Equestrian

Equestrian Roome at the top of training world

By Jade Leahy Keizershof up to Advanced, For my last pre-lockdown CCI3*-L at Blair Castle last roving reporter trip, I year on the 12-year-old travelled to Fontmell Parva mare, Auriella. in North Dorset to meet Alongside some exciting event rider and trainer Joe young horses, a new ride for Roome. Joe runs the yard at this year, Brechfa Medrod, is Fontmell Parva House, a one to watch for the future, bold, 17th century with only a couple of runs Elizabethan estate set in the this season due to covid heart of Portman country. restrictions. Though not I went to the yard to meet necessarily aiming for Joe, who was ever modest Badminton, Joe is passionate about his achievements. about producing young Having grown up abroad (his horses through the grades, father was in the army), he and the rewarding work of moved back to Dorset as a retraining racehorses off the teenager, and since then has track. He is supported by established his reputation as Devocoux and Spillers horse a rider and coach in the local feeds. community. Joe loves the discipline and Having come from a non- dedication required for horsey background, a chance dressage, and he could see encounter with Jo Rimmer himself focusing on this area catalysed his riding career, UP AND OVER: Horse trainer Joe Roome in action more in the future. and the two remain lifelong In the meantime, he is friends. Joe then spent a year at Fontmell Parva. Supported As well as running the yard passing on his expertise, working for Lucy by his invaluable head-girl and coaching, Joe has been coaching other riders across Wiegersma, coming back to Stacey Blunn, he is proud to successfully competing at all the disciplines and Dorset to spend a season at look after a yard full of event international level. supporting the next Fox Pitt eventing before horses, youngsters and hunt- The past few years have seen generation through the setting up his own business liveries. him produce Hilton Van Het Portman Pony Club. Meet the physio who treats horses – and their riders

A physio based in Milborne leisure, endurance to fiveWick is treating horses and star eventers after seeing their riders. how physio helped their Megan Merrifield of performance. Polgreen Physiotherapy Megan has her own horses treats a variety of horses and plans to bring on her across all disciplines from four year old homebred, who Dorset Showground

What’s on...

Sun 8th Nov Sat 21st Nov Sat 22nd Nov

Eventers Challenge Unaffiliated Dressage SWW Pony Club Show

Sat 14th Nov Arena Eventing Clinic with Sam Griffiths Sun 15th Nov Clear Round Arena Event Jumping Jumping Sat 29th Nov BS Senior & UnaffiliSat 21st Nov ated Show Jumping

Sun 15th Nov Assisted Gridwork with Charlotte Williams Show Jumping Improvement Lesson with level 2 UKCC Sun 6th Dec Arena Eventing Coach

Show Jump & Arena Eventing Course Hire www.dorsetshowground.co.uk for info, entries & Covid protocols Tel: 01747 83888838 888

she hopes to event in the future. She initially trained as a human physiotherapist for three years at university, going on to work for the NHS. She then completed a three-year Masters degree in veterinary physiotherapy. Although she now specialises in horses, she also continues to treat riders. Megan said: “Horses originally did not evolve as they have, for the purpose of riding. It is something that we have bred and trained them to do therefore, most horses are likely to experience some tightness or discomfort.” One of the main things Megan sees is primary and and finish seventh in the secondary back pain in horses. She says it is vital to have a good team behind you including vet, farrier, saddler, dental technician and therapist. She said: “The high-level competition horse is still a horse at heart; so whilst competition care routines are required to perform well, you should ensure that your horse has the opportunity to be just that – your horse will greatly benefit, particularly dressage horses, from a good canter or gallop.” Equine treatment sessions are £60, rider treatment sessions are £40 n polgreenphysio.co.uk 07933 287321

