PONY magazine – December 2016

WIN!

HOW TO WIN YOUR NEXT JUMPING COMP

MINI JUMP S!

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December 2016 £3.49 Issue 819

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Nosy pony!

WHERE DO YOU READ YOURS?

Horsey news, views and goss!

I read my PONY magazine in the field with my pony, Willow. Madge Send us your pics to pony@djmurphy.co.uk

Oliver Townend wins!

Oliver Townend has claimed champion position in the first year of the Event Rider Masters series, which took place over six events across the UK, attracting top riders from 17 nations.

After his win, Oliver said: “I was a slow starter in the series at the beginning of the season, as I was chasing the Olympic dream. Next year, I intend to compete in as many legs of the series as I can and retain my title.”

The action was watched live online by more than 160,000 people over the year. Catch up on all the thrills and spills at eventridermasters.tv

Photos: Eventridermasters.tv / BEF / Jon Stroud Media

The misadventures of Charlie!

C’mon, Charlene, let’s get up really close to the fire!

It’ll be very hot next to the fire, Charlie. I’m going to stand back and watch the fireworks.

This is great! I’m right near all the action!

Are you okay, Charlie?

It was so hot by the fire, I’ve got to get this scarf off!

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PONY magazine

Paralympic glory

Team GB’s Paralympic equestrian athletes brought home a whopping 11 medals from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games – seven of them gold!

Natasha Baker MBE, Sophie Christiansen OBE, Anne Dunham MBE, Lee Pearson CBE and Sophie Wells MBE, were chosen to represent the British team in Rio. As well as fantastic individual performances, they successfully defended Britain’s team gold medal title, remaining undefeated since the introduction of the sport 20 years ago!

Summing up their effort, ParaEquestrian Dressage Performance Manager, Sarah Armstrong, said: “I’m

Saddle up!

A brand new live-action horsey series called Ride is set to start on 7 November at 7pm on Nickelodeon.

The series follows Kit Bridges, an American girl who moves to England when her father accepts a job at the Covington Academy – an elite equestrian boarding school.

What seems like a dream come true becomes far more complicated when Kit realises that more than just her nationality and fear of riding separate her from her peers at Covington. An instant connection to TK, the most stubborn and difficult horse at the academy, opens a door to a new world of adventures for Kit with friends, frenemies, crushes, hidden secrets and the chance to uncover her true identity.

Ride will air weekdays at 7pm on Nickelodeon.

SPOTTED!

We’ve been keeping an eye on all the latest celeb gossip over on social media – what have your fave riders been up to?

beyond thrilled and delighted with the incredible performances the whole squad has been able to deliver this week.

“Their dedication and commitment to delivering their best is humbling, and for them to come out here and deliver more than they did in London 2012 is amazing.”

Moor for horses

A four-day project took place in September, rounding up 160 ponies on Bodmin Moor for microchipping and passporting.

Developed

by Redwings, in collaboration with lots of other horsey charities, the Moor for Horses scheme aims to improve the ponies’ future welfare and prevent overcrowding on the moor.

Sixteen ponies of the 160 who were rounded up were unclaimed by owners or in too poor a condition to survive the winter, so homes were offered by a number of equine charities.

Find out more about the Moor for Horses scheme at redwings.org.uk

Cute!

bit.ly/dreaming_foal VIRAL VID!

Four-week-old Elmo is an adorable Shetland foal – and he’s even cuter when he’s dreaming of galloping like the grown-up ponies!

Send in your funny pony-related videos to pony@djmurphy.co.uk

Harry Meade’s horses look content behind the scenes at Blenheim! @Harry_Meade Away Cruising and Orlando are settled in ahead of the CCI***. It’s all very quiet, waiting for the mad rush of arrivals.

Bertram Allen and John Whitaker lead their team to victory! @GCL_Official What a combination these four are, winning the Global Champions League in Vienna!

Even top riders need to have some fun, with Emily King getting in some bareback practice! @EmilyKingEventing Last home ride before Euros!

PONY magazine

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How

hacking

savvy you? are

Think you know everything there is to know about hacking? Test your knowledge with our awesome quiz!

How should you signal to traffic that you’re turning left?

Stick up your left elbow so it’s at 90° to your body. This way, you don’t have to take your hands off your reins.

Hold out your left arm so it’s 90° to your body and hold your reins in your right hand.

With your left arm, gesture to where you want to go by waving your arm towards the place you’re turning into.

Pointing your finger usually helps, too.

Is it safer to hack out in company or by yourself?

