jo hunn storm hickstead

A pony who was taken in by the RSPCA after he was abandoned as a yearling has competed at his first championship.

Storm was rescued from a field along with a number of other ponies in 2009 and it took him a year to recover physically from his difficult start in life.

But the nine-year-old coloured gelding has beaten the odds to enjoy a new life to compete at the Dressage at Hickstead South East Championships on 19 May.

“I spent 15 years supporting my daughter with her horses and when she went off to university I thought I should find myself a pony,” Jo told H&H.

“My friend was looking after him at the time and said ‘come and have a look’. He wasn’t what I was looking for, but I decided to take him on.”

Jo added that Storm was rising two at the time and rather an “ugly duckling”, who has the personality of a “17hh chestnut mare inside the body of a 14hh skewbald gelding”.

With the help of her daughter, trainers and Jason Webb clinics, she started to bring him on.

Jo and Storm joined the Rother Valley Riding Club’s “building rider confidence” group with the aim of enjoying some grassroots-level dressage.

“They have been fantastic with Storm, they hold clinics and everything is super low-key, with sympathetic instructors and everyone is very supportive,” said Jo.

The pair started at intro, topping the members’ league table at the club last year, then moving up to prelim and qualifying for the Hickstead finals.

“My initial response was ‘obviously I’m not going’,” said Jo.

“But my daughter said ‘don’t be silly — be proud, take Storm out and show him off.”

The pair have also enjoyed success at British Dressage’s My Quest classes, achieving plus-73% scores, which gave them the confidence to make the trip to Hickstead.

I was just delighted with him, he stayed with me for the whole test and was super-reactive,” said Jo, who survived a couple of spooks to achieve a score of 62.2% with the pony.

“We have worked so hard to be able to get there and now we are going to be able to go forwards from it.”

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Jo also thanked her trainer Anna Levy for her help.

“It breaks my heart [to hear of horses being abandoned], people are always really surprised about his start in life, they think I paid money for him,” said Jo, adding that “endless patience” has been the key to Storm.

“I feel like I’m the lucky one [to have found him], it has always been a dream to ride at Hickstead and I never thought I would get there, let alone on a 14hh rescue pony.”

Jo, a teaching assistant, added it has been rather a role reversal from supporting her daughter for so many years.

“It is a positive change though,” said Jo. “I get to see what it was like from her point of view and she gets to see it from mine!”

Jo added that she would encourage those with the right experience and time to consider rehoming when looking for their next horse.

“It is not for the inexperienced, but if you have the knowledge, a big heart and a lot of time, give it a go,” she said.

Don’t miss your chance to take part in the inaugural Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage, an unaffiliated show for all held at Sheepgate Equestrian (20 – 22 July 2018) with sections from intro to medium as well as music classes.

This week’s edition of Horse & Hound (17 May) features a full report from Royal Windsor Horse Show, including all the showing, showjumping and dressage action. We go behind the scenes with the Household Cavalry as they prepare for the royal wedding, plus check out our interview with Irish eventer Padraig McCarthy.

A director is producing a “dramatic and haunting” film about horse and rider safety on the UK’s roads.

Film-maker Danielle Scott is currently working on the “hard-hitting” short film, which she hopes will make viewers sit up and take note.

“Unlike other films of similar themes currently out there, this won’t be an infomercial,” she told H&H.

Storyboard image

“We are applying our film-making experiences and skill to hit the same dramatic level as the ‘don’t drink and drive’ adverts which really make a difference with a haunting message.”

The footage will be shot in North Ayrshire, Scotland, but the film’s message will apply to all UK viewers.

Filming will take place at the end of June and the finished project will premiere online this summer.

Storyboard image

Ms Scott is a rider and horse owner herself and has had near-misses on the road.

She enjoys attending local shows and hacking with her 20-year-old Anglo Arab mare Bailey.

“We do a lot of hacking and always ride with a camera,” said Ms Scott.

Storyboard image

“We’ve had numerous incidents of people driving too close and honking their horns.”

Ms Scott is working on the project alongside Paul Gilmour with the support of Police Scotland, Think! and North Ayrshire Council.

