I’ve collated your need-to-know information for the 2026 HOYS show horse qualifiers, which includes hunters, hacks, riding horses, cobs, and working hunters in one place.

Negotiating where to go to secure Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifications for your horses is no mean feat, and I know first-hand how hard it is to find qualifier details and keep on top of planning your season, so this should help make it easier.

While the HOYS showing qualifiers list has been announced for 2026, the some fixtures are still confirming their judges. So I’m frequently updating this page with all the new details as they are released so it can be your one-stop-shop for planning your qualification.

2026 HOYS show horse qualifiers

• The Harrod & Coles Family Cob of the Year
• The Andrews Family Hack of the Year
• The Leeman Family Maxi Cob of the Year
• NeedleSmart, John Illingworth and Cliff Kirby Ridden Purebred Arab of the Year
• Alan Marnie & Family Riding Horse of the Year
• The Mears-Wood Family Ladies’ Side Saddle Horse of the Year
• Hamilton Tarmac Small Show Hunter of the Year
• Catplant Group of Companies Ltd. Show Hunter of the Year
• Alan Marnie & Family (Meta Lounge Limited and SHB (GB)) Working Hunter of the Year

The Harrod & Coles Family Cob of the Year

These qualifiers are for both the lightweight and heavyweight cob sections.

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The Andrews Family Hack of the Year

These qualifiers for the hack classes are for both small and large sections.

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The Leeman Family Maxi Cob of the Year

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NeedleSmart, John Illingworth and Cliff Kirby Ridden Purebred Arab of the Year

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

Alan Marnie & Family Riding Horse of the Year

These qualifiers are for both sections of riding horse.

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The Mears-Wood Family Ladies’ Side Saddle Horse of the Year

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

Hamilton Tarmac Small Show Hunter of the Year

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

Catplant Group of Companies Ltd. Show Hunter of the Year

These qualifiers are for all three weights sections of show hunter.

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

Alan Marnie & Family (Meta Lounge Limited and SHB (GB)) Working Hunter of the Year

Below is the information for all working hunter qualifiers.

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

• For all your need-to-know information for other 2026 HOYS qualifiers, plus more expert showing advice from top riders and updates on shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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A local rider took the 2026 Royal Windsor Arab ridden championship on the show’s final morning (17 May).

Jade Bermingham had ridden Noor Al Noufous for two years for her previous owner, before stepping in to purchase the mare, alongside her mother and her mother-in-law, when she came up for sale.

The pair impressed the judges to beat stallions and geldings in the championship.

Jade, who lives just five minutes away from the castle, said: “She’s a bit of a family pony, really.

“She lives with my mother in law and hacks out – all nice and relaxed. I just pinch her and take her to the odd show.

“We bought her in October. She’s the sweetest, sweetest horse.”

This was Jade’s first show on the mare since owning her.

“Honestly, she’s so easy,” Jade said. “For my first show with her, it’s nice to win. We love her.”

Noufous has previously campaigned the Horse of the Year Show circuit and was fourth there in 2024 with Jade.

The buzzy Windsor atmosphere did not get to the 11-year-old, who is by Muhaned Al Rayyan.

“She’s so laid back it’s ridiculous,” she added. “She can be really sassy, but never nasty. She’s always so sweet and well mannered. She’s Mrs Reliable!”

Reserve went to Will Morton riding LVA Winter’s Rascal, a 13-year-old gelding sired by LVA Maximus who is owned by Susan Rose.

It has been a stellar show for Will, who started off by winning the maxi cobs and cob championship on Monarch In The Mist before he took the small hunter class on board Red Valentine II.

2026 Royal Windsor Arab In-hand tricolour and reserve headed home with the first and second placed part-breds. In top here was Tina Carswell’s HA Globemaster, a 10-year-old by Aj Sanchez, and Lisa Hayyez’ Brideswood Price Regent nine-year-old Ryehall Petit Ami occupied the bridesmaid spot.

2026 Royal Windsor part-bred Arab ridden champions

After standing reserve in the novice show pony championship with Florrie Duncalf, Tandridge State Affair (Bella), went on to claim the 2026 Royal Windsor part-bred Arab under saddle spoils, with Mia Whittaker at the helm after the pair won the class for ponies under 148cm.

The seven-year-old is owned by her breeder Joanna Adams and was ridden by Florrie and Mia on behalf of her producer Harrison Taylor.

This was Mia’s first spin in the ring aboard the Tandridge Democrat mare.

“We were not expecting it all,” said Mia. “But Harrison just does an amazing job of them.

“She’s such a good girl for how much she’s done and she seemed to like the atmosphere in there. I’m really pleased with how she went.”

At home, Mia says Bella has a “really lovely personality”.

“She can sometimes be a bit lazy,” she added, “but she seemed to like the occasion here, so she rose to it.”

In reserve was Lilly Ahern aboard her grandfather Paddy Ahern’s second placed Roseberry Picture Perfect, an eight-year-old gelding by Rotherwood Spring Storm.

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The owner and rider of a horse who twice represented Britain and completed extraordinary feats of endurance has paid tribute to his character and their bond after his death aged 27.

Annie Joppe’s Arab Dilmun, with whom she contested the 2009 European Championships and 2014 World Equestrian Games (WEG), had spent a happy retirement with Annie, being pampered, loved and bossing the yard until the end.

“He was a star,” Annie told H&H.

But Annie nearly did not buy Dilmun at all; she said she first saw him advertised as a five-year-old, thought he looked good and went to see him.

“I went to try him, agreed to buy him and had the most terrible journey,” she said. “He wouldn’t load, it was awful, so he went back as I’d only had him on trial.

“Then, a year later, a friend of mine said ‘I’ve got this horse for sale’ and it turned out to be him. It was quite freaky really; I didn’t know she’d bought him.”

Annie said natural horsemanship techniques helped Dilmun learn to load happily, and “after that, he was brilliant”.

“He was a pure Arab, quite stockily built, but it was his spark,” she said. “He had such a strong character; grumpy as anything if you tried to change his rugs and he hated grooming! I remember our first squad training and the vets examining him and he stood there, ears flat back, stamping his foot. He was such a character, he was just the boss.”

Annie and Dilmun completed four international three-star 160km rides.

“There are very few who can do that,” she said. “A lot of riders don’t want to do it themselves but I’ve had horses and you know their limit, and that they won’t do it. You get horses like Dilmun and it’s in their head more than anything else. They have to want to do it and he was astonishing, so determined.

“When you were out on loops in competition, his preference if he was in a group was to be just in front of a couple of mares and he’d be in heaven. He just loved it. They weren’t allowed to come past, they had to be just behind, but he’d be so happy, striding along.”

“With endurance, you’re together all the time,” she added. “All the competitions we did meant hours together, looking after him constantly. He would feel a little bit at sea when he had to go overseas, literally, or away for a big competition, and he would turn into a completely different character and be so clingy.”

Annie cited those two championships as her highlights.

Dilmun at his best

“WEG is the ultimate, or it was – we don’t have WEG any more, which is terribly sad but I suppose understandable,” she said. “It was a very exciting experience and he was at his best.

“He did quite a few national rides, including a 120km national one in Cumbria when he was relatively young and that’s when I just knew he could do it. The Cumbrian fells can be quite gruelling but he went on and on, and he won the best condition award.”

Dilmun retired some seven years ago after a last, shorter, ride in Cornwall.

“He got the usual grade ones, so it was quite a good way to retire,” she said. “ He retired when he wanted to, then we did a bit of hacking out occasionally but he wasn’t particularly bothered with it. He was happy to be retired in the field, ruling everybody; all the horses, all the humans, everything.”

Annie had to make the hardest decision owing to the effects of a field injury Dilmun sustained in retirement combined with his age.

“The bond we had was like no other. It was incredible,” she said. “He’d always listen for my voice, he’d always do his very, very best, and do everything right to the end.”

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Clare Fitch enjoyed a spectacular one-two in the NeedleSmart, John Illingworth and Cliff Kirby ridden pure-bred Arab of the year championship, coming away from the prestigious Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) final with not just the title but the runner-up spot.

Six-year-old stallion Ghaali (Gary), who moved to Clare’s base from Dubai two years ago, was pulled forward into the top spot. The grey son of Ed Sarab is owned by Jassmin Paton of the UAE.

“I’m thrilled,” said Clare. “It was a big deal for the UAE to send a horse over and I was desperate for him to prove himself. We want to increase ridden showing within the UAE, so for him to be an ambassador for them is just wonderful.

“He’s the easiest stallion I’ve ever had. He’s lovely and he loves the job.”

Gary stood supreme pure-bred at the British nationals as a novice last year. This year, he took the first HOYS ticket of the season at Devon County and he hasn’t been shown since.

“Because he’s a young stallion, I like to keep them quiet and take it easy with them to start with,” explained Clare. “Next year, I’d love him to go to Windsor and I’d love him to go to the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) as he’s not done any of those things yet so we will see. But definitely, hopefully, more riddens!”

Reserve pure-bred Arab of the year championship goes to stablemate

Stablemate Hadiat Qayima (Ollie) – who Clare has had to keep separate from her winner for the duration of their time at the NEC “as the two of them love each other” – took runner-up spot, ridden on this occasion by Jayne Ross.

“He was bred by Joyce Robertson and is owned by her daughter, Michaela Brand. I’ve done horses for them for a long time,” said Clare.

The eight-year-old chestnut Vivegas gelding “has been really on form,” said Clare, and was reserve supreme at the British nationals, then champion at the British Arabians last month.

“They’re both two lovely horses. The judge said that they both gave incredible rides, which I’m absolutely thrilled with.

“The ride can be so nerve-racking; I was hoping I could’ve gone sooner with Gary being a young stallion but I ended up being the last to go in my section. But actually, he went beautifully so I’m not complaining – just my nerves had to hold a bit longer!”

Clare has a long history of campaigning in the ridden Arab championship, taking her first HOYS win in 2002, but had to wait 10 years to win it again in 2012. She’s enjoyed a decent clutch of victories since, most recently with Susan Robinson’s 2018 and 2022 winner AJA Giuliano.

“I’ve been incredibly lucky and I’ve had some beautiful horses,” said Clare.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Whether you’re looking to buy an Arabian horse, or had never even considered the breed before, this advice might help you decide if they are the horse for you.

Would an Arab horse be suitable for me?

The Arab horse is one of the world’s most distinctive breeds of horse. It’s arguably one of the oldest breeds still in existence and it is recognised by key traits such as a dished head, high tail carriage and extravagant movement. While pure-bred Arab breeding is still thriving among dedicated enthusiasts in the UK and overseas, the bloodlines have contributed to nearly every modern light horse breed. The part-bred Arab is a hugely popular cross, too, and horses and ponies with Arab blood can be found in many competitive disciplines.

Arab horses typically stand between 14.1hh – 15.1hh but are compact and strong in stature. They are known for being quite highly-strung animals that enjoy work, but the temperament largely depends on the individual animal. While they can be a good choice for a competitive rider with performance ambitions, those horses with a quiet disposition can make ideal mounts for leisure riders.

What can I do with an Arab horse?

Arabs have their own classes within the show ring, with finals for pure-breds being held at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Royal International. The Arab Horse Society of Great Britain also holds shows for in-hand and ridden Arabs, and many breeders and enthusiasts use these shows as a lead up to the global stage, with many opting to travel to Europe and the Middle East with their horses to compete for international titles.

Arabs are popular endurance horses due to their stamina and ability. Due to the harsh environment they were bred to survive in, the Arab horse has strong endurance capabilities making them ideally suited to this challenging discipline.

Arabs are definitely not one-trick horses and they are capable of performing multiple jobs, including jumping and dressage.

The part-bred Arab is an equally popular choice that is capable of being enjoyed in many different spheres, with the Arab adding refined qualities, endurance and athleticism to the other parent. The showing of part-bred Arabs is also a popular sector, and classes specifically for this cross-bred are found at all major shows.

What should I look for in a ridden Arab horse?

Sian Warman has ridden and produced pure-bred Arab horses at top level for many years. She is a regular face in the pure-bred ridden Arab final at HOYS, and she has also won the supreme of show at the Arab National Show and supreme ridden title at the British Arab championships during her career.

She describes what she’d be looking for in a prospect for the show ring and beyond: “First and foremost, I’m looking for a good base. Everyone has their own opinion on type, but I am not a lover of the taller, more sporty types and I prefer the more compact types that have a leg at each corner. I need to be able to look at the horse and see where the saddle will sit.

“I’m looking for all the features of a good Arab which include a set of strong, big side eyes and expressive nostrils that lead into the dished head. I’d be assessing the head carriage and neck line as well as the tail set, which should be high. We want nice, sound bone, well proportioned feet, long, sloping pasterns and sturdiness of the croup.

“Movement-wise, they must be straight. I do like a big mover, but their step must come through the shoulder. It’s this action that gives them that long, elegant stride. Personally, I like to think of my ridden Arab as a mini hack. I am looking for elegance combined with beautiful movement, a rhythmical canter and evidence that they can carry the rider.

“Upbringing is important, too. I like all of my horses to do other things, such as hacking and pole work, so it’s important that they have been raised well and have seen a bit of the world.”

Where should I buy an Arab horse from?

If you want to buy an Arab horse, they will be advertised at various times in the season on online platforms by private sellers, studs and professional agents who specialise in the breed, as well as via word of mouth.

“I would suggest going to a breeder with a good record,” says Sian. “Do your research into a breeder’s history to see what they’ve bred over the years, and possibly get into a discussion with them to see what they have available.

