British Dressage - Issue 3 2022

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR BD MEMBERS | £5.00 | ISSUE 3 | 2022

That Spring

Feeling

NEW Competition Rider Apparel Available from all major LeMieux stockists

www.lemieuxproducts.com British Dressage Full Page.indd 1

04/03/2022 13:39

CONTENTS & WELCOME.

DESIGNED AND PRODUCED ON BEHALF OF BRITISH DRESSAGE BY: Fellows Media: www.fellowsmedia.com e: mark@fellowsmedia.com t: 01242 259241 Fellows Media, The Gallery, Manor Farm Southam Lane, Cheltenham GL52 3PB Managing Director: Mark Brown ADVERTISE WITH US: For enquiries, contact Jacob Holmes e: jacob.holmes@fellowsmedia.com t: 01242 259249 SUBSCRIBE NOW: If you aren’t a member and would like to receive the magazine contact 01442 820580, bd@webscribe.co.uk or www.mysubcare.com CONTACT US: British Dressage: www.britishdressage.co.uk e: joanna.bowns@britishdressage.co.uk t: 02476 698839 Content Editor: Jane Carley e: janecarley5@gmail.com t: 01926 645981 For the full list of BD Office staff, visit www.britishdressage.co.uk British Dressage, Meriden Business Park, Copse Drive, Meriden, West Midlands CV5 9RG Main switchboard: 024 7669 8830 Fax: 024 7669 0390 Executive: 024 7669 8844 Training & Education: 024 7669 8833 BD Youth/u21 International: 024 7708 7801/024 7669 8834 Membership, Horse Registrations & Results: 024 7669 8832/836 Quest: 024 7669 8908 Sport Operations: 024 7669 8827 Judges: 024 7669 8831 Senior International: 024 7669 8835 Para & International: 024 7708 7803 Fixtures: 024 7708 7804 Championships: 024 7669 8846 BD Shop: 024 7669 8830 – press 1 Finance: 024 7669 8838/841 Marketing: 024 7669 8819 Communications: 024 7669 8842/839 Sponsorship & web ads: 01608 676180 The views expressed by individual contributors are not necessarily those of British Dressage.

Equally, the inclusion of advertisements in this magazine does not constitute endorsement of the products and services by British Dressage.

IN THIS ISSUE...

33 – What’s your plan for weaning?

Keeping your youngster at home or sending to a specialist are considered.

3

I

t’s with a tinge of sadness that I write what will be my fi nal editor’s welcome as after years, I’m moving on to a role with British Equestrian.

I’ve loved my time in dressage. hen I think back to what’s happened in a decade, the achievements are actually mind blowing and I’m e ceptionally proud to have played a tiny part. ifteen years ago, if anyone had said we’d win lympic medals not even gold ones , British Dressage would top the membership number stakes or dressage would be the discipline of choice for aspiring youngsters it would have been pure fantasy.

But it’s reality now gives me a real sense of happiness ust thinking about it. here’s certainly a degree of the arlotte arl and harlotte factor’ involved, no doubt, but overall there’s been a real culture change in our sport. I was brought in to try and modernise the way dressage communicated and was portrayed in the public domain and I hope I’ve gone some way to achieving that. hen I started, it was awkward e plaining what I did for a living, now I’m usually met with oh yeah, the dancing horses, I love watching that’.

And that’s one of the reasons for my moving on. I want to be a part of the bigger picture as e uestrianism is facing an enormous challenge what we know and love is under threat. he concept of a social licence to operate’ becomes more of a reality and we need to take action. I sat in on a webinar the other night which asked, ill we be riding in years?’ and simply, if we don’t take a long look at ourselves, maybe we won’t be. ounds unthinkable, but it’s not. elfare, accessibility, sustainability, diversity, safety all factors we need to take seriously. e all have a part to play in the coming months and years to safeguard what for us is a way of life. hank you to all of you who’ve contributed to my time at B I’ve made a number of friends for life, met some truly inspiring people and seen the best, and some not so good, sides of human nature I’ll take so many memories away. I leave a vibrant sport with an amazing sense of community which we’ve all worked hard to achieve so keep the momentum going and treasure those dancing horses.

THE OFFIC IAL

ON THE COVER: Jezz Palmer working King IV over poles as part of his

4

News

7

Paramatters

8

Obituary A tribute to former BD chairman Penny Pollard

10 Profile Dressage’s power couple Jezz and Lucy Palmer

WELCOME

Winnie Murphy, Managing Editor, British Dressage

From the editor

MAGAZINE

FOR BD M EMBERS

| £5.00 | ISSUE 3 | 2022

That Spring

Feeling

17 Equissage Pulse Para Winter Championships Para champions crowned 22 Building a base for breeding Designs and layouts for studs and youngster housing 29 The paces Jane Kidd’s new training series starts with the canter 33 Foal and youngster management Breeders discuss getting the best start 40 Ask the expert Latest on flu vaccination 43 My first bit Getting the youngster off to the right start with bitting 51 Regionals round-up Hartpury-bound combinations celebrated 54 Bodyzone Overcoming setbacks 57 Infectious diseases Concluding our series with guidance on biosecurity 60 Regional training Judges’ updates 63 BD Action BDHQ updates and members benefits 66 Dressage Days Rowland and Maria Kinch, owners of Don Cara M

varied programme. IMAGE: Kevin Sparrow Photography.

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 3

BRITISH DRESSAGE

NEWS AWARD FOR YOUNG RIDER Young rider Anna Dalrymple has been selected for the SportsAid award, a Sport England funded scheme for talented young athletes. The award will provide some financial support towards training, competitions and travel.

Anna, who is on the U21 International Pathway Squad, will also take part in the Team England Futures programme which offers access to a range of specialists from nutritionists, psychologists and sleep professionals alongside mentoring from previous athletes through an online hub.

The programme concludes with a trip to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham to get experience of an international multi-sport event.

BRITISH EQUESTRIANS FOR UKRAINE Leading organisations and individuals across Britain’s equestrian community have united to form ‘British Equestrians for Ukraine’ which aims to help horses and their owners caught up in the crisis created by the Russian invasion. The Ukrainian Equestrian Federation has put out an urgent call for supplies on the ground including feed, forage and shavings.

4 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

EVENT CALENDAR EXPANDS Bolesworth will host a new CDI3* International Dressage event on 24-26 June.

After a three-year break from dressage, which traditionally has run alongside the international showjumping, the venue will be dedicated to the sport with three arenas running across three days of competition at both national and international level.

The new Dressage International will play

host to a wide variety of classes from prelim level, right through to CDI3*. For the first time, our para riders will have the privilege of riding in the spectacular setting with dedicated classes.

Hickstead Premier League, which runs on 13-15 May and aims to build on its successful 2021 move to the showground’s all weather arenas, also adds additional national classes this year.

NEW DEVELOPMENT OFFICER FOR SCOTLAND British Dressage is delighted to announce Ashley Stewart as the new Development Officer for Scotland. With a sound background in equestrian sport, teaching and business operations, Ashley will start in the region on 28 March, taking over from Emma Devoy who leaves after eight years for a new chapter.

FAREWELL TO INNUENDO III Sophie Christiansen’s Innuendo III has sadly passed away after a bout of colic. Known as Louie, the 15-year-old British-bred gelding by Last Minute was ridden to international success by multiple Paralympic gold medallist Sophie.

In 2021 Sophie and Louie, already winners at the Para Winter Championships and Keysoe CPEDI, were unbeaten at the Wellington Festival of Para Dressage last June. Following this triple win, they were duly selected for the Tokyo Paralympic Games but sadly had to withdraw due to a minor veterinary issue.

Spearheaded by British Equestrian (BEF), The British Horse Society (BHS), the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) and World Horse Welfare, British Equestrians for Ukraine has been set up to help facilitate a supply chain to meet the immediate need for goods on the ground as well as raising money to help purchase supplies and cover the costs associated with transport.

HOW THE EQUINE COMMUNITY CAN HELP VIA BRITISH EQUESTRIANS FOR UKRAINE The most immediate and direct benefit will come from donations: Equine - British Equestrians for Ukraine Fund (worldhorsewelfare.org) Humanitarian – www.donation.dec.org.uk/ ukraine-humanitrian-appeal

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 5

NEWS.

PARA MATTERS UPDATE FROM PARA DIRECTOR TRACY ORMROD

(indivdual Championship test only). points ualified the combination to enter the semi final.

• Combinations wishing to compete at the semi final, must achieve points before the closing date.

• A non-travelling reserve list will be held to ensure all spaces are filled at the semi final.

ATTENDING HARTPURY FESTIVAL

W

e are excited to announce that once again we will be hosting the RDA Grade 7 classes alongside our bronze and silver para classes at the British Dressage Festival of Para Dressage, being held at Hartpury University and College on Tuesday 23 August.

On the strength of the results from the three Grade 7 classes that will be held at the RDA National Championships in July, 30 riders will be invited to compete. his will comprise five unior and five seniors in each class who will be put forward to BD for selection direct from RDA HQ , following all results being confirmed.

Please note being placed in the top five does not guarantee selection. We will look at percentages and numbers in each class before making a final decision.

We wish you all the best of luck in gaining ualification for the Grade 7 Championships!

SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIPS A gentle reminder that all summer ualification for the gold section needs to have been gained by 15th May 2022, to attend the gold semi final at ellington iding in June.

• Open to any rider with an FEI lassification.

• Combinations must gain 12 points.

• Six of the 12 points required may come from one CPEDI3* or a Para PYO (Non FEI)

ll ualification for the bron e and silver section needs to be gained by 30 June to attend the festival of dressage at Hartpury in August.

Silver Championships (Winter and Summer Championships) • Open to Silver and Bronze riders, however only points gained in the Silver section of Novice and tests will count.

• Combinations must gain 10 points.

• Five of the 10 points required

may come from one CPEDI2*/ CPEDI1* (single best score to count) and/or Para PYO (Novice A test only).

• Combinations qualify direct to the Summer and Winter Championships.

• There is no restriction on the number of horses a rider can qualify and contest the Summer Championships.

Bronze Championships (Winter and Summer Championships) • Open to Bronze riders only. ombinations must gain five points from the introductory level test, these can include Para PYO classes.

• Combintations qualify direct to the Summer and Winter Championships.

Tracy Omrod, Para Director

OPEN Q&A WITH TRACY ORMROD AND NATASHA PEARCE AT PHI We will be holding an open Q&A with the new Para Director, Tracy Ormrod, and the BD Para Officer at the Para Home International on Saturday 7 May. This will be open to any questions you may have and a general welcome from Tracy, and from Natasha for all the new para riders that have come through since she has been on maternity leave.

Depending on the uptake for this, we may look at holding another one at the Silver and Bronze Summer Championships at Hartpury in August.

LEFT: NATASHA PEARCE, PARA DRESSAGE AND INTERNATIONAL OFFICER

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 7

OBITUARY.

P

Penny Pollard FORMER BRITISH DRESSAGE CHAIRMAN, PENNY POLLARD PASSED AWAY ON MONDAY 31 JANUARY 2022, AT THE AGE OF 63, FOLLOWING A LONG AND BRAVE BATTLE WITH CANCER.

8 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

enny dedicated ten years to British Dressage as a Board level volunteer, until forced to stand down from her position as Chairman in 2018 due to her ongoing illness.

Her outstanding business and commercial acumen was coupled with a positivity and infectious enthusiasm that inspired not only the Board, staff and volunteers of B , but also everyone who had the good fortune to meet her. She was kind, thoughtful and generous with her time, always looking to support both the personal and professional development of members of the BD team during her tenure.

Penny was passionate about the sport of dressage and, as an established international business consultant, was also passionate about helping individuals, teams and organisations to maximise their potential.

These two interests were big drivers in her life that she combined perfectly during the ten years she served in British Dressage. er significant contribution through the BD Marketing Committee resulted in developing and enhancing the BD magazine, the evolution and launch of a new website, as well as introducing the free Associate Membership, which attracted 32,000 new followers to British Dressage after the success enjoyed by the sport in London 2012.

Changing the perception of dressage, to ensure it was seen as more inclusive and accessible to all, was always at the top end of Penny’s ‘to do’ list. This was evidenced by the successful launch of Team Quest in 2013 and the introduction of a new Club membership tier for grass roots riders the following year.

After six years at the helm of the BD Marketing Committee, Penny was elected BD Chairman in 2013, succeeding the outgoing Chair, Jennie Loriston-Clarke.

Her energy and vision were the driving force behind the modernisation of the sport, professionalising our policies and processes, as well as overseeing the move to BD’s new headquarters at Meriden.

Penny instigated the culture change that shaped the future direction of British Dressage and helped to make it the progressive and financially secure organisation that it is today.

Along with former Finance Director Maggie Copus, Penny was also instrumental in securing charitable status for British Dressage, with the training and education of members at its core. This not only provided efficiencies and savings, but also helped B to build fi nancial reserves that would enable greater investment back into the sport.

The change also facilitated the setting up of a separate trading company, allowing more opportunity and e ibility to work with commercial sponsors, partners and suppliers to generate additional income to fund new initiatives.

Starting riding at the age of ten at the Fulmer School of Equitation near Gerrards Cross, Penny didn’t venture into horse ownership until some years later, when she and her husband, Keith Humphrey, were living and working in Dublin. Her mentor at the time was Joan Keogh, who played a major role in putting dressage on the map in Ireland, and also in igniting a passion for dressage in Penny.

When the couple returned from Ireland, Penny contacted Peter Storr and moved her two horses, Corky and Buccaneer, to Pebbly ill, eter’s fordshire base.

She later bought Holme Grove Bernini by olme rove rokofiev as a foal and, when he was two, moved him to Peter’s new yard at Peasemore in Gloucestershire. He was competed by Lucy Cartwright at Small Tour; Penny also competed him herself and was thrilled to don her tails to compete at PSG level. oyal oncert oyal iamond ontinue was then purchased with Hermione Black for Peter Storr to ride as a youngster and they enjoyed success in his early years before ‘Rico’ was then taken on by aria Eilberg. lthough e tremely sensitive, Penny always had faith in the beautiful grey and it gave her such pride when he and aria completed their fi rst rand ri in . hey went on to score a number of wins and podium placings at the level and Penny then gifted Maria her share in the horse.

Outside of BD, Penny was recognised as

ABOVE: PENNY, PICTURED WITH CARL HESTER, WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT THE SPORT OF DRESSAGE. INSET: PENNY WAS THRILLED TO DON HER TAILS TO COMPETE HER OWN HOLME GROVE BERNINI AT PSG LEVEL.

an eminent Organisation Development Consultant, nationally and internationally, having led and designed significant transformational change initiatives over years. Prior to this, she held commercial and managerial roles in the Financial Services and IT sectors.

Penny worked with Price Waterhouse oopers globally on a range of projects and was central to developing and delivering the fi rm’s client relationship strategy, as well as one of the lead facilitators for PWC’s key talent programme.

In , enny founded management consultancy ore onte t onsulting with her husband Keith. Under this umbrella, she proudly sponsored the British Dressage oung rofessionals ward from onwards. Penny loved this opportunity to share her business skills to provide advice and support for young equestrians, as well as funding generous bursaries to help those starting out achieve their business goals.

Penny’s memory will live on with the Penny Pollard bursary award that continues to be presented in her honour each year as part of BD’s Young Professionals Programme.

B hief E ecutive ason Brautigam paid tribute; “This is devastating news for us all, especially so soon after losing Linda Whetstone. The dressage community has lost two leading lights, who both made an

immeasurable contribution to the sport as Chairs of BD. “Penny was instrumental in bringing me into the sport and it was her infectious enthusiasm, drive and vision that made British Dressage what it is today. She leaves a great legacy, both professionally and personally, as someone who always gave so generously and sel essly to others. o one who saw her loudly cheering on Team GB at championships or passionately leading the medal celebrations could be in any doubt how much she loved the sport.

