Jonty Evans is making “remarkable” progress in his rehabilitation – and his aim is to get back on a horse again.

Jonty, who regained consciousness in late July following a serious brain injury he suffered in a cross-country fall on 3 June, has been undergoing intensive treatment including physio and speech and language therapy.

He spoke to DJ Mark Cummings in an interview broadcast on BBC Radio Gloucestershire last week (14 September).

“I’m very well,” Jonty told Mark. “I’m surprised I’m quite as well as I am because the doctors in Ireland said I was probably not going to wake up.”

Jonty was injured in a fall from Cooley Rorkes Drift at Tattersalls in Ireland and was initially treated at Connolly Hospital, moving on to Beaumont Hospital where he spent weeks in intensive care.

On 19 August, he was passed fit to travel back to the UK, where he has been receiving further treatment.

“I was in a coma for six weeks – I’m probably very lucky to be here,” Jonty said. “But the horse is well, I’m well and with a little bit of luck, I’ll learn to walk again properly and unaided, and we’ll get going, if we can.”

Jonty agreed with Mark that the outlook initially was “grim”.

“My sister rang the Beaumont yesterday and they couldn’t believe I was up and walking and awake,:” he said. “They refused point-blank to believe it.

“My rehab now is a step up from where we were in Ireland; there’s a possibility that in a month or so I might go to a place in Lambourn, then it’ll go up another gear; the whole idea of the physio is that it gets more and more intense the fitter you get.”

Jonty said that although he remembers the course in detail, including the minute markers, he has no recollection of the fence at which he fell, which was three from home.

He thanked the public for their support, good wishes and “incredible generosity” in raising £35,000 for the David Foster Injured Riders’ Fund, his family’s chosen charity, adding: “I’m so grateful to the people who have cared about me… it’s meant a huge amount that people have cared.”

And asked whether he can imagine riding again, or whether that is “not part of the conversation”, Jonty said: “It’s not meant to be part of the conversation – but I’m not very good at that bit!

“All the therapists say I’m doing remarkably well; they’re incredibly impressed with my improvement but they say it’s very definitely one step at a time. It’s biting off bite-sized chunks out of a big pie. The aim is to get a big pie and the aim is to ride again, possibly, but it’s mend the little things first.”

Dawn Harper, who also spoke on the programme, said that as a doctor who had worked in intensive care, she had not thought Jonty’s situation would have a positive outcome.

“I think it’s all credit to the teams who have looked after him, but we have to admit he’s where he is today because of his determination. You can never underestimate the human will to survive.

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“He got to where he was because he’s a very determined and positive person.

“Who else could get people to pay £500,000 for a horse; who else could spend six weeks in a coma and come back?

“I’m going to put my money on the table – that man will ride again.”

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

As a teenager, Jamie Pye (pictured) was bullied at school, which led to him developing an eating disorder. But now, aged 26, Jamie’s life has been transformed for the better, and it’s all thanks to horses. And now he has bravely agreed to speak out about his experience in the hope that his story can help others.

Jamie received treatment for anorexia as a child, but when he turned 18, he struggled to find treatment due to a lack of adult services. He became distant from friends and had no social life — Jamie’s eating disorder dominated his life for years.

“I always had an interest in animals and wanted to work with them but I lost all hope of ever being able to do so, as with an eating disorder you feel you just are not good enough to do the things you want to do,” explains Jamie, who went on to secure a place at a local college where he studied animals. While at college, Jamie contacted Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, and soon he became an ambassador for the organisation. He started volunteering for them, something that he says helped build his confidence.

Beat recognised Jamie’s passion for animals, and suggested that the animals themselves could actually aid his recovery.

“Beat knew that throughout my experiences, I always had a love for animals,” says Jamie. “They had heard of a lady, Jo Corfield, who ran a business called HopeThruHorses, where she treats people for a variety of behavioural and psychological conditions with the use of her horses. Beat wanted someone to interview Jo as she had been through an eating disorder herself and her own horse is what helped her through it. I jumped at the chance as it was something I was passionate about — I was then also given the opportunity to go and meet her which was an absolutely amazing experience.”

Jo uses equine involvement therapy with 18 horses and ponies that live out 24/7 at her Carmarthenshire base. Hopethruhorses says: “Undercover of sometimes desperate and long-term symptoms it’s all too easy to lose sight of who we are. ‘Self’ disappears under layers of pain and overwhelming emotions, diagnoses, labels and endless analyses of the life story that has led us to this point. We become identified and judged for our presenting symptoms if not by others, certainly by ourselves. When ‘self’ is lost then accessing confidence and a strong connection with who you are becomes difficult or even impossible. Our herd lives out – they roam freely and naturally – they are given the freedom to become real horses without expectations, pressures or unnecessary human intervention — we allow them to be their ‘true selves’. Here with us, we give you the opportunity to do the same.”

“I realised Jo and I had been on a similar journey with our eating disorders,” says Jamie. “She showed me the work she carries out with her horses and suddenly everything made sense. Working with a herd of horses and ponies meant that the relationship between us was based entirely on trust. It was about living for the now and not the past or future. In less than a month, I felt like a completely different person. I’m still in recovery, but I’m come such a long way.”

Jamie started working with horses five years ago and is now a full-time member of the equine centre team at the Redwings Horse Sanctuary HQ in Norfolk.

“I help with the basic care of some of the 230 horses in Redwings’ care,” explains Jamie. “I love spending time with horses, and what I have learnt through Hopethruhorses is to go with the flow. No matter what, I know now that the life I have now is worth fighting to stay in recovery for.

“To anyone else out there who might be suffering from an eating disorder, I would say be open-minded to the idea of seeking therapy through animals such as horses. Everyone needs to realise how powerful the connection between a person and horse can be — you help them and they will help you.”

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Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that affect an estimated 1.25 million people in the UK.

Beat’s head of communications Rebecca Field says: “Eating disorders cause a huge amount of suffering for people with the illnesses and their families, but recovery is possible. On average it takes three-and-a-half years for someone to receive treatment for an eating disorder after they first fall ill. But the sooner someone gets treatment for an eating disorder, the better their chances of recovery.

“Anyone worried about their own health or that of someone they know can contact Beat’s Helpline 365 days a year via phone, email, anonymous one-to-one webchat or social media messaging. Find out how to contact us here: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk”.

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

A trio of ponies who were captured in a public tennis court are seeking new homes.

Andre Agassi, Pancho Gonzales and Rafael Nadal — as they have been fondly named — were abandoned in December.

They were left to run loose in a Bishop Auckland park for more than a week, until some nearby residents tempted them into some tennis courts and closed the gates.

One of the rescuers called the RSPCA and a British Horse Society welfare officer provided more hay, water and a padlock for the gate to secure the ponies for the night so arrangements could be made for a more permanent solution.

The “tennis court trio” were then taken in by the RSPCA and no owners came forward to claim them.

With Wimbledon under way, the charity is hoping the ponies will find “their perfect game, set and match”.

“The boys are around one year old, and will be approximately 13hh when they are fully grown so potentially could make really smart children’s riding ponies,” said RSPCA equine rehoming officer Jacqui Wilson, adding the trio do not need to be rehomed together.

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“Andre, Pancho and Rafael are really friendly young colts who — like their namesakes — have a glittering future ahead of them.

“We would ideally like someone to foster them for a time until they are old enough for us to castrate them, then if they have fallen in love, they would be able to apply to fully adopt them.

“It’s really common for us to be called about abandoned horses, but particularly colts.

“Our 24-hour emergency line received more than 80 calls a day about horses last year and we also took in 980 horses — the highest number in four years — which shows just how sad the situation is.

“Unfortunately young horses like these are irresponsibly bred and have little or no value.”

