Innholdsfortegnelse for 13-Aug-2020 i Horse & Hound

SOME good news this week for competitors and venues in Scotland and Wales – as well as hope for showing competitors (news, p4–5). It has been incredibly frustrating for riders in Scotland seeing events taking place in England, and for organisers seeing their regulars heading south to compete. Similarly, it is heartbreaking for venues in Wales to lose strong fixtures. For the livelihoods of those venues, and for those riders who have missed out on account of their location, this update is a positive step, but not the whole solution. Showing has greater challenges than other disciplines – namely more competitors in a ring at any one time – so it is good to see The Showing Council’s work on a blueprint for the discipline’s revival coming to fruition, giving…

A GUIDE for resumption of showing has been released, to help more people back to competition. The Showing Council’s member bodies have collaborated to produce a blueprint. “It was agreed by the council that affiliated showing should resume when safe and appropriate, with the support of Government and in line with the gradual easing of restrictions,” stated the organisation. Key points include no sharing of equipment, class numbers (except working hunters) limited to 15, and entries in advance. Organisers are urged to appoint a Covid-19 officer, competitors must not stand closer than 2m apart in line-ups, a maximum of three people per horse (including the rider) are allowed to attend and the names and addresses of all attending must be submitted in advance. Requirements will be different for each venue,…

MEASURING ON WITH NEW ADVICE THE Joint Measuring Board (JMB) is open and operating within Covid-19 guidance, with extra advice for owners. The organisation has announced that those who have already paid for measurement, but are choosing not to compete this year, can roll it over to 2021. There will be no fee increase for next year. The JMB is encouraging anyone planning a 2020 measurement to prepare the animal for the sight of people in face masks and PPE, so they are comfortable with this on measuring day. It has also reminded owners that social distancing will apply, to respect vet practices’ protocols and that random testing rules remain. PRESTIGIOUS GONG FOR SECURITY FIRM A SECURITY firm that looks after the safety and wellbeing of those attending many of…

Showjumper Louise Saywell has been crowned national champion for the first time, with 12-year-old PLS Halo Diamond. Louise said to win the title was “unbelievable” (report, p38). Eventer Paul Tapner suffered a mild stroke following two small brain bleeds after a fall on 5 August. Paul’s family said doctors expect him to recover fully within the coming months. US showjumper Laura Kraut is recovering from a fall with the mare Jakata while competing in the Netherlands. Laura, who suffered a broken nose, said she is “on the mend”. Badminton Horse Trials’ media director Julian Seaman is retiring. Julian, a former Badminton competitor, has been part of the event’s media centre for more than 30 years. Showjumping legend John Whitaker celebrated his 65th birthday on 5 August. His long, successful career…

AN eventer who has become known as “the swimming pool horse” since his rescue from watery depths has bounced back to achieve a top-10 finish. Laura Pratt’s 14-year-old Arthurs Masterpiece managed to escape from his field and go through a pool cover in April. Thanks to the efforts of firefighters, a vet and farmers, Arthur was freed relatively unscathed. On 1 August, he and Laura finished 10th, adding nothing to their dressage score, in the BE90 at Little Downham. “I’d thought he might have some issues jumping into the water, but we went in straight away when we went schooling, and I was so happy,” Laura said. “We had so much fun [at Little Downham], it was just a really brilliant day.”…

“Sport is about the journey – that never stops” DURING the lockdown, I have realised that many para athletes seem to have been able to cope better with the pandemic than some of their able-bodied counterparts. Having overcome so much, para riders are tough and very good at putting things in perspective. And they’re determined not to be beaten by something like coronavirus. Talking to my para friends in the UK and across the world, I’ve noticed that most of them have a very similar attitude – leaving the health services to do their job, staying safe and keeping out of the way, while getting on with something else. Para riders are much more accustomed to their lives being disrupted, whether that’s by illness or injury, and in typical fashion…

JUST 10 months ago Jasean Spraggett hit the headlines when she took home one of the most prestigious crowns at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Competing in the lightweight hunters – one of the hardest classes to crack – against the country’s leading show horse producers, Jasean became an overnight inspiration for many young riders who are perhaps tentative about taking on the crème de la crème of showing. “I had been banging on for ages about how I was never going to win at HOYS again and that I must just be useless,” reflects Jasean, 28, who had her first NEC centre line moment 16 years before in the open mountain and moorlands (M&Ms) with Welsh section A Springbourne Camelot. Jasean’s victorious hunter was her exceptionally talented…

