Irish breeders feature in Italy with both Swedish and German riders taking T10 Ps on Irish Sport Horses.As the UK starts their season, Tom Mulcahy breeds the first Open Intermediate winner out of his TIH mare Congress Polly.Poplar Park One Day Event (GBR) 7th 8th March 2026Open Intermediate Sec A1st Dromgurrihy Gold (ISH) 2016 gelding by Royal Concord (ISH) out of Congress Polly (ISH)[TIH] by Poltarf (TB). Breeder: Tom Mulcahy. Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR) 28.4, 0, 6.8 = 35.23rd Shades of Sligo II (ISH) 2017 gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Bouncing Molly (ISH) by Grange Bouncer (ID). Breeder: Martin Kenirons, Rider: Max Gordon (GBR) 30.2, 0, 10.4 = 40.66th Climate Change (ISH) 2017 mare by Fire and Ice J (WESTF) out of Decision Day (ISH) by Lafontaine (TB). Breeder: Kate Jarvey. Rider: Austin OConnor (IRL) 32.5, 0, 13.6 = 46.17th Flash Cooley (ISH)[was Castlefield Casper] -2012 gelding by CSF Mr Kroon [ISH] out of Castleford Ruby (ISH) by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD). Breeder: Jim ONeill (Kilkenny). Rider: Gemma Stevens (GBR) 29.8, 0, 16.4 = 46.2.Open Intermediate Sec B2nd Game Changer (ISH) 2012 gelding by Cassidee (SWB) out of Stormchaser (TB) by Titus Livius (TB). Breeder: Liam Webb (Carlow). Rider: Grace Taylor (USA) 30.7, 0, 5.2 = 35.95th Milchem Miami (ISH) 2016 mare by Glasgow Vant Merelsnest (BWP) out of Mullentine White Diesel (ISH) by Corland (HOLST). Breeder: R C Equine Ltd. Rider: Holly Maudlin (GBR) 33.9, 0, 11.2 = 45.17th Ballyvillane OBOS (ISH) 2013 gelding by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) out of Gleesons Coolcorran (ISH)[TIH] by Young Convinced (TB)[IRL]. Breeder: Tim Gleeson. Rider: Godfrey Gibbons (GBR) 26.1, 0, 19.2 = 45.38th Ballinaguilkey Fortunus (ISH) 2011 gelding by Heritage Fortunus (HANN) out of Abbey Emerald [ISH] by Positively (TB). Breeder: Pam Walshe (Carlow). Rider: Anthony Clark (GBR) 34.3, 0, 12.0 = 46.3.Open Intermediate Sec C1st Cooley Rosalent (ISH) 2014 mare by Valent (KWPN) out of Bellney Jewel (TB) by Roselier (TB). Breeder: J W Rosbotham (Armagh). Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR) 28.4, 4, 2.0 = 34.43rd Cooley Mosstown (ISH)[was Mosstown CH] 2016 gelding by Celtic Hero B Z (ZANG) out of Rabaila (HOLST) by Riverman (HOLST). Breeder: David Harrison. Rider: Caroline Harris (GBR) 25.5, 0, 17.6 = 43.15th Ramiro Wannabe (ISH) 2017 gelding by Ramiro B (BWP) out of Churchgate Little Miss Muffet (ISH)[TIH] by Kildalton King (ID). Caroline Jenks. Rider: Finn Healy (GBR) 28.0, 0, 16.4 = 44.46th Tynan Cooley (ISH) 2005 mare by Hermes de Reve (SF) out of Cavalier Jewel (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Marshall Jenkinson (Armagh). Rider: Lucy Stimpson (GBR) 32.5, 4, 8.0 = 44.59th MJM Bobby Dazzler (ISH)[TIH] 2012 gelding by Glenayre Mystical Bobby (CP) out of Tumbles (ISH)[TIH] by Glen Bar (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Janet Murray (Meath). Rider: Rosie Ringer (GBR) 32.7, 0, 13.2 = 45.9.Intermediate Sec D3rd Oakport Lieutenant Aldo (ISH) 2017 gelding by Warrenstown You 2 (ISH) out of Bel Cruise (ISH) by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Molly Keane. Rider: Harry Horgan (IRL) 31.8, 0, 19.2 = 51.04th Bravado (ISH)[was Comar Accord] 2017 gelding by Antaeus (HANN) out of Miss Clover Over (ISH) by Captain Clover (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Catherine Chambers. Rider: Ella Howard (GBR) 35.9, 0, 16.0 = 51.95th Emerald Endeavour (ISH) 2015 gelding by Future Trend (OLD) out of Annsfort Coole Robin (ISH) by Ricardo Z (ZANG). Breeder: James Nash (Clare). Rider: Harry Dzenis (GBR) 38.0, 0, 19.2 = 57.29th Creevaghstables Ificudiwud (ISH) 2016 gelding by Orestus (KWPN) out of Fados Flight (ISH)[TIH]by Laughtons