Racing at Cheltenham, hopping Leicestershire hedges and competing at a three-day-event — while it reads like a bucket list, this is actually the CV of star 13.2hh Little Sundance.

The pint-sized equine is contesting the 90cm class at the Horse & Hound Festival of Eventing (26-28 May), run in association with KBIS, with owner, 13-year-old Poppy Field.

Known as “Sunny” to his friends, the pony’s arrival was a complete surprise to the owners of his dam, a riding school pony, who was not known to be in foal.

“One morning, his then owner looked out into the field and he was there — skipping around in the August sunshine, which is how he got his name,” said Poppy’s mum, Fleur Field.

The family bought Sunny, who they fondly refer to as a “British sports pony”, as a recently started four-year-old and he has turned his hoof to everything they have asked of him.

Poppy took part in a Pony Club race day at Cheltenham racecourse aboard Sunny in March, finishing sixth in the novice 138cm and under division.

Poppy, a member of the Meynell Hunt branch of the Pony Club, said the feeling of speed and galloping past the world-famous winning post was “brilliant”.

She added cross-country is her favourite phase and is particularly looking forward to tackling Keysoe’s water complex.

The pair compete in all Pony Club activities and are looking forward to camp this summer.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Poppy and Sunny made their British Eventing debut this year and finished ninth at Solihull BE80(T) in April.

The pair jumped double clear, but picked up 4.8 time faults for going too fast, so are hoping the move up to 90cm — and a stopwatch — will help with their timing.

The also pony hunts with both Poppy and Fleur and over the winter can be found following hounds with the Readyfield Bloodhounds as well as the Quorn and Meynell.

“He is the boss of the yard,” added Fleur.

“Out hunting he thinks he can keep up with the 17hh horses — and he does — he has also been known to give leads to them as well!”

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

The full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound will be in this week’s issue of the magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk

Horse & Hound Festival of Eventing competitor Kerry Lockwood was actually looking for a donkey when she ended up with a yearling 10 years ago.

The retired police officer had wanted a companion for her horse at the time and was planning on buying a donkey.

“A friend of mine is a farrier — he was driving near the M25 when some people flagged him down and asked him to tend to their horses’ feet,” explained Kerry who rides Boxer V in the 80cm class.

“They gave him Boxer and another pony in lieu of payment.”

Kerry added she took Boxer on and “never thought” he would be big enough to ride.

However the horse kept growing and blossomed from a nervous youngster into a smart 15.2hh cob.

With the help of her trainer Lisa Clarke-Spence, Kerry has brought on Boxer and the pair enjoy eventing and hunting.

In a bid to try and find out more about Boxer’s origins, Kerry had the gelding DNA tested.

She found he shares bloodlines with a traditional gypsy cob stallion named King Arthur, who has won numerous titles including the 2011 supreme champion traditional of the year at the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association National Championships.
Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

The pair have hunted with the East Essex since 2007 and their aim for 2018 is a double clear at British Eventing BE80(T).

“He is intelligent — a cob with a brain,” laughed Kerry, who also runs her own herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus Cattle in Suffolk.

“My trainer is always pushing me to do things that are out of my comfort zone, I was terrified before the dressage, but after that it was a big relief and now I can enjoy it.”

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

The full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound, run in association with KBIS, will be in this week’s issue of the magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June

Although she is currently smack bang in the middle of her GCSEs, 16-year-old Nieve Baker, is making the most of her time at the H&H Festival of Eventing, run in association with KBIS.

Based in Hertfordshire, Nieve was riding Marley Blaney, who she found four years ago in Maidstone.

“I went to try another horse but saw Marley in the stable and we just clicked,” explains Nieve. “He was so nervous to start with and we couldn’t even get a headcollar on him, but I’ve produced him up to 90cm/1m showjumping.”

Nieve said she almost sold Marley, but navicular diagnosis prevented this from happening.

“Marley was diagnosed with mild navicular so we decided to turn him out for a year and then see how he was,” says Nieve. “He ended up coming sound and so we brought him back into work, and he has been fine so far.”

But last summer disaster struck when Nieve fractured her lower back while competing in a showjumping class.

“I got back on as soon as I could and rode with a brace for a while,” says Nieve who is competing in the 70cm class this weekend at Keysoe with her 11-year-old 15.2hh.

“My granddad has inspired me this weekend, as he is 82 and has come over from Ireland to support me — he’s staying in the back of our lorry!”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Nieve says Marley “made up some of his own moves” in their dressage test, but stormed around the cross-country clear and inside the time.

“I was so proud of him across country — I just wanted to get round the course.”

Don’t miss the full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk

This bit connector is an interesting alternative to traditional pelham roundings, commonly used to prevent a rider having to cope with two reins. The difference here is that it allows the rider to adjust the amount of pressure to the upper and lower part of the pelham, influencing the amount of curb action felt by the horse, while allowing the rider to use a single rein.

How can they help?

Walsh Harness & Saddlery is among those manufacturing these bit connectors. The company describes this piece of tack as “ideal for getting the response necessary from a two-rein bit without the hassle of holding two reins”.

