Watch Royal Windsor Horse Show on TV this week and join hoards of other equestrian sport fans following the action at this prestigious event.

Coverage of Royal Windsor Horse Show will include international showjumping (check out the entries), top-class showing, and this year there will be dedicated coverage of the driving marathon, which is one of the most dynamic and technically demanding highlights of the week.

At a glance

• Royal Windsor Horse Show date: 14–17 May 2026
• Watch Royal Windsor Horse Show on TV: H&C TV, Eurosport, TNT
• Watch Royal Windsor Horse Show from anywhere: Use this NordVPN deal – 75% Off

How to watch Royal Windsor Horse Show on TV

Horse & Country TV is the only place you can live stream all classes and displays taking place in The Castle Arena and Frogmore Arena. This year, coverage will also include the driving marathon on Saturday, 16 May.

You can stream H&C TV via the website or watch on the app via Fire TV, Android TV, Roku or Chromecast.

Highlights of the Rolex grand prix will also be available on Eurosport/TNT after the event at 8pm on Tuesday 19 May and 10am on Wednesday 20 May.

If you’re away from home, you can use NordVPN to secure your stream of the action from anywhere in the world.

How to watch Royal Windsor Horse Show from anywhere

If you’re away from home and your normal coverage is geo-blocked, a VPN will get you your usual coverage from anywhere in the world.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get an exclusive 75% off, which offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from Royal Windsor and other major events throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Royal Windsor Horse Show tickets are now on sale for 2026

Best places to stay if you’re heading to Royal Windsor Horse Show

Heading to Royal Windsor Horse Show? Here’s what you really shouldn’t miss

Royal Windsor showjumping entries produce a line-up fit for a king

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

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

• Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
• Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. 

Tickets are now on sale for London International Horse Show. An absolute highlight of the festive season, London International is synonymous with Christmas for equestrians.

Whether you’re heading to London’s Excel for the showjumping, showing, dressage or even just the shopping, here’s everything you need to know about the ticket options before you book.

London International Horse Show tickets

The show will run from Thursday 17 December to Monday 21 December 2026 and there are a range of tickets available across the week.

General entry

These tickets are the cheapest option and give you access to the shopping village and the free standing area for The New Horizons Plastics Arena. You also have the option upgrade to unreserved seating access for the morning session in the The New Horizons Plastics Arena.

Entry from 8am. Prices are the same for each day of the show.

Show entry: From £36.20

Unreserved seat and show entry: From £40.95

View tickets at londoninternationalhorseshow.seetickets.com

Grandstand tickets

These tickets give you all-day access to the show, shopping village and Talk Horse Live Zone, unreserved seating in the New Horizons Plastics London Arena and a reserved seat in the International Arena during your chosen session.

Ticket prices vary throughout the week, depending on which session you attend and where you sit. There are four standard pricing tiers, plus two hospitality options and a limited view option.

Ticket prices (from cheapest full view) and session highlights are as follows:

Thursday afternoon: FEI Dressage World Cup grand prix (From £40)

Thursday evening: Puissance (From £73.95)

Friday afternoon: FEI Dressage World Cup freestyle (From £64.70)

Friday evening: Showjumping (From £64.70)

Saturday afternoon: Showjumping inc. Six Bar (From £73.25)

Saturday evening: Extreme Driving Challenge and showjumping (From £64.70)

Sunday afternoon: FEI Jumping World Cup (From £82.75)

Sunday evening: FEI Driving World Cup and showjumping (From £40)

Monday extended afternoon: FEI Driving World Cup and showjumping (From £64.70)

View ticket and seating options at londoninternationalhorseshow.seetickets.com

Season tickets

Season tickets for access and a reserved seat on all five days are available for £852.95.

Meet and greet tickets

To manage high demand, the incredibly popular meet and greets at the Live Zone will be ticketed this year. Tickets will be free of charge and can be booked here by anyone with a general admission ticket. The line-up will be announced later in the year.

London International Horse Show discount code

We have an exclusive H&H discount (HHLIHS26) that gives you 25% on 2nd, 3rd and 4th tier tickets for the following performances. Follow the links and enter the code at checkout – valid from 1 May 2026.

• Thursday afternoon (plus top price seats)
• Friday afternoon
• Friday evening
• Saturday evening
• Sunday evening (plus top price seats)
• Monday afternoon

Group bookings can also receive a 25% discount – find more information and register interest at londoninternationalhorseshow.seetickets.com

London International hospitality tickets

Premium seats

Phoenix Club seats are a prime VIP seating option within the International Arena. You can order drinks to your seat via QR code or book a table in the Club Restaurant to enjoy behind-the scenes action.

View options at londonhorseshow.com

Private boxes

This is where world-class sport meets luxury and style. Entertain guests in an private box and enjoy buffet or waiter‑served dining, a champagne reception or an indulgent festive afternoon tea.

Private boxes give excellent elevated views of the international area, as well as access to VIP entrances and exclusive areas for their guests. Dining and drinks options can be tailored to each package, making it the perfect way to entertain clients, colleagues, family or friends.

View options at londonhorseshow.com

About London International Horse Show

The London International Horse Show feels quite settled into its new home at the Excel London in the Royal Docks area of Newham, East London, where it has been held since 2021.

London International signals the start of the festival period for equestrians and is the only UK show to host all three FEI World Cup qualifiers in dressage, showjumping and driving. It takes place from 17–21 December this year.

As well as the show’s traditional favourites, such as the Shetland Pony Grand National and the Christmas finale, the show also features top-class action from across the disciplines, including The London International Showing Series, supported by Horse & Hound.

There are also an array of shops located in the retail village and plenty of food and drink outlets for you to choose from.

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

You might also enjoy:

Places to stay near the London International Horse Show

Royal Windsor Horse Show tickets are now on sale for 2026

The countdown is on – HOYS tickets for 2026 are on sale now

How to get to Excel for the London International Horse Show by rail, road, river – or cable car

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

If you can find a hotel near Royal Windsor Horse Show then I think it’s worth extending your stay to visit the Berkshire town, too. I say this because I grew up in the town next door to Windsor – and stayed there for 28 years – and my grandma lived a stone’s throw from the castle, so I know both the town and the horse show very well.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show takes place in the stunning grounds of Windsor Castle (14–17 May 2026) and finding accommodation near by will allow you to make the most of your trip. Visitors will be treated to a packed schedule of world-class showjumping, driving and endurance, as well as a huge number of national showing classes. There is something for everyone including plenty of shopping and stunning displays, which includes a dressage masterclass from Olympians Carl Hester and Becky Moody this year. If you’ve not got your tickets yet, check out the Royal Windsor Horse Show ticket options.

I’ve rounded up a great selection of accommodation by type – not just hotels, but guest houses, B&Bs and holiday lets, too, so you can easily find what you’re looking for. I’ve calculated the distances to the show ground – I’ve measured those under a mile away by the best walking route as this is the easiest way to access the horse show from the town centre.

The closest low-cost hotel is the Travelodge Windsor Central – it’s right in the centre of town next to the Windsor & Eton Central Station, and walking distance from the show – but I’ve found an option for every budget below.

• Hotels near Royal Windsor Horse Show
• Guest houses, inns and B&Bs near Royal Windsor
• Holiday lets and apartments near Royal Windsor

Hotels near Royal Windsor Horse Show

Guest houses, inns and B&Bs near Royal Windsor Horse Show

Holiday lets and apartments near Windsor Horse Show

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

You may also be interested in:

Heading to Royal Windsor Horse Show? Here’s what you really shouldn’t miss

Royal Windsor Horse Show tickets are now on sale for 2026

Avoid a fashion faux pas with our what to wear guide for Royal Windsor Horse Show

The House of Windsor effect: how The Queen’s love of horses impacted the equestrian world #H&HArchives

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

Britain’s Molly Day has taken on the newly combined role of director of the eventing and driving department at the FEI.

Ms Day was formerly the chief executive officer of Equestrian Events Inc, which runs Defender Kentucky, and spent nearly 10 years with The Jockey Club before that. Her past jobs include general manager of Haydock Park and Carlisle racecourses. She will officially join the FEI on 1 February.

She takes over from Frédérique Reffet Plantier, who had held the position of eventing director since the start of 2025 but stepped away when driving was to be added to the job.

Ms Day said that she is “honoured” to take on the position.

“I look forward to bringing my experience in delivering major equestrian events and managing complex operations to this role,” she said.

“Working with the talented team in Lausanne, I hope to strengthen connections across these two disciplines, support organisers, officials, and athletes and help eventing and driving continue to grow sustainably at a global level.”

Ms Day, who holds a degree in festival and events management from Edinburgh Napier University, has served as a trustee of Calvert Trust Stables and on the Women in Racing committee, where she supported initiatives on safeguarding, sustainability, gender equity and talent development.

During her time running Haydock, she managed a major capital investment project, strengthened stakeholder partnerships and earned national recognition for customer experience. She also successfully oversaw the reopening of Carlisle racecourse following the pandemic.

FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez said the FEI is “delighted” to welcome Molly to the team.

“Throughout the recruitment process Molly has demonstrated strategic vision, operational expertise, and deep knowledge of equestrian sport at the highest level,” she said.

“Her extensive experience, along with her trusted reputation within the community, makes her an exceptional addition to the FEI sports and games team.

“Molly’s proven leadership skills and strategic approach will be invaluable as she takes the helm of our newly merged eventing and driving department. We are confident that under her guidance, the disciplines will be strengthened and positioned for sustainable growth on the international stage.”

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

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

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British Eventing launches 2026 calendar ‘built with member input at the heart’

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

Tickets for the FEI World Championships in Aachen are on sale – but with six sports on offer there are a lot of options to choose from, all of which will be an incredible opportunity for any spectator. Some sessions are already sold out, however, so to help you navigate the options, I’ve rounded up everything you need to know about Aachen 2026 tickets before you book.

The 2026 World Championships at Aachen will run from 11 to 23 August, showcasing the pinnacle of equestrian sport, with teams and individuals competing for world titles in dressage, showjumping, eventing, para dressage, driving and vaulting.

FEI World Championships at Aachen 2026 tickets

Children under six have free entrance to the show grounds, but are not entitled to a seat unless an additional ticket is purchased.

Tickets purchased in advance are subject to a 10% fee, which is included in the prices listed below.

Dressage tickets

Dates: 11-12, 14-15 August

Venue: Dressage is held in the main stadium – these tickets include access to the Village, but not concurrent events in Stadiums 2 or 3.

• Grand Prix (11-12 Aug): Tickets available €33-264 (valid for both days)
• Grand Prix Special (14 Aug): Tickets available €22-159
• Freestyle (15 Aug): Only standing area remaining – €38
• Season ticket (all dressage events): Only standing area remaining – €82

Eventing tickets

Dates: 13-16 August

Venue: Dressage in Stadium 2, cross-country on the Soers course, showjumping in main stadium. These tickets only give you access to the single venue for each discipline, bar the showjumping, which also gives you access to the final inspection in Stadium 2.

• Dressage: Sold out
• Cross-country: Tickets available €55
• Showjumping: Tickets available €55 (includes access to final horse inspection)
• Season ticket (full event): Sold out

Vaulting tickets

Dates: 13-16 August

Venue: Vaulting is held in Stadium 3 – these tickets include access to the Village but not events in the main stadium or Stadium 2.

• Compulsory exercises (13 Aug): Tickets available €27-55
• Technical test and Pas de Deux (14 Aug): Tickets available €27-55
• Freestyle final (15 Aug): Limited availability
• Pas de Deux final and Nations Cup (16 Aug): Tickets available €33-82
• Season ticket (all vaulting events): Limited availability

Showjumping tickets

Dates: 19-20, 22-23 August

Venue: Showjumping is held in the main stadium – these tickets include access to the Village, and the para-dressage in Stadium 3 (if capacity allows), but not concurrent events in Stadium 2.

• Team and individual qualifying round (19 Aug): Tickets available €33-165
• Team final (20 Aug): Very limited availability
• Youth jumping competition (22 Aug): Tickets available €27-49
• Individual final (23 Aug): Sold out
• Season ticket (all jumping events): Sold out

Driving tickets

Dates: 20-23 August

Venue: Driving is held in Stadium 2 – these tickets include access to the Village, and the para-dressage in Stadium 3 (if capacity allows), but not concurrent the main stadium.

• Dressage (20-21 Aug): Tickets available €55 (valid for both days)
• Marathon (22 Aug): Tickets available €33
• Obstacle team and individual finals (23 Aug): Tickets available €55

Para dressage tickets

To watch the para dressage competition, you will need to purchase what is known as a Village ticket.

These tickets give access to the Village, as well as unreserved access to the para dressage in Stadium 3 (if capacity allows). They do not give access to the opening ceremony, events in the main stadium, Stadium 2 or the Soers cross-country course.

• Village access day ticket (19-23 Aug): Tickets available €16.50

Opening ceremony tickets

Date: 11 Aug

Venue: Main stadium

• Opening ceremony ticket: Tickets available €33-198

VIP Day tickets

VIP tickets are available across the disciplines each day of competition. They include a first-class seat and all-day access to the Champions’ Circle restaurant.

For more information about VIP tickets, visit tickets.aachen2026.com

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

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Horse & Hound team is looking forward to an action-packed 2026 UK equestrian calendar with many major equestrian events to attend in person.

Whether you’re interested in watching top-flight showjumping or five-star eventing, our calendar of top horse shows and key race meetings will help you plan your year.

If you’re a horseracing fan, we’ve rounded up all the big race meetings in our major horseracing events calendar, and for eventing fans we’ve got a round up of horse trials in 2026, too.

Major equestrian events 2026

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

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

You may also be interested in:

The major UK horse trials that eventing fans shouldn’t miss in 2026

Major UK horseracing events for your calendar in 2026

Remaining Cheltenham Festival 2026 ticket options now that Gold Cup Day has sold out

Get your tickets for the 2026 Grand National Festival

Badminton’s box office is now open for all – here’s everything you need to know about tickets for 2026

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

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

Watch London International Horse Show on TV and get a front-row seat for the highlights, excitement, and stunning performances from this year’s iconic festive event, celebrating a wide range of equestrian sport.

Fans have two options to watch the London International Horse Show and enjoy the competition, displays and festivities from home.

At a glance

• London International dates: 18–22 December 2025
• TV coverage: BBC (UK, FREE)
• Live stream: ClipMyHorse.TV (£207.99/$289.99 per year) or FEI.TV
• Watch London International from anywhere: Use this NordVPN deal

How to watch London International Horse Show 2025

Selected classes from London International will be shown for free on the BBC in the UK, while other classes and displays will be live streamed by ClipMyHorse.TV (full streaming schedule below).

FEI TV’s YouTube channel will also be live streaming the dressage and driving FEI World Cup classes, and the CSI5* Longines Christmas Cracker.

How to watch for free on BBC

The BBC plan to broadcast from The London International Horse Show at the following times. Some broadcasts will feature on BBC1 or BBC2, while others will be on the BBC Sport website and the Red Button service. All BBC programmes will be available on the BBC iPlayer streaming service following the competition.

Thursday 18 December

21:00–22:15 | Live coverage of the puissance (Red Button)

Friday 19 December

13:35–16:30 | Live coverage of the FEI World Cup Freestyle (Red Button)

Sunday 21 December

14:15–16:40 | Live coverage of the The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup (BBC2)

20:45–22:10 | Live coverage of The CSI5* Christmas Challenge (Red Button)

Monday 22 December

18:10–22:25 | Live coverage of the evening performance, including the CSI5* Grand Prix (BBC1)

How to watch London International live from anywhere

Coverage on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website is geo-blocked outside the UK, while ClipMyHorse.TV will geo-restrict the classes being broadcast by the BBC. A VPN, though, will get you your usual coverage from anywhere in the world.

A Virtual Private Network can alter your device’s digital location, bypassing geo-restrictions and unlocking your equestrian streams wherever you happen to be. VPNs also work wonders for your internet security, encrypting your information to keep you safe online.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get 74% off, which offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

London International streaming schedule

With so many classes to choose from, H&H editors have selected their highlights from the London International schedule to help you decide what to watch on ClipMyHorse.TV.

