Eaequestrian issue 10

Samsung Polo: Samurai shines as polo season kicks off

Issue 010

Polo I Horseracing I Dressage I Showjumping I Showing

JAN-MAR 2016

Price: 200 KShs.

Catapaulting ahead of Knighthood in the straight, Cheney sifted away like a paragon of virtue for trainer, Patsy Sercombe and a large syndication of Ansell’s/Briggs as...

sercombe BLAZES at britam day Immensely glamourous life of Buster ■Parnell The E.A. Equestrian

JAN-MAR 2016

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Contents

EDITORS NOTE

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Exciting race to North American League finish.

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Irish showjumpers to miss out on Rio 2016 after CAS dismiss appeal Kristina BrĂśring-Sprehe and Desperados FRH new world Dressage number one

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COVERSTORY: Lesley Sercombe Brightens Ngong’s Aura Again

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Polo season resumes at the Nairobi Polo Club

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FEI WORLD CUP JUMPING: Juan Manuel Luzardo and Stan claim victory in Valle de Bravo

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Dortmund to host FEI World Cup Vaulting 2015/2016 Final CELEBRITYPROFILE: Immensely glamourous life of Buster Parnell MAMA PUNDA NOTES Diognosis, reatment of pigs and dogs

Good idea to bring in Modern Pentathlon instructors to Kenya

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Pembroke House host successful Interschools competition

he step taken by Modern Pentathlon Federation of Kenya (MPFK) to bring in coaches to Kenya to interest Kenyan youth in this multidisciplinary sports should be commended by all and sundry. The two Egyptian coaches, with massive experience in the sport, Ahmed Ameris and Mohamed Eid, spent 10 days in the country and were hosted by Hillcrest International School, an institution which leads in promoting and nurturing latent talent on equestrian sports. The two top coaches were also taken to St Andrews Turi in Molo and Greensted School in Nakuru, two institutions with historic roots in equestrian sport. Mrs Sharon Hays, who is a keen horse rider, and the chairman of MPFK, Mrs Fridah Shiroya, accompanied the coaches at Hillcrest School where demonstrations on Modern Pentathlon was carried out to students from the school and Kenyatta University. The sport combines horse riding, fencing, running, swimming and shooting. We encourage more schools, especially those with equestrian background like The Banda School, ISK and Breaburn, to espouse the sport to diversify medal prospects in future Olympic Games.

Isaack

Equestrian Round-Up

Apology to Mrs Nzomo

In our last edition, we errorneously referred to Mrs Nzomo as Mrs Arungah after she was declared the most elegantly dressed lady during the Kenya International Polo Tournament at the Nairobi Polo Club. We sincerely apologise for the embarrassment this picture mix-up may have caused to Mrs Nzomo and Mrs Arunga.

Hillcrest School hosts top Modern Drewell earns second straight FEI Pentathlon World Cup Vaulting victory after instructors impressing in Mechelen

By Innocent Immaculate NAIROBI, February 12 - Kenya's top equestrian schools are showing a keen interest in Modern Pentathlon. Hillcrest International School, which is renowned for its equestrian programme, recently hosted two top Modern Pentathlon instructors from Egypt. The two, Ahmed Ameris and Mohamed Eid spent 10 days in Kenya teaching the youth about the sport, which is a combination of running, swimming, shooting, fencing and horse riding. From Hillcrest, they went to St Andrews Turi in Njoro and Greensteds in Nakuru.

Ameris is a licensed international judge of the Modern Pentathlon competition as well as a former coach to modern pentathlete 2009 world junior champion, Aya Medany.

Eid is the second coach as conscripted by the Modern Pentathlon Federation of Kenya. He has been an active member of Egypt's Modern Pentathlon team since 2005 and is the current head coach of El Gizira's modern pentathlon club in Egypt. The President of MPFK, Friodah Shiroya and treasurer Sharon Hays thanked Hillcrest School for hosting the coaches and outlined the importance for Kenya to begin training athletes over the next four years to ensure athletes qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

By Michael Pavitt

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ermany’s Jannis Drewell secured a second straight victory in the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Cup Vaulting series after producing a superb display in Mechelen, Belgium.

The world number one was looking to replicate his win in Salzburg earlier this month and began with an excellent performance in the opening round of the competition.

On his horse Lago Maggiore, Drewell emerged as the clear winner by securing a score of 8.411 from the judges, having received impressive athlete and artistic marks.

His lead over his fellow German Thomas Brusewitz and France’s Clement Taillez could have been greater but a lower score of 6.175 for the horse’s performance prevented the overall score from being higher heading into the second round.

The European champion ensured he would end the day top of the podium after scoring 8.413 with the second performance to end the competition on an average of 8.412.

Brusewitz was able to claim silver despite finishing some way behind the winner on 8.174, while France’s Vincent Haennel over-

took his compatriot Taillez to complete the podium on 8.012.

In the women’s individual event Switzerland’s Simone Jäiser was able to earn her second win of the season, having previously triumphed at the opening event in Madrid.

Jäiser claimed victory at the fourth round of the World Cup by receiving a total of 8.771 for her two performances, with France’s Anne-Sophie Musset and Germany’s Kristina Boe earning the minor medals with scores of 8.318 and 7.961 respectively.

"It is unusual to have the two rounds on one day in a World Cup, but in Switzerland we often have the same so we are used to it,” Jäiser reflected afterwards.

“The time was long enough between the two rounds so that it was okay for the horses.

“It was a great atmosphere here, and I was very happy with my performance.”

The German pairing of Torben Jacobs and Pia Engelberty emerged as the clear winners of the three-team Pas-de-Deux event having secured a total score of 8.659.

Switzerland’s Alexandra Lowy and Ursina Dubs were able to finish on 6.909 to finish ahead of their team-mates Zoe Maruccio and Syra Schmid, who only managed 6.086.

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Equestrian Round-Up

Irish showjumpers to miss out on Rio 2016 after CAS dismiss appeal

By Liam Morgan

I

rish showjumpers look set to miss out on competing at this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed Horse Sport Ireland’s (HIS) appeal against the results of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) European Jumping Championships in Aachen, Germany.

The team finished seventh at the Olympic qualifying event last August, 0.38 penalties adrift of the final Rio 2016 berth earned by Spain.

HSI believed this was caused by an arena steward running across the path of Cian O’Connor, on board his horse Good Luck, prior to the

pair picking up four faults on the following fence. The 36-year-old rider, an Olympic bronze medallist in the individual jumping event at London 2012, claimed the incident with the steward distracted his horse.

Irish team manager Robert Splaine and O’Connor appealed to the Ground Jury, who ruled that as the rider had continued the round they saw no reason to stop him by ringing the bell.

They claimed he also had the opportunity to stop voluntarily due to unforeseen circumstances and Splaine and O’Connor then opted to take the case to the FEI’s Appeal Committee, who refused to overrule the Ground Jury’s decision.

This prompted an appeal to the CAS but the organisation announced today that they are

standing by the ruling of the Appeal Committee.

The decision means Irish showjumpers will not compete at this year’s Games unless one of the other teams withdraw as they are first reserve following their display at the World Equestrian Games in 2014.

“I have no regrets,” O’Connor wrote on Facebook following the publication of the CAS’ decision.

“I tried everything possible and left no stone unturned in trying to seek fairness for what I feel was an unsporting decision made by the Ground Jury in Aachen.

“It’s time to move on and refocus on the sport rather than getting caught up further in bureaucracy and even more angry with officialdom.

Will we ever see the likes of American Pharoah?

By Innocent Immaculate American Pharoah was named the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Longines World's Best Racehorse, three days after winning Eclipse Awards as U.S. Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male. Despite some big international events in later months, the Grand Slam winner held on to top spot.

Earning a final rating of 134 on the World's Best rankings, American Pharoah jumped up a point from the 133 Breeder's Cup acquisition. This is the highest since Frankel zapped standings in 2012. Pharoah is now on a par with Curlin.

"To see American Pharoah named as the Longines World's Best Racehorse is an incredible honor which means a great deal within the indus-

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try," said owner, Ahmed Zayat. "It has been a pleasure to be in London to receive this prestigious award colliding with so many respected figures. I'll never have another horse like him, he did so much for the sport."

The late Shared Belief tied with French mare Treve, at a respectable three. Beholder, Dortmund, Firing Line, and, Honor Code, all sealed eighth place.

15 North American-based horses capped a rating of 120 or more, to rank in the top 50.

U.S. races also attracted five foreign horses to this continent. The Breeders' Cup Turf saw Golden Horn crowned Europe's Horse of the Year after a season that watched him shake Epsom. Golden Horn settled for second best to American Pharoah, after trading number one title for most of 2015.

FEI DRESSAGE

Kristina Bröring-Sprehe and Desperados FRH new world Dressage number one

About Bröring-Sprehe Bröring-Sprehe started riding aged three, after being surrounded by horses from an early age. Her family owns and operates Gestut Sprehe Stud near Löningen in Germany’s Lower Saxony region.

Partner’s promise & Olympic spirit: Bröring-Sprehe’s husband Christian Bröring had to cycle to London to watch her compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games, after promising he would travel there by bike if she qualified. The trip took him six days.

Photo Caption: (left) Kristina Bröring-Sprehe (GER), team silver medalist at the London 2012 Olympic Games, is the new world Dressage number one with Desperados FRH. BröringSprehe is pictured here with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach during his visit to FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) last November. (Liz Gregg/FEI)

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ermany’s Kristina BröringSprehe (GER) and Desperados FRH, team silver medalists at the London 2012 Olympic Games, have taken over the world Dressage number one slot, relegating British duo Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro.

