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October 2011
Your Horse 352 october 2011
UK’S
The yard
SARAH COHEN
Could Treason be my horse of a lifetime? Words Larissa Chapman Photography Matthew Roberts
W
Sarah and her team dash around ith an eventing career tacking up the mare she’s about to spanning three decades, ride, Trebetherick – and it quickly including selection for becomes apparent that she’s the 2004 Olympic Games as well as particular about her horses’ being placed at Burghley and appearance. She insists that their Badminton, it’s fair to say that beards and whiskers are trimmed Sarah Cohen has had an incredible regularly and asks one of her team eventing career with the best to quickly trim Trebetherick’s hopefully still to come. muzzle before she heads out on a On the day of our interview, we ride. We can’t help but chuckle as arrive to find Sarah standing in the the conversation goes like this… middle of the yard wearing a pair Sarah: “Take her whiskers off, she of sopping wet jodhpurs and a huge looks all scruffy and dishevelled.” grin on her face. She’s just finished Groom: “She likes them, they look schooling one of her horses in a fine.” Sarah: “No they don’t, take torrential downpour, but the rain them off.” Groom: “William Fox-Pitt doesn’t dampen her spirits. Sarah juggles her busy equine life doesn’t trim any of his horse’s whiskers.” Sarah: “We’re not William with family commitments to her Fox-Pitt!” End of conversation; the husband and two-year-old son whiskers come off. Alfie. So, after checking on her With the whisker drama over, toddler and a quick costume Sarah heads out to ride, and on her change, she’s back on the yard return we head inside for a all smiles and laughter, ready cuppa and a chat to find out to take another horse everything from her out for a leg stretch biggest fears to her in the changeable Want favourite cheese. summer weather. t o SE
E more ?
See mo scenes re behind-t h at w w pictures of S ew.your horse.c arah sarahc o.uk/ ohen
you r hor se
Sarah hopes nine-yearold Treason will become her horse of a lifetime – and plans to take him to Badminton next May
Turn over for Sarah’s xxxx’s answers to your questions
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Training Academy Train with the experts for free
Pic: Selene Scarsi
Welcome to the final instalment of our exciting Your Horse Training Academy
– the free riding course designed to help you become a better rider. Over the past six months, our Academy chief instructors Richard Davison and his show jumper son Tom have been your expert trainers, on hand to give advice in the magazine and online, with video lessons to download, homework suggestions, web chats and email support. And now they bring their advice to its finale as they help you clinch a rosette in the show jumping and dressage arenas.
Sign up now!
You can still sign up to the Your Horse Training Academy – and it’s all free! Signing up means you’ll get access to online training videos – plus you’ll get the chance to chat to other ‘trainees’ on the Your Horse forum, and get free email support, too. See www.yourhorse.co.uk/ta you r hor se
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Sign up now - it’s free! See below for details
Module 1
Develop the ideal position for flatwork and jumping Missed it? Call 0845 601 1356 for a back issue
Module 4 Polework & jumping Missed it? Call 0845 601 1356 for a back issue
Module 2 Improve your horse’s way of going on the flat and over fences Missed it? Call 0845 601 1356 for a back issue
Module 5 Tackle lateral work Missed it? Call 0845 601 1356 for a back issue
Meet your expert trainers Richard Davison
is a world-class rider and trainer who’s proud to be the Your Horse Training Academy’s Chief Instructor. “I’m please to be involved in this exciting new training concept,” he says.
Learn from the pros! This is your final chance to sign up to the Your Horse Training Academy – and watch exclusive behindthe-scenes footage of Academy chief coach Richard Davison as he helps wife Gill warm up at a competition. It’s all free! Just visit www. yourhorse.co.uk/ta
Module 3
Ride the perfect circle, serpentine, shallow loop and more Missed it? Call 0845 601 1356 for a back issue
Module 6 How to succeed in dressage and show jumping competitions
Turn to page 28
Tom Davison
is fast becoming a leading name as a show jumping rider and trainer – and as our Academy’s jumping expert he’ll be helping you go clear every time, with advice on how to cope at a competition.
