Stay up to date with the latest action from the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials with our H&H Live service on 3-6 September. This is a written live and interactive commentary service, brought to you in assocation with top equestrian brands Pikeur and Eskadron, bringing you all the action from all three phases of the prestigious four-star competition. NB: This is NOT a live video stream.
On dressage days, H&H eventing editor Pippa Roome will be joined by H&H dressage columnist and reserve for the British team at the 2015 Europeans, Anna Ross. Anna will be sharing her views on every single test during the two days of dressage. On cross-country day, Pippa will be joined by H&H’s Gemma Redrup, a keen amateur event rider herself, to keep you abreast of all the action. Then on Sunday Pippa will bring you all the ups and downs of the influential final phase – so set your reminders for each phase below so you don’t miss a moment of the action.
The Dutch take team gold at the European Showjumping Championships 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon
The Netherlands took the team gold today (21 August) at the FEI European Showjumping Championships, moving up from second overnight.
Their first two riders in today, world champion Jeroen Dubbledam (SFN Zenith NOP) and Maikel van der Vleuten (VDL Groep Verdi TN NOP), jumped clear. Had their third pair, Jur Vrieling on VDL Zirocco Blue NOP, also been fault-free, they could have secured the gold even before the final tranche of team riders.
But Jur had a time-fault, leaving the way open for the Germans to take the gold if their last rider, Daniel Deusser on Cornet D’Amour jumped clear. But the pair hit the red oxer at fence eight, handing gold to the Dutch. The Germans collected silver.
Chef d’equipe Rob Ehrens said: “There’s no magic formula, but we’re a small country and we work well together. It only takes half a minute for me to make the call to get them in position for a Nations Cup or championship. I’m honoured to work with such amazing riders, horses and people behind the scenes. It makes life easy for me.”
Pathfinder Jeroen said: “It was a really tough course today, as you could see from the individuals [none of whom jumped clear]. Three or four went clear before me, which makes the pressure more. You know if you have one down you’ll already be behind.
“But my horse gave me a lot of confidence to start off with a clear round and then I could give confidence to my team-mates.”
German rider Ludger Beerbaum, who had fence 5b down today with Chiara 222 and so dropped from second to seventh individually, said: “It couldn’t have been closer. You have to accept a day like today can change things and you end up second. Congratulations to the Dutch — they deserved to win.”
The Swiss continued their ascent, moving up from fifth overnight to take the team bronze. Their effort today was spearheaded by clears from pathfinder Romain Duguet (Quorida De Treho) and anchorman Paul Estermann (Castlefield Eclipse).
Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya now leads the way individually on Carlo 273, the grey previously piloted by Britain’s Nick Skelton. He has jumped three clear rounds so far.
Sergio Alvarez Moya and Carlo 273 during the European Showjumping Championships 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon
Ukrainian Cassio Rivetti sits second on Vivant, with Jeroen Dubbledam in third.
The top 25 riders jump again over two rounds on Sunday for individual honours. Two Brits have made the cut, Joe Clee on Utamaro D’Ecaussines (eighth) and Ben Maher on Diva II (10th).
Full report on the European Showjumping Championships in H&H next week, out Thursday, 27 August.
“I didn’t know we’d qualified until I came out of the ring — obviously now we’re disappointed not to get a medal, but the qualification was plan A,” said Joe Clee.
Joe had a fence down today, his first of the championship, when Ludwig Criel’s Utamaro D’Ecaussines took off the back bar of the oxer out of the treble at fence five. He still holds eighth individually ahead of Sunday’s final, although he is painfully aware that had he gone clear, he would be in the lead.
Joe Clee and Utamaro D’Ecaussines on the third day of the European Championships 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon
Ben Maher was Britain’s best performer today, conjuring a vital clear from Tatiana Korsakova’s Diva II.
“She’s in the form of her life and going to the normal jumps today I was comfortable, but I wanted to get the combinations out the way after our blip yesterday,” said Ben, who crashed through the final oxer yesterday when the mare took off a stride early.
“Today’s combination wasn’t the nicest to come to without being able to train and regroup, but she jumped fantastically.”
Ben is now in 10th place individually.
Ben Maher and Diva II on the third day of the European Showjumping Championships 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon
Jessica Mendoza, 19, found her form when it counted today. Having been the team’s drop score for the previous two days, she cleared all the fences today, with her mother Sarah’s Spirit T just dropping a foot in the water for four faults.
“I was so concentrating on going clear, I could have focused more on the water, but I’m really happy,” she said.
Michael Whitaker’s young horse, Beverly Widdowson’s Cassionata, was tired today after two fantastic performances. He lowered both the second part of the double of verticals over water trays (12b) and the final fence (13), as well as adding a time-fault.
“He’s jumped unbelievably, but he’s not used to doing three days in a row,” said Michael.
Irish appeal after O’Connor’s round interrupted
Britain may be celebrating, but Ireland’s Olympic qualification hangs in the balance. Cian O’Connor jumped clear up to fence 10 on Good Luck, but as he rounded the mound to the next obstacle, a man was in his way. He had fence 11, the red DHL oxer down.
“I had to shout at him to get out of the way and it put me off my line, the horse sidestepped him a bit — it was as clear as day the guy was in my way,” said Cian. “My chef d’equipe [Robert Splaine] has filed an objection.”
With Cian’s four faults, Ireland finished seventh, behind Spain in sixth. Had Cian secured a clear round, Ireland would have finished ahead of Spain and picked up an Olympic qualification.
Show director Frank Kemperman confirmed in tonight’s press conference that the results are still provisional pending the outcome of the appeal.
Because we don’t have a championship as such this year, the New Zealand team targeted Aachen as a team event at which we wanted to do well, and we had a pretty strong squad there.
Aachen is always an amazing show — even the showjumpers say that it is one of the best in terms of organisation, hospitality and facilities.
Every time I go there more facilities seem to have been added, and there was a new covered warm-up arena this time.
The eventing dressage and showjumping had been moved — because of the dressage and showjumping European Championships taking place at the same time — to a grass arena, which is normally the driving arena.
The New Zealanders all felt that we had underperformed in the dressage. I had a senior moment and went the wrong way, which didn’t help, but NZB Campino’s test wasn’t even near his best, and my team-mates felt the same about theirs.
I don’t think the showjumping was as big as it normally is, but it was a very open, galloping course and caused enough problems. Jock Paget was the only one of our team not to jump clear, and we closed the gap a bit on the Germans.
The cross-country, too, had been softened a bit — for example, I thought the first water was a bit kinder than it has been. There were still plenty of places that you needed to be accurate, however, and fence 16ab, two angled hedges, caught quite a few out.
Tim Price was the only one of ours to go inside the time, but I was thrilled with Campino, who was five seconds over the optimum — he’s back to his best this year and he handled the tight track really well. I’m looking forward to taking him to Pau at the end of the season.
