CATEGORIES

Happy Christmas, everyone

The festive season brings mixed feelings for Tessa Waugh, although the school nativity play proves a hit and Father Christmas makes an unexpected appearance in a local town

Sameh El Dahan

The former Egyptian showjumper has rocketed up the rankings since making the career move to Ireland, and is now in the running for future British teams having swapped nationalities. Jennifer Donald meets him

Cobwebs blown away to victory

A “buzzy” type cruises to victory, while one jockey breaks his duck on his 35th attempt

Showman proves fifth time's a charm

Forty finalists, four judges and one overall supreme title scored by a seasoned Welsh section C stallion conclude the M&M pony showing scene’s 2021 season

In the right hands

When used correctly, the double bridle is a useful tool which gives the rider a huge range of options to refine the rein aid. Leslie Bliss discovers how

‘I was the laid-back one'

Having seemingly hung up his horn for good, respected master of foxhounds Trevor Adams is lured back into hunt service, reveals Tessa Waugh

‘A paradise for foxhunters'

The hard-working Wexford hounds provide plenty of entertainment for a gutsy field – who don’t turn a hair at some very famous visitors

Stardust sprinkles her magic

“Olympia” is warmly welcomed into its new home, with the London show producing a dazzling showcase for young British talent – none more so than double grand prix victor Harry Charles

‘Old friend' Champ takes the Ascot crown

Nicky Henderson’s star recovers from an op to win the Long Walk Hurdle and patience pays offfor Richard Newland

Spreading Christmas cheer

With Christmas a time for giving, equestrians are making the most of their equines’ good natures to bring joy to their community, says Stephanie Bateman

‘Top pros, don't compete at novice'

Pammy Hutton discusses top riders at the lower levels and winter positivity

‘Non' to bird hunt

Controversial plans to kill thousands of wild birds in France by hunters are stopped by the high court

Use your leg

The leg aid is one of the most fundamental ways to communicate with your horse. Leslie Bliss finds out how to refine it to the ultimate level

Why complex life needs ENDOSYMBIOSIS

WITH EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGIST JV CHAMARY

Ollie Cornock

Imagine if you could “design” the day’s hunting of your dreams… What hounds would be hunting, where would it be, who would you take with you?

“As a retired scuba diver I care for the ocean”

Awarded the MCS Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Lesley Anderson looks after her local beaches

Once upon a time...

H&H’s winter short-story competition conjured up a feast of winter tales for the judges, from the poignant to the magical. Here are this year’s two winners

OUT OF STEP

Embarking on long and exhausting journeys over land and sea, migrating birds are on the front line of climate change. How are they faring in a world of shifting weather patterns?

Natasha Baker

The Paralympian tells Lucy Elder about her life post-Tokyo, involving wedding plans, riding with a music megastar and why inclusivity in her sport is the name of the game

Far from the average jaguar

A high-fish diet is enough to turn these prowling loners into sociable team workers

Hovis

H&H’s much-loved blogger gives us his thoughts on this festive time of year and feels baffled by humans’ New Year’s resolutions

HIDE & SEEK

Concealed among India’s high peaks is a rare and secretive creature: the Himalayan brown bear. Puskar Basu embarks on a quest to track down this little-known and much maligned mammal.

Do they know it's Christmas time?

Festive onesies, carrot-filled stockings, or just another day in the life of an equine star... Alex Robinson asks connections of a handful of top horses exactly how they do Christmas

Eclectic eater

A resourceful leopard steals a surprising meal

A star is found in Dakota

A Welsh section A colt from a small stud is crowned overall supreme ahead of a top-drawer field of future champions

DOWN SOUTH

As the Falkland Islands prepares to mark 40 years since its liberation, experience the wonderful wildlife highlights of this Atlantic archipelago

Familiar birds added to revised UK Red List

House martin, swift, greenfinch and Bewick’s swan are given status of “highest conservation concern”

DIVE IN!

Steve Backshall met up with BBC Wildlife editor Paul McGuinness to explain why we need to stop thinking of sharks as creatures to fear

Saving Squirrels

One of Britain’s best-loved animals, the red squirrel is being driven back to its Highland heartlands by the slow advance of its grey cousin. We visit a Perthshire farm where naturalist Polly Pullar is doing her best to save the red

A Christmas to remember

Christmas comes but once a year, and for some riders it’s an excuse to do something especially unforgettable. Eleanor Jones discovers some notable memories