Our Summer Pony Premier show took place last weekend and it was a jam-packed schedule of classes with fierce competition and camaraderie.

The talented Tabitha Kyle clinched a victory double and added two more HOYS tickets to her growing tally.  Ryan Dorise’s 8-year-old grey mare Running In Heels stepped up to the plate for Tabitha in the Pony Foxhunter Second Round and Tanya Kyle’s 9-year-old Irish-bred mare Coppenagh Khaleesi was triumphant in the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Second Round.  Tabitha, who won the Horse of the Year Show Blue Chip Pony Newcomers title in 2022, will be looking to retain her title again this year.

Tabitha commented on Khaleesi, “She only started jumping last year, she’d done almost nothing, but she gained experience very quickly.  She has a massive stride and a massive jump, you can turn her up to anything, she’s a real speed demon.”

“She jumped three beautiful rounds and I think she will be the best speed pony,” said Tabitha, who has spent time getting to know this pony.  “She was very head-shy and sharp – I’m not sure what sort of life she’s had – but I spent time in the stable just stroking her for 10 minutes at a time and once she knows you, she’s very loving, she just needs to learn how to trust.”

It was also a great weekend for Izabella Rogers who was on top form aboard Belgian-bred 10-year-old Queen Star in the Pony Showjumper of the Year. The pair took a commanding victory with almost three seconds ahead of her competition to bring home the top honours.

Bicton Arena Manager Andrew Fell, added “Thank you to everyone who made the weekend such a great one, we couldn’t do it without our fantastic team at Clinton Devon Estates, the judges, course designers, stewards, arena party and veterinary services, it really does take an army to pull this off! Congratulations to all our prize winners and everyone that qualified for the championships and Horse of the Year Show.”

Thank you to ESP Photography for the images.

Cross country rounded off with the time being extremely influential in the TopSpec CCI4*-S at Bicton International Horse Trials. Laura Collett held onto her lead throughout on London 52, as well as bagging third place on Dacapo. “I’ve been really chuffed with London’s performance all week, he really is a dream horse to ride and the feel he gave me cross country is the best he ever has, he is totally on song and it’s just so nice to have him out at a big party. He’s been in really good form, so it was good to come and put it all together at an event. The cross country course was fantastic, it was the perfect preparation for Luhmühlen using the hills for a really good fitness run with lots of combinations. You had to get really stuck in and ride the distances and the lines, but he did it really easily. I really appreciate the team here putting on such a good show, they deserve to have all the entries and I will definitely be coming back next year.” On his character, Laura comments about London 52, “he’s quite a shy horse in the stable, it’s his personal space, but the second he comes out of the stable he loves all of the attention, he’s a proper show off in front of a big crowd!”

This morning saw the final phase of competition for the Chatham CCI3*YR-L where overnight leader Finn Healy kept his cool for a clear round inside the time on Amy Hawley’s Treamble, affectionately known as Amble. Leading since his dressage test on Friday, 18-year-old Finn has shown his class throughout to be crowned Young Rider National Champion.

The 10-year-old mare is sibling to Michael Owen’s second-placed Treworder in the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L here at Bicton. “Amble’s been amazing all week. She did a really good dressage test for 24.3. Cross country was a tough track yesterday, Helen used the hills brilliantly and made it a good stamina test. Luckily, she’s full of blood and so ate the course up just a couple of seconds over the time. Today I didn’t have a fence in hand, it was very close up at the top, and she jumped incredibly well. When she came in the arena she lit up with the crowds, knew what she needed to do and I’m just over the moon with her.” The mare was bought by Amy as a three-year-old from Preci Spark Event Horses and was produced by Amy until she was an eight-year-old, competing up to 2* level before being sent to James Avery to ride. Finn started working for Amy, riding three times a week and from there got the ride. “I’m incredibly grateful to Amy for the support, she’s done an amazing job producing Amble and she’s a very special horse.”

The second section to show jump this morning was the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L. Again, retaining their lead since the dressage, Gaspard Maksud and Chantilly Amatullah went on to jump clear to win on 25.3. The grey mare was, according to owners Jane Lom and Linda Charlton, actually bred to be an Intermediate Show horse, and was produced by Paul O’Shaughnessy in Ireland. Rumour has it, the semen from Tilly’s sire Abdullah was actually bought in a raffle! Nine-year-old Tilly has quite the support group – Jane and Linda are both very involved with Riding for the Disabled and are always being asked for event updates from the members about the much-loved mare since they bought her over six years ago. Regarding his win Gaspard commented, “This is my first three-day win, you’ve got all of the top-class riders and horses here as well, so it really means a lot to win. I have only had the mare since March, but she really wants to please, she really tries. She’s such a nice mare, she just really does a good job, I am very happy with her.”