Bröring-Sprehe (29) and the 15-year-old Hannoverian stallion Desperados FRH have jumped to the top of the FEI World Dressage Rankings for the first time in their career, breaking the 30-month reign of Dujardin and Valegro.

Bröring-Sprehe, who also secured team gold and individual bronze at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 with Desperados FRH, represented Dressage athletes around the world last November when International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach visited the FEI’s Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI), the Olympic capital.

Knowing how important gender equality is to the Olympic movement, she told Thomas Bach how proud she was to be a female Olympic athlete.

“Equestrian is the only Olympic sport where men and women compete against each other for medals in all the disciplines,” she said at the time. “It’s only when you get a bit older that you realise just how special this is, and it’s one of the many reasons why equestrian sport is so popular with women of all ages.”

Bröring-Sprehe and Desperados FRH now have a 68-point lead over Dujardin and Valegro, with fellow German and four-time team gold Olympic medallist Isabell Werth in third place with Don Johnson FRH on 2,428 points.

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COVERSTORY

LESLEY SERCOMBE BRIGHTENS NGONG’S AURA AGAIN The Britam afternoon’s atmosphere bubbled with earnest vivacity, until rain reduced visibility completely. Stewards had no option but to cancel a couple of races as a safety precaution. These will be slotted in at some stage.

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Dr. Wairegi Group Chairman of Britam presents Le Sercombe the winner's trophy.

By Innocent Immaculate

E

ven though Lesley Sercombe is entrenched with vital Veterinary Medicine Examinations, she still found time to blaze the Britam Kenya Guineas wire, riding Cheney. Catapaulting ahead of Knighthood in the straight, Cheney sifted away like a paragon of virtue for trainer, Patsy Sercombe, and, a large syndication of Ansell’s/Briggs.

Public Hero gave visitor, Hennie Greyling, a really good feel in third place.

Hennie also sat on Happy Times, but she was absolutely too keen, pulling vigorously.

Hence, all battery cells were cooked long before the Britam Gold Cup Geroge Drew Series post. Hennie recommended either a return to middle distance, or, sprinting. It is useful receiving different view-points, especially with a really glossy thoroughbred at large. River King was nicely re-

laxed, showing his worth as an ardent stayer for Oliver Gray. Shufti who only flinched by 1.4 lengths behind River King, is still a vivacious mare. She sadly lost her much talked about baby, due to n irreversible birth deffect.

The Britam afternoon’s atmosphere bubbled with earnest vivacity, until rain reduced visibility completely. Stewards had no option but to cancel a couple of races as a safety precaution. These will be slotted in at some stage.

There is so much razzle dazzle

for spectators to anticipate. Next up is the Fillies Guineas Classic in February, April Grand National, and, International Jockey’s Challenge on Derby Day. Once again, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Kenya, and, South Africa, are set to lock horns for what seems to have become an annual event.

January 2015’s edition, was extremely populated with an exultant ambiance. Tom Tom Fraser and several benevolent sponsors, are proposing to devise an even more staggering ceremony .

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COVERSTORY

The Britam Kenya Guineas 12.20 pm - First Race - The Britam Gold Circle Tray (1,600m) 1. Maasai King (Hennie Greyling) Russian RevivalTalisman Go 2. Western Ballad (Daniel Tanui) 3. Mean Mistress (Richard Kibet) 4. Royal Glint (Patrick Ngugi) Distance: 1.4/short-head/3/1.75. Time: 1:39:3/10 secs. Favorite: Western Ballad. Runners: 7 Owned by Brian Henry. Trainer Joe Karari 12.50 pm - Second Race - The Britam Gold Circle Tray (2,400m) 1. Rifle Range (James Muhindi) Russian-RevivalSilver Pistol 2. Santa Anna (Charles Kimani) 3. Needsumluck (Lesley Sercombe) 4. War Horse (Paul Kiarie) Distance: half/1.4/1.4/0.75. Time: 2:32:00 secs.

Favorite: Ari G. Runners: 7 Owned by Doctor Joe Wanjui and Captain B. Mutiso. Trainer Oliver Gray 1.30 pm - Third Race - The Britam Gold Cup George Drew Series (3,200m) 1. River King (James Muhindi) Secret WarCascabel 2. Shufti (Paul Kiarie) 3. Spring Run (Patrick Mungai) 4. Shakara Man (Josphat Kultiang) Distance: 1.4/8/7.5/9. Time: 3:34:6/10 secs.

Favorite: Happy Times . Runners: 6 Owned by Rowe, Kilburn, and, Grantham. Trainer Oliver Gray 2.05 pm - Fourth Race - Britam Point Lenana Maiden (1,200m) 1. Billy Elliot (Mark Mburu) 2. Ramesh (Patrick Ngugi) 3. Caen (Hennie Greyling) Distance: 1.75/0.75/6/half. Time: 1:14:8/10 secs.

Favorite: Caen. Runners: 7 Owned by Joe Mburu. Trainer Onesmus Mutua

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2.40 pm - Fifth Race - Britam Maiden (2,060m) 1. Tainted Love (Daniel Tanui) 2. Black Pepper (Hennie Greyling) 3. Blue Arrow (Lesley Sercombe) Distance: 1.75/0.75/1.4/0.75. Time: 2:14:3/10 secs.

Favorite: Winner 7-4. Runners: 10 Owned by Chuck and Marilynn Bengough. Trainer Marilynn 3.15 pm - Sixth Race - Britam Nelion Handicap (1,200m) 1. Gossip Girl (James Muhindi) 2. Hunting Call (Josphat Kultiang) 3. Cedar Ash (Peter Lesengei) Distance: 0.75/1.5/half/short-head. Time: 1:14:1/10 secs. Favorite: Nothing specific. Runners: 9 Owned by Rowe Kilburn, Grantham, and, Dolan.

Trainer Oliver Gray 3.50 pm - Seventh Race - The Britam Kenya Guineas (1,600m) 1. Chenney (Lesley Sercombe) Go Deputy-Barinia 2. Knighthood (Richard Kibet) 3. Public Hero (Hennie Greyling) 4. Sword Bearer (Peter Lesengei) 5. Hatton Gardens (James Muhindi) Distance: 2/3.75/4.5/1.4. Time: 1:40:1/10 secs.

Favorite: First five very close. Runners: 12 Owned by the Ansell Family and J. Briggs. Trainer Patsy Sercombe 4.20 pm - Eighth Race - Britam Batian Handicap (2,400m) 1. Out of Africa (Jacob Lokorian) 2. Bestow (Josphat Kultiang) 3. Dynasty's Eclipse (Charles Kimani) Distance: nose/1.4/7/5.5. Time: 2:32:3/10 secs.

Favorite: Winner 11-4. Runners: 11 Owned by Carol Bremner, Michelle Jenner, Dee Roberts, and, Anna Bhaloooo. Trainer Patsy Sercombe Next meeting February 7 - for the Italian Cup, Ultra Sharp Trophy, and, Jim Kidman Bowl

COVERSTORY PICTORIAL

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1. Police Band entertains crowd during the Britam Kenya Racing day.

2. Racing enthusiasts follow the event.

3. A member of the Diani Sky Divers parachutes onto the racetrack.

4. Lesley Sercombe heading to the race track.

5. Models who formed part of the repertoire at the Britam Kenya racing day.

6. Picnic at the Britam Kenya racing day event 7. Jockey J. Greyling displays the Nairac Gold Circle tray 8. Racing MC Zarko Petkovic interviews winning owner Oliver Gray; 9. Britam Kenya Group CEO Dr. Benson Wairegi abd his wife,left, with JCK Directors Margaret Shava, Dr. John Sercombe and Zarko Petkovic.

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POLO

Polo season resumes at the Nairobi Polo Club

By Erick Ochieng’

T

he scintillating polo season resumed early January at the Nairobi Polo Club with two Cups being contested.

The 50-year-old Davies Cup and the 13-year-old Maria Bencivenga Memorial Cup were the season openers at the venue which is promising to host high-profile tournaments in the course of the year.

Even though both tournaments were low key, the participating teams and their charges showed great level of competitiveness which is a clear indication of bigger things to expect in the 2016 season.

Kudos to Raphael Nzomo's Samurai, who started off the season on great note by bagging the two cups in style.

Davies Cup Samurai commenced their win with Davies Cup where they played together as a family for the first time.

Samurai comprised Raphael Nzomo and his children Jadini, Hiromi and Amani, won comprehensively won the two days to lift the coveted trophy which has been played for the last 50 years.

Samurai overcame Samsung Galaxy Trend with a thrash in the four-chukka final which saw Nzomo give complete support to his charges who found the back of the opponents' goal line six times.

“I am extremely proud of how we performed. The victory could not have been achieved without the effort of everyone.

Each one in the team had carried their weight. Winning our first tournament this year is a clear indication that things are looking bright for Samurai in 2016,” said Nzomo.

Jadini was clearly the pearl of the tournament with his unmatched moves in riding and ball control.

His ability to score in the game at will and suppress opponents saw him voted the MVP against other seasoned players.

Ten-year-old Amani, the youngest in the family, who was riding Buttons, was notable for his impressive back-hand shots in the hotly contested finals.