Visit: www.rspca.org.uk/findapet/rehomeahorse for more information.

In this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, out on Thursday 28 June 2018, don’t miss our full report from the Hickstead Derby meeting, including all the showjumping and showing action, plus don’t miss our six-page report from Royal Ascot.

We also have a feature on the much discussed whip rules across the disciplines and in this week’s ‘Vet clinic’ we find out how to spot the signs of sand colic.

Funds raised in memory of a much-loved pony who had to be put down as a result of a road accident will be split between the East Anglian Air Ambulance and an equestrian charity.

Family friend Fern Wilby set up a Gofundme page in memory of Beth Main’s 14.2hh mare Nissy.

The pair were hacking out in Beccles last Thursday (26 September) when they were involved in a collision with a car. Beth, 14, escaped serious injury, although she was knocked unconscious and airlifted to hospital, but Nissy had to be put down at the scene.

“Nissy saved Beth’s life,” Fern told H&H. “She took the impact, and Beth came away without even a broken bone; it’s a miracle.”

When Beth first owned Nissy, two years ago, the idea was to compete in dressage but she had also showjumped, including clearing 1.25m in a gate-jumping challenge.

“Beth called her ‘the little horse who can’, and she refers to her as ‘my hero’,” Fern said. “She told me the other day she had a lifetime of memories from those two years.”

Fern said she set up the fundraising page in Nissy’s memory.

“Often when things happen, the horse isn’t remembered but she was so special, I wanted to try to keep her memory alive,” she said.

“When I first set it up, within 20 minutes, it had had £75 and I thought that would be good – but now it’s raised over £1,100. I can’t believe it, and Beth’s family has found it a comfort.”

The money will be split equally between the air ambulance and an equestrian charity of Beth’s choosing.

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Deborah Meaden backs road safety campaign

A new road safety guide for drivers and riders has been backed by Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden

Mounted officer’s accident inspires road safety campaign

PC Wendy Townley and her horse, Steele, were hit by a car while out on the roads

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“Beth also really wants to raise awareness of horse safety on the roads,” Fern said. “That’s why I put ‘pass wide and slow’ on the fundraising page, in hope it would stick in people’s heads.

“Beth and Nissy were such a team and after everything they’d done together, this happened out hacking. Losing a horse can be like losing a family member, it’s absolutely horrendous.”

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

A “small but mighty” event horse who represented Britain at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) is to enjoy a happy hacking retirement, having ended his career with a win.

Black Tie, who finished fourth with Oliver at Luhmühlen CCI4* (now CCI5*-L) and won Burnham Market CIC3* (now CCI4*-S) in 2014, the same year the combination represented Britain at WEG, is to live with friends of owner Karyn Shuter.

Karyn, who rode 18-year-old thoroughbred “Tonti” herself up to novice level, told H&H it was fantastic to see him go on to the top level with Oliver.

“He was a classic-looking thoroughbred with a lovely head and front and good technique but not a massive stride, so I always thought if he didn’t make it as an eventer he could be a working hunter,” she said.

“As much as I enjoyed riding him, he came at a time that my other horse, who was aiming for Burghley, got injured, then I got injured. That’s where Oliver is very generous with his time to help friends and offered to tick them over until I came back.

“I had a reassessment in my life and thought I didn’t want to start at the bottom again with one horse. He was always too careful for his size and scope, thus needed someone accurate – and hands up, I will never be as accurate as Oliver.

“It’s funny how things happen and the timing of things; as good as Tonti has been, it was lucky he ended up with Oliver to give him the best opportunity to go on to do what he did.”

Karyn described Tonti as a “funny little character, cheeky but very genuine”, who apparently used to “get rid of jockeys”.

“He was quite amusing because now and then in the jumping he would grip the bit, roar off down to the fence and then, at the last second go: ‘Actually, I’ll leave it to you’, and we’d laugh about it afterwards.

