News
Posted on April 25th, 2016
Appeal for information after emaciated pony is found in Hatfield Heath
The RSPCA is appealing for information about a small bay pony found abandoned in large crop field in Essex on Wednesday 20th April.
A member of the public spotted the emaciated pony, who is thought to be just a year old, roaming alone around the enormous field near Matching Road, in Hatfield Heath. They immediately called the RSPCA for help.
Nicknamed ‘The Littlest Hobo’ by RSPCA officers, the 10hh filly is now thankfully in veterinary care, although not before giving the rescue team the run around.
RSPCA inspector Kate Fletcher said: “We received a call about this little pony and although when we attended we could clearly see she was in a bad way, she she certainly wasn’t going to come quietly.
“Just as we got near her each time, she would move off again – she was clearly enjoying the chance to have some grass. Despite my best efforts with an officer from Redwings Horse Sanctuary, we did have to use a dart in the end and then use a pen to catch her. Though she didn’t want to be caught she obviously couldn’t stay where she was and was in desperate need of care – the vets gave her a body score of 0.5 out of 5.
“It was nice to see she had some spark left in her, after what has obviously been a really horrid period of neglect and abandonment, but in reality, she was probably only days away from collapse.”
Inspector Fletcher added: “This small, bay coloured pony has not been looked after at all. She’s clearly been kept in a filthy stable up until recently as her belly and legs were caked in faeces. Her mane and tail were really overgrown too. Thankfully she is now being treated at Catley Cross Vets in Halstead, Essex. She’s clearly not used to being handled but she has a sweet temperament and is clearly glad to be in a warm stable with a hay net.
“Anyone with any information about who owns this pony or how she came to be dumped in this field alone, is urged to contact the RSPCA on our inspector’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018, where they can leave me a message.”
Posted on April 20th, 2016
OLYMPIC DRESSAGE HOPEFULS AT ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW
Some of the world’s most esteemed riders will take part in the National Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle invitational competition at Royal Windsor Horse Show 2016 where they will perform their routines on Wednesday 11th May. For many of the riders, this highly-anticipated exhibition will be the last chance to polish off their choreography in front of a live audience ahead of the summer Olympic Games in Rio.
All eyes will be on Olympic favourite and reigning world champion, Charlotte Dujardin, who will be returning to the iconic Castle Arena, riding the stunning chestnut gelding, Barolo. Charlotte’s last appearance at Royal Windsor Horse Show was in 2014, when she put on a victorious performance aboard Carl Hester’s London 2012 Olympic gold medallist, Uthopia.
Charlotte will have stiff competition in what is shaping up to be a stellar class. One of the biggest challengers will be reigning Royal Windsor Horse Show champion and fellow Team GB rider, Carl Hester riding the world-class Nip Tuck, a combination looking to repeat last year’s triumphant performance which saw them score an impressive 75.38%.
Michael Eilberg, part of the silver medal winning 2015 European Championship team with Charlotte and Carl, will be adding to the excitement around this Grand Prix Freestyle event, along with others pushing hard to impress the Team GB selectors ahead of Rio, such as Olympic gold medallist Laura Tomlinson, Pippa Hutton, Spencer Wilton, Hayley Waston-Greaves and Ryan Todd.
General entry to Royal Windsor Horse Show will be free of charge on Wednesday 11th May, however due to popular demand, reserved seats to watch this unmissable class are available to buy in advance and are expected to sell-out fast. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on www.rwhs.co.uk or via the box office on 0844 581 4960 from the UK and +44 (0) 121 796 6290 internationally.
Posted on April 5th, 2016
Suffolk Young Farmers Country Fair 2016
Held at Easton Farm Park, Suffolk, the annual SYF Country Fair with Horse and Dog Show will be taking place on Sunday 17th April from 10am.
Horse classes include Showing, Show Jumping and Fun classes, and dog show classes include Affiliated and Unaffiliated – all levels welcome across the board.
All schedules are available on www.suffolkyfc.com or call Rebecca Smith on 07900 988907.
Posted on April 5th, 2016
Cambridgeshire’s Jessica Howard Claims Victory in both the Animo Pony Novice Championship and the Animo Pony Discovery Championships
Riders from the length and breadth of the country gathered at Hartpury Arena, Gloucestershire for five exhilarating days of competition at this year’s Blue Chip Winter Showjumping Championships. In its 25th year, these Championships can be where dreams are won or lost and this year has proved to be no exception.
13 year-old Jessica Howard from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire hit a winning streak. She gained the Pony of the Year Show Novice title with Claire Darwin’s Rocky Robin, a 9 year-old grey gelding and just days later, scored an amazing double here at the Blue Chip Winter Showjumping Championships.
The pair won the Animo Pony Novice Championship title by an incredible five seconds, coming home in just 29.20 seconds. They then went on to claim the Animo Pony Discovery Championship producing another double clear in a time of just 24.69.
“We have so much trust in each other, I knew I could pull off the tight turns and he has a great length of stride,” said Jessica, who has ridden the Irish-bred nine-year-old since July.
Posted on April 5th, 2016
Norfolk’s Hannah Vincent Takes Victory in the Haygain Hay Steamers Championship at Hartpury Arena
Riders from the length and breadth of the country gathered at Hartpury Arena, Gloucestershire for five exhilarating days of competition at this year’s Blue Chip Winter Showjumping Championships. In its 25th year, these Championships can be where dreams are won or lost and this year has proved to be no exception.
Hannah Vincent from Norwich, Norfolk lifted the Haygain Hay Steamers Diamond Championship title with her ‘horse of a lifetime’ Jabberwocky, a 12 year-old black gelding. The pair produced a double clear, storming the jump off round in just 26.38 seconds.
“He’s amazing, I’ve hardly competed the last two years as I was setting up my own business running a riding school, but he’s come back as good as ever,” said Hannah.
