Author: Suzanne Ashton

a premium leather belt by pampeano
Equestrian Reads
Suzanne Ashton

What to Look for When Buying a Leather Belt for Yard Life

Buying a decent leather belt tends to get put off until last, tucked in behind boots, gloves and a fresh set of stable rugs. Yet it’s one of those quiet items that ends up doing more work than almost anything else in a rider’s wardrobe. It holds up jodhpurs through a full day of mucking out, keeps overalls in place when you’re hauling hay bales, and somehow needs to look smart enough for a quick trip into town straight afterwards. Most riders eventually gravitate towards proper leather over synthetic alternatives, and it’s worth understanding why before parting with your money.

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showjumping
Other News and Reads
Suzanne Ashton

USEF Launches the Reality Show “FAULTLESS”

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced the launch of a major reality project, FAULTLESS, aimed at a mass audience on streaming platforms. The title refers to a perfect run through a show jumping course without a single rail down — a clear round. The creators openly acknowledge that they drew inspiration from the approach that once transformed Formula 1 from a niche spectacle into a global cultural phenomenon, attracting millions of new fans to motorsport. The project’s primary goal is both ambitious and concrete: to bring show jumping out of its elite, closed community and into the world

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The Mare and Foal Sanctuary new centre
Horse News
Suzanne Ashton

Devon stars line up as equine Mare and Foal Sanctuary launch new centre

Josh Widdicombe, Angela Rippon and John Nettles are among the well-known names sending messages of support as The Mare and Foal Sanctuary opens a major new welfare and education centre near Totnes. A new chapter in the care of vulnerable horses and ponies is beginning in Devon as The Mare and Foal Sanctuary officially opens the Rosemary Kind Barn at Coombe Park on Wednesday 30 September. The purpose-built centre, one of the most significant developments in the charity’s 38-year history, provides 13 stables for rescued horses and ponies with complex needs, alongside dedicated spaces for specialist care, education and community work.

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A young girl with a white pony wearing a black leather bridle
Horse NewsOther News and Reads
Suzanne Ashton

Benefits of Horse Riding for Children: Building Confidence, Resilience and Life Skills

Anyone who grew up around horses will probably tell you that riding taught them far more than how to sit in a saddle. The benefits of horse riding for children extend far beyond learning how to sit in the saddle. Horses bring responsibility, early mornings, muddy boots, difficult days, small victories and, occasionally, a fairly brutal lesson in humility. For children and teenagers, those experiences can help develop skills that extend well beyond the yard. The benefits of horse riding for children can include physical activity, increased confidence and opportunities to develop responsibility, communication and problem-solving skills. For young girls

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Sundown Horse Bedding Win voucher
Horse News
Suzanne Ashton

Win £100 of horse bedding as Sundown hides 300 Golden Tickets in bales

Horse owners buying Sundown Yellow bedding this autumn could find more than they bargained for, with 300 Golden Tickets hidden inside bales and prizes including £100 worth of bedding. Horse owners stocking up on bedding this autumn could be in for a welcome bonus, as Sundown prepares to hide 300 Golden Tickets inside bales of its Sundown Yellow horse bedding. Launching in mid-October, the competition will see 10 horse owners win £100 worth of Sundown bedding, with a further 290 winners receiving a free bale of Sundown Yellow. The Golden Ticket competition marks 50 years of manufacturing for Sundown and

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China celebrate winning Team Dressage gold at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Tokyo. © FEI / Yusuke Nakanishi
Dressage NewsHorse News
Suzanne Ashton

China make history with first Asian Games Team Dressage gold

China have claimed their first-ever Asian Games Team Dressage title at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, finishing almost three percentage points clear of the Republic of Korea as Japan secured bronze on home soil. China have made Asian Games history after winning Team Dressage gold for the first time, producing a consistent series of performances at JRA Equestrian Park in Tokyo on Friday. The Chinese quartet of Jiayi Yu and Jackpoint, Jiayi Rao and Geniaal, Zhanzhao Gu and Shakespeare 82, and Yue Wu with Iggy Pop Bek finished on a combined score of 208.148%. That put China almost three percentage points clear of

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BETA International guests
Horse News
Suzanne Ashton

BETA International 2026: Equestrian Trade Heads to the NEC Birmingham

The countdown is on to one of the biggest dates in the equestrian business calendar, with BETA International preparing to open its doors at the NEC Birmingham this weekend. Taking place on Sunday 27 and Monday 28 September 2026, the trade-only event will bring together retailers, manufacturers, distributors, buyers, suppliers and equestrian professionals for two days of new products, business, networking and industry discussion. Sponsored by Neue Schule, BETA International is expected to welcome more than 200 exhibitors, with thousands of products represented across the show floor. This year’s event will once again be co-located with PATS, the Pet &

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The Cheval Liberté Touring Country horse trailer.
Features
Suzanne Ashton

