Eventer Berry on podium at Bicton, with plenty other big wins for show jumpersThe Irish always seem to feel at home in Italy and even in the type of heat that we are not accustomed, it proved the case again in the past few days as Tom Wachman, Jordan Coyle and Denis Lynch all bagged five-star show jumping triumphs in Rome.Meanwhile, in eventing, Susie Berry was third in the individual standings in the four-star Nations Cup class at Bicton International Horse Trials.It was Lynch that started the five-star winning thread in The Eternal City, edging out his former chef dquipe, Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) when steering Conterno-Blue PS (owned by Alejandro Martin del Campo) to victory in the five-star Winning Round class at Piazzi di Siena on Thursday morning (above).The Tipperary town athlete is a dual winner of the Rome Grand Prix and also a Nations Cup at this illustrious show, and he and his 12-year-old posted a second clear round in a time of 39.27, to finish marginally ahead of Pessoa and Giorgio dEllipse, who stopped the clock at 39.50, atop a field of 53.It was a good course for an opening round, and its always a pleasure to come to Piazza di Siena, said Lynch afterwards. The fact that Ive been a regular here for at least twenty years proves it Its always great to compete for your country, and thats why were here. Anything extra is obviously welcome.Lynch would later steer Vistogrand (Lynch/Tipperarys Finest) to seventh in the 1.45m two-phase class, where fellow Tipp rider, Tom Wachman was the leading Irish representative on Kilkenny (Susan Magnier) in fourth.Lynch propelled former Rome Grand Prix hero Brooklyn Heights (Molly Ohrstrom) to fifth in the 1.50m speed class, closely followed by Wachman and Do It Easy (Coolmore Showjumping) and Cian OConnor with Gospel Tame (Ronnoco Jump).Wachman warmed up for his Nations Cup participation with a runner-up finish in the five-star 1.55m speed class with Ita Brennan-bred Irish Sport Horse Kilkenny (Susan Magnier) on Friday morning.Jack Whitaker (GBR) was in the lead with Izara Des Dames, the scion of the famed British show jumping dynasty having set an impossible task to those coming in his wake by going clear in 66.57.Wachman and his 14-year-old gelding were fourth-last into the arena and they were electric, leaving all 15 jumps intact and stopping the clock in 68.04, which did not threaten the victor but was a clear second in a high-class field of 52.On Saturday, Jordan Coyle and Wachman secured a second and third individual five-star triumph for the Green Jackets, putting the disappointment of the previous days Nations Cup performance behind them, when Ireland (with a team comprising Lynch, Coyle, Wachman and OConnor) fell from the silver medal position to eighth in the second round.With 14 jumps on a 450m track, the mornings 1.45m speed class was going to be blink-and-you miss it stuff for the 41 combinations.To that end, being sixth to enter the arena is not normally an advantage, but Coyle had it all figured out and King Kannan GP (Elan Farm) relishes the nippy turns required (below).It was the Ardmore natives Piazza de Siena debut and he certainly marked it in the best possible manner, his standard of 55.60 never being truly threatened, with Christian Ahlmann (GER) getting closest on Vivario JL Z, in 56:16.In the afternoon, Wachman like Coyle a debutant at this prestigious show and Do it Easy (Coolmore Showjumping) added to their roll of honour by scoring in the days feature, the 1.55m jump-off class, in which OConnor was also fourth with Gospel Tame (Ronnoco Jump).A bakers dozen participated in the jump-off so there was no question of just going clear a second time and hoping for the best. You had to go for it.And that is what Wachman did, propelling Do It Easy (above) to an incredibly fast time of 35.95 seconds that proved unbeatable for his closest rivals, including Frances Nina Mallevaey, who came second with the David Prentice-bred My Clementine (ISH) on 36.26 seconds), and Germanys Richard Vogel, who came third with Cloudio (36.58 seconds).It was a good course, Wachman noted. It was quite difficult, quite delicate. It took plenty of jumping, so I was delighted with my horse today. Its my first time here. Its an amazing show, very rich in history and tradition. The grass ring is unbelievable. Im so delighted to be here.Meanwhile, Conor Swail continued his red-hot streak by adding bringing his tally of international successes at Thunderbird Show Park to seven in a