The Germans had three inside the time, and ended up beating us by about six marks. The German team don’t make mistakes. They are very professional and thorough. To beat them, everyone has to up their game.
Gatcombe is now something of a unique event in the calendar, and one you almost need a specialist horse for. I didn’t run NZB Campino across country; he has had an injury in the past and I didn’t think going flat out up and downhill on a camber was the best thing for him.
But I liked the course, and Mark Phillips’ changes to it were interesting and worked well. I thought they had done a great job with the ground. It’s a terrific spectacle for visitors as well.
But people just aren’t used to running on that sort of terrain anymore and we are more protective of our horses.
The first prize in the open is good — £5,000 — but that doesn’t buy you a new horse.
Speeding up the jumping
With the showjumping at one-day events, wouldn’t it be a good idea to have the next rider already in the ring when the one before them is jumping, as they do in pure showjumping classes — where sometimes the next two are actually in there?
It would help speed things up, and would be good education for younger horses to spend more time in the ring.
Bexs Salt, joint owner of Flora Harris' event horse Bayano, reports back from a bitterly disappointing trip to Aachen, which has meant the combination will no longer head to the European Championships at Blair Castle
It really was not our event. Flora’s dressage on Barney (Bayano) was smart for 44 but not his best, with a few uncharacteristic mistakes, however still some great marks on his sheet.
Showjumping later that day was over an up to size track and was cunningly designed in a big arena to lull riders into getting time faults. Barney jumped well but without his usual flamboyance just rolling one pole but more frustrating for everyone were the additional time faults dropping us down the leaderboard.
And then to the cross-country (pictured) where things didn’t really go to plan. Flora felt that Barney did not ever get going feeling empty from the start. At the combination at fence 16ab, which claimed many a scalp, Barney ran out, followed by another glance off at a later combination, which marked the end of the road.
Over the past days, the selectors have made the tough decision that given Barney’s form at Aachen he won’t be going to the Europeans.
Clearly this is devastating news, no more so than for Flora and her team.
Barney is completely sound, however we are now looking in detail at any reason why he and Flora may not have been able to compete at their best. He’s sunning his hooves in the paddock this week before we make a plan
He is only nine-years-old and while everyone is feeling despondent at the moment, the reality is he is a truly classy horse and Flora has more than proved she can ride him to greatness. I know they will both be back soon and in the meantime, Flora has four at Bicton Horse Trials this weekend, including my other horse CrossBoyne.
As we all know, horses give you the biggest highs and the biggest lows — but for now I would to wish the entire squad the best of luck at Blair. Bring home some medals!
“We work with young, disadvantaged children and our aim is to open up life for them,” said Linda Hinds of the charity.
In May, EHC members visited Lingfield races, where they were given a behind the scenes tour and also presented prizes.
“Two weeks later, Clarissa Daly [PRA chief executive] got in touch with us to see if some of our members would be interested in pony racing,” Linda told H&H.
“We thought ‘this is really exciting’.”
Four young members aged between 11-14 years old have been chosen to take part in the scheme.
The aim is for them to compete in their first race in the spring on one of the charity’s ponies.
Julie and Patrick Scott from Appletree Stud in Banbury kick-started the training session in Brixton at the beginning of the summer holidays.
As well as mounted training, the youngsters have been strengthening their muscles using space hoppers and balance boards.
Ollie McPhail, the British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust’s lead education officer, also ran an Equicizer training session for members.
“They are loving it – absolutely loving it,” said Linda.
“It is another opportunity for them. We do quite a lot with them, they have been doing quite a bit of polo over the summer.”
On Tuesday (18 August) the young jockeys and ponies put their skills into practice on a gallops for the first time at Parwood Equestrian Centre in Guildford, Surrey.
The PRA runs a similar scheme at Appletree Stud near Banbury, Oxon, which started two years ago.
The idea behind it is to provide children who otherwise would not be able to try pony racing to have a go.
“From that, we then realised we could also take the scheme into inner cities,” chief executive of the PRA Clarissa Daly told H&H.
She added this gives more children the opportunity to try pony racing who might not have had the chance before.
“We are looking to show children that there is a whole wealth of jobs they can do in racing,” she said.
The programme started at EHC in July and is also running at St James City Farm in Gloucester.
Both centres have been provided with an Equicizer for the children to practice on over the winter.
The schemes are funded by the PRA with money from the British Horseracing Authority and the department for culture, media and sport.
This year’s H&H/Saracen eventing bursary winner Zoe Gould admits to struggling to keep her concentration in the showjumping arena. She has come to Laura Renwick's yard with her seven-year-old ex-racehorse Musical Legend (‘Legend’) to get Laura's advice on how to improve their weakest phase
Saracen Eventing Bursary - New Farm, Little Totham, Essex, United Kingdom - 20 July 2015
First impressions
The 16.1hh gelding is now established at BE90 and Zoe is trying to move up to BE100, with a view to getting him up to novice next year. Laura is surprised to learn that Legend has come off the racetrack: “He looks very laid back and easy, like he’s at home.”
The warm-up
The pair warm up over a cross-pole with a placing pole on either side, turning around at each end and coming back over it in the opposite direction.
“Let the poles do the work,” says Laura. “You just need to sit and wait and concentrate on keeping Legend in the middle of the fence.
“The poles are there to help him land a bit shorter — you have to get him to bascule a bit more,” explains Laura, in an effort to work on Legend’s problem of flattening over the fences.
Keeping concentration
When Laura asks Zoe to link several fences together, seven-year-old Legend’s greenness appears, taking a flier over the oxer and putting in a stop on the second attempt.
“He just scared himself with the first funny jump,” says Laura. “Keep jumping it until it feels comfortable.
“I feel like he’s not really concentrating,” says Zoe, as Legend puts in some uncharacteristic stops on the course Laura has put together.
“It looks like you’re anticipating him taking off, leaning forward and taking your leg off,” suggests Laura. “It’s important that you feel what’s happening underneath you and react to it.”
For the dressage element of the H&H/Saracen eventing bursary, dressage rider Spencer Wilton helps Zoe Gould and her seven-year-old ex-racehorse More…
Make the corners count
To improve Legend’s canter and balance around the corners coming into fences, Laura suggests putting a bollard six foot out of the corner as an obstacle to go around, to make the most out of that space. “That way the horse rides the corners himself,” says Laura.
Changing legs
“You want to try and get Legend to change legs for himself,” says Laura. “That will give you one less thing to think about when you’re in the ring. One way to help with this is by jumping a cross-pole on a figure of eight at home.”
Competition day
“Once you’ve walked the course (I usually do it twice) stick to your plan,” says Laura. “Of course you might end up having to improvise, but in my experience I’ve changed my plan just before and wished I hadn’t.”