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“Despite this support we do not have any financial contributions,” said Ms Scott, who has set up a GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/respect-the-ride) to help fund the project.

“We are trying to raise £1,000 and need lots of help to make this film possible. We are non-profit.

“Money raised will be covering the costs of equipment hire, cast/crew costs and location fees.”

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

This week’s edition (17 May) features a full report from Royal Windsor Horse Show, including all the showing, showjumping and dressage action. We go behind the scenes with the Household Cavalry as they prepare for the royal wedding, plus check out our interview with Irish eventer Padraig McCarthy.

A few years ago, I wrote about the Mongolian horses.  You can read that post here.

Now, there is a new documentary about The Mongolian Eagle Hunters as well a gorgeous video.

Click here to view the stunning photographs.

Click here to watch the video.

Below are some stills from the video.  This is really worth the watch.  Breathtaking.

All credits:  Jimmy Nelson.

KAZAKH EAGLE HUNTERS by Jimmy Nelson.

Gorgeous

They walk across ice like it was nothing.

That is COLD!

Gorgeous!

Look how high up they are – yikes!!!

These horses come in many colors.

Not the greatest form… but they can ride.

A new equestrian game? Class?

They ride starting at very young ages. The number of horses outnumber the number of humans in Mongolia.

Amazing footage.  Amazing history.

The post THE HORSES OF THE MONGOLIAN EAGLE HUNTERS. Amazing video. appeared first on Horse and Man.

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loading a horse in a fly rug

The link between long journeys and chest infections has been recognised in horses for years.

Severe pleuropneumonia — sometimes called shipping fever or transit fever — can develop after travelling.

This condition often proves difficult to treat and in the worst cases can be fatal. Even if a horse recovers with intensive treatment, he may never again achieve previous levels of performance.

Because racehorses and sport horses tend to be transported over longer distances than pleasure horses and hunters, shipping fever occurs more often in elite athletes. Any horse or pony may succumb, however, when boxed on a long journey.

We have known for some time that one of the factors that increases the risk is tying a horse up tightly during transit so that he cannot lower his head to clear his airways. The stress of travelling is also thought to reduce resistance to infection, but what else contributes to the development of illness after arrival?

Identifying risks

Vets in Australia have published a major study looking at a whole range of factors that may affect a horse’s susceptibility to shipping fever. They kept 12 healthy adult thoroughbreds and standardbreds in individual stables, where their behaviour was recorded by video camera. Two days before the experimental journey, a tracheal wash was taken from the lower airway of each horse, at the entrance to his chest, using an endoscope.

The horses were examined on the day of the journey and blood samples were taken. They were then loaded into a commercial horsebox, in two batches of six, for an eight-hour trip.

The horses travelled in individual sideways-facing stalls, each tied with an elastic lead rope that allowed them to turn and lower their head to the level of their knees. The driver had a 25-minute rest break but the horses were not unloaded, nor were they fed or watered during the trip.

The air was sampled in the stables and transporter before the journey, and throughout the journey in the transporter when the horses were travelling. The air was tested for bacteria, gases, humidity, temperature and wind speed. The behaviour of the horses throughout the trip was recorded by individual cameras.

Once the horses were unloaded at the end of the journey, a further tracheal wash and blood samples were taken. Re-examination and blood sampling were repeated over the next five days.

Stress factors

Analysis of the data revealed some interesting findings. The increase in certain behaviours while the horses were travelling — especially during the first five hours and compared to their normal behaviour in the stable — was an indicator of stress. There was more sniffing, chewing and licking when the vehicle was moving and more yawning and pawing when it was stationary.

Movements to keep balance were pronounced and became more obvious in the last hour of the journey, when the horses were tired from travelling. There was much less lowering of the head during the journey than in the stables, even though the elastic lead ropes did not prevent this.

Six of the horses displayed increased respiratory noises when unloaded, but none developed a raised temperature during the next five days. Although heart rates and cortisol levels were increased by travelling, they returned to normal after 12 hours. This showed that lengthy journeys represent an acute, short-term stress to horses — even those accustomed to travelling.

Blood samples showed that white blood cells increased but components called globulins and fibrinogen decreased, an indicator of what is called an acute phase inflammatory response. In other words, the horses were reacting to an inflammatory challenge induced by the journey. The blood enzyme creatine kinase, which reveals muscle stress, was elevated for several days after.

