News
Posted on March 26th, 2013
HorseHage to Continue as Official Haylage Supplier to HOYS
“The World’s Most Famous Horse Show”, is delighted to announce that HorseHage will continue as the show’s Official Haylage Supplier for another year.
This well-established brand will once again provide the haylage of choice for many of the 1,600 horses due to arrive at Birmingham’s NEC for the 65th anniversary show from 9th – 13th October 2013.
Sealed bales of HorseHage, the ideal natural forage, will be available for competitors to purchase from the stable area during the show, eliminating the need to transport forage from home.
Posted on March 25th, 2013
HorseQuest Return to Blue Chip Championship Finals
HorseQuest, the UK’s leading independent equine sales website, is once again supporting the Blue Chip Championship Finals, taking place from the 3rd – 7th April 2013, at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire. Following last year’s success HorseQuest will be sponsoring the Novice, Sapphire and Coral Championships.
To celebrate their continued support of the championships HorseQuest is giving away a pair of VIP tickets to the prestigious gala evening taking place on Friday 5th April. The winners’ can expect to enjoy the evening’s entertainment, which includes a master class with leading rider Tim Stockdale, from the VIP hospitality suite, with a private balcony overlooking all the arena action.
The Blue Chip Championship Finals is in its 22nd year, bringing together the best of best from the show jumping world, with over 700 competitors vying for a major championship win.
HorseQuest’s Managing Director, Alison Roeves said: “The Blue Chip Championship Finals has become one of the most popular events in the show jumping calendar, and we are delighted to continue our association with this exciting event for another year.”
For further information on The Blue Chip Championship Finals go to www.bluechipchamps.co.uk, further information about the HorseQuest gala evening ticket giveaway can be found at www.horsequest.co.uk/competitions
Posted on March 25th, 2013
South Suffolk Show
The South Suffolk Show is taking place on Sunday 12th May, at Ampton racecourse near Ingham, Bury St Edmunds.
The one-day agricultural show, now in its 125th year and regarded by many as one of the leading shows of its type, is looking forward to welcoming you through its gates!
Following the popularity of last year’s show, this year’s event will feature its old time favourites including: a craft marquee; a food hall; a variety of individual trade stands; a display of vintage farm machinery; classic cars arriving at the showground to complete an 80 mile classic car rally run in conjunction with both West Suffolk Motor Club and Eastern Counties Motor Club; some superb children’s entertainments, including a funfair; and for the 2nd year running a dedicated ‘Gardener’s Delight’ area.
Animal lovers will be further indulged with livestock classes featuring cattle, sheep, pigs, donkeys and horses.
The South Suffolk Show will take place at Ampton racecourse, near Ingham, Suffolk (three miles north of Bury St Edmunds on the A134). Tickets cost £10.00 per adult, £5 for children aged up to 15 and concessions, and children under 5 go free. Alternatively a family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children can be purchased for £25. And car parking is free. For further information and to purchase pre-show tickets at a special discounted rate, please visit www.southsuffolkshow.co.uk
Posted on March 25th, 2013
Horse Owners Asked For Views on ‘Broken’ Passport System
The Equine Sector Council for Health and Welfare has launched the horse owners’ passport survey – the first step in a two stage consultation that will build a strong case on the need for a transformation of the horse passport system in the UK
To help inform where the passport system needs improvement various stakeholders in the passport system will be offered the chance to take a survey containing some core questions consistent across all surveys, with other questions individually tailored to specific groups including horse owners, vets, passport issuing organisations and the meat trade.
Please fill out the horse owners’ survey to play your part in improving the horse passport system in the UK, so that we can work to stop the suffering of horses and better link horses to owners: http://www.horsesurvey.co.uk/owner
Posted on March 25th, 2013
National Equine Forum Televised
The National Equine Forum (NEF), held earlier this month, has been televised for the first time so if you missed this exclusive equestrian event you don’t have to miss out.
H&C TV has devoted an entire Rudall’s Round-up show to the NEF. Watch Jenny Rudall capturing the essence of the event and interviewing some of the equestrian industry’s influential players and famous names including the actor Martin Clunes, Double Paralympic Gold Medallist Natasha Baker, Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare, Hugh Thomas, Director of Badminton Horse Trials, Richard Lancaster, Chairman of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association and NEF chairman Tim Brigstocke.
