Building a life-size sculpture of a horse from wood is no mean feat. But this time-lapse video of sculptor Simon O’Rourke in action makes it look strangely easy…
The wooden masterpiece is modelled on Dexter (pictured below), a 12-year-old resident at the Anglesey Riding Centre, where he is a firm favourite among staff and customers.
“I wanted to find a horse that I liked the look of and could clearly see the muscle structure. Dexter fitted the bill perfectly,” says Simon.
“He’s an absolutely gorgeous horse and I hope those who know Dexter will see the likeness in my creation.”
The sculpture will be on showcase at the Sculpture in the Sanctuary exhibition in Southwell, Nottinghamshire for the rest of the month.
“It’s fitting that the model will spend August in Southwell, which is home to Southwell Racecourse, as Dexter was actually born at a racing yard,” adds Simon.
The exhibition marks the latest stop on a UK-wide tour of the horse, following appearances at Bolesworth International, Woodfest and The Big Art Show Shrewsbury.
“The horse took me more than 60 hours to create and is one of my finest works of art. It garners a lot of attention on social media when we publish posts about it so I know it’s popular, too,” says Simon.
“It’s fantastic to have exhibited him at several high-profile events, culminating in spending the last month of summer at the Sculpture in the Sanctuary.
“It’s a privilege to have been asked to showcase at the event.”
Horse & Hound catches up with equestrian sculptor Nic Fiddian-Green to find out what life is like making giant horses’ More…
Helen Barry, one of the organisers of the event, said: “We carefully select works from artists who use a variety of mediums such as bronze, ceramic, glass, wire, and wood.
“As soon as we came across Simon’s work we knew it would be perfect for the Sculpture in the Sanctuary event.”
Eventing legend Jane Holderness-Roddamcame out of retirement yesterday (Tuesday, 18 August) to compete for charity.
The Olympic gold medallist rode in her first one-day-event for 13 years on former four-star eventer Tiger’s Eye II at British Eventing’s (BE) West Wilts fixture.
The pair jumped double clear in the BE100open, adding 12.8 cross-country time faults to their leading dressage score of 23.8.
The total raised on her Virgin money giving page has passed £7,700.
“Horses have been a part of my life since childhood,” she said.
“I can’t think of a better way to give something back to these wonderful animals than by supporting two charities that I am so proud to be involved with.”
Jane is a trustee for the Brooke and was a trustee for World Horse Welfare for many years.
Credit: Fiona Scott-Maxwell
World Horse Welfare’s Tony Tyler said: “Jane is already renowned for her many extraordinary contributions to the horse world.
“But yesterday she exceeded herself to demonstrate her support for improving horse welfare in the UK and globally.”
Jane won Badminton twice, in 1968 and 1978, and Burghley in 1976.
She was the first woman to represent Great Britain in eventing at Olympic level and won team gold in Mexico in 1968.
Tiger’s Eye II, known as Bill, is a 20-year-old gelding who has competed at 30 international events, including four CCI4*s.
Goldeneye Video and Photography recorded Jane taking part in all three phases (below).
“We cheered on Jane and her veteran horse Tiger’s Eye II throughout their impressive performance which showed that they both still have what it takes to take on the competition,” Mr Tyler added.
“We are immensely grateful to Jane and Bill for taking on this challenge for World Horse Welfare and the Brooke, and to all who so generously donated in support.”
The event was also the 50th BE fixture held by Pete Collins and his team at the equestrian centre near Holt in Wiltshire since it began in 1997.
The latest Baileys/BEF Futurity, held at Hartpury College (9 August), saw a strong selection of youngsters from across the disciplines presented for evaluation.
Topping the scores was a dressage filly foal for the Seagry Stud in Chippenham. Sammy Seagry (pictured top) (Furstenball x Stedinger) scored an elite premium of 9.20 for her delighted owner and breeder, Keith Taylor.
Keith said: “Sammy is the second elite scoring foal out of our state premium mare, St Pr Seagry Sanay. Her first foal, Seagry First Amour went elite last year. Sanay is back in foal via embryo transfer for 2016 with a Tolegro foal due at the end of March. Sammy Seagry has a wonderful temperament, we went to Furstenball as he passes on a good temperament.”
In the showjumping section, Issy King’s yearling colt, Cash Legend (Cash Point x Bolgoed Barnacle Bill) scored an elite premium of 9.10. Cash Legend is the only showjumping yearling so far in the 2015 Futurity to score an elite premium.
Issy said: “I am over the moon with him. I am planning to keep him entire and grade him as a stallion. All being well, he will have a competition career and then go on to stand as a stallion. The Futurity was a great experience for Cash Legend, he is a lovely horse with the most wonderful temperament.”
Cash Legend
Jennie Loriston Clarke’s filly foal, Catherston Timeless (Timolin x Breitling W) scored a second elite premium for her sire of 9.05 in the dressage section.
Jennie said: “Timeless is a lovely mover and seems to have all the attributes of Timolin. She is the first ever Timolin foal and was born at the end of March. We are delighted with Timolin’s first crop of foals, of the four that have been presented at the Futurity, two have gained elite premiums and the other two have had higher firsts. I think he has just 8 foals in total.”
Catherston Timeless
Yearling gelding, Parkfield Vicarage Vee (Black Jack x Silvio 1) scored a higher first premium of 8.90 in the showjumping section for Sharon Bishop of Parkfield Breeding.
Sharon said: “We are really chuffed with Vicarage Vee, he is a real character and is extremely cheeky. He was very compact and strong when he was born and is looking like he will be very nice.”
Sharon bred Vicarage Vee from her mare Furistica. She continued: “Furistica is the easiest broodmare, Vicarage Vee is her third foal. The first, Parkfield Petit Moi is now 6 and successfully out competing with William Stam. She also has a two-year-old, Parkfield Cooper who attained a Futurity higher first premium in 2014. She is in foal to Ramiro Z for 2016.”
Best potential eventer at Hartpury was Laura Quainton’s filly foal, Esprit De Espoir (Nelson Van de Helle x Dolphin Street) with a higher first premium of 8.88. Bred by Mark Hope and Tom Hanlon of the High Hopes Stud, Esprit De Espoir is the first foal from their thoroughbred mare, Deyas Dream.
Tom said: “Deyas Dream ran a few times and then did some pre novice and novice eventing. We bought her to breed from as she has such good conformation and movement. Esprit De Espoir will stay at High Hopes, Laura is keen to take her to the Futurity every year and she will hopefully get on to the equine bridge and equine pathway and have a career eventing.”
Esprit de Espoir
Two-year-old sports pony colt, BS Mr President (FS Mr Right x Donatelli) was best of his age group and best sports pony at Hartpury with a higher first score of 8.85 in the dressage section. He was bred and is owned by Christine Bjerkan. BS Mr President also attended the Futurity as a foal where he scored a higher first premium of 8.88.
Christine said: “He is the first one I have bred. Mr President was bred from my mare Peggy KL. Mr President is her first foal and I am planning to put her back in foal next year to the German sports pony stallion, Dark Dornik.” BS Mr President will attend the SPSS stallion grading in October.
Kia Ora Christel
Top three-year-old at Hartpury was Alex Harris’ three year old filly, Kia Ora Christel (Contago x Jazz) in the eventing section. She was awarded a higher first premium of 8.75.
Alex who runs a breaking, schooling and competition livery yard in Newent, Gloucestershire said: “Kia Ora Christel is really lovely, I have lightly backed her already and she was very good. I plan to produce her for the young horse eventing classes next year and see how far we can go. I would like to eventually breed from her.”
1st August – Catherston Stud, Hampshire
2nd August – Chelwood Equestrian, East Sussex
3rd August – Writtle College, Essex
4th August – The College, Keysoe, Bedfordshire
7th August – Tall Trees Arena, Cornwall
9th August – Hartpury College, Gloucestershire
11th August – Arena UK, Lincolnshire
12th August – Richmond Equestrian Centre, North Yorkshire
13th August – Myerscough College, Lancashire
14th August – Southview Equestrian Centre, Cheshire
17th August – Solihull Riding Club, West Midlands
18th August – Solihull Riding Club, West Midlands
Woohoo! I have had my first win of 2015. It has been a long time coming!
