More than 150,000 people have signed a petition calling for greater protection for Dartmoor’s iconic semi-wild hill ponies amid growing concerns that proposed grazing agreements could lead to a dramatic reduction in their numbers. Campaigners warn that as many as 90% of the remaining population could be lost if changes to grazing management on Dartmoor proceed without amendment. The controversy has attracted national attention, drawing responses from MPs, conservationists, equestrians and government bodies. At the heart of the debate is how future environmental stewardship agreements could affect the number of animals allowed to graze on Dartmoor’s commons and whether ponies

Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi delivered a double-clear performance to finish second in the CSIO3* Grand Prix at Deauville as UAE riders continued their preparations for the FEI World Equestrian Championships in Aachen. Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi continued his impressive run of form on the international showjumping circuit by securing second place in Sunday’s CSIO3* Sotheby’s International Realty Région Normandie Grand Prix at Deauville, France. Partnering Enjoy de la Mure, the Emirati rider produced two faultless rounds to finish runner-up behind France’s Nina Mallevaey, currently ranked world number seven, while finishing ahead of world number 11 Julien Epaillard in

Howick Horse Trials is set to make British Eventing history on 12 June by becoming the first venue to host a BE Lite competition, launching a new initiative aimed at increasing participation and creating a more accessible pathway into the sport. Developed by British Eventing’s Sport Task Force, BE Lite is a flexible affiliation model for unaffiliated events that allows both British Eventing members and non-members to compete within a framework overseen by the governing body. The initiative has been designed to encourage greater participation while maintaining the safety, welfare, safeguarding and organisational standards associated with British Eventing competitions. The

The FEI Rankings for May 2026 delivered another strong showing for British riders, with Team GBR athletes featuring prominently across eventing, jumping, dressage and para dressage. From world number one positions to top-three team standings and continued success at five-star level, British combinations continue to make their mark on the international equestrian stage. Fresh from Ros Canter’s history-making third consecutive victory at Badminton Horse Trials, British eventing continues to dominate the international stage, with three riders now sitting inside the FEI Eventing World Top Four. The latest FEI monthly rankings underline the current strength of British equestrian sport across multiple

Defending champions Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo head into cross-country day at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials in a commanding position after producing the standout dressage performance of the week. Just months after giving birth to her second child, Seneh, Canter delivered a polished and assured test aboard the hugely popular “Walter” to finish on an impressive 23.7 penalties, the only sub-24 score of the competition, opening up a valuable 4.4-penalty advantage ahead of Saturday’s influential cross-country phase. The pair head a high-quality international leaderboard, with American rider Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl sitting second after leading overnight following the

The opening day of dressage at the prestigious CCI5* Mars Badminton Horse Trials concluded with British-based American rider Tiana Coudray holding the overnight lead aboard Cancaras Girl (feature image) after producing a personal best score of 28.1 penalties. Thursday’s competition began against the backdrop of one of the week’s biggest talking points, after Oliver Townend announced via social media the withdrawal of his sole Badminton ride, Cooley Rosalent. The late withdrawal leaves the former winner absent from this year’s competition, disappointing fans who had hoped to see the world-class rider challenge once again at the Gloucestershire fixture. Townend famously won

The MARS Badminton Horse Trials returns from 6th–10th May, bringing Olympic medallists, championship winners and five-star stars to Gloucestershire for one of the sport’s biggest weeks. With a £125,000 prize fund on the line, the competition is set to be fierce! If you can’t be there in person, there’s a straightforward way to follow every phase from home. Read on below to find out more. Where to watch: Badminton TV (via ClipMyHorse.TV) Badminton TV is the official streaming service for the event and is available via ClipMyHorse.TV. It is designed to show the action across the competition. The service allows

Royal Windsor Horse Show has confirmed a standout line-up for its CSI5* Show Jumping classes in 2026, with Britain’s Scott Brash and Harry Charles set to spearhead the home challenge in the private grounds of Windsor Castle from 14–17 May. The CSI5* action runs from Friday 15 May to Sunday 17 May, culminating in the Rolex Grand Prix, which is billed as the highlight of the week in The Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Castle Arena. British riders to watch at Royal Windsor 2026 World No. 1 Scott Brash leads the British entries and arrives in Windsor as one

