Many event horses wear an eventing breastplate for work, particularly when they are jumping at home or in competitions. Riders may choose to use a breastplate for a number of reasons, including most obviously to ensure the saddle does not slip back, and there are many different sorts on the market.

Five-star rider and former young rider team gold medallist Charlotte Agnew says: “I try and use as little tack as possible as a rule, starting with the bare bones and working up depending on what’s needed.

“On the whole I wouldn’t use a breastplate at home, but I would always use one to compete. There are so many random things that can and do go wrong so it feels wise to prevent a saddle slip.”

Charlotte uses a few different types of eventing breastplate. At home, she occasionally puts on an elastic breastgirth – which has a wide piece of elastic which goes round the horse’s chest, from the girth on each side, and a strap over the top of the withers – “to stop a saddle slipping back on a horse with a big front”. She will keep this on for these horses at events.

For competitions, she mostly picks a five-point breastplate, which has attachments at the D-rings, the sides of the girth and under the tummy.

“In theory a five-point breastplate seems the most practical for dispersing the pressure, and it has an easy and effective martingale attachment,” she says. “I have a couple of horses that I never use a martingale on and I have a Fairfax breastplate for them.”

The Fairfax breastplate has a yoke round the horse’s chest and attaches at the sides of the girth, with an adjustable strap over the withers.

Five-star rider Alice Pearson is another to use breastgirths, tending to pick the Shepherd’s Breast Girth from one of her sponsor’s, Treehouse Sporting Colours, but also sometimes choosing a leather breastgirth.

“I was brought up in a racing background so I’ve always been a fan of the elasticated breastgirths,” she says. “I find they have some stretch so they don’t impede the shoulder movement. I like as little on a horse as possible and these are super lightweight too, as well as acting as handy neckstrap in FEI events [for which ‘unattached neckstraps’ are not allowed].”

Ensure eventing breastplates fit correctly

Another top-level rider, Ginny Howe, says she always ensures horses have practised in the eventing breastplate they will wear in competition so they are used to how it feels and says horses can have individual preferences, such as her former four-star horse, Eires Rock.

“He was a little rocket, with a big shoulder and big jump,” she says. “He loved his jumping, but if he had a breastplate or martingale that went between his front legs he would hardly jump and if he did he would feel hollow and awkward – he just didn’t like the feeling. He was one horse that needed a martingale, but back then I just had to get on with things without one!

“I am always very conscious of the adjustment that goes between horses’ front legs as a result, as the girls who work for me will confirm – I’m paranoid it’s too tight or too loose! All too often I see these straps done overly tight when the horse is stood still, but they are worse when moving and no allowance is made for when the horse is jumping, particularly on landing or jumping down drops.

“Equally I understand that if they are too loose it can be dangerous – on a number of occasions I’ve seen a stud or shoe get caught in the strap while the horse is jumping. It is very much about finding the balance.”

Ginny adds: “I am lucky that my saddles all fit my horses extremely well, thanks to my sponsors Voltaire Design UK, so I am not dependent on a breastplate for keeping them in place. I tend to use a breastplate as an additional extra for a just-in-case moment and if horses need a martingale.”

Ginny is another to mix and match different types of breastplate, but says she particularly favours the five-point breastplate from Voltaire.

“With built-in elastic, it gives the freedom needed over the fences, is fully adjustable and you can add the martingale attachment,” she says, explaining she uses this on her five-star horse, Undalgo De Windsor.

“Young horse CHF Archie does not need a martingale so he runs in an elastic breastgirth, just in case the saddle slips,” adds Ginny. “Stallion Interlaken W prefers the V-style elastic breastplate with martingale – due to his shape his saddle can sometimes slip back so I find this really works on him.”

Ginny also has a story about how an elastic breastgirth helped keep a saddle in place when she was competing her sister’s horse Echo P at Osberton.

“The girth elastic inside the stud girth snapped as I was jumping a fence cross-country,” she explains. “I was extremely lucky as he was wearing an elastic breastgirth which kept my saddle in place – that and good balance! – we even continued galloping to the next fence before I realised what had happened.”

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Olympian Vittoria Panizzon uses a hunting breastplate – which attaches to the D-rings of the saddle and at the bottom of the girth – on all her horses.

