Latest from Horse & Hound in Derbyshire

‘She was in quite a pickle’: bridge rescue for stuck horse

Lucy Elder — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 14:05:29 +0000

Firefighters faced an unusual challenge earlier this week when called to help a horse who was stuck straddled across a narrow bridge, with legs dangling on either side.

A man spotted the horse was in trouble while walking his dog in fields off Park Mill Drive in Alfreton yesterday morning (27 September).

A vet, RSPCA officers and a large animal rescue crew from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service worked together to rescue the mare from her predicament on the concrete footbridge.

“There is a narrow concrete bridge which runs over a stream and the horse must have slipped while walking across it,” said Simon Parker, the RSPCA’s chief inspector for Derbyshire.

“All four of her legs were stuck down the sides of the bridge – three over one side and one on the other side. She was in quite a pickle.”

The horse was not microchipped and the RSPCA is urging the owner to come forward and to ensure the bridge is properly blocked off.

“A local vet came down and gave the horse anaesthetic so that we would be able to rescue her promptly,” added inspector Parker.

“We were very concerned that she might have broken her legs after the fall.

“She was thoroughly examined after being carefully freed, and thankfully she had not sustained any serious injuries.

“Her legs had been left bleeding after the incident and this was treated by the vet at the scene.”

An RSPCA officer remained after the vet and fire crews left to ensure the horse was alright.

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“We’re pleased to say that she seems to have recovered well from the ordeal,” said inspector Parker.

“She will be a bit sore for a couple of days but she has had a lucky escape.

“Overall it was a successful rescue – the specialist animal rescue team from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service were absolutely fantastic.”

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Horse injured on ‘dangerous’ footpath gate

Lucy Elder — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 06:25:27 +0000

A call for owners to be aware of the danger posed by footpath gates has been made by a Derbyshire rider.

Gates with sharp points on the vertical spokes have been installed on some footpaths by Derbyshire County Council (DCC).

Denby resident Ros Hill’s Connemara cross thoroughbred, Cathy, was injured after jumping one. Ros believes someone chased her over one that had been installed in her field.

Mrs Hill found the gate smashed and her mare injured on a neighbouring lane at 8am on 2 August.

The 12-year-old 14.2hh mare sustained a large haematoma on her chest, punctures to her belly from points on the rail as well as cuts and grazes on her legs and chest.

Mrs Hill added the mare was “severely traumatised” and a thoroughbred that was in the field with her was also upset.

She is now recovering well.

“The vet can’t believe how lucky she was. If one of the spikes had penetrated full thickness it could have been fatal,” she said.

“I could not bear this to happen to anybody else.”

Before her mare was injured, Mrs Hill had put a rail in front of the gate, which she believed would be enough to keep the horses away from it.

Mrs Hill is making a formal complaint about the gates to DCC and wants other livestock owners to be aware of the risks.

“It is fenced off at the moment,” she told H&H.

“We have sent the council an email telling them we are putting in a style.”

She added she thinks the design is “totally wrong” and wants to see gates with smooth tops.

A spokesman for the council said: “We are aware of this incident and are looking into the matter to consider whether any action is required.”

Police investigate after two horses die in barn fire

Horse & Hound — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:30:10 +0000

Police are investigating after two horses were killed in a fire in Derbyshire.

Two horses died in the stable block fire in Sandiacre. Two others were rescued from the blaze by firefighters.

Police believe the fire, which broke out at around 1.50am on Sunday (19 December) may have been started deliberately.

“Police and the fire service have begun an investigation into the cause of the fire, which at this stage is being treated as suspicious,” said a spokesman.

Anyone with any information should contact the police on tel: 0345 123 3333.

Pony died after being fed dry sugar beet pellets

Horse & Hound — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 17:24:42 +0000

A horse has been found dead in a field after being fed dry sugar beet by a well-meaning stranger, say Derbyshire Police.

Officers believe that Ebony, a white Welsh pony, was fed dry sugar beet taken from a shed at Wilne Road, Draycott, between 4 and 5 December.

Dry sugar beet pellets absorb moisture inside an animal and swell, which can prove fatal.

Sugar beet roots should be soaked before feeding, according to the manufacturer’s directions.

