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Celebrity Interview Celebrity Interview AT home with with
mark todd Mark is an eventing legend in his own lifetime Here he answers your questions Interview by Rebecca Gibson
O
n the surface, Mark is the most laid back character you’ll ever meet and his horizontal attitude towards life rubs off on everyone around him, including his horses. But don’t be fooled by the casual exterior, despite having already achieved more than any other eventer in history, at the age of 53, Mark is still as hungry for success as ever. Mark is teaching when we arrive at his Berkshire yard. Wearing faded beige breeches and a branded polo shirt, his face is contorted with concentration as he focuses intently on the horse and rider in front of him.
Once the lesson is over, Mark joins us on a small decking area overlooking the school. Despite decades in the media spotlight, he looks a little uncomfortable as he takes to the hot seat to answer your questions, but before long he relaxes and his dry sense of humour becomes apparent. As we talk, the strong connection Mark is known for having with his horses starts to show. Throughout the interview he constantly has an eye and an ear on his horses. He twitches at every noise, and whether they’re pacing the fenceline of their field or whinnying in their stables, he’s alert and ready to answer their needs like a protective father.
MARK TODD
Laid back and friendly but determined and extremely competitive
Your Horse SEPTEMBER May 2010 2010
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Celebrity Interview | Mark Todd 21
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Your Horse YourHorse SEPTEMBER May 2010
30
. Talk horses online atgwww.yourhorse.co.uk
Navicular
Navicular bone This bone prevents over-articulation of the joint of the pedal bone as well as maintaining a constant angle of insertion of the deep flexor tendon into the back of the pedal bone
Expert advice on how to prevent and treat it
N
avicular syndrome is a debilitating condition responsible for more than a third of chronic lameness in horses. Bit if your horse is diagnosed with navicular, don’t despair, there’s so much you can do
to manage a horse with the syndrome and research into this troublesome condition is progressing at a rate of knots. The more we understand about the underlying processes, the more able we’ll be to treat navicular successfully, giving affected
horses the best quality of life possible. Here we’ve got the best expert advice and all the information you need to fight the battle, along with advice from owners with first-hand knowledge of how to manage the condition.
ILLUSTRATION RICHARD TIBBETTS / ANTBITS ILLUSTRATION
Meet the equine vet Charlie Briggs
is an equine vet at Hale Equine Vets in Wiltshire. She has worked at various large equine referral centres and is a keen horse woman herself, having owned and competed horses all her life. Her main areas of interest are equine orthopaedics and breeding.
Coffin joint This is a hinge joint that comes under tremendous stress from the structures above. Changes in the coffin joint are common, leading to lameness in many horses
The veterinary tick list Symptoms
Horses with navicular will show lameness in one form or another – call your vet if lameness persists
Cause
Numerous structures are involved, making navicular a complex syndrome that needs careful treatment
Prevention
Can be hard to prevent as there are so many structures involved – we’ve got the best advice here
The pedal bone Provides strength and stability to the hoof, and acts as a framework to hold other structures in place, and to provide protection to blood vessels and nerves
Treatment
There are lots of treatment options including an innovative drug that’s new to the UK
Your Horse September 2010
www.yourhorse.co.uk
YH Care | Navicular 31
z New
23 page section
Long pastern bone The function of the long pastern is to increase the flexibility of the fetlock joint and reduce concussion. The length and slope of the bone strongly influences the gait
Short pastern bone About one half of the short pastern bone is in the hoof. The rounded ends of the bone allow the hoof to twist or move from side to side to adjust to uneven ground
Deep digital flexor tendon This flexes the joints of the lower leg. Damage to its insertion on to the pedal bone is common and is sometimes mistaken for navicular disease
Collateral ligament Supports the navicular bone and, together with the impar ligament, forms the suspensory apparatus of the navicular bone. Damage contributes to navicular syndrome
www.yourhorse.co.uk
Impar ligament This joins the navicular bone to the pedal bone. It’s a very strong ligament providing stability to the navicular bone. This, with the collateral ligament, forms the suspensory apparatus of the navicular
Navicular bursa
ďƒ¨
This lies between the deep digital flexor tendon and the navicular bone. Navicular disease often begins as an inflammation of the bursa
Your Horse september 2010
46
Can you be taught feel? Find out on page 130.....