Equestrian Hoof care and management is essential to well-being

Whether barefoot or shod, it is essential been ‘worn out’, it is still necessary for 50 kilograms of force acting on the to keep horses on a regular schedule. the farrier to visit to reset the shoes. tendons. And for every one degree drop This being one of the most important The foot only needs to be slightly in sole angle where the deep digital parts of hoof care and hoof longer than the naturally optimum flexor tendon inserts into then pedal management. As the saying goes, “no length, to be a potential knock-on effect bone, can lead to a extra 4% increase in foot, no horse”. It is the duty of both the on the horse’s comfort. the pressure exerted on the Navicular owner and the farrier to ensure that the As the foot becomes longer, the bone. The optimum scheduling time is feet are trimmed regularly and to ensure leverage at the toe becomes greater, and generally four to six weeks, this allows there are no detrimental effects. so does the corresponding force at the both farrier and owner to quickly spot When the horse is shod, the horn is heel. This excessive downward heel any problems that may arise and deal protected by the shoe and is not worn pressure puts extra strain on the with them accordingly. It also allows away. Therefore, regular visits by the ligaments and tendons around the any problems that may have arisen to farrier to ensure the hoof is at optimum joints. be dealt with, and kept on top of, to length with not too much excess growth It has been said that for every cm of keep the progress going forwards. is essential. Even if the shoes haven’t extra toe length, this results in an extra Sam Wilkes DipWCF Tough time for everyone in lockdown

Meet our equestrian columnist Charlotte Williams, horse lover and amateur showjumper from West Stour

Lockdown has stopped so many equine pastimes in recent months and it makes me realise how much we have taken for granted. We are unable to go to shows or take part in fun rides and training, but these are privileged to be able to go out hacking and enjoy my horse in the beautiful Dorset countryside. From the moment I mount Flek and look through his chestnut ears, life seems a little better, a little happier and a touch more normal, at least for a while. It got me thinking about how much Flek costs, particularly at the moment – he’s not like a car I can SORN when he’s not in work. He still requires the same amount of time, care and food. Flek is my best friend and worth every penny and every single minute of my time that he takes. My time and my money is well spent. As I was pondering, a post on a social media page popped up, highlighting the situation of Pevlings Farm

RIDING OUT: Charlotte Williams and Flek

Riding and Livery Stables, one of our local riding schools near Templecombe. Pevlings Farm has been part of the local community for 35 years and the impact of lockdown is taking its toll on the staff, the ponies, the morale and, obviously, their income. As someone who grew up living for the weekend and with it my weekly trip to the riding school, this touched a nerve. So, armed with a few goodies for the 32 ponies, I found myself making a socially distanced visit to Pevlings Farm, where I met Alison, standing in the empty car park near the even emptier sand school. Alison and I had a lovely chat and she explained her benefit of exercise, social interaction with humans, dogs and horses. A loyal, longstanding customer at Peylings Farm has set up a page to help luxuries and I feel very

raise funds for her beloved stable yard. And from what I understand the response has been amazing. Many people who have donated learnt to ride at Peylings whose children now ride there.

yard has 32 working ponies, not including the DIY liveries. These ponies are living a very different life at the minute, they are not working as there are no lessons and no hacks out. But of course they still need the same amount of feed, hay, bedding and daily care. All this is made twice as hard with furloughed staff and winter looming. Lockdown for this second time has been harder. A reduced staff along with winter rain and the cold makes turning these ponies out for much-needed outdoor time hard work. So twice as much work for fewer staff. For humans, this yard like many others gives us the ARTICLES FOR SALE

Logs R Us 1 ton pickup load of logs £90 double load £150 dumpy bag £60 All hardwood 07790 404593 01258 818081 Governess cart late 19th Century by JA Lawton. Good to fair condition. Guide £1500. matthkeegan@gmail.com Small bale hay & small bale wheat straw. Collect or delivered. 07980147019 01747870360

Two Leather Saddles & One Felt Saddle, numerous bridles, stirrup leathers & irons, all broken but useful for repairs etc. Open to offers for job lot to clear. Call 07871 165609