When the tracheal washes were examined, it turned out that the six horses who displayed louder lung sounds after the journey had more mucus and bacteria in their lower airways before travelling — although the examining vets did not know this at the time. Crucially, the horses showing greater stress behaviour and less frequent lowering of the head during the journey had the most mucus and bacteria in their tracheal washes afterwards.

Traditionally, it has been thought that the source of the bacteria found in horses’ lungs after travelling was due to poor ventilation and a build-up of ammonia and other gases and dust in the air. This research indicates that bacteria found in the lungs of travelling horses originate in the mouth and throat, rather than the air.

While considered “normal” in the mouth and throat, these bacteria are contaminants and will cause inflammation and subsequent infection if they make their way to the lungs.

The comprehensive but complex results show that travelling can be stressful for all horses, and that those showing greater evidence of stress during the journey are more likely to be at risk of shipping fever. The study adds to a growing knowledge of the effects of long-distance travel — and highlights the need for meticulous care of horses both during and following transit.

Planning a long journey? Follow this six-point plan:

  • Monitor your horse’s health prior to travelling. If his rectal temperature is raised or he shows other signs of being off-colour, don’t go.
  • Optimise air quality by opening vehicle vents and windows during transit, but avoid causing a ferocious draught that dries out his eyes. Allow him room to stretch and lower his neck while travelling.
  • Let him graze or feed from the floor before and after the journey — and during to promote airway clearance.
  • Break the trip every two to four hours. Some horses will not eat, drink or pee while on board, but only unload them if it is safe to do so. Appreciate that a horse will require a rest after a long journey — do not expect him to perform immediately.
  • Horses generate heat while travelling, especially those in the middle of a herringbone format, so avoid over-rugging and check humidity levels.
  • Record his temperature for a further five days after the journey and seek vet advice if he shows signs of ill health.

Ref Horse & Hound; 17 May 2018

Cesare Croce

The head of the Italian equestrian federation’s (FISE) dressage department has been temporarily suspended after he was arrested as part of a financial crime investigation.

Cesare Croce served as the president of FISE from 1996 to 2008, taking over as dressage head in 2017.

A statement from FISE said he had been suspended while the police investigation is carried out “in which it is hoped that Cesare will prove his own extraneousness”.

Italy’s financial police department in Monza arrested 30 people on 21 May on suspicion of offences including tax and bankruptcy crimes, fraud, money laundering and corruption.

The investigation was sparked by a complaint in October 2014, dating back to an incident in 2010 in the town of Brianza.

On behalf of the local judicial authorities, the police have started investigations into the management of about 40 companies belonging to a corporate group belonging to well-known building contractor Giuseppe Malaspina operating in the province of Monza and Brianza.

Officers are looking into the issue and use of invoices for non-existent transactions by the companies totaling around €95 million, with assets of approximately €234 million.

Police have seized 28 real estate units, company shares and financial assets, worth a total of €9.3 million, and are aiming to confiscate up to €10million to make up for the amount of tax that has allegedly been evaded.

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.

Lakevale Toyman

A mini marvel who stepped up to one-star eventing last year is set to make history next month.

Lakevale Toyman (Tommy), a 13.2hh gelding, is the smallest pony ever to be entered in the CCI* at Melbourne International 3 Day Event (7-11 June).

Ridden and owned by Australian Jackie Wright, the 14-year-old was originally bought as a companion, but he soon showed his aptitude for jumping and progressed up the levels.

He is now being prepared for the three-day event and Jackie has high hopes for his performance.

“Melbourne is in two weeks’ time and I’m so excited about it,” she told H&H.

“Tommy is really well. We’ve had some improvements in our dressage lately which led to us qualifying for Melbourne, as well as a couple of placings. He’s a star!”

Tommy has completed two international and seven national one-star events since his debut at the level last April.

In March this year he was placed sixth in the CIC1* at Wandin Park in Victoria, Australia.

The diminutive gelding even has his own Facebook page with thousands of fans.

“I think he’ll get heaps of attention at Melbourne,” said Jackie.

