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51 Articles

THIS week we learn from riders and coaches who have been part of golden eras in eventing (feature, p34). Chris Bartle, instrumental in both the German and British teams’ runs, says attention to detail, mental toughness and an appreciation of how each of the three phases supports each other are key. Dickie Waygood points out success breeds success and those who think they can, do. Knowing that belief is crucial, how long can Britain stay at the top? Indefinitely. Pammy Hutton longs for the days of household names like Charisma and Boomerang (p14). She points out what a great job Becky Moody is doing of being a likeable sportsperson and ensuring Jagerbomb is a fan favourite. Pammy suggests marketing get behind other combinations with this potential. Having seen this happen…

Fire safety advice after yard in flames within minutes

Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ A COACH whose yard went up in flames in minutes has spoken about the importance of having a fire safety plan – and everyone being aware of it. CCTV captured how quickly a fire spread at Tori Peter's private yard in Lancashire when a hay store caught fire in September. Smoke could be seen at 5.59am; by 6.11am the flames were “almost 30 feet”. Tori had friends staying for training, and when one got up to feed, she discovered the fire. Under Tori's instruction, all the horses were evacuated from their smoke-filled stables before the fire service arrived. “The roof lining was on fire and flames were spreading above the horses. Another five or…

Fire safety advice after yard in flames within minutes

Link found between oral lesions and conflict behaviour in horses

A LINK between continual mouth opening and oral lesions has been found in horses. A Danish study, published in October and presented at the International Society for Equitation Science 2024 conference, aimed to investigate if horses competing at upper national level with oral lesions differed in behaviour from those without. The research was based on data collected at a routine, but unannounced, inspection of 11 horses’ mouths immediately after an intermediate I class in 2022. Five had “abrasion of the skin and/or mucosa” and were eliminated from the class. The inspections were carried out by the Danish federation's then veterinary consultant and study co-author Mette Uldahl, who has since joined Animal Protection Denmark. BEHAVIOUR CO-RESEARCHER Janne Winther Christensen, who was unaware of the outcome of the inspection, analysed the horses…

Link found between oral lesions and conflict behaviour in horses

HORSES IN THE NEWS

DELTA WORK Gigginstown House Stud's five-time Grade One winner, who came second in the 2024 Grand National and third in the 2022 race, has died aged 12 after a bout of colic. MONARCH Tower Farm Riding Stables’ gelding, who helped teach, and starred in parades and ceremonial occasions, posthumously won the British Horse Society's Tarragon Trophy. ZUCCERO HV Swedish showjumper RolfGöran Bengtsson's Paris Olympic ride Zuccero HV will be for sale. They were part of the gold medalwinning team at the 2023 European Championships.…

HORSES IN THE NEWS

JOHN SMART BRITAIN has lost “one of the finest all-round horsemen this country has ever known”. John Smart, a former toplevel eventer and showjumper, who rode into his 80s and coached until a few weeks ago, has died aged 84. John was born in Scotland, to non-equestrian parents. He used to play truant to work at a riding school for lessons and, as he told H&H last year, because “there were a lot of girls there and I fancied my chances!” Having become the youngest ever fully qualified Household Cavalry riding instructor, he spent seven years with the regiment and worked for The late Queen, after which he went into showjumping. He rode for people including James Heaton and Trevor Banks, starting the Olympic horse Hideaway. He then moved south…

MENTAL HEALTH COLLABORATION A COURSE covering mental health and wellbeing has been launched as part of the British Dressage online learning hub. The three-part course, created with mental health charity Riders Minds, aims to “equip members with the knowledge and tools to identify and recognise individual signs when they are ‘not OK’, while raising awareness of the importance of our mental health and the impact it can have on those around us”. It will also cover the impact of humans’ mental state on their horses. More sub-modules will be released this spring and summer, including support for coaches and competitors, as well as young riders and parents. ● Visit: britishdressage.co.uk/learning SUPPORT FOR RACING PARENTS BETTING group Kindred has continued its funding of the Racing Home project with a donation of…

Mixed reaction to changes to HOYS championships

CHANGES to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) classes and qualifiers have been met with mixed reactions. Among the most debated are the intermediate show horse, hack and children's riding pony sections. This is the third year in a row the intermediate class has changed; it is for horses over 148cm and not over 160cm, a change from 146cm to 153cm and 153cm to 158cm sections. It is open to hacks, riding horses and show riding types, registered with the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) or British Show Pony Society (BSPS). “Times are changing and we have to go with them” RACHAEL HELIWELL “As a member of the BSPS council, it's disappointing we've lost the exclusivity, but for showing in general I can see it could be good,” producer Edward…