The final section to finish for the day was the Empire Coach Builders CCI2*-L where Phoebe Locke took a late lead when overnight leader Kitty King, who was last to go, had the final fence down. Riding her own Renkumb Jitterbug, the Somerset born eventer has represented GB at five European championships, recently gaining the title of British and European under 21 champion.

The 16.2hh, seven-year-old gelding out of Trijntje by Baloubet Junior Z is part of Phoebe’s string of horses based on her yard in Wiltshire which she recently set up professionally, having previously had her horses on their family yard. Phoebe actually started her equestrian career as a show jumper, but was quickly spotted to have plenty of talent as an eventer and has now made a great name for herself within the eventing world, having competed up to 4*. On her win, Phoebe commented, “It was a little bit unexpected, he’s only seven years old and it’s the first time doing a long format, so I didn’t know how he would be today show jumping after cross country, but he dealt with it really well.” Phoebe remarks fondly about Renkumb Jitterbug “He’s very cuddly and likes lots of attention and treats.”

Wrapping up the week here at Bicton International Horse Trials, Event Director Andrew Fell said, “It was a fantastic week, some of the best top-quality sport in the UK – I think the biggest thing was how much the team worked together. Everyone was here to make it happen, we were blessed with the weather and I’m so proud of what we managed to pull off.”

 

That’s not all…

 

Locally based Redpost Equestrian rewarded the hard work of the grooms, offering a £50 gift voucher to the grooms of the winning horse in each section plus a goody bag for the groom of the winning CCI4*-S horse.

Winning owners also each received a bottle of gin from the Tack Room Distillery.

HiHo Silver generously sponsored the best dressed male and female in each of the long-format sections, with winners receiving a £150 voucher to spend.

Bicton Arena is very well supported by local riders, so Wyvern donated a £50 voucher to the highest place local riders.

Sponsors of the CCI2*-L, Empire Coach Builders also provided prizes for first to third place in their section.

The top three in each class were kindly gifted a hamper by Darts Farm.

Bicton College Floristry donated beautiful flowers for the event.

Laura Collett wins the TopSpec CCI4*-S with London 52

Winners of the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L are Gaspard Maksud with Chantilly Amatullah

Finn Healy and Treamble win the Chatham CCI3*YR-L

Phoebe Locke riding Renkumb Jitterbug are the winners of the Empire Coach Builders CCI2*-L

 

Overnight leader of the TopSpec CCI4*-S Laura Collett and London 52 retain their leading position with 19.8 at Bicton International Horse Trials. “I’m absolutely chuffed with London 52 and Dacapo. They both did really nice tests and jumped beautifully round the show jumping. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow, I think it’s a great track and hopefully it will set them up really nicely for Luhmühlen in a few weeks’ time,” said Laura. In the last three years, out of 25 runs, this horse has only ever picked up cross country penalties on one occasion – at the Worlds in Pratoni. This makes the 14-year-old gelding the one to watch going into the final day of competition tomorrow.

Beaming as they came through the finish line, retaining the lead in the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L, Gaspard Maksud was thrilled with just 0.4 time penalties on Chantilly Amatullah. He remarks on his new partnership with this horse, “I haven’t had Tilly very long, so it is always a bit of an unknown, but she was very good, she tried very hard. When I asked her to get up at the last, she was still full of running which is brilliant.” Originally from Laval, France, Gaspard began his riding career at the tender age of 11 and began his success by winning the French Junior championship at just 16-years-old. The pair go into the final day of competition, show jumping tomorrow with one penalty in hand.