ACQUIRING THE TOOLS
Practical horseman Richard Maxwell shares the training techniques he’s spent a lifetime perfecting – he says once you’ve learnt these basic skills you can use them to tackle almost any training issue Words by Rebecca Gibson
M
ax, as Richard Maxwell is known, has spent much of his life working with horses who other people have given up on or labelled dangerous. This has forced him to look beyond the accepted methods of training and delve deeper into the psyche of the horse. Experimenting with how horses take in and digest new information has led Max to develop a series of basic groundwork exercises. Max’s groundwork programme is all about gaining control of each of the horse’s legs individually and in doing so opening the lines of communication between
horse and handler. “We’re never going to be stronger than our horses so there’s no point getting into a physical battle – we have to be smarter in order to stay one step ahead,” he explains. “When a horse behaves in a way that goes against what we’re asking of him he’s learnt to use his size, speed and strength against us. These things are an advantage to a horse in a crisis so it’s only natural that he tries to use them when we ask him to do something he doesn’t want to do. But, by gaining control of the horse’s legs through doing a series of simple groundwork exercises, we can show the horse that his size, speed and strength are not advantages anymore. “The key to good, effective training is getting the horse to choose to do what you want,” explains Max. “To do this you have to make sure that doing what you’re asking is the easiest option for the horse.”
Your Horse SEPTEMBER 2010
www.yourhorse.co.uk
YH Care | Practical horsemanship part 1 47
By gaining control of the horse’s legs we show him that size, speed and strength are not advantages anymore
Trainer profile
Richard Maxwell, aka Max
Having worked with the Household Cavalry and then later with 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. At the crux of all of Max’s training is developing a willing partnership.
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Your Horse SEPTEMBER 2010
56
www.yourhorse.co.uk For more gear reviews go to......
z New
23 page Grea t i n th e sa dd le
section
A wai stc oat is per fect for rid ing in
14
d ro u n o r a y a rd th e e r s a t il e
v t T h is e n t is j u s g a r mo o d o f f a s g ho rs e your
of the best waistcoats put through their paces Words by Allison Lowther
Your Horse September 2010
www.yourhorse.co.uk
YH Gear | Big Test waistcoats 57
Waistcoats on test 1 Harry Hall Wentworth Gilet 2 Shires Montreal 3 Musto Quilted Gilet 4 Mountain Horse Chameleon Vest 5 Toggi Brinson 6 Mark Todd Featherstone Gilet
BigTest The test
The testers
The waistcoats we tested were selected for their . They were assessed for suitability for riding, ease of use around the yard, warmth and fit
For this test we asked a number of readers and the YH editorial team to wear the waistcoats for riding, yard work and casually.
7 Tagg Cedar Gilet 8 Country Essentials Compton Waistcoat 9 Tottie Victoria Gilet 10 Fuller Fillies Veston Gilet 11 Dublin Suffolk Waistcoat 12 Shires Performance Gilet 13 Caldene Belton Ladies Gilet 14 Rab Generator Vest
Design & fit
Our testers assessed how well each waistcoat fitted and how easily it fitted over layers
Performance
What did the waistcoat look like and was it comfortable to ride in and wear generally? Our testers also considered how well the waistcoat performed and if it lived up to the manufacturer’s claims
Value for money
Our testers evaluated their comments on fit, design and performance in relation to the price, to decide whether the waistcoat is good value for money.
Waistcoat, vest or gilet – whatever you call it, this versatile garment is a must in any rider’s wardrobe
What to look out for sh ap i n g
for a nic e sma rt app earanc e
05
01
06
02
03
pa dd i n g
Ple nty of pad ding will hel p kee p you war m on chi lly da ys
How we score 10 – Perfect 9 – Excellent 8 – Very good 7 – Good 6 – Fairly good
scoring system
5 – Average 4 – Below average 3 – Poor 2 – Very poor 1 - Don’t waste your money
Design & fit Performance Value for money
Example verdict www.yourhorse.co.uk
New
23/30
04
1 Shaping – Gives a nice smart appearance 2 Rear adjustment – This gives a closer fit and a classy ‘dressage’ look 3 Padding/filling – Little or no filling is great to wear on warmer days. Thicker/down filled waistcoats will keep you warmer on cold days 4 Riding vents – These can be opened when you are riding to give you a little more room and comfort when you are in the saddle 5 Two-way zip – This can be adjusted to give you more room when you are riding 6 Pockets – Always useful for putting various bits and bobs in
The awards Winner The waistcoat that performed the best in fit, design and value for money and most popular with our testers Best Buy The waistcoat that offers great value for money and performance Recommended The waistcoat that performed well in our test
Your Horse september 2010
78
Top dressage rider Anna Ross-Davies starts a new column on page 162
YH DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS Is your name on our new dressage league table?
