Horse Deals September Issue

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HORSE DEALS ISSUE 126 SEPTEMBER 2011 £3.70

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DREAM

STYLE

PONY SPECIAL

Competing, pony club & showing

Behind the scenes at the Spanish Riding School

DAY OUT!

ISSUE 126 SEPTEMBER 2011

BEDDING PRIZES MONEY CAN’T BUY! SOLUTIONS

Essential advice from top riders

FUN AND FASHION AT WIN WIN HICKSTEAD A yard visit with A Jerome Harforth Spencer Wilton

makeover

INSURANCE:

your ultimate must-have guide WIN A lesson with Andrew Davies

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WIN Meet Tina Cook and Nick Gifford

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LUSNEW P A WIN TICKETS TO TOP SHOWS,

EQUI-TREK HORSEBOX SEE PAGE 15 FOR DETAILS

OVER 1100 HORSES & HORSEBOXES FOR SALE

EVENTS AND MUCH MORE

WORTH £28,700

● MATTHEW WRIGHT’S BEST BUYS ● LATEST NEWS ● MEET PHOEBE BUCKLEY ● EXPERT COMMENT

Newsdesk HORSE WORLD

Olympia box office Tickets are now on sale for Olympia, The London International Horse Show (13-19 December). As well as World Cup dressage and show jumping, there will be carriage driving and displays by Lorenzo, the Flying Frenchman, and the Lusitano quadrille from Portugal. • For information, visit

www.olympiahorseshow.com or call the box office on 0871 230 5580.

BGA support SPILLERS® has renewed its sponsorship of the British Grooms Association after giving support since 2007.

Sarah Kitson, Mars Horsecare UK marketing manager, said: “The BGA helps get the UK’s grooms the appreciation they deserve. We’re delighted to continue with sponsorship and providing nutritional advice.”

Monet’s Garden The popular racehorse Monet’s Garden has recovered from illness and is enjoying retirement at trainer Nicky Richards’s Penrith stables. The 13-year-old grey contracted a serious hoof infection after winning at Aintree in October and his life hung in the balance for some time.

“He’s grand. He’s been shod and we’ve got the all-clear,” said Nicky.

Coast-tocoast by bike Mark Whitham, head of sales at South Yorkshire horse bedding firm Lay-Soft, raised close to £1,000 for Cancer Research UK after a solo coast-to-coast bike ride.

Mark did the two-day 170-mile Morecambe Bay to Bridlington trip

on the 20-year-old bike he uses to cycle to work every day.

Mark said: “ I wanted to say thanks to hospital staff who treated my wife Sue after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.”

To add to Mark’s total, visit www. justgiving.com/mark-whitham

Rescued foal is doing well A foal is in the care of Redwings Horse Sanctuary after his mother died after becoming stuck in a ditch. A member of the public, who saw the mare in deep water, called Essex County Fire and Rescue Service to Tilbury Fort.

No owner could be located, so the vet contacted Redwings. The

charity is now caring for the foal at its Ada Cole Rescue Centre – he has been named Ben after one of the Fire Service officers.

Redwings Field Officer Jo Franklin said: “Ben’s recovering well after his ordeal and we hope to give him the happy life he deserves.”

BHS pledge The BHS is monitoring the Department for Transport’s proposed High Speed 2 rail link between London and the Midlands to ensure equestrian access is preserved. Director of Access, Safety and Welfare Mark Weston, said: “High Speed 2 shouldn’t allow public rights of way to disappear without providing suitable alternatives.”

Spanish town London’s Regent Street was shut to traffic for the Taste of Spain event organised by the Spanish Tourist Board. In one of the more was unusual jobs for Martin Collins Enterprises, 60 tonnes of Ecotrack surface was laid for the dancing horses from Menorca’s display.

8 september 2011 Horse Deals

More support for young riders Riders aged between 16 and 24 based in England can now benefit from the new BEF Excel Talent Programme.

Built on the success of the regional Foundation squads, Excel will offer support and guidance for up-and-coming riders. It has been set up through funding from Sport England and will provide riders with access to coaches, physiotherapists, vets and nutritionists via a series of camps.

Head of BEF regional development Maggie Still said: “Excel will enable us to identify talent at a regional level and help us deliver even higher standards of training to take riders to the top.”

For information and selection criteria, visit www.bef.co.uk

Arena grant makes a difference HOOF, the BEF’s Olympic Legacy project, has invested £25,000 of funding on a roof for the outdoor arena at outer London riding school Mount Mascal Stables.

Members of the London Horse Network were invited to apply for last-minute funding through a £50,000 pot from Sport England in November 2010.