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DAVIES CUP RESULTS Finals Samurai 6 Samsung Galaxy Trend 2 Knock Out Samurai 9 Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Samsung Galaxy Trend 6 Samsung Galaxy Note 4.4 MARIA BENCIVENGA MEMORIAL CUP RESULTS Finals Samurai 6.5 Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 Knock Out Samsung Galaxy Tab 6 Samsung Galaxy Note 1.5 Samurai 6.5 Samsung galaxy Trend 4

Amani missed no scoring chances on both days and, at one point, totally shut down an older and more experienced Phyllipa Marian to score one of his impressive backhand goals in the final.

Their older sister, Hiromi, arguably one of the current best lady polo players in Africa, held the team together, keeping Samsung’s marksman Jamie Hayward in check at all times.

Pre-match favorite Samsung Galaxy Note was composed of Mike Du Toit, Anthony Wahome, Izzy Stichbury and Oskar Du Toit.

Despite their level of handicap, Samsung Galaxy Note failed to proceed in the tournament after they were knocked out by Samsung Galaxy Trend composed of Jamie Hayward, Phyllipa Marian, Miranda Romijn and Lochie Stichbury.

Maria Bencivenga Memorial Cup

This tournament was held a week after Davies Cup at the same venue. Again, Samurai thwarted the efforts of Samsung Galaxy Tab to lift the tournament with emphatic win.

Hiromi Nzomo won the MVP trophy following her great display in the two-day competition held in remembrance of Maria Bencivenga who passed on in 2003.

Maria was a great polo player. She did not only play the game but reared some of the best playing ponies in the country with others getting markets regionally and internationally.

“The late Maria Bencivenga was an outstanding polo player and a dedicated member of Nairobi Polo Club. She was responsible for creating top notch playing ponies in the country.

“She died during one of the competitions here at the Nairobi Polo Club when she fell off

The Nzomo Family (from left): Amani, Jadini, Hiromi and Raphael who played for Samurai.

and was trampled upon by the horse she was riding. We miss her. May her soul rest in peace,” Nzomo eulogised after his side won the Memorial trophy.

Jonathan Stitchbury, whose family also took part in the contest, said that one of the cardinal rules in Maria Bencivenga Memorial Cup is that all participating teams must have a lady player.

“This is one of the rules meant to give equal chances and opportunity to women in the game. Maria proved that women, too, can play the game and handle the horses as well as men,” noted Stitchbury.

The final for this cup was played on a Sunday afternoon in the green lush NPC main pitch under warm weather and clear blue skies.

Assisted by Lochie Stitchbury, Samurai captain Nzomo was the marksman in the game at both sides of the pitch.

Apart from Raphael, Hiromi also stood

strong in the afternoon heat and the efforts of Louis Romigare will forever be cherished as he assisted Raphael and Hiromi, eventually paving their way to score.

Samurai had commenced the final with a fraction advantage owing to their less handicap.

Samsung Galaxy Tab’s goal poachers in the final were Anthony Wahome and Phyllipa Marian.

Wahome and Marian had great display at both sides of the pitch. However, their skills could not match the well-oiled Samurai team that dominated all the four chukkas.

“I project that this season will be a great one for us. We have already bagged two cups and it is still January. We are very hopeful to stage great shows in the forthcoming local and international championships,” said Nzomo.

Despite the loss in the final, Samsung Galaxy Tab were glad they were able to overcome Samsung Galaxy Note on their way to the final.

Samsung Galaxy Note were led by former NPC captain, Mike de Toit, who pulled one back against Samsung Galaxy Tab on their way out of the tournament.

Nzomo said he has plans to bring one or two international players to beef up his Samurai side ahead of the Kenya Open and other bigger tournaments lined up this season.

Last year, Nzomo was able to acquire the services of South African six goaler and hard-hitter Buster Mckenzie who aided Samurai to take second position in the Kenya International 5-7 goal tournament and a third place in the Kenya International 10-14 goal tournament.

Other international players who enjoyed good play in Kenya last season included South African Russell Watson, who featured for Royal Salute, Mike Osborne, also from South Africa who strengthened Samsung and Kenya’s own Jamie Murray who was outstanding for Peroni.

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FEI World Cup™ Jumping Uruguay’s Juan Manuel Luzardo and Stan are the winners of the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping qualifier in Valle de Bravo (MEX). (FEI/Paolo Ballarini)

Juan Manuel Luzardo and Stan claim victory in Valle de Bravo

By Esther Hahn

C

lear blue skies welcomed an international field to new facilities in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, where Juan Manuel Luzardo (URU) and Stan delivered a daring performance to win the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping qualifier at CSI4*-W Valle de Bravo. The first World Cup qualifier to be hosted on Mexican soil, the event thrilled the home crowd with four Mexican riders advancing into the ten-rider jump off from a startlist of 28 competitors.

“It’s a very important competition,” said Guilherme Nogueira Jorge (BRA), the course designer. “And even if it’s one of the last qualifying competitions, it’s still early in the year for a lot of horses, so I had to come up with a course that was suitable to the standards of the competition, but also took that into consideration.

“Today the height was 1.60-metre, so I tried to put up a course that was big enough but also nice to ride so that we could have 14 The E.A. Equestrian

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a few clear rounds, and in the end the riders and the horses did a great job, and they jumped it much better than expected, and we had ten clear.”

Nogueira designed the World Cup qualifier course at the National Horse Show earlier in the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League schedule and will design the course at the upcoming Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

“It was a very well designed track,” said third-place finisher Simon Nizri (ISR), a native of Mexico City. “It’s an international level, the kind you get when you go to any contest in the world. Probably the hardest parts were the options that the designer made for us, and choosing there was the hardest part.”

Twists and turns

The jump-off course with seven obstacles demanded tight turns and long gallops for riders to shave time off the clock. First in the order, Audrey Coulter (USA) set an impressive pace at 42.47 seconds with an efficient track aboard Alex (Arpeggio x Mon Cheri), emphasised by an incredibly tight rollback

from the double combination to a single vertical.

But the winding course played in favour of the following horse-and-rider pair, Luzardo (URU) and 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding Stan (Stakkato x Sacramento Son).

Riding a larger stride, Luzardo managed to finish through the Longines timers at 41.85 seconds, proving too fast to catch by the remaining eight riders. Coulter’s time also held on to finish in the runner-up position.

“I’m really happy,” said Luzardo, following his win. “My horse is really fast so I tried to do short turns, and we had luck and that’s it. He has a huge stride. He’s really hot blooded and he’s so brave and a little bit green but always doing his best.

“When I finished my turn, I went to a paddock back there. I was by myself. I didn’t want to see anybody. I visited my partner, and a man who is like my father came by. He came running, saying, ‘You just won!’ So I went down and hugged him and was really happy.”

Luzardo, who is based in Guadalajara, Mexico, and his partner, Mauricio Guerra

Facts and Figures In the first round, ten horses went clear, ten had 4 faults, two had 5, two had 8, one had 12, two had 16, and one retired.

The course designer was Guilherme Nogueira Jorge (BRA).

The first round was contested over 13 obstacles with 16 jumping efforts. The jump-off round had seven obstacles with eight efforts. The maximum height was set at 1.60 metres.

Eleven nations were represented in the class: Argentina (1 rider), Brazil (2 riders), Denmark (1 rider), Egypt (1 rider), Germany (1 rider), Israel (1 rider), Mexico (15 riders), Netherlands (1 rider), Spain (1 rider), United States (3 riders), and Uruguay (1 rider).

About Valle de Bravo Surrounded by hills and blanketed by trees, Valle de Bravo is 156km northwest of Mexico City and the home of the Triple Copa (“Three Cups”), where champions will be awarded in three sports: show jumping, sailing and golf. The equestrian venue is in the middle of the forest, and it offers the best landscapes in the country.

The Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League has the pleasure to have this Mexican event with so much tradition. Four arenas, the greatest weather of the year, and of course the hospitality of the Mexican fans are just a few of the best reasons to come and compete in Valle de Bravo.

Colorado, bought the horse three years ago, but he was sidelined with an injury for nearly a year. Two months after returning to competition, the pair won the first grand prix they entered. Since then, Luzardo has competed Stan at the Pan American Games and at Spruce Meadows. “He came back really good, and I’m really happy,” Luzardo added.

The day’s win was still unexpected for the 35-year-old rider, who plans to travel to compete in the United States or in Canada this summer. “I didn’t think about (going to the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final) because I didn’t expect this result, but I have to think about it now,” he said.

Chasing a World Cup dream

Audrey Coulter (USA) has crossed the Atlantic Ocean and the North American continent multiple times this season to achieve her goal of qualifying for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, on 23-26 March 2016.

“I was a little nervous today,” she said. “I’ve been trying to qualify for the World Cup Final, and so we came here hoping to get some points, and succeeded.

“We had a little bad luck last week. I was in Leipzig, and you had to qualify for the qualifier, but 31 were prequalified and 40 can go, so 9 spots were to be filled but 19 were trying to qualify. I had a very nice round, but one unlucky rail. And so I didn’t get to compete in the qualifier last week. In Vegas we were sec-

Results 1. Stan (Juan Manuel Luzardo), URU, 0 faults/41.85 seconds (JO); 2. Alex (Audrey Coulter), USA, 0/42.47 (JO); 3. E Muze Yek (Simon Nizri), ISR, 0/42.52 (JO); 4. ayetana (Nikolaj Hein Ruus), DEN, 0/43.59 (JO); 5. Escarlata LS (Fabian Sejanes), ARG, 0/46.87 (JO); 6. Red Gold (Alfredo Ramirez Piedra), MEX, 0/49.16 (JO); 7. Arc de Triomphe (Daniel Pedraza Littlewood), MEX, 0/49.77 (JO); 8. Prunella d’Ariel (Paola Amilibia Puig), ESP, 0/52.19 (JO).

