61 starters at Badminton19 is the age of Swiss horse Toblerone, the mount of Nadja Minder18 is the number of Badminton completions achieved by Caroline Powell, the most of any rider here this year18 is the age of Cosby Greens ride Jos Ufo de Quidam and of Fiona Kashels Creevagh Silver de Haar16 years since British Olympian Daisy Berkeley (Dick) last rode at Badminton13 riders in the top 20 FEI World Eventing rankings are competing here21 is the age of US rider Cassie Sanger, the youngest competitor9 riders have won a five-star: Caroline Powell, Gemma Stevens, Austin O Connor, Jonelle Price, Ros Canter, Laura Collett, Lara de Liedekerke, Felix Vogg and Tim Price4 first-time riders: Cassie Sanger, Sam Ecroyd, Nadja Minder and Tom Strawson4 five-star victories notched up by Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo (two Badmintons, two Burghleys)4 riders have won Badminton before: Ros Canter, Laura Collett, Jonelle Price, Caroline Powell3 rides for world number one Harry Meade2 horses by the 2015 Badminton winner Chilli Morning: Chillis Midnight Star (ridden by Jonelle Price) and Chilli Knight (Gemma Stevens)2 combinations who have won Badminton: Ros Canter (Lordships Graffalo), Caroline Powell (Greenacres Special Cavalier)2 Olympic gold medallists: Ros Canter and Laura Collett

11 min read Last updated: January 2026 Worried about balancing tradition, competition and your horses wellbeing under UK law? This guide gives you clear, practical steps to meet your legal duty of carewhen to stop, whos responsible on the day, and daily checksplus lessons from the Kings Life Guard schedule (11:00 Mon/Wed/Fri; 10:00 Sun) so you ride and show confidently, lawfully, and welfare-first. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Legal Duty of Care What To Do: Meet the five needs: suitable environment, diet, normal behaviour, appropriate housing, and protection from pain, injury and disease. Put welfare ahead of tradition, competition and convenience. Why It Matters: Its a legal requirement under the Animal Welfare Act and breaches carry serious penalties. Common Mistake: Assuming that if theres no obvious suffering youre compliant. Area: Daily Welfare Checks What To Do: Run a daily checklist: fresh water, appropriate rugging, feet checked, and note appetite, droppings and demeanour. Record changes and act early. Why It Matters: Consistent checks catch problems before they become welfare breaches. Common Mistake: Skipping checks on busy or bad-weather days. Area: Event-Day Responsibility What To Do: Confirm whos in charge on the day, ensure entry and emergency contacts are correct, and keep the passport and medication details to hand. Brief your team on any special needs. Why It Matters: Clear accountability speeds decisions and meets joint legal duties at events. Common Mistake: Assuming organisers carry full responsibility for your horse. Area: Fit to Compete What To Do: Only ride a sound, willing, appropriately fit horse; stop immediately for lameness, distress, heat stress or abnormal sensitisation/desensitisation. Seek veterinary advice if in doubt. Why It Matters: Welfare always outranks entries, points and prize money. Common Mistake: Pushing on to see how it goes. Area: Cooling & Recovery What To Do: Provide shade, airflow and plenty of water; rinse, scrape and repeat, then hand-walk and allow quiet recovery time. Pack scrapers, buckets, towels and fly protection. Why It Matters: Effective cooling prevents heat stress and speeds safe recovery after work or travel. Common Mistake: Leaving water on the coat without scraping, trapping heat. Area: Stallion Management What To Do: Display stallion discs on both sides, lead with a bit and reins or a 2.5m+ lead rope, and use experienced handlers. Plan routes to avoid congestion and never tie up unattended. Why It Matters: Predictable, controlled handling reduces risk to others and protects welfare. Common Mistake: Hiding stallion status or using short lead ropes in busy areas. Area: Weather & Ground What To Do: Check surface, wind, temperature and cooling provision; shorten warm-ups, change classes or withdraw if safety or cooling cant be ensured. Carry weather-appropriate layers and adjust schedules. Why It Matters: Events must not proceed if conditions endanger horses. Common Mistake: Sticking to the timetable despite unsafe footing or heat. Area: Reporting Concerns What To Do: Notify stewards or the secretary promptly with clear, factual details; escalate to Police/RSPCA if urgent or unresolved. Note times, locations and observations. Why It Matters: Swift reporting protects horses and enables enforcement of welfare law. Common Mistake: Venting on social media instead of informing officials. In This Guide Your legal duty of care Who is responsible on the day? When to stop riding or competing What the Household Cavalry gets right A practical welfare checklist for show days Stallions and safeguarding others Weather, ground and when to withdraw Reporting and resolving concerns The Kings Life Guard clip-clopping down Whitehall at 11:00 is a quintessential London moment Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in full ceremony, with shorter inspections on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11:00, and Sundays at 10:00. Behind the polished harness and centuries-old drill is a modern welfare system that every UK horse owner can learn from.UK law puts your horses welfare above tradition, competition and convenience. Whether youre hacking in winter rain, showing at the weekend, or managing a horse on parade, the rules and the responsibilities are the same.Key takeaway: In the UK, horse welfare is a legal duty that always outranks tradition, competition and convenience.Your legal duty of careUnder the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (and the Scottish equivalent), you have a legal duty of care to meet your horses needs for environment, diet, normal behaviour, housing and protection from pain and injury. Failure to meet these needs can be an offence even if obvious suffering hasnt yet occurred.The British Horse Societys Code of Practice summarises this duty clearly for owners and keepers at home and at events, echoing the five freedoms principle that governs all equine care across England, Scotland and Wales. In practice, that means suitable turnout or stabling, an appropriate diet and water, companionship or social contact, safe handling and transport, and proactive veterinary care and pain prevention. See the BHS guidance here: BHS Code of Practice.Sanctions for cruelty or failing to meet welfare needs are significant. According to the national welfare protocol referenced by British Equestrian, courts can impose fines up to 20,000, up to 12 months imprisonment, and bans on owning or keeping animals. For details, consult the BEF policy: Equine Ethics and Welfare Policy.Equine welfare must not be subordinated to commercial or competitive influences. In all situations, all members are committed to promoting the highest levels of education, training, and welfare. British Equestrian FederationQuick tip: Build welfare checks into your daily routine water topped up, rugs appropriate to temperature, feet checked, and a simple note of appetite, droppings and demeanour. Small consistencies prevent big problems.Who is responsible on the day?At events, overall responsibility for a horse rests with the person in charge on the day, alongside the owner/keeper and organisers who share a joint duty under welfare legislation. You must be identified on the entry with up-to-date emergency contact details.The BHS is explicit: organisers have a role, but the owner or keeper carries prime responsibility for the horses welfare throughout the show or rally. Make sure your entry details are correct, your horses passport is to hand, and any special needs (medication, travel routine, stallion status) are clearly noted on paperwork and to your team.Stallion-specific rules commonly include fitting stallion discs on both sides of the bridle, leading only with a bit and reins or a 2.5m+ lead rope, and strict handling to avoid risk to others. If safety is compromised, organisers may disqualify or remove horse and handler in line with welfare policies.Pro tip: Add your vets number and yard contact to a laminated card on your lorry dashboard. In a crisis, clarity speeds care.When to stop riding or competingYou must not ride or compete any horse that is lame, injured, exhausted or affected by abnormal sensitisation or desensitisation; welfare trumps entry fees, points and prize money.The British Equestrian policy is crystal clear: welfare may not be sacrificed to competitive or commercial aims. Watch for head-nodding lameness, reluctance to move forward, irregular rhythm, shortness behind, swelling or heat in limbs, dullness after travel, excessive respiratory effort, or signs of heat stress (high temperature, rapid breathing, depression). If in doubt, stop, cool and assess and seek veterinary advice.Abnormal practices to mask, sensitise or desensitise body parts are prohibited. Cooling provisions (shade, water, air flow), appropriate warm-up times, and safe ground conditions are non-negotiable. If organisers cannot provide a predictable, safe environment, withdraw.No horse should be ill-treated in any way on the showground Under the provisions of the Welfare Acts there is a degree of joint responsibility with organisers, but nevertheless the owner or keeper of an animal has prime responsibility for its welfare. British Horse SocietySupport your cooling plan with kit that works: sweat-scrapers, plentiful water, shade, and a breathable rug if flies are harassing post-exercise. For lightweight coverage, see our range of fly rugs and sheets for hot weather.What the Household Cavalry gets rightThe Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) keeps ceremony running with strict routines, trained horses and scheduled welfare breaks and tradition never overrides welfare policy.From the Changing of the Guard on Horse Guards Parade to state occasions, HCMR horses are on public duty daily: full ceremonies on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:00; shorter inspections on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11:00; and Sundays at 10:00 (Changing Guard timings). Their systems emphasise predictability: controlled exposure to crowds and traffic, disciplined handling, and carefully staged work-to-rest cycles. In winters cold and wet, sentry routines are shortened to reduce standing time, and horses get twice-yearly countryside holidays to decompress and graze away from the capital.Even the famous drum horses traditionally Clydesdale crosses with abundant feather, mane and tail undergo about 18 months of training to carry the massive silver kettledrums through parades. Historically, theyve appeared in black, iron grey, blue roan, piebald and skewbald coats, but colour has always been secondary to temperament and training for safety and welfare (ceremonial horse background).What can you borrow for your horse? Plan your day to the minute, acclimatise to new environments in small steps, and build rest and recovery into your schedule. The best parades whether a local show or a London spectacle are boringly predictable for the horse.A practical welfare checklist for show daysPrepare fitness, plan travel, manage environment, and build cooling and recovery into your day; then carry the right kit to act fast if conditions change.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend using this simple framework:Fitness and health: Only enter classes your horse is fit and schooled for; if travel is long, reduce class numbers. Never compete a horse showing lameness, injury, exhaustion or abnormal behaviour. Consider supportive, legal nutrition from our supplements for joint health and recovery (never to mask issues).Travel safety: Protect limbs in the lorry with robust travel boots or bandages; explore our horse boots and bandages for supportive options. Load calmly, allow extra time, ventilate well and carry water.Weather-ready rugs: For cold, wet UK days, pack a waterproof layer from our turnout rug collection. For stabled downtime between classes, a cosy layer from our stable rugs helps prevent chills if the weather turns.Heat and flies: In hot spells, plan shade, regular rinses and airflow. Use breathable coverage like our fly sheets for post-exercise to reduce pest stress while cooling.Cooling and recovery: Bring buckets, spare water, sweat scrapers and towels. Hand-walk to aid circulation, then allow quiet time to eat and drink.First aid and grooming: A stocked equine first aid kit plus a tidy grooming set saves time when it matters. See our curated grooming essentials that slot neatly into the lorry.Rider safety and comfort: Wear a certified hat from our riding helmets collection and weather-appropriate clothing; for ring-ready outfits browse womens competition clothing and supportive womens jodhpurs and breeches. For early starts or dull light, add hi-vis for riders.Brand picks our customers love: storm-proof value from Gallop Equestrian rugs, lightweight tech from LeMieux, British staples from Shires, waterproof reliability from WeatherBeeta, and tried-and-tested support from NAF supplements.Pro tip: Pack a weather pivot bag: spare rug, spare numnah, fly spray, a lightweight sheet, and a dry cooler. UK weather loves a plot twist.Stallions and safeguarding othersStallions must be clearly identified, controlled with a bit and reins or a 2.5m+ lead rope, and handled so they pose no risk to others; organisers may remove any horse that compromises safety.Note the horses stallion status on entries, display discs on both sides of the bridle, and never tie up unattended in busy areas. Use experienced handlers, plan routes to rings away from pony collecting rings, and space lorry parking if possible. Keep a calm, consistent routine predictability lowers arousal and keeps everyone safe.Quick tip: Fit a neckstrap for an extra holding point on the move, and keep a clear bubble in crowded gateways.Weather, ground and when to withdrawIf ground or weather compromises safety or cooling, postpone or withdraw welfare comes before schedules.British Equestrians policy requires that competitions do not take place if welfare is at risk from extreme conditions. In the UK that can mean saturated or frozen ground, heat spikes, high winds, or relentless rain. Build a simple decision tree: Is the surface safe? Can I cool my horse effectively? Is shade and water available? If any answer is no, step away.For cold, wet days, bring a waterproof top layer and consider a quarter-sheet for warm-up. Our winter turnout rugs and dependable liners help maintain comfort between classes, while a breathable stable rug keeps muscles warm if stabled on site. On heatwave days, arrive early, park in shade, shorten warm-ups, avoid peak heat classes, and use rinsing plus airflow to cool rapidly.Pro tip: In changeable weather, swap long static waits for short, frequent leg-stretches to keep muscles warm without overheating.Reporting and resolving concernsRaise welfare concerns immediately with show officials; if urgent or unresolved, contact the Police, RSPCA or your Local Authority for enforcement.The British Equestrian Federation notes it cooperates with relevant authorities to ensure equine wellbeing. If you see lameness being ignored, abusive handling, or dangerous practices (such as illegal sensitisation), discretely alert the secretary, steward or veterinary officer with clear, factual observations. If a horse is in immediate danger, escalate to the Police or RSPCA on site. Document times, locations and what you saw not opinions to support swift action. Refer to policy guidance here: BEF Equine Ethics and Welfare Policy.Remember, the aim is to protect horses and educate people, not to shame. Calm, prompt reporting saves lives and careers.ConclusionFrom Horse Guards Parade to your local showground, the standard is the same: welfare first, always. Plan like the Cavalry predictable routines, trained responses, clear lines of responsibility and back your plan with the right kit for British weather and busy days. If conditions or your horse say not today, thats good horsemanship and its the law.Need to upgrade your welfare toolkit before the next outing? Explore weather-ready turnout rugs, breathable fly sheets, protective boots and bandages, and proven supplements trusted by UK riders.FAQsWhat legal duty do UK horse keepers have?Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (and Scottish equivalent), you have a legal duty of care to provide a suitable environment, diet, ability to exhibit normal behaviour, appropriate housing, and protection from pain, injury and disease. Failing to meet these needs can be an offence even if no obvious suffering is present. See the BHS Code of Practice.Can tradition or ceremony override welfare rules?No. British Equestrians policy states welfare must never be subordinated to competitive, commercial or traditional influences. That applies to ceremonial units and private owners alike. Read the policy: BEF Equine Ethics and Welfare.Who is responsible for my horse at an event?The person in charge on the day carries overall responsibility, alongside the owner/keeper and organisers who share joint duty under the Welfare Acts. Ensure your entry lists the correct owner/keeper and emergency contacts. Guidance: BHS Code of Practice.When must I withdraw my horse?Withdraw immediately if your horse is lame, injured, exhausted, distressed, or affected by abnormal sensitisation/desensitisation. Also withdraw if the ground or weather makes safe performance or effective cooling impossible. Welfare takes precedence over entries and fees.What penalties apply for welfare breaches?Courts can impose fines up to 20,000, up to 12 months imprisonment and bans from owning/keeping animals. Events may also disqualify competitors for welfare violations. See BEF-linked protocol here: Equine Ethics and Welfare Policy.How do the Household Cavalry manage welfare on parade?Through rigorous training, predictable routines, shortened winter sentry periods in severe weather, and regular countryside breaks away from London crowds. Even iconic drum horses receive around 18 months training before parading. Learn more: Changing Guard and ceremonial horse background.What kit should I prioritise for welfare at events?Pack protective travel boots or bandages, weather-appropriate turnout rugs and fly sheets, a stocked first aid kit, plentiful water, and a certified riding helmet for you. Add legal supplements to support joints and recovery without masking issues. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop Turnout RugsShop Fly RugsShop Boots & BandagesShop Supplements

Harry Meade, the world number one in eventing, is the busiest rider this weekend with three horses to ride.Although he has previously achieved this feat at five-star level (at Burghley last year, with three horses in the top 10), it is a rarity at the highest echelons of the sport.The last rider to complete Badminton with three horses was Lorna Clark in 1970 with Gypsy Flame (fourth), Popadom (12th) and The Dark Horse (15th) and she did all her own plaiting and saddling up as well.Five years before that, the Australian Olympian Bill Roycroft rode three around: he was second on Eldorado, sixth on Stoney Crossing and second on Avatar in Little Badminton.Harry, who scored 36.5 on his first ride, Et Hop Du Matz, admitted that he thought the better tests are still to come tomorrow, from the mares Anaghmore Valoner, fourth at Burghley last year, and Crystal Cavalier, fourth at Badminton in 2025 and twice third at Burghley.A cross-country specialist it is his outstanding performances at five-star level last year that propelled him into the top spot in the FEI Eventing World Rankings Harry said: Ive had a quick look at the cross-country and am now about to walk it in much more detail, assessing it for each of my three horses. I am looking forward to Saturday. Its going to be a great days sport.More Rider Reactions

9 min read Last updated: January 2026 Importing a horse from Europe now brings extra forms, bigger bills and a 20% VAT hit that can derail budgets. This guide shows you exactly what to budget and file to avoid delaysthink 2,0004,000 typical logistics and a 33page health certificateplus smart tactics like postponed VAT accounting to keep your purchase smooth and costeffective. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Import VAT & Duty What To Do: Calculate 20% VAT on the customs value (purchase price + freight/insurance) and check if any duty applies (0% most purebreds; some nonEU geldings 10%). Set funds aside before the horse moves. Why It Matters: Avoids surprise tax bills and failed clearances. Common Mistake: Calculating VAT on price alone and ignoring freight/insurance or potential duty. Area: Postponed VAT Accounting What To Do: If VATregistered, enable postponed VAT accounting in your Government Gateway and tell your agent to use it; declare in box 1 and reclaim in box 4 next return. Why It Matters: Protects cashflow by avoiding payment at the border. Common Mistake: Forgetting to opt in and having to pay VAT on arrival. Area: Paperwork & Timeline What To Do: Get a GB EORI, arrange the EHC and blood tests, submit TRACES prenotification, lodge a full import declaration, and register the passport with a UK PIO within 30 days. Why It Matters: Missing documents cause delays, penalties and welfare risks. Common Mistake: Booking transport before vets, labs and admin slots are secured. Area: Border Control Posts What To Do: Route via a designated liveanimal BCP, prebook arrival windows, and carry originals for inspection. Why It Matters: Only BCPs can clear live equines; missed bookings cause costly diversions. Common Mistake: Using a nondesignated crossing or arriving without prenotification. Area: Cost Budgeting What To Do: Get itemised quotes for shipper fees, EHC, tests, ferry/Eurotunnel, BCP charges and insurance; add a 1015% contingency. Why It Matters: Logistics typically add 2,0004,000 before VAT, so planning protects your budget. Common Mistake: Overlooking waiting time, stabling and changeofroute costs. Area: Dealers VAT & Pricing What To Do: Account for VAT on the full UK selling price and rework margins; adjust buy/sell prices or terms accordingly. Why It Matters: The margin scheme no longer applies in Great Britain, squeezing profit. Common Mistake: Applying marginscheme VAT or not updating pricing after Brexit. Area: Temporary Imports What To Do: For competitions/training, use an ATA Carnet and declare a temporary import (up to 24 months); reexport on time or convert to full import and pay VAT/duty. Why It Matters: Enables VATfree shortterm entries with smoother customs. Common Mistake: Letting the temporary period lapse or failing to convert when a sale completes. Area: Welfare & Arrival Prep What To Do: Prearrange stabling/quarantine and winter kit (200300g turnout, stable rug, travel boots); set a recovery plan and have vet support on standby. Why It Matters: Minimises stress and health issues during checks and the first 72 hours. Common Mistake: Turning out too soon or underrugging in cold, wet weather. In This Guide What has changed post-Brexit? How much will importing a horse really cost in 2026? Dealers and professionals: your VAT position explained Paperwork and timelines: what you need before the lorry rolls Route, welfare and winter planning Temporary imports for competition Smart budgeting and buying strategies Buying a horse from Europe now comes with more forms, more fees and a very different VAT position than before Brexit. If you plan ahead, you can still import safely and cost-effectively but you need the right numbers and paperwork from day one.Key takeaway: Since 1 January 2021, UK importers pay 20% import VAT on the horses value and dealers can no longer use the VAT margin scheme (except in Northern Ireland), with total extra costs of around 2,0004,000 on top of the purchase price.What has changed post-Brexit?From 1 January 2021, UK buyers must pay 20% import VAT on horses from the EU and UK-based dealers cant use the VAT margin scheme for EU purchases (Northern Ireland excepted). Customs duty is 0% for pure bred horses but can be 10% for some geldings bred outside the UK/EU.This is the single biggest shift affecting prices and cashflow. HMRC now requires VAT on the horses customs value (purchase price plus freight and insurance) when you import, with postponed VAT accounting available for VAT-registered businesses so you declare and reclaim on your next VAT return rather than paying at the border. According to Hazlewoods, the VAT margin scheme used by many UK dealers preBrexit has effectively been withdrawn for EU horses (except in Northern Ireland under the Protocol), forcing VAT to be charged on the full selling price.On tariffs, the UK Global Tariff is 0% for pure bred horses (HS 0101 2100), but the British Horseracing Authority notes some geldings bred outside the UK/EU may attract 10% duty on the horses value plus freight. Beyond tax, British Equestrian details new paperwork and control-point checks that add time and cost to every movement.How much will importing a horse really cost in 2026?Allow an extra 2,0004,000 for transport and paperwork, plus 20% import VAT on the horses value (including freight/insurance), with duty usually 0% for EU-bred purebreds.Typical postBrexit oneway costs reported by British Equestrian and UK shippers include: Export Health Certificate (official vet, 33 pages): ~200 (preBrexit health papers were ~70) Equine blood tests (within 90 days): ~100 Ferry/Eurotunnel: ~450 return (shipper cost base) ATA Carnet (if temporary movement): ~800 per year Professional shipper fees: ~250 Border Control Post charges: ~114325The big ticket remains VAT. As James Cowper Kreston explains, import VAT is 20% on the customs value (horse price + freight/insurance). So, importing a 50,000 horse with 1,000 freight/insurance attracts around 10,200 VAT. If youre VATregistered, you can use postponed VAT accounting (declare in box 1, reclaim in box 4) to avoid a cash hit at the border; if youre not registered, you pay at entry.Realworld totals for private buyers commonly land near 2,0004,000 for the logistics and paperwork line items alone, before VAT and vetting. This is why many UK buyers now negotiate harder on purchase price to offset the 20% VAT something Irish sellers have increasingly reported.Dealers and professionals: your VAT position explainedDealers must account for VAT on the full UK selling price of an imported EU horse; the margin scheme no longer applies in Great Britain, so profits are squeezed unless sale prices rise.PreBrexit, a dealer buying for 15,000 and selling at 20,000 might have accounted for VAT only on the 5,000 margin (~833). Now, VAT is due on the full 20,000 (~3,333), cutting profit from ~4,167 to ~1,667 before transport, insurance and agents fees, as set out by Hazlewoods. PostBrexit, dealers have to account for VAT on the full sale price of 20,000, increasing the VAT to 3,333.33, leaving the dealer with a profit of only 1,667 before other costs there is little left to make it worthwhile. Tim Warren CBE, Warren Eventing The margin scheme has effectively been withdrawn for UK businesses (with the exception of Northern Ireland) buying horses from the EU. The consequence will be that either prices of imported horses increase significantly, or dealers absorb the extra VAT cost and suffer reduced profits. Hazlewoods equine tax specialistsIf you overpaid under the margin scheme since 1 January 2021, Hazlewoods advises filing a protective claim with HMRC for the difference between VAT on the full price and VAT on the margin. Northern Ireland businesses remain able to use the margin scheme under the Protocol rules a key competitive nuance in UK trade.Paperwork and timelines: what you need before the lorry rollsYou need a UK EORI, a full import declaration, an Export Health Certificate, blood tests within 90 days, TRACES prenotification and to arrive via a designated Border Control Post; register the horses passport with a UK PIO within 30 days of arrival.Plan your administrative timeline as carefully as your training schedule: EORI: Get a GB EORI number (format GB + your VAT number + 000 if registered) before you import. Import declaration: Submit a full import entry via HMRC (or use an agent). VATregistered businesses can opt for postponed VAT accounting on their next return. Health certification: Arrange the Export Health Certificate (33 pages, completed by an Official Veterinarian) and required blood tests (typically within 90 days). Prenotification: Submit documents in advance via TRACES and book your arrival time with a designated liveanimal Border Control Post. Entry route: From 1 March 2022, returned/imported horses must use designated BCPs; avoid nondesignated routes. Passport: Once back in Britain, register a foreign passport with a UK Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) within 30 days as per GOV.UK requirements.For racehorses and bloodstock, HMRC allows simplified value declarations using insured value as a guide, and average values for docketsystem sales at Tattersalls, Doncaster and Ascot; see the HMRC Imports Manual and engage the Bloodstock Helpdesk if youre unsure.Quick tip: Book your Official Veterinarian and shipper early for autumn and early winter moves wet weather and holiday peaks fill calendars fast, and Border Control Posts can book up at short notice.Route, welfare and winter planningAlways route through a designated live-animal Border Control Post and plan for UK autumnwinter conditions with stabling, quarantine space and suitable rugs from day one.Welfare starts with the route and ends with the first 72 hours on British soil. Confirm your shippers paperwork, timings and contingency plans for delays at the BCP. On arrival (especially October to March), have a dry stable ready and turnout options on hold until youve completed checks and the horse has settled. In our climate, even clipped or lightly rugged imports may need immediate coverage: most horses are comfortable in a 200300g rug once temperatures drop near 5C with wind and rain.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend: A weatherproof layering plan with reliable winter turnout rugs for wet fields and breathable stable rugs to keep muscles warm in draughty barns. Protective travel gear quality travel boots and bandages reduce knocks during ferry or Eurotunnel loading. Postjourney care a thoughtful grooming routine and appropriate electrolytes or gut-support supplements can help recovery after long transport. Always consult your vet if you spot any signs of travel stress.Pro tip: Add hivis to your yard routine in darker months riders escorting new arrivals on handwalks will appreciate highvisibility gear around lorry parks and lanes.Temporary imports for competitionYou can temporarily import a horse VATfree for up to 24 months using an ATA Carnet, provided its reexported at the end of the visit.For competitions, demos or training camps, an ATA Carnet streamlines customs both ways. Expect around 800 per year for the Carnet itself, plus the standard health certification and BCP checks. Youll still need an EORI, prenotification and to use designated routes, but the VAT position is simpler as long as the horse leaves the UK again within the permitted window. See this UKEU overview from ASD Group for key points.If you convert a temporary import to a permanent purchase, you must switch to a full import declaration and settle import VAT (plus any duty) at that point, using the original purchase paperwork to support the customs value.Smart budgeting and buying strategiesGet written quotes for every leg, use postponed VAT accounting if youre registered, and build 20% VAT into your offer price to avoid nasty surprises.Start with a simple spreadsheet: purchase price, freight/insurance, BCP, EHC, blood tests, shipper fees, and VAT. Ask your shipper to itemise waiting time, overnight stabling and changeofroute costs then add a 1015% buffer for delays. If youre VATregistered, confirm postponed VAT accounting is enabled on your Government Gateway before the horse moves.For dealers, revisit your pricing model. The numbers are stark: PreBrexit example: Buy 15,000 Sell 20,000 VAT on 5,000 margin 833 Profit 4,167 before other costs. PostBrexit example: Buy 15,000 Sell 20,000 VAT on 20,000 3,333 Profit 1,667 before other costs.That squeeze is real across IrelandUK trade: Sellers of horses in Ireland are going to be squeezed by some UK buyers due to the 20% VAT rate now applicable to horses imported into Britain postBrexit. The Irish FieldNegotiation tip: When you present your offer, show the VAT impact line-by-line many European sellers understand the postBrexit friction and will work with serious buyers who can complete swiftly with the correct paperwork.Quick tip: Moving late autumn? Book an extra rug and boots set so you always have a dry spare. Our team can advise on fit and warmth across leading lines from WeatherBeeta, Shires and LeMieux and we stock riding helmets for safe first hacks while your new arrival settles.FAQsHow much VAT will I pay importing a 50,000 horse from the EU?Import VAT is 20% on the customs value: the purchase price plus freight/insurance. On a 50,000 horse with 1,000 freight, expect around 10,200 VAT. VATregistered businesses can use postponed VAT accounting (declare in box 1 and reclaim in box 4 on the next return); nonregistered importers pay at the border. Source: James Cowper Kreston.Is there customs duty on EUbred purebred horses?For EUbred purebreds, the UK Global Tariff is 0% (HS 0101 2100). Some geldings bred outside the UK/EU may attract 10% duty on the horses value plus freight. Source: British Horseracing Authority.What extra costs should I budget for beyond VAT?Plan around 2,0004,000 for paperwork and logistics: Export Health Certificate (~200), blood tests (~100), shipper fees (~250), ferry/Eurotunnel (~450 return), ATA Carnet for temporary moves (~800/year) and Border Control Post charges (~114325). Source: British Equestrian.Can I still use the VAT margin scheme for EU horse imports?No the margin scheme has been withdrawn in Great Britain for EU horses since 1 January 2021. Northern Ireland remains an exception. If youve overpaid VAT under the margin scheme since then, file a protective claim with HMRC. Source: Hazlewoods.What paperwork do I need for a competition horse?A GB EORI, import declaration, Export Health Certificate, required blood tests, TRACES prenotification, and arrival via a designated Border Control Post; then register the passport with a UK PIO within 30 days. Source: GOV.UK.How long can a horse stay in the UK on a temporary import?Up to 24 months VATfree, provided its reexported, typically using an ATA Carnet for simplified customs both ways. Source: ASD Group.What kit should I have ready for a winter arrival?At minimum, a 200300g turnout rug, a warm stable rug, protective travel boots, and a basic grooming and recovery plan; consider supplements and hivis for early handwalks in low light. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. 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Not many competitors can claim to have completed university exams in the same week as making their Badminton debut, but that is what US rider Cassie Sanger achieved on Monday evening.She is a full-time student of journalism at Richmond University, USA, and started competing at five-star level last year, finishing 18th at Kentucky and 17th at Burghley on Redfield Fyre.They scored 37.5 in the dressage at Badminton. I am thrilled with my horse, she said. Weve been working hard with Ros Canter [with whom she is based when in England] and Amy Woodhead. Collection isnt easy for him but he has got much stronger. The five-star test with four flying changes isnt easy for him.I came to Badminton two years ago to watch and I am trying not to gaze around too much as it is an amazing place. The stables are so cool and everyone here understands how much hard work goes into just getting to Badminton.Cassie, at 21 the youngest competitor here, has been partly studying online and is a recipient of the Wilton Fair Grant (named after the 1987 Burghley winner) which enables young American riders to compete abroad.I just couldnt give up this opportunity and Ros has made it possible for me, she said. I find that having my degree to concentrate on keeps me grounded, as this sport is full of highs one minute and lows the next.

British rider Bubby Upton and the 16-year-old Cola, her horse of a lifetime, are leading after the morning session of dressage at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials, with the only sub-30 score, 29.8. This is the pairs fifth consecutive Badminton appearance, having finished eighth last year.He was a little on his toes, to be honest, but I am really pleased with him, said Bubby, who finished eighth at Badminton last year. It wasnt a perfect polished test but he is established at five-star level now and he is such a beautiful horse.Georgie Goss, who now represents Ireland, is lying second on Feloupe on 30.8 penalties and Sarah Bullimore is third on the home-bred Corimiro on 32.1.The 10-year-old Corimiro is by Amiro out of Lily Corinne, a mare Sarah competed at top level. The pair has excellent four-star form and finished fifth at their first five-star, Pau in France, last year.Tom Jackson is lying fourth on the first of his two rides, United 36, ahead of Katie Magee and Treworra, who made a brilliant Badminton debut last year in 11th place and taking home the Lawrence Rook trophy for the highest placed British first-timer.A field of 61 is competing for the worlds biggest eventing prize of 125,000. Next up in front of the judges (president Christina Klingspor from Sweden, Amanda Miller from the US and Britains Angela Tucker) after the lunch break will be the Irish combination of Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint, who also made a stellar Badminton debut, finishing second in 2024.

What Do People Get Wrong About Showing? Vicky Smith on Producing Show Horses in the UKPublished 7 May 2026 Just Horse Riders Podcast Episode 37Key TakeawaysShowing is the only equestrian discipline where you train all winter to hand the reins to a stranger the judge in the summer.Six weeks of roadwork in January remains Vicky Smith's non-negotiable foundation for fitness, even for show horses going to county shows rather than three-day events.Variety is the engine of mental freshness Vicky's horses never do arena work two days in a row, and herd turnout is treated as part of training, not a luxury.Bitting is the most over-thought area in showing most "bit problems" are training problems wearing a costume.The biggest mistake in the show ring is taking a horse before it's ready preparation in busy environments matters more than another schooling session at home.Pathways into showing are wider than people think riding clubs, BSHA Rising Stars, the TSR series and London International all give grassroots riders a route in.Your team is the difference between winning and not head girl, vet, farrier, dentist, physio, and a mum who'll arrive with cake and an opinion on every horse.Quick Answer: What Do People Get Wrong About Showing?Most people think showing is the easy option compared with eventing or show jumping. In reality, producing a horse calm enough for a county ring surrounded by funfairs and Red Arrows, fit enough for back-to-back classes, and trained well enough that a complete stranger can ride it cleanly, is a discipline of its own. The work is quieter than a cross-country round, but the standards are unforgiving.Meet Vicky Smith Cheshire's Show Horse ProducerVicky Smith is a UK show horse producer based in Cheshire, running a yard of fourteen horses between Peckforton and Beeston Castle. Her record reads like a tour of the major British show ring: Coloured Ridden Non-Native Horse of the Year at HOYS in 2018, 2019 and 2021 on Bart; Maxi Cob of the Year at HOYS 2024 on A Red Knight; the working show horse class at Royal Windsor 2022 on Bart; the ridden coloured championship at Royal Windsor 2025 on Chynas Top Deck; and Reserve Supreme Riding Horse at the Royal International 2025. She also judges the divisions she competes in, and trains amateur riders at the London International Horse Show.Before all of that she was a full-time PE teacher at a high school on the outskirts of Stockport, riding before school, after school, and through every weekend her colleagues used for rest. The pivot to full-time producing came in 2018 after a HOYS weekend where Bart won the Coloured Ridden Non-Native title and Bling Cobsby stood Reserve Cob of the Year and she was breaking up a fight in a school car park by 8.30am the following Monday.The Definition of a Show Horse ProducerWhat Does a Show Horse Producer Actually Do?A show horse producer trains and campaigns horses on behalf of their owners, taking them from young, often green animals through to competing at major venues like HOYS, Royal Windsor and Royal International. The role combines daily riding, fitness work, show-day management and ride-judge preparation, alongside an honest commercial relationship with owners about what each horse can realistically achieve.Vicky frames her own approach broadly. "We've got four-year-olds up until the oldest horse on the yard at fourteen," she told Aaron. "Mainly show horses, but just produce horses really to go on hopefully in the show ring, but also try and give them a wide education. So if it doesn't work out for them, they've got another job."Why Showing Is Harder Than It LooksAccording to Vicky Smith, "showing is a sport where you are being judged so to be judged for a living is quite hard." That sentence does a lot of work. It captures something the discipline doesn't always communicate well to outsiders: the deliverable isn't a clear round or a fastest time, it's a subjective assessment of manners, ride, conformation, type and presence, made by a judge who has thirty seconds to form an opinion and another five minutes on board to confirm it.According to Vicky, there is no other equestrian discipline where a rider spends all winter training a horse only to hand the reins to someone else in the summer. The horse has to behave for two riders in succession its own, and a stranger in front of a crowd, often beside a funfair. That is the job.The Long Road from Pony Club to ProfessionalConnemaras, Welsh Ponies and WembleyVicky's earliest "big stage" memories are of HOYS at Wembley, finishing second three times in a row in the large breeds on a Connemara called Sydserff Golden Oak for breeder Liz Milner. That early exposure planted the seed, but she drifted into eventing and hunting through her late teens and twenties, kept showing on the side, and quietly built up a reputation for getting on with horses other riders found awkward.Teaching PE and Producing Eight Show HorsesBy the mid-2010s she was juggling full-time teaching with six to eight show horses at home. "I'd get up at five or six in the morning, muck out, ride before work, quick shower, full days teaching PE in a really good high school on the outskirts of Stockport," she told Aaron. "Some really brilliant but often challenging kids. Some great personalities."The school year didn't bend around horses. Weekends in winter were the only daylight she had to ride. Show season simply meant working through it.The HOYS Weekend That Broke the Camel's BackThe pivot came in October 2018. Bart won the Coloured Ridden Non-Native Horse of the Year. Bling Cobsby stood Reserve Cob of the Year. Vicky drove home, slept briefly, and was back in the school car park at 8am Monday morning, separating two pupils mid-fight before she'd even crossed the threshold. Her then-headteacher, Pam Campbell, offered her a year's sabbatical. The school took on a replacement. Vicky never went back.Fitness and Conditioning: Why Roadwork Still WinsHow Do Professional Show Horse Producers Get a Horse Fit for the Season?Vicky's fitness regime is deliberately old-fashioned. Horses come in from their winter holiday in January and walk on the roads for six weeks before any faster work begins. The aim is to build legs, strength and stamina the slow way the way her mum's generation did it for eventing. By April, when the show lorry first leaves the yard at 4am, the horses are ready for the physical and mental load of a show day, not just for the riding inside the ring.The Social Media Fitness Problem"It really worries me when I look on social media and you see people saying, oh, big Teddy's back in from his winter holiday, and there they are flying around the arena," Vicky said. "Then there's a post on big Teddy's legs."The principle she keeps returning to is one any half-marathon runner would recognise. You don't ask a body to do hard work it hasn't been prepared for. Aaron put it neatly: he ran a half marathon in October, and being asked to run another one now without training would be unreasonable. Horses get treated worse than that all the time.According to Vicky, Recovery Is Part of the ProgrammeAccording to Vicky Smith, the day after a show should never look like another working day for the horse. Hers go out in the field sometimes for the day, sometimes for several days, depending on the individual. Some are flat out in their beds by lunchtime. The more modern, warmblood-influenced horses tend to want fewer days off; the older traditional types take more. Knowing which is which is part of the job.Mental Freshness: Why Variety Beats RepetitionHow Do You Keep a Show Horse Mentally Fresh?Vary the routine every single day. Vicky's horses never do arena work two days in a row. A typical week might include hacking, schooling, lunging, pole work, a farm ride, herd turnout and a quiet day in the field. Show horses are still horses herd animals and Vicky's go out together in small groups despite their value, because the alternative is a brittle, anxious animal that doesn't last.The Hacking ArgumentIf forced to choose between the arena and hacking, Vicky picks hacking every time. "You can do leg yields, you can do transitions, as long as you've got somewhere to canter," she said. "You can find somewhere and do some schooling work around a field." For her own head, hacking is also therapy. "Tack up one or two horses, put the phone on silent, go off down the road, listen to the clip-clop of hooves, the birds, the sun. There is nothing better than that for just making everything feel okay."If you ride and you've ever done that ride, you know exactly what she means. A good pair of comfortable jodhpurs for those long lane rides earns its money very quickly.What to Do When the Weather Won't Let You HackBritish winters do not co-operate. Vicky's solution is to look at the forecast, pick the worst day of the week, and book a local indoor school. The horses get on the lorry for twenty minutes, ride for an hour, come home. It's not glamorous, but it's far less stressful than asking a young horse to do a useful schooling session in sideways rain. It also doubles as travel education the most valuable thing a green show horse can quietly accumulate before it sees its first county ground.Working with Owners: The Honest ConversationManaging Expectations from Day OneVicky's commercial pitch is plainer than most. If somebody rings about a horse, she watches a video or visits in person, then tells the truth. Sometimes that's "this could be a top show horse, but he's only four give him time." Sometimes it's "this isn't the horse for me." Sometimes it's "I can't promise you Royal Windsor.""I'm so lucky that all the people that I've ever had invest in what I do have been really good and really trust in my process," she told Aaron. The trust isn't accidental it's a direct consequence of Vicky telling owners what's actually possible before she takes a horse in.How Long Does a Show Horse Stay in Production?It depends on the owner and the horse. Some campaign for two seasons. Some come in as three-year-olds and stay through their novice years and into their teens. The point at which a horse leaves often isn't because it's no good it's because it's done what it can in that division, and a younger, fresher face is on its way through the yard.According to Vicky, Letting a Horse Go Can Be the Right CallAccording to Vicky, every honest producer has had to ring an owner and say "this horse isn't for me." Sometimes it's a man's horse needing a different routine. Sometimes the chemistry simply isn't there. Pride gets in the way more than it should. The professionals she respects most are the ones who hand a horse on rather than grind it through another wasted season.Bart The Horse of a LifetimeEvery producer talks about one horse like this, and Bart is Vicky's. A coloured non-native she took on when his owner Gillian sent him out for a fresh approach, he had bucked previous riders off and arrived with a reputation. He won the Coloured Ridden Non-Native Horse of the Year at HOYS three times 2018, 2019, and 2021 and added the working show horse title at Royal Windsor in 2022, which is unusual because that's a class with fences, and Bart was a flat show horse."He was such a character. He bit the girls don't let him bite you, oh, but it's Bart. He just became a bit of a national treasure," Vicky told Aaron. When she split with her partner and had to downsize, Bart went to her former groom Kiera Mullen in Ireland, who took him sidesaddle and won at Balmoral, Tattersalls and Dublin in the same year. The right horse, in other words, finds the right person more than once.Building the Team Behind a Show YardWhy Showing Is Never a Solo SportVicky's mum has been there since the riding-bike-alongside-pony days, and remains active on the yard, ringside, and at owners' picnics. Hayley, her head girl, joined as a sixteen-year-old college student on work experience and has grown into the role of indispensable show-day partner knowing when to feed Vicky, when to hand her a gin and tonic, and when to let her concentrate. Penny the vet nurse drives the lorry on busy days. Chris, an old eventing friend with an HGV licence, has become a regular fixture warming horses up at shows.The Vet, Farrier, Dentist and PhysioHird's Veterinary Group (Halifax originally, now also Cheshire six minutes from Vicky's yard, as Google Maps now tells her automatically), farrier Rob, and dentist Jake Patton make up the wider professional network. The point Vicky keeps making is that these aren't service providers they're friends who pick up the phone at five in the evening when a shoe comes off the night before a show. That kind of relationship cannot be bought; it can only be built.Part-Time Beats Full-Time on StaffingVicky used to run two full-time grooms. She now runs four part-timers. The flexibility for staff illness, holidays, weekends off has made the yard more, not less, reliable. It's a counterintuitive lesson for any small operation, equestrian or otherwise.Pathways for Amateurs Who Want to ShowHow Do You Qualify for Horse of the Year Show?You qualify by winning or placing well in qualifying classes throughout the season local county shows for some sections, dedicated qualifying days for others. Vicky's advice for anyone aiming at HOYS is simple: don't put too much pressure on it, and focus on improving the horse at home rather than chasing the result.Riding Clubs, BSHA, TSR and London InternationalThe grassroots route in is broader than most riders realise. Local riding clubs run classes for every level. The British Show Horse Association runs Rising Stars classes that ultimately qualify for the London International Horse Show. Grandstand Media runs the TSR (The Showing Register) series, which has classes for ex-racehorses, retired event horses, and pretty much anything in between. Vicky herself trains riders at London International each December, alongside Ian Smith.Find a Professional, Get Feedback, Don't Buy a New BitAccording to Vicky Smith, bitting is the area riders most overcomplicate. Most "bit problems" are training problems wearing a different costume and a new bit very rarely fixes a horse that isn't between hand and leg properly. Her advice: find a professional in your area, get them to assess your horse, work out which class it actually fits, and start from there. A new bit is the equestrian equivalent of buying running shoes with carbon plates and expecting your 5K time to drop.The Worst Day in the Show RingShould I Change My Horse's Bit or Work on My Training First?Work on your training first. The vast majority of resistance, leaning and head-tossing problems are caused by inconsistent contact, a horse not properly between leg and hand, or a horse that is bored or under-prepared. A different bit might mask the symptom for a class or two, but it won't solve the underlying issue, and it will make the next ridden judge wonder why you're carrying so much metal.The Horse That Jumped Out of the RingVicky's funniest cautionary tale involves a young horse she'd bought in Ireland and taken to a Royal International qualifier. She was the only entry. The judge rode him, gave him a good ride, jumped off. Vicky stood him up for the conformation assessment that's the walk-away-and-trot-back routine but had never actually practised it at home. He wouldn't trot back. Her mum tapped him. He took off. He bolted around the ring. Then he jumped out of the ring entirely and ran around the showground."You left the ring, didn't you," the judge told her. No qualification. Lesson learned. Practise the basics especially the boring ones.What's the Single Biggest Mistake in the Show Ring?Taking a horse out before it's ready. The horse hasn't been anywhere busy, doesn't settle, whinnies to the others, and the rider spends the whole class trying to ride a horse that's mentally elsewhere. Most of the time, what looks like a temperament problem is just an exposure problem. The fix is unglamorous: more outings, more indoor school hires, more arena hires, more farm rides. Time, in other words. None of it Instagrammable.Quick-Fire Wisdom from VickyThirty minutes a day: rotate the focus. Hacking one day, schoolwork the next, lunging, pole work. With a plan, half an hour is enough.Talent vs training: good training wins. A beautiful horse with poor transitions doesn't win prizes.Arena vs hacking: hacking, every time.Most over-thought piece of kit: bits.The detail judges notice: tail length. Show horse tails should sit just below the hocks. Most are too long.Advice for HOYS hopefuls: don't give up, and don't make it the only goal. Improve at home, and the rest follows.How to Listen and WatchThe full conversation with Vicky Smith is on the Just Horse Riders Podcast on Spotify, or you can watch it on YouTube using the embed above. Listen now it's a properly honest hour and a half on what producing show horses actually involves, with all the cake, lorry breakdowns and ringside meltdowns left in.While you're getting kitted out for your own show season, Aaron's team have stocked the website with everything from riding boots to competition gloves, plus everyday supplements for keeping horses on form through the long roadwork weeks Vicky swears by. Shop now if you're stocking up before April.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does a show horse producer actually do?A show horse producer trains and campaigns horses on behalf of their owners, taking them from young animals through to competing at major venues like HOYS, Royal Windsor and Royal International. The role combines daily riding, fitness work, show-day management and ride-judge preparation, alongside honest commercial conversations with owners about what each horse can realistically achieve.How long does it take to produce a show horse?Most show horses come in as three- or four-year-olds and are given a slow education over multiple seasons. Some campaign for two seasons before being sold on; others stay with the same producer from novice years into their teens.Why do show horses get ridden by the judge?In ridden show classes, the judge mounts each horse to assess manners, ride and way of going. This is unique to showing no other equestrian discipline asks a rider to spend all winter training a horse only to hand it to a stranger in the summer.How do you keep a show horse mentally fresh?Vary the routine daily alternate hacking, schooling, lunging, pole work, farm rides and herd turnout. Avoid arena work two days in a row, and remember horses are herd animals that benefit from being out in a group.Is showing easier than eventing or show jumping?Most riders outside the discipline assume so, but producing a horse calm enough for a county ring beside a funfair, fit enough for back-to-back classes, and trained well enough that a stranger can ride it cleanly, is its own form of difficulty. The work is quieter than a cross-country round; the standards are not.About the AuthorAaron Englander is the Founder of Just Horse Riders and host of the Just Horse Riders Podcast. With over 15 years in the equestrian industry and the creator of the Englander Equestrian product line, Aaron speaks to riders, producers, vets and trainers across the UK to bring the riding community honest conversations about the work behind the rosettes.

Allowing a horse to move quietly and even lie down while showing signs of colic is generally acceptable, as long as theyre not putting themselves at risk of injury. Forcing a horse to continuously walk isnt necessaryrest can be appropriate if the horse remains calm. The priority is monitoring closely and preventing violent rolling while you wait for veterinary care. In this Ask TheHorse Live excerpt, Michael Fugaro, VMD, Dipl. ACVS, owner and founder of Mountain Pointe Equine Veterinary Services, in Hackettstown, New Jersey, describes when its okay to allow your horse to lie down versus when you should keep him standing or walking during a colic emergency.This podcast is an excerpt from our Ask TheHorse Live Q&A, Equine Colic 101. Listen to the fullrecordinghere.About the Expert: Michael Fugaro, VMD, Dipl. ACVSMichael Fugaro, VMD, Dipl. ACVS, is the owner and founder of Mountain Pointe Equine Veterinary Services, in Hackettstown, New Jersey. Fugaro received his VMD at the University of Pennsylvanias School of Veterinary Medicine, in Kennett Square, where he graduated in 1997. He then completed a large animal internship at the University of Guelph, in Ontario, Canada, and a large animal surgical residency at Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana. Previously, Fugaro was the resident veterinarian and a tenured full-professor at Centenary University, in Hackettstown. He has also taught as a visiting instructor at Rutgers University in the Animal Science Department, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Fugaro has held veterinary positions with the New Jersey Department of Agricultures Division of Animal Health and the New Jersey Racing Commission. He has also been the president of the New Jersey Association of Equine Practitioners, an advisory board member for the Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement (RUBEA), and an admissions committee member for University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. When not performing surgeries, Fugaro enjoys golfing and going to the gym. He resides in Morris County, New Jersey, with his wife, Donna, and dog, Curtis.