Another combination to keep the top spot going into show jumping is Finn Healy on Treamble in the CCI3*YR-L. The pair went clear jumping across country with just 0.8 time penalties. 18-year-old Finn has seen plenty of success so far in his career, winning team gold at the 2022 FEI European Junior Eventing Championships at Hartpury on Fathers Compromise and double gold at the 2019 FEI European Pony Championships at Strzegom on Midnight Dancer. They go into tomorrow with a margin of three penalties ahead of second placed Barnie Brotherton on DHI King Nelson. Finn says “I’m over the moon with her today, she was absolutely amazing, it was a really tough track. I thought that the undulations and the hills made it a really big stamina test as well as some really tricky questions, but she made it feel really effortless. She really showed her class – she loves the cross country phase, so she makes my life really easy. Tomorrow is a new day – we will focus on the trot up and then when the track is built, we will have a look. We are trying to take it all one step at a time and hopefully we will jump a good round.”

The CCI2*-L Empire Coach Builders is the only change in leadership for the day, where Kitty King and Ogue Verdi re-took the lead that they held on day one after their dressage, pushing yesterday’s post-dressage leader Dani Evans into second place. Kitty has represented GB at the Olympics and is the first British event rider to have represented GB at Pony, Junior, Young Rider and Senior European Championships. Adding nothing to their dressage score of 27.6, the eight-year-old Irish grey gelding owned by Lindsay Caldwell and Sue Brendish made nothing of the Helen West designed cross country course today.

Gaspard Maksud & Chantilly Amatullah retain leadership in the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L

Finn Healy & Treamble lead the Chatham CCI3*YR-L

Kitty King & Ogue Verdi retake the lead in the Empire Coach Builders CCI2*-L

14-year-old, 2022 Badminton winner London 52 and rider Laura Collett were the first to change up the leader board today, scoring 19.8 on the second day of dressage at Bicton International Horse Trials (25-28 May) in the TopSpec CCI4*-S.

This was Laura’s second ride of the day, having scored 22.7 on Dacapo earlier on, who is now lying in fourth place after dressage in the same class. Dazzling in the Devon sunshine, London 52, known as Dan at home, put on a great performance and showed the value and experience of their nine-year partnership.

Overnight leader of the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L, Gaspard Maksud scored an impressive 24.9 yesterday with Chantilly Amatullah, retaining the lead at the end of the second day of dressage, heading into the cross-country tomorrow. Tilly, as the nine-year old is known, is a new ride for Gaspard, having only come together a couple of months ago. Out of Cusheen Beauty by Abdullah, the 15.2hh mare has shown great consistency in the jumping phases since starting her affiliated career in 2019 so is likely to be competitive this weekend.

Putting his stamp on proceedings, Finn Healy took the lead this afternoon in the Chatham CCI3*YR-L riding Amy Hawley’s 10-year-old mare Treamble. Standing at 17hh, the mare is bred by Preci Spark Event Horses out of Trevillet by Grafenstolz. Finn and his sister Ellie, who is also competing in the CCI3*YR-L at Bicton this week, make up Team Healy who are based over 200 miles away in Derbyshire. Finn took over the ride on this horse last summer, having previously been competed by owner Amy.

In the Empire Coach Builders CCI2*-L, overnight leader Kitty King was pipped to the post late in the day by Dani Evans riding Argentino BK. This 11-year-old Spanish gelding is a former ride of Andrew Nicholson’s with Bristol based Dani having taken the reins in the summer of 2020. Since then, the pair have had limited runs, but appear to be back with purpose scoring a competitive 27.1 in today’s dressage. In their most recent run at Cirencester Park in the ON in April, they placed fourth, setting them up nicely for a run here at Bicton.

Event Director, Andrew Fell and his team have been busy preparing the ground for the weekend, “The ground preparation for an event like this doesn’t start the day before, it starts months in advance. We’ve slit the course twice so far this winter and we’ve been putting manure and slurry on the course to really get the grass growth very good. Despite it being really wet this spring, we are lucky to be on sandy soil here which drains very well, so we are now looking to raise that moisture content in the top few inches to make the going really good for cross country this weekend.”

Show jumping for the TopSpec CCI4*-S will start at 1pm tomorrow and the cross country for the CCI2*-L, CCI3*-L and CCI3*YR-L from 9.30am. Tickets can still be purchased for the weekend via the Bicton Arena website.

 

In the TopSpec CCI4*-S at Bicton International Horse Trials (25 – 28 May) Oliver Townend holds the overnight top spot with Swallow Springs, one of five rides for the Shropshire based rider here this week. Oliver comes to Bicton off the back of a recent trip to Floors Castle where he took all top three places in the CCI2*-S.

