DIVING HORSES SET TO RETURN TO ATLANTIC CITY.

The diving horses of Atlantic City are set to make a comeback this summer and the announcement is not surprisingly making waves. The owners of the famous steel pier say the new show will feature a horse and rider, diving off a 30 to 40 foot platform into a 12-foot pool as they did before the act was closed down in 1978.



Diving horses started to make a splash back in the early 1900's and a horse could expect to entertain the crowds four times a day, seven days a week.



Diving horses proved to be more dangerous for the girls who clung to their backs.  Lorena Carver made the terrifying leap on horseback for 25 years and averaged one broken bone a year.  Although that didn't seem to put her off and she said of her career choice, "All the girl has to do is look pretty and not fear height or water....The horse knows what to do. He'll take care of you."

In 1931 another diving diva Sonora Webster Carver and her horse 'Red Lips' lost their balance on the platform and Sonora was blinded in the fall when the retinas detached in both her eyes. She still continued to dive on horseback even when blind! Her story can be read in her memoir A Girl and Five Brave Horses and seen in the 1991 Disney film Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken.



Riders like Lenora claimed that their horses loved to jump but there were allegations that electrical prods and trap doors were used to get unwilling horses to dive. Gradually because of the weight of criticism of animal rights abuse this spectacle became less popular and eventually the act was closed in 1978.



Back in 2010 a pony called Lightening made the headlines because of his diving antics (see video) at the magic forest amusement park. Lightening jumps from a less risky height of 10ft into a much larger pool of water and has become a bit of a sensation.

So what do you think? Should the plan to re-introduce diving horses to Atlantic City sink without trace? 

                                            Share your passion for horses at www.troton.com.

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED FOR LONG HORSE RIDE.

The Carpathians-Bolly one of Megan's horses enjoying the view.

Do you like to drive and have a taste for adventure? Then why not join long time Trot ON member Megan Lewis on the last leg of her  epic horseback journey The Long Horse Ride from Beijing to London. Megan is looking for volunteers to drive the horse lorry. The next stage starts at the Ukranian border. Here's what she's looking for...

1. I would need someone who has a driving licence covering Category C1 - lorry up to 7.5 tonnes. Anyone who has had a licence for over 10 years will be eligible, otherwise they will need to have taken a test. 

2. There is no absolute obligation to have experience with horses, although of course this is a distinct advantage.

3. A volunteer will need to drive ahead to identify overnight stops, rendevous en route when required, keep the lorry filled up with diesel, and water containers with water. 

4.  I would also expect them to be willing to help in any other way they can - eg helping with the horses, cooking, keeping the lorry clean and tidy etc - as I am riding all day.

5. They should be prepared for very basic accomodation - camp bed in the lorry - though I try and stay in a hotel/guest house every so often to shower etc. Own sleeping bag(s) to be brought. 

6. I am prepared to cover all day to day living expenses, but would appreciate volunteers being responsible for their own paying accomodation.

7. Volunteers can join for almost any length of time from one week or preferably a fortnight upwards.  The next stage from the border to Budapest should take a couple of weeks.

If all goes according to plan, I expect to drive out to Ukraine on or around Feb 11th, and a driver for the first stage could have a lift out.  If they stayed with me for just over a couple of weeks, then I hope to be able to reach Budapest from where it would be easy to fly back to the UK.

Later on (after the first couple of weeks) there may also be the chance to join me riding.  But I would expect a co-rider to contribute to living expenses/diesel and raise money for my husband's charity.

Megan Lewis. 

So have you got the drive to be part of this epic journey? If you think you've got what it takes then please email support@troton.com.




                For more on Megan check out the links above and also in her group on www.troton.com
                                                           
                                                                    The Long Horse Ride.

BRIDLELESS RIDING BANNED FROM TEAM CHASING.

Mark Smith (right) competing with Bridleless not Brainless who raise money for Breast Cancer Research.

There's been a new change to the Team Chasing rulebook which means that Mark Smith's Bridleless not Brainless team won't be able to compete anymore in their distinctive pink headcollars. Horse and Hound wrongly reported that the new changes meant that bitless bridles weren't allowed either but when we checked we found out that Rule 7 now says that horses...must be ridden in a bridle with reins directly attached to a bit or leather ?D? rings or attached as per the manufacturer?s specification to a purpose designed bitless bridle (such as a mechanical or jumping hackamore, Dr Cook, Sidepull or Scawbrig).

A safety review was called for after tragedy hit the sport last year when one of it's competitors Mrs Jo Rugman died in a rotational fall. However the horse she was riding at the time was wearing a bit.

So, does this make sense? Well if you ask Mark Smith he'll tell you that it's 'ridiculous' that riding in headcollars has been singled out.  Not only have his team attracted good publicity for a sport that needs it, but their safety record speaks for itself- 'on average one in four teams has a horse fall team chasing but out of 27 competitions we haven't had one!'

Also, Mark finds this particularly galling as safe cross country riding through better horse and rider training is central to his teaching ethos. He believes that more riders need to learn to use their bodyweight effectively and rely less on their hands to turn and stop a horse. Often he says 'the rider's body and hand contradict each other which is why you get resistance, and that's when accidents occur.  Horses are phenomenal athletes and it's the flatwork which is key to improving this athleticism.  Dressage is the gymnasium of eventing. I hate the word submission though at the bottom of dressage test sheets. I want to work with the horse, it's an incredible creature. All it's saying is 'give us a clue what you want and I'll do it' but often our aids keep contradicting each other."

Mark's methods are in great demand, not only do they feature in a leading equestrian publication but he's kept very busy teaching at pony clubs around the country. But if you're imagining green fields filled with young riders galloping their ponies around in pink head collars you'd be wrong.  No, Mark teaches his methods with horses in the usual kit, bridles with bits. " Myself and my team mates compete in headcollars as we're prepared to show that these methods work even in a headcollar."

However, Mark agrees that team chasing has genuine safety issues, it's just that his team riding in pink headcollars isn't one of them.  "Whichever class you enter, even the big open class, there is no system to check if either horse or rider have ever even run over fences before. Surely the MFHA  have a duty of care to prove they've had the relevant experience to compete at this level? But they leave the responsibility to the rider (Rule 9 says that "....all riders competing in such classes should ensure that they have had appropriate experience of cross country riding.)' I've also pushed for a proper training programme like British Eventing have, even offering to set one up free of charge, but they've refused to do one.  I mean you wouldn't throw your kid in a pool without teaching him to swim first would you?"

Marks calls himself a maverick and mavericks as we know often have a hard time from stick in the mud traditionalists. But as he says, "Thinking outside the box is what drives mankind forward. I want a horse friendly debate. One day there won't be any stick or spurs because the public don't want to see a horse being hauled around any longer. They want to see them doing what they're doing because they are confident, willing and well trained. I've dedicated my life to safer cross country riding and being horse friendly is the basis of everything I do."



                      Join us in Tack Room Tea Room to debate this and lots of other hot topics at  
                                     www.troton.com-the place to share your passion for horses.

Why horses? My "first time"

Not Barfoe but similar in appearance - kind "bomb proof" looking

2012-THE YEAR OF THE HORSE.

For all of us on Trot ON every day is a day in the year of the horse. They are our passion, and for many an obsession but this year seems set to be a special one where other people will get to appreciate why we're so addicted to horses.

There is a special bond between man and horse which lives at the heart of Steven Spielberg's film of War Horse.  The London Olympic Games will give us another chance to see how heroic that partnership can still be. And although equestrian sports like dressage, eventing and showjumping have for a few decades struggled to get any decent coverage in the mainstream British press or on TV, our flourishing home grown talent looks set to change all that.  British showjumping bagging Ab Fab's Jennifer Saunders as their ambassador is definitely the most recent piece of good news!!

 

And we're very excited about the fact that the British Museum is putting on the UK's first major exhibition dedicated to the history of the horse, their diamond jubilee gift to that celebrated horse lover the Queen. 

Horses have taken us into battle, worked for us, taken us hunting and carried us across the world but since the mechanical and industrial revolutions the horse has been sidelined and become for the most part our sporting and leisure partner. Which is why in Britain riding is seen by many as the preserve of toffs.  Hopefully projects like Hoof Ride London will help to change that.

Where is the horses place in our society now? There are some who want to ban them from pulling carriages around cities like New York, and others who would have horse racing stopped. There are even those who think that it's cruel to ride horses at all. But did the people and politicians who called for a ban on foxhunting think about the consequences it would have for all the horses that were ridden to hounds? Yet at the same time man is claiming the land they live on and then arguing over how to slaughter them.

But surely the horse has survived so long, because of his capacity to work and play alongside us. How much of that do we take away from him. So in all debates there has to be reason rather than knee jerk reactions if we want to do what's best for the horse. Maybe they are the clever ones in all this-their relationship with us continues to evolve. Horses have now become our therapists and we hear more and more stories of horses helping humans cope with anything from stress or behavioural problems to more serious mental and physical disabilities. From children to soldiers they can connect to us.  Horses may not accompany us into battle any longer but they still pick up the pieces of war.

On Trot ON we all know that horses feed our minds, bodies and souls-now it's time for the rest of the world to catch up!



                                   Come and share your passion for horses at www.troton.com
                                                If you don't Trot ON you'll get left behind!

                     

TROT ON MEMBER IN THE HOT SEAT!

Jess chillin' out with Grenville

Taking her place in the Trot ON Hot Seat is UK member JessAndGrenville123. Jess is possibly Trot ON's biggest groupie and if there were a competition for most number of posts she'd win it-keep 'em coming Jess! The love of her life is her ex-racehorse, Grenville.

Q.  How would you describe yourself in a tweet?
A.  I am honest and reliable, will let people know what I think and I am a very happy person most of the time.

Q. Who would you choose to play you in a film of your life?
A.  Probably Alison Lohman, she seems nice and stars in my fave film.

Q.  Happy Hacker or Competition Queen?
A.  I am definitely a happy hacker. I enjoy local competitions but would rather go for a fun hack out!

Q. What makes you laugh?
A.  Pretty much anything! Grenville makes me laugh a lot.

Q.  What makes you angry?
A.  Animal cruelty and exploitation. It makes me so mad! Also people saying nasty things about my pets or family.

Q.  What are you reading at the moment?
A.  Breaking Dawn from the Twilight series before I go and see it at the cinema.

Q.  Who would you have as guests at your dream dinner party?
A.  It wouldn't be a dinner party, more a romantic dinner for two with Johnny Depp!

Q.  What's your guilty pleasure?
A.  Cheese! I am meant to be on a diet but I eat cheese in some form every single day.

Q.  Schoolmaster or challenging ride?
A.  Preferably a bit of both. I like a challenging ride but it is nice to ride a well behaved horse for a change-hint, hint Grenville!

Q.  Mary King or Zara Phillips?
A.  I love both but Zara just takes it because I loved Toytown. I thought they were a fab team.

Q.  Are you a Fashionable Filly or a Scruffy Mare?
A.  Definitely a scruffy mare....and proud of it!

Q.  Which rider inspires you?
A.  Monty Roberts inspires me as a rider and horseman. I think he is amazing.

Q.  Horse or boyfriend?
A.  Always a horse!

Q.  What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
A.  Don't give up.

Q.  What's your worst vice?
A.  I am very upfront about how I feel and it sometimes gets me into trouble.

Q.  Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
A.  Hopefully living in Africa and working in conservation but I won't go when I still have Grenville so hopefully that will be more than ten years ahead.

Q.  'Fess up to your most embarrassing equestrian moment.
A.  When I rode Holly on the beach and my instructor trusted me to take her in the sea and I went in too deep and literally floated off!

Thanks JessAndGrenville123. Who will be next to reveal all? Look out for your invitation to sit in the Trot ON HOT SEAT. Come on now, don't be shy!



                              If you want to share your passion for horses then join us at www.troton.com

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS!
There are so many good reasons to enter the Trot ON free prize draw The 12 Days Of Christmas and here are just a few of them...

A fantastic opportunity to win a two day Balanced Partnership Course for you and your horse with Australian Horse Training's Jason Webb.  Some of us at Trot ON HQ would love to do this, but we're not allowed to enter-boo hoo-we'll just have to save up!!




Reward your horse with two large bags of Pure Treats from The Pure Feed Company. Our horses can't get enough of them and the good thing is they're made from the purest ingredients, are molasses free, low in energy and starch and contain no added sugar.  Leading natural horse management expert Lucinda McAlpine, and two of our favourite eventers Laura Collett and Alex Hua Tian-seen below testing out the Olympic Cross Country course at Greenwich-are just a few leading equestrians who are Pure Feed fans.





