Indholdsfortegnelse for 17-Apr-2025 i Horse & Hound

THIS week's cover makes the bold suggestion that by following our expert vet writers’ advice, you could avoid injuries for your horse this year. Of course we're not making any promises, because, well, it's horses. But the idea of a sound summer is desirable (p26). If, like my old mare, your horse is forever coming in with an enormous lump somewhere on their anatomy, and you're left wondering if it's a sensitive overreaction to a horsefly or in fact a haematoma, turn to page 38. And if you have a feeling that your horse isn't quite right, he's perhaps taken the odd unsound step, take a look at the vets’ advice (p34) as to whether turning them away to let rest do the work of recovery is the answer –…

AUTHENTIC Abigail Wexner's jumper has died, aged 30. He and Beezie Madden were on the US team that won Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008. They also won individual bronze in 2008. LOOKS LIKE TROUBLE The 2000 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has died, aged 33. Trained by Noel Chance, he had seven wins as well as the Gold Cup with Richard Johnson, with whom he retired. SIR ROCKSTAR Libby Head's former racehorse has died, aged 27. They completed Badminton and Kentucky, and won team gold at the North American youth championships.…

A “DETERMINED and courageous” event rider who died aged 30 has left a legacy of hope. Miranda Filmer died in 2022, five years after her diagnosis of neuroendocrine cancer. A research lab dedicated to advancing treatment for rare and aggressive cancers opened at the Royal Free Hospital with tribute to Miranda. Miranda's family set up a fund in her name, which has raised over £500,000 for research on neuroendocrine tumours. The fund has covered the cost of a PhD researcher and a laboratory technician, as well as laboratory equipment, to examine in more detail how cancer cells behave and interact with other cells. Professor Martyn Caplin, who is joint-leading the study, said: “Miranda was a courageous and determined lady who lived life to the full, including competing in horse trials,…

Edited by Bethan Simons bethan.simons@futurenet.com KNOWING when to debut a novice horse is a balancing act, especially when teamed with cold, dark, spooky mornings and clipped coats. I tip my hat to everyone that has already been out competing. I have a young team this year, and with early closing dates thrust upon us, trying to predict which horse will be ready for what show and when seemingly requires a psychic ability. Considered and careful selections must be made when you have a novice horse: which ride judge will suit, which venue and even what terrain? Yet even when things are going like clockwork at home, sometimes you get to a show, and it all goes pear-shaped. “There is always another day” ON BEING ADAPTABLE OPINION Don't despair, this is normal.…

GROOM KATIE WALTON “IT still hasn't sunk in that Nick Rockett has won the National. When ‘Nickers’ first arrived in the yard three years ago, he was only around 15hh, like a big greyhound. He did a lot of growing over the summer – upwards, not outwards, because he's still slim and petite. He's around 16hh now. But he's so tough, he has the heart of a lion and he absolutely loves to jump. “He's an absolute pleasure to deal with, there's never a peep out of him. He tends to randomly stare up to the ceiling and I say he's talking to ghosts or he sees something that we don't, as his mouth will be moving as well. It's bizarre. And if there's music in the yard, he'll bop…

BAREFOOT RETREATS BURNHAM MARKET 11–13 April Edited by Pippa Roome pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market, Norfolk “SHE was very classy in all three phases,” said Oliver Townend of the Ridgeons’ 11-year-old Cooley Rosalent, who cruised round Burnham Market to finish on her 25.6 dressage and give the rider his 16th CCI4*-S win at the event. “Rosie”, who finished runner-up at the Norfolk fixture last year, still looked full of running as she walked away with her ears pricked and a spring in her step after a job well done. “She was never out of fourth gear, and I didn't have to squeeze or push once,” commented Oliver. “She'll come on for the run, so now we just want to get her as strong as we can until hopefully she…

FOURFIELDS ARKAN STAR picked up the first win of her career when taking BE80 section H at Speetley under Heather Fletcher, adding 3.2 time-faults to a 29.5 dressage. FIRST WIN Heather, who is a full-time mother of two, bought “Pearl” from Ireland as a five-year-old in 2021 and she described the 15.2hh as the “easiest little mare”. “My 11-year-old daughter has three ponies, so Pearl gets pushed to the back as we are busy with those,” explained Heather. “The last time she saw a cross-country fence was in October, but she is worth her weight in gold. “She has been great for my confidence, which suffered a wobble after some tricky horses and then becoming a mother. I enjoy showing my daughter how much fun riding can be and it‘s…