“I used to struggle watching him because obviously if you have ridden them, your last experience is how you remember them, so when walking the four-stars I used to think ‘He can’t do this; he’s too little and still a novice.”

Karyn said Tonti used to like to jump “too well”, such as clearing rather than going through brush, which was “ridiculous” at the top level, and meant he “took too much out of himself”, hence his need for top of the ground conditions and a rider who was always accurate.

“I adored him as a person, he always neighs when he sees people he knows, gallops up to the gate when you call him and loves every treat under the sun,” she added.

“He refuses to let any new work experience people put the headcollar on, but had a fantastic trainable brain and was just another reason why I love thoroughbreds.”

Karyn said owing to Tonti’s worth ethic and eagerness to please, they knew he would “try right to the end”, so they wanted him to finish his career on a high.

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Oliver Townend heads British quartet at Kentucky

Two British horses will fly to the USA for the spring four-star, with two US-based Brits also competing.

15 ponies that are so small you might mistake them for dogs

To celebrate this week’s ‘mini marvels’ special of Horse & Hound magazine (1 June 2017), we meet some of Britain’s

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“We never wanted to break him physically or his heart, as that’s what made him, him – his belief in himself,” she said.

“The plan was Osborne, which was a fantastic run, perfect ground for him, nice weather and the icing on the cake was him winning. Then we thought this year, he’s 18, still trying to buck everyone off but let’s leave it at that, on a high, the way you would always choose to end if you can.”

Oliver announced the retirement with “mixed emotions”.

“Tonti truly embodies being small but mighty, and his huge character has put a smile on all our faces from day one!” he said.

“We always agreed we wanted him to finish his competition career fit and healthy so he could enjoy a long and happy retirement, so it is lovely to end on a high with him winning his last event at Osborne last season.

“Tonti, thanks for all the wonderful times and happy retirement champ!”

The Horse & Hound outstanding mare award for 2019 has been won by Sarah Oppenheimer’s prolific broodmare, Rubinsteena (Rubinstein x Donnerhall).

The fantastic foundation mare of the Oppenheimers’ Headmore Stud, in Hampshire, died last year at the age of 22, leaving behind an extensive dressage dynasty who are winning at national and regional level.

The award was presented to Sarah by Horse & Hound’s dressage and sport horse breeding editor Polly Bryan, at the annual British Breeders Dinner and Awards Ceremony, organised by the British Horse Foundation.

Sarah Oppenheimer bought Ruby (pictured below) from Julie Deverill at Half Moon Stud, who herself had bought the mare as a foal from Christian Heinrich.

“Ruby has produced so many lovely horses for us; every single one of them has been a superstar, and we still have some of her offspring that haven’t been seen out yet,” Sarah told H&H. “She was just amazing — it didn’t matter which stallion you used on her, you got a star. She will leave a total legacy for us — we’re starting to have her grandchildren now. Ruby really was part of the family, and we owe her everything.”

Among Ruby’s most successful offspring currently on the circuit are Headmore Wimoweh, an 11-year-old by Wiowode who recently made a successful grand prix debut, Headmore Dirubinio (by Dimaggio), who was reserve winter advanced medium music champion in 2018, just behind his full sister Headmore Davina, an inter I winner at Hickstead CDI in 2018 and third at the nationals, and Headmore Bella Ruby, who was fourth in the national six-year-old final in 2018.

“Without Ruby we would have only one horse on our yard— everything else I ride is one of hers,” said Alice.

“All of them have a temperament and rideability that you can’t train — they have to be born with it. They all have this desire to work and please their rider; you get them between the white boards and they just seem to know their job.

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“We used to laugh about Ruby and call her cantankerous, but in a good way,” she added. “She was a very strong mare, who really liked people but wasn’t such a big fan of other horses. If she had a foal at foot she wouldn’t let any other horse near her — she was a really good mum.”

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

A “kind-hearted” police horse who served for more than 14 years has died shortly into his retirement.