“Penny had her own unique style and always a great sense of fun. She was one of those people who would brighten any room with her positivity and effervescent personality. Penny tackled adversity with the same optimistic outlook and courageous spirit that she lived her life, with an inspirational determination and positive energy that we could all learn from. We are all very grateful to have had Penny in our lives, but also thankful that she is now fi nally at peace.”

The British Dressage Board and all the staff at British ressage offer their sincerest condolences to Penny’s husband, Keith.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of her friends and family.

Tributes to both Penny Pollard and Linda hetstone will be paid at the ive tar Winter Championships.

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 9

PROFILE.

TWO’S COMPANY

LUCY AND JEZZ PALMER MUST BE TWO OF THE BUSIEST RIDERS ON THE CIRCUIT. POLLY

I

BRYAN FINDS OUT HOW THEY

MANAGE THE WORKLOAD n 2021 Lucy and Jezz amassed more than came out of Covid restrictions just a couple of TOGETHER. 150 British Dressage results between them weeks before,” said Lucy. with 18 horses, among them 20 national After tying the knot in early August, it was swiftly championship starts, even with three months of back to the day job for the Hampshire-based couple, the year lost to lockdown. who moved to Steph Taylor’s Webbs Green Stables in Somehow the couple, who crossed paths riding as children, then November last year. The move means that only a handful of the ‘met properly’ while both working for Ben St John James and Roland horses they train and ride are now based with them, giving them more Tong aged 17, even managed to squeeze a wedding into their busy year. time and e ibility when it comes to competing. nd e ibility is “We were so lucky that we managed to have the wedding, as we key; at present, most of the horses they ride are aged seven or under,

10 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

PROFILE.

ABOVE: LUCY AND JEZZ PALMER - DRESSAGE’S POWER COUPLE!

although this is more down to circumstance than a particular plan to focus primarily on young horses.

“A few years ago I had three advanced horses that I had trained and for various reasons they moved on or were sold,” explains Jezz. “I felt I needed a few more younger ones, a bit of a team under me, and it was then that Richard Burge’s King IV fell at my feet. It went from there and we have a lot of exciting young horses at the moment.”

The striking seven-year-old Governor x Johnson stallion King might well be one of the most exciting horses of e ’s career so far. s a five year old in he was novice freestyle winter champion, and selected to represent Britain at the FEI World Breeding Championships, though that was later cancelled due to the pandemic. He combined his fi rst year of breeding in with top five placings at both the winter and summer nationals at elementary. “ e’s going to be ama ing, confi rms e .

Also among his current string is Mel Morris and Carol Hurst’s six-year-old Romanno Weltino (Dante Weltino x Donnerhall) – “she’s the one most keen to work each day and it makes her great fun to train” – and the seven-yearold Ketcher B. Owned by Emily Ivins, the Negro stallion is also taking well to combining breeding with competing, and is being aimed towards small tour by the end of this year. Then there’s Tiny Dancer, an ‘amazing’ sevenyear-old Uthopia daughter who is out of Lucy’s top mare, Superstar III, who herself is currently campaigning Small Tour.

Lucy has fewer rides, focusing her attention on uperstar, plus Bella agia, a year old once evented by Dannie Morgan. “ he has a real talent for the piaffe and pirouettes, says Lucy of the Bertoli W mare she owns with Jane Porter.

“I also have a lovely six-year-old who I own with Sue Becvar called Let’s Dance M, by Dundee M. He always grabs the attention on social media as he’s smart and grey, so we call him Mr Insta!”

Things are busy, but that’s how the Palmers like it. They start each day riding together at home in the mornings, providing each other with valuable eyes on the ground, before parting ways to ride those horses not based at home, or teach in the afternoons.

AFTER TYING THE KNOT IN EARLY AUGUST, IT WAS SWIFTLY BACK TO THE DAY JOB...

RIGHT: JEZZ WITH THE SIX-YEAR-OLD MARE ROMANNO WELTINO, DESCRIBED AS ‘GREAT FUN TO TRAIN’.

“I have to run my day minute by minute to fit everything in,” laughs Jezz, revealing that he does much of his online teaching from his car, pulling over in between rides and dialling in to a session.

Their ways of working complement one another’s with Lucy describing herself as “more of a slow burner”, while “Jezz needs calming down”.

“We balance each other out which is nice, and we’re always there for each other,” she says. “We tend to agree on all the fundamental things.”

Among the fundamentals of training that they both channel strongly is the feeling that horses must be treated as individuals, especially early on in their training. Both feel strongly about going at each horse’s own pace and not pushing them into young horse ualifiers if they aren’t ready.

“For some horses, just the exposure to the big shows makes them better in the long run, and it can be great experience for them, but not doing them doesn’t mean a horse won’t be good in the long run,” says Lucy.

“The biggest moving young horses don’t always make it to grand prix.”

“I love the young horse classes,” says Jezz. “I can’t wait for the season to start every year. But I think it’s important to accept that with some horses it’s about gaining experience, not about winning. Young horse classes can be very subjective, and that’s not always easy as a rider.”

Both would like to see more young horse pathways in the UK, to mirror the myriad opportunities available in Germany and the Netherlands.

In Partnership with

12th - 15th MAY 2022

The Private Grounds of Windsor Castle INTERNATIONAL SHOW JUMPING INTERNATIONAL DRIVING INTERNATIONAL ENDURANCE

120 SHOWING CLASSES WORLD-CLASS DISPLAYS MORE THAN 170 SHOPS & RESTAURANTS

BOOK TICKETS NOW

RWHS.CO.UK • 0344 581 4960

12 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

RWHS ad 2022 British Dressage 92.5x239.indd 1

01/03/2022 15:21

“I’d also like to have more classes where the udges sit in different places and don’t confer, like in a straight dressage class,” adds e . “ ometimes I find that young horse judging isn’t as clear or consistent as in other classes. But actually, the fact they are more unpredictable is what I uite like about them. hen it comes to training, e and ucy are e ible in their approach, willing to try a new approach if something isn’t working, and always aiming to keep the horses happy in their work.

“I think it’s important to get youngsters into a good routine early on, says e . “I try to work them little and often, without putting pressure on. e vary the work, so they do polework and go hacking, but the most important thing is being consistent and being disciplined, even if they ust go in the school and trot round a few times. It teaches consistency, and they learn a lot ust by being ridden with other horses. hat said, sometimes it can get hairy and I need a neckstrap “ e has always had really good stickability which works in my favour, laughs ucy, admitting that her husband is the braver of the two of them.

“I’ve always been brave and have ended up riding some

ama ing, if uirky, horses because of that, says e . “ ow though, I try to be careful. I used to be bold as brass and take on anything, but now I’m , with responsibility and owners, I do think a little more about getting on something that isn’t safe. s with most professionals, working well with owners is a key element of success, even if, as is the case with ucy, the rider maintains a share in each horse.

“I like knowing I have security in my rides and having the confidence that I will get a say in what happens long term. I see other people lose rides and I know I would find that hard, whereas e is a bit thicker skinned than me, e plains ucy.

Jezz owns a share of King with Richard Burge, and iny ancer with nni c onald all, but is thankful for the good relationships he has built with all his owners. Both e and ucy take notable care to mention the owners of every horse they discuss, and say that communication is key to maintaining successful arrangements. “ s long as you can have an honest conversation, things will be fine, says ucy.

“If you can’t communicate, that’s when you get crossed wires, or differing e pectations. ll our owners are great in that they know the industry, so they are not unrealistic.

“It’s also useful to have a trainer who can communicate well with owners,” she continues, e plaining that the pair of them train primarily with att rost and arl ester.

SOMETIMES I FIND THAT YOUNG HORSE JUDGING ISN’T AS CLEAR OR CONSISTENT AS IN OTHER CLASSES.

ABOVE: JEZZ WITH RICHARD BURGE’S STALLION KING IV, SUCCESSFULLY COMBINING BREEDING WITH COMPETING. LEFT: LUCY WITH SUPERSTAR, COMPETING AT SMALL TOUR, AND DAM TO THE EXCITING UTHOPIA DAUGHTER, TINY DANCER.

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 13

ABOVE: JEZZ AND LUCY LIKE TO VARY THE WORKLOAD FOR YOUNGSTERS, INCLUDING HACKING AND POLE WORK.

“As a rider you can be so attached to the situation that having an outside voice is really helpful.”

For Jezz and Lucy, success and satisfaction comes through teamwork – the network they have created around them, of owners, clients and friends, whom they love to support in return, as well as building a string of horses set to bring them success for years to come. “ hen we fi rst moved home to ampshire to set up together, Paul Friday taught us that no matter what horses we have, we need to stay in the ring, and keep going.

That’s what we’ve done – we have had horses who are never going to be world beaters, but we’ve kept working and our string has got better and better, re ects e .

“Now I have such a good team of horses, the best horsepower I’ve ever had, and it’s so exciting.”

RIGHT: THE HOME BASE IS STEPH TAYLOR’S WEBBS GREEN STABLES. BELOW: THE COUPLE START EACH DAY WORKING TOGETHER AT HOME; HERE JEZZ PROVIDES EYES ON THE GROUND FOR LUCY WITH ‘MR INSTA’, THE SIX-YEAROLD LETS DANCE M.

“AS A RIDER YOU CAN BE SO ATTACHED TO THE SITUATION THAT HAVING AN OUTSIDE VOICE IS REALLY HELPFUL.”

Luxury travel for horse and rider STAR-TREKA from £199 a month* The Star-Treka is a rear facing, horse trailer for up to two 18hh horses with luxury overnight accommodation. The living includes kitchen unit, seating for four which converts to a double bed, toilet area, 70 litre water tank and leisure battery. The horse area includes tack and grooms lockers, horse shower and padded partition.

0114 2 88 4 411

•

sa les@equi-trek.com

•

w w w.equi-trek.com

Star-Treka *Quotation based on a cash price of £23,998.80 OTR, less a deposit of £7,199.80 leaving a balance to finance of £16,799.00 over 120 months at £199.71 per month, with an Option to Purchase Fee of £10.00 collected with the final payment. APR 7.8%. Total amount payable £31,165. All figures are subject to credit approval with the rates being quoted being subject to revision should there be any change in prevailing interest rates or existing monetary conditions. Financial information may be required for credit assessment. This is an indication of terms provided for discussion purposes only.

It shall have no contractual effect and is not binding upon you or us. E&OE. Equi-Trek Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Please see our website for full terms and conditions. Trailer shown may have optional extras not included at advertised price.

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

NUTURING FUTURE DRESSAGE STARS A GLIMPSE INTO BREEDING THE NEXT GENERATION IN DEVON

E

lite Dressage was created in 2018 by Lorna Wilson, Eddie Hosegood and Anna Ross and works in collaboration with Newton Stud. Their aim was to breed and produce horses destined for the top of their sport, but that were also physically and mentally sound. With Anna’s wealth of experience at spotting and producing top horses all the way to Grand Prix, and Lorna’s vast knowledge of breeding and raising youngstock, their vision is fast becoming a reality. In this article we will look at how the young horses are kept in the early part of their lives and how this impacts them in their future careers.

At Newton Stud all of the horses are kept in herds. The older horses tend to very obviously form smaller cliques within the main herd, and are happier to spread out across their acreage. The younger horses however, tend to stick much closer together and even where smaller friendship groups have developed, you never fi nd them

far from the main herd. This is quite an obvious demonstration of how much young horses depend on the companionship of others. They rely on each other in these early days for confidence and comradery, through exploring their environment together, such as tackling their fi rst puddles, passing apping plastic or observing large machinery bringing them their feed, they ultimately become much more balanced, confident and, interestingly, independent individuals.

When the time comes to back these young horses, they are proving to be sane, sensible and eager to learn. The team at Elite Dressage are highly skilled in taking them through the process, in a real-world setting.

Young horses are worked in the arena with other horses, even with the Grand Prix horses! This, along with the fact that they have grown up living with their peers, is particularly useful when it comes to their first competitions, they are not fazed by busy warm up arenas and other horses passing or overtaking them. We

have also observed, that they are not at all clingy to other horses, which can be the bane of a lot of people’s lives! When hacking at home, they initially go out in company, but they often hack with a variety of partners and are never hung up on going with one friend in particular.

With x-rays being such a crucial aspect of any sale, it is also of paramount importance to try to produce structurally healthy specimens. OCD is a common problem within sports horse breeding, some of the factors that contribute towards it are mineral deficiency, over feeding, rapid growth, genetics, over exercise and trauma. At Newton Stud the horses are kept in such a way to try to prevent them developing this potentially debilitating disease, they are fed a predominantly roughagebased diet, with any concentrates and minerals mixed into the roughage, so that they are also trickle fed. A big contributor to OCD is high intensity exercise, young horses that are kept stabled for long periods and then turned out are likely to show a lot of exuberance and it is this sudden burst of exercise after a

long static period, that can be particularly detrimental. All of the horses at Newton are kept out 24/7 through the summer and in large barns through the winter, to allow them constant freedom of movement.

There is also a genetic element to be considered when producing sane and healthy stock and this is where the collaboration of Newton Stud and Elite Dressage really comes into its own. By using embryo transfer, the mares can produce multiple offspring in one season, so when we come to x-ray and produce these horses, any patterns become quickly visible.

With Lorna’s extensive breeding knowledge and Anna’s feedback from the saddle, the mares can be matched with the perfect stallion to compliment them and to create the next generation of sensible superstars!

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT ELITEDRESSAGEHORSES.CO.UK

16 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

PICTURES: KEVIN SPARROW PHOTOGRAPHY

BRONZE

PARA PROWESS THE 2022 EQUISSAGE PULSE PARA WINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS WERE SUCCESSFULLY HOSTED BY THE SUPPORTIVE TEAM AT MYERSCOUGH COLLEGE AT THE SECOND BELOW: ELAN WILLIAMS, 12, WHO TOOK

TIME OF ASKING AFTER AN ENFORCED DELAY BY STORM EUNICE. A FULL WEEKEND

THE BRONZE GRADE 1 WITH HER TRAINER SARA JONES-WILLIAMS’ WSH SOMETHING

OF CLASSES ACROSS THE GRADES WAS ENJOYED BY ALL WITH SOME NEW NAMES FEATURING ON THE WINNER’S ROSTER.

BORROWED. ELAN TRAVELS ONE AND A HALF HOURS, THREE TIMES A WEEK WITH MUM CERYS TO BENLLECH ON ANGLESEY TO RIDE.

BRONZE Grade I

Elan Williams and WSH Something Borrowed

66.15%

Grade II

Lily Hughes and Nikita (Annie)

64.41%

Grade III

Vicky Earnshaw and Aldo MW

70.93%

Grade IV

Lisa Griffin and First Class IX

67.08%

Grade V

Donna Rooney and Scarlets True Skyfall

66.90%

LEFT: LINCOLNSHIRE’S LISA GRIFFIN ONLY JOINED BD IN JULY LAST YEAR BUT SHE AND HER OWN FIRST CLASS IX HAVE ALREADY NOTCHED UP THEIR FIRST TITLE TOGETHER IN TAKING THE GRADE IV BRONZE. LET’S HOPE IT’S THE FIRST OF MANY! BELOW: SUPER SMART CARMARTHENSHIRE DUO DONNA ROONEY AND SCARLETS TRUE SKYFALL TOPPED THE GRADE V BRONZE RANKS FOR A FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE TOGETHER.

BELOW: LILY HUGHES AND LORNA HIGGINS’ NIKITA (ANNIE), OR NIK NAK FOR SHORT, TOOK THE WIN IN THE GRADE II BRONZE - THE DUO WERE RUNNERS UP IN THE SILVER TOO – IN THEIR FIRST COMPETITION OF 2022 TOGETHER.

FOR FULL RESULTS, SCAN QR CODE.

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 17

SILVER SILVER

BELOW: SARAH COOPER AND SENI-LLISO I, A HORSE

Grade I

Veronica Bower and Game Over

69.67%

Grade II

Sarah Cooper and Seni-Lliso 1

66.74%

Grade III

Vicky Ernshaw and Aldo MW

70.93%

Grade IV

Georgina Maton and Despereaux

66.38%

Grade V

Joanne Dagley-Cleworth and Uptimistic

68.02%

THAT COST THE PRINCELY SUM OF £1 INCLUDING TACK, WERE CROWNED GRADE II SILVER CHAMPIONS. SENI-LLISO, A 20-YEAR-OLD PRE GELDING, IS OWNED

BELOW: DESPERADOS-SIRED DESPEREAUX

BY BECKY MONK OF LAKEFIELD EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

HAS HAD A BUSY START TO THE YEAR

WHERE SARAH HERSELF WORKS WITH PEOPLE WITH

HAVING CONTESTED A REGIONAL AND AREA

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.

FESTIVAL WITH SARA LOUISE MORELAND BUT MYERSCOUGH BROUGHT A FIRST EVER TITLE WIN WITH OWNER GEORGINA MATON IN THE GRADE IV RANKS.

LEFT: VICKY EARNSHAW, WINNER OF BOTH GRADE III SILVER AND BRONZE WITH FORMER EVENTER ALDO MW BY MATTERHORN, WAS ONLY GRADED AS A PARA RIDER LAST SUMMER, AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.

FOR FULL RESULTS, SCAN QR CODE.

LEFT: CONWY RIDER VERONICA BOWER AND TRACY ORMROD’S GAME OVER, WHO HAVE A COMBINED AGE OF 86, KEEP UP THEIR EIGHT-TEST WINNING STREAK TO GO ONE BETTER THAN 2021 AND TAKE THE GRADE I SILVER TITLE.

18 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

“I wouldn’t feed anything else”

Hannah Esberger-Hancock International Dressage Rider & Trainer

“Dengie Alfa-A Oil is perfect for my dressage horses.

The quality fibre supports gastric health and I’m confident that they are getting all the energy they need to perform at the top level. I wouldn’t feed anything else.”

Hannah Esberger-Hancock | International Dressage Rider & Trainer

High Calorie | Low Starch | Straw & Molasses Free For the answer to ALL your equine feeding queries talk to a Dengie nutritionist today:

01621 841 188

Discover more at www.dengie.com

A Firm Favourite with Leading Riders “I choose Sprenger bits with confidence for my horses so they can perform at their very best.”

Charlotte Dujardin “Sprenger bits use only the finest metals and craftsmanship – giving me total reassurance.”

Carl Hester

Widely recognised as the place to buy & sell horses

Shine-Bright-GB_otwv2_92.5x121 copy 22/10/2017 2:48 pm Page 1

NS Mar-22 BD Magazine Ad 92.5x120mm v1_Layout 1 17/03/2022 11:21 Page

FEI POTENTIAL

Exclusive 10% BD Discount: BDM10

www.horsequest.co.uk

FUN JUNIORS DREAM

GORGEOUS YOUNG GELDING

Learn More Scan to visit website

SAFE MEDIUM SCHOOLMASTER

ESTABLISHED AT ELEMENTARY

ELEGANT SMALL PROSPECT

JUNIOR / YR TEAM PROSPECT

20 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

• • •

View Full Product Range, including Bits, Spurs & Apparel Complete the Online Bitting Consultation for tailored advice Locate a Stockist or find a Bit & Bridle Fitter near you

www.nsbits.com

GOLD GOLD Grade I

Mari Durward-Akhurst Quaikin Guaranteed Good

70.48%

Grade II

Lee Pearson and Roughcote Jupiter

71.96%

Grade III

Emma Kent and Royalty II

71.13%

Grade IV

Laura Gulliver and Farok V. Singing

70.16%

Grade V

Joanne Dagley-Cleworth and Uptimistic

66.47%

LEFT: MARI DURWARD-AKHURST, WHO ALSO ROWS INTERNATIONALLY, TOOK A FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE WITH HER OWN GRAFENSTOLZ-SIRED QUAIKIN GUARANTEED GOOD, OR ‘DAMO’ FOR SHORT, IN THE GRADE I GOLD. RIGHT: SIR LEE PEARSON WON THE GRADE II GOLD WITH ELIZABETH GREEN’S REGISTERED SHIRE GELDING ROUGHCOTE JUPITER. SIR LEE SAYS: “HE HAS A GREAT WALK AND A GREAT CANTER AND A MASSIVE BUCK, VERY ATHLETIC FOR SUCH A BIG HORSE! I LOVE THAT PARA DRESSAGE CAN GO FULL CIRCLE, HEAVY NATIVE TO FLASHY WARMBLOOD BACK TO HEAVY HORSE.”

RIGHT: SOPHIE BUTCHART’S SAMBA HIT II MARE ROYALTY II HAS QUICKLY FORMED A FORMIDABLE PARTNERSHIP WITH EMMA KENT – SECOND SPOT IN THE SILVER CHAMPIONSHIP WAS BETTERED WITH VICTORY IN GRADE III GOLD.

BELOW: A NEW MEMBER ON THE WORLD CLASS PARA PODIUM POTENTIAL PROGRAMME, LAURA GULLIVER HAS USED THE WINTER WISELY TO STRENGTHEN HER BOND WITH LATEST PARTNER, FAROK V. SINGING, OWNED BY JOANNE WHITWORTH, WITH VICTORY IN THE GRADE IV GOLD.

BELOW: JOANNE DAGLEY-CLEWORTH AND UPTIMISTIC, BY CARL HESTER’S OLYMPIC RIDE UTHOPIA, WON BOTH GRADE V GOLD AND SILVER TITLES. THE TEN-YEAR-OLD GELDING IS 17.2HH AND JOANNE DESCRIBES HIM AS ‘A PERFECT GENTLEMAN – LIKE A GIANT LABRADOR’.

FOR FULL RESULTS, SCAN QR CODE.

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 21

The Nursery Wing THERE’S A LOT TO THINK ABOUT WHEN BUILDING FACILITIES FOR BREEDING. EMMA PENNY ASKS THE SPECIALISTS WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED.

ABOVE: CONSIDER THE LAYOUT OF NEW OR UPDATED FACILITIES FOR BREEDING STOCK CAREFULLY, TO INCLUDE ACCESS IN AND OUT OF THE STABLES.

D

esigning – or redesigning – premises to provide an ideal environment for in-foal mares, foals and youngstock is an art. afety for horses and staff is the main consideration. Andrews Bowen, perhaps best known for its arena surfaces, also offers a design and build service. For company director David Andrews and UK sales director Colin Way, designing a practical, horse-friendly environment is key.

For anyone planning to build on or redevelop a site, David says there are multiple things to consider.

“Sometimes it can be cheaper to knock down existing buildings and start from scratch. Then you can build what you need to on that footprint, and so everything works well.”

That includes thinking about where any hub of activity might be, and locating stables away from it,

22 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

BD official partner Andrews Bowen is surface provider for the Winter Championships at Hartpury and the National Championships at Somerford Park.

so horses can relax in their stables. Consider where the prevailing weather comes from and orienting buildings for optimum ventilation and providing shelter in paddocks, suggests Colin.

When it comes to day-to-day operation, safety is critical, says David. “It is even down to thinking about where your machinery is stored. What happens if a mare and foal gets loose?”

Rounded corners and chamfered edges mean there is less risk of a horse catching its hip on a right angle, while using thicker gauge steel for internal stabling will give additional strength and longevity.

At Mount St John Stud in Yorkshire, Emma Blundell’s

RIGHT: INTERNAL WALKWAYS NEED TO BE EASY TO CLEAN, AS WELL AS BEING NON-SLIP FOR HUMANS AND HORSES. INSET BELOW: IF ALL WEATHER TURNOUTS ARE USED THE SURFACE MUST STAND UP TO THE HORSE DIGGING AND DOING ‘THE WALL OF DEATH’.

NOE LLE F

LO Y

D

foaling boxes are in a traditional yard. A grille system between stables means horses can see and touch one another. However, these are boarded up for foaling so that mares are not constantly on guard.

Another vital point is that any water source – troughs or buckets – in foaling boxes should be high enough so that foals cannot reach them. “They will quickly imitate their mothers, but they shouldn’t drink water as this can lead to diarrhoea and then dehydration.”

Being able to wash and disinfect boxes between foalings is critical. Emma’s stone stables have sealed rubber matting on the oor as moveable ones can trap a lot of dangerous bacteria under them. Rubber mats on the walls are also easily washed and kept clean. aygain, which supplies ooring in addition to its hay steaming systems, says sealed ooring such as its omfort tall oor ensures urine doesn’t seep through to the stable sub oor where the ammonia can build up and cause harm to horse and human respiratory health. Investing in good ooring should provide long term support for joints, respiratory health and promote deep sleep and rest, says Kim Miller, the company’s partnerships manager. he believes ooring is often overlooked in planning or upgrading a yard. “It needs to be comfortable for the mare, with a surface that provides both give and traction for easy ups and downs, and is easy to sanitise. We hear of a lot of people leaving thinking about ooring until last and regretting that.”

Internal walkways also need to be easy to clean, as well as being non-slip for horses and humans. Concrete is a common choice and should be grooved or

HOUSING YOUNGSTOCK In the UK climate, youngstock will often need to be housed over winter, with field groups moved to loose housing in barns which maintains their social hierarchy.

Mount St John Stud is on clay, so there is no winter turnout, explains Emma Blundell. Youngsters come in to repurposed cattle barns which have indoor space with big straw beds, and free access to an outdoor grooved concrete yard.

Hay feeders, which take a full-size Hesston bale, are located inside and outside. “It’s important to have nothing that the horses can bang their heads on. Our feeders are open at the top, or there are plastic ones which are available.

“We designed the yards so we could do everything with a tractor – mucking out, bedding and feeding – as we wanted to reduce manual labour.”

Incorporating horse-friendly gates as part of the design for youngstock housing can help make it more flexible, says Andrews Bowen’s Colin Way. “It can give the option of a large group, or even an individual pen.

“For youngstock housing, one of the most important things is to have more feeding stations than there are horses. Make sure they can all eat and have enough space.”

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 23

ABOVE: INVESTING IN GOOD FLOORING SUCH AS HAYGAIN’S COMFORTSTALL SHOULD PROVIDE LONG-TERM SUPPORT FOR JOINTS, RESPIRATORY HEALTH AND PROMOTE DEEP SLEEP AND REST.

textured to make it less slippery, but Andrews Bowen has also laid non-slip rubber or granulistic block paving in some yards.

Kim also advises against using leaf blowers or sweeping passageways while horses are in their boxes as this can cause or aggravate any respiratory issues.

When it comes to turning out recently foaled mares and their off spring, locating their paddocks close to buildings is important, while those for youngstock can be further away.

Emma Blundell’s office overlooks nursery paddocks where mares and foals are initially turned out for controlled exercise. “They are big enough that the foal can trot and canter, but not get up to a full gallop.”

Mount St John’s nursery paddocks also allow individual mares and foals to be next to one another and to touch in a safe environment before going out in a larger group. “Mares can be very protective so this is a way for them to get used to another mare and foal so everyone is safe. I can keep an eye on them from the office and can see how they are getting on before they make the next step to a bigger paddock.”

Where access to all-weather turnout is the initial step

for mares and foals – and perhaps used by all horses – again safety should be top of mind. David says this should be regarded as a ‘small arena with a fence’, ideally 18mx20m with rounded corners. “It needs to have a full drainage network and a substantial surface which will hold up to a horse digging and doing the ‘wall of death’ which will put more strain on the surface.” He recommends a 6ft full board fence surround, or post and rail with tennis court netting.

Walkways and tracks should be a minimum of 3m wide, with easy access to turnout paddocks, he says. Tracks to paddocks need to be comfortable for unshod horses and capable of taking machinery, and he advocates surfacing them with a grade of aggregate which is 5mm down to dust and binds together to leave a fi rm base over time.

Besides making handling breeding stock easy, the property layout also needs to work practically, he says.

“Think about where your services are, such as the muck heap, or parking and loading or unloading horseboxes.

Can you access your feed room without going past all the horses fi rst? “If it is a business where you have visitors, you want to keep it as clean and tidy as possible. Everyone who has horses is busy, so think about maintenance, using materials for longevity and ease of use.”

Emma echoes those views, and focuses on providing a safe, comfortable and clean environment for her horses.

“It’s got to be commercially realistic and practical - and the long-term costs have to come into account too.”

LIGHTING OPTIONS Caroline Clarry of the Peregrina Stud in Oxfordshire, developed her facilities from scratch so was able to purpose-build her barn. She installed HorseLight early last year to help with the breeding programme and provide her team with an effective, bright working environment.

It is a light therapy technology emitting a very specific spectrum of blue light, centred around the notion that the Circadian Rhythm, the mammalian body clock, can be influenced with artificial lighting.

Under HorseLight, mares have been seen to have a more reliable ovulation pattern, producing a higher rate of first-time conception. The stud has also had positive outcomes with barren and maiden mares.

HorseLight says that for other studs, the earlier breeding season produced by light therapy could benefit ET mares, reducing disruption to their competition schedule.

The system which Peregrina Stud installed provides a red-light function, enabling the team to complete late night checks and remain on foal watch via in-built cameras without disturbing foaling mares or other horses in the barn. It also gives enough light to help a mare if they need any intervention during foaling.

Each HorseLight is 60W, so for Caroline’s barn of 16 stables, energy cost (current rates of 18p per kw) is about £2 per day.

24 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 25

PRODUCT WATCH.

STABLING HORSELIGHT is an advanced form of light therapy technology, scientifically proven to enhance the health and wellbeing of horses by emitting blue light.

HorseLight can be used to bring mares into season early and has been seen to support mares with a more reliable ovulation pattern, producing a higher rate of first-time conception. It also helps to improve a foal’s growth rate as well as restricting bacterial and fungal growth within the stable, thus minimising the risk of any threatening infection that the new-born could be exposed to.

The Advanced HorseLight provides a red-light function, enabling you to remain on foal watch without disturbing the horses.

PRODUC T

WATCH

HAYGAIN

EQUESTRIAN SURFACES LTD'S surface range has been developed following years of in-depth research, and features a selection of durable, all-weather waxed and non-waxed surfaces which will provide a consistent footing when used for training, schooling, or competition purposes. A leading provider, trusted by private and professional equestrians across the globe, we’ve been manufacturing and supplying high-quality riding surfaces for over 35 years.

RRP: HAYGAIN HAY STEAMERS: FROM £789. THE FORAGER SLOW FEEDER: £290. COMFORTSTALL: PRICING BASED ON BOX SIZE AND QUANTITY | haygain.co.uk

RRP: POA | equestriansurfaces.co.uk

RRP: FROM £240 horselight.co.uk

ANDREWS BOWEN PROGRADE RANGE is suitable for a wide range of synthetic surfaces. Rollers are wrapped in mesh to reduce vibration and consequently machine wear, whilst offering a superior finish. Top link adjusters enable roller height to be fine-tuned to allow for optimum tine depth and a detachable side plate makes it easy to remove any build up against retaining boards. Suitable for either tractor or quad use. Available in 1.2m, 1.5m, 1.75m, 2m or bespoke widths.

RRP: FROM £2,915 PLUS VAT | andrewsbowen.co.uk

26 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

The Haygain way harnesses high temperature hay steaming, the Forager slow feeder and ComfortStall sealed orthopaedic flooring to support natural horse health and behaviour.

Haygain steaming reduces up to 99% of the respirable irritants in forage. The Forager keeps hay clean and enables eating as Mother Nature intended: slowly and with a lowered-head position.

ComfortStall reduces bedding needs while providing cushion for joint health, deep sleep, and rest.

