A “minor injury” to Sallie Rylie’s Mulrys Error has ruled the popular horse and his equally popular rider Ben Hobday out of travelling to the USA, where they were due to make their British Nations Cup debut at The Plains on 8-9 July.

Ben’s team-mate James Sommerville will not make the trip either as his own and his mother Jennifer’s horse Talent has also incurred a minor injury.

“It is anticipated that both horses will soon be out competing again in the not too distant future. We thank both riders and their owners for making the horses available,” said a statement from British Eventing.

USA-based Brit Justine Dutton has been boosted up from the reserve spot and will now join the team on Jak My Style. Emily Llewellyn has been called up and will make the trip to the USA with Emirati Nightsky. She said on Facebook that her whole team is “super excited”.

The other two team members, Matthew Heath and his own and Hazel Livesey’s One Of A Kind II and Nicky Roncoroni with her mother Janey and Lorna McWilliam’s Watts Burn, are unchanged.

Continued below…

More eventing news:

Ben Hobday and Mulrys Error make British team debut with a trip to the USA

The popular rider will fly to Virginia to represent Team GB with his equally loved equine partner, Mulrys Error

Germany names likely squad for eventing European Championships in Poland

Find out which riders will defend Germany's double gold medals in Strzegom in August

Mark Phillips: Luhmühlen was not a four-star competition *H&H VIP*

Mark Phillips on the dangers of tracks missing their designated rating

This is the second year the USA has hosted a leg of the Nations Cup at The Plains. Britain finished third of the three teams competing last year, represented by Jodie Amos (Wise Crack, third), Ben Way (Willows Tipster, 26th), Justine Dutton (Huck Finn, 36th) and Ros Canter (Zenshera, eliminated for a fall across country). The USA won, with Canada second.

Britain currently holds first place in the 2017 Nations Cup overall standings, after finishing second at all three competitions so far (Strzegom, Houghton and Tattersalls). The next fixture on the calendar is Wiener Neustadt in Austria (30 June-2 July), followed by The Plains, Aachen in Germany (19-23 July), Haras du Pin (10-13 August), Waregem in Belgium (22-24 September) and Boekelo in the Netherlands (5-8 October).

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Ben Hobday has received his first British Nations Cup call-up and will ride on the team at the US leg of the eventing FEI Nations Cup at The Plains, Virginia (8-9 July).

Ben will partner Sallie Ryle’s popular 15-year-old gelding Mulrys Error, with whom he recently finished 27th in the CCI3* at Bramham. The pair also jumped a double clear at Badminton last year and finished 29th at Burghley in 2014.

Two other riders also make their British team debuts at The Plains — Matthew Heath, who will ride his own and Hazel Livesey’s One Of A Kind II, and James Sommerville with Talent, owned by James and his mother Jennifer.

Nicky Roncoroni and Watts Burn, who helped the Brits to second in the Nations Cup at Tattersalls, Ireland, last month, complete the squad. Watts Burn belongs to Lorna McWilliam and the rider’s mother Janey.

American-based Brit Justine Dutton is the reserve with Jak My Style.

This is the second year the USA has hosted a leg of the Nations Cup at The Plains. Britain finished third of the three teams competing last year, represented by Jodie Amos (Wise Crack, third), Ben Way (Willows Tipster, 26th), Justine Dutton (Huck Finn, 36th) and Ros Canter (Zenshera, eliminated for a fall across country). The USA won, with Canada second.

Continued below…

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Britain currently holds first place in the 2017 Nations Cup overall standings, after finishing second at all three competitions so far (Strzegom, Houghton and Tattersalls). The next fixture on the calendar is Wiener Neustadt in Austria (30 June-2 July), followed by The Plains, Aachen in Germany (19-23 July), Haras du Pin (10-13 August), Waregem in Belgium (22-24 September) and Boekelo in the Netherlands (5-8 October).

The British Nations Cup teams are supported by the National Lottery-funded equestrian World Class Programme, a portfolio within the British Equestrian Federation.

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

Sinuses explained

“Sinuses are complex, air-filled structures comprising seven compartments on each side of the head,” says Tim Barnett MRCVS. “Five are interlinked to form an air space at the back and top of the head, the other two communicate with each other to form an air space at the front.

“These compartments are linked to the nasal cavities through two narrow drainage slits that come together and empty into the back of the nose. This area can easily become occluded [blocked] — it could be described as a ‘design fault’ of the horse.