PC Tom Craig of Derbyshire Police, said: “It is a highly unusual incident and we think that whoever has done this thought they were being nice to the horse but unwittingly their actions ended up killing it.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call Derbyshire Police on 0345 123 33 33

Woman hospitalised with serious head injuries after fall

Horse & Hound — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:26:15 +0000

A woman is in hospital after falling from her horse when out riding in Marsh Lane, Killamarsh North Derbyshire, on Saturday 21 February.

The rider, aged in her 50s, suffered serious head injuries and is currently being treated at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield. Her condition is described as critical but stable.

The woman, who was out hacking with one other person, had been riding through farmland. When she reached the main road when her horse reared up, throwing her from the saddle.

“We received a call at about 6pm on Saturday evening saying a woman had been thrown from her horse,” a spokesman from Derbyshire police told H&H.

“There is a chance that the horse may have been spooked by the noise of a motorbike. We are looking into this to see whether it may have been a factor in the accident.”

Horse was shot in the head

Horse & Hound — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:17:43 +0000

A horse in Derbyshire had to be euthanased after police and a local vet believe it had been shot in the head.

Derbyshire Horsewatch says the horse, an Appaloosa female, was shot between May 25 and June 2 in a field near the village of Chinley, between Glossop and Chapel-en-le-frith, Derbyshire.

The vet said the wound in the right side of the face was consistent with a bullet wound.

Draycott House (2) eventing results, 6-7 June

Horse & Hound — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:53:08 +0000

BE100open (sec K).— 1, Supa Nova II (P Collier) 20,0,0=20; 2, Noble Imp (E Silman) 22.5,0,14.8=37.3; 3, California Goldrush (J Jaeger) 28.5,0,11.2=39.7. BE100 (sec E).— 1, Mauvaise Herbe (I Bennett) 37.5,0,0=37.5; 2, Wat Nou O (Z Dawson) 33,0,7.2=40.2; 3, Alleged (P Sims) 35.5,0,4.8=40.3. (sec F).— 1, Loughnatousa Rembrandt (A Downes) 31.5,0,0=31.5; 2, Tiger Rock (J Baker) 32.5,4,0=36.5; 3, Harry Wood (L Gordon) 33,0,3.6=36.6. (sec G).— 1, Wesuvio (S Grieve) 25.5,0,5.2=30.7; 2, Sandor (J Baker) 29.5,0,4=33.5; 3, Wineport Taking The Mick (I Nowicki) 33,0,3.2=36.2. (sec H).— 1, Highlight Lady (M Reid) 30,0,3.6=33.6; 2, Armani Gold (E-M Koemans) 29,0,13.2=42.2; 3, Olive Du Gesnois (T Clapham) 28,4,12=44. (sec I).— 1, Castle Howard Cicero (K Spencer) 25.5,0,6.8=32.3; 2, Take A Peek II (B Mullan-Feroze) 34,0,6=40; 3, Tia VI (J Haigh) 33.5,0,9.2=42.7. (sec J).— 1, Baltic Star (A Wills) 29.5,0,8.4=37.9; 2, Z Rubertha 58 (S Chamberlain) 32,0,11.2=43.2; 3, Spok (A Lines) 37,0,7.2=44.2.

Eland Lodge Equestrian show jumping results, 9-10 May

Horse & Hound — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:11:30 +0000

jnr 70cm.— 1, Highland Affair (E Markham); 2, Wexford Girl (L Bramwell); 3, Popstar II (B Driver). jnr British novice.— 1, Black Magic Lad (B Williams); 2, Camarros Princess (M Markham); 3, Dolly Destiny (J Hibbert). jnr discovery/90cm.— 1, Fairview Overnight Sensation (H Wilson); 2, Deno Mountain Sparrow (H Markham); 3, Burnen Lad II (B Furniss). Independent Asset Management pony progressive q.— 1, Dooneens Dreamboy (J Cain); 2, The Mighty Sparrow (B Bramwell); 3, Golden Wispa II (A Selwood). jnr 1.05m.— 1, Forever Crystal (J Cain); 2, Artic Copybook (S Freeman). jnr adventurer.— 1, Pagan Pretty Witch (C Bignell); 2, Strandhill Rocker (L Rushton). 10 May: KBIS British novice.— 1, Funfair Martelle (S Wall); 2, Gabroc Hill (L Brookes); 3, Woodland Johnboy (J Hoare). Katherine James 1m novice.— 1, Beechfield Ballerina (C Healey); 2, Heyboy (J Healey); 3, High Knighton (T Johns). Sandicroft Stud 1.05m adventurer.— 1, Velvet II (C Freeman); 2, Meg Em (E Trunkfield); 3, Evian Van Het (C Freeman). Tri-Zone snr newcomers.— 1, Chimichanga (V Winter); 2, Wouwske P (E Tideswell); 3, C’est Boom La La (E Hart).

Hargate Arena show jumping results, 2-3 May

Horse & Hound — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:28:19 +0000

90cm.— 1, Mr Marple (J Palmer Evans); 2, Cody (J Cowley); 3, Green Gem Corky (H Grandfield). discovery.— 1, Herbie’s Double Trouble (G Roadnight); 2, Trieve Midnight Express (J Cain); 3, Pagan Pretty Witch (C Bignell). adventurer.— 1, Killgillys Miracle (C Harkin); 2, Midgets Pet (J Verbruggen); 3, Pantcefnyfford Buster (L Edwards). 148cm Scope debut.— 1 & 2, Cinderella Girl & Falaza (B Vernon); 3, Above and Beyond (L Edwards). 1.15m members cup.— 1, Above and Beyond; 2, Falaza; 3, Moy Chunky Monkey (L Mitchell). British novice. —1, Rockin Robin IV (E Haynes); 2, Carmarros Prince (E Markham). progressive.— 1, Moonlight Flight (D Armstrong); 2, Maerdy Mocca (G Philpot); 3, Erin (L Kilcross). 138cm Scope debut.— 1, Silkan JJ (J Lye); 2, Fallen Angel (J Merrick); 3, Beyond Belief (D Watson). 148cm rest.— 1, Blackts Jordi (A Green); 2, Brolotens Arpege (S Hopkinson). 3 May 1.05m.— 1, MVF Surprise (A Green); 2, Cody; 3, Silkan JJ. jnr newcomers.— 1, Herbie’s Double Trouble; 2, Bond’s Glen (C Thompson); 3, Amber Girl (A Hill). 80cm.— 1, Dynamite Diggy (P Locke); 2, Brookhall Glimpse (O Poole); 3, Claire De La Lune (E Walton). tiny tots 90cm.— 1, 3 tied. 128cm Scope UK debut.— 1, Top Priority II (T Bagley); 2, Real Cool Dude (K Colclough); 3, Gangster Rap II (H Sharp). 128/138cm.— 1 & 3, Spooky Lucy & Bradmore Mystique (O Poole); 2, Pringle (D Walton). British novice.— 1, Trailblazers (S Bevan); 2, Burren Lad II (B Furniss); 3, Minnison (S Morgan). 10yrs & under.— 1, Gold Bech Hollys Dancer (M Taylor). discovery.— 1, Mr Boots (C Thompson); 2, Westfields Jake (L Rushton); 3, Plasdavrene Leonn (T Hughes-Jones). jnr newcomers.— 1, Killygillys Miracle; 2, The Irish Jigsaw Puzzle (C Brown); 3, The Irish White Tornado (G Bell). jnr Foxhunter.— 1, Ilar Max (L HIll); 2, Nookie Bear (A East); 3, Above And Beyond.