We were very lucky to get Persimmon (Percy, above) as he was a top eventer with Kitty King, winning team silver at Blair in 2015. But he didn’t fancy doing dressage any more, although loved jumping. Since I got him, we’ve jumped on senior Nations Cup teams, two young rider European Championships and been placed in grands prix up to four-star level. He is very sharp and opinionated. We have a few fillers at home which we can’t use because he will throw a tantrum and not go near them, but he never spooks in the ring. You just have to let him do what he wants to keep him happy.…

“CHUCK is a huge yard favourite and very important to me. He’s quite demanding and knows he’s top dog, so if you’re around, he insists on attention, but he’s not fragile, needy or shy. He’s so self-assured and confident – he eats, drinks and does what he needs to do every day. He doesn’t change away from home, so he’s not tricky in that respect. “But I’ve never known a horse who can make me look like such an amateur. He’ll bite you or step on your toe when you’re doing up his girth. Many a time at events I’ve been dragged off when I’m grazing him and he decides he needs to go somewhere. He makes me look a total idiot, but his strength of character is endearing to…

IN a world of increasing miniaturisation and advancing digital technology, tack and accessories have the potential to play a proactive role in horse health. Boots can be instrumented to provide data that may prove useful for the diagnosis, monitoring and prevention of injury. An example is the Ekico boot (pictured in use below), which measures gait asymmetry via pressure sensors to compare fetlock function at key points of the horse’s stride: the attack phase, the swing and the push-off. The boots also record the surface temperature of the limb, which may have relevance to hyperthermia. Since the early identification of locomotion problems tends to improve outcome, products such as these “smart boots” could be beneficial in detecting lameness before it is visible to the eye. This type of wearable technology…

How to listen via the Horse & Hound website 1. On your computer or phone, open a web browser (such as Safari or Google Chrome) and type in horseandhound.co.uk/podcast 2. You will see each episode of the podcast listed. Click on the one you want to listen to 3. Scroll down the page until you find a Soundcloud window (pictured, above) 4. Click on the red arrow to play the podcast Listen using an app 1. Download a podcast app – such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Soundcloud – for free from the App Store on your phone (app logos pictured below) 2. Open the app 3. Set up an account if you are asked to do so 4. Go to the search function (this may be denoted…

IT was little and large in the puissance, as a 17.3hh and a compact 16hh shared the spoils. Elliot Smith on the rangy Flamboyant (pictured) and Louise Saywell on Edgarrento cleared 2.20m. Louise, who has been riding the 11-year-old for four weeks, went in with no expectations. “I don’t know if he’s jumped one before but he’d been running a bit and we thought it might back him off; that’s the only reason we went in,” she said. “We’ll look at doing some grands prix with him – and a few more puissances!” Elliot caught eyes as in his first three rounds, he brought the big gelding back to a walk before the wall. “We did it at his first puissance here and it worked,” he said. “But he also…

Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire EMILY KING rode the French-bred Valmy Biats to win one of four competitive intermediate sections at Cholmondeley. Large entries resulted in two extra days of competition to fit in as many starters as possible, within the current rules. Valmy Biats, an Orlando half-brother to five-star winner Oslo, joined Emily after she met his breeder Philippe Brivois at Le Lion d’Angers last year. “Lockdown has given me time to get to know him,” said Emily, who was making her first visit to the event which now would be termed her local since she moved to the north-west. “This was our third event together and I’m very excited for the future. It was a strong showjumping track and the cross-country was a good test – it included a proper…

ZOE PINION and Lilly Hill were both making their 2020 debuts when they triumphed at Childeric Saddles Little Downham B (2). Freelance instructor Zoe and The Comanch (Angus) headed a BE80(T), while 15-year-old Lily bagged a BE90 with Auld Flame. Zoe bought six-year-old Irish-bred Angus on the strength of a video as a just-backed three-year-old. “He was primarily meant for my husband, Ben, to hunt and team chase – which he does as well –and I commandeered him for eventing at the end of last year,” explained Zoe. Lily Hill admitted to being “completely shocked” when her personal best dressage score of 26.5 was announced. “At nearly 16.3hh Flame is a big horse for me and has been quite set in her ways in the past, but she’s very sweet…

