Olympic medallist Clayton Fredericks will design his first five-star cross-country course at next year’s Adelaide Equestrian Festival (15-18 April 2027).

Clayton was part of the Australian silver medal-winning eventing team at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and won individual silver and team bronze at the 2006 World Championships. In recent years, his focus has turned to designing cross-country courses and coaching.

Only a handful of people have designed at the highest level, so this appointment is significant news both for Clayton’s own course-designing career and in the context of the wider sport.

He will succeed Britain’s Mike Etherington-Smith; Mike will stay on in the role of course advisor, and Ewan Kellett will support Clayton as assistant course-designer. Mick Pineo will continue as cross-country lead at the fixture.

Clayton said he is “incredibly honoured” to accept the position.

“Adelaide is one of the world’s iconic eventing competitions, combining elite sport with a spectacular city setting,” he said.

“Having competed at Adelaide in the inaugural year of 1997, I have a deep appreciation for the event’s history and significance. My goal is to build on the outstanding work of Mike Etherington-Smith and the festival team by designing courses that are challenging, fair and, above all, safe for both horse and rider.”

Mike said he is “absolutely delighted to see Clayton take on this challenge”.

“Having worked closely with him at a number of venues around the world, I have seen first-hand his passion for the sport, his attention to detail and his understanding of what makes a great cross-country course,” he said.

“I have every confidence that he is the right person to design the Adelaide course.”

Clayton also holds other international course design and assistant designer roles. This includes serving as assistant to Burghley’s course-designer Derek di Grazia at this year’s event, alongside fellow assistant Andrew Heffernan. Clayton and Andrew are doing a masterclass on the Thursday (3 September) of Burghley.

Adelaide Equestrian Festival event director Kirsty Withers said Clayton’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the event.

“Clayton’s achievements as both an athlete and course designer have earned him enormous respect throughout the global eventing community,” she said.

“Together with Ewan, Mick and the best course-building team in the region, this exceptional group will continue to strengthen the Adelaide Equestrian Festival’s reputation as one of the world’s premier five-star events.”

She added: “I’m also delighted that Mike Etherington-Smith will continue his long-standing association in his new role as course advisor, ensuring his invaluable knowledge and experience remain part of Adelaide’s future.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘We’re delighted to bring loyal readers this benefit’: H&H magazine subscribers get free website access

Dan and Harry Skelton to show how they train racehorses using techniques from other sports at Burghley

How many fences, what’s the optimum time and more – course-designer answers your questions about the World Championships cross-country course

Australian Olympic medallist Andrew Hoy has paid tribute to the “most amazing little horse” Algebra, who died on his 24th birthday.

Julia McLean and John Glenn’s 15.3hh gelding died at their farm in Australia on Tuesday (15 November).

“Sam” was produced from grassroots to four-star level (now five-star) level by Andrew’s pupil Natalie Blundell. The pair were based in Australia and completed the Adelaide CCI4* (now CCI5*) four times, including 2012 when they were runners-up. Natalie relocated to Andrew’s UK base and in 2014 she and Algebra were 13th at Luhmühlen.

Algebra had been due to start a second career as a schoolmaster, but John and Julia decided to give him a final year at the top of the sport, and Andrew took over the ride at the end of 2014. The pair won their first international event together, the Montelibretti CCI3*-L (now CCI4*) in April 2015. Two months later they won the Haras du Pin CCI3*-L (now CCI4*). The following year they were fourth at Haras Du Pin, third in the Ballindenisk CCI3* (now CCI4*) and in 2017 they were third at Montelibretti.

Andrew said 15 November marked a “memorable date” as it was “Mr Pocket Rocket’s” birthday and the date Algebra’s retirement party was held in 2017, when he was 20.

“On his 25th birthday is where the journey ended and he passed away at John and Julia’s beautiful farm, where he had been bossing around the young horses right until the end,” he said.

“He certainly was the most special character and I have so much to thank him for. We had an amazing time together and some pretty remarkable results. I was so lucky to take over the reins from my most wonderful student Natalie Blundell. 2015 was ‘our year’, winning at Montelibretti and Haras du Pin.”

Andrew added that on 15 November, he and his wife Stefanie had arranged to catch up with John and Julia, who also own Byebye Brisquenouille, an 11-year-old mare competing at two-star level with Andrew.

“It was somehow fitting that we could be there to raise a glass with them and share memories of this most amazing little horse, who has touched all our hearts and given all of us the most wonderful experiences and memories,” he said.

“Thank you Sam. You will always keep a very special place in my heart.”

You might also be interested in:

‘All I have is happy memories’: farewell to five-star eventer after happy retirement

Olympic event rider wins dressage World Cup leg

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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

The Australian International 3-Day Event (Aus3DE) has been cancelled for a second year owing to Covid lockdowns and the impact other cancelled events have had on riders’ qualifications.

The fixture is the sole CCI5* in the southern hemisphere and last ran in 2019, when Hazel Shannon and Willingapark Clifford claimed their third five-star victory at the Adelaide fixture.

This year’s event was due to take place from 18-21 November, but the plug was pulled as a result of further lockdown measures in Australia.

The Australian International 3-Day Event board announced the news today (6 August).

The notice said the decision was made “after considering all options and follows the impact Covid-19 lockdowns have had on other equestrian events across Australia”.

Board chairman Greg Rolton added that lockdowns in other Australian states have led to equestrian events being cancelled and riders unable to qualify for the Adelaide event in November.

“Our primary focus is to deliver a safe and successful event at the world-class benchmark we have created. Unfortunately, with continued lockdowns across the country in 2021, this has impacted the ability for riders to compete and qualify for the Aus3DE,” he said.

“We are disappointed this has led to the decision to cancel the 2021 [event] particularly after the success of our Olympic silver medal-winning equestrian eventing team at the Tokyo Olympics, but we have our sights set on the delivery of a fantastic event in 2022 post this pandemic.”

Three CCI5*s are still to come in the 2021 calendar. These are new fixtures at Bicton in Britain (1-5 September) and Maryland in the US (13-17 October), plus the established Pau CCI5* in France (27-31 October).

You might also be interested in:

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

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

Luhmühlen Horse Trials (18-21 June) and the Australian International Three-Day Event at Adelaide (12-15 November) have both been cancelled owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

The loss of the German and Australian five-stars leaves Burghley (2-6 September), the new Maryland Five-Star at Fair Hill in the USA (15-18 October) and the French five-star at Pau (21-25 October) as the only five-star eventing competitions still due to run this year.

The decision on Luhmühlen came after the German government’s decision to ban large-scale gatherings until 24 October.

Luhmühlen director Julia Otto said: “After the German government has announced new restrictions on 15 April, we have considered several options but unfortunately now have to cancel the Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials.

“We would like to thank all those involved, who have worked closely with us over the past few weeks to explore possible further scenarios. We look forward to the planning phase of the Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials next year (17-20 June 2021).”

The decision about Adelaide was “made by the board last week after considering all options, and follows the impact Covid-19 has on all governments, events and communities”, said a statement.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Vote for the Badminton highlights you’d most like to watch

Fans can vote for which year's Badminton highlights programmes they would like to watch, with each person being able to

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound responds to Covid-19 with new-look magazine: escapism, nostalgia and advice

Horse & Hound magazine unveils new series focused on celebrating legendary riders, looking back at past events, what riders can

“Our primary focus has to be on our ability to operate a safe and successful event at the world-high benchmark we have created,” said board chair Greg Rolton.

“It is the board’s view that even if restrictions were lifted to a point of allowing spectators to the event, the athletes and horses would not have the lead-up events to qualify and prepare them to compete at the five-star competition, the highest level of event for the sport of eventing.

“This has led to the decision to cancel the 2020 event but we look forward to planning the 2021 Aus3DE to showcase the very best that Adelaide and South Australia has to offer post this crisis.”

With the dates of the cancelled Badminton five-star fast approaching, the event has announced fans can vote for which years’ highlights programmes they would like to watch during the week when the event should have run.

Would you like to read Horse & Hound’s independent journalism without any adverts? Join Horse & Hound Plus today and you can read all articles on HorseandHound.co.uk completely ad-free.

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

A decision to remove penalties from Australian event rider Stuart Tinney’s cross-country round in the Adelaide CCI4* on Saturday (18 November) has sparked heated debate.

Stuart was riding 12-year-old grey gelding War Hawk, owned by Corinna and Darren Huskinson, K Tinney and himself, when the pair had a slight miscommunication at a triple brush in a water complex.

As a result, 50 jumping penalties were added to Stuart’s score under a new FEI rule for 2017, for missing a flag. The rule states that a horse is considered to have run out if “having been presented at an element or obstacle on the course, it avoids it in such a way that the head, neck or either shoulder of the horse fails to pass between the extremities of the element or obstacle as flagged”.

The rider can choose to accept 20 penalties and re-present, or continue if they believe the horse jumped cleanly, but will be given 50 penalties if the fence judge decides the horse ran out. In the past, the combination would have been eliminated if they carried on without re-presenting when the fence judge decided they had run out.

Stuart did not lodge an appeal, but after reviewing footage, after the cross-country phase had finished, the ground jury decided to remove the 50 penalties based on the picture below.

Megan Jones, with Kirby Park Impress, was also given 50 penalties under the same rule, but went on to finish second after the penalties were removed.

Meanwhile, the 50 penalties collected by Hazel Shannon, riding WillingaPark Clifford, remained in place after footage was reviewed.

On Sunday morning, a group of riders approached the ground jury to ask members to reconsider their decision. Hazel was represented by lawyer Kathryn Howard during an appeal.

The final decision on all the riders’ 50 penalties was made 90 minutes before the final phase of the four-star was due to start.

Megan Jones, who was the rider representative at the event, had the ground jury’s decision fully explained to her. She shared what the ground jury said in a video.

She said: “They discovered the horse did actually jump the fence as it’s stated in the rules: A horse will be considered to have cleared the fence when head and neck and both shoulders of the horse pass between the extremities of the element or obstacle as flagged,” she explains. “The flag went between Stuart’s horse’s front legs, but his head, neck and shoulders were inside the flag.”

Stuart and War Hawk went on to showjump clear for third place — the pair would have finished in 11^th place had the penalties not been removed.

Eventers debate controversial proposal to change flag rules

An informal discussion was held by the Event Riders Association GB at Osberton about the proposed introduction of five penalties

FEI eventing rules updated: 50 penalties for missing a flag, new level WEG XC and more

There are some signification changes in the latest update to the FEI eventing rules

Major shake-up of international eventing levels planned

New levels, a change to dressage scoring and an update to the “flag” rule are among the proposed 2018 FEI

The event was won by Clarke Johnstone of New Zealand riding Balmoral Sensation.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

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

Oliver Townend has won the CIC3* at the Australian International Three-Day Event at Adelaide (3-6 November).

The British rider rode at the event because of his friendship with Australia’s Tim Boland, with whom he works on selling horses between the two countries. Tim offered him the ride on Napoleon, an 11-year-old son of APH Spiegel, for the class.

“He was a beautiful horse to sit on to start with and I felt like he has everything,” said Oliver. “He’s got the movement for definite, the jump for definite and now I know he’s got the stamina.”

Oliver rode Napoleon just three times before arriving on site at Adelaide, including winning a 1.30m speed class. But he made an impact in the class from the start with a dressage score of 44.9 for second place.

“Napoleon was very professional and relaxed,” said Oliver. “I was positively surprised by how he was.”

That evening the pair produced the only showjumping clear in the time to take the lead.

“We showjumped late in front of a beautiful old-fashioned grandstand [pictured above] and to jump the only clear in the time was very special,” said the rider.

The next day Oliver went on to record 13.2 cross-country time-faults to secure victory. Oliver explained that riding the course was an experience unlike anything he had known before — the event is right in Adelaide’s city centre, with several road crossings.

“It’s unique — I’ve never ridden in a place like that,” he said.

Continued below…

Related articles:

Alice Dunsdon’s Adelaide blog: we’ve done it!

Britain wins final 2016 eventing Nations Cup at Boekelo; Oliver Townend third individually

Oliver Townend crowned Event Rider Master to win £30,000 series first prize

Oliver and Napoleon finished 3.8 penalties clear of the home side’s Megan Jones on Kirby Park Impress in second, with New Zealand’s Samantha Felton third on Ricker Ridge Pico Boo.

It is unusual for European-based riders to compete at Adelaide, although last year Britain’s Alice Dunsdon completed the CCI4* there with Fernhill Present, completing a remarkable quest as the horse had to undergo stringent quarantine requirements.

Read more about Oliver’s Adelaide win in H&H next week (issue dated 17 November).

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

As I walk along the pathway to Hilly’s (Fernhill Present) field, the early night is drawing in and the cold air is nipping at my heels. The heat and excitement of Adelaide’s world-famous four-star event seems so long ago.

I can see Hilly in the distance munching away happy and content. You would have no idea that only two weeks previously he was on the other side of the world achieving something that no other horse has done before. Hilly helped me achieve my dream of being the first Northern Hemisphere rider to complete Adelaide. Our ultimate goal is to be the the first horse and rider combination to complete all six four-stars around the world.

As I reach him he looks up briefly, acknowledges me with with a gentle wicker. I rub his head and look at him:

“Thank you,” I whisper.

Hilly stands and looks at me for a while, he then turns and walks a few steps away before he starts grazing again. I stand and watch him as the darkness draws in around us. The two horses turned out in the field next to him are grazing on the horizon as the winter light gently fades away.

I start to walk away but Hilly, oblivious, hasn’t noticed. I reach the gate way and look back, I can just make out his silhouette distance. “Goodnight,” I say.

As I continue walking back to stables I can see the yard lights ahead being switched off and I’m swallowed by darkness. The hoot of an owl nearby suddenly makes me aware I am very alone. “It’s a strange sport,” I think to myself of eventing. At the height of any athlete’s competition career, hundreds if not thousands of people are on the edge of their seats, watching you. Yet the reality of a successful sportsperson is sometimes that life is the most loneliness of places.

I carry on thinking as I walk along the path back to the house: “I wonder if I could get

night vision cameras put up around Hilly’s field?”

Hilly has been turned away. He’s out, and in the famous words of Micky Flanagan: “The boy is out, out!”

He will be out on holiday in the field for the next month. He is checked twice a day but apart from that he is left well and truly alone.

Everyone has different ideas with their horses but I personally think a horse needs the time to unwind and relax after a big competition or a season’s eventing/showjumping or even hunting. As well as being good for them physically to let them down, if there are any underlying injuries the rest will hopefully put these right too.

Mentally I think that this break is key. Horses are unable to tell us how they feel; we are unfortunately having to second guess the whole time but I have not come across a horse yet that does not enjoy being out in the field with a healthy about of grass, the sun on their backs and friends to share their stories with.

Hilly has two friends next to him, mother and daughter Dragon and Fire. I evented Dragon when I was a junior and I did my first intermediate with her. She is now in her 20’s but looks as good as the day I first saw her. Her daughter Fire is indeed a fiery six-year-old. She suffered a minor injury last year and is now in foal.

When Hilly arrived home he stepped off the lorry and marched straight into his stable as though he had never been away. I honestly couldn’t believe how well he travelled back. The next morning I turned him out in the field and the little toe rag rolled, bucked and pulled a shoe off. This is one of the reasons I have to turn him away 24/7. Hilly becomes to fresh and naughty if I bring him in and out of the field. He would become a danger to himself. I, on the other hand, would much prefer to keep him in sometimes — keeping him clean and keeping a watchful eye on him but unfortunately I know this is not in his best interests.

For the first week I did have to be careful with Hilly’s routine though. I didn’t suddenly want to put him out to the rich English grass compared to Australia’s Vegemite grass. I gradually increased the hours he was out each day until I was happy for him to be turned away completely.

