A charity race held at York as part of the biggest fundraising day in British racing ended in a dead heat on Saturday (16 June).

The Macmillan Charity Raceday’s finale, the 5.40pm Best Western Hotels & Macmillan Ride of their Lives, concluded in a tie between X Rated and Apterix, ridden by Sarah Fanning and Chris Brownless respectively.

Chris Hughes, star of ITV2’s Love Island, also took part in the race, crossing the line in fifth place after a late run on the Richard Fahey-trained Carnageo.

“I was so nervous at the start; it’s surreal that I’ve won with Chris,” said 37-year-old Sarah, who fell off in her previous attempt at a charity race at Cheltenham. “Everyone has done amazingly well and raised so much money for Macmillan. That’s what it’s all about.”

Chris Brownless, who at 64 was the oldest of the jockeys, was motivated to take part in the race after losing his younger brother Malcolm to cancer at the age of 57.

“It’s a special day. I was riding today in memory of my brother who died from cancer in 2015. He would have been 60 today,” he said.

Eleven riders took part in the 1 mile, 1 furlong challenge which is run outside of Rules. They had to pass the charity race-riders’ training course, as well as sourcing their own horses. Between them, they raised more than £110,000 for the charity.

Chris Hughes said the six months leading up the race had been an amazing experience, as had the day itself.

“The support from the crowd was unbelievable. I’m disappointed not to win but I’ve loved every minute of the race, the day and the months of training leading up to today, and just want to have another go now,” he said.

“I would like to thank Coral, Jonjo O’Neill, Richard Fahey and Dominic Elsworth and all the other people who’ve all made this possible. It’s one of the best things I’ve done. My fellow jockeys have all been incredible supportive and we’d like to thank everyone who has raised money for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

As well as being is the biggest single fundraiser in Macmillan’s calendar the event is the largest charity raceday in Britain.

This year, more than 21,000 people passed through the course’s gates, raising more than £470,000 for Macmillan and other beneficiaries, including York Against Cancer, St Leonard’s Hospice, Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund.

The relationship between York racecourse and cancer charity Macmillan began in 1971 and this year’s raceday also resulted in their passing a landmark £8million in total funds raised.

Continues below…

“To have raised over £8m is an amazing achievement and a tribute to everyone past and present who has contributed to make this raceday such a wonderful event,” said William Derby, York racecourse chief executive and clerk of the course.

“Countless individuals and organisations have been so generous with their time, involvement and support of the day from throughout the racing and Yorkshire community – it is a special day everyone associated with it can be very proud of.”

Lynda Thomas, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, added: “At Macmillan we rely on donations to fund our services and help people living with cancer life live as fully as they can, so we’re hugely grateful to everyone that has been involved.”

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

Welcome to Sparrows Farm, a picturesque set-up — for both you and your four-legged companions. 

Located in the village of Debden Green in Essex, the gorgeous four-bedroom farmhouse is like something out of a fairytale, with it’s high beams and rustic features. Head outside, and the super-dreamy facilities just keep on giving (see pictures below).

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

A barn conversion with an equestrian set-up and a swimming pool, located in prime Suffolk hunt country, has come up for sale.

Situated in Little Henny on the Essex/Suffolk border, the property is nestled in the beautiful surroundings of the Stour Valley, immediately to the south of Sudbury.

Despite being within a daily commute of London, the rural position offers access onto various bridleways and country lanes. Hacking is also available on the riverside tracks in the valley along the River Stour.

Agents The Zoe Napier Group have pitted Lodge Farm — which is in the heart of scenic East Essex Hunt country — as the ideal base for the hunting fan: “located between The Colne & Stour Valleys, The East Essex Hunt have some stunning country, mainly ditches (sometimes big ditches), plough and grassland with much jumping. There are four or five meets within hacking distance, with some of the best exercise routes and bridleways in the region.”

Local equestrian centres include: Topthorn Arena (29 miles); Bardwell Manor (26 miles) and Barrow Hall Stables (29 miles).

