Top showing producer loses major sponsor after video goes viral

Saturday, November 9th, 2019 at 2:00 am

Lynn Russell

Showing producer Lynn Russell has lost her long-term sponsor Baileys Horse Feeds after posting a short video of a young cob wearing an elasticated training aid on her facebook page earlier this week.

The seven-second clip showed the young horse taking a few hesitant walk steps before standing still with an overbent head carriage.

The clip quickly prompted numerous negative comments raising concerns about Lynn’s training methods before she removed it from her facebook page.

Stills taken from the video clip continued to circulate on social media over the following days, with concerned individuals contacting both Lynn, who told H&H she had received death threats, and her sponsors.

Baileys issued the following statement on Friday, confirming they would no longer be supporting the producer and rider, with whom they have worked for some 40 years.

“Further to the release of a video on social media by Baileys-sponsored showing producer, Lynn Russell, we would like to assure our customers, and the wider horse world, that we in no way condone abusive training or handling of any horse or pony,” said the statement.

“Baileys Horse Feeds’ sponsorship of Lynn has been withdrawn, with immediate effect.”

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Lynn told H&H she was very upset by the way the short video clip had been misinterpreted, stating the young horse was not wearing tight side reins in the video as numerous social media commenters had claimed.

Lynn said: “I am distressed and disappointed by the misinterpretation of a seven-second video clip. The horse was equipped with an elastic bungee with considerable give, not side reins, and at no time has he – or any of the many other horses I have produced over 40 years – been subject to mistreatment.

“I am devastated by Baileys Horse Feeds’ statement. Despite vitriolic attacks on social media, I’ve been heartened by many personal messages of support from those in and outside the showing world who actually know me, know the way I work and appreciate that I care about my horses.”

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Plans to build houses on popular racecourse shelved

Thursday, November 7th, 2019 at 2:00 pm

kempton housing
Jonathan Burke and Glen Forsa clear the last to win the 32Red.com Chase at Kempton Park on December 26, 2018.

Kempton Park racecourse is no longer being considered as a location for a large-scale housing development.

In January 2017, the Jockey Club made the shock announcement that the home of the King George VI could be sold for housing.

The organisation submitted the Surrey racecourse, which hosts both jump and all-weather fixtures, to Spelthorne borough council for “redevelopment consideration” following the council’s call for sites on which to build 15,140 homes.

The Jockey Club had earmarked the potential £100 million from Kempton’s sale for boosting facilities at Sandown, Newmarket, prize money and investments in horse and human welfare.

However the latest update on the Spelthorne Local Plan, published this week as part of a consultation that runs from 5 November until 7 January, does not include the racecourse as one of its preferred sites.

The reasoning behind this is because of the harm to the green belt.

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The council’s document states:“Overall the large scale of development [on Kempton Park racecourse would] make a positive contribution to parts of the preferred spatial strategy as it would enable the council to deliver a significant quantum of homes in a reasonably sustainable location.

“A development of this size, through a master plan approach, would enable a holistic schemes to be designed with the opportunity to integrate it with the wider environment.

“Benefits have been identified from the proposed country park and provision of new community infrastructure.”

But it adds that the 94-hectare site plays an “integral role” as green belt land.

“The loss of this site from the green belt would risk the merging of Spelthorne with Greater London and this would also significantly alter the character of the area,” states the document.

“The benefits of the proposed scheme have been weighed up against the negative impacts identified and it has been concluded that the harm to the green belt is not outweighed by the proposed development. Discount from consideration. Do not take forward.”

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

Horseback Riding Tips

Thursday, April 6th, 2017 at 11:57 am
Horse Riders at Arrowmont Stables

This is just a quick run down of things to be aware of when riding horses.

What to Wear and/or Bring For Your Trail Ride…
– Shoes: Please wear closed toed shoes with as smooth a sole as possible
– No flip-flops, hiking boots or bare feet. Obviously, riding boots are best but tennis shoes with a smooth sole could work. Smooth sole shoes with a heel are best. But at the least, closed-toe shoes are required.
– Please do Not wear hiking boots. Their sole is very rough and may get your foot stuck in the stirrup.
– Pants: Long pants are best. Then shorts that come down to your knees. This is so your legs won’t rub on the saddle and get sore.
– Rain: Trails may go rain or shine. Be prepared with ponchos and raincoats. Bring an extra T-Shirt and towel if it looks like rain.
– A First Aid kit that should include not only supplies for human injuries but also for horses (hoof pick, at least) and tack repairs (take a variety of sizes of zip lock ties for emergency tack repairs).
– Walkie-Talkie radioes as a safety precaution. Make sure they’re charged and can communicate with each other (same channel, long enough range of signal, etc) before leaving on your designated trail. Cell phones may suffice if you are sure you have signal on your trail and you have a zippered pocket to keep it in.
– Be sure to leave one of the radioes with someone at the barn as well as information regarding the trail or route you are taking.
– Never ride alone, always go with a buddy
– Always wear a properly fitted horse riding helmet

Things that may get lost on the trail…
– Sunglasses that aren’t being worn
– Cameras that aren’t on a tether around your neck
– Cell phones not in a zippered pocket
– Wallets not in a zippered pocket
– Keys not in a zippered pocket

Please leave these things in your car or at the Stables. Rarely can you find them afterward.

RECOMMENDED AGE TO RIDE ON The TRAIL
Six year old children generally have a successful experience riding on the trails, especially when their horse is on a lead line tethered behind an experienced rider (like a dog on a leash). Sometimes there’s a precocious five year old who may be able ride.

What to look for in a young child to enable the child to join you on the trail on his own horse…
– Does the child have good balance on the horse?
– Does he understand he needs to remain on the horse for the entire trail?
– Does he still take naps? He may fall asleep due to the rocking motion of the horse.
– Is he afraid of horses?

Lot’s of people think if the child is small it’s okay to “ride double”. They mean they want the child to ride with them on the same horse. The American Medical Association goes against this practice.

The reason why is, if something should happen and your horse “acts up” or is startled on the trail, you may fall off. Then the adult falling on the small child injures the child far more than if the child simply fell off his/her own horse. For safety, it’s best everyone should have their own mount.

What size horse do you need to have for your ride? Horses can safely carry 20% of their body weight. For example, if you weigh 200 lbs, you need a 1000 pound horse.

A FEW IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HORSES…
1. Horses don’t know they are big. That’s why we can control them with the bit in their mouth.
2. Horses think like little children and expect you to protect & comfort them.
3. You NEED to know this. Whoever is most stubborn wins! You have to be more stubborn than the horse to be a successful rider.

Hope these tips have been helpful to you.
Nancy Sellers with Arrowmont Stables
Cullowhee, NC

Horse Riders at Arrowmont Stables
Horse Riders at Arrowmont Stables