Author: Suzanne Ashton

The Face of TopSpec 2016 Goes To…Dylan and Hannah Scully! DYLAN, a six-year-old dark bay gelding owned by Hannah Scully from Lincoln has been chosen as The Face of TopSpec 2016 in a nationwide competition. For Hannah, who runs a busy livery yard and rides full time, Dylan, also known as Rebel’s Dylan in the eventing world, is very special and although their partnership is relatively new they have had a fantastic season. The Face of TopSpec 2016 award means the pair receive £500 worth of TopSpec feed, a professional photo-shoot and framed print and a top of the range Horseware

British Eventing Announce New FEI Admission Policy New for this year British Eventing have introduced the ‘British Eventing FEI Event Admissions Policy for Owners’, creating an open and clear set of guidelines for owners with horses competing at FEI events. Developed with Event organisers, the Event Horse Owners Association (EHOA) and Event Riders Association UK (ERA) the new Policy aims to standardise the offering throughout the various BE Owner packages. Both BE and the FEI have not previously delivered rules or regulations surrounding the number of individual owners a registered horse is permitted, however due to the practicalities of displaying

Lady entrepreneur scoops small business award and features on national radio Mounting Mate – A West Midland’s based lady has scooped a Small Business Award from Nick Brown, the business expert on The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2. Debbie Boston, inventor of The Mounting Mate – a product which helps people mount their horses safely – won the award after impressing Nick Brown who broadcasts to millions of listeners on the Jeremy Vine show with his tips & advice for business owners. Debbie, who came up with the idea a year ago: said “Well, you can imagine my

CrossCountry App are delighted to again be supporting the popular British Eventing competition for amateurs held at the world-famous Badminton Park immediately prior to the International event, and for 2016, re-branded as The Mitsubishi Motors Cup in honour of title sponsor and long-term supporters of eventing, Mitsubishi Motors. Working with Badminton Horse Trials Event Director Hugh Thomas and his team, CrossCountry App will supply mapping for the program and digital interactive cross country course maps for the Mitusubishi Motors Cup website for riders and supporters, officials and volunteers to use. In addition, CrossCountry App will create virtual guided course walks

Rider Development Pathway Entries Still Open  Applications for The Pony Club’s Rider Development Pathway (RDP) close on Monday 22 February 2016, so apply today if you want a stepping stone to success in Dressage, Show Jumping or Eventing! Supported by the Sport England funded BEF Excel Talent Programme, the RDP is designed to aid the development of Pony Club Members who show the ability to progress in the Olympic disciplines and provides opportunities for young riders working towards the British Equestrian Federation’s Sport England funded Excel Talent Programme and the UK Sport Funded World Class Programme. The RDP is open

Showjumping Dream victory for Staut and Reveur at last Longines leg in Bordeaux Showjumping – Kevin Staut pinned French compatriot, Simon Delestre, into runner-up spot at the nail-biting last leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2015 Western European League in Bordeaux (FRA) tonight. It was Staut’s first major victory for some time, and it was achieved by a brilliant performance from the 35-year-old rider and his 15-year-old gelding Reveur de Hurtebise HDC who brought the packed stadium of spectators to their feet. With 17 through to the jump-off, and huge tension in the air as riders battled it

 January is always the month’s where things really get a kick start as we are now only a few weeks or so now until the eventing season starts so it is definitely ‘Game On’ with the training regime for my team.  With the weather being so mild albeit rather wet, at least my arena has not been frozen so flat and jump training has been in full swing. Arena cross-country has also been on the cards, in fact I have just taken delivery of 4 new arena cross-country fences which I will be using to train my team, as well

PDS Entrada Saddle, New for PDS Saddles  PDS Entrada Saddle – Following the success of PDS saddles designed in association with Carl Hester in 2014, the brand is set to introduce a more affordable model for the 2016 competition season.   The saddle has all the design elements of the premium Grande model which is suited to a wide range of horses and is made from a traditional English leather.   The Entrada is built on a lightweight, unbreakable synthetic polymer tree which is able to be adjusted with the unique GFS X-Change system. This allows the saddle to be fitted

If money were no object, Dante Vinici Dressage saddle from Black Country Saddles THE new Dante Vinici Dressage saddle has been developed utilising the very best in technological advances combining the closeness of the Vinici Dressage saddle with the new Dante design optimising rider position. Extensive research and development has preceded the launch of this saddle and has contributed to its ability to help balance the rider. The Dante Vinici Dressage saddle features a squared single/mono flap that offers outstanding closeness, maximising the contact between horse and rider. The saddle also includes a narrow twist which helps with keeping the

Harriet Upton Blog – HOLD ON TIGHT, THE EVENTING SEASON IS DRAWING CLOSER! Courtesy of Harriet Upton‘s sponsor Timothy Foxx  www.timothyfoxx.co.uk   Harriet Upton Blog – So January comes to a close, as well as the shooting season and the hunting season but the eventing season draws ever closer! January is always the hardest month of the year for eventers because our horses are all back in work but the weather makes it very hard to work them unless you are lucky enough to have an indoor school! Unfortunately I’m not and we live on top of a hill so I

NEW Leather Therapy Premium Leather Care System Leather Therapy ® is an exciting new addition to the Absorbine® family of trusted brands. The Leather Therapy product line of innovative formulas offer a range of options for addressing leather care challenges, from the Leather Restorer & Conditioner which actively inhibits mold and mildew, to the patented Leather Laundry Solution to easily clean and condition leather and sheepskin equestrian wear in the washing machine. The Leather Therapy Tack Wash cleans tough dirt and grime and helps leather to stay strong and supple. The formula is pH-balanced with micro suds to lift out

Childeric Saddles Sponsor Equestrian Events Childéric Saddles UK is proud to announce that they are sponsoring a number of events this season, including continued support for Little Downham Horse Trials at the Ely Eventing Centre in Cambridgeshire.   The sponsorship for Little Downham Horse Trials is now in it’s fifth term and will see the French saddlery brand return as key sponsors for all three events (3rd-5th June, 23rd-24th July and1st-3rd October)   In addition, Childéric will also be sponsoring Whitfield Horse Trials (26th-27th April), Cholmondeley Castle Horse Trials (30-31st July) and Burnham Market International Horse Trials (1st – 3rd April)   The move

Tips for a happy ‘Hay Man’ The ‘hay man’ may arrive at your yard on a weekly or monthly basis, however many times you may see him or her, it’s up to you to make sure your delivery is a smooth process for all involved. Follow these tips to help keep your hay man happy Don’t scarper! Help will most probably be needed to maneuver hay bales into place so please don’t run for the hills the minute you see them! Pay up! Don’t expect your supplier to come back on another date, or be happy to take payment the next

Hickstead Volunteer Scheme New for 2016 Hickstead Volunteer Scheme – The organisers at the All England Jumping Course are looking for keen volunteers who wish to be part of Hickstead’s two flagship summer events – the Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting (23-26 June) and the Longines Royal International Horse Show (26-31 July). It’s the first time Hickstead has held an official volunteer scheme. “It’s something that has become increasingly popular in the horse world, especially after London 2012 and the Gamesmakers,” explains Hickstead Director Edward Bunn. “Our volunteer scheme will give people the opportunity to be part of our shows, experience