Mixed reaction to changes to HOYS championships

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Denmark's Cathrine LaudrupDufour and Mount St John Freestyle had the highest mark of the World Cup so far, 91.14% in the Gothenburg freestyle. Showjumper Millie Allen has continued her good run in Doha, winning the CSI5* 1.55m Prix Hermès Sellier with Clearround II Mondo Z, on 21 February. US Equestrian has appointed Olympian Leslie Law as eventing chef d'equipe and high performance manager. He was US eventing development coach. New Zealand's Karyn Shuter, who coowns Oliver Townend's ride Ballaghmor Class, has been appointed US eventing high performance advisor. Equestrian influencer Esme Higgs has been named as an ambassador for Royal Windsor Horse Show this year. She will attend the show on 17 and 18 May.…

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Genes that may contribute to fracture risk identified

THE identification of genes that may contribute to risk of fracture in thoroughbreds could help reduce this risk. Research carried out by a team at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has identified 112 genes that may be involved in risk of fracture, in the second study of a series. “These findings will inform further research into genetic risk factors, contributing to health and wellbeing efforts and supporting the development of novel interventions to reduce fracture risk in horses,” an RVC spokesperson said. “Fractures are common and sadly a leading cause of euthanasia but fractures are complex; environmental and genetic risk factors affect a horse's susceptibility.” The team, led by senior research fellow Debbie Guest, used stem cells from horses at low and high risk of fractures as determined from previous…

$Genes that may contribute to fracture risk identified$

New rule states that all horses must have tails

THE Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) is bringing in a rule next year – an advisory this year – to say all horses must have tails. The move has come owing to the prevalence of entries in heavy horse classes with tail hair no longer than the length of the dock – or shaved docks. GYS entries and livestock coordinator Amanda StoddartWest told H&H the team had noticed increasing numbers of essentially tail-less horses. “I don't understand it, but it seems to have become a trend,” she said. “It means that for an hour in the ring, these horses have no tails all summer. We've had complaints; the public and other equestrians saying, ‘Surely that's not right?’” “All horses should have tails” AMANDA STODDART-WEST Mrs Stoddart-West added that she saw many…

New rule states that all horses must have tails

WISHFUL THINKING We made it, ladies and gents. On Saturday, it is March, so it is spring. By the time you read this, all mud will have vanished, grass growing and the sun will be shining happily. DISCLAIMERS With reference to the above statement, H&H will take no responsibility should March not be dry, sunny and grassy, nor even if it is just January reincarnated. Thank you. COURAGE Story of the week was the horse who had a chat with a wild rhino (below right). A very brave horse, although his rider revealed he is more scared of rocks, and the tortoise he saw the same day. Sounds about right!…

SPECIES Overheard at the yard, a rider looking for a “good human chiropractor”. “I love that you had to specify,” said a pal. Never known a horse who's quite mastered the manipulation either, tbh. MONEY Overheard at a show, a rider saying of her horse: “He's like a slot machine; you pump money in and every once in a while he pays out.” Sums it up. DANCE MOVES Spotted at another show, a non-horsey boyfriend watching mystified as a classful of riders, having walked the course, rewalked it from a standstill with much curving of arms. “Are they practising a dance routine?” he inquired. Hands in the air like you just don't care……

And finally… rhino meeting

THE owner of a horse who had a chat with a black rhino on a ride said the irony is, the horse will spook at a rock. Touran Bristow videoed her Arab Magnum with the rhino in the reserve they live on, in South Africa. She told H&H he needs more exercise than her other horse so when she rides Sioux, Magnum comes too. “We were at the end of the ride when we saw the rhino,” she said. “Black rhinos are very unpredictable and fast, so I was filming from a safe distance. Then Magnum just passed me and carried on to the rhino; so confident, like he knew exactly what he was doing. I've lived in Africa for 10 years and have never seen anything like it.” The…