Aintree International EC, Merseyside A NEW combination of just five weeks made their mark with a 70% advanced medium win. “I never expected such a good score,” said Charlotte Lutener, who is still feeling her way with Full Fusion BS (Florence), under the guidance of trainer Jess Dunn. “It takes time to get to know a new horse, so my main aim was to enjoy myself and to try the partnership in a test situation. “We bought Florence so that my other horse Bertie [AB Barroco] can move up the levels with less pressure,” added Charlotte of the 10-year-old Blue Hors Zack mare, who has been produced and competed up to inter I level by Becky Moody. “She has the most beautiful personality and she’s a pleasure to ride. Everything…

AN assured performance secured Heraldik a convincing 71% inter I win on his debut at the level. “He’s so brave now – you would never know that he had once been so nervous and terrified of people,” said Elizabeth Allen, who bought Dutch-bred “Harry” as an unbacked three-year-old but delayed starting him because of his confidence issues. “He has really come into his own.” In 2019, the Uphill gelding gained experience at bigger shows and was selected for the seven-year-old classes at the World Breeding Championships in Ermelo, the Netherlands. “I gave him a holiday during lockdown, but we’ve since picked him up to develop more suspension and lift in the trot,” said Elizabeth, who is based with Jonny Clarke-West. “The judge commented that he looked very secure at the…

BSPS Area 3B training show, Speetley EC, Derbys PRODUCER Edward Young scored a deserved hat-trick in the show pony classes, with his charges winning all three height sections. Coming out as the eventual champion was the 128cm winner, Claire Smith’s Tuscany Sweet Serenade (Queenie) ridden by Clare’s daughter Cate Mitchell, who celebrated her 11th birthday two days after the show. Queenie – a Royal Windsor winner as a novice back in 2017 – and Cate are in their first season as a partnership. “We managed to get to BSPS [British Show Pony Society] Area 6 before lockdown where they got their Hickstead ticket,” explained Edward, who also watched Lexy Laurens and Bankswood Jacaranda win the 148cm and take reserve, as well as Hallie Kerry-Oates and Renedene Morning Star bag the…

A BIG-MOVING Welsh section A took the Heritage mountain and moorland (M&M) novice spoils. Five-year-old Menai Anrheg Penblywdd (PJ, pictured), ridden by Harriet Glenn, is on lease from Heather Seaman and is currently based with Team Rushton. “PJ qualified for the Royal International with Rebecca Penny in March,” said Harriet’s mother Nicki. “He’s a natural showman. As the season has been cut short, Heather agreed to extend his lease until 2021. We just hope Harriet doesn’t grow too much in the meantime.” The pair also stood reserve in the open M&M championship to Gemma Scott on Brenda Twining’s 11-year-old mare Welsh section B Pinglewood Golden Locks.…

“IT was a fairy story ending,” read the 1971 Horse & Hound report of the Princess Royal’s victory at the European Championships at Burghley. “Of course, everyone knows now that Princess Anne won the individual championship, but only those who were there can appreciate the extent of the popularity of her victory, or the tension that gripped the thronged arena during her jumping round on Sunday.” The reporter WW Thomson’s gushing account of the 21-year-old’s performance aboard Doublet perhaps reflected a nation gripped by this sporting tale; a rapid rise to the top, a home-bred destined to be a polo pony and a mother who happened to be The Queen. “This really was a fabulous event. The Queen and Prince Philip were there, the weather was right, the winners were…

PRINCESS ANNE was still at school when she began visiting trainer and former eventer Alison Oliver’s Berkshire yard. “In the school holidays she’d come over and have lessons on Purple Star, who had been sent to me to train by The Queen’s crown equerry Lt Col Sir John Miller. Gradually more horses came, including young horses of The Queen’s,” recalls Alison. “Princess Anne was so keen, dedicated and down to earth. She had a sense of humour and mucked in. And she had a natural ability, balance and feel for working with different horses. In any competition, one is alert and concentrating, but Princess Anne could control [her nerves] which you have to do as a competitor. “I had a young family when I was training her and although I…

