Author: Suzanne Ashton

Steve Guerdat claims second FEI World Cup Jumping Final victory Steve Guerdat (SUI), showed nerves of steel when galloping to victory at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final for the second year in a row today.   The crowd in the Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg (SWE) went wild after the 33-year-old rider produced two faultless rounds with the 10-year-old gelding Corbinian to claim the €172,500 prizewinner’s purse. It was the perfect end to a great final for the Swiss champion, bringing his earnings for the weekend to €232,100.   The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders took the runner-up spot and a

Introducing the Collective Equestrian Scholarship programme REALISE YOUR TRUE RIDING POTENTIAL JOIN THE COLLECTIVE EQUESTRIAN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME Collective Equestrian, at Moorledge Lane is a brand new breed of equestrian training and livery centre offering not just superb facilities but also a unique collaborative environment that allows riders and owners to benefit from being part of a genuine collective. Set up by Grand Prix dressage rider Jonny Clarke-West, the centre boasts access to excellent tuition from three highly accomplished trainers with guidance and advice readily available to help everyone achieve their specific riding goals. True to the spirit of Collective Equestrian,

Christian Ahlmann wins dramatic second competition, but Guerdat holds lead going into last day of Longines Final By Louise Parkes Germany’s Christian Ahlmann won last night’s dramatic second leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2016 Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, but defending champion, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, leads the standings going into Monday’s third and last competition.   Christian Ahlmann and the brilliant 16-year-old stallion, Taloubet Z, set the standard in the seven-horse jump-off against the clock and couldn’t be caught, but Ireland’s Denis Lynch rocketed up the leaderboard when producing the only other double-clear of the competition to finish

 Six nations make Olympic and Paralympic débuts at Rio 2016 equestrian events Rio Olympics 2016 – A total of six nations will be making their Olympic and Paralympic debuts at Rio 2016 when they field athletes for the equestrian disciplines of Jumping, Dressage, Eventing and Para-Equestrian Dressage. Five National Olympic Committees will be sending equestrian athletes to an Olympic Games for the first time at Rio in August – Chinese Taipei and Qatar for Jumping, the Dominican Republic and Palestine for Dressage, and Zimbabwe for Eventing, while Uruguay will be sending its first Para-Equestrian Dressage athlete to the Paralympics. Rio 2016

Disappointment for Renwick as French lead on opening day of Longines 2016 Final By Louise Parkes Longines 2016 news – French riders took a firm grip of the leaderboard at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2016 Final in Gothenburg, Sweden last night when Penelope Leprevost steered Vagabond de la Pomme to victory ahead of compatriot Simon Delestre riding Qlassic Bois Margot in the opening Speed competition. A good position at the end of the first of the three deciding classes is every rider’s aim, but as third-placed Daniel Deusser pointed out this evening the race for a good early result

Peter Minderhoud wins Grand Prix and sets sights on Reem Acra 2016 title  by Louise Parkes The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud steered Glock’s Flirt to victory in the Grand Prix as the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016 Final got underway at the Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden yesterday. But the host nation contenders were hot on the heels of the Dutch duo, with Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello just 0.371 percentage points behind in second place and Patrik Kittel just 0.1 point further adrift in third with the veteran Watermill Scandic.   Peter Minderhoud knows he will have

Ariat’s innovative new collection has been designed specifically for women and comprises of the V Sport Tall Zip Boot, the V Sport Paddock and the V Sport Chap – giving a solution for every rider no matter what their footwear preference. For those that like a traditional long boot – but with a hint of sporty flair – the V Sport Tall Zip Boot is made from a premium full-grain leather outer with full leather lining and an oiled leather inner calf panel for increased durability and support. A High Spanish Topline gives an elegant look and an elasticised panel

Take up the Reins Gets off to a Racing Start The Take up the Reins Tour of Great Britain got off to a sensational start at the Sport Relief Games in London (20 March) when more than 200 people climbed aboard the campaign’s mechanical horses at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to get a feel for life in the saddle. This fabulous, fun initiative inviting those of all ages and backgrounds to #GetHorsey and improve their health, fitness and wellbeing – whether in or out of the saddle – is devised by the British Equestrian Trade Association and supported by

