RIDING establishments are an integral and much-loved part of British equestrianism. Many of us started our equestrian “journey” at the local riding school, and these establishments play a vital role in ensuring that riding remains accessible to all.

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Newton Abbot Racecourse, Devon WHAT appeared to be a quiet, innocuous weekend in the build-up to this week’s Randox Grand National meeting turned out to be anything but when Richard Johnson announced his reti

Age: nine Breeding: Irish Sport Horse by Pacino out of Carnone Dancing Queen (by NC Amiro) Rider: Bertram Allen Breeder: Simon Scott (Ireland) Owner: Aiden McGrory Greatest achievements: won CSI5* grand prix and WEF challenge cup, Florida (2021); qua

ONCE arguably the underdog of the show ring, a quality coloured – horse or pony, hairy or not – is a force to be reckoned with. Today, if you strive to win with your own patchy partner, you need to be on the money in both performance and turnout, and

9yo, 11st 7lb Form: 110-25P Owner: Robcour Trainer: Henry de Bromhead CLASSY performer in Ireland, as proved when just a neck behind The Storyteller at Down Royal in October. In four runs in Britain has yet to excel, including when pulled up in last

BY NAF A supplement for stallions with focused ingredients designed to support sperm health and libido. Essential vitamins and minerals target sperm production and development underpinning testosterone levels. Pre- and probiotics also help support nu

A FARMING couple with a passion for promoting the versatility of the British native breeds have not let the global pandemic stand in the way of their ever-growing breeding mission. Despite last year’s showing plans being scuppered by Covid, Julian Wa

KIRSTY CHABERT won open intermediate section E on her own and The Daisy Chain’s Opposition Loire. “She’s my princess – I’ve been excited about her for a long time,” said Kirsty. “Her biggest fault would be trying too hard.” The 10-year-old mare is a

SHOWING – like so many aspects of equestrianism – is firmly rooted in tradition, but over the years, some trends have emerged while others have disappeared. Have these shifts all been for the good, though? Jamie Mead (née Jago) has seen showing from

OF 2020’s many ghastly legacies, one has been the brutal reminder of what it takes to be financially stable in Britain. With unemployment rocketing, house prices still bonkers, and the economy thrust into reverse, suddenly no one takes a comfortable

WITH regard to your feature about first ponies for hunting (18 February), we are the proud custodians of what I refer to as “expert” ponies. One was found on social media, but the owners were berated for offering a 28-year-old pony on loan. Flash has

All great horses, like Red Rum or Desert Orchid, know they’re good and play to the crowds. Aldaniti was exceptional – he loved people, loved being made a fuss of. We all loved him, he was very special; he had something. When he broke down at Sandown,

AS INTERNATIONAL competition prepares to restart following the suspension owing to the European equine herpes virus (EHV-1) outbreak, a number of preventative measures have been announced to make sure shows are “as safe as possible”. European competi

pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle Aston-le-Walls Elite, Northants IZZY TAYLOR and Monkeying Around franked the form that put them at the head of Burnham Market’s four-star long last autumn with a win in advanced section A. “He felt fantasti

“WE will not let this rest” is the position of the industry as the Government has refused to allow indoor arenas to re-open fully. British Equestrian (BEF), the British Horse Society, Pony Club and the Olympic disciplines had led a campaign for clari

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald CSI4* Winter Equestrian Festival week 12, Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre, Florida, USA THE Americans fought back during the final week of the festival, with home riders taking two out of three big