NagMag Magazine July 16 by NagMag Magazine

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July 2016

BATTLING RAGWORT Weed control in paddocks by Michelle Pearce

South of England Show, Ardingly 2016 Stephanie Dewitt and Julian Portch remind us of the highlights of this year’s show

l a n o i t a n r e t n I l a y o R s e n i g n o d L a e e t s k Th c i H , w o h S e s r Ho 16

NEWS

20 26 – 31 July

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Outstanding Results

Noble Sir Prize, winning the RIHS 143cm qualifier and championship at BSPS Area 16, ridden by Susie Eddis and owned by Polly Eddis.

“We were thrilled to win the championship and qualify for the Royal International Horse Show first time out. Noble Sir Prize looks in outstanding condition thanks to his TopSpec feed regime and he is full of energy and yet so calm and rideable for the big tracks. Thank you to all our sponsors and supporters who help us.” Polly Eddis

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Photograph by Real Time Imaging

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Contents

PAGE 04.....................................

SEIB Search for a Star – Farnham rider qualifies for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) 2016

PAGE 06..................................... Wocket Woy & Batch – Jump jockeys Mattie Batchelor & Marc Goldstein at Hickstead

PUBLISHER : ENM Solutions Limited 37b Cuckfield Road, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex BN6 9RW EDITOR : Linda Warburton Email: info@nagmagmedia.com Tel: 01273 962069 / 07877 263276

PAGE 07..................................... Society of Master Saddlers – What to Look for in Your Saddle

PAGE 08..................................... Spotlight on RoR Showing – By Michelle Pearce

ADVERTISING SALES : Email: info@nagmagmedia.com Tel: 01273 962069 / 07877 263276

PAGE 14..................................... South of England Show – Courtesy of Julian Portch and Stephanie Dewitt

CREATIVE DIRECTOR : Shirley Tynan 01273 842568 Email: studio@nagmagmedia.com

PAGE 16..................................... Road to Rio – Meet team GB

PAGE 20..................................... Sunshine Tour Championship 2016 – Rider Profiles and Show Reports

All of the information in this publication, including

PAGE 20..................................... The Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting – Images from Julian Portch and written by Stephanie Dewitt

all images, is copyrighted material of ENM Solutions Limited, except as otherwise indicated. You may not copy, download, republish, distribute, or reproduce any of the information contained in this publication in any form without the prior written consent of ENM Solutions Limited, unless otherwise indicated.

PAGE 26.....................................

The opinions expressed in this magazine, by contributors

PAGE 28.....................................

publisher or editor or NagMag.

Fashion – Equestrian accessories

or advertisers, do not necessarily reflect those of the

Weed control in paddocks – By Michelle Pearce

Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy,

Raife Tansey – This month’s blog

after going to press. You should verify all information

World Horse Welfare News – Tarzan is doing well!

contained in our publication are your sole responsibility.

NagMag cannot accept responsibility for any errors in

PAGE 37.....................................

articles or advertisements or changes to event schedules

PAGE 39.....................................

before relying on it and decisions based on information

PAGE 40..................................... Tried & Tested – British Eventing Ladies Polo Shirt by Rachel Dorrell

SOLUTIONS…

All information correct at time of going to press.

FRONT COVER : William Whitaker on the Derby Bank, Hickstead. © Julian Portch

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July 2016 NagMag ❘ 03

SEIB Search for a Star at HOYS Farnham rider qualifies for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) 2016

Georgie Patrick & Harry Duke

eorgie Patrick, 50, from Farnham, qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) at the SEIB Insurance Broker’s Search for a Star 2016 qualifier held at Stretcholt Equestrian Centre in Somerset,

The SEIB Search for a Star series has been created by SEIB to encourage amateur riders to produce their horses to a high standard in the show ring and giving them the opportunity to compete at the prestigious finals

on 12th June. Georgie placed second in a competitive division aboard Carolyn Elwes’ Harry Duke. Carolyn bought the 9-year-old dappled grey 18 months ago. He had hunted in Ireland and Dorset before coming to Surrey. “He’s very strong, and Carolyn asked me to school him and do some jumping,” explained Georgie, who met

at the Horse of The Year Show (HOYS). Each qualifying competition follows the same format, with classes for Working Hunters, Riding Club Show Horses, Show Hunters, Show Ponies & Show Hunter Ponies, Riding Horse/Hacks and Cobs. “The Search For A Star Championship series is a way to give amateur riders the chance to achieve their dream

Carolyn through the hunting community. “I used to event, but I have two young children, and so I don’t anymore.” Instead, the pair have been focusing on dressage to music and working hunter classes. “I last did working hunter classes 35 years ago!” laughed Georgie. The pair have qualified for the regional dressage to music finals and plan to do more showing. “We did amateur workers at Bath & West, but I was very nervous – this is much nicer!” said a delighted Georgie, who runs her own private yard. “Carolyn will continue to hunt him, while I aim to continue his showing and dressage,” she added.

of riding at The Horse Of The Year Show. The standard increases every year and we are delighted to give so many riders this opportunity”, said Nicolina MacKenzie, Marketing Manager at South Essex Insurance Brokers Georgie will compete at the SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star Championship finals at the Horse of The Year Show, 5th – 9th October 2016, at the Birmingham NEC. NM

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CONTACT DETAILS  More information on the Search for a Star series is available at www.search4astar.org.uk

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Wocket Woy It all started with two professional jump jockeys riding out on wet and cold mornings on the South Downs, messing about in front of the video camera, Wocket Woy & Batch, the internet sensation, was born.

Hello Evwyone!

Gold Cup and notable wins at the Cheltenham Festival. Friends for 12 years, Mattie and Marc begun working together at Sheena West Racing in 2014. Messing about at work on their phones, Mattie loved being in front of the camera and with Marc’s creative ideas and their natural chemistry together, the pair have become household names in the equestrian world. Many of you may have seen Wocket Woy scaring himself witless in the Celebrity Scurry at the Equestrian. com Hickstead Derby this year. NM

CONTACT DETAILS  For more information visit www.wocketwoy.co.uk

he history…. We all know them as Batch and the Pwoducer, but where did it all begin? Jump jockeys Mattie Batchelor & Marc Goldstein both came to riding quite late in life. At 16, Marc or ‘The Pwoducer’ was quite a good footballer and didn’t initially want to follow in the family footsteps of racing. Now one of the top jockeys often seen around local track Plumpton, his notable rides include riding the last ever winner at Folkestone and recently riding over the big fences at Aintree. It was a pony ride on a family holiday to Ireland at aged 15 that got Mattie hooked. A few jumping lessons and many years of experience later and Mattie is a leading name in jump racing with his biggest win in the Hennessey

The Arundel Equine Hospital STUD SERVICES BEVA accredited practice for AI – chilled and frozen semen Many years experience Walk-in service for natural cover Embryo Transfer CEM accredited lab Mares can be boarded and taken in from all over south of England Specialised foal care Stallion sub-fertility assessments 24 hour dedicated stud vet emergency call out and hospital care

GENERAL SERVICES RCVS accredited Tier 3 Hospital Full surgical facilities Bone scan Mobile and hospital based full digital diagnostics On site lab Referrals taken Pre-purchase examinations Sport Horse poor performance investigations

For further information please contact the practice on 01903 883050 or click on www.arundelhorsevets.co.uk

Caring for and about horses

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Society of Master Saddlers

What to Look for in Your Saddle

here are now so many types and styles of saddles on the market from the most luxurious leather money can buy to those made from synthetic materials. Here the Society of Master Saddlers considers the options and gives readers food for thought. First of all think about the purpose of the saddle, if you are going to be showing or competing at a high level, leather may be the look you decide to go for with judges favouring a traditional look. Leather saddles have the potential to last a lifetime if they are well looked after and are made from good, top quality leather. However regular maintenance is a must as sweat, rain and poor storage conditions will destroy the leather if it is not regularly cleaned and dressed. A leather saddle can offer a feel second to none and moulds very well between the rider and the horse especially if a natural wool flocking is used. The suppleness of well-cared for leather means they tend to have more flexibility in them as well as good ‘stickability’ providing grip and security. Leather saddles also absorb heat and sweat, whereas synthetics saddles don’t so this may be a swaying point if you are planning to event your horse. Synthetic saddles used to be seen as a very short term solution and they wouldn’t last as long as a well-cared for leather saddle, but they have developed extensively since. Nowadays it can be very hard to distinguish a synthetic saddle from a leather one and although they do last a lot

longer these days their life span doesn’t quite match the longevity of leather. Other advantages to buying a synthetic saddle are their durability, light weight, easy to maintain and their reasonable price. You can buy a brand new synthetic saddle for nearly the same price you would pay for a good quality second hand leather saddle. In addition, synthetic saddles tend to be very versatile and will often be able to accommodate hard to fit horses with adjustable gullets. Whichever you decide on, we recommend that you use a Society of Master Saddlers’ Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter to come out and fit your saddle and if any adjustments need to be made this can also be done to either types of saddle. Remember if a rider feels good in the saddle they will ride better, and if the horse feels comfortable he will perform better. Whether you feel more comfortable in a leather saddle or synthetic one, it is very much your own personal choice. NM

CONTACT DETAILS  To find your local Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter and for more information visit www. mastersaddlers.co.uk or contact The Society of Master Saddlers on 01449 711642.

Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com

July 2016 NagMag ❘ 07

Racehorse to Riding Horse Showing ❘ By Michelle Pearce

Spotlight on RoR Showing

ABOUT MICHELLE PEARCE

By Michelle Pearce

Michelle Pearce is a freelance writer and a rider who was brought up in Hong Kong in the 1970s riding polo ponies and ex-racehorses. She runs

’ll be the first to admit that, until I started delving into the fascinating world of RoR showing, I didn’t know much about this highly competitive sport. Until then, my only experience was dragging my daughter’s little Welsh mare out of the field on an inhospitable March morning and hacking her several miles to the local showing show. Needless to say it was raining and she was covered in mud. You can imagine our horror when, as we frantically sponged her stained legs, we saw the proper show ponies being carefully un-wrapped beside their smart trailers and lorries. Need I say more. Daughter bucked off in Mountain and Moorland class as little mare took flamboyant shine to the stunning stallion in the ring, and then was placed beneath a diminutive little tot who couldn’t do rising trot in Best Rider Class. When I questioned the judge about this she said Best Rider was about the pony. Oh dear. I had everything to learn. Now I have an ex-racer my interest in showing has been re-ignited. I am fascinated how, in the right hands, these strung-out speed-machines can be transformed into the other-worldly creatures of the show ring. And as I’ve got older I really am partial to a spot of serious grooming. Family at home starving. House a mess. Washing hanging in the rain. Me happily polishing said horse as darkness falls…. You know the scene. As soon as I bought him I registered Zuwaar with RoR and was delighted that affiliating with this amazing charity, funded in part by some of the great names of the racing fraternity itself, only cost me a tenner. There aren’t many bargains in the horse-world – a friend of mine once said that having horses was like standing on top of a muck heap tearing up £50 notes – but this RoR certainly seemed to be value for money. And all for a good cause as well. RoR is Britain’s official charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing with over 13,000 members. It was launched in 2000 as Rehabilitation of Racehorses, but was renamed in 2003 to Re-training of Racehorse, to better reflect the capacity for many ex-racehorses not

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Honeys Green Osteopathic Clinic, in Sussex, with her husband Michael, has three growing-up children, dog, horse, pony and too many rabbits and a new venture Life Stories – personal compilations of memories and photographs. Please e-mail or pm via Facebook to find out more. michellecpearce@live.co.uk. only to have positive futures beyond the track, but in many cases exceptional new careers. RoR also offers training days and regional events to its members, as well as an impressive series of competitions across all the main equestrian disciplines, including the Tattersall’s Show Series with its Championship show at the legendary Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting in June.

RoR qualifying show – Heathfield & District Agricultural Show May 2016 I needed to find out more about this elusive world of RoR showing, so whilst my husband went off drooling over sheep and pigs (small holding dreams etc) I clung to the ropes and watched the competitors at The Heathfield & District Show, to see if I could pick the winners. The ex-racers were all incredibly beautiful, incredibly well presented, they were all dealing with the busy

Imperial Ruby and Southerly Roberts winning the Ror / TBA Retrained Racehorse Challenge at the Heathfield and District Show where they qualified for Hickstead 2016.

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By Michelle Pearce

❘ Racehorse to Riding Horse Showing

showground and the crowds with amazing equanimity. And yet a few stood out – they stood calmly in the line. Their conformation and way of going looked flawless. Their individual show was executed with precision and flair. In the RoR/TBA Retrained Racehorse Challenge, where competitors jump a course of rustic fences and then do an individual show, Imperial Ruby ridden by Southerly Roberts, was an easy winner to pick. If only we were still at the races I would have been off to the bookies the moment she rode into the ring. She scooped first in the

menagerie of Hacks I had been fearing, but a quiet friendly place where a few journalists clicked away on laptops and photographers wrestled with more impressive looking kit along one wall. There was a ransacked tray of doughnuts too, but I didn’t need those. I was Press and I had a lunch voucher. I shoved it in my back pocket and headed over to the Equi-Treck Ring 5 where the RoR Tattersalls Thoroughbred National Hunt class was underway. On the way I stopped at the warm-up area. The ex-racers were easy to spot. Elegant gleaming beasts,

RoR TBA Challenge Qualifier and the RoR Jockey Club Show Series Qualifier, and came second behind Hero Worship in the RoR Tattersall Show Series Qualifier which landed her a place at the Hickstead Championships. Another Outstanding horse for me at Heathfield was Hero Worship, who won both the RoR Tattersalls Show Series Qualifier and the RoR TARRA Ridden Show Series Qualifier. Ridden by owner Abi Sole this 13-year-old bay gelding has already enjoyed great success in the RoR show ring, but the lure of Hickstead and HOYS is strong – “When I got him I did not know what I wanted to do,” Abi told me, “Then I started showing and all I wanted to do was qualify for Hickstead, now all I want to do is win it!”

floating over the sand on ballerina-legs. What horses! Here I was privileged to chat to Jeannette Stayt, riding her own beautiful dark bay 14-year-old Chief Exec.

The Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting RoR Tattersalls Thoroughbred Show Horse Championship

Hero Worship

And so feeling a slightly maternal bias towards the horses and riders I had met at Heathfield, and armed with press pass, pen and a bit of folded A4 (call me old-school), I headed for the infamous Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting to see how they got on. First stop press office – not the terrifyingly cliquey

Chief Exec with owner Jeanette Stayt

Chief retired from the track four years ago after a long and successful racing career, and is now kept at home with her other ex-racer. With a history of showing and working with Point to Point horses, Jeanette bought and brought

Abigail Sole and Hero Worship Vital Stats – 13-year-old bay gelding, 157cms, owned and ridden by Abigail Sole. Track Record – Raced 3 times as a 3-year-old, winning twice and coming second once before retiring. How did you meet? – Through the Darley re-homing scheme “He chose me, really. He could have had three legs and no ears and I still would have loved him.” Particular challenges on your journey to showing? Building muscle and learning show craft. Greatest Success – Supreme RoR Novice Show Horse Champion 2014 Future ambition – To win the RoR Show Horse Championship at Hickstead and qualify for the Racehorse class at The Horse of the Year Show. Top Tips for the RoR show ring? – “keep at it and seek support.”

Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com

July 2016 NagMag ❘ 09

Racehorse to Riding Horse Showing ❘ By Michelle Pearce

Judging the RoR National Hunt class – notice the grooms busy in the background!

Hero Worship (left) and Valentine Jack waiting for the RoR flat class

Regal Approval

on a few ex-racers before coming across Chief Exec – “I just knew this was my horse,” she told me. Jeanette does most her schooling in the field at home which just goes to show that time, dedication and ultimately love can go just as far as fabulous facilities when creating show horses from race horses. The RoR Tattersalls Thoroughbred Flat Class started soon after in the Irish Horse Gateway Ring 3 so I happily hopped my morning away between the two. On the way I was lucky enough to bump into Di Arbuthnot, Chief Executive of RoR, and asked her just what the judges are looking for in RoR classes. She emphasised that the Elite Series are of an incredibly high standard

these days, that “racing blemishes are not ignored” and that the horses are judged under Riding Horse standards. Torie and Barbara Joyce who’s horse Regal Approval was also in the Flat Class, emphasised how “Different judges look for different things, some put conformation first and others look for a good ride, but basically they are looking for the whole package, well mannered, good ride, nice movement and well put together, no scars or bumps,”. The conditions in the show ring were tough – competitors walked, trotted then cantered around the ring as a group, showing their best on both reins and maintaining their equilibrium with the utmost dignity in spite of the muddy ground. There were incredibly few displays of racehorse nerves or excitement – these horses appeared to have been retrained in mind as well as body – and by the time the judge pulled the horses in they had all settled.

Victoria Joyce and Regal Approval

Vital Stats – Stable name Charlie, 8-year-old, 15.3hh bay gelding Track Record – Solid on the track but retired as a 4-year-old Torie Joyce – Started riding and showing as a toddler, worked with racehorses, had lots of success showing natives then “decided to combine my two passions racehorses and showing…. Ex-racers are a lot more challenging, that’s what I enjoy.” How did you meet? – Through Jim Boyles ex-racers “I saw him advertised and I liked the look of him.” Particular challenges on your journey to showing? – Charlie can get stressed travelling so now he travels with a Shetland for company and avoids overnight stays Greatest Success – Second in huge class at Kent County show to qualify for Hickstead Future ambition – “He’s done what we wanted [but] we never part with our horses, [so] he will take on a new career and do dressage mainly and maybe a few small shows for a day out.” Top Tips for the RoR show ring? – Judges are looking for “the whole package, well mannered, good ride, nice movement and well put-together, no scars or bumps.”

