Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 439 i Your Horse

Hello Can you believe that women have only been allowed to vote for 100 years? It seems like no time at all, and to mark the anniversary of that monumental moment we’re celebrating some of equestrian’s leading ladies (p24). When we first discussed the feature in a planning meeting, there was a real buzz (and no, we’re not an all-girl team). There have been so many female-generated milestones that we could have filled the entire issue. Of course, it means we’ve had to leave some worthy women out, but we hope you enjoy reading it as much as we loved researching and writing it. I challenge you not to be moved by our interview with Suzanna Hext, who talks about her rise to para dressage glory on p18. Her life…

Rising to the trot has a significant influence on the movement symmetry of the horse’s head and pelvis, say researchers. The scientific team used sensors to investigate the effect of rider position on a horse’s movement in sitting trot, a two-point seat (riding out of the saddle) and rising trot. They found that rising to the trot can affect a horse’s gait to the extent it can mimic low-grade hindlimb lameness. Researchers say these new findings could be an important factor for equine vets and owners to consider when assessing potential lameness. The study was a collaboration between the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Uppsala, Sweden. Emma Persson-Sjodin, lead author of the study and PhD student at Uppsala, says: “For riders and clinicians, it’s important to note that…

Your Horse magazine is the official media partner for the Riding for the Disabled Association’s 2018 Gala Awards on 25 September. The annual charity dinner pays tribute to the RDA’s riders and volunteers. The Your Horse team will be on hand to congratulate the winners, along with Clare Balding OBE and Alistair Stewart OBE. RDA chief executive Ed Bracher says: “This is an evening of celebration for our wonderful participants, volunteers and horses.” To reserve tickets for the event, email Sal Atkinson at satkinson@rda.org.uk.…

PUFFIN WAS FOUND as part of a group of 50 horses that had been abandoned in Somerset in 2017. It’s thought the herd had been subjected to horrific cruelty as Puffin and the rest of the group were terrified of human contact. Blue Cross took seven-year-old Puffin to its sanctuary in Burford, Oxfordshire, where her long road to recovery began. Initially, helpers at the sanctuary were unable to get near Puffin to handle her and instead spent a lot of time at a distance. Slowly, staff gained Puffin’s trust and were able to put a headcollar on, lead her and pick out her hooves. With this new-found confidence, it was decided that Puffin was ready to be rehomed. Jane Mansell and her daughter, Emily, first fell in love with Puffin…

I bought my horse Sonic after my first year studying at Aberystwyth University, and he’s truly been a lifesaver during my time there. I went through some horrible living conditions in year two and he made every day worth it. I work two jobs — one at a dairy farm and the other pet sitting — and although it’s hard work, it means I’m able to pay for Sonic, so I wouldn’t have it any other way. He lives out 24/7, which also makes things a little easier on the money side. I ride four to five times a week. We only have basic facilities but, being in Wales, the hacking is fantastic. We also compete occasionally, hacking three hours each way to competitions. We’ve been placed in all our…

SINCE CELEBRATING THE one-year anniversary of #hack1000miles last month, we’ve been so impressed by your efforts. Hundreds more have signed up to our great cause at hack1000miles.co.uk — getting more people like you out into the countryside on horseback — and joined our Facebook group. Reading about your explorations and watching your videos is fascinating, plus it has inspired so many more to get involved (see below). Our #hack1000miles ambassadors, Tracey Sawyer and Joanna Holland, are on board again for 2018 and Joanna celebrated passing through the finish flags in April. Joanna is exactly what this campaign is all about, because she’s hit many personal milestones along the way with her “tricky” bay mare Summer Breeze. “Summer is a proper mare; highly strung and dominating,” says Joanna, who has owned…

Sign up at hack1000miles.co.uk  and you’ll benefit from: Our monthly newsletter, exclusive to #hack1000miles challengers Exclusive competitions and giveaways from our five sponsors Tips and updates from the Your Horse team, celebrity riders and #hack1000miles ambassadors The chance to show you’re embracing the challenge with a #hack1000miles badge. Wear it with pride! Being in a team who enjoy hearing about your adventures — and sharing theirs! Share your progress by: Joining the Facebook group, Hack 1000 miles Liking Your Horse magazine on Facebook Tweeting us: @YourHorse Following us on Instagram: @yourhorsemagazine Remember to use the hashtag, #hack1000miles We feature a selection of our challengers in every issue, so look out for yourself!…