“I would also look at certain lines and see which sire’s stock you favour. For example, the stallion Emerald J has produced many top ridden horses currently out and about on the circuit. There are also consultants in the Arab world who do a lot of selling.”

How much should I expect to pay?

“The prices of horses can vary massively, as in any type,” Sian says. “Horses with show ring CVs will be priced in double figures. A horse that has been shown to a good level, or a promising novice, can easily fetch between £6,000 and £10,000. The bloodlines can also determine prices and breeding stock with successful in-hand records can go for really good money.

“A proven in-hand horse, though, that has been successful in the Middle East or aboard might not make the ideal ridden horse for the UK circuit.”

I’ve agreed to buy an Arab horse, what now?

It’s strongly recommended to arrange a pre-purchase vetting when you have found the right horse.

The vet will assess the horse with the specific job you want it for in mind. It’s important to let the vet know prior to the vetting what you hope to do with the horse. The vet should pay close attention to any conformational faults which could impact its future in any sphere, even if they don’t affect soundness or performance.

“It is always recommended that you get a horse put through a vetting, especially if you are spending a certain amount of money,” says Sian. “I would always get the basic assessments done, and then you can take what you want from that.”

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Clare Fitch rode pure-bred Arab gelding AJA Giuliano (Julie) to claim his first victory and be crowned champion at Royal Windsor. Surprisingly, Clare, who has numerous Arab championship titles to her name at both Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Royal International (RIHS), has only ever won here once before.

“This is the one championship title that has always eluded him,” said Clare, who is unable to compete with the Aja Angelo 12-year-old at HOYS this season due to a connection with the judge, so was more hopeful than ever of a good result here.

Owned by Sue Robinson, Julie has been a part of Clare’s operation since he was a yearling. Her partner Stephen McCormick showed him in hand as a youngster before Clare broke him in and took over the reins herself. He’s enjoyed a prolific career under saddle, with significant wins including the championship title at HOYS in 2018, and the RIHS and HOYS double in 2022.

Another Arab specialist, Sian Warman, piloted Daniel Botwright’s nine-year-old EKS Alihandro stallion Waliandro into reserve. Sian has produced Waliandro for the past four years.

“He’s been a phenomenal stallion; he’s done really well,” said Sian of her twice HOYS finalist and Hickstead runner-up. “He gives the most beautiful ride but is the quietest boy at home. He hacks, he jumps — we have a really great time and don’t just do the boring stuff! Everyone loves him for a cuddle.”

Due to having several to produce, Sian hasn’t always piloted him herself in previous seasons — Chelsea Foster has — but this year he “is all” Sian’s.

Sian recently returned from a judging trip to Australia where she was a ride judge at the Grand National, and she judged the coloured horses and ponies on Windsor’s opening day. She said “the atmosphere in the Castle arena was just amazing” during the championship, adding, “I now aspire to ride in there myself!”

Windsor hattrick for Diva in the Royal Windsor part-bred Arabs

Hannah Horton rode Annabel Pope’s highly successful Stage Diva into the top spot in the part bred Arab championship for the third consecutive year.

“This is her show, she just loves it here,” said Hannah, who also competes her as a riding horse, finishing in the placings earlier in the week. The eight-year-old Tiger Attack daughter was bred by Virginia Russell-Wood out of prolific mare and HOYS supreme in-hand star Stage Music.

Taking the reserve was another having a superb week: Copybush Timelord (Dennis) ridden by Chloe Salley, 16. The pair also won the 148cm show pony class and took reserve in the Castle Arena championship.

“It still feels surreal to win here; he is my dream show pony,” said Chloe, whose grandmother Margaret Miller has leased Dennis from his owner Emma Andrews. As Chloe is Dublin-based, Dennis continues to be produced at home by Emma and her daughter Harriet who has won HOYS with Dennis twice.

The overall in-hand Arab title, which incorporated winners from the pure- and part-bred classes was dominated by part-breds. The tricolour went to John Harvey’s home-bred gelding Elmswood Star Struck (Reggie) – jointly owned with Sue Brewis, with whom John also jointly owned the uber successful Rhos Emblem.

Handled here by John, the Nynwood Wild Johnny Jump Up three-year-old is destined for a bright future under saddle with John’s niece Beatrice Taverner-Jordan. This was Reggie’s first fixture of the season, but he was lightly shown last year, winning in good company at National Pony Society (NPS) Area 20 and at the NPS summer championships.

In reserve in-hand was Virginia Draper’s Littletons Masterplan, winner of the part-bred Arab four years old or over class.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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A home-bred and home-produced Arab gelding provided his owner/breeder/rider with her first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) centre line moment as he lifted the Donna Gambrill, Oakways Healthcare and Amanda Miller and Islandbridge Properties 2024 HOYS ridden pure-bred Arabian title.

The flashy 12-year-old Valletta Hunters Song and his breeder Georgina Rees were on song on what was their second Birmingham appearance. They qualified for HOYS at Derbyshire Festival back in June.

“William” is sired by Silvern Surprise out of Silvern Sheena.

On his last HOYS appearance, the atmosphere proved too much for the then novice William, as Georgina explained: “Unfortunately, he was scared of the walkie talkie and he wouldn’t let the judge ride him. So for him to come today and behave was all I could ask for, and the win it is so unexpected.”

William is very much Georgina’s ‘baby’: “It’s because I bred him and I produce him from home.”

She added: “Darren Crowe has helped me an awful lot over the last year and we’ve worked very hard with him. At home he does a lot of hacking and he also does a bit of dressage.”

Georgina runs her own cleaning agency and juggles work around a passion for the Arab breed and showing. She has never won HOYS before.

“Everything is about William; my life revolves around this horse,” she confirmed. “I cannot wait to ride in the supreme on Sunday, especially on a horse like William.”

Emily Constable and her own mare Ottiliah JJ were reserve in the 2024 HOYS ridden pure-bred Arabian championship, while third spot went to Elizabeth Lowe riding Shaun Daniels’ CS Lelisha.

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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

An Arab gelding achieved the elusive hat trick as he captured a neat victory in the 2024 RIHS pure-bred ridden Arabian championship at the Agria Royal International Horse Show (RIHS), adding this title to those won at both the Royal Windsor and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2023.

Jade Hateley and her family’s chestnut gelding Cipriana had been missing this crown in the jewel, having competed on Hickstead soil in the past.

“He’s actually been naughty here in previous years and this one has always eluded us,” said Jade, for whom this was also a first RIHS triumph.

Cipriana is out of FS Cinderella by Mascot Des Alpes. Jade was given him as a surprise Christmas present six years ago by her mother.

Alongside his HOYS and Windsor championships, he has also been Arab Horse Society British National Champion on three separate occasions.

Jade is engaged to Arab horse handler Jake Bermingham who was ringside to watch her win. As Jade entered the International Arena championship, one of her bridesmaids, Kaitlyn Fairhurst, had just left after winning the M&M young riders supreme.

Commenting on Cipriana’s showmanship, Jade said: “He gives me the most amazing feel. He’s got that big trot that makes me feel like I’m sitting on air. He’ll always have a job with us; he goes out with the yearlings and colts at home and is just the best horse.

“We’ve worked really hard this week ahead of the show. I really wanted this one for him so he’d done the three. When he was pulled in top I was praying for him to be a good boy.”

Judge of the 2024 RIHS pure-bred ridden Arabian championship was Stephanie Zebedee.

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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 promising stallion in his debut open season shot to the top of the 2024 Royal Windsor ridden pure-bred Arab championship on the final day of the show.

Katie Gore and her parents Heather and Bill’s immaculate 10-year-old Arimathea, a Makisa Adaggio son bred by Amy Southworth out of Misteeqa, was ridden by Katie’s good friend Louisa Biles. The duo reigned over the winning mare, Megan McCormick’s consistent Sapphire, piloted by multi-Windsor winner Sian Warman.

Katie, who has owned Arimathea since he was a six-month-old foal, said that the horse was an unintentional buy: “We’d never planned to buy another stallion at the time. I went to see Amy’s foals and ended up falling in love, so he came home with me as soon as he was weaned.”

Katie showed Arimathea herself when he was a youngster. His tally includes a British National championship and two reserves. He has also won Royal Cheshire in-hand. Last season, he was British National champion and reserve supreme under-saddle as a novice.

“Royal Windsor in 2023 was his first-ever ridden show; he was the only novice in the class but he still came away with a rosette,” said full-time service advisor Katie, who runs a small-scale stud at home alongside her parents. “He’s such a good boy; he has a temperament to die for. My four-year-old son can sit on him and lead him around. He is an absolute Christian.”

The focus now turns to Horse of the Year Show qualifiers.

“We’ve been here several times to spectate, but we’ve never actually competed,” Katie continued. “Unfortunately, Dad isn’t very well at the moment so he’s not been able to be here, but I’ve been sending him lots of updates. Louisa is a life-long friend and she’s always believed in him. She can see his potential. Dad helped her find her prolific pure-bred gelding as a foal — he is now 25 — so we go back a long way.”

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A new showing tour with an unprecedented prize fund has been launched under Jan Tops’ Global Champions banner. The Arabian Global Champions Tour, which was announced at the World Arabian Horse Championships in Doha, Qatar, will offer an incredible €17m in prize money.

The tour will incorporate seven events, launching in February 2024 in the Middle East in Doha, before visiting Abu Dhabi and Muscat. There will be a further four European dates between July and December: Cannes, Valkenswaard, Rome and Paris.

The Qatari-backed initiative is seeking to promote the Arabian horse, following the model of Jan’s hugely successful Longines Global Champions showjumping tour (LGCT), which was founded in 2006.

The LGCT attracts the world’s top competitors and was expanded in 2018 to incorporate a second, team championship, the Global Champions League.

At a press conference in Doha announcing the initiative, GCTV presenter Marc Lewis said: “We have created a unique Arabian horse tour that will bring the sport to the next level, connecting people and culture through a common passion.

“One of the tour goals is to further develop and professionalise Arabian sports attract new fans. We want to use the platform of Global Champions to assist and grow. We want to create new opportunities for the stakeholders and most importantly, we want to ensure consistent, fair and balanced competition.”

The Arabian Global Champions will follow a standard Arabian in-hand showing format, but competitors will accumulate points for top 10 placings throughout the tour, and there will be awards for both horses and handlers. While some horses will compete throughout the series, others can contest individual legs.

More than €1m in prize money is available for each stage, with additional €5.5m available in bonuses in Doha and Abi Dhabi, plus an overall €4m championship bonus.

At each event, the top performers in each of the three main categories — yearlings, junior and senior — will be able to win an individual top prize of €50,000.

Jan said: “When people love horses in general, they will always respect the horse and I think the beauty horses also deserve a format similar to what we did with the Global Champions Tour, where they get global followers and unique locations [to show in].

“They already have special locations in the Middle East but we will also get some new ones in Europe and they will be connected into a platform where the best horses in the world can be followed and get constant media attention.”

Joanne Lowe, chairman of the UK’s Arab Horse Society, told H&H the tour could be a “great shot in the arm for the Arab horse”.

“Currently, a small percentage of the prize money from the major Middle Eastern shows is used by the European Conference of Arab Horse Organizations (ECAHO) to award prize money to the first three places in ECAHO in-hand and performance classes at national shows around Europe and the Middle East. It would be nice if some of the funds from this tour could filter down to the grassroots end of the business in the same way,” she added.

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A 25-year-old Arab who was “born for dressage” – and who had eight feet of intestine removed this year – is happy back in work.

Kaitlyn Bonis’ “miracle horse” Sunny defied the odds to survive surgery when a tumour was found strangulating his guts a few months ago.

“It was a typical Saturday several months ago when 19-year-old Kaitlyn Bonis completed a dressage workout with Sunny, her 25-year-old Arabian horse,” a spokesman for the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine said. “But the next day, her family received a call from Sunny’s barn that he didn’t appear well, and the veterinarian was on his way. The horse Kaitlyn had owned since she was 11 was fighting for his life.”

Kaitlyn and Sunny started competing together in hunter-jumper events, in 2016, with “varying results”. Their trainer suggested they try dressage, in which Sunny “truly found his calling”, winning at their first show. The pair moved up the levels, winning four regional championships and standing reserve national champion, until Sunny’s semi-retirement last year.

“Kaitlyn’s mother, Andrea Bonis, describes Sunny as the kind of horse who doesn’t come along very often – Kaitlyn’s horse of a lifetime,” the spokesman said.

“It is clear they were willing to do whatever it took to save Sunny.”

The spokesman said Sunny showed no improvement after initial treatment for colic, and the vet referred him to the veterinary hospital.

“Upon arrival at UC Davis, Sunny was immediately examined by an extensive team of faculty critical care and surgery specialists, residents, technicians, and students,” he said.

“He appeared uncomfortable and showed signs of colic with a distended abdomen. A belly tap revealed peritoneal fluid with signs of septic peritonitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the abdominal cavity.”

The team carried out exploratory surgery owing to Sunny’s pain, and found a lipoma, or fatty abdominal tumour. Lipomas, which are more common in older horses, strangulate the intestine, cutting off the blood supply. In this case, eight feet of small intestine was affected.

“Due to the seriousness of his condition, the anesthesiologists maintaining Sunny under general anesthesia had to work extremely hard to keep him alive while we performed the surgery,” said Isabelle Kilcoyne, chief of the equine surgical emergency and critical care service. “Drs Harriet Flynn and Manuel Fernades-Barrientos did a tremendous job in helping to save Sunny’s life.”

The surgeons removed the section of intestine and connected the healthy ends. Sunny spent 10 days in hospital, after which he was allowed home. A month of box rest followed, with in-hand walking after a fortnight, then Sunny was allowed out, first in a small area, then in a field, “completing all levels of recovery without complications”, the spokesman said.

“He’s our miracle horse, and we owe this to the UC Davis team – he couldn’t have been in better hands,” said Andrea. “Everybody was very kind, understanding, and professional, and they all took excellent care of our little boy. For a horse who was given a 10% chance to make it, you’d never know by looking at him now what an ordeal he underwent.”

Sunny has since had his 25th birthday, and Kaitlyn is back on board.

“She hopes to enjoy Sunny as a pleasure horse for many years to come,” the spokesman said.

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A Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) debutante took top honours in the O’Donnell Family RIHS pure-bred ridden Arabian championship, despite only being in her second season as a ridden horse.

Georgina Rees was in the saddle of her own 10-year-old mare Bellflower, who became judge Richard Mills’ choice for the title in a quality field of nine entries.

While it was Bellflower’s first time stepping onto Hickstead soil, today also marked Georgina’s first-ever RIHS victory.

“I’ve never even ridden an Arab at Hickstead, so this is all new to me,” Georgina confirmed.

By Psalm out of Wentworth Estate Bellissima, Bellflower was described by Georgina as a “later starter.”

“We got her when she was a five-year-old and she was started last season as a novice; this year seems to be her time, and she’s stepped into her own,” said Georgina, who qualified the home-produced mare for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) at Royal Norfolk in June. “She’s got such natural ring presence, she’s a beautiful mover and she’s a lovely ride.”

Georgina, who lives in Henley-on-Thames, shares the ride on Bellflower with Darren Crowe, depending on who she has on the lorry.

“I also have a gelding, who is also off to HOYS this year, so it depends who I take to a show on who I will ride; I’m glad I decided to ride her today, though,” she said. “I can see why people come back to this show year after year; what an experience we’ve had.”

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For the second year in a row, breed specialist Jade Hateley rode a pure-bred Arab to finish at the head of a super-strong Royal Windsor pure-bred Arab championship.

Jade’s ride this year was her family’s 11-year-old mannerly gelding Cipriana.

Just 12 months earlier, Jade had piloted her Cbeebies Vol XXII, also an 11-year-old at the time, to the same title.

Cipriana and Cbeebies are half brothers, both being out of FS Cinderella. Cipriana is by Mascot Des Alpes.

“We’ve had him since he was a five-year-old,” said Jade, who rode Cipriana to be reserve champion at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) on his first appearance there last year. “This is the first time he’s been to Windsor, too. He had a couple of novice seasons under-saddle before we stepped him up to opens in 2022. To our amazement, he won every HOYS qualifier he went in and then finished his season with the HOYS result.”

HOYS was the last time Cipriana was shown, meaning Royal Windsor Horse Show was his first outing of the 2023 term.

“He feels like you’re sitting on air,” enthused Jade, who works full-time for an equine pharmaceutical company.

The Hateley’s breed Arabs under the Round Oak prefix.

“Horses are what I do after work,” Jade added.

Reserve for the Royal Windsor pure-bred Arab title was Sian Warman riding Daniel and Anne Botwright and Bevan’s Waliandro, who had secured second place in the stallion and gelding class.

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Four Arabs described as “not for the faint-hearted” are in need of homes with knowledgable individuals who are experienced with the breed.

The Horses & Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) is looking for those with the skills and resources to take on one of its intelligent and sensitive, beautiful but quirky herd, as it desperately seeks to free up space.

The charity is gearing up to drive rehoming, as it fears its rescue centre will be “overrun” owing to the cost-of-living crisis. Some of its residents are still in rehabilitation and could be rehomed as projects, to “those that have got the experience to continue with their recovery and support them with behavioural issues”.

“The charity has a group of Arabs that would thrive from one-to-one [relationships] with someone that has the skill and expertise to deal with the breed and is looking for a challenge,” a HAPPA spokesman said. “The ideal people will be those with financial stability, time, patience, commitment, and dedication to build a trusting relationship.

“The Arabs at HAPPA are very high-maintenance and not for the faint-hearted; they are intelligent and sensitive, typical of the breed. The geldings were castrated late in life and have stallion-like behaviours, the mares are sensitive and highly strung with quirky personalities.

“They definitely pose a challenge, but with the right person, they will come on leaps and bounds. Arabs can be very sociable with people they trust and if you love the breed, then you will love the challenge.”

HAPPA wants to free up space to be ready to intervene; it expects to be “inundated” with requests to take in horses as the cost-of-living crisis continues.

“If people are struggling to feed themselves, the charity worries that people will be looking at downsizing other costs, such as keeping their horses,” the spokesman said.

The Arabs looking for homes are HAPPA Yelena, HAPPA Oaken, HAPPA Iduna and HAPPA Elsa.

Amanda Berry, head of equine operations at HAPPA, said: “We urge people with the know-how to come forward and offer a home to one of our special Arabs; we have three spirited mares and one boisterous gelding looking for their forever homes. We also have an abundance of coloured cobs and many others looking for that special someone.

“If you have the time and room in your heart and are fortunate to be riding the cost-of-living storm, then please get in touch and apply directly on our website or call us for a chat, we would love to hear from you.”

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Shirley Watts, the prolific breeder and founder of renowned stud Halsdon Arabians died peacefully on 16 December following a short illness, aged 84.

Born in London, Mrs Watts met her husband Charlie in 1961 when they were both studying at the Royal College of Art. The couple married in 1964, the year after Mr Watts joined the Rolling Stones, as drummer.

The couple had a passion for horses and founded Halsdon Arabians in Halsdon, north Devon. By the early 2000s, the 600-acre stud was home to around 200 horses, and the couple also had some racing Arabs in training in Poland.

Mrs Watts’ interest in Arabs began more than 50 years ago when her husband showed her a photograph of an Arab stallion and she “fell in love”. Mr Watts later bought his wife her first Arab, a part-bred, and it “spiralled from there”.

The stud had a focus on Polish Arabians and had a number of prolific Polish-bred mares, with bloodlines going back to the three-quarter Egyptian stallion Palas. Mrs Watts was a regular visitor to the Polish Arab horse sales and the Pride of Poland Arab horse auction, and she enjoyed much success in the show ring. The stud’s HS prefix became renowned in the Arabian horse world, with many horses carrying it, particularly in endurance.

Mrs Watts was also known for her love of greyhounds and was a long-term supporter and patron of the Forever Hounds Trust. She adopted many dogs from the charity, including a greyhound named Suzie in 2020.

Mr and Mrs Watts had one daughter, Seraphina, born in 1968, and were married for 57 years. Mr Watts died in August 2021, aged 80.

The European Conference of Arab Horse Organisations said: “We lost a passionate couple of Arabian horse lovers and breeders who became a part of the Arabian horse world history”.

Mrs Watts is survived by Seraphina, her son-in-law Barry, granddaughter Charlotte, sisters Jackie and Jill, and brother Stephen.

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With four Arabs qualified for the Simon Constable Equine Vets and Binley Arabian Stud Caroline Sussex HOYS ridden purebred Arab of the year championship at the 2022 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), it was no surprise that breed specialist Clare Fitch had to call on some help.

As Clare took the reins on Joyce Robertson’s five-year-old gelding Hadiat Qayima, she was on the hunt for someone to pilot Sue Robinson’s previous HOYS winner AJA Giuliano. And she found an able jockey in fellow Arab expert David Froggatt, who ended up securing the title.

“That was totally fab,” said David. “I wasn’t expecting to ride so I’d been on the Prosecco. Clare grabbed me this morning and asked me if I wanted a catch ride, and here we are.”

Clare’s other representative was Mary Wragg’s Mirv, who finished fifth with stand-in jockey Louise Maryon.

“We’d also qualified a young stallion for HOYS, but we decided to leave him at home this year as he wasn’t quite ready,” said Clare, who noted that four finalists was a new personal best for her team.

Clare has won the HOYS ridden purebred ridden Arab accolade numerous times, including with 10-year-old AJA Giuliano in 2018 and twice with Patros HB.

“I’ve also won it with Mirv,” Clare said. “The secret is all in the type; you’ve got to have something which is really typey. If you’ve got a horse with really good conformation it’s likely to ride well. I look for a unicorn when I’m picking my next HOYS winner. As soon as you see it, you have to know it’s an Arab without a second’s hesitation.”

AJA Giuliano, who is fondly known as Julie at home, was supreme Arab champion at the Royal International in July.

“He gets better and better,” said Clare. “We’ve had Julie since he was a yearling for his breeders at AJA Arabians, and we encouraged the Robinsons to buy him.”

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Clare Fitch won the fourth O’Donnell Family RIHS pure-bred ridden Arabian title of her career aboard the mannerly nine-year-old grey gelding AJA Gulliano at the 2022 Royal International Horse Show (RIHS).

While Clare has stunning form in this championship, Gulliano, who is owned by Sue Robinson, was lifting the title.

Lynne Lidbury was judging the class:

“He gave me an exemplary ride,” said Lynne, of her champion. “It was a really hard decision as the rides my top three gave me were absolutely gorgeous, but I loved the make up and stamp of the winner.”

Clare last won the RIHS pure-bred ridden Arabian title in 2019 with Mirv:

“Mirv has won it twice, and I’ve also won it with Patros HB,” said Clare, who rode Gulliano to win at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2018. “He was in the zone today; he can be a comedian but he looked to give the judge a beautiful ride. This [the RIHS title] was the one he was missing so we wanted to bring him and try for it.”

Gulliano was the ultimate professional during his International Arena performance, which Clare credits to his recent training:

“He’s such a darling, but we’ve been doing a lot of dressage with him recently and he’s started to really move. He’s always gone well, but he now has that extra movement. I love him to bits.”

Clare and her partner, Steve McCormick, have known Gulliano since he was a youngster.

“We showed him for his breeders as a yearling, and Sue bought him from them,” explained Clare. “He lives with us full time, and we’re so lucky to have him.

“This is one of the best titles to win. I love the atmosphere here.”

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Joan Ratcliffe, the founder of Claverdon Stud, died on 26 April aged 94.

Joan was a driving force in the Arab horse world; she was chairman of the Arab Horse Society in 1980, and a governor from 2002. She was an international judge and former chairman of the European Conference of Arab Horse Organisations racing commission. She was also chairman of the Arab Horse Society racing committee, before its transfer to the Arabian Racing Organisation, securing sponsorship for Arab racing in the UK from the Emirates of Dubai. She was a very successful breeder of Arabians, establishing the Claverdon Stud in Warwickshire, which is still thriving today under the charge of her eldest daughter, Joanne Lowe.

From an early age, Joan was smitten by Arab horses after seeing the famous dressage stallion Basa, ridden by Henry Wynmalen. She bought her first mare, Moonbeam, soon after her marriage to John, a keen North Warwickshire hunting man. Moonbeam’s first foal, a colt, was Nur-El-Leyla, on whom Joan completed the inaugural Golden Horseshoe Ride on Exmoor in 1965.

Claverdon Stud went on to produce numerous prize-winners in the show ring and in Arab racing, including the filly Zemire, who as a yearling was named junior female British champion at the Arab Horse Society national championships. The stud also bred the granddam and great-granddam of the US national champion Padron, whose progeny went on to win all over the world. In a perfect “coals to Newcastle” scenario, Joan ended up selling Arabian horses to the Arabs, including a colt, Al Aswad, to King Hussein of Jordan.

Outside the Arab horse world, Joan held the position of chairman of the horse advisory board at the Warwickshire College of Agriculture, where she was instrumental in getting horse management courses started, and she became one of its first lecturers. But the betterment of the Arab horse was always her driving force. From her stud at Claverdon she sold horses all over the world, and welcomed visitors from all over the world. It was the part of her career she enjoyed the most, as did John, who was usually by her side on her travels. On retirement, they moved to Exmoor, where they were keen followers, then in a car, of the Minehead Harriers.

Joan is survived by her children Joanne Lowe, Gerald Ratcliff and Gillian Newsum.

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With its elegant dished face, tail held high and floating paces, the Arabian horse is one of the world’s most recognisable horse breeds. It is arguably one of the oldest breeds still in existence, with archaeological evidence of Middle Eastern horses resembling modern Arabians dating back 4,500 years. Famous warriors such as Ghengis Khan, Alexander the Great, and the prophet Mohammed are believed to have favoured Arabians. And today, Arabian bloodlines have contributed to nearly every modern light horse breed, from the thoroughbred in England to Russia’s Orloff Trotter and even the Percheron draft horse in France.

The Arabian bloodlines began on the Arabian Peninsula, where the nomadic Bedouin tribe developed the breed that could cope with travelling long distances with ease, had a natural willingness to cooperate with humans, but also had the spirit and courage required for war and raids. Nowadays, this translates especially well to endurance riding, but Arabians and part-breds are found in many other disciplines across the equestrian world.

In this article: Looks and conformation | Six types of Arabian | Temperament

Looks and conformation

There are five key elements for correct Arabian conformation:

• Head: comparatively small, preferably with a slight dish below the eyes, small muzzle with large nostrils; large dark eyes, well set-apart; small and shapely ears with tips curved slightly inwards
• Neck: long and arched (with a large well-set windpipe); set on high
• Back: short and straight
• Croup: fairly horizontal
• Tail: natural high carriage

Although they are a relatively small horse, typically standing 14.1hh–15.1hh, they may have a greater bone density than other breeds, with short cannons and strong hoof walls, which give them greater physical strength than you might expect from their dainty, elegant appearance.

Their broad, short backs mean Arabians typically have fewer lumbar vertebrae than other breeds (five as oppose to six) and 17 ribs compared to the usual 18.

The Arab Horse Association registers pure-bred horses with the coat colours bay, grey, chestnut, black and roan, with the first three being the most common. The roan is usually rabicano (partial roan) or sabino (irregular white spotting) patterns, as the roan gene does not appear to exist in Arabians. Arabians have black skin, even with white coats (except under white markings), which would have given them more protection from the desert sun.

There are no pure-bred skewbald or piebald Arabians. Also, pure-breds do not carry dilution genes, which means they cannot be dun, cremello, palomino, perlino or buckskin.

Six types of Arabian horse

As Arabian horses have spread throughout the world, via war and trading, they have adapted to their environments. This has given rise to six distinct types of the modern Arabian.

Egyptian Arabian: this is quite a rare type, making up only about 2% of the Arabian horse population. They stem from the Egyptian elite’s desire to own desert horses, and in the 20th century Egyptian breeders started preserving this type. They are considered the purest of the types as their bloodlines can be traced back to an Egyptian herd owned by Viceroy Mohammed Ali. Breeders seek them out for their purity and elegance.

Russian Arabian: this type was developed in the 17th century by Russian czars and aristocracy and stems from different Arabian bloodlines, including Crabbet and Polish. They are typically around 15hh and a dark brown colour.

Polish Arabian: the Poles captured many Arabians from Turkish invaders in the 16th century and began breeding a specific type and improving their own horse breeds. Sadly, most of their stock was lost in World War I, leading to a breeding society being established in 1926. The Polish type has two strains, the Seglawi and the Kuhailan – the former being prized for its refined beauty, the latter for its athleticism.

Crabbet Arabian: these originated in the late 19th century in Crabbet, Sussex. Wildred Scawen and Lady Anne Blunt imported desert Arabians from Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, seeking out the best examples from which to breed. Their stud, Crabbet Park Stud, became the principal centre of Arabian horse breeding in England. They are typically a larger, sturdier horse than, say, the Egyptian type.

Spanish Arabian: the least common of all Arabian types, accounting for less than 1% of the Arab horse population. They started being bred in the early 20th century by the military, which was in charge of all breeding. They were imported from the Middle East, Poland and France to improve the local Spanish horse population, and today all Spanish Arabians descend from Spanish Studbook pedigrees.

Shagya Arabian: the Hungarian military developed this type of Arabian in the 18th century, aiming to produce a cavalry horse with all the Arabian advantages, but larger and stronger, and with greater jumping ability. They are therefore the least pure and typically the tallest of all the Arabian breeds, containing a mix of bloodlines from desert-bred Arabian stallions with European mares that were largely descended from Arabian stock, but might contain some thoroughbred or Lipizzaner blood. Their name comes from the tall, strong and eponymous stallion Shagya, whose bloodlines appear in most Shagya Arabians.

The Arabian temperament

Although they are a hot-blooded breed, like the thoroughbred which owes much of its pedigree to Arabian ancestry, they have been bred over centuries to have an easy-going nature. The Bedouins used to keep their horses in their tents with them, so they prized horses with kind temperaments for breeding. However, their hot-blooded side means they are quick and intelligent – like most horses, they can become nervous and reactive if badly treated although they would naturally strive to please humans.

As the saying goes in the Middle East: “An Arabian will take care of its owner as no other horse will, for it has not only been raised to physical perfection, but has been instilled with a spirit of loyalty unparalleled by that of any other breed.”

Arabians are well known for their tremendous stamina – they are the ultimate endurance horse, thanks to their soundness, toughness and lightness across the ground. But they aren’t just long-distance machines; they can reach up to 40mph, which makes them third only to the Quarter horse and thoroughbred in a sprint.

Despite their illustrious and ancient ancestry, today’s prices of Arabian horse are comparable with other popular breeds. As with any horse, there is no ballpark figure on how much one costs. Prices are dependent on age, training, temperament, conformation, ability and so on. But you’re buying a slice of history – the pure-bred Arabian you ride today would be almost identical to the war horses ridden by the warriors of old.

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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

By Aly Vance

Mrs Ursula Roberts died on 11 December 2021, having reached the age of 100. Her landmark would be of no surprise to those who knew her, as typical of her generation, she was definitely made of “tough stuff”.

During the war she drove an ambulance through the Blitz, after which she threw herself into family life and her energy into the Pony Club, and became one of the most prolific Arabian judges and show organisers in Europe.

Born Ursula Wharton, she was brought up hunting with the Cheshire Hunt and was a founder member of the Cheshire Hunt branch of the Pony Club in 1929, later passing the institute of the horse exam.

In 1944, she married Captain John Roberts (Bob) who supported her in all her activities for the next 65 years. As he was an Army officer, they moved around southern England with their two daughters, and everywhere she became involved in the local branch of the Pony Club, finally becoming district commissioner of the East Sussex branch. She also helped start the discipline of Pony Club tetrathlon.

With an acute eye for a quality animal, Mrs Roberts followed in her father and great-grandfather’s footsteps by becoming a judge for the British Show Pony Society and was greatly in demand, particularly for lead-rein and first ridden classes. She adored encouraging small children and always found the time to talk to every competitor, whatever the size of her class.

Her knowledge of fine conformation did not stop at horses, as her one “hobby” donkey turned out to be a champion which led her to join the judging panel and go on to become president of the Donkey Breed Society.

Another opportune moment came in 1970 when she was given a young Arab to use in the family. He went on to be British national gelding champion, both in-hand and ridden, before a successful career in harness. Naturally she also joined the judging panel for the British Driving Society.

It was that gelding, Splendour Of Sind, who introduced Mrs Roberts to purebred Arabs and in 1972, she started running the south-east region Arab show. A stickler for high standards and politeness in the show ring, she was invited to become show director of the National Arab Show at Ascot, which she ran for many years during the “golden years” of the Arab Horse Society (AHS). With entries of more than 1,000 horses for the show, Mrs Roberts also managed the stabling in a pre-computer era.

In 1983 she was asked to be chairman of the European Conference of Arab Horse Organisation’s newly formed show commission. They standardised judging practices and brought in disciplinary committees across Europe that are still used today.

Mrs Roberts was twice president of the AHS, helped start the UK International Arabian Horse Show at Towerlands, and in 1994 she was invited to run Qatar’s inaugural International Arab Show, which has become one of the world’s leading Arab shows.

Her judging took her all over the UK and Europe as well as Australia and Canada. When asked, she always said that she had been very lucky and had enjoyed a wonderful life.

Mrs Roberts’ passion for horses passed down the generations, with her daughters Anthea Derby and Charlotte Rowell the fourth generation of judges, and Aly Vance, the youngest of her four grandchildren, an equestrian and racing TV presenter. Her husband Bob predeceased her in 2010.

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.

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The much-respected breeder of Anglo-Arabs and show ponies of the Mountwood prefix died on 8 October, following a recent diagnosis of cancer, aged 77.

Born in Croydon during World War II, Mrs Phillips developed her love of horses at an early age. During her school years, she made it clear academia was not for her and was overjoyed when she was sent to a school in Iver, Buckinghamshire, that focused on riding. On leaving, her parents bought her Warlingham Riding School which she ran successfully for a number of years.

Later, Mrs Phillips moved to Harbens Farm, Laughton, East Sussex, and taught young people to ride and look after horses. She was one of the “old school”, and stable management was always a priority within her teaching. Her yards were well maintained and immaculate, as were the horses and ponies.

She married local farmer Leslie Phillips, who owned Church Farm in Ripe. They amalgamated their businesses and Mrs Phillips moved into Church Farm. However, she made a conditional request that an indoor school must be built so she could continue teaching and training indoors as well as outdoors. Mrs and Mrs Phillips had 30 happy years of married life together and her husband always referred to her as “my sweet Jilly”. Mr Phillips died in 1998 and Mrs Phillips continued to run Church Farm as a successful farm and stud.

In later years, having stepped back from the breeding and showing, Mrs Phillips transitioned the farm to accommodate liveries. Her longest-serving livery was with her for more than 20 years. Although she will no longer be at the helm of Church Farm, it will continue its 73-year reign of the Phillips family, now that it is being passed on to Mr Phillips’ children.

Mr and Mrs Phillips were keen hunters with the Southdown & Eridge. They took great pride in hosting lawn meets and hunt breakfasts from the farm. Her last horse was 32-year-old Rob who, until her diagnosis, she rode every day around the village and fields of Ripe. Rob outlived her by all but a few days. During their years together, nothing gave her as much pleasure as when she was riding and they enjoyed many activities including hunting, jumping and dressage.

Throughout her life, Mrs Phillips was never seen without one of her trusted, home-bred Jack Russell terriers shadowing her every move. Another of her delights was hosting the local May Day celebration in her garden, a day always enjoyed by the villagers.

Mrs Phillips was a one-of-a-kind, honourable lady, true to her word and with strong principles. She will be very much missed by all who knew her and is survived by her brother Ian and stepchildren James, Fred, Mary and Katrina.

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.

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One of the most popular winners of the show so far was Kimberley Bates and Kerry Bates’ Arab gelding Rafeekah who took home the ridden pure-bred Arab of the year title at the 2021 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), reclaiming the prestigious breed class he secured as a novice back in 2019.

“Coming back we had no expectations,” said Kimberley, who had ridden her grey nine-year-old by Designed out of Kaamelia to the ridden Arab championship at the Royal International Horse Show earlier this year. “I didn’t feel any pressure, as I know that he’ll perform for me all day long.”

In 2019, “Meekah” was a new face to ridden classes and he was Kimberley’s first ever Arab horse:

“He’s more established and mature now,” she said. “He was still very novice at HOYS in 2019; his trot just gets bigger and bigger.”

HOYS preparation for the in sync pair has included a lot of hacking and plenty of variety:

“I never drill him in the school and keep it all fun for him,” Kimberley said.

Kimberley works for native show producer Katy Marriott-Payne who enjoyed three wins and a second place in the open mountain and moorland classes earlier in the week:

“I got the opportunity to ride Welsh section C winner Fencers Royal Addition in the championship in the International Arena,” said Kimberley.

Katy said: “She works really hard for me and it’s lovely to watch her have her own successes in the show ring.”

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.

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The reigning Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Ridden Purebred Arab of the Year Rafeekah (Meekah) is now a dual champion, after securing the purebred ridden Arabian honours at the 2021 Royal International Horse Show.

Rider Kimberley Bates and her mother, Kerry, travelled down to Hickstead at 3.30am this morning, but the stunning grey gelding, who is by Designed out of Kaamelia, was alert, focused and full of presence on route to capturing the coveted crown in the Longines International Arena.

“We came with a group of friends in convoy,” said Kimberley, who works for showing producer Katy Marriott-Payne and will be back in action on a smaller mount tomorrow in the Welsh section A and B ridden final.

“Meekah gave the judge a fabulous ride in the morning and I was so proud of him. He’s super easy to have around. He woke up a bit in the main ring; I wasn’t expecting it. He’s an out and out showman and loves any opportunity to show off.”

When she left the arena, Kimberley couldn’t quite believe that she was sat on a dual HOYS and RIHS champion:

“He’s a pony of a lifetime,” she said. “He’s an absolute dude. The show season is so busy and we spend a lot of time on the road but it’s good fun and is super rewarding. We always have a nice day out together.”

Second place was Kirsty Nelson riding Len Morgan’s 12-year-old CS Lelisha.

“It was never the intention to buy an Arab,” said Kimberley. “In 2017, I’d just finished my years in mountain and moorland young rider classes and was on the hunt for something new. We went to view a part-bred Arab at Rafeekah’s former owner Nina Hutton-McKenzie’s yard and while it was a nice pony, Nina made the mistake of showing us around the rest of her set-up. Meekah was out in the field showing off and he looked amazing. We’d never owned an Arab before and we had no clue what we were doing, but he was just so gorgeous.

“We got him home and backed him, and in his first season – 2018 – we did a few smaller shows to get him out and about. The following year, after a few runs as a novice, we chucked him in at the deep end and entered a HOYS qualifier. We were last. We went away, watched and learnt, and throughout the season he got better and better.

“He’s the most lovable character and is so easy to do in every single way. He loves his jumping, too. He’s the ultimate all-rounder.”

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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

At only six years old, the striking grey Arab gelding landed his first Horse of the Year Show title. Alex Robinson meets the connections of this all-round superstar with plenty left to give...

Rafeekah fact file

Breed: Pure-bred Arab

Breeding: by Designed out of Kaamelia (by Emiliusz)

Age: eight

Breeder: Helen Cawley

Height: 153cm

Rider: Kimberley Bates

Owner: Kerry Bates

Best results: 2019, first Simon Constable’s Equine Vets and Mr and Mrs Roberts HOYS ridden pure-bred Arab of the year championship; first and champion pure-bred Arab HOYS qualifier at Stoneleigh Horse Show; first and reserve champion pure-bred Arab HOYS qualifier at Royal Cheshire County Show.

Rafeekah’s rider Kimberley Bates

“IT was never the intention to buy an Arabian horse. In 2017, I’d just finished my years in mountain and moorland young rider classes and was on the hunt for something new.

“We went to view a part-bred Arab at Rafeekah’s former owner Nina Hutton-McKenzie’s yard and while it was a nice pony, Nina made the mistake of showing us around the rest of her set-up. Rafeekah – know as Meekah – was out in the field showing off and he looked amazing. We’d never owned an Arab before and we had no clue what we were doing, but he was just so gorgeous.

