After five wonderful days at the Royal Windsor Horse Show (13-17 May), the H&H team have pretty much seen it all — from unexpected dressage dismounts to cavalry charges and a visit from The Queen. Have a look through our gallery of weird and wonderful sights to find out why we loved this year’s equine extravaganza…

1. Royal spectators

The Queen enjoys popping out to her back garden for a glimpse of the action, not least when some of her own horses and ponies are in the ring. Other royal visitors this year included Peter Phillips and his family and the Duchess Of Cornwall. Strictly no selfies allowed though.

2. A sack race to decide national honours

Competitors in the DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games showed athletic ability and great bouncing coordination as England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland battled it out for the top prize. Who knew a common sack could be such a speedy mode of transport?

3. Four seasons in one day

You needed industrial strength suncream on day one and a heavy duty umbrella on day two. Welcome to the traditional British weather in May.

Continued below…

Are these the most incredible horsey fancy dress costumes you’ve ever seen? [PICTURES]

• 18 May, 2015 - 08:55

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4. A wealth of tourist attractions

Tourists pay good money to look around Windsor Castle but competitors in the CEI2* Royal Windsor Endurance ride enjoyed some of the local sights for free as they completed the 120km competition.

5. The next generation of National Hunt jockeys

Olive Nicholls, daughter of champion National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls, looks to have inherited the racing genes as she leads the field to victory in the Shetland Pony Grand National. Next stop Aintree?

6. Dressage horses who would rather be showjumping

Tantoni Sir Socrates shows tremendous scope to clear the white boards in the prize-giving under dressage rider Alice Oppenheimer. Rumours that they will be competing in next year’s showjumping grand prix remain unfounded.

7. Horses enjoying a snooze in the main arena

After a long day in the saddle, members of the Musical Ride of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment took time out to enjoy 40 winks — and we don’t blame them.

8. Hunts celebrating with a £1,000 win

The WHMG Inter-Hunt Team Knock Out competition is won by the Bicester with Whaddon Chase. The quartet collected a juicy £1,000 prize. Definitely worth battling the elements for.

9. The cleanest tack you’ve ever seen

Competitors from the Coaching Marathon arrived at the Castle Arena in tremendous style. To the dedicated teams who have to keep this lot clean, we salute you.

10. Queuing for hours for refreshments that will cost you a week’s wages

Spectators could enjoy a feast of food and drink at the show — but you had to dig deep in your purse to pay for it.

11. A Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey turned winning show rider

His “Toast Of New York” jacket was spotted around the showground and then, mounted on the spottiest of Appaloosas, Perfect Storm, racehorse trainer Jamie Osborne adds a new string to his bow by winning Sunday’s ridden class.

12. Showjumpers matching the dressage riders for bling

South African competitor Genene Burnett, who runs equestrian clothing company Equiporium, showed off her immense flair for co-ordinating her outfits and tack in the CSI* showjumping classes.

13. Ponies going so fast they don’t touch the ground

A member of the Welsh team in the DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games sprouts wings for a dash to the finish line.

14. You’re not fully dressed without a bowler hat

We love the tradition of Royal Windsor, not least the strict dress codes — where else can you see gentlemen in bowler hats these days?

15. Badly parked Land Rovers

Actually no, this isn’t a case of a Discovery owner forgetting to apply the handbrake, but the title sponsor’s cars make a fantastic distraction — and possible hazard — for competitors in the four-in-hand driving marathon.

16. Some of the most badly behaved horses are in the tradestands

This rearing wooden horse in the tradestands certainly had spectators coming in for a second look.

17. The best seats in the house are on a London bus

Revellers could enjoy a glass of champagne while watching all the action in the ring.

18. It’s great to be British

Foreign competitors at the show see it as a real eye-opener — where else can you see native breeds crossing paths with world class showjumpers and military riders? The evening performances in particular kept the crowds enthralled and we were proud to celebrate being British. Bring on 2016!

Don’t miss the full report from Royal Windsor in the 21 May issue of Horse & Hound magazine

It may not seem a milestone compared to the Royal Bath & West Show, which was founded in 1777, nor compete with the outstanding achievements of AP McCoy, but I was proud nevertheless to celebrate the 25th anniversary of my North of England Spring Show last month.

In 1989, I couldn’t comprehend why we didn’t have an equivalent event to the South of England Spring Show in the north, knowing how much support there was for showing. Consequently, the title was born well before approaching the relevant governing bodies and Osbaldeston proprietors Norman and Mollie Bargh to stage the appropriately named two-day horse show. Pony day was added on later.

Apart from holding prestigious qualifying rounds, I also realised — from my fond memories of the Stoneleigh indoor Spring Show — how vital novices’ classes are to competitors, especially at the beginning of the season. One of the highlights for me has been watching some of our North of England novice winners go on to enjoy illustrious careers in the showring, including victories at Horse of the Year Show.

Down memory lane

At the first event, the hack champion received a shirt as a prize. Since then, presenting thousands of pounds worth of products to competitors has become a feature of the show and I’m bowled over by the generosity of those donors and, of course, our loyal sponsors.

One of my favourite photographs from the show, which appeared in H&H, looked like a scene from the Muppet Show. Julie Bankier, winner of the mini show pony championship, was surrounded by more than 100 Beanie animals, donated by Claudia Cooper for the mini classes.

In contrast, two incidents still haunt me to this day, despite not ending badly. A working hunter stopped abruptly at a fence and its front stud became embedded in the filler. Thankfully the horse stood like a rock while the log pile was dismantled underneath him.

The other was like a dramatic storyline from one of the soaps. A distraught exhibitor announced that there was a major gas leak in the horsebox lines. The problem was located but all movements in the area came to a halt for more than an hour as a spark from a horseshoe could, theoretically, have triggered an explosion.

It takes a hardworking team to produce a successful show and without sounding like an Oscar recipient, I would like to thank all those involved over the years — and here’s to another 25!