MEET THE EXPERT JEMMA WHITLAM is a UKCC level 3 showjumping coach. She is based on the Northamptonshire/ Leicestershire border and also coaches dressage and cross-country. Follow her on Facebook at Jemma Whitlam Equestrian. THERE’S NO FEELING quite like soaring over a jump on your horse, but euphoria soon turns to despair if he refuses. Riding a horse who frequently refuses not only dashes any hopes of a clear round, but it can also knock your confidence. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to take everything back a step and re-establish the basics, says showjumping coach Jemma Whitlam. The following key exercises will soon get your jumping success back on track. Identify the problem According to Jemma, there are three main problems that could be causing your horse to slam…

A WELL-FITTING SADDLE will give you and your horse the confidence and comfort to perform at your best. To celebrate the launch of its new range of leather saddles, Collegiate is giving away two Scholar All Purpose saddles with square cantle. This collection includes dressage, jumping and all-purpose models. Each one combines modern materials and traditional techniques to produce a high-quality saddle at a great price. Each saddle in this range eatures a changeable gullet system, so you can have your saddle adjusted as and when necessary to ensure the best possible fit. The Collegiate changeable gullet means you can alter the width of your saddle and customise the fit to the shape of your horse. A qualified saddle fitter can do this quickly and efficiently, and they will make…

Lauren’s main piece of advice is ‘don’t anthropomorphise’. “Recognise that we are humans and horses are horses. To that end, we’ve evolved to live and thrive under very different circumstances,” she reasons. “Don’t apply the same set of comfort parameters to your horse as you do to yourself. Doing so invites behavioural and physical problems. “Be prepared to learn about things you’ve never considered and don’t be ashamed to ask for advice from time to time. The more you learn, the more you’ll realise how much more there is to know.”…

LAST JULY, 12 RIDERS competing at the Great Yorkshire Show were asked to dismount. Organisers deemed these riders too heavy for their mounts, having set a rider weight limit of 20% of their horse’s bodyweight. Of the 12 who dismounted, four riders agreed to be weighed. Each was found to be more than 25% of their horse’s bodyweight. It was the second time the show had asked riders who were too heavy for their horses to dismount — eight riders also exceeded the 20% rule the previous year. The Great Yorkshire Show has welfare interests at heart, but without proper guidelines on rider weight in place, it’s almost unique in its approach. This is where Dr Sue Dyson and her team at the Animal Health Trust come in. Last September,…

Snapping the air Q My horse has developed this habit of snapping the air when he’s upset. It’s most apparent when other horses walk past his stable. Why is this happening and how can I stop it? Harriet Minster, Warwickshire A From what you describe your horse could be showing a less common type of ‘STP’ (stereotypic behaviour pattern). Ordinarily known as a ‘stable vice’, an STP can be a sign that there’s something specific in his environment making him feel stressed, anxious, frustrated or even excited. Foal snapping Without knowing about his environment or his history it’s hard to diagnose exactly, but it’s also possible he’s ‘foal snapping’, although this is rarely seen in adult horses. Foals do this as part of natural ‘equine etiquette’ when they’re learning from…

STACEY ROLPH’S IRISH sport horse, Jumbo, is a good doer and gained a few too many kilos over the winter. She’s now worrying about the risks of the spring grass. Stacey says Jumbo has always been a very good doer so ideally she should have let him lose weight over the winter. She struggled this year though — weeks of snow meant he was stabled for longer than usual and had less exercise. Now the days are longer, Stacey is riding for at least an hour every day. Jumbo is also being turned out daily onto restricted grazing, but the dilemma is what to feed him when he is stabled overnight. Currently he has soaked, double-netted hay but he eats it quickly, then starts kicking the stable door in protest,…

FOR MANY RIDERS, nothing can beat the thrill of galloping cross-country and negotiating fixed fences. However, finding a saddle that’s forward cut enough, comfortable, supportive and allows freedom of movement can be a challenge. In the world of eventing saddles, there’s a new kid on the block that addresses these issues. The Bates Advanta eventing saddle has been three years in development and is engineered for a perfect connection between you and your horse. As well as stunning good looks, this leather saddle provides an ultra-sensitive feel for you and your horse. Its design makes staying in balance as you gallop across country and tackle those fences effortless. Also, by being in the optimum position you’ll be prepared for the unexpected, which is inevitable when you’re riding cross-country. No saddle…