My vet PJ Mc Mahon came and checked Hilly over and gave him the all clear. I think we are all staggered with how incredible he looks and feels. Hilly’s farrier Mark Spriggs came and pulled his shoes off and then he was ready for his holiday. Was I? No, no I was not!

I would love to have Hilly in a field right outside my bedroom window so I could watch him all day and night but he would hate this. We have him turned away in a very quiet secluded field where my groom, Jenny McKibben, has nicknamed it Hilly’s “man cave”. Hilly hates being pestered and although horses are herd animals I think if he was in the wild he’d be the loan stallion that would walk the plains by himself.

Hilly was incredibly brave for me throughout our amazing journey and now I must be brave for him and just leave him be. Leave him alone to be a horse at grass. We will feed him a little haylage out in the field but no hard feed. He is such a good doer that he doesn’t need the added calories. He has two rugs on — a heavyweight outdoor with neck and a lightweight rain sheet with neck. I find this is a really effective way to keep them warm and dry without having hundreds of rugs on them and we all know how I love my rugs!

For the first time this year I have also put on a mud barrier grease to help against mud fever. I have done so purely for the fact that Hilly has clipped out legs. Usually at the end of the season we would have let his winter coat grow in and this would help to prevent against the mud.

It is good to be home and I can’t wait for Christmas and the for the New Year to begin! I will be entering Badminton and hoping not to be put too far down on the wait list. I feel that Hilly has deservedly earnt his place to be there and we hope to make history as we complete the final four-star on our list of six!

I am well too. My scan at the hospital in Adelaide came back negative for an appendicitis meaning I was able to fly home with Hilly. My blood results came back as having a very high white blood cell count showing indication of an infection but whether I contracted this I will never know. It took me a long time to feel 100% again but I am grateful it was only this and nothing more serious and even more grateful it was I who was ill and not Hilly!

Thank you all for being a part of my journey. Without your support it would have been a very different experience altogether. Have a very Merry Christmas and have no regrets for the New Year.

Best wishes as always to you all.

Goodnight for now.

Alice and Hilly xx

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

We’ve done it!

My incredible horse has completed five out of the six toughest three-day events in the world! Wow. What a horse.

As I write this blog I am sat in hospital in a delightful white gown with my devoted boyfriend Dave and my amazing Mother. I feel a lot better but I am meant to be flying home with Hilly on Wednesday and if my illness is because of my appendix we need to know now.

This morning Hilly was on good form and Jenny my groom was all ready to trot him up for me as running feels like someone is stabbing knives into my stomach. I walked up to the trot-up and I saw the amount of people there showing their support for all of the competitors. I thought to myself, I can’t let these people down.

I have received so many emails and messages through social media and I knew people were in the grandstand to support Hilly and I. I was sure I could manage a 20m jog next to Hilly. I sent my poor Mother running back to the stables to grab a better pair of shoes and whatever make-up she could find lying about. It was still early and no chocolate had been consumed yet, I was not looking my best. My mother arrived back just in time and I scraped my hair back into a bun, put my trot-up shoes on and walked forward with Hilly in hand to the ground jury. The president of the ground jury is Sandy Philips and the two members are Wayne Quarles and Martin Plewa and the technical delicate is Des Hughes.

“Accepted,” I heard as we trotted back.

Good boy Hilly, I said, as I patted him — though he couldn’t care less, he just wanted to get back to the stables and eat some hay.

The time was now roughly 9.30am and from this time until 2.15pm I pretty much was asleep. The night before was not a comfortable one for me to put it politely and I didn’t get much sleep. The bathroom light must have looked like a discotheque the amount of times it was being switched on and off.

Jenny had everything under control with Hilly and I needed to walk the course at 2.45pm. I’m always a bit late, but I was up at the showjumping arena at 2.50pm waiting to walk the course with my Mother. Corinne Bracken has helped me hugely with my showjumping.

I also train with Gill Watson and Pammy Hutton for the stressage bits. I have trained with Gill since I was 15 years old and she probably knows my strengths and weakness better than anyone. Gill and Pammy are true horsewoman and they both “get” me. I’m open to all methods of training, but I feel it’s very important you bond with your trainer and also I don’t think it’s bad to see different trainers as some may suit certain horses and some may not. Ernest Dillion is also a fantastic coach who I recommend, but I just find I bond better with another woman training me… We then can moan about the men in the world!

I spoke to Corinne on Facebook briefly and I told her my instructions to myself. They go has follows:

1. Toes out — this means over the fence to turn my toes outwards as it helps with my lower leg. I’m obsessed with my lower leg and showjumping I get nervous and grip up with my knees and my lower leg does not always stay secure around the horse.

2. Keep contact — over the bigger fences I mustn’t let go of the front end. In other words I must not throw the reins at him over the fence or else he becomes unbalanced and more likely to have a fence down.

3. Look up and keep position — Hilly has a big jump and when he tries hard in the showjumping he can unseat me and I lose my balance. Especially on landing I tip forwards or to stop that I slip my reins too much through the air to keep my position and balance. I then end up with washing lines for reins. It helps if I look up on the point of take-off, keep looking up and stay forward with him until he lands. I find this helps me to stop tilting forward on landing. Two riders that I admire so much and always try mimic their position are Louise and Nicole Pavitt. They are both brilliant riders and if I look like them at all when I’m showjumping I am very happy.

4. Give him room in front of the fence — the way that Hilly jumps is that he bring his front legs up and out on take-off, so if I get to close to the fence on the point of take-off he does not have enough room to get his legs out of the way.

“Excellent,” Corinne wrote back. Good I thought. Now I just need to do it!

The showjumping course looked up to height and not too forgiving. All the oxers were square and the vertices were big too. Most eventers would prefer a tougher showjumping course so the final leaderboard is not just a reflection on the dressage mark. The time was proving to be tight too — something I have been working on with Hilly as he wastes so much time in the air.

Hilly warmed up well outside. I had the CNN camera crew filming me as I warmed up and, yes, I will admit it I missed at a cross pole! Hilly quickly told me, “No mum, I will put another stride I here before I take off” — luckily it was only a cross pole and I hoped that was my miss out the way.

I was next in, Hilly seemed nervous too and Jenny had to lead me around. Hilly is a good jumper but he can have fences down so I just wanted to ride to the best of my ability to try and help him. As I trotted in my heart was racing, no stomach pains, I just didn’t want mess this bit up. I saluted to the ground jury and they rung the bell.

Show time. I circled in canter and headed to the first showjump — relief, I have a stride. Nothing worse than first fence-itus! He felt mega underneath me. Two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11 — all clear. I turned into the combination — “whoa” I said to Hilly and I felt he just rubbed the fence going in to have it down. I turned to the last and he jumped the big square oxer like a stag. Just one down! No time-faults, I was thrilled!

Being me, the first thing I said to my Mother as I came out of the ring was: “That was my fault! We got a bit close. He could have jumped it but I was a bit close!”

Whether I was too close or not, or if he should have jumped the fence clear or not, I can’t complain about just one down. Any horse can have an unlucky fence down and I felt I rode well and didn’t let Hilly down.

Wow! We’ve done it! It’s still sinking in.

Back at the stables a fellow competitor asked me, “Are you glad it’s over?”

“No, I wish I could do it all again!” I replied, “Well, the competition bit at least!”

Hilly finished 16th and I am so proud of him. My aim was to complete Adelaide with a fit healthy horse to fly home with and I’ve done that. Yes, I’m gutted about going the wrong side of the ropes across country but there is nothing I can do about that now. Making mistakes does not mean you’re a failure. It just means you’re trying and learning in life. I will certainly learn to look at the ropes in the future!

So as I’m sat here now in hospital waiting for a scan I feel happy. In the famous words of Phil Collins, “I’m not trying necessarily to become a movie star; that wouldn’t be bad but that’s not the aim. I’m just trying to do interesting things and go into areas where I’ve not been before.”

That’s it really. I’m not anyone special and others could do this too. Life is short, if there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.

That’s how I try to live my life.

Hilly and I leave for Melbourne tomorrow (Monday) and on Wednesday we fly home if everything goes to plan. If my appendix does not look good and it has to be removed Hilly will fly home with Jenny.

Until next time — hopefully I will be able to show you all photos of Hilly in the field on holiday at home in Surrey!

Thank you all for being a huge part of my journey. I have absolutely no idea how many of you are reading this, but I promise you all never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass away and you’re never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.

Take care,

Alice and Hilly xx

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

I will start this blog from Friday morning. I woke up in the hotel we are staying at called the Crown Plaza in Adelaide City around 6am. I’m not a morning person whatsoever and normally it takes me a decent size of chocolate to get me going.

I awoke with what I can only describe as a sore tummy. I chose to ignore this and went to ride Hilly, who was feeling very full of himself! Hilly’s test was later that afternoon. As we all know Hilly can be a cheeky chappy, so I rode him out a couple of times before his test so he could unwind and relax.

The pain throughout the morning was become worse and I hadn’t eaten anything that I thought was bad in the last 24 hours. Luckily my Mother had some painkillers that I was allowed to take under FEI rules and they seemed to help. I was ever so slightly beginning to think that sitting trot may not be that comfortable today.

Fortunately the painkillers were on side and Hilly scored a 55.1 and he was in 11th place after the dressage out of 30 competitors. I am absolutely delighted with his dressage performance. He kept his head and tried hard. I did not do very much dressage practice at all since being here to keep him on side. Too much training and Hilly will say no. Some might say a temperamental character, but we love him for it!

It was lovely to see the grandstand packed full of people cheering on everyone. The welcome I received walking into the arena for our dressage test was incredible. I think this made Hilly happy too and certainly helped with our performance.

I’ve been amazed by everyone’s responses to what I’m trying to achieve and the amount of people rooting for Hilly and I is just amazing! So thank you again for all of your support and kind words I have had.

After Hilly’s test my groom Jenny took him for graze in hand — Hilly’s favourite part of the day at competitions — and my boyfriend Dave and I went to meet some of Dave’s family who had traveled from Brisbane to watch me compete. As we sat chatting over a cup of tea and cake the deep aching pains began to return to my stomach.

We said our goodbyes and I was off to walk the cross-country course for its third inspection. I would generally walk three-day cross-country courses three or four times. My first walk is fairly relaxed looking at all the questions figuring out the different options. My second walk is more detailed, walking my lines, making sure I know the distances and on my third course walk I walk the course to how I will hopefully ride it. My fourth walk is normally something for me to do if I’m nervous the day of the competition and also to check that nothing has changed on the course or jumps themselves — flower arrangements by the jumps or take-off and landing surfaces.

The course here is designed by Mike Etherington-Smith. I love Mike’s courses as I feel they are always very fair to the horses and encourage you to ride forward and positively. Whenever I see Mike as the course-designer I am happy. Mike is also very approachable to ask questions about the course and he is more than happy to advise you on his opinion, which I hate to say it is normally right. Hilly’s last prep run was the stunning event at Millstreet in Co Cork, Ireland, in August. And again the famous Mr Etherington-Smith was there as course designer there and it was the perfect prep run for Hilly.

As I set out on Friday afternoon to walk the course I was not in a good way. I walked the first park and then quickly retreated back to the stables.

The course here is simply very cool. You’re in the heart of the city with the skyscrapers looking down on you. The course is in parkland throughout the city and there is always something going on around the park, from yoga classes to dog play groups, families having picnics or just simply people leisurely walking around. There are coffee shops and bars around Victoria Park and the atmosphere is very chic and trendy.

As I arrived back to stables I was starting to deteriorate. What on earth was happening to me?

Dave drove me back to the hotel where I started being violently sick with crippling stomach cramps. After two hours of this we decided to go to hospital, where the symptoms just became worse. My bloods were suggesting infection but I had no temperature. It had gone 1am and I was in my worst state. The doctors wanted to give me stronger pain killers. The pain was becoming unbearable. If I was a horse I would have been throwing myself about the stable and if you tried to make me walk I would go down.

My Mother rang Yogi Breisner to discuss what drugs are permitted and prohibited for athletes or in other words me, to try and get the pain under control. I have never known such crippling pain before. The doctors were unsure what it could be. Food poisoning? A virus? Appendicitis? All I knew is that I was going cross-country now later that day at 3pm. At about 3am the painkillers began to come into play and the fluids I received had finished — I just needed sleep. The hospital discharged me, but still weren’t sure what was wrong.

I woke up at 6.30am. Oh no, I thought, the pain is back. I quickly swallowed the drugs the hospital gave to me and went back to bed praying it would work. 9am — better not great, I thought. I need to walk the rest of the course. The roping of the cross-country happens on the Friday as it is all open to the public and I needed to do my last walk. I dragged myself out of bed and went to walk the course with my Mother as I did not want to be alone in case the pains became any greater.

The two-star cross-country had already started and the crowds were out showing their support. Walking seemed to hurt my stomach a lot, but I knew if I wanted to compete I had to walk. At a slow pace I walked the second half of the course. I apologise to people who came up and said hello — I was not feeling at my best — but thank you for taking the time to show your support.

I arrived back to the stables 1pm. An hour before I needed to start getting ready. Things were not looking positive. I was in more pain, not as bad as in the night, but there had to be a miracle for me to feel better. Sleep I thought, I need sleep.

30 minutes past and I woke up feeling a little better. One thing at a time Dunsdon, get dressed. The four-star had already started and I could hear people outside the campavan telling others their stories of the cross-country.

I wish that was me I thought. Already finished.

I was not nervous at this point, I wish I was as it would have felt better than the way I was feeling. I slowly walked over suited and booted for cross-county to the stables. Jenny was brilliant. She had already walked Hilly out twice in the morning for a leg stretch and made sure he was 150% ready for me to climb on when I walked around the corner.

2.30pm. I was feeling better now I was sat on Hilly. 30 minutes before we set off. I walked around the warm-up area,

“Come on adrenaline, kick in,” I said to myself.

As I began to warm up more with Hilly, the stomach cramps began to disappear from my mind. The pain was slowly easing a little.

“I can do this,” I thought.

Hilly felt incredible warming up, even trying to have a little play buck after jumping the warm-up fences.

Then there was a hold. To my knowledge there was a water pipe that had burst. We were told they had to re-string the rope around a certain part of the course. I was pretty sure I knew where they meant and I was happy with what the stewards had told me.

I was next to go.

“Three minutes.” When the starter says that it feels like an eternity.

I keep walking around. My team behind me. My Mother there as always at the start and finish.

Then the magic words: “Five, four, three, two, one, go!”

I was away. Come on Hilly, it’s just me and you out here now and he was incredible. He made the big, twisty track feel amazing. This is why we go eventing — for horses like this that make you feel like your flying.

I was halfway round the course when I was galloping along and realised I had accidentally gone the wrong side of the ropes down an avenue. I had to turn around and get back on course. How did this happen? I walked it correctly this morning, why did I do that? Had they changed the ropes here? They had changed the ropes in that area due to the water leak, but to be honest even though it was in the same area, it was my mistake. Hilly jumped the most fantastic clear round but because of my error we had time-penalties.

As I crossed the finish line I was delighted with Hilly. He looked after me out there when I was not 100%, but I let him down and went the wrong way. I’m going over and over in my head why I went to the left and not to the right, but I guess I will never known for sure.

My goal was to jump clear around this amazing four-star and that we did. Hilly made it feel like child’s play and I am delighted with him.

As soon as I jumped off Jenny and vets surrounded me. Hilly is the number one priority. Vets check the horse’s heart rates and temperature and for any other abnormalities. Jenny’s job is to cool him down as quickly as possible and keep him walking so his muscles don’t suddenly stop and too much lactic acid builds up.

Hilly recovered well and the vets were impressed by his fitness. He was quickly allowed to go back to the stables so Jenny was able to finish off his after cross-country regime there.

