A call for nominations for an award celebrating the equestrian world’s unsung heroes has been made by The National Equine Forum (NEF).
The Sir Colin Spedding Award 2016 is open to nominations for individuals or organisations and the winner will be announced at the NEF on 3 March next year.
It is presented annually to an exceptional an as yet unrecognised person or organisation that has made an important contribution to the equestrian world.
Sir Colin was the founding chairman of the NEF and chaired the event for 20 years until shortly before his death in 2012.
His aim was to allow the equine world to consider and then speak with a coordinated voice on matters of the moment.
The award was introduced in his memory in 2013.
Jane Holderness-Roddam, chair of the NEF award committee, said: “Sir Colin’s aim for the Forum was to bring all echelons of the equestrian world together to speak with one voice.
“The award is an extension of this philosophy.
“It’s an opportunity for us to recognise and commend an exceptional individual or organisation from any area of equestrianism for their incomparable endeavour, for the good of the horse.”
Paul Greeves, former executive director and keeper of the General Stud Book at Weatherbys was this year’s winner (pictured, credit: Craig Payne Photography).
More than 200 emaciated horses were rescued from a dairy farm in Houston, USA, last week (25 June).
The horses were rescued by the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) at the request of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office.
“Many of the horses are emaciated, in need of hoof care and were suffering from open wounds,” said a spokesman for Houston’s SPCA’s.
“Our veterinary medical and animal welfare teams are in action providing critical care for these horses,” she added.
The owners of the horse ranch, Herman and Kathleen Hoffman were arrested and charged with three counts of animal cruelty.
They have been released from jail but have not been allowed back onto the property.
President of Houston SPCA Patricia Mercer told ABC Eyewitness News: “We have more than 200 horses and we are going to be doing blood work, diagnostics on these horses and farrier work.”
She said many of the horses had never had their feet trimmed and were in a “very bad condition.”
Ms Mercer said her team was collecting evidence for the county attorney’s office for this week’s anticipated custody hearing.
SPCA investigators moved the worst 12 cases to its own premises, leaving the rest of the horses on the farm in Montgomery county to be cared for by officials.
Montgomery county attorney JD Lambright said there was evidence of bones on the farm and the investigation “will be ongoing.”
The SPCA said the horses’ veterinary care and rehabilitation could cost half a million dollars.
“We have a huge job ahead of us,” Mercer told Eyewitness News. “It’s unusual to do a seizure on site, but because of the sheer number of horses involved, we’ve elected to take the most critical horses back to the Houston SPCA.”
The 4* international dressage competition and Evelyn and Klaus Haim-Swarovski's Schindlhof in Fritzens, Austria, is not only a fabulous dressage extravaganza with a world class field of participants; the show also provides a fun filled program for the crowds and an auction for numerous charities. The generosity and hospitality of the Swarovski family are incomparable.
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Sweet Briar College in Virginia will remain open next year after Bedford County Circuit Court Judge James W. Updike Jr. approved a settlement on June 21.
Just off the A417 Gloucester to Ledbury road within easy reach of the M50 and M5.
What the organisers say
Our title sponsor is NAF.
All CCI2* dressage will take place in the indoor Hartpury arena. CIC3* and CCI* competitors will perform their dressage tests in the international outdoor arena, where the showjumping is also sited. The arena and warm-up are on an all-weather, pro track surface by Andrews Bowen. Paul Connor designs the showjumping and Eric Winter designs the cross-country, which runs over undulating parkland.
All tracks have two water fences and run over permanent grassland. Hartpury is committed to making the going the best possible and have invested further in this for 2015 — the new irrigation and ground management system will be extended to cover more areas of the course.
Some changes have been made to all courses and they will be challenging but fair.
The CCI* and CCI2* are suited to more experienced horses, while the CIC3* is for those seeking an educational run.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Fabulous facilities and venue, but lorry parking is a little cramped and there is limited hook-up. Lorry park is also very slippery for unloading horses.” “The one- and two-star dressage is held in an all-weather arena. The CIC3* runs in the indoor school, which has a unique atmosphere [see organiser comments]. The final warm-up is in a small adjacent indoor which can feel a little cramped.” “There is good viewing of the showjumping in the all-weather arena with interesting, decent tracks, and the warm-up is held in an arena beside it.”