“We got him home and backed him, and in his first season – 2018 – we did a few smaller shows to get him out and about. The following year, after a few runs as a novice, we chucked him in at the deep end and entered a HOYS [Horse of the Year Show] qualifier. We were last. We went away, watched and learnt, and throughout the season he got better and better. It was quite daunting at first, as the Arab world is a different game – from the way the horses are presented to the rider’s attire and the overall turnout. But it’s been fun and rewarding to improve over time.

“At HOYS when he went champion, he was a complete showman. He’s the most lovable character and is so easy to do in every single way. He loves his jumping, too, and he’s talented at dressage so I’m tempted to do some eventing. He’s the ultimate all-rounder.”

Former owner Nina Hutton-Mckenzie

“I’VE always admired Helen Cawley’s mare, Kaamelia, and her dam, Tehama Ballalina – who is a twice world champion – so when I heard there was a yearling gelding from this line for sale, I jumped at the chance. I went to view Kaamelia’s son, Meekah, and I collected him on the same day.

“Meekah is so correct in type. He’s got a beautiful head, good legs and a lovely topline with movement to match. I showed him in-hand as a youngster and he won just about everything he could possibly win at county level. Whatever we asked of him, he did. He’s the most gentle, easy-going boy and is totally uncomplicated. He’s perfectly calm at the side of the ring and then he switches on when he’s in the spotlight, which is just what you need in a show horse.

“It was never my intention to sell him and when Kimberley and Kerry enquired about him, I told them that I knew he could win HOYS one day; he just had the X-factor.

“Meekah is the picture of his mother. She’s beautiful and I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to have her a few years later. I now have Meekah’s half-brother at home; he’s a yearling and is the spitting image of Meekah in a 16hh chestnut version.”

Judge Victoria Ayling

“WHEN I co-judged this horse alongside Frances Atkinson to stand champion in the ridden Arab final at HOYS, there were three combinations tied for the top spots. It was very close, but we agreed that our eventual champion was so spectacular and really excelled in the ride.

“He was very correct and I couldn’t fault his conformation, type or exuberance. When he came into the ring, he caught my eye with his cadence. As the class progressed through the other transitions neither my co-judge nor I could stop looking at him.

“It was lovely to watch him in the supreme where he performed beautifully. The jockey got on with her job, too. I’ve never come across the combination before and they both blew us away. They were impeccable and the horse is a great ambassador for the breed, as I’m sure he could do any job asked of him.”

This exclusive feature is also available to read in H&H magazine, Thursday 18 March 2021 issue

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She has a passion for Arab horses and has won Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) six times on different pure-breds; meet Hereford-based show producer Clare Fitch who hails from a non-horsey background and spends some of her time showing in the Emirates.

Check out the full interview with Clare in this week’s issue (20 December) of H&H magazine, out now.

1. She’s a northern girl

Now based at her picturesque farm in Herefordshire, Clare originally hails from Manchester and come from a completely non-horsey family. She started her equestrian journey when she started having lessons at a local riding school where she met Karen Talbot who taught her to ride.

2. The one who lit the fire

When Clare was 16, she purchased the part-bred Arab Gwyndy Fusilier from breeder Brenda Winstanley who offered her the ride on the pure-bred gelding Hanem. “That was it, I was hooked,” said Clare.

3. There was a decade between her first and second HOYS win

Her first HOYS win was in 2002 with Vicky Marsh’s late gelding Johara El Kheil but it wasn’t until 2012 that she was to win there again. “I did think that it would forever elude me,” she said. She has won the Arab title a total of six times. In 2015 she won the overall title with Eddy and Rick Warner’s stallion Patros HB and was also reserve with their mare Judlas Sweetest Kiss.

4. She met her partner on the Arab show circuit

Clare’s partner of 16 years is Arab show man Steve McCormick. Steve is an in-hand producer and also plays a huge part in the production of the ridden ponies. “Steve does all of the ground work with the youngsters,” said Claire. “And we also run our breeding programme together.”

5. Before the show ring

Prior to her career in showing, Clare worked in debt recovery for American Express.

6. The native team

Clare started her native journey in 2012 when Eddy Warner purchased the Highland Strathleven Drumochter. In 2016, the stallion — who was also champion at the Royal Highland Show — won at HOYS. Clare has other hugely successful native ponies on the yard, including Karen Johnson’s Welsh Cob Menai Eurostar and Brian and Ruth Roberts’ Fell Wildhoeve Okidoki.

7. Sourcing future champions

“When it comes to picking out future stars, we always like to work two years ahead, so we are always looking forward,” said Clare. Several of the team’s winners are related to the 21-year-old Ruger AMW who still resides on the yard. “We know what works and what type we like, so we stick with that,” she added.

8. Riding for Royalty

Team Fitch’s UK show season spans from April until October, and then from November until March, Clare and Steve will head out sporadically to the Middle East to show for clients. Clare’s 21-year-old daughter, Domenica, also lives in Qatar where Clare rides for Sheikha Maha Al Thani and Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Qatar.

“We usually go out a week before the show and it’s totally different out there. I used to go out for months at a time but I don’t like to be away from home for as long these days,” said Clare.

9. She is extremely superstitious

When on the road during show season, Clare and her great friend and employee admit that they are incredibly superstitious. “It took me two years to make her get rid of a numnah which was literally falling apart as it was her lucky one,” said Karen.“Every time we’ve won HOYS we’ve had the same stable and you will always find us parked in the same space at big shows,” said Clare.

10. ‘Look like a lion and ride like a lamb’

Clare said: “I like my horses to look all fiery and impressive and then ride with exceptional manners. Arabs must feel different to a riding horse and its so important judges know this. They must ride like an Arab with a certain gayness and lightness. They should be able to trot across ice and not break it.

“When buying potential show horses, we always say that when you go out to buy a pony, it’s got to walk around the corner and you’ve got to say ‘I love it’; we always go to see a horse not wanting to buy it.”

11. ‘They are treated like children’

When at home in Hereford, Clare takes a very hands on approach to running the yard. “We all completely live and breath it,” she said. “I love every bit of it, I love mucking out and I love doing for them everyday. They are treated like our children and most of the time, when they arrive they never leave.”

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

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At the end of the month, Claire Marriott will be hitting the London Olympia International Horse Show with her home produced Arab mare, to compete in the SSADL ridden veteran finals.

Her 22-year-old mare, Tukki Amira, is the only one of two pure-breds to have qualified and competed at the three big shows; Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), the Royal International (RIHS) and Olympia.

“I rode Tukki for her previous owner Stara Holland when she was a five-year-old in 2001 when I was 16-years-old,” said Claire. “We were unbeaten in her first year in the affiliated novice Arab classes. We then went our separate ways until in 2010 when I was visiting a friend who lived near Stara. I got chatting with her again and asked her what she was doing when Tukki’s second foal was weaned. I said I would love to have her back and Stara said I could have her, as she didn’t want to breed any more. Tukki came back to me in the October 2010 and to my delight, Stara very kindly gifted her to me so she was now mine.”

Claire and Tukki returned to the show ring the following year when the mare was 15. Having not been in the ring since HOYS 2009, the mare returned to contest the open ridden circuit and qualified for the RIHS where she was placed second.

Claire continued: “We competed at Hickstead again in 2012 and stood eighth and also returned there this year standing fifth in a strong class where Tukki was the oldest horse in the class by far.

“In 2014 we qualified for Olympia on our very first attempt at Suffolk County Show in the direct route qualifier and we finished 13th at the final. This year we contested one first round qualifier at Newark & Notts County Show where we won, and the one second round qualifier at Bowes County Show in September where we won our class and took the mixed championship to our amazement to book our return ticket.

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“Tukki is one of the most consistent ridden pure bred Arabs outside of the breed shows and often changes judges’ perceptions of the breed; a lot dislike them and think they are crazy. Anyone who comes across Tukki knows that this is far from what she is. She is the most dependable, loving, polite horse I have ever owned and you can put her in any show ring atmosphere and she will just get on with her job with no fuss. She makes competing at these big prestigious shows so enjoyable as I know I can enjoy every minute of it and that she will look after me. She is without a doubt my horse of a lifetime and best friend.”

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out 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

A pure-bred stallion is proving the Arabian horse can offer more than just picture-perfect aesthetics and flashy movement, keeping up with his part-bred counterparts in all aspects of performance and competition.

The super-versatile Mukhtar Ibn Eternity (Mooky) — a 14-year-old who has been owned by Oxfordshire-based Sasha Melia since he was a foal — is currently balancing a career in the show ring and at stud, as well as on the event field and in the showjumping arena. He has also taken part in the All The Queens Horses Parade in central London, as well as arena eventing and has his own Facebook page with more than 1,600 followers.

At the Arab Horse Society (AHS) national championships this month he was awarded the coveted WAHO trophy. The recipient is chosen by a panel from the AHS each year and was presented to Mooky — and his rider Julia Fairbank — at the show for his exceptional contribution as a breed ambassador.

“He’s had such a varied life for a stallion,” said Sasha. “Mooky originally started out in the show ring and was champion several times as a youngster then as a ridden horse, qualifying for Horse of the Year Show three years running. He was then leased by Dr Gudrun von Tevenar of the Red House Stud in 2014 where his first crop of foals were born. He then came back to me and began his performance career.”

The stallion — whose breeding is predominantly of the ‘Golden Cross’ mix of Egyptian and Spanish bloodlines — quickly took to the discipline switch and has since competed in eventing, hunter trials, showjumping and dressage. In 2017 he made the step up to British Eventing at BE90 level and qualified for the BE arena eventing championships in 2016 and 2017.

Sasha added: “Whatever we chuck at him, he just does it and enjoys it. I keep him on a livery yard and he hacks out with mares all the time — we do AI with him and he can be covering one day and go out competing the next.

Continues below…

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“He is also one of the very few stallions in the UK to be National Stallion Association performance-graded (high class 1 grade) and has since been awarded the Arab Horse Society premium sire status.

“When we’re out and about, I can see people on big horses looking at this little grey Arab whizzing around, but he always comes home with a rosette, no matter what we’re doing.

“It was the icing on the cake to get the award from the AHS. It was great to have Mooky’s multi-discipline achievements recognised. I am excited to see if his offspring follow in his footsteps.”

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The Arab Horse Society (AHS) is continuing to take action to try and prevent competitors engaging in outside interferences at society breed shows.

The Arabian horse — known for its exuberant action and flashy paces — maintains its place as one of the most popular crosses of performance horses and ponies, while the pure-bred also holds its place on the show circuit, both at national events and breed specific shows.

In an attempt to enhance the Arab’s athletic action and presence, in-hand showing classes have been associated with the practice of “bagging”, a term used for describing when an the waving of an article to excite the horse to enhance his trot, ultimately attempting to get the horse to show himself off.

In recent years, the AHS has discouraged bagging and other outside influences, and are reported to have gone some way in stopping such behaviours at society fixtures.

AHS chairman Joanne Lowe said: “For the last several years we have banned bagging and outside interference at shows. This has been respected by exhibitors and appreciated by everyone.

“The Arabian is noted for its exuberant and athletic action and does not need any other aids to show itself off other than a fit handler. Our top handlers know it is not necessary and not approved of at Malvern [the national championships venue] and they can and will continue to lead the way and help us educate new exhibitors.

Article continues below…

New rule for Arab showing to target ‘abusive correction techniques’

A new ruling on "shanking" and the use of the whip has been introduced by the United States Equestrian Federation

Think Arabs are just for endurance? Think again…

This year marks the centenary of the Arab Horse Society and among the celebrations was a parade of leading ridden

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The nine-month-old colt is considered ‘close to perfection’ by his breeders, but ‘worrying’ by others

“What we have achieved at Malvern has been followed by other shows in the UK and overseas.”

Arab horse enthusiasts have been debating the topic on social media, with many believing it can be extremely distressing for the horses and those spectating at the event.

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This year marks the centenary of the Arab Horse Society (AHS), and among its celebrations was a parade of leading ridden performance horses last month (28 April 2018) in Newmarket — proof that the Arabian horse shouldn’t be pigeonholed into a single discipline…

Take a look at these multi-talented Arabs in pictures

Racing

Arab racing mare Istiqlaal and grey gelding Al Faaris, both trained by James Owen, represented Parade sponsor HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Eventing

Oare House Hero, a seven-year old part-bred Arab eventing gelding, owned and ridden by Katey Cuthbertson

Showjumping

Five-year-old part-bred Arab mare, Fifty Shades of J, bred, owned and ridden by Abi Shaw, is already a successful showjumper

Showing

Championships in ridden showing have helped six-year-old old Premium graded stallion Treenhill Aristotle to the 2017 AHS Performance Horse Awards Trophy for Anglo Arabs

Western

The 10-year old Arab gelding PHA Devine Chance, owned and bred by Jean and David Peck, gave an impressive Western display with rider Tanya Rowe

Retrained racehorse

Former Arab racing stallion Beeston Hakim, owned and ridden by Imogen Budd, is now re-trained for ridden showing and winning at national level

Endurance

LB Armanii, a nine-year old winning Arab racing gelding, is now competing in endurance with owner/rider Sarah Ainsworth

Eventing

Mukhtar Ibn Eternity is a 14-year old AHS Premium Performance stallion and the 2018 World Arab Horse Trophy winner for owner Sasha Melia

The full line-up

The horses, dressed for their different disciplines, line up at the end of the AHS centenary parade

To mark the the AHS’s centenary there is also an exhibition entitled “From the Desert to the World” at the National Heritage Centre in Newmarket until 14 July, a centenary book, covering the history and achievements of AHS members and their horses through the decades, and the AHS Marathon is being revived, to be run on the historic Rowley Mile Course in Newmarket on Sunday 7 October.