“Infectious agents and foreign materials are constantly being inhaled through the nostrils, some of which will find their way into the sinuses and can establish infection. In many cases the horse deals with these infections, as we would with a cold, and a snotty nose for a few days soon clears.

“Occasionally, the inherent architecture of the sinuses and/or the inflammatory response set up by the infection impede natural drainage so that infection cannot get out.

“If anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics fail, infection in the sinuses — sinusitis — can remain. Inflammation caused by the disease can further occlude the drainage and a circle of worsening disease ensues, as with Trig Point (read his case below, pictured top).

“Sinusitis usually responds well to medical treatment — especially primary sinusitis, where an infectious agent has colonised the sinus without an underlying cause. Where clinical signs do not fully respond to initial treatment, an underlying cause for the infection may be present, such as dental disease, trauma or sinus cysts. Further investigation by nasal and oral endoscopy, and radiography, may be needed.

“More accurate and detailed 3D images are provided by computed tomography [CT] imaging, which enables us to find causes and plan treatments more precisely.”

The diary of a four-star horse’s fight for life

Sinus problems are not uncommon in horses and usually respond well to treatment. Complications can occur, however, in these complex cavities.

A rare infection in both sinuses triggered by a straightforward tooth extraction nearly proved fatal for four-star eventer Trig Point. When antibiotics failed to resolve the problem, Nicky Roncoroni’s 13-year-old gelding endured multiple operations and invasive procedures as vets battled to bring the infection under control.

His story starts late last year, when a slab fracture was identified in his upper 11 molar (the highest under the eye) during a routine dental examination.

18 November, 2014

Nicky is “grating carrots and making the softest mash” for Trig Point (known as The Mighty Jerry, or TMJ) after successful extraction of the offending tooth.

“A videoscope showed horrible sores in his cheek, so goodness knows what pain he must have been in,” writes Nicky on her Facebook page. “Humbling that he is so incredibly stoical.”

19 November

A blood-tinged discharge is spotted in TMJ’s left nostril. Although the original tooth site is healing well, it is thought that the trauma of the extraction has caused bleeding in the sinus.

20 December

A stubborn infection persists, so a drain is inserted into TMJ’s left sinus to flush out the cavity. A swab reveals resistance to some types of antibiotic, but it is hoped that a new course of medication will do the trick.

17 January, 2015

TMJ is now off the antibiotics, but Nicky returns from a trip abroad to find he has taken a turn for the worse.

“His face was very swollen,” she says. “It was incredibly distressing — he was dunking his nose in the water trough as if his face was on fire.”

TMJ is admitted to an equine clinic, where vets discover that one of the infectious agents in his sinus is a species of Pseudomonas — bacteria that are particularly difficult to deal with. Drains are inserted into the sides and top of his head to enable daily flushing of both sinuses.

11 February

“Releived and delighted to have this boy home after over three weeks in hospital,” writes Nicky, as TMJ is given a tentative all-clear after further treatment. “It’s rare for both sinuses to be affected, rare to get this particular bacteria and rare for it to get so bad. He’s just been unlucky.”

Endoscopy reveals clear sinus linings and TMJ is no longer on antibiotics. It seems that he has finally beaten the bacteria.

15 February

Within days, infection reappears. Nicky, who calls the vet out on Sunday evening to a very sick TMJ, reports: “During a frank discussion, the vet tells me that there’s a chance that TMJ might lose his life if we can’t get on top of this.”

The gelding is immediately admitted to hospital, this time to Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket.

Surgeon Tim Barnett MRCVS takes up the story: “TMJ had undergone an extensive array of treatment before coming to us, including systemic antibiotics guided and selected through laboratory culture testing. He’d had repeated keyhole surgery of both sinuses to remove infected material and diseased tissues, and to ensure adequate and open drainage from the sinus compartments.

“One of the problems was that the drainage between TMJ’s front and back sinus compartments failed to remain open, trapping infection.”

4 March

Lavaging (washing) the sinuses through a catheter is the main treatment in such cases, but when this is unsuccessful, the Rossdales team decide to perform more invasive surgery.

“Bone flaps were made into the sinuses on each side of his head, providing greater access and allowing much larger drainage to be created into his nose,” says Tim. “This permitted more radical removal of infected and diseased tissue from within his sinuses. This is usually performed using sedation and local anaesthetic — sadly, TMJ had become fed up with surgery and we felt that carrying out the procedure under general anaesthesia would be safer.”

