Innehållsförteckning för 19-Jun-2025 från Horse & Hound

ROS CANTER continues to surprise herself with five-star wins, picking up another at Luhmühlen (report, p38) last weekend, while the rest of us have become quite complacent about Ros's incredible ability to perform under pressure on different horses at the highest level. Many will remember Ros retiring DHI Izilot by The Lake at Badminton last year, and understanding from her interview the challenges she faces with this incredibly talented but equally spooky horse. What they achieve together is inspirational. Ros wanted to improve on her performance at Luhmühlen with the horse last year, and explains how she prepared herself mentally as well as making changes to the horse's bit – swapping to a nathe pelham for the showjumping. After showjumping her other ride, Ros revealed: “I went and locked myself…

JALAPENO Gemma Stevens' ride has retired, aged 17. The Stones' Chilli Morning mare, who was sixth at Badminton 2024, was injured at Luhmühlen and is comfortable at home. SPANO DE NAZCA Georgia Bartlett's medal-winning eventer has retired from the top level, aged 19. The pair won two young rider European team silvers and completed Badminton. DSP FIGHTING LINE The Siegls' and Marianne Mühlböck's eventer has retired after his and Lea Siegl's fifth place at Luhmühlen. He and Lea came 15th individually at the Tokyo Olympics. CONTAGIOUS Showjumper McLain Ward's Tokyo Olympic team silver medallist has retired, aged 16. The pair won individual bronze and team gold at the 2023 Pan American Games. CONSPICUOUS Tamsin Woods' event horse, who competed at Badminton and Burghley with Tom Robinson, has died, aged 33.…

Badminton champion Ros Canter won her second CCI5* of 2025, and fifth of her career, at Luhmühlen with her own and Alex Moody's Izilot DHI. Report, p38. Showjumper Scott Brash and Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham's Hello Chadora Lady won their second Global Champions Tour grand prix of the season, on 14 June. The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association has appointed former British Horseracing Authority veterinary officer Naomi Mellor as CEO. Showjumper Tabitha Kyle, 17, made a Nations Cup debut for Ireland, on Greg Broderick's BP Goodfellas, helping the junior team to win in Hagen, Germany, on 14 June. Amateur eventer Caroline Bridge, 61, and her 21-year-old son Thomas won the BBC's Race Across the World series final on 11 June.…

oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr OPINION WITH equine welfare in the spotlight, never have stewards had so much responsibility bearing down on their shoulders. Yet unbelievably, just when consistency of governance is key to maintaining dressage's good name, these pillars of authority have few formal written guidelines to work to. Yes, the FEI – and by extension, British Dressage (BD) – stewards' “Bible” is currently in disarray. The old FEI stewards' manuals were taken offline in January after being deemed outdated. It was replaced with an online hub that lacks the technical depth and objective detail needed to support decisions when it comes to eliminations. Wondering how stewards can possibly make judgment calls with no clear guidelines, I decided to review what's available as we await updates. In current stewards' guidelines, for example,…

WEST NILE VIRUS (WNV) can infect horses if they are bitten by infected mosquitoes, with various mosquito species known to transmit the virus. These mosquitoes most commonly feed on birds, which are the primary hosts of WNV, and this has significant implications for the global spread of WNV, as birds can migrate long distances and introduce the virus to new regions. If infected birds arrive in an area with uninfected mosquitoes, the virus can be transmitted to the local mosquito population when they feed on the birds. Some of these mosquitoes can act as so-called bridging vectors if they then go on to bite and infect horses or humans, as well as birds. However, unlike birds, infected horses and humans do not carry enough virus in their blood to infect…

1 Buying based on trends Just because a trainer or pro rider uses a brand doesn't mean it's the right fit for your horse or your biomechanics. 2 Going second-hand without a fitting A “bargain” saddle could lead to expensive adjustments or injuries if it doesn't fit correctly. 3 Skipping brand research Know if the saddle is adjustable, what the adjustment process and cost is, and how durable the materials are. 4 Not insisting on a proper trial Always ride in it first – even if there's a fee. A short trial can prevent long-term regrets. 5 Not testing in real conditions Don't just walk and trot. School, hack or jump to see how it performs in real-life situations.…

HIGHLIGHTS 2–8 June 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 Senior Inter-regional Championships, Bury Farm Equestrian Village, Bucks WALES took their first team win in 14 years, with Willoway Chicago flying the flag for the victorious quartet, Pendine Sands. The New Forest gelding, now 21, headed both prelim classes with Maddie Maher. “I aimed to keep him calm, because as soon as he sees the whiteboards, his trot becomes so big,” said Maddie, who has owned her 14hh veteran for a decade. “As we came down the centre line on the first day, he felt incredible. “I train him by myself as he's quite…

Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ AUSTRALIAN Olympic rider Heath Ryan said he is sad an “awful” video has surfaced of him repeatedly whipping a young horse – which he described as part of a “rescue mission”, and which the FEI and Equestrian Australia (EA) are investigating. The 66-year-old, who competed at the 2008 Games in dressage and was eventing at four-star level in 2024, has been provisionally suspended as of 12 June. An EA spokesperson told H&H the federation is aware of the footage and had received a formal complaint. “EA is extremely alarmed and concerned by the treatment of the horse,” he said. “The person depicted in the video is a member of Equestrian Australia. EA is currently…

THE British Eventing Support Trust has benefited from a £1,000 donation thanks to Lycetts, Tom Rowland and Saffron Cresswell. The donation was announced at Lycetts' sponsored drinks party at Defender Bramham Horse Trials (5–8 June). Tom won the prize draw hosted by the insurance broker, and asked that it go to a cause “close to Saffron Cresswell's heart”. Saffron, who was paralysed in a cross-country fall at Bramham 2024, asked for the funds to go to the trust, which has “provided vital support since her fall”. “Saffron's strength, courage and positivity have moved the entire eventing community,” said Tim Slinger of Lycetts. “It was incredibly special to see her back at Bramham, surrounded by friends and fellow riders. “We're proud to support the British Eventing Support Trust, whose work is…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald OPINION AS I see it, the qualifiers for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) are an open invitation for people to manipulate the system. The newcomers, Foxhunter, grade C and talent seekers finals are fundamentally aimed at the same cohort of young horses. But despite this, all ages of horse are permitted in all of those finals. If the rules restricted the newcomers to seven-year-olds and under and Foxhunter to eight-year-olds and under, it would at least bring the classes somewhere in line. It would also help to stop horses who have competed up to CSI2* abroad but don't have the winnings on their records, which is making a mockery of the system. Currently, advanced eventers are even eligible – it's treading on a lot of young horses…

RIDER ANDREW GOULD “WE got Indigro as an Olympic prospect in 2022, and when you're looking for an advanced horse, it's never easy – they're usually so tuned in to their regular rider and you're pinning your whole future on an hour or two in the saddle. It's stressful. “But when I found him, I just knew. It's rare for me to feel an instant connection like that with a horse. “From the minute he came home, all we've had from him is better. We always knew how talented he was, but combine that with the right frame and the character he has, and it's what we're all looking for. “Competing in London has been the standout moment for us. It all came together – I got a personal best…

HORSE owners play a vital role in national surveillance efforts. Unlike mosquitoes and birds, which are monitored through structured public health programmes, there is no subsidised routine testing or surveillance system for horses. This means that early WNV detection in horses will rely heavily on owner awareness and prompt veterinary involvement. Without this vigilance, cases could go undiagnosed, during which time the virus may become more widely established. If your horse shows unexpected neurological signs, such as ataxia, tremors or limb weakness, contact your vet immediately and ask them to consider ruling out WNV as well as other causes of neurological disease such as equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1; vet clinic, 29 May) infection. In addition, owners should: ● monitor and report if there is unusually high mosquito activity in your area,…

THE right saddle can transform your horse's way of going and your effectiveness in the saddle – while the wrong one can lead to discomfort, poor performance and costly setbacks. From fit and function to expert advice and second-hand risks, understanding what to look for is essential. When it comes to fitting, independent master saddle fitter Sammy Leahy stresses the importance of staying open-minded. “Don't get fixated on a brand or model just because it worked for someone else,” she says. “Two horses in the same yard can have totally different needs.” Sammy, a Society of Master Saddlers qualified saddle fitter (QSF) registered on the Equine Fitters Directory, often sees the pitfalls of going it alone. “People buy multiple second-hand saddles hoping to save money, but if none of them…

ENGLAND team (vs France on 21 June, Cirencester Park Polo Club) ● Tegan Bristow ● Jemima Walker ● Heloise Wilson-Smith ● Milly Hine (captain) BOTH Jemima and Tegan (who played in the polocrosse World Cup in 2024) have benefited from the HPA Performance Pathway, set up by this writer and Andrew Barlow in 2023. It has provided them both with the opportunity to play high goal as substitutes, and the benefit of a group of highly experienced and talented mentors. Heloise started playing aged 11 at Millfield School, and now runs a polo school with her husband in Hampshire. Milly is from a polo family: her father Andrew captained the England team many times, and both her brothers are playing high goal in the Queen's Cup.…

DESPITE being diagnosed with breast cancer and positive lymph nodes just four months ago and being in the midst of chemotherapy, Jenine Williams was elated to jump clear and finish second in the Devon and Cornwall working hunter class with her 16-year-old grey gelding Silverlands Soldier Blue. “I am having weekly treatment but between my mum Kim and my friend Anna Goodman, we have kept Blue fit and ready for shows,” said Jenine, who has a port fitted to give intravenous access for treatments and took precautions jumping here by wearing her air jacket and safety stirrups. “I'm starting a stronger drug in a few weeks which will likely reduce what I can do so I've been pushing on when I can. I slept and rested between classes as the…