NEF Rudall’s Round-Up will be shown on Thursdays and Sundays on Sky Channel 280. For other broadcast times check the H&C TV schedule at http://www.horseandcountry.tv/tv
Posted on March 25th, 2013
Writtle College Announces Appointment of New Principal
The Governors of Writtle College in Essex have confirmed that Dr Stephen Waite, currently Vice-Principal Higher Education at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire and an Associate Dean of the University of West of England, will join Writtle as Principal from 2nd April 2013.
Dr Waite, who has a passion for science – especially biology, particularly plant ecology and plant sciences – has a distinguished academic career in areas that align with and complement the Writtle portfolio, gained through his time at the University of Brighton, Birkbeck College University of London, the University of Westminster and the University of Sussex. He also brings extensive research and commercial expertise to his post including experience gained as a botanical and environmental consultant.
Posted on March 25th, 2013
Hickstead’s Box Office is Now Open!
Tickets are now on sale for Hickstead’s two flagship international fixtures, the British Jumping Derby Meeting (19-23 June) and the Longines Royal International Horse Show (30th July – 4th August).
The Hickstead Derby, now in its 53rd year, is one of the most famous classes in showjumping. Fences like the Derby Bank, the Devil’s Dyke and one of the largest water jumps in the world have made clear rounds a rarity, and it never fails to provide thrilling sport. Other highlights of the British Jumping Derby Meeting include the Bunn Leisure Derby Trial (Friday) and the British Speed Derby (Saturday).
The Longines Royal International Horse Show, the official show of The British Horse Society, is one of the most prestigious events in the equestrian calendar. This summer, the show will play host to the new format Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup series, held on Friday 2nd August. It’s the only competition where spectators can see the British team compete on home turf, and the pressure will be on for the Brits to capitalise on their gold-medal success of last summer in Greenwich.
To book tickets for the British Jumping Derby Meeting and the Longines Royal International Horse Show, go to www.hickstead.co.uk or call 01273 834315.
Posted on March 21st, 2013
Sponsorship Opportunity
The Veteran Horse Showing series are looking for sponsorship.
Catering solely for horses/ponies 15 years and over, of any breed or type, the registered charity host a Grand Final at The London International Horse Show, Olympia. Said a spokesperson, “We are looking for sponsorship of our Summer Championships which will be held in July at the Onley Grounds near Rugby. Class sponsorship is just £30, with other opportunities available to sponsor Championships and Rings.”
To register your interest or to find out further details please contact: clarefrost@veteran-horse-showing.co.uk before the beginning of April.
Posted on March 18th, 2013
Multiple Horse Case Finally Ends in Success for RSPCA
A case in which more than 100 horses were found in dreadful conditions at a family’s property in Buckinghamshire finally ended last week – more than five years after it began.
On Tuesday 12th March the High Court of Justice dismissed five questions asked about points of law by the legal team for James Gray and Julie Gray, finally ending a case which has been drawn out and cost the RSPCA £2.4 million in boarding, veterinary, transport and legal fees*.
RSPCA deputy chief inspector Kirsty Withnall investigated the original case. She said: “We are pleased that this has finally been brought to a conclusion. As well as more than 100 horses, which were living in terrible conditions, we found another 32 bodies of horses, many of which had been left in pens with the surviving animals.
“The defendants in this case consistently refused to sign over the horses, costing the RSPCA hundreds of thousands of pounds in boarding and veterinary fees as we were unable to rehome them for two and a half years. This also denied the animals the chance to settle into new homes for the entire duration of the case and appeal.”
*£1.7 million was spent on veterinary, boarding and transportation costs for the horses. Legal fees accounted for £700,000.
Posted on March 11th, 2013
BHDTA 2013 National Championships Move to Ashfields
After an almost continuous run of over ten years, the BHDTA 2013 National Championships will move from Queen Victoria’s Review Ground, Windsor to the Ashfields Carriage and Polo Club at Great Canfield in Essex.
BHDTA Chairman, Jock McFarlane, said: “It was inevitable that, in the ongoing economic climate and the National Championships becoming financially unsustainable in recent years, a move would have to happen. Our membership raised concerns over the situation at the AGM in November and since then Council has been seeking a solution. We are indebted to our patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and estate employees at the Royal Park for all their help and assistance in our time there but the Championships have to be a viable event.
“Council had offers from several venues, including Ashfields, to host the Championships and the matter was discussed at length. When the vote took place, Wilf Bowman-Ripley [Council member and manager of Ashfields] quite rightly left the room and was delighted when advised that his venue had been selected. Wilf has undertaken to run the Championships at his own financial risk but I must stress that this is an arrangement for 2013 only; a decision on a more permanent venue from 2014 onwards, which may or may not be Ashfields, will be taken by Council following this year’s event in September”.
