Category: horse News

USA and Brazil booked their tickets to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics when taking gold and silver respectively in Eventing at the Pan American Games 2019, which took place at the Army Equitation School at La Molina in Lima, Peru. America’s Boyd Martin riding Tsetserleg and Lynn Symansky partnering RF Cool Play claimed individual gold and silver when finishing on their Dressage marks, while Brazil’s Carlos Parro added just 6.8 cross-country time penalties to his first-phase scoreline with Qualkin Qurious to bag the bronze. But none of these medals were easily…

Jos Verlooy (BEL) and new ride Jacobien Dwerse Hagen flew to victory today in the final Sunday showdown as the Longines Global Champions Tour of London drew to a thrilling close. Despite the horse being in Verlooy’s stable for less than six months, the duo delivered a foot-perfect performance with a clear partnership forming. The horse and rider were visibly in tune with each other, as they beat the world class field of 40 international riders. Great British tradition was on display once again, as the Household Cavalry and the…

Ben Maher claims explosive win on home turf at LGCT London Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix, London 2019 British superstar Ben Maher scored an emphatic victory on home turf yesterday to claim the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Grand Prix of London. Presented by Tennor, the win came in front of an enthusiastic sell-out crowd at the unique venue of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Riding the exceptionally talented 10-year-old gelding Explosion W in the spectacular Thames-side arena, Ben Maher sailed over Alan Wade’s challenging courses clear in an unassailable…

Squad includes 2 WEG gold-medallists and 2 members of the gold medal-winning 2017 Europeans team The British Equestrian Federation has today, 2 August 2019, announced the UK Sport National Lottery funded eventing squad which will compete at the FEI Longines Eventing European Championships in Luhmühlen (28 August – 1 September 2019). Two of the riders who helped to propel Team GBR to team gold at the World Equestrian Games in 2018, Piggy French and Tom McEwen, will return for the European Championships in Luhmühlen. They’ll be joined by Oliver Townend…

The London Knights catapulted themselves into the best position possible on home turf in London today after Ben Maher and Olivier Philippaerts pulled off flawless performances. With their two top horses, Explosion W and H&M Extra, the pair wowed the crowds, setting themselves up to repeat their victory of 2018 at the beautiful Royal Hospital Chelsea. Only four teams managed a double clear today, with Valkenswaard United, St Tropez Pirates and current ranking leaders Miami Celtics hot on the heels of the Knights. Ben Maher praised his top horse Explosion…

Horsemanship: The Eyes Have I Suzie School of Horsemanship Blog post: August, 2019 Reading horse behaviour and understanding the psychology of horses takes dedicated learning and is a step towards good horsemanship. The amount of horses whose actions gets misread by the human, and then treated like something it’s not is huge. When it comes to learning to ride and horse husbandry, the element of horse psychology and natural behaviour isn’t covered. We’re all just muddling along doing the same stuff that’s always been done because that’s the way it’s…

Leading Italian brand Cavalleira Toscana, much sought after for their collection of stylish and unique rider clothing is now available in the UK through well-known distributor Zebra Products. Cavalleria Toscana was founded in 2008 with the ambition to create a product that could make technical sportswear look elegant. Over the years this desire has guided the company which has quickly established itself as the most sophisticated brand within the equestrian apparel market. After more than 10 years in business, the company continues to offer in depth expertise in refining their…

Gold Nugget defends his crown while Dream Big dreams of going one better Plus former Willie Mullins star, Arvika Ligeonniere, travels over from Ireland This weekend it is Eventing’s turn to take centre stage among the list of disciplines in which former racehorses thrive when the RoR/NTF Retrained Racehorse Eventing Championship takes place at Gatcombe Park. The event forms an integral part of the Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing. It will be the second time that the Championship has been held at Gatcombe Park and the winner and runner-up…

Leilia Paske Leads from The Start to Win CCI-LYR2* at Frickley Park Horse Trials Leilia Paske and Fernhill First Friend (Yam) stormed to victory at Frickley Park Horse Trials, leading the field from start to finish, adding just 3.6 time penalties to their dressage score of 26.5. Following a week of intense heat, the rain came down at Frickley Park Horse Trials but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the competitors in the Robinson Animal Healthcare sponsored CCI-LYR2*. The Ipswich based pair were in a league of their own with…

Team Germany almost completely dominated the FEI Dressage European Championship 2019 for U25, Young Riders, Juniors and Children. The event was staged at the fabulous Horses Riviera Resort, in Italy (23-28 July). They claimed nine of the 11 gold medal placings on offer, with only a Dutch double standing in the way of a total German whitewash. High temperatures in the early part of the week were followed by rain on the final day, but nothing could get in the way of sparkling sport filled with great promise for the…

The British Equestrian Federation has today, 30 July 2019, announced the UK Sport National Lottery funded para-equestrian dressage squad which will compete at the FEI Longines European Championships in Rotterdam, Holland (21–25 August 2019). This year’s team includes three combinations who will be contesting their first senior championships, while Sophie Wells and C Fatal Attraction will be out to defend their Freestyle gold medal from the European Championships in 2017. In alphabetical order, the selected squad has been named by British Dressage selectors as… Mari Durward-Akhurst (Grade I) with Glesni…

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary has come to the aid of an orphaned foal whose mum died on Dartmoor – and the charity’s kind and dedicated staff are working tirelessly to give little Ava round-the-clock care. The tiny foal, who is just a few weeks old, was found alone and terrified near the village of Lee Moor and it has become a race against time to keep her alive. Worried Lee Moor residents initially called local charity Hill Pony Resources, who managed to bring the foal in off the moor…