Mount Mascal director John Window said: “The surface was deep in summer and wet in winter, so for much of the year riders were limited to sharing the indoor arena.

“This is first time we’ve received financial help and it’s absolutely marvellous. Our philosophy is that riding should be accessible to everyone and this will enable more people to enjoy horses.”

Tel: 01733 468000

RoR award winners announced Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) has announced the winners of its inaugural Heart Awards. Helen Thurtle’s Bob Justice (Heart Throb award), Alice Graham’s Somethings Up (Healthy Heart), Dan Titterton’s Rash Promise (Heart Stopper) and Helen Scott’s The Last Rambo (Biggest Heart) headed the

Golden prize for Exmoors Equine physiotherapist Mary Bromiley has put up a £100 prize for the first Exmoor pony to complete 50 competitive miles in one day at the Golden Horseshoe Ride.

“I know they can do it. At the first Horseshoe in 1965, a number of Exmoors finished a 50-mile route and then hacked home,” she said.

Barbara Wigley of the organising committee said: “We love to see Exmoors compete. Mary’s prize is a great incentive and we’ll offer a permanent trophy to mark the achievement.”

public vote. Author Jilly Cooper chose the 22-yearold Solo Volumes, who is shared by Mel Yarham and her seven-year-old son Callum, as her overall champion. Di Arbuthnot, RoR director of operations, said: “It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience and these were all worthy winners.”

Charity drive sets a record Amputee servicemen were among those who got together to help service charity Horses Help Heroes make the Guinness Book of Records. The nine-day challenge involved driving day and night over a distance of 1,009 miles. Every leg of the journey was driven partly by one of the injured servicemen, most of whom had their first experience of horses.

Charity patron the Duke of Cambridge said: “I salute all those involved with Horses Help Heroes for their commitment, energy and originality.”

For more information or to donate, visit http:// horseshelpheroes.org.uk

This year’s Wimpole Way endurance ride attracted competitors ranging from Chinese riders to a pair of American Mammoth Jackstock donkeys. Jason Tse and Vivien Cheung chose the 80k class at Wimpole Hall for their first British endurance ride. Jason, recently returned from Everest base camp, used it as training for the 1,000km Mongolian Derby in August.

Wacissa and Gretna, the 15.3hh donkeys from Hamerton Zoo Park and Donkey Stud, near Huntingdon, were imported two years ago from Texas and completed 19km. Christine Bristow, who rode Gretna to win the best turned-out non-competitive award, said they are now considering affiliated registration. www.horsedeals.co.uk

Two Mammoth Jackstock donkeys completed 19km of the ride

Sponsorships Chestfields grooming products has signed up show producer Jenna Saunders, who has qualified for the HOYS Cuddy final, while Para show jumper Susi Rogers Hartley has sponsorship from RS-tor rider safety aid. Para dressage riders Sophie Wells and Natalie Povey have gained support from Robinsons Animal Health and HAYGAIN respectively.

Polo player Anna Ward has sponsorship from clothing brand Tottie

Picture by Canford Photo

Cambridgeshire ride proves popular

HORSE WORLD

International rider Mark Armstrong has joined Italian brand Veredus’s team of show jumpers

Husband and wife showing team Claire and Robert Oliver have support from distributor Zebra Products

Dressage Deluxe has continued its sponsorship of Damian Hallam for another year september 2011 Horse Deals 9

Win this horsebox worth £28,700!

Travel in style Boxing up for a beach ride or going to enjoy a new hack? Musto’s experts explain what to look for in its leisurewear for riding and yard work

Look good, feel confident

Quality gear you can trust Founded in 1965 by Olympic silver medallist Keith Musto, the Musto brand is committed to providing technical equestrian, sailing and shooting clothing that guarantees maximum performance in all weather conditions. Its collaborations with top riders and celebrities – including World Champion eventer Zara Phillips – mean

12 september 2011 Horse Deals

you can be sure that the riding wear you buy has been thoroughly researched to guarantee high performance style. With over 20 years of experience in understanding what riders want, Musto is well known for its stylish, elegant clothing collection, with all the technical features a rider could wish for. To find out more visit www.musto.com

Musto’s new Signature collection is designed for stylish horse women. “Using Musto’s premium fabrics, the range is durable enough for the yard but stylish enough to be worn away from the stables,” say the experts at Musto. The collection comprises of colourful gilets, flattering jackets, sweat pants, striped shirts, classic rugby shirts and the wardrobe-staple polo shirts, along with a wide range of accessories – see right for how you can win a smart outfit!