“I ADMIRED her braveness enormously,” says Lucinda Green, who first rode on the silver medal-winning British team with Princess Anne at the 1975 Europeans. “She had a horse that I wouldn’t have ridden. Goodwill did something I always hated which is split his front legs, which meant that he got the rail between his legs when he hit them. He was a very good horse and he very rarely made a mistake but he was incredibly strong and his go-to could be the front leg split if he was in trouble.” The following year Lucinda and the Princess were on the Olympic team together in Montreal. “I just had so much sympathy for what it was like to be in her position,” Lucinda says. “She was hounded [by the press]…

IT is not just the eventing world that has profited from Princess Anne’s gallantry in the saddle. When she agreed to take part in a charity race in 1985 at Epsom over the Derby course, she never imagined it would be the first of almost 100 rides on the Flat and over fences. It was the late National Hunt trainer David “the Duke” Nicholson and his wife Dinah who gave the Princess her early training as a jockey when she began riding out at their Gloucestershire yard. And when it was suggested that she might like to ride on the Flat, she was put in touch with former Newmarket trainer Gavin Pritchard-Gordon. “She was brilliant with the staff,” remembers Gavin. “The first day she rode out, she wanted to know…

HOW many of life’s cock-ups begin with the words, “You’ll be fine?” These were the words coming out of my mouth as we tacked up Rusty for hound exercise yesterday, noting a bit too late that he didn’t have his pelham and curb chain on, just the snaffle. Alec is bigger now. I figured that he wouldn’t have any trouble controlling the chunky 12.2hh on what is basically just a glorified hack. No doubt there will be (sensible) people reading this and shaking their heads vigorously at this spectacular misjudgement, but I was still thinking about Rusty’s summer incarnation; grass-obsessed kick-along who can barely raise the energy to walk in from the field – you have to drag him – let alone trot. I watched Alec load him on to…

AS more competition gets the nod, riders have been urged to support local venues to ease the economic impact of Covid-19. Under Scottish government guidance, outdoor competition can run without travel restrictions but those competing must operate in bubbles of up to five households, with a maximum of 15 people per bubble. Under Welsh government guidelines, competition may run, but is limited to 30 participants. Horsescotland chairman Grant Turnbull told H&H the Scottish government announcement on competition was a huge relief. “Our main driver for pushing for this is the sustainability of our event centres and riding schools, which have really been struggling. “If you don’t have events, and see regular competitors driving past to go south, it’s really demoralising,” he said. “The big block has been that sport has…

SIDNIFICANT Clare Lewis’ top-level eventer has been put down, aged 21. Sid had a 100% completion record on nine starts at Badminton and Burghley, including Burghley six times in a row. His best placing was 15th in 2012. MILLPOND LOOK SO CHEEKY The Allens’ coloured pony has died from colic aged 16. “Kevin” competed in open coloured, hunter pony and working hunter pony ranks and was a multiple HOYS and RIHS finalist. WAHIBA SANDS The retrained racehorse, who once beat Best Mate, has died at the age of 27. He won on the Flat and National Hunt, and went on to enjoy eventing, dressage and more with his former stable lass Victoria Selway.…

THE welfare of horses suffering from skin disease could be compromised as owners turn to social media and “Dr Google” instead of their vets. Equine skin disease is common, but veterinary dermatology specialist Sue Paterson is concerned some serious issues are being misdiagnosed after owners search online, rather than seeking prompt, appropriate treatment. Dr Paterson said her telemedicine company Virtual Vet Derms has seen a “persistent increase” in enquiries about equine parasitic skin disease. “Diseases such as sarcoptic mange and chorioptic mange appear to be more prevalent, yet market research shows that in many cases a visit from the vet is a last resort and people go to Dr Google or Facebook first, which is worrying,” she said. Dr Paterson added that it is important parasitic skin diseases are diagnosed…

