Innehållsförteckning för 28-Aug-2025 från Horse & Hound

WHILE we launch into this week’s Dressage European Championships we also look ahead with excitement to Defender Burghley Horse Trials. Two-time Burghley winner Pippa Funnell kindly took time out to walk the course and give her expert insight into how riders should best approach this year’s track (preview, p30). With this she gives spectators the ultimate guide to understanding the challenges this year’s riders face – and what to expect from the course, which is running in the opposite direction for the first time in eight years. We may have jinxed the weather slightly by featuring managing horses through heatwaves in this week’s vet clinic (p24), but it’s a very worthy consideration as we see summers consistently heating up on average and want to know how best to help our…

QUALITY STREET HK Horses’ 14-year-old, who won team bronze and individual gold with Rachel Proudley at the young rider European Championships, has been sold abroad. DORADA The derby specialist, who won all over the world in all types of class has died aged 27. Shane Breen and William Funnell both rode him and paid tribute to his character and ability. STATTLER The 2022 Cheltenham Festival winner won the Retraining of Racehorses amateur ridden class at Scone horse trials with Beth Clark. He also ran in the 2024 Grand National.…

SLEEPING An email sent to H&H Towers warns of dire consequences if animals sleep on your bed. “In the room, not on the bed,” it orders. Fair enough for the warmbloods, not sure about the Shetlands… ACCURACY To a show at which a rider knocked down every other fence. “What sort of [insert rude word] was that?” her father asked. Unabashed, she replied: “Consistent!” Perfect. SOCIAL MEDIA Top marks to Farr and Pursey vets for its video showing how, and how not, to film a trot-up using Dobbin, a panto horse. Who was Dobbin, is the question, and is he off in front, or behind? IRONY A national website reports its shock that a tennis star has been treated by a chiropractor who also treats horses. And were that not…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. A REASON TO KEEP GOING PEOPLE who ride with a stoma (news, 14 August) are not alone. I have had mine since October 2009, and this is the second one I’ve had. I have hereditary polyposis, which is a defective gene that causes bowel cancer. In 1995, at age 24 I had all of my large intestine removed and have since had 20 further abdominal operations. I just don’t let anything get in my way, although paintballing is a no-go! The horses give me a reason to keep going. Don’t let adversity define who we are. Kathy Loweth Finchampstead, Berks “Don’t let adversity define who we are” KATHY LOWETH HAVE YOUR SAY Do you feel strongly about an…

IF you follow British dressage, chances are you’ve seen Alex Harrison-West somewhere – riding, judging, teaching or behind the mic presenting a showcase evening. He’s seems to be everywhere, doing everything, all at once. Which is why it’s the calm that hits me most when I arrive at the Somerset base he shares with husband Jonny Clarke-West. Ten minutes ago, I was in chaotic traffic on the outskirts of Bristol. Now, I’m standing at the end of a heat-hazed lane with no sounds but the hum of distant farmwork and the beat of hooves from the indoor arena, where Alex is riding. For a moment, it’s hard to imagine the life that goes on here ever moving at speed. The horse Alex is riding is Emma Blundell’s Mount St John…

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KATIE MAGEE spent years wondering whether the roads would eventually lead to five-star. However, the 43-year-old best Badminton debutante is proof that if you keep grafting and laying the foundations, it only takes one horse to turn the dream into a reality. “There were definitely times I doubted it would happen,” admits the new British open champion. “For five years during my 20s, I didn’t even ride above novice level.” Before her current partner, Angela Hislop’s Treworra (pictured), Katie had other horses qualified for five-star, but for various reasons they never made it to the start line. “The first, Dollarney, was entered for Burghley in 2019 having been placed at Bramham, but she tweaked something about 10 days out and that was that,” explains Katie, who had to wait until…