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Mumtaz Begum

By Michelle Pearce

❘ Racehorse to Riding Horse Showing

Susie Flook and Mumtaz Begum

Vital Stats – 10-year-old, 168cm chestnut mare Track Record – Ten starts on the track over 7-10 furlongs but unplaced and retired Susie Flook – rode as a child and returned to the saddle about 12 years ago, sometimes side-ways! How did you meet? – Purchased her from Virginia Rider last September Particular challenges on your journey to showing? – None – Mumtaz Begum is a super-star and can turn her hoof to a variety of disciplines including showing, dressage, side-saddle, and also enjoys a spot of hunting!

Greatest Success – Mumtaz Begum has a huge number of successes under her girth, most recently Champion RoR at Royal Bath show and now Reserve Champion at Hickstead with Aintree RoR Champs coming next in August Aspirations for the future – “Keep going! Keep Winning!” Now followed the business of judge ride and trot-up in hand. In came the grooms clutching baskets and brushes, stripping off the tack, rubbing mud from fetlocks – oh it’s hard work this showing business. Then back on again and round the ring for final judging and placings, the top six from each ring qualifying for final judging in the international arena shortly before the Equestrian.com Derby itself.

Winners of the flat class with Chief Exec just off the frame pulled in 7th. Notice the challenging ground

RESULTS OF FLAT CLASS

A perfect parade from 20-year-old Perfect Choice and owner Angela Lance second in flat class and winner of Veteran ribbon

1st Mumtaz Begum

Owner Susie Flook Exhibitor Lucinda Sims

2nd Perfect Choice

Owner and Exhibitor Angela Lance

3rd Valentine Jack

Owner and Exhibitor Donna Barmonte

4th Imperial Ruby

Owner Sar Cassidy-Hill Exhibitor Southerly Roberts

5th Hero Worship

Owner and Exhibitor Abigail Sole

6th She Knows too Much Owner Carol Beer Exhibitor Stephanie Beer

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July 2016 NagMag ❘ 11

Racehorse to Riding Horse Showing ❘ By Michelle Pearce RESULTS OF NATIONAL HUNT CLASS 1st Beware Chalk Pit Owner A. Leafley and R. Court. Rider Rebecca Court 2nd Amalric

Owner S Thorman Rider Sarah Gwilliam

3rd Eight Palms

Owner M Mcgivrn Rider Matt Mcgivern

4th Indiana Gold

Owner Mairi Wilson Rider Mairi Wilson

5th Ard Maddy

Owner K&J Marsden Rider Edith Pender-cudlip

6th Bridgham

Owner Sofia Scott Rider Sofia Scott

Now it was top-hat time. The atmosphere of excitement was building in the International Arena as the start of Hickstead’s centre-piece event – The Equestrian. com Derby itself – drew near. But first the glory moment for those splendid RoR’s – the culmination of hours of preparation and years of re-training for the parade of the final 12 in front of the cheering crowd. This year the coveted Champion RoR Tattersall’s Thoroughbred show horse was the stunning 12 year old ex-National Hunt horse, Beware Chalk Pit, ridden by Rebecca Court. Reserve Champion went to Mumtaz Begum owned by Susie Flook and ridden by Lucinda Sims.

Beware Chalk Pit 2016 RoR Tatersalls Thoroughbred Show Horse Champion

Top hat time! Parade of winning ex racehorses in front of the clapping crowds

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And so Hickstead, that place of dreams – mud or no mud – was over for these competitors for another year. But the journey isn’t over for the Champion and Reserve Champion. Along with other winners form the RoR Elite showing series, they will be taking part in the RoR National Thoroughbred Show Horse Championships held at Aintree on Sunday 28th August this year. It’s quite a journey, this RoR, from the track, to retraining, to RoR qualifiers to Hickstead and then back to the track at Aintree, for the very best of them at the RoR National Championships. In the coming issues we will take a closer look at the horses and people involved in the re-training and re-homing process of ex-racehorses, from those who will enjoy quiet retirement in the field to those who have the aptitude for retraining to the highest level. And for those like me, at the very beginning of the showing journey, there are more and more classes for ex-

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By Michelle Pearce

❘ Racehorse to Riding Horse Showing

The ins and outs of RoR Showing where to start and the heights you might attain

RoR/TARRA (Thoroughbred and Retired Racehorse Association) sponsors the in-hand and ridden show series for amateur riders and for all thoroughbreds, including those who have never raced. This is a great starting place for those looking to gain experience for themselves and their horse. In these classes racing blemishes will be ignored. RoR TBA (Thoroughbred Breeders Association) Retrained Racehorse Challenge. A showing class which works along similar lines to working hunter classes where competitors jump a course of rustic fences and then perform a show, not exceeding a minute and half. Fences are 2ft6 – 3ft in the qualifying shows but can be up to 3ft6 in the Championship class held at The Royal Windsor Show in May 2017. In these classes racing blemishes will be ignored.

racehorses at local shows. These can be a fabulous way to learn more about the discipline of showing itself, sizing up the competition and giving your horse experience of the show environment. Zuwaar and I did fairly well in our first ex-racehorse class in May – coming third out of a field of what I would call ‘Proper Posh Show Horses’. He tucked his head down for the whole time and was an impeccably behaved riding horse. He kept going for me even though he was exhausted after his Working Hunter class (2nd!) and prelim dressage (6th – points lost by me – brain freeze after too much showing and forgot where we were going!), and I loved him for that. The judges must have seen his obedience too – and his pretty face and ballerina-legs of course!

RoR Tattersalls Elite Show series. Tattersalls is one of the oldest bloodstock auctioneers in the world, and has sponsored the RoR/Tattersalls Elite show series for over 10 years. It is a good example of how the giants of the racing industry have pledged support for the retraining of racehorses. Qualifiers are held throughout the country with the Championships being held at the Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting, from which the Champion and the Reserve Champion progress to the Elite Series Final, held at Aintree on 28th August 2016. In these classes racing blemishes will not be ignored. Also… …For those who dream of riding at Horse of the Year Show there is the SEIB Racehorse to Ridinghorse Competition. This is open to both amateur and professional riders on Weatherby’s registered thoroughbreds mare or gelding four years old and over, which have previously raced under rules. Again there are qualifiers around the country with the Championships held at HOYS between 5th and 9th October 2016. Useful contacts and to find out more www.ror.org.uk www.racehorse2ridinghorse.co.uk

RoR Jockey Club novice show series – in hand and ridden. This series is for ex-race horses who have never won an open class or any showing class, with the finals at the RoR National Championships at Aintree in August 2016. In these classes racing blemishes will not be ignored.

We went back for more local showing last week, this time determined to swipe the red rosette. It wasn’t to be, however. The field was tiny, and again he was nice and calm, but our individual show was awful – “He still has his racehorse head,” was the Judge’s kind comment – yes, those who read last month’s feature on Zuwaar will remember that giraffe habit of his…. But I’ll take heart from words of wisdom of highly successful owner of super-star Hero Worship, Abi Sole – “Showing is so competitive you have to just stick at it and learn from every experience you have.” But that’s for the future. This weekend it’s time for an ODE– still local, still small, but Zuwaar was placed 1st and 4th on his first two outings, picking up a ‘best dressage’ rosette to boot, so I can’t help myself seeing that red ribbon fluttering again before my hopeful, slightly lovestruck eyes. Come on racehorse! We can do it! Wish me luck. NM

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July 2016 NagMag ❘ 13

South of England Show ❘ Images courtesy of Julian Portch

South of England Show Ardingly, 9 – 11 June 2016

By Stephanie Dewitt

or the second year running it was Phillip Miller who took top honours in the Dinnage’s Grand Prix, this time riding Shirley Light’s homebred Unbelievable Lady, as well as being placed fourth on last year’s winner Caritiar Z, owned by Di Cornish. South-east riders also in the line-up were Nicole Pavitt on Shahenaz (2nd), Tracy Priest with Caristo VDL (3rd) and Lucy Bunn on the 8-year-old Billy Buckingham (5th). “Shirley gave me some advice before my jump-off round,” said Phillip, “telling me to be quick away from fence three and just do my best. She’s my best friend and our partnership works very well. I’ve ridden Brendon Stud’s Unbelievable Lady for two years now and she topped the BS Gold League last year. She’s what I call a proper, polite horse. We’ll be resting till Hickstead now!” Phillip also commented that the ground at Ardingly was incredible this year, just right for all the events held in the main arena. The Sussex Life Area Trial was won by Robert Whitaker on Catwalk with Darren Wise coming a creditable 3rd on his own Calaero. Second in the Area Trial, Robert Bevis and Courtney Z also took the lead in the International Stairway. Yet again it was Esther Rostron who won the Side-Saddle Concours d’Elegance riding her chestnut gelding

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Images courtesy of Julian Portch ❘

South of England Show

Penstrumbly our Abram, while Mrs Jane Townshend’s 15 year-old brood mare, Raritat, qualified for the Horse of the Year Show in the Cuddy Supreme In-hand Championship. Likewise, Mrs Katrina Hirst took both Champion and Reserve in the Cuddy Working Hunter of the Year with her chestnut geldings Dartans Barrack and Lislan Defi in the heavyweight and lightweight sections respectively. Mark Bycroft of the Old Surrey, Burstow and West Kent Hunt got the crowd going during the display of hounds in the main arena while, on the third day of thrilling competition, Julia Caffyn’s team from the Southdown and Eridge Hunt emerged victorious in the annual Inter-Hunt Relay. NM

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July 2016 NagMag ❘ 15

Road to Rio

Meet the team:

12 equestrian riders selected for Rio 2016

he British Olympic Association has announced the 12 athletes that will compete for Team GB across the three equestrian disciplines of eventing, dressage and jumping at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Three-time Olympic medallist William Fox-Pitt with Chilli Morning will feature in the eventing team along

The dressage team will be completed by 2015 European team silver medallist Fiona Bigwood on Atterupgaards Orthilia and Spencer Wilton on Super Nova II – both of whom make their Olympic Games debuts. There is also plenty of Olympic Games pedigree in the jumping team, with London 2012 gold medallists Nick Skelton and Ben Maher returning on Big Star and

with Kitty King riding Ceylor L A N and Izzy Taylor on Allercombe Ellie. Gemma Tattersall rounds off the team on Chico Bella P or Quicklook V, with all three athletes receiving their first Olympic call-up. In the dressage team, reigning World, European and Olympic Champion Charlotte Dujardin will compete on Valegro joined by fellow 2012 Olympic team gold medallist Carl Hester with Nip Tuck.