In addition, the national champion show will host more classes than ever at Malvern from 26-28 July.

For more information visit arabhorsesociety.org

Photos courtesy of Marilyn Sweet of Sweet Photography

Don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (10 May 2018) for our full report and analysis from Badminton Horse Trials

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Just because Valentine’s has been and gone, doesn’t mean we can’t still appreciate these gorgeous boys who took our breath away last year. Check out these 8 stunning stallions who graced the 2017 show circuit.

1. Gwerniago Gethin

The Welsh section D Gwerniago Gethin, ridden by Ashley Bird, repeated his 2016 successes last year, by standing 2nd at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) and winning his section of the Mountain and Moorland (M&M) working hunter at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

2. Billy King Of The North

The then six-year-old CHAPS-graded stallion King Of The North stood in-hand champion at the North Yorkshire Showcase of Champions with his producer Megan Hewitt. Later in the season he went on to win his in-hand class at the Royal Cheshire show and took first reserve supreme under saddle at the CHAPS championships.

3. Alonby Chardonnier

Shown as a three-year-old last term, the part-bred Arab colt Alonby Chardonnier snapped up his Cuddy ticket at Nottinghamshire County with co-owner Ian Boylan at his head.

4. Dunedin Duncan

The charismatic Highland pony Dunedin Duncan owned by Dianne Brereton netted his Olympia ticket at the Royal Windsor Horse Show when he took the Heritage supreme ridden tricolour.

5. Moortown Crusader

Diane and John Jordan’s exquisite Dartmoor Moortown Crusader took the Cuddy championship at Devon County show, after standing reserve the previous year.

6. Marsevarno

Andrea Taylor’s home-bred five-year-old Arab stallion Marsevarno was crowned senior male gold champion at the Midland Arab show. Shown by Rod Jones, the chestnut scored nines all-round for type and movement on the victorious occasion.

7. Snelson Gatsby

Snelson Gatsby, owned by Alistair and Matthew King, claimed the coveted National supreme stallion at last year’s National Shire horse show. The then three-year-old won his age class before adding the junior and overall supreme championship to his tally.

8. Shanbo Rory

The mannerly Connemara Shanbo Rory and Sophie James headed the amateur ridden mountain and moorland championship at the Royal International and was also HOYS ridden champion at NPS Area 25.

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An Arabian colt bred to have an extremely dished facial profile represents a “worrying development” according to a number of British vets.

Nine-month-old El Rey Magnum is considered to be “close to perfection” by his breeders at Orrion Farms in Washington State, US, who claim the young horse is already worth “several million dollars” and has attracted interest from around the world, including the UK.

After the stud issued a promotional video featuring the colt on social media this month, opinion has been polarised. While some described the colt as “very special”, others considered his looks to be “freakish”.

Many critics fear the breed trend is one of the first representations in the horse world of the sort of detrimental practices that have affected dogs such as the pug.

A series of UK vets expressed concerns to the Veterinary Record, fearing the colt’s exaggerated skull conformation could have an impact on its breathing.

Equine reproduction expert Jonathan Pycock said he thought the horse looked “cartoon-like”.

“My gut reaction is it is awful — I don’t like the look of it. It’s not particularly attractive,” he said. “I would imagine this horse could have respiratory problems — you would have to test it for sure — but you can’t say with any certainty that respiratory problems won’t develop. It would seem to have the potential to impact negatively on its health in terms of air intake.”

He added that problems arise when “breeding for looks” that could be “detrimental to a horse’s health”.

“In my book, that is fundamentally wrong. This is a worrying development,” he said.

“We don’t see examples of this sort of extreme breeding where you breed horses for their appearance in the horse world – you do see examples of breeding to improve performance in racing or jumping, but that’s different.”

Vet Dr Madeleine Campbell, who is a specialist in animal welfare science, ethics and law, told H&H that while it is difficult to comment on a horse she had not seen in the flesh and examined, “it does raise an issue if there is an trend towards extreme conformation and looks potentially compromising welfare”.

“I can’t tell you if it can breathe normally just from looking at a photo but as a general ethical principle it must be wrong to breed for traits that even run the risk of compromising the horse’s ability to breathe,” she said.

“It is completely analogous with arguments about dogs being bred for fashion. It doesn’t fit in well with society’s shift towards better standards of animal wellbeing.”

She said that elsewhere in the US, breed standards had moved to a more ethical approach, with the American Quarterhorse Association now moving towards eliminating genes such as HYPP for which some breeders had previously selected.

“They now use genetic tests to accurately identify carriers and breed it out of the population. That is a good example of a breed society taking appropriate action to correct a problem and making use of modern technology to do so.”

Annette Dixon, chairman of the Arab Horse Society Great Britain, said she thought the colt’s dished profile appeared “very extreme”.

“The head of the Arabian horse is a distinctive feature, wedge shaped and wide between the eyes with a small muzzle,” she explained, adding that the breed standard described a “small dish” as “desirable but not essential” as “we have to think of the airways of the horse.”

“We say the horse needs plenty of room for airways — it has a deep jowl with lots of room, wide underneath with a very elastic nostril. It is an important feature of the Arabian horse, hence its reputation for stamina,” she said.

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Annette added that functionality is important, as the society encouraged the use of Arabian horses for all disciplines in the UK.

“We promote them for endurance, ridden showing, dressage, showjumping and as family horses — the society continues to promote it as a versatile animal, we promote its welfare and we try to educate owners and breeders,” she said.

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Hollywood actress Susan George is downscaling her Arab breeding operation as her acting career enjoys a resurgence.

Susan, whose film credits include Straw Dogs alongside Dustin Hoffman and Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry, told H&H she is moving forward with some “fantastically exciting” new acting projects.

The star of the silver screen has been breeding Arabian horses at her Exmoor stud farm — Georgian Arabians — for the past 21 years, during which time she has helped deliver 110 foals.

“For my former career, I need to be able to do things spontaneously and living as far as I do from London makes that very difficult indeed,” explained Susan.

She added she is not moving away from horses completely, but is scaling down to a smaller breeding programme.

“Arabs are my love, my passion,” she said. “I breed for performance and versatility, and I want the world to recognise Arab horses for just that. The performance horse is what I have always been focused on, that is my strength.”

Susan is holding two viewing days, by appointment, for the Georgian Arabians Sale of Excellence on 23-24 October.

She will be looking for homes for up to 18 of her homebreds and said the thought of selling them is “the hardest thing ever”.

“These horses are my family,” said Susan. “I am so careful about who I sell to — there are the right people and there are the wrong people. I do not think I am the only home in the world, I just need to find those right people.”

Some of the proceeds from the sales will go to Lasting Life — The Simon MacCorkindale Legacy, which she set up in memory of her late husband.

Funds from the legacy go to the Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust (RAFT), a medical research charity that helps people regain quality of life, independence and dignity after major trauma.

The actress held the position of honorary president at the Horse of the Year Show for 14 years. As part of her role, she brought Arab show classes to the event.

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Her horses have won 20 national showing championship titles across the country over 15 years and have also been successful in endurance — including the seven-year-old S G Elegant, who competed at the FEI World Endurance Championships for young horses last month.

“The picture of him having completed 122km — he looks a picture of health and beauty and performance,” added Susan.

Contact: info@georgianarabians.com for information regarding viewings.

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A new ruling on “shanking” and the use of the whip at Arab shows has been introduced by the United States Equestrian Federation.

The federation’s hearing committee met last month (5 April) to discuss a complaint filed in connection with the US Arabian and Half-Arabian National Championship Show, held in October last year.

It was alleged that abusive correction techniques, including shanking and threatening use of the whip were being utilised by some handlers in the Arabian halter division classes.

Shanking involves the handler jerking on the lead rein, often with a chain under the horse’s chin.

The federation said that these techniques come into play most frequently during the “hard stand up” element of competition, where the horse is stood before the judges with its head held high.

After the hearing, the panel concluded that these practices did not adhere to the federation rules, except in specific instances.

It was determined that shanking should only be allowed in emergency situations when the horse becomes “dangerously unruly and immediate shanking is required in order to gain control of the horse and prevent imminent harm to the horse or others.”

Similarly, threatening use of the whip as a visual cue while preparing or presenting a horse in Arabian classes “must be recognised as intimidating behaviour that is disallowed”.

Judges, stewards, competition vets and show committees are expected to uphold the new rule and must issue penalties if competitors are found to be breaching the rule.

The federation also suggested that the Arabian halter community re-evaluate the “hard stand up” element of the competition as it is “potentially stressful and intimidating for a horse”.

The organisation added that this revaluation is particularly relevant given the new ruling as handlers may “turn to other abusive techniques that do not involve shanking or threatening use of the whip to achieve the best ‘hard stand up’.”

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There has been a global outcry among Arabian horse enthusiasts following the replacement of three experienced and influential figures, who were in charge of Poland’s state studs of Janow Podlaski and Michalow, writes Marilyn Sweet.

On Friday, 19 February it became clear that stud directors Marek Trela (pictured) and Jerzy Bialobok, as well as the chief Arabian horse specialist Anna Stojanowska, had been “released from employment” by the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Property Agency. All three served several years being mentored by the previous directors and inspector before taking over their roles and are held in high regard as top judges.

Marek Trela is currently the vice president of the World Arabian Horse Organisation (WAHO).

The studs are regarded worldwide as centres of excellence of Arabian horses, with the results of their carefully considered breeding programmes consistently selling for top prices during the annual Pride of Poland sale. The mare Pepita achieved a record price of €1.4m (£1,102,000) in 2015.

Since being elected in October 2015, the Law and Justice party has made sweeping changes resulting in many replacements of managers of all types of state enterprises.

Marek Trela said: “I would never have believed that our Polish Arabian state studs, which survived two world wars and communism, could be at risk in times of democracy and freedom.”

Jaroslav Lacina, president of the European Conference of Arabian Horse Organisations (ECAHO) has contacted those responsible for the dismissals and attended a protest held in Warsaw on 27 February.

Peter Pond, president of WAHO, said: “Allowing inexperienced people to take the many and important decisions that are necessary for the successful and sound future of these world famous establishments could, without a doubt, lead to the rapid and serious diminishing of their present high standards.

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“This potential loss of such an invaluable and unique heritage — the great national treasures that are the Polish Arabians of which the Polish people are so rightfully proud and which have been nurtured for so long — is unthinkable to the international community of WAHO.”

Ref: Horse & Hound; 3 March 2016

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Arab ex-racehorses and endurance horses will now have more chances to pursue a second career thanks to a new show series.

The new showing classes have been incorporated into the Ridden Arabian Star Series (RASS).

CARE (Career after racing or endurance) classes will be run at county and Arab regional shows from 2015.

“The aim is to encourage owners of ex-racehorses and endurance horses who, for whatever reason no longer can compete in that sphere, to have a go at showing,” said Louise Maryon.

Lousie set up RASS in 2013 with another Arab producer Clare Fitch. The first finals were held at Addington Manor on the bank holiday weekend in August.

Louise, who is based in west Wales, came up with the idea for CARE when a fellow producer was placed in the top five at the finals with her ex-racehorse.

To qualify for the CARE classes horses must have raced, been in full training or have competed in mid- to high- level endurance for at least one season.

 This news story was originally published in Horse & Hound magazine on Thursday 23 October, 2014

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All eyes will be upon the inaugural ridden part-bred pony of the year class on the final day of the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS, 8-12 October). This is open to Welsh and Arab part-bred ponies and has proved immensely popular. The 14 qualifying rounds have involved a total of 423 ponies — averaging 30.2 at each show.

Cheshire County — the first qualifier — boasted 58 entries and was won by Rotherwood Rainmaker. He has since bowed out due to a judge connection at the final, allowing runner-up Balfour Toreador to qualify.

The class is defined by breeding rather than a specific type. Judges must assess exhibits on individual merit — conformation, quality, movement and, most importantly, performance. Joanne Griffin, who judged the last round at the Cherif championships, summed up the brief as looking for“a quality riding pony that went about its job”.

The class has highlighted the important contribution of Welsh and Arab blood in British pony breeding. It has also encouraged new people and ponies into top-class showing and — thanks to no upper age limit — allowed riders to continue showing their much-loved ponies for longer.

Jerome Harforth qualified the only stallion in the final — Willowcroft Regal Bronze (pictured above), an Australian import 10 years ago. He said that this “exciting new class has created a pathway to HOYS for stallions like ‘Skippy’”.

The final has also offered a number of HOYS regulars an extra class and, if successful, another route into the pony supreme. Glen Allen and Millpond Look So Cheeky may have gone into the record books when collecting their ticket at my North of England show, having previously competed in the coloured, show hunter pony (SHP) and working hunter pony sections at Birmingham. Four former HOYS show pony winners — Broadgrove Showman, Colbeach Duet, Dance All Night and Archwood Romeo Giggle — are also in the catalogue.

With such an eclectic mix of ponies, judges Pat Monaghan and Angela Calvert will certainly have their work cut out — although Angela (née Massarella) can reflect on the day, 46 years ago, when she won the show pony of the year title with her own part-bred Welsh Greenacres Twilight.

What’s in a name?

The Kellythorpes Leading Breeder award will be presented during the Friday evening performance. Having won by 120 points in 2013, can Anne Smalley’s Barkway Stud make it three in a row?

