Table of contents for 9-Apr-2026 in Horse & Hound

AS William Fox-Pitt puts it, you want to walk a crosscountry course with someone as positive as Mary King – at the end of that, you're finishing clear inside the time. Everyone who has worked with Mary notes her positivity, and perhaps that's what helped drive her in her relentless pursuit of excellence in this sport, which we celebrate in this issue as she announces her retirement (news, p4). Mary recalls her first sight of horse trials on a Pony Club trip; how the riders all seemed so brilliant and the horses so expensive. She didn't have horsey parents nor huge financial backing, but proved what was possible with hard work, plus that glass-half-full outlook: six Olympics and multiple championship medals as well as Badminton and Burghley glory. Mary also…

Danish Olympic medallist Cathrine LaudrupDufour moved from 25th to first in the world dressage athlete rankings, overtaking Justin Verboomen. Endurance GB appointed rider and organiser Jo Chisholm as chef d'equipe for the England squad ahead of the 2026 home international (5–6 September). Event rider Gemma Stevens won her first Lycetts CCI4*-S Grantham Cup at Thoresby, with The Rex Syndicate's Cooley Park Muze. Report, p42. Former jumper Nicole Lockhead Anderson won the Ladies National Handicap Chase on The Gradual Slope, her first win under Rules. Report, p54. Event rider and showjumper Ben Hobday has undergone an operation after a shoulder injury. Ben said that he has a “long road to recovery ahead”.…

▼ WEATHER To Alaska, where a rider declares that spring has arrived. That means it's almost 7°C and the snowdrifts are decreasing in size. Might stop moaning about the rather chilly wind we've been having… (I doubt it, Ed.) ▼ AI The intelligence type, not insemination. A rider asks AI about tack rules and the answer included the fact that “hacksaws must have a bit”. Perhaps it's not taking over the world just yet. ▼ SENSE To the US, where a rider was taken to hospital after his horse kicked him – and now his insurers are telling him to sue the horse. Thank the good lord for the NHS, is what we take from this.…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound ODE TO MUMS’ HORSES IN every corner of Britain's equestrian scene – whether on the show circuit, hunting field or Pony Club rally – there is a constant presence that rarely makes the photographs or the prize lists. They are the dependable, often overlooked animals known as Mums’ horses. Across the country, tiny tweed-clad jockeys are carried into their first meets behind the quiet confidence of an older hunter. Mud-splattered children clamber onto patient cobs, while their mothers muck out or juggle younger siblings. “They remain unsung heroes: steady, patient and essential” GINA JONES These horses set the pace. They go first, they wait, while sandwiches are passed out, stirrups are untangled or…

PROVING that if you dream big, the results will follow, is showjumper Jessica Burke. Seven years ago, the Galway maths teacher decided to pursue her passion for horses, embarking on an exciting new career as a professional rider. She's since gone on to represent her native Ireland in Nations Cups and won the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hickstead. But this week, after a whirlwind few months on the indoor circuit, she finds herself making her debut in the World Cup Final in Texas, competing among the global elite for one of the sport's most coveted prizes. While most of her rivals arrive in Fort Worth with a string of grand prix horses at their disposal, Jessica only has the one five-star horse, the small but ever so mighty…

“FANTASIA was a stunning foal – she was scopey, with a huge stride, and the sort of presence where if you were looking round the mares and foals in the field, your eye would always go to her. “I kept her until she was three. The Carters came to look at the ponies, and were instantly drawn to her. I think they could see the ridden prospect in her. “She was tricky to start with and took some negotiating as she wasn't always cooperative. Gradually, they got used to each other; she to them and them to her. “I didn't see her win the RIHS with Emma but I did see her at HOYS. She's so impressive, indoors particularly, because she lifts herself, and she has an amazing stride, with…

Over the past four and a half years, 1,206 horses were admitted for investigation and treatment of acute colic. Some were referred as “critical” cases and others were referred for medical management and observation. Overall, 291 colic admissions (24%) went on to have colic surgery, 837 (69%) were treated medically and 78 (6%) were euthanised due to poor prognosis, financial limitations or owner preference following assessment. Of the 291 colics operated, 14% were euthanised during surgery following owner discussion, most commonly due to identifying a lesion with a poor or hopeless prognosis. Of those going into the recovery box, 8% did not survive recovery from anaesthesia. Of those who recovered from anaesthesia, 81% went home. Overall, 63% of horses treated surgically went home (182/291). Nearly one-third of surgical cases had…

