Opinion

Riding at home daily can never cut the mustard for competing. So, as a trainer needing a reminder about the pressure of competition riding, I’m on a comeback campaign. OK, it’s a mini comeback, but it fits my mantra: teaching better, riding better and learning something new each day.

How hard it is to grow up; and harder still to grow old. Heaving myself into a tail coat, it’s clear that some bits of me are thinner, but lots of me is fatter — and it’s all met around my middle.

“Why are you competing, Pammy?” I was asked on arrival at our local venue. I’d rushed to Hunters having left the roast on the go — family comes first.

I want to do this, I’d convinced myself… until I spied three top team members I was sure wouldn’t be there.

There was almost an accident in my squeezed middle department. I can’t tell you how frightened I was, but Charlotte Dujardin couldn’t have been more helpful.

I was doing this to remind myself how sick with nerves one feels while warming up, how hard it is to remember the test, how easy it is to get rattled because the photographer moved, how challenging those piaffe/passage transitions are and how mentally and physically fit riders must be.

The judge was Jane Kidd, someone I truly respect, so her remark, “Great to see the older generation making a good job of this ultimate test” is one to treasure, as were most of the marks.

I so enjoyed my outing. At least no one can accuse me of being a keyboard warrior or armchair critic! Bring on the next one.

Nearing a Premier League show, I very nearly changed the bit and the saddle. Oh, don’t be stupid; how nerves can make one question one’s judgement. At this rate, it’s the rider who may need changing.

Well, 65% wasn’t as good as I’d hoped for. More “teeth and tits” are required, according to my daughter, Pippa.

But doing five tests in one week gave me a massive wake-up call and a whole pile of constructive advice from list one and international judges.

I’ve always said I’ll retire when I can’t ride because, for me, “feel” is the most important word in the language of equitation.

‘I was delighted to be proved wrong’

It was a much-discussed Badminton. On the subject of horsemanship, I unashamedly picked out Tom McEwen for looking after his horses so well, in and out of the saddle, and Harry Meade for preferring to go cross-country with feel rather than a stopwatch.

Some questioned whether Badminton needs an all-weather arena. But hang on, these are event horses. So let’s roll the going in breaks, please, and keep old-fashioned horsemanship alive. Maybe fewer horses would break down if they spent more time on the surface on which they gallop?

My Badminton ended with pride in a pupil who completed, despite me having declared some time ago: “If you qualify for Badminton, I’ll eat my hat because this horse has no walk, trot or canter.”

Months of training later, I was delighted to be proved wrong. How wonderful that sheer hard work can still pay off.

Badminton also gave me the chance to highlight today’s litigious atmosphere that makes it nearly impossible to teach riding without stirrups.

There I was in the main arena, having a no-pedals lesson from David Trott. If I can do it, everyone can. And there’s no better way to work on a better seat.

Ref Horse & Hound; 24 May 2018

How nice would it be if all it took to transform from your hat-haired, post-yard self to a clean and polished member of non-horsey society was two flicks of your fairy godmother’s wand?

On reflection, Cinderella’s transformation was pretty easy. A few swift magic waves and there she was, ball-ready, plus no farrier required to replace her lost shoe.

Anyone who had horses will know that there are never enough hours in the day.

Trying to fit in jobs, families and a social life requires planning skills of the best PA, with extra time factored in for errant equines and becoming presentable enough for non-horsey society.

While Cinderella’s fairy godmother (sadly) is just a fairytale, a new equestrian store has come up with a way to help riders speed up their magical transformations.

Pointers Equine & Country founders Emma Grellis and Emily Purvis have set up The Muddy Nail Bar at their Forest Green store in Surrey, where riders can have their rugged hands sorted out while picking up essentials for the tack room.

No more apologising for your eau de horse, goodbye to surreptitiously pulling stray bits of hay out of your hair, all is welcome here.

“We decided to combine my nail technician skills within the shop as we know horsey people generally have pretty unloved hands so it’s nice to give them a bit of a pampering,” said Emma.

“It’s great as people can come straight from the yard and not have to think about ‘dehorseying’ beforehand.

“We all fork out for new shoes for our horses every month so why not treat ourselves?”

The pair took over the store in November and completely gutted the space, reopening on 1 December and also have an online shop and booking system.

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Clients even sit on a specially designed saddle stool — created by Emily — while their hands are treated.

“Emily is really creative and took the idea and ran with it, my face must have been a picture when she started to butcher a stool and an old saddle we bought on eBay to make the saddle stool,” added Emma.

