Innholdsfortegnelse for 1-Feb-2024 i Horse & Hound

THIS week's interview with Lucy Scudamore (p18), groom to Carl Hester, is an uplifting read and enough to make anyone thinking of a career with horses consider a position as a groom. Lucy has landed what her younger self declared would be the dream job. No doubt working at such a place of excellence, where some of the greatest horses and riders in the world train, must be highly motivating. But along with that comes great responsibility and hard work. It's interesting as well to read how Lucy came to the decision to pursue this career over one as a dressage rider. Meanwhile in showing, there is conversation around a change in approach at Horse of the Year Show – riders will not know which judge will officiate over each…

COST-OF LIVING HORSE SURVEY EQUINE welfare charities have launched a survey to find out if the cost-of-living crisis has worsened for owners over the past year. The survey has been developed by World Horse Welfare with support from National Equine Welfare Council partners Redwings, Blue Cross, the British Horse Society, Bransby Horses and Oak Tree Animals Charity. The 2023 survey had 8,000 responses. “This year's survey aims to show whether things have stabilised, improved or deteriorated, allowing us to plan and act accordingly. We hope as many owners as possible engage, regardless of whether or not they were involved last year,” said World Horse Welfare's Rebecca Boulert. Visit: smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CoLSurvey CHARITY OF THE YEAR CONFIRMED HARRY HALL has named Saving Abandoned FlyGrazing Equines (SAFE) as its charity of the year. SAFE…

THE major contributor to eventing and eternally wise counsel to many died on 23 January after a short illness, aged 83, at his home in Lockerbie, Scotland. He saw the sport from all aspects and through many changes, as a rider, organiser, official, parent and grandparent – two of his three children, Andrew and the late Miranda, competed, as have his grandsons Thomas and Archie – and was a constant and charming presence, always with a spark of humour. John competed at the highest level over two decades. In 1961 he was fifth at Badminton on Benjamin Bunny and seventh at Little Badminton on Botany Degree, and in 1983 he was 22nd on Bower Grit. He ran Lockerbie Horse Trials for years and was instrumental in helping to get Thirlestane…

▼ CRYING Overheard in a lesson, from one child to the other with heartfelt sincerity: “See, you ride so much better when you don't cry.” Something that we should all remember on these winter mornings, perhaps. ▼ MUD Oh, the sick feeling of pulling your boot from deep mud and putting your foot down – and the boot is still stuck where it was. “When will I learn the seconds to do my laces are worth it?” the rider sighed. Good question. ▼ SCAMMERS This week's award to he who is selling a 15.9hh Exmoor. But it's all right, as he's fully eligible for all Retraining of Racehorses classes. Just watch those thoroughbrexmoor feet!…

Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw dr ANOTHER year older… and another clever clogs asking me why I still ride and compete. Whatever happened to doing it for fun? I hate being old. I hate people asking how old I am. I hate not being the old me. Harder still is overcoming the comparisons and criticism. Pushing aside the excuses and pain from arthritis, I've decided to ignore the naysayers and set about trying to live well and live longer. Illness means my family is relying on me at the moment, so I must keep going. And that means riding – and being fit to ride. I've dieted as I was too fat to sit well. I can use that word about myself as I won't be taking it up…

We've both worked in competition and dealing yards as working students, grooms and riders. I just always wanted to ride and compete, selling came later when I started to form a business and livelihood from it. Tomás was always busy at home with breaking and riding other people's horses, mainly for Goresbridge where we first met. Everyone wanted Tomás on their horse at the sales. Tomás groomed for Marion Hughes on the Sunshine Tour and he still references what he learnt, mainly when I'm laughing at his bandaging skills or the fact he can't plait or drive the lorry. But he likes to remind me he groomed for an Olympic showjumper. I was a working student for Lucy Henson (née Jennings) and a rider for Shaun and Sally Parkyn. At…

FIRST, what exactly are splints? “Splints” is a common term used by vets, horse owners and professionals alike that refers to the splint bones. It can also be used – or in fact misused – even more specifically to refer to a lump or swelling that can form along the inside or outside of the cannon bone, as in, “My horse has a splint.” “‘Splint’ swellings are almost always caused by trauma. Or, less often, repetitive strain” “Splint bones” should correctly be called the second (medial) and fourth (lateral) metacarpal (front leg) or metatarsal (back leg) bones. These are the vestigial metacarpal/metatarsal bones that form integral parts of the supporting and stabilising structures of the horse's leg. They are pretty significant and serve as a site for important ligament attachments…