“When it comes to warming up, try not to do masses of jumps in the collecting ring, unless there’s a particular problem you want to work on. And as soon as you go in the ring, just let him know what you want from him.”
Ironing out the problems
Reflecting on the session, Laura says: “It’s really nice to see an ex-racehorse finding a new career.
“What you need to work on at home is keeping the momentum so you have enough impulsion and he feels like he can take on the fence,” adds Laura.
“You have to try to not concentrate on making everything perfect.”
For more information or immediate advice on feeding your ex-racehorse, contact one of the Saracen Horse Feeds nutritional team on 01622 718 487 or visit www.saracenhorsefeeds.com and complete the online feed advice form
Tweseldown is under new management and has been given a “make-over”.
Former four-star eventer Rachael Faulkner took over the lease of the site in January, but due to delays with its owners, the Ministry of Defence, the completion didn’t happen until this month (7 August).
However, the paperwork has now been signed and Rachael is looking forward to developing the venue.
“Tweseldown has huge history,” she told H&H. “The first race meeting was held here in 1866 and it hosted the Olympic [equestrian events] in 1948.”
It has a special place in my heart and has such heritage.”
The leaseholder must align Natural England’s land management requirements with the established British Eventing (BE) and unaffiliated calendar, Pony Club camps and schooling.
“To say it has been frustrating is an understatement,” Mr Powell told H&H at the time. “Experts agree with me that Tweseldown shouldn’t have been a designated SPA in the first place.”
As part of the redevelopment, Mrs Faulkner has installed 18 new fences.
“It’s very exciting, we’ve given it a bit of a revamp,” she said. “It’s a brilliant course and we’re working with Dominic Moore and Adrian Ditcham.”
The venue hosts three BE competitions a year but Mrs Faulkner is hoping to extend the amount of grassroots and unaffiliated competitions held at the site.
“We want people to have a reason to come and at all levels,” she added.
Mrs Faulkner ran the last event at Tweseldown after the unexpected death of Peter Lamont.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my new role as organiser of Tweseldown horse trials,” she said. “I am extremely grateful to have worked with the existing team. It was definitely the secret to the smooth running of the event.”
Adrian Ditcham, BE course designer and its south east regional coordinator, added: “Tweseldown has always been the premier cross-country facility in the south east, so it is very exciting to have Rachael at the helm taking the venue forward.
“She is very focused and determined.
“It is a region where grassroots is very popular, so I understand she is keen to focus on that level of the sport.
“She will be moving her office to the site to create more of a business hub, which is a positive move to ensure there is always someone on the ground there overseeing developments.”
In her new book 'Modern Horse Management', showing supremo Katie Jerram looks at how to get the perfect plaits to suit your horse
Plaiting a mane is an art, as the number of plaits and the way they are set on to a horse’s neck can make the most of his conformation. It can even create an optical illusion, as when setting plaits on top of the neck adds the appearance of extra substance to a neck lacking muscle.
Plaits can be sewn or, if you are practising techniques or in a hurry, fastened with rubber bands or yarn. Stitching looks neater and will keep the plaits more secure. To undo stitched plaits, use a dressmaker’s stitch unpicker rather than scissors as there is less risk of cutting into mane hair.
Conventional (hunter) plaits are acceptable for most disciplines, with the proviso that some showing categories – native ponies, pure-bred Arabs and cobs shown as traditionals – specify that manes must be natural.
Even then, it’s important to check breed and society guidelines, as some allow a degree of thinning and shortening. The rules are taken to extremes for pure-bred Arabians, where the fashion is to cut an exaggeratedly long bridlepath.
The basic technique for plaiting is explained below. Traditionally, there were seven or nine plaits along the neck with one for the forelock.
In the UK, it’s accepted that you should not need more than eleven; in the USA, riders sometimes opt for many more. Tailor the size and number of plaits to suit your horse’s conformation – for some reason, most people still opt for an odd number along the neck.
A heavyweight hunter type looks better with relatively substantial plaits (not ‘golf balls’) spaced apart whilst smaller plaits set slightly closer together complement a finer type of animal.
Dressage rider and self-confessed "control freak" Sarah Millis shows H&H readers how to produce plaits which will wow the judges More…
How to plait a horse’s mane: step by step
1. First, get everything ready and in place: it’s annoying to reach the end of a plait and realise your threaded needle is out of reach. We like to plait on the morning of a show, even though this may mean working in the dark. You need a brighter light than most stable lights throw, so I wear a cap with a torch attached to the brim. This allows me to focus on the precise area I’m working on. To save time, I thread lots of needles with plaiting thread the night before and keep them stuck in a small sponge so I don’t lose them. The sponge, plus some plaiting gel and a clip to hold loose mane hair out of the way as I make each plait, go in the pocket of my plaiting overalls. Once organised, the process is as follows:
2. Apply plaiting gel or, if you prefer, wet the hair and divide into even sections. Experienced plaiters can do this by eye, but it you’re unsure, section the mane and secure each section with a band or hair clip.
3. Start plaiting at the poll. If a horse becomes restless during the plaiting process, it’s easier to finish off plaits near the withers than those near his ears.
4. Divide the section into three equal, smaller ones and plait all the way down. As you plait, keep the tension taut but even. However, if you want to set each plait into a ‘hood’ of hair on top of the neck, to give an impression of more substance, don’t pull your first two crossovers as taut as the following ones.
5. Turn up the end of the plait and bind it with your knotted cotton to keep loose hairs secure.
6. Thread the needle through the base of the plait from front to back, then take the needle through the top of the plait from back to front, so the plait is doubled up.
7. Stitch down the centre, following the zigzags made by the hair sections so the stitches are hidden.
8. Take the needle from and through the bottom of the plait from front to back. Next, pass it through the top from the back to the front, so you are doubling up the plait again.
9. Stitch backwards and forwards three times to keep the plait secure. If you want to set the plait in a hood to give an impression that the neck has more substance, push it into place and hold it there as you stitch.
10. Knot the thread underneath the plait and cut it. Stand back and admire your handiwork, but don’t be tempted to pull out any stray hairs that have escaped or you’ll eventually end up with a ragged fringe along the crest.
11. If you find it difficult to make a neat forelock plait because your horse has short hairs on either side, or has a long forelock that you don’t want to shorten, make a French plait. Plait down as normal for a few turns, then take in a section of hair from each side every time you cross over.
American button plaits
Grooms in the USA use a technique for making what they call button or rosette dressage plaits in longer manes, using yarn that is woven into the plait and tied. This is nearly as quick as using rubber bands and keeps the mane neater and more secure, though is not as neat as sewn plaits.