Gaspard Maksud and nine-year-old Chantilly Amatullah took the lead at lunchtime in the first day of dressage in the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L and held onto his position right until the end of the day. With a score of 24.9, the relatively new pairing showed they mean business, despite being one of the smallest horses, standing at 15.2hh. Tilly, as the mare is known affectionately, has a good jumping record, so they are sure to be competitive over fences too. Tilly is one of four rides at Bicton this week for the French rider who is based in Surrey and the pair come to Bicton off the back of a successful trip to Aston-Le-Walls earlier in the month where they placed second in the OI.

Mexican Law ridden by Isabelle Cook, certainly laid down the law to his fellow competitors in the Chatham CCI3*YR-L. The 11-year-old gelding out of Devine Law by Billy Mexico showed the spectators how it’s done, with the pair presenting the final test of the class. Leading by 0.2 points, it’s another Billy Mexico offspring hot on their heels with Daisy Bathe and Mexican Wave sitting in second place overnight. Isabelle took over the ride of Barley from Mother, Kristina Cook at the end of 2021 and have since enjoyed great success including a win at Cirencester Park in the ONu18 in early 2022, a win at Belsay International in the CCI2*J-L and notably, a second place at the Hartpury Junior and Young Rider European Championships last summer.

Leading the way in the Empire Coachbuilders CCI2*-L, Kitty King and Ogue Verdi left it until the last minute to make their mark, being last to go for the day. The eight-year-old gelding, Kitty’s partner of three years took a significant lead on 27.6, with second place Brier Leahy on 31.5 with Caherconree Rocky. Kitty campaigns three horses here, with Billy Maple (another horse by Billy Mexico) currently lying in sixth place in this same class and Kitty’s Badminton ride Vendredi Biats lined up for tomorrow in the CCI4*-S.

Oliver Townend and Swallow Springs take the lead in the TopSpec CCI4*-S

Isabelle Cook and Mexican Law, overnight leaders of the CCI3*YR-L

Kitty King and Ogue Verdi, leading overnight in the CCI2*-L

Taking place in the glorious sunshine today at Bicton alongside the International Horse Trials were the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse (DBYEH) classes for four and five-year-olds.

The DBYEH series is a hugely popular competition that culminates in the final held at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials in September. The competition is widely recognised as a great opportunity to see the stars of the future, with many winners of the series going on to win top-level competitions. The series aims to encourage breeders and trainers to produce and present the type of young horse which is considered to be the best material to make a world-class three-day event horse.

The judges look for an athletic, loose moving horse with a promising jumping technique and the correct attitude. The winner is the horse with the highest overall marks from four sections: Dressage, Jumping, Suitability & Type and Potential to Gallop.

At Bicton today, Nick Gauntlett saw great success taking the win in the four-year-old class with The Advance Party and took sixth place with Party Classics. His winning horse, out of Kinard Clare, by Nick’s stallion The After Party, Nick’s Irish-bred stallion showed huge promise for the future. Nick also took tenth place in the five-year-old section on Rosa’s Party, a mare by Party Trick (DHI Party Piece by Chilli Morning) who Nick sadly lost in tragic circumstances in 2021.

Not only is Nick a successful event rider, Fellow of the British Horse Society and British Eventing Master Coach, but he also runs a stud from his base at Chescombe Farm, from which he bred Jalapeno III, the ride of Gemma Stevens who came a commendable sixth place at Badminton Horse Trials this year. This gives Nick a fantastic opportunity to produce young horses to enter into these DBYEH classes with some outstanding breeding lines.

Taking the five-year-old class by storm, New Zealand event rider, Samantha Lissington not only won the section on Avatar, but also achieved impressive third and seventh places on Nadal and Never Know MB respectively. BGS Saphire also gave Sam a fifth place in the four-year-old section, providing great success for the two winning riders across both classes.

Sam commented, “I was very pleased with today’s efforts! This was Avatar’s first competition outing, he’s got a lot of quality so we were thrilled that the judges rewarded him for it.

My other two five-year-olds were great – Nadal has a super temperament and ticks all the boxes. Never Know MB is such a gutsy mare and she’s just starting to learn about this dressage business! BGS Saphire is a new ride for me, having only sat on her a few times this week it was more about getting to know each other today but I’m looking forward to the rest of the year ahead with her – thanks to Becky Davies for trusting us with her!

The Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse series is such a wonderful opportunity to get the next generation out and about, and it’s always exciting looking around the warm up and imagining what these horses might be like in the years ahead!”