A CHEEKY TIPPLE A photographer was at a social distance from some pole-pickers as a rider went into the ring at the BS national champs. “Stay still, don’t spook my horse, and if it goes clear, I’ll buy you all a beer,” a connection said. It did, and he ran back to promise to deliver. “I was just standing there, what a result,” the snapper said. NAMES Also at the champs, two riders discussing the inventiveness of the Billy Stud horses’ names. “I’m just disappointed there’s not a Billy No Mates,” one chuckled. Or Billy Big (that’s enough names, Ed). TIME FAULTS One will not name the rider who was rather pleased to have jumped a super round but picked up a time-fault. “He jumped great, and I don’t now…

INTERNATIONAL shows in Europe are being deluged with entries, with between 100 and 200 starters across the board from 1.10m competitions to the 1.50m ranking classes. No international shows are happening in England, while Scotland and Wales have their hands tied by their respective governments’ agendas. There are not even any international shows on the horizon in England, and that’s especially disappointing when vast numbers of riders have left these shores to compete abroad. I said previously that there would be an exodus. At the moment, it’s looking more like mass emigration. EVERY SCORE SHOULD COUNT ONE time when I was watching the Hickstead Nations Cup, it started with a large and enthusiastic crowd. But it soon turned into another bad day for the Brits, who haven’t won here since…

“‘Bad’ behaviour usually comes from poor management” I TREAT every horse that comes on to my yard as an individual. I work out their specific strengths and don’t make them into something they’re not meant to be. For example, you can buy a horse intended for the event field but come to realise it was meant to be a showjumper. In the past I have persevered with a horse down the wrong path for too long and it just demoralises you both. Now I don’t stereotype them at all, and I make sure they have individual training plans so they can flourish. Horses don’t just change for any old reason, and if they start behaving differently there is normally something wrong. You can get the odd horse who is particularly…

MR BASS Age: 12 Breeding: Carrico x Exorbitant xx Breeder: Henning Heinz, Tremsbuettel (Germany) Owners: Laura Collett, Nick and Lyn How and Keith and Louise Scott Rider: Laura Collett Greatest achievements: first Camphire young horse CCI2*-S 2014; first seven-year-old World Championships CCI3*-L at Le Lion D’Angers 2015; second Blenheim eight- and nine-year-old CCI4*-S and fifth Boekelo CCI4*-L 2016; first Ballindenisk CCI4*-S, first Burgham CCI4*-S and second Blenheim CCI4*-L 2017; fourth Chatsworth Event Rider Masters CCI4*-S, first Houghton CCI4*-S, second Luhmühlen CCI5* and third Haras du Pin CCI4*-S 2018; fourth Belton CCI4*-S 2019 (all class names updated to current star levels).…

Lauren Shelley “I love the team spirit” Riding club: Crown Horse: Cardinar Surprise Champion: open 100+ at the 2019 British Riding Clubs (BRC) NAF Five Star National Horse Trials Championships VICTORY in the open 100+ at the BRC NAF Five Star National Horse Trials Championships was extra special for Lauren Shelley and Cardinar Surprise as four months previously the mare had suffered from peritonitis and her life hung in the balance. “I was so happy to have qualified and be competing at the championships that I didn’t mind how we did,” says the Crown RC member who led the three-day competition from start to finish aboard Surprise. “The showjumping was in reverse order so we were last into the arena and I was so nervous. My overwhelming feeling when we…

The back catalogue of guests on The Horse & Hound Podcast includes Lucinda Green, Anna Ross, Ian Stark, Andrew Hoy, Billy Twomey, Spencer Wilton, William Whitaker, Natasha Baker, Polly Jackson and Sally McMillan. All these are still available to hear. Our upcoming guests include: 13 August: five-star and championship event rider Laura Collett 20 August: show rider turned grand prix dressage rider Louise Bell 27 August: H&H showing columnist Simon Reynolds 3 September: Olympic medallist and six-time Burghley winner William Fox-Pitt…

“THIS show has come about thanks to the whole team working very, very hard,” said Bolesworth’s Nina Barbour, who agreed to host the championships at just three weeks' notice. “It wouldn’t have been possible if we didn’t had the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships later this month. The infrastructure was booked, so pulling it forwards was doable, but very tight. “British Showjumping chief executive Iain Graham rang me three weeks before the show, but normally an event like this will be in planning for months. One of the biggest implications has been from taking someone else’s schedule that you’re not familiar with. We’re dealing with different groups of competitors, who we’re very happy to welcome, but as a result of not knowing what to expect in entries, we’ve had…

