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August/September 2016
GRASS!
– The most nutritious and precious commodity. By Michelle Pearce
The Longines Royal International Horse Show Stephanie Dewitt and Julian Portch bring us some of this year’s showstopping sights
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Noble Sir Prize, winning the RIHS 143cm qualifier and championship at BSPS Area 16, ridden by Susie Eddis and owned by Polly Eddis.
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August/September 2016
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Typical feed regi me for a pony in 14hh (400 medium work:kg) Ad lib go od quality hay or ha grazing ylage, pl us Plus two feeds pe r day – ea containi ng ch • 200g To :pSpec C om Feed Bal prehensi ancer (fo ve r condition developm ; ent and topline; pe muscle stamina, rfo ho digestion of quality; behavi rmance; our; • 300g To and utilisation) pChop G rass (a ve soft gras ry palata s chop w ble ith no ad molasse ded s) • Up to 1. 25kg TopS pec Coo Cubes (‘N lConditio on n Cubes, qu -Heating’ Condi tio antity ad justed ac ning condition cording to ) • Additive s if requ ired Support, Calmer or 10:10 Joint Digestive Aid
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Contents
04
PAGE 04..................................... Spotlight on ex-racer Linton. By Michelle Pearce
PAGE 08..................................... The Longines Royal International Horse Show. Images courtesy of Julian Portch and written by Stephanie Dewitt
EDITOR : Linda Warburton Email: info@nagmagmedia.com Tel: 01273 962069 / 07877 263276
PAGE 10..................................... Rachel Dorrell – July was a busy month, including competing in the Crystal Maze remake
PAGE 12.....................................
08
Sunshine Tour Championship 2016 – Rider Profiles and Show Reports
PAGE 14..................................... Grass care in paddocks. By Michelle Pearce
Body Balance – Sammy Clark Opens New Practice in Bilsington
PAGE 18..................................... Riding Holiday to Pakamisa, South Africa with Ranch Rider Fashion for You – This year’s Autumn colours
PAGE 20..................................... South Down Hunt East Pony Club. By Abigail Johnson with photos by kind permission of Craig Payne
FEATURE WRITER : Michelle Pearce 07803 587278 Email: michelle@nagmagmagazine.com ADVERTISING SALES : Email: info@nagmagmedia.com Tel: 01273 842568 / 07979 007300 CREATIVE DIRECTOR : Shirley Tynan 01273 842568 Email: studio@nagmagmedia.com
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PAGE 22..................................... South East’s RDA Carriage Drivers compete in summer show
PAGE 25..................................... Raife Tansey – This month’s blog
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FRONT COVER : Billy Twomey wins the Longines King George V Gold Cup, Hickstead. © Julian Portch
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August/September 2016 NagMag ❘ 03
By Michelle Pearce
❘ Re-educating Racehorses
RoR Spotlight on a rising star
I
LINTON
t seems such a friendly world, this RoR. My forays to the ringside and my on-line travels have put me in touch with so many people who are as fascinated by
Jody Sole of JS Equestrian with his latest RoR hopeful and yard favourite Linton
Jody Sole
ex-racehorses as I am. It is an arena happily co-habited by dedicated experts and amateurs alike, where information is shared and support given behind the scenes of what can also be a highly competitive world. This month we are focusing on a rising star in the world of ex-racers – Linton, a horse who came off the track at the end of 2015 after a successful international racing career, and who is now, six months into his re-training programme, in the hugely capable hands of Jody Sole.
Linton Racing History
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Linton
Based in Shipley, West Sussex, Jody, of JS Equestrian, is an amateur jockey, trainer, producer and ROR conformation and ride judge. Jody has a special affinity with ex-race horses, having ridden over the Grand National fences twice himself. Jody has been known to ride a dressage test in the morning and over race fences in the afternoon, but this autumn he is firmly swopping his racing colours for tweed and bowler hat, when he has a ride on a Welsh owned and produced Working Hunter at HOYs.
Linton is a 9-year-old Australian-bred thoroughbred by Galileo. He has raced all over the world, including Australia, Hong Kong, Dubai and the UK, winning seven races and amassing over £1.3 million in prize money. His biggest individual win was the Stradbroke, the richest and most celebrated race of the annual Brisbane Winter Calendar. Linton’s incredible rail-hugging run from the back of the field to clinch the coveted £653k prize money is breath-taking to watch and can be seen in a loving (if long!) tribute from his racing-day groom https://vimeo. com/68459715. Linton last raced early in 2015.