Module 6 Improve your dressage score and jump clear In Module 6 of the Your Horse Training Academy our experts draw together all we’ve learned through Modules 1 to 5 to ensure you enjoy competition success. Discover how to warm up like a pro, prepare for a competition, deal with any last minute mishaps, impress the judges, walk a course and wel l go clear. So let your d on e! masterclass begin…
➤ Turn the page for Module 6 and get ready to learn from the best!
Get more from every training session
Spot this logo and it’s time to go online. Your Horse Training Academy members will have exclusive access to free training videos at www.yourhorse.co.uk/ta
Pay attention at the back of the class! Every time you spot this logo it’s homework time. Our experts will give you simple, easy-tofollow exercises and ideas to help you improve between modules.
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Riding
Has my horse got
potential? We give a celebrity rider an ordinary horse to ride and ask ‘how far can this horse go?’ Words Imogen Johnson Photography Mark Manning
Meet the EXPERT Jay Halim International event rider Jay began his career in show jumping and worked for Tina and Graham Fletcher for four years. Next he began producing event horses before setting up
you r hor se
his own yard. In 2007 he won the Burghley Young Event Horse class on Eye Candy. He continues to compete in international events and train from his yard in Gloucestershire.
Meet the HORSE & RIDER Steph Briggs and Tosh Steph got in touch with us about her six-year-old, 16.3hh Irish Sports Horse Tosh. She’s owned him since November 2010 and while she’s sure he’s got bags of potential she doesn’t know how to unleash it.
She says: “Tosh can be great but he’s also challenging. He has lovely paces and so far we’ve done a few Prelim dressage tests getting placed every time. He adores jumping and has a bold jump – he was cross-country
schooled before I bought him, but after a few falls I’ve lost my nerve and haven’t taken him myself yet. I’d love to event with him and know he has the potential to win but I feel like I’m holding him back.”
Ever wondered
what a celebrity rider would think of your horse? We’d be lying if we said no! So we decided to give one Your Horse reader the opportunity to take their horse to top eventer Jay Halim to ride and then ask the burning question – ‘does my horse have potential or not?’
www.you r hor se .c o.u k
Win this horsebox worth £28,700!
Fuel stop Whatever you do with your horse, the correct diet will ensure he’s up to the challenge. Here, the feed experts at Dodson & Horrell explain all you need to know Weight watchers
Fibre providers
Hay, grass and haylage are high in fibre, but other fibre-filled goodies include chaff (chopped hay and straw), alfalfa and sugar beet. If your horse is a fussy eater, research shows that offering two or more different types of fibre, such as a pile of hay and a bucket of chaff, can encourage him to eat more in the stable.
With obesity problems reaching alarming levels in UK horses, it pays to keep an eye on your horse’s weight and condition. “Weightape your horse regularly and check his condition score,” say the experts at D&H (find out more at www.dodsonandhorrell.com). “As a general rule, your horse should be fed 2-2.5% of his bodyweight each day to maintain his condition – so the average 500kg horse will need around 10kg per day.”
Extra support
a name you can trust Dodson & Horrell is a family-run business that has manufactured horse feeds for over 70 years. It produces a comprehensive range of feeds, herbs and supplements to suit horses of all breeds and disciplines. The high quality of the products is undoubtedly one of the main reasons why so many people choose to feed Dodson & Horrell. A significant amount of
you r hor se
time and resource is invested into suppliers and raw materials to maintain the highest quality possible. Dodson & Horrell uses its scientific research and manufacturing prowess to produce a comprehensive range of products for its most important customer – your horse. For free expert feeding advice, call the D&H helpline on 0845 345 2627.
From respiratory and hoof supplements to calmers and joint and muscle-boosting products, there are a huge range of supplements on the market. Available in powder, granule, liquid, pellet and paste form, they’re there to support a balanced diet if your horse has a specific weakness, health problem or need for extra salts and minerals in the form of electrolytes. It’s important to be labelsavvy. Look at how much you need to feed per day and what percentage of the more expensive ingredients the supplement contains.
WO £ 2 8 RT H ,700 !