I wish I was as quick to recover. As soon as I jumped off Hilly I felt a bit spaced out and the stomach pains were back.

I stayed around the stables for another couple of hours to make sure Hilly was recovering well and as Jenny led him out for a walk and grass, I needed to lie down.

If Hilly is fit and well I will showjump tomorrow. I wish I knew what was wrong with me. I am getting better slowly, I just pray I don’t go downhill again. I don’t like being ill. I don’t do that sort of thing.

Until next time I’m resting up. Hilly, you go to the riders’ party for me. You deserve it.

Alice Xx

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

Alice Dunsdon, the British event rider competing at Adelaide CCI4*, is still determined to ride across country despite being admitted to hospital earlier today.

Alice is in Australia as part of her bid to become the first rider to complete the world’s six CCI4*s on the same horse and is blogging for Horse & Hound about the experience.

Her journey to the world’s only southern hemisphere four-star has been an epic adventure. Her ride Fernhill Present went into quarantine in England in late September, flew to Australia in mid-October and then spent further time in quarantine in Sydney before the road trip to Adelaide.

Along the way Alice has had to contend with an emotional rollercoaster, including the death of her dog Bertie back in England and of the former champion jockey Pat Eddery, whose daughter Natasha is married to Alice’s brother David.

Alice and “Hilly” arrived at the event site in Adelaide on Tuesday and passed the trot-up on Wednesday. They were drawn 26th of the 32 competitors and did their dressage at 2.26pm local time on Friday, scoring 55.1 to lie 11th after this phase.

“A little in shock he was so good,” said Alice afterwards on her facebook page. “He tried so hard and more importantly kept his cool.”

However, Alice then went down with a stomach upset and was admitted to hospital.

“They think it’s either a severe tummy bug or food poisoning,” she told H&H.

The 29-year-old was released from hospital at about 4.30pm British time — 3am on Saturday in Adelaide — and still intends to run across country.

“No-one could stop me,” she added.

The cross-country starts at 1.30pm Saturday local time and Alice is scheduled to set off at 3.02pm (4.32am in Britain).

Alice and Hilly have already completed Luhmühlen, Burghley, Pau and Kentucky CCI4*s. If they conquer Adelaide this weekend, they will just need to run round Badminton to complete the set and become the first horse and rider team to achieve this feat of a full house at the sport’s highest level.

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

With the words “Alice Dunsdon and Fernhill Present are accepted” ringing in my ears, Adelaide CCI**** has officially started!

We arrived on site on Tuesday and Hilly, like a true professional he is, has settled in well. We have a little stable area to ourselves in the shade, which is perfect. The weather today saw temperatures of 42 degrees and Hilly is coping much better than us humans are with the heat.

Tuesday morning I gave Hilly his last canter at Magic Millions (pictured right) before we travelled the 10min down the road to Victoria Park in Adelaide. The nerves started to set in as I sat in the lorry on route to the event, but luckily Facebook and Twitter are brilliant distractions and to be honest, I just couldn’t wait to get there!

Hilly seemed excited too and he came off the lorry with a very proud look about him. I probably had a very sweaty look about me. It was that hot that my lovely white English legs got to make an appearance, I think they were feeling pretty proud too.

I rode Hilly out for a little explore about Adelaide and to check out our opposition. Everyone I have met so far is so friendly and welcoming – there really is a lovely atmosphere here.

Wednesday morning came and, with the heads up about the weather, I rode out at 6.30am. If you have read my previous blogs you will know it’s no secret Hilly that is not a huge fan of what we call ‘the stressage’.

He genuinely does find this phase difficult, physically and mentally. Physically because he’s not the biggest mover in the world, nor is he built like Totilas, and mentally because he wants to please and he becomes wound up if he thinks he’s not doing it right. So it’s my job to tell him you’re better than Totilas and as for that Valegro, well he’s nothing compared to you supper dupper dressage pony Hilly!

To keep Hilly at his happiest I do a lot of hacking and canter work with him and not too much stressage. Before his dressage test I will give him a little jump and just basically keep his mind ticking over and making sure he’s happy and confident in what he is doing.

Our trot-up was Wednesday afternoon and the heat was setting in. As I was trying to decide what action to take to try to stop my make up from sliding off my face, Jenny was in action plating up Hilly.

Hilly has always had a rather laid back attitude about trot-ups. In the actual trot he swaggers down at his own pace, then turns around at the end eyeing up whether the ornamental flower arrangements are suitable for a quick snack, then he’ll swagger back.

It’s all rather in a manner of saying:

For all event riders no other words matter at that moment than hearing “Accepted”, which is exactly what Hilly and I heard.What a relief!

My boyfriend Dave bought me a Fit Bit watch. One of the wonderful things this Fit Bit watch does is it records your heart rate. I checked my heart rate just before I trotted up and it was around 94 – after the trot up it was 156. My poor heart!

I didn’t feel particularly nervous, but we’ve been through a lot to get here and it would have been – well I can’t find the words to describe how truly awful it might have been not to even been able to start the

competition. But here we are and it’s all good.

Hilly does his dressage Friday. I am staying focused and trying to enjoy the competition. I can’t wait to walk the cross-country and see what course designer Mike Etherington-Smith has in store for us throughout beautiful park land.

Until next time I’m trying to stay cool mentally and physically…

Alice and Hilly xx

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

“Alice, the question I want to ask you is, why? “

I have been asked this question a lot over these past two months by family, friends, media and I even ask myself.

Why do I want to attempt to be the first person to complete all six four-star events around the world?

I’m one of these people that if I have a dream I will do everything in my power to try and make my dream achievable. In the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take.

Is my dream possible? It’s getting closer and closer each day. In five days it’s Adelaide’s cross-country day. If all keeps going to plan I will be feeling a little bit like I want to be sick and lock myself away to the excitement of just wanting to leave the start box and giving the world famous Adelaide cross-country a seriously good craic.

My nerves seem to go once I’m sat on Hilly, but I’m not going to lie, it is not the nicest feeling in the world you have in the morning before going cross-country.

Can I eat? No. Do I like to be around people? Only certain people. My cousin Hattie Roger-Smith is the best. We have often competed abroad together and to forget our pre-competition nerves we just make fun out of each other while sat in the lorry. Normally we do this by making ourselves look fairly unattractive by doing silly hair dos then proceeding to take even more unattractive photos of ourselves.

Do I have a pre-prep routine? Yes. This normally means being by myself for the last half an hour. I get changed and run through the cross-country in my head step by step, fence by fence.

What’s the last thing I say to myself? Breathe. I am vocal towards Hilly on the cross-country, especially praising him and his efforts. He does not have to do this job for me and I try and reward him as much as I can while we’re going round. I’m not afraid to shout the odd “up” especially at skinny fences. I do this with horses as babies so they learn the command. I don’t have the longest legs in the world to wrap around my horses and I would rather the odd “up” than to have to use my whip. As long as we get to the other side in one piece that’s all I care about. Trust me I even use the word “up” out hunting!

Last season I was out with the Surrey Union and I was hunting my young rider team gold medallist horse Masti Taldi. That winter we had a lot of flash floods and there was still lots of water laying about on top of the ground. We hunted through one particular wood where there was so much water it was covering up the ditches. The five horses in front of me fell into the ditch as they couldn’t see where the edge of the ditch started and finished. Others attempted to jump the ditch but again not successfully. All horses and riders were unharmed it just wasn’t a pretty sight. My mother and I waited but hounds were in full cry and we weren’t going to miss out. My mother was hunting the famous hunter Rooey owned by best friend Nici Wilson and I knew Nici is also a fan of saying “up”.

With confidence in both horses that they would listen and trust us, I stepped as close as I dared to the edge of the water and said: “Up, up, up”.

Master Taldi sprung up in the air and leapt fowards clearing the water over the big ditch that lay beneath us. My mother and Rooey followed and away we went in pursuit of hounds with big grins on our faces.

Hilly and I have been practicing jumping skinnies this week at the Magic Millions complex in Adelaide. We’ve also jumped small, wide oxers (pictured top) to get him to open and stretch out before next week. He has not put a foot wrong and I am still very happy with him.

We have got to know the racecourse like the back of our hand. John Tonani the manger of Morphettville Racecourse has been so supportive of my training with Hilly allowing me to use the track at certain times of the day so as not to interfere with the other trainers using the track. There are around 200 racehorses in training around Morphettville and they use parts of the racecourse each day to exercise. A few of the trainers have seen Hilly and they look at him as though he’s part rhinoceros compared to their little deer-like Flat-bred horses. We are trying not to get a complex!

I have been over to see Victoria Park where the four-star competition will take place. It is truly in the heart of the city. Event organiser Gill Rolton showed me around. Marquees, stables and jumps were all being put up. The sprinklers were on around the park. As I stood by the grandstand my heart rate started to increase. I mustn’t let myself get too wound up now. I must stay relaxed. We still have two days until the competition starts on Wednesday 18 November.

My mother arrives today and I can’t wait to see her. I have felt a bit lost at times without her. She is a true horsewoman and I have so much respect for her knowledge and wisdom. I hope she’s proud of how Hilly looks.

Hilly has been away from our home in Surrey for the past eight weeks. It has been tough preparation to get him four-star fit. When you’re at home you very much get into a routine with getting your horses fit. You have gallop days, schooling days, hacking days. I have not had this routine. I have had to think very much outside the box with regards to getting him fit and keeping him fit.

Hilly is not full thoroughbred and it takes more work to get him fit than a full thoroughbred. Why? Imagine a thoroughbred as Paula Radcliffe and imagine Hilly as Ruby Wax. I think you get the picture! No offence Ms Wax if you ever find yourself reading Horse & Hound (you never know, Hugh Grant appears to be a fan!); I think you’re beautiful inside and out just like my horse! Wait… I mean, not like you look like a horse just my horse is also beautiful. I think I will just stop now…!

Every Saturday at Morphettville Racecourse where we are based there is a race meeting. Hilly can just about see the racehorses gallop by and I wonder if he misses seeing other horses. It’s been two weeks in isolation for Hilly due to quarantine restrictions. Hilly must not come within 10 meters of another horse or else this will require a further two week quarantine in Melbourne before we would be able to travel home. By keeping him isolated we won’t need to quarantine this side of our flight home.

The Melbourne Cup horses have arrived back in the UK safely and in a funny way I feel quite close to them. They flew out a week before me and they arrived home a week before. I can understand some of the ordeal they have been through and it gives me great confidence knowing they have all coped.

I need to go off and buy bags shavings for the stable at the competition, as over here they commonly use sawdust for their beds. I like shavings as they are a natural disinfectant and easy to muck out. I also like straw providing the horses don’t eat too much of it. However here in Australia we were advised not to use it as snakes like to hide in the straw beds. The look on Jenny’s face was priceless. Shavings it is then!

Until next time when we will be starting to pack up to and head the 10 minute trip down the road to Victoria Park where the competition shall commence!

Alice and Hilly xx

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

I genuinely don’t know how to start this blog. These have probably been some of the toughest few days of my life so far.

On Saturday evening I received a phone call from my mother saying that

my beloved dog

Bertie had passed away.

Bertie was a stunning black and tan Doberman. My boyfriend Dave and I got him has a puppy and we fell in love with him as if he were our own child. He was our baby. He was roughly 19-months-old when he passed and I’m completely devastated.

My mother was with Bertie at home on Friday afternoon. He was running around care free when somehow he managed to cut himself on his side. My mother took him straight to the vets where they sedated him to clean and stitch the wound. Later that day Bertie went home where my mother stayed up with him until the early hours of the morning and he seemed to be recovering well.

The next morning Bertie seemed well but was very quiet, although he was still drinking. My mother, still not happy, took him back to the vets as he was clearly becoming more weak. Bertie as we now know was going into shock. He was responding well to fluids but by this stage he had gone into a coma like state. Bertie woke up briefly to see my mother then closed his eyes and his heart stopped. I am assured everyone did everything in their power to resuscitate him but they could not make his heart start again.

The vets do not know for sure what made Bertie go into shock and for his heart to stop. Was there a underlying problem? Did Bertie have a bad reaction to the anaesthetic? We will never know what tipped him over the edge.

My mother and I made the decision not to do a postmortem as we felt this is a big invasion and we still may be none the wiser. Bertie has been buried in the secret garden at home with our other beloved dogs and cats, Kildare, Jodie, Peter, Smartie, Lukie, Otto and Cabbage.

I am truly heartbroken. I would do anything to change what has happened. I feel so incredibly sad that I wasn’t there for Bertie. He was a loving dog and was always so happy to see you. Full credit to his breeder Julie Groves for breeding such a caring, affectionate, loyal dog. Bertie will live forever in my heart and there will not be a day that goes past where I won’t think of him. Bertie, please rest in peace and know I will love you for eternity.

I have been overwhelmed by my friends’ responses on Facebook about the tragic news of Bertie and I cannot express how they have comforted me while I am so far away. Thank you to everyone, I am so grateful for all of your kindness.

A couple of days have passed since Bertie died and I have been on the phone to my older brother David. Since my father passed away David and I have become a lot closer and I look up to him so much for advice and guidance.

While I was on the phone David told me the tragic news of Pat Eddery’s death. My brother married Natasha (daughter of Pat Eddery) two years ago, though Natasha has been part of our family for nearly a decade. I am so proud to call Natasha my sister-in-law. She is one of the toughest people I know and she has always been there for my family and I. I never knew Pat very well but I know he would have been proud of all of the Eddery family because I know I am.

The news of Pat’s death is a shock to everyone and I wish I was at home for my family.

I know I have to stay strong. I have good moments and bad. Jenny (my groom) is staying positive and focused and is looking after Hilly (Fernhill Present) every minute of the day.

Dave is also being strong for me. It’s times like these when I look up to Laura Collett and Flora Harris who have managed to stay unbelievably strong through such heartache last season. Both Laura and Flora lost their beloved dogs last summer as well as other terrible tragedies. Things could be a lot worse I know and I do remind myself of this. Time is a great healer and I will be ok. I have to be ok.

We have been trying to keep busy and Hilly is well. This week he saw Tracy Matiland an equine massage therapist. Hilly loves having a massage and Tracy was very pleased with his overall physical condition.

Hilly has also seen the farrier Micheal Garcia. My farrier at home Mark Spriggs made up a set of Hilly’s shoes before we left and poor Micheal was under me watchful eye has he re-shod him.

“I’m putting 100% of my trust in you, Micheal,” I said.

Micheal clearly used to the pressure shod Hilly well and all still looks good today! We’ve come a long way to suffer a silly nail prick but Hilly seems absolutely fine, fingers crossed.

As I write this blog Jenny is clipping Hilly. His coat looked amazing before this third clip but his coat has now got a week to grow back a little before the trot-up (first horse inspection) and I so want him to look fantastic for everyone.

The weather here got into the mid 30’s one day this week so we went out and bought Hilly fans for his stable (pictured top). I also bought Jenny a new toy (a grooming kit box) — I think Christmas came early that day! I cannot thank the team here at Magic Millions enough for being so supportive, especially Greg Irvine and Tim Brown. They have really looked after me and made us all feel at home. Everyone seems in good spirits every day and we will battle on.

Until next time,

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.

Alice and Hilly xx

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

We’ve almost completed one week at Magic Millions and only have one more week to go before the start of the Australian International Three-Day Event in Adelaide.

During these past few weeks I’ve had a lot of time to think about this journey I’m on. If you have been reading my blogs you will already know I not afraid to admit I’m a bit of a worrier sometimes. You see, I like to try to prepare myself in case the worst happens. I feel I will be more prepared for complete heartache if anything were to go wrong. I bet a sports psychologist would have a field day with me!

