Author: Jan Hughes

On April 1st this year, the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) announced that it would ‘embrace’ the new hobby horse craze by the introduction of a competition where competitors could win prizes of up to £300! Initially considered by some to be an April Fools Day prank, which appeared on the pages of H&H website, this is actually a genuine, bona fide competition. After publishing the article, H&H had to release a separate statement confirming that this was not an April Fool’s day prank and clarifying that this was a…

Social media tributes are pouring in for British Eventing star, Caroline March, who took to social media to announce the reasons around her heartbreaking decision to opt for assisted suicide. The letter, which is both frank and poignant, powerfully portrays Caroline’s strength of character and pragmatic approach to her situation.   Caroline emotionally wrote “I’d rather have a short life that’s full of what I love doing” in the letter.  “I’d rather have a short life that’s full of what I love doing”  31 year old Caroline from Colchester had sustained life changing spinal injuries after falling from a horse during a cross-country event…

Self-proclaimed horse whisperer Christine Rawle, 69, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 17 years after she stabbed her 72-year-old husband, Ian Rawle, in the back at their £800k home in Braunton, Devon, in 2022.  It was heard that, on August 21st 2022, Mr Rawle had been cleaning out their horses at home when, during a heated argument. Christine then went on to stab him in the back with a knife, causing a 10cm wound and a punctured lung. The couple had been arguing over selling a…

Equestrian product specialist, LeMieux, is to be put up for sale with a price tag of £150m, however, founder members British former Olympic eventer Robert Lemieux and his wife Lisa intend to continue to play ‘an active role’ in the brand they started almost 20 years ago. Since its inception, the brand has impressively increased its annual revenue from £10m in 2018 to £50m.   Robert and Lisa started Horse Health in 2003, expanding upon the business until they were able to launch the celebrated LeMieux brand in 2006, beginning with…

A star-studded cast of athletes will line up for round 2 of the inaugural Longines League of Nations ™ in Ocala, USA in two weeks. This will include 8 of the top 10 and 15 of the top 20 riders in the latest world ranking. With the 2024 Paris looming, this leg will provide the teams with extreme testing of their horse and rider combinations whilst seriously competing for selection. The field will comprise top-class, world-ranking victors and promises to provide a spectacular celebration of equestrian sport. This brand new,…

This heartbreaking story is one that all riders of Great Britain will no doubt admit is their greatest fear when they take to the roads on their treasured horses. It is the story of Katie, a beloved Welsh pony owned by Laura Grant, a resident of Carmarthenshire, South Wales, and the terrible accident that could have been avoided but instead led to Katie’s untimely death. On 2nd April 2023, Laura and her young friend, Ellie, decided to take a carriage ride with Katie the Welsh Pony and her good companion,…

Pick up after your horse signs to be removed as local councillor declares them fake! Sophisticated signs bearing Edinburgh’s local authority logo have been screwed to trees along the Water of Leith walkway which clearly display the wording “Please pick up after your horse”. Locals believed that the signs had been attached to the trees by Edinburgh City Council, however, it has been confirmed by a local councillor that it appears to be the work of a local individual(s) trying to take matters into their own hands. Councillor Scott Arthur,…

Measures have been taken by the FEI, in consultation with respective National Federations and Organising Committees, following the confirmed cases of EHV-1 in Mainland Europe in the latter part of February in respect of the confirmed outbreak currently affecting mainland Europe.  Presently there are nine horses at the University Equine Hospital in Valencia (CEU) for close monitoring, eight of which have, unfortunately, displayed neurological signs. As a preventive measure and to ensure enough treating space, the FEI has ordered 12 temporary boxes to be set up at the hospital grounds…

A poor neglected foal who was found suffering terribly at a rubbish tip in December 2022 is now doing well in the care of Redwings Horse Sanctuary. He was thought to be only about 5 months old and was completely emaciated under his hair. He was covered in pressure sores on many parts of his little body, had a significant worm burden and could not stand on his own. He was lying, collapsed and upside down, in a pile of rubble, partially covered by an old mattress. An RSPCA officer…

Mediterranean Equestrian Tour (Spring MET II, 7 to 26 February) in Oliva Nova, Spain, has seen the second half of the event cancelled after four horses returned positive tests for Equine Herpes Virus – EHV-1.  

Harold’s Park Farm (affectionately known as HPF) situated in Nazeing, Essex is a financially viable equestrian venue that is, for no apparent reason, being shut down by the UK’s largest landowner, The Church of England. The C of E attempts to obtain the property from the current tenants commenced upon the death of the late George Mackie, son of The Right Honorable Lord John Mackie, who entrusted the farm through sale to the Church of England CBF fund’s trustees LTD. It was Mackie’s intention for the Church to safeguard the farm…