When I finished my turn, I went to a paddock back there. I was by myself. I didn’t want to see anybody. I visited my partner, and a man who is like my father came by.

He came running, saying, ‘You just won!’

Manuel Luzardo

ond, also, so that was exciting. And in Madrid, I was 12th.”

Although Coulter is originally from San Francisco, Calif. (USA), she is based in Belgium, and is qualifying through the Western European League. She will compete in Zurich (SUI) next week in the League’s concluding event to secure her position in the top 18 that qualify for the Final.

“I’ve had Alex for a little over a year now,” she added. “He came with that name, and we sort of bought him more as a second horse actually, and toward the end of the summer we just clicked, and he’s been going really well for me. He’s very careful. He always wants to do well, so he’s been a great horse to have. But I think I’ll go to the Final on (number one horse) Domino.”

Level playing field

During the course walk, United States Olympian and top-ranked West Coast rider Will Simpson noted that the arena slanted slightly uphill across, making some of the oxers more difficult to clear. Although he was successful in clearing the wider obstacles, he and his mount The Dude (Carry Gold x Argentinus) knocked an unlucky rail at the first element of the triple combination.

Early favorites, Harrie Smolders (NED), Karl Cook (USA), Jaime Azcarraga (MEX), and Juan Pablo Gaspar Albanez (MEX), also accumulated unfortunate faults in the first round, thus proving the unexpected and exciting nature of the sport.

Raising the Mexican standard

“I got an email, with the information of the new North American League,” said Rafael David, International Director of the Mexican Equestrian Federation. “I just thought, ‘The option is there, we just have to be there.’ There is a possible place for Mexico. There were two people competing to get it. They let us know we got one of the 14 spots of the tour. We were so excited. Then of course with our main sponsor Scappino, who have been with this Cup for 12 years, since it started. They sent a contract.

We signed and said, ‘Let it come.’

“In fact, bringing the riders from other countries and the good news that Longines was also title sponsor; without them it wouldn’t have been possible. The projection with international riders that came and to this kind of event obviously raises the posture of Mexico as an equestrian country. This is really important; we broke a record for an international contest in Latin America - as in the number of participants, as well as in the number of countries that came, which were 14.”

The competitors, both Mexican natives of the country and residents, also expressed their excitement for the country’s inclusion at the top level of the sport.

“I’m very happy to be here and very proud that Mexico is at this level of horse jumping - the international level,” said Nizri. “And the fact that we have so very good riders makes everybody get better at what they do.”

“This event is important for show jumping in Mexico and in all of Latin America,” Luzardo added. “I’m very proud that it’s here.”

The E.A. Equestrian

■ JAN-MAR-2016

15

FEI World Classics™ Cup™ Jumping

Dortmund to host FEI World Cup Vaulting 2015/2016 Final

By Louise Parkes

D

ortmund (GER) has been confirmed as the venue for the Final of the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting 2015/2016 series from 3-6 March 2016. The FEI Bureau had originally allocated the Final to Vienna (AUT), but when the Vienna Organising Committee announced on 18 November 2015 that their event was cancelled, the application process was re-opened. Bids were subsequently received from Dortmund and Saumur (FRA).

The FEI Bureau decided to allocate the Final to Dortmund, and with the host agreement now in place it is all-systemsgo for a thrilling finale to the winter-long series.

A total of six Male and six Female vaulters have made the cut for the Final, along with four Pas-de-Deux partnerships.

Maximum score

Switzerland’s Simone Jaïser secured her third win of the five-leg qualifying series when coming out on top in Leipzig (GER) earlier this month where she posted a maximum 10 artistic score in the first round of competition. The 29-yearold, who was runner-up at the 2015 FEI World Cup™ Final, claimed the European individual title in fine style at Aachen (GER) last summer and is right on top of her game. Her only defeat this season was at the hands of Italy’s Anna Cavallaro who topped the line-up in Salzburg (AUT) in December, pipping the Swiss vaulter by the narrowest of margins.

The Dortmund Final will be a fascinating re-match for this pair, as Cavallaro had to settle for silver behind Jaïser at the FEI European Championships in Aachen last August. The Italian was a double-winner in the current season’s qualifying series, also coming out on top in Paris (FRA) in November where Jaïser did not compete.

Completing the list of those qualified for the Female Individual Final are AnneSophie Musset from France, Germany’s Kristina Boe, Isabel Fiala from Austria, and Switzerland’s Nadja Büttiker.

High-energy performances

Jannis Drewell (GER), who set last year’s FEI European Championships alight with his high-flying and high-energy performances, has continued through the winter series in the same vein and looks untouchable for the FEI World Cup™

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■ JAN-MAR-2016

Germany’s Jannis Drewell, the reigning European Male Individual champion, has been thrilling audiences throughout the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting 2015/2016 qualifying rounds and has his eyes firmly set on the 2016 title at the Final on home soil in Dortmund. (FEI/Daniel Kaiser)

2015/2016 Individual Male title. On his three appearances during the five qualifying rounds he was nothing short of sensational, with breath-taking jumps and exceptional strength earning big scores for the 24-year-old whose infectious enthusiasm captivated spectators as he registered three successive victories in Salzburg (AUT), Mechelen (BEL) and on home turf at Leipzig.

He will be joined at the Final by compatriot Daniel Kaiser, who topped the podium at the opening leg of the series in Madrid (ESP) in November, and by French vaulters Clement Taillez and Vincent Haennel, along with Switzerland’s Lukas Heppler and Lukas Klouda from the Czech Republic.

The Pas-de-Deux has really established itself as a crowd-pleaser in recent years and the

reigning European silver medallists, Germany’s Pia Engelberty and Torben Jacobs, asserted their authority when securing their second victory of the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting 2015/2016 qualifying season at Leipzig 10 days ago.

However Italy’s Erika Di Forti and Lorenzo Lupacchini really sparkled in Salzburg, where they pinned Germany’s Jolina OssenbergEngels and Timo Gerdes into runner-up spot.

The Italian duo were hampered by a fall in Leipzig where they had to settle for second place, but they could prove the strongest opposition to Engelberty and Jacobs at the much-anticipated Final in which Ossenberg-Engels and Gerdes, and the exciting American sister-act of Kimberly and Cassidy Palmer who topped the podium in Paris, will also compete.

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FEI Classics™COMPETITION INTERSCHOOL

Pembroke House host successful Inter-schools competition

By Kerry Cooke Pembroke House hosted the second Inter- schools competition which was open to riders of 14 years and under on January 16-17. This time only Pembroke House, The Banda and Hillcrest competed.

It consisted of a Cross Country with Show Jumping Challenge, which was very closely-contested. There was also a Handy Pony class for the younger riders.

“It is always very pleasing to have so many competitors taking part in an event like this,” noted Rachel Robley, who so successfully organised the event.

It should be noted that most of the 23 Pembroke House riders taking part don’t own their own ponies. However, through longstanding commitment, good facilities and a good standard of pony, they have managed to join into competition riding.

Some of the riders were competing for the first time and were understandably delighted to find themselves winning prizes.

The competition started on the Saturday with Follow- my-L eader Cross Country and Show Jumping classes, to give the necessary confidence to the less experienced riders. The event was a great success, ably run by Rachel Robley, who put a huge amount of hard work and preparation into the day. As a result it was fun for everyone, riders and spectators alike.

Pictures by Jonathan Cooke Photography

Results: Follow my Leader Cross country: 1st - Georgie Clayton on Azi Makazi and Joey Taylor on Sheba 2nd - Emma Trent on Domingo and Robbie Haigh on Dobbie Harry Seagon on Ceasar and William Sayer on Dobbie 3rd -Amy Grammaticas on Caribbean Queen and Isla Grammaticas on Vasa Emma Trent on Cracker and Imogen Mattock on Teddy 4th - Sam Weller on Maradadi and Daniella Ker on Palo 5th - Sophie Doig on Sheba and Krissy Grant on Azi Makazi 6th -Emma Trent on Ceasar and Tala McCloy on Dart Follow my Leader Show Jumping: 1st - Luca Hutchison on Hottentot and George Mattock on Teddy 2nd - mogen Mattock on Speedo and Carolyn Weller on Teddy 3rd - Emma Trent on Cracker and Imogen Mattock on Teddy 4th - Tala McCloy on Dart and Sophie Doig on Sheba

18 The E.A. Equestrian

5th - Amy Grammaticas on Joop and Jess Viljoen on Wizzard Cody Davis on Alice and Tristan Stewart on Rigatoni Harry Seagon on Domingo and Oskar Lefebvre on Rigatoni On Sunday the younger ones had great fun in the Handy Pony class.

Results: 1st - Will Clayton on Rigatoni 2nd - Ella Starling on Queenie 3rd - Erin Rose on Calypso The main event on Sunday was the Open Challenge which was over the bigger course. It was a very close competition with only 5 seconds between 1st and 4th place. Emma Trent filled the first three places.

Results : 1st - Emma Trent on Speedo 2nd- Emma Trent on Cracker 3rd - Emma Trent on Ceasar 4th - Zoe Cheffings on Indigo 5th - Daniela Ker on Domingo 6th -Akira Thorpe on Johnny Boy

■ JAN-MAR-2016

The Novice Challenge was over a lower course, using the same track at a lower height. This too was very closely contested.

