Horse Deals August issue

OUT AND ABOUT

Local veterinary surgeon Kate Allen wins the inaugural CIC 2* class at Nunney International Horse Trials in Somerset with her 11-year-old gelding Final Encore Pic: JP Event Photography Ltd

Horse Deals was at Bramham, where William Fox-Pitt took the CCI*** on Chilli Morning, owned by Christopher Stone Pic: ES Photography

Nelson’s Legend, owned

by Peter Taylor, won the Horse Deals-sponsored Four, Five, Six & Seven Year Olds Open Maiden Race at Dingley point-to-point Pic: Rose Rodgers Photography

AUGUST 2012 Horse Deals

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OUT AND ABOUT

Spotlight on

Horse Deals-sponsored events we’ve supported this (sodden!) summer We’ve been out and about on the county show and point-to-point circuits, proving us Brits can handle rain!

One young Pony Club rider carries the flag at the Royal Bath and West Show Pic: Andrew Gorman

The Gull Farm heavy horse team brave the mud at the East of England showground Rory Gilsenan rides Alison Davis’ nine-yearold Kenlis Caruso to first place in the Horse Deals-sponsored open working hunter class at the East of England Show Pic: Equinational Photography

Fitzwilliam Hunt whipper-in Harry Beeby catches up on the latest soggy issue www.horsedeals.co.uk

AUGUST 2012 Horse Deals

Fredericks Behind the

scenes with the

Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks celebrate their exciting London 2012 news…

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ublication deadlines mean that I’m writing this just after the confirmation that Lucinda and I have both been selected for the Australian team at the London Olympics.

A day or two before this issue appears we’ll know whether or not our work has paid off, and if the little bit of luck you always need on your side has come through.

All I can say is that we’re going for gold and going there with the right horses.

We’re also doing everything we can to make sure we – and they – are physically and mentally in great shape. As you know, I’ve had a chequered run-up to the Games, but soon got back on track after my fall from Be My Guest at Saumur.

Lucinda and I have become only the second husband and wife partnership to compete on the same team at two Olympics – we’re now neck and neck with America’s Karen and David O’Connor, who competed at the 1996 and 2000 Games. Our first experience, in Beijing, was amazing, but London promises an extra depth of experience for all the riders.

Beijing was rather like being at a horse party on the edge of the Olympics, but in London, the equestrian teams are in the Olympic Village alongside all the other athletes.

I’m lucky enough to feel at home in both countries. I have so many contacts in Hong Kong and do so much teaching there that I know the place well – and though we compete for Australia, Lucinda and

WE’RE GOING FOR GOLD AND GOING THERE WITH THE RIGHT HORSES I get huge support from everyone in Britain, which we appreciate.

A lot has been said and written about what makes an Olympic horse. Bendigo III and Flying Finish have fewer miles on the clock than our Beijing partners, Ben Along Time and Headley Britannia, but they certainly meet the gold standard in ability and temperament.

Bendigo belongs to our long-term owners and friends, Edwin and Peta McAuley, who live in Hong Kong. He came from another good friend, Eckart Siewert, in Germany, who has found so many good

Britannia’s Jewel with her new owner Lucinda Hawkins-Adams (right) and Rachel Wakefield of Uptown Eventing

AUGUST 2012 Horse Deals

horses for us, and although he had done some dressage and show jumping in Switzerland, had no eventing experience.

In fact, when I tried him just three years ago, I was the first person to take him cross-country schooling. He had never seen water before, but jumped in as boldly and carefully as I could wish for. He’s had a rapid rise up the ranks, as he only did his first four-star last year, but he has great movement and a great temperament.

He’s by the Holstein stallion Contender and whilst he might not be as turbocharged as a full TB, he’s very capable of staying the distance and maintaining a constant speed. I don’t have to pull or fight him in front of a fence and he’s so well balanced he can sit on his hocks and turn on the proverbial sixpence.

Bendigo’s a real character who just loves attention and thinks he’s special – which he is. He is a real ‘people’ horse who loves a fuss, and when he goes into an arena he rises to the occasion and says ‘Look at me’.

