
NEVER judge a book by its cover or a horse by its looks. “He wasn’t over-graced with bone,” says Alan Hill, Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) representative to the Pointto-Point Authority board. “Vet Bob Baskerville had a look and said, ‘He’s sound, but you might have to move him on after two or three years; his bone’s too fine’.”
Some 10 years later, Barney was retired sound after a stellar career in which he “never refused, never fell, never even backed off”.
Barney began as a potential eventer with Polly Gower, who found he had “loads of ability”, but started to plant or nap halfway round the cross-country, so thought he might enjoy hunting. Alan was hunting the Vale of Aylesbury hounds at the time, in the 1990s, and was “always looking for a horse”, so he tried him.
Denne historien er fra December 29, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra December 29, 2023-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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Super Sonic steps up
Oakley Nash lands a 128cm double with \"wild\" project pony and a determined 138cm rider is in flying form

Townend takes two
A familiar face and a potential future star triumph for Oliver Townend, as the eventing season gets under way

Last-minute dash ends in triumph
A change of plan leads to victory and a home-bred star proves that talent runs in the family

William's the Lad
It's back-to-back victories in the hunt race he sponsors for a delighted – and generous – William Fox Grant

Saving Britain's in-hand show tradition
Kim Wilson investigates how Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain is tackling the decline of in-hand classes and working to secure the future of youngstock

'This unspoilt hunting heaven
A visit by the RS Surtees Society to Northumberland provides a showcase for the Percy hounds and their hunting country

Local hero is all heart
A Borders team lifts Scotland's richest hurdle for the second year with a gutsy six-year-old and a £1,000 purchase richly rewards a patient owner

Access all areas Gavin Cromwell
The former farrier is sending his strongest team of Cheltenham Festival runners yet. Jennifer Donald meets the team behind a remarkable success story

Saffron Cresswell
The young event rider, who suffered a serious spinal injury in a fall last year, talks to Pippa Roome about her journey so far and what the future holds

Daphne
This contrary mare may spin like a top and be uncatchable in the summer, but she's \"terrifyingly brave\" and absolutely brilliant in the hunting field