Results: 1st - Amy Grammaticas on Joop 2nd- Amy Grammaticas on Caribbean Queen 3rd - Georgie Clayton on Azi Makazi 4th - Tristan Stewart on Rigatoni 5th - Bella Ker on Alice 6th -Krissy Grant on Azi Makazi Team results are: 1st - Pembroke Team A

Emma Trent on Ceasar

Georgie Clayton on Azi Makazi

Joey Taylor on Alice

Daniela Ker on Domingo 2nd - Pembroke Team B

Tassia Davies on Dobbie

Emma Trent on Speedo

Imogen Mattock on Fudge

Summer Barrett on Ferdi The Novice teams: 1st - Pembroke Team A

Joey Taylor on Domingo

Georgie Clayton on Azi Makazi

2nd -

3rd -

Daniela Ker on Domingo Nyambura Kagwanja on Ferdi Banda Team B George Mattock on Teddy Amy Grammaticas on Joop Isla Grammaticas on Isla Pembroke Team B Summer Barrett on Ferdi Imogen Mattock on Fudge Sam Weller on Maradadi Krissy Grant on Azi Makazi

4th -

Pembroke Team C Tristan Stewart on Rigatoni Cody Davis on Alice William Sayer on Ferdi Robbie Haigh on Dobbie

5th - Banda Team A

Amy Grammaticas on Caribbean Queen

Luca Hutchison on Hottentot

Isla Grammaticas on Vasa

Jess Viljoen on Wizzard

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORSES AND PORNIES

Questions to ask when buying horse

By Tamsin Pickeral

O

nce you have found a horse that you would like to try out,there are some questions that you should ask before you go and look at it.

Obviously there are hundreds of questions you can ask and there will be some points that are particular to your circumstances.

Success in buying a horse is largely to do with using your common sense,and asking questions applicable to you and your circumstances.Bear in mind that there is no such thing as the perfect horse. Every horse will have some faults.You need to establish which set of faults you personally can live with, and which you cannot. The following are a few general questions and pointers that you should consider: Try to ascertain why the horse is for sale.

The advertisement should have mentioned age,sex and height.If not establish these points.Also ask what breed the horse is.

Ask about the horse's temperament.

Find out if it is quiet, strong, difficult, excitable and so on.Does it kick or bite?

What is it like in the stable and the field?Is it a bully or can it be turned out with other horses?

Does it have any vices? Vices such as weaving, cribbing, windsucking, rug tearing and pacing the stall are really undesirable features in a horse, and should be reflected in the price being asked.

Find out what the horse is like in traffic.

If you are likely to be riding on the roads at a all,it is very important to make sure that the horse will be safe, and is used to vehicles.

Ask what the horse is like to shoe, catch, clip and box.

Try to establish as much of the horse's history as you can.What type of work has it been doing? Has it entered any competitions? Has it won anything?Has it been cross-country? Will it go through water and jump through ditches? Has it showjumped? What is its flat work like?

If the horse is a mare, ask what she is like when in season.

Find out if the horse naps.

Ask if it has been hunting? If so, how does it behave, how strong is it, and what type of bit is it ridden in? Will it go first or last, is it mannered, can open and shut gates on it?

Find out what type of bit the horse is us usually ridden in.

Ask if the horse has ever had any major illness or injuries, and whether or not it has any significant scars. If you wish to pursue a career in the showing, you do not want a horse with scared knees, etc.

Enquire if the horse has ever had colic,If

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â– JAN-MAR-2016

so, has it had colic more than once?Some horses are prone to colic, and it is important to know if this is the case.

Find out what type of environment the horse is living in, for example, is it kept in small private yard, or a large busy yard, on its own, out at grass all the time or in a stall?

Ask what type of feed the horse's is on and the amount it needs.

Success in buying a horse is largely to do with using your common sense,and asking questions applicable to you and your circumstances.Bear in mind that there is no such thing a s the perfect horse. Every horse will have some faults. You need to establish which set of faults you can live with, and which you cannot.

Feeding a Horse Feeding the horse is a complex and highly skilled process requiring understanding of nutrient requirements of the individual horse, as well the nutrient value of the nutrient value of the different feedstuffs available. There can be serious consequences to both over- and underfeeding and it is very important that horses receive a balanced diet that includes the correct amount of vitamins and minerals. For the novice owner and rider, it is best to seek advice and help when deciding what, and how much, to feed your horse, but as a rule of thumb, a horse's appetite is approximately 2.5 percent of its total body weight.

WEIGHT: FOOD RATIO The most accurate way to weigh a horse is on a weigh bridge; but if you do not have access to on, most feed store sell weight tapes.Having established the weight of your horse, some simple arithmetic needs to follow. Divide the weight of your horse by 100, and then multiply the result by 2.5, which gives you the weight of food that your horse should be receiving. When using formulas like this, it is a good idea to feed slightly less than your target amount and monitor how the horse goes. This total weight of food covers both the horse's concentrates and it'd roughage, so the next step is to work out the proportion you should feed of one to the other.

This is worked out on a percentage basis and as a rough guide, a horse that is out of work should be on 100 percent roughage (hay, grass, etc.) with no concentrate. Horses on light work should probably be on roughly 75 percent roughage and 25 percent concentrate; horses in medium work should be on roughly 60 percent roughage and 40 percent concentrate; and the horse in heavy work should be on roughly 50 percent roughage and 50 percent concentrate, This is not actually as confusing as it sounds. It is a good idea to practice working out rations for different-sized horses in this way, and very quickly it becomes very easy.

To be continued next issue

Jumping Beezie Madden Las Vegas LWS

Exciting race to North American League finish

By Esther Hahn Four events remain in the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League, setting an exciting stage for the race to the finish of this first season.

With just two more events on the East Coast and two on the West, top athletes will be competing with the goal of qualifying for the Final in Gothenburg (SWE) on 23-26 March 2016.

The new league was launched in the summer of 2015 to standardise the level of FEI World Cup™ competition in North America, with the luxury Swiss watchmaker Longines as title partner and supporting with data handling and

timekeeping excellence.

With the top four results counting towards final scores, athletes in the North American League have been going all out to make the cut for the Final.

After a brief break for the month of December, the competition will resume at Valle de Bravo (MEX) presented by Scappino on 23 January. The West Coast will then conclude with a final event at HITS Thermal Desert Circuit CSI3*-W on 13 February. Meanwhile, the final two events on the East Coast will be held at Wellington presented by Sovaro and the Live Oak International CSI3*-W on 7 February and 28 February.

“It’s been an interesting process all the way, from limiting the number of

events to having organisers bid to host qualifiers in order to elevate the quality of the league,” FEI 1st Vice-President and Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee John Madden said. “The sponsors and the organisers have really embraced the idea of having a unified league, and the best North American riders have been able to focus on attempting to qualify for the Final.”

Winter season heats up Warmer climates will be a common theme when the North American League resumes at the end of January, when over 60 athletes and 140 horses will head to Valle de Bravo.

>>>>>

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21

FEI World Cup™ Jumping

Jack Towell

Will Simpson at the HITS Thermal circuit in 2015

>>>>>

"Mexico is pleased to host a qualifier on the road to the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final,” said Ricardo Castañeda Chavez, spokesperson for the Valle de Bravo CSI4*-W competition. “The class is a proud addition to a show with a lot of tradition, the Triple Copa Scappino, featuring three different sports, showjumping, golf and sailing at the same time, at the same venue.”

Riders will be greeted by four arenas, fair weather and the hospitality of the Mexican fans in Valle de Bravo, an equestrian paradise nestled in the middle of a forest outside of Mexico City.

“I’ll be at the Mexico and Thermal events,” said Karl Cook (USA), current leader in the West Coast standings. “I’ll be taking Tembla.

She’s the one I’ve ridden so far in the qualifiers and she’s doing great, always getting better.

It’s my first time to the horse show in Valle de Bravo. I’m excited to check out a new show. I hear it’s beautiful.”

Two weeks after the league’s stop in Mexico, Wellington will host the qualifier at Deeridge Farms, the 300-acre oasis of serenity and beauty set in the heart of Wellington, Florida.

“I’m very excited for the show,” said Mason

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Karl Cook

Phelps, Jr., spokesperson for Wellington. “The showgrounds are as pretty as they come, and the Grand Prix ring is grass with top notch footing in all arenas. It’s going to be as classy an event as possible.”

The show also provides variety during the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival, which will serve riders and horses well for international competition, according to Madden.

“What’s different here in the US is that we also have outdoor events to qualify for indoor championships due to the nature of our sport in North America,” he said. “Everyone either moves to Thermal on the West Coast or Palm Beach on the East Coast, and Wellington is a different venue to where we compete for 12 weeks. It’s a breath of fresh air.

“One of our other qualifiers is in Ocala at Chester Weber’s farm, also a beautiful location.

In preparing horses for major international competition, it’s very important to go to and be exposed to different venues. When riders go to Rotterdam, Dublin and Hickstead, they and their horses have to be ready to compete in a strange environment. Take Rio for example – no-one will have jumped in Rio until the Olympic Games.”

Veterans and rising stars alike continue

to vie for top positions to qualify for March’s prestigious finale. Young talents Hardin Towell (USA) and Karl Cook (USA) lead their respective leagues with consistent performances, while Olympians Beezie Madden (USA) - who won the FEI World Cup™ in 2013 - and Will Simpson (USA) follow closely behind.

“The new league has helped America to be on par with Europe,” said Towell. “Longines has done a very good job bringing the league together, with FEI TV for every single qualifier and more media attention to help inform the public about the sport. There’s also double the prize money than in prior years, which makes jumping a tough 1.60-meter course worth the effort.”

