Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K at Kentucky 2024. Malin Hansen-Hotopp lies third overnight after the first day of five-star dressage at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event – but she revealed after her test that she didn’t want to ride her horse, Carlitos Quidditch K, when she was first asked to do so. “A friend of mine bred him and when he was five, she asked me ride him in some young horse classes,” said Malin, who wasn’t keen on the idea as she was busy with her own horses and her three young children. She did pilot the grey in a few young horse classes – but he wasn’t straig ..read more

Firefighters – and a member of the public – came to the rescue of a veteran mare who was trapped with one hind leg stuck in fencing and the other stuck in mud. Crews from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) were called to the 25-year-old mare early on Friday morning (19 April), who was stuck in a field in the Low Flatts area of Chester-le-Street. A fire engine from High Handenhold station and the service’s special rescue unit from Auckland went to the scene. “On arrival, crews discovered that a 25-year-old chestnut mare called Storm had her rear left leg trapped in f ..read more

2GBMKGN Nose sports horse in the bridle. Portrait stallion in the double bridle. Horse muzzle close up. Dressage horse. Equestrian sport. The FEI has been urged to be bold and ambitious, and make evidence-based decisions to ensure equine welfare is always at the forefront of horse sport. The federation has dedicated a session to discussing the final report of the independent Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission (EEWC) at the annual FEI sports forum next week (29–30 April). The aim is to “take the time to discuss over three hours a proposed practical plan and receive feedback on actions put i ..read more

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country times have been released for Saturday’s action. The CCI4*-S competitors tackle their course first and then US rider Sara Kozumplik will get the five-star started at 1.30pm (6.30pm British time) on Rock Phantom. The pairs set off at four-minute intervals and Phillip Dutton and his second ride Azure are the final combination on course, at 3.46pm (8.46pm). Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country times: British and Irish riders Susie Berry and Clever Trick (IRL): 1.42pm (6.42pm British time) Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI (GBR): 2.06pm (7.06pm B ..read more

E92BC6 otterhound runs in the garden. Image shot 05/2012. Exact date unknown. Sadly, over the years, many endangered dog breeds have now become extinct. Dogs were bred originally not only as companions but they usually had a job to do too. Many of those jobs are now redundant – protecting against wolves, or badger and otter-hunting, for example. When their work dies out, so does the breed required to do it. Among those breeds now consigned to the history books are the Blue Paul Terrier, a fighting dog, and the Tweed Water Spaniel, which has given rise to other more popular gundog breeds and be ..read more

FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final, Riyadh 2024,Saudi Arabia JUSTINA VANAGAITE of Lithuania reacts on NABAB in Grand Prix Freestyle during FEI Dressage World Cup Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 19, 2024.1. The “girl from nowhere” starring on the world stage Lithuanian rider Justina Vanagaitė continued her dressage dreams when she competed at the World Cup Final at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last week on her 11-year-old gelding Nadab. The pair scored 75.1% to finish eighth in the freestyle. Justina, who describes herself as “the girl from nowhere” has been making a name for herself – and thanks to h ..read more

Having moved back home to the UK last year, young British international showjumper Jodie Hall McAteer weighs up the pros and cons of jumping abroad Jodie Hall McAteer riding Kimosa Van Het Kritrahof, winner of THE MISTLETOE SPEED STAKES during The London International Horse Show at ExCel in London between 13-18th December 2023 I was competing at Sentower Park in Belgium last week with seven horses, but they had the World Cup Final live stream playing in the restaurant bar so between classes, people were catching up with the action. What an amazing result for Henrik von Eckermann and King Edwar ..read more

Dear diary, So, the funds might be sneaking up enough that we have managed to buy some medium sized balls for the every puny spring. We have managed to ease the water works off to a mere shower-like dribble, but now the thermostat has been turned down – we had FROST this morning! I am more and more thinking that mother’s muttered comments about winter being a woman (stroppy, forceful, possibly hormonal and definitely able to do more than one thing at once), and spring being a bloke (slightly whimpy when faced with said aforementioned strong woman and quite clearly only able to do one thing at ..read more

Lucienne Bellissimo and Tremanton in the CCI4*-S at Kentucky 2024. We’ve long been accustomed to seeing Leslie Law as a US-based British representative at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, but this year he’s joined in the Cosequin CCI4*-S by another British rider who lives over here in Lucienne Bellissimo. Lucienne (née Elms) has been based in the US for five years and married to Mark Bellissimo for nearly four. Mark is the CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, the company behind a number of large scale US equestrian venues and events, including the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington ..read more

Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI at Kentucky 2024. Kirsty Chabert made it a five-star one-two for Britain overnight in the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event dressage when she slotted into second behind Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir. “It sounds a bit daft but at 15 years old she is still improving – hopefully she’s like a really nice bottle of red wine and keeps maturing with age,” said Kirsty of Classic VI, who belongs to her father John Johnston, Carole Somers and Kate Ward. Kentucky Three-Day Event dressage: adrenalin spike After warming up well, the mare hesitated and tried to back up as K ..read more