Lucinda’s horse, the ten-year-old Flying Finish, has had an even more meteoric rise to the top, but the performance at Luhmuhlen, which so impressed the selectors, was no flash in the pan. He’s also by a Holstein stallion and also has a lot of TB blood and a trainable temperament.

When we found him in 2009 – again, in Germany – he was a riding school horse being used for hacks and to teach aspiring show jumpers to jump 1.15 metres. We thought he would be a perfect one-star horse for his owner, Donald Reid, but when Donald’s commitments meant he didn’t have time to compete, Lucinda took him on and found him to be the perfect partner at the perfect time.

The other pre-London excitement was the online auction of one of Brit’s embryo transfer offspring, Britannia’s Jewel, by Grafenstolz. This was organised by our friends Rachel Wakefield and Michael Wynne of Uptown Eventing, who did a great job.

The auction had a nail-biting finish and Ruby has gone to a fantastic home. It’s definitely something we will do again with other youngsters from elite performance mares.

Let’s hope that one day we’ll be seeing the next generation of Team Fredericks horses in contention for Olympic medals!

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Over to you...

Your news and views from Horse Deals online, Facebook and in the world of Twitter .co.uk

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‘We won!’

Last year, we offered Horse Deals readers the chance to win a dream day out – and last month our lucky winners enjoyed a VIP trip to dressage rider Spencer Wilton’s Gloucestershire yard, which he shares with event rider Jay Halim. Amanda and Jade Moore, who were joined

by Horse Deals marketing consultant Jacky Knightley, were treated to a behind-the-scenes visit, watching as Spencer

thread of the month

ever been What’s the best tip you’ve or pony? se hor a ing buy en given wh or with ruct inst r you * Carla Goadby: Take e than once. you and try the horse/pony mor job you want it * Martha Sitwell: Try it at the of season and out ter hun a buy to do. Don’t change A LOT make sure you try it fit. Horses when they’re fit. e from the * Josephine Allen: Study the hors the last be uld sho face ty hoof up. The pret thing you notice. gut feeling, go * Leah Faulkner: If you have a d to be true it goo too s seem it if with it. And probably is. ’t believe * Black Horse Saddlery Ltd: Don ays have a alw and told are you ng ythi ever ed! vett e hors prospective the first * Naomi Lee-Tuffnell: Don’t buy is the right one horse you see (unless it really for you!). with yourself * Christine Fussell: Be honest a horse about your capability. Don’t buy on you or fair not it’s – with e cop t can’ you e. the hors Have your say at DealsUK www.facebook.com/Horse

trained several of his horses, including SuperNova, Steps and Zamboucca.

“It was a fantastic day,” says Amanda.

• Go online to see more photos from Amanda and Jade’s day at horsedeals.co.uk – and for your chance to win other fantastic prizes.

Join us at the Olympics!

Team Horse Deals will be sending regular Tweets from inside the Olympic Village.

Go to www.twitter.com/HorseDealsUK for the latest insider news and gossip.

Your shout

We asked you how you’ll be enjoying all the equestrian action from London 2012: • “I’ll be hosting an Olympic drinks party while the eventing’s on our huge, new flatscreen!” Tom Oscar, Cornwall • “We’ll be there! We got tickets for the dressage” Millie and Georgie, via Facebook • “Having a BBQ at the stables after our ‘mini Olympics’” Elissa Hill, North Yorks

Free online video guide Thinking of buying a youngster? Turn to page 28 for expert advice – and visit www.horsedeals.co.uk/ buyingayoungster for more on taking on a young horse, from the team at Woodcroft Stud. www.horsedeals.co.uk

Go onlin..e. now

Get in touch

We’re online, on Facebook and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/ HorseDealsUK. Or write to Horse Deals editorial, Bauer Media, Lynchwood, Peterborough Business Park, Peterborough PE2 6EA and phone us on 01733 468000.