“I like a simple look and want time-efficient tack and minimal weight for the horse to carry,” she says.

Vittoria’s sponsor Pariani make many types of eventing breastplate and manufacture hers to her specific requirements, including a small elastic insert as she likes the breastplate to have “a little give”. The Italian rider is another to stress the importance of adjusting a breastplate to fit.

“I don’t like breastplates on too tight as I worry about restricting shoulder movement, but equally I am wary they never hang low between the legs as that is dangerous. So I always adjust the buckles between each horse to get the fit I want. I see far too many too tight or completely pointlessly loose, especially when teaching.

“I am looking at ways to evolve the breastplate concept and Pariani are working with me to get new ideas. I like models that don’t go between the legs, but I like to be able to clip on a martingale attachment.

“In dire emergency the bridge strap over the withers on a hunting breastplate has served as a neck strap to hang on to!”

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Eventer Charlotte Agnew has retired her long-term campaigner Out Of Africa Two.

The partnership has spent an impressive 10 seasons competing together, from intro up to advanced.

In that time, they contested 27 international events and completed three four-stars.

Charlotte revealed on social media that they had made the difficult decision to retire “Zul” on Tuesday (22 March).

“It is with mixed emotions that I tell all you friends and fans of the legend that is Zul, that our superstar has hung up his wings and spring-slippers, and has gone home for retirement,” she said.

“Zul has taken me places I only dreamt of — top five at a four-star and reserve for two British teams — it is the end of a chapter.

“But I am proud to say he has finished his career sound and in great spirits, and can now return to the field he grew up in to live out the rest of his days as a very happy hacker and King of the land. Thank you Zul.”

The pair completed their fourth four-star together at Burghley in 2015 and Charlotte said the temptation for “one last Badminton” this year was strong, but but felt it was in the horse’s best interest to finish on a high.

Bred by Charlotte’s parents, he is out of one of her father’s hunters and by Welton Apollo.

Some of their highlights include fifth at Luhmuhlen in 2012, second at Houghton Hall CIC3* the same year and second in their first three-day together at Weston Park young rider CCI2* in 2007.

Charlotte also thanked those who have worked to keep Zul on the road, including her mum.

“Along our way we have met and worked with some truly wonderful people, without whom neither Zul nor I would have achieved anything,” she said.

“There are so many people who have given us their support and infected us with their enthusiasm — I cannot thank you all enough.”

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With the Rio 2016 Olympic Games just three years away, riders with their sights set on a place on Team GBR are recharging their horse power — and finding innovative ways to do it.

Friends and supporters of Kent-based eventer Emily Baldwin are holding an art auction to raise funds to buy her a new top horse.

Charlotte Agnewis building up a syndicate scheme, buying and producing horses to fund a ride for the 2016 Games.

Emily told H&H: “Drivetime [on whom she won several CIC3*s] is in the twilight of his career and, while I have a couple of very nice young horses, I don’t have anything in between.

“I live in the south-east, which is quite saturated with event riders and not that many owners, so I have had to think outside the box,” she added.

Artist Ryszard Rybicki became interested in the concept of buying Emily a horse that might take her to Rio and offered to donate a painting she could sell to raise funds.

“Since then it has spiralled into something bigger,” said Emily.

Almost 50 artists have now donated works. James Braxton, the star of Bargain Hunt and Flog It!, will conduct the auction at Mary Ward House in Bloomsbury, London, on 12 September.

Oxfordshire-based Charlotte Agnew, who is on the World Class development programme, is exploring a different avenue to secure a potential Rio ride. She has set up a government-supported Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) that involves raising £150,000 — half of which is offset against any investor’s tax bill.

The money will fund White Heather Eventing, which will buy and sell a number of horses over a 4-year period, with the aim of keeping one “particularly special horse” to compete in the Rio Olympics.

For details of the lots in the Emily Baldwin auction, visit www.greenhorseart.com

Contact Charlotte Agnew on agnewc@hotmail.com

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (5 September, 2013)

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Eleven members and associates have gained the Pony Club’s highest accolade — the A test — in this year’s round of examinations.

Thirty young horsemen and women — including eventer Charlotte Agnew, who passed with honours — put themselves forward for the exams in June and September.

The A test is equivalent to the British Horse Society’s stage IV riding and horse care exam.

Candidates had to ride a number of unknown horses on the flat and over show and cross-country jumps, demonstrate a practical knowledge of lungeing to improve a horse’s way of going and training a young horse.

Charlotte said: “For me, passing with honours was a huge confidence boost, and I would thoroughly recommend the A test route to anyone interested in furthering their own riding career.”

And the chairman of Pony Club Training, William Blane, said: “Candidates have benefited from six excellent training days during the year, giving them an insight into the requirements of the exam as well as individual goals for improvement.

“With the introduction of the B+ test and more mentoring and coaching towards the A test, we look forward to even more success in 2013.”

The riders who now have their A test are: Hollie Cartwright of Clifton on Teme Hunt branch; Hector Payne of the Puckeridge Hunt branch; David Britnell of the Old Berkeley Hunt (Chilterns) branch; Jessica Campbell of the Sandown Chase branch; Clara Pilkington of the Tickham Hunt branch; Samantha Crowe of the Burton Hunt branch, Charlotte Agnew of the Duke of Buccleugh’s Hunt branch; Alycia Port of the Eridge Hunt branch; Rory Newton-Dunn of the Romney Marsh branch, Alice Bell of the Moray and Nairn branch and Bethan Eckley of the South Hereford and Ross Harriers branch.

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I still can’t believe it, sitting here with a medal — a GOLD medal — around my neck seems like the most unrealistic, but better than best thing ever, especially as it seemed completely unattainable at the beginning of the week.

Saturday night was a great opportunity for some international team bonding, and we were extremely grateful to David Merit for releasing his hold on us in order to fully appreciate Blair’s Saturday night party. Even better, it was Charlotte Castle’s birthday, so having kicked off the dancing in ‘classy’ Brit style, she and Nicola Malcolm took to the stage to join ‘Tunacave’ in one of their old school renditions.

I meanwhile, must admit to discovering a German with some nifty dance moves, — which was something else I never would have expected, as they always seem so serious — but definitely an entertaining surprise. Rooey it seems thought the same, as he was snapped with his eyes shut during the German anthem in the prize-giving.

The morning sped by pretty quickly, and before I knew it all the squad had flown through the trot up successfully. We had 10 marks in hand going into the show-jumping, so I didn’t even let myself think about winning gold. I just knew I had to, and WOULD go clear.

I hadn’t even heard that the Swiss, who were in silver, had opened up our advantage when I cantered into the arena on a thoroughly bouncy Rooey. He just loved the crowd, felt more like a little rubber ball than ever before and didn’t even give the slightest impression he would touch anything. Even the massively influential planks at the end didn’t pose a problem.

I can honestly say the feeling of managing a clear inside the time was doubly as thrilling as coming through the cross-country finish yesterday — and I thought that was good! The relief was immeasurable, as I knew Dani and Emily were both on great jumpers, and by the time Em was jumping we knew we’d done it.

Winning a rug and a sash has always been one of my dreams, so to come home with both, in addition to a gold medal, is just overwhelming. And it shows blogging can’t give me all bad luck! Thanks very much as well to all the selectors, but especially to Gill and Emma for giving us all so much help throughout the week. I’ll be going for individual gold too next year!!

Charlotte

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The morning couldn’t have started a lot worse — thanks to my alarm not going off, and Mark Lucey having to come banging on mine and Emily’s door to wake us up 10 minutes after we were supposed to have left.

However I persuaded myself that it was a sign we were going to prove we could win a medal, against all odds, and as I walked the course I actually became quite excited. Although Rooey and I are a pretty experienced combination at this level, there was certainly no way a clear was definite — the second half of the course just consisted of accuracy question after question, and there was no let up. I was sure it would be exciting.

Sure enough, the first girl on course retired after I’d seen her bank one of the earlier fences, and then the course was held… These problems spurred me on, fuelling my determination to show the British we could do it, and before long we were out of the start and away.