I think about what happens, for example, if I were to have a silly fall, even in the dressage test. How truly awful that would be and how I would have to tell you guys?! So I’m telling you now, if that happens I shall cry and I may well stay out here until the Adelaide three-day comes around in a year’s time.

I’m sat here pondering about life while watching Hilly (Fernhill Present) graze in a little field we have made for him. Is our fate already written out for us? Are the decisions we make controlled by some unknown force? Are there aliens? Ok, I think the sun has got to me. But seriously I wish I could see into the future some times.

Obviously Hilly is my number one concern and as I look at him now in his little field, he looks very content and happy. I gave him his second lot of fast work today on the racetrack and I really don’t think he’s lost any fitness. I am so pleased with how he’s coped with the whole experience so far. I could not be prouder of him. He should be writing this blog and telling us what’s happening, but I am doing my best to tell both of our stories.

It is absolutely beautiful here and it’s amazing to be so close to Glenelg Beach (pictured top and below) as well as Adelaide City. Dave, Jenny and I are trying to take time out to explore, but I don’t want to leave Hilly for too long as I like to see him out grazing as much as possible.

On a very serious note, I have no idea what to wear for the trot up! Everyone including myself likes a good goggle at everyone’s outfits. Short skirt? Definitely don’t have the legs. High heels? That’s a straight no. I like a bit of tweed. but fear this may not be appropriate for the climate. I like colour but have to consider sweat patches if it’s hot. No-one likes to see sweaty armpits! If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to email me on alicedunsdon@yahoo.com or comment below. I would appreciate the help!

Until next time when things will really start to get exciting! The countdown has begun…

Alice and Hilly x

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

On Sunday afternoon I rode Hilly (Fernhill Present), precisely 16 days since I’d last sat on him.

I climbed onto him and I barely had my feet in both irons as I felt his back tighten underneath me, lowered his head and did a little bunny hop buck underneath me.

“Yes, we’ll lunge him Jenny!” I shouted to my groom as I swung my leg back over over to jump off him. It’s safe to say Hilly is feeling well.

He has always bucked. He bucks if he’s fresh, happy or even angry. They are not nasty bucks and I genuinely don’t think he bucks to get you off and (touch wood) he has never actually got me off. The problem with Hilly is that he is quite short coupled and has very powerful hind legs so he doesn’t realise the strength he has with his bucks.

I never have tested him to the point where I could be bucked off. I like to take the sensible approach for

both of us and if I think he may buck I will always lunge him first in a safe environment. I do this with all my horses especially youngsters. I don’t want to fall off and hurt myself or even worse if the horse became loose and God forbid suffered a life threatening injury. I would never forgive myself. I think too many people may unfortunately feel like they have something to prove by ridding a fresh, naughty horse and staying on.

No horse in my opinion wants to be naughty or difficult. Hilly bucking is not him being naughty. I believe he’s telling me how he is feeling and on Sunday he was saying “I feel good, mum!” However this mother does not want to fall off! As I said he can also buck when he’s angry. For example, he can buck after a showjump if he’s knocked it down.

If I had a horse in my yard that I felt was unhappy through bucking, rearing or napping before I jumped to any conclusions I would always investigate the problem further with veterinary advice first.

After Hilly had a little lunge he overcame his excitement and I climbed on board and went exploring around Morphettville Racecourse the home of the Magic Millions complex where the horse trials is taking place. I am very lucky to be based here for the two weeks leading up to Adelaide. Morphettville Racecourse is the main horseracing track for South Australia. It is situated in the suburb of Morphettville and is about 10km form Adelaide city centre. It is also the home to the South Australian Jockey Club.

The complex is fantastic and I am very grateful for the use of the track and the superb facilities. Hilly seems more at home here too. The grass seems greener and the weather is treating us well. Adelaide has had a very hot spring but at the moment the temperatures have dropped to around 22 degrees celsius and we have had a fair bit of rain which has made the going perfect. I can only hope this weather continues for us.

As I was taking in the amazing view around the racecourse I suddenly seemed a lot happier. I can only describe it has a weight being lifted off my shoulders. I breathed out a deep sigh of relief and I realised something which may seem blatantly obvious to others. I love riding. It dawned on me that as well as feeling the pressures of quarantine and the worry of this truly epic journey, I missed being on the back of a horse. 16 days is the longest I can remember not being able to ride. Broken bones and holidays have never stopped me from riding for more than a few days. I have completely taken it for granted how much I deeply love horse riding. When Hilly and I are together, whether it’s out hacking or half way round a four-star cross-country course, it’s just me and him. Everyone or everything else seems so far away. Helen Thomson was right: “In riding a horse we borrow freedom”.

“There is nothing so good for the inside of man as the outside of a horse” ~ John Lubbock “Recreation”, The Use Of Life 1894

I am beginning to up Hilly’s work. Depending on my gut instinct I have him out twice a day under saddle. In the morning I tend to do my hacking/canter work and in the afternoon I do more schooling work with him i.e dressage/jumping. I always listen to Hilly and my instinct depending on how he’s feeling and the conditions of the day. There’s no point trying to run through your dressage test in a lightning storm which is something we had here yesterday.

The Melbourne Cup, as a lot of you will know, is hugely popular here in Australia. Gillian Rolton (event director of Adelaide Horse Trials) very kindly invited me to watch the races at Morphettville, where we watched the big race.

Gillian introduced me to the CEO of the South Australia Jockey Club Brenton Wilkinson, the chairman of the SAJC Tony Newman and Dr Duncan McFetridge, a local member of Parliament. We had a delicious lunch and I felt welcomed by everyone I met.

It was a lovely afternoon out and I felt at ease knowing Hilly was just a five minute walk around the corner from the racetrack. Everyone there was in full support of what I am doing and wanted to try and make the experience as best as possible for Hilly and I. It was also very reassuring to know that just one week before Hilly and I flew out to Australia, seven British horses traveled from Newmarket, England to Australia to race in the Melbourne Cup. They all looked fantastic. It brought a tear to my eye to watch Michelle Payne, the first ever lady jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. She rode a truly fantastic race with such style. I am in awe of her and hopefully this will encourage more lady jockeys out there.

Hilly has become a bit of a celebrity these past few days. We have been on Channel 7 News and we are doing interviews for the Adelaide Advertiser, FEI TV, CNN, Eventful Life, and Horse Deals magazine. We have met lots of people including media advertiser Warren Partland, Karen Raffen who is the Australian three-day event board chairman and Katherine Maitland who is the PR and marketing manager for Adelaide Horse Trials.

Hilly and I were very honoured that Leon Bignell, minster of tourism, sport and agriculture for South Australia also came down to meet us and have a chat. Leon loved Hilly even did a interview holding him. Hilly was very relaxed about the whole lights, camera, action malarkey and didn’t put a foot wrong.

I do miss home. Family and friends have been amazing sending good luck messages. I often think about my horses back in England, wishing I could just pop back and see them and make sure everything is ticking along nicely. So as I stood at Adelaide arrivals gate waiting for my boyfriend Dave Cullen to walk through the doors, you can imagine my excitement.

Dave has this wonderful ability to make me calm and make all calm around him. He’s a bit of a cool dude. Even the horses love him, though he does not come from a horsey background. Dave often comes to competitions with me and he is completely in the loop with the horses and their goals. To have him here is amazing as I can tell him anything and share my thoughts and worries. My mother doesn’t arrive until 15 November and trust me, I am counting down the days. I don’t think it matters how old you are, you always need your parents.

Until next time when Hilly will be in full competition training and we are hoping that the weather stays cool.

Alice and Hilly xx

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

Quarantine is OVER!

Well, that was tougher than I thought it would be. Thank you to all my friends and family for your support messages. They truly mean so much to me.

There are moments when I feel as if I’m on the other side of the world, so far away from my friends and family… Oh wait I am! But I’m doing well and more importantly Hilly (Fernhill Present) is even better.

Hilly is used to hacking for hours around the Surrey Hills at home, being turned out in his favourite field and pretty much what I think he wants he gets. He’s had none of this in quarantine.

My mother has always told me you can cope with anything for a month. With quarantine I can say I did cope, but I wouldn’t have like to have done it any longer; and I really mean that.

My reasons are not so much for me, but more for Hilly.

Keeping him happy and preventing boredom was my main priority. One day I went out and bought broom sticks in Sydney to act as trotting poles. I lunged him in different lunge pens which was a slight change of scenery for him. I turned him out as much as possible but some days the heat and flies were an issue. His favourite treat would be the fresh grass I cut for him daily along the quarantine fence line.

Everyone in Sydney quarantine was lovely and I can now sort of relate to what Big Brother contestants may have to cope with in the Big Brother house.

Damien Ford is the head IRT groom along with Darren McKay; they are true professionals and both experienced horsemen. Their laid back attitude helped me try to relax. Darren would often tell me that Hilly would pick up on my vibes and therefore I should really try to chill out. Easier said than done, but the comment touched a nerve. I have to remain positive for Hilly.

Darren and Damien checked Hilly at night for me and I’m very thankful for this and how they welcomed Jenny (my groom) and I.

Another of my comrades in quarantine was Howard Russell, who runs RBI transport. Howard (or Howie) is a true gentleman and it was always reassuring to see him walking around quarantine or sat in his chair watching TV. Howie would always make me a cup of tea and let me eat his last Tim Tam — a small gesture like this can mean so much if you’re feeling a bit blue.

Another person I met in quarantine was Monika Du. We all thought she was German for the first two days. I was practicing my German to her and Jenny asking her about German event riders. We all thought it was a bit odd she didn’t even try and speak back to us in German when we were trying so hard until one day Monika said: “I can’t wait to get back to Poland.”

“Poland? You’re from Poland?!” I said, at which point we all fell about laughing at our huge mistake. Poor Monika had no idea we thought she was German. It turned out that the horses she was looking after were from Germany and that’s about it.

So far I have met so many amazing people and I hope to remain in touch with all of them. Facebook really is a marvellous thing to help in such situations.

As happy as I was to leave quarantine, another part of me was sad to say goodbye to the new friends I’d made. Everyone has gone out of their way to be friendly and helpful and it just goes to show there are caring people in the world.

Last night we made the long journey from Sydney to Adelaide. By car this is around 14 hours straight. We stopped roughly every five hours and got Hilly out to drop his head and stretch his legs. He now has to remain in isolation from other horses so we don’t have to quarantine on the way home. Luckily Hilly doesn’t mind being by himself, but again it’s not an ideal situation.

Hilly and I both have one very special trait in common — the remarkable skill to fall asleep on long journeys. I would never have brought him on this epic journey if I didn’t already know this. Ever since he was young he has always fallen asleep on the truck while travelling. He does like to rest his chin on something, but then he will close his eyes and nod off. He has taught my other horses to do this too.

Hilly is also very good at drinking on the truck and he will always stale. I always travel a horse with shavings or straw on the floor to encourage them to do so. A lot of horses don’t like splash back (I don’t know how else to describe this and this helps you to get the point!).

We arrived at the Magic Millions Complex (where the horse trials will be held) in the early hours of Sunday morning. Although it was dark Hilly knew we had arrived at the event. He marched off the lorry and proceeded to check out what will be his new home for the next two weeks. I walked and grazed him for 20 minutes before I put him to bed. I looked at my watch and it was 1.40am.

Lance, who is looking after us at Magic Millions, drove me to the hotel — it was shut. There was only one thing for it. Amy Kelly (my travelling vet), Jenny and I slept in a stable next to Hilly. I knew there was a good reason for bringing all of those rugs!

To be honest at that point we were all so tired, we could have slept anywhere.

I sat with Hilly as dawn broke and then we ate breakfast together before I turned him out in the little field I made out of electric fencing and plastic posts.

I was staring at my phone when a message came through from Gillian Rolton, who is the event director of Adelaide Horse Trials. Gillian is one of the main reasons I’m here. She is a bit of legend and a two-time Olympic gold medalist for Australia in eventing (1992 and 1996). At both games she rode her horse, Peppermint Grove, named after its name sake area in Western Australia.

I first met Gillian in Kentucky where she was on the ground jury while Hilly and I were competing. It was then I told her about my goal to complete at Adelaide and she has pulled out all the stops to make sure Hilly and I feel at home here. The whole year building up to this she has been at the end of an email or phone call to make sure the whole process runs as smoothly as possible. Without her help I’m sure I would not be here now.

Gillian’s message said she was on her way to drop off a car for us and that she would show me around Magic Millions and take us to the hotel (which was now open) to get settled, plus she had coffee!

I walked into the stables and woke Amy and Jenny up. It was time to check out Adelaide!

Until next time I will be riding Hilly after two weeks off and assessing our fitness, as well as welcoming my family as they start to arrive!

Alice xx

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

The count down has begun!

On Sunday Jenny and I, bum bag at the ready and selfie sticks by our sides, went into Sydney to see the Opera House (pictured) and the other typical touristy sights. The city is about an hour and half away from where we are based with traffic, so to have an afternoon out made me feel normal again from quarantine boredom.

Hilly (Fernhill Present) is on good form and getting used to the “Vegemite” grass over here.

I am increasing his lunge work day by day which includes cantering but I am using my instinct really. If I think he’s tired one day I will back off the work or vice versa if he’s fresh I will do a little bit more.

I have to bear in mind we still have another big journey in front of us; Sydney to Adelaide which by

car is around 14 hours.

You can only control the controllable and for this reason I am having vet Amy Kelly travel down with us. That way if there are any complications we can hopefully deal with them quickly. I dislike wrapping horses up in cotton wool too much. Normally from experience when you do this they somehow tend to injure themselves more. Hilly lives out as much as possible at home and even stays out in the field at night. In preparation for this trip I did have to change his routine somewhat so he was used to being in at night as I knew he would’t be able to be out at night in a field in quarantine or indeed at Adelaide.

I too am taking care of myself. Fully aware of my fitness and not being able to ride for two weeks, Jenny and I are hitting the gym daily at the hotel trying to keep my fitness levels up. I contemplated with the idea of riding at a local riding trekking centre to keep me fit. I then decided this would be a silly idea as I wouldn’t want to break or damage anything! Only control the controllable. So being a gym

bunny it is.

Hilly as well as being walked out and lunged is also being treated by Jenny with an electronic pulse generator. The EPG was invented by Sir Charles Strong — specialist physiotherapist to the Royal family. This machine helps the movement of Hilly’s muscles. An EPG machine works by a painless electronic pluse being passed through the muscles causing the muscle to contract. The aim of the treatment is that by using rhythmic muscular contractions this will bring good blood circulation to the muscle. Good blood circulation brings a large supply of oxygen and nutrients to the affected areas and removes waste products.

When muscles are damaged, swelling within the muscle can occur, causing compartment syndrome. If this occurs in an area where the muscle is bound by fascia (a tough fibrous tissue membrane), the pressure inside the muscle compartment can increase to the point at which blood supply to the muscle is compromised and muscle cells begin to die. The EPG machine will help simulate good blood circulation

and simulate good venus and lymphatic return (blood back to heart and lungs).

The EPG is used on all my horses on weekly basis by Jenny and Nikki Wiltshire who is trained in equine sports massage. Roger Stack is the the best horseman I know and he has been using the EPG for over 50 years even though very few of these machines exist. He has achieved remarkable results treating injuries to joints and muscles, pinched nerves, dislocation and muscle atrophy. Both Jenny and Nikki have been trained to use the EPG by Roger. The strength of the current is controlled by the operator while the muscles are contracting. Nikki treats all my horses and she is a vital link for Hilly and all of my horse’s success.

Hilly really enjoys his treatments and Jenny will use the EPG on his shoulders, back and hind quarters. We tend to alternate treatment according to what Hilly is telling us via how his muscles are reacting to the treatment.

Jenny treats Hilly for up to 45 minutes and as his muscles are bouncing away and he’s falling asleep (this is how relaxed they are) my mind begins to wonder.

