The equestrian world has paid tribute to legendary horseman Monty Roberts, who has passed away aged 91.The revolutionary natural horsemanship advocate influenced countless equestrians and changed the way horses are backed and trained across the globe.Monty died on Friday (31 July) surrounded by his family. He had been married to his wife Pat for 70 years and they had three children, Debbie, Marty and Laurel. In addition to their own children, Monty and Pat also fostered 47 children at their California farm over the years.His daughter Debbie paid tribute to her father.For the world, he was known as the man who listens to horses, she said. To me, he was simply Dad, a man of extraordinary kindness, unwavering integrity, and an unshakable belief that trust could accomplish what force never could.For more than eight decades, he dedicated his life to changing the way people understand and work with horses. His mission reached far beyond horsemanship. He believed that true leadership is built on communication, patience, empathy, and respect; lessons that have touched the lives of countless people around the world.Debbie thanked all those who have supported Monty and their family.We are deeply grateful for the love, friendship, and support you have shown him throughout his remarkable life, she continued. Together, you became part of a worldwide community united by a common belief that both horses and people thrive when they are treated with kindness and understanding.While our hearts are broken, we also find comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on every time someone chooses compassion over force, listens before asking, and seeks a better partnership with their horse.Debbie vowed to continue Montys work in his memory.That responsibility is one I accept with humility, gratitude, and determination, she added. Together with our family and our dedicated team, we remain committed to preserving and sharing the philosophy that meant everything to him.One of the most meaningful ways to honour and continue Montys legacy is to learn the gentle methods he devoted his life to teaching.He touched so manyKelly Marks, who brought Montys horsemanship methods to the UK and founded Intelligent Horsemanship, paid tribute to her her extraordinary friend.Deepest condolences to Pat and Debbie and all his family and those around him in California, she said. Love and sympathy to those of you in the UK and around the world whose lives he touched. I know there are many of you.Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) also paid their respects to Monty, who helped shape the show into what it is today. Montys legacy will live on through the countless people he inspired and the horses whose lives were changed through his work, they said. We are honoured that he was part of the Horse of the Year Show story, and we will always treasure his friendship and support.Equine trainer Jason Webb said Monty revolutionised the industry and became a household name.When I first came to the UK, I managed to catch a couple of his demos, and then met him on a panel at Your Horse Live, he said. He was very generous with his time and knowledge, and was an incredibly engaging speaker who seemed to get humans just as much as he understood horses.Montys Join-Up methodWhen Monty was a teenager in the early 1950s, he grew up studying the behaviour of the wild Mustangs he lived alongside in the USA. This led to the development of his world-famous Join-Up method as an alternative to the violence that was traditionally associated with the breaking-in process.Join-Up creates a safe, co-operative environment in which a horse can progress and develop. It works on the premise that horses learn not through fear and intimidation, but through mutual respect and body language.Working in a round pen, Join-Up starts with the natural horsemanship trainer making large movements and noise, as a predator would, driving the horse to run away.They then adopt a more passive body language, turning their back on the horse with no eye contact. This invites the horse to come close and Join-Up, with them willingly choosing to be with the handler.As Monty explained, his methods focus on communion with the horse, rather than domination.For centuries, humans have said to horses, You do what I tell you or Ill hurt you. Im saying that no one has the right to say you must to an animal or to another human, he said.Lead image by ShutterstockRelated contentLearn to listen and understand horse behaviour6 things you need to know about horse communicationWhat is liberty training?Age-appropriate training: when do horses physically mature?Groundwork for horses: build trust in each other and grow in confidenceThe post The Man Who Listened to Horses: Tributes paid to extraordinary Monty Roberts, who has died aged 91 appeared first on Your Horse.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a rider was involved in an incident of inappropriate behaviour in a West Northamptonshire hamlet.The woman was riding her horse along Puxley Road in Puxley when driver of a white van shouted at her as he drove past and was seen to be carrying out an indecent act. He was described as white, about 40 and had very short blond hair, possibly a skin head, and blue eyes.The rider stopped another driver to ask for help and detectives are appealing for that person to contact them as they may have information which could assist the investigation.The incident took place shortly before 3pm on Tuesday 14 July.Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.Information can also be submitted online at www.northants.police.uk/RO and crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information.Incident number26000430116should be quoted when providing any information.The post Police appeal after driver shouts at rider while carrying out indecent act appeared first on Your Horse.