This year’s Equitop Bolesworth Young Horse Championship will see some of the finest young stars of the show jumping world in action. The Six-Year-Old series is supported by the team at Windmill Farm Estate and the Wright family – here we talk to Dan Wright about this exciting business. Windmill Farm Estate in Staffordshire is far-reaching with farming, property development, and equestrian sport horses, all of which play their part in making the company successful and diverse. The business is the home of an Elite Showjumping Team – headed by…

Try Haygain’s revolutionary hay steamers before you buy and see the benefits before committing the cash… Steaming forage with Haygain’s hay steamers is scientifically proven to deliver a wide range of benefits for equine respiratory health and the brand has now confirmed they are giving customers the chance to try the technology before they buy, all with a small and easy to afford deposit.  Research has shown that 88% of horses tested were suffering from inflammatory airway disease (IAD), many showing no outward sign of anything being wrong at all.…

The directors of the All England Jumping Course handed over a cheque for £51,894 to the Tim Stockdale Foundation, following the first #10forTim charity run at Hickstead. The race was held on Saturday 27 July in memory of Tim Stockdale, one of Great Britain’s most successful showjumpers, who died last November just a month after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. Tim’s wife Laura and their two sons Joe and Mark set up the Tim Stockdale Foundation in his memory. The Foundation helps to support young people’s aspirations in the three…

Kitty King has surely secured herself a place on the British team for the forthcoming European Championships in Luhmühlen, Germany after winning the principal class at Burgham, the Newton Hall CCI4*-S, on Vendredi Biats. Third after dressage, Kitty and the grey 10-year-old capitalised on showjumping mistakes from leader Oliver Townend (Ballaghmor Class) and Izzy Taylor (Springpower) to take the lead going into the final cross-country phase. She flew round David Evans’ track, which demanded accuracy and boldness, with just 4.4 time-faults to secure victory on a score of 30.5. I’m…

Hickstead Event News :: The Longines Royal International Horse Show, 2019 David Will lifted the Longines BHS King George V Gold Cup today at Hickstead, becoming the first German rider to win the trophy since Holger Wulschner in 2008. Will, 31, was aiming to ride one of his other international horses in today’s Grand Prix, but ended up having to change plans and compete his new ride, the nine-year-old Holsteiner Never Walk Alone, instead – a decision that certainly paid off when he finished top of a five-strong jump-off. It’s…

Germany’s Jos Verlooy and Jacobien Dwerse Hagen rode to win The Bunn Leisure Salver at the world-renowned Hickstead Showground, in West Sussex this morning. A field of 41 starters helped get international showjumping underway and despite the drizzle, spirits were high not only in the International ring but across the showground too. The 1m50 class boasted a total prize fund of 25,000 Euro’s, and with a line up set to start the day as it was meant to carry on, with excitement in the air. Only 12 horse and rider…

The Swedish team swept to a definitive victory in today’s (26/07/2019) Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain, winning the Edward Prince of Wales Trophy for the first time. With team members, Fredrik Jonsson (Cold Play), Angelie von Essen (Luikan Q) and Peder Fredricon (Zacramento) producing three clear rounds in the first round, fourth team member Rolf-Goran Bengtsson didn’t even have to jump on Oak’s Grove Carlyle. In the second round, Fredrik had just one fence down, while Angelie and Peder produced double clears to secure victory for the…

Southwell Horse Racing Abandoned Due to Extreme Heat Southwell horse racing confirmed the abandonment of two races due to the extreme heat the UK has been experiencing this week due to welfare concerns. Despite temperatures exceeding 30º the seven-race meeting went ahead, starting at 11:25am. The race day was later abandoned with only two races remaining. The British Horse Racing Authority (BHRA) released a statement: Racing is abandoned due to extreme temperatures” A spokesperson for the BHRA continued the decision was made due to the: Combination of the distance of…

Anyone with a love of horses will know that they are incredible animals with an amazing ability to tune into a person’s emotions. Some horses are extra special and overcome difficulties of their own to go on and change people’s lives. One such pony is Brandy, a 27-year-old chestnut mare who is much loved by everyone at Divoky Riding School, based in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Brandy spent her younger days as a pet to a lady that had little equine experience and spent six months off her legs due to…

Showing their support of young showjumping talent, Aztec Diamond Equestrian have announced they have secured sponsorship of the 138cm Championship at Horse of the Year Show 2019. The class was introduced to Horse of the Year Show in 1992, with the intention of providing a platform for young riders and an opportunity to showcase future stars.  Innovative equestrian clothing brand, Aztec Diamond Equestrian is the perfect fit to sponsor this class, as founder, Jordan McCabe a young equestrian enthusiast herself, understands the importance of harnessing and nurturing future talent. Jordan…

​ Olympic gold medallist Laura Kraut took the main class at Hickstead yesterday, winning the Champagne Cave Winter Grades B & C Championship with Greatfull. It was a second win in the Longines International Arena for the eight-year-old grey mare, who claimed the Old Lodge International 7&8 Year Old Championship here 12 months ago. The pair came out on top of the 11-strong jump-off against the clock, making the most of a late draw to shave more than 1 second off the leading time set by eventual runner-up Jake Saywell…

The RDA was proud to showcase how its work has evolved over the past 50 years in a special RDA parade held at their National Championships. From day one, back in 1969, RDA has been enriching people’s lives through horses and over this time it has developed to provide involvement in many different equine activities. The championships celebrated their own 25th anniversary and the Parade was a chance to celebrate everything that makes RDA great, from the opportunities it provides, through to the volunteers and horses that make it possible.…