Nicky writes: “The next few weeks will be critical with risks of infection of the surgical sites and also from the bacterial superbug that has plagued him for so long. It is now over to TMJ to fight with all the mightiness he has. Come on, big man.”

7 March

Five times a day TMJ’s sinus compartments are washed with five litres of fluid to remove remains of diseased tissue and infectious agents.

“Flushing with saline and dilute iodine did not seem to work,” says Tim. “After consultation with some small animal clinicians, who deal with these infections more commonly, we decided to lavage with dilute acetic acid (sterile vinegar). This seemed to coincide with the resolution of TMJ’s condition.

“Turnout in the paddock ensured that he kept his head down as much as possible, encouraging natural drainage from the sinuses into his nose.”

9 April

TMJ returns home after seven weeks at Rossdales. “What he’s had to endure to get to this point is extraordinary,” reports Nicky. “It is now hoped that time, the spring sun and Dr Green [plenty of grass] work their magic to put an end to his ordeal.”

17 April

Nicky is back in the saddle as TMJ’s recovery continues. The aim is that light exercise will stimulate his sinuses and promote the healthy blood circulation necessary for healing.

9 July

After eight months fighting the infection that threatened his life, TMJ returns to competition at Barbury Castle.

“I’m indebted to all those who helped him to recover,” says Nicky. “We’re taking each day as it comes, as reinfection is still a threat, but for today we have so enjoyed having this incredible horse out and back doing what he loves.”

Further reading

• www.horseandhound.co.uk/?s=sinus

• See also next week’s vet column on resistance to antibiotics

Ref: Horse & Hound; 17 September 2015

Four-star eventer Trig Point has returned to competition after recovering from a life-threatening infection earlier this year.

A rare infection left Nicky Roncoroni’s 13-year-old gelding extremely ill following a tooth extraction over the winter.

Barbury Horse Trials (9-12 July) marked the combination’s return to competition, where they competed HC in the novice and jumped clear across country.

“He is very pleased with himself,” said Nicky. “He had a very, very big smile on his face.”

“It was just lovely to have him out and feeling so good.”

Problems started for Trig Point in November when he had an upper molar tooth taken out due to a slab fracture.

The trauma of the extraction resulted in some bleeding into the sinuses. Trig Point was given antibiotics and had a catheter inserted to treat the infection, which appeared to resolve the problem.

Nicky told H&H at the time that it seemed like the horse was on the mend and was jumping and galloping again, but then the infection returned.

After an operation and weeks in veterinary hospital, Trig Point returned home to Nicky’s Gloucestershire yard on 11 February to recover.

In March, he had to undergo more surgery following a further re-infection.

Vets told Nicky that bringing him back into work would help his recovery.

“We felt it was important to have a bit of a focus for him,” she told H&H yesterday (Wednesday, 15 July).

“Part of his recovery really is feeling he has a job to do, feeling part of the team again.

“We are very much being led by how he feels.”

Nicky added they have to be very aware of what is going on and are neither asking nor expecting too much of him.

She also said she is “very thankful” to everybody that helped with his recovery.

The 17hh gelding, who has 467 British Eventing points, jumped clear across country at Badminton in 2013 and came 14th at Pau CCI4* in 2012.

Other results include wins in the CIC3* at Ballindenisk in 2012 and Montelibretti in 2013, where he was on the winning British Nations Cup team.

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The home side came out on top in Luhmühlen CCI4*, presented by DHL, this morning, when Ingrid Klimke showjumped clear to keep first place.

The showjumping time of 88 seconds proved tight, but Ingrid rode in her customary forward style without a trace off nerves to finish fault-free on Madeleine Winter-Schulze and the Germany Olympic equestrian committee’s FRH Escada JS.

“She’s the best horse I’ve ever had and tries so hard,” said Ingrid. “At Badminton I was thrilled for William [Fox-Pitt, who won while Ingrid was second] because he had his whole gang and I only had five people — here I have everyone, so to win Luhmühlen means more to me.”

The top five all showjumped clear to hold their places. Jonelle Price took second for New Zealand on Faerie Dianimo, Germany’s Michael Jung (La Biosthetique-Sam FBW) was third, with Christopher Burton (Graf Liberty) fourth for Australia and Kiwi Mark Todd fifth on NZB Campino.