HANNAH HORTON'S team ended a weekend on stellar form with 10 Hickstead passes. Lucinda Freedman and Isabel Clifford-King's former HOYSwinning lightweight Tigbourne finished reserve supreme – pipped by reigning HOYS supremes Jayne Ross and KBF Lucia – at Wiltshire Spring, ridden by Hannah having won the RIHS hunter championship en route. Notably, as well as winning his weight division, Tigbourne won his first ladies’ hunter class and campaigned the championship sideways. “He's taken to it so well,” said Hannah. “And besides, I didn't have time to put the astride tack and gear back on!” Next for the team, Lucinda rode her own Mr Popeye herself to win his maxi cob Hickstead pass. Onto British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Area 13A, and Hannah partnered Annabel Pope's thrice Windsor winner Stage Diva…

HIGHLIGHTS 30 March–5 April Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Fairyhouse Easter Festival, Co Meath, Ireland FORMER showjumper Nicole Lockhead Anderson has transferred her high-octane riding skills from coloured poles to the track over the past two seasons. On Saturday she landed the biggest race of her career – and her first winner under Rules – when claiming the Blackrock College AFC Ladies National Handicap Chase aboard The Gradual Slope, on one of Ireland's premier racedays. “It was great just to be offered a ride in the race, so to win was incredible,” she said. The 24-year-old Aberdeenborn rider won team gold at the pony European showjumping championships, going on to jump at five-star level and win at the likes of Hickstead, Royal Windsor and the London leg of the…

Bitterley Races, Ludlow, Shrops TWO jockeys recorded doubles, with Sam Burton opening his account in the maiden (5yo&up) aboard Try The Money, an eight-year-old son of Westerner owned by The Wild Goose Partnership. “We bought him in February,” explained trainer Jane Allfrey. “I'd been on the hunt for another horse for a while and Henry Oliver rang me saying he might have one to suit. We went to see him that same afternoon and bought him there and then.” Sam had been unseated at the ditch at Howick on their debut, but the pair showed clear improvement at Ludlow. “He won very well and is a genuine horse with a great temperament; he's trained at home on our farm,” said Jane. “Bitterley has been lucky for me over the years…

SHOWING owner/rider Isabella Mears Wood's yard underwent a complete overhaul with a new barn build in 2025. The multi-armed project entailed construction of a beautiful barn with six internal stables, each with access to an individual external pen, direct access to an arena and a bespoke tack room. “As our barn is at our private home, we didn't want the overall footprint to be too large,” says Isabella. “It's therefore quite compact, so we had to make the most of the area while keeping the look of the barn symmetrical and coherent.” Isabella settled on 12x12ft for the tack room area, but knew she had to be clever with the layout and storage within. “We have a small kitchen area with a fridge, sink and other essentials,” she says. “Open…

Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ “I'VE thoroughly enjoyed it” is Mary King's summing-up of her stellar eventing career, as she retires, aged 64. The CCI5* winner, sixtime Olympian and world and European medallist – and all-round legend – started her 46th season of eventing but has made the decision to bow out. “I hadn't really thought about it, then after Moreton, where I came second, I thought, ‘It would be better if Emily rides the horse at Thoresby,’” Mary told H&H. “Then I thought, ‘Actually, I think I'll stop.’ “I'm very happy about it; it's definitely time and I'm glad I've taken the plunge.” WORKING TO THE TOP MARY, known and beloved across the equestrian world, was born into…

CHELTENHAM RACE DAYS CANCELLED CHELTENHAM racecourse has cancelled its final three race days of the 2025/26 season to allow for an upgrade of the drainage systems on the home straight. The races from the 15–16 April meeting have been rescheduled at other courses, and the all-hunter chase card race night on 1 May will take place on the same date at Warwick. “Our priority is always to provide the bestpossible racing surface for top-class jump racing,” said Jon Pullin, Cheltenham's head of racing and clerk of the course. “Throughout the very wet winter, we have experienced a number of issues on the track and, working with drainage experts, we have identified an area that would benefit from being upgraded. “This will allow us to address the issues that we believe…

Edited by Oscar Williams oscar.williams@futurenet.com @oscnwilliams OPINION MANY moons ago, I hung over a fence alongside a very good-looking man as we watched a prix st georges test. “I'm nervous,” I told the handsome stranger, who admitted he was too. We were both about to attempt our first test at this level. Later, I asked around to put a name to this kind and reassuring person. It was David Hunt. Today, David is president of British Dressage and the International Dressage Trainers’ Club. His glittering riding career includes winning three international classes at Rotterdam in 1988 and producing four horses long-listed for various Olympics. Back then, I would watch the international horses and riders longingly. Somehow, a year or two later, I became one of them. Now I'm watching again,…

