Category: horse News

HAPPA (Horses and Ponies Protection Association) are now accepting nominations for individuals who demonstrate outstanding dedication to equine welfare. The Awards invite supporters and the general public to recognise and commend those passionate about improving the lives of horses and ponies that have suffered from cruelty and neglect. The winners will be celebrated at a special awards ceremony in November at HAPPA’s Shores Hey Farm in Burnley. “It is essential to acknowledge those in the equine welfare industry who deserve recognition,” said Sarah Arthur, Chief Executive Officer. “Hard work and…

Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette win the Agria King George V Gold Cup (c) Boots and Hooves Photography Donald Whitaker became the fourth member of his famous family to lift the iconic Agria King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead on Sunday 28 July, after heading an all-British podium. Riding the grey mare Millfield Colette, Donald delivered a blisteringly-quick jump-off round to win the same title that cousin Robert Whitaker had won 12 months earlier. Once again Hickstead proved happy hunting ground for the Whitaker family dynasty, with Donald’s uncle John,…

Leading horsebox manufacturer Equi-Trek have offered support to Dinky Ponies, who provide animal therapy in a variety of settings, with a specially adapted Apollo Horse Trailer for all the ponies travelling needs. The six adorable Shetlands will now travel to and from their special visits in the horse trailer that Equi-Trek’s dedicated engineers created custom built partitions for, providing a layout suitable for safely transporting four Dinky Ponies. Horses have always been a part of owner, Sarah Woodland’s life and she was a freelance groom for top event riders. When Sarah ended up with six Shetland Ponies that…

The British team were victorious in the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain on Friday, July 26th 2024 at Hickstead, for the second year in a row. Making the win even more special is this year’s competition was the first to run as a standalone Nations Cup, following the end of Hickstead leg in the former FEI series. Last year (2023) saw the team end a 13-year drought when they claimed the long awaited win on home turf, and on Friday, they did it for a second time in decisive…

Image credit: Łukasz Kowalski / British Dressage At the age of only 19, Annabella Pidgley has achieved a gold medal at the FEI European Championships for Under 25s at Reiterhof Stückler in St Margarethen, Austria, from 17 – 21 July 2024.    The now European Champion in freestyle competition (under 25s), rode Sarah Pidgley’s gelding Gio, improving on her individual silver medal earned on Saturday 20 July. Berkshire based Annabella took the top step of the podium ahead of Germany’s Helen Erbe and Carlos FRH by riding an outstanding artistic…

Oliver Fletcher secures the Young Riders individual gold medal On the very last day of the FEI Jumping European Championship for the Youth, British rider Oliver Fletcher delivered the performance of his career, securing the Young Riders individual gold medal. The victory marks a true milestone in Fletcher’s journey, as he adds to the history of British show jumping with his ninth European Championship appearance and sixth European medal. Fletcher, riding Hello William, entered the final round of the competition in second position, trailing closely behind France’s Jules Orsolini. With…

The Para Equestrian Squad for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have been announced and its a strong leading lady line-up for team GBR! The squad featues three medal-winning combinations from Tokyo 2020, in addition to the current para dressage world number one, who will be making her Paralympic Games debut.  Natasha Baker Natasha Baker (Grade 3) has been selected for her fourth Games and her second with Keystone Dawn Chorus. As a new partnership in Tokyo, they won team gold, individual silver and freestyle silver, adding to the five golds…

Dominating 2024 and taking their 4th win of the season, Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames pulled out all the stops to win GCL Riesenbeck, Germany this weekend as the only team to finish on a clean sheet.  Local heroes Katin Eckermann and U25 rider Sophie Hinners secured back to back wins, just a couple of short weeks ago. Riding Iron Dames Cala Mandia Nrw and Iron Dames Singclair yesterday, the emotional duo extended their championship lead to 26 points after success in the heart of Germany.  Saturday was a…

In a win that has filled the British public with pride, Emily Gulliver, Honey Bowes, Tabby Morgan-Evans, Rosie Smith and Lottie Adams, the Children of Team GB, took Gold during the FEI Jumping European Championship in July 2024. This historic victory was made possible by the exceptional performance of the Children team and their dedicated coach, Clare Whitaker at Kronenberg, Peelbergen Equestrian Centre. Many tried, Clare Whitaker made it: remember today as the day Great Britain got the better of Spain in a European title! Rumors are swirling that there…

There are many reasons why horseback riding is enjoying a popularity resurgence at the moment. Apart from promoting better physical fitness overall by improving balance, strength and stamina, riding a horse can also improve your mental health, enhancing your mood, allowing you to focus on learning new skills and challenging your own abilities. The connection between rider and horse can be powerful and complex since horses are intelligent and sensitive animals with the ability to respond to hundreds of different instructions and perform very complex and difficult manoeuvres with the…

A young filly that was found tied to a bike, emaciated and covered in lice is now almost unrecognisable nearly five months after being rescued. Rescued and cared for by the World Horse Welfrare, the 18-month-old skewbald was found by Field Officer Becky Bedson at a site in Hertfordshire. The pony, now named ‘Pedals’ , is now ready for rehoming following careful rehabilitation at World Horse Welfare’s Norfolk Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Snetterton.   Pedals’ story On February 28, 2024, the equine charity’s UK support team received a report…

Colitis in adult horses will come under the spotlight by a team of researchers who aim to investigate and document the clinical and clinicopathological features of condition. The research, led by Tim Mair, CVS Equine Veterinary Director and Specialist in both Equine Internal Medicine and Equine Soft Tissue Surgery at Bell Equine Veterinary will also look at treatments, underlying causes and outcomes where there is minimal published data. The new study will review 100 cases of colitis in adult horses and 100 controls referred to seven equine veterinary hospitals in the UK; five CVS…

In response to the escalating cost of living crisis, World Horse Welfare and Blue Cross are joining forces to prevent the threat of a surge in equine welfare cases this winter. The two charities are urging horse owners who are already struggling financially to consider rehoming their horses during the summer months, rather than waiting until winter when conditions are harsher and more horses will be seeking new homes. Recent findings from a cost of living survey conducted by World Horse Welfare on behalf of the National Equine Welfare Council…

Carl Hester, who will ride in his seventh Olympic Games this year in Paris, is getting the biopic treatment. “Carl Hester’s journey has done for dressage what ‘Billy Elliot’ did for ballet,” says Drew Curtis, co-producer of the Carl Hester biopic, Stride. Hester will work with veteran producers Drew Curtis (Ironclad, The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson) and Richard Conway (The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson, Sexy Beast) to produce Stride, a feature set to tell the story of his remarkable career from humble beginnings on the tiny channel island of Sark to triumph…

After losing the top spot in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings nine months ago, Ros Canter has reclaimed the number one position. She replaces Olympic gold medallist and compatriot Oliver Townend, who has held the top spot since October 2023.

 Sitting in third last month, Canter’s made an impressive ascent. As the reigning European Champion, she stands out as the only athlete to surpass the 500-point mark, boasting 519 points. Townend follows in second place with 492 points, while fellow Brit Tom McEwen secures third with 454 points. “I…