Cross-country — “The CIC3* provides a good pre-autumn three-day event run.” “Bold, undulating courses with good questions.” “It’s a long hack from the stables.” “Ground much improved from previous years as it now has a watering system in place.”
Record-breaking young dressage rider Phoebe Peters added another championship title to her collection at the Hickstead Premier League, dressage masters and para dressage championships last week (23-27 June) in West Sussex.
The 16-year-old, who is preparing for the dressage pony European Championships in Sweden (5-9 August), took the Hickstead masters under-21 Championship title with the 14.1hh SL Lucci, by Lukas.
The combination posted a score of 79.4% to win the pony team test — which was the final selection for the pony Europeans — by an impressive 7%.
In the junior team test at Hickstead, the 16-year-old rode Debbie Brookes’ 17.2hh bay gelding Denford Surprise, known as Parker (above, credit: Camille Peters Photography).
Debbie and her partner Eddie Stibbe own Lavender Hill Stud, near Naunton, Glos, where Phoebe is based.
Although the 2013 pony European dressage champion has been schooling Parker for several months, this was only their second test together and they won on a score of 70.14%.
The score was also good enough for the new combination to take fifth in the under-21 championship.
Phoebe said she was “thrilled” to win on both SL Lucci and Denford Surprise.
“I was really pleased with how Lucci went in the test particularly his extensions in all paces,” she said.
“We haven’t scored under 78% in the any test we’ve ridden since April so naturally I couldn’t be happier with him.
“My relationship with Debbie Brookes’ Denford Suprise is still very young and although this was only our second ever test together he really felt like enjoyed the occasion and tried his best for me despite our differences in size.”
British Dressage pony team selectors have this afternoon (Monday 29 June) announced the 2015 British pony European dressage team.
Phoebe will be joined by Rebecca Bell, 15, and Valido’s Sunshine with Valido’s Starlight as a direct reserve, Isobel Berrington, 15, and DHI Langar, and Clare Hole, 13, with Rembrant DDH.
First reserve is Angus Corrie-Dean, 15, and Grayswood Orlando and second reservee is Ottilie Bardsley, 15, and Kingsley Ciske.
The news that the FEI will now hold an annual championship for under 25s is absolutely fabulous for riders and the sport in general.
The most encouraging aspect is that it will provide an incentive for riders to think of training through grand prix. There used to be two divisions — young riders or grand prix — for both horses and riders, whereas now there is a way forward to change that notion when training horses.
Maybe these championships could be added to the senior Europeans every two years. After all, these riders are adults and as they’re riding piaffe and passage what a great training ground this would be. It was done in Herning two years ago with inter II and grand prix classes, with great success.
On the other hand, news that the World Breeding Championships is, from next year, to include a small tour class for seven-year-olds could encourage training to this level too fast.
At the moment there is huge diversity at six-year-old level, with half-pass and changes required in the test. There is a solid group of riders who can train with the balance, self-carriage and impulsion to make the tests look nice to watch, but there are still too many six-year-olds shown that are just not ready for this level. And if this is the sort of seven-year-old that’s going to be doing prix st georges, this is only going to encourage glory riding for some, not the correct basics.
A strict selection policy and more viewing days for selecting for these young horse classes — as they do in Holland and Germany — would help, but I get the impression that many nations tend to end up sending whoever wants to go.
‘The new generation of Charlottes’
That our pony team has become as successful as our senior team gives every reason for the pony riders to head off to the European Championships in Malmö in August with great hopes.
Our juniors and young riders have a lot to live up to, but it’s fascinating to look at the new generation of Charlottes emerging from our dressage dynasties. On the young riders team there’s Charlotte Fry, daughter of Simon and my late team colleague Laura, while Charlotte Dicker is on the junior team as was her mother Anne, who competed on the junior eventing team and was a regular young riders team member, winning team silver in 1986.
Anne’s mother is, of course, the incomparable Jennie Loriston-Clarke, so Charlotte had huge footsteps to walk in.
Stand and deliver
With the current trend of promoting dressage through lecture demonstrations and smaller displays, we must get some of our young talent learning to stand up and deliver the message of what our sport is all about. When people ask me about doing these talks, my feeling is that more people must be capable of doing it. You don’t need to have your own Valegro — one of my most successful demos featured a coloured cob — although it is fabulous for an audience to see the end result.
So at training days let’s see lecture demo training – or make delivering a talk part of the assessment for the British Dressage young professionals award, for example, giving young people the chance to learn how to get the point across and make it fun.
Puzzle solvers at the ready?
The new gold, silver and bronze structure which British Dressage is planning to introduce looks very complicated. Is there anyone out there who is good at doing Sudoku or The Times crossword who could unravel and explain it? So far I and everyone I’ve spoken to is simply confused.com.
Horse & Hound's buying guides feature the best kit on the market. This week we bring you 13 of the best short-sleeved show shirts
Ariat Aptos Liberty show top
The Aptos Liberty show top is a competition shirt that has been created for comfort and flexibility when riding. It is also an advanced technical piece of equestrian clothing designed using breathable material to help regulate the rider’s temperature. The pretty design of the Aptos Fashion show top is ideal for those that like a trendy, yet classic look in the saddle and features a woven mock collar with stock tie loop and Liberty fabric trim. Made from a poly and spandex blend pique, with built in stretch, the Aptos Liberty show top is designed to flex with the rider without restriction, enabling a full range of movement. Avialable in white/blossom or white/navy in sizes XS-XL. RRP: £39.99 Visit: www.ariat.com or call 0845 600 3209
Equiline Eva competition shirt\
The Equiline Eva available through Dressage Deluxe is a pretty ladies competition shirt created for performace. This feminine show shirt has a fitted shape and features short sleeves and a ruched front with ruffle trim and Equiline crystal detail on the collar. Eva is made from a four-way stretch cotton fabric that is also breathable ensuring comfort while riding. Available in plain white or pale blue micro pin stripe with white accents and sizes 8-14. RRP: £103 Visit: www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk
Equetech Hexatec capped sleeved and sleeveless shirts
Styled in an advanced technical fabric, which is not only breathable, but also wicks away moisture and is quick-drying this shirt offers stretch, comfort and shape retention. It incorporates “Coolmax” to help you feel fresh while it’s concealed front button placket, petite show tie collar, tie loop to keep tie neatly in place and faux tailored front panel all help maintain a traditional image. The shirt also has shaped darts at both the front and back to create a good fit. Available in white or buttermilk and sizes 8-20. RRP: £45.95 (capped sleeve), £41.95 (sleeveless shirt). Visit: www.equetech.com or call 01296 688 966
Dublin Windsor competition shirt
This is a short sleeved shirt complete with a stock collar. It features a tailored front panel to provide a flattering fit and two vented, deep back vents for freedom of movement. The shirt is created from lightweight woven stretch fabric that is soft and comfortable, breathable and easy to care for. Available in white and sizes 8-20. RRP: £29.99 Visit: www.dublinclothing.co.uk
euro-star Hannah
Made of highly elastic and breathable microfibre, this shirt is available in white, taupe, rose blush, sky, strong blue or navy. RRP: £50 Visit: www.euro-star.de
Toggi Monica
The Monica short sleeved stock shirt from Toggi is designed specifically with rider comfort in mind. The Aerocool fabric technology absorbs and transports moisture away from the skin quickly, leaving you feeling cool and comfortable. Discreet metallic thread embroideries add to the overall look of the shirt. Available in white in sizes 8-20. RRP: £37.50 Visit: www.toggi.com, email info@toggi.com, or call 0113 270 7000
Tredstep Solo competition shirt
The Solo competition shirt is a combination of style, subtle detailing and high performance fabrics. Constructed from a fusion of Air silk four-way stretch fabric and Cool Jade fabric technology which reduces skin surface temperature by up to 7 degrees ensuring you keep cool. Available in white with five trim options (coral, green, pink, blue and cream) in sizes XS-XL. RRP: long sleeve £59.99 short sleeve £54.99 Visit: www.tredstep.com
