Innholdsfortegnelse for 27-Aug-2020 i Horse & Hound

BETWEEN last week’s showjumping championships at Bolesworth, the national dressage championships at Hartpury and Oliver Townend scoring four international wins to make history at Burgham, it feels like we’re getting a real glimpse of life pre-lockdown. Sure, it’s not quite the same – there are no arena walks and stables are not at capacity, and not everyone we hope to see competing is out, but it’s a pleasant reminder of how life was. Columnists Alice Oppenheimer and Pippa Roome extol the virtues of Hartpury and Burgham, revelling in contesting and reporting big sporting events again, marvelling at the calibre of the riding and enjoying the championship vibe. It is a strange time, feeling like life is getting back to normal, with a dawning realisation that this might be as close…

Eventer Oliver Townend won the most international classes over one weekend ever. He won a CCI4*-S on Ballaghmor Class, as one of four section victories at Burgham. Report, p42 Showjumper Scott Brash has won the four-star grand prix at Hubside Jumping, St Tropez, for the second year. He won on Hello Jefferson, having won last year on Hello Senator. International dressage judge and team selector Judy Harvey won the elementary gold title at the winter dressage championships on SP Bento, her first national title since 2007. Eventing legend Ian Stark enjoyed a win at Burgham in the open novice on Chatsworth Diamond. Ian last rode at top level in 2007 but has not ruled out a five-star return if he is “feeling fit”. Prolific racing owner Trevor Hemmings, 85, is…

DOGA, or yoga with a dog, is a thing – and is hoga now following suit? It is at Wilton Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), Salisbury, which came up with the idea of yoga with horses as a novel fundraiser during tough times financially. Kirsty Elliott from Yoga Within runs the sessions, during which the horses wander freely. Participant Morag Walker told H&H: “The horses seem to love the company in their field and are quite curious. “They are wonderfully calm and just wander about to check out our moves and perhaps do a bit of friendly nuzzling. It is really fantastic for both us and the horses. “We all end up smiling and I think the horses do too – they probably think they could do better!”…

THE NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships went far beyond my expectations – a massive hats off to British Dressage, Show Direct and Hartpury, because it was outstanding. Everyone I spoke to said the same thing – that they really enjoyed it, and hugely appreciated the effort that went into making it happen. I can’t imagine the logistical nightmare that was involved in finding a schedule that worked to enable us to have a championship experience, while also being Covid-compliant, ensuring everyone was safe and still able to enjoy it. “It still looked and felt like a championship” Normally the winter championship tests are held inside, and it is an arena we all love riding in, but of course this year has been a bit different and all the competition…

THERE was one Royal Ascot when a then-teenage Megan Nicholls answered the phone to her father, but instead of Paul, jockey Hayley Turner had been put at the end of the line to greet her. “I remember not knowing what to say, I was shell-shocked,” laughs Megan when we catch up soon after post-lockdown racing has commenced. “When I was growing up, Hayley Turner was queen. She has set the standard for female jockeys for sure.” Fast forward nearly a decade, and Megan, now 23 years old and 14 winners off her claim, is a weighing room colleague of her childhood heroine. “I get on with her really well and if there was ever anything I needed to ask or if I was worried about something, I know that I…

LUMPS AND BUMPS MELANOMAS are thought to affect up to 80% of grey horses aged 15 and above. “Since horses are living longer, we suggest treating melanomas in the early stages,” says Dr Tim Mair FRCVS, of Bell Equine, who explains that these mostly benign bumps, typically under the tail and on the genitals, can become malignant. “Once they spread, there is no effective treatment,” he says, adding that vaccine trials have produced variable results. “Surgical removal is easiest when these skin tumours are small.” ARTERIES UNDER PRESSURE OLDER horses are more susceptible to aortic rupture, where the aorta (the main artery carrying blood from the heart) or another smaller artery spontaneously bursts. Research by Lisse Vera and Professor Gunther van Loon, from the Equine Cardioteam Ghent University, is seeking…