Start by isolating a section of mane to plait and place a piece of yarn longer than the mane hair underneath it, at the top. Divide the mane into three and pass the right section over the centre, taking the right-hand side of the yarn piece with it. Repeat with the left section, again taking the yarn with it. Plait down as far as you can, incorporating the yarn with the mane hair each time you cross over.
When you get to the bottom, tie a slip knot in the yarn to secure the plait. Make the plait itself into a knot to give you a button/rosette, pass the yarn through the hair at the top – using a tapestry needle with a large eye or dressmaker’s pull-through tool if necessary – and use the yarn to tension the plait. Tie the yarn round the top of the plait; knot and cut off the excess.
If your horse’s mane is thick as well as long, you will need to make a greater number of plaits, or you end up with unsightly ‘golf balls’.
Running and Spanish plaits
Breeds and types with long manes have too much hair to put into conventional plaits. If convention dictates that you need to plait for some competitions, such as affiliated dressage, you can make a running or Spanish plait. These are also useful if you need to keep a mane out of the way when riding in wet or muddy conditions.
To make a running plait, start with a section of hair near the ears as when making an ordinary plait. Plait down, but each time you pass the left-hand section over the centre one, take in a small piece of mane. Let the mane fall naturally rather than pulling it tight and, as you progress, the plait will curve round.
Carry on plaiting, taking in the same amount of hair every time you cross the left-hand section over the centre piece. As you work, you’ll create a long plait that forms a neat edge to the bottom of the mane. When you’ve reached the withers and there’s no more hair to take in, plait the tail end and fasten as with an ordinary plait. Double up the loose ends, bind round and secure.
A Spanish plait is made using the same technique – but this time you keep the plait tight every time you take in a new section of hair. This means that the finished plait follows the line of the crest rather than curving down and round.
Katie Jerram’s Modern Horse Management, written with Carolyn Henderson, is published by J.A. Allen
Organisers: Beanie Sturgis and Jill Lamont Contact: Beanie 07968 288223; beaniesturgis@gmail.com; Jill 01483 767336; 07801 191609; jandplamont@ntlworld.com. We also have a Facebook page. Location: Wiltshire
Entries open: 22 August Ballot date: 11 September at 12 noon Entries close: 22 September
Between Great Somerford and Little Somerford about four miles east of Malmesbury. We are 15 minutes from junction 16 of the M4 and 10 minutes from junction 17. The event will be well signed from the B4042 and A429.
What the organisers say
The Knight Frank Dauntsey Park Horse Trials is a family-run event, with invaluable support from the unstoppable Jill and Peter Lamont. The event strives to provide an efficient, friendly and forward-thinking competition to the very highest standards possible.
We have a large flat lorry park with great access for large lorries, and also plenty of room for supporters’ vehicles. Alternatively there is free parking adjacent to the showjumping and cross-country.
The dressage is on the banks of the Avon on flat, permanent pasture in a large, quiet field.
The showjumping is centrally located among the tradestands, secretary’s tent and catering. The arena is large, with well-built courses by Adrian House. There are also two warm-up arenas if required.
The cross-country, designed by Beanie Sturgis and built by Willis Bros, has constantly received complimentary feedback from riders at grassroots level all the way through to Olympians. The courses are bold, galloping and reward positive riding — Dauntsey is rarely a dressage competition. The whole course can be irrigated and extensive drainage works have also been undertaken to help ensure the best going whatever the weather.
We are delighted to announce that our second fixture will again be offering a £1,000 winner-takes-all class.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Dressage is completely separate from the event and close to the lorry park with lots of space to warm up in and good arenas.” “The warm-up for the dressage is a good size, and there’s usually plenty of space at the end of the lorry park to warm up if you want somewhere quieter.” “The dressage arenas are on a flat surface with lots of warm-up area and it’s close to the lorry park.”
“The showjumping timings were difficult, lots of people stood around waiting and ended up having to warm up, then stand by the entrance gate to make sure you got to go, rather than warming up and going in.” “Lovely big arena with colourful fences.” “Good warm-up area for showjumping and well maintained ground (can get a little firm in the warm-up).” “The showjumping arena is relatively tight but the track is well built — it is up to height and not for a first-time combination but should not cause problems for a more experienced rider/horse combination.”
Cross-country — “A lovely bold riding course, with lots to see and lots to attack. A great course to do before you step up to the next level, with hedges, drops, banks, skinnies, corners and two river crossings. Definitely not a first-timer’s course!” “Definitely one of the best BE100 cross-country courses. There is a huge range of fences. The course is easier at the earlier event and then gets tougher for the October event.” “Good galloping tracks over lots of fields, with plenty of different questions.” “Probably not first-timers’ tracks, but quite educational and they have a bit of everything.” “Challenging but fun to ride.”
The Ukraine’s Vivant, who was sitting second ahead of tomorrow’s individual final (23 August) at the FEI European Showjumping Championships in Aachen, was eliminated from the competition at this afternoon’s horse inspection.
It was a sad end to the competition for Cassio Rivetti’s ride, who did not lower a fence during the three team rounds and moved up from 12th after the speed round to the individual silver position.
The 17-year-old by Fuergo Du Prelet was the oldest horse in the field here in Aachen, and one of the most experienced.
Vivant was produced by Australia’s Chris Chugg, initially in Australia, then in Europe. The pair contested the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky together, before Vivant moved to Ukrainian riders Oleksandr Onyshchenko and Katharina Offel. He competed at London 2012 with Katharina.
Cassio took the ride in 2013 and rode Vivant at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen last year.
Irish rider Cian O’Connor did not trot up his mount Good Luck this afternoon, so will not contest the individual final. He was in 21st position.
Ireland’s team result in Aachen remains under a cloud after the appeal jury refused late last night to overturn the ground jury’s decision that Cian O’Connor’s score would not be altered after a member of the arena party ran in front of him during his round. This has crucial implications as it means Ireland has missed out on a qualification for Rio 2016, and Irish team officials may still appeal the decision further, perhaps to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Britain has two riders through to the individual final, Joe Clee on Utamaro D’Ecaussines (currently seventh) and Ben Maher on Diva II (ninth). Both played a crucial part in helping Britain secure fourth place and an Olympic qualification in the team competition.
The individual final takes place over two rounds tomorrow afternoon.
Full report on the European Showjumping Championships inH&H next week, out Thursday, 27 August.
One elite premium was awarded at the Baileys/BEF Futurity at Arena UK on 11 August and sports ponies accounted for two of the six top scores.
Gaining the elite premium was Alyse Clancey’s eventing filly foal, On Parade (pictured top) (Herald III x Lux Z). She scored an elite premium of 9.08.
Alyse said: “On Parade is from a long line of successful homebred eventers. Her dam, On Luxe is just a four-year-old and she will now begin her competitive career. On Luxe’s dam, On High has bred several advanced eventers, including our now deceased stallion, On Air who competed to three-star level.”
