A top showjumper who used the services of an animal communicator for a “quirky” horse said the mare has jumped clear in every competition since.

Young British rider Emily Moffitt was contacted by Joanna Bornowski, of The Wild Thread, to ask whether she could work with one of Emily’s horses. Emily told H&H 10-year-old mare Kalinka De Kalvarie came to mind straight away.

“She isn’t very straightforward like some of the others I have; she reminds me more of a human, with a more complex personality than a horse!” Emily said. “She wants to spend time with you but likes her own space, wants you to go in her stable and pet her, then it’s ears back and ‘never mind, go away’. She gets frustrated with things quite often and I was struggling to find a pattern to what was triggering that frustration.

“I thought I would figure it out, like I have with the others, but when Joanna messaged me, I thought it was a great opportunity to learn more about Kalinka.”

Emily sent Joanna photographs of Kalinka, and shared some basic details about the mare.

The communicator then called her back.

“She was so insightful,” Emily said. “It was a long conversation about Kalinka’s likes and dislikes, but she mentioned that Kalinka finds everyone very kind to her in the barn but that she gets very frustrated with herself; she knows she is talented but isn’t getting where she wants to be.”

Joanna said Kalinka had reported liking her red treat ball, and said she wanted to be read to.

“That was really funny as I used to sit with another horse and read my book, and Kalinka’s two stables down from him so would have seen that; and there’s no way Joanne would have known it,” Emily said.

She added that the mare is always thinking one step ahead rather than what is being asked of her in the present moment, which Emily said made sense from her perspective.

Emily’s trainer, Irish showjumper Cameron Hanley, who is riding the mare at the moment, changed his way of riding her as a result, trying to be even more patient than usual, and being very exact in how he asked questions of her, and Emily said he “felt a real breakthrough, and that she was much more focused”.

The call was mid-July, and the mare jumped clear with Cameron on 23, 24 and 25 July, at a show in Lier.

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“I’m very open-minded,” Emily said. “I don’t know if it would help every horse, but for the likes of Kalinka, who’s got a very complicated personality; any help is something, and there’s no downside to doing it.

“All our horses get cuddles and treats, but I’ve tried to focus more on her since this and I think Cameron’s noticed the difference most in riding her.

“I asked Joanna to tell her not to worry and that she was a part of our team and not going anywhere so I hope that helps her find peace and relax a little!”

Have you used an animal communicator? Email hhletters@ti-media.com including your name and nearest town for the chance to be featured in the letters page of a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine…

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British showjumper Emily Moffitt has brought in renowned Irish rider and producer Cameron Hanley as her new trainer.

The 21-year-old Team GB rider has been trained by Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher since they first teamed up in 2016. However, with Ben’s heavy competition schedule, the Moffitt family have decided to recruit 46-year-old Cameron as a second rider and trainer to work alongside the world number five under the Poden Farms banner.

“I am very happy to have Cameron join the team,” said Neil Moffitt, Emily’s father and owner of Poden Farms.

“He has exemplary qualities that we have been looking for, not limited to his riding skills, but also his ability to assist in the training of my daughter Emily. We have a vast array of fantastic horses and look forward to what the future holds for all of us.”

A statement said: “Poden Farms has achieved great success with Ben Maher both as a rider and a trainer. Under his tutelage, Emily has accomplished incredible things, from the GB team win in Dublin to multiple wins for the London Knights [in the Global Champions League (GCL)]. Cameron will work closely with Ben to help Emily continue to achieve her goals for the 2020 season and to develop top grand prix horses for Poden Farms. We look forward to this new partnership and the expanding success of Poden Farms.”

Emily’s new partnership with Cameron, who is based in Germany, has already proved profitable as Emily won the CSI2* grand prix in Valencia, Spain, on Sunday (3 November) riding her “trusty steed”, the 14-year-old stallion Copain Du Perchet CH.

“I think even just in these few weeks, having Cameron here has made a big difference in my riding,” Emily told H&H from the Autumn Tour in Spain where she’s still competing.

“Ben’s really great at coming to shows with me, but he’s so busy so it’s hard for him to be with me all the time so now, between the two of them, we have a good system going.

“Obviously you need a fantastic team behind you to be able to achieve what I want to achieve,” added Emily, who was part of the Aga Khan-winning Nations Cup team in Dublin this year, rode for the title-winning London Knights squad on the GCL and has long had the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as her goal.

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Emily will continue to be based from her Worcestershire stables.

“Ben and Cameron are both quite amazing, I’m very lucky to have them,” she said.