1998: Jessica receives her first pony for her sixth birthday 2007: wins bronze at the pony European Championships 2019: takes a career break from teaching to embark on a professional showjumping career 2020: wins her first two-star grand prix and first rankings class with Express Trend 2022: receives first team call-up to represent Ireland in CSIO3* Nations Cups 2024: wins Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Royal International on Express Trend 2026: wins first five-star World Cup in Bordeaux with Good Star Du Bary, qualifying for the World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas…

ROTHERWOOD FANTASIA Stable name: Flossie Age: 14 Height: 147.7cm Breeding: by Landemann Nighthawk out of Rotherwood Flight Of Fancy Breeder: Elizabeth Mansfield-Parnell Rider: Emma Harker Owner: Jenny Harker Greatest achievements: 2022; second HOYS 148cm show pony; 2023, first 148cm and champion show pony North of England Spring, first small intermediate and champion Great Yorkshire, breeder's challenge champion BSPS Summer Championships; 2024, second 148cm show pony and second partbred ridden pony Royal Windsor, first 148cm show pony Lincolnshire; 2025, champion show pony Royal Cheshire, first 148cm show pony RIHS, first 148cm and champion show pony and champion part-bred pony HOYS.…

THORESBY PARK 3–5 April Edited by Pippa Roome pippa.roome@futurenet.com @pipparoomeorkyle Eventing Spring Carnival, Thoresby Park, Notts GEMMA STEVENS admitted to having a “giant meltdown” after cross-country problems on her first three rides, but showed her mettle by coming through on her final horse, Cooley Park Muze, to win the Lycetts Grantham Cup. “I was like, ‘I obviously can't ride, I'm useless’ – there were massive tears, the whole works,” said Gemma, who paid tribute to husband Gary, best friend Emma Gage, and pupil and owner Pru Dawes, as well as fellow competitor Simon Grieve, for helping her. “They gave me a hug, then a massive kick up the a**e. I got on my final horse and put winning out of my mind. I thought, ‘Let's ride the horse, not go…

KITTY KING'S precocious five-year-old, Parc All The Hype, lived up to his name when cruising to victory in his first event at The Lucinda Green XC Academy-sponsored Tweseldown (2). The gelding, who is owned by The Hugo Syndicate, won four Burghley young event horse qualifiers last year before going on to finish second at the final. At Tweseldown, he delivered a dressage score of 26.5 and followed this up with an immaculate double clear to top BE100 section K. “Across country he was a bit wobbly and green to begin with and did a bit of zig-zagging between fences, but he grew in confidence all the way round,” said Kitty. “He has a lovely gallop, he's a loose, scopey jumper and has a very relaxed brain, which is what you…

LINDA ATKINSON'S home-bred Welsh section C Danwood Louisiana (pictured) seems set to follow in the footsteps of her maternal halfbrother, the former RIHS champion, HOYS reserve champion and Royal Welsh supreme Danwood Llewellyn. Louisiana has attended two shows – the Native Pony Festival and BSPS Area 1A – and stood champion at both, with Linda's daughter Hannah. She was National Pony Society (NPS) pure novice champion at the former, and claimed the Heritage novice title at the latter. “She's proving to be very good, just like her brother,” said Hannah. “She's wearing the saddle Llewellyn won for her at the 2025 NPS Summer Championships too.”…

ELIZABETH ROOKE and her Welsh section B Llanai Renaissance (pictured) jumped to a third victory in the RIHS plaited 133cm working hunter pony division this term at BSPS Area 5. They are now in their third season together, having formerly competed in the M&M workers and the nursery stakes, in which the pair have so far scored three seconds this season. Meanwhile Isle of Wight-based Megan Rose's Penrock Perfect Puzzle (Portia) made the journey to Devon for BSPS Area 13A well worth it bagging three RIHS tickets: the Pretty Polly show hunter pony and Young Dragonara classes with her new junior rider, Faith Sturrock, 11, and the coloured pony class with Megan. All were especially sweet victories as Faith is in her first season of affiliated showing, and this was…