Alyse will look to keep On Parade for her daughter Jolyse to compete. Alyse continued: “We like to keep the mares if we can and sell on the geldings. My daughter is excited about On Parade.”
Bathleyhills Millicent
Penny Walster from the Bathleyhills Stud near Newark exhibited four sports ponies at Arena UK, two of whom gained higher first premiums. Filly foal, Bathleyhills Millicent (Woodlander Wild Child x Thursden Vallye Raphael) scored a higher first of 8.75 in the eventing section. Penny bred Millicent from her mare, Bathleyhills Sea Swift.
Penny said: “Millicent will be retained at stud as she has exceptional bloodlines. She will have a career as a dressage pony and then in the long-term be used as a broodmare. Her dam, Bathleyhills Sea Swift is out of my leading sports pony dam, Loveden Sea Swallow. Sea Swallow is just phenomenal, she has now had 11 foals.”
Bathleyhills Golden Spray
Bathleyhills Golden Spray (Bathleyhills Monet x Chateau De Brion) scored a Futurity higher first premium of 8.60 in the dressage section at Arena UK. Both of this three-year-old filly’s parents, Bathleyhills Monet and Bathleyhills Sea Spray scored elite Futurity premiums as youngsters.
Penny continued: “Golden Spray will also be placed with a rider to be produced and then I will have her back. I like to place the ponies with children that have good back up. It is great if the child can have the opportunity to ride a nice pony that they wouldn’t otherwise have and that both the ponies and the kids enjoy themselves.”
Bathleyhills Golden Spray and Bathleyhills Vue Parfait (who scored a first premium at Arena UK for Penny) won the progeny class at Equifest last week.
Kilwaughter Storm
Heading the yearlings at Arena UK was Joanne Pullan’s, chestnut colt, Kilwaughter Storm (Osmium x Island Blaze) with a higher first premium of 8.71 in the eventing section.
Joanne said: “I am absolutely delighted with Kilwaughter Storm, I have his full brother, Kilwaughter Blade who is due to compete in the five-year-old Burghley Young Event Horse Final in a couple of weeks. I bought Storm because of his brother, they both came from Vincent Burton in Northern Ireland and were bred by Houston Crooks in County Antrim.”
Joanne bought Kilwaughter Storm with the intention of him competing at the highest level possible. He will be evented by four-star rider, Kerry Varley.
Joanne continued: “Storm has a nice temperament and he is very confident which will hopefully stand him in good stead. The Futurity is a great experience for the youngsters.” Joanne also owns the former four-year-old Burghley Young Event Horse and Osberton four year old winner, Cekatinka.
Kingston Star
A full brother to the highest scoring Futurity showjumping entry in 2014 headed the potential showjumpers at Arena UK. This was Kate and Tim Betteridge’s colt foal, Kingston Star (Balou Star x Cruyff) with a higher first premium of 8.70.
Kate said: “We liked last year’s foal, Jorvik Star so much that we went back to the same stallion. We are delighted with this result and with my mare, C Vera Z. Both boys were born at home and all being well they will go on to have jumping careers and compete to the highest level they can.”
Earlier this month Balou Star won team and individual Junior European bronze medal with Great Britain’s, Millie Allen at Weiner Neustadt, Austria. Kate has given both her homebred horses names to reflect the region they were born in.
She added: “We live between York and Hull, so it seemed fitting to name the foals, Jorvik Star and Kingston Star.”
Westpoint Rioja
Top two-year-old at Arena UK was Joanne Wagstaff’s filly, Westpoint Rioja (Parsons Rasputin x Fulton) in the dressage section with a higher first premium of 8.50. Westpoint Rioja was bred by Edward Evans of the Westpoint Stud in Shropshire. This is the second time she has been to the Futurity, she gained a first premium of 8.40 as a yearling in 2014.
Joanne said: “Westpoint Rioja is the sweetest and easiest horse to do, her temperament is just wonderful. I knew of her breeding and knew Edward had bred her to be good natured and trainable. She has a home for life with me and I plan to compete her in dressage. I rang Edward on the way home from the Futurity and he was just as delighted as I was about Rioja’s score. A local friend here in Scunthorpe has just bought a full brother to Rioja.”
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
Fifty-one horses came under the hammer at the Brightwells Elite Auction held at Addington Manor EC in Buckinghamshire.
The top lots, one dressage horse and one showjumper, both fetched £55,000.
For a full report from the sale, including the foals which were auctioned on the previous evening, see Horse & Hound magazine, 4 September.
Hammer prices:
Lot 20 Rosebud 2012 gelding (Rosengold x Rouletto) £9,500 not sold
Lot 22 Faberge 2012 gelding (Fabregas x San Remo) £10,500 not sold
Lot 24 Eldiablo 2009 gelding (Painted Black x Ronaldo) £17,500
Lot 25 Happy Hoefnagel 2012 mare (Indoctro x Contender) £9,500
Lot 26 Heaven Can Wait E 2012 gelding (Up To Date x Cavalier) £20,000
Lot 27 Celtic Dream Pss Z 2012 stallion (Clinton x Chin Chin) £9,500 not sold
Lot 28 Houston 2012 gelding (Quality Time x Zuidhorn) £10,500
Lot 29 Sky Fly 2012 mare (Spartacus x Landwind II B) £5,000
Lot 30 Heineken M 2012 stallion (Bugatti VDL x Sydney) £3,000
Lot 31 Hamberlane 2012 gelding (Harley VDL x Cardento) £6,500 not sold
Lot 32 Novelle 2012 mare (Nabab De Reve x Larino) £4,000
Lot 33 Maxamillion 2012 stallion (Hunters Argentus x Laudanum xx) £10,000
Lot 34 Corazon Van Paebroek Z 2012 gelding (Canturo x Coriano Z) £10,000 not sold
Lot 36 Zerbin Van De Heihoek Z 2012 gelding (Zandor Z x Voltaire) £9,000
Lot 37 Famoya 2010 mare (Tuschinski x Don Picardi) £55,000
Lot 38 Billionair 2012 gelding (Belissimo M x Walt Disney I) £14,000
Lot 39 Rosenhit De Lus 2011 mare (Rosengold x Don Larino) £3,500
Lot 40 Lord Lauda 2012 gelding (Laudabilis x Diadalos) £6,000
Lot 41 Jazz Queen 2012 mare (Jazzmate x Florestan I) £35,000
Lot 42 Fontainebleau 2012 gelding (Friedensritter x Weltmeyer) £20,000 not sold
Lot 43 Woodstock 2011 gelding (Wakantanka M x Matcho AA) £13,500
Lot 44 Hyvonia G 2012 mare (Quality Time x Calvados) £8,000
Lot 45 His Royal Highness 2012 gelding (Biscayo x Quidam De Revel) £9,000
Lot 46 Headhunter 2012 stallion (Plot Blue x Clinton) £15,000
Lot 47 Herzliya 2012 mare (Carrera VDL x Cassini I) £29,000 not sold
Lot 48 Calibera Z 2012 mare (Cassini Gold x Libero H) £9,500 not sold