Noble Outfitters Gwen short sleeve shirt
The Gwen is a lightweight performance shirt that flatters and performs. With a comfortable textured body fabric and cool mesh at the back, this top keeps you cool using Opti-Dry Technology™ and features a stretch mesh back panel for added breathability. There is a tock tie loop on the back of the neck and a reverse coil YKK™ zipper at the front. Available in white or ice (pale blue) in sizes XS-XL. RRP: £29.95 Visit www.nobleoutfitters.co.uk or call 01572 772508
Mark Todd DryFit competition shirt
The new DryFit Competition Shirts are available in ladies and mens styles; both being manufactured in Dry-tex sports fabric which keeps the wearer cool, dry and comfortable by wicking moisture away from the body. The stretch material also allows the shirt to have a close-fitting design without restricting movement. While the mens version comes in white with a crisp shirt collar and button neck, the ladies top features a stand-up collar, diamante stud fastenings and comes in white, navy or raspberry. RRP: £24.99 Visit: www.wefi.co.uk
Just Togs Dazzle show shirt
The Dazzle show shirt has been created for the competitive rider wanting a bit more sparkle. Featuring Swarovski buttons and detail to the front, the Dazzle show shirt is made of an Aerocool fabric that helps to regulate body temperature.Available in white and sizes XS-XL. RRP: £33 Visit: www.justtogs.co.uk
Cavallo Evelyn competition shirt
The Evelyn competition shirt has a buttoned white collar with metal bead detailing on the front. Available in marine blue, silver grey, blush and white, the quick drying top is breathable. RRP: £72.50 Visit: www.zebraproducts.co.uk or call 01352 763350
Horseware Sara competition shirt
This is a short sleeve show shirt made from lightweight, stretchy technical fabric with wicking properties to help you keep cool. It features lace detail on the upper back and is a flattering fit, hidden zip details on the front with a mock collar and single button for a classic show look. Available in white and sizes XS-XL. RRP: £33.95 Visit: www.horseware.com
BR Ladies’ Spring Hill competition shirt
This shirt is a slim fit and features wicking and breathable material. It includes collar loops for the attachment of a stock tie and decorative tape with imitation diamonds along the zipper . Available in white and sizes XS-XXL. RRP: £20.95 Visit: www.br.nl
Next week: don’t miss our pick of the best ventilated riding hats
Would you like to be considered for this series in future? If so, please email H&H’s products editor alice.collins@timeinc.com
Horse & Hound's coverage of The Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting (24-28 June) is brought to you in association with Equestrian.com
Young showjumper Emma Stoker, 22, has enjoyed a fruitful Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby meeting this year, topping Sunday’s Hickstead Under-25 Masters and Friday’s five-year-old Championship – during what has been her most successful year of her career so far.
Have you ridden at Hickstead before?
This is my first year riding horses. I first came 12 years ago on ponies and also won here in the 128m Championships on my pony Flinor Songbird.
Who was your first horse?
I switched to horses at 16 and my first horse was called Pit Stop. He was a little bit crazy but he taught me a lot.
Where are you based?
In County Durham, which is an eight-hour drive from Hickstead! I am based at the yard of my boss, Bob Young, who owns all the horses I ride. Showjumping is a hobby for him but he’s an inspiration to me – he started with nothing and built up his business. I am the only rider based with him.
How did the partnership with Bob come about?
He approached me after I won a class at the Scope Festival about four years ago and I started riding and being based with him three years ago – Sunday’s win in the under-25 Masters was by biggest win yet for him.
Tell us about the horses you currently ride?
My top ride is Bob’s mare 10-year-old mare Townhead Tallulah V [under-25 Masters winner] who he purchased as a young horse. I have nine to ride each day at home and alongside the ones I compete, we also produce some from three-year-olds.
Are you from an equestrian background?
Both my parents showjumped but not internationally. My younger sister does ride but my older brother doesn’t.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
You only get out, what you put in – Bob is always telling me that!
