Absolute Horse - September 2019

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K ’M C - I E! PI UP RE F E

Absolute

SEPTEMBER 2019

Inside...

s t r o p e R

! e r o l a G

PLUS

Also Inside...

COUNTRY & EQUESTRIAN BUYER’S GUIDE

Photo: Adam Fanthorpe Photography

Photo: 1st Class Images

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Photo: Emily Gailey

Rhea Asks - Do You Tune In To Podcasts?

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NEW: Paul Herbert’s legal advice - Spreading the Cost of Horse Ownership

FEATURES 8 Dressage Focus - including Petplan Equine Area Festival Finalists, Hannah Biggs interview and Dressage Anywhere update 14

Get Away - Optimum Horse and Rider Retreat

Samantha Hardingham Healthy Halloumi Salad Recipe

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Rider Profile - Alice Casburn

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Event and Reader Reports

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Buyer’s Guide

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Classifieds/Vets Directory

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Agroco-sponsored Showdates Diary

Health & Welfare - including details of new MRI for Essex, Rose Kimberley’s Hamstring Advice, and Daisy’s Herbal Answers

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Though every attempt is made to ensure accuracy, PCD Media Ltd cannot be held responsible for the opinions expressed in the magazine. The opinions and technical information in the articles are those of the authors.

How to contact and connect with us...

ISSUE 337

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Digestive Health

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Nutrition - Improving Fibre Intake with Top Tips from Donna Case and Claire Burrows

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Saddlery & Tack

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Clipping Advice

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Love Dogs

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Stables, Yards and Paddocks

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Lisa’s Life

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Ride Profile - Leilia Paske and Caroline Powell

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Ride Like - Lara Edwards, Roberta Sheffield and Sophie Wells

COMPETITIONS 6 Ariat Saddle Snaps 13

3D Printed Sculpture

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Equisafety

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Bucas

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Covalliero

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Local rider Harry Bateman wins national competition sponsored

by Essex based Insurance company see page 58.

Photo: Emily Gailey

WHAT’S

INSIDE

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2019

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REGULARS 4 News

SEPTEMBER

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office@ahmagazine.com

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facebook.com/Absolute-Horse

#abfabnagmag

www.absolutehorsemagazine.com

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NEWS IN MEMORIAM: Iona SclaTER (2003 – 2019)

Photo: Adam Fanthorpe

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ritish Eventing was devastated to receive the news that one of our young members and bright stars in the sport, Iona Sclater, sadly died in a riding accident at home on Sunday 11th August.

Long-listed for the 2017 and 2019 European Championships for Ponies, 15-year-old Iona was an exceptionally talented and dedicated young event rider. In just five seasons competing with British Eventing, Iona amassed 33 top ten results and represented the Eastern region four times at the Under 18 Regional Team Championships (2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019).

Iona’s impressive results this season to secure her a place on the Pony European Championships long-list, include taking second place in the Pony Trial at Weston Park (1) and fourth in the Pony Trial at Lincolnshire Horse Trials in April, both on her pony Foxtown Cufflynx.

Most recently Iona won the BE100u18 at Stratford Hills this June on Foxtown Cufflynx, and also claimed the win in the BE100 at Aston Le Walls (2) in May riding Machno Excalibur, along with the Open Novice Under 18 at Burnham Market International (1) in April with Janet Willis’ Watermill Rocks.

Our thoughts are with Iona’s friends and family, her Dad, Charles, Mum, Hetty, and sisters Lara and Alicia, at this very difficult time.

CHARITY APPEALS FOR INFORMATION: DuMPED SIx-wEEkolD foal lucky To SuRvIvE

six-week old foal found dumped in a field on the outskirts of Swaffham in Norfolk has survived against the odds and is now in the care of World Horse Welfare. The charity is appealing for information and is keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the foal previously or spotted anything suspicious in the area.

The skewbald colt foal, who has one very distinctive blue eye, was found by the owners of the field when they were tending to their sheep on the morning of

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Tuesday 31st July. They contacted World Horse Welfare who immediately collected the foal and took him to a safe yard where he is receiving the care and attention he needs.

“At such a young age this poor little chap should still be with his mother,” said World Horse Welfare Field Officer Jacko Jackson who was called out to collect the foal. “It’s lucky he was found relatively quickly as had he been left for much longer, especially in the extreme heat we have had, it’s unlikely he would have survived.

“Horses are not normally weaned until six months of age but this little foal is clearly a fighter,” he continued. “We bottle fed him for a couple of days and he has now learnt to drink milk from a bucket and is doing very well.”

The foal will remain with World Horse Welfare and in time will be introduced to other youngsters at the charity’s

Norfolk centre so that he can learn how to socialise and behave naturally within a herd.

Please contact 0300 333 6000 if you have any information.

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reparations are well under way for the official celebration week to mark the 50th anniversary of Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).

Taking place from 30th September – 6th October, RDA Groups up and down the country will be holding special events and activities to celebrate 50 years of fun, therapy and achievement through horses.

Throughout the 1960’s the benefit of riding for disabled adults and children was increasingly being recognised and a loose organisation known as the Advisory Council on Riding for the Disabled (ACRD) was formed to exchange ideas and knowledge.

With 23 disabled riding groups across the UK, the Riding for the Disabled Association was born at an AGM meeting of the ACRD in October 1969, which is why

the first week in October has been chosen as the official celebration week.

During a year of festivities that have been building up to the official anniversary, the charity has seen some fantastic developments including the opening of the National Training Centre by RDA President, Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne.

Celebration Week provides an opportunity for RDA Groups to gather together their volunteers and participants to have fun and recognise the achievements of the organisation over the past 50 years.

Some of the events already planned include musical rides, pageants and yard parties, as well as celebrations to recognise some of the longest serving volunteers in RDA Groups.

To find an RDA Group near you visit www.rda.org.uk

caST youR voTE NOW

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Jo Jack receiving her award from Rachael Holdsworth of Absorbine

oting for this year’s nominees is soon to close for the prestigious Absorbine National Groom Award, with the winner to be announced at The British Showing Awards on 19th October, at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham.

Finalists have been split into two categories; professional and amateur grooms. Spanning the country, ranging from Devon to North Yorkshire, the eight nominees have a range of experience but all with a common interest – their love and devotion to horses and the discipline of showing.

Says European marketing manager, Rachael Holdsworth, “We are so pleased to support our grooms, without whom many competitors – both amateur and professional – could not be so successful.”

To vote visit www.showingworld.co.uk before 7th September.

Photo: Equinational

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: foR RDa

competition winners: Absorbine: Carrie Mayhew - Essex, Cindy Boardman - Suffolk, Michelle Cooper - Suffolk. Aniwell: Christina Palmer - Essex; Ellen Attrill - Essex; Maria Toone - Suffolk; Sandra Miller - Cambs; Wendy Pearce - Suffolk. Equine America: Jessica Zampi - Suffolk. Uvex Ceravent Gloves: Liz Buckley Suffolk; Zoe Spinner - Essex.

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COMPETITION

wInnER! - Emma Burrows

“Did somebody say aPPlES?!”

- Emma Reedman

“To me, to you! we’re never gonna get this poo to the dung heap at this rate!”

SaDDlE

SNAPS

EacH MonTH an aBSoluTE HoRSE REaDER wIll wIn a PaIR of

ARIAT BURFORD BOOTS worth over £130!

- Jodie Miller

“Give us a kiss!”

- claire Butcher

“I found it like this mum, honest!”

- lorraine kirkpatrick

“no more kisses!!!”

Entry is easy, simply email a candid photo of your horse to

- Deborah Smith

“what do you think of my new mane colour then?”

- lottie c

“I don’t care about getting a summer bod mum, the grass is too tasty!”

- Jodie Miller

- katherine whight

“I thought it was just meant to be me in the photo!”

“Shh let’s all go back to bed!”

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Sponsored by

snaps@ ahmagazine.com

Don’t forget to include your contact details and a caption to your image! The best photo/caption wins the boots.

Good luck!

DRESSAGE FOCUS

wE MEET Two RIDERS HEaDInG To THE Codham Park Petplan Equine Area Festival Final

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iders Samantha JaynePerry and Kate Pearsall will be heading to Codham Park on 4th–6th October for the sixth Petplan Equine Area Festival Final in the 20th year of the Area Festivals.

Riders from all over the country have been competing in the Petplan Equine Area Festivals over the last four months, all vying for a place at the Petplan Equine Area Festival Finals.

Those heading to the Area Festival Final at Codham Park will have worked hard to achieve their qualification at one of the twenty-four Area Festivals, which began in May. To compete at an Area Festival, both horse

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and rider combinations will need to gain three scores at 62% or higher at Preliminary, Novice and Elementary level and two scores at 60% and above at Medium to Intermediate II level.

They will then need to place within the top ten to qualify for an Area Festival Final. The Championships will then be held at Hartpury College in April 2020.

Qualifying through to an Area Festival Final is a huge achievement and something that Samantha and Kate have been working towards for a number of months.

Samantha Samanth & Marco a and Ma rco Samantha and Marco have qualified through to the Codham Park Area Festival Final at Brook Farm. The pair contested in the Elementary Bronze section, placing second with 67.25%, only 0.05% of a difference between the duo and the winner.

“Marco was just epic at Brook Farm, I really couldn’t have asked for a better test from him at this stage of his training,” comments Samantha about the 7-year-old gelding. “I have watched my test back and it is accurate and consistent, I am so excited for our future together.

“I work with horses and I have always enjoyed being a groom for other riders and keeping the horses fit behind the scenes but it’s a true pleasure to ride my own gorgeous boy and work through the levels with him. I think he will definitely be one to watch as his career progresses.

“My passion for competition started seven years ago on a lovely mare called Furst Edition (Freya). I trained with Mark Ruddock who changed my way of riding and my mindset towards competing and I’ve never looked back,” beams Samantha. “The past couple of years have had their highs and lows and at times I have found it very hard to remember the good bits. I just remind myself to never give up.

“Some of my best memories are from my competitions, in particular the Petplan Equine Area Festivals. Marco and I are very much looking forward to heading to Codham Park to compete in the Finals and hopefully secure that all important qualification to the Championships,” concludes Samantha.

CARL HESTER collEcTIon…

alent, attention to detail, and top performance have made Carl Hester MBE one of the world's greatest dressage riders, so unsurprisingly, these same qualities have been reflected in a new range of clothing that carries his name.

A year in development, the Carl Hester Collection has his full approval and is now available in selected stockists!

“I wanted versatile, lightweight garments that were practical for work around horses, comfortable for schooling and smart enough to go out in.

"I loved the idea of classic black with vibrant colours with reflective qualities for added visibility. Garments that were chic and practical with a cut and fit that flatters men as well as ladies.The results speak for themselves," said Carl. www.equisafety.com

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Kate and Big Easy Kate & Big Easy Kate and Big Easy headed to Allens Hill Equestrian Centre to try and qualify for a place at the Codham Park Area Festival Final. This was the duos first ever Area Festival competition and to Kate’s surprise they placed third in their Prelim Class.

“I’d like to start by saying that my boy is truly amazing!” exclaims Kate. “I was given Big Easy (Ger) straight from the racetrack in November 2017. He is a thoroughbred who had quite a lot of success but since he has been with me, he has given me nothing but joy. In his heyday as a flat racer he won the 2014 Cesarewitch Handicap, among other races,” explains Kate.

“He tries his best in everything that I ask of him and to have qualified for the Area Festivals let alone the Area Festival Finals is just amazing! We went to our Area Festival at Allens Hill just hoping for a nice test and a good day out, I was not expecting too much.

However, he outdid himself and not only did a lovely test but gained us a personal best topping it off with a third place finish and a qualification! I was on cloud nine as our Area Festival was also only his eighth ever dressage test.

“Big Easy is just that; easy,” laughs Kate. “He has such a lovely personality and just loves cuddles. I am very much looking forward to competing in the Codham Park Area Festival Final. It will be a great experience for us both,” concludes Kate.

Product news...

RRP: from £2295.

New from Ideal and WRS, Styletta features a specially designed tree with a narrow twist for exceptional rider comfort, with flat rails and an open head for enhanced fit and flexibility for your horse.

Styletta incorporates many special design features, including two sets of blocks with soft cupped hook and loop fastenings, hidden stirrup leather slots and a wide range of additional options. www.idealsaddle.com

The Equipe Dressage Saddlecloth is available in Black, Blue, Brown, Grey and White. RRP: from £75. The Equipe Fly Veil is available in Black, Blue, Bordeaux, Brown, Green, Grey, Red and White. RRP: £58. www.zebraproducts.co.uk

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DRESSAGE FOCUS

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ased in beautiful Dorset, Haygain sponsored rider Hannah has represented Great Britain at all stages of her riding career in Junior, Young Rider and then Senior teams. She is a Grand Prix-level competitor and also works as a dressage coach and Judge.

“I have two top horses to compete this year, Don Caledonia (Archie) and Freeman.

Archie is stepping up to Grand Prix, which is very exciting. I am scheduling in plenty of training and small, low-key outings for him to build up his confidence as he tackles the higher-level movements. Freeman will contest the 6-year-old Young Horse classes as well as the Novice Championships at the British Dressage Nationals in September. We have taken our time with him so far, allowing him plenty of time to grow and strengthen. You may notice that it’s very much my belief that we shouldn’t push young horses too much too early!

“I have a rising 3-year-old mare called Briarwood Narcissa (Millie) by Negro x Floriscount, who I will be bringing in from the stud to back this year. It will be exciting to see what talent she has when I start working

with her. She was bred at the Briarwood Stud and is owned by myself; my friend Tanya Castello and the stud has retained a share as well. All our fingers are firmly crossed that she will flourish into the next superstar!”

“I’ve been doing lots of training and have made plenty of trips up to see the master Carl Hester for his invaluable mentoring. I tend to use small, local shows as a key part of my training regime as well as mixing in water treadmill sessions and hacking out to gradually build strength and condition. Freeman has been out to a couple of shows and achieved huge scores at Novice and has already qualified for the Summer Regional Championships. Archie won his Prix St. George and Inter 1 Regional Championships earlier this year with record scores too, a fantastic start to the season for them both!”

what sort of an edge does clean forage give your horses?

“It is absolutely essential, there is no other way to say it. Forage is the bulk of a healthy horse’s diet and it is hugely influential, so it is imperative that it is clean and dust free. The assurance that Haygain-steamed hay gives me means I can train and

Product news...

five Minutes with...

HannahBiggs

WE’VE RECENTLY CAUGHT UP WITH LEADING BRITISH DRESSAGE RIDER HANNAH BIGGS, WHO IS SPONSORED BY HAYGAIN, TO GET THE INSIDE TRACK ON HER PLANS AND HOW SHE GETS SET FOR SUCCESS. compete and enjoy my horses safe in the knowledge that they are getting the best I can provide. I know that my string is healthy from the inside out, thanks to Haygain.”

previously, all my horses hack out and go on the water treadmill too. It might surprise your readers to hear that I also take them up the gallops when I can. They are so much better mentally prepared when they what variety of work do have the variety and their fitness your horses have? is superb.”

“All the horses work in the www.haygain.co.uk school at home, but I take them to different arenas to work on different surfaces. This means they won’t be fazed by the new surface at a competition and can focus on the more important things! As I mentioned

Equetech Crystal Plaiting Bands are the finishing touch. RRP: £6.95 for 5 x pack.

Equetech Alexa Competition Shirt RRP: £44.95.

Equetech Jersey Deluxe Competition Jacket RRP: £145.95.

All www.equetech.com

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So wHaT ExacTly IS...

Dressage Anywhere?

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ressage is a great sport to take part in, demonstrating the partnership and harmony between horse and rider through a series of patterns and shapes. There’s so much to think about and plan - learning and practising your test, plaiting and grooming, getting your tack ready and then transporting your horse to an event.

But not everybody has a superstar horse that travels easily or even a trailer or lorry and that’s where competing in dressage online comes in!

The top 10 reasons riders compete from home: 1. Horse transport Online dressage is a great opportunity for riders who don’t have their own transport.

Circumstances might have changed and they want to keep up their dressage riding or

maybe they’re only at the beginning of their dressage journey and are keen to know more.

2. Get some feedback on how you’re doing It’s really useful to have some feedback on how your training is going and an online dressage training entry is perfect for that.

Great for young horses just getting started or maybe more established horses coming back into work from injury; the feedback from a BD List 1 Judge will really help gauge how a horse and rider combination are doing in their training.

3. Practice a test before a live competition For riders who have qualified for a Championship, it’s a useful tool to get some pointers and an understanding of what the Judge is looking for before you trot down the centre line in real life.

4. Build confidence

A horse is more likely to work better at home in a familiar environment, so competing online gives the rider the opportunity to remove nerves from the equation and focus on applying their training and how the horse is going at that very moment.

5. Compete as a team Riding can be much more fun with friends, so competing as a team brings that competition element to a livery yard or riding school, without the hassle of setting up a live event.

6. Time pressures There’s no pressure to ride a test on a specific day, so if work or family commitments don’t give much spare time for competing, online dressage may

be a great solution.

7. Turn out Have you ever arrived at the yard on the day of a competition to find your horse has been abducted and replaced with a muddy look-alike? Well, you’ll still need to groom your horse for an online competition, but the odd stain doesn’t matter and what’s more, there’s no need to plait!

