If you're in search of some new stirrup irons look no further...

MDC Super Sport Irons

These stirrup irons solve riding issues immediately. Their patented adjustable positions provide immediate improvement in stirrup position and guarantee pain relief and safety. A natural leg position is available with both the flex and non-flex models, with either a wide or traditional width high traction and ultra low profile aluminum tread.
RRP: £136.54
Visit: www.mdcstirrups.com

BR AluTech Cross-country Stirrups

These lightweight cross-country stirrups are made from aluminium. They provide optimal support thanks to their wide non-slip tread and coarse pattern. The tread also features drain holes for sand and water. The beveled opening for the stirrup leather ensures a good stirrup position, which will keep the foot in the correct position. As a result this provides more stability and improves leg position. The stirrups maintain their colour and do not rust thanks to the anodization layer. Each stirrup has been extensively tested with 200kg of weight.
RRP: £99.95
Visit: www.br.nl 

Lorenzini Titanium Dressage Stirrups

Titanium and solid aluminum stirrups available in a wide range of colours. Lorenzini’s dressage stirrup is slimmer in style than the jumping version and has a slightly inclined titanium and rubber tread that distributes the weight of the foot to ensure stability, balance and maximise the feeling of the horse’s movement. Available in 6.5cm or 5cm tread size.
RRP: £155
Visit: www.arkaequipe.com

Prestige Stephi Stirrups

This stirrup iron is manufactured from solid aluminum to ensure the utmost mechanical resistance and optimum performance. The attachment to the stirrup leather is rotated at an angle to the branches, so the stirrup turns outwards and if the foot comes out of the stirrup. The tread, taken from the motorcycling world, is patented and ensures maximum hold without any sacrifice in comfort. The first row of teeth is angled to ensure the fullest grip. Availalbe in black, graphite or silver.
RRP: £142
Visit: www.arkaequipe.com

Sprenger Bow Balance Stirrups

These stirrups are made from stainless steel and provide supreme comfort while the innovative design claims to ensure improved rider leg position. Their flexibility reduces impact on the rider’s cartilage and ligaments without creating an unstable feeling. The stirrups also support the release of the foot in case of emergency. Their design allows easy ‘pick up’ when mounting; a simple touch of the foot to the stirrup and it gently folds onto the rider’s foot and the widened tread provides a shock absorbing grip.
RRP: £162.76
Visit: www.zebraproducts.co.uk or call 01352 763350

Anky Air System Stirrups

The flexible Anky Air System Stirrups are air cushioned, which not only takes care of the ankle and knee joints, but have a shock absorbing and non-slip tread that is neatly set into the stirrup. The rubber not only surrounds the flexible security joints, but also protects riding boots. In contrast to conventional stirrups, the Air System assures perfect shock absorption.
RRP: £109
Visit: www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk

Flex-On Balance Stirrups

The Flex-On Balance Stirrups are crafted from an organically sourced polyamide material and aluminum frame for a robust, yet incredibly lightweight finish. The stirrups also incorporate a number of highly innovative design features, which set them apart from their competitors.
RRP: £145
Visit: www.shadowhorse.co.uk or call 01628 302 301

Next week: don’t miss our pick of the best short-term energy boost supplements and pastes  
Would you like to be considered for this series in future? If so, please email H&H’s products editor alice.collins@timeinc.com

A man and woman from Llandysul, Wales, have been banned from ownership after 16 horses in their care were found in “terrible state of neglect”.

David Robert John Davies, 56, of Maes Dilen, Pentre Cwrt, and Leanne Summers, 37, of the same address, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates Court last week (23 October) for sentencing.

Davies was sent to prison for 26 weeks after he admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to 16 horses. He was banned from keeping horses for life.

Summers was given a suspended prison sentence of 26 weeks. She was banned from keeping horses for five years and was ordered to pay a £4,000 fine.

Two horses were put down and two were found dead.

The RSPCA was called after concern was raised about the welfare of eight horses in the Rhydargaeuau area. Two were found dead and a third — a black colt — was put to sleep on veterinary advice.

“These horses were all in a terrible state of neglect,” RSPCA deputy chief inspector Julie Fadden said. “Two were already dead, and very sadly, the black colt was in such a bad state of health that nothing could be done to save him.

“The other five were Welsh mountain ponies and were ranging in condition from thin to emaciated.”

RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben attended another location at Capel Dewi where he discovered a further 10 horses.

“Sadly one of the horses was so weak that a vet said he had to be put to sleep,” he said. “It was horrendous and so sad. Six out of the ten horses were very thin.

“People have these horses and don’t understand how to look after them. These are their basic needs and they need to be checked daily.”

The surviving horses were taken into RSPCA care. The charity hopes to rehome them soon.

Davies’ and Summers’ bans will come into force on 1 February 2016.

They were both fined a victim surcharge of £80.

Now that autumn has arrived with a vengeance, we’re back to be spending our time competing indoors. No-one’s complaining that we can feed our competing addiction all year round — but there are a few things we’d forgotten about indoor arenas…

1. They tend to be very, very spooky…

Whether it’s autumn leaves falling on the roof, branches bashing against the side in a sinister fashion, or sunlight streaming in through the windows/wooden boards and dazzling him, your horse is sure to find something to shy at. How come he’ll wander happily past road signs without batting an eyelid out hacking, yet stick him in an arena with advertising billboards and he takes exception? Horses, eh?

2. Wow, it’s hot

Sure, it’s freezing brass monkeys outside, but in here, it’s like a horse sauna. Yuck.

3. You’re soaking wet

You’ve come from tacking your horse up outside your trailer in the pouring rain into a cauldron of steaming horse flesh. Everything feels damp and sweaty. You could take your jods off and wring them out, if that wasn’t actually a bit disgusting.

Continued below…

9 reasons riders love (and hate) autumn

• 14 September, 2015 - 13:11

Oh, autumn, here's nine things we love about you (and a few items we could do without)

4. There’s nowhere to hide

Those spectators are watching your every move. Not for them, the distraction of the fancy dress competition, or the ice cream van, or the tack stand, or the dog agility ring. That stuff’s just for outdoor summer shows. No, they’re totally focused on you. Just YOU. Feeling the pressure yet?

5. It’s really loud

You can hear them all talking. They’re not talking about you, are they? Probably, to be honest. After all, you’re the one they’re all watching.

6. Oh god, wrong leg!

If you’re in a big outdoor arena/field with plenty of space for turns and transitions — not to mention the occasional distraction for the judge, like a loose horse galloping out of the gymkhana field — you can get away with the odd mistake. Here, with all eyes on you, in a very limited space, you need to be accurate. Like, really accurate.