"Only the best is good enough" and that motto is strikingly clear when one walks over the premises of Mount St. John, a breeding paradise of dressage foals destined for high performance sport based in the North of England. Incredible mare lines, a professional team of horse caring personnel and a grand vision led by owner Emma Jane Blundell make Mount St John the epitome of modern dressage horse breeding.
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Horse & Hound's coverage of The Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting (24-28 June) is brought to you in association with Equestrian.com
Trevor Breen made it back-to-back wins in the Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby this time riding Loughnatousa WB and producing the solo clear round.
The Irish rider was seventh to go in the field of 37 aboard the 16-year-old gelding by Spring Elegance VII – a previous Hickstead Derby winner with Paul Beecher in 2012 – producing a foot-perfect round that no other combination could replicate. Loughnatousa is the only horse to win the the Derby twice with different riders.
“It’s unbelievable – I thought I had a chance but you never know because it’s such a tough course and you need to get it right,” said Trevor. “He [Loughnatousa] jumped out of his skin for me but the petrol tank was emptying towards the end.
“Paul [Beecher] produced him so he needs to take the credit and it was a great day for everyone involved. I’ve been riding him for a year since last year’s Hickstead Derby meeting which was my first show with him. To win once was a dream come true, but to do it twice was surreal,” he added.
Trevor finished seventh with his 2014 winning mount Adventure De Kannan, after picking up eight faults.
Five combinations shared the runner-up spoils having all picked up an unlucky four faults – including Brits William Whitaker (Glenavadra Brilliant), Steven Franks (Carlow Cruiser), Nigel Coupe (Golvers Hill) and Harriet Nuttall (A Touch Imperious) plus Ireland’s Billy Twomey (Diaghilev). Last-to-go Harriet, who finished third last year, knocked the first element going into the Dyke riding the 11-year-old gelding, during an otherwise flawless round.
Making his Hickstead Derby debut, young showjumper Alfie Bradstock – son of Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Mark Bradstock – produced a promising round, picking up just eight faults with Graham Fletcher’s KBIS Caicos.
The 1.60m, 23-obstacle track, as always, produced its fair share of problems and penalties. Trevor’s clear was in fact only the 57th faultless round in the class’ history.
Woof Wear Horizon Waterproof Riding Boots — £90.00The Woof Wear Horizon is an all-terrain boot that has been constructed using a waterproof nubuck leather upper with a breathable internal waterproof membrane, featuring a tough canvas ankle guard to resist abrasion from chaps. The Release Profile Sole makes it suitable for riding and walking, whilst the multi-layered insole delivers comfort, safety and stability. This boot ensures feet stay dry and comfortable all day long. Order these waterproof riding boots now
Guy Williams and Skip Two Ramiro were eliminated following refusals at the bank, first-timer Clark Glasgow (Corlando Of Cavallini) and David McPherson (Gloria Van Zuuthoeve) were also forced to call it a day after encountering problems.
Tim Stockdale opted to retire the nine-year-old Bling Bling after incurring penalties at the Dyke and water tray. So too did Ellen Whitaker after Locarno 62 – the oldest horse in the class at 19-years-old – knocked the final rail after the bank and picked up faults in the Dyke.
Call us high maintenance, but there are some things in our tackroom that we're not sure we could survive without...
1. Rubber curry comb
Does your horse attempt to outdo the entire cast of The Only Way Is Essex by getting an all-over fake tan in deepest, darkest mud? Do you spend most of the winter months fruitlessly grooming away, wondering how the hell he’s managed to get so much dried-on mud round his ears (how is that even physically possible)? Anyway, a rubber curry comb, a Magic one for preference, is the only answer.
2. Tack wipes
Some people love tack cleaning – undoing all those buckles, giving everything a proper wash and spruce-up and polish. But for those of us who’d rather be putting our feet up watching East Enders than faffing about with saddle soap, tack wipes are where it’s at. A quick once-over, chuck the used wipe in the bin, and you’re done. You might still need to do a proper deep clean now and again, but it’s a great quick-fix that helps keen your tack in good nick.
3. Mane/tail conditioner
Everyone loves a silky mane and tail, and strange as it sounds, the best leave-in mane and tail conditioner is a hot topic on many yards and forums. You can see this from all the comments on this Amazon thread (www.amazon.com). What’s really odd though, is that all the reviewers have been using the mane and tail conditioner on themselves. Are we missing a trick here?
There are certain types of people that seem to crop up on every livery yard — from the know it More…
4. Storage trunk
If you don’t have a big, hinged storage trunk to keep all your tack essentials and rugs in, then we have nothing to say to you.
5. Punch pliers
Bridles come in standard sizes, but our horse’s heads don’t and punch pliers are the only solution. Attempting to bore a whole with a sharp knife will look rubbish and you may hurt yourself…
6. Handcream
Mucking out, leading, riding – horse-ownership is the fastest way to hard, scaly, old-lady hands that there is. Sure, we have gloves for riding and mucking out, but half the time, we don’t know where they are (probably somewhere near the bottom of your storage trunk.) So we have to invest in heavy-duty gardener’s hand cream – and it’s worth forking out for a decent one. We’ll never have smooth, fair skin like a Disney Princess but they might not look quite so much like a dragon’s claws.
7. Dustpan and brush
Those mucking out Tidee things with the long handles are fine for raking muck into, but a pain in the bum if you’re trying to sweep up dust and old shavings. An ordinary dustpan and brush is much more effective.
8. Sponges, lots of them
We need a limitless supply of these, for the endless wiping of eyes, bums, tack, sweaty horses and sweaty brows that horse ownership entails. Getting a big pack from your local pound shop is the best idea, instead of paying well over the odds for the same thing from an equestrian shop (you can double the price of anything if you stick the word ‘equestrian’ in front of it – fact.)
9. Weigh tape
Guessing your own weight is one thing, but you can’t cheat for your horse. *Stern face*.
Have we missed anything? What couldn’t you live without? Let us know below…
Fan of Valegro? Love Salinero? Or is Totilasyour dressage star?
Dressage lovers are being urged to vote for the world’s greatest dressage horses by next Wednesday (1 July).
The final six selected will be celebrated at the Global Dressage Forum in Hooge Mierde in the Netherlands on 26-27 October.
The programme committee of the Forum and the dressage community have selected ten horses for the voting.
Only those who had won an individual gold medal at the Olympics, World Championships or have won the World Cup Final were eligible for selection.
The horses to vote for are:
· Rembrandt ridden by Nicole Uphoff
· Matador ridden by Kyra Kyrklund
· Valegro ridden by Charlotte Dujardin
· Corlandus ridden by Margit Otto-Crepin
· Totilas ridden by Edward Gal
· Salinero ridden by Andy van Grunsven
· Ahlerich ridden by Reiner Klimke
· Granat ridden by Christine Stuckelberger
· Gigolo ridden by Isabell Werth
· Bonfire ridden by Anky van Grunsven
Voters can nominate their top three “greatest dressage horses ever” by visiting: www.globaldressageforum.com
All those who vote will have the chance to win a ticket for the Global Dressage Forum 2015.
“We will honour and look back at the great achievements of six of these horses. We will invite the rider, owner, breeder and/or groom and learn all about their personal story and the real character of these elite stars,” said a spokesman for the forum.
The factors that made the selected horses so special and better than their opponents will be analysed.
The speakers confirmed so far for the 15th Global Dressage Forum include international rider and trainer Wolfram Wittig, former rider and national coach of the US jumping team George Morris, international trainer and long reins specialist Paul Fielder, German rider Uta Graf and feeding and hydration specialist vet Chloe Bristow.
You might back yourself to pick out Charlotte Dujardin or William Fox-Pitt from a crowd, but what about the stars of the past?
Put yourself to the test with our archive photos…
Clue?
This rider, who died in January this year at the age of 76, was considered the ‘poster boy’ for eventing. He competed at four successive Olympic Games, winning team gold at the Mexico Olympics in 1968, and individual and team gold at Munich in 1972. He also took the 1964 Burghley title and won Badminton in 1970 and 1982.
Clue?
Born in Hampshire in 1953, this rider won Badminton Horse Trials an unprecedented six times on six different horses. In 1977 she scored a hat trick, coming first at Badminton, Burghley and the European Championships.
