Absolute Horse November 2016

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F

E M K ’M C -I !

PI P EE U R

Absolute

NOVEMBER 2016

! n i W Hundreds of ££££ Worth of Prizes!

Simple gridwork with Nicola Wilson Page 46

PLUS

Stunning Christmas Gift Ideas Page 8

Maintaining peak fitness with James Sommerville Page 42

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NORMAL OPENING HOURS: Monday - Saturday 9am-6pm (Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays)

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NOVEMBER

2016 24

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30

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ISSUE 305

Julia Woods riding Moonstone, 2nd place 85cm Seniors class. Taken at the St Edmunds RC Eventer Challenge 2nd October.

Photo: Event to Event Photography

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COMPETITIONS & GIVEAWAYS 15 Reader Giveaway

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FEATURES 8 Christmas Gift Guide: Part 1 16 Health & Welfare including VetWatch: Hernias

Though every attempt is made to ensure accuracy, PCD Media Ltd cannot be held responsible for the opinions expressed in the magazine.

The opinions and technical information in the articles are those of the authors.

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PHOTONEWS 55 Essex & Suffolk PC Hunter 58 Trial: Stratford Hills 56 St Edmunds RC Eventer Trials: Thorne Court 57 Rare Breeds Show: Houghton 59 Hall

01473 731220

How to contact us...

WHAT’S

Worming Rider Profile: Tom Crisp Nutrition: For Winter Ride Like: James Sommerville Galloping and Maintaining Peak Fitness Euthanasia: Part 2 Ride Like: Nicola Wilson Simple Gridwork for Good Technique Clipping & Trimming: Part 3

InSIde

REGULARS 4 News 6 Your Comments 22 Meta Fitness 51 Reports 60 Vets In The Spotlight 62 Classified Advertising 64 On The Market 65 Showdate Diary

Boxted Church Ride: Boxted Hall Arena Eventer Challenge: Codham Park Senior British Showjumping: Codham Park

info@ahmagazine.com

www.absolutehorsemagazine.com www.issuu.com

PCD Media (East Anglia) Ltd Home Barn, Grove Hill, Belstead, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3LS. Find us on facebook 3

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NEWS

COMBINEd tRaININg

#weare350 Students from Newmarket Academy travelled to Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse to create a giant ‘350’ at the world-famous racing headquarters. 2016 marks the 350th anniversary of the Home of Horseracing.

British Dressage (BD) has announced that combined training is back - bigger and better than ever before!

The dressage element will run at Prelim and Novice levels with short arena tests and the showjumping from 70cm to 1metre so there’s a wider appeal for competitors. Competitions will start in November and run through to April 2017 with two finals.

Funds raised for Macmillan are the

icing on the cake

On the morning of Friday 30th September, staff and customers across TruckEast branches got together to join in with Macmillan’s ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’.

At Stowmarket, Corby and Wellingborough branches numerous cake stations were set up with an array of delicious treats and cakes.

Coffee and cake was available for staff and customers alike for a simple donation of their choice.

Marketing Manager, Jessica Webb comments “The funds raised were clearly a sign that cakes really do taste better together and we were delighted to supply Macmillan with the cheque for £1,023.80.”

September winners Absorbine Karen Ireland, Maldon; Susan Clark, Essex; Lyn Shrimpton, Benfleet.

Alltech Honor Hall, Suffolk; Amy Brownlee, Suffolk; Lisa Housden, Herts; Liz Butler, Colchester. Barbour Rose Winter, Suffolk.

National ‘Give Horses a Go’ Weekend’ a success Over 4000 participants came along as part of National Give Horses a go Weekend; an initiative ran by the British Equestrian Federation recently.

65 riding centres opened their doors inviting everyone, no matter age, gender or ability the opportunity to get up close and personal with horses and try riding or even carriage driving for free at riding centres.

Update to body protector standards From the 1st January 2018 British Eventing will no longer permit the use of BETA Level 3 body protectors with the 2000 label. Competitors will have until the 1st January 2018 to replace any 2000 label items.

YOUR HORSE LIVE is bigger & better than ever!

After a record-breaking 2015 spectacle, the action-packed Your Horse Live Show returns to Stoneleigh Park 12th-13th November, bigger and better than before. With a whole host of equestrian stars, new features and unmissable performances, tickets are on sale now, providing great value for money to the one of the best equestrian events this year.

The show will feature spectacular performer, Lorenzo the Flying French Man who will wow the crowds with his thrilling, action packed show – nowhere else in the UK can you see this performance; golden girl Charlotte Dujardin shows off the skills that gained her Gold medal status and Geoff Billington promises to entertain the crowds.

Monty Roberts, known as the world’s greatest Horse Whisperer will be putting on an unmissable show on Saturday 12th November only. This is a chance for visitors to learn from the legend himself and this is likely to be one of his last European tours ever.

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YOUR COMMENT Every month we pose a question on the Absolute Horse Magazine Facebook page – for your chance to win the Ariat prize simply post ‘Your Comment’ in answer to our question, and the best answer wins!

Sponsored by

Ariat offer you the chance to win a pair of Olympia Full Seat or Knee Patch Breeches worth over £115!

Ariat’s Olympia Full Seat Breeches and Knee Patch Breeches feature four-way stretch Schoeller fabric for maximum comfort and mobility, stretch Clarino full seat, front zip and unique hand pocket design with piping effect. Ariat’s patented V3 System in the waist and Calf Fit System ensure these breeches not only perform in the saddle but look great too. Sizes: 22 – 36 (regular and long fit available).

Colours: White, Beige, Navy or Black.

Visit www.ariat.com or call 01367 242818.

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Over to you!

We asked our acebook fans the following question...

Abigale Kyle: Why did we ever buy horses?!

Vicky Archer: What does your horse absolutely love?

Claire Butcher: What's been your most inspiring horsey moment?

Dani Cox: What is it about your own horse that you just LOVE? Kerrie Aschettino: What breed would you say is the 'Ultimate breed' for your discipline and why?

Dawn Ingram: Why does my horse do what it does for me?

Jo Ridgers: If money was no problem, what horsey item would you buy and why?

Tegan White: What is it going to take for me to win a pair of those breeches?

Rachael Bryce: What is it that drives your passion for horses?

Cala Russell: What’s your best yard tip for a hassle free winter?

Andie Getvoldsen: They do this a lot with football teams so... if you could make the ultimate Olympic equestrian team who are alive, dead, still competing or retired, who would it consist of?

Jane Salmon: What good deed have you done recently? Charity or helped someone in a emergency in the horsey world?

Claire Hope: Why do we say “I can't” then find out we can?

Sara McComb: Who's your unsung hero of the horse world?

Joanne Dunn: What amazing achievement has happened to you and/or your horse against all odds to get to where you are today?

What question would YOU pose on our page to win a pair of Ariat breeches? Best question wins themselves a pair!

Kate Scorey: If you could relive any moment in your equine life, what would it be and why?

Rebecca Milroy: If your horse had a tipple, what would it be and why?

Georgina Maywood: Who said the clocks have to go back?

Layla Walker: Who inspires you?

Amanda Newrick: If you could ask your horse a question, what would it be?

Liz Brown Swain: If you had the chance who would you invite to dinner from the equestrian world past or present? You have to choose four.

Lisa Spence: What do I need to do to win a pair of Ariat breeches?

Alyson Govett: What does your horse really think about you? (It may not be quite what you would like).

Nicki Smith Dyer: Why does my horse wait until I brush his tail and then fart? Every... time...

Anna Sinclair: Why is it that with so much clear negative response to abuse in the sport, be it Rollkur, blood in the mouth, spur marks, over weight show horses, cruel practices in the showring, horses dying in the desert ridden to the point of breaking down, do the organisations that run these events and competitions allow it to continue? If so many are against cruel practices why does it still go on? Why are fat horses winning? Why are frightened horses winning? Why are horses suffering in the name of a 50p ribbon? When is it going to stop?

Kerry Wilmot: If you could breed the perfect equine, which top two

competition horses would you cross?

Kate Hardy: Could you wear those Ariat breeches when riding side saddle without the seam for the full seat rubbing a hole in your thigh! (I clearly have an issue right now and would LOVE to try!)

Debra Keane: Does my bum look big in these?

Victoria Barton: Why is my horse the last thing I think about at night and the first think about as I wake up?

Michelle Abbott: What is the one item, routine, or superstition could you not be without when with your horse either at home or at a show?

Kayleigh Murphles Hedley: If you could ride any horse, any discipline which one would it be?

Jenny James: What are you going to buy your horse for Christmas? Coz they deserve one too!

Nicky Butler: Would winning the lottery allow you to be in the top 10 of your chosen discipline with the best horse, training and equipment or is it only achievable with natural feel, ability, grit and determination?

Ami Vee-Dub Clarke: I would ask people to send in their best Autumn pics so far. Everyone loves a picture competition.

Rio Person: When was the moment you knew that horses would dominate your life and why?

Charlie Beamish: Am I the only person in debt because of my horses?

and the Star Winner is...

Rebecca D’Arcy: I'd be interested to know why there are more female horse owners (your average livery yard/local shows etc) in the U.K. But why when it comes to international competitive riding it's mostly men at the top of the game? I think I know the answers but would be good to know some real insight and data! (And then hopefully do something about it and see more women up there!)

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B OYTON HALL EQUINE CENTRE

S U F F O L K ’ S P R E M I E R E Q U I N E FA C I L I T Y Animal Feed & Bedding Shop - for all your everyday needs and more.

Stockists of Major Brands incl: Allen & Page, Spillers, Baileys, Dodson & Horrell, Dengie, TopSpec, Simple Systems, Honeychop, Mollichaff, EH Haylage, Hunters/Snowflake/Sundown Bedding.

Plus feeds for Dogs, Cats, Poultry, Sheep, Pigs & Goats and not forgetting the birds!

Call today for a friendly and efficient service - delivery available too.

Full, standard & DIY Livery available - please see website for more information or call to arrange a viewing of our faclilities. Full list of our Shows and Clinics are on our website and Horsedates - see what we can do for you today...

Telephone 01449 744482 www.bhec.co.uk adrian@bhec.co.uk

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE: PART 1

Surfing the Net

with style!

ALISON NYE-WARDEN, MD OF PREMIUM ONLINE RETAILER DRESSAGE DELUXE AND THEIR PERSONAL SHOPPER HAS SOME GREAT ADVICE FOR SHOPPING ON-LINE THIS SEASON. WHETHER IT’S FOR YOURSELF, YOUR HORSE, OR PLANNING AHEAD FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS… HERE ARE ALISON’S TOP TIPS!

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• Safe shopping on-line is imperative and we pride ourselves in making our customer’s shopping experience both enjoyable and secure. I would recommend that you always check out the sites security before happily typing in your card details! Opt for reputable companies that you have heard of, as opposed to random searches on line which might bring up websites that perhaps offer unbelievable deals.

The reality is that if a deal sounds too good - it probably is!

• Another important factor is whether the company actually list a company postal address, email or phone number – you

can always call up the company within working hours to check that they actually do exist. If every time you ring, the answer machine clicks on, then I would steer clear of them – after all, if you do end up having a problem with the goods when they arrive, you want it dealt with quickly and effectively.

• If you are spoiling someone with clothing, do your homework before digging out your credit card. For example, do they have any favourite equestrian brands, preferred colour schemes or a specific style? Choosing clothing that fits with their tastes sounds obvious, but it’s easy to get

carried away with your own personal preferences!

• Don’t be afraid to ask the retailer for advice –that’s what we are here for! At Dressage Deluxe we now offer a ‘Personal Shopping’ service, whereby you can email us on: personalshopper@dressagedelu xe.co.uk with a photo, sizing and your style dilemma and we will answer it personally with some options to suit your budget – this is a great time saver and cuts out some of the guessing when it comes to present shopping!

• It’s not just our human friends that get spoilt at Christmas, we

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find that a lot of our gift wrapping goes on gorgeous bridles and accessories for their loved one’s horses! If you are thinking about buying a new bridle, think about what will suit the horse’s head. We stock a huge range of bridles to suit pretty elegant heads through to more handsome heads and if you want some advice and direction, again you can always email us with a picture and we can advise!

• Some of our customers set up a ‘Wish List’, whereby they pick out the items from our virtual store that they would most like to receive and let all their friends and family know. This makes present buying easier for all concerned and ensures that you don’t receive the same item more than once! This doesn’t cost you any money to set up

with us but could also save you money on pointless returns. You could always ask your local tack shop to do the same.

• Finally, make sure you find out the store’s returns policy and beware of buying sale items as gifts; often these are nonreturnable, so it pays to be vigilant as each shop will have it’s own terms and agreements.

If you are shopping on-line also check how the company deliver the goods and if you want to ensure delivery on time and guaranteed, I would recommend requesting a traceable form of postage. This might bump the cost up marginally, but nobody wants an empty space under the Christmas tree come Christmas Eve, do they?

Happy surfing this season! www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk

The Alcantara Shadowmatt Helmet takes designer labels to a whole new level with its crystal embellished Samshield Shield logo at the back of the hat, complimenting with colour coordinated trim across the crown.

The Petrie Customised Sublime Boot in dark brown RRP: £765. www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE: PART 1

Redwings Jewellery Collection Horse shoe earrings £7.85; Charm bracelet £15.75; Horseshoe pendant £15.75. www.redwings.org.uk/shop

‘Course Specialist’ Apron & Tea Towel Set RRP: £30. www.freddieparker.com

Schoffel Silk Scarf RRP: £49.95. www.schoffel.co.uk Shetland Wool ‘Bronte’ Fern, Aqua and Sage Throws.

RRP: £60. www.pinkwhiskers.co.uk

Belinda Sillars’ ‘Icarus’ RRP: £18,000 and a head study is £1950. www.belindasillars.com

Photo: Adrian Barnard www.trackart.co.uk

Horseware Printed Canvas Bag RRP: £13.99. www.equestrian.com

Brass Clencher Browband RRP: £55. www.katenegus.com Gemosi Harmony horse hair bracelet with sterling silver heart.

RRP: from £50. www.Gemosi.com

Valverde Jodhpur Boot RRP: £175.

Classic Riding Boots RRP: from £245. www.thespanishbootcompany.co.uk

WIN SIX MONTHS WORTH OF ALOERIDE BRANDED CLOTHING AND SADDLECLOTH! www.aloeride.com/horses/christmas-prizedraw/ Enter your details from 2nd November – 18th December for a chance to win.

Limited Edition Shires Tempest 200g Combo Turnout rug in Dog Print. Key features include a ripstop 600 denier waterproof, breathable ShireTex outer, taped seams, blanket set breast fastenings, adjustable cross surcingles, adjustable fillet strap and a tail flap. RRP: £69.99. www.nagsessentials.co.uk

Schoffel Tenies Hat RRP: £29.95. www.schoffel.co.uk

Alaska knitted headband RRP: £8.50. www.justtogs.co.uk

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Say goodbye to...

cold feet! with Equitector’s Climate Control Technology!

Any leg height and calf width Gaiters ladies’ and mens’, any calf width Other features: • Hoof Proof toe protection • Rot proof soles and uppers • Stirrup foot balance system • Waterproof leather • Super comfortable • Long lasting quality

Prevents cold feet even at minus 20c!

Made in UK

MANUFACTURERS OF FINE RIDING BOOTS

www.equitector.com Telephone: 0208 090 4029

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE: PART 1 Horse Stuff Big Bag RRP: £10.50. www.moorlandrider.co.uk

Childéric DGP Dressage Saddle With Ostrich Leather Cantle.

RRP: £4,400. www.childericsaddles.co.uk

Spanish Suede Riding Boots RRP: £245. www.thespanishbootcompany.co.uk

Exclusive Sterling Silver Cherry Roller Bangle Collection.

Beads RRP: £20 each, and Cherry Roller Bangles start at £105. www.hihosilver.co.uk

Toggi Chinook Winter Riding Boots These stylish boots offer the ultimate in warmth and support. Made in ballistic nylon and water repellent leather look material they have a breathable polar fleece lining, full-length rear zip with a buckle and popper tab detail top. RRP: £100. www.nagsessentials.co.uk

Equetech Custom Cushion Covers RRP: from £30.95 www.equetech.com

Adoptions – Adopt a selected horse, pony, donkey or mule to help support Bransby Horses. -£10 per year (view available animals online) www.bransbyhorses.co.uk

Sterling Silver Special Edition Willberry Wonder Pony Charm.

RRP: £25 (£10 from the sale of each charm will go to Willberry Wonder Pony Charity). www.hihosilver.co.uk

Horseware Printed Horse Scarf RRP: £13.99. www.Equestrian.com Hold Fast Nipper Jolly Useful Board RRP: £29.95. www.dorisandco.co.uk

Equi-Thème Check Shirt RRP: £42.90. www.equi-theme.com

Iceline 8.5 boots RRP £77. www.grubswarehouse.com

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Doggy bow-ties and toy bones from £10, coats £35 and bespoke cushion dog beds from £45. www.pinkwhiskers.co.uk

Isla Jacket RRP: £335. www.timothyfoxx.co.uk

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c

SofSWay O r S eLLInGham

In StOCK

NOW Open Day 18th nOvember Special OfferS all day ellingham, Nr Bungay, Suffolk Nr35 2pH

01508 518400

www.crosswaysofellingham.co.uk Open: Mon-fri: 8.30am - 6.00pm Sat: 9.00am - 5.00pm

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE: PART 1

AUTHOR ALERT:

Black Country Saddles Atherstone Girth Sizes 34” – 56” (86 - 142cm). RRP: £112. www.blackcountrysaddles.com

Bromont Pro Zip Paddock H2O Insulated Boots RRP: £169.99 www.ariat.com

Redwings Adoption Star cushion covers RRP: £14.85 www.redwings. org.uk/shop

Horseware Elina Parka Ladies Jacket This showerproof and breathable jacket with a comfy fleece lining, hidden hood, large handy pockets and cosy neck detail is a great addition to any rider’s wardrobe.

RRP: £108. www.nagsessentials.co.uk

Equissage Pulse Pony Pad www.niagaraequissage.com

BLOGGER ALERT: A Girl About Country Harriet Edwards is a farmer’s daughter, born and raised in the Heart of England, who has a passion for equestrianism, shooting and everything else ‘country’.

She has three horses that she ‘tries’ to event, and is ‘owned’ by four dogs that run around the farm– she’s a country girl through and through! Harriet started A Girl About Country when friends, family, and complete strangers, asked her about the outfits she was wearing in the photographs posted to Instagram. This extended beyond what she was wearing and so the blog was created. www.agirlaboutcountry.com www.hihosilver.co.uk

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Hannah Russell, 19 At the young age of 17, Hannah published her first book ‘The Magical Adventure Of Little Alf – The discovery of the wild pony…‘ What inspired you to start writing books?

Shetland pony Little Alf, who has dwarfism, came to me in December 2013 on the 24th, just in time for christmas! Just as I got Alfie I learnt that I had 2 fractured vertebraes in my back so I had to have a year off riding and lots of physio, which I was devastated about as I wanted to become a riding instructor.

So I got a Nikon D300 camera and Alfie was the perfect model; I started taking lots of photos of him and publishing them online and within a few months he had thousands of followers! This got me thinking about writing and one night I started writing a book which took me just under 6 months to complete. By December 2014 we had sold thousands of copies and had our books stocked in over 12 UK stores.

You have a great handle on social media, tell us more: I love social media - it’s a fantastic way to connect with fans and network with others.

I also love taking photos and this is what everyone seems to enjoy with our social media following. I recently started a Youtube channel with Alfie and one of our videos had over 34,000 views within the first hour. www.littlealf.com

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r e d giveaWayS a Re WE HAVE 3 CARTONS OF ALOERIDE UP FOR GRABS

Aloeride is a taste free, totally organic aloe vera supplement, which can help relieve digestive irritation and also encourage a greater nutrient uptake from the appropriate diet, which will also assist your horse in feeling and looking his best. Other benefits from feeding Aloeride also include help in promoting a glossy coat, healthy skin and strong hooves, through to supporting a healthy immune system – all key factors for the competition horse. RRP: £55.20 per carton (Month’s supply) with discounts available on multi-purchases. www.aloeride.com

THREE LUCKY READERS TO WIN AN EQUI-THÈME TYREX 600 D TURNOUT RUG New from Equi-Thème, the Tyrex 600 D Turnout Rug is the all-purpose waterproof rug to keep your horse well-protected against the cooler weather.

It is made from rip-stop polyester that is taped at the seams, allowing the rug to be comfortable and breathable.

Features include large waterproof tail flap, synthetic sheepskin padding at withers, low cross surcingles and an adjustable rear strap. Available in Navy/Grey and in sizes 4’3” to 7’0”. RRP: £50.90 for 150g weight. *Please note, the neck cover shown in the image is not part of the prize.

www.equi-theme.com

WIN ONE OF 12 BAGS OF FIBRE-BEET - THE SUPER CONDITIONING FEED Fibre-Beet is a formulated blend containing all the benefits of Speedi-Beet product with added high quality Alfalfa for optimum condition, and quality protein for muscle tone and function.

Fibre-Beet offers an excellent source of highly digestible fibre and is ideal for horses prone to digestive upsets. It has added biotin for hoof quality and is suitable for horses and ponies susceptible to laminitis. It can also be used as a forage replacer (up to 60% of the daily forage allowance) and can be soaked and ready to feed in only 45 minutes in cold water, or 15 minutes in warm water.

RRP is around £12.35-£13.30. www.britishhorsefeeds.com

WIN A PAIR OF GRUB’S FROSTLINE PERFORMANCE BOOTS! We have two pairs of the Frostline performance boots to giveaway that are ideal for keeping feet warm and dry on cold, wet or frosty days, they offer supreme comfort and performance whatever the weather. They combine the unique Insu-Foam Ultra technology with the advanced 5.0 thermal engineering making them extremely practical with their insulating and waterproof properties. They also boast a Super-Dri lining for added warmth and a Nitrocell insulating and cushioning footbed for added comfort. Available in a range of new colours Apple, Blueberry and Raspberry, as well as the orginal, Mossy Green, Black, Fuchsia, Violet and Camouflage. Available in UK sizes 4-13. RRP: £72. www.grubswarehouse.com To enter go online at www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click the competitions page. Deadline is 30th November 2016

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HEALTH & WELFARE

Storm

Riding out the

Top tips for hacking safely during winter

By Emma Melia, Solicitor and Lead Litigator, Spencers Solicitors

N

ow the long, chillier winter months are drawing in, safety on the roads is even more important and the risks of an accident are unfortunately higher. Having hacked throughout my childhood, I vividly remember the trials and tribulations that riding on the road could bring, especially in the colder months.

So, while I now spend more time helping injured horse riders than I do riding, I wanted to share some tips on how to stay safe whilst riding on the roads in the winter.

Staying safe on our busy roads National statistics show that for every 1,000 riders, 37 are injured. Hacking can be a dangerous activity yet few people invest their time in a well thought out training plan that will gradually and safely expose their horse to the issues they will

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face on the road. This is particularly necessary as the nights draw in and the prevailing wind rain and snow are more likely.

Before you even contemplate winter road hacking, ensure that you and your horse are ready to undertake what can be a risky activity. Be smart and prepared by taking these 5 simple steps:

safe - a useful website for this is www.trafficengland.com.

2. Beware of darkness Be vigilant of the dark nights drawing in. Don’t take a new route if you are unsure how long it will take; in the winter visibility can drop earlier than expected and icy roads will affect stopping time - reflective clothing is a must. You should wear at least a 1. Plan your route There are certain times of the day vest and hat strip, and your horse should have a tail guard and it is best to avoid – commuting martingale reflective strip. times or the school runs for Research shows a driver example. For the safety of both yourself and your horse, it’s also travelling at 30 mph has three valuable extra seconds of advised to steer clear of any reaction time by noticing a rider extreme weather conditions; snow, ice, fog, high winds, heavy in high-vis gear. You can’t be rain, or even blinding sun! Snow held responsible if you don’t balling in the hoof may cause the wear one but you might prevent horse to become unbalanced, so an accident if you do! avoid going out on tarmac roads 3. Prepare for cold if it is icy or snowy. temperatures Checking your route online to avoid any road works or known Wear suitable warm and hazards is a great way of staying waterproof winter riding gear.

Cold hands and feet aren’t fun and may prevent you from being able to grip the reins and adequately control your horse. If it is particularly cold consider using a suitable exercise rug to keep your horse warm and settled, particularly if they’ve been clipped for the winter.

4. Remember the safety basics It can be easy to forget basic safety training if you are experienced, and many riders become complacent when hacking, but it is important to always remember the general rules.

Wearing a good fitting safety hat, and checking your saddle and stirrups are all tight and securely in place, are basic safety precautions that should always be remembered. Whilst there is no legal requirement to wear a hat, if you suffer a head injury which could have been avoided or lessened with the use of

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appropriate safety equipment, any compensation you receive might be reduced.

We also always recommend taking a mobile phone out on the ride, placed on silent and with an ‘In Case of Emergency’ number stored in case of any accidents. Don’t go alone if possible and make sure an experienced rider accompanies any inexperienced riders in the group.

5. Look after your horse If the winter months have led to your horse having less exercise make sure they are ready to go on the roads and won’t be too excitable; consider lunging your horse in a ménage before if you’re concerned. Reduce the risk of incidents with drivers by riding in single file. Riding two abreast may put drivers in a position such that the only way they can go past you without hitting another car is to accelerate past at speed (probably revving their engine and scaring your horse).

Ultimately preparation is key.

Considering your route, equipment and the weather conditions on top of basic safety precautions should leave you and your horse well prepared for riding the roads in the winter months. The British Horse Society has various leaflets and posters available on this (www.bhs.org.uk/safety-andaccidents/free-leaflets). With good planning and sensible attitudes, you should be able to continue to enjoy hacking out over the winter months. www.spencerssolicitors.com

IN THIS ISSUE THE TEAM AT EQUESTRIAN.COM PROVIDE ADVICE ON...

Keeping the Stabled

Horse Happy

our horse’s time in the stable should be a comfortable one, especially during the winter periods when the days get darker and the weather becomes colder and wetter usually meaning they will spend more time indoors.

The stable automatically restricts your horses’ natural movement at their leisure. Owners can obviously help this by exercising them once a day allowing the horse to move and stretch their muscles. If your yard does not have an indoor arena, bad weather may prevent this which cannot be helped but horses should not be kept in longer than necessary.

Horses’ beds should be kept as clean as possible and topped up regularly to provide a cosy and comfortable environment. It is here where owners should consider carefully what type of bedding they use during the colder periods. The horses will be exposed to longer periods inside their stable, so bedding that is dust free aids the horses’ respiratory health.

A good ventilation system must be put into place allowing the dust particles to be removed rather than trapped inside causing health issues for your horse.

Assess your stable to see if it is a suitable environment for your horse. The area should be big enough to allow the horse to move and lay down comfortably and safely without getting

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cast. Also ensure that the stable is secure, some horses who have been stabled a while take matters into their own hands and find ways to escape, generally with force.

The horses’ natural environment is grazing and being kept in their stable away from pasture is on the whole alien to them. Ensure that your horse has access to ad lib good quality hay or haylage. If owners know their horses will eat it up too quickly, small holed haynets and double netting can slow the eating down, keeping them happy for longer periods of time.

Mineral and salt licks are also a good way to keep horses and ponies entertained while also being beneficial.

Grooming and any affection during your horses’ time inside is greatly appreciated, even if they don’t show it. This time also allows you to check them over to see if they are maintaining good condition and that there are no lumps or swelling.

A little background noise of a radio can also help with boredom and provides stimulation.

To relieve as much stress as possible, allowing your horse to be in view of other horses either opposite or next to will help relax them and enables them to interact with their companions.

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HEALTH & WELFARE

What to expect from a professional hat fitting carried out by a fully trained fitter

By Champion A riding hat is one of the most important • Right for you: Different models of hats vary in investments you can make to protect yourself sizes and shape, so a staff member may try in the saddle. However, more people are buying different options to find the best fit. They will online and risking ending up with an ill-fitting look for a hat which sits firmly and evenly on hat. At best this can cause discomfort or leave your head with a little space by the temples, and you with an unsuitable purchase. At worst this the strap adjusted to sit snugly below your chin. can seriously impair the hats ability to do its The hat should not rock, tilt or come down over job in the event of a fall. your eyes as the fitter gently manipulates or taps Champion recommends that online purchases are it. Your eyebrows should follow the movement avoided unless replacing a correctly fitted hat likeof the hat. If this doesn’t happen the hat may be for-like. Ideally, anyone looking to buy a new hat too big. If you can’t feel the top of the hat on the is advised to visit a BETA-trained retailer for free, top of your head it may be too small. professional fitting and advice.

• Snug as a bug: If replacing an old hat, you might feel the new hat fits more closely than So what can you expect from a you’re used to. This may be where the foam in professional hat fitting? your hat has deteriorated with wear causing it to • Certificate: Retailers should have on display an loosen over time. For that reason it’s advisable up to date certificate stating they have had hat to replace your hat at least every three-five years fitting training from a qualified body. (or immediately if it has suffered an impact – • Up to standard: The type of hat you choose is even if it looks fine on the outside). usually determined by its purpose; a trained staff • Check point: It’s likely that a fitter will check the member should be able to recommend a range fit several times to ensure the hat is suitable. of hats to suit your requirements, advising upon Champion recommends all hats are professionally safety standards whether you’re a happy hacker fitted. Details of trained retailers near you can be or competing in a chosen discipline. found at www.beta-uk.org.

• Getting the measure: Even if you think you All Champion hats carry the BSI Kitemark – an know your size, a staff member should take a assurance that they continually meet rigorous measurement. The tape measure should sit a standards when tested in key areas. You can ride fraction above the eye brow and skim your ears, with confidence when you choose a professionally just as your hat should. Remember to wear any fitted Champion hat. glasses and your hair as you would when riding; a different hair style could affect fit.

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Why do we

wearing People like leather footwear because it ‘breathes’. This is great in summer, but what about winter?

Leather is porous, so when you walk or ride there is a gentle airflow through your boots. This gradually cools down your feet, but when it is really cold outside they soon become an ice lump.

There are many boots on the market that aim to keep your feet warm in wintry conditions.

Most of these have thermal linings. With thermal linings all is fine when at -2ºC or below, but when it has risen above 9ºC outside, your feet become overheated and you may start to perspire. The perspiration then cools due to the airflow moving through your boots and you end up with damp, cold socks.

With Equitector Climate Control Technology there is no such problem. Equitector boots are

Product News...

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e get cold feet when

g leather boots? not thermal but ‘insulative’. High technology Space Blanket heat reflective foil is part of the lining.

The foil is a wind shield so there is no longer air flowing through the foot compartment in your boots. The foil also reflects your body heat and spreads it evenly around the foot.

The lining itself does not generate or stimulate heat; your own body warms the foot compartment and because heat is trapped inside your feet stay warm.

