HORSES This month we’re celebrating the bond between horse and rider.

HORSE POWER

This month we’re going back to Burghley, meeting local eventers and dressage riders Victoria & Richard Jones, and going behind the scenes with a top local farrier...

Image: Oliver Townend riding Ballaghmor Class, © Nixonphoto.

From Burgham to Burghley, Martyn Johnson is Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials’ new Event Director and promises not only a return to form but an event which continues to evolve to meet the demands of its fans...

Evolution, rather than revolution, is what you can expect from this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, but don’t be deceived. Behind the scenes, there are significant changes to one of the UK’s – indeed, the world’s – most challenging and most wellrespected FEI equestrian events. For a number of years, custodianship of the event had been in the hands of Event Director, Liz Inman, but upon her retirement last year, the event sought a new head, and has found its leader in the form of Martyn Johnson, whose first Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will be held from 1st to 4th September this year. “The recruitment process was detailed. I think there were three interviews in total,” says Martyn. “Which is understandable, really, because the event is a large social occasion, but also a world-class sporting fixture all in one. It’s also 60 years old and is one of the favourite events in the calendar for many people. It’s quite a responsibility, quite an undertaking to suddenly be at the helm of something so established and so hallowed.” For all the reverence though Martyn is, we reckon, a safe pair of hands. For a start he’s no stranger to event riding. Born and raised in Northumberland, he still rides frequently

Burghley

Horse Trials It’s been confirmed that the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will be held from 1st-4th September, with dressage, jumping and and until last year, he was a new cross-country course competing in eventing anddesigned by Derek di Grazia. jumping, albeit not quite at Burghley levels. Martyn was also running the Burghham Horse Trials, based in Morpeth. “I’ve competed in all equestrian disciplines at quite an advanced level, so first and foremost I’ve huge respect and admiration for the competitors and the level of fitness, focus and the investment of time and hard work in achieving success in the sport. Burgham was a stepping stone to Burghley, and we always admired the event.” Above: A subtle evolution of the course promises to retain some of its most iconic obstacles. Right: New course designer Derek di Grazia with Martyn Johnson, Event Director. “My competitive riding career began properly in 2006. I became involved in Burgham in 2012 and when the event lost one of its organisers, and there was a threat of its closure, I joined the committee.” “That was in 2013. At the time the event was a national, FEI-affiliated four-star event and we developed it into an international event within three years.” “Meanwhile, I’d been enjoying attending the Burghley Horse Trials for about 15 years, even though I’d never competed here. We’d been fortunate enough to be able to run Burgham throughout Covid. In fact we were the first international event to run in 2020, putting it back by a month.” “It was in July 2021 that I first heard that Liz Inman was planning to step down.” >>

MARTYN JOHNSON

EVENT DIRECTOR, LAND ROVER BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS

“As we get closer to the event, we’re certain that this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will be an event that nobody will want to miss. Last year we announced that Derek di Grazia will be taking on the responsibility of designing the course. The majority of it has been finalised and it’s obvious that Derek has made a great effort to really understand the topography of the estate...”

>> “We’d met a few times both at different eventing fixtures but also at meetings and seminars attended by directors of those events.”

“I always had a lot of time and respect for Liz, and the idea that I could take on the show and match her dedication and commitment to it was daunting to say the least.’ “Nonetheless I’m keen, motivated, and I think that alongside a really great team we can evolve the event whilst ensuring we never lose sight of the qualities that ensure it’s so well-regarded both as a sporting fixture and as a day out for people to enjoy, too.” “I was at home, late September or at the beginning of October, when the phone call came, and there was a mixture of all different emotions, from joy right through to fear!” “It’s an unusual time to start working at the event because the last event was held in 2019 so although we’re far from starting from the very beginning, there’s been lots of scope for renegotiating with contractors or making changes. Few of those will be visibly dramatic changes, but it has given us a chance to look in great detail at each aspect of the event.” “Making a change to something dramatic like the event’s layout would be like dropping a pebble in the water; you’d see the effects rippling outwards. So we do have in mind some of the things we’d like to change for future events, but for this year’s Trials, we’re just keen that the event goes ahead and that we can use the opportunity to learn and assess what we can do in future years to improve the experience for all stakeholders; owners, competitors and visitors.” “There are ways that the event will evolve, though. For instance, online connectivity across the event has gone from being a convenience to a necessity for things like allowing our 600 trade stands to take card payments, and for the media to ensure they can remain connected.”