If you fancy doing some cross-country schooling, head over to the fabulous course set in 150 acres at Boundary Farm (30 miles).

Showing societies you should sign up to include: BSPS Area 16 and NPS Area 15.

Offered for sale by The Zoe Napier Group, the property is priced at £1,230,000.

Let’s saddle up and go for a look around…

Set in just over 13 acres, the land at Lodge Farm is currently split into seven post and rail paddocks. Two of the fields have shelters and there is also a high-fenced stallion pen.

The main house is a five-bedroom barn conversion with features including exposed timbers.

On the first level, there are five double size bedrooms, two bathrooms and a cloakroom/w.c.

A Kentish property set in 4.2 acres and surrounded by luscious countryside has come on the market and is waiting for a new horsey buyer to call it home.

Kippings Cross Oast is nestled in a rural yet convenient location with access onto the A21 and to Tunbridge Wells (4.3 miles), Tonbridge (6.8 miles) and Paddock Wood (2.7 miles). The local village of Matfield is approximately 2.5 miles away.

Equestrian centres just a stones throw away include: Duckhurst Farm (12 miles), Blue Barn EC (24 miles), Chelsfield EC (23 miles) and Willow Farm Equestrian (33 miles).

Saddlesdane Equestrian Supplies is 30 miles away and hosts a range of fixtures across the season. You are also a 45 minute drive from Charing Racecourse.

If you fancy heading out hunting, go with either the West Kent hunt or the Ashford Valley hunt.

Up the pace of training at one of the local cross-country courses in the area which include: Bonfleur XC (12 miles), Chilham Park (33 miles) or Lodge Farm (12 miles).

Sign up to BSPS Area 14 for a range of local showing fixtures in the area.

The property is advertised at a guide price of £1m — £1.1m and is being offered for sale by Batcheller Monkhouse.

Let’s have a snoop…

The classic country decor is intertwined throughout the home. Check out this kitchen/breakfast room complete with cupboards and granite worktops with an Alpha range cooker and a stable door.

Is this the home for you?

An estate with circa 40 acres of luscious land and a recently constructed equestrian centre of some 21,000 square feet is being offered for sale…

Elm Hill Estate occupies an elevated position with views over the Severn Valley in the county of Worcestershire.

It is situated in the village of Sinton Green, bordering the western banks of the River Severn within the spectacular Malvern Hills. The property is also well placed for access to Worcester (6 miles), Birmingham City Centre (32 miles), Wolverhampton (32 miles) and Cheltenham (32 miles).

Equestrian centres just a stone’s throw away include: Gracelands EC (12.5 miles), Hereford Equestrian (29 miles), Allens Hill (19 miles) and Hillgrove Stud and Training Centre (1o miles).

If you like to show you won’t be far from the Royal Three Counties Show Ground, which is a 35 minute (16 mile) drive away from the door step. Make sure you also get signed up to BSPS Area 15A for a range of local fixtures.

Riding clubs in the area include: Worcester & District, Bromsgrove & District and Malvern Hills Riding Club.

Get involved with the Worcestershire Hunt if you like to head out with hounds and you can use cross-country facilities at Bissell Wood Equestrian Centre (16 miles) or Lincomb Equestrian (11 miles).

Offered for sale by Fine & Country, this well-placed equestrian haven does come at a price; £3.5m to be exact.

Come and see if you think Elm Hill lives up to the hype (Hint, it certainly does…)

Set in 40 acres, the property has stunning hacking opportunities around the Worcestershire countryside. There is a 270 degree view across the Severn Valley.

The recently-built equestrian centre includes a main arena measuring 22x42m.

There are also 14 spacious loose boxes, one foaling box, a tack room and a rug room.

In the same building is the staff room as well as a WC and a galleried landing.

In addition the original stable block remains. It incorporates five loose boxes, a feed store and a tack room.

The main house is a Grade II listed country home, which is set in perfectly manicured mature gardens.

It comprises a kitchen at its heart which includes a range of units and a central island. There is a dining area next door.

There are seven bedrooms in total, with six on the first floor and one on the second. The house has several traditional features — such as exposed wooden beams — throughout.