“Since my post that we got in we’ve had so many people following us.”

Jackie, who is 5’3”, started competing Tommy at 65cm, as he was “quite spooky”, then stepped up to 95cm events.

“I thought I may have reached his limit — I was quite happy with that — but then he seemed to get even bolder so I started doing some 105s on him,” said Jackie.

Tommy went from strength to strength. Jackie took him cross-country schooling with her other established one-star horse and found he tackled the bigger fences with ease.

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“He’s an absolute machine cross-country,” she said.

“He’s so smart and loves his job and always seems to know where to go for a long spot and when he needs to chip in to make the distances.”

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 Maydon’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.

Injection equine dope testing

What is it?

Dope testing takes place in all competitive horse sport, and can happen at any time, at any event in any discipline.

It’s a serious matter, and FEI protocol must be followed. “Doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport,” says the FEI, which creates the rules for Clean Sport in equestrianism.

The Commission on Anti-Doping & Medication was founded in November 2008, after the high-profile doping cases from the 2008 Olympic Games. A number of riders appealed to the FEI for clearer guidance on doping and medication.

Any riders competing under FEI rules must stick to the global authority’s clean sport regulations, at all levels of the sport. Riders competing in British Eventing, British Showjumping, British Dressage and British Riding Clubs also must adhere to FEI protocol when it comes to random testing.

“The FEI’s testing process is clear and thorough,” an FEI spokesman tells H&H. “Protecting the integrity of our sport, ensuring it is clean and fair, is vital and even more important when there is an animal involved.

“With over 4,600 international events on the FEI calendar, it is our responsibility as the international governing body to protect our athletes and our sport.”

How does it work?

Equine anti-doping and controlled medication can take place randomly, not just if you’ve won.

Testing is always carried out in the same way, and horses may be tested multiple times at the same event.

When dope testing, horses are taken to a sampling box, where a sample of blood and urine is taken. A steward or testing official will be present to watch. Riders are advised to go themselves to the sampling box, although they can nominate a representative, however only the person that witnesses the sampling can testify about the procedure and whether it was conducted according to the rules.

The testing vet fills in a form and keeps one part. A second part is given to the person responsible and the third is sent with the sample to the FEI-approved lab.

There are five official laboratories, with the central lab in Cambridgeshire. Others are in Australia, America, Hong Kong and France.

Samples are marked with a unique number, and not the name or horse or rider. The sample is then couriered to the lab. Labs can pick up even the smallest trace.

The B samples are stored for any future testing, and A samples are analysed, which can take up to two or three weeks. If a prohibited substance is found, it is reported to the FEI.

If it tests negative, the sample is destroyed [unless from a world championships or Olympic event]. If it’s positive the rider is informed, who then can ask for a B sample. There will be a provisional suspension, a hearing and verdict, which can result in a lengthy ban.

If it’s positive and the person responsible is found guilty, they can appeal to the Council for Arbitration in Sport.

What are they looking for?

The FEI publishes an equine prohibited substances list, which is updated regularly. Riders are encouraged to check this frequently to ensure they’re not treating or feeding their horses any substances that are on this list.

Banned substances are those that are deemed by the FEI to have “no legitimate use in the competition horse and/or have a high potential for abuse”. They are not permitted for use at any time.

Controlled medication are substances that are deemed by the FEI to have “therapeutic value and/or be commonly used in equine medicine”, however they have the potential to affect performance and/or be a welfare risk.

Any substance that affects the performance of the horse in a calming or energising manner that contains prohibited substances are banned.

“We have a rigorous testing policy in place, with over 1,000 substances on the FEI prohibited substances list,” says an FEI spokesman.

“Boosting awareness and education is key for us as our sport grows around the world, and the FEI is investing in all forms of FEI clean sport communication to ensure athletes and veterinarians are aware.”

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How can you avoid an accidental positive test?

  • Although there’s high security at events, the competitor is still the person responsible.
  • Athletes should read up on FEI rules, to ensure there are no grey areas when it comes to substances. The FEI has a clear Clean Sport online hub with all relevant information. You can also download the Clean Sport app and there are versions for both Apple and android.
  • Always speak to your vet if your horse needs treatment. They can advise you on detection times (ie how long it takes for a medicine to clear from a horse’s system). These can also be found on the FEI Clean Sport website.
  • Tell your vet if you intend to compete, when and where.
  • Keep in mind possible contamination of feed by Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances (NOPS). Buy your feed from reputable companies and preferably those that have signed up to the BETA UFAS NOPS Code.
  • Note down the batch number. In some cases you may need to call the manufacturer for a full break down of ingredients. If in doubt, check.
  • General day-to-day items, such as caffeine – which is found in chocolate, tea and coffee – can be detected. It’s therefore important that nothing is left lying around, you wash your hands before preparing feed and there’s no way your horse can ingest anything that’s meant for you.
  • There have been cases where horses have failed dope tests due to human urine and even hairspray.
  • Contaminated hay can also be an issue.
  • Beware of cross-contamination between horses. If one horse in the yard is on medication, ensure that does not pass to another. Stick to the same buckets each time for each horse. The same goes for water buckets.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly and use disposable gloves if preparing feed with medication. Good hygiene is essential.
  • Don’t use home-made remedies and be cautious with supplements.
  • A “medication logbook” must be kept for each horse recording the date, substance and dosage of all treatments administered to the horse which involve a prohibited substance and details of the person who administered them. This logbook can be inspected by the FEI Tribunal, so make sure it’s kept up to date.

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

IF you’ve always dreamt of competing at a dressage championship, look no further than the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage, the new three-day unaffiliated championship with classes from intro level up to medium.

This exciting inaugural event, to be held on 20-22 July at popular Lincolnshire venue Sheepgate Equestrian, could be the ideal championship for you and your horse to target this summer, whether you’re keen to experience the buzz of a championship, or looking for the perfect opportunity to step up a level with your horse.

With a prize fund of approximately £1,000 per championship, including winners’ rugs and top-quality prizes — plus prize money — and all classes taking place on an array of superb all-weather arenas with indoor warm-up facilities, you can be sure that this is a championship worth aiming for.

What’s more, this could be your chance to appear in the pages of Horse & Hound — the show will receive detailed coverage both in the magazine and online, with all champions interviewed by Horse & Hound reporters.

“A large percentage of Horse & Hound’s readers are successful, keen amateur riders. We know from experience how much anyone who fits that description needs clear goals to maintain focus and motivation. After all, it’s not easy getting up at 5:30am every day before work to keep your horse fit and progressing,” says Sarah Jenkins, Horse & Hound content director.

“Readers and their trainers told us how much they and their clients would value a Horse & Hound championship — somewhere they could aim for to offer a great stay-away show experience with the prestige of becoming a Horse & Hound champion, plus great prizes.”

Championship dressage — and so much more

Combinations at each of the five levels on offer will perform two championship tests across the Saturday and Sunday, with the combined scores from both days determining the champion at each level. Additional warm-up classes will run across all three days, and competitors are also invited to enter freestyle classes on the Saturday evening at prelim, novice, elementary and medium.

But it’s not just about the dressage — with a drinks reception on the Friday, a complimentary hog roast on the Saturday night, and further evening entertainment, you can enjoy the excitement and buzzing social atmosphere that only comes with a stay-away championship.

Permanent and temporary stabling will be available to keep your horse comfortable, and the Sheepgate Tack & Togs shop, featuring top brands including Ariat, Pikeur, Cavallo and Dubarry, will provide ample opportunity for retail therapy — or just the chance to pick up any extra essentials.

Every horse and rider needs a target to aim for — why not make yours the 2018 Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage?

Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage: all you need to know

WHERE: Sheepgate Equestrian, Sheepgate Nursery, Leverton, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE22 0AS. Sheepgate.co.uk
WHEN: 20-22 July 2018
LEVELS: championships at intro, prelim, novice, elementary and medium. Additional freestyle classes at prelim to medium levels
ENTRIES: enter online at Equoevents.co.uk/HHDressagefestival. Entries close on 13 July, or when classes are full. No refunds after close of entries.
FEES: £70 per championship to include tests on both days. £20 per freestyle entry, £15 per warm-up class
STABLING: Limited permanent stables available at £40 per night. Temporary stables available at £35 for one night or £70 for the duration of the show.

