Innholdsfortegnelse for 18-May-2023 i Horse & Hound

THE 2019 equine influenza epidemic in the UK, in which the disease was confirmed in 234 individual premises - in contrast to only two in 2018 - reminded us that infectious diseases are an ever-present risk to the UK horse population. Horses are constantly being moved around the country and arriving from overseas. An analysis of the 2019 outbreak concluded that the spread of influenza was aided both by no or insufficient vaccinations, and poor biosecurity practices on many of the premises. In around half of the outbreaks, a new horse had arrived on the premises in the previous two weeks. These findings confirm that in the UK when it comes to biosecurity, we have a big hill to climb. All horses are at risk of encountering infectious pathogens either…

ROYAL WINDSOR 11-14 May alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ Royal Windsor, Windsor Castle, Berks ROBERT WALKER cemented his supremacy when continuing his amazing - and now unprecedented - run to head the LeMieux open hunters for the fifth time in a row. With four-time champion View Point now retired, it was finally a chance for another super-impressive lightweight to shine and Jill Day's eightyear-old MHS Morning Master (TJ), supreme in-hand horse at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) as a three-year-old, did not disappoint. Ironically, though, Robert was not on board for the championship award as he opted to stay with yet another up-and-coming superstar, the middleweight victor, Greenhall Treasure Island, who already has two titles from his only other outings this year. Here, though, a momentary spook cost him dear and the…

M&M supreme in-hand judge Amanda Gomersall pipped June Whitham's New Forest champion Woodrow The Warrior as one to look out for in ridden ranks. The three-year-old gelding, who was handled by David Allen, is by legendary staliion Farriers Finger Print, the only New Forest to have ever won the Olympia M&M supreme title. “I expect him to have a very bright future,” said Amanda. “He was the pony I would have taken home and put in the field as one for the ridden classes in a few years. I later learnt he was by Farriers Finger Print and it made sense. That stallion is so versatile, competing in multiple disciplines, from showing to the riding club quadrille! “It's a shame a youngstock award isn't presented in this championship,” Amanda added. “It…

SHOWJUMPING ROYAL WINDSOR CSI5* classes WHEN riders have a taste of winning at Windsor, they often come back for more, and that was certainly true for Abdel Sai'd of Belgium, who lifted the prestigious King's Cup for the second time in five years of competition when he headed the Kingdom of Bahrain stakes with Arpege Du Ru. Abdel made the crowd sit up with a startling pathfinding jump-off round on his familiar 13-year-old chestnut mare, which eight other combinations chased in vain. As the class drew to an end, Frenchman Kevin Staut had only managed to get within 1.44sec with Beau De Laubry Z but a last-ditch bid from Harry Charles and Ann Thompson's powerful mare Aralyn Blue almost hit the target, finishing 0.65sec behind the lead for the runner-up…

FIRST RIHS HAVE YOU HAD A NOTABLE WIN IN THE SHOW RING? Email alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com within 24 hours of the show for your chance to appear in this section THE day after she won her HOYS pass at NPS Area 25, Abbie Dark's seven-year-old Welsh section C mare Blaencila Penny (Poppy) picked up her RIHS Pretty Polly qualification and the section title at BSPS Wales. “We bought her from her breeders as a three-year-old as a project, but on getting her home we realised she was in foal,” said home-producer Abbie. “The stallion had gotten into the field once, and that's obviously all it took! When we started breaking her she was quirky and sharp, but after she'd foaled she came back into work and she had turned a corner.” Poppy,…

HIGHLIGHTS 13-14 May Surrey Union, Peper Harrow, Surrey PHIL YORK celebrated his 400th winner 28 years after his first, on his 57th birthday on a day to remember. Surrey-based Phil scored his fourth century aboard Must Have Hope, for owner/ trainer Tim Underwood in the conditions (level three) for veteran and novice riders’ race. “It took me 20 rides to get round and then I finally rode a winner when I was 28,” said Phil, who scored his first victory in a hunt race at Tweseldown in 1995 aboard Paco's Boy. “It's another milestone and it's great. I'm getting old and at some stage, I'm going to say, ‘That's enough of that,’ and I can't decide what's going to cause it, but I can't believe that it's going to be…