Tel: 01733 468000

h Wor,7t00! £28 Jackets to ride in, whatever the weather

With our great British weather, you need to be prepared for rain, shine and gale force winds, so it’s a good idea to layer up in waistcoats and jackets. Look for a jacket with a detachable or fold-up hood and choose a high-tech waterproof fabric that’s lightweight and breathable. Musto’s breathable fabrics have a hydrophilic coating, which means they ‘breathe’ by absorbing moisture from around the body and chemically driving it through the clothing.

Stay warm in the saddle

With autumn on the way, it’s worth investing in a jacket or gilet that can offer warmth on cold, windy days, and the latest high-tech fabrics, including Musto’s Windstopper, Gore-Tex and Polartec fabrics, do just that – making sure you stay snug on board your horse.

It could be yours!

T

his Equi-Trek Sonic Horsebox is worth a cool £28,700 – 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’s also additional storage over the cab.

Equi-Trek has generously added a package of incredible extras to our Sonic, including: • 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 2012

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 2012. Alternatively visit Your Horse Live at Stoneleigh Park – the horsebox will be on show for you to have a look at and you can enter while you’re there >>For more information on the Equi-Trek range of horseboxes, go to www.equi-trek.com or call 01484 852121

Win even more!

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 Musto, Petplan Equine, Dodson & Horrell and Dog It. This month, we’ve teamed up with Musto to offer one winner a stylish outfit from Musto’s Signature Collection, plus three runners-up prizes, worth £500 in total.

Our winner will get a Musto Quilted Hamilton Jacket, worth £150; a Hooded Gilet, worth £80; a Popcorn Knit Hoody, worth £75; a Belton Hoody, worth £60; Belton Sweat Pants, worth £50; a Caledon Rugby Shirt, worth £50, and a Moreland Polo, worth £35. Two runners-up will get the Popcorn Knit Hoody and Moreland Polo, while one third prize winner will get a Moreland Polo. To enter, and for full terms and conditions, go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/win – closing date is 28 September, 2011. For more on Musto’s range of quality rider clothing visit www.musto.com www.horsedeals.co.uk

august 2011 Horse Deals 23

HIGH PERFORMANCE/royal international

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HIGH PERFORMANCE/royal international

royal international A star-studded show

Horse Deals salutes headlinemakers from this year’s Royal International Horse Show: 1. Hickstead director Daisy Bunn brightens ladies’ day in a hat by Olivia Roat; 2. Queen’s Cup winners Daniel Moseley and the British-bred Billy Grand; 3. Ridden Arabian champions Darren Crowe and PHA Silvern Risalm; 4. Gary Parsonage and Peter Street win the eventing grand prix for the third time; 5. Winston Churchill supreme champions Jayne Webber and Comberton Clancey; 6. John Whitaker wins the Bunn Leisure Salver on Argento; 7. American Kent Farrington celebrates his King’s Cup triumph on Uceko; 8. Small hunter winners Leon King and Royal Agent; 9. Loraine Homer and the heavyweight Major Moylaw, hunter supremes; 10. Marcus Ehning and Plot Blue, who jumped the sole double clear in the Nations Cup; 11. Mathew Lawrence and the ridden coloured supreme, LWS Artful; 12. Nicola Wilson enjoys some eventing grand prix fun with Oingy Boingy; 13. Robert Smith and Talan, British Nations Cup team members and second in the King’s Cup; 14. Tina Fletcher on new ride Hello Ursula; 15. The German team with the Prince of Wales trophy

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Pictures by Horse Deals, Kit Houghton/FEI, Hickstead/www.samanthalamb.co.uk, British Showjumping/Kathryn Pearn and Hickstead/ Julian Portch

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september 2011 Horse Deals 23

high performance/Fredericks forum

Fredericks

Forum A new idea could make eventing more commercial, which is a good thing for the whole sport, says Clayton Fredericks

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ndrew Nicholson’s virtual wipeout at the British Open championships at Gatcombe, which included first and second places in the open and wins in two advanced sections, netted him around £9,000. The winner of this year’s British Open golf championship received £900,000.

There will never be parity between the sports, but the figures show why eventing is struggling — and why a proposal currently in front of the FEI is so important for riders at all levels. If it’s accepted, the F1 motor racing concept of commercially sponsored teams could be applied to what has so far been labelled eventing’s World Rider Series and as I see it, it’s a win/win situation for everyone.

Just as important, it should boost and bring money to the sport, raising its profile and benefiting everyone in it. It’s the brainchild of two people with impressive pedigrees: former Williams F1 team CEO and investment banker Chris Chapple and entrepreneur Richard Trayford, who runs Exmoor Eventing with his wife, Daisy.

This proposal wouldn’t change the foundations of the sport and the series would remain under the FEI’s control and jurisdiction. But what Chris and Richard propose is that in addition to events where riders represent their country, we’d see a

Darren Clarke’s British Open golf win netted £90,000. Would commercial teams similar to motor racing increase eventing’s prize-money?

www.horsedeals.co.uk

series with teams representing commercial sponsors.

Make no mistake – at the moment, our sport is in dire circumstances. Young riders can’t afford to come through the ranks and those at the top won’t go on forever. Similarly, how many riders can afford to pay their grooms the wages they deserve and how many true career grooms do you see?

Without the professionals, eventing wouldn’t exist I know a lot of people will be against the idea of money coming into the sport, but we’ve got to move on from the idea that this is something we all do for fun. At grassroots level, many riders do compete for fun, and good luck to them. But without the professionals, the sport wouldn’t exist and unless those professionals can make a living, eventing will implode. Eventing has an enormous amount to offer potential sponsoring companies. It’s a truly global sport where men and women compete on equal terms and with the right marketing, could attract much broader support. If we ignore this initiative, we increase the risk that

eventing will become a sport that can be afforded only by the very rich.

At present, eventing only attracts a tiny TV audience. By pooling the resources of major events, as F1 has done, the sport will be more attractive to the media, sponsors and public. A commercial series at the core of the sport would provide valuable income that would benefit all.

The effects on F1 of the sponsored teams concept have been incredibly positive.

Safety has improved enormously thanks to extra funding and I believe the same could happen with eventing. I also believe funding could improve training and opportunities for riders at all levels.

We’re always fighting the misconception that eventing is an elitist sport. It isn’t – though it could easily become so – and this scheme could only help make it more accessible.

Without detracting from Andrew’s fantastic performance at Gatcombe, or the great work that Mark Phillips put into it, it’s a shame that there’s not always the incentive to run horses there. There are always withdrawals after the dressage and show jumping because at this time of year people are saving their horses for other things — and while the ground was good, some riders don’t feel it’s worth putting mileage on horses for low prize-money further down the line.

Lucinda and I were pleased with the way our horses performed. Unfortunately, Bendigo showed very mild colic symptoms; they disappeared quickly, but I wouldn’t take the risk and withdrew him.

Both my mares performed well, while Lucinda had great rides from The Navigator and Prada.

We’ve just held our first training course at Rosegarth, where we taught riders from BE80 level upwards. It was a huge success and we were delighted with the feedback.

We’ll definitely be holding more, so keep an eye on www.teamfredericks.com for more information.

september 2011 Horse Deals 33

Dream day out competition

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

We asked thousands of you on Facebook, twitter and on our website to tell us what would be your dream equine day. We had an amazing response and have taken all your comments and used them to create a selection of

prizes based on what you said you’d like to do.

Whether your dream is lunch with Spencer Wilton or a day at Aintree races we’re giving you the chance to win this and more in our fantastic competition!

You could win

Yard visit and lunch with Spencer Wilton for you and a friend •Lesson and yard visit with show jumper Andrew Davies •Yard visit and horse makeover (using Supreme Products) •with Jerome Harforth Yard visit with Tina Cook and Nick Gifford •Two complimentary raceday tickets to one raceday at Aintree •during 2011/12 (this excludes Grand National race meeting) A family tickets to Your Horse Live •Tickets to see the Spanish Riding School of Vienna at •Wembley Plus a chance to win for your horse

• 8 x packs of Equilibra 500 + Omega 3 • 1 Snuggy Hood set worth £248, including A Snuggy Bug Body, Sweet Itch Head and Turn Out Hood

How to enter

Simply visit www.great competitions.co.uk/dreamcomp to enter.

You’ll need to register once and then you can enter to win as many of the prizes as you like. • Terms and conditions apply. For full details see www.greatcompetitions.co.uk/horsedeals

Turn over to see the details on all the prizes www.horsedeals.co.uk

october 2011 Horse Deals 15

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feature/phoebe buckley Phoebe at Burghley on the amazing 14.3hh Little Tiger

36 september 2011 Horse Deals

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Fortune favours the

brave

feature/phoebe buckley

Eleanore Kelly meets Phoebe Buckley, who is living proof you don’t need a privileged background to make it as an eventer

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y the age of 26, event rider Phoebe Buckley had won a gold medal for Britain, won the national under-25 championship at Bramham, jumped around six four-star events on a mare no bigger than a pony and for good measure held her jockey’s license and had ridden winners under rules.

And if you’re still not in awe, Phoebe didn’t have her first riding lesson at until she was 12, jumped clear around her first intermediate event three years later at the age of 15 and was born into a Romany family with little money who had lived as travellers for most of their lives.

