdam 27 (M Deslauriers) CAN; 3, Pembroke (A Sternlicht) USA. Douglas Elliman 1.45m.— 1, Bull Run’s Almighty (K Vanderveen); 2, Extra Van Essene (D Kenny) IRL; 3, Jiva (B Madden) USA. 7 Feb: Equinimity WEF cup rnd 5.— 1, Darko’s Promise (E Ballard) CAN; 2, H5 Chaganus (E Menezes) BRA; 3, Caletto Cabana (W Porter) USA. 8 Feb: Bainbridge 1.45m.— 1, Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili (K Vanderveen); 2, Amex Z (T Minikus) USA; 3, Little Lord 90 (K Polle) JPN. 9 Feb: Fidelity Investments grand prix.— 1, Clooney 51 (M Fuchs) SUI; 2, Gazelle (K Farrington) USA; 3, Rocksy Music (R Moloney) IRL. 10 Feb: CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m classic.— 1, Bull Run’s Prince Of…

WHEN Fife-based insurance underwriter Emily-Rose Lind bought the little mare she had on part-loan, she could not have dreamt that five years later she would receive a national award after heading her regional 70cm Club league. Storm IV, who stands at just 15hh, is now 27 years old and is, says Emily, as fit as ever. “She doesn’t look, feel or act her age and she still absolutely loves to jump,” said Emily. “I spend hours researching the best feeds for older horses and exercises to keep her supple, but everyone on my yard can’t believe how well she is.” Storm will carry on jumping as long as she enjoys it. “We did well at unaffiliated level up to 80cm, so last year I decided to join BS [British Showjumping],”…

NCPA Staffordshire Winter Festival, Barleyfields EC, Derbys NEW producing duo Danielle Garner and Josh Hampson, who have recently joined forces and set up a production yard in Melton Mowbray, landed both spots in the National Pony Society (NPS) open mountain and moorland (M&M) ridden championship. “Josh had been helping me with some in-hand ponies I had in,” said Danielle. “We got our heads together and decided to set up our own yard. I can do the ridden and Josh the in-hand stuff. It’s also helpful to have someone who’s good on the ground to help with the breakers. We’ve been here about a month and all 16 boxes are full at the moment.” Their overall victor was Robert Elliott’s Welsh section B Jula Peace Keeper, who was ridden by Tarnya…

CHOOSING an insurance policy can feel overwhelming — insurers seek to provide options for owners of all types of horse and on all budgets, which generates a huge number of options. However, there are some similarities. Third-party liability covers you for damage or injury to a third party or their property, and is crucial to protect you from legal claims. It is worth noting, as SEIB Insurance Brokers’ Nicolina MacKenzie points out, that for a claim against you to succeed and payment to be made, “the policyholder must be held legally liable for the damage or injury caused”. “For example, you may feel morally liable should your horse kick someone else’s or if your horse kicks or sits on a car, but you may not actually be legally liable in…

THE last thing you need when dealing with the death of a horse is to be disentangling small print, so know beforehand exactly what your policy covers. Emma at KBIS explains: “If mortality cover is purchased a claim is valid if the horse is killed, dies or has to be put down as a result of being in severe and unremitting pain that cannot be controlled by medication. In this situation your vet must advise that immediate euthanasia is necessary on welfare grounds.” Vets follow British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) guidelines, and positive identification using the horse’s passport is required. Petplan Equine’s Claire stresses that: “To be able to make a valid death claim for the value of your horse it is normal that insurers require the horse’s condition to…

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE County Cricket Ground was packed to bursting last Tuesday (5 February) as family, friends and hundreds of others whose lives Tim Stockdale had touched gathered at the showjumper’s memorial service. Tim died last November, weeks after his diagnosis with stomach cancer. A private funeral was held for family and close friends before Christmas but this public service was a celebration of and thanksgiving for his life. In addresses from the Reverend Michael Burton, Tim’s twin brother Ivan, wife Laura, sons Joseph and Mark and friends Nick Brooks-Ward and Graham Fletcher, those present were treated to accounts, film and photos of the lighter side of Tim’s life, as well as his extensive sporting achievements. ‘WHAT A MAN’ “I CAN think of no better way to describe him than as the…