You've also got the chance to get your hands on the latest, most talked about lungeing aid from EquiAmi which encourages a horse to carry himself in a soft, round outline without leaning. Rosie Thomas used the EquiAmi lungeing aid on her top event horse Barry's Best as part of his prep for Badminton.





So ENTER the 12 Days Of Christmas free prize draw now-and then keep everything crossed that you get an extra Xmas treat!!

                                                                 

SNOW WISH from MEGAN LEWIS
The following is a copy of Megan's latest posting to her superb  "The long horse ride blog" which is a fascinating record of her journey on horseback from Beijing to London and adventures along the way. As you can see our initial enthusiasm about her escape from no man's land may have been misplaced and there is still a way to go. if anybody has some good ideas on how she can best resolve this situation or has contacts in this part of the world who can help ... please do email us at support@troton.com   

Megan Lewis in happier days by the Great Wall with members of the Chinese Equestrian Federation at the end of the first stage of her journey.

"We are back in Ukraine, but not without setbacks, and it is not the end of our problems by a long shot, as I have only been given 10 days (effectively now 8 days) to get the horses out of the country.

Dr Halalzs came to me on Monday to say that Hungarian customs had managed to communicate with one of the chiefs on the Ukrainian side, and I would be allowed into Ukraine so long as I paid a refundable transit deposit for the horses. We packed up rapidly and set off hopefully for the fifth time, but on reaching the other side, were once again refused entry. This time the veterinary certificate was apparently no longer valid again. And they had no knowledge of any communication between the Hungarian customs at Zahony and the Ukrainian customs at Chop.

I had reception on my laptop, and quickly went to email Dr Halazs for the name of the chief who had given permission. In doing so I found an email from someone who has been pulling strings behind the scenes and who had contact details for the chief at Chop. He had apparently been instructed to help. This had a magical effect, and although we had to wait a further 18 hours until the next day, we were driving out of the border post late Tuesday evening.

Waiting at the border

however, the downside was that I was only given 10 days to get the horses out of Ukraine. As this included the day waiting at the border post, and yesterday driving them out to the stables where they are temporarily staying, this effectively leaves a week. We are trying to get an extension, as this is not enough time to sort out arrangements. I cannot drive them to Russia myself as I do not currently have a visa, and sorting out the logistics of using a transport company, checking the documents are valid, and finding somewhere in Russia to take them will no doubt take longer than a week. 

The FEI are also looking at another possible option, but I do not yet know the outcome. I think they are annoyed that I jumped the gun in crossing the border, but I had to make a quick decision in a stressful situation.

In the meantime we are holed up at a holiday resort in the Carpathians, courtesy of our Uzhgorod contacts. The horses are in loose boxes and I have room with hot shower, TV (no English!) and this lovely view below over the restaurant to the hills.....
                                                    This was the same view this morning!....

Natalia tells me it is an Ukrainian tradition to make a wish when the first snow of winter arrives. I doubt if there is any need to guess what my wish will be!

If you want to stay at a little resort in the Carpathians, Raina-Polyana has large comfortable rooms with en suite facilities, restaurant, billiard room, outdoor swimming pool (summer) sauna, banya, and the attached stables where horses are for hire, and where Bolashak and little Zorbee are staying at present.

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS - Free prize draw

Long standing Trot ON members will remember the format - 12 equestrian brands  sponsor one day each...The 1st  day has one prize - the 2nd  two and so on until Day 12 when there are twelve prizes.




                                     

FREE MEGAN LEWIS AND HER HORSES

Two weeks ago when Megan thought this was just a hiccup... she ain't smiling anymore

Unfortunately this isn't a nightmare this is actually the exact situation that Epic horse rider and Trot ON member Megan finds herself in - so far she has spent 3 weeks in this situation on the Ukraine / Hungarian Border  two thirds of her way through her momentous journey from Beijing to London on a horse   - what's more there is no end in sight and the fierce winter is closing in... there is every probability that the only way out will be to kill the horses that have carried her on this stage of her journey....Destorying- at a stoke- all the friendship and positivity that Megan's journey represents

The two stallions  that face death

So how has this situation arisen how can this have happened to somebody so savvy and travel canny?  A person who let us not forget has riden well over 7,000 miles - all the way along the Great Wall of China - across  the Gobi desert along the fabled Silk Route - across Kazakhstan( famous for Russian space flights and nuclear bomb testing ) into Russia and into the Ukraine.

A ride  named by the Chinese Equestrian Association as The Sino - British International Friendship  Ride . Megan brings with her a symbolic message from the Equestrians of  China to the Equestrians of Britian.

Why is it that after such a journey that crossing the border into Europe is proving so problematic for Megan?

The answer seems to be combination of factors though the overwhelming sense you get is of red tape sticking to itself....I will try to make this as straight forward as I can ( it isn't easy)

The EU  has lots of regulations ( don't we know it) some of  which are more curious than others - this hasn't helped...Megan bought her horses in Kazakhstan..Kazakhstan is not an approved EU "horse importing" country. By contrast the Ukraine is an approved horse importing country and so is Kyrgystan ( which neighbours Kazakhstan) Technically though Hungary does seem to be right in refusing entry for the horses to the EU and Megan admits  that she had received some bad advice earlier on in her trip - the letter of the law wasn't as  clear to everybody as it might have been.


However the real villians in the story seem to be on the Ukrainian Side because having previously granted Megan  a visa to cross the Ukraine from Russia to Hungary with her horses they then refused to grant her a visa to cross the other way on the grounds  that only companies are allowed to import horses into the Ukraine - It is they that are the ones that have effectively slammed the door in Megans' face and may have sealed the fate of two horses that have done nothing apart from transporting their owner over hundreds of miles.


Seasoned travellers may be able to relate (and recall to others) similar stories of bureaucracy  and ineptitude  while travelling in far flung countries however I think  this is different for several reasons
1- The situation has not been resolved in over 3 weeks...Megan has almost been made a captive in no man's land between the Ukraine and Hungary    
2- Winter is closing in  and temperatures are plummeting.. Megan has to break the ice on her wash bowl to wash her face in the morning
3 Nobody seems to be in a position of power to help her...The British embassy in Kiev seem powerless to do anything  ...The Ukrainians  continue to refuse her entry and the Hungarians while empathetic ( in being supportive in helping Megan look after the horses while she is in no mans land ) continue to stick to the line that the horses cannot be admitted to Hungary and the EU.

The "piece de resistance" in this sad story occured over the last couple of days ....Frustrated  cold and very fed up Megan explained to both the Ukrainians and the Hungarians that unless this situation is resolved she will be left with no alternative but to put down the horses.....The surprising response of a Ukrainian official was a shrug of the shoulders.

When Megan came to see us over 2 years ago after she finished the first stage of her journey we knew she would face many challenges along the way -  We could not have anticipated that  - of all the things that could have happened to her - that crossing the border into Europe had the potential to be her undoing 






In the name of common sense - the interests of The Sino - British International Friendship  Ride - Trot ON asks please FREE MEGAN from this living nightmare and PLEASE lets do it without killing the horses...of all the characters in this particular play they really are the innocent  ones.

EQUESTRIAN CALENDAR GIRLS STRIP OFF FOR CHARITY!!

Photo by Josh Crocker

Ever since those middle aged ladies of the WI caused a media sensation by stripping off and posing behind the odd strategically placed teapot or tower of iced buns it's become fashionable for females to get their kit off for a charity calendar.

Now eight girls from the Leeds University Equestrian Society have stripped down to some lacy knickers and those riding essentials, a hard hat and boots, to raise money for the Otley and District Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA.)

Revealing all has got them not only media exposure but also some fans in Company A 5th Battalion, The Rifles serving out in Afghanistan. The soldiers liked the photos so much they have made the girls their 'official mascots.'  In return the girls have sent them signed calendars, letters and other mail to help boost morale and show their support.  "We have each been assigned a rifleman to write to and have started correspondence with them whilst they are away," said equestrian calender girl Emily du Luart.

Photo by Josh Crocker

 Emily also revealed to Trot ON what it was like when they did the shoot.
"We were so cold that we went a bit purple! When sitting on the gate for the front cover image, we kept slipping off as it had been raining." Most of the horses were obliging but "one of the horses (Obi) decided to go into reverse and continue backwards at a rapid pace whilst Miss June tried to get a "hands free" shot!"

On the drive home from the shoot one of the girls remarked, "There will never be an awkward moment between any of us again!".  And after all the newspaper articles another quipped, "I don't have time for university now that I'm a celebrity!", whilst another calendar girl was asked "Have you thought about who will play you in the film when this goes to Hollywood?!"

Photo by Josh Crocker

Of course theirs always a downside to publicity and one Sky journo called the girls calendar 'porn.' The girls responded "Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions. We stand 100% behind what we did and are so pleased of the success of the calendars and the general response has been fantastic. We did it for charity and if people want to cast a shadow over a great cause that is quite sad."

Judy Olby, president of Otley & District RDA told the Yorkshire Evening Post, 'They have been fantastic and did it in such good will and not for personal gain. I'm very sorry he has muddled the water by making that comment, it is really uncalled for."

So far they've raised over £1000 and increased awareness of the the important work of the RDA. Over 450 calendars have been sold and three more print-runs have had to be ordered.
"All the reactions from people we know have been positive" Emily told us. "Our parents are so proud of what we've achieved with the calendars. All our friends at Uni and from home have congratulated us on the international success of the calendars and have shown their support by spreading the word to their friends. We have had lots of students (predominantly male!) saying that they are now going to join the Equestrian Society and our socials are becoming more popular!"


 If you want to support the girls and RDA by ordering a calendar then go to their website.

Do you think it's OK to bare all, as long as it's for a good cause?  Discuss in Why Women Love Horses.

                                                                                 
                                                If you don't troton.com you'll get left behind!

IT'S 'TASHTASTIC MOVEMBER!!!

more George Michael stubble than full on 'tache!

If you've noticed the men around you getting a little fuzzy in the upper lip department then it's because they're taking part in Movember, a campaign to raise funds and awareness for men's health, specifically prostrate cancers and other cancers that affect men, by growing a moustache.

So we thought as most of us ladies even if we could grow a 'tache, wouldn't want to boast about it, should instead celebrate horses with 'taches!

So come on, let your horses facial hair grow free!!  Are you a horse 'tache lover? Do you love a nuzzle from a hairy muzzle a or won't you even have a whisker in site?  Which of you has the horse with the best moustache-we're sure you can beat the ones in our photos!! Go to Tack Room Tea Room for some 'tashe talk now.

just call me Poirot

TROT ON MEMBER IN THE HOT SEAT!

kibby and her mare phil

Taking her place in the HOT SEAT this week is Aussie member kibby famous for entertaining us all by show jumping bareback in a bunny girl costume!

Q.  How would you describe yourself in a tweet?
A.  Highly strung, highly competitive but also very empathetic and very loyal.


Q.  Who would you choose to play you in a film of your life?
A.  I would like to think Emma Stone because I think she is hilarious but Ellen Page out of Juno would be better suited.

Q.  Happy Hacker or Competition Queen?
A.   I'm a Competition Queen. I still love a quiet hack out and about but nothing gets the adrenalin pumping like riding out into a show jumping course or sitting in the XC start box listening to the count down.

Q.  What makes you laugh? 
A.  Crude jokes and people falling down. Nothing can compare to the modest banana skin or a good ol' fart joke...lol

Q.  What makes you angry?
A.   Just about everything can get on my nerves but mainly rudeness. There is never a good reason for it.

Q.  What are you reading?
A.   Well, I just finished reading an amazing series called The Hunger Games. It's what Twilight should have been like.

Q.  Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
A.  Jan Tops, Edwina Alexander, Charlotte Casiraghi, Ludger and Meridith Beerbaum, Beezie Madden, Rodrigo Pessoa and the Whitakers too (get some connections haha)

Q.  What's your guilty pleasure?
A.  Lying in bed eating chocolate and watching movies when I should be cleaning stables or paddocks...or worse still, my saddles!

Q.  What's your best feature?
A.  I need to know everything. I never like to stop learning about things that are important to me.

Q.  What's your worst vice?
A.  I need to know everything about anything and everyone!

Q.  Schoolmaster or challenging ride?
A.  It would be lovely to have a schoolmaster but you would never learn how to produce one of these horses. Challenging ride, I'll create my own schoolmaster. 

