Emily Moffitt welcomes new trainer to ‘help achieve her 2020 goals’

February 10, 2020

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 22: CHIO Rotterdam Emily Moffitt, Copain du Perchet CH during the CHIO Rotterdam at the Kralingse Bos on June 22, 2018 in Rotterdam Netherlands (Photo by Jan Kok/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Emily Moffitt riding Copain du Perchet CH.

British showjumper Emily Moffitt has brought in renowned Irish rider and producer Cameron Hanley as her new trainer.

The 21-year-old Team GB rider has been trained by Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher since they first teamed up in 2016. However, with Ben’s heavy competition schedule, the Moffitt family have decided to recruit 46-year-old Cameron as a second rider and trainer to work alongside the world number five under the Poden Farms banner.

“I am very happy to have Cameron join the team,” said Neil Moffitt, Emily’s father and owner of Poden Farms.

“He has exemplary qualities that we have been looking for, not limited to his riding skills, but also his ability to assist in the training of my daughter Emily. We have a vast array of fantastic horses and look forward to what the future holds for all of us.”

A statement said: “Poden Farms has achieved great success with Ben Maher both as a rider and a trainer. Under his tutelage, Emily has accomplished incredible things, from the GB team win in Dublin to multiple wins for the London Knights [in the Global Champions League (GCL)]. Cameron will work closely with Ben to help Emily continue to achieve her goals for the 2020 season and to develop top grand prix horses for Poden Farms. We look forward to this new partnership and the expanding success of Poden Farms.”

Emily’s new partnership with Cameron, who is based in Germany, has already proved profitable as Emily won the CSI2* grand prix in Valencia, Spain, on Sunday (3 November) riding her “trusty steed”, the 14-year-old stallion Copain Du Perchet CH.

“I think even just in these few weeks, having Cameron here has made a big difference in my riding,” Emily told H&H from the Autumn Tour in Spain where she’s still competing.

“Ben’s really great at coming to shows with me, but he’s so busy so it’s hard for him to be with me all the time so now, between the two of them, we have a good system going.

“Obviously you need a fantastic team behind you to be able to achieve what I want to achieve,” added Emily, who was part of the Aga Khan-winning Nations Cup team in Dublin this year, rode for the title-winning London Knights squad on the GCL and has long had the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as her goal.

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Emily will continue to be based from her Worcestershire stables.

“Ben and Cameron are both quite amazing, I’m very lucky to have them,” she said.

Emily is spending another week competing in Valencia, where she has also been getting to know new ride Kasper Van Het Hellehof, one of a very exciting string of horses owned and produced by Poden Farms.

“I’m taking it easy with him as he’s quite big and chunky and he thinks I’m a little fly on him at the moment! He keeps asking ‘Where’s my rider?’” she said. “We just need to work together a bit more but he’s super talented.”

She then heads to the CSI5* World Cup show in Stuttgart, Germany, before returning to the familiar scarlet colours of the London Knights for the GC Prague Playoffs, where LGCT victor Ben is set to ride Poden Farms’ incredible gelding Explosion W, his European silver medal-winning ride.

Keep in touch with all the latest news, reports and exclusive features in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

9 thing horsey people say in the office in winter (with translations for non-horsey colleagues)

Library image

Ah winter. Other people may rave about Christmas and crisp frosty mornings, but the reality for riders tends to be freezing in hacks, struggling to fit in rides with short daylight hours and battling with mud.

Because non-horsey colleagues need a helping hand, we’ve compiled this handy guide for your muggle co-workers to help them understand your winter lingo…

1. It’s really tricky to fit in a ride once the clocks change (translation: I’ll be leaving early at least three days a week until spring).

2. It’s so cold at the yard in the mornings now (translation: please forgive the fact I’ll be arriving at the office with 14 layers on, I’ll go and remove them as soon as I’ve had a coffee).

3. My indoor showjumping show went on until midnight last night (translation: I am quite tired today, please don’t ask me to do anything difficult).

4. There’s so much mud in the field gateway (translation: I forgot my office shoes, so I’ll either be tramping dirt through the office — jodhpurs boots are chic, right? — or padding around in socks today).

5.  I can’t wait for my local show centre’s Christmas show — I’ve been planning my outfit for weeks (translation: please don’t ask me to go away for work that week. I need to finish moulding my tinsel to the shape of my horse’s ears).