7. Weren’t we doing the 2ft6?

Yet there you are, hurtling towards a jump that’s at least a foot higher. That’s what happens when you get the course wrong in an indoor arena that’s been set out for several classes. You’re going over anyway – hang on tightly…

8. Who is that scary woman?

The one booming “get away from the door!” as you wait your turn outside for the clear round jumping. You weren’t looking anyway, honest, guv!

9. It’ll all be worth it in the end

It’s all preparation for the day you finally get to compete at HOYS or Olympia — and it will happen, oh yes it will…

It’s the final week of the 2015 eventing season and our statistical series draws to a close with facts from Aldon and Norton Disney

Dates: 19 – 25 October, 34^th week of the 2015 season

The basics

Number of British Eventing (BE) fixtures: two (Aldon (2), Norton Disney (2))
Number of BE sections run this week: 35
Number of FEI sections run in Britain this week: 4
Event with most sections: Norton Disney – 20
Number of BE sections run so far this year: 2499
Number of combined BE and FEI sections run so far this year: 2577
Number of BE fixtures run so far this year: 164

Best dressage scores

Aldon: 19.3, for Kate Jupp and Jumblue, who won the BE100open section O on this score
Norton Disney: 15.5, scored by Rachel Sargeant and Tambourine Man II, who won BE100 regional final despite one showjumping time-fault

Speedy gonzales

2: number of pairs inside the 5min 51sec optimum time over the intermediate course at Aldon. They were the top two in the open intermediate – Laura Normand riding Vardigo (first) and Aoife Clark on Wasting Light (second)

And also…

Dani Evans riding Leaping Lord

15: number of starters to complete BE100 section Q at Aldon
3: number of wins Dani Evans claimed at Aldon. She won novice section D riding Ex Red, BE100 section I on Lokis Trumpet and CICYH* section K riding Vlove D Or Ly
100: percentage of starters to complete BE100 section C and BE100open section K at Norton Disney
0: number of British events remaining… time to start training for 2016

Further afield

Astier Nicolas riding Piaf De B’Neville

4: position of the highest-placed Brit at Pau CCI4*. 19-year-old Emily King and Brookleigh finished on a score of 42.3 in their first four-star
38.5: Astier Nicolas and Piaf De B’Neville’s winning score at Pau CCI4*
3: weeks until British pair Alice Dunsdon and Fernhill Present compete in the CCI4* at Adelaide. Read Alice’s blogs here

Full reports from Pau and Aldon in H&H this week, out Thursday, 29 October 2015

The count down has begun!

On Sunday Jenny and I, bum bag at the ready and selfie sticks by our sides, went into Sydney to see the Opera House (pictured) and the other typical touristy sights. The city is about an hour and half away from where we are based with traffic, so to have an afternoon out made me feel normal again from quarantine boredom.

Hilly (Fernhill Present) is on good form and getting used to the “Vegemite” grass over here.

I am increasing his lunge work day by day which includes cantering but I am using my instinct really. If I think he’s tired one day I will back off the work or vice versa if he’s fresh I will do a little bit more.

I have to bear in mind we still have another big journey in front of us; Sydney to Adelaide which by

Hilly grazing

car is around 14 hours.

You can only control the controllable and for this reason I am having vet Amy Kelly travel down with us. That way if there are any complications we can hopefully deal with them quickly. I dislike wrapping horses up in cotton wool too much. Normally from experience when you do this they somehow tend to injure themselves more. Hilly lives out as much as possible at home and even stays out in the field at night. In preparation for this trip I did have to change his routine somewhat so he was used to being in at night as I knew he would’t be able to be out at night in a field in quarantine or indeed at Adelaide.

I too am taking care of myself. Fully aware of my fitness and not being able to ride for two weeks, Jenny and I are hitting the gym daily at the hotel trying to keep my fitness levels up. I contemplated with the idea of riding at a local riding trekking centre to keep me fit. I then decided this would be a silly idea as I wouldn’t want to break or damage anything! Only control the controllable. So being a gym

Me at the gym

bunny it is.

Hilly as well as being walked out and lunged is also being treated by Jenny with an electronic pulse generator. The EPG was invented by Sir Charles Strong — specialist physiotherapist to the Royal family. This machine helps the movement of Hilly’s muscles. An EPG machine works by a painless electronic pluse being passed through the muscles causing the muscle to contract. The aim of the treatment is that by using rhythmic muscular contractions this will bring good blood circulation to the muscle. Good blood circulation brings a large supply of oxygen and nutrients to the affected areas and removes waste products.

When muscles are damaged, swelling within the muscle can occur, causing compartment syndrome. If this occurs in an area where the muscle is bound by fascia (a tough fibrous tissue membrane), the pressure inside the muscle compartment can increase to the point at which blood supply to the muscle is compromised and muscle cells begin to die. The EPG machine will help simulate good blood circulation

Jenny at the gym

and simulate good venus and lymphatic return (blood back to heart and lungs).

The EPG is used on all my horses on weekly basis by Jenny and Nikki Wiltshire who is trained in equine sports massage. Roger Stack is the the best horseman I know and he has been using the EPG for over 50 years even though very few of these machines exist. He has achieved remarkable results treating injuries to joints and muscles, pinched nerves, dislocation and muscle atrophy. Both Jenny and Nikki have been trained to use the EPG by Roger. The strength of the current is controlled by the operator while the muscles are contracting. Nikki treats all my horses and she is a vital link for Hilly and all of my horse’s success.

Hilly really enjoys his treatments and Jenny will use the EPG on his shoulders, back and hind quarters. We tend to alternate treatment according to what Hilly is telling us via how his muscles are reacting to the treatment.

Jenny treats Hilly for up to 45 minutes and as his muscles are bouncing away and he’s falling asleep (this is how relaxed they are) my mind begins to wonder.

Can horses think about the future? We know they remember the past and good or bad experiences but can they think beyond day to day routine? Does Hilly think Sydney quarantine is now home? Does Hilly think about our home in Surrey? Does he have the ability to feel homesick? I know I do. I want someone to tell me it will all be ok and it’s worth it. I want Hilly to enjoy what we are doing first and foremost. I want to tell Hilly it will all be ok and it is worth it. I want Hilly to tell me his worries so I can explain what we are doing. Do all equine folk think like this? Maybe I’m going mad. I do worry too much so I’m told, but who else will worry if I don’t?

