A NEW pair of grey, shapely ears adorn the left-hand side of this page, you might notice. The great Molly Austen went peacefully to heaven in June, and I was fortunate enough to be given Flynn shortly afterwards. His owner, a former master and chairman of our hounds, has sadly hung up his hunting boots and very kindly sent middleaged Flynn my way.
Comparisons are odious, and I was deeply attached to Molly (someone had to be). However, it’s a whole new world. Physically they are very different; Flynn is both taller and wider – and white. I have already finished one bottle of purple shampoo in an attempt to keep him snowy, whereas Molly’s blue-roan coat meant I didn’t even check for stable stains at 4.30 am during autumn hunting – I just threw her tack on and loaded her.
Temperamentally, he is a complete joy. Polite, mannerly, kind, very straightforward to do. Out hunting he is enthusiastic when on the move, excellent with hounds and other horses and, unlike his predecessor, will quite happily stand on his own.
Esta historia es de la edición October 22, 2020 de Horse & Hound.
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Esta historia es de la edición October 22, 2020 de Horse & Hound.
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'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