FARM & STABLE DURACORRAL is a modular, rotomolded, UV-stabilised plastic turnout pen, allowing you the flexibility to build to any size or format you require. Supplied with a steel gate and eight plastic panels, this versatile system can easily be added to with a creep arch or extra panels to extend. Duracorral is safe, strong and easy to move around. Available with fast delivery across the UK. RRP: SPRING SPECIAL OFFER FROM £2,795 farmstable.com

Well-cushioned surfaces providing unrivalled support for lateral movement The perfect dressage surface will support the discipline’s complex movements and demand for accuracy, whilst preventing concussion and injury.

Our range of waxed and non-waxed surfaces has been developed following years of in-depth research, and features a selection of surfaces which will provide a consistent footing when training and competing.

01282 834984 info@equestriansurfaces.co.uk www.equestriansurfaces.co.uk

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 27

WG Stud – Producers of Elite Progeny

Carthago Chicago

Silvester

Lord Rico

Silvester/Broadstone Chicago/Demonstrator 16.1hh SHB(GB) Life Graded Stallion.

Athletic, elastic light on his feet and full of presence, with a trainable and kind temperament. Bred champion futurity foals over successive years.

Carthago Z/Voltaire/Nimmerdor 16.3hh AES Approved & SHB(GB) Life Graded. Exceptional temperament and movement. He has the unique distinction of Elite progeny awards in dressage, eventing and showjumping.

Lord Leatherdale / Gribaldi 16.2hh AES Licensed & D-OC tested Exciting young stallion with fantastic temperament, power and movement you would expect from his bloodlines.

£800 NFFR (£200 deposit, then £600 when scanned in foal).

£800 NFFR (£200 deposit, then £600 when scanned in foal).

£700 NFFR (£200 deposit then £500 when scanned in foal). Introductory 2022 price only.

First collection fee included in stud fee, thereafter £80. P&P free of charge. All three stallions WFFS tested negative and extremely fertile. Viewing welcomed. Contact Hazel on 07779217215, hazel.wgs@zen.co.uk, www.wgstud.co.uk, or facebook WG Stud.

28 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

TRAINING.

PACE PERFECT Whether the horse has expressive rhythmical paces or restricted ordinary ones it is our responsibility as riders, trainers and judges to preserve and nurture what nature has given. In a new series by Jane Kidd, we look at what can be done to achieve this, starting with the canter.

A

s always with the paces the priority is the regularity, which in the canter is a three time beat with a moment of suspension.

The rider looks to develop their feel, the awareness of what is happening in the horse’s body and limbs and whether the sequence is correct or failing. Trained eyes on the ground can help and tell them what is happening.

LEFT: A WONDERFULLY EXPRESSIVE CANTER FROM A YOUNG HORSE, AN UPHILL TENDENCY AND OBVIOUS HOCK ACTION.

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 29

TRAINING.

“PUNISHMENT FOR MISTAKES CREATES TENSION RATHER THAN A BETTER TRANSITION”

THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD CANTER

LEFT: AN ACTIVE AND ELASTIC CANTER THAT IS JUST ABOUT TO GO INTO A CLEAR MOMENT OF

Energetic hock action and an uphill tendency is an e cellent indicator of whether the horse will be able to collect as the training progresses It is the best pace to develop the topline muscles of the back and neck.

SUSPENSION.

THE SEQUENCE fter the moment of suspension, the horse lands on its outside hind, followed by the diagonal pair of the inside hind and the outside fore, as the latter stay grounded the outside hind lifts and then the inside fore the leading leg lands to enable the diagonal pair to lift and fi nally the leading leg. ith all the legs off the ground there can be that vital moment of suspension.

he rider has to be supple enough that, while remaining upright, they can absorb the alternate dipping action when all the weight is on one foreleg and the lifting of the forehand when the outside hind is the only one on the ground. his action strengthens and elastacises those important back muscles but gradually becomes less pronounced as the horse works more through’ and carries more weight on its hind uarters.

VARIATIONS The basic pace is the working canter in which the horse fulfi lls the aims see opposite to a limited e tent. he straightness may not be absolute and greater emphasis is on good hock action than engagement. he essential is that work is balanced and uent and the strides of a natural length. he distinguishing re uirement of the three variations used in all more advanced tests is cadence. his is the accentuation of the regular three beat with a steady tempo speed of rhythm and clear uent springy impulsion. he shortest strides are in the collected work, the middle in the medium and the longest in the e tended and it is not ust the strides that change in length but the whole body. It is compressed in the collected with a higher carriage and a face close to the vertical, in the medium it is unconstrained with the head and neck allowed to lower slightly and the face to come in front of the vertical and in the e tended the horse lengthens to its utmost so the whole frame becomes a little more hori ontal.

In these variations the horse is e pected to show a distinct cadence along with a swinging back, elasticity and the aims listed.

EARLY TRAINING o nurture the natural paces and make a horse secure in them when ridden takes time, the purists allow up two years. he horse needs to strengthen the appropriate muscles, particularly those along the top line, understand what the rider re uires and develop the balance needed to be calm and supple.

THE KEY FACTORS

ABOVE: THESE TWO IMAGES SHOW AN OBVIOUS TIPPING ACTION THAT IS CLEARER WITH YOUNG HORSES BEFORE THEY TAKE MORE WEIGHT ON THEIR HINDQUARTERS.

30 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

evelopment of the scales of training. trengthening of the topline, most importantly the back muscles by stretching forward towards the bit with a slight downward tendency but without falling onto the forehand. It is hard to keep the balance stretching in the canter and the early years the stretching is best in trot. ake plenty of transitions especially between trot and canter. wrong strike off is almost always due to balance and positioning problems, not disobedience. unishment for

TRAINING.

LEFT: ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF DIFFICULTIES IN THE CANTER IS A RIDER USING A STRONG PRESSURE IN THE REIN CONTACT AND IS EVEN WORSE IF THERE IS A BACKWARD TENDENCY. GIVING AND RETAKING THE REINS IS AN ANTIDOTE TO THAT.

• • • •

mistakes creates tension rather than a better transition.

Development of the half halt.

Outside work, particularly hills.

Cavellettis and, as appropriate, jumping Riding forwards without losing control so that the horse is in a clear three time beat.

Watch that shortening of strides does not lead to a at four beat canter.

DIFFICULTIES • A rider holding back with the reins, particularly the inside rein blocks the hinds from coming ‘through’ and inhibits crucial working forwards towards the bit. It is a

THE AIMS • That distinct rhythm of a three beat and moment of suspension all in a steady tempo (speed of the rhythm) • Engaged hindquarters • Active hock action • Supple swinging back allowing momentum through it and the neck • Acceptance of the bit • Uphill tendency in a good carriage • Straightness

natural reaction on young, unbalanced horses or one keen to speed up. Many riders do not realise the strength of their contact.

Corrections include half halts, changes of pressure in the reins, easing then retaking and a full give and retake of the reins. crooked rider makes it difficult for the horse to stay balanced, to be straight and take an even contact. Other rider problems are those who find it difficult to maintain poise, to be supple enough to follow the swing of the back and who tip forwards.

Corrections include watching riders with good positions and e ercises off the horse to increase suppleness and improve posture.

PROGRESSIVE TRAINING As the horse becomes more balanced in the working canter it can be asked little by little for more collection. Crucial is to maintain impulsion and that clear three beat. The best exercise for this is working on a 20 metre circle to ask for longer strides, then shorter ones without slowing the tempo, and repeating this a few times before

allowing some stretching followed by those variations again.

The aim is to alternate between asking for greater engagement when the forehand lifts into a slightly higher self-carriage and then driving the horse forward into longer strides and a slightly more horizontal outline. t first the variations may be small, ensuring the scales of training are maintained but as the horse progresses the variations can become more pronounced, the collection higher, all the time with a supple back and a clear swing.

As the training advances the straightness too can be made more distinct. In the early years it will be hard for the horse to take equal steps forward with the two hinds and it will be testing on the rider not to try to achieve this by fiddling with the rein contact and restricting the impulsion. Riding forwards helps make the horse straighter as does counter canter, shoulder fore and shoulder in.

DIFFERING NATURAL TALENT Horses with naturally expressive canters and ones with limited at steps both need special care in their development.

The expression needs taming without destroying, ensuring there is balance and controllable impulsion. This takes a skilful rider who is secure and supple enough to follow and not destroy the movement.

The more limited ones need correct stretching to build up the back muscles, and forward riding to encourage impulsion a regular beat and a moment of suspension.

For both, transitions are key, initially between trot and canter then within the canter itself.

RIGHT: STRETCHING TOWARDS THE BIT WITHOUT FALLING ON THE FOREHAND IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE TRAINING OF THE YOUNG HORSE. IT ACTIVATES

DANGER A canter that might be comfy and controllable but does not show the aims will tend to be at no suspension and four beat. It takes bold riding, patient adherence to the basic training above to increase the likelihood of reaching the higher levels of dressage and enjoy the pleasure of partnering a happy athlete.

THAT VITAL FLOW OF ENERGY FROM THE HINDQUARTERS TO STRENGTHEN AND ELASTICIZE THE TOP LINE MUSCLES. THE MODERATE STRETCH IN THE PICTURE IS ENOUGH DURING THE EXERCISE OF SHORTENING AND LENGTHENING THE STRIDES WITH THE OCCASIONAL REWARD OF A STRETCH.

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 31

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

ZACKORADO

I

n a new collaboration between Blue Hors stud and Elite Stallions, it is a pleasure to welcome the incredible Blue Hors Zackorado (Zack x Florencio x Donnerhall) to the UK, for the 2022 breeding season. In this article we will explore just some of the reasons this stallion is such an exciting prospect for British breeders, and will hear from Beth Bainbridge, head rider at Elite Dressage UK, who has taken over these very special reins and has fallen head over heels for this tall, dark and handsome man!

With his modern and elegant frame, Zackorado is a stallion who will compliment a wide range of mares as he will help to lighten the frame, lengthen the

legs and shorten the back, to create a more modern picture.

He has a pleasing top line, is short in the back and has a super head and neck connection, making him a sublimely comfortable ride, and light and responsive in the rein.

His paces are full of natural swing, cadence and power and within each pace he has a number of different gears. ust when you think you have found top gear, he can go on again and fi nd another gear’ says Beth.

His strength in each pace is developing every day, the trot and canter are becoming both more powerful and with an even greater ability to sit and engage.

His walk is free and regular, with no loss of rhythm or relaxation when collected. He was the champion stallion at the German stallion licensing in Kreuth in 2018 and in 2020 he was placed second at the mid selection for 4-year-old dressage horses, with scores of 9 for walk, 9.3 for trot and 9 for rideability.

While Zackorado is both a beautiful and graceful horse,

32 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

and has scores of athletic ability, his biggest asset by far, is his absolutely exceptional temperament. Under saddle he is super trainable, fast to learn and eager to please his rider. e is calm, affectionate and easy to handle on the ground you would not know that you had a stallion in the barn’ says Anna Ross, owner of Elite ressage , he is stabled with geldings and mares and he is just a complete pleasure to have around’. e made his debut at the recent British Breeding Futurity Stallion Event, with Beth aboard, just one week after arriving from Denmark and having only been ridden by Beth a handful of times. e completely rose to the occasion, he was not spooky or fazed by the audience, or the other stallions. I don’t think I have ever trusted a horse so uickly before’ remarked Beth.

Certainly, their performance impressed the crowd, with

people queuing outside his stable for a cuddle and a selfie All in all, Zackorado is a stallion that ticks all of the boxes. He has the talent and trainability to go all the way to the top of his sport, but the kind and calm temperament that would make his off spring highly appealing to a wide range of riders. It is going to be exciting to watch this fabulous, young stallion progressing this year, Beth and the team at Elite Dressage are looking forward to showcasing him nationally in the near future. For now, they will be continuing their training at their beautiful Devon base and developing their partnership even further, whether in the arena or just hacking around the lanes and fields, with the dogs tagging along too!

FOR MORE INFORMATION Please visit the Elite Stallions website elitestallions.co.uk

YOUNGSTERS.

BABY STEPS THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF A FOAL’S LIFE ARE PRECIOUS AND LAY THE FOUNDATIONS FOR A HEALTHY PROGRESSION TO ADULTHOOD. HELEN TRIGGS TALKS TO BREEDERS FOR THEIR TIPS ON HOW TO GIVE

W

FOALS AND YOUNGSTERS THE BEST START.

hether you have twenty foals or just one, the guidelines are still the same. Correct feeding, access to pasture for forage and exercise and socialisation are crucial.

It’s important that the mare is kept in good condition as that can affect the composition of the mare’s milk and in turn the growth rate of the foal. It is a careful balance and mares fed a diet too high in fat can cause excessive growth in the foals which impacts on bone maturity.

Getting the foal to suckle straightaway is important as the colostrum which contains antibodies is within the fi rst milk. he danger is that a mare who has been dripping milk for a while before foaling may have lower levels of colostrum. A blood test on the foal can check the antibody levels and a plasma transfer can be given.

At Hawtins Stud and UK Hanoverians, vets will check the newborn foals and the farrier will be involved if there are any concerns about the feet or straightness of the legs. he foal

may need to wear splints or cuffs or the foal’s feet may need attention. It needs to be a conversation between the breeder, vet and the farrier to determine the best way forward.

Unfortunately mares are often foaling in inclement weather. Judith Davis of Hawtins Stud says “if I could wave a magic wand I’d have all my foals born in arch. he best thing for foals is to be out in the field.

“We’ll turn the mare and foal out as soon as possible, depending on the time of night they foaled, the weather and the temperament of the mare.

We have tiny turnout paddocks close to the foaling barn and they will go there for a couple of days to give the foal time to strengthen. he foals will start to pick at the mare’s feed and haylage uite uickly. “ hey’ll nibble grass but are really ust e ploring, says udith. “ he mares are fed a good uality stud balancer and stud cubes if they need a bit extra. Nearer to weaning we start ABOVE: CLAIRE RANDALL’S CLARA, WHO WAS BOARDED AT STUD UNTIL SHE WAS THREE.

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 33

Registraaon & Overstamping The Briish Hanoverian and Rhineland Studbooks accept mares and stallions from most major Studbooks.

Please contact us to see if your mare is eligible for grading and check your stallion choice with us.

Many foals are eligible for Briish passports.

Studbook Inspecaon & Mare Ma Performance Tests We will be acceping mares from other Studbooks to paricipate in our Mare Performance Tests. This includes, but not limited to, KWPN, Oldenburg, Westphalian, Holstein, Briish Warmbloods, Trakehners and the Briish Thoroughbred.

The mare will need to be presented for Studbook Inspecion prior to the test and this can be done on the same day.

Please email us at info@hanoverian-gb.org.uk for more informaion

www.hanoverian-gb.org.uk

KYLIX

UK LIMITED

KYLIX

UK LIMITED

T: 01799 542137 E: sales@kylixuk.co.uk www.kylixuk.co.uk

34 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

Specially designed for controlled exercise and rehab HYDRAULIC INCLINE INFRARED SAFETY BEAMS WHISPER QUIET 13A PLUG SUPPLY £20,803.00 Ex VAT & delivery

KYLIX

UK LIMITED

T: 01799 542137 E: sales@kylixuk.co.uk www.kylixuk.co.uk

TREADMILLS

Electric and Gas Water Heaters from £411.00 Ex VAT

Complete Water Arm Kit £231.00 Ex VAT

KYLIX

T: 01799 542137 E: sales@kylixuk.co.uk www.kylixuk.co.uk

WASHROOM ACCESSORIES

Traditional &Internally Sprung Adjustable Cross Tie Posts from £133.00 Ex VAT

PUSH BUTTON START | HYDRAULIC EMPTYING | UNPRECEDENTED VACUUM POWER | ULTRA EASY TO OPERATE | STRONG/LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN

UK LIMITED

T: 01799 542137 E: sales@kylixuk.co.uk www.kylixuk.co.uk

PROFESSIONAL WATER HEATERS | X TIE POSTS | WATER ARMS | MATTING | STOCKBOARD WALLS | PARTITIONS

from £2,695 + VAT

KYLIX CUB & LYNX PADDOCK CLEANERS

Exerciser £4533.00 Fencing £1795.00 Ex VAT & delivery

DIY HORSE EXERCISERS

THE MOST ADVANCED AVAILABLE | DIY SELF-BUILD | 4 HORSE 52FT 16 METRES WITH FENCING

YOUNGSTERS.