Can horses think about the future? We know they remember the past and good or bad experiences but can they think beyond day to day routine? Does Hilly think Sydney quarantine is now home? Does Hilly think about our home in Surrey? Does he have the ability to feel homesick? I know I do. I want someone to tell me it will all be ok and it’s worth it. I want Hilly to enjoy what we are doing first and foremost. I want to tell Hilly it will all be ok and it is worth it. I want Hilly to tell me his worries so I can explain what we are doing. Do all equine folk think like this? Maybe I’m going mad. I do worry too much so I’m told, but who else will worry if I don’t?

I found my first grey hair yesterday. Maybe I should try to worry less. I told Jenny about my new silver fox look and she told me not to pull any grey hairs out to which I ignored her and pulled out about five. I laughed it off but to be honest there were tears in my eyes.

It’s silly really but I think it shows how wound up I am. I just so desperately want Hilly and I arrive at Adelaide fit and well to start the competition. My dream still seems so far away.

Until next time I will be drinking cans of “man up Dunsdon” and I hope to be in happier spirits.

Alice xx

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

We have completed four days in Australian quarantine. Today we saw temperatures of around 30 degrees. The day starts early at 6am when all horses are fed. The horses’ temperatures are taken twice a day religiously with a Head of Government Officer overseeing to make sure all is done correctly. The horses are being looked after extremely well and are turned out in small grass pens in the morning, before the heat of the midday sun sets in.

Vet Andrew Argyle, who is looking after Hilly here in quarantine, is very happy with how he is coping and is impressed by his overall physical condition after such a long flight. Andrew even said he was in perfect condition, which made me smile a lot!

I would love to show you photos of our quarantine base, but the Australian Government forbids it and I don’t really want to get into trouble with them so you will have to use your imagination. But please don’t think it’s like a prison camp – it’s quite nice really!

Hilly arrived tired and I’ve been extremely careful with his routine. I’ve only been walking him in-hand during the past three days and today was the first time I lunged him in the lunge pen. I lunged him with just a bridle on – no side reins or roller – as I just wanted him to have a gentle jig jog round to loosen up. He had a 20min walk in hand and a 10min lunge this morning, then this afternoon a 15min walk and another 10min lunge. He looks a lot brighter today and even had a little buck. His temperatures have been good ever since he has arrived and the vet is happy with him.

Hilly has his own field that is a little bit bigger than some as he’s sensible to turn out. When he is turned out Jenny or I have to watch him as the rules are that no horse is ever unsupervised. I make sure Hilly has at least two hours of grazing each day. If they can be out for longer, then that’s better in my opinion.

The grass is somewhat different here and Hilly was not amused by this to start with, but now he is munching away happily. I wonder if the grass here is like Vegemite to Marmite or Tim Tams to Penguins? To be honest Hilly, I don’t blame you. I perfect Penguins too.

The staff here are friendly and have made Jenny and I feel welcome. Even the Government Officers are not as fierce as you might think! I had images of the programme Boarder Control Officers reducing you to tears because you forgot to declare a boiled sweet.

The routine is strict though and I don’t think I’ve had as many showers in my life as I’ve had in this last month during UK and Australian quaratine!

Life in quarantine

To try and explain how quarantine works, you have a clean side and a dirty side. The clean side is outside the perimeter fence of quarantine and the dirty side is within the permitter fence. You are able to bring clean clothing and items into the dirty/quaratine base, but nothing can leave until the 14 days have finished and everything has been approved.

Yesterday I walked through the clean side and signed in to the log book with the date, time, name, security number, my purpose for visiting (to cuddle my pony) and signature.

I undressed at my clean locker and left my vest T shirt on as it was such a hot day knowing that in my locker on the dirty side I only had a long sleeved T.shirt and my dirty jeans.

My afternoon was then spent cuddling Hilly on the dirty side (quarantine side) in jeans and the vest top.

We have to be signed out by 6.30pm as that’s when the Government Officers finished work and only they can sign you in and out. You are able to stay in quarantine later, but then you can’t sign out and you would have to stay in for the whole night.

I got undressed in the dirty locker side, left my clothes in locker and showered. As I stood in my towel, I unlocked my clean locker to only see a pair of jeans!

“Jenny!” I shouted above the noise of her shower. “JENNY!!” I screamed having images of myself walking out with the guards through Quaratine in just my jeans and a rather unsightly ageing beige bra (it’s comfortable!)

“JENN..”

“Yes Dunsdon,” Jenny interrupted mid screech. (Dunsdon is a name my friends nickname me and it’s kinda stuck.)

I explained to Jenny my dilemma about having no top and asked if she had a spare I could wear. Without so much of a twitch, she calmly replied: “No”.

My face dropped. My eyes widened like a rabbit in head lights. I’m going to have to walk out half naked. I’m going to be know as ‘The English Naked Girl’ and for years to come the officers will be telling the story of ‘remember that English girl who forgot to bring a clean top to wear and she walked out in the hideous beige bra!’

Jenny then burst out laughing.

“That was hilarious,” she said through breaths in her laughter. “Yes, I have a spare!”

Oh course Jenny would, she’s that type of person. She has a spare of everything! My relief was so great I could have kissed her. Instead I played it cool and said: “Whatever. I didn’t panic..”

So from now on I have a whole mini wardrobe in my clean locker.

Hilly’s day-to-day care

The accommodation is somewhat basic and after seeing two Huntsman spiders and a red back by the living quarters, Jenny and I feel much happier at our hotel 20mins down the road. If there was a problem with Hilly, of course we would stay, but I trust the experienced IRT grooms to check him through the night. Quarantine sign in is 6am. The IRT grooms feed Hilly in the morning so he is fed along with all the other horses and Jenny and I see to him otherwise.

Feed companies Mitavite and Keyflow are very kindly and generously supporting me through this epic journey. Hilly was gradually introduce to Keyflow feeds while he was back in England, which is very similar feed to the Mitative feed he is being fed now. The same family, the Prices, run both Mitative and Keyflow and it has been brilliant working with them. They are 100% behind what I am doing and the family are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to horses from all walks of life.

From the moment Hilly arrived, he has been eating well. From my point of view it’s a huge relief to know he’s enjoying his feed, which in my opinion is of the best quality. He looks amazing, the best I’ve had him looking, and I can only put this down to his feed and supplements. I use Lintbells for my supplements and they also sponsor me. I swear by their Yumega Oil and the gleam on Hilly’s coat speaks for itself. I also use their Active Joint and I believe Hilly really benefits from this too.

In quaratine we have two types of hay. One type is Lucerne hay (above); this is more like English haylage although it’s much greener and is very much like alfalfa. Alfalfa is native to warmer climates and it has been cultivated for livestock fodder since the era of Ancient Greeks and Romans. All the horses seem to love it including Hilly.

The other hay is not as green in colour so therefore not so rich (below). Hilly does have a tendency to bloat (just like a human) if he eats too much rich grass or hay. Also his legs fill with rich food. So I am feeding a combination of both hays and I wet the hay too just to keep Hilly as hydrated as I possibly can.

My aim for the next few days is to up Hilly’s workload very gradually. Longer walking out in-hand, lunging for longer periods and introducing canter work. I am not able to ride him at all him quarantine for their health and safety reasons. I am concerned about the effect this will have on his fitness, but there is absolutely nothing we can do.

At the moment Hilly is doing well and loving life. Meanwhile Jenny and I are getting used to the spiders and things are looking on track.

Until next time when hopefully we can see the light at the end of the showering in quarantine!

Alice xx

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

I can’t quite believe I’m here. I’m actually here in Australia with my horse of a lifetime. We’ve made it. WE’VE MADE IT!

Following on from my last blog, we arrived in Singapore, the aeroplane was refuelled and some cargo was taken off and other cargo put on.

As the door opened to Singapore airport the heat and humidity hit you. There was a deep fog like mist throughout the whole plane caused by the air conditioning, which meant visibility was very poor. The experienced flying grooms told me that you can be in Singapore for up to three hours while cargo is loaded and you can sometimes even have to change planes. Luckily for us it was a fairly quick turn around and horses stayed on board so we were up in the air again in no time at all.

The next leg of our journey was about eight hours. Straight after take-off, when the captain gives the all clear, we go down and check the horses. We allow them to drop their heads and offer water regularly. They have haylage throughout the flight and Hilly (Fernhill Present) also ate carrots in water and wet Readigrass. I love Readigrass – if you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it for horses that are bad drinkers as it’s a brilliant way to get some water into them.

We landed in Sydney at around 2pm and the relief that Hilly had travelled well was overwhelming. Straight from the plane, Hilly and I were loaded up on an IRT transporter to head to Sydney quarantine.

When we arrived I looked at my watch, which was still set at at UK time, and it read 6.10am. The flight took around 28 hours and Hilly looked happy and well, but we were exhausted and I could see behind his eyes how tired he was. He’s never been a particularly affectionate horse, but on that last leg of the journey I felt a huge responsibility to make him as comfortable and reassured as possible and I could tell he needed me.

When we arrived at quarantine I put Hilly straight into his stable and watched him drink and roll. I would recommend always watching your horse roll in a new stable in case they get cast or do something silly and injure themselves.

After I had sorted out all the paperwork and unloaded the lorry, I went to see Hilly after he’d had a little quiet time to himself.

He had his temperature taken and was checked over by the vet. His temperature and heart rate were good and bloods will be taken too.

We were both tired, but I would not be controlling the controllable if I didn’t walk him out after such a long time confined to such a small area. His legs were still filled and wanted to walk them down and get his blood circulating. Surprisingly this does not take very long to do this and after a good 15 minute walk his legs were back to normal.

I gave Hilly a small wet feed (I will talk about his feed and hay in more detail in my next blog) and soaked hay, nothing too rich, then put him to bed.

I sat with him for a while not wanting to leave him but I know if he was a human he would be telling me to go away and leave him alone to rest. I went to the head of the stable block and watched from afar and he seemed settled. In quarantine they have IRT grooms that live on site. They check the horses regularly and there is also 24 hour security so if there was any problem I would get a phone call immediately.

As I walked away I couldn’t help but wonder, was this too much? I love Hilly as if he were family and his health is my utmost priority. The days to come will tell me whether it is or not.

Until next time when I will update you on Hilly, spiders and running out of clothes in quarantine!

Alice x

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

As I write this, I’m some 35,000ft up in the air somewhere between Dubai and Singapore. It’s precisely 3.47pm on Saturday afternoon and I have absolutely no idea what time zone I am in.

We left our safe bubble in Newmarket yesterday around 3pm so as my brilliant mathematical skills calculate, we have been travelling for about 25 hours and my cankles are tell me so too.

Unfortunately Hilly (Fernhill Present) is like his mother and is developing cankles, aka swollen legs, too. There is nothing we can do on the plane unless an airline would like to fit in a horse treadmill in their business class area, which by the way I think would be a brilliant idea!!

Loading up at Heathrow

We arrived at Heathrow yesterday around 5.30pm and unloaded the horse equipment first to be security checked and loaded on to the plane. Here is a list of Hilly’s belongings:

Water containers (filled)

Fruit juice (to add to water as this helps him drink. His favourite is Robinsons Apple and Blackcurrant, but with NO added sugar. I don’t want him like a hyper child on the plane!)

Haylage

Readigrass

Carrots

His flying bag is packed with:

Lightweight rug

Bailer twine

Bucket

Front brushing boots (only for loading and unloading)

Sponge

Large syringe (if needed to syringe water down)

Spare headcollar and lead rope.

Silver tape (because this always comes in handy!)

Two main trunks containing:

Union Jack bunting (most important)

Saddles

Bridles

Buckets

Lunge equipment

Boots and bandages

Numnahs

Grooming kit

Spare shoes

Bridle and saddle hooks

Studs

Rugs!!! I love a good rug and Hilly has varied rugs from his breathable, latest technology, make them cooler, as cool as a slice of cucumber may look in a Hendrix Gin and Tonic (Yes, I’ve been on this plane too long) to rugs that make them shine to full blown suitable for use in the arctic rugs, that make them as nice and toasty to be as warm as a silly dog panting in front of the Aga.

What else do we have in the trunks?! I’m not entirely sure as I don’t have Jenny sat next to me you see. Jenny is catching a flight tonight to arrive in Sydney on Sunday. Only the professional flying grooms that work for IRT are allowed to fly with the horses. I’m very grateful that I received special permission to fly with Hilly, but unfortunately for me I have no side kick in Jenny. But the team on board with me are truly the best people in the world you could have to fly your horses.

Duane is the main man on board and he is the head flying groom – aka the boss for this flight. Luckily I’ve known Duane for years from the hunting field so he has some idea of my pernickety character and I trust his judgment above all else. I know he would always put the horses first no matter what, or who, stood in his way.

After we unloaded the horse’s equipment, the vet Amy Kelly, flying grooms and myself were were taken through the Fast Track security at Heathrow, still wearing our quarantine overalls (this is a partially good look). Hilly and the other horses were then driven around onto the runway in the lorry with Jenny and the other IRT grooms. I, as per usual, received the delightful frisk search much to Amy’s amusement and after I redressed myself with belt shoes and coat, we were back on our way to join the others.

Walking out onto the runway forecourt area was fairly surreal – seeing the horsebox parked up with jumbo jets taking off and landing next to it. Hilly traveled next to his flying companion in the horsebox on the way to the Heathrow. Normally you have three horses to one crate that boards the plane. This is economy class for horses. Hilly is flying with a space and a half and so is his flying buddy. This is called equine business class. Then first class is when a horse has a whole crate to itself. Normally stallions travel this way. I thought about having this for Hilly, but there are pros and cons to this. The pros are more room, therefore slightly better ventilation. The cons are they are by themselves for a long period of time and I personally thought for his mind set, it would be better for him to have a friend.

The horse Hilly is travelling with is a lovely very kind natured horse with adorable big eyes. Hilly made friends with him in quarantine. For legal reasons I am unable to tell you the horse’s name or who his owner is, but I can say he and Hilly are friends and they are getting along well.

The flight was due to depart at 10.30pm and we loaded the horses around 9pm onto their crates. The lorry was driven up close to the grate to act like a loading bay for the horses. This was to help ensure the horses were safe and did not become loose around Heathrow!

It was dark and most of the light came from the flashing lights going off all around from other vehicles and security. You could hear men shouting over the noise of the engines. The planes were taking off a stone’s throw away from you and the roar of the engines was spectacular. The ramp opened and Hilly looked out

onto this strange landscape. He looked at me, then looked down the ramp of the crate. With one careful step off the lorry, he followed IRT groom John McGregor down the bay into his crate like a true professional. Jenny and I hung up his haynet straight away and offered him water, which he did not care for. All the crates have a good layer of shavings on the floor so the horses are happy to stale and the shavings help soak up the urea.

After all six horses were loaded into their crates, the crates were towed to the belly of the plane where they are lifted into the aircraft by a crane (pictured top). Jenny and Duane were inside the crate with Hilly to keep him calm while this was in process. I was waiting inside the aeroplane with Amy to check they loaded well from our end.

Once Hilly was safely secured, Jenny said her goodbyes to him and I and she was escorted off the runway and back to the terminal. I felt a little on my own without her, but I know we are safe hands.

The cargo area is kept as cool as possible for the horses. Their crates do get fairly warm and it is better to keep them cool rather than have them over heating and sweating adding to dehydration.

Hilly and the other horses travel naked. No travel boots. No bandages. No tail guard. Nothing apart from a headcollar. Travel boots or bandages heat the legs up over a long period of time causing discomfort and may cause sores through rubbing. The same with a tail guard. In my opinion you run more risk of injury and discomfort with travel boots/bandages, than you do travelling them without. I have never travelled any of my horses in travel boots or bandages for any period of time and I have never had a problem. Everyone is different and has different opinions, but this is how I do it.