Emily is spending another week competing in Valencia, where she has also been getting to know new ride Kasper Van Het Hellehof, one of a very exciting string of horses owned and produced by Poden Farms.

“I’m taking it easy with him as he’s quite big and chunky and he thinks I’m a little fly on him at the moment! He keeps asking ‘Where’s my rider?’” she said. “We just need to work together a bit more but he’s super talented.”

She then heads to the CSI5* World Cup show in Stuttgart, Germany, before returning to the familiar scarlet colours of the London Knights for the GC Prague Playoffs, where LGCT victor Ben is set to ride Poden Farms’ incredible gelding Explosion W, his European silver medal-winning ride.

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Cameron Hanley‘s 13-year-old Antello Z has been put down after suffering a serious injury in today’s (1 January) 1.45m two-phase class at Equestrian.com Liverpool International Horse Show.

“With unbelievable sadness I let you know that my partner Antello Z had to be put down today due to an injury sustained in the ring,” Cameron wrote on Facebook.

“He was such a fighter and he never quit, I had some of my best days in the ring with him, he brought me and those of us who were lucky enough to work with him so much happiness.

“He will always be in my heart, I loved him so much. R.I.P. my friend.”

He crashed through an oxer during the jump-off, falling on to his knees on landing and pitching Cameron over his head. Cameron was uninjured in the fall.

Antello Z then cantered around the arena with blood visible on his near foreleg before exiting the arena into the tunnel, where screens were erected and the horse ambulance summoned. The horse was taken to Leahurst equine hospital for further assessment.

Show organiser Nina Barbour said: “We offer our heartfelt and sincere condolences to Cameron, his support team, the Hanley family and all connections of a truly wonderful horse.”

When H&H spoke to John Whitaker following the incident, he said: “It puts a dull shadow over everything. It’s a real shame but it can happen. It’s a really sad day for the horse and Cameron”.

Together with Cameron, Antello Z was part of the Irish team at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in France and helped Ireland to third place in the Nations Cup World final at Barcelona in 2013.

“I am very saddened to hear of the loss of Antello Z. With Cameron, this combination formed a formidable partnership and contributed greatly to Ireland’s success at the very highest level. Thankfully Cameron was uninjured in the fall,” said Irish team manager Robert Splaine.

Horse Sport Ireland’s Damian McDonald added: “Antello Z was a great horse and he and Cameron made a massive contribution to the Irish team in recent years.

“In our sport there is a very strong bond between horse and rider, as the rider is generally the trainer of the horse as well as the jockey. It is very sad for Cameron and his team who worked so closely with the horse.”

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Irish showjumper Cameron Hanley has suffered a major blow as his top horses have been moved to Swiss rider Pius Schwizer.

Cameron’s World Equestrian Games partner Antello Z is one of seven that have been transferred to Pius, after owners EuroAsia decided to move the horses.

Six other showjumpers — Amira, Dundee vd Dwerse Hagen, Cas II, Caretina De Joter, Player du Quesnoy and Newton du Haut Bois — also join Pius.

Cameron competed Amira and Newton du Haut Bois at Basel last weekend (8-10 January).

“It breaks my heart that the horses I ride will be moving to another rider,” said Cameron.

“I have been very lucky to have been supported by EuroAsia for the past two years and have had the chance to ride some fantastic horses.

“As a rider who bonds very closely with his horses it will be hard to let go, but this is part of life and part of our sport. I wish the horses all the success they deserve in the future. They are all stars.”

Cameron, who was 2009 Irish showjumper of the year, has had a tough few years.

He damaged his knee in a freak accident in the summer of 2011 while playing with his children at home in Germany.

He spent four months in hospital and had 17 operations, after rupturing his patella tendon.

However, last year he was back in action having been selected for the Irish Nations Cup team with Antello Z. The partnership also travelled to Normandy for the World Equestrian Games where the Irish team finished seventh.

Cameron rode Antello Z until the horse went to British showjumper Michael Whitaker in 2012. In Feburary 2013 the horse returned to Cameron to compete.

Cameron, who is based in Germany, retains a share in Living The Dream, although it is unclear as yet whether he will keep the ride.

Pius also announced the news on his website.

“Cameron showed courage and resolution to climb back in a spectacular fashion in the world ranking list [after injury],” said a statement.

“The entire EuroAsia team warmly thanks Cameron Hanley for the great achievements made together and wishes him the best in his showjumping endeavours. The EuroAsia horses will pursue their top level showjumping career in the Swiss colours under Pius Schwizer.”