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.

Horse & Hound’s eventing editor Pippa Roome takes her “sports pony” to try out Slades Farm, a new cross-country schooling course in Surrey — and gets Lucinda Green’s verdict on the facilities

There are plenty of perks to working at Horse & Hound, but when our features editor suggested I go and review a new cross-country schooling course, I knew I’d hit the jackpot. Take my horse and ride him over some nice new cross-country fences, in the sun, rather than sitting at a desk and answering emails? Oh, I expect I could just about manage that.

When I say “my horse”, I really mean “Mum’s horse”. Alfie arrived last October, after a long search. He is her pride and joy. He’s barely allowed out of her sight. “Will it just be you or is your Mum coming?” asked Rachel Lewis, who was setting up my visit to Slades Farm. Oh Mum will be coming. There is no way Alfie would be allowed to jump solid fences without her in attendance. And frankly, if he was, who would take the videos? Reader, you know you want to see videos.

I call Alfie the sports pony or the sports cob because he’s a Connemara, 15.1hh and up for a bit of anything. Mum thinks this is vaguely insulting, but I mean it as a compliment. Who doesn’t want a sports pony?

The sports pony had had a few quiet weeks before this outing. Mum had been away and I had been a touch busy with that little event called Badminton. But because he’s an obliging sports pony, Alfie accepted his role as a prop in an H&H feature with aplomb, tucked up his little tummy (yes, he has been put on a mini diet after we viewed the photos and videos from this day) and hopped into the trailer.

Getting to Slades Farm

First point to note if you are heading to Slades Farm, which is five miles south of Guildford, in Surrey. Do follow the instructions on the website about which way to approach (off the A281 at Palmers Cross or via Lodkin Hill just north of Hascombe on the B2130). Some of the routes in are very narrow and we found ourselves squeezing between parked cars and an unforgiving wall at one point, having disregarded the instructions. Luckily Mum is made of stern stuff as a driver and we made it unscathed.

The parking

The parking area is a good size, on gravelly hard-standing. Riders are asked to book online and then sign the visitor’s book and a disclaimer on arrival, standard stuff. The course is through a gate — sensible, so that horses are not loose onto the road in the event of falls and I’d suggest one on the entrance to the car park might not go amiss either. The sports pony has been known to untie himself and wander off if not watched at all times.

The parking area for cross-country schooling at Slades Farm

The owners

Owners Ed and Lulu Hartley appeared for a chat before I headed out on the course. They are both joint masters of the Surrey Union and the inspiration for this cross-country schooling course grew out of the hunt putting up jumps across their land. Having decided to go for it, they chose top names to realise the course, with Badminton course-designer Eric Winter as the designer and Dominic Moore of Jump 1 as the builder. Dominic counts Tweseldown’s course among his credits.

The course

The course was started last autumn, with the aim of being finished by March, but as with so much this spring, wet weather de-railed things somewhat and it actually opened in mid-April. One of the first clients won a one-day event soon after her schooling session and things were off to a flying start.

It’s worth pointing out at that Slades Farm has considerably more than just a cross-country schooling course — New Zealand event rider Hollie Swain will be based here and is running clinics, plus there is a trekking business and accommodation for both horses and humans for holidays, with horses also available to hire. Cross-country schoolers can pop into the club house overlooking the lake for coffee and biscuits afterwards and of course there’s a loo — because who doesn’t need a wee before cross-country schooling?

Ok, enough about the biscuits and the loo. Let’s get to the action.

Lucinda Green’s verdict

Lucinda Green recently visited Slades Farm and said she was delighted to discover the course is on grass and undulating.

“I often get asked to teach on flat, all-weather courses, but this isn’t realistic,” she says. “Cross-country is not naturally flat; your horse needs to build the skills required for natural terrain, and all-weather surfaces take away the skill of riding. Slades Farm gives riders a chance to have a realistic experience.”

The course is in a natural bowl, with great grass cover. The going is sandy and free-draining and the Hartleys are aware they will need to work on maintaining the going — a few places were starting to become set in firm ruts when I visited and they plan to put down wood chip on the take-offs and landings where it’s needed.