Heading to Belsay Horse Trials next month (15-17 May 2026)? Sponsored by Barbour, here’s a run-down of the top horse and rider combinations you can expect to see competing. Feature class – the Houghton Country CCI4*-S – has received more than 100 entries, with British Olympic gold medallists Laura Collett and London 52 making their first appearance at the event. Belsay forms a vital stepping stone to selection for the FEI World Eventing Championships in August, so competition is bound to be fierce. Alongside Collett, reigning world champions Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir and CCI5* winners Ros Canter and

Entries have officially opened for the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting (17–21 June 2026), with organisers announcing a price freeze on entry fees in a move set to support riders amid ongoing financial pressures. Staged at the renowned Hickstead Showground, the five-day event remains one of the UK’s leading equestrian fixtures, attracting a mix of grassroots competitors, amateur riders and international showjumping stars. Support for Riders Amid Rising Costs With the cost of living continuing to impact horse owners across the UK, Hickstead Director Edward Bunn confirmed that entry fees will remain at 2025 levels. “Our priority is to maintain

The Horse of the Year Show, widely regarded as the “World’s Most Famous Horse Show”, returns to Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre from 7–11 October 2026, celebrating its landmark 25th anniversary year. Each year, thousands of visitors gather to experience elite competition, world-class displays, and one of the UK’s most iconic equestrian sporting events. The 2026 edition promises an unmissable programme showcasing the very best in showing and showjumping. Exciting New Additions for 2026 This year introduces fresh attractions to the schedule, including: Returning Fan Favourites Spectators can also look forward to the return of much-loved highlights, including: The show will

Horse owners across the UK are being urged to remain vigilant following a rise in equine influenza cases reported across multiple regions this month. According to British Equestrian, citing data from the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS), a. total of six outbreaks have been identified across Essex, Suffolk, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Hertfordshire and Kent, raising fresh concerns about the spread of the highly contagious respiratory disease. Equine influenza can spread rapidly between horses through direct contact, shared equipment, or airborne transmission. Symptoms typically include fever, coughing, nasal discharge and lethargy, and outbreaks can lead to significant disruption for yards,

A century-old animal welfare charity has unveiled a new name as it looks to strengthen its global identity and highlight the vital role of working animals worldwide. SPANA will now be known as Working Animals International, a move the organisation says better reflects both the scale of its work and the communities it supports across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. Founded in 1923, the charity has expanded far beyond its origins in North Africa and now focuses on improving access to veterinary care, supporting animal owners with essential knowledge and skills, and campaigning for policy change. Working

There is plenty for British equestrian sport to celebrate in the latest FEI Youth Rankings, with riders delivering standout performances across both dressage and eventing and reinforcing the strength of the nation’s next generation. Leading the way is Ella Howard (GBR), who continues to hold the number one position in the FEI Junior Eventing World Rankings on 98 points. Maintaining her place at the top of the global standings, while also sitting inside the top 10 in the Young Riders rankings, marks her out as one of the most exciting young talents in the sport today. In dressage, Isla Sully

A new UK-based equestrian brand, Mulmet, is gaining attention with the launch of a lightweight horse riding helmet designed to support comfort during longer periods in the saddle. Founded in 2025 by Sara Li, the brand draws on more than 15 years of helmet manufacturing experience to introduce a new approach to rider-focused design. Mulmet’s debut helmet weighs just 450g, making it significantly lighter than many traditional riding helmets, while meeting ASTM F1163-23 and CE EN1384:2023 safety standards. Crucially, the helmet is approved by the British Horse Society (BHS), British Showjumping and British Dressage, meaning it meets the requirements for

FEI Rankings April 2026: Scott Brash holds world number one as pressure builds Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) has released its latest monthly rankings, with Britain’s Scott Brash maintaining his position at the top of the Longines Rankings, although his advantage is beginning to narrow as rivals close in during a competitive start to the 2026 season. Brash, who delivered a standout performance in Paris last month with Hello Chadora Lady, sits on 3,497 points. However, American rider Kent Farrington has reduced the gap to just 196 points after securing victory in Wellington, underlining how quickly the leaderboard could shift in