HORSES FOR SALE HERE are very few things you can buy for £1 nowadays – outside Poundland. Not even a first-class stamp, a cup of tea or a plastic pony. However, some lucky riders have managed to acquire a real, live horse for just a quid. And not just any horse – top eventing thoroughbred Phelps was bought as a four-year-old “for a dollar”. Six years on, he finished fifth at the 2023 Maryland CCI5*, winning $20,000 (£15,760). Perhaps the old adage of not looking a gift horse in the mouth is a proverb to be ignored. Phelps’ rider Mia Farley is based with the O'Connors in Virginia. Event director Joanie Morris sent Phelps – who had been in training but was unraced – to David O'Connor as a sales…

EVEN if sticking with traditional methods is your only option, there are some important rules to remember. With 30 years’ experience, Jonathan Cox, one of the founders of Suregrow, which produces fertiliser and seed mixes specifically for horses, explains: ● Harrowing: “The first job of the year once the ground is dry enough – around March to April. It aerates, removes dead grass and moss, and disperses poo piles.” ● Rolling: “If horses have trashed the field over winter, rolling once the risk of frost has passed will flatten out divots and ruts. A common mistake is rolling when the ground is too dry. You need to see the tractor wheels make slight indentations.” ● Reseeding: “This is a good time to repair bald patches and reseed as long as…

VALE VIEW HIGH PROFILE 26-28 January Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr Vale View EC High Profile, Leics ANNABELLA PIDGLEY produced an elegant ride to win a stacked grand prix aboard Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour's former World Championships medallist Vamos Amigos on 71.59%. The passage and piaffe work were highlights, with the pair looking more secure with each outing. “He's such a gorgeous boy to ride,” said Annabella. “We've been working on the overall frame and also on strengthening our partnership.” With Annabella having achieved so much at 19 years old it's tempting to predict for her a medal-laden future, but dressage is a marathon, not a sprint, and she's keen to take off the pressure: “I just want to keep enjoying riding and competing at this level and gain more experience.”…

BSPS AREA 1B 21 January Edited by Alex Robinson alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ 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 BSPS Area 1B winter, Myerscough College, Lancs A RENOWNED vet put his best foot forward as he led his daughter and the family's home-produced Dartmoor pony to both Heritage novice and open mountain and moorland (M&M) leadrein titles and the section championship on what was the trio's ring debut. Simon Constable may be new to the world of leadrein showing, but the equine specialist, who runs a practice in Manchester, was foot-perfect alongside five-year-old Zara and her ride Merribridge Sandstorm (Cloud). Cloud, a nine-year-old by Lickfolds Snowstorm, was purchased from Jo Allsop in…

HIGHLIGHTS 22-28 January Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Festival Trials Day, Cheltenham Racecourse, Glos CHELTENHAM was buzzing as an all-star cast took centre stage for Festival Trials Day, bolstered by the rerouted Grade One Clarence House, and we were treated to a feast of top-tier jump racing. “That was the most emotional success I've had” WINNING JOCKEY FREDDIE GINGELL Clues came thick and fast for next month's Festival, but there wasn't a dry eye in the house when jockey Freddie Gingell won a landmark first Grade One at the age of 18, paying tribute to his late mother Kim. “That was definitely the most emotional success I've had,” said Gingell, who partnered 22/1 outsider Elixir De Nutz for his uncle, trainer Joe Tizzard, to win the My Pension Expert Clarence…

Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ HAVING a member of the ground jury based in the riders’ tent at major horse trials was suggested by top British coach Chris Bartle as a possible way to improve the sport. Nick Burton, who has been on multiple Olympic and fivestar ground juries, and Chris discussed ideas to improve both safety and competition, at the FEI eventing online seminar (20 January). The riders’ tent has TV screens where coaches, competitors and their connections are able to watch the action at top international fixtures. It is usually a busy environment, filled with a collectively vast amount of knowledge in the sport's top riders. Chris, Britain's eventing high-performance coach, put forward the idea that a…

LEGACY The 14-year-old mare and Ireland's Daniel Coyle continued their winning streak with another World Cup triumph at Jumping Amsterdam following last week's win in Leipzig. CITY OF TROY The unbeaten Justify son, trained by Aiden O'Brien for Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, has been crowned 2023 European champion juvenile with a 125 rating. BIG BEN Lucinda Freedman's middleweight hunter has retired aged 17. He was placed at HOYS and the RIHS multiple times. He has been given to former trainer Charlie Brooks.…

A MOUNTED police officer who has served for 50 years says his love of horses keeps him in the job. Paul Brown retired from South Yorkshire Police (SYP) in 2015, but returned the next day as a special constable. “As long as SYP will have me, I will stay,” he said. “I've stayed so long because of my love of horses, and we have an excellent team.” Paul started as a cadet in 1973. In 1981, he found himself on a suitability course to be a mounted officer. “I took to it like a duck to water,” he said. “Horses help to build a bridge between the police and the community.” EJ…

Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald WE have just witnessed some of the best jump racing seen here since last year's Cheltenham Festival (report, p62). Doncaster and Cheltenham had great cards and Trials Day at the latter certainly lived up to its billing. Now all eyes will be on those four days in March and we hope that Ireland does not take too many of our prizes. Willie Mullins sent over four horses at the weekend; three won and the fourth was third behind one of his winners! It would be a mouthwatering proposition if only Lossiemouth would take on Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle, but sadly she will probably run in the mares’ hurdle at long odds on. Racing has suffered from too much adverse publicity over the…

RIDER KYLIE RODDY “‘GEORGE’ and I came together when I was in Ireland looking at horses for one of my liveries. He was one of two horses on our shortlist, but the other was a better mover, so the livery bought that one. When I got home, I was teaching Colin Fox and his son Michael and said I'd found a horse for them. It was George, who was then four. They went to try him and bought him. “Michael, an actor, did grassroots eventing on George until he landed his role in Downton Abbey. I then took over the ride due to him not being allowed to do dangerous sports while filming. “I didn't initially think George would be a five-star horse, but that changed when Michael took him…

THE significance of paying £1 for something that is effectively gifted makes the sale official. Solicitor Edith Gowdy, of King & Gowdy law firm, explains: “For a contract of sale to be binding, you need ‘consideration’ – something in exchange for the ‘promise’ between the parties. So when the transaction is to all intents and purposes really a gift, you show the consideration as £1 – or in the olden days, a peppercorn. “The reason you want to show consideration passing is that it makes the transaction bona fide. It means it is more difficult for a trustee in bankruptcy to try to claw that asset back again if the donor of the gift should, for example, be declared bankrupt after the event.”…

NEW FOREST 6 January Edited by Catherine Austen catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfaustenl23 New Forest, Godshill, Hants STANDING in the middle of the New Forest in nothing more than underpants and socks may be an unusual position for a hunting correspondent to find themselves in, but there are times when a good story needs to be pursued, and the recent history of the New Forest hounds is certainly such a story. This is a hunt that only two seasons ago converted from being a pack of foxhounds to a bloodhound pack. This would be a momentous change for any hunt, but especially so for the New Forest, a pack fabled for the quality of its hounds during the era of the legendary master and hound-breeder Sir Newton Rycroft (1962–1984). In 2020, however, the…

DEMI HOWARD-CARTWRIGHT and Newton Astro Nascente – whom she rides for Elite Dressage – continue to impress, winning the medium 75 and advanced medium 91 on plus-70% scores. “His confidence has grown so much,” said Demi. “His extensions are a highlight but I was so pleased with his ground cover and relaxation in the extended walk, which we've been working on at home.” ONE TO WATCH The talented pair look set for an exciting year and Demi is aiming high: “To be selected for a CDI at junior level would be amazing.”…

HYATT bounced back to form to take both advanced mediums at Duchy College, Cornwall, after a competition break. He lost confidence at last year's winter regionals and has struggled with the show atmosphere,” said Tess Wilson of her Lord Leatherdale son. “We stepped down to medium for a while and he has been out doing a bit of unaffiliated showjumping, which I hope has helped. “He's the sweetest thing and pretty trainable, but he can shrink into himself. This was a quiet show, I'm glad he coped with being out again.”…

Merrist Wood College, Surrey “ANY show where she relaxes is a great show,” said Laura Paataja of inter I winner Quadria, the Quaterhall mare she bought from her breeder as a foal and has brought up through the levels. “She's sensitive and it was quite cold outside in the warm-up, but she went into the arena with confidence.” Laura began Quadria's dressage career in Germany, before moving to the UK three years ago to base herself with grand prix rider Sarah Millis in West Sussex. “We've taken it slowly and had our ups and downs, but she's a super-nice mare to work with,” she said. “We only started at inter I in August. My dream would be to go even further this year.” Sam Mirehouse enjoyed a long-awaited return to…

HIGHLIGHTS 26-27 January Edited by Gemma Redrup gemma.redrup@futurenet.com @gemmaredrup Royal Artillery, Larkhill, Wilts FAMOUS CLERMONT moved one step closer to repeating his 2023 Aintree Foxhunters triumph with a clear win in the mixed open for owners Biddiscombe, Rousell, Rogers and trainer Chris Barber. “He just needed a blowout, which is part of his plan to get to Aintree,” said jockey Will Biddick, who enjoyed a treble herel. “There were only two runners, so he made the running, which he's never had to do. That's when you get egg on your face if it doesn't work, but he gave me a good feel and felt like his old self again.” Six-year-old Coconut Twist won the maiden 5yo&up on his debut, giving Will and Chris their second victory of the day. “He…

