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ISSUE 131 february 2012

Breeding Directory

All the contacts you need

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Show tips for Arabs

Make your Arabian top of the showing class this year

The right stallion

Our guide to picking the perfect stallion, whatever your discipline

H TOBAGO The Arabian stallion spicing up the sport horse market

plus • Vet health Ed Lyall’s

spotlight on spines • At home with eventer Nicola Wilson • New products

INSIDER INSIGHT/OUT AND ABOUT Pictures by Horse Deals

At home with Nicola

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Forming part of the gold medal winning team at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, Nicola Wilson is one of the country’s top eventers and is certainly one to watch in 2012. We meet up with her at home to talk Olympics, careers and her famous equine partner, Opposition Buzz.

Have you always wanted to be an eventer?

I was lucky enough to get my first pony aged just three and a half and I loved cross country so it seemed natural to go down the eventing route. At 13, I got a four-year-old horse called Mr Bumble and from that point on we learnt together. I went to Pony Club camp and was selected for the Pony Club Triathlon team and then the European Championships for Young Riders. It was at my first Burghley event when, together with Mr Bumble, I managed 10th place, that I really decided this is the career I wanted.

Since I was very young it has been my dream to ride at the Olympics, I just have to keep my fingers and toes crossed that dreams really can come true.

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What advice do you have for up and coming event riders looking to get rides?

When I finished university, I knew I wanted to work with horses, so set about finding owners to let me ride for them. I started off by placing adverts in local tack shops advertising schooling and breaking services and soon my reputation meant I got my first ride from an owner who is still working with me now, over ten years later.

I am currently competing around 12 horses from

eight different owners, with five of those horses qualified for the Olympics.

Who is your horse of a lifetime?

Without a doubt it has to be Opposition Buzz or Dodi as he is known at home. I was asked to ride him when he was a six-year-old by his owner and breeder Rosemary Search. He has such a big heart and really enjoys his job. He loves cross country and thinks all his Christmas’s have come at once when he gets out on the course.

He has a unique way of jumping and it was obvious early on that perhaps he needed to train me rather than me train him, but we have built up a great relationship over the years. When we are out on the cross country course it is a fantastic feeling to know that Dodi has such trust and confidence in me, it is a real partnership.

What is the plan for Opposition Buzz in the run up to the Olympics?

His regular training routine hasn’t been changed, despite the temptation of London 2012! It is best to stick to what works for him and concentrate on preparing for Badminton. Dodi will have one outing before Badminton, but the rest of his time will be

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INSIDER INSIGHT/OUT AND ABOUT

Wilson

6

spent training on the World Class Programme.

This means he will get top level tuition from the likes of Chris Bartle, Yogi Breisner, Tracie Robinson and Peter Murphy. Ultimately all our focus is going to be on Badminton to ensure we catch the eye of the selectors.

Who else makes up ‘Team Wilson’ My Head Girl Lynn Swift has been with me for eight seasons now and the yard honestly couldn’t run without her. She treats all the horses on the yard as her own and is dedicated to their wellbeing. Lynn is ably assisted by Groom Carrie Myatt who won the grooms prize at Blair International Horse Trials for the turnout and condition of Looks Similar.

Without the support of my owners, family and sponsors, I would not have a career. They make it all possible and I couldn’t do it without them.

We catch up with Nicola Wilson as she trains at home 1. Nicola Wilson is one of the country’s top eventers and is certainly one to watch in 2012 2. Opposition Buzz is undoubtedly Nicola’s horse of a lifetime 3. Their focus is on Badminton to ensure they catch the eye of the selectors 4. Opposition Buzz or Dodi as he is known at home, has such a big heart and really enjoys his job 5. Annie Clover is a rising star on Nicola’s yard 6. Inde is another of Nicola’s horses that has qualified for London 2012 7. Dodi’s regular training routine hasn’t been changed, despite the temptation of London 2012

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Horse Health Vet About Ed Lyall Ed Lyall grew up at his parents’ North Yorkshire equestrian centre.

He graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1994 and was awarded a scholarship to continue his studies there. He is now a partner at Arundel Veterinary Hospital in West Sussex. He is an examiner in equine stud medicine and a treating vet at Hickstead and the South of England Show. His interests include competing his grade A horse in affiliated show jumping.

Back pain is a common cause of poor performance.

Vet Ed Lyall looks at options for diagnosis and treatment

I

t is quite common to be asked to examine a horse because it reportedly has a sore back. Back pain can be a primary problem, or it may be secondary to problems associated with something else, such as hock pain.

Many horses end up with a sore back caused by muscle tension due to guarding of the spine when they are trying to work with a limb problem.

A thorough clinical evaluation has to be carried out, not just looking at the back, but also palpating the limbs and quarters for abnormalities.

The horse should be seen in-hand in a straight line at walk and trot on a firm surface, flexion tests on the limbs will also help identify a primary limb problem.

The horse should also be observed on the lunge, as well as seen working under saddle in its normal environment.

A dressage horse may be asked to perform complex movements and a jumper may be seen over a fence – the aim

Spotlight on SpIneS is to try and see what problems the rider is experiencing.

Often horses with back pain will be sound until ridden and then show abnormalities, such as a shifting leg lameness, where they are sometimes lame in front then behind, which makes investigation confusing.

The back is then carefully evaluated; the epaxial muscles either side of the spine should be visually assessed and palpated for symmetry, the muscles may be wasted or enlarged.

Palpation will reveal evidence of tension, indicating spasm. Deeper palpation may give a pain response. The range of motion of the spine can be assessed by making the horse move away from skin irritation, for example irritating the skin under the abdomen can make the horse arch its back, it may do this once, but not repeatedly as it may be painful.

The tops of the spinous processes of the vertebrae can also be palpated to assess a pain response.

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The importance of correct saddlefitting

The fit of the saddle is of paramount importance; I am not a saddlefitter, but I have tried to learn how a saddle should sit on a horse’s back. I was taught that there should be very little between the horse’s back and the saddle, ideally just a saddle cloth to keep the saddle clean.

Basically, the tree of the saddle should fit the shape of the horse’s back and there should not be any need for pads, risers, etc. If the tree does not fit, then often there is only contact with the back either side of the withers and under the cantle of the saddle, not through the waist (twist).

Basically the saddle is then bridged across the back causing enhanced pressure on the withers and the muscles under the cantle, resulting in pain and even, in extreme cases, sores at these points. The point where the rider sits in the saddle should be parallel with the ground. Often it is not and the saddle slopes down backwards, again causing pain in the Tel: 01733 468000

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winning moves/on the market

OntheMarket Properties for every budget

Finding your dream home

If money isn’t a primary concern, Rural and Equestrian [ruralandequestrian.com, 0845 127 9919] have Gardners Farm, Gardners End, Ardley, in an idyllic and much sought-after area of Hertfordshire with good access to road networks, Stansted Airport and rail links for £2,000,000. This substantial, four bed property in a superb rural location at the end of a half mile private road boasts three/four reception rooms, enormous open-plan kitchen/breakfast/family room and leisure complex

with indoor swimming pool, gym and wetroom. In addition, there is a brick-weave pavior courtyard with central fountain, a substantial Grade II listed barn with conversion prospects (subject to planning permission), a total of 12 stables, heated tack room, wash box, further barns, storage barns, and a Monarch horse-walker all complemented by a Charles Britton floodlit manège and land totalling 63 acres with direct access to an extensive network of bridleways.

00 0 , 0 0 0 , 2 £

Gardners Farm has great access to road networks and Stansted Airport

This month, we look at properties to suit every pocket, and the occasional compromise can bring surprisingly good results in certain price brackets.

No matter what we desire box-ticking wise when searching for a new property, we all have budget restraints. And even though equestrian properties appear to be bucking the national trend in residential sales, good value for money can still be found – although the ‘location, location, location’ mantra ensures the luxury end of the market remains only for the elite few.

