TV presenter and dressage rider Gemma Owen heads an inspirational line-up of women for this years Markel Magnolia Cup, a ladies-only charity race which will take place on Thursday 30 July during the Qatar Goodwood Festival.This years field includes an exceptional group of riders whose resilience extends well beyond the saddle. Among them are a breast cancer survivor, a microsurgeon specialising in reconstruction for women following cancer treatment, businesswomen, media personalities, a Riding A Dream Academy graduate and several international competitors. The women have undertaken months of dedicated training as preparation for race day, including many early mornings riding out, rigorous jockey fitness tests and assessments at the British Racing School.This year, the race will raise money for Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global education non-profit organisation. The foundation transforms the lives of children and young people affected by poverty, conflict and disaster through education and employment opportunities and has supported more than 18 million children and young people across 77 countries since it was established in 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. The full line-up for this years Magnolia Cup.Full line-upThe jockeys in training for the 2026 Markel Magnolia Cup are:Alice Hawker Bloodstock assistant underwriter for Markel InternationalAraminta Reed Motorsport content creatorCharlotte Littlefield Australian racehorse trainer and broadcasterGemma Owen TV presenter and dressage riderIlona Wells Overcame hip replacement and double mastectomy, works in veterinary technologyImaan Rasul-Healer Works in racing industry in NewmarketJasmine Watts Construction loss adjuster in LondonJessicaChapplowFounder ofHeartificialIntelligence, Red Cross emergency responder, listed in Forbes 30 Under 30Joanna Bovis Reconstructive microsurgeon at The Royal Marsden HospitalMolly Hunter Sports and horseracing reporter at Press AssociationNermina Pieters-Mekic Real Housewives of Cheshirestar, recently overcome breast cancerRuth Inman Riding A Dream Academy graduateVictoria WangBloodstock agent based in Australia and ChinaZoey Schorsch Executive for Audrain Group and creative directorof ZDS Creativein USBryony Harris (reserve) Partnerships manager at Worcester Cricket Club and part-time rider for Dan SkeltonA powerful force for changeWe are very much looking forward to supporting Education Above All Foundation as the charity partner of this years Markel Magnolia Cup, said The Duke of Richmond. Over the past 15 years, the Markel Magnolia Cup has become a powerful force for real and lasting change, championing women and raising more than 3.5 million for vital causes. I am confident that the generosity of our partners, sponsors and racegoers, as well as the dedication and commitment of our riders, will allow us to deliver meaningful support to Education Above All Foundation. We wish this years riders all the best in their training and look forward to seeing them race down Goodwoods home straight in July. Images Matt Alexander.More from Your HorseDoes your horse really need to wear a rug when its wet? Equine vet advisesThree things to consider when working towards a rounder outlineSpooky ride? Horses are only scared of two things, says Richard MaxwellThe post Gemma Owen heads Magnolia Cup entry list appeared first on Your Horse.

Archaeologist, television producer and presenter Jules Hudson has been announced as the patron of Munchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue. Were delighted to announce that Jules Hudson the much-loved English archaeologist, television producer and presenter, best known for presenting the BBC series Escape to the Country, Countryfile and This Week on the Farm, has agreed to become patron ofMunchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue, said office manager Emma Fidge.As patron, Jules will champion our charity, support our great work and help to further raise awareness and funds to continue to help the ponies in our care.Munchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue, which is based in Colyton in Devon, specialises in the rescue and rehabilitation of miniature Shetland ponies and has had charity status since 2015.A lifelong bondEver since I was a boy, Ive been lucky enough to have spent my life in and around the world of horses and ponies, said Jules. As a 12-year-old lad I found myself given the opportunity to nurse a lame Connemara mare back to health, with the promise that if Id did so, I could have her forever. Over many months, eventually she became sound and together we became inseparable friends as we went on to explore the countryside of rural Essex whilst we both came of age in the countryside. All that was over 40 years ago, and in the decades since, my understanding of the equine world, and the opportunities afforded by a career spent in broadcasting have allowed me understand the rich horizon of Britains equestrian landscape right across the UK.Jules meets one of the residents at the charity. OPPO A16s f/2.2 1/622s 3.462mm ISO105Great passionFrom our unique breeds of heavy horses to cheeky Welsh mountain ponies and our mischievous miniatures, all have endowed me with a great passion for our four legged friends both big and small, continued Jules.I was therefore delighted to have been invited to champion the invaluable work of Munchkins Miniature Shetlands. In an ideal world, such noble charitable endeavours that seek to care for and nurture those animals that have been mistreated would be unnecessary, but sadly as we know the world is not that ideal.A safe havenFrom the moment I first arrived at Munchkins Barn in Devon, the compassion and care with which they go about the task of looking after the ponies in their care was obvious, said Jules.It is an oasis of sanctuary and security in which their charges can start again, sure in the knowledge that they have a reassuring future free from harm and heartache. I challenge anyone not to be moved by the sight of any of their mischievous miniatures, each one a unique and cheeky character. As patron, I and my family look forward to championing the objectives and ongoing work of a charity that has quickly established itself as an invaluable resource in the fight against animal cruelty, and which highlights the joy of a breed that will always bring a smile to us all.Jules and his family are hoping to attend the charitys Summer Fayre on Sunday 2nd August. For more information about the charity, click here.Image Munchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue.Related contentAbandoned Shetland pony wins competition to become cover starShetland loses 30 kilos after weigh in at BHS Horse Health DayHow to tell if a horse is happyThe post TV presenter revealed as patron for Devon charity appeared first on Your Horse.

