The four-star event horse Sligo Luckyvalier has been put down following a fall while competing in the eventers’ grand prix at the Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show last night (14 June).

The 16-year-old gelding, ridden by Ivy Freeman-Attwood, fell during the cross-country phase of the pairs competition, in which Ivy had teamed up with her sister, showjumper Lily Freeman-Attwood and 11-year-old mare Topspin. The horse received immediate on-site veterinary care, and was taken in a horse ambulance for further assessment, but was later put down. Ivy was uninjured in the fall.

“Organisers of the Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show announce with a deep sense of regret and profound sadness that the 16-year-old gelding Sligo Luckyvalier has been put to sleep,” said an official statement from the show.

Nina Barbour, president of the show, said: “We offer our heartfelt and sincere condolences to Ivy, her support team, the Freeman-Attwood family and all connections of the horse.”

The eventers’ grand prix is a relay-style event in which event riders team up with showjumpers. First, the showjumper tackles a course in the main international arena, before the eventer takes over to jump a series of cross-country fences out in the grounds of Bolesworth Castle, before returning to the international arena to finish with a showjumping round, including a final joker fence. Sligo Luckyvalier’s fall took place outside the main arena, in the castle grounds.

Sligo Luckyvalier, who was by Lucky Valier and out of Fassadianin Diana, is owned by Emily Rothschild. He has been partnered by Ivy since September 2015, having previously been competed at four-star by Gary Parsonage. He and Gary completed at Burghley twice, finishing 29th in 2013, and also finished 20th at Luhmühlen CCI4* that same year.

Under 19-year-old Ivy, the horse competed up to CIC3*; they finished 29th at Chatsworth last month.

Don’t miss our full report from Bolesworth in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, on sale on 21 June.

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Having your horse working correctly in an outline, by engaging their core while stretching softly forwards into the rider’s hand to produce a good topline, is a common goal when schooling. To achieve this the horse must be working forward into a consistent contact, with their core muscles engaged and the hind legs stepping under, so the horse is able to carry their own weight and that of their rider without falling on to the forehand.

If you are looking for further training and schooling ideas, why not sign up to Horse & Hound’s eight-week e-training plan to give your training focus and perfect your flatwork basics? Find out what is involved here.

4 simple exercises to help your horse work in an outline

Gary Parsonage, event rider

1. Spiral in and out

Why: This is a simple exercise designed to get a horse working in a basic outline while working freely forward in a happy frame of mind. The exercise engages the hind leg whilst keeping the horse forward to the contact, resulting in self carriage and showing the horse a more comfortable outline in which to carry himself and his rider.

How

1. Place a cone in the centre of an area large enough to comfortably circle around on the horse. Begin in walk and circle around the cone, working to stay equidistant at all points. Start at around 20m from the cone.

2. Once in a happy, balanced shape, start to spiral in towards the cone. Aim to find the optimum minimum size circle the horse is comfortable with (this could be anything from 3-15m from the cone) — stay on this circle for a couple of rotations.

3. Using an on-off pressure with the inside leg, in time with the rhythm of the pace, ask the horse to begin spiralling back out to 20m again. This exercise can be repeated in trot and canter as the horse develops physically and mentally.

2. Transitions within a pace

Why: To develop and test the subtle connection between leg and hand and control of impulsion, a great ‘go to’ exercise for absolutely any level of training is transitions within a pace. Lightness of aid, both in leg and hand, is a goal to be aimed for as an end result of each training session.

How

1. In trot, slow the pace down for a few strides (outline and contact should remain consistent) then ask the horse to step forward to a bigger trot again, maintaining the same outline and contact.

2. As the horse gains confidence with the exercise the amount of slower and bigger steps can be increased to show a greater contrast and expression. This can also be thought of as turning the volume up and down within the pace.

3. The horse should remain in front of the leg at all stages of the exercise, as speed of pace is too easily, and often confused with, being in front of the leg. To help the horse focus less on the hand, the rider should always try to use their position and upper body to give a hint that a transition is about to happen. In doing so the horse is calm and prepared in himself for the next phase. Core strength here is a big advantage for the rider.