Each leather connector has a few holes and a buckle so that you can adjust the amount of action you want on the curb. For example some people might tighten the bottom buckle and loosen the top for more leverage on a pelham, or you can leave them on both the same holes for equal pressure between the snaffle and curb.

Ema Odlin-Baxter, senior bitting advisor at The Horse Bit Shop, which supplies these connectors in the UK, explains why they are growing in popularity.

“Traditional leather roundings don’t provide a fixed position for the rein, which means they aren’t very accurate when it comes to how much curb action you would like on a pelham,” she says. “Bit connectors are more precise thanks to the double buckle system which means you can play with the strength of the curb action you require, gaining more accurate results with pressure down the rein.”

Scott Brash uses these roundings, as does event rider Pixie Thomas. She said: “They offer finer tuning than standard roundings as you can adjust how much you’re using the snaffle vs. curb action. I didn’t have an issue with rein position and they are an ideal alternative to going cross-country with two reins.”

Continued below…

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

Where can you buy them?

These bit connectors can be bought online from a number of suppliers including British company The Horsebit Shop, where they cost £28 and are available in small, large sizes, in a choice of black and havana.

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, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more

Vicky Davis, a competitor at this weekend’s H&H Festival of Eventing, run in association with KBIS, has endured an interesting past few years.

“I had a fall from a youngster three years ago resulting in a slipped disk in my neck and trauma to my left eye, which is being operated on next month,” says the mother of two, who describes herself as “the wrong side of 50”.

“I was told the injury might put a stop to my eventing but then Guss turned up.”

Vicky bought Guss without going to see him two years ago.

“I was tagged in a Facebook post advertising an unbroken Dutch two-year-old by Numero Uno,” explains Vicky, who ran a livery yard in Kent for 18 years before switching to a job selling stock of bankrupt companies on eBay. “He was up in York and I just didn’t have time to go and look at him, so the owner sent me lots of videos and pictures of his hooves. I decided to buy him and he turned up at my yard shortly afterwards.

“He was fluffy, wild and small and it took me three hours to catch him in the stable at first,” laughs Vicky. “He’s quirky but talented. He has a disgusting temper and I have to lull him in to doing what I want him to do and that it has been his idea.”

Vicky has produced Guss to now event and despite doing a quick U-turn when leaving the start box at Munstead Horse Trials recently — “Guss decided he didn’t want to go past some parked cars!” — they have enjoyed a great clear cross-country round in the 70cm class at Keysoe today (27 May).

“I’m absolutely thrilled with him,” says Vicky. “We got held at fence five for quite a while and the course had plenty to look at, but he was great.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Vicky, who trains with Sharon Richardson and James Burtwell, says that she is keen to keep eventing to see how far she can get with Guss.

“In the long-term I will probably move to dressage, but until I’ve got the eventing bug out of my system, I will keep going.”

Don’t miss the full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk

Suffolk-based Debbi Cox had a highly successful day in the 80cm class of the H&H Festival of Eventing, run in association with KBIS.

The BHSII instructor posted not one, but two great clear rounds across country to sit in first and fourth place.

Holding top spot is nine-year-old mare Molly, owned by Sue Thompson. Debbi and Molly stormed around the cross-country to finish inside the optimum time and go into tomorrow’s showjumping on their dressage mark of 29.25.

“Molly was so good today,” said Debbi, who has taught Sue on this horse for the past five years. “She only started eventing this year so this is a big achievement for her.”

Debbi explained that when Molly first walked into her life she came with a reputation of being awkward and quirky.

“When Sue came to me with Molly the first time, the mare had Sue off twice in the first 10 minutes,” said Debbi. “She was so cold backed and I said to Sue that Molly needed re-backing and starting again.”

Debbi was full of thanks for Sue and her fourth-placed ride’s owner, Tracey Cutting.

“They are both so supportive and we’ve had a great time this weekend.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Debbi is pragmatic about her chances of holding onto top spot in tomorrow’s showjumping phase.

“Molly is renowned for having fences down, but we’re so proud of her, we’ll both give it everything and even if she has every fence down, it doesn’t matter.”

Beccy Belcher and Sugar IV hold second place on a score of 31 and just 6.3 penalties separate the top 10.

Don’t miss the full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk

Equine vet Katie Brickman and Black Jack V defied the odds to return from serious injuries and take the lead in Horse & Hound Festival of Eventing’s 70cm class.

The pair performed a polished test in Keysoe’s main arena to score of 25.75, putting them at the head of the 39-strong section at the Bedfordshire event (26-28 May).

This is the horse’s first event since tearing his middle patella ligament inside his stifle in a field accident l8 months ago.

The eight-year-old gelding had been having time off while Katie recovered from a life-threatening injury at work.

The Malton-based rider, who leads Minster Equine Veterinary was carrying a bottle of antibiotics at work, when she fell and the glass smashed into her left hand, severing the main artery in her wrist and tendons in her hand.

Now the pair are both back in action and have a one penalty lead ahead of second placed Georgie Siggers and Roy The Rascal, with Sally Pidsey and Tranwheal Tineth Moon in third 28.25.