W
elcome to the all-new YH Dressage Championships, a very exciting competition that every dressage rider in the country enters without even leaving her
chair! Every month we take results from all the British Dressage registered venues throughout the country and turn them into the affiliated and unaffiliated leagues you see here. We’ve included classes from Prelim level to Medium level and created
different leagues for open and restricted riders – so no one is left out. Obviously the more you compete, the more points you’ll get – so go on, get out there, you don’t want to miss the chance to see your name in lights!
1Affiliated Open Preliminary Place 1= 1= 1= 1= 1= 1= 1= 1= 1= 1= 1= 1= 13 14 15= 15= 15= 15= 15= 20= 20= 20= 20= 20= 25= 25= 27= 27= 27= 27= 27= 27= 33= 33= 33= 36= 36= 36= 36= 36= 36= 36= 36= 36= 36= 36= 36= 36= 36= 50
Horse
Warrior Baythorne Tigermoth Unico Ballyshannon Lad Meikle D’Artagnon Coolagadden Clover Sandhaven Ziggy Motown Albert Star Dior Marches On Strawberry Daiquiri Trio Zampa Unique Jazz Night Abbotts Vale Razz Pilgrims Promise Sid Bert Ashton Bally Ballysimon Boy Luna’s Jasper Stardust Unescio Mountain Chance Balbiniarz Easy Ozzy Otter Virtuoso L’Oiseau Penclose Rhythm Polo Rocky Riot Billy Bumble Rocky Blue River Cocktail Derrygown Boy Denver III Chester Decorum Stormhill Comrade Little Miss Fifi Stanhopes Travelling Man Evangelos Maybe This Time Witchcraft Bridie Arch Rival Keeren Choice Just A Little Bit
Rider
Dedi Leech S Unwin Sally Wilkin Lisa Balcarras Charlotte Whitaker Cassie Price Sharon Lindop Gary Foggan J Williams Helen Hawkins Natasha Mansell Verity Franks Fiona Wallbank Charlotte Brotheridge Sophie Oliveira Emily Mullis Kizzy Murphy Rebecca Golland Natalie Passmore Charlotte Stock Georgina Lamb Lynne Webster Nicola Fallaize E Smith Helen Askey Joanne Bancroft Linda Davis Evelyn Cumming Tania Lee H Crumpen Deborah Randall D Veaney-Hiner Richard Gordon Aimee Devanne Caroline Butler Lynne Hirons Di Finch Sue Holmes Nicky Moxon J Eakins J Penwarden Rachael French Michelle Paton Alex Postolowsky Tom Searle David Parker Allison Knights Anne Corfield Katie Frost Zoe Graham
Your Horse september 2010
Events 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
2 Affiliated Open Novice Points 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 19 18 16 16 16 16 16 15 15 15 15 15 14 14 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Place 1 2= 2= 4 5= 5= 7 8= 8= 10 11 12= 12= 12= 12= 12= 12= 12= 12= 12= 12= 12= 12= 12= 25 26 27 28= 28= 28= 28= 28= 28= 28= 28= 28= 37= 37= 37= 37= 37= 42 43= 43= 43= 46 47= 47= 47= 47=
Horse
Anaconn William Wilfried Rivaldo B Craigloch Ferdinand Hollyhedge Cachet Gold Prince Zxen Achiles Heights Perriwinkle Bullards Professional Money Gleannmhor Orion Rohmeo JKH Granite Revelation Winnetou IV Dandare Codar Sonnet Lumiere But Lux Alike Artoeska Really Relevant Prince Otterden Milano Vogt Broomfield Phoenix Elverys Florino Vroukeline Priscilla Road Serena Watchmeester Vincent D Sharola Celebration Quite Frankly Fronk Zenit-S Cappucino Max Twig Update Sasha Wignon T Heronswood Donizette Urielle DHI Fantasia Gods Gift Zacato Chanter Greyfel Sergeant Man Zwever Woodlander Rapido Mourning Ghost Amazing II Moonlight Engagement Rilla Melyn Ormsfield Maximillion