“It has been a massive success both in store and online with 10 bookings in the first week of being open.

“Gel nails have been the most popular treatment so far as they are perfect for making nails look nice and to make them stronger with no damage to the natural nail.

“I’m even brave enough to tackle feet so with this flip-flop weather you can be sure to have as nice hooves as your horse!”

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.

A riding instructor has urged dog-walkers to ensure they can control their pets after she broke her arm and two horses were bitten in a frightening attack.

Gemma Collison is now struggling to care for her nine-month-old baby and four-year-old son following the incident on 12 May, and has also been forced to cancel all her summer competition plans.

Both her homebred Lusitano Esperanzo and the riding school’s part-bred Lusitano Celeste were injured when a Staffordshire bull terrier broke loose on Kessingland Beach, Suffolk, where Gemma was hacking with two clients.

“We’d walked past a lady and a dog and the dog was on a lead, then 10 minutes later, as we were walking along the beach, we heard her screaming and it was obvious she had let go,” said Gemma, who is head girl at her family’s Pakefield Riding School.

“I run on the beach every day and I’ve ridden on it for years — we’ve had dogs chase us, but I’ve never had a dog attack in the manner that one did — it came straight up, teeth bared, and went in for the kill.”

Gemma said the dog initially grabbed her 16.3hh horse’s boot but she managed to smack it across the nose with her schooling whip and it let go.

It then came back and as Gemma leant down to strike it again, it sank its teeth into nine-year-old Esperanzo’s leg, which made him swerve, and Gemma fell.

“I landed on my elbow and I knew straight away I’d probably broken my arm,” she said. “Esperanzo was brilliant, he just kept circling round me even with the dog after him. I only wish one of the horses had kicked it.”

The dog also ran up to Celeste and grabbed her belly, “swinging off the floor” while attached to the horse.

Despite her injury, Gemma managed to grab the dog’s lead and shake it off.

“The lady came over and she said to me ‘Oh, I’m ever so sorry. It’s not my dog’. I said ‘I think I’ve broken my arm’ and she said ‘don’t say that’. She said ‘I can’t believe amount of blood on the dog’s mouth’. I said ‘look at my horses!’” Gemma recalled.

As Gemma checked the horses’ injuries the lady quickly walked off, but it is believed she later approached the police.

Gemma was able to hack part of the way home and then called her mother — the yard manager — for help. X-rays showed she had broken her radial head in two — while its hoped the bone will heal in six weeks, the position near the elbow could mean she will not be able to use her arm properly for six months.

“I might be able to do some winter dressage, but I won’t be able to do all the things I’ve planned — its perfect sunshine and I want to be out enjoying it,” she said. “The weekend before this, we did a ridden show and Esperanzo won his foreign breed class, was ridden champion and supreme champion.

“We planned to do the Suffolk and Norfolk [county shows] and the Lusitano breed show — it’s his first proper season as I’ve had two children in four years and now we’ll miss it.”

Esperanzo and 14-year-old Celeste both needed painkillers and antibiotics for their injuries, but are recovering well.

“Esperanzo is just turned away as he still has some swelling and Celeste is back hacking at the riding school — we’ve not had a dog chasing her yet so we don’t know how she’ll react, but we’re playing it safe and just having staff members ride her to see what she’s like and get her confidence back up.”

Gemma believes that had her horse not been wearing boots, his injuries could have been “a lot worse”.

“We have 30 horses at the riding school and at the weekends we take out rides on that beach from 9am to 4pm if the weather is good,” she said. “I’d say 90% of the people clip their dogs on leads when they see us and are very polite and we don’t have many incidents but this was horrendous.

“We were very lucky the horses behaved as well as they did. If Esperanzo had run for home with a dog chasing him there could easily have been a serious accident, he could’ve been hit by a car or anything. Fortunately I think he was worried about me and stayed with me as he’s quite a kind horse.”

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She urged dog walkers to make sure they are in control.

“That Staffie should’ve had a muzzle on and be led by someone who could handle it — the woman was in her 60s and had no chance. It was in an extender lead and its harness didn’t fit,” Gemma said.

“While most people put their dog on a lead, so many don’t and then they say ‘Oh, the dog has never seen a horse before.’ If you don’t know how the dog is going to behave, make sure you clip it on.”

A spokesman for Suffolk Police confirmed the force is continuing its inquiries into the incident.

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.

Enjoy some of our favourite updates from equestrian social media channels during the past week. From some fabulous Royal wedding moments to a cat loving dressage horse, it all happened on social media this week.

Don’t miss the exciting competition on this weekly page. Our favourite tweet each week will win either an Apatchy mini tablet case or an Apatchy cosmetic bag, personalised with your own initials. For more information about the competition and to find out who this week’s winner is, go to the bottom of this page.

Equestrian social media posts of the week

How sweet

Interesting technique…

When Harry Meade photo bombed George and Amal Clooney

Flying

Synchronised salute

Real life My Little Pony

Interpretive dance

And congratulations to this week’s Social Media Post of the Week winner

While most people were fixated by Harry and Meghan during the Royal wedding, we were more interested in the horses

If you like this, why not follow @horseandhound on twitter today?

Tweet of the week competition

The winner of the Horse & Hound tweet of the week competition can also be found by searching Twitter for #HHTweetOfTheWeek. The winner will receive an Apatchy mini tablet case (pictured left) or an Apatchy cosmetic bag (pictured below right), personalised with their initials.

Apatchy are designers and makers of bespoke lifestyle gifts. Their ranges include wash, cosmetic, travel and sports bags, which can be instantly personalised or customised without the need for sewing, gluing or ironing. To find out more about Apatchy’s unique personalised products and their wonderful gift wrapping service, visit www.apatchy.co.uk

Take a virtual walk around the 70cm cross-country course at the 2018 H&H Festival of Eventing.

The cross-country of this three-day unaffiliated event takes place on Sunday (27 May).

Fence 1 (green numbers)

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

Eventer Matthew Wright has been found guilty of two equine passport falsifications relating to vaccinations and fined CHF1,500 (£1,133) by an FEI tribunal.

The decision, published on 11 May, related to an incident at Osberton International Horse Trials on 28 Sept – 2 Oct 2016, where Matthew had two horses entered, The Artist Almost Famous and MHS Twenty Twenty.

Anomalies were spotted in the vaccination records of both of his entries by the event’s veterinary delegate Alison (Ali) Butler. She noticed that the passport of MHS Twenty Twenty used the stamp of veterinary practice Hall and Lawrence, which was no longer in existence in that name.

There was no vaccination batch number noted, and the name of the vet was crossed out.

The entry was also signed “Ali Butler” — the same name as the veterinary delegate — though she confirmed it was not her signature.

The Artist Almost Famous’ passport was described as in a “very poor state” and the vaccination also had no batch number or veterinary stamp.

While Matthew was later able to provide a letter and a printout of clinical records to confirm that MHS Twenty Twenty had been vaccinated, he was not able to provide records for The Artist Almost Famous.

According the report, Matthew “admitted at the time of the event to have written the details in the passports in a meeting with Alison Butler (veterinary delegate), Howard Newitt (assistant veterinary delegate) and Simon Bere (technical delegate)” but later changed his explanation.

In a submission to the FEI on 13 June 2017, Matthew — who withdrew his horses from the event — claimed that his groom Lukasz Orywal had been responsible for the falsification.

The FEI did not consider this to be a valid defence, however, as the rider is considered the person responsible (PR) for their horses at all times.

“The PR is responsible for the documentation of his horses and also for his support personnel and it is the PR’s responsibility to provide the correct documentation for the horses he competes,” the report explained.

“This case was a bit particular since firstly, Matthew admitted that he falsified the passports in a meeting with the FEI officials. After the notification of alleged falsification of the passports, he came back with explanations that the falsifications actually were made by his groom Lukasz Orywal.

“There are two different versions of how it came about. This makes it difficult to provide strong evidence to impose a sanction. Mainly since the groom is not registered with the FEI and it would therefore be difficult to impose a sanction on the groom.”

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The tribunal, which was presided over by one-man panel Dr Armand Leone, concluded that there were “still two falsifications of passports regardless of who did it,” and that the responsibility lay with the rider.

The minimum sanction that can be applied under FEI rules is a CHF1,000 fine. Having agreed that there were two falsifications, Matthew accepted a fine of CHF1,500.

Matthew declined to comment for this news story, but said he would comment in his blog on the H&H website in due course.

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.

Take a virtual walk around the 80cm cross-country course at the 2018 H&H Festival of Eventing.

The cross-country of this three-day unaffiliated event takes place on Sunday (27 May).