And finally… rhino meeting

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound STOP THE SUFFERING, AND PRIORITISE IT was with huge sadness and tears in my eyes that I read about the horrendous conditions that horses had to endure while travelling before they were discovered at the port of Dover, with World Horse Welfare stepping in to help (news, 13 February). How can this suffering be stopped? No horse deserves this cruel end of life. There is no comparison between this kind of cruelty and the controversy that is being created by the trimming of whiskers and ears. So please – can we get our priorities in order? Sue Rawding, former president, British Show Horse Association MORE OPPORTUNITIES NEEDED PLEASE FURTHER to showing editor Bethan…

‘We need better marketing’

Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr OPINION AS 2025 dawned, plans were made, goals set and excitement grew. Then bang! A slight pull on my horse's tendon now means some months off. Whenever I write about personal disappointments, people tell me that knowing how I push myself helps to push them. Right now, I'm having to dig deep. Riding into older age, especially in the face of setbacks, requires so much more impulsion than it once did. So, what can be done? My dieting efforts have doubled as my exercise halved without my favourite horse to ride. I've stepped up my work to ensure I've no time to dwell and I'm working with a five-year-old using my new aid – knocking knees! But no way am I giving up. If…

‘We need better marketing’

Sam Twiston-Davies

WE join one of the country's leading jockeys during a typically frenetic week at the crescendo of the winter jumps season. Sam TwistonDavies has been schooling horses with an assortment of trainers, driving to a succession of far-flung racecourses and ratcheting up winners in the process. A dank drizzle hangs in the air, but nothing can dent the positivity of this industrious 32-year-old, who is brimming with enthusiasm for his book of rides at Huntingdon later in the day. Sam's hard graft is paying dividends as he hurtles towards another century of winners this season and he hovers close behind weighing room rivals Harry Skelton and Harry Cobden in the inaugural David Power Jockeys’ Cup, a new initiative offering a life-changing half a million pounds to the jockey who rides…

Sam Twiston-Davies

Olympic landscaper turned breeder

My background is in landscaping. I started my commercial landscaping business back in 1998, which was based in Portsmouth but with most of the contracts being on iconic buildings in Central London. We worked on the athletes’ village at London 2012 working 24 hours a day for six months with three different teams working for me. I still have the business but I've taken a step back. My idea was to retire at 50 but I'm probably working harder now at Anmore than I have done for years! I haven't always been horsey. I bought a property 10 years ago that had stables and paddocks. At the time I didn't know one side of a horse from another, so I leased the stables and land to someone with carriage-driving horses.…

Olympic landscaper turned breeder

‘Don't let age, difficulties or illness stop you riding’

MY parents weren't horsey, but my grandfather had owned racehorses that ran in the Melbourne Cup. They promised I could have a pony when we moved back to Australia from New Zealand so when I was nine I got Trixie. My next pony was Bawn, who I rode in the pageant we performed for William Boyd (the actor who played Hopalong Cassidy) and his horse when they came to the Sydney Showground. Around 20 of us from the Pony Club had spent months preparing a square-dancing display for him on our ponies. At school I had a group of horsey friends. Each lunchtime we'd get together and decide which local show to attend at the weekend. We would think nothing of riding 10–20 miles to a show, doing a class…

‘Don't let age, difficulties or illness stop you riding’

“I never got the rules wrong”

THE Side Saddle Association was stringent about rules and regulations. If you rode in a class in the morning you wore a bowler hat, veil and tie. After lunch or in the evening you'd wear formal dress – a silk topper and veil, white cravat and waistcoat. You wore brown gloves in the daytime, cream ones in the evening and black ones if you were in mourning. I knew all the rules and I never got it wrong. I think they are a little more relaxed these days. ABOUT RAYNA… IN her 30s, Rayna Matthews was severely disabled by polio and unable to ride without considerable pain. The solution was to ride side-saddle and she went on to represent Britain in para dressage. Following her retirement from competition, she became…

OWNER SUSAN TENNANT “WE go to Dublin Horse Show every year, so I wasn't particularly looking to buy. Obi was about halfway down the line in the three-year-old class. I just liked him; he looked a nice horse. When you're not looking is the best way to find them. “We named him after the lane our farm is on – Mulberry Lane. We rode him at home for a while, but couldn't do much with him because he kept growing. He went to Craig when he was five, but there wasn't a plan for him. I knew he was a very nice horse, but you can't ever tell what they'll do; it's a long process. “He's matured physically and he's more confident in himself even since RIHS [Royal International Horse…

Producer/rider Craig Kiddier

“OBI was a big raw frame when he came to me, but his limbs were good – he was a good mover and he had an athletic loose jump. “I don't treat him like a show horse. We go hacking, we jump post-and-rail fences and ditches; I take him on hound exercise quite often and we hunt when the ground's OK. To jump, he's bold and brave and very honest. He's brilliant across country – he's clever in that sense. “Obi has a huge personality – a bit impish. He's very confident in himself and he's not a spooky horse, but he does have a cheeky side to him. You can hack him anywhere until you come to turn him round to come home! “I always thought he could win…

Bute: friend or foe?

PHENYLBUTAZONE (usually called bute) is a medication commonly used in equine patients to help relieve pain, decrease inflammation and control fever. Bute is relatively inexpensive and very effective. It can be administered both via injection from a vet and by mouth for continuing care at home. For owners, it can be tempting to keep a supply of bute to use as and when they feel their horse needs it. As the medication is so commonly used, horse owners often assume it is perfectly safe to use. However, bute can have some serious side effects if not used correctly – and sometimes even despite correct use. Bute is a prescription medicine and should be used only after a vet has diagnosed a condition and dispensed it to treat that specific condition…

Bute: friend or foe?

WHAT'S NEW in the veterinary world?

IMAGING techniques, such as X-rays and ultrasound scans, can be used to screen young horses before any clinical evidence of trouble, to look for any potential future problems in bones, joints or soft tissues. When young thoroughbreds change hands for vast sums, no wonder buyers want every possible assessment of whether their purchase might be a Derby winner or a dud. One area of debate is X-rays of the sesamoid bones behind the fetlock. The bones can differ slightly in shape from horse to horse – some have distinct dimples in their edges. They can have differing sizes and shapes of blood vessel channels in the bones, or small extra bone deposits on the edges. Are any of these differences significant? Do they point to future problems? Vets in the…

WHAT'S NEW in the veterinary world?

Case study: an unwelcome eventuality

THE owner of much-loved part-Shire gelding Murphy had a shock when he became very ill, following an ongoing course of bute for osteoarthritis. The medication was administered routinely in the feed, within the therapeutic dose range. He had for several years had this or equivalent medication as his ringbone deteriorated. Following the use of what was thought to be benign painkillers, Murphy developed a complication, namely protein-losing enteropathy. The lining of his large bowel leaked proteins, causing limb swelling, oedema and diarrhoea with potential renal damage. Murphy narrowly avoided hospitalisation, thanks to fastidious care at his home livery yard and a complete change to his medication regime. Happily, he has made a good recovery and more than four years later, is enjoying a happy retirement on his new pain management…

Case study: an unwelcome eventuality

Beyond the yard

FIND MORE GREAT PRODUCTS ONLINE For more jewellery options, visit horseandhound.co.uk/equestrian-jewellery…

Beyond the yard

HOW LONG CAN THE BRITS KEEP IT UP?

OUR planet's history is littered with empires that rise and fall, mirrored by eventing's microcosm. Six nations have dominated the sport – Britain, France, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and the US – and each has had their heyday. Right now though, Britain is sitting pretty on the throne. While Britain and France may bicker over which gave birth to eventing, Badminton and Burghley have cemented Britain as the sport's heartland. Since Badminton began in 1949, Brits have won 49% of the world's CCI5*s, and since the 1960s, Britain has taken 18 of the 64 gold medals at world and Olympic level. Britain remains the nation to beat, on a run of two Olympic team golds. But look back to Tokyo just four years ago, when Britain hadn't won team gold…

HOW LONG CAN THE BRITS KEEP IT UP?

‘It's all about going out and giving it a go’

WHAT does it take to top one of the British Eventing grassroots leagues? The leagues run at BE80, BE90, BE100, plus a “newcomers” offering for new members, and they are based on opposition beaten percentage (see box, right). As well as a share of a £10,000 prize pot, combinations have a chance to qualify for the BE80 Championship at Chillington Hall or the Voltaire Design Grassroots BE80 and BE90 Championships at Badminton. We caught up with the winners from 2024 – whose ages span 48 years and who all have different lives and training tactics – to find out what preparation went into their seasons. WHAT IS THE OPPOSITION BEATEN PERCENTAGE? OPPOSITION beaten percentage (OBP) is a concept designed by equestrian data analysts EquiRatings to highlight those horses who have…