Nick Gauntlett with The Advance Party – Winner of the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse four-year-old class

Samantha Lissington with Avatar – Winner of the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse five-year-old class

 

The cream of Britain’s event riders will be heading to East Devon for the Bicton International Horse Trials (May 25-28), which is running a new CCI4*-S, sponsored by TopSpec (four-star level international short-format event).

The class of more than 70 horses includes the trio of British Olympic gold medallists from Tokyo: Laura Collett with her 2022 Badminton winner London 52 plus Dacapo, Outback ll and Bling, Tom McEwen (Luna Mist and MHS Brown Jack), and Oliver Townend.

Pippa Funnell, a legend in the sport and the winner of the elusive Rolex Grand Slam in 2003, has entered three horses: Billy Wonder, MCS Maverick and her 2019 Burghley winner MGH Grafton Street.

Kitty King has re-routed her beautiful grey horse, Vendredi Biats, after an early mishap at Badminton and may now be the one to beat. Kirsty Chabert also brings her Badminton ride, the mare Opposition Loire, plus Opposition Heraldik Girl.

The world number two, Jonelle Price from New Zealand, heads the overseas challenge, which includes Padraig McCarthy, Elizabeth Power and Susie Berry, and rising French stars Gaspard Maksud and Zazie Gardeau, the reigning European Young Rider champion.

The younger generation includes two daughters of former great names. Ellie Fredericks, whose parents Lucinda and Clayton were mainstays of the Australian team, competes Britannia’s Mail, a son of Lucinda’s Burghley, Badminton and Kentucky winner Headley Britannia. Tara Dixon, daughter of the much-medalled British team member Karen Dixon, rides Master Smart.

International two-star and three-star competitions, sponsored by Empire Coachbuilders and Symonds & Sampson respectively, are also taking place over the weekend and there is plenty of cross-country and show jumping action on both Saturday and Sunday.

Bicton is renowned for its beautiful parkland, spectacular views and well constructed cross-country courses, as well as its superb all weather Western Counties Arena which will host both dressage and showjumping phases. “We’re very much looking forward to welcoming so many top riders with their young horses,” said Arena Manager Andrew Fell. “It should be a cracking weekend of competition.”

Tickets can be purchased in advance for spectators on Saturday and Sunday at www.bicton-arena.co.uk with free entry on Thursday and Friday. Full entries list and live results can be found at www.eventingscores.co.uk. Live action is being streamed by Clip My Horse www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_GB/

 

Helen West at Water Complex – Fence 7

 

Course Designer Helen West and Course Advisor Helen West

 

Fence 5abc brush ‘C’ to hanging log to arrowhead brush

Tickets for the newly awarded regular competition up to CCI4* level, the Bicton International Horse Trials (25 – 28 May 2023) are now on sale.  Originally hosted as a replacement event for Bramham Horse Trials in 2021 it has now become an ongoing fixture on the eventing calendar and the team at Bicton Arena are thrilled to have been awarded this high-profile event.

Bicton Arena will be the destination for many top horses and riders across the weekend, bringing together some fiercely competitive combinations. If you usually have the Badminton blues by the end of May, why not top up on your eventing fix in this beautiful part of the South West of England.

Bicton Arena is part of the Clinton Devon Estate, the home of Lord and Lady Clinton and the Arena welcomes a footfall in excess of 75,000 to its venue every year. Competitors from one horse amateurs to World-Class riders all enjoy a packed timetable of activities.

Bicton Arena Manager, Andrew Fell commented on what spectators can expect; “This event will host a huge number of potential 2024 Olympians – it’s a perfect step on the pathway in preparation for selection.  Some of the most elegant, athletic and majestic horses will be showing what they are made of in all three phases, dressage, show jumping and super exciting cross country through the beautiful Bicton parkland. We will also have a large trade stand area and the best of the South West’s catering.”

Andrew goes on to say “Bicton Arena is a destination event that many aspire to. Our sport is unique, you can, as an amateur find yourself competing against some of the best in the world such as William Fox-Pitt or the world number one and two husband and wife team Tim and Jonelle Price.”

Make sure you book your tickets now on our website here and take advantage of our advanced ticket offers. Under 12’s will benefit from free entry and there are camping options available, although spaces are limited, so don’t hang around!