Phoebe is a rare find in a world caught up in money and materialism. There is no doubt she has nerves of steel, but it becomes clear within five minutes of speaking to her that she also has a heart of gold.

She displays great modesty for someone who has achieved so much. And try as you might to remind her of her accomplishments, her response is always genuine gratitude to all who have played a part along the way: her parents, owners, staff, her horses and to life in general “for giving me so many opportunities”.

Phoebe’s parents were brought up in traditional Romany wagons but when Phoebe was born, they wanted a more stable life for their daughter, so they settled in Cambridge.

Phoebe started at the local riding school and soon persuaded her parents to buy a pony from Cambridge cattle market for £250.

“She was dreadfully behaved, but taught me a lot about determination,” she remembers.

Education wasn’t for Phoebe and after she was bullied at school because of her background, her parents gave in when she said she wanted to leave at the age of 13.

“The original plan was that I was going to be home tutored but that didn’t last long as I was too horse mad. I went to work for Tanya Kyle and Toni Liddle, who had eventers and racehorses to be broken in,” she explains.

Under their guidance Phoebe was not only bitten by the eventing bug but also learned www.horsedeals.co.uk

september 2011 Horse Deals 37

Pony special Small in size but big characters

Inside •A dults who ride ponies Why they don’t want to move on • Royal International fun • All about the The Pony Club •A guide to showing your pony

PLUS

•B ritain’s best selection of ponies for sale

insurance special veterinary cover

Are you fully covered?

Better veterinary treatment can mean bigger bills, so we all need insurance.

Carolyn Henderson tiptoes through the vet’s fees minefield 54 september 2011 Horse Deals

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dvances in diagnostics and treatment mean that many cases where horses might once have been written off – or, even worse, had to be put down – may now have a happy outcome. At the same time, the growth in scientific knowledge means increases in bills, so veterinary fees insurance is often essential for horseowners.

But it can also be a minefield. If you don’t know your excesses from your exclusions, don’t get the right cover package or assume without checking your policy that an expensive procedure will be covered, you could end up counting the cost.

As Nicolina Mackenzie of South Essex

Insurance Brokers (SEIB) points out, by the time you make a claim you’re probably already under stress due to what’s happened to your horse. But by checking that you’ve got the cover you need before you sign up, reading the policy when it arrives, querying anything you don’t understand and being honest about any pre-existing conditions, you’ll avoid common mistakes.

“Options such as MRI scans are great in that vets can often find out what is wrong with your horse very quickly,” gives Nicolina as an example. “But some insurers won’t cover the full cost.”

Similarly, many owners are confused about pre-existing conditions and still think that if Tel: 01733 468000

insurance special veterinary cover

If a horse has a period where it’s problem-free, your insurer might lift an exclusion Nicolena Mackenzie

Check that your policy covers the full cost of X-rays and MRI scans

Smartie’s story When Denise Marston’s Thoroughbred/Welsh Cob gelding Smartie began resisting and kicking out in right canter transitions, she knew something was wrong. The normally amenable six-year-old had competed successfully on Riding Club teams and Denise was planning her first BE80 event.

“My vet said he was only 1⁄10 lame, but that because I knew him so well, we should investigate immediately,” she says. “Ultrasound scans showed Smartie had inflammation in the suspensory ligament and because he’d been holding himself awkwardly to try to relieve the discomfort, he also had sacro-iliac problems.”

After three months of shock wave treatment, rest, medication and physiotherapy, the bill came to nearly £2,000; Denise had opted to pay a £500 excess and her insurers met the rest of the cost. Smartie was brought back to work via a controlled exercise programme and a year on is competing successfully again.

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they try to take out veterinary fee cover when they have full knowledge that a horse has a problem, the insurance company will pay out.

Even worse, a few ignore it in the hope that the insurers won’t find out. Wrong!

Another misconception is that once an exclusion has been imposed, it’s there for good.

“Talk to your insurer,” urges Nicolina. “If a horse has a period where it’s problem-free, you might find that they’re prepared to lift it. I’ve even known cases where we’ve removed exclusions on colic.”

Claire Thompson, an underwriter for Petplan Equine, says there are several things owners should be aware of.

“With so many different policies in the market, horse insurance can be confusing,” she acknowledges. “But there are a few things owners should do so they know exactly what

they’re getting when taking out a new policy or renewing an existing one.

“First, know what you’re covered for. You need to read all policy documents carefully, including the small print, prior to taking out a policy because terms and conditions vary.

This will help avoid any problems and confusion when making a claim.

“If your horse is ill or injured, inform your insurance provider as soon as a problem arises. This will allow you to make decisions about the treatment immediately and you’ll know where you stand when making a claim.

“Also, find out how much your excess is.

Many insurers provide higher excess options that come with a lower premium, so it’s important when you go to make a claim that you’re aware of the amount of excess you have to pay, then it won’t come as a surprise.

“Some insurers will also apply a percentage excess, which can mean a large contribution from you if the claim is high. When evaluating your options, you shouldn’t look at the premium alone: consider whether you’re in a position to cover the excess should the unexpected happen.”

The cost of premiums has risen steeply.

While insurers say this is inevitable due to a parallel rise in veterinary fees, it makes it even more important to make sure you’ve got the right cover for your needs and that you aren’t making false economies.

“One of the common mistakes people make is that they look only at the cost of the If your horse needs veterinary attention, inform your insurer as soon as possible

september 2011 Horse Deals 55

TRADE TALK/CLAIRE WILLIAMS

trade talk

62 SEPTEMBER 2011 Horse Deals

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TRADE TALK/CLAIRE WILLIAMS

In the first of a new series on the equestrian trade, Carolyn Henderson meets BETA’s executive director Clare Williams

I

n 1978, a group of retailers visiting the Equitana Fair in Germany had a lightbulb moment. They realised the UK needed its own version — a specialist trade fair where all the best ideas in the horse world, both new and established, could be showcased under one roof.

That bright idea was just the beginning.

The trip to Germany sowed the seeds of the British Equestrian Trade Association and while the annual BETA international trade fair is probably in every retailer’s calendar, it’s only part of the picture.

“We say BETA stands for safety in riding and service in shops,” says Claire Williams, the association’s executive director and a keen rider when her busy career allows.

“We try to create an environment where riders can enjoy their sport safely and where we can give members the skills they need.”

It also sets standards, sometimes literally. When the BETA standards for body and shoulder protectors were introduced, it took the guesswork out of buying for riders confused about different levels of protection.

Just as important, the association runs training courses for members in fitting body protectors and hats; after all, a hat that fits correctly might save your life, but one that doesn’t, could cost it.

Welfare in business

It’s thanks to BETA that you can still buy wormers from shops with qualified staff.

When a proposal by the EU meant that all medicines for food-producing species — which includes horses — could become available by prescription only, BETA lobbied the British government to make sure this didn’t go through.

It was, explains Claire, a welfare issue as much as a business one. If the proposal had become law, horseowners would have had to get prescriptions for wormers from their vets, thus leading to probable price increases as well as reducing buying choice.

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BETA has also helped owners steer a path through the minefield of naturally occurring prohibited substances. These can be either naturally present within certain ingredients or occur through inadvertent cross-contamination during processing, before they arrive at the feed manufacturer.

In 2009, work by BETA’s feed committee resulted in a voluntary code of practice for its members.

This brought in stricter procedures for making sure banned substances did not contaminate feed in a way that contravened the rules of sport governing bodies and followed a period when 45

BETA stands for safety in riding and service in shops Claire Williams racehorses in the UK tested positive to morphine.

The problem was caused not by manufacturers, but by an increase in the farming of opium poppies – from which morphine is derived – in the UK. BETA introduced assurance schemes for both manufacturers and suppliers of raw

materials and members who have signed up to the codes must evaluate risks at every stage of the process, from sourcing to manufacture.

Matters of choice

Every horseowner knows that costs of basics such as feed and bedding have soared, let alone those of items that may be desirable rather than essential.

It’s tempting to simply look for the cheapest online prices, but Claire is adamant that shops can survive if they make their customers appreciate what they offer in terms of service and knowledge as well as choice.

“We’re not against the Internet – far from it,” she explains. “A lot of our members use it successfully and it can be both a 24hr a day presence and a shop window.”

Despite the recession, Claire is finding that more people want to start equestrian businesses.

“We do a fledgling business pack and not only are we getting more requests for it, but we’re also finding that the people who ask for it are much more business focussed,” she says. “It’s not easy out there.

People are more careful about what they spend their money on, so businesses need to make sure they offer the right products and service.”

By lobbying on behalf of its members, BETA has given the industry a powerful voice. Today, it has more than 800 member companies, ranging from retailers and wholesalers to manufacturers and service-based industries.

It also has a constant stream of ideas, including the new BETA Guide to Riding Holidays in Great Britain. So should a trade association market the idea of holidays?

“We have a commitment to promoting riding, which in turn promotes the equestrian trade,” says Claire. “Riding holidays are a great opportunity for everyone, no matter what their age or experience, and Britain has some fantastic places to ride.”