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August/September 2016 NagMag ❘ 05
Re-educating racehorses ❘ By Michelle Pearce Linton is schooling well on the flat
Jody took Linton on when his owner died, leaving the horse stranded in UK quarantine awaiting his return to Australia. Taken by his beauty and his outstanding track record Jody began the re-training process, and says that Linton has adapted very well to his new life. “He loves his work”, Jody’s wife, Abi, tells us, “loves his jumping even more. Jody and I are very excited for his future. The plan is to take things slowly with local events and really go out there next year. He is going to do a bit of everything we think because he is so adaptable. “He has immense presence and you feel his greatness when you get on him. We don’t allow anyone else to ride him as he is very special, so Jody rides him 99 per cent of the time and I occasionally hack him out. “Linton is a lovely character to match his awesome career. A real yard favourite!” Linton is still in the early stages of re-training. He is quick to learn, but as anyone who has re-trained a racehorse will know, it is a journey which requires repetition, variety, time, patience and love. Linton is still learning to contain his enthusiasm for jumping and to lunge properly, but his canter transitions are becoming a little less exciting and Jody and Abi feel very positive about his future prospects. As well as bringing us their potential, ex-racehorses, like all horses, also bring us their individual challenges. Linton, with his bags of talent and enviable beauty, is no exception. He is rather accident prone, tends to loose shoes and can be tricky when it comes to balancing weight-gain with performance “We stuffed him full of food when we first got him,” Abi told me, “but it was too calorific so we cut it back. Then he went the other way and wasn’t putting weight
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on. Luckily my sister is the senior nutritionist for Saracens, so after a bit if Bio.Bloom he is on a great diet now of ReLeve and Equi-Jewel and looking fab! He is slowly building muscle but he is a big horse so has a long way still to go.” Asked for his top tips for re-training a racehorse, Jody reiterates the importance of feeding them correctly, and for “allow[ing] the ‘forward’ to happen; don’t take them off the track and then shorten them so much that they don’t go anywhere and turn themselves inside out. Seek help and advice from a professional. Take your time. It won’t happen over-night.” My ex-racer Zuwaar is out eating grass in the field with his buddy Bally at the moment. He’s a little dusty and his mane needs pulling. He lost a shoe out hacking last week and so is sporting a lovely orange wrap until the farrier comes tomorrow. He’s filling out but his neck is still rather scrawny. Even though the physio came last month I wonder if his back is ok. I pinged off mid-air over a jump last week; I’m wondering if my back is ok as well. The show calendar is empty until some hunter trials in September and then we’ve got a ridden ex-racehorse class at The Sunshine Tour, which we qualified for only by chance of a very small field (not telling you quite how small!). Oh well. It will be good to give Zuwaar the experience of a big busy showground, I suppose. And at least I can say I’ve ridden on the hallowed turf of Hickstead…well surface…. For inspiration and guidance I’m reading Fred Cook and Rowena Jane-Simmonds book “Re-educating Racehorses” and whilst its full of amazing advice, I am also slightly over-whelmed. Still so much to learn! Yes, as Jody says, it takes time to re-train a racehorse, and sometimes,
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By Michelle Pearce for the amateur like me, there seem to be more questions than answers. That’s when we need some help, perhaps, and need to pluck up the courage to show our amateur beasts and our amateur selves to the professionals and get some good, sound, friendly advice on how best to reeducate these wonderful horses. Yes, I think I’ll message Jody. Tomorrow…maybe…. September/October issue of NagMag: “What’s in that beautiful head of yours, Racehorse? ” – an exploration into what makes these very special horses tick, including interviews and advice from jockeys, trainers, riding instructors, re-homing charities, professional riders and loving owners and loaners. Sign up to the newsletter on www. nagmagmagazine.com/ so you don’t miss out…. NM
❘ Re-educating racehorses HELPFUL LINKS Loving (long!) video of Linton winning the Stradbroke in 2013, and other clips from his racing career https://vimeo.com/68459715 Linton enjoying his flatwork with Jody Sole, at J.S Equestrian – https://vimeo.com/178714290 Jody Sole facebook – JS Equestrian or website. http://www.jsequestrian.com/ Suggested reading for those re-training a racehorse or thinking about working with one. Re-educating Racehorses – A life after racing – Fred Cook & Rowena Jane Simmonds https://www.britishhorse.com/products/reeducating-racehorses---a-life-after-racing.html
CONTACT DETAILS Look out for updates from Jody and Linton in future issues of NagMag and take a look at the videos of Linton in action. In the meantime, Jody welcomes your questions via his facebook page or website – see links above. Linton loving his jumping
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August/September 2016 NagMag ❘ 07
RIHS 2016 ❘ Images courtesy of Julian Portch
A Good Week For Ireland! The Longines Royal International Horse Show, 27th – 31st July 2016
I
By Stephanie Dewitt
reland’s Billy Twomey triumphed with his fourth win of the week when he lifted the magnificent King George V Trophy. Riding his 10 year-old chestnut mare Lizziemary and benefitting from being the last of thirteen horses in the jump-off, Billy posted the fastest clear round in an incredible 39.46 seconds. The leading rider at the Dublin Horse Show last week, Billy also took the honours in the Bunn Leisure Salver on Diaghilev and both the Bunn Leisure Vase and the British Speed Classic with Thomas, beating Ben Maher and Aristo Z in the latter by a mere one hundredth of a second! Fellow Irishman David Simpson riding his own Chessy 17 won the Templant Events Queen Elizabeth II Cup, beating Holly Smith (nee Gillott - she got married after the Derby meeting) and Lammy Beach by 2 seconds. “I have to keep winning to pay for my wedding in August!” joked David. Meanwhile, future sister-in-law Nicole Pavitt, having sat with her injured foot in a bucket of ice to reduce the swelling in order to get her boot on, took the honours in the Bunn Leisure International Stakes with the handsome 14 year-old chestnut gelding Victor Blue. Elizabeth Power, also from Ireland with Doonaveeragh O One, was delighted to be the bride this year instead of the bridesmaid, leaving all the poles up and bettering last year’s time by nearly three seconds in the Amlin Plus Eventers Challenge. Crawley-based Yasmin Pinchen and her mother Nancy’s Van de Vivaldi had their first international win at Hickstead, gaining