8. No arena? No problem!

It’s quite straightforward to mark out a 20x40 or 20x60 space in a relatively flat field.

All you need are some dressage markers or buckets and poles.

9. No horse You’ll still need a horse, but it’s much easier to borrow a friend’s horse or loan a riding school horse and compete online than travel one to an event.

10. Online Championships With leagues for different types of partnerships and the BD Online Championships, you can still get that Championship Show experience with online dressage, winning special rosettes, prizes and prestige!

Dressage Anywhere has been hosting online dressage competitions for nearly ten years, see www.dressageanywhere.com for more details.

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DRESSAGE FOCUS Product news...

Childéric Silhouette Girth.

RRP: from £330.

Effect Dressage Whip from Fleck. RRP: £36. www.zebraproducts.co.uk

RRP: from £4,320.

The Childéric DNL Saddle is created around Childéric’s unique tree technology and pays considerable attention to freedom of movement and comfort of the horse: thanks to it’s anatomically shaped panels and carefully positioned points. www.childericsaddles.co.uk

Equetech Moonlight Dressage Coat.

RRP: £169.50. www.equetech.com

Ariat’s latest Tri Factor breeches feature stretch knit, compression fabrication and silicone grip. RRP: from £110. www.ariat.com/gb

RRP: from £26.99 -£35.99.

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Felix Bühler functional competition shirt.

RRP: £19.90. www.kramer.co.uk

Königs Palermo bespoke boots.

Can be customised, to suit your requirements and colour of choice.

RRP: from £692. www.zebraproducts.co.uk

Dressage whites that stay bright...

White bandages and boots are part of the whole dressage look, however how do you keep them sparkling white?

Golly Galoshes are clever waterproof and breathable gaiters that are designed to be worn over your boots and bandages during schooling and general exercise, making them ideal not only for keeping your white bandages/boots pristine prior to prize giving, but also a brilliant solution for everyday use at home.

Fans of the product include multi Gold Medallist Paralympic dressage rider Natasha Baker, whose horses wear them for both hacking and schooling, as she explains: “Golly Galoshes help to keep my boots and bandages looking good and staying dry, no matter what the riding conditions! We also do a lot of hacking so the reflective florescent ones are ideal for the road work too.” www.gollygaloshes.com

WIN! WIN!

3D PRINTED SCULPTURE

ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN AN AMAZINGLY LIFELIKE SCULPTURE OF THEIR HORSE WORTH £270!

Albion’s high quality, breathable exercise bandages are made from non-pilling fleece with an easy open hook and loop closure. RRP: from £29.54 from UK stockists.

The Fabrento is a streamlined, sleek looking dressage saddle that offers the rider a well-balanced close contact seat for maximum support, stability and comfort.

Personalisation and customisation available.

The KB Super Snaffle Bridle minimises pressure, maximises comfort, and supports performance in all disciplines at all levels. The browband and noseband have also been designed for supreme comfort for the horse, so the rider gets the very best out of him or her. ‘Mix and match’ options available on all bridle pieces for the perfect fit.

RRP: from £2799 from UK Albion stockists.

RRP: From £308.72 (no reins) from UK Albion stockists.

Albion’s extensive range of beautifully designed browbands are available in straight and wavy designs. The browbands come in patent or calf leather, with or without Swarovski crystals.

RRP: £24.97 for plain; from £77.44 for Swarovski; from £85.47 for patent from UK stockists.

Arty Lobster takes 3D tech to the limits by creating items that are truly bespoke and unique.

Highly skilled artists create the 3D pet sculptures from customers’ photos of their pet, which are then 3D printed before being delivered to the customer.

There are three options, including sandstone, bronze and custom options; sculptures range in size from 14cm (5.5in) tall when sitting (or long when standing) to 20cm (8in) tall for the large sculpture.

The prize is for a 20cm sandstone sculpture.

Arty Lobster, which started trading four years ago, has grown from an initial group in London to having two team members on three continents, selling to customers around the world.

Lars B Andersen, Founder and CEO of Arty Lobster, says: “The finished sculpture goes through several iterations until we are completely happy with it.

From the screen, the sculpture is then created in our studio using a powerful 3D printer. It’s a thrill to see a sculpture come to life and hopefully as close to the real thing as is possible.” www.artylobster.com

To enter: Visit www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the Competitions page. Entries open 1st September 2019 and close 30th September 2019.

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GET AWAYS With a backdrop of stunning mountains, huge blue skies and the opportunity to spend your evenings reflecting on all the knowledge you’re gaining over the course of this exclusive retreat.

o the south-west of Malaga in Southern Spain lies a beautiful hidden valley which is home to a new type of equestrian retreat. Organised by Optimum Horse & Rider, the first retreat is taking place in November 2019. Despite being infused with a real flavour of Spain, the roots of this retreat actually lie far closer to the home of Absolute Horse Magazine.

The founders of Optimum Horse & Rider, Glenda Smithson and Laura Carter, both hail from the UK. Glenda is originally from Eye in Suffolk, and has fond

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memories of picking up her free copy of Absolute Horse in her local tack shop! In 2004, Glenda and her husband Kevin decided to sell their home in Norfolk, and move to Spain. While they had been involved with horses for many years, they had never owned any in the UK. Once in Spain, they suddenly found themselves the proud owners of a herd of eight beautiful purebred Andalusian horses.

From the very start, Glenda and Kevin’s focus has been on keeping their horses as naturally as possible. This involves keeping the horses in a herd, barefoot. They also use bitless bridles and treeless saddles.

When training as an Equipilates

Relax & Reflect oPTIMuM HoRSE & RIDER RETREaT

By Emma Stenhouse 14

instructor, Glenda met Laura Carter and the inspiration for Optimum Horse & Rider was born. Laura is based in Kent, and as well as being a qualified Equipilates Biomechanics Trainer, is also an Equine Sports Therapist. Laura works with a variety of horses and riders from top level British Champion Games Ponies, to Showjumpers, Driving horses, and leisure horses.

By joining forces, Glenda and Laura have developed a unique and incredibly exciting retreat for horse owners and riders.

Combining their extensive teaching experience means that Glenda and Laura can help retreat attendees to develop that vital relationship between horse and human.

The Optimum Horse & Rider retreat will include a variety of activities, laid out over the course of a week. The intention is to create a holistic relationship between you and your horse, deepening your understanding of how the equine and human bodies can work in harmony and synergy.

For the first three days of the retreat, you’ll focus on developing your understanding of equine anatomy. Under

Laura’s expert guidance, find out all about equine muscle palpation, and how to release tense muscles. By working with a range of different horses, you’ll leave the retreat with a full understanding of how to apply a range of beneficial treatments to your own horse at home.

You’ll also be treated to daily Pilates sessions, as well as a range of options designed to deepen your knowledge of how our own biomechanics can affect the horse when riding.

The second half of the retreat focuses on the rider. You’ll receive a 1:1 biomechanics assessment on the saddle horse, before moving on to a ridden assessment. Video footage is supplied so you can gain a real sense of how to adjust and adapt your riding position.

The Optimum Horse & Rider retreat also includes options to try out Swedish massage, equine meditaton, salt therapy sessions, and more. You can also spend time simply relaxing with the herd at Finca la Teja. This includes Orion XVI, Kevin and Glenda’s 14-year-old PRE who was rescued and trained by the couple.

To book visit www.optimum horseandrider.com

RIDER PROFILE

fRoM REScuE To STAR ALLROUNDER: Redwings Molly eautiful Thoroughbred cross Molly found a loving home with Guardian Jess Meyer, in Suffolk, through Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s rehoming scheme in 2013.

Since they found each other, the pair have gone from strength to strength, tackling everything from team chasing and dressage

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From rescue to star all-rounder, Redwings Molly is grasping her second chance at life with all four hooves!

to showjumping. More recently, the dynamic duo added another a string to their bow - horseback archery!

The life that Molly leads with Jess is a far cry from the conditions she was rescued from in 2012 with her companion Teddy. The pair came to the attention of Redwings and the RSPCA due to concerns about their welfare.

Despite the issuing of an Improvement Notice to their owner, the condition of the horses continued to deteriorate.

Poor Teddy was very underweight with a Body Condition Score (BCS) of just 0.5 (the ideal BCS is 3), and Molly was deemed likely to suffer in a similar way if she remained where she was. The pair were seized under the powers of the Animal Welfare Act and their owner was prosecuted.

At Redwings, Molly’s friendly and loving nature soon identified her as a candidate for the charity’s Guardianship Scheme – and that’s when she met Jess!

Jess said: “Molly and I compete at novice level team chasing, which is similar to cross country in that we jump natural obstacles, like hedges, but you do it as a team of three, with the

first whole team to cross the line stopping the clock and winning.

It is absolute madness but it is great fun!”

She added: “We have also competed at some dressage, and in the summer we enjoy showjumping – Molly is an ace at jump off turns! In the winter you will Redwings most often find Molly and Jess competing at us plastered in Equifest 2018 mud galloping around the countryside, which meets with Molly’s approval as she absolutely loves a gallop!”

The pair have also taken a turn in the show ring and are regulars at Redwings’ annual Show. They won the Ridden Best Rescue Class at the Redwings Show in 2018 and represented the charity in the rescue classes at Equifest later that year.

Jess said: “Molly is great fun – everyone should have a Mol! She is so up for everything and very forgiving of all my silly antics.

It’s like being a kid with a pony again and everyone loves her, she’s such a character.

“Although she’s a total diva and my world has to revolve around her, she is just the nicest horse you could ever hope to meet and she never fails to make me smile with her funny ways.”

To find out more about Redwings’ Guardianship Scheme, head to www.redwings.org.uk/ rehoming

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RHEA ASKS...

I’M RHEA FREEMAN...I’M A PR, MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA CONSULTANT AND COACH WITH A SPECIALISM IN EQUESTRIAN AND RURAL BUSINESS. I WORK WITH A NUMBER OF THE BEST BRANDS IN THE INDUSTRY AND MANY THAT YOU’LL SEE IN THESE PAGES...

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o you listen to podcasts? I became a bit obsessed with them a couple of years ago, actually, I became so obsessed that I started my own (shameless plug alert – it’s called the Small & Supercharged Podcast!). If you’re yet to get yourself subscribed to at least one podcast, you’re really missing out!

Podcasts are audio ‘episodes’ available in lots of different places. If you’re an Apple user, there’s the Podcast app for you, but you can also listen along on other platforms like Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and some people also have the audio on their website, usually alongside something they call ‘show notes’. These are where they write up the key points of the podcast, share links to resources they mention, and link up to guests too.

I’ve heard them described as radio shows but I think they’re a lot more like a talking blog or audio only vlog. You’ll find podcasts about pretty much anything. According to Podcast Insights, there are over 750,000 different podcast shows, which shows massive growth on last year’s number.

In terms of content and variety, this is also massive. You have niche ones as well as much broader ones. I LOVE Jenna Kutcher’s Goal Digger Podcast and Amy Porterfield’s

Online Marketing Made Easy, but these are, obviously, quite marketing and business focussed, but I actively look forward to tuning into the next episode. It gets the creative juices flowing and makes me think of things differently as I listen and learn from different people. And it’s completely free.

But if you’re not sure you want to overload your brain with marketing and business development – I know, there will be some of you – the diversity of podcasts is massive.

I’ve had a look on the current Apple Podcasts chart for Great Britain and in the top 20 we have the very amusingly titled Sh**ged Married Annoyed which talks about life, relationships, parenting, arguments and more, Happy Place by Fearne Cotton that looks at happiness and what it means to her guests, the Test Match Special for the Ashes, TED Talks Daily… and the list goes on and on. I think you’d be hard pushed not to find at least one podcast you’ll love.

I know I’m biased but I’m a huge fan – not just as a creator but as a consumer, I really look forward to tuning in to the ones I subscribe to too, which get automatically downloaded to my phone each week, ready for me to listen when I want to!

PODCASTS: DO YOU TUNE IN?

Visit www.rheafreemanpr.co.uk • Twitter (@rheafreeman) • Instagram (@rheafreemanpr) • Facebook (/RheaFreemanPR) 16

EVENTER ALICE CASBURN, 17, IS FROM CORPUSTY IN NORFOLK. SHE REPRESENTED GREAT BRITAIN AT THE JUNIOR EUROPEAN EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MAARSBERGEN IN THE NETHERLANDS IN JULY, WHERE SHE FINISHED SIXTEENTH OVERALL OUT OF 77 COMPETITORS RIDING HER HOMEBRED HORSE,TOPSPIN II. HERE WE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THEM BOTH. began competing at local shows and representing North Norfolk Pony Club and started eventing at grassroots level in 2016.

“Last year I began eventing my mother Caroline Casburn’s showjumper Topspin, and in under a year we have progressed from BE100 to Intermediate placings, selection for the GB Squad at the European Championships and participating in the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe.”

I

How and when did you start riding?

“My mother evented up to 5* and I have been brought up with horses all my life. I started off riding cheeky ponies until I was lucky enough to be given the ride on my first horse, the lovely Raediant Rubi, owned by Dawn Rose, who gave me great experience and confidence. I have only considered eventing as a career in the last few years

RIDER PROFILE

five Minutes with... as my passion for the sport has grown.”

Please tell us about your yard?

“I work with my mother on our schooling/competition friendly yard in Norfolk. It’s a small family run yard which means each horse’s individual needs are identified and personal attention is always given. At the moment we have ten horses in full work, from 4-year-olds up to my best horse Topspin II. I feel incredibly lucky to have a yard at home meaning we can look out of the window and check on the horses at all hours!” which horse has been your ‘horse of a lifetime’ so far?

“Topspin II. Topspin is a homebred and was born at our yard. My mother evented both his dam and granddam, making him incredibly special as the last one in the family. He

Alice Casburn

has not been the easiest and is incredibly sharp and sensitive to his surroundings, yet we have grown to trust each other making our relationship very important. For me, Topspin has made the impossible possible.

This year he has completed 10/11 events double clear and we both had our first European selections.”

you’ve recently competed at the Junior European Eventing championships, can you tell us more about your experience?

“It was a phenomenal experience for me and Topspin as it was a first European Championships appearance for us both. I was lucky to have the best team mates, who were incredibly supportive and who I know will be friends for life, riding incredible rounds to bring back silver for Team GBR.

Working alongside Team GBR coaches, vets, physio, selectors and chef d’equipe meant I gained invaluable knowledge and experience and was able to benefit from their expertise.

“The week was also incredibly well organised, meaning nerves were kept to a minimum and we were able to perform as well as we could.

“Every phase was planned to the last detail, such as a set of instructions for each movement in the dressage phase and at least six cross country course walks. We also practiced trot-ups and warming up routines so nothing was left to chance.”

what’s the most useful advice you’ve ever been given?

“Caroline Powell on the subject of pre-competition nerves: she told me to ‘just enjoy the journey.’ This is important as it’s incredibly easy to get caught up in preparations and training, sometimes its better to take a step back and enjoy the progression.”

what are your future plans?

“After my A levels next year, I will be taking a gap year to focus on competing and I hope to go as far as possible. I would love to get some new rides for the coming years. I also have some exciting young horses who I look forward to producing.

“To do that, all riders need

owners and sponsorship and I am incredibly grateful for the support of my owners and sponsor Keystone Law. “For Topspin, I am aiming to compete in Osberton CCI 3* Long at the end of the season and our target is selection for Team GBR in future European Championships.”

SPONSORS

Alice’s

A legal pioneer, Londonbased Keystone Law was established by forwardthinking lawyers determined to build a law firm to serve the needs of its clients more effectively than conventional alternatives.

Now a full-service firm with over 300 lawyers, Keystone has won countless awards and is a force within the legal sector.

Keystone advises clients in the equine, horseracing and bloodstock world, with specialist Rachel Flynn having owned, ridden and bred winners now competing BE at grassroots level. Rachel says, “I am delighted that Keystone is supporting young talent like Alice Casburn and we will enjoy seeing her rise through the ranks”.

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BUYER’S GUIDE Foxtail Charm Bracelet. RRP: £70.

Exclusive British Eventing Roller Charm.

RRP: £35. www.hihosilver.co.uk

9 Carat Gold Halo Ring. RRP: £110. www.renne jewellery.co.uk

Wanderlust Gold Mini Heart Hoops. RRP: £35. www.emily mortimer.co.uk

Stanley jumper. RRP: £90. www.mistamina.com

r e b m e t Sep Ed i t

The Suffolk Fedora in Camel with Gamebird Feather. RRP: £89. www.hicksand brown.com

Silk Scarf Collection.

RRP: £129.99. www.mackenzie andgeorge.com

Technical Stretch Riding Leggings.RRP: £40. www.aztec diamondequestrian.com Limited Edition Canvas Tote with neon pink contrast.

RRP: £175. www.annabelbrocks.com

Ladies Linen Shirt in Moss. RRP: £59.95. www.oxford shirt.co.uk Cavallo Oriana Jacket.