£895,000

The Gables Stud, near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, is a recently improved, spacious, three/four bed detached chalet bungalow located between Newton and Tydd St Giles. The property is set back from the road with a carriage-style driveway and set in three acres of newly-fenced paddocks with eight stables in two blocks, a hay barn and large 64ft barn. Once run as a stud, this property is ideal for private equine use and is priced at £379,999 with Rural and Equestrian.

£379,999

With extensive sporting facilities, Upland House offers something for all the family At the luxury end of the market, ECR Properties offers Upland House, a superb Grade II listed property with a fine Georgian facade in Stowupland, Stowmarket, Suffolk. Thought to date back to the 17th century with later additions, there is much period detail with panelled walls, sash windows, open fireplaces and exposed beams in this impressive eight bed house. A courtyard of february 2012 Horse Deals

buildings within the 13 acre property houses a heated swimming pool, two-bay cart lodge with loft, outbuilding with hayloft, garage, modern open-sided barn, tennis court, walled kitchen garden, greenhouse and ponds. Just three miles from the popular market town of Stowmarket and 18 miles from Bury St Edmunds, Upland House is surprisingly good value at £895,000.

Set back from the road, Gables Stud is ideal for private equine use

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winning moves/on the market

£389,950

Ironbridge Cottage boasts six bedrooms and stabling for 15 horses With extensive equestrian facilities, including stabling for 15 horses and one pony, a horse-walker and three acres of paddocks, Ironbridge Cottage, Brandon Bank, 10 miles from Downham Market, Norfolk, offers amazing, must-see value at £389,950 with ECR Properties [ecrproperties.com, 07767 327327]. The property, located opposite the River Little Ouse which offers fishing and boating opportunities, doesn’t just accommodate equines comfortably, for the family house has six bedrooms.

The paddocks back on to adjoining farmland and there are many opportunities for quiet riding along the riverbank, local roads and droves.

£475,000

£550,000 Reeve Hall Barn offers a covered school as well as eight acres Reeve Hall Barn, North Common, Diss, also with ECR Properties at a guide price of £550,000, is a an impressive, recently renovated three bed detached flint and brick barn dating back to the mid 19th century. Set at the end of a private driveway in a stunning rural location within eight acres, the property has four Hancox stables, large tack room, feed room, hay store, a useful open shed offering scope for further stabling, and an open-sided but covered school.

Stonecroft Cottages are within riding distance of Ashdown Forest Equus Country and Equestrian [equusproperty. co.uk, 01435 889000] have a charming four bed attached period cottage with adjoining 2.6 acres of paddocks and a stable yard of three looseboxes on the outskirts of Piltdown village, East Sussex, just nine miles from Haywards Heath rail service to London. The versatile accommodation at 1, Stonecroft Cottages includes character features and the direct access to bridleways makes for easy hacking and, although some roadwork is required, Ashdown Forest is within riding distance. The popular location and a wide range of state and private schools in the vicinity make this good value at £475,000.

£895,000

Fairholme Cottage offers the opportunity to extend Also in Hertfordshire and with Rural and Equestrian, Fairholme Cottage, Colney Heath, near St Albans, is a four bed, nine acre property situated down a long private drive at the end of a no through road, yet has fast and easy access to London via car or rail.

The equestrian side has nine large block-built stables, hay barn and four former pig sties currently used as storage/tack rooms which are ripe for demolition to extend the cottage [stpp]. A floodlit manège, fenced paddocks, further barn and more pig sties complete the property, for sale in excess of £895,000. www.horsedeals.co.uk

Horse Deals february 2012

Breeding/H Tobago

H Tobago: An Arabian infusion for sport horse breeders Tobago stamps his foals with extravagant movement, beauty and elegance

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breeding/h tobago

The seven-year-old purebred Arabian stallion H Tobago is best known as an in-hand show champion and sire of many in-hand Arabian champions, but now he also seems to have captured the imagination of many serious Warmblood and Thoroughbred sport horse breeders

W

ith his offspring achieving the highest and second highest scores, across all disciplines, at two of the 2011 British Equestrian Federation Futurity gradings, H Tobago has been hitting the headlines on the sport horse pages of national magazines – and attracting some of the best Warmblood and Thoroughbred sport horse mares in the country.