CLODAGH WALSH, 16 HORSE: Chantal, 16 BREEDING: Christ 3 x Del Piero BREEDER: Hans-Hermann Maack OWNER: Alan Walsh GRADE: I ABOUT: Waterford’s Clodagh, the youngest rider here, makes her championship debut with Chantal, who was formerly competed by compatriot Rosemary Jean Gaffney at the 2022 worlds. Still developing at this level, they’re capable of breaking 70% in the team and individual tests. KATIE REILLY, 17 HORSE: Keystone Dawn Chorus, 14 BREEDING: Dimaggio x Escudo 19 BREEDER: Suzanne Lavendera OWNERS: Kathleen Heavey, John Norcross and rider’s parents Brendan and Karen Reilly GRADE: III ABOUT: number one in the world individual under-18 rankings, Katie had to retire at the 2023 European Championships on Impulz W. She now has Keystone Dawn Chorus and found impressive form. JESSICA MCKENNA, 24 HORSE: DCI Cerruti, 14 BREEDING: Christ 3 x unlisted BREEDER: Raimund Vorwerk OWNERS: Elder Klatzko, rider and…

THE VENUE The 2025 European Para Dressage Championships will be held at the Dutch National Equestrian Centre in Ermelo, the Netherlands. The international venue provides a striking backdrop as Europe’s best riders compete for the titles. THE JUDGES The judging panel includes Jeannette Wolfs (NED) as president, Marc Urban (BEL), Sarah Rodger (GBR), Dr Jan Holger Holtschmit (GER), Marjukka Manninen (FIN) and Pia Pedersen (DEN). CAN I BUY TICKETS? Tickets are on sale now. General admission is from €7.50 (around £6.50) per day. A season ticket covering all days costs €12.50. The venue is around an hour east of Amsterdam and close to the Het Loo Crown Estate. HOW TO WATCH Follow all the action live on FEI.TV and Clipmyhorse.tv Free audio coverage will be available via Gazeti, accessed through…

SHB (GB) NATIONAL HUNTER CHAMPIONSHIPS 12–13 August SHB (GB) National Hunter Championships, Addington Equestrian, Bucks CAMILLA DAVIES and her beloved Glenkeeran Dance In The Deep (Fintan) won all three of their classes, including the Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain (SHB (GB)) lightweight hunter final title, taking the amateur and home-produced championships along the way, but it was a different story just 12 months ago. “This time last year, we were anxiously waiting by the phone to hear that he had come round from having his second operation to remove a trapped pocket of infection,” said Camilla, who has previously taken the supreme ridden title here in 2021 and 2022. “Thankfully, Fintan’s a fighter and the operation was a success. He feels better than ever and he’s back doing what…

Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ BRITAIN has lost 84 precious riding schools since 2022 – but the rate of closures has slowed, and there is praise for the resilience of those who are surviving, and thriving. The British Horse Society (BHS) found 250 schools closed from 2018 to 2022, a 15% drop leaving 1,497 (news, 9 March 2023). Now a further 84 have closed; BHS CEO James Hick told H&H this 6% drop is less bad, “but is still a very stark number”. “We estimated last time that it was more than one million hours of riding opportunity lost per year,” Mr Hick said. “This is another half of that. More than 80% of people learn, get their first experience of horses, in…

BURSARY PROJECT INVITES RIDERS APPLICATIONS are open for the Georgie Campbell Foundation bursary. The charity, set up in memory of the five-star eventer who suffered a fatal cross-country fall last year, is giving a two-year bursary including training and business support. Applicants must show their need for support, ambition and “alignment with Georgie and the foundation’s core values”. “We set up the foundation to give back to the sport Georgie loved,” said Georgie’s husband Jesse Campbell. “In addition to working to improve safety, we will provide the help that would have made it easier for young Georgie to set up her business.” Riders must be registered with British Eventing, have competed to CCI3* and have an early-stage eventing business. ● Visit: georgiecampbellfoundation.org.uk by 30 September FUNDRAISERS FOR TRAINING SCHEME THE British…

Laura Collett and London 52 were the first winners of The Malcolm Group CCI4*-S class at the new Scone Palace International Horse Trials. Report, p52. British eventer Ella Howard won junior individual European gold with Marchwood, plus Britain’s young riders took team bronze. Report, 4 September. British carriage driver Roger Campbell won individual silver at the pairs World Championships, also helping the British team to the silver medal. Trainer Willie Mullins won Flat racing’s richest handicap, York’s £300,000 Sky Bet Ebor handicap, with Ethical Diamond, ridden by William Buick. Showjumper Harrie Smolders and Monaco won their second Global Champions Tour grand prix this season, on home soil in the Netherlands. Report, p68.…

oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscnwilliams AS entries dwindle at many dressage shows, I was shocked to see the trend spilling over to the regional championships. Some venues even issued last-minute “entry reminder” pleas. So, at the height of summer – why? Money, of course, but is there also a feeling of hopelessness? At the highest level, our top riders are peerless, with plenty of up-and-coming young talent on superb horses snapping at their heels. But the everyday rider, of whom there are many more, now stays at home. British Dressage is inclusive, offering classes and championships for most. The void appears to be from elementary to prix st georges. The top end is full at some Premier League shows, but at other venues not so, and some silver regionals have been sparse. Area…