Although Towell is positioning his top mount Lucifer for the Final, he plans to ride a younger horse, New York, at Wellington.

“Now that I feel pretty confident that I’ll make the Final, I’m trying to prepare more for it and to have my horses peak at the right time, especially now that it’s earlier in the season.

The past year was my best year to date, and I feel more comfortable myself at this level.”

The West Coast leader Karl Cook also noted significant improvements to qualifiers in

Jumping

Current Standings East Coast 1. Jack (Hardin) Towell (USA) 50 2. Elizabeth (Beezie) Madden (USA) 45 3. Kent Farrington (USA) 43 4. Samuel Parot (CHI) 40 5. Laura Kraut (USA) 39 6. Quentin Judge (USA) 37 7. McLain Ward (USA) 36 8. Callan Solem (USA) 35 West Coast 1. Karl Cook (USA) 33 2. Will Simpson (USA) 30 3. Rich Fellers (USA) 28 4. Ben Asselin (CAN) 23 5. Richard Spooner (USA) 23 6. Allyssa Hecht (USA) 22 7. Lisa Carlsen (CAN) 21 8. Eric Navet (FRA) 15

Beezie Madden Las Vegas

North America with the new league. “Fewer events was a smart plan,” he said. “It’s easier to fit into my show schedule, and the quality of the shows is better. With the support of Longines, the shows feel special in the way that they’re set up, which inspires me to do better.”

Close behind Cook is the seasoned competitor Simpson. Paired with a younger, inexperienced mount The Dude, he’s hopeful that two more solid results in Mexico and Thermal will secure them a position to travel to Sweden.

“I’m aiming for the Final,” Simpson said.

“The new league is great. It brings together the West Coast nicely with Canada and Mexico. I competed at the first one (on the West Coast) at Thunderbird. I had never been there before, and the league got me to some new places. I’ve been really happy with the quality and the standards of the events. The Dude isn’t ready for the Final right now, but

by March he’ll be ready.”

And for Madden, juggling separate strings for an Olympic year, the league and the Final offer the opportunity to develop the depth of her team of horses.

“I’m planning to compete at Wellington

with a younger horse, Breitling LS,” she said.

“He’s probably the one that I’ll take to the Final, if I qualify. I’m going to show him in a 2* at WEF then he’ll have a week off from showing before the qualifier. We’re designing his schedule around the qualifiers and the Final.

“The new league has had a great start.

I like the fact that there are fewer events, because it makes each one more important with better competition.”

A total of 14 riders will qualify for the Final from North America: seven from the United States’ East Coast, three from the United States’ West Coast, two from Canada, and two from Mexico.

Raising standards “I think, in a lot of ways, the World Cup leagues have played a significant role in the development of the sport and its athletes, over the years and around the world,” John Madden said. “The better the league, the more valuable it is for preparing for the Olympic Games and other major Championships.”

The show organisers have played a crucial role in talent development by capping the

entry fees for qualifiers. And with over $1.8 million in prize money in the North American League’s qualifiers, and over $3 million when including the additional classes for each leg of the series, it’s a clear and notable jump in significance.

“Longines and the FEI truly understand that it’s about the sport and about offering opportunities in an objective way for riders and horses to develop,” Madden said.

“Qualifying for the World Cup Final is an accomplishment that every rider cherishes, and there’s a lot of money in the World Cup competition because the classes and the title are important.”

And with the crown jewel of Longines FEI World Cup™ Champion at the end of the league’s inaugural journey, the best has been saved for last. Great expectations continue to mount as the final four legs approach.

The major question hangs in the air: will the veterans prevail or is it a year for the young guns? Eight rounds of technical courses hold the answer, bringing North American riders one step closer to Longines glory.

The E.A. Equestrian

■ JAN-MAR-2016

23

FEI World Cup™ Jumping CELEBRITYPROFILE

Immensely glamourous life of Buster Parnell

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■ JAN-MAR-2016

Buster (left) with the late Johnny Limb, after a round of golf

After te He was endowed with buckets of requisite common-sense. One has to be maximumly intuitive and a bit of a psychiatrist, to 'rapport' properly with horses

By Innocent Immaculate

R

yan Farnham 'Buster' Parnell, 82, from Fulham, London, has to be re-introduced to Equestrian readers. Why? Because he has established an eccentrically fascinating, unmatched, life.

Educated at Bow Bells Nursery, Njinsky Primary, and, Troy Secondary Schools (please see the irony in those names), provided Buster enough proficiency to engage as an extraordinary rider.

He was endowed with buckets of requisite common-sense. One has to be maximumly intuitive and a bit of a psychiatrist, to 'rapport' properly with horses.

Let us stipulate that Buster was an adept horseman, unequalled in Kenya. His crackerjack attitude has, and will always be, permanently sought after by all those associated with the game. As a slender, permanently fit 'young man', hovering around 50 kgs, Buster's hobbies are fixated with boxing, golf, and, swimming.

He has twice come second to the great Sir Lester Piggott in Apprentice Championships. Piggott is hailed as the most written about, revered jockey in any era, famously winning two good races at Ngong, on Warwickshire Lad, and Grey Eagle.

Buster's catalogue of important features include the Aga Khan Diamond Jubilee Anniversary, Civil Service Gold Cup, several Derby's, Champagne Stakes, Nakuru Champions, Delamere's, Mervyn Ridley's, Kenya Oaks - an endless list, actually. Exceedingly masterful horses that he partnered, were Lone Eagle, Cutlass, Mountie, Spike, Blue Streak, Fair Realm, Boomerang, Shamentra, Capricorn, Phantom Gold, Torbrush, Rio Grande, Sea Lord - again just so many 'fab-u-las' steeds. It is an adrenalin rush every single ride, each boxing bout, or, round of eighteen. It makes the body feel endorphin chemicals are rampaging in their own Regal circle.

Having been a world-wide athlete, Buster reckons people are pretty much the same. Either they appreciate what jockeys do for them, or they treat them as slaves.

Slightest judgement error, is scorned upon Buster's personal philosophy could not be more plain - 'born to ride, born to do well, born to succeed. It is an achievement staying alive on this crazy planet. Take each day as it comes. Leave each problem as it goes.'

Team work and loyalty are paired to-

gether. If trainers and grooms have prepared horses to their peak, a jockey’s life is ironed smoothly. One needs to guarantee that a horse is not going to throw riders down at the bat of a bird’s wing.

Equipment must be cleaned and scrutinized. Checking saddles, bridles, girths, stirrups, reins, hoods, sirsingles, and, temperatures, cannot be more emphasized. Loyalty means trying to win. Nothing less. It does not suggest cruelty in any form.

Only technique, guidance, astute timing, and, relation to pace.

Buster is an individual with no clone!

He is helpful, obliging, amusing, full of mystique, with expletives aplenty as part of the package. He considers Sir Gordon Richards to be probably the greatest jockey ever, because, he made very few mistakes. He also humbly believes in himself as essentially admirable!

Media exposure has bolstered all sports with its constant array of good health tips, updated gymnasium ideas, and, staunch leanings against obesity. There is no doubt that carrying extra body fat, is a major cause of most common complaints. Jockeys rarely suffer from high blood pressure or associated diseases. Of course they can be prone to Anorexia Nervosa from permanently watching their scales for lower handicap accommodation.

It is beautiful the way sprinters like Usain Bolt have put others into shadows. Effort and more effort is the key. Thoroughbreds can only endure a certain amount of training. They are fragile beasts. Their legs do not sustain perpetual pressure. Simply lingoed, it is best to chose specific races, rather than continuously pound those tendons.

CAREER EVOLUTION Buster might have accumulated advancing age, but if he were to compete tomorrow on something worthwhile, his contemporaries would not see the light of day. At five years old, Buster daily rode his own pony to school. He was a commandant show-jumper, regularly pitted against Alan Oliver - the Tiger Woods of 1940's equestrianism.

Born within ear-shot of Bow Bells, Buster was mentored by his grand-father near Newmarket - the heart of English racing. Later, he joined Willie Stephenson as an apprentice. Willie tackled flat as well as National Hunting.

Like his best friend, Stewart McCann, Buster became an awesome boxer, representing Stephenson's yard in 68 unbeaten sessions at the Cambridge Corn Exchange.

After a debuting winner on Lusweed in 1950, Buster churned out a long string of strikers, before enlisting with compulsory 24

month National Royal Air Force Service, impeding more rapid flow. Upon returning from military duties, Buster found limited opportunities, but with assistance from Bill Rickaby, his wings were spread to Singapore with the likes of Jimmy Lindley, Jock Wilson, Eddie Larkin, and, Davy Jones.

Armed with plenty knowledge, Buster then based himself in Denmark and Scandanavia, where he not only became champion, but, colluded with future wife, Anna, an accomplished amateur horsewoman. They had two children. Tina, a veterinary nurse in Kilcullen, and, David, 24, one of the most promising Irish jockeys ever. Sadly, David, retained by Kevin Prendergast, met with a fatal accident when transporting a horse on his way to work. A devasastating memory for Buster.

HOW KENYA BUSTER'S KARMA

ENTERED

During the summer of 1960, Jorgen Thrane, Naro Moro farmer and owner, went for a holiday in Denmark. Prior to departure, Beryl Markham, requested he seek a good jockey abroad. Buster was approached and accepted willingly. He met Beryl's ultimate prize - the Triple Crown grey filly, Niagra. Heaven lay on earth at Naro Moro where five gallops were available for use. One ran half-way up the slopes of Mount Kenya, 8,000 feet above sealevel. Five was a significant number for Buster as he is the only jockey to have ridden five winners on five separate occasions.