“I FEEL like somebody is about to wake me up,” laughed advanced medium bronze winner Samantha Turpitt. The route to the winner’s podium has not been smooth for the Aberdeenshire-based rider and her tricky but talented mare, Bali Dancer (pictured), who produced an expressive test for 69.96%. “I was coming down the centre line thinking, ‘Don’t move,’ because she felt like she was going to explode,” said Sam. “By the end there was nothing we’d done wrong, it just felt a bit fragile.” Sam has produced Bali, now nine, from a two-year-old, around working full time. The win was made extra special given the years things haven’t gone to plan at various finals, the fact Bali overcame laminitis in the spring and Scottish lockdown rules meaning Sam couldn’t get to…

Le Pin Au Haras, Normandy RICHARD CONEY led the British team to third in the opening leg of this year’s Nations Cup series. Riding his 2019 young rider team gold medal-winning partner, Kananaskis, the 21-year-old put in a solid performance in all three phases to finish eighth and best of the 14 British horses who crossed the Channel and lined up for the first post-pandemic international. “It was great to be out again at an event of this calibre and satisfying to pull off a good result,” said Richard, whose star has been very much in the ascent in the past two years and especially since making a successful senior team debut in the Nations Cup leg at Houghton last May. “Bar the odd blip Kananaskis is a really consistent…

WHEN her horse was out of action, Lara Thomas decided to look for another, and her trainer Carrie Bryant suggested that she try JB Milan. The nine-year-old had a chequered history. “He was talented but very difficult. When I tried him there was something about him, so we bought him,” said Lara, who keeps her horses in Windsor. Milan has now been with her for a month and at their first show together at Cherwell, the new pairing won the British novice and discovery classes. “I was very nervous because I had a lesson just before the show and fell off twice. I rode at Cherwell with broken knuckles and he was perfect,” said Lara, who thinks Milan has a good future ahead of him. “I’m going to concentrate on…

AT home in Yorkshire, there is a jump that my father looks upon with a face of woe. The site of a nasty fall? For years the reason for his grief-stricken face eluded me – until the other day, when I mentioned we were doing some filming for a BBC period drama. “You’ll earn every penny,” he said, recounting a tale of endless takes over the aforementioned fence with horses and hounds for Emmerdale. For the past few weeks, Badminton has been strewn with a cast and crew working night and day to produce an adaptation of Nancy Mitford’s The Pursuit of Love. Our own input, I’m sure, will amount to about 30 seconds of the viewers’ enjoyment, but be assured that in order to achieve it, two days of…

IN recent years Blyth has turned his hand to cross-country course-design, and has designed tracks at Burgham and Barbury in the UK. He is supposed to be designing the two-star and three-star tracks at the New Zealand national championships next year, and also at the same level at the Sydney Three-Day Event in Australia. “I don’t really want to make a major career out of course-designing, but it’s a good way to supplement what I’m doing, to stay in the sport and to keep my eye in, and to keep current with the international scene and friends,” he says. Blyth also has three horses to showjump – two of his ex- eventers, Havanna and Xanthus, and Billy Sparky, a mare bred by the Funnells. “But that’s just for pleasure, and…

A BOX is a big expense – how do you know when it’s really time to get a new one? “I can look at a 25-year-old box and there is nothing wrong with it, whereas I’ve seen eight-year-old boxes that have all sorts of problems,” says Brian Burton from Essex Vehicle Inspection. “Every vehicle is an individual. Most horseboxes are in their second life after being used as a commercial vehicle, so a high mileage isn’t something to worry about.” Chris Facer of Equine Rescue Services says: “You know it’s time [for a new lorry] when the current one becomes uneconomic to repair. If circumstances change, for example if you are now carrying larger horses which will take the lorry over its weight limit, it’s time for a change.” Equi-Trek’s…

FURTHER relaxation of Scotland’s lockdown has given more horse sport the green light, as calls are made for a “uniform approach” from local authorities. Outdoor competition was given permission to return in Scotland this month (news, 13 August), and from 24 August, sporting events and activities could be attended by up to 30 people. But British Eventing said on 18 August that Kirriemuir Horse Trials (29 August) had been cancelled after organisers did not receive the “necessary permissions” from Angus Council. A spokesman for Angus told H&H the council did not decline permission, but the “necessary protocols” from BE and Horsescotland were not received in time for the council to review and provide guidance. Horsescotland chairman Grant Turnbull told H&H the organisation was not involved in submitting anything directly to…

