News
Posted on March 28th, 2019
World class athletes line up for 2019 FEI Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International
Yet again the Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials has attracted the highest level of competitors from around the world.
Fourteen nations will be represented, the line up including many of the very best riders on the circuit. Between them, at Five Star – the very top level of eventing – these athletes have won 18 Burghley titles, 11 Badminton titles, eight Lexington titles, four Luhmuhlen titles and three Pau titles. In addition, we have two past individual European Champions and one past World Champion (two if you count Ros Canter, the reigning World Champion, who will be on event but not competing), and countless Olympic medallists.
All members of the victorious gold medal winning team from last year’s World Championships will be there: Piggy French, Tom McEwen, Gemma Tattersall and double gold medal winner Ros Canter, who might be sidelined due to impending motherhood but will be watching her regular horses compete and flying the flag for Riding for the Disabled, a charity with whom she has been involved for many years, and which is our official charity this year.
World and British number one Oliver Townend will be looking for an 11th win in the headline Four Star class, one which he has made very much his own over the last 12 years. He brings seven horses to Norfolk, including his Burghley winner Ballaghmor Class and Kentucky winner Cooley Master Class.
Other Five Star winners include Tim & Jonelle Price, Andrew Nicholson and Caroline Powell from New Zealand, and British favourites William Fox-Pitt, Pippa Funnell and Mary King.
In a change of scheduling, our raft of world class riders will be competing their top horses on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the Intermediate and Advanced classes will take place, past World and European Champion Zara Tindall bringing two horses forward for the Advanced as well as competing a couple of novice horses.
Sunday’s action will be dominated by the International jumping phases, the Three and Four Star runners. One hundred and sixty combinations are entered in to the Four Star, which has been split in to two sections as a result. The Three Star will be no walk in the park to win either, with 115 entrants. A total of 845 entries have been received for the three days of competition.
Of course, the horse trials isn’t just about horses. Fen Falconry will be attending, with a variety of birds of prey on display, while the Lowestoft Dog Agility Display Team will be in action on both Saturday and Sunday. Add in bungee trampolines, bouncy castles, a climbing wall and Razz & Pearl’s circus workshops, plus over 40 shops, and Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International really does offer a fantastic day out for all the family.
Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International takes place from 12th-14th April at Sussex Farm, PE31 8AG.
For more information on any aspect of this year’s Horse Trials, and to book advance tickets, visit http://www.musketeer.co.uk. For more information on the work of RDA, visit https://www.rda.org.uk.
Posted on March 26th, 2019
SEIB clients vote for World Horse Welfare to receive top grant in £100K Charity Awards
SEIB Insurance Brokers granted a total of £100,000 to charity at their Charity Awards luncheon at the Grange City Hotel, London on the 22nd March. SEIB’s Chief Executive Officer, Barry Fehler presented a cheque for £50,000 and a commemorative plaque to Roly Owers and Emma Williams of the winning charity, World Horse Welfare. Nine other charities reached the final voting stage of the SEIB Charity Awards and received a further £50,000 from SEIB between them.
Barry Fehler said: “I have been at the helm of SEIB for over 50 years and it is with great pride that we are able to make these grants totalling £100,000 to projects voted for by our clients. I am delighted that since last year, with the support of our owners Ecclesiastical, we have been able to double the sum granted by SEIB to charity”.
The SEIB Charity Awards have strict entry criteria; only small and medium charities are eligible and the grant has to be awarded for a specific project. This is to ensure that the money granted will really make a difference. The winning project for World Horse Welfare was for Vital New Equipment, including a new tractor and trailer and a drone with a hi-res camera to help locate horses in need of help in hard to reach locations.
Redwings Horse Sanctuary took the runner-up grant of £15,000 for their Horse Hospital Treatment Room project and the smallest charity of the finalists, the Welsh Pony Rescue and Rehoming Charitable Trust took £10,000 for third place back to South Wales for their Every Life is Precious project. In fourth place was the Animal Health Trust, who were awarded a grant of £5,000 for the Digital X-Ray Appeal which could help diagnose new orthopaedic conditions.
Manchester based, Once Upon a Smile, received the SEIB Small Charity Award. This resulted in a grant of £10,000 for their project, Help Bereaved Families Rebuild Their Lives. Once Upon a Smile offers financial support and respite breaks to bereaved families.