Grafton Hunt, Edgcote, Northants RUPERT STEARN made a winning return from injury to extend the eye-catching grey Clara Sorrento's unbeaten streak and open a double for in-form trainer David Kemp. “He's an armchair of a ride, we're very lucky to have him,” said Rupert, who was back race-riding for the first time after sustaining concussion and a broken rib in a fall at Fakenham on 23 April. Their mixed open win was the fourth in a row for the gelding, owned by Rupert's father Simon. “When the others are galloping, he's cantering,” said Rupert. “He's got that relentless stride and he jumps so well” All The Ammunition, ridden by Dale Peters to restricted victory, completed David's double. The yard is flying at an impressive 68% strike rate this season, and…

Oakley, Towcester, Northants POSTPONED from the start of the season, the Oakley team chase ran according to plan in May, the light soil standing up well to further deluges. The track is maturing well, with timber accuracy questions complementing the beautifully prepared hedges. Freestanding gates had been inched closer to the pen and proved influential for many. Fox Grant Thrusters scored again in the intermediate, but the road towards the end result was far from straightforward. Phil Nichols, leading on Creepy, tipped up at a solid rolltop two from home. Then Will Grant suffered a run-out with Mac at the water that forms the final obstacle, leaving Char Edgar to lead Anna Stone home, followed by Will after a quick re-present. “It was a course that took a bit of…

DEBATE over how to address substandard facilities at shows has resulted in a new process to make sure all FEI events are up to scratch. Years of discussion over stable security and cleanliness, appropriate footing and more, has led to the FEI developing a way to categorically assess events - and take action if facilities are below par. The FEI has developed 14 key event requirements (KERs), which cover basic standards of the aforementioned areas, and more. If approved, it will come into effect in January. The federation has opted to improve other areas, such as accessibility, accommodation and catering, through promotion of best practice and education via online guidelines. These are “living documents”, so they can be continually updated. Tim Hadaway, FEI director of games operations, presented the project…

RONNIE LAWRENCE THE South African showjumper died peacefully at home, at the age of 65, on 27 April. Born in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) in 1957, Ronnie started his career aged 16, when he won an Anglo American-sponsored scholarship, initiated by George Morris, to train in England with Lars Sederholm. Also at 16, he was awarded national colours for eventing and jumping at junior and adult level. In 1979, he moved to South Africa and in 1984, Ronnie took a South African-bred former racehorse to England, to prepare for the Los Angeles Olympics. He jumped clear in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hickstead and after this went to America to train with George Morris and competed on the winter circuit in Florida, and Spruce Meadows in Canada. He won the…

A HUNT, and its chairman and joint-masters, have been found “collectively responsible” for a failure to ensure the highest standards of conduct. On 14 April, the Hound Sports Regulatory Authority (HSRA) held a disciplinary hearing for the Cotswold Hunt, following a television report relating to “serious misconduct by the hunt and/or by individuals associated with it”, on 18 March. The main evidence was a video, apparently taken by a hunt saboteur, which showed “a live fox being removed by the saboteur from an artificial earth in country where the hunt were active on that day. The fox had apparently been placed in a closed fabric bag inside the earth”. The panel also received two written statements. The panel reviewed the evidence and heard from the Cotswold joint-masters, chairman and huntsman.…

@ Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. LEVEL PLAYING FIELD UNLIKE Dr Fairhurst (letters, 27 April, “Wake Up Call”) I believe one of the great joys of British Eventing (BE) is amateurs competing against Olympians on a completely level playing field. I still dine out on the tale of chasing Tina Cook around the Portman cross-country and being told my horse went through the water better than hers. Though I think she'd left Miners Frolic at home that day. HAVE YOUR SAY Do you feel strongly about an issue in the horse world? Write to H&H at hhletters@futurenet.com and please include your full name and address. “I am absolutely astonished at her strength” JOHN KYLE ON NICOLA WILSON If this really is the…

