The week on Twitter: AP McCoy, a sweltering dressage rider and Paul Tapner’s ’20th’ birthday
Enjoy some of our favourite tweets from the past seven days. From a challenging race ride to a combine harvester cross-country fence. It all happened on Twitter this week.
There is an exciting new addition to this weekly page. Our favourite tweet each week will win either an Apatchy mini tablet case or an Apatchy cosmetic bag, personalised with your own initials. For more information about the competition and to find out who this week’s winner is, go to the bottom of this page.
Tweets of the week
The great man himself, AP McCoy can now enjoy proper breakfasts thanks to his retirement
A rare site this morning…AP enjoying breakfast in between riding out 1st & 2nd Lot! pic.twitter.com/DSc04eMv7cA rare site this morning…AP enjoying breakfast in between riding out 1st & 2nd Lot! pic.twitter.com/DSc04eMv7c— Jonjo O'Neill (@JonjoONeill) July 9, 2015— Jonjo O'Neill (@JonjoONeill) July 9, 2015
There was an interesting entry at this showjumping competition — part zebra/part horse
An unusual entry #Chelsham #Bromley #summer #showjumping #zorse @localridermag @Horsemart @horseandhound #HorseHour pic.twitter.com/Ruj8aiMKu6An unusual entry #Chelsham #Bromley #summer #showjumping #zorse @localridermag @Horsemart @horseandhound #HorseHour pic.twitter.com/Ruj8aiMKu6— ClaireOwenAtticPhoto (@AtticPhoto) July 6, 2015— ClaireOwenAtticPhoto (@AtticPhoto) July 6, 2015
The life of a farrier’s dog is a tough one…
Ronald at 7.15 am. #peakedtoosoon @Shoeingmachine pic.twitter.com/MOQ4yqUw60Ronald at 7.15 am. #peakedtoosoon @Shoeingmachine pic.twitter.com/MOQ4yqUw60— Anna Mildner (@AnnaSpannaM) July 8, 2015— Anna Mildner (@AnnaSpannaM) July 8, 2015
Jockey Dougie Costello had a “humpy” ride down to the start of this race. Thankfully the horse settled and he went on to win
ONLY @WolvesRaces would Sculptured 25/1 shot win after this! Great effort @DougieCostello. pic.twitter.com/aTYoLd47vTONLY @WolvesRaces would Sculptured 25/1 shot win after this! Great effort @DougieCostello. pic.twitter.com/aTYoLd47vT— Dave (@DJF_17) July 7, 2015— Dave (@DJF_17) July 7, 2015
We hope that the three-star horses competing at Barbury Horse Trials this weekend are good with tractors (and combines)
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Don your running shoes people: we are XC Walking @BarburyCastle – @BB_LIBBY_LIVE STYLE! http://t.co/vrvf9cMcWL pic.twitter.com/BEfguU89RyDon your running shoes people: we are XC Walking @BarburyCastle – @BB_LIBBY_LIVE STYLE! http://t.co/vrvf9cMcWL pic.twitter.com/BEfguU89Ry— An Eventful Life (@eventfulifebook) July 9, 2015— An Eventful Life (@eventfulifebook) July 9, 2015
The dog of racing trainer Jamie Osborne had the right idea in the recent British heatwave
An hour later and she still hasn't moved! pic.twitter.com/gxjUqDcaw0An hour later and she still hasn't moved! pic.twitter.com/gxjUqDcaw0— jamie osborne (@osbornejamie) July 1, 2015— jamie osborne (@osbornejamie) July 1, 2015
We hear you, Olivia, and we totally agree
I say this every year but SOMEONE PLEASE INVENT BREECHES YOU CAN NOT DIE OF HEAT IN AND CAN GET A TAN. My milk bottle legs are cooking ?I say this every year but SOMEONE PLEASE INVENT BREECHES YOU CAN NOT DIE OF HEAT IN AND CAN GET A TAN. My milk bottle legs are cooking ?— Olivia Oakeley (@OakeleyDressage) June 30, 2015— Olivia Oakeley (@OakeleyDressage) June 30, 2015
And congratulations to this week’s Tweet of the Week winner
Top event rider Paul Tapner was quick to correct us upon wishing him a Happy 40th Birthday
@horseandhound: Happy 40th Birthday to Paul Tapner!@horseandhound: Happy 40th Birthday to Paul Tapner!NO it's a lie I'm not 40!NO it's a lie I'm not 40!I'm just turning 20….again….for the 2nd time! Woohoo! ?I'm just turning 20….again….for the 2nd time! Woohoo! ?— Paul Tapner (@TapnerEventing) July 3, 2015— Paul Tapner (@TapnerEventing) July 3, 2015
If you like this, why not follow @horseandhound on twitter today?
Tweet of the week competition
The winner of the Horse & Hound tweet of the week competition can also be found by searching Twitter for #HHTweetOfTheWeek. The winner will receive an Apatchy mini tablet case (pictured left) or an Apatchy cosmetic bag (pictured below right), personalised with their initials.
Apatchy are designers and makers of bespoke lifestyle gifts.
Their ranges include wash, cosmetic,
travel and sports bags, which can be instantly personalised or customised without the need for sewing, gluing or ironing. To find out more about Apatchy’s unique personalised products and their wonderful gift wrapping service, visit www.apatchy.co.uk
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.