The Sport Horse Breeding (GB) grading champion Witches Broom is in foal to H Tobago for 2012, along with the graded Trakehner Holme Park Venezia; the show champion Hanoverian Ridgeway First Light; the Zangersheide Balougranna Z , a mare with a stellar show-jumping pedigree; the imported Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) Kelly; the BEF Broodmare Premium winner Miss Daisy and high-class Thoroughbred mares by Java Tiger and Gunner B. The reserve grading champion Trakehner mare Solitaire, dam of the 2010 Trakehner Breeders Federation Performance Test Champion, is among those already booked to H Tobago for the 2012 season. Her owner Jane Whitton, of Equinox Sport Horses, says: “H Tobago is now a widely recognised name outside the Arab showing world, thanks to his Elite and top-scoring offspring at the 2011 Futurities, but actually he has been causing a stir in sport horse breeding circles for a couple of years now. Breeders have been impressed with the consistent way he stamps his stock, both purebred and part-bred, with his beauty, excellent conformation and elevated, elastic

H Tobago attracts some of the best mares www.horsedeals.co.uk

movement - he adds a lot of athleticism, making him ideal as a ‘blood’ outcross for Warmblood mares. I have my Zangersheide mare Balougranna Z in foal to him, and Solitaire is booked for 2012. Some may see this as a big gamble, when I could have used established showjumping, dressage or eventing stallions on these mares, but I feel that H Tobago is a stallion whose influence we will be seeing for generations to come in sport horse pedigrees.”

H Tobago’s first foal out of a Trakehner mare was born in 2011 – Hollen Suno’bago, a colt out of Holme Park Sunbeam. His breeder, Helen Taylor Whitehead, speaks for many of

I chose H Tobago for my Trakehner mare as he is definitely an ‘improver’ stallion, stamping his foals with extravagant movement, beauty and elegance the sport horse breeders now using this young stallion when she says: “I chose H Tobago for my Trakehner mare as he is definitely an ‘improver’ stallion, stamping his foals with extravagant movement, beauty and elegance. My Tobago foal oozes quality, with a beautiful head, excellent conformation and breathtaking ‘uphill’ movement. I was so impressed by this colt that I repeated the breeding to H Tobago, hoping for a filly in 2012.”

Pat Adams, owner of the famous SHB(GB) grading champion Witches Broom – who achieved the near-perfect score of 9.64 out of 10 at the 2009 gradings – added: “H Tobago is a stunning, powerful, beautifully proportioned stallion and his foals are just amazing. I am hoping that breeding him and my mare will produce a really special colt for the future – I don’t often wish for a colt, but I am hoping that this foal could be the next Fairlyn Gemini!”

Sacha Shaw of Volatis Stud, who is currently working for Paul Schockemohle’s stud in Germany, was one of the very first sport horse breeders to spot H Tobago’s potential. Sacha explains: “Having long been a fan of the influence of Arabian blood in sport horse pedigrees, I had noticed that most breeders like to see its influence back in the 3rd generation or so, but very few people are

Marbon Mobago is one of H Tobago’s pure-bred offspring and boasts a string of Championship

willing to take the risk of using a purebred Arab mare or stallion in the 1st generation. I saw photographs of a young stallion called H Tobago, and I began to foster an idea that he could add the strengths of hard bone, good feet, toughness, fertility and of course beauty that the Arab adds to a breeding program. I went to view him in the flesh three years ago and watched with interest how strongly he stamped his offspring with presence and super toplines. I knew then he would work very well with Holme Park Venezia, but it was only in 2011 that I finally had the chance to breed her to him. I eagerly await the outcome of this breeding and I hope the foal will retain all the sport horse characteristics but with Tobago’s even greater expression, vitality and toughness.”

Kate Fox, H Tobago’s owner, says: “I wish I could take some credit for all this, but I have to admit it is just sheer beginner’s luck!

Tobago is my only horse, and only the second horse I have ever owned, so I am a complete novice newcomer in the breeding world.”

“When I got the first big royalty cheque from my book Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour, which to my surprise had become a major bestseller, I set out to find my ideal Arabian colt. He had to be beautiful and exotic enough to win at the highest levels in hand, but also extremely athletic – and with the pedigree to ensure that these qualities would be passed on.”

“After searching all over Europe, with help from an experienced mentor, I finally met and fell in love with the then two-year-old H Tobago. I can’t even claim any credit for ‘discovering’ him, as he was already an international in-hand champion, and was owned by top Arab show judges Mark and Peter Gamlin, in partnership with two other breeders. Tobago was their star show colt, bought as a foal from his breeders Claire and George Chillingworth, and was most emphatically not for sale. But I begged and february 2012 Horse Deals

Showing your arab explained

Natural beauties

If you want to do well in the show ring, you need a horse or pony who not only ticks all the boxes for conformation, movement and manners but also has an extra sparkle. That’s why Arabs have a head start and why many owners won’t settle for anything else

A

t international level, purebred in-hand Arab show horses are probably the most valuable in the showing discipline and a horse who does well at the Arab World Championships in Paris will command a telephone number price tag. But another beauty of the breed is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy and be successful in

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the show ring, whether you’re aiming for the ridden finals at the Horse of the Year Show, in-hand classes at the British National Championships, or showing an Anglo or part-bred.

An Anglo-Arab has only Arab and TB blood, though the rules for the Cherif Championships – the UK annual show open only to ridden Anglos and part-breds – say it

doesn’t have to carry a minimum percentage of Arab blood to be shown. A part-bred is a cross between an Arab, Anglo or part-bred and any other breed. To be registered with the AHS, it must have a minimum of 12.5 percent Arab blood.

Purebred Arabs are shown only in breed classes. Anglos and part-breds are often shown in standard show classes affiliated february 2012 Horse Deals

Showing your arab explained

Anglo-Arabs are shown with plaited manes and pulled or plaited tails and usually have whiskers trimmed off

appropriate categories with other societies.

The AHS now holds Pre-Novice (unaffiliated) ridden classes for horses of four years and over, open to animals who have not had more than two first places at an affiliated show. Four-year-olds in these classes must be shown in snaffle bridles, with a bit that complies with British Dressage rules.

How to be a winner

At last year’s HOYS, Toni Le’Vell’s homebred OAS Vendetta was second in the ridden geldings class. OAS Plashaal, also bred by Toni and now owned and ridden by Claire Doxey, was fourth – not a bad strike rate from a breeder who only has one or two broodmares at the same time.

you have to get arabs to work with you Toni Le’Vell

to the British Show Horse Association and are usually seen in riding horse, hack and intermediate classes. There are also many ponies with Arab blood who are fantastically successful, especially in show pony classes but also in show hunter pony and working hunter pony classes.

What can you do?

Showing in-hand has always been an important part of the purebred Arabian scene.

It’s an area that has been surrounded by controversy, as practices often seen at international shows, such as shanking – jerking on the halter chain to encourage a poised for flight stance – have been observed at some UK shows in past seasons.

However, the Arab Horse Society rule book specifically forbids the infliction of pain by any means and says that at the discretion of the judge, horses who show fear of their handlers may be asked to leave the ring.

It also forbids outside assistance – attempts from spectators or helpers outside the ring to influence a horse’s behaviour. More experts are now speaking out against such practices and hopefully, they will become a thing of the past.

If you want to show your purebred in-hand, you need to get fit! Horses are shown on a looser rein than you’ll see in traditional showing classes and the handler keeps a distance from the horse, rather than staying close to and level with its shoulder. Done well, it’s a real art.

Ridden classes for purebreds and part-breds february 2012 Horse Deals

follow a similar format to those for other breeds and types. This is where amateurs can take on – and sometimes beat – the professionals at their own game, even at top level. Tack and turnout for in-hand and ridden Anglo and partbred classes follow similar guidelines to those shown in

Toni, who has been breeding Arabs for 25 years, suggests that anyone starting out in showing should watch respected riders and handlers and get advice from the right people.

“If you want to compete in ridden classes, you don’t have to get help from someone who only shows Arabs – but you do need to go to someone who understands them,” she says.

“You have to get them to work with you.”

As with any showing class, turnout and tack is a vital part of creating the right impression and there are big differences between presenting a purebred Arab and turning out a Toni Le’Vell’s homebred geldings OAS Vendetta and OAS Plashaal (pictured) took second and fourth place respectively at HOYS 2011

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Supporting British Breeding www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

Perfect partners To help you build your stallion shortlist, consider the following…

1. What is the stallion’s breeding record?

How many foals has he successfully sired?

2. How successful are his progeny in competition?

3. What grading does the stallion have?

4. What is the stallion’s competitive history?

5. How big is the stallion and does he have good conformation?

6. Will his physique enhance your mare?

7. What is the stallion’s temperament like on the ground and when ridden? How does it compare to your mare’s temperament?

8. Can you visit the stud to see the stallion and talk to staff ?

9. Can your mare stay at the stud for natural covering or AI? Can you take her back to the stud to give birth?

10. What is your budget and does the stud offer a ‘no foal, free return’ policy?

FEBRUARY 2012 Horse Deals

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stallion special Selecting the right stallion

If you are considering breeding a foal, now is the ideal time to search for a stallion. But how do you find the best match for your mare?

Andrea McHugh investigates

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T

here are few things more exciting than breeding a foal, always hoping that everything you admire most about your mare’s physique and personality will be enhanced in her offspring. Stallion selection is paramount to success, but what is the best way to achieve this?

Nowadays the convenience of artificial insemination (AI) plus internet access means top quality stallions are increasingly available. But before you start, it is imperative to critically assess your mare’s weaknesses as well as positive traits. Begin by looking at her size and conformation. If you have a small, lightweight mare then you may need to find a bigger stallion to produce a youngster with more bone and substance.

What is her bloodline and what discipline do you want the foal for? At what level are you aiming to compete? Such factors will all influence your decision.

Do as much research as possible. Browse advertisements in magazines and equestrian websites, view internet footage of stallions being ridden, ask knowledgeable friends, contact breed societies and/or visit one of the many stallion shows and parades that are held each year. Many stallions regularly

compete, so go to shows and observe temperament and performance firsthand

Making the grade

Reputable stallions undergo rigorous grading by a panel of judges to ensure they are healthy, with good conformation and temperament. A graded stallion should either have a grading certificate, or grading/ performance testing stamps in his passport.

Alternatively contact the relevant breed society for grading confirmation.

During grading the stallion also undergoes a full vetting to check for soundness and hereditary problems, which may otherwise go undetected. An ungraded stallion is untested and can easily pass hereditary ailments to his offspring.

Nina Barbour manages Harthill Stud, near Chester with top event rider Oliver Townend. Nina says: “I advise people to always use a graded stallion because there are many different grades and even if a stallion has not been graded with the best it should be possible for the breeder to get him graded elsewhere. Using an ungraded stallion means any weaknesses are very likely to be passed on to his progeny, which is a risk that is simply not worth taking.”

FEBRUARY 2012 Horse Deals

Next month in On sale 28 february Stabling to suit every budget

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part three

Stallion special

• A look at careers in the breeding industry • All the action from Addington • Our new breeders column

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Expert opinion from Team Fredericks, Spencer Wilton and our new breeders column

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