HORSE&HOUND THE INTERVIEW A YOUNG Yorkshire-based producer is looking forward to building on last year's success, when she orchestrated her family's first-ever Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) victory in just her first full season of “turning pro.” Victoria Harker, then just 18, took the brave decision at the end of2021 to produce professionally, after the Covid pandemic had put paid to her original plans to do GSCEs and then go to ride in Australia to expand her education. Last year was her first full season. The family team then had their bestever result at HOYS with the evergreen 14-year-old 128cm show pony Ardenhall Blenheim (Joules) - formerly ridden by Victoria's younger sister Emma - who first headed his class with new rider, 10-yearold Lola Carabine, and then pinged along…

“Fear goes down the reins” IN an experiment set up to test if a horse can pick up on a rider's anxiety, a group from a riding school were told to walk up to a bollard and back three times, and on the fourth time, they were advised, someone would open an umbrella. The riders and the horses all wore heart monitors. No umbrella was opened, so there was no reason for the horses’ heart rates to rise, and yet the heart rates for both rose significantly on their fourth walk. Linda Keeling, professor of animal welfare at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, who led the study, says the riders were preparing themselves for their horses to react in subtle, microscopic ways - such as minuscule changes to their…

IN THE GENES WHEN the Anders family's elegant four-year-old gelding, Field Aston Ark Royal, was called forward as champion novice show pony with 12-year-old Sofia Anders, he was following in some illustrious footsteps. The mannerly 138cm contender, bred by leading showing figure Julie Templeton, is by Whiteleaze Democrat out of the former Royal Windsor novice and open champion mare, Rhos Elise, who then went on to enjoy a glittering career under saddle before becoming Julie's foundation broodmare. The first-season partnership is produced by Lancashirebased Karl Morris and Liam Glynn, and Vanessa bought Ark as an unbroken three-year-old. “He's been one of the easiest ponies we have ever started,” said producer Karl Morris. “It's like he's been here and done it all before.”…

FIRST WINDSOR WIN WINDSOR debutant Henry Belton, 11, kept his cool when riding his mother Fiona Cork's Welsh section B Moelview Orlando (Lando) to win their London International semi-final class. “I was having chickens when they were pulled in top,” said Fiona. “Henry hasn't done many flat classes, preferring to jump, but he really nailed it, and Lando was as good as gold.” Lando, an 11-year-old by Moelview Prince Charming, was “unintentionally” bought from Natasha Taylor in March. “Natasha was struggling to sell him as he'd never been ridden by a child,” Fiona explained. “She rang me up and asked if Henry could put his dealer boots on and sit on him so we could get a video. As soon as I saw them together I said, ‘Hang on a…

THE most popular winner of the show undoubtedly stood at the top of the Martin Collins Enterprises amateur cob class. Avril Bartolomy, 76, and her own and her husband Robin's 10-year-old maxi cob Epimetheus (Em) sprung a surprise, yet utterly deserving, first Royal Windsor win for the couple. “I've been second here three times: last year with Em and twice with my now-retired maxi cob, Clantara Shadow Play,” said Avril. “It's only taken me 76 years to win it! This rosette is the one I really wanted before I retire. This felt like I'd won Horse of the Year Show (HOYS)!” Avril bought Em, who was started by cob specialist Lynn Russell, from a family friend. “My friend came over to go hacking and noted that Em was for sale,”…