The perfect rural retreat for you and your squad of horses.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

A beautiful yet compact country estate set in prime Chiddingfold countryside in Surrey is looking for a new owner.

Well Meadows is located is a part of Surrey which is renowned for its accessibility to Central London. Despite these super communication links, the property is slap bang in the middle of some of the prettiest countryside.

While the area is perfect for lazy weekend hacks, if you like to compete, check out equestrian centres in the area. These include: Parwood (12 miles), Silvermere (23 miles), Great Bookham (25 miles) and Oldencraig (45 miles).

There is a cross-country course available just seven miles away at Slades Farm.

Pachesham EC (27 miles) also hosts regular BD and hunter trial events throughout the season.

Local hunts include the Kent & Surrey bloodhounds and the Old Surrey & Burstow Hunt.

If you fancy hitting the show ring, get signed up to BSPS Area 14 or NPS Area 20. 

There is a point-to-point track seven miles away at Peper Harow, and don’t forget about the racecourse at Epsom Downs (31 miles).

Offered for sale by Knight Frank, this delightful estate could be yours for the tidy sum of £2.7m.

How would you rate this horsey nest out of 10?

The grounds extend to just under 16.5 acres. Located just a stone’s throw away from the stunning house is the immaculate stable yard…

The equestrian facilities comprise four spacious loose boxes, two additional foaling boxes, a feed room and an alarmed tack room. Note: this little guy isn’t included, sadly.

There is also a large barn used for hay and lorry storage

The outdoor school — which has an all-weather surface and is fenced with post and rail — is located west of the yard and is raised above the surrounding paddocks.

There is plenty of pasture within the acreage for grazing.

The main house was completed in 1999 and then extended in 2004. It has five bedrooms and on the ground floor is this scrumptious country kitchen, which is adjacent to a cosy family room.

One of the main features of this home is the fully fitted wine cellar.

Outside, there is also a tennis court.

As well as a one bedroom cottage complete with a living/dining room and a bedroom, there is an office which overlooks the tennis court.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

This was on FB today and it made me feel solidarity and pride in the grace of wonderful horse people.  Thank you for loving your horse until the end.

How to love your old horses:

Tomorrow my best friend is letting go of her life-long, childhood horse that she has been blessed to have for 28 years.
28 years she has loved this mare – cared for her, ridden her thousands and thousands of miles, shared her secrets and her hopes and her dreams.
She met her when she was less than a day old – and came to own her as a six month old filly. From that day forward she has been dedicated to this lovely red lady – kept her through every life change: teenage jobs, service in the military, marriage, becoming a mom, several cross country moves, career changes, etc.
She continued to love her when she was no longer rideable.
She continued to love her when she needed more care than the “average” horse.
She continued to love and care for her when she knew her days were drawing short and their time together was coming to an end.
And most importantly – she has loved her enough to be able to look into those kind, quiet eyes and know when to let her go – despite her own pain and heartache in saying goodbye to one of the best friends she has ever known.
This, folks, is how you treat your old horses. This is how you give back to those horses that have given you their whole life – their heart – their everything.
I love you, Shawnee Armstrong, and love the huge heart you have for every animal that crosses your path and joins you on your life’s journey.
Little One could never have been blessed to have had a better life or a more loving caretaker.

Do right by your horses, friends.
Give them the love, dignity and goodbye that they deserve. It’s the least we can do.

The post A beautiful Tribute to a beautiful and enduring relationship. “How to love your old horse.” Please read and share. appeared first on Horse and Man.

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This week, the best six- and seven-year-olds in eventing from around the world converge on Le Lion d’Angers in France to fight it out for the prestigious young horse World Championship titles.

These championships often throw up serious horses to watch in the future, such as these previous winners…

The wonderful grey Darien Powers (above) was a winner at Le Lion in 1994 and went on to scale the heights of eventing with Australia’s Andrew Hoy. He won Olympic team gold medals in 1996 and 2000 and claimed the British open title in 1997 at Gatcombe.