6. I am so excited to go to Olympia on the Tuesday night (translation: I’ll be hungover on that Wednesday because I will be spending all my money in the champagne bar).

7. I’m going on a beach holiday! I haven’t booked holiday for anything except for stayaway shows for five years! (translation: does anyone have a plug adaptor I can borrow? And I wonder where my passport is…)

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8. The heater doesn’t work in my car, so could we take yours for that long trip? (translation: my car is a mobile wardrobe and tackroom for muddy, hairy clothing, rugs and numnahs — please don’t embarrass me by asking to get in it).

9. I clipped Silver at the weekend (translation: please don’t worry if little white hairs keep flying out of my clothing today).

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

20 Romantic Ideas for Valentines Day

February 9, 2020

Happy Valentines week! Even though Valentines Day is highly commercialized and suggest that people spend lots of money making their loved ones feel loved, we don’t have to go overboard. Simple and easy ideas for celebrating this day of love are plentiful. I hope you enjoy the ideas I’ve shared below from 20 talented bloggers. From recipes, to crafts, and decorating ideas to help you celebrate Valentines Day, enjoy and feel loved! 

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9 reasons why 2020 is set to be an exciting year for dressage

February 8, 2020

This time of year is always full of promise, but there’s a few reasons why 2020 is shaping up to be an especially exciting year for dressage riders and fans alike…

British team celebrating their medal at the Rio Olympics.

1. Britain might win an Olympic medal

In case you hadn’t realised, there’s the small matter of the Tokyo Olympics fast approaching! Britain’s top combinations are getting their competition campaigns underway, all hoping to be chosen as members of the team of three that will travel to Japan in July, along with one travelling reserve. And there’s no shortage of talent at the top — with Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester and Gareth Hughes leading the charge, you can be sure that whichever riders end up representing us in Tokyo, they’ll be in with a very good chance of a team medal.

2. There will be some exciting format changes

If the Olympics weren’t exciting enough, this year’s Games are set to produce even more drama, with a new competition format. The grand prix special will now determine the team medals, with the grand prix test serving as a qualifier for the individual competition – the freestyle – and to decide the running order for the special.

3. The National Dressage Championships have had a revamp

Back at home, the British Dressage national championships will take place at the beautiful Somerford Park, Cheshire, this September, with three international arenas, extra capacity across the levels and several new classes, including a prelim gold championship, prix st georges and inter I silver championships and a prix st georges freestyle.

4. There’s plenty of new and returning talent to watch out for

One of the most exciting young British riders of the moment, Lottie Fry, will be campaigning hard for Tokyo selection, not just with her 2019 European Championship ride Dark Legend, but the Lord Leatherdale stallion Everdale, with whom she wowed crowds and judges alike at Olympia in December. At the other end of the spectrum, experienced combination Spencer Wilton and Super Nova II are also back in action and aiming for a team place, having not competed since helping Britain win team bronze at the World Equestrian Games in 2018.

5. The Area Festival series has had a makeover

The ever-popular Area Festivals will now run across two seasons, culminating in the winter championships at Hartpury in April and the brand new summer championships, to be held at Arena UK in September.

6. Britain’s para dressage squad are looking stronger than ever

There have been several new faces on British para teams in recent years, such last year’s gold medallists Georgia Wilson and team silver medallist Mari Durward-Akhurst. But competition for a team place at the Paralympics is especially strong this year, with multi-medallists like Natasha Baker and Sophie Christiansen boasting top-class new rides. Britain hasn’t won team gold at a para championship since 2017, but there’s everything to suggest they could be back on top in Tokyo.

7. Freestyle to music fans have a new championship to aim for

The summer Area Festival series now includes freestyle classes, so if you and your horse love nothing more than to strut your stuff to music, this is a great opportunity. The Area Festival Summer Music Championship will be incorporated in to the Area Festival Summer Championships in September. Check out this week’s dressage special issue of H&H for more on creating a winning freestyle.

8. Britain’s queen of dressage has another horse at the top level

Having already proved herself to be far from a one-horse wonder following Valegro’s retirement, Charlotte Dujardin can now add the nine-year-old Gio — aka Pumpkin — her grand prix string alongside Mount St John Freestyle. The diminutive Apache son made his grand prix debut with nearly 80% in January, and is set to compete at his first international competition in March, at ’s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands.

