Innehållsförteckning för 5-Jun-2025 från Horse & Hound

SO many of us have fond memories of childhood summers filled with equestrian pursuits – from Pony Club rallies to long lazy hacks with saddlebag picnics. The smell of fly spray and haylage brings thoughts of those halcyon days flooding back. Perhaps that is one of the reasons members of the H&H team have been so enthusiastic about creating this week's issue, complete with our first junior special. With it we promise horse-mad children enough information and inspiration to have their best summer yet. From influencer Harlow White, who has a legion of fans on social media following her progress in the show ring (p50), to five-star event rider Alice Casburn (p42) who has overcome nerves to ride at the highest level, demonstrating an incredible bond with the home-bred Topspin,…

KYPRIOS The 2022 and 2024 Gold Cup winner, trained by Aidan O'Brien to win eight Group Ones, has retired aged seven, owing to the aggravation of an old ringbone lesion. DSP ROSE OF BAVARIA British dressage rider Laura Tomlinson's international grand prix winner, who retired from competition last year, has delivered her first foal, a colt by Viva Gold. CATCH ME NOT S The 2021 individual European bronze medallist and Olympic showjumper, ridden by Sweden's Peder Fredricson and owned by Ebba Berglöf, has retired aged 19.…

▲ PONIES To Australia, where a Shetland mascot escaped on a racetrack and went for a run (with snack stops). Good call. Nothing has ever been faster than a Shetland who doesn't want to be caught… ▲ STAYING ON A rider reveals that before each lesson, she tells her trainer: “I can't fall off and go to hospital today as I haven't shaved my legs.” Can't tell if this is a bit odd or an act of genius… ▲ SELLING A seller frustrated by chancers making low offers with, “I can pay cash,” snapped. “What else would I accept?” she asked one. “I stopped trading with chickens in the 1800s.” Perfection.…

A HORSE and rider who jumped clear at Badminton are taking on a 90cm hunter trials pairs – but not together. Fiona Kashel's friend Lynn Roberts will ride Creevagh Silver De Haar (Hero) while Fiona will ride Lynn's while Cob, at Munstead (12 July), for the Georgie Campbell Foundation. “Fiona said, ‘You could ride Hero round a hunter trial and I'll ride your cob,’” Lynn said. “I'm 60 this year and a bit of a wuss, and I thought she was joking. I'm bricking myself! “I said Fiona had given Hero a tune-up round Badminton so he should be all right – but I don't think she should ride the cob first, that's fair enough!” The pair hope to find purple shirts so they can ride in the colours, as…

Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald OPINION MY son Olli was back in British team action last weekend after a nasty injury had sidelined him for three months. We finished third out of 12 teams at Peelbergen in the Netherlands to qualify for the Nations Cup semifinal at Deauville. It really was a game of two halves; at the end of the first half, we looked well and truly out of it. Taisie de Gruchy's recent good form had got her into the team, but when La Presley CJS took an unusual exception to the water at fence four, it was game over for her as she became the drop score. It's always much harder when you're playing with a team of three, but the Brits made a real fight…

I HOPE you will enjoy our Junior Special, which is jam-packed with top ideas for having a brilliant summer with horses. Whether you are lucky enough to have your own pony, have access to someone else's, or are able to have lessons, watch or help out at a yard, take every opportunity you can to learn from these amazing animals and the people who care for them. There is no better way to spend time.…

Stable name: Maxine Colour: dark bay Height: 17hh Breed: Irish warmblood by Air Jordan SHE'S a proper sweetheart – we think she's like the little boy off Up as she wants to please but didn't always know where her legs were. When I first saw her, I looked over the stable door and said, “I'm not riding that!” I didn't want a mare and she had these huge ears and didn't look like an event horse. She didn't know what she was doing but she gave everything a go, and a good brain is so important. She's now successfully competing at CCI3*.…

About Mary Mary King is a British event rider. She has won two Badmintons and a Burghley, competed at six Olympics, winning team silver and bronze, and won many team golds at European and World Championships. Her most famous horses include King William and Star Appeal. Meet the riders Elsa and Merlin Elsa, 10, rides Merlin, who is 17 years old and a “super-cool, chilled” pony who loves jumping. Leah and Crunchie Leah, 13, rides Crunchie, who is 21. He loves swimming and dunking his whole head under water. Jumping is their passion. Top tip “If your pony snatches at the reins, don't tell him off with your hand, nudge him with your legs.” Exercise one PRACTISING SQUARE HALTS 1 Put two poles down parallel to each other like train…