DEFENDER stakes winner Victor Bettendorf (pictured right) supports giving his horses a more natural lifestyle - all his horses live out in herds of five to ten. To help prevent any injuries from this regime, he also keeps them barefoot. “I feel they're much more healthy this way,” he said. “The sport is really something not natural, so at home I try to give them the possibility to be as natural as possible and put them out in groups so they can socialise.” Victor also prefers to ride his horses in a hackamore. “It's my favourite bridle, so I try it on every horse, If it works, then I go with that. I think it's to do with the feeling - every rider has a bit they like and this…

DRESSAGE ROYAL WINDSOR 10-11 May Windsor CDI4*, Windsor Castle, Berks JUST nine weeks after giving birth, Charlotte Dujardin returned to the competition arena in fine style, winning the grand prix and freestyle. In fact, it was only three weeks since Charlotte had got back on a horse, but her time out of action hardly showed as she and her 2022 World Dressage Championships ride Imhotep pulled off one impressive test followed by another in the shadow of Windsor Castle. They scored 77-26% to top the grand prix, the 10-year-old Everdale son, known as Pete, never looking for a moment as though he had not competed since the worlds last August. “I didn't know how it was going to go. I knew Pete would be a bit ring rusty - and…

HAVE YOU WON A BD CLASS? DO YOU OR YOUR HORSE HAVE A GREAT STORY? Email dressagehighlights@yahoo.com within 24 hours of your win for a chance to feature on these pages Beacons Equestrian, Carmarthenshire BRYLEY LLEWELYN, 16, won at elementary and medium on Cwmtysswg Will, the 11-yearold 14.2hh Welsh section D/traditional cob she has produced herself from intro. “It's been such a nice journey to go on with him,” said Bryley. “He's the first horse I've been able to take up the levels myself and we have such a good bond. He always wants to please. “This was one of our first proper mediums,” added Bryley, who trains with Nina Boex, Sam Whyley and Sally Frost. “It's a big step up from elementary, but we both enjoy a busy test…

HIGHLIGHTS 4-8 May Stainsby Grange, N Yorks NICOLE PAVITT has eight horses aimed at second rounds this season, and secured tickets for two of them on her first attempt at qualifying when she won the newcomers and finished runner-up in the Foxhunter. Fifteen combinations made it through to the third round of the newcomers, including three rides for Jack Whitaker and two for Sandy McLean. Nine left the fences standing, with Sandy and Castlehill Kopa setting a strong lead from second draw that would take eventual second. Nicole and Tamara Czartoryski's eight-year-old Kensis N, whom Nicole has been riding since November, were able to edge 0.13sec in front to take the win, despite the horse's inexperience. “I watched Sandy and Jack go and they were a good two to watch,”…

CONFUSION has arisen about the FEI's tack approval processes, as it states there is “no certification system” - but new items can be submitted for “review” by an expert group. The Quantum cavesson bridle, now known as the welfare bridle, is no longer permitted in dressage (news, 5 January). Quantum co-founder Gill Batt told H&H that when the bridle was launched in 2018, the company approached the FEI for approval and submitted an equipment form. They were told by the FEI that it was “very similar to a bridle that has already been approved and so you do not need to submit an application, it would already be allowed”. Ms Batt said when they found out the bridle would be banned, they spoke to the FEI and were asked to…

I started carriage-driving in 1999 after receiving tuition from Caroline Dale-Leech MBE, who is well-known and respected within carriage driving worldwide. I owe a lot to her; not a day goes by when I don't think of her when I'm harnessing a horse or checking the road worthiness of the carriages. One day when she was teaching me, I accidentally allowed one of the reins to fall to the floor. I hoped she hadn't noticed but then I heard her bellowing down the yard: “Do not drop your reins on the floor Mrs Robinson.” She immediately corrected me if I allowed my reins to falter from the correct position. Posture and the correct livery dress are also important to her, as with me now. My boots are always clean and…