RRP: £69. www.zebraproducts.co.uk

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18 Carat Gold Plated Baby Lana Bangle. RRP: £220. www.rennejewellery.co.uk

Tassel Cruiser

Cruiser Castaway Kimberly Jacket. RRP: from £425. www.butlerstewart.co.uk

Tweedmill Blankets. RRP: £55. www.ladida-andover.com

Five Arm Candelabra. RRP: £60. Pheasant Wine Bottle Stopper. RRP: £19. www.ladida-andover.com

The Elmdon Shirt is made from British-sourced brushed cotton fabric. Proudly designed and made in rural Essex. RRP: £55. www.thefinerhorse.com

Ivy Cruiser The Cruiser collection. RRP: from £90. www.ariat.com/gb/en.

Kit for Skin, a trio of products that help skin recover from exposure to the elements. www.purdeyandsloane.co.uk

Echo Gold Initial Signet Ring. RRP: £85. www.emily mortimer.co.uk Burano boots in Tan. RRP: £139.95. www.keithscarrott.co.uk

Multi-Feather Ruffle Shirt.

RRP: £65. www.timothy foxx.co.uk The Mini Windsor. RRP: £265. www.fairfaxandfavor.com

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BUYER’S GUIDE

NEW SEASONS New

Trends

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front and chest, as well as a soft opening to the back so you can wear it in the saddle.

s the seasons begin to change, we look at the most significant equestrian fashion trends with Liz Hayman, MD and Designer at British equestrian fashion label, Equetech.

Hot! Hot! Hot! The forecast is warm for winter, and I’m not talking about the weather. Technical fabrics should form the core of your riding wardrobe. Look for clothing that is breathable, waterproof and has fantastic insulation. We use an advanced technical and ethical lining, which is as warm as goose or duck down but cruelty-free. As a rider myself, I demand a lot from my riding clothing, especially during the winter months, so I design what I need and also from the feedback and requests we get from our customers.

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Riding into the future As our gadgets continually evolve so has riding clothing, and you may well have seen details such as gloves with mobile screen touchpads on the fingers which allow you to use the phone without taking your gloves off. Heated clothing is slowing making an appearance in the equestrian world, which is why we are proud to have launched the first equestrian fashion coat with heating elements this season, the Inferno Long Quilted Coat.

Inspired by catwalk trends, this high fashion coat has been adapted for riders and features integrated heated elements located where riders really need them (around the thighs and lower back). There are three heating levels with functional details such as zip pockets to the

colour me beautifully Look out for rich berry tones to add some welcome colour to your winter uniform of black and navy. We’ve also incorporated Silver Mink and Graphic Grey which offer beautiful highlights to your autumn/winter riding wardrobe.

Base lines Layers are your best friend this autumn. Make your outfit as changeable as the weather by adding layers that you can build up or remove depending on the fluctuating temperature.

Technical base layers that wick

away moisture are perfect for winter riding, ours has a fleece lining, so you don’t get cold as well! Gilets are great for when you need an extra layer without the bulk of a full jacket and are a super layer under your winter coat for the freezing days ahead.

View the new Equetech autumn/winter collection at: www.equetech.com

IMPROVE YOUR SEAT THRouGH youR fEET...

Carla jacket.

RRP: £78. www.zebraproducts.co.uk

Hooves & Love Create Your Own Gift Box range. RRP: from £4.50 to £35. www.hoovesandlove.co.uk

Skyline performance boots.

RRP: £99.95. www.grubsboot.com

Rushmere Long Waterproof Coat.

RRP: £166.95. www.equetech.com

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very rider loves to have a natural deep seat, but if you struggle to achieve this or have difficulty with your riding position and sometimes experience back problems, the cause is likely to stem from your boots.

Whilst in the saddle your seat position is very much dependant on the position of your feet.The stirrup iron should be on the ball of the foot with your heels down. That makes you sit up straight.

With such a foot balance when riding, your toes are pushed up when your heels are down and the stirrup iron wants to slide away from your foot which makes it difficult to keep a steady foot position.

Equitector riding boots are perfectly balanced for riding and you will instantly feel the difference. Without applying any pressure your feet will stay with you in the stirrup iron.

As your feet are now correctly balanced you will no longer tip forward in the saddle thus avoiding back and joint problems. This takes all the pressure off your body and will enable you to sit deeper naturally giving you more control over your horse. www.equitector.com

EQUINE MRI HEALTH & WELFARE

foR ESSEx

here was an exciting development at Paton and Lee Equine Veterinary Clinic in July, when we installed our new Standing Equine MRI unit – the first of its kind for Essex.

As an equine veterinary surgeon in a busy practice, I spend a large proportion of my time investigating and treating lameness. We have a fascinating, varied caseload, treating everything from miniature ponies through to high-

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By Sam Harrington

BSc BvSc (Hons) MRcvS

performing sports horses and even working Suffolk Punch and Shire Horses weighing-in at over a tonne. This variety means we also see many different underlying causes of lameness.

Reaching an accurate diagnosis is vital for targeting treatment and giving a precise rehabilitation programme and prognosis.

Until now we have relied on conventional nerve and joint blocks to localise the source of pain, with digital radiography

and ultrasound to image the skeleton and soft tissues respectively. Often these techniques are enough to pinpoint problems, but MRI is the gold-standard in equine diagnostic imaging, giving unparalleled detail of all structures in the lower limb.

Prior to installing our MRI unit, we had to refer patients to specialist equine hospitals for this technique, causing inconvenience for our owners with potentially long journey or waiting times for appointments.

Now we have a one-stop stateof-the-art diagnostic service, and the great news is that this facility is available not only to our own clients, but also those from other local practices via our ethical referral scheme.

So, what is MRI? It stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and it creates a high-definition map of the horse’s limb. The map is formed by energising atoms

within fat and water cells using radio waves, then focussing the resulting signal (resonance) with a powerful magnet. Because each tissue type contains different amounts of water and fat, with these levels changing during injury or inflammation, we can build a precise image of the limb including areas of pathology. Unlike radiography or CT scans, MRI doesn’t use any radiation and is completely safe.

The horse doesn’t have to be anaesthetised but simply stands sedated with the affected limb on a platform within the magnetic field. Scans take 1-2 hours and produce around 300500 ‘slices’ of the area being examined from multiple angles.

Our unit is supplied by a company called Hallmarq and comes in a specially converted container. Performing the scans and reading the images is a technically demanding process requiring lots of training, but Hallmarq provided intensive training and superb ongoing

support for our MRI team. We are also fortunate to work alongside the experienced MRI team at Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket, who have been fantastically helpful throughout. Rossdales provide us with the specialist radiography service we use for interpreting our MRI scans: the images are sent electronically to Vanessa Peter VetMed MRCVS, Head of Diagnostic Imaging at Rossdales, and typically within 24 hours she is able to view, interpret and report the findings in detail so that if any treatment is required for the patient we are able to give it the day after the MRI scan – a brilliantly efficient system.

In our first six weeks we have

performed seventeen MRI scans: six on both front feet; six on a single foot; four of fetlocks and one on a pastern. On average at least three significant lesions have been found per scan. Some of the diagnoses made include chronic superficial digital flexor tendon injuries, navicular bone pathology, deep digital flexor tendon injuries, pedal bone haemorrhage and oedema, fetlock arthropathy and collateral ligament injuries. In all cases these diagnoses would not have been confirmed without MRI. This has enabled us to target specific treatments and give an accurate prognosis for these cases.

MRI is an expensive procedure and may not be for every owner.

As well as offering MRI to our It is important that an initial lameness investigation has been own patients we also offer an ethical referral service to other performed to confirm MRI is vets in the area, necessary. whereby we can Insurance ...”Reaching an perform the MRI clearance may be required prior to accurate diagnosis is scan, send the to their scanning. Our vital for targeting images chosen starting price for a treatment radiographer for single site is £942 including VAT. and giving a precise interpretation, but offer no other There will be rehabilitation treatment and some additional programme and leave the referring costs, for example vet to continue if we need to x-ray prognosis...” any after-care. the feet to make This gives horse sure no nailclenches are present (these spoil owners the convenience of an MRI scan in their local area, the images) or if additional while their own vet maintains all sedation is required. For both clinical control of the case. front feet the starting price is www.patonandlee.co.uk £1500 including VAT.

My focus on...

THE HAMSTRINGS HEALTH & WELFARE

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uscle strains can account for more than 50% of musculoskeletal injuries in human athletes, however, the occurrence in horses is far lower. This is most likely because of the horse’s inability to express the location of the pain (as with many cases) and the difficulty of palpating the deeper muscles.

In July’s edition of Absolute Horse, I emphasised the importance of maintaining the Longissimus muscle in good health, as it is vital for supporting your horse’s performance and behaviour.

This month, however, I will be focusing on another critical, but often over-looked part of the horse’s musculoskeletal system; the hamstrings. These muscles are a common injury and re-injury site, which affect competition horses in particular as they consistently participate in fast work. They also often experience traumatic injuries and sometimes have weaknesses in the surrounding areas.

The semimembranosus (1), semitendinosus (2) and the biceps femoris (3) muscle are the three muscles that make up the horse’s hamstring. The primary function of this muscle group is to draw the leg back by allowing the hip to extend. It also assists in enabling the stifle to flex, the hock to extend and plays a part in lateral movement.

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1

By Rose Kimberley BSc Equine Sports Therapist EEBW

3 2 3

There are a few ‘giveaway’ signs if you suspect that your horse may have a problem with their hamstrings which may indicate it’s a good time to check-in with your vet and/or bodyworker.

• Shortening of the stride (shows restriction of the hind limb) • Back tenderness (compensatory problem) • ‘Goose step’; where the hind limb may appear abnormally raised and be snatched backwards before hitting the ground more heavily • Reluctance to jump and ‘go forward’ • Difficulty in lateral work • Tail being held off to one side Stretch!

HOT TIP: Preferably perform this stretch after the horse has worked so the muscles are warm.

Make sure the horse is standing square(ish), and lift the hind leg as if you were going to pick out their foot. Grasp behind the

fetlock and, once the horse has relaxed, gently bring the leg towards you. Remember to keep the horse’s leg in line with their body and about eight inches off the ground. Also make sure to keep some flexion in the fetlock joint so it is not

completely straight. Hold for a few seconds and, if necessary, repeat.

EXTRA: If your horse allows it, add in some small circular motions at the end of the stretch for maximum benefit.

Rose Kimberley is a trained Equine Sports Therapist and specifically trained in the musculo-skeletal system. Rose treats the muscles of the horse to enable improved movement achieving greater range of motion.

Rose is currently building up her client base, working evening and weekend visits, covering Suffolk and surrounding areas.

Tel: 07773 694931 www.rosekimberley. wixsite.com

EATING RAGWORT KILLED 2-yEaR-olD MIna

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ore than 1,000 horses die from ragwort poisoning each year and these are just the recorded cases.

The tall dark green-stemmed flower, with a crown of small mustard yellow flowers can be seen across the UK, most frequently in fields and on verges.

When 2-year-old cob, Mina, was first reported to equine rescue and welfare charity, Bransby Horses, in February 2019 she was weak, unstable on her legs, lethargic and depressed. Mina wasn’t eating or drinking and looked close to giving up on life.

When the Bransby Horses team first saw her, they knew she was in serious danger. The team flushed her system with IV fluids, gave her pain relief and took blood for testing. The results were not good and showed possible liver damage.

Signs of this damage were also being seen in other parts of her body meaning it was lifethreatening. Mina was in a lot of pain and was suffering. After her post mortem, it was confirmed that the cause of death was ragwort poisoning.

Whilst Mina didn’t survive her ordeal and had a short and painful life, Bransby Horses are committed to sharing this story to reduce the chances of neglect like this happening again.

Elijah Kettle, Education and Campaigns Officer at Bransby Horses said: “Mina’s story is incredibly sad but what is sadder, is that this is not unusual. We offer advice and support to equine owners. We don’t want owners to get to the point where they feel there are no options left. It is often the fear of judgement and the stigma of admitting they are not coping which results in stories like Mina’s. We are urging struggling equine owners to contact us before it is too late.”

Bransby Horses is encouraging all equine owners to do a ragwort walk around their land every day, alongside their poopicking, and pull up any ragwort they see.

Horse owners who are struggling with caring for their equines can get support and advice from Bransby Horses, without judgement. The number to call is: 01427 787369.

Bransby has also just relaunched their new online Information and Advice hub, which includes lots of useful information for equine owners: www.bransbyhorses.co.uk/ get-involved/informationand-advice/

Share and share alike, spreading the cost of horse ownership

By Paul Herbert

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orse ownership can prove to be an expensive exercise, so for some owners, finding a person to share that expense in return for a fixed number of days of riding and care is the perfect solution.

Whilst this can work out to favour both parties it often leads to one party doing all the work and incurring costs which they did not anticipate.

It is therefore important to set out clearly what each party’s responsibilities are and what happens if one party does not fulfil those responsibilities.

Life is seldom regimented and straight forward. People have holidays, can be unexpectedly taken ill or become otherwise engaged, leaving one party to care for the horse on days they were not expected to. Whilst it tends to be the ‘sharer’ and not the ‘owner’ in such situations who become unreliable, on occasions it is the ‘sharer’ who unexpectedly gets put upon. A written agreement will set out each party’s responsibilities, liabilities, what happens in the event that one cannot meet those responsibilities and how

the agreement can be terminated.

As well as the considerations required for a sharer agreement you will need to consider: what happens should one party wish to sell their share; who can ride the horse; how costs are split; how replacement equipment/tack purchases are made; and in the event of the horse being sold, how the proceeds are shared.

Having an agreement drafted by a solicitor might feel like an unnecessary expense but in the event of a dispute arising such an agreement can prove invaluable, saving both time and costs. There are many templates available online which might be sufficient for your needs but it is advisable to have a custom made agreement drafted for your specific requirements and circumstances.

Dispute resolution solicitor Paul Herbert is Burnett Barker Solicitors’ equine specialist and has over 25 years’ involvement in the equestrian industry. He can help with issues including sale/purchase disputes; trainer fee disputes; veterinary negligence claims; foal share agreements and syndication agreements. www.burnettbarker.co.uk

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HEALTH & WELFARE

Oh Hello

HEALTHY EATING!

S

eptember is here and some of you may be breathing a sigh of relief as the kids return to school and life falls back into a routine once again.

If you’re eager to get back on the health and fitness train after the holidays here’s a lovely autumnal salad to help you on your way.

Mix all of the dressing ingredients plate. Cut the beetroot into cubes and sprinkle half a beetroot onto together in a jar.

Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to each plate. Finely slice the apple and again place half a sliced apple a hot frying pan on a high heat. on each plate. Add the halloumi Slice 3-5 slices of halloumi per person and fry them on each side to each plate, three to five slices until golden brown. Then remove per person. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, add a sprinkling of and allow to cool whilst you fresh chives or mint prepare the rest of the salad.

Use a mixture of salad leaves and leaves and serve.

BY SAMANTHA HARDINGHAM

THE BODY MIND COACH

place on two handfuls on each

Halloumi, apple and Beetroot Salad Serves 2 - One crisp English apple - One cooked beetroot - One pack of halloumi - Mixed salad leaves - Chives/Mint leaves to serve

For the dressing - One tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar - Three tablespoons of olive oil - One teaspoon of dijon mustard

lET’S all Go BananaS (AND NUTS) foR

Launch of new ‘Nourish’ clothing collection...

nnabel Brocks, the contemporary British clothing and accessories brand who lead the way with their colourful clothing and accessories, is excited to launch their new ‘Nourish’ collection.

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The Nourish collection has been created to raise money for Cancer charities as £5 from every t-shirt and £10 from every sweatshirt sold will be donated across Children with Cancer UK, Breast Cancer Care and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Made using organic cotton and non-toxic inks, the range of adults and childrens T-shirts and

Adult T-shirts £35, Sweatshirts £65.

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sweatshirts have been inspired

by Annabel’s own cancer journey using her passion for healthy food and wellbeing as the inspiration.

Suffolk-based Annabel has had two battles with Breast Cancer.

The idea behind the foodrelated slogans comes from Annabel’s weekly food shop as she changed her diet and became passionate about healthy eating during her recovery.

“When I was unwell I needed to change my eating habits, especially during chemotherapy;

with a lowered immunity healthy eating was essential.

“In my recovery I attended courses on lifestyle and nutrition, learning how types of food can help fight cancer. My diet now contains as many cancer fighting foods as I can possibly fit in.

“I have chosen ingredients to launch the range with that I consume most days. I really hope I can raise money for charity and also raise awareness about the importance of diet and nutrition.” www.annabelbrocks.com

DaISy’S

Herbal Answers

“My horse is particularly sensitive to bites and gets nasty lumps from them.

Is there anything natural I can feed to deter them?”

Garlic, Brewer’s Yeast and Turmeric are natural repellents, you need to feed them Daisy Bayliss, Herbalist for 3-4 weeks to get them into the skin/coat properly. Turmeric will also help with any itchiness and Brewer’s Yeast is great for improving the skin and coat. You can also feed Buckwheat which is a natural anti-histamine and will help with the swelling and itching.

Burdock, Clivers, Nettle and Kelp is a good combination that will help to support the skin. Burdock works as a tissue cleanser and will remove toxins from the skin. The Nettle and Cleavers help to remove the toxins from the body. Sea Kelp is great for improving skin and coat health and is a rich source of vitamins and minerals.

