A lovely story of an orphaned baby elephant and the human she loves. Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre saves many orphaned wild ones… Click here to check out all of their good deeds.
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If you’re keen to show willing and impress on the hunting field, take a look at these useful tips from Tessa Waugh
You have far more of a chance of being helpful if you pay attention to what is going on around you. Stop chatting (not all day — we’re allowed a bit of fun) about last night’s party or so and so’s new horse, and look and listen.
When you come to a closed gate and you see the field master looking around, quickly volunteer to open it. If you have to get off your horse, so much the better. It’s great for your hunting-cred — everyone will file past thanking you and thinking that you’re marvellous.
Similarly, if you see the huntsman or master and the hounds heading in the direction of a closed gate with no-one to help him, ask the field master if you can go and open it.
If you hunt with a pack which doesn’t have nominated gate-shutters, try and close a few gates after everyone else has gone through — and not just the nice swingy ones with the latches that you can do from your horse. Get off and do the miserable one off its hinges in a bog. With any luck, someone else will be there to hold your horse.
Look out for any stock in the fields you are going through. If you see a herd of cattle charging towards an open gate which members of the field are exiting, position your horse between the gate and the cattle to prevent them from escaping. If any stock get out, offer to help get them back in.
Try to get to know the farmers whose land you are crossing so that when you come across them, perhaps holding a gate open, you can smile and politely pass the time of day, rather than barging through and shouting “gate please” without giving said farmer (whose land you are on) a second glance.
If one of your fellow field members is struggling with a piece of tack or wanting to get off for any reason, volunteer to hold their horse. Likewise, if you see the master or hunt staff getting off their horse for any reason, offer to go and hold it for them.
Simon Lawrance, MFH, four-star event rider and UKCC
Credit: TI Media
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If you see a loose horse, try catching it and taking it back to its rider. It is a massive bore going back, particularly if hounds are running, but the shoe might be on the other foot another day.
When you are on a road, be aware of any traffic that can’t get through, get out of the way quickly and send the message forward by shouting “car please”. Any communication that encourages better relations between hunting and non-hunting people is a good thing.
For all the latest veterinary advice, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday
There are plenty of ways to get your horsey kicks (pun absolutely intended) while enduring a horseless patch, says Jane Hutchison
Spring looks like it has finally arrived, the clocks are about to go forward and the competition season is kicking into gear.
It’s a great time of year for horsey people after the drudgery of a long winter. But for those of us who are firmly in the horsey camp but for any number of reasons currently find ourselves without a horse, it’s a strange challenging and frustrating time of year.
Here are nine ways to get you through a horseless patch:
1. Offer to help friends. If they are the kind of friends who have more horses in the family than riders, so much the better. Riders who are students might be busy with exams at this time of year whilst trying to get horses fit for the season. Let them know that you are happy to help with chores as well as riding. Poo picking is much more fun when you haven’t done it for six months. Ditto hacking out on the road in walk at the beginning of a post-winter fitness campaign.
2. Be creative with your spectating. If dressage is normally your discipline, go to a point-to-point, if you are a showjumper, go to a horse trials. You will still have the pleasure of watching horses perform and compete but won’t be putting yourself through watching the people you were competing against this time last year in the classes you would be in, if you still had your horse.
3. Or, if you are going to go to an event you would have been competing at, offer to go with a friend as a groom. Pick up numbers, hold the horse while your friend goes for their fourth nervous pee, bring the correct rug to the collecting ring. Bring cake. Oh, and pick up poo in the trailer.
4. If you have several extra hours in your day that would previously have been spent at the yard, you are likely to have more time to be tempted to have a peek at social media. Peek in moderation. Looking at pictures of what your friends are up to with their horses can be a great way to still feel in the loop and they will appreciate your positive comments and likes but spending whole evenings looking at people doing what you are currently missing out on can be soul-destroying. Unfollow anyone who moans about the early starts or going to two events in one weekend. Seriously?
5. Go for lessons in a completely new discipline on a hired horse. The Side Saddle Association has lists of approved teachers, some of whom will teach you on their own horses. Or why not try your hand at polo or barrel racing?
6. Get a subscription to Horse & Hound. For the same price as a couple of bags of feed, a whole week’s worth of horsey news and gossip will be yours every week. With all the money you are saving not having a horse, you can definitely afford a few little comforting treats.
7. And while we’re on the subject of comfort shopping, get yourself the breeches, boots or body protector you have been eyeing up for years. You will look smarter when you go to ride your friend’s horse and you will be investing in your future riding.
Hurrah for the Easter holidays! We’re excited about the impending chocolate fix, yes. But there are plenty other horsey reasons
8. At risk of sounding like non-horsey mothers up and down the land; think about something else. Most of us are not so one track minded that we have no other interests. Go to the theatre, read that book you always meant to read, agree to play tennis or go for a round of golf. (Let your friends and yourself know that your availability for non-equestrian sports on summer evenings is temporary).
9. Most importantly don’t give up hope. Horses are in our blood and that never changes. Trust that you will find a way to get back into the game as a horse owner again when you have a new job/move house/your children are older. The state of horselessness is temporary. It will pass.