Jenny using the EPG machine on Hilly

I found my first grey hair yesterday. Maybe I should try to worry less. I told Jenny about my new silver fox look and she told me not to pull any grey hairs out to which I ignored her and pulled out about five. I laughed it off but to be honest there were tears in my eyes.

It’s silly really but I think it shows how wound up I am. I just so desperately want Hilly and I arrive at Adelaide fit and well to start the competition. My dream still seems so far away.

Until next time I will be drinking cans of “man up Dunsdon” and I hope to be in happier spirits.

Alice xx

A popular equestrian venue is selling its cross-country fences following its planned closure at the end of the month (October).

Carlton Cross-Country in Bedfordshire hosted affiliated British Eventing (BE) competitions from BE80 up to novice as well as Burghley Young Event Horse qualifiers.

It also ran unaffiliated cross-country and hunter trial events over the Philip Herbert-designed courses.

The sale will take place on Friday 6 November at the Carlton-based venue.

The items on offer include over thirty portable cross-country fences and wooden showjumps that have only been used for the centre’s eight BE horse trials.

Equipment for running hunter trials and one-day events such as bibs, clipboards and signage will also be on sale.

The closure of the venue was announced earlier this year (12 August).

The owners said that it was with “mixed feelings” that they had decided to make 2015 their last season and hoped riders would join them for “one last gallop”.

Nicholas and Sara Tusting have run the course, which is also open for schooling, for 25 years.

“We have always fitted the building, maintenance and administration of the course into evenings and weekends and this has been made possible by our whole family giving us so much help,” the statement read.

“However, family dynamics change with children having their own jobs and careers to follow and at the same time the demands, not least that of health and safety, become ever more onerous.”

All items need to be taken from the sale at the cost of the purchaser on either 6 or 7 November before 5pm.

To make an offer before the sale, contact the office on 01234 720320 or email info@carltoncrosscountry.co.uk

For a full list of items for sale click here

I know that we’re all human and therefore we all make mistakes from time to time, but there are some real howlers in the equestrian world that seem to crop up more than most.

So rather than leaving you to look a little bit silly in front of your more knowledgeable horsey friends, we thought it might be a useful public service if we cleared up the confusion about these terms once and for all.

Manège, not menage

I know a significant percentage of the British equestrian popular refer to an outdoor riding arena as a menage, but this really needs to stop! If we’re going to borrow this term from our friends across the Channel, we really should get it right. The word menage in French refers to a ‘household’ (to help you remember, menage a trois translates to mean a three-person household, get it?), while a manège is a riding arena. If you really can’t get your head around that, save yourself any blushes and just call it an arena or an outdoor school.

Conformation, not confirmation

When assessing the way a horse is structurally put together, you are reviewing its conformation. This most often occurs when competing in the show ring and is also taken into consideration when a vet is assessing a horse during a pre-purchase examination or vetting. Confirmation is a religious rite of initiation into the Christian faith and, as far as we’re am aware, horses aren’t eligible.

Gilet

Here’s another one that we’ve borrowed from our French cousins and have been audibly butchering ever since. Gilet is the French word for waistcoat and its pronounced ‘jee-lay’ rather than ‘gill-it’. Alternatively, you could just call that padded, armless coat what it is – a waistcoat – and be done with it.

Continued below…

12 things horsey people say in the office — with translations for non-horsey colleagues

• 7 November, 2014 - 08:55

There are certain things you just can’t expect your colleagues to understand — this handy list will help them to More…

Brushing boots? No, they’re shin pads… and 27 other funny descriptions from the uninitiated

• 21 July, 2015 - 17:25

Non-horsey people provide us with some entertaining definitions of equestrian terms

Belvoir

Few things will create more sniggers and mark you as a newcomer in hunting circles than if you get this one wrong. Trust us when we tell you that it’s pronounced ‘beaver’, regardless of what else you might have heard.

Palomino

I’m not brave enough to raise the chesnut versus chestnut debate. But the pretty palomino does seem to be one colour that is regularly spelt incorrectly. If you’re unsure, we’re here to confirm that it is definitely palomino, not palamino, polimino or any other possible versions.

Dun or buckskin?

While we’re on the topic of colours, this is one that gets our sport horse breeding editor particularly hot under the colour. Yes they look similar with a creamy/golden body and a darker mane, tail and legs, but they are genetically quite different. Buckskin occurs as a result of the cream dilution gene acting on a bay horse, while duns come from the dun dilution gene. The easiest way to tell them apart is to look for a dorsal stripe. If it’s there then the horse is dun, if it’s missing then the horse is buckskin.

Appaloosa

Appaloosa is a breed not a colour. Don’t make the mistake of referring to every spotted horse you see as an Appaloosa, because you’ve got a good chance of offending the owner/rider/connections if you get it wrong. And in case you’re not sure, the spelling is double pp, single l, double oo, rather than the various alternatives you’ll find all over the internet.

What other howlers do you think we should add to our list? Let us know by emailing carol.phillips@timeinc.com

Health and safety concerns have led to the cancellation of a long-running riding event in central London.

The London Riding Horse Parade (not pictured) has been taking place in Hyde Park since 1938.

The original aim of the event was to raise the smartness and safety of riders in the park.

More recently it has developed into a show, with classes for juniors and adults as well as veteran, side-saddle and riding school pony sections.

Combinations are judged on their turnout and the horse is also assessed by a farrier and a vet.

However, it was cancelled last year due to vehicle access restrictions imposed by the Royal Parks.

At the time, organisers said they would do “all they can” to run the parade in 2015.

They discussed other parking options and possible routes competitors could take, but were unable to find a suitable alternative.

Organiser Claire McCaffery-Clarke, from the British Horse Society (BHS), told H&H that the Royal Parks has become “very tough” on vehicle access to Rotten Row.

“It is looking incredibly unlikely that the parade will ever happen ever again,” she said.

In past years, horseboxes were able to park at the end of Rotten Row — giving competitors easy access to the parade site.

But once the parks put the new restrictions in place, the organisers decided that there would be “too much risk” to both the competitors and members of the public.

“In the old situation, everything was tight and we could keep members of the public at bay and safe,” Ms McCaffery-Clarke added.

“The Royal Parks have not said that we cannot run the parade, but the restrictions they have put on access mean there are too many variables for something to go wrong.”

She also said that the popularity of the parade has been declining in recent years, partly due to the emissions charge — affecting horseboxes — that came into force in the capital in January 2012.

The charges are between £100-£200 per day, depending on vehicle size.