Beryl and Buster became a class-act, even jumping ship to Broadlands, Capetown, where they operated for Lady Kenmere. Anyway, a row erupted with the Stewards, re-directing Buster back to Ireland as a free-lance champion, while Beryl moved to Rhodesia.

This is pure Hollywood 'ingredientia.' After blasting another fifty victories, Buster received a phone call from a man threatening to kill him if he rode at Phoenix Park. Buster consequently hired Police Security for three weeks. It then emerged that the miserable threat came from Buster's drunken Caddie, merely griping about a gambling deficit.

RETURN TO THIKA Fast forward slightly to well-known Tourist delegator, Aldo Soprani, who managed to tempt Beryl and Buster back to his Thika coffee plantation, knowing full-well their chemistry potential. Here, Heron, Waterboy, and, The Sultan, conveyor-belted their faculties to enormous effect. Heron joined Niagra's ranks as another Triple Crowner! That lifted Beryl's morale, sealing her status as champion trainer.

Buster has ridden in ten different countries, tasting every Classic from Epsom to Royal Ascot. He also won the prestigious 1982 Maharaja's Gold Cup on Track Lightning in India.

Buster retired the same year that Beryl passed away in 1986, but he remains sharp as a button, still vocalising valuable information at Ngong's O.B.T.S. Pavilion.

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DownMemoryLaneWith ROSE CALDWELL FEI World Cup™ Jumping

Further episodes of life in the bush I am continuing with memories from my days at Colcheccio, which formed such a happy and interesting time of my life. At Colcheccio horses played a large part in life there. I was ordered to provide riding for the clients so I was able to collect twelve safe horses mostly retired show jumpers and polo ponies. They were nearly all given as gifts as the life there was not too hard. The clients would hack for about an hour and seldom moved out of a walk. I did no enjoy the proceeding as most of the riders were very inept. I would lead the string with a syce as back stop. As soon as they were mounted I only had to look at them to see what caliber of rider I had. With beginners the horses all knew they could graze and put their heads down. If anyone was rough they would throw their heads around.

The bush as full of buffalos and the rides were always a worry. Once I had a rather large American lady who assured me she could ride – she couldn’t! When the horse put its head down to graze she rolled gently down its neck and lay like a beached whale puffing and groaning while her husband bent solicitously over her. Beyond telling her she was uninjured I had little sympathy but she had to be collected, still fussing, by a car.

Another time one of the British Army Commanders told me that one of his lads who had been a jockey and needed cheering up as his wife had just left him. “Right” said I. I will give him a lively horse. He didn’t look all that keen and was very quiet about his racing experience. However when he put his wrong foot into the stirrup and ended up facing the tail I could see why!

Needless to say there was a rapid change of mounts.

I did have two fairly alarming experiences. We had a particularly obnoxious American family staying and the children were brats spoiled and undisciplined. I took them riding one morning and had the 12 year old boy on a long lead rein. His scintillating conversation went like this: “Well my problem is that I am so bored with life. Whatever I do I just get bored.” At that precise moment a buffalo shot out of the bush and the pony on the long rein spun in 3 quick circles around me and I was trussed like a mummy with my arms tied lightly by the leading rein. Luckily the buffalo took off in the opposite direction and as I disen-

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tangled myself I was able to say “I bet you are not bored now.”

One of the closest escapes I had was when I had to take a very important business man for a ride. I had another girl with me on a young horse and an excessively irate buffalo shot out of the bush and gave chase. The horses all bolted and luckily, by throwing both arms around the horse’s neck the business man managed to stay aboard until the buffalo gave up.

If he had fallen off he would have been squashed to little pieces. He partook of a very large brandy when he got back to the lodge but it proved to be one of the highlights of his life.

As always no matter where I was shows

The wilderness, beauty and the sheer challenge of life in the bush, quickly took hold and we grew to love our life there, so much in fact that looking back, it was amongst our happiest times together played a big part in my life. The Nanyuki ASK Show was an obligation. We were allowed to use their stable free of charge at our horse show on condition we entertained the crowd with show jumping classes during their show. These were difficult to run and very hard work. We had to cajole and persuade 8 people to take part and taking the jumps in and out of the arena every day was a nightmare. We also laid on terrier racing the fill the gaps. However I was a bit

nonplussed when one of the organizers came and thanked us for the jumping but said “Next time just bring the dogs it is a better crowd pleaser!”

It was also at Colcheccio that James Cullen did his epic ride of nearly 300kms when he left his job at Njoro. He rode to Colcheccio on his horse Demi John and his dog. It took him quite a few days and he slept with his animals where he could, usually in a cemetery which was safe.

Another memorable time was when we were given a lecture on Birth Control and I was told to take those who wanted to a clinic in Rumuruti. “Anyone who has enough children get in the car.” The car was filled with a motley crew of women and off we went. The women were pretty basic and uneducated and their interview went something like this: “How old are you?” Answer: “Don’t know”

“When were you born?” “Don’t know” “How many children do you have?”

“Don’t know” By now the smart woman in white was getting rather irate and said “Why can’t you answer my questions?”

“Because we can’t count ha ha!”

We got the pills and I did my best to sort which they should be taking but it didn’t work. To them a pill is a dawa which will cure anything and children were given it for colds, people took then for headaches and no one took the right dose so the babies got no fewer!

Memories of those happy years would not be complete without a mention of the Saturday parties. Every Saturday night the neighbours, no matter how far away they lived, would come and join in the fun. Whatever tourists were in the residence at the time would be amazed at how the locals of all ages could enjoy themselves usually dancing to the music of Boney M. Towards the end Gilfred Powys would start singing as he was completely tuneless that also was an entertainment.

The provider of impromptu cabarets was Jamie McCleod one of the funniest people I have ever had the good fortune to meet. He had a repertoire of the most amazing stories which he would deliver with the appropriate actions and accents.

His most memorable escapade was when we had a very select group of elderly well to do American ladies. Jamie appeared wearing his kilt underneath which round his waist he had tied a very large carrot.

When he sat on the bar stool which his legs crossed the tip of the carrot dangled down. The ladies would take a peep, rapidly look away and then had to have another look. It was made worse when he started scratching the carrot and carefully removing bits from his finger nails.

When they saw how hard we were laughing the old ladies had to join in. However when he appeared in the kitchen, lifted his kilt and said “Have any of you ladies ever seen a proper Kenyan Ndume before?” the tears of laughter were running down their faces and they were mopping their eyes with dish cloths. We were lucky to get any dinner that night!

The children had a wonderful life.

Marcus became adept at holding forth to the tourists with some very exaggerated stories, now and again looking at us to make sure we were not listening. He also had his own football team prominent in which was a Turkana family. When I asked how many children she had, she said five and a half. “What is a half” says I. “Oh that’s a half wit” was the reply!

Hazel was always busy with her ponies and the numerous orphan wild animals which had been brought to us and both of them were blissfully happy as the holidays flew by. When we left Colcheccio is was one of the saddest days of our lives but were left with so many wonderful memoires to look back on.

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FEI World Cup™ Jumping MAMA PUNDA NOTES

Diognosis, treatment of pigs and dogs PIGS Pigs Erysipilis: Symptoms: Red swellings on skin,ck, abdomen and between legs. Weak and tired, off food, can get swollen joints.

Treatment: Give antibiotic as soon as possible, penicillin brand best.

cutaneous. It is important to weigh the dog to get dosage exact. Keep dogs very quiet after injection as will vomit and feel ill. Also give Doxycycline capsules for 10 days as directed.

Give Catasol small dogs 1 ml. Keep very quiet and nurse well.

African Swine Fever: Symptoms: Piglets scour, vomit, discharges from eyes, eyes stick together. Ends of ears and tail can go black.

High fever, walks unsteadily, back and legs can become paralysed.

Treatment: No treatment available, usually die.

Parvo Enteritis Symptoms: Vomiting blood and then scouring blood. If not treated quickly, this is soon fatal. Treatment: Give scour mixture as directed. Treat with Chloramphenicol injection as directed. Dehydration is the worst danger.

Keep on a constant drip through the mouth.

Make this up from egg white, glucose and water. Keep this going as much as possible as this is what will keep the dog alive. Give rehydrant every two hours. Give multi-vitamin injection. Give anti-sick injection every six hours e.g. Nepotol.

Hernia: In piglets these usually disappear by themselves, a course of Betamox helps.

Worm Infection: Sight poor, unsteady movement. This is due to worms – treat with Ivomec.

Drugs Doses for Pigs: Ivomec – 1 cc per 30 kgs; worm at 8 weeks when weaned – 6ml; worm at 16 weeks – 1.2ml.

Miscellaneous Infection: Turns in circles and wobbly on legs – treat with Penstrep and Colvasone.

All piglets must be injected with iron on the second day of birth. If pigs are weak at birth it could be due to sow not having enough milk. If possible, try injecting the sow with Oxytocin.

DOGS Tick Fever: Symptoms: high temperature, pale and yellow mucus membranes, off food.

Treatment: Give Imizol at 0.05 ml per kg sub28 The E.A. Equestrian

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Pyometra - an injection after whelping.

Symptoms: High temperature, loss of appetite, vomiting, later weakens and lack of control in legs. Treatment: Two tablets 250 mg tetracycline four times daily for five days.

Insert one pessary daily for four days.

Demodectic Mange: Treatment: Treat sore places with a mixture of sulphur and assuntol mixed with liquid paraffin. Or scrub twice with 10 per cent iodine solution especially between the toes. Treat with appropriate oral mixture, (used to be Septrim 2 pills twice daily).

