“DO you want a signed photo of him?” gushes international dressage rider Anna Ross as she starts to eulogise about her West Highland terrier, Benjy. “This is his moment of glory. Can he go on the cover?”
It turns out her 13-year-old Westie might just qualify on the fame front for this prestigious honour. His worldwide renown is down to a combination of factors – he’s “an absolute escape artist”, hates being separated from his owner and “cannot be trained or controlled in any way”. And there you have a great recipe for a life full of “adventures”.
Anna expands: “He’s cost me a fortune in bunches of flowers – apologies to show organisers – as he has been loose at most major showgrounds around the world. He climbs out of the lorry window, scales his way down the door, then goes off to the arenas to find me. He always ends up being arrested. I have resorted to putting him on a stallion chain as he chews through leads. He basically has to have a full-time minder when he’s away from me.”
Benjy lives up to the breed’s reputation in other ways: “He’s convinced he’s a Rottweiler, he’s so feisty. He guards me ferociously. When my partner Marcelo [Tosi] comes back from Brazil, he has to bribe Benjy with cheese so that he can sit next to me on the sofa.”
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'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
