Horse & Hound’s 130th birthday: top riders share their memories of the magazine
Since 1884, Horse & Hound has been ‘the bible’ for horse lovers. This year is our 130th birthday and to celebrate we’ve asked top riders across the disciplines to share their fondest memories of the magazine.
Pippa and William Funnell
H&H has always been a habit for both William and I. We always look forward to reading it cover to cover every week and have issues dating back years. My first photo in H&H was when I was young hunting a little grey pony, I was very excited about that.
I’ve always read H&H. My memory’s not great, but I think my first photo in H&H was when I was about 13 competing in a 13.2hh class at Hickstead.
I remember when I could first read, seeing the quote from Whyte-Melville and wondering who he was. Even then I remember the quote — ‘I freely admit that the best of my fun, I owe it to horse and hound’ — meaning a hell of a lot to me.
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I remember seeing pictures of Nick Skelton setting the new high jump record with the Lastic and the amazing Lucinda Prior-Palmer [now Green] wining Badminton for the 5th time. My best personal memory has to be the write up when Rocky won the supreme working hunter champion title at the Royal International 1998 for the third time, breaking records.
My first memory of H&H is looking at a wonderful feature on the Cleveland Hunt, which featured my dad, with fantastic photos by the great Jim Meads. I was about 5 or 6.
I used to love H&H when I was young — especially the show guides. They were like the bible to me; I’d get very excited and plan my year with my ponies. I always longed to be in the magazine and I still have the cutting of the first time my name was in the results.
What’s your favourite memory of Horse & Hound? Let us know below
Don’t miss this week’s special issue of Horse & Hound, where we celebrate our 130th birthday with an exclusive pull-out poster, and you’ll have the chance to win £12,000 worth of prizes
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