If you use Turmeric you will need to feed it with an oil (linseed or vegetable are fine) as it needs fat to be absorbed and ground black pepper to boost the absorption of curcumin. www.champerenebespokehorseherbal.com

SEIB BuRGHlEy SPonSoRED RIDE

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pillers is proud to support the renowned SEIB Burghley Sponsored Ride this year by providing a free weighbridge and feeding advice. The event takes place on Sunday 8th September at the end of the International Burghley Horse Trials.

“Knowing how much your horse weighs will help you to assess your horse’s daily feed requirement,” explains Clare Barfoot RNutr, the research and development manager at Spillers. “It’s also an important guide to how much wormer they require and will help you to manage your transport payload.” The Spillers weighbridge service is usually very popular so make sure you book your slot. www.spillers-feeds.com

DIGESTIVE HEALTH

HOW TO IMPROVE:

youR HoRSE’S

G ut H ealth

By Alltech

Product news...

RRP: from £13.50/450g (15 days supply).

bath for any undesirable pathogenic bacteria that may have been consumed with feed.

There is limited fermentation of very simple carbohydrates (e.g. sugars) in the top half of the stomach and then a small amount of protein breakdown in the acidic bottom half.

The stomach is relatively small and most of the true digestion of nutrients occurs in the small intestine, with fibre fermented in the hind gut.

Horses can digest very little The Equine Digestive starch at any one time and the System small intestine struggles to deal Digestion starts when the horse with concentrate rations takes a mouthful of food, this containing more than 3-4g process triggers the release of (possibly less) of starch per saliva, providing lubrication as kilogram of body weight per food passes down the meal – commonly known as oesophagus and into the starch overload. stomach. The chewing process Any starch that escapes also commences the physical digestion in the small intestine breakdown of food which begins will overflow into the hindgut, the process of nutrient release. particularly the caecum which As food enters the stomach and can affect the microbial balance. the small intestine, the horse’s The hind gut is made up of the stomach acts as an early acid

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he horse’s digestive tract plays a major role in overall well-being. Not only does it process food to deliver energy and key nutrients to the body, it also contributes to hydration. In addition, the health of the gut wall is closely linked to immune status.

Understanding how the digestive system works gives us a greater insight into how it can so easily become out of balance.

New Pro-Gut Balancer is a unique combination of pre and probiotics, together with a mannan oligosaccharide (MOS), to help maintain the health of the microbial population in horses and ponies.

RRP: £59.99/2.6kg (4 x 7 day courses).

TopSpec UlsaKind Cubes promote condition whilst helping to maintain the natural integrity of the stomach lining from acid attack. www.topspec.com

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Sand Out Pellets should be fed for one week each month to horses or ponies grazing on sandy pastures.

With added Probiotics to support a healthy digestive tract. www.equineamerica.co.uk

Digest Plus: A prebiotic supplement proven to support the efficient functioning of the horse’s gut by helping to maintain the balance between beneficial and harmful species of gut bacteria.

Digest Plus is particularly useful at times of stress when bacterial populations may be compromised. www.baileyshorse feeds.co.uk

caecum, large intestine and colon, the caecum is basically a fermentation vat where the bulk of digestion takes place thanks to fibre digesting bacteria.

New feed should be introduced gradually to allow the bacteria in the caecum time to adapt.

Unlike the acidic conditions of the stomach, the optimum hind gut environment is a nearneutral pH.

what Happens when the Digestive System is compromised Disruption of normal hindgut function by less than adequate dietary fibre or starch overload can lead to more acidic conditions, often referred to as acidosis. Gut disturbances, such as acidosis, are one of the many factors implicated in colic.

Additionally, many beneficial microbes in the caecum cannot survive this change in acidity and die, releasing bacterial endotoxins into the bloodstream, increasing the risk

TopSpec Digestive Aid contains highly effective ingredients designed to promote a healthy microbial population in the digestive system and to stimulate appetite. www.topspec.com

of laminitis.

Acidosis actually relates to a lowering of blood alkali reserves (this means a lack of buffer to compensate for the increased acidity) and many horses suffer from a sub-clinical form, particularly those in hard work coupled with limited access to forage.

How to Ensure Good Gut Health Keeping the equine digestive system happy can be a challenge considering that horses lead very different lives to what they evolved to do. The very nature of their domesticated life can have a huge impact on their digestive health, as they spend time confined to a stable with forced periods of starvation.

To prevent the digestive system from becoming disrupted it is important to provide sufficient forage and always think fibre first in any equine diet regardless of workload.

Stick to the golden rule of

RRP: from ÂŁ45.99/Pellets 3kg (30 day supply at maintenance).

New formula - Uls-Gard contains ingredients to soothe and coat the stomach. Uls-Gard should be added to each feed for all competition horses, and those on high concentrate diets. www.equineamerica.co.uk

feeding by making any dietary changes gradually to give the gut time to adapt to the introduction of a new feed.

Increased stress levels can also have a negative impact on the digestive system, so where possible try to keep stress levels down by allowing plenty of turn out and by keeping to a routine, such as feeding at the same time every day.

By supplementing the diet with yeast cultures you can help reduce hind gut acidity, creating

optimum conditions for the beneficial bacteria to flourish, thereby improving digestion, as well as nutrient absorption and buffering against digestive upset.

The Lifeforce Range of allnatural, daily digestive aid supplements from Alltech is designed to benefit horses of every stage of life, from breeding stock to pleasure and performance animals. www.lifeforcehorse.co.uk

NUTRITION: FIBRE Located in Newmarket but working both nationally and internationally Donna is the highly experienced equine nutritionist who runs ‘The Horse Feed Guru’, an equine nutrition consultancy. Formerly a Commercial Nutritionist across three brands, now completely independent, she has worked with horses and riders competing at an Olympic level through to one-horse owners wanting the very best. Clients can trust the independent advice they receive comes from extensive industry knowledge and experience but is also totally impartial of any feed brand. Her aim is to demystify feeding for the good of the horse and rider.

www.thehorsefeedguru.com Tel: 07901 337826

3 TOP TIPS FOR IMPROVING FIBRE INTAKE

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eeding enough fibre to your horse and pony is super important. But why? Well not only does it help to maintain a healthy digestive tract, reducing the risk of gastric ulcers and colic, but also psychologically it helps meet his desire to chew. If fibre intake is compromised not only may the horse be at risk of digestive problems, but also behavioural issues.

Then in another corner you may have a bucket of short chopped fibre such as Spillers Happy Hoof. You may also have a bucket with some form of High Fibre Cubes or Fibre Mash. Effectively this helps to enrich your horses time spent in the stable and promote foraging behaviour. It is important you do not over feed which would be based on your individual horse’s To help you have a happy, healthy horse, requirements and select options here are my three top tips for improving suitable as hay replacers.

2. Evaluate your fibre intake:Hard feed.

1. consider cafeteria Style Is your hard feed truly feeding. working for your It is as the name implies, a bit like us horse? Mixes tend to going to a cafeteria and picking and choosing what we would like to eat. In the case of our horses however, these should all be high fibre options suitable as hay replacers. You could feed a net of hay, and then on the other side of the stable you could also place a net of haylage, or another hay net. Perhaps you may also put some hay on the floor.

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BY DONNA CASE BSC ( HONS )

be lower in fibre and higher in cereal starch, so a cube equivalent may be more appropriate. You could add a chopped fibre (such as alfalfa), or one of the many high fibre mashes now available on the market. Don’t forget an option such as sugar beet too which is high in fibre, although remember once soaked it is 80% water so do take this into account.

3. Spread feeds Regularly It is just as important to spread intake as it is to feed enough fibre. If your horse goes too long without chewing he is not able to produce saliva which helps to buffer the stomach. He may also get very bored and frustrated as his natural needs are not being met. Think little and often.

Product news...

Cavalor Vitacrunch is a healthy, well-balanced dietary supplement for grazing horses or horses receiving a small ration of concentrated feed.

The product is 100% natural, composed of pressed alfalfa and therefore rich in fibres. The blocks provide an optimal and balanced application of vitamins and minerals, are low in sugar and starch, and are oat and gluten free. www.zebraproducts.co.uk

High Fibre HorseHage is a dust-free bagged forage packed with fibre. It contains no chemical additives, mould inhibitors, flavourings, molasses or inoculants and is low in sugar and energy, making it safe for horses and ponies prone to laminitis. www.horsehage.co.uk

TopChop Lite is a blend of British alfalfa/straw chop, lightly coated with soya oil and real mint.

TopSpec FibrePlus Cubes are an excellent highly digestible fibre source with added ingredients to support a little muscle development and function. www.topspec.com

Mollichaff Original A high quality chaff combining the finest chopped and dustextracted wheat straw and a light dressing of molasses with the addition of calcium for strong bones and healthy growth.

Naturally high in fibre. www.horsehage.co.uk

Equerry High Fibre Cubes are designed for horses and ponies at rest or in very light work. They are a ‘NonHeating’, high fibre formula. Low calorie – ideal for good-doers. Suitable as a hay replacer for elderly horses. Cereal-grain free with low levels of sugar and starch.

With added vitamins and minerals including magnesium. www.equerryhorsefeeds.com

Dodson & Horrell Fibre Fusion is a low starch and high oil blend of super fibres. Its unique combination of sainfoin, alfalfa and grass chaff increase the texture variety to enhance palatability. Fibre Plus Complex as well as Actisaf Yeast (probiotic) and MOS (prebiotic) are included. www.dodsonandhorrell.com

A super-fibre conditioning feed, Fibre-Beet has been carefully designed to help keep the digestive system healthy with a blend of fibre sources that provide gut fill and are easily digested when compared to forage fibre. Fibre-Beet can improve energy intake whilst keeping dietary fibre levels at an optimum providing slow release energy without the ‘fizz’. www.britishhorsefeeds.com

Fibre Plus Nuggets are chunky, high fibre cubes that can be fed as a partial forage replacer to increase fibre in the diet. Their crunchy texture and natural fibre content ensure the horse has plenty to chew on and they are easily fed on the ground, or in boredom toys, to encourage natural foraging behaviour. www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

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NUTRITION: FIBRE

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY:

HAYGAIN’S REVOLUTIONARY HAY STEAMERS SEE THE BEnEfITS BEfoRE coMMITTInG THE caSH

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teaming forage with Haygain’s hay steamers is scientifically proven to deliver a wide range of benefits for equine respiratory health, and the brand is now its giving customers the chance to try the technology before they buy, all with a small and easy to afford deposit.

Research has shown that 88% of horses tested were suffering from inflammatory airway disease (IAD), many showing no outward sign of anything being wrong at all. Steaming hay has been proven to reduce the risk of a horse developing an IAD by 65%, and as a result steaming hay is now a critical element of the stable management routine for both professional and amateur riders, as well as trainers, breeders and vets around the world.

However we all know how expensive keeping horses can be so Haygain have given horse owners the chance to see how a hay steamer will fit into their stable management regime before purchasing one, as this innovative new scheme allows horse owners to try the Haygain Steamer range for themselves before committing to buy.

The Haygain steamer range comprises the HG One, a very portable steamer perfect for hay to feed one horse or for taking on the road; the HG 600 which is ideal for between one and three horses; and then the HG 2000 which is designed

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for steaming entire bales of hay in one go.

The design of the Haygain steamers, including a clever patented manifold spike system, ensures that the hay is evenly steamed at consistent temperatures high enough to kill harmful mould spores and bacteria. All the steamers have a 60minute cycle from cold, meaning it doesn’t take long to ensure hay is transformed from dusty to safely steamed, ready for horses.

To take part in the scheme simply pay a deposit for the steamer, which includes the delivery and return costs, and enjoy using it for up to two weeks. The deposit amounts are: for the HG One it is £100; for the HG 600 it is £150; for the HG 2000 it is £200.

If you decide to buy, simply pay the remaining balance for the Hay Steamer, minus the deposit already paid. Or if you decide to return the steamer then simply repackage the unit in the same condition as it was when it was received and send it back. www.haygain.co.uk/pages/try-before-you-buy

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horse’s digestive system is designed to process vast amounts of fibre on an almost constant basis. With the help of bacteria in the hind gut, they can convert relatively low-grade fibrous material into valuable energy. Most of the horse’s dietary protein is also provided by this fibrous material along with vital vitamins and minerals.

In fact, certain vitamins like biotin, K and B1 are not available from the diet and must be synthesized within the gut by the bacteria responsible for fermenting fibre.

When a horse’s diet is lacking in fibre, many health issues can occur including the development of gastric ulcers, weight loss, dehydration and hormonal conditions.

The simplest way to ensure your horse receives enough fibre from the diet is to provide forage on a free choice basis, in other words, never let it run out!

Horses which are allowed free access to forage, will learn to self-regulate, only consuming what they need; providing they have adequate movement and the diet doesn’t contain large amounts of hard feed, they will maintain a healthy weight.

Always focus on providing adequate fibre before assessing the need for hard feed. Horses who have their fibre intake restricted will tend to overeat forage when it is available and lay down more fat, making maintaining a healthy weight more difficult. This is due to the ‘stress response’ from restricted fibre intake which causes a

My advice...

foR How To IMPRovE youR HoRSE’S FIBRE INTAKE

By Claire Burrow BSc (Hons) from Devon Haylage

cascade of hormones acting to increase inflammation and encourage the horse to overeat when forage is available due to the perceived ‘famine’.

Some horses can be particularly fussy when it comes to forage and even though plenty may be available, they won’t consume enough to maintain condition or a healthy digestive tract. In cases such as this it’s important to find something they find palatable so that they are encouraged to eat. Often hay is unappetising to fussy eaters

particularly if its lacking in traditional meadow species which have a certain sweetness such as scented vernal grass or has been soaked to reduce residual sugars. Many of our customers at Devon Haylage come to us as they need a highly palatable and consistently highquality forage. All our four types of haylage are very appealing to fussy eaters, particularly the High Fibre Ryegrass, whilst the Native Grass & Herb Mix is very soft and so encourages intakes for those with poor teeth.

Once a horse is consuming adequate levels of hay or haylage, to increase fibre intake further, chaffs and feeds based

around fibre should be chosen before feeds rich in grains. Many fibre feeds are now available containing high levels of energy to supplement the diet of the harder working horse whilst also contributing to the overall fibre intake, all helping to improve and maintain the health of the digestive tract and therefore the overall health of the horse.

So, the main ways to improve fibre intake is to simply provide highly palatable forage on a free choice basis and then choose fibre-based feeds to supplement the diet if necessary.

To request a free sample visit www.devonhaylage.co.uk or phone 01404 813100.

Follow the hash tag #forageforhealthyhorses

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NUTRITION

wE MEET...

Laura Gibbins aREa SalES ManaGER foR BaIlEyS HoRSE fEEDS

LAURA GIBBINS COVERS THE WHOLE OF EAST ANGLIA AND IS ALSO INVOLVED IN OPERATIONS IN FRANCE. HERE SHE TELLS US MORE ABOUT HER INTERESTING ROLE AT BAILEYS... spend at least one day per week in the office to plan my week, write reports and catch up on emails and phone calls.

“The other four or five days each week will be spent looking after my own area. On any one day, I could be visiting yards to offer feed advice; visiting merchants; giving feed talks at Pony Club camps or at rider camps; looking

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the year in France, either on the trade stand, visiting customers and distributors or visiting the Baileys stud.”

Interesting clients “I am lucky to see Baileys feeds all the way from manufacture right through to the feed room and bucket, as I work with wholesalers as well as retailers and horse owners.

“Being a keen rider makes looking after customers and sponsored riders, like Laura Renwick and Jodie Stokes, all the more exciting. Along with a member of our Nutrition team, I help make sure they are happy with the way the feeds are Hobbies: Laura enjoys working for their horses as well riding, walking her dog Bella as following up any leads they and competing in her spare may have from their clients. The time (there’s not much of it!) whole team at Baileys gets a Horses: Romeo – 16hh great kick out of seeing any of cremello cob our sponsored riders, and Pets: Bella – 2-year-old customers, do well and it is Staffy great to feel you have after and catching up with our and how best to display them. contributed in some small way sponsored riders; attending “I often follow up calls to our to that success. sponsored events and manning Nutrition Helpline when it is felt “I also get great satisfaction the Baileys trade stand at that a personal visit and closer from working with retail events, such as Burghley and the look at the horse in question is customers and helping them to London Vet Show. advisable. This can be for one build a successful business.

“During a typical day ‘on the horse or several and “When I do get road’ I will probably make is an important part “...The whole team time, I enjoy riding between four and six visits to of the service that at Baileys gets a and competing my both trade customers (feed we at Baileys great kick out of Cremello cob, merchants) and horse owners, provide.

Romeo, in dressage seeing any of and went to the from one horse owners to large “Quite often I will yards. It is this variety which I work with managers our customers Summer Regionals, particularly love about my job of larger yards to do well...” at Hickstead, last and no two days are the same. find the most cost year. I also spend a “Visiting feed merchants is not effective way to feed a number lot of my time with my dog, necessarily all about selling feed. of horses as well ensuring they Bella, a rescue staffy, who enjoys I help train staff on the basics of have a reliable supply of Baileys walking and training. equine nutrition, and how to from their local stockist.

“If you would like any advice on choose the right Baileys product “There is also a certain amount feeding, please do not hesitate for each horse, as well as of evening and weekend work to contact me on 07825 760 advising on which feeds to stock and I spend quite a few days of 938.”

NUTRITION

MANAGING LAMINITIS

Autumn Laminitis

Free Talk

IS YOUR HORSE aT RISk?

HOW TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF LAMINITIS THIS AUTUMN BY SIMPLE SYSTEM DIRECTOR OF NUTRITION JANE VAN LENNEP utumn can be a tricky time for horses and ponies prone to laminitis. Mild temperatures and wet weather provide ideal conditions for grass to start growing again after going dormant over the hotter and drier summer months. The cooler months can bring a flush of lush grass high in sugars.

Horses and ponies that are overweight, older or have existing metabolic issues will be more at risk. It is important that your horse not be allowed to gain too much weight – cresty necks and fat pads on other parts of the body are an indicator that the balance of hormones is getting out of kilter and the risk of laminitis is greater.

Grazing needs to be timed carefully and the weather forecast monitored. As it is sunlight that triggers sugar production, dull days will be ‘safer’. Grazing may need to be

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restricted, either by strip grazing, using track system and/or grazing muzzles.

The sugar and starch levels in the diet should be as low as possible. Exclude all feeds containing sugary or starchy ingredients. These are from cereals such as wheat, barley, oats and maize for instance, and pulses such as peas, beans and soya. Also avoid molasses and fruit or vegetables with significant sugar or starch levels, so carrots, apples and parsnips for instance should be excluded.

Scrutinise all ingredient/composition lists on everything fed. Your hay should be analysed to check sugar content, anything below 10% is deemed ‘safe’. A one hour soak will help reduce sugar levels – feed immediately after soaking and offer it to your horse whilst it is fresh.

For weight loss, not only is it necessary to reduce calories going in but you can also

increase calories going out.

Long, slow, frequent exercise is ideal, given any limitations of soundness. Also give the horse every chance to move around as much as possible when not being worked. Track systems, extra-large stables or even a yard allow more exercise. Company is important as the horse has more things to do with his time budget other than eat or yearn for food. Divide food and hay into several locations to keep your horse moving. Double net hay to slow down eating. Wash the horse after exercise and leave to dry naturally. Do not rug an overweight horse – rugs keep calories in! www.simplesystem.co.uk

Simple System Horse Feeds are hosting an exclusive evening talk with Peter Mason BVet Med MRCVS on Wednesday 25th September at Topthorn Arena.

The event will focus on Laminitis, covering the causing factors, how to best manage the condition, what to feed to your horse or pony and also what veterinary treatments are available.

There will also be a Q&A session with vet Peter Mason and Jane van Lennep, Director of Nutrition at Simple System.

Said Simple System Marketing Manager, Stacey Lascelles, “Sadly Laminitis is not just confined to the Spring months, it has become an all year round issue and autumn Laminitis is definitely of concern.

“We are very excited to be offering this free talk to all locally-based horse owners and invite them to come and take advantage of all of the up-to-date information and advice that will be available during the evening.”

The event will start at 7pm and it is advised that you book your free place. Email Stacey@simplesystem.co.uk to book.

There will be a free goodie bag for all in attendance and refreshments will be available.

SADDLERY & TACK SoMETHInG a BIT DIFFERENT...

IN THIS ISSUE THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT STYLES OF MARTINGALE AVAILABLE

Abbey England

D

DIffEREnT TyPES of

MARTINGALE

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martingale is a piece of tack which is usually used to control head carriage and act as an additional form of control.

There are several different types of martingale which are used for varying reasons and are seen across several disciplines. In this feature we look at the different martingales and explain their design and uses.

The two most common types of martingale are standing and running. A standing martingale consists of a strap that attaches to the girth and runs between the horse’s front legs up to the back of the noseband. This runs through a neck strap which fastens around the neck and keeps the martingale close to the horse. This type of martingale should only be fitted to a cavesson noseband or similar and if correctly fitted, the main strap should be able to touch the throat lash when raised. It is not recommended

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that a standing martingale should be used for jumping as it may restrict the horse.

The running martingale attaches to the girth and then passes through the horse’s front legs before splitting into two straps with a ring on the end which the reins pass through. Martingale stops, which can be either rubber or leather, should be used on the reins between the bit rings and the rings of the martingale to prevent the martingale straps from slipping forward and interfering with the bit. The running martingale prevents the horse from raising its head above a certain point as it applies additional pressure to the reins and consequently the bars of the mouth.

If correctly fitted the ‘fork’ of the running martingale should slacken about an inch when the horse lowers it’s head and there should be a straight line running from the rider’s hands to the bit rings when the horse has his

head in the correct position and the martingale is not acting on him. A running martingale is very popular for jumping disciplines as it gives the rider extra control without interfering unnecessarily with the horse.

The Irish martingale is not like others, but rather a semi martingale. It is simply a short leather strap with a ring at either end which the reins pass through, quite close to the bit. It is not designed as a form of control but rather to prevent the reins coming over the horse’s head in a fall. They are most commonly used in European racing.

A full list of Society of Master Saddlers members who will be able to give you help and advice and can supply ‘off the peg’ or bespoke bridlework can be found at www.mastersaddlers.co.uk

esigned and produced in their UK foundry by highly skilled craftsmen, every bit from Abbey Bits, the experts and leaders in bespoke lorinery, is individually handmade and can be customised to suit your requirements.

Since the company was founded in 1982, the demand for more bespoke bits has increased as the way in which horses are ridden and trained has developed in line with a more scientific approach to equine anatomy and rider biomechanics. A seemingly small change to bit design can make a big difference to horse and rider communication whatever the discipline.

Whilst bits should never mask schooling problems, a suitable bit can help horse and rider to work in harmony by making the line of communication clear and ensuring the horse is comfortable in his mouth.

If you are having bitting issues and have ruled out physical problems (i.e. you have had your horse’s teeth and back checked) and training issues (ask your instructor for advice as it may not be a bitting issue) then it could be time to invest in a new bit. www.abbeyengland.com

The T&T will be available across four models – Dressage, Show Jumping, Cross Country and General Purpose.

RRP: from £1,500.

New on the market...

Ideal Saddle Company has just launched a brand-new saddle design - the ‘Technical & Traditional’ or ‘T&T’, which brings expert design, adjustability and performance to a whole new level.

This next generation of adjustable saddle design has all the benefits of Ideal’s quality leather and extraordinary attention to detail, combined with its revolutionary new EGP system, to ensure that each saddle is expertly tailored for each individual horse and rider today, tomorrow and for many years to come.

While every Ideal saddle is tailored for the perfect fit for each horse, the unique EGP (ergonomic gullet plate) system which lies at the heart of the T&T design allows these saddles to be quickly and easily adjusted for the changing seasons or the growth of a youngster. What this means is that your Ideal T&T saddle can be adjusted to continue to provide the perfect fit, even though your horse’s shape may change and develop over the years. www.idealsaddle.com

Suitable for all equestrian disciplines, the Equipe Aluminium Stirrups are beautifully designed for a stylish look - they also deliver on performance.

Made from aluminium, the stirrups are equipped with anti-skid stirrup tread, drilled to allow easy cleaning.

The 30° inclination of the hole through which the stirrup leathers are threaded, allows the stirrups to be constantly and correctly positioned, improving their grip on the boot.

Available in Gold, Silver and Black. RRP: from £194. www.zebraproducts.co.uk

SADDLERY & TACK Day In THE lIfE of a...

SaddleFitter

BY POPPY WEBBER, QUALIFIED SADDLE FITTER FOR THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS, COVERING CAMBRIDGESHIRE, LINCOLNSHIRE, NORFOLK AND SURROUNDING AREAS. SHE ALSO WRITES REGULAR ADVICE POSTS ON PEEWEE SADDLERY’S SOCIAL MEDIA. SEARCH FOR #adayinthelifeofasaddlefitter

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arm weather conditions can have a real impact on our equine friends; they all tend to get a little more well-padded, and this brings with it saddle fitting considerations.

It’s recommended to get your saddle checked every six months (minimum), for this very reason.

Seasonal changes can lead to your saddle not fitting so well and your horse becoming uncomfortable/not performing to their best. In extreme circumstances they can misbehave, be reluctant to move and/or become very sore.

Last month I heard the sentence ‘my saddle is too tight’ a lot… and in most cases this was owing to the spring/summer weight gain; in these situations your saddle fitter can often widen the tree to fit,

or change your flocking/pads.

However the opposite can be true. Tightness at the front can also be caused by the saddle being too wide, having the wrong shaped tree, using the wrong girth straps… or simply the flocking being too compressed at the front. All of these reasons can cause a pressure build-up at the front. Your saddle fitter should be able to advise and help.

Your saddle should be checked as a preventative measure, not only when there is a problem. If you know your horse gets a little porky in the summer, book your saddle fitter for the start of the season and let them adjust your saddle in preparation and then again at the end of the season when your horse is back to being svelte and supermodel like.

SaDDlERy

Q&A IN THIS ISSUE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS’ QUALIFIED SADDLE FITTER, BEA BLAKEMAN, ANSWERS YOUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON SADDLERY.

QUESTION: I have just sold my 16.2hh Irish Draught cross Thoroughbred and my new horse is very similar in build and conformation – can I use the same saddle?

ANSWER: The simple answer is no. Before using any saddle on a new horse I would recommend that you seek the advice of an SMS Registered and Qualified Saddle Fitter so the saddle fit can be fully assessed and evaluated. Even if the horse is similar in shape and height, if the saddle is slightly out of balance this could have a detrimental effect on your own balance and stability, as well as that of the horse and therefore its performance and comfort.

It is worth remembering that the saddle may have settled to your previous horse’s shape and therefore some adjustments may be required, whether that’s to panel/flocking or a change of width if an adjustable saddle. A Qualified Saddle Fitter will want to assess the saddle’s balance and make sure it has clearance around the wither and spine, they will check that the tree is the correct shape, width and length and that the girthing position is in line with the horse’s girth groove. They will also make sure the panels contact well along and across the horse’s back. It’s well worth remembering that even if you have a changeable gullet style of saddle, that does not guarantee it will fit your next horse, as it will depend on the tree still being suitable in the first instance.

Photo: Abbi Grief Photography

Product news...

The Childéric Dressage Handle offers confidence in the saddle with it’s simple ‘buckle up, fix and go’ design for use on dressage saddles. The strap fits neatly onto the Dee rings of the saddle and offers the rider added confidence as well as being a useful training tool for the rider. RRP: £30. www.childericsaddles.co.uk

NEXT MONTH - A simple guide to checking saddle fit.

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CLIPPING

Tips for

AUTUMNAL CLIPS

repare and plan - make sure your clipper blades are sharp and clean before you start your work – dull, dirty blades will cut less cleanly and are more likely to overheat or catch your horse’s skin.

Your horse needs to have a clean and dry coat for clipping. If the temperature allows, bath him to remove grime and grease from the coat using ShowSheen 2-in1 Shampoo to ensure a thorough clean and condition. If it’s too cold for a full bath, a thorough grooming session will do the trick. Use ShowSheen Miracle Groom to spot clean and remove dirt, without the need for water. Clipping a dirty coat

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results in blunt blades and trying to clip through muck or dried sweat will pull at hair, making the experience a painful one.

Introduce clippers to your horse slowly, especially if he’s young or new to the experience. Horses can be wary of the sound and the vibration that clippers make.

Remember to keep the clippers cable away from your horse’s legs and give him a hay net to distract him whilst you work.

Allow yourself plenty of time to get your horse prepared and avoid making any mistakes.

work in progress Ensure you clip in a well-lit area and make sure you have plenty of time to get the job done

properly. If not too disruptive and if clipping in a stable or wash box, check the progression of your clip in natural daylight to check you haven’t missed any bits.

Try spraying your horse’s coat lightly with ShowSheen Hair Polish and Detangler to help the clippers glide through the hair.

This will give a smooth, clean finish to the clip whilst also helping to increase the longevity of your clipper blades. As you clip, adjust the direction of your clippers to follow the hair growth patterns, which will help reduce clipper lines and give a smooth finish to the coat.

If the weather is cool, remember to place a rug over your horse to keep him warm – you can place the rug over his quarters while you are working on the front, and pull it forward while you work towards the quarters.

Avoid fleece rugs as clipped hair will stick to this fabric like glue and is very hard to remove.

IT’S THAT CLIPPING TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! ABSORBINE HAVE PUT TOGETHER THEIR HINTS AND TIPS TO ENSURE A SMART CLIP EVERY TIME YOU REACH FOR THE CLIPPERS.

The finished article When you have finished, give your horse a ‘hot towel’ bath which will lift any dust, excess clipper blade grease or loose hair (which can cause irritation) from the skin and coat.

Once complete, rug your horse up and take him for a brisk walk to get his circulation going again – clipping can be time consuming and he will welcome the exercise after standing for a while.

Remember to put rugs on as the temperature dictates. The more hair you remove the heavier the rug you’ll require; for example, a horse with a full clip might need a heavy turnout with a neck cover whilst a horse with a bib clip may only require a lightweight option. www.absorbine.co.uk

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LOVE DOGS

KEEPING YOUR DOGS HEALTHY: wHaTEvER THE wEaTHER

ToP TIPS fRoM RSPca To kEEP anIMalS SafE DuRInG THE laTE SuMMER

he RSPCA offers advice for dog owners throughout England.

RSPCA vet Dr Michael Lazaris said: “It’s really important to take extra care of our pets during the all weather as heat exhaustion is a life-threatening condition. Prevention is much better than a cure so try to keep your pets indoors or in a cool, shaded area when the temperatures are high.

“If your dog slows down, looks dazed, drools or pants excessively, vomits or even has a seizure then please speak to a vet as soon as possible as these are all symptoms of heatstroke.

“If your pet is elderly, overweight or has ongoing health problems or problems caused by extreme breeding such as flat-faced dogs - then they can feel the effects of the

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heat more quickly so please keep that in mind.”

RSPCA animal welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: “With families planning days out this might include Fido.

“During the hot weather we’d urge pet owners to think twice before taking their dog out with them as they can really struggle out and about during the heat so often it’s best to leave them at home in the cool.

“If you’ll be out in the sun all day at a show, or if you’re planning a long walk or run, please leave your furry friend at home with access to water, shade and someone who can check on them. It can be hard enough for us in the heat and it’s much more difficult for them.”

Top tips for your dogs • Don’t let your pet get sunburnt - use pet-safe sun cream.

• Ensure animals have access to shade and fresh drinking water at all times.

• Buy a cooling mat, wrap an ice pack or frozen water bottle in a tea towel, or use damp towels for your pet to lie on.

• Use cold treats from the fridge or make an ice lolly from petfriendly ingredients.

• Freeze your dog’s water bowl or kong, or add ice cubes to your pet’s bowl.

• Fill a paddling pool or spray a hose for your dog to play in but always supervise around water.

PRODUCTS UNDER THE

SPOT LIGHT T he Aniwell range of skin, wound and sun protection products FiltaBac, FiltaClear and AMHVet (Active Manuka Honey Vet) are also perfect for your dog.

Providing antibacterial wound protection and total sunblocking. Use all year round to protect and assist with sun exposure, protect ears from biting flies and for protecting all cuts, grazes, bites or general wounds.

Available at Veterinary clinics, Pet/Vet Pharmacies, Equine/Pet Supply stores, your favourite on-line pet stores.

RRP: FiltaBac from £5.60/50g; FiltaClear from £8.55/50g; AMHVet from £12.15/50g. www.aniwell-uk.com

Product news...

Fitzroy Dog Collar. RRP: £45. www.fairfaxandfavor.com

The Bucas Freedom Dog Rug is a functional jacket made with waterproof, breathable rip-stop outer.

RRP: from £22. www.zebra products.com

VetSpec has launched two new Super Premium Working Dog Foods.

VetSpec Working Dog Food, Adult Formula and VetSpec Working Dog Food, Puppy & Junior Formula are both VAT free and are made with 44% chicken with added rice, vegetables and herbs.

RRP: from £34.50/15kg. www.vetspec.com

Isotonic Powder – a rehydration powder for dogs. Helps to replace essential salts and minerals lost through dehydration. Ideal on hot days, times of stress, sports and working dogs as well as brachycephalic dogs. Available in 100gm and 500gm containers. RRP: from £6.50. www.animal-health.co.uk

STABLES, YARDS & PADDOCKS 1. Poor Earthing Problem: An electric fence is a circuit. Not that the fence has to be in a circuit but more that if a horse touches an electric fence the current goes through the horse, through the ground and back to the earth stake. If your fencing doesn’t have a good a good earth stake set up the fencing will not be as effective as it could be.

Solve it: If you suspect your fence is not working properly and you think it might be the earth stake there are a few things you can do. Firstly, make sure the earth stake is pushed as far into the ground as you can get it. At least half of a 1m earth stake should be in the ground (push it all in if possible).

Secondly, if the ground is very dry and stony it is a good idea to water around the earth stake.

Thirdly, if the climate is very dry it maybe worth putting a few earth stakes in series – i.e. lining up some earth stakes in a row and joining them with lead out cable and connecting to the energiser.

Lastly, if you are still not getting

good earthing it would be possible to add an earth line to your fence. This is a line of fencing that is either connected to the earth stake or an end of it is buried in the ground. The earth line is run alongside the other lines of fencing but not touching the live lines. When an animal touches both lines it gets a good zap as it is touching the earth line and live line at the same time.

2. Energiser not Powerful Enough Problem: Energisers are built to have different levels of capacity. If you use an energiser that is not powerful enough to power your fence you will have low voltage on your fence which means your horses will not respect it.

Solve it: When you are planning your electric fence make sure you measure it out before you buy. If you have two lines of fencing make sure you include both lines in your measurements.

When you have the total distance to be covered look for

an energiser that can cope with this distance and a little more.

Your energiser needs to be able to cover some shorting and also you may want a little bit of extra power in case you want to increase the length of your fence.

3. Bad connectors Problem: Many long fences are tied together or connected badly.

This can cause problems on the fence as the power doesn’t transfer properly through to the next part of the fence. The current travels along the metal filaments in the fence and if there is a break, or there is no metal touching metal, you will not get consistent power around your fencing.

Solve it: Because electric fencing runs along metal

5 coMMon PRoBlEMS wITH ELECTRIC FENCING

And How To Solve Them MERIEL YOUNGER FROM WWW.ELECTRICFENCING.CO.UK EXPLAINS FIVE COMMON ELECTRIC FENCING PROBLEMS AND HOW YOU CAN EASILY REMEDY THEM 44

filaments there are many metal connectors that can be used to make sure the current can pass easily. There are joiners that connect all sizes of tape, rope, polywire and wire. There are also line to line connectors to connect the individual horizontal lines. These little bits of kit are brilliant at keeping your electric fencing working at its optimum level.

4. Shorts on fencing Problem: Shorts are one of the most common problems with electric fencing. Shorts can be caused by many different things.

Solve it: Test and check your fence regularly. There is no need to test your electric fencing with your finger… you can use a tester! Test along your fence

checking the voltage on your tester at the same time checking for shorts. Shorts might be caused by a broken insulator, grass touching the bottom line of the fence, a branch on the line, tape touching a wooden fence post etc. If electric fencing touches foliage, wood or metal it will take the power out of the system.

5. Power Problem: It may be that the energiser has stopped pulsing or ticking in the way it normally does.

Solve it: If the energiser is running from a battery or solar/battery system check the battery hasn’t run down. Check the connections of the solar panel to the battery. Give the battery a long charge for 24hours. Sometimes if the 12v battery has been left to run down too low it will not charge back up again.

If mains or battery operated check the energiser by unhooking the energiser from the fencing and testing the output with your tester. If no volts at this point it maybe a problem with the energiser.

Electric fencing is an excellent way to keep horses and ponies contained. It does, however, require maintence. Looking after your fence will ensure your animals are safe.

We love to talk electric fencing… so if things are not working as they should be get in touch. www.electricfencing.co.uk info@electricfencing.co.uk Tel: 01620 860058.

ENSURING RODENTS

BY DAVID CROSS, HEAD OF THE TECHNICAL TRAINING ACADEMY AT RENTOKIL PEST CONTROL

Three tips for preventing a rodent problem in the stable: 1. Active monitoring There are non-toxic monitoring blocks available that can be used to detect the very early stages of a rodent infestation, while ensuring toxic substances aren’t deployed unnecessarily onsite. Some of these blocks contain fluorescent materials which reflect UV light, highlighting rodents’ droppings and making it easier to identify their presence.

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2. Remove food sources Mice and rats can consume and contaminate food

Don’T TakE uP RESIDEncy

In your stables

tables can become the perfect home for rodents due to the abundance of food and shelter they provide.

If they do take residence in a stable, they are capable of contaminating and eating horse food, spreading infections such as Weil’s disease and damaging doors and horse equipment such as rugs and tack with their persistent gnawing. They have also been known to gnaw through electrical cables, creating a potential fire hazard. With such high risks, it makes sense to proactively prevent and quickly deal with any signs of infestation.

One way to control the spread of rodents in your stableyard is to ensure you don’t provide them with the ideal conditions in which to thrive. Simple steps, such as ensuring horse food is properly sealed and stored, can make a big difference. Mice can squeeze through gaps the size of a biro to enter a building, so it’s also important to ensure that

any obvious holes in the exterior of your stable are sealed with wire wool, metal kick plates or caulk.

Continued overleaf...

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STABLES, YARDS & PADDOCKS Continued from previous page...

destined for horses and any other livestock. It’s important to keep products sealed properly in metal or industrial plastic bins, or on pallets held above floor level in racking. Regularly clean troughs and stores and make sure waste packaging materials and other unwanted items are removed from the stableyard on a regular basis.

Mice can take food from up to seventy different sources in 24-hours, so knowing where to place bait for them can prove challenging. Rentokil has developed RapidPro Riddance to help overcome issues associated with the feeding habits of mice within buildings.

It contains a fast-acting rodenticide, alphachloralose, which means the deceased mouse will typically be found close to the bait and can be disposed of easily.

3. Cleanliness is key Try to keep clutter to a minimum and move tools and equipment away from the walls to ensure you can check what’s hiding behind them. Ensure refuse on site is kept in closed bins, and clean pipes and drains regularly.

Remember that rats can find their way into buildings through damaged drains and have even been known to enter premises through toilet pipework too.

Whether you’re dealing with a rodent problem or are simply looking to prevent one, it’s important that you know who to contact. Part of an external pest controller’s role is to be fully up-tospeed on the latest legislation changes in their area of expertise, so if you’re in any doubt as to what substances to use, especially when other animals are onsite, then it’s best to check with the experts. www.rentokil.co.uk

Product news...

Defence 7 is a total biocide disinfectant, active against viruses, bacteria and fungi. It is on the list of approved disinfectants by DEFRA. Use in stables, kennels, aviaries etc. Available in 1lt, 5lt or 20lt containers. RRP: from £15.

Quipclean is a low foaming steriliser/detergent. Makes light work of even the dirtiest items, so easy to use. Clean buckets, tools, wild bird feeders, your lorry, even your horses snaffle bit. Available in 1lt, 5lt and 20lt containers. RRP: from £8.40. www.animal-health.co.uk

MIN. DEL. JUST 25 BALES THROUGHOUT EAST ANGLIA

Lisa’sLIFE

THE PROFESSIONALS

EQUINE AMERICA BRAND AMBASSADOR LISA CLARKE-SPENCE BHSI SM IS A REGULAR ON THE EVENTING CIRCUIT AND TRAINS HORSES OF ALL ABILITIES FROM HER EQUESTRIAN CENTRE, HEMPS GREEN EQUESTRIAN, IN ESSEX. Guliver at Keysoe in his smart new Equine America rug. Very pleased with himself after his super double clear

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hat a summer of highs and lows.

Having had several of my regular string on the back burner with injury, I have been busy with new recruits on the unaffiliated circuit.

The lovely Guliver, a big grey Iran horse, has been out jumping and did his first ODE at Keysoe. A good test and a steady double clear was exactly the first run he required. Showing great promise for the future he is going to be one to watch.

He was accompanied by China Dream whose performance at 90cm was better than his BE performance there. We still had a look at the step, but he is getting the hang of it.

After the huge disappointment of Fidget reabsorbing her foal having been scanned in foal with

Vicky and Billy Deacon

My niece and my god daughter at Pony Club Camp. Proud auntie moment!

being short on a horse I leant her my school horse Billy Deacon.

Vicky and Deacon did amazingly to take individual second, triplets (we had to take her to unbelievably proud to have him Rossdales in Newmarket; it’s a as one of our school horses and shame that we also lost the Vicky did a fabulous job of riding remaining embryo), she also had him. a trip out to Keysoe ODE. China did a super test and Dropped down to 100 as no pleasing showjumping but the bigger class. She seemed chuffed step into water was one step too to be back Eventing and came far! Time to regroup and do third with a super double clear. some more training before he Was fun to be back on her again. revisits the 90cm XC courses. I A last minute call to BRC Horse haven’t been to the Riding Club Trials Champs at Swalcliffe saw Horse Trials for a few years. I love China in at the deep end having a Riding Club and the overnight go at a 90 championship, also stay at the Champs is a good due to another team member social weekend. Many friends are

made and there is a great team spirit. Despite the disappointing XC for me it was a fun and enjoyable weekend.

My return saw me straight into Pony Club Junior Camp, where I was accompanying my niece and her special 12hh New Forest pony Eva. Again I had forgotten how much fun and what an amazing organisation Pony Club is. To see the progression and development of these little people is great, and hats off to all the amazing patient coaches who tirelessly give up their time to assist these little ones in their quest to be better riders.

It was even more fun for me to watch not only my niece and my god daughter, but also to see the children of the many children I taught at Pony Club over the years. Much catching up was done, and I was still surprised to see the stalwarts of the Pony Club still volunteering “as their grandchildren were partaking.” I hope the children of today realise just how lucky they are to have this amazing team of helpers without whom any Pony Club would not exist.

Off now to ride some of my new young recruits - mostly TBs who I hope to be able to update you on in my next column.

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H

RIDER PROFILE

ow old were you when you started riding and how did you get started?

“I could ride before I could walk and my first pony was a cheeky black Shetland called Black Bessie who was lent to us by friends.” why did you choose to compete in eventing?

“I decided eventing was for me when I was introduced to it at Pony Club. I bought a 14hh dun Connemara from a family friend and we did some Pony Club eventing together, which is where my journey to British Eventing competitions started.”

you won the ccI-lyR2* riding Fernhill First Friend, tell us more about him.

“Fernhill First Friend (or Yam, as he is called at home) has been with us for three and a half years and we got him from Francis Whittington. He is quite a character and is really the

See Leilia’s latest results on page 61

family pet. He is very high in the social pecking order at home, extremely friendly, always smiling and he loves polos!”

you train with new Zealand’s caroline Powell - has she been an inspiration to you, both in training and through her own success?

“Caroline has been huge inspiration since I was young, watching her go round winning Burghley on her phenomenal grey, Lenamore, who was my favourite horse, partly because at the time I had a grey pony!

She has been a great help to me throughout the years and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am without her.”

you won individual and team silver at the Junior European championships in The netherlands earlier this year riding the Paske Syndicate’s Billy McFee tell us about him.

“We bought Billy McFee (or Fee, as he is known) last November from Emily Andrews. She is an awesome mare and puts a smile on my face whenever I ride her.

“She can be quite sharp but she always tries her heart out for you you completed your a and she has definitely saved my levels earlier this year, would you like eventing skin a number of times.”

what is your greatest achievement to date?

“My greatest achievement is winning double silver at the Junior European Championships this year on a horse I had only had for seven months.”

to be your career?

“At the moment I would like to finish my education alongside my riding. I will be going off to university and I will then decide if I want to event full-time.” what would you like to achieve in eventing?

“One goal I would love to achieve is to one day compete at Burghley. It’s the one event I have always wanted to compete at, ever since going to watch with my mum when I was young and doing the Gold Cup Challenge there whilst I was showing.” www.robinsonanimal healthcare.com

18-YEAR-OLD LEILIA PASKE FROM IPSWICH WAS THE RUNAWAY WINNER OF THE ROBINSON ANIMAL HEALTHCARE-SPONSORED CCI-LYR2* AT THE RECENT FRICKLEY PARK HORSE TRIALS. HERE WE FIND OUT A BIT MORE ABOUT THE YOUNG RIDER, HER SUCCESSES AND HOPES FOR THE FUTURE.

five Minutes with...

Leilia Paske

LEADING EVENT RIDER, CAROLINE POWELL, IS NO STRANGER TO COMPETING AT THE MAJOR THREE-DAYEVENTS AROUND THE WORLD. SHE HAS DEDICATED MANY YEARS TO TRAINING AND COMPETING AND HAS HAD THE HONOUR OF REPRESENTING HER COUNTRY AT THE OLYMPICS. HERE, COURTESY OF HER SPONSOR SUREGROW, WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS WELLRESPECTED RIDER.

five Minutes with...

Caroline Powell

goes right there is nothing better than galloping across and jumping the toughest crosscountry tracks in the world.”

FAVOURITE PRODUCT...

Caroline’s

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aroline has a large team of young and upcoming horses, but probably one of her most famous horses was the gutsy grey known as Lenamore. This special horse was a favourite among the crowds when he was out on the eventing scene with Caroline. Also known as Ed at the stables he was a real personality – quirky, tricky and had a mind of his own.

Something clicked between them and Ed had met his match as the partnership went on to do great things including a team bronze in the London 2012 Olympics.

Between them, the pairing also enjoyed success at seven Badminton Horse Trials and five Burghley Horse Trials including winning in 2010.

Lenamore, clearly loved his job as even at the age of twenty he was still his feisty self when he competed in the 2013 Hickstead Eventers Derby.

Overseas Caroline has accomplished a New Zealand team bronze at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky on a horse that was quite green at that level, Mac Macdonald.

A big, long striding horse that had his own style in the crosscountry, this shows how talented Caroline was to get a good clear round in, which counted towards the team score.

Caroline remains as determined as ever and has a great string of horses to compete this season including On The Brash and Sergeant Crisp.

On The Brash - stable name Rufus - recently competed at Bramham International Horse Trials in the CCI4*S, with just 5.2 time faults on a day when the weather proved challenging.

Another striking grey, Sergeant Crisp also competed at Bramham, in the CCI-L4* gaining experience as he climbs the eventing ladder.

Collectively, with more than twenty-five Badminton, Burghley, Lumuhlen and Pau competitions under her belt, along with two World Equestrian Games and two Olympics for team New Zealand, Caroline still gets a buzz from competing at major international events while also bringing on her team of younger horses.

Said Caroline: “I get as much satisfaction from bringing on young event horses as I do riding at 4 star.

“Without doubt eventing brings many highs and lows but it is a great sport and when everything

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Thanks to in depth research and development Suregrow Fertiliser has also been designed to slowly release these nutrients avoiding lush grass and allowing a more sustained growth.

Suregrow produces thicker and denser grass sward so chokes the weeds.

Unlike other fertilisers, horses and ponies do not need to be removed from the paddock during application. www.suregrowuk.com

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TUTORIAL

Lara and Felix representing Great Britain

LARA EDWARDS

INTERNATIONAL DRESSAGE RIDER LARA EDWARDS IS HOLDER OF 17 REGIONAL AND TWO NATIONAL TITLES. SHE HAS BEEN SELECTED FOUR TIMES IN 2019 TO REPRESENT GREAT BRITAIN RIDING TWO OF HER TOP HORSES, JAZZED UP AND BODYGUARD. LARA HAS DEVELOPED A REPUTATION FOR HER ABILITY TO GET THE BEST OUT OF TRICKY HORSES AND SUCCESSFULLY BREEDS AND PRODUCES HER OWN YOUNGSTOCK. Annabelle has grown to love Lara's horses

ompeting at the top of any sport takes huge commitment and to succeed you have to be focused, which can sometimes lead to having to compromise on social activities and time spent with family.

When the time comes to consider starting a family, this juggling act becomes even more of a challenge. Combining having a family with looking after horses and competing is something that dressage rider and trainer, Lara Edwards, has become accustomed to since the birth of her two daughters, Annabelle and Emily.

In fact for Lara, her competing commitments have become

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IT’S a

FAMILY AFFAIR

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even more demanding since starting her family, as her good results have seen her being called up to represent Great Britain which has meant travelling further afield to compete internationally.

Annabelle has also reached an age where her own interest in ponies takes up a large chunk of Lara’s time with Pony Club rallies to attend.

Whilst the majority of female horse owners will not have to worry about sorting childcare following an international call up, they will understand the guilt that comes with caring for your four-legged family members as well as the twolegged ones.

Here Lara tells us how she copes with taking care of her children whilst enjoying a successful career and how she managed to get herself back to riding fitness following both births.

Getting back in the saddle

Annabelle at Pony Club

“I continued to ride whilst pregnant until I was 39-weeks, even competing at the National Championships at 31-

weeks. In the later stages I only rode horses that I trusted completely and knew were safe, just sticking to walk and canter as it became rather uncomfortable in trot.

“Having managed to continue riding for so long meant that I could carry on where I had left off just a week after Annabelle was born. Obviously my core muscle strength wasn’t anywhere near as good as it was prior to my pregnancy, so I spent a couple of months regularly swimming and doing Pilates to get back into shape.

“Following the births of both my girls, the main focus in getting back to riding fitness has been to try and lose the baby weight, which as all women know, is not that easy and needs to be done sensibly over time.

“The Pilates really helped to switch on and off the correct muscles and strengthen the allimportant core, and riding three to four horses a day in between breast feeding also helped!”

The ‘family versus Horses’ juggling act “Even during my pregnancies I had a plan for each of my horses once I was back in the saddle.

There were regional and national qualifications to secure, which meant getting back into training as soon as possible.

“Even though I am now a mum, I am still fiercely competitive and want to keep my talented horses rising through the ranks to reach their full potential.

“For me it is important for both Annabelle and Emily to see me training hard to achieve my dreams, which I hope will inspire their own determination to succeed in their chosen sport or career.

“Now Annabelle is old enough to understand, it is even more exciting to have her with me at competitions, cheering me on, and to see her love for my horses is adorable.

“Without a doubt none of this would be possible without an incredibly supportive husband and family who are happy to hold the fort on occasions when it is not possible for the children to come along. This can be difficult and I have to really focus on my job and not think about the guilt I feel and how much I miss them.

“I also have the most amazing groom who manages to transfer her skills to childcare at any given moment!

