Innholdsfortegnelse for 13-Feb-2025 i Horse & Hound

THIS week's In the spotlight (p22), focuses on a partially sighted wonder horse who money can't buy. In the economic climate we're in, it's commonplace for sport horses to be sold by owners and riders who are then set up for their careers, or for other more pressing reasons. Therefore, it's heartwarming to see a family willing and able to turn down significant sums for a horse that is so appreciated, and as Jennifer Billington puts it “irreplaceable”. I'm not impractical, nor a complete idealist, and I think the horse world is entirely accepting of horses changing hands for vast sums these days. I'm just pleasantly surprised when we occasionally see that “he isn't for sale”. It's also heartwarming to hear that despite being blind in one eye this horse…

Australian driver Boyd Exell won his 100th FEI World Cup leg with Bundy in Bordeaux – then took a record 11th World Cup title the next day. Young rider European showjumping champion Olli Fletcher underwent surgery after he broke his ankle in a car collision. World champion showjumper Henrik von Eckermann tops the FEI world rankings for a 31st consecutive month, over 300 points ahead of Steve Guerdat. Olympic medal-winning French eventer Karim Florent Laghouag won his fourth indoor Derby at Bordeaux, this time with Dream De Vieve. Dressage rider and H&H columnist Anna Ross won the freestyle at the Le Mans CDI3* on 8 February, riding Habouche, having come second in the grand prix.…

▲ HOBBIES A post on social media asking what hobbies are a “red flag” in relationships garnered comments about riders. We can't see an issue with red flags. Keep ‘em on your right and it's all good. ▲ HOBBY HORSES To Thoresby, where hobby horses will be at the Spring Carnival. Or is it the other way round? The hobby horse site says “alongside the hobby horse competitions, [the] arena will host elite riders and real horses”. A side attraction, obvs. ▲ MONEY Spotted, an article on “How to get a free horse”. Ooh… oh. A computer game, virtual horse. Sigh. Cheaper to keep though.…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound SPREADING THE WORD IT was shocking to learn that 58 horses were killed and 97 injured in road traffic incidents last year (news, 30 January). We need to use every avenue to get the message across to motorists. Last year, I was caught exceeding the speed limit, and opted for the Driver Retraining Course rather than points on my licence. During the session, the safe passing of cyclists came up. I mentioned that horses also needed consideration, adding that a horse spooked by something at the side of the road could instantly leap up to two metres sideways, no problem. The course leader was amazed, and thanked me for sharing. He said he…

IT'S curious how Blenheim has marked the chapters of Daisy Berkeley's eventing life. In 2005, it was the site of her first senior championship with the cheeky little bay Spring Along. Their 11th place at that Europeans paved the way to European team gold, world team silver and Olympic team bronze over the next three years. In 2006, Daisy (née Dick) won Blenheim with Springbok IV, who had good results but never proved quite the hoped-for successor to Spring Along. After that, it would be 18 years before she'd achieve another podium finish at CCI4*-L – that drought was broken last year, when she finished second at Blenheim with Diese Du Figuier. Daisy, 52, has other things in her life now – and more on that later – but she's…

OPINION TWENTY years ago on 18 February 2005, the Hunting Act came into force, forever changing hunting in England and Wales. For many, it felt as if our way of life had been destroyed. Yet, two decades later, we are still here and still getting a lot of enjoyment from following hounds. While this anniversary may not be one of celebration, it does offer a chance to reflect on the resilience of the hunting community, which has been able to adapt and survive despite an illogical and illiberal piece of legislation. The process that led to the passing of the Hunting Act was long and complex. It involved numerous government inquiries, parliamentary hearings, private members’ bills, and over 700 hours of parliamentary debate. Despite this extensive political effort, the Act…

THERE was an all-French start list of event riders for the Devoucoux Indoor Derby, with last to go Karim Florent Laghouag clinching victory with a clear round in 108.79sec. It was a fifth win in the class for Karim, but a first for 12-year-old Dream De Vieve (pictured), owned by Philippe Lemoine, Guy Bessat, SARL Ecurie Karim Laghouag and Jean Luc Force. “Dream De Vieve is a horse I've been preparing for two years,” said Karim. “He has a big stride, which means I couldn't take all the tight turns I wanted, but I just kept moving.” The track included both showjumps and cross-country obstacles with banks, corners and brush fences, but the roof was raised for Karim, who won team silver at the Paris Olympics riding Triton Fontaine. This…

EVENTERS DOMINATE IN QUALIFIERS ● EVENTERS showed jumpers how it's done this week, with three five-star riders winning Blue Chip qualifiers. Louisa Lockwood added another Blue Chip ticket to the seven she has already accrued when she won the Blue Chip Joint Care power qualifier at Dorset on Kilcannon Oreo (pictured). “I do a fair bit of jumping over the winter and I quite like going to the Blue Chip finals. I thought I may as well get as many qualified as I can!” Louisa said. Rising seven, 17.2hh Oreo headed a nine-strong jump-off by 3.36sec. “He is a big horse and can also bowl down to a fence and take one less without trying,” said Louisa, who also headed a 1.30m open at the show with Itareuso. “I bought…

“I LOVE Welsh cobs and palominos, so when I saw him I knew he had to be mine,” laughed Jacqueline Edginton, who bought her novice freestyle silver winner Janton Colonel Mustard, known as Ken, last year. “We had to change him from showing mode, but he'd done a bit of unaffiliated dressage and he's such a lovely person.” Jacqueline, 71, rode to a soundtrack put together by her son, which included the theme tune from the 1980s TV show Supergran and music from Footloose. “It went swimmingly,” she added. “My granddaughter [trainer Bethany Edginton] whipped me into shape over the past couple of weeks. I wasn't full of confidence going in, but it all fell into place.”…

FROZEN ground, gale-force winds and snowstorms can keep many riders grounded at home during the winter, which means our trailers can sit for months without use. But with spring around the corner, many of us will be eager to get out and about again with our horses. However, before you hitch up and head out to your first lesson or competition of the year, it is crucial to check that everything is in good working order. “After a winter of sitting out in the elements, it's important that the safetycritical parts on your trailer are all functioning correctly, to keep you and other road users safe before you begin to use it again,” advises Ben Whitby, aftersales manager at Ifor Williams Trailers. “The increased use of salt on the roads…

Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ GOING barefoot is a topic that can generate heated discussions in the horse world. It is widely accepted that not all horses need shoes. But the debate perhaps should not be shod or unshod, but who is doing it. In the UK, only qualified, registered farriers can legally prepare a horse's foot for immediate inception of a shoe, and fit shoes. But there is no regulation on who can trim horses’ hooves. Anyone can legally offer trimming and charge money for it, including farriers removed or suspended from the Farriers Registration Council's (FRC) register. Unlike vets and farriers, who are accountable to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the FRC respectively, there…

PROGRESS MADE ON INCLUSION A PROGRESS report a year into British Equestrian's (BEF) “Horses for all” strategy shows “significant strides” have been made. The BEF and its member bodies shared the update to their commitment to a more inclusive industry. Among actions taken is a diversity and inclusion action plan, a revised rulebook including enhanced anti-discrimination policies in its final stages and a support network for urban riding centres. “We are incredibly proud of the progress and deeply grateful to our member bodies and working group,” said BEF head of participation and development Mandana Mehran Pour. “We are taking meaningful steps toward a more inclusive community where everyone has a chance to experience the incredible impact of horses.” HORSE FEEDS ROYAL WARRANT DENGIE has been granted a royal warrant as…

▼ WELLIES Shout-out to all those nursing wellies through to spring with two well-placed plastic bags. We recommend a Sainsbury's bag for life. (Someone's doing well! Ed). ▼ WEDDINGS A rider who had the chance to travel to a major event but has to miss out owing to a family wedding was disturbed to hear the couple is having issues. “They'd better not split now,” she humphed. “I'll drag her up the aisle myself.” That's the spirit! ▼ BREEDS To the US, where a video shows a Jack Russell jumping a Shetland loose over fences. Dearly as we love both, we wouldn't say they're first choice of breeds most likely to behave themselves……

Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @ oscarw_dr OPINION HAVING turned 40 last month, I've become increasingly aware of the sobering reality that I often talk about things as if they happened just a few years ago – only to realise they were in fact two decades ago. It's alarming to think that 20 years ago, I wasn't even a child, but already competing at senior international level. So, what has changed in the past two decades? Quite a lot – for me personally and for the sport as a whole. Beyond the rise in breeding and so the number of top-level horses and the progress of professionalism, social media has led to the concept of social licence, which has, in turn, led to a lot of tack changes and rules…

I bought my first Fell pony in 1979, but my love of the breed comes from a very early age. As young as three, I remember the working horses on my father's dairy farm in Ireland. The workers would drive the horses into the yard, pick up the milk churn then go and have a cigarette. Meanwhile, the horses would back the carriage into the milk stand by themselves. Then we moved to the Lake District in the late 1960s and that's when Fells became my chosen breed. I was pony-mad and when I was about eight, I spotted a Fell pony outside Kentmere Hall where we used to play. One day, I knocked on the door and asked if I could ride the pony. The lady gave me a…

WHAT I have learnt from racing is, the more you know about a horse, the easier it is to keep yourself safe. Horses are creatures of habit and they have a good memory – if you know what's happened to them in the past and where it happened, you can understand their thought processes and more easily predict their behaviour. Although I have benefited from riding lessons in my career, I always felt that the best way to learn was to watch the top riders. Whether I was showjumping or racing, I have been lucky enough to learn from the best in the business. Don't forget fitness – when you've got to be super-fit as a jockey, you never lose it. When I teach my cardio classes, I can still…

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RUCIAL to giving a young hound a good start is a good horse. “We knew he'd never step on one,” says Shelley Johnstone of her time at the Duke of Buccleuch's with Soneva Gili. “Hounds could be under him and he'd do all he could not to step on one. We always used him for teaching the young entry.” Soneva Gili, known as Gili, was intended for a different career. “He was bred to win the Derby,” reveals Shelley. “His grandsire was Dancing Brave.” The early pressure proved too much: “The wheels fell off. He just didn't want to do it.” When he first arrived, “he was a nervous wreck, he'd push his food around and wouldn't eat”. Shelley took things slowly, spending a lot of time walking and trotting…

HIGHLIGHTS 27 January–2 February Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @ oscarw_dr 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 Arena UK Winter Regional, Lincs SPRUCED up after a night out on grass, Iwan sparkled to take the inter I gold with a plus-70% score. “Turnout is the answer with him, so we plaited his tail the night before and popped him in the field,” said Nikki Barker, whose head girl Mary had the unenviable task of preparing the muddy 12-year-old for the arena. “He's a talented and very forward ride but busy in the brain. Being out levels him and keeps him relaxed in his work.” Nikki…

THOROUGHLY inspecting your horse trailer before every trip is your responsibility, to ensure you are towing safely, and pre-travel vehicle checks should always be carried out. For example… • check your tyre pressures before every journey. The recommended tyre pressure depends on the trailer model and wheel size. You can find the recommended pressure for your trailer's tyres on the trailer itself or in the owner's manual • inspect your wheel bolts for damage or signs of movement, then tighten to the correct torque if necessary. To give peace of mind, fit visual indicators that show you any loosening • ensure that all lights are operating correctly • check that your breakaway cable is not frayed and does not have any kinks in it • check brake adjustment every 1,000…

SIR GINO The five-year-old rising National Hunt star, who has won all six starts and was favourite for the 2025 Arkle, has been ruled out for the season owing to an infection in his near hind. RUPERT The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) pony has died, aged 30. He spent 20 years at the RDA's Elisabeth Curtis Centre, retiring to the Horse Trust in 2023. LOVE DIVINE Lordship Stud's home-bred Oaks winner and foundation mare, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, has died, aged 28. Her progeny included 2006 St Leger victor Sixties Icon.…

THE first “international” hobby horse competition will take place at the Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park. The event, from 28 to 30 March, is the first international event of the UK season, so Olympic horses and riders may well be on the entry list. Joining them will be lower-level, and equally welcome, riders, and horses whose way of going may seem a bit wooden. Hobby Horse Adventures, which runs competitions across the country, is to run classes including “Grand National” races, mounted games and barrel racing. “BEDE Events is always keen to be the first to try something new, so why not the first international hobby horse competition?” said event director Stuart Buntine. “For Thoresby one of our key aims is to build a wider audience we can showcase…

Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @ jen_donald OPINION SINCE my last column, I've been largely based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) training the country's team riders in my chef d'equipe role. I've brought a couple of seven-year-olds and my older mare Equine America Billy Picador, all of whom have benefited from the tours here, but I certainly didn't expect to be winning a Nations Cup with Great Britain. The British squad was short of a rider for the recent competition at Sharjah so I ran it past the lads from the UAE and they were all for it, thinking it would egg them on as they wouldn't want to get beaten by their trainer! It seemed to work, although causing them to finish second in a Nations Cup by…

RIDER JENNIFER BILLINGTON “EVERY time we go in the ring, Flipper puts a smile on my face – he never lets me down. I actually wasn't a fan of his in the beginning because I'd just come off ponies and he's such a big horse, so I found him really hard work. I tried so hard to get used to him and now I wouldn't change him for the world. “He's not the easiest horse to ride, but I absolutely love him. He's blind in his left eye and he runs off trust. He needs complete confidence in the rider, especially if you're coming to a water tray – he was shy and spooky with me in his early days, but that perseverance has paid off. Coming off a left…

IN west Ireland lies a region of wild splendour. The landscape is vast and varied; the same view could frame rocky mountains, sweeping bodies of water, boggy wetlands and the white, sandy beaches of the region's Atlantic coast. But there is one sight that makes both equestrian and non-equestrian visitors swoon: the sturdy, brighteyed and bonny native pony roaming freely on Connemara. “The landscape can be harsh – the Connemara pony needs hardiness, surefootedness and durability to survive,” says Priscilla Diamond, who comes from a family of prolific breeders and producers of the breed in Renvyle, Co Galway. Connemara ponies were once a lifeline for working and farming Irish families. “Before the tractor, there was the Connemara pony,” continues Priscilla. “Bringing in seaweed from the shore, hauling turf from the…

Edited by Catherine Austen catherine.austen@futurenet.com @ cfausten123 THERE are few more thrilling or challenging aspects of hunting than being invited to take your horse to another pack, to hunt, stay and enjoy the company, on and off the hunting field, of high and kindred spirits. Not only is it a chance to savour the skills of different huntsmen and hounds, but also to test your courage and companionship – and that of your horse – in unfamiliar and memorable countryside. As in all things where hunting is involved, preparation is the key and the invitation from your hosts is just the start. You must acquaint yourself with the names of the masters and secretary (and make sure they know you are coming). Be armed with cap money and a little…

Aintree International EC Winter Area Festival, Merseyside INOUK kept her cool to win the prix st georges (PSG) bronze. Jennifer Harkness, who bought the now 12-yearold Desperado daughter as a three-year-old at an Addington auction, said: “She's quite turbo-charged, but I have recently had help from Sarah Higgins as well as a lesson with Stephen Clarke, who both gave me tips and advice on encouraging her to wait. “Now that she doesn't take over and we're able to stay together, it's opening doors to other things.” It was only the third attempt at the level for the mare – who is nicknamed Noodles, or Super Noodles, by the team at Somerford where she's kept. “It was a real stretch target but I wanted something to aim for and thought we'd…

HIGHLIGHTS 3–9 February Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @ jen_donald Kingmaker Chase Day, Warwick Racecourse, Warks AS the Hales family mourned the death of their patriarch John Hales, one of his most talented young chasers, L'Eeau Du Sud, provided those he left behind with a poignant victory. “It has been a tough week,” said John's daughter, Lisa Hales. “The big man is up there watching.” Oh how he would have enjoyed this commanding performance from the sevenyear-old he co-owned with Ged Mason, his daughter Lisa, Sir Alex Ferguson and Paul Hogarth. Jockey Harry Skelton conjured a superb clear round of jumping on the striking grey and they clung on from chief rival Rubaud to win the four-runner Grade Two Unibet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase. With four wins from four starts under…

HIGHLIGHTS 8–9 February Edited by Gemma Redrup gemma.redrup@futurenet.com @ gemmaredrup Tiverton Foxhounds, Chipley Park, Somerset JOSH NEWMAN earned his supper after riding and training a four-timer, some nine years after he last achieved such a feat in a single day. Terry Hamlin's Mahler 10-year-old, Lucky Lara, set the tone by clinching the hunt members, before Blackmore Racing Club's Ted The Thief, a five-year-old by Soldier Of Fortune, led a nine-strong maiden field. Lucky Lara was bought privately a couple of seasons ago, before a setback kept her off the track. “We've taken our time getting her fit and well,” said Josh. “She was second in the hunt members here last year and her local owners were dying to win it.” Ted The Thief finally found a winning stride after two…

Berwickshire, Friars Haugh, Borders A CHANGE in direction has provided the perfect tonic for the Jackie Stephen-trained and owned Chameron, who landed the mixed open. Ridden by Emma Brown, the enthusiastic 12-year-old added this triumph to a conditions win at this track three weeks ago. Chameron was purchased with the intention of pursuing long-distance chasing. “His jumping and his confidence had fallen apart, so we decided to send him pointing,” said Jackie. “At the same time, Emma lost her own horse, so I suggested she try Chameron. He loves pointing; the smaller jumps give him time to galvanise himself.” Trainer Alice Dawson was rightly confident in her husband John's two rides, who both returned home as victors. First up was John and Jenny Nellis's Trust Me Nate in the PPORA…

I WAS back in Wiltshire/Dorset last week, and always I marvel at the changes that abound. The cottage near the kennels where Adam and I lived when we first married has the beginnings of an ambitious extension; it will probably have big gates and bay trees by the door next time I'm here. They stopped walking the hounds out up the village high street years ago. Feelings of nostalgia combine with the impression that the rural roots of the place are being eroded. Not the case at Wincanton races on Tuesday, however. I went with my father, who is a regular along with a good crowd of his age group. They hang out in the members’ discussing the ins and outs of so-and-so's horses and who they are fancying for…