Rider
Judith Maxwell Carrie Adams Trisha Harvey Diane Smeaton Rachel Black Victoria Catesby K Murphy Christine Guy Andrew Bradley Catriona Sealey Samantha Davis Anne Jones K De Graaff Jennifer Atkinson Scilla Lown Melanie Allen Jack Palfreyman Karen Crago Jane Morris Lourenco Cavaleiro Dee Lindsay Rachael Ellis Charlotte Wilson Maggie Copus Jayne Greenall Jessica Williams Katie Sutcliffe Annabel Jenks K Brace Nicola Karavias Shirley Dunkerley Christy Morrissey Carol Dobney Nicola Karavias Alison Ritchie Verity Franks Darren Crowe Sarah Hedderly Yvonne Scales Alice Gartly Katie Nicholas Carolyn Bateson Christine Freear Julie Billington Annette Davis-Green Catherine Cundall Clare Wilson Abbie Hughes Susan Ross Caroline Hunt
Events 7 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Points 45 40 40 36 30 30 26 25 25 24 21 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 19 18 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 15 15 15 15 15 14 14 14 14 13 12 12 12 12
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Compete | Dressage championship 79
Here’s how it works If you compete and come somewhere in the top six, we allocate you points, no matter what percentage you get. If you win you get 10 points, 2nd place gets six points, 3rd place five points, 4th place four points, 5th place three points, and 6th place two points. Over the next 13 issues these
3 Affiliated Open Elementary Place 1 2 3 4 5= 5= 7 8= 8= 8= 8= 12 13= 13= 13= 13= 13= 13= 13= 13= 13= 13= 13= 24 25= 25= 25= 28= 28= 28= 28= 28= 28= 34 35= 35= 35= 35= 35= 40= 40= 40= 43 44= 44= 44= 44= 44= 44= 44=
Horse
Silencio Triple C Handelson Don Dante Ten O’May Zandro GDH Firecracker Issey Miyake Theme Park Theo D’Or Louis B Show Lady Wordsmith Pepperswood Arcadia Tinktaurum Mellis Volumia Dutch Colgs Vicaro Milano Vogt Domani WF Dana Altino Prince Of Spies Zamiro V Ciano Urbis Zuka Bold Hunter Waltz For Eva Flaxland Spin Pjotr Artist S Irish Dream Atantiano Lady Sinclair Korenbloen Vamos Declan III Barnabie Undygo Skerne Skyevara Wenda Brer Fox II Oblivion Remember Rogdau Mr Kringle Fuegos For Get Me Not The Alchymist Rotspons Rough Diamond WG Rubins Nite Tamaimo Chianti Dreams Of Gold
www.yourhorse.co.uk
Rider
Corrina Wyse Natasha Al-Egaily Sarah Fox Terri Graham P Branch Kathryn Brace Angela Ridger David Trott Julie Rankin Jennifer Baker Karen Crosdil Felicity Peto Jennifer Atkinson T Cresswell R Black Annette Scott Dee Lindsay Verity Franks Chris Derryman Tor Fenwick Beth Moore Anne Jones Sarah Carmichael Clarissa Hall Jill Grant Ann Bostock Elena Goodfellow Dawn Mccafferty G Portus Sara Walker Sara Squires Melissa Chapman Sarah Leitch Matthew Cox Caroline Malyon Helen Mullenger Melanie Rowley Jennifer Baker Charlotte Bent Charlotte Granger Ashley Ward Cathy King Jessica Williams Tracey Hartley Gill Gallagher Abi Slater Hayley Watson Greaves Katie Dartnell Alexa Sinel Kerrie Love
z New
10 page section
winners – we’ll bring you news of this in a future issue.