‘It's all about going out and giving it a go’

“We have floodlights at home so I can train after school”

ELIZA PETERS, 13, and her eight-year-old Connemara Redpark Sammey (Milo) won two BE90s and finished second twice to top the newcomers league with a 95.6% OBP. The pair were also runners-up in the BE90 league. “We didn't really have a plan, but we were second at Larkhill in April, and then started aiming for the under-18 BE90 qualifiers,” says Eliza, who has been riding since she was “plonked on a pony at 18 months old”. “The highlight was winning a section of the under-18 BE90 championship at Chillington Hall and qualifying for Badminton.” Eliza has produced Milo since he was four, having invested in him after selling her showjumping pony. “I competed in British Showjumping but always wanted to have a go at eventing and I've really enjoyed how welcoming…

“He never makes me nervous, which I love at my age”

CAROLINE BRIDGE, 61, and her 14-year-old Irish gelding Trinity O Really won all three of their BE80s, giving them an impressive 100% OBP to top that league. They also topped the overall OBP league, just beating runners-up Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class. “I'd been looking for a new horse and had some vetted but they hadn't worked out. I saw Really's advert locally, there was no photo, but I went to view him and bought him, and that was three weeks before our first event at Solihull last August,” explains Caroline. “I hadn't done cross-country on him before that, but because he was experienced it gave me confidence and he was an absolute joy. He'd obviously been beautifully trained by his previous owner Gillian Mason.” Caroline, who has trained horses…

“He never makes me nervous, which I love at my age”

“I've had to work on her confidence; we build up slowly”

FREELANCE groom Charlie Wells, 24, and her nine-old Irish mare Win Over Clover (Winnie) scored two wins and three seconds to finish with a 97.5% OBP and top the BE90 league. “Last year was our most successful season. We spent a lot of time training and I'm always thinking about what we can do better,” says Charlie, who trains with British Dressage List One judge Andrea Smith and eventing coach Sue Chadwick. “The league has been great, it's something to work towards and helps with motivation.” Charlie loves the thrill that comes from riding the cross-country. “From a training point of view you are able to see how much work you've put in and where you have progressed,” she says. “Winnie absolutely loves what she does and she's so genuine.…

“I've had to work on her confidence; we build up slowly”

“We've formed a good bond, he trusts me and I trust him”

MATT CAVILL, 43, and his experienced 13-year-old gelding Woodcroft Harvest (Harvey) won the BE100 league with a 98.2% OBP from two wins and a second at their three events. “I don't come from a horsey family but I've dipped in and out of riding since I was a kid. Riding took a bit of a backseat to my property development business, so when I turned 40 and retired I had a bit more time. I bought a couple of hunters and went out with the Heythrop,” explains Matt, who also owns three-star eventer SFS Arrano, who will be campaigned this season by Italy's Giovanni Ugolotti. “I decided to have a little dabble in eventing and around 18 months ago I bought Harvey.” Harvey has competed to two-star level with Harriet…

“We've formed a good bond, he trusts me and I trust him”

Daring to dream

WE have got a place at Aintree and a jockey. Idas Boy beat 60 other horses entered to be announced as number 30 in the Grand National 2025 line-up, with a riding weight of 10st 10lb. To say we are delighted is an understatement. After all the nail-biting waiting, he is in and now training hard for the Sky Sports Racing 145 Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster this week. We have booked the brilliant Harry Bannister to ride him, after a successful morning jumps schooling in the arena with international showjumper, Johnathan Bowman, who was enthusiastic about the session, saying: “He jumped lovely, with great confidence. He was dead straight and really using his body. With racehorses, you look for straightness and regularity within their stride, which he showed today.” Richard…

Daring to dream

SCARTEEN 4 February Edited by Catherine Austen catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 Scarteen, Garrispillane, Co Limerick ANY day you get out hunting is a good day, but seeing the correspondent from Horse & Hound rolling around in the Limerick mud while his horse disappears into the blue surely gives the occasion an added savour. My day with the Scarteen hounds was a regrettably short one, but action-packed while it lasted. The Garrispillane meet is one of the big days in the Scarteen's calendar. If I hadn't been told as much beforehand I would have guessed it from the quality of horse on display and the calibre of their riders. With a single glance around me I took in Olympic eventer Michael Ryan, who cut his teeth whipping-in to this famous pack, Michael Condon,…

