Author: Abby Dickinson

Stephen Fry voices Redwings Christmas animation, as the charity launch it’s latest festive tale. Last year, Redwings released a short animation narrated by Stephen Fry, the popular broadcaster. Blind Clydesdale, Boo, was reading the story and the animation was viewed by 225,000 people online. This year’s animation takes supporters back to the beginning of Redwings. Looking back to 1984, where it all began, and taking viewers on a journey of transformation into a national charity, the animation shows how Redwings has grown to care for more than 1,500 rescued horses and…

Changes to the Highway Code secure safer horse riding on roads, with an amendment set to be enforced in January 2022. In the new version of the Highway Code there will be a “hierarchy of road users”. The hierarchy will be based on the principle that those who have the ability to cause the greatest harm, have the greatest responsibility. Changes to the Highway Code include pedestrians, highlighting children and the elderly, at the top of the hierarchy. This will be followed by cyclist and horse rider, with HGV’s and…

Writtle University award honorary degrees to three outstanding members of the equestrian sector, as their 2021 graduation ceremony got underway. On October 29th, Ros Canter, Justine Harrison and Khadijah Mellah attended Writtle’s first in-person graduation ceremony since 2019. The event, held at Chelmsford’s historic Cathedral, celebrated both the success of the classes of 2020 and 2021 and highlighted Ros, Justine and Khadijah’s impressive achievements. WUC’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Middleton, explained: We were delighted to confer honorary awards as part of our graduation ceremony. Khadijah Mellah, Justine Harrison and Ros Canter…

Ways to make eventing safer have been identified in a new study by University of Bristol academics. In the first study of horse falls for over 20 years, Bristol academics have identified some simple interventions to make eventing safer.  The new data hopes to guide the reduction of injury and falls. The study pinpointed characteristics associated with an increased risk of falls in eventing. This included higher-level events, longer courses, more starters at cross-country phase and less experienced horses and athletes. Identifying these risk factors allows riders and event organisers…

Domestic horse origins have been revealed in a new study. For thousands of years, domestic horses have played a critical role in humans lives. From farming land, to war efforts and transportation, horses still remain in our lives today for sport and pleasure. However, experts have long been puzzled about where domestic horses origins came from! After consultations among hundreds of scientists, it has been agreed that the domestic horses originates from Southern Russia. The discovery provides strong evidence that of three main locations in contention that was the last…

Party Trick Legacy launched in memory of top eventing stallion killed in RTA The Party Trick legacy has been launched in memory of a top eventing stallion killed in an RTA. Earlier this year, international event rider, Nick Gauntlett announced that he had lost four horses in a freak road traffic accident. After breaking down on the way to competition, Gauntlett’s lorry was unfortunately struck by another vehicle as he and his team watched on. Of the four horse killed, one was his top eventing and breeding stallion, Party Trick.…

Terminally ill woman granted wish to see horse for the final time A terminally ill woman was granted a special visit when she was allowed to see her horse and two dogs from her hospice bed in Cheshire. Spending four weeks at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Jan Holman desperately missed her two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Monty and Rowley, as well as piebald cob, Bob. Staff at the hospice decided to surprise her with the reunion by putting her furry friends on the guest list. Image retrieved from, and…

International Showjumper Banned For Using Spiked Boots NOTE: Images used in this article do in no way represent the type of boots used by Andre Schröder – the images are for decorative purposes only. An international showjumper has been banned for using spiked boots, in the first case of it’s kind. Ukrainian showjumper, Andre Schröder has been banned from FEI competition after sharp pressure points were found inside of the boots of his competing horse in May. Riding 13-year-old gelding, Allegro at the CSI* in Samorin, Slovakia, the points inside…