Results correct at time of going to press. Any results not included will be added in next month
4 Affiliated Open Medium
Events Points
8 6 4 4 3 3 4 2 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
points will keep getting added together until, at the end, we have league winners – our champions. Every month we’ll publish the league as it stands so far, so you can keep checking back to see how you’re doing. There’ll be great prizes up for grabs for all the championship
54 43 32 28 26 26 24 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 16 16 16 15 15 15 15 15 15 14 12 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Place
1 2 3 4 5 6= 6= 6= 6= 6= 6= 6= 13 14= 14= 14= 17 18= 18= 18= 18= 18= 23= 23= 23= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 26= 44 45 46 47= 47= 47= 47=
Horse
Donnercrescendo Deoch An Doris Fever Blitz Y Matilda Heinrich Chagall Stalbrons Super Star Ventoux-W Golfball Flayne Don Daquiri My Lucky Star Florina Mr Beaujangles Mellway Precious Rose Fan-Set Utopia III Iramee Toppermooy Fearless Wg Don Wimero Brer Fox II Vemmie Brown Ufias Utopia Domino Sander II Hulland Sensation WG Rubins Nite Rossellini B Fantastic Light Da Vinci II Don Gregor Feine Dame Don Dante Maximillian Minker World Wide I Go Hugo Highwell Firenza The Royal Noname Vladimir G Uptown Boy Special Maximillian Monza Gracie II Holme Grove Bernini Konig Ramiros Secret Farsyde Guiness Saffier II DHI Work Of Art Lucas III
Rider
Joy MacLean Mary McFarlane Mark Butler Andrea Smith Claire Lilley Isobel Wessels L Mcquiston Jessica Blackmore Chris Jensen Verity Franks Hannah Esperger-Shepherd David Rumsey Fiona Busby Clare Wilson Alice Peternell David Steans Janette Frost Francis Peto Nicola Gillespie Hayley Watson-Greaves Charlotte Granger Celia Ross-Taylor Peter Tomlinson Laura Ferrier M Mcquiston Sue Mead Hayley Watson Greaves Melissa Chapman Zoe Sleigh Abbie Hughes P Hughes Anne Marie Perry Sarah Fox Deborah Randall Cath Creemer Tom Graham Tabitha Perry Louise Ladds Sharon Thomas Mandy Day T Reeve-Smith Terry Cross D Andrews Theresa Smyth Justine Sole Abbie Hughes Heidi Green Lizzie Davis Melissa Chapman L Reed
Events Points 8 8 4 3 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1
70 54 32 30 29 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 18 16 16 16 14 12 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 8 7 6 6 6 6
Your Horse september 2010
82
10 minutes with course designer Captain Mark Phillips on page 86.
Three men and a
cross country course
Your Horse editorial assistant and event rider Emily Laughton gets an
Phillip Herbert The man in charge of the course building team
David Carpenter
Carpenter by name and by profession
Emily Laughton It would be amazing to compete at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. But I’ve also always wanted to know who builds the course and where the new ideas come from each year. Speaking with Phillip Herbert and his team about how they build the course really opened my eyes to the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.
Your Horse september 2010
www.yourhorse.co.uk
Compete | Building Burghley 83
S
ome people would love to ride round The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trails course while others enjoy watching the top riders making it look easy. Your Horse editorial assistant and event rider Emily Laughton, has always wanted to see who brings the course to life. So, when the opportunity to see the Burghley course being built came about she jumped at the chance. She tells Your Horse writer Imogen Johnson what she found out.
The construction site I arrived at the course builder’s yard, on the Burghley estate in
Stamford, to be greeted by course builders Phillip Herbert, Guy Herbert and David Carpenter. They gave me a tour of the yard where I saw familiar jumps, piles of materials and the indoor workshop. “For us, the process starts in November when Captain Mark Phillips comes to Burghley and decides which fences from the previous course he doesn’t want to keep. We then remove these and store them here or undercover elsewhere,” says Phillip. “Next Mark tells us what ground work he’d like to be done, which is an extremely important part of the course build. Then we have to maintain the ground right through to the event the following year.”
there and move fence 10 to this It was interesting to learn how spot’ and we can.” soon after the event everything I’d always wondered how gets going again and it made me difficult it would be to create the appreciate how much work goes perfect course for such a into the course all year. Phillip high-profile event and explains that when he first quickly learned that it started building the involves a great deal of Burghley course, give and take. every fence was “It’s so important built in situ. that we make it easy “Back then we’d for Mark to make have piles of poles section changes if and when at every fence and he wants them. We everything was cut can’t be precious about with a chainsaw. Now having to change things we have off-road forklifts that because to get the course can pick up entire fences and right, the balance is move them. very fine. If Mark “So, with Mark, we can go thinks a fence isn’t through the list of fences and right we have to discuss his design notes. He change it until it is.” might say, ‘move fence five over
New
10 page
early exclusive look at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials course Guy Herbert Phillip’s son, Guy is an event rider and regularly rides the courses he builds
Words by Imogen Johnson
Burghley dates The La
nd Rover Bu rghley Horse Trials are being he ld from 2-5 Sept ember this year. For mor e informatio n log onto ww w.burghleyhorse.co.uk