Fence 1 (yellow numbers)

Fence 2

Fence 3

Fence 4

Fence 5a

Fence 5b

Fence 6

Fence 7a

Fence 7b

Fence 7c

Fence 8

Fence 9

Fence 10a

Fence 10b

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Fence 17

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.

Revellers have been banned from bringing sky lanterns or balloons to a major festival.

The RSPCA has welcomed the news that BBC Radio One has included lanterns and balloons on its list of prohibited items for its “Biggest Weekend” in Swansea (26-27 May).

Numerous horses, and other animals, have been injured or killed by balloons and lanterns in recent years.

Parts can be eaten by animals, or cause entanglement or entrapment, which can lead to injury, stress or even death.

RSPCA wildlife expert Llewelyn Lowen said the preventative action by BBC Radio One is “really positive news”.

“It was a cause for celebration recently when Wales’ council land became a no-fly zone for dangerous sky lanterns — so it’s great news to see Radio One reminding attendees of the Biggest Weekend not to bring them along,” he said.

“It’s such a big event for the city of Swansea; so it’s a great way to again highlight to the public as to the dangers of sky lanterns.

“These devices can have deadly consequences and a devastating impact for pets, farm and — perhaps most pertinently — wild animals.

“Releasing helium balloons, or deflated balloon litter, also poses a risk to animals, so it’s welcome also that Radio One are urging Biggest Weekend goers not to bring these along either.”

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The RSPCA lobbied for local authorities to ban the release of sky lanterns on council-owned land in Wales.

In February, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council became the 22nd and final Welsh local authority to ban the release of lanterns on its land.

The RSPCA is now campaigning for the Welsh government to introduce a countrywide ban on releasing the objects on private land.

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.

Today I clean for our guests who arrive at 3pm!

HERE WE GO!

Amazing.

The article said the horse was fine… that is lava behind him.

Ha!

Sweet.

Fall colors in Spring

Yikes!

Yup!

Hubby sent this one to me…

Thank you, Becky. Gorgeous.

I love this!

Handsome.

The Gentle Barn

Oh I just want to dive in there!!!

Mother Nature is amazing.

SPECIAL OFFER!

One of our very supportive readers, Doris, sent 60 handmade cards for us to use as a promotion for the MAY BUCKET FUND KANSAS 53 horses.

Doris McQuiddy took all of these lovely, scenic photographs, printed them all, cut them to size, added her special signatures, added photos to the back –  and sent them to me FOR THE BUCKET FUND HORSES!!!!

Thank you, Doris!

Click the below buttons and we will send to you a selection of these handmade cards (shipping included)!  We only have limited sets so come get ’em!

TO PURCHASE A SET OF THESE HANDMADE CARDS:

–Set of 4 cards for $20 per set  CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A SET OF 4 CARDS

–Set of 5 cards for $25 per set  CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A SET OF 5 CARDS

All the monies we will then donate to the May Drop in the Bucket Fund!  You will love these cards!  Such a bargain for all this love!

All the cards are beautiful and come with envelopes. I will select a nice set for you!

All beautiful photography by Dorothy McQuiddy. She created and printed these cards with love for the Bucket Fund horses.

MAY BUCKET FUND EMERGENCY SEIZURE! 53 HORSES!  STARVING, PREGNANT MARES, TINY WEANLINGS AND YEARLINGS…

Click here to read their story.  Click here to Donate!  Thank you!

All donations are 100% tax deductible!

–We are  2/3 the way there to helping ALL 53 of these horses have a better life!

CLICK HERE to see the donation thermometer rise!

She looks much better!

The post SATURDAY IS PHOBLOG DAY! appeared first on Horse and Man.

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

Your purchase with R.W. through this link helps the Bucket Fund!

When you shop @AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to Horse And Man Inc.



Supporting The Bucket Fund through Amazon Smile is HUGE for the horses. Please choose HORSE AND MAN when you make your Amazon purchase through this link. THANK YOU!

We had a big sale over the weekend and several really nice pieces are here for you!  I will list more every couple of weeks!

click image to go to FB page

All shipping is included!  Proceeds benefit the May Bucket Fund Horses!!

AMAZING DAISY CHAIN!  ONLY $9!!

This one of a kind piece is a real encased daisy with Czech Glass crystal, frosted and bright yellow beads attached to bronze chain. The pendant is 2.5″ x 2″. The chain is 42″. IF you wish to shorten it, just tie a knot in the chain! Great alone or layered! So unique! The daisy can float to the chain only part if you’d like to wear it back to front.

