Innholdsfortegnelse for 13-Mar-2025 i Horse & Hound

THE eventing community is saddened to hear of the loss of influential coach and mentor Caroline Moore (news, p8). Caroline was instrumental in the success of many riders – from championship medallist Ros Canter to keen Pony Club eventers. Many have shared stories of Caroline's influence and speak highly of her brilliance as a mentor and her kindness as a person. In this week's showing special we celebrate animals who were purchased for relatively little and have gone on to win at the pinnacle of the sport. It's always heartening to see proof that with a good eye and the right approach, anything is possible (feature, p32). Similarly in her interview this week (p18), showjumper Holly Smith extols the virtues of the Nations Cup system that allows someone without millions…

RIDE FOR THAIS CHAMAN DUMONTCEAU The Paris Olympic team silver medallist, with Stéphane Landois, won an open novice section at his first event with new rider, Britain's Elizabeth Barratt. EDITEUR DU GITE The two-time Desert Orchid Handicap Chase victor has retired. The 11-year-old, who was trained by Gary and Josh Moore, won eight of his 31 starts. GWENLLAN BIRT Ellena Thomas's Welsh section C has died, aged 25. He was Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd supreme in-hand champion at London International in 2023.…

A SUSTAINABLE future with the horse at the forefront of all we do is the goal of British Equestrian's (BEF) “ambitious” new strategy. The document covers the five years to 2030. Its key strategic priorities include enabling and supporting a vibrant and healthy equestrian sector; being a leading equestrian nation and supporting sustainable growth at all levels; and ensuring a “thriving, accessible, diverse and inclusive sport”, with horse and human welfare “at the heart”. Fields Wicker-Miurin, who took over as BEF chair six months ago, said the past four years have “thrown a lot of challenges” at the equestrian industry and all within it, from Brexit and Covid to the cost of living and public scrutiny of horse sport. “We recognise these challenges and the need to face them squarely…

Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @ jen_donald OPINION IT'S unbelievable how healthy business is here on the Andalucía Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, where I have been based since the start of February. Whether it's young horses, amateur horses or ready produced horses, there are plenty of people looking to buy and willing to sell. The Spanish tours have always been the best place in Europe for getting away from the cold winters and Vejer has grown so big, it's become a great place to network. Although a lot of industries are struggling in the current financial climate, our sport seems to be growing. One thing I have noticed is how much the tours are investing in their facilities. Vejer now has a veterinary clinic, with its…

SABRINA ROSS enjoys showing with her three daughters and says buying established ponies isn't always best. “Of course it takes a certain amount of knowledge to take on a completely raw pony,” she says, “but too often people believe if they buy a HOYS or RIHS winner, it's a quick way to the top. An amateur can't always produce a pony the same way as a professional, and children are put on ponies that are too much for them and can't live up to the pressure. “I've learned it the hard way. My eldest daughters thrived in the show ring, but my youngest, Sumaiyra, struggled with anxiety. I tried several established ponies, but it just didn't work. We don't have lots to spend, but I had to try something so…

WE had the most brilliant day at Doncaster races with Idas Boy loving his trip around the 3m hurdle track. He jumped well, with only one bad jump when the field quickened up on the last corner and got bunched up. He finished sixth but he was carrying 2st more than the others and needs a longer trip, so we were happy. His jockey, Harry Bannister, said Idas Boy was “enthusiastic and at the top end of my expectations. It was an exercise to bring him on so we are all happy”. Sadly five of the Dreamers couldn't make it so we were just seven, but Trevor's wife Maureen managed to get a picture of us with him before the race. He was fine with the vocal crowds of university…

“AS a foal, he tried to die a lot of times,” said Maria Pook of her home-bred warmblood gelding Flashlight, a novice freestyle silver winner at Wellington. “He had so many health issues – at times I doubted I'd ride him. To compete him was more than I ever thought possible.” It wasn't until “Rocco” was five that Maria could back him. “He's now rising seven, but he was a late foal and he's still quite gangly and weak,” she said. “It has taken him time to find balance, as he's big-moving, so I've been patiently waiting. But he's a genuine, kind soul and lovely to work with.”…