BLUE CHIP WINTER SHOWJUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS 9–13 April Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Blue Chip Winter Showjumping Championships, Addington Equestrian, Bucks HELEN TREDWELL'S homebred mare Luikan surpassed expectations to snatch a confident late victory in the £2,000 Blue Chip grand prix. “She knows Addington but at the Blue Chip Championships she always goes really green on me,” said Helen, who overturned a strong target from Ryan Page and BP Ko Jax by an assertive 1.24sec. “In the first round she nearly trotted to the first fence and I had to turn a circle. She also trotted in the grand prix last year, so it was a bit unexpected! “She has a really good cruising speed” HELEN TREDWELL ON LUIKAN “I thought she might be looking at the tradestands and not…

NORTH OF ENGLAND SPRING 5–6 April Edited by Bethan Simons bethan.simons@futurenet.com North of England Spring, Warren Farm EC, Merseyside LOREN GASKIN was elated to take the ridden championship – and subsequent Royal International (RIHS) ticket – in one of the two direct Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd (SSADL) RIHS qualifying sections on offer with her 17-year-old traditional coloured stallion The Boss, despite finishing second in her class. The pair had earlier won and stood a close reserve champion in the other ridden qualifier. “It was certainly refreshing for the championship to be judged as a completely separate class,” said Loren, who purchased The Boss at the beginning of 2020 with her sister Laila. “My grandad bought him as a two-year-old but then sold him, so we had to buy him…

AFTER four years out of the ring, Dowhills Final Fling (Sid) made a fairy-tale return by qualifying for the RIHS amateur hacks at his first outing, ridden by Lara Berrie. The last foal by Fairlyn Falcon out of Thimbleby Birthday Girl, Sid was bred by Jane Cross of Dowhills Stud and Lara originally bought him as a four-year-old. He took Lara through her intermediate years, narrowly missing out on qualifying for HOYS in 2019, before being sold during Covid to a family with whom he spent four years happily hacking. “He became part of the family and didn't show at all, just lived a life of luxury,” said Lara. “When they decided to find him a new home, we jumped at the chance. He came home in January, £1 exchanged,…

“SOME people say horses don't grieve, but they do,” said Lisa Davis, who scored a bronze and outright advanced medium win at Pachesham with Royal Fantasia (pictured). According to Lisa, the 16-year-old mare is finally turning a corner after losing her lifetime field companion in January to colic. “We haven't been able to turn her out as much since, as she won't settle,” said Lisa, who rides the home-bred Royal Diamond daughter for Carol Cosanti. “This was a quiet test, but it was judged as correct and accurate.” From showing Carol's Welsh cobs, Lisa has developed her dressage skills to take “Fan” up the levels from prelim. AGAINST THE ODDS “I got the dressage bug,” she said. “Everything we learn is new to both of us, but Fan tries her…

WITH her jumping saddle away to be adjusted, Olivia Robertson took the opportunity to try some affiliated dressage with her eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, Caraghs Adieu Queen. She and “Frenchie” were victorious at their third show, at the Scottish National Equestrian Centre, West Lothian, winning both prelims outright with plus-70% scores. “I tried some unaffiliated dressage with Frenchie when she was four and we were eliminated, as I couldn't get her past the judge's box,” said Olivia. “It's been quite a journey – she's a big horse, at 17hh, and has taken time to mature. “Frenchie is a oneperson horse, but we now have a good bond, and she's lovely to work with,” added Olivia, who trains with Gemma Kennedy and is developing her own clothing brand, Olco Equestrian.…

BARRIER ANIMAL HEALTH SPRING FESTIVAL FINALS 1–2 March and 5–7 April Edited by Becky Murray becky.murray@futurenet.com @murray_bex…

BRC EQUILIBRIUM WINTER SHOWJUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS 5–6 April Edited by Martha Terry martha.terry@futurenet.com @marthaowenorterry BRC Equilibrium Winter Showjumping Championships, Arena UK, Lincs LAUREN WHITE and former racehorse Glacial Roes proved the pair to beat in the 119-strong senior 70 at the new British Riding Clubs (BRC) Winter Showjumping Championships, which combined the showjumping classes from the previously known BRC Novice Winter and Intermediate Winter Championships. “I was one of the last to go and I knew the team was out of contention, so I went for it,” said Hereford Riding Club (RC) member Lauren, who runs Hesteyri Horses, a yard in Gloucestershire, with her sister. Lauren bought the mare for £200 from the Brightwells auctions 12 years ago. “She's 17 now and is such a trier,” she said. “She's so consistent,…