This system works in any temperature. In the cold you stay at room temperature and in summer, in temperatures of +30ºC, it keeps out the heat. In hot weather the foil disperses your body temperature evenly around the feet and this

Imagine having your foot in a vacuum flask - your body heat is trapped inside the boot

prevents them overheating and you will not perspire.

Equitector boots are made of water proof leather. That makes the Equitector system perfect for the ups and downs in the UK climate and these boots can be worn all the year round. www.equitector.com

(LEFT) The Equit’M Air Microfiber Helmet/Crystal is part of the Air Helmet Range. The air system, which is composed of three air cushions built-in at the back, allows air to be inflated and deflated until the hat fits perfectly. RRP: £369. www.equi-theme.com

Designer Italian riding helmet brand, KASK have appointed their first UK ambassador, Gold Medallist, Olympic dressage rider and MBE Carl Hester.

Carl chooses to ride in the KASK Dogma Chrome Light Helmet personalised with navy Union Jack flag.

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HEALTH & WELFARE

EffEctivE rodEnt control around your

EquEstrian prEmisEs

By Richard Harvey from East Anglian Pest Control

Checking external bait station

Droppings

Rats burrows with runs

he seasons are changing and farmers are ploughing and drilling crops for next year. Rodents (rats and mice) are moving from harbourages to new locations, and your equestrian premises might be one of them.

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Food sources which attract rodents tend to be grain stores, animal feed areas, horse feed stores, straw bales and chicken runs - basically any buildings that they can live in with a handy food supply.

bins to stop the rodents accessing it; not only do they eat the food, but they also contaminate it, spreading infections such as Weil’s Disease.

Using a professional pest control company to monitor and deal Rodents do not like open areas with rodents is the long term so cut back undergrowth around solution. At East Anglian Pest the buildings - this will also Control we carry out regular allow you to see when you have inspections to all key areas using a rodent problem as there will be lockable bait stations. We advise evidence in the form of our customers how to prevent droppings, burrows and runs, plus there will likely be damage from gnawing.

To keep rodents away you must employ a good housekeeping routine - clear up any spillages of feed immediately, tidy the area around the outside of the building, and remove scrap and junk as these all provide ideal living for the rats and mice.

Pest-proofing your premises is also very important; gaps, holes and damaged walls will allow rodents inside, so check for entry points and keep all doors closed when not in use. It is not costeffective to use lots of rodenticides inside if there are still gaps that the rodents can get through.

Store your horse’s food in metal

By following simple and

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consistent housekeeping rules, and proofing your premises, this will reduce pest levels.

more infestations and carry out the work safely using our training, along with 35 years of experience in the industry to achieve the best results.

I hope our advice will help you stay one step ahead with your rodent-control this winter. www.eastanglianpestcontrol. co.uk

Are your crops damaged by rabbits?

Call a professional team with 35 years experience We use all legal methods of humane control Fast treatments, cost effective Call us for a free site survey to control your rabbits

CALL US FOR A QUOTE: 01473 830548 07799 761796

Refs are available; Fully insured; Areas covered Suffolk, Norfolk, North Essex; We also cover rodents, insects, birds etc.

www.eastanglianpestcontrol.co.uk info@eastanglianpestcontrol.co.uk

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bEst sEcurity mEasurEs for your Now is the time to identify and deal with the risks of any sycamore trees on or near your horse’s grazing advise vets at the British Equine Veterinary Association.

Sycamore seeds are toxic and can cause the fatal disease Seasonal Pasture Myopathy (SPM) (also referred to as Atypical Myopathy).

SPM is a highly fatal muscle disease in horses caused by the toxin hypoglycin A, which is contained in tree seeds including that of the sycamore. While sycamore seeds may not be directly palatable to horses, those grazing on poor quality pasture may ingest considerable numbers of them.

Avant Tecno has announced the introduction of a new, low emission model within its 7 Series of compact tool carriers to meet a demand for a costeffective equivalent to the 760.

So whether you need help lifting heavy loads, tackling stable jobs or paddock maintenance, Avant is the answer. www.avant.co.uk

livEry yard

By Dr Steffan George

Should we be cutting back on security to save costs?

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hile security is often one of the first things livery yard owners cut back on, Dr Steffan George of the Master Locksmith Association – the leading trade association for the locksmith industry – explains why this could be highly detrimental.

Rural areas present the greatest opportunity for thieves because of isolated houses and buildings, lower lighting – especially during autumn and winter – fewer witnesses, and an abundance of expensive equipment.

In addition to this, many livery yard owners are being tempted to cut costs by buying and fitting cheap locks. Unfortunately fitting incorrect or low

Security is important yearround, but even more so in the winter months when livery yard crime increases. It’s vital to remain vigilant and implement the best possible security measures – but what are they?

Knowing which hardware to invest in and what you need to look out for isn’t always easy.

From physical security such as chains and padlocks to the various forms of electronic security such as CCTV, there are a lot of options on the market, some of which may be costly, but choosing wisely could save

quality products can not only undermine security, (especially as thieves are always on the lookout for worn locks and easy entry points), it can affect insurance premiums and cover.

While security comes at a cost, it isn’t as great as the one faced when your yard or outhouses are targeted by thieves, which is why it’s important to regularly review security around your premises and invest in good quality equipment.

Hiring a local, vetted and inspected professional to review your security and install approved products could also save a lot of money in the long term, as many locksmiths offer security assessments free of charge or for a low cost.

you thousands.

The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) have extensive experience in securing buildings and land of all kinds.

Here, the Association’s development director, Dr Steffan George, tells us what the most important considerations are: - The quality of your security hardware. High quality locks, chains and padlocks will prove an investment. Make sure you use products that have been approved by an independent product testing house to

provide peace of mind – look for the Sold Secure approval mark (see www.soldsecure.com). Where appropriate use good quality padlocks with heavy duty hasp and staple on stable and outbuilding doors.

- How you fit your locks. Yes, this does make a big difference!

Locks should be professionally fitted directly to the door, and ideally there should be two, equally spaced from top to bottom.

Continued overleaf...

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HEALTH & WELFARE

By Samantha Hardingham

- Controlling access to livery yards. You need to limit the amount of people who can gain access to the yard – the less people, the less likely theft is. Plus, if an incident does occur, it’s easier to deduce who is involved.

- Securing your tack room and keeping it in good condition. Tack rooms are easy targets as they present thieves with a relatively low risk and high gain opportunity.

- Store vulnerable items securely, away from obvious view, while items like ladders and shovels that could help thieves break into other areas of your yard should also be secured.

- Who will be fitting your security hardware. Don’t specify and fit locks or undertake repairs yourself as fitting the wrong products can undermine security and affect insurance premiums and cover should the worst happen – get a professional MLA licensed locksmith involved.

- How frequently you perform updates and maintenance checks.

This is vital as rusted locks, chains, hasps and staples, cracked panes of glass and rotted frames and sills are all features that opportunistic thieves look out for, so it’s essential to perform regular and thorough maintenance checks. Getting a professional to help out with this is also a good idea, usually locksmiths are able to carry out a tailored security assessment on your property and land, advising on suitable measures for both safety and security.

- Surveillance and alarms. Fit alarms to outbuildings, invest in outdoor security lighting – such as dusk till dawn and motion sensor lighting and install CCTV and intruder alert systems.

Surveillance is an increasingly popular measure, along with property marking/tagging systems.

- Invisible marker. Consider marking your tack with a forensic marker so that it can be identified as your personal property. There are also several devices are available for securing saddles to racks, while steel tack safes, which can be padlocked, are another good deterrent and useful for storing bridles and grooming kit.

Taking the above precautions and investing in the right equipment will put you in the best position when it comes to protecting your horses and livery yard. If you would like further advice and input from a professional, contact your local MLA-approved locksmith. www.locksmiths.co.uk

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Willpower v. Won’t the Marshmallow Expe

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he Stanford Marshmallow Experiment was a series of studies based on delayed gratification during the 1960’s and 70’s led by psychologist Walter Mischel.

Children aged 3-5 years of age were left in a room (by themselves) with a marshmallow in front of them and told that they could eat it straight away but if they left it 15 minutes then they would get two marshmallows. These children have and are still continued to be observed but the follow up researchers found that the children that practiced the delayed gratification, which was about one third of them, tended to have better life outcomes, measured by SAT scores, body

mass index (BMI) and other life achievements. Why on earth am I telling you this and why is relevant to Absolute Horse readers?

Well, willpower or the practice of delayed gratification is something which we only have a certain amount of, like that of a normal battery. What drains that willpower battery? Sugar and sleep for us humans and then it becomes the ‘won’t power’.

Think about it if you start a new regime/diet or whatever that is it will usually only last about two weeks unless you have a real focus and goal that you want to attain with a strong clear purpose. You may start the day with good intentions but you can feel it draining off as the day goes on and the battery needs to be recharged by the

Product News...

ImmuBoost E is an aqueous infusion of Echinacea, now established as having a beneficial effect in maintaining a strong and healthy immune system.

Use as a preventative to help protect horses against general infections which are easily transmitted in a confined stable environment. RRP: £18.90.

Leg Wash is formulated to remove mud and debris from the legs without having to shampoo the horse. Particularly useful in winter months after working, hunting etc.

RRP: £10.36. www.animalhealth.co.uk

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Power riment time we hit the sack. If there is disturbed or little sleep then the recharging isn’t sufficient for the new day. However, we are able to increase the length of charge and turn it into a new all dancing Duracell battery if practised! This is where it becomes relevant - practise, practise, practise of this new ‘willpower’ through the winter months even when you don’t feel like it, is what will get you results for next years season.

Willpower also involves a bit of

Tel: 07740 047279 http://meta.fitness/home pain. Not necessarily physical pain but the uncomfortable feeling of wanting something now as opposed to wanting the goal later. 80% of success is just turning up, 80% over your willpower is self control for you to attain your goals. I know it’s November and next season may seem ages away but it soon comes round and this is the time to practice that self discipline in order to be successful in 2017, so get back on and keep kicking!

NoWheeze is based on the remarkable NoBute and can help horses troubled with wind and respiratory problems.

It can help to ease the discomfort associated with 'coughing' and generally aid in soothing the airways. RRP: £23.94

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HEALTH & WELFARE Up-to-date information at your fingertips Zoetis has launched a sensational new horse healthcare and management app. HorseDialog not only allows you to keep your horse’s records, care and exercise schedules at your fingertips but also helps you and your vet to work together to monitor your horse’s health routine.

HorseDialog is a highly intuitive app that can be linked to your own vet practice, accessed with a unique Vet ID code and is available for download on iOS and Android mobile devices. By following the brief tutorials on each screen you can quickly and securely input all the essential data for every horse in your care, including passport number, microchip ID and insurance policy details. This important information is directly accessible to your vet via a secure web dashboard. Selected data within your horse’s Care Schedule can be sent by email to others involved with the care of your horse, such as your yard manager, horse sitter or partner.

You can even add past events for multiple horses to build a thorough history for every horse. Speak to your vet to find out more.

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DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS NORMAL IN TERMS OF VITAL SIGNS FOR YOUR HORSE? IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY THIS KNOWLEDGE CAN PROVE INVALUABLE. HERE ROBINSON ANIMAL HEALTHCARE EXPLAINS…

Vital SignS f your horse suffers an injury or is unwell, do you know how to test your horse’s vital signs to enable you to spot a problem early or pass on valuable information to your vet before he reaches the yard?

In order to know when something is amiss you need to know what is actually normal for a healthy horse and how to check.

The vital signs are pulse rate, respiratory rate and temperature and are all used to access the condition of the horse.

I

Pulse Rate The horse’s resting pulse is between 35 and 40 beats per minute, and is a useful aid to diagnosis; an abnormal resting pulse rate can signify infection, dehydration, stress, pain and an erratic heartbeat. When a horse

is in pain the pulse rate will usually rise considerably.

The larger and more placid the horse, the slower the rate. A resting rate of above 50 is usually significant.

The easiest way to take the pulse is to run your fingers down the inside of your horse’s left cheekbone until you feel the mandibular artery; this is located in the chin groove. Gently press with your first two fingers and record the number of beats over a period of one minute, paying close attention to the strength of the pulse as well as the number of beats.

Respiratory Rate The respiration rate is the number of breaths a horse takes per minute or how often they breathe in and out. The normal resting rate of a healthy adult horse is around 8 – 16 breaths

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per minute. There should be gentle movement in the nostrils and limited effort noticed in the rise and fall of the flanks.

A change in respiration can be noticed by observation as the horse requires more effort to breath; this can be affected by the environment, such as warm weather, and is naturally increased during exercise.

rectum. Hold firmly for about one minute against the rectum side wall.

Any deviation from these normal vital signs should be taken as an indication that something is wrong, however whenever attempting to check any of the vital signs ensure your horse is calm and you are not placing yourself in any danger, if in doubt always leave this to Temperature your vet.

The temperature is one of the Robinson Animal Healthcare is a most useful guides when long established manufacturer accessing a horse for illness, with of animal first aid wound care a rise indicating a possible and absorbents, including infection, such as an abscess and market leading brands such as a fall in temperature being Animalintex and Veterinary symptomatic of blood loss. For a Gamgee. These products have healthy adult horse the been tried and tested in the temperature is between 38°C equine market and together and 38.4°C. offer complete solution to To take a horse’s temperature, everyday first aid requirements lubricate the bulb end of the for riders and veterinary thermometer with petroleum surgeons. jelly and gently insert into the www.robinsonhealthcare.com

Product News...

Golly Galoshes are ingenious waterproof, breathable and versatile leg gaiters which help prevent the horse interfering with the dressing and eliminate direct contact with bedding or droppings. RRP from £26.99. www.gollygaloshes.com Mix up Aloeride with a little water to make up into a paste to apply to minimal grazes or rashes, helping to soothe and heal minor skin conditions. RRP: £55.20. www.aloeride.com

Animalintex Hoof Treatment is the only veterinary licensed poultice on the market for equine treatment.

Highly absorbent, it is extremely versatile and can be applied either as a wet, hot or cold poultice, or as a dry dressing. Contains an antiseptic to clean and prevent re-infection and natural poulticing agent, Tragacanth, which, when it reacts with water, draws out any infection. RRP: £6. www.robinsonhealthcare.com

Did you know...

Animalintex, the world renowned multi-layered poultice and wound dressing from Robinson Animal Healthcare can be used to treat a wide range of conditions.

It is highly absorbent, extremely versatile and can be applied either as a wet, hot or cold poultice, or as a dry dressing to suit the needs of the injury.

As a hot wet poultice Animalintex can be used to treat bruises, infected dirty wounds, cracked heels, sandcracks and thrush, whilst cold wet poultice can help ease sprains, strains and sore shins amoungst many other complaints.

RRP: £5.50.

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HEALTH & WELFARE

HOW TO PROVIDE THE BEST LEG SUPPORT

I

t is widely accepted that it is important to provide support for the delicate tendons and ligaments in horses’ legs. Supporting legs can help prevent injury or speed up recovery from an existing injury.

Back on Track have found the answer to effective leg support by combining beautifully made traditional products with new technology using their advanced Welltex fabric.

Providing support often means bandaging the legs whilst the

26

horse is at rest and ensuring that boots or bandages are worn to support and protect the legs during exercise.

Back on Track created their Quick Wraps Royal to provide effective leg support for horses at rest. The Back on Track Leg Wraps Royal are made from Welltex fabric with infra-red technology.

Ceramic particles are fused into the fibres of the fabric, causing

infra-red heat to radiate back towards the body. This reflected long-wave heat increases blood circulation which can relieve joint tension and help avoid injury.

In addition to this the Back on Track Quick Wraps Royal feature an ergonomically shaped neoprene outer with carefully positioned hook and loop straps to provide physical support to the legs from coronet to the knee. The thick quilted wraps mould to the shape of the leg and are incredibly quick and easy to use.