“I BREED FOR MY PLEASURE AND SEND THEM AWAY FOR FOALING.” Claire Randall.

ABOVE: CLAIRE RANDALL WITH THE HOMEBRED DIAMOND LIL, AN ORPHAN FOAL, WHICH SHE BUCKET FED. RIGHT: JANE STEARN’S WIFI HOTSPOT, FOALED AT STUD.

putting out feed in the fields for the foals. e try and keep everything as natural as possible. ny additional feeding is to support rather promote growth. ood uality pasture management is important with regular fertilisation and rolling of the fields to minimise poaching which could cause accidents.

Establish a regular worming programme once foals are more than two months old.

“I wean as late as I can, says u anne avandera of anoverians tud. “ e wean in one go and find that the foals are already a team and not that bothered. e put them into a barn with their friends. he mares that call the most are usually newer mums. he mares go back into the fields they came off. oving around helps them dry off. fter weaning, foals at both awtins and anoverians go out in age not gender groups. awtins doesn’t retain colts as entires so they will be gelded in the spring of their first year. t anoverians fillies and colts will be separated in the spring and any colts that are to be gelded will be cut then or the following utumn.

If there are no initial problems, feet trimming will start at around five to si weeks so that any issues which could

manifest in later life are identified early. oals are generally handled from birth onwards. “It shouldn’t be stressful, says udith but it makes it easier to do things with them later on. he one time or serial one foal breeder has different issues to bear in mind. It’s important for the foal to have peers to bond and play with and foals kept singly can develop needy behavioural characteristics. anoverians provides foaling down and youngster livery services. “ e like the pregnant mares to come to the stud four to si weeks before foaling so they settle into the yard and the herd. If they are coming on foal livery, we like to have the mare and foal a month before weaning, so the foal can make some friends, says u anne.

B member ane tearn has bred from her otspon mare, ed irl and produced an advanced medium nine year old, i i otspot. ane sent the mare to oodlander tud to be inseminated by oodlander avavoom. he was brought home and then returned to stud four weeks before foaling. “ e was a late foal so ended up being weaned at four months but it’s never seemed to do him any harm I didn’t have facilities at home so he was left at stud and came home in his third year. e was in a barn in winter there and out in the good weather. e was very well handled by oodlander and is the friendliest horse imaginable, comments ane. laire andall has bred a small number of foals over the years. er grand pri horse, iamond il II, is a homebred and she has a mare currently in foal to etcher B. “I breed for my pleasure and send them away for foaling, e plains laire. “ ily was an orphan foal and came home pretty much straight away. he was bucket fed and ended up going out with an adult gelding. “ nother mare, lara, stayed at stud for si months while I tried to get her mum back in foal. ortunately I was then able to send her to indsey awes at airoak range who also had a foal and she stayed there until she was three.

Breeding a foal and watching it mature into a teenager is a rewarding e perience and by being well prepared you can avoid those an ious moments BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 35

INSURANCE AND LEGAL.

Safe travels

THERE CAN BE FEW THINGS MORE SATISFYING AS AN OWNER THAN SEEING A HORSE THAT YOU HAVE BRED FULFIL ITS POTENTIAL. BRITISH DRESSAGE PARTNERS HCR LAW AND KBIS INSURANCE LOOK AT HOW YOU CAN PUT IN PLACE THE RIGHT AGREEMENTS AND COVER FOR ANY EVENTUALITIES IF SENDING YOUR YOUNGSTER AWAY TO A SPECIALIST.

S

ending a weanling or other young horse away on youngstock livery or training should be subject to a written contract, so that there can be no doubt as to its terms. It should be detailed, but e ible enough to deal with change. It is essential that the terms are communicated and agreed, and in particular cover: • How the horse will be looked after at the rider’s premises, and what will be included or e cluded. ees should be clear, as should any mechanism for change.

• Emergency veterinary treatment should be dealt with

• Charges should be set out clearly – either by the day or an overall price for a defined service.

• Be clear about long term objectives: if the aim is to sell the young horse on, the mechanism for this should be clear. Will there be a commission or a fi ed fee and if the latter, it could include an increase in value.

This could be separated out into a separate sales agreement or included as a schedule to one agreement.

• Hopefully all will go to plan but consider what will happen if you part ways and include terms that allow for this in a positive way.

ANYONE RUNNING A BUSINESS WITH HORSES SHOULD HAVE PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE. specifically, as with any health issue. Particular problems can arise if an underlying condition appears, so plan ahead.

• Be clear about services to be provided – will the horse simply be handled or will it be prepared for backing, showing or sale? What other professionals will be engaged?

IF YOU ARE SENDING A HORSE TO A YOUNGSTOCK SPECIALIST, WHAT INSURANCE COVER WOULD YOU EXPECT THEM TO HAVE? Anyone running a business with horses should have Public Liability insurance. Horses can be

36 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

unpredictable and Public Liability cover protects the business owner should a horse in their care cause an accident involving a third party where they are found to be liable.

There have been multiple cases where business owners have been held liable for third party property damage or bodily injury caused by a horse in their care. If they do not have adequate cover this could then fall back to the horse’s owner under the Animals Act 1971 so it is essential cover for both business and horse owners alike.

WHAT COVER SHOULD THE HORSE’S OWNER TAKE OUT, AND WOULD THIS DIFFER FROM IF YOU WERE KEEPING THE HORSE AT HOME? There is no requirement for any additional cover to be taken out by the owner of the horse.

As a minimum though, it is worth having Public Liability insurance. KBIS has seen claims for third party damages e ceeding , , so having protection against this is essential.

As mentioned above, under the Animals Act you have strict liability for the actions of your

horse regardless of whether or not you were there or responsible so it is important to protect yourself by having suitable liability insurance in place.

Additionally, some owners choose to insure their horses for mortality and/or veterinary fees in preparation for them to move off their yard and into someone else’s care. If you are considering this, it is worth remembering that often limitation periods apply at the beginning of new policies for this type of cover, in order to prevent pre e isting conditions being claimed for. To have full cover and therefore full peace of mind when your horse moves onto the new yard, make sure your policy has been taken out far enough in advance that the limitation period is completed by the time he moves. If you don’t, accidental injuries would still be covered during the limitation period so this does provide some reassurance if they are to get over e cited in a new field and nick themselves on the fence, for e ample.

FEED THE DIFFERENCE No Oats, No Wheat, No Barley, No Alfalfa, No Worries

The Original Cereal Free Feed

Ideal for Horses & Ponies Prone to Gastric Ulcers

Contains BMC® & PRO-YEAST Digestive Buffer

Supports Optimal Muscle Health & Function

Low in Sugar (6%), Low in Starch (8%)

Complete Feed, No Need for Balancers

Topline, Condition & Saracen Shine Blackcurrant Flavour

Certification Mark

Suitable for equines prone to gastric ulcers as part of a balanced diet

SUITABLE FOR HORSES & PONIES PRONE TO EQUINE GASTRIC ULCER SYNDROME

Research Driven Formulation

Fully Fortified Ensuring Balanced Diet

Ulcer Friendly

Kentucky Equine Research Nutrition Partner

Qualified Nutrition Advice Service

For nutrition advice or further information on our feeds please call +44 (0)1622 718487 Email info@saracenhorsefeeds.co.uk or visit www.saracenhorsefeeds.com

PRODUCT WATCH.

T

UC PROD

FOAL AND YOUNGSTER MANAGEMENT H WATC

LORD RICO FOALS – THE COUNTDOWN HAS STARTED! The team WG Stud, the home of Lord Rico, are excitedly awaiting his first crop of foals. This son of Lord Leatherdale (dam line Gribaldi) is expecting foals out of the stud’s top broodmares, with Negro, Uphill and Silvester bloodlines. His first foals are due mid-April, and with just six expected this year prospective purchasers might want to move quickly!

This young stallion is also available for breeding this year, with semen available seven days a week.

RRP: POA wgstud.co.uk

THE CLASSIC HAAS BRUSH COLLECTION FROM THE CENTRE LINE consists of eight specially chosen brushes designed to offer grooming solutions for horses of all ages and coat types. The quality and diversity of this range allows you to gently introduce your sensitive foal or young horse to the joys of grooming.

This helps develop your bond with the foal and mare giving them confidence and trust in you, while also stimulating the skin and hair follicles to cultivate a great coat. This fabulous collection is easy to use, provides a beautiful finish and most importantly offers a grooming experience that your young horse and foal will look forward to. Designed to be used in a specific order, each brush has a particular job and makes light work of grooming. Created by leading experts Haas, most of the brushes can even be popped in the washing machine at 30°C to keep them clean and bacteria-free!

RRP: RRP £115 | thecentreline.co.uk

STUDBOOK INSPECTION & MARE PERFORMANCE TESTS The British Hanoverian Horse Society will be accepting mares from other studbooks to participate in our mare performance tests. This includes, but not limited to, KWPN, Oldenburg, Westphalian, Holstein, British Warmbloods, Trakehners and the British Thoroughbred.

RRP: FROM £60 | hanoverian-gb-org.uk

38 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

Cross Keys International Dressage Horses

Covering all of your Equestrian Insurance Needs

Cross Keys International Dressage Horses specialise in the locating, and selling, of elite dressage horses and ponies in the UK and throughout Europe.

Breakdown Insurance

Event Cancellation

Insurance

Freelance Instructor Insurance

Horse Insurance

Horsebox Insurance

Personal Accident Insurance

Show Insurance

Insurance

Tack

Trailer Insurance

Groom Insurance

Property Insurance

Yard Insurance

If you are looking for your next dressage partner why not get in touch and start your exciting journey?

07854259835 crosskeysdressage@gmail.com www.crosskeysdressage.co.uk

WWW.PHHB.CO.UK | 01483 416555 julia.mcneill@phhb.co.uk

Compact coach built Ladies box for two large horses easily managed • strong and safe • excellent storage • massive payloads • a joy to drive

Talk to us today and we can design your dream horse box We work to your budget and design your perfect horse box on your ideal chassis

0345 230 2323

www.KBIS.co.uk

KBIS Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (300861) KBIS is a Specialist Risk Group Company * Standard terms, conditions and Underwriting criteria apply. Full terms available at www.kbis.co.uk/membership-savings/.

10% OFF Horsebox, Property and Liability policies for BD members* Find the code in your Members Handbook

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 39 2.5mm x 245mm .indd 1

16/03/2022 14:20

ASK THE EXPERT.

FIGHTING FLU WITH SCIENCE EQUINE INFLUENZA CAN HAVE A SERIOUS IMPACT ON HORSE HEALTH, AND AN OUTBREAK CAN CAUSE DISRUPTION TO COMPETITION PLANS AS WE HAVE SEEN IN RECENT YEARS. DR ESTHER RAWLINSON MRCVS TALKS ABOUT WHY THIS DISEASE IS SUCH A CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND HOW TO TACKLE IT WITH IMPROVED BIOSECURITY AND VACCINATION.

Q

What is equine influenza?

E uine in uen a u is a viral respiratory infection whose signs include a high temperature, cough, nasal discharge, depression and loss of appetite. econdary bacterial infections are common and prolong the disease, re uiring further treatment. s well as affecting performance, in rare cases u can cause serious complications and even death. he effects can be more severe in foals, elderly horses and those suffering from other health problems. ecuperation from the disease can take several weeks and often re uires the whole yard to go into isolation. lu spreads very rapidly between horses when an infected horse coughs or snee es, the virus can spread through the air up to several kilometres1. It can also be transmitted on ob ects such as tack, feed bowls, water troughs or clothes, so horses are at risk even if an infected horse is no longer present.

Q

Why do flu outbreaks occur? lu is endemic in the which means it is always circulating in our horse population. he more horses are vaccinated against u, the less the chance of a serious outbreak occurring, however only about of horses in the are vaccinated, leaving a large

40 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

vulnerable population which increases the risk of a ma or u outbreak, as happened in .

Biosecurity is also important to reduce the risk of outbreaks. horse can be shedding virus and infecting others before showing any signs of ill health so we should minimise contact with horses from other yards, for e ample at competitions avoiding nose to nose contact, sharing of e uipment, or gra ing communal areas. ew arrivals to a yard should be uarantined, especially if they are unvaccinated this was a common source of spread in the outbreak. t all times good stable ventilation is of paramount importance.

Q

How do vaccines work? imilar to ovid vaccination in people, u vaccination does not prevent horses getting infected, but the aim is to protect the vaccinated horse from becoming seriously ill, and to reduce the amount of virus it sheds, which reduces the risk of infecting other horses. accination stimulates the immune system so that it is primed to recognise the u virus and ready to uickly protect the horse if it becomes infected in the future. o comply with British ressage rules as shown in the handbook an initial course

of two in ections for primary vaccination, not less than days and not more than days apart, is re uired before being eligible to compete.

Immunity declines over time so regular boosters are needed to “remind the immune system. Boosters don’t ust protect the individual horse, they also reduce the risk of spreading infection to others. ompetition governing bodies continually review the risk of an outbreak and may change vaccination re uirements depending on current risk levels.

British ressage re uires that the fi rst booster in ection must be given between and days after the second in ection of primary vaccination. ubse uent booster in ections must be given at regular intervals of not more than months, commencing after the fi rst booster in ection.

ASK THE EXPERT.

the vaccine manufacturer. The manufacturers record all suspected adverse events and report them to the regulatory authorities, which helps to ensure that product labels stay up to date.

You can reduce the risk of a reaction by ensuring your horse is clean and dry where they are going to be injected (eg putting a rug on or keeping them stabled), many people also give their horses a couple of easy, low stress days after vaccination, avoiding heavy exercise.

Q JUST LIKE COVID, THE EQUINE INFLUENZA VIRUS MUTATES OVER TIME AND NEW STRAINS CAN APPEAR. British Dressage rules require that the most recent booster injection must have been given within six calendar months +21 days prior to the horse competing, and the full course or booster must have been administered at least seven days before arriving at the competition.

e uine u vaccine complies with the current OIE and FEI recommendation that vaccines should contain Clade 1 and Clade 2 strains. Ask your veterinary surgeon for more details to help ensure your horses are adequately covered.

Q

Q

re a flu vaccines the sa e? ust like ovid, the e uine in uen a virus mutates over time and new strains can appear, which means that vaccines must keep up to date as the closer the strain in the vaccine matches the strain circulating in the field, the longer and more effective protection the vaccine is likely to provide.

The circulating strains are continually monitored by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) whose experts advise which strains should be in vaccines. One

What side e ects ay occur and how can revent these?

It is important to remember that vaccination stimulates an immune response – that’s what we want it to do. This means that, while unfavourable, in rare cases (less than 1 in a a slight temperature, muscle stiffness or mild swelling, pain or heat at the injection site may occur after vaccination, and a very small number of horses react more strongly.

If your horse seems unwell after vaccination, please contact your veterinary surgeon for advice and so that they can inform

Which horses shou d be vaccinated?

The more horses mix with others from a different yard, the higher the risk that they will encounter u, therefore it is very important that competition horses are vaccinated. However it is equally important that all the horses at home are protected too as often these are the most vulnerable – the young, the elderly or those with health problems such as Cushing’s disease whose immune systems may not be working effectively and are therefore more at risk of becoming very unwell if infected.