Nick Engert’s gorgeous five-year-old mare, Effie (Augusta Firefly), won her BE100 section at Smiths Lawn. This was only her third ever event and second BE100 so we are over the moon with her. She jointly led the dressage on a very smart score of 24.8 and then jumped a very confident double clear to take the win. She is a lovely young horse with a fantastic attitude, although she is still very green, so to come out and win at only her third event was quite impressive. She will stick to BE100s for this season and then continue her education on the hunting field for part of the winter. I am a firm believer in hunting a young horse to let them have some fun as well as learn to go in all conditions and how to look after themselves.
It has been a very good week as we were then out at Aston-le-Walls on Thursday with my father’s six-year-old, Archie (Arise Cavalier). He was making his intermediate debut and managed to finish in a fantastic third place.
After his great performance at Camphire, where he was third in the CICYH1*, I was confident he was ready for the step up but I wasn’t expecting him to have a top three finish at his first intermediate! He actually didn’t do his best test, he was very spooked by the judge’s box and initially I thought I was going to have a very hard time getting him anywhere near it.
Thankfully he decided it wasn’t going to eat him but I still felt he was a little tense and didn’t show his best work, so to score 28.2 was seriously encouraging. He then jumped a super clear in the showjumping making it feel very easy. We had a little heart stopping moment at the first fence on the cross-country when he decided to take off a stride early but thankfully we stayed intact. We then got our act together and he went on to jump a really confident round. He was very straight and even though I didn’t push him for the time he only picked up 5.2 time faults. I couldn’t have asked for more from him and he continues to impress me. A massive thank you to Nigel Taylor and his team for all the work they did on the ground for the cross-country — we really do appreciate it.
I have applied for Archie to go to Le Lion D’Angers for the six-year-old World Championships but I will just have to wait and see if we get selected as it is hugely competitive. Fingers crossed these results will get him noticed.
It is also great to be back schooling racehorses for my brother, National Hunt trainer, Harry. I have been going in most mornings to school a couple on the flat. Hopefully this strengthening work will be hugely beneficial for them. I also really enjoy it and as I’m a little quieter at home at the moment it’s more hours in the saddle for me.
I am now off on holiday to Cornwall for a week with some friends, which will be lovely. We will hopefully get to do lots of water skiing so I should stay fit!
Massive thanks have to go to head girl Bridget Fox and my mum for looking after the yard while I go away. Archie will be going to Hannah Biggs for some dressage training to keep him ticking over while I’m away. When I get back we will be ready to crack on with the last part of the season. I can’t believe how fast this year is going!
Also don’t forget to support The Eventing Family charity night at Bicton on 22 August, tickets are selling fast and it will be a fantastic evening!
Are you stuck for things to do this week? To keep your diary up-to-date and make sure you’re never missing out, we’ve picked a selection of equestrian events to keep boredom at bay over the next seven days.
Charity event
The Eventing Family is hosting a fundraising party and auction at Bicton Arena, Devon, on 22 August. The event is raising money for four charities associated with friends and families within the sport who are facing challenging times. Tickets £70.16, or £20 for the after-party.
Held at Cholmondeley Castle, the championships will run from 21-25 August. More than 2,000 competitors are expected to compete. Disciplines include showjumping, dressage, eventing, mounted games, endurance and polocrosse.
Visit: www.pcuk.org
County Show
Bucks County Show is at Weedon Park near Aylesbury on 27 August.
Ride alongside 2009 Grand National winner Mon Mome at the first Retraining of Racehorses racecourse-to-racecourse ride on 23 August. The 16.5mile route goes from Stratford to Warwick.
Scope Festival runs from 23-30 August at Staffordshire County Showground. The championships features international and grand prix classes among its packed schedule.
Aerial view of the Dressage Deluxe National Dressage Championships 2010, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, United Kingdom - 12 September 2010
Organisers of the new show at Stoneleigh Park have told H&H they will be addressing any “teething problems” ahead of next year.
The show — which combined the British Showjumping National Championships and Stoneleigh Horse Show — was held at the National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre for the first time this year (11-16 August).
However, competitors were dissatisfied with several aspects of the show, with many taking to social media to vent their frustration.
Complaints ranged from poor organisation to problems with schedules and online entries.
Lack of atmosphere, not enough seating and expense were also cited.
“If I could have got my money back I would have gone home,” one rider told H&H.
Both the showing and showjumping communities waded in on the debate.
In showing, the location of some of the rings was changed at short notice. The layout of the venue was also criticised.
“It was completely unpractical,” said one competitor.
“You had to unload the lorry too far from the stables, the main ring was a potentially hazardous long walk on concrete and there was no lighting in the stables.
“People are disappointed — they’re not slamming the show. It has the potential to be amazing, but the whole site needs compressing and areas need to be worked on.”
But many people were in support of the show, including Hickstead’s Edward Bunn.
“As a large show organiser, it saddens me to keep reading all the negativity,” he said on the UKSJ forum.
“Grandstand Media should be applauded for taking on Stoneleigh and for creating this new show. Of course there are going to be teething problems.”
And others on the forum were in agreement.
Tabatha Drake said the show was “awesome”, while Janette Walker Well added: “There is too much negativity. This is an amazing venue, spacious, extremely clean and quiet at night.”
A spokesman from Grandstand Media told H&H they had received “varied feedback”.
“The majority of thoughts were positive, along with constructive feedback on improvements that can be made,” they added.
“Now that the show is through its first year we are able to take on board the information and make changes based on feedback and comments from all of our customers.”
For full report from the show don’t miss this week’s issue H&H out today (Thursday, 20 August).
Most were built before World War II, but some are more recent. All the stables are at least 3m by 3m. The stables are used frequently, both for shows and as a quarantine facility for horses travelling abroad from Germany, but there are no permanent residents.
“They’re better than temporary stables in a tent because they are always dry and out of the wind,” says show director Frank Kemperman.
The stables at Aachen — there are 428 in total
A wash bay in the Aachen stables
The Germans always have block 1 of the stables during the normal Aachen show, CHIO Aachen, but as there are fewer German horses here for the Europeans than during the CHIO, they are sharing it with the Dutch.
This week, the vaulting horses have the outside stables, while the showjumpers are housed in the barns.
The outdoor stables at Aachen
Aachen show director Frank Kemperman shares a word with Irish rider Bertram Allen, on Molly Malone V, outside the stables
The Swiss vaulting team at Aachen 2015, including their 11-year-old flyer
2. The stable managers’ office is manned 24 hours a day.
The stables are closed from 11pm to 6am and grooms have to be accompanied by a steward if they want to come in during this time.
The stables have cameras in them, so the stable managers can keep an eye on all the horses.
The stable managers’ office
3. There are up to 18 vets on-site each day.
The veterinary station is the centre of veterinary activities at Aachen, under the care of veterinary service manager Dr Friedrich Wilhelm Hanbücken.
Veterinary service manager Dr Friedrich Wilhelm Hanbücken
It has two areas for examining horses, as well as four treating boxes for horses who need closer attention.
Treating boxes in the veterinary station at Aachen
There are always a minimum of six vets at Aachen, with up to 18 when disciplines such as cross-country or driving marathon are taking place, which require vets to cover the whole course.
The new veterinary centre was built for the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG) here.
“Frank Kemperman [show director] said we’re not doing it for the WEG, we’re doing it for the next 20 years,” says Dr Hanbücken. “We have very good facilities here.”
4. There are four or five farriers on site.
There is always a farrier in the final preparation area, in case a horse throws a shoe just before he is due to go in the ring. In addition, many teams bring their own farriers, who work with those on-site.
In the forge at Aachen
5. Teams decorate their stables with national flags.
Ok, you probably did know that. But you know you want to see the pictures.
Team Sweden
Team GBR vaulting stables
Team Italy
Team France
Full report from the dressage European Championships at Aachen in the magazine out today (20 August). Full report from the showjumping equivalent in next week’s issue (27 August).
H&H reports the passing of individuals who have made a significant contribution to the horse world. Funerals and memorial details will be included where possible
Olympic eventer Karen Stives has died at the age of 64.
Karen died on 14 August from lung cancer.
In 1984, Ginny Elliot and Karen made history at the Los Angeles Olympics by becoming the first women to win individual Olympic eventing medals.
Karen won silver on her mother Lillian Mahoney’s Ben Arthur and Ginny took bronze.
She rode for the US in numerous internationals on her thoroughbred eventer, The Saint, including the 1982 World Championships in Lumühlen.
After retiring from international competition, Karen became an FEI judge and chairman of the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation’s selectors.
Last year, she gave $1million to the USET which was used to set up a competition grants fund for high performance eventing.
Karen is survived by her partner, Bob Hutchison, sister Linda McCabe and three nieces and nephews.