ANNIE POWER The 2016 Champion Hurdle winner has given birth to a colt by Epsom Derby-winning super-sire Galileo. The as yet unnamed foal was born at Coolmore Stud in Co. Tipperary, Ireland. SFN ZENITH The double 2014 World and 2015 European gold medallist will be retired from showjumping at the Dutch Masters on 17 March. The 15-year-old has been ridden by Jeroen Dubbeldam throughout his career. EN VOGUE Charlotte Dujardin’s rising star scored a career best at grand prix of 81.4% on 8 February at Summerhouse. Charlotte, who owns and rides the 10-year-old, “can’t put into words” how proud she is of him.…

HIGH FLYERS SHOW WILL NOT RUN THE first running of a show at the East of England Arena and Events Centre next month has been cancelled after poor ticket sales. The High Flyers championship showing and showjumping event was to run in the Peterborough arena from 16 to 18 March. But organisers said with “significant disappointment”, they decided to “postpone for 2019”. A statement read: “Ticket sales did not reach the level we were anticipating, which meant it was unlikely there would be a sufficient audience to keep our sponsors and trade stand exhibitors happy.” Organisers believe there is demand for the event, and they hope to revisit it. OWNERS URGED TO TREAT REDWORM OWNERS have been urged to treat horses for encysted small redworm to avoid possibly fatal consequences.…

RUTHERGLEN Andrew Hoy will be reunited with his London 2012 Olympic partner for a one-off at the first grand prix eventing at Bruce’s Field, South Carolina. The 16-year-old is now a schoolmaster for US teen Isabel Finemore. DARRENVALE WARRIOR The Fell, who qualified for HOYS and the Royal International on multiple occasions, died aged 16. His achievements included the 2011 Royal Highland open ridden championship and his last show was Olympia. CHIPMUNK FRH The 11-year-old, produced from a youngster by Germany’s Julia Krajewski, has joined Michael Jung’s string. Julia and “Chip” won 10 international events, including four three-stars (now four-stars).…

TUCKING IN Trainer Fergal O’Brien is following flu guidance and limiting numbers of visitors to the yard. “Save your cakes for when things are back to normal,” he advised, only to add, “for absolute clarity’s sake”: that people may still send cake. “We repeat, you can still send us cake in the post!” he added. Top man. SOCIAL MEEDJA Facebook commenter of the week was she who asked why vets were recommending horses have boosters. “Is this a licence to print money or is some large pharmaceutical company secretly behind this outbreak?” she asked. Yes, the drugs companies made the flu happen. Dear lord. MORE SOCIAL MEEDJA A close second goes to the slightly misinformed Facebooker who said horses wouldn’t get flu if people didn’t leave them out in the…

RORY is going to be a huntsman. No other career path has ever crossed his mind. He decided this aged four and, six years later, he has never wavered for a moment. The Smashington Vale huntsman, Paul, spotting a kindred spirit, lets him help out in kennels during the school holidays, and quite often allows him to tag along behind him on a Saturday — and if he doesn’t, Joe the whipper-in lets Rory follow him instead. Rory is never a nuisance, is quick at doing gates and his pony is good enough to keep up. He doesn’t say a lot, but takes it all in and is nearly as sharp at counting hounds as Joe. “All on, Sir,” he pipes up. Rory’s slightly bemused but resigned parents insist he…

WE ate a lot of cake this week, because it was my birthday. The Dutch do great cakes in the supermarket, all with whipped cream, so I bought a few of those to share round the staff. There wasn’t much time for further celebration with the breeding season getting underway. It’s impressive how well the stallions cope with their breeding duties alongside their ridden careers. The way Gertjan manages them is a huge factor. Every morning at 6am the stallions go to breed, so fresh semen is ready to go wherever it’s needed — whether here in the Netherlands, Europe or even America. We have seven stallions whose semen is used all over the world, including four of my rides — Glamourdale, Everdale, Lord Leatherdale and Kjento. The semen is…

FINDING a soulmate, as is the case with a good day’s sport, is a fickle yet simple twist of fate. The chances of the stars aligning is in the lap of the gods. No surprise then that Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting, was also a fertility deity. The cult of Diana is lost in the mists of time, yet women are still obsessed with hunting. It’s also a deeply ingrained feminine instinct to acquire a husband. By all accounts, Eve had it down to a fine art. The attractive older lady holding court over a group of admiring young men at the edge of a covert raises “cub” hunting to a new level of political correctness. In the aftermath of a blistering run, the rule book is sometimes ripped…

• Pre-plan as safe a route as possible, using minor roads and bridleways, with the aid of an Ordnance Survey map. • Have a small head-torch and/or cyclists’ flashing front and rear lights in one’s pocket or saddle bag — modern ones are so small they take up little room. • Likewise, carry a hi-vis nylon gilet or vest (pictured). • Consider having someone drive behind you when hacking back in the dark. • Try to ensure that, although hacking, there is likely to be someone at the meet with suitable transport prepared to help out in the event of injury to either human or horse. • Allow yourself plenty of time. For the sake of your horse, remember that a “hound jog” of six miles per hour is a…

WHILE standing in front of the magnificent Badminton House last week listening to Capt Farquhar’s farewells as master of the famous Beaufort hounds after a lifetime in hunting, it got me thinking — why do we go hunting? It’s pure and simple — we just love it. What is it that we love so much about it? For a huntsman, there is nothing that he loves more than his hounds. Huntsmen are often asked, “Which hound is your favourite?” The reply should be all of them. They are all special in their own different way. Of course, some will always stand out, but they are a team, adored by the people who look after them, and they in turn give their all. For some, it is the sheer pleasure of…

The rising nine-year-old gelding is owned and bred by David Pearce, by Medoc and out of the Irish showjumper Coolcorran Cool Diamond mare Key Decision. After returning from a year in South Africa in March, Stephanie took over the ride in April when they contested middleweight hunter classes. “He was always getting pulled near the top but didn’t go well for the judge,” said Stephanie. “We’ve done a variety of ridden work, and then decided to join BD a few weeks ago. We’ve been amazed with the results.” “This was only our second competition. I forgot to give and retake in the first test and couldn’t believe we scored 75%. I’d love to move up to elementary and also qualify for the Area Festival.” Lisa Anderson topped a prelim and…

med 75 gold (C Porterfield, S Leitch, C Trendell).— 1, De Angelis II (F Brennan) 69.64; 2, Aster Berlin (D Watson) 69.55; 3, Dita Von Teese (R Edwards) 68.51. silv (A Nicel, C Porterfield, C Trendell).— 1, Gravgaards Sir Dundee (M Richardson) 68.28; 2, Edendawn William Wombat (D Hardwick) 67.74; 3, Freya V (L Goodman) 67.02. med FSM gold (C Porterfield, S Leitch, C Trendell).— 1, San Remo Hitt (S Williams) 71.22; 2, Tresaison Roulette (R Guire) 69.72; 3, Sportsfield Quality (N Lawson) 67.83. silv (J Gillett, J Head, J McGarel-Groves).— 1, Inca Spirit (S Watkins) 69.44; 2, Woodcroft Don Henry (K Wright) 69.38; 3, Lynwood Formula (C Tristram) 68.16. PSG gold.— 1, Mount St John VIP (C Dujardin) 74.82; 2, Exige M (D Greenwood) 68.46; 3, Urban V (B…

7 Feb: Connolly’s Red Mills newcomers.— 1, Mullentine R Royale (A Whiteway); 2 & 3, Atlantic Slim & Can Balloon Q (D Carroll). 1.15m.— 1, Louisiana (J Mincher); 2, Kimba Classic (B Walker); 3, Celitermo (J Crippen). Equitop Myoplast Foxhunter.— 1, Talullah V (J Crippen); 2, Marvin The Fifth (Z Potter); 3, Double M Chacco (J Mincher). 1.25m.— 1, Holiday VD Hazelhof (T Davies); 2, Obos Delightful (M Chandler); 3, Heidiemorka (B Walker). 1.30m.— 1, Warriors Crème (B Walker); 2, Anvils Every Little Helps (H Bateman); 3, Haya Loma N (M Potter). 1.40m.— 1, Wellington M (K Brennan); 2 & 3, Sussex Caretino & Noble Warrior (P Miller). 8 Feb: Connolly’s Red Mills newcomers.— 1, Parkmore Rowan (A Birch); 2, Atlantic Slim; 3, Walkers Sky High (K Baslington). 1.15m.— 1,…

Northcote Stud, Lancs AFTER many years in the sport, Brian Thompson has experienced plenty of good days and he had another successful show at Northcote Stud. ‘We’re hoping she’s a star of the future’ SUE JAGGAR ON MILLFIELD CLOE Brian, who runs Millfield Stud in North Yorkshire with his partner Sue Jaggar, may be one of the more senior riders on the circuit, but he proved that he still has what it takes by taking three tickets to the Blue Chip Championships. “Brian and John Whitaker are the same age and it’s nice to see them still showing the youngsters how to do it!” joked Sue. Two qualifications came in the Dynamic B&C class, in which Brian finished second on Steve Pullan’s Dutch-bred seven-year-old Hera Twiggy SVG and was…