Back on Track also have a range of several different boots for use during exercise. Their new Brushing Boots 3D Mesh are proving exceptionally popular.

These beautifully made boots provide protection, support, all the benefits of being lined with padded Welltex fabric and extra ventilation for optimum airflow. The Brushing Boots 3D Mesh are also available with a faux-fur lining for horses prone to boot rubs.

Back on Track products are available for horses, humans and dogs. The range extends from horse rugs to boots and human base layers to joint braces. The canine range includes everything from dog beds to leg braces.

Back on Track Quick Wraps Royal

Back on Track Quick Wraps Royal

RRP £80.00 per pair. Back on Track Brushing Boots 3D Mesh.

S, M, L, or XL. RRP £42.90 £54.00 per pair. www.backontrack.com

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WORMING

Pinworm: (Oxyuris equi) ases of pinworm (Oxyuris equi) have been on the increase over the last few years.

Although pinworm is not a serious threat to horse health and won't cause internal damage like other worms they can be a pesky problem to get rid of.

Pinworm can cause irritation, sometimes so severe that horses will rub themselves raw around their tail head; this can lead to infections and further problems.

If a pinworm problem is suspected then a worm count is unlikely to show the worm eggs as the worms live in the hind gut and lay eggs outside the body

C

under the tail. Pinworms look like bean sprouts with a thin pointy end.

Because of where they live in the hind gut they are often seen in droppings.

Treatment If pinworm is confirmed, treat with one of the more old fashioned wormers like pyrantel (Strongid P) or fenbendazole (Panacur 5 day guard) which are more effective at treating pinworm than ivermectin or moxidectin because of the way these are metabolised in the horse’s gut.

Using neem oil on the horse’s

By Westgate Labs

skin is also sometimes beneficial to prevent the eggs sticking once they’re laid. Couple this with good stable hygiene and scrub down areas where the horse may rub his tail to help reinfection.

About Pinworms The life cycle of a pinworm is different to the majority of other worms found in the horse’s gastrointestinal system, in a number of ways: • The life cycle is direct; this means there is no intermediate host and no migration through any other organ in the body other than the gut.

• The life cycle is long; worms can take up to 5 months to mature (in most other worms this takes only 3 weeks).

• The adult worms live in the rectum, in contrast to other worms which spend their time in the intestines. Immature stages of the worm are less sensitive to wormers so may survive post worming. Most infestations take about 12 months to clear up. Eggs are laid on the skin surrounding the horse’s bottom and not passed in the faeces like other worms, so will not show in a worm egg count.

THE TEST The Westgate Labs pinworm test kit consists of a sticky sellotape strip that you will use to take an impression from the skin under your horse’s tail - this is where the female worms come out and lay their eggs. Once you have pressed this firmly on the skin around the horse’s anus, fold the sellotape back on itself, sticky side to sticky side, place in the bag and post back to our laboratory in the prepaid envelope. We will examine this under the microscope to determine whether there are any pinworm eggs present.

www.westgatelabs.co.uk

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WORMING

Tapeworm infections: why we need to pay special attention to these parasites

By Dr Corrine Austin scientist and director of Austin Davis Biologics. apeworm infections in horses need to be considered separately from roundworm and redworm infections.

There are two main reasons for this; firstly detection of a tapeworm burden is not straightforward. Standard worm egg counts do not reliably detect tapeworm eggs as they

T

are released within specialised packets rather than being spread throughout the faeces.

Secondly, there are only two drugs capable of effectively killing tapeworms; praziquantel and a double dose of pyrantel embonate. Therefore, it is important that we preserve the efficacy of these drugs and reduce the risk of resistance

emerging. We can do this by testing first, before resorting to the use of wormers.

How can you test for tapeworm in horses?

Tapeworm burdens can be accurately diagnosed using either a blood or a saliva test, both of which detect tapewormspecific antibodies present in the sample. The EquiSal Tapeworm

saliva test works like a blood test, but instead, uses saliva that you collect yourself. The test is scientifically proven to diagnose tapeworm burdens with high accuracy, so it tells you if your horse has a burden and whether you need to worm or not.

Using EquiSal Tapeworm as part of your worm control programme It is easy to integrate an EquiSal Tapeworm test into your worm control programme – simply test every 6 months at a time when you would consider routine worming for tapeworm.

Your programme should also

The Horse Tapeworm Three species of tapeworm are capable of infecting horses; the most common in the UK is Anoplocephala perfoliata. It can grow up to 8cm long and is made up of a series of segments. The head has four suckers which the tapeworm uses to attach itself to a small region of the intestines called the ileocaecal junction. This localised colonisation causes damage to the intestines and the presence of large numbers causes intestinal obstruction and clinical disease, resulting in colic.

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The tapeworm life cycle is different from other horse worms as it requires an intermediate host – the oribatid mite.

Infected horses pass tapeworm eggs onto the pasture where they are consumed by the mites. The eggs develop into larvae within the mite until the mite is ingested by a grazing horse, allowing the larvae to be released into the intestines. The larvae complete the life cycle by attaching to the lining of the intestines where they develop into adult tapeworms capable of releasing eggs.

The oribatid mites live within the grass and soil of our pastures, but the number of infected mites depends on the level of infected horses grazing the paddocks. If there are a lot of infected horses in a paddock, then a high proportion of the oribatid mites will be infected.

include regular worm egg counts for redworm and roundworm, and a winter worming dose for encysted redworm.

To test for tapeworm, all you need to do is collect saliva from your horse using the specially designed EquiSal swab and then

return it to the lab using the freepost bag included with the test kit. Results are emailed with a worming recommendation.

Test kits are available through veterinary practices and SQP stockists and online at www.equisal.com

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HEALTH & WELFARE

t HERNIAS h e c t V Wa A in horses Presented by

ROSSDALES HERTFORDSHIRE Rossdales Hertfordshire, 13 Weston Barns, Weston, Hertfordshire SG4 7AX T. 01462 790221 E. office@rossdalesherts.com www.rossdalesherts.com

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hernia is either an acquired or congenital defect in the body wall. It results in the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening, creating a soft swelling below the abdomen or within the scrotum.

Congenital defects occur at three common sites, the umbilicus, the scrotum and the inguinal ring (the channel in the body wall through which the testicles descend). Umbilical hernias occur in up to 2% of Thoroughbred foals and are present at birth. Scrotal/inguinal hernias are seen in young colts and may be present at birth or develop over the first few days of life. Acquired hernias in adult horses normally occur after abdominal surgery or trauma.

The contents of the hernia have an implication on its severity. An uncomplicated hernia will contain either noncompromised intestine or no intestine at all, i.e. fat. These are not life threatening and treatment is often straightforward.

Complicated hernias contain compromised, often strangulated (twisted) intestine.

These cases often present with colic-like signs of discomfort and toxicity, with the area of the hernia being hot, hard and painful. These cases are considered a surgical emergency and warrant immediate referral to a surgical facility.

By Sarah Moore MRCVS

Umbilical hernia before treatment

Clinical Signs and Diagnosis Hernias are usually apparent on visual examination of a foal and detected by palpation of the swelling and the defect of the body wall. Uncomplicated hernias are most commonly encountered with no other signs of disease.

Diagnosis by palpation is typically all that is required. An attempt will be made to reduce (replace the contents of the hernia) into the abdomen.

Uncomplicated hernias reduce easily and carry an excellent

prognosis for treatment.

Ultrasound can be used if the hernia is non-reducible to differentiate the contents of the swelling. External abdominal soft swellings can also be caused by an abscess, haematoma or seroma (fluid accumulation), and it is important to ascertain the contents of the swelling prior to treatment.

If the foal presents with a complicated hernia, ultrasound will be used to assess the condition of the intestine inside prior to surgery. Strangulation of

Umbilical hernias are most commonly treated by the placement of a tight rubber ring around the excess skin of the hernia whilst reducing its contents back into the abdomen.

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VET PROFILE

Surgical removal of a hernial sac and associated skin, followed by closure of the defect with sutures.

intestine must always be considered in a foal with a hernia that develops colic.

Treatment Uncomplicated Hernias Small congenital umbilical or inguinal hernias are treated conservatively and are likely to correct spontaneously as the foal grows. These should be monitored by the owner and veterinary attention sought if any problems occur. Larger hernias, i.e. umbilical hernias greater than 5cm in diameter, or hernias that have not resolved by 7-9 months of age, will normally not resolve without intervention.

The most common treatment for these umbilical hernias is placement of a tight rubber ring around the excess skin of the hernia whilst reducing its contents back into the abdomen. Most commonly this is performed while the foal is standing under sedation, but it

can also be done with the foal on its back under a short general anaesthetic. Care is taken to make sure all of the contents are replaced and no intestine is caught within the rubber ring. In time, the hernia dries up through lack of blood supply and drops off. It is normal to have some localised swelling for the first few days but the foal should be in no discomfort.

Very large, uncomplicated hernias may require surgery to

place a synthetic mesh across the defect in the abdominal wall. This will be performed under general anaesthetic in the hospital and will be advised by your vet if required.

Complicated Hernias These are considered a surgical emergency and admission to an appropriate surgical facility is required. The foal will be given a general anaesthetic and the contents of the hernia assessed.

If the intestine has been compromised for a significant period of time, it may be necessary to remove a portion of that intestine. The defect in the abdominal wall can then be repaired. If the defect is large it may be necessary to place a mesh over the hole in order to prevent any further abdominal contents pushing through. In the case of scrotal or inguinal hernias, it may be necessary to remove the testicle associated in order to close the ring through which the intestine has entered.

Prognosis The prognosis for the treatment of uncomplicated hernias is very Photos: Rossdakes

It may be necessary to remove surgically a portion of the intestine if has been compromised for a significant period of time

Sarah Moore BVetMed CertAVP(ESM) MRCVS Sarah qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2009. She joined Rossdales Hertfordshire in 2013 after periods working in a mixed practice in Norfolk and in the equine department at Swanspool Veterinary Clinic.

In January 2016, she was awarded the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Equine Stud Medicine).

Sarah is a key member of the Rossdales Hertfordshire stud farm services team but enjoys a busy and varied caseload, seeing all types of horses and ponies. Her particular interests are in stud farm medicine and diagnosing poor performance and respiratory conditions. She is a keen follower of all equestrian disciplines, especially hunting and point-topointing.

good and a good cosmetic result is often achieved. In the case of complicated hernias, the prognosis is variable, depending on the degree of compromise of the intestine involved and if a portion has to be removed.

However, if treated quickly with prompt referral for surgery this is also good.

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RIDER PROFILE

“Ambition is the road to Glory” Rider Profile

Tom Crisp

Location: Mayfield, East Sussex How and when did you start riding? At the Waveney Harriers Pony Club (I loved the whole Pony Club thing!), Beccles and Bungay Riding Club and local gymkhanas - I won my first trophies there as my dad ran the fastest! My first horse was kept at the bottom of the garden where we had just one stable. I started more seriously when I was around 13-years-old. My parents where fantastic supporters and encouraged me, although they are from a nonhorsey background. I worked at many working pupil/rider placements, where I was a total pain and rarely made it past six months! But I was very motivated and competitive and learnt from a very early age that my pony/ horse didn’t always feel the same! That unpredictability was what got me hooked.

No I’m still working on that! My young rider horse Barnabys Ballard was one of my more memorable little horses only being 15.3hh. I achieved second the YR National Champs and team silver at the Europeans, I was also highest placed young rider at Burghley in 2001.

You are a successful event rider, but which top horse do you personally most admire and why?

Michael Jung’s Sam. Unbelievable achievements, how could you not admire that partnership!

You are

If you could give one piece of advice to Absolute Horse readers, what would it be?

‘Ambition is the road to Glory and persistence is the vehicle you arrive in!’

During your career has there been a particular horse that you consider to have really helped you ‘make it’?

Tom’s younger horse Don Zephyr

Tom and Cooly competing at Etoiles de Pau CCI4, 12th16th October.

Photo: Ingo Waechter Images

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sponsored by Swift Energy, Ssangyong Motors and Voltair, how have they helped you?

Please tell us more.

It’s fantastic to have support from these companies, it would make life as a professional event rider very difficult without help with products, equipment and financial support to continue producing and competing in this already very demanding sport, and for that I am very grateful.

From fantastic bedding for all the horses to a Korando sports pickup that tows the kids to the local Pony Club show it all helps.

As well as my brilliant owners and team members, without them none of it would be possible.

Horse Profile Name: Coolys Luxury Stable name: Cooly Owners: The Swift Syndicate Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Height: 16.3hh Age: 14 Breed: ISH Sire: Olympic Lux Dam: Tell Me Sunshine Eleventh, fourteenth and nineteenth at CCI4; third Camphire CIC3.

A no nonsense horse who loves his job. Easy to work with. He over tries sometimes and isn’t the easiest in the flat as he is built a bit too much on his front end. But he has huge scope - more than anything I've sat on and would better suit 5* if they had it. He is a solitary chap, happy on his own and has no time for any other horse or fuss! I would love to get another crack at Badminton with him, I’ve not had the best record there but I know he is capable of at least a top ten, as long as it's a tough XC!

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TOP TIPS FOR

NUTRITION: FOR WINTER

FEED

By Lizzie Drury, Nutritionist Saracen Horse Feeds

Start by regularly weighing and condition scoring your horse or pony and keeping a record. This way you will be able to pick up on any changes in your horses weight more quickly than by the eye alone. If feeding levels need to be altered changes can be introduced before there is a problem with your horse carrying too much or too little body condition.

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Think about what forage you are going to feed through the winter and check up on supplies etc. Good quality forage is not only essential for ensuring that your horses digestive system remains healthy but it will also pay a large part of the energy bill required to help your horse maintain good condition over the winter. This may also mean that the levels of concentrate feed you need to feed can be reduced.

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Try to avoid hay that has been made from late grass unless you are feeding a good doer or a laminitic. Late cut grass hay contains a large proportion of indigestible fibre and is neither as appetizing nor as nutritious as forage that is harvested in a younger and therefore less mature stage.

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Check that the hay is soft, green in colour and dry. It should not smell mouldy or dusty but sweet.

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If you are intending on using haylage check to see that you can get the nutrient analysis before committing to purchase.

Haylage that has a very high moisture content may not provide your horse with adequate fibre intake, which can lead to digestive and weight problems as well as being wasteful as a result of spoilage.

An analysis will also help to

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govern the type of concentrate feed you use. A low fibre, highenergy haylage is best matched with a high fibre, low energy concentrate feed.

Always ensure that plenty of fresh clean water is available to keep your horse well hydrated.

Some horses that are stabled through the winter like to have a bucket of water in which they can ‘dip’ their hay.

This is quite natural bearing in mind that their natural diet contains up to 80% water!

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Salt is the only mineral for which horses have an indisputable appetite, and they display a degree of nutritional wisdom regarding its consumption.

Providing free access to a salt block is advisable plus adding 2oz of salt in the feed each day.

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Think about how your horses faired the winter last year. Did he

loose condition, did he become very excitable or did he lack energy? There are many commercially available feeds now that can help compliment plenty of forage etc.

Feeds that are high in digestible fibre (contain: alfalfa, Soya hulls, sugar beet etc) and have a high oil content provide slow release energy, which can help to manage excitable temperaments and put on condition, such as Saracen Show Improver Mix.

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Pick up the phone or email a feed nutritionist.

At Saracen we make it our business to advise and help guide horse owners through the minefield of nutrition!