Over 1,000 small to medium sized charities were nominated by over 22,000 public votes in the first stage of the decision making process for the 2019 SEIB Charity Awards. From these charities, a shortlist of finalists were selected and invited to submit detailed plans. The Charities Trust provided SEIB with their help to carry out due diligence to ensure that each of the finalists met all criteria of the grant and are above board. Following this, SEIB customers placed nearly 2,000 votes to decide on the recipient of the £50,000 grant and the runners up. The winner was announced at the SEIB awards ceremony and luncheon.
Barry Fehler continued “We are delighted that our customers have decided which of these very worthy causes should receive the grant. SEIB is so successful because we are totally customer focussed and this is another way that our clients can have their say. Each of the charities that reached the final judging had important projects that would really make a difference to the areas within which they operate and that was our aim when we set up this initiative”.
SEIB works closely with the charitable sector and insure many charities and non-for profit organisations. Whilst SEIB is an independent broker, the company is owned by the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group that is in turn owned by the charity Allchurches Trust.
Giving is embedded in the culture of SEIB. From supporting grass roots competition that gives opportunities to amateur riders that they could only otherwise dream about, right through to the company’s unwavering loyalty to promoting nationwide equine welfare.
The SEIB team do a huge amount for local charities and SEIB has proudly supported the Burghley Sponsored Ride for the past five-years by covering expenses so all proceeds go to charity.
The other finalist charities, each receiving a grant of £2,000 each are; Bransby Horses Rescue and Welfare, Lindsey Lodge Hospice, James Hopkins Trust, Wildlife Aid Foundation and the South Essex Wildlife Hospital.
Photo: L to R Barry Fehler, Roly Owers, Suzy Middleton, Emma Williams and Bipin Thaker
Posted on March 25th, 2019
Fans given the opportunity to become part of #TEAMHOYS
Six of Horse of the Year Show’s most enthusiastic and engaged fans will this year have the opportunity to be recognised for their love of the show by becoming ‘HOYS Superfans’ ahead of this year’s HOYS in October at the Resorts World Arena, NEC Birmingham.
A social campaign built with the aim of connecting with the younger followers of Horse of the Year Show, it has been designed to resonate with 16-28 year olds who are keen influencers in the equestrian industry through Facebook, Instagram or YouTube vlogs. The social media tag for the campaign is #TeamHOYS and the lucky six Superfans will be challenged to achieve the highest number of ticket sales and recruit the most members of #TeamHOYS.
How to get involved
HOYS are looking for six enthusiastic, horse-loving and social media savvy individuals to help us spread the news about Horse of the Year Show 2019! Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is one of the longest standing horse shows in the UK and is the biggest week of the year for equestrian entertainment. Returning to The NEC Birmingham this October, the event will showcase national and international showjumping classes, the finals for the Pony Club Mounted Games Prince Philip Cup, and will see the best of British show horses come forward for the finale to the showing season.
The lucky six Superfans will work alongside an existing HOYS Ambassador and will be set up as an affiliate with our official ticketing partner, The Ticket Factory. This will enable HOYS to track how many ticket sales you generate through your promotion of the show. For each ticket you sell, you will receive a 2% commission on the face value ticket price, and to make sure you look the part you will get your very own HOYS clothing to enjoy. You can blog and vlog to your heart’s content and tell all your friends about some of the exciting plans in store for 2019! Whichever Superfan has sold the most tickets by 31st August 2019 will be crowned the Ultimate HOYS Superfan and will receive a very special, unique and never offered before prize…..
Check out the prize!
Ever wondered what it is like to spend a day backstage with the Press Team at HOYS? Well now is your chance! As part of the prize, you will be invited to spend a day backstage with HOYS ambassador Hannah Eccles. You will be mingling amongst well-known equestrian journalists from the likes of Horse & Hound, interviewing riders, taking shots for social media, speaking to some of the other members of the HOYS team and getting a real feel for what it’s like to put on one of the biggest horse shows in the UK. And as if that isn’t enough, you and a friend will then be invited to enjoy an evening in hospitality, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying a well-earned treat.
The runners up will also each receive a pair of tickets to come along and enjoy the show on the Sunday evening for the Gala Evening Finale.
Abide by the Terms and Conditions
- Entrants must be over the age of 16 to enter
- You must be able to demonstrate how you will communicate the HOYS news through way of blog/vlog/social media following
- You must abide by Horse of the Year show’s social media rules as well as brand guidelines
- Candidates must be available to attend the show, 2nd – 6th October 2019
- The winning Superfan must have sold a minimum of 10 tickets in order to claim their prize.
Enter now
To fill out your application form, head to https://hoys.co.uk/the-hub/win-2/ . Applications to become a HOYS Superfan will close on 30th April 2019 and winners will be selected by a panel of Grandstand Media Ltd employees. The lucky six winners will be contacted by Friday 10th May 2019.
Posted on March 19th, 2019
ENTRIES OPEN: The 2019 SEIB Insurance Brokers Burghley Sponsored Ride
The SEIB Insurance Brokers Burghley Sponsored Ride will take place on the final day of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials on Sunday 8th September 2019. Entries for this popular event will open on Tuesday 19th March and will be taken on the ride website. This will be the 18th running of the ride which over the years has raised well in excess of £250,000 for good causes.
Thanks to Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, riders will be able to enjoy riding on the parkland turf of a large section of the world’s toughest 5* eventing cross country course and see the huge fences up close on horseback. The ride course takes in famous Burghley feature fences such as the Trout Hatchery, Cottesmore Leap and the Rolex Combination. These iconic fences were joined in 2018 with the (ongoing) additional treat of riding over and under the new Flyover.
The SEIB Burghley Sponsored Ride is 12km long and takes in both these famous fences and many of the tracks and pathways of the vast Burghley estate. The ride is suitable for all ages and abilities and there are strict policies in place to ensure that riders travelling at a leisurely pace are not disturbed by those wishing to go a little faster. All riders are required to remain in walk and trot when on the cross-country course.
The charitable action at Burghley on the 8thSeptember continues later in the afternoon, after the ride has finished, with the SEIB Horseless Burghley Fun Run. This 3.5km event is aimed at runners of all ages and abilities and takes place over some of the ride course. Details of the fun run and length of track are still being worked on and will be available on the ride website soon.
Ride organiser, Ian Scott said: “We are very much looking forward to the 2019 running of the SEIB Burghley Sponsored Ride and this year we will be raising vital funds for charities including Hannah’s Wilberry Wonder Pony, the BHS, World Horse Welfare and the Burghley charity of the year, the Jon Egging Trust.”
SEIB Insurance Brokers are in their 5thyear of generously sponsoring the SEIB Burghley Sponsored Ride. SEIB’s contribution combined with the support of Stamford XT, Burghley Horse Trials and Burghley Estate ensures that all set up costs of the ride are covered and so 100% of the money raised goes directly to charity. The 2018 ride raised £22,500 for charity.
Nicolina MacKenzie, SEIB’s Marketing Manager said: “The SEIB Burghley Sponsored Ride is one of our favourite events of the year as it combines a great experience for participants with raising much needed funds for charity. We always aim to give something back to our loyal customers by helping to provide them with some great opportunities whether they enjoy leisure riding or going out competing. The Burghley Sponsored ride is enthusiastically attended every year by many of our customers.”
The SEIB Burghley sponsored ride guarantees a great day out for groups such as riding clubs, livery yards and teams, familiesand friends. The ride is open to all riders over 5 years of age and with runners welcome too, the day is even more of a perfect family event. Everyone completing the course will receive a memento of the day and there are some wonderful prizes for the participants raising the most money for charity.
Entries will open for the 2019 SEIB Burghley Sponsored Ride on Tuesday 19th March at www.burghleysponsoredride.co.uk.
Posted on March 11th, 2019
Horse Owners urged To Participate In Equine Herpes Virus Survey
Zoetis Inc. have announced that, given the concerns caused by the recent flu outbreak, it is urging horse owners to participate in a survey about Equine Herpes Virus (EHV), which is another common and debilitating infectious equine respiratory disease.
The aim is to identify best ways to improve understanding about EHV and to help reduce the risks it poses. Equine Herpes Virus is a contagious virus, which can cause respiratory disease, abortion and more rarely neurological disease. Equine Herpes Virus infections can be associated with poor performance and have a potential effect on the health of the whole yard. Once a horse is infected with Equine Herpes Virus it can harbour the virus throughout its life and potentially spread the disease to others. Infected horses often don’t show outward signs of Equine Herpes Virus infection but if they do, symptoms may include a high temperature, nasal discharge and a dry cough in younger horses. The horse may also show signs of depression and lack of energy. Reducing the spread of Equine Herpes Virus through management and vaccination is key to disease control.
“EHV has potentially serious health, performance and financial implications across every sector of the equestrian industry,” said Wendy Talbot, National Equine Veterinary Manager at Zoetis. “The aim of our survey is to find out more about horse owners’ awareness and understanding of the risks EHV poses. The results should help us identify the most effective prevention strategies and then ensure that they are accessible.” The survey runs until 15th March 2019 in parallel to a separate survey for vets. It is quick and easy to complete and you could win yourself a new body warmer.
Click here to complete the survey.
Posted on March 11th, 2019
Risk Factors for Equine Infectious Disease Highlighted by Horse Health Week
Horse Health Week is back on 25th March and the brand behind the campaign, Keeping Britain’s Horses Healthy (KBHH), wants horse owners to know the risks when it comes to equine infectious disease.
Vicki Farr, equine veterinary advisor at MSD Animal Health, says the results of 2017’s horse owner survey, which was a collaboration with Horse & Hound, showed many respondents were unaware of risk factors that expose horses to infectious disease.
“36 percent of owners choose not to vaccinate because their horse doesn’t leave the yard or meet other horses,” she explains. “But the flu virus can travel up to 5km in favourable conditions. So, even if a horse lives alone and doesn’t meet other horses or people, he’s still at potential risk of infection.
“Likewise, the bacteria which causes tetanus is found in the soil, so a horse doesn’t need to leave his field to be at risk of the disease.”
During Horse Health Week, there will be a daily quiz for horse owners to keep KBHH’s mascot, Buzz, happy and healthy with KBHH saddlecloths as prizes.
Horse Health Week returns at a crucial time due to the recent equine influenza outbreak. “The recent flu outbreak serves as a timely reminder that unvaccinated horses are at risk of serious disease and that immunity doesn’t last a lifetime. Owners should ensure their horses’ vaccinations are up to date,” concludes Ms Farr.
Learn more and join in with Horse Health Week during 25th to 29th March 2019 by following KBHH on Facebook and Twitter and by using the hashtag, #HHWKnowYourRisk.
Posted on March 5th, 2019
Unprecedented number of entries expected for CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show
National entries for the 76th annual CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show are officially open. This year, Organisers have added more classes to the Show giving a total of 147 Showing classes – the highest number in recent years. The best of the Brits are expected to compete at the iconic venue and it is anticipated that it will attract the largest number of entries yet.
Over 55,000 spectators will visit the famous showgrounds set in the private grounds of Windsor Castle from 8th-12th May 2019 for five days of unmissable competition. For those hoping to contend, the windows for entries are as follows: Show Jumping 5th–12th March 2019, Showing and Carriage Driving, 7th–29th March 2019.
New classes this year include Showing classes for Cleveland Bays (in hand and ridden), an RoR Open in Hand Show Series Qualifier, and In Hand classes for Pure Bred Arabs. New national Show Jumping classes include an Under 25 competition on Sunday. In addition The Pony Club is running its Dressage Championships at the Show and there will an Oxford – Cambridge Varsity match Dressage competition.
Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward said: “Each year we receive the highest standard of entries which is a true testament to the Show, reiterating its importance in the equestrian calendar. With even more added to the Show’s programme this year, it will be extremely exciting to see which competitors shine throughout the week, and which classes are the most hotly contended.”
Britain’s leading competitors will be vying to make an impact in front of the home crowds. Her Majesty The Queen has been a regular contender, having had a number of significant wins over the years.
One of the country’s leading Showing producers Jayne Ross, who is well aware of what it is like to win at the prestigious Show, commented: “There is an aura about Windsor from the moment you arrive, and if you’re really lucky and you win, you get a fantastic picture of being presented with the trophy with the backdrop of Windsor Castle. There is just nothing quite like it.”
Posted on March 4th, 2019
Claudia Moore is victorious in the Charles Britton Equestrian Construction Winter JA Classic Qualifiers at Arena UK
The 2019 Charles Britton Equestrian Construction Winter JA Classic Qualifiers headed to the East Midlands this weekend. The qualifiers were held at Arena UK in Grantham, Lincolnshire during the 148cm Pony Premier Show.
The qualifiers took place over two days and saw all riders from all over the UK come forward with the hopes of securing a top three qualifying place for the prestigious Charles Britton Equestrian Construction Winter JA Classic Championship, which will take place at SouthView Competition & Training Centre in Cheshire across the weekend of the 6th–7th April 2019.
Claudia Moore from Brentwood, Essex repeated her win from SouthView Equestrian Centre in February when she took the top spot in Saturday’s qualifier on board Katrina Moore’s Elando Van Roshoeve on whom Claudia has enjoyed plenty of success with over the past two years.
Claudia crossed the final finish line in 33.67 seconds edging ahead of Cheshire’s Madison Heath and Flavia, a 9-year-old British-bred mare owned by Sarah Williams who finished 0.04 seconds behind in 33.71 seconds. Third place was awarded to Lila Bremner and Tessa Bremner’s Lapislazuli, a 9-year-old Belgian-bred who only stepped up to this level last month. They crossed the finish line in 36.06 seconds.
Posted on March 4th, 2019
Jonty Evans and Art return to Belton Horse Trials
Equestrian hero Jonty Evans and his beloved ‘people’s horse’ Art is set to make an emotional return to Belton International Horse Trials, at Grantham in Lincolnshire, on Saturday 30th March, less than a year after a horrific riding accident left him in a coma that doctors said he might never recover from.
The winner of the 2018 Lycetts Grantham Cup at Belton Horse Trials suffered a serious brain injury in a fall on the cross-country course at Tattersalls in Ireland, on 3rd June last year. He spent six weeks in a coma and medical professionals warned he might not survive, let alone walk or ride again.
But just eight months later Jonty has made a remarkable recovery. In September, his supporters were amazed and delighted when he made a walk-on appearance as the guest of honour at his own fundraising event, An EQuestion of Sport, at Osberton International Horse Trials, where BEDE Events raised over £10,000 for Jonty’s rehabilitation.
Jonty now raises funds for the David Foster Injured Riders Fund.
The popular Irish eventer previously hit the headlines in 2017, when he successfully crowdfunded £500,000 to buy his Rio 2016 Olympic horse, Cooley Rorkes Drift (aka ‘Art’) when the former owner decided to sell. It took just four weeks for fans to raise the money and Art now has thousands of devoted owners.
Stuart Buntine, Managing Director of BEDE Events, Organiser of several leading equestrian events, including Belton and Osberton, paid tribute to Jonty: “Jonty is a true legend and we are delighted that he has made such a remarkable recovery. We are looking forward to seeing him back at Belton. Eventing is a thrilling, but dangerous sport. We aim is to ensure we have provision set up for when accidents such as Jonty’s occur.”
Posted on March 4th, 2019
Veterinary practice is saddling up in preparation for informative open evenings aimed at horse owners in our region
Uplands Way Veterinary Clinic certainly doesn’t horse around when it comes to looking after our hoofed friends with a dedicated team caring for all manner or equines from shetlands to thoroughbreds and, of course, the lovable donkeys. With three Norfolk practice sites – in Diss, Stanton and Attleborough – being a strong and visible part of the community is important to the Uplands Way team and open evenings have been planned to allow horse owners to learn from the equine experts.
The first event will focus on Equine Cushing’s Disease, an increasingly common disorder with older horses, although it can develop in younger animals. This is due to be followed by an event around the causes and treatment of lameness in horses. These events have been organised by veterinary surgeon Georgina Torregrosa, and head equine nurse Kathryn Trett.
Kathryn said: “We treat a wide range of equine patients from retired companions to racing thoroughbreds and everything in between, as well as having a dedicated small animal veterinary team for pets and exotics.
“There are some common health disorders which affect horses and we want to inform our clients and horse owners of signs to look out for and steps to take if they have any concerns.”
The first event will be held at the World Horse Welfare charity in Snetterton on 7th March. Speakers at the first event include John Blake from Breckland Farriers and a representative from Boehringer Ingelheim pharmaceuticals.
Kathryn added: “At first we are opening events to our clients but if you are a horse owner and would be interested in attending then we would be delighted to hear from you.
“It will be a great evening with informative speakers and we have a raffle with all proceeds going to World Horse Welfare.”
Places are limited and must be booked in advance. To find out further information please call Uplands Way in Diss on 01379 642 865.