Credit: Peter Nixon

Oslo won the six-year-old class at Le Lion in 2008 with William Fox-Pitt. The French-bred horse went on to claim a four-star (now five-star) title at Pau in 2011 when he was just nine, as well as winning the CCI3* (now CCI4*-L) at Tattersalls and the eight- and nine-year-old class at Blenheim in the same year.

Credit: www.trevor-meeks-photography.co.uk

Ingrid Klimke’s ride Sleep Late won at Le Lion in 1998. He went on to win an individual bronze medal at the 2005 European Championships at Blenheim and contest the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics for Germany. He was also a team gold medal winner at the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen.

Credit: Jon Stroud Media

FischerRocana FST took the six-year-old title at Le Lion in 2011 with Michael Jung. Since then, she has won the premier US event at Kentucky three times and been a team gold and individual silver medallist at the 2014 WEG in Caen, as well as taking individual silver at the 2017 European Championships in Strzegom.

Credit: TT News Agency/Press Association

The great grey Galan De Sauvagère is one of Le Lion’s greatest success stories. He won both the six- (2000) and seven-year-old (2001) classes with Nicolas Touzaint and went on to win the individual European gold medal twice, in 2003 at Punchestown and 2007 at Pratoni. He was also a team gold medallist at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Credit: PA Archive/PA Images

2000 was a vintage year for Le Lion. Not only did the six-year-old class launch Galan De Sauvagere’s career, but Primmore’s Pride won the seven-year-old class. With Pippa Funnell, he went on to win Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley — the only horse to achieve a career grand slam in the roads and tracks and steeplechase days — and take a team silver and individual bronze at the 2004 Olympics.

Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Mister Pooh, the 2006 six-year-old Le Lion winner, was a perennial championship campaigner for Sweden with Niklas Lindbäck. He ran at the 2009 Fontainebleau Europeans, the 2010 WEG in Kentucky, the 2012 London Olympics and crowned his career with team silver at the 2013 Malmö Europeans. He was also fifth at Badminton 2011. It’s worth noting, too, that the runner-up to him at Le Lion was none other than the double Olympic champion La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, who was also second in the seven-year-old championship a year later.

Credit: Peter Nixon

Sara Algotsson-Ostholt’s Mrs Medicott — later renamed Reality 39  — took Le Lion’s six-year-old class in 2010. She too was a great championship horse for Sweden, with team silvers at the Europeans at Malmo (2013) and Strzegom (2017) and runs at the Blair European Championships in 2015 and the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Article continues below…

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Credit: Phil Mingo

France’s Nicolas Touzaint piloted Hildago De L’Ile to take the seven-year-old title at Le Lion in 2002. The pair went on to win the first Pau CCI4* (now CCI5*) in 2007 and Badminton 2008. He collected team silver at the Blenheim Europeans in 2005 and contested the 2006 WEG and the 2012 Olympics.

Full report from this year’s Le Lion in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 24 October). 

Never been hunting, but would love to have a go? H&H explains how to get started and answers your questions during hunting’s Newcomers’ Week (19-26 October 2019)

How do I find out where to go?

To find your local hunt, visit www.mfha.org.uk/pack_directory. Then ring the hunt secretary. This applies for any day’s hunting when you are not a subscriber to that particular pack. Ask him or her whether you can come out, where the meet is, where you should park and how much you have to pay. This is called the “cap”. It will vary enormously between hunting countries depending on how old you are and whether you are planning to follow on a horse or on foot. Packs often do good deals for under-25s and people who farm in the hunting country.

Do I need a companion?

If you can persuade a hunting friend with a well-behaved horse to accompany you, great, particularly if your horse hasn’t been out before. But it’s not essential. Tell the hunt secretary this is your first time, or that you are fairly inexperienced on the hunting field. He/she may be able to suggest someone to look after you for the day, and at least will be aware and able to keep an eye on you.

Is my horse suitable?