“He was absolutely fantastic, really good today,” said a delighted Katie.

“He was a bit fresh in the warm-up but as soon as we got into the arena he was switched on, listening and knew what he was doing so we were smiling all the way round.

“We were given a really guarded prognosis for him ever to come back to being ridden again [after the accident] let alone to event, so he has had a long time in the stable and we’ve brought him back into exercise very gradually.

“He has come back even better than he was before.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Medics told Katie that she may never regain full strength in her hand again due to the extent of her injuries.

“We both had a bit of a terrible year last year, but I think the fact we were both off has made us come back together — I feel like we have come back stronger and he feels the best he ever has to me.”

Don’t miss the full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk

Chloe Nixon and her eye-catching Lipizzaner, Anna, are the overnight leaders in the 80cm class at the H&H Festival of Eventing in association with KBIS (26-28 May).

The pair, both aged 18, produced an impressive score of 28 during the first day of action at Keysoe in Bedfordshire.

The flashy 15.2hh mare caught the eye of the judges in the 38-strong class.

“I’ve ridden her for five years since she was a 13-year-old,” said Chloe. “She can be a proper mare — some days she will do anything for you and some days she won’t.”

The pair, who have also affiliated in dressage and eventing, head in to tomorrow’s cross-country day a mere 0.75 of a mark ahead of Jo Rowan and Grey Romeo, with Penny Herring (Vondel L) sitting in third on a mark of 29.

The student was surprised to ride into the top spot overnight, even though dressage is the pair’s strongest phase.

“I love my dressage, but I was shocked to be leading afterwards — I cried! There were some really nice horses and ponies in my class,” said Chloe.

The young rider, who is based near Manchester, is finishing college this summer and hopes to go on and study law at university.

“I have my heart set on Liverpool University, because then I can carry on riding and go in each day,” explained Chloe, who is looking forward to cross-country day tomorrow (Sunday, 27 May).

“The course looks good, although it will be the longest track we have done together,” she added.

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

The full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound will be in this week’s issue of the magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk

A winter of dressage paid off for Horse & Hound Festival of Eventing’s overnight 100cm leaders Sophie Wall and Primitive Pronto.

The pair performed a smooth test for a mark of 29, including eights for their centre lines, and were one of just three combinations in the section to perform sub-30 tests on the first day of the three-day-event (26-28 May), run in association with KBIS.

Sophie, a student at Northumbia University, has been competing in British Dressage Team Quest competitions over the winter.

Sophie said she was “very chuffed” with her horse and didn’t expect to be leading after the first phase.

“He isn’t a spooky horse and he just listens when he gets into the arena,” said Sophie, adding while he was surprised to see so many people, the atmosphere didn’t phase her “gentle giant”.

“It was boiling in the warm-up, so I only did 10 minutes and took him for a walk up the lane.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Sophie has had the 16.3hh 11-year-old gelding, by Primitive Proposal, for five years and enjoyed success at British Eventing 100 and novice level.

There is no room for error on Keysoe’s cross-country course tomorrow, with three penalties separating the top-10.

Close on Sophie’s heels is Zara Harrison and Ballynacarrick Rebel Lad , on 29.5, with Kelsey Love and Castle House Gem in third on 29.75.

Angus Smales’ 3,055m course features 23 jumping efforts, with an optimum time of 6 minutes 26 seconds.

“There is a lot of galloping, so it will be a fitness test,” said Sophie, adding she hopes the course will suit Primitive Pronto.

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

The full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound will be in this week’s issue of the magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk

At the age of just 13, Honor Gordon is one of the youngest riders at this year’s H&H Festival of Eventing in association with KBIS (26-28 May).

However, she fended off her older rivals in the 90cm class during day one of the action at Keysoe in Bedfordshire.

Having produced a very smart 27.25 dressage score aboard her pony, Made Of Gold, Honor heads into tomorrow’s cross-country just 0.75 of a mark ahead of overnight runners-up Hannah Parr and Tinkers Boy, while Celia Bellamy occupies third with Toptime Taliesin on 28.25.

Therefore, the scores at the top of the leaderboard in this section are particularly tight with a mere one mark separating the top three combinations.

“My pony is 16 years old — I’ve ridden her for two years and done a lot of Pony Club competitions,” said Honor, who is based near Bishop’s Stortford and is an active member of the Essex Hunt North branch of the Pony Club.

The pair finished sixth at last year’s H&H Festival of Eventing in the 80cm class. They have stepped up to 90cm for this year and very much hope to improve on their good result in 2017.

The youngster’s mother had to tell a “little white lie” to Honor’s school to allow the schoolgirl to compete at the three-day unaffiliated event, which saw competitors arriving yesterday (Friday, 25 May).

“Mum said that I had fainted and wasn’t feeling very well,” Honor said with a smile.

The young rider is trained on the flat by dressage rider Alex Hardwick and had a lesson the Thursday before the event in preparation — which clearly paid off.

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

The full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound will be in this week’s issue of the magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk.