On a cold winter’s day in 2019, Louise Bell’s eyes glowed bright as she spoke about a home-bred yearling, for whom she had high hopes: “He’s absolutely spectacular – he’s the golden child.” Seven years later, the now eight-year-old dressage horse called Peaky Blinder is living up to the promise he showed back then.

Known at home as Duggy, he has been relatively lightly competed, thanks to a tendency for “self-harm” as a four- and five-year-old that meant a few stints off with injury. However Peaky Blinder has since proved his worth with a win last year in the international young horse division at Wellington Premier League. He’s also racked up three prix st georges (PSG) wins and two at inter I since stepping up to the level in July, with scores nudging 70%.

Could Peaky Blinder be Louise Bell’s Valegro?

“He’s a gift from God,” says Louise Bell, 54, her enthusiasm for the Uthopia son she now owns with her friend Denise Reynolds still totally undiminished. “He’s such a trier – he has ‘Uti’s’ trainability – and he’s such a kind horse.

“But actually, I get real Valegro vibes from him, even though they’re not related. Duggy’s a beautiful, upstanding horse and he has that same sort of presence in the ring. He has such a desire to do the job, he’s really good at almost everything and he’s so easy to train – it’s like he’s been here before.”

Another “Professor”, then, as Valegro was famously nicknamed by Carl Hester. And with his dark colouring and white blaze, dressage horse Peaky Blinder doesn’t even look too dissimilar to the legendary champion.

“Gosh, it would be wonderful if we could emulate even 10% of what Valegro and Uti did,” says Louise, who admitted she found the news of the deaths of the great pair incredibly emotional.

A showing outing for dressage horse Peaky Blinder

That Louise switched roles from working hunter specialist to dressage star thanks to the H&H discipline swap challenge she took up in 2011, has been widely reported. Although she may not have any desire to go back to showing as a career, Louise did cause a stir when she and Peaky Blinder made an impromptu appearance in the show ring back in September.

“I wanted to help encourage him to go a bit more forward, but without the pressure of going on the gallops. I knew it was in there. So I thought I’d take him in the ring with other horses,” she explains.

Despite being out of Louise’s top showing mare Working Girl, Duggy didn’t wow the judges on his show ring debut. Louise doesn’t care: “Peaky Blinder stuck out like a sore thumb as a dressage horse – he almost went too well – but it was the right thing to do. He did his first PSG two weeks later and did brilliantly.”

Next on the cards for Duggy, following a demo at the London International Horse Show, are the regionals at PSG and inter I, and hopefully the winter dressage championships. Louise has her eye on international small tour in the not-too-distant future, though ultimately “he’ll tell me what he wants to do”.

These days, Louise trains mostly with Gareth Hughes – she describes taking her rising dressage star Peaky Blinder to Gareth’s as a bit of a full-circle moment. Gareth was instrumental in her early dressage career with her former working hunter star Into The Blue, who sadly passed away days after his retirement from international competition was announced in Horse & Hound magazine.

And she’s long worked with Carl Hester, who she says is another member of the Duggy fan club, which seems to be growing by the day.

“I send Carl videos of Duggy all the time, it probably drives him mad,” she laughs.

She’s great mates with Alan Davies too, Carl’s former top groom – it was Alan who bought Louise the Uthopia semen that resulted in her current dressage horse Peaky Blinder, as a birthday present.

Louise Bell rates ‘quality over quantity’

Louise may not have a huge string of horses, but she says it’s about “quality over quantity” for her: “I don’t need many, and I don’t have the time anyway. And I’ve got to think about later life, at least sometimes.”

That said, when breeder Claire Hester recently told her about a little filly by Uthopia, out of an Integro mare, it wasn’t long before said filly was ensconced in Louise’s Oxfordshire yard.

“So now I have this beautiful yearling with a heart-shaped star on her forehead,” says Louise, her excitement palpable. “Her name’s Unity and I call her Toots – she’s going to be my swansong horse.”

I wonder where they’ll be six years from now.

• Read this exclusive interview in full in Horse & Hound magazine (29 January 2026 edition), and to stay up to date with more insight from top riders across the disciplines, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘Thank god I took on that challenge’: 14 things you might not know about showing star-turned-international dressage rider Louise Bell

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The Horse & Hound Podcast: episode 12 – Louise Bell | Arthritis/DJD | News round up

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

Dressage rider Louise Bell has paid a heartbroken farewell to Into The Blue, with whom she went to the top in two disciplines – and who was her “soulmate”.

“Dynamo”, the horse bred by John Whitaker who went with Louise from standing working hunter champion at the Royal International Horse Show and Royal Windsor to grand prix dressage and British teams, suffered complications relating to a displaced colon and had to be put down yesterday (2 February), aged 20.

“I am in total devastation and heartbreak to tell you all that yesterday I had to say goodbye to my soulmate, the one and only Dynamo,” Louise said.

“You know there will be the day but after announcing his retirement from top competition last week in Horse & Hound I didn’t imagine the following week he’d be gone.”

Louise took part in an H&H discipline swap challenge in 2011, which led to her permanent move from showing to dressage, and it was Into The Blue who was with her all the way. They enjoyed grand prix success across Europe, including at Olympia, and Hickstead and Windsor in their new discipline, and represented Britain in the Aachen Nations Cup.

“When you think about how much I’ve done with that horse it’s outrageous really,” she told H&H last month. “He was a brilliant show horse who went on to be an exceptional dressage horse. It’s kind of mind-blowing, the experiences I’ve had because of him. What other working hunter gets to do a personal best dressage test in Aachen and compete on Nations Cup teams?

“I still kiss him every day,” she added. “He annoys me like hell but I thank him every day for what he’s given me.”

Into The Blue was still enjoying competition last year, finishing fourth in the Wellington freestyle in June, but then had some time off owing to a mystery ailment, which turned out to be a fractured tooth.

Louise said today Dynamo was loved by many people, and “always lived like a king”.

“He always controlled the yard and his presence in the arena, whether showing or dressage, allowed everyone to see his awesome personality,” she said. “This horse took me to places most only dream of; and when I decided to take up dressage he came with me, he taught me and he tested me but I loved every second of him.

“He wowed the crowd, he wowed me every day with his beauty and strength and total love for me too. Anyone that was part of ‘team Dynamo’, I thank you on behalf of him, he is a horse never to be forgotten for his tremendous talent to have excelled in two fantastically successful careers, there will never be another quite like him.”

Louise said the fact the decision had to be made in Dynamo’s best interests yesterday made it no easier, especially coming less than a month after she lost her father.

“It has truly been an honour to have had him in my life for 17 wonderful years, there will always be a hole in my heart and a pain in my chest, and I need to be stronger now than I’ve ever been,” she said. “I cannot explain how sad and low I feel and I’m extremely lucky to have such wonderful friends in my hour of need, thank you… and as difficult it is writing this post I know so many of you loved him like me, but to say goodbye is the saddest thing to say.

“So till we meet again, Dynamo, and we will! Look after my dad and Rocky and the gang, and be free, be happy and be my Dynamo Bell for ever.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking equestrian news throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘It was like riding a snake’: Louise Bell on the unlikely youngster who would take her to the top — in two disciplines

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World silver medallists Gareth Hughes and Richard Davison are among the top dressage riders who have been announced as part of the line-up for the Defender CDI4* at Royal Windsor Horse Show next month (10-11 May). This is the first time international dressage has featured at Royal Windsor since 2019, and it is the highest-level dressage show to be held on British soil in 2023.

Gareth is set to bring his top mare, the 17-year-old Classic Briolinca, with whom he was a member of the silver-medal winning British team at the 2022 World Dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark, also finishing fifth individually in the freestyle.