Lionheart, known to his friends as Lionel, was put down due to illness following a distinguished career with the Nottinghamshire and City of London Police mounted sections.

“Lionel was a true gentleman,” mounted branch sergeant Jim Green told H&H.

“Kind, gentle, well-mannered and eager to please, he was known throughout the force as a big friendly giant and he always attracted visitors.

“We always aim to retire our horses while they are still fit enough to enjoy it so it’s a great shame that Lionel’s retirement was cut so short by his illness.”

Lionheart, ridden by Commander Gyford, at his final Lord Mayor’s Show

The 17.2hh part-bred Clydesdale was due to be rehomed with volunteer Elaine Freer, who had known the horse for many years.

“Even though he never made it to his new home, Elaine was with him at the very end,” added Sergeant Green.

“On behalf of the City of London Police, thank you for your service Lionel and sleep tight, big fella.”

He took part at the forefront of many mounted police operations and helped train many new riders and horses joining the police.

Lionel served at numerous football matches, sporting fixtures and public disorder situations, as well as the funeral of King Richard III in 2015, and led the Freedom of the City parade for the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in 2016. He also formed part of the Lord Mayor’s show every year since he joined the City of London Police in 2012.

On his retirement in November, mounted branch stable manager Eloise Mayhead remembered him as “the kindest horse”.

“[He] never likes to do anything wrong or be in your bad books,” she said.

“He does whatever the rider tells him to do as he has total confidence in the rider. Although he’s a big wimp at heart, he’ll go wherever you tell him to go as he is so subservient and very kind.”

The owner of a much-loved mare who died after a Chinook helicopter flew “very low” over her field wants the RAF to explain why the aircraft was there.

Jeff and Linda Brown’s 21-year-old Arab G Elnor (Ellie) became impaled on a broken fence rail after the helicopter appeared without warning in Brookville, Norfolk, last Tuesday (6 November). She died almost instantly.

Mr Brown told H&H that in her panic, Ellie had previously skidded into the fence side-on, breaking the top two rails.

“The helicopter spooked her into a panic,” he said.

“It appeared suddenly over the treeline, so low there was no noise preceding it, and Ellie was just terrified. We’re near an RAF and a US air force base so she’s used to some low-flying jets, but not like this.

“She was tied up for the farriers, when she pulled back and bolted.”

Panicking, Ellie galloped towards the fence, skidding into and breaking it, then towards a neighbouring field where there was another horse.

“She bolted back down the paddock and where she’d broken the rail, there was a shard of 2×4 rail sticking out,” Mr Brown said. “She ran on to it.

“It went into her chest and heart about 15 inches deep. My wife was running towards her but my daughter was closer and she sent my wife away.

“Ellie collapsed off the fence and went straight down; she was dead within 10 to 15 seconds, almost before she hit the floor.”

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Mr Brown has reported the incident to the RAF’s low-flying aircraft complaints unit, which is investigating.

“I think they should be held responsible in some way,” he said. “But that won’t bring Ellie back.

“She was everything to my wife; we’d had her 15 years and they’d been Endurance GB members, competing up and down the country including the Golden Horseshoe, and my wife still rode her regularly; they were entered for a 40km ride next week.

“She was such a good mare; we’re by a byway, and everyone who walked up there knew her as she’d come and see them, and they’d feed her carrots.

“She was very friendly and personable, but she was an Arab mare, and full of spirit. If she’d been a cob or a New Forest pony, it might not have happened, but then she wouldn’t have been Ellie.

“She was just one of us, a family member. She was well respected, and much, much loved.”

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An RAF spokesman said: “The RAF has been made aware of an incident involving the death of a horse in Norfolk. The Low flying Complaints Unit is carrying out an investigation and therefore, it would be inappropriate to offer comment whilst the investigation is ongoing.”

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

Alice Oppenheimer has paid tribute to Headmore Stud’s star broodmare Rubinsteena, who has died aged 22.