Q.  When did you last jump?
A.  Two days ago. I was using a little vertical I had left set up to get flying changes.

Q.  What couldn't you live without?
A.  Cowboy Magic (the greatest tail detangler), Leather Therapy (my favourite leather cleaning products) and Tuff Rock (a poultice I am sure is made of magic!)

Q.  Which rider inspires you?
A.  Edwina Alexander. She was a show jumper in Australia until she decided to test her luck in Europe. She is now the highest ranked female rider and is leading the Global Champions Tour.

Q.  What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
A.  "Find a happy medium.". With horses, in relationships, in life, nothing works without balance.

Q.  Mares or geldings?
A.  A good horse. Although if I was looking to buy, probably a very well bred mare so I had that to fall back on in case of injury.

Q.  Fess up to your most embarrassing moment.
A.  When I was jumping Phil and half fell off over the second last jump of the course. I managed to grab hold of her neck and cling on monkey style, only to have Phil continue onto the next jump and jump it! Even the photographer was stunned and missed getting some great shots. That competition has now invented the "Oh My God" trophy. I was the first to win it lol

Q.  Favourite item of clothing?
A. My new Animo jacket, it's beautiful. If I'm not in riding clothes you will see me wearing a black singlet, denim shorts and a pair of pluggers (thongs) or strappy sandals.

Q.  Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
A.  I'm still trying to figure out where that will be work-wise, I will be going into the agricultural field somehow. But hopefully with a small string of show jumpers and a few babies from Phil.

Q.  Brow band-plain or bling?
A.  Mine are half way in-between. They are all brown with gold chains on them.

Q.  Are you a fashionable filly or a scruffy mare?
A.  Most definitely a scruffy one. Day to day I look like a disgrace. Even at a competition I will turn my horses out nicely and dress nicely, but there is always that one thing I overlook. Usually that's brushing my hair.

Q.  In another life who would you want to be?
A.  Charlotte Casiraghi.

Q.  Herbal tea or stiff drink?
A.  Stiff drink.


Thanks kibby.  Who will be next to reveal all? Watch out for your invitation to be in the Trot ON HOT SEAT.  Come on now, don't be shy!
              
                                      For more contemporary equestrianism catch up with Trot ON.





 

ARE YOU RIDING OUT THE RECESSION?

Words like financial melt-down, double dip, Euro zone and recession are almost guaranteed to make my eyes glaze over as I stare into the middle distance, thinking 'I'll not worry 'till it comes my way.'
Well, that knocking you can hear is the recession banging on my door!

From the dizzying heights of Dazzle Towers, I have suddenly realised how expensive our equestrian lives have become and how we're all feeling the pinch-ouch! A friend who thought nothing of driving her lorry from one end of the country to the other, if she believed she was in with a chance, has laid it up for the Winter. Why? She simply cannot afford it's running costs, never mind the diesel. Another friend, with several horses, who liked to compete just about every weekend has now decided to have a break because of the rise in entry fees. I also know of a couple of horses who are now barefoot, not as a nod to natural horsemanship, but to help cover the rise in the price of hay. Even a multipack of mints has virtually doubled in price! As for my feed bill, I am in total denial!

When Towerlands in Essex closed this Summer we all thought it was a one off but then we lost Manor Farm in Cambridgeshire too. Now we have the threat of further closures because of the low number of entries to British Showjumping classes. Near me the number of affiliated dressage competitions have dropped by 50 per cent but another of my friends reports that in her area it's a whopping 100 per cent! At least unaffiliated competition doesn't seem to be faring quite as badly,  because entry fees are cheaper and riders often compete closer to home.

Also a quick glance at any of the horses for sale sites shows that horses that may have been worth £20,000 a year or two ago can now be bought for a third of that price.  So many nice horses for sale and all have the tag 'due to financial circumstances' in their adverts-not good.

With money being so tight and spending being restricted to a 'need' not 'want' basis, competition has definitely been one of the first areas to feel the squeeze. Many riders are also reducing the amount of lessons they have.  It's at times like this we all need to stick together and help each other out. That's why Trot On is such a bonus-you can get advice on riding, horse care and even have experts on hand in the Vet Talk and Equine Nutrition groups.

So together, let's stop this from being double dip depressing! Get yourself off to Tack Room Tea Room and let us know how you are riding out the recession and what your top tips are- Smiley Face!

By Prue 'Dazzle' Boyd.


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DITCH THE DRAW REINS-JUST LEARN TO RIDE!

Fireworks came a couple of days early to Dazzle Acres. And what lit my fuse? An article in a leading equestrian magazine on the use of draw reins-a subject guaranteed to send my blood pressure sky rocketing!

The article rightly explains that in highly skilled hands, in limited circumstances, draw reins can be helpful. It also makes clear that in the majority of cases with average riders, average trainers and average problems draw reins are at best no help at all and are more likely to cause physical damage to the horse.

My concern with the use of draw reins is that we are still seeking a shortcut. When are we ever going to learn to ride? After shoving rollkur back in the cupboard, as we closed the door, draw reins seem to have popped out and the same benefits are being claimed for them.

Riding is a skill, skills take time to develop and in the case of the old masters, a lifetime. We should be encouraged to master leg and seat aids and contact without relying on a gadget to mask the problem. Too often equestrianism seems to be about making life easier for the rider at the expense of the well being of the horse.  Surely, the rider has the responsibility to develop core strength and be fit enough to ride their horse, not just see riding as a way to get fit. Coming to riding later in life does not mean the rider should balance on their hands as implied in the article, lunge lessons would sort that out. Neither can gadgets be the answer to loss of confidence.

I worry that many average riders, reading an article like this, will believe that they have the ability to correct problems using draw reins without fully realising the risk to their horse. With the recession in full swing and riders cutting back on lessons, unfortunately people may be looking for easy solutions to complex problems. If you are told draw reins help control unruly horses, that's a big incentive to use them.

You may be thinking, in the words of Michael Winner, 'Calm down dear'. But I firmly believe we don't need yet another distraction from learning to ride correctly.

by Prue 'Dazzle' Boyd.


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                  Got an opinion on draw reins then share them HERE in the Dressage Wannabes group 
                                                              at www.troton.com
                                           

TROT ON MEMBER IN THE HOT SEAT

All grown up-Rahara with Tara and Troy her first foals.

On Trot ON we think our members are the stars of the show so here's the first in a series of posts where we put a member in the HOT SEAT and get them to reveal all!