Patricia Leitch
Patricia Leitch, author of some of the best-loved pony books, has died aged 82 (July 28).
The children’s novelist wrote the popular 12-book Jinny series from 1976 to 1988.
The stories were set in the Highlands and centered on Jinny, an adventurous girl who rescues Arab mare Shantih.
Ms Leitch wrote many other stories and her last work, The Mystery Horse, was released in 1997.
She had a great love for horses and enjoyed trekking in the Highlands.
Before her writing career, she had also been a librarian at the University of Glasgow and then trained as a primary school teacher.
Catnip publishing began reprinting the Jinny series in July 2010.
Richard Kinsley
Richard Kinsey, who ran Tetton Hall Horse Trials with his late wife Frances, has died aged 90.
He died peacefully on Monday (10 August) following a short illness.
Frances died on 12 March 2013 aged 88. The pair last ran the event in Middleton, Cheshire, in 2009 when they were both 82.
“It is with great sadness that I have to pass on the news that Richard (Dick) Kinsey of Tetton Hall in Middlewich has passed away,” said a spokesman for British Eventing.
“He will be sadly missed and remembered fondly by all who knew him,” added the spokesman.
Mr Kinsey’s funeral will be for family only but a memorial service will be held on Thursday 20 August at 12 noon in St Leonard’s Church, Warmingham, Cheshire.
Donations in his memory can be made towards St Leonard’s Church.
Chris White
A former British Horse Society (BHS) bridleways officer has died.
Chris White died on 3 July aged 79.
She was responsible for creating many circular riding routes in the South East.
One of her triumphs was preventing an existing bridleway from being diverted by several miles.
She pressured the Department for Transport to build a bridge over the M25 near Sevenoaks in Kent to stop the diversion.
An active member of Endurance GB, Chris used to ride long distances to visit her family and also took part in the Golden Horseshoe Ride in Exmoor.
Chris was an accomplished musician and played both violin and piano.
She also volunteered with Riding for the Disabled.
Chris leaves behind her husband Alan and children Maggie, Helen and Neville.
Gerry Tribe
The Horse Rangers Association (Hampton Court) has paid tribute to one of its longest serving members.
Colonel in chief Gerry Tribe died on 3 July at the age of 92.
He became involved with the group in 1968 when his nine-year-old daughter Tina started riding there.
He was made commanding officer in 1977, retiring after 26 years in the role. In 2004, he became colonel in chief.
A statement from the Horse Rangers Association read: “Everyone recalls what a kind, helpful and caring man he was — rarely raising his voice and always willing to give a hand or show how things should be done.”
In 2009, the board of trustees made Gerry an honorary life member.
He continued to support the group and attended their Riding for the Disabled Association open day a week before he died.
His funeral was due to be held at South West Middlesex Crematorium, Hanworth, today (Wednesday, 22 July).
Dawn Wofford
Former leading showjumper Dawn Wofford, née Palethorpe (pictured, credit Kit Houghton), has died at the age of 79.
Her showjumping career highlights include winning the Queen Elizabeth II cup twice and representing Great Britain at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Dawn met her American husband, Warren Wofford, at the Stockholm Olympics, where they were both reserve riders.
After becoming a mother to Valerie, John and Bruce, Dawn became re-involved with the Pony Club.
She became the organisation’s first lady chairman in 1991 and in 1997 she co-ordinated the rewriting of the Manual of Horsemanship.
“Dawn touched many lives, influenced many and was a dynamic and enthusiastic motivator,” said her daughter Valerie Cockburn.
“She was passionate about ‘putting back’ the fun she had had from horses and helping young people reach the best of their potential, whether they were riding hairy ponies or world class horses.”
Dawn died on 12 July. Her funeral is on Monday (27 July) at St Peter’s Church, Coughton.
Donations to Warwickshire and Northampton Air Ambulance.
Charles Hood
Charles Hood, Lincoln Horse Trials organiser, former show director and chief equine steward at the Lincolnshire Show and Burton Hunt chairman, has died age 64.
Charles, known to many in the eventing community as Charlie, was joint organiser of the event for 20 years and stepped down only a few months before his death on Sunday 12 July.
“Charles was renowned for being the most polite and charming man with a good word to say for everyone,” said long-time friend and colleague, commentator Robert Heneage. “Anyone who ever met him would have received a ‘thank you so much’ from Charles.”
In addition to organising at Lincoln, Charles was also a BE cross-country course designer and long-standing steward.
Charles leaves his wife Tessa and their two sons Thomas and James.
Thomas Capstick
Murthwaite Cloud was bred by Thomas Capstick
The founder of Murthwaite Fell Pony Stud has died.
He set up the stud in 1962, and its horses remained one of the few semi-feral fell pony herds running on the Howgills.
Murthwaite ponies have achieved a great many accolades —including wins at Horse of the Year Show and with ponies being ridden by The Queen.
The last pony to be registered under the Murthwaite prefix was born on the 8 June.
“Thomas will be missed not only for his wonderful ponies but for his generous spirit. Always quick to smile, he introduced a great many people to the fell pony world,” said friend Samantha McDermott.
“Friends will miss most his wicked sense of humour, his cheerful singing and of course his passion for his beloved ponies.
“Thomas gave many people fantastic opportunities — myself included. A true gentleman, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”
Geoff Charley
The founder of Townfields Saddlers died on 21 June at the age of 75.
Geoff was known to many in the equestrian and shooting worlds through the family business, which he set up with his wife Gill in 1963.
He leaves behind his wife, their children Adrian and Sarah and four grandchildren.
Sarah told H&H: “He built Townfields to what it is today because he loved horse sport and adored working alongside his family.”
A minute’s silence was held at Hickstead on Sunday (28 June) to remember him.
Dr Peter Lamont
The well-known eventing starter and owner Dr Peter Lamont has died.
Alongside Bill Allen, who died in April, Peter was a familiar face at horse trials, and as a starter officiated at hundreds of events including the Hong Kong Olympics and the 2006 Asian Games.
He was also involved in the sport as an organiser for Purston Manor Horse Trials and volunteered as a cross-country starter at a huge number of British Eventing (BE) fixtures including Tweseldown.
Peter also owned Beanie Sturgis’ four-star horse Lebowski.
The retired doctor died last week (2 June) and leaves his wife, Jill, a welll-known entries secretary.
BE’s David Holmes said: “This is deeply saddening news which will affect everyone in the sport. I know he was an extremely friendly and much-loved man in the community.”
Gerrit-Jan Swinkels
Gerrit-Jan Swinkels the president of Indoor Brabant, the famous show in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, has died while riding.
The 67-year-old died suddenly on Monday 25 April while riding on the Belgian coast at Knokke-Heist in West Flanders. The exact circumstances of his death have not been released.
Mr Swinkels became president of Indoor Brabant in 2002 and planned to hand over to his successor in 2017 during the event’s 50th anniversary.
He was also president of the board of directors of Springpaarden Fonds Nederland, which is dedicated to developing jumping horses.
“Gerrit-Jan was a wonderful person, and thanks to him the profile of equestrian sport has grown tremendously”, said John Roche, FEI jumping director.
“The sport has lost one of its greatest friends, enthusiasts and supporters, and an immeasurable void has been left. We will all miss him greatly.”
Allan Middleton
One of dressage’s most valued supporters, Allan Middleton, died on 7 May after a long illness. He was 62 years old.
Through his wife, Anita, an event rider and List One dressage judge, Allan used his technical skills to improve early dressage technology.
“Allan with his technical know-how maintained and looked after the innovative headphones which provided commentary at all the big dressage championships for members of the British Dressage Supporters Club [BDSC],” said Anita.
The BDSC commentary sets were regularly serviced and looked after by Allan, who worked in the telecommunications industry.
Other shows could apply to use the headsets and Allan was in charge of sending them out to show organisers.
“Nobody had seen anything like this before. It helped open up dressage to so many more people,” Anita told H&H.
“The current commentary system evolved from this original idea.
“He was totally non-horsey when we met, but supported me throughout my riding career and was a great BDSC supporter and enjoyed going to the dressage championships abroad.”
Daphne Lakin
The Hon Mrs Daphne Lakin who started Iping Horse Trials over forty years ago died peacefully at home after a short illness on 29 April aged 96.
She had been involved with horses all her life, firstly on the polo field where she was encouraged by her husband John and his brother, who are both international players. Daphne was also involved with the Pony Club and used to run ‘pony parties’ to entertain her son Michael and his friends.