Ref: H&H 14 May 2015

One of the first crop of foals sired by dressage star Totilas won in the showring at Royal Windsor Horse Show at the weekend (13-17 May).

Timolin headed the Blue Chip ridden sport horse qualifier at his first attempt. The four-year-old was partnered by Lizzie Murray and is owned by a syndicate led by Anthony and Jennie Loriston-Clarke.

“Our jaws dropped when we first saw him move as a yearling and he’s been turning heads ever since,” said Jennie, who formed the syndicate to keep him in the country for the benefit of British breeding.

The elite graded stallion is out of the Sion-sired Samira, who competed to prix st georges level with the late Olympic dressage rider Jane Gregory.

Timolin stood champion sport horse as a two-year-old (pictured) at Royal Bath and West Show and Devon County, and has qualified for the four-year-old final at the national dressage championships at Stoneleigh.

“It proves that Totilas wasn’t ‘manufactured’ after all as he has passed on this incredible movement, and because Timolin also has Glendale lines from his sire and Landadel blood from his dam, he really jumps as well,” said Jennie.

Nine foals sired by Timolin are expected in 2015.

“He already has foals on the ground and puts quality on everything. He could breed for any job,” added Jennie.

Timolin’s sire Totilas became the first horse to win all three gold medals available in dressage at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, partnered by the Netherlands’ Edward Gal. He has broken multiple world records, and was the first to score more than 90% in the freestyle.

Now campaigned by Germany’s Matthias Rath, the 15-year-old Dutch warmblood beat British stars Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro in CHIO Aachen’s grand prix and special last July.

Don’t miss the full report on Royal Windsor Horse Show in tomorrow’s Horse & Hound magazine (21 May).

Royal Windsor is more than just a show; it’s an occasion — for competitors and spectators. It’s not only the wonderful setting that makes it so special, it’s the atmosphere.

I can’t decide whether I get more enjoyment from riding in Royal Windsor’s fantastic setting, in the main ring at Great Yorkshire or on home territory at Royal Norfolk.

But if I had to choose a show to visit for a great day out, it would be Windsor.

Making the first day free for spectators is a clever and much-appreciated gesture.

I’m told it started as a thank you to the townspeople for putting up with road closures and inconvenience, but it certainly brought in the crowds and the feel-good factor, and probably boosted the stallholders’ takings.

Organising such a packed showing schedule must be a logistical nightmare, as it included everything from mainstream classes to those rarely seen outside specialist breed shows. Entries had to be made on the basis of a provisional timetable, and different timings in the final version meant a few competitors couldn’t compete in all the classes they had entered.

That’s disappointing, though understandable. Entry fees were refunded, but there would have been some disgruntled owners. It is never an easy choice to decide which horse will compete and which will stay at home.

The two rings with all-weather surfaces rode as well as we’ve come to expect when day two was hit by torrential rain. Even the grass ring stood up to it, because although the outside track cut up, it didn’t get boggy and horses kept their confidence.

Rubbish timing

I swapped hats on Saturday to judge novice show ponies. Early starts are another inevitability that comes with a packed schedule and the 148cm ponies were in before 7.30am.

As show pony numbers are apparently in decline, it was encouraging to see well-filled classes, especially in the 128cm and 138cm sections. Some of the combinations I saw will definitely go on to do well in open classes.

However, we could have done without the dustbin lorries beeping and crashing right next to the ring. Next year, could the organisers please ensure the bins are emptied before the classes start?

One or two young riders drew the short straw and their individual shows were affected by the disturbance. I know these ponies are meant to be suitable for children, but they are novices — and they aren’t meant to be mini police horses. They have to cope with many things at a show of this size and calibre, but this could surely have been avoided.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 21 May 2015

Vanessa Clark’s prolific-winning and much-loved Connemara stallion, Castle Comet, has died at the age of 21 following complications during emergency colic surgery.

Twice junior champion at Clifden, the dun was bought by Vanessa as a three-year-old. He was by Abbeyleix Owen out of Castle Dame.

“I saw him in Ireland and knew I had to have him,” she said. “I saved up for a year to buy him and spent the whole time praying no-one else would come along and snap him up. I would ring the owner, Henry O’Toole, on a monthly basis, sick with nerves that he might have been sold.”

Then began a glittering career for the pair. Comet was twice native supreme at the now-defunct Royal Show — once standing reserve supreme of the show. He was champion at Dublin and qualified for Olympia four years running, at the time when a pony had to stand overall champion of the Olympia ridden section in order to qualify.

He was supreme pony at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) on his sole appearance there under saddle, and is still the only pony to have stood supreme at HOYS and at Olympia. Three-times supreme at the Connemara Breed show and twice NFU overall supreme at the National Pony Society (NPS) championships, he also qualified for the HOYS Cuddy in-hand final four times.

Comet leaves a legacy of successful progeny, including 2013 HOYS winner Chilham Aquarius, 2014 Royal International victor Chilham Pursuit and 2014 Cuddy finalist Castle Emperor, who was this year’s Royal Windsor breed champion and Notts County Cuddy reserve.

“He has been my life for 18 years,” said Vanessa, who had him as guest of honour at her wedding. “He loved sweets, and we often used to ride round to the village shop where he’d stand on the pavement waiting for people to come out with sweets or crisps. Many times I’d ask my mother to go round and come out with something to give him just he wouldn’t be disappointed. I am heartbroken.”

Royal Windsor‘s amateur champion, Sophie Buckley, is a farmer’s wife and mother of two. Here are 13 other things you need to know about this hobby rider who piloted a home-produced horse to victory in front of The Queen.

1. Sophie’s winning mount, The Prof, (pictured top) is named after the doctor who successfully treated his former owner, John Henry Senior, for cancer.

2. John is a former master of the Meath Foxhounds in Ireland. He acquired The Prof when his dam, Stickybeak, was taken to the kennels to be put down.

3. Sophie bought The Prof from Kieran Ryan in January. “I had to do a lot of convincing to get the family to sell him to me, because he played such an important part in John’s recovery. They finally agreed, mainly because I’m also Irish,” said Sophie.

4. Shortly after arriving at Sophie’s Banbury home, the five-year-old grey flipped over a field gate while turned out. He galloped at the gate too quickly and, due to muddy conditions, was unable to stop. He lowered his head and somersaulted over.

5. Consequently, The Prof needed some time off and only had one outing prior to Royal Windsor. This was at Keysoe, where he stood champion amateur hunter and earned a ticket to the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS). “He’d only been in work for about six weeks before Windsor and he was tiny bit buzzy, but generally he’s a nice, easy person — the perfect amateur horse,” said Sophie.

6. The Prof was bred by Anna Darragh, a relative of the late Irish showjumper Paul Darragh.

7. This is the second time Sophie has won at Royal Windsor. She topped the working show horse class on Rose Blossom in 2013.

8. Sophie has three horses at home, including a heavyweight hunter who has qualified for the RIHS, and does all the riding and producing herself. She credits Rory Gilsenan with “getting her going” on the British showing circuit, and he was at Windsor to watch her win.

9. Sophie juggles raising two children, seven-year-old Albert and Athena, four, with riding and helping her husband, Charles, run their arable and renewable energy farm. “It’s a busy day but it makes results like Windsor all the more satisfying. I compete in showing purely for fun,” added Sophie.

10. However, Charles is not horsey and Sophie attends shows by herself. “My father was also a farmer who hated horses, so I’m used to it,” she said. “I had to beg for a pony and finally got one when I was eight. I Pony Clubbed and hunted, before falling into showing in my teens.”

11. Sophie hails from Co Kildare in Ireland and her first taste of showing success came at Dublin Horse Show, where she headed the show horse championship at the age of 17.

12. The Prof is also a past winner at Dublin, standing reserve champion lightweight, and Sophie hopes — “budget allowing” — that they will both return this year.

13. Sophie is a ride judge on the Sport Horse (GB) panel.

Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s full Royal Windsor Horse Show report in the current magazine (21 May), on sale now.

Eagle-eyed viewers of Britain’s Got Talent last night (Saturday 23 May) might have spotted a familiar face from the show scene among the successful acts.

Swansea-based Corrin Casini (pictured far right) — a former showing rider and daughter of well-known commentator Carey Knox — is a member of an all-girl singing group called the Honey Buns.

The group earned the magic “four yeses” from the judges for their rendition of the classic Weathergirls number “It’s Raining Men”.

Corrin, 33, has also done some commentating herself and co-ordinated the music for Equifest’s evening performances last year, but she is perhaps better known on the equestrian scene nowadays as a bespoke hat-maker.

Her creations are worn by numerous lady judges on the showing circuit and are also popular among driving exhibitors — Jessie Howell, last year’s  Horse of the Year Show harness final winner, was sporting an original Corrin hat, as were five others in the final line-up.

So, how did performing in front of the dreaded Simon Cowell rate?

“Riding at any large county show was always scary and had the same adrenaline rush,” said Corrin, also a trained singer with degrees in Performing Arts and Musical Theatre.

“But this was marginally easier because there were six of us, all supporting each other, as opposed to being on your own with your pony in the ring — not to mention mothers watching and telling you what to do!”

What grooming items do leading showing experts swear by in order to make the horses in their care look their best in the ring?

Renowned pony producer Katy Carter and Jo Jack, head groom to Katie Jerram for 12 years, reveal eight essential items that give their charges the winning edge.

Katy and Jo’s grooming kit essentials

1. Oven gloves

Ideal for lifting coats out and, because they are soft, horses will allow you to rub their whole bodies, including their legs, top of the head and around their ears. According to Katy, a clean pair of oven gloves is also useful for a final wipe over.

2. Baby wipes

Perfect for wiping bits, bridles and faces — as well as oily hands before doing up the girth. Katy swears by them.

3. Head torch

A must-have for early-morning or late-night plaiting. You might feel silly at first, admits Jo, but it makes a fiddly job far easier when the light is poor.

4. Dog grooming comb

Brilliant for helping to remove loose hair, says Katy.

5. Tea towels

Both experts agree that you can never have too many of these to hand. Use a tea towel damp to remove any dust before spraying the horse’s coat, or mane and tail.

6. Trimmed dandy brushes

Jo says that with the bristles shortened, these are sturdy enough to accurately draw on quarter marks that will last as long as you need them

7. Half a pair of trimming scissors

Great for pulling tails in a quick, efficient way without upsetting the horse, says Jo.

8. Good old fashioned elbow grease

OK, this isn’t technically in a grooming kit but, according to Jo, it is the only way to make a coat look its best, so get brushing.

For more turnout advice and training tips from other top riders and trainers, don’t miss the new issue of H&H Ask The Trainer, on sale now.

Let us not lose sight of what the ride judge is looking for. Particularly in the hunters and cobs, the ride judge is not there purely to assess the accuracy of the movements asked. The judge is there to get a “feel” of the horse. Is it ground-covering, bold, balanced and comfortable? Essentially, would I want to sit on this horse all day out hunting?

It makes me cross when I hear people moaning that a horse won with a wrong leg or a spook (hack classes are an exception). I could sit on a horse and it appears to give a good ride, but if it’s not comfortable, lacks engine or is downhill, then I wouldn’t want to hack to the meet, let alone hunt it. An odd spook wouldn’t worry me — at least it won’t fall down a hole.

Schooling is obviously important and you can make a horse obedient, but you won’t change whether it’s comfortable or not.

I was very disheartened at a show earlier this year, when taking a youngster to ride round for experience. I was accosted and told that if the horse wasn’t competing, then it wasn’t allowed at the show. How on earth are young horses expected to learn?

Getting the balance right

There is a fine line between overworking your horse and it being too fresh. My tips are to practise in different environments; get other people to ride your horse and don’t be frightened to let him have some personality and sparkle. A show horse should have charisma and be full of presence.

However, on the flip side, the judge is not a crash test dummy. I cringe when I hear, “Oh, I hope he’s a good boy, it’s his first time off the yard and no one else has ever ridden him before.” If your horse isn’t going well enough for you, don’t expect a judge to ride it. Go home and practise.

Horses are great levellers

I always remember going to Dublin Show with my dad and trying a potential worker.

It was a very nice horse, but let’s just say it wasn’t prepared. It was all going well, but Dad being Dad decided to throw a bale of straw under the fence and proclaimed the infamous last words: “Just trust him a bit now, Si!”

Seconds later, I found myself on the floor, minus the horse but with the bridle, and the enthusiastic Irish man shouting, “don’t worry, I’ll catch him for you”.

Feeling pretty humiliated, I shouted, “don’t f*****g bother!”  I stood up to a very sarcastic round of applause from some jumping friends, but later on in the pub after a few pints of the black stuff, it was all good fun. That year I quite literally took home a bit of Dublin.

At the end of the day, horses will be horses and they are great levellers, but if you’ve done your preparation right, the job should run smoothly.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 28 May 2015

After a senior judge had his leg broken by a kick, could health and safety concerns affect the future of ride judging?

After a senior judge had his leg broken when kicked by a horse, could safety concerns affect the future of ride judging?

Richard Mills was left with a broken leg after being kicked while judging at Balmoral Show in Belfast earlier this month (13 May).

Richard, who was overseeing the Hunter Supreme Championship alongside Chris Hunnable, had just mounted and was riding away from the line-up when his horse started resisting and whipped round.

“Chris had just got on a horse at the other end of the line and unfortunately mine took me back towards him. We both met in the middle and in the confusion the other horse caught me hard above my ankle,” Richard told H&H.

Although Richard said it was “was just one of those things”, he is concerned that the future of the art of ride judging could be jeopardised by health and safety concerns.

“The day health and safety reared its head was a black day for the sport,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if within five to 10 years there’s no ride judging at all. And I wouldn’t go to a show again —what would be the point?”

In her guest edited issue of H&H earlier this year (19 March), Jayne Ross questioned the future of ride judging and whether the next generation of judges are up to a standard needed to continue this crucial aspect of the sport.

“My concern is that we will end up losing ride judges altogether and be like so many places abroad which would be a huge shame,” she added.

Healthy and safety concerns

But could it be health and safety that curtails the art?

In 2004 doubts were raised when John Chugg, a respected English panel judge, broke his back when he was bucked off twice in the middleweight hunter class at Dublin.

And now safety concerns have been highlighted again following Richard’s accident.

There are fears that over-fresh horses are an increasing problem.

“The judge is not a crash-test dummy. If your horse isn’t going well enough for you, don’t expect a judge to ride it. Go home and practise,” said H&H columnist Simon Reynolds.

Producer and judge Robert Oliver said it is a “very worrying state of affairs” and agreed with Simon that exhibitors need to get their horses “show ready” before letting a judge sit on them.

“These days exhibitors present their horses far too fresh and unaccustomed to the situation, which needs addressing,” he said.

“A few years ago you’d have a horse that was nicely fresh — now they are over-fresh and you’re more likely to get dumped.

“ I think part of the reason is that horses don’t see the sights and sounds they should — they are in an arena and don’t see cattle, sheep and tractors. So when they get to a show and see banners and crowds, they lack bravery and act out.”

He agreed that health and safety is a growing concern.

“I don’t know about putting people off completely, but you don’t want a bad experience and land smack on your back,” said Robert.

Richard Mills believes increased time pressures lead to a lack of preparation. “Years ago producers gave more time to horses, now it’s got to be tomorrow, not next week, month or year, but all horses have to start somewhere,” he said.

What does the future hold?

Nigel Hollings, deputy chairman of the judges committee of the British Show Horse Association (BSHA), said to lose ride judging would be “very detrimental” to the future of the sport.

But he added that although we’re “more aware” of accidents now, he doesn’t think much has changed in the past 20 years.

“You’ll always rely on horses being used to being ridden and you’re going to have situations where people are injured as horses are unpredictable,” he said.

“But there are some excellent young ride judges — look at Chloe Chubb and Ben Hester at Royal Windsor.”

Though he agreed that the onus is on the exhibitor.

“Yes a judge should be fit, but exhibitors must bear responsibility for their horse. I’ve had people say to me, ‘Oh, be careful he’s not had anyone else on him before,’ or, ‘He doesn’t like men.’

“They should be prepared before they arrive at the show. There are enough opportunities out there from societies to educate horses at grass roots levels.”

He also pointed out that there is a difference between “a well-mannered horse slipping and a horse depositing a rider”.

“There’s a two strikes and you’re out policy in the BSHA so there are elements in place to protect judges,” he said.

The BSHA also intends to trial pilot scheme of newcomers novice classes, whereby horses going to shows for the first time aren’t ridden by a judge,

“This will to get them used to the environment without the added pressure of a new rider,” Nigel told H&H.

Ref: H&H 29 May, 2015

Well-known show rider and producer Andrew Done has enhanced his personal showing credentials by becoming the inaugural Mr Staffordshire.

The contest was held at Uttoxeter Racecourse in May, and Andrew fought off competition from other hopeful contestants to win a place in the national Mr England final, which will take place in August. There he will go up against 19 other hopefuls to be crowned Mr England.

The successful contestant will go on to represent England internationally. Andrew, 23, is a previous winner at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and a regular finalist at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS).

“I enjoy working out and am passionate about personal fitness because it enhances my ability to ride” said Andrew. “I’ve entered a few ‘beach body’ competitions so when I heard about Mr Staffordshire I thought I’d give it a go, but I didn’t expect to win!”

However, to claim the title, Andrew had to do more than display his rippling muscles.

“We are part of a charity called Beauty with a Purpose and there is a significant amount of fund-raising associated with the Mr England role,” said Angie Beasley, director of Miss England.