This is designed as a schooling course, so everything is convenient and an instructor could easily see their pupils. The fences are from 50-100cm level and there is great variety, including several open ditches, an extensive set of steps up and down, a big water pond and a couple of corners.

Don’t just take my word for it — Lucinda says: “The three fundamentals of training your horse in cross country are ditches, banks and water, and Slades Farm has them in spades. The large water jump offers huge possibilities for competitors.”

Some of the fences are flagged to be jumped both ways, some one way, some are not flagged at all. I would have liked to see the second little corner flagged as although the sports pony has never shown a desire to run out, I do prefer jumping narrow fences with flags.

As you can see, Alfie and I had a fabulous time cruising around and trying out all the fences. And before anyone asks, yes, I know he needs to go forward a little more (forgive me, I’m really a writer, not a rider) and no he’s definitely not for sale!

The cost

The Hartleys are restricting the course to four horses per hour session (£35 per horse per hour, with at £25 offer until the end of June) which should allow good access. Those organising clinics and bigger groups can contact them directly via the website.

Also on offer is a 900m grass gallop, situated on top of a hill high above the cross-country course. We strode up to take a look and admire the view, both out over the surrounding countryside and back over the cross-country course, although I admit I felt the sports pony had done enough so I didn’t carry out an action test.

Overall this is a great new facility for grassroots horses and riders — find yourself a sports pony (or horse) and give it a go.

The sports pony demonstrates the gallop. Without galloping.

Find out more at sladesfarm.co.uk

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 issue of Horse & Hound magazine, out on 24 May 2018, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more

Opinion

Mark Todd Feature Shoot with his horse Jack (grey) and his son James - Badgerstown, Wiltshire, United Kingom - 09 November 2012

It’s been a year of “girl power” — or maybe “mother power” — so far, with Jonelle Price winning Badminton eight months after having a baby, and Piggy French kicking off the Event Rider Masters (ERM) series for 2018 with her victory at Chatsworth. It was an all-female podium that day, and then Ingrid Klimke took the second ERM leg at Wiesbaden in Germany a week later. The women are certainly dishing it to us so far.

Piggy’s cross-country round at Chatsworth was outstanding and showed what a high-class rider she is. She gives her horses confidence and rides them fast without ever looking like she is hassling or hurrying them, and they respect her for it. With the horse power she appears to have, she is a serious competitor at any big event.

I thought Ian Stark’s cross-country track was a little more friendly than in the past, and that the ground was actually as good as it has been for a long time.

My little horse, Mc Claren, pleased me a lot. He went up through the grades very quickly last year and I had planned to have an easy build-up to the CCI3* at Saumur, but it didn’t work out like that. He had to go to the CIC3* at Belton after just one open intermediate run and felt a trifle green there, so when Withington was cancelled and he therefore missed another run, I was a little concerned about going straight to the ERM CIC3* at Chatsworth.

But he was fantastic there, so heads for Saumur. It’s an event I love, and while the ground hadn’t been that good there for a few years, they had improved it greatly for last year and I’m looking forward to it. It helps that the food and the wine are particularly good!

Chasing points

The cross-country track at Wiesbaden looked a little bit like an extended arena eventing course, but it certainly produced an exciting competition and high-class victors in Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD.

The ERM series keeps throwing up new winners and, while there is something of a clash with World Equestrian Games preparations this year, the overall title will come down to who is prepared to chase series points. I hope to get to a few more of the competitions.

Separate judges

As the FEI is trying to overhaul the format of three-day eventing, especially for the Olympics, perhaps it is time to try out a different method of judging and overseeing each phase.

There was a bit of “Friday afternoon fever” in the dressage judging at Badminton, and there has been little apparent consistency in disciplinary matters. Maybe eventing should adopt racing’s policy of employing paid, professional stipendary stewards who officiate regularly and should therefore provide more uniformity in decision-taking.

And there are any number of people — technical delegates, course advisers, stewards and so on — who understand the cross-country; do the dressage judges really need to oversee this section, or should they simply be experts in their area?

It would be interesting at least to trial a shake-up in the officiating roles at a three-day event; after all, the FEI appears keen on change in some areas, so why not try it in others?

Ref Horse & Hound; 24 May 2018