Many stud prefixes have become household names, but are those breeders who choose not to use a prefix undeservedly getting less recognition? I believe one such private breeder is Jackie Thompson, who has bred and been involved with some of the biggest winners in recent years. She bought Pearly King (with Jo MacInnes) and The Philanderer as youngsters — both supreme at HOYS — and the 2010 Cuddy champion Catwalk.

Her principal breeding line goes back to Tabitha Of Lennel via her foundation mare Whalton Tortoiseshell. Persian Blue produced the 2006 reserve champion, Top Cat. Another mare, Kitty Kelley — named after the American biographer and herself a finalist — is represented this time by the Grimshaws’ SHP yearling Moluccas Royal Anise. In the horse section is Skyfall, named by Jackie after the Bond film as he is out of Pussy Galore.

Under saddle, Dance All Night, bred by Jackie out of Whalton Rumba, could shake up the form in the show ponies on only her third seasonal outing. Now six, the Kilvington Scoundrel mare won the 148cm class on her previous HOYS appearance in 2012.

This column was originally published in Horse & Hound magazine on Thursday 2 October, 2014

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The UK’s first Arabian racehorse sale will take place this summer (9 August). It is only the 2nd sale of its kind in Europe.

The sale is being run in partnership by the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) and leading equestrian auctioneers Brightwells.

Brightwells bloodstock manager Andrew Elliott said it is a “very exciting venture” as the company broadens its portfolio.

“At present there is only 1 other established sale of this type of high-value horse, and this takes place annually in France,” he said. “We are anticipating an entry of between 40 to 50 selected horses – with prices between £5,000 and £50,000 – although it would not be unrealistic to see higher prices achieved.”

The sale will be held at Charlie Mann’s Neardown Stables in Lambourn, on the eve of the annual Dubai International Arabian race day, at nearby Newbury Racecourse (10 August).

ARO director Bill Smith is expecting “a high quality of Arabians [to be] selected for sale”.

“ARO’s ambition is to establish an annual event to encourage the growth of Arabian racing and breeding worldwide,” he said.

Arabian racing has been running in the UK for more than 30 years, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The sale will begin at 6pm on 9 August, with horses available to view on 8 August from 10.30am at Neardown Stables, Lambourn.

www.brightwells.com

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A book of studies of Arab horses by a specialist photographer has been published, with endorsement by Princess Alia Al Hussein.

Photographer Tariq Dajani, who spent his formative years moving between the Middle East and Europe, has had his work exhibited at many international shows.

The book — Asil: Photographic Studies of the Purebred Arabian Horse — features a series of photographs from his exhibitions as well as an essay on Mr Dajani’s work but the poet and photographic historian John Wood.

“The Arabic word Asil not only describes the purebred Arabian horse, but also Dajani’s work,” said Mr Wood. “It is a work that signifies purity, nobility and authenticity, three major constituents of his art.”

In the foreword, Princess Alia Al Hussein wrote: “The content speaks for itself in terms of captivating and expressive imagery. What I can add, being personally acquainted with some of the subjects, is that his photographs also capture the personalities of the horses. I am sure that this book will deservedly bring Tariq’s work to the wider public.”

The 112-page book, which retails at £75, is bound with a silk cover, gold blocked on front and spine, and with a debossed photograph on the front cover.

It is available from specialist booksellers, art galleries or from the publisher, Medina, at medinapublishing.com. It is available to retailers from centralbooks.com or gardners.com. Specifications: ISBN: 9780957023383.

A horse had to be rescued after bolting during a photoshoot on a California beach and swimming two and a half miles out to sea in its tack.

Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol and the coastguard were called out at 6.30pm on 15 May after seven-year-old Arab William took the unscheduled dip.

A search helicopter spotted him a couple of miles offshore swimming towards oilrigs, according to local newspapers.

A lifeboat crew placed floats under William’s head and attached him to the boat using a towline under his saddle.

“It took more than two hours to escort the animal back to dryland and into the hands of a vet,” said Santa Barbara Harbour Patrol officer Ryan Kelly.

William was reportedly fine after his ordeal and was returned to his owner after being checked by the vet.

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A leading breeder of Arab horses has reignited the debate about “abusive” trends in showing.

Princess Alia Al Hussein, who is a governor of the Arab Horse Society , has attacked what she calls “abusive trends in the training of show horses.”

The Jordanian princess made the remarks in a speech at the World Arabian Horse Organisation in Qatar on 4 November.

“[Spectators] don’t come because it is not a pleasure to see a vast majority of frightened animals,” she said.

Nigel Fuller, who judges and shows ridden Arabs, agreed.

“In-hand handlers can be extreme in their methods,” he said. “I’d prefer to see Arabs being shown in a natural way.

“I’ve seen handlers shaking bottles with stones and waving whips with plastic bags on the end.”

Christina Battle, who shows an Arab, believes her results suffer due to natural methods.

“At a show in-hand, I was placed last because I didn’t show her like the other professionals,” she said.

“The Arab that won was trotted up with people whistling to hype it up. It was then shanked [jerking on the chin chain to make it raise its head] and turned in a circle,” she added.

Besides shanking and whipping, campaigners say that behind the scenes, certain handlers cut underneath the dock and apply astringent to make horses hold their tails higher, or train them with bells on their legs to encourage extravagant paces.

But breeder Natalie Hewitt of Chapel Lane Arabians said the more extreme methods are rarely seen here.

“Many UK trainers use kinder methods than those in Europe and the USA and still achieve great things and should be commended,” she said.

Princess Alia’s speech added weight to a long-running campaign against abuse. The Facebook page “Stop the Abuse of Arabians In Hand” has nearly 1,000 “likes”.

Annette Dixon of the Arab Horse Society said European shows are run under “a watchful eye to prevent unfavourable trends creeping in”.

“Some horses do need encouragement to give their best and we have some very talented producers in the UK who show Arab horses to their best advantage,” she added.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (24 November 2011)

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Sue Hughes and Sarah Parker’s 2010 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Olympia triple crown winner, Pumphill Buckthorn, brought a cheer to raise the roof when he lifted the inaugural NPS supreme native pony title.

The charismatic Dartmoor, beautifully ridden by Sarah Challinor, earned his place in the final line up when taking the working title on Wednesday.

Carol Bardo and Mandy Hughes’s magnificent cob, The Humdinger, lived up to his name to post a record third consecutive CHAPS coloured title.

Competition was stronger than ever this year and the form book was overturned in most classes. The Humdinger, however, was a clear winner and moved rider Jayne Webber to comment: “He’s a very special horse and it’s been a privilege to ride him.”

Reserve was rather more of a surprise. James Munro had Angela Scott’s six-year-old plaited horse, So Pretty, right on song to win her class and the pair put up another foot-perfect performance in the international arena.

Alexandra Hollings made her final ride on the Woods family’s Snaafi Bright Spark, 16, a winning one when heading an exceptionally strong plaited pony class, and Sarah Ambler’s second-placed plaited horse, Endeavour — who also competed successfully in hunter ranks — also retired.

Chris Patrick and the Blands’ working native stallion, Cassius, repeated their 2009 class victory, cementing a successful season which saw the pair take the champion pony and reserve supreme coloured awards at RIHS.

Rebecca Harvey had a momentous final ride on the 138cm victor, Broadgrove Showman, to take the show pony title. This crowned a season which began with the novice and open titles at Windsor.

Another in-form combination, Poppy Carter and the four-year-old 128cm winner, Rotherwood Rainmaker, put in a rock-solid performance to stand reserve. Despite his youth, the mannerly bay was also champion at RIHS this year.

Yet another partnership came to an end in 148cm ranks, where Alice Greenwood posted her second HOYS win on the Hollings-produced Crafton Touch of Gold, who has been sold.

The ridden Arab title went to veteran rider Andrea Boyle with her remarkable 18-year-old gelding, Maleikero.

Stay in touch with all the action from HOYS on Horseandhound.co.uk throughout the show and enjoy over 20 pages of reports in next Thursday’s magazine

Friday showing results

CHAPS coloured (A Collins, Mrs J Hart) plaited pony.– 1, M Woods’ Snaafi Bright Spark; 2, A Hood’s The Panda; 3, K Pritchard & R Maynard’s Bryntegllwynau Daffodil. exc 153cm.– 1 & res, A Scott’s So Pretty; 2, A Ambler’s Endeavour; 3, H Patterson’s Shybont Beandance. unplaited, pony.– 1, J Bland’s Cassius; 2, L Wright’s Moortown Frilly; 3, J McTiffin’s GW Dubya. exc 148cm.– 1 & ch, C Bardo’s The Humdinger; 2, F Quennell’s The Mighty Mop; 3, E Green’s Apollo. Hutchinsons Domestic Staff ridden Arab (S Fleming, A Mickleburgh) gelding.– 1 & ch, A Boyle’s Malakeiro; 2, A Le’vell’s OAS Vendetta; 3, L Biles’ Fferzan. Barley Hill Arabians stallion.– 1 & res, C Sussex’s Silvern Prince; 2, S George’s SG Jeddah; 3, S Wrigglesworth’s Plumbum. Al-Waha Stud mare.– 1, S Lenny’s BS Emira; 2, C Shaw’s Najahn; 3, S Rodger’s Mahdinaa. Kathleen Wood SP (C Baxter, P Hilton) 128cm.– 1, M Cartlidge’s Rotherwood Rainmaker; 2, S Dennison’s Barkway Frivolity; 3, B Moore’s Chinook Easter Magic. 138cm.– 1, S Brewis & J Harvey’s Broadgrove Showman; 2, J Templeton’s Whiteborro Telltale; 3, L Hood’s Anndalyse Tallulah. 148cm.– 1, L Fitzgerald’s Crafton Touch of Gold; 2, C Cutmore’s Roseview Limited Edition; 3, W Edgar’s Wilderness fancy Spice. Kathleen Wood SP (C Baxter, P Hilton) 128cm.– 1, M Cartlidge’s Rotherwood Rainmaker; 2, S Dennison’s Barkway Frivolity; 3, B Moore’s Chinook Easter Magic. 138cm.– 1, S Brewis & J Harvey’s Broadgrove Showman; 2, J Templeton’s Whiteborro Telltale; 3, L Hood’s Anndalyse Tallulah. 148cm.– 1, L Fitzgerald’s Crafton Touch of Gold; 2, C Cutmore’s Roseview Limited Edition; 3, W Edgar’s Wilderness fancy Spice.

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Ron and Debbie Thomas almost made it a clean sweep in the show hunter pony classes, the Welsh producers turning out the first three winners Tom Thumb II (Jessica Baybutt), Clemenstone Charleston (Lizzie Smith) and Parkhills Ronaldo (Julie Bankier) who headed their respective 153cm, 143cm and 133cm classes.

In the main ring championship, it was Lizzie Smith and Clemenston Charleston who got the nod from Jo Jefferson and Sue Rawding to take the title. Taking the reserve was the smallest contender Julie Templeton’s Hightopps Jazz who topped the 122cm class for Shannon Meer.

After producing one of only four clear rounds to win their 143cm class, Lucinda Parkes and Folly II claimed the working hunter tricolour. The grey mare was maintaining an outstanding Hickstead record as she has never lowered a rail for Lucinda and her previous rider Alice McCullagh.

Kevin Millman built a traditionally challenging rustic track that included true hunting obstacles such as a bullfinch, log and wall.

Taking the reserve was Crabbswood Nutmeg, who jumped the sole clear for Hermione Gee to win the final 133cm section.

Darren Crowe registered his first RIHS win riding Dr Tiffani Stewart’s PHA Silvern Risalm in the pure-bred Arabian class. The Silvern Sceptre 17-year-old grey stallion has an enviable list of major wins to his credit, and he was having his first outing since winning at Horse of the Year Show two years ago.

“I always seem to be the page boy here as I have been second twice with him (Silvern Risalm), and I have even been second in a show jumping class here, but it has all worked out today” said Darren.

Jonathan Stevens clinched the Ponies (UK) M&M young rider championship riding his mother Lesley’s black Dales stallion Waterside Black Prince. Jonathan is in his second season with the six-year-old who is described by his rider as one of the most laid back ponies on the circuit.

“He always has breakfast in bed — as in lying down,” said Jonathan.

Wednesday 27 July showing results

Sandal – BMW SHP (Mrs J Jefferson, Mrs S Rawding) 153cm. 1, A Baybutt’s Tom Thumb II; 2, J Thurston’s Carnsdae Sir Lancelot; 3, K Marfleet’s Valentino III. 143cm. 1 & ch, K Smith’s Clemenstone Charleston; 2, E Jackson’s Firthwell Champagne Charles; 3, B Edmondson’s Sycamore Candyman. 133cm. 1, Mr & Mrs Bankier’s Parkhills Ronaldo; 2, S Mace’s Wicklea Wakanda; 3, J Blythman’s Westerby Firelight. 122cm. 1 & res, J Templeton’s Hightopps Jazz; 2, E Perry’s Greedown Jake; 3, S Dennison’s Crystal Vision. BSPS LR SHT. 1, Clark & Lucas’s Brookhall Wise King; 2, J Van Praagh’s Joebex Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; 3, R Walker’s Annandale Phoenix. Black Country Saddles WHP (Ms J Darwin, Mrs J MacInnes) 153cm. 1, E Manning’s Kilkenny Kid; 2, S Weir’s Otto; 3, J Cooper’s Mirah Kilgobben Rebel. 143cm. 1 & ch, H Parkes’s Folly II; 2, S Smith’s Todley Hall Noah; 3, S Weir’s Ruby Slippers. 133cm. 1 & res, J Meyrick’s Crabbswood Nutmeg; 2, A Prince’s Noble Toreen Lass; 3, C Thompson’s Keltic Print. Brickell/White Ponies (UK) young riders sml. 1, S Darlington’s Wortley Celebration; 2, A Bromwich’s Waulkmill Redstart; 3, A Lines’s Pumphill Banter. do riders under 18yrs. 1, Lady Vestey’s Kentchurch Charity; 2, D Barr’s Sauvey Golden ; 3, L Bates’s Mowcastle Mickey. interm. 1 & ch, L Stevens’s Waterside Black Prince; 2, T Millard’s Waterside Ben; 3, Ablett, Langdon & Williams’s Tawbitts Mystic Major. pure bred ridden Arabian (Mrs V Ayling). 1, Dr T Stewart’s PHA Silvern Risalm; 2, S Holland’s Tukki Amira; 3, G Ayub’s Dreamcatcher.

