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Last chance to win a £28,700 horsebox

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issUe 129 deceMber 2011 £3.70

horsedeaLs.co.UK

Over 1200 HOrses &

HOrsebOxes fOr sale

the coMpLete

show jUMper

Must-have advice to buy the right one

pLUs

stallion health

ensure he’s at his best for the

covering season

find your ideal all-rounder inside

tack specialadvice from three of the best top riders

horses that do it aLL

How dealers can find your dream horse

Horse dealsT

He n

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aga

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ISSUE 129 DECEM

BER 2011

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HIGH PERFORMANCE/OUT AND ABOUT

december 2011 HORsE DEAls Tel: 01733 468000

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The lighter side of equestrian lifeIt’s not all serious stuff. Horse Deals goes behind the scenes at shows and events in Britain and abroad: 1. Whoops: Irishman Alexander Butler and Sea Dancer get things a bit wrong; 2. Are you looking at me? A pair of Shetlands eye up their visitors; 3. Can’t do a thing with it: a show jumper turns punk in the rain ; 4. Riveting competition: a dog takes a nap at Hickstead; 5. Changing places: French show jumpers Kevin Staut (left) and Penelope Le Prevost (right) try another discipline; 6. Attention to detail: a groom gets busy at the Global Champions Tour event in Cannes; 7. Room with a view: the water jump for the Hamburg Derby; 8. Ringing the bell: tradition at Rotterdam show; 9. Turkish delights: Karen Coupe and Alison Whitaker get into costume; 10. Unusual lorry park: horseboxes on the beach in Cannes; 11. Sweet dreams: show jumper Peter Charles has a rest; 12. Rain, rain go away: a steward in Rotterdam; 13. No language problems: Tracey Priest and Belgian show jumper Lennart van Vlaenderen in conversation; 14. Dutch delight: shopping at Rotterdam show; 15. Spanish backdrop: exercising at Valencia show

Pictures by Horse Deals, Matthew Roberts/Copyright Bauer Active, Suzanne Jones, CHIO Rotterdam and Steffano Grasso/Global Champions Tour

OuT And AbOuT

HIGH PERFORMANCE/OUT AND ABOUT

www.horsedeals.co.uk december 2011 HORsE DEAls

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DECEmbEr 2011 Horse Deals Tel: 01733 468000

Win this horsebox worth £28,700!

Safe journeyIf you’re taking your horse to a competition and your dog’s coming too, it’s important your animals stay safe in transit, as the experts at Dog-It explain

From its Tuff Luvz Toy Bone to its range of cushioned dog beds and carriers, Dog-It has everything your pampered pooch needs. Together with the Cat-It range, it’s part of the Rolf C Hagen (UK) Ltd group, one of the largest privately owned pet companies in the world. Hagen has offices and research centres across the

world, and specialises in supplying innovative and unique products, which have the welfare of your animal at heart. For more information or to find a local stockist visit www.hagen.com

HAVE DOG, WILL TRAVEL...

Travel in sTyle

The correct travel gear is a must for your horse, even for short

journeys. Padded travel boots help protect against cuts and bruises,

while a tail guard will keep his tail clean and rub-free. A wicking

cooler rug keeps draughts at bay, while a poll guard will protect this area if your horse throws

his head up.

exTra supplies

Packing extra water, hay and feed is important if you spend all day at a competition – and if your

dog is intent on sharing the show day experience, don’t forget a suitable water container for him. Dog-It has a range plastic and stainless

steel water bowls ideal for transit, as well as toys to keep him

busy while you compete.

Canine Carriers

If your dog’s coming along for the ride, it’s worth investing in a

proper in-car carrier. Dog-It produces a range of cages that are

ideal for use in cars. All have a removable tray for easy cleaning

and fold flat for easy storage. They can also be used to keep

your dog secure at a competition.

www.horsedeals.co.uk DECEmbEr 2011 Horse Deals

How to enter

it could be yours!his Equi-Trek Sonic Horsebox is worth a cool £28,700 – and it could be yours if you enter our fantastic competition

today! The Sonic is compact and easy to drive and carries two horses in total luxury. It has the added benefit of a tack/changing/sitting area, with two saddle racks, two bridle racks and two coat hooks so you can carry all your equipment with ease, totally separate from the horses’ area. There’s also additional storage over the cab. Equi-Trek has generously added a package of incredible extras to our Sonic, including: • Alloy wheels• Mud flaps• Head divider• Corner seat with storage• CCTV camera• Digital reversing camera• Padded partition• Padded walls• Extra height partition• Road tax until June 2012

T

Worth£28,700!

For your chance to win…>> Go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/win and follow the instructions. Special terms and conditions apply. Closing date is midday on 2 January 2012. Alternatively visit Your Horse Live at Stoneleigh Park – the horsebox will be on show for you to have a look at and you can enter while you’re there. Competition open to UK entrants only.>> For more information on the Equi-Trek range of horseboxes, go to www.equi-trek.com or call 01484 852121

As well as the fantastic Equi-Trek Sonic Horsebox, we’re giving you the chance to win prizes every month from our Win a Horsebox sponsors Dog-It, Dodson & Horrell, Petplan Equine, Musto and Equisafety. This month, we’ve teamed up with Dog-It to offer five readers a Dog-It wire dog crate, and a further five readers a Cat-It special edition ‘pink ribbon’ Voyageur cat carrier!• To enter, and for full terms and conditions, go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/win – closing date is 28 December, 2011. For more on the Dog-It range visit www.hagen.com

Win more!

in Case of emergenCy

Full breakdown cover is vital whether you’re towing a trailer or

driving a lorry, so look for a specialist company. New Equi-Trek trailers or horseboxes come with a year’s free membership to Equine

Rescue Services’ emergency breakdown cover. See www.

equinerescue.co.uk

on THe moveWhen your horse travels, the

right safety features will help to ensure his journey is as smooth and comfortable as possible. Our

fabulous Equi-Trek Sonic Horsebox comes with a fully adjustable

partition, high impact kick boards, padded breast bar and head

divider to separate the horses’ heads while travelling.

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December 2011 Horse Deals Tel: 01733 468000

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HORSE WORLD

Newsdesk

DECEMBER 2011 Horse Deals Tel: 01733 468000

Scientific roadshows Celebrating a partnership between the BEF and British Society of Animal Science, the inaugural Alltech Advancing Equine Scientific Excellence roadshow is on 7 December at Warwickshire College For details, visit www.bef.co.uk

African visit Show jumper Ben Maher missed HOYS this year to travel to South Africa for a seminar and clinics on behalf of sponsor Martin Collins Enterprises. Ben also competed on borrowed horses at the Avis Derby show in Kyalami.

BETA checks BETA is inviting riders to take their hats and body protectors to the South West Christmas Equine Fair for a free safety check. The association’s expert fitters will at stand 218/219 throughout the event at Westpoint, near Exeter (3-4 December).

Bridleway victory After 28 years of campaigning, Lancashire riders have secured the future of an historic bridleway to Darwen Moors. The path from Belgrave Road was not officially a bridleway, but after many appeals, its status has been changed.

SEIB success South Essex Insurance Brokers won the Customer Service Provider award at the Insurance Age UK broker awards. The judges were impressed by the company’s service across the board and in particular to equine clients.

Donkeys saved David Lucas of Bushy Common, Gressenhall, was fined more than £4,000 after pleading guilty at King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to produce passports for two donkeys. Hermione and Dumbledore are now being rehabilitated at World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm.

Driving ban International show jumper Ellen Whitaker has been banned from driving for 18 months after being caught drunk behind the wheel on the way home from a charity ball. Ellen, who pleaded guilty, was found to be more than double the legal limit.

Ex-racehorses excel Katie Jerram and her parents’ Night Prayers won this year’s HOYS SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse championship. The Night Shift nine-year-old was in training with Brian Smart in North Yorkshire and won one of his seven races. Reserve was Oliver Hood on the former point-to-pointer Bridgham.

Weight issue Re-rating company SvTech Ltd has found a large number of overweight horseboxes after carrying out free weight-checks at shows and events this year. Many owners were also unaware that insurance cover is invalidated by travelling overweight. •For more information, visit www.svtech.co.uk

Hickstead dates Next year’s Longines Royal International Horse Show has been brought forward to 17-22 July due to London 2012. The British Jumping Derby is on 20-24 June, while the All England Jumping Championships will be held from 6-9 September. The Hurstpierpoint College Schools and Pony Club Jumping Championships are on 27 July.

Stockdale injured International show jumper Tim Stockdale is undergoing treatment after fracturing three vertebrae in a fall while trying a young horse. He is currently in the spinal unit at Oswestry, where he has full movement and feeling.

Cobbled up Riders will find it easier to cross Arkleside Gill in Coverdale thanks to a joint project between the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and local dry stone wallers. A new cobbled surface and steps have now been completed.

HORSE WORLD

www.horsedeals.co.uk DECEMBER 2011 Horse Deals

New ambassadorITV newsreader Alastair Stewart, who has three children involved in the sport, has become an ambassador for British Showjumping.

“Show jumping is one of the few sports where you rub shoulders with the wealthy one minute and local farmers the next and where age is irrelevant,” he said.

Buddy’s recoveryA horse described as the “worst case of neglect seen for years” in January is well on the road to recovery. Buddy, a two-year-old cob, is now virtually unrecognisable since arriving at Horseworld in Bristol.

Director of equine welfare Jerry Watkins said: “To look at him now, you’d have no idea of his past.”

War Horse exhibitionThe Duchess of Cornwall has unveiled her watercolour painting of Sefton, the horse badly injured in an IRA nail-bomb attack almost 30 years ago, at a display paying tribute to the horses enlisted by the British Army. War Horse: Fact and Fiction is on until August 2012 at London’s National Army Museum. •Visit www.nam.ac.uk for details.