AUGUST 2012 Horse Deals

BUYING ADVICE

Buying a horse for

specialist disciplines What to look for in a horse if Western, polocrosse or endurance riding becomes your passion‌ Pic: PC Images

The Western competition horse needs to have a calm temperament and plenty of stamina for long show days

august 2012 Horse Deals

Tel: 01733 468000

BUYING ADVICE

Champion Western rider Shane Borland in action – to find out more about him, visit www.borlandquarterhorses.com

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any of us will have had a go at one of the more unusual disciplines, and perhaps even had some training or tried a few competitions on our all-round horse.

But if polocrosse, endurance or Western becomes your passion and you want to become more competitive, you may be looking for another mount to take you further in your chosen discipline.

Western riding

Western actually encompasses a number of different competitive classes within a single discipline, and at the higher level horses are bred and trained to perform in a particular aspect. The elegant, showy Western pleasure horse for example, is a taller and lighter animal than the reining horse, which needs to be short-coupled and have powerful hindlimbs to perform the manoeuvres.

However, many Western riders in the UK like an ‘all-round horse’ which can turn its hoof to Western pleasure, trail or reining, show in-hand and be a fun hack at home.

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While many breeds can and do take very well to Western, the American Quarter Horse is the favoured breed and Quarter Horse bloodlines are also influential in the next most popular choice, Paint Horses and Appaloosas. Breed shows are held across the country including Western ridden and in-hand classes, and the Western Equestrian Society organises all-breed competitions culminating in a national championships.

The popularity of the American Quarter Horse is down to both its conformation and temperament, points out Western Equestrian Society Chairman David Brindley.

“The horse has to have the right conformation for Western, with the compact frame and powerful muscling of the pure or part-bred Quarter Horse being ideal.

Competition days can be long, and although there isn’t a lot of fast work involved, unless you’re competing in reining, the horse also needs plenty of stamina.

“However, the horse’s temperament and personality is even more important. Riders who are starting out in Western competitions

ls Horse Dea ted ica d e d a s a h r section fo classified horses; Western also know ay trainers mle horses for of suitab e breed sale. Th ld sales o societies hd stud lists an es directori

need a horse that is more placid than experienced competitors so that they can learn the required paces and manoeuvres and can confidently handle the horse in a busy show environment.”

David points out that the horse also needs to be able to fulfil your expectations, as there are various levels of competition and, at the top end, the sport is highly competitive.

“Quarter Horses have a lot of personality and some of the schoolmasters or well-bred reining and pleasure horses can be quirky.

But serious competitors are prepared to take on these horses as that is often what gives them an edge. It all depends what you want!” he says. “A good horse for me will have the conformation but, more importantly, a nice personality and no major issues to deal with.”

august 2012 Horse Deals

BUYING ADVICE

Schoolmaster wanted...

august 2012 Horse Deals

Tel: 01733 468000

BUYING ADVICE

Expert advice to help you make the right choice whether you’re shopping for a schoolmaster to improve your dressage skills or leap up the levels in show jumping

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www.horsedeals.co.uk

re you looking for a horse to help you improve your show jumping, learn how to ride more advanced dressage movements or present a polished picture in the show ring? Then you’re shopping for a schoolmaster – and need to join the queue.

Genuine schoolmasters and schoolmistresses are the horses everyone wants and they’re even harder to find than horses with real competition potential.

Indeed, horses who are advertised as schoolmasters don’t always meet the definition. As instructor Heather Moffett, author of the best-selling book Enlightened Equitation, explains, a schoolmaster isn’t a robot on four legs. “A lot of people think that a schoolmaster is a horse who will do the right thing, even if the rider is getting it wrong,” she says. “But I prefer to define it as a horse who is educated to a high level and responds to the correct aids.

“That means that if you don’t use the correct aids, you won’t get the correct response. A generous horse will help you out if you get it wrong, perhaps when jumping, but a schoolmaster, together with the right teacher, should help you improve your riding.”