BARRICHELLO Sarah Hughes’ 17-year-old came 13th in the open novice at Thoresby with new rider Molly O'Connor. He has been ridden at five-star by Cathal Daniels and Joseph Murphy. DONNA BELLA Fiona Bigwood's homebred 10-year-old daughter of Olympic medal winner Atterupgaards Orthilia won the opening grand prix at the Hartpury CDI on 31 March. Report, p46. POLICE HORSE LUNA The Normandy cob who hit headlines for wearing “sunglasses” at Ascot for uveitis has retired to The Horse Trust, aged 17, after 12 years of “unmatched bravery” in public service.…

▲ FASHION We thought year of the horse news had fizzled out, but no! A title uses it to inspire an equestrian fashion piece including a skirt so short that were you to ride in it – well… chafing. Tsk. ▲ DESENSITISING To Florida, where a rider's groundwork included a lifelike alligator, to get a horse used to local wildlife. We'd be encouraging spooking and galloping away from anything at all crocodilic… ▲ ADS An ad for a horse says “like hen's teeth to find”. Hoping that's owing to her rare, fabulous nature and ability, or bringing her in during winter is going to be rather tiresome……

IT is the “end of an era” as the famous Irish bank at Hickstead has gone after nearly 60 years. The All England Jumping Course revealed that the small bank – not to be confused with the Derby bank – has been “carefully removed after a period of consultation”. “It's the end of an era as we say goodbye to the Irish bank,” said Hickstead executive director Lizzie Bunn. “It has been part of the Hickstead landscape for nearly 60 years but was in need of a complete rebuild at vast cost. “Because it was only used in two classes in the year, the decision was made, alongside our chief course-designer Kelvin Bywater, to remove instead of reconstructing it.” The bank was only used for the British Speed Derby and…

Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald OPINION I SHOULD have been in the Middle East this week where son Olli was due to compete at the final five-star show of the Doha tour. Everything about it had been top-class with perfect ground, excellent coursedesigners and unbelievable prize money. The friendly Qatari people, and their attention to every detail, made it very special. But it all came to a dramatic end on 27 February. Olli and I had flown home for a few days, intending to return for that last fivestar show. There was no indication that in two days’ time war would break out in the region. With five of Olli's horses still there, the next 12 days were some of the most stressful and worrying I have ever had.…

AMONG the young horses Jessica has started riding for Ballyward Equestrian is their home-bred BWE Windsor (pictured, below left), an eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse by Casallco out of a Darco mare, whom Jessica says is one to keep an eye on. “I'm very excited about her,” says Jessica. “It's a new partnership but she has an awful lot of jump, so it's just about getting everything together. Then Ballyward have some very nice six- and seven-yearolds, plus some much younger ones that they've bred. We'll be looking to add to the string as well, so hopefully we can build a team to do the top sport as well.”…

OWNER JENNY HARKER “I'VE always loved ‘Flossie's’ movement and presence. When I saw her advert, I was sitting upstairs, and Emma, my daughter, was downstairs. She texted me, ‘Shall we buy her?’ The rest is history. “Flossie's a complete routine freak and a funny little character. You have to go with her ways. Her happy place is in the field, so she's always out first. We take her in and out with a chiffney and a feed scoop. She'll do anything for feed and Stud Muffins. When we were at the Royal International [RIHS] last year, I promised her two bags if she behaved, so afterwards, there I was buying them for her. I promised her double that at Horse of the Year Show [HOYS], so she ate a lot…

FIND MORE GREAT PRODUCTS ONLINE Visit horseandhound.co.uk/buyers-guides to find more fantastic new products WOMEN'S BASE LAYER BY HARRY HALL This performance top is ideal for riding, training or everyday leisure, offering comfort, breathability and freedom of movement. It features an ultra-soft, four-way stretch fabric for unrestricted motion, a quarter front zip and laser-cut, perforated panels for superior airflow. Sizes: 8–22 Colours: mint or rose £32.95 harryhall.com KUDOS GLADIATOR FLY RUG BY LEMIEUX This rug is crafted from durable mesh that adapts its weave structure to repair snags and mould to the shape of the horse. The front fastening system features a pressure-relieving 45-degree-angled, magnetic closure for single-handed use and distributes pressure to prevent rubbing on the shoulder and across the chest. Sizes: 4ft 9in–7ft 3in £149.95 lemieux.com MISCANTHUS BEDDING BY BEDSOFT…

HIGHLIGHTS 28–29 March Northallerton (1), N Yorks RAF logistics officer Nicole Gent celebrated a first affiliated win with her own seven-yearold gelding, Ballyvad Cornet. “It was a complete surprise,” admitted Nicole, whose victory in BE90 section A followed a less satisfactory outing to Lincolnshire the week before. “We had four down in the showjumping at Lincolnshire and I didn't even have the chance to ride between the two events because I've been away with work.” Nicola's military role means she travels from her home in Lincolnshire to the outskirts of London from Monday to Friday. “I usually have time to ride on Fridays, but it didn't work out that way last week,” she explained. “Last year I had a rotational fall off another horse and broke my collarbone, which really…