International Arena schedule

Thursday 18 December

9:00 | Services Jumping Championship

11:10 | The Kennel Club Medium Agility Stakes (Jumping)

11:30 | Spirit of the Horse display

11:45 | Presentation of Awards – Services Jumping Championship

11:50 | The Defender Shetland Pony Grand National

12:50 | CDI-W FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix, supported by Horse and Hound

15:20 | Presentation of Awards

17:40 | CSI5* Champagne Taittinger Speed Stakes

18:50 | The Kennel Club Medium Agility Stakes (Agility Final)

19:10 | Spirit of the Horse display

19:25 | The Defender Shetland Pony Grand National

20:10 | CSI5* Lemieux Puissance

21:10 | Christmas Prize Giving

Friday 19 December

9:10 | CSI5* Snowball Stakes

11:10 | The Kennel Club Intermediate ABC and Large ABC Stakes (Jumping)

11:35 | Spirit of the Horse display

11:50 | The Defender Shetland Pony Grand National

12:35 | CDI-W FEI Dressage World Cup (Freestyle To Music), supported by Horse and Hound

15:25 | Presentation of Awards

17:10 | The Extreme Driving Challenge

17:55 | The Kennel Club Intermediate ABC and Large ABC Stakes (Agility Final)

18:15 | Spirit of the Horse display

18:30 | The Defender Shetland Pony Grand National

19:25 | CSI5* Longines Christmas Cracker

21:05 | Christmas Prize Giving

23:25 | The Kennel Club Intermediate Agility Stakes (Semi-Final)

Saturday 20 December

8:10 | SSADL Grand Final

11:40 | CSI5* Cavago Six Bar

12:25 | The Kennel Club Intermediate Agility Stakes (Final)

12:45 | Spirit of the Horse display

13:00 | The Defender Shetland Pony Grand National

13:55 | Presentation of BEF Medals of Honour

14:00 | CSI5* Mistletoe Stakes

15:25 | Christmas Prize Giving

17:40 | FEI Driving World Cup – Opening Competition

18:35 | The Kennel Club Intermediate Agility Stakes (Final)

18:55 | Spirit of the Horse display

19:10 | The Defender Shetland Pony Grand National

19:55 | CSI5* Reindeer Speed Stakes

21:10 | Christmas Prize Giving

22:55 | The Kennel Club Large Agility Stakes (Semi-Final)

Sunday 21 December

8:00 | Evoke Under-25 British Championship

11:20 | The Agria 128cm Pony Championship

12:00 | The Kennel Club Large Agility Stakes (Jumping)

12:20 | Spirit of the Horse display

12:35 | The Defender Shetland Pony Grand National

13:35 | Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Presented By Agria

15:35 | Christmas Prize Giving

17:25 | FEI Driving World Cup

18:20 | The Kennel Club Large Agility Stakes (Final)

18:40 | Spirit of the Horse display

18:55 | The Defender Shetland Pony Grand National

19:45 | CSI5* Christmas Challenge

21:00 | Christmas Prize Giving

23:25 | BSPS Ridden Mountain and Moorland Championship (Preliminary)

Monday 22 December

9:50 | The Green Mile Bedding Mini Stakes (148cm)

11:40 | The Pony Club Mini-Major Relay

12:05 | BSPS Ridden Mountain and Moorland Championship (Final)

12:20 | The Kennel Club Small Agility Stakes (Jumping)

12:40 | Spirit of the Horse display

12:55 | The Defender Shetland Pony Grand National

13:50 | CSI5* Santa Speed Stakes

15:20 | Christmas Prize Giving

17:20 | CSI5* London Grand Prix

19:35 | The Kennel Club Small Agility Stakes (Final)

19:55 | Spirit of the Horse display

20:10 | The Defender Shetland Pony Grand National

20:50 | The Jockeys Challenge Cup

21:10 | Christmas Prize Giving

New Horizon Plastics London Arena schedule

Thursday 18 December

10:00 | Rising Star Small & Lightweight Hunter

11:05 | Rising Star Middleweight & Heavyweight Hunter

12:15 | Rising Star of Hunter Type Championship

12:30 | Rising Star of Small Hack & Riding Horse Type

13:55 | Rising Star of Large Hack & Riding Horse Type

15:05 | Rising Star of Hack & Riding Horse Type Championship

15:25 | The Kennel Club Small/Mixi Pairs (Agility)

16:05 | The Kennel Club Small/Mixi Pairs (Agility Final)

16:45 | The LeMieux Perfect Polework Masterclass

17:45 | The Brilliance Horse Auction Presentation & Trials

Friday 19 December

8:10 | The Kennel Club Crufts Small and Medium Novice Cup (Jumping Semi-Final)

9:05 | The Kennel Club Crufts Small and Medium Novice Cup (Agility Semi-Final)

9:45 | Rising Star of Cob Type

11:05 | The LeMieux Power & Precision Masterclass

11:45 | The Cavago Rising Star Performance Series Championship

12:05 | Rising Star Maxi Cob

13:10 | Rising Star of Cob Type Championship

14:15 | Rising Star Working Hunter Type

16:10 | Rising Star Working Show Horse

17:40 | Rising Star of Working Type Championship

17:55 | The Brilliance Horse Auction

Saturday 20 December

8:10 | The Cavago Rising Star Style & Performance Series Young Rider (15–25)

9:25 | The Cavago Rising Star Style & Performance Series (25+)

10:45 | The Cavago Rising Star Ladies Side Saddle Performance Series

12:00 | The LeMieux Driving Force Masterclass

12:45 | The Agria Rising Star Racehorse to Show Horse

14:10 | The Kennel Club Crufts Intermediate and Large Novice Cup (Jumping Semi-Final)

15:05 | The Kennel Club Crufts Intermediate and Large Novice Cup (Agility Semi-Final)

18:00 | The Brilliance Horse Auction

Sunday 21 December

8:30 | BSPS Heritage First Ridden Working Sports Pony

10:30 | BSPS Heritage Lead Rein Working Sports Pony

12:10 | BSPS Heritage Working Sports Pony Championship

13:15 | BSPS Open Cradle Stakes Class

15:10 | BSPS Open Nursery Stakes Class

16:40 | BSPS Worker Stakes Championship

16:55 | The LeMieux Pippa’s Pony Club Masterclass

17:50 | The Kennel Club Crufts Medium ABC (Jumping Semi-Final)

18:30 | The Kennel Club Crufts Medium ABC (Agility Semi-Final)

Monday 22 December

9:05 | The New Horizon Plastics BSPS Performance Coloured Native/Cob/Traditional Horse/Pony Class

10:20 | The New Horizon Plastics BSPS Performance Coloured Non Native Horse/Pony Class

11:35 | The New Horizon Plastics BSPS Performance Coloured Horse/Pony Championship

11:50 | BSPS Junior Performance Pony

13:05 | BSPS Performance Pony not exc 148cm

14:15 | BSPS Performance Pony not exc 158cm

15:30 | BSPS Performance Pony Championship

15:45 | The LeMieux Jumping Journeys Masterclass

16:55 | The Kennel Club Crufts Intermediate and Large ABC (Jumping Semi-Final)

17:45 | The Kennel Club Crufts Intermediate and Large ABC (Agility Semi-Final)

Follow the action at London International Horse Show with H&H

Our team of expert reporters will be at the show every day providing extensive up to the minute coverage (follow at H&H London International Horse Show), as well as in the 23 and 31 December issues of the magazine.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

H&H’s editors share their highlights you won’t want to miss at London International

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I’ve got first-hand experience of competing at London International and these are my top tips for first-timers

H&H’s guide to 2026 London International tickets, plus exclusive discount code

How to get to Excel for the London International Horse Show by rail, road, river – or cable car

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

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

• Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
• Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. 

A stunt actor whose credits include Game of Thrones will play a starring role at the London International Horse Show this year.

Dan Naprous, who has also featured in The Crown and Wonder Woman, will host “Driving force”, as part of the LeMieux masterclass series, on the Saturday of the show (20 December).

Dan will be joined by event ambassador and influencer Esme Higgs for a “high-energy live demonstration that unveils the skill, strategy, and precision behind the sport of driving”.

“London International Horse Show is also delighted to announce that This Esme will return as an official show ambassador for the fourth year running,” said a spokesperson for event organisers HPower. “She will once again bring her unique insight, charm and behind-the-scenes access to one of the most prestigious equestrian events of the year.”

Driving is one of three FEI World Cup competitions hosted at Excel London, along with dressage and showjumping.

“Providing an insight into the skills required for international driving, the LeMieux driving force masterclass will show Naprous showcasing two different turnouts,” the spokesperson said. “A single-horse carriage will give Esme the opportunity to take the reins herself and experience the sport from the driver’s seat, while an appearance from one of Naprous’s four-in-hand horse teams will demonstrate the more advanced techniques used at the top levels of competitive driving. From mastering the reins and the fundamentals of steering to executing tight turns and the thrill of speed, the session will offer a rare glimpse into what it takes to excel in this fast-paced discipline.”

Dan said it is a privilege to bring the masterclass back to the show.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity to give the audience a behind-the-scenes look at the skill and precision behind driving – just before the excitement of the FEI driving World Cup opening competition that evening,” he said.

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

You may also be interested in:

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“I’ve done an awful lot in my lifetime,” says Jeff Osborne. “And everything I’ve been involved in, is fast.”

The founder of Osborne Refrigerators, a name known throughout the equestrian world, has done it all, within horse sport as well as outside it. But as he enters his 90th year, it’s the scurry driving that continues to inspire him to compete – and succeed – week after week.

“It’s you and the ponies,” he says. “Nobody else’s views on it matter at all; if you make a mistake, you made a mistake. It’s all about the rapport between you and your ponies, and when I started, that was – and still is – the adrenaline.”

Jeff founded Osborne Refrigerators 65 years ago, and it’s going strong, as one of only a few companies still manufacturing fridges in the country. But as well as working hard, he’s played hard along the way too; his interests as well as – or before – horses include skiing all over the world, motorbike racing and flying in an air display team.

“I took my pilot’s licence a long time ago,” he says. “We had a display team called the Red Sparrows – the aeroplanes weren’t red, they were white, actually, but the name seemed appropriate. I once flew the Red Arrows commentator back and it was the first time he’d ever got home before his team.”

Then there was the motorbike racing, which came about as the sport used to be on the television on a Saturday afternoon and “I wanted to qualify and get on the television”.

And did he? “Oh yes,” he says. But then his children got him into horses instead.

“I started when I was 35, because they said, ‘You make Mummy go skiing and Mummy doesn’t like skiing; she likes riding and we like riding, why don’t you ride?’ So I did,” he explains.

“I got placed second, in my first year, in the hunters at the Royal International, and got hooked,” he adds. “I sold my aeroplanes and spent my time riding and showing hunters.”

Jeff showjumped as well as the showing; his ambition was always to jump in the International Arena at Hickstead.

“After I did that, I realised it was too much time and effort,” he says. “You really have to be semi-professional to do it, so I took up showing. I think I won most of what you can win showing, then was introduced to scurry driving.”

This was more than 40 years ago, and he hasn’t stopped yet.

“Because I’ve always been involved in things that are fast; cars, bikes, aeroplanes and boats, I just thoroughly enjoy it,” he says. “I carry on doing it. I can’t beat my wife – I’ve taught her too well, I think! – but I’ve always said how nice it would be to come down the centre line at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) when I’m 90 and drop dead halfway down.

“That would be nice, wouldn’t it – what a lovely way to go.”

“More mishaps with ponies than motorbikes,” says Jeff Osborne

Jeff has had his share of injuries during his time racing between the cones, but it has never put him off.

“Someone asked me once, ‘Is it dangerous?’ he says. “My reply was: ‘Since I started driving, I’ve seen the inside of more A&E departments than ever before’. In my motorcycling days, I ended up in hospital once, when someone ran me over, but I’ve had more mishaps with the ponies, it’s unbelievable.”

Jeff and his wife Alison, who is also a speed demon at shows across the circuit, have eight ponies competing in any season, and seven or eight in reserve. They never race them at home; that’s just for shows so they stay fresh and enjoy it.

At home, there are a couple of miles of woodland paths to ride or be led round, the ponies are schooled, then there will be a fast spin at home before a competition. Jeff is there every day – “Although I haven’t mucked out for 50 years,” he reveals. “You don’t have a dog and bark yourself, do you?” – and the ponies prick their ears when he arrives.

“The thing about scurry ponies, they either like it or hate it,” he says. “You might look at 10 pairs to find one that’s suitable. They have to like each other, and like you and want to do the job. And those who do want to do the job, really do want to do it.

“I took a 30- or 31-year-old to HOYS a few years ago; one went lame at the last minute so I took him out of the field and he got placed. They love it; if I get the vehicles out, to go to a show, they’re jumping up and down, thinking, ‘The silly sod’s forgotten us!’ You get nowhere if you don’t have a decent rapport with your ponies.”

Alison’s Woody and Buzz, with whom she has won at HOYS, will not go as well for him, Jeff gives as an example.

“You either gel with them or you don’t,” he says. “We don’t breed ponies; I found from my days of trying to breed showjumpers, you’re always a step behind what’s wanted. It’s too long a process; you’ve got to go out and find the right ones.

“We spot ponies in the Prince Phillip Cup; we’ve been known to approach people at HOYS to say, ‘When your child outgrows him, let us know’; we’ve found several like that.”

HOYS is a key Osborne Refrigerators event; the company sponsors the championship there, as it has so many equestrian events.

“We only started sponsoring because in those days, the breweries were big into heavy horses, it was a good advert to have the ponies close to those horses, and it’s carried on ever since,” he says.

“And you’ve got to put something back, haven’t you? You can’t just take, you have to put back into the sport.”

The sport is still a huge crowd-puller – anyone who’s been to HOYS or Hickstead will have been caught up in the fast and furious action.

“I try to get the result that the last to go is going to be the winner, so we keep the suspense right to the very end,” he adds. “It is outright competition – with a bit of theatrics thrown in. Someone said the other day, ‘I can tell when you’re on, because of the noise’!”

And although Jeff and Alison are both out contesting the classes at every show, it’s not competitive between them.

“We’re a team,” he says. “She’s won every small class this year, and most of the large ones too. But she has in the past few years won every class at HOYS too.”

“I won’t retire unless I look a fool”

Jeff Osborne is speaking midway through the season; it starts about April and runs until HOYS, after which it’s time for a break for the ponies, and some travel for Jeff and Alison – “you can’t run your life just round ponies,” he adds – but for that “silly season”, they might be at three shows “almost on the trot”.

It’s full-on, but Jeff wouldn’t want to do anything else. He had a pacemaker fitted four years ago and was told to have 10 weeks off, although he “negotiated it down to six”.

“I go in once a year and they give it a tweak,” he says. “It’s still going!

“I wouldn’t want to keep going if I was down the line; Hickstead was a bad show for me; I bumped my head on the way in and wasn’t on my best form, but all the time I can get into championships and not look a fool, I’ll carry on. I won’t carry on till I’m last every time.

“How long that’s going to be, I can’t tell you. I won’t retire unless I absolutely have to; if I start looking a fool, I’ll stop; if not, I’ll carry on.”

Jeff says his legs aren’t up to course-walking any more; he does that in a buggy, and it “does the job”,” he says.

“I have a constant battle every year to keep my HGV licence; they don’t think I should but I don’t agree,” he adds. “If they say my eyesight isn’t good enough, I’ll suggest they have a ride on the back of the scurry cart and then they can decide!”

And if he were to retire, his huge fan club would be devastated, although he sometimes thinks people don’t want to interrupt or approach him.

“It’s a bit of a laugh because I get more cheers for coming third than my wife does for winning!” he says, “I think people want to see us oldies are not finished yet.”

And looking back on his decades of driving, Jeff is clear what it has done for him.

“It’s kept me active, it’s kept me alive,” he says. “When you’ve got to get through a dozen cones within 40-50 seconds, you’ve got to be on the ball, and pay attention.

“We walk the course at HOYS on Tuesday and won’t walk it again and you have to remember every inch of it. There’s no time for thought, you have to know exactly where you are, and it keeps your mind active.

“I love it just as much as I ever did, and I hope to keep on going. I won’t say 100 – but my grandfather was still riding a bike at 96, so you never know. I’m still in with a chance.”

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CHIO Aachen is a feast for all equestrian enthusiasts to enjoy. The event, which runs between 27 June and 6 July, hosts world class competition in showjumping, eventing, dressage, driving and vaulting, and if you can’t attend in person, here’s how to watch CHIO Aachen on TV.

The ClipMyHorse.TV streaming service will be showing all of the action from all classes at CHIO Aachen for a fee, but there is also a free livestream for certain aspects of the competition too.

If you’re abroad, and trying to watch ClipMyHorse.TV like you normally would back in the UK, then you can use a VPN. Check out NordVPN, where you can get 76% off, four extra months free (which does not appear until you go to the check out) plus a £50 Amazon gift card and a 30-day money back guarantee, and follow the instructions below.

