News
Posted on February 28th, 2013
RSPCA Fears the Horse Passport System is ‘Broken’
In the wake of the horse meat scandal and ongoing welfare concerns for horses, the RSPCA is again expressing its deep concern about the usefulness of the horse passport system, which aims to keep track of horses for disease control.
RSPCA equine co-ordinator, chief inspector Cathy Hyde, said: “The passport system is failing and we estimate that a shocking 75% of horses coming into RSPCA care are not microchipped. Passports are not updated and, without microchipping or a central database, there is no enforcement. Horses can change hands for a small amount of money and end up in the hands of irresponsible owners and traders. They can’t be traced back to their owners, making it very difficult to prosecute and try to stop these people keeping horses.”
Posted on February 28th, 2013
Global Equestrian Event Comes to London
Kensington Gardens is set to host the world’s leading show jumping Championship series in its first ever UK event this summer.
The world’s top 40 riders, including Team GB gold medallists Nick Skelton, Scott Brash and Ben Maher, will all be taking part in this spectacular event. Bruce Springsteen’s daughter Jessica, Charlotte Casiraghi and current Global Champions Tour champion Edwina Tops Alexander will be among those competing for a staggering £640,000 prize fund.
The prestigious four day event plans to run from June 6 – 9 and will be part of an international series which visits the most stunning locations throughout the world including Monaco, Doha, Madrid, Cannes, Chantilly and Vienna.
A grandstand for 3,000 spectators, paying between £10 and £50, will be erected around the arena with corporate hospitality marquees for 700 people alongside. A shopping village and a giant TV screen will also be available for the public. Tickets for the event will be available next month from www.globalchampionstour.com
Posted on February 26th, 2013
Deben Valley Equine Veterinary Clinic Evening Talk
Thursday 14th March will be ‘Horse Repair Talk’ night at Dennington Village Hall from 7pm.
Speakers include Greg McGarrell from VetCell, Jess Edwards McTimoney Animal Therapist, and Helen Whitbread Equine Vet. Tickets purchased in advance are £8, and light refreshments are included.
Visit www.debenvalleyvet.co.uk
Posted on February 26th, 2013
Haygain Support Point-to-Point Rider
Point-to-Point rider, Jack Bloom has secured support from Haygain.
Based at Wymondham in Norfolk, at his father’s yard, 20-year-old Jack is now in his third Point-to-Point season. Jack’s father, Nigel, and grandfather, Mike, were very successful former National Point-to-Point Champion Jockeys. From Pony Club as a child to hunting with the Dunston Harriers, Jack has always been a keen rider. Jack became the fourth successive generation of his family to win a race in the saddle at Fakenham landing the Members Race at the West Norfolk Foxhounds Point-to-Point last year when riding Rock Alliance, a nine-year-old, bay gelding.
Posted on February 21st, 2013
Local Companies Excell at BETA 2013
The equestrian industry gathered to recognise the outstanding contributions made by many of its members at the 2013 BETA Business Awards. These highly prized accolades were presented to winning individuals and companies during the BETA Gala Dinner on 17th February.
Small Retailer Winners, Alan’s Ark in Cambridgeshire were told by an awards Judge: “The level of service was truly exceptional and the shop was obviously a very well-regarded and popular venue. All in all, it was a remarkable experience – Alan’s Ark should run seminars on how to do courteous and helpful service to customers under pressured circumstances.”
Runners-up in the Mail Order/Internet Retailer catagory were Utterly Horses, Essex.
Posted on February 21st, 2013
Win Sponsorship from Sue Carson Saddles
If you are competing in affiliated dressage, show jumping or eventing and looking for sponsorship, then you could win one of three sponsorship packages being offered by Sue Carson Saddles.
One dressage rider, one show jumper and one event rider will each win a year of sponsorship to include: Expert saddle fitting from a Sue Carson Saddles Distributor; Six discipline-relevant training sessions with trainer(s) working with Sue Carson Saddles plus branded goods.
Entry is simple – email your name, address, contact telephone numbers and a photograph, together with no more than 200 words about yourself, your horse, your recent competition record and your plans for the 2013 season to info@suecarsonsaddles.co.uk before April 12th 2013.
Posted on February 21st, 2013
Blue Chip Continue Sponsorship of the Flat Ridden Sports Horse Class
Due to its amazing popularity in 2012 Blue Chip Feed Limited are continuing their sponsorship of the Flat Ridden Sports Horse class in 2013.
There are over 30 qualifying classes which are held at shows across the country for the final at The SHB (GB) National Hunter Show at Bury Farm in Buckinghamshire on 2nd September 2013. This year will see the addition of horses that are 6 years old and over qualifying to compete in the final.
Posted on February 21st, 2013
Don’t Miss the National Equine Health Survey
Introduced in 2010 and now an annual fixture, it is a quick and easy online snapshot survey that is helping to discover more about common health issues in horses, directly from horse owners themselves. Everyone who takes part will have the chance to win some amazing prizes including Olympia tickets, Spillers feed vouchers, or one of six pairs of Ariat Mudbuster boots.
The NEHS data collected has revealed crucial information about common diseases such as skin problems, lameness, weight issues and colic. The results are shared across the sector to help establish benchmarks for equine health and disease in the UK and define priorities for future research, training and education. For example the high incidence (15.2%) of skin disease recorded to date suggests a need to raise awareness of skin disease management and prevention amongst the veterinary industry and owners.
Visit www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS
Posted on February 21st, 2013
Try Before You Buy from Endurance GB Continues for 2013
Try Before You Buy is aimed at people wishing to experience competitive Endurance riding, and offers free registration for horse and rider to enable them to compete in two competitive novice rides up to 40km before becoming a full member of EGB.
The list of rides to choose from is extensive, with 23 regional EGB groups and a busy EGB calendar offering over 100 rides, from February to October, covering all levels. Head of Endurance GB’s PR Committee, Jo Claridge said “try before you buy has become so popular we have decided to continue it for 2013. The number of people wanting to take up Endurance riding is increasing all the time making it one of the fastest growing equestrian disciplines. Many people who took part in try before you buy in 2012 have now taken out full membership for this season”.
Posted on February 12th, 2013
Bert Sheffield to Ride for Canada!
Para-equestrian rider, Bert (Roberta) Sheffield from Lincs, has received the exciting news that she will now be riding as a member of the Canadian squad for Para-equestrian dressage with her horse, Wonderboy.
Bert will be number two in the Canadian ranking system and will be aiming for selection for their 2013 European Summer Tour, US Winter Tour and hopefully the World Equestrian Games in 2014 and eventually the Rio Paralympics in 2016.
Said a thrilled Bert, “Because I have dual nationality, I am able to compete for either Great Britain or Canada. This means I will no longer be riding for Great Britain but can still compete in British Dressage competitions. However, riding for the Canadian team will open up fantastic opportunities for me to compete internationally as part of an evolving team.”