HIGHLIGHTS 24–26 May Edited by Pippa Roome pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THIS PAGE? HAVE YOU WON A SECTION? Email eventinghighlights@gmail.com within 24 hours of your event and please include a contact telephone number Bishop Burton (1), E Yorks FREELANCE groom Elspeth Bryce and Lacoste made their final outing before Bramham CCI4*-L a winning one with open intermediate victory. Although the pair have chalked up eight years’ worth of placings from BE100 under-18 to four-star level – including seventh in the CCI4*-L at Blair Castle last year – this was the first time they had won. “‘Charlie’ has taken me from Pony Club to fourstar – he's my best friend,” said Elspeth, 22, who hails originally from Scotland but is now based at Angela Tucker's yard in…

HIGHLIGHTS 18–25 May Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr Felbridge Showground, W Sussex AFTER surviving major colic surgery a year ago, Brego I has been regaining form with a string of medium wins – the latest here in a competitive medium 5. “We're having fun,” said rider Sharon Edwards of her “giant” home-bred warmblood gelding. “He's not necessarily the most competitive horse on the yard, but he's very much the yard mascot. We made the decision to try surgery and Bell Equine surgeon Michael de Cozar was amazing. “Since then, it's been a mission to rebuild Brego's core,” added Sharon. “I competed both his dam and his damsire, so it very much feels like he's part of the family.” A winter of training paid off for Gemma Horne and Legendary,…

“HE'S like a breath of fresh air to me,” said Lisa Marriott of Times Orwell (Tynchy), a plus-72% novice 4 winner at Aintree. “He gives me light at the end of the tunnel.” Lisa, who suffered major injuries in an accident at the 2023 Addington CDI, faced further heartbreak last November: “Losing my grand prix horse Valucio knocked me, but having Tynchy softened the blow. ONE TO WATCH “He came to me in October and he's been so much fun. He has endless energy, expression and the ability to get big marks in every pace,” continued Lisa, who rides the Glock's Toto Jr son for Peter and Caroline Belshaw. “I've been riding professionally for 30 years, but he's a whole new level of excitement,” she added of the six-year-old, formerly…

HIGHLIGHTS 23–26 May 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 Second round show, Vale View Equestrian, Leics MADISON HEATH will head to her first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) since ponies, having won a competitive class in the Redpost Equestrian Foxhunter second round on BP Millionaire, a new ride for this year. Annabel Shields and Corrindubh Brother In Arms, first to go of 10 pairs to make the third round, set a bar which held for much of the jumpoff. But Madison, in a late draw with the seven-year-old gelding, snuck 0.50sec ahead. “There were some really good horses in it, and…

HIGHLIGHTS 19–25 May Edited by Bethan Simons bethan.simons@futurenet.com HAVE YOU HAD A NOTABLE WIN IN THE SHOW RING? Email bethan.simons@futurenet.com within 24 hours of the show for your chance to appear in this section Hertfordshire County, The Showground ATTENDING only her fourthever show, Heniarth Yours Faithfully (Faith) stood overall supreme in-hand and secured the coveted Price Family supreme in-hand qualifier. The Heniarth Question 12-year-old Welsh section A mare was shown by James Crockford on behalf of her owners, John Harvey and his niece Brooke Harvey, with her Sunwillow Jubilee foal, Elmswood Dear Sir, at foot. “She is a lovely little mare, and no trouble,” said John, who is better known for his riding ponies. “Brooke became interested in the section As when we had my other niece Beatrice's lead-rein pony…

Hambleton and District, Sutton Park, N Yorks MYLES COOPER and Liz Worthy's successful middleweight Under Attack ran through the card to clinch the hunter tricolour, ridden and overall supreme accolades, repeating their 2023 Hambleton result and securing the latter for Team Reynolds for the third year consecutively. However the team's “result of the day” came via Ruth and Menna Parker's five-year-old heavyweight cob Sterling (Murray), who made his showing debut a winning one, ridden by Simon Reynolds. “He is so special,” said Natalie, Simon's wife. “We are very excited about him.” The win was extra-special as the team tragically lost the Parkers’ Correl Wood (Ben), to colic in May last year, explained Natalie. “It left big shoes to fill and a huge hole in our hearts. Along came Murray –…