Onley Grounds, Warks SASKIA MOHAN’S trip to Onley Grounds proved worthwhile when she and Drumcrew Prince qualified for their third final at the Blue Chip Championships. Saskia is in her final pony year and has the ride on 12-year-old Drumcrew Prince for this season. “He’s not the easiest, but he has so much potential,” she said. “He’s blown us away recently. We’d been trying to get our novice ticket for such a long time.” Saskia will be busy at the finals, as her other ride, the seven-year-old Connemara Ballyerk Cobalt, will join Prince in the pony discovery and sapphire finals. Saskia has produced Cobalt from the start and he recently stepped up to Foxhunter classes with the help of Mandy McGlynn. Saskia is aiming for the newcomers second rounds on…

Aintree Winter Warmer, Merseyside ELLE WATERS-JONES and her eight-year-old coloured The Panda II were crowned overall ridden horse champions. The 135cm gelding has been consistently placed at the Royal International (RIHS) during his four-year career with Elle, and was second at the final in 2017. “He’s also won and stood second in the Horse of the Year Show [HOYS] consistency awards for the past two season,” said Elle, who has recently started producing full time at a new base in Rivington. “He’s always just missed out on that ticket, which is frustrating, but we’ll be trying again this year. He’s already qualified for Hickstead after going champion at Anglesey last year. He’s had the winter off so he’s feeling on form. He’s such an easy, quiet stallion to have around.”…

COME on, admit it — all you parents out there. There are times when it goes ecstatically right, and you collapse at the end of the day with a bunch of happy children and think, “That was excellent, high five to me. It’s all good here.” And then there are others when you make a bad call, things go wrong and you beat yourself up, thinking, “Perhaps I’m not so hot at this parenting lark after all.” Saturday was a bit like that. It began with an innocuous question. Wrong call number one. “Would you like to try Rusty in the snaffle today, Alec? He hasn’t pulled on the last few outings and might jump better with the softer bit.” The day that unfolded was one of the best we’ve…

OWNERS should be vigilant to play a part in controlling the outbreak of equine flu, but should not panic, vets have advised. Racing across the country was called off by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on 7 February, in an attempt to control the spread of the virus, which had been confirmed in an active racing yard. Over the weekend, more horses in a second yard tested positive for equine flu, taking the total of cases in vaccinated racehorses to 10. Other non-racing horses have also been diagnosed, including one who was not vaccinated and had to be put down. Staff from the Animal Health Trust (AHT) have been working round the clock, processing in three days the number of tests usually handled in a year. But a decision on…

GENDER STEREOTYPES Meme of the week spotted online was the one saying that “mares infected with equine flu are willing to continue working; stallions require two weeks’ box rest, soaked hay and sympathy”. What could this mean? Answers on a postcard, please... VETS Another week, another owner who’s been told by her vet that her pony is obese, so disregarding the vet’s years of training, expert knowledge and experience, asks random people on Facebook what they think instead. Sigh. GEMMA COLLINS A pony who was abandoned and taken in by a welfare charity has been named Collin because his overgrown feet made him look like he was walking on ice. Possibly not falling over on it and throwing diva-like strops though, one imagines……

Sir — The Veteran Horse Society deems a horse to be a veteran after 15 years of age, but I know many who are ridden and have competed well into their late teens and 20s. In 2018, the winning Badminton and Burghley mounts, Classic Moet and Ringwood Sky Boy, were both 15; Michael Jung’s Olympic eventing champion La Biosthetique-Sam retired at 18; and Danish Olympic dressage horse Donnperignon retired at 19. With advanced veterinary care, nutrition and management resulting in horses living longer, maybe we should now redefine the age of the veteran horse? The winner of the supreme veteran title at the Coloured Horse and Pony Society championship show last year was 36-year-old Harry — a worthy winner and true veteran. Stacey Lascelles Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk The writer…