A Royal Parks spokesman said: “Rotten Row is primarily for the use of everyday park users and horse riders, making it generally unsuitable for event vehicles and infrastructure.

“We worked closely with the event organisers to identify a suitable alternative location to host the event, but at the time were unable to find one.”

As a final attempt to revive the traditional event, Ms McCaffery-Clarke has contacted the Civil Service Riding Club to see if they would consider taking it on or running something similar.

The group is set to consider the proposal at their meeting in November.

As this year’s eventing calendar turns its final page, H&H’s eventing editor rounds up the biggest shocks of the year

1. Michael Jung falling off at Burghley

That Michael was the joint dressage leader was no surprise to anyone, but we certainly didn’t expect him and Kentucky winner FischerRocana FST to plunge into the water after just four fences across country (pictured). Of course, he did go on to win with La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, despite a broken bone in his ankle, so it was quickly back to business as usual.

2. Zara Phillips having to withdraw from Kentucky at the last moment

The American crowd couldn’t wait to see the Brit make her debut at the US four-star, but High Kingdom injured himself in his stable just before his dressage test — and wasn’t seen in competition again all year.

3. Ireland failing to complete a team at the Europeans

After their great efforts at last year’s World Equestrian Games (WEG) where they qualified for the Olympics, there were hopes the riders from Emerald Isle could keep it up, perhaps even challenge for a medal at Blair. But it all came to naught when three of their four riders fell across country.

4. Astier Nicolas beating Michael Jung at Pau

In doing so he denied the German phenomenon his third four-star victory of the year and became the first Frenchman to take the Gallic four-star since Nicolas Touzaint won it in 2007.

5. Holly Woodhead becomes a serious player on the senior scene

Last year’s British young rider individual silver medallist was still eligible for under-21s this season and not really on anyone’s radar for Blair at the start of the year, but after her win in the under-25 class at Bramham she blasted into the senior squad for the Europeans. Ok, so there was no fairytale ending after a stop across country, but her stellar dressage tests at both Aachen and Blair show she will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

6. Tina Cook and De Novo News being left out of the European Championships squad 

This is the first year Tina has not been on Team GBR since 2007 — except for 2011 when Miners Frolic was seriously ill — and she was an unexpected omission following the pair’s valuable contribution to team silver at last year’s WEG. The story had a tragic epilogue when De Novo News contracted pleuropneumonia and had to be put down.

7. Julien Despontin leading the dressage at Luhmühlen

I mean, who is Julien Despontin? It turns out he is a rather charming, good-looking young Belgian — I recommend checking him out on this video.

8. The national under-18 championships moving away from Weston Park and the announcement the venue will no longer run a three-day in the autumn

I mean, the JRN Championships (ok, I know it’s not called that now, but that’s what we all still call it) at Weston was an institution.

9. Jane Holderness-Roddam making a comeback to eventing

The Olympic gold medallist rode in her first one-day event for 13 years and raised over £12,500 for World Horse Welfare and The Brooke.

10. Apologies for ending this on a sombre note

Who would have thought our two leading riders of the past decade, Andrew Nicholson and William Fox-Pitt, would both have serious falls in 2015? Andrew’s last fence accident at Gatcombe and William’s at an owl hole at Le Lion d’Angers have cast a long and ongoing shadow over the end of the 2015 season.

Trying to write and describe my time at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is always a bit of a nightmare. It goes past so fast and you kind of spend the entire time in a bubble but what I do really remember from this year is it certainly was two days of highs and extreme lows!

I managed to get the train straight from London to meet the team at HOYS who had already driven up on the Tuesday. Wednesday was Bam’s (Popsters Glamorize) day in the ring so I took her in the arena on Tuesday night to have a look around. Although it was her first time at HOYS she took everything in her stride in the working in area and I went to bed a very happy person.

Alongside Bam’s class which was early afternoon, Windy (Shilstone Rocks North Westerly) was also competing before her in the in-hand Cuddy supreme title. I went down to watch him go into the ring and wow, what a class. A mixture of the most beautiful ponies from M&M’s to riding ponies and sports ponies as well.

Windy

I only managed to see the first trot before I had to head back to get on Bam as her class was following. You can always tell with Bam if she is relaxed as she will take a polo when offered. If she is a bit stressed or tense no matter how much she wants the polo she won’t touch it. When we tacked her up in her stable she was happily munching on my polos so I had my fingers crossed she would be good!

Windy in the Cuddy

Heading down to the ring we met Windy who had just come out and scored an amazing third place! To be placed in the Cuddy is some achievement but to be top three is just brilliant. As Windy headed back to his stable Bam and I headed into the ring. Although I felt quite relaxed about it you can never tell how the pony will react when stepping into the atmosphere. It is very different from when you work in and some just find it too nerve wracking.

Luckily for me Bam yet again remained her focused self and didn’t look twice at anything. We stayed in to do our show first, which is the way I prefer it so I get the scariest bit over with first! We had a strong section of ponies and everything was going nicely so I just hoped Bam’s inexperience wouldn’t show her up. Thankfully she went out and did everything I asked in a nice relaxed manner, for her first time there I couldn’t have asked for more.

All I ever want to do at HOYS is get in the top 10, I mean obviously a win one day would be nice but for me reaching the top ten and hearing my number called makes my day. When they called Bam’s number I was so pleased for her first season to make the top ten in such a strong line up of ponies, I couldn’t have been more proud. It then got better when I ended up seventh in the class and very importantly she was top placed mare, an accolade I was extremely proud of. What a way to end our first season together.

The next day was the turn of Windy and Chief (Moelview Chieftain), again in the afternoon so I faced the long wait, with my mind considering all the things that could go wrong. Both ponies looked fab and Windy after his Cuddy adventure the day before seemed in a really happy mood.

Now in the four years I have had Windy he has never been the easiest and you need to get everything just right for him to really perform for you. At HOYS everything seemed to be going his way. I got to do my show first and had it all planned.

I know Windy so well now that as soon as I head off for my show I can tell if he was going to go, or if I might as well give up now! But at HOYS he went, he really went. As I came back after my gallop I was grinning ear from ear as we had done it, we had pulled off the show and then something happened. He tripped and he fell. It happened so quickly I don’t remember much bar the gasp of the crowd and my will to stay on. Luckily I dropped my reins and Windy managed to get to his feet but that was it in that one moment my dreams came crashing down.