Gareth’s 2022 teammate Richard Davison is also Windsor-bound, with his championship horse, the 17-year-old Lingh gelding Bubblingh.

Olympic gold medallist Laura Tomlinson will join the field with the 13-year-old Vivaldi son Fallatijn, fresh from scoring a personal best in the freestyle at Hagen CDI4*, Germany, last week. Emile Faurie will also be in action at Windsor, aboard his London International Horse Show ride Bellevue, while Louise Bell will bring forward the experienced Into The Blue, Hayley Watson-Greaves will ride the evergreen Rubins Nite and Dan Watson will pilot Butterfly IV.

Making his Windsor debut will be up-and-coming British grand prix rider Lewis Carrier, who will ride his long-term partner and youth championship horse Diego.

Windsor dressage: notable absentees

For the first time in the history of international dressage competition at Royal Windsor, neither Carl Hester nor Charlotte Dujardin will feature in the line-up.

Charlotte, who rode Erlentanz to victory the last time Windsor hosted a CDI, in 2019, recently welcomed her first child, a daughter, and is enjoying a period away from competing. Meanwhile, twice Windsor winner Carl has opted to campaign his new grand prix ride, Fame, at the Hickstead CDI3* later the same week instead, and told H&H that he is allowing a little more time to bring his top horse, Olympic and European medallist En Vogue, back up to peak fitness.

“Vogue will start his international campaign at Wellington CDI in June,” he said.

Riders representing Ireland, China and Germany will complete the Royal Windsor dressage line-up for 2023. British-based Irish team rider Abi Lyle will make her Windsor debut aboard 12-year-old Farrell, with Kevin Acres (Ganesh) and Anne-Marie Rawlins (Etoile) in action for Ireland too.

Sarah Rao will ride Alfranco for China and Germany’s Kathleen Kröncke will present San Royal 3.

The grand prix takes place on Wednesday, 10 May, with a limited audience, and the grand prix freestyle will be on Thursday, 11 May.

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

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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

Training grand prix horses up to the top level is always a long, challenging but rewarding journey, especially if you have worked with a horse right from the start of their dressage career. When we watch established horses and riders performing at this elite level, it can be easy to forget the years of hard work that goes in to every single horse that has reached the pinnacle of the sport.

So, sometimes, it’s nice to take a look back and appreciate just how far these horses – and their riders – have come. We delve through the archives to seek out photos of just a few successful British horses, from when they were just setting out on their competitive careers….

Gio (Apache x Tango)

Enjoy this throwback of the famous Gio competing at his very first UK show (above), and his first with Charlotte Dujardin, back in February 2017. Charlotte and the then six-year-old gelding scored 74.4% in elementary 44 and 77.94% in elementary 53 that day. “Pumpkin” went on to become one of Britain’s most successful grand prix horses, winning double bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and silver and bronze medals at the European championships the same year. Gio is now helping his current owner, 17-year-old Annabella Pidgley, learn the grand prix ropes.

Habouche (Ampere x Sydney)

This lovely grey mare is one of the most exciting grand prix horses on the British scene at the moment, having made her debut at top level just this year with Anna Ross. “Holly” has already achieved some impressive grand prix wins and placings, as well as a triple international middle tour victory at Crozet DI, France, in August. She is a great example of what good training and foresight can achieve, having looked very different as a green four-year-old at her first show back in 2016 with Jess Ralton (above).

Rudy (Cancara x Julio Mariner)

Taking a horse from prelim right up to senior grand prix is always an impressive achievement for a rider, but especially so when it’s before you turn 25. That’s exactly what Lucy Amy has managed with the Holsteiner gelding Rudy. Rudy wasn’t intended to be a dressage horse, but he has taken Lucy to the under-25 European Championships and competed both nationally and internationally at senior grand prix in 2022. He already looked pretty smart back when he was competing at prelim in 2014 (above), but it’s fascinating to see the development.

Into The Blue (Ublesco x Calvaro Z)

Into The Blue is an interesting example of a horse who has been produced right up the levels because he and rider Louise Bell had an incredibly successful career in the world of working hunters prior to moving into dressage. It’s lovely to look back at the pair of them riding their first dressage test (above), at elementary, back in 2011 as part of a Horse & Hound discipline switching challenge. We have followed their journey right up to representing Britain on Nations Cup teams and at some of the world’s biggest international shows.

Headmore Bella Ruby (Belissimo M x Rubinstein)

Riding and training a home-bred horse is a special experience, and one that Alice Oppenheimer knows all about, having ridden a great many of the talented horses bred by her family’s Headmore Stud. One of the most exciting of these, who recently made her grand prix debut, is Headmore Bella Ruby, who is out of the stud’s foundation mare Rubinsteena. Bella has been a star since an early age, winning a regional title at novice in February 2018 (above), but has really come into her own more recently as she has made her way up to top level.

Valegro (Negro x Gershwin)

We couldn’t fail to include arguably the greatest equine success story of all time. Valegro might have ended up a double Olympic champion and holder of all world records, but in his early days owner Carl Hester had reservations when it came to his potential, including whether it would be possible for him to learn to collect his colossal canter. Enjoy this throwback to Valegro winning the four-year-old national championship in 2006 (above), ridden by Carl.

You may also be interested in…

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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

International grand prix dressage rider and showing star Louise Bell has said she is “still grateful to be alive”, exactly 20 years to the day she was involved in a horrifying horse box crash.

On 23 February 2002, Louise and her husband Robert Bell were travelling in their lorry when “the brakes failed going down the steepest hill in Warwickshire”. Both riders survived the terrifying accident, but Louise broke her left leg in multiple places and was told by doctors that she may never walk again, let alone continue with her successful showing career.

“My left leg was totally shattered and unrepairable….I spent weeks in hospital and then months in an exterior fixator going through a living hell every day, but still just being grateful I was still alive to feel all the misery that went with life at the time, and the determination to prove everyone wrong,” Louise said, in an emotional reflection on the events of 20 years ago.

And prove them wrong she did. That same year, Louise returned to the saddle, and just eight months after the crash she won the working hunter title at Horse of the Year Show with Out Of Sight. It was a phenomenal achievement, and kicked off a bumper decade for Louise filled with showing titles including 16 working hunter championships at the Royal International Horse Show. However, 2011 was punctured by tragedy, as Louise lost four of her horses in quick succession, for varying reasons.

A year later, Louise took up dressage as part of a H&H switching disciplines challenge, and eventually opted to call time on her showing career and focus on dressage full-time. Since then, she has reached the highest level of the sport, and has ridden on Nations Cup teams and at some of the biggest shows in the world with her former working hunter champion Into The Blue.

“[Despite] all the troubles and difficulties life throws me, I’m still grateful to be alive as on this day 20 years ago I very nearly wasn’t,” says Louise.

You might also be interested in:

‘Thank god I took on that challenge’: 14 things you might not know about showing star-turned-international dressage rider Louise Bell

The Horse & Hound Podcast: episode 12 – Louise Bell | Arthritis/DJD | News round up

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

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 your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports 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

A beaming Fiona Bigwood believes that she has “really turned a corner” with Hawtins Delicato after winning the Hazlewoods-sponsored grand prix at the NAF Five Star Hartpury CDI.

Fiona, who won team silver for Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics, bought the Diamond Hit 13-year-old – a team bronze medallist at the 2018 World Equestrian Games – from Carl Hester in 2020. This was their first international grand prix victory together, and their best score – 74.09% – to date.

“I am absolutely thrilled,” she said. “I am eventually finding the buttons on this horse. He is so fun to ride and goes in with so much energy, but it’s just that Carl always used to make it look so easy, and I’m just trying to work it out. I feel like I’ve really turned a corner now.

“I loved the last centre line – he was really going, I totally trusted him and off he went. He’s just really good fun to ride. He wants to do it.