Sweetnam and Gizmo shape up nicely for AachenNicky Galligan was three-star winner in America and Ciaran Nallon bagged a two-star prize in The Netherlands, while Darragh Kenny nearly made it a hat-trick for Irish athletes but recorded an excellent runner-up finish in Belgium.Kenny will be a teammate of Shane Sweetnams at the World Championships, which begin next week in Aachen once this weeks Gallagher Dublin Horse Show concludes at the RDS, and Sweetnam gave the Patrick Connolly-bred Irish Sport Horse James Kann Cruz (Gizmo Partners) his last pipe-opener prior to the trip to Germany to a lucrative sixth-place finish in the 500,000 Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard in France on Sunday.As the final week of the HITS Hudson Valley Jumping Tour got under way belatedly on Thursday due to inclement weather, Galligan was the first of the Irish pair to raise the Tricolour on Thursday morning with the Irish Sport Horse Lougherne Kingfisher (Blue Trim), bred in Co Down by Jane Allen-Collins.Just shy of 50 horse-and-rider duos battled it out for the title over FEI Level 4 course designer Olaf Petersen Jrs (GER) power-and-speed track in the Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Stadium for the $31,020 Dapper Horse CSI3* Jumper Classic.Galligan and his 10-year-old mare (main photo in presentation, and below in action) arrived at the mid-point mark and the New York-based Meath native elicited a lightning quick time of 25.88 seconds from the crucial speed section of the track to secure a first international triumph for the talented grey.Honestly, today is the best feeling she has given me in the ring, ability wise, enthused Galligan. I dont think I really pushed her to go that fast, but she is just a very quick, efficient horse, and Im really excited for whats to come because I feel that she can get even quicker.I actually had to ride her in a dressage saddle when I went to try her (in Ireland last October), and I didnt even go over a pole with her before I knew she was a horse that I wanted to develop a partnership with. I instantly loved how sensitive and attuned she was with me; it was like any question that I asked or any small movement I made, she was right there with me.It was a Meath-dominated podium, as Jonathan Corrigan grabbed third with Hunter Des Forets (Gabi Morris, below).It was Nallons turn on Saturday, seeing off a monumental list of 81 other participants at Valkenswaards Longines Tops International Arena to win the two-star 1.45m speed class.Partnered with the highly promising eight-year-old Little Special in Red M (Beerbaum Stables, above and below), with which he has already enjoyed international success this summer, the 24-year-old from Mayo and his patrons charge set an insurmountable task for their rivals, posting a time of 66.64.It has a been an outstanding year to date for the Knockmore athlete, turning heads by virtue of his performances as an U25 rider for Riesenbeck International in the Longines Global Champions League.Frances Laura Klein captured second place aboard Oh Sissi with Laura Kraut (USA) completing the podium on Tres Bien Z.Sweetnam will have been delighted that James Kann Cruz added another clear round to his repertoire in France but there will surely be a hint of disappointment that the duo did not make the jump-off and thus give themselves a chance of adding to their Rolex Grand Prix success in Falsterbo, Sweden three weeks earlier.The pair are serial winners at the five-star level, including five-star Grands Prix, but that was their first CSIO five-star Grand Prix and they made a bold bid to follow-up, only to just fall foul of the time allowed in the 1.60m test.As usual, Gizmo excelled in clearing the obstacles but the Galwegian-bred son of Kannan stopped the timers 0.77 seconds outside the time allowed of 84 to sit out the decider.Pieter Devos (BEL) and Primo DV took the 125,000 first prize with a brilliant double clear, from Christian Ahlmann (GER), with Sheeran WL), while Max Kuhner (AUT) guided his EIC Cooley Jump The Q (ISH) to third, with by far the fastest time of 44.92 but with one rail down.Sweetnam and Gizmos efforts were still good enough for sixth place and prize money of 30,000, with the World Championships closing in.On Sunday, Sweetnams colleague on the Irish team for Aachen, Kenny was a silver medallists in the three-star Grand Prix at Sentower Park, Oudsbergen.The Florida-based Offaly man and Zero K (Andrzej Oplatek) were among the four combinations to survive the opening examination and two of those were unable to follow up in the jump-off.Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Rockwell RC (ISH), bred in Kilkenny by Ronan Byrne, were clear winners, stopping the clock in 37.90 when posting a double clear and while Zero K and Kenny navigator were unable to better that time, that second clear ensured a strong result from a list of 57 contestants.BREEDINGCSF JAMES KANN CRUZ (ISH) 2013 gelding by Kannan (KWPN) out of CSF Telly Cruz (ISH) by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Patrick Connolly, Co Galway. Owner: Gizmo Partners, LLC. Rider: Shane Sweetnam (IRL).COOLEY JUMP THE Q (ISH) 2013 gelding by Pacino (BWP) out of Jump The Q (ISH) by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD). Breeder: Pam Walshe, Co Carlow. Owner: MK Sportpferde Max Khner & Remo Baleri. Rider: Max Khner (AUT).LOUGHERNE KINGFISHER (ISH) 2016 gr mare by Colestus (WESTF) out of Lougherne Springs (ISH) by Limmerick (HOLST). Breeder: Jane Allen-Collins, Hillsborough, Co Down: Owner: Blue Trim. Rider: Nicky Galligan (IRL)ROCKWELL RC (ISH) 2014 mare by Kannan (KWPN) out of Urban Sea (ISH) by Guidam (SF). Breeder: Ronan Byrne, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Ashford Farm, Sean Cubitt, Jana Wargers. Rider: Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA).The post Gold for Galligan and Nallon appeared first on .

A busy day in Mullingar brought the final of the DAFM Studbook Series to an exciting conclusion. There were over sixty entries in both the 5- & 6-year-old classes, and just shy of forty 7-year-olds to round out the series. Of these entries, 24 five year olds, 20 six year olds and 22 seven year olds were all in contention after they qualified for the final day. The DAFM Studbook Series is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, under National Breeding Services.5 Year OldsIn the running for the 5-Year-Old League title was last years winner, Robyn Moran. Robyn went one better this season, claiming the 5-Year-Old League for the second year in a row, with her own gelding, Fortside Exhibition (ISH), bred by Margaret Bergin. It was a successful day for the Moran family, with her father Brian receiving the 5YO Leading Groom. This was the fist jump-off for the five year olds in this series, heating up the competition. Eoin Brennan partnering Michael Brennans Rule the World (ISH) placed first on the day. Finishing in second place in the league, and taking home the Young Rider Prize, was European silver medallist Coen Williams aboard GLC Mr President (ISH). Gemma Phelan secured third place in the league standings, having also finished runner-up in the final with Vibe of Picobello Z (ZANG).Robyn Moran and Fortside Exhibition, 5 YO league winner, with leading groom Brian Moran, and Dr Sonja Eganphoto by Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.netEoin Brennan and Rule The World (ISH), 5YO winner photo by Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net6 Year OldsCoen Williams went into the final day at the top of the 6-Year-Old League standings and maintained his winning form to secure both the league title and the Young Rider Award with the Williams familys mare, Grand Amour KPCM (ISH). Again, this was the six-year-olds first time to jump-off. After a highly competitive class, Liam OMeara partnered his own Maxi JJ (ISH) to victory following a fast jump-off, earning second place in the overall league standings and first place on the day. Shane Kenny and Killahurler Lady Syble (ISH) completed the league podium in third place.Coen Williams and Grand Amour KPCM (ISH), 6 YO League Winner and Leading Young Rider, with DR Sonja Eganphoto by Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.netLiam OMeara and Maxi JJ (ISH), 6 YO winner, with Dr Sonja Eganphoto by Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net7 Year OldsThe day concluded with the highly anticipated 7-Year-Old Final, where valuable league points were still up for grabs. With 10 points awarded to the winner, there was everything to play for with opportunity for many riders to climb the overall standings. It was last years leading young rider, Max Foley, who ultimately claimed victory aboard Marion Hughes HHS Lexington (ISH), after competing in the majority of the legs across the series. The pair enjoyed a standout performance, securing not only the class win but also the Leading Rider title. It was a memorable day for the Hughes family, with HHS Lexington (ISH) also earning the Leading Owner and Leading Breeder awards. Finishing second in the league was Coen Williams aboard Paula Williams homebred mare, Parc Violeta (ISH). The result also saw Coen complete a clean sweep of the Leading Young Rider award, claiming the prize for the third time on Saturday. Gemma Phelan and Lance Corporal (ISH) finished up third in the league.Max Foley and HHS Lexington (ISH), 7YO winner and 7YO league winner, with leading owner Marion Hughes, and Dr Sonja Eganphoto by Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.netThe 2026 DAFM Studbook Series once again showcased the exceptional quality of showjumping in Ireland, along with the depth of talent among riders, breeders and grooms across the country. Thank you to all participants across the series, and a huge congratulations to all prize winners, and a special congratulations to all the breeders, riders, owners and grooms throughout the series whose dedication and commitment play such a vital role.Thank you to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine for funding and their continued support with this series.League Tables:5 YO League Table6 YO League Table7 YO League TableBreeding:Fortside Exhibition (ISH), 2021 gelding, by Catlefield Kingston (OS), out of Fairfield Lady (ISH), by ARD Vivendi (HOLST). Bred by Margaret Bergin, county Laois.Rule The World (ISH), 2021 gelding, by Aganix Du Seigneur (sBs), out of French Ballerina (ISH), by Diamant De Semilly (SF). Bred by Michael Brennan, county Kildare.GLC Mr President (ISH), 2021 gelding by Conthargos (OLD), out of Mullentin Goood Friday (ISH), by Untouchable 27 (KWPN). Bred by Gareth Cassidy, county Derry.Vibe of Picobello Z (ZANG), 2021 mare, by Vagabond De La Pomme (sBs), out of Elyria Sitte (sBs), by Ugano Sitte (sBs).Grand Amour Kpcm (ISH), 2020 mare, by Grandorado TN (KWPN), out of Ellie May LVS Z (ZANG), by Emerald Vant Ruythershof (BWP. Bred by Karen Millar, county Down.Maxi JJ (ISH), 2020 gelding by Sir Jim Jim (ISH)[TIH], out of Grennanstown Maxinehill (ISH), by KEC Maximum Joe (AES). Bred by Jackson Goulding, county Offaly.Killahurler Lady Syble (ISH), 2020 mare by Ganesh Hero Z (ZANG), out of Poochie (ISH), by VDL Arkansas (KWPN). Bred by Sean Healy, county Wicklow.HHS Lexington (ISH), 2019 gelding, by Luidam (KWPN), out of HHS Chantilly Lace (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Bred by Anne Hughes, county Kilkenny.Parc Violeta (ISH), 2019 mare by Kannan (KWPN), out of Ulanda D (KWPN), by Emilion (KWPN). Bred by Paula Williams, county Clare.Lance Corporal (ISH), 2019 gelding by Corporal VDL (WESTF), out of LV-Firefly (AES), by Jai Ho (AES). Bred by Louise Thompson, county Fermanagh.The post DAFM Studbook Series comes to a close in Mullingar appeared first on .

HSI has received 3217 applications and issued 1075 completed applications for foals born in 2026.3207 pedigree applications have had their foal kit sent to the applicant, with the remaining 10 issued imminently.It is important to note that, to date, 1205 foal kits have not been yet returned from breeders to HSI for pedigree applications, which is 38 per cent of all applications.Of the 2002 applications who have returned their foal kits to HSI, 1075 have been completed and the passport issued, and 82 are currently undergoing quality control checks, while the remaining 845 applications DNA samples are currently with the laboratory for analysis.Of the 1157 passport applications, where the DNA samples have been returned to HSI from the laboratory, 93 per cent are processed and complete, totalling 1075.The remaining applications are pending QC checks before being completed, and the team is working hard to complete them imminently.In HSIs Customer Service Department, 376 calls were received this week, of which 85 per cent were answered, totalling 321.We have some applications that we are unable to process due to incomplete or missing information. When this happens, our team will contact you by email.Here are a few tips to help avoid delays with your application: If the microchip number is handwritten on the marking chart, a photograph of the microchip scanner displaying the microchip number must be provided. Please ensure that the marking chart is complete, including the veterinarians signature and stamp(s), and that all required information, such as the date of birth, sex, and species, has been completed. It is also important to note that the marking chart must be submitted to HSI within six months of the veterinarians signature. A valid Equine Premises Number (Republic of Ireland) or Equine Establishment Number must be provided. Each horse name must be unique. If your chosen name is not available, our team will contact you by email. You can check whether a name is available by searching our CappallOir portalCapallir.Do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team if you have any questions about current or future applications.Phone: 045 850 800Email:info@horsesportireland.ieThe post Updated figures of passport applications processed on Horse Source July 31st, 2026 appeared first on .

With dry weather prevailing across much of the UK, what feeding advice should horse owners be aware of when grazing is poor and choice of hay may be limited?Dengie Horse Feeds Technical and Product Development Manager, Dr Katie Williams Ph.D, MSc (Dist), RNutr, shared her tips to help your horse maintain a healthy diet during this time, from feeding straw and chopped fibre feeds, so slowing speedy eaters and providing supplements.Many owners are supplementing their horses diets with more hay than usual for the time of year, due to a lack of rain and grass growth, and while hay offers a good substitute, it can be difficult to assess its nutritional content.Analysis will give some indication of the nutritional value of a hay but it can take time if more accurate testing methods are used which isnt always practical, Dr Williams told Your Horse. There is no way of telling the sugar content by looking at a forage although if you know the hay has been made when conditions are bright, sunny and hot its very likely to be higher in sugar. The older a hay crop is when its harvested, the less calorific its likely to be but it could still be high in sugar. The calorie or energy value tends to be lower in later cut, highly fibrous hay which you can get some idea of when looking and feeling the hay. If it feels coarse and fibrous with less leaf then its likely to be higher in fibre and lower in energy. But, its important to reiterate, that doesnt mean its low in sugar too. Feeding straw to horsesDr Williams explained that soaking hay helps to reduce some of the sugar, but it is a very inconsistent process and soaking for long periods isnt a guarantee that much sugar will be removed. She also advised against soaking hay for long periods in hot weather.Other than soaking, diluting it with an alternative forage is really the only option [to reduce sugar content], she continued. Straw is high in fibre and has a very low-calorie level compared to other forages. This makes straw an ideal fibre source for mixing withhigh qualityhay or haylage to dilute the calories forgood doers, especially in situations where it is difficult to buy separate forages, such as on a livery yard where forage is provided as part of the livery package.It is recommended that horses and ponies with insulin dysregulation should be fed forages lower than 10% non-structural carbohydrate (NSC). In practice this can be very hard to achieve, especially in years when there is a long hot summer as has been seen again this year. NSC values in hay made in these years has exceeded 20% regularly and more than 30% in some cases. Straw provides us with a useful tool to ensure that horses and ponies that need a low NSC forage can still receive plenty of fibre to promote digestive health and satisfy their need to chew, continued Dr Williams. Introduce slowly and increase to between 30 and 50% of the forage ration. Chopped fibre feedsChopped fibre feeds are another alternative that help your hay go further. Many are based on straw to provide low calorie forage replacers, and are likely to have been dust extracted. Products that are based on legumes such as alfalfa and sainfoin will also be low in sugar but do provide more quality protein, vitamins and minerals. These can be really useful for horses in work and breeding stock. Dr Williams advised replacing the same weight of hay with the chopped fibre feed. They can be fed in a large trug or bucket; think of them as you would hay in thattheresno issue with meal size because they are high in fibre, she said.Many horses speed through their hay ration, but there are ways to slow down their consumption so that their forage lasts for longer.Using small holed nets and slow feeders are one method, and mixing with straw is also useful as some horses will sort through the forage trying to find the more palatable bits. Studies have also shown that straw takes longer to eat so even if a horse eats it as a mix of forages, it will take them longer to munch through the straw. Dengie always recommends using a supplement or low calorie balancer, especially if horses and ponies are in work.Undoubtedly, the levels of essential nutrients like vitamin E will be much lower when grass is so dry and there is little of it, added Dr Williams. We are definitely hearing from more horse owners who are noticing issues in their horses that are likely to be linked to a reduction in intake of trace minerals and vitamins because the pasture quality is so poor. A basic broad spectrum supplement or balancer is ideal for counteracting this and it may be necessary to feed above the recommended feeding rates in some cases.Speak to a nutritionist or vet if you have concerns about your horses health or condition. Related contentHay vs haylage: this is how to choose which is best for your horseSoaking hay: how to do it correctlyFeeding a horse straw: why it has a place in their diet and how to feed it safelyForage replacers for every horse and pony *Ad feature*The post Hot, dry summer: Expert shares feeding advice for when grazing is poor, including hay alternatives appeared first on Your Horse.