SUMMER SERIES Who was your first pony? A 12.2hh grey British Riding Pony called Bella. She was pretty mareish and naughty, but taught me lots. What's your go-to breakfast? Crumpets and a cup of tea. Favourite TV show? Friends. I can quote most of the episodes. If you could switch places with an athlete of any sport, who would you choose and why? Lewis Hamilton, 100%. I love F1 and the fast-paced lifestyle they lead. Lewis has achieved so much in his career and is definitely someone to look up to. The best holiday you've ever had? We rarely get away, but clubbing in Ibiza with my wife, Olivia (Liv), and her parents. They go annually! Do you have a secret talent? Before I committed to a career with horses,…

Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ CONCERN some top eventers at Badminton were too thin or under-muscled may show how common overweight horses are, it has been proposed, as people are reminded that fitness can have many faces. After Mars Badminton Horse Trials (8–11 May), numerous people shared pictures of horses on social media claiming they were underweight or had atrophied muscles. But, as H&H has reported, equine obesity is so common, it can mean people's view of “normal” is distorted, so horses who are lean and fit may be seen as too thin. Clare MacLeod, an equine nutritionist with more than 20 years’ experience, said: “I've been disappointed about some of the awful comments by people who don't understand…

LISTER'S FUTURE AND ROYAL NOD CLIPPING manufacturer Lister has secured its long-term future in the UK and been awarded a royal warrant by The King. Lister Shearing Equipment Ltd has completed a management buyout from US parent company Wahl, which “ensures the long-term future of the business”. The news came as Lister was awarded its royal warrant for supply of animal care products. “This is an incredibly exciting moment,” said managing director Sebastian Goodison. “By taking ownership of the business, we are securing its future and ensuring we remain committed to the values and craftsmanship that have defined us for more than 100 years. “To receive a royal warrant makes this all the more meaningful. It is a testament to the consistent quality and reliability of our products.” POLO CHARITY'S…

Eventer Gemma Stevens landed a Millstreet International double, winning the CCI4*-L on Flash Cooley and the CCI3*-L with Cooley Park Muze. Salisbury racecourse director Baroness Minette Batters will be independent chair of British racing's Horse Welfare Board from 1 July. Olympic team gold medallists Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson won the 50-strong CSIO5* Longines grand prix of Switzerland in St Gallen on 1 June. Former European showjumping champion André Thieme won the Hamburg Derby for the fourth time, with 11-year-old gelding Paule S. The Jockey Club has announced that Charlie Boss will be chief executive of Jockey Club Racecourses. He has been interim CEO since December.…

▼ BUYING Another seller was asked the price of a horse and confirmed £15,000. “I've got £12,000,” the buyer replied. “Sounds like you're £3,000 short then,” the seller concluded. Can't fault that maths. ▼ SCAMMERS This week's award to a scam seller who tried to get engagement by asking what the “20% rule” is. “It means only 20% of horse sellers on Facebook are genuine; the rest are scammers,” a rider replied. Quick work. ▼ WARM-UPS Overheard at a show, a non-horsey type watching the warm-up in awe. “Is this part of the test?” she asked. “Do they get extra marks if they emerge in one piece?” We think she was joking……

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound “AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE” WE recently returned from Royal Windsor after taking my 10-year-old granddaughter Bella Galley to compete in the veteran class with her wonderful pony, Millfield Upgrade, 20. She was the youngest in the class and very nervous as it was the biggest show she had ever done. Our thanks go to the other competitors who supported her and advised her, especially the lady riding The King's carriage horse, who gave her so much confidence with her advice and support. “We invite equestrians to be part of Great Big Green Week” SARA MCCRACKEN She didn't get placed but it was an amazing experience and the praise came from the effort not the…

EIGHT years after hanging up his showjumping boots and calling time on an outstanding career in the saddle, Nick Skelton has been thrust – somewhat reluctantly – back into the spotlight. A superb film charting his incredible life story hits British cinemas this Sunday (8 June) and he's on a carousel of premieres, interviews and Q&As, and even appeared as a guest on The One Show sofa shortly before we caught up with the double Olympic gold medallist during Royal Windsor. “I thought that it had all gone quiet, but it's all kicked off for me again,” says Nick with a grin. Big Star: The Nick Skelton Story has been several years in the making and is an enchanting all-access documentary film charting Nick's remarkable journey. It transports viewers through his…

MY top supporters were all called John: ● John Daniell was the backbone of the Berkeley and had an incredible eye for a horse. He advised me how to ride most of my races, came to 90% of them and would dissect them with me afterwards. ● John Oaksey was such a character and an enormous help. I was in a team chase team with him, which could get hairy as he was so competitive! He walked courses with me and was keen to open the sport up to women. ● my husband John White was an integral part of the training at home, with advice, encouragement and enthusiasm. He was, and still is, my greatest supporter.…