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday
The prize fund at the Royal Windsor Horse Show Rolex grand prix has been increased to €500,000 (£428,500) this year, a hike of £85,700 from 2018.
The culmination of the showjumping action at this year’s event, which runs from 8 to 12 May, is set to be “something special”, former world number one Scott Brash believes, with the record-breaking prize on offer.
“Royal Windsor Horse Show is set to become the UK’s richest show for competitors,” a spokesman for the show said. “Showcasing a star-studded line-up in its spectacular setting, the increased prize fund and new additions to the event reaffirm its prominence in the global equestrian calendar and popularity among fans.”
The prize boost brings the total cash on offer at the show to €875,000 (£749,850), and organisers believe the “heightened status of competition is expected to draw in the world’s best horse and rider combinations in showjumping to date”.
Scott, who will be aiming to beat 2018 grand prix champion Steve Guerdat to the prize this year, said: “Royal Windsor is like no other show; it’s set in one of the most spectacular outdoor settings and attracts an incredibly knowledgeable and informed showjumping crowd.
“Having such a strong line-up of world-class competitors each year really reflects the show’s growth and importance. I believe spectators will be in for something special this year and I really look forward to competing.”
The CSI5* showjumping starts on 10 May, while CDI4* dressage runs on 9 and 10 May. The show also features carriage driving, endurance and more than 120 showing classes.
Fed up with Monday? Let us transport you back to those moments from this year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show that
New to the show this year are the Pony Club dressage championships and the under-25 showjumping competition, on 10 and 12 May respectively, while The Pageant 2019, a 90-minute “musical feat of entertainment” will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth, on 9, 10 and 11 May.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
A previous Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) winner and Olympia Best of Breed has passed away aged 18 after a short illness.
The Connemara gelding Sydserff Lord Of The Dance (Dancer) was one of the most successful ridden Connemaras of his time.
Owned by Joan MacCallum, Dancer was partnered by show horse producer Kirstine Douglas and together they won at every major county show in the country. His tally includes four Royal Highland Show wins and three championships and three Great Yorkshire Show wins and three championships. He also won at the Royal Show.
The grey, who was by Cocum Camelot, stood at just under 14hh
“I had ridden ponies for Mrs MacCallum for a while and I first met Dancer when he was two,” said Kirstine. “He came directly from his breeder, Eileen Simpson, but he didn’t start his ridden career until he was five.”
The gelding’s destiny was cemented on his first outing where he won and took champion.
Kirstine added: “If you actually went through everything he had won you would be there for hours, he had amazing success.”
In his first season, the pair qualified for HOYS. They took second at the final on two occasions and ended up winning the class in 2007. He was also Best of Breed at Olympia.
“Judges would say that they just couldn’t take their eyes off him and that he just owned the ring; for such a small pony he didn’t half cover some ground. He was a proper pony.
“He was always such a good boy but I do remember, on the morning of his HOYS victory, he threw me off in the warm up arena before the class; he was piaffing around and as I gave him a small smack on his neck he proceeded to put me right over his head, before going onto win the class — we still laugh about that to this day.
Camels originated in North America. Click image to watch the video
There were all sorts of camels… Some over 9′ tall. Some as small as rabbits…
The camels left North America on a trek… and settled in hot climates.
But they aren’t ‘from’ hot climates. What if that hump we think stores water, actually stored fat so it could make it through ancient dark winters? And what if those feet we think are perfect for sand, were actually perfect or snow…
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A record price of €3.2 million (£2.82m) was paid for a yearling at Goffs Orby Sale.
Phoenix Thoroughbreds are the proud new owners of the top lot, a filly by Galileo out of Green Room, who was the highest priced filly ever sold at Goffs.
The yearling, lot 318, was consigned by Ballylinch Stud on behalf of breeders Vimal and Gillian Khosla.
“We are delighted — there’s a little amount of relief as well, but we are delighted,” Ballylinch’s John O’Connor told Goffs TV guest presenter Rishi Perisad after the auction.
“We expected her to sell well and we are delighted to get the job done. It’s a little bit like watching a play unfolding in a certain sense, but it is our job to be professional and not to get too excited.
“We are delighted for [the breeders]— they are lovely owners who really love their horses, they want everything done really well, so they deserve every success they get.”
Amer Abdulaziz of Phoenix Thoroughbreds confirmed the filly will go into training with Karl Burke in Yorkshire, who trained her half-brother Lord Shanakill.
“A filly like that… you won’t get anything like it for the next 10 to 15 years,” he said. “She’s by a top sire who is getting old, out of a broodmare who has produced a lot of winners. She’s an amazing filly, it will be nice to have her racing in Phoenix colours.
“It was definitely love at first sight, I saw her this morning for the first time. I thought ‘let’s see her walk’ and she walks so athletically, like a beautiful lady, and that’s how it should be with these top fillies.”
Phoenix Throughbreds also bought lot 165, a Galileo sister to Alice Springs presented by Glenvale Stud, for €2 million (£1.76m) as well as four others on their successful Irish shopping trip.