Gatehouse Conquest MkII riding hat RRP £188.99 STANDARD Kitemarked and approved to PAS 015 COLOURS Black, navy (matt, metallic, suedette/glitter or suedette/Swarovski crystals) FOR STOCKISTS gatehouserange.co.uk A stylish and lightweight hat suitable for both everyday wear and competition. It’s well ventilated and has a removable, washable lining for complete comfort and hygiene. Caldene Ultra RRP £125 STANDARD PAS 015 COLOUR Brown BUY AT harryhall.com This modern-looking helmet has a waterproof, rubberised finish. Front and top ventilation grills encourage airflow, and there’s a removable, breathable liner too. Champion Air-Tech Deluxe riding hat RRP From £125 STANDARD British PAS 015, ASTM F1163-15 and SEI-marked, VG1. BSI Kitemarked to PAS 015 2011 COLOURS Black metallic, navy metallic, oyster metallic, black silk FOR STOCKISTS championhats.co.uk Sleek and modern. Triple mesh venting,…

Associate editor Allison Lowther: Our saddle fit feature resonates after recently taking my horse for her six-monthly saddle check-up – I can’t believe how much a few minor alterations can help. See page 122 Writer and online editor Amy Moore: This month we’re celebrating inspiring equestrian women and it was an honour to interview some of my all-time heroes. Girl power! See page 24 Writer Stacey Carter: I’ve never been to Barbury Horse Trials before, but it sounds like the best place to watch the eventing stars in action — plus a spot of pig racing! See page 12…

Jessica Green and her horse, Poppy, are embarking on a 70-mile hack to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK. Jessica, a self-employed groom, will set off in May along the South Peak Loop in the Peak District National Park. Jessica is taking on the challenge in honour of her mother, Jeanette, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s aged 54. Her grandmother was also diagnosed with the condition at 49 and passed away 11 years later. “Mum adored horses. It was because of her that I learned to ride and why I’m now pursuing a career with horses. She used to walk in the Peak District too and would’ve loved the route I’ve chosen.”…

After The Princess Royal shared her opinion that riders shouldn’t hack out with “ears full of music” at the National Equine Forum in March, we decided to put it to Your Horse readers for further debate. Can riding with music ever be beneficial? On the one hand, out hacking you can’t hear oncoming traffic or possible danger. On the other, listening to music while practising your dressage test can be helpful. Anna Hales says: “Yay in the school, nay on a hack, and certainly not on the road. I like to listen out for dog walkers and cyclists.” Sarah Higgins agrees. “Yes, while riding in the school. I wouldn’t use it when jumping but I find the right music helps with rhythm when schooling. It’s a big no when it…

Best time to get there? On the dot at 9am. Many people turn up at 11am to watch the first event, then hit the shops at lunchtime. But if you get there early you’ve got time to browse the shops and buy while it’s quieter, then focus on the eventing. Wellies on? Barbury is normally quite balmy so you probably won’t need to get the wellies out. But keep them in the back of the car just in case the British weather throws a spanner in the works. Dogs — yay or nay? Yay. Barbury has water bowls spread out round the event for pooches in need of refreshment. Make sure you keep them on a lead at all times. Tickets? Tickets are on sale now at barburyhorsetrials.co.uk . If…

Final farewell I lost my beautiful boy on Friday, then Saturday I got a message telling me we were in an issue of Your Horse magazine (April 2018). Sure enough, I go and buy a copy and here we are. This was so beautiful to see. Emily Ashworth, Twitter Proper corny This is Podge, who has a love for popcorn. Danielle Carlu Shea, Facebook Do not disturb Dreaming of summer… Emma Fletcher, Facebook Star stylist Pom-pom head Panda! This is my very tolerant mini Shetland. Charlotte Damary-Homan, Facebook Tired are we? Bally sitting down on the job. Sally Rankin, Facebook Hold on to your wig “Because I’m worth it!” Susan Miller, Facebook Not so subtle My horse Boris thinks I can’t see him. Tracey Jayne Cookie, Facebook ‘It was him,…

MEET THE EXPERT JOHN THELWALL is best known as an event rider, having competed at Badminton and Burghley in the 1980s. He is also an experienced racing jockey and showjumper. John now concentrates on coaching, encouraging riders to find a positive connection with their horse. WE’VE SAID IT many times — using poles when you’re schooling is a great way to add variety to your horse’s work. But what if you place the poles on the wrong stride, or subsequently build fences on distances too tricky for your mount? Used correctly, working over poles on the ground will improve your horse’s balance, rhythm and work his core for an all-round body workout. But in order for your horse to feel the benefit, you do need to get to grips with…