On board Hilly is fed haylage, wet Readigrass and carrots. No hard feed. He has no way of moving about to help him to digest hard feed and therefore runs more risk of colicking. If you think about it it’s a bit like how we would feel if we ate a big meal on a long flight – it would sit a bit heavy in our stomachs. Saying that I just stopped eating the yummy chocolate biscuits Sue, the head of IRT quaratine, kindly gave to Amy and I as part of a delicious goodie bag full of treats!

The whole belly of the plane is cargo. We picked up more horses in Amsterdam and the other cargo area is filled with a very bright red shiny sports car and other big packages that are all very well wrapped up so you can’t really tell what they are.

Upstairs there are six seats. There are three IRT grooms, one vet, one groom we picked up in Amsterdam and me!

There are two pilots who change over at each stop. Each pilot we’ve had so far has been so friendly and polite and introduced themselves giving us a forecast for the flight ahead. They genuinely seem interested in the horses and what we are doing. This makes up our happy little family until Sydney.

We are about to land in Singapore to refuel and board more cargo, so I will keep you posted!!

Alice x

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

Twas the night

Before the flight

The nerves have set in

Yet Hilly oblivious and is calm within.

The bags are all packed

By the stables with care

In hopes

That all horses travel well in pair.

The horses are nestled

All safe in their beds

While visions of kangaroos

Are dancing in our heads.

One last kiss to say goodnight

Hilly I do hope you will be alright!

I have a secret to tell you. I had help with that from Jenny (pictured above with Hilly), oh and also I don’t like flying.

I have never understood the whole concept of 450 tonnes being up in the air. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one of these nervous flyers that shriek every time we hit a bit of turbulence. I’m more of the type that clings onto arm rests so tight my knuckles go white.

So many emotions are going through me right now. I am excited but I am nervous of the unknown for Hilly (Fernhill Present) and I. I worry how he will cope with such a long flight. What will he be thinking? How will he cope?

Horses are confined to box rest or even crossed tied for much longer periods of time but we cannot escape the fear of travel sickness or other travel related issues. My cousin Tina Cook has just had to make the awful decision to put to sleep De Novo News after he suffered with complications from shipping fever.

For those of you who have not come across shipping fever or travel sickness, it is a bacterial infection of the lungs and pleural space around the lungs. Otherwise know as pleuropneumonia. Horses may contract this if they have been traveling for over four hours but as we all know, not all horses fit the mould!

Horses are more likely to get shipping fever if their heads are tied up in a high position. Horses need to be able to drop their heads to clear mucus from their respiratory system as this makes a wonderful breeding ground for bacterial infection.

With vet Amy Kelly on board the plane and the very experienced flying grooms who will be with Hilly, I am happy we are all controlling the controllable. We will take every measure possible to make sure Hilly has a happy, healthy, safe flight. The horses are our utmost priority.

At the beginning of this week Hilly was shod in quarantine by Mark Spriggs and we have two sets of Hilly’s shoes with us if he is needs to be shod again whilst we are out there. Unfortunately Mark will not be flying out with us! Some horses have their shoes off for flying but Hilly will have his shoes left on and taped up to to and prevent him pulling them off.

Earlier today Hilly was given his IRT headcollar or as I like to say, Hilly has been given his wings! I honestly cannot believe we have almost completed leg one of this epic adventure. The time has flown by and a part of me will be sad to leave our little safe bubble here in Newmarket.

My boyfriend Dave has been brilliant at keeping me calm. He knows me better than anyone and although I may appear laidback on the outside I’m actually like a duck on water with my legs paddling madly below the surface.

Not only am I worried about what’s in store for us with the flight, Sydney quarantine, the drive to Adelaide, the two weeks before the competition at the Magic Millions Complex and then the actual competition, but I’m also worried about my yard at home.

I have left Amanda Lysaght in charge at home and I am confident everything will be ok but I am still away for six weeks and I can’t help but worry like a mother hen. Most of my horses have been turned away on holiday. I still have a few in though such as hunters. Helen Wilson will be going into school a couple of horses twice a week for me. I love the way she rides and she has legs Cindy Crawford would die for.

I am in my seventh season of Mastership of the Surrey Union Hunt. This responsibility is a huge part of my life and to be leaving just before the start of the main hunting season isn’t ideal. I wish everyone all the best for our opening meet — for any Master this is probably one of their toughest days of the season or even their life! Good luck! Lizzie Calvert MFH, you will do a brilliant job field Mastering for the opening meet! ( I write this tongue in cheek because normally I field Master for the day and I know Lizzie will do a brilliant job if she accepts the challenge!)

I want to mention in this blog if you have any questions for me about quarantine or the travelling involved please email me at alicedunsdon@yahoo.com and I will try and answer them in my next blog!

Until next time, when if all goes to plan I will be down under!

Alice x

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

It’s the end of day 16 in quarantine and we only have two more full days left here in Newmarket. I have to hand it to my groom Jenny who has been here from the start without a day off. I trust her completely with Hilly (Fernhill Present), and as a lot of you will know, finding a good groom is like finding a needle in a hay stack. Actually I tell a lie — that would be a lot easier.

I dislike using the word the groom as they are so much more than that.

Wikipedia states:

“A groom or stable boy is a person who is responsible for some or all aspects of the magnagment of horses and/or the care of the stables themselves.”

I think also I should include this to it:

“Mind reader” — for when I suddenly change my mind about what bit I would like to showjump in at a competition and I walk around the corner to see Jenny has already put the bit I wanted onto the bridle.

“Therapist” — for when I have a bad round cross-country and I need someone to pick me up and make me see the positives.

“Entertainer” — for when I’m driving the lorry for hours trying not to fall asleep, Jenny will put Taylor Swift on and sing to her heart’s content.

Last but not least and above all else; “loyal” — not only to you but more importantly to your horses. I believe a good groom treats each horse individually and loves and cares for them as if they were their own with no favouritism. As many of us know working with horses is a way of life, a passion, a desire to care for horses and with a hunger to see them succeed knowing you have played huge part in it. Most riders I know will also credit a huge part of their achievements to their groom and the back up team behind them. I know I certainly do.

There are other horses in quarantine with Hilly and they are all flying on the same plane to Sydney.

Sue Young is the IRT (International Racehorse Transport) quarantine manger where we are based in Newmarket. She is a remarkable lady who has so much worldly knowledge. Sue is extremely experienced in dealing with all types of horses, from highly strung yearlings to gentle eventers like Hilly. I would be more than happy for any of my horses to be in Sue’s care. If you went to boarding school Sue would be like the caring matron you had in your boarding house. She would be there for you to talk about your worries. She would make you feel less homesick and I’m sure would make you an amazing hot chocolate while cheering you up and making you smile. This is how she treats the horses here and it gives you an idea of how friendly and helpful she has been to Jenny and I.

I met IRT’s flying vet this week, Amy Kelly. A young bright, vibrant lady who you warm to straight away. Immediately you realise how dedicated Amy is to her job and how much she loves her work. I had a good chat with her about my worries and concerns, (we’ve all seen that awful scene in the film International Velvet) and she made me feel much more at ease and relaxed about this mammoth trip.

Everyone at IRT and Peden (who are international shipping agents) have been brilliant. I really do feel like everyone is going above and beyond to try and make this a successful and smooth trip for Hilly and I. This epic adventure is also a first for them trying to organise a British horse and rider to travel out to Adelaide. I think my mother has Henery Bullen, the director of Peden, on speed dial and I know there is not a question I would not be able to ask Jim Paltridge the mangaing director of IRT. Honestly, I have been amazed by how friendly and helpful they all are!

These next few days before we fly are vital. We are monitoring Hilly like a hawk so that he is in the best possible condition to fly. I will ease off his work two days before we leave so he is full of energy for what I can only describe as a triple marathon flight. We fly from Heathrow to Germany (to pick up more horses), to Singapore to Sydney.

I will blog again the eve before we fly!

Take care,

Alice x

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

It’s the end of day 10 in quarantine, only nine days left to go and on 15 October we fly!

Quarantine now feels very much like home and Hilly (Fernhill Present) is in fantastic form. I could not be happier with how he looks and feels at this stage of our adventure.

Last Friday I did some showjump training with Hilly (pictured) and will do some more this week. I will possibly include some “skinny” jumping practice too. This will be the last chance I will have to jump him before we come out of quarantine in Sydney.

I have always had to be very careful with Hilly’s dressage training. If I do too much “stressage” with him he becomes wound up and uptight and he has a tendency to throw his toys out of the pram. If I do too little practice and then try to run through the test, which means some movements take him by surprise, he becomes worried and stressed and thinks he can’t do it.

I always think of all my horses as humans. Some are right handed, some are left handed. Some excel in maths and some would excel in English or other subjects.

I always imagine dressage to be like maths. I was and still am fairly useless at this topic. I know (vaguely) how to add up, divide, multiply, take away and I could even cope with a little a bit of algebra thrown in there. But make it too difficult in a exam situation with a timer going, with no calculator and I would go into panic mode. My brain becomes fuzzy, I’m unable to concentrate, I can’t read the question properly, my palms are clammy, I become very agitated, I feel like my surroundings are closing in on me and all I want to do is go into flight mode and run away. This is Hilly in dressage if I don’t get it right with him.

Pippa Funnell has given me the best pieces of advice in the past as my next door neighbour and friend (I know, I really should be better at dressage with Pip next door!) and I will share them with you.

Horses only learn through reward and repetition.

Act like you’ve only got 10 minutes to spare while training your horse and it will take you 10 hours.

Act like you’ve got 10 hours spare to train your horse and it will take you 10 minutes.

If you need to be firm with your horse never let your heart rate increase. If this happens get off and put your horse away. Have a cup of and take time to relax. Only then when you are calm again you should re-establish your training.

I live by these rules on a daily basis.

Horses, like us have moods. Happy, sad, tired, grumpy. Before I question my horse I always look at myself and how I’m riding. Am I making it clear to the horse what I want? Am I in balance? Could I ask the same question in a different way?

To train Hilly well I have to have him in the best possible mind set. There is no point trying to teach a child how to do Pythagoras’ theorem if they are hyper on sugar and can see all of their friends playing outside or would you try to teach them straight after at football or netball match?

To put this into Hilly terms, I would not do dressage training after he has had a day off. He would be too fresh and unable to concentrate. I would not do dressage training straight after he has galloped as his muscles would be too fatigued and he would be unable to concentrate.

So I have to plan my exercise carefully with him. I try to do his dressage training after he has hacked out or in the afternoons after he has been out in the field. One reason for this is his muscles are well warmed up so I don’t have to be in a ménage or classroom environment for too long with him. Hilly has also had a chance to let his brain unwind and relax on a hack or being out in the field first. To bring them straight out of the stable after staring at three walls and whatever they can see in front of them for hours must be pretty tough.

I use my instinct above all else. If he feels like he’s fresh and needs a canter I will do this instead of trying to drill the dressage. If he feels tired but I’ve set a goal to school him for 40 minutes I will change this and perhaps only do has much as I feel is appropriate for him that day. As a dear old family friend told me once, who goes by the name of Roger Stack: “You need to ride with your bum, not your head!”

He meant by this you need to ride with feel and instinct.

And that’s what I’m doing with this whole journey to Adelaide. I’m trusting my instinct and going with my gut feeling. Everything feels right at the moment.

Until next time…

Alice xx

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

It is day four of quarantine, the sun is shining and everything is going to plan, apart from motor vehicles and water works…

Unfortunately the lorry decided to have a few plumbing issues, which resulted in the whole of the living flooding! But little did I know that give Jenny Plumber Mckibben, as I now call her, a screw driver and she can fix anything. So it was Jenny to the rescue!

My car also has been having a few issues. Luckily the RAC was to hand and my car is currently in the garage having a new valve thingy… vehicles are really not my thing…

On a happier note Hilly (Fernhill Present) is doing great! He feels fit and well and I am able to exercise better than expected in the quarantine conditions.

His routine slightly varies from day-to-day but currently we are:

7.30am Hilly breakfast

8.30-9am Hilly goes on walker

9.30-10.30am I exercise Hilly

11am -12.30pm Hilly grazes in field

1pm Hilly lunch

1pm-3pm Hilly has a siesta

3pm Hilly massage/walker/or I school him

4pm -5.30pm Hilly grazes in field.

5.30pm evening feed in stable

9pm check Hilly’s temperature and give extra hay

I am using a Woof Wear app called Track My Hack which you can download onto your iPhone. It’s a great way for me to calculate how much work Hilly is doing as you can lose track going around fields.

Today we walked for two miles, trotted for three miles and cantered with little trot breaks for two miles.

Some people find hacking boring, but I’m not in the position to do this while we are in quarantine. This is all I have to work with and I don’t want to get half way around Adelaide’s four-star cross-country and wish I’d done more fitness work with Hilly.

Some may say my fitness training with the horses is old fashioned, but I like to do a lot of long slow hack work. At home I would hack up to 10 miles up and down the Surrey Hills with Hilly in preparation for a four-star. I find this is a great way to develop their core fitness and strength.

At home and here I never really “gallop”. By this, I mean I would never gallop Hilly in his top gear for a long period of time. I prefer to do short sharp bursts of a faster paced canter and long slow canter work with trot intervals so they don’t get fatigued and change their canter lead because they are tired and unbalanced.

I am a great believer in the saying: “You can only control the controllable”. I can control Hilly’s work load, fitness and stable managment to try and prevent injury, but I can not control the injury itself.

SO I AM NOW TOUCHING WOOD!!!!!

Hilly, as I said earlier, feels on tip top form and we are taking each day as it comes.

Until next time… (Hopefully there will be no more pluming/car dramas on the way!)

Alice x

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

As I write this blog I am sat in the lorry watching Coyote Ugly with my groom Jenny feeling positive and almost, dare I say it, relaxed.

Before we left home everything was cleaned within a inch of it’s life. Everyone helped, even my boyfriend Dave cleaned the lorry! My other groom Georgia Hessey spent hours cleaning tack and Jenny has made Hilly look more shiny and sparkly than a diamond!

I have not clipped Hilly yet as I don’t want to do this until he has flown. I want him to have a natural coat and warmth for the long flight. I have been managing him very carefully and I am happy with the condition of his coat. He could feature in the next Pantene advert!

Quarantine is based in Newmarket and Hilly looks at home straight away. All the staff here are very hospitable and we have use of their wifi, kitchen and lounge area.

The facilities are also extremely good for Hilly! Fantastic grazing is available and we are able to use their fields for hacking. I have even been given permission to put up a couple of showjumps and a dressage arena.

I have to remind myself the four-star competition in Adelaide is still seven weeks away and I must not over do Hilly’s work. You have to be careful at a three-day event or a situation like the one we are in while in quarantine, when you only have one horse not to get too carried away. You may find yourself getting bored and ride them too often or work them for too long as you end up having a lot of time on your hands. I’m a great believer in horses having their own space and not to pester them too much.

There is also a horse walker and a possibility of gallops near by but obviously we have to stay in the strict quarantine regulation. Hilly must have no contact with man or beast who has not been quarantine regulated.

The three of us (Jenny, Hilly and I) are here until 15 October, this is also the date we fly. I fly with Hilly on a cargo flight and Jenny will be on the next flight out. I have never flown cargo before and as my dear friend Francesca Leyland said: “I’m sure this will bring a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘cattle class!'”

I want to fly with Hilly in case there are any complications; I want to be able to make any final decisions there and then.

I took Hilly for a walk in hand this evening, or I should say he took me for a walk! He has always been a curious, inquisitive horse and he loves to go exploring. His stable is huge, with a huge comfy bed (which I love). If I wouldn’t sleep in it, then neither should my horse. I know it’s time and money with horse’s beds but after a long day’s hunting or competing there’s no greater feeling for me, than putting your horse in a warm stable with a deep clean bed, knowing they will have a good night’s sleep.

On that note, time for Jenny and I to do lates, check our dear friend and go to bed.

Until next time (hopefully cabin fever won’t have set in)…

Alice xx

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

It’s the evening of 23 September, two days before we go into quarantine. We are going into quarantine couple of days later than expected as final vet checks need to take place tomorrow.

“Jenny!” I shouted from across the yard.

“Jenny!” sounding ever more like a banshee.

“Irish!”

“YES!” replied my ever faithful groom.

“Do we have everything?!”

Jenny (pictured packing) took a few moments to reply,

“I think so!”

Good, I thought. That usually means yes.

We came to a conclusion that I think most people come to before they travel; as long as we have the horse (a necessity that my mother once forgot), my saddle, the passports and Hilly’s extra shoes we would be fine. You can buy pretty much everything else if you forget it.

However, I’m sure my friend Emma Grellis from our locally saddlery will disagree. We have indeed bought everything you can buy. Jenny and I have discussed every possible scenario we might face in quaurtine while in the UK and Adelaide.

Snow (unlikely but one can never can be to sure with climate change these days), monsoons, hurricanes, twisters, Sahara Desert heat. Whatever the elements throw at us we will be ready!

Trying to pack for you and your horse “back packer” style is not easy. We have limited ourselves to

two main trunks (as demonstrated right). Boarding school type trunks but without the yummy tuck inside.

Speaking of tuck, Hilly’s tuck more commonly know as feed, has had to be changed.

Hilly is normally fed on Spillers and Dodson and Horrell; a mixture of nuts, mix and chaff. Early on we found out it was near impossible to get this feed out to Australia to meet us in Sydney quarantine. I rang an old chum of mine, Kate Kenny, who is based in Australia and used to compete in eventing herself. I asked what she fed her horses and what she recommended. She suggested a feed brand called Mitavite. I was quick to email them and they suggested that we moved Hilly slowly onto Keyflow feed as it was the most similar to their product.

Hilly has taken well to the diet change. We have also had to think about his roughage intake. We will not be able to import any hay or haylage into Australia. This is a slight worry but it’s one I have no control over.

Supplements have also been an issue.

I usually use Lintbells’ range. They are amazing sponsors of mine and their products really work but unfortunately I am not allowed to import their range into Australia. Luckily Nupafeed do a huge range of supplements here in the UK and Australia, so we have again slowly introduced these into Hilly’s diet and he has taken to them well.

We have been told that everything that goes with Hilly must be quarantine treated, i.e fumigated. Rugs, tack, bandages, boots, grooming kit, buckets, everything.

Every time I go into ride him I must be quarantine treated. Interpret that how you like…

Hilly (left) has had one of his final canters at home and he feels great. I can’t help but wonder, does he have any idea what is about to happen?

I am getting very excited! Part one of this epic challenge is about to commence and I cannot wait!

Until next time when I’m fumigated fantastically clean.

Take care,

Alice xx

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

Is it possible to complete all six four-star three-day events around the world on the same horse? Is it a mad idea? Well, that’s what I am trying to find out.

Before I fill you in more on my adventures around the world, I will tell you a bit more about myself.

Horses are in my blood and being a Sagittarius, I am according to the stars “half horse” something which does not surprise a lot of my non-horsey friends. The other half of my star sign the “archer” or the “hunter” might explain something about my senior MFH (Master of Foxhounds) status.

I am based at my family home in the stunning Surrey hills. I have lived here with my family for over 25 years and I could not imagine living anywhere else. Sadly my father passed away a little over two years ago, so along with my mother Sarah, my brother David and his wife Natasha we are holding the fort. We also have huge help from my boyfriend David Cullen and my amazing team behind me whom I like to refer as my backbone. We would not be able to run the farm nor would I be able to compete at the highest level without the back-up team behind me.

My mother has been my inspiration. A former international eventer and showjumper herself, I would like to say she knows her stuff. She is my trainer, my vet, my sports psychologist, my PA, the list goes on and on….

My mother has always had an amazing eye for a horse and I trust her judgment above all else. So when we were stood in an Irish yard looking at Fernhill Present, a five-year-old bay gelding, who was a prospect to buy and bring on, I knew she liked him as a type and it would just be my job to ride and produce him.

Fernhill Present arrived home a few weeks later and as he came off the lorry he was as cool as a cucumber, walked into his stable and started eating his hay. I had no idea that his ability to travel so well would play such a huge part in the years to come.

I quickly nicknamed him Hilly and we started our new friendship. The thought of any four-star competition had not even entered my head.

Hilly proved to be quite a character and is one of the toughest horses I have ever known.

His jumping and cross-country capability from the start impressed me and he quickly moved up the grades, completing his first intermediate as a six-year-old and his first advanced two years later.

He is a solid horse to sit on and you feel safe going across country. Dressage has always been our weakness. We both suffer from the terrible condition of “short leg syndrome” but we do everything we can to overcome this and over the years we have been improving and trying to gain marks by accuracy and smiling a lot at the judges!

Having completed Boekelo CCI3* when Hilly was an eight-year-old and run well in CIC3*s the following season, we decided to take him to Pau CCI4* in the autumn of 2011.

It was my first four-star too and we went with an open mind and if we thought the course was too big and technical then we would withdraw. Luckily the course looked very jumpable with optional long routes for the more technical jumps. As he was so young and I so inexperienced at this level, our aim was to complete and to give him a good confidence-boosting run. I think I must have patted him after every fence! He jumped around the cross-country clear with time-penalties and just to have four faults on the final day, I was delighted with our first performance at this level.

The next four-star we were aiming for was Burghley in the autumn of 2012. It was a lifelong and childhood dream of mine to compete here. My family and I went every year to watch and I was in absolute awe of my cousin, Tina Gifford (now Cook), jumping those huge fences. I still am really!

They say it’s the biggest four-star in the world and there is no doubt it is big! Again as at Pau, my aim was to complete this world famous event.

I was very worried about Hilly becoming tired at the end with Burghley’s testing terrain, though you’d have thought this would suit him with his name. Hilly is not a blood horse and he does have to do more fittening work than your average three-day eventer to overcome his type of build.

As we crossed Burghley’s finish line I could not quite believe I had gone clear around this epic cross-country course! With just one down in the showjumping the next day we had completed our second four-star.

The aim in the spring of 2013 was to go to Badminton but as we didn’t finish in the top 50% at Pau or Burghley to qualify and also didn’t have enough FEI points to survive the ballot, we re-routed to Luhmühlen CCI4*.

A dream is born

Packing late one night in my tackroom I came across a goody bag the sponsors had generously given to competitors at Burghley. Needless to say there was nothing left in the bag but what was written on the bag was far more important:

HSBC FEI CLASSICS CCI****

Kentucky

Badminton

Luhmühlen

Burghley

Pau

I sat and look at these names for a while and then the question came to me. Has anyone ever completed all six four-stars (including Adelaide, which is a four-star and now part of the Classics, but was not included then)? Has anyone ever completed all six on the same horse? As I continued to pack I began thinking about this new dream.

Luhmühlen was big and technical. The toughest track I had seen at this level. But with more experience behind us we went for it. Again we crossed the finish line having gone clear around our third four-star (pictured top). Unfortunately in the showjumping we had a costly 12 faults which meant we finished one place behind the top 50% so again we were not qualified for Badminton.

On the way home I told my mother about my new dream. I think she thought I wasn’t being serious, but I guess she now knows I was.

So our next aim was Kentucky in the spring of 2014. This was a whole different ball game.

For a start we had to fly! This is where Hilly’s laidback attitude to travelling came into play.

I could write another blog about Kentucky but we completed our fourth four-star! We had an annoying run out cross-country which I blame myself for. A black mark against our clear record. I am still gutted to this day. He was fantastic around the course and we went faster than ever. With only the first fence down in the showjumping, was this enough to qualify us for Badminton? The answer was no.

I had a day of misery. This time we had finished two places below the top 50%.

I have a theory which I stick by. Everything happens for a reason… I do however have to remind myself of this daily.

The next aim was Adelaide in the British winter of 2014. But with Hilly suffering from a minor injury and with a broken wrist myself this was not possible.

So this brings us to 2015! This year I have one aim. Adelaide CCI4*.

To my knowledge no northern hemisphere rider has ever attempted this challenge and a challenge it most certainly is!

I will keep you posted on my nerves, my antics and my travel during my time away.

Quarantine starts for Hilly in Britain on 24 September until we fly on 15 October. My groom Jenny McKibben will be looking after him in quarantine and I will be commuting from Surrey to exercise him. Hilly’s fitness is a huge concern for me. I am able to ride in quarantine and canter him but with no gallops or sand school.

Once in Sydney, we have two weeks of quarantine, where due to their health and safety system I am only able to lunge him.

I am taking each day as it comes and I am very realistic as I know its a huge risk whether we can pull this off or not. No one can say I haven’t tried and I will give it everything!

My next blog update we will be in UK quarantine.

Take care,

Alice xx

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

Australian course-designer Wayne Copping has told H&H he is “very disappointed” to have been dropped from his role at the Australian International three-day event in Adelaide, after seven years in the position.

Wayne will be replaced by outgoing British Eventing (BE) chief executive Mike Etherington-Smith.

Mike, who has quit his position at BE to focus more on course-designing, has been involved in the Australian High Performance Programme, designing the Sydney three-day event and mentoring a number of Australia’s developing course-designers.

Wayne said: “I helped build the brand for seven years, building up a kit of jumps and keeping the course in good condition myself. We also had about 400 shrubs to maintain, I don’t think they [the Adelaide event directors] realised the amount we [Wayne, his wife and daughter] did. It was disappointing to be told I was no longer required when there was no hint of it at all.

“It is sad when your national federation doesn’t support you and brings in someone from overseas instead.”

Adelaide’s event director Gillian Rolton said that during Wayne’s time in the role he had “delivered some outstanding results”.

“We thank Wayne for all he has done to develop the Adelaide event and wish him all the best for the new challenges he undertakes,” she added.

“The addition of Adelaide CCI4* to the High Performance Programme will see Mike working with Equestrian Australia High Performance and the Australian International three-day event to expand it into the future.

“With the Olympics in Rio 2016 at the forefront of everyone’s plans, we welcome Mike to Adelaide for next November’s top-level event and look forward to working with him to produce another world-class course.”

Among his other high-profile course-design jobs, Mike was designer at at the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games.

“It’s no secret that my first love is being out and about on cross-country courses and I have been offered some more designing opportunities, including at the Adelaide four-star in Australia,” said Mike.

“It was a really tough decision to leave BE, but I feel that now is a good time for someone else to take over the reins.”

A replacement for Mike at BE is currently being sought.

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

Jessica Manson and Legal Star showjumped clear yesterday afternoon (Sunday 16 November) to net Adelaide Horse Trials’ CCI4*.

The duo had one fence in hand over Olympian Megan Jones, who was a part of the silver medal-winning Australian team at the 2008 Beijing Games, but it was a lifeline that Jessica didn’t need.

“I knew Megan had gone clear and that really put the pressure on me,” admitted 22-year-old Jessica, who was contesting Adelaide for the third time. “I was nervous but once we started jumping everything fell into place.”

This is by far the biggest result of Jessica’s career. She hails from Western Australia and started riding 13-year-old Legal Star when she was 12. Jessica hopes to compete the grey in Europe in 2015.

“It depends on money but I’d love to do a British CCI4* on him,” said Jessica.

Megan and Kirby Park Allofasudden held the lead after the dressage phase but 19.2 cross-country time-faults on Saturday dropped them to second.

“He over-jumped most of the early fences and I couldn’t go fast enough to make up the time we lost,” said Megan of the 14-year-old chestnut who has been absent from the top level since a foot injury ruled him out of the London Olympics.

“He feels great now and he’s one of three horses I’m aiming at Rio,” added Megan.

Despite picking up 20 jumping penalties for a cross-country run-out at the Eventful Life Sports Field Corner Brushes (6ab), Soigné Jackson slotted into third riding Gold.

“I’m happy with my place but I would have liked a clear round. The cross-country is usually his strongest phase, but he wasn’t settled in time for the fence,” said Soigné of the 14-year-old thoroughbred.

There was one British rider in the small field of just 14 starters. Charlotte Price, a former resident of Aston-Le-Walls who relocated to Australia eight years ago to work for Kevin McNab, piloted Kinnordy Gambia into 10th.

Adelaide horse trials results

1 Legal Star (Jessica Manson, AUS) 61.8,2.8,0=64.6.

2 Kirby Park Allofasudden (Megan Jones, AUS) 51.5,19.2,0=70.7.

3 Gold (Soigné Jackson, AUS) 63.5,24.4,8=95.9.

4 BP Cosmopolitan (Katja Weimann, AUS) 65.2,31.2,0=96.4.

5 KL Kismet (Elizabeth Lowery, AUS) 67.5,14.4,16=97.9.

10 Kinnordy Gambia (Charlotte Price, GBR) 60.3,56.4,15=131.7.

View full results

Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s Adelaide report in next week’s issue, on sale Thursday 20 November, and Eventing magazine’s coverage in the December issue, on sale Saturday 22 November.

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

Adelaide CCI4* (14-16 November) takes place in South Australia’s Victoria Park, on the east side of the city. Because of its urban location, the horse trials is like none of the four-star venues in the northern hemisphere.

On cross-country day horses have to cross two main roads a total of four times. They pass a children’s playground, many houses and several pubs and restaurants.

The course, which is designed by Wayne Copping, is 6,498m long and there are 34 fences (45 jumping efforts) in total.

Fence 1 Adelaide City Council Festivals and Flowers

This straightforward flowerbox is located by the main arena.

2 The Barn

The track swings left handed to fence two, which is sited on Victoria Park racecourse.

3 Open Oxer

This straightforward oxer is unlikely to cause problems at this early stage.

4/5 Pryde’s Easifeed Hayracks

The first of two hayracks is jumped towards the stables and schooling area. Riders will be looking for the second hayrack, which is on a sweeping right curve. The two elements are separately numbered, but riders are unlikely to want to waste time circling in between them so early in the course.

6ab Eventful Life Sports Fields Corner Brush

This combination is the first serious accuracy question. The first brush corner is up to height and narrow. There is no margin for error as the second, equally skinny corner, is close behind on an exacting line. There is an alternative b corner, which is longer and more forgiving, but it will cost a lot of time due to horses having to circle around the original b element before jumping back in the direction they came from.

7 Pine Oxer

This straightforward oxer comes after a long, flat gallop and it will provide a confidence boost for any combinations who didn’t have the smoothest jump through fence six.

8abc Cross Country App Brush/Cottage/Cottage

Horses have reached the south-east corner of the park now, and this combination demands respect. A fairly narrow brush oxer in is immediately followed by a left turn to two offset houses on a short one-stride distance. The alternative here is long winded, with b, a narrow chapel, located on top of a sharp incline. Horses then have to circle all the way round the other fences to get to the alternative c, a narrow house.

9 Triple Brush Oxer

This is the second of eight fences that are sited on the park’s border. There are houses and a quiet road on the left-hand side. This brush is tall and wide, but likely to be jumped out of a good, forward rhythm as it is sited on a galloping stretch.

10 Horse Deals Heritage Ditch Oxer

This oxer is big and sited among gum trees.

11 The ACC Footbridge

Riders wind through trees to get to this obstacle, which is straightforward providing their horse is confident jumping ditches.

12 Pine Log

After the first road crossing – the busy Wakefield Road will be closed to traffic on Saturday and sand will be laid on the tarmac – horses run downhill to this narrow hanging log.