The turnover, average and median prices were all up on the 2017 sale.
Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby said the sale reached “unprecedented heights”.
“To set a new record for a yearling filly at an Irish sale at €3.2 million was the highlight of a sale of tremendous highs,” he said.
“We are indebted to our vendors without whom we are nothing and I would especially single out Vimal and Gillian Khosla, the breeders of the top lot.
“[They] placed their faith in the Goffs service and were rewarded with the highest yearling price in the world so far this year for their gorgeous filly, who was so well presented by Ballylinch Stud.
“In addition we would like to extend our thanks to Ciaran Conroy’s Glenvale Stud and the vendors of the ‘other’ Galileo filly whose price of €2 million was also something quite special.”
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Mr Beeby added Goffs took the “conscious decision” to tighten catalogue numbers this year to “really focus on quality”.
“Our vendors sent us a stellar selection and we were delighted to welcome so many major buyers to Kildare Paddocks over the last few days,” he said.
“That HH Sheikh Mohammed made his first visit to Goffs for 13 years was a huge vote of confidence in Irish bloodstock and he joined his brother HH Sheikh Hamdan who has been such a great supporter for so many years.
“Our leading buyers Phoenix Thoroughbreds were a revelation in the sales ring and we hope their bold bidding is rewarded with top level success on the racecourse in future years.
“They have been a pleasure to do business with and their enthusiasm is infectious.”
He added thanks to MV Magnier, Coolmore and “each vendor of every lot” for choosing Goffs.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday
I had some sugar snap peas left over from Saturday’s Farmer’s Market. Hubby had purchased them for me. Yum!
So, I did a little research to make sure horses can eat sugar snap peas… and they can. But, I wasn’t sure if my horses would eat them. I figured BG would, since she has a very distinct and interesting palate, but the rest – no idea.
Just to be safe from a “I hate these, give me a good treat!” horsey outrage, I brought out some melon rinds and more of my home grown grapes, too, inside my treat bag.
Oh, I also removed the strings of the sugar snap peas. That only took a minute and I do that for myself, so why not them? I’d hate for them to have a little pea string stuck in their teeth…
PS: I had trouble holding the bag, feeding, and taking pics…
MY PHOTO JOURNAL
My goodie bag…
Norma was the first. She sniffs, like the very smart donkey that she is.
She took it! And wanted more!
Dodger saw Norma take hers, so he took his. He also wanted more!
Dodger starts foaming and his eyes widened. “What is this new flavor?!”
Annie ran up from the large field and flirted with me through the fence. “What do you have, my favorite person?!”
After I had put some treats inside their bucket, both Annie and Mo were thrilled and asking for more. “Will you come back with that little bag?!”
Annie ran over as I was feeding Missy Miss, who was still eating grass bits out of her bin. As you can see, Annie grabbed some melon from Missy Miss.
Then Annie got distracted by me and the ‘bag’ – so Missy Miss got the rest of the melon.
This is Finn. He ate this melon and practically fleeced me for the sugar snap peas!! He loved them!
This is BG. She grabbed the grapes, as you can see. But she was foaming when I gave her the peas. She LOVED them.
BG again.
OMG! Gwen took an entire clump of grapes inside her mouth – and then it was GONE!
I gave Wrigley the rest of the peas and he was very happy. Immediately, he banged on the gate for more.
I gave the last bit to Norma and Dodger. As I turned around, this is what I saw nextdoor. 3 pitiful faces. As an aside, I swear that Annie is still growing. She is HUGE.
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The newly crowned national showjumping champion Joe Clayton has gone down on one knee to propose to girlfriend Georgina Stirling and we’re pleased to announce that she said yes… eventually.
“She kept asking me if I was sure,” Joe told Horse & Hound. “I said I might change my mind if she didn’t say yes soon!”
The showjumping couple met three years ago at Michael Whitaker’s Nottinghamshire stables, at which Joe had been based for several years, when Georgina joined as a working pupil.
“So it’s all thanks to Michael,” said 28-year-old Joe, who is part of the extended Whitaker dynasty as his mother June is a cousin of the Whitaker brothers. “It was certainly love at first sight for me — I’m not sure it was for her though.”
Joe had been planning his proposal for a while — “trying to find the best time to do it” — and finally popped the question when out for a walk with Georgina while staying with her parents in Dorset.
According to Joe, they are yet to set the date for the wedding but they could be walking down the aisle in 2019.
“It’s incredibly difficult trying to find the right day as obviously we want everyone to be there, but there’s never a good time,” said Joe.
When wildly distant cousins that you can hardly recall meeting and Godparents that you haven’t heard a squeak from get…
Joe and Georgina are based at the Clayton family home near Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, having set up their own yard in the autumn of last year.
The newly engaged Joe earned the title of national showjumping champion when riding Carolus K, owned by Jane Heerbeck, to victory at Stoneleigh a couple of weeks ago, also picking up a wild card ticket to compete in the international classes at Horse of the Year Show in October.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
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