“Our winner needs to be talented and be able to communicate with people from all walks of life, as well as being a pretty face.”

Andrew took part in a Tough Mudder — which includes an obstacle course through mud — earlier this year to raise money for Help for Heroes as part of his charity fundraising effort.

Andrew aims to become a personal trainer and hopes his victory will inspire other riders to think about their fitness.

Needless to say, Andrew’s conformation is now the subject of much scrutiny although it remains to be seen whether he will be asked to strip himself, or just his horse, in the showring…

It might have been three weeks ago, but I am still buzzing from Royal Windsor Horse Show. Many will be surprised to hear that it was my first visit.

A highlight was the hunter championship; watching these magnificent animals gallop along the main arena is quite something, and it was great that spectators cheered so enthusiastically.

However, I do have one gripe, which applies to showing as a whole. It is my job to ensure that I know what’s going on in each ring, but many passers-by struggle. For example, one woman sitting beside me turned to her neighbour and asked, “What is going on in the ring?” The answer? “I haven’t a clue.” They soon moved on.

Announcing each class at the beginning and end, including the winner, was a start.

However, if you missed the commentator’s introduction you were in the dark — and what, you have to ask, is the point in continuing to watch?

I’m fully aware that we can’t risk judging bias by saying too much over the tannoy.

I accept that, but just because that’s the way it has always been, doesn’t mean new ideas can’t be explored. Surely a good judge is engrossed in assessing what is going on in front of (or beneath) them, rather than listening to the commentator, who is there to entertain the crowd. And if their opinion can be so easily influenced, should they be judging at all?

Simply revealing what the judges are looking for, as at Dublin, and why they chose the winner, would help. The latter happens at Olympia and it is brilliant. Audience engagement is vital at major shows, particularly when there is an opportunity to attract new interest — but even the most dedicated showing fan wants to be informed.

I trialled H&H’s live coverage at Royal Windsor, a first for us in showing. The number of followers was promising and we are looking at the feasibility of running it at future shows.

Risky business

The risks involved in ride judging have been prominent recently.

A napping horse with judge Sam Roberts in the saddle at Royal Windsor begged the question, could I ever do that? The answer is no. When my horse ignores my aids or spooks, I know a firm leg telling him to go forward won’t cause him to blow up. But every equine has boundaries.

It is worrying to think that accidents could jeopardise ride judging’s future. I take my hat off to those who do it, and wish Richard Mills a speedy recovery.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 4 June 2015

With some of the best producers, training centres and shows in the area, property expert Carla Passino explains why Essex has all there is to offer if a showing haven is what you are looking for.

Why choose Essex for all of your showing needs?

Essex has an unusually high concentration of great showing riders and producers.

Which top riders can you expect to spot in the area?

Katie Jerram (pictured teaching), of Great Dunmow, has won countless accolades, not least with the horses she produces for The Queen. In Epping, Justine Armstrong-Small is one of the biggest names for working hunters and in Chelmsford, Lisha and Janay Leeman of Kellythorpe Stud are successful breeders, with several HOYS placings, including a first and second place in the Cuddy Supreme In-hand Championship in 2013. In Ongar, Terri Guyett has a strong reputation for showing ponies and M&Ms, while in Maldon, Team Colosso have joined forces with producer Leon King for what looks like an exciting season.

Beyond the showing crowd, Essex has a strong tradition of driving and is home to Team GB member Wilf Bowman-Ripley.

Where can you hone your skills?

Home to the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) area 15’s classes, Brook Farm in Stapleford Abbotts has excellent facilities and hosts regular Katie Jerram clinics.

Where can you get competitive?

Brook Farm runs affiliated and unaffiliated showing competitions, including qualifiers for the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS).

The National Pony Society’s (NPS) Area 14’s RIHS qualifiers are held at Ashfields Carriage Centre. Essex’s convenient location and good transport link make it easy to reach other venues across East Anglia and the South of England.

What can you expect to pay?

The main price bracket for equestrian properties in Essex is £600,000 to £1 million, according to Zoe Napier of Zoe Napier Country & Equestrian.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 28 May 2015

So a few weeks ago the time finally came for the one judging appointment I had been more than a little excited about undertaking since I had been invited earlier in the year; Royal Windsor Horse Show.

If you have ever seen any of my other blogs about Windsor over the years you will know it is one of my favourite shows. I didn’t always have the best record for results at Windsor until I had my wonderful old intermediate, Snip who won the small intermediate title three years in a row!

But regardless of how you do, Windsor is always an honour to ride at. The beautiful setting and the whole atmosphere, plus the chance to see Her Royal Highness The Queen makes it quite special, so to be asked to judge there has just about made my season.

I had been asked to ride judge the amateur horse classes – riding horses on the Thursday and cobs and hacks on the Friday. However as the show had received such large entries I was asked to step in and ride the novice cobs as well, very early on the Friday morning.

My first class on Thursday was around midday, but you can imagine my dismay at waking up to the pouring rain, especially as the day before had been glorious! Typically mum and I got held up a bit on the motorway so had a slight dash from the car park to the judges area. Thankfully judge’s perks meant we flagged down a buggy and after a quick change it was down to my ring with my wonderful co judge.

As we entered the ring the heavens opened along with the wind but I wasn’t going to let that depress me as I had a lovely ring of horses to judge. Thankfully they were all pretty well behaved considering the conditions, and although it got harder to hold my reins by the end, I had some really nice rides. There were certainly some horses I would have loved to have taken home, it was just a shame the weather didn’t let me enjoy them a bit more! After the class mum and I headed straight home to dry out my clothes, hat and boots ready for a very early start the next day.

My first class on the Friday at 7am was the novice cobs and as they came in I thought, wow what a class. They stretched the whole way around the sand arena, it was a fantastic sight.