How to watch CHIO Aachen on TV

There will be no terrestrial TV coverage available from this year’s CHIO Aachen in the UK.

A free livestream for showjumping, eventing, dressage and vaulting is available to watch while the classes that are not being shown on German terrestrial TV are running.

You can follow all the live action from the all classes on ClipMyHorse.TV. Subscriptions to this livestream start from £17.33 per month.

Classes will be available to view on demand at ClipMyHorse.TV soon after the completion of the competition, where rider clips will be available to purchase.

German residents will be able to watch the action on terrestrial TV during a variety of times during the week across three channels; WDR, ARF and ZDF. Find out more here.

How to watch CHIO Aachen from anywhere

Not in the UK right now? You don’t have to miss out on any of the action from CHIO Aachen.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) will alter your device’s IP address to make it appear to be in a different country, allowing you to access your usual streaming services from anywhere in the world. It’s great for watching horse sport on the move, and it’s also handy even if you’re watching at home. VPNs are designed with internet security in mind, creating encrypted connections that keep your data safe from third parties and improve streaming speeds by preventing bandwidth ‘throttling’ from your internet service provider.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, which is the best VPN in the world according to our colleagues at TechRadar.

How to use a VPN

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. NordVPN is the one we recommend.

2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access.

3. Then head over to ClipMyHorse on your browser or device and enjoy the livestream.

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

• Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
• Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. 

Aachen CHIO — an insider’s guide to this equestrian bonanza that should be on everyone’s bucket list

Credit: Future

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The owner of a Welsh pony who went to the World Championships, won national titles and excelled in para classes has paid tribute to her “legend” after his death aged 34.

Henrietta Woodward’s Arosfadeg Flying Cardi, who also featured on Blue Peter and met Prince Philip during his stellar career, had to be put down this week after a happy retirement.

“He was a very special pony,” Henrietta told H&H. “He had got to the stage where I thought he would go on for ever. He was a legend.”

“Dippy” excelled with international driver Liz Rowe, who bought him from travellers, retrained him and went on to be crowned national champion in tandem and single driving multiple times. They also went to the World Championships before the 13.3hh Welsh section C gelding was retired in 2009.

Henrietta bought him, for her daughter Octavia.

“He was a serious competition pony and the driving lot all said to me ‘He’ll never be any good for a disabled child’,” she said. “But my vet was the driving team vet, and he said ‘This is the pony Octavia needs’. And he was; he understood this was a different job and he was brilliant.”

Henrietta said their first competition was not without incident.

“We took him to a local driving competition and they asked us to do a show,” she said. “I’m an eventer by trade and I said to Octavia we’d have a canter, so we did and everyone was horrified,” she said. “Diddy said ‘Fine, let’s go’ but everyone said ‘Don’t ever do that again in a showing class!’”

Diddy and Octavia went on to great success in the para driving classes at Royal Windsor Horse Show, where he met Prince Philip. They also completed a 110-mile drive from Windsor to Wincanton in 2011 to raise money for the SMA Trust, which raises funds for research into spinal muscular atrophy.

“We started after his class at Windsor and over five days of driving and staying wherever we could, we finished with a good gallop up the straight at Wincanton racecourse and William Fox-Pitt met her.” Henrietta said. “It was lovely; he was 21 then and still super-fit.

“I retired him when he was about 25 and he was then a fantastic nanny to our youngsters, and had a lovely time,” said Henrietta, adding that she had to make the call on Monday (24 March) after Diddy had an accident in the field.

“It was awful but the kindest thing,” she said. “He looked at me and was saying ‘I want to go to sleep now’.

“He leaves a huge hole; he did so much and he was just lovely. A very special pony.”

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A rescue pony and a young boy who have taken the dressage world by storm have turned their focus to driving – and won at their first competition together.

H&H has previously reported on RSPCA George, who was born in RSPCA care, and Theo Charnley, who have won countless classes and championships together between the white boards.

But as Theo will grow and 12hh George will not, the plan had long been to try driving once Theo got too big to ride him.

And this has proved a success; although Theo is yet to grow too tall; the pair won their first competition, at Chester Driving Trials on 8 March.

“They love it,” Theo’s dad Paul Charnley told H&H. “Theo was a bit nervous at first but then realised they had the same partnership – their partnership is amazing – and I think they almost feel more together driving than riding.

“You’ve still got feel, down the reins, but you’re seeing the horse from a different perspective. He loves that, and the fact he can trust George and have fun with him.”

Paul said the idea first came when the family went to the London International Horse Show a couple of years ago and saw the World Cup driving.

“Last year, Theo was lent a driving pony for a couple of competitions and someone mentioned that next summer is the junior driving European Championships in Romania,” Paul said. “We thought that was crazy; who takes a dressage pony, turns it into a driving pony and then takes it to the Europeans?”

But the plan took root. Paul said he and his wife Sarah had thought Theo would have outgrown George by the end of last year, which would have given them 18 months before the championships.

“We knew his dressage would be good enough but that he’d need time to get used to the cones and marathon phases,” Paul said. “So we thought we’d stop dressage and concentrate on driving – but Theo hasn’t grown!”

And, Paul added, as George and Theo have been enjoying and succeeding in dressage so much, they changed plans to do both at the same time.

“You’d think they’re totally different sports but the dressage phase is the same, you’re just sitting behind them instead of on top,” he said. “Just before Christmas, we started the process. You start with them pulling a tyre, then we moved on to a carriage. And typical George, he did it all; if he hadn’t been born in RSPCA care, you’d have been sure he’d done it before.”

With practice, and help from international driver Frank Campbell, who lives nearby, George was soon driving well, and Paul took him to his first competition, where they came second.

“He was awesome,” he said. “He was a bit too slow in the cones and marathon as we took it steady but he won the dressage phase. Then with Theo last week, he was fabulous. To no surprise, George’s dressage training was put to good use as they took the award for the best score of the day. In the cones section, the twisty course suited George wonderfully, picking up 10 penalties for going too fast. Come the obstacles phase, they motored around, finishing 83 points ahead of second place.”

And as well as the dressage benefiting the driving, Paul said, it was put into action in its traditional sense between the two competitions, as Theo and George went to the British Dressage Winter Regional Championship at Little Mill EC, where they won in the prelim silver and came third in the novice silver freestyle, securing their tickets to the British Dressage NAF Five Star Winter Championships next month.

“So between the two driving shows, he won at the regionals, then in three weeks he’s off to Addington for the winter championships,” said Paul. “That’s pretty cool.

“We got George as a pony for Theo to hack and pet, no intention of doing any competing. When we were backing him people said ‘You’ll never get anything out of that pony’ as Theo would outgrow him too quickly.”

The aim is for George and Theo to enjoy both disciplines this year, while Theo’s bigger pony Jerry, also an RSPCA rescue, does some in-hand showing as he matures.

Asked to sum George up, Paul said: “Without crying? You can’t put it into words, can you?

“People say ‘pony of a lifetime’ too often, I think. But he is very special.”

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The British Driving Society (BDS) has been ordered to pay a total of £230,000 over the death of a young driver at an event 12 years ago.

The society was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on 14 June, over its involvement in a “fun drive event” at Afan Argoed Country Park, on 27 May 2012 at which 18-year-old Angharad Rees suffered fatal injuries.

The BDS had pleaded guilty to charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

A spokesperson for the society said: “BDS were sentenced in accordance with the sentencing guidelines and received a fine in the sum of £90,000. This figure is based on the actual harm created, which in this case involved the tragic death of Miss Rees.

“Following the advice of our legal team, we entered guilty pleas on the basis that our responsibility was by omission rather than commission.”

The BDS said the arrangements for the day were made by a local club, and “arose as we had agreed though the officers of our Welsh branch to let the event be run under our auspices”.

“We accepted that we did not take any appropriate steps to check what arrangements were in place or whether they were adequate,” the spokesperson said.

“Our investigation revealed that our Welsh office branch had not followed our procedures in terms of accepting that this event could be run under our auspices. As a result, we have updated our handbook.”

The handbook now features rules including that area commissioners must apply to the BDS for every event they wish to hold, that no event can run under the BDS organisers’ policy without an application being confirmed by the BDS office.

“We believe the matters that arose in respect of this event were anomalies to the way that we operate and how BDS events are organised,” the spokesperson said. “As our members know, competitors’ and members of the public’s safety is paramount and we must always ensure that rules and legal obligations are adhered to.”

A Neath Port Talbot Council spokesperson said: “We note the outcome of the sentencing of the event organisers, the British Driving Society, and our thoughts continue to be with Angharad’s family. The prosecution brought by the council’s environmental health team identified a series of failings in the organisation and safety management of the event leading to the fatal accident. We will continue to raise awareness of this case within Wales, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and carriage driving professions, so important learning can be adopted into practices at any similar events.”

The BDS was also ordered to pay £140,000 costs.

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Find out why Aachen CHIO is deemed the greatest horse show on earth and how to get the most out of a visit ahead of the event, which kicks off tomorrow (28 June — 7 July)

Aachen CHIO is nirvana for horse lovers — the ultimate international horse show besides an Olympics and World Games. Some argue it is on a par with European championships — Aachen CHIO is that well attended, well organised, and well loved by the equestrian cognoscenti. Even the opening ceremony attracts up to 40,000 visitors – a total of 350,000 spectators are expected at the 2024 event, which runs between 28 June and 7 July, and hosts showjumping, eventing, dressage, vaulting and driving competitions.

Why? As photographer Jon Stroud puts it: “Nothing can prepare you for the sheer enormity of the main stadium. For excitement, nothing in the equestrian world compares to the atmosphere for Thursday night’s Nations Cup showjumping.”

Even though it invariably rains, 65,000 to 68,000 spectators turn up to watch.

At any other show, the dressage arena would be deemed top rate, but its over-achieving sibling, the jumping stadium, over shadows it.

The atmosphere compensates – you will not find a more passionate or knowledgeable dressage audience. I learned more about dressage from the “boo’s” and “aah’s” at Aachen than by writing for dressage judges on many Sunday afternoons.

Horse & Hound correspondent Kate Green adds: “To win at Aachen is really quite an emotional, stirring thing. And with many nations choosing to field their crack teams, the show provides a good indicator for that year’s Olympics, Worlds or Europeans.”

In addition, one of the most moving parts of the show is the parade on the last evening called the “Farewell to Nations”. The Aachen website explains this parade as “a tradition since 1953: the emotional closing ceremony of the CHIO Aachen. Accompanied by the sounds of the German folk song ‘Muss I Denn’ and waving with white handkerchiefs, participants and spectators say goodbye to each other.”

“It really is something – everyone in the stands waving white handkerchiefs and the riders too! I think all the riders are invited to take part, although they are usually given safer horses to ride than their own!” says H&H’s former dressage editor Polly Bryan.

Eventing at Aachen

Dressage and jumping have inhabited Aachen for decades, but eventing was only introduced for the 2006 World Equestrian Games and has stuck around. People doubted you could create a four-star event on such a small plot, but as Horse & Hound’ seventing editor Pippa Roome points out, the fences’ proximity to each other is what makes for such an amazing spectator sport.

Kate Green adds: “It has an urgency akin to the Hickstead eventing grand prix. The fact they finish in the main arena is great fun.”

On Saturday’s cross-country day, it’s worth walking over to see the driving marathon. Driving is taken very seriously in Germany, and watching these strapping horses charge past you in fours is pretty overwhelming.

And then there’s the shopping…

The Aachen Haribo stands are infamous, not least because the gummy bears are much larger than the ones you get in the UK.

For a fast food fix, Jon Stroud suggests a sliced krakauer sausage served with fresh crispy pommes — that’s chips, not Brits.

“The crepes sold by the dressage arena are also particularly good,” he enthuses.

I put on a good 6lb in waffles last time I was there, too…

Also make sure you don’t miss the great coffee:

“The main dressage arena is home to, arguably, the best coffee to be found on the show ground, a small truck tucked away behind the C end of the arena. If it’s hot, an iced latte from here is an absolute must!” says Polly.

If you thought The London International Horse Show was good for horsey shopping, wait till you get to Aachen.

There will be 200 exhibitors in 2024.

Rub shoulders with the stars

You can watch the warm-up at Aachen, which, as Kate Green says, is pretty cool given that some of the top dressage riders are deemed as royalty. They never complain about one hundred clicking camera shutters, either.

For autograph hunting, hang around outside the media centre after the prize giving, as riders will head out of here following the press conference.

Jon Stroud suggests lingering at the bottom of the riders’ grandstand for the same reason, adding: “All the riders can be found having a beer or glass of wine at the Bunte-Bar at some point during the day.”

Where to stay for Aachen CHIO

I’ve benefited from my disorganisation before and booked an economical last-minute room in one of the hotels used by riders — the Mercure. I can only assume teams reserve more rooms than they end up using and some become available again. But I wouldn’t bank on this strategy.

Jon Stroud suggests: “Accommodation can be cripplingly expensive in Aachen during the CHIO. A better, cheaper option would be to book into a hotel in the Netherlands — the border is about 10km away.”

H&H’S Gemma Redrup, who will be attending the show on a “busman’s holiday” recommends booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

“I booked in December 2023 and am staying in the Netherlands in a hotel that is about 20 minutes away from the CHIO,” she explains. “Do not leave it too late to book accommodation – you either won’t find anywhere available, or rooms still up for grabs will be eye-wateringly expensive.”

How to get there

“Take the Eurostar to Brussels and change for Aachen — the second train journey is lovely and you really don’t need a car in Aachen,” says Kate Green — this is because shuttle buses run so regularly and reliably from town to the show.

Jon Stroud argues: “The best way to get to Aachen is to drive — how else are you going to get all your shopping back home? It’s only three hours from Dunkirk or Calais when travelling through Belgium via Brussels and Liege.”

Düsseldorf is the most convenient airport for UK visitors. Pippa Roome’s top tip — born of bitter experience and an expensive taxi ride — is: “Be aware that Düsseldorf has two airports — go for Düsseldorf international airport as the Düsseldorf Weeze airport is further out with very little access to public transport.”

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A former “happy hacker” who was paralysed in a speedboat explosion just before she was due to get married has been awarded the FEI gold badge of honour.

The award is given to those who have completed six FEI world and continental championships. Deborah Daniel completed her sixth this summer, the para driving World Championships, where Britain won team bronze.

“My accident was a tragedy,” Deborah told H&H. “But one, I’m alive. And two, it’s taken my life down a different path that I’d never have gone on. It had always been my dream to wear the Great Britain flag on my chest; the first time I did, I couldn’t see the centre line as my eyes were full of tears. I was so, so proud; to wear that flag on your chest and represent your country means everything.”

Deborah was 29 in October 1997 when she and her fiancé flew to St Lucia for their wedding. Two weeks before their wedding date, they went for a boat trip.

“We’d waded out to this big speedboat and they couldn’t start one of the outboard engines,” she said. “So someone flipped open the hatch that I was sitting next to, and went to hot-wire it, without realising there had been a fuel leak. So basically, the boat blew up.”

Deborah was thrown about 30 feet in the air and landed in the water.

“I checked my legs were still attached, but I knew I’d broken my back,” she said. “There were 14 or 15 people on the boat and five were killed.”

Deborah and her fiancé, who had also broken his back but was not paralysed, were taken to hospital, then back to Britain. Deborah went back to her job as a police officer but had to undergo multiple operations, and chose to retire on medical grounds a year later. She moved to Shropshire from Staffordshire, and bought a bungalow.

“It’s got land and stables,” she said. “I tried riding but it wasn’t for me because I could only walk. But I used to help with the Riding for the Disabled Association at the national championships and one year, they asked if I’d be a guinea pig and go in a carriage, so I did, and when I moved to Shropshire, I thought I’d give it a go.”

That was over 20 years ago and Deborah has not looked back. She started with “a couple of competitions” – and has now won five championship medals for Britain, all with her groom Holly Dormer as backstepper. Her ponies, whether owned or loaned, have all been Welsh section Cs. “I must be mad, as they’re all bonkers!” but “I adore them,” she said.

Deborah also competes in able-bodied driving, and said she loves all aspects of the sport, from training to championships.

“I think it’s the challenge,” she said. “It’s so like eventing; the dressage, which is the basis of everything else, then you’ve got the speed and accuracy, and you have to be on the ball for the marathon, which is fast and furious, including how wet you can get your groom in the water! It’s amazing fun, and there’s great camaraderie.”