A balanced diet
“To fulfil your horse’s energy needs he must have a balance of the essential nutrients,” say the experts at D&H. “This means carbohydrates in the form of cereal grains and fibre; protein to provide the essential ‘building blocks’ for muscle and tissue; fats and oils, as well as vitamins and minerals. Water is another essential (though technically not a nutrient). It aids the digestive process and makes up 65-75% of your horse’s body.”
Healthy digestion
“Horses are ‘trickle feeders’, designed to eat little and often, which is why limiting their ability to graze can have serious health implications,” says the D&H team. “It’s our job to replicate this natural eating pattern by allowing grass, hay and other high-fibre food sources to form the bulk of their diet.”
It could be yours!
T
his Equi-Trek Sonic Horsebox is worth a cool £28,700 – and it could be yours if you enter our fantastic competition today! The Sonic is compact and easy to drive and carries two horses in total luxury. It has the added benefit of a tack/changing/sitting area, with two saddle racks, two bridle racks and two coat hooks so you can carry all your equipment with ease, totally separate from the horses’ area. There’s also additional storage over the cab. Equi-Trek has generously added a package of incredible extras to our Sonic, including: • Alloy wheels • Mud flaps • Head divider • Corner seat with storage • CCTV camera • Digital reversing camera • Padded partition • Padded walls • Extra height partition • Road tax until June 2012
How to enter For your chance to win… >>
Go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/win and follow the instructions. Special terms and conditions apply. Closing date is midday on 2 January 2012. Alternatively visit Your Horse Live at Stoneleigh Park – the horsebox will be on show for you to have a look at and you can enter while you’re there For more information on the Equi-Trek range of horseboxes, go to www.equi-trek.com or call 01484 852121
>>
Win even more!
As well as the fantastic Equi-Trek Sonic Horsebox, we’re giving you the chance to win prizes every month from our Win a Horsebox sponsors Dodson & Horrell, Petplan Equine, Musto, Dog It and Equisafety. This month, we’ve teamed up with Dodson & Horrell to offer one reader a year’s supply of feed for one horse, along with a consultation from a member of the D&H Nutritional Team. In addition, they’ll receive a D&H goody bag containing items for them and their horse. Five runners-up will receive a £25 feed voucher and a goody bag. For more information visit www.dodsonandhorrell.com or join them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dodsonandhorrell To enter, and for full terms and conditions, go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/ win – closing date is 26 October, 2011. For more on Dodson & Horrell’s range of horse and dog food call 01832 737300 or visit www. dodsonandhorrell.com
www.you r hor se .c o.u k
2
Riding
privaTe lesson with Olympic trainer Conrad Schumacher
Making it to Grand Prix requires patience and careful training all the way combination in Conrad Schumacher Fact file front of him. is a world-renowned Name Conrad’s booming trainer. He hails from Conrad Schumacher Experience Trained voice and straight Germany and his with German Olympic talking ways can principles are firmly dressage legend Dr Josef Neckerman, appear intimidating rooted in the former rider on the at first but it’s the classical scales of German dressage subtle compromises training. During a team, former Dutch dressage team trainer, that make him such brief but intensive Team GB dressage an exceptional training visit to the team trainer from 1998 to 2002 and has trainer. He has been UK, Conrad gave earned over 40 a hugely influential YH reader James international medals for his riders including force in the Burtwell a lesson at Olympic Team and successes of the Grand Prix dressage Individual Silver for German, Dutch, rider Emile Faurie’s the Netherlands USA and British Cotswold yard. dressage teams. Conrad is famed for his One of the most successful working patterns – a trainers of all time, there’s no combination of one better placed to help carefully selected James realise his dream of exercises that taking his eight-year-old when ridden Oldenburg stallion Smash Hit together improve all the way to Grand Prix. the horse’s way of As the lesson starts, Conrad going and help the watches with a critical eye as rider develop a James walks and trots Smash feeling seat. Despite having taught Hit on each rein. When things are going well more than 4,000 he is silent, but as soon as pupils, each of Conrad’s he spots any imperfection, he working patterns is very orders James to ride a series of carefully tailored to the movements to correct it. individual horse and rider
Each working pattern is very carefully tailored to the individual horse and rider you r hor se
See the celebs Come to Your Ho rse Live and meet the top na mes in riding and tra ining For more details see page 95
For more riding advice go to www.yourhorse.co.uk
Meet the pupil
Find out how Conrad helps James shorten Smash Hit’s trot, over the page
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Pic: Bob Langrish
The
talent
Born a star? Some horses simply stand out from the crowd – but what is it that really makes a horse exceptional? Is it nature, nurture or a combination of both?