Combining our wealth of experience and our exclusive association with Kentucky Equine Research put in basic terms - we know our stuff! www.saracen-horsefeeds.co.uk

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...and my tips are

By Anna Welch BVSc, BSc, MRCVS. Veterinary Nutrition Director, TopSpec.

Feed ad-lib forage During winter, when grazing is in limited supply, frozen or covered by snow, it is important to provide alternative sources of fibre (e.g. hay, haylage or chop) to aid digestion and keep the hindgut working efficiently.

Fibre is continually fermented by the microflora in the hindgut. This process of fermentation produces warmth. So before reaching for extra hard feed in the cold weather, always ensure your horse has access to ad-lib forage.

Elderly horses with poor teeth may require chopped forage, e.g. TopChop Grass, or preground fibre e.g. TopSpec FibrePlus Cubes, as a partial or total hay replacer.

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Consistent routine Maintaining a consistent routine can be tricky in the winter, especially at certain yards where turnout may only

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be available every other day or less. Intermittent changes in the forage source provided (i.e. between grass and hay/haylage) can upset the balance of the hindgut microflora.

If daily turnout is not an option, try to offer short periods of in-hand grazing on the days that turnout is unavailable. If this is not possible, to keep a consistent supply of feed (grass) to the hindgut, feed a grass chop such as TopChop Grass on confined days.

Balanced diet It is important to balance this diet with optimum levels of essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals that will be lacking in a forage only diet.

For those that need to gain weight, basing hard feeds on a conditioning feed balancer e.g.

TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer, is ideal. The high quality protein included will promote muscle development and topline. Conversely, a low calorie feed balancer, such as TopSpec Lite Feed Balancer is more suitable for good-doers.

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www.topspec.com

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NUTRITION: FOR WINTER

MAINTAINING WINTER

Q

CONDITION I want to compete my 14hh Working Hunter Pony on the winter circuit.

During the colder months he can drop condition and his coat never shines as much as in the summer what do you suggest?

Answer:

It’s a good time to start thinking about how you will feed and manage your pony during the colder months.

Provided your pony is otherwise healthy, the most likely explanation for his weight loss is that he’s using up more energy (calories) than is being provided in his diet. Remember that during very cold weather horses can ‘waste’ up to 80% of their feed energy just staying warm. Making sure that your horse is well-rugged, but not over-rugged, will help to reduce his energy expenditure in cold weather.

Maximising forage quality should always be the first adjustment when trying to promote weight gain. During the winter the nutritive value of the grazing declines and you’ll need to provide your horse with additional conserved forage such as an early-cut hay or a ryegrass haylage. This should be provided ad-lib when your horse is stabled and, if needed, in the field. Feeding plenty of forage will also help

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to keep your horse warm because heat is produced in the hind-gut during the fermentation process.

Many horses won’t maintain condition on forage alone and those that struggle to keep weight on will benefit from a conditioning feed. However, many conditioning feeds are high in starch and this can exacerbate excitable behaviour, particularly during the winter period when turnout and exercise is often reduced. As well as being undesirable in the show ring, fizzy behaviour will also increase energy expenditure and therefore may contribute to weight loss.

Equerry Conditioning Mash is specially formulated to promote weight gain and condition, without intensifying fizzy behaviour. It provides a high level of calories (12.5MJ/kg) from ‘Non-Heating’ digestible fibres and oil but contains approximately 50% less starch than most conditioning mixes.

Equerry Conditioning Mash provides good levels of quality protein to promote muscle

development. Plus it contains very high levels of yeast to promote a healthy balance of microflora in the hind-gut and maximise digestive efficiency.

Equerry Conditioning Mash will also help improve your horses coat condition as it provides good levels of quality amino acids, which are needed for the production of keratin fibres in hair. Plus it’s fully balanced with all the essential vitamins and minerals including biotin, zinc and copper, all of which play an important role in coat condition. It also provides excellent levels of oil (5.25%) and linseed to promote a glossy, shiny coat - great for catching the Judge’s eye!

Equerry Conditioning Mash should be mixed with at least equal parts of water to cube for 5-10 minutes prior to feeding and is a great way of adding a little moisture back into your horse’s diet. Plus as a special treat it can even be fed as a warm mash by making it with warm, but not hot, water! www.equerryhorsefeeds.com

A TOUcH Of

FROST When there is a ground frost and grass is frozen, the grass accumulates more sugars to try and enable it to carry on growing in adverse conditions.

This extra sugar content can be one of several different triggers for laminitis. If a horse or pony is prone to laminitis, it should be fed a low sugar, low starch and high fibre diet.

It is important not to starve horses and ponies prone to laminitis as this can cause further problems. Choose forage that has a lower sugar content than hay and, ideally, a complete feed suitable for horses and ponies prone to laminitis that contains a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement such as Mollichaff HoofKind Complete. www.horsehage.co.uk

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NUTRITION: FOR WINTER

Safeguarding the Digestive Health of

COmPETiTiON HORSES DURiNg WiNTER

D

ressage rider Lara Dyson knows how important a healthy digestive system is to the happiness and performance of her horses.

Lara, who is a brand ambassador for The Lifeforce Range from Alltech works hard to ensure the routine on her yard is designed to get the most from her horses while maintaining their health and well-being.

The lifestyle of a competition

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horse can have a negative impact on this delicate system, especially during winter when they are more likely to be confined to the stable for longer periods.

It is estimated that 60 – 80% of competition horses suffer from gastric ulcers, due to the high concentrate diet needed to fulfil their energy requirements and also the stress induced by their training schedules, travelling and limited hours grazing.

The feeding routine of all the horses at Cyden Dressage is reviewed every three months with Lara checking their weight and condition and adjusting the diet accordingly.

During the winter months when the grazing quality is poor and the horses are stabled for longer they are fed four small meals a day at 7am, 11am, 4pm and 8pm, this ensures they do not suffer from starch overload.

Horses can digest very little starch at any one time and the small intestine struggles to deal with concentrate rations containing more than 3-4g (possibly less) of starch per kilogram of body weight per meal. All the horses are fed ad lib hay.

Turnout is vital to reducing stress levels. “All horses must be allowed time to just be a horse and this means getting them out of the stable. We try to turn the horses out for two to four hours a day and if the fields are ever water-logged during winter, the horses get what I call ‘loose time’ in the arena, where they even get to play with a large gym ball,” explained Lara. www.lifeforcehorse.co.uk

NEW PRODUCT

ALERT! Dengie Meadow Grass with Herbs is ideal to use as a partial or total hay replacer as it supplies additional calories to help gain/ maintain weight especially during the winter months. The finest Lincolnshire meadow grass is dried, chopped and lightly dressed with coldpressed rape seed oil from Aberdeenshire. It is then topped with a unique blend of tasty herbs - liquorice root, fennel, mint, chamomile and aniseed. 15kg RRP: £8.75. www.dengie.com

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A warming herbal mash to support immune and digestive function over the winter months has been added to the extensive range of feed from Dodson & Horrell.

Winter Health Mash is a special edition which is available for the winter months only.

This brand new winter warmer is ideal to stimulate a horse’s appetite with added carrots, peas and herbs to appeal to the fussiest horse. The inevitable increase in stabling can often lead to feed apathy and this warming porridge is ideal to tempt your horse to his feed bowl. It can also be an ideal way to disguise supplements and medicines.

Available in stores from the beginning of November. www.dodsonandhorrell.com

NEW PRODUCT

ALERT!

NEW PRODUCT

ALERT! The Stubbs Hay Roller is a brand new concept and is designed to slow down your horse’s forage intake and reduce boredom. It is also great for reducing forage intake whilst keeping the diet-restricted horse occupied.

Just fill it up with your usual forage and the ingenious conical shape rolls around in a circle rather than getting blown around the field, under a hedge or fence and contains almost as much forage as a regular hay net. Horses can feed from 7.5cm feeder holes. It is easily filled through the funnel-shaped opening and even if some horses eat from this end, forage is still restricted and kept clean. www.abbeyengland.com

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NEW PRODUCT

ALERT! New crunchits from Equilibrium Products are naturally healthy, low sugar, bite-sized treats, that provide a variety of flavours, texture and aromas that horses love.

Made with strawberry, beetroot, parsnip, carrot, banana, pea and spinach, crunchits can be fed daily as a tasty treat or reward.

Price: £3.99/750g bag. www.equilibriumproducts.com

Pick up your miNi SAmPLE bAg from your local tack shop!

Mollichaff Complete will sponsor a monthly ‘fun’ class called ‘Make Us Smile’ at The Mane Show – a fun way to compete your horses or ponies in showing and dressage classes online via photographs and video.

The winner each month will receive a voucher for a bag of Mollichaff Complete and can choose which variety they prefer. www.horse hage.co.uk Now 13-years-old Jani, a Dutch Warmblood owned by Lorraine McIndoe, has spent his life being susceptible to loose droppings.

And despite owning him for seven years and trying everything she and her vets could think of, Lorraine had started to give up on ever finding a solution to the gelding’s problem.

“We spoke to the TopSpec team who recommended UlsaKind

Cubes. The difference is remarkable; after all these years Jani is more comfortable thanks to TopSpec UIsaKind Cubes.” www.topspec.com

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CAREERS, EDUCATION & TRAINING

Team success K ing’s Ely is a school that empowers young people to push beyond the boundaries of their own expectations to achieve more than they ever believed possible, and supporting girls and boys who participate in equestrian events is no exception.

The school has very active and successful Junior and Senior Equestrian teams, with the new working week enabling pupils to fully participate in regional and national events. Training for competitions is an important part of this and, whilst much training takes place at home or with affiliated societies, the school provides a platform for this crucial element.

There have been significant successes from within the team to date. This year saw individual triumphs for Katie Cameron, who won the county qualifier for showjumping and was also part of the winning team that qualified for the National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) County Finals. The team also travelled to Keysoe, a qualifier for NSEA Eventer’s Challenge Series Final at the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead. Individually, Katie Cameron, Freia Gould, Phoebe Plumb all qualified for Hickstead in June, and the team won its class. Another Hickstead qualifier at the Jays in Suffolk saw the team gain qualification by winning its class, and there were further individual successes for Katie, who won and qualified for

both classes as an individual as well as being part of the qualifying team.

Other achievements were notable in the dressage competition, where the team came second at the College of West Anglia. Freia Gould won the novice dressage and as such qualified for the NSEA National County Championships Finals in April.

Freia (pictured) flew the flag for King’s Ely in the dressage coming seventh overall.

Supporting and developing students to unlock their potential is the hallmark of a King's Ely education. Offering an outstanding education to girls and boys aged 1 to 18, situated just 15 minutes north of Cambridge and a short walk to Ely train station in the heart of rural Cambridgeshire, King’s Ely is a prestigious, innovative independent day and boarding school, complemented by a history that stretches back over 1,000 years. A can-do atmosphere develops happy, confident young people who are

encouraged to thrive, both academically and socially.

All major sports are offered, along with an impressive array of

other activities. The school boasts modern, purpose-built teaching facilities and the remarkable backcloth of Ely Cathedral, the perfect setting for concerts and performances. Music, drama and art are embedded in the culture of the school, with opportunities for pupils of all abilities and aspirations, both within and beyond the curriculum.

To visit our Open Events or make an individual appointment, please email janeformston@kingsely.org or call 01353 660707. www.kingsely.org

For info contact 01353 660707 www.kingsely.org

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TUTORIAL

Ride like...

JAMES SOMMERVILLE

AS THE EVENTING SEASON COMES TO AN END, JAMES TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO MAINTAINING HIS HORSES’ FITNESS AND KEEPING THEM TICKING OVER, READY FOR THE NEW SEASON

Galloping and maintaining peak fitness in the

EVENT HORSE long with intense practice in the arena on flatwork, gymnastic jumping and cross country practice, an event horse has to also put in the fitness work, maintaining and improving stamina, to get them from start to finish on the cross country phase.

From grass roots through to 4* level, fitness is a key attribute the event horse must have.

At Team Sommerville we start by warming up the horses, preparing them and their muscles for work. I like to start with a walk down the gallops for around five minutes.

Stretching down and loosening up. Then we will pick up to trot for a further five minutes, focusing on keeping the horses working long and low, stretching down, allowing them to hold themselves and be relaxed in their work. I will then go forward in to a light canter for another few minutes, slowly getting their heart rates up. I would then give them a short break before the first run up the gallop track.

Our first run up the gallop will only be at half pace, not pushing

A

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them, just allowing the horse to travel in a relaxed manner. As we reach the top we gradually pull up and continue to trot for

around 30 seconds and back to walk. I will then walk them for around two or three minutes and then trot and lightly canter back to the start of the gallops allowing them a quick breather before starting the second run. On the second run up the gallops, we continue to run them only at a half pace, letting them gallop, allowing the horse his head and neck, while

maintaining a light contact down the reins.

We run our Novice horses up the gallops two to three times. If only twice, the second run will be a more forward run than the first.

On the final run up we will tend to push the pace up slightly.

For our Intermediate horses we will put them up the gallops for three or four runs, letting them travel soft and round, not pulling the rider along. For a horse competing in three-day events we will have them running up four times comfortably.

For the Advanced horses running

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James Sommerville is a professional event rider and has been competing professionally for 10 years. The 28-year-old is based at his family’s yard in North Yorkshire and has a string of talented young horses ranging from 4-year-olds just starting their careers, right up to his 4* horse, Talent.

James’ career highlights include winning the Aston Le Wall U25 Advanced in 2012, finishing eleventh at Bramham International CCI3* this year as well as eighth in 2012 in the U25 section.

James also had a win in the British Four-year-old Championships as well as the Scottish Novice Championships in 2015.

Just recently James’ top horse, Talent, has now qualified for Badminton 2017 and the team is busy making preparations for the pair’s debut run at the 4* event next season.

at CCI3*/CCI4* we will have them running up five times, having the ability to alter their speed accordingly without them finding the change in pace too strenuous.

It is important to remember that when you are at the gallops that you are doing fitness work, not training a race horse, therefore you should have control in the canter or gallop and be working at a slower pace which the horse

can sustain. Training at high pace and speed without control you run the risk of injuring the horse.

Recovery and Aftercare It is also very important when you have finished at the gallops you cool down your horse properly. Begin with slowly moving down the paces. A light canter, leading onto trot for around five minutes and then into a good walk off, ensuring they have stopped blowing and their heart rate is back to normal in a sufficient amount of time, letting them ease back and recover. Your horse, after a few galloping sessions, should adjust accordingly and find recovery easier as you progress. When starting gallop training you should ease the horse into it slowly and move onto more runs gradually.

Aftercare for an event horse, when galloping or after finishing the cross country phase, is essential. The main aim is to get their body temperatures back to normal, cooling their legs down and taking away any heat.

Our horses are firstly washed off all over and scraped off thoroughly. Cross country and overreach boots are removed and

replaced with a pair of cool boots behind and in front. These boots are prepared beforehand and soaked in cold water for around an hour - the cooler they are the better. These are left on the horse for around 20 minutes. Whilst the boots are on, the horse can be walked in-hand for a further 10 minutes. The horse then will be washed down a second time, ensuring any sweat or dirt is fully removed, especially around vital areas such as their head, saddle area, sheath and legs. We then remove the cool boots and replace them with ice. Ice is placed in tubi-grip bandages on their legs. We leave these on for around 20 minutes, rotating on and off, depending on the level of heat in their legs. Once their body and legs are fully cooled we then rug them up accordingly, clay their legs and bandage them over night. The clay is fully removed off their legs the next day.

The most important rule is listen to your horse and work within their comfort zone, moving up through the intense work gradually, thus avoiding injury and ensuring your horse enjoys his trips to the gallops.

James feeds Fibre-Beet as part of a balanced diet for his event horses.