Show jumping trainer Carol Mailer, who teaches riders from novice standard to those competing at top level, agrees that buying a horse with more experience and ability than you currently possess doesn’t necessarily mean you’re buying a schoolmaster. Even if you’re lucky enough to find the real deal, says

august 2012 Horse Deals

BUYING ADVICE

Are you ready to buy

a

youngster? august 2012 Horse Deals

Tel: 01733 468000

BUYING ADVICE

Go onlin..e. now dvice

rt a …for expeyoungster, a g in y on bu am at from the te d. See tu S Woodcroftrsedeals. www.ho uyinga co.uk/b er youngst

Getting your youngster used to hacking out on his own is an important part of his education

BE coach Sam ChampneyWarrener

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As exciting as it might be to buy a young horse and see him progress, it’s vital you’re fully prepared to give him the best start, explains Jane Carley www.horsedeals.co.uk

here are few horse-owning experiences to compare with taking your young horse for his first hack, first show, or first day’s hunting.

Nerves, excitement and then huge pride when your training pays off – it’s a heady bunch of emotions. But owning a young horse can also be a minefield of disappointment, disasters – hopefully minor – and expense. So how do you know if you are ready to take on your first youngster and what experience and facilities will you need?

Choosing the right horse is important, suggests BE coach Sam Champney-Warrener BHSI (turn to page 31 for more on her).

“Look for a horse that is bold and comes up to you in the field if possible,” she suggests.

“Find out exactly what the horse has done.

It should either have not been started at all or have been well backed and capable of walking, trotting and cantering under saddle.

It can take a long time to rebuild trust with a horse that has been partly backed and then had a problem.”

Depending on the young horse’s age, he will need regular handling and work, which can be tricky if you have a full-time job and it is the middle of winter. Starting a horse’s ridden training takes around six weeks of consistent work, after which time they should be ready for a quiet hack with an experienced rider, reckons Sam. If the horse is sufficiently mature to start work, plan to ride at least three or four times a week.

Youngsters also need plenty of turnout and company, so this needs to be taken into consideration when choosing a yard for your new horse. Good facilities are also helpful – it is possible to train a youngster in a field, but an arena or lunge pen make it easier and safer. Decent hacking is a bonus so that you can take him out for a ride along a quiet lane

or bridleway.

“I like to hack youngsters out on their own once they are established in walk, trot and canter and can move away from the leg a little,” explains Sam. “They will always go out with another horse, but if you start hacking in company it can be difficult to get them to hack alone. If a three-year-old lacks confidence, it is better to have a person on the ground walking with them.”

Experience – your own and that of anyone who is handling your baby – is also important.

Youngsters need, firm, quiet, confident handlers and riders.

Health matters

Keeping your horse healthy means considering issues that affect youngsters.

Their digestive systems are vulnerable to worm damage, so check that the vendor has followed a worming programme, schedule in regular faecal egg counts and/or wormers and poo pick paddocks regularly.

As three- and four-year-olds, horses are losing their milk teeth and growing adult teeth, and bitting can easily cause discomfort.

Arrange for a visit from an Equine Dental Technician (EDT) at least every six months and keep an eye out for soreness or difficulty when chewing.

“Make sure that the horse’s flu and tetanus jabs are up to date as youngsters are susceptible to infections,” warns Sam. “When choosing your horse, paying attention to his conformation and its suitability for the job you want him to do can help ensure that he stays sound. Start with good raw material.”

Different breeds mature at different rates, and big youngsters in particular may be prone to joint and limb conditions if worked too hard to soon, or on hard or deep going. august 2012 Horse Deals

Dubarry burghley Young Event Horse series All pics: Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials/Kit Houghton

Piggy French and Zeno Das Gluck: winners of the five-year-old final in 2011

Showcase

future talent O

ver the past 25 years, the Burghley Young Event Horse series has become one of the most prestigious competitions in the equestrian calendar. Now the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse series, it’s still designed to showcase potential eventing stars – but has also become one that riders want to win in its own right.

For some, qualifying a four- or five-year-old for the final and competing against the likes of Pippa Funnell, Piggy French and other top riders is incentive enough. Others regard the series as a way of marketing an athletic, correctly produced young horse, and you’ll often see four-year-olds in particular august 2012 Horse Deals

advertised as BYEH prospects. But if you’re looking for a 2013 contender, start now.