“I think people always underestimate what it’s like to take on a horse from someone else – they think, ‘oh, you’re buying a schoolmaster and it’s fine’, but they are all special, these horses, and you’ve got to get that partnership and it does take time,” she added.

“There are two shows in Belgium that I’m hoping to go to, just to get him out – I think the more shows we go to, the better. I’m competitive, I have my goals, and I’d love to go to Aachen in September. But it’s just about having fun – I’m 45 and it’s about enjoying the horse.”

Richard Davison led for most of the 27-starter class with a mark of 71.69% on the experienced 15-year-old Bubblingh, only to be pipped at the post by Fiona.

“I had quite a nice ride – a very different ride to I’ve ever had before, because he was actually quite relaxed and in fact possibly too relaxed in certain places, so that was a bit of a new experience,” said Richard. “It is one I welcome, I must say, because I’ve been looking for it for the last five years. If I was to criticise, he needs to be a little more switched on, but it’s hard ever to imagine saying that about Bubblingh.”

Richard may also target the Aachen CHIO in September, and possibly some World Cup shows in the winter.

Third was Becky Moody with 71% aboard Jo Cooper’s 11-year-old mare Famke PF.

She said: “For where we’re at, it was just a really solid round with loads of room for improvement, which is what’s really exciting because to get 71% at her first international when there’s so much that I know can be better is really cool.”

Becky took on the ride on Famke when the mare was an eight-year-old.

“She’s the first horse I’ve had as an older horse – I’ve always had young horses that I’ve produced all the way through,” said Becky. “I did spend pretty much two years at home, just training and getting everything how I wanted it to be, but she does have a real talent for the piaffe and passage, and that’s what’s cool. I haven’t got it in the arena anywhere like I can get it at home yet, but she has a lot of talent there.

“It’s been a real learning curve, for sure, but she’s cool.”

Becky added: “She’s a real sweetheart. She’s a sassy cow in the stable sometimes – she’s a proper mare – and she’s quite sensitive to ride in the sense that you definitely have to ask her to do stuff; you don’t tell her to do stuff – that’s not appreciated.”

Louise Bell and Into The Blue took joint fourth place with Finland’s Mikaela Soratie (Hot Casanova), both achieving a score of 69.37%.

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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

British Olympic team contenders will be in action at the first five-star dressage show of the year in Europe, which kicks off tomorrow at Compiègne, France. It will serve as the final outing for some of Britain’s top combinations ahead of Olympic team selection next month. 

As well as elite British riders, several Olympic team and medal contenders from other countries will be among those contesting the CDIO5* Nations Cup leg – the first of three in 2021 (the others are at Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in July and Aachen, Germany, in September) – and the CDI3* competition, which runs alongside. 

The CDI3* grand prix will take place on Friday, 28 May, with the special and freestyle the following day, while the Nations Cup competition begins with the grand prix on Saturday and concludes with the special and freestyle on Sunday. Britain are the defending champions of the Compiègne Nations Cup leg, having won it in 2019 with Carl Hester, Richard Davison, Lottie Fry and Gareth Hughes. The show did not go ahead in 2020. 

A live stream is available; meanwhile, we round up the best Brits and most exciting combinations to watch…

Britain’s Nations Cup team

Lottie Fry – Dark Legend (13yo gelding, Zucchero x Tango)

A member of the 2019 winning British team here, Lottie brings forward her 2018 under-25 European champion and 2019 British senior Europeans team horse, Dark Legend (pictured, above). This tall, elegant gelding is one of two horses with whom Lottie has already made a strong bid for a place on the Tokyo Olympic team, and a good performance here could help cement this. In 2019, Lottie was the rookie of the British team at this Nations Cup; now she returns as the rider who could lead this trio to victory in Compiègne. 

Emile Faurie – Dono Di Maggio (14yo gelding, Dimaggio x Santander H)

This British-bred gelding is in the form of his life, and Emile will certainly have his eye on a place on another championship team – the pair were members of the British quartet that brought home team bronze from the World Equestrian Games in 2018. They missed their chance to compete in Belgium at the end of April, but enjoyed a super show at Wellington with plus-75% in the special. Compiègne could see their scores climb higher. 

Louise Bell – Into The Blue (15yo gelding, Ublesco x Calvaro Z)

This lovable pair of former working hunter champions are always crowd favourites, but that’s not all they bring to the table. This will be their fourth time on a Nations Cup team, and having enjoyed a positive run at Wellington earlier this month to help blow away the lockdown cobwebs, finishing third in the freestyle, expect to see them put in a solid showing here. 

Remaining British contingent in the CDI3*

Fiona Bigwood – Hawtins Delicato (13yo gelding, Diamond Hit x Regazzoni)

Olympic silver medallist Fiona made a successful international debut with Carl Hester’s former world medallist at Wellington in mid-May, and this will be the first time this new combination have ventured onto foreign soil to show the world what they can do. They make a good partnership and, while still getting to know each other, are capable of some very useful, and eye-catching, scores here. 

Lottie Fry – Everdale (12yo stallion, Lord Leatherdale x Negro)

After 15 months away from competition, this striking stallion burst back on to the international scene this spring, and most recently scored a plus-77% grand prix special win in Exloo, the Netherlands. He is up against his more experienced stablemate Dark Legend in the fight for a place on the Olympic team, but arguably has more potential to access the very highest scores. Compiègne will be an important test for these British Olympic team contenders. 

Laura Tomlinson – Rose Of Bavaria (11yo mare, Bordeaux x Florestan I)

Laura and “Betty’s” 2021 Olympic selection campaign was delayed in getting off the ground, after the mare suffered a reaction to an EHV vaccine earlier in the year. Happily, she is back to fitness and ready to throw her hat in the ring for an Olympic team place. They have had limited international outings so far, and haven’t crossed the Channel since last September, but you wouldn’t be surprised to see them finish among the leaders here. 

Richard Davison – Bubblingh (15yo gelding, Lingh x Picandt)

Four-time Olympian Richard has exercised impressive patience in developing this talented, but quirky home-bred “Bubbles”. They had a quiet 2020, returning to the international arena for the first time since March last year at Wellington CDI3*, where they performed strongly in the grand prix, but withdrew from the special. It will be interesting to see the impression they can make here.

Best of the rest

Cathrine Dufour DEN – Bohemian (11yo gelding, Bordeaux x Samarant)

Her multi-medalled Atterupgaards Cassidy made have just landed a fifth Danish national title for Cathrine, but it is this young superstar who will likely spearhead the Danish team in Tokyo. This will be his first international outing of 2021, but as he has already exceeded 82% in the special, and 88% in the freestyle – twice – you can expect impressive things, and quite possibly a victory, from him in the five-star tour here. 

Patrik Kittel SWE – Well Done De La Roche CMF (13yo mare, Furstentraum x Walt Disney)

Adding to the strong Scandinavian representation here is Patrik on his European team bronze medallist, who is expected to be his Tokyo contender. This will be an especially important appearance for the pair, who were eliminated on their first outing since last July, at Mariakalnok in Hungary, after traces of blood were spotted in the mare’s mouth. They have a good track record at Compiègne, having finished second in the five-star special in 2019 behind Britain’s Gareth Hughes. 

Continued below…

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Andreas Helgstrand DEN – Fiontini (11yo mare, Fassbinder x Romanov)

Until late last year, it had been more than four years since world and Olympic medallist Andreas had competed internationally at grand prix level, instead concentrating on his rapidly expanding sales and breeding business. However, since taking over the ride on this talented mare from former Helgstrand head rider Severo Jurado Lopez, he has enjoyed a string of good results that could put him in contention for a position on the Danish Olympic team this summer. Another strong showing here in the CDI3* would boost those chances. 

Hans Peter Minderhoud NED – Glock’s Zonik (13yo stallion, Blue Hors Zack x Romanov)

This will be Hans Peter’s first competition aboard his partner Edward Gal’s European medallist Zonik, having announced earlier this week that he would be taking over the ride on this imposing stallion. With Edward concentrating on younger grand prix rides, Zonik hasn’t competed since January 2020, where he scored over 85% to finish third in the freestyle at Amsterdam. It will be fascinating to see what Hans Peter can bring out of him in the CDI3* in Compiègne. 

All seven US horses originally entered at Compiegne – three in the CDIO5* and four in the young rider section – have been withdrawn due to “adverse results” among the the horses’ EHV-1 test results, conducted before their departure.

In a statement, US Equestrian said: “In accordance with the FEI Return to Competition protocols, all U.S. horses were tested for EHV-1 prior to departure from their layover base to the competition venue. A limited number of PCR tests returned with adverse results. Horses within the US contingent have not shown any symptoms or clinical signs of the virus, are not febrile, and are all vaccinated. Out of an abundance of precaution, the team has decided to withdraw. US Equestrian is working directly with the FEI to determine appropriate next steps and an acceptable timeline for a return to competition based on the outlined protocols.”

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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A crack line-up has been revealed for next week’s Keysoe CDI3*, the first dressage international to take place in Britain since before the coronavirus lockdown.

Charlotte Dujardin will lead the billing, bringing forward both her top two rides: the double world bronze medallist Mount St John Freestyle, and rising star Gio.

The 11-year-old Fidermark mare Freestyle’s last international competition was the Amsterdam World Cup qualifier in January, where she and Charlotte scored just under 82% at grand prix and 89.5% in the freestyle. Freestyle was recently awarded 85% from five-star judges for an unofficial grand prix at Hartpury, which Carl Hester described as “probably the best grand prix she has ever done”.

The nine-year-old Apache son Gio is still in his first year of grand prix, but has already produced mega scores, with just under 80% at his last official outing in January, and plus-80% scores from top judges at Hartpury this summer.

Carl Hester will also be in action, aboard his newest grand prix ride En Vogue. The 11-year-old Jazz gelding is owned by Charlotte, who competed him up to grand prix, but she passed the ride to Carl earlier this year. Carl and Vogue already have a 78% grand prix special under their belt, but Keysoe will be their international debut as a partnership.

Gareth Hughes – Britain’s best performing rider at last year’s European Championships – will bring his team horse, the 14-year-old Trento B mare Classic Briolinca. Gareth will also ride the 14-year-old Wolkentanz II gelding KK Woodstock, winner of the grand prix freestyle at the Keysoe CDI in March this year.

Emile Faurie will partner his World Equestrian Games medallist Dono Di Maggio. Emile has been reunited with the 13-year-old gelding this year as his pupil and Dono’s owner Theodora Livanos has been out of action after leg surgery in the spring.

Continues below…

Carl Hester’s superb grand prix debut on field-kept championship prospect

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Other top riders competing at Keysoe include Sonnar Murray-Brown and Erlentanz, Lara Butler on Rubin Al Asad and Louise Bell riding Into The Blue.

The CDI runs from 9-11 October, following the conclusion of the CPEDI3* on 6-8 October. The small and tour, and youth sections are also set to feature strong line-ups.

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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Reaching the very top level in two different equestrian disciplines is no mean feat, and in episode 12 of the Horse & Hound Podcast, dressage editor Polly Bryan chats to a lady who has done just that.

Louise Bell is one of Britain’s most successful showing riders, who has won the working hunter title at the Royal International Horse Show a whopping 16 times. But in 2011 she took on a Horse & Hound challenge to try her hand at elementary level dressage with one of her show horses, and hasn’t looked back. Louise is now an international grand prix rider, who has competed around the world and on British Nations Cup teams with her former working hunter champion Into The Blue, known at home as Dynamo.

“If it wasn’t for H&H I wouldn’t be speaking to you about this right now,” she says.

“I went for those first lessons with Michael Eilberg and after doing the initial competition, I left it for about six weeks, but then I suddenly felt empty. It was like there was something missing in my life – and it was dressage!

“It was a very interesting time and it gave me a new lease of life. I went to Olympia in 2011 and watched the dressage, and I thought, ‘I want to do this’.”

Louise finally realised her dream when she and Dynamo competed in the World Cup qualifier at Olympia in 2019, after a stellar season on the European dressage circuit.

‘If anything, you’ll like the colour!’

If there’s one thing that Louise has always possessed, it’s an eye for a good horse. This certainly came in handy when she first met Dynamo as a three-year-old, who had been bred from jumping lines by John Whitaker.

“I had a fantastic horse called Man On Fire, whom John bred, and Dynamo is his cousin. I lost Man On Fire in tragic circumstances, and then John rang me and said, ‘I might have one for you; if anything, you’ll like the colour!’

“So I trundled up to Yorkshire, and I can only explain Dynamo’s colour as pink. I got on and he was like riding a snake — he was so flexible in so many ways. He had a fantastic walk, nice trot and a brilliant canter, but he was all over the place! But I completely and utterly fell in love with him.

“He looked really croup high; he was about a foot higher behind than in front, but I loved him for the way he was bred, his connections — and the fact that John told me he was a good horse!”

When Louise brought Dynamo home, everybody from her husband Robert, to her groom and vet at the time, wondered what on earth she had bought. But within six months they had all changed their minds.

Nowadays, Louise thinks Dynamo might be the most spoilt horse in dressage — he even has his own dressing room on the yard!

“We have a tack-up area, with a solarium above it,” she explains. “We’re very lucky to have that but obviously you don’t always want to have that on, so we also have some of those dressing room lights with big bulbs that you put round a mirror. I’ve put them round all the big frames we have in there with his rosettes in, so he has his own twinkly lights and his big basket of carrots!”

To hear more about Louise’s transition from showing to dressage rider, and listen to her chatting about some of her very exciting younger horses, listen to episode 12 of The Horse & Hound podcast or search “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your favourite podcast app

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Welcome to the 12th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, in which we chat to former showing star turned grand prix dressage rider Louise Bell about how difficult it was for her to switch discipline, how she came to own her top working hunter turned dressage star Into The Blue (aka Dynamo) – and why not everyone was convinced by her purchase – plus what exciting young horses she has waiting in the wings to look out for; our news team discuss the impact of the recent introduction of new quarantine requirements when returning from France and why all horse owners need public liability insurance, even if they are not the primary carer of their horse; while vet Ricky Farr MRCVS talks about arthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD), including which horses are at risk and what treatment options are available.

Episode 12 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, our exciting new audio service available exclusively every Thursday morning for our H&H Plus subscribers, is now live.

In an exciting development, we have decided to make each episode available for all H&H fans to listen to 24hrs after its early release to our H&H Plus members. Search for “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your prefered podcast app and click subscribe to be notified about each new episode. This will allow more listeners to make The Horse & Hound Podcast an essential part of their week on Friday morning.

We would love to hear your feedback on this week’s episode, so please do send your thoughts to pippa.roome@futurenet.com.

In episode 12, former showing star turned grand prix dressage rider Louise Bell chats to our dressage editor Polly Bryan about why she decided to switch discipline and the challenges of retraining her way of riding, how she came to own her top working hunter turned dressage star Into The Blue (aka Dynamo) – and why not everyone was convinced by her purchase initially – plus what exciting young horses she has waiting in the wings to look out for.

Pippa is joined by news editor Eleanor Jones and senior news writer Lucy Elder to discuss this week’s top stories including the impact of the recent introduction of new quarantine requirements for riders returning from France and why all horse owners need public liability insurance, even if they are not the primary carer of their horse.

We also hear from equine vet Ricky Farr MRCVS of Farr & Pursey Equine, who this week is tackling arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD), including which horses are most at risk and what treatment options are available.

We hope you will enjoy our latest episode.

H&H Plus podcast: episode 12

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What did you think of this week’s podcast? Let us know by emailing pippa.roome@futurenet.com

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Charlotte Dujardin took third place in the grand prix, the Prize of Family Tesch, in Aachen today (Thursday, 18 July).

The British rider was delighted with Sonnar Murray Brown’s Erlentanz, who scored 79.152% for his mistake-free test, with the marks only dropping down a little in the collected walk. Charlotte received a nine from all five judges for her riding.

“I’m ecstatic — I felt so emotional finishing that test. It’s the biggest show the horse has done and my first season with him, but he’s been an absolute pro from day one here and not looked at anything,” said Charlotte. “He’s made my life very easy because he just gets on and does the job for me. It’s a joy to ride a horse like this here.”

Germany’s Isabell Werth took top spot on 82.783% with Madeleine Winter-Schulze’s Bella Rose 2, the chestnut mare with whom she took individual gold at last year’s World Equestrian Games. Her test was marred only by a mistake in the one-time changes and the pair pulled in a total of 26 10s from the five judges — all for the piaffe, passage, transitions between those movements and Isabell’s riding.

Isabell’s team-mate Dorothee Schneider landed second on Gabriele Kippert’s Showtime FRH. She too made a mistake in the one-time changes, but also received a smattering of 10s from the judges.

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Britain’s up-and-coming star Lottie Fry, who was third at the lunchbreak with Dark Legend, finished just outside the top 10 in 11th, while the third Team GB rider, Louise Bell (Into The Blue), was 23rd.

All three British scores have to count for the Lambertz Nations Cup, after the withdrawal of Susan Pape’s Harmony’s Don Noblesse due to a minor infection. The team currently sits fifth, with scores from the special on Saturday still to come. Britain is less than two marks behind the USA in third, with Denmark sitting second and the home side in the lead by more than 14 marks.

Check back for more news from Aachen throughout the week, plus full reports in next week’s Horse & Hound (dated 25 July).

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

Lottie Fry holds third place for Britain at the lunchbreak of the dressage grand prix in Aachen, the Prize of Family Tesch, today (Thursday, 18 July).

The 23-year-old rode a smooth, accurate test on Dark Legend, an 11-year-old by Zucchero who belongs to his rider and Van Olst Horses. The pair scored 74.435%.

“He felt amazing and it’s especially amazing to ride in that arena and at Aachen,” said Lottie, who is making her debut at the prestigious German venue. “He’s a sharp horse, but he was really with me and concentrating and trying his hardest.”

Britain is down to just three team members for the Lambertz Nations Cup, because Germany-based Susan Pape had to withdraw last night due to Harmony’s Don Noblesse suffering from a minor infection.

“He was fine on Tuesday, but on Wednesday he was unwell. It’s bad timing on an occasion like this, but it’s better to listen to the horse,” she told H&H. “I’m here to cheer on the rest of the team.”

Team GB’s pathfinder Louise Bell was thrilled to break the 70% barrier for 70.043% on her own Into The Blue.

“He was very nervous at the beginning of the test and it didn’t feel great, but as soon as he’d done the halt and rein-back he took a deep breath and settled down,” said Louise. “The pressure was on with only three team members and when it doesn’t start well you have to tell yourself to hold it together.

“You have to ride as much as you can to your strengths and I had to bear with the weaknesses at the beginning today. The crowd loved him and that raises you up.”

Britain’s final rider, Charlotte Dujardin on Erlentanz, goes into the arena at 2.24pm local time (1.24pm British time) this afternoon.

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The lead is held by Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, whose elegant mare TSF Dalera BB — owned by Beatrice Bürchler-Keller — performed a super test for 79%. The final rider before the lunchbreak came closest to challenging Jessica when Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour scored 78.413% on the nine-year-old Bohemian.

Fry’s opening day win

Lottie Fry also celebrated victory on her first day competing in Aachen when she took yesterday’s prix st georges riding Glamourdale, another belonging to the Van Olsts, with whom she is based in the Netherlands. The pair scored 77.971% to finish more than 5% ahead of the field.

“He’s really cool — he loves the atmosphere, loves it when people are watching him and loves to show off,” said Lottie.

Check back for more news from Aachen throughout the week, plus full reports in next week’s Horse & Hound (dated 25 July).

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

From the ups and down, inspirations to weaknesses, here we find out a little bit more about showing supremo turned dressage star, Louise Bell…

1. She first took up dressage as part of a Horse & Hound switching disciplines challenge in 2011, for which she had three lessons with Michael Eilberg before doing an elementary test. “I had never done pure dressage and it really doesn’t compare to showing,” she says. “Thank god I took on that challenge — thank you H&H!”

2. In 2011, Louise considered giving up her showing career after losing four of her top show horses in quick succession. “It was like losing family and I was on the edge of quitting,” she admits.

3. Louise received her Union Jack flag this year when she represented Britain on a team for the first time. She was the best-placed member of the British Nations Cup team in the grand prix at the Hickstead CDI in July — where she was also judging in the show ring at the Royal International Horse Show.

4. She first learnt her trade training at Ted Edgar’s yard. “I learnt so much there — it was tough but it’s why I have the attitude that I do today: if you want something you work hard for it,” she says.

5. Louise and her husband Robert survived a horrific horse box crash in 2002, but having broken her leg in multiple places, Louise was told she may never ride again. But, that same year, she went on to win the working hunter title at Horse of the Year Show with Out Of Sight.

6. Among the friends she made while working at Ted’s is Alan Davies, now groom to Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin. “Alan and I go back a very long way,” said Louise, fondly.

7. On of Louise’s highlights of 2018 is being warmed up by Carl while at the national championships in September. “Carl was brilliant and helped me at the nationals, even though I don’t usually train with him. I loved every minute of it — warming up with Carl Hester is just amazing.”

8. Her drink of choice is a Moscow Mule cocktail — made with ginger beer, vodka and lime juice.

9. She admits that Dime bars are her biggest weakness. “I can’t just eat one! Those mini ones especially are dangerous — they’re a terrible weakness of mine.”

10. Her horses are mostly named after films, such as Into The Blue (pictured), W Get Smart and her exciting upcoming mare, Skyfall.

11. Many of her best horses, including her current top grand prix dressage horse In to The Blue (by Ublesco), were bred by John Whitaker.

12. Louise has recently bred a foal — her first dressage-bred horse — a son of Uthopia born in 2018. “He’s called Peaky Blinder because he’s dodgy,” laughs Louise. “He is absolutely spectacular — he’s the golden child.”

13. She names German Olympian Dorothee Schneider as one of her biggest inspirations. “She’s a real rider — I can imagine her riding anything. She’s such a talented horsewoman; very clever and very underestimated.”

14. She relishes pressure when it comes to performing. “I do well under pressure — showing has done that for me,” she explains. “People expect you to win and you’re always being watched.”

For the full interview with Louise Bell, don’t miss the latest issue of Horse & Hound magazine, out now (dated 24 January 2019)

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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 legendary working hunter who was supreme champion at the Royal International Horse Show four years running has died at the age of 29.

Louise Bell’s Rocky IV passed away on 25 January.

The talented grey won at the Horse of the Year Show in 1997 with Louise and took numerous titles on the county circuit on top of their record-breaking Hickstead performances.

“He was the best,” the showing-turned-dressage rider told H&H.

“You had to pinch yourself when you rode him. I spent hours schooling him — we used to do half passes and changes when we were playing around — I didn’t even have to do them then.

“I was a tiny little person on a giant grey horse and I rode him with my little fingers.”

Rocky won over 150 championships, and at every county show in the country.

“He was the spectators’ favourite and competitors dreaded being against him,” said Louise. “He captivated people and he used to really impress in the jumping round.

“He regularly scored 100 out of 100 in total marks.

“They don’t make them like that any more — he was a bloody legend.”

Rocky was retired from the show ring in 2003 and hunted for four years.

When he was fully retired 10 years ago, he moved on to looking after youngsters.

“They all loved him,” said Louise.

“When he came through the yard they would all look out and whinny at him.

“He was such a personality in a really good way. You could clip him without a head collar on.”

Rocky was put down after serious foot complications.

“You know the time is coming but it’s really hard,” added Louise.

“I was very lucky to have him. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.

“He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.”

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

Showing and dressage rider Louise Bell is warning others of the risks of medicating horses prior to competition, after her horse tested positive for a controlled substance.

A post-show test found that Into The Blue (pictured) had meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in his system during a British Dressage competition at Vale View last year (1 November 2014).

Louise was disqualified and fined £750 and the same amount in costs.

The British Equestrian Federation only published details of the infringement last month (18 November).

“Into The Blue was kicked in the wash room at home and Metacam [which contains meloxicam] was administered by the vet to stop any inflammation,” Louise told H&H.

The drug was given to Into The Blue five days before the show.

“I didn’t think there would be any trace in his system and I was not breaking any rules as the detection time is three days for Metacam, but you cannot take anything for granted when it comes to medication,” Louise added.

“You should not compete until you are absolutely sure there would not be a positive test.

“This was a very hard lesson to learn. Even though I had not intended to be in the wrong it turned out I was, for which I am truly sorry. I just hope others can avoid this situation by learning from my experience.”

Louise was competing in the advanced medium class and had been placed first with 69.34%.

In 2011 the FEI published detection times for meloxicam.

“The findings of studies on the use of intravenously or orally administered meloxicam show the urine and plasma (blood) detection time as 72 hours,” said an FEI spokesman.

“It is important to note that detection times may vary depending on the dose and number of injection sites used.”

Ref: H&H 16/12/15

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

More for action heros than pretty posers, the working hunter class is the closest you’ll get to eventing in a showring. Competitors tackle a round of jumps and are then put through their paces on the flat, making it an all-round test of a horse’s performance.

So what are the judges looking for?

1. Multiple Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) working hunter champion Louise Bell says practising the jumping at home is vital. “Get your horse used to rustic fences,” she says, explaining that even cross-country fences will do. “The most important thing is black water trays — even novice classes are likely to have one.” You don’t have to buy one but can improvise using a wooden board painted black or covered with black plastic bags. “Ride it like a normal fence,” Louise advises. “If you have problems, get off and try leading your horse over, even bribe him if necessary.” Other unusual fences that you might come across include narrow fences like a style, a pen where you have to jump in and jump out and, occasionally, a bullfinch.

2. Top judge Louise Daly, who has judged at everything from local shows to Royal Windsor, says: “I’m looking for a smooth round with the horse moving forward at all times. Judges like to see a good hunting pace, not a showjumping style where the horse is hooked back before a fence.” Louise’s pet hate is interrupting the rhythm to pull up and change legs. “The horse should be able to correct this for himself so just keep him balanced and kick on,” she advises.

3. Hunter judge Judy Bradwell insists that jumping style is important and a clear round doesn’t guarantee a good placing. “I like a horse that is bold, clever and athletic, but careful,” she says. “I prefer one that may tip a rail and have it down, to one that clonked every fence but went clear. Safety is key if it’s a horse you’d want to hunt.” In the case of a tie, the horse with better conformation will be marked above the one that jumped a clear round.

4. Bear in mind that a stranger will be riding your horse. If you are the only person who rides him, ask a friend to try him out. “He should go as well for someone else as he does for you, if not better,” say Louise Bell.

Continued below…

Demystifying 15 common conformation terms that not all horse owners are familiar with

5. “Good manners are vital,” says Louise Daly. “I look for a horse that rides light and is obedient. He should walk out without being niggled — if I’m going to hunt the horse all day, I want to ask for a change and know he will maintain it.”

6. Make sure there are enough holes in your stirrup leathers to accommodate a smaller or taller judge.

7. Check your stirrup irons are wide enough to safely fit a judge with bigger feet.

8. As the ride judge approaches, pull your horse forward a few strides out of line to allow them space for a leg-up.

9. Keep your tack simple and avoid overly-severe bits — if the judge sees you using a gag in the ring, they’ll wonder what you would need to stop your horse while out hunting.

10. “For the gallop it’s good to be forward, but I need to be able to stop. I don’t want to gallop three or four times round the ring — once is enough!” says Louise Daly. But at the other end of the speedometer, she has learnt not to force an unwilling horse forward. “Judging at one of my first shows I got on a horse that wouldn’t gallop,” she recalls. “In the end I booted it and it let rip and chucked me off in front of everybody. I felt about 2cm tall and learnt never to ask too much of a horse in the ring — if it doesn’t react as asked, mark it down and leave it at that.”

11. At the lower levels, you don’t need to do a flat-out gallop, an extended canter is enough. With novices it’s best not to over-practise this as they will anticipate and want to take off. Louise Bell recommends the following: “Increase the impulsion on the corner before the gallop and then ease the horse forward in front of the judges.”

12. Ultimately, judges like to see a horse that’s enjoying itself, got its ears pricked and is interested in what’s going on. Every aspect of the horse’s character, way of going and presentation contributes to the overall picture. “Things like having supple, beautifully cleaned tack really add to the first impression. Louise Bell always stands out for having immaculate, well-fitting tack and that is part of her success,” says Judy. Finally, make sure that your saddle and reins are supple and well-conditioned, but not oily or sticky.

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

Showing rider-turned dressage fan Louise Bell has bought her first purpose-bred dressage horse.

The five-year-old Zack-Ki Rosenlund is a former licensed stallion, having been approved as a three-year-old in his native Denmark when he belonged to Blue Hors stud.

He was imported in the spring of this year by Astrid Bolton Sport Horses in Lancashire.

Louise, who took up dressage in 2011 following an H&H challenge, said she was “very excited”.

“I have never sat on anything with the scope of stride in all three gaits before,” she told H&H. “It blows my mind every time I sit on him and hope I do him justice in his production.

“He had been leased as a stallion before being gelded and sold, so he’s not quite ready for competition, but not far off.”

Astrid added: “I knew Louise would like him because he looks like a working hunter but moves like a dressage horse.

“When she came to see him, it took her about three minutes to buy him.”

The gelding is by the breeding sensation Blue Hors Zack (Rousseau x Jazz) out of a jumping-bred mare by Leandro x Corland.

“My reasons for buying him were simple,” Louise said. “I was looking for a young horse when Astrid got in touch by chance and, knowing her from working hunter days of old and knowing she has good horses — the breeding the conformation and the movement as a bonus — it was a pretty easy decision to make. I think I’d already bought him before even meeting him.”

Louise admitted that she had “gone out on a limb” with the purchase: “[My trainer] Michael [Eilberg] had been so busy I hadn’t even had a chance to talk to him about it or show him any video. I’d gone out on a limb but I’ve been around horses long enough and I very much know what I want, so I prayed to god Michael liked him — though he did give me a bit of a bollocking!”

Luckily, Michael “very much likes” Louise’s purchase.

Things will not be rushed with the young horse, even though he is showing excellent trainability for his age.

“I’ve just got to treat him as a four-year-old rather than five as his ridden work only started a few months ago — he’s a real blank canvas and a classy bit of kit,” she added.

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Leading show riders say they have concerns about a change to the marking system for working hunter classes this year.

Sports Horse Breeding of Great Britain (SHB(GB)) has announced a new scoring structure in which 17% of the final mark given is for the initial go-round, which was not previously marked.

Liz Morley, chairman of the SHB(GB) showing committee, told H&H that the new allocation had been introduced because “it was considered appropriate as working hunters should be seen to go round in ‘company’.”

But working hunter specialist Louise Bell is worried the change has not been properly thought through.

“I feel it is a very odd thing to have changed,” said Louise. “The concern is it will give horses who have a fence down a chance of winning.

“I also feel it is going to need more manpower in the ring to keep an eye on all the horses at all times than they [SHB(GB)] have thought about.”

Other riders were frustrated that SHB(GB) — which recently pushed through a new rule making safety headgear compulsory in all classes (news, 19 December) — had made the rule change without consulting its members.

Ms Morley said the society has not thought it necessary for the change to be put up for public debate and that it had been made to “enhance the competition”.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (30 January, 2014)

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Working hunter supremo Louise Bell is poised to make her small tour debut — just 2 years after taking up dressage for an H&H challenge.

Louise has trained with Team GBR rider Michael Eilberg since appearing in the feature.

Her show horses — W Get Smart and Into The Blue — are competing at dressage alongside their day jobs. Both contested the Cuddy working hunter final at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) earlier this month (9-13 October).

Get Smart won the medium restricted title at the dressage winter championships (10-14 April) and is working at prix st georges (PSG) at home. Into The Blue is at medium and will come out at advanced medium shortly.

“I just love learning how to do things properly. Michael and I are working very hard together,” Louise told H&H.

“I intend to keep doing workers alongside the dressage — it’s fun for them. It’s made their jumping better and smoother; they come back so much easier with the collection work.”

Louise plans to take Get Smart to the High Profile show at Vale View next month to do an advanced, with small tour the plan for next year.

Michael Eilberg said his pupil had an exciting future in the dressage world.

“Louise has a very good mind for the arena, which she’s obviously got through the showing,” he told H&H.

“That first lesson, she was laughing as she could only do 5min of sitting trot before bouncing out of the saddle — so it’s amazed me how quickly she has become strong in her dressage position.

“She is very determined like that.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (24 October, 2013)

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For a remarkable 10th time, Louise Bell took the coveted working hunter title at the Royal International Horse Show.

Her winning partner this time was her own Into the Blue who belied his five years to produce a copybook clear round to win his lightweight division at Hickstead.

“He’s been lightly jumped so far, and we had difficulty getting him out recently due to shows being cancelled, but he couldn’t have gone any better today,” said Louise.

The reserve went to the heavyweight winners and 2011 champions Jo Callwood and Thor.

Leon King and Pearl Underwood’s ‘large’ winner Irish-bred Tattygare Watch This Space produced a blistering gallop in the international arena to clinch the riding horse title; the reserve going to Victoria Hesford and Midnight Scoundrel who headed the ‘smalls’.

It was a major disappointment for Jayne Webber when Comberton Clancy was withdrawn after he appeared slightly lame after working in for his large riding horse class.

The M&M WHP title went to Victoria Leavesley riding her nine-year-old Connemara Cashel Bay JJ.

Native ponies also turned out in force for the BSPS flat classes, and young Oliver Fenton sported one of the broadest smiles of the day when Oldacres Lilli first won her lead rein class before going on to take the mini championship.

The charismatic little grey pony was a surprise Christmas present for Oliver three years ago.

Katie Bacon claimed the open championship with her Connemara stallion Galloon Rollover. However, her victory presented her with a major problem.

“This now qualifies us for the supreme championship (Sunday), so I now need the day off,” said Katie.

Brian Higham and Chris Hunnable had three good amateur hunter classes to sort, and their choice for champion was Lucinda Freedman and Mr Mick, with the reserve going to Carolyn Mackness and Lowmoor Playboy.

Results

Leeman working hunter (Mrs R Connors, Mrs W Phipps) lwt. 1 & ch, L Bell’s Into The Blue; 2, P Price’s Warco; 3, H Sloan’s Tinka’s Flash. hwt. 1 & res, J Callwood’s Thor; 2, J Sharp’s Regal Spark; 3, M Cooper’s Anchorman. Garrick Surface Coatings open rh (Miss K Carter, Mrs G Chapman) sml. 1 & res, C Twiston-Davies’s Midnight Scoundrel; 2, Smith & Penn’s Lovestruck; 3, Mr & Mrs Curtis’s Made In Ireland. lge. 1 & ch, P Underwood’s Tattygare Watch This Space; 2, Sea Ocean Field; 3, D’Astaire. BSPS Heritage M&M (Mrs Z Snape, Mr R Sutcliffe) Dartmoor/Exmoor/Shetland. 1, G Rossall’s Treworgan Sandpiper; 2, P Starkie’ Pumphill Bennet; 3, S Rawsthorn’s PHI. Welsh A/B. 1, S Manners’s Bronheulog Harvey; 2, K Scott’s Cadlan Valley Sandpiper; 3, P Starkie’s Holyoake Enchantment. New Forest/Connemara. 1 & ch, K Bacon’s Galloon Rollover; 2, S Kivlochan’s Braemar Be Lucky; 3, C Dugmore’s Prince Nestor. Fell/Dales/Highland. 1 & res, Waterside Black Prince; 2, J Minns’s Castlehill Raven; 3, C Dawson’s Sunnybrowe Prince. Welsh C/D. 1, L Bigley’s Llanarth Seldom Seen; 2, J Knight’s Renvarg Maverick; 3, C Thorpe’s Lynbrie Welsh Lord. Heritage mini (Mr D Puttock, Mrs E Morgan) LR. 1 & ch, V Fenton’s Oldacres Lilli; 2 & res, V Clark’s Coxwood Fabian Steadman; 3, G Baxandall’s Nantlais Bonheddwr Charlie. FR. 1, E Lister’s Dykes Diplomead. NPS/PRP Equestrian Rescue M&M WHP (Mrs S Hore, Mrs J Webb) 122cm. 1 & res, S Hughes’s Pumphill Buckthorn; 2, J Armson’s Hanmere Showman; 3, M Shepherd’s Carmilo Magician. 138cm. 1, H Somerset’s Tyan Tullamore; 2, C Harrison’s Furzley Charaide; 3, S Manners’s Bronheulog Harvey. exc 138cm. 1 & ch, R Leavesley’s Cashel Bay JJ; 2, A Bebbington’s Willoway Court Jester; 3, F Aston’s Nimbus Blaise. O’Connell amateur hunter (Mr C Hunnable, Mr B Higham) lwt. 1 & ch, L Freedman’s Mr Mick; 2, I Darcy’s Diamond Hill II; 3, Z Turner’s Hoppy Jumping. mwt. 1 & res, P Duncan’s Lowmoor Playboy; 2, Yandle & Simpson’s Sugar Roland; 3, P Coles’s Redwood Ash. hwt. 1,R Harvey’s Welcome Back Elvis; 2, C Ford’s Punchestown; 3, S Tait’s Foxcourt All Talk.

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Working hunter specialist Louise Bell has broken two toes after being stamped on by a horse at home on Sunday (21 August).

“I was in the washroom when the horse seemed to panic, it was as though he was taking off for a jump but my foot was under his hind hoof,” Louise told H&H.

“The nail came off both my big toe and the one next to it — the bones were sticking out.

Louise said she can put weight on her heel — but doesn’t “dare guess” how long she will be out for. She expects it to be a few weeks.

“I’ve ridden at the Horse of the Year Show with a broken foot before, and have already brought a bigger pair of boots,” she added.

“If there is any way of me being there this year (4-9 October), then I will be.”

Her husband Robert will work her horses for the time being although Louise says “he is already complaining about it!”

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Working hunter specialist Louise Bell has lost her “most loyal and reliable horse” — Cruise Control — after complications from surgery.