Clue?
This dressage rider represented Britain in four Olympic games; at Munich in 1972, Montreal in 1976, Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988 where she was 14th. Before concentrating on dressage she made her name in point-to-pointing and eventing.
Test your knowledge of top riders with our fun online quiz
Clue?
This rider was the first British woman to compete in an Olympic three-day-event, winning a team gold at Mexico in 1968. She has also won Badminton (in 1968 and 1978) and Burghley (in 1976) and was a member of the gold medal team at the European Championships at Burghley in 1977.
Clue?
Born and raised in Malta, this rider won three consecutive european eventing titles in 1985, 1987 and 1989. She also took Burghley Horse Trials five times (in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1989) and Badminton Horse Trials three times (in 1985, 1989 and 1993).
Clue?
This Irish showjumper took the Hickstead Derby titles in four consequtive years (1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979). He also represented Ireland at the Olympic games in Barcelona in 1992 and in Atlanta in 1996.
Clue?
This Welsh showjumper won the King George V Gold Cup six times on six different horses between 1960 and 1991. He also took the individual gold medal at the European Championships at Aachen in 1961, at Rotterdam in 1967 and at Hickstead in 1969. And at the Olympics in 1960 and 1968 he took the individual bronze medals.
Last week was pretty tough as we had to say goodbye to Dodge, our wonderful Collie dog.
Penny and I bought him when we first moved in together back in 2002 and he has been by my side ever since. Dodge’s favourite thing in the world was to run up and down the side of the arena “rounding up” the horses. Not only did all the horses that came on training become very desensitised to dogs, but Dodge kept himself fit, happy and healthy in the process! At the age of thirteen and with a number of ailments, he had a brilliant innings and will be very hard to replace.
A lot is said about animal intuition and over the years Dodge’s instincts about horses became so honed that he was almost like an extra pair of hands on the yard.
As soon as a horse arrived or it got led out of its stable in the morning, Dodge would react in one of two ways. He would either stay lying down or he would get excited and run to his position at the side of the arena. If the latter happened, the horse without fail would either be fresh or tricky, even if to the human eye it looked perfectly calm and relaxed. Dodge’s instincts were so reliable, that if a client came to ride their horse, I would get on first if Dodge showed me the signs!
Dodge
When working with horses, we have to remember that they also have strong instincts, although they have the instinct of a prey animal, rather than those of dogs, which are predatory.
Horses will see changes in their environment that are overlooked by the human eye, hence they will seemingly spook at nothing. Although most established horses will put up with changes in your actions and mood, sensitive, young or unhandled horses will instantly pick up on your body language, which is why it is so important to leave your worries at the gate and remain calm, consistent and decisive in all your interaction with them.
I used to believe that I could train a horse for anyone to go on with, but I have had horses come to me as remedial cases that have done well but reverted to their difficult behavior as soon as their owners have arrived on the yard, demonstrating that horses do make associations with individuals. In these cases it’s down to me to try and change the owner’s habits and body language in order to develop a better relationship with their horse.
On the yard at the moment, I have the usual mix of young horses in for starting and some remedial cases, including a very spooky mare. Her behavior caused her rider to lose confidence in her, which has led to a downward spiral in their partnership.
I am tackling the problem by going through a programme that I use on similar horses, which teaches the horse to face its fears, think and be rational about situations.
Once I feel that there is a significant improvement, it will then be a case of teaching the owner how to handle the mare and hopefully their partnership will go from strength to strength.
On the polocrosse front, the UK team had their last tournament together before we head out to South Africa on Thursday.
I was thrilled with how my new young horse, Sea Breeze, went; she has the potential to be the best horse I have ever had. She was bred by Alan Kent, a former England polo player, and he realised early on that she was a little too “busy” for polo, so she came to me.
This type of horse does not suit everyone but the balance, athleticism and power that she possesses is very exciting, even though it requires some careful handling while she learns the game.
The team is very positive and we can’t wait to get out there and draw our pool of horses. Our first game is on 3 July against Australia, when I will play against my brother-in-law, Will Weston. Hopefully we’ll still be on good terms afterwards!
