IN usual circumstances, the only extended period of time I spend at home riding in the winter, when it’s cold and wet. This lovely weather means some aspects of “lockdown” are hardly a hardship, but I know how privileged we are.
Normally the end of April and the beginning of May is one of the most intense periods of the season, with two five-stars – Kentucky and Badminton – to aim for.
The first time I went to Kentucky was in 2001, which was a foot-and-mouth year. I took two horses, Lord Killinghurst and Mallards Treat, and as well as being their first event of the year, it was also the first time I had ridden either horse in a competition.
Both horses had come to me a couple of months earlier; Lord Killinghurst had jumped clear round Burghley with Owen Moore, albeit with a fair few time-faults, and although Mallards Treat hadn’t done a five-star, he had won both Blenheim and Punchestown with Franck Bourne.
Denne historien er fra April 30, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra April 30, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