Deborah said she was “slightly disappointed” with her performance at this year’s championships, with Averina Snow’s Capitola Mr. Houdini; she “messed up in the marathon” but achieved counting scores in the dressage and cones, coming second in the latter, to take the bronze with Mick Ward and Emily Ham, less than a penalty behind the US in silver.

“You go out with the team first and foremost in mind,” she said. “And I wanted to complete, and get my gold badge, which I did, so I was thrilled to bits; no other para driver has done that.”

Deborah is now aiming for the 2025 World Championships, and will “keep trying to improve”.

“I just want to be the best I possibly can,” she said. “Fingers crossed I’ll be able to put my jacket back on and compete for Great Britain again.”

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Malcolm Salter and his impeccable Dutch Warmblood Koning were on song at the 2022 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) to take the HOYS harness horse and pony of the year title.

Showman Malcolm has been competing at HOYS for almost 40 years, but this year was the first time he’s scooped the top title.

Koning was bought from Holland as a three-year-old by Malcolm’s friend and client Mike Clark.

“I began producing him for Mike and then we nearly lost the horse to an illness, so when we nursed him back to health, Mike gave me a half share,” explained Malcolm, who has been reserve in the HOYS harness horse and pony of the year championship on more than one occasion.

Since Malcolm and Koning’s HOYS victory, Mike has given Malcolm full ownership of the Eebert seven-year-old.

“Mike said to me ‘he’s all yours’; I’m very touched as he’s a fantastic horse. He will live out his days with us,” said Malcolm, who was joined by his son, Oliver, in the ring.

Malcolm first showed at HOYS in 1986 when he took reserve in the concours d’elegance championship. He last took reserve at HOYS in 2018 driving the Welsh section D Newydd Beau.

“My wife, Nicola, has been reserve several times, too,” he added. “I can say it’s been a long road to get here!”

Malcolm confirmed that he knew Koning would be a superstar from the minute he laid eyes on him:

“He’s very special and he’s everything I could have dreamed of and more. He’s a lovely character and is very observant. In another life he could have been a circus horse. He’s beautiful to drive, too, and he instils confidence in me.

“When I took him down the centre line I took one hand off the rein and let him go. He just sat up and went. You wouldn’t believe it was his first time at HOYS.”

Koning is shown in a spindle back gig made by Thompsons. The gig has been driven in the HOYS harness horse and pony of the year final previously when kitted out with a different outfit:

“The gig had been sat in my garage for years but it fitted Koning perfectly,” Malcolm explained. “It was meant to be.

“When I was driving at HOYS everything fell into place. I looked out into the crowd and saw faces of old friends I’d shown with back in the day.”

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Three venues are preparing to host the new-style equestrian World Championships in 2022, following a step away from the World Equestrian Games (WEG) format of all disciplines at the same venue.

The Italian venues Pratoni del Vivaro and Verona, and Herning in Denmark, are the three hosts for this year’s championships, which will also serve as qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Pratoni del Vivaro is home to the eventing and driving (14–25 September), Verona hosts the endurance on 22 October and Herning will hold the showjumping, para dressage, vaulting and dressage World Championships from 6 to 14 August.

“These well-established venues and organising committees have proven experience in hosting major international events,” FEI director of games operations Tim Hadaway told H&H, adding that they were allocated the championships following a “full evaluation process of the bids”.

“By allocating these multi-discipline championships to Herning and Pratoni del Vivaro, we are working with hosts that already have the necessary experience and required infrastructure to organise world-class equestrian championships.

“Herning is already recognised as one of the biggest exhibition facilities in Denmark, with a very professional forward-thinking team, and a lot of experience behind them.”

He said as dressage World Cup hosts, and a previous venue for the 2013 Europeans, Herning has the infrastructure needed, offering “the best in field of play and training arenas, stabling, great facilities for spectators with the exhibition and shopping villages undercover”.

“Pratoni del Vivaro is an iconic and legendary location for equestrian sport, with many decades of hosting championships and international events at every level,” added Mr Hadaway.

“With a lot of investment going into the site, the historical facilities built to host the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, and again showcased during the 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games, will have a new field of play, a new sand arena being constructed for eventing dressage, as well as new training and warm-up arenas.

“The stables and other infrastructure are also undergoing upgrades to ensure the best possible conditions will be on offer for horses, athletes and grooms alike.

“The partnership between [eventing World Championship] cross-country course-designer Giuseppe della Chiesa, who also represents the organising committee as the director of sport, and his counterpart driving course-designer Josef Middendorf, from Germany, are working closely to ensure the cross-country and driving marathon courses will showcase key features of the historic hills of Pratoni.”

Isola della Scala, where the 160km endurance championship ride will be held on 22 October, has “spectacular scenery”, with the vetgate built outside the historic Pala Rioso.

“The close collaboration between Verona organising committee and Veronafiere-Fieracavalli, organisers of the FEI jumping World Cup and many other major international events, highlights the experience and passion they have to run the 2022 edition, and we are confident they will deliver a truly unique and top-class event,” said Mr Hadaway.

Herning, home to the 2013 European Championships, is expecting 200,000 spectators across the nine days of championship competition.

“We have an ambition to make Herning2022 a multi-event with the sport as the centre of attention,” said Jens Trabjerg, Herning’s chief executive of sport.

The Stutteri Ask Stadium, a 120m x 72m main arena, will be home to the dressage and showjumping World Championship classes. Dutchman Louis Konickx, technical delegate at the Tokyo Olympics, is confirmed as showjumping course designer.

The para dressage World Championship classes will be held in a newly built outdoor arena – the BB Horse Arena – which seats around 2,500. Vaulting will take place indoors at the Jyske Bank Boxen, a major concert arena at the venue.

Competitors will also have access to three warm-up arenas next to the Stutteri Ask Stadium, including one indoor, plus four surfaces near the stables, a lunge arena, and a hand-grazing area.

“The planning is on track, and we experience a completely overwhelming interest from many sides to be part of this World Championships,” added Casper Cassøe Krüth, chief executive of operations.

Herning organisers will hold a major international dressage and showjumping fixture in March to showcase the facilities. FEI representatives will be attending, to oversee testing of the arena footing and see how preparations are advancing for the championships.

Carola Brighenti, sport manager at Pratoni del Vivaro 2022, told H&H that this is a “historic venue” for equestrian sport in Italy and the benefits these championships bring are hoped to span far beyond one week in September.

Excitement is building for the pre-championship test event this spring, as well as the lasting gift the investment in the site is hoped to bring.

“A very important part is that there is a huge legacy project for the venue,” she said, adding that the aim is for it to host more international fixtures in future.

“We are very focused on the test event and championships, but hopefully the venue will be a multi-discipline venue for everyone after.”

A total of 12 nations are intending to send eventing teams to the test event (11–15 May), which kicks off a run of top-tier competition in the Rome area.

“We have the eventing, then the driving [18 to 22 May], and the following week is the five-star showjumping Piazza di Siena – it’s going to be an amazing three weeks of equestrian sport in the same city,” she added.

• Ticket box office and volunteer applications are open for both Pratoni and Herning. For information, visit pratoni2022.it and herning2022.com

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THE horse world has lost a “great wealth of knowledge in dressage and horse mastership” as Leonie Marshall has died aged 86, 10 months after the death of her husband Barry Marshall.

Mrs Marshall had spent her life with horses, and had been driving her pony Amber on the day she was taken to hospital.

Born Leonie Harris in Kent, Mrs Marshall rode from childhood, competing at shows run by her parents Leopold and Kathleen. By the time she was 16, she had represented the West Kent Sevenoaks branch of the Pony Club on Carnival II, and been the first girl to ride at the national Pony Club trials. She represented her branch at every championship for which she was eligible until she was 21, and became a junior dressage judge aged 23.

In 1958, she married Peter George Felgate, with whom she had her daughter Sara, and they ran a riding establishment in Kent. They later set up the Bradbourne Riding and Training Centre, where they ran a riding school, dressage shows and a centre for teaching disabled riders.

Mrs Marshall coached Pony Club riders and competed at shows including the Royal International and internationally, as well as judging.

After her separation from Mr Felgate, Mrs Marshall moved to Wales with her second husband, where she continued to ride and train, with her second daughter Liza. She wrote a number of books on equitation, and also bred and showed dogs.

Aged 64, Leonie Marshall started carriage-driving, which she continued on her return to Kent, competing with much success, taking part in the indoor driving finals at Keysoe every year from 2003 to 2015.

She continued coaching, and supporting her daughter Sara and granddaughter Phillipa, who have both represented Britain in carriage-driving.

“Leonie’s was a rich and colourful life. She was an extremely talented horsewoman, a prolific writer, an international dressage rider and judge and most importantly a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother,” said Patricia Jones for the British Carriagedriving Society.

“Her family is still coming to terms with their loss and without doubt her influence will be sadly missed and her absence in the carriage-driving world will not go unnoticed.”

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Jeff Osborne may stop driving when he turns 90 — but not before then.

The 85-year-old founder of Osborne Refrigerators, which has been a huge supporter and sponsor of horse sport across the disciplines for many years, has just signed a new three-year sponsorship contract with Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

He has been competing here this week, coming seventh last night in the double harness scurry driving with five-year-old ponies Tik and Tok, and eighth with Twitter and Tweet in a separate class. He also his wife Alison win the Osborne Refrigerators double harness scurry championship with Woody and Buzz tonight, and come second with Chip and Dale.

He won the private driving at HOYS a few years ago, and was national trade champion three years ago, and he told H&H he took up driving aged about 40, having raced motorbikes before that.

“I thought I’d better, as I was getting a bit older,” he said.

“With driving, it’s simple: it’s you, your animals and the course. In showing classes, it’s a matter of opinion, but this is all on your merit; if the ball stays [on the cone] or falls.

“I drove a pair of six-year-olds here this week who have never been inside before, and have only done five shows, and they came fourth.”

Jeff said that when it comes to horses, “you’ve either got it or you haven’t”.

“When I walk into my yard, all mine prick their ears and say ‘hello, Dad’,” he said.

“I had to have a pacemaker fitted this summer and missed half the season; the doctors said I’d be out for 10 weeks, but I negotiated it to six!”

And Mr Osborne has no plans to slow down at any point soon.

“I’ve just signed a contract for another three years [at HOYS] and I’ve got a beautiful pair of coloured ponies for next season,” he said.

“Maybe when I’m 90, I’ll stop, if I need a stick to walk the course — but only then!”

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One of the most memorable Welsh section As ever campaigned on the private driving circuit has died at the age of 25.

Thistledown Eric, owned by the Salter family and driven by Nicola Salter, was twice British Driving Society (BDS) national champion, once at Burghley and once at Towerlands, and took the private driving championship at most of the county shows, including the Royal Welsh.

The grey gelding was a chance find who was first spotted on an allotment local to the Salter’s Nottinghamshire home but went from his humble start to a high-profile career.

“We were driving home one day when we came off one of the major roads near us and cut through a village where there were some little allotments. One had been fenced into a little pony paddock, with cabbages one side and runner beans the other, and as we passed slowly Malcolm [husband] said ‘what a pretty pony, isn’t he lovely’,” Nicola said.

“We had often bought a pony, broken it to harness and then sold it on and when we bought the next local free ad paper, we were looking through and there was this grey Welsh section A. We knew the phone number was local and we said ‘wouldn’t it be spooky if that is the pony we’ve just seen’ and lo and behold, it was. We went to look at him and brought him home.”

Nicola and Malcolm had planned to break Eric to harness and then sell him on after a year, as they knew a local young driver who they thought he might suit. But when the three-year-old pony arrived home, their son Oliver asked to keep him.

“He said he had always wanted a little grey to show in hand, so I said ‘OK’,” Nicola said.

Oliver showed him locally in hand for a summer but once the pony was broken to harness he started to shine.

“I never regretted a day of that decision!” Nicola said. “Some of our happiest memories as a family were days spent showing Eric.

“He met The Queen on three occasions. We’d met her when we won the Welsh championship at Windsor and then when we were showing at the Great Yorkshire a few weeks later, she asked to meet the private driving class.

“She came over to Eric and said ‘I’ve seen this pony before haven’t I?’”, so she had remembered him.”

Eric stood out for his particularly impressive extended trot, which often outshone much larger horses in the ring.

“We never did anything to enhance his paces, other than get him fit and muscled up, it was all naturally him,” Nicola said. “He was a bit of a freak. I have never seen another Welsh section A like that.”

Eric retired from driving as a single at the age of 13, having also stood reserve BDS national champion twice and appeared at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) on six occasions — although that title eluded him as HOYS was “a bit too exciting for him”.

Because of the acclaim Eric had brought to the Thistledown Stud, breeder Sandy Anderson offered the Salters the chance to chose another pony of his to compete.

They took another gelding, Thistledown Prado, and tried them as a pair and in tandem with a view to returning to the ring, but he was never able to match Eric’s incredible action.

“I would have loved for it to have happened but Eric’s attitude was ‘I can do this, I don’t need him!” Nicola said.

Eric was put down in May owing to complications linked to the onset of Cushing’s disease (PPID).

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“He had been absolutely fine until the last few weeks, he was the same independent, awkward character who ruled us at home,” Nicola said.

“If you turned him out in bad weather he would call to be brought back in but on a nice day, he was such a little monster you couldn’t catch him.

“He’d been really fit and well and showing off but in the last month I could see he was unhappy and he’d always been such a happy little chap who was always pleased to see you that I knew it was the right time.”

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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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The Queen and her granddaughter head a stellar line-up of national Royal Windsor Horse Show entries (1-4 July).

More than 1,700 entries have been received for the national showing, showjumping and driving classes, including 22 belonging to Her Majesty. These feature the homebred five-year-old Fools Paradise, out of Stardust, who enjoyed Royal Windsor success with Katie Jerram‐Hunnable, and homebred former racehorse First Receiver.

“This is the best week of the year for me,” Katie said. “It’s my favourite show and always has been – even before I had the pleasure of riding The Queen’s horses. The week brings a lot of pressure, but it’s enjoyable pressure in such a beautiful setting.”

Robert Walker will be bringing a “strong contingent”, having taken the “magic treble” of open, novice and four‐year‐old hunter titles in 2019, the last time the show was held, and will be hoping for a third successive ridden hunter title with lightweight View Point, who was supreme champion in 2018.

“As a show, Windsor is one of the highlights of the year, and one that everyone always wants to win,” said Robert. “However, the fact that it’s running at all in this Covid year is a tremendous achievement for everyone involved , and this year’s show will be very, very special.”

London 2012 Olympic team gold medallist Ben Maher will be in action on day one of the show, in the Equitop GLME senior Foxhunter, against competition including Shane Breen, Jay Halim and Laura Renwick, while Laura is also entered for the 1.40 open, along with the likes of Amy Inglis, Will and Oliver Fletcher and Joe Stockdale.

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The Queen’s granddaughter Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor will represent the Royal family as defending junior champion in the Champagne Laurent-Perrier meet of the British Driving Society.

Show director Simon Brooks-Ward said: “The standard of entries this year demonstrates the popularity of the show and we are delighted to be able to welcome competitors back to the private grounds of Windsor Castle, albeit slightly later in the year than originally planned.

“The 2021 edition of Royal Windsor Horse Show is going to be very special and to have such a high calibre of national competition is really exciting.”

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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Royal Windsor Horse Show tickets will go on sale at 9am tomorrow (Thursday, 6 May).

There are plans for the 2021 show, which has new dates this year of 1-4 July owing to Covid, to welcome up to 4,000 spectators a day.

Five-star showjumping returns to Royal Windsor this year, featuring a total prize fund of more than €500,000 (£431,000) and finishing with the Rolex grand prix on Sunday, 4 July.

There will also be the usual high-profile showing classes, international driving and endurance, but no dressage this year.

Membership tickets, limited to 500 members plus guests, and general entry tickets will both be available to buy from tomorrow (6 May).

Organisers have said they will allow up to 4,000 spectator tickets on each of the four days of the show, adhering to the Government Covid-19 guidelines as of 17 May.

There are also plans to release further tickets, after 21 June, should the Government’s planned roadmap out of lockdown continue as planned.

“We are delighted that we have been able to reschedule Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2021 and are looking forward to the return of what has become known as one of the best international horse shows in the world,” said show director Simon Brooks-Ward.

“The show is set to be a spectacle for the whole family, with the highest calibre of competition alongside remarkable entertainment acts.”

There are plans for the shopping village, with 100 stands plus food outlets, to be up and running this year, and for displays to go ahead alongside competition.

The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment’s musical ride and the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery’s musical drive are both on the 2021 schedule, as are the Land Rover Shetland Pony Grand National and DAKS Pony Club mounted games. More international acts are set to be announced “in due course”.