A ‘quirky’ joint meet

OPINION AS a wide-eyed and impressionable 14-yearold, I was introduced to a lady called Jumbo Frost. Blessed with a bright sense of humour, fun and mischief, along with a charming irreverence, I was immediately in thrall to such a unique person. A Sunday lunch in Jumbo's company, away from the drudgery of boarding school, was a prospect to look forward to and relish. Gin, wine, cigarettes and hilarious anecdotes flowed with equal fervency, rendering my arrival back at school not always favourable with the housemaster. Along with undertaking serious roles in life like being a lady-in-waiting to Princess Michael of Kent and secretary of the Bicester with Whaddon Chase, perhaps most dear to Jumbo was her prominent part in the terrier world, particularly Sealyhams and Lucas. While having some success…

A ‘quirky’ joint meet

TIMING is everything, and the South Shropshire's Michael Sagar and Duncan found each other at exactly the right moment. “I thought I'd given up jumping, that I'd lost my nerve,” says Michael, who has been editor of Hounds magazine for 40 years. “But I've jumped things on him I never would have done on anyone else.” Duncan spent most of his life in hunt service at the Pytchley, one of a batch who came from Ireland with dealer Paul Kinane. “We used Paul a lot,” says Daniel Cherriman, then huntsman of the Pytchley and now master and huntsman of the South Shropshire. “He would send over a bunch, always unseen. “Some went back over on the next boat, but among them were hidden gems – and Duncan was one of…

Myers has eyes on the prize

SOUTH VIEW WINTER CLASSIC 13–16 February Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THIS PAGE? HAVE YOU WON A CLASS? Email jennifer.donald@futurenet.com within 24 hours of your event and please include a contact telephone number South View Winter Classic, Cheshire JAKE MYERS and his promising nine-year-old Gamin Des Rondets closed the final winter classic of the season by landing their first national grand prix. “He's always had a lot of talent and now it seems he's turning into the horse we hoped for,” said Jake, who was contesting only his second 1.40m winter grand prix with the Diamant De Semilly gelding, who he has produced from a four-year-old. Eleven combinations faced Gillian Millner's jump-off track, which featured some awkward lines, testing rideability. First-togo Ryan Page…

Myers has eyes on the prize

“HE GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS”

OROVITO, who qualified for Hickstead from third place in the SEIB winter novice with Tom Pritchard, is described by owner Julian Mincher as the “best horse I have ever had”. He was bought, alongside Julian's regular owner Suzanne Fowler, while they were “drunk” watching the SLF Auction on a Caribbean cruise. The Chacgrano x Comme Il Faut six-yearold has featured in the line-up of all of his six starts this year, and has only been out of the top three once. He went to Lanaken last year and jumped clear every day, including in the five-year-old final. “This was his first proper show back,” Julian said. “Everyone has been talking about him. When you see him jump on the flesh he gives you goosebumps, and he has the most fantastic…

Golden girl strikes again

HIGHLIGHTS 10–16 February Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscarw_dr HAVE YOU WON A BD CLASS? DO YOU OR YOUR HORSE HAVE A GREAT STORY? Email dressagehighlights@yahoo.com within 24 hours of your win for a chance to feature on these pages Chard Equestrian Winter Regionals, Somerset DUBBED “The Golden Girl” by her connections, Kadanz II carried off both the prix st georges (PSG) and inter I silver sections with Jess Davies, also maintaining her impeccable record of regionals wins at the venue. “She's been a double regionals champion at Chard for the past three years, from novice to inter I,” said Jess. “She gives 110% in the ring. When it counts, she digs really deep.” Bought by Jess as a three-year-old, the Grenoble daughter only recently made her debut at the…

Golden girl strikes again

Singing Skyjacker still soaring

Forest Edge Arena Winter Area Festival, Norfolk SEASONED campaigner Singing Skyjacker claimed PSG silver and inter I bronze section wins with Claire Knowles, whose ongoing partnership with the 18-year-old stallion has been unexpectedly fruitful. “He was never really meant to be my competition horse, but he's always been there,” said Claire of “Jack”, who first arrived at her yard as a four-year-old to be backed. “Whenever I've needed something, he has stepped in and filled that gap. He doesn't have the biggest paces and he's built a little horizontally, but you ask him something and he gives it a go – and keeps giving it a go. “He's not had a bit in his mouth since November, as he has sensitive skin and we ride him bitless at home,” she…

Singing Skyjacker still soaring

TRAINER'S TOUCH GUIDES SMOOTH OPERATOR

“I WOULDN'T be where I am with a young horse without him,” said Leanna Osborne of Calum Whitworth, the trainer she credits with the smooth progress of her prelim silver winner Pherreau. Calum helped Leanna find the For Ferrero son, nicknamed Dave, as a three-year-old, after he was imported from Holland by the Woodcroft Stud. “This was only his fifth competition,” said Leanna of Dave, now rising five. “We didn't really prepare and went along to give him experience of an atmosphere, but I shouldn't have been surprised with the result. He's super-cool and very sensible – definitely one for the future.” I OWE IT TO……

EXPERIENCE IS THE KEY

TRISH WRIGHT suffered mixed fortunes at Radfords Equestrian, Powys, with the 19-yearold Barcelona. “After fluffing my first advanced medium test, we won the second on plus-67%,” said Trish, who later discovered a payment mix-up had briefly caused her membership to lapse – but was swiftly resolved. “Barcelona has only been with me a short time, so I was thrilled with him. “I decided an older, well-trained horse was ideal for me, being 74 years old myself,” she added. “Barcelona was trained by Kate Cowell, so I knew he would be good. After having him for just two months he won a PSG with me, which shows how generous he is.”…

“WE'RE AIMING FOR REGIONALS”

IN a successful affiliated debut at Alnwick Ford, Northumberland, Lislee Lance scored a double novice silver and overall win. The versatile gelding has spent six years with Burghley event director Martyn Johnson. “He has evented a bit and I've started showjumping with him,” said Martyn, who bought Lance as a three-year-old in Ireland and trains with Gwyneth Lewis. “I don't get to ride as much as I like, but he's an easy horse with a trainable brain. “I've been getting used to him again over the past few weeks and we're progressing,” Martyn said. “We're aiming to qualify for the regionals.” FIRST WINS…

‘Genius’ Deutsch finds Dori's key

HIGHLIGHTS 19–23 February Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Ladbrokes Trophy Day, Kempton Park, Surrey CHARLIE DEUTSCH was hailed a “genius” by jockeyturned-trainer Sam Thomas after his winning ride on 11/2 shot Katate Dori turned a competitive 13-runner £150,000 Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase into a procession. The pair casually drew 15 lengths clear of the field, crossing the line amid jubilation as Thomas also saddled Our Power, third with stable jockey Dylan Johnston, in a race Thomas has now won twice in the past three years. “It was a brilliant ride from Charlie and I do feel for Dylan as he has been fantastic for us all season as first jockey,” said Thomas. “He does all the work and schooling on Katate Dori at home. So a lot of credit…

‘Genius’ Deutsch finds Dori's key

A KEMPTON HAT-TRICK

THE in-form combination of trainer Ben Pauling and jockey Ben Jones teamed up for a three-timer at Kempton with Mambonumberfive (pictured, below) coming home triumphant in the Grade Two Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle, Bad following up over fences and Our Boy Stan sealing a remarkable afternoon with victory in the bumper. Four-year-old 17hh Mambonumberfive came from France with a €450,000 (£372,000) price tag last summer and scored at his second attempt for new connections. “It's hard to start off with a horse with a price tag like that – when they don't go and win first time out everyone thinks it is money down the drain,” said Jones.“But he's young and Ben wanted to give him plenty of time. He is a brute and maybe wasn't tuned up for Cheltenham…

A KEMPTON HAT-TRICK

“EVERYONE ON THE YARD LOVES HIM”

TRIPOLI FLYER (pictured above, blue and yellow silks) made it three wins from four starts over hurdles when winning the Grade Two Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton under Jonathan Burke, soaring home seven-and-a-half lengths clear of the favourite Miami Magic. Burke described him as “very classy” while owner Ismail El Magdoub added, “I was really nervous today. I felt we had reached a bit of a crossroads – he had won impressively at Musselburgh and Market Rasen but today we were up against some serious contenders. I said to friends, family and fans of the horse that we will see what he is made of today and I think he is a serious horse now.” According to El Magdoub, this lovely natured six-year-old, who is entered for the Supreme…