Poster campaignA poster showing a badly injured pony is being delivered to New Forest garages following a spate of incidents when motorists collided with livestock and failed to report this. Campaigners are hoping mechanics repairing a damaged vehicle will alert the authorities if they think it was involved in an animal accident.

JumpCross members aged 16 and under can qualify for a Young Rider Challenge, supported by Lincoln Products, with a £1,000 prize purse. At the 26 June final there is also the chance to pair up with a professional in the JumpCross Eventer’s Challenge. •For more information, visit www.jumpcross.com

Fingerprint’s awardShirley Young’s New Forest stallion Farriers Fingerprint was this year’s Equimax/Eraquell Show Pony Personality of the Year. His achievements include standing champion at Olympia in 2009 and third at HOYS recently. He also stands at stud, hunts, was a member of the New Forest Pony Enthusiasts Riding Club quadrille team and competes in dressage to music.

University websiteA new website will guide students through the Parelli university programme, which now has more than 200,000 students in 35 countries. The site includes scholarship information, admissions, the courses calendar and information about campuses. •For news, visit www.parelliuniversity.com

Record numbers attended this year’s Countryside Live at the Great Yorkshire showground, where the ridden mountain and moorland section was an Olympia qualifier. Victoria Edwards Sonnex took the championship and reserve, qualifying her Welsh section D Abergavenny Tywysog (pictured) and Fell Lydvale Jacob.

Polly Douglas, 15, took the X Factor-style show jumping competition. Polly wins a day at Graham and Tina Fletcher’s yard and £300.

Advert was fair KC Sports Ltd, manufacturer of Rodney Powell Equestrian body protectors, complained that a recent advertisement for the new P2-RS Air Bag Jacket implied misleadingly that it offered better protection than BETA Level 3 body protectors.

However, the Advertising Standards Authority confirmed that the statements in the advertisement were fair and reasonable and that it was not misleading in any way.

Top training on showBritish team rider Nicola Wilson and Chris Bartle, trainer to the German eventing team, are conducting two lecture/demonstrations showcasing training the modern event horse.

The evenings will feature Nicola’s horses, including top ride Opposition Buzz, and are at 7.30pm at Park End EC, Hexham, Northumberland, on Saturday, 10 December (www.parkendequestrian.co.uk) and Ledston Equine Centre, Ledston, West Yorkshire, on Friday, 16 December (www.ledstonequine.co.uk).

Musto League winnerThe first winner of the Musto Pony Club Open Eventing League is Amelia Newland, 18, from the Worcestershire Hunt branch. She will receive a day’s training with Tina Cook and a full equestrian outfit.

Robin DonaldsonAn inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death on Robin Donaldson, 64, who broke his neck at Beckwithshaw Horse Trials in 2010. Mr Donaldson’s horse stopped at a fence and he suffered what witnesses described as a “slow motion” fall. He died in hospital two weeks later.

JumpCross chance Champions’ day

The Vale View Equestrian arena eventing final raised £1,000 for the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. Daisy Miller won an Equipe saddle for heading the first class over Caroline’s Moore’s course, while the other three winners – Katie Frost, Carole Smith and Emma Hyslop – each claimed £700. Holly Gillot won a KEP hat as the most stylish rider.

Popular final

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www.horsedeals.co.uk DECEmbEr 2011 Horse Deals

HIGH PerForMaNCe/Walker’s Way

The showing season’s over and hunting’s now filling the days for

Robert Walker and his team

AIT seems The modeRn TRend Is To

Run doWn Top hoRses

Walker’s Way

ll too quickly, autumn has given way to winter and we’re bracing ourselves for the predicted icy spell. Frosty mornings and short daylight hours don’t help

busy yards, but I suppose by now we’re getting used to it.

Over the past month, it’s been a case of putting the showing wear away and dusting the hunting gear off. We’ve had some excellent days “autumn hunting”, as it’s referred to now. Before their winter holiday, two of our show hunters, Pride And Joy and Ballard Bouncer, took to following hounds like the proverbial ducks to water. PJ didn’t show any liking of leaving the floor, but there was no fence too big for Bouncer. He demonstrated a great attitude and technique, so don’t be surprised to see him in working hunter classes next year.

While big shows seemed to wind Bouncer up, a few days’ hunting has made him much more focused. His way of going has improved beyond belief, he’s more settled and he now just gets on with his job.

Our son Sam has also been out for a few days and for a six-year-old, his pony Mirabelle is a little poppet. She’s behaved impeccably on the lead-rein and has followed me solo over tiger traps, to let Sam mount on the far side. Sam’s also

done a few smaller rails and is obviously going to be a chip off the old block.

The opening meet has come and gone, the hunters are in and while the established show horses are now turned out, we’ve been busy preparing the next crop. We’ve just sent three two-year-olds home – one a full-brother to Party Time and Pride And Joy – and two more have just arrived.