I trotted a circle and finished my show to a huge round of applause, mainly for staying on I think! But then it hit me and boy, was I gutted. Of all the things to happen, that pony never trips. When I went out to do my in-hand I couldn’t help but cry, I felt so sad that I had let everyone down. Windy had tried so hard for me and in a split second any chance of a rosette in our final ride together had gone. Poor Windy had fallen over so badly he even had sand on his nose. Thankfully he was fine but the judge had already told me she had deducted a large amount of marks so I knew mine and Windy’s dreams of making the top 10 where over.

Gutted as I was I had to pull myself together to face my last ride on Chief as well. Chief really is a one in a million pony and I think he knew he had to look after me. He did everything I asked, never putting a hoof out of place and thankfully there was no tripping in our individual show! The relief when my number was called into the top 10 was overwhelming especially after my ride on Windy. Again we were called forward into seventh place with his son taking fourth spot. Chief has now been to HOYS five times being placed in the top 10 every year and I feel hugely privileged to have been his jockey for four of those. I hope we may still have one more year in us!

Chief at HOYS. Photo credit: Helen Whiteley

Although I can’t pretend to not be gutted about what happened in Windy’s class I know how lucky I was to ride at HOYS on three very special ponies. All of them tried their hardest for me and as a team we had a great time.

I can’t thank everyone enough who messaged me after to check Windy and I were both okay, who hugged my shocked mum on the day, or who gave me a glass of wine. People say the showing world is bitchy but HOYS this year actually reminded me why we do what we do — for the friends we have made over the years and the beautiful ponies, who regardless of how it goes in the ring, you get to take home and hug!

Chloe

Ever wondered how a field master knows what to do or thought you could do a better job than the person you have to follow out hunting?

Well it isn’t always as easy as some people manage to make it look but equally, if you understand hunting and know your country for a start, it isn’t quite as difficult as some field masters can make it look!

Getting in the way of hounds is a definite no-no, and jumping next to an open gate is also frowned upon, but what are the secrets to being a successful field master and ensuring order among those out hunting?

We asked some well-known and respected field masters, huntsmen and members of hunt staff for their top tips and points to remember as a field master.

Rowan Cope MFH — Pytchley Hunt

• Be sure that hounds come first and that you have a good understanding with your huntsman.
• It will take a few seasons to earn respect from your field and your farmers but ultimately that is what you strive to achieve.
• Be sure you have visited and contacted all the land owners whose land you plan to hunt on and you know whose field is whose if there was to be a problem.
• The field like a field master who can entertain them but who also has that certain wow factor which keeps them on their toes — popping over a hung gate off two strides often can sort them out!
• I’m not one to go on a joy ride, but when hounds go, there’s nothing better than following them in a straight line.

Mike Felton MFH — Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt

• Know your country — that means walking every field and knowing how to get in/get out in different directions.
• When planning your jumping routes, try to mix them up so the field don’t start second guessing you.
• Heaven forbid that you lose hounds, but if you do, make sure you have learnt to read the countryside signals, for example, a flock of birds suddenly wheeling, stock moving in the distance, car followers high-tailing down a road and traffic slowed on a road.
• The biggest no-no is going where you have been asked not to or riding over the line where the trail has been laid.

Mark Hankinson — former master and huntsman of the Wilton

• The art is to stay just the right distance away from hounds — not so far back that no one can see the action but never on top of the huntsman.
• Remember that a huntsman hates nothing more than having the field breathing down his neck— everyone gets frustrated on a bad scenting day but trying to make hounds draw faster by riding on the huntsman’s heels is not the answer.
• Do your best to keep the field up together — hunts are often circular and having the tail-enders getting in the way is likely to turn the air blue.

Gary Thorpe — huntsman of the East Essex

• Walk your hunt country with your huntsman so you can both work on a planned draw.
• Good communication on a hunting day between huntsman and master is vital. There is no point the huntsman hunting a trail if the field master and members of the field aren’t able to follow you.

Philip Cowen MFH – Fernie Hunt

• Knowing all of the country in as much detail as you know the route to your local pub.
• When in doubt about which route to take, don’t be afraid to sit and wait for a while until you are certain of your decision. Rushing around like a headless chicken only makes the hole a whole load bigger.
• Remember that the huntsman is always right, but the Master is never wrong.
• And finally., never let anyone know too much about your plans for the day — however important they may be — as their enthusiasm to get ahead of you may only serve to ruin and frustrate all of the best-laid plans.

Derek Ricketts – field master of the Bicester Hunt with Whaddon Chase

• If you make a decision and get it wrong, stay positive and pretend you intended to go that way.
• Understand how your huntsman likes to hunt.
• Give the paying public as much fun and enjoyment as possible.
• Always be well mounted and well turned out.

Rory Knight Bruce — H&H hunting correspondent

• Remember that successful field mastering is only achieved by complete trust with the huntsman.
• When the huntsman is drawing, keep the mounted field a good field and a half away.
• Anticipate what is likely to happen and never stop the field in a gateway.
• Be firm with “skirters” or so called amateur whippers-in — some are purely hunting for themselves.
• Make sure there is someone out hunting who, if people can’t keep up, keeps an eye on the stragglers or the non-jumping field.
• Keep the pace of the day, for example. don’t stand looking at a row of hedges then jump them simply “to entertain the riders” when there are clearly gaps on either side. This is a discourtesy to the farmers and field mastering is about taking obstacles when hounds are running.

Will Dalton MFH – Kimblewick Hunt

• Keep things simple and give yourself time.
• Pick your best line to entertain the field. In many hunt countries, gone are the days of “following them in a straight line” but you need to try and follow in as straight a line as possible though.

Jeremy Reed MFH — Flint and Denbigh Hunt

• The ideal field master is as important as the huntsman — one looks after the field while the other must be able to shut himself from what is going on behind him to enable him to see and hear what the hounds are doing.
• Try to read the huntsman’s mind — this is near enough impossible but can be mastered with time!

Charles Carter MFH — West Norfolk Hunt

• Field mastering is a fairly thankless role with the potential for mistakes and grief, with very little praise.
• Above all, remember to keep smiling, keep thrusting and have fun because those behind you will follow suit.

Olympic triple gold medallist Matt Ryan has told H&H he aims to train Australian teams in the future.

Matt, 51, retired from eventing in 2013, but has continued to ride and train from his base near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, Wales.

He is moving to Ross-on-Wye at the end of this week (30 October) and will no longer be running a yard.

“I am going to be much freer to travel to do clinics,” he said.

“I was limited to how much teaching time I could free up.”

He added that he also plans on doing much more media work in the future.

This season he commentated at Houghton Hall and hopes to be heard over the loud speaker at some of Anna and Stuart Buntine’s British Eventing fixtures next season.