A NINE-YEAR-OLD rider won and came second in two finals – the seconds on a pony she first rode two weeks ago. Scarlett McDonald won the 60cm and the 70cm club championships on 21-year-old mare Enigma Variation (pictured), and came second in both on Flicka II. She came fourth in the 60cm and sixth in the 70cm on Clooncraha Lady. “It’s quite an achievement really!” aunt Teresa Ward said. “It’s been a great show; they don’t get many chances to jump at such a fantastic venue." Flicka was only bought two weeks ago. “She jumped her at Harrogate and then came here,” added Teresa.“It was a last-minute decision; we thought she might as well go for the jump round, then she was really fast and made all the turns. Scarlett’s…

EMMA SILMAN finished second behind Wills Oakden and MacGregors Cooley riding her mother Jayne’s KEC Sazoon, despite sporting a set of rainbow bruises after the Lancelot son flattened her coming in from the field. “We’re building the yard and stables so have to cross the stone base to get to the field, and he spooked at the workman, knocked me down and then proceeded to tread all over me, but I didn’t dare let him go,” said Emma. “I was so sore I had to cancel all that day’s teaching and painkillers were my best friend for a couple of days!” The gelding was bought in the autumn of his five-year-old. “He has not been the easiest, but I think a lot of it is immaturity,” said Emma. “He has…

IN a staggering feat of logistic management, Sarah Oakden rode 13 tests on five different horses over a weekend. “We’re based in Fife, but since there are currently no shows in Scotland this is my nearest venue,” explained Sarah, who has made the six-hour round trip three times since the lockdown eased in England. Sarah headed the medium 73 qualifier with her own Kerrishill Zeus, a 13.2hh Welsh section C gelding who switched to dressage from showing after breaking his pedal bone, and took two novices with Liz Somerville’s 16.1hh warmblood event gelding Splash And Dash – topping 77% both times. The others, all novices, included Welsh section C Danash Shangri-La, Dales mare Morlandsdale Mia and Fell mare Greenholme JJ. “Whoever allotted our times knew what they were doing,” added…

GROWING up at Gatcombe Park surrounded by horses, the emphasis was on learning to ride properly, and not just being a “passenger,” says Zara Tindall (pictured above, as a child at Windsor). “Ponies were never machines, they were animals. You had to learn your trade, and learn the personality of your pony. My mother was very much someone who, if you fell off, would be right there telling you to get back on.” When the Princess started race-riding in the 1980s, Zara used to accompany her riding out for trainer David Nicholson. “She always wished she’d done that before eventing, because she thought she saw a stride better after going race-riding,” adds Zara, who says she has benefited from the insight into fitness, galloping and jumping that racing has provided.…

JAZZ CLONE 2 An eight-year-old clone of late leading dressage sire Broere Jazz is for sale. The gelding, one of two Jazz clones, is listed with Stoeterij Kortland in the Netherlands and can be bought with frozen semen of Broere Jazz. PERFINKA The star Arab mare, who has won titles across the world, sold on 9 August for a record €1.25m (£1.13m). The nine-year-old, bred by Bialka Stud Poland and leased by Cedar Ridge Arabians, was sold to a buyer in Saudi Arabia. COME AND CATCH ME Z The half-brother to grand prix showjumper Catch Me If You Can OLD topped the Flanders Foal Auction on 8 August. The colt (Comme Il Faut x Acordplus) sold to Paul Schockemöhle for €68,000 (£61,300).…

WILD FLOWERS One was interested by plans for a “leisure destination” including equestrian and water sports facilities. The architects promise, among other things, a “wildflower meadow – a delightful area of grazing for resident horses”. We’re not sure how many of said wildflowers will survive if horses are also grazing there… MATCHY Spotted, a rider advertising for sale “half my matchy collection to go towards a deposit for a house”. Madam, we salute you. That is matchy taken to the supreme; we sympathise with your loss. Respect. ENTRIES A rider trying to work out a show’s online entry system had a panic when she thought she had entered William Funnell for a 60cm class. “I’m just glad he didn’t appear on the start list!” she confided. Could have been an…