We’ve also started three hunters who will come out as four-year-olds next season. We’ll put some early work in, give them a break in the worst of the weather and start again in the new year.

Showing-wise, this is the season for AGMs, which are also the platform to have your say. I was one of the speakers at the inaugural meeting of the Showing Council, which became a bit like a TV show. David Ingle did a “Piers Morgan” interview, firing questions at me, and we really bounced off each other.

The two biggest topics were the marking system and dope testing. I’ve made no secret about my dislike for the marking

system and it appears no one has a good word to say about it. Interaction between judges is paramount. With the marks sorting the places decided before the final walk round, this isn’t possible and judges are going to end up with a compromise. Plus, where are shows going to find stewards to do all the paperwork and

adding up, especially as it’s usually local volunteers doing the work?

I know we don’t compete for mega money, but dope testing is important and the Showing Council wants to continue being pro-active. However, with livelihoods at stake, testing has to be carried out correctly.

This was a very interesting day and it was a pity more people didn’t attend, but I don’t think it was well advertised. Hopefully, it will become an annual event and more people will be there next year.

At the meeting, I was asked what I’d like to happen over the next five years of showing. My reply was “more sportsmanship”. This hasn’t been the best year. Reality TV and forums seem to be the modern culture and Internet sites have been responsible for adding a lot of fuel to a lot of fires in showing. It seems the modern trend is to run down top horses.

My main wish is for all connections to concentrate on their own horses, enjoy them and appreciate other good horses rather than criticise them. That’s it for the December issue, so the only thing left is to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

• Before putting your show tack away, check all the stitching and give it a good oil and clean.

• When starting horses. I’ve always found that time and patience pay more dividends, as things tend to happen sooner than you expect.

• Fields are already becoming poached, so if you use boots on your horses when you turn them out, clean the boots thoroughly every night, to avoid dried mud rubbing legs the next day.

deCemBeR TIps

Robert’s ringside chair may be empty until next season, but he is already working on new young horses to bring out

15

HigH Performance/inside track

InsIde

Trackspencer Wilton takes time out to

look at horses in europe and looks forward to Olympia and Christmas

About Spencer Spencer Wilton started as a working pupil for eventing luminaries Lucinda Green, Mark Todd and Ruth McMullen. After taking up dressage, he was based with Carl Hester and won the 1997 national dressage title on Dolendo. He now has a training base at Grove Farm, Gloucestershire, with his partner, event rider Jay Halim. For information, visit www.spencerwilton.co.uk

I t’s been a fairly quiet month on the competition front for a change, so Jay and I took the opportunity of travelling to Holland, where we

spent a couple of days at the Equine Elite Auctions at Stal Korenbloem in Eindhoven.

Although we didn’t go with the intention to “shop” for horses, it was great to catch up with lots of people – it seemed everyone was there either bidding or enjoying the incredible atmosphere and hospitality on offer.

We caught up with several riders who turned up, including Peter (Storr), Carl (Hester) and Fiona (Bigwood), as well as Polly and Andrew Gould, with whom we shared a dinner table.

It’s the most amazing experience, as the evening kicks off with champagne and fantastic variety-style entertainment before 40 beautifully produced horses are presented in the arena. My hand did come close to jumping into the air to bid, but luckily I managed to control myself!

We extended our visit to see some young horses in yards around Holland and Belgium – believe it or not, it’s not always easy to find a good selection of youngsters all in one yard in the UK, hence us having to travel to Europe.

We found a couple of possibles, but now it all depends on what the X-rays show. Of course, there’s no such thing as the “perfect horse”, but if you’re thinking of maybe selling them on, then a clean set of X-rays is a must. We’re currently in negotiation, so watch this space!

The good thing about buying at an auction like the one we went to is that a lot of the groundwork has already been done. Only approved horses that have passed a thorough vetting get through to the sale, which saves a lot of legwork and disappointment.

The most challenging part of our visit was our journey there in the car. We decided to drive through the Channel tunnel this time rather than fly, armed with our trusty Tom Tom sat nav. It didn’t let us down, but I hold my hand up to making the mistake of not downloading the latest update on roads, which was a bit frustrating.

At one point the sat nav told us to go over a ploughed field and then tried to take us

the wrong way down a motorway. . . luckily, Jay was asleep, so remained blissfully unaware. He woke up just as we neared our final destination, none the wiser!

Counting down to ChristmasChristmas is my favourite time of year. I love everything about it: the presents, the food, the traditions. I’d had my first mince pie by the beginning of November!

We always try to get to Olympia, as it’s a great way to get into the festive spirit and it’s a nice excuse to go to London for some shopping in places like Selfridges.

I love cooking Christmas dinner – either beef or turkey – even though Jay’s a vegetarian, we have all the usual bits, except the sprouts! Finishing off with Christmas pudding, brandy butter and cream is always a must, however much we’ve eaten!

So what do I want for Christmas? Well, short of a Ferrari or Range Rover Sport, I’m very lucky in that I feel I have everything I want or need, but of course I love surprises! We’ve toyed with the idea of maybe going ski-ing over Christmas and Jay talked about going to the Rolex World Cup jumping in Mechelen in Belgium, which starts on Boxing Day. But the thought of spending Christmas in a cold car park isn’t hugely appealing, so I’m hoping we’ll just be at home as usual!Wherever you’re spending the festive season, enjoy it and see you next year!

We’re Currently In negOtIatIOn [fOr neW hOrses], sO WatCh thIs spaCe

All the horses at the Equine Elite Auctions are approved and have passed a vetting

Pictures by Spencer Wilton and H

orse Deals

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1

4

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7

Stable treatPerfect as a thank you to your horse, the Likit winter selection includes three new flavours:

berry blast, Liquorice and butterscotch. designed to be used with Likit Stable

Toys, the treat blocks help prevent boredom in the

stable. rrP: from £2.95 each; Little Likits: £1.99.

Stick to itIdeal as a stocking filler, Sekur Grip will be welcomed by competitive riders looking for extra grip on reins, saddles and boots. made from natural ingredients, this clever idea improves traction while allowing freedom of movement. rrP: from £8.95

Show you careSupport the brooke Hospital’s work with a gift certificate that goes directly towards helping working animals and their owners. care for a foal (rrP: £19.06) will pay towards food, bedding, treatment and nursing, while the owner will also be educated on handling, feeding, vaccinations, grooming and parasite control. Order online by 15 december.

Armchair advicePerfect for non-riding days, equestrian Vision’s The Thinking Horse dVd (63mins) explains 20 simple exercises to help build a better relationship with your horse. rrP: from £29.99.

Glossy tackAn ideal gift for perfectionists, Albion’s care Kit contains a range of natural products to keep leather tack in top condition, including balm, soap and sponges, all in a jute eco-friendly bag. rrP: £29.99. www.albionsaddlemakers.co.uk

Cute combinationGreat for pony mad folk, carrots Shetland pony design is available in a stretch hat cover, gloves and canvas bag. One size only. rrP: from £13.50 (gloves), £14 (hat cover/bag).

Lovely legsSupreme Products’ unique fleece

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Reversible Polar Bu� ® is designed to o� er the greatest protection of the polar products.

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The Perfect Presentfor Horse Owners: A unique bracelet made from the tail of your horse or horses*. Handmade by jewellery designer Rebecca Wenzerul, the bracelets are fi nished with sterling silver and can be customised with charms, names or special dates. There are various designs and gift vouchers are also available. Prices start at just

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The awardwinning HappyHorse™ range of hay steamers are recognised as the most versatile products on themarket whilst retaining arealistic retail price. Effective on loose hay and hay nets, in addition to unstrung bales, it’s clear to see why the original range of hay steamers are the best option.

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Equetech Oxford In-Vent Show JacketRRP £79.95/£81.95This exquisite fi tted riding jacket features the unique In-Vent® stretch shoulder seams for additional movement in the saddle.The jacket has a showerproof fi nish and is available in Black, Navy in sizes chest - 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48

Equetech Patriot Competition ShirtRRP £28.50With everyone gearing up for the 2012 Olympics, why not cut a dash in the ring with this exquisite competition shirt. The cut is based on our top selling competition shirts. The Patriot shirt features Union Jack trim to the overcollar and sleeves and a deep back airfl ow vent for optimum movement in the saddle. An overcollar is provided. Available in white in sizes 10 12 14 16 18 20

Equetech Full Seat BreechesRRP £65.95The popular full seat breeches now have an improved fi t with ‘STRETCH’ machine washable, butter soft suede seat with continental styling. They offer perfect contact in the saddle and are extremely comfortable. Available in White, Champagne, Beige, Canary, Bracken, Navy, Black in sizes 24-38.Sizes 34-38 only available in White, Beige, Canary, Black

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The Skip and Scoop rake and collector is an innovative new tool that is designed to easily clean stables and fi eld. Its unique design “fl icks” debris into the collector. The specially angled tines and head are designed to move debris with the minimum of fuss and strain on the back.

Fyna-Lite products are available from all good equestrian outlets. For further information, please call Fyna-Lite on:

The high performance Stormwalker jacket has been designed to provide you with warmth where and when you need it, whatever the weather.

The novel unique heating system uses FABROC®, to provide heated kidney/abdomen panels plus heated pockets

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This affordable, cordless horse clipper is designed to meet the needs of today’s equine enthusiasts. Compact, well balanced and lightweight, it provides 2.5 hours of quiet, low vibration clipping. Perfect for use around young or nervous animals.

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Top names in every discipline let Carolyn Henderson in on their tackroom must-haves

tack SPEcIaL StarS’ muSt-havES

December 2011 horSE DEaLS Tel: 01733 468000

‘I couldn’t manage without it’

tack SPEcIaL StarS’ muSt-havES

www.horsedeals.co.uk December 2011 horSE DEaLS

how jumping legend John Whitaker says the right saddle is vital, whether you’re competing at international level or just starting out. So when he designed his own

range, he built in variations for all levels of experience and ability.

“When I started riding as a child, I didn’t use a saddle at all,” he explains. “It would be a bit harsh to make children ride on blanket pads now, but it definitely helped me develop balance. We also did mounted games, which helped, too. All my kids have done games and both girls got to the HOYS Prince Philip Cup final with the Rockwood Harriers branch.”

As a result, John rides in a close contact saddle with a relatively flat seat and just enough knee roll for support.

“The sooner you can use that sort of design the better,” he believes. “I’d say that applies to kids, too, because if they grow up with them they get used to them. But you’ve got to be comfortable, safe and confident before you can try it.”

SFor that reason, John has designed saddles

for the John Whitaker International range that provide stability without “trapping” the rider and sit alongside his designs for the more professional. As well as a children’s model with a 15in or 15.5in seat, there’s an all-purpose design, a trainer saddle with suede knee rolls and seat, a monoflap event saddle and even one designed specifically for hunting, with large knee blocks.

John likes to keep things as simple as possible and applies that philosophy to bits and training aids.

“When a horse comes in I try a normal loose ring snaffle or maybe a snaffle with a copper roller in the middle,” he says. “But you’ve got to persevere and give it a few days, not just use a bit one day and change it the next.

“We tend to ride in different bits in the ring to those we use at home, so horses don’t get used to them. When we’ve found a bit the horse likes for competition, we’ll save it for the ring and use something milder for schooling.”

TRADE TALK/pETER phiLLips of AbbEy EngLAnD

DeceMBeR 2011 hoRsE DEALs Tel: 01733 468000

TRADE TALK

TRADE TALK/pETER phiLLips of AbbEy EngLAnD

www.hoRsEDEALs.co.uK DeceMBeR 2011 hoRsE DEALs

Horse Deals meets Peter Phillips of Abbey England, a company that believes British-made is best

hen Steven Speilberg’s film War Horse is released in January members of the family behind one of Britain’s

longest established equestrian businesses will be trying to spot their contribution. Abbey Saddlery might not get top billing, but the team behind it will be looking for the bits they were asked to supply.

Today, Abbey England - the umbrella company under which the equestrian division falls - has 12,500 items in its warehouses ranging from bits and buckles to materials for the film and automotive industries and specialist locks for refrigeration companies. It’s a far cry from the days when founder Gerald Brown kept all his stock in the family living room, but some things haven’t changed.

Abbey Saddlery has always been a family business. At its Cheshire headquarters, Gerald, who this year received a British Equestrian Trade Association lifetime achievement award, still works there. So do many other family members, including his wife Yvonne, their son Richard - now managing director - and daughter, Margaret. Both Margaret and her husband, Peter Phillips, are directors.

Official titles aside, it’s very much a team approach. “

We’ve always taken the family view and always taken the British view,” says Peter. “We thought that British-made quality products might cost more in the short term, but not in the long run. We decided that if you sell the best, you don’t get returns, and that still works today.

“The whole idea was to keep some manufacturing in the UK. I don’t think anyone else would have bought a foundry and kept it going!”

That quality has received many awards, including a coveted Royal Warrant. It was first given to Abbey Saddlery in 1995

and the family has retained it ever since.An overriding principle of providing

only top quality goods has also given Abbey Saddlery a special place in the bitting market. And all bits are made for the company in the UK.

“We always have made less common products,” say Peter. “It’s our unique selling point. We can’t compete with 5in eggbutt or loose ring snaffles because people can buy those from China. But where we can win is by making the 5¾

or 3½in Liverpool no one else is going to produce.”

Abbey’s reputation for quality has also brought international success. Overall, Abbey England sells to more than 50 countries and Peter says that expanding the export side is one of the ways in which it will grow.

“The Japanese market is very good,” he explains. “They appreciate British quality.”

While the company is still based on traditional values, it has kept pace with modern developments.

“We make maximum use of technology to help deliver what we do,” says Peter.

“We’re not old-fashioned - except in our values.”

Many of the people who work for the company have done so for many years and this year has seen another family member join the team. Greg Brown, 22, has joined Abbey after university and is gaining experience as assistant to the production manager, including working on the shop floor.

So where will Abbey be in 10 years’ time?

“Our strategic plan is to work hard and see what comes our way,” says Peter. “We’ve always done that and it’s always worked. All the businesses we’ve bought have come to us, we’ve never gone out looking but have always been open to suggestions.”

The latest acquisition, polymer specialist Equus Polymer, is a good example. The range includes bit guards, rein grips and overreach boots - all made in the UK and a perfect complement to a company that really can boast that it provides not just the best of British, but perhaps the best in the world.

WE’rE not olD-fAsHionED, ExcEPt in our vAluEs Peter Phillips

Pictures by Abbey england

W

There are plenty of hard-working, honest dealers who are selling future stars and dispelling the ‘dodgy’ tag, says Carolyn Henderson

AGENTS SPECIAL SUCCESS STORIES

december 2011 HORSE DEALS Tel: 01733 468000

Buying from a professional yard, where selling horses comprises all or part of the owner’s living, can sometimes be the best way of

finding your star horse. We’ve all heard nightmare stories about dodgy dealers, but they are in the minority. As long as you pick someone who takes pride in the job, you could literally be on to a winner.

Genuine dealers rely on their reputation and trade openly: you’ll find many advertising in Horse Deals. Professional riders will also sell horses as part of their living because it’s rare to be able to survive on prize-money alone. They may also have pupils and fellow riders looking to them to source horses, or have a horse on their yard that would be best suited to another grade of rider or even another job.

It’s a mistake to think that professionals sell only those horses they don’t think will make

the grade. Show jumper Alex Bratt, who runs Shropshire-based

Elite Sport Horses,

Finding thereal deal

points out that selling some of the talented horses who come through her hands is essential to fund her career and the breeding side of her business. One of the best examples is Troubadour, who was competing at 1.40m level when sold to international rider Corinne Collins and, after competing with Geoff Billington, went to a Norwegian rider.

Another horse produced by Alex, Vance R, is now competed by Lucy Broadhead. Lucy also has Angel Van Koekshof, a grade C Belgian Warmblood who came from Australian rider Rowan Willis and is now jumping up to 1.40m. With Russ Hardy, Lucy runs Boomerang Stables, a training and livery centre on the Berkshire/Wiltshire borders and although she competes successfully in show jumping and eventing, the demands of their business come first.

“Professionals are more realistic when selling a horse – and more

honest,” she says. “Angel was a problem child

www.horsedeals.co.uk december 2011 HORSE DEALS

AGENTS SPECIAL SUCCESS STORIES

Camilla Davies and Standing Ovation with just a few of

their awards since she bought him from Carol

Bardo and Jayne Webber

The 15hh Beau has taken Anna Urda to competitions she only ever dreamed of.

Emma Told mE wHiCH HorsEs i

sHould Try and wHiCH wouldn’T suiT mE anna urda

ProfEssionals arE morE rEalisTiC

wHEn sElling a HorsE – and morE HonEsT lucy Broadhead

because she didn’t like travelling, though she’s no problem now. Rowan was quite open about her and she’s the type of horse we often end up with. If you can’t pay top money, I don’t mind something that isn’t straightforward.”

While it’s often said that buying from a dealer is more expensive – like all businesses, they have to make a profit on the amount they’ve paid – in real terms it can be far more cost effective. Those who assess horses and riders for a living know which partnerships are likely to work and also know the state of the market. You might not get a bargain – though there again, you could be lucky – but you shouldn’t find you’ve driven miles to see a 16.1hh potential show jumper that turns out to be a 15.2hh who falls through every fence.

You may even find that a dealer can change preconceived notions about the sort of horse you need. When Anna Urda went to Emma Hinkley’s Clip Clop Traders in Sussex in 2007 to look for an event horse, she visualised buying an Irish sports horse type of about 16.1hh.

“Instead, I found a 15hh piebald part-cob,” she says.

But though Cracker – or Beau, as she calls him at home – might not be the stereotypical event horse, he meets all Anna’s requirements and more.

“I went straight in at BE90 and he was brilliant. It took me a long time to get his flatwork better, but now he’s a real star. We’ve got to pre-novice level, which I never dreamed of doing, and have been to the national riding clubs championships,” she explains.

“When I bought him, it was the first time I’d been to a dealer and I thought I’d go there and find all the horses looking dirty and scruffy. It wasn’t like that at all – Emma was lovely and told me which horses I should try and which wouldn’t suit me.

“She was totally honest about Beau and said he was shy on the ground and could be a bit like a rabbit caught in headlights, but that he was totally safe and needed to be in a one-to-one set-up.

“She said he’d jump anything, so I thought I might as well try him and his jump really was fantastic. I hacked him out in a gale, went home and couldn’t stop thinking about him. I decided to buy him and we’ve never looked back.”

Top ponies are also often found via professional yards. Silver Fox, a 133cm Connemara, has taken two riders – Sofia Scott and Scarlett Worrow – to HOYS and, last year, 14-year-old Scarlett rode perfect rounds to take the mountain and moorland WHP reserve title and third in the plaited equivalent.

The Worrow family again headed to

In this exclusive extract from his new book on training show jumpers at all levels, Ernest Dillon FBHS guides us through what to look for when buying and explains how to deal with the unexpected

The Complete Show JumperMy knowledge of what type of

horse makes a good show jumper comes not from any great experience

in the breeding industry, but from my experience as a user and a trainer of the end product. Over many years I have trained a great many horses and, without doubt, the easiest to train is the

quick, sharp-witted, quality horse who is flexible in his body and has a mind he’s happy

to put to work with me, rather than against me. Horses of this type can start off their career being difficult to manage, but this is only because they have quick minds and, as we all know, a quick mind can pick up bad habits just

as fast as it can develop good ones.