U-GENE scored a 71.4% outright prelim win at Chard EC, Somerset, on his first outing with event rider Theo Funnell. “I started work with him eight weeks ago after he'd just come out of some time off,” said Theo. “He's so chilled – he went home from the show and slept for 48 hours. “I've always loved dressage, and he has the mindset to go far – it's a great opportunity for me and his owners,” he added. “I train with Danny Anholt, who has been amazing. He's been drilling me on my seat and balance.” FIRST WINS…

HELPERS To Essex, where police found a loose horse, and despite a “poorly thought out” plan to catch it using string and a tape measure, finally succeeded thanks to a peacock. No more details needed, we love it. SHOPPING Spotted, online: “A mad axeman can't hide in the back seat of your car if it's full of saddles.” Good point. Time to go shopping; we're all about personal safety here. LETTERS We've had horses stop to pee at P, and buck at B, now a man is snapped carrying just one dressage letter out of the arena. “He's getting the F out of there,” a pal observed. SCAMMERS This week's award to the author of a lyrically written ad for a thoroughbred who's an athletic “bay chestnut brown”. I mean,…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound TURBO DAVE RULES! I THOUGHT I'd let you know about our super-speedy showjumping cob, 12-year-old Turbo Dave. My son Theo, aged 13, has been riding him for nearly five years and together they have had a lot of success. For example, they reached the Blue Chip Championships for the past two years and have been to the Hartpury championships for the past three, € nishing in the top 10 every year. “The EU's idea of horse welfare is shockingly low” SAM DEAN They were also invited to represent Somerset at Devon County Show this year in the mini-major and were paired up with professional rider Hayley Webster. The pair of them were in the lead,…

“I'VE known Indigro from the moment he arrived. He's definitely one of the biggest characters on the yard. He's totally food-obsessed and always making sure he gets your attention. “When he first came, he wasn't the cuddliest and he could be a bit grumpy when the yard was busy. But over time, he's really softened. Now he's affectionate, loves a nap in the afternoons and just seems really content with life. We call him Indi – but he gets the full Indigro when he's being naughty! “London stands out as the most special moment for me, too. He was one of the youngest there and he really showed everyone what he could do. I remember standing at the side of the arena feeling sick with nerves. “At home, there was…

FIND MORE GREAT PRODUCTS ONLINE For more saddles to suit a range of disciplines, visit horseandhound.co.uk/saddles WOW DUSKIN GP Scientifically tested, with a balanced seat and tree design that can be adapted for optimal fit and comfort. £1,560 wowsaddles.com AMERIGO DJ PINEROLO JUMP Features a wooden tree for stability and flocking system to prevent pressure points. From £4,507 grupposelleriaequipe.it SMART NATIVE EVENT Designed for wider, flat-backed equines. With unique sizing and an adaptable knee flap. From £2,750 smartsaddles.com EQUIPE ROSE SPECIAL DRESSAGE Deep ergonomic seat for a balanced rider position. With a lightweight and durable tree. From £3,293 grupposelleriaequipe.it BLISS LOXLEY JUMP Close-contact, mono-flap design. Shallow seat depth with moulded front blocks and unique three-point billet system. £2,780 bliss-of-london.com ALBION UNITY DRESSAGE Mono-flap design with choice of two seat profiles and…

AFTER 30 years without buying a new saddle, Malvern Riding School owner and coach Julie Davies-Bennett finally upgraded – and it changed everything. Initially, when she eventually did make a purchase, it wasn't quite right. Despite expert fitting, it kept slipping back on her Spanish horse Islero's large shoulders. Encouraged by a friend, Julie trialled a bespoke WOW demo saddle. “The difference was amazing,” she says. “It transformed Islero's movement.” She chose a mono-flap model on a flexible Y-shaped tree, tailored to suit Islero's shoulders. The final bill was £3,950, including custom trims. “It took me a while to get over the cost, but it's beautiful and comfortable, and I don't feel locked in. I can move my legs freely for movements like the tempi changes.” The results speak for…

LONGINES LUHMÜHLEN 12–15 June pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle Longines Luhmühlen, Germany SOME perceive the German five-star at Luhmühlen to be one of the “softer” competitions at this level, compared with the likes of Badminton and Burghley. But the way this year's showdown unfolded proved that it is foolish to underestimate the sum of its parts, despite the fact that dimensionally the cross-country isn't enormous and it is a relatively flat track. To prove the point, not one of the 47 starters completed on their dressage score and there were just 25 finishers. Ros Canter and the 12-year-old Izilot DHI came out on top, marking Ros's fifth five-star victory, while it was a second for “Isaac”, building on his 2023 Pau win. Ros has always been honest about this horse's inherent spookiness and…