week and half.After four triumphs the previous week three at four-star and one at two the Darragh Cross man secured another four-star victory on Wednesday night Irish time in Langley, and added a couple of two-star triumphs including the Grand Prix.In addition, Swail was acting chef dquipe of a very inexperienced Nations Cup team last night (Sunday) that finished fourth of five countries in a bid for a fourth title in five renewals. The boss was joined by fellow Down pilot Lorcan Gallagher, Abbeyleixs James Chawke and Dylan Daly from Tralee, and posted a double clear with the Brian Duff-bred Irish Sport Horse Clonterm Obolensky (Oliver Glancy).The team began the second round in contention but unfortunately fell away in the heat, with only three counting scores as Gallagher did not return to the arena on Copycat, having had a refusal at the water in the opening round.Swail began the Maple Leaf show by steering steered Casturano, owned by Conall Murrays Mannon Farm, to four-star glory in the 1.50m speed class, recording a clear in 62.03, which was 1.69 seconds faster than home athlete Braden James, with Kannandine (above).The nice thing about last week, obviously, is I had four wins, but there were four different horses, Swail said. And now this is five wins on five different horses. Im very, very proud of that. I have a nice group of horses here, and theyre in good form.Luckily, the beloved Stan is an unflappable horse as it could have gone very wrong and there would have been nothing the man in the stirrups could have done about it.I could see the crow just sitting on the grass behind (fence one), Swail recounted. Usually they sit on the wings, and the horses dont seem to mind as much because theyre up high. But this one was behind the jump. Im about a stride away, and the old crow knows Im comingthe thing pops up!Casturano didnt turn a hair and it was plain sailing from there.I got neatly over to the Liverpool, which caused a bit of trouble because it was in a big shadow there. Some of the horses, including my first one (Nadal Hero & DB), struggled with it. But I thought it was nice and smooth everywhere. Im very happy with him because he had a quieter week last weekend.It definitely helps when all the horses are feeling good, and I am feeling good about it as well. Theyre confident, and Im riding with confidence.Canadas Gavin Moylan brought a temporary halt to Swails gallop, though the Down native was best of the rest in Thursday nights 1.45m jump-off class with one of last weeks winners, the aforementioned Nadal Hero & DB (Mannon Farm, pictured below).The 12-year-old was competing at much lower heights for Swails wife, Samantha van der Woude-Swail until last weeks victory but showed that it was no fluke and that he will not be returning to that sphere, by holding the lead with a time of 33.56 in the jump-off until Moylan entered the Fort Grand Prix Arena with Anton 869, to wrest the advantage away from the venues dominant rider.Swail was back in the winners enclosure very quickly however, securing a sixth international class in just over a week in Langley and a second two-star at consecutive Tbird shows with the progressive Kazelli VDL (Chandler Meadows), claiming the Grand Prix qualifier with a double clear and a tiebreak time of 40.44 seconds.And the duo returned less than 24 hours later to add the Uyradis Village Grand Prix itself, with more than a second and a half to spare from American Karrie Rufer and the Anthony Smyth-bred Shanroe Peeters (ISH) in the jump-off.Swail and his 11-year-old mare delivered a double-clear performance that pushed his win tally to seven in less than two weeks, including three aboard the powerful Dutch Warmblood mare.This ring suits her. Shes got a big gallop and shes very careful, Swail said. She has such a huge stride and she was jumping everything very comfortably. I thought there was eight (strides to the double), which I knew no one else would do. Honestly, if I was making the decision again, I wouldnt do it. The mare was very good to clear A and B, and I thought it was a little too risky. She jumped beautifully in both rounds.There was more Irish success at the four-star Devon Horse Show in Pennsylvania, with Shane Sweetnam victorious in the Idle Dice Open Stake class in the early hours of Sunday morning with Pegina VD Bisschop (Sweetnam & Voquest).Only six combinations were back for the decider after a testing opening examination and the luck of the draw certainly fell in the Corkmans favour as he was last