Fibre-Beet is a Super-Fibre conditioning feed with added high quality alfalfa for optimum condition and to provide quality protein for muscle tone and function.

Alfalfa can also help with topline or simply help maintain weight and a healthy, shiny coat.

Fibre-Beet is a formulated blend containing all the benefits of Speedi-Beet, offering an excellent source of highly digestible fibre to provide slow release energy without the ‘fizz’.

With an effective degradability 50% higher than forage fibre, Fibre-Beet can improve energy intake whilst keeping dietary fibre levels at an optimum.

Fibre-Beet provides a good range of minerals, trace elements and amino acids and has a low sugar content making it suitable for horses and ponies susceptible to laminitis.

Ideal for horses prone to digestive upsets and very palatable for fussy eaters, Fibre-Beet also has added biotin for hoof quality and can be used as a forage replacer (up to 60% of the daily forage allowance).

Soaked and ready to feed in only 45 minutes in cold water or 15 minutes in warm water, Fibre-Beet can also aid rapid rehydration.

RRP: £12.35 - £13.30.

For more information on Fibre-Beet please contact British Horse Feeds on 01765 680300 or visit www.britishhorsefeeds.com

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EUTHANASIA: PART 2

End of Life A reader remembers...

W.Martin and Son W. Martin and Son operate a 24-hour call out service to those needing assistance providing a caring professional approach.

“We cover the South and East of the UK including Essex, Cambridge, Herts, Suffolk, Norfolk, Kent, Bedfordshire and beyond.

“Our aim at W Martin and Son is to provide a professional service based on our long established experience, we take great pride in our commitment to quality and honesty in the work that we do.

“We provide a full range of Equine Cremation services to suit your needs which can include humane dispatch and discrete collection from your home or veterinary practice.

“We guarantee your Equine friend will be treated with dignity and the utmost respect. We understand this is a painful time and wish to make this difficult process as easy as possible for you.

“Our hand crafted caskets come in three sizes. Individual cremations include brass name plate and a Certificate of Cremation to guarantee your horse’s ashes are returned. Scatter Tubes and Pouches are also available on request.” www.wmartinandson.co.uk

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I lost my golden boy, Monty Dove in May of this year, closer to 40 than 30. Making 'the decision' was the hardest, bravest thing I have ever done.

We shared over 25 years together, he looked so well, it didn't seem right. But he had injured his leg and although my heart was screaming ‘no’ my head was telling me it was the right thing to do. Over the years he gave me everything, we were lucky enough to compete successfully in affiliated dressage and in his later years had fun in the veteran show ring. I miss him every day. - Emma Williams-Wynn

A reader remembers...

One Saturday we found Another Planet aka Mars banging about in his stable, eyes rolling and drenched in sweat. I tried to stand and calm him but he was in that much pain he nearly crushed me against wall.

We called the vet who administered pain relief, anti spasmodics and sedation drugs which relieved the pain for no more than 15 minutes each time. The vet advised us Mars needed to go to their hospital but we made the terrible decision to end his suffering rather than prolong it.

- Carole Foster-Gill

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Pets Li m ful

ite d

Caring & Guaranteed Individual Cremation, Specialising in

HORSES & SMALL PETS 24 Hour Emergency Collection Service Tel:

01485 528141 The Grange, West Rudham, King’s Lynn, Norfolk

www.peacefulpets.org.uk

Photo courtesy Cubiq Design

I recently had my beloved mare Maggie put to sleep, this was a very difficult desision, as she was only 14, but had EMS and developed an inoperable tumour. I also had to take into consideration my other pony Milo who was her best friend and in his 30’s. I can honestly say it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, she died in my arms, but it was the right choice. She was suffering. I made inquiries on the least stressful way for Milo to deal with it, letting him see her body so he would understand she had died, and making these arrangements kept me busy and reduced the guilt as I felt I had done everything I possibly could for him. Sadly 6 months later he passed away from old age. Euthanasia is not the easy thing to do, but in many cases it’s the kindest, my advice would be take plenty of photos of your horse and when they are gone take a clipping of their tail in case you feel you need to have a piece of jewellery made. - Sara McComb

Peac e

A reader remembers...

Bill Phizacklea and his wife Margaret opened the Suffolk Pet and Horse Crematorium in 1999 after realising how important the loss of a pet can be.

Bill has ridden all his life and as the owner of many family pets realises how important it is to deal with the loss of an animal sensitively. For this reason Bill is keen to offer his services directly to pet owners making the cremation more personal and tailored to individual needs.

Bill Phizacklea, Suffolk Pet & Horse Crematorium, Lower Farm Great Saxham, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP29 5JT Telephone: 01284 810 981 | Fax: 01284 811 709 Email: bill@suffolkpetcrematorium.com www.suffolkpetcrematorium.com

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TUTORIAL

Ride like...

NICOLA WILSON

IN THIS ISSUE LEADING EVENT RIDER NICOLA WILSON EXPLAINS HOW SHE USES GRIDWORK TO HELP IMPROVE HER HORSES TECHNIQUE.

SIMPLE GRIDWORK FOR GOOD TECHNIQUE rids used properly can help teach horses to improve their technique and overcome problems as well as aiding suppleness, gymnastic ability and mental agility.

They can be used either for ridden work or loose work. It is always best to start the inexperienced horse from a trot; it’s much easier for him to

G

Warm up slowly

maintain rhythm and balance.

Start building your grid an element at a time in a line against the fence on the long side of your arena. You can do all the work in one session going in one direction and alternate directions in subsequent sessions depending on the horse’s experience. I usually do my grid work up the centre line so what I do on one rein I can do on the

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Start simple

other rein also. If I enter off the right rein, I exit to the left and so on so forth. I think it's important to do even amount of work on both reins, some guiding poles on the approach to the first one can be useful for very inexperienced horses.

Avoid the temptation to add too many new elements in one session. Don’t push your horse too far and make sure they complete the first exercise well before moving on.

Encouragement by way of pats or voice are important when your horse improves or gets it correct.

The first essential is that the horse learns to use a placing pole on the ground to help him

position himself correctly for stride length and take-off point.

To do this, first get him used to trotting over a single pole and then add a second pole at 9 feet apart.

Approach in trot, he should use the first pole like a springboard

to bounce into canter over the second pole, and maintain the canter until you ask for the downward transition to trot to repeat the exercise.

Once the horse is working calmly and has learnt the technique the second pole can become a small cross-pole.

It is important that the rest of the exercise remains the same, he should still approach in trot, use the placing pole to strike off into canter and land in canter after the jump.

The horse must be able to use the placing pole correctly in order to be in the correct place for the fence, which will in turn put him in the correct place for the type of jump that you wish to develop.

Encouraging the horse to stretch

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The placing poles ensure that the horse arrives at the grid with the best possible chance of learning correct and comfortable technique.

Once you have mastered the basics of ground poles, using them as springboards and moving up to small fences, you are ready to move on to more advanced work.

Start by adding a pole on the ground one non-jumping stride after the fence (approx 6-7 yards). So you should now have a ground pole, small cross-pole and then another ground pole.

The final pole should be centred in the middle of his stride as he canters over it; once you are happy you can then raise it to another cross pole.

With most horses, I move on fairly quickly to a third cross pole, also on a non-jumping stride away. It is usually necessary to make this distance at least a foot longer as he has jumped the second cross from canter rather than trot and increased his momentum.

At this stage, it is important to keep the distances comfortable, so he can play with the fences; he must be confident before he will be able to respond correctly to the demands of increasing height and width or shortening distances.

Once he is confident you can

TopSpec Feeding Regime A neat ca reful jump

then develop the jump. Add a back pole to the third cross to form a small spread. Most horses pop easily over 80cm at their first attempt. Once it has been introduced, the back pole can be widened until he is jumping a fence that is as wide as it is high.

The cross pole front in the spread fence can now be replaced with a single pole to change it into an ascending parallel with a ground pole. Finally, raise the front rail until it is a true, square parallel.

This can be used when the horse is jumping with competence and confidence, as it is a more difficult fence for him to judge correctly.

Built up in this way it is a standard grid format such as placing pole to placing fence (cross pole) to vertical, to oxer.

This format will develop careful technique and power.

Top Tips • A useful grid exercise I find really helpful is to ride a 20m circle with four fences placing

them at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock. I would set up these fences as low cross poles, and the idea of the exercise is to improve rhythm and balance.

• If you have a nervous or spooky horse repeat grid work exercises and never rush him, let him gain his confidence.

• Use cross poles if you find you are not jumping the middle of a fence. It's more about judging your distance this exercise so you can build on the rythmn and stride pattern so maybe small straight bars (Cavaletti) style fence.

• If you have a young horse loose jumping will help to develop his natural ability.

• A fence does not have to be high to achieve the desired result. The technique is the important factor.

• REMEMBER: Gridwork is very demanding both physically and mentally. Don’t over-do it. Try working in 20 minute sessions.

Nicola’s horses daily feed regime includes TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer, a very flexible nutrient-rich feed designed to balance the rations of most horses and ponies simply by adjusting the rate at which it is fed and the products it is fed with.

It is a very palatable ‘NonHeating’ pelleted feed that is formulated without cereal grains and contains only low levels of sugar and starch.

TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer contains many supplements combined with good quality protein to promote muscle development and topline.

For further information please contact the Multiple AwardWinning Helpline on 01845 565030 or visit www.topspec.com

Moving up to a parallel

Introducing further elements

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CLIPPING & TRIMMING: PART 3

After

IT’S IMPORTANT TO PUT A BIT OF EFFORT IN AFTER YOU’VE FINISHED CLIPPING YOUR HORSE. YOU MIGHT BE EAGER TO RUN HOME AND GET IN THE SHOWER TO WASH AWAY ANY STRAY HAIR, BUT IF YOU SPEND A LITTLE TIME CARING FOR YOUR CLIPPERS, THEY’LL REPAY YOU! HERE, JESSICA BALMER FROM CLIPPERMAN GIVES US HER TIPS ON CARING FOR YOUR CLIPPERS AFTER YOU’VE CLIPPED.

Clipping...

hen you’ve finished clipping, get your horse sorted out before you start cleaning and clearing up. If he’s been stood in the stable for a long time, he’ll be eager to stretch his legs, maybe have a bit of grass, or at least be allowed free rein in his stable (complete with rugs, obviously!).

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It might be a good idea to sweep up some of the hair before you move him to stop it travelling across the yard, but apart from that, focus on him first. You might also want to remove your boiler suit and shake everything out to help you feel a bit less hairy – but that’s up to you!

you’d have liked, and when you If your clip hasn’t gone as well as stand back to admire your work, your horse looks a little chewed or he is covered in lines, you maybe need to re-clip. Before you do this, make sure that whatever has caused the issue has been fixed, and if you’re tired and your horse is getting

restless, it’s best to wait until the next day. Sometimes a really greasy coat can cause the chewed look as it’s more difficult for the blades to cut, or it could be that you’ve used clippers and trimmers with different cutting lengths and you need to blend these areas together. Also check your blades – make sure they’re sharp and that they’ve been tensioned correctly. The chances are that you’ll have noticed any issue long before you finish, but if the light isn’t 100%, it can be tricky and you might not realise until the end or even the next day when you see your horse in daylight. If it hasn’t gone well, don’t beat yourself up – these things happen. Your horse won’t care what he looks like and it can be fixed, so don’t worry!

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The Tellington Touch Equine Awareness Method (TTEAM)

Top Tip by Carolyn Watson, Cleveland House Stud Now, for the clippers. First of all, brush all hair away from the blades and then remove them.

To do this with large clippers, loosen the tension nut until it comes away from the bolt.

Ensure you don’t lose the nut, spring and bolt. Take the blades off, brush any loose hair away, and you could also clean the blades with a spray cleaner to remove grease and dirt from your blades. If you choose one with a spray action, it will blow away any remaining hair too.

Now wipe your blades over and give them a rub with a dry cloth or some tissue before applying oil before storage. If the blades need sharpening, now’s the time to send them away as if they get put back in the box, the chances are you’ll forget and remember a day or so before your next clip… which isn’t ideal at all!

If you’ve been using a battery clipper, it might be a good opportunity to fully discharge the battery by leaving it running until it stops, before fully recharging. Doing this helps to prolong the battery’s life. It’s important to store the battery in its charged state, and to recharge at least every six months. The battery should be stored in a warm, dry location between 5-35oC to help keep it in the best condition too.

For mains clippers, coil up the cable carefully and use a rubber band or hairband to keep the cable neat and tidy before putting it away to store it. It just makes it easier to store and faster to get up and running next time. It also gives you a chance to check for any damage and get anything mended before you need the clippers next.

All clippers should be serviced regularly – for most people this is once a year, but if you clip a lot, this might be more often.

This article was provided by Clipperman. To find out more about the brand’s range of clippers and trimmers, see www.clipperman.co.uk

SEnSItIvE OR tIckLISh hORSE

M

any horses have sensitive areas to clip such as under the belly by the hind legs or around the neck and head. Many of these horses are also sensitive to groom in the same areas. By doing a few minutes of TTouch each day you can help your horse become accustomed to being touched in these sensitive areas.

Three useful TTouches are Clouded Leopard TTouch, Lick of the Cows Tongue and Tarrantulas Pulling the Plow. how to do clouded Leopard ttouch Place your hand lightly on the body with the fingers softly curved. Keep the wrist as straight as possible and use the

12 3

9 6

pads of your fingers to move the skin in a circular motion for one and a quarter turns. If you think of a clock face start the circles at number 6 and glide the skin gently round the clock face. Be careful not to slide your fingers over the skin but instead gently move the skin over the muscles.

Practice on your own arm first to get an idea of differing pressures. Repeat this TTouch over the horses body being careful when you are applying the TTouch to a sensitive area.

By doing this TTouch each day your horse will become accepting of being touched in sensitive and ticklish areas.

To find our more about the benefits of this TTouch or to discuss any problems you may be facing with your horse visit www.clevelandhousestud.co.uk For more information about TTouch and TTEAM visit the UK TTouch website at www.ttouchtteam.co.uk Whilst TTEAM benefits animals suffering from illness, injury and behaviours it is a complimentary therapy and should not be used instead of veterinary care. If you are worried that your horse has a medical condition you must consult your veterinarian.

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SADDLERY & TACK Martin Wilkinson’s

MONTHLY TIP Autumn sets in and your beloved horse is growing a coat faster than you blink, however here’s a little request from our Saddle Fitters here at MWS. Please don't be tempted to whip off ALL the hair! We see so many issues with saddle slip when enthusiastic clippers remove the whole of the horse’s coat.

“If you could just leave a saddle patch or ‘egg’ on the horse’s back, then your saddle will be able to stay in place.”

Happy Clipping! :0)

Product news...

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Available in cob and full, in black and chestnut. RRP: From £185. www.katenegus.com

The Equi-Thème Brillant Saddle Pad adds some sparkle when in the arena, but is also comfortable under the saddle due to its padding and filling.

RRP: £24.90 (Full) and RRP: £26.90 (Dressage). www.equi-theme.com

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REPORTS

JAck the GiAnt DominAtes 2016 seiB Racehorse to Riding horse championship

J

ack the Giant dominated the opposition to “He may go hunting now, take the 2016 SEIB Insurance Brokers Racehorse to Riding Horse championship at we’ll see how he goes” - Allister the Horse of the Year Show, ridden by Allister Hood, who announced the horse’s retirement from showing after the prize giving. HM The Queen’s Barbers Shop went impeccably to take second with Katie Jerram.

The finalists radiated quality and presence as they came before the Judges, Joan Lewis (conformation) and David Ingle (ride), in the atmospheric TopSpec Arena at HOYS, and the championship demonstrated just how far this series has come since its inception in 2006.

