“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.”
Denne historien er fra November 18, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra November 18, 2021-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
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions