THE summer competition season is now in full swing, and last week I had the privilege of competing with three lovely horses at the wonderful CDI show at Wellington Riding in Hampshire. The team there do such a marvellous job of creating a friendly yet professional atmosphere at their showground.
Having had a very muddy Royal Windsor and Hickstead CDIs in the weeks before, at Wellington we found ourselves at the other end of the extreme, with the heat making for a rather sticky mess of suncream, sweat and dust.
I was riding Full Moon, our home-bred seven-yearold, on the first day of the show, when his shoe went flying past me and ended our warm-up before we’d even got going. I can honestly say this is something that has never happened to me at a competition.
Luckily, the local farrier came and stuck it back on, and the following day “Moony” went into the sevenyear-old World Breeding Championships selection class. Though a little hot, he strutted his stuff into first place, which was a great start to the show for me.
This story is from the June 22, 2023 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 22, 2023 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'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