Jack the Giant, a 14-year-old bay gelding by Giant’s Causeway (USA) out of State Crystal (IRE), wowed the Judges with his presence.

“What a way to go out! It is brilliant for the owners, who have all been such good supporters and have had Fourth place Race Royal Rock and Allister’s son Oliver Hood a lot of fun following his Jack the Giant and Allister Hood Photo: ES Photography showing career. It was lovely that Mrs Hanbury, his owner when he was a 2-year-old in and going one better than last racing, was also here to see him year to take second place with win,” said Allister.

Katie Jerram. The 11-year-old bay Jack the Giant was formerly gelding by Saddlers’ Hall (IRE) out trained as a race-horse by Barry of Close Harmony was trained by Hills on the flat and Nicky Nicky Henderson and ran 24 Henderson over fences. He ran 26 races during his times under National Hunt rules. He finished racing career, gaining 9 wins and 4 seconds and second twice at Cheltenham and his eight wins amassing total prize money of £223,055. His and 7 placings earned £143,000 in prize money syndicate of owners, The Jackpots, was formed before he retired from racing in 2012. He has since after Nicky Henderson’s partner Sophie Waddilove been produced for the show ring by Katie Jerram, suggested to Allister that the horse might have who has enjoyed huge success including winning potential in showing. Sophie and the six other at Aintree and Hickstead, as well as contesting owners, who were in the Pony Club together, have ladies side saddle classes. enjoyed following Jack the Giant’s considerable Third place went to a delighted Jo Bates, riding success in the ring.

Sophie Tranter’s elegant bay gelding, Bang on Barbers Shop showed all his experience of the big Trend. occasion, putting in an immaculate performance

BRITISH BRONzE: RacESaFE JunIOR EuROPEan tEaM

The GB Racesafe Junior squad successfully defended their 2015 European team medal recently as they headed home from Montelibretti in Italy with a bronze medal for the second year in a row.

A strong start in the opening dressage phase from GB saw the team score 134.50 penalties to take third position behind France on 125.5 and Germany on 113.8 penalties. Individual rider Chelsea Pearce, 17 from Wiltshire, also put in a great test on Albert VI to score 45.6 penalties with fellow individual Chelsea Round, 17 from Warwickshire, and her own Fleetwood Mac V scoring 47.7.

Sixteen-year-old Phoebe Locke from Somerset, and the 8-yearold gelding Union Fortunus, owned by Phoebe and Miss Jamie-lee Day, finished best of the British team in the dressage on 43.5 penalties with Lincolnshire’s Richard Coney, 17, and his own 8-year-old Irish gelding Kananaskis hot on their heels with 44.9. Felicity Collins, 18 from East Sussex, riding Ms Vicky Collins and Mrs Avirna Milton’s RSH Contend Or posted a 46.1 with 17-year-old Bubby Upton from Suffolk on Mrs Rachel Upton’s Eros DHI scoring 47.7 for the team.

Continued overleaf...

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REPORTS Continued from previous page..

Cross country day produced more brilliant performances with four clear rounds for the British Junior team. With all four combinations coming home within the time the team headed in to the final phase on their 134.5 penalty score and third position with France and Germany both maintaining their second and first placing respectively.

It was unfortunately not individual rider Chelsea Round and Fleetwood Mac’s day as they sadly suffered elimination at fence 16a ending their European campaign, but Chelsea Pearce, also riding as an individual, stormed home with Albert clear inside the time to stay on their 45.6 penalty dressage score.

The team fought hard in the influential show jumping phase to retain their team bronze medal, both Felicity Collins and Bubby Upton produced clear jumping rounds with Bubby adding two time penalties to their dressage score. Richard Coney and Phoebe Locke picked up a pole a piece with Richard also adding one time penalty to his score giving the team a total of 143.5 penalties and the bronze medal.

Chelsea Pearce finished on her dressage score following a faultless show jumping round to claim eighth place individually.

Germany received the double gold with a team win on a total score of 126.6, France finished in silver with 131.3 and GB achieved bronze with 143.5.

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FcS charity Ride and Fun Day After a mixed forecast, FCS Equestrian enjoyed a lovely day for their second Charity Ride Fun Day on Sunday 25th September. Over 60 horses and riders took part enjoying the countryside of South Norfolk, starting from the beautiful parkland of the Gawdy Hall Estates near Harleston.

The 10 mile ride was over field margins, tracks and quiet country roads. Many riders also took part in a horse agility course, there was a saddle checking area for advice on saddle fitting and Allen & Page were there with their weigh scales to give nutritional advice and accurate horse weights.

There was a good turnout of equestrian carbooters and some riders went home with photos of the day by Diss Event Photography and everyone enjoyed the BBQ laid on by Friends Farm, Alburgh and cakes by Utterly Scrumptious.

FCS Equestrian were delighted with the turn out and the chance to meet customers’ horses which they hear so much about in their feed/bedding shop in Denton.

Rosie, John, Rachel and Andrew from FCS Equestrian would like to thank everyone for attending and are pleased to send a cheque to the East Anglian Air Ambulance in the sum of £1,000.

WILD MONTANA SKIES The Dodson & Horrell National Amateur Second Rounds held at Codham Park Equestrian in Braintree, Essex proved to be competitive as fifty-one talented pairs came forward to compete across the 0.85m and 0.95m Second Rounds.

Qualifying for the Dodson & Horrell National Amateur Championships, held at Aintree Equestrian Centre in Liverpool between the 16th – 20th November, was at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

Thirteen-year-old Maia Capp from Ely, Cambridgeshire headed the Dodson & Horrell 0.85m National Amateur Second Round with Wild Montana Skies to ensure a finalist place at the Championships.

A total of eight from twenty-one starters jumped round one clears to reach the jump-off. Drawn sixth, Maia executed tight turns to take victory by 2.58 seconds on Theresa Capp’s 14-year-old bay mare Wild Montana Skies, a mare that she has competed since August last year.

Victoria Jacobs from Wickford, Essex guided her own Didi Delia, an 18-year-old bay mare into second and they achieved a double clear in 40.58 seconds.

Kerry Watts from Billericay, Essex claimed third a further 2.02 seconds behind on board Dinha II, a 17year-old black mare owned Ray Everett.

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CAWrus Boy Osberton Champs Photo: ES Photography

Ipswich Horse Society donates elite Futurity scoring foals £100,000

take further honours

B

arbara Heaton Smith’s embryo transfer twin brother foals took first and second place in the foal class at the Oakham Veterinary In-Hand Championship at the Osberton International Horse Trials on the 29th September.

Both foals gained elite Futurity premiums earlier in the year at the British Equestrian Federation/Baileys Horse Feeds/British Breeding Futurity.

Colt foal, Diamonds CAWever (Futurity score 9.04) (Diamond Hit x Ring of Ford) won the foal class convincingly and his full colt foal brother, CAWrus Boy (9.29) took the runner up spot.

Both these foals born by embryo transfer have Barbara’s mare, CAW Blimey as their dam. CAW Blimey has bred a total of four elite Futurity scoring youngsters.

The Ipswich Horse Society reached the magnificent total of £100,000 which they have donated to many local charities, Myspires Another Star (8.33) Barbara is from Bourne in appeals and organisations. It has (Myspires Revolution x Hurt her Cambridgeshire.

Sue Simmons’ filly foal, Clarissa Van Berkenbroek) was second of taken a number of years, lots of of Westoak (9.08) (Classic Juan x the Futurity horses for Kayleigh energy, time and hard work but has been well worth it!

Fuerstenreich) finished third of Nicholls and Jason Newbold’s, The committee members, headed Jimbo Too (8.50) (Jumbo x the Futurity entries in the foal

by Mike Bloomfield, have not Randi) was third. class.

Sadly, the top scoring 3-year-old changed for many years and were Jane Townshend’s yearling, not sure if they would reach their of the 2016 Futurity, Jane Classictop Up and At It (9.25) target in this year, particularly as Marson’s, Heritage Arrakis (Up With The Lark x Roviris) (9.18) (Heritage Orion x Carnival the Easter Monday Show had to be finished best of the Futurity cancelled due to Storm Katie.

Drum) was unable to attend yearlings at Osberton.

Thankfully the two sponsored rides Ashelene Bagshaw’s, Prince of Osberton.

Best Futurity finisher in the class proved extremely popular so the Thieves (8.54) (Primitive target was reached - and a little Proposal x Frankfort Boy) and Lisa was Annabel Blake’s, Britannia Royal (8.71) (Royaldik x Jumbo) more.

Maynard’s, Flying Gravitas (8.96) (Future Gravitas x Magic with Tinka’s De Niro (8.83) (Dark There are not many equestrian groups now that solely run events Ring) rounded off the top three De Niro x Tinka’s Boy) for Nikki to give horse riders enjoyment and Hazlett and Lloyd Newton’s, Futurity youngsters in the Waterbeckbeck Jazzmine (8.45) at the same time raise money for yearlings. charity.

Mrs NP Carmichael’s 2-year-old (Up With The Lark x Quenn’s The IHS was formed back in the filly, Florissa (8.67) (Floriscount x Soldier (USA)) the next best 1970’s but didn’t start fundraising Futurity horses.

Wolkentanz) was the highest until a few years later. Mike said, placed Futurity youngster in this “We hope to continue for a little class. longer and are already planning the Easter Monday show which falls later in April 2017.”

The committee would like to say a very big ‘thank you’ to everyone who has helped over the years at Star performer – and the winner overall their events, many do so year after – in the KBIS Para Dressage Gold year and all voluntarily, which Championship was Lincolnshire’s makes everything run so smoothly.

Susanna Wade, who took the combined Grade Ia and Ib Championship on a score Thanks also go to their most generous sponsors, as without of 75.65% aboard D’Artagnan III. “I was their financial support the Society shocked when I saw the score; it was a would not be able to achieve their better result than I could have wished charitable aims, and also to the for,” said a delighted Susanna, who landowners for their hospitality in broke her neck and was left paralysed allowing their farms, tracks and following a car accident in 1991. fields to be included in the sponsored ride routes.

Para rider success: National Champs

Maia Capp & Wild Montana Skies - Codham Park Equestrian Photo: Spencer Moret Photography

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LOCAL SHOW RESULTS

2016 Lincoln National Championships The High Fen Intermediate SJ team arrived at Lincoln in torrential rain which set the pattern for the rest of day.

Wellies and waders were needed and some riders found they had forgotten them!

The first round was not overly big but technical with bright fillers, curving lines and related distances. The team rose to the occasion and jumped well with some super rounds; Mel Howard and Mr Frosty being the pathfinder and jumping a stunning clear round, Louise Clover and Sea Captain matching with a super clear with Emily Clover and Moneylagan Gold and Zara Thain with Sulleys Manor Beamish following with good rounds.

The course was then changed completely and the fences made bigger. As the ground got more waterlogged and slippery with the horizontal rain all team members were all glad they had either evented or hunted! All of them jumped their socks off but had minor faults with Emily Clover being the only clear. The team ended up overall eighth. A fantastic result in awful conditions.

In the Dressage, Hazel Maclennan and Pik Carbonado were the only members to qualify. They won Individual Novice 27 after an amzing test and Hazel was fourth overall out of 12 arenas, a spectalucar result.

It was a long way to go for everyone but a great time was had by all and everyone came home with rosettes.

Zara Thain and Sulleys Manor Beamish

Louise Clover and Sea Captain

4th September Finchingfield EC: Showjumping Cross Pole 1 Lara Bowman – Pinky; 2 Luke Hanson – Capitol Kim; 3 Luke Hanson – Vevet; 4 Lydia Murphy – Phoebe. 35cm 1 Luke Hanson – Capitol Kim; 2 Aaron Vickery 0 Obi; 3 Lara Bowman – Pinky; 4 Lucy Moles – Rosie.

55cm 1 Aaron Vickery – Obi; 2 Lara Bowman – Leo; 3 Lucy Moles – Rosie; 4 Luke Hanson – Velvet. 65cm 1 Victoria Hawkes – Tallywood Supreme; 2 Kirsty Way – Jimmy Jones; 3 Lara Bowman – Leo; 4 Daisy Hart – Micky. 75cm 1 Kirsty Way – Jimmy Jones; 2 Victoria Hawkes – Tallywood Supreme; 3 Sophie Butts – Sweep; 4 Harriet Garrett – Iceford Apache Lad. 85cm 1 Susannah Engleman = Rocky; 2 Lacey Trinder – Monaco Myth; 3 Emily Edgar – Honey; 4 Sophie Butts – Sweep. 90cm 1 Lacey Trinder – Bailey Hill Sarr; 2 Carrie-Anne Adams – Dan; 3 Taylor Trowbridge – Prarie Dusk; 4 Emily Edgar – Honey.

95cm 1 Anna Cooper – Flying Free; 2 Poppy Buckenham – Ollie; 3 Carrie-Anne Adams – Dan; 4 Chloe Browne – The Irish Cracker. 1m 1 Chloe Browne – The Irish Cracker; 2 Grace King – Mojo; 3 Danny Stahn – Quin. 1.05m 1 Chloe Browne – The Irish Cracker; 2 Danny Stahn – Quin; 3 Grace King – Mojo.

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Hazel Maclennan and Pik Carbonado

Emily Clover and Moneylagan Gold

Mel Howard on Mr Frosty

28th September The Jays: Senior British Showjumping

Brittany Bank riding Lux Gloss

British Novice 1 Donna Chapman - Cavelier Diamond Imp; 2 Lucy Browning-Smith – Torness. Discovery 1 Tina Cole. 1m Open 1 Geogie Webster - Kernow Karma. 1.05m Open 1 Victoria Jones - Right Hand Man; 2 Ed Howard. Newcomers/1.10m Open 1 Victoria Jones - Right Hand Man; 2 Ruth Gayton; 3 Paul Thomas – Zeldorini. 1.15m Open 1 Brittany Banks - Lux Gloss; 2 Portia Howard - Coosan Curley. Foxhunter/ 1.20m Open 1 Lara Abraham – Direina; 2 Lara Abraham - Indy V; 3 Portia Howard Exclusive X. 1.30m Nat Am 1 Lara Abraham - Indy V; 2 Lara Abraham – Direina.

Portia Howard riding Exclusive X

Georgie Webster riding Kernow Karma

Victoria Jones riding Right Hand Man

Lara Abraham riding Direina

Earlier this year I qualified for Hickstead in the 75cm on my 5-year-old Connemara, Olaf. He turned 6 over the summer and I changed schools to Stonar (an equestrian school) and aimed high as I’ve always dreamt of competing at Hickstead. However I was too late to enter. Distraught, I continued training ready for future competitions. Suddenly a space in the 1m05 appeared so I entered! I attended and came ninth on my little Olaf standing at 14.2hh! It was the best moment of my life! - Carrie Munro

e!