It is a common misconception to think

that if a horse is well bred, he will have good conformation and that if he has good conformation, he will have good technique and movement. Unfortunately this is not always the case.

If a horse has a severe

conformational defect, causing a fundamental weakness in his movement, this will become magnified under the stress of competition and you must consider whether he is usable and for how long.

However, some of the world’s best horses would not have passed a meticulous vet; one who springs to mind was David Broome’s Mister Softee. He had sickle hocks and looked weak in his hind legs and very bandy from behind, but he won Olympic bronze in Mexico over one of the biggest courses ever seen; he was also three times European Champion. On the other hand, I have spent many frustrating months trying to turn perfect-looking show horses into show jumpers, with no success. There was no apparent reason why these horses could not jump but it was obvious that they had neither the enthusiasm nor gutsy determination to try. Provided the quality comes out somewhere, whether in the stride, jump or brain, the old adage ‘handsome is as handsome does’ rings true. Having said that, the modern-day show jumper has to be much lighter and considerably faster than those of the past, both across the ground and in the air, plus have a very scopey and careful jump. He has to have the ability and confidence to think for himself.

Self-reliant horses will be able to deal much better with the complicated technical

BOOK EXTRACT/THE COMPLETE SHOW JUMPER

december 2011 HORSE DEALS Tel: 01733 468000

A really intelligent head with a bright,

bold eye and a great outlook

BOOK EXTRACT/THE COMPLETE SHOW JUMPER

www.horsedeals.co.uk december 2011 HORSE DEALS

difficulties of the modern show jumping course. They will also be well equipped to be careful over the lighter materials used to construct the jumps nowadays. The show jumping world has embraced the importance of good blood lines and, consequently, there are many more horses being bred for the job and it is much easier to find the type suited to the rigours of a long jumping career.

Conformation points to look out forA horse with severely upright pasterns is going to have less absorbency in his fetlock joints, so I do prefer sloping pasterns. A large proportion of lameness in show jumpers is caused by concussion and jarring of the feet and joints. Good feet are essential; the old

saying, ‘No foot, no horse’, still holds a great deal of truth. When a horse lands over a jump, all his weight will come into one foot; that is about 600kg (1,320lb) of horse coming down on to an area of about 100 sq cm (16 sq in), a huge amount of weight on a small area.

A good, long, sloping shoulder is important. Straight-shouldered horses tend not to be very careful, because of their inability to rotate the shoulder and bring it up in the correct way.

I tend to be attracted to horses with smallish, quality heads and big, bright, alert eyes. I will not buy a horse who has what I can only describe as a ‘dead eye’ – and by that I mean an eye that has no expression and looks asleep even when the horse is in work.

A well-muscled back of good proportions is

great but long- and short-backed horses have made superstar show jumpers, as have sway-backed and roach-backed horses. I can’t think of any great horses who had cow-hocks or spavins, but I have already mentioned Mister Softee’s sickle hocks – and the legendary Ryan’s Son had large curbs.

Technique is also a point of much discussion between professional show jumpers. If you consider all the world-class horses and mark their technique against the classical description of a good jumper, none is likely to reach a perfect 10. John Whitaker’s great grey horse Milton used to unfold his forelegs in mid-air and push his feet way out in front of him over the highest part of the jump. Classicists would dismiss him as being short

JOHN WHITAKERTHE mORE yOu pRAcTISE

THE BETTER yOu WIll BE, BuT yOu WIll AlWAyS

lEARN FROm yOuR mISTAKES. THINK ABOuT

WHAT yOu DID WRONg AND WORK OuT HOW THINgS

cOulD HAvE gONE BETTER. SHOulD yOu HAvE gONE

FASTER? SHOulD yOu HAvE TRIED TO gET IN ONE mORE STRIDE BETWEEN FENcES?

ONcE yOu KNOW THE ANSWER, STORE THAT

INFORmATION AND uSE IT WHEN A SImIlAR

SITuATION ARISES.

NICK SKELTON

You need a good horse - that’s the most important

thing. When you’ve got the best horse life becomes a lot easier, but good horses can

be difficult to find.

Veteran of World, Olympic and european championships, a member of british teams for more than three decades and was winner of the calgary

Grand Prix four times on four different horses.

http://www.horsedeals.co.uk/horses-for-sale/allrounder-horse/

http://www.horsedeals.co.uk/horses-for-sale/allrounder-horse/

http://www.horsedeals.co.uk/horseboxes-for-sale/

http://www.horsedeals.co.uk/horseboxes-for-sale/

Next month in

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The perfect place to find your next performance horse

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stallion special part one

Bringing horses Back after injury

2012 countdowndrug testing: Make sure you’re legal

• Best of British• the stallions, studs and stock that hit the headlines last season

thousands of horses and horseboxes for sale

Expert opinion from Team Fredericks, Spencer Wilton, Robert Walker, and Ed Lyall

unmissaBle

winter feeding tips

all the action

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