“THE BEST DAY I COULD IMAGINE” GREAT BRITAIN'S Will Fletcher and 12-year-old mare Iwalinde secured a victorious double on the CSI4* Andalucía Sunshine Tour in Spain. They started the week by topping the 1.50m Hipotels Trophy and concluded with victory in the 1.55m Dunas De Barbate Trophy grand prix. “I can't believe it,” said Will. “It takes an army and Iwalinde was fantastic – she's a feisty girl and she tries her heart out every time she goes in the ring. She just gave me the best day I could ever imagine.” FIVE-STAR DEBUT SUCCESS THE $500,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* grand prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, USA, went to 24-year-old Belgian rider Emilie Conter riding Portobella Van De Fruitkorf. In a seven-way jump-off she beat Olympic gold…

TEAM HOLDER has hit the ground running this term, having already chalked up significant results from just two shows. At BSPS Area 14, the 2024 Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) show hunter pony winner Thistledown Galaxy made a triumphant first appearance under new jockey Posy Lindsay to stand open mini champion. Posy, nine, has now taken over the ride from her brother Rocco. More success followed for the team when Stephanie Corrigan's Barkway Man In The Moon won the novice lead-reins and stood novice mini champion at this, his first-ever show under saddle, stylishly partnered by Stephanie's daughter Arabella, seven. At BSPS Area 15a, Posy branched out into a new sphere, winning the cradle stakes, mini working hunter title and area supreme with…

SANDOWN PARK 8 March Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @ jen_donald Betfair Imperial Cup Day, Sandown Park, Surrey CONNECTIONS of last year's Imperial Cup winner, Go Dante, hatched and executed an ambitious plan to return to Sandown 12 months later, and Barbara Hester's game gelding became the first horse in 72 years to win the valuable handicap back-to-back. The Olly Murphy-trained nine-year-old has been on a long journey from his “injury-riddled” early years, to claim this major prize two years running. A power-packed ride from champion jockey elect, Sean Bowen, drove him past Wreckless Eric (Kielan Woods) and the Paul Nicholls-trained Afadil (Freddie Gingell) in third. But less than two lengths separated the top five horses in a gritty battle to the line. Amid jubilant scenes, the winning trainer was…

Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ “IS there horse meat in your lasagne? We don't know.” This was the message to the Government and public at the National Equine Forum (6 March), as industry leaders tried to hammer home the need for a robust, enforced, digital-first equine ID system. In 2022, Defra consulted on the system, the outcome of which was expected to be a digital-first system. But Labour has put this work on hold. Defra minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock said: “The Government recognises the importance of equine ID and traceability to equine health and welfare and public health, biosecurity and trade. “The Government wants a robust, streamlined system for digitising equine ID. But we've paused work in this…

LORD CAREW FORMER Olympic event rider Patrick Thomas Conolly-Carew has died, aged 86. The seventh Baron Carew represented Ireland in eventing at the 1968 and 1972 Games and was on the Irish team that won silver at the 1962 European Championships. He completed Badminton eight times. Lord Carew was born in London to William, the sixth Baron Carew, and Lady Sylvia. He and his brother and two sisters grew up in Kildare, where horses and ponies were a huge part of their lives. He was educated at Harrow, then commissioned into the Royal Horse Guards, The Blues. He served in Cyprus and Germany, then in the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. During his time at Sandhurst, Lord Carew started eventing with former barge horse Ballyhoo, with whom he completed Badminton five…

Chinese Olympic eventer Alex Hua Tian is moving from Pinfold Stables to a new eventing-focused facility eslewhere in Cheshire. Showjumper William Fletcher and Iwalinde scored two CSI4* wins on week five of the Andalucia Sunshine Tour – a 1.50m and a 1.55m grand prix. European Equestrian Federation president Theo Ploegmakers will step down on 1 April for health reasons. The process for his successor is to follow. US-based British eventer Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri were second in the CCI4*-S at the Bouckaert Equestrian Horse Trials, Georgia (6–9 March). Ex-Retraining of Racehorses CEO Di Arbuthnot was given the Sir Colin Spedding Award at the National Equine Forum for dedication to racehorse welfare.…

AI Isn't Google's AI search summary helpful? For example, it tells you that Mark Edwards’ star Flying Tinker “won 23 races” in 2023 and, helpfully, that the Tinker horse breed is “known for being level-headed and good-natured”. Every day's a school day. MORE AI On a similar note, the Google AI summing-up of ponies explains that they “have single-toed hooves on each leg”. How many, is the question… SCAMMERS This week's award to the seller of a “2021 model” filly (is she the GTi model? Ed), who's splendid in every way, of course. Never seen a filly with one of those between her hindlegs, though……