Daphne ran Iping Horse Trials with a committee of friends for many years. More recently she dedicated her time to the design and the building of the cross-country fences and course.
She was to be seen out on the course as recently as last year with her hammer and nails.
Bill Allen
Eventing stalwart Bill Allen died on 4 April. He had been suffering from cancer.
Alongside his wife Ann, a British Eventing scorer and event secretary, Bill was well-known on the eventing circuit. The pair officiated at the 2008 and at 2012 Olympics.
“Bill was involved in the sport for many years as an organiser however he was also very well known for his work as a starter and volunteer at a great number of British Eventing (BE) events,” said a BE spokesman.
“Bill was one of the great personalities within the sport and a friend to many, he will be very sadly missed by all those in the eventing community.”
Tony Cavendish Cooper BHSI
The showjumping trainer and owner has died aged 68.
He passed away on 28 February.
Tony was “horse mad” from an early age and owned and trained showjumpers.
“His family have had some wonderful responses from hisfriends and he will be greatly missed by all those who knew him,” said a spokesman for the family.
Norah Machattie
The breeder and organiser has died aged 85.
Born in Glasgow in 1929, Norah lived for all things equestrian and was there at the beginning of Aberdeenshire’s North East Riding Club in the 1940s.
During her life, she bred many sport horses with her business partner Liz Davidson — the most famous being the horse that launched Ian Stark’s career Oxford Blue, a team silver medal winner at the LA Olympics.
Norah was pivotal in the organising of Royal Deeside Horse Trials for many years and then, along with her great friend Joan Weir, set up the Dietsmann Dressage Festival in Scotland.
Together, Norah and Joan set up Gordon Dressage Group, which still continues and carries on their legacy of bringing top judges to the area for its monthly competitions.
Following the onset of Alzheimer’s in 2007, Norah and her husband Keith moved to New Zealand to be near their daughter Clare.
Norah is survived by her husband, her daughter, her two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Maureen Walton
The keen eventing supporter died on 2 March, aged 82. She had been suffering from cancer.
Maureen was instrumental in devising the scoring system for three-day events, her written notes being used for many events, until technology came in.
She was joint chairman of Windsor Horse Trials with Peggy Maxwell of when it was a two-day event on Smiths Lawn and she was joint chairman with Col. Frank Beale of Windsor Park Equestrian Club in its early days, and subsequently scored dressage on Club days for many years. She also, until very recently, did the dressage scoring for Bookham Riding Club.
Lord Waterford (11 February, 2015)
Polo stalwart John Hubert de la Poer Beresford, the 8th Marquess of Waterford, died earlier this month (11 February). He was 81 years old.
Lord Waterford’s love for equestrianism started at Eton where he rode the first of many point-to-point winners and went on to be the youngest ever member of the Irish Turf Club.
He later turned to polo and was a member of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Windsor Park team, winning the Gold Cup at Cowdray Park on two occasions — in 1966 and 1969. He was also captain of the All Ireland Polo Club from 1960 to 1985 and its highest handicapped player.
His love of polo has been passed on to his grandson — Richard Le Poer — who is a six-goal professional.
Janet Elliott (21 February 2015)
Former showjumper and hunting stalwart Janet Elliott (nee Smith) died last month (21 February). She was 70 years old.
Janet had a successful showjumping career and trained with Hans Günter Winkler in Germany. She rode on the British team for thirteen years and won the U21 class at the Hickstead Derby Meeting consecutively for three years.
“Laterally, Janet has enjoyed seeing two generations of her family excel in the hunting field,” a family spokesman said.
Hugh Condry (27 February 2015)
Hugh Condry and Brian Lee. Credit: Brian Armstrong
He was a key member of staff at H&H for 32, and spent 14 years as deputy editor. He was also point-to-point correspondent for the Daily Telegraph, and latterly for the Racing Post and Racing Post Weekender.
Hugh leaves behind his wife Sue, two daughters and ten grandchildren.
A thanksgiving service will be held at Dulverton All Saints Church, Somerset at 2pm on Wednesday 18 March.
Brigadier Peter Marzetti
A great huntsman and sportsman, Brigadier Peter Marzetti, has died aged 82.
His hunting career started at the age of 14 years, a young boy on a rough pony with the Enfield Chase, and continued throughout his 82 years.
As an army officer, he always ensured his postings were in the UK, giving him the opportunity to hunt both harriers and foxhounds across England and Ireland.
He was the field master of the Staff College Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Drag Hounds in the early 1970s, and for the last 25 years of his life hunted with and supported the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale where he was a Joint-Master of Foxhounds (1990-1995) and hunt secretary (1996-2000). In the later years he enjoyed attending the meet, supporting the Countryside Alliance and socialising with his many friends and fellow huntsmen.
He died at home after a fall from one of his horses in November. He leaves a wife, four daughters and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at St Peter’s Church, West Lydford, Somerset on Friday 27th February at 2.00pm, no flowers donations to the Hunt Staff Benefit Society.
Lucy Diamond (17 February 2015)
The former four-star eventer turned dressage rider lost her battle with cancer at the age of 43. Having successfully ridden around Badminton in 2006 on Carousel VI, Lucy later turned her attention to pure dressage.
Lucy won the elementary regional championship last summer at Keysoe riding Argentus (pictured, top), just 48 hours after coming out of hospital for treatment. This determined lady continued competing alongside her treatment, and said it was “a myth” that people couldn’t keep fit while having chemotherapy.
Our thoughts are with her husband, champion farrier Billy Crothers, and her two daughters, Emily and Olivia. The date of her funeral is still to be set.
Belle Leggat (29 December 2014)
Equestrian stalwart Belle Leggat died on 29 December 2014. She was 97 years old.
Her equestrian portfolio included showjumping, pointing, hunting, showing and, alongside her husband, Tannny, breeding more than 35 racehorses.
“One of Belle’s great passions was hunting,” said a spokesman for the family. “She was a bold and fearless follower of the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire in the early days and the Lauderdale.
“She was once asked to showjump for Britain in Paris but did not go as it was going to interfere with the cubbing season.”
Belle’s riding career continued until she was 80 and she passed her passion onto future generations including her daughter Jane Fitzgerald who died in 2002.
Joan Gray (29 January 2015)
Riding instructor, showjumping owner and all round horsewoman Joan Gray died on 29 January aged 84.
She was the proprietor of Greatstone Riding Stables from 1950 – 1979.
Following her early years of winters spent working with hunters and summers spent with her own horses, Joan had a promising showjumping career. However, competitive career was ended by lupus in 1980. Through determination she did ride again and even drove her horsebox, enabling Joan to give a younger generation trips to the shows and allowing her to pass on her skills.
Her funeral takes place on Friday 20 February 11am at The Romney Marsh Community Church, North Street, New Romney.
June Darby Nuttall (12 June 1921 – 20 December 2014)
The honorary vice president of British Showjumping (BS), June Darby Nuttall, died on 20 December aged 93.
Born at Colshaw Hall in Knutsford, Cheshire, June was riding her Shetland pony before she could walk.
She started course building in the 1960s and became involved with the All England Jumping Course where she designed courses in the Foxhunter ring.
June became BS regional representative for the south west for almost two decades. She was also a registered BS judge and showjumping runs in the family, with her granddaughter Harriet competing on Nations Cup teams last year.
“She knew the sport from every angle and was extremely passionate in the way that it progressed, giving her time freely and never missing a meeting unless it absolutely unavoidable,” said a spokesman for BS.
She had been honorary vice president since 2000.
David Lloyd-Thomas (3 January 2015)
Leading pony judge David Lloyd-Thomas died at his home in Northamptonshire on Saturday 3 January. He was 85 years old.
David was a leading judge for the British Show Pony and National Pony Society for many years, judging at all major shows, including the Royal International Horse Show and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
David’s initial interest in judging started when he won the gold medal for stock judging at Smithfield at an early age.
A farmer, but with always a keen enthusiasm for breeding, showing and eventing; David bred and owned the successful eventers Milton Tyson, General and Tin Man, the former two being ridden by Mark Todd and latterly David’s son Roland.
Among others David also bred Milton Pageboy who won the 128cm Show Pony Class at last year’s HOYS.
Our sympathies go to David’s wife Estelle and children, Roland and Harriett.
Johnny O’Shea (12 January 2015)
Johnny O’Shea, former huntsman of the Cheshire Hunt from 1966-1991, died on 12 January, aged 77.