Flight (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Hiram Wood Hennessy. Rider: Tim Cheffings (GBR) 33.9, 0, 25.2 = 59.1.Open Novice Sec E2nd Brookfield Quality (ISH) 2009 gelding by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) out of Bay Coffey Cavalier (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Sean Kelly (Monaghan). Rider: Tom McEwen (GBR) 26.5, 0, 6.4 = 32.97th Standfast (ISH) 2018 gelding by Island Commander (TB) out of Ballygreek Princess (ISH)by Flagmount King (ID). Breeder: Michael Murphy. Rider: Aoife Clark (IRL) 31.0, 0, 11.2 = 42.210th Feeling Fantastic (ISH) 2014 gelding by Olympic Lux (KWPN) out of Cruisings Pearl (ISH)[TIH] by Mountain Pearl (ID). Breeder: T J Phelan (Laois). Rider: Abigail Burbidge (GBR) 34.0, 4, 5.6 = 43.6.Open Novice Sec F1st Cooley Corpello (ISH) 2017 gelding by Cormint (HOLST) out of Legaland First Class (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeder: Regina Reulbach. Rider: Samantha Lissington (GBR) 27.0, 0, 9.2 = 36.22nd Brookfield Danny de Muze (ISH)[was Danny de Muze] 2018 gelding by Im Special de Muze (BWP) out of Gortglas Sparrow (ISH)[TIH] by Ashfield Bobby Sparrow (CP). Breeder: Donal Callery. Rider: Tom McEwen (GBR) 28.0, 0, 8.4 = 36.43rd Says All (ISH)[TIH] 2015 gelding by Emperor Augustus (TB)out of Ballywildrick Blue Ranee (ID) by Blue Rajah (ID). Breeder: Paula Sheehy (Wicklow). Rider: Maisie Morgan (GBR) 31.0, 4, 2.0 = 37.04th Coirban Sarco Delux (ISH) 2013 gelding by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan (BEWB) out of Coirban Lady Lux (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeder: Clara Marron (Monaghan). Rider: Rebecca Gibbs (GBR) 26.0, 0, 12.4 = 38.45th King Carisma (ISH) 2018 gelding by Carisma (SF) out of El Cazadora (TB) by Posidonas (TB). Breeder: Diane Atcheson. Rider: Hector Payne (GBR) 33.0, 0, 5.6 = 38.67th Ifnotwhynot (ISH) 2013 mare by Pacino (BWP) out of Royale Molly (ISH)[TIH] by Greenacres Diamond (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Alan Wheeler (Limerick). Rider: Annabel Finston (GBR) 31.3, 0, 8.0 = 39.310th Fernhill Khalida (ISH) 2017 mare by Avos Jordan Z (ZANG) out of Burnafea Cruise (ISH)[TIH] by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Adrian McFarland. Rider: Isabelle Cook (GBR) 32.0, 4, 13.2 = 49.2.Open Novice Under 18 Sec H3rd Tommy Cruise (ISH) 2014 gelding by Loch Cruise [ISH] out of Glandoran Hope (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeder: George Chapman (Wexford). Rider: Tara Moore (GBR) 30.8, 0, 20.0 = 50.84th Royale Louis (ISH) 2016 gelding by FSS Correlli Bravo (ISH) out of Miss Rathcline (ISH) by Cappagh Clover (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: John Finnegan. Rider: Holly Morris (GBR) 40.0, 0, 28.0 = 68.0.Novice Saturday Sec G3rd HHE Fernhill McCoy (ISH)(was Jag Lovestory) 2019 gelding by Tyson (KWPN) out of CSF Salut Flamenco (ISH) by Je TAim Flamenco (BWP). Breeder: Jag Equestrian. Rider: Harry Horgan (IRL) 31.0, 0, 8.0 = 39.06th Current Trend (ISH) 2015 gelding by Future Trend (OLD) out of Scattery Katania (ISH) by Kahtan (TB). Breeder: Messrs Clohessy & McNamara. Rider: Mary Edmundson (GBR) 32.0, 4, 4.0 = 40.09th Mountgable Independent (ISH) 2019 gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Sandrasini (HOLST) by Sandro Boy (OLD). Breeder: Greg Fleming. Rider: Bella Innes Ker (GBR) 28.5, 0, 14.8 = 43.3.Novice Sunday Sec R2nd Hallowberry Quantum (ISH) 2015 gelding by OBOS Quality (OLD) out of Royal Flamingo (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Michael Byrne. Rider: Alfie Bradstock (GBR) 34.0, 0, 6.0 = 40.03rd Happy Chirpy Charlie (ISH) 2018 gelding by Tolan R (KWPN) out of Athas Amach (ISH)[TIH] by Master Imp (TB). Breeder: Anthea Rainsbury. Rider: Steven Smith (IRL) 32.5, 0, 10.8 = 