Tic Tac respectively – Rio 2016 being Skelton’s seventh Games, and his second on Big Star. Los Angeles 1984 jumping team silver medallist John Whitaker, who’s set to feature in his sixth Olympic Games, will compete on Ornellaia while younger brother Michael, who heads to his fifth Olympic Games – who also won silver at LA 1984 – will compete aboard Cassionato.

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July 2016

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Road to Rio

The announcement brings the number of selected athletes to 246 from 20 sports. The selected athletes are: EVENTING: William Fox-Pitt, age 47, based Dorset, with Christopher Stone’s Chilli Morning Kitty King, age 33, based Wiltshire, with Diana Bown, Jacqueline Owen and Samantha Wilson’s Ceylor L A N Gemma Tattersall, age 31, based West Sussex, with either Christopher Stone’s Chico Bella P or The Pebbles Syndicate’s Quicklook V Isabelle (Izzy) Taylor, age 33, based Oxfordshire, with Susan Holroyd and Frances Carter’s Allercombe Ellie Travelling Reserve: Pippa Funnell MBE, age 47, based Surrey, with the late Carol Toliver’s Billy The Biz

DRESSAGE: Fiona Bigwood, age 40, based West Sussex, with Penny Bigwood and Neils and Lis Dahl’s Atterupgaards Orthilia Charlotte Dujardin OBE, age 30, based Gloucestershire, with Rowena Luard, Anne Barrott and Carl Hester’s Valegro Carl Hester MBE, age 49, based Gloucestershire, with Jane De La Mare and his own Nip Tuck

JUMPING: Ben Maher MBE, age 33, based Hertfordshire, with Jane Forbes Clark and his own Tic Tac Nick Skelton OBE, age 58, based Warwickshire, with Beverley Widdowson’s Big Star John Whitaker MBE, age 60, based West Yorkshire, with Team Harmony Management Co Ltd’s Ornellaia

Spencer Wilton, age 43, based Reading, with Jennifer Goodman and his own Super Nova II

Michael Whitaker, age 56, based Nottinghamshire, with Beverley Widdowson’s Cassionato

Travelling Reserve: Lara Griffith, age 27, based Gloucestershire, with Dr Wilfried and Ursula Bechtolsheimer’s Rubin Al Asad

Travelling reserve: Jessica Mendoza, age 20, hometown Wiltshire, with Sarah Mendoza’s Spirit

See more at: https://www.teamgb.com/news/meet-the-team-12-equestrianriders-selected-for-rio-2016#sthash.AHJNvToz.dpuf

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July 2016 NagMag ❘ 17

Road to Rio

Lansdown Country Launches Valegro Clothing Collection

Team Hester and iconic country clothing brand Lansdown are delighted to announce the forthcoming launch of the Valegro clothing range, which is available now, to coincide with the 2016 Rio Olympics.

eam Hester and iconic country clothing brand Lansdown are delighted to announce the forthcoming launch of the Valegro clothing range which will be available from the beginning of July 2016 to coincide with the 2016 Rio Olympics. Equine superstar Valegro, who is expected to represent Equestrian Team GB in the team and individual dressage competition already has various ranges produced under licence but this is the first comprehensive men’s, women’s and children’s clothing collection that has been designed and manufactured by Lansdown in association with Carl Hester and his team. To help bring a touch of style and glamour to the launch, Carl Hester enlisted the modelling services of top young dressage riders Chloe Vell and Erin Williams. Williams and Vell, both only 18yrs old have represented the UK on medal winning pony teams and are now shortlisted for young rider teams. They are both professional models represented by top London agencies and in Hester’s words “These two girls are future Olympic team contenders so what better way to launch this collection than to have

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July 2016

current and potential medal prospects to model this fantastic range of clothing!” The collection features the hallmark Blueberry shade in a range of T Shirts, Polo and rugby shirts and hooded sweat tops. Design details are integral to this collection with hidden trims, placement embroidery and applique, subtle union flag emblems and the unmistakeable Gold medal that signifies official Valegro merchandise. The Brazilian flag has also been introduced into the design to celebrate the forthcoming 2016 Olympics. The items are all high quality cotton pique and jersey with retail prices starting from £25. The collection is available now for pre-order from the Lansdown website, and customers can also expect to view the whole collection on the Lansdown trade stand at various equestrian events around the UK. Enquiries from trade customers are also welcomed as a 2017 wholesale collection is scheduled for launch in the autumn. To view the collection visit http://www. lansdowncountry.co.uk/collections/valegro

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Road to Rio VALEGRO – THE LITTLE HORSE WITH THE BIG DREAM The Blueberry Stories: Book One Carl Hester MBE with Janet Rising

The first in a series for children that tells the real-life story of Valegro, stable name Blueberry Valegro is quite simply a phenomenon. He is the best dressage horse the world has ever seen, and possibly the best horse. With his young rider he has won

JANET RISING has always been obsessed by equines. For two decades she edited PONY Magazine and her previous books include ‘The Pony Whisperer’ series.

Olympic, World and European Gold medals, the World Cup twice and holds all three world records in dressage. He is the only horse ever to hold all these medals and records at the same time and not surprisingly is ranked number one in the world. Valegro is due to compete for Great Britain at this year’s Olympics in Rio and we hope will do as well as at London 2012, where he won team and individual gold medals for Great Britain. The combination of Valegro, his young rider and their trainer is outstanding and charted as one of the most successful in the world of sport and equestrianism – ever. Behind this success is a truly outstanding trainer, mentor, horse-owner and friend – Carl Hester - who gave up the ride on the best horse in the world to his pupil so Great Britain could have a chance at an unprecedented Olympic team Gold Medal knowing he could ride his other team horse (Uthopia) to achieve a high score too. This, book one of ‘The Blueberry Stories’ starts the tale of the trials, tribulations, adventures and characters Valegro meets along the way to success in a childfriendly fictional format. Carl Hester has told these stories to Janet Rising and has included a learning and technical aspect to pass on some equestrian knowledge to youngsters in a fun and friendly way. The books have been edited to Key Stage 2 so are suitable for use in schools. The stories are real, the setting is real and the animals are real. Set at Carl’s picturesque home and stable yard this rags-to-riches story of a small horse rising from humble beginnings to become the best the world has seen is unique, heart-warming and compelling. The books will appeal to all young readers as well as equestrian fans. CARL HESTER FBHS MBE is one of the world’s greatest equestrians and has competed in four Olympics, which culminated in leading Great Britain to gold medal victory at London 2012. He will be competing in his fifth Olympics at Rio in August.

Helena Öhmark (front cover and paperback illustrations) has worked part time as an illustrator for twenty years, mostly for equestrian magazines aimed at pony-mad children and teenagers and illustrated “The Big book of Drawing Horses and Ponies”. Available to pre-order now: Ebook priced at £3.99 from 8th July 2016 https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/valegro-littlehorse-big-dream/id1126720636?mt=11 Paperback with illustrations priced at £6.99 available 22nd August 2016 from http://www.troubador. co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=4204 Official publication date: 28th November 2016.

Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com

July 2016 NagMag ❘ 19

Sunshine Tour 2016 ❘ Rider Profiles From first time novices to ‘riding all their lives’, we caught up with a range of competitors who are already looking forward to the championships and maybe getting into the winners’ enclosure at Hickstead

The Final Furlong

n the ‘race’ to get to The All England Showground,

Gail Jeffrey

Hickstead for the 2016 Sunshine Tour Championships, we’re getting close to the end of the qualification period. You have until 14th August to secure your chance of joining in at the best unaffiliated championships of the year! So gallop along to a qualifier centre, or if you don’t have many near to you then get a

personal qualifier card to take along to your local shows. Then trot along to www.sunshinetour.co.uk where you can register and enter online. Never heard of the Sunshine Tour? Then check out the website for all the information that you need to get on the road to Hickstead – and giddy up, it’s not long before the flag goes down on the chance to enter (16th August).