It was an autumnal affair at Bicton for the last British Eventing fixture for the season where there were prizes and awards aplenty as the schedule included the ever-popular BE90 and BE100 3 Day Events, both sponsored by NAF.

Bicton Arena’s Manager Andrew Fell commented “What a fantastic weekend of competition we have had here at Bicton and congratulations to all the winners – what an outstanding end to our busy season!”

Having broken her hand a couple of weeks ago Harriet Dickin’s preparation had been a little difficult, but it was no less than a fantastic result for her and the very special, Custer of the West taking the win in the NAF BE100 3DE. Harriet commented, “It’s brilliant, to win two years in a row on two different horses is amazing. He’s a very special horse who has retrained after his career in racing and his owner, Liz Prowting, has been incredible to stand by and support him throughout.”

Harriet & Custer of the West

Taking top spoils in the Rathbones CCI3*-S was Padraig McCarthy and Pomp N Circumstance who topped the leaderboard on a score of 31.1. Padraig commented on his win, “I was really thrilled to win an international class at Bicton as it’s one of my favourite venues on the eventing circuit and it is generally a happy hunting ground for my horses. Pomp N Circumstance was 2nd in the 2*L last Autumn he’s an exciting prospect for next year and beyond. All of my other horses went well very well during the week and we picked up some placings too. Hats off to Andrew Fell and his great team for running a fantastic event as always.”

In the Prestige Italia CCI2*-L Laura Schroter and Marengo Bonaparte took first place, as did Georgia Bartlett and La Paz W and Katie Thomas and Cefnpant Iolo in their respective CCI2*-S sections, both sponsored by Symonds & Sampson.

Padraig McCarthy & Pomp N Circumstance

Andrew continued, “A huge thanks to all of our sponsors; Prestige Italia, Symonds & Sampson, Rathbones, Mitchell & Webber Ltd, NAF, Redpost Equestrian, Wyvern Equestrian, Hi Ho Silver and Darts Farm who so generously supported the event.”

Class Results

NAF BE90 3DE

Katie Mathias and Lodor Carl

NAF BE90 Open 3DE

Helen Buckland and Zia’s Zavitas

BE90 3DE Team

Dorset Crew (Janine Paterson, Miguel Catela, Belinda Payne and Charlotte Walters)

NAF BE100 3DE

Harriet Dickin and Custer of the West

NAF BE100 Open 3DE

Poppy Burner and Uncle Desmond

BE100 3DE Team

South West Dream Team (Austyn Perry, Charlie Piper, Neha Walker and Poppy Burner)

Rathbones CCI3*-S

Padraig Mccarthy (IRE) and Sarah Gough’s eight-year-old gelding, Pomp N Circumstance.

Prestige Italia CCI2*-L.

Laura Schroter (GBR) and Marengo Bonaparte

Mitchell & Webber CCI2*-S

Section B Georgia Bartlett and Georgie Paske and Katie Bartlett’s La Paz W

Symonds & Sampson CCI2*-S

Section H Katie Thomas and her own Cefnpant Iolo

Full results can be found here: www.eventingscores.co.uk

 

For many of us these 3DE classes result in us stabling away from home with our horses, ponies and team mates.  A large list ensues with many different requirements, from nutrition to your tack, rugs, bedding, mucking out tools and so much more. While all these items are essential to make the sleep over as comfortable as possible, the importance of your horse or pony’s nutrition must take priority.

As with us, when we book an overnight stay we can be a little unsure what we are to expect, whether the stay will live up to our expectations and when we arrive if we feel comfortable to enjoy a restful night’s sleep.  Our horses and ponies don’t have the advantage of knowing where they have booked and so the sleep over can be quite stressful, a new stable, different friends, strange smells and noises can make it hard for them to settle and as a result they may deliver a fatigued performance.

It is therefore our job to help make them feel as comfortable as possible, this can be delivered through nutrition, with options to help support the fussier feeders.

THE STAY

Most temporary stables are 3m x 3m which in equine terms is just short of a 10 x 10ft box, quite a few are fitted with weave bars or a “V” grill which allows the horse to look out, while some have a complete frame.

There are not many that provide buckets and it is wise to take your own and remove the ones provided.  The bucket may have been used by a horse or pony with a compromised immune system, it also may have previously contained NSAID’s that could result in a positive test – remember the BRC complies with BEFAR[1], a Clean Sport system to determine anti-doping regulation and controlled medication.  This is in force across all FEI equestrian sports and the BRC takes a firm standing to comply with these guidelines.