An exemplary horse and hound man, Johnny was married to Anne and the father of James and the late Maureen.
Following his retirement to Moss Cottage on the Cholmondeley Estate, Johnny inspired great confidence in the young to keep hunting and continued to follow hounds regularly.
A man of great character, he also achieved success as a greyhound trainer, including victory in the Waterloo Cup.
The funeral will take place at St Wenefrede’s Church, Bickley Cheshire on 26 January at 1pm.
Virginia Anne Pritchard (29 May 1932 — 24 December 2014)
Showing judge Virginia Anne Pritchard has died aged 82, on 24 December 2014.
Anne, as she was affectionately known, was a respected horsewoman and produced many winning show horses from her home Ryalls Stud in Dorset ridden and produced by both her children.
She was a highly-regarded judge and officiated on many panels including the British Show Pony Society, the National Pony Society, and the British Show Horse Association. She also judged the Search for a Star series many years along side Robert Oliver.
Her funeral will be held on 20 January 2015 at 12 noon at Bishops Caundle Church, Sherborne, Dorset.
The 8th Duke of Wellington Brigadier Arthur Wellesley (31 December 2014)
Guards Polo Club vice president, the 8th Duke of Wellington Brigadier Arthur Wellesley, died on 31 December. He was 99 years old.
The Duke was one of the founding members of the club and was its first chairman in 1955.
A spokesman from the club said: “Despite retiring from the game some years ago, he continued to take a keen interest in the sport at Smith’s Lawn, regularly attending matches including presenting his own Duke of Wellington Trophy every August.
“Guards Polo Club sends its heartfelt condolences to the Wellesley family.”
The Duke’s wife Diana Wellesley, Duchess of Wellington, died in 2010. The heir to the peerages is the eldest of his four sons, Charles, Marquess of Douro, a former MEP.
Jane Edwards (21 December 2014)
Showing rider Jane Edwards of Sarnau Stud passed away on 21 December. Before her marriage to Hugh in 1955, Jane worked at various stables, including the Lee-Smiths’. It was there that she rode two of the most famous ponies of all time in Pretty Polly and My Pretty Maid.
They soon established a leading Welsh pony stud at Sarnau, with their ponies having a big influence worldwide.
One of their homebred stallions, Sarnau Rheolwr (foaled in 1985), sired Cwrtycadno Cadfridog, whom they bought. They won major awards with him before selling him to Cottrell Stud, for whom he was Royal Welsh champion and HOYS qualifier in 1996.
The stud specialised in palominos and captured many Royal Welsh championships. They bought Sarnau Venus (daughter of My Pretty Maid) as a foal and bred some of the country’s top riding ponies, such as Sarnau Miss Mink, Sarnau Squirrel and Sarnau Royal Shrimp, who all won at Horse of the Year Show.
Horace Batten (7 December 2014)
The chairman of his family’s bespoke bootmaking business died on 7 December aged 102.
The fifth generation of his family to run the company, Horace took control in his mid-20s and oversaw a switch to making deck boots for submariners during World War II. After the war, the business concentrated on the custom-made hunting boot. It moved to Ravensthorpe, Northants, in the 1960s.
The Batten family has provided handmade boots to generations of hunt staff and masters as well as famous showjumpers, including Nick Skelton and Ted Edgar. Their boots are also reputed to have been worn by servicemen and women during many conflicts.
Horace is survived by his son Timothy, who has been running the operation since Horace reduced his involvement as he got closer to 100 years old. He made his last pair of boots aged 99.
Enid Whitaker (3 January 2015)
Enid Whitaker, mother of John, Michael, Ian and Steven and the matriach of the Whitaker dynasty, passed away on Saturday 3 January aged 85, after a short illness.
It was Enid, wife of Donald, who died in 2005, who passed on her love of horses to her four sons — and thus began one of the greatest equestrian families in the world.
“From the very beginning it was her that encouraged us all to ride – we owe her a lot,” Michael told H&H. “She was extremely proud of all her family and would come and watch us right until she was too ill to get about.
“She and my dad couldn’t get enough of it — she must have gone to every show in England. She’ll be a huge loss to the family.”
Her funeral will be held on 20 January.
Wojtek Markowski (1947 – 5 January 2015)
Five-star dressage judge and technical delegate Wojtek Markowski died from cancer on 5 January. He was 67 years old.
Mr Markowski, who was from Poland, judged at his first Olympics in Athens in 2004. He was a technical delegate at London 2012 and was due to perform the same role in Rio next year.
In 2012, he was appointed board member of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), where he proposed the creation of the EEF Dressage Working Group — which he then chaired. He was also the Eastern and Central Europe representative for the International Dressage Officials Club.
“Wojtek played a central role in judging and developing international dressage in a career spanning over 30 years”, Trond Asmyr, FEI director of dressage and para-dressage said.
“He was one of our most active judges and had a brilliant statistician’s mind. Thanks to his sought-after expertise, he was due to head to his second consecutive Olympics as technical delegate in Rio in 2016.
“He has left a valuable legacy for international dressage, and his dedication and passion for our sport will be very sorely missed.”
Andrew Nicholson has said he has been “incredibly lucky” after being released from hospital to continue his recovery following neck surgery at home.
The Kiwi rider suffered a serious neck injury during a heavy fall at the Festival of British Eventing on Sunday (9 August).
“My surgeon, Mr Jeremy Reynolds, told me that the injury I sustained to my neck would have caused paralysis at the time of injury, in 98% of cases,” he said today (Thursday, 20 August).
“I was extremely fortunate this did not happen.”
Andrew fell with Cillnabradden Evo in the CIC3* at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire earlier this month (9 August). The horse was not hurt in the fall.
The six-times Olympic rider was taken to hospital in Swindon immediately. However, he was then transferred to the John Radcliffe in Oxfordshire, where he underwent surgery on 10 August.
“I underwent an eight-hour operation where they repaired the fractures and stabilised my cervical spine,” he said.
“This procedure in itself was not without risk, and I cannot thank the team of spinal surgeons at the John Radcliffe hospital enough for what they have done.”
Andrew is now walking unaided and has a full range of movement. But he has withdrawn all his horses from Burghley and does not know when he will return to the saddle. He had been preparing for a record-breaking fourth consecutive win in the Lincolnshire event.
“Obviously I won’t be riding again this season as it will take some time to fully recover,” he added.
“ While I have to take things easy, I am up and about and fully mobile, and look forward to getting back to full fitness in due course.
“Thank you in advance for allowing my family and I some privacy and time to rest and recover.
“I am very pleased to be back at home and wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone myself for their kind messages and support, which have meant a lot to me and my family.”
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish what has happened to the horse but I would appeal directly to any neighbours or residents in the area who may have seen anything unusual or suspicious in the days before this happened,” said Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson of Police Scotland.
“As a result of this cruel act a horse has died and a family have now lost a much-loved animal.”
The pony’s owner Zoe Wright wrote on Facebook: “Someone came into my horse’s field and stabbed my beautiful old girl Blaze twice in the chest before sexually violating her. Blaze was put to sleep after succumbing to her injuries.
“My lovely Blaze was the nicest pony, she has been part of our family for 18 years, the complete low-life scum who did this to her needs to face justice for what they have done.”
She is now offering a £1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest.
Detective Inspector Stevenson added that the police have not received reports of any similar incidents, but urged owners to keep a close eye on their horses.
“Patrols are carried out frequently in rural areas but we do rely on residents, land owners and people who work in the area to contact us to report anything unusual or suspicious,” he added.
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101.
Alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Twenty-three-year-old Jessica Springsteen (pictured above, right), daughter of rock legend ‘The Boss’ Bruce, is one of America’s top 10 showjumpers, but she’s not the only celebrity offspring making waves in the equestrian world…
1. Jennifer Gates
If your dad’s the richest man in America, you can probably afford to buy a few decent horses – and 19-year old Jennifer’s dad is none other than Bill Gates, the Microsoft squillionaire himself. The oldest of the three Gates children, Jennifer is a talented rider, making a name for herself on the US showjumping circuit. Her proud father regularly watches her compete, and last year bought a huge estate with top-notch equestrian facilities in Wellington, Florida. Can he be our dad too?
2. Gemma Owen
Yet another famous footballer’s offspring, 12-year old Gemma’s dad is footballer Michael Owen. Together with his horse-mad wife Louise, the family owns and breeds racehorses at their home in Cheshire. Gemma has represented Wales in under-12 dressage, and is the proud owner of Der Kleine Lord, a top international dressage pony who won team silver and individual bronze for Great Britain. Lucky girl.
As the daughter of rock royalty, Jessica Springsteen is used to the spotlight. However, in equestrian circles she’s known as More…
3. Hannah Selleck
Famous for his moustache and appearance in Friends as Monica’s boyfriend Richard, Tom Selleck’s 25-year old daughter Hannah is following in his footsteps. Tom became so attached to the steed he rode in Western film Blue Bloods that he bought it, and the riding bug has passed to Hannah, who is a Grand Prix showjumper. She hopes to become world-class with her mare Barla. Good luck to them!
4. Bella Lloyd Webber
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the richest men in Britain, and he and his third wife Madeleine are keen equestrians, owning a very successful racehorse stud farm, Watership Down in Ireland. Their 19-year old daughter Isabella Aurora (known as Bella) is an eventer, competing at Hambleden International Horse Trials in April, and in the under-24s category at Tattersalls International Horse Trials in Ireland in May, on her horse Jazzin Along.
5. Darby Ward
Daughter of former Manchester City footballer Ashley Ward and wife Dawn Ward, who featured in reality TV show Real Housewives of Cheshire, 20-year old Darby has been competing in showjumping since childhood. In 2012, she helped clinch a British win in the CSIOP Grand Prix in Moorsele with a double clear. She is also a member of a girl band called Alula!
6. Lila Bremner
Comedian and impressionist Rory Bremner’s young daughters Ava and Lila are both pony-mad. Lila is a rising star in the Pony Club, winning the Area 9 Dengie Winter League SJ (90cm) back in March. One to watch.
7. Chelsea Pearce
Stuart Pearce was a former England footballer, and managed Nottingham Forest FC until recently. His daughter Chelsea has been riding since she was two, affiliated at 10, represented Britain at the Pony European Championships in 2013 and 2014, and now, aged just 16, successfully events her horses Little Indian Feather and Djakota EB. Her goal is to become a 4* eventer and successful producer – and we reckon she’ll do it.
8. Noah Cyrus
Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray’s daughter, has achieved world domination in the singing, writhing about and sticking out her tongue stakes, and now little sister Noah wants to do the same with equestrianism. The 15-year old competes her horse Comet in showjumping and says her aim is to represent her country in the Olympics one day. Then maybe release a record. Uh-oh.
Organisers: Petra Williams and Colin Jaggard Contact: 01664 855467 (prior to the event only); 07702 911717 (from the Friday onwards); equestrian-centre@brooksbymelton.ac.uk Location: Leicestershire
Entries open: 21 August Ballot date: 4 September at 12 noon Entries close: 15 September
The event will be signed from the A607. Follow signage for lorry and car parking as we use an entrance from the Rearsby turn-off.
What the organisers say
New for this year is our novice track, which is once again designed and built by Joe Weller. This will include a new loop with combinations and steps and runs over undulating terrain. Alterations for the other tracks have also been made to provide interest. A range of permanent fences and portables are used for all courses. The tracks boast a good variety of fences, including steps, drops and water.
The tracks are confidence building and suitable for professionals and first-timers alike.
This is a good course for spectators, as there are several viewing points across the course from which to watch.
Excellent catering facilities are available at the college restaurant, which serves a range of hot and cold food from the Friday afternoon and evening onwards. There is also a licensed bar this year.
The showjumping will take place on our 40x80m fabulous new outdoor surface with the course again designed by Beau Woods. The dressage takes place on level grassland pasture. All ridden areas, including the warm-ups, dressage and cross-country, are professionally agri-vated, with all-weather take-offs and landings added as necessary.
This is a friendly, welcoming event for those new to the sport, as well as providing a professional service for the seasoned eventer.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “The dressage warm-up area is flat but I feel it would benefit from increasing in size as it did feel a little tight.” “The dressage arenas were flat in a reasonably quiet area.” “The showjumping warm-up took place in a large indoor arena which was a real bonus and the surface was very good.” “The showjumping course was well designed and on a lovely surface.”
Cross-country — “The cross-country at BE90 level was a good test for horse and rider and did catch quite a few people out as there were some slightly more technical questions than I have seen in other BE90 courses.” “The warm-up area is level and a really good size.” “It was a fair test and appropriate for a regional final.” “The ground was fine on the day I competed but I would imagine it may get quite firm depending on the weather.” “The course has some undulations and would require a good level of fitness.” “I probably wouldn’t choose this as a first event for a young horse but it is a great mid- to late-season event.”
Michael Whitaker and Cassionato jump clear on the second day of the European Showjumping Championships 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon
Britain’s riders performed brilliantly again today (20 August) to remain in the hunt for medals — and crucially, for a Rio 2016 Olympic qualification — at the FEI European Showjumping Championships in Aachen, Germany.
Having been third after yesterday’s speed leg,the team now hold fourth place. They are just 2.59 penalties behind the Germans in bronze position and within one fence of the Dutch, who are lying second before tomorrow’s final team contest.
Joe Clee was one of Britain’s star performers again today and his clear with Ludwig Criel’s Utamaro D’Ecaussines means he retains third individually.
“I was more relaxed than yesterday,” said Joe. “My horse jumped great — he was a bit too good in the beginning [jumping too big] but he settled down after fence four.”
Joe Clee and Utamaro D’Ecaussines hold third place during the second day of action at the European Showjumping Championships 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon
The pressure was on Britain’s final two riders, Joe and Michael Whitaker, after mixed fortunes for the first two.
Pathfinder Ben Maher was having a superb round until the last combination, which was meant to be taken on two strides. But Ben’s ride, Tatiana Korsakova’s Diva II, took off after one stride, landing in the middle of the final oxer in a scatter of breaking poles. Ben did a fantastic job just to stay on the 10-year-old chestnut mare.
“She felt perfect the whole way and I purposefully took a longer line to the last double, to create a lot of pressure for her [to jump this double of big oxers],” said Ben.
“I put pressure on her at the first — and she took off a stride early. It became a survival moment — four faults wasn’t a bad round today, but if I’d been on the floor it would have all been over.
“She’s still inexperienced and young. I don’t think I could have got it any better if I did it again. But she jumped as good as any horse and that’s the way it goes. It’s still a solid round for the team and hopefully it gives the others confidence.”
Individually, the error pushed Ben from seventh last night to 22nd, but Michael Whitaker said he deserved a medal just for staying on the mare.
Jessica Mendoza was next in and was unable to improve on her two fences down yesterday, with Sarah Mendoza’s Spirit T knocking down the last two parts of the treble at fence five, plus the silver Mercedes upright at 12.
With 12 faults on the board, it was clear that to remain competitive the British would need to drop Jessica’s score. Joe rose to the occasion — and then anchorman Michael Whitaker did the same, putting in a clear with Beverly Widdowson’s grey stallion Cassionato.
Michael Whitaker and Cassionato jump clear on the second day of the European Showjumping Championships 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon
Afterwards, Michael was clearly emotional.
“I said when I came out of the ring I’ve never felt pressure like that — if I’d gone in and cocked it all up that would have been it, we wouldn’t have been going to the Olympics,” said Michael.
And he was right — had the team had to count Jessica’s 12 faults, they would have missed the cut for tomorrow’s final team competition, as only the top 10 teams go through, and it would all have been over for Britain’s Rio hopes.
Michael is now 22nd individually. The top 25 contest Sunday’s individual final.
Ireland also made it through to tomorrow, with a clear from Cian O’Connor (Good Luck) helping the team to ninth.
The Irish are also looking for Rio 2016 qualification, which goes to the top three nations here excluding those already qualified. The teams still in the mix for those crucial Olympic places are Great Britain (currently fourth), Switzerland (sixth), Spain (seventh), Denmark (eighth) and Ireland (ninth).
France take control
Germany dropped from first overnight to team bronze today, having to count one four fault round alongside two clears. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum’s grey Fibonacci 17 had a toe in the water, while Christian Ahlmann and Taloubet Z took the back bar off the Turkish Airlines oxer at fence six.
But clears from Ludger Beerbaum (Chiara 222) — who retains second individually — and Daniel Deusser (Cornet D’Amour) kept the team in the medals.
“I wasn’t fully aware of all the other results, but I knew we needed a clear to stay in the game,” said Daniel.
France recorded three faultless rounds today, with Penelope Leprovost keeping her individual lead with Flora De Mariposa. She was backed up by Simon Delestre (Ryan Des Hayettes) and Kevin Staut (Reveur Du Hurtebsie HDC). They moved up to take the gold position overnight.