Top Ten Steps To Towing Success

When it comes to transporting precious cargo, few journeys carry quite the same responsibility as towing your horse or pony. Good horse trailer towing advice starts well before you set off, from making sure your vehicle and trailer are suitable for the load to checking tyres, lights, brakes and your hitch before every journey. For many horse owners, towing can feel daunting. Loading your horse into a trailer is one thing; pulling onto a busy motorway, negotiating narrow country lanes or dealing with an unexpected situation on the road is another. With the additional weight of a loaded trailer behind

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The Price Family Supreme In-Hand Championship at HOYS 2026. 1st Class Images
Horse News
Suzanne Ashton

Laura Collett returns to HOYS as Supreme Championship judge 23 years after title win

Olympic eventing champion Laura Collett MBE will return to the Horse of the Year Show arena where she enjoyed one of her earliest major successes after being named as a Supreme Championship judge for HOYS 2026. The countdown is well and truly on for Horse of the Year Show, which returns to the NEC Birmingham from 7–11 October 2026 for five days of showing, showjumping and equestrian entertainment. As one of the most highly anticipated fixtures in the British equestrian calendar approaches, organisers have confirmed that Laura Collett MBE and Edwin Prosser will judge the Supreme Products Supreme Horse and

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Oils can be used as homoeopathy for horses
Horse Health
Suzanne Ashton

Homeopathy for Horses: What Is It, How Does It Work and What Does the Evidence Say?

Homeopathy for Horses: What Is It, How Does It Work and What Does the Evidence Say? Homoeopathy for horses has been used by some owners as a complementary approach to conventional veterinary care for many years. From preparations containing arnica to individually selected remedies, there is no shortage of products available or anecdotal accounts from owners who believe homoeopathy has helped their horses. It is also a controversial subject. Homeopathy is not supported by a recognised body of scientific evidence for veterinary use, according to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), and its underlying principles are not considered to

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Gold medallists Thailand on the podium during the Eventing team medal ceremony of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. © FEI / Yusuke Nakanishi Photography
Eventing NewsHorse News
Suzanne Ashton

Thailand Claim Historic Asian Games Eventing Gold as Alex Hua Tian Defends Individual Title

Thailand produced three faultless counting cross-country rounds to claim a first Asian Games Eventing team gold at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, while China’s Alex Hua Tian and Manjushri completed a start-to-finish victory in the individual competition. Thailand claimed a first Asian Games Eventing team gold on Wednesday after a superb cross-country performance saw them overhaul overnight leaders Japan at Aichi-Nagoya 2026. Sitting third after Tuesday’s jumping phase and 12.6 penalties adrift of Japan, the Thai team delivered when it mattered at Tokyo Equestrian Park. Woraphat Sittiju and Uster de Chanay, Korntawat Samran and Billy Elmy, and Weerapat Pitakanonda with Carnival March all

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2026 inspiring vets care equine bootcamp (7)
Horse News
Suzanne Ashton

Equine vet bootcamp gives students hands-on experience in practice

Fourteen veterinary students have spent a week gaining hands-on experience in equine practice as part of inspiring vet care’s annual Equine Bootcamp. Now in its fourth year, the programme is designed to give aspiring UK based equine vets greater access to practical Extra-Mural Studies (EMS) experience, while offering students a closer look at the realities and opportunities of a career working with horses. Third, fourth and fifth-year veterinary students joined teams at Scarsdale Equine Clinic, Pool House Equine Clinic and Oakham Veterinary Hospital in the Midlands for this summer’s programme. Rather than simply observing clinicians at work, students were able

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Premier Equine Magni-Teque Magnetic Horse Rug with Neck Cover Black
Features
Suzanne Ashton

Magnetic Therapy for Horses: How It Works, Uses, Products and What the Evidence Says

Magnetic therapy for horses has become a familiar sight in yards across the UK, with magnetic rugs, stable boots, wraps and pads widely available to horse owners. Alongside traditional magnetic products, Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy, commonly known as PEMF, is also used within equine sport, rehabilitation and general horse management. But does magnetic therapy actually work on horses, and what is the difference between a magnetic rug and a PEMF treatment? Although the two are often grouped together under the term “magnetic therapy”, static magnetic therapy and PEMF are different technologies. There are also significant differences in the scientific evidence

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world horse welfare horses and foals to represent equine welfare
Horse News
Suzanne Ashton

UK equine welfare safety net “at breaking point,” survey warns

The UK’s equine rescue, rehoming and sanctuary sector is under severe strain, with rescue centres running out of space, costs rising sharply and donations falling, according to a new survey by the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC). The UK-wide survey, carried out by World Horse Welfare and Redwings Horse Sanctuary on NEWC’s behalf, found that every responding organisation is now at or near capacity, with around 4,500 equines collectively in their care. Half of respondents are already at or over capacity, while the rest are close behind. Demand is rising on every front. Some 81% of respondents reported an increase