I REALLY enjoyed your 9 July nostalgia special issue, with many memories of “make do and mend”. The photo above, taken in 1947 when I was 13, shows my first win, with Mrs Mary Soames (née Churchill) presenting me with a silver cup – I still have it to this day. My bowler was my father’s City wear, the jacket also, with seams unpicked to fit. Now 86, I am still riding a little on one of my home-bred Dartmoor ponies, who also works with my Riding for the Disabled Association group. My father wore his trilby to London after this, and he paid for the Horse & Hound weekly for me – remember those with only advertisements on the front page? Now my husband subscribes for me; Thursdays would…

LET’S not be shy about the fact that Rebecca Penny’s column last month (2 July) raised some valid points, particularly regarding the British Show Pony Society’s (BSPS) decision not to extend riders’ ages for 2021 without consulting its membership. Some jockeys will now miss their last year in a variety of classes due to the coronavirus pandemic. I was all in favour of allowing an age extension for 2021 only, in these unprecedented times. It’s not as though shows have been cancelled due to inclement weather. This season will be a game-changer for many showing exhibitors, whether they decide to call it a day or continue at unaffiliated level. Not involving the electorate – the members – in the decision-making process could be considered a wasted PR opportunity in this…

What is the last book you read? I’m not a big reader but when I was younger, I read the Harry Potter books over and over again. What are your favourite tunes for a road trip? My music taste is very random. But anything to sing along to during the graveyard shift helps. Which famous person would you invite to dinner? Whichever famous person would like to buy me a horse! Seriously, though, Thierry Henry was my absolute favourite football player and I would love to meet him. What was your first pony? I wasn’t much of a rider when I was younger, but my first pony was a Shetland called TomTom. We didn’t do much but we did nail some of the local gymkhanas. If you weren’t a rider,…

RIDER LAURA COLLETT “I WAS at Peter Thomsen’s yard in Germany, looking for young horses to produce to sell on, the day Mr Bass arrived, pretty much unbroken. I was lucky – I asked the price before we loose-jumped him and Peter said the price would have been quite different the next day. “I sold ‘Chuck’ to an owner halfway through his five-year-old year, but he failed the vet on X-rays, so my vet told me to have fun on him until something went wrong. We did things like the indoor Derby in Stuttgart. Touch wood, the points flagged on the X-rays have never caused an issue. When he was seven, Keith Scott and Nick How came on board to help me run him and it’s gone from there. I…

NAF Five Star British Showjumping National Championships, Bolesworth, Cheshire LAST Monday, PLS Halo Diamond returned to Louise Saywell after lockdown – six days later, the pair became national champions. Rafael Suarez’s NAF Five Star Superflex British Showjumping grand prix track was testing, whittling 66 starters down to 17 for the jump-off, and it proved to be a world-class competition. Keith Shore had taken the lead on Djoel, and held it through challenges including from Holly Smith, William and Pippa Funnell and Kara Chad. The jump-off comprised tight turns and long gallops, which suited Halo Diamond. “He prefers galloping to turning because he’s so careful” Louise said. “But he made all the turns, and just kept galloping.” The gelding has jumped some national classes with Flora Young, but Louise had feared…

NAF Five Star Superflex GP.— 1, PLA Halo Diamond (L Saywell); 2, Djoel (K Shore); 3, Quidamo (K Chad) CAN. nat U21 ch.— 1, Shw Candies B (W Edwards); 2, Elan V (R Murphy); 3, Quality (O Poole). nat 1.40 ch.— 1, Montreuxs Tale (M Edwards); 2, Persimmon (W Fletcher); 3, Stellar Skylight (M Webb). nat grade C ch.— 1, Linton De La Chapelle (C Duggan); 2, Manzana De Rigo (J Shore); 3, Marieke (B Bick). nat 7yo ch.— 1, Righteous (A Tough); 2, Wyoming 19 (T Pearson); 3, Billy Bud (W Funnell). Prestige Italia Big Star ch.— 1, Billy Masai (L Townley); 2, Billy Bakewell (L Tutt); 3, Bonmahon Tailor Made (C Duggan). nat 5yo ch.— 1, Kartina Van Het Maaskantje (J Egmore); 2, Calibria Z (L Hewitt); 3,…