13 Horse Quest Olive Grove Brush & Ditch

Although this brush looks straightforward, riders will be thinking about the right turn they need to make as soon as they land.

14abc Advertiser Hanging Log/Ditch/Brush

That right turn brings horses to this rail-ditch-brush. The ditch is wide, and any hesitation here could mean missing the line to the narrow brush immediately after.

15 Bartels Road Trakehner

Horses run downhill to this trakehner, with the ground becoming flat two strides before take off. Then there is an uphill pull to the second road crossing.

16 Brand SA Keyhole

This corner of the park is where the course becomes intense, with several serious questions close together. The keyhole is first, followed by a downhill run to the first water.

17 SATC Rymill Lake In

This image shows the brush at CCI2* height and it will be raised before the CCI4* on Saturday afternoon.

18 SATC Beach Hut

Once in the water horses will negotiate this narrow and square beach hut. The CCI2* fence behind it will be removed.

19 Bates Farm Trailer

Horses pass a children’s playground on their left as they exit the Rymill Lake and head towards this trailer.

20ab EA/ASC Stag Corner Brushes

Horses travel uphill to the first brush corner, which is jumped towards a road and houses. Riders must be accurate to make it to the second narrow corner immediately behind. The alternative b is a triple brush, but circling around to it will waste a lot of time.

21 Horseland Adelaide Flyer

Despite its name, riders won’t want to take a flyer at this train, which is sited on top of a steep mound. If they do horses will struggle to turn for an offset double of ducks at the bottom.

22/23 Horseland Ducks

These ducks are on a bounce distance, but being separately numbered will provide a lifeline to any riders who find they have missed their line by landing too boldly after the train.

24 ATCO Table

A welcome let-up fence in this undulating section of the course.

25ab SATC Toll Gate/Bicycle

There is a long, flat gallop to this combination, which is sited between a busy main road and a rose garden. The upright gate demands respect, as does the upright bicycle on a curving right line behind it.

26ab Channel 7 Logo

Riders will be looking for their line to this red corner before they negotiate the bicycle.

27abcd FEI Water In/Raft/Pelican

Tiring horses need to make a big effort into the water over the hanging log, and riders need to be accurate once in the water in order to clear the skinny raft and pelican on the way out.

28 Panda House

After crossing Bartels Road for the second time, riders have the bulk of the course behind them and are heading home.

29ab/30 IRT Gully Logs and Stump

This combination must be ridden with accuracy, particularly on a tiring horse. After clearing a, horses run down the slope and up the other side. They need plenty of impulsion in order to successfully tackle the meaty, narrow logs at 29b and 30 on the incline.

31 Grant Burge Big Bar

The final road crossing brings horses to this box and the finish is in sight.

32ab Pryde’s Easifeed Box & Trolley

A sweeping left curve leads to a flower bed and a narrow, square b element behind it.

33 Renniks Marquee

The crowd will be cheering as horses fly over the brightly coloured penultimate, which is in front of the main arena.

34 Qantas Horseshoe Welcome Home

This horseshoe will be located on the edge of the main arena and is the last obstacle to clear before galloping through the finish.

Watch FEI TV’s Adelaide CCI4* preview

Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s Adelaide report in this week’s issue (Thursday 20 November), and Eventing magazine’s coverage in the December issue, on sale Saturday 22 November.

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

This year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials winner Sam Griffiths has had to undergo an emergency appendix operation.

The Australian event rider, who also finished third at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials this year (4-7 September), is still recovering in hospital and will not be able to compete in the last four-star of the year in Adelaide, Australia.

“The horses are now all on holiday and Sam is making good progress but he is not yet fit to travel such a long distance,” said a spokesman for Team Griffiths.

As well as success at Badminton and Burghley, Sam also helped Australia to finish fifth at the World Equestrian Games in August. Sam finished eighth in the British Eventing end of season rankings having amassed 746 points.

“Sam and everyone at Team Griffiths would like to thank all our incredible owners, sponsors and supporters who have made this year possible. We couldn’t have done it without you,” the spokesman added.

Badminton final scores

Sam was still competing until earlier this month and finished with two horses in the top-ten at Larkhill (18 October). He had three horses entered for Aldon last weekend (23 October) but withdrew.

Sam’s fans have taken to his Facebook page to send him their best wishes.

“Poor Sam — get better soon. Look forward to following your 2015 season,” said Lauren Hyde Was Leete.

“Wish Sam a speedy recovery. And many congratulations to team Griffiths for an outstanding year — awesome,” added Denise Long.

Find out more about Sam Griffiths

Badminton 2014 winner Sam Griffiths in pictures

To celebrate Sam Griffiths’ impressive victory at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, H&H looks back at highlights of the Australian eventer’s career through pictures from our archives

9 things you need to know about the Badminton 2014 winner Sam Griffiths

Australia’s Sam Griffiths climbed from 25th after the dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials to claim the 2014 title. Find out more about eventing’s latest star

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

Alice Dunsdon’s quest to complete all the world’s four-star events on the same horse has been put back due to a minor injury to Fernhill Present (pictured top).

Alice had intended to take the 12-year-old to Adelaide this year to tackle the Australian four-star, but has had to change her plans.

“Fernhill Present is in controlled work as he has a slight strain behind his knee, which has meant a setback in his four-star programme,” explained Alice. “There is not enough time [to complete his fitness work] before quarantine — he would have had to go into quarantine on 25 September.”

The 28-year-old British rider, who is based in Surrey, is aiming to become the first person to finish all six four-stars on one horse.

American rider Colleen Rutledge has completed the five northern hemisphere four-stars on Shiraz, but has not done Adelaide. Before her, Mary King started at the same five events on Apache Sauce, but they did not finish at Pau.

So far, Alice and Fernhill Present have completed Pau (2011, 43rd), Burghley (2012, 48th), Luhmühlen (2013, 25th) and Kentucky (2014, 32nd), so they still have to finish at Badminton and Adelaide to collect the full set.

She will now aim the horse at the Dutch CCI3* at Boekelo this autumn and then Badminton 2015. A tilt at Adelaide is on the cards for next autumn.

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

Australian event rider Christopher Burton — who is based in Surrey — has won the final 4-star of the year in Adelaide, Australia on a catch-ride TS Jamaimo.

Stephanie Pearce’s TS Jamaimo, who was competing in his first 4-star, was meant to ridden by Will Enzinger. But when Will broke his leg falling off a novice horse Christopher stepped in.

Christopher managed to complete on his dressage score of 49.70 to take the honours.

“The real glory belongs to Will Enzinger and his team for preparing the horse,” Christopher said.

“Will has been on the phone to me every day; all I had to do was get on.

“But I have to admit to sitting in my tack room on the morning of cross-country day thinking why was I doing this, but I love Adelaide.”

Will unfortunately had to spend Saturday’s cross-country day in surgery having his leg operated.

The leader board was an all-Australian affair with nationals taking all top 10 places.

Last year’s winners Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire, had the last fence down, dropping them to 3rd and robbing them of back-to-back victories.

Beijing team silver medallist Sonja Johnson on Belfast Mojito finished 2nd.

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

The countdown to Adelaide this weekend (14-17 November) — the final 4-star horse trials of the year — has been dramatic, with broken limbs and a heart attack affecting some of the major players.

Course-designer Wayne Copping was taken to hospital a week ago after suffering a heart attack. He has since undergone heart bypass surgery and is intent on making it to the event.

British Eventing’s chief executive Mike Etherington-Smith stepped into the breach to do some last-minute fine-tuning with the course-builders. Mike was himself Adelaide’s course-designer for several years and is the current designer at Sydney CCI3*.

Meanwhile, dual Adelaide winner Wendy Schaeffer will be unable to bid for a popular third victory after breaking her leg in 2 places in a training fall. Although she won Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996 just 9 weeks after breaking a leg, she will not line up this time.

And fellow Australian Megan Jones — who was on the team for London 2012 until lameness sidelined her ride Kirby Park Allofasudden — has withdrawn her horse again as he is not 100%.

Another Aussie who had been due to compete — Will Enzinger — also had his challenge thwarted when he broke his leg last week.

However, the home crowd will be able to cheer another of their riders on as the UK-based Christopher Burton — who didn’t have any horses entered — has picked up Will’s ride on TS Jamaimo, a 4-star debutant. Chris won Adelaide 5 years ago on Newsprint.

26 horses are listed — nearly double last year’s field. Riders include Sydney 2000 Olympic team gold medallist Stuart Tinney and Beijing silver medallists Sonja Johnson and Shane Rose — who will be bidding to catch the selectors’ eyes ahead of the World Equestrian Games next year.

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

Wendy Schaeffer won the year’s final four-star, the Australian International 3-Day Event at Adelaide, last week.

Wendy and Koyuna Sun Dancer were third after cross-country, but her clear round in the showjumping allowed her to move ahead of overnight leader Emma Mason (F1 Pharinelli), whose 20 faults left her sixth.

Stuart Tinney, last year’s winner on Vettori and this time riding Watermark Grayson, was second after cross-country but had 12 faults for fifth.

Wendy also finished third on Koyuna Sun Shine, with 2008 Adelaide winners Christopher Burton and Newsprint second. Christopher and Stuart were the only riders inside the time on Wayne Copping’s cross-country track.

This was 36-year-old Wendy’s second win at Adelaide — she also triumphed in 2002. She is one of the leading Australia-based eventers and lives locally to the event, in the Adelaide Hills near Hahndorf. Wendy won team gold at the Olympics in 1996.

Wendy’s winning ride, the 11-year-old gelding Koyuna Sun Dancer was bred by Howard and Darren Clark of Koyuna Stud and bought by Wendy in early 2001. He is by the thoroughbred Brilliant Invader, who sired Blyth Tait’s 1996 Olympic champion Ready Teddy.

Koyuna Sun Dancer was third at Adelaide in 2008, when Koyuna Sun Shine, third this time, finished fourth. Koyuna Sun Shine, an 11-year-old chestnut mare, is also by Brilliant Invader.

Nineteen four-star starters

After a surge of entries at Adelaide last year when there were 31 four-star starters and 110 across the three classes (CCI****, CIC** and CCI**), it was back to more typical numbers this time, with 19 four-star competitors and 88 in total. In 2008 there were 19 four-star starters and 80 in total.

This event has long been beset by financial problems and been the lesser four-star in terms of both number and quality of riders.

But event director Gillian Rolton said: “The Australian International 3-Day Event has continued to prove itself as one of the world’s greatest equestrian events, with spectators treated to world-class riding over three, action-packed days.

“The weather was definitely on our side this year, making for comfortable conditions for both horse and rider to perform at a world class standard and the events off the field were just as successful with guests enjoying the party atmosphere.”

The Australian International 3-Day Event has a unique setting, taking place in parklands in the centre of Adelaide, with several roads closed so that horses can cross them on cross-country day (pictured).

Full results

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

Stuart Tinney won his first four-star title in the Australian International 3-Day Event (Adelaide Horse Trials) last weekend.

Riding Vettori, Stuart was 14th after dressage. But he put in the second quickest cross-country round to lead going into the show jumping.

Megan Jones was just 0.3pen behind Stuart overnight with Kirby Park Allofasudden, but she lowered a rail and Stuart jumped clear to secure the title.

Stuart said: “I would have preferred a greater margin going into the final stage. It’s too stressful to win this way. He [Vettori] is a wonderful horse and I got my act together and concentrated pretty well.

“I am very glad to have taken out [won] the event because I have finished second in previous years.”

Megan finished second with Kirby Park Allofasudden, also runner-up in 2008. She was also third on her 2008 Olympic team silver medallist Kirby Park Irish Jester, who led the dressage but incurred 20 jumping penalties across country.

About the winners

Stuart Tinney, 44, is based in New South Wales and is one of the most successful Australian eventers based “down under”. He won an Olympic team gold medal at the Sydney Games in 2000 on Jeepster.

The 13-year-old New Zealand warmblood Vettori has previously finished fifth (2005) and second (2006) at Adelaide. Stuart brought him to Badminton in 2008 (pictured above) in a bid to qualify for the Olympics, but he had a rider fall the Outlander Bank (click here for sequence pictures). They re-routed to Luhmühlen, finishing third.

Successful event

There were doubts in May about whether the Southern Hemisphere’s four-star would run this year due to finance problems, but the event was saved by donations from riders and eventing enthusiasts.

The organisers were rewarded with record entries — 110 across the three classes (CCI****, CCI** and CIC**), up from 80 last year.

There were 31 starters in the four-star (compared to 19 last year) — only six less than at Pau and five less than Luhmühlen, encouraging for an event which has traditionally been the lesser four-star in number and quality of riders.

Unseasonably hot weather meant the cross-country course was shortened from an optimum time of around 10min to 7min 51sec.

Event director Gillian Rolton said: “The big screens under the shade have been popular with spectators while horses and riders have also coped well with the temperatures and were happy with the organisers’ decision earlier this week to shorten the cross-country course.

“Although crowd numbers have been lower than anticipated [pre-event press releases expected 30,000 people], we’re thrilled that the grandstand sold out, corporate sales were 30% higher than last year and more than 16,000 people have braved the unseasonable weather to see their heroes in action.”

Full results from Adelaide

CCI*** FINAL RESULTS

1. Stuart Tinney on Vettori (AUS) 65.8

2. Megan Jones on Kirby Park Allofasudden (AUS) 70.1

3. Megan Jones on Kirby Park Irish Jester (AUS) 83.5

4. Amanda Howell on Koyuna Tora Bora (AUS) 84.2

5. Luke Jones on Soul (AUS) 87

6. Clarke Johnstone on Orient Express (NZL) 93.1

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

The 2009 Australian International Three Day Event at Adelaide has been saved by the generosity of eventing fans.

Last month (news, 28 may) event director Gill Rolton announced that Australia’s only 4* event (13-15 November) would not go ahead this year because of an Aus $100,000 budget shortfall.

Within a week Aus $45,000 had been donated by riders, supporters and companies and numerous fund-raising activities were planned.

Now, Ms Rolton says, the event will go on.

“The response has been nothing short of extraordinary,” she said. “And based on the pledges we’ve received so far the board of management now feels confident that we have the financial backing to proceed.”

The event is still searching for a naming sponsor, said chairman of the management board Bob Gillen, who added: “We are extremely grateful to all of those who’ve already made such a passionate plea for the survival of the event and would be delighted to accept any further donations or pledges of support.”

Adelaide is one of just six 4* events in the world and is the only one to not be a part of the HSBC FEI Classics series.

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

The organiser of the Adelaide three-day event has said she is “blown away” by the generosity of riders and eventing enthusiasts who have donated to the rescue fund.

Last week (news, 28 May), Gillian Rolton announced the four-star event (13-15 November) would not go ahead unless A$100,000 (£49,200) could be raised.

Now A$45,000 has been donated and numerous fund-raising activities are planned.

“We are not quite over the line, but it looks very encouraging,” said Ms Rolton.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (4 June, ’09)

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

The organisers of the Australian International three-day event say the competition may not go ahead this year due to a $100,000 budget shortfall.

The event was to take place from 13-15 November.

It is the only 4* event in the Southern Hemisphere and the only one that is not part of the HSBC FEI Classics series.

Event director Gillian Rolton said: “It’s a bitter disappointment, but faced with the financial realities of 2009 we’re being forced to make an extraordinarily tough decision.

“Unless an extremely generous benefactor — or naming rights sponsor — is prepared to come forward with significant financial support, we will have no option other than cancelling this year’s event.

“We’re having to make the call now because so many of our top class and international riders depend on the Australian International three-day event as part of their qualifying and selection path for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010 and potentially the Olympics in London in 2012.

“It’s only fair we give them enough notice to make alternative qualifying arrangements.”

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