“Although it can sometimes be difficult juggling family and competition commitments, it is definitely worth all the hard work and in many ways makes all the achievements all the more rewarding.”

Lara’s PRODUCT

SELECTION Forage Guard from Alltech

Forage Guard from Alltech is a broad spectrum mycotoxin binder designed to help lessen the damaging effects of mycotoxins on performance and health.

It works to bind the mycotoxins in the gut, therefore preventing their absorption from the gut into the horse, without removing key nutrients from the diet, as can be the case with alternative clay binders.

A 5kg tub of Forage Guard retails at £45 and contains a 100 day supply.

For further information please visit www.lifeforcehorse.co.uk or telephone 01780 764512.

WIN!

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ADD SOME COLOUR TO YOUR RIDES!

To celebrate the launch of the new Charlotte Dujardin MultiColoured Collection, Equisafety would like to offer ONE lucky reader the chance to win a £50 voucher to spend on anything within this exciting range via the Equisafety website. www.equisafety.com

To enter: Visit www.absolutehorse magazine.com and click on the Competitions page. Entries open 1st September 2019 and close 30th September 2019.

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TUTORIAL

ROBERTA SHEFFIELD

IN THIS ARTICLE WE TALK TO HORSEHAGESPONSORED PARALYMPIC RIDER, ROBERTA (BERT) SHEFFIELD, ABOUT HOW TO PERFECT YOUR REINBACK. BERT, WHO IS BASED IN LINCOLNSHIRE, HAS REPRESENTED CANADA AT TWO WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES AS WELL AS THE RIO PARALYMPICS AND IS AIMING TO BE SELECTED FOR THE TOKYO PARALYMPICS NEXT YEAR. PHOTOS BY: RICH NEALE any riders are fearful of rein-back but there’s really no need to be!

“Rein-back isn’t formally introduced in dressage tests until Novice level but it is really useful to introduce a controlled, sympathetically applied back-up aid to your horse pretty much from the start of ridden training. When I was young, I was taught, like so many others, to fear teaching rein-back in case I embedded backward thinking or rearing thoughts into my horse’s mind. But in actuality

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A square, engaged halt

52

it is just another gear and true, complete throughness cannot be achieved without the horse understanding this fundamental skill. The rein-back has other benefits too - it really helps to increase the horse’s mobility through the lumbar spine and ability to tuck the pelvis under.

“If your horse has any hind limb, pelvis or sacroiliac injuries, please discuss with your vet or bodywork professional before setting to work on this.

“It is best to start from the ground as the classical principle of the horse responding to the

Allowing the neck to drop slightly can help

PERfEcTInG youR

REIN-BACK forward leg aid and then finding the hand blocking his path forward step back is rather complicated for the beginner horse (or for that matter, rider!).

At no point should the rein-back be a raw, dragging backwards on the mouth.

“I like to begin by teaching the horse to lift each foreleg

backwards in response to a single, one sided rein aid on the same side. While I stand in front of the horse I ask him to pick up and put each front hoof backwards using ‘round’, upback-down and then give forward feeling aid on the rein.

“Once the horse has made this connection, a round, unilateral

Don't exaggerate your aids for rein-back

Starting to move backwards, aim for small balanced steps

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Developing the rein-back with the round rein aid used in the groundwork

Obedient rein-back steps

rein aid while standing means lift the leg on that side and place it backwards, I start transferring this new knowledge to under saddle. If you do this in the middle of the arena your horse may find it easier to get the idea of stepping back but he may also go crooked, DON’T WORRY about this. Train the principle and then we can tidy it up later.

“The next stage is to start adding the leg aid and developing the deeper understanding of the aids going through the body. Make sure you and your horse are well warmed up - the end of a schooling session is usually best; fresh horses + confusion + reinback do not make a good combination!

“From a square, balanced halt with the horse softly accepting the rein contact, slide your legs back a little and lighten your seat a touch (nothing too exaggerated) and encourage the horse with your leg as you subtly give the ‘round’ unilateral rein aids, one side then the other. Reward your horse for every try in the right direction by relaxing your aids, using your voice and scratching him by the withers. Ask for one step at a time and don’t be greedy.

“Soon your horse will start to

understand that legs back and a non-giving hand means step back. Once this is solid then you can start to clean up the reinback. The wall is your friend to help work on the straightness but if you are in free space then using the rein a tiny bit more on the side that the quarters are swinging towards can help put them back in line again.

“You are looking for the horse to take steady, fluent diagonal steps, similar to trotting but obviously in the other direction and without the moment of suspension. The horse should pick his feet cleanly out of the surface while maintaining a nice outline. In photos, a good rein-back can look like a very collected trot.

“To score high marks in a test, the transitions into and out of the rein-back need to be fluent and without resistance. The horse should clearly settle into a square halt before starting to back up the required number of steps, however, there should be no squaring up or pause between the rein-back and the next pace. This is

the proof that the horse has stayed truly in front of the leg throughout this exercise.

“Used in training, combining trot –halt – rein back – trot develops the suppleness and carrying power of the hindquarters, delivering increased impulsion, engagement and cadence. It really is a touchstone exercise, the foundations of more advanced work.”

The finished article, fluent rein-back steps

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The silk-feel lining along the mane, withers, shoulders and chest helps to prevent any rubbing. The rug is waterproof and breathable, with a ripstop outer. www.zebraproducts.co.uk To enter: Visit www.absolutehorse magazine.com and click on the Competitions page. Entries open 1st September 2019 and close 30th September 2019.

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TUTORIAL

SOPHIE WELLS

Sophie and C Fatal Attraction

SOPHIE WELLS IS A REIGNING WORLD AND PARALYMPIC CHAMPION, WINNING TWO INDIVIDUAL GOLDS AT THE WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES IN 2018 AND INDIVIDUAL GOLD AT LONDON 2012 AND THE RIO PARALYMPICS IN 2016. SHE REGULARLY COMPETES IN ABLE-BODIED COMPETITIONS AND HAS BUILT A REPUTATION AS A WELL-RESPECTED TRAINER TO YOUNG RIDERS. obody knows better than dressage rider, Sophie Wells, that hard work pays off and it is the work that you put in at home in training that hopefully comes together on

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the day at a competition, when it matters.

Here, Sophie offers her top training tips to get the best out of your horse, whilst keeping him happy and in tip top condition.

fitness: It is important that your horse is fit for the job you want him to do. An unfit horse is unlikely to produce a good performance.

Hacking up hills is great for fitness and developing and strengthening muscles.

warming up: Just like the best human athlete, it is important to warm up your horse properly to avoid To help develop your horse's trot ride lots of transitions.

TIPS TRaInInG

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unnecessary injuries, particularly before working on more technical movements. Try walking for around 10 minutes to start with, encouraging your horse to work long and round, stretching the muscles in front of, and behind the saddle.

Improving the trot: To help develop your horse’s trot, ride lots of transitions from trot to canter and canter to trot.

This will help encourage your horse to carry more weight on his hind quarters. achieving Selfcarriage: For your horse to maintain his own frame without much interference from the rider, he must be able to achieve selfcarriage. To help get your horse to carry his head and neck ask for a few lengthened strides before asking for collection again. Keep repeating this exercise until your horse can carry himself without your aids.

Balance: A horse that is well balanced will maintain its rhythm much better. Try using lots of halfhalts before you ask for any other movement which will steady your horse and allow him to naturally find his balance.

Sophie’s PRODUCT

SELECTION

Sophie Wells and Jorge using mirrors in training at home

Square halt: Regardless of the level you are competing at, everyone should aspire to a good square halt.

Always encourage your horse to stand square, even when mounting and dismounting.

keep things interesting: Mix things up in training to keep your horse focused by regularly including hacking in your horse’s routine. This also exposes your horse to different environments and is fun for both of you.

Training for dressage can mean repeating certain exercises over and over again until we have mastered the move.

using mirrors: Sophie makes good use of her arena mirrors and swears by them as a training aid. Mirrors provide instant feedback allowing you to adjust your own position and immediately correct inaccuracies in training.

They are also ideal for times when you are training on your own or working on things you have done in lessons.

Stretching: Stretching allows your horse to relax and relieve the tension that can build up when doing repetitive movements. To allow your horse to stretch, lengthen the rein, lowering your hands and squeezing and releasing the rein to gently massage the bit in the horse’s mouth. cooling down: It is just as important to cool down your horse properly as it is to warm up, to help prevent any stiffness or injury and bring the body temperature and heart rate down. Gradually slow the pace down to walk, allowing your horse to stretch for ten minutes or so.

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Available in the colours Dark Blue and Dark Grey in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL. The Norah Sweater is priced at around £49. www.zebraproducts.co.uk To enter: Visit www.absolutehorse magazine.com and click on the Competitions page. Entries open 1st September 2019 and close 30th September 2019.

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EVENT & READER REPORTS

ROUNDUP: BRITISH SHOWJUMPING

naTIonal cHaMPIonSHIPS 2019 BRENTWOOD’S ELOISE SQUIBB anD RuDGEway MaESTRo wIn THE BluE cHIP Pony nEwcoMERS MaSTERS

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Photo: 1st Class Images/www.1stclassimages.com

COLCHESTER'S HOLLIE GERKEN

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ollie Gerken left the crowd on the edge of their seats as she raced to the top spot in the Stepping Stones 128cm Championship.

There were thirty clears

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out of seventy-five starters in the penultimate class of the day in the JS Teamwork Championship Arena 2.

Riding multiple ponies at this years’ show British Showjumping National

Championships, Hollie at just 9-years of age showed expert skill as she breezed through some tight turns and sped her way to a win with her beautiful bay, Dimples Dilema in a jump off of just 35.33s. No stranger to big wins, this combination qualified for the 128cm Mini Major Olympia and also secured the Pony of the Year Show 11 & Under title earlier this year.

When asked about Dimples Dilema, she affectionately explained, “If I miss a turn she makes up for how fast she goes in between fences,” and mum, Jade Gerken, remarked, “She’s been an awesome pony!”

Photo: 1st Class Images/www.1stclassimages.com

loise Squibb and Rudgeway Maestro were crowned the winners of the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Masters at the British Showjumping National Championships 2019.

As the combination were early to go in the jump off, they knew they had to be quick.

Eloise flew round the up to height course and finished 0.3 seconds ahead of second place Glain Watkin Jones.

Eloise travelled from Essex and has been riding Rudgeway Maestro for only two months.

In their first couple of months together they have had a huge amount of success qualifying for the Pony Newcomers and Foxhunter Final at HOYS. Pleased with the early success of their new partnership Eloise exclaimed: “I knew I had to be quick as I had fast competitors behind me - so I was.”

ELOISE SQUIBB TakES THE Pony foxHunTER MaSTERS

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loise Squibb piloting 12-year-old grey gelding Rudgeway Maestro continued their winning streak and were the well-deserved winners of the Pony Foxhunter Masters on Day 3 of the Championships, after winning the Pony Newcomers Masters the day before.

At just 14-years of age, Eloise showed experience beyond her years navigating her way around the jump off accomplishing a quick time of 35.92 seconds out of the fifteen competitors who made it through to the jump off.

Commenting on her win she said,“I didn’t think I could have a double win! Especially as I knew the people before me in the jump off were really quick.”

She continued, “As I’ve only had Rudgeway Maestro for two months I came to practice my jump off turns.” Which after her two wins at the National Championships it is safe to say she has mastered!

BRENTWOOD'S NELLIE LOCK TakES THE TITlE In THE Pony BRonZE lEaGuE 138cM & unDER fInal

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.1stcl Photo: 1st Class Images/www

assimages.com

ith thirty-one starters, the Pony Bronze League 138cm & Under Final was a thriller of a class. The jump off course proved a challenge, comprising of a double of verticals and oxer which dashed many Championship dreams, only a few combinations managed to go double clear. Nineyear-old Nellie Lock and Ellie’s Miss Chief took the title with an extremely quick time of 34.91 seconds.

The partnership have only been together for four months and within that time have gone from strength to strength. Their career together kick started by winning the 10 Year & Under Team Qualifier at Wales & West, and have excelled from then on to become a National Champion. “Chief has a lovely temperament and isn’t hard to control, so I told myself to just go for it,” beamed Nellie. “I’ve been training really hard with my instructor Sandra Dean, aiming for this class so all our hard work has paid off!”

Being a member of the Pony Club, Nellie was also awarded the sash for best placed Pony Club member, making it a brilliant finish for the young rider who is based in Brentwood.

“I thought my round would be fast enough as Whinney covers the ground quickly” - IZABELLA

Photo: 1st Class Images/www.1stclassimages.com

Photo: 1st Class Images/www.1stclassimages.com

CHELMSFORD’S IZABELLA ROGERS

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zabella Rogers aboard the grey mare Whinney Lass jumped to the finish to take the National 128cm Champion title.

With the top four placings offering a qualification to Horse of the Year Show as well as Olympia there was all to play for.

Izabella took the title riding the 16-year-old mare Whinney Lass after travelling to the Championships from Chelmsford. The combination have been a partnership for the past three years, where they have gone from strength to strength and are the reigning Horse of the Year Show 128cm Champions.

ESSEx’S SuZannaH EnGElMann WINS CHAMPIONSHIP

ringing the Senior National Club Final Championships to an end was the 1.00m Senior National Club Championships where we saw Essex’s Suzannah Engelmann, riding Lissin Rocket, take the title posting the only clear round.

Fellow Saffron Walden Riding Club member and runner up, Sarah Hamlett, riding Grafique Banta, have just returned from a successful trip to France, winning gold for Great Britain at the World Club Tournament in France. The pair were delighted to share the ring in the final lap of honour of the day in Arena 3.

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NORWICH'S LILA DAVIS

ila Davis and Martha’s Darling put in a stylish performance to take the Pony Bronze League 128cm Championship against twenty-two other competitors that made it through to the jump off. The best was saved until last where the combination flew past the finish in a fast 31.69 seconds.

Lila explained her thought process behind her win: “My sister was winding me up before I went in the ring, so all I wanted to do was beat her.” Lila has enjoyed great success in this class; which is made even more special by the fact that Martha’s Darling was Lila’s first pony, after only learning to ride two years ago.

Norfolk based Lila was also the highest placed Pony Club member in the class, and was also awarded the Pony Club sash on top of the Championship title.

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EVENT & READER REPORTS LOCAL ROUNDUP: THE LONGINES ROYAL INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW HIckSTEaD 23RD-28TH July

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ockley’s Harry Bateman had an early victory in the Longines International Arena at Hickstead.

Riding Teza Englefield’s Lex Lokoda, he took the spoils in the SEIB Winter Novice Championship, beating a strong field of twenty-three over the 1.25m track.

“I’m absolutely over the moon – the horse totally deserves it, and we love him,” enthuses Bateman, who only took the ride on a week before qualifying for the Longines Royal International Horse Show at the beginning of this year.

The gelding measures in at just 15.3hh and, at 8-years-old, he’s reasonably inexperienced too.

“He’s only little but he’s such a huge character. He’s a pocket

rocket with an enormous stride,” says Bateman. “I said to Teza that I found the first round very backwards – it’s a little bit his nemesis because he’s got such a big stride and quite a lot of blood, so he loves to run. The jump-off suits him perfectly, but the first round – well, you’ve got to jump clear to get to the next bit. I think we’re quite similar in that sense.”

Englefield had had her eye on the talented gelding from a young age – in fact, she was at his breeder’s yard on the day the horse was conceived and had broken his sire in years prior.

Though she lost track of Lex Lokoda for a period of time, she jumped on the opportunity to purchase the horse when she found him for sale.

“I didn’t know he’d ever been

Photo: Emily Gailey

sold, but when I saw him advertised I recognised the breeding – so I went in and beat everyone else to buying him,” she says. “Basically, I bought

him sight unseen and totally untried. But he’s been a little star – he’s very popular and a lot of people enjoy following him.

He’s got a heart as big as a lion.”

IZABELLA PuTS HER fooT Down

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Harry Bateman riding Lex Lokoda. Bateman also finished third in the Champagne Cave Winter Grades B&C Championship, riding the 18hh Granby.

Photo: Emily Gailey

LOCAL RIDER WINS naTIonal coMPETITIon SPonSoRED By ESSEx BaSED InSuRancE coMPany

helmsford schoolgirl Izabella Rogers, 11, blazed her way to victory in the Equestrizone Winter 128cm Championship at the Longines Royal International Horse Show.

Riding her 16-year-old pony Whinney Lass, Rogers sped into an unsurpassable lead – despite the fact that she doesn’t consider herself a natural fast rider.

“I like keeping my ponies contained and calm, but if I have to, I’ll put my foot down,” she says with a smile. Rogers’ methodical and mature approach comes in part from Essex trainer Rosie Holder. Her tutelages means that Rogers can now celebrate two consecutive wins in this class. This year, though, the competition was even stiffer.

“Last year I didn’t have to do the jump-off because I was the only clear – this year there was a few more people, so it was a lot harder. I was just watching every round thinking, ‘okay, so where do I go, what time do I have to beat?’ Going in, it was so tense, but she covers the ground a lot, so it was pretty easy,” explains Rogers.

NORFOLK’S ALLISTER HOOD TakES SuPREME HonouRS llister Hood claimed The British Horse Society Supreme Horse Championship at Hickstead with the remarkable cob Our Cashel Blue.

It was an eighth Hickstead supreme title for Allister, who has now clocked up more wins than any other rider in the history of the championship. It marks an incredible comeback for the pair Allister suffered a heart attack last season, while Our Cashel Blue has returned to top form after the diagnosis and successful treatment of a rare form of cancer.

Hickstead is always happy hunting ground for the Diss-based Hood showing team. “It’s been a marvellous week, and this morning we’ve had an absolute red-letter day,” says Allister, whose team claimed six wins and a brace of placings through the week.

Allister got an impressive score of 29 out of 30 from the panel of three judges, Holly Smith, Bob Ellis and Ann Brickell, to put him clear of Jayne Ross and her Saracen Horse Feeds Supreme Hunter champion Twinshock Warror in reserve with 25 points. Jayne also took third with the Brereton Supreme Hack champion Forgeland Hyde Park.

As well as taking supreme honours, the team also produced a spectacular one-two in the Surrey Envelopes Supreme Cob Championship. Allister took the title with Our Cashel Blue, while son Oliver took the reserve spot with Master of the House.

Highland pony Highland Chief of Talisker with Amber Thorpe

DE la HEy faMIly SUPREME PONY CHAMPIONSHIP

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Photo: Emily Gailey

aving won the Leeman Family BSPS Supreme Show Pony Championship earlier in the day with Drakemyre Puttin On The Ritz, India Till had very little turnaround time before going into the overall supreme judging. “I can’t describe it – I never dreamed this would happen,” she said.

Her partner to victory was her family’s Drakemyre Puttin on the Ritz. Just 6-years-old, he’s been ridden and produced by India for the past two years. Now, as she nears the end of her final year riding 128cm ponies, he has become a consummate professional.

Photo: Emily Gailey

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“He’s got an amazing stride, and he’s grown up a bit, so when he goes in the ring now he’s like, ‘okay, I know what I’m doing – let’s do this',” she says with a smile.

The newly-crowned Hickstead champion is enjoying her formative years in the show ring, she’s got her eyes on a different prize: “I want to be a showjumper when I grow up,” she said.

The Highland pony Highland Chief of Talisker, winner of the Vanguard Property Holdings BSPS Heritage M&M Supreme Ridden Championship earlier in the week, was reserve with Amber Thorpe.

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EVENT & READER REPORTS

Photo: Sarah Farnsworth

Photo: George Gunn Photography

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in the outdoor rings was as impressive as ever, with the attendance of Harriers, Beagles, Basset Hounds, Draghounds and Bloodhounds. The Sealey Terriers, West Sussex Working Teckels, Coursing Dogs, Blencathra Fellhounds and The Fitzwilliam Eagle once again provided a wonderful sight for visitors. The inaugural Young Handlers Class was held in Ring 1 with Sam Watkins of the Essex and Suffolk foxhounds winning the Captain Farquhar Cup, a banded hunting horn from Hunting UK and a copy of Kay Gardeners new book ‘Hunting On’. All budding competitors received rosettes and a voucher for a bulk bag of hound feed from Countryman's,

Photo: Sarah Farnsworth

generation coming through and ensuring a strong future for hunting. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lycetts Festival of Hunting’s great many partners and supporters who work tirelessly to bring the event together as well as our many attendees, without whom the event would not be possible.”

Georgie Fowle of Addo Events, organisers of Lycetts Festival of Hunting, said: “Once again it has been incredible to stage Lycetts Festival of Hunting, which is undoubtedly our standout event of the summer season. This year felt vibrant and full of energy. We are proud to continue playing our part in developing and supporting the ever-evolving festival, which has gone from strength to strength in recent years, whilst remaining true to its unique heritage.”

Lycetts Festival of Hunting 2019 played host to a variety of showing classes with in-hand and ridden equine classes and qualifiers for the Horse of the Year Show in many categories, as well as the much-loved interhunt relay. The wonderful spectacle of hounds competing

the class sponsor.

Now in its third consecutive year, the Horn Blowing Competition commenced during the afternoon’s drinks reception hosted by title sponsor Lycetts. This year Luke Biddiscombe was the winner.

Luke took home a much sought after hunting horn, engraved and donated by The Hunting Shop.

Photo: George Gunn Photography

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he countryside community joined together on Wednesday 17th July for Lycetts Festival of Hunting 2019, which included the prestigious Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, now in its 131st year. The Young Handlers Class – new for 2019 –saw a spectacular turnout from the future of hunting.

Greeted with glorious summer sunshine, crowds in their thousands gathered at the East of England Showground for the most anticipated day of the summer social calendar.

Retiring East of England Agricultural Society CEO and Secretary of the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, Jeremy Staples said: “The showground was bustling throughout the day with visitors, hounds and horses all enjoying the festivities while another year of outstanding numbers demonstrate that rural traditions and countryside pursuits remain ever present in the busy modern world. It was so wonderful to see so many participants in the young handler’s class seeing the next

Photo: George Gunn Photography

LYCETTS fESTIval of HunTInG 2019

SUFFOLK’S LEILIA wInS ccI-lyR2*

UPMINSTER’S ALLANA CLUTTERBUCK lanDS THE fInal EquIToP MyoPlaST SEnIoR foxHunTER SEconD RounD

The CCI-LYR2* is open to riders under 21 to provide an opportunity for competitors that just exceed the age limit to compete against their peers at such a prestigious event.

Photo: Alison Parker Photography

Photo: Adam Fanthorpe Photography

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herwell Competition Centre in Old Marston, Oxford saw the final Equitop Myoplast Senior Foxhunter Second Round of the season take place recently and sixty-nine combinations came forward for their last chance to gain a place in the Championship Final and it was Allana Clutterbuck who took the honours.

All combinations were desperately seeking one of the last two direct qualifying tickets on offer for the Equitop Myoplast Senior Foxhunter Championship Final at Horse of the Year Show in October. Course Designer Gillian Milner set a tough track that only twenty-nine combinations could conquer in the first round. Out of the twelve who made it through to the final jump-off, five jumped a treble clear meaning the clock played a pivotal part in deciding who had gained the tickets.

Allana Clutterbuck from Upminster, Essex steered Sally Lane’s 10year-old French bred gelding Vykinbay to a treble clear in 40.54 seconds, 0.57 seconds faster than her closest rival Adrian Whiteway. Adrian rode Heathfield Merlin, a 9-year-old Irish bred gelding owned by Myles Browning, to the runners up spot and snatched the final direct qualifying ticket. They crossed the line in 41.11 seconds.

The top two combinations secured their place in the Equitop Myoplast Senior Foxhunter Championship Final at Horse of the Year Show and the top five took home the chance to compete in the Equitop Myoplast Senior Foxhunter Masters at the British Showjumping National Championships.

ollowing a week of intense heat, the rain came down at Frickley Park Horse Trials but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the competitors in the Robinson Animal Healthcare sponsored CCI-LYR2*.

Leilia Paske from Ipswich and Fernhill First Friend (Yam) stormed to victory, leading the field from start to finish, adding just 3.6 time penalties to their dressage score of 26.5.

The pair were in a league of their own with Leilia on impressive form having just returned from the Junior European Championships in The Netherlands where she claimed Individual and Team Silver, this time riding the Paske syndicates, Billy McFee. Having just completed her ALevels, 18-year-old Leilia was just hoping for a good run and was thrilled that he felt so good and on form again. Said Leilia: “I was so surprised but thrilled to win. We completed our dressage

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test in 35 degree heat and then had torrential rain during the cross-country where I could hardly see the next fence approaching. Yam is so good, he just took everything in his stride, although I had a lot of tack cleaning to do on Monday as everything was covered in mud!

“I would like to thank my trainers, Judy Harvey, Bridget Einstein and Caroline Powell for getting me back on track in training following my studies.”

Leilia was presented with her prize by Robinson Animal Healthcare’s Product Manager, Andrea Bradshaw. Said Andrea: “Once again it was a top class event that was certainly tested by the unbelievable changes in weather conditions. It was a pleasure to present the prize to Leilia after such an impressive performance and we wish her every success in the future.” www.robinsonanimal healthcare.com

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EVENT & READER REPORTS

Sun SHInES on RDA NATIONAL CHAMPS

pirits were high at the RDA National Championships as over 500 competitors gathered at Hartpury College. As part of the three day event there was also an opportunity to celebrate the charity’s 50th

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anniversary.

Huge crowds turned out on the opening day to welcome RDA’s President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, where she presented prizes at the Supporters Reception to long-serving volunteers and

BISHOPS STORTFORD RIDER BEN MAHER claIMS ExPloSIvE GloBal cHaMPIonS TouR wIn In €300,000 GRanD PRIx

ritish Olympian Ben Maher scored an emphatic victory on home turf on 3rd August to claim the LGCT Grand Prix of London, presented by Tennor, in front of an enthusiastic sell-out crowd in front of the stunning Royal Hospital Chelsea backdrop.

Riding the talented 10-year-old gelding Explosion W in the Thames-side arena, Ben sailed over Alan Wade’s challenging courses clear in an unassailable 35.98 seconds. Of the four clears in the 12-strong jump-off, his was the only one under 36 seconds. It marked the popular rider’s first grand prix win of the season. “The best win is to win at home,” said Ben, who was quick to praise his mount. “To ride probably the best horse in the world is an incredible feeling. Explosion and I started the year a little slower this year and he’s had two GCT seconds, but I took all of the risks today. He felt incredible and deserved this win.” Ben’s victory handed him total €99,000.

Photo: Lewis Harding Photography

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supporters before enjoying the 50th Anniversary Parade.

The Parade featured representatives from all RDA activities and disciplines and from each of the eighteen Regions in the UK. On day two there was great excitement as You Tube Sensation, This Esme, visited the event to video content for her channel. She also met volunteers and handed out rosettes to worthy winners during prize giving ceremonies.

The buzz of the event continued throughout the final day as the high standard of competition was unrelenting.

Competitions included dressage, carriage driving, showjumping, endurance, showing, costume dressage, vaulting, best turned out, horse care and knowledge, arts and crafts competition, as well as The Countryside Challenge.

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SHOWDATE DIARY your Showdate listings for...September/October 2019 SUNDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER DERBY DAY: Dengie Hundred Horse Society. Purleigh Barns Farm, Cold Norton Road, Latchingdon, Essex. CM3 6NS. 07896 164837.

DRESSAGE Essex: Barleylands EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07545 010770 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: British Dressage. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOW Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Fun Show. Tel: 07749 951898 SHOWING Essex: Codham Park EC; Showing Show In-hand & Ridden. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Beds: Twin Trees EC; Showjumping. Tel: 01767 627414 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687550 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Harolds Park Farm; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07775 516945 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Brampton EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07824 344072 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Mini Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SPONSORED RIDE. Ipswich Horse Society Sponsored Ride.

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11 miles approx. Old Hall Estate, Barham. In aid of Street Forge Work Shop. 01449 613923 or 01449 711427.

MONDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Dressage. Tel: 01708 687550 TUESDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Brampton EC; Unaffiliated Evening Showjumping. Tel: 07824 344072 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 WEDNESDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping.

Tel: 01708 687550 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07759 603120 THURSDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Evening Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01234

708400 FRIDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; British Dressage. Tel: 01708 687550 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: British Dressage. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Barleylands EC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 07545 010770 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER ARENA EVENTING Essex: Codham Park EC; Arena Eventing. Tel: 07769 907076 ARENA EVENTING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Arena Eventing.

Tel: 07879 881755 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01708 687550 DRESSAGE Essex: Fletchers Farm; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01206 242210 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 SUNDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Cambs: Fenning Farm EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07875 044829 DRESSAGE Essex: Barleylands EC; Team Dressage. Tel: 07545 010770 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; British Dressage. Tel: 01708 687550 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01760 722616 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Lime Kiln

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Farm EC; Unaffiliated Dressage.

Tel: 07749 951898 JUMPCROSS Essex: Codham Park EC; JumpCross Competition.

Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWING Suffolk: The Jays; Showing Show. Tel: 07759 603120 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Unaffiliated Team Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Brampton EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07824 344072 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Unaffiliated Showjumping.

Tel: 07759 603120 TUESDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 WEDNESDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping.

Tel: 01708 687550 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07759 603120 THURSDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01255 870744 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn

SPonSoRED By

Arena; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 FRIDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping.

Tel: 01708 687550 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Evening Open Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Essex: Barleylands EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07545 010770 DRESSAGE Suffolk: The Centaur Trust; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07881 802129 ENDURANCE: Boyton Hall, Lavenham: Competitive and Pleasure Rides including the EGB National Championship. Tel: 07917 206166 SHOWING Beds: The College EC; BSPA Show. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; British Showjumping.

Tel: 01708 687550 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SUNDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Essex: Harolds Park Farm; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07775 516945 DRESSAGE Essex: Codham Park EC; British Dressage. Tel: 07769 907076 ENDURANCE: Boyton Hall, Lavenham: Competitive and Pleasure Rides including the EGB National Championship. Tel:

07917 206166 SHOWING Cambs: Grey Fern Park EC; Showing Championships. Tel: 07930 356308 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; British Showjumping.

Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Barleylands EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07545 010770 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; British Showjumping.

Tel: 01708 687550 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Derby Show. Tel: 07749 951898 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Unaffiliated Showjumping.

Tel: 07759 603120 MONDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Dressage. Tel: 01708 687550 TUESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 WEDNESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping.

Tel: 01708 687550 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil

Park Stud: Evening Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 07749 951898 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07759 603120 THURSDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Evening Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 FRIDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Evening Novice Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SATURDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER ARENA EVENTING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Arena Eventing.

Tel: 01449 711962 DRESSAGE Beds: Twin Trees EC; Dressage Championships. Tel: 01767 627414 DRESSAGE Essex: Bluegate Hall Dressage. British Dressage. Tel: 07527 482847 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01760 722616 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Unaffiliated Dressage.

Tel: 07749 951898 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Barleylands EC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 07545 010770 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The

www.agrocotrailers.co.uk

Jays; Junior British Showjumping.

Tel: 07759 603120 SUNDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER CAR BOOT SALE Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Indoor Equestrian Car Boot. Tel: 07749 951898 DRESSAGE Cambs: Fenning Farm EC; British Dressage. Tel: 07875 044829 SHOW Essex: Barleylands EC; Supreme Show. Tel: 07545 010770 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Grey Fern Park EC; Showjumping Championships. Tel: 07930 356308 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687550 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC;Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 TUESDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Evening Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 Continued overleaf...

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SHOWDATE DIARY

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your Showdate listings for..September/October 2019 WEDNESDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Cambs: Grey Fern Park EC; Unaffiliated Dressage League Finals. Tel: 07930 356308 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Brampton EC; Evening Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07824 344072 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687550 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07759 603120 FRIDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; British Dressage. Tel: 01708 687550 DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Evening Unaffiliated Dressage.

Tel: 01255 870744 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: British Dressage. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Evening Open Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SATURDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER ARENA EVENTING Suffolk: The Jays; Arena Eventing. Tel: 07759 603120 DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Essex: Barleylands EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07545 010770 DRESSAGE Essex: Bluegate Hall Dressage. British Dressage. Tel: 07527 482847 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel:

66

01708 687550 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: British Dressage. Tel: 07879 881755 JUMPCROSS Essex: Codham Park EC; JumpCross Training. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Beds: Twin Trees EC; Mini Showjumping. Tel: 01767 627414 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07749 951898 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SUNDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Cambs: Grey Fern Park EC; Dressage Championships. Tel: 07930 356308 DRESSAGE Essex: Codham Park EC; British Dressage. Tel: 07769 907076 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07879 881755 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Brampton EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07824 344072 ONE DAY EVENT: South Norfolk Pony Club One Day Event 60cm, 70cm, 80cm, 90cm and 100cm classes Open and PC classes.

Schedules available at www.blackwaterfarm.co.uk or send SAE to David Sayer, Church Farm House, Sparham, Norfolk NR9 5PR. SHOWING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Showing. Tel: 01708 687550

SHOWJUMPING Beds: Twin Trees EC; Showjumping Championships. Tel: 01767 627414 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Barleylands EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07545 010770 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Fletchers Farm; Unaffiliated Showjumping.

Tel: 01206 242210 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Harolds Park Farm; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07775 516945 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 07749 951898 MONDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Dressage. Tel: 01708 687550 TUESDAY 1ST OCTOBER SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 WEDNESDAY 2ND OCTOBER DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 FRIDAY 4TH OCTOBER DRESSAGE Essex: Codham Park EC; British Dressage Petplan Area Festival. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Evening Novice Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SATURDAY 5TH OCTOBER DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Dressage Championship Show. Tel: 01708 687550 DRESSAGE Essex: Codham Park

www.agrocotrailers.co.uk

EC; British Dressage Petplan Area Festival. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Barleylands EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07545 010770 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SUNDAY 6TH OCTOBER DRESSAGE Cambs: Fenning Farm EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07875 044829 DRESSAGE Essex: Codham Park EC; British Dressage Petplan Area Festival. Tel: 07769 907076 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Barleylands EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07545 010770 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud: Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755

STOP PRESS: Weston Park

Welcomes New Sponsor Rowen Barbary Horse Feeds as a key sponsor at Weston Park Horse Trials on the 12th and 13th October 2019 sponsoring the Rowen Barbary BE90 Regional Team Challenge. www.westonht.co.uk www.rowen barbary.co.uk