CIRCLE CREEK FARM Simpsonville South Carolina, USA For you: built in 2013 and inspired by the English manors of the Cotswolds, this 16,000sqft “trophy property is like buying a Picasso”, say the agents. The house has six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a home theatre, gym, jacuzzi, wet bar and bespoke features salvaged from historic locations. For the horses: a 12-stall Lucas Equine barn with reclaimed timbers, three large riding arenas including one covered (warm-up, dressage and jumping). Set in 54 acres, approximately 45min from Tryon International Equestrian Centre. $22 m (£17.6m) Christies Real Estate, christiesrealestate.com, 001828 8172046 IVY HOUSE STABLES Penrith, Cumbria For you: built in 2020, Pine Lodge is a modem family home with underfloor heating, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. For the horses: 10 acres with fenced paddocks, stabling…

“IT'S a really nice premise in terms of handling and riding,” says associate professor Dr Jane Williams, head of research at Hartpury University. “We have a duty of care to them. If we're annoyed, or embarrassed, it's not fair taking it out on them and leaving a negative experience.” Jane advises teaching horses new things in bite-size training bouts, trying it three times, and “if you get frustrated, leave it, and try again another day”. She warns that horses have “an emotional threshold” and once they reach that, “they are hyper-vigilant and have gone past the point of being able to learn”. If they're not learning or doing what you would like, she says, it's “usually a miscommunication or pain;…

SHOWING ROYAL WINDSOR Ponies THERE was no mistaking the familiar Walker grin as Izzy Walker, 10, emerged from her first-ever ride in the Castle Arena as show pony champion, scoring with Helen Davies's ever-improving 128cm victor, Stoneleigh Showtime. Amazingly, this was Izzy's first win of any description here, so to go all the way and land this historic title was the stuff of dreams. The pair began their season well, landing the show pony title at the recent British Show Pony Society Winter Championships, and their victory here brought a remarkable seventh win from as many outings. She also beat her brother Sam's Windsor record, as although he won classes here three times during his showing career, he had never ridden in the Castle Arena. “We told her to just…

A SMALL-SCALE breeder's home-bred stallion triumphed in the Horse & Hound mountain and moorland (M&M) in-hand supreme. Rhiannon Randall's fouryear-old Fleetwoods Loch Lomond (Lochy) lapped up the main arena atmosphere, with Rhiannon at his bridle, and was judge Amanda Gomersall's choice for the supreme. Amanda had pulled four ponies forward from 12 initial contenders for a second look. “The Highland was the most correct animal in the ring,” she said. “He had a good topline, was free-moving and had the potential to do many jobs.” It was the second year in a row that the Highland breed had prevailed in this championship, with last year's supreme being the late Queen's home-bred Balmoral Leia. Coincidentally, Lochy, who is out of Copperview Rose and by Rhiannon's successful dual in-hand and ridden contender…

SHOWING ROYAL WINDSOR Seniors and amateurs A NURSE steered her traditional gelding to clinch the senior ridden pony accolade, and a coveted Royal International (RIHS) place, the pony's first in veteran ranks. Ellie Taylor's own Buddhist Punk (Paddy), a piebald 15-year-old, won a competitive class of over 20 entries en route to providing 24-year-old Ellie, a full-time nurse who is based in Liverpool, with her first Windsor championship sash. “He is the most easy-going gentle giant in the world,” said Ellie, who juggles showing around long working hours, including night shifts. “We got him on loan when he was a six-year-old, before eventually buying him. When he was younger he was struck down with sycamore sickness. Consequently, he suffers from several allergies, which means he has a very specific routine;…

ROYAL WINDSOR 11-14 May ROLEX GRAND PRIX 1, Martin Fuchs and Connor Jei(SUI) 2, Ben Maher and Explosion W (GBR) 3, Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro (IRL) Winning owner: Adolfo Juri Breeder: Gerhard Starrier Groom: Sean Vard Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Royal Windsor, Windsor Castle, Berks IT might not have been quite the winning comeback the crowd hoped for, but Ben Maher and Explosion W's 0.4sec defeat by Swiss rider Martin Fuchs riding the spectacular Conner Jei in the Rolex grand prix showed they were back to their best. An electrifying jump-off for this €125,000 (£110,000) first prize was guaranteed when a surprising nine riders delivered clears round Bernardo Costa Cabral's track. Ireland's Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro opened the jump-off, leaving just the smallest of cracks open. Despite nine…