“The majority of the course has been finalised and some of the obstacles will be familiar – again the idea is evolution rather than revolution – but there are some innovations, and having walked the course with him I think it will be obvious that Derek has made a great effort to really understand the topog“Food, too, is an area that has evolved even raphy of the estate.” since the last show in 2019. This year we’re “The final walk with FEI officials and the making a number of improvements to our clerk of the course will take place in April and food concessions and one of the reasons is to then we’ll be making more details public, ensure there’s good provision for vegetarian but it’s definitely going to enhance spectators’ and vegan diets, for example.” enjoyment of that part of the competition, and continue a tradition of making the “We’re also mindful of the way the media has Burghley Horse Trials one of the most evolved even over the past couple of years, thrilling spectacles whilst ensuring safety for and now streaming is much more prevalent.” horse and rider.” “Accordingly, we’re ensuring that “As we get closer to the event, we’re every minute of the event’s com- certain that this year’s Land Rover petition can be live-streamed to ensure everyone, across the globe, can watch it.” Burghley and Stamford Burghley Horse Trials will be an event that nobody will want to miss. We’re always really grateful to be working “Another change this year, Land Rover Burghley Horse with our title sponsor, Land perhaps a more noticeable Trials is thought to contribute over Rover, who will be showing one, will be our new £20m each year to the town’s economy. The event is attended off their flagship Range cross-country course.” by 170,000 people and Rover and their Defender, “For a number of years Captain Mark Phillips has been in charge of designing that includes 600 trade stands. which has tremendous provenance but has evolved too... much like the Horse Trials itself.” element of the competition.” “And finally, the competition’s prize fund will be the largest in the event’s 60-year history, “Last year we announced that Derek di with the winner of the 2022 Land Rover Grazia will be taking on the responsibility. Burghley Horse Trials taking home £100,000. Derek has worked hard to design Kentucky’s It’s certainly going to be an exciting event for five-star course for over a decade and also me, but I’m hoping that for our competitors created the course for the Tokyo games in and our spectators too, this year’s Burghley 2021, so we’re looking forward to everyone’s Horse Trials will make a welcome return and reaction to the course he’s created here.” will prove to be the best in its history!” n

Find Out More: Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will take place from 1st to 4th September 2022, with tickets on sale from 28th April. For more information see www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

BURGHLEY 2022: Provisional Timetable...

THURSDAY 1st SEPT 7.30 Gates Open 8.00 – 09.30 Members Only: Breakfast served in the Members’ Enclosure 9.00 – 17.30 Shops Open 9.00 – 17.00 Main Arena: Dressage 12.30 approx Main Arena: Display 9.00 – 17.00 Ring 2: Le MieuxPony Club Team Jumping 18.00 Showground Closes FRIDAY 2nd SEPT 7.30 Gates Open 8.00 – 09.30 Members Breakfast 9.00 – 17.30 Shops Open 9.00 – 17.00 Main Arena: Dressage 12.30 & 16.30 Main Arena: Display 9.00 – 17.00 Ring Two: Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Finals 12.30 Ring Two: Show of British Sport Horse Stallions 18.00 Showground Closes SATURDAY 3rd SEPT 7.30 Gates Open 8.00 – 09.30 Members Breakfast 9.00 – 17.30 Shops Open 11.00 – 17.00 Cross Country

