As a teenager, Jamie Pye (pictured) was bullied at school, which led to him developing an eating disorder. But now, aged 26, Jamie’s life has been transformed for the better, and it’s all thanks to horses. And now he has bravely agreed to speak out about his experience in the hope that his story can help others.

Jamie received treatment for anorexia as a child, but when he turned 18, he struggled to find treatment due to a lack of adult services. He became distant from friends and had no social life — Jamie’s eating disorder dominated his life for years.

“I always had an interest in animals and wanted to work with them but I lost all hope of ever being able to do so, as with an eating disorder you feel you just are not good enough to do the things you want to do,” explains Jamie, who went on to secure a place at a local college where he studied animals. While at college, Jamie contacted Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, and soon he became an ambassador for the organisation. He started volunteering for them, something that he says helped build his confidence.

Beat recognised Jamie’s passion for animals, and suggested that the animals themselves could actually aid his recovery.

“Beat knew that throughout my experiences, I always had a love for animals,” says Jamie. “They had heard of a lady, Jo Corfield, who ran a business called HopeThruHorses, where she treats people for a variety of behavioural and psychological conditions with the use of her horses. Beat wanted someone to interview Jo as she had been through an eating disorder herself and her own horse is what helped her through it. I jumped at the chance as it was something I was passionate about — I was then also given the opportunity to go and meet her which was an absolutely amazing experience.”

Jo uses equine involvement therapy with 18 horses and ponies that live out 24/7 at her Carmarthenshire base. Hopethruhorses says: “Undercover of sometimes desperate and long-term symptoms it’s all too easy to lose sight of who we are. ‘Self’ disappears under layers of pain and overwhelming emotions, diagnoses, labels and endless analyses of the life story that has led us to this point. We become identified and judged for our presenting symptoms if not by others, certainly by ourselves. When ‘self’ is lost then accessing confidence and a strong connection with who you are becomes difficult or even impossible. Our herd lives out – they roam freely and naturally – they are given the freedom to become real horses without expectations, pressures or unnecessary human intervention — we allow them to be their ‘true selves’. Here with us, we give you the opportunity to do the same.”

“I realised Jo and I had been on a similar journey with our eating disorders,” says Jamie. “She showed me the work she carries out with her horses and suddenly everything made sense. Working with a herd of horses and ponies meant that the relationship between us was based entirely on trust. It was about living for the now and not the past or future. In less than a month, I felt like a completely different person. I’m still in recovery, but I’m come such a long way.”

Jamie started working with horses five years ago and is now a full-time member of the equine centre team at the Redwings Horse Sanctuary HQ in Norfolk.

“I help with the basic care of some of the 230 horses in Redwings’ care,” explains Jamie. “I love spending time with horses, and what I have learnt through Hopethruhorses is to go with the flow. No matter what, I know now that the life I have now is worth fighting to stay in recovery for.

“To anyone else out there who might be suffering from an eating disorder, I would say be open-minded to the idea of seeking therapy through animals such as horses. Everyone needs to realise how powerful the connection between a person and horse can be — you help them and they will help you.”

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Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that affect an estimated 1.25 million people in the UK.

Beat’s head of communications Rebecca Field says: “Eating disorders cause a huge amount of suffering for people with the illnesses and their families, but recovery is possible. On average it takes three-and-a-half years for someone to receive treatment for an eating disorder after they first fall ill. But the sooner someone gets treatment for an eating disorder, the better their chances of recovery.

“Anyone worried about their own health or that of someone they know can contact Beat’s Helpline 365 days a year via phone, email, anonymous one-to-one webchat or social media messaging. Find out how to contact us here: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk”.

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Jonty Evans is making “remarkable” progress in his rehabilitation – and his aim is to get back on a horse again.

Jonty, who regained consciousness in late July following a serious brain injury he suffered in a cross-country fall on 3 June, has been undergoing intensive treatment including physio and speech and language therapy.

He spoke to DJ Mark Cummings in an interview broadcast on BBC Radio Gloucestershire last week (14 September).

“I’m very well,” Jonty told Mark. “I’m surprised I’m quite as well as I am because the doctors in Ireland said I was probably not going to wake up.”

Jonty was injured in a fall from Cooley Rorkes Drift at Tattersalls in Ireland and was initially treated at Connolly Hospital, moving on to Beaumont Hospital where he spent weeks in intensive care.

On 19 August, he was passed fit to travel back to the UK, where he has been receiving further treatment.