IT'S the time of year when mischief enters the hearts of hunters who have thrown off end-of-season fatigue and tasted their first mouthfuls of fresh, spring grass. We all become a bit preoccupied with grass and its growth at this time of year, with the main flock of sheep due to lamb soon, cows calving away on the hill and new life springing up everywhere. It's starting now though, and fields that looked dead and brown are gradually turning green. The ponies are grazing with a new vigour, eyes fixed on the ground ahead for fear that this new growth might disappear. Although we are only in the early stages of this magic season, the past week has been unseasonably warm and sunny; the rugs have been off and their…

Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ EVENTING is confirmed for the LA28 Olympic Games, following the “historic success” of Paris 2024 – and a different venue for the equestrian competitions is on the cards. A proposed new eventing format, which would have comprised elements of both short and long format involving two days of medals has also been shelved for the time being. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board finalised the sporting programme and competitor numbers on 9 April. Equestrian sport will retain the number of places and medals as the Paris Olympics. This means team and individual medals for each discipline, and 200 horse/ rider combinations; 75 for showjumping, 60 for dressage and 65 for eventing. “We are…

DISCUSSIONS on the elimination of riders in showjumping for blood on the horse's flanks have continued as stakeholders try to agree “the way forward”. The rule came under scrutiny again at the Paris Olympics following the elimination of Brazilian rider Pedro Veniss for a “micro case” of blood. The panel broadly agreed that the rule had “served its purpose” and FEI judge and steward Cesar Hirsch said in his experience cases had reduced, but he added that “the sport evolves and the rule needs to evolve, too”. It was discussed whether instead of immediate elimination, a graduated sanction system could be used for minor cases starting with a warning, then a yellow card, then suspension. Mr Hirsch said the proposal is “not to weaken the rule” but to “redefine it”.…

▲ INGENUITY To a village Palm Sunday parade, which the signedup donkey couldn't make. Hats off to he who (was?) volunteered to replace it – in a panto donkey suit. He may have been glad his face was hidden… ▲ ADJECTIVES A dressage rider was mystified by the Fs on her sheet: “F supple”, “F steady” and “F bal'd”. Ah, clarity. “Fairly balanced”. Not bald, and not rude. Phew. ▲ RIDICULOUSNESS A council licensing officer apparently told a riding school owner that a single cobweb would be enough to fail the inspection. Who's inspecting the inspectors, is surely the question here……

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound HORSE WELFARE FURTHER to Anna Ross's comments on horse welfare (opinion, 27 March) and what it means in different circumstances, no two horses – or yards – are the same. Welfare rules that cover every variation would be impossible to devise but via training, we can ensure owners and riders have knowledge of horse care. A lack of knowledge is frequently cited in horse welfare cases, so a body of evidence that proves accountability is surely the answer. The UK has a brilliant format for training in the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) scheme. Students must prove they understand the theory behind the training and that they can put it into practice safely. “Our…

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BURNHAM MARKET attracted large entries from a wealth of top combinations, but there was a notable number of withdrawals before the cross-country phases (36 in the CCI4*-S, 16 in the advanced and 19 in the CCI3*-S). The ground was a talking point following an unusually dry period in the run up to the event. But this dry spell also means that there has been no event cancellations, so many horses will have already achieved their spring preparation runs. “We worked very hard on the ground, and I believe that there was not much more we could have done,” said Alec Lochore, adding that he had already accepted there would be withdrawals. “All the horses had had the runs they needed at this point. We're week seven on the calendar, four…

STIRLING-BASED Fiona Robertson partnered Gillian Reid Durick's 10-year-old Highland Strathmore Imperial Guard to land their firstever pass to Hickstead in the UK Ponies & Horses amateur qualifier. “The Highland was a lovely pony who carried his rider beautifully. He didn't miss a beat on the go-round and they performed a foot-perfect show,” said judge Tracey Ashworth of the gelding. Final-year student Fiona, 17, last partnered “Hamish” in 2023 at National Pony Society Scotland Finals, Blair, where they stood junior champions. This was their first time back in the ring together for two years. “We are all looking forward to going to RIHS for the first time, but it's a long way from Scotland! We may try some HOYS junior qualifiers as it is their final year in the class,” said…