FRITZENS, Austria, June 27, 2015–Austria’s star rider Victoria Max-Theurer competing Augustin OLD for the first time since the World Games 10 months ago, won the Grand Prix qualifier for the Freestyle at the Manfred Swarovski Memorial Tournamen CDI4* Saturday.
Vici and the 15-year-old Oldenburg stallion that she rode at the 2012 Olympics as well as the 2009, 2011 and 2013 European Championships, scored 75.800 per cent for the win that was a repeat of last year’s performance here.
Great Britain’s Michael Eilberg on Marakov placed second on 73.600 per cent, a Grand Prix personal best for the British team rider and the 15-year-old Latvian-bred gelding who have been a Big Tour partnership for five years.
Germany’s Isabell Werth on El Santo NRW was third on 72.920 per cent.
Results:
Grand Prix qualifier for Freestyle
(E)
(H)
(C)
(M)
(B)
Total
1.
64
Augustin OLD
Max-Theurer, Victoria
AUT
2200.00 EUR
378.0
378.0
380.5
378.0
380.5
1895.0 points
B 15y.H /August der Starke/Rohdiamant/OLD/AUT05018/ Elisabeth May-Theurer & Spons
75.600 %
75.600 %
76.100 %
75.600 %
76.100 %
75.800 %
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
10
Marakov
Eilberg, Michael
GBR
1400.00 EUR
356.5
363.5
374.0
371.5
374.5
1840.0 points
BAY 15y.W /Rufs/Mitjulands/GBR42667/ Mr F Eilberg
71.300 %
72.700 %
74.800 %
74.300 %
74.900 %
73.600 %
4.
2.
2.
2.
2.
3.
56
El Santo NRW
Werth, Isabell
GER
1000.00 EUR
368.0
356.0
374.0
361.0
364.0
1823.0 points
BAY 14y.W /Ehrentusch/Rythmus/RHEIN/GER44504/ Madeleine Winter-Schulze + Isabell
73.600 %
71.200 %
74.800 %
72.200 %
72.800 %
72.920 %
2.
4.
2.
3.
3.
4.
43
Kaiserkult TSF
Schneider, Dorothee
GER
800.00 EUR
361.5
356.0
346.0
356.5
353.0
1773.0 points
BAY 17y.H /Van Deyk/Gajus/TRAK/GER28230/ BG Schneider & Zotzel
72.300 %
71.200 %
69.200 %
71.300 %
70.600 %
70.920 %
3.
4.
6.
4.
4.
5.
61
For Compliment
Wientzek Pläge, Birgit
SUI
500.00 EUR
344.5
358.5
354.5
345.5
341.0
1744.0 points
BAY 11y.H /Fidermark/Prh Compliment/RHEIN/103CT22/ Wientzek Pl§ge Birgit
68.900 %
71.700 %
70.900 %
69.100 %
68.200 %
69.760 %
6.
3.
4.
5.
9.
6.
22
Fontalero
Henschen, Veronique
LUX
400.00 EUR
345.0
345.5
350.5
343.0
347.0
1731.0 points
BAY 18y.W /Werther/Weltmeyer/HANN/GER22242/ Monique Henschen-Haas
69.000 %
69.100 %
70.100 %
68.600 %
69.400 %
69.240 %
5.
6.
5.
6.
5.
7.
46
Romeo-Star
Sidneva, Elena
RUS
300.00 EUR
339.0
344.0
340.0
327.5
347.0
1697.5 points
BAY 14y.H /Romantic Star/Mister A/HANN/RUS40441/ Mrs. Ludmila Dmitrieva
The owners of the horse ranch, Herman and Kathleen Hoffman were arrested and charged with three counts of animal cruelty.
SPCA investigators moved the worst 12 cases to its own premises, leaving the rest of the horses on the farm in Montgomery county to be cared for by officials.
In the junior team test at Hickstead, the 16-year-old rode Debbie Brookes’ 17.2hh bay gelding Denford Surprise, known as Parker (above, credit: Camille Peters Photography).