9. Middle tour combinations will be well catered for

If you and your horse have progressed beyond small tour but aren’t quite ready to make the leap up to grand prix, it can often feel as though you’re somewhat stuck in no-mans land. Not this year though — BD has launched a new Middle Tour Championship, to run at the Keysoe High Profile show in December with inter II, inter B and inter A/B freestyle classes for gold and silver competitors.

Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s dressage special issue, on sale now

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My 5 Favorite Hostels in Mexico City

One of the many beautiful historic buildings in Mexico City
Posted: 2/8/2020 | February 8th, 2020

Over the past several years, Mexico City has become a hot spot for travelers as cheap flights and a burgeoning food scene have made this an ideal destination for travelers who wish to discover its temples, museums, and restaurants while sticking to a budget.

As such, the choices of hostels have exploded — there are now over 40. They’ve become a lot more luxurious and offer better accommodations than before.

But they are still cheap!

Beds generally cost 229-379 MXN ($12-20 USD) per night. Plus, you’ll find that many hostels offer tours, free breakfast, and common areas for meeting other travelers.

To help you decide which amazing hostel to stay at in Mexico City, here is a list of my five favorites!
 

1. Casa Pepe

One of the beautiful dorm rooms at the Casa Pepe hostel in Mexico City
Hands-down the best hostels in the city, Casa Pepe is equal parts cultural hub and boutique hostel. It offers a plethora of activities for travelers like in-house concerts, wrestling trips, tequila tastings, traditional dishes for breakfast, and free daily walking tours in different areas of town too.

The rooms are clean and spacious and come with private lockers. The dorm beds are cubby-like and covered by a curtain, so you can have your own private space, which makes sleeping a lot easier. They also come with their own light and USB charger port. You can enjoy yoga in the morning and relax on the rooftop terrace in the evening (there’s a rooftop swimming pool too!).

If you’re looking for a social hostel that makes it easy to meet people, this is it! It’s also located in a great part of the historic center of the city, near the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Zócalo.

Beds from 379 MXN ($20 USD), privates from 1,619 MXN ($86 USD).

—> Book your stay at Casa Pepe!
 

2. Massiosare El Hostel

Bunk beds in the Massiosare El Hostel in Mexico City
Towering over Mexico City, Massiosare El Hostel is located in the penthouse of a beautiful historic building. There’s no elevator up to the hostel (which is on the 4th floor), though, which can be tiring, but it more than compensates with cozy dorm rooms and a super chill rooftop. The views from the roof are incredible, and it’s a fun place to relax at night and listen to music with other travelers.

There are two kitchens (one for vegetarians and one for meat eaters) as well as a free breakfast every morning as well. It’s another great social hostel, and it’s super easy to meet people here. Just make sure to bring earplugs since it’s an old building and sounds tend to carry.

Beds from 240 MXN ($12 USD), privates from 600 MXN ($31 USD).

—> Book your stay at Massiosare El Hostel!
 

3. Hostel Home

one of the dorm rooms in Hostel Home, Mexico City
Hostel Home is Mexico City’s first hostel. Located in the Roma district, this place feels is super homey. It’s small, with colorful paintings on the walls and tons of potted plants, and offers comfortable beds, free drinking water, and good Wi-Fi.

The rooms are a little cramped, but each dorm bed has its own locker and power socket, and there’s a large common area in which to socialize in. There’s a kitchen to cook and fresh fruit and eggs are provided at breakfast. The staff are also super helpful and can provide information about the surrounding area and things to do nearby. If you want a more “old school” hostel feel, this place is it.

Beds from 300 MXN ($15 USD), privates from 747 MXN ($39 USD).

—> Book your stay at Hostel Home!
 

4. Suites DF Hostel

the dorm room of the Suites DF Hostel in Mexico City
Suites DF Hostel is located in the hustle and bustle of downtown near tons of bars, restaurants, and cafés — although it’s still a bit quieter than other hostels so if you want to avoid a party hostel, stay here.

Overall, the rooms are clean and simple, and the bedsheets have bright, funky designs that brighten up the place. All the dorms have en suite bathrooms, and there is a personal light and power socket for each bed. There are multiple common rooms to hang out in, a cool terrace for relaxing, and free breakfast every morning.

