Twelve of our 2025 first-timers now have a Badminton completion on their records:Katie Magee (pictured), a 43-year-old riding instructor, has finished best of the first timers, finishing in 11th place on Treworra. Despite two rails down today the pair still moved up the order, winning the Glentrool Trophy (for the best British rider who has not previously completed Badminton).Irelands Ian Cassells (Master Point) moved up from 18th after dressage to eventual 13th, off the back of a speedy cross-country round yesterday.Tayla Mason from New Zealand, the very late entry with Centennial, made it in to the top 20, finishing 19th up from 69th after the dressage despite two rails down.Jrme Robin, riding Black Ice for Germany, also stormed up the leaderboard from 44th to 20th with just the one rail down today.Ryuzo Kitajima, Japans sole representative, was thrilled with his cross-country clear. Unfortunately Feroze Nieuwmoed lowered two rails today, but the pair still moved up two places to 27th.Riding for Brazil, Rafael Losano, placed 31st on Withington, adding a disappointing 12 penalties in the showjumping.One place behind were the two Jacks, Jack Mantel riding Jack Daniels. During the competition they climbed from 74th to 32nd.Patrick Whelans climb up the leaderboard was smaller due to an expensive showjumping round today. He and Ikoon Lan finished in 36th place.Jack Pinkney and Rehy Revelation also had a bad final day, but did climb from 66th to 38th through the week.Wouter De Cleene and Quintera, for Belgium, completed their first Badminton in 46th place, up from 61st after dressage.Hard on Wouters heels were Nicolai Aldinger and Timmo. They dropped down from their first-phase placing to finish 47th.Kate Rocher-Smith and Dassett Select had a showjumping round to forget but they have their first Badminton completion, finishing 48th.Congratulations to all of them.

Summer Pasture-Associated Recurrent Airway Obstruction (SPARAO), often referred to as heaves or equine asthma, is one of the most significant chronic respiratory conditions affecting horses. While it can occur year round, a seasonal variation known as Summer Pasture-Associated Recurrent Airway Obstruction presents challenges during warmer months. For horse owners, understanding this condition is key to supporting their horses with effective and relevant solutions Jump to:What is SPARAO?Recognising the SignsSPARAO ManagementAdditional Respiratory SupportWhat is SPARAO?SPARAO is triggered by increased exposure to allergens commonly found in pastureenvironments during spring and summer. These include pollen from grasses and trees, airborne mould spores, and dust, all of which can cause hypersensitive reactions in affected horses. This immune overreaction results in inflammation, narrowing of the airways (broncho constriction), and mucus production, compromising the horses ability to breathe effectively.Recognising the SignsClinical signs of SPARAO vary in severity but typically include persistent coughing (often worse during or after exercise), nasal discharge, and laboured breathing. A visibleheave linemay develop along the horses abdominal muscles due to the increased effort required to exhale. Other signs include reduced performance, exercise intolerance, and, in chronic cases, a poor coat condition.Owners may not always associate these signs with pasture exposure, making education around this seasonal variant essential. A horse that performs well in winter may suddenly begin showing signs of respiratory stress when turned out during peak pollen times. Veterinary assessment is vital for accurate diagnosis. This often involves a clinical history, endoscopy, and diagnostic procedures such as broncho alveolar lavage (BAL),tracheal wash (TW) and blood tests. These help identify airway inflammation and exclude other potential causes. Treatment plans typically combine medical intervention with targeted management strategies.SPARAO ManagementManagement is the cornerstone of controlling SPARAO. Practical steps include:Limiting turnout during high pollen or dusty periodsProviding dust free forage, such as soaked or steamed hayAvoiding straw bedding and choosing low dust alternativesKeeping stables ventilated and cleanUsing air purifiers or misting systems to reduce airborne allergensModifying exercise regimes to avoid peak allergen timesWhile these steps help reduce allergen exposure, they can be difficult to implement consistently, particularly during dry, high risk periods.Additional Respiratory SupportAlongside the above recommendations and with veterinary assistance, it can also be beneficial to support your horses health during the summer with nutritional solutions. NAFs range of supplements can help horses breathe easier and perform at their best, even during the most challenging seasons.Consider adding NAF Easy Breathing in either a liquid or powder form, to your horses daily feed, a herbal support for the lungs. Or for more intense respiratory relief, NAF 5 Star Respirator Boost can be fed to help support both the lungs and immune system. Shop all NAF The post Support Your Horses Respiratory Health this Summer with NAF first appeared on Redpost Equestrian Blog.

