H&C news

Showjumper David McPherson takes the top two spots in Florida

charlotters — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:18:45 +0000

Britain is once again dominating the leaderboard at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, with David McPherson taking first and second place in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m.

Simple tactics

McPherson’s first ride in the jump-off was on Silver Exchange II, and they went clear with a time of 43.29 seconds, putting them into the lead. When he came back in the ring with Leonitas, he still meant business and nearly knocked himself off the top spot with another clear in a time of 45.81 seconds.

New Olympic prospects for Eric Lamaze

charlotters — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:18:28 +0000

Canadian showjumper Eric Lamaze has seven new horses in his stable in Ontario – three of which are London Olympic hopefuls.

Tragic loss

Lamaze tragically lost his long-term ride, Hickstead, back in November after the horse suffered a heart attack during a World Cup qualifying competition in Italy. The inimitable pair won individual gold and team silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, so finding a replacement partner was no easy task.

Video: Grand Prix debut for Laura B's Tellwell

charlotters — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:43:03 +0000

Laura Bechtolsheimer was the sole rider waving the British flag at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier in Neumunster, Germany this weekend.

Host cleans up

Laura was riding her father’s 12-year-old Wilfried’s Tellwell, whom she has been bringing on slowly for the past three years. This was their first international competition and the pair scored a respectable 65.489% in the Grand Prix and 68.80% in the Kur (freestyle).

Lee Pearson calls for a higher profile Paralympics

charlotters — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:51:53 +0000

Nine-times gold medalist Lee Pearson has spoken out about the current format of the Paralympics, claiming that the event should be held before the Olympics, and not as an after thought.

More respect

“I think it would be good to rotate which one went first, so it’s not perceived that one event is better than the other,” Lee told H&C.

Arena polo goes international this March

charlotters — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:50:16 +0000

The south of England will welcome some of polo’s biggest names next month, when it hosts two major arena matches.

Prestigious game

The All England Polo Club at Hickstead is to hold the prestigious International Polo Arena Test Match on 3 March, while the O2 will run the Gaucho International Tournament for the second year, on 21 March.

The UK will play the US at Hickstead, with Chris Hyde, the highest handicapped arena polo player in Europe, captaining England. The home team hopes to win back the Bryan Morrison Trophy, which it won in 2009.

Zara Philips' horse wins debut outing

charlotters — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:30:48 +0000

Zara Phillips enjoyed a big win at the weekend – but it wasn’t in her sport of trade, and she wasn’t even riding.

Moonlighting

Zara has been moonlighting as a point-to-point trainer for some years now, and her horse Aubrey De Vere won his first outing at Chaddersley Corbett. The five-year-old was ridden by jockey Tom David, who met Zara through a mutual friend a few years ago.

“I’d only sat on it once and schooled it,” says Tom. “Zara said she knew he was on good form, but he went better than I thought he would. I think he could go on to be a nice horse.”

A guide to the perfect puppy

charlotters — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:43:01 +0000

Puppies are to be given a better start in life, thanks to a new initiative for dog breeders and owners.

A happy life

The Puppy Plan has been developed by dog behaviourist Carolyn Menteith, in conjunction with The Kennel Club and Dogs Trust, to prevent behavioural problems in later life.

It is a step-by-step socialisation plan that starts at the puppy's birth with the breeder, who will then pass on the progress to the new owner in the form of diary entries, photos or videos.

Top riders donate lessons

charlotters — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:24:01 +0000

Riding legends are donating their time and offering lessons for a charity auction, raising money for the Cairo Farrier appeal.

Olympians on offer

Top riders such as John Whitaker, Mary King, Andrew Gould, Emile Faurie, Sharon Hunt and Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks are just a few of the names involved. The auction starts on 20 February will run for five days and hopes to raise much-needed funds for horses in Cairo.

Eventing to hold its first FEI Nations Cup

charlotters — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:22:19 +0000

Eventing is to hold its first Nations Cup series, which the FEI hopes will attract top name riders from all around Europe.

French debut

This new three-star competition will make its debut at Fontainebleau, France, on 22-25 March and is to be run under FEI Eventing rules. Teams will accumulate points throughout the series to find the winning nation.

Relief as horse diving revival is cancelled

bena — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:15:44 +0000

H&C is pleased to report that plans to return displays of 'horse diving' to Atlantic City, USA, have been abandoned.