43.34th Linnet (ISH) 2018 mare by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Kilrainey Flight (ISH) by Luidam (KWPN). Breeder: Vincent Loftus. Rider: Mary Edmundson (GBR) 31.8, 0, 12.4 = 44.28th Sallymount Condios (ISH) 2008 gelding by Condios (HOLST) out of Ozy Cruise M2S (ISH)[TIH] by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Morningside Stud (Clare). Rider: Millie Smith (GBR) 38.8, 4, 20.0 = 62.89th Ballygriffin Trendy (ISH) 2018 gelding by ARS Vivendi (HOLST) out of Cailin Clover (ISH)[TIH] by Clover Brigade (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Rosarie Phelan. Rider: Anna Cheney (GBR) 35.0, 0, 28.0 = 63.010th My Beech Hill Bonita (ISH) 2016 mare by Tullibards Bennys Legacy (OLD) out of Drumnavagh Girl (ISH) by Porch (BWP). Breeder: Pauric B Goonan. Rider: Mary Edmundson (GBR) 34.0, 0, 35.6 = 69.6.Bouckaert Equestrian International and Horse Trials (USA) 5th 8th March 2026CCI 4* Short1st HSH Connor (ISH)[was Galwaybay Connor & Galwaybay Redfield HSH Connor] 2016 gelding by Connor 48 (HOLST) out of Galwaybay Merstona (ISH) by Mermus R (KWPN). Breeder: Justin Burke. Rider: Caroline Pamukcu (USA) 29.8, 0, 18.8 = 48.63rd Cooley Candyman [ISH][was Tempo Candy Hill] 2013 gelding by Sligo Candy Boy [ISH] out of Dashing Hill [ISH] by FlameHill [ISH]. Breeder: Thomas Anthony Jones (Sligo). Rider: Bruce Davidson Jnr (USA) 30.5, 4, 17.6 = 52.15th Cooley Nutcracker (ISH)[was Ballyshan Contender] 2014 gelding by Tolan R (KWPN) out of Ballyshan Cleopatra (AES) by Cobra (HOLST). Breeder: Gary Doherty. Rider: Boyd Martin (USA) 29.4, 0, 26.4 = 55.8.CCI 3* Short3rd MBF Starburst (ISH) 2018 mare by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Monalease (TB) by Terimon (TB). Breeder: Brian Flynn. Rider: Alexandra Knowles (USA) 32.1, 0, 8.0 = 40.110th Slieve Callan Alpha (ISH) 2013 gelding by Porsch (BWP) out of Gi Miz Minx (ISH) by Courage II (HOLST). Breeder: Niamh Tottenham (Clare). Rider: Waylon Roberts (CAN) 37.9, 4, 6.4 = 48.3.CCI 2* Short2nd Fourfields Classek (ISH) 2014 gelding by Classe VDL (HOLST) out of Agent M (ISH) by Ekstein (KWPN). Breeder: Donal Galvin. Rider: Cindy Rawson (USA) 23.4, 0.4, 0.4 = 24.23rd Cooley Mr. Murphy (ISH) 2013 gelding by Kroongraaf (KWPN) out of Ballinabarney Highlight (ISH) by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD). Breeder: John Burke (Galway). Rider: Meaghan Marinovich-Burdick (USA) 27.0, 0, 0.0 = 27.07th HSH Talk of the Town (ISH)(was BGS Gamble) 2017 gelding by Capri van Oveis Z (ZANG) out of Wesley (KWPN) by Hors la Loi II (KWPN). Breeder: F de Loyer. Rider: Kelley Hutchinson (IRL) 29.0, 0, 2.8 = 31.89th Fernhill 767 (ISH)[was KEC Paqx] 2017 gelding by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) out of Killerick Diamond (ISH) by Glidawn Diamond (ID). Breeder: Oonagh Kennedy. Rider: Alexander ONeal (USA) 24.8, 4, 4.4 = 33.2.CCI 1* Short5th Cooley Quicksilver (ISH) [was OSH Del Boy] 2011 gelding by Womanizer (KWPN) out of Kylemore Crystal (P)(ISH)[TIH] by Vregan Diamond (ID). Breeder: Alan OBrien (Galway). Rider: Lola Lonesky (USA) 36.6, 4, 4.0 = 44.6.Advanced3rd Kokoleka (ISH)[was Belline Castle Pacino Candy] 2018 mare by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Castle Pacino (ISH) by Pacino (BWP). Breeder: Noel Ruane. Rider: Kate Brown (USA) 35.8, 0, 26.0 = 61.85th Cooley Flight (ISH) 2012 gelding by Plot Blue (KWPN) out of Making Moments (ISH)[TIH] by Laughtons Flight (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Julie Graham (Down). Rider: Ryan Wood (AUS) 34.0, 4, 32.8 = 70.86th Fernhill Esmerelda (ISH)[was Esmerelda P] 2017 mare by Emerald Vant Ruyterhof (BWP) out of Coralista (ISH) by Corland (HOLST). Breeder: Gemma Stack & Anna Dunne Purcell. Rider: Jonathan Holling (USA) 35.2, 8, 28.0 = 71.2.Open Intermediate2nd