A rider who is just starting to return to the saddle after a long battle with fibromyalgia wants others in a similar situation to know “you are not alone”.

Brandon Lovely, who has showjumped internationally up to 1.40m level, had stopped riding completely last summer before his diagnosis with the condition, which causes pain all over the body.

The 22-year-old had been suffering since he was 16, but as doctors said he had a low risk of developing the condition, as he was young and male, it took a great deal of time and effort to get his diagnosis.

“I removed myself from riding to see if the pain would stop, or anything would change, but nothing did,” Brandon told H&H.

“It took so long to get the diagnosis; so many tests. It was awful; I was missing riding, and going through it all was horrendous.”

Brandon said the pain “feels like you’ve been run over. It’s literally all over, and that’s the only way to describe it”.

He said the pain was in different places in different times, and worse at some times than others – but he always managed to keep going.

“It’s just a love of riding – when I’m on a horse, I don’t feel the pain,” he said. “But I’ll ride, and then get off and be lying on the floor, everyone knows me for that.

“Everyone thought I was just overworking myself, but it turned out to be the fibromyalgia.”

The condition, which can also cause fatigue, concentration and memory issues and difficulty sleeping, is difficult to diagnose. Its exact cause is unknown but it is thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system processes pain messages. In many cases, it appears to be triggered by mental or physical stress.

Brandon said his diagnosis came as a huge relief, and that although there is no cure, he has learned to manage the condition.

Continues below…

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“I’ve completely changed my diet; I’ve cut out things I was intolerant to, which has definitely helped,” he said. “I make sure I do the correct exercises, to keep everything strong, and I know what causes my flare-ups.

“I’m definitely not in as much pain and knowing what it is helps the mental side of things too; the stress from not knowing really brought out my symptoms.

“I’ve just started riding again now at home; only a handful of horses but I’d like to find someone else to ride for and get started again this year.”

Brandon wants to raise awareness of the condition, and help anyone else suffering with it.

“If I hadn’t pushed to get it looked into in my little spare time, I may never have known I had this condition and could still be suffering more than I am,” he said.

“I want other riders with the same condition or other neurological issues to know they’re not alone. Don’t give up; keep at the doctors until you get the answers you need.”

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

A rider who suffered a broken hand when an out-of-control dog came “hurtling” towards her horse believes laws on dangerous dogs need to be strengthened.

Amanda Adams was riding her six-year-old gelding Casper with a friend on Camber Sands beach, East Sussex, on 4 April when she spotted the dog, some distance away.

“We’d only been on the beach for about five minutes,” Amanda told H&H. “We walked towards the sea, which was miles out, and I could see this big black dog coming towards us.

“I thought ‘It’s not slowing down’; it was hurtling towards us.”

Amanda said Casper is used to dogs, and usually not bothered by them.

“I just faced him towards it but the dog didn’t falter,” she said. “It was a lurcher type and it didn’t make a noise, just came galloping silently at us, which I think freaked Casper out.

“He obviously thought ‘I’m not risking this’ and spun round – but as he did, he caught my hand.

“I can only think it was with his neck, but I heard a crack, and it felt like my hand had been snapped in half.

“I was in shock, and when I looked, I couldn’t see the dog, or its owner.”

Amanda, who kept Casper at home, has now had to put him in livery, at considerable cost, as she cannot ride or look after him for at least eight weeks.

“I looked for the owner but although she must have seen there was a problem, she’d just gone,” she said. “My feeling is that if you can’t keep control of your dog, keep it on a lead or don’t let it get away from you.

“You think, how many other horses is it going to chase?”

Amanda pointed out that the beach should be for all users to enjoy, whether they are on foot, on horses, or taking part in other activities.

“If my horse was pawing at a family having a picnic, or rearing up above them, they wouldn’t say ‘oh well, that’s just what a horse does’,” she said. “I wouldn’t take my horse on the beach if it was out of control, but this woman was happy to do that with her dog.

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“It just seems there aren’t any rules. What if I’d come off and Casper had galloped into someone, or gone on to the road?

“If someone’s on a sand board, you know there could be an issue so you keep out of the way, but dogs are just so random.”

It is illegal to let a dog be dangerously out of control. But although this applies if a dog injures a person, or makes someone “worried it may injure them”, it does not automatically apply if the dog attacks another animal, or if “the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal”.

Amanda said she would like to find out how many incidents involving dogs and horses take place on UK beaches – and that the law needs to be strengthened.

“It seems to be a free-for-all at the moment, especially on the beach,” she said. “You’re taking your life in your hands.”

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

International grand prix dressage rider Lara Butler (nee Griffiths) has welcomed her first child with her husband Billy Butler.

Lara, 30, gave birth to a son, Jack Mark Butler, on Friday, 12 April.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jack into the world. He arrived on his due date so is already proving far more punctual than his mother,” Gloucestershire-based Lara told H&H.

Lara is the reigning British national champion with her long-time top ride Rubin Al Asad (Rufus), having taken the title at last September’s National Dressage Championships at Stoneleigh. The pair have also been British team reserves for the Rio Olympics in 2016, the European

Championships in Gothenburg in 2017 and the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018.

Lara announced her pregnancy in December last year, and continued to ride and compete until the latter stages, finishing sixth in the World Cup qualifier at Olympia with Rufus.

Article continues below…

She is hoping to return to the saddle in time of the summer season, with both the 17-year-old Rubin Royal son Rufus and her upcoming grand prix ride Kristjan. Lara and Kristjan, who is by Polarion, made their international grand prix debut in November last year at the Oldenburg CDI4*, finishing third in the freestyle.

“I’d like to aim towards doing a show at the end of May or beginning of June, all being well,” Lara said. “My boys are super fit and ready to go so I just have to get myself fit again.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday. In this week’s edition (18 April) don’t miss our summer vet special, including features on colic, tendon injuries, an essential guide to bandaging, arthritis and much more, and our horses for sale special on how to find the right horse for you, plus ensuring a successful sale and more.

The Olympic dressage horse Toots has died suddenly aged 19, just six months into his retirement.

The Jazz son, who competed successfully under the Dutch rider Imke Schellekens-Bartels and then Japanese rider Akane Kuroki, had moved to spend his retirement with Kaiko Krahnke in Colorado, US.

“He was spending a second life in the USA with a friend of mine, having a great time there. When he got on a trailer to go out, he suddenly fell down and then died,” said Akane.

Toots competed successfully under Imke Schellekens-Bartels until 2015, winning at the Addington CDI3* in 2012 with nearly 80%. The KWPN gelding was sold to Akane Kuroki at the end of 2015 and the pair went on to represent Japan at the Rio Olympics in 2016. They also won team gold at the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018, the horse’s final competition.

“I have lots of memories and experiences with him. He took me to the new world – the Olympic Games in Rio, Asian Games in Jakarta, Olympia in England and so on,” said Akane. “I have learned a lot of things from him and he brought me happiness.

“You are always in my heart and I’ll never forget having precious time with you, Toots. I can’t believe it. I can’t stop crying.”

Imke described the tall gelding as “our big friendly giant”.

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“For 10 years he was the greatest friend of mine, my mother and everyone here at the stable, the sweetest horse you can imagine,” she added.

“I’ve been allowed to experience wonderful years with him and made a lot of good memories. He was an incredible teacher and friend for Akane Kuroki and he spent his ‘old days’ with Akane’s friend Keiko Krahnke. Unfortunately she has only been allowed to enjoy him for six months.”

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

Ireland had even more to celebrate yesterday (7 October) as David Simpson took the illustrious title of leading showjumper of the year at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

While the Irish showjumping team secured Tokyo 2020 qualification by winning the Longines Nations Cup final in Barcelona, David and Gentlemen VH Veldhof fought off competition from 15 top combinations at the NEC in Birmingham in the jump-off to secure the HOYS title on 33.43 seconds. Harry Charles was second on Valkiry De Zance, while Michael Whitaker was third on Strides Hilanasterne.

David described the 13-year-old gelding, who he has had the ride on since June, as “absolutely incredible”.

“Firstly I have to thank the Vitak family for the opportunity to ride such an incredible horse. Without the horse we’re nothing,” he said.

“I got him the Monday before the Hickstead Derby and that was our first show together. A month later he won the Queen’s Cup (27 July), a month after that he was double clear in the Nations Cup in Gijon (30 August) and a month later he wins here.”

David said the gelding is “very consistent”.

“He has so much ability. He’s not naturally a quick horse but he’s a big jumper. I thought if I can go as tight as I possibly can [in the jump off] then hopefully the other guys will try to catch me and make mistakes,” he said.

“HOYS is something I’ve watched since I was a kid. To win this grand prix is an incredible feeling and I’m so happy to be part of what is the Horse of the Year Show.”

Article continued below…

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Team Ireland; Peter Maloney, Darragh Kenny, Paul O’Shea and Ciaon O’ Connor had finished on one time-fault to win in Barcelona.

“What those guys pulled together and did – we’re one of the best nations in the world right now and we just weren’t nailing it at the championships, not since the 2017 Europeans in Gothenburg – and the guys just did it. Cian, Darragh, Peter and Paul, they just absolutely nailed it,” said David

“Everything we’re doing at the minute is for a very close teammate and friend of ours, Kevin Babbington, who’s fighting a really tough fight at the minute – this is for you Kevin.”

Kevin is recovering from a serious spinal injury sustained in a fall at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in New York on 3 August.

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A rider plans to make history and raise money for charity by swimming the English Channel.

Heather Clatworthy, British Horse Society (BHS) senior executive of access and rights of way, hopes to raise £20,000 for the society when she takes on the challenge in June 2020. If successful Heather will be the first woman from Northern Ireland to complete the challenge.

Heather told H&H swimming the Channel was always on her bucket list.

“I don’t have a horse at the minute because I have two young children who are my priority,” she said. “I spent many years breaking in youngsters and spent a lot of time on the hunting field so I’m temporarily filling my competitive streak and adrenaline junkie side by swimming.

“The money I raise will go towards the different BHS campaigns and work. Every day I see how the work we do impacts people and it’s really rewarding being in a job where we help equestrians across the UK and Ireland.”

In 2016 Heather became the first person since 1929 to swim across a 13-mile stretch of sea between Inishowen and Portstewart in Ireland.

“At the time I didn’t know if could do it but it gave me confidence that I have it in me to do the Channel swim,” she said.

“I’m having to do an incredible amount of training. I’m a working professional as well as a mum but the way I see it is if you want to achieve something in your life, there’s always a way to do it.”

Heather, who will take on the challenge wearing a swimming costume, cap and goggles as set out in the official Channel Swimming Association rules, said the biggest challenge she faces is the cold water.

“When I started this journey I assumed the main thing I would need to work on to swim to France is fitness – It’s a massive factor, but it’s the ability to withstand the cold for long periods of time that’s the most challenging. I swim in open water all year round and train in rivers because I live quite far from the sea. In the winter it can be gruelling, it’s like stepping into a freezer, but the training makes a huge difference,” she said.

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“On the day there will be a crew on a fishing boat alongside me with an observer officiating the event. They make sure you’re ok and not suffering from exhaustion or becoming hypothermic, and you rely on the pilots of the boat to navigate you across because the English Channel is the busiest shipping lane in the world and you don’t want to run into tankers.”

Heather, who is offering free motivational talks ‘Believe in yourself and achieve anything’ to riding clubs and community groups for donations towards her fundraising, said to make history would be “incredible”.

“I want to be the best role model I can be for my children and I hope to inspire others to get involved in new sports. I’m not an elite athlete, I’m a working mum. I’ve no idea if I will make it or not but if I do I think it will be amazing for someone from Portstewart to achieve,” she said.

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

Showjumper David Simpson shares an exercise to ensure your horse meets a fence on the perfect stride

About David

Showjumper David Simpson has represented Ireland in pony, junior, young rider and senior teams. He is based in West Sussex at DLS Showjumping, which he runs with his wife Louise. In 2016 David won both The Queen’s Cup and the Derby trial at Hickstead, as well as the Oliva Nova grand prix.

Training the stars

I took on the ride of Team 55’s Jenson and have used this exercise to help form a great partnership with him in a short space of time. I find it keeps his stride level and stops him rushing at his fences. It’s made a big difference and he is now being placed in 1.40m and ranking classes.