W
hen we asked four big names in the equestrian world which horses they considered to be exceptional beyond compare, one name was always top of the list – Moorlands Totilas. Edward Gal and Totilas (pictured here) hit the equestrian world with an almighty bang in 2008, and it wasn’t just dressage fans who couldn’t take their eyes off ‘Toto’. Celebrities like Ringo Starr rolled out for front row seats to see the incredible horse in action. He’s been described as a ‘freak’ on more than one occasion and his performances have rarely failed to leave onlookers in awe, but are horses like Totilas the products of excellent training and superb riding or are they born stars?
We spoke to top breeder Lynne Crowden, dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin, trainer, dressage judge and former Badminton winner Judy Bradwell and top eventer Mary King to find out.
Competition
Win
w in A HG-G O
porta ble ha steam y er – kee hay cp your on thlean e go
a haygain steamer and a lesson with hannah biggs Y our Horse has teamed up with Haygain to offer this fantastic prize. One lucky reader will win a lesson with top dressage rider Hannah Biggs, a Haygain HG-GO hay steamer, a saddlecloth, polo-shirt and baseball cap. One runner-up with also receive a HG-GO hay steamer and promotional clothing. Hannah has achieved incredible success in dressage, travelling worldwide to compete at the highest level. At 13, she got her first international dressage success on her ex-racehorse, Fort Knox. Hannah has been running Brook Farm Dressage in Dorset and coaching as a British Dressage national trainer since 2001. She gained valuable experience at the Olympic test event held at Greenwich Park, ready for London 2012. She was placed third and fifth in the Grand Prix at Hartpury and is part of the Young Riders BEF World Class
programme. The lucky winner will get the chance to take their horse and a friend to Hannah’s yard, where they’ll receive expert tuition from Hannah. A scientifically proven hay steamer, the HG-GO ensures that hay is clean by killing all dust spores. Hannah uses hers while away at shows. “The HG-GO fits perfectly in the lorry and takes half a bale, hay nets or hay wedges. It’s lightweight, easy to move about, extremely durable, and easy to use. I have peace of mind that my horses are getting the full nutritional value of their hay with no detrimental respiratory problems,” she says. For further information please contact Haygain on 0333 200 5233 or visit www.haygain.com
To enter visit www.yourhorse.co.uk and answer this question What is the name of Hannah’s ex-racehorse? a) Seabiscuit b) Red Rum c) Fort Knox
Terms & conditions The winner is responsible for their own travel for themselves and their horse to Hannah’s yard, and accommodation if necessary. For full terms and conditions, visit www.yourhorse.co.uk. Closing date 6 October 2011
s 28ge pa
re su nd en y a to lth ed ea ne , h d u fit un yo im ro ce h ar vi ps ye ad ee ll rt t k o a pe die to g ex s e se’ ng th r ri ll ho ra – a ur yo
Your
HORSE
FEED guide 2011 I ncluding * Must - read guide to for age * Why and when to feed supplements * Your feeding problems solved * How to prevent health and *
behaviour al problems F eeding dos and don ’ts
Care
PHYSIOADVICE
Injury-free zone
pic: Bob Langrish
When it comes to muscular back problems and tendon injuries, prevention is better, less painful and far cheaper than cure. Here, physiotherapist Rachel Greetham explains how to keep your horse happy and healthy
you you r rhor hor se se
B
ack problems and tendon injuries strike fear into every horse owner, but the key to preventing, treating and managing these conditions lies in understanding what’s ‘normal’ for your horse, dealing with any small problems before they can become acute, and working with the horse health professionals to keep your horse fit and well. Your vet and chartered physiotherapist, together with your farrier and saddler, are the ‘army’ who’ll help fight these conditions – and here expert Rachel Greetham explains the physio’s role in the battle…
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Care Stess-free hacking TRAINER PROFILE
Richard Maxwell (Max) Having worked with the Household Cavalry and Monty Roberts, Max has experienced both conventional and natural methods of training. Although he’s never consciously tried to merge the two, over the years he’s found himself taking the best of both methods to develop his own style of horsemanship, which he says is best described as ‘practical horsemanship’. For more information visit www. richard-maxwell.com, email richardmaxwell19@aol.com or call 07764 404723
you you r rhor hor se se
A ticking
time bomb?