Gail Jeffrey with Billy Rwanda 85cm Show Jumping at Topthorn Arena, Suffolk

Iviemay Towler

Gail started off life completely immersed in the horsey world as her mother owned a riding school. After spending her childhood helping at the stables and riding as a keen member of the local Pony Club and Riding Club, Gail spread her wings and went to work in the horse industry. With some great experience behind her working as a travelling groom, Gail settled down to a job in the car industry 16 years ago. Gail told us about her current horse, Billy Rwanda “I’m a keen amateur I’ve been riding my whole life, I had an amazing time working as travelling groom and now I work as a Yard Manager at Manheim Car Auctions. I juggle this with looking after and competing my horses, this entails early mornings late nights but it is all worth it. I did compete my horse ‘Phoenix’ in affiliated show jumping competitions, but at 15 years old he had to retire from jumping and is now happy hacking out a couple of times a week and enjoying keeping the youngsters company in the field.” “Now I have a 5-year-old mare Astral Little Gem, known as ‘Alanya’ who I am slowly bringing on, but I was missing going out competing and jumping so when a friend advertised her horse, I brought Billy Rwanda. His sire is Billy Congo and he was bred at the Billy stud, he’s 7 years old and a bit of a tricky and nervous horse. He struggles in the collecting ring around other horses but we are starting to get together and work as a great partnership. I plan to affiliate Billy after the Sunshine Tour.” “With Billy and Alanya I am very excited about the future. I am really pleased we managed to qualify for these championships and I’m really looking forward to going, I think it’s a great opportunity for people like myself.”

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Iviemay Towler with The Black Star Show Jumping, Lead Rein & 30cm at Rayleigh & District Riding Club, Essex A brand new partnership, ‘Blackie’ and 8-year-old Iviemay Towler had only been together for 5 weeks when they qualified for the Sunshine Tour Championships at her local Riding Club show. Mum Jenny told us about the pair “She had only been riding for 9 months on a loan pony once a week when we acquired our smart little 12hh ‘Blackie’ and at the time of qualifications we had only owned Blackie for five weeks!” “On our first outing to Rayleigh & District Riding Club, Iviemay qualified in the Lead Rein Jumping and the Beginners 30cm class. Just to prove she could really do it, she qualified again on her second outing. We are really looking forward to coming to Hickstead with the other girls from our yard that have qualified.”

July 2016

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Alison Coombes

Rider Profiles

❘ Sunshine Tour 2016

Alison Coombes with Ashdene Primrose Veteran Showing at Rayleigh & District Riding Club, Essex

Lilly Davies

The Coombes’ 16-year-old New Forest Pony, Ashdene Primrose is genuinely a family pony and has made them proud by qualifying for the Sunshine Tour. Alison told us about her family pony that is everything but a boring old pony “I qualified for the Sunshine Tour at our local show held by Rayleigh and District Riding Club. Primrose is now 16 years old and she has turned her hoof from a hunting and jumping pony to dressage, pony club, gymkhanas and most recently showing.” “She has taught my three children to ride and is a real character of a pony and keeps me on my toes. She frequently takes me for a high speed lap of a field when she’s supposed to be walking or ‘forgets’ to tell me she’s going to stop and turn on a sixpence! Winning her Veteran showing class and qualifying for the Tour has made us all so proud of her as she is a genuinely special pony and we all can’t wait to bring her along to Hickstead in September.”

Lilly Davies with Teddy Intro Dressage at Brook Farm Training Centre, Essex Jenny Davies didn’t really mean to buy her pony for her then 3-year-old daughter,

Jen Walker

but 10hh black Shetland, Teddy popped up on Facebook and she fell in love! “He looked like an absolute gem so I called the owner and just fell in love with him over the phone, he sounded perfect. We trundled over to see him, tried him and adored him straight away. Having really enjoyed Pony Club with him, the lovely family who owned him were very sad to have outgrown him and agreed to let us buy him if we kept in touch with them. So Teddy came home with Lilly and I and we have never looked back!” “We’ve joined the local Pony Club and have great fun competing, we won a lead rein dressage competition and despite having sworn that I’d never do showing, we tried our hand in a few classes and we love it and are doing really well!! We had no clue what to do or what to wear and the organisers and other competitors have been so helpful.” “Teddy is an angel and its precious mum and daughter time for Lilly and I as I’m so busy normally. We’ve qualified for the both Hickstead Sunshine Tour and The Chiltern and Thames championships and after doing so well I decided to see if I could also register Teddy with the Shetland Society. We found out through a bit of investigation with the previous owners that he had been an RSPCA rescue case. We have no idea of the circumstances of his rescue and we are certain that we will never find his parentage to register him but we love him and are enjoying our first season ever of showing. He’s a little chap that fills a big part of our hearts and we wouldn’t be without him.”

Jen Walker with Dimitri Intro and Prelim Dressage at Pyrford Saddle Club, Surrey 29-year-old Jen works full time in London, so for her getting out the city to see her horse is the best thing in the world! “Dimitri is a 16.1hh, 10-year-old Thoroughbred x Friesian who I’ve had for five years. We only just started competing in Dressage in April of this year, so I’m really happy to have qualified and am excited to be competing at the Championship in September at Hickstead!”

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July 2016 NagMag ❘ 21

Nicole Worthington

Sunshine Tour 2016 ❘ Rider Profiles Nicole Worthington with Miss Tilly Showing in Coloureds, Newcomer and Top Turnout at South-East Essex Driving & Riding Club, Essex

Amy Yapp

30 years after giving up riding, a year and a half ago Nicole bought a very ‘green’ 14.2hh, skewbald mare Tilly. It took them a while to get into the swing of riding for various reason, first of which was gastric ulcers. “She was diagnosed with grade 3 – 4 ulcers, so I was unable to do anything for four months. During that period, I spent a lot of time on the ground with Tilly getting to know her and although she’s not been the easiest of horses, with the help of my instructor and some lovely girls at the yard my confidence has grown. They encouraged me to enter some local shows and after taking the plunge, Tilly and I won our Novice Riders class and in-hand Coloureds and 2nd in Best Condition. I’m really excited to be able to take part in the Sunshine Tour. You’re never too old to give it a go and having Tilly has been the best thing ever.”

Amy Yapp with Stevies Royal Pride Prelim and Novice Dressage at Snowball Farm, Berkshire

Becky Kingswell

Having just finished her A-levels, 17-year-old Amy heard about The Sunshine Tour and thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to compete at the prestigious Hickstead. She’s owned 16.1hh piebald mare Stevies Royal Pride, stable name ‘Tazz’ for two years. “I cracked on with some qualifiers and luckily I managed to qualify for the prelim and novice dressage first time out. When we first bought her I spent time show jumping but now we focus on dressage, which we only started competing in properly in 2016. I am overwhelmed to be going to Hickstead. I am looking to qualify for some other classes so when we get there we have an action packed couple of days and up our chances of coming home with a few rosettes!”

Becky Kingswell with Dinky 70cm Eventers Challenge at Kingate Equestrian, Isle of Wight A foal who turned out unexpectedly small and couldn’t be sold to the intended owner, ended up as a super star horse for Becky. “Dinky Doo was bred by Roy Trigg, who I had worked for previously. She is a Shire X Thoroughbred and was intended for my husband who wanted a big horse to ride! But, fortunately for me she ended only making 15.2hh and turned out much more Thoroughbred than Shire.” “She is now 16 years old and is great fun but a bit excitable, and although we’ve missed some years due to money being tight and a fetlock injury, we’re doing really well now. I competed at Hickstead some 27 years ago, so I’m really looking forward to going back!”

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 • 22 ❘ NagMag

July 2016

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Katie Ruben

Rider Profiles

❘ Sunshine Tour 2016

Katie Ruben with Pepsi Cola 70cm & 75cm Show Jumping at Coombelands Equestrian, West Sussex Katie from East Sussex has been riding most of her life, but only at riding schools until eight months ago when she got the opportunity to take on a rescue pony, 15hh bay gelding called Pepsi. “We don’t know his history, he was broken in at the rescue centre and then sent to a few homes as a companion but he always ending up back until I took him on. With help from my instructor, we got going, but little did I imagine when I got him that we would ever qualify for The Sunshine Tour.” “I started taking him to small show jumping shows and as he behaved very well, I have been taking him to shows more frequently and at a show jumping event at Coombelands, West Sussex we unexpectedly got a 4th place in the 70cm and were handed a yellow ticket. We have now managed to get placed 1st in 75cm show jumping which means we have qualified for two championships! And to add to our achievements we have now also qualified for Prelim dressage as we came 1st and 3rd last weekend.” “I cannot wait to be able to compete at the Sunshine Tour at Hickstead, it is something that I never thought I would be able to do with Pepsi.”

Georgina Leavold with Jimmie Prelim and Novice Dressage at Vectis Dressage Festival, Isle of Wight “Happy hack, confidence giver and all round lovely pony” is how Georgina describes the 13.3hh gelding that was actually bought for her mum to return to riding after a fall. Sad circumstances of losing her own competitive ride, led Georgina to ride Jimmie a few times and found that he is much more than just a happy hacker. “Jimmie makes me smile every time I ride him, he’s the straightest pony I’ve ever ridden. I didn’t think at the age of 32 I would be back riding ponies! But he’s honestly fantastic and having ridden him more over the past few months I’ve taken a real shine to his big personality and kind soul - small in body but huge in heart!” “I’ve recently registered him BD and in his last few outings qualified for Prelim Area Festivals at the end of the year. When he first arrived he wouldn’t jump a 2ft fence now he’s boldly jumping a 70cm course and I’ve taken him cross country schooling, with him showing he has a heart of a lion, even taking on a few of the 1m fences. My aim is to qualify him for the jumping classes at the Sunshine Tour as well as dressage, hopefully around 70 / 80cm and maybe have a go at a BE80(T) by the end of the season. He’s taken my mum from a rider who was petrified to get on by herself to one who is ready to do her first Intro test and frequently hacks out on her own. All in the space of eight months! I would love for her to qualify for the Sunshine Tour in the Intro dressage, I would be so proud of them both.”

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!

Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com

July 2016 NagMag ❘ 23

The Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting ❘ June 2016

The Show Goes On! The Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting, 23 – 26 June 2016 “Having come second last year and second in other European Derbies, I’m so pleased to win with this horse,” said William. “The more times you ride a course, the better you get! I knew I was a bit slow but, for a big horse, he’s a

By Stephanie Dewitt Images ©Julian Portch

espite dampness, downpours and deluges, this year’s Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting went on as usual with the ground in the arenas holding up remarkably well. William Whitaker was the third member of the showjumping family to add his name to the Boomerang Trophy, jumping a steady clear on Glenavadra Brilliant but incurring one time fault. Three horses and riders tied for second place with four faults apiece: Ireland’s Richard Howley, first to jump the infamous Derby course on Chinook, and Billy Twomey with Diaghilev along with Harriet Nuttall from Somerset riding A Touch Imperious.

bit hot, so I took time to steady him on the course.” Harriet Nuttall took the top two places in the Speed Derby with Silver Lift and Highland Cruiser II, Guy Williams having been stripped of second place because his twotime winner, Casper de Muze, was seen to have a spot of blood on his flanks at the end of their round. However, Guy and the 14 year-old Casper retained their title in the Bunn Leisure Master’s Challenge, leaving all the ascending white gates standing in the fastest time of 44.85 seconds. Hickstead’s Shane Breen took the Beethoven 7 & 8 Year-old Championship riding the 8 year-old Silbermond while there were two wins for Tracy Priest from Surrey on the first day of international competition: first place in the Bunn Leisure Derby Tankard on Penny Priest’s grey gelding Caristo VDL and in the Hickstead Novice Championship riding her own Caruso Deres Z. David Simpson partnered with Gotti van Paemal won

Having come second last year and second in other European Derbies, I’m so pleased to win with this horse

24 ❘ NagMag

July 2016

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June 2016

❘ The Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting Taking a moment: Harriet Nuttall and Silver Lift just before starting the Speed Derby

the Bunn Leisure Derby Trial, beating Surrey-based William Funnell on Billy Onslow and Shane Breen with Acoustik Solo du Baloubet in the jump-off with the only double clear. David shares a yard near Horsham with fiancée Louise Pavitt who won the Stoner Jewellers Vase speed

class on Fiona vh Lemmenshof. The couple plan to marry next month. Hopefully the sun will shine for them and the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead at the end of July!

NM David Simpson with Charlie Bunn

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July 2016 NagMag ❘ 25

Fashion

Mitch and Gabriella Crowned DOTY 2016!

The Annual Derriere of the year competition – DOTY is the chance for riders to become the face of the Derriere Equestrian brand.

“I could never have dreamed I would be representing such a fantastic equestrian company whilst achieving my own dreams of becoming a model all at once. When my mum (also a rider) purchased her pair of padded underwear some months ago I didn’t hear the end of her “comfortable enjoyable ride” she now has, I just knew I had to apply to be doty2016! I can’t wait for the future with the amazing derrière team.”

Mitch and Gabriella faced strong competition and were both delighted to be crowned winners. Gabriella, no stranger to the limelight had just the previous evening been crowned Miss Sportswoman Dorset was nevertheless, over the moon.

Mitch has since been signed to top London model agency Models Plus Ltd from where he hopes to launch his modelling career “Proud to be announced the winner of DOTY 2016 and feel it’s a kick start to a modelling career”

On a cloudy Sunday at the end of May, Derriere Equestrian hosted it’s annual search for the next face of their global specialist clothing brand.

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Claire Galer was overwhelmed by the number of entrants this year and she had these words to say to Mitch and Gabriella. “The hugest of congratulations to Gabriella and Mitch becoming crowned as DOTY Winners 2016, as the competition was so strong.

CONTACT DETAILS   For more information please visit www.derriereequestrian.com

For Advertising Opportunities visit www.NagMagMagazine.com

Fashion  Equestrian.com has the answer offering the British Eventing waterproof dog coat. Lined with quality fleece and the outer shell made of 600D will allow your dog to be protected against the rain and wind. The Velcro belly wrap strap makes the coat secure but comfortable for your companion. Navy check, navy and red are the choice of colours and each are embroidered with the British Eventing logo. Machine washable. For further information visit www.equestrian.com

The coat comes in a range of sizes from 14” to 26”

Rrp £24.99

 Eskadron Fly Veil – Classis S/S 2016 in Navy, Mint, Mango, Fresh Berry and Sky Blue – Full size only available www. dressagedeluxe.co.uk

Rrp £22

 Noble Outfitters Perfect Fit Cool Mesh Gloves Vivacious. Available in sizes 6, 7 and 8 www.thehorsediva.co.uk

Rrp £17.50

 Lace Topped Socks by Grace & Lace. One size only (Fits Sizes 6 -9) Colours: Ecru. Available from www. thespanishbootcompany.co.uk

Rrp £21.00

Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com

July 2016 NagMag ❘ 27

Weed control in paddocks ❘ By Michelle Pearce

PART 2

Battling Ragwort

to pull or to poison that is the question

The second in the five-part series by Michelle Pearce – The reality of getting a field of your own and how to get it ready for your horse

“T

here is that plant in the field,” the old owner of our home looked rather wideeyed and startled as she showed us the paddock last summer. “The one that’s bad for horses.” “Ragwort,” I replied looking out over the waving June grass, dotted with jolly yellow crowns and towering purple thistles. I glanced at my husband. He had a far-away look in his eyes. No use to me, he was in love. Or heaven. Or both. “Don’t worry, we’ll just pull it out.” I said, noting how attractively the long pasture sloped away from the house to the deep shadows of the trees. I briefly painted my two horses into the idyllic scene. Even the ragwort looked rather lovely. Then I came back to my senses, “The field is just perfect,” I told the owner, “But could you please cut down the ragwort before it seeds?” “Of course.”

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When we took on our paddock this February there wasn’t a bit of ragwort to be seen, just the odd dead stalk with empty brown umbels. Ah, so she hadn’t cut it down after all. My husband did a hasty home-style topping on the ride-on mower – his ‘tractor’ bless him – and by the time our fence went up at the end of April the green ragwort rosettes were fattening up like cabbages amongst the new spring grass. Hundreds of them. I knew it was deadly to horses. I knew it spread like wildfire. I knew it was a skin-irritant and I knew it was increasingly visible across our countryside. I knew I had to act quickly if my horses were going to have safe grazing. I also knew I didn’t know enough about this pernicious plant, so I asked some experts, did some research and started my battle with the seminal ragwort issue – do I pull or do I poison? NM

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By Michelle Pearce ❘ Weed control in paddocks

Ragwort – some facts Ragwort – Jacobaea vulgaris / Senecio jacobaea – is a native Eurpoean plant which has gained a whole host of folk names through history, including stinking willy, cushag and mare’s fart, names which speak volumes about its reputation as a pernicious, unpleasant-smelling, weed which is particularly poisonous to horses. The great plus of ragwort is that it is easily identifiable, with its deeply grooved, highly pungent leaves, which form rosettes in spring before the stem reaches skyward to heights of 30cm to 2 metres, culminating in bright yellow flowers from June to October. Ragwort in the UK is normally biennial, meaning that it flowers every two years after which the plant dies. However, if a paddock is regularly mown, or woe-betide the ragwort is grazed, it can exhibit perennial properties and enter a cycle of annual flowering with multiple heads, year after year. Each plant can produce a huge 75,000 to 120,000 seeds. Thankfully not all of these will CAUTION: When using any herbicide READ THE LABEL thoroughly and adhere to all instructions, restrictions and safety requirements. There are several herbicides on the market specifically designed to control ragwort, but many of the most effective carry legal restrictions. You may often be able to purchase the products but not to use them without a special license, even if you only wish to spot-spray a few plants.

germinate, and neither will they tend to travel a great distance from the parent plant. This is why mature and maturing plants are often found in clusters around the field rather than more broadly dispersed. Even so ragwort can easily spread onto your land from neighbouring paddocks or verges, and ridding a field of ragwort is hard work and can take years. UK Law on Ragwort is somewhat obscure. It is listed as an injurious weed in The UK 1959 Weeds Act, however it is

not illegal to grow. Rather if complaints about infestations are made to the Secretary of State for DEFRA, the landowners concerned are obligated to do something about it. If ragwort is rife near your grazing contact you local council to prevent it spreading. The flip-side of the ragwort debate is the wide range of species – notably bees, butterflies, moths, flies and other insects – which gather nectar from its flowers. Understandably this makes it a darling of some environmentalists, who see it as “a vital part of our natural native flora”. Source http://urbanbutterflygarden. co.uk/common-ragwort-seneciojacobaea Those studying UK populations of the Cinnabar moth, are particularly keen on ragwort as it is a vital larval food for this “rapidly declining” species. (Butterfly Conservation 2007. The United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan – moths). Some areas even use these insects for biological control of the plant Sourcehttp://www.rnzih. org.nz/pages/PP0698.pdf – an ecologically sound approach but doubtless not direct enough for horse owners like me. And so to herbicides…

Spraying with herbicides For larger areas spraying is often done by contractors, and in both cases livestock must be kept off the land for several weeks afterwards. Herbicides tends to be most effective when ragwort is in its rosette stage of active growth – normally in the spring when the grass starts growing. As long as the

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whole plant is covered by the spray, the leaves should wither, brown and die within a couple of hours. As the herbicides travel down to the roots, these too should be killed, so minimizing any re-growth from that plant in years to come. Bonus! However even if you spray, plants must be pulled and then

July 2016 NagMag ❘ 29

Weed control in paddocks ❘ By Michelle Pearce

The all too familiar sight of ragwort in full flower running wild either burnt or taken to the dump for “professional” composting. Whilst the dead leaves lose their bitter taste and become palatable to horses, they still contain their poisonous alkaloids and can easily be eaten along with the surrounding grass, with potentially fatal consequences. There is debate about whether the alkaloids themselves cause horses to become ill and on occasion die from eating ragwort, or the effects of these chemicals on the liver. During their breakdown by the liver a by-product is produced which can damage DNA and cause a slow and lingering demise. In most cases ragwort poisoning is cumulative. Horses

are unlikely to eat the 3 – 7% of body weight of ragwort reputed to cause instant death, but if allowed to graze unsuitable pasture over long periods of time they can unknowingly ingest fatal doses of ragwort. Unfortunately there is often no sign of any problem until ragwort poisoning has done irreparable damage. Symptoms of ragwort ingestion appear to be the same as poisoning from other sources, include yellow mucus, depression, lack of co-ordination, photosensitization, weight-loss even with normal eating, blindness, staggering, and in some cases sudden death. http://www. worldhorsewelfare.org/Ragwort

Spraying is best done in spring when the whole plant can be covered and the roots killed as well

Rogue ragwort continuing to grow once bagged up

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By Michelle Pearce â?&#x2DC; Weed control in paddocks A welcome rest from the back-breaking task

Pulling ragwort in the long summer evenings can be a real joy

NB â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Every Leaf Matters! When you are pulling ragwort it is vital that EVERY SINGLE LEAF is picked up so horses do not accidentally eat them. Bearing in mind that there is often long grass around ragwort, of if you are really lucky, like me, hosts of lovely thistles as well, it is all too easy to miss dropped leaves as you religiously pull the plants. This put me in absolute terror when I started pulling the plants in my field. What if I left a leaf and the horses ate it? What if I left more than one? Hundreds perhaps? I stopped pulling for a while, did more research and watched the rosettes begin to gather altitude. No, I had to get back out there and resume pulling. I had to trust myself to pick up every leaf. And so I returned to the vigil of carefully forking out and pulling, starting with the largest plants which looked set to flower this year and vowing to return to the smaller ones as soon as the biggies had been eradicated.

And so onto Pulling I have come to rather love pulling ragwort. I tend to save it for the long summer evenings, ideally following rain, when the soil is soft enough to release the roots in a complete fist, and yet not so soggy that my rag-fork gets clogged up with mud. I sometimes take a G and T with me, the dog normally comes to watch. I take my time. I am sometimes still pulling as the late summer darkness gathers and the lights are starting to go on in the house. The traffic on the road along the field edge has quietened. There are birds in the hedge and rabbits begin to emerge from the bank. The grass

A host of ragwort seedlings colonising a patch of bare paddock

A mature multi-headed ragwort plant (that has previously been mown) ready to pull Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com

July 2016 NagMag â?&#x2DC; 31

Weed control in paddocks ❘ By Michelle Pearce A barrow of ragwort crowns ready for the fire – note the stout builder’s glove for protection

is long and puffs of pollen cloud into the air as I brush through it. Low golden sunlight. This gentle bending, forking, twisting, gripping and pulling is a peaceful workout at the end of a busy day. A chance to be with the land, the sky and to watch the horses mooching around, swishing tails, ambling, munching, kicking away the midges and the last flies.

Ragwort-pulling kit list 

Ragfork – a tool designed for the job – my early attempts with garden fork saw a spoke through a finger and a lot of unnecessarily disturbed ground and left roots galore.



Marigolds plus stout builder’s-gloves on top

 

Wheel barrow Bags for taking dug plants to the dump – old feed sacks are ideal but no holes in the bottom for those evil weeds to fall out of

It has become my meditation, this business of pulling ragwort. I slow down. I cannot rush I need to pick up every leaf, remember? I trade thoughts for this satisfying mechanical task. If I thought about it I might despair – there is a lot of ragwort in my field, left alone for many years to flower and seed as it pleased, and the top bit was diligently mowed by the old owners so, yes, you guessed it – multiple ragwort heads on plants which flower annually – brilliant. Yet there is a lot of good grass as well, and I am sustained by my dream of a beautifully groomed paddock in the years ahead. I have vowed that, even though I may not be able to pull every plant before the mud of autumn returns, followed by the general inhospitibility of winter, not a single flower will seed on my land this year. I have estimated that it will take two or three years for my paddock to be totally ragwort-free. Maybe more. But what I do know is that I am absolutely committed to clearing this weed from my land and I am prepared to speak to my neighbouring small-holders, with their rather enchanting herd of alpacas, if any should rear its jolly yellow head in their paddocks. I’ll even speak to the council if necessary. In the nicest possible way of course.

Please note! DO NOT LEAVE PULLED RAGWORT IN YOUR FIELD EITHER IN A HEAP, YOUR BARROW, A SACK OR BURNING ON THE FIRE. YOUR HORSES MIGHT GET BORED AND NOSEY AND HAVE A NIBBLE ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE USING OLD FEED SACKS FOR CARRYING RAGWORT TO THE DUMP.

When to pull

and / or…



Hot fire ready to burn plants – again be careful not to drop any and check all are burnt before going inside

   

If spraying is best done in spring when the rosettes are in their most active stage of growth, pulling is best done in the summer when the flower heads

Good boots



Paper or plastic bags to contain seed heads if pulling / topping when in seed

are forming but the seeds haven’t yet set. Pulling after rain is ideal, when the ground is damp but not water-logged. At the flowering stage the roots seem to have a weaker hold in the soil, so are much less likely to break when pulled. In addition as most of the plant’s energy is occupied with the business of flowering and setting seed, any left fragments are less likely to re-grow. The draw-back

Long sleeves Long trousers Mask – if plants are flowering or running to seed

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By Michelle Pearce ❘ Weed control in paddocks of waiting until summer to pull is that some plants can become rather triffid-like, and there can be a lot of plant to dispose of. My top-tip from the hours I have spent grubbing up this plant is pull when you have time – and maybe even a G and T. If you haven’t got too much ragwort put a bin bag in your barrow and combine with poo picking. Otherwise find a separate time in your routine. Summer evenings work for me and I aim to do a barrow at a time, and sometimes I even allow myself the luxury of a second barrow if the evening is particularly beautiful and the silence of the field especially enchanting.

How to pull Invest in the correct tools for the job – see opposite. A rag-fork is essential and can be used for docks, thistles and a host of other weeds as well, so it is a brilliant investment. Maybe even buy two if there’s the chance of a helping hand

5. F ork 2 – 4 times around the plant gently lifting the roots each time 6. W hen you feel all the roots are loosened pull the plant. 7. I f the plant does not come up easily use the fork again where it feels stuck. Vigilance at this point could save roots breaking and another plant growing in this spot next year. 8. O nce the plant is up, put it straight in barrow or bag being sure not to drop roots or leaves 9. C heck the hole for remaining roots and pull them by hand if you can. 10. C heck surrounding ground / grass for broken leaves and fragments and remove 11. S tamp in any lifted grass or soil 12. S catter a little grass seed if area is bare to deter new ragwort seeds from setting.

1. D ouble check you are properly protected from any skin contact with the plant – see kit list opposite. 2. C hoose a medium sized plant. Save the bigger ones until you’ve got the hang of your rag-fork 3. B ag up any late flowering / seeding heads, tying tightly around the stem and being careful not to knock any seeds out as you do it. 4. D ig your fork in as close to the plant stem as you can. Lever backwards on the handle gently then put your fork in again at a different point on the plant, again as close to the stem as possible. You will see the fleshy white roots begin to lift.

Dig the fork in as close to the stem of the plant as you can

Fleshy white roots lifting from the soil in the trusty prongs of a tool made for the job Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com

July 2016 NagMag ❘ 33

Weed control in paddocks ❘ By Michelle Pearce

nce you have pulled up your ragwort, it is really important to dispose of it with awareness. If you leave mature plants lying around in their sacks they can quietly flower and seed

our bit for the wider landscape. If your field is clear of ragwort but it is growing on land nearby, or along the roads and lanes you ride or drive, let the landowner, National Park Authority or council know so that it

rnzih.org.nz/pages/PP0698.pdf, nosing up roots, eating them and turning them into lovely manure. Whilst gently treading down the divots left by horses, eating thatch and stale patches and helping break the worm cycle. Sounds too good to be true. Definitely one for the future. Once your field is clear of ragwort, good paddock

without you knowing. Be vigilant and remove sacks immediately from the field, out of reach of nosey ponies or hungry horses. Be prepared for repeated visits to your local dump for safe composting – a muck heap or garden bin will not get hot enough to kill the plants or seeds. Otherwise get your bonfire roaring, and ensure that every part of every plant is fed to the flames or you may be inviting a new crop of ragwort around your bonfire site. If your bonfire is in your horses’ field, you must make sure none is dropped. It will wither and brown and they may well ferret it out when the grass has thinned and they are bored or looking for something to eat in autumn or winter. So, yes, it is an onerous responsibility for the horse-owner, this ragwort, but it is one which needs to be tackled head-on if we are to safeguard our horses and do

can be dealt with effectively. Build ragwort management into your routine, whether spraying becomes part of your annual maintenance package from your local contractor, or whether like me you choose to get out there with your trusty fork, barrow (and G and T!) on these beautiful summer evenings for a little quality time with the land, the sky, your horses and your silence. Whether you choose to pull or poison (and, sorry, to pull even so!), remember that vigilance and perseverance will see your paddock clear in the end. I am pulling this year, but I am aware that I may need to spray next spring as well if too many plants reappear from roots I have left behind. I will wait and see. And I will also be continuing my research into sheep. Yes, sheep. Apparently “Sheep eat ragwort without ill–effect unless continually exposed to the plant over a number of seasons.” http://www.

management will help keep it at bay. Re-seeding bare patches in spring and autumn and maintaining a vigorous, dense pasture helps reduce the incidence of ragwort invasion. If you are considering sheep as are we, ragwort can apparently be controlled by grazing at three stock units per hectare or mob stocking of sheep four times between spring and autumn http:// www.rnzih.org.nz/pages/ PP0698.pdf But for me that’s a dream for the future. Now its time to switch off the computer and get out there. The summer sky is high and blue. It rained buckets over the last few days. The breeze at the window is gentle. Perfect growing conditions for ragwort. Perfect pulling conditions for me. Time for a little workout and meditation in the field. Time to see what the horses are up to. Time to pull some ragwort. I can’t wait. See you out there.

Disposing of the beast

A Ragwort free paddock

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By Michelle Pearce ❘ Weed control in paddocks

A note on Hay Farmers tend to be an honourable breed. In most cases they have years if not generations of experience behind them and all will know that their hay meadows must not contain any ragwort if it is to be sold as forage for horses. However vigilance is still advised and if you have recently moved area or are buying hay from a new supplier it is really worth checking where it has come from and, if you can, to go and see the fields before they are cut to re-assure yourself that no ragwort is going to make its way into your bales. Likewise if you have ragwort in your field you cannot chance cutting hay for your horse. Even when the tall yellow flowering plants have been removed you could have any number of seedlings hiding in the grass. They might be small but they are potent and if their leaves get mixed up in your horses winter haynet headache could become heartache. It’s really not worth the risk.

Small ragwort plants hiding in long grass could cause heartache if they end up in your winter haynet

A final word on the environmental question – Cinnabar Moths et al – Perhaps the poet Josephine Kermode (1852–1937) had found the right balance between ecology and good pasture management when she wrote the following poem about the Cushag – (local name for Ragwort):

we know, Now, th e Cu shag, Must never grow, ’s work is done. W here th e farm er , But along th e rills hills, In th e hear t of th e in e like th e sun. sh Th e Cu shag may flowers, W here th e gold en s, Have fair y power ace. ar ts with th eir gr To gladden our he g Veen, And in Vannin Ve n, In th e valleys gree still a place. ve Th e Cu shags ha Man) al dialect for Th e Isl e of (Vannin Veg Veen is loc

Future articles in the Field of Dreams series: 3. Pesky problems – dealing with rabbits and moles Field of dreams. A healthy hay meadow in high summer with diversity of wild flowers and grasses and no ragwort in sight

4. Planning your dreams – how to go about getting stables and arenas on your land 5. T he Muck issue – year-round paddock maintenance and the question of sheep

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July 2016 NagMag ❘ 35

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

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Showjumping, polo and weddings in West Sussex.

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Area 46 showjumping website for BSJA members in Sussex.

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The College, in Plumpton East Sussex, specialises in land-based courses and hosts regular events.

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BSJA show jumping centre in Staplehurst, Kent.

Eaglesfield Equestrian Centre

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Events and liveries at Horsham in West Sussex.

Wellington Riding

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Showjumping shows and livery at Ash, near Sevenoaks, Kent.

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Showjumping events in East Grinstead, Sussex.

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Training and schooling near Uckfield, East Sussex.

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By Raife Tansey ❘ Raife Tansey: Showjumper

Welcome Home, Raife

This month, Raife chats about moving back to West Sussex and his day at Bolesworth International

une was full of lots of training under the watchfull eye of Derek McCoppin. I have learnt so much during my time at

StudUK Euro, but have decided to come back to West Sussex, as it really is a great central position for some amazing show venues; Coombelands, Pyecombe, Felbridge and of course Hickstead. I will miss all my new friends up in Canterbury and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at StudUK Euro for the last few months. At the beginning of June I took the day off and went up to Bolesworth International with my Mum to watch the showjumping. We had a fantastic day; despite the worst mud I have ever seen anywhere. To the point that they closed the showground to the public, however, we were lucky enough to get in. We met up with my amazing

Team Tansey Rosettes from Weston Lawns

Raife on the Chillout Horsewear stand at Bolesworth International

sponsor, Lauren from Chillout Horsewear, who kindly gave me some great new gear, love being a Chillout Rider. Although we were booked for the Hickstead Derby we in fact went up to Weston Lawns instead. We had a great few days there, and despite an involuntary dismount on our last day in the 1.15 speed class, which ended with me strapped to a board in A and E, before that, I came 6th with Sienna on my first day, and my amazing Spyder man was placed every day in every class we entered. My awesome horse just seems to be getting better every day. So, we will be at the Hickstead International at the end of the month and really looking forward to that, as we were so sorry to have missed the Derby Meet this year. Fingers crossed July will be filled with lots more competing.

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Raife’s and Lauren from Chillout Horsewear

Raife’s on his last day at Weston Lawns

CONTACT DETAILS  To follow Raife Tansey Showjumper, please find me on FB at www.facebook.com/ RaifetTanseyShowjumper/ July 2016 NagMag ❘ 37

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World Horse Welfare News Leading animal nutrition company Alltech are delighted with the progress of Tarzan, the abandoned yearling, now in the care of World Horse Welfare that they have been helping to support.

Tarzan Makes Good Progress

n the few months that Tarzan has been cared for at World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, he has made excellent progress and gained some much needed condition. Tarzan was rescued by World Horse Welfare having been abandoned in Northumberland, he was found in a terrible state with a condition score of one, meaning he was severely underweight. With nobody claiming responsibility for his care, his health was getting rapidly worse. With the help of his caring groom Katie Grimshaw, Tarzan has grown in confidence and the pair has built up a trusting relationship after Katie spent many hours grooming him, which has helped bring out his

summer coat. When Tarzan arrived at Penny Farm he had not been handled very much and was understandably quite fearful of people. Due to the patience and kindness of Katie and the whole team he can now be lead calmly to and from the fields which is a great improvement to start rebuilding his faith in people, as part of his rehabilitation. Katie said: “Tarzan loves being groomed and having a good scratch on his neck. He has been doing some desensitisation work in the indoor arena and he has not really been fazed by much. The difference now from the poor terrified state he

 Tarzan – displaying his improved condition

arrived in is quite amazing.” Given the opportunity to experience a life that is taken for granted by many horses and ponies, Tarzan has made friends in the field and really enjoys playing with his football in the arena. As Tarzan’s rehabilitation continues Alltech look forward to seeing what the future holds. The Lifeforce Range of all-natural, daily digestive aid supplements from Alltech is designed to benefit horses at every stage of life, from breeding stock to pleasure and performance animals. NM

CONTACT DETAILS  For further information visit www.lifeforcehorse.co.uk or telephone 01780 764512

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July 2016 NagMag ❘ 39

Tried & Tested

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