Towing a horse trailer for the first time can make you a little… nervous! Here, we take a look at 5 points to consider before setting out on your first journey. 1) Know the Law Before you get started, it’s essential to know the laws and requirements for towing trailers. Firstly, you need to ensure that your towing vehicle is suitable for pulling the weight of your fully laden horse trailer, i.e. the weight of your trailer with your horse(s) in it. Refer to your car manufacturer’s handbook to find out the maximum load you can tow. The second thing

HAYGAIN sponsor International Blind Dressage rider Verity Smith HAYGAIN is delighted to welcome International Blind Dressage rider Verity Smith to the team of sponsored riders. Verity has competed at able bodied Prix St Georges which is the highest level that a blind rider has ever achieved. She is trained by Olympic rider and Grade 1 Listed International Judge Sandy Phillips and Olympic dressage rider Laura Tomlinson. Verity has recently been campaigning hard to overturn a ruling that ‘blind’ riders must wear a blindfold whilst competing, which inhibits any light they may see and further worsens their disability. The Kingdom’s Horse

The countdown is on to the inaugural Mitsubishi Motors Cup with entries now open (21st March 2016), for the prestigious event which takes place on the 3rd and 4th of May 2016 at Badminton, Gloucestershire. Formerly known as the Mitsubishi Motors Grassroots Championships, the 2016 event takes place on the eve of the world famous CCI4* Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, which attracts the top horse and rider combinations from across the globe as well as visitors numbers in excess of 150, 000 across the five days of competition (4th – 8th May 2016). Entries for over 120 qualified riders

TopSpec Extend Dressage Support TopSpec sponsor Yorkshire-based Anne-Marie Perry-Cowan and Worcestershire rider Kate Cowell for 2016. This year sees a host of new sponsorships in the world of dressage for North Yorkshire-based TopSpec. Well known for their range of feed balancers and other innovative horse feeds, TopSpec enter their second year of sponsorship of the Medium Open and Medium Restricted series with the finals taking place at the British Dressage National Championships – September 15 to 18 at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. And on the rider front Yorkshire-based Anne-Marie Perry-Cowan and Worcestershire-based Kate Cowell join the team for 2016. Long-standing

Intriguing competition in prospect for 2016 Reem Acra title by Louise Parkes Excitement is mounting as Dressage stars from across the globe polish up their final preparations for next weeks’ Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in Gothenburg, Sweden.   An intriguing line-up of 18 horse-and-rider combinations from 11 nations will compete in this 31st Final which is always guaranteed to provide sporting entertainment of the highest calibre, and the absence of defending champion, Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin, makes for a wide-open contest for the coveted title.  An ongoing ownership dispute about Uthopia, the horse with which she finished second

Cyden Dressage Stallions Joins Forces with South Grange Stud Cyden Dressage Stallions and South Grange Stud (SGS) have teamed up together with top reproductive vet Dr James Crabtree of Equine Reproductive Services (UK) Limited (ERS), Malton, to offer stud services and AI at South Grange Stud, Huggate, York. This provides mare owners wanting to get their mare in foal this year to KWPN-approved Cyden Bodyguard Moorland, NWPCS pony stallion Cyden Oostings Amigo or KWPN-approved Cyden Cadans M, with the opportunity to do so much closer to home. South Grange Stud and Equine Reproductive Services are offering a package price for

Have you ever wondered the reasons surrounding why equestrians love horses as much as they do? Well, here’s some great information to help you answer exactly that – and the reasons, well, they may not be quite what you expect! Horses leave our bank balance successfully in the red each month – fact. If it’s not, we’ve probably forgotten to pay our livery bill We enjoy pain, and hurtling around an arena with no breaks during early spring, it helps keep life interesting and our riding skills sharp We enjoy being dirty and smelly! Mud is supposed to be a

Très Health, the health & fitness centre for equestrians Très Health, the health & fitness centre for equestrians working or living in London and the Home Counties are proud to announce their new association with international show-jumper Jay Halim. Jay, who is based in Oxfordshire will be the equestrian ‘face of’ the brand, as the company continues to expand it’s expertise across the sports world to welcome equestrians. “Jay is passionate about fitness and appreciates the importance in training himself both physically and mentally, so is the perfect ambassador for us” Said Très Health’s Head Of Marketing, Rob Harkavy: “Très