Nat c-o-h ch.— 1, Rumbolds Starlight (M Li); 2, Edinburgh (M Li); 3, Mhs La Scala (S Evans). nat 128cm ch.— 1, Pondhead Dexter (E Archibald); 2, Little Miss Millie (T Hogan); 3, My Little Liesel (L Bowman). nat 138cm ch.— 1, Playboy Van De Zoetewei (T Kyle); 2, Lissduff Royal (T Kyle); 3, Sonas Barney (N von Bulow). nat 148cm ch.— 1, Horseabout Zibu (T Mauree); 2, Orchids Vienna (T Kyle); 3, Elando Van De Roshoeve (C Moore). nat pony 1.15m members’ cup ch.— 1, Quantum Light (A Miles); 2, Creme De La Creme (G Sinclair); 3, Zodianne Van De Doevenbree (S Wicks). stepping stones 128cm ch.— 1, Ballyknock Master Roan (T Bamford); 2, Laithehill Paisley (N Harriman); 3, Ashurst Quicksilver 111 (L Corcoran). stepping stones 138cm ch.— 1,…

Dauntsey Park (1), Wiltshire WORKING from home during lockdown gave Andrew Parry and his winning BE90 partner, Autumn Bright Star, the opportunity to perfect their performance between the white boards. They were rewarded with a first-phase score of 29, which they stayed on to bag section S. Andrew works for British Petroleum (BP) as vice-president of HR for the Middle East. “I would often turn up at an event feeling jet-lagged”ANDREW PARRY “Pre-Covid life saw me travel extensively and spend a couple of weeks a month away,” explained Andrew. “It has not always been easy and I would often turn up to an event feeling underprepared – and jet-lagged – but lockdown has allowed me to focus on my training and my dressage scores dramatically improved as a result.” Andrew…

FREELANCE rider and groom Becci Spalding, who won BE105 section N at Little Downham B (2) with Paula Evans’ Diamond II, has bounced back from bowel cancer. “I got the diagnosis four years ago. I was working for Paula [who also owns Andrew Hoy’s World Equestrian Games ride, Vassily De Lassos] at the time and started getting bad stomach cramps,” she explained. “I went to A&E and from there ended up in surgery undergoing a six-hour operation to remove a tumour from my bowel.” Becci teamed up with Diamond II in 2018 – around the same time that she received the news that she was in the clear: “He’d been ridden by Paula’s daughter, Georgina, but when she went to university Paula asked me if I’d like to take him…

800 miles driven since lockdown by Team Oakden, for three trips to their nearest BD show 8 RIDERS ACHIEVING PLUS-70% IN THE PSG AT HUNTERS EQUESTRIAN, WHICH WAS WON BY HENRIETTE ANDERSEN AND ZACKERY II 31°C the temperature at a sunny Anvil Park Stud 80% for novice 22 winners Hannah Gajczak and Imarlo at Alnwick Ford Equestrian 4 medium wins for Jess Dunn and Hokita in one weekend, at Aintree International EC 24 combinations forward in the novice 30 qualifier at Merrist Wood College…

BIOGRAPHIES of various sporting personalities seem to be at the front of every bookstand, but in many ways the lives of famous huntsmen or hunting folk are even more interesting. There are a host of wonderful biographies that cover all types of hunting people, and in most cases their lives have been incredibly interesting. Some huge characters from the 19th century lived lives that one can only dream of and spent their vast fortunes on their personal enjoyment of the chase. Henry Chaplin, the “Squire of Blankney” is one such individual. His biography, Henry Chaplin: A Memoir, covers his long mastership of his own hounds, his success with Hermit in the 1867 Derby and the sadness and scandal when his engagement to Lady Florence Paget was abruptly severed as she…

1971: fifth at Badminton and individual gold at the European Championships at Burghley on Doublet. Voted Sports Personality of the Year. 1973: eighth at Badminton on Goodwill. Goes to the European Championships at Kiev with Goodwill but retires after a fall. 1974: fourth at Badminton and competed as an individual at the World Championships with Goodwill at Burghley. 1975: individual and team silver at the European Championships at Luhmühlen with Goodwill. 1976: team member at Montreal Olympic Games with Goodwill. 1978: seventh at Luhmühlen with Goodwill. 1979: sixth at Badminton with Goodwill.…