“I was in a coma for six weeks – I’m probably very lucky to be here,” Jonty said. “But the horse is well, I’m well and with a little bit of luck, I’ll learn to walk again properly and unaided, and we’ll get going, if we can.”

Jonty agreed with Mark that the outlook initially was “grim”.

“My sister rang the Beaumont yesterday and they couldn’t believe I was up and walking and awake,:” he said. “They refused point-blank to believe it.

“My rehab now is a step up from where we were in Ireland; there’s a possibility that in a month or so I might go to a place in Lambourn, then it’ll go up another gear; the whole idea of the physio is that it gets more and more intense the fitter you get.”

Jonty said that although he remembers the course in detail, including the minute markers, he has no recollection of the fence at which he fell, which was three from home.

He thanked the public for their support, good wishes and “incredible generosity” in raising £35,000 for the David Foster Injured Riders’ Fund, his family’s chosen charity, adding: “I’m so grateful to the people who have cared about me… it’s meant a huge amount that people have cared.”

And asked whether he can imagine riding again, or whether that is “not part of the conversation”, Jonty said: “It’s not meant to be part of the conversation – but I’m not very good at that bit!

“All the therapists say I’m doing remarkably well; they’re incredibly impressed with my improvement but they say it’s very definitely one step at a time. It’s biting off bite-sized chunks out of a big pie. The aim is to get a big pie and the aim is to ride again, possibly, but it’s mend the little things first.”

Dawn Harper, who also spoke on the programme, said that as a doctor who had worked in intensive care, she had not thought Jonty’s situation would have a positive outcome.

“I think it’s all credit to the teams who have looked after him, but we have to admit he’s where he is today because of his determination. You can never underestimate the human will to survive.

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“He got to where he was because he’s a very determined and positive person.

“Who else could get people to pay £500,000 for a horse; who else could spend six weeks in a coma and come back?

“I’m going to put my money on the table – that man will ride again.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

A one-year-old girl showed ability way beyond her years to complete a sponsored ride and raise more than £1,000 for the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).

Tiny Verity Seignot completed the two-mile challenge two days after her first birthday, riding 16-year-old Shetland Super Noodles, led by her mother Caroline.

They were forced to tackle challenging conditions as heavy rain fell on the Quest RDA event at Chobham Common in Surrey on October 14.

“I can’t believe quite how bad the weather was — it was one of those occasions where you doubt yourself as a parent for a second and think ‘what am I doing?’” Caroline joked.

“Verity wears an all-in-one rain suit and we had to stop and change her halfway through as she was soaked.

“By the end of it she stayed dry but we even had water in our boots. There were floods at some points that came up to the pony’s knees.”

Verity first sat on a horse when she was two days old and now has a well-established partnership with the 8hh Shetland gelding, who Caroline has owned since he was five.

Verity started out riding in a basket saddle but has already progressed to riding astride and has begun to establish her seat in trot.

“Super Noodles has done a bit of everything over the years including carriage driving. Verity knows that when she wants him to trot, she can blow him a kiss, so she does it all the time — all she wants to do is trot,” Caroline said.

“She’s turning into a bit of a speed demon already. It’s a pity he’s not registered or we’d be preparing for the Shetland Grand National soon!”

Caroline added that people are often surprised to see her daughter riding the pony at such a young age.

“When we go out, people see the child and see the pony but don’t expect them to go together,” she said. “Even my husband’s dad doesn’t believe it till he sees it. Some kids aren’t even walking at this point.”

As well as being a great first pony for Verity, Caroline describes Super Noodles as “her right-hand man.” Bought 10 years ago to be used at children’s pony parties, he has gone on to turn his hoof to many disciplines as well as working regularly as one of Caroline’s “Pony Pals” therapy ponies.

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“Competing he’s done everything from horse agility and Le Trec to indoor driving trials and showing,” she said.

“Most of the time he works with me, visiting hospices, care homes and prisons and he went down the aisle at my wedding. He also held a photo in his mouth for the announcement of Verity and was dressed in pink for the gender reveal. He’s very much our family man.”

Verity and Super Noodles raised £1,028 for the RDA through sponsorship and hope to complete some more rides next year.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Firefighters and the RSPCA teamed up to rescue a horse found stuck stomach-deep in cold water in a swimming pool on New Year’s Eve.

A man spotted the young mare in his pool, in Stockett Lane, Maidstone, on Monday morning and called the RSPCA.