MEET THE EXPERT SANDY PHILLIPS is a former international dressage rider and eventer who represented her native USA at one Olympics and three world championships. She was a British dressage team selector until 2012 and is an FEI ‘I’ judge for both disciplines. “You are the leader in this dance and you control where he puts his feet” DRESSAGE IS THE art of being in balance with your horse — that was the main message from leading dressage trainer and judge Sandy Phillips at this year’s International Eventing Forum. Until you have that balance, you can’t put energy into your horse’s movement. You need energy in order to have quality and that in turn leads to higher marks. So, to increase your chances of bagging a glossy red rosette, you…

MEET THE EXPERT LAUREN JOHNSON has a BSc (Hons) in animal science and lectured for eight years, specialising in welfare, behaviour and nutrition. She’s developed a natural livery and rehabilitation facility and is a trained barefoot trimmer. See graveneyequine.co.uk. “When a group of horses are familiar with each other, they provide protection and watch over herd members as they sleep” A MORE NATURAL APPROACH to keeping your horse is possible for every horse owner, whatever your circumstances. To help you discover how easy it can be, we’ve asked equine welfare specialist and natural livery yard owner Lauren Johnson for her advice on common management practices. She says you can make small changes for a happier, healthier horse, whatever your circumstances. “In my experience, the main motivation for keeping your horse…

Four riders of differing weights (light, moderate, heavy and very heavy) and similar riding abilities were tasked with riding six different horses over five days last September. Each rider was given the same routine – to ride a maximum of 30 minutes in walk, trot and canter – while Dr Dyson and her colleagues watched and assessed the performance of each horse. “Horses were evaluated for lameness in-hand before being ridden,” explains Dr Dyson. “When ridden, horses had their heart rate, respiratory rate and time of transitions measured. Behavioural signs that previous research has shown to be associated with musculoskeletal pain were also assessed.” Some of these behaviours included having ears back for more than five seconds, constant tail swishing, head tossing and a reluctance to go forwards. While being…

Bitless to bitted Q My horse has mostly been ridden bitless, but now I’m transitioning over to bitted riding. Is there anything I can do to help him accept the bit so he’s submissive when we start dressage training? Belinda Nind, Staffordshire A Your horse will have learnt about contact and rein aids working in a bitless bridle, so you don’t need to worry too much about making the switch. Your priority in this transitional phase is to help your horse accept the new bit in his mouth and to understand and trust your hands. Converse with the reins Concentrate on encouraging your horse to work in a regular rhythm around your arena. Include circles, changes of rein and patterns such as serpentines to help promote balance and suppleness. These…

UNICORN HAT COVER The latest design from the Happy Headbangers Club features a unicorn. This fun cover slips over your child’s riding hat to instantly bring a smile to anyone they happen to ride past. Find out more at happyheadbangersclub.com STABLE LASS by Gemma Hogg Go behind the scenes and experience life at a top racing yard. Now assistant trainer at Micky Hammond Racing, Gemma details her career that began as a stable lass in 1998 and reveals what it takes to reach the top in racing – including jockeys’ constant battle to keep their weight down and dealing with wealthy owners. PODCAST: THE INFLUENCE OF RIDER WEIGHT Following news of riders being asked to dismount horses that are too small for them at the Great Yorkshire Show…

In April Your Horse’s ‘Chomping at the Bit’, we asked whether you find individual or group turnout works best. Anne Owen replies… He prefers humans to other horses I own a 27-year-old thoroughbred gelding called Freddy. When I bought him, he was at a yard with lots of other horses. He is the sweetest horse and just right for me, but his previous owners warned that he is clingy with horses and people. This had got him into some nasty scraps, resulting in scars all over his face from injuries sustained by other horses bullying him. When I took him home, I decided I’d keep him in his own separate paddock, with other horses in neighbouring fields. He is so happy and content with this set-up. He will look at…