PACKING THE TRUCK

Basic Requirements

• Wheelbarrow
• Mucking out tools
• Bedding (2 bags of shavings should be sufficient to fill a 10 x 10m)
• Filled haynets (or bags of hay / haylage to last the duration)
• Water bucket
• Feed bowl
• Hard feed
• Supplements
• Water (always good to take some from ‘home’)

For the Horse

• Rugs (including a turnout rug in case of wet weather
• Tack
• Competition gear
• Tack cleaning kit
• Water
• Shoe removal kit
• Grooming kit
• Plaiting kit

For the Rider

• Competition gear
• Overnight sustenance (food, drinks, bedding)
• Clothing for all weathers – we all know what changeable weather can be like – take plenty of spares!

SAVE YOURSELF FROM A NUTRITION NIGHTMARE

We know that nutrition is key to performance, and we have to factor in what our horse or pony becomes when they arrive at a one-day competition.

Do they get stressed?  Do they need an energy boost?  Are they more or less rideable than usual?

Then we have to include in this “normal” behaviour, what they are likely to be feeling with the overnight stay.

THE STAY AWAKER

For the majority, most tend to be more alert than when at home, adjusting to the new stable with different smells, sights and sounds to adapt to.  For these it is important to help support them nutritionally in order for them to relax and settle into their stay, without the lack of rest hindering performance, these are “the stay awakers”.

Address the stress

NAF recommend Five Star Magic.

Magnesium and calcium have to work together to ensure correct muscle contraction and relaxation occurs.  While calcium helps muscles to tense, magnesium helps to relax the muscle, however in a moment of stress, calcium will become higher in the cells themselves and it is magnesium’s job to rebalance the cell.

Assisting magnesium there are many supporting herbs that when offered in the right combination work towards the regulation of nervous tension and help support trainability.

Settle their tummy

With irregular feeding patterns and more time spent investigating their new surroundings, the digestive system may well become compromised and impede performance.  Most horses eat for around 14 hours + a day which helps to retain a healthy digestion, adequately capable of buffering stomach acid and absorbing nutrients through feed to deliver their best performance.

NAF recommend Instant Biotics

When this routine is interrupted you can support by offering nutrients for acid build up and top up with instant biotics to help address the microbiome fast, ultimately settling their tummy.  For most of us we look to address daily gut support which is again why as with stress, a top up for their daily quota can prove beneficial.

THE TOTAL DOZER

There are some that enjoy the privilege of going away, it can mean enjoying the snack of fresh grass from the floor of their new stable, preserved forage unlike what is offered at home and lots and lots of attention and treats!  Meet, ‘the total dozers’.

Wake them up

NAF recommend EnerG Shot

Refocusing their attention on the task in hand can be a trial in itself which is why it is always worth being able to provide a little energy nutritionally.  Rather than offering a high starch offering of oats, look towards the right vitamins and trace elements, this can include electrolytes.  As essential salts are lost through sweat we must top them up to ensure correct bodily function.  The metabolism of energy itself is underpinned by the presence of copper and zinc while vitamin B complexes support the health and efficiency of red blood cells.

AND…ACTION

Keeping everything looking clean and fresh, including yourself with an overnight stay can be a daunting task. It is always useful no matter what colour you have to contend with to carry a great stain remover, one that really can get the muck off effortlessly, it may save getting the area too wet and not having the time to dry.

‘Jelly hands’ can be a sign of nerves – which is only normal, but trying to plait the morning of, can be a real challenge, some help with grip and ease of plaiting thanks to unique plaiting sprays can help you achieve plaiting genius!

For those that event, applying after cross country a cooling clay will help to support sound tight, clean legs during the overnight period. Make sure you have a clay that is as easy to apply as it is to wash off without being too abrasive. You can also enjoy a refreshing wash off with a cooling wash to support cleansing, cooling and revitalising the coat.

Finally, to help keep you both looking pristine, look for a fast acting leather cleanser and cleaner that you can simply wipe over tack and boots to give you that last minute shine!

To discuss any nutritional queries you may have about staying away and retaining that all important performance, please do not hesitate to contact NAF using our FREE Nutritional Advice Line. Call 0800 373 106 or email info@naf-uk.com.

[1] BEFAR = BEF Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Rules