The answer is that you don’t really know until you get there, but there is no reason why any horse shouldn’t learn to hunt well. Many horses get a little overexcited by being at such a terrific “party”, but can you blame them? Autumn hunting is perfect for horses who haven’t hunted, and for young, green animals because things happen at a more gentle pace. There is often more standing-around time for them to absorb what’s going on. If your horse is used to busy collecting rings and doesn’t mind dogs around his feet, there’s every chance he’ll be fine. Use your brain and stay to the side of the main field so your horse has a chance to look at what’s going on, rather than throwing him straight into the middle of the pack.

Do I need to plait?

Not during autumn hunting, which extends until the opening meet at the beginning of November. After that most people will, out of smartness and courtesy to those whose land they are crossing, but it’s not compulsory. Manes should be neat, tidy and clean, but you shouldn’t get sent home for not plaiting.

What should I wear?

During autumn hunting, a tweed jacket and shirt and tie or coloured stock, pale breeches, clean boots and gaiters/half-chaps or long boots, dark gloves and a hat with a dark cover. In the season proper, with most packs adults tend to wear black or navy coats, but you will see some in tweed too. If you don’t own a tweed coat for autumn hunting, don’t worry about it too much. Girls: hairnets, not flowing locks, please. Make-up is fine, but not Jordan-style, and take off jewellery unless you want to risk tearing your earlobes off on low branches. You may wear a body protector, but preferably under your jacket rather than over it.

What should my horse wear?

If you aren’t sure about your brakes, err on the side of caution or take a stronger bit/martingale in the lorry with you. Numnahs should be dark and follow the shape of the saddle — save that white dressage square for another day. If you know he might kick, put a red ribbon on his tail and stay well out of the way whenever possible. Kicking a horse or a rider is bad enough, but kicking a hound is the worst thing you can do. You will get sent home, so make sure your horse’s head is turned towards hounds, not his backside. A green ribbon denotes a young horse, and if someone puts the back of their hand in the hollow of their back, it means “don’t get too close”.

Should he wear boots?

This is up to you. If you live in wall country, knee boots are de rigeur. Otherwise it’s your choice, and you know what suits your horse. But remember the boots will be on for a lot longer during the course of a hunting day than they would be during a cross-country round, and the risks of rubbing and overheating are greater. You’ll find plenty do and plenty don’t.

Will I have to jump huge hedges?

Of course not. Even if your hunt has a reputation for being a serious jumping pack, you can always go round — and there will be other people taking the roundabout route, too. Only jump what you feel happy with; it’s not a competition.

How fit does my horse need to be?

Very rarely does hunting involve galloping flat-out for very long, and autumn hunting in particular can involve a lot of standing around. Your horse needs to be fit enough to canter up a hill without collapsing, but really doesn’t need to be racehorse-fit. And you can go home whenever you like — don’t feel compelled to stay out for hours if you and your horse are knackered.

Continued below…

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Golden rules for first-timers

• Find out who the master is and say good morning
• Never overtake the field master, and always listen carefully to his instructions
• Always thank traffic that slows down or stops
• Never block the road
• Don’t park in gateways or driveways unless specifically told you can
• If you hear the shout “huntsman please!” or “whip please!” get out of the way sharpish so they can get through
• Always call them hounds, not dogs
• Always shut gates if you are the last through unless told otherwise, and if the person in front of you shouts “gate, please!” pass it back to the next person
• Do turn your mobile phone off, and talk quietly while standing at the side of a covert — the huntsman will not be pleased to hear you shrieking about what you got up to the night before
• Never ride across the middle of a field of sown corn, even if you see hunt staff doing so
• Do ask questions about what is going on. The more you understand about a day’s hunting, the more you will enjoy it. People will be very happy to answer your queries
• Do find the field master/master/secretary before you go home and say thank you and good night, which is the traditional way to say goodbye — even at 9am

Perfect for a Sunday…

A lovely story of an orphaned baby elephant and the human she loves.  Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre  saves many orphaned wild ones…  Click here to check out all of their good deeds.

Click here to watch the video.

Click image to watch this sweet video!

The post A baby elephant sits on her human’s lap (from Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre). appeared first on Horse and Man.

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