HIGHLIGHTS 28–29 March Edited by Jennifer Donald jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THIS PAGE? HAVE YOU WON A CLASS? Email jennifer.donald@futurenet.com within 24 hours of your event and please include a contact telephone number Royal Highland qualifiers, Highfield at Howe, Fife CARA DRYSDALE and the 11-year-old mare Honolulu 6 gained their second Royal Highland (RHS) ticket on the bounce with a victory in the RHS Johnston Smillie Ltd grade B&C qualifier. The pair had already picked up young masters qualification with a second at Tillyoch. Here, they jumped the fastest of two double clears, beating Caitlin Jolly (Indy IV) by more than a second. “I was a bit nervous as I was near the end and there was only one clear, so I knew I just had…

HIGHLIGHTS 22–28 March Edited by Bethan Simons bethan.simons@futurenet.com HAVE YOU HAD A NOTABLE WIN IN THE SHOW RING? Email bethan.simons@futurenet.com within 24 hours of the show for your chance to appear in this section Wiltshire Spring, West Wilts EC KINSALES IRISH EMERALD (Timmy) proved a real gem for his owner/rider Katie Radcliffe, a professor of psychology at Bath university. He first won the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) SEIB Search for a Star show hunter qualifier, then returned 48 hours later to lift the London International (LIHS) rising star working hunter qualifier. They booked their spot in the Royal International (RIHS) middleweight/heavyweight amateur hunter class at UK Ponies and Horses Spring, so they're already bound for the three major finals this term. Katie purchased eight-yearold Timmy as an unbacked…

LOCAL owner John Hargreaves had cause for celebration as his 10-year-old Kauto No Risk (pictured, above), a son of No Risk At All, landed the hunt members’ under Zac Baker at Bitterley. Sent off as favourite, he scored by nine lengths. “We bought him unseen out of Ireland five years ago,” said trainer Jo Priest. “He was a weedy thing when he arrived, but he's turned into a phenomenal little horse.” This was a welcome success for his connections, as Kauto No Risk had been off the track for almost two years owing to injury. Jo added: “On his first run back three weeks ago he was third in good company and he's now won five races. He's tricky and we have to be careful with his training, not overdoing…

Pytchley with Woodland, Dingley, Northants GINA ANDREWS’ path to a treble began in the conditions (level two) aboard Lucky Speed son Call Me Early, owned by the Signy and Marriage families, the gelding's third win from four starts this season. “He's shown a lot of progression this season and again won pretty easily today,” said Gina of the six-year-old. Gina then claimed the mixed open aboard Cliff Myers’ seven-year-old Cheytac, a son of Authorized, who was making his debut in open company. Her final win was in the second maiden, on trainer Eamonn O'Donnabhain's Rebel Aura, a four-year-old mare by Crystal Ocean. “Tom Lacey put me up for the ride,” said Gina. “She had been very well prepared. You wouldn't believe it was her first time on a racecourse.” Gina…

Edited by Catherine Austen catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 “We have to unite and fight to preserve our sport as best we can for the next generation” MARCH marked the end of an era for the hunting world, particularly in Wales, when Ian Hawkins retired after a distinguished career spanning 45 years, from 1981 to 2026. Generations of hunting enthusiasts have enjoyed hunting with Ian over this time, latterly at the Glyn Celyn Beagles, where he has been master and huntsman for the past four years. He is widely recognised for his ability as a huntsman and as a first-class conditioner of hounds. Over the course of five decades, Ian has had the rare experience of working for six different packs, hunting foxhounds and beagles, both pre- and post-ban, in widely varying countries.…

“I CAN hear the hounds,” remarked Adam yesterday, opening the bedroom window to let the sound in. “Jake [the kennelhuntsman] must be back from his holiday.” The College Valley kennels are located a couple of miles from here but we are lucky enough to hear the hounds on the stillest mornings. And hounds and the people who work with them should be at the forefront of our minds now that the Government has launched its consultation on trail-hunting. Signing the Future of Hunting e-lobby takes approximately two minutes via the Countryside Alliance's website (the answers to the questions have already been completed) and goes straight to the Government's consultation team and your MP. After that we need to share it. As the circulated message says: “This is the single most…