Eland Lodge (1) eventing results, 18-19 April

Horse & Hound — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:45:14 +0000

Nov (sec D).— 1, Vancouver (L Collett) 30,0,6.8=36.8; 2, Umiliana (F Forsyth) 35.5,4,4.4=43.9; 3, Cap That (C Phillips) 31,2,12.4=45.4. (sec E).— 1, Primitives Pansy (A Allen) 32.5,8,7.2=47.7; 2, Trevallan (A Postolowsky) 38.5,0,10=48.5; 3, Prospect Basil (R Fairbrother) 35,0,15.6=50.6. BE100open (sec G).— 1, Simply Best (V Turnbull) 25.5,0,0=25.5; 2, Imperial Flight (T Buckingham) 28,0,0=28; 3, The Pickpocket III (R Garton) 29,0,0=29. BE100 (sec A).— 1, Freddie Too (J Sommerville) 33.5,0,0=33.5; 2, Lanson (A Downes) 33.5,0,0=33.5; 3, Verdi Oakley Hill (I Lawrence) 31.5,0,0=31.5. (sec B).— 1, Finding Gino (N French) 25.5,0,3.2=28.7; 2, LJ (H Upton) 26.5,0,4.4=30.9; 3, Noble Goldfinger (S Ashworth) 31,0,0=31. (sec C).— 1, The Drummer (L Cardwell) 26.5,0,1.6=28.1; 2, Castle Howard Cicero (K Spencer) 31,0,0=31; 3, Prestwood Smokey Gin (S Lake) 31.5,0,0=31.5. (sec H).— 1, Weston IV (K Hurst) 25,0,3.6=28.6; 2, Sugar Shack Mill (N Baguley) 28,4,0=32; 3, Taz Man (T Kyle) 32.5,0,0=32.5. (sec I).— 1, Kline (S Smith) 33,0,0=33; 2, Tikkabilla Mill (N Baguley) 34,0,0=34; 3, Knocktown Lad (M Kyle) 35.5,0,0=35.5. (sec J).— 1, Rubeus Hagrid II (V Turnbull) 27,0,0=27; 2, Secret Friend (Z Grimwood) 29.5,0,0=29.5; 3, Jackattack (M Reid) 30.5,0,0=30.5.

Draycott House (1) eventing results, 26-27 March

Horse & Hound — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:46:50 +0000

nov (sec E).— 1, Sendeed (L Broad) 26.5,0,1.6=28.1; 2, Derreen Pride (E Gilruth) 28.5,0,6.4=34.9; 3, ODT Sonas Rovatio (H Wilson) 35.5,0,0=35.5. (sec F).— 1, My Evolution (L Broad) 26.5,4,0=30.5; 2, The Last Look (J Atkinson) 34,0,0=34; 3, Topwood Beau (E Gilruth) 35,0,3.6=38.6. (sec G).— 1, Viper Priba (G Ruck) 30,0,3.2=33.2; 2, Power Of Dreams (C West) 37.5,0,4.8=42.3; 3, Monarchs Rebel Z (H Wilson) 33,4,6=43. BE100open (sec D).— 1, Mr Nautilius (S Grieve) 29.5,0,0=29.5; 2, Minimee (R Thompson) 30,0,2.4=32.4; 3, Simply Best (V Turnbull) 32.5,0,0.8=33.3. BE100 (sec A).— 1, Jumbleye (G Dresser) 29.5,0,2.8=32.3; 2, Badgerhill Rambo (T Kyle) 33,0,0=33; 3, Independent Spirit II (A Smales) 31.5,0,3.6=35.1. (sec B).— 1, Seapatrck Orchard County (A Cubitt-Smith) 28.5,0,0.8=29.3; 2, Miss Charity (P Rigby) 30,0,0=30; 3, Chanterelle II (A Smales) 32.5,0,2=34.5. (sec C).— 1, Waugh Brow Saluut (H Hankey) 30.5,0,0=30.5; 2, William II (S Grieve) 31.5,0,0=31.5; 3, Winnetou M (P French) 30.5,0,2=32.5. (sec L).— 1, Rainbows Surprise (L Williams) 32.5,0,0=32.5; 2, The Drummer (L Cardwell) 27,0,6.4=33.4; 3, Dalton Boy (E Mercer) 34,0,0=34. (sec M).— 1, Castle Howard Cicero (K Spencer) 33.5,0,0=33.5; 2, Glen Ross (S Mosley) 34,0,0=34; 3, Country Tip Top (K Sillem) 34.5,0,0=34.5. (sec N).— 1, Lord Limmerick (H Wilson) 31.5,0,0=31.5; 2, Oat Lane Ninja (C Bakes) 33,0,0.8=33.8; 3, Thin Ice (A Walker) 34,0,0=34.

Derbyshire rider who died in fall is named

Charlotte White — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:25:44 +0000

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of Derbyshire woman who was thrown from her horse after it was spooked.