On the go-round we picked out a handful that had really stood out and pulled around ten horses out of the 20 plus that came forward. Although I am quite small I have always loved riding the cobs and it was a complete privilege to ride such lovely animals and to have a perfect sand arena to do it in. I am not going to lie, it was a fairly tiring experience and you also have a tight schedule to keep to while you are judging, as the show needs to run the classes to time. Therefore I soon learnt to get on and off pretty quickly.

With my co judge we debated the final line up and pulled forward six horses. I wish we could have placed more as it was hard just choosing the six with so many lovely horses in font of us. I had a quick break before the amateur class entered the arena, but I couldn’t believe it, it was bigger than the novice class!

The cobs stretched from side to side of the arena but I think my grin did too! Again it was fairly tiring riding another class off over twenty cobs but what a privilege. I had some brilliant rides, a lot I would love to have taken home and again we had some very hard decisions to make.

I wish we could have pulled forward more than the six but we did try where possible to offer any feedback and mention to riders which other ones we would have liked to have placed. As I mentioned, the animals really were a credit to all their owners and riders; they all did a fantastic job.

I had a few hours break before the hacks so I got to watch the Mountain & Moorland championship in the main arena – a lovely sight to see.

A quick change back and I was onto my final class, the hacks. In typical hack style they were slightly more flighty than the cobs and I had a few more testing rides than I had experienced in the morning. However it was lovely to see some beautiful, elegant animals and it gave my mum her hack fix for the year.

My final honour was to get to judge alongside the two other cob judges in the main arena for the championship (winner, Fait Acobbli ridden by  Simon Charlesworth for owner Mrs V. Smith pictured). Both the novice and amateur horses, who had given me cracking rides in the classes went beautifully, with the novice winner that I judged alongside my co judge claiming the reserve spot, finishing up a most wonderful experience.

My time at Windsor really reminded me how lucky we are to have a show like this to compete at and also the ability to be able to judge horses via ride judging. It really is a privilege, one I hope I get to do for many years to come, although I have a feeling it will be hard to ever match my first Windsor judging appointment!

Chloe

At the beginning of 2014, Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain (SHB(GB)) introduced a controversial new hat rule, making it compulsory for all competitors and judges in its classes to wear a hat or skull cap with safety harness, that meets current approved BSI or European standards. This included in ladies’ hunters classes and championships.

However, the ruling was met with widespread criticism from riders — and now it would seem that the organisation has made a U-turn.

From 1 June riders are once again allowed to make a personal choice.

“At the SHB (GB) council meeting on 19 May, the rule on the wearing of BSI hats was brought up, following requests from the members meeting,” read a (SHB(GB)) statement.

“Many shows already have the hat rule in place, which must be met, but the members wanted to be able to choose when possible. There was a majority vote in favour of removing the rule.”

The new rules read as follows: 
“It is strongly recommended that competitors aged 18 or over wear skull caps or hats with safety harness in accordance with the current approved BSI or European standard, in order to minimise risk of head injury. It is mandatory for competitors under the age of 18 to wear such skull caps or hats.”

Laura Harrison from SHB(GB) said the organisation had “reacted to an overwhelming vote”.

“We are not backtracking,” she added. “We still strongly recommend people wear a helmet.”

The rule was originally introduced to bring SHB(GB) into line with other equestrian bodies. Safety hats are now mandatory for all British Showjumping competitors, for British Dressage except for advanced and above, and for British Eventing except for dressage and prize-givings at intermediate championships and above.

But in January, shortly after the rule was brought in, a disagreement over the rule resulted in Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) hunter qualifiers no longer being run by SHB (GB), with the British Show Horse Association taking them on.

“The decision has been made following overwhelming requests from competitors and exhibitors to retain personal choice regarding headwear,” said a statement from HOYS at the time.

Following this, SHB(GB) called an emergency council.

A statement from the society at the time said: “This has caused a lot of heartache about a rule by which HOYS’ own admission is likely to be enforced by legislation in the near future.

“SHB(GB) has the full backing of the Royal International Horse Show and already has the support of a significant number of affiliated shows throughout the country.”

Frustration
Many members were frustrated by the apparent lack of reasoning behind the decision.

“If there had been a serious head injury or several show injuries of late, I could understand. But there hasn’t been,” said producer Robert Walker. “It was one of those things that not a lot of thought went into. I imagine now it will run more smoothly with those who want to wear a chinstrap being about to and those who don’t, won’t. It’s a shame the HOYS situation had to happen, though.”

“I admire them [for reverting the rule], as this shows that they are man enough to say they made a mistake and have listened to members to give adults a freedom of choice,” said Lucy Killingbeck, who has won the ladies’ hunter championship at HOYS twice (pictured).

“It is fabulous it has reverted but a shame it caused so much controversy.”

Jane Cooper from the organisation added: “We’ve seen it needs to be left to the riders’ discretion. It would be lovely if we could work with HOYS in the future.”

Everybody has a list of dream achievements and two have just come true for us: champion show hunter pony with Annandale Maria at Royal Windsor Horse Show, followed by the front cover of the Showing Journal. Wow. Alice has become the fourth generation of the Tatlow family to win a Royal Windsor championship — this will be a lifetime highlight for her.

After Windsor we enjoyed a few family days in Cornwall where my son Harry mastered mono skiing. I think he was very brave even getting in the water! Alice and Harry also passed their stage four sailing certificate. I believe it is important to keep a wide variety of hobbies going for the children, so we don’t get too obsessed with the shows.

I had a lovely trip to Devon County with my four year old hunter, LVS Jackpot. It is such a super big county show and we had a lovely day for it. Coming home with a win made the journey feel a lot shorter too, despite the heavy traffic.

HOYS fever has gripped the showing circuit with large producers starting to count their tickets. We were delighted to pick up our 133 WHP ticket at our first attempt with Lemington Nougat at Midland Counties. It is such a tough one to gain, so there was serious delight in the camp. There were lots of ponies forward at this show. I did not go on the horse day, but I hope it was similarly supported.