Producers such as Judy Bradwell, whose horses have regularly been seen at the top of the lists, are careful not to over-face young horses but, at the same time, acclimatise them to a competition environment so that when they get to the finals – run alongside Burghley Horse Trials and all the accompanying razzmatazz – they aren’t overwhelmed by the big atmosphere.

“If a horse has been backed as a late three-year-old, we’ll take him to dressage shows at the start of his fourth year to get him used to the competition environment,” explains Judy.

Pippa Funnell, who has won more BYEH titles than any other rider, takes a similarly laid-back approach. “Qualifiers are a great introduction to competition for any nice four-year-old, whether its future turns out to be in eventing or not,” she adds.

Understanding the challenge

At first glance the competition seems straightforward. You ride a dressage test, followed immediately by a show jumping round, then present your horse so that the judge can assess his conformation and type, movement and ‘star quality’. However, in practice it isn’t that clear-cut. Judges’ guidelines emphasise that they are looking for Tel: 01733 468000

Dubarry burghley Young Event Horse series s Dubarry This year’ ent Horse v Young E ips will be sh Champione Land Rover held at th Horse Trials, Burghley from August s which run tember 2. To 30 to Sep re visit www. o find out my-horse.co.uk/ burghle mpetition_ YEH/Co .html Contact

Piggy and Zeno Das Gluck

The Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse series highlights potential eventing stars. We explore what it takes to shine potential, and add that all too often the horse with the most potential may not be the one that is presented in the best manner.

“We are looking for an athletic, loose moving horse with a promising jumping technique who, with correct training, will develop physically and mentally into a strong three-day eventer,” series organisers explain.

So what type of horse will score highly? This isn’t a showing class, so a blemish such as a small splint would not necessarily be detrimental, as long as it was not linked to poor limb conformation. For instance, judges don’t want to see a horse who is too long in the cannon bone; nor would they give high marks to a horse who is back at the knee, www.horsedeals.co.uk

as this puts extra strain on tendons, or is straight in the hindleg.

Type can be confusing, but think in terms of a quality horse who can withstand the demands of eventing in terms of soundness, speed and stamina. Height doesn’t matter, as long as the horse is over 148cm and has enough scope. While most event horses are around 16.2hh, there are plenty of pocket rockets, such as Caroline Powell’s Lenamore, barely 15.2hh, and Phoebe Buckley’s Little Tiger, who stands 15hh on tiptoe.

However, you have to keep in mind that judges are looking for a potential three-day event horse, not just one who will be happy at Novice level. Inevitably, that means a high

percentage of TB blood. Many riders at top level now look for horses with warmblood influence, as the dressage phase has become so important and, with it, to a certain extent, dressage paces.

However, TB influence is as vital as ever, with the modern warmblood boasting a high percentage of TB blood.

Irish bloodlines are also very influential.

At the Billy Stud, where William and Pippa Funnell and Donal Barnwell breed show jumpers and eventers, the philosophy is to use Continental stallions on Irish mares. This year, seven youngsters from the Billy Stud are on the equine pathway for show jumping and eventing. august 2012 Horse Deals

WIN A HORSEBOX

Ride in style

This is your chance to win this Equi-Trek horsebox plus a fantastic Kent & Masters GP saddle worth £795

WORTH

£28,900

Win an equi-trek sonic horsebox This Sonic Horsebox is worth a cool £28,900 – and it could be yours if you enter our fantastic competition today!

The Sonic is compact and easy to drive and carries two horses in total luxury. It has the added benefit of a tack/changing/sitting area, with two saddle racks, two bridle racks and two coat hooks so you can carry all your equipment with ease, totally separate from the horses’ area.

There is also additional storage over the cab. Equi-Trek has generously added a package of incredible extras including:

august 2012 Horse Deals

• Alloy wheels • Mud flaps • Head divider • Corner seat with storage • CCTV camera • Digital reversing camera • Padded partition • Padded walls • Extra height partition • Road tax until June 2013 As well as the fantastic Equi-Trek Sonic Horsebox, we’re giving you the chance to win prizes every month from our Win a Horsebox sponsors Petplan Equine, Musto, Animalife and Kent & Masters.

How to enter

For your chance to win…

Go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/win and follow the instructions. Special terms and conditions apply.

Closing date is midday on 2 January, 2013.

Alternatively visit Your Horse Live at Stoneleigh Park on 10-11 November – the horsebox will be on show for you to have a look at and you can enter while you’re there (turn to page 64 for more info about this fantastic event).

• F or more information on the Equi-Trek range of horseboxes, go to www.equi-trek.com or call 01484 852121.

• Competition open to UK entrants only, who must be 18 or over and own a horse.

Tel: 01733 468000

WIN A HORSEBOX

The S-Series GP saddle from Kent & Masters

win this fantastic GP saddle This month we’ve teamed up with Kent & Masters to offer one winner an S-Series GP saddle, worth £795 Behind the Kent & Masters Saddlers’ name is 25 years of saddle-making experience, saddle-fitting knowledge to the highest standard and equestrian expertise that’s been proven at international level.

Made in Walsall, Kent & Masters saddles offer well-designed competition models and fitting solutions for even the trickiest conformation. Every saddle has a quick change gullet bar system, so the saddle width can be adjusted to best fit the profile of your horse’s withers.

The new S-Series GP combines

superior craftsmanship and higher specification design for a truly luxurious feel and appearance. It’s built on an adjustable tree and has changeable girthing options, so a saddle fitter can tailor the saddle to your horse’s requirements.

The flaps are cut far enough forward to allow for jumping and hunting, as well as schooling and hacking. The ghosted stitching allows the kneepad to contour over the knee-roll and the hide-covered calf pad makes this a high comfort GP. Colours: Black, brown.

Seat sizes: 17in, 17½in, 18in Changeable Gullet Bar: SimaTree R-bar: in 7 widths

the gullet Changing

Performance Nutraceuticals

when performance matters

www.horsedeals.co.uk

To enter, and for full terms and conditions, go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/ win – closing date is 27 August, 2012. For more on Kent & Masters saddles visit www. kentandmasters.co.uk august 2012 Horse Deals

saddle fitting

A performance fit Buying a saddle is one of the most important investments you’ll make for your horse – and your choice can influence both your comfort and his, as well as your performance, as Jane Carley discovers

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orses come in many shapes and sizes and getting the right saddle fit takes an experienced eye. Saddles are available from many outlets, including online retailers and auction sites, as well as from a local saddler or specialist saddle maker. But however purchased, it is always worth getting your saddle properly fitted, as Hazel Morley of the Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) points out.

“A saddle should be correctly fitted to each individual horse to ensure it is not only comfortable, but also helps your horse or pony to perform at their best,” she explains.

“You may know the size of saddle and the width fitting you need, as well as having the basic knowledge on how a saddle should fit, but for something as important as a saddle it’s vital that you turn to the expertise of a professional Society of Master Saddlers’ Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter.”

All Society of Master Saddlers’ Registered Qualified Saddle Fitters must have a minimum of three years’ experience, and can ensure that your chosen saddle really does fit, suggest ways to alter it, or pinpoint a suitable alternative. A full consultation with a saddle fitter may take up to three hours, but is time well spent to get the best end result.

If you decide to have a saddle made – which may seem costlier,

but can prove better value in the long run – the SMS suggests choosing a manufacturer that offers design features interchangeable across the entire saddle range to provide the highest degree of comfort and freedom for the horse, and support and security for the rider.

Quality can also vary, and cheaper quality leather can have a tendency to be slippery, for example, points out the SMS. Buying quality is also an investment, as well-made, brand-named saddles will hold their value if they need to be sold on.

The most difficult aspect of buying a saddle can be not just working out whether it fits now, but also if it will fit in six months’ time, particularly for a youngster or a horse that has been off work for a while. Saddle manufacturers are increasingly tackling this issue with adjustable tree systems.

Barnsby is one of the latest with the i-tree, a lightweight carbon fibre tree, which quickly and easily moulds to the shape of the horse. Using an integrated patented heating system, the saddler can increase or decrease the size of the saddle, and as the tree is made from aerospace composite materials also used in F1 cars, it is also very lightweight.

The process takes a total of 10 minutes and has an infinite life span without holding any memory of a previous fit, says Barnsby. The i-tree saddle range includes a GP, monoflap dressage, VSS jump and event models.

august 2012 Horse Deals

Building an arena

august 2012 Horse Deals

Tel: 01733 468000

Surface talk

Building an arena

Whatever your budget or requirements, choosing the right materials to build and maintain an arena is essential, as Jane Carley explains

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august 2012 Horse Deals

BREED OF THE MONTH

The Brit awards

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As Olympic fever continues to grip the nation and everyone enjoys the patriotic vibe, we celebrate a great British breed – the Welsh

One family who have devoted their lives to the breed are the Reynolds, who run the Springbourne Stud in Berkshire, and whose connection to Welsh Mountain Ponies can be traced back to the 1800s. Indeed, Lorna Reynolds still has a stud card dated 1890 advertising Young Express Lion, who was shown throughout South Wales and bred by the grandfather of her late husband, David.

“My grandfather and father were actively involved in the Welsh Pony and Cob Society, my father being president in 1986,” says Lorna’s daughter Cerys Brook. “In 1952 my father, David, secured the Blanche prefix and, when he married my mum, they jointly used her Springbourne prefix and gave me the Blanche prefix when I was born.”

Today’s Springbourne ponies all descend from four foundation mares – Cwmgarn Heidi, or the ‘H’ Family; Cwmgarn Gwen, or the ‘G’ Family; Belvoir Columbine, or the ‘C’ Family, and Dundon Elf, the ‘E’ Family.

The Blanche ponies of today descend from AUGUST 2012 Horse Deals

A brief history of the Welsh...

• While the exact history of the breed

is up for debate, evidence suggests a semi-feral Welsh type of pony could be found roaming the moorlands of Wales hundreds of years BC. • This early Welsh ‘type’ is thought to have evolved into the Welsh Mountain, with a little influence from the ancient Celtic pony and some Arab blood; while mentions of the bigger, heavier Welsh Cob can be found in medieval literature.

• The breed’s four distinct groups started to officially emerge in the 1500s, though the exact type and height of each wasn’t officially finalised by the breed registry until the mid-20th century.

Showing some class

When it comes to showing the Welsh breeds, the following rules apply, according to The Welsh Pony and Cob Society: • Purebred animals should be shown in as natural a state as possible; manes and tails must not be plaited, with the exception of an optional single plait behind the ear.

• If the mane and tail are very thick, they can be discreetly thinned to show off the topline and the hindquarters; however the tail should look natural.

• Welsh part-breds should preferably be plaited, but this is optional.

• In ridden classes all sections shown under saddle (stallions, mares and geldings) must be judged at walk, trot and canter; riders will be asked to gallop during their individual show.

The only exception to this rule is where, at the discretion of the judge/show, it is deemed too dangerous to gallop.

• Classes will be judged on the ponies’ way of going including manners, conformation and breed type.

• These classes may be split by height, age of rider, novice and open.

• Judges officiating ridden classes for the Welsh breeds must not ride entries and must judge from the ground.

• For a full list of showing rules visit the website www.wpcs.uk.com

Pic: Springbourne Stud

Family business

Brynaiu Misty Morn – or the ‘M’ Family – and the more recent introduction of Springbourne Gemma.

All the ponies on the stud now carry either the Springbourne or Blanche prefix, with the exception of the occasional stallion leased or purchased to introduce fresh blood lines.

Springbourne is one of the few studs to have owned the Champion and Reserve at the Royal Welsh on the same day; and ponies bred at the stud have been exported throughout Europe and as far afield as Australia, America and South Africa.

For more on the stud, visit http://www.springbourne-blanche.com

Pic: Springbourne Stud

F

rom dainty Section A show ponies to cobby Section Ds, no equestrian family is quite so versatile and well-celebrated, both in and out of the show ring, as the Welsh – or as steeped in history.

Boasting the largest native breed society in the UK – The Welsh Pony and Cob Society, founded in 1901 – its first Stud Book was published 110 years ago, and continues to be published on an annual basis, under the breed’s four distinct height sections: • The Welsh Mountain Pony, under 12hh (Section A); • The Welsh Pony, under 13.2hh (Section B); • The Welsh Pony of Cob Type, also under 13.2hh (Section C); and • The Welsh Cob, exceeding 13.2hh with no upper height limit (Section D).

In addition, Welsh part-bred animals with a minimum of 12.5% Welsh blood in their parentage can be registered with the Society.

Some of Springbourne Stud’s Welsh Mountain fillies Yearling colt Blanche Montana, who was male champion at the Bath & West Show for his new owners the Heniarth Stud

Tel: 01733 468000

BREED OF THE MONTH

Pic: Springbourne Stud

The Welsh Cob, or Section D, is the largest of the Welsh family

Two of Springbourne Stud’s 2012 foals by senior stallion Yaverland Carousel www.horsedeals.co.uk

AUGUST 2012 Horse Deals

Pic: Equipix

Springbourne Charming: Reserve Supreme Champion at the South East WPCA Show in 2012

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Visit the Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair in style with our fantastic competition

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lair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair is Scotland’s leading equestrian event. Held from 23 to 26 August, it attracts more than 40,000 spectators, thousands of top class horses and riders, 200 trade stands and the Bruadar Country Fair – and you can win VIP tickets thanks to our exclusive Horse Deals competition.

We’re giving one Horse Deals reader the chance to win two season membership tickets, so they and a friend can enjoy all four days of the event. Plus they’ll be invited to drinks in the castle on the Wednesday evening before the event starts – a money-can’t-buy experience that’s usually only reserved for the event’s riders and sponsors.

The event runs CCI 1*, CCI 2*, CCI 3* and CIC 3* competitions, and the world’s top names will be in attendance. And as Blair is running just four weeks after London 2012, there’s a high chance visitors will be able to watch the Team GB Olympians in action, hopefully with gold medals in tow!

Blair also offers visitors the chance to learn from the sport’s greatest names, as well as watch them, thanks to its ‘CCI 3* Cross Country Course Walk with the Pros’.

Guided by top professional eventers, it’s a rare chance to learn how they view the fences, watch as they walk the lines they plan to take, and find out whether they foresee any tricky moments on the course.

Previous riders who’ve led the course walk have included William Fox-Pitt, Oliver Townend and Caroline Powell.

There are four time slots, two on Thursday and two on Friday, and all proceeds go to this year’s official charity the RNLI.

And there’s more…

In addition to the top class eventing action, there are several other competitions taking place over the four days, including show

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jumping and showing, the Clydesdale Championships, ex-racehorse and veteran classes and the Pony Club Games. Plus you’ll find more than 200 trade stands selling everything from equestrian products to artwork and dog beds.

All stands are open from 9am-6pm, Thursday to Sunday, and Blair also has a food hall, which houses 25 exhibitors offering a variety of food products, from a Mediterranean deli to meats and cheeses from all over Scotland and the UK. For non-horsey other halves the Bruadar Country Fair offers a break from all things equine. It takes place on the Saturday and Sunday of the horse trials, featuring a range of exciting and educational displays, from the Drakes of Hazard (a duck herding display) to World Of Wings, a free-flight bird show featuring birds from all around the world, including a stork with a two metre wing span.

Make a short break of it

Blair’s onsite caravan site offers accommodation for those who want to stay at the heart of the event. Just a few minutes’ walk from the main arena, the site has toilets, showers and a washing up area, so you can bring your caravan, tent, horsebox or motorhome. The site doesn’t have power, but guests are welcome to bring their own generator. Camping pitches are bundled with tickets, with many ticket options available.

Blair has attracted the nation’s finest eventers in past years, such as Team GB rider Nicola Wilson

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Tickets start from just £10 and children under 12 are free. Both general admission and membership tickets are available, with membership offering a fantastic experience, including access to an exclusive ringside, members’ only marquee with licensed restaurant, posh loos and a dedicated grandstand. For more information on the event and the CCI 3* course walk, and to buy tickets visit www.BlairHorseTrials.co.uk

Eventer Matthew Wright and Hugginstown

AUGUST 2012 Horse Deals

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