The hostel also offers a lot of awesome tours to see the sights and meet other people. They also arrange trips to the Teotihuacán Pyramids, the Xochimilco Canals, and lucha libre wrestling matches.

Beds from 324 MXN ($17 USD), privates from 857 MXN ($45 USD).

—> Book your stay at Suites DF Hostel!
 

5. Hostel Amigo Suites Downtown

the terrace of the Amigo Suites Inn in Mexico City
This hostel is the place to party. The rooftop terrace and bar go until 5:00 in the morning! After spending your night partying, you can soak in the sunshine in the solarium or swing on one of the hammocks.

Dorm rooms are small (only 3 or 4 beds per room). You’ll get towels, a personal locker, and an en suite bathroom. The private rooms are pretty spacious, though, with either a double bed or two single beds. There’s also a delicious free vegetarian buffet breakfast and dinner.

Beds from 229 MXN ($12 USD), privates from 650 MXN ($35 USD).

—> Book your stay at Hostel Amigo Suites Downtown!

***

Mexico City and the hostel scene here is fast becoming one of the best in the region. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to stay or want to party the nights away, Mexico City will have a hostel for you. The prices are incredibly reasonable too, making it an affordable destination for backpackers and budget travelers alike.

Book Your Trip to Mexico City: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more travel tips for Mexico City?
Check out my in-depth Mexico City travel guide for more ways to save money, costs, tips on what to see and do, suggested itineraries, reading, packing lists, and much, much more!

Photo credits: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

The post My 5 Favorite Hostels in Mexico City appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Home Style Saturday 177

Hi, friends and Happy Saturday! I hope you enjoy this set of home decor ideas for your Saturday enjoyment. We are still plugging away on the bathroom, probably two more weeks to go. Mark and I will be working on our side to get some woodwork finished and I will be painting that vanity, so we definitely have more DIY to do to get to the finish line. After some delays and disasters with our countertops (the original remnant piece we chose was cracked during fabrication so back to choosing another), we finally have one chosen and ready to go, so that should happen next week. We are so ready to get finished, cleaned up and start using this bathroom. What fun that will be! 

The post Home Style Saturday 177 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Feature Friday: Thistle Key Lane

February 7, 2020

Happy Friday to you all! We are in the home stretch of the biggest part of the bathroom renovation, so I’m happy to say we are getting there. After posting on Monday about the renovation, the countertop was supposed to be installed on Wednesday. As fate would have it, a corner of the counter broke during fabrication, so I couldn’t use it. It was on to Plan B in the countertop material, but by today we should be on the way to the next stage of countertops installed and then the guys will come back and finish up that wall, as well as the vanity faucets and tub installation. It’s been quite the process, but that’s the way renovations can be. Mark and I have board and batten to do in there as well as I’m hanging wallpaper in the water closet and painting the vanity and walls so we have plenty to do waiting for the countertop to come in. Whewwww! Progress!

Today’s Feature Friday is a new to me blogger, Michelle with Thistle Key Lane. She has a clean and classic style that I think you’ll find refreshing. Michelle says she likes to incorporate things into her home that have a fun story or special memory behind them. 

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Visiting Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia

History Banská Štiavnica is a town located in a volcanic caldera in central Slovakia. its location made it an excellent place to mine silver and gold. During its heyday, it was the second-largest city in the Kingdom of Hungary after Budapest itself. The mining culture here had several things about which are unique to mining …

Read moreVisiting Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia

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Visiting the Wachau Cultural Landscape, Austria

The Wachau Wachau Cultural Landscape is an Austrian World Heritage Site location along the Danube River approximately between the towns of Krems and Melk. It is one of the most popular world heritage sites in the country attracting thousands of riverboat passengers each year, as well as visitors from the nearby capitals of Vienna, Bratislava, …

Read moreVisiting the Wachau Cultural Landscape, Austria

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Visiting the Major Mining Sites of Wallonia

February 6, 2020

The Major Mining Sites of Wallonia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site established in 2012 which preserves the heritage of coal mining and early industrialization in Wallonia. The site consists of four different properties: Grand-Hornu, Bois-du-Luc, Bois du Cazier, and the Blegny-Mine. It is one of 12 world heritage sites in Belgium, and also on the European …

Read moreVisiting the Major Mining Sites of Wallonia

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