First to take their place in the HOT SEAT is longstanding Irish member Rahara who does a lot of breeding!

Q. How would you describe yourself in a tweet (140 characters)
A. Assertive and creative, fairly easy going and understanding towards the needs of others to a point (don't take the piss!)

Q. Who would you choose to play you in a film of your life?
A. Meryl Streep.

Q. Happy hacker or competition queen?
A. Happy hacker

Q. What makes you laugh?
A. My workmates make me laugh. At work they send me on all these courses to do everything by the book and then make it impossible to do them with all the cutbacks (have to laugh otherwise I'd cry!)

Q. What makes you angry?
A. Bad drivers-say no more!

Q. What are you reading?
A. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.

Q. Who would you have as guests at your dream dinner party?
A. The Jacksons-imagine all those singers!

Q. What's your guilty pleasure?
A. Wine-drink too much!

Q. What's your best feature?
A.  My nose but I also love my freckles.

Q. What's your worst vice?
A. Smoking-the worst vice ever.

Q. Schoolmaster or challenging ride?
A. Challenging ride...but it would be nice to hack out once in a while and not worry about what's going to happen.

Q. What's your secret weapon?
A. Not cooking dinner-I'll say no more!

Q. What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
A. Live for today.

Q. Mares or geldings?
A. Geldings, has to be-I'm sick of moody mares!

Q. Fess up to your most embarrassing moment.
A. Helping a stallion cover a mare and he got on her head whilst four mouthy males were watching!

Q. What's your favourite item of clothing?
A. Boots, any kind, I love them.

Q. Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
A. Older, doing the same thing, but wiser.

Q. Browband-plain or bling?
A. Plain.

Q. Are you a fashionable filly or scruffy mare?
A. Scruffy mare but I scrub up well.

Q. In another life who would you want to be?
A. I wouldn't like another life.

Q. Herbal tea or stiff drink? (although we probably already know the answer to this one now!)
A. Stiff drink.

Q. Which rider inspires you?
A. Simon my riding instructor-he's a star.


Thanks Rahara. Who will be next to reveal all? Watch out for your invitation to be in the Trot ON HOT SEAT.  Come on now, don't be shy!

WARHORSES OF LETTERS

It seems we can't get enough of our heroic four legged friend the War Horse at the moment. War Horse the play is fast becoming the National Theatre's most successful production ever, the film of the play has been directed by the King of Hollywood Steven Spielberg, a War Horse Exhibition has just opened in London and a non fiction book The Warhorses has just been released.

Now snorting and prancing hard on their heels comes Warhorses of Letters a four part Radio 4 play starring Stephen Fry and Daniel Rigby.  This inventive idea is based on the fictional discovery of some letters which have lain hidden in the British Library, tucked inside a book on the history of Blenheim Palace.  These are the love letters between Emperor Napolean's horse Marengo (Fry), the seasoned and famous campaigner and the young recruit, ex-racehorse Copenhagen (Rigby) the mount of the Duke of Wellington who idolises him.

Billed as the tragic love story of two horses on opposing sides of the Napoleonic wars we're promised an imaginative mix of glorious language, historical fact with a twist, and humour including a bucketful of equine related double entendres.  According to the Radio Times it's 'Camp Comic Fantasy with capital letters'.

'I'm technically a pony' says Marengo in his letter to Copenhagen 'but Napolean and I are perfectly to scale.' Morengo an Arabian stood only 14.1hh whilst the chestnut Copenhagen, the grandson of the famous racehorse Eclipse was himself only 15.1. The good news is that even though their love may have been doomed both horses survived to quite an age, with Copenhagen dying at 29 and Morengo living to an even more impressive 38.

A gay love story between two of the world's most famous war horses, starring the wonderful Stephen Fry-bring it on!!  Episode 1 goes out Tuesday night (Oct 25) at 11pm but if you're already tucked up and dreaming of horses by then you can always listen again via iPlayer. One thing's for sure-don't miss it!

TIM STOCKDALE FRACTURES NECK IN FALL.

Tim Stockdale giving advice at Arena UK Sept 2011

Tim Stockdale, one of Britain's favourite show jumpers, fell from a new horse he was trying out on Monday Oct 17, fracturing his neck in two places.

Tim's last Tweet said "I am ok apart from the two fractures in my neck. I will know more after todays move to Oswestry spinal unit. I have movement and feeling."

Whenever you go to a big show like Olympia there is always a huge cheer when Tim Stockdale comes into the arena. Not only is he a talented rider and trainer-last year he was awarded the British Equestrian Federations Medal of Honour, but his personality has helped broaden the appeal of show jumping into the general media. He took a starring role in Channel 4's reality TV programe 'Faking It' as well as the BBC's Only Fools On Horses, training celebs to ride and jump in only a month to help raise money for Comic Relief.

We wish Tim a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him out competing again soon.

Making it look easy-Tim Stockdale on Fresh Direct K2 in the Six Bar Competition at Spruce Meadows 2011.




Have you ever met Tim Stockdale or any other equestrian celebrity? Join our conversation in Tack Room Tea Room. 

Have you ever had a bad fall? What's the best way to cope with it?

HAY-HANDS OFF!!

When the Archers, that classic Radio 4 tale of everyday country folk brings into its storyline the theft of hundreds of hay bales from Brookefield you know that there's a real truth lurking behind this fictional event.

The theft of hay and straw has steadily increased over the last year; only last month £4000 worth of straw was stolen from the vicinity of Oswestry. While the idea of theft from farms and stables usually brings to mind chainsaws, tractors, quads, trailers and diesel,  thanks to the less than ideal weather conditions we've had in the UK in the last couple of years the yield of hay and straw has dropped and as a consequence sent prices soaring.

Last winter small hay bales were on sale for £10 and in some parts of the country owners were limited to 2 bales per week per horse. This year still in a fairly mild autumn, the price of this years crop is already nudging £6 in some areas.

Straw too has risen dramatically in price. Only two years ago you could buy it at 50p a bale but now you're more likely to pay £2 and by the end of the year this price could double. Not only a victim of the weather, straw is also now being used as fuel for carbon neutral power stations and for insulation.
So it's not surprising that thieves are targeting these often unprotected supplies. Having a full barn is now a very precious and expensive asset.