Two peas in a pod Here’s a picture of my boy Silidan. Tracey Robottom, Nottingham Perfect chin rest My daughter and her pony love selfie time. Susan Doherty, Manchester Shetland affection Me and Pumba having cuddles in the field. Laura Hudson, Lincolnshire Time for a cuddle Me and my ex-racer, Pursuit Of Happiness. He’s probably the most chilled-out ex-racer ever. Kimberly Hughes, Bristol You called? My horse looking rather handsome in our selfie. Abbie Garbett, Worcestershire Who pouts the best? My boy likes to pose for the camera. Charlotte Hinckley, Surrey Quick peck This is Joe giving me a kiss when I tried to snap a selfie. Mia Mills, Cornwall Tongues ahoy! My horse of a lifetime, Harry. He’s my soulmate. Sasha Wierzbicki, Cornwall Not camera shy Me: act natural.…

1 Suzanna evented up to CCI2* level until a riding accident in 2012 left her with life-changing injuries, including a head injury and her spinal cord displaced. She still misses eventing and jumping fences. 2 The recovery process meant months and months in hospital, including a relapse on Christmas Day 2012 after catching a bug her body wasn’t strong enough to fight. She’s had nine operations in all. 3 Determined to ride again, Tipu Aziz, professor of neurosurgery at the John Radcliffe in Oxford, gave Suzanna a lifeline by implanting a stimulator into her spine. 4 She was winched onto the back of a horse at Lakefield Riding for the Disabled two years after her accident. She says that moment turned her life around. Although she still suffers a lot…

Mary King MBE Event rider Mary has taken part in six Olympic Games — winning team silver in 2004 and 2012, plus the bronze in 2008 — and triumphed at the highest level, winning Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky CCI4*s multiple times. Mary’s daughter, Emily, is now following in her mother’s footsteps. Jane Holderness-Roddam CBE It’s 50 years since Jane won Badminton on Our Nobby. That year – 1968 — she also became the first woman to represent Britain in eventing at an Olympics, netting team gold in Mexico. Jane has served equestrian sport in several capacities since then, including as president of British Eventing and chairman of the RDA. She is currently a trustee for the equine charity, Brooke. Pippa Funnell MBE The first-ever person to win the Rolex Grand…

ON EASTER MONDAY, Emma Sylvester-Harris and her one-eyed Connemara mare, Clara, completed their quest to hack 1,000 miles in a year, with 13 days to spare. Clara’s eye was removed in December 2016, shortly after Emma suffered a nasty fall at an event. They both returned to hacking just two weeks later and have gone on to be successful in Endurance GB events. “I decided to stick to what we know, hacking and some low-distance endurance rides,” says Emma. “When I saw #hack1000miles, I thought it was the perfect challenge for us. It has encouraged me to get out at every possible opportunity, whatever the weather.” For the second year running, Clara finished as runner-up in Endurance GB south-west’s Heather Trophy league for registered native ponies. “I’m so proud of…

BEFORE YOU ZOOM out of the start box, your horse needs to be equipped to do the job in hand. Whether you’re visiting a cross-country venue to school for the first time this year or as a refresher in between competitions, your session needs to have purpose and an end goal. Karen Nicholas, a BHSII who trains riders from Pony Club level up to CCI4*, advises that you do as much preparation at home beforehand as you can. “You can achieve an awful lot with simulated training, even through the winter, to prepare for going cross-country,” she explains. “Think of off-season training as being your classroom. Then you transfer to the playground to put it into practice. “Many venues run arena eventing competitions, which is a useful way to learn…

1 Practise at home first. Your session should be cementing homework. 2 Don’t go alone – have a pair of eyes on the ground or a companion on a horse who can be a lead if needed. 3 Go with an instructor, so you remain focused and gain confidence from them. 4 Practise riding in between fences and in a straight line. 5 Warm up over small fences and only progress as you feel confident. 6 String fences together – don’t just stop and start. 7 Tackle simple fences at an angle and off a turn – great practice for combinations and tricky lines. 8 Negotiate a variety of different fence types, so your horse sees and learns. 9 Have an action plan but don’t overdo it – you may…

MEET THE EXPERT MARY KING MBE has represented Great Britain at six Olympic Games, most recently landing team silver at London 2012. She has multiple CCI4* titles to her name, including two Badmintons, Burghley and Kentucky. SIX-TIME OLYMPIAN Mary King is a huge advocate of gridwork. Grids are not only beneficial for strengthening your horse’s back muscles. They also help him learn to judge distances between fences and boost his elasticity, as he concentrates on clearing the poles and getting his stride length right. You can adjust the difficulty of each grid exercise depending on your horse’s age, experience and ability to understand the pattern at its most basic set-up. In the following exercises there are three grid diagrams, from easy to more advanced. Have someone on the ground to…

