News
Posted on November 28th, 2013
Could you be a Horslyx Ambassador?
As a way of supporting those riders committed to their sport, manufacturers of palatable, nutrient rich Horslyx have developed a new Ambassador Scheme that offers six budding amateur riders the chance to become a Horslyx representative for 12 months, beginning in January 2014.
Applicants should be passionate and dedicated to their sport, believe in feeding the Horslyx way, compete regularly in either unaffiliated or affiliated competitions and be very active on social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter.
The Horslyx Ambassador scheme is open to riders above the age of 16 years old who are competing in any discipline. Horslyx want their newAmbassadors to hit the ground running and help spread the word about the range of products on offer and their versatile uses.
Each of the six Horslyx Ambassadors will receive branded clothing and equestrian equipment, a supply of Horslyx to last the year and nutritional support whenever necessary. In addition Horslyx will promote their Ambassadors through regional press, social media and the website helping to gain valuable exposure to aspiring riders.
Entries will close on 31stDecember 2013 and the 6 Horslyx Ambassadors will be announced by 31st January 2014. Terms and conditions apply.
For more information and to apply visit www.horslyx.com
Posted on November 19th, 2013
New Showing Championship for Partbred Ponies at Horse of the Year Show
An exciting new Championship has been given the green light to run at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) 2014, which will take place at Birmingham’s NEC from 8th – 12th October. The Ridden Partbred Pony of the Year Championship opens up the chance to compete at “The World’s Most Famous Horse Show” to a much wider audience.
The Championship aims to recognise and promote quality ridden ponies, whose breeding, in part, is Arab or Welsh, or a combination of the two. Exhibits will show true pony characteristics, while possessing excellent conformation and free-flowing movement.
All eyes will be on the Ridden Partbred Pony of the Year Championship qualifiers during the 2014 season, as hundreds of combinations begin to benefit from this new opportunity and previously unseen talent starts to emerge. The exciting addition not only supports quality partbred animals, it also offers a number of existing HOYS competitors another class to aim for.
Qualifiers will be split between classes for partbred Arab ponies, partbred Welsh ponies and a combination of the two. At the final, there will be one class for all qualified ponies. Subject to its success in this exciting pilot year, there is scope for the Championship to expand in the future.
Furthermore, the Ridden Partbred Pony of the Year Championship will be included into the prestigious HOYS Awards series, providing yet more scope for recognition of partbred ponies, their sires and breeders.
Helena Pettit of Grandstand Media, organiser of HOYS, commented: “As host of the most prestigious national showing Championships, we have listened to feedback and are delighted to have responded to such popular demand with this new addition. I’m very excited to see the Championship evolve throughout the qualifying season and wish all potential competitors the best of luck.”
Posted on November 19th, 2013
Changes to Arab Horse of the Year Championship for Horse of the Year Show 2014
The format of the prestigious Arab Horse of the Year Championship at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) has been revised for 2014. This has been undertaken as part of continual developments made to ensure “The World’s Most Famous Horse Show” provides the best competitor experience possible, ahead of its return to Birmingham’s NEC from 8th – 12th October.
Due to changing trends within the breed’s qualifiers, one mixed-sex Championship will replace the individual Mare, Gelding and Stallion classes.
The number of qualifiers will increase from 12 to 15, however just one horse will qualify at each. Qualifying shows will be encouraged to keep the three separate classes in place and award the one HOYS ticket to the winner of its Championship. One exception to this will be the Arab Horse Society (AHS) Championship, at which three qualifying places will be available. In summary, 18 Arabs will go forward to the Arab Horse of the Year Championship at HOYS.
Furthermore, the individual results from the Mare, Gelding and Stallion classes at Arab qualifiers will continue to contribute towards the HOYS Awards Series league tables for 2014.
Posted on November 19th, 2013
Do You Know a Pet Hero?
Posted on November 18th, 2013
Are you ready forTeam Quest?
This is the most exciting announcement for generations to hit the sport of Dressage in Great Britain. British Dressage (BD) has today launched a new competition for riders of all ages and abilities called ‘Team Quest’. We’re looking for riders at Intro, Prelim and Novice to take part in a fun and relaxed dressage competition – even if you’ve never competed before. Teams of three or four riders will ride as individuals across the three test levels (any combination) and the best three scores count towards an overall team total, highest percentage wins the day. There will be three age categories for teams; 16 and under, 25 and under and mixed (riders of any age).
Double Olympic Gold Medallist and European Champion Charlotte Dujardin is behind the new concept. She said; “This is great news from British Dressage! Riding dressage is my passion and I want to see as many riders as possible taking part and experiencing this great sport. I love riding in a team; it makes everything that bit more fun – sharing problems, helping each other, having a joke and of course friends to share the good and bad times. Standing on the podium with my team mates in London was my proudest moment and Team Quest means everyone has the chance to try and experience that. What could be better than trying dressage with your friends and family at great venues all over the country? Team Quest gives you the chance to improve you and your horse, meet new friends and try to qualify for a great Championship. What are you waiting for – come and try dressage!”
BD has offered running the Team Quest competitions to all 180 or so of its venues and within a week of asking, over 50 have signed up so far with more expected. A full fixture list will be published on the BD website in the New Year.
The Team Quest League will run from 01 March to 21 September for the three age groups and teams will earn points at each competition if they place in the top 10. The top 15 placed teams will then qualify for a Championship to be held at Bury Farm in Buckinghamshire on 1 -2 November.
BD aims to keep the competition as easy and accessible as possible with simplified rules. Important points include; relaxed dress rules – we want riders to be safe so proper head and foot wear are required but team colours are positively encouraged, just one team member must be a full BD member with a free team quest membership needed for anyone not already with BD, horses can be any height but must be over four years old, and they can be shared but only can only go in two tests per day. Entry fees are just £15 per test at all venues for the first round of competition.
Posted on November 18th, 2013
BHS backs Princess Royal’s Call for Debate on Horsemeat
The British Horse Society has welcomed the suggestion from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal that a debate is needed into Britain’s attitude towards horsemeat and how this might impact on equine welfare.
The UK’s largest equestrian membership charity believes that The Princess Royal’s comments, made at World Horse Welfare’s annual conference in London, have highlighted important issues that merit immediate attention.
The Princess Royal suggested that a market for horsemeat might encourage owners to provide better care for their horses in the expectation that the animals will have a financial value at the end of their lives. The British Horse Society’s Welfare Officers experience cases every day where horses have been left to deteriorate and suffer because the owner is not willing or able to fund a humane and timely end to the horse’s life.
Lee Hackett, BHS Director of Equine Policy, said: “The resources of all equine welfare charities are being stretched as never before, due to the recession coupled with over-breeding in the equine population. We firmly believe that we should concentrate on the thousands of horses that need our help right now and allow individuals to make their own decision about which meats are acceptable for consumption. If the comments from The Princess Royal open a debate regarding solutions to the equine crisis, then The British Horse Society believes they have been extremely productive.”
Posted on November 13th, 2013
Frankel Involved in Children In Need Challenge
Staff and students at the College of West Anglia’s Cambridge campus are in “training” for their fundraising events for Children In Need this week. The fundraisers plan to make even more money for Children In Need after raising £3,500 last year using their simulated horses, Frankel and Milton. “I will be riding Milton who will have 24 hours to raise money for Children in Need, ” said Alison Barber, “But Frankel will only have 12 hours to pull in the funds as he’s taken to sites off-campus to attract attention during Children In Need days on Thursday 14th and and Friday 15th November”.
Please Sponsor CWA’s 24 hour Equine Simulator Riding Race in aid of Children In Need – donate £1, £2, £3 £4, £5 or £10 by texting – TROT90 and the amount to 70070.
Posted on November 7th, 2013
Norfolk’s Retrained Racehorse Petite Pistolet Gets £500 National Recognition Award
Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and British Showjumping are pleased to announce that Petite Pistolet , an 11 year-old bay mare owned and ridden by 18 year-old John Garrett from Norwich, Norfolk has been given a £500 National Recognition Award. Petite Pistolet finished second overall after a period of twelve competitive months.
The British Showjumping RoR/SEIB National Recognition Awards provide a focus for ex-racehorses that have started Showjumping with the national governing body. There are a total of six cash awards that are given to the highest graded horses. A £2,500 award is given to the winning combination with the five additional winners each receiving £500 each. To ensure as many retrained horses are given the opportunity of being recognised and encouraged to compete within a new discipline, previous title holders are not eligible for future consideration.
Posted on November 7th, 2013
Cambridgeshire’s Retrained Racehorse Don’t Call Me Tiny Gets £500 National Recognition Award
Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and British Showjumping are pleased to announce that Don’t Call Me Tiny, an 5 year-old bay mare owned and ridden by 22 year-old Elizabeth Bushe from Ely, Cambridgeshire has been given a £500 National Recognition Award. Beatty finished sixth overall after a period of twelve competitive months.
The British Showjumping RoR/SEIB National Recognition Awards provide a focus for ex-racehorses that have started Showjumping with the national governing body. There are a total of six cash awards that are given to the highest graded horses. A £2,500 award is given to the winning combination with the five additional winners each receiving £500 each. To ensure as many retrained horses are given the opportunity of being recognised and encouraged to compete within a new discipline, previous title holders are not eligible for future consideration.
Posted on November 7th, 2013
Nominations Open For The South Essex Insurance Brokers Meritoire Award
The prestigious South Essex Insurance Brokers Meritoire award is presented to the person who, in the opinion of the Awards Committee, has made an outstanding lifetime contribution to the performance sport horse and pony breeding industry.
Previous winners have been the Louella Stud for their contribution to sport horse breeding; Johanna Vardon, founder of the National Foaling Bank, for her contribution to the health and wellbeing of orphaned foals and Archie Smith Maxwell, breeder of Jumbo, one of the highest ranking event sires of all time.
Nicolina Mackenzie, Marketing Manager of South Essex Insurance Brokers says “Our company is proud to sponsor the Meritoire, we pride ourselves on customer service, which is in keeping with the philosophy of this award. SEIB celebrated 50 years in business during 2013 and understand that quality and longevity must be a priority when considering how valuable any contribution has been to the horse world which we all value so much”.
If there is someone you believe has made, or is making a valuable contribution to this sector of the British breeding industry and would be a worthy recipient of this esteemed award, visit http://www.bef.co.uk/British_Breeding/Breeders’_Awards_Dinner.html to download a CONFIDENTIAL nomination form. Nominations close on 29 November 2013.
The award will be presented at the annual British Breeders’ Awards Dinner, hosted and organised by the British Horse Foundation in London on 11 January 2014.