Inspector Rosie Russon and animal collection officer Brian Milligan were sent to the scene, and called Kent Fire and Rescue (KFRS) for help.

“The caller wasn’t sure how long she’d been there and feared she may have been there all night,” Ms Russon said.

“She was clearly very cold. The water was only around 1m deep so although it came only up to her stomach, she wasn’t able to get out of the pool on her own, and I was concerned about her getting hypothermia.

“The caller said she’d been trying to get out of the pool but kept slipping on the bottom.”

KFRS sent its animal rescue unit, members of which winched the mare out of the pool. RSPCA staff have named her Ellie, after Paralympic swimming medallist Ellie Simmonds.

“We believe Ellie had been straying and fell into the pool in the dark,” Ms Russon said.

“She has some minor injuries to her legs where she fell through the pool lining and hit the bottom but, other than that, she’s been very lucky.

“She’s been taken into care by one of our private boarding establishments where she’ll remain so she can be monitored and properly assessed.

“If no one comes forward to claim her then we’ll start the process of finding her a suitable home.”

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A spokesman for KFRS said “The horse was strapped up and lifted out of the pool using specialist machinery. She was handed into the care of the RSPCA.”

Anyone who thinks they know where Ellie has come from can call 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for Ms Russon.

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The owner of a much-loved pony who was found with a broken leg in a field on New Year’s Day believes he was injured as he was so terrified of fireworks being let off locally.

Steph Smith’s 11.2hh gelding Alfie was found on three legs at West Wirral Riding School. Steph said she believes he must have been injured while galloping in fear, as there were skid marks in the field, and the remains of fireworks scattered around the yard.

“It’s been an awful few days,” she told H&H.

“One of our liveries noticed Alfie was on three legs and alerted my mum, who’s a partner in the business.

“We had to get a tractor and make a sling, and almost carry him back to the yard.”

A vet confirmed Alfie had broken a hind leg in two places, and the former rescue pony was put down straight away.

“He was such a great kids’ pony,” Steph said. “He hadn’t had the best start in life; my auntie rescued him as a youngster and he was a bag of bones. She gave him to me as a three-year-old to back him and get him going, and he was so well-behaved, we knew life in the school would suit him.

“He was a character; if he’d had enough, he’d let you know, but that’s kids’ ponies for you. He was good for all types of rider, the school life was what he knew and he was happy.”

Steph said the children at the riding school were devastated by the loss of Alfie, who was described as “an awesome little pony”.

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She now wants to help raise awareness of the devastation fireworks can cause.

“I’d just like to say to people: don’t let them off near farms or livestock,” she said. “I’m not saying there should be an outright ban on them; just please think.”

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From the ups and down, inspirations to weaknesses, here we find out a little bit more about showing supremo turned dressage star, Louise Bell…

1. She first took up dressage as part of a Horse & Hound switching disciplines challenge in 2011, for which she had three lessons with Michael Eilberg before doing an elementary test. “I had never done pure dressage and it really doesn’t compare to showing,” she says. “Thank god I took on that challenge — thank you H&H!”

2. In 2011, Louise considered giving up her showing career after losing four of her top show horses in quick succession. “It was like losing family and I was on the edge of quitting,” she admits.

3. Louise received her Union Jack flag this year when she represented Britain on a team for the first time. She was the best-placed member of the British Nations Cup team in the grand prix at the Hickstead CDI in July — where she was also judging in the show ring at the Royal International Horse Show.

4. She first learnt her trade training at Ted Edgar’s yard. “I learnt so much there — it was tough but it’s why I have the attitude that I do today: if you want something you work hard for it,” she says.

5. Louise and her husband Robert survived a horrific horse box crash in 2002, but having broken her leg in multiple places, Louise was told she may never ride again. But, that same year, she went on to win the working hunter title at Horse of the Year Show with Out Of Sight.

6. Among the friends she made while working at Ted’s is Alan Davies, now groom to Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin. “Alan and I go back a very long way,” said Louise, fondly.

7. On of Louise’s highlights of 2018 is being warmed up by Carl while at the national championships in September. “Carl was brilliant and helped me at the nationals, even though I don’t usually train with him. I loved every minute of it — warming up with Carl Hester is just amazing.”

8. Her drink of choice is a Moscow Mule cocktail — made with ginger beer, vodka and lime juice.

9. She admits that Dime bars are her biggest weakness. “I can’t just eat one! Those mini ones especially are dangerous — they’re a terrible weakness of mine.”