Matt also plans to continue with his Radio Badminton presenter role and as well as his slot interviewing the riders as they come out of the dressage at Burghley.

“I love being part of the scene,” he said.

Matt’s career highlights include individual and team gold at the Atlanta 1992 Olympics on Kibah Tic Toc and team gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

He also has numerous top 10 placings at three- and four-star level.

Matt first arrived in the UK as a working pupil to the late Richard Meade and moved here permanently in 1989.

In 2009 Matt looked into changing his nationality to British, but was still competing for his native Australia up until his retirement two years ago.

He has now said that his “big aim” would be to help Australia win more medals.

“I would love to be part of the team training system for an Australian team,” he said.

“I think I have to earn my stripes before I get there though.”

Matt sold his last horse (not pictured) on Monday (26 October) and has also been having an equipment sale, including tack, clippers, horse boots and jumps.

“The fact that I don’t have a yard means that I do not have a use for it all,” he said.

He added that he will be keeping hold of his Olympic memorabilia.

Matt is also looking for a retirement home for his Sydney 2000 Olympic team gold medal-winning ride Kibah Sandstone.

The 31-year-old gelding was retired at the age of 18, but returned to grassroots competition with one of Matt’s working pupils for a few events in 2012.

“He was fantastic. I would like to keep him quite close to home and I am hoping somebody might be interested in taking him on as a companion,” said Matt.

A man filmed whipping a horse repeatedly has been cleared of animal cruelty.

Elton Saliba, 37, appeared in court after a video emerged of him striking a horse several times with a whip in Maghtab, Malta.

The video of the incident, which took place in May last year, went viral after it appeared on social media. (Watch the video – viewer discretion advised)

Police launched an investigation that lead to the cruelty charge.

Witness Rennie Zammit, told the court that he was speaking to Mr Saliba outside the stable when his 18-month-old child broke free from her mother and ran inside next to the horse.

Mr Zammit defended Mr Saliba’s reaction. He claimed Mr Saliba was trying to stop the horse from biting his daughter.

The court heard Mr Saliba’s ex-girlfriend uploaded the video onto the internet in revenge after he refused to marry her.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli said the court did not find evidence of any criminal intention to cause injury or distress to the animal and had no reason to doubt Mr Saliba’s explanation.

The prosecution did not present any proof of any injuries the horse may have suffered.

Magistrate Demicoli said the video was far too short for experts to determine whether the horse had suffered.

Mr Saliba was cleared of all criminal charges.

Now that the clocks have changed and the evenings are getting darker, it’s the perfect excuse to treat yourself. This week’s new to the market round-up features products from Wingfield Digby, Hiho Silver, Tori Allen, Uvex and Ariat.

Wingfield Digby Cufflinks

The striking quality of the Reeves Pheasant feathers make these particular Wingfield Digby cufflinks a firm favourite. The pattern of black, white and hazelnut tones on these pheasant feathers make these particular cufflinks a real gem, almost literally, as to the naked eye they appear not as feathers but as precious stone or marble. We take individual Reeves pheasant feathers and then set them into glass, before fusing them with a tarnish resistant silver alloy. These finely crafted cufflinks look amazing with any shirt on any occasion, from the boardroom to the field, and make perfect luxury presents for men, both country lovers and city slickers alike.
RRP: £40
Visit: www.wingfielddigby.co.uk

Sterling Silver Horse Shoe Studs

These new studs from Hiho Silver are made using solid sterling silver and have been crafted to show off the detail of the horse’s face, to give that lifelike quality that Hiho customers love. They’re 2cm long and 0.8cm wide, so understated yet still thoroughly horsey and instantly recognisable.
RRP: £60
Visit: www.hihosilver.co.uk or call 01460 221006

Tori Allen Classic Tweed Polo Shirt

This classic tweed polo shirt is the first of its kind, not just for the tweed but the first horse racing fashion polo shirt. You will be sure to stand out from the crowd with the hand finished polo using the finest Harris Tweed in a blue check providing a modern twist to the traditional. The design is made compete with the embroidered signature Tori Allen logo. Fantastic to wear to the races.
RRP: £39.99
Visit: www.toriallen.co.uk

Hiho Cherry Roller Snaffle Bangle

This exclusive sterling silver and gold plated cherry roller snaffle bangle is a stunning new bracelet from Hiho Silver. The bangle is made by talented silversmiths and has a spring clip fastening that makes it easy to put on and take off. It has five rollers, which alternate between gold plated sterling silver and sterling silver.
RRP: £105
Visit: www.hihosilver.co.uk

Uvex Variotronic Eyewear

The uvex variotronic eyewear is revolutionary and unlike any other product on the market. The eyewear can be operated manually at the touch of a button, or be left to function automatically. Pressing the button underneath the arm of the eyewear triggers the electrochromatic activation of a liquid cystal film on the polycarbonate lens in just 0.1 second. The re-chargeable eyewear is powered by a tiny built-in battery powered by USB cable which takes twenty minutes to charge and powers for fifty hours. The uvex variotronic is available in Sports Shield, or full frame depending on your preference.
RRP: £299.95
Visit: www.zebraproducts.co.uk

Ariat Mikelli Softshell Full Seat Breeches

These breeches have been designed with performance in mind, however the stylish design still retains an elegant look in the saddle thanks to the slim fit design, stretch clarino full seat and zippered pockets. Made from premium softshell, which is both wind and water resistant, the Mikelli breeches have been created with the number one priority of keeping your legs warm, dry and protected from the winter elements – without compromising on flexibility – so you can still work, school, hack and jump without restriction.
RRP: £119.99
Visit: www.ariat.com or call 01367 242818

A reward for information leading to the arrest of the killer of an international showjumper has reportedly reached $30,000.

Twelve-year-old gelding Phedras De Blondel was found slaughtered at his owners’ farm in Palmetto, Florida, at around 7am on Sunday (25 October).

He was found with his legs and part of his body removed.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Department believe the horse was killed for meat.

Now Star Trek actor William Shatner, who is a keen rider, is among those who have pledged money to help catch the killer.

According to news channels in Florida he has donated $5,000 to the reward for information lead to the suspect’s arrest.

The horse was removed from his pen between 8.30pm on Saturday (24 October) and 6.45am on Sunday (25 October).

Phedras De Blondel, by Fetiche Du Pas and out of Belphegor IV, had been bought from France by US rider Debbie Stephens and her husband Steve, an Olympic course-designer.

The couple have also raised around $18,000 according to US press reports.

Phedras De Blondel had only arrived in the USA a few days earlier and had left quarantine at Miami airport on Thursday night.

“This horse was not cut up by a beginner. It was professional butcher that did this. He knew exactly where to go to dismember the animal which is the sad part,” Mr Stephens told local press.

Officers believe the horse was targeted because of its size. Buying or selling horse meat in Florida is illegal.

Dave Bristow of the Sheriff’s Department told local press: “We are hoping someone saw something unusual, an unusual car or truck in the area. The farm is not that far from the highway.

“We have never had a case like this that I can remember.

“It’s grisly. There has been a case in the Palm Beach County area involving a slaughterhouse, but nothing like that here.”

Prior to the move the horse had been competed by French showjuper Christian Hermon. The pair last competed at the CSI2* in Auvers in August, finishing 14th.

A young cob found in a desperate condition Buckinghamshire has found a new home.

Rafiki, at 18-months-old, was among a group of several fly-grazed horses rescued by the Blue Cross in January. Three were found dead and a further two had to be put down due to high burdens of encysted small red worm.

Rafiki had a huge worm count of 5,300 eggs per gram and needed urgent veterinary attention.

He was nursed back to health by staff at the Blue Cross and within weeks his health had greatly improved.

The youngster was rehomed by a Cambridgshire-based horse lover on 25 September. Margaret, who preferred not to give her surname, suffers from severe arthritis and is unable to walk following an operation. She now uses a power wheelchair to get around.

“He gives me a reason to get up in the morning,” she said. “Once I had got used to the wheelchair I was bored, getting fat, and really missed fresh air and equine company.

“I looked at the Blue Cross website and there he was. It was instant. We went to see him and he was perfect. He was not the slightest bit bothered by the wheelchair and quite happily sniffed me all over.

“He is kind, gentle and so patient. He is doing me much more good than anything I can do for him.”

With the help of her daughter, Margaret plans to introduce Rafiki to as much as she can, including a saddle, bridle, rugs and a trailer.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better home for Rafiki,” said Vicki Alford, from Blue Cross.

“We are currently inundated with lovely young cobs like him and are desperate to find them good homes before winter sets in and our resources become tighter. If you are an experienced horse owner with the knowledge, time and facilities to give a youngster a home, please get in touch.”

The death of some of Rafiki’s companions has prompted Blue Cross to remind horse owners to treat their horses for encysted small redworm during the late autumn/early winter. The charity advises horse owners to speak to their vet for worming guidance.

The world would be a very boring place if we were all alike and this is as true in the equestrian industry as anywhere. And while variety is the spice of life, as the years pass and people come and go, you learn to identity certain ‘types’ of horse owner.

To celebrate our diversity, here are just a few that you might recognise.

The owner who likes a change

This person changes horses like some people upgrade their cars. Every 18 months to two years she fancies a new challenge or is convinced it’s time to take her riding in a new direction. So far she’s had a cracking Connemara for M&M showing, an exciting ex-racer for eventing, a big-moving warmblood for a spot of dressage, a fancy pants German-bred showjumper, and a pure-bred Arab for endurance riding. The latest addition to her stable is a solid Irish-bred hunter, who’s arrived just in time for the season to get underway. Tally Ho!

The horse collector

This person has many more horses than she has time to exercise and is typically found running from pillar to post to keep up with their needs. There is her ‘old faithful’, one or more competition/riding horses, quite possibly a broodmare (with or without foal at foot/in utero), at least one ‘project’ who is looking unlikely to be sold on anytime soon, one she ‘saved’ from a life worse than death and a small pony who is just ‘useful to have around’. Quite how or why he’s useful is anyone’s guess, but she says it with such conviction that everyone believes her.

The ultra-competitive rider

Born into a competitive family that excels in everything they do, this rider has been winning red rosettes since before they could walk and sees no reason to stop now. Their posh warmblood with a name so long and convoluted that it causes even the most experienced commentator to weep into their coffee, has an ultra impressive CV, although the consistency of his performances is not what it once was. You’ll know how their day has gone as soon as they arrive back on the yard from a show, either full of joy or with a dark cloud hanging over their head.

All the gear (ATG)

This queen of ‘matchy-matchy’ is always dressed in the latest season’s colours, and wouldn’t be seen dead riding without her co-ordinating saddle pad and fleece bandages while she enjoys her 20min hack around the block. Whether it’s the latest saddle technology or a new bit that her hero was pictured using on their horse in the latest issue of Horse & Hound, ATG has an impressive collection of kit. As much of this has only been used once or twice, if you want to try something on your horse before investing, she’s a great person to know.

The make do and mender (MDAM)

The polar opposite of ATG, this owner hasn’t been able to afford to go way on holiday for as long as she can remember, and she knows the value of ‘make do and mend’. While her horses and their kit may not be flashy, her horse glows with good health beneath his multi-patched rugs. Equally her ancient tack may be made up from mismatched originals, but it fits well and is in great condition thanks to her excellent care of it. And you know that when that tatty 20-year-old old jute rug finally comes to the end of it’s life, MDAM will take time to recycle the straps and fastenings for future use. Want to know how to keep your horses on a budget? MDAM is the person you need to talk to.

The box-rest owner

We all feel sorry for this owner, who is on ‘grab a coffee’ terms with her equine vet’s receptionist. For no obvious reason, their horse is always in the wars and they spend more time walking out their horse in hand, than riding him. Every time it looks like they’ve turned a corner and might be able to look forward to enjoying more than a quiet hack, he comes in from the field hopping lame again. While it’s enough to put some people off horses for life, luckily this stoic character seems able to shrug it off by simply saying: “That’s horses for you”. She is, of course, right.

What other types of horse owner should we add to our list? Send your suggestions to carol.phillips@timeinc.com for possible inclusion here.

As the season changes vets are urging horse owners to be on alert for signs of the often-fatal condition seasonal pasture myopathy (SPM), formerly known as atypical myopathy.

A horse in the East Midlands has already died in recent weeks of the condition, which is related to the sycamore tree (pictured, top).

The illness weakens the muscles and can present with sudden stiffness, muscle tremors, collapse and colic-like signs.

The fatality rate is around 70% and it is most frequently seen in autumn and spring.

Victims are usually kept in sparse pastures, where seeds on the ground are eaten when there is little grazing.

Mark Bowen, president of the British Equine Veterinary Association, said: “In the past two years our understanding of this awful condition in horses has increased considerably. We now know that sycamore seeds contain the highly toxic agents that cause SPM and there are practical things that we can advise owners to do that minimise the risk to their animals.”

