Innholdsfortegnelse for 30-Jan-2025 i Horse & Hound

I'M avoiding the term “social licence”, not least because it needs explaining. There are very few people involved with horses who don't want to be doing right by their animals. We disagree to varying degrees as to what “right” looks like, but those who pride themselves on being good owners do so because they believe their approach is the right one. Whether or not the public feel riders should be able to continue riding is important, but what is more important is whether the riding, training and management of our horses genuinely does have their best interests at heart. Our approach changes the more information we have. We need data to support our decisions in anything – from what article to write to what tack to use. Having taken a…

CONSTITUTION HILL Michael Buckley's star, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville, won his 10th from 10 starts under Rules, the Unibet Hurdle (25 January). PATRIS FILIUS Olivia Wilmot's (née Haddow) skewbald 2005 young rider team gold medallist, whom she rode from Pony Club to Badminton and Burghley, has died aged 31. BELLA ROSE 2 Isabel Werth's Olympic, world and European gold medal winner, owned by Madeleine Winter-Schulze, has had a foal by Majestic Taonga, named Majestic Madeleine.…

SPOOKING To Finland, where the Google Street View car caught a pony spooking at it, then high-tailing it across the field with its rider on the ground. Luckily both OK, and at least if it had to happen, it was saved for posterity. FEELING BETTER Overheard at the yard: “If I feel down, I ride.” To agreement from others, she added: “Because my riding is so bad, it makes everything else better.” One way of looking at it. LEISURE Overheard from a trainer at a show, after a jumpoff, which may or may not have been slower than the rider's first round. “Did you stop for a fag halfway round?” Harsh. YOUNG MEN Also overheard at a show, the father of a young rider explaining: “Well, I'd rather my daughter…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound LONG MAY THEY RUN AS a regular attendee of many county shows either with competitive friends, judging or managing side-saddle displays, I have always found the Shetland Pony Grand National to be a joy to watch. The enthusiasm of the crowd, of all different age groups, is lovely to see. One year we were short of a rider for our side-saddle displays due to illness on the last day. Sebastian Garner (All in a day's work, 12 December) came to the rescue by lending us one of his jockeys to ride a well schooled riding school pony. “Thank you to Graham Fletcher for championing this step” TOM WARMERDAM This young lady was a delight to…

FEAR VERSUS ANXIETY FEAR is an emotional response to actual danger, whereas anxiety is the response to an anticipated future threat that may or may not happen. Fearful responses are natural protective mechanisms which will decline with appropriate time and exposure with safe training events. Where training is not provided, horses will become increasingly anxious, a response that is difficult to manage safely. BEHAVIOURAL TRAINING UNDERSTANDING how horses learn is vital to successful training (this will be covered in vet clinic, 13 and 20 March). Horses benefit from non-associative and associative learning methods. For example, in non-associative learning, by repeatedly exposing your horse to a threat (habituation), reactions decrease over time, and they become desensitised; whereas associated learning uses training methods to link cues and outcomes. For example, giving treats…

Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex Winter Regionals, Warks “HE'S a grand prix horse in the making,” said Craig Messenger of his home-bred gelding Niko Aster, a winner at elementary silver. “He's really brave, and once in the whiteboards, he knows his job. “Nothing is too much trouble for him,” added Craig of the seven-year-old Valverde son, now 18.2hh. “He's so light in the hand and has a natural ability to collect.” Sara-Jane Lanning booked an early ticket to the nationals, hitting the 70% mark with Hawtins Lirica to triumph at inter I gold. “We're training towards grand prix but we're in no rush – it's a work in progress,” said Sara-Jane, who rides “Lyra”, an 11-year-old Lemony's Nicket mare, for Nicola Seale. “Nicola lets us take it at our own pace…

West Park Arena, Co Durham AIMEE POWELL-CURRIE had an on-form outing, heading the Seaver diamond qualifier with Kastaar and the Blue Chip Joint Care power qualifier with Super Anzac. North Cumbria-based Aimee came off ponies at the end of 2023 and bought Kastaar that November. “At the start of last year he stumbled and I had a bad fall off him and landed on my head. It took us a while to get our confidence back – he tends to jump his fences big and can be nervous, but he'd getting so much better,” said Aimee. “I was so proud of him for qualifying.” Super Anzac is owned by Rod Kellett and evented with Nicola Wilson for three seasons before jumping with Rod, who passed the ride to Aimee in…

Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace, Horseheath, Cambs GINA ELLIS continued her run of good form when landing a treble at Horseheath. This started with eight-year-old Fairly Famous's victory in the mixed open for The Signy & Marriage Families. He has now won seven from eight. “There were only three runners, which was a shame,” said Gina. “But he just needed a couple of prep runs before Cheltenham.” Her next victory came in the maiden, with six-year-old mare Always Groovin for Wales, Cowell, Harding-Jones, Bloom & Moore. “She was third last time out at Horseheath and has built on that run, so was entitled to be winning today,” added Gina. “She'll go for a restricted now. She's a fun little horse for her group of ex-East Anglian jockey owners who rode a…

Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ EMPHASISING the value of horses in society, and engaging more people, will be key to equestrianism thriving, with welfare always at its heart. The results of major crossindustry research into the UK public's view of riding horses show that we are on the right track – but that there is still much work to do. The study, facilitated by World Horse Welfare and conducted by engagement science specialists Voconiq last spring, involved 5,000 people representative of the public. It was backed by British Equestrian and member bodies, racing, polo and vets. SOCIAL VALUE IT found that trust is the main influencer of acceptance. Social importance of horses is the main driver of public trust,…

NEW CHANCE TO LEARN OFFERED BRITISH DRESSAGE and the Scottish Racing Academy (SRA) have partnered to offer new education opportunities. From this month SRA will be the training provider for British Dressage (BD) members in Scotland and will offer the generic horse care modern apprenticeship (incorporating dressage), to those aged 16 and over. The BD apprenticeship programme was previously only available in England. “While the equestrianfocused qualifications are curated with dressage at the core, the opportunities are open to any with an interest in horse care, welfare and sport,” said a spokesperson for the programme. “BD and SRA are aligned in the intention of providing an inclusive route into the industry, fulfilling the need for improved access .” RIDING FOR THE DISABLED CHOSEN THE Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)…

Irish Olympic dressage rider Abi Lyle fractured a vertebra in a jumping fall. Abi said it is a stable fracture and she could be back in four to six weeks. World champions Lottie Fry and Glamourdale won the Amsterdam World Cup qualifier grand prix on 79.5%, and the freestyle on 89.84%. Dressage rider Anna Ross has received a medal of honour from British Dressage and the FEI. Anna thanked supporters and the “many wonderful horses”. Gold medallist Kate French, 33, has retired from modern pentathlon after a 17-year career. Kate represented Great Britain at the Rio, Tokyo and Paris Olympics. Hartpury deputy vicechancellor Rosie Scott-Ward is one of three new Riding for the Disabled trustees, as are Paul Maynard and Kelly Barnes.…

oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr OPINION IT'S been an exciting few weeks for our breeding programme. Newton Feeling Good, the first son of my top ride Habouche (Holly), was recently approved as a stallion at the Oldenburg licensing in Germany. He was snapped up as a foal by Dutch Olympian Diederik van Silfhout, who produced him for this appearance. Habouche is betrothed this year – by embryo transfer – to my other ride, Sezuans Donnerhall (Suzi), and there's another top stallion who may soon join us. Buying horses young is becoming increasingly popular in today's challenging economic climate. Seeing so many on the lunge at the stallion licensing, showcasing their natural movement, made me wonder: what qualities do people value most in young horses? Breeding for longevity seems obvious, and thankfully there was…

“YOUR grassland is a valuable resource that needs to be respected and nurtured, never abuse or take it for granted,” says Boogie Machin, of Machin Event Yard. “Invest in the best fencing you can afford, and when turning out, the dynamics between individual and neighbouring horses is crucial to avoid damage. “Every spring our fields are fertilised with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by the local farmer, who also cuts the hedges and removes the muck heap. We have the soil tested and limed if necessary to optimise grass-growing conditions and control the spread of buttercups, which thrive in acidic soil. As for any other weeds, Mum is constantly patrolling the paddocks and spot spraying with her knapsack. “The two machines that make a huge difference are the Claydon covered horse…

THE KEVIN SPARROW PHOTOGRAPHY HIGH PROFILE 24–26 January Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr The Horse & Hound Podcast Hear from dressage and event rider Holly Woodhead on the new episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast: horseandhound.co.uk/podcast The Kevin Sparrow Photography High Profile, Vale View EC, Leics JUST as at Arena UK last month, the Great British weather threatened another High Profile fixture. But Vale View was spared Storm Éowyn's worst, and managed to keep the show on the road. Angus Corrie-Deane left as the show's leading rider, picking up five wins from his seven starts. “The organisers were so kind and offered us a stable so we wouldn't have to travel up in the morning,” Angus said. “But by then, the storm had actually calmed down where we're based,…

DIMINUTIVE Welsh pony Veronica Bunnie (pictured) proved a show sensation after winning a 30-strong prelim silver. Laura Fowler, who teamed up with the 14hh mare in September, credits her trainer Marcia Wakeman with Bunnie's progress. “Marcia makes it such an enjoyable experience for both of us and has taught me to be soft as a rider,” said Laura, an equine photographer and videographer. “We only went to the show to see what Bunnie was like with flowerpots. We were shocked and so proud to win.” Laura, who also rode her 21-year-old gelding Cherokee to 12th place in the novice silver, added: “We really wanted to find something fun, to take some of the work from Cherokee's plate. Bunnie is wonderful, really clever. She's cool with all her lateral work and…

HIGHLIGHTS 17–20 January Wellington Riding, Hants LOUISIANA-S made her first appearance in the ring since HOYS a winning one when she partnered Lauren Roach to the top of an 11-strong jump-off for the 1.20m Blue Chip Calming performance qualifier. “She was flying,” said Lauren, who had one down with the mare in the newcomers final, in what was her first year of jumping with British Showjumping (BS). “She had a holiday after HOYS and we brought her back into work just before Christmas. We headed here first to get our qualification done and dusted.” Lauren jumped the now nine-year-old mare at her first show in October 2023, and she has taken everything since in her stride, winning the Blue Riband 1.20m final at the Scope Festival last year. “He'll be…

HIGHLIGHTS 21–26 January Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Festival Trials Day, Cheltenham Racecourse, Glos CONSTITUTION HILL took top billing at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day, drawing a surge of spectators keen to glimpse the unbeaten superstar in the Grade Two five-runner Unibet Hurdle. However, he gave his fans a heart-stopping moment at the final flight. His jockey, Nico de Boinville, asked for a long stride, but the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding countered by chipping in a short one. It was a rare blemish on this normally superb jumper, but they both survived intact and, with Constitution Hill's ears still pricked, they powered home purposefully to secure a remarkable 10th straight career success. All roads now lead to the Festival in March, where Michael Buckley's eight-year-old is odds-on to regain his…

SANDOWN'S 160th running of the Grand Military Gold Cup was won by 10-year-old Fil D'Ariane (pictured), who is owned, trained and was ridden to victory in the race by Captain Douglas White. Not only was it a brilliant performance, but no mean feat to train your own horse to win against the might of the professionals. The pair held on to win from the red-hot favourite, Farceur Du Large (Major Will Kellard), to whom they finished third in last year's race. White, 39, was a member of the Queen's Royal Hussars and then the Royal Wessex Yeomanry. He now trains his point-to-pointer Fil D'Ariane on his Wiltshire farm. “It was a complete shock, but I loved every minute,” said White, a regular with the Beaufort Hunt, who also builds the…

AFTER training Saint Calvados under Rules, Harry Whittington, who specialises in pre-training now, is enjoying the winner's enclosure once again, this time in point-to-points. The horse, who has amassed over £400,000 in prize money, showed his talent remains when winning the 2m 4f men's open under Nick Orpwood at the Percy meeting at Alnwick, in Northumberland. “It was very emotional,” said Harry. “I don't think I ever cried when he won previously, but I did today. “I said to his owner, David Maxwell, that I'd love to have him in retirement and he sent him to me a year ago. I've been hunting him most of this winter and he absolutely loves it. “My staff call him King Calvados because there's no stone left unturned to keep him looking great.…

THE old and bold say that you should hunt as much as you can in November and December. Once Christmas is over, weather can get in the way and you are quickly looking down the barrel of the season's end. I feel as if I haven't had enough hunting this season. Just 12 days (two of those on a bike) out of the 25 or so that hounds have been out. Time to get some more in while it's still possible. On Tuesday we met at a pub in the low country belonging to a Dutchman called Hendrik who organises shooting in the area. This annual event is a pleasant entente cordiale between hunters and shooters. Hendrik brings his clients to the meet between drives and everyone tucks into sausages…

THE rider of a Shire mare contesting Area Festivals and aiming for the championships has said it is a pleasure to show what non-conventional dressage horses can do. Boo Riley and Nicholas Dymond's eight-year-old Thames Oak Glamour Girl missed out on qualifying at the Addington winter Area Festival on 17 January, but have another chance at Solihull next month. Dressage producer and rider Boo told H&H Nicholas is her neighbour, and asked her to back “Betsie” in 2020. “I thought there was no reason why not; I can back horses and ponies, so I can back a Shire,” she said. “And it all went from there.” Boo schooled the mare, and contested some showing. “We'd taken her to dressage in preparation and she went really well so we thought, ‘Let's…

THE relentless rollercoaster of a jockey's life is no better illustrated than Daryl Jacob's last few months before he retired from National Hunt racing at the end of December. In November, he partnered Ottizzini to a nine-length victory in the handicap hurdle at Ayr and claimed his 1,000th win. He says of the milestone, “It's a very difficult thing to do, with the travel, injuries and dedication. “I have made huge sacrifices and I wanted to achieve this landmark.” Then less than 48 hours later, an accident while riding out at Henry de Bromhead's yard resulted in a broken collarbone, “out to the AC joint” (the shoulder to the rest of us – like any jockey, he has suffered enough injuries to talk like a seasoned medic) and needed a…

A BATTERING FROM THE STORM COMPETITORS praised Aintree's organisation after Storm Éowyn forced the cancellation of Friday's classes. The 165 horses on-site had to be confined to their boxes for safety while riders were kept busy in the cafe with quizzes and bingo. The schedule was redrawn to enable key qualifiers to go ahead, which led to jumping starting at 7am on Saturday and not finishing till 11.55pm. “There were 70mph winds and there are a lot of grandstands on-site that could have been damaged, so we made the decision at 6.15am on Friday that it wouldn't be safe to jump and have horses moving around the site,” said equestrian centre manager Carly Sage. “When we reopened entries, it was very, very busy – we jumped 452 rounds on Saturday.…

HIGHLIGHTS 25–26 January gemma.redrup@futurenet.com @gemmaredrup Heythrop, Cocklebarrow, Glos JAMES KING picked up a brace of wins at a wet and blustery Cocklebarrow. The 11-year-old Boss Man Fred took top honours in the men's open 3m 6f Lord Ashton of Hyde's Cup for The Cotswold Stars Partnership and trainer Elen Wylie, who has taken over training her boyfriend Max Comley's pointers as he now has a full licence to train under Rules. “He has all the form on the table, it was just a matter of getting the best out of him,” said James. “Elen put a visor on him today and that brought out a lot of improvement. “They went a frantic gallop, but he held on and got the job done. It's the third time in a row that…