Luska Candy Clover [ISH][was HSH Luska Legend] 2013 gelding by Sligo Candy Boy [ISH] out of Miss Demeanor [ISH] by White Clover (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Amie Sterling (Tipperary). Rider: Jack Curtis (USA) 30.2, 4, 10.0 = 44.26th Watervalley Royal Guy (ISH)[TIH] 2017 gelding by Loughehoe Guy (ISH)[TIH] out of Watervalley Dawn Diamond (ISH)[TIH] by Glidawn Diamond (ID). Breeder: Sean Thomas Lydon. Rider: Dani Sussman (USA) 35.4, 12, 4.8 = 52.0.Intermediate Rider2nd HSH Henry (ISH)[was Twizzler] 2017 gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Silverfoot (TB)[IRL] by Bravefoot (TB). Breeder: Elizabeth Murphy. Rider: Katelyn Smith (USA) 34.0, 8, 16.4 = 58.43rd Fernhill Final Cavalier (ISH)[was Greenacres Cavalier Boy] 2014 gelding by Cavalier Royale (HOLST) out of Greenacres Quality (ISH) by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD). Breeder: Michael Callery. Rider: Liesel Fazekas (USA) 38.1, 14, 15.2 = 67.3.Open Preliminary9th GoldenEye 007 (ISH)[was Rosco Ranger] 2018 gelding by Goodluck VDL (KWPN) out of Cuffesgrange Sensation (ISH) by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD). Breeder: Joe Connaughton. Rider: Heather Bush (USA) 29.7, 0, 16.0 = 45.7.Open Modified4th Pine Top Penny Belline (ISH) 2020 mare by Tullabeg Fusion (ISH) out of Ballinamonapark Honey (ISH) by Irko (TRAK). Breeder: Vahe Bogossian. Rider: Kylie Cahoon (USA) 30.0, 0, 8.0 = 38.0.Southern Pines Horse Trials (USA) 8th March 2026Open Modified2nd CSI Global (ISH)[TIH][was BGK Ditto] 2015 gelding by Carrick Diamond Lad (ISH)[TIH] out Shanbo Impel (ISH)[TIH] by Master Imp (TB) Breeder: Shanbo Stud. Rider: Madison Chisholm (USA) 35.2, 0, 0.0 = 35.210th Cooley Night Owl (ISH)(was Night Owl) 2020 gelding by Dignified Vant Zorgvliet (BWP) out of Barnadown Looks (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeder: Maurice Cousins. Rider: Brittany Crandall (USA) 33.6, 12, 0.0 = 45.6.Montelibretti International (ITA) 27th February 2nd March 2026CCI 4* Short2nd Govalent (ISH) 2015 gelding by Valent (WPN) out of Bellaney Jewel (TB) by Roselier (TB). Breeder: J.W. Rosbotham. Rider: Sofia Sjoborg (SWE) 31.6, 2, 24.4 = 58.0.CCI 2* Short1st Tullabeg Platinum (ISH) 2014 gelding by Dignified Vant Zorgvliet (BWP) out of Tullabeg Hero (ISH) by Cult Hero (TB). Breeder: Nicholas Cousins. Rider: Julia Krajewski (GER) 28.9, 0, 0.0 = 28.99th Emerald Jonny (ISH) 2012 gelding by Waldo Van Dungen (KWPN) out of Z Royaltty Nan De Heernis (KWPN) by Rubels (OLD). Breeder: Donnacha Quinn (Mayo). Rider: Leopoldo Petrini (ITA) 37.0, 0, 6.4 = 43.4.CCI 1* Intro5th Chica Naika (ISH) 2017 mare by S Creevagh Ferro Ex Siebe (KWPN) out of Chica Rubia 0000 (OLD) by Couleur Rubin (OLD). Breeder: Robert Woods. Rider: Pietro Majolino (ITA) 31.3, 0, 0.0 = 31.37th Nazalier (ISH) 2015 gelding by Nazar (TB)[IRL] out of Royalbrook Ruby Royale (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Sean Delaney. Rider: Agnese Bottos (ITA) 34.8, 0.4, 0.0 = 35.28th Caraghs Bon Bon (ISH) 2020 gelding by Sibon W (KWPN) out of Caraghs Harley Lady (ISH) by Ringwood Harley Carol (ISH). Breeder: Stephen Kelliher. Rider: Filippo Gregoroni (ITA) 33.2, 0.8, 3.6 = 37.610th Annsfort Muinteoir (ISH) 2020 gelding by Munther (TB) out of Annsfort Ramona (ISH) by Ramiro B (BWP). Breeder: Patricia Lalor. Rider: Andre Cincinnati (ITA) 33.6, 0, 8.0 = 41.6.These results have been provided to Horse Sport Ireland by Charlie Ripman.These results are funded by Horse Sport IrelandThe post Irish Sport Horse takes the 4* in the USA appeared first on .

Horse Sport Ireland are delighted to host a knowledge transfer evening in support of breeders, owner, and enthusiasts, for the Irish Sport Horse, Irish Sport Pony, Irish Draught, and Irish Cob studbooks.We will have guest speakers, including DAFM advisors for the AIM system, veterinary experts for studbook inspections, and more, to speak about all things studbooks, including equine eligibility, crossbreeding programmes, inspections!Speakers and HSI staff will also be available to answer any questions attendees may have in relation to the studbooks.The event will take place on 25th March at theKilmore Hotel, Dublin road, Kilgarry, Cavan, H12 F6Y7. Tickets are 15 per person; refreshments will be available from 6.30pm with the event beginning at 7pm sharp.Tickets are limited so CLICK HERE to get yoursThis event is funded by the Equine Technical Support scheme with thanks to the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.The post HSI Knowledge Transfer Evening- Tickets Now Available appeared first on .

Two donkeys were special guests at a 60-strong family reading event at a library in mid Wales last month.Mosses and Joey, who are part of a therapeutic herd of 12 Donkeys from Dyfi Donkey Equine Assisted Learning and Wellbeing Centre, took part in the Reading Well for Families event at Machynlleth Library on Wednesday 18 February.The Machynlleth library team, working with Dyfi Donkeys and the Coed Lleol and Awyr Iach projects, organised the event for expecting parents and those with young children to introduce the Reading Well for Families range of books.Attendees enjoyed a buggy walk from the library led by Jenny Dingle and Elin Vaughan Crowley of Awyr Iach which visited local places of interest such as the leisure centre and community hub where people went to the extensive baby bank as well as the food surplus project, before returning to the library for story time with a twist. We had a small interactive pen outside the library building where members of the public, both young and old, could enter and have a brief immersive experience with Mosses and Joey, explained Louise Peeters from Dyfi Donkeys EAL and Wellbeing Centre. For 1pm story time Mosses was invited into the library to listen with the children to a bilingual reading with actions of We are going on a Bear Hunt. We nearly got eaten by the bear as Mosses insisted on stopping to eat the long grass on the way back instead of swishing and swashing as quickly as possible away from the bear!This was the second time we have attended an event at the library. The last was to promote the 100th anniversary of the town clock, but this was there first time one of the donkeys went into the library. Both are used to indoor visits as they regularly visit residential homes for the elderly in the area, and Mosses has annual church visits at Easter and Christmas. Mosses, who is 27, and Joey, who is 25, are former beach donkeys who now spend their time improving peoples well-being through Dyfi Donkeys immersivedonkeyexperiences for physical health, mental wellbeing and fun.The library was full and buzzing, it was wonderful to have Dyfi Donkeys join us for story time inside. We had lots of new members joining the library and so many happy children and adults, said Tegwen Brickley from Machynlleth Library.We are delighted to strengthen the links between the library and local organisations. Even just in the planning of it this event has already led to the revival of the dormant Machynlleth buggy walks and requests for more donkey story times. We look forward to more collaborations.For more information about Dyfi Donkeys and their work, click here. Image Machynlleth Library.More contentBecky Moody explains how to master the perfect 20m circleJay Halims simple showjumping warm-up routine to jump a clear roundNine course-walking tips for a clear round from Ben MaherRos Canters grid exercise to slow a keen or strong horse when youre jumpingThe post Donkeys delight readers in Wales appeared first on Your Horse.

Ocala, FL The final featured event of the week took place in the WEC Grand Arena at World Equestrian Center Ocala (WEC) early in the afternoon. Twenty-three horse-and-rider combinations closed out the week in the $40,000 Yellow Pony Pub & Garden National Grand Prix over a demanding track designed by Catsy Cruz (USA) and Joe Carnicom (USA) that only saw three pairs move onto the jump-off: SharnSource

WINNERS @niamhmcevoy4 & Olympic win todays 1.55m 4* GP at the Sunshine Tour!Delighted for all his connections and everybody at ballypatrick#bshgraduate

Prepurchase examinations (PPEs) or vettings have long been a pillar of the horsebuying process. But according to a panel of leading vets and industry professionals at the 2026 National Equine Forum (NEF) on 5 March, the system is under unprecedented strain. Expectations have shifted, litigation fears have risen, and horses and humans are increasingly caught in the crossfire.During a frank discussion Dr Sam Cutts MRCVS, director of Hook Norton Veterinary Group,Dr Mark Georgetti MRCVS, clinical director of Three Counties Equine Hospital, Dr Lucy Grieve MRCVS, veterinary projects officer of the British Equine Veterinary Association, and dealerJulia Martindelved deep intowhatsgoing wrong, whyitshappening, and what must change.Vetting: a snapshot,nota guaranteeVetting is a risk assessment not a warranty, not a guarantee, stressed vet Lucy Grieve. Its a snapshot in one day, and its a living creature youre looking at.Lucy said buyers increasingly expect certainty rather than context, equating the vetting process with a pass/fail exam. But horses cannot be distilled into black and white results.People expect more fromvettingsthan is possible, she added. Theres been an expectation drift.The myth of pass or failEvery vet on the panel agreed the industrys obsession with the idea of passing or failing a horse is at the root of many problems.Vet Sam Cutts explained:A vetting is suitable or not suitable for the purpose described but people interpret that as pass and fail.Sam went further, emphasising thatvettingsare opinions, not verdicts.Itliterally saysin my opinion at the end of the certificate. You could show the same horse to three experienced vets and get three different opinions.Buyers want perfection but itdoesntexistDealerJulia Martin, who has sold horses fornearly 40years, says the desire for flawless horses especially from inexperienced amateur buyers is destroying the market.People want perfect. There is no perfect, she explained. Years ago, one in 10 horses would fail. Now two in 10 will pass.According to Julia, older horses, which are often the safest for amateurs, are now being routinely rejected for normal wear and tear.We are writing off too many horses, she said. And the people who need the older, safe horses are walking away because they want perfection.Litigation fear: the silent force behind toughervettingsSam revealed thathalf of all veterinary indemnity claims stem fromvettings, and that fear permeates the process.These days if someone buys a horse and it doesnt work out, its somebodys fault and if its not the sellers fault, then its my fault, stated Sam. Lucy Grieve agreed, saying the pressure has driven many young vets away from PPEs altogether.These are the cases that keep you awake at night not for a couple of days, but for weeks or months.One young vet, Julia recalled, was even followed home by an angry purchaser and left the profession altogether.Why vetsdontalways agreeVet Mark Georgetti said differing opinions are inevitable, rooted in:Differing risk tolerance. Personal experience. Differing interpretations of Xrays. Varying understanding of the horses intended use. Differing knowledge of the riders true ability. A horse might be fine to stay at its current level, but not if you want to move it up three levels.Thatsa different conclusion about the same horse, Sam explained.Mark noted thatvettingsare far easier when the vet already knows the purchaser.Its easier to assess a slightly lame horse when you know the rider, the home vet, and the management itll receive, he explained. The hidden variable: rider abilityA horse that vets sound may still unravel with a different rider somethingvettingscannot predict.A horse can look perfect under a professional and fall apart under a less experienced rider, said Lucy. Fitness, symmetry, tension riders influence all of it.Jullia agreed saying:The horse will tell you. If its ears are pricked and it wants to work great. But a new rider can change everything.The rise of Xrays and how they could bemaking things worseRadiographs are now routine, but the panel agreed they often complicate vettings rather than clarify them. Xrays create more questions than answers, said Mark, noting the vast differences in interpretation.As for gait analysis as a tool? Not one vet on the panel supported its use in PPEs.All horses have asymmetry. You will always find something, said Mark.Julia added:Ive lost sales because of gait analysis. Clinically the horse was sound then the machine said otherwise.A system at breaking pointJulia said buyers now regularly undergothree or fourvettingsbefore finding a horse, each costing up to 1,500.People are giving up buying horses.Itstoo stressful, she stated. For sellers, delays can mean weeks of lost time, during which they must keep the horse, turn away other buyers and risk the horse developing a new issue simply by existing. Itscosting 200 a week to keep a horse. Youcantwait three weeks for a vet who specialises in one tiny thing to come out and sayitsnot perfect, said Julia. What needs to change?Every panel member suggested a magic wand solution:Lucy Grieve:Support and mentor young vets so they feel confident doingvettings.Mark Georgetti:Create consensus on radiographic findings we need clear, agreed significance levels.Julia Martin:Reduce overreliance on Xrays. And bring back trust and transparency.Sam Cutts:Move from pass/fail to low, medium, orhigh riskcategories.The audience suggestion of making full veterinary histories follow the horse (not the owner) split the panel mostly due to concerns that unscrupulous sellers would simply find ways around it.The bigger pictureIn the end, one theme ran consistently through the discussion:the system is failing because people are afraid buyers, sellers, and vets alike of imperfection, being sued and possibly making the wrong decision. The paneldidntpretendvettingswill ever be perfect, but they made it clear that if the industry wants a sustainable future, it must rethink its expectations.As Sam put it:We need to accept thatvettingsare opinions and horses are individuals. If we forget that, thewhole systembreaks down.Related contentWhat to expect from a five-stage vettingWhat are the benefits of a five-stage vetting?9 essential things to get right when youre taking care of a horseFuture of equestrianism to be explored at NEF 2026The post Calls grow for overhaul of UK equine vettings amid rising disputes and buyer confusion appeared first on Your Horse.

Artificial intelligence (AI) might sound like something from a tech lab, not a stable yard, but vets, researchers and even the military sayitsalready transforming how wemonitorhorses. At this years National Equine Forum (NEF) on 5 March, speakers revealed how AI is helping catch health problems earlier, understand horses needs more clearly, and give owners and carers informationtheyvenever had before.And crucially, the experts were unanimous:AIwontreplace thehorsemanseye it simply fills in the gaps when wecantbe there.The session included expert insight from Dr Liz Cresswell MRCVS, veterinary lead of Vet Vision AI, Pip Young, a PhD student at Bristol Veterinary School, Major Graham Harvey MRCVS of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and jHubMed scout and project lead and Professor Sarah Freeman FRCVS, a professor of veterinary surgery at the University of Nottingham.24/7 eyes on horses: what AI is actually doingDr Cresswell opened the session by explaining how AI is used in cattle to analyse behaviour and welfare around the clock, and why horses could benefit inexactly the sameway.We can teach AI algorithms what these different behaviours look like on a camera, she said. It gives us very objective 24/7, 365day data into how our animals are living. AIisntguessing itsrecognising patterns that humans can miss. And while artificial intelligencewontmuck out or spot a loose shoe, itcanmonitorfeeding, resting, and activity with a degree of accuracy impossible for a person on a busy yard.Spotting pain earlier beforeitsobvious to usOne of the most striking demonstrations came from Professor Freeman, who showed video of a horse quietlycolicking.To humans, the horse appeared fine when approached, with its head over the door and ears pricked. But as soon as the groom walked away, the footage showed repeated flankwatching and lyingdowngettingup behaviour.Horses can conceal signs of pain and distress, Professor Freeman said. AI helps us understand what a horses life is truly like.Her team analyses millions of images a day and has already identified: Horses withchronic sleep deprivation. Individuals withreduced eating timebefore an episode of colic.Welfare impacts of management changes, feed types and even vaccinations. In one case, AI revealed that horses showed a dramatic drop in sleeping while lying down after a strangles vaccination. As a result, the yard now givesbutealongside the jab.The vets would not have been aware of the impact on the horses lying times, Professor Freeman explained. All of the horses now receivebuteas a result of what we learned.Military working horses moveintothe futureMajor Graham Harvey of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps described how AI cameras have been installed in stables across Londons military horse units, known as Project Forboss.The benefits, he said, have been immediate.We want earlier veterinary intervention, he stated. When you engage early, you can treat much faster.Project Forboss is now using AI to: Track eating, drinking, urination and lying down behaviours.Identifyperiods when horsesfail tolie down at all. Flag early signs of health problems before staff would spot them. Analyse which bedding types result in more deep rest. One image showed a horse that hadnot slept in 24 hours something staff would have had no way of knowing in the past.Another graph revealed that younger horses spend more time lying down than older ones, and that straw or woodchip tended to allow deeper rest than other beddings. Weve been able to start addressing issues we simply wouldnt have known about before, Major Harvey said. The big questions: is AI going to replace horsemanship?The panel was clear in its answer to whether AI would ever replace horsemanship:absolutely not.AI should remain a tool to offer supportive evidence, said researcher Pip Young. Humans and their experience should remain involved when making a decision or a diagnosis. Experts warned that: Training AI tools requireshighquality, unbiased data. Owners must avoid overreliance. AI cannot replace intuition, fieldcraft, or good management.But they stressed that AIcanspot patterns we never could, such as a horse that eats slightly less in the 48 hours before colic, or one whose rest pattern shifts due to stress,painor environment.Im not looking for a perfect system. It just needs to be 1% better than the current system. And it already is, said Major Harvey. Whats next? Foaling prediction, pasture monitoring and moreThe future uses of AI are already on the horizon: Foaling predictionlooks promising: horses often show tiny behavioural shifts hours before they foal, which AI can detect reliably.Pasture monitoringwill take more time due to trees,lightingand power, but researchers are already exploring it.Lameness detectionremainsa challenge not because of the technology, but because vets and owners disagree on lameness grading, making training data inconsistent.But the direction of travel is clear: more insight, not less and more welfare benefits, not fewer.What horse owners should take awayAIwonttell you how to ride a halfpass, boot your horse for turnout, or spot that somethings not quite right look we all know so well.But itcould:Help fill in the hours when horsesarentsupervised. Catch the subtle signs before a problem escalates.Giveobjectivedata to support management decisions. Help owners tailor care to each individual horse. Professor Freemansummed it up by saying: AI is allowing us to make evidencebased decisions rather than guesses, and make positive differences to health and wellbeing.As every horse owner knows, the more we can understand whats happening when were not in the stable, the better we can care for the horses we love. Seeing the invisible: how AI reveals what horses hideProfessor Freeman showcasedsome of the most powerful evidence of AIs potential, especiallyregardingpain and sleep.Horses conceal signs of pain and distress, she said. But AI helps us understand what a horses life is truly like.Her team analyses up toseven million images every 24 hoursacross military sites alone, and more than230 million imagesover a standard 30day monitoring period.Theyrealready seeing breakthroughs, such as a chronically sleepdeprived horse experiencing minicollapse episodes is now receiving tailored management changes. While another example came during a strangles vaccination programme, when AI revealed that horses lying times dropped dramatically information humans would never have known.The vets were aware of the injection site reactions, Professor Freeman explained. But they would not have been aware of the impact on the horses lying times.All ofthe horses now receivebutewith this vaccination as a result.What AI will andwont replaceWhile enthusiasm was high, the panel reiterated that AI complementsexpertiserather than replacing it.AI should remain a tool to offer supportive evidence, Pip emphasised. Humans and their experience should remain involved when making a decision or a diagnosis.Professor Freeman echoed that sentiment:You need the sceptics, the cautious, and the adventurous.All ofthose voices make sure we go in the right direction.Major Harvey said: Imnot looking for a perfect system. It just needs to be 1% better than the current system. And it already is.All members of the panel agreed that if a human can recognise a pattern, an AI can be trained to do the same and often more consistently.Professor Freeman stated: Every day is a school day. AI is allowing us to make evidencebased decisions rather than guesses, and make positive differences to health and wellbeing.Related contentGreat ways to enrich your horses environment and make them happier Horse behaviour explained: why everything they do has meaning9 essential things to get right when youre taking care of a horseFuture of equestrianism to be explored at NEF 2026The post Is AI quietly revolutionising horse welfare? What it means for you appeared first on Your Horse.

Wilson was clear again and =1st in the 5 year olds to end their second week in Spain with Charly Bevan , owned by Shaun hi and sold by us as a 4yo..just one of many of our graduates on the spring tours in good form..

You've seen it. The horse pacing the fence line, wearing a track in the ground. The one who calls out, again and again, when stabled alone. We call these problems. But most of us have a quieter sense that something else is going on. That quieter sense is correct and now there's a word for what it's pointing at.The post From Telos to Teleonome: A New Way to Understand Horse Welfare appeared first on Horses and People.

March 7, 2026 Ocala, FL Highlight classes on Saturday, March 7, 2026, of the World Equestrian Center (WEC) March Dressage CDI3* presented by Hampton Green Farms at WEC Ocala included the Grand Prix Special CDI3*, captured by Nora Batchelder (USA) and Nova, owned by Carol Glover, and the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3*, won by Claire Darnell (USA) and her own Harrold S. With a score of 74.315%Source