ALLSTAR B The eventing world champion, owned by Caroline Moore and rider Ros Canter, was a CCI4*-S winner at Burgham. It was a third consecutive international win for the 15-year-old. Report, p42 FLEMENSFIRTH The National Hunt sire, whose progeny include Imperial Commander, has been retired from stud “happy and healthy” aged 28. The twice champion sire, by Alleged, was standing at The Beeches Stud. RUBY VIII Di Lampard’s home-bred international showjumping mare by Balou Du Rouet was the dam, by embryo transfer, of the top two lots at Bolesworth elite foal auction. Casalljack sold for £33,000 and Conthargo for £30,000.…

A NEW British Equestrian (BEF) fund will help struggling riding centres tackling inequality. The BEF has been awarded £150,000 Lottery funding by Sport England, to support centres “most in need”. It is targeted at those that provide activity for disabled people and have been affected by the pandemic but unable to secure other financial support. Centres will be judged on their work with people from minority ethnic communities and “lower socio-economic backgrounds”. “We know the immense benefits being around horses can have for disabled people, so we are very grateful to Sport England for helping us to support centres in this way,” said BEF head of participation David Butler. The funds can be used to pay bills and staff costs. The grant is part of Sport England’s Tackling Inequalities Fund.…

BRAVERY Team chasing is to start soon, with anti-Covid measures (right). And as one rider pointed out, it can’t be as if the virus has much chance to jump from one person to another during a team chase. “I should think any self-respecting virus would be holding on far too tight to spread,” she remarked. Good point. REVENGE A rider plagued by a speedy cyclist called out that he was approaching a flooded, very muddy area. “I ain’t afraid of no mud,” he replied as he flew past. Which was lucky as he was in it, head-first, seconds later. Ah, karma. WALKING Hats off to the German student walking to Scotland with her Shetland, as she could not afford the transport. Top determination and money-saving. Not sure whether it would…

WE all know that feeling of half recognising people when we’re out eventing. Add masks into the equation and the “do I know you?” game took on a whole extra dimension at Burgham last weekend. It turns out the bottom half of people’s faces is useful for recognition… and a tentative smile to test the water doesn’t cut it when you can’t see mouths! With the FEI “strongly recommending” face masks at all times except when on a horse, there was a good level of compliance, although not 100% – probably more through forgetfulness than wilful refusal. And of course with long days on site, everyone has to eat and drink. It amused me to see people pulling down masks as they approached someone to start a conversation. It’s a…

What’s the last book you read? I don’t usually read – unless it’s Horse & Hound, and no, I wasn’t paid to say that! What are your favourite tunes for a road trip? We spend a lot of time in the lorry, so anything upbeat usually helps. Amy Phillips, Piggy March’s head girl, and I always used to listen to Queen and ABBA, which are always good for a singalong. Which famous person would you invite for dinner? I can’t choose one – Piggy and Pippa Funnell would be top of the list. They have done so much for me and I am forever in their debt. I would order a takeaway though so they wouldn’t have to endure my cooking. If not a rider, you would be…? I deferred…

“Bored horses rarely perform to the best of their ability” I WISH I had known when I was a teenager how hard my mum worked to give me the chance to be an event rider. After she died, I wondered if I had thanked her enough. From a very early age, I was told life wasn’t fair, which I live by. My mother always said never to do anything badly. If I did a bad transition out hacking, I’d do it again. She also said if you don’t think you can do it, you probably won’t – negativity breeds losers. Growing up, my idols were Marion Mould and Stroller. Watching her on our tiny black and white television, I dreamed of riding as quietly and effectively as her. Now, I…

NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships, Hartpury, Glos DANNIE MORGAN scored the biggest win of his dressage career so far when he claimed a euphoric victory in the Superflex inter I championship. An intermediate eventer who now combines both sports, Dannie only took up pure dressage in 2016, but has since swept up the levels, accumulating eight national titles. This is, however, his first at small tour level. “This is the big one – the title I have always wanted to win since I started coming to the winter championships,” declared Hampshire-based Dannie. “I’m having to pinch myself.” Riding Lisa Morgan’s 10-year-old Jazz x Krack C son Knoxx’s Figaro, Dannie put a blip in the left pirouette during the previous day’s Magic prix st georges (PSG) behind him and pulled…

Burgham, Northumberland OLIVER TOWNEND was the dominant force at Britain’s first international horse trials of the restarted season, winning four of the seven international sections – the most ever won by one rider in one weekend. The AW Jenkinson CCI4*-S sections boasted huge, incredibly high-class fields. Records tumbled as fast as the rain showers started and ceased, with eight of the 10 best four-star dressage scores at Burgham recorded this year. Oliver’s 21.4 for a flawless test on Ballaghmor Class headed section L from the start. There were two favourites in this section, with 2018 winner Ballaghmor Class joined at the top of the billing by another grey in Kitty King’s 2019 victor Vendredi Biats. But a couple of mistakes in the dressage, among excellent work, put Kitty fourth, and…

TABITHA KYLE (Lissduff Royal) headed the 138cm grand prix by just 0.07sec from Eve McCoy (Misty Bay) before rounding off the show with 148cm victory on her great partner Vienna Orchid, receiving her trophy from Billy Twomey. The 128cm feature class went to Emily Irvine with the tremendous 19-year-old Bunbury Conquest with the fastest of only three double clears. The innovative Tomlinson Brothers young pony series was won in great style by Thomas Bradburne with his 148cm ride Derryinver Rocky, while it was fast and furious in the Trevor Marnic Groundwork mini major relay, where victory went to Isabelle James-Wright and Laura Mantel.…

SEWPCA Summer WPCS Silver Medal Show, Kent Showground JUST shy of 200 entries took part in the South Eastern Welsh Pony and Cob Association’s (SEWPCA) 50th anniversary show, where a brace of coveted Welsh Pony and Cob Society (WPCS) silver medals were up for grabs. Standing supreme was top Welsh section B and overall stallion champion, Jo Filmer’s impressive seven-year-old Longhalves Renoir (Levi). The big-moving grey is by Jo’s former Cuddy in-hand and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ridden finalist Lemonshill Falcon and is out of Rhoson Silwli. Renoir has undoubtedly followed in his sire’s footsteps, winning several accolades in the show ring and in the dressage arena; in 2018 he was crowned National Pony Society (NPS) dressage supreme champion with 13-year-old Megan Austin. He is currently unbeaten in…

Yorkshire Ebor Festival, York Racecourse, Yorks THE Ebor meeting at York may not have had the superstar staples Enable and Stradivarius this year, but it boasted the three other strongest candidates for Horse of the Year; Ghaiyyath, Love and the fastest thing on four legs, Battaash. It is a job to know whether to give most prominence to Ghaiyyath’s front-running style or the, as yet, untapped potential of Love – a filly who has now won her three Group Ones this season by an aggregate of nearly 20 lengths and without challenge. However, it was Battaash, winner of his second Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes on Friday, 21 August, who showed us a different side to his character. Normally he has so much speed he puts his races to bed by halfway.…

BEING at the “pinnacle” of a sport is a well-worn expression. If there is an achievement, however, that places you at the very top, above all your peers, it must be to be Olympic and world champion simultaneously. In eventing, only two riders have done this. The most recent example is the German phenomenon that is Michael Jung, but Blyth Tait did it first. “I had no fences in hand, but Ted gave me the confidence to ride as though I was training at home”BLYTH TAIT ON WINNING OLYMPIC GOLD IN 1996 The diminutive, quick-witted New Zealander had already finished in top spot in one World Championship – at Stockholm in 1990 on Messiah – when he came across the horse that would give him a second title eight years…

READY TEDDY is one of the best event horses in history; he had both enormous talent and longevity in the sport. “I was careful after Atlanta to consolidate what Ted had learnt and took him to Punchestown instead of Badminton,” says Blyth. “He was still very young and you can’t take them for granted, no matter how talented they are. “Hindsight only magnifies the amount of talent Ted had. He was very careful, super-fast, very brave and keen, and could really move for a thoroughbred. Yes, his temperament was a little volatile on the big stage after Atlanta, but at home he was sweet and easy, snaffle-mouthed and lovely to hack. He was such an athlete and so trainable; you didn’t have to tell him anything twice and he never…

WANT a fancy new living area but don’t have the budget for a new lorry? With a little TLC and imagination, you can easily tidy up any living area. Dressage rider and trainer Stef Eardley spent just £400 revamping her 17-year-old lorry. “I painted all my cupboards in a light blue to brighten it up and I recycled a wardrobe from my old lorry to give me more storage,” she explains. “It didn’t have a bed and the seats were too narrow to sleep on, so I made an extension of the seat that folds out to make a bed. “Someone gave me cushions they were throwing away, and to protect the newly covered seats, I bought some cheap throws which can be machine washed. Most venues have catering, toilets…

THIS year has seen racing with empty grandstands, cricket and football matches played to eerie silence, and now, on a micro scale, puppy shows with just small gatherings of people. “Margin had a bit of star quality, some pizzazz, as she glided around the ring” Ours is a small hunt, but there are often over a hundred people at the puppy show. As well as being a thank you for the puppy walkers, it is an important get-together for farmers and supporters at the end of the summer. While lots of hunts further south were forced to cancel their puppy shows this year, we were able to press on with a skeleton gathering now that restrictions have loosened. Groups of 30 are currently allowed to assemble, which meant that puppy…

SHOWJUMPING in Wales remains off following a Welsh Government announcement on 21 August that restrictions will not be lifted for at least three weeks, in respect of outdoor events. During the three weeks, the Welsh Government will be conducting pilots of three small outdoor events, with no more than 100 people at each. The current maximum limit is 30. If the pilots are successful the Government’s intention is to extend the range of small-scale outdoor events. The announcement means all British Showjumping shows during this period, including the three-day senior qualifier show at Wales and West showground (29–31 August) are cancelled. BS chief executive Iain Graham said the organisation is “extremely disappointed” and said it comes as a surprise when the rest of the country has been allowed to restart…

TOP HAT-FITTERS TO BE CELEBRATED NOMINATIONS are being sought for the first British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) Roy Burek hat fitter of the year award. BETA wants to “celebrate excellence” with the award, named in honour of the late Mr Burek, former managing director and chairman of Charles Owen. “Roy believed shop-based retailers were crucial in helping to ensure riders get the best possible fit for their hats and that it is essential they have access to expert, independent training,” said BETA executive director Claire Williams. “We are delighted this award bears his name.” • Visit: beta-uk.org ONLINE BURGHLEY IS READY TO GO EVENTING legends Pippa Funnell, Mark Todd, Oliver Townend and dressage superstar Carl Hester are among those to celebrate the “best of Burghley”. Burghley’s online event will take…

OSCAR The former Household Cavalry charger, retired to the Horse Trust in 2019 following 13 years’ military service, has been put down aged 26. He was the chosen charger of the Household Division commander. SMURF Lisa Walker’s blind therapy Shetland, pony of the year at the 2019 H&H Awards,has died aged 31. The 7hh rescue pony was found by the A1M and spent his life with Lisa, touching the lives of thousands through his work. VALUABLE The colt (Valverde x Sezuan) topped the third Schockemöhle-Helgstrand international dressage online foal auction, selling to Canada for €79,000 (£71,400). A total of 15 foals were sold.…

JUMPING A rider on a horse evidently delighted to be jumping again was perturbed when said horse proved said delight, after her first cross-pole, by jumping clean out of the warm-up. “I’ll just move on to a vertical,” the rider mumbled as she slunk back in shame. The horse looked pleased with herself… CHEMISTS A rider tried to buy copper sulphate and hydrogen peroxide in a chemist, and when asked what for, said innocently it was for severe thrush. “The assistant nearly fainted,” she said. “And asked if I wouldn’t be better off with a cream.” Er… APPLES A rider who thought horses should not eat cooking apples asked for others’ thoughts. “Would you want to eat a cooking apple?” asked a fellow owner. “Well no, but I don’t want…

AT the moment, it is easy to focus on what we don’t have. There are daily reminders of what a strange situation we are currently living in – wearing a mask, for example. It was therefore with some trepidation that I arranged hacks at two different riding stables on a recent holiday to Herefordshire. But I shouldn’t have worried, as they were riding stables at their best. At one, I enjoyed a hack with fantastic views on a responsive Morgan horse; at the other, I joined a fun evening ride around woodland tracks. During my visit to my local stables, it was lovely to share the excitement and wonder at all the potential adventures that may ensue. How lucky we are to have such places to escape to. After one…

WE recently competed at our first show of the season, the UK Nationals held at Arena UK (15–16 August). It was organised by show rider Scott Dixon. Who would have thought our first show would have been in late August? We were very impressed with the organisation and general running of the show so a big well done to Scott who has had no previous experience of show planning. It has been fascinating to see individuals step forward to accommodate the competitors, even before the societies did so. It is a very brave move in these uncertain times for these organisers to stick their necks out and attempt what seemed like the impossible when all the odds were against them. The gamble certainly paid off as the general atmosphere at…

Ringwood LB (pictured, above right), known as Albie, or Albatross to his best friends. He is an 11-year-old by Iroko, out of Seoidin Alainn, owned by Nick and Helen Caton. Albie came to me in May 2018 having been produced wonderfully by Jonty Evans. Albie is absolutely wild during the trot-up and often shows me his tummy while waving his legs in the air, but he will stand and rest a leg by the start box of the cross-country. He’s a favourite on the yard; he loves a cuddle and has the biggest bottom lip of any horse we have ever seen.…

WITH heavy rain descending during the inter I, Nathalie Kayal thought her biggest challenge with DHI Cleverboy would be simply getting him in the arena. “Of all our horses, he is the one who won’t go through a puddle. He is petrified of water, and even the wash bay at home is a nightmare for him,” she said of the Sandreo 13-year-old. “I wasn’t sure I’d even get him into the practice arena as it was raining so hard today. I didn’t know what to expect, but I made a conscious decision to aim for a clean test. I don’t know whether someone gave him a brain transplant, but he dug as deep as he could. I almost shed a little tear after! “He could not have tried harder and…

SAMANTHA LISSINGTON scored her first win at intermediate level since moving over to Britain in July last year when she took the open intermediate. The 29-year-old rider brought four horses from New Zealand with her, including Ricker Ridge Rui, with whom she completed Burghley last year, and her Burgham winner Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ. She is also producing four horses for 2013 Badminton winner Jock Paget, who will come over and ride them in the bigger events in the future, Covid-19 permitting. Her connection with Jock goes back to winning a 10-day training scholarship with him when she was 18. Nine-year-old Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ has been with Samantha since he was five, when she was sent him to produce and sell. “He’s a really nice person, very sweet and…

THIS time last year, Warwick Hall (X) BE80(T) winner Amy Dixon feared she may never event again. In March 2019 she underwent major back surgery to treat a disc that had prolapsed by two centimetres. “It took a long time to get going again and to jump a fence. Having to undergo major back surgery at the age of 35 was not something I had bargained for, but I was determined to get back eventing even though my balance and confidence were badly affected,” said Amy. “I’m still far from 100%, but my Warwick Hall run was the best I’d felt since before the surgery.” This was a third win at the level for Amy and her winning partner, Goodluck II (Ronnie). “Ronnie was bought to do dressage, so I’d…

CHELSEA SKELTON’S first outing for nine months resulted in two wins at her local centre, Willow Banks. After heading the Foxhunter on Homerus, she took the honours in the day’s major 1.25m/1.35m class with Caramba (pictured, right). “I dislocated my shoulder in a fall in November, so I turned all the horses away for a proper break,” she said. “Since they came in, I’ve been trying to get them fit. Caramba looked like a Thelwell pony. he was as wide as he was tall!” Chelsea is now looking forward to 2021. “I’ve decided to concentrate on getting double clears for next season. I can’t see the point of chasing round the big shows that are coming up because my horses aren’t ready. We’ve tended to keep going over the summer…

Showing with a difference, Durfold Farm, Surrey SHOW horse supremo Lynn Russell hosted her third show at her Surrey base. This time, the focus was solely on her own passion, the cobs. Netting the in-hand championship was Sian Greene’s Mighty Gilbert (pictured), who later showed his versatility by being crowned reserve ridden champion. Sian purchased eight-year-old Gilbert last October. “He’d been backed and had only come over from Ireland three weeks before,” said Sian. “It’s not been plain sailing for us, but we’ve done some dressage and all of Lynn’s shows. He’s a loveable rogue and I couldn’t be without him.” Reserve for the in-hand championship was Barry Smith’s Nightjar. Pipping Gilbert and Sian to the post in the ridden championship was Lee Uttridge’s 14-year-old traditional Branston, ridden by Rosie…