The show, which marks its 78th year in 2021, will host more than 128 showing classes and entries are “already open and filling fast”. The CAIO4* Land Rover International Driving grand prix will run across all four days, while a three-star endurance competition has been added for the first time this year to run alongside the one- and two-star CEI rides.

A show spokesman said the 2021 show will be held in accordance with “all Covid-19 guidelines required” by the Government, local authorities, health authorities, veterinary and equestrian associations.

“Organisers will be implementing new protocols and facilities to enable a positive experience within this Covid-19 era, with the emphasis being on the safety of competitors and spectators attending,” he added.

For more information and to book tickets, visit: www.rwhs.co.uk

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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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ORGANISERS of Olympia, the London International Horse Show, have promised to recreate and enhance all the traditional aspects of the show at its new home for 2021.

The event will run, from 16 to 20 December, at the ExCeL centre, London. The Olympia London venue, which has hosted the show for 49 years, is being redeveloped and as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the building work has “accelerated”, which will restrict its use in December.

Event director Simon Brooks-Ward told H&H the show will be “the same – and better”.

“I can understand people might say they love the Grand Hall; my brother and I have worked on Olympia since we were eight and six respectively so if anyone was to be upset, we’d be at the front of the queue,” he said. “But what I’d say to our loyal fan base, having walked round the ExCeL, is not only physically what we can do there but the can-do attitude from the people in it to help us produce an excellent horse show was extremely gratifying, and appreciated by all of us.”

Mr Brooks-Ward said the “core” components of Olympia – top-class jumping, dressage and driving, Christmas entertainment and a family event, “with Father Christmas at the end” – will be there, along with the shopping and social side of the event.

“We’re absolutely committed to making this work,” he said. “The team is really excited about what we can do there.”

He added that nothing is being ruled out as to the show’s future home from 2022, and that while Olympia “certainly retains itself in our hearts and minds, it’s going to the ExCeL, and we’re very excited about it”.

Benefits of the new venue include its access, especially for horseboxes, which can park on site at the ExCeL, and even be unloaded under cover if the weather is wet, and the space; the plan is to make the warm-up area open for public viewing, for example, and the view from some 99% of seats will be unrestricted.

Mr Brooks-Ward added: “Our partners, sponsors and exhibitors including the FEI, British Equestrian and Longines are all supportive of the move and are looking forward to seeing a new version of the Show at ExCeL.”

Showjumper Laura Renwick told H&H she had not been to the ExCeL before she took part in a photoshoot to mark the move.

“I thought it not being in the Grand Hall would be strange but I think it’s going to work,” she said.

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“It will be totally different but the same experience; they’re going to make it as close as they can but in this modern venue.”

Laura said the improved access will be a huge bonus; horseboxes have to park a fair distance away from the Olympia venue, and the ExCeL is a simpler drive from Dover, for Europe-based riders.

“I really think it’ll work, and from a competitor’s view, I think they’ll prefer it,” she said. “And I actually don’t mind where it is, as long as it happens!”

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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens 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

Prince Philip has died at the age of 99.

The Duke of Edinburgh “passed away peacefully” this morning (9 April) at Windsor Castle.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

“The royal family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

The palace said further announcements will be made “in due course”.

The duke spent a month in hospital this year; having been admitted to King Edward VII’s hospital in London in February, he then underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition, and treatment for an infection, at another hospital in London, St Bartholomew’s.

He left hospital on 16 March, when he was said to be in “good spirits”, and returned to Windsor.

Prince Philip made a huge contribution to the equestrian world. He was one of the top eight British polo players in the 1960s, and when he retired from the game in 1971, turned his interests to carriage driving.

He excelled in four-in-hand international driving, and is credited with essentially creating the modern sport of combined driving, as president of the FEI from 1964 to 1986. He represented Britain in three European and six World Championships, finishing sixth overall in the 1982 World Championships.

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Aged 65, Prince Philip switched to driving homebred Fells, and continued to compete with teams of ponies throughout his 60s and 70s. He encouraged his children to ride and took great pleasure in the achievements of Prince Charles in polo and hunting and Princess Anne in eventing and racing.

The duke once said: “Some optimists tend to assume that, once you have learned the lesson that horses bite at one end and kick at the other, there is nothing further to worry about – no such luck, I am afraid. That is only lesson one in a learning process that goes on as long as you are mug enough to continue to associate with horses.”

See next week’s H&H magazine for full tributes to Prince Philip, out 15 April.

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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens 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

What does it take to keep a harness horse in good health? Driving vet Rosie Mould MRCVS offers her advice

From a fun outing with a pony and trap to the four-in-hand championships at international FEI level, driving encompasses a huge variety of activities.

Any type of horse or pony can learn to pull a carriage, as long as he is confident and well trained enough to go forwards with a wheeled “creature” chasing him. The sport offers a second career for riding ponies who have been outgrown, an alternative for ponies not compatible with small children and a shared experience for families and friends.

Just as the ridden horse should carry weight on the hindlimbs to free up the forelimbs for movement, the driving horse should push with his powerful hindquarters – rather than pull – and use his shoulders and bodyweight to propel the carriage forwards. Once momentum is achieved, the effort required to keep the carriage rolling will depend upon the surface, the gradient and the requirement for twisting and turning.

The horse’s level of training will then come into play, along with the skill of the driver and the “backstepper” (the passenger positioned in the rear of the carriage), to reduce the load and produce a smooth ride.

Instead of carrying a rider of, say, 70kg, the horse must in effect push the weight of the vehicle and its passengers – which represents quite a difference in effort. As a result, driving can exert pressures on hindlimb function that differ in their intensity and occurrence from those on ridden horses.

Wear and tear

Training for any driving competition requires a methodical approach to fitness. As it takes several years to develop a high-level competition driving horse, much like in any other discipline, various orthopaedic “wear and tear” challenges can be encountered along the way.

If the horse has to negotiate obstacles, it is important to give him the best chance of cornering securely at speed to reduce the risk of self-injury, so pay attention to shoeing and the type and tting of any studs or pin nails used. But self-injury is relatively rare and overreaches unusual. Leg injuries more often occur during accidents or are occasionally caused by the other horse in a pair or a team.

Joint pain, sacroiliac joint issues, hock problems and, in particular, hindlimb tendon sheath injuries and in ammation are all common. Addressing and diagnosing these at the outset will almost always produce a better long-term result.

Those horses who perform in the S-shaped outline often seen in driving, where neck flexion comes mainly from the poll and not from the lower neck as well, tend to suffer more, as their hindlimb muscle structure does not support their activity. An occasional stride of lameness turns into an “every stride” issue, or a single “unlevel” comment from one dressage judge becomes the opinion of all three.

Some lamenesses, particularly in the hindlimb, are difficult to see and might only manifest themselves while the horse is in the carriage. I sometimes get onto the carriage in the backstep position while the horse is working to identify the issue.

As veterinary expertise increases and with the use of lameness detectors, it is now often possible to diagnose problems earlier and o er orthopaedic treatments more speedily. An equine physiotherapist qualified with the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy will help with this, particularly if they see a patient regularly, as they can detect changes quickly and bring them to an owner’s attention.

Whether you’re driving a horse for leisure or competition, harness must be well fitted and maintained to prevent rubbing or bruising.

Driving bridles and bits are chunkier and heavier, especially in pairs and teams where the bits incorporate more metal to avoid trapping the coupled reins that cross over between horses. Driving saddles look more like rollers, but require the same attention to detail as a riding saddle to ensure that they are comfortable and do not put pressure on the spine. A double girth is used, so there are more buckles, and usually a crupper that ts under the tail.

Athletic demands

The competition driving horse is not only pushing extraordinary weight around a dressage arena and demonstrating accuracy and speed around a cones course, but also must complete a marathon – the most strenuous part of which is a section of up to 9km that includes up to eight timed obstacles. The marathon lasts for between 60 and 90 minutes and incorporates a 10-minute halt, with vet checks en route and at the finish.

Surface and gradient can have a profound e ect on the effort required; hard ground is often preferred to soft, while sand, mud, water and hills all make additional demands. A low-grade lameness or poor shoeing can be sufficient to make that extra effort impossible, while a subtle respiratory condition such as equine asthma may only become symptomatic under athletic stress.

Accidents do happen, sadly. Usually, the faster the pace, the more disastrous. Horses can be trapped if the carriage overturns; once freed, however, it is amazing how many seem to stand up relatively unscathed.

Injury can also occur if a horse is accidentally turned into a post, or a pair is “split” with one going either side of it. Remember that a driving horse’s sight is limited by blinkers; these must be fitted correctly to allow a sufficient range of vision. A positive spin-off is that blinkers afford good eye protection.

Shoulders tend to receive the worst of the damage in collisions, although modern harness is well padded over crucial places and will provide some protection. Most drivers use protective boots in the faster phases, to reduce the risk of traumatic injuries to the lower limbs.

As with any equine athlete, meticulous preparation and appropriate competition aftercare will go a long way in helping the driving horse cope with the rigours of the sport.

Dual disciplines

Many driving horses are also ridden, switching happily between the disciplines.

When introducing a horse to a completely new activity, however, bear in mind that established riding and driving animals are very different. Riding horses usually have better developed shoulder and forearm muscles, whereas driving horses tend to develop the medial (inner) thigh muscles – which can only add power to the ridden capacity. A horse who has only ever been driven will lack muscle across the withers and back, so this area must be developed gradually with “long and low” work, through a mixture of riding and lungeing.

A programme of static and active exercises, including stretching, polework and circles, will further help the driving horse adapt to being under saddle. He may already be familiar with lateral work, such as leg-yielding and shoulder-in, as part of his dressage and cones training, so this can be built on for ridden dressage. Remember, too, that a driving horse will be used to blinkers and may not be familiar with what happens behind him, even if he has been ridden before. He’ll also have undergone some voice training.

Generally, it is the inflection of the voice, rather than the actual words used, that gives the command. The universal continental expression for “slow down” or “halt” is a rolled “rrrrrr” sound, so be careful what you ask for. Once verbal communication is established, it is easy to combine this with the ridden aids and then to drop the speaking altogether to remain within ridden competition rules.

Ref: 18 February 2021

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It is with “great regret” that Olympia, the London International Horse Show has today (14 September) been cancelled.

Organisers said today that, having spent the last few months looking at different ways in which the 2020 show (16-21 December) could run safely, they had to make the “difficult decision” to call it off, “with the health and welfare of everyone involved at the heart of that decision-making process”.

In a statement, the organising committee said that, given the commercial implications of government social distancing and other coronavirus-related requirements, it would not be possible to run.

“Unfortunately, this means that the Olympia feature events, including the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup, the Olympia Grand Prix, the puissance, the FEI Dressage World Cup and the FEI Driving World Cup qualifiers will not be held in 2020, along with the international displays and all the traditional Olympia festive entertainment,” the statement said.

Show director Simon Brooks-Ward said that the first Olympia, run by his father Raymond with Clarion Events, was held in 1972, so 2020 should have been the 49th show.

“My brothers and I have attended every show and therefore I completely empathise with the sadness felt by our visitors, who will not be cheering, laughing, and clapping in the Grand Hall this year,” he said.

“I also understand the disappointment felt by our competitors, officials, sponsors and particularly our trade stand exhibitors, who would have been particularly looking forward to the Christmas boost that Olympia gives them.

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“Olympia holds a special place in the equestrian world’s hearts. Generations of families have held their Christmas parties at the show and many will not be able to imagine a Christmas without a visit to Olympia. However, we are looking forward to being back in 2021, with a bumper show to celebrate our 50th anniversary.

“I am extremely grateful for the supportive messages we have received from the equestrian community over the summer and am only sorry that we are unable to be with them at Olympia this Christmas.”

Olympia 2021 is due to run from 15 to 20 December.

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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The former British international dressage rider and judge Barry Marshall has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Barry, 68, represented Britain on several occasions during the 1970s with Othello, and was also chef d’equipe to the British dressage team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. More recently, he has had a very successful career in carriage driving, which he took up competitively in 2002, with his wife Leonie.

“I have a tumour in the liver and unfortunately there isn’t very much that can be done,” Barry told H&H. “But I have to go on as usual – I’m still mucking out and driving the ponies around.”

During his FEI judging days, Barry was known for being fair and bold, if sometimes hard to please.

“I remember Pammy Hutton telling me she had put one of her test sheets on the wall because I had given her a nine,” he said.

Pammy added: “After tests judged by Barry full of fives and sixes, but always with constructive criticism, finally I had a nine at a quite important competition. I put the sheet on the wall of our loo, and I still have it somewhere!

“Barry was a top judge – fair and almost too brave! I hated his low marks but he was always right. And he always stuck to his guns.”

As a List 1 international judge, Barry’s judging accolades include World Cup shows across Europe.

“Harmony between horse and rider is what pleased me the most as a judge – I like seeing a happy pair. I’m glad this is being rewarded nowadays, and horses are a lot rounder and softer,” said Barry.

“Back in my early days, everyone thought the poll being the highest point was very important, but if you look at most modern horses, the poll actually can’t be the highest point. When I look back at pictures now, I notice that the poll being so high caused hollowness, but it was quite an obsession at the time.”

Barry notes the moment he received his Union Flag pocket badge as one of the highlights of his multi-faceted career.

“No man in the country had got the Union Flag in dressage before – of course, I came before the likes of Chris Bartle,” says Barry, who rode for Britain alongside the likes of Jennie Loriston-Clarke.

Jennie described Barry as a “stylish rider with plenty of feel for his sensitive horse Othello”.

“He is very respected as a dressage judge – he is extremely honest, has a very good eye and his comments are clear and helpful,” she said. “He would always give his time to help you with his advice for your improvement in a very approachable manner.

“Barry has a great sense of humour and has always been able to always see the funny side of any disaster!”

Barry added: “I was never right at the top when I was competing – my last grand prix horse came off the boat from Ireland for £600. But there were so many special moments nonetheless. And being chef d’equipe to the Olympic team was marvellous.”

Among the riders on that Barcelona dressage team was Carl Hester, competing at his first Olympic Games on Giorgione.

“Chefs d’equipe always have to have a very strong personality, and Barry certainly did – I called him Bazil, and later nicknamed him Muttley after the cartoon because of his hilarious laugh,” Carl told H&H.

“He handled all of us riders with incredible ease and humour. He relaxed the situation and even though it was an Olympic Games, he kept the pressure off with humour and jokes – I don’t think I have ever laughed so much; he had us crying with laughter,” added Carl, who rode alongside Emile Faurie, Laura Fry and Carol Parsons to finish team seventh.

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We’ve rewound the clock to remember those early days of this treasured British institution, which was due to run this week pre-coronavirus...

Royal Windsor Horse Show history: in the beginning…

1. A horse and dog show was held at Windsor in 1943 during “Wings for Victory week” to help the war effort. It was the idea of Geoffrey Cross, who had been invalided out of the army, and Count Robert Orssich, a showing producer living near Windsor.

2. It took place on Wednesday, 26 May and helped raise £391,197 — enough money to buy 78 Typhoon fighter aircraft.

3. There were a few early blunders. “We even had the grandstand, such as it was, with its back to the castle,” said Geoffrey. “And the dog show, it was such a shambles that I determined never to have another dog on the showground.”

4. But by November 1943, after that first show, the Royal Windsor Horse Show Club had been founded, with King George VI as patron — and the date was set for the first Royal Windsor Horse Show on 27 May 1944.

5. In the line-up were gymkhana classes, showing, jumping and driving — with a top prize of £15 for the jumping. This year, the winner of the Rolex grand prix will take home €75,000 (around £65,640).

6. When The King and Queen made an appearance in Home Park in 1944, it was the first time the public had seen His Majesty not in his uniform since the outbreak of war.

7. There was early success for a young Princess Elizabeth who, with her sister, was making her debut competing in public at the show in 1944 (pictured, above). She drove the Norwegian pony Hans to take the single private driving class title, with Princess Margaret as a passenger.

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8. Despite the wartime travel difficulties, more than 8,000 spectators turned out to watch in 1944. Today, the show expects crowds of 55,000 over the five days.

9. That year was particularly memorable for two Red Cross nurses, according to Alan Smith in his 1977 book The Royal Windsor Horse Show. Having managed to hitch a lift with the Duke of Beaufort, they were struggling to find a bed in town for the night. On the Duke mentioning their enthusiasm for the show — and accommodation dilemma — to The King 
and Queen, beds were swiftly found for 
them in the castle.