Katie Jerram, showing producer (pictured top)

3. Lateral work

Why: This is one I use quite a lot both when teaching and when riding myself; it gets the horse around your hand and leg and it teaches him to accept the aids — both essential if you are to achieve the correct outline. It also gives the rider the necessary control; I often use two schooling whips for this exercise — I don’t tend to use spurs as I am preparing horses to be ridden by a judge who won’t be wearing them, and two whips help back the leg aids up. If the horse doesn’t respond to the leg aid, use a touch from the whip on the quarters to reinforce the aid.

How

1. Start in walk and, using the hand and leg individually to give the aid, ask the horse to come off the track 5m; he should be stepping across in front and behind.

2. Once he completes the lateral movement, ask him forward on the new line for four steps, before asking him to move back laterally to the original track. This can be repeated until the horse learns to engage the hind leg correctly and carry himself in the desired outline.

3. Once ready, move the horse on to doing the exercise in a controlled working trot.

Continued below…

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4. Trot poles

Why: I use quite a lot of trot poles when exercising; these give your horse a bit more variety in its training and a break from flatwork. Polework exercises encourag more length of stride, elastic steps and connection from behind to help the horse come into the correct outline.

How

1. Start with one pole in walk, moving up to two poles, five ‘heel to toe’ steps apart. Move the horse up into trot then increase the number of poles up to six or seven. You can then increase the distance between the third to last poles to encourage your horse to start to open his stride out.

2. Always ride for the centre of the pole; I like to sit to the trot to balance over the first pole then, through my leg and seat, put the pressure on a bit harder to open him out. Make sure when you ask for this that your horse doesn’t run on the forehand; if he does, check him back and keep doing this until he sits up into his work.

3. To improve cadence and hock action, you can move onto raised trot poles, but ensure you reduce the distance between each pole back to five ‘heel to toe’ steps apart.

As when starting any training, make sure the horse’s teeth, back and tack are not impeding progress.

Now you have some techniques to help improve your horse’s outline, why not sign up to Horse & Hound’s eight-week e-training plan to give your training focus and perfect your flatwork basics?

Shane Breen scored a blow for the showjumpers in their traditional contest against the eventers today when he won Hickstead’s Amlin Plus eventing grand prix.

The Irishman, who is based at Hickstead, rode a faultless clear round on Dorada II — last year’s runner-up — in the only performance to break the 200sec barrier. It was his second win in the class after also taking it in 2006 on Mullaghdrin Gold Rain.

Shane revealed that he had deliberately gone steadily through the water — where Dorada had a rail down at the arrowhead (fence 10 and 15) on the return trip last year — and over the new double of angled gates (fence 17, pictured), but knew he could be quicker than his main challenger Gary Parsonage over the showjumps.

“I’ve had him since he was three and he does everything,” said Shane. “The only thing he doesn’t like is puissances.”

Favourite and last-to-go Gary Parsonage was challenging for a record fourth victory on his winner of the past two years, Peter Street, and he looked on track to challenge Shane until he had a rail down going into the Devils Dyke. He ended up 10sec behind for second.

Another Irishman, Mark Kyle, was third on his ride for the forthcoming World Equestrian Games, Step In Time. It was the horse’s first time competing in the class, although Mark has previously won it on Drunken Disorderly, who was retired from competition aged 20 in a special main arena ceremony this afternoon.

Caroline Powell was fourth on another eventing grand prix virgin, Lenamore, who went as neatly as ever, with Nicole Pavitt (Blake) fifth for the showjumpers and Nicola Wilson (Portersize Top Dollar) sixth.

Replay our live written coverage of the eventing grand prix

Don’t forget to buy H&H next week for our 15-page special report from the Royal International, including the eventing grand prix.

RESULTS

1. Shane Breen on Dorada II (193.77)

2. Gary Parsonage on Peter Street (203)

3. Mark Kyle on Step In Time (207.26)

4. Caroline Powell on Lenamore (219.31)

5. Nicole Pavitt on Blake (219.51)

6. Nicola Wilson on Portersize Top Dollar (224.27)

Full results

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Tomorrow’s Amlin Plus eventing grand prix at Hickstead’s Royal International Horse Show should be a classic running of the contest.

It’s the 13th time the eventing grand prix has taken place, and there’s no doubt about who is the one to beat this time round.

Gary Parsonage goes into the class bidding for his third victory in a row on Peter Street, and his fourth in total after also winning back in 1999 on Just So.

If he succeeds, Gary will become the only person to have won four eventing grand prix titles, having equalled Pippa Funnell’s record of three (1998, 2000 and 2001 with The Tourmaline Rose) last year.

“I’m trying not to think about the record — a lot can go wrong in that 70 or 80 seconds. But the horse loves it at Hickstead and I’m looking forward to riding him there again,” says Gary.

Pippa Funnell is in the class this year as well, so she too could set a new record, but as she rides the promising eight-year-old Billy Landretti, she may wish to preserve his confidence for the future rather than throwing all caution to the winds — normally necessary for victory here.

On the eventing side, Caroline Powell could be another one to watch. Her mount, Lexi Mackinnon’s experienced four-star campaigner Lenamore, makes his first assault on this class, but he’s a great jumper and generally records fast times cross-country so he could be tailor-made for the eventing grand prix.

Former winner Shane Breen heads up the showjumpers’ challenge on Dorada, who he rode into second place last year — just ahead of his brother Trevor, who is not entered this year.

Nicole Pavitt is another to keep an eye on as she rides Blake with whom she was fourth in 2009.

Only two showjumpers have ever won — Michael Whitaker in 2003 and Shane Breen in 2006 — so they have some way to go to beat the eventers’ tally. Could they get one step closer tomorrow, or will the eventers triumph again?

A full list of entries is below.

H&H eventing editor Pippa Roome and showjumping editor Jennifer Donald will be providing live interactive written commentary on the eventing grand prix from 2.45pm tomorrow. Head to www.horseandhound.co.uk/egp-live to set an email reminder and to join in.

Eventers

• Paul Tapner on Tiger Flynne
• Mark Todd on NZB Mouse
• Joe Meyer on Ease On Fire
• Caroline Powell on Lenamore
• Dan Jocelyn on Brookfield De Bouncer
• Mark Kyle on Step In Time
• Oliver Townend on Imperial Master
• Gary Parsonage on Peter Street
• Sharon Hunt on Lady Goldfinch
• Georgie Spence on KBIS Starlet
• Emilie Chandler on Cavaliers Knight
• Alice Dunsdon on Mulligan II
• Pippa Funnell on Billy Landretti
• Matthew Wright on If You Want
• Nicola Wilson on Mini Mr Bigglesworth

Showjumpers

• Shane Breen on Dorada
• Brian Cassidy on Electric Royale
• Rowan Willis on Wellington Beowulf
• Ben Maher on William 196
• Ellen Whitaker (horse to be confirmed)
• Nicole Pavitt on Blake
• Peter Lear on Bob Le Cob
• Steven Franks on Gold Crown
• Miriam Goddard on My Molly Malone
• Grant Talbot on Pure Shores
• Lucy Bunn on Selina Russelhof

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Gary Parsonage scored a last-minute victory for the eventers in the Quantum Saddle eventing grand prix at Hickstead this afternoon.

Gary was last to go on his winner from last year, Peter Street (pictured), and as he entered the arena show jumpers — normally the underdogs in this class — held a one-two-three, with Irish brothers Shane and Trevor Breen leading Nicole Pavitt.

But Gary stormed round on the chestnut eventer-turned-show jumper and finished on a time of 200.71, including 10sec to add for two fences down. This put him just ahead of Shane on Dorada (203.25) and Trevor on Adventure De Kannan (205.66).

“I didn’t have a plan — just to go as fast as I could,” said Gary. “I know these two [the Breens] can go quick and hats off to Nicole Pavitt for setting everybody up by going fast in the middle of the class.”

Eventual runner-up Shane, the 2006 winner on Mullaghdrin Gold Rain, said: “My plan was to go as quick as I could and try to jump clear, but unfortunately I had a fence down. I knew watching Gary I was in trouble — his was a fantastic round.”

Third-placed Trevor’s ride, Adventure De Kannan, evented with his owner Karen Swan before turning to show jumping, which was why Trevor first decided to try him in this class last year, when he was too slow for the honours. This year the pair put in the fastest round, but 15sec to add for three fences down kept them out of the top spot.

Long-term leader Nicole Pavitt finished up fourth on Blake.

Gary Parsonage now equals Pippa Funnell’s record of three wins in this class — as well as last year’s victory, he took the eventing grand prix in 1999 on Just So II.

Don’t forget to buy next week’s Horse & Hound (30 July) for a 13-page report from the Royal International Horse Show, including the eventing grand prix.

Replay our H&H Live coverage

RESULTS

1. Gary Parsonage on Peter Street (200.71)

2. Shane Breen on Dorada (203.25)

3. Trevor Breen on Adventure De Kannan (205.66)

4. Nicole Pavitt on Blake (208.29)

5. Oliver Townend on Neo Du Breuil (210.57)

6. Lucinda Fredericks On Headley Britannia (217.2)

7. Tina Cook on First Flight II (217.54)

8. Dan Jocelyn on Special Advocate (221.23)

9. Emilie Chandler on Kellymoss (221.5)

10. Francis Whittington on Meantime Liatos (223.56)

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

GARY Parsonage reclaimed the title he first won nine years ago when he piloted Peter Street to victory in the Ford Ranger Eventing Grand Prix.

Drawn sixth to go out of a field of 23, Gary had his foot flat to the board from start to finish around Hickstead’s revamped 27-fence course and the pair stopped the clock in a time of 205.20sec, having jumped an immaculate clear.

Gary, who won this class with Just So II in 1999, admitted that he had high expectations of Peter Street.

“He’s an advanced eventer and a Grade A show jumper, so this class was designed for him,” said Gary. “He won Burgie CCI** four years ago, but gave himself – and me – a few frights eventing at the higher levels, so we decided to change jobs.”

Last year’s winners, Emilie Chandler and Kellymoss, came within a whisker of a second victory, finishing on 207.47. Drawn last to go, the pair recorded one of three clear jumping rounds of the competition — the third came from 11th placed show jumper Steven Franks and Royal Crown.

Matthew Wright and Caunton Welldone occupied third spot for the second year running. Theirs was one of the most exhilarating rounds of the afternoon, but two rails down across the country prevented them from topping the leaderboard.

Shane Breen was the highest placed of the show jumpers, finishing fourth with the stallion Royal Concorde, whose nosedive into the Martin Collins Ford at fence 10 marred an otherwise brilliant round.

This unique competition always sees a few dramas and this year was no exception. New Zealand’s Hong Kong-bound Joe Meyer was eliminated when his ride, Black Andy, jumped the wrong way down the Derby Bank, taking most of the newly laid turf with him, and Lucy Wiegersma performed a spectacular somersault when her ride Loustic De Lechenau (who events under the name of French Leave), stumbled up the Ford Ranger Bank at fence 21, stopped and ejected his jockey on top.

Results

1, Peter Street (Gary Parsonage), 205.20; 2, Kellymoss (Emilie Chandler), 207.47; 3, Caunton Welldone (Matthew Wright), 212.43; 4, Royal Concorde (Shane Breen), 213.72; 5, Drunken Disorderly (Mark Kyle), 220.45; 6, Song For Gull (Georgie Spence), 222.44.

Keep in touch with all the news from Hickstead on Horseandhound.co.uk plus see next week’s issue of Horse & Hound for full reports on all the action, plus fantastic photographs

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