“EVERYONE ON THE YARD LOVES HIM”

“I'm happy to be here and have a winner”

KATATE DORI'S owner Dai Walters is one of jump racing's greatest supporters, and survived a devastating helicopter crash in 2022. “I am just happy to be here and have a winner,” he said. “My back is still a bit sore but you just have to live with it and move on. If you moan, people get fed up listening to you! “Sam Thomas works so hard; I am glad he is having the results. He's there at 5.30am every day and deserves some luck. I support him 100%.” Katate Dori is a sevenyear-old French-bred gelding who has really come into his own over fences, racking up three wins and a second since the turn of the year. He holds entries in the Ultima, National Hunt Novices’ and the Fulke Walwyn…

“I'm happy to be here and have a winner”

Cooldine Bog seals first win

HIGHLIGHTS 22–23 February Kimblewick, Kingston Blount, Oxon AFTER 13 attempts, 12-yearold Court Cave gelding Cooldine Bog finally got his head in front to land his firstever point-to-point win in the conditions (level three) for grassroots riders under owner, trainer and jockey Amber Jackson-Fennell. “It was an interesting race,” said Amber, who spent the night in hospital on Saturday having fallen three out in the next race and been knocked out. “He ran well. It was perfect for him because he's coming to the end of his career and we just wanted a nice little race to run him in. We went in snatches, so I just hacked around in my own time and took up the running over the hill and kept going from there, but it was a slow…

Cooldine Bog seals first win

JANIKA FINDS HIS FORM

FORMER Nicky Henderson recruit Janika (blue and white silks) scored a ladies’ conditions (level two) victory under Heidi Palin for Edward Turner and the Turner Family at Garthorpe. Heidi took the ride as usual rider Rupert Stearn was already booked for another race. “This was his first point-to-point win for us – it was 2½ miles and the shorter distance helped him,” explained Edward. “He won a hunter chase nearly two years ago for us at Fakenham just after we bought him, but then his form dropped off. “He's quite a big horse and needs a lot of work. We don't get ours in until November and it wasn't quite long enough to get him fully fit last season, so although he was in open races last year and should…

JANIKA FINDS HIS FORM

Chance ride victory

HIGHLIGHTS 22–23 February Cottesmore, Garthorpe, Leics A LAST-MINUTE ride proved fruitful for Ellie Holder, who won the conditions (level two) riding Mylestown Upper for Rob Cundy and Eleanor Callaghan. It was the nineyear-old by Balko's third run. “It was the first time I'd ever seen him,” explained Ellie, who works for Tom and Gina Ellis. “I picked up the ride later in the week, so I had no idea what to expect. I'd watched his videos and had spoken to Paddy Barlow, who rode him last time out, but it was a matter of ‘find out on the day’. “Luckily, he jumped nicely and travelled strong throughout the race. It was an extended distance at 3m 6f, but it all went well and was a pleasant surprise.” Prolific pointer Fier…

Chance ride victory

Double for Newman

Countryside Alliance Club (Wessex), Badbury Rings, Dorset JOSH NEWMAN picked up a double at Badbury Rings, starting with a win in the Wessex National men's open with successful pointer Dr Rhythm, who is trained by Keith Cumings and owned by Mrs C Dunsford and Mr P Clarke. It was the 12-year-old by Kalanisi's 15th win. “He's been a great servant for the Cumings team,” said Josh. “They've had a few personal things going on, so the horse has helped keep them going and he's a credit to them and always looks fantastic. He put his best foot forward today. His target will be the hunt race at South Hill.” Josh then went on to win the restricted with seven-yearold Talimar Pearl for David Churches. It was the gelding by Martaline's…

Double for Newman

Smiles despite the chill

THE children were home for half-term and instead of provoking an extreme weather event – gales or the dreaded snow – that was when it started: wet ground and a damp chill in still air conspiring to bring conditions that are perfect for our sport. On went the thermals, cashmere wrist warmers and coat buttons straining to accommodate the extra layers. Bring hounds, bouncing from the moment they leave the trailer, horses at the peak of their winter campaign. Bring ruddy faces, smiling despite the menacing chill in the air and let the fun begin. On Tuesday hounds ran all day in everdecreasing circles, largely on this farm – an archetypal busy day – finally straightening out across the tops in the dying hours of the afternoon. That was fun.…

Smiles despite the chill

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