EVENT REPORTS said: “After many years of campaigning, I’m delighted that the Government has listened to our coalition and finally increased maximum sentences from six months to five years for the worst animal cruelty offences. As a nation of animal lovers, the previous punishment was wholly inadequate.” Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the RSPCA said: “Our officers are faced with cases of the most unimaginable cruelty; from organised criminals making money from the suffering of animals, to pets starved, shot, stabbed, beaten to death and drowned. At least now, in those most shocking of cases, courts will be able to hand out sentences that truly reflect the severity of the crimes.” Lord Randall of Uxbridge, former Special Advisor on the Environment to then Prime Minister Theresa May MP, met with the coalition in June 2019, and has spearheaded the Bill’s passage through the House of Lords. He said: “It is a much-needed measure that will now ensure that those who harm an animal by, for example, causing unnecessary suffering, mutilation or poisoning, face the full force of the law. I commend all of the charities involved for the weight and purpose that they brought to this campaign, to secure one of the most significant changes to animal welfare legislation since the Animal Welfare Act of 2006.”
BRITISH EVENTING AFFILIATED HORSE TRIALS AT HORSEHEATH 24th-25th April
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he return of British Eventing to Horseheath, Cambridgeshire, was particularly welcome this year, after a two-year absence. With so many events cancelled due to the pandemic, Horseheath were fortunate to run and the focus was very much on the condition of the ground, having had exceptionally dry weather throughout April across the country. The thorough preparations of Horseheath’s ground care team meant competitors were delighted to find near-perfect footing. Over two inches of water had gone down over the dressage and showjumping arenas and respective warm-up areas, in addition to the extensive irrigation of the crosscountry course. The team had also invested several days equivating the ground to ensure the going was good for the 500 riders that had travelled from across five counties to compete. In addition to BE80 (T) to Teresa Halsall
BE105, there were two BE Under Michael Paveley in the course walk earlier that day and put 18 classes open to junior them to good use riding competitors competing in the BE90 and the BE100. The cross- Ballingowan Chiara. Imogen country course had, once again, said: “We all really love been expertly designed by British Horseheath. The organisers and volunteers put in so much work Eventing Accredited Coach and to enable us to enjoy one of the Course Designer Tina Ure of Ely best events in the BE calendar, Eventing Centre and built by and to win was the icing on the David Carpenter and his team. cake!” Among the winners was World Event organiser, Tim Barling Class Podium eventer, Sarah said: “On behalf of the Vestey Bullimore who won her section in the BE100 riding Quiwi Sprite. family who so generously provide the ground Sarah said: “We ” I very much hope and infrastructure had a good outing at that the rest of for this event, and brilliant Horseheath and the season goes our sponsors, I wanted really appreciated well for all to say how all the arenas and fantastic it was to entrants” warm-up areas see so many being watered. Eventers back out again and The going was great with riding so well at Horseheath. I educational courses, looking also want to thank our after our horses for the future.” Imogen Pohl was another of the wonderful committee, and our Horseheath winners. Competing superb team of volunteers who give up so much time to enable in the BE100 under 18 class, this to happen. It is a big team Imogen had picked up some effort.” valuable tips from BE Trainer Sarah Bullimore
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