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound A TALL TAIL I READ your article (news, 27 February) on the Great Yorkshire Show's new ruling that all horses must have tails. I totally agree; horses should have a full tail – to the middle of the cannon bone at its shortest length. I also disagree with horses having pulled tails. The tail plays an important role in a horse's natural behaviours and significant alterations can be detrimental to their wellbeing. Pulling hairs from a horse's tail can cause discomfort and pain due to the nerve endings present in the tail. Would a human like to have their hairs pulled out? We all know the answer to that. “Would a human like…

I REMEMBER being down the line in a lead-rein class and coming out of the ring and saying something like, “What a stupid judge.” My father heard and told me off, saying, “The judge is always right”. It probably did me a lot of good to get that rocket. One of my favourite mantras is, “There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse,” which is a quotation from Mr Sponge's Sporting Tour by Robert S. Surtees. It reminds you that if you ride a horse with confidence and trust, he will relax and give you his best. I like to live by the words “keep smiling”, which I used to say to our poor huntsman on a bad day, because it is important to…

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WHILE pressure looks different from one line of work to another, showing professionals are faced with a unique challenge: running a business in a discipline that is ultimately decided by a handful of people's judgements. Skills like good turnout or masterful ringcraft can help tip the scales in your favour, but anyone who has set foot in a showing class will know that the judge's opinion dictates your results. Producers are the experts in this field, but even with perfect plaits and a polished performance, a horse or pony might not be the judge's cup of tea on the day. So what's it like making a living in this cut-throat discipline? CHRISTINA GILLETT has 40 years of experience in the industry having started out on her own at 18. She…

TWESELDOWN (1) 8–9 March Edited by Pippa Roome pippa.roome@futurenet.com @ pipparoomeorkyle Tweseldown (1), Hants LAST year's British six-yearold champion, Barrington Boy, has stamped his style on 2025 already – having taken an open novice at Poplar on the opening weekend of the season, he won the sole intermediate at Tweseldown by more than five marks. “When I first met him, I didn't want to like him because he's so tall and I'm not, but I can't help but do so because he's so talented and I really enjoy riding him. He's mannerly but equally brave and bold,” said Izzy Taylor after the pair punched in a 23.9 dressage and finished two seconds over the time. “He's had time to grow and learn and come out even better, which is what…

FARRIER Ricky Hilton and his own Captain Cooley (pictured) whizzed to a nearly nine-point victory in the sole novice section at Poplar Park in spite of a minor tack drama – “I left my dressage bit at home” – and, ironically, a lost shoe. “Our preparation has been a bit rough,” admitted Ricky, who watched the gelding's shoe fly through the air as he jumped the fifth cross-country fence. “I injured my back two weeks before Poplar, so I wasn't sure I'd make it at all.” The pair rose from third after dressage (on 28.5) into pole position thanks to a quick double clear for 1.2 time-penalties. “I had competed my previous horse to three-star level, but at the end of the 2022 I packed in eventing for a while…

HIGHLIGHTS 27 February–2 March Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @ jen_donald DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THIS PAGE? HAVE YOU WON A CLASS? Email jennifer.donald@futurenet.com within 24 hours of your event and please include a contact telephone number Pyecombe EC, W Sussex LAUREN TURNBULL claimed a “surprise” victory in a very quick Blue Chip Dynamic grade B&C qualifier with Joe Maher and Tim Pudifoot's nine-year-old mare Last Name. The pair jumped the fastest of 10 double clears in good company, with Morgan Shirley (Klaris Ride On) and Nicole Pavitt (Casque D'Or) collecting second and third. “I said to Joe, ‘Do I just need to jump round clear?’ and he said, ‘Just have a go while we are here,’” said Lauren, who has been working for Joe and Tim's Royale…

NICOLE PAVITT described six-year-old home-bred Lecoultre 16 (by Goldstar out of Festiena Van Texelhof), who was second in Pyecombe's Blue Chip Joint Care power qualifier, as a “miracle child”, who has exceeded all expectations by not only surviving an horrific field injury but going on to have a ridden career. When she was 18 months old, the filly was found in the field with a huge wound to her quarters. “We have no idea how she did it but we think it was on a tree as the vets found a bit of wood debris in the wound,” said Nicole. “We'd just lost her brother and we were determined not to lose a second one.” Vets believed she would likely succumb to infection given the huge surface area of the…

FULL sisters Glebedale Silhouette and Glebedale Sancerre – both by Powys Sprite out of Glebedale Savannah and leased from the Glebedale Stud – made their seasonal debuts at NPS Area 7 to land the native mini title and reserve respectively. Here, Silhouette was partnered by Penny Richardson while Thea Wadley took the ride on Sancerre. IN THE GENES A week later, at NPS Area 13, the home-produced team hit form again, with Lilly Richardson heading the small breeds Hickstead qualifier and section title on Marsh Walk On By, while sister Penny won the first ridden class and section title with Glebedale Silhouette en route to the supreme of show award.…

HIGHLIGHTS 8–9 March Edited by Gemma Redrup gemma.redrup@futurenet.com @ gemmaredrup Duke of Buccleuch, Friars Haugh, Borders IRISH jockey Lisa O'Connor broke her riding duck when landing the conditions (level two) riding National Hunt trainer Lucinda Russell's nine-year-old Aizavoski gelding, Whatdeawant. Lisa came over to the UK a year ago and works full-time at Lucinda's while studying law and accounting at the University of Dundee. “It was brilliant,” she said of her win. “He jumped amazingly and quickly brought me up through the positions. He got a nice breather and then rolled down the hill and winged the last for me. It was all I could ask for.” Lisa enjoys the balance of working on the race yard and studying. “Lucinda has been great to me,” she added. “She really liked…

Pytchley with Woodland, Guilsborough, Northants IN an impressive debut, four-year-old Outofafrika won the maiden under Gina Andrews for owner/trainer Tom Lacey. The gelding by Shirocco was bought as a store out of the Derby sale and produced to run and sell. “He ran incredibly well and could have won by any length – he was impressive,” said Tom. “We've always liked him from the start. He's been a very straightforward horse, worked and schooled well and took his homework to the track. “We're over the moon. Gina gave him a super ride,” he added. “He'll possibly go back to the sales now.” Nicholas Wright's consistent seven-year-old Clashhill won the intermediate under Alex Chadwick, making it three from three. “I'm thrilled with him – it was a good win and brilliantly…

I WAS speaking to a couple of farmers this week, neither of whom hunt regularly but who occasionally accompany their hunting-mad wives. They were both completely open about their motivation for going and it has nothing to do with hounds, horses or “keeping the wife happy”. “It's a good chance to see what other farmers are doing,” they told me, transparently. You don't have to be a farmer to appreciate it, though – this exposure to places, often very beautiful ones, beyond the normal access points of roads and rights of way. Just another reason to be grateful to the farmers and landowners who allow us onto their land. I thought of this yesterday as my friend Emma and I headed off for a day with the Percy. Here was…

FUTURE STARS TO MAKE THEIR MARK THE British Eventing (BE) under-25 national championship will be incorporated into Defender Bramham's (5–8 June) CCI4*-S from this year. Until now the title had been a separate CCI4*-L class. A BE spokesperson said the move “aims to attract a higher number of talented combinations”, and there will be “support” for under-25s who want to compete in the CCI4*-L. BE head of youth Darrell Scaife said the decision is a “significant step towards nurturing future stars”. “We are committed to providing our young riders with the necessary support and opportunities to develop their skills and make a mark in the sport,” he said. “By offering a platform that allows them to compete alongside senior riders, we elevate their performance while inspiring them to aim for…

RIDING “As spring draws near, horse enthusiasts will spend more time in the saddle,” chirps an email to H&H Towers. Or “spend the same time in the saddle but complain less.” More likely? TYPOS We will not name she who described Westgate Labs as a “paradise management company”. Forget parasites, we're up for consulting on unicorns and eternal summer. Any vacancies? HORSES To the National Equine Forum, where it was said contact with an animal is the third most effective way of creating oxytocin. The top one is ecstasy… horses it is then!…

Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @ oscarw_dr OPINION WITH so much emphasis these days on the lack of horsemanship and skill in the upcoming generation, and more people simply going into competition rather than using the exam and apprenticeship routes, I wanted to see what ideas are out there – and what skill sets are needed to nurture all-round horse people. I came across a novel development from Tristan Tucker, who I've known for a long time. We spoke about his initiative, an entirely new concept for introducing young horses to competition with horse welfare at its core, aiming to provide them with a positive, stress-free first experience in the competition environment. Tristan is renowned for his TRT method – and also for his hilarious act as alter ego “international…

