INSIDE your mag... INSIDE your mag...
PONY team adventures
Who’s who? Who’s who?
PONY magazine, Olive Studio, The Timber Yard, Grange Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey GU10 2DQ
Tel 01428 601020
Advertising enquiries 01428 601028
Email pony@djmurphy.co.uk
Team PONY
Editor-in-Chief Louise Kittle
Assistant Editor Sarah Burgess
Editorial Assistants Kirsty Lucas, Megan XavierWitherington
Head of Art and Design Sarah Garland
Deputy Head of Art and Design Adam Witt
Junior Designer Lucy Claydon
Digital Marketing Manager Lianne Tadd
Marketing Assistants Alex Uren, Emily Weeks
Art Editor Paul Smail
Retail and Merchandising Assistant Evie Epps
Marketing Co-ordinator Alison Hill
Advertisement Manager Evie Edgar
Production Manager Eleanor Dunn
Executive PONY
Managing Director Zoe Cannon
Commercial Director Abi Cannon
Smooth operation PONY
Office Manager Vicki Owen
Accounts Manager Caroline Leishman
Accounts Executive Sarah Smith
Photography
Bob Atkins, Rose Lewis, Jon Stroud, Chelsea White. Daliyah benhaim, L-N, Osetrik, PIC by Femke, Polarpx, Rita_Kockmarjova, Wirestock Creators/ shutterstock.com
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We’re getting ready for all the fun things that autumn has in store! Want to know the secret to jumping courses? We’ve got it explained on p6. Need to know how to fill a rainy day at the yard? Turn to p32. Want to update your horsey wardrobe? P54 is for you.
And now I’ll let you into a secret – autumn is my favourite season of all. I can’t get enough of those misty mornings and the softer ground is perfect for zoomies. Until next month!
MEET THE PONY TEAM
Check out our course riding tips on p6!
Write to us at PONY mag, Olive Studio, The Timber Yard, Grange Road, Tilford, Surrey GU10 2DQ or email pony@djmurphy.co.uk
cloning
When a horse’s genes are replicated to make an identical version!
2003
The year the first horse was cloned – a Haflinger called Prometea
WE COMPLETED THE OLYMPIC QUIZ ON P12!
Ted would excel in break dancing! He’s certainly got some crazy moves! Lou, Editor
Prince would be a triathlete if he was human because he’s an epic all-rounder!
Sarah, Assistant Ed
course On stay course stay stay On On
Get clued up on tackling showjumping courses with our help
Riding a showjumping course with your fave pony can be sooo much fun. You can practise courses at home during schooling sessions and in lessons or, why not set yourself a goal and enter a competition?
Whether you’re about to jump your first course or you and your pony simply want to improve your skills, our tips will help you jump smoother rounds every time!
Wise warm ups
It’s really important to warm up your pony well before you do any activity with him, but particularly before jumping. Not only do you need to warm-up your pony’s muscles and make sure he’s feeling supple and loose, but a well-planned warm-up will also help to get your pony more focused on you and attentive to your aids – sorted!
Canter counts
Did you know that getting your pony into a forward-going, rhythmical canter is key to jumping awesome showjumping rounds? To do this, ride some transitions within the pace during your warm-up, asking your pony to take bigger canter steps then shortening the steps again. This will help to get your pony more tuned into your aids and improve his balance. Then, once you’ve got a good canter, all you have to do is keep the same rhythm around your course!
Line ’em up
A straight approach to fences is sooo important because it gives your pony time to work out what you’re asking him to do. And don’t forget, once you’ve landed, ride a straight line away from the fence too, before setting your pony up for the next challenge.
Top tip
Practise your lines and eye for seeing a stride over courses made up of poles on the ground rather than actual fences.
Top tip
When you’ve established a good canter rhythm, count your pony’s strides in your head. That way you can check you keep the same rhythm all the way around the course.
If you’ve got your pony working actively forward in a good canter rhythm you’re more likely to arrive at fences on the right stride. did you know?did you know?
HOME SWEET HOME HOME SWEET HOME
Keepyourfaveponycomfortableand happywithourlife-enrichingideas Poniesaresooohappywhentheyhave everythingtheyneed.Fromattendingto theirdietaryneedstomakinglifemore fun,we’reheretohelpyouensureyourfaveponyislivingthebestlifeever!
Top tip
Always buy your pony’s food from a reputable company so you know he’s getting top quality ingredients!
Food for thought
When it comes to feeding ponies, there are sooo many things to consider. For starters, ponies need plenty of forage to keep their digestive system healthy, but some ponies can be prone to gaining weight and may need a restricted diet. It’s always best to talk to a nutritionist or your vet to get expert feeding advice. That way you can be sure your pony’s getting all the nutrition he needs – result!
Beat boredom
Winter is approaching, which might mean your pony has to spend more time stabled. If this is the case at your yard, why not keep him entertained with some of these ideas?…
• Surprise your pony by hiding a few pieces of carrot or apple in his haynet
• Hang a few haynets around the stable to encourage him to move more
• Spend time grooming your pony or scratching his itchy spots. You’ll totally make his day!
• Provide him with a lick for part of his stabled time, but be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how much to feed and choose a lick that’s suited to your pony’s needs
• Stable toys can offer hours of fun. Some ponies love nothing more than playing with a ball or rolling a treat ball around the floor to get a super tasty reward
Top tip
When it comes to treats, choose healthy ones and avoid over feeding them. Too many extras can be bad for ponies’ waistlines and may encourage them to nip!