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Tom McEwen and The Fieldmaster - credit Libby Law Photographer
Eventing NewsHorse News
Suzanne Ashton

Tom McEwen makes Blenheim history with record-breaking double

Tom McEwen became the first event rider in history to win both feature classes at the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials in the same year, completing a remarkable weekend with first and second place in the CCI4-L.* The British Olympic gold medallist won the Agria CCI4*-L aboard The Fieldmaster before claiming the GFS Saddles CCI4*-S for eight and nine-year-old horses with Brookfield Danny de Muze. McEwen’s dominance was underlined by his one-two finish in the CCI4*-L, where just 0.1 of a penalty separated The Fieldmaster and Brookfield Quality. By the time Tom McEwen entered the showjumping arena as the

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Final Blenheim Challenge Scores - Stars & Stripes
Eventing NewsHorse News
Suzanne Ashton

Stars & Stripes claim inaugural Blenheim Challenge title

Stars & Stripes secured a convincing 12.5-4 victory over the Rising Lions as the inaugural Blenheim Challenge reached its conclusion at the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials. The American team had already established an unassailable lead across the dressage and cross-country phases before Sunday’s showjumping, but individual points and a share of an additional £20,000 prize fund remained at stake. Rising Lions rider Jess Rimmer was the first to enter the arena, producing a clear round and adding only 0.4 time penalties. Her head-to-head opponent, Tommy Greengard, responded with a clear inside the time to secure another point for

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horse showjumping
Horse News
Suzanne Ashton

Irish riders join world-class field for Longines Global Champions Tour of Vienna

Irish showjumpers Cian O’Connor, Denis Lynch, Michael Pender and Tom Wachman will be among a world-class field heading to Austria as the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour Championship enters a decisive stage in Vienna. The four-day five-star fixture will take place from 24 to 27 September against the spectacular backdrop of Schönbrunn Palace, with valuable championship points available as the season moves towards its conclusion. O’Connor and Lynch bring considerable showjumping championship experience to the Austrian capital, while Pender and Wachman are part of a younger generation capable of challenging the established order. Details of the horses they will ride

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an image of newbury racecourse logo
Horse Racing News
Suzanne Ashton

Mr Macartney Set for Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury

Mr Macartney will bid to give trainer Oli Rix a breakthrough Group success when he lines up in Saturday’s £175,000 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. Eight two-year-olds have been declared for the Group 2 contest, which takes place over six furlongs at 2.12pm on Saturday 19 September and is being run this year in honour of the late Ian Balding. Mr Macartney has already played an important role in Rix’s first season as a trainer. The son of Ubettabelieveit gave the yard its first turf winner when landing a valuable two-year-old contest at Leicester in April before

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Mohamed Jassim Al Serkal and Zen Liquidity_ UAE Team
Dressage NewsHorse News
Suzanne Ashton

UAE names four dressage combinations for 2026 Asian Games in Tokyo

The UAE will field four horse and rider combinations in the dressage competition at the 20th Asian Games in Japan, as the nation returns to the championship three years after making its historic dressage debut. Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri and Lotus-S, Bianca Schütz and Le Grand Ayden HB, Mohamed Jassim Al Serkal and Zen Liquidity, and Natalie Lankester and Tesla DXB have been selected to represent the UAE at JRA Equestrian Park in Tokyo. Dressage competition runs from 25 to 27 September, with both team and individual honours at stake. The UAE first fielded an Asian Games dressage team at

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UAE's Emirates Jumping Team
Horse NewsShowjumping News
Suzanne Ashton

UAE riders claim five wins at Sentower Park ahead of Asian Games

UAE show jumping riders claimed five victories at Sentower Park in Belgium, with four Emirati riders winning across young-horse and CSI1* classes during the four-day international fixture. Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi began the winning run on Thursday with Biarritz Z, taking the seven and eight-year-old international class ahead of 78 other combinations. Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi and SS Ourania added another UAE podium finish in third, while Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi and Villon WH finished second in the six-year-old division. Friday brought Humaid two victories and a clean sweep of the seven and eight-year-old podium for the UAE.

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horse racing today - image of horse and jockey racing on grass
Horse Racing News
Suzanne Ashton

November Handicap at Doncaster could be on the cards for Constitution Hill

Trainer Nicky Henderson has confirmed that 2023 Champion Hurdle winner Constitution Hill will continue to be campaigned on the flat. The horse finished fourth in Saturday’s Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton, which was an improvement in form following two easy wins in novice events earlier this year. The handicapper hit Constitution Hill with a 7lb rise in the rankings, which pushed his official rating to a mark of 108. That limits the horse’s future options. Henderson surprised by Constitution Hill’s new mark The nine-year-old now cannot run in 0-105 handicaps, but the November Handicap at Doncaster on November 7

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