Every year, the British Equestrian Federation presents Medals of Honour to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport of eventing.Jane Tuckwell (pictured), director of MARS Badminton Horse Trials, has been associated with this event for more than 50 years, starting as a Pony Club runner, then event secretary under Col Frank Weldon, Assistant Director to Hugh Thomas and, on Hughs retirement in 2019, Director.The award recognises Janes exceptional eye for detail, her vast experience and the people skills and charm that keep the worlds oldest, most famous Horse Trials at the top of the sport after 76 years plus riders, owners, spectators and some 800 volunteers coming back year after year.Nicky Salmon, Badmintons Chief Steward, is a familiar and reassuring face at international events and championships. She has been involved in the sport for decades as a British Eventing steward and as an owner her horse Lord Killinghurst, ridden by Andrew Nicholson, was the Badminton runner-up in 2004 who was pivotal in setting up the Event Horse Owners Association. She is currently on BEs Sport Committee.In addition, one of the behind-the-scenes mainstays of Badminton, Harry Verney, is retiring after 35 years as site manager. His is an enormous job everything from the arenas and tentage to loos and infrastructure and he will have been in residence in the park here for some months before the event. He will hugely missed.

Mid week Show Jumping league week 2Combinations must compete at 4 out of the 6 weeks including the final in the same class to be eligible for prizes at the final. Fabulous prizes up for grabs, sashes ...

The final horse inspection at MARS Badminton Horse Trials took place this morning. Fifty four horses will go forwards to the showjumping, the top 20 jumping this afternoon, with the lower placed combinations jumping from 11.30am.There were five overnight withdrawals: Google van Alsingen (Senne Vervaecke), Rehy DJ (Yasmin Ingham), B Exclusive (Lizzie Baugh), MHS Bingo Boy (Nicky Hill) and Shanbeg Cooley (Harry Mutch).Seven horses were sent to the holding box for further veterinary inspection, but all bar one passed when re-presented to the Ground Jury. The veteran campaigner, Ballaghmor Class (Oliver Townend) was withdrawn from the hold, making it the first time the four-times five-star winner will not complete at this level.The afternoon showjumping starts at 2.45pm after the parade of horses. BBC coverage starts on BBC2 at 1.45pm with highlights followed by the top 10 combinations live.Read more about Ballaghmor Classs incredible record HEREPhoto: Defending Badminton champion, Caroline Powell, with High Time

#Hack1000Miles is proudly supported by Wintec SaddlesAs much as we horse riders love warm, sunny weather, a long run of it leads to concerns about hard ground and how we can continue hacking while keeping a sound horse.When the terrain on bridleways and in fields is firm, its more important than ever to consider not just what you are doing and how fast youre going, but also what surface youre riding on.Varying the terrainRiding our horses on a variety of surfaces can help to keep them fit as well as sound, and hacking is a good way to do this.Variety of surfaces is important, equine scientist Dr David Marlin tells Your Horse. Research shows that using a variety of surfaces reduces the risk of injury, and exclusive use on a single surface is likely to increase the risk of injury.We also know that extremes of surfaces ie very deep or very hard increase the risk of injury. Surfaces that change suddenly are a huge risk too, such as riding from soft on to suddenly hard going. Its about consistency and variety while avoiding extremes and sudden changes.Grass coverGood grass cover can provide a little cushioning, but if the ground has been baked by a hot sun the chances are grass growth has been poor too.Beware a beautiful grass track stretching out in front of you that looks ideal for a canter when you dont know whats going on underneath it.That grass could be disguising cracks and ruts, and a surface that is generally uneven and inconsistent. This will put your horse at risk of injury, especially when riding at speed.Bear in mind that poor ground conditions can be hidden by grass or weeds as well. Horses cant be conditioned to riding on hard ground and trying to do so increases the risk of injury.RoadworkMost of us have to hack out on roads at some point, whether its for the whole ride or just to access local bridleways. Roadwork offers plenty of benefits for our horses, including increasing bone strength, as well as generally being a consistently even surface to ride on. However, too much time spent in trot or canter on surfaces as firm as the road has the potential to cause lameness and injury, so its important to know how long is safe to trot on the roads for.Hoof qualityResearch has shown that roadwork results in forces on the hoof around 20 times higher than working on good grass or artificial surfaces.This is the same for both shod and unshod horses.Barefoot horses are at similar risk from roadwork as shod horses with respect to forces transmitted up the leg the difference between shod and unshod is in how the force travels through the foot, explains David.Speak to your farrier and vet if you are concerned about your horses hooves when riding on hard ground to see if there is a solution that could suit them. Horses are all different and some may cope better barefoot than others. Its about doing whats best for the individual.If you are concerned that your horse is struggling with riding on hard ground, speak to your vet and farrier to find out what your options are. Horses are all individuals, so different shoeing options such as barefoot, shod or wearing horses boots may be worth investigating.Dr David Marlins members area on his website drdavidmarlin.com provides access to science-backed information spanning a wide range of horse-related matters, including webinars, latest research findings, independent product trials and celebrity interviews, with the additional opportunity to join a friendly, supportive private community of fellow horse lovers.A pay monthly membership is 8.Visitwww.drdavidmarlin.comThis content is brought to you in partnership withWintec Saddles, durable, comfortable, easy-care, weather-proof saddles for everyone and proud support of #Hack1000MilesMain image Your Horse Library/Charlie Gooders PhotographyRelated contentFind out more about #Hack1000MilesAbout the #Hack1000Miles prizesHow to choose the best camera for hackingWhy rider posture is more important out hacking than you might thinkGood news for riders as Forestry England opens up more woodland to horsesThe post Hacking on hard ground: dos and donts appeared first on Your Horse.

On May 29, a 2-year-old Thoroughbred colt in Barn 85 at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga County, New York, tested positive for strangles. The horse was shipped to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital on May 28 for evaluation and treatment of a respiratory infection. He began treatment immediately and was transported from the hospital to a private layup facility.Barn 85 is now under quarantine. A 24-hour security watch has been established, and all horses in the barn will receive regular temperature checks. The horses under quarantine are not permitted to enter races or train among the general horse population. Asymptomatic horses in Barn 85 will have isolated training hours at the Oklahoma Training Track following the close of training for the general horse population at 10 a.m.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.About StranglesStranglesin horses is an infection caused byStreptococcus equisubspeciesequiand spread through direct contact with other equids or contaminated surfaces. Horses that arent showing clinical signs can harbor and spread the bacteria, and recovered horses remain contagious for at least six weeks, with the potential to cause outbreaks long-term.Infected horses can exhibit a variety of clinical signs:FeverSwollen and/or abscessed lymph nodesNasal dischargeCoughing or wheezingMuscle swellingDifficulty swallowingVeterinarians diagnose horses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with either a nasal swab, wash, or an abscess sample, and they treat most cases based on clinical signs, implementing antibiotics for severe cases. Overuse of antibiotics can prevent an infected horse from developing immunity. Most horses make a full recovery in three to four weeks.A vaccine is available but not always effective. Biosecurity measures of quarantining new horses at a facility and maintaining high standards of hygiene and disinfecting surfaces can helplower the risk of outbreakorcontain one when it occurs.

Former world and European champion Zara Tindall will be attending MARS Badminton Horse Trials today to collect her first Armada Dish, which is traditionally awarded for five completions of the event.Triple Badminton winner Pippa Funnell, who first competed here in 1988, will be collecting her third, New Zealander Tim Price his second and Tom Jackson, Australian competitor Sammi Birch and Irelands Sam Watson their first ones.The prized Armada Dish often tends to be the next goal once the first Badminton completion has been achieved. However, few competitors have any prospect of matching New Zealand supremo Andrew Nicholsons tally of seven or even Sir Mark Todds haul of six except perhaps Oliver Townend who, at the age of 42, already has three, the most of riders still competing at top level.If Oliver completes on both horses tomorrow, he will be awarded his fourth Armada Dish next year.

Section Key Points The Connemara Pony: A Breed of Endurance Irelands only native horse breed. Known for hardiness and use in early farming. Adaptable to challenging environments. Physical Characteristics Strong, sure-footed, compact. Firm hooves for rocky terrains. The Transformation of Miles Nutritional Rehabilitation: Enriched diet with vitamins and minerals. Veterinary Care: Regular assessments to prevent complications. Training and Socialization: Builds confidence and thriving presence. Lessons from Miles' Journey Teaches resilience and recovery potential. Inspiration for equestrians. Maintaining Equine Health Balanced nutrition and reliable health care. Use of equine supplements for well-being. Importance of Quality Equipment Vital for performance and comfort. Includes stable rugs and fly protection. Conclusion Miles' transformation showcases Connemara Pony capabilities. Importance of dedicated care for equines' growth and success. From Malnourished to Magnificent: The Remarkable Transformation of Miles the Connemara Pony The story of Miles the Connemara Pony is not just a tale of survival but a testament to the power of exceptional care and equestrian expertise. The Connemara Pony, with its roots in Ireland's windswept west, showcases remarkable resiliencea breed known for its toughness and grace. The Connemara Pony: A Breed of Endurance Originating from the wild landscapes of Connemara, this pony is Irelands only native horse breed, embodying centuries of hardiness. Often utilized by early farming communities, these ponies were indispensable for labor-intensive tasks, from plowing fields to transporting goods. Their evolution speaks to their capacity to adapt and endure in challenging environments. Physical Characteristics of the Connemara Pony Strong, sure-footed, and compact, these ponies boast robust builds enabling them to traverse rugged terrains with ease. Their firm hooves are uniquely suited for rocky environments, making them favored among equestrians who value durability. The Transformation of Miles Miles journey from frail and malnourished to a prime example of his breed exemplifies the dedication and skill of those who nurtured him. This transformation typically involves critical components: Nutritional Rehabilitation Central to his recovery was a meticulously tailored diet enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, carefully orchestrated to rebuild his strength. Veterinary Care Regular veterinary assessments ensured any lingering health issues from his previous state of malnutrition were swiftly addressed, preventing any chronic complications. Training and Socialization Gradual, gentle exposure to training and socialization bolstered his confidence, making him not just a survivor but a thriving member of any equestrian setting. What You Can Learn from Miles Journey Miles story offers profound lessons in resilience and the immense potential for recovery with expert care. Equestrians and enthusiasts alike can take inspiration from his transformation and explore similar journeys with their horses. Explore Jodhpur Collection Discover Horse Riding Boot Collection Maintaining Equine Health and Well-being Ensuring your equine companion remains in optimum health encompasses balanced nutrition, reliable health care, and appropriate apparel. Incorporating a range of equine supplements can support various facets of their well-being. The Importance of Quality Equipment Equipping your horse with the right gear is vital for both performance and comfort. From durable stable rugs to fly protection, quality equipment makes a significant impact on a horse's daily life. Conclusion: The Journey Forward The extraordinary transformation of Miles from a vulnerable state to robust health highlights the incredible capabilities of the Connemara Pony and the lifesaving impact of dedicated care. By embracing these lessons, horse owners can foster their equines' growth and success, ensuring each pony reaches its full potential. For further exploration into the world of Connemara Ponies, dive into The Story of the Connemara Pony or enjoy auditory insights through Breeding Legends: Inside Clover Hill's Connemara Success Story. ```html```

Attention all horse enthusiasts! Get ready to saddle up and join us for the ultimate summer festival at Knockagh View Equestrian Centre on Sunday, June 29th. Our Horse Summer Festival is not to be mis...