Derby Coroner’s Court heard on Tuesday (18 November) that 43-year-old Loretta Jane Topliss, of Abbey Lodge Close, Newhall near Swadlincote was riding with a friend in Robin Croft Lane, Hartshorne on Saturday 15 November when she fell at 11.15am.

She died in hospital in Stoke-on-Trent 12 hours later.

A local newspaper has reported that Ms Topliss’ horse, thought to be an ex-racer, took off at full speed along the road and she was thrown.

Eland Lodge Equestrian dressage results, 12 October

Horse & Hound — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:27:45 +0000

Prelim 10.— 1, Mr Heart-Throb (A Hill) 65; 2, Crystal Faberge (W Parrott) 60.9. prelim 18Q.— 1,Crystal Faberge 58.3; 2, Mr Heart-Throb 56.7. rest.— 1, Fool’s Gold (R Madocks) 67.1; 2, Madges Lane Jake (R Edwards) 67.1; 3, Four Square IV (D Smith) 65.8. nov 30.— 1, Flyaway’s Delamai (C Chambers) 67.7. rest.— 1, Hohenstern (L Poxon) 65.4; 2, Vision B (J Titterton) 64.6; 3, Embla Yarrow (H White) 63.1. nov 32Q.— 1, Flyaway’s Delamai 65.2; 2, Midas Touch II (C Dennis) 64.8; eq3, Corentina (J Clarke); Reverse Image (J Clarke) 63.9. rest.— 1, Fool’s Gold 66.5; 2, Madison (R MacCarthy) 66.1; 3, Four Square IV 65.2. elem 42.— 1, Corentina 61.6; 2, Master Brocket (S Gibson) 58.8. rest.— 1, Ross Marrakech (B Parker) 59.6; 2, Chocolate Apocalypse (C Hawkins) 59.2; 3, Castle Troy (C Turner) 58.8. elem 50Q.— 1, Knight Fever (G Barber) 65.3; 2, Over The Moon (J Clarke) 63.6. rest.— 1, Sawyer’s Rock (A Houlton) 66.8; 2, Forrest (S Price) 65.3; 3, Madison 63.6.

Meynell and South Staffs team chase results, 28 September

Horse & Hound — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:13:18 +0000

Open 1, Relentless Fight the Ban (R Cope, B Pauling, R Mason, P Mason) 4.20.97; 2, Fight the Ban (P Mason, M Stewart-Wood, D Gittins, B Allen) 4.36.22; 3, Cunning Stunts (T Woodward, E Herbert-Davies, G Sherwin, M Chatterton) 4.48.26; 4, Boring Gorings 4.49.5; 5, Hair Raisers 4.46.15. Intermediate 1, The Farmers Bloodhounds (G Wright, L Hurley, R Hodson, J Goss) 4.21.43; 2, Cupid Stunts (L Hyde Thompson, B Furnival, S Tideswell) 4.25.79; 3, Meynell Ladies (L Tideswell, E Guest, S Bowler, E Tideswell) 4.37.15; 4, Buster Marquees Details to Follow 4.38.14; 5, Why Worry There’s Hope 4.53.40. Novice 1, Builders Babes (J Groves, C Bradley, C Davies, S Groves) 5.43.83; 2, The Greschurch Gang (S Robinson, H Slater, T Bullick, J Bourne) 5.43.79; 3, Moody Mares (L Hatherley, J Dawson, C Handrock) 5.42.49; 4, Cubby Stunts 5.54.73; 5, Fernie Four 5.56.83; 6, Tally Ho Fillies 5.58.11. Pairs 1, Details To Follow 5.51; 2, Garendon Girls 5.40; 3, Herbalife Hoppers 6.02; 4, Glebe House Goers 6.03; 5, Star Attraction 6.04; 6, No Names 5.05.

National meeting of the UK Horsewatch Alliance

Charlotte White — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:01:21 +0000

HORSEWATCH members from all over the country will descend on Buxton in Derbyshire this weekend for the national meeting of the UK Horsewatch Alliance.

The meeting takes place between 11am and 3pm on Saturday (3 November) at the police headquarters in the town.

Groups meet at regular intervals to work together to provide a network of information and support to combat equine crime.

If your Horsewatch group has not yet signed up to go, contact Erika Green as soon as possible at erika.green1756@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk