Innholdsfortegnelse for 13-Nov-2025 i Horse & Hound

WE have a few treats in this week's issue – first up, our 2026 wallplanner, beautifully illustrated by Emma Earnshaw, to pin on the kitchen or tack room wall to remind yourself of everything from farrier visits to when Badminton Horse Trials is on next year. Pippa Roome caught up with this year's eventing European individual gold medallist Laura Collett to find out precisely how she did it, after 16 years of endeavour, giving her and London 52 the victory and recognition they so richly deserved. We never take for granted how fortunate we are to have great talkers in our sport, who are willing to share their wisdom – and we inevitably become superfans of those who work with us to help promote the sports we all love. We…

SIR PERCIVAL III Francis Whittington's cross-country specialist, owned by Margrete Paget, has died aged 28. Francis and the gelding completed eight five-stars, finishing 10th at Burghley 2010. HENIARTH QUIP The Welsh stallion, who leaves a legacy of around 180 progeny, has died, aged 29. The showing and carriage driving star will be remembered for generations as a sire. MBF SANTURO The three-year-old (by L'Extreme BH) was the top lot at the Monart Sale (3–6 November). He was sold by MBF Sporthorses and bought by Joe Pagan for €31,500 (£27,677).…

▼ NOISE A rider was told by the council it'd had a noise complaint from a neighbour of “constant neighing”. Apparently the council “couldn't substantiate” the claim… ▼ CHILDREN A young rider arranging a babysitting gig was asked by the parents: “Do you know anything about colic?” “Don't let them roll and call the vet,” she replied, to blank looks. Oh, the baby. Probably best not to let him roll either? ▼ KNEES A rider who had two new knees was wondering when (not if) the doctor was happy for her to get back on. Some have been told they can ride but not fall off; she was told she could fall off, but not land. Tricky but not impossible.…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound AN APPEALING EXPERIENCE I WANTED to share some thoughts regarding the current format and venues for the Summer Championships, specifically the regional and Area Festival events. In recent years, both events have lacked atmosphere and energy. Venues like Arena UK, while functional, can feel quite uninspiring and don't offer the kind of experience that riders and supporters look forward to – particularly in October. “An overall buzz makes for an enjoyable event” EMMA BESWICK In contrast, the Addington Winter Championships have consistently delivered a vibrant and engaging environment. The multiple arenas running simultaneously, the enthusiastic support from the stables, and the overall buzz make it a genuinely enjoyable event, despite some known challenges…

WE walked the cross-country course as a team on Tuesday. It was a very interesting track – Mark Phillips had been clever in lulling you into the first couple of minutes and then suddenly it became almost like arena eventing, very intense, with a lot to slow you down. My first concern with Dan was that the waters were very big questions, as he's not always been the best water jumper. From the fence placement, it felt like time would be influential. Over the next few days I walked the course on my own using CrossCountry App to find the minute markers, Tom and I walked it with Dickie Waygood, and Yas and I walked it with Chris Bartle. I didn't get involved in Tom or Yas's plans – it's…

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6 wins, 13 runners, three tracks, two days: top stats for trainer Dan Skelton include Thistle Ask in Exeter's BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup and Only Way Is Up, who made a successful hurdling debut at Aintree. A record-extending 12th success for trainer Paul Nicholls in Wincanton's Grade Two Boodles Rising Stars Novices’ Chase, this time courtesy of Blueking D'Oroux under Harry Cobden. 20th victory under Rules for rising star Olive Nicholls when she rode Fasol to triumph at Wincanton for her father Paul Nicholls. Her claim now reduces from 7lb to 5lb. 3 wins this season for the Joe Tizzard-trained Sweet Caryline, who landed the biggest pot of her career in the BetMGM Paul and Richard Barber Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton. ONE runner in Sandown's jumps season-opener on Sunday…

Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ THE FEI will go ahead with changes to the so-called blood rules in showjumping that have divided opinion but Britain will not follow suit at national level. The new rule, which comes into effect on 1 January, states that rider-induced blood on the horse will no longer mean automatic elimination. Instead, a system of jumping recorded warnings will be introduced. The first two violations of the rule will result in a recorded warning; two or more warnings within 12 months will mean a fine of CHF 1,000 (£945) and a one-month suspension. In cases of blood where a horse appears to have bitten its tongue or lip, or is bleeding from the nose, blood…

MPS ASK FOR MORE ON FIREWORK CALL MORE than 120,000 people have signed the latest petition on changes to firework laws – and the Government has been asked by MPs to reconsider its response. When Redwings’ call for the maximum noise level of fireworks to be reduced reached 10,000 signatures, the Government responded but essentially dismissed it. By last week, the number of signatures had climbed to over 100,000 – so the petition must be considered for debate in parliament. MPs on the petitions committee also felt the Government's response “did not respond directly to the request of the petition” and asked the Government to revise it. Redwings’ Helen Whitelegg told H&H: “These copy and paste responses don't wash any more. We're pleased the Government is being asked to reconsider…

Irish showjumper Tom Wachman, 20, won the rising star title, for “equestrian sport's most promising young talents under 21”, at the 2025 FEI Awards. Burghley event director Martyn Johnson has been appointed to the FEI eventing committee as organiser representative. He will serve a four-year term. Medal-winning showjumper Jessica Mendoza has married her fiancé US showjumper Nick Dello Joio in a beach wedding ceremony. Jockey Ryan Moore has been named for the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship in Hong Kong next month. He has been out injured since August. Equestrian leather crafter Clare Chapman has received the 2025 Abbey England scholarship. She will receive financial and practical support and expert advice.…

Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscnwilliams OPINION I WAS doing a clinic in California while the FEI General Assembly 2025 was taking place in Hong Kong, so with a long flight home and then starting teaching at what to me was 1am with the time difference, I was reliant on WhatsApp for a full catch-up. As I wrote in my column last year (26 September 2024), the introduction of a give and retake the reins at prix st georges and grand prix level was Kyra Kyrklund's idea, which she had already put forward to the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) and the FEI. As I said then, I think this is a brilliant idea. Correct stretch is a key sign of how your horse's work is progressing. It shows whether…

RESEARCH from the Royal Veterinary College, published in the Equine Veterinary Journal, recently examined regional and environmental risk factors for atypical myopathy. Key findings included: • a positive correlation between regional seed production and the number of AM cases, confirming that higher seed yields mean higher risk • that toxin levels remain stable in seeds as they mature, but decrease in leaves with wilting in autumn • the toxin was detected in water containing sycamore seeds for up to 48 hours, raising concern about water trough contamination Regular cleaning of troughs and water sources is therefore strongly advised, particularly following frosts, when vegetation may fall into open water. Sycamore seeds can travel on the wind and contaminate drinking water, so ensure that troughs are kept clear…

Edited by Catherine Austen catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 THERE was a great atmosphere at the Heythrop opening meet – the first for the new team, headed up by joint-master and huntsman Oliver Dale. The meet was hosted by 94-year-old Caroline Brooks and her family at Fairgreen, near Chipping Norton, and a large field enjoyed the open spaces of this very well-fenced part of the Heythrop country. The Brooks family have been great supporters of the Heythrop for very many years. Indeed, the meet took place with the backdrop of the enormous marquee in which the hunt ball was due to take place a few days later. Iona Hoare, who joined the mastership this season along with Johnny Arkell, was field master. She rode former chaser Santini, who finished fourth in the 2022…

MADDIE MAHER'S new mare Thacka Diamond produced an accomplished prelim double win at Sŵn Y Mor, Gwynedd, with scores exceeding 72%. Bought by Maddie in May as an unseen, unbacked former broodmare, the 14.3hh palomino made a winning competition debut last month. “She's been easy since day one and is not fazed by anything,” said Maddie, who also rode her 21-year-old campaigner Willoway Chicago to an outright novice win. “I bought her as a project, to produce and sell, but I've fallen in love with her. I now plan to keep her, and we hope to try some eventing next year too.” ONES TO WATCH…

▲ COOKING Showjumper Will Fletcher may have been using his injury-induced time off to perfect his cooking, sharing a photo of a superb beef Wellington on socials. Dinner at 8pm at your place, Will? ▲ GREYS And coloured horses. Isn't it lovely the mud's back? Aren't yellow manes beautiful? Don't we love early show mornings in winter? (That's enough sarcasm. Ed). ▲ CLIPPING To Ireland, where a video of a maned and plume-tailed furry creature sparked a hunt by police, who found the culprit was a Newfoundland dog with a new haircut. Creative horse clippers, take note……

WAR HORSE star Joey and creator Michael Morpurgo were reunited at Paddington to meet a train named after them. Life-sized puppet Joey from the theatre production of the novel met Mr Morpurgo and his wife Clare at the station, to unveil the Great Western Railways (GWR) Intercity Express on 30 October. “Having my name on a train is not something I ever thought I'd see, so to have that honour alongside Joey, who has been in my life for more than 40 years, fills me with joy,” Mr Morpurgo said. “I'm grateful to GWR and the National Theatre for allowing Joey to be part of this special day, and for GWR's ongoing work with local organisations like Farms for City Children, showing their commitment to supporting communities. I shall give…

THIS whole year has been less intense than 2024, with six riders for the Europeans rather than three for the Olympics. London 52 (Dan) has been super-consistent all season, but I was still thrilled to get the selection call from performance manager Dickie Waygood. It felt like a regular Blenheim, with a slight twist. All the British riders travelled in their own lorries and mostly stayed in them with their grooms, whereas we'd team up for travel abroad to a championship and stay in a hotel. I mostly had dinner in the canteen or in the lorry, sometimes with my groom Tilly Hughes. On Wednesday, I ate with Mum and Dan's co-owner Karen Bartlett at their hotel, but after that I stayed on-site. ON Tuesday, I had a dressage lesson…

I grew up around horses – my parents bred sport horses, and my mum used to compete. I was a member of the Vale of York branch of the Pony Club and tried a bit of everything. One of my fondest Pony Club memories was being a mounted runner at Bramham. As a local event, it was incredible – especially having attended since I was young. As a teenager, I knew I wanted to work with horses, but I wasn't sure in what capacity. I quickly realised I wasn't destined for veterinary school, so I wasn't sure where that left me. Fortunately, my mum knew an experienced veterinary physiotherapist, Janet Ellis, who kindly took me along for work experience. That was it – I was hooked. From that moment, I…

HIGHLIGHTS 26 October–2 November Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscnwilliams Solihull EC, W Mids FATHER-DAUGHTER combination Gareth and Ruby Hughes went head-to-head for the first time in competition, with 2023 European team gold medallist Gareth securing a 75% prix st georges (PSG) win with Morricone III. “I did test him a bit,” laughed Ruby, 17, who finished a little over 2% behind in runner-up position with Mount St John Jazz Dance. “Dad does have a few years of experience over me.” Gareth described his new ride, Morricone, as “an incredibly talented, classy horse”. “He's a great student, very focused, and he tries hard,” he added of the Flamboyant Stud's jet-black Millennium stallion. “He has the character and temperament and, so far, he seems to have ticked all the boxes. I'm…

Willow Banks EC, Lincs AFTER a challenging start to their partnership, Eliza Ireson is making progress with Bug Jam FST. The pair headed the novice 5, sharing overall honours with Daniella Johnston and Fürst Love II. “We've produced her slowly as she has an active brain,” said Eliza of “Jammy”, the seven-year-old mare she bought as a six-month-old foal. “It's a case of keeping her interested. If she's bored, she's not on side.” Eliza, a groom for Amy Woodhead, credited both Amy and yard rider Jenny Martell for their help in producing Jammy. “She's only been at the yard for two months, but she's really come on,” Eliza said. “She spent a year out of dressage training as a five-year-old and went to Richard Walker's yard in Rutland, where she…

HIGHLIGHTS 3–9 November Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Aintree Racecourse, Merseyside “IT'S great to see him back,” said jockey Gavin Sheehan, after Colonel Harry's gallant performance over the Grand National fences in the £85,000 William Hill Grand Sefton Handicap Chase. Close to a year after falling at Cheltenham, after which he suffered a serious infection, the eight-year-old son of Shirocco made a winning return to the racecourse. Trainer Jamie Snowden credited his whole team for nursing him back to health. “He had the same injury as [Nicky Henderson's stable star] Sir Gino. He got a nasty injury in his back leg,” said Snowden. “There was no open wound, but it was a horrid infection.” Colonel Harry was treated at a veterinary hospital for two weeks and it was “touch…

MALE-ONLY domains are few and far between in 2025. In the country, there are more female farmers, shepherds, vets and livestock agents than ever before. One of our neighbouring hunts, the Duke of Buccleuch's, which has been a drag hunt since the change of the law in Scotland, has a female huntsman, although admittedly they are still quite rare. There is one subsection of our minority sport, however, that remains resolutely male. Bike-followers, at this hunt anyway, are blokes. Some take girlfriends or wives on the back of their bikes but the drivers are always male. So last Tuesday when Jack and I headed out to follow the hounds on a quad bike we did not fit the normal mould. “First rule of hunting on a bike, don't follow the…