SHOWJUMPING ROYAL WINDSOR National classes ANTONIA PLATT claimed the Defender under-25 grand prix, despite not having sat on her winning ride, Marvin Van De Waterhoeve, for two weeks. The 21-year-old had been sitting university exams in Nottingham, where she is studying agriculture, but was able to shift focus to this exacting class, where she topped a six-strong jump-off by 1.62sec. “I rode him at Chepstow and then drove straight from there to university to sit my end-of-year exams. I didn't sit on him until this morning,” Antonia said. “My mum Rosalind has done a fantastic job keeping him going - she's my work rider! There's some real teamwork between us. My mum and dad are both incredibly supportive.” The Charles sisters, Sienna - winner at Royal Windsor last year -…

HIGHLIGHTS 1-7 May Compiégne CDI05*, France BRITISH riders gained their fair share of personal bests, even if the podium eluded the Nations Cup team of Lottie Fry, Annabella Pidgley and Andrew Gould. While the trio took fifth, Lottie and Everdale improved on a grand prix second to win the freestyle with their partnership high of 85.68%. “Vamos rose to the occasion” ANNABELLA PIDGLEY “He just gets stronger and stronger,” said Lottie of her Tokyo Olympics and 2021 European Championships partner. “Everything has improved. This was his first outdoor show of the season and he was surprisingly relaxed in the busy atmosphere.” Lottie scored a convincing clean sweep in the CDI3* big tour with Lars Van De Hoenderheide, the striking chestnut she describes as “fun to ride and fun to watch”. At…

Brook Farm EC, Essex “HE'S quite a firecracker, a classic ginger,” said Hannah Deuce of Danish warmblood gelding Skikkild's Wince, winner of the advanced medium freestyle and an advanced. “He's been quick in his temperament under saddle, but he learns well. When he gets something, it's what gives him that ring presence.” Hannah bought “Vince”, now 17, as a four-year-old and has since trained and been based with Kaye De Graaff. “We've produced him together,” she said. “Vince is not a horse that has ever fitted the mould and he took a long while to mature. I give Kaye complete credit for allowing him that time to grow and develop; he has stayed injuryfree his entire life.” Having already achieved their PSG qualification, Hannah is looking to move up to…

EVENTING DELARKI CHATSWORTH INTERNATIONAL 12-14 May Delarki Chatsworth International, Derbys AS has been the theme this spring, weather wreaked havoc for Chatsworth's organisers. Continued rain meant the twostar and novice classes were abandoned, but organisers worked tirelessly to ensure four-star and advanced classes could continue, which included a Houghton Hall Nations Cup replacement fixture. The CCI4*-S section G, which incorporated the Nations Cup, attracted eight teams, with France ultimately coming out on top ahead of Britain. The French victory was thanks to all four of the team members not only completing, but also finishing in the top 12. Stephane Landois got things off to a good start for France when posting a first-phase score of 22.8 with S.C.E.A. Ecurie Du Cerisier Bleu's Chaman Dumontceau. He then jumped one of six…

BSPS Area 15, Brook Farm EC, Essex TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Jessica Macintosh secured her first supreme of show title with a sophisticated performance riding 128cm show pony campaigner Romanno Rosebud (Rose). The Romanno Serendipity seven-year-old is owned by Jessica's mother, Charlotte Macintosh and her aunt, Karina Bond. “We were really struggling to find Jessica the right pony as she's so petite,” said coproducer Christina Gillett. “So we were delighted when Adam Forster got in touch to say Rose would be available after HOYS last year.” Currently, Rose and Jessica are unbeaten in RIHS 128cm show pony classes. “She just oozes class and quality,” added Christina.…