10. Her horses are mostly named after films, such as Into The Blue (pictured), W Get Smart and her exciting upcoming mare, Skyfall.

11. Many of her best horses, including her current top grand prix dressage horse In to The Blue (by Ublesco), were bred by John Whitaker.

12. Louise has recently bred a foal — her first dressage-bred horse — a son of Uthopia born in 2018. “He’s called Peaky Blinder because he’s dodgy,” laughs Louise. “He is absolutely spectacular — he’s the golden child.”

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13. She names German Olympian Dorothee Schneider as one of her biggest inspirations. “She’s a real rider — I can imagine her riding anything. She’s such a talented horsewoman; very clever and very underestimated.”

14. She relishes pressure when it comes to performing. “I do well under pressure — showing has done that for me,” she explains. “People expect you to win and you’re always being watched.”

For the full interview with Louise Bell, don’t miss the latest issue of Horse & Hound magazine, out now (dated 24 January 2019)

An inquiry into fireworks legislation launched by the govenrment’s parliamentary petitions committee could be “the best chance we’ve had to change the law”.

The move comes after close to 750,000 people signed petitions expressing concern about fireworks through the petition.parkiament.uk site over the past three years.

The committee is asking those who have previously signed petitions to share their views via an online survey, which closes on 26 March www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/TS5AK/

It will also gather formal evidence from relevant public bodies and fireworks experts.

One of the cases it will be considering is the call for a ban on public sale and use.

“The petitions system has provided hundreds of thousands of people with a way to voice their views about fireworks,” said Helen Jones MP, chair of the petitions committee.

“Through the scores of petitions we have received on this it is clear that public feeling about fireworks is very strong, and there is a real need to scrutinise the current laws.

“The government believes the rules on fireworks are effective, but the law hasn’t been looked at for some time.

“We want to make sure the law and rules strike the right balance between respecting traditions, allowing the enjoyment of fireworks and protecting people, animals and property.”

Horse owner Julie Doorne, who has launched several petitions that have led to parliamentary debates, welcomed the news.

“This has got to be the best chance we have had so far to get a change in firework law,” she told H&H.

“I hope everyone who has ever signed a petition regarding fireworks, whatever change they would like, will complete the survey and send in a submission.”

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Ms Doorne’s current petition, on change.org, is lobbying the Office for Product Safety and Standards to review firework rules. It has so far received more than 370,000 signatures.

The committee is also inviting written submissions by 5pm on 8 April, which can be found here www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/petitions-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/fireworks-inquiry-17-19/

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Two youngsters rescued within days of each other are facing “sparkling futures”after they were found weak and unwell.

Diamond and Quartz were rescued in February after concerned members of the public called World Horse Welfare.

Field officer Sarah Tucker arrived at an industrial estate in east Middlesbrough, where she found a colt (now named Diamond) tied tightly to railings. He was extremely weak and underweight.

“Diamond was clearly only a matter of months old, far too young to be without his mother and suffering badly from poor nutrition,” she said.

“His bones were sticking out through his thick, fluffy coat and his demeanour was dull and lethargic. He was clearly in urgent need of veterinary attention and as we couldn’t locate an owner, we worked with the RSPCA to post an abandonment notice before transporting him to a safe location nearby.”

Once the pony was well enough, he moved from the safe location where he was temporarily staying to World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm near Blackpool.

“No owner has come forward so he is now in World Horse Welfare’s ownership and is thriving at the farm, living the life a young pony deserves,” she added.

Diamond in the care of World Horse Welfare

Days later, Ms Tucker was called to another pony who had been found loose in a poorly fenced field close to the A1 near Pontefract.

“Quartz was clearly very unwell, scouring badly and appeared to be suffering from worms but he was also unhandled and very nervous so I couldn’t get close enough to properly assess his condition,” she said.

Quartz when he was found

“I was also worried about him becoming frightened and getting onto the A1 so I contacted fellow equine charity Bransby Horses, who attended with their penning system to help us safely contain and catch him.

“Once he was in the safety of temporary boarding stables, he was assessed by a vet who found him suffering, with a dangerously high temperature and a severe worm infestation.”

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Quartz now

She added he is now doing “really well and growing healthier every day” at Penny Farm.

“As with Diamond, no owner could be found so he is now in the care of World Horse Welfare,” she said.