Defender Bramham Horse Trials, W Yorks AFTER trying for 15 years, Polly Coles finally took home the hunter championship at Bramham Horse Trials on her own middleweight winner Bloomfield Valhalla. “He is like a fine wine year after year. I keep him for special occasions and big rings – the bigger the crowd the more he plays to them,” said Polly of the 13-year-old gelding. “I first won here at 17 years old on my middleweight Redwood Ash and have won and taken reserve over the years, but the championship has always eluded me until now. It was even more special today because it is my late grandfather's birthday,” added Polly. Michaela Bowling's homebred mare Lady Ethel landed a triumphant victory in the open working hunter class. By Landpirol out…

CHARLOTTE WALKER honoured the legacy of her “best friend” when she headed the HOYS grade C qualifier at Bramham Horse Trials, West Yorkshire, with Masterpiece F (pictured). The Harley VDL x Burggraaf gelding was bred in the Netherlands by Hendrika Florijn and bought from Ross Hill as a five-year-old by the late Mark Thompson. “Mark always said he was the best horse he'd ever sat on and I can see why,” said Charlotte, who pipped Jordan Thompson and Renkum Keyman in the jump-off. “I will forever be grateful to Mark and his brother Steve for the opportunity. It's a new thing for me to have a horse of this calibre.” Charlotte took the 16hh grey to Valencia last year to get to know him and while there, was offered the…

BRONZE FOR GB GREAT BRITAIN secured team bronze behind Italy and France at the FEI Veteran European Championships in Italy. In extreme heat, James Askew (The Lieutenant), Eve Hare (Shadow IV), Karen Gray (Lexus Hof Ter Zeedycke) and Antony Clarke (Toronto) finished on a team score of 18.12. WIN FOR BRASH SCOTT BRASH and Hello Chadora Lady (below) landed their second Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of 2025. Following up on their success in Shanghai, the speedy duo topped a high-octane eight-way jump-off in St Tropez. “She gives you so much confidence,” said Scott.…

Aintree International EC, Merseyside “HE'S the perfect family horse,” said Laura Borrell of Navarone, the seven-year-old gelding who scored prelim silver and outright novice wins. “I've had a few difficult ones, so I'm very appreciative of him – he's exceeded all our expectations.” Laura, who is new to dressage after a move from the showing world, bought “Robin” through Emily Bradshaw. “He came over from the Netherlands at two; I backed him before sending him to Emily's mum, Sue,” she said. “He's willing, very trainable and easy to take to shows on my own, while the dressage fits well with my lifestyle and two children.”…

Swallowfield Equestrian, Warks NEW partners Lewis Pratley and Kingston V scored outright novice wins. Lewis, who is riding “George” for Elaine Wallace, described the 10-year-old KWPN gelding as a “big, lovable character”. “He's pretty easy-going with nice paces and I'm delighted to have the ride,” said Lewis, a British Dressage List Five judge who trains with Jo Swain. “I hope to move up the levels with him.” Ruby Gumbley scored bronze section wins at medium and advanced medium with Nova's Golden Dream. Since starting engineering at Oxford Brookes and joining the university's racing team, Ruby has shifted focus with “Lily”. “Dressage is now much more of a hobby,” she explained. “My mum hacks her now, and I do the flatwork at weekends. We're still training with Kate Cowell and aim…

SOUTH OF ENGLAND 6–7 June catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 South of England, South of England Showground, W Sussex FOXHOUNDS IF hunting's fortune mirrors this year's South of England Hound Show, then we are in for a cracking season. Some of the country's finest hounds filled the ring to capacity, keeping both the avid aficionado and constant stream of passing spectators entertained all day. Fourteen packs declared and, although both championships were deservedly won by the Albrighton and Woodland (A&W), rosettes were spread far and wide. The morning started with a win for Thurlow Devon 24 in the restricted doghound class, which began a good day for the Suffolk hunt. The Puckeridge and The Essex took second with Blacksmith 23. Their hounds showed well, chipping away at the ribbons with their old English…

Who was your first pony? She was an overgrown Shetland called Cleo. She was very black and very evil. She was bombproof on the lead-rein but lethal off it. You also couldn't catch her in the field as she would run at you and try to bite and kick. What do you eat for breakfast? Cereal. What is your weirdest superstition before riding in a race? I always put my gloves on as I'm going into the paddock. If you weren't a rider, you would be… A paramedic. Which is your favourite TV show? We've recently binge-watched Yellowstone, 1883 and 1923. If you could have dinner with any three people, who would they be? Sir Mark Prescott, Robbie Williams and Ruby Walsh. How do you unwind after a raceday? By…