CORAL SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL 11–12 April Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald 17 WILLIE MULLINS RUNNERS AT AYR ON SATURDAY JOCKEY SEAN FLANAGAN, A QUALIFIED PILOT, FLEW HIMSELF TO AYR AND DELIVERED A WINNER FOR TRAINER GAVIN CROMWELL A double at Ayr for Harry Cobden in the Scottish Grand National and with the Paul Nichollstrained Quebecois in the novices’ hurdle Coral Scottish Grand National Festival, Ayr Racecourse, Ayrshire MAESTRO Willie Mullins served up another training masterpiece with a one-two in the Coral Scottish Grand National, a week after saddling the first three home in the Aintree equivalent. In an eventful race, it was seven-year-old Captain Cody, a profitable spare ride for the ice-cool champion jockey Harry Cobden, who pegged his stablemate Klarc Kent (Jonathan Burke) in the final strides…

MEMORIAL FOR CAROLINE MOORE THE memorial service for inspirational coach and mentor Caroline Moore will take place on 22 April at 3pm, at St Mary's Church, Melton Mowbray. Everyone is welcome and attendees are asked to please dress colourfully, no black. Caroline asked for no flowers please, but donations to the Performance Mentoring Programme are greatly appreciated. ● For information and to donate, visit: gofund.me/15a78067 EQUINE DEATHS TO BE INVESTIGATED THE British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is investigating after two horses died during the Scottish Grand National. The 2024 winner Macdermott, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Danny Mullins, was pulled up. The Kniphand, for Nigel Twiston-Davies and owner Dermot Owens, fell two from home. Only eight of the 23 starters finished the race, which was won by the Willie…

Former British team dressage rider Laura Richardson has been appointed performance manager of the new UAE para dressage performance programme. Horsescotland has confirmed that Sonya Campbell-Perry will be its new chief executive. Sonya is a rider and has worked in the public and private sectors. Olympic eventing gold medallist Oliver Townend won his 16th Burnham Market CCI4*-S title, with 11-year-old mare Cooley Rosalent. Report, p42. The Duchess of Edinburgh has become a patron of Canada's Spruce Meadows. Venue CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott said they are “deeply honoured”. Bristol-based para dressage rider Tegan Vincent-Cook will represent Jamaica in competition. Her first under the Jamaican flag will be Addington (28–30 April).…

▼ SCAMMERS This week's award to the seller of a six-year-old “cod cross”. Now, we could just have got nastily cynical, and it could all be fine… but. It's possible there may be something fishy about this one… ▼ GENDERS We will spare the blushes of he who sent a press release to H&H Towers repeatedly referring to a “male stallion”. Good job it wasn't a female stallion, you have to watch them… ▼ BACKFIRING Oops of the week to he who tried, on Facebook, to get the name of a rider who “likes to hit cars with her long stick”. But, as everyone pointed out, had he been two metres away as per the Highway Code, she couldn't have hit his car, could she?…

Edited by Pippa Roome pippa.roome@futurenet.com @ pipparoomeorkyle OPINION THE unpredictability of the British climate is enough to make anyone pull their hair out. After two of the wettest winters and springs ever, we've only had 3mm of rain on the farm in the past six weeks. If that makes life difficult for farming, spare a thought for event organisers in this era where the quality of footing for horses has become of paramount importance. The wet springs of previous years have led insurance costs to rocket such that they've forced many out of business and others are hanging on by their fingernails. Last year, Thoresby only just managed to run, in what could only be described as deep footing; this year they had perfect going. Last year in the wet,…

PLAN your show schedule a year in advance and tailor your exercise plan accordingly. Include periods of downtime for both physical and mental recovery. Fitness is not static and as for human athletes, it is impossible to maintain peak fitness levels in your horse throughout the entire year. Rest and recovery are vital to optimising performance levels. Therefore, aim to peak at the right moments as per your planned schedule. Focus on building fitness and strength and know exactly how long it takes your horse to be in top condition. Ensure your daily ridden routine involves adequate time to warm up and cool down. Know when to stop and don't overtrain. Muscle fatigue reduces reaction times – a tired horse is more likely to get hurt. Speak to your vet…

