Innholdsfortegnelse for 26-May-2022 i Horse & Hound

A REGULAR walk I take on Saturdays leads me past a playing field in which children play football matches whatever the weather. The parents are terrifying, handing out such gems of sporting advice as, “You’re not going to get the ball unless you push him – hard!” I can only assume that some of these parents have ambitions for their children to become Premier League footballers and live a happy life wanting for nothing, because no Saturday morning “friendly” is that important. But what are the chances, however gifted their progeny, of them making it to the million-pound-a-week club? Perhaps their parents’ encouragement is with a view to them simply finding a vocation from their passion. In equestrian sport, is it even more challenging to make it to the very…

CLASSIC BRIOLINCA Gareth Hughes’ top dressage mare, whom he owns with Julia Hornig, returned to international competition after an injury in 2021 with a grand prix win and third in the special in Compiègne CDI3*. Report, 2 June. QING DU BRIOT IFCE The Rio 2016 Olympic team gold medal-winning eventer, ridden by Thibaut Vallette, is to retire aged 18. They were stalwarts for the French team, winning individual and team European and world team bronze. CAESAR 171 The foundation sire at the Brown family’s Godrics Stud has died aged 33. He enjoyed a successful dressage career and leaves a legacy in his progeny, which include inter I campaigner Cruz III and multiple British team ponies. SIMPLY SPLENDID Showjumper James Smith’s international-winning ride, owned by Lee Smith, was put down on…

Olympic dressage rider Lottie Fry and Glamourdale won the Compiègne CDIO5* (19-22 May) grand prix on 79.44%, followed by the grand prix special on 76.64%. Report, 2 June. Olympic eventer Gemma Tattersall will target the Hickstead speed Derby on JohanSome, an eight-year-old event horse. Gemma said it was always something she had wanted to do. Garthorpe clerk of course Brian Crawford has retired after 29 pointing seasons and 122 meetings. A presentation was held at the course on 22 May to celebrate his achievements. Founder of the prolific Colbeach Stud Norwood White celebrated his 90th birthday on 23 May. A lunch hosted by Jerome Harforth and Claudia Cooper on 21 May was attended by many in showing. Legendary jockey Lester Piggott, 86, is in hospital in Switzerland. The 11-time champion…

▲ GENIUS An Icelandic tourist board service for holidaymakers routes work email messages to a horse, who types out-of-office replies. These, apparently, range from “þþ njifai=’.,,lmbmbnbbhgycdrg zw” to the succinct “þnjifai\’ /.p, oii9unnbhvggyvgjhbjm, kf o/’k;, i, mumnf).” Brilliant. ▲ SUCCESS In some Indian towns, teachers are known to refer to under-performing students as “only fit to rear donkeys”. One local dropout set up a “palace” for donkeys and is now selling their milk for 7,000 rupees per litre to make cosmetics. Well played, that man! ▲ ACCIDENTAL DRESSAGE A showjumper who had never felt passage was both pleased to have done it, and relieved to survive the five motorbikes, two horses and pack of dogs that inspired it. “We had a good gallop, too, ” she said. No doubt. ▼…

1) How many female riders competed at Badminton 2022 whose mothers have also ridden at the event? 2) Who was the racehorse named after a dancer who claimed he would be reincarnated as a horse? 3) What was the name of the first supreme pony crowned at the RIHS in 2002? (Prior to 2002, the ponies were judged with the horses.) 4) What is the day job of Sam Waley-Cohen, winner of the 2022 Grand National? 5) What are Anne and Wilfrid Scawen Blunt known for? Answers from 19 May 1) Nolan 2) Worm 3) Ardenhall Royal Secret 4) Put The Kettle On 5) 1940, when Bogskar won.…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ ONE of the highlights of the show season so far has been the announcement of the Robert Oliver showman’s award, which will be presented at the British Show Pony Society’s (BSPS) summer championships, following the selection of six riders who will have been talent spotted during the summer for displaying showmanship and presence in the ring. This is a most fitting tribute to Robert, who died last year, as he was considered to be the greatest showing rider of the modern era. He inspired a generation of young people, particularly during his presidency of the BSPS. When approached by Horse & Hound in 2017 for the “Inspirations” series, my brother Nigel without a moment’s hesitation chose Robert. He was the consummate showman, who above all adopted his elegant…

Need to know BALLAGHMOR CLASS Age: 15 Breeding: by Courage II Breeder: Noel Hickey Rider: Oliver Townend Owners: Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan Greatest achievements: first Burghley CCI5* 2017; fifth Badminton CCI5* 2018; first Burgham CCI4*-S 2018; second Burghley CCI5* 2018; first Burnham Market CCI4*-S 2019; second Badminton CCI5* 2019; second Burgham CCI4*-S 2019; third Burghley CCI5* 2019; first Burgham CCI4*-S 2020; first Kentucky CCI5* 2021; fifth and team gold Tokyo Olympics 2021; fifth Badminton CCI5* 2022 (all classes updated to current star levels). RIDER OLIVER TOWNEND “THE first thing that struck me with ‘Thomas’ was his athleticism. He’s tall and rangy with big movement, but he never looks like he’s having to try very hard, even now at top level. “As a young horse he was very…

A LACK of samples and data has hindered research into EGS, but the EGS biobank and database aims to change this. Since April 2021, 78 cases have been reported (47 in 2021 and 17 so far in 2022; plus historic cases), and samples from 38 horses have been donated to the Biobank, of which 31 are tissue samples – including samples from the Royal horses at Balmoral. Horse owners and vets can provide crucial information about the management and risk factors around EGS sufferers to help researchers. If you encounter a case of EGS, please submit samples from affected horses, both pre- and post-mortem, and environmental samples (pasture vegetation and soil) to the EGS Biobank, via your vet. • For more information and a case report questionnaire, visit: grasssickness.org.uk/biobank…

CHURCH FARM Alsop en le Dale, Ashbourne, Derbys For you: a Grade II-listed Georgian farmhouse with eight bedrooms. The house has large rooms with high ceilings, lovely carpentry and excellent chimney pieces. There are also two holiday cottages situated in a paved courtyard, extensive outbuildings and land, sitting in a superb rural location within the Peak District National Park. There are solar panels and a biomass boiler providing heating and hot water for the accommodation. For the horses: three looseboxes in a courtyard, a hay loft and stock housing. There is a 20x40m manège. Set in a total of 5.5 acres. £1.75m Fisher German, 01530 410840, fishergerman.co.uk ODDINGTON LODGE Lower Oddington, Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos For you: a seven-bedroom house constructed in Cotswold stone, with a garden barn containing games/party room and…

EMMA LAWTON left a host of seasoned professionals trailing in her wake when she won CCI2*-S section B at Chatsworth. The full-time rider and instructor and her own 12-year-old Irish-bred gelding Mantra led from start to finish, completing on their dressage score of 25.6. “He’s normally very reliable in the dressage and cross-country, but I have to hold my nerve in the showjumping, ” said Emma, who credited a last-minute word from Piggy March in the collecting ring for her cool, calculated clear. “Piggy told me that I had to shut out everything and imagine I was jumping on my own at home, so that’s what I did.” The pair also won the CCI*-S at Offchurch Bury last autumn.…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 Senior Inter Regionals, Bishop Burton College, East Yorks HOT competition at the senior inter-regionals saw 26 teams vying for honours. Riders from the North and East British Dressage (BD) region dominated, with Alison Timmins of the winning Team Stuttgard heading the individual medium with her eight-year-old KWPN gelding Johnny Fletch. “Johnny has just stepped up to medium and is suddenly discovering a new power in his work, ” said Alison, who bought the De Niro son as a yearling. “We call him the Labrador puppy as he’s the kindest, gentlest horse. I never intended to back him myself, but he was so straightforward and has been a pleasure to work with. “He’s a quick learner with quite big movement that we’re helping him to contain and control, ”…

OUTSTANDING scores of 81% and more than 84% at medium, at South View, Cheshire, secured a double win for Greg Sims and Waverley Fellini (pictured, right), the Fürstenball gelding who reached the six-year-old finals at the World Breeding Championships last summer. “He’s feeling good, ” admitted Greg of “Leni”, who is next aimed at the seven-year-old class at Somerford Park. “He has always been self-motivated but he’s now stronger in that level of work, so I can really show him off for the higher marks. He has the natural talent to be able to develop in the right way and it feels as if he has stepped up.” ONE TO WATCH…

gemma.redrup@futurenet.com @gemmaredrup Melton Hunt Club, Garthorpe, Leicestershire AL SHAHIR landed the Jockey Club and Retraining of Racehorses’ veteran horse series final 9yo&up in a classy performance under eight-time ladies’ champion Gina Andrews. The “relatively low-mileage” 10-year-old, trained by Gina’s husband – multiple champion point-to-point trainer Tom Ellis for the Ice and a Slice Racing Club – finished 12 lengths clear of closest rival Knight Bachelor (Izzie Marshall). “He’s a lovely horse, such a gentleman to have about the place. He’s had a really good season with us. He had a bit of a hiccup at Newbury [in a hunter chase last month]; he burst a blood vessel that day, which had been his problem when Dan Skelton had him, ” said Tom. “Point-to-pointing really suits him, because he does everything…

catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 ANNA BODEN, who hunts with the Cattistock, Blackmore and Sparkford Vale and occasionally the Portman, says the lessons hunting has taught her undoubtedly contributed to her recent victory in the 500km Gaucho Derby in Argentina. “Hunting, combined with running, was the best training imaginable for the race, ” said Anna, who managed more than 30 hunting days in Dorset last season. “It teaches you about the unknown, about navigating the countryside, gives you resilience when it’s freezing and wet, and to keep up no matter what. And also about teamwork, which was crucial to my success.” Anna went to Argentina alone for the epic challenge, where riders are in the saddle solidly from 8am to 6pm, crossing extremely difficult terrain, but ended up teaming up with another British…

A NEW season for both masters and hunt staff started on 1 May. Some masters have been in office so long that this date will merely pass them by as another notch on their ever-lengthening time in office. For an increasing number, however, this will be an exciting start to a position that will dominate and change their lives forever. Those who are brave enough to take on the challenge of running a hunt will have to involve themselves in every aspect of it – managing the staff, horses and hounds, opening the country, liaising with farmers, landowners and keepers, sitting on the many committees that make decisions or raise much-needed funds. It all sounds so simple when the hunt chairman persuades you to take the job on. The reality…

Share your news story Call 01252 555021 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @jones_eleanor_ WORKING young horses, turnout and the perils of “exaggerated” over-care are among the issues covered in a report on ethical issues concerning the industry. COFICHEV, the Swiss council for the equine industry, first produced Reflections on Ethics and the Horse in 2011. A decade later, COFICHEV “felt the need to revisit the topic”, and has published a “revised and greatly expanded” version, taking into account recent scientific research. A spokesman for the council said debate on the acceptability of the use and involvement of horses has “spread to the general population”. The report opens by stating that an “ideal and absolute harmony is impossible to achieve”. “Even so, it behoves us – and it is our moral responsibility – to…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 TO hear riders, judges, spectators and just about everyone enthuse about the ICE Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival (the Hickstead Premier League) was amazing. The spacious site of the Hickstead showground in wonderful, rolling Sussex countryside provided the backdrop to an exciting four days of sport earlier this month. Hickstead has tended to attract either extreme heat or torrential rain, so it was great the weather gods were on our side. The event really did cater for everyone, with some toplevel sport and very exciting combinations to keep an eye on in future. Inter II and under-25 grand prix wins for Annabella Pidgley and Gio were great to see, and Andrew Gould with a new ride, the stallion Indigro, showed some spectacular passage, which received a 10. “It’s…

WHEN faced with loss, it can be hard to know which direction to take. But when Matthew Ainsworth is faced with a challenge, he keeps moving forward. A year ago, the equestrian world was left devastated when news broke that legendary showman Robert Oliver had passed away. Robert had been Matthew’s mentor since the now-leading show producer was a horse-mad 17-year-old with nothing more than potential in the saddle, determination and big dreams. Matthew, 37, grew up in a town in Lancashire and his non-horsey roots meant he was never expected to become an equestrian, let alone a professional in a sport as niche as showing. “I had a very standard childhood, ” explains Matthew, who achieved a career highlight in 2021 when he reigned at Horse of the Year…

“AT home, Thomas likes things to be quiet and to stick to his routine. He’s not really a guy who makes too much fuss about himself, but he knows that our lives revolve around him and the other horses. He very much gets to have his own way. He’s always been in the first stable in his block so naturally he gets fed first and taken out first, but if you try to change those things, he gets unhappy. He is also addicted to strong mints and can smell them in anyone’s pockets. “He’s calmed down a lot over the years and he’s very sensible to work with from the ground. He’s almost easier at a competition because he has his game face on. To him, every show is the…

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BEFORE BREXIT Health papers signed: £70 Shipper fees (optional): £95 Ferry: £450 return Eurotunnel: £950 return Defra annual lorry check: £380 UK type two authorisation certificate: free AFTER BREXIT Export health certificate: £200 Blood tests: £100 Shipper fees: £250 Ferry: £450 return, plus attendance/dossier, £114; BCP charge, £140; vet tax, £28; onwards certificates, £25. These fees double on weekends and are 2.5 times as much on holidays Eurotunnel: £950 return, plus surcharge inc BCP charge, £325; attendance/dossier, £114; vet tax, £28; onward certificate, £25 Carnet: £800 per year Defra annual lorry check: £380 EU lorry check: including travel and fees, not including any necessary work to vehicle, £1,500 UK type two authorisation certificate: free EU type two transport certificate: £170 for 10 years *Costs may vary…

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle Fairfax & Favor Rockingham, Northamptonshire STRONG jumping performances rewarded riders at Rockingham, which was back for the first time since 2019, after cancellations due to Covid. Piggy March and Jayne McGivern’s talented nine-year-old stallion Halo added nothing to their 23.8 dressage to win the hotly contested Fairfax & Favor CCI3*-S. “He felt fantastic – I was so excited with how he felt and he is definitely a horse with loads more in there to go up the grades, ” explained Piggy, who took on the ride from Kevin McNab this season. “I haven’t had much experience competing stallions and Halo has definitely been more aware of the girls over the past month. He’s still being a very good boy but he’s more easily distracted at the moment and…

IT has been a long road to recovery, physically and mentally, for Llanymynech BE80(T) section A winner Amy Baker, who fractured the base of her skull in a jumping accident five years ago. The mother of two, who works at Bold Heath Equestrian Centre, admitted that although her confidence had been shattered, she was determined to return to eventing. “I’m really lucky that my husband Mark let me ride his horse, who had been competing up to two-star level with him, ” said Amy, who wore a neck brace for four months and had six months off riding in total. That horse, Maries Circus Showtime, proved to be just the partner to restore Amy’s mojo. “We’ve started at the bottom of the ladder again. It’s all thanks to Mark and…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.c om @alexrob_journo_ Nottinghamshire County, Newark Showground, Notts EAST ANGLIA-based rider Eleanor Hirst took two Royal International (RIHS) qualifying tickets on the bounce with her middleweight hunter Noble Gladiator (OB). The duo finished second and reserve champion behind middleweight winner and section champion Bloomfield Valhalla (Polly Coles) in the weight classes, before a quick saddle change and back into the ring to win the ladies’ class and another Hickstead slot. “We did our last side-saddle class in 2019, ” said a delighted Eleanor. “I’ve been so busy that I only had time for a quick practice before our class. We’ve also got our RIHS workers ticket. I don’t think there are many other horses as versatile as this one.” Eleanor has owned her 11-year-old gelding for five years and describes him…

ARTUR NICPON enjoyed a winning hat-trick at Field House EC, Staffs, heading two elementaries with Sport Horse Centre Sissily and an advanced medium with Homerus DC. “Sissily is a fairly new ride and we’re still getting to know each other, ” he said of Sue Sutton’s eight-year-old mare. “Homerus is by the same stallion, Sir Donnerhall, and is working well towards inter I. They’re both well behaved and proper sport horses – they try to perform at a show, so I know what to expect.”…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Newcomers and Foxhunter second rounds, South View, Cheshire ROBERT MURPHY set himself up for another shot at a Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) title with a Peter Charles-owned horse when he headed the Foxhunter second round with Chawton. Last year, Robert qualified Peter’s gelding Lightning TW for three HOYS finals, going home with the newcomers title. “It’s a big aim for me to win the Foxhunter final and I’ve been trying for a few years. I was fifth then third, so I’m getting closer, ” Robert said. “I think Chawton is a horse who stands a chance of winning it; he’s a good jumper, very consistent and really quick.” Robert took over the ride on the eight-year-old, who is by Max Routledge’s stallion Typhoon S, towards the…

PATRICK HICKEY continued his successful run since joining Shane Breen’s stables, winning both the area trial and 1.40m open at Pyecombe, West Sussex, with 10-year-old Hollywood VI (pictured). They produced one of just three clears in the first round, and only two riders retained clean sheets, with Patrick pipping Nicole Lockhead Anderson and Miss Aragona PS to win by 0.46sec. “I saw Nicole go and it was a good round but it wasn’t overly quick. I just turned a little tighter from two to three, ” Patrick said. Patrick and Hollywood had already headed a 1.40m open at Pyecombe at their first show together a week earlier. “So far, I’ve jumped him in four classes and we’ve won three of them, ” added Patrick.…

HUNTING lost one of its most experienced and respected personalities when Rob Cursham (pictured) died recently at the age of 88. Rob, also known as Robin, enjoyed a distinguished career as a master and huntsman, spanning 40 years. Born in Stirlingshire on 20 December 1933, he was one of two sons of Miles and Margaret Cursham. Miles was an officer in the Royal Navy who, as a dashing young pilot, pioneered landing aircraft on the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers in the 1920s. Rob began hunting at an early age. Since the family moved around with Miles’ postings, he hunted with a variety of packs, including in Northern Ireland with the County Down Staghounds and the Killultagh, Old Rock and Chichester Harriers. After attending the Royal Agricultural College, he intended…

ANYONE who has moved away, stopped hunting somewhere for a while and then returned will know the strangely disorientating feeling of looking around at a meet and barely knowing a soul. This can happen incredibly rapidly, over the course of just a year or two. Apart from a few perennials, the “faces” of the hunt move on and there are new ones in their place. I was thinking about this last week when I went to see a lady who grew up on a farm in the old North Northumberland country. Barbara will turn 80 this year and has many happy memories of hunting in the 1950s and ‘60s. How many incarnations has the hunt taken since then? IN those days, Lord Joicey – whose land formed a good portion…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald ROYAL WINDSOR is one of the best shows in the calendar, and even with all the red tape from Brexit, many of the world’s best riders came – it shows what an incentive it is when you offer very good prize money. To help with the lengthy logistics now involved in travelling into Britain, some of the foreign riders used horse transporters this year and I hope it makes them realise it’s worth the effort. I had mixed fortunes at the show – it started well when my top horse Equine America Unick Du Francport was third in the big class on the first day, but then I took the wrong course in the King’s Cup which I still haven’t got over – I got a serious ribbing…

MANY equestrian properties are very old, so is it possible to make them more sustainable through renovation, or is it more viable to build something new? “It is possible to renovate an older building, but it is very expensive. You’re better off building a brand-new American barn that is fully insulated with solar panels on the roof, an air source heater for the tack room, and rainwater collection than trying to renovate a Grade II-listed Victorian pile or falling-down old stone farmyard, ” says Fox Grant’s William Grant. Another consideration is the increasing EPC energy rating requirements for rental properties and new builds, meaning some older properties won’t make the cut. “Interestingly, we have seen an increase in local authorities wanting renewable energy generation and water efficiency measures as part…

A FELL pony mare and her daughter will both compete at this year’s RIHS after qualifying in their respective finals. Tara Robinson’s 21-year-old Hedgethorpe April Morning booked her pass in the Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd in-hand final at South Durham, just a month after the mare’s daughter, Hedgethorpe June Delight, also owned and ridden by Tara, qualified for the amateur mountain and moorland final at BSPS Area 1A. Tara competed with June at last year’s RIHS, and April also made an appearance there in 2017 when Tara was 15. “April is a bit of a party girl and loves Hickstead, ” said Tara, whose grandmother, Dulcie Robinson, bought former broodmare April as an endurance pony from her breeder Deborah Chadwick. At the time, Tara was taking a hiatus from…