Rooey was awesome, making if feel so easy — and as soon as I clicked after the fences he just lowered and zoomed off like a Ferrari. I can’t even think of a scary moment, he was foot perfect through the influential waters, and as I looked at my watch over the second last we nearly had a minute to get home! As it was we got in about 20 seconds inside — which I hope gave the others confidence that it was entirely possible.

The Brits in fact gave a perfect cross-country demonstration — with all four of our team going clear inside the team, which is a record I think for today, and the reason we’ve sprung up to the previously undreamt of gold medal position!

Nicola hung on tight to her place at the top with a fantastic round, leaving her in bronze individually, and the rest of us are mostly clustered in the top 20, (with myself in 12th), which is hugely exciting, so fingers and toes crossed for tomorrow please!

Charlotte

Read Charlotte’s final blog tomorrow, plus H&H Online’s show jumping report. Horse & Hound magazine will carry a full report including fantastic photographs in next week’s issue, on sale 30 August, ’07

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As I was first to go for the team, an early start to yesterday morning was inevitable. But surprisingly I actually felt more excited than nervous as I gave Little Beau (“Rooey”) his pre-test warm-up at 6.30am, because he’d been going so well all week.

By the time I went into the arena crowds had started to gather, but the atmosphere was good and Rooey didn’t seem that bothered. I made sure I gave the judges all a cheesy grin as I passed — which got me accused of flirting later! — and we proceeded to make our best attempt to date at this much practised test.

Rooey tried his heart out and I was thrilled with him, but somewhat disappointed with my mark of 56, especially when I discovered that there was a massive 13 mark discrepancy between the judges — one of whom had put me in fourth at the end of the day. The other team riders all did good tests too, although we still hadn’t made it into the 40s by the afternoon, with Dani (Cuomo) scoring 55 and Emily (Galbraith) 52.8.

It was therefore left to our final competitor of the day, individual rider Nicola Wilson to fly the dressage flag for Britain, and she rose to the challenge spectacularly, scoring 47.4, which elevated her into an exciting fifth place overnight.

What I was most surprised about was our marks relative to those of our foreign contenders, because I thought our team was pretty strong this year. The French, however, had produced three low 40 tests before lunch, and I couldn’t believe the difference in movement between the continental horses and our own — who all did exceptionally correct and accurate tests.

However all is not yet lost, as I’m sure we’ll all prove by racing round on Saturday.

Charlotte

Log back on later for a report of Friday’s action and don’t forget to buy Horse & Hound next week (30 August) for a full report from Blair.

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After the intensive preparation for these under-25 championships, driving a mere three and-a-half hours just didn’t seem appropriate. Used to the standard 7hr trek from our Scottish base, Rocket (who is Burgie-bound), and “Rooey” (Little Beau), who I’m riding in the three-star here, were certainly pretty shocked to be unloaded so quickly.

I was extremely lucky, and relieved that my trainer Ian Stark was on hand to help keep me on the straight and narrow on Thursday morning, as it was pretty daunting trying to school among all the exceptionally smart-looking pros.

The trot-up on Thursday afternoon was a jolly affair, although marred by the rejection of Guy Herbert’s horse, Fortunes Way, who was bizarrely sound as a bell until he reached the run-way. As he was parked next to us, the empty space is a sad reminder of the good luck that is so essential for success in our sport.

Having worked Rooey with Ian again early this morning with less success than the previous sessions, I was starting to feel distinctly nervous. But as rumours trickled back about action from last night’s drinks party — including Ian being spotted clutching a selection of rapidly emptying champagne bottles — I was glad I hadn’t returned after supper for the final drinks, and my mind was relatively clear.

It was also a massive treat to have Rooey presented to me looking absolutely magnificent. I’ve never had a groom at a three-day before, and it enabled me to watch a couple of tests, which was really beneficial.

Once again Ian was a massive help warming me up, and I felt a lot calmer just knowing that he was there to correct me the second it wasn’t perfect.

The instant we went into the arena Rooey perked up, but he remained so calm and tried his heart out to be awarded a breathtaking 65% from one judge. Our overall score was 55.2, which I was beyond thrilled with, reminiscing on our 80-plus score at Hartpury CCI** three years ago.

Log back on later for H&H eventing editor Pippa Roome’s report of the second day of dressage and come back tomorrow to read about Charlotte’s cross-country day.

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