Lot 51 Quite Perfect 2012 gelding (Quasimodo Van De Molendreef x Colandro) £16,000 not sold
Lot 53 Hot Pepper S 2012 gelding (Cassini Gold x Creool) £25,000 not sold
Lot 54 Caruso 2012 gelding (Chello III x Lupicor) £7,500
Lot 55 Colesca EB Z 2012 mare (Conte Della Caccia x Lucky Boy) £15,000
Lot 56 Supernova 2012 stallion (Casall x Carthago) £55,000
Lot 57 Bugatti Z 2012 stallion (Baron Cento Heldenlaan x Calando V) £7,200 not sold
Lot 58 Morginto 2012 gelding (Centurio x Denver) £7,000
Lot 60 D’Amour Of Class 2012 mare (Destano x Rubin Royal) £8,000
Lot 61 Day Dream 2010 stallion (Dream On x Florestan I) £19,000 not sold
Lot 62 Quo Vado 2012 gelding (Quasar De Charry x Lauries Crusador xx) £28,000
Lot 63 Joly 2012 stallion (Jazzmate x Worldly) £14,000 not sold
Lot 64 Duke Of Light 2012 gelding (De Niro x Wolkentanz) £18,000
Lot 65 Jack Johnson 2012 gelding (Jazzmate x Laurentianer) £10,500
Lot 66 Herewego GR 2012 stallion (Arezzo VDL x Indoctro) £23,000
Lot 67 Hercules 2012 stallion (Baltic VDL x Vigo D’Arsouilles) £13,000
Lot 68 Caleandra Z 2012 mare (Caleandro x Andiamo Z) £12,000 not sold
Lot 69 Beluga Z 2012 mare (Bamako De Muze x Concorde) £20,000
Lot 70 Guestlist 2012 stallion (Cicero Z x Eros Platiere) £18,000
Lot 71 Colorado 2012 gelding (Chello III x Empire) £5,500
Lot 72 Qualite 2012 mare (Quaid x For Edition) £18,000
Lot 73 Unique 2012 mare (Ucello x Lacantus) £9,000
Lot 74 Zamba 2012 mare (Zapatero VDL x Optimist) £14,000
Lot 75 Chanel 2012 mare (Chello III x Sydney) £26,000
Lot 76 Gentleman 2012 stallion (Fantomas De Muze x Equador) £28,000
Lot 77 Hangover 2012 mare (Dutch Design x Contender) £6,500
Lot 79 Meistersinger Van Koekshof 2012 stallion (Emerald Van’t Camus) £12,000
Lot 80 Holly 2012 mare (Dantos HBC x Numero Uno) £14,500
Please note, these prices are subject to ratification by Brightwells Auctioneers.
Photographed: Livingstone, a four-year-old stallion sold at Brightwells’ December 2014 sale.
A donkey has been freed from a drain in a rescue operation that took almost five hours.
The donkey, named Noah, fell into a seven-foot storm drain in Heydon, Cambridgeshire, at around 6.30pm on Monday (17 August).
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
When firefighters and a rescue vehicle arrived at the field, Noah’s head was just above the surface of the water.
Crews pumped the water out of the drain and an digger was used to clear the surrounding area.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
Firefighters used shovels to assist the clearance.
Noah was then lifted from the drain using large animal rescue equipment.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
He was exhausted, but not injured, and was left in the care of a vet and his owner.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
“We’d like to thank everyone who came to help, particularly the machine driver and veterinary staff for all their great work and support,” said crew commander Jeff Whitlam.
“The crew worked tremendously hard with persistence and professionalism in what was a long and difficult rescue. It was a great team effort with everyone there and thankfully it had a happy ending.”
The skewbald horse wasdiscovered chest deep in drain water near the Grand Canal in Ireland. She was taken out of the water but was very weak, borderline hypothermic and in very poor physical condition.
The horse was treated by a vet and did show some interest in food, but her condition did not improve and she had to be put down.
When the fields begin to dry and crack up, there’s nothing many horsey people dream of more than an outdoor school to ride their horses in. The four properties below could be just the ticket.
1. Blackberry Farm, East Sussex
For you: Blackberry Farm is a three-bedroom bungalow with a self-contained annexe and impressive views over the South Downs. For the horses: there is a 50x25m sand school, 15 stables, a large tack room and a horse walker. Set in 10.5 acres. What’s the damage? £850,000-950,000 Agent: Batcheller Monkhouse Telephonenumber: 01424 775577 Visit: www.batchellermonkhouse.com
2. Court Farm, Essex
For you: Court Farm has a Grade II-listed period farmhouse with six bedrooms and Inglenook fireplaces. For the horses: there are three stables, a hay store and tack room, and a 40x20m arena. Set in 3.3 acres. What’s the damage? £850,000 Agent: Zoe Napier Country & Equestrian Telephone number: 01621 840333 Visit: www.inthecountryside.com
Deciding to invest in an arena is an exciting but daunting prospect. We pick out the key points to consider More…
3. Wells Park Farm, Cambridgeshire
For you: Wells Park Farm is a single-storey house with three bedrooms, an Aga and far-reaching views over the pond and adjoining grounds. For the horses: the equestrian facilities include two American barns, post-and-rail paddocks with automatic drinkers and a floodlit manège. There is also a smaller arena, plus a further, large grass arena. Set in 75 acres. What’s the damage? £2.75m Agent: Jackson-Stops & Staff Telephone number: 01638 662231 Visit: www.jackson-stops.co.uk
4. Low Fogrigg, Northumberland
For you: Low Fogrigg is a three-bedroom farmhouse set in a secluded valley with a three-bedroom log cabin. For the horses: it is an established riding school business with extensive stabling, a tack room, office and all-weather arena, with the potential for expansion. Set in 38 acres. What’s the damage? £895,000 Agent: Finest Properties Telephone number: 01434 622234 Visit: www.finestproperties.co.uk
A topical article in the University of Kentucky research publication Equine Disease Quarterly (EDQ) emphasises the brutal truth — if you hear thunder, lightning may strike. Both horses and humans are better off indoors.
Lightning is a giant discharge of electricity that causes a brilliant flash of light, which can travel rapidly over several miles and produces vast amounts of heat and power with millions of electrical volts. If it strikes a person or animal, essentially it causes electrocution.
Clinical signs of lightning strike in horses range from loss of balance to sudden death. The electrical current flows centrally, often via the ear canal, which will have disastrous effects on balance.
An article in the Veterinary Record highlighted two horses that developed central nervous system disease after being struck by lightning, while others are reported to have had their eyesight or hearing destroyed. Nervous tissue does not heal well, so the outcome is unlikely to be good.
Detective work
A split-second lightning strike can easily be missed. Analysis of weather warnings and other lightning damage in the locality can help confirm whether lightning strike is to blame in a case of sudden death.
Strikes are more likely to be fatal to a horse than a human, simply because horses are bigger and have four feet set on the ground rather than two. As the lightning goes to earth across the body, there is potential for it to affect the electrical rhythm of the heart, causing immediate cardiac arrest.
The last horse I dealt with that died as a result of lightning strike still had grass in his mouth. The only external evidence was one tiny scorch mark (like a Harry Potter forehead scar) on his coat and a burnt smell. We knew the cause because the owner had seen the storm coming and went to bring her horse in. Sadly, the lightning got there first.
As horses seem unaware of the risks of electrical storms, they will often huddle together in the heavy rain — creating a bigger target. Standing under a single large tree can also be dangerous, especially if it is exposed or on higher ground.
If an electrical storm is forecast, it makes sense to bring horses inside. Riding is similarly risky and not advised.
The recent EDQ report challenged event organisers to develop, implement and communicate a severe weather plan to ensure horse and human safety. It is essential to be weather aware — excellent apps and weather warning systems are now available via the internet and smartphones.
Anyone who has ever tried walking in a straight line with their eyes closed, knows it is a challenge, but how about riding round a course of showjumps without being able to see — trusting only a guide and the horse under you to get you round in one piece?
This is something that blind showjumper Karen Law knows all too well. Next week Karen and her nine-year-old mare Silver Silhouette (Pearl) will take to the arena at Scope Festival (23-30 August) in the para-showjumping.
The Belgian warmblood was gifted to Karen last year thanks to fundraising efforts from her mentor Dame Emma Jane Brown — herself a former international showjumper.
The Chesire-based rider, who shows awe-inspiring levels of both commitment and courage, was born with bilateral collomboma, which meant that her eyes never developed properly. A childhood accident when she was three resulted in a retinal detachment leaving her with no vision in her right eye. She has no peripheral vision, only central vision extending a few feet in front of her.
“My mum encouraged me to ride and would take me to the riding school. I got my first pony, Chester, when I was eight,” says Karen. “I stopped riding when I was 15 and didn’t pick it up again until I was 42, when one day I spoke to a riding instructor and decided to get back riding. Someone from a riding school suggested I spoke to British Showjumping about para-showjumping.”
Meeting her mentor
Karen crossed paths with Emma through Riding for the Disabled (RDA) for which Emma is an ambassador.
“She an amazing person — not only as a mentor, but also a friend,” says Karen of Emma.
Having spotted Karen riding at the RDA National Championships at Hartpury College in 2013, Emma was so touched by her story that she set about raising funds to purchase Karen her first horse.
“When I saw her ride, it struck me how incredibly brave and inspiring she was. She was intriguing to watch,” says Emma. “She was riding a borrowed horse and I started thinking how important that trust between the rider and horse must have to be — I couldn’t stop thinking about it and I wanted to help her.”
Emma raised an impressive £10,000 through a skydive and other fundraising efforts.
“Karen started crying when I told her I was doing it for her, she couldn’t believe it. The skydive was exhilarating but even more so because I was doing it for Karen to make her dream of owning a horse come true,” adds Emma.
There are some jumping questions that seem too obvious to ask — so we've asked them for you...
Finding Pearl
The next step was to find Karen a suitable mount. Karen’s trainer Adrian Marsh was the person who came across the grey mare Pearl.
Karen tried her and loved her straight away and unbeknown to Karen, Emma purchased her — but kept it a secret.
“We told Karen she was sold and she was devastated. It was then arranged for her to be presented with Pearl at the Royal Windsor Horse Show last year in front of The Queen (pictured below).
“She had no idea up until the moment the commentator announced it — she was overwhelmed beyond belief,” says Emma.
“Pearl is such a character — so full of life and cheeky. Our bond is so special,” says Karen, who works full-time at an eye clinic and makes a 2hr journey to ride Pearl once a week — a trip involving a bus, a train and a taxi to Adrian’s yard where she is kept.
In the arena — it’s all about trust
Since getting Pearl, Karen has teamed up with her trainer Adrian’s daughter Rebecca — a showjumper herself — who acts as her guide at competitions.
“The most important part is walking the course. Rebecca and I walk it as if we are riding it and go through the striding,” says Karen. “There is a lot to think about and I can only take in so much. The mains two things I have to remember are where the jumps are and where the turns are.
“There is not only amazing trust between me and Rebecca, but also between me and Pearl.
“I do get nervous before, but I love it. I wish I could be competing all the time — I’m so lucky to have the support I do,” adds Karen, who competed in La Baule in 2011 on a borrowed horse and was guided by 2012 Olympian Peter Charles.
“Rebecca is only 21, but is so calm and great at telling me where to go and giving instructions — but I don’t always get it right,” she says.
“Karen and Pearl have a wonderful bond,” says Emma. “Pearl is so relaxed with Karen, it’s like she knows. Karen will often sit outside her stable cleaning tack and Pearl will rest her head on her.”
Being able to see is something we take for granted, but how does someone with limited vision even contemplate getting on a horse?
“I’m lucky because I have never known anything different,” she says in a matter-of-fact way. “When I ride, it is like heaven on earth — life is too short, you need to take every opportunity.”
Don’t miss the full report from Scope Festival in 3 September issue of Horse & Hound magazine
An H&H reader is appealing for walkers to take more care when using footpaths in paddocks after her horse was injured on a gate.
Mary Emeny, from Scaynes Hill in West Sussex, was shocked to find her three-year-old filly with a huge wound in her side on 5 June.
The three-year-old home bred, called Midwych Skylla, escaped from her field after walkers left a gate unlatched.
Her side was caught on the gate latch, causing a serious wound, 40cm long and 20cm high.
“Walkers untied and left a footpath gate open into our neighbours’ field, even though there is a stile next to the gate,” Ms Emeny told H&H.
“The filly went through the gate but caught her ribcage on the gate hook. She ripped a horizontal gash down to the bone.”
The horse had 500 stitches put in by Cinder Hill Equine Vets.
Vet Hazel Steven, who treated Skylla, told H&H she’d seen similar things in the past, but more commonly leg injuries related to fences.
“She had a serious wound on her flank,” said Ms Steven.
“I imagine a few horses tried to squeeze through and she was caught. It’s the biggest and most traumatic injury of that type I’ve seen — it took seven hours of surgery.
“She’s very lucky the latch didn’t go into her chest or abdomen. It had gone through three layers of muscle and the bone was exposed.
“She’s also fortunate she avoided any complications and has made a good recovery.”
Skylla was then on box rest and treated daily with antibiotics.
“Luckily she is recovering well and we turned her out for the first time on 29 July,” added Ms Emeny.
Skylla is bred to showjump and is being aimed at the four-year-old championship at Hickstead next year.
Ms Emeny is now urging walkers to think about the implications of leaving a gate open.
“The general rule of the countryside is if you find a gate shut then shut it and if open leave it open,” added Ms Emeny. “Be aware of any livestock in the field and respect other people’s land.”
Ms Steven added: “There are so many public footpaths in the area. People need to understand the idea of sharing land as there are so many different groups of people in the area using the paths.”
Three years on from the riding accident that changed her life, Suz shares her latest update involving friends, family and more fabulous fun
As I’m writing this blog, I’ve got my brother in my ear saying ‘you always start your blog saying life’s incredible and I can’t believe how far I’ve come…’
So this time I’m going to say that, three years on from my accident, I’ve have enjoyed some of the best few weeks of my life. They have been seriously special and have given me memories I will treasure forever.
Sun, sea, sand and security!
On holiday with Sophie
The incredible past few weeks since my last blog started with a holiday to Majorca with my great friend, Sophie Stones.
It was fantastic to get away for a few days and catch a bit of sun and relax. This wasn’t without a few stories to add to the adventure, such as getting lost in Palma after braving some technical public transport routes to get there… And the hotel’s fire alarm went off at 1am, leaving us having to tackle three flights of stairs, before realising we were locked out of our room as in the rush we had forgotten to take our room key with us!
Then we had fun and games with airport security in Spain trying to get the staff to understand that I couldn’t go through the scanner as I’ve got a Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted inside me. They finally comprehended what we were explaining and let me go through without being scanned. I breathed a sigh of relief until they proceeded to pat me down and take my crutches off me at the same time (as they needed to be scanned separately). At this point my body went into a turmoil of spasms and I had a number of concerned looks from everyone surrounding me. Except the staff, who didn’t even offer me a chair while I had the crutches scanned. Needless to say, when I actually got on the plane, I was extremely relieved!
It was fantastic holiday and I felt refreshed and ready for my sister-in-law-to-be’s hen do on my return. The hen do was great fun, and we were extremely lucky with the stunning weather. We kayaked a long way to Sophie’s favourite beach – The Lighthouse Beach – and lay in the sun and chilled in the day. Saturday evening we travelled by mini bus to Falmouth for a fantastic night out. We had a ‘blow up’ Jamie (my brother) that not only went Kayaking with us, but came on the whole night out and survived! I managed to gain my own personal lift up and down the stairs, aka the bouncers that took it in turns!
Sunday was very sedate – we had a garden party and all looked slightly peaky!
Bishop Burton: what a week…
I absolutely loved my week in Yorkshire at Bishop Burton Para International. I had Amo in the two-star and Abira in the three-star and it was certainly well worth the long trip.
It was a successful week with both Amo and Abira really performing. Amo had a disappointing first test, but then went on to get a third and a second in her next two tests. Her freestyle test was great fun and she really danced when the music came on.
Abira really stepped up and we got some fantastic results. He was second, third and second in his tests. He also got extremely expressive when he was doing his freestyle. The louder it is, the more he dances!
I was very lucky to have expert help from Anne Dunham while I was at Bishop Burton. Anne warmed me up for each test and had some fantastic pointers for me to take away and improve on.
Emma Harford was a super groom and the horses looked fantastic all week. I feel extremely lucky to have the support from Talland School of Equitation around me. I couldn’t have ever thought in my wildest dreams that three years on from my accident I would not only be competing atiInternational level, but also getting some great results with two lovely horses.
My Aunty Jacqueline and husband David came and watched me at Bishop Burton. This was very special as they travelled down especially to support and watch me compete.
New sponsors
I’m very excited to announce my new sponsors Griffin NuuMed which produce top quality numnahs and other accessories. The horses are extremely lucky to be kitted out in the Griffin NuuMed range. I can’t wait to get out and about competing in all the new goodies!
My brother’s big day
Last weekend we were unbelievably lucky with the weather for my brother’s wedding. After a torrential week of weather warnings, as you can imagine everyone was on tender hooks – particularly when the marquee went up.
The whole day was extraordinary from start to finish. Jamie and Sophie went away from the church by boat and rowed across to our land where the wedding reception was being held overlooking the sea. It was a bit like a fairy tale – the perfect wedding!
Catching up with relatives and friend of Jamie’s that I haven’t seen since my accident was particularly special. The whole wedding went off with a bang as the fireworks were set off in spectacular fashion. It was then time for the first dance, which then dictated the rest of the night of dancing till 4am. Not one to be defeated, I managed to keep up with the rest of them on my crutches!
After a turbulent few years, four-star eventer and Land Rover ambassador Harry Meade talks about coming back from his 2013 fall, the highs and lows of 2014, the death of his father this year and what he’s looking forward to next
…on his 2013 fall
In 2013 I reached a point in my career where for the last six or seven years I’d been competitive at the higher level. And then everything was turned on its head quite literally when I had a bad fall and shattered and dislocated both of my arms at the elbows. I had a period of six months after that where I couldn’t do anything for myself. I was told that I would never ride again.
So I started riding in secret — it felt a lot better than expected so over the next few days I went from just walking to next having a trot and a canter and on the third day I went up onto the gallops. I didn’t do all of this just to get back in the saddle, it was to try and get back competing at the top level.
I definitely had a new lease of life coming back. I was going to just give it everything and I’m sure it played a big part in having such a successful first season when I came back.
…on Badminton 2014
I was able to approach Badminton [where Harry finished third with Wild Lone] with a real sense of liberation. I was able to enjoy the moment and be extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to be back competing at the top level again. Having such a great result at Badminton, there was then the chance to be called up for the British team and head out to Normandy.
…on the World Equestrian Games
Going into the cross-country in Normandy we knew that the course was very tough. I set out on the course excited to be there with a very good horse underneath me and he gave me a magical ride.
It was really important for me that my father was alive to see me come back from thinking my career was over to having those successes at Badminton and to go on to the World Championships. He was always very positive — he was a great one for rising to a challenge.
…on the future
We’re always looking for the next superstar and I’m excited about a horse called Away Cruising. He’s a lovely big grey horse, an eight-year-old, and I’ve ridden him since he was a four-year-old. I’m confident that he’s got all three phases and he’s a competitive horse at the moment. But I think he’ll be in his element as he keeps going up the grades and will be at his best when he’s at the top level.
Life’s about challenges, we don’t know what’s going to be ahead of us and I think the important thing is to keep picking yourself up. And if you take the attitude that you keep getting back up, then you’ll get to where you want to be and you’ll have some great opportunities, moments and memories along the way.
The aim is for them to compete in their first race in the spring on one of the charity’s ponies.