There is plenty we can do to protect our horses from infectious diseases and keep them healthy and performing at their best. Do ask your veterinary team for advice so we can stamp on u together.

For more information visit: equitop.co.uk/vet-article-17.html

References: 1. Davis, J. et al. (2009) Transboundary & Emerging Diseases 56, 31-38

An educational service from the makers of ProteqFlu® suspension for injection for horses. Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd., RG12 8YS, UK. ProteqFlu® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health France SCS. ©2022 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: February 2022. UI-EQU-0018-2022. Use Medicines Responsibly.

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 41

42 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

BITTING.

MY FIRST BIT HOW WE INTRODUCE A YOUNG HORSE TO A BIT WILL SHAPE THEIR RIDDEN CAREER AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CONTACT FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. STEPHANIE BATEMAN FINDS OUT HOW TO SET A YOUNG HORSE UP FOR A POSITIVE BITTING EXPERIENCE.

A

s dressage riders, we strive for a light, responsive and consistent contact, so ensuring our horses are happy and comfortable in their mouth is vital. Introducing a bit to a young horse for the fi rst time is an important part of their initial training, and everything should be done to make the experience a positive one.

Before starting the bitting process, owners are advised to employ the services of a registered Equine Dental Technician (EDT) who will identify and resolve any issues, give you an understanding of the conformation of the horse’s mouth, and help you select the correct bit.

“Don’t start putting anything in a young horse’s mouth until you’ve had their teeth checked,” says EDT Simon Pratley.

“There is a lot going on in a young horse’s mouth and I suggest getting their teeth looked at two to four weeks before you start bitting them, because that will give you a window of time to allow any issues to be dealt with.”

Like humans, horses have two sets of teeth during their lives; a set of deciduous ‘baby’ teeth that fall out, and a set of permanent teeth that develop later. Deciduous teeth appear early – usually within two weeks of birth, while the permanent molars erupt at about one, two, and four years of age. The replacement of deciduous incisors and premolars by the permanent teeth begins at about 2.5 years of age. All permanent teeth are usually present by the time the horse reaches five years of age.

“Any problems with the growth and shedding of the deciduous teeth can lead to long-term issues that not only affect the horse’s physical development, but also his acceptance of a bridle,” says Simon. “So, it’s important to get their mouths looked at.”

With multiple deciduous and permanent teeth in the mouth at any one time, the eruption of new teeth isn’t always straightforward.

44 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

BITTING.

“ENSURING HORSES ARE HAPPY AND COMFORTABLE IN THEIR MOUTH IS VITAL.”

ABOVE: MOUTH MOULDING, USED BY BITTING SPECIALIST SUE GILLIATT, CAN HELP TO RECOMMEND A BIT BASED ON THE DIMENSIONS OF THE EQUINE MOUTH, THE SHAPE OF THE BARS AND THE RIDER’S AND HORSE’S NEEDS. BELOW: MATERIALS SUCH AS TITANIUM CAN ENCOURAGE SALIVATION, WHILE MOUTHPIECES FOR YOUNG HORSES SHOULD BE ANGLED FORWARD AND AWAY FROM THE TONGUE.

“Dental examinations will look for normal eruption and any soft tissue pain, such as cheek ulceration from sharp points on the upper cheek teeth,” explains Simon. “Deciduous teeth that are about to be pushed out by the permanent teeth are known as caps, and very worn and loose caps can cause the horse pain and lead to gum disease, so it’s preferable to extract the opposite cap at the same time to keep the mouth balanced.”

The EDT will also check the correct number of teeth are present in the correct position.

“Sometimes you get retained deciduous incisors, but these are easily removed under sedation and local anaesthetic,” imon adds. “Early identification and treatment are essential to prevent bigger problems, and I always advise owners of young horses to get regular dental checks as early as possible, from yearling age onwards. This will also get the horse used to the dentist.”

WHICH BIT?

With a huge variety of bits available on the market, what bits should we use to start a young horse off ?

“A young horse must be allowed to move their tongue, neck and poll to balance and eventually obtain the elusive light feeling in the hand, and self-carriage,” says Sue Gilliatt, specialist in e uine mouth moulding and bit fitting. “ s obvious as it sounds, the bit has to fit. If a horse has to deal with a bit that is too big or small, the only compensation technique they have to escape discomfort is using their tongue to place or hold the bit where it is tolerable. This is distracting for the horse, taking attention away from you, and is seen as resistance and bad behaviour.”

BEWARE OF THE WOLF

Wolf teeth are normally positioned just in front of the first cheek teeth, but not all horses have them. Most don’t cause any problems, but some horses experience discomfort due to pinching of the cheek onto the tooth, caused by a bridle or headcollar.

“They are usually found in the upper jaw; however, they are sometimes found in the lower jaw as well,” says Simon. “They usually erupt at approximately five to six months of age. Provided they are normally positioned, wolf teeth can be removed by a vet or an EDT under local anaesthetic (which must be administered by a vet) and sedation.”

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 45

BITTING.

“THE ERUPTION OF NEW TEETH ISN’T ALWAYS STRAIGHTFORWARD.”

ue advises using a solid or fi ed cheek with an eggbutt, dee ring or small fulmer. “ ith a fi ed side cheek, it can’t move, turn or twist, but it will apply pressure to the side of the lip and cheek when asking for a e ion, she says. “ his brings stability and security in the contact for the young horse, instilling confidence in the hand. dding a balancing strap under the chin, for schooling, furthers this effect. “ balancing strap is a piece of rolled leather that attaches loosely from one ring to the other, under the chin, says ue. “ he strap helps with steering and stops the bit from sliding through the mouth when the rein is opened wide to encourage a turn.

NOW THE CHEEKS ARE CHOSEN, WHAT ABOUT INSIDE THE MOUTH?

“ se a material that encourages salivation, offers ue. “ itanium is a light and inert metal that encourages acceptance of the bit and a rela ed aw. “ he mouthpiece should be forward ported, meaning it is angled forward and away from the tongue. his gives the tongue freedom of movement and helps remove pressure on the bars. hen considering the tongue, this connects to the hyoid bone in the horse’s head, which in turn connects all the way under the horse’s neck to the sternum. mall muscles also connect the hyoid bones to the temporomandibular oint and the temporal bone that makes up the poll. “ ny restriction through the will result in restriction in the shoulder, and the discomfort will result in resistance, says ue. “ ltimately, try to lessen pressure in the formative years as much as possible. his means they are ready to concentrate without fear and able to move freely forward and straight.

46 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

THE PRODUCER’S VIEW

Ashley Jenkins, dressage rider and young horse specialist, has introduced many young horses to their first bit.

“Before doing anything, we get our horses’ teeth checked by a registered EDT,” he says. “Ensuring they are free of discomfort and stress is number one.

“I start by soaking the bit (I use an eggbutt snaffle) in warm water and applying bit butter before then putting the bit on in the stable, being careful not to bang their teeth, and attach it to their headcollar with baler twine. I then leave them with it on in the stable for about 20mins a time for a week. They work out how to eat and drink with it.

“I would then start to lead the horse around with the bit in his mouth but with the lead rope on the headcollar and pay attention to how the horse is reacting to it. As long as they are happy, you can start to gently turn their heads left and right with the bit to get them used to the feeling, and from there, you could start long-reining.

“Once I’m on and riding away, the full cheek is good for teaching them to steer, and I like to use a link to give them something to play with.”

ABOVE LEFT: IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO GET A YOUNG HORSE’S TEETH CHECKED TWO TO FOUR WEEKS BEFORE BEGINNING BITTING, TO GIVE TIME TO DEAL WITH ANY ISSUES THAT ARE IDENTIFIED. ABOVE RIGHT: PRODUCER ASHLEY JENKINS, PICTURED WITH LA BELLISSIMA, SUGGESTS WARMING THE BIT AND USING BIT BUTTER WHEN GETTING YOUNGSTERS USED TO IT.

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 47

48 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

PRODUCT WATCH.

MY FIRSTBIT

PRODUC T

WATCH

THE STUBBEN GOLDEN WINGS BIT combines the advantages of movable rings with optimal mouth friendliness and a welldirected and sensitive impact. The anatomically-shaped wings on the side of the bit are designed to protect the horse's mouth, prevent pinching of the lips and ensure a correct position of the bit. The mouthpiece of the Golden Wings bit is made of sweet copper, a solid, nickel-free alloy consisting of 89% copper. It activates saliva production and encourages the horses responsive reaction to the riders direction. Available in five different variations.

RRP: £99.95 | stuebben.co.uk

SPRENGER KK ULTRA LOOSE RING SNAFFLE The Sensogan bit features a middle link, known as the bean, that is shortened and angled forward. This ensures the bit lies gently on the tongue and results in even and constant contact to allow clear instructions through the reins. Providing a precise contact between rider and horse, you can normally see a huge improvement immediately after switching to the KK Ultra bit. Featuring an anatomically-adapted mouthpiece that is extremely comfortable for the horse as the rider can give softer instructions.

RRP: £125.50 | zebraproducts.co.uk

BOMBERS EGGBUTT PORTED BARREL relieves pressure on the tongue via the medium port, which creates tongue space. The barrel joint relieves pressure on the bars by spreading it over a larger area and limiting the nutcracker action. The eggbutt cheekpiece prevents pinching of the lips and gives a more solid feel against the face. The release is slower, introducing some poll pressure.

RRP: £99 | equineman.com

NEUE SCHULE uses state-ofthe-art technology and CAD design to develop innovative bit designs with pinpoint precision and expert quality.

Manufactured using our unique material, Salox Gold, developed solely for use in the horse’s mouth, promoting effective horse-human communication, optimising horse performance, comfort, and welfare. Our trained bitting experts offer free advice tailored for riders of all levels and horses of all abilities to solve your bitting needs.

RRP: POA | nsbits.com

MYLER DOUBLE BRIDLE BITS Myler

MYLER MB36 FORWARD TILT LOW PORTED BARREL

Weymouths are unique in having the Myler’s special independent side movement, for a clearer lateral aid. Myler bridoons also have independent side movement and both have small ports: the MB04 low port comfort snaffle partially collapses and the non-collapsing MB36 has a wider port which is angled forward and gives more tongue room.

is designed to give tongue room for swallowing; and a more comfortable, clearer action. The wide, ¼in high port, angled forward at 45 degrees, allows the tongue to pass under the bit comfortably even on the lightest contact. The MB36 does not collapse, but has the Myler’s independent side movement, providing a clearer lateral aid. Available as a loose ring, hanging cheek, or as a bridoon.

RRP: WEYMOUTHS £195.95, BRIDOONS FROM £104.95 | shawsequestrian.com

RRP: FROM £83.95 shawsequestrian.com

SPRENGER DYNAMIC RS Sensogan bit has an ergonomically-formed mouthpiece that allows a rapid and balanced effect on the tongue.

The mouthpiece lies perfectly in the horse’s mouth for a soft and even pressure on the entire tongue area, encouraging the horse to chew. In addition the ergonomically formed mouthpiece allows a rapid and balanced effect on the tongue. This bit supports the contact to the corners of the mouth in a very effective way, keeping the horse on the bit. Due to the curved joints the bit remains in the correct and central position on the tongue. The fine lozenge can direct gentle pressure pivotally onto the tongue. The bit encourages the confidence of the horse in the rider‘s hand and increases safety.

RRP: RRP £115 | thecentreline.co.uk

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 49

THE BIG

EASTER EVENT

SPECIALIST HORSEBOX AND TRAILER BREAKDOWN COVER 01488 657650 www.horsebox-rescue.co.uk

Save up to 60% in the unmissable Easter Event!

Save 50%

£19.95

Was £39.95 Harry Hall Ladies Baselayer

Save 50%

£29.95

Was £59.95 Masta Vento Fly Rug Save 44%

£44.95

Was £80.00 Protechmasta LUX Dressage Saddlecloth Save 65%

£34.95

Was £100.00 Harry Hall Silhouette Full Seat Breeches Save 51%

£18.95

Was £38.95 Masta Airflux Schooling Wrap Boots Save 50%

£14.95

Was £30.00 Harry Hall Mesh Tech Riding Gloves

Shop with us in April and we’ll send you a £10 e-voucher to spend in May* www.harryhall.com * Offer subject to availability. Harry Hall reserve the right to remove the offer at any time. Visit the website for full terms & conditions.

50 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

Copyright - SBM Photographic

• • • • •

Roadside Assistance / Repair Professional Horse Transport Vehicle Recovery Full UK Cover Optional European Assistance

Proprietors

WINTER REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

FA E

LO U

DO UN P

H OT O GR APHY

HARTPURY

HERE WE COME CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO SECURED A SPOT AT THE NAF FIVE STAR WINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS (13 – 17 APRIL) OVER EIGHT REGIONALS. HERE’S A SELECTION OF OUR 2022 WINTER REGIONAL CHAMPIONS. KEVIN SPARROW

LEFT: ABERDEEN-BASED FENELLA QUINN AND EMPIRE B (STING X OO7) ON THEIR WAY TO WINNING THE MAGIC PRIX ABOVE: ALEX GREATOREX, AN EQUINE

ST GEORGES GOLD AT MORRIS EQUESTRIAN CENTRE. “WE

CHIROPRACTOR WHO WORKS MOSTLY IN

ARE NEW TO EACH OTHER BUT I CANNOT SPEAK

NEWMARKET WITH RACEHORSES, TOOK

HIGHLY ENOUGH OF HIM,” SAYS FENELLA.

THE PRESTIGE ITALIA NOVICE SILVER AT EASTON COLLEGE WITH HER EVENTINGBRED IRISH EIGHT-YEAR-OLD, CARRICK

JASMINE PUNTER PHOTOGRAPHY

TOOMES AMBASSADOR.

NA KP HO T

OG RA P

HY

ABOVE: GARETH BULLEY AND FROUWKE (BY UNITED), WINNING THE SPILLERS MEDIUM FREESTYLE SILVER AT MERRIST WOOD COLLEGE, RODE TO AN EMOTIVE ABOVE: CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN POSTED FOUR WINNING ROUNDS AT PRESTIGE EQUESTRIAN, INCLUDING THE HORSELIGHT MEDIUM GOLD AND EQUITEX ADVANCED MEDIUM GOLD WITH PETER BELSHAW’S STUNNING SEVEN-YEAR-OLD MARE, TIMES

AND PERSONAL COMPOSITION INSPIRED BY HIS LATE GRANDMOTHER, TO EARN 74.66%.

KISMET (BY AMPERE).

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 51

KEVIN SPARROW

ABOVE: HANNAH LUESLEY (16) CLAIMED THE BAILEYS NOVICE FREESTYLE SILVER AT VALE VIEW EQUESTRIAN WITH ELITE DRESSAGE’S APACHE X DON BEATY COMPILATION BY TONY HOBDEN OF EQUIDANCE, SHE POSTED A WINNING 73.14%.

INSET: KIRSTIE CLARKE WITH RACHEL WOLFENDEN’S POWERED BY FÜRST IMPRESSIONS (FÜRST KISS X DRAMATIC), WINNERS OF THE EQUI-TREK

KEVIN SPARROW

SCHUFRO SIX-YEAR-OLD, NEWTON ASTRO NASCENTE. RIDING TO A TECHNO,

ELEMENTARY SILVER AND HORSELIGHT MEDIUM SILVER AT MYERSCOUGH COLLEGE.

BECK Y SW ALL OW

PH O

TO

H AP GR

BELOW: ALL SMILES FROM AMY WOODHEAD

Y

AND MOUNT ST JOHN JAZZ DANCE (JAZZ X HEMINGWAY) AFTER CLAIMING THE

ABOVE: FORMER EVENT RIDER AND BD NEWCOMER CHARLIE TREVOR,

HORSELIGHT MEDIUM GOLD AND EQUITEX

WHO’S HAD A 15-YEAR SPELL AWAY FROM COMPETING, TOOK THE KBIS

ADVANCED MEDIUM GOLD AT BISHOP

PRELIMINARY SILVER AT BISHOP BURTON COLLEGE. HIS WINNING

BURTON FOR OWNER EMMA BLUNDELL.