PEOPLE say that there is no such thing as a bad day's hunting, but I'm afraid I'm not so sure. Sometimes a less-than-exciting day can be enhanced by the people you are with, access to wonderful country on a great horse and the relaxation that comes with not being able to do or think about anything else. These things, in our increasingly manic lives, are like gold dust. But sometimes there are days – and they don't happen very often – when you are just not feeling it. And when the day doesn't deliver, the sensible person cuts their losses and heads for home. It's easier said than done. Hunting people know that all too often the best fun happens at the end of the day. Often you need to…

PARIS 2024 cross-country course-designer Pierre le Goupil shared more about what to expect from his Olympic track. “Designing in Versailles, like everywhere, is all about telling a story – we need to speak to the audience,” said Pierre at the seminar. “It must be challenging enough and a true four-star question to test the best and decide the leaders, with still a good chance for everybody to finish.” Safety and welfare are paramount. Serious planning has gone into the possibility of heat and a lot of rain, or both. The course is mainly in the shade, and work has been undertaken to prevent the going from becoming too deep. “It's a typical French public woodland,” Pierre said. “We have the right to use the undergrowth and reliefs (slopes and banks)…

World champion Lottie Fry and Everdale won the Amsterdam CDI-W grand prix and freestyle on 26-27 January. They scored 88.10% in the freestyle, a personal best. Olympic showjumper Markus Fuchs is the new showjumping coach of the Swiss eventing team. He takes over from the late Lesley McNaught. International showjumper William Funnell won his first Nations Cup as trainer to the UAE showjumping team, in Sharjah, UAE. The British team were third. The Riding for the Disabled Association has appointed Michael Bishop as CEO. Michael, an amateur event rider, joins from Historic England and starts on 8 April. Former jockey Willy TwistonDavies will join father Nigel's trainer's licence next season. Willy retired from race-riding in 2017 aged 23 after sustaining injuries in a fall.…

▲TOYS The Antiques Roadshow featured a My Little Pony collection valued at £30,000. Check the attic, folks, you might have enough for a real horse, even at today's prices… ▲AMBITIONS A rider watching football was thrilled when Lioness Chloe Kelly did her famous knee slide to her. “One of the best moments,” she sighed. “Will only be beaten if I ever win at HOYS!” Goals, right there. ▲ SIGNS Spotted, on a field gate: “You'd be better off sandpapering a lion's [bottom] in a pair of porkchop pants than being caught the other side of this fence.” Perfectly put.…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound EVENTING IDEAS WITH the announcement (H&H online, 20 January) that eventing is not yet confirmed for the 2028 Olympic Games – and with a new competition format yet to be decided – I appreciate the necessity for change to include those who don't understand the sport and to make it more appealing for spectators. It's a shame, but if it helps our sport, then great. If having the showjumping before crosscountry is needed, I think the course should be more testing, but not bigger – and a longer track may work. “I appreciate the need for change to the format” LAURIE MAY CANTY Eventing started as an endurance test, but moving showjumping after dressage…

A look at some of the newest products on the market for you and your horse REVOLVE PRO PLUS MIPS JOCKEY HELMET BY CHAMPION This helmet incorporates top-rated safety features in a no-nonsense design that's ideal for everything from lessons and hacking to cross-country riding. The Mips technology helps to minimise the risk of injury to the brain. Standards: PAS 015 (with Kitemark) and VG1 Sizes: 6¼–7¾ £149.99 championhub.com SENIOR PLUS BALANCER BY BLUE CHIP For over-14's seeking support for topline and workload, this balancer includes the CushinCombo supplement, which is designed to help balance hormone levels, along with a joint supplement and digestive supplement. £39.65 for 15kg bluechipfeed.com CLEAR RAIN CHAPS BY AZTEC DIAMOND These water-resistant chaps protect your legs when riding in wet conditions. They have an adjustable…

IT'S hard to believe that, looking back, I described the opening meet as “a very good day but in extremely wet conditions”. Given that it's hardly stopped raining since, the naivety in my description is laughable. Laughable, until you have to knock on an unsuspecting farmer's door to notify them we're in the area that Saturday! I have been left asking myself, was it my naivety – or are we dealing with the reality of climate change? I am not really one to dwell on such things, but with recent sporadic flooding just to the south of our country, and a weather warning of potential tornados issued for the northwest of England, it's difficult to brush the topic to one side. Gareth Watchman is in his second season at the…

KERRY BEVAN scored a double elementary win at Bridgend College, Mid Glamorgan, with Kardashian, the nine-year-old mare she rides for Russell Walker. “We bought her in September, and she's a pocket rocket – we've certainly had no problem finding the forward gears,” said Kerry of the De Niro daughter, who had been produced by Ben James. “At a show, she's like a health and safety manager – her eyes are out on stalks. But once she's walked around and done a risk assessment, she's OK. ONE TO WATCH “We're thinking long term with her and we're really starting to establish a partnership,” added Kerry, who trains with Jackie Beaven. “My friends think her name is hilarious. If we can build her topline and a bum like Kim K, we'll be…