SUNDAY 4th SEPT 7.30 Gates Open 8.00 – 09.30 Members Breakfast 9.00 – 17.00 Shops Open 9.00 Main Arena: Horse Inspection 10.30 Main Arena: Showjumping 12.00 Main Arena: Display 12.20 Main Arena: Racehorse to Riding Horse Qualifier 14.00 Main Arena: Military Band 14.25 Main Arena: Showjumping 15.25 Main Arena: Parade of Hounds 15.45 Main Arena: Prize Presentation 9.00 – 17.00 Ring 2: BSPS Gold Cup Sports Ponies. n

To double check the event’s provisional timetable, please see www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

RICHARD & VICTORIA JONES

EVENTING & INTERNATIONAL DRESSAGE RIDERS

Based in South Luffenham, husband and wife team Richard & Victoria Jones have each achieved great success in the disciplines of event riding and dressage. Both compete in their sports at extremely high levels...

“I’m not actually sure!” says Victoria Jones. “I don’t know how many horses we have right now because it changes literally every day, according to which owners’ animals we have in the yard. But it’s usually between 20 and 25.” “It’s testimony to the really wonderful team we have around us that the day-to-day running of the yard is so good. There’s never a quiet time, and looking after horses is a 365-days a year responsibility, so it’s essential to have the backup, especially when things are really busy.” As well as an ever-fluctuating number of horses, fivestar event rider and coach, Richard, and international dressage rider Victoria are also kept busy by their two children, eight-year old Florence and 10-year old Fred, both of whom have been indoctrinated into the joy –and the hard work and expense – of horses too! Richard was born and raised in the area and has lived near South Luffenham for three decades. Victoria is from Sussex and has lived in Rutland for 20 years. The couple’s gaze met and sparks flew over the manège whilst they were both competing. It’s an important year for both Richard and Victoria, as the former prepares for his first major eventing fixture post-lockdown. Badminton takes place from 4th May to 8th May and Richard can’t wait to get back to the sport as his most coveted horse – the 15year old 17.1hh Irish gelding Alfie’s Clover – has lost two years of his career thanks to cancelled fixtures. “The eventing season has been extended a bit over the past few years and now runs from roughly March to October. Richard’s favourite element of eventing is the cross-country, generally regarded as the ultimate test of both horse and rider’s abilities. As a rider, you have to be really skilled, possessing speed and accuracy.” “Dressage, by contrast, is a discipline that looks easy, but the skill is make a great deal of effort look effortless. Like gymnastics, it’s very physical with lots of demand on your core and lots of physical strength needed. But you also need great knowledge and a terrific bond with the horse too; lots of control as well as lots of energy.” “Everything is very nuanced, very precise and very disciplined, so it’s a sport for a real perfectionist... I’m note sure if that reflects the different personalities that Richard and I have, but I do know that in dressage you have to have great harmony with the horse, and that’s part of the pleasure for me.” “Any nerves you experience disappear before a show and once you’re in the arena, that good tension can be a real asset in retaining discipline, so there’s a very strong psychological constituent to competing in a dressage event too.” At the moment, Victoria is riding Dirty Talk and Ray Ban, both seven year olds, and is gearing up for her next international show in 2023. The discipline of dressage tends to be more consistent in the number of fixtures throughout the year, albeit with summer fixtures outdoor and winter ones in arenas. “What dressage and eventing to have in common, though, is that you have to pursue both with 1,000% determination if you want to succeed. We’re lucky because although we’re busy, we’ve a great team and our work never ceases to be an absolute pleasure!” n

Helping the area’s horses to put their best foot forward, farrier Stephen Hill has spent nearly 30 years among hot metal, bright sparks and heavy hammers. This summer, Stephen is organising a farriery competition at Rutland’s County Show in memory of another talented young local farrier...