Infected eyes: Treatment: Use Gentamycin eye drops in bad cases four times daily for two weeks. If this is not working, change to Ciprofloxacin – same dosage for two weeks. Give two doses of Betamox injections at 48 hour intervals.

Uveitis: Symptoms: very mucky eyes and eye goes pale blue with whites for eye very blood shot. Dofficulty in seeing.

Treatment: Take dog to oculist to get diagnosis, same as humans.

Intensive course of drugs: Prednisolone – 1 tablet twice daily for seven days; 1 tablet once daily for seven days, 1 tablet alternate days for seven days; Chloramphenicol tablets – 1 twice daily for 10 days, drops – four times daily for 10 days; Gerasone drops – four times daily for 10 days; Atropine drops – 3 times daily for 10 days.

Keep out of sunlight: This came from doctor Sanjay and the dog recovered.

Afflatoxin Poisoning: Symptoms: Off food, yellow vomit, no temperature. In later stages, scours blood by which time liver damaged and too late to treat.

Treatment: Caused by infected maize. Remove all maize products from diet. Put on drip if possible. Treat with Bedgen 5 ml by mouth.

Poisoning:For convultions, give Valium – small dogs 1 ml, big dogs 4ml. Give 1/v if possible. If no convulsions try to make the dog sick by giving a mixture of: 1tbsp salt, 1 tbsp

mustard. Mix this in half pint of water and give as much as possible.

An antidote must also be given: 4 parts powdered charcoal, 1 part milk of magnesia, 1 part strong tea. Give according to size of dog.

General infections, abscesses, coughs etc Treatment: small dog: 0.6 cc betamox for three days, 0.4 cc Colvasone for two days; big dog – 4-5 cc Betamox for three days, 2 cc of Colvasone for two days.

Liver Damage: Symptoms: If the dog is very ill and has yellow gums and eyes then suspect liver damage.

Treatment: Give Bedgen orally for five days.

Infection of Fleas: Treatment: Get pills called four Fleas from UK. Give 1 pill according to size once a week for six weeks.

This is a long-term preventive and well worth it.

Anal Glands: Symptoms: Dog scraping backside along ground and discomfort. Treatment: Put forefinger in anus. Squeeze gently, a 7 o’clock to 4 o’clock movement, and a smelly pussy fluid will come out. You can feel the gland in the anus.

Injured dogs: Give Colvasone – medium dog 2 1/2 ml; give catosol – medium dog 4 ml.

Snake bites: Treatment: Give anti-histamine and Colvasone on first day. Keep very

quiet. Tranquilize, if necessary. Spitting cobra in eyes – with milk, treat with anti-histamine, Colvasone and give an anti-biotic in case of infection. Don’t put anything else in the eyes.

Smelly Breath: Usually due to gum infections. Use Flagyl – small dogs 200 mgs per day for 10 days. Get teeth scaled.

Accidental Serving: Treatment: Give Oestragen injection as soon as possible. It will still work after 12 hours.

Milk Formula for puppies: 1 cup of cows milk, 1 egg yolk, mix together, warm and give 5 cc to pup every four hours.

Dog worming: Lung worm: Panacur 16 cc per 20 kgs by mouth. Give 3 days running, repeat course in six weeks and then again in another 6 weeks.

Heart worm: Give Ivomec injection. This only works in the blood. It must be followed by an arseaneial drug for the heart.

Puppies: Combantrin syrup 0.6 ml per 5 lbs, 1 tablet per 25 ibs. Worms have become resistant to most wormers. Best results at the moment is with a Noromectin injection 1 ml per 50 kgs. Small dogs 0.6 injection or 1 ml by mouth. Big dogs double dose by mouth 2 ½ ml. FGollow this with Praziquantal – the human drug for tape worm.

Small dogs ¼ pill or big dogs 1 pill. Dogs respond very well to herbal treatments which can be used to treat a variety of ailments.

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FEI World Cup™ Jumping FEI World Cup™ Jumping

Alsharbatly clinches second successive Arab League title

By Louise Parkes Abdullah Alsharbatly won the FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Arab League for the second year in a row as athletes from Saudi Arabia dominated this series when filling three of the top four places at the end of the 16 qualifying rounds.

Riders from 15 different leagues across the globe have been battling it out for a qualifying spot at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final which will take place in Gothenburg (SWE) from 23 to 28 March 2016, and the Arab League is the latest to conclude, finishing up with an exciting event at Al Ain (UAE) last weekend.

A total of 86 athletes competed in this series which began with two qualifiers in Alexandria (EGY) last September. However Alsharbatly made his season debut in Tetouan (MAR) in October where he collected 17 valuable points, and he capitalised on that when claiming the maximum 20 at round nine on home turf in Riyadh (KSA) the following month with the same horse, the 13-year-old gelding Domingo which was previously competed by Belgium’s Niels Bruynseels.

Highly competitive Sharbatly has always been highly competitive, taking team gold at the Asian Games in Doha (QAT) in 2006 and the Pan-Arab Games in Cairo (EGY) in 2007, but he really rocketed to centre stage when clinching individual silver at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) in 2010 before going on to help his country claim team bronze at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

In the meantime he added another team gold medal at the Asian Games in Guangzhou (CHN) in 2010, and although his team had to settle for silver at the Asian Games in Incheon (KOR) in 2014, Alsharbatly emerged to take the individual title in convincing fashion. It is quite a track record, and the 33-yearold rider was looking confident once again coming into this season’s Arab League final leg at Al Ain, but he still needed points to be assured of success.

Strong international line-up There was a strong international line-up at the event which was sponsored by the FEI’s top partner, Longines, and Germany’s David Will and Joerg Naeve took the top two places ahead of Russia’s Vladimir Tuganov

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At the last qualifier of the FEI World Cup™ Jumping Arab League in Al Ain (UAE) on February 6-7. (L to R) Saudi Arabia’s Ramzy Al Duhami who finished third on the league leaderboard; Patrick Aoun, Longines Regional Brand Manager Middle East; Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alharbatly who won the League for the second year in succession; Egypt’s Mohamed Talaat who was runner-up in the series: Karim Badaro, FEI World Cup™ Jumping Arab League Coordinator.

at the end of the Two-Round competition that decided the final Arab League placings. A single first-round mistake with the Dutch-bred Tobalio left Alsharbatly having to settle for equal-11th place in the final analysis, but that proved good enough to add 10 more pivotal points and provide him with the league title once again.

Egypt’s Mohamed Talaat jumped double-clear with the German-bred 14-year-old Connaught to finish seventh and best of the Arab League athletes. And this promoted him to runner-up spot on the league leaderboard ahead of Ramzy Al Duhami, another experienced member of that bronze medal winning side at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Cementing the authority of the Saudi Arabian athletes, 20-year-old Abdulrahman Alrajhi who produced an impressive win at the 13th leg of the series in Abu Dhabi (UAE) last month, finished fourth in the final league standings ahead of Syria’s Ahmad Saber Hamcho in fith place.

Continued expansion Talking about the success and the continued expansion of this series, FEI Arab League Coordinator, Karim Badaro, explained yesterday, “the Arab League World Cup qualifying season is made up of sixteen legs and the big number of events shows the involvement of the Arab Federations.

The geographical dispersion of the Arab countries competing in the league stretches from Morocco to the United Arab Emirates.

This is a big commitment for Arab athletes who spare no effort to be part of it.

This season we witnessed three new events, at Alexandria (EGY) which staged two qualifiers and Mostaganem (Algeria).

The League is now in its eleventh year and has greatly contributed to the improvement of the competitive level of Arab riders and horses who have become a force to be reckoned with in all major equestrian meetings around the globe. I sure hope this trend will continue on an upward curve!”, he said.

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1. ritam Group Managing Director Dr Benson Wairegi (left) presents a gift hamper to jockey Leslie Sercombe.; 2. Spring Run was the winner of the 2015 BRTIAM Kenya Guineas; 3. Trainers M. Noor and N Nur with jockey B. Sooful from Mauritius and owner Margaret Shava; 4. Part of the crowd at The BRITAM Kenya Guineas race day.

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1. Britan Kenya Group CEO, Dr. Benson Wairegi and his wife, with JCK Director, Margaret Shava, at the races; 2. A member of the Diani Sky Divers parachutes onto the racetrack; 3. Stephen Wandera, Director Insurance Business, presents the Britam Nairac Gold Circle tray to winning owner of Maasai King Bryan Henry in the company of jockey J. Greyling and Trainer Joe Kariri; 4. Mr. Muthoga Ngera – Britam Director, Marketing and Corporate Affairs gives prizes to trainer O.J.Gray and jockey J. Muhindi; 5. Entertainment at the Britam Kenya Guineas; 6. Mr Muthoga Ngera – Britam Director, Marketing and Corporate Affairs presents The Britam Gold Circle Tray to winning trainer O.J.Gray and jockey J. Muhindi; 7. Dr Benson I Wairegi – Group Managing Director Britam Holdings Limited and his wife present The Britam Gold Cup to winning owner of River King accompanied by trainer O.J.Gray and jockey J. Muhindi; 8. Britam Kenya brand activation; 9. Winner of the 2016 Britam Kenya Guineas L. Sercombe; 10. The crowd at the Britam Kenya Guineas race day; 11. Britam Kenya brand activation; 12. Nancy Kiruki, Director Legal and Company Secretary of Britam Kenya and daughter awards JCK Director Mr. Chuck Bengough as jockey D. Tanui looks on.

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