into the Dixon Arena with his 11-year-old chestnut mare.Daniel Bluman (ISR) had the top two places sewn up at this point, in the lead with a clear round in 37.49 with Gemma W but while it might not have seemed like it at the time, he had left plenty of margin.Sweetnam had the horse to capitalise, grabbing the $54,600 first prize with a clear full of fast turns and lightning quick across the ground to stop the timers in 36.24.At Cabourgs four-star show in France, Trevor Breen was third with Konrad Obolensky (Heather Black & Ian Black) in a 1.45m jump-off class on Saturday, their time of 26.16 in the decisive round just over a second more than that recorded by the winners, Matthew Sampson (GBR) with the Michael Kelly-bred Irish Sport Horse, Latte Macchiato.There was a notable win too for Simon McCarthy in the two-star IDA Development Grand Prix in Wilmington, Ohio, with his own Narcotique V/H Dingenshof.The triumph was a welcome boost for the Cork native, after he announced the death of his star mare Gotcha earlier this month.Meanwhile, in eventing, fortune did not smile on Ireland in a team context as they finished fourth of four at Bicton International Horse Trials in Sam Griffiths first competition as Horse Sport Irelands eventing high performance manager.Only two riders were able to provide scoring contributions come Sundays concluding cross-country phase in the four-star class, as Molly ONeill and Pdraig McCarthy had their aspirations concluded prematurely, but Susie Berry and Danielle McCormack would have been buoyed by their efforts.In particular, Berry cemented a consistently high-class performance throughout the three days by finishing third in the individual rankings with Irish Sport Horse John The Bull (Caroline Berry & Helen Caton), bred in Westmeath by James Byrne (below).The pair held the silver medal position after a brilliant dressage test that yielded just 29.4 penalties and maintained that after going clear in the show jumping arena.And while the Banbridge athlete and her 15-year-old son of Luidam dropped one position after the cross-country, there were no jumping errors. It is indicative of how difficult the time allowed was on the course that the 14 time faults only dropped the pair one spot. Indeed the 5.6 registered by Briton Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI saw them leapfrog to the very top of the table for the individual success.It was a brilliant concluding leg for Danielle McCormack and the Pdraig McCarthy-bred Irish Sport Horse MGH Hildare Harlequin (Anna Sims Hilditch) too, the pair vaulting up the leaderboard with no jumping errors and 12 time faults, in what was one of the best rounds of the day.The first two days had been difficult for McCormack but she displayed outstanding mental fortitude, and her inexperienced nine-year-old tremendous athleticism and scope, to bounce back and produce one of the best rounds of the day on Sunday, offering significant promise for the future.BREEDINGKILKENNY (ISH) 2012 gelding by Cardento (HOLST) out of MHS Pembrook Lady (ISH) by Guidam (SF). Breeder: Ita Brennan, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Susan Magnier. Rider: Max Wachman (IRL).MY CLEMENTINE (ISH) 2015 ch mare by Obos Quality 004 (OLDBG) out of Qualisca de Vansichant (SBS) by Kashmir van Schuttershof (SBS). Breeder: David Prentice, Co Down. Owner: Rein Family. Rider: Nina Mallevaey (FRA)CLONTERM OBOLENSKY (ISH) 2016 stallion by Cornet Obolensky (BWP) out of She Has The Lux (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeder: Brian Duff, Ashbourne, Co. Meath. Owner: Oliver Raymond Glancy. Rider: Conor Swail (IRL).SHANROE PEETERS (ISH) 2014 gelding by Dallas VDL (BWP) out of Shanroe Sapphire (ISH) by Condios (HOLST). Breeder: Anthony Smyth, Co Down. Owner: Kevin Jochems & S. Kenis Sporthorses BV. Rider: Kevin Jochems (NED).LATTE MACCHIATO (ISH) 2013 gelding by Pacino (BWP) out of Torboy Lady (ISH)(TIH) by Boherdeal Clover (ISH)(TIH). Breeder: Michael Kelly, Co. Longford. Owner: HMF Equestrian. Rider: Matthew Sampson (GBR).JOHN THE BULL (ISH) 2011 gelding by Luidam (KWPN) out of Think About It (TB) by Houmayoun (TB). Breeder: James Byrne, Co Westmeath. Owners: Caroline Berry & Helen Caton. Rider: Susie Berry (IRL)MGH HILDARE HARLEQUIN (ISH) 2017 Gelding by Firkov Du Rouet (KPWN) out of Fair Dinkum II (AEAS) by Luidam (KWPN). Breeder: Pdraig McCarthy, Co Tipperary. Owner: Anna Sims Hilditch. Rider: Danielle McCormack (IRL).The post Three five-stars for Irish in Rome appeared first on .

Yardwise, a business and networking event for yard owners and managers, will return this year with an expanded two-day format.The event, which ran for the first time in 2025, will take place at Warwick Trident College in Royal Leamington Spa on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 September with the theme of Smart Care, Smarter Business.Yardwise is jointly organised by The Equestrian Index, Livery List and AnimalWeb and brings together expertise from equine science, welfare, business and professional services to deliver clear, practical and experience-led support and guidance shaped by the realities of modern yard management.2026 agendaTuesday 15th September Smart Care Equine Housing & EnvironmentFocusing on equine welfare and environment, addressing the foundations of responsible and sustainable yard management. Internationally respected equine scientist Dr David Marlin returns to deliver evidence-based insight into welfare-led practice, alongside Annabel Holmes of Equine Ecology, who will explore sustainable land management and environmental responsibility. Wednesday 16th September Smarter Business Business Sustainability & DevelopmentFocuses on the operational and commercial realities of running a modern equestrian business. Sessions will be delivered by industry specialists including Sarah Dale, Head of Business Support at the British Horse Society, Andrew Stennett, Proprietor of Grove House Stables LLP, and Cheryl Johns of LiveryList, discussing pricing strategies and businesses viability.Hear from industry expertsAdditional contributors across the event include Redwings Head Vet Nic de Brauwere MRCVS, Technical & Product Manager for Dengie Horse Feeds Dr. Katie Williams, Domestic Management & Natural Wellbeing specialist Nicky Ross, and Rebecca Weaver of the RDA, focusing on professional standards, client communication, leadership, financial sustainability and resilient yard structures.Tickets cost 95 + VAT for one day or 180 + VAT for two days and include parking, a networking breakfast, lunch and refreshments.Related contentHow to keep a horse hydrated when its hotWhy every horse will benefit from eating a soaked feedFly rugs tried and tested to find which work bestBest fly sprays for horses as tested by owners and ridersThe post Yardwise returns with two-day event appeared first on Your Horse.

Ex-racehorses can make exceptional partners, but how you find yours matters. From charities to auctions and private sales, Catherine Welton explores the different ways to source a former racehorse and finds out what prospective owners should know before taking the plunge. Bringing an ex-racehorse into your life can be an incredibly rewarding journey for both horse and owner. But where and how that journey begins varies hugely and choosing the right seller goes a long way to getting your partnership off to the best possible start.The different routes available to prospective owners offer varying levels of support and require different levels of experience, explains Philippa Gilmore, head of welfare operations at Retraining of Racehorses (RoR). From rehoming through specialist charities to sourcing directly from trainers or retrainers, understanding the options and carrying out appropriate checks can help ensure both horse and rider have the best chance of building a positive relationship.Option 1: Direct from a trainer Some former racehorses are rehomed directly from the trainer and, as Philippa explains, this can have advantages for buyers: Trainers and their teams often know the horse extremely well and can provide valuable insights into temperament, history and potential for retraining. This route is particularly well suited to knowledgeable owners, keen to take on the retraining themselves. Horses obtained this way often are at an earlier stage in their transition from racing, which can be appealing for experienced riders who are confident bringing on a Thoroughbred, adds Philippa. Its a process that can be hugely rewarding, but it does require patience, understanding and access to knowledgeable support where needed.Kevin Atkinson, co-founder of rehoming charity New Beginnings, agrees. If youre very capable, taking one straight from racing is not a bad idea because you can put your own stamp on it. But he cautions that managing the horses transition from the track isnt something to take on lightly. The trainer can give you lots of information, but once the horse leaves the yard and that racing routine, it can change, he says. Some horses adapt quickly and well, and some dont. Its not that people cant manage it, but you do need to know what youre getting into.Option 2: Via a retrainerSome ex-racehorses are first placed with professional retrainers before being offered for sale or loan. As the horse may already have begun adapting to life beyond racing and started work in a new discipline, prospective owners may find this offers a stronger foundation on which to start building their partnership, advises Philippa. Inevitably, because of the work that has gone into the horse, prices tend to be higher, but Philippa thinks its worth it for some buyers. While purchase prices may reflect the level of training already achieved, many riders value the insights this route can offer, she says.Option 3: Rehome from a charity For buyers looking for more support, a charity can be the best choice. If you take a horse from a charity such as ours, youre loaning the horse, so its in the charitys interests to make sure you get the best match, Kevin points out. Like many rehoming charities, New Beginnings has a lengthy application process. While that might be off-putting to some, for others it is reassuring. First of all, we clarify what the potential owner is looking for and ask for videos of them riding so that we can get an idea of what horse might suit them, says Kevin. If the charity thinks they have a potential match, a visit is arranged: Well put them on a schoolmaster first, then show them their potential match