PARTNER, LORD PERCY THE PIG, IS A HOMEBRED SIX-YEAR-OLD COOWNED WITH HIS WIFE, DAWN.

LOTTIE-ELIZABETH PHOTOGRAPHY

KEVIN SPARROW

ABOVE: SARA GALLOP AND ROCK THAT TANGO (BY ROCKEFELLER) DANCED THEIR WAY TO A WIN IN THE NUPAFEED ADVANCED MEDIUM FREESTYLE AT WELLINGTON RIDING. “HE WAS VERY SENSITIVE AND NERVOUS WHEN I GOT HIM, BUT NOW, I GET HIM AND HE GETS ME,” SAYS SARA.

Continually evolving to make sure that horses are the priority and safety prevails #1 choice in promoting calm and confident travellers Passionately designed to meet the needs of both horse and rider

NORTHERN BRANCH Phone: 01904 373 013 Mobile: 07720 845 857 Email: sales@foxyhorseboxes.co.uk

SOUTHERN BRANCH

Phone: 01453 830 953 Mobile: 07921 316 229 Email: enq@foxytwinhorseboxes.co.uk

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 53

BODYZONE.

Overcoming X

SETBACKS

LOSING A HORSE, HAVING TO TAKE A STEP BACK FROM COMPETING, ACCEPTING THAT YOUR MOUNT WON’T MAKE THE GRADE CAN ALL TAKE ITS TOLL ON A RIDER. ANDREA OAKES LOOKS AT HOW TO RECOVER.

S

etbacks are inevitable over a long career with horses.

Whether at grass roots or grand prix, many riders are all too familiar with disappointment or devastating loss.

“No-one is immune, sadly,” says equestrian performance coach Sandie Robertson (www.sandierobertson.com), who points out that the unpredictability of the equine element makes our sport different from any other. “ reams, hopes and careers can disappear in a second with a blow such as long-term lameness or withdrawal of sponsorship.”

Finding motivation again is not easy, but how we react determines whether we can move on again to reach our goals. Sandie suggests how to cope with misfortune and rebuild the future…

RECOGNISE THE LOSS “Losing something you love, be it a horse or a dream, can trigger grief,” says Sandie. “A horse may be a best friend, a soulmate and confidante, as well as an athletic partner, so it can hit hard if he’s moved on by an owner, retired with health issues or must be put to sleep.

While this is a constant, exhausting cycle for many professional riders, they fi nd ways to overcome the setback and build a level of resilience, otherwise they would not survive in the sport they love. When your success is

credited to one horse, he’s your partner and has helped you through hard times, there’s an emotional element that can leave a huge void.

It’s only natural to grieve.

“Grief can also result from losing your direction or career and ultimately your identity. Maybe you’re no longer an aspiring Olympic rider, a squad member or a rising dressage star. Years of training are invested in one horse, or towards one goal, yet owners, sponsors and top horses are sometimes lost in a tough fi nancial climate. here’s so much resting on those four legs. “ he stages of grief include anger and depression. It can squash you or make you more resilient. Some people decide never to put themselves through that again, but others see it as a chance to recreate things better.

PROCESS THE NEWS “ ake time to recognise what you’re feeling.

Process the bad news and let yourself grieve in your own way. Not everyone has the luxury of taking a break from the situation, but this can help.

“It’s not uncommon to fi nd humour in bleak moments, so don’t be surprised if you fi nd yourself laughing as well as crying. his is not only cathartic, but being able to see and enjoy the funny times can remind you that it hasn’t all been about the fi nal sad chapter.

“We forget that horses are an addiction; being with them can release feel-good chemicals called endorphins. When an

BODYZONE.

DRAWING ON RESILIENCE

After retiring her promising youngster Yoshi when two episodes of surgery failed to address kissing spines, dressage rider Lottie Flinn recently had to retire a newer purchase, Fergus, also with spinal problems. Sadly, Yoshi then had been put to sleep after breaking his leg in an accident at his retirement yard.

“I heard this just minutes before riding a premier league test with Reg,” says Lottie, referring to her loyal and long-term international partner Korenbloem Royal Rebel, now 19.

“We’d planned to bring up a small string behind Reg, but this run of bad luck means both emotional and financial heartbreak for myself and my mum.

“I know it’s often swings and roundabouts with horses and I’ve been incredibly lucky with Reg; he once almost died of meningitis. I’m trying to draw on my resilience and focus on short-term goals with him while I save up to maybe buy again in the future. I’ll keep putting myself out there, doing what it takes to stay in the saddle.”

addiction is wrenched away, we can suffer the physical effects of withdrawal.

Be kind to yourself through this phase, which should pass.

REVISIT THE SITUATION “Identify the good things, remembering all that a certain horse taught you or the highlights of a professional relationship.

Building a timeline, with pictures, can help put bad luck into perspective against a long list of good memories. “ hen take an honest look at the situation. ould you do things differently if you could wind the clock back? If you made the most of it and delivered what you promised to an owner or sponsor, you can sleep easy. hile it’s not pleasant to admit to making mistakes, acknowledging errors can help you move forwards. ake the learning, even if you didn’t like the lesson.

TAKE A BALANCED VIEW “If horses are your living, you can become more robust and strategic by distancing yourself from other people’s actions. In business it’s rarely personal. If someone wants to stable their horses elsewhere, or withdraws backing, they’re doing what’s best for themselves and their business.

BE BRAVE “ cycle of worry can result in a self fulfilling prophecy. rapping a horse in cotton wool

won’t always keep him safe and may be counterproductive, so be brave and put his welfare first by letting him live like a horse.

He’ll only be more explosive if you deny him turnout and contact with his friends, making accidents and in uries more likely. “ our self confidence may also be lacking after a setback. ou may uestion whether you can go through with something again or keep asking yourself m I good enough?’. By putting yourself back out there, you’ll remember why you love the sport.

BUILD A BETTER BLUEPRINT “ s sad as losing a horse or a dream may be, this can create a window to pause and think about what you want to do ne t. erhaps you were looking at a situation through rose tinted glasses when in reality it wasn’t great. an you build a better blueprint?

“While many plans revolve around finances, there are ways and means. e write your strategy and seek out coaches and mentors who can help you reach your goals. It’s all about leaving baggage behind and taking command after an une pected loss of control.

“None of your experience is lost, remember, it’s ust your heart or your ego that’s hurting. If you’ve done it before, you can do it again but this time better and uicker.

“AS SAD AS LOSING A HORSE OR A DREAM MAY BE, THIS CAN CREATE A WINDOW TO PAUSE AND THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO NEXT.”

EQUINE & FARM FINANCE

Bank Said NO?

We Usually Say YES!

£ We can quickly arrange loans £ 3 months - 25 years £10,000 - £5,000,000.

£ Competitive rates for Equine & Farm Finance £ Immediate decision in principle - use funding for any purpose: Consolidation, Tax bills, Stock Purchase, Expansion, New equipment, Repairs etc.

£ Specialist help for Financial Problem Cases £ Including adverse credit.

£ We can lend against property £

Stables, Equestrian & Farm Buildings, Equipment & Machinery, Vehicles, Shops, Bare Land and Buy-to-Lets.

If it can be done – we can help - call to discuss:

0800Brilliant 280 06 05 Finance Ltd

Simply Arena Mirrors.co.uk A true reflection of quality Aluminium framed arena mirrors + complete DIY galvanised steel installation kits including full instructions Safe, strong & highly durable Unbeatable quality and value for money

See our website for more details T: 01777 708010 M: 07492 733543 56 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

For the welfare of your horse or pony ask to see your farrier’s registration card or check the Register at www.farrier-reg.gov.uk frc@farrier-reg.gov.uk 01733 319911

Farriers Registration Council

BETTER

safe THAN sorry

TO CONCLUDE OUR SERIES ON DISEASE AWARENESS, WE’RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT EQUINE BIOSECURITY AND DISEASE PREVENTION. WE EXPLORE WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP KEEP YOUR HORSE AND OTHERS’ FREE FROM INFECTION.

D

isease can be a real threat to any horse or pony and can seriously impact their health and welfare. Disease outbreaks can also be costly, especially if it affects a business such as a livery or competition yard, or competition centre. In serious outbreaks, the yard may have to go on lockdown for weeks or even months until the disease has been fully eradicated.

WHAT IS BIOSECURITY? Biosecurity is a set of management practices designed to minimise the introduction and greatly reduce the spread of infectious disease.

By following certain procedures, horse owners and carers can greatly reduce the likelihood of their horses catching a disease and/or passing it on to others.

Good biosecurity should be practised at all times, not just during a disease outbreak, and is vital in the protection of not only your horse, but also those around you.

If everyone carries out good biosecurity measures, the risk of infectious diseases spreading around the equine population reduces significantly. e’re all responsible for horse health, so it’s important for everyone to play their part.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO REDUCE RISK? There are simple, inexpensive steps that people can take to promote good biosecurity and help reduce the risk of disease entering or spreading through their stables: now your horse’s normal vital signs and behaviour. ake your horse’s temperature regularly and get to know what’s normal. Any rise in temperature means extra care needs to be taken and call your vet if it goes above 38.5degC. • Practice good hygiene – wash your hands before and after you attend to your horse.

• Clean water buckets and feed buckets daily.

• Keep any new horses away from others for a period of time

(ideally in isolation facilities for three weeks). This may be varied in line with consultation with your vet.

Ensure all your horse’s vaccinations are up to date. eep your horse’s grooming kit, feed bucket, rugs etc separate from others to avoid crosscontamination and clean them regularly.

• Avoid sharing equipment such as water buckets, mangers and haynets between horses to reduce the risk of crosscontamination.

• Make sure everyone on your yard understands the biosecurity protocols in place.

HOW CAN WE PROTECT HORSES AWAY FROM HOME? To reduce the risk of infectious diseases when out and about at training events, competitions and any other horse gatherings, you

should: • Bring all necessary equipment with you, including feed, and feed and water buckets.

• Avoid communal troughs. on’t share any e uipment, particularly tack.

• Prevent direct and indirect contact between horses.

• Minimise use of communal grazing areas.

• Avoid horse-to horse contact.

• Discourage other people from touching your horse and avoid touching horses belonging to others.

• Frequently sanitise your hands, particularly before and after touching horses. hen stabling away, ensure the stables have been cleaned, including feed mangers and water drinkers.

• Bring disinfectants, such as household wipes or sprays, to reduce contamination in areas where your horse is stabled.

• Use insect repellent to reduce ies and other insects around horses and their stables.

More detailed advice, including guidance around transporting and biosecurity containment, can be found at britishequestrian.org. uk/equine/health-biosecurity/biosecurity

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 57

P

W N i s r P

3

3 v a f a 3 i

“

h

s

c

58 // Issue 2 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

PREMIUM SUPPLEMENTS

LOW PRICES!!

PREMIER FLEX HA (joint supp) 1kg only

£42.99

PREMIER FLEX PLUS (with devils claw)

£48.99

365 COMPLETE (feed balancer) only

£24.95

BUTE SUBSTITUTE 1 Litre only

£17.95

MUD WARRIOR 1kg 45 day supply

£29.95

MUD WARRIOR CREAM 200g

£5.50

CALMA (unique triple action formulation) 1kg

£31.50

FARRIERS FAVOURITE (hooves) 2kg

£23.99

PURE MSM 500g (cheap!)

£12.95

VIRGIN LINSEED OIL 5 litres

£24.95

PREMIERflex HA

ONLY £42.99!!

(4 month supply)

Why Choose Premier Flex HA? Not all equine joint supplements are the same, in fact they differ enormously in the levels of the active ingredients contained in them. A top quality joint supplement should contain not only a good level of Glucosamine which is a relatively cheap ingredient but also high levels of Chondroitin, HA and MSM. Premier Flex HA is possibly the highest spec equine joint supplement today!

Order direct from the *

58p 48p 36p 35p

NAF 5 STAR SUPERFLEX CORTAFLEX VETVITS EQUI FLEX PREMIERflex HA

* based on medium sized tub

365 COMPLETE

ONLY £24.95!!

Even the horses are talking about us!

(50 days supply)

365 Complete is a superb high spec balancer that goes far beyond normal vitamin and mineral products. 365 Complete includes every vitamin and mineral a horse needs and these minerals unlike many products are provided in chelated form which makes them far more absorbable. 365 Complete also includes pre and pro-biotics (gut health), MSM (joints, skin, breathing etc) and biotin (feet).

365 Complete helps keep horses in peak condition, the spec on 365 Complete is unsurpassed and yet it is still much cheaper than well known balancers.

manufacturer and save

£££’s!

“I am not one usually to write about products, but as a HUGE sceptic before I tried it, I just had to drop you a line about 365 Complete. I cannot believe the difference in my 5yo in the short time I have been feeding him 365 Complete, his coat is gleaming, he's so relaxed and content and he is bristling with good health!!” Annie Holbeche

Tel: 01388 420222 www.equineanswers.co.uk

REGIONAL ACTIVITY.

SOUTH & EAST DO: Katharine Perry and Sharon Walker (job share) M: 07872 603871 (Katharine) M: 07894 232358 (Sharon) E: southandeast@britishdressage.co.uk Chairman: Coaching:

Lotte Olsen 01277 822525 Tracy Wright 07951 570315 Emma Butler 07843 585504 Rider training: Nicola Preston 07984 642291 Samantha Williams 07974 225005 BD Youth: Phillippa Coles 07860 215895 Jessica Brown 07852 282983 Eve Fifer 07879 643047 Judges: Contact DO Para: Joanne Dagley-Cleworth 07967 605566 Marketing: Katie Tysome 07772 571497 Caroline Gibson 07795 035581 SOUTH & WEST DO: Amanda Rodgers M: 07894 232355 E: southandwest@britishdressage.co.uk Chairman: Susie Cumine 07860 677 977 Coaching: Amy Blount 07773 228562 Nicky Du Plessis 07398 130955 Rider training: Nicky Du Plessis 07398 130955 BD Youth: Tina Burrow 07967 912785 Clare Deithrick 07446 265843 Judges: Alicia Anderson 07778 898499 Para: Mark Cunliffe 07717 727147 Marketing: Sharon Stuart 07912 225700 Paula Holland 07748 666794

JUDGE TRAINING The continual professional development (CPD) requirements for 2021 have been extended until the end of March 2022 by which time a minimum of four hours’ technical training must have been completed. This can be at the current level, or at the level above if the judge is considering an upgrade. Judges are reminded that CPD is important to ensure good quality judging and should not be considered a box-ticking exercise. An example could be attending two Zoom sessions or a combination of one face-toface interactive session and a Zoom session. Please note that the non-technical workshops do not count as technical training.

Anyone not able to complete this advised to refer to the

NORTH WEST DO: Alex Phillips M: 07495 013192 E: northandwest@britishdressage.co.uk

SCOTLAND

Chairman: Jane Critchley 07966 865604 Coaching: Alison Calvert 07980 886004 Rider training: Jackie Crombie 07816 216594 BD Youth: Kate Tomlinson 07770 803115 Judges: Denise Glanville 07966 303633 Brenda Pamplin 07415 203766 Richard Baldwin 07903 942498 Para: Alison Ramseir 07809 456296 Caroline Unwin 07842 219043 Marketing: Anna Tomlinson 07773 428176

Chairman: Caroline Paterson 07554 086211 Coaching: Jean Stephen 07718 315834 Rider training: Linda Thompson 07919 441039 BD Youth: Kerry Sutherland 07720 085248 Judges: Gillian Peters 07501 444132 Para: Johanne Picken 07507 270508 Marketing: Jade Struthers 07852 411979 Sam Turpitt 07801 428333

NORTH & EAST DO: Jo Byrne M: 07783 791191 E: northandeast@britishdressage.co.uk Chairman: Vikki Hayton 07860 276578 Coaching: Charlotte Wilson 07949 076141 Rider training: Sarah Farrand 07941 640148 Rachel Longworth 07863 970192 BD Youth: Jess Griffiths 07590 732896 Charlotte Clark 07786 344617 Judges: Helen Copeland 07877 306864 Para: Gillian Brown 07872 923456 Marketing: Sarah McClarron 07557 281360 Noor Rhijnsburger 07403 763608

reinstatement of judges policy on the website and if you are unable to fulfil this requirement must write to officials@britishdressage. co.uk. Judges are reminded that they should be up-to-date with CPD before they judge.