NARROWING DOWN OUR shortlist of 12 to our final two winners has been tough, but it had to be done. Our Goal Getter competition is sponsored by leading feed manufacturer Dodson & Horrell. It offers our winners half a day’s training from a Dodson & Horrell ambassador, plus a whole host of amazing goodies to help them reach their goals for the season ahead. We’ll be following their progress in future issues of Your Horse magazine and on our website yourhorse.co.uk  — so watch this space and find out how their seasons are going and whether they achieve their goal for 2018. Without further ado, let’s meet the two winners... Amanda Harrison from Aberystwyth Amanda Harrison from Aberystwyth is a keen dressage competitor with…

We’d all love our horses to have access to endless acres of turnout, but this isn’t an option for every owner. However, using your grazing wisely will help to replicate your horse’s natural movement needs, as well as looking after your grazing responsibly. “My two favourite methods are to set up a track system called Paddock Paradise, or an Equicentral system. Both promote healthy grazing and behaviour patterns,” explains Lauren. The Paddock Paradise system (see diagram, below) was designed by Jamie Jackson, a farrier determined to keep his horses as naturally as possible. Instead of your horse being turned out in a regular field where he can stand in one spot and eat, an additional inner fence is added to create a track. This mimics the behaviour of wild horses,…

The condition Tetanus is a bacterial disease caused by Clostridium tetani . The bacteria produce spores that can survive for many years, living in faeces, soil and the environment. When they enter the horse’s body, generally via a wound, they wake up and become harmful bacteria. The bacteria proliferate in tissue and this produces the toxin tetanospasmin, which attacks the nervous system. In a nutshell, it’s the spores, bacteria and then the neurotoxin which attack the nervous system in the body and cause the outward symptoms that we can see. I’ve never seen a case of tetanus in an adult horse, but I have experienced it in foals, who are more susceptible (see Facts panel, right). Symptoms The effects of the toxin on a horse’s nervous system…

Poor hay Q How can I compensate for nutritionally-poor hay fed to a good doer? Linda Bank, Cornwall A Nutritionally-poor hay will be deficient in many essential micronutrients. To compensate for this, supplementing a good doer’s forage-based diet with a low-calorie bucket feed that is balanced with vitamins and minerals will ensure the horse receives a balanced diet. Regardless of its nutritional quality, hay must be of good physical quality and there should be plenty of it. Hay that’s dusty or mouldy shouldn’t be fed to horses as it is likely to have an adverse effect on a horse’s health. Not only can dust and mould spores cause breathing difficulties, but if hay is unpalatable the horse will eat less than he needs, which has a negative effect on digestive…

Too many bits? Q I’ve heard that it’s good to have multiple bits, so you can change them when your horse is behaving differently. What are the staple bits that I should have in my kit? Lizzy Knight, Oxfordshire A A common question asked by riders is: “Why is my horse now evading his bit when initially he was so happy?” We refer to this as your comfortable working window, which differs with individual horses owing to varying degrees of sensitivity. I would recommend having two bits. If your horse is never strong, then two snaffles with different mouthpiece designs are recommended. If you apply the same pressure points within the mouth on a regular basis, these contact areas may become de-sensitised — changing between two bits in this way…

AS MUCH AS we love them, we all know our four-legged friends can be unpredictable and riding is never going to be risk-free. Head injuries present the most serious danger, so make sure you’re safe, not sorry, by wearing a protective hat that meets the latest safety standards, both for riding and preferably when handling your horse too. When it comes to safety there should be no compromise. Developments in materials and design mean that hats are now lightweight and well ventilated — just what you need when you’re riding — as well as offering the very best protection to your head in the event of an accident. While there’s no law saying you have to wear a riding hat (unless you’re under 14 years of age), we advise that…

Equetech Jersey jacket RRP £111.50 CREASE-FREE This fantastically low maintenance competition jacket is tailored to feel like your favourite blazer, rather than a fitted jacket that you can hardly breathe in. It’s also crease-free and machine washable, so it will always look well cared for. COLOURS Navy, black SIZES 32in - 48in BUY SAT equetech.com Felix Bühler Queen jacket RRP £54.90 LIGHTWEIGHT With a fitted cut and silver piping, this stylish jacket with Felix Bühler embroidery on the pockets is perfect for riders wanting to look the part on the show circuit. The jacket has riding vents at the back for comfort and is easy to clean, so you don’t need to worry about rushing it to the dry cleaners between competitions. COLOUR Black SIZES XS - XL BUY…