Innholdsfortegnelse for 13-Jun-2024 i Horse & Hound

TO the hum of Spanish chatter, Argentine grooms saunter past, riding and leading at least three, enviably nonchalant in that gaucho uniform of a jaunty boïna and espadrilles. In the tack room, a pot of maté tea stews; rope headcollars are flung over a stable door and immaculately hogged ponies wait patiently in their stables with rugs cleverly made from Argentine coffee bags. It's only the honey-coloured stone walls and courtyard stable yard worthy of an old-fashioned toy farm that jolt you back to reality: drizzly Gloucestershire, 7,000 miles from the polo fields of Palermo. When England polo player Mark Tomlinson's parents, Simon and the late Claire, bought the idyllic Down Farm outside Tetbury in the 1980s, the couple's string of high-goal ponies was put up in the 30-box main…

In 2015 my business Emily-London was the official hat-maker for Glorious Goodwood, and I was invited to ride in the Magnolia Cup. I hadn't ridden for 10 years but when the opportunity came up it felt like the right time to get back into it. It was an amazing experience in so many ways – I was going through a divorce and had three tiny children – horses gave me back my spark and riding in the race opened doors both personally and professionally. Raising money for charity while experiencing the thrill of racing at Goodwood is a huge privilege, and remains one of my most treasured experiences. As training for the Magnolia Cup began, I was put in touch with Jim Boyle in Epsom and I began riding out…

SINCE the master of Hickstead Douglas Bunn held the first Hickstead Derby in 1961, the class has attracted a succession of the world's leading athletes and horses to tackle its notorious fences, from the fiendishly difficult Devil's Dyke to the world-renowned 10ft 6in Bank. Clear rounds are remarkably hard to achieve, so what does it take? The 2022 winner Shane Breen, who returns for this year's Al Shira'aa Derby with nine-year-old stallion Fanfan De Beaufour and catch ride, Eve McCoy's Nows The Time, shares his insight. “There's nothing quite like trotting into the International Arena at Hickstead to compete in this special class,” says Shane, who won with the sole clear on Can Ya Makan two years ago. “Many experienced horses rise to the occasion, but when the crowd applauds…

DEFENDER BRAMHAM CCI4*-L and BE80 championships IT was appropriate that Harry Meade – the epitome of an old-fashioned event rider, for whom the long format reigns as the supreme test – should win the Defender CCI4*-L in this anniversary year. Much was said last week about the fact the short-format class had more entries and questions asked about whether the long format has a future – here and in general. But Bramham's CCI4*-L is not only prestigious in its own right, it also remains a vital preparation for five-star, which every event rider still aspires to. No one would value this victory more than Harry, whose father Richard won here in 1975. “It's a special event that I grew up wanting initially to ride at and then to win,” said…

DEFENDER BRAMHAM Under-25 CCI4*-L EMMA THOMAS, 24, claimed the under-25 CCI4*-L. “It means a hell of a lot to win this class. I love Bramham, but I haven't always been sure Bramham loves me,” she said, marking her first cross-country clear here. “I remember watching Badminton as a kid and the commentators saying if somebody had won this class and gone on to Badminton, they were going to be a star.” The biology graduate, whose original career plan was forensic anthropology, is in her third season eventing full-time: “I think it's taken me until this year to find my way with it. The first season I put so much pressure on myself to do everything perfectly. I let myself enjoy it more now and that's coming through in the results.”…

Millstreet, Co Cork, Ireland IRISHMAN Sam Watson won his first four-star since 2020 when taking the Noel C Duggan Engineering CCI4*-L with his own and wife Hannah's Ballyneety Rocketman. “It's taken a while to get Rocketman to this stage, but he's here now and it's great to fly the Irish flag,” said Sam of the 10-year-old, who was ninth after the first phase on 34.8 before jumping double clear and just picking up 9.6 crosscountry time-faults. Collecting his prize, Sam commented on the tragic passing of Georgie Campbell saying: “Seeing my wife and kids watching me, my thoughts go straight to Jesse Campbell. Time is precious and I know the eventing world will wrap their arms around him.” It was a good weekend for the Irish, whose team took the…

SHOWJUMPING BOLESWORTH PRESENTED BY AL SHIRA'AA CSIYH*, CSIP, CSICh and CSIAm IT'S part of this sport's magic to see a prospective future talent score that first significant win. When that success comes in the hands of one of Britain's top rising stars, that magic is brushed with an extra sparkle. Bolesworth's Al Shira'aa seven-year-old final this year was a real jewellery shop window, headed by super mare Chique RV Z and Britain's Jack Whitaker, with Ireland's Shane Breen and Konrad Obolensky a close second. “We think she's a proper one,” said Jack, who bought the Cicero Z daughter as a fouryear-old with Jake Saywell. “She's always been a great jumper, so we are just trying to take it slowly. She's that nice you want to go to the next step…

Felbridge, Surrey EVENT rider Gaspard Maksud collected his first ticket for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) when he claimed a victory on Ballypatrick Tiberius in the Foxhunter second round. While six combinations made the third phase, none of them left the fences standing, leaving Gaspard with strategic decisions to make jumping from penultimate draw. “I had to try to go for it, but after I had the second fence down, I really had to put my foot down,” he said. “Maybe if I'd gone earlier I'd have jumped a clear but he definitely jumped better after he had the fence.” Gaspard's string now consists of an even split of eventers and showjumpers – eight-year-old Ballypatrick Tiberius began his career eventing but switched disciplines. He was aimed at newcomers second…

SHOWING MIDLAND COUNTIES 1–2 June Edited by Alex Robinson alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrob_journo_ Midland Counties, Arena UK, Lincs ONE of the youngest jockeys on the showground triumphed in a hotly contested mountain and moorland (M&M) Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) leadrein qualifier before landing the mini M&M championship. Four-year-old Penelope Rae Dale rode home-produced Dartmoor gelding Hisley Caliph (Sven), owned and led by her mother Leigh Dale. “It feels like it's not real,” said Leigh. “You have to be in it to win it. When you are home produced it's hard, and the class was huge today with every single professional in it.” This was the icing on the cake for Preston-based Leigh, who also rides Sven in the open Dartmoor classes and is already HOYS-bound, having qualified at The Showing…

Royal Bath & West, The Showground, Somerset LEADING equine vet John Killingbeck chose a former event horse for the HOYS inhand supreme title. This was Tony Reynolds and Michael Cook's lovely 13-year-old broodmare KBF Waltzing With Hilda – a Porsch mare out of Seabourne Swansdown. Swansdown is also the dam of Lucy and Diane Stennett's KBF Lucia, who won the HOYS ladies’ and coloured qualifiers here with Jayne Ross. This pair finished as reserve champions in the coloured showdown, behind Janay Atherden and her mother Lisha Leeman's lightweight cob Red Rock III. Padraig McCarthy competed Hilda during her eventing career, placing at BE100 and novice level. This will be her NEC debut. Reserve supreme was Molly Simpson handling Lindsey Tropman's Greenholme Let's See, Fell and Dales champion for the second…

JENNY DUCOFFRE THE much-loved international showjumping groom died on 21 May, aged 44. Jenny was born in Germany, and went on to work at the highest levels of the sport. She was the long-standing groom of Belgian showjumper Jos Verlooy, and a respected figure on the circuit. In 2019 Jenny won the Horse Health horsemastership trophy at Hickstead, given to the groom who most impressed the panel of judges with their standards of care. In 2023 she received the best groom award at the Indoor Friesland, in the Netherlands. The equestrian community, of which Jenny was such a large part, remembers her as a “dear colleague and a true friend”. A spokesperson for Jos said: “For over 10 years, Jenny devoted herself to the wellbeing of the horses and the…

BRITISH SHOWJUMPING (BS) has urged parents and carers of pony riders to ensure they are always accompanied at competitions – after cases of children being abandoned at shows, including one found drunk in the lorry park. BS put out an online request to those responsible for children. CEO Iain Graham told H&H he had planned just to email responsible adults. “But I put it online; it might get people talking and make them realise this is unacceptable,” he said. “We understand people want to give children all the opportunities they can, but it needs to be in a safe and responsible way.” Mr Graham said there have been children left at shows with a pony or horse, and under-16s in charge of younger siblings. “One was under 12; a friend…

I WON just about everything as a rider but never quite managed to get in the top three at any of the many Olympics in which I competed. That was disappointing, of course, yet it felt very special to even be taking part. I am sure that anyone who has taken part in any sport at the Olympics will understand that. Yes, it is disappointing not to come away with a medal, but later you realise that at least you were there. You are an Olympian forever, nobody can take that away from you. For me there was a silver lining – or should I say a bronze lining. I think it was inevitable that I would have a lifetime of working with horses. My father was a big influence…

EMMETTS GRANGE Simonsbath, Minehead, Somerset For you: a modernised Grade II-listed Georgian house with nine bedrooms, set in the heart of Exmoor. As well as historic features including a waterfall and extensive beech banks, there's a hot tub, tennis court, four cottages, party barn and studio annexe. For the horses: a Grade II-listed courtyard of traditional stone barns and stables, as well as newer Monarch stables in an American barn (18 in total). There is a tack room, wash boxes with hot water and a new 20x60m Andrews Bowen indoor arena. A ring-fenced estate, set in 894 acres. £6.5m Knight Frank, 01392 848846, knightfrank.co.uk MILLARDS HILL HOUSE Trudoxhill, Frome, Somerset For you: a nine-bed Grade IIlisted Georgian house. Mature gardens with swimming pool, plus a disused tennis court. There is…

THIS was Ian Stark's last time designing at Bramham, after 15 years, as he retires from course-design at the end of the year, aged 70. Ground conditions were excellent and universally praised, as were Ian's courses. The CCI4*-L track was only subtly changed from last year, which works well at this level, as horses tend only to compete in this class once on their way up the ladder. The Defender combination at the roundhouse was the most significant alteration, with the direct route repeating fence types Ian has used at Maryland five-star, an eagle owl hole to a big chevron in a ditch. It jumped well (pictured, Selina Milnes and Cooley Snapchat), bar one horse fall at the chevron. The numbering here was changed to allow riders to mix and…

HIGHLIGHTS 30 May–2 June DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THIS PAGE? HAVE YOU WON A SECTION? Email eventinghighlights@gmail.com within 24 hours of your event and please include a contact telephone number Little Downham (1), Cambs DAVID DOEL and Galileo Nieuwmoed enjoyed the perfect dress rehearsal for Luhmühlen's CCI5* when they headed the sole advanced section. They added 9.6 timepenalties – the fastest time in the class – to a 32.3 dressage. This result comes off the back of a disappointing Badminton, where David opted to withdraw the 13-year-old, owned by Gillian Jonas and Mary Fox, after the dressage when he sensed the gelding wasn't feeling himself. “He had a week off when we got home and when he started messing around in the field, we decided he was obviously…

OLIVIA SKINNER and her own exciting rising star C-Mikado Wapiti Mp Z (by Comme Il Faut) enjoyed two podium results in the seven-year-old classes. The pair finished third in Thursday's Al Shira'aa two-phase contest, before heading Friday's edition. Their Bolesworth results back up their form from the Sunshine Tour earlier this spring, where they finished third in the seven-year-old final. This neat little gelding has such a game attitude, with his ears pricked forward as he sailed into the lead with ease. “I bought him as a four-year-old from a video,” said Olivia. “He's really careful, quite sharp, and he loves his job – his ears are always pricked. He loves hacking and jumping, and is so easy – he goes in a little rubber snaffle.” ONE TO WATCH…

I OWE IT TO… ABBIE BEVAN'S “horse of a lifetime” Fabiola Fairy V was “feeling fantastic” as she topped a 15-strong jump-off in the Events Through A Lens talent seekers qualifier at Northcote Stud, Lancashire, at what was only her second show back since a spell as a broodmare. Abbie and the 14-year-old mare, whom she has owned for the past 10 years, beat Carmen Edwards who was in the saddle of Feel The Wind Semilly. “Lucy” went to the newcomers final as a seven-year-old but took time out to have a foal, who is by Odysseus. “I jumped her all the way up to world rankings classes but she felt a bit weaker and I didn't know if she was enjoying it as much. My dad said, ‘If she…

TORRINGTON FARMERS 8 June Torrington Farmers, Umberleigh, Devon DARREN EDWARDS made his final two rides winning ones as he retired from the saddle following a long and illustrious career, which has seen him notch 330 point-to-point and 30 under-Rules victories. Dorrells Pierji made it five wins in six weeks when securing the mixed open for trainer Dean Summersby and owners Banks, Dodd, Stevenson and Gibson. “He's remarkable and a horse with lots of ability, and Dean has worked miracles with him,” said Darren of this 11-year-old by Coastal Path. “I got off him at a point in February and told Dean he should sell him as he's a chronic bleeder. Dean gave him two months off to let the ground quicken up, now trains him from the field, and we…

FOCUSING on animals’ welfare over their rights could better ensure horses’ wellbeing. Madeleine Campbell, an owner, breeder, vet and chair of Defra's animal welfare committee, brought up public acceptance of horse sport at the “Equine cognizance and mental maturity – what do we know?” conference on 24 May. She urged the equestrian world to be prepared to explain why we think it is ethically justifiable to involve horses in sport – and to educate ourselves on the latest science and challenge our behaviour. Dr Campbell added that being able to ethically justify horse sport is “predicated on us providing them with good lives and protecting their welfare”. “My view is that we don't need to move towards a rights position to safeguard welfare. A strict rights position fails to take…

A “POINTLESS and prejudiced attack” on trail-hunting would “fan the flames of a culture war”, Labour has been told, as the election approaches. Steve Reed, shadow environment secretary, said on 7 June that if his party won the election on 4 July it would “end trail-hunting by closing the loopholes that have allowed the illegal hunting of foxes, deers and hares to continue”. Although as H&H went to press Labour had not released its manifesto, it is thought that it would do so this week, and that it may include this commitment, despite opposition from some key party members and officials. Countryside Alliance (CA) CEO Tim Bonner said: “Labour's continuing obsession with trail-hunting shows that the party hasn't changed. This new attack on trail-hunting is pointless, prejudiced and will fan…

THEFT of cats and dogs has become a specific legal offence – as calls are made for the equestrian community to gather evidence on stolen equines to expand the scope of the new law. Last month the Pet Abduction Act 2024 received royal assent, and now anyone found guilty of stealing a cat or dog in England or Northern Ireland faces up to five years in prison, a fine or both. Under the new law, there is no need to prove that the intention was to “permanently deprive” someone of their pet. The act is the result of a private member's bill sponsored by MP Anna Firth and Lord Black of Brentwood. In the past four years H&H has reported on various calls and two petitions to make pet theft…

CORTICOSTEROIDS are naturally occurring hormones within the body that are essential for life. Produced by the adrenal gland in response to various triggers, including the release of ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) from the pituitary gland, they help regulate all body cells and organ systems. They consist of mineralocorticoids, such as aldosterone, which are involved in electrolyte and fluid balance, and glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, which are cholesterol-derived and are pivotal in the metabolism of glucose, fats and protein. The latter can also affect vascular tone, stress response and the regulation of sleep and mood. However, it is their potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties that make glucocorticoids so valuable in the treatment of a range of medical and musculoskeletal conditions in horses. Corticosteroids should not be confused with anabolic steroids, which are…

THE Japanese team have had a turbulent time since emerging as serious medal contenders with fourth at the 2018 World Championships. Their effort fell apart in Tokyo, though Kazuma Tomoto was fourth individually on Vinci De La Vigne JRA. They then missed team qualification for Paris, being granted the spot after a Chinese horse tested positive for controlled medication at the qualification event. Their strong results here indicate the Japanese could be a force to be reckoned with in Paris – as well as Kazuma's third, Ryuzo Kitajima (Be My Daisy, pictured) was ninth, Yoshiaki Oiwa (the ex-Pippa Funnell horse MGH Grafton Street) 12th and Toshiyuki Tanaka (Jefferson JRA) 14th. Kazuma and Toshiyuki jumped double clears on second horses By Design JRA and Talma D'Allou too. TALKING POINT…

Ascott-under-Wychwood (2), Oxon HELENA POPE put a fall at Shelford Manor five days earlier behind her to secure the win in BE90 section B on her Connemara Rossalougha Ted. “It was a silly fall but I wasn't feeling very confident going into this event,” explained Helena, who is a partner at Towcester Vets, mother of two girls under the age of three and married to National Hunt trainer Billy Aprahamian. “He was doing caprioles!” HELENA POPE Ted, whom Helena has owned for nine years, scored 28.5 in the first phase, and finished on this score – one of only three in the section to complete on their dressage. “He felt amazing in the first phase and he popped around the showjumping nicely, despite it causing problems. We warmed up confidently…

SHOWJUMPING BOLESWORTH PRESENTED BY AL SHIRA'AA 5–9 June Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Bolesworth International Summer Festival week one, presented by Al Shira'aa, Bolesworth Castle, Cheshire WILLIAM WHITAKER and Chacco's Lando took full advantage of the slivers of opportunity left for the taking by their rivals, to secure a British victory in Bolesworth's high-class LeMieux CSI2* grand prix. Ireland's Shane Breen “knew the big guns were coming behind me”, so set the standard by taking the brave man's route with Cato Boy over Rafael Suarez's jump-off course. But William was braver – as last to go, he had to be – slicing across the oxer at fence five and delivering an all-round masterclass in jump-off riding to power ahead by 0.6sec. “I was in the best position to know…

HIGHLIGHTS 29 May–3 June DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THIS PAGE? HAVE YOU WON A CLASS? Email jennifer.donald@futurenet.comwithin 24 hours of your event and please include a contact telephone number The Suffolk Show, Trinity Park ADRIAN SPEIGHT and Millfield Baloney made their first appearance on British soil this year a victorious one when they headed an exacting international stairway with the sole double clear. Mark Edwards filled the majority of the five available jump-off slots, finishing hard on Adrian's heels in second, third and fourth place. “Mark had gone fast, which added to the pressure. I could have gone for a steady clear but if I had one down I'd have been right down the line,” said Adrian, who has been second in this class for the past two…

Chard Equestrian, Somerset FIONA GAIR described a 72.35% inter I qualifier win with BRS Kingdom as “bittersweet” when she learned after the show that her Dream Boy gelding has the heart condition atrial fibrillation. “He's had regular heart checks since he was a yearling that have never shown this, but we discovered the problem during a routine dental check,” said Fiona, who explained the nine-year-old's diagnosis was reached during a working electrocardiogram and a heart scan. He'll soon undergo transvenous electrical cardioversion under general anaesthetic and will spend some time recovering. “The box rest will be quite tough and he'll miss the season,” she said, adding that “Rocky” has so far exceeded all expectations. “He's gone from novice to PSG in the last two years and been to the nationals…

HIGHLIGHTS 27 May–2 June 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 Staffordshire County YOUNG rider Alice Pimbley, 20, recorded a bumper two days in the show ring, landing Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Tattersalls Challenge qualifications in the process. Alice initially steered Harry and Hannah Bardsley's Shire mare Moorfield Nancy to lead the HOYS heavy horse field with a ride mark of 48/50. The 15-year-old is one of the last horses bred by Moorfield Stud's Peter Williams. Despite her imposing height, Nancy is one of the most balanced rides Alice has ever had: “It's like riding the most well-schooled hack. She's one of the biggest horses in the ring,…

FIRST place in the junior 70 individual competition went to Suri Myiaem and Go With The Flo after they were the only combination in this class to finish on a score of zero. “I was really surprised to get first place out of so many riders. I really loved the course, it was one of the best I've ever ridden. My favourite part was coming through the water then the jump that led up to the bank. It was such good fun and it's always great to ride such an amazing horse,” said the ecstatic 13-year-old, who also finished fourth in the junior 80. FIRST WIN Go With the Flo, who had a foal during lockdown, is a 19-year-old home-bred Irish Sport Horse whom Suri rides for Kerry Simpson. The…