Weve teamed up with ceramic artist Carol Rogers to offer three lucky winners* a personalised sculpture of their own horse.Carol will create a bespoke shelf sculpture inspired by your own horse, handcrafted from your photographs. Designed to sit beautifully on a shelf, each sculpture captures the peaceful charm of a horse.Every piece is completely individual, making it a heartfelt tribute to the horse you love.First prizeOne lucky winner will receive a personalised sculpted bust of their horse, beautifully mounted on anengraved oak plinth worth 395.This is a realistic replica of your horses head.First prizeSecond prizeOne runner-up will receive a personalisedlarge shelf horseworth 195. A shelf horse is ceramic sleeping horse with a leg gently hanging over the edge (pictured top).Third prizeOne reader will receive a personalised small shelf horseworth 95.Third prize is one of these small shelf horse ceramicsHow to enterFill in the online entry form and upload two images of the horse you would like to have turned into a timeless keepsake.Choose the clearest, best-quality images you have. You also need to answer the following question in less than 40 words: Why does your horse deserve to be immortalised as a sculpture?Entries will be judged on the quality of the photographs and answers to the question, so whether your horse is your lifelong companion, your greatest teacher or your daily source of joy, we want to hear what makes them so special.ENTER HEREThe closing date is 11.59pm on Monday 29 June.Exclusive discount!Sadly not everyone can win one of these fantastic prizes, but we do have 10% off all orders placed by Your Horse readers with Carol Rogers Ceramics before 31 August 2026. Order via the website and enter the code YHCRC10 at the checkout. If there is a waitlist, a 30% deposit is required with the balance payable prior to starting work on a sculpture. Find out more at carolrogers.co.uk*UK winners only. View full terms and conditions on the entry form.The post Win a personalised sculpture of your own horse! appeared first on Your Horse.

Sponsored content in collaboration with DengieWhen a horses workload increases, it is natural to assume that their diet must change to something that provides more energy. However, before reaching for a higherenergy feed, it is worth asking two important questions: how hard is your horse really working, and how is their bodyweight on their current diet? It is common for us for us to overestimate how much work our horses are doing. This can easily lead to excess calorie intake, unwanted weight gain, and associated health risks with being fat. Understanding workload, monitoring body condition, and knowing when dietary changes are required is key to helping maintain your horse at a healthy weight. How hard are they really working? Feed companies often provide a description to help owners assess their horses workload as shown in the table below, but these are only guidelines and should always be considered alongside your horses weight. Workload Description of workload Maintenance Horses at rest or those that are not taking part in any ridden or enforced exercise, such as those that are retired.Light work Generally, this includes light hacking and schooling, mostly at walk and trot with some canter. Local, unaffiliated competitions are probably only light work for most horses and ponies.Medium work Usually includes regular schooling for around an hour a day and competing in affiliated competitions.Hard work These horses will be competing at higher levels and their training and schooling reflects this. Eventers and racehorses will do more faster work in their training, whereas dressage horses work harder to do more advanced movements. Showjumpers often compete frequently and the rigours of travel may also increase the horses energy and nutrient requirements.Reliable indicatorsOne of the most reliable indicators of whether your horses energy intake is appropriate for their workload is their level of fat cover. If too much energy is provided for the work done, excess weight gain is likely. If too little energy is provided, your horse may begin to lose weight or struggle to maintain condition. Regular monitoring is essential. Using a weigh tape every couple of weeks, combined with monthly body condition or fat scoring, can help you spot changes in weight early so that you can make dietary adjustments sooner rather than later to maintain them at a healthy weight. Increasing the bucket feedA common question is when it is necessary to change a horses bucket feed if their workload increases.When it comes to energy, it is best to increase workload first, then observe how your horse responds before changing their feed. If your horses workload increases but they remain overweight or continue to hold weight easily over time this suggests they are receiving more than enough energy for the work they are doing. In this situation, switching to ahigherenergyfeed is unnecessaryuntil your horse has lost weightand starts to become lean. Instead, focus on improving fitness gradually and ensurethe dietremainsbalanced,asthe requirement for nutrients like protein, vitamin E and electrolytesincrease with increasing workload.Trace