SEPTEMBER 2011 Horse Deals 63

feature/the spanish riding school

Ride white horses...

win tickets to the Spanish Riding School’s London show

See “Dream Days Out” starting on p15 for more information.

And your chance to win

70 september 2011 Horse Deals

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feature/the spanish riding school

Young stallions graze together in their summer paddocks and (inset) a senior stallion with his handler

The Spanish Riding School of Vienna’s Lipizzaner stallions are famous the world over for their classic performances, but where does it all begin? Barbara Young climbs the Austrian Alps to go behind the scenes at the Piber Stud

I

n the early morning Austrian Alpine sunshine, it’s easy to pick out the tourist landmarks signposting the worldrenowned Piber Stud along the narrow winding roads on the picturesque approach.

Images of the famous “white horses” are everywhere and the locals are justifiably proud of the birthplace of the iconic Lipizzaner breed, which boasts more than 400 years of tradition.

Although less well known than the brand’s centre at the Winter Riding School at the magnificent Hofburg Palace in Vienna, where the spectacular demonstrations of “airs above the ground” earn gasps of appreciation, every year more than 60,000 visitors call in to the picturesque stud for a chance to see what lies behind the origins of one of Austria’s bestloved attractions.

Nestling in the grounds of the magnificent Renaissance castle dating back to 1696, the stud is surrounded by more than 580 acres of picturesque mountains and meadows. Here, a well-planned guided one-hour tour will take in the foal barns, museum and riding hall, as well as farriery demonstrations and the opportunity to watch riding and driving training in the vaulted riding hall that dates back to 1864.

The Spanish School is the only

The herd of young stallions appears to rub along together with few squabbles www.horsedeals.co.uk

september 2011 Horse Deals 71

bedding & matting special star riders’ choice

And so to bed Suzanne Jones looks at bedding and matting and asks some top names what they prefer to use

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t one time, straw was the only bedding people thought suitable for horses, but times have certainly changed and new products are hitting the market all the time.

Many are marketed with health benefits, such as preventing allergies and irritations. And in this green age, the fact that some makes are environmentally friendly is another plus.

Ease and quickness of mucking out – always in your mind when racing against time and there are umpteen stables to do – is often the first thing that springs to mind when buying bedding. But with so many products offering 80 september 2011 Horse Deals

different advantages, riders are considering other qualities.

Eventer Laura Collett, who has just been selected for her first European Championship team with Jason Houghton’s Rayef, uses shavings in all her 16 stables. Laura thought carefully about quality before deciding to change supplier several months ago and now uses Sundown shavings from Sundown Products. These dust-extracted, purposemade shavings come from a locally managed forest and are made from softwood with great absorbency and mould- and spore-prevention qualities.

“The shavings have added eucalyptus oil and not only does this make the yard smell lovely, but it’s also beneficial for the horses,” says Laura. “The eucalyptus keeps their feet good and hard and their airways clear. We’ve really noticed a difference since we started using it.”

Laura moved to her present base in Membury, Wiltshire, two years ago.

All her indoor stables already had rubber matting installed, although the walkways in between the stables are concrete.

“Rubber matting really does make a difference,” she says. “It’s economically viable Tel: 01733 468000

bedding & matting special star riders’ choice

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John Whitaker uses shavings, cardboard and straw for his horses

Dressage star Mistral Hojris at the World Games.

At home, all the Bechtolsheimers’ stables have rubber floors

We like straw, but some horses are so piggy! Laura Bechtolsheimer because we save on the amount of bedding we use and it’s also much safer and more comfortable for the horses.”

Ever the canny Yorkshireman with an eye for value for money, international show jumping legend John Whitaker uses shavings to bed down the majority of horses on his yard – and fetches them himself from a local supplier.

“There isn’t enough from our local man to keep us going, but it all helps,” said John, who tops up his private supply with Cushionbed equestrian shavings.

Manufactured by Giffords, Cushionbed www.horsedeals.co.uk

shavings are virtually dust-free and odourless, don’t cling to the mane, tail or hooves, are 100% non-toxic and have been tested in the most demanding conditions.

“Shavings are generally so much easier to use. They’re quick to work with and easy to muck out,” says John, who does his share of work on the yard.

The 20-kilo bales of Cushionbed shavings are also easy to handle for John and his grooms when travelling to shows in Britain and abroad.

“When we use shavings we can control horses’ weight so much better, as they do tend

to eat straw” says John. “Shavings also allow us to have the horses on a semi-deep litter bed, which saves so much time.”

Only John’s young horses have the more traditional straw bedding.

“The youngsters live together in pens and keeping their weight in check isn’t critical,” explains John, who is also a fan of cardboard bedding.

“We have a stock of cardboard bedding from EcoBed that we use for a couple of horses,” says John. “We also mix it in with shavings if any horse is susceptible to coughing.”

EcoBed animal bedding is made from september 2011 Horse Deals 81

ponies special showing

Show on

the road

102 september 2011 Horse Deals

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ponies special showing

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Want to show your pony in ridden classes?

Horse Deals explains how it works

Working hunter ponies tackle a course of natural fences before being judged on conformation and movement

F

or many people, showing their ponies starts as a hobby and then turns into a drug. Lots of families are on the road all summer and since the advent of indoor shows, they can often be out on winter weekends too. So how do you start and which class should you do?

Ponies (UK) Ponies (UK) was formed in 1988 as an arm of the original Ponies of Britain society. Ponies (UK) runs numerous affiliated shows open to members and non-members, all of whom can qualify for its championships. If non-members qualify, they have 14 days to join the society.

There are affiliated in-hand and ridden classes for every conceivable type of horse and pony, all with finals at major shows. Ponies (UK) also runs event pony and mini event pony finals at Burghley Horse Trials, where ponies are judged on dressage, jumping, conformation and suitability for eventing. • For more information, visit www.poniesuk.org

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Many well-known ponies have begun their competitive life at local shows. Maybe they are owned by amateurs but have won every time they go out or an experienced judge has suggested going affiliated. And just because a show is local, it doesn’t mean that the competition’s going to be weak. Everyone has to start somewhere and it’s not all that unusual to run up against a top-class rival at the village show down the road!

You may hear some muttering, but professional producers aren’t generally pothunters. They’ll be getting young novice ponies used to the sights and sounds of shows or ensuring that a new partnership will be ready for major shows. Don’t moan if a well-known name turns up at a smaller show.

Instead, use it to compare your pony with theirs, pick up a few tips or ask their advice.

Why not have a go? As long as you remember that you’re paying for a judge’s opinion and that this won’t be the same at every show, you’ll probably become hooked.

BSPS The British Show Pony Society or BSPS was formed in 1949 and oversees riding pony, show hunter pony and working hunter pony classes. It also runs a Heritage series and championship show for native ponies and has taken over the Olympia M&M final from the NPS. The BSPS specifies that correct dress for riders includes a hat meeting the current approved safety standards, a riding jacket (tweed for showing Heritage ponies, with a dark showing jacket for other ponies), shirt and tie or stock and breeches with long boots or jodhpurs with jodhpur boots. All ponies apart from the natives must have their manes plaited, with tails either plaited or neatly pulled.

• For more information, visit www.britishshowponysociety.co.uk

Riding ponies

The best way to describe a riding or show pony is as a miniature Thoroughbred. These ponies are extremely refined and producing them to compete at top level isn’t an easy job.

Classes start with lead-rein, which is for ponies aged four and over and not over 122cms with riders aged between three and seven. As the name suggests, a handler leads the pony, which wears a snaffle bridle with the lead-rein attached to the noseband.

Quartermarks aren’t correct when showing native ponies Lead-rein ponies are often smaller Welsh types and are judged on conformation, movement and how well they look after their small rider.

First ridden ponies are the same size as lead-rein ponies, but riders can be up to 10 years old. Ponies are shown in snaffle bridles and canter during their individual show only.

They are often more forward going than lead-rein ponies.

Riding pony classes are for the Ferraris of the pony showing world. They are usually divided into 128cm, 138cm and 148cm sections, with the top two in each class coming forward to contest an overall

championship.

Age limits are 13 for 128cm ponies, 15 for 138cm and 17 for 148cm ponies and the riders must be able to cope with two reins, an individual show and showing off the pony’s paces from walk to gallop.

Show hunter ponies

Show hunter pony or pony of hunter type classes were introduced in the 1980s and are suitable for the more chunky type of pony with the conformation of a miniature hunter.

Judging is similar to riding pony classes, but judges will be looking for a more workmanlike type.

Classes are not exceeding 122cm for riders up to the age of 11, 122cm-133cm for riders up to 14, 133cm-143cm for riders up to 17 and 143cm-153cm for riders up to the age of 20.

Working hunter pony

These classes are again aimed at the more substantial hunter-type pony, but with the september 2011 Horse Deals 103

Next month in On sale 29 SEPTEMBER PART ONE

e The ultimat feeding guide

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Another chance to Win An Equi-treK horsebox

European breeds in focus

Solving loading problems ●

Futurity and Global Champions Tour reports ●

Unmissable Expert opinion from Clayton Fredericks, Spencer Wilton, Laura Renwick, Robert Walker, Ed Lyall and Shirley Light