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.
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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