In company. One or two other ponies is best. That way, you’re safer in case of an emergency, plus, it’s usually way more fun!

In company. Hacking with as big a group as possible is best. The more of you there are, the safer you’ll be.

What are the three most important things you should remember to do before leaving the yard for a hack?

Make sure your pony is looking as clean as possible, pack a snack in case you get hungry mid-ride and check the map app you downloaded to your phone is working – you’re always getting lost!

Tell your yard owner or a responsible adult where you’re planning to ride, make sure your mobile phone has battery so you can take it with you and put on your hi-vis gear.

Make sure your mobile phone is charged, check your pony’s boots are fastened securely and make sure your tack is super-clean, so it’s comfy for your pony.

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PONY magazine

There’s no difference. As long as your pony is sensible, you’ll be safe all the time.

If your pony often gets excited when you go out hacking, which of these is the best action to take?

Only walk and if he gets excited, take him back to the yard straightaway.

Take him for a long gallop as soon as you can and make sure you canter at every opportunity so he can let off steam. It might be a good idea to put a stronger bit in, too.

Lunge him or ride him in the school for 10 minutes before you go on a hack, so he can use up some of his energy.

Which of these are horses not allowed on?

Footpaths.

What are you trying to ask drivers to do if you put out your arm closest to the traffic and wave it up and down?

How did you do?

Slow down.

Byways.

Speed up.

Dual carriageways.

Go past you.

If you come across an obstacle, such as a log, out hacking that you’d like to jump, what’s the most important thing you should check before jumping it?

What extra piece of tack is it a good idea to put on your pony to go hacking?

A martingale.

That your pony is up for jumping by giving him a quick canter and seeing how keen he is.

A double bridle.

That the ground either side is safe and suitable for take off and landing.

A neckstrap.

You should never jump obstacles out on hacks in case you fall off.

Should you vary the places where you trot and canter on a hack, or keep it the same?

If you’re hacking out with a group of ponies and there’s a young or inexperienced pony in the group, which is the best position in the ride for them to be in?

Always trot and canter in the same place so your pony knows what to expect. He might get super-excited if you surprise him with a canter somewhere unusual!

On the inside when you’re riding on the road and behind an experienced pony on bridleways.

Change them. This way your pony won’t anticipate when you’re going to ask him to pick up the pace.

Anywhere. Young ponies need to get used to going in front and behind.

It doesn’t matter.

Behind at all times so he’s always following an experienced pony. Young ponies should never go at the front.

Mostly saddles Wow, you’re a total hacking whiz! You know tonnes about hacking – from road safety to route planning. You’re a blast to hack out with and totally clued-up, too.

Keep up the good work!

Mostly carrots Oohh, you’re getting there. You’re pretty savvy when it comes to hacking, but there are a few things you need to brush up on to avoid getting yourself (and your pony) into a tricky situation.

Mostly brushes Uh-oh, you’re not very hacking savvy! Maybe you don’t have much hacking experience, but don’t worry – practice makes perfect! The more you hack out, the more knowledgeable and confident you’ll become.

Why not ask an adult or an experienced friend to take you on a few rides so you get the hang of it? And don’t forget to read hacking features in old issues of PONY – you’ll pick up tonnes of top tips!

PONY magazine

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everyone loves duggie Team PONY’s Chief Mascot, Duggie, is cheeky, bursting with character and, let’s face it, supercute! So Team PONY’s Victoria had a jealousy crisis when she thought Duggie preferred Team PONY’s Jessica. Will Victoria get over it, or will her jealousy cause a problem in the team?

Go od bo y, Duggie!

I can’t wait to spend some quality time with the Duggster - we’re best pals!

Here, why don’t we groom him together?

Can’t we share him?

I suppose.

C’mon, Duggie.

There! Go od bo y.

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Part one Duggie and Jessica

Soloman and Victoria

Oh, sorry, I just thought I’d pop in to check on my favourite pony!

Hi, Victoria!

Your favourite pony? Duggie’s my favourite!

Hi. Erm, Jessica, I’ve come to groom Duggie this morning.

Shall I try?

Ohhh, Duggie.

Stop that!

Oh don’t worry, I picked out his feet earlier.

He was fine about it then!

Duggie likes you way more than me! It’s so unfair! You’ve obviously been spending loads of time with him, and now he loves you and doesn’t like me at all!

Does Duggie really prefer Jessica to Victoria? And will Victoria find a way to crack her jealousy? Find out next month in PONY!

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