Tackling the problem

1. Build a vertical fence in the middle of your arena, then place a pole three-and-a-half steps away on each side, and a cavaletti fence 16 steps on from each of these. From either cavaletti to the first pole should be a normal four canter strides, so adjust the distance if you need to. I would start with the vertical in the centre at about 80cm but with very green horses just place a pole on the ground.

2. Ride over the first cavaletti and pole and halt your horse before the vertical, rein him back and give him a pat, then ride away and do the exercise again. Do this so your horse learns to respect your aids and doesn’t charge at what’s in front of him.

3. Once you get the feeling that the horse is waiting for you, carry on down the line and proceed over the vertical and the final cavaletti.

4. Similar to the four strides on your approach, your four strides to the final cavaletti are important, and you need to get the same feeling of control. If you need to, stop and rein back in this section also. After doing this, I let them walk for a moment to catch their breath and take in what you’re telling them.

5. Once you feel completely in control you can make the vertical bigger, or change it to an oxer. I wouldn’t go bigger than 1.30m, as they are working harder than you think.

Article continues below…

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Consider this…

• Always put your leg on over the pole before the fence, because this trains your horse to put effort into take-off without rushing.
• The most important thing when doing any exercise is to stay relaxed. Horses will make mistakes, so try not to get annoyed, just keep repeating it until they understand what you’re asking them.
• I build this exercise in the centre of the school so it can be done off both reins and in both directions. Horses are stronger on one side, so keep it equal and do it the same amount on both reins.
• Striding is one of the basic elements of showjumping and it is something that a lot of people struggle with. No two horses are the same, but I find this exercise can improve the issue in most situations, and it is very straightforward to do. I use it with all our horses, from the green four-year-olds up to grand prix.

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

Dressage rider Alice Oppenheimer explains how to keep a horse energetic and forward, even when slowing down

Alice rides and trains the successful Headmore horses bred at her family’s stud. She was a member of the 2009 young rider European Championships team, has trained four horses to grand prix and ridden internationally at grand prix level.

Training the stars

During a test, Headmore Davina (pictured, who is currently winning at prix st georges and inter I) used to back off and consequently get behind my leg at the first halt. Now, however, I almost have her too sharp in the warm-up so that, when she goes into the ring, she’s still forward enough even if she does back off a little.

Both rider and horse must think forward when making a downward transition. Keeping impulsion is a vital part of schooling a young horse as it teaches him to bring his hindlegs under himself and lift his shoulders. This will help with balance and is necessary preparation when teaching and training collection.

If you have a horse who tends to slow down before the transition — or even slams on the brakes — try these exercises…

Tackling the issue

1. If your horse anticipates a downward transition as soon as you go from rising trot to sitting, do the preparation but don’t ask for the transition. Instead, activate him and send him forward. Make sure he maintains the impulsion, then ask for walk. You can do the same exercise from canter to trot and canter to walk. This teaches the horse to listen to what you are actually asking for, rather than making the decision for himself.

2. When teaching a young horse the trot-to-walk transition, let him jog for a few steps in the transition. This teaches him to bring his hindquarters underneath him and produce a more forward transition. Gradually reduce the number of jog steps until you don’t need them any more and the transitions are balanced and forward.

3. Ride canter-to-trot transitions on a circle. While asking for the transition, use your inside leg to push him forward and a little sideways. This makes sure you keep your leg on in the transition, so you still ride forwards even though you are going down a gear.

Article continues below…

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#SundaySchool: perfecting pirouettes with Rebecca Hughes

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Consider this…

• When training, abide by the ethos that every transition must be a good one.
• Ensure you are using your seat to push forward in the transitions rather than pulling back on the reins.
• Ride with enough leg to keep the forward momentum going, even into the halt.
• A dropping poll is a sign that your horse’s hindleg is not coming under enough.

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

New Zealand event rider Jesse Campbell moved to the UK in 2009 to train with Mark Todd. At 21, he became the youngest UK-based rider to be selected for the New Zealand eventing squad. Jesse runs his own yard in Marlborough and has competed on Nations Cup and in the Event Rider Masters series.

Training the stars

I was at Kelsall Hill with an experienced horse of mine, Amsterdam II (pictured at a different event), and he had a look at the decent drop they had on the intermediate track, which was purely through lack of recent exposure to this type of fence. I took him home and we spent some time practising drop fences and he’s been fine ever since.

In recent years there haven’t been as many drop fences appearing on courses but, when they do, they can take a horse by surprise. For this reason, it is vital to keep practising drop obstacles between events, even when you are progressing through the levels.

Successfully encouraging your horse to be confident with drop fences is down to preparation. When introducing him to one for the first time, find an inviting, low step and practise it to build up his confidence and gain his trust.

Tackling the issue

1. Start by approaching at a walk on a long rein. Your horse should be straight and in front of your leg. He should stay relaxed and in a rhythm. Once this is established you can progress to larger steps, and approach in faster gaits.

2. Allow your horse to use his neck by slipping your reins so you don’t catch him in the mouth. This will give him the freedom to use himself. If this is something you’re not used to, practise letting the reins run through your fingers and collecting them back up.

3. As you progress to riding drops at canter, make sure your horse is listening, but still in front of your leg. You need to allow him time to take in the drop fence, and going too fast can hinder this. Establishing a strong, rhythmical canter is key.

4. A good rider position will instil confidence in your horse to come off the drop and encourage him to tackle this type of obstacle again. Remember to sit up, keep your shoulders back and your lower leg secure. Always keep your eyes up and don’t look down. This is also vital when you have another fence to jump after the drop — your eyes need to be focused on this. While jumping down, keep your hands wide and soft as this will help you to get the contact back more quickly.

Continued below…

#SundaySchool: the showjumping ‘gym’ with Holly Smith

The international showjumper talks us through this multi-fence workout which she uses with both her younger and more experienced horses

#SundaySchool: Ben Way on improving a horse’s focus and rideability

Riding a grid of fences teaches a horse to land on the right leg and makes the rider aware of

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Consider this…

• Avoid letting your horse launch himself off the top of a drop through lack of confidence, as this can give him a fright and make jumping a related element much harder
• If you ever have an issue with a drop, always go back to walking down an easy drop fence on a long rein. By re-establishing the basics, you can rebuild your horse’s confidence
• Always get your horse’s back and tack checked to rule out a physical issue that may be causing issues with jumping off banks

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

Follow grand prix dressage rider Anna Ross’ (pictured) tips for improving the medium trot in our new regular Sunday evening training feature

Aim

A good medium trot should be uphill and the hindlegs should come under the body to give impulsion.

For horses’ balance and development, it’s essential for them to learn to take the weight back on to the hindlegs.

This exercise uses the half walk pirouette to balance the horse and encourage him to “sit” and flex his hock joints in preparation for medium trot. This is a 180 ̊ turn in which the horse’s hindlegs lift up and down in a small circle. When your horse is learning, you can make the circle larger and half-pass back to the track if necessary, keeping the bend and the engagement.

Exercise

Step 1. Start on the track of the long side, approaching the corner at either the A or C end. As you go past the marker nearest the corner, collect the walk and keep it active. Start the walk pirouette before you reach the corner.

Step 2. Start the walk pirouette in shoulder-fore position, with your
weight slightly to the inside. Keep your outside leg on just behind the girth and encourage the horse to step forwards and sideways. At the start, think of riding a half-pass, and as the horse turns back towards the track, ride travers.

Step 3. When you get back to the track, move up into rising trot and then ask the horse to lengthen into medium trot, for no more than the length of two markers.

Step 4. Quietly bring the horse back to walk before the corner marker and then repeat the walk pirouette the other way.

Step 5. Repeat several times. If the horse is executing a balanced medium trot, then trot around the short side and try without the pirouette.

Article continues below…

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Pitfalls

• In the pirouette, maintain the impulsion so the horse turns with even steps.
• Don’t allow the quarters to drift to the outside — keep the outside leg on and your shoulders following the movement.
• Don’t push the horse out of its rhythm and balance in the medium trot. If he starts to run, bring him back into the walk pirouette.

For more great dressage content, don’t miss the current issue of Horse & Hound magazine, out now (dated 7 February 2019), which features our dressage special