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My cheekiest pony SINCE moving the ponies to our home last year, we've got to know their little perks and quirks. Popcorn (pictured, below) is the cheekiest. He does a lot of tricks – he could go on Britain's Got Talent. But they all have cheeky moments. It's the ponies’ world, we're just living in it! My greatest achievement WE'VE only been into riding and competing properly for four years and it's amazing to see how far we've come. I'm proudest of my showing, especially winning my class at the Royal International on Rolo, then going on to win the British Show Pony Society Heritage mountain and moorland supreme mini championship (pictured, right) That was a “wow moment”. It's one of my favourite shows and we produce Rolo ourselves, which…

Lottie Fry Q What's your favourite movement on Glamourdale? Amilie, 10 (rides Pip and Troy) A “Probably the extended canter, the extended trot, the half-passes… oh, do I have to pick just one? If I really have to pick one, then the extended canter, because it's amazing, he's amazing, it feels like flying. But to be honest, there's nothing that I don't like doing on Glammy, because it's all amazing!” Q How did you first get into dressage? Jessica, 10 (Lucky) A “I was born into the dressage world through my parents, and especially my mum because she did it. From the beginning, it's only ever been dressage, there's never been anything else that has ever interested me!” Becky Moody Q What would you do with a horse that performs…

If you scored: 10-17 Thoroughbred Speedy, athletic and keen to compete, you're a sensitive soul with fire in your belly. 18-25 Connemara You're playful, sporty and big-hearted, with a sense of adventure and fun. 26-33 Welsh Mountain Pony You're brave, smart and full of spirit. You love exploring, playing with your mates and excel at whatever you put your mind to. 34-40 Shetland You may be small, but you're tough, strong and won't take any nonsense.…

Hunters Equestrian, Glos SEAGRY VICEROY made easy work of his prix st georges (PSG) debut, winning the class outright with 69%. “He was brilliant – he cruised around,” said Abbie Newbury, who rides seven-yearold “Roy” for the Seagry Stud. “He'd picked up the changes and pirouette work quickly, and we felt he was ready. “We always take them in their own time, but Roy has been so good that we've been able to fly,” added Abbie, who is competing the Vitalis gelding's dam, Seagry Firstamour, at inter I. “We joke that he doesn't know how good he is.” Tash Langley got a good tune out of Jenny Wren to head the medium 4 silver section. After loaning the 16.1hh Florencio mare from Ashley Jenkins in the winter, Tash jumped at…

STANDARD Shetland mare Eynhallow Contessa gave her breeder Brenda Laing reason to celebrate, landing the breed title at Fife Show. The eight-yearold – by Sapphire Vision – is out of Eynhallow Belle, champion at Fife in 2017 when Contessa was a foal. Contessa stood foal champion that same day. Contessa had a highly successful run in foal and youngstock classes, with wins and championship spots at several notable shows including the Shetland pony breed show, Central Scotland Shetland Pony Group and the Great Yorkshire. “Contessa is one of our favourites,” said Brenda. “She's a joy to show but is equally a great mum and will hopefully be out next year with a foal at foot.”…

Edited by Catherine Austen catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 WHEN I arrived at the South Dorset in 1969, I was fortunate in that I took over a fine pack of hounds and a country in very good heart indeed. This was due to my predecessor, Captain Simon Clarke, who had been persuaded to move to the crack Shire country of the Cottesmore, having completed seven seasons at the South Dorset. In a hunting career spanning 32 years, Simon Clarke achieved a reputation as one of the finest masters of foxhounds, amateur huntsmen and hound breeders of his day. Simon's father had been killed in World War II and his mother married Major Gerald Gundry, who for 34 years was the Duke of Beaufort's joint-master and huntsman of the Badminton doghound pack. Simon's vocation…

OLWEN BRIANT THE passionate producer of mountain and moorland (M&M) ponies – including The late Queen's Carltonlima Emma – and founder of Picton Stud, died on 4 May aged 81, following a long illness. Olwen developed a love of horses as a child. She showed and bred show ponies, but always had a Dartmoor or Welsh section B as a “fun pony”. From here her passion for M&Ms grew; she loved their hardiness and versatility. Olwen bought Lunesdale Lucky Lady, and in 1992 she became the first Fell Olympia ridden M&M champion. Another notable pony was Highland stallion Snowydene, who took the same title in 2000. Both ponies featured in Olwen's small breeding operation, Picton Stud. In 1999, following success at Royal Windsor, Olwen was approached about producing ponies for…

Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr OPINION HAVING recently come back from European soil, it feels like the competition season is well on its way. From epic journeys due to strikes in Calais, resulting in changes of plan, to a variation in how the new noseband device was implemented, it's been an adventure to say the least. First, I was at Addington CDI with my home-bred nine-year-old, Full Moon, who was making his international grand prix debut – and it was also my first time competing internationally with my cousin's lovely horse, Issey. It was a great way to test the waters at that level, and both horses performed well, giving me the confidence that they were ready to travel further afield and gain valuable experience. They certainly gained mileage,…

The Arkle Challenge Trophy STILL Ireland's most famous horse, Arkle (19 April 1957–31 May 1970) changed the rules of the game. Irish handicappers introduced a two-tier system, based on whether he ran or not. Sired by Archive (offspring of leading sire Nearco, but he never won a race), bought for the equivalent of about £35,000 and sent to Irish trainer Tom Dreaper by his owner the Duchess of Westminster, Arkle's career coincided with the beginning of televised racing. He was the first celebrity racehorse with an assistant to answer his fan mail (marked to “Himself, Ireland”) to prove it. He was gentle. Children sat on him, he spent time rounding up sheep on the farm and enjoyed two pints of Guinness daily. Alert in the parade ring and exuberant in his…

How to play 1 Shuffle and deal out the cards. 2 Players take turns choosing a category from their top card. 3 Everyone reads out their value; the highest wins and takes all top cards, adding them to the bottom of their pile. 4 The player with all the cards at the end wins. PLEASE NOTE: the category values are 100% fictional – they're just for fun and to keep the game balanced! Categories: PACES – dressage ability JUMPING ABILITY – clear-round rate and scope COURAGE – bravery in high-stakes situations SPEED – how fast they can gallop WINNER'S INSTINCT – how much desire they have to take the trophy CUTENESS – the “awww” factor How about making a Trot Trump card of your own horse or pony? Share your…

so pretty…

Blindley Heath (1), Surrey EMILY HATCH and her “very special” 15-year-old gelding, Whisper IV, sealed victory in BE100 section O despite rolling a pole in the showjumping. “He's prone to having a rail or two down, so my game plan recently has been to work really hard on our dressage to try and make sure we have a cushion should we need it,” said Emily, who works in finance and bought Whisper, by Wish Upon A Star, as a six-year-old with dreams of going to the Badminton grassroots championship. Her dressage strategy paid off and the duo's score of 23 left them comfortably able to afford a dislodged coloured pole. “He's an amazing horse who has not only taken me to Badminton, but also given me the chance to ride…

HIGHLIGHTS 18–25 May Aintree International EC, Merseyside A HORSE who broke his back in five places three years ago scored prelim 4 silver and outright prelim freestyle wins. Equine vet Emily Westwood has described her 17hh Irish gelding The Graduate II, known as Bob, as “a true miracle”. Bob sustained the injuries when he became stuck under the rear bar of a trailer after an altercation with another horse. “I just remember saying, ‘He's broken his back,’ because it was like a V,” said Emily. “We managed to get the bar off, and his whole chest looked like it had exploded. That's the only way I can describe it.” Emily, who took Bob on when her friend Christina, his previous owner, died, explained that the 14-year-old recovered with months of…

CAROLINE SAYNOR'S five-year-old home-bred mare So Perfect CJS scored outright and gold section prelim wins on her BD debut at Yorkshire Dressage, South Yorkshire, under Emma Corbett. After being orphaned at just three weeks old, “Sofi” was hand-reared by Caroline. “She's adorable – very bold but not bolshy. She's also very trusting of humans, but not typical of an orphaned foal,” said Caroline, who fed the Springbank II daughter milk from a bowl every two hours. “We have very high hopes for this one.”…

KIRSTINE DOUGLAS piloted Morean Hamilton's small hunter Annaghmore Huntress to the hunter title on her season debut at Dumfries and Galloway. The sevenyear-old had a superb first season last term, standing reserve supreme hunter at the Royal Highland, champion at BSPS Scotland, first at the National Hunter Show, and sixth at the RIHS despite being a novice. “She's unbelievable, such a beautiful mare,” said Kirstine. “She takes everything in her stride and just thrives out showing – she loves the job.” Kirstine also rode Morean's former racehorse, Richard Strauss (Richie; pictured, right) to win both their ridden Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and RIHS large hack classes. Richie ran 49 times and won on the flat and over hurdles, trained by Philip Kirby. “He's a real character, a lovely little horse…