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David Simpson – QEII Cup
Nicole Pavitt – Bunn Leisure International Stakes
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Images courtesy of Julian Portch ❘
RIHS 2016
maximum points in the fastest time of 53.61 in the Royal International Accumulator. However, Yasmin announced that she is 13 weeks pregnant so her horses will have a break while she is on maternity leave! Germany easily won the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, only incurring four faults, and Ludger Beerbaum on Chiara 222, their fourth team member, didn’t have to jump at all! For the second year running the BHS Supreme Ridden Horse Championship went to Jayne Ross and the lightweight hunter Time 2 Reflect, while the Underwood Supreme Ridden Pony Championship was won by Golden Tasset ridden by Olivia Bowen who has been gaining work experience with Jayne this year. “Olivia’s pretty clued up!” said Jayne, who insisted she had no influence whatsoever on Olivia’s performance! NM Yasmin Pinchen – Royal International Accumulator Olivia Bowen – Underwood Supreme Ridden Pony
Jayne Ross – BHS Supreme Ridden Horse
Germany wins FEI Nations Cup
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August/September 2016 NagMag ❘ 09
All the Gear and Some Idea ❘ By Rachel Dorrell
“A trip to the on-site doctor saw me with a swollen right leg, foot and ankle” Rachel is enjoiying her summer but is looking forward to a well deserved holiday It’s been a busy few weeks and it’s not slowing down! Dave and I had qualified for Pachesham EC Dressage Festival held at the beginning of July. Super pleased with
Winning Bega Lighting Trophy
our placings in the Intro (2nd) and Prelim (7th). We have been working really hard with Debbie Moore – Classical Dressage trainer to improve our flatwork. I also managed to have a rare day off from horses when I headed to compete in the Crystal Maze remake in London with a of group friends. As I child I grew up wishing I could participate on this game show and the remake did not disappoint especially getting our chance to be in the dome at the end. Dave put in two super clear rounds as part of the Bookham RC SJ Team in the L&SE SJ qualifier. The team also qualified for the finals due in September. On the 14th July, Dave and I headed to LMEQ for the RoR South East Camp. We had a biomechanics lesson which was really interesting, flatwork, Show jumping
© Stud Photography
© Gary Horner
Dave and I at RoR Camp
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and XC lessons. Jump instructor TinTin Van Rijckevorsel, Belgium International Eventer was there to push my boundaries and gave us both a huge confidence boost. We jumped some great combinations XC however I ended the session landing in the water complex! (Head to my fb page for the video!) We were both fine and definitely found the funny side of it. There were lots of informative talks throughout the camp and it kicked off with a lovely evening at Epsom Racecourse. Thank you to SE Coordinator Pippa Boyle for arranging the weekend. July 24th we headed to Bookham RC for their SJ event including members cups. Dave won the 80cm and came away with the gorgeous Bega Lighting Trophy and my super special boy Buckaroo Bob won the 100cm class. Dave and I were due for an exciting day as part of the RMA Sandhurst Hunt Relay Team and in the RoR Challenge class at the New Forest & Hampshire Show however it
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By Rachel Dorrell
❘ All the Gear and Some Idea
wasn’t to be when we were involved in an accident on route to the warm up. A very inconsiderate light trade vehicle driver chose to trot at us, spooking Dave enough for him to rear vertically and fall over backwards onto me. A trip to the on-site doctor saw me with a swollen right leg, foot and ankle and no choice but to withdraw from competition. Thankfully Dave walked away unscathed. Tuesday’s fall also meant I had no choice but to pull out Kelly Smith & Buckaroo Bob of Bookham RC SJ Teams due at Hickstead on the Sunday. I still went along to cheer on our teams and especially National Championships next week. Dave and I are due to Kelly, our team manager who I had loaned Bob to for her head up there for the Club and RoR League Finals. NM to jump. They both jumped a cracking round to go clear in the 95cm class. CONTACT DETAILS I am now sat here on holiday with my horse’s AeroChill To follow my Equestrian highs and lows, please find me on FB at ‘Rachel Dorrell – All the gear Leg wrap from Treehouse Sporting Colours on in the hope and some idea’ it will aid my recovery in time for the British Show jumping Crystal Maze
© Crystal Maze
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August/September 2016 NagMag ❘ 11
Sunshine Tour 2016 ❘ Rider Profiles The heat from the Sunshine Tour is definitely hitting us, it’s so very nearly here!
The Sunshine Has Arrived!
T
here’s a buzz in the air and many people are looking forward to the stay-away show at the world famous All England Showground Hickstead, competitors up and down the country have been qualifying for their chance to compete at the prestigious venue. From
Katie Hale
small children on their little ponies right up to maxi cobs
and aspiring show jumpers and dressage riders, there are classes to suit in all disciplines; dressage, showing, eventers and show jumping. Each and every one of these competitors are vying for the unique yellow Sunshine Tour rosettes, sashes and prizes galore. The Sunshine Tour is certainly the unaffiliated Championship to be at and these riders know it!
Katie Hale with Arnie Prelim Dressage at Great Bookham Equestrian Centre, Surrey 60cm Show Jumping at Felbridge Showground, Sussex
Amber Cardozo
Katie and mum, Liz, are very excited to be taking their horse, Arnie, to the Championships but certainly weren’t expecting such hurdles to overcome when they first acquired young Arnie. However, over the years they have slowly been improving and qualified for the Sunshine Tour Championships in dressage and show jumping and also, much to their surprise, made a startling discovery… “We have owned Arnie since he was a yearling and it’s been a rollercoaster ride. When he was two years old Arnie had grass sickness although after a lot of care he was one of the lucky ones and made a good recovery. He was then broken but it became clear that he wasn’t quite right and after a while he became to be lame to ride. After a long battle involving investigating every possible avenue we found out he is allergic to grass. Not ideal for a horse! So he is a very green 10-year-old yet has a lot of potential, so I’m looking forward to showcasing him at the champs. Every time Arnie goes out it is a bonus for us so we are very excited.”
Amber Cardozo with Poynstown Sammy 65cm and 75cm Show Jumping at Bury Farm Equestrian Village, Buckinghamshire
Evie Squires
Amber is incredibly pleased with her very new horse, Sammy. She has managed to take him to several shows in a very short space of time and is super happy to have qualified for the Championships, she is also excited at the prospect of taking him to his first ever stay away show. It is quite obvious that there are great things to come from this brand new partnership and where better to start than at the Sunshine Tour! “I’ve only had Poynstown Sammy (Sammy to his friends) 6 weeks and already I love him to pieces. I’ve brought him to produce he’s rising 6 and had only done the basics. I qualified for the Sunshine Tour at Bury farm and this was only his fourth show so I was over the moon at how far he has come in such little time. Me and Sammy can’t wait for the finals at Hickstead as this will be his first stay away show.”
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Evie Squires with Shani Lead Rein Showing at Goring & District Riding Club, Sussex Evie has been riding Shani since the beginning of this year. Shani is a 12-year-old 12h pony who Evie loans from Helen Morris, she is worth her weight in gold as mum Lara describes her as a wonderful confidence giver. So far this year Evie has entered 2 lead rein shows, in her first show she came 2nd and in her second show she did even better by winning the class. Lara says, “She is really excited to go to a show at Hickstead and is busy practising”.
August/September 2016
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Violet Moffat
Rider Profiles
❘ Sunshine Tour 2016
Violet Moffat with Penual Jorgie Girl Junior Handler and Delightfully Dapper at Hampshire Rural Riding Club
Grace Hughes with Micky Mouse 30cm Show Jumping at Cow City Livery, Berkshire Grace is nine years old and this will be her third year at Sunshine Tour. She competed in 2014 and 2015 on her old pony Arthur, this year she will bring her new pony Micky, “We got Micky in May and didn’t plan on doing too much this year with him as he is very different to her previous pony and very nervous so they needed to bond, they very much took us by surprise over the last few months the competition at Cow city was their first competition together so to come home with two 1st’s and a 6th was a huge achievement and not only that, they qualified for Sunshine Tour to make it Grace’s third year going”. Grace has been riding since the young age of three and has had the passion for riding ever since she is a keen member of Staff collage and Sandhurst Pony Club and can’t wait to start competing Micky more. They have come a very long way in a very short space of time thanks to Graces hard work and dedication and not forgetting Mickey’s willingness to trust her.
Hannah Dart
Grace Hughes
When 9-year-old Violet competed at Hampshire Rural Riding Club with her 11.3hh 7-year-old pony, Jorgie, she and her mother, Emma, were not expecting to come home with quite so many rosettes. She came 2nd in the fancy dress, 3rd in junior handler and stunning Jorgie ended up using her good looks to go on and win prettiest mare. Emma says that Violet is very excited about qualifying for the Sunshine Tour Championships. When Violet and Welsh Section A, Jorgie, are not busy out and about trying to qualify they can be found spending time together hacking out, doing flatwork, attending mounted games rallies and enjoying their time at Hampshire Hunt Pony Club.
Hannah Dart with Juniper Thistle Delightfully Dapper showing at Burstow Park Summer Show, Surrey A very happy 19-year-old Hannah from West Sussex took her pony Juniper Thistle to their first show after only having had her for around a month. The yearling filly took everyone by surprise as she won her class! A month ago the little filly had no contact with humans before and Hannah described her as ‘completely feral’, clearly the hard work and patience is paying off and there is obviously great things to come from this dedicated pair.
Sunshine Tour UK are sponsored by: • Horse Monkey • Beewear • SBM Photographic • Saracen Horse Feeds • • The Showing Register • Team Holder Showing • Maxima Equestrian • • Equisupplies • Rokers Tack Shop • Mayes & Scrine Equine Veterinary Practice • CONTACT DETAILS
To find out more about the championships see www.sunshinetour.co.uk where you can find out how to take part in qualifying competitions, see the list of qualifying venues and dates, or apply for a personal qualifier card to use anywhere, and you can find us on Facebook at Sunshine Tour UK. See you soon!
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August/September 2016 NagMag ❘ 13
Grass care in paddocks ❘ By Michelle Pearce
PART 3
Forage for Free The third in the five-part series by Michelle Pearce – Good grass mixes for horses and basic grass care in paddocks
A
lthough I was supposed to be writing about ‘Pesky Problems’ this month, I felt that August surely was the time to give a little space to that most nutritious and precious commodity to horse-owners – GRASS! Now the last huge ragwort plants have been pulled (for this year at least), and as summer bakes the ground hard, a new phenomenon is appearing in my rather wild and lovely paddock – bare earth.
Heavily grazed paddock in need of a rest
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August/September 2016
Since the horses arrived at home four months ago, they have had a lovely time, nose to the ground grazing day and night. They have also found their tracks, waited by the gate, made latrines, eaten down their lawns, turned their noses up at the rough. My little slice of heaven is starting to look like a proper paddock, yes, scruffy. We haven’t wintered here yet, but my years of doing horses tells me one thing - bare baked earth in summer means great sloshy oceans of mud in winter. It’s time to act whilst the weather is still on my side and the September flush of grass yet to come, to ensure I have the best possible grazing for my horses this winter and in the year ahead. The pasture and soil will be best protected, if grass can be maintained at a length of 5-12 cm year round, with 8cm plus of grass height – the denser the better – on winter paddocks. So, much to the horses’ dismay, the electric tape has gone up to rest the
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By Michelle Pearce ❘ Grass care in paddocks
Grass Types Suitable For Horses COCKSFOOT (Dactylis glomerata) Quite drought resistant and productive. Can become dominant in fertile conditions. Horses are happy to graze it, especially in winter, but prefer it young.
Collecting grass seeds
ROUGH AND SMOOTHSTALKED MEADOW GRASS (Poa trivialis) Stands up well to grazing, especially on heavy soils, and is palatable.
COMMON BENT (Agrostis capillaries) A good grass, not affected by latrines. CREEPING BENT (Agrostis stolonifera) Tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Favoured by horses, and productive in conditions of low nitrogen.
SHEEP’S FESCUE (Festuca ovina) Nutritious but lowyielding. Withstands heavy grazing, drought resistant and prefers poor soils.
CRESTED DOGTAIL (Cynosurus cristatus) Favoured by horses and a good winter grass. One of the most productive grasses where nitrogen is not applied.
TIMOTHY, CATSTAIL (Phleum pratense and Phleum bertolonii) A good grass on moist, heavy land and persists through winter. Leafy and high yielding, even with lack of nitrogen.
MEADOW FESCUE (Festuca pratensis) Often included in conservation and horse seed mixes. May be favoured by horses. top of the field which they have grazed, in places, well below the recommended minimum of 2.5cm in height. They have been evicted to the bottom paddock – what we like to call the meadow-lands – a place of long seeded grasses, butterflies, leafy shade and thistles. It’s a picture. Although far from perfect the bottom of the field offers, in many ways, better grazing, with its wide variety of naturally seeded grasses, flowers and herbs. Moving the horses now allows us to rest, tidy up and re-seed the top, in the hope that with a few hearty summer showers, our specialist horse grass mix gets sprouting and established before the season changes.
RED FESCUE (Festuca rubra) The native variety is one of the most palatable grasses to horses. One of the most productive grasses where no nitrogen is used. Very tolerant grass
Taken from Managing Grass for Horses: The Responsible Owner’s Guide by Elizabeth O’Beirne Ranelagh
Types of grass mix to use Horses are natural foragers who graze for between 16-18 hours per day, and who need a highfibre, easily digestible diet, ideally sourced from a range of grasses over a wide area of land. They tend to eat different grasses, herbs and hedgerow plants at different times of the year, and whilst few of us can offer endless acres for them to roam and forage, we can do our best to meet their nutritional needs by giving them access to a wide range of grass types in their field. Suitable grasses and plants for
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horses, include timothy, crested dogstail, meadow foxtail, cocksfoot, various fescues, trefoils, plantains and yarrow – what we would think of as an old-fashioned meadow. Unfortunately over the past 50 years meadows have disappeared and rye grass has become the dominant British grass species. It is generally considered to be too rich for most horse, often requires the use of inorganic fertilizers and tends to out-compete the broader spectrum of grass types which constitute a horses’ optimum diet.
August/September 2016 NagMag ❘ 15
Grass care in paddocks ❘ By Michelle Pearce
Other Forage Plants For Horses
Taken from Managing Grass for Horses: The Responsible Owner’s Guide by Elizabeth O’Beirne Ranelagh
BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL (Lotus corniculatus) Liked by horses. BLACK MEDICK, yellow trefoil (Medicago lupulina) Nutritious, grows freely on most soils. RIBWORT PLANTAIN (Plantago lanceolata) Common in grasslands , some horses will seek it out. YARROW (Achillea millefolium) Liked by horses. Deep rooting and full of minerals.
Hay meadow in high summer
Next year we are planning to have a vegetable garden. At the moment it is an eight-foot high mass of brambles. Nicely rabbit fenced but impenetrable even by my husband armed with strimmer and his most ferocious blade. It will have to wait until the diggers come this autumn to do groundworks for our stables and arena (see future issue). In the meantime, I am looking forward to the blackberries. They are only hard green fists at the moment, but there is the odd blush of red on some, reminding me that autumn is not far away. Seduced by images of wellmanured veg growing in tidy rows, and armed again with my trusty green barrow, I set off across the field bagging up the fine and fertile tilth of my mole hills, giving a hasty rake and throwing down my horse grass mix. Why bag up the mole hills? Seed compost. First step to our dream of food for free. And food for free for horses, is what good grassland is. A wonderful, diverse natural fodder which needs only a little tlc from us to perform its best year round. The smell of hay drying in the sun in the field Collecting grass next to my house, is glorious. It is, to me, the epitome seeds in high of high-summer. But it also reminds me of stuffing summer haynets with freezing fingers, the agony of a handful of thistles, the hand in pocket again, as fields slide into mud and these lovely green fields and high blue skies become 4. Planning your dreams – how to go about getting a memory, to fork out for yet more hay. stables and arenas on your land Oh yes, you heard it here first, call 5. T he Muck issue – year-round paddock maintenance me a pessimist if you must, the season and the question of sheep has turned, autumn is around the corner, winter is coming. NM
Future articles in the Field of Dreams series:
16 ❘ NagMag
August/September 2016
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Sammy Clark at Body Balance
Molash Based Physio Opens New Practice in Bilsington WORDS and IMAGES : Chris Lawson Marylebone Osteopathic School and regularly makes use of strapping and taping to enhance her treatment skills. With a constant thirst for knowledge and the use of alternative therapies, Sammy has recently qualified in medical acupuncture, a treatment she believes helps alleviate not just everyday muscle strains and
F
or sports people and armchair pundits alike, there can never be too many qualified physiotherapists to ease the aches and pains of every day stress and tensions. Molash based Sammy Clark has been easing people’s aches and pains since qualifying initially in Swedish massage in 2007 and recently opened a practice of her own at St. Augustine’s Priory, Bilsington, just ten minutes from Junction 10 of the M20. A further qualification in sports massage in 2011, prompted a move to Bristol where she studied with an NHS team who established courses with Physio Impulse, the leading West Country practise specialising in chiropractic, podiatry and physiotherapy techniques. She has undertaken extensive studies to identify and treat muscular skeletal issues, trained in manipulation at the
pains, but can be used as part of regular treatments for manifestations of MS, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalga. “I’ve always strived to adopt an adaptable and flexible approach to injuries” says Sammy. “ Utilising various treatments helps focus on the whole body and ensures problems are managed in such a way that other issues don’t arise in consequence.” With a growing list of clients including athletes and more than a few horse riders, Sammy’s new practice at Bilsington Priory looks sure to be popular. NM
CONTACT DETAILS Sammy Clark at Body Balance – Sports Massage, Medical Accupuncture and Rehabilitation Tel : 07783 700516
HORSES WANTED FOR WORKING LIVERY We are looking for horses 15hh and over to join our happy team helping train students towards professional qualitifications. Hadlow College’s superb facilities include: • 30m x 60m & 20m x 60m Indoor Arenas • Large Outdoor Arena • Well Kept Stables • Good Quality Turnout • Cross Country Course • Off-Road Hacking Our friendly qualified staff offer excellent standards of care and supervision. Working livery costs £40/week during College term time. Owners are free to ride any weekday after 5pm and at weekends.
For more information call 01732 853257 Hadlow College, Tonbridge Road, Hadlow, Kent, TN11 0AL.
Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com
August/September 2016 NagMag ❘ 17
Riding Holidays with Ranch Rider
It’s Time To Saddle Up In South Africa
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
HAMPTON SPONSORED RIDE Registered Charity 1086848
BROOMFIELDS, HAMPTON ESTATE, FULBROOK LANE, ELSTEAD, SURREY GU8 6LG
SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER In aid of local charities An exceptional cross-country course over 8 miles of private woodland, farmland and commons. There are 40 plus optional jumps (1’6”/2’6”/3’0”) including other fences for the bolder horse and rider. Schedules: www.hamptonsr.org or www.ridingdiary.co.uk SAE: Mrs T Robinson, 18 Homemead, Forest Road, Denmead, Hants P07 6YD OR: Email hamptonriders@yahoo.com
18 ❘ NagMag
August/September 2016
S
outh Africa is one of the most affordable riding holiday destinations, with sterling up against the rand by over 12% since last year. In fact, there has never been a better time to book an exotic horseback adventure in the Rainbow Nation – a six night stay at the Pakamisa luxury lodge and private game reserve priced from only £895pp (two sharing) including accommodation, meals, riding safari and game drives, use of facilities and taxes. Located in KwaZulu-Natal province, the Pakamisa is a popular haunt for horse riding enthusiasts. The original breeding stock of Arab horses were born and bred in Andalusia by Isabella von Stepski, renowned internationally as an Arabian expert. The cooler winter months from May through October allow for longer rides across the open savannah, leopard, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck and more often encountered en route. Off the trail, visit a zulu family – the Zulu nation celebrating their bicentennial this year. NM
CONTACT DETAILS For more information call Ranch Rider on 01509 618 811 or visit ranchrider.com
For Advertising Opportunities visit www.NagMagMagazine.com
Fashion for You Equit’ M E.L Ladies Quilted Jacket. Visit www.equestrian.com
£54.99 Whale Of A Time Clothing Featuring Minkie Hoodie £29.99 and Fin Jumper £32.99. Visit www. whaleofatimeclothing.com
Equi-Theme Verona Breeches, Visit: www.equi-theme.com. Children’s sizes available 12 to 16 years around £55.90 and ladies 34 to 42 around £63.90
Designer dog emporium, Pink Whiskers has just added a new line of door-stops to their collection. Size: 7” x 7”. Visit www.pinkwhiskers.co.uk
Rrp: £20.00
The Moons Yorkshire Tweed Coat in ‘Autumn’. Visit www. pinkwhiskers.co.uk
Rrp: £30.00
© David Miller
New colours for Autumn from Golly Galoshes. Prices start from £26.99 per pair Miniature Pony through to £35.99 for horse sizing. Visit www. gollygaloshes.com
Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com
August/September 2016 NagMag ❘ 19
South Down Hunt East Pony Club ❘ By Abigail Johnson Junior rider Abigail Johnson writes up the fabulous – if wet! – Baldocks One Day Event, organised by the SDHE Pony Club and kindly hosted by Mick Harvey at Wivelsden Farm, Wivelsfield, East Sussex.
Baldocks One Day Event
O
n the 10th of July 2016, the South Down Hunt East Branch of the Pony Club held their
second One Day Event of the year. The day started off with a very wet 60cm class, yet the rain didn’t put anyone off! Dressage was first and all the riders on the little ponies were looking extremely cute in all their plaits. Although, the rain made the ground a bit slippery and this meant that the showjumping was proving to be tough. Throughout the cross country a few people were catching up to each other and making it a pairs class after the water as some of the ponies were not too keen on getting their feet wet! The rain persisted on through the 70cm class, which is also the most popular class of all but the competitors weren’t giving up, along with the helpers. So, the class continued and the rain was not wearing off, which meant the showjumping was having the same issues as before, yet, the riders were not having it and got their horses over the jumps; all of them leaving with a smile. Then, the heavens decided to open up some more on the cross country and the rain was slightly heavier, but this was now all of the horses’ favourite phase and they were not going to stop because of some pesky rain, and so they marched on, the majority of them getting clear rounds. For the 80cm class, the rain was on and off but making everyone very wet. The class was steady going, a few having poles down but the bigger jumps meant bigger horses with plenty of scope. Although, towards the end of the class the rain stopped and the ground dried up, making the jumps easier and now the only worry for the riders was the scary fillers. As the class was bigger now, it meant that the cross country was longer and proving to be more difficult, one of the trickier jumps being a big trakhener in the back field. The day concluded with the 90cm which definitely wasn’t the busiest of the day! The jumps were certainly big now in the showjumping and the cross country. All of the horses were popping over the showjumps as if they were trotting poles yet the cross country was tough, a few tricky combinations popping up out of nowhere but to the horses, they were too easy. The helpers were all a bit soggy now but they weren’t
20 ❘ NagMag
August/September 2016
going home just yet and waited until the end of the class and all helped to put all the jumps away for another day. South Down Hunt East put a lot of effort into all their events and it definitely shows! Thank you to all the volunteers for the event because without you we wouldn’t be able to run these events without you.
RESULTS BRANCH CLASS RIDER WKSPPC 1A
HORSE
Lily-May Parker Fairy
PLACE 1st
C&HPC 1B Liberty Smith
Tetcott 1st Sunshine
N/A 1C Lia Evans
Whitehawk 1st Whistler
WKSPC
1T ( TEAMS )
N/A
2A
Allison Ingram
N/A
2B
Charlotte Purdie Betts
1st
N/A
2C
Scarlet Barwell Harry
1st
N/A 2D Sophia Grey MSPC
3C
Uphill Dylan 1st Thomas
4C
Unbelievable 1st Discovery 1st
Vivienne Ridley Wilma
N/A 3D Emma Grant N/A
1st
2T ( TEAMS )
N/A 3B Fiona Lacey N/A
Leo
Kelly Jones
1st
Loughdavan 1st Lady Sir Russel
1st
CONTACT DETAILS Photos are by kind permission of Craig Payne – to see more or to order please visit his website http://www.craigpayne.co.uk. SDHE pony club run a variety of competitions throughout the year, most of which are open to non-pony club members – adults included! To find out more please go to their website www.branches.pcuk. org/southdowneast
For Advertising Opportunities visit www.NagMagMagazine.com
By Abigail Johnson
❘ South Down Hunt East Pony Club
Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com
August/September 2016 NagMag ❘ 21
Riding for the Disabled’s South East Region RDA carriage drivers from across the south east compete in summer show with exciting results from a great turnout.
“Freedom” for Disabled Carriage Drivers
C
arriage Drivers from across the Riding for the Disabled’s South East Region were out in force this week (26 July, 2015) at its annual show at Felbridge Show Ground, East Grinstead drawing competitors across Surrey, Sussex and Kent who went head to head in the three disciplines of dressage, driving through a course of cones and showing. The day started with Sue Belton from Cobbes Meadow RDA, Canterbury winning the Condition and Turnout with Jacko, while Linda Clark from Kipling County (Stonegate, East Sussex) won the Assisted Whip Class driving Smokey. David Botting driving Maysie of Stella Hancock RDA (Worplesdon, Surrey) was brought in first for the Novice Whip and the showing classes ended with the Open which
was won by Pat Hammond, driving Charlie from Cobbes Meadow. Prizes for the Showing were presented by David Viner, Master Wheelwright of the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights who were the day’s sponsors. “As wheelwrights we’re interested in all things to do with mobility - and carriage driving definitely gives a freedom to these drivers who might not always feel it” he said. “Today has been very humbling and I’ve been so impressed by what these competitors have been able to achieve!” In the dressage, the day went to Heron’s Ghyll RDA (Whitesmith, East Sussex) with Vianne Carr driving Buttons to win the Novice and Tracey Spencer driving Nutmeg Richard Gilbert lines Charlie from Cobbes Meadow up for the cones
22 ❘ NagMag
August/September 2016
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Riding for the Disabled’s South East Region winning the Open. Josie Cyster driving Alan from Kipling County won the Novice Cones, while there was great excitement in the finish of the Open cones which saw Heron’s Ghyll RDA enjoy a clean sweep. With only one second separating first and second and two seconds separating second and third, Karen Tritton won with Buttons, closely followed by Tracey Spencer again with Nutmeg and Brenda Longley with Lottie. Prizes for the dressage and cones were presented by Susan Jamieson, actress (New Tricks, Grandpa in my Pocket, Midsomer Murders, When the Boat Comes In), author and RDA enthusiast. Maysie from Stella Hancock RDA was judged as the day’s most ‘Workmanlike’ horse and won a special trophy that was donated by the Heron’s Ghyll group in memory of Gillian Maitland. Unsurprisingly given their dressage and cones success, Heron’s Ghyll won the shield for the group winning most points. “My thanks have to go to the wonderful work of the teams behind the competitors, who are tireless in their time and support as well as our sponsors, The Worshipful Society of Wheelwrights” said the Show’s organiser, Carol Porter. NM
Karen Tritton and Buttons of Heron’s Ghyll on their way to win the Open Cones
CONTACT DETAILS For more information, please contact Joanna Sale on 07717 425694 or email joannasale@ btinternet.com David Viner presents first to Sue Belton and Jacko of Cobbes Meadow for Condition and Turnout
Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com
August/September 2016 NagMag ❘ 23
Showtime FORTHCOMING EQUESTRIAN EVENTS IN YOUR AREA – MAY 2016 If you have some news about forthcoming horse events then email us with your stories and photos. Also, if you would like to promote your event in the magazine or on our website please email details to: info@NagMagMedia.com or alternatively call us on 01273 960 069
Black Horse Shows
Golden Cross Equestrian Centre
n www.blackhorse1.co.uk
n www.goldencrossec.co.uk
Schedules for local showjumping shows in Kent.
Brendon Pyecombe
n www.brendonpyecombe.co.uk
Centre in Pyecombe, Sussex, holding affiliated and unaffiliated showjumping events.
BSJA Area 46
Showjumping shows, training and livery near Hailsham, East Sussex.
Hickstead – All England Jumping Course
n www.hickstead.co.uk
Showjumping, polo and weddings in West Sussex.
Honnington Equestrian Centre
n www.bsja-area46.co.uk
Area 46 showjumping website for BSJA members in Sussex.
Colette’s Horse and Dog Shows
n www.honnington.com
Riding school, liveries and showjumping in Southborough, Kent.
Nelson Park Riding Centre
n www.cbequine.co.uk
n www.ridinglessonsthanet.co.uk
Horse and dog shows in Kent and Sussex.
Training and showjumping events near Birchington, Kent.
Coomblands Equestrian
n www.coombelands-equestrian.co.uk A cross-country schooling course open from January to November.
Crockstead Equestrian Centre
Petley Wood Equestrian Centre
n petleywoodequestrian.co.uk/
Located in the heart of the beautiful east sussex countryside near battle and hastings.
Plumpton College
n www.crocksteadec.co.uk
A new Cross Country Course designed and built by Scott Brickell.
Duckhurst Farm Show Centre
n www.plumpton.ac.uk/
The College, in Plumpton East Sussex, specialises in land-based courses and hosts regular events.
Sands Farm Equitation Centre
n www.duckhurst.com
BSJA show jumping centre in Staplehurst, Kent.
Eaglesfield Equestrian Centre
n www.sandsfarmec.co.uk
Events and liveries at Horsham in West Sussex.
Wellington Riding
n www.eaglesfield.net
Showjumping shows and livery at Ash, near Sevenoaks, Kent.
n www.wellington-riding.co.uk
Set in 300 acres of the Duke of Wellington’s beautiful Hampshire estate
Felbridge Show Centre
WPSportHorses
n www.felbridge.net
n www.wpsporthorses.co.uk
Showjumping events in East Grinstead, Sussex.
24 ❘ NagMag August/September 2016
Training and schooling near Uckfield, East Sussex.
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By Raife Tansey ❘ Raife Tansey: Showjumper
Happy Birthday Raife
This month, Raife chats about turning 21, the Longines Royal International Horse Show and his Hgv fund.
J
uly has been a good month for Team Tansey. We had a great day at Pyecombe taking both horses in the newcomers.
Then we had the Hickstead International. Spyder was placed 7th and 9th, and I was really pleased with him all week. Sienna got off
Unfortunately they both knocked the last fence in the second phase, but both were in a great time. Had they gone clear Spyder would have been 3rd and Sienna 4th.
to a good start, but unfortunately due to an injury sustained while travelling on the second day, we had to pull her out of competing for the rest of the week. We have been a bit unfortunate this month for injuries as my Mum’s horse, Ella also was kicked in the field, but a big thank you to my marvelous sponsor Dawn Stagg from Stagg Cold Laser Therapy for all the treatment she has given these two horses, who are both now sound and back in action. I would also like to thank two of my other sponsors this month, first Minkeys Tweed who paid for our entries for Hickstead and Chillout Horsewear for some lovely new clothing they gave me when we meet up with them at Hickstead. August has got off to a good start as I celebrated my 21st Birthday on the 3rd August, and I would like to thank all my family for their contributions to my Hgv fund, and hope to take my test by the end of the year. So the rest of August will hopefully be full of more competing, more training with Derrick McCoppin and loads of Hgv highway code revision. NM
Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com
CONTACT DETAILS To follow Raife Tansey Showjumper, please find me on FB at www.facebook.com/ RaifetTanseyShowjumper/ August/September 2016 NagMag ❘ 25
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26 ❘ NagMag
July 2016
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