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Your Horse september 2010
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VALID UNTIL 31/12/2010 10% discount on a week’s course at Quinta do Archino with Portuguese rider and trainer D Francisco de Bragança The week is full board - arrive on Sunday in time for dinner at 8.30pm. Lessons twice daily on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. One lesson on Wednesday in the morning and the afternoon is free time. Depart after breakfast on Saturday. A Portuguese lunging cavesson will be given to the first two people to book a holiday under this offer. To book, visit www.franciscodebraganca.com and quote Your Horse magazine. Terms and conditions Each voucher is for one person booking. You will need to arrange your own flights and transfers from the airport to Quinta do Archino
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VALID FROM 12/08/2010 to 18/09/2010 10% off any purchases from the online shop including the new sheepskin Distinction range half pads and numnahs! Whether you are looking to stock up on Equine America products, shampoos, yard brooms or brushing boots, this is the one-stop shop for all your leading essentials for you, your horse and the yard. Type in YOURHORSE into the coupon box in the checkout and your discount will be taken off. Please visit www.kmeliteproducts.co.uk or telephone 01403 759659
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05
Riding advice
Get expert help to improve your riding
www.yourhorse.co.uk Your Horse SEPTEMBER 2010
Welcome
to your new 64 page Riding magazine... h t n o m y r eve e s r o h r u o y h t d i l u w o e c u o fre y on i t c u r t s n r i e t r d i e r p r x e t e t e e h b a e All t b u o y p l e h o t d e e n r eve
Here’s a taster of what’s in this great new magazine! on sale August 12
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FREE every month with HORSE Your
Riding magazine New
64 page magazine
Exclusive
The new magazine
dedicated to improving your riding and training
+
The best expert and celebrity instructors inside ● Simple yet effective exercises for all levels of skill ● Tuition tailored to suit your needs
Contents Alexander technique P99 Your Horse clinic P104 Private lesson with top eventer Christopher Bartle P116 Developing feel P130 Dressage Portuguese style P136 plus much more
INSIDE 8 pages of horses for sale
Check out all the latest performance horses to hit the market
110
The Scales of
Training
Riding magazine Scales of training Th i n k 'sc al es ’
Ha ve th e sca les in min d eve ry tim e you rid e, reg ard les s of dis cip line
Easy ways to work on the scales of training with dressage star Claire Lilley
Rhythm
1
When your horse takes regular steps in every gait, he’s got correct rhythm. A comfortable, relaxed horse should find working in rhythm easy; however, he can be easily thrown by a tense rider or anxiety in himself, or even being asked to work on an uneven surface. Rhythm applies to all gaits and movements, not just walk, trot and canter but also gallop, extended trot, pirouettes, etc. A jumping horse will find tackling the fences much easier if the round is ridden in a regular rhythm. When thinking about rhythm, imagine a ticking clock – this is the regularity you’re looking for.
Your Horse september 2010
Suppleness
2
A loose horse can work though his back and happily accept a soft and even rein contact. Aim to have looseness in your horse’s mind as well as body so he’s happy and confident enough to let himself go. Looseness gives the impression of fluidity and freeness in the movements. For your horse to be so free you, as his rider, must also learn to be free. Your horse will be stifled in his movements if you’re tense. For true suppleness your horse must allow himself to be trained – being submissive and obedient to your aids – but never be forced.
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Riding magazine | Training 111
z New
64 page magazine
Meet the expert Words
Julie Brown
T
he scales of training are a progressive system of learning and the foundations on which the training of every horse should be based, no matter what job he’ll eventually do. Originating from the German cavalry school in 1912, the scales we know today have their roots
Contact
3
Contact seems to be the thing riders struggle with the most. Often the first two scales of rhythm and suppleness have been overlooked somewhat and the horse isn’t ready to work in a true outline. Another common mistake is thinking contact is all about the front end, when it comes from the hands, seat and legs. The German word for contact translates into ‘support’ and this sums up the whole concept nicely. The horse should work into the rein and not against it. Many riders try to force the head into a contact, which will only lead to tension and problems further down the line.
www.yourhorse.co.uk
firmly planted in the traditions of the Spanish Riding School and were further developed by the riding masters of Italy, France and Germany. There are six elements to the scales - rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness and collection – and the correct training of your horse relies on you working on these elements every time you take him in the school. British Dressage judges use the scales to check that
the horse is going correctly, but they are equally as important in the training of a show jumper. Work on the scales starts as soon as your horse is backed. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to have one of the scales spot on before you move to the next, as it doesn’t work like that. Instead, have the scales in your mind all the time, so you can check if your horse is going correctly every time you ride.