To purchase FOR $98, click here!

TAHITIAN BEACH necklace/bracelet   ONLY $36!

GORGEOUS COLORS on this Czech glass graduated bead necklace/bracelet with handmade sterling flower at crystal closure. Wear as a pop of color alone or layered! 20″

To purchase for $36, click here!

GORGEOUS PEARL and STERLING WOW PIECE! $56

These yummy creamy Czech glass pinched pearls combined with handmade sterling beads are scrumptious! Wear alone to flatter your neck or layered. A beautiful graduation present! 17″

To purchase for $56, click here!

BEACH GLASS BRILLIANCE! Only $58

Gorgeous colors for you or your graduate! Weighty, bright and memorable! These varied and polished pieces of beach glass practically burst off of your neck! Sweet handmade sterling silver flower at crystal closure. 23″

To purchase FOR $58, click here!

BRIGHT SKIES necklace! Only $28!

Sweet Czech glass beads in graduated sizes of blue sky with clouds! Handmade sterling heart at crystal closure! 17″ So cute!

To purchase, click here!

SO AWESOME EQUINE MEDAL FROM BELGIUM! Only $70!

This piece makes such a statement! The medal and chain are both impressive and weighty! I purchased the pendant in Belgium. The pendant is 2″ x 2″ plated silver. Chain is heavy duty. 24″ Wow!

To purchase FOR $70, click here!

TWO IN ONE – DOUBLE BLONDE CARAMEL! Only $48!

This is two necklaces strung together. Both Czech glass beads on cream, caramel and gold hues. Varied sizes, some frosted. Really pretty! 20″.

To purchase for $48, click here!

SWEET, PETITE DANDELION NECKLACE!  This is the classic style of our Polish artist.  She loves the freedom of blowing dandelion seeds!  Captured between glass and eco-friendly tin, this pendant is 1.5″ long and under and 1′ wide.  Lovely.  30″ chain.

To purchase sweet, petite dandelion necklace for $48, click here.

GORGEOUS CAPTURED ROSE necklace!  This is gorgeous and weighty.  Lovely!  A peachy and yellow/orange bud in glass with bronze frame.  Pendant is 2″ long and 1.5 across.  One of a kind for sure!!  Great alone or layered!  Chain is 30″

To purchase Gorgeous captured rose for $54, click here!

SILVERY OLIVEY ICE! Only $42!

I love the colors and unique shapes on this one! The big Czech glass beads are silver and olive and clear. So watery and refreshing! Varied Czech glass beads in frosted, silver and opaque. Really pretty layered with silver or pearl, too! 20″

To purchase, click here!

SPECIAL OFFER!

One of our very supportive readers, Doris, sent 60 handmade cards for us to use as a promotion for the MAY BUCKET FUND KANSAS 53 horses.

Doris McQuiddy took all of these lovely, scenic photographs, printed them all, cut them to size, added her special signatures, added photos to the back –  and sent them to me FOR THE BUCKET FUND HORSES!!!!

Thank you, Doris!

Click the below buttons and we will send to you a selection of these handmade cards (shipping included)!  We only have limited sets so come get ’em!

TO PURCHASE A SET OF THESE HANDMADE CARDS:

–Set of 4 cards for $20 per set  CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A SET OF 4 CARDS

–Set of 5 cards for $25 per set  CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A SET OF 5 CARDS

All the monies we will then donate to the May Drop in the Bucket Fund!  You will love these cards!  Such a bargain for all this love!

All the cards are beautiful and come with envelopes. I will select a nice set for you!

All beautiful photography by Dorothy McQuiddy. She created and printed these cards with love for the Bucket Fund horses.

MAY BUCKET FUND EMERGENCY SEIZURE! 53 HORSES!  STARVING, PREGNANT MARES, TINY WEANLINGS AND YEARLINGS…

Click here to read their story.  Click here to Donate!  Thank you!

All donations are 100% tax deductible!

–We are  2/3 the way there to helping ALL 53 of these horses have a better life!

CLICK HERE to see the donation thermometer rise!

She looks much better!

The post Some New Jewels to help the May Bucket Fund Horses! appeared first on Horse and Man.

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

Your purchase with R.W. through this link helps the Bucket Fund!

When you shop @AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to Horse And Man Inc.



Supporting The Bucket Fund through Amazon Smile is HUGE for the horses. Please choose HORSE AND MAN when you make your Amazon purchase through this link. THANK YOU!