being ridden by a member of our staff before they get to ride, under supervision in a safe space, such as our round pen.On a second visit, the prospective owner can tack up the horse or bring them in from the field, as well as riding them. On a third visit, they might have the opportunity to hack out. AftercareThe other advantage of rehoming from a charity is the aftercare, as Kevin explains. Owners become part of our big family and were always at the end of the phone. We also have a closed Facebook group, where people can ask questions and post pictures. Its a safe group where people know they wont be judged.Philippa agrees that this ongoing relationship with the charity is of huge benefit for both owner and horse. The charities will lease or loan the horse to safeguard its wellbeing for life and this ensures the horse always has a secure future, regardless of changes in the loaners circumstances.Option 4: From a private homeAnother option may be to buy a former racehorse from another private owner, via an advert or social media. In this instance, apply the same scrutiny as you would when buying any breed of horse. How long have they had the horse and why are they selling it? If someone has had a horse for three or four months and they darent ride it, then Id wonder why, says Kevin. But with the appropriate due diligence, buying an ex-racehorse from someone with a genuine reason for sale can be a good option. Do your researchFind out as much about the horses history as you can, including how long since they finished retraining and what level they are training at now. Youll also want to get a good idea of their temperament, behaviour and things they like and dislike. No horse is perfect and a thorough look at their health and veterinary history, as well as seeing them ridden and riding them yourself in different places and in varying weathers at various times of day, will all help you to establish a picture of what the horse is like.Always take a second pair of eyes with you ideally someone with experience of ex-racehorses and a vetting is recommended. Be honest about your own experience and what youd like to do with the horse. Any reputable seller will be able to say whether the horse will be suitable.Option 5: At auctionExperienced buyers can also consider an auction, where youll have less information about the horses background, but prices can be lower for those destined for the leisure market. However, if your heart strings are easily pulled, then an auction might not be wise, as Kevin points out: Rescuing a horse can be noble, but its not always the right thing for the horse.A lot of ex-racehorses pass through the sale ring at places such as Ascot and Tattersalls. There are many success stories, but it really is only an option for experienced buyers because you dont truly know what youve got until you get the horse home. Some will arrive in the ring days after racing for the last time, so their new home also marks the start of a whole new way of life physically and mentally.When you first get an ex-racehorse home Treat your former racehorse as an individual. Depending on where they are in their retraining journey, they may benefit from being turned away or may be better off kept in their existing routine.Build a good support network around you. Make sure you have an instructor and a farrier that understand Thoroughbreds, advises Kevin.Arrange for a vet, farrier, physio and equine dental technician to MOT the horse before you ask them to begin any work. Youll need a saddle fitter out, too.Dont forget the paperwork! New owners should ensure legal requirements are met, including updating ownership details with Weatherbys within 30 days of purchase and ensuring passport information is correct, says Philippa.Joining the ex-racehorse community can be a fun way to enjoy your journey and make friends. RoR offers a network of support designed to help ensure that every former racehorse can thrive in a suitable home and that owners feel confident and well equipped as they build their partnership, Philippa explains. You can register your horse with the RoR free of charge.Do your researchUltimately, knowledge is power when it comes to buying any horse, but with ex-racers, theres plenty of information out there, if you know where to look. Look at the horses racing history, says Kevin. That will tell you how many times they raced and if there is a gap between races. If theyd been racing consistently, then had three or four months off, you might question if theyd had an injury.Do your due diligence on any trainer or retrainer you think might be a good source. Kevin advises looking for those with National Equine Welfare Council membership: Thats a good sign; it shows theyve got standards.Its a good idea to check the reputation of a private seller, too, especially if they buy and sell a lot of horses. Ask around as friends and instructors may be able to recommend a seller theyve had a good experience with. Take your time and make sure the decision is right for you.Regardless of the route taken [to find an ex-racehorse], careful matching between horse and rider remains one of the most important factors, concludes Philippa. Taking time at the sourcing stage to ensure compatibility can make a significant difference to the long-term partnership. Related contentIs an ex-racehorse the right choice for you? We investigateTop tips for introducing hacking to an ex-racehorseHow to feed and retrain the gut of an ex-racehorseNew eventing initiatives for former racehorsesEx-racehorses shouldnt carry more than 17% of their bodyweight, says RoRThe post Thinking about buying an ex-racehorse? Heres what you need to know abut where you can purchase one appeared first on Your Horse.

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

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

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

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

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