Sarah Jenkins: Gentlemanly behaviour
What a gent that Carl Hester is, to withdraw one of his two rides from the national dressage championship grand prix freestyle to give another rider the opportunity to compete.
I doubt allowing Michael Eilberg (pictured) to make the most of this opportunity and take overall honours was part of his plan, but Carl has claimed quite enough national titles.
It was, too, fantastic to see Michael, whose rise to the top has seemed inevitable since he took up dressage seven years ago, add national champion to his European and World accolades.
What were they thinking?
I’m loath to criticise media, knowing the challenges and realities they face, but for the Daily Mirror to capitalise on a pixilated image of a racehorse being shot last weekend was dumbfounding.
For the RSPCA to come out in support of the vet and racecourse rather demonstrates quite how off the money the paper was.
As humanitarian causes go, the prompt euthanasia of an animal with this sort of injury doesn’t feature. Compare this to the suffering experienced by animals — equines including — during live export, and there you’ve got yourself a cause.
Buying from Ireland
In more positive news, the hunting season is now upon us and the claim: “He hunted in Ireland”, instils confidence like no other. But how many lack the assurance to purchase from the emerald isle?
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Knowing who to trust, and where to start, is daunting enough. Take heed from H&H hunting editor Polly Portwin, who de-mystifies the process on p24 of this week’s magazine (25 September).
This column was first published in H&H magazine on 25 September 2014
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Sarah has worked at an equestrian journalist and editor since 2004 and has held the position of Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief since 2014. She has reported for Horse & Hound from major championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on horses and horse sport including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. She has owned and ridden horses since 1993, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university. While studying for a BSc at London School of Economics Sarah also worked for top British dressage rider Louise Spate.