When your horse feels like he’s ready to explode, hacking out can be a nerve-wracking experience – but as practical horseman Richard Maxwell explains, diffusing the situation is all about having the right negotiating skills at your disposal Words Rebecca Gibson
N
ot all horses have read the script and know that hacking is supposed to be a time to relax; for some there’s just too much to look at. If your horse is one of those who finds the whole experience a little too stimulating, and leaves you feeling like you’re sitting on a ticking time bomb when you venture out, you’re not alone. Connemara Lewey finds hacking far too exciting for his owner Nicky Jackson’s liking. Because of his overexuberant behaviour, Nicky says she hasn’t once hacked
Lewey out alone without there being some sort of incident. “I’ve fallen off so many times when I’ve attempted to venture out alone that I’ve completely given up,” Nicky explains. “Once Lewey gets full of himself there’s no reasoning with him and he’s a difficult horse to sit on when he gets silly. “He can be really good when I take him out with another horse,” Nicky continues. But as she keeps Lewey at home, it’s rare that Nicky gets the opportunity to hack out in company. “Last time we went for a hack, I had my husband walking alongside to try and keep Lewey calm,” Nicky says. “Lewey
was fine until we got half way round, but then he burst into a fit of bucking. In the end I had to dismount and walk him back home. “I’d just like to be able to go around the perimeter of the field behind my house without Lewey throwing me off at the bottom of the hill,” she says. For practical horseman Richard Maxwell, aka Max, overcoming a problem like this means rehearsing certain coping strategies in the safety of the school. “It’s all about getting the tools in place in a stress-free situation so you’re not worrying about what might, or might not happen,” Max tells Nicky.
It’s all about getting the tools in place in a stress-free situation so you’re not worrying ww ww w.you w.you rr hor hor se se .c.c o.u o.u kk
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“I bought an ordinary horse...”
The
talent
Larissa Chapman meets three riders whose horses have beaten the odds – and the sceptics – to become dressage and eventing superstars
Sam Turner and Billy
Sam Turner and Billy have been doing dressage together for the past five years and Sam dreams of making it to top hat and tails. After five years of hard work, Billy has gone from being unrideable to competing at Medium level dressage. This little cob might not be the most conventional dressage horse, but his success has been fantastic.
Max Gorden and Will
Max Gorden and his horse, Will, have been achieving great things on the local eventing circuit. Originally bred as a dressage horse, Will was nearly sold on after he became too much to handle, but fortunately for everyone, Max discovered his hidden talent and passion for eventing before he went up for sale. Now the pair are working their way up the eventing ladder and Max has high hopes for the future.
Phoebe Buckley and Little Tiger
pic: Nico Morgan
Meet the horses...
Phoebe Buckley and her pony (yes, pony) Little Tiger have made it all the way to the dizzy heights of four-star eventing. Barely 15hh, Little Tiger has beaten the best around the likes of Badminton and Burghley, over fences that are far taller than she is. Phoebe and Little Tiger have had some fantastic results, including coming 16th at Burghley in 2008. Little Tiger has now retired and is enjoying a life of leisure.
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Introducing the
Awards It’s time to give something back to the people and horses who’ve changed your life
This year Your Horse is giving you the opportunity to nominate friends, colleagues, organisations, horses, or charities that you believe deserve some special recognition. Perhaps you’ve got an
instructor who’s really helped you to reach your goals, or a horse who’s helped you through some difficult times. Take a look at the list below to see if your horsey hero fits into one of our nine special categories, then get nominating!