IN some cases haematomas develop from causes other than trauma, such as the following: • ETHMOID HAEMATOMA A benign mass that originates from the vascular tissue of the ethmoid turbinates within a horse's head. These can enlarge and expand into the nasal passages and/or paranasal sinuses. Horses present with intermittent uni- or bilateral nosebleeds or bloody nasal discharge. Occasionally owners may notice an abnormal respiratory noise at rest or exercise if the haematoma is large enough to cause partial obstruction of normal airflow. Endoscopy of the upper airway is most often diagnostic. However, radiographs, a CT scan or both of the head will provide additional information about the structures involved and the extent of the haematoma. Most ethmoid haematomas are treated successfully by injecting formalin directly into the mass under…

NINETY-FIVE starters were whittled down to 25 for the Pikeur pony winter novice final, where Sophia Hogan jumped the quickest of 12 double clears with the six-year-old Rosie Mae Harmony (pictured), who she has produced herself from a two-year-old. Sophia previously had success with the 138cm Jesse Mae Harmony, with whom she was a bronze league champion at the nationals, and bought Rosie as she was her half-sister. The ponies are out of the same dam, Birchill Harmony, who was a 128cm ridden by Jack Whitaker, and Rosie is by Kroongraaf. “This was her first championship and her first proper jump-off,” said Sophia, who is in her final year on ponies. “We thought we'd test her out and we found that she was very good at it. We were originally…

HIGHLIGHTS 31 March–6 April 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 Pachesham EC, Surrey FINAL-YEAR veterinary student Siobhan Quinn enjoyed a bronze section and overall win in a sizeable novice 5 class, with her seasoned campaigner St Andrews Relentless. From the Isle of Wight – like his owner – 16-year-old “Huckleberry” has travelled and stayed with Siobhan throughout her studies on the mainland. “When I bought him four and a bit years ago, he'd had quite an easy start to life and hadn't been out and about much,” she said of the 15.1hh Welsh/thoroughbred gelding. “But he's super-level-headed and he…

Hunters Equestrian, Glos GILL RICHARDS enjoyed two elementary bronze wins with Sherbert III, the 15.3hh Westfalian mare she bought two years ago. “We made masses of mistakes, so there's plenty to work on, but she's terrific,” said Gill. “While she took a while to settle when she came to me, she's now very sensible. “I've had more help with her than you can imagine,” added Gill. “We reached elementary last year and we've worked hard over winter consolidating the training, so I hope medium is in sight. We're not there yet, though, so we'll press on.” Beau Brotherton and Belharra excelled in their first medium to take the class outright. Beau, 16, teamed up with the 14-year-old Lusitano/thoroughbred stallion just nine months ago. “We bought him to give Beau some…

HIGHLIGHTS 12–13 April Edited by Gemma Redrup gemma.redrup@futurenet.com @gemmaredrup Cattistock, Chilfrome, Dorset “A HUGE relief,” is how Harry Ryall, trainer and owner of 2m 5f mixed open winner Another Furlough, described this result. The eight-year-old son of Shirocco has brilliant form in point-to-points, winning seven of his 14 starts. But a trip to Wetherby to run in a hunter chase in pursuit of a Foxhunter qualification didn't go to plan. “We were running out of qualification options and looking for decent ground and it didn't work out,” explained Harry. “He wasn't travelling from the word go and was pulled up. We have spent time since then building his confidence back up and slowly preparing him for a spring campaign.” This patience was duly rewarded here when winning by a length…

England and Wales final at Arena UK: arena eventing 1m ind.– 1, Llanberis Glacier (E Fairley Hobbs, Silverton Hunt); 2, Rebel Edward (H Davis, Vale of Aylesbury Hunt); 3, Quinella Z (A Veitch, Cumberland Farmers’ Hunt South). teams.– 1, Vale of Aylesbury (R Fowler, H & T Davis); 2, East Kent Hunt (L & M Day, E Norwood); 3, Pembrokeshire Hunt (R Luke, P Brown, T Curtis). 90cm ind.– 1, Kingston David (P Roe, Polden Hills); 2, Llangenydd Chase (M Day, East Kent Hunt); 3, Brother Bertie (A Whittington, Eridge). teams.– 1, Pembrokeshire Hunt (R Luke, P Brown, T Curtis); 2, East Kent Hunt (L & M Day, Z Webster); 3, Silverton Hunt (F Fairley Hobbs, L Oxley, J Coombes). 80cm ind.– 1, Fairfield Majesty (M Booty, Polden Hills); 2,…

BROCKLESBY 1 March Edited by Catherine Austen catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123…