WHEN there is no obvious swelling, heat or discomfort in the leg of a lame horse, the best option to localise the pain causing the lameness is to use diagnostic analgesia — nerve and joint blocks. Blocking is also useful when a horse has multiple areas of swelling, some of which may be old, to confirm whether a particular finding on clinical examination is significant. A nerve block involves injecting local anaesthetic around nerves at specific points on the limb, to desensitise various regions. Local anaesthetic stops nerve signals to the brain; while the horse cannot feel pain after a nerve is successfully blocked, he can feel some pressure or movement. The aim is to deposit the anaesthetic solution without touching the nerve itself with the needle, as this can…

‘Before the ban, he’d see and hear the fox before anyone else’ HORSES know when we need comfort and Bentley has been a support to Patty Allen ever since he arrived from Co. Wexford, aged six. “My husband died in 2003 and the first thing I did was look for a horse,” the senior master of the Croome and West Warwickshire explains, “as soon as I could see the way forward.” Patty had had home-breds but was running out, so turned to dealer Stephen Gittins. “We used to call Stephen the Harrods of the horse world because he was so expensive,” Patty says. But Bentley proved to be worth the money, although his size, 17.1h, was daunting to begin with. “He jumped so big at first, he nearly jumped me…

Hartpury University & Hartpury College, Glos “He hadn’t been worked properly in the run-up because of the weather, so he felt a bit tense,” said Judith, who headed both novices with the rising six-year-old Charmeur gelding. Judith, a GP, explained that Ice was an “impulse buy” at the Addington Elite dressage auction three years ago. “He had attitude — there was just something about him,” she said. “Two hours later I had bought him. “He’s a bit quirky, but he’s just a young horse and he certainly has character,” added Judith, who trains with Serena Pincus and is off to the Wellington Riding winter regionals in a fortnight. Maisie Hodge won the elementary qualifier silver section with her ever-growing KWPN gelding, Garant H (Mr G). “He’s 18.2hh now — a…

Tall Trees Arena, Cornwall | West Wilts EC, Wiltshire “Hopefully he’ll be at medium level next time out,” said Andrew Lovell of the Catherston Liberator gelding, who started his dressage career a year ago. “I’ve had him about 18 months and he hadn’t done a great deal before that because he was on a hunting yard. I like his attitude — he is very trainable and really enjoys his work.” “Ludo” had a short time away from competition late last year while Andrew’s lorry was off the road. “He went through a phase where he was a bit uptight and anxious, but he seemed much happier in a test situation when he came back from the break,” said Andrew. “He feels more adult and mature. His confidence and consistency have…

THE recent announcement of Harry Charles’ doping case is of concern to riders at all levels. Harry’s horse Vivaldi Du Dom, owned by his Olympic gold medallist father Peter, was found to have trace levels of lidocaine, a topical anaesthetic often included in everyday human skin ointments. Peter believes his horse was contaminated when it was stroked by a friend who was using the drug as part of her skin cancer treatment. As both national and international competitors are subjected to the same regulations, how are we going to monitor every source of human contact with our horses? Whether it is within FEI stable compounds, livery yards or national competition stabling, there are many people who could inadvertently transfer topical medications, leaving all competitors vulnerable. In Harry’s case, Peter has…

Keysoe Winter Classic, Beds PHILLIP MILLER and Sussex Caretino jumped a fantastic round to win the grand prix, the flagship class of the penultimate winter classic of the indoor season. David Cole’s track set exactly the right test. It needed a careful horse and cultured riding, and finished with an unusual double of water trays, which jumped surprisingly well. Six pairs chased the £1,000 winner’s purse against the clock and Adrian Speight may have thought he had done enough from opening draw on Millfield Baloney. But he was followed by Phillip on Brendon Stud’s home-bred mare, who produced some stunning turns and took a winning lead of almost 1.5sec. There were two other double clears. Frenchman Dan Delsart finished third on Canadian rider Isabelle Casgrain’s Lord Quidam, while fourth spot…

CSIYH/5* Jumping International De Bordeaux, Parc Des Expositions, France “I’VE never had a season like this,” said Daniel Deusser after claiming victory in the concluding World Cup qualifier of the season, riding the superstar stallion Tobago Z. This was the German rider’s third win of the season and served to extend his lead in the Western European League. He heads to the World Cup final in Gothenburg, having accumulated 99 points. “For me, it’s not important to go there as the leader because the World Cup final starts from zero, and we have to jump well there for three days,” said Daniel, whose other wins this winter came in Verona and Madrid, with top-four finishes in Leipzig and Amsterdam. “But it gives me a good feeling as we head there.”…