Defender BURGHLEY preview Follow all the action with H&H ● Horse & Hound will have four journalists and a photographer on the ground at Burghley throughout the competition. WEBSITE Horse & Hound will be creating extensive online coverage of Burghley in addition to what will be included in the magazine report. Our coverage will include: Course photos of the five-star cross-country track on Wednesday, 3 September. Fashion photos from the first trot-up. Times for the next day’s competition so you know when your favourites compete. Breaking news and numerous reports on all the action as it unfolds throughout the event. Interviews with first-timers, comeback stars, British heroes, grooms and more. Report on the Dubarry Burghley young event horse final. To keep reading after five articles, readers will need to buy…

MARI DURWARD-AKHURST, 31 HORSE: Athene Lindebjerg, 18 BREEDING: Gribaldi x Diamant BREEDERS: Ulla and Kristian Bech OWNERS: Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Romilly Hart GRADE: I ABOUT: Mari was a silver medallist from the 2019 Europeans, made her Paralympic debut in Paris with Athene, recovering from a disappointing sixth in the individual test to win bronze in the freestyle. A fresh-faced team will lean on her experience. GABRIELLA BLAKE, 32 HORSE: Strong Beau, 16 BREEDING: Spinway Blackthorn x Balda Beau BREEDER: S Amos OWNERS: rider and her parents Gavin and Estelle Blake GRADE: I ABOUT: Gabby and Strong Beau won individual and team bronze at the last Europeans before just missing out on the Paralympic team. They come to Ermelo in good form, scoring a freestyle personal best (78.94%) in their last test. JEMIMA GREEN, 36 HORSE: Fantabulous, 7 BREEDING: Foundation…

FROM HEARTBREAK TO HOPE AFTER heartbreak in Paris 2024, where she travelled as Germany’s reserve but never started, Melanie Wienand returns to the Europeans hungry for success. She and Lemony’s Loverboy won individual bronze and team silver at Riesenbeck 2023, a breakthrough that marked them as grade III contenders. Their bond is deeply personal – Melanie bought the gelding as a foal while recovering from a life-changing head injury and has produced him herself. Now 12, Loverboy is established at the level, and the pair will aim to show that their Riesenbeck podium was only the beginning. ONE LAST DANCE? AT 59, poultry farmer Félix Gómez González brings both grit and experience to the Spanish team with his long-time partner, the 18-year-old Rascalino stallion Merlin. Left paraplegic after an accident…

HEADING to Ermelo, tuning in from home, or just keeping tabs on the action? Horse & Hound is your ultimate guide to the European Para Dressage Championships. From breaking news and expert reports to interviews, photography, and behind-the-scenes insight – we’ll bring it all to you, as it happens. WEBSITE IN addition to our full magazine report, H&H will be publishing extensive online content direct from Ermelo, including: live updates and rolling coverage every day – from the battle for team medals to individual showdowns daily round-ups with essential results, standout stats and the biggest talking points exclusive interviews with top contenders, rising talent, returning legends, British stars, grooms and more To keep reading after five articles, readers will need to buy a subscription either to the website or to…

ALEC LOCHORE said the organising team received a “lot of positive feedback and learned an enormous amount about the venue”, and he was happy with how the courses rode. EVENT DIRECTOR’S VIEW “I was surprised how influential the Howden water was, I think we’ll modify that a little bit, but that’s one of those first-year learning things,” he said. The event welcomed 27,500 spectators throughout the week. “I’m immensely proud of the team at Perth Racecourse and Scone Palace, and the wider volunteers and contractors,” said Alec, adding thanks to the hosts, the Mansfield family, who had taken “a massive leap in faith” in taking on the event, which is confirmed until 2031. “This isn’t Blair mark II, this is Scone Palace, and this is the first iteration here of…