Onto Three Counties Show where Maria picked up her HOYS ticket going very nicely. A rather exuberant gallop in the championship may have cost her that, but you never know as it was full of extremely nice ponies. This was also true of the show pony championship, which we were delighted to be involved in with our four-year-old 13.2 Poppy (Crafton Queen of Pop). She finished second to Broadgrove Only You in her class giving me a huge amount of encouragement for her future. She is receiving super comments from the judges about her potential to be a top pony in 2016.

The clash of Derbyshire Festival, Three Counties and South of England last weekend was most unfortunate. I hope all the shows got plenty of support. We only did one of them, but I know many showing teams split up so they could show for several days running despite a lot of travelling.

My father [David Tatlow] very much enjoyed his judging of the Cuddy qualifier at Three Counties. It was won by a stunning Connemara and reserve was a Dartmoor. This competition provides such high standard and there were plenty of people round the ring watching.

We have a couple of weeks without a show now while Alice takes on the lead role as Little Red Riding Hood in her school play and I attempt to get my son to learn his dressage test to some sort of standard for the pony club one-day event. This will be my biggest challenge to date this year!

Loraine

Two miniature ponies that were rescued by the Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) have been successful in the show ring.

HAPPA Little John was found tied to a tree in a remote forest in November. He had strangles and had been abandoned.

HAPPA Gandalf was found emaciated in September 2013. A member of the public alerted the charity when they found him abandoned on wasteland tethered with a chain without food or water.

After rehabilitation by the charity the ponies were both found loan homes.

And now HAPPA Foula Orlando (Little John) and HAPPA Liscombe Park Jim Hawkin (Gandalf) have embarked on a showing career.

The pair competed at the Red Rose Shetland Show at Crow Wood Equestrian Centre earlier this month (7 June), which is affiliated to the Shetland Pony Stud Book Society. Both ponies came home with ribbons and Little John secured a first place in the coloured section for best gelding.

“It was wonderful to get the boys together and they became ‘stablemates’ for the day. Their manners were impeccable with each other for a first time meeting,” said Louise Bleasdale, borrower of Little John.

“We are going to get together in the future to show them again and help promote the wonderful work HAPPA do. People were amazed when speaking to us about the ponies to be told their stories of how they came to be rescued from such terrible circumstances. We had so many wonderful comments about the fantastic condition both ponies are in.”

Natalie Lofthouse, borrower of Gandalf, added: “Gandalf has been doing really well this year, securing placings in mountain and moorland classes. He has lots of accolades including two trophies and a sash. He is a real character and loves to gallop around the fields at home keeping up with the bigger horses. He is also the boss and most definitely rules the roost; his favourite pastime is eating grass and having a little buck. He is a tiny pony with a big personality and has captured our hearts — he is a little superstar and we love him dearly.”

As the ponies were microchipped, when they were rescued HAPPA could trace their parentage and obtain passports for the ponies, enabling them to enter affiliated shows. Their owners, however, have not been traced.

After a dangerously close encounter at Suffolk Show, I wish county show organisers would ensure that horses and cattle don’t have to cross paths, and that walkway attendants have more knowledge of horses’ reactions.

When I and other riders left a class, attendants closed a gate to allow cattle to cross the horse walkway. The cattle approached from behind a solid fence, round a corner, so horses had no warning.

My horse took fright and had nowhere to go. The attendant — who I don’t blame and who was obeying standard instructions — refused to open the gate to let us through, even though there was time. My horse double-barrelled the fence, reared and then nearly went over backwards.

In 2009, at the same show, I had a similar walkway accident and nearly ended up paralysed. I appreciate that livestock are an essential part of county shows and we all enjoy seeing them, but no amount of preparation can prevent a horse being frightened by the unexpected — and when horses are frightened, their instinct is to flee.

I love Suffolk Show, but wish it would follow Royal Norfolk’s example and keep horse and livestock rings at opposite sides of the showground. I’d also like to see at least one attendant with horse knowledge on each walkway gate.

If another competitor hadn’t helped, I might not be here now. Imagine this scenario with a child on a pony.

Changing the rules

On a more cheerful note, I’m pleased that the British Show Horse Association board has added an amended guideline on maxi cobs to its rule book. It now recommends that a maxi cob should ideally be in the region of 155.1-160cm, to protect the true type.

A cob should be a short-legged animal of cob type that you can get on from the ground. We’re seeing too many tall, leggy animals who are hunter types — but not good enough to show in hunter classes — with their manes taken off.

There’s also been a good rule change in the Great Scot! ladies’ side-saddle horse of the year series, open to all show horse categories. Competitors now extend the canter rather than gallop, which — considering hacks may be among the entrants and do not gallop in their own classes — is much more sensible.

In my first Great Scot! qualifier, hunters stood first and second and a cob stood third. It will be interesting to watch statistics through the season and see how the different categories of show horse are represented.

My perfect side-saddle horse will always be a ladies’ hunter, by which I mean a lightweight hunter up to 16.2hh. However, the ladies’ hunter class evolved when riding horses weren’t on the scene, and a large riding horse could give a similar picture.

I see that Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain overturned its rule on mandatory safety hats and has gone back to allowing riders free choice on headgear. However, we will still be governed by shows’ own rules, so if you don’t want to wear a hat with a harness, check that the schedule allows you this option.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 11 June 2015

Even leading names like Laura Tomlinson (pictured above), Francis Whittington and Katie Jerram look up to people, and key pieces of training advice have helped them win medals and national titles. Here are the tips that 10 top riders credit with putting them on the road to success.

1. Laura Tomlinson, Olympic dressage team gold medallist

“The best piece of advice I’ve had is never to say, ‘I can’t’ or ‘The horse won’t’. If you have this in mind it forces you to look around and through a problem, rather than accept it’s not solvable. This is an adaptation of what I’m used to hearing from [German Olympian turned trainer] Klaus Balkenhol — he won’t ever accept you saying you can’t.”

2. Trevor Breen, Irish team showjumper and Hickstead Derby winner

“If at first you don’t succeed — work harder! The more effort you put in, the more you get out. If you take shortcuts in training during the week, it’ll show when you’re competing at the weekend.”

3. Katie Jerram, top showing producer

“Never use a gadget as a quick fix. I learnt this from [renowned trainer] Ruth McMullen — I never saw a gadget at her yard. I use a martingale on horses I’m breaking for a little extra security, and I may hack the babies in a Market Harborough, which is kind on the mouth.”

Continued below…

10 tips to banish competition riding nerves

• 28 April, 2014 - 10:00

Do you suffer from competition riding nerves? Find out how to take control and use nerves to improve your performance

4. Francis Whittington, last year’s Blenheim CCI3* winner

“Just keep it simple in every way. If it’s complicated, it’s probably not right. [Former British World Class Performance showjumping manager] Rob Hoekstra told me this and I keep it in mind all the time.”

5. Gemma Tattersall, British CCI4* event rider

“My mum used to make me ride come rain or shine. She said that consistency is the key to good training and it is something I have always carried with me. Horses need to have regular training and you need to be consistent in what you are asking them to do.”

6. Anna Ross, international grand prix dressage rider

“[German Olympic team gold medallist] Ulla Salzgeber once told me that if you keep your hands still, you’ll start using your legs. A wise man at Goresbridge Sales also once advised me, ‘Never get back on for a third time’.”

7. Geoff Billington, Olympic team showjumper

“[Multi-medalled British showjumper] David Broome told me years ago that you can’t put pressure on top of tension. So you must have a relaxed horse before you can ask any questions of it.”

8. Dan Jocelyn, advanced event rider

“When I first came to the UK in 1995, I stayed with [five-time Burghley CCI4* winner] Andrew Nicholson. Walking courses with him was invaluable. He said: ‘Dan, across country you just go between the flags’ and when showjumping, ‘Just leave the poles up’. This was the best advice ever, especially when others were trying to overcomplicate things. I still enjoy walking courses with him.”

9. Andrew Gould, international dressage rider

“Don’t let your personal issues or emotions get in the way. This is something I picked up from [renowned trainer] David Hunt and I realise its importance even more now that I train lots of people. It’s hard if you’ve had a busy, stressful day at work — you want to ride to relax, but sometimes it is easier said than done.”

10. Jessica Mendoza, leading young international showjumper

“Don’t try to win every class. My father, Paul, told me this and there are two lessons I have learnt from it. First, if I’m jumping at a three-day show, I need to save the horse for the class that really matters. Second, if you try to win a class by three seconds, you will often have a fence down and lose. So be cool and just do enough.”

For more top tips and other great training advice, don’t miss the current issue of H&H Ask The Trainer (Summer 2015), on sale now

We’ve all been there — one minute you’re enjoying the cross-country round of your life and the next you experience that sinking feeling as you realise gravity is about to take over and, inevitably, you and the ground are going to become thoroughly acquainted.

Yes, it’s that moment every rider dreads — the point of no return. We bring you 16 classic moments, all of whom we’re pleased to say could see the funny side…

1. ‘You go first’

Horse & Hound’s very own hunting correspondent Catherine Austen faces her fate when her mount slams on the brakes while out with the Thurlow. We’re sure her dismount was incredibly graceful…

2. Barry tries his Best

The HSBC Maltings proved the undoing of Rosie Thomas and Barry’s Best at Burghley in 2010. The chestnut is doing his utmost to keep himself out of trouble but the sideways exit for Rosie is now inevitable.

3. Look, no hands!

National Hunt jockey Richard Johnson tries every balancing act in the book but, when Swnymor hits the deck at the final hurdle at Chepstow, the mud beckons.

Continued below…

12 of the world’s biggest rider frighteners [PICTURES]

• 7 February, 2015 - 09:55

Take a look at some of the scariest fences the horse world has to offer. Even the bravest of riders More…

4. Bring on the wall

When Kool Kaiser declines to jump the famous wall at Great Yorkshire Show, he and Joe Whitaker send the bricks flying. The astonished expression on both horse and rider says it all.

5. The starfish

Eventer Joe Meyer (Black Andy) adopts the starfish position before making a splash at Burghley in 2008. Waterwings are unfortunately not provided.

6. See ya!

One competitor at Mid Herts Show is shown the side exit by his overexuberant mount. The only way is down.

7. Feet first

If you manage to time it just right, it is possible to land elegantly on your feet. Much easier said than done, however.

8. Too late to hail a cab

Nice try, Ruby Walsh, but the Cheltenham turf beckons when Twist Magic crumples on landing at the Festival.

9. A trip to the dry cleaners

Jade Hunter takes a spill while hunting with the Tynedale. We all know what’s coming next — mud bath anyone?

10. The swan landing

The showjumpers usually leave the dunkings to the event riders, but at Aachen in 2013, Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet and Desteny Van Het Dennehof make a splash landing, skimming through the water jump before grinding to a halt.

11. If I can just hold on a bit longer…

James Robinson (Comanche) defies gravity for as long as possible, but doesn’t escape an early bath.

12. Don’t worry, I can wait

Blow The Budget stands patiently as young jockey Antonia Platt wriggles back in to the saddle at HOYS. A great recovery!

13. The stuntman’s exit

Point-to-point rider Alex Edwards could audition for the next Bond film after this dramatic dismount off Chief Heckler at the Cambridge University Hunt Club meeting.

14. Going head first

Sometimes the horse will help you out in these kind of situations, but we all know that when his head goes down, that neck becomes a slippery slide to terra firma.

15. It happen to the best of them…

Even Andrew Nicholson can’t avoid a spectacular splash landing every now and then and the New Zealand rider’s turn comes in Luhmuhlen in 2013.

16. The ultimate sinking feeling…

The worst possible place for your horse to take proceedings into his own hands is at the top of the 10ft 6in Hickstead Derby Bank. Germany’s Axel Wockener clings on vainly in 1976, but his horse Glasgow’s decision to tackle the obstacle backwards was never going to end prettily.