mineralsWhilst your horse may not need an increase in energy intake, them may need a higher specification product to meet their needs. Whilst working good doers can often easily maintain their weight on a ration of grass and conserved forage, UK pasture and conserved forage commonly lack the trace minerals copper, selenium, and zinc. Vitamin E is also particularly lacking in conserved forage, as is quality protein, particularly if more straw is used in the diet, and as such we look to add these nutrients to the diets of all horses on a forage-only diet. Nutrient deficiencyFor weight loss we want an energy deficit, but not a nutrient deficit. Situations where a horse on a weight management regime is likely to have a greater degree of nutrient deficiency that will need addressing include:When the horse has restricted or no access to grass. When the horse is being fed soaked hay and/or a greater proportion of straw.When the horse is having less than the recommended quantity of a feed with added vitamins and minerals. Your horse will only get a balanced diet if they are fed the recommended quantity of a feed fortified with vitamins and minerals. When a horse in moderate work is having a fortified feed designed for horses at rest or in light work in a bid to manage energy intake.If your horse cant have the recommended amount of a feed fortified with vitamins and minerals to balance their diet because it provides too many calories, a feed balancer or broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement can be used as an alternative. Feeding a balancerA balancer is a highly concentrated feed that supplies a broad-spectrum of vitamins and minerals as well as quality protein for a balanced diet. Typically, a balancer is in the form of a pellet and fed at 100g per 100kg of bodyweight daily, and because the feeding rate is low, so is the amount of energy supplied. This makes balancers ideal for horses that hold their weight with ease, particularly when compared to the recommended amount of a traditional mix or cube even low energy ones. One point to note is that compared to a balancer, a broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral powder supplement is less likely to supply significant levels of quality protein. This isnt necessarily an issue if other components of the diet are supplying sufficient quality, however, if the rest of the ration is limited in quality protein, which may be due to limited grazing or an increased amount of straw in the diet, then a feed balancer will help to counteract the shortfalls. Low-calorie fibreWhether it is a balancer or broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement that you choose, add it alongside a low-calorie fibre feed to slow the rate of eating or act as a carrier for the powder supplement. Dengie Hi-Fi Molasses Free is the ideal base to the ration for the working good doer, as it combines chopped and pelleted alfalfa and straw with a light rapeseed oil coating, mint, and fenugreek. Hi-Fi Molasses Free is a low-calorie fibre feed at 8.5MJ/kg digestible energy. At only 2.5% sugar and 1.5% starch, it is also one of Dengies lowest sugar and starch feeds combined, making it very appropriate for horses and ponies that may also be prone to laminitis and are in work. What if my horse is lazy? Energy, which is often associated with enthusiasm for work, and calories, which are often used to describe a horses weight, are the same thing. If your horse is lacking enthusiasm to work and is overweight, then they are already receiving more energy than they need. Increasing their energy intake will only result in further unwanted weight gain, rather than an increased enthusiasm for work. Ultimately, an improvement in energy levels is only likely to be achieved by achieving a healthy weight combined with improved fitness. If lethargy is out of character for your horse, it is also essential to establish if there is an underlying cause to the problem, such as ill health or pain and discomfort from ill-fitting tack.HydrationHydration is also important to maintain energy levels. Salt, or more specifically sodium and chloride, are just two electrolytes that are required by the horse, alongside lesser amounts of potassium, calcium and magnesium. All feeds and forages will provide some electrolytes, but even for horses at rest sodium is often lacking and so should be supplemented. For horses at rest or in light work, table salt can be added to their feed to supply sodium and chloride, but for those in regular sweaty work, a commercial electrolyte supplement should also be fed at the manufacturers recommendations to maintain hydration. Free access to water should always be offered alongside. For advice about your own horses workload and feeding requirements, contact DengieMain image Your Horse LibraryRelated contentHow weight loss transformed my horse: four case studies you need to readFat horses: why the equine obesity epidemic matters now more than everHorse weight loss plan: 10 ways to lose those excess pounds *Sponsored*Dr David Marlin explains how to ride a horse so that they burn more caloriesThe post How hard is your horse really working? *Sponsored* appeared first on Your Horse.

A young horse who has lived her whole life at World Horse Welfares Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Snetterton has finally found her forever home.Midnight, a three-year-old skewbald mare, has been patiently waiting for a family to call her own but kept getting overlooked until she was recently rehomed as a companion pony by Judith Randall.I was looking for a friend for my mare Paloma, whos quite a big horse herself at 16.3hh so needed a larger companion, explained Judith. When I went on World Horse Welfares website, Midnight fitted the bill perfectly at 15.3hh and as two skewbalds together, they match rather well too!Midnight, Judith and Paloma.OPPO Find X5 Pro f/1.7 1/193s 5.97mm ISO50Settling in wellMidnight has never lived anywhere other than Hall Farm having been born there after her mother was rescued in 2022 but has taken the next chapter of her life in her stride. Im so impressed by how Midnight has adapted to her new home shes settled in so well. She got the hang of her new routine very quickly and now waits at the gate as soon as she sees me, said Judith who was looking for a companion pony urgently after Paloma lost her previous companion unexpectedly.I think it was nine days from when I applied for Midnight to when she came home. The World Horse Welfare team really pulled out all the stops, which was so helpful and Im very grateful for that, added Judith.Its so nice to see Paloma happy again with her new friend. Midnight is such a sweetie she loves a groom and a fuss.To find out more about rehoming a horse from World Horse Welfare, click here. Main image World Horse Welfare, inset image Judith Randall. Related contentHow to get a horse fitHow to ride a horse so that they burn more caloriesHow to body condition scoreWhy isnt my horse losing weight?All about sugar in your horses dietThe post Charitys most overlooked horse finds her forever home appeared first on Your Horse.

For many riders, nerves are part and parcel of competing some people even go as far as saying that a few competition day nerves sharpens them up and helps them ride at their best on the big day.But for others, nerves or butterflies, jitters, flutters, fear, whatever you choose to call it can be crippling and do the opposite, making you less effective in the saddle, lack confidence and feeling unable to enjoy riding at all.Before triumphing over any opposition on competition day, first we must defeat any demons in our minds in the shape of confidence crises. It happens to the best of us, so if youre suffering from a loss of confidence remember you are definitely not alone.Equestrian mindset coachSophie Greenshares two exercises for controlling competition nerves to help you enjoy competing more so that you can arrive at your event ready to do your best and most importantly have fun.1. Construct a circle of confidenceThe circle of confidence exercise is a great one to do when youre about to get on at a competition or at home. The whole process need take only seconds, and no one needs to know that youre doing it.The other great thing about doing this exercise before you ride is that it slows you down. Sometimes we are great at rushing through everything, particularly at a competition, and that wont help your nerves.The exercise:Imagine you have a circle in front of you.Imagine you have several jars of desirable emotions, for example confidence, calmness, and control.Imagine tipping your desired emotion or several of them into your circle.Imagine taking a step into your circle, take a deep breath and imagine those desired emotions soaking up into your body through the soles of your feet all the way up to the top of your head.Youre now ready to step out of your circle and get on with the job in hand, full of confidence, calmness or whichever your desired outcome was.2. Write a proof listA proof list, which you could also call a success list, is a list of at least ten things that you have achieved in your life that you can be proud of. They dont have to be big, life-changing events, but something which makes you think if I can do that, then I can definitely do this.Once you have a proof list written down, you can keep referring to it regularly or whenever you are having negative or doubtful thoughts. This can help you to help rationalise and control these thoughts to help you realise how capable you are.You can also form affirmations around each point on your list; affirmations are positive statements about yourself beginning with I am.It might be something as simple as I am a good rider or I am successful. These affirmations might feel a bit odd at first, because you might not believe them, but over time that feeling will improve and you will start to believe in the statements more and more.Meet the expert: Sophie Green is a certified life coach and NLP practitioner. She specialises as an equestrian mindset coach, helping riders of all levels and disciplines to find a fresh mindset to make progress with their horse.Related contentHow to stop worrying about what other riders think of youEight ways to feel more confident in the saddleFeeling the pressure? Annikas tips for managing competition nerves *VIDEO*The post Two things you can do now to help you beat show day nerves appeared first on Your Horse.

Emily Cole Illustrations recently launched the new dressage collection at Badminton Horse Trials, featuring a new print on a pale pink background across a range of products. Having seen this new collection for myself at Badminton, I can vouch for the fact it looks great! The pattern features bay, brown, and grey horses, complete with riders and dressage tack, on a pale pink background with images of horses performing dressage movements, plus horseshoes, arena markers, and horse and rider equipment from the discipline. The design is currently available across a variety of products. These include a weekly desk planner, an A5-sized to-do list, a bookmark, a softcover lined notebook, an A4 appointment planner, wash bag, tote bag, oven gloves, tea towel, and apron, with prices starting from 2.50.We officially launched this collection at Badminton Horse Trials, and we were really thrilled with how much people loved it, says Emily Cole. The pale pink is a new colour for us, which is crazy when you think about how our branding is so pink, but for patterns, this is new. We wanted to launch a collection so people could enjoy matching stationery and homeware, to create a coordinated look, and thats what we saw people doing on the stand. There is also a new Cob-pendium range, with designs featuring a range of different characters, while for dog lovers, Emily has also launched two new Spaniel collections, and many new greetings card designs have hit the shelves. For more information on the new dressage collection, see www.emilycole.com. Images courtesy of Emily Cole. Related contentComplete guide to choosing and fitting studs *Video* Useful health products for your horses first aid kit Bridles our team has tried and tested for fit, value and performance Our pick of fly masks and veils for horsesThe post Emily Cole has launched a new collection and dressage fans will love it! appeared first on Your Horse.

Horse health insurance is a non-negotiable for many owners, but even with a policy in place, challenging a dispute over a claim can feel daunting and complicated. Many are left feeling confused and unsure how to move forwards, but the Financial Ombudsman Service can help by providing free advice during this sometimes challenging time, and they are reaching out to the equestrian community to spread the word about their services.The independent and impartial organisation was set up by Parliament to resolve disputes between consumers and financial businesses such as insurers. Over the past five years, its received over 200 complaints from consumers about horse insurance.It can be very worrying when your horse becomes ill, said Andy Wright, Ombudsman Director at the Financial Ombudsman Service. We sometimes hear from people who feel their insurance claims have been unfairly rejected. Thats why its so important insurers make their policy terms transparent and adhere to those conditions when determining a claim, and that people understand their cover. If owners feel unhappy with the service provided by their insurer, they should firstly raise an official complaint with the firm about the issue. If it hasnt been resolved to their satisfaction or they dont feel theyve been treated fairly, they should then contact our free, independent service and well see if we can help.The Ombudsman will review your complaint, look at both sides, check the facts and decide whats fair. At the end of their investigation, theyll give you and the business an answer. The service may decide the business has done enough to resolve your complaint and if thats the case, theyll explain why. If they think youve lost out, theyll ask the business to put things right. This might include sending you an apology, refunding charges or reinstating your insurance policy.Helping owners during challenging timesHorse owner Simon was assisted by the Financial Ombudsman Service after raising a claim with his insurer for veterinary treatment costs because his horse suffered from back pain. Although Simon provided evidence including his vets confirmation, Simons insurer refused to assess the claim mentioning inconsistencies and requesting further details. Simon felt he had supplied all the information needed and had issues with the lack of clarity and justification in the insurers response.Following a review of the policy, Simons evidence, and the insurers reasons for not progressing the claim, the Ombudsman found that Simon had a valid claim and that his insurer had not clearly explained why it would not be covered. The Ombudsman concluded that the discrepancies highlighted by the insurer did not justify rejecting the claim or refusing to assess it.As the insurer had acted unfairly, the Ombudsman instructed the firm to reassess the claim in line with policy terms and pay Simon compensation for the distress and inconvenience theyd caused.In a separate case, horse owner Sharon also sought the help of the Ombudsman. She had made the difficult decision to have her horse put down to prevent further suffering after he became seriously unwell. She submitted a claim with her insurer, expecting a payout for her loss. However, the claim was declined. The insurer said that specific veterinary guidelines hadnt been followed before the decision was made to put down the horse. Sharon felt this was unfair given the urgency of the situation. She explained that she had relied on her vets judgment in an emergency and hadnt been in a position to contact the insurer or consider policy requirements at the time.An Ombudsman looked into the case and found the insurer had acted unfairly. While the guidelines were relevant, they were not absolute rules. The Ombudsman found the insurer hadnt properly considered the vets opinion or the urgency of the situation, and that the decisions made had been appropriate in the circumstances.The insurer was instructed to pay the claim in line with the policy, add interest, and pay compensation for the distress caused.Find out more about the Financial Ombudsman Service here.Related contentColic surgery costs exceed insurance payouts, find vetsWhat does Death of Horse insurance actually cover? *Sponsored*Expert guide to public liability cover *Sponsored*The post Worried about an insurance claim dispute? Free help at hand for horse owners appeared first on Your Horse.