The reason cited was that the horses would be closer to their owners at Pius’ yard, where 17-year-old showjumper Morgane Dassio will also join the team.

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Irish showjumper Cameron Hanley is back in action after being off the circuit for nearly two years due to injury.

Cameron, who was 2009 Irish showjumper of the year, spent four months in hospital and had 17operations, after rupturing his patella tendon.

He damaged his knee in a freak accident in the summer of 2011 while playing with his children at home in Germany.

Cameron set off to Oliva for the Spanish Sunshine Tour earlier this week.

He has five new horses, owned by Yves Bouvier and Eleonore Paschoud.

The horses he will be competing are 12-year-old Newton Du Haut Bois, 10-year-old Player Du Quesnoy, 10-year-old Dundee vd Dwerse Hagen, eight-year-old Amira and seven -year-old California 73.

“They are good mix of experienced and younger horses and I am very lucky and thankful to be able to start back straight away with such nice rides,” Cameron told H&H.

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Cameron Hanley, one of Ireland’s leading showjumpers, is unlikely to ride for some time, after damaging a knee in a freak accident.

Cameron – who rode at the 2006 World Equestrian Games and was 2009 Irish showjumper of the year – has spent four months in hospital and endured 17 operations, after rupturing his patella tendon.

The accident happened in June last year while he was playing with his children in the garden at his home in Dielingen, Germany.

Cameron fell while jumping fences the children had made.

“I had an operation the following day, but my knee joint became infected,” said Cameron.

Surgeons then attempted a tendon transplant, but another infection seven weeks later left them with no choice but to use Cameron’s calf muscle to replace the tendon.

“The final operation was on 20 December and I’m at home at last, being looked after by my wife, Evelyn,” said Cameron, 38.

His top two horses have been sold – Southwind VDL is with Canadian Tiffany Foster while SIEC Livello – on whom Cameron was fourth individually at the 2009 European Championships in Windsor – has gone to Sweden.

“Although I’m feeling great and can’t wait to get back in the saddle, it looks as though it’s going to take a while,” he said.

“I think this year will be more about coaching and training.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (26 January 2012)

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Cameron Hanley has received the Irish Show Jumpers’ Club’s show jumper of the year award for 2009.

Hanley finished individual fourth at the European Show Jumping Championships at Windsor last August and recorded a number of wins and top ten places at shows throughout Europe, as well as making various Nations’ Cup team appearances for Ireland.

But he also spent several weeks voluntarily out of the sport after a syringe was found in his jacket at a competition. He was later cleared of any wrong doing.

He received the plaudit at the Show Jumpers’ Club Awards Ball, at Killashee House Hotel in Kildare on Saturday (12 December).

A spokesman for Horse Sport Ireland said: “This has been one of Cameron’s best years to date.”

Offaly-born Darragh Kenny, who won the World Cup Qualifier competition at Syracuse, New York in October, was named rookie of the year, and Alex Duffy, who made several successful Nations’ Cup appearances for Ireland in 2009, was named young rider of the year.

Special awards were given to 16-year-old Kellie Allen for her European pony individual gold medal achievement at Moorsele, Belgium in August, and to the Irish Pony European team for their Silver Medal.

And Mullingar International, in Co Westmeath was named show of the year.

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Show jumper Cameron Hanley has been chosen to ride for Ireland in the sixth round of the Meydan FEI Nations Cup in Falsterbo, Sweden (16-19 July), after being cleared of doping suspicions by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

Mr Hanley ruled himself out of competition at Aachen after a syringe was allegedly found in the pocket of his jacket at a competition in Balve, Germany (news, 2 July).

But on Friday the FEI confirmed samples taken from the three horses ridden by Mr Hanley at Balve had returned negative results.

“The FEI has acted consistently with its testing procedures and is satisfied with this result,” said FEI general counsel Lisa Lazarus.

“While the outcome of this situation establishes that none of Cameron Hanley’s horses competing at Balve were administered prohibited substances, Mr Hanley acted appropriately by stepping aside from competition in Aachen to avoid attracting unnecessary attention to the Irish team.

“While it is never a positive thing to discover a used syringe on competition grounds — his decision to avoid competing to remove doubt as to the perceived fairness of competition should be commended.”

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) show jumping manager Robert Splaine said: “I am glad Cameron can now put recent events behind him.

“He took a very mature decision for the good of the team in relation to Aachen and will be a great asset to the team for this competition [at Falsterbo].”

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