“Ruby” is mother to a dressage dynasty, with her offspring winning across the levels at regional and national level.

“We didn’t buy her initially to breed from,” Alice told H&H. “She had a couple of foals before we bought her and the intention was to bring her back into work, but thank god it went the way that it did.

“It didn’t matter which stallion we used, she always gave us an amazing foal — we were so lucky. She was so correct in her conformation and her movement, she was very special.

“All [her offspring] have a fantastic work ethic, are very kind horses and love people, they genuinely want to do the work.”

Sarah Oppenheimer bought Ruby from Julie Deverill at Half Moon Stud, who herself had bought the mare as a foal from Christian Heinrich.

Her most successful progeny include Half Moon Frizzante, who won the 2012 elementary open title at the 2012 winter championships and won at small tour level. She is also the dam of Headmore Davina, winner of numerous national and regional titles who qualified for this year’s British Dressage National Championships at small tour.

She had three offspring competing at the 2018 winter championships: Headmore Dirubinio (by Dimaggio), Headmore Davina (by Dimaggio) and Headmore Bella Ruby (by Belissimo M).

Her 2008 foal, Headmore Wimoweh, made his grand prix debut in August at Bury Farm high profile show, finishing third on 67.57% at his first attempt.

Her 2016 foal Headmore Valentina was awarded an elite premium at the British Breeders/British Equestrian Federation Futurity with a score of 9.7, the joint-third highest ever mark.

“She was a fantastic mum, knew exactly what to do,” said Alice, adding it was almost as if she would say “take it away” when the foals reached six months old.

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“She was quite bossy so the foals always had that herd instinct that makes them rideable as they were so used to having someone in charge, they look to the rider for guidance and support.

“She loved being a broodmare, I genuinely think that was her calling in life.”

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

With more than 1,000 horses attending over five days, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd at Equifest (8 – 12 August, East of England showground).

But one duo who certainly made a lasting impression — on judges and spectators alike — was Angela Conner and her new mount, the Morgan stallion Optimus Prime.

The magnificent 12-year-old, a multi-garlanded American Morgan horse world champion, and Angela were crowned supreme foreign breeds champion of the show, clinching the sash under the famous Equifest spotlight in the evening performance.

The pair outshone 16 other competitors, including an array of breed representatives such as Andalusians, Friesians, Nordics, Icelandics, Saddlebreds, Arabs and assortment of crossbreeds.

Optimus Prime looked every inch the champion and carefully looked after his rider, 84-year-old Angela, who by her own admission had forgotten her exact age on the day. Her reply: “I’ve lost count, I think it’s somewhere between 80 and 90 years.”

Angela, who is lives and works as an international sculptress in Herefordshire and London, co-founded the British Morgan Horse Society some 40 years ago with her husband John.

Since his arrival in the UK in April, Optimus Prime has been training with Trudy Connolly, head horsewoman at Angela and John’s Monnington stud, Herefordshire.

Monnington Morgans is the breed’s foundation stud and was set up by the couple in 1975.

“I got into Morgans completely by accident,” said Angela. “I acquired a horse from America who was in bad way when she arrived. I wasn’t even sure if she was a Morgan but I was told by a judge she definitely was. That’s how it all began. They are naturally uphill and look impressive, but they are very safe — they are brilliant nanny horses.”

“I had seen Optiums Prime in America and as soon the opportunity came about I bought him. At Equifest he just switched on and did his stuff — I just happened to be sat on top. He is like an Audi car, very smooth to ride.

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Angela will continue to show the stallion and intends to compete him at the Foreign Breeds Society championship show in September.

Doug Wade, editor of the Morgan Horse Society magazine and friend of Angela said: “It seems that the UK Morgan is generating interest once again, making headway and standing their ground against all breeds. This is the future for the Morgan Breed, exhibiting to all within the equestrian world and spreading the Morgan word.”

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