AWARDS ★★★
Rescue horse of the year
Farrier of the year
Horse hero of the year
Volunteer of the year
A horse who has overcome the odds since being rescued
A horse who has helped an owner through a difficult time or overcome a serious problem
Unsung hero of the year A person who has helped someone else with their horse without asking for anything in return
Equine charity of the year A charity that has really helped to make the equine world a better place
Riding school of the year
A riding school that’s really helped its riders and gone above and beyond to keep clients happy
HOW TO ENTER
To nominate and give someone the chance to win a Your Horse Award here’s how to enter: ✔ Go to www.yourhorse. co.uk/yhawards and download the Your Horse Awards entry form ✔ Email your completed form to getinvolved@ yourhorse.co.uk putting YOUR HORSE AWARDS: followed by the name of the
A farrier who has gone the extra to help a horse and/or its owner
*to be nominated by a charity A volunteer who stands out from the crowd
Riding instructor of the year
An instructor who has helped clients overcome difficult times with their horses or who always goes above and beyond to help their students
Livery yard of the year
A yard that does all it can for its clients and works hard to provide excellent facilities and a friendly atmosphere
category you would like to enter in the subject box (for example: YOUR HORSE AWARDS: VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR) ✔ Please also send a relevant picture of the group, horse or person you’d like to nominate (please send the highest quality image you have) Nominees who make the shortlist will then be contacted and their story
will be told online at www.yourhorse.co.uk Closing date is 7 October THE WINNERS! The winners, who will be announced online in November, will receive their Your Horse Award and a pair of tickets to Your Horse Live 2011.
F Horsor Your e Aw u p date ards v isit w s w w.y co.
ou r uk/ t w itt yhawa rd horse. er.co s ww m/ w or w w w.f yourhors . ac e b e c om o o /you rhors k. e
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Gear
Shopaholics heaven Come to Your Ho rse Live and you’ll find ever ything you want for you and your horse For more details see page 95
you r hor se
For more gear reviews go to www.yourhorse.co.uk
BigTest
Grooming made easy
Keep your horse looking clean and smart this winter with a little help from some great grooming products
K
eeping our horses’ coats looking clean and shiny can take a lot of time and effort. But help is at hand from the many grooming products available. YH gear editor Ally Lowther tested a selection of grooming products on her two horses, Jester and Wish, last winter and this summer. Each grooming product was tested under the following criteria Ease of use She assessed how easy each product was to apply and how much was needed. She also
Veredus Super Sheen £13.50 for 500ml
Price per 1ml
2.7p
Ease of use 0
2
4
2
4
8
10
0
2
4
6
8
10
0
6
12
3.4p
6
2
4
6
8
10
8
2
4
6
8
10
Value for money 10
0
Total 23/30 0
Price per 1ml
Effectiveness
Value for money 0
IV Horse Foaming Dry Shampoo £6.75 for 200ml Ease of use
6
Effectiveness 0
considered if any instructions given were easy to understand and follow Effectiveness Ally evaluated how effective each grooming product was – did it meet the manufacturer’s claims? She assessed how long the effects lasted and how economical it was Value for money Finally, taking ease of use and effectiveness into account, she decided whether each product was good value for money and if she would recommend you buy it
2
4
6
8
10
18
24
30
Total 23/30 18
24
30
A reasonable product which left Jester and Wish’s coats soft and their tails tangle free, but I wouldn’t say it lasted for the 15 days the manufacturer claims. The spray gave a good even coverage and it improved the overall shine and appearance of their coats. But it’s one of the more expensive products and didn’t perform any better than some of the
0
cheaper ones. I got through it quite quickly. Probably not one I would use again.
Liked the improved shine and appearance but rather expensive for what it did Contact www.zebraproducts.co.uk
6
12
This dry shampoo is easy to apply and did a fairly good job of removing stains, but it took a bit more work than some of the other products. Some of the sprays seemed to lift the stain away from the coat and all you needed to do was wipe it off, but I needed to work this one well into the coat to remove most of the stain. It left the coat looking quite wet but feeling
smooth. It does have a nice smell but it’s not one of my favourites in this test.
A nice smell, but you have to work on the stains to remove them Contact 01888 544261 or www.4horse.co.uk
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On Sale 6 OCT
NEXT MONTH IN Your Horse GET SET FOR WINTER
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