“The plights of these two young ponies within a matter of days of each other, shows the scale of the welfare challenges facing our equine population and highlights the importance of people keeping alert for horses in need of our help.

“As a team of 16 field officers covering huge geographical areas, we rely on the public to be our eyes and ears.

“Reporting welfare concerns is essential in helping ensure we can reach as many horses as possible and in this instance it is thanks to two callers that both Diamond and Quartz are now safe, well and ready to have sparkling futures.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

With more than 1,000 horses attending over five days, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd at Equifest (8 – 12 August, East of England showground).

But one duo who certainly made a lasting impression — on judges and spectators alike — was Angela Conner and her new mount, the Morgan stallion Optimus Prime.

The magnificent 12-year-old, a multi-garlanded American Morgan horse world champion, and Angela were crowned supreme foreign breeds champion of the show, clinching the sash under the famous Equifest spotlight in the evening performance.

The pair outshone 16 other competitors, including an array of breed representatives such as Andalusians, Friesians, Nordics, Icelandics, Saddlebreds, Arabs and assortment of crossbreeds.

Optimus Prime looked every inch the champion and carefully looked after his rider, 84-year-old Angela, who by her own admission had forgotten her exact age on the day. Her reply: “I’ve lost count, I think it’s somewhere between 80 and 90 years.”

Angela, who is lives and works as an international sculptress in Herefordshire and London, co-founded the British Morgan Horse Society some 40 years ago with her husband John.

Since his arrival in the UK in April, Optimus Prime has been training with Trudy Connolly, head horsewoman at Angela and John’s Monnington stud, Herefordshire.

Monnington Morgans is the breed’s foundation stud and was set up by the couple in 1975.

“I got into Morgans completely by accident,” said Angela. “I acquired a horse from America who was in bad way when she arrived. I wasn’t even sure if she was a Morgan but I was told by a judge she definitely was. That’s how it all began. They are naturally uphill and look impressive, but they are very safe — they are brilliant nanny horses.”

“I had seen Optiums Prime in America and as soon the opportunity came about I bought him. At Equifest he just switched on and did his stuff — I just happened to be sat on top. He is like an Audi car, very smooth to ride.

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Angela will continue to show the stallion and intends to compete him at the Foreign Breeds Society championship show in September.

Doug Wade, editor of the Morgan Horse Society magazine and friend of Angela said: “It seems that the UK Morgan is generating interest once again, making headway and standing their ground against all breeds. This is the future for the Morgan Breed, exhibiting to all within the equestrian world and spreading the Morgan word.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Alice Oppenheimer has paid tribute to Headmore Stud’s star broodmare Rubinsteena, who has died aged 22.

“Ruby” is mother to a dressage dynasty, with her offspring winning across the levels at regional and national level.

“We didn’t buy her initially to breed from,” Alice told H&H. “She had a couple of foals before we bought her and the intention was to bring her back into work, but thank god it went the way that it did.

“It didn’t matter which stallion we used, she always gave us an amazing foal — we were so lucky. She was so correct in her conformation and her movement, she was very special.

“All [her offspring] have a fantastic work ethic, are very kind horses and love people, they genuinely want to do the work.”

Sarah Oppenheimer bought Ruby from Julie Deverill at Half Moon Stud, who herself had bought the mare as a foal from Christian Heinrich.

Her most successful progeny include Half Moon Frizzante, who won the 2012 elementary open title at the 2012 winter championships and won at small tour level. She is also the dam of Headmore Davina, winner of numerous national and regional titles who qualified for this year’s British Dressage National Championships at small tour.

She had three offspring competing at the 2018 winter championships: Headmore Dirubinio (by Dimaggio), Headmore Davina (by Dimaggio) and Headmore Bella Ruby (by Belissimo M).

Her 2008 foal, Headmore Wimoweh, made his grand prix debut in August at Bury Farm high profile show, finishing third on 67.57% at his first attempt.

Her 2016 foal Headmore Valentina was awarded an elite premium at the British Breeders/British Equestrian Federation Futurity with a score of 9.7, the joint-third highest ever mark.

“She was a fantastic mum, knew exactly what to do,” said Alice, adding it was almost as if she would say “take it away” when the foals reached six months old.

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“She was quite bossy so the foals always had that herd instinct that makes them rideable as they were so used to having someone in charge, they look to the rider for guidance and support.

“She loved being a broodmare, I genuinely think that was her calling in life.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.