“It’s extraordinary how good the top ones are — lower down you saw jumping and time-faults, but then the leading ones all come out and jump clear and it’s nice to be one of them,” said Jonelle.

New Zealand’s Jesse Campbell, sixth overnight, had an expensive round with Kaapachino, taking out fence eight and all three parts of the treble at 10. He also had five time-faults to fall 10 places to 16th.

Things also didn’t go quite to plan for Britain’s Coral Keen, who dropped from 11th after cross-country to 17th. Riding Total Equestrian Construction and her father Steve’s Wellshead Fare Opposition, she lowered fences 4b, eight, nine and 10c.

Nicky Roncoroni (video interview below) finished best of the British — she put in the first clear in the time today with her mother Janey’s Stonedge to move up from 17th to 12th.

“I walked the track and thought it was the biggest course I’d ever seen at a horse trials, but he jumped his socks off,” she said.

Willa Newton also cleared all the fences with her father Joey’s Newmarket Vasco One and her four time-faults still allowed her to rise two places to 13th.

“It’s a bit frustrating to have the time-faults, but he jumped really well,” said Willa.

Britain’s Emily Lochore was first into the arena today for Britain and had just one time-fault on Hexmaleys Hayday, moving up a place to 24th.

Full report from Luhmühlen in the magazine this week, out Thursday, 25 June.

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All 25 horses who finished the cross-country in the Luhmühlen CCI4*, presented by DHL, were presented to the ground jury at this morning’s trot-up and passed.

It is rare for all those who complete the cross-country at a three-day event to progress to the final showjumping phase — some horses are nearly always withdrawn before or at the horse inspection or spun by the ground jury. But perfect conditions at Luhmühlen helped ensure all were fit to continue.

“It was really hard here on Monday, but we worked hard with watering and the Verti-Drainer and horses have seldom run on better footing,” commented course-designer Mark Phillips.

The ground jury of Christoph Hess, Anne-Mette Binder and Andrew Bennie did not send any horses to the holding box or even ask any to trot again.

British competitor Emily Lochore’s mount Hexmaleys Hayday was clearly terrified of the crowd who had gathered to watch and was keen to get his trot-up over as quickly as possible. The commentator asked the crowd not to applaud so as not to upset him more.

Newmarket Vasco One also gave his rider, Britain’s Willa Newton, a moment of concern as he took fright at something while she was turning him round at the far end of the strip and jumped.

Willa was one of two Brits inside the time yesterday — she sits 15th, while Coral Keen is best of Team GB in 11th on Wellshead Fare Opposition.

Nicky Roncoroni, who finished one second over the 11min 10sec optimum time, holds 17th on Stonedge. Emily Lochore is 25th after one run-out and 22.4 time-faults and will be first to showjump today at 11.15am.

At the top end Germany’s Ingrid Klimke leads on FRH Escada JS, but the next four competitors are all within one fence of her. New Zealand’s Jonelle Price (Faerie Dianimo, pictured) lies second, the home side’s Michael Jung (La Biosthetique-Sam FBW) third and Australia’s Christopher Burton (Graf Liberty) holds fourth.

Final update from Luhmühlen online later, full report in the magazine this week, out Thursday, 25 June.

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Ingrid Klimke leads the CCI4* presented by DHL at Luhmühlen after today’s cross-country, riding the 2013 European individual silver medallist FRH Escada JS.

The home side rider was one of 13 to go clear and inside the time over Mark Phillips’ course, moving up from second after dressage.

“She was super fit and she jumps so big she jumps over the top of all the hedges — she loves it so much,” said Ingrid after her round on Madeleine Winter-Schulze and the German Olympic equestrian committee’s 11-year-old (video interview above).

New Zealand’s Jonelle Price sits second after a fault-free round on Trisha Rickards and Jacky Green’s Faerie Dianimo, although there was some confusion at the end of her round as she was mistakenly pulled up between the penultimate and final fences. However, she was restarted and given no time-faults.

“I had a beautiful round and she felt more campaigned and experienced than at Pau [where she was fourth],” said Jonelle. “I had no nervous moments — I didn’t hit any flags or anything — so I was confused when they started waving flags at me before the penultimate fence. I tried to ignore it and jumped the second to last, but then they were really waving flags at me, so I pulled up.

“It turned out it was an innocent mistake, which was unfortunate, but mistakes happen and it didn’t affect our round so no one is the worse for wear.”

Michael Jung is now third for Germany on La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, but he retired his other horse FischerRocana FST. The Rolex Kentucky winner lost her footing after jumping into the third water, the Meßmer Teich, and Michael did very well to stay on, but there was no way the pair could take the step up at 17b.

Overnight leader Julien Despontin jumped round clear on Waldano 36, but the young Belgian finished nearly a minute over the 11min 10sec optimum time and the resulting penalties dropped him to 19th place.

Five Brits started the cross-country after Tom McEwen withdrew Diesel before the off.

Kirsty Johnston pulled up Opposition Detective after two run-outs at the wall corner at 12b. Emily Lochore had a run-out at the skinny hedge off a bounce distance from the step at 17 after a hairy ride through with Hexmaleys Hayday, but she finished with 22.4 time-faults for 25th place.

However, three young British riders impressed. Nicky Roncoroni was just one second over the optimum time to move up to 17th with her mother Janey’s Stonedge. Willa Newton, on her father Joey’s Newmarket Vasco One, and Coral Keen, piloting Total Equestrian Construction and her father Steve’s Wellshead Fare Opposition, both went clear inside the time.

Willa has moved up to 15th and Coral is currently 11th.

“I was definitely napping before the start and thinking, ‘I don’t think want to do this’ but now I’m very happy and I think ‘Derby’ is very happy,” said Coral, who was achieving her first four-star cross-country completion.

There was some confusion over Clark Montgomery’s round, as the US rider looked to finish clear and one second over the optimum with Loughan Glen. However, he then appeared on the results as eliminated, believed to be because he actually jumped the wrong side of a flag at the angled brush at fence 28b. The current provisional results show him as seventh, with his elimination overturned, but they could still change.

More updates from Luhmühlen online tomorrow, full report in H&H this week, out Thursday, 25 June.

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Belgium’s Julien Despontin remains in front after the second day of CCI4* dressage at Luhmühlen, presented by DHL.

Julien, 25, scored 31.9 yesterday with his parents Jean-Phillippe and Christine’s 14-year-old chestnut gelding Waldano 36. The pair are at their second four-star after finishing 14th at Pau last year.

“He was very relaxed — he always feels very safe here,” Julien told H&H (video interview above).

Julien is making his second visit to the German event. He withdrew Waldano after dressage in the CIC3* last year as he was friends with German rider Benjamin Winter, who was killed in a fall during the CCI4* cross-country.

Germany’s Ingrid Klimke holds second on 32.7 after a strong test this afternoon with Madeleine Winter-Schulze and the German Olympic equestrian committee’s FRH Escada JS, the 2013 individual European silver medallist.

“She was so with me — I could ride all her specialities, especially the extensions and her walk was very relaxed,” said Ingrid, who scored a 10 from the judge at C, Christoph Hess, for her riding. “I think she did a wonderful job.”

Another mare lies third as Jonelle Price scored 32.8 for New Zealand as the first into the arena today. Her ride was Trisha Rickards and Jacky Green’s smart grey 10-year-old Faerie Dianimo. Jonelle scored two nines and an eight for her riding.

“Not every horse is capable of scoring the big marks and although she is, she has been a difficult mare so she hasn’t always done so consistently,” said Jonelle. “I’ve never been able to get from the start to the finish without any flaws, but today was the day.”

The home side’s Michael Jung holds fourth and fifth on FischerRocana FST and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, with Australia’s Christopher Burton sixth on Graf Liberty.

H&H blogger Coral Keen is best of the British contingent in 16th with a mark of 42.7, riding Total Equestrian Construction and her father Steve’s Wellshead Fare Opposition. Her test was marred only by the 11-year-old cantering out of the first halt and having a slight wobble at the start of the rein-back.

“He went in and got a little bit tense, but he is green at this level so overall I’m pleased, particularly with the fact we nailed all the changes,” she said (video interview below).

Also for Britain Willa Newton’s test yesterday has left her 22nd on Newmarket Vasco On, while Nicky Roncoroni is 24th on four-star debutant Stonedge. Nicky received several nines, but it was unfortunate that the horse threw in an early flying change during the extended canter, dropping the marks for both the extended canter and the change itself.

“They were expensive mistakes, but it’s all there,” she said. “It’s his first four-star test in a big atmosphere, which he took no notice of. He’s here for experience and I think he enjoyed the experience and will have learnt a huge amount from it. