Innholdsfortegnelse for 26-Jan-2023 i Horse & Hound

JOYFUL and rewarding, yes but working with horses in any capacity is physically and emotionally draining. In this issue, we focus on the highs and lows that grooms face speaking to some about the pinnacles of their careers (feature, p34) and others about how they ensure they look after their physical and mental health (feature, p38). One of the reasons I recommend parents encourage children to start riding is for the physical and mental health benefits. The other is because of the responsibility and work ethic fostered by having a horse. It’s possible to be lazy if you have or work with horses, hut in my experience it’s unlikely - the motivation that comes with horse management, be that wanting to do right by your animals or having competitive ambitions,…

IN THE NEWS LESTINGALE VS The Glamourdale son has moved to top dressage rider Gareth Hughes. Elly Darling competed Zoe Kirkpatrick’s stallion to elementary. Gareth and “Loki” are getting to know each other, with competing pencilled in. CAPPUCCINO Kay Sinclair-James’ show cob has died, aged 25. The pair were supreme champions at Pembrokeshire County, had national championship glory, plus top placings at HOYS and the Royal International. BILLY LIFFY Lady Rothermere’s advanced event horse, by Billy Congo, has died aged 16. Olivia Craddock produced the gelding to five-star level, before he joined Sam Griffiths. He was partered in 2022 by Bubby Upton.…

▲ POLICING South Yorkshire Police is selling one of its horses as he’s “not excelling” at the job. We need details. Did his bedding get stolen and he had nothing to go on? Was he part of the neighbourhood team? Was he… (Enough. Ed) ▲ A GOOD WASH Spotted, a poster trying to attract new members to a group of hunt monitors. “WHAT DO WE DO?” it asked, under which it added: “BATH HUNT SABOTEURS”. Glad to hear they’re branching out; we wouldn’t dream of suggesting some of them could do with it… ▲ SMALL MERCIES Let us take a moment to savour the quiet joy of realising the yard tap has thawed. Of course it would be better if the [REDACTED] thing hadn’t frozen in the first place, despite…

THERE can be only one priority when you find your son stuck head-down in a haynet holder, legs waving, a dog’s paw firmly on his head. And, while howling with laughter, Heather Westgate managed to capture the moment on camera. Heather told H&H she got a message from 14-year-old Felix’s phone watch saying: “Mum, I’m in a bit of a predicament.” She explained: “I didn’t think that sounded too bad so it was 10 minutes before I got there.” And there he still was, investigating the bottom of the haynet. “I laughed and said, ‘Hang on, I will get you out but I’ve got to get the photo!”’ she said. “The dogs were playing with him and apparently pushed him in. I love the photo and it is going down…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald OPINION RETURNING to the sport after announcing my retirement in December wasn’t something I’d planned, but it all just happened very quickly after Jack Kennedy broke his leg in a fall a couple of weeks ago. This is such a crucial time of year and I hadn’t been off for all that long, and my knowledge of all the horses and owners is there. If I’d been finished for any longer, I don’t think I’d have come back, but I hadn’t lost any fitness and I didn’t have to do anything drastic to get back into the swing of things. So it was good timing in one sense, but far from an ideal situation to be in for poor Jack; hopefully we can make the best of it.…

RIDER LAURA COLLETT “I WAS at Peter Thomsen’s yard in Germany looking at four-year-olds and saw ‘Dan’ being exercised. It was early in his seven-year-old year, he was quite sassy and had a look about him that caught my eye. He was out of my budget and I had to talk nicely to Keith Scott and Karen Bartlett so they would join me in buying him. “He’s never been the bravest horse and he’s had to learn to go cross-country. When he was young, it was about building a partnership so he trusted what I was asking him. He preferred to jump over water than go through it and coming from a jumping background, he knew how to walk and canter but not to trot. “His win at Boekelo in…

APPROPRIATE personal insurance is advised even if the yard you’re working on has adequate insurance. “Research and shop around, but always make sure you have public liability and personal accident cover,” advises freelance groom Grace Blackland. “Also make sure your insurance covers you for exactly what you’re doing so that in the event that something does happen, you’re covered. “Some insurance companies will cover you for loss of income if you’re out of work due to injury, however, you must prove your income, so make sure you keep track of that,” Jackie Potts and Alan Davies both have insurance through their British Grooms Association membership, which covers them for sickness and injury. • To find out more, visit britishgrooms.org.uk…

HORSE: The 2022 BE90 Voltaire Design Grassroots Championships winner Mermured Promise FEED: Saracen Shape-Up (a low-starch fibre mix), Saracen Show Improver Mix (a conditioning mix), Saracen Molassed Chaff SIOBHAN HENEGHAN overhauled her 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse’s diet shortly after buying him in 2019 after feeling that his diet wasn’t as effective as it could have been. After seeking advice, she switched from an all-in-one feed to the Saracen range, and the pair had their best season to date when they won the Grassroots Championships at Badminton last year. “On the previous feed, he always had too much energy and could be quite silly but then get quite tired,” she says. “But since changing his diet he’s at the point where he has enough stamina without the silliness. “In the spring…

THE majority of races are organised by the Amateur Jockeys Association (AJA). To take part, riders must apply to the AJA (you don’t need to be an amateur jockey) and once accepted, provide a horse and raise an amount of money - usually in the thousands - for the nominated charity. Races held at Cheltenham have raised over £1.5m for Cancer Research over five years. Jockeys must prove they are fit and competent by passing an assessment at the British Racing School in Newmarket or the National Horseracing College in Doncaster. There are exemptions for people work-riding for licensed trainers regularly and who pass a doctor’s assessment on the day. “There is a very strict criteria,” says Sarah Oliver, CEO of the AJA, which supports various charities by arranging the…

TAKING a chance with a project youngster is paying off for Katie Horgan, who scored a prelim silver win and a novice silver second with Miracle SB. The Furst Romancier x Serano Gold gelding had a tricky reputation when Katie first saw him last spring. She explained that “Toto” was cheeky, with a tendency to be sharp in upwards transitions. “I knew it was a massive gamble to buy him, but I liked him and couldn't afford a horse with his breeding without a quirk,” she said. “Various checks revealed no physical cause; he just seemed confused. “We turned him out for two months and he slept, flat out - he was mentally exhausted. We then went back to basics with him.” Now a six-year-old and with much improved behaviour…

FROM most people’s perspective, Tuesday was probably one of the worst days of the season. We were in an area of woodland that was still clogged with fallen trees from Storm Arwen. The commercial shoot nearby was in full flow as confirmed by the rat-a-tattatting of guns close by. Plus, it was cold and wet with a forecast of rain all day. Unsurprisingly, many of the regulars had given it a swerve but a hardcore of 11 turned up to the meet, which was held at the home of popular hunt member, Daphne, and her husband Terence. The hospitable pair had assembled the meet ingredients in a shed, and Jack and I stomped in on foot with everyone else to enjoy a drink, a sausage roll and some excellent sandwiches.…

Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ A POLICING review has “backfired” on saboteurs, who often withhold evidence or provide footage that is “edited, grainy or long-distance”. North Wales police and crime commissioner Andy Dunbobbin commissioned Wrexham Glŵyndr University to “gain an independent and objective insight into how the Hunting Act is policed in north Wales” “While the findings demonstrate that North Wales Police are doing an effective job in policing the Hunting Act, and in balancing the strident views on both sides of the hunting divide, the report also recommends a number of changes in operations,” Mr Dunbobbin said. The review states that people involved in anti-hunting campaigns “told us in interview they often provided evidence of illegal foxhunting to the police but that…

IN THE NEWS FLIGHTLINE The Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, who retired to stud unbeaten aged four, was crowned 2022 best racehorse in the world in the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities’ Longines rankings. FLIP'S LITTLE SPARROW The jumper, ridden by Peder Fredricson and Stephanie Holmén, has retired. The 17-year-old, owned by Astrid Ohlin and Grevlundagården i Vitaby AB, jumped the 2022 Nations Cup final and won the 2016 Zurich World Cup. DUKE OF FIRENZE The 2013 Epsom Dash winner has retired aged 14 after a 134-race career. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Robert Cowell then David Griffiths, he finished in the top three 32 times, including 12 wins.…

Five-star eventer Hannah Bate has switched disciplines to showjumping. Hannah said it had been a “hard decision”, but that she has to “follow her heart and concentrate on new goals”. Groom Jackie Potts, William Fox-Pitt’s head girl for over 30 years, celebrates her 60th birthday on 29 January. In 2022, Jackie received the British Equestrian medal of honour. Top jockey Hollie Doyle is recovering from a broken elbow sustained in a fall at Wolverhampton on 16 January. Hollie hopes to be back in the saddle in a few weeks. Dressage rider and six-time Olympian Kyra Kyrklund, 71, became the first equestrian to enter the Hall of Fame for Finnish sports. Kyra, who is also a trainer, retired from competition in 2010. Flat jockey Luke Morris, 34, recorded his 2,000th win…

▼ WOMEN Readers may be amused by a letter to H&H in 1957 on women being allowed to compete in Olympic eventing. Women are not “built” to understand or “feel with” a horse across country, it says, though their “nicety of control and feeling” means dressage is fine. Laura, Piggy, Pippa et al might just disagree… ▼ ABSTINENCE One was rather surprised to get an email titled “Keep him drinking”, which seemed against the tide at this time of year. A quick check and it was about the horse, rather than the husband. Water rather than gin. Got it. ▼ GETTING STUCK Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden says she was once stuck in her horse’s stable in a bottom-bolt situation. Eventually, she used bedding and vaulting to escape. Our one…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. HOW LUCKY WERE WE! I LOVED reading the article on Murphy Himself (“Legends of the sport”, 29 December). When my husband hunted the Duke of Buccleuch Foxhounds, he was very lucky to hunt hounds off Murphy - he came to us when Ian Stark went skiing, either over Christmas and New Year or in February. Murphy loved the job, as did Glenburnie who - after he had hung up his shoes eventing came to us at the Buccleuch on a permanent basis. How lucky to have two such wonderful cross-country specialists. Both loved the hounds and really did love this job! “Murphy Himself loved the hounds and his job” SALLY ADAMS Sally Adams Ancrum, Scottish Borders FIREWORKS…

“DAN is one of my favourites, a really sweet horse. At home, he’s more confident and cheekier - in the morning, he’ll push the stable door and nudge you to hurry up and take off his rug, though he’ll never actually go out. “He can be naughty to catch. He’ll be grazing but as soon as he sees you, he trots circles around you, which is nerve-racking as you don’t want him to injure himself. You have to leave and come back - then he’s like, ‘Oh, I do want to come in, I just wanted to play first.’ “At events, he does get a little nervous and after cross-country, he can’t eat or drink for a while. He’s not a big eater, so he’d prefer not to eat if…

HARBURY FIELDS BARN Leamington Spa, Warks For you: a stylish barn conversion with five bedrooms on the edge of the idyllic village of Harbury and just 10 minutes’ drive from the popular Regency town of Leamington Spa. The house is full of character, with vaulted ceilings, exposed stonework and beams. The landscaped garden includes two patio areas for alfresco dining. For the horses: a registered smallholding with nine stables, tack room, feed store and a 20×40m manège. There is also a 2,700sq ft barn. Set in 22 acres of post-and-railed pasture. £2.25m Fine & Country Leamington Spa, 01926 455950, fineandcountry.co.uk 6 HIGH BARN  Lyth, Kendal, Lake District For you: live the rural dream in this three-bedroom barn conversion with far-reaching views over the Lyth Valley to the Lakeland Fells. For the…

STUDIES show there is a direct link between poor mental wellbeing in the equestrian workplace and poor employment, so ensuring you have a contract that works for both parties will result in a happier employee. “Knowing your rights as an employee is vital,” says Lucy Katan, executive director of the British Grooms Association (BGA). “Joining the BGA will give you support and education to ensure you know what is acceptable and what is not when it comes to your contract. Get the details sorted before you start a job.” Good employment is made up of three key things: the correct employment status; a written contract on or before the day you start; and at least the national minimum living wage for every hour that you work. “Don’t let anyone tell…

COTTESMORE 3 January catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123…

HIGHLIGHTS 9-15 January polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 Addington Area Festival, Bucks AFTER a prix st georges (PSG) bronze section win, Sophie Watkins and Inca Spirit then took the inter I bronze at only their third attempt at the level. “Our trainer, Katie Williamson, told us to go for it as we had nothing to lose,” said Sophie. “Inca finds it quite strenuous but she’s a bit of a diva and she lit up as she went in the ring. She has surprised us all with how quickly she has found her feet.” "He does a brilliant giraffe impression and grows 2hh if he’s stressed" CLAIRALINE BLANCHE ON CALIMERO VD VELDHOEVE Z Sophie was 15 when she teamed up with her skewbald British warmblood mare eight years ago. “We’ve grown up together,” she…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ OPINION MANY of you will agree it’s been a hard old winter. Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) seems like a long time ago now and for us once the show season has finished it’s time to think about how to get through the winter and on to the season ahead. In the current economic climate most of our costs have tripled, so it’s been much harder for people who are trying to make a living out of horses. Despite my negative grumble, it’s a busy, exciting time, too. The show horses are coming back into work, and it gives us a bit of a lift as we know shows are on the horizon. I have been flat out with hunting - it gets me off the treadmill…

LONDON 52 Age: 14 Breeding: by Landos out of Vernante (by Quinar Z) Breeder: Ocke Riewerts Rider: Laura Collett Owners: Keith Scott, Karen Bartlett and rider Greatest achievements: first Bicton CCI3*-S 2018; second Arville Event Rider Masters (ERM) CCI4*-S 2018; first Blenheim eight- and nine-year-old CCI4*-S 2018; second Boekelo CCI4*-L 2018; second Belton CCI4*-S 2019; second Burnham Market CCI4*-S 2019; first Chatsworth ERM CCI4*-S 2019; individual at Luhmühlen European Championships 2019; first Boekelo CCI4*-L 2019; first Little Downham CCI4*-S 2020; first Pau CCI5* 2020; first Aston-le-Walls CCI4*-S 2021; ninth and team gold Tokyo Olympic Games 2021; third Thoresby CCI4*-S 2022; first Badminton CCI5* 2022; member of British team Pratoni World Championships 2022 (all class names changed to current star levels).…

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FREELANCE travelling groom Heidi Tronisek offers her advice to grooms for staying in good nick… ● SNACK: I always have a packet of crisps or some nuts to snack on, as well as a big bottle of squash to keep hydrated. ● STAY WARM AND DRY: I keep a spare pair of leggings and socks in the truck – there’s nothing worse than getting wet legs and feet. ● CHOOSE YOUR CLIENTS CAREFULLY: the BGA offers great advice on how to handle difficult customers, and now I only work for good people. ● LOOK AFTER YOUR SKIN: I wear factor 50 in the summer to protect my skin, and use plenty of hand cream, especially in the winter. ● TALK AND LISTEN: listen to your teammates and colleagues and consider…

SOMETIMES you are given a day to remember, and it’s often shared only with your whipperin. Just before Christmas, we met far out on Romney Marsh. We had 15½ couple out and I had great expectations since every yard for miles in every direction was owned by a sporting farmer and a hard frost had just lifted. At the meet my amateur whipper-in, Ben Roberts, said: “There could be a bit of scent today. Or there could not.” He has whipped-in here for many years and, like all whippers-in, he is cryptic - they channel Master Oogway, from Kung Fu Panda. We had a brisk morning, with a fast 20 minutes before hounds literally bumped into the Crown Estate assessor. They are strongly magnetised by a high-visibility jacket, or indeed…