I started riding as a youngster. My parents were living in Hong Kong and the highlight of my week while I was away at school in England was riding lessons at Rycroft Stables in Eversley, Hampshire. I went on to join the Pony Club and my mother always said to me that riding horses is like riding a bike – a very useful skill to have in life. “If someone had told us he'd have a double clear and six time-faults, we'd have bitten their hand off” I married into a horsey family and did a lot of riding, but that diminished when we had children. The children had ponies and there have always been horses around. Then in 2017, I took on the Wobbleberry Challenge, which challenged people to…

IT is stating the obvious to say that we need to understand the processes through which horses learn to be able to train them effectively. Yet, multiple studies have shown that an understanding of the basic “nuts and bolts” of how horses learn is poorly understood by both professionals and amateurs alike. So let's have a recap… Learning theory describes the processes through which horses learn, and is split into different levels of complexity. The first three levels are the most important for horse training, and in this issue we will cover the first two levels, with the third level discussed in next week's issue (20 March). NON-ASSOCIATIVE LEARNING THIS is the first level of learning theory. When a horse encounters a stimulus repeatedly, they either habituate – that is,…

FELICITY CARTER is the co-founder of Equimotional, a wellbeing programme designed to help riders with their mental and physical health. A branch of this is performance coaching, which focuses on combatting nerves, pressure and fears. Felicity says the first step to coping under strain in the ring is to manage your expectations: “Everyone's put in all this effort and got up at the crack of dawn,” she explains. “Just because you've come 300 miles to a horse show doesn't guarantee results or make you entitled to win.” One tactic she recommends is to write down three things that went well at a competition and three things you can do differently next time. She adds: “A really good tactic is to focus on the ‘why’. “Why are you doing this? If…

GEMMA STEVENS claimed OI section D on Pru Dawes’ 13-year-old Flash Cooley, who missed all last year with injury. “He's such a pleasure to ride and such a fun horse – he spent the whole day with a big smile on his face having the best time,” said Gemma, who scored the top dressage mark of the intermediate sections, 20.7, and finished on it. BOUNCING BACK “He did proper twinkle toes dressage and was perfect to ride. He ran at Poplar last weekend quietly just to get him going and I thought here, after such a good dressage, it'd be good to up the intensity across country and get both our eyes in ready for the CCI4*-Ss at Thoresby and Burnham Market.”…

HIGHLIGHTS 24 February–2 March 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 Wellington Riding Winter Regionals, Hants CLAIRE ABEL took top honours in the inter I silver with her “cool cucumber” GF Sezuki. “She's really focused on me and desperate to get things right,” said Claire of the 11-year-old Sezuan mare. “I bought her as a foal in Herefordshire, after trawling Europe looking. You wouldn't know she's a mare – she's a bit of a tomboy and the easiest horse I've had.” With support from trainers Adam Kemp and Lisa Hopkins, Claire has her sights set on stepping up. “The…

HIGHLIGHTS 23 February-2 March Edited by Bethan Simons bethan.simons@futurenet.com NPS Area 13, Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex, Warks STAND-IN jockey Harriet Lawton scooped the jackpot on her first appearance with Ellena Thomas’ 15-year-old Kaybrook Midnight Comet, who won the Welsh section C/D London International semi-final qualifier and stood champion. This qualified the Welsh cob stallion for the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Heritage Championships in October, where he'll have a shot at securing his place at the Christmas finale. “Ellena's out of action for a couple of weeks, so she asked me to ride her ponies today,” said Harriet, who works as a dog groomer and shows her own home-produced Connemara worker as a hobby. “I've helped and occasionally worked-in for her at shows, but this was my first time in…

EIGHT months after his previous race, 13-year-old Cash Again (pictured) made a winning return to the racecourse when scoring in the mixed open for grassroots riders at the Duke of Buccleuch meeting. The gelding is owned, trained and ridden by Becca Shepherd. “He last ran over hurdles at Worcester last July,” said Becca, who works for Simon West and started in pony racing. “We were hopeful that he was fit enough and he was a different horse round there. He loved the twisty up and down track.” Becca previously worked for Simon but left racing in 2015 and came back to it two years ago. “I told Simon I wanted to do it properly, so he found me Cash and I've never looked back,” she said. “We ran in two…