Which is why it's important we seriously start to think about how best to secure our winter feed and bedding if we don't want to see it disappearing overnight. Taking the strings off makes both hay and straw very difficult to steal.  Be suspicious of strangers turning up out of the blue asking to buy a bale or two, they may not be as innocent as they appear. Also beware of anyone asking if you would like to buy hay or straw for cash. The horse community can be very trusting and you may think you've got yourself a bargain but at what cost to someone else's horse? Also don't assume that your insurance company will cover the cost of stolen hay or straw; it's worth checking up on your policy.

Fibre should be the basis of every horse's diet as their digestive system is not made for high levels of concentrated feed or low amounts of grass and hay. So it's also worth considering how we can make our hay go further especially if we are in for another rough winter. The idea of padding out a haynet with barley straw is one idea worth thinking about. The advantage of barley straw is that is is low in calories but high in fibre but on the downside it's not good for a horse susceptible to colic.

Have you got any suggestions you would like to share on keeping hay and straw safe? Do you have some bright ideas for making them go further?  Then discuss them in the Horse Care group. We appreciate any tips whichever country you live in. As the cost of keeping horses rises we all need to pull together.

By Prue 'Dazzle' Boyd.

HORSES AT NUMBER 10.

Vladamir Putin

One surprising aspect of the phone hacking scandal was the revelation that Prime Minister David Cameron went riding with Rebekah Brooks. It's not who he went with, but the fact he was on a horse at all! So with my equine interest piqued Troton's roving reporter decided to look further into past Prime Ministers and their dealings with horses.

Prime Minister Tony Blair looked a gift horse in the mouth when he refused the gift of a Merens foal whilst on holiday in the Pyrenees in France. His reason? Apparently he had nowhere to keep it, but as No 10 backs on to St. James' Park combined with the Queen's great love of horses surely permission to fence off a small area could have been sought?

John Major went one better back in 1993 when he caused a diplomatic incident after being gifted a beautiful Akhal-Teke stallion worth an estimated £30,000 by The President of Turkmenistan. The horse wasn't collected for months which caused great offence to the Turkmenistan government.  It did however, eventually make the long journey to England where it was given to the Life Guards who rejected it as being too highly strung.

Margaret Thatcher famously refused to give permission for a racehorse to be named after her. A love of horses was obviously something Maggie and her political soulmate Ronald Reagan didn't have in common. President Reagan (see video below) kept horses on his ranch and was a particular fan of Arabians.





Tragically, Brian Faulkner, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland fell from his horse and died whilst out hunting with the County Down Staghounds in 1977.

Although there isn't any photographic evidence of David Cameron astride a horse he would have to go a long way to beat Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin; not only no hat but no shirt either!

Guest blog by Prue 'Dazzle' Boyd.

DE-STRESSAGE.

Lucinda McAlpine is a big believer in the words of Winston Churchill "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." But it also began to dawn on her that there was something particularly special about her own horses and the powerful effect they had on anyone who met them, whether they were involved with horses or not. After inviting a few people who had hit a low point in their lives to spend time with her and her horses at Bowhayes Farm in Devon, and witnessing how revitilised they were afterwards, she came up with the idea of De-Stressage; horses helping humans to help themselves.

Just over fifteen years ago Lucinda McAlpine was at the top of her game, competing internationally as a dressage rider, when she decided that she wanted to give it all up to provide her horses with a more natural lifestyle. So she removed their shoes, stopped clipping their coats and turned them out to live in small herds, never to see the inside of a stable again. She also also likes to free-school her horses but when she rides it's in the classical style.

It's this lifestyle which Lucinda thinks makes her horses so therapeutic.

" They are tame horses who act as they would in nature. They are stress free and still in tune with themselves which is why they are so effective. Unlike a lot of horses used in therapy who are rescues and left damaged in some way, I have bred my horses to be 'clear'.

So what is it that horses can do for humans?

"Being around horses get's you back in touch with nature," says Lucinda, "and they bring you into the now. They act like a mirror and show you who you are in the moment. When you've lost your perspective they can give you clarity and help you discover a new direction. With my horses I want to offer that mirror and provide a calm place where you can assess yourself and start again."

This is why Lucinda believes that her horses can help anyone who has got a bit 'stuck' in their lives, whose habitual behaviour has caused unhappiness and ill health. She also think her horses could help artists, such as musicians who've spent too long in the studio, to get their creative mojo back.

Lucinda is quick to stress that there are no therapists around trying to get you to address your problems.  "You're not being examined or judged. What we do here isn't human driven, it's horse driven. I just provide people with the opportunity to learn from my horses by interacting with them in a safe, nurturing environment."

"Neither horses or humans are forced to do anything. My horses aren't enclosed in a small space such as a round pen where they have to deal with a person and their problems. They are free to make choices. We often start at the field gate to begin with and then progress from there.  We just go with the flow. The client may even end up riding if they want to but how far they go is up to them and the horses of course."

"If horses don't like a person's energy then they won't come near them. Everyone likes to be liked don't they so this can often be a wake-up call. What I've found particularly interesting is that most people get drawn to one particular horse and that horse in some way will be just like them. My job is to act as translator for the horse and their story usually resonates deeply with the person who has chosen them. From this they start to gain greater clarity about who they really are. Also the act of achieving harmony with an animal can be phenomenally powerful."

From personal experience just witnessing the amazing bond that Lucinda has with her horses is quite wonderful to see and becoming part of that energy can be very moving and change your perspective on life.

So if you want time to reflect, become re-energised and move on in your life, let the horses do the talking with a dose of De-Stressage.


If you want to discuss the subject of horses helping humans or share your story then join our group Horse Therapy For Humans.

 
                                                   

THE SADDLE CLUB

Meet Lisa, Carole and Stevie-The Saddle Club.

Move over Black Beauty and White Horses, because The Saddle Club has ridden into TV town.  This popular series has all the elements of good children's drama, with our protaganists facing the usual moral dilemmas such as responsibility, jealousy, peer pressure, and loyalty whilst caught up in various horsey adventures at Pine Hollow Stables.

Based on the already much loved books of Bonnie Bryant, these Australian based adventures have proved so successful that they've been translated into seven languages and generated two spin off series. Proof that you can't keep a good horsey series down!

So what's the recipe for success? One-take three girls, Stevie, Carole and Lisa, all distinct personalities from different backgrounds who become friends through their love of horses and form the Saddle Club. Two-add into the mix, the snobby and spoiled daughter of the yard owner who you just love to hate. Three-chuck in a healthy dose of riding stable shenanigans and growing up dramas. Four-finish off with a sprinkling of good looking boys and you're onto a winner.

So if you're on the hunt for a fantastic pressie for a pony mad tween then grab a copy of the Series 2 Part 1 DVD,£6.99 from Amazon. Five hours of this hit show should keep them quiet for a while and might give you a good excuse to sit down too!

BLACK BEAUTY SELLS OUT TO JOHN LEWIS!


Who needs the Tardis when music can be such a powerful way to instantly transport us back in time. Music evokes memories and the store John Lewis has made full use of our love of nostalgia with this latest advert, part of their 'Never Knowingly Undersold Campaign.'

They've chosen music from the past decades that will suck you straight back into that era to show how they've always been there to provide the 'latest thing' in electrical products. And centre stage, galloping straight towards us out of the TV set is the glorious Black Beauty. The sight of him, that music, still has such a powerful effect on me.  Even in those brief seconds, I'm grabbed mentally and physically with a rush of emotions which encapsulates all my feelings about the iconography of the horse and his place in this world.  Black Beauty was a majesty of his form who reflected the best and worst in humanity. Along with Dr Who, the series was a 'must see' for me as a kid (loved him, jealous of her!) but I still can't watch the film. In fact, I found myself unknowingly watching it the other day but as soon as the name 'Ginger' was uttered and I realised it was BB I made a grab for the remotes and switched over. Forget the films  'Love Story' or 'Beaches' when it comes to the blubometer this one zooms through the roof with me!

So does Black Beauty still have a strong effect on you, or are you more of a White Horses kind of gal? Discuss the BB effect in WHY WOMEN LOVE HORSES.

DAZZLE 'EM WITH CONFIDENCE-PERFECTION IS A MYTH.

For me the worst word in the English language is 'perfection'.  My dictionary defines it as 'faultless' which is why I loathe this word with a passion. A few years ago I inherited two Persian carpets which I love, but I was disappointed to see mistakes in the pattern because, I expected them to be perfect. Later I found out that the flaws were put there deliberately, as in Islam only God is perfect.  It's such a sense of relief that my horses do not have to be perfect and I do not have to be the perfect trainer, rider or blogger either!

There are two people who I teach, one on a Monday, hence Mrs. Monday and one on a Friday, Miss Friday. These two riders could not be more different. Mrs. Monday has a 17hh, incredibly well bred horse whose pedigree has world champions littered in it's papers. Miss Friday, is the complete opposite. Her horse is homebred and this came about when someone couldn't pay a hay bill and offered the service of his stallion to her old mare in lieu. The result, a small, 15hh on a good day, compact horse.

For Mrs. Monday the world has to be perfection. She has to be the perfect rider and her horse trained to peak perfection, and until that time comes, she stays at home perfecting herself and her horse. They never go out and do anything because the time is not quite right. She almost made it to a local competition once but cancelled at the last minute because the horse rubbed it's tail overnight and therefore it was not perfect. The word 'failure' lays very heavy with Mrs. Monday and the thought that they might not win would be something she could not tolerate; it would be a total humiliation for her. As a result she has never ventured beyond Prelim level.

Miss Friday on the other hand is not afraid of failure. She does not care that her horse is a good two hands shorter than the average horse in the warm up arena, as she says he has no idea how big he is. When the results come back and the judge says, "needs to cover more ground", it makes her laugh as he's covered as much as he could for his height. Consequently, by plugging away, learning from her mistakes and never being afraid to take chances, she has upped her game and now competes in a top hat and tailcoat, something that Mrs. Monday constantly dreams of.

Success is like a game of snakes and ladders; some days you climb up the ladder, other days you slide down the snake. If you want to succeed, never give up but see what others regard as failure as a great learning opportunity.

So, you can sit at home waiting, with your blinkers on or you can go out there and make a start. The perfect day never arrives. The perfect competition does not exist. The perfect time to start something new is now; not tomorrow, or the day after, or when it's the first day of the month. It really is NOW.  It's your choice; you can be like Mrs. Monday and wait and wait and never venture out, suffering the slow death of boredom as you both circle round and round, or you can try, try and try again like Miss Friday who believes that you only fail when you either never start or give up completely.

If you've always wanted to hack your horse, today is the day.  Does it matter that you don't get further than 100 yards from the gate? No, because there is always tomorrow to try for 150 yards. If you've been thinking about booking a lesson, today is the day. Don't delay, trainers are there to train not to be impressed by your current riding standard.  If you need advice then go and find it. Let's go for progress and forget about perfection.

Now for the cheesy ending, 'success comes in cans, failure in cannots.'


Guest blog by Prue 'Dazzle' Boyd.

BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS-THE BIG 50!

The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials Sept 1-4, not only boasts a stunning backdrop but some spectacular cross country fences. And to celebrate it's 50th year the course get's a 'retro' feel which should suit a galloping horse that's not afraid to take on some really scary fences. Take a look at a preview of some of the jumps (video below), including the massive Cottesmore Leap which has been re-instated after an absence of four or five years and is 5cm higher. Course builder Captain Mark Phillips thinks it's the biggest fence he's ever seen at a horse trials.  Just looking at it will have you reaching for the rescue remedy!





If you're lucky enough to be going then it's worth downloading the free Burghley Horse Trials iphone app which will give you lots of useful info such as the provisional timetable (including the Celebrity Talk Area), course guide, rider profiles, start times, results and more.

But if you can't get there, sign up for BurghleyTV the online free to view service which I can't recommend highly enough. Available from Sept 1st to anyone in the world with internet broadband, it allows you to watch every single dressage performance (including commentary), cross country and show jumping round as soon as they've happened.  Just select the horse and rider combinations you want to watch and replay as much as you like so you can analyze to your heart's content.  Otherwise catch edited highlights of the cross country and final days show jumping on BBC2 Sept 4th 2pm-3.45 if you're in the UK or for International TV times click here.

They've received a record number of entries this year so the competition between the best eventers in the world is going to be fierce. Don't miss it!





PS. Want to see more of your favourite eventers? Then get your mitts on the Riders Revealed 2012 Calendar which will be launched on the first day of Burghley.  It features top eventers, jockeys and show jumpers getting their kit off to raise money to buy a robotic suite for Claire Lomax who was severely injured in an eventing accident in 2007. All in the best possible taste of course!