Impulsion
4
Impulsion is the horse’s desire to go forwards with energy, cadence and sheer enjoyment. With correct impulsion the horse will move as if without effort and he’ll appear to skip lightly over the ground into a rounded outline. He’ll be responsive to his rider’s aids and be easy to ride. Impulsion doesn’t mean fast or out of control – quite the opposite. It’s all about power and strength with the horse using his back end (the engine) to create the forward movement. Rhythm, suppleness and contact all need to be in place – if not, the horse will fall onto his forehand and become unbalanced.
Straightness
5
Straightness is one of the easiest scales to define – the hind feet should follow the tracks of the front feet on both straight lines and circles. A straight horse takes weight evenly through all four legs and finds it easy to carry more weight behind when asked. Although it sounds simple, straightness can be difficult to achieve. Horses, like their riders, are often one-sided, meaning that they find it easier to bend to one side than the other. It’s worth spending time developing straightness as a crooked horse is more prone to injury and subsequent lameness.
Claire Lilley
competes regularly from Novice to Grand Prix level on horses that she’s backed and trained herself. She’s training riders of all levels for the past 30 years both in the UK and abroad. She currently runs her own training centre in Wiltshire and has just written a book on The Scales of Training.
Collection
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When a horse works in collection he looks as though his forehand has been lifted but, in fact, it’s his back end that’s lowered as he takes more weight on his hind. As the haunches take more weight, his forehand becomes lighter and this allows him to perform the advanced movements. The early stage of collection is balance. An imbalanced horse takes his weight on his forehand and uses the reins for support. By working on this, you gradually ask your horse to shift his weight to his hindlegs and carry himself in front – the first stages of collection.
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Riding magazine Feel 8 ny? io t a SA rey nou rcmohvermeontnis s in ha rmon
Position
Am I relaxed and allowing the movement to flow through my body?
My mo vement
ILLUSTRATION ISTOCK.COM / JULIAN COOKE
W hat are my hi ps , lo we r an d pe lv is do ing? ba ck
Your Horse september 2010
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Riding magazine | Developing feel 131
His movement What are his hindlegs, belly and shoulders doing?
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W d wh at ho w he’s fe el ing ang? in he’s t hi nk
Feel Developing
While every rider has some degree of feel, some clearly have more natural ability to connect with the horse than others. But, if you’re not naturally blessed in the feel department don’t panic – contrary to what many horsemen will tell you, feel can be taught Words
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Rebecca Gibson
hen we talk about feel what we’re describing is an awareness of what’s going on with the horse beneath us. At a basic level this means knowing which leg is moving when, while at a more advanced stage it means being so in tune with your horse that you know what he’s thinking almost before he does. International trainer Heather Moffett says basic feel can and should be learnt by every rider as early on in their riding career as possible. “Basic feel involves knowing what the horse’s hindlegs and shoulders are doing,
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and when his belly is swinging away from you. There’s nothing mystical about being able to feel which leg is moving when but most riders simply aren’t taught what to feel for,” says Heather. It was while watching cowboy films as a teenager that Heather started to unlock the key to developing feel. She realised that the Western riders depicted seemed to be much more effortlessly glued to the saddle than many riders she’d seen. She then saw the great Portuguese maestro Nuno Oliveira at the 1966 Horse of the Year Show, sitting so apparently still. Experimenting on her own horses she realised it was
the rider’s ability to synchronise her own biomechanical movements with her horse that was the key to developing a good, feeling seat. “Put simply, the horse has two sides to his back and you have two sides to your rear end,” says Heather. “Put two and two together, in sync, and you make one. When you move as one unit, riding becomes effortless. “It’s crucial that the rider learns to use each seat bone unilaterally,” she continues. “If they’re used together to drive the horse forwards the rider won’t be able to absorb the movement properly and will be bouncing around on top of the saddle.”
Basic feel can and should be learnt by every rider as early in their riding as possible
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Riding magazine Perfect jumping canter 8
canter Get a winning
Simple steps to the perfect jumping canter
The exercises 4 simple exercises
to improve your canter for show jumping with top eventer Karen Dixon
1 Transitions 2 Canter poles 3 Back to walk 4 From one to the other
Meet the expert
Karen Dixon
Having first represented her country at the age of 17, former Olympic event rider Karen Dixon’s eventing success has been non-stop since she was crowned Junior European Champion in 1982 on Running Bear. Karen continues to event and spends her days training young event horses and up-and-coming riders.
Your Horse september 2010
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Riding magazine | Jumping canter 125
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Words
Imogen Johnson
T
he key to the perfect canter for show jumping is to ensure enough power without speed while
maintaining a good rhythm and balance. The following four exercises keep it simple, helping you progress towards a canter that will help you jump clear. Whether you have a young horse in need of educating or an advanced
horse in need of some variety in his work, these four exercises will quickly help to improve your canter for show jumping.
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The key is to ensure enough power while maintaining rhythm and balance
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Your Horse SEPTEMBER 2010
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Riding magazine Abroad
Classical Dressage Portuguese Style! Your Horse writer Imogen Johnson and head of products Allison Lowther experienced classical dressage in Portugal with rider and trainer D Francisco de Bragança
Words
Imogen Johnson
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hen we were told we were going on a working trip to Portugal we were both over the moon. We found out we’d be riding Lusitano
stallions and learning about Portuguese classical dressage from D Francisco de Bragança and knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime. What we didn’t know was that during our four-day trip, what we’d experience would completely change our perspective and understanding of riding.
Alenquer, PORTUGAL
Quinta do Archino is less than an hour north of Lisbon in Alenquer
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What we’d experience would completely change our perspective and understanding of riding
STUNNING
D Francisco de Bragança riding Pascoa Photography Diane.von Schoen
Your Horse SEPTEMBER 2010
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Riding magazine | Classical dressage with D Francisco de Bragança 137 Francisco
We arrived at Archino just in time for the first of many D Francisco has been breeding delicious lunches and got to and training Lusitano horses for know a little more about more than 30 years. He trained Francisco. Then after settling with the classical dressage masters Nuno Oliveira and David in and being given a tour of the house and farm, we experienced Ribeiro Telles, and his passion our first lessons in the early for classical principles is evening. Throughout our stay contagious. His understanding the days followed of the Lusitano horse is a similar routine: second to none and his breakfast, lessons, desire to help others lunch, relax, then final learn and understand lessons in the evening is heartfelt. – the perfect balance. At his classical riding Having absorbed school, Quinta do so much of the Archino, less than an Portuguese lifestyle hour north of Lisbon, and learnt so much Francisco teaches Francisco gets about Francisco, his his sticks from riders of all levels quince trees. horses, classical on his horses who are, It’s a cheap dressage and, indeed, quite frankly, out of alternative to a ourselves – we couldn’t this world. He also whip and it’s so possibly fit it all into offers the opportunity lightweight and flexible one feature. to stay at Archino as a that it doesn’t So we’ve narrowed guest during courses hurt the horse our experience down so you can soak up the – it’s more of to the top 14 things sun by the pool and a tickle! we learnt! relax between rides.
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The importance of work in-hand
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The key thing we learnt during our stay with Francisco is the importance and relevance of work in-hand. However, this work in-hand is quite unlike anything we do in the UK. Moving with the horse from the point of his shoulder, you keep one hand on the inside rein next to the bit ring, creating the inside bend. The other hand, with the palm facing out, sits against the shoulder, keeping a gentle contact on the outside rein that lies over the base of the neck. With this hand you also hold a lightweight stick, which is used to teach the leg aids. In-hand work is all about co-ordination and it’s important to keep the aids light. Using this method, Francisco teaches the horses the aids and can start basic lateral work when the horse begins his training. The handler can see the horse’s entire body as he moves. It also makes it possible for the handler to look at the horse’s eye, forming a trusting bond. IN practise With Francisco’s help, Ally gives in-hand work a go
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Discuss your goals with your trainer – don’t overestimate your riding skills, and take your time
Always have a horse vetted, and don’t fall in love until it has been done
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o, you’ve weighed up the pros and cons of becoming a horse owner and decided you’re willing to devote a large chunk of your time and wages to a hairy newcomer to the family. But before you flick through the next eight pages and race out to buy a copy of our sister magazine Horse Deals, think carefully
about which type of horse you’re best suited to and your ability as a rider. It’s a good idea to make a list of everything you want in your new horse and beware of ad-speak as you launch your search. ‘Not novice ride’ or ‘Needs bringing on’ hints at a horse who needs an experienced hand and would rattle a nervous beginner; while if the ad states
‘Potential Grand Prix dressage star’ take this with a pinch of salt – he could be an unbacked three-year-old. Take a trusted, experienced friend with you when you go to view a horse. Always ask to see the horse ridden first. If you’re not happy to get on, or you sense he’s not the right one for you, say so – you’re not under pressure to buy the first horse you see.
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