Penelope Leprovost and Flora De Mariposa keep their individual lead by jumping clear on the second day of the European Showjumping Championships 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon
The Netherlands also added nothing to their score from yesterday and so bounced up the leaderboard from fifth to second.
A horse has had a lucky escape after falling into a cesspit full of sewage water.
The horse, stabled at a yard in Lothianburn, Edinburgh, broke through a fenced off area and fell into a fibreglass cesspit on Sunday (16 August).
He was almost fully submerged in the waste when firefighters arrived at 9am.
Crews from Penicuik and Newcraighall helped rescue the horse.
“They initially used a LPP (light portable pump) to reduce the water level,” a spokesman for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service told H&H.
“The incident commander requested another fire engine from Sighthill to attend for use of a second LPP.
“Subsequently a water rescue response was mobilised from Marionville to allow crew with wetsuits to fit straps around the horse to assist with removal.
“Had the cesspit not been drained two months earlier it is likely the horse would not have survived.”
After the horse was removed from the cesspit at around 11.15am he was treated at the yard by a vet.
While most of the FEI European Championships take place in Aachen this year, the eventers will be enjoying the picturesque views at Blair Castle in Scotland. As host nation, Britain has a squad of 12 riders, four team members and a further eight individuals, while other countries can bring only six riders. As we countdown to the event, this page will be kept up to date with team news as and when it becomes available.
Eventing teams for European eventing championships at Blair
London’s longest-serving police horse has died aged 22.
Bugsy, a “brave and loyal” 18hh piebald, was put down earlier today (Friday 21 August).
Officially known as James, after ex-Commissioner James Hart, the horse joined the City of London Police in 2004.
He was the first piebald horse to serve with the police.
In recent years Bugsy had suffered from ringbone and sidebone, which had grown progressively worse.
Today vets decided to put him down due to the condition.
Bugsy was involved in all the major deployments of police horses in London over the past 11 years, including the G20 protests in 2009, the student demonstrations in 2009 and 2010, the London riots of 2011, the 2012 Olympics, Trooping the Colour and the State Opening of Parliament.
He was also at every Lord Mayor’s Show during the past decade.
In 2014, he escorted the Lord Mayor’s coach at the Lord Mayor’s Show.
City Police said he was a “very steady and solid” horse that mentored the new recruits.
He also had a “calming presence,” but a “cheeky side”.
“He wasn’t just our biggest horse — he was one of the biggest personalities too,” said Jesse Wynne, a sergeant in the mounted branch.
“He was a ladies’ man, and had a real distrust of men, and sometimes used to do a runner up the yard while they were tacking up.
“He also had a real love-hate relationship with our farrier, and point-blank refused to be shoed at Wood Street Police Station. He only allowed the farrier anywhere near him at Bushy Park Stables, the Force’s satellite stables in Surrey.”
Bugsy loved tomatoes. He was also known for his love of a good shoulder scratch, keeping officers as scratching slaves until he was happy.
“He was greatly loved by all officers and staff and his loss will be felt deeply,” added Sergeant Wynne.
The weekend is fast approaching and you’re keen to join in with your friends’ plans. However, as your horse comes first, you find yourself facing the many struggles of attempting to balance horses with a social life…
1. Your bank balance
Once again there is too much month left at the end of your money. You find yourself in an all too familiar situation – choosing between going out, or replacing your horse’s ripped turnout for the second time this month. To your fun-loving friends the answer is obvious, yet you find yourself staying in with a cup of tea watching bake-off, whilst your beloved horse happily prances around a muddy field in his new rug.
2. Pamper days
Your friends suggest finishing a long week by indulging in a pamper day. To anyone else this would be the perfect, get together, however you can’t help but cringe with embarrassment at the thought of a beautician attempting to manicure your horsey fingernails and pedicure your well-trodden-on feet. Even getting your hair done seems pointless as you know that you’ll immediately ruin it with a riding hat.
3. Appearing normal on social media
As social media has become such a big part of day-to-day life you can’t help but come across as a bit ‘horse mad’. Snapchat offers the perfect platform to send your friends numerous horse selfies, the group whatsapp allows you to keep your friends up to date with the yard gossip (whether they know those involved or not), you’re adamant that your instagram followers appreciate a daily upload of your horse and you know that your Facebook friends need to see the video of you clearing the water tray. Besides, you were known as the ‘horsey’ one at school, so you wouldn’t want to disappoint your fans.
If you want to keep your yard owner happy and on side, here are some things to avoid...
4. Getting ready
Your friend has phoned to arrange plans and subsequently finds herself on loudspeaker whilst you finish mucking out. You agree to meet, however you’re already running late. As a result you find yourself sneakily getting changed in the tack room and doing your makeup in your car’s wing mirror before heading off. If you’re lucky enough to be getting picked up, you may even crack open that bottle of wine while cleaning your tack…
5. Your car
You have offered to pick your friend up, but have forgotten to tidy your car first. As a result your friend finds that they have to clamber over numerous miscellaneous objects before squeezing in the back between a bag of feed and a bale of shavings, buried under what resembles a full tack shop. When they emerge they are covered in horsehair and have suffered a minor allergic reaction. They don’t ask for a lift again.
6. Your time keeping skills
You don’t know how it happens, but you are just always late. Your horse perfectly coincides losing a shoe with ruining your plans, or of course refuses to come in from the field when you have somewhere to be. You’re sure that they do it on purpose.
7. Eau de equestrian
You find yourself immune to your horsey aroma, yet have found yourself the subject of ‘ew what is that smell!?’ more than once. It’s not your fault that you came straight from the yard and didn’t have time to wash your hair. If this wasn’t bad enough, you’ve somewhat forgotten what acceptable going out clothes are… perhaps a green smear up the sleeve will come into fashion one day.
8. Clicking at your friends
For once you’re on time, however you’re anxious that your slow friend is going to make you miss the start of the film. Without even thinking you find yourself clicking your tongue at them in an encouraging manner. You receive a slightly funny look, however they appear to have taken the hint.
9. Saying inappropriate things
It happens to the best of us — on occasion our equestrian lingo is taken wildly out of context. You believe that you are saying something perfectly normal when you catch the table next to you exchanging glances with amusement.
10. Pocket dialling your farrier
Despite having your farrier on speed dial, you’re mortified to find that you have unintentionally pocket dialled them. However, your friends aren’t convinced that it was an accident…
11. Staying over
You’re always the friend that can’t stay over because you have the horses to do at the crack of dawn. In addition to this, your friends have grown wise to staying at yours in fear of being dragged to the yard with you.
12. The morning after
On the rare occasion that you actually do go out, you’re feeling a little worse-for-wear the next morning. All you want to do is stay in bed and leave only in search of food… if only. Instead you find yourself crawling to the yard to turn the horses out. If you got in particularly late you merely swap your heels for your muck boots, pull a Barbour on over what you’re wearing and off you go. But fresh air can be a great hangover cure, so it’s not all bad.
13. The girls (or lads) holiday
As summer starts to come to an end, your friends suggest one last get away. There is a buzz of excitement within the group, but your first thought is who’s going to look after the horses? Even if you did manage to convince someone to look after your little terror, you know that you would spend the whole time worrying, despite leaving a detailed instruction manual and phoning them twice a day for a check up.
The entrance to the event is directly off the A1 northbound, about half a mile north of the A620 Worksop/Retford underpass.
What the organisers say
KBIS will again sponsor all young horse classes.
The dressage and showjumping are in a main arena environment for all. We are looking to increase warm-up areas for all classes. The whole event site is compact and accessible from the stables.
The cross-country tracks run over the park with some stretches in the woods. The going is good whatever the weather and this event has always run when others have cancelled. The ground is light and sandy. A big new water complex will be built this year, for all classes. These are championship tracks for young horses, however, and are designed to ensure they are beneficial to a horse’s education.
Osberton will again host the popular “Best of British Showcase”, an ideal opportunity to promote good young horses for sale. See website for further details.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Dressage and showjumping both took place in the main arena for the CCI* and CCI2*.” “Good opportunity to experience big competition atmosphere with marquees, flags and spectators around the arena.” “Plenty of warm-up space, and the dressage arenas themselves start off perfectly flat, but will always be a challenge for later competitors due to the heavy, clay soil.” “The dressage was quite atmospheric for young horses but a good education.” “The warm-up was a little limited here for the young horse classes.” “The showjumping warm-up for the CCI* and CCI2* is not great. You can use the hacking and fields around to warm up on the flat, but the warm-up fences are in a corner near the main arena entrance and I always have a near miss with a tree’s low-hanging branches that you are forced to go round to present to a warm-up fence. The young horse classes’ warm-up has much more room, but their round takes place in the big arena next door to the main arena.” “This year the showjumping proved to be testing and many people came out with time-penalties.” “The showjumping was a strong test, as it should be in a championship.”
Cross-country — “The cross-country is run over parkland and woodland. It has great ground that can be run on in almost any weather.” “Plenty of warm-up space on the flat and a reasonable selection of fences for the warm-up.” “The course is great for first-timers at that level and young horses with plenty of black-flagged alternative routes, but is not to be underestimated.” “Plenty of questions that could catch riders out.” “The ground isn’t undulating so it suits big-striding horses.” “This year the time seemed to play a bigger role in the CCI2* than the CCI*.” “The warm-up for the four-year-olds was small and in my opinion insufficient.” “Good courses and an excellent test for youngsters, but the angled pheasant feeders were relatively confusing for the horses.” “The peaty ground copes well, but can be loose in areas.”
There are currently 92 combinations listed on the order, although 94 numbers have been given out.
This is because Oliver Townend has four horses listed and will start on a maximum of three, while Pippa Funnell has three horses in the mix but will only start on two.
Therefore one of their rides has been given two numbers so that the starting order works regardless of which of their horses is withdrawn.
Oliver – winner here in 2009 – will be the pathfinder and also last to go. Oliver’s first ride is Dromgurrihy Blue (number one) and his last is Armada (94).
He also has Samuel Thomas II at number 53. His final entrant is Fenyas Elegance, who has been given numbers two and 95, but the mare is on the British squad for Blair less than a week later (10-13 September), so she is unlikely to run at Burghley.
Five-time Burghley winner William Fox-Pitt has two entries this year – Bay My Hero (number 73) and Fernhill Pimms (number 74). However, as Bay My Hero is also entered for Blair, it is unlikely that he will be run here.
Meanwhile, 2003 Burghley and Rolex Grand Slam winner Pippa Funnell currently has three horses entered. These are Redesigned (number 11) and Mirage D’Elle (number 81) – both double entered with Second Supreme (number 12/82). Second Supreme is also Pippa’s reserve horse for Blair. Her first choice for Blair is Sandman 7.
Other past winning riders to look out for are Caroline Powell on Onwards And Upwards (number 36), Andrew Hoy on Rutherglen (number 27) and H&H columnist Mark Todd on Leonidas II (number 50).
H&H blogger Nana Dalton, who will take Absolut Opposition (number 51), is likely to have a Friday dressage, but as she is around the middle of the field, it does depend on final withdrawals.
Among her fellow H&H bloggers, Coral Keen on Wellshead Fare Opposition (number 65) will also do her dressage on Friday and Simon Grieve on Cornacrew – drawn at number 17 – is likely to have an early to mid-Thursday dressage time.
German double Olympic gold medallist Michael Jung will be competing at the horse trials for the first time on two of his top mounts.
He has been given number 85 with his London 2012 medal-winning partner La Biosthetique-Sam FBW and number 16 with 2014 World Equestrian Games (WEG) silver medallist FischerRocana FST.
Withdrawals so far include Wills Oakden (Alfi Brown), Andreas Ostholt (So Is Et) and Bettina Hoy (Designer 10), who has received her call-up to the German Europeans squad.
The Baileys/BEF Futurity at Richmond Equestrian Centre (12 August) provided some very encouraging results.
Elite premiums were awarded to a colt foal son of the 2015 Badminton winner, Chilli Morning and last year’s top scoring Futurity showjumping foal.
Rachael Whitford’s colt foal, Chilli Wednesday (pictured top) (Chilli Morning x Randi Elite) scored an elite premium of 9.21 at Richmond. Rachael showjumped as a junior and when she went off to university, her father started breeding from her ponies which has sparked a long-term interest in breeding.
Rachael said: “I am just over the moon with Chilli Wednesday. We went out and bought a broodmare, Bella Rus last May from Jenny Horsfield. She came with already paid access to Chilli Morning and was ideal as with her showjumping bloodlines that furthered my interest as well.”
Chilli Wednesday is also the full brother to former Futurity higher first premium scorer, two year old, Chilli Bell.
Rachael continued: “We will go back to Chilli Morning again with Bella Rus as they have such a good track record. Chilli Wednesday got his name because not only was he born on a Wednesday, our family are also massive supporters of Sheffield Wednesday.”
Jorvik Star
Showjumping yearling, Jorvik Star (Balou Star x Cruyff) took a score of 9.10 for the other elite premium of the day. This is the second time Jorvik Star has been awarded an elite premium. As a foal in 2014, he was the top scoring Futurity showjumping entry with a score of 9.20. Jorvik Star is owned and was bred by Kate and Tim Betteridge.
Kate said: “We are very, very lucky to have such a wonderful youngster. To get an elite two years running is so exciting. He has that real, look at me quality and has grown into a lovely yearling with real character.”
Jorvik Star was bred from Kate’s mare, C Vera Z. Kate has owned the mare for eight years and she has jumped in 1.40m classes. Kate is celebrating a very successful week with her homebred horses as Jorvik Star’s full brother, colt foal, Kingston Star gained a higher first premium the previous day at the Arena UK Futurity.
Corsage
Samantha Brown and Anne-Marie Perry Cowan’s dressage sports pony, the filly foal, Corsage (Caesar 171 x Pr H Abanos) scored a higher first premium of 8.95.
Samantha’s mother Beverley Brown said: “Samantha and Anne-Marie have started a breeding programme with their State premium Westfalian mare, Attention Please. They are both quite excited about Corsage’s future. Corsage will be produced for dressage, I think Samantha and Anne-Marie will draw straws for who will ride her!”
Beverley also had Godrics Cryptonite (Caesar 171 x Donnerwetter) (8.85) and Godrics Decoy (Danger 36 x Don Primero) (8.60) at Richmond.
Aredis Power Beam
Top three-year-old at Richmond was Steve Pullan’s part-bred Cleveland Bay gelding, Aredis Power Beam (Power Blade x Knaresborough Fusilier), he scored a higher first premium of 8.50 in the eventing section.
Steve said: “Aredis Power Beam is out of my Cleveland Bay mare, Knaresborough Moonbeam. I bought her as a five-year-old and she has proved to be a brilliant broodmare. She has also bred Knaresborough Moon Dust who was Supreme Champion at Great Yorkshire last year and our purebred Cleveland Bay licensed stallion, Arena Big Ben. I am really pleased with how Power Beam has turned out he is unbeaten in sports horse and part bred Cleveland Bay classes. He took the Championship in the part-bred Cleveland Bay class at Equi-Fest last week.”
Steve also gained a higher first premium of 8.58 with two-year-old filly, Aredis Mystique (Primitive Proposal x Terimon) at Richmond and a score of 8.50 with eventing foal, Aredis Prospero (Primitive Proposal x Whitehouse Trooper). Mystique’s dam, Little Alice was a former Cuddy in-hand HOYS winner.
Beeswing
Lizzie Richmond from Ripon exhibited the Aredis youngsters for Steve Pullan at Richmond. Lizzie also did well with Denny Russell’s two-year-old filly, Beeswing (Royaldik x State Diplomacy) who headed her age group at Richmond with a higher first premium of 8.50.
Lizzie said: “Denny lives near Blair Castle in Scotland, but Beeswing was bred here in Yorkshire. We were really pleased with her at the Futurity. She has had a couple of outings this year. She took fourth in the sports horse class at the Hambleton show and fourth in a really strong two-year-old filly class at Bramham. She has also won and gone champion at local level.”
Beeswing’s grandmother on her dam’s side, Fairy Fiddler took second in the Riding Horse class at HOYS with Lizzie several years ago.
1st August – Catherston Stud, Hampshire
2nd August – Chelwood Equestrian, East Sussex
3rd August – Writtle College, Essex
4th August – The College, Keysoe, Bedfordshire
7th August – Tall Trees Arena, Cornwall
9th August – Hartpury College, Gloucestershire
11th August – Arena UK, Lincolnshire
12th August – Richmond Equestrian Centre, North Yorkshire
13th August – Myerscough College, Lancashire
14th August – Southview Equestrian Centre, Cheshire
17th August – Solihull Riding Club, West Midlands
18th August – Solihull Riding Club, West Midlands