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PHOTONEWS ❙ Essex & Suffolk PC Hunter Trial ❙ Stratford Hills ❙ 16th October

Richard Weller-Poley

Erin Charlton, 85cm Intermediate Senior winners

Eliza Tribe, 2nd place 90cm Open Junior

Kish Wright, 2nd place 85cm Intermediate Junior

Judy Carroll, 2nd place 90cm/1m Open Senior

Maisy Hunter, 2nd place 70cm Novice Junior

George & Emily Westwood, 2nd place 85cm Pairs

Charlotte Pettitt & Florrie Grigg-Pettitt, 85cm Pairs winners

Maggie Tyrell, 90cm Open Junior winners

Caroline Terry, 2nd place 70cm Novice Senior

Emily Freeman, 70cm Novice Senior winners

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PHOTONEWS ❙ St Edmunds RC Eventer Trial ❙ Thorne Court ❙ 2nd October

George Hull riding Black Saturn, 85cm Junior winners

Gail Wynne-Rogerson riding Miss Money Penny, 85cm Senior winners

Florrie Grigg-Pettitt riding A Touch Of Frost, 3rd place 1m Juniors

Kirsty Griggs riding Ella, 68cm Senior winners

Ella Crwford riding Mr Marmalade, 3rd place 85cm Seniors

Mia Biggs riding Stradone Prince, 2nd place 85cm Juniors

Event to Event Photography

Alexandra Cotton riding Little Rock Ship, 1m Junior winners

Florrie Grigg-Pettitt riding A Touch Of Frost, 3rd place 1m Juniors

56

Tracey Thompson riding Portmore Fiddler, 2nd place 68cm Seniors

Julia Woods riding Moonstone, 2nd place 85cm Seniors

Thomas Bartrup riding Bambi, 68cm Junior winners

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❙ Rare Breeds Show ❙ Houghton Hall EC ❙ 1st October

Champion Ridden Fell, Son of Viking, owned by Mrs G Chambers and ridden by Miss K Saberton

In-hand Dartmoor Champion

Ridden Dale Champion, Westwick Polly, owned

by D & A Eccles and exhibited by A Eccles

In-hand and Ridden Champion, Eriskay Crichton Taransay, owned and exhibited by Hannah Oliver

In-hand Exmoor Champion, Blackthorn Blush Rose, owned and exhibited by Sandy Wooderson

Ridden Exmoor Champion, Edwinsfield Nocturne, owned and exhibited by Lauren Brill

Ridden Cleveland Bay Champion, Barbarian Buccaneer, owned and ridden by Pamela Shipley

Ridden Dartmoor Champion, Moortown Beekeeper owned

by Mrs K Flatt

Ridden Highland Champion, Bergerac of Kurunda, owned and ridden by Sarah Turner

Supreme Champion Fell, Waverhead Midnight Bellman, owned and exhibited by Mrs C Chambers

Richard Weller-Poley

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PHOTONEWS ❙ Boxted Church Ride ❙ Boxted Hall ❙ 17th September

Richard Weller-Poley

❙ Arena Eventer Challenge ❙ Codham Park EC ❙ 4th September

Wendy Parr riding Jasmine, 60cm Novice winners

Daisy Hughes riding In A Daze, 2nd place 70cm Open

Olivia Stafford riding Donella, 80cm Open winners

Sophie Millard riding Bertie Bassett, 1m – 1.05m Open winners

Lily-Rose Gardener riding Across A Stormy Sky, 2nd place 80cm Open

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Ellie Wheeler riding Sasha, 90cm Open winners

Rosie Beanland riding Chicago Rain, 2nd place 1m – 1.05m Open

Spencer Moret Photography

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❙ Senior British Showjumping ❙ Codham Park EC ❙ 18th September

Stacey Webb riding Handsome Sw, 2nd place British Novice

Hollie Lansdowne riding Isambard II, Discovery winners

Holly Garrett riding Boogie On Down, 3rd place 1m Open

Daisy Banks riding Woz Two, 2nd place 1m Open

Manon Make riding DTL Havana, 2nd place 1m Open

Anja Moret riding Gypsy Chip, 2nd place 1.10m Open

Jo Chipperfield riding On Your Marks, 1.10m Open winners

Thomas Plaster riding Bertina H, 1.20m Open winners

Hannah Vincent riding Jabberwocky, 2nd place 1.05m Open

Spencer Moret Photography

Championship winners, Leading Lady Jo Chipperfield and Leading Gent Tom Plaster

Lara Abraham riding Indy V, 3rd place 1.10m Open

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Vets in the Spotlight

VETERINARY CONTACTS

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HAWKEDON VETS EQUINE PRACTICE 01284 789428

Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP29 4NP www.hawkedonvets.co.uk

Wherry Veterinary Group Bungay, Suffolk

Working with you for the health and wellbeing of your equine companions.

Take advantage of our experienced equine team and our modern, purpose built premises.

01986 892771

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Important Telephone Numbers

Practice in the

Cambridge Equine Hospital Tel: 01223 760535

Spotlight Fuller Equine is an ambulatory practice based near Dunmow, Essex.

Servicing all of Essex, South Suffolk and East Hertfordshire.

Equipped with portable digital X-ray, ultrasound, portable video gastroscopy/ endoscopy and video dentistry power tools.

Offering routine and preventative healthcare with a special interest in advanced dentistry and poor performance.

Pre purchase examinations Lameness investigation and diagnostics Poor performance and referral evaluation Clinical pathology Routine appointments Monday – Friday 8:30am-6pm Out of hours emergency cover available 365 days of the year.

If you would like a 1 to 1 service that treats your horse in the comfort of their own home, then please get in touch to book a visit.

Yard discounts available for dental work.

01371 851755/01371 850532 www.fullerequine.co.uk fullerequine@gmail.com www.facebook.com/fullerequine

Ryder-Davies & Partners

www.ryder-daviesvets.co.uk

24 Hour Emergency Support Tel: 01394 380083

Fuller Equine Tel: 01371 850532 Hawkedon Equine Clinic Tel: 01284 789428 Newmarket Equine Hospital Tel: 01638 782000 Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons Tel: 01638 663150 (Newmarket) Tel: 01462 790221 (Hertfordshire) Ryder-Davies & Partners Tel: 01394 380083

VETERINARY SURGEONS Our experienced equine team offer a range of services throughout Suffolk, South Norfolk & North Essex Services include: • Full lameness investigations • Teeth rasping & advanced dental work • Pre purchase examinations • Vaccinations, worming regimes • Equine reproductive stud work • BEVA accredited practice for chilled & frozen semen • Investigation of breeding problems in mares Facilities include: Inpatient and outpatient stabling with 24 hour care • Digital x-ray, In-house laboratory, endoscope & digital ultrasound.

We offer: Visits on a round-reduced visit fee Yard visit days- no visit fee • Spread the cost health plans Regular client information evenings & newsletters.

Chapelfield Equine Clinic Tel: 01508 558228

Essex based mobile veterinary practice Advanced dentistry, lameness evaluations, portable Xray, ultrasound, portable video gastroscopy/endoscopy all carried out in the comfort of your horses’s home.

Pre purchase examinations.

24 hour local emergency cover.

Wherry Veterinary Group Tel: 01986 892771

01371 851755/ 01371 850532 www.fullerequine.co.uk www.facebook.com/fullerequine fullerequine@gmail.com

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Classified

aDvERtISInG

Call: 01473 731222

Dentist

WIX

EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

Full range of Horse & Pet, Feed & Bedding Open 7 days a week Indoor schools for hire 07968 445509 WWW.BEDT.CO.UK

01255 870744

Specialists in saddle fitting by Society of Master Saddlers qualified saddle fitter.

Most ranges of saddles in stock or we can order.

111 Bedingfield Crescent Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8ED

Tel: 01986 874800

Flat and Jumping Lessons available in essex area. over 15 years teaching experience.

First lesson half price.

07973 760803

Battlesbridge Mills Horse & Country Shop

Everything for the Horse & Rider Huge range of tack, accessories, stable supplies Tel: 01268 560008 The Mills, Chelmsford Road, Battlesbridge, Essex SS11 8TR www.horseandcountryshop.co.uk

Fakenham (01328) 851351 Stockist for a wide range of Horse Feeds; Bedding; Supplements; Requisites.

Horse wormers now available Delivery Service. Everyone welcome.

Come and see us at our new larger premises Clipbush Business Park, Fakenham NR21 8SW

www.gjlaninmalfeeds.co.uk

Surfaces

Saddleries

Juddpurs Saddlery

Gilly knight Bhs Ai Reg’d

Freelance instructor.

gillian.knight@gmail.com

Horse Supplies

PROFESSIONAL, QUALIFIED & CARING EQUINE DENTISTRY

Instructor

RUG WA S RE-PRO HING OF & REPA ING IRS

KAY HOWARD

QUALIFIED MASTER SADDLER & SADDLE FITTER • Range of quality new, secondhand and synthetic saddles and accessories.

• Impartial, independent, saddle fitting and advice.

• Mobile workshop.

• Re-flocking, top-ups and remedial flocking.

• Full saddle repair service.

Based in Norfolk, but covering a wide area.

Please phone Kay on (07775) 850400 Registered member

Equine Crematoriums

Suffolk Pet & Equine Crematorium

PEACE OF MIND AT A TIME OF GRIEF 01284 810981 www.suffolkpetcrematorium.com

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Peaceful Pets Equine Cremation East Anglia based Prompt 24 hour service

01485 528141 www.peacefulpets.org.uk

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Country Stores

Stables

Transport @4x4HireNorfolk

4x4VehicleHireNorfolkAndSuffolk

LEADING 4X4 VEHICLE HIRE PROVIDER, SPECIALISING IN RANGE ROVER AND LAND ROVER HIRE ACROSS NORFOLK, SUFFOLK AND CAMBRIDGESHIRE. TEL: 07584 195958 WWW.4X4VEHICLEHIRE.CO.UK

MARK HOWES

C.V.S. (ANGLIA) LTD BEDFORD • AWD • SPECIALISTS

HORSEBOX SPECIALISTS IN MOT PREPARATION, MOT TESTING FOR CLASS 4 & 7 VEHICLES, SERVICING, PARTS, SPECIALIST BODY (Aluminium & Wooden) ACCIDENT REPAIRS Welcome old and new customers to their premises at

HOLYWELLS ROAD, IPSWICH TEL: (01473) 216462

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ON THE MARKET Hall Farm, Stowmarket, Old Hall Farm Old Guide Price £1,150,000

“Opposite the driveway to the house there is immediate access to a bridleway...”

AN IMPRESSIVE GRADE II LISTED SUFFOLK RESTORED FARMHOUSE WITH ExCEPTIONAL EqUESTRIAN FACILITIES AND AROUND 8 ACRES ( STMS ) OF GROUNDS ON THE EDGE OF THE SOUGHT AFTER MID - SUFFOLK VILLAGE OF DEBENHAM. WE SPOKE WITH EMILY COOPER- READE OF ECR PROPERTIES TO FIND OUT MORE...

“Old Hall Farm is an impressive Grade II listed Suffolk farmhouse which has been tastefully restored offering stunning period features as well as modern living. This family home is in a lovely rural location and has exceptional well designed, purpose built, equestrian facilities with direct bridleway access.

“The high quality equestrian facilities have been carefully designed with separate vehicle access from the road. The equestrian area is well fenced with post and rail fencing and is approached by double five bar timber gates.

The American barn is located adjacent to the manège so easily accessed from the stable yard. There are six large internal Monarch loose boxes with grilled, Perspex external

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windows, rubber matted non-slip flooring throughout, a wash bay with 30m extendable hose, an alarmed tack/feed room which is fitted with WC, sink, fridge, washing machine.

“The paddocks are approximately 7 acres (stms) and the land drained grassland is post and rail fenced, with rounded corners, with automatic water to the main paddocks and matted walkways with gated entrances.

“There is large barn, undercover haystore and a secure barn suitable for horsebox parking with access to a wide driveway leading to the road. There is planning permission in place for a covered horsewalker.”

Visit www.ecrproperties.com

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SHOWDATE DIARY Your Showdate listings for... November/December 2016 Tuesday 1st November DRESSAGE Beds: College EC; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 Wednesday 2nd November DRESSAGE Beds: College EC; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping.

Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 Thursday 3rd November DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Dressage (Intro – Ad Med). Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Evening Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01480 700236 Friday 4th November SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Unaffiliated Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Novice Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 Saturday 5th November ARENA EVENTING Suffolk: The Jays; Arena Eventing. Tel: 01284 386014 ARENA EVENTING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Arena Eventing.

Tel: 01449 711962 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; British Dressage. Tel: 01708 687312 DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; THRC Dressage DRESSAGE Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01328 878282

FUN SHOW Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Halloween Fun Show. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Beds: Twin Trees EC; Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01767 627414 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Mini Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 Sunday 6th November DRESSAGE Beds: Twin Trees EC; Dressage. Tel: 01767 627414 DRESSAGE Essex: Harolds Park Farm EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07775 516945 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01708 687312 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Easton Park Stud; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07881 802129 SHOWING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Winter Woolies Showing Show.

Tel: 01328 878282 SHOWING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Showing Show. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01603 731577 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 Wednesday 9th November DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01480 700236 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton

Heath EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; Evening Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01603 731577 Thursday 10th November DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Beds: College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Beds: College EC; Evening Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping.

Tel: 01708 687312 Friday 11th November SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Evening Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; British Showjumping.

Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Open Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 Saturday 12th November DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Beds: College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Area 8 Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; British Showjumping.

Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; NSEA Showjumping.

Tel: 01328 878282

SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Showjumping – TopFest 2016. Tel: 01449 711962 Sunday 13th November DRESSAGE Beds: Twin Trees EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01767 627414 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01328 878282 SHOWING Suffolk: The Jays; Working Hunter Show. Tel: 01284 386014 SHOWING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Showing Show – TopFest 2016 Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Beds: College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Team Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; British Showjumping.

Tel: 01760 722616 Wednesday 16th November DRESSAGE Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Beds: College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping.

Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 Thursday 17th November DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Dressage (Intro – Ad Med). Tel: 01255 870744 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn

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SHOWDATE DIARY Your Showdate listings for... November/December 2016 Arena; Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Beds: College EC; Evening Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Evening Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01480 700236 Friday 18th November SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Evening Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Novice Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 Saturday 19th November DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; British Dressage. Tel: 01708 687312 DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01255 870744 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01603 731577 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01760 722616 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Easton Park Stud; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel 07881 802129 FUN SHOW Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Showjumping & Showing Fun Show. Tel: 01328 878282 SHOWJUMPING Beds: Twin Trees EC; Mini Showjumping. Tel: 01767 627414 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01480 700236 Sunday 20th November ARENA EVENTER TRIAL Beds: Twin Trees EC; Arena Eventer Trial.

Tel: 01767 627414 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01708 687312

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DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01255 870744 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01328 878282 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Boyton Hall EC; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel 07881 802129 EVENTER TRIAL Essex: Finchingfield EC; Eventer Trial. Tel: 01371 811881 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Harolds Park Farm EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07775 516945 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01284 386014 Wednesday 23rd November DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01480 700236 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping.

Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 Friday 25th November DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Evening Dressage. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Evening Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; British Showjumping.

Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Novice Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01328 878282 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Open Evening

Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 Saturday 26th November ARENA EVENTING Suffolk: The Jays; NSEA Arena Eventing. Tel: 01284 386014 DRESSAGE Cambs: Fenning Farm EC; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07881 802129 DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01480 700236 DRIVING Essex: Wix EC; Indoor Driving. Tel: 01473 735732 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; Norfolk Showjumping Club. Tel: 01603 731577 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Mini Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 Sunday 27th November ARENA EVENTING Suffolk: The Jays; Arena Eventing. Tel: 01284 386014 DRESSAGE Essex: Finchingfield EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01371 811881 DRESSAGE Suffolk: The Centaur Trust; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel 07881 802129 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; High Fen RC Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; Norfolk Showjumping Club. Tel: 01603 731577 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Schools Team & Individual Showjumping. Tel: 01328 878282 Wednesday 30th November SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping.

Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 Thursday 1st December DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Dressage (Intro – Ad Med). Tel: 01255 870744 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 Friday 2nd December SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Evening Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Novice Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 Saturday 3rd December DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01480 700236 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Easton Park Stud; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel 07881 802129 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 Sunday 4th December DRESSAGE Suffolk: Boyton Hall EC; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel 07881 802129 SHOW Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Christmas Show. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping.

Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01328 878282

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