We continue to publish Horse & Hound magazine weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

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Royal Windsor Horse Show has become the latest casualty of the coronavirus pandemic – as riders are urged to take the stance that “life must take priority over business”.

Organisers of the show, which was due to run from 13 to 17 May, incorporating showjumping, dressage, endurance, showing and driving, as well as an Edwardian pageant, announced this morning (19 March) it would not go ahead.

Show director Simon Brooks-Ward said: “Following government guidelines stating that mass gatherings will not be supported by emergency services and recent announcements regarding social distancing, it is with enormous regret that we have reluctantly taken the decision to cancel Royal Windsor Horse Show, Royal Windsor Endurance and the Edwardian Pageant.

“The health of competitors, tradestand holders, sponsors, officials, volunteers and visiting public is our top priority. We would like to thank everyone associated with the event for their continued support, and we are already planning a bumper show in 2021 to compensate for this year’s disappointment.”

Anyone who has entered or bought tickets will be refunded. Next year’s show is due to run from 12 to 16 May 2021.

The news came as the director of the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) Eleonora Ottaviani reflected on the situation.

“The rapidity of the spread and ease of contagion, but above all the dangerous nature of a virus with no known cure, must induce serious reflection,” she said.

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“In northern Italy, where healthcare is very well organised, hospitals are still overcrowded, doctors and health workers are pushed to the limits. There are not enough medical devices to save all the people who come to the emergency room with the consequences that can be imagined and these medical devices are no longer available on the market.

“Life must take priority over business. All of us are also responsible for the health of the others; it is time to be aware of this danger and act accordingly, strictly respecting the provisions of the authorities. Stay at home.”

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A showing judge has described how her “bucket list” dream was shattered when thieves stole her custom trailer and entire collection of rare carriages and harness.

Gillian Sebright, who turns 65 this week, had invested her retirement fund in the vehicles as she wanted to pursue her passion of competing her Shetland ponies and American miniature horses in private driving.

The multi-panel judge, who is also secretary of the Rare and Foreign Breeds Society, arrived at her secluded Leicestershire yard on the morning of Sunday, 23 February to find burglars had broken through 6ft metal palisade fencing and industrial gates to ransack the premises.

“I walked in and found the end of the world had occurred,” she said. “We are totally devastated, it’s ripped my heart out, and I am only thankful that the horses were OK — we have an mare due to foal soon and they dumped all the carriage covers in her stable.

“The horses were all very subdued and frightened at the back of their stables, but after a cuddle they were OK.”

Gillian said she had two things on her bucket list — judging at Royal Windsor, which she ticked off last year, and then competing this summer at the BDS Annual at Smith’s Lawn with her black Shetland mare in harness.

“Someone did offer to lend me a gig but I don’t think we are going to come back to competing again, it’s finished me,” Gillian said. “Aside from the fact we don’t have a stitch of harness, I don’t think financially or emotionally that we can pick ourselves back up.”

The burglary came almost a year after Gillian’s caravan was stolen from the yard, only to have been found and returned to her by Bedfordshire Police that week.

“I am convinced it’s the same people,” said Gillian. “I don’t allow other people on the yard and most people wouldn’t even know it was there.”

After the previous theft, Gillian had added motion-sensor cameras to her security measures, but the intruders ripped one of these down and stole the memory card.

Her dark brown Ifor Williams trailer, which had both horse and miniature partitions, also had two highest-insurance-rating, heavy-duty wheel locks and a hitch lock. The determined thieves bypassed them by removing the trailer’s A-frame and replacing it with one from an old caravan on the yard.

Gillian is hoping auction houses and carriage driving enthusiasts may be able to identify the carriages if they come to be sold, as vintage vehicles small enough for Shetlands and miniatures are rare.

The theft included a 1907 black Cox’s cart featuring leather-bound shafts that Gillian had recently had renovated, along with its original antique leather harness, as well as an Amish Meadowbrook cart, specially imported from the US for showing American miniatures, along with American show harness.

The other carriages included a burgundy Norfolk stick-back gig and a dark blue Bennington mini magnum exercise vehicle.

Gillian reported both thefts to police but said she had been disappointed with their response and had received a text within six minutes of reporting her caravan stolen to say the case was already closed.

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A spokesman for Leicestershire Police confirmed the force had received a report of a burglary at a rural address in Stoney Stanton, and that the incident had taken place between the hours of 8.30pm on Saturday (22 February) and 7am the following morning.

“On 6 March 2019 we received a report of theft from the same address,” the spokesman said. “A caravan had been taken from a field between the hours of 6.30pm on 5 March and 10.30am the following morning.

“On both occasions a review of all viable lines of enquiry was undertaken with the victim and the incidents were closed pending new evidence coming to light. On Tuesday 18 February the caravan was found abandoned in Bedfordshire, the victim was updated and recovery of the vehicle was facilitated.”

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Boyd Exell took an astonishing ninth FEI driving World Cup victory — but revealed he almost did not contest the final after his daughter was hospitalised following a riding accident.

Eleven-year-old Olivia broke her pelvis in a fall from her pony Belle but was able to watch Boyd regain the title in Bordeaux on 9 February from her hospital bed.

“Olivia has improved a lot now so we are so very relieved about that, but there is still some way to go,” he said. “There was discussion last week that she may have needed an operation, which would have affected my competing in Bordeaux. Ultimately I was assured that everything was stable and in order, and as a family we decided I should do the show.

“It was a real rollercoaster of emotions over the week,” he added, “It was wonderful to speak to Olivia after the show. She’s being so brave. All in all it was relief to secure the win and then to get home to my family.”

Boyd’s emotional triumph also marked the retirement of his much-loved indoor team wheeler Demi, who is stepping down from competition at the age of 23.

“It was the right time,” Boyd said. “She has given so much to me – she’s given everything.

“I was mindful I wanted her to retire on a high as well, so this was perfect. She’s still fit and healthy and she’ll stay with the family as my son will ride her for pleasure.

“She’ll be hard to replace, that’s for sure, but we have younger horses coming through.”

Last year, the World Cup title went to Dutch challenger Bram Chardon — another pressure making this year’s final the most tense the 47-year-old Australian has faced.

Boyd arrived in Bordeaux a strong favourite with a phenomenal run of form behind him, having secured six out of the seven World Cup legs he contested.

“I really felt the pressure of delivering,” he said. “I have the fastest team and the fastest horses and there’s no excuses – I need to deliver.

“Last year I didn’t do that in the final, and it was very much on my mind that I could not allow that to happen again.”

Boyd went head to head with Dutchmen Koos De Ronde and Ijsbrand Chardon in the three-man drive-off, where Boyd and Koos both produced clears, but the Australian broke the beam with an emphatic 11.29sec lead.

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Boyd will now look towards the outdoor season, before he starts his bid for a tenth win next winter.

During the show, Bram Chardon became the first driver to wear the FEI armband for topping the world rankings, tallied by points gained over a 12-month period running 1 Jan – 31 Dec.

The armband, already used in other disciplines, was introduced to driving in January this year, and will be given to the top four-in-hand, single and pairs competitors.

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Actor, stunt rider and top carriage driver Daniel Naprous made history at Olympia by becoming the first British competitor to make the drive-off final at the show.

Daniel, who was also among the actors who played Darth Vader in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, finished second to Boyd Exell in Thursday’s extreme driving class.

This was a quick turnaround for the horseman, who was filming in Ireland on Wednesday (18 December).

“[Boyd] is absolutely amazing, but for British carriage driving, I’m so pleased to be in the final,” he said.

He added he tried to put Boyd under pressure and was quick, but knocked the final three balls to add 12 to his score.

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“The horses, they gave everything,” he said.“I’m super proud — it has been a journey; for all of us from my team, team GB, everybody, we are striving to get better and having these events here and letting us compete against the big boys has definitely risen our game. And we are in the final, so the proof is in the pudding!

“We go over to Europe and are competing internationally, but this is a World Cup circuit so it’s invitational and rankings system only. To be here [is to be against] the top drivers in the world.”

His aim for next year is to contest more of the World Cup circuit and to try and break into the top 10.

Meanwhile, Daniel balances his time with working on Hollywood films and major series with the family business, the Devil’s Horsemen.

“We’ve done Star Wars and we’ve also been in Ireland just shooting The Crown at the moment, yesterday, with the Household Cavalry, but different people,” he added.

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The equestrian world is full of unsung equestrian heroes, working with equine charities, teaching, training, breaking and schooling and generally devoting their lives to horses. Sara Walker talks to Cheshire-based Linda Rose about her work promoting the sport of driving — and the two Shetland ponies who can turn their hooves to anything.

“I started riding when I was five — that seems a long time ago now!” laughs Linda. “I was the typical pony-mad child, making showjumping courses in the garden of our house in Scotland out of washing props and chairs. I got my first pony, Tinker, when I was 11, in the 1960s. We’d moved to Jersey by then, and I was lucky enough to get a lot of competition riding at a riding school where I helped out.

“All through school, all I wanted to do was work with horses so I’m afraid I didn’t really apply myself! I finally did my BHSAI when I was 18, but only worked with horses professionally for a couple of years before deciding that lifestyle wasn’t for me. Instead, I went travelling round Europe before marrying and moving to Cheshire. A friend then told me of a thoroughbred mare who needed a home. I went to see her and of course ended up buying her! She was practically a rescue case when I got her, thin as a hat rack, but that mare won me first prizes at Wembley, Hickstead and the NEC. I later bred a daughter, a grandson and a granddaughter from her, and kept them all as competition horses.

“I also joined Wilmslow Riding Club, which had been going since the 1950s and at the time was one of the biggest clubs in the country. I was on the club’s committee for more than 20 years — I think I did every possible job with them from cleaning toilets to being chairman! I was working full-time in IT support, and fortunately had an extremely understanding husband as the club took up so much time. In the 1990s, the club was recommended by the BHS to take part in an annual exchange visit with a German riding club, which continued for many years and was a fantastic experience.

“In 2002, something happened that would change my life although I didn’t know it at the time. My husband John and I used to go for walks and would regularly see two Shetland ponies in a field. They were young stallions, completely unhandled. The owner was about to lose his grazing and was on the point of sending them for meat, so John and I stepped in and bought them, naming them Blackie and Brownie. I had mares at my own yard so couldn’t take them home, so a friend with grazing and a barn nearby offered to help.

“Gradually, we worked with them, got headcollars on them and eventually had them castrated and started breaking them. I’d thought all along I wasn’t going to keep them, but I’d got so close to them by this point that I gave in! I brought them home, and a local riding school used them on Saturdays. A lovely girl called Anna also rode them and competed with Blackie and Brownie. At competitions, everyone always thought we’d brought them as companions for a big dressage horse — the look on their faces when they realised they were competing was priceless. And even more so when the Shetlands won! Another local family, the Hodgsons, also brought their two small sons, Mike and Richard, to ride and compete both ponies, doing very well at shows.

“I’d done some driving in Germany, and when it became apparent these ponies were staying, I decided to drive them myself. They took to it immediately. Mike Hodgson switched to driving when he was 11 and did fantastically well, winning against juniors and adults alike and even going abroad with team GB. We competed at Sandringham and Windsor — I remember Prince Philip saying he was amazed to see a team of Shetlands competing at such a high level!

“There used to be a series of indoor driving events in Cheshire, and gradually they’d died a bit of a death, so in 2008 I decided to restart them with my good friends Lesley and Andrew Goodden. Indoor events involve precision and paces, cone and obstacles, so they’re a really good work out for the horses as well as being great fun. We worked under the umbrella of Chester Horse Driving Trials, and again we did everything from organising to setting up cones! The events are still thriving now, and are held at Reaseheath College near Nantwich.

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“I still drive now, and Blackie and Brownie work as Riding for the Disabled ponies as well as taking part in musical rides with our local Pony Club. I’ve made so many great friends through driving, it’s a real community sport and everyone is so friendly. I worry about the amount of traffic on the roads these days, so I’m a member of the Countryside Access Forum, liaising with the police about rural road safety and working to save and increase off-road routes.

“When I first saw Blackie and Brownie in that field all those years ago, I’d never have believed where we’d all end up together. They’ve touched so many lives, people recognise them wherever they go!”

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A 31-year-old Welsh cob who was bought for £1 is to come out of retirement to compete at Derbyshire County Show this weekend.

Haperly Banner Royale has not competed in carriage driving since he won at the 2003 Chatsworth County Fair, but is to end his 16-year spell on the sidelines at Elvaston Showground on Saturday (23 June).

His owner Sarah Barraclough, from Morton, said she tried “Banner” in a carriage last year.

“We’ve been out with the carriage doing a bit of pleasure driving but we haven’t competed for a number of years,” she said.

“I’m not really sure what to expect from Banner; we’re just going to enjoy the experience. He likes a big occasion like the Derbyshire County Show!

“He’s very enthusiastic; we will go along and see what happens.”

Sarah bought Banner in 2003 from her friend Ron Hubbard.

“I had ridden horses as a youngster but took a break as I got my career on track,” she said.

“I was introduced to Ron through a friend. He was 71 and needed help with Banner and the carriage; a stunning Bennington, which is around 40 years old.

“I would ride Banner, to keep him fit, and eventually started helping Ron out as a groom. I took over the reins as Ron got older and his health deteriorated and, in 2003, I bought him for just £1.

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“Banner is a big part of our family. I’ve had him for 22 years and still keep in touch with Ron’s family; they love to follow his progress.”

Sarah added that if Banner performs well, he will be given some of his favourite biscuits – custard creams.

Edward Hicklin, chairman of the Derbyshire Agricultural and Horticultural Society, said: “We are delighted to welcome Banner and Sarah to the show and wish them luck in the competition.”

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While we were thrilled with the feature wins for the likes of Henrik von Eckermann and Robert Walker at Royal Windsor Horse Show this week, the victory that really caught our eye came from mini marvels Harley Walker, aged 10, and his utterly adorable partner A Pint Sized Pumpkin.

On Thursday (9 May) the pair were in action in The Queen’s “back garden” and, despite the fact they were far the smallest of the 12 competitors in the class, they came away with a fantastic win in the driving for the disabled competition.

As observed by the commentator, who announced, “I think this young man is rather pleased with his win!” — Harley’s smile said it all about what it means to triumph in this prestigious location.

Harley was representing the Alkham Valley Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), part of the Alkham Valley Community Project (AVCP) from near Dover, Kent. He has been learning to carriage-drive with the group since November 2017, under the tuition of RDA coaches Amanda Glasspole and Charlotte Hughes, and it was Charlotte who acted as co-driver for Harley and Pumpkin in the competition in the Copper Horse Arena on Thursday morning.

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The pair had been practising every week for the past year and Harley was said to be really looking forward to “the big show in The Queen’s garden”. The obstacle course of cones had to be completed at trot, with a change of pace regarded as disobedience.

Harley and Pumpkin produced a fantastic clear in 74 seconds — one second off the optimum time, on which the class was judged — early on in the class and held the lead throughout. Harley is said to have squealed with delight when his name was called.

“It was a great day, a fantastic result, well done to all the team,” said Jo Murrell, AVCP project manager and chairman of trustees.

Don’t miss our bumper report from Royal Windsor in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound, out Thursday 16 May.

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Getting to the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which takes place this week (8-12 May 2019), is a career highlight for many — not much beats the prestige of competing in The Queen’s back garden. But things don’t always go to plan...

1. A food thief

Dogs have not been allowed into the showground since 1944 — in part thanks to a lurcher who stole a piece of chicken from King George VI’s lunch plate at the first show in 1943; a mortifying incident for the committee.

2. A close shave

“I had bagged myself a chair on the members’ lawn to report on the H&H British Isles showing championship final in the early 1990s, when two chaps came and stood in front of me in deep conversation,” remembers H&H showing reporter Tricia Johnson. “I sighed loudly and moved my chair, before one of the men sauntered across and stood in front of me again. I was about to say something until he turned, and in profile I recognised him as the Duke of Edinburgh. A close shave…”

3. Loose horse!

“We were just tucking into dinner after a busy day at Windsor when Simon’s phone rang,” says Natalie Reynolds, wife of producer Simon. “It was fellow competitor Simon Charlesworth. Simon answered, to be told, ‘Don’t worry, we’ve caught him now, but one of your cobs got out!’ We quickly hot-footed it back to the showground and were horrified to find the whole of the front of the box on the other side of the stable aisle. The cob was completely unscathed, but apparently a cannon fire had unsettled him — it looked like a juggernaut had ripped the stable up. Moral of 
the story? Read the schedule to find out when there may be cannon fire.”

4. Pungent problems

The day that bad weather caused an underground effluent tank to leak and overflow into the craft tent stands out for event organiser Simon Brooks-Ward, who remembers saying to a girl who was selling potpourri: “You have the right product for the right occasion.” “But it didn’t go down quite as well as I had hoped,” he laughs in hindsight.

5. Panicked Friesians

The Duke of Edinburgh’s carriage was clipped and a showing class disrupted at Windsor in 2013 by a pair of runaway carriage horses. Prince Philip was not hurt, but the panicked Friesians careered 
into the Copper Horse Arena, where the intermediate show hunter class was taking place. Luckily, a spectator was on the ball. He quickly leapt over the fence and fortunately managed to stop the pair.

6. Tactical dismounting

Tantoni Sir Soccrates gave Alice Oppenheimer a sticky moment in the prize-giving in 2015 (pictured, top). Having just won the advanced medium freestyle, the former licensed stallion produced some impressive airs above ground that forced Alice to make a ‘tactical dismount’ on her lap of honour.

7. A fall to remember

“In 2016, I took my veteran Popsters Loaded Weapon,” says H&H blogger and show rider Chloe Chubb. “With 37-plus in our class, I wasn’t expecting a placing, but I was delighted when we were called in fourth. ‘Jacob’ had got himself a little excited waiting in line after standing next to a ‘keen’ mare, and started bouncing around as the back line left the arena. He caught me off-guard, bolted and I ended up coming off — a 20-year-old veteran deposited me in The Queen’s back garden.”

Don’t miss the full coverage of Royal Windsor Horse Show in next week’s Horse & Hound, out 16 May

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Royal Windsor Horse Show (8-12 May) will offer a new thrill this year with the introduction of a main arena extreme driving event, thought to be the first of its kind.

The competition — modelled on the winter FEI driving world cup series — will feature the world’s top four-in-hand drivers racing around a course of timed obstacles for a share of a generous £10,000 prize pot.

While the winter series has established itself as a big attraction at world cup shows, this is the first time the format has been trialled at an outdoor venue.

“Audiences at indoor horse shows have enjoyed the thrilling spectacle of extreme driving for some years now. True to Royal Windsor’s reputation as an innovator, it will be the first outdoor equestrian event to host carriage driving in this format,” Simon Brooks-Ward, director of show organiser HPower, told H&H.

“And we are very grateful to Karen and Hugh Scott-Barrett for their generous support of this new addition to the programme.

“The field includes the world’s top drivers, and with a larger arena than they are used to at indoor events, we are expecting to witness something rather special in the Castle Arena.”

Carriage driving — a favoured hobby of Prince Phillip — has long had a central place at Royal Windsor.

The show hosts British Driving Society (BDS) classes, the BDS drive and a popular coaching marathon alongside Britain’s most prestigious driving trial, the CAIO 4* Land Rover international driving grand prix.

Six competitors from this year’s driving grand prix line-up have been invited to take part in the new extreme driving challenge, including reigning world champion Boyd Exell, reigning World Cup champion Bram Chardon and British representative Dan Naprous. Joining them will be Bram’s father Ijsbrand Chardon, fellow Dutchman Koos De Ronde and Belgium’s rising star Glenn Geerts.

Drivers will face some interesting logistical challenges tackling the two competitions, with the main arena event taking place on Sunday afternoon, shortly after the conclusion of the four-day driving trial.

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Competitors are likely to bring their specialist indoor (World Cup) teams, usually comprising smaller, more agile horses, to give them the best shot at the extreme driving event, which has been sponsored by Hugh and Karen Scott-Barrett.

With a £12,300 prize fund also on offer for the four-in-hand section of the Land Rover international driving grand prix, Royal Windsor now becomes one of the richest events in the driving calendar.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday. In the current edition (28 MArch) you will find a coupon for a free ticket to Royal Windsor.

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Young drivers were given the extraordinary opportunity to take the reins of double Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) harness champion Aghaderg Stand and Deliver during a hackney experience day to promote the rare breed.

The event was organised by Hackney Horse Society (HHS) youth ambassador Jessie Dudley Apicella — who has claimed all the major private driving titles with the exceptional hackney pony in recent years, winning at HOYS, as well as claiming the British Driving Society (BDS) national title at Addington and BDS annual championship at Smith’s Lawn.

Jessie organised a full schedule of events that was attended by 30 drivers aged between 10 and 18. There were lessons in rein handling and putting on harness before attendees were given the chance to try long-reining and running up hackneys in hand — including Ardingly championship winners Shaker Maker and Aghaderg Your Money or Your Life.

They were also able to drive hackney horse Brookeborough High Jack as well as “Paddy” (Aghaderg Stand and Deliver) who proved an excellent schoolmaster.

The free experience was supported by the HHS, while the use of the venue was donated by the Ashfields Equestrian Trust.

HHS chairman Barbara Stockton said it had been lovely to not just see hackney enthusiasts at the event, but also children from private driving backgrounds, driving trials competitors and also those from the Pony Club.

“Jessie is very enthusiastic and she has got a fantastic team of horses,” she said.

“It was wonderful to see the smiles on some of the kids’ faces. All of us who are hackneyphiles know how fantastic they are and it definitely lit a few sparks for the children here today.”

Thirteen-year-old Harriet McEntee, who more usually competes at driving trials with her Welsh Section C Archie, said the day had proved a great opportunity.

“I really like hackneys and I’m interested in getting into private driving. I knew ‘Paddy’ was going to be here and it was one of the things that made me want to come, as to be able to drive a pony like that is very special,” she said.

“There was a lot more to do here than I expected, and we had the chance to long-rein two horses and drive two,” she added. “I was also asked by the Peters family if I wanted to compete in the young whip at Ardingly [the Hackney Breed Show] while I was here, so it’s been a productive day.”

The driving circuit in all disciplines — but particularly in private driving and wagons — has suffered from a lack of numbers in young driver categories, and the turnout for this event was a real boost.

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“We didn’t even realise there were so many kids out there who were interested — we’d filled 25 places within four hours of advertising it,” Jessie said. “I think the attraction is in giving them something ‘proper’ to drive. They want to run an in-hand champion and drive a HOYS champion. Experiences like that are how you learn.”

Jessie said she is hoping the days will become a regular fixture and that they will evolve from “taster” sessions to a more involved experience. She also believes they will be a boost for the breed which is listed with a “critical” status by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, with less than 300 mares.

“It’s definitely upped publicity for hackneys and that’s what we want. They have the reputation of being difficult horses and ‘untameable’ but it’s a total myth and I wanted to prove a point that they really are very nice,” she added.

“Once you’ve driven something like Paddy, driving something else isn’t the same, it’s like going from a Ferrari to a Ford Cortina — you can’t beat a hackney.”

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From the wagons and carriages of TV period dramas to the exhilaration of competitive scurry driving, there’s something very compelling about carriage driving. The discipline involves vehicles being pulled by a either single horse, a pair (two horses, side-by-side), a tandem (two horses, one behind the other) or four-in-hand (four horses in two pairs). While you’ll need either a lot of experience or a lot of expert help to break your own horse(s) to harness, many driving societies run ‘taster days’ when you can find out for yourself how it feels to hold the reins.

Jo Broadbent (pictured) of Fenix carriage and driving centre is a former open single horse British national champion and started driving around 25 years ago.

“I was involved with horses from a young age and had regular riding lessons as a child before becoming involved with driving by helping a friend who needed a passenger,” she says. “I soon became hooked on the driving rather than the riding and would spend all of my spare time helping and learning about the sport. I absolutely love it. Every day you learn something new, the challenges are endless and the sense of achievement with competitive driving can be huge, especially when you and your team are focused and on form.”

If you’re already a rider, then you have a head start when it comes to trying driving. Angela Flanagan has represented Britain at the World Carriage Driving Championships with both singles and pairs, and is currently a member of the British Carriage Driving Council.

“In my experience as a coach, those who have ridden tend to find the transition to driving easier than a non-rider, as they have a basic understanding of rein handling and also understand how the horse or pony is likely to react to certain situations,” she says.

Jo adds: “In my opinion, the bond you have with a driving horse is just as strong as with a riding horse. The only connection with your driving equine is your voice and the rein. Riders can take their seat for granted sometimes and underestimate the connection and feel you have through it. As drivers we have to have the confidence and trust without that connection. Driving horses, especially team/tandem leaders are a long way from the driver so a mutual trust and respect is essential.”

If you’re keen to try driving, both Jo and Angela recommend trying a taster session first, then a course of several lessons to learn safe practice.

“If you get hooked, then your coach or trainer will be able to advise how best to proceed from there,” says Jo. “Breaking or buying your own driving horse or pony and investing in equipment for driving can be expensive, so take your time and get advice. Remember that cheap harness and bargain internet buy carriages are almost always a false economy, and can even be dangerous. Good quality second-hand equipment can be an economical way to get started but again, but do get advice on correct fit and suitability. There are starter kits out there, but take your time to decide which type of driving you want to get involved with before buying kit that might not be suitable for what you want to do. If you don’t want to own your own turnout, regular lessons with a driving centre’s turnout can be very rewarding without the cost of owning.

“The beauty of driving is that there are lots of ways of being involved without the cost and ties of owning — for example, back stepping or grooming can be great fun and rewarding. There are plenty of drivers looking for help, and joining a local British Driving Society area or driving trials group will be a good way of meeting drivers and learning about what’s involved.”

“All of our British Carriage Driving clubs run their own training clinics, some of which are specifically for beginners,” adds Angela. “It’s always a good idea to go along to a club event to watch and learn about the discipline and meet and get to know people. Driving is a very sociable activity and you’ll soon find yourself getting involved.

To find details of events in your area, visit the British Carriage Driving website or search for carriage driving club Facebook pages in your local area. British Carriage Driving are planning to run a nationwide series of taster days in 2019, keep an eye on the website for details.

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The USA secured a stunning victory on home soil in the driving team competition, sponsored by Polaris Ranger, to bring the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon to a close. But Australia’s Boyd Exell proved he remains in a league of his own within the sport of four-in-hand driving by securing his third successive individual WEG gold medal.

Despite the valiant efforts of crowd-favourite Chester Weber, who lead Team USA to gold and claimed individual silver, no one was able to rival Boyd from the moment he entered the dressage arena on day one.

First in the dressage, third in the marathon despite being hampered by broken brakes on his vehicle and second in the closing cones phase, Boyd finished on an overall score of 154.14, almost 10 points clear of Chester. Edouard Simonet, the 29-year-old Belgian who was once a back-stepper for Exell, took the bronze medal with a final score of 174.15.

“I love training horses,” said Boyd. “It is a relief to win. I have a huge team of people who have been with me 20 years.”

Chester, who also finished second to Boyd at the 2014 WEG in Normandy, France, was overjoyed to take an unexpected team title in front of the delighted home crowd.

“I can tell you it was a surprise, I thought we came here with a chance of a medal but if you had asked me if I was going to have a bet on whether we were going to be world champions, I would have said I am not sure,” said Chester, whose USA team finished with a winning score of 353.39.

Teammate James Fairclough, who introduced Weber to the sport as a young teenager, already has an eye on the future after the USA beat the Netherlands, the 2010 and 2014 champions, into second. Belgium finished in third.

“I hope it’s going to inspire a lot of people to come forward and try the sport. It’s a great boost for us,” said James.

Continued below…

USA claims team gold in thrilling jump-off at WEG: ‘I’m proud to be American today’

The showjumping World Championship went down to the wire when Sweden and the home side had to jump off for

Female world showjumping individual gold medallist crowned for first time since 1986

Germany’s Simone Blum put in a fabulous performance today to take home the individual gold medal in the showjumping World

History made as US beaten to reining gold at WEG

‘Every time we show, he gives me all he has and every time it gets better and better’

Basking in the glow of winning a World Games bronze medal to go with their 2017 European team bronze, the Belgium team also made clear their intention to change driving’s established order.

“We are the future not only of Belgium driving, but of international driving,” said Glenn Geerts, who like individual bronze medal winner Simonet is 29 years old, while Dries Degrieck, the third member of the team, is just 23.

In comparison, traditional driving powerhouse the Netherlands finished Tryon lamenting unexpectedly disappointing marathon performances from their often all-conquering father and son duo Ijsbrand and Bram Chardon. The pair did come out firing on the final day, with 25-year-old Bram Chardon producing the only double clear round in the cones, but it was not enough to deliver a third successive team gold, leaving them in silver.

Britain did not send any representatives to Tryon to compete in the combined driving world championships due to costs.

World Equestrian Games driving results

Team medals

Gold: USA (James Fairclough, Misdee Wrigley-Miller, Chester Weber) 353.39

Silver: The Netherlands (Bram Chardon, Koos De Ronde, Ijsbrand Chardon) 356.79

Bronze: Belgium (Dries Degrieck, Glenn Geerts, Edouard Simonet) 364.09

Individual medals

Gold: Boyd Exell (AUS) 154.14

Silver: Chester Weber (USA) 163.38

Bronze: Edouard Simonet (BEL) 174.15

Full reports and analysis of the World Equestrian Games action from Tryon, USA can be enjoyed in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 20 and 27 September.

Heavy rain has forced a change in location for the driving competition at the World Equestrian Games (WEG).

The driving dressage has been moved to training areas six and seven at 8.30am on Friday (21 September).

The marathon course is unaffected and will go ahead as planned on Saturday (22 September).

The driving cones test has been moved from the morning to the afternoon on Sunday (23 September) and will be held in the Tryon Stadium after the showjumping individual medal ceremony.

A statement from the organiers said the changes are due to “recent heavy rain and the fact that spectator viewing areas are no longer fit for purpose”.

Tropical storm Florence has caused a headache for WEG organisers, with heavy rain resulting in the cancellation of the dressage freestyle and rescheduling of the eventing competition’s final phase.

Now the storm has passed, weather conditions in Tryon are expected to improve this week.

However it is likely to be hot and humid — the latest forecasts are for sunshine and temperatures of around 29C to 32C in the daytime until Sunday and 20C at night, with windspeeds of around 9km/h, gusting up to 16km/h.

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The first para dressage individual medals will be decided this afternoon (Tuesday) and today also marks the start of the vaulting competition.

The grade IV individual championship starts at 9.30am (2.30pm BST). This is followed by the grade II individual, which features the first of the British para riders, Lee Pearson, and the grade V individual, which will be contested by Britain’s Sophie Wells. Natasha Baker and Erin Orford start their WEG campaigns on Wednesday.

Britain’s vaulting squad are in action at 10.27am (3.27pm BST), with individuals Lucy Phillips and Rebecca Norval taking to the ring at 2.06pm (7.06pm) and 2.46pm (7.46pm) respectively.

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The owner of a donkey whose entry to the Royal County of Berkshire Show was only accepted after a Facebook campaign believes attitudes are changing to “alternative” equines.

Joanne Parrett first asked organisers if she could take part in a driving class with Rikita Du Bocage two years ago and says she was refused permission as the 12.2hh mare’s presence could be a health and safety issue.

Having competed against horses and ponies at other events, including Royal Windsor this year, she tried again to enter the Berkshire show, which runs from 15 to 16 September, but was refused.

“We normally came near the bottom against the horses but to be able to compete was great,” Joanne told H&H.

“I then emailed Royal Windsor about entering and as soon as I said I was a British Driving Society member, they said ‘no problem’.

“At Windsor, the crowd was cheering us so much in the parade, it was unbelievable. ‘Riki’ loved it and started cantering; it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Even the other competitors were saying ‘doesn’t the crowd love your donkey?’”

The turnout enjoyed more success at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show in July, so Joanne was surprised when Royal County of Berkshire organisers told her her entries would not be allowed.

“They didn’t give me a reason, and I thought if we were good enough for Royal Windsor, surely we’re ok for Royal County of Berkshire too,” Joanne said.

“I was a bit miffed so I went on Facebook and had a bit of a whinge, but didn’t realise what would happen. A friend of mine who also has donkeys picked it up and moaned on the show’s Facebook, and there were loads of replies from people saying “Go Riki, go” and how she was fab at Windsor.

“About three-quarters of an hour later, I got an email from the show saying they looked forward to receiving my entries.”

Joanne, who describes 13-year-old Riki as an “absolute diva”, said she believes the publicity surrounding Wallace The Great, the first mule to compete in British Dressage competitions, may have helped her cause.

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“I think there’s realisation that other equines may be different but can still do the job, and why shouldn’t they?” she said. “I think people think they’re all little donkeys plodding about in fields, but we got to the supreme horse championship at the New Forest show and did a dressage display to music, against a Hackney stallion and a six-horse heavy horse team.

“I used Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 and the crowd was cheering – people couldn’t believe they were seeing this donkey in the main arena. It was a fantastic experience.

“We’ve broken the mould. I won’t get to the Horse of the Year Show or anything, that’ll never happen, but having these opportunities is fantastic.”

H&H has contacted Royal County of Berkshire organisers for comment.

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

When Jane O’Neill broke her neck in a showjumping accident, she thought her days with horses were over. But thanks to loyal friends and the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), she has enjoyed success in carriage driving for 32 years, despite being paralysed from the chest down.

“Carriage driving was the last thing I saw myself doing when I was showjumping, but my friends didn’t want me to miss out on being around horses. So while I was still in hospital following my accident, they bought me a pony and trap, and it all started from there,” said Jane. “I now love my driving and I love watching other people enjoy driving.”

At the RDA National Championships (13-15 July at Hartpury in Gloucestershire), she took the open carriage driving championship with Margaret Brockie’s 14-year-old Welsh section C mare Sweet Pea.

Alongside competing, Jane also runs Red Rose Carriage Driving in Southport, a driving club set up to offer driving lessons and opportunities for disabled people in conjunction with the RDA.

“The RDA have been absolutely fantastic — nothing is too much trouble, and I have them to thank for my love of driving.

“It gives me that sense of freedom that I can’t get anywhere else. When you are in a wheelchair, everything is at a certain level, but when you’re up in the carriage, you see so much more. It’s just nice being able to look over the hedge into people’s gardens and feel the wind on your face. It’s kept me involved in horses and every morning I get up and muck out, not in a conventional way, but I get it done. I never thought I’d muck out again after my accident.”

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Being paralysed from the chest down means Jane can’t use her hands or legs, only her wrists, so getting back on a horse was never an option. She uses a looped rein and wears special Velcro gloves that help her grip them when she’s driving, and ensuring the ponies have good temperaments is vital.

“They are all special ponies and have to be very responsive to my voice and light in my hand,” explained Jane. “Sweet Pea is the loveliest little mare. She somehow knows when she has a disabled person driving her and is so gentle and careful. I’m so grateful I still have horses in my life.”

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Owners of out of control dogs at equestrian events could be hit in the pocket with hefty fines from next year.

The FEI is proposing a CHF 100 (£76) fine for owners of loose dogs at all its affiliated events worldwide from 1 January 2019.

The move follows a number of high-profile incidents of dogs chasing horses at competitions in recent years.

“There is currently no provision in the FEI rules about dogs at FEI events and some disciplines have references to it in the schedule,” states the explanation in the FEI 2019 general regulations proposal.

“It is proposed to clarify that dogs must be leashed at FEI events as otherwise it can be dangerous for the horses/riders if there are loose dogs running.”

The suggested wording for the new rule is as follows: “If allowed at the event, all dogs must be leashed and affixed to a human or stationary object.

“Violation of this rule will incur a fine of CHF 100 per offence and, in case of a repeated offence at the event, may lead to exclusion from the venue.”

The rule, which is still in the early stages of development, would cover all international events in any of the FEI’s eight disciplines.

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National federations and stakeholders are being consulted on all the proposed rule changes and second drafts will be released in the autumn. A final draft of the rule changes will be voted on at the FEI general assembly in November, and, if approved, would come into force on 1 January 2019.

Some horse trials already have fines in place for owners of dogs found to be off the lead. Osberton International Horse Trials in Nottinghamshire (27-30 September) and Frickley Park in Yorkshire (21-29 July and 8-9 September) both warn owners that they will be fined, with proceeds going to charity, if their dogs are found off the lead.

Luhmühlen in Germany has introduced a €250 (£220) fine after a rider was chased on the cross-country.

One of the most recent high-profile cases involved Andrew Nicholson and Yacabo BK in the CCI3* showjumping at Bramham on 10 June (pictured, top).

This followed a similar incident involving Andrew Hoy and Vassily De Lassos in an advanced intermediate section at Gatcombe on 24 March.

Both riders suggested this is a scenario where the bell could be rung and the dog caught before allowing the rider to continue.

In this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, out on Thursday 12 July 2018, don’t miss our ‘Rider fitness’ special including what top riders eat, fitness for across the disciplines and more.

Plus, read our interview with Royal Ascot-winning trainer Eve Johnson Houghton and in this week’s ‘Vet clinic’ we take a look at bacterial meningitis in horses. We also have reports from eventing action at Barbury, racing from Sandown Park and much more.

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 teenager who took up driving “a couple of weeks ago” has met The Queen after a stunning championship debut.

Chanie Matthews, 14, won the Thimbleby & Shorland Young Driver Championship on her first attempt at the British Driving Society’s (BDS) annual show on Sunday (24 June).

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, who is patron of the BDS, presented the five championship winners with rosettes and sashes at the event, held at Smiths Lawn in Windsor Great Park.

Chanie, from Weymouth, had come to the show for the main purpose of taking part in the parade in front of the royal couple.

“We came to parade in front of The Queen, I only decided to start driving a couple of weeks ago, so just decided to come here have a go and see how we got on,” said Chanie.

She was driving her part-bred Dartmoor Lowermoor 606 (“Banjo”), who also enjoys showjumping, eventing and dressage, to an exercise vehicle.

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The 12-year-old skewbald gelding was broken to harness two years ago and has taken to it with aplomb.

“Banjo is an all-round versatile horse, a perfect example of how any pony at home who has been outgrown by the children can be introduced to driving,” said Chanie’s mum Karen Matthews.

“I can thoroughly recommend breaking them to harness and to have a go.”

The young driver class is open to both traditional and day-to-day exercise vehicles and is judged on the capabilities of the driver, with particular attention to his or her dress, driving procedure and the combination’s turnout.

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

In this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, out on Thursday 21 June 2018, don’t miss our full report from Bolesworth International, including all the showjumping and dressage action plus more.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The equestrian community has pledged its support for clean sport by backing UK Anti-Doping’s (UKAD) week-long campaign.

UKAD’s Clean Sport Week runs from 21 to 27 May, with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of clean sport and what it actually entails.

The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) is among the bodies supporting the campaign.

“It is vital that everyone participating within equestrian sport fully understands the importance of clean sport and the rules they must adhere to, at both national and international level,” said newly appointed chief executive Nick Fellows.

“[These rules apply to] both human and equine athletes — as well as ensuring the highest standards of horse welfare.”

Mr Fellows said the BEF will promote informative articles online throughout the week.

“[These will] highlight where people can find out more information about clean sport, and how riders, owners and teams, can check prohibited substance and controlled medication lists, ensuring the spotlight is placed on the importance of clean sport across both human and equine athletes,” he added.

The British Grooms Association (BGA) is urging grooms and riders to familiarise themselves with the rules and to take part in its online “Groom Clean” course — open to both members and non-members.

“With increased focus on keeping clean in equestrian sport we are urging all competitors to put their team through Groom Clean to help protect their careers,” said BGA chief executive Lucy Katan.

“The e-learning course will give you a good understanding of how to avoid an anti-doping rule violation, something every competition groom and rider should know.”

Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester’s groom Alan Davies said the course is “an invaluable tool”.

“Clean sport is a very serious topic so it is very important that grooms have access to this information,” said Alan.

“We have to be aware of so many regulations and also of how our horses can be affected in many different situations.”

Equestrian products and supplement manufacturer NAF has strict protocols in place to ensure its products comply with clean sport rules.

“Clean sport encompasses the equine anti-doping and controlled medication rules, which deal with the doping of horses and the use of inappropriate medication in competition,” explained a NAF spokesman.

“Anyone who is a member of an equestrian sporting discipline and is eligible [to take part] can be subjected to testing. This includes equestrian sports and [BEF] member bodies such as the British Riding Clubs.”

Recycling debate

Recent discussion on plastic packaging has sparked debate on whether refills could comply with the stringent processes that go into preventing accidental contamination.

But NAF has concerns about potential contamination and traceability problems that could theoretically arise.

“NAF are very conscious of environmental concerns and is working hard behind the scenes to ensure our packaging is as environmentally friendly as possible,” said the spokesman.

“We have trials ongoing currently with recyclable bags, but in the meantime we believe our pots and bottles, which are widely recyclable by all roadside collections, are the best option.

“We also endeavour to provide larger sizes for most of our products, as these reduce overall packaging and give the customer the option of upcycling them – they make great tack boxes for the lorry, or slosh buckets after work.

“Once opened we lose control of the contents, and it will always be possible for contamination to occur, and this is something that we couldn’t risk with our products.

“We do believe that the equine industry needs to rise to the plastic challenge, and we will continue to explore new innovative ways to offer the best quality products for owners and their horses, that won’t cost us all the earth.”

11 tips and facts about anti-doping…

• Testing of horses and riders can take place, at both national and international competitions
• The rider is regarded as the “responsible person”, for their horse or pony, with the exception of children aged under 18, although other members of the support team — such as the horse’s owner — may also be held liable
• Use different coloured feed bowls to avoid the wrong feeds being given to the wrong horse
• Use different mixing spoons when controlled medication is administered to avoid contamination
• Ensure tea and coffee-making facilities are not in the feed room
• Be aware when drinking soft drinks around your horse, or eating snacks such as biscuits or chocolate bars as caffeine is a common positive test result
• Buy feeds from trusted companies which have full traceability of raw ingredients — look out for Universal Feed Assurance Scheme accredited manufacturers and the British Equestrian Trade Association’s BETA NOPS logo
• Speak to your vet about withdrawal and detection times for controlled medications
• Familiarise yourself with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances for humans and make sure you discuss any potential issues or therapeutic use exemptions with your doctor and the BEF
• Record batch numbers and feeds
• Do not keep first aid and grooming kits in the feed room

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

In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The world’s eyes might be on Windsor this month for a certain wedding, but it’s the top class equestrian action that caught our imagination last week (9-13 May 2018). We take a look behind the scenes...

Royal Windsor knows all about rain (rewind to the apocalyptic flooding of 2016…), and so when the sun does shine we know how to make the most of it…

Going freestyle: we can’t always trust our horses to stick to the script when it matters most

Soldier soldier: we wouldn’t blame horses for looking twice at these (fake) guardsmen

With a packed schedule of top showjumping classes, it’s poles galore behind-the-scenes

All hands on deck: a bowler hat-clad steward gets to work

Clad in her signature headscarf, The Queen could be mistaken for just another spectator — if it weren’t for her entourage of security (and all those camera lenses…)

Pomp and ceremony: members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment leave the Castle Arena after its musical ride. Next stop? Reporting for duty for Harry and Meghan’s wedding in Windsor this Saturday (19 May)

A Royal Windsor star: Katie Jerram-Hunnable and The Queen’s prolific former racehorse-turned-showing star strike a post ahead of his retirement ceremony at the show

Beady eyes: spectators don’t get much more knowledgable than Her Majesty

Show pressure? What show pressure? Horses are grazed in the picture-perfect grounds of Windsor Castle

All part of the plan: the Equestrian Federation of Azerbaijan wow the crowds with their new performance ‘Land of Fire – Azerbaijan’

Finishing with a bang: the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery’s musical drive ends in its typically spectacular style

Fast and furious: team Scotland at breakneck speed in the DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games

A (Royal) family day out: Sophie Countess of Wessex and her son Viscount Severn keep a close eye on the driving

Don’t miss the full report and analysis from Royal Windsor Horse Show 2018 in this Thursday’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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

The man behind the carriage horses in the Belgium city of Bruges, has a special relationship with his horses — which means they happily follow him into the pub...

If you’ve ever visited the romantic city of Bruges, you will remember the carriage horses waiting patiently to take the 300,000 visitors who descend on it each year on a tour around its postcard-worthy streets.

But behind these working horses is an unlikely set up. Three-and-a-half kilometres outside the city is the home of Mark Wentein — international driving judge, proposed chef d’equipe for the Belgian driving team at the World Equestrian Games this September, editor and publisher of Belgium’s equestrian magazine Hippo Revue, and himself a Belgian single pony champion.

With his son Mathias, he owns four of the 13 licences for carriages in the city and has turned his 17th-century farm into a yard that most top competition horses would consider lavish.

The working day for these horses is capped at eight hours, after which they head back to Mark’s yard for a compulsory two-day break. And the lines between their jobs are blurred — he likes all his carriage horses to be ridden under saddle, and one that was in the city yesterday could find itself drag-hunting 
the next.

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The secret to his successful business and gleaming horses he says, is the trust he has with them.

His old Welsh cob Lucky, whom he drove at Royal Windsor — where he is now a commentator — once came on stage for a play his daughter was in, which involved taking him up two floors in a lift. For a TV programme his horses came into his sitting room — “my wife thought I was mad” — and they’ve stopped by at the pub he owns while he pulls a pint.

“It proves that if you have a good relationship and you never cheat on trust, they follow you,” he says. “In America being a horse whisperer is a job — here it’s logic. You need to be able to communicate with them so they can tell you when something is wrong.”

Watch Mark’s horses coming into his house and pub:

Don’t miss our full feature about carriage horses in Bruges in today’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (8 February 2018)

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

Navigating the rule book and a focus on fitness has meant 19-year-old Amelia Waddicor has reached new heights with her driving horse. Here she shares her inspiring story…

“Two years ago, I was given a rare-breed Caspian horse for my birthday that my mum had bought for £50 from the local riding school. Khoja had not done anything for a year and Mum thought I might like a project.

“At 12hh he was a bit small to ride, so I decided to have him broken to drive. This year has been the most amazing time for us — we started the season by qualifying for the British Indoor Carriage Driving Championships novice pony, where we came sixth.

“We then ventured outdoors to try our hand at full two- and three-day events. This meant we had to put in an awful lot of hours getting and keeping Khoja fit, as a full marathon can be round 16km (10 miles). Learning all the rules and trying to understand the obstacles was one heck of a challenge. Carriage driving is a team sport and I really couldn’t do it without Morag my backstepper, and my mum, who drives the horsebox and cleans all the harness.

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Don’t judge a book by its cover: cob tackles CIC* events

Maddie Oldfield’s cob Miss Moneypenny III might only be 15.2hh with a bushy tail and feathers, but that hasn’t stopped

“Amazingly we managed to clock up wins at Windsor, Goodwood and Eppynt. We competed at Sandringham in the British Young Drivers Championships and won our age group, coming third overall. We went to the National Championships at Cirencester, then to round the year off we were invited to take part in the Caspian display team at HOYS.

“To have come so far in such a short space of time, with my £50 pony from the riding school is awesome. It just shows you that size isn’t everything.”

This article was first published in our special Reader Issue of Horse & Hound magazine (28 December 2017), where we asked you to share your stories of triumph from 2017 with us

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

As we countdown to the FEI World Equestrian Games, we bring you all you need to know about each of the eight equestrian sports that take place

What’s the format?

If you understand eventing, you understand driving trials — as one of our reporters once said, it’s basically eventing but with wheels instead of jumps.

The WEG driving competition is for horse teams, so four horses are put to a carriage, with two wheelers behind and two leaders in front. The driver uses the reins, voice and whip as his aids, while two backsteppers help to balance the carriage, navigate and so on.

Each competitor starts with driven dressage on 21 September, which is marked on similar criteria to ridden dressage.

Next comes marathon day (22 September), which is akin to long-format eventing, with “roads and tracks” before the real action. On the “cross-country” section, there are eight obstacles, each with gates marked A to F — competitors must try to find the fastest route through in the right order. There are penalties for the time taken in the obstacles, as well as for faults such as knocking a ball or putting a groom down if the carriage gets stuck.

In the final cones phase on 23 September, drivers follow a set course through cones with balls on top. There are penalties for knocking down the balls and for exceeding the time allowance.

How does the scoring work?

Competitors are given a penalty score for their dressage and further penalties are added to this in the marathon and cones phases. The lowest overall penalty score wins.

There is no such thing as a “clear round” in the marathon — drivers are penalised for every second they spend in the obstacles. In contrast, it is possible to complete the cones without penalties.

Teams consist of three drivers, with one discard score.

How many medals are there and when are they awarded?

There is one set of team medals and one set of individual medals. They are awarded after the cones phase on 23 September.

Who’s representing Britain?

Details of who has been selected for the British squad will be revealed in due course.

When will H&H report it?

H&H’s WEG reports will run in 20 and 27 September issues of the magazine.

We will also carry reports, pictures and video online throughout the competition. Find all our online WEG coverage here >>

For an early look at the WEG venue, turn to p34 of 18 January issue of Horse & Hound magazine. The full WEG preview will be on sale on Thursday 6 September.