TARKA ABRAHAM and her home-bred six-year-old gelding Ace Figaro (pictured) found themselves in the winner’s enclosure in a novice at West Wilts (2) – a remarkable result given that Tarka broke every vertebra in her neck in a freak accident at Osberton last October. “I forgot where I was going on the cross-country and crashed headfirst into a tree. I was extremely lucky to keep my spinal cord intact,” said Tarka, who spent eight days in the hospital and required surgery to insert a cage and replace a disc in her neck. “It was a long recovery, and we were unsure about my future as we didn’t know if the swelling would cause any issues. I started riding again in February, and it’s taken a while to compete and feel…

Chard Equestrian Area Festival, Somerset THE most successful partnership at the show was Jane Littlejohn and her 17.3hh seven-year-old Just Wimphof son, Not Just Anyone, who won both medium silver classes and the elementary silver straight title. Jane has owned and produced “Jet” since he was two years old. “He’s strong and powerful but has a lovely nature – my 10-year-old daughter Mia can handle him,” Jane said. “We missed out the novice stage and went from prelim to elementary and medium. I think he’s quite talented, so I thought I would give it a go. We’d just been to a four-day boot camp with Luis Vilhena and it really helped him come more together.” The elementary bronze freestyle winners were Claire Gettinby and Headmore Dramatica (by Dimaggio), who bought…

“I PROBABLY shouldn’t have been riding again,” said Polly Coles, who suffered a crashing fall five weeks ago at Great Yorkshire after her cob slipped coming out of the gallop. “I don’t remember anything about it, it was a freak accident,” added Polly, who broke two ribs, bruised her liver and suffered a concussion. Here, Polly rode Chris Skelly’s four-year-old Shire mare Levanthorpe George’s Girl to top the novice heavy horse class on her ridden debut. “There aren’t many novice heavy horse classes about, so this was an exciting start to her career under saddle – we are all looking forward to her future,” said Polly. AGAINST THE ODDS…

• The Grove Hunt branch’s Lucy Baguley, 18, won section A with home-bred Dolphins Dynamo – by her 14.2hh 2022 Europeans ride Glencarrig Dolphin – despite learning the wrong dressage test: “I learnt the proper one in a stressful 10 minutes but he’s so consistent, and I’m thrilled as he spent all of last year recovering from being cast and breaking his leg.” • Burghley branch member Matilda Hind, 16, topped section B on the experienced 20-year-old mare Weston One Vision: “It was the toughest course I’ve ever done. “I was nervous about the big logs downhill and the combination, but she’s so special and tries her heart out. She gives me the confidence to believe in myself.” • Rosie Moreton, 16, also victorious in the PC100 team showjumping for…

RYDAL 14 August catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 Rydal, Rydal Park, Cumbria THE hunting faithful who congregated at Rydal this year were blessed with perfect weather to see the outstanding Blencathra bitch Satin 19 retain her championship crown for a third year running. As temperatures hit the mid-20s, the perfectly proportioned hound glided around the ring, with huntsman Barry Todhunter looking alert and amenable despite the heat. In the show of Coniston foxhounds, Ullswater huntsman John Weller was tasked with sorting through a strong showing of entered and unentered hounds. Fellhounds are shown by their walkers and, as demonstrated by those in the ring, walking hounds is a family affair including all ages from grandchildren to grannies. The winning entered bitch, well put-together Dido 22, was shown by Pauline Cummings, ably assisted by…

SHETLAND pony Corporal Cruachan IV joined the guard of honour to officially welcome The King to Balmoral – marking the start of His Majesty’s summer holiday. The pony, who took a cheeky swipe at The late Queen’s bouquet at one of their many meetings some years ago, is the beloved mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. He joined Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, to greet His Majesty on 18 August, standing with his handler, Pony Major Corporal Rory Stewart, as The King inspected his Royal Guard. “Balaklava Company has the unique privilege of supporting His Majesty The King and the royal household during their summer court in Scotland,” said Major Tommy Blair, the officer commanding the company. “It’s a huge honour to command this parade marking His Majesty’s arrival at…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald RING etiquette and conduct at pony shows needs some serious thought. Speak to anyone who has jumped a season on the junior British Showjumping circuit and you’ll hear enough stories to fill a book. What worries me is how it’s impacting junior riders. Some of the behaviour I have witnessed – and recently been on the receiving end of – isn’t acceptable. There are trainers openly speaking disrespectfully to other trainers, there is abusive language if it doesn’t go well, people refusing to go in for a mounted presentation when they’re unhappy with their placing, kids put under excessive pressure and jealousy towards other competitors. Stewards and stipendiaries dish out reminders, but it’s becoming an everyday occurrence. To these kids, professional riders and trainers are idols and if…

The 2025 event will be live-streamed in the UK and worldwide on Burghley TV. Visit burghley-horse.co.uk/burghley-tv for more information and to subscribe. New presenter Tom Stanley joins the line-up, alongside Nick Luck, while John Kyle and Nicole Brown will again anchor the commentary, supported by Tina Cook and Nicola Wilson. Nick Burton will give his dressage insight, with Carl Hester also on the mic on Friday. Between them, the team will deliver interviews and feature content plus a daily highlights show, and every step of the action from the Wednesday trot-up to the final showjumping rounds and prize-giving, as well as the masterclasses. The Burghley young event horse final will also be shown. The £25 annual subscription enables you to watch live or on demand, plus gives access to archive…

PARA riders are grouped into five grades according to how their impairment affects their riding. Grade I is for the most severely impaired athletes (tests are ridden in walk), while grade V is for the least (walk, trot, canter and lateral work). Grades II and III compete in walk and trot, and Grade IV includes all three paces plus lateral work. Riders in grades I-III compete in the short arena, while riders in grades IV and V ride in the long arena. Nations can send either two individuals or one team of three or four. Every team must include at least one rider from grades I to III, and no more than two from the same grade. HOW ARE INDIVIDUAL MEDALS DECIDED? THE championships open with the para grand prix…

TOBIAS THORNING JØRGENSEN DANISH superstar Tobias and his mare Jolene Hill (above) are former grade III Paralympic champions and reigning World and European champions. But their chance to defend Paralympic gold in Paris 2024 was snatched away just days before the Games, when Jolene fell ill with travel sickness and they were forced to withdraw. “My own ambitions and dreams must never, ever weigh more than Jolene’s wellbeing,” Tobias said at the time. Now fully recovered, Jolene has made one competitive return, narrowly beaten by Dutch rider Rixt van der Horst and Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP – setting up a tantalising grade III showdown. RIXT VAN DER HORST THE aforementioned Dutch pair have already proven their class, finishing runners-up in all three grade III tests in Paris to Rebecca Hart…

SCONE PALACE 21–24 August pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle Scone Palace, Perthshire EUROPEAN Championships-bound Laura Collett and London 52 became the winners of The Malcolm Group CCI4*-S at the inaugural Scone Palace Horse Trials, when they posted a foot-perfect clear inside the time to snatch the win from Ros Canter and Izilot DHI. “London seems to get better and better with age, he’s such a professional,” said Laura, who completed on a score of 22.5. The competition went down to the wire; Ros and 12-year-old Izilot, owned by Ros and Alex Moody, led after the dressage by 0.2 of a penalty, but briefly dropped their lead when they recorded 0.4 of a time-penalty showjumping. Laura and 16-year-old London – owned by Laura, Karen Bartlett and Keith Scott – then replicated this, pushing Ros…

OLIVIA TURNER and Odin Van De Koolhof secured their spot at the BE90 Badminton grassroots championships when they recorded their first-ever British Eventing triumph in the regional final at Frickley Park. Odin Van De Koolhof (Jack) is a six-year-old KWPN gelding whom accountant Olivia bought as a four-year-old. The pair are based with Colina Pickles. “He’s the first youngster I’ve had, and everyone keeps telling me they’re not normally as easy as him. He’s so good on the ground and so talented. He’s the dream,” said Olivia. “He did me proud at Frickley and produced one of his best dressage tests to get 27.5, following it up with a clear round showjumping, which pushed us to the top of the leaderboard. “After walking the cross-country, I was worried it may…

HIGHLIGHTS 11–17 August Dressage at Belmoredean, W Sussex NATHALIE WAHLUND, who rides for Italy, had a successful pre-Europeans run on Julia Harrison’s Gørklintgårds Scorpion, scoring 72.39% in the grand prix. “He gave me a nice feeling, a clean test and felt confident in the arena,” said Nathalie, who trains with Sune Hansen. “He had done a few green PSGs when I took him on two years ago. He knew some of the tricks, but going in a straight line wasn’t easy! He’s now a lot stronger in his body. It’ll be the first senior championship for both of us.” Novice spoils went to Rachael Hawkins and Louise and Eliza Moody’s seven-year-old Nero IV, who was bought in the Netherlands as a four-year-old and came to Rachael when he was five.…

MENDOZA RETURNS TO WINNING WAYS GREAT BRITAIN’S Jessica Mendoza triumphed in the CSI2* Sprucewood Tack grand prix at the Major League Showjumping (MLSJ) in Toronto riding her great partner I-Cap CL Z. The venue’s five-star Kubota grand prix went to Daniel Bluman of Israel riding Corbie VV after an eight-way jump-off. “This is an important night as it’s Corbie’s first five-star win and I really believe in this horse,” said Daniel of the 10-year-old mare. “Her percentage rate of clear rounds in five-stars is arguably one of the best in the world, but my percentage of failures in the jump-offs is probably also one of the biggest! Hopefully this win is only the first.” CONTARIO CARRIES GERMAN CELEBRATIONS THE CSI4* 1.60m Al Shira’aa Munster grand prix was won by Germany’s…

JO MARTIN’S home-bred and home-producer Wystone Keepsake (Mavis) – by CHAPS graded stallion SD Prince out of Custom Made Fascination – gained a first premium in her youngstock evaluations and then stood supreme champion of the youngstock evaluations. Not done there, she also won her three-year-old final and reserve champion for her age group, and first reserve supreme youngstock. “I am so proud of her,” said Jo. “She stood supreme youngstock here as a yearling too; I’m over the moon with what she’s achieved.” ONE TO WATCH…

JCB PONY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS 12–16 August becky.murray@futurenet.com @murray_bex JCB Pony Club Championships, Offchurch Bury, Warks ULTRA-TIGHT lines in an eight-horse decider earned Romney Marsh’s Caroline Barbour, 25, and Elamo He’s A Real One the PC110 individual showjumping title by almost three seconds. However, an accident on the M25 on their way to the venue meant the championships almost never happened for the pair. “A car ran into the back of the trailer,” said Caroline. “We pulled onto the hard shoulder and checked ‘Elmo’. Everyone was fine and the trailer wasn’t damaged, so we were able to continue.” Caroline and Elmo delivered one of only four triple clears from 71 starters. “He pulled it out of the bag for my last championship year, so it’s very special,” said an emotional Caroline.…

Tetrathlon: area open team.– 1, Area 5 (F & A James, O Loud, O Kissane); 2, Area 3 (A Lupton, A Cooke, E Frost, A Scott); 3, Area 10 (M Thompson, K Stephens, M Jones). area int team.– 1, Area 3 (J Jones, Z Farnsworth, R Cooke); 2, Area 14 (O Ravenscroft, S & V Mason, C King, Mason); 3, Area 17 (A & B Wishart, E Stewart). area jnr team.– 1, Area 14 (C Robbie, P Tucker, M Tasker, D Read); 2, Area 6 (O Pickering, A Moulds, T Owen, R Brailsford); 3, Area 9 (J Skelston, K Prestwich, B Hayman-Joyce, C Huepfl). open mixed team.– 1,Cheshire Hunt South (H & R Taylor, P Johnson, A Mulcaster); 2, South Pool (R Widdicombe, H Bond, A Moor); 3, Quorn Hunt…

Simon has been competing at the top level of eventing for more than 15 years, and is due to line up at his 19th CCI5* at Burghley. He is also a coach, television presenter and podcast host. Who was your first pony? Stardust. He must have been about 11.2hh and was a really cool little grey. I needed my grass reins! He was the one who got me into riding. Do you have any superstitions? I’m not sure you can call it a superstition, but at an event I have to read through a list of all the fences before I go across country – just to make sure that I’ve definitely walked everything. Favourite Burghley memory? There are so many! It would probably be my first clear round there…