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Coloured horses and ponies took centre stage in the Caldene arena at the Horse of the Year Show today (Friday).

After a morning of hot competition, Jayne Webber (pictured) won her unplaited horse class for the third year running with the super-consistent piebald, The Humdinger, going on to take the section title for a second time.

“He gave me a fabulous ride and was tuned up for the job,” said judge David Bartram.

This lovely cob, owned by Carol Bardo and her sister, Mandy Hughes, put in a foot-perfect performance en route to the top award. “He certainly knows where he is,” said Jayne. “He feels better than ever.”

All the major players were forward but reserve went to a delighted — and surprised — Sue-Helen Bolton with her six-year-old traditional stallion, Del Boy.

“He’s only done three shows this year because I’ve been concentrating on youngsters,” said Sue-Helen, who has a breaking and schooling yard near Preston. “He’s been in the field since June and came back into work six weeks ago.”

Arabian specialist Darren Crowe made a winning HOYS debut with Caroline Sussex’s home-bred 11-year-old, Silvern Prince, to take the pure-bred Arab tricolour.

The expressive grey stallion is usually ridden by his owner, who finished fifth with him here last year. Darren last took the title with Jammilah in 2003 after winning all three classes, and it was the culmination of a winning run for this horse, who had headed four consecutive classes on the run-up to HOYS.

“He’s just got better and better as the season’s gone on,” said Caroline. “Darren has done a brilliant job with him.”

Darren also won the gelding class with the Millers’ Mahradi, but reserve went to Stephanie Turner with another Silvern horse, the O’Rourkes’ Suffolk-based mare victor, Silvern Moonlight.

Results

CHAPS coloured (D Bartram, J Beatham) plaited, pony. 1, S Parrott’s Winchester D; 2, H Ellis-Jones’ Doylan Anuska’s Gift; 3, A Harrison’s Millpond Look Again. horse. 1, R Avery’s Lostock Back to Black; 2, S Ambler’s Endeavour; 3, J Powell’s Jigsaw. unplaited, pony. 1 & res, A Shuttleworth’s Del Boy; 2, S Harrison’s Chantilly Lace; 3, J McTiffin’s G W Dubya. horse. 1 & ch, C Bardo & M Hughes’ The Humdinger; 2, Baileys Horse Feeds’ Deimos; 3, E Green’s Apollo. Hutchinsons Staff ridden arab (C Nelson, R King) pure-bred, gelding. 1, A Miller’s Mahradi; 2, A Boyle’s Maleikero; 3, S Rose’s LVA Estopas Winter Storm. stallion. 1 & ch, C Sussex’s Silvern Prince; 2, L Hughes’ Patros HB; 3, Mr & Mrs D Peck’s Dervatiw Gwyddion. mare. 1 & res, M O’Rourke’s Silvern Moonlight; 2, D Atkin’s Azhiqa; 3, P Pinkerton’s Nequitta.

Stay in touch with all the action from HOYS on Horseandhound.co.uk throughout the show, and don’t miss H&H’s special report, on sale Thursday 14 October

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On their first outing over Hickstead’s challenging working hunter course, Abi Boulton and Pebbly Pipe Dream produced one of the few clear rounds of the day to win the 143cm section at the Royal International Horse Show.

The nine-year-old Irish-bred dun gelding has proved a brilliant all rounder for Abi, and a stunning gallop in the championship clinched the tricolour over 153cm winners Callum Barnes and Noble Rockstar.

The show hunter pony title went to Yasmin Cuddy riding her 153cm winner Midtown Magic. Yasmin bought the six-year-old mare last summer, and their recent accolades include the championship at Midland Counties.

Andrea Boyle and Maleikero scored their third Royal Iternational win when heading the pure-bred Arabian class. Andrea has owned her 17-year-old grey gelding for 13 years, and his previous victories here were in 2003 and 2005.

The P(UK) young rider mountain and moorland finals were well supported, and it was the small breed winners Rebecca Harvey and Susan Rogers’ Annandale Water Lily who took the inaugural championship.

The four-year-old palomino mare belied her age when giving a lovely show in the main ring championship. Taking the reserve was Kilmannan Kilty, who won the intermediate section for Aimee Hoare.

Don’t miss next week’s Horse & Hound (out 5 August) for a special RIHS report, including comment and analysis of all the action

Results

Sandal – BMW SHP (Mrs A Cole & Mr D Kellow) 153cm. 1 & ch S Cuddy’s Midtown Magic; 2, Y Thompson’s Déjà vu; 3, W King’s Mosstown Rockstar. 143cm. 1, N Haynes’s Chiddock Over the Limit 2, J Cambray’s Nutwood Spring Charm; 3, L Parr’s Highmede Night. 133cm. 1 & res, J Cambray’s Parkhill Ronaldo; 2, V Windsor-Phillips’s Dykebeck Wild Foxglove; 3, A Marling’s Stambrook Wedding Belle. 122cm. 1, K Gillott’s Annandale Darcy; 2, V Rudd’s Duntarvie Yogi; 3, L Burnip’s Wingland Make Believe. LR SHT. 1, T Baldwin’s Millay Topic; 2, Mr & Mrs Walker’s Mirabelle P; 3, K Fuge’s Charn Secret Legend. Black Country Saddles WHP (Mr A Perkins & Mrs L Brudenell) 153cm. 1 & res, C Barnes’s Noble Rockstar; 2, C Barnes’s Laughtons Bramble Pie; 3, J Cooper’s Mirah Kilgobben Rebel. 143cm. 1 & ch, L Boulton’s Pebbly Pipe Dream; 2, A Wybergh’s Chandaem Pippaley; 3, S Weir’s Ruby Slipppers. 133cm. 1, G Worrow’s Silverfox II; 2, C Bower’s Zelston Bellquest; 3, C Wheeler’s Tetcott Paper Boy. Kelbie Metals P(UK) young riders M&M ridden (Mrs M Appell & Mrs J Seymour) sml breeds. 1 & ch, S Rogers’s Annandale Water Lily; 2, L Pope’s Glenwood Lancelot; 3, M Syred’s Sidehill Single Malt. do lge. 1, P Moseley’s Whitefield Prince Nettle; 2, D Barr’s Sauvey Golden Condor; 3, Lady Vestey’s Kentchurch Raindrop. intermediate. 1 & res, A Dawson’s Kilmannan Kilty; 2, P Starkie’s Pumphill Bennet; 3, Grisdale & Stevens’s Waterside Black Prince. arab ridden pure bred (Mr S Fleming) 1, A Boyle’s Maleikero; 2, P Pinkerton’s Nequitta; 3, J Bishop’s Muzahla.

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Actress and Arab breeder Susan George took over as president of the Arab Horse Society (AHS) at its annual meeting yesterday (10 April).

Miss George — best known for her part in the 1971 film Straw Dogs — runs the Georgian Arabians Stud on Exmoor.

She is also honorary president of the Horse of the Year Show where her stallion Egatist took the Arab stallion title last year.

AHS chairman Finn Guinness said: “This is quite a coup for the society. Susan is a successful breeder and will be a wonderful ambassador for the breed.”

Miss George said: “I adore Arabs and my total desire in life is to make others like-minded. I hope to do that as president.”

The AHS had no president last year, but members voted to reintroduce the post.

Last year, H&H reported a split in the society after allegations of cruelty against a handler at the AHS Show. The society ruled that complaints by members were not made within AHS rules.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (8 April, ’10)

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Breeders and producers of the Arabian horse have welcomed plans to bring back “traditional” in-hand showing classes.

Some breeders have become critical of the “modern” way of showing Arabians, in which the horse’s head is positioned artificially high with the hindlegs out behind the body when standing up for the judge.

But the Wessex Arabian Horse Group’s Summer C show at The Hand EC, Avon, on 14 August will introduce trial “classic” classes.

Show organiser Felicity Harper said: “ We hope these classes will redress in some way the unfortunate impression many have of the Arabian horse because of the manner in which it is shown”.

She said in the classic classes horses should be shown in a “quiet and relaxed manner” and when standing up for the judge must be positioned with their hocks underneath them.

The classes have been sanctioned by the European Arab Horse Show Commission, and both “classic” and “modern” sections will be assessed by the same judges. No horse entered in a class for one style will be eligible to be shown in the other.

Each will have its own qualifiers for the European Conference of Arab Horse Organisation A show at Towerlands Park.

Leading breeder Geoffrey Plaistow said he was “very pleased” to hear about the trial.

“The objective of showing is to get the judge’s opinion on your horse’s conformation and movement. This can be achieved by trotting the horse up, standing him for inspection and then walking away in a gentlemanly manner,” he said.

Producer Alan Theobald has shown horses in the modern style, but has recently gone into partnership with Gina Hunt of Spirit Arabians, breeding horses for performance.

“In the classic style, you get to see true paces with the horse in a nice, relaxed state of mind. Each style of showing has its own appeal.”

But he added: “I feel when you show at international level you have to go ‘modern’ as this is what the spectators want.”

The Arab Horse Society (AHS) is supportive of the Wessex group’s plans.

AHS council member Annette Dixon said: “It is considered a good experiment and it will be interesting to see how it goes.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (11 February, ’10)

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A new scholarship has been set up by America’s Arab Horse Foundation in memory of the “Dirty Dancing” actor Patrick Swayze.

Mr Swayze and his wife, Lisa Neimi, owned and competed Arab horse for many years before his death of pancreatic cancer in September.

The scholarship will offer financial support to a young person, involved with Arab horses, who pursues a career in the performing arts.

And the foundation is appealing for fans of the actor to make donations to the cash pot for the scholarship.

The Arab Horse Foundation is the charitable arm of the Arabian Horse Association, also based in Denver, Colorado.

Donations to the Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi Scholarship can be made on line by visiting www.arabianhorsefoundation.org

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It was perfect top marks for Carol Bardo and Mandy Hughes’s seven-year-old cob The Humdinger, when he headed the CHAPS coloureds with a perfect score, under Jayne Webber.

“I said earlier in the season that it would be difficult to improve on perfection,” said Jayne, “but he’s just proved he can.”

The Humdinger had taken both cob and coloured titles at the RIHS earlier this year, and Mandy Hughes is looking forward to riding him later in the show as Jayne has another cob ride.

Although Shybonts Broadways Dazzling Moments headed the non-native ponies, it was the second placed Brookfarm Heaven Scent that came forward to take reserve. Clare Merrigan-Martin and Glen Martin’s seven-year-old mare is partnered by Samantha Elliott, and have only had four outings together.

“I think this was meant to be,” said producer James Hunton,” as we didn’t think we’d get here after we had a blow-out and were then delayed behind a accident, so we didn’t arrive until half way through our warm-up session.”

Caroline Trigg’s Arab gelding Elustarius ended his ridden career by taking the title partnered by Frances Atkinson, only a couple of weeks after lifting the supreme British Arabian championship for the second time. The pair have won major titles and the eleven-year-old is making a career move into private driving.

Toni Le’vell’s OAS Vendetta and Malcolm Rankine stood second to Elustarius and held place to claim reserve. The homebred seven-year-old qualified at the Northern Arabian horse show and has only had a few outings with Toni’s daughter Kiri Thorogood.

“Kiri got stage fright,” said Toni, “and Malcolm who had judged him earlier in the year, offered to ride him here for us.”

Susan George, honorary president of HOYS, headed the stallions with Egatist ridden by Abi Thorogood, whilst Peter Whitlow’s Maiad finished her first and only season unbeaten in her class when heading the mares.

Stay in touch with all the action from HOYS on Horseandhound.co.uk throughout the show and don’t miss H&H’s 17-page special report on sale Thursday 15 October, 09

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Nearly 80 Arabian horses seized from a property in Texas earlier this month are to be rehomed by The Humane Society of North Texas.

The 77 starving horses were seized from owner Gordon Dennis Key’s Renazens Arabian Horse Ranch in Denton County on 14 August.

An agreement was reached about the horses’ future at a court hearing on Wednesday (26 August) via Mr Key’s lawyer, Rick Hagen.

Mr Key, who faces animal cruelty charges, has agreed to donate the horses to The Humane Society.

The horses have been under care of The Humane Society of North Texas since they were seized on 14 August.

And Mr Key has been ordered to pay $5,000 court costs as well as costs of caring for the horses since they were seized.

“This is not a case where a person had a wilful desire to not care for an animal or was being intentionally cruel,” said Mr Hagen.

“He had no employees left. It was just one man doing the best he could for 77 horses. It was just impossible.

“He is an honorable man, and he really did care about the animals.”

The Humane Society is arranging an adoption event to rehome the horses and has reported that the horses are recovering well and are gaining weight and confidence.

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