Fourteen-year-old “Rusty” was put down on 2 January following surgery for a strangulating lymphoma round his small intestine.

He is the fourth top horse that Louise has lost in the past 18 months following the deaths of Rock Star in August 2010, Man on Fire in July 2010 and Out of Sight in August 2009.

“I am lucky to have had such an amazing horse for the past 11 years. He lived like a king and never went without,” Louise told H&H. “He was a horse loved and respected by many people and the most consistent horse I have ever had.

“My young horses have very large shoes to fill as a whole new team needs to be built.”

Cruise Control was an H&H cover star in 2007, when he was ridden by Lucinda Green as part of her Lucinda rides series (19 July 2007).

Despite admitting showing has never been her thing, Lucinda enthused about the 16.2hh son of Cruising’s jump, saying he felt as if he could “seriously accelerate”.

And Geoff Luckett had an H&H Christmas “gift ride” on the gelding in 2006, pronouncing him “so easy you could jump him on the phone”.

Louise and Cruise Control won numerous titles at Windsor, Horse of the Year Show and the Royal International Horse Show, including winning last year’s lightweight working hunter at Royal Windsor.

He was also regularly hunted with the Warwickshire and Heythrop.

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Working hunter specialist Louise Bell has suffered a further blow when Rock Star had to be destroyed — the third horse she has lost this year.

The 10-year-old home-bred had come in from the field lame just before Louise had gone to Dublin.

“I thought he might be foot sore,” said Louise. “We had shoes put on and I rode him and he seemed OK. He wasn’t 100 per cent so I put him on bute for a couple of days.”

However, subsequent X-rays showed joint damage.

“He’d had a tiny fetlock fracture when he was six,” Louise explained. “He’d recovered, but the bone had calcified. The only thing to do was put him down, as he couldn’t walk.”

Earlier this year, Louise lost Man On Fire and Out of Sight, but the loss of Rock Star was harder to deal with: “Because I bred him, I felt like I was the only one who really understood him. He was like a child to me.”

The grey had won his heavyweight class and stood reserve hunter at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2005 as a five-year-old, but was unable to compete at Birmingham the following year because of the fetlock injury.

“He had nothing else to prove,” said Louise. “I thought I could maybe medicate him and hunt him, because he wasn’t the sort of horse to be turned out in the field. He was a character; a total professional in the showring, but he didn’t suffer fools gladly in the stable. He was never an easy horse and it wouldn’t have been fair to keep him going.”

The third loss in a year — swiftly following the sudden death of the 2008 working hunter of the year Out Of Sight in August 2009 — is devastating, but Louise is determined to be upbeat.

“It seems like I’ve been really unlucky,” she said, “but you know what? That’s what happens with horses. It’s just that with me, it was like boom, boom, boom, one after the other.”

Her new project is a roan four-year-old, bred by John Whitaker.

“His stable name is Dynamo,” she said. “He’s out of Man On Fire’s full-sister, and he’s keeping me going.”

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Showing producer Louise Bell has lost one of her top working hunter horses — Man On Fire.

The nine-year-old collapsed and died on the journey home to Banbury from Lincoln Show on Wednesday 23 June.

The bay gelding, bred by John Whitaker, was by the coloured showjumping stallion Utah Van Erpekom whom John used to compete.

Man On Fire won £7,000 in his first season on the show circuit, when he was six, and had been a consistent winner for Louise, standing champion at South of England show (10-12 June).

A post-mortem showed he died from a ruptured large intestine.

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Louise Bell and Man on Fire were called forward to take the 2007 New Vision supreme ridden championship — pocketing more than £3,000 in the process.

Bought from international show jumper John Whitaker, Man on Fire posted the supreme after heading the working hunter championship over Louise’s husband Robert Cruise Control.

Producing an immaculate display from the 11 competitors who made the New Vision final, the bay gelding impressed championship judges Brian Higham, Marion Thomas, David Broome and Alfie Buller.

“That’s the first time I have won a supreme championship in my life,” said a delighted Louise, who had earlier won the novice working hunter class with Man on Fire, before heading the open section on Cruise Control.

“I love it when my wife wins it makes my life so much easier,” said Louise’s husband Robert. “It’s always great to see Louise do well because she produces her rides herself and it’s nice to see people appreciating what she does. You feel you have actually achieved something.”

Organisers of the New Vision Horse Show, which took place at the David Broome Event Centre, said the aim of the event was to put the “fun” back into showing.

Exhibitors in every class at the show received prize-money down to sixth place, with class winners either walking away with £250 or £400, while the winner of the open working hunter class scooped £750. Championship winners either took £500 or £1,000. Louise claimed a further £1,000 for the supreme championship.

Competitors were marked on a points system by four judges in each class — two conformation and two riding judges — and when the top six went through to the championships in the evening, they were marked by four completely new judges.

Read Horse & Hound full report from the New Vision Horse Show in 4 October issue of the magazine

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For Geoff Luckett, a trip to ride RIHS working hunter champion Cruise Control means a 5min drive from his Warwickshire base. Like Louise Bell, the horse’s owner, he lives just outside Edge Hill. A regular on British teams and the Nations Cup circuit, Geoff was the leading British rider at HOYS this year.

The 10-year-old Cruise Control, aka Rusty, is by Irish show jumping sire Cruising and Louise has had him since buying him as a four-year-old in Ireland from Austen Quigley. He is also Louise’s hunter and regularly follows the Heythrop and the Warwickshire.

“He’s Mr Perfect,” says Louise. “I call him the ‘banker’, as he always comes home with the money. He isn’t bad at dressage either — he can do two time changes and half-pass.”

“Oh help,” responds Geoff, “he isn’t going to confuse me is he? I’m a show jumper and I only do walk and canter.”

Assured that the horse is “push button” Geoff confirms that, “the nearest I have come to showing is sitting in this kitchen”.

Rusty is tacked up and ready to go. Geoff stands back and takes a look. “Big, isn’t he?” he says to Louise. “16.2hh,” she replies, which elicits the response, “in your dreams”.

Agreeing to differ, Geoff is given a leg up. (He has brought his own close-contact jumping saddle, as he refuses to be seen in a “girly” showing saddle.) He and Rusty get acquainted as they cross to the arena. To begin with, walk or canter are the preferred paces.

“As I said, I don’t really do trot but as I’m schooling him for you I’ll give it a go,” says Geoff graciously.

Once he has the gears sorted, he really opens the horse up round the edge of the arena and Rusty enters into the spirit of the occasion with a few squeals and a couple of little bucks for good measure.

“I really like him,” says Geoff as they settle down and jump a small fence. Rusty jumps it beautifully. So tidy is he in front that he is one of the few horses who genuinely needs a stud guard.

After the first couple of jumps Louise raises a couple of fences and builds Geoff a course.

“You could go straight out and win a decent class with this horse,” he concludes. “Can I have him for a show on Wednesday?” The request is refused.

“It is nice to see him jump with someone else, though,” she says, “Isn’t he fab?”

Geoff comes down to the large brush that takes pride of place in the middle of the arena.

“This is our most jumped fence,” says Louise. “We school all the hunters over it.” Rusty jumps it beautifully — so well, in fact, that next time around a rail is added to the back. Again, Rusty soars over it.

“If I’d come across him as a youngster, I would have bought him for his attitude and manners alone,” says Geoff. “The jump is a bonus and he’s so easy you would nearly jump him with no hands. You could definitely jump him while you were on the phone!”

Geoff finishes off with an extended trot round the arena.

“Are my hands in a showing position?” he asks Louise, tongue-in-cheek.

“Yes,” she says. “Do you know, I might even employ you!”

• This feature was first published in Horse & Hound (21 December, ’06)

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