1,500°c temperatures, the violent crash of hammer against hot metal and the odd spark flying out from anvil. For nearly 30 years, Stephen Hill has loved every single second of life as a local farrier, despite the tremendous physical demands and energy the career demands. “I live in Rutland now but I was born and raised on the border of Northamptonshire & Cambridgeshire, attending a pre-apprenticeship course in Warwickshire.” “From 1994 to 1995,” says Stephen, “I was apprenticed to Steven Gowan in Soham and I qualified in 1998. I moved to Rutland 20 years ago with my wife Gemma, and for a number of years I had a forge at Belton.” “Today, I’m entirely mobile, although I’m in the process of creating a stone building which I’m hoping will allow me to incorporate a permanent forge once more.” Typically, Stephen shoes around 60 horses a week, assisted by Sam Green, who has worked with him since graduating from his apprenticeship with Stephen three years ago. Sam is now pursuing his higher exams too.

Learning to Ride in Rutland

If you’re looking to learn to ride, we’ll direct you towards Stretton Riding Centre, the area’s

BHS-affiliated centre for riding and jumping, call “Traditionally Britain has01780 410323 or see www.bhs.org.uk. had some of the best farriers in the world,” says Stephen. “We’re not entirely sure what the horse population is in the UK, but it has been suggested that around 600,000 is a realistic figure. Happy hackers tend not to have their horses shows as they’re not subjected to such demanding condition, so the majority of my work is on eventing horses throughout the summer and hunters in the winter.” “Shoeing a horse isn’t always essential, but there are three compelling reasons for harder-working horses to be shod; protection from overwear, correction of any issues with their feet and greater traction which in turn has implications for the safety of both the horse and rider.” Once upon a time all shoes would be made on an entirely bespoke basis but today, the quality of machine-made shoes is so consistent that farriers can use them as a good starting point, perhaps with a little minor modification or the addition of a bar which can be incorporated. As such, younger farriers have less experience of making shoes from scratch, but for more experienced farriers like Stephen, there’s nothing like the craft of creating a totally bespoke shoe for a horse. Likewise, though mobile farriers enjoy the convenience of a gas-powered forge, there’s still something very romantic about the flames, and the scent of a coke-fired forge. Stephen reckons that although these days a traditional permanent coke-fuelled forge is

a luxury, it’s important for younger farriers and apprentices to learn on traditional fire. Stephen, like many experienced farriers is hopeful that a traditional coke forge won’t become the preserve of craftspeople, and will remain a part of a working farrier’s life, but the heritage skill certainly still draws in a crowd. And so, at this year’s Rutland Show on Sunday 5th June, he is organising a demonstration of farriery and hosting a horseshoe-making competition in memory of young local farrier. Over 40 farriers will be taking place, and the winner will be judged by James Holliday who has, himself, represented England in international competitions. n Farrier Stephen Hill is based at Belton, call 07970 920127 or see stephenhillfarrier.co.uk.

STEPHEN HILL

FARRIER & BLACKSMITH

UK FARRIERS: The State of the Profession...

n There are currently more than 2,900 farriers in the UK registered with the Worshipful Company of Farriers, the trade body which represents the profession. n The WCF was formed in the City of London in March 1356 (in the 30th year of the reign of Edward III) when the city’s mayor, Henry Pykard, wanted to crackdown on the city’s ‘bad’ farriers and deal with the damage they were causing to animals. Pykard appointed two wardens to oversee the profession. n In 1975 the first Farriers Registration Act passed as law requiring all those in the profession to be registered with the Worshipful Company of Farriers. n Currently the WCF oversees training of farriers. There are 110 people across the UK currently engaged in training, 60 of which are engaged in a new qualification –the Farrier Standard – which will replace the old qualification. n It’s thought that fewer than 5% of UK farriers are women. n The qualification follows a four year apprenticeship and will yield letters after a farrier’s name; Dip WCF. After achieving a diploma, farriers can further their education by becoming an Associate and finally a Fellow of the WCF. n There are three colleges offering formal training; Myerscough College (Lancs), Warwickshire College and Herefordshire and Ludlow College.