A star turn for India at Olympia <<Images: India Bussey secured second place
in the Mini-Major Show Jumping at Olympia >>>>>
South Norfolk Pony Club member India Bussey is celebrating after picking up
a fantastic second place in the Mini-Major Show Jumping at the Olympia
Horse Show in London. India and her pony Lackamore Flyer were paired up
with top international show jumper John Whitaker to compete in the main ring
in front of the huge crowds at this fantastic London show. India says: “Being in
the Mini-Major was so exciting. It was a great privilege to compete at such an
incredible show and to do it with John Whitaker was just out of this world.
John was so kind and supportive and he is a true horseman! Before we went
in John just told me to do my best and have fun, and so I did! It was so
thrilling to jump at Olympia and I will never forget it! Bob (Lackamore Flyer)
was so well behaved. He took everything in his stride and truly shone! He has
been waiting for his time to shine for so long and he was finally able to. I am
so proud of him and now my sister Atiya will compete him in 2013 and will
hopefully be very successful. I would like to thank my mum, dad and sponsors
Feedmark for helping to make this happen. It was magical to jump at Olympia
with John and to come second was amazing. I was so lucky to be chosen as
one of the lucky eight to compete there and many thanks to John Jacks and
South Norfolk Pony Club’s DC, Sorrel Bellamy, for giving Bob and I such
lovely comments on my application.”
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<<<<<<<< Photo: George Brazier & Monty, Fancy Dress Winners,
submitted>>>.
Despite torrential rain, Saturday saw good entries at Lime Kiln
Farm's Showjumping Fun Day, the venue’s final show of 2012.
The 20cm winter warm-up was won by Kiera Grange and Peppermint Polo,
ahead of Sophie Keeney and her mare Breda. Kiera then went on to take the
top spot in Santa's Scurry, ahead of Georgina Bowett riding her father's Mister
Twister. Geogina and Toto the dog, went one better in the Horse & Hound
Relay, ahead of Cydney Lucid and her tiny Chihuahua Lola.
The Pairs class was fast and furious with winners Stacey Scoffins and Chloe
Bailey taking every short-cut possible. Next came the fancy dress, George
Brazier was the deserving winner, as Santa, complete with pony Monty,
dressed as Rudolf, pulling a sleigh laden with presents.
The 40cm was won by Stacey Scoffins and Freddie, an impressive five
seconds ahead of their nearest rival Ella Fairbairn-Day and August Surprise.
Tabitha Case and her veteran pony Rocky were victorious in the 50cm
Snowman Speed stakes, ahead of Rosie Ringer and Mr C. These girls then
took first and second again, this time in the Puissance with Tabitha clearing
1.02m and Rosie in joint second with Ella Fairbairn-Day who both made it
over 97cm. Rosie Bulwer-Long and her consistent pony Kings Conquest
headed the line in the 60cm, narrowly beating Ella and August Surprise by
eight tenths of a second! The last class of the day was the 70cm won by
Georgie Harris riding Suzie.
Lime Kiln is open for showjump schooling throughout the Christmas and New
Year period and would like to thank all competitors for their support over the
last year.
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<<<Image: Roly Owers delivers his World Horse Welfare Christmas message.
Submitted>>>>
National equine charity World Horse Welfare warns of a tough winter ahead
for horses across the country in the annual Christmas message, delivered by
Chief Executive Roly Owers from the charity’s Snetterton HQ.
“As we head into the depths of winter, World Horse Welfare estimates that
there are 6000 horses at risk in England and Wales. This is reflected in the
fact that we have taken in 50% more horses since 2006,” he explains.
“We’ve been working with several other charities to highlight this growing
equine crisis both to public and to government. One of the biggest problems
we find in our day to day work to help horses, is being able to link a horse to
an owner,” he continues. To counter this problem, Mr Owers urges that, “We
need government to act to help us stop flygrazing and improve owner
traceability of horses.” He encourages those who can offer a good home to a
rescued horse to do so now; this act will enable even more horses to get the
care they need.
Mr Owers message also extends to other problems faced by horses, including
disease control and the charity’s long-fought aim to ban live transportation of
horses for slaughter. Mr Owers says: “The number of horses suffering
horrifically on long distance journeys across Europe to slaughter has
decreased significantly. We estimate over the past decade that numbers have
reduced from 165,000 to 65,000.” The charity says that the figure is still far
too high and vows to continue to work relentlessly to put an end to the long
distant transportation of horses across Europe to slaughter.
It’s not all doom and gloom - the Christmas Message looks back at 2012’s
equestrian calendar and draws attention to the Olympic and Paralympic
games and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Important milestones for World
Horse Welfare are referenced, including the incredible new indoor arena and
visitor centre in Scottish Rescue and Rehoming Centre Belwade which HRH
The Princess Royal, President of World Horse Welfare officially opened this
September. Mr Owers ends on a more sombre note with the important
message that: “The reality is, as we say goodbye to 2012, the need for World
Horse Welfare, the need for your support, has never been greater.”
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<<<Image: Newton Hall EC’s Take Back the Reins course in action. Image
courtesy of Jamie Hall Photography
Twelve months ago the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) unveiled its
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Hoof Legacy plans at the London
International Horse Show, Olympia. The Games have now been and gone.
There were medals galore, records smashed and history books rewritten. All
this ensured that equestrianism enjoyed a higher profile than ever before.
Recent figures released by Sport England show that equestrianism is among
the top 10 participation in England. In eighth place, with around 331,000
people aged 16 or over riding, driving or vaulting for more than 30 minutes a
week (October, 2012).
There is plenty more evidence that riding is on the up and the London 2012
Hoof Legacy is delivering results.
Sixty-four riding schools in England, with eight within our region, have so far
signed up for Take Back the Reins (TBTR), an initiative that targets lapsed
and new riders giving them the skills and confidence to reignite their passion
for horses.
Among the schools participating in TBTR is Newton Hall Equestrian Centre in
Ipswich. Proprietor Rossie Theobald has found the courses to be a great
success in encouraging riders back into the saddle and says: “We started off
with two courses which went quite well and we kept picking up people en
route, so now we have three groups with in all about 18 new riders. They not
only enjoy the lessons but also the cup of tea and the chitchat afterwards.”
Bobbie Aughton has been participating in Newton Hall’s Take Back the Reins
course and explains how she found the lessons: “Having used this course as
a stepping stone to recover my riding skills after a long absence I now feel
confident and competent to step up to the plate and leave the ground with a
view to some cross country.”
Read more about Take Back the Reins and the BEF Hoof Legacy in the
January issue of EQ Life, out now in shops and available by subscription and
online at www.eqlife.co.uk.
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