High winds in 2014 spread the seeds, and the National Equine Health survey recorded four times as many cases as the year before.

H&H vet Karen Coumbe added: “Now is the time of year that problems with this condition are likely to occur. It is too early to know how serious it will be [this year], but hopefully with publicity, owners will be more aware of the condition and how to avoid it.”

Seeds should be cleared from pasture, areas with seeds on the ground should be fenced off and additional forage should be supplied to reduce the chance of horses eating seeds.

Signs of seasonal pasture myopathy

• Weaknes
• Muscle trembling
• Lethargy
• Pain
• Dark urine
• Sweating/shivering

Pau is always a fun event with which to finish the season. The weather is usually nice, it is relaxed and welcoming, the site is compact and user-friendly — the one downside is it’ s a long way from Wiltshire.

There are great warm-up areas and a huge main arena, but our horses aren’t used to that dead sand which has no bounce to it. The French horses seem to cope better with it than ours, but they are more accustomed to it.

There were no real surprises in the dressage — Michael Jung was in first and second. Emily King did a very good test and, but for one mistake, could have actually been in the lead.

I was a bit disappointed with my own test on NZB Campino — he didn’t go as well as he can do. I was in 14th place on 43.3 — apart from Michael’s two, it was very close.

My first impressions of the cross-country were that it was fairly straightforward. The water complexes looked the most difficult fences, along with the “bunch of grapes”, which was very narrow and visually hard for horses to focus on, and that was how it turned out. The going was as good as it can be, but again the sandy soil rides quite dead and horses can finish jarred up.

The general feeling was that course-designer Pierre Michelet lacked a bit of inspiration. It was very samey — up a rise in the ground to a brush, then a forward three or four strides to an angle or skinny, repeated several times.

The time was too easy. I had a super ride — one of the most comfortable, easy rides I’ve had round a four-star — and, after I’d seen Blyth Tait take the long option at the second-last and make the time, I did the same. I still finished 20sec under the time — and despite that, only managed to move up two places after cross-country.

I moved up two more places after the trot-up, as the leaders, Michael Jung and Halunke FBW, withdrew from the holding box, as did Bill Levett.

Pau is also renowned for big showjumping tracks, and this year’s lived up to that — it was up to height with a good degree of technicality.

Campino didn’t feel comfortable on the surface and to have two fences down was out of character for him. Horses that normally jump well were hitting fences.

Michael was maybe lucky just to have one down — without his skill, his horse could have had more. But it was great for the locals that Astier Nicolas jumped a lovely clear round and won.

Winter plans

Another busy season is now over. We are having Christmas in Britain and heading to New Zealand in January for a few weeks. I’ve downsized my team of horses so I can focus on Leonidas II and Campino for the Olympic Games — both have put up solid performances at four-star level and I’m looking forward to next year. I think we can improve again — and it’s nice to know I can still be competitive at the top level!

FEI grumbles

Why on earth is the FEI General Assembly in Puerto Rico this year? And why was it in Azerbaijan last year? Do these countries even have proper equestrian industries? And what about the cost to the FEI — who is paying for everyone to get there?

And a plea to the FEI to update their unwieldy website so those of us who aren’t computer wizards can actually use it to find out the things we should know.

Don’t be scared

Mark Phillips referred to my usual plea for more prize-money in his last column. I do keep banging on about it — because other people keep banging on about it to me. Over 30 years in the sport, with the exception of Badminton and Burghley, the prize-money has got worse, not better. I know there are many factors involved, but as soon as the word is mentioned, everyone comes up with every excuse as to why it can’t — and even shouldn’t — improve.

Surely there would only be benefits? Horses would become more valuable, encouraging more owners into the sport with the hope of some return. Riders would have a chance of making a living and would target their horses more specifically for competitions. We could pay our staff better. Breeders would be better compensated and more likely to breed specifically for eventing.

There would be a huge knock-on effect — and only for the good. We should embrace the concept, not run from it.

Best wishes to Fox-Pitt

Finally, we all wish William Fox-Pitt a speedy recovery. How strange it is that of the top three riders in the world, two — William and Andrew Nicholson — should have had serious accidents recently, while the other, Michael Jung, is effectively riding with a broken leg…

Ref: Horse & Hound; 29 October 2015

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 ball

The Bradley Dale Riding Club in Staffordshire has organised a ball on 31 October at The Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton. It is being held in support of eventer Ben Hobday, who has been undergoing cancer treatment. Funds raised will go to cancer charities The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Eve Appeal.
Visit: www.bradleydale.co.uk

Sales

The Monart Sale takes place in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, on 4-5 November. The event horse sale only features horses selected by a panel of four-star eventers.
Visit: www.themonartsale.com

Monty Roberts

Catch the last UK dates in the world-famous trainer’s tour with Kelly Marks on 29 October at Merrist Wood, Guildford, and 31 October at Ingliston Equestrian Centre, Bishopston.
Visit: www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk

Veteran championships

British Dressage and the Veteran Horse Society are teaming up to run the Veteran Horse and Rider Championships at Vale View Equestrian Centre, Leics, from 31 October – 1 November.
Visit: www.veteran-horse-society.co.uk

Conference

The British Equestrian Trade Association’s annual conference will be held on 2 November at Whittlebury Hall Hotel and Spa, near Towcester. The title of the 2015 event is “Participation – is the future of the equestrian trade at risk?”.
Visit: www.beta-uk.org

Flat racing

Catch Newmarket’s final Flat racing fixture of the season at the Rowley Mile on 30-31 October.
Visit: newmarket.thejockeyclub.co.uk

National Hunt racing

The bet365 Charlie Hall Meeting is at Wetherby racecourse on 30-31 October. Saturday (31 October) features the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase.
Visit: www.wetherbyracing.co.uk

Team chasing

Watch the final two events of 2015 before the season re-commences in March next year. The Essex and Suffolk’s event will be on 1 November at Manor Farm, Hadleigh, and the Bicester with Whaddon Chase’s competition is on 8 November at Newton Morrell.
Visit: www.teamchasing.co.uk

Dressage

Watch top para dressage riders compete in the CPEDI3* at Bury Farm, Bucks, from 27-30 October.
Visit: www.buryfarmequestrianvillage.co.uk

Halloween carriage rides

Spooky Halloween carriage rides are taking place in Richmond Park from 28-31 October.
Visit: www.supporttheroyalparks.org

This page will be updatedly weekly with new events, so why not add it to your bookmarks/favourites?

If you are organising an event that you think would be suitable for this page, please email details to lucy.elder@timeinc.com