We have launched online seminars with the eDressage platform Black Horse One. These seminars offer the opportunity to judge a set of level-specific tests using the online platform, to then focus on areas for development regarding specific technical movements. These are available for all judges, including trainees.

Please ensure that you register for the relevant seminar either at your current level or the level you are looking to upgrade to.

ONLINE SEMINARS These seminars are available to book through the Horse Monkey

60 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

DO: Ashley Stewart M: 07584 147258 E: scotland@britishdressage.co.uk

WALES DO: Vanessa Archer M: 07398 763414 E: wales@britishdressage.co.uk Chairman:

Mike Mullis 07706 940315

Coaching:

Amanda Leaker 07980 309398

Rider training (North Wales): Helen Hopewell 07971 490038 Rider Training (South Wales): Bethan Powell 07545 082247 BD Youth (North Wales): Anna Roberts 07786 674893 BD Youth (South Wales): Briony Cutler 07889 817609 Quest:

Emma Thompson-Warren 07747 611274

Judges:

Dianne Breeze 07491 531953

Para:

Donna Rooney 07969 747817

Marketing:

Cethin Ravenhill 07974 900941

website where upcoming dates will be published in due course.

Please filter your search to ‘British Dressage Judges’ to find the booking page.

To apply to become a Trainee judge, visit britishdressage. co.uk/judging/how_to_ become_a_judge For judge training dates and further information on upcoming seminars and induction days, please see the BD website.

Please visit the Judge Horse Monkey page at: horsemonkey. com/search?s=British%20 Dressage%20Judges where you will find all judgerelated booking links including trainee judge registration, system registration, music paper booking, the judge listing form and Zoom judge training sessions.

REGIONAL TRAINING To find details of regional training in your region, including clinics, test riding, social activities, demos and much more, simply open the camera on your device and scan the codes below.

South & West

South & East

North & West

North & East

Wales

Scotland

Alternatively, visit the BD website, find your region and head to the regional training page via your web browser.

Building excellence for you and your horse Design & Layout

Complete Projects Indoor Arenas

Planning

Outdoor Arenas

Application

Stables & Shelters

Management

Gallops & Fencing

30 years’ Experience

Horse Walkers

Free Consultation

Concrete Bases & Groundworks

A TOTAL design and build solution for all your equestrian projects www.teconstruction.co.uk •• 01380 01380 818216 818216 •• info@teconstruction.co.uk info@teconstruction.co.uk www.teconstruction.co.uk

Coach packages

Our support, your coaching success.

Join our new accreditation programme and become part of our mission to promote the highest standards of riding, equine welfare and workforce quality in the equestrian sphere. We have listened to feedback and developed bespoke packages for dressage coaches that are designed to meet all of your specialist needs.

Available from the end of March 2022, the British Dressage Coach Package will help to support you build a successful business, by providing verified listings, enhanced CPD activity, plus the option of professional insurance, offering total security for you and your clients.

Choose from three tiers, each offering great value for money, and select the package that suits your professional and personal needs.

Visit www.britishdressage.co.uk to find out more!

LISTED COACH COACH

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 61

Clothing guide

Get the look this spring

1

3

2

6

4

5

Lifestyle range organic hoodie, mens and womens in eight colours £39.99 2 Lifestyle kids' organic cotton polo £19.99 3 Unisex organic sweatshirt in eight colours £29.99 4 Supporters womens v-neck knit jumper £24.99 5 Supporters padded gilet in three colours £39.99 6 Supporters softshell jacket £39.99 1

shop.britishdressage.co.uk

62 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

Supporters Lifestyle Regions

BD ACTION.

BD ACTION KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LATEST NOTICES, NEWS AND VIEWS FROM BRITISH DRESSAGE AT BRITISHDRESSAGE.CO.UK

REMINDER ELECTION OF BD CHAIR, BD JUDGES DIRECTOR AND BD INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR As published in BD Magazine Issue 2, there are three Director positions eligible for election this year – the roles of BD Chair, BD Judges Director and BD International Director. Applications are open until midday on Tuesday 3 May 2022 so there’s still time to apply for any of these roles, which are fantastic opportunities to get more involved in shaping and developing future strategy in key technical areas.

Please see page 55 of Issue 2 to find out more about the application processes.

Details of the specified knowledge, experience and competencies required for a Board Director, along with the role descriptions, are available on the BD website: britishdressage. co.uk/our-sport/British-dressage /structure-and-governance To request a nomination form and further information, please contact Ben Waterhouse, Chief Operating Officer, on ceo@britishdressage.co.uk or call 02477 087805.

BD YOUTH FOUNDATION ACADEMIES 2022 Applications for the 2022 Foundation Academies will be opening in the spring. If you’re a B, B+ or A Squad rider, competing consistently at a minimum of 66% at Elementary (or equivalent at age-appropriate levels on young horses aged seven years or under), this could be for you! Selected

riders will receive coaching and performance development sessions, both mounted and unmounted, over two two-day camps running through autumn/winter.

We will announce when applications open via the BD website news and across our social media channels, so watch this space! All information can be found on britishdressage.co.uk/ get-involved/bd-youth/youthacademies and more information about 2022 applications will be available in the spring. If you have any questions about the 2022 entry criteria, please contact Hannah James, Youth Development Officer at hannah. james@britishdressage.co.uk

JUDGES’ UPGRADES Congratulations to the recently upgraded judges listed below.

Vandervleit (South & East), Val Walkden (South & West), Kathryn Woolgar (North & West).

LIST 5 David Andrew (Scotland), Catriona Armstrong (Scotland), Enid Baines (North & West), Ruth Baxter (North & East), Bernadette Briggenshaw (South & East), Emma Butler (South & East), Michaela Butt (South & East), Edward Chitty (South & East), Heather Clark (West North & West), Claire Cowley (South & East), Marcia Cundy (South & West), Laima Davies (South & West), Zandra Forder (South & West), Vicky Fry (South & East), Diana Glassett (South & East), Jane Harries (Wales), Liz Hole (South & West), Deborah Howson (North & East), Philippa Inskip (North & West), Julie Jerome

LIST 2A

MAJOR DATES

Sarah Kingwells (North & West)

06 – 10 Apr 09 – 10 Apr 13 – 17 Apr 13 – 17 Apr

LIST 4 Lyndsey Adamson (North & West), Tanya Bridgeman (North & East), Karen Dance (South & West), Emma Forsyth (North & West), Pip Frankish (South & West), Christine Gay (South & East), Joanne Glover (North & West), Martine Harbour (South & West), Elizabeth Jones (Wales), Andrew Keane (North & East), Adrienne Lanigan (North & West), David Lannon (North & East), Sam McEwan (South & West), Rebekah Middleton (South & East), Jade Paterson (Scotland), Alison Pepper (North & East), Mette Peterson (South & West), Susan Price (North & West), Laura

(South & West), Patricia Lawton (North & West), Rachael Liddle (North & East), Sarah McClarron (North & East), Dominique Mills (South & West), Helen Moore (South & West), Kate Ness (North & West), Jane Ratcliffe (North & West), Victoria Russell (South & West), Ellie Samwell (South & West), Sharon Spenser-Mullins (North & East), Keeley Squires (North & East), Heather Stickley (South & West), Tiffany Tasney (South & East), Frances Trundle (North & East), Louise Wakeham (North & West), Frances Wilson (South & West), Deborah Winchester (South & East), Susan Winstanley (North & West), Carol Wood (Scotland).

LIST 6 Katherine Pier (Scotland), Zoe Golding (South & East).

FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final, Leipzig (GER) Combined Training Championships, Onley Grounds, Warwickshire NAF Five Star Winter Championships, Hartpury, Gloucestershire Petplan Equine Winter Area Festival Championships, Hartpury, Gloucestershire 29 Apr – 1 May Keysoe Premier League, Bedfordshire 07 – 08 May Para Home International, Bishop Burton, East Yorkshire 07 – 08 May Senior Inter Regionals, Bishop Burton, East Yorkshire 11 – 15 May Windsor CDI4*, Berkshire 13 – 15 May Hickstead Premier League, West Sussex 27 – 29 May Somerford Premier League, Cheshire 08 – 12 Jun Wellington Premier League, Hampshire 08 – 12 Jun Festival of Para Dressage, Wellington Riding, Hampshire 09 - 12 Jun Wellington CDI3*/CDIU25/CDIYJP, Hampshire 24 – 26 Jun Bolesworth CDI3*, Cheshire 25 – 26 Jun BD Youth Inter Regionals, Bury Farm, Buckinghamshire A comprehensive list of all major dates including the Petplan Equine Area Festivals can be found online at britishdressage.co.uk/competitions/ international-and-major-dates

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 63

64 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

FEED & FEEDING ACCESSORIES

HORSEBOXES

HORSEBOX PRE PURCHASE INSPECTIONS AT YOUR SERVICE SERV VICE E

Inspections carried out by consulting vehicle engineer Brian Burton MIDIAGE. Available anywhere within the UK, 7 days a week.

Reports for litigation carried out.

Tel: 01206 382236 or 07725 273553 www.essexvehicleinspections.co.uk ARENA MIRRORS

ADVERTISING

BIDDLECOMBE ARENA MIRRORS

ADVERTISE HERE

haysteamers.co.uk haysteam mers.co.uk Pulse Steam Technology @haysteamersuk

To find out more and to book please call Jacob Holmes on 01242 259244 or email: jacob.holmes@ fellowsmedia.com

For outdoor and indoor arenas Over 10 years experience A professional service guaranteed As used by Charlotte Dujardin 01452 780164 | 07739 224058 biddlecombearenamirrors.co.uk

FINER STABLES

Manufacturers and suppliers of Bespoke Equestrian Buildings

• Delivery and installation available throughout the UK • Handmade by trained joiners using the highest quality timber • Field shelters, stables and barns to suit all budgets

E: sales@finerstables.co.uk T: 01455 209893 M: 07709 315438 WWW.FINERSTABLES.CO.UK BRITISH DRESSAGE // / Issue 3 2022 // 65

DRESSAGE DAYS.

DRESSAGE DAYS Q&A MEET ROWLAND AND MARIA KINCH Watching your horse develop and achieve success, we’d all agree, is an incredibly rewarding experience. For those who adopt the role of owner, the rewards can be immense. Rowland and Maria Kinch, owners of the top para horse Don Cara M (Donnie), had the thrilling experience of watching him win team gold and individual silver with Sophie Wells at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. We caught up with the couple, who live in Kent on a 60-acre stud farm with their three dogs Ellie, Bella and Buster and seven other horses including Donnie’s mum, to find out just what it means to them to be involved in the sport.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUNDS aria is a retired olice officer and spends her time looking after the farm and undertaking her passion as a ceramic artist. I’m an engineer and own several tech businesses based in and around the South of England.

HAVE EITHER OF YOU EVER RIDDEN? We are both late to riding but I had a lifelong passion to be involved with horses. I would describe myself as more of a breeder than a rider.

WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL INTEREST IN DRESSAGE AND HOW DID YOU FIND DON CARA M? The fascination of gaining the confidence and trust from an animal the size and power of a horse had always captivated me. I find there’s also something decidedly spiritual when you are around them. I’d followed dressage for a number of years,

I went looking for a horse with international potential and found Donnie in Holland.

WAS HE ALWAYS INTENDED FOR PARA DRESSAGE? o, we struggled to find the right pairing locally but thanks to Carl Hester and Amy Woodhead (we stabled Donnie with Amy for 18 months) we persevered, and they introduced us to Sophie.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST MEET SOPHIE? e first spoke to ophie in late October 2020 when she was looking to fill the second spot in her string having lost one of her top horses. We dropped onnie off for a trial’ over that Christmas period just to see how they would both get on. It didn’t take long for Sophie to call and tell me she loved him… Again, Amy Woodhead was a massive help during those initial months.

Carl was also very generous in agreeing to continue with Donnie’s training.

66 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

HOW DID IT FEEL WHEN DONNIE WAS CALLED UP AT THE 11TH HOUR FOR TOKYO? As complete newcomers I must admit that we really didn’t understand the entire Paralympic selection process. Sophie was very patient with helping us understand it so we knew it was up to onnie in the final competitions. However, that was only ever to be the official reserve. When Sophie called me the night before they all ew out and said he was going to be number one I was nearly sick!

WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE BEING PART OF THE PARA TEAM STRUCTURE? Obviously we were both really sad about not being able to go and support Sophie and Don in Tokyo but without exception, everyone in the British Para team has been so warm and welcoming. Sophie and her team would facetime us every

day so we felt part of the entire warm up.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE CONSIDERING OWNERSHIP? We were obviously glued to the TV during all of the competitions, I can honestly say it was some of the proudest moments of my life when Sophie and Don were in the ring. I know my limitations and realise that I could never ride to that level and ownership for me is just as rewarding.

YOUR BEST COMPETITIONDAY ANECDOTE! As much as I love Donnie he did once spook and rear up when I happened to be at the front end.

Not sure what made me wear my steel toe capped boots that day but he came down with full force right on me! Those boots saved my foot…Wear your toe caps even with your best tweed!

Charlotte Dujardin chooses Fairfax Performance

Charlotte Dujardin & Mount St John Freestyle

Fairfax Performance Girth

Fairfax World Class Monoflap Dressage

Patent GB2488030B Design Reg: 001839028

E IN E N GLAN

D

M

AD

BD Full Ad CD 02-20.indd 1

Patent GB2515079B

fairfaxsaddles.com

BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 67

25/02/2020 16:10

Outstanding Results #FedonTopSpec

Dark Legend, winning the Freestyle at Exloo CDI, ridden by Charlotte Fry and owned by Van Olst Horses

Photograph by DigiShots.

“At Van Olst Horses we aim for the best. In TopSpec we have a top partner. Their quality food and expertise is a great help in getting our horses in top shape to achieve our targets.”

Anne Van Olst

Typical Feed Reg ime

for a 17hh (60 0kg) horse in medium to hard work:Ad lib good qu ality hay or hayla ge, plus grazing Plus two feeds per day each containi ng:• 300g TopSpe c Comprehensiv e Feed Balancer (for condition; muscle develop ment and toplin e, performance; rec overy; hoof qu ality; behaviour; diges tion and utilisa tion) • 300g TopCho p Sport (combine s British alfalfa with a ble nd of British gra sses, lightly coated wit h soya oil) • Up to 2kg To pSpec Perform ance Cubes (‘Non-Heating’ energy, quantity adjusted according to co ndition – which reflects work etc) • Additives if req uired; Electroly tes, 10:10 Joint Support, Calmer or Diges tive Aid

®

Multiple Award Winner for ‘Excellence in Nutritional Advice and Customer Service’ 68 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

Collect

CREATED WITHOUT COMPROMISE by experienced equine nutritionists

0 1 8 4 5 5 6 5 0 3 0 (0 6 2 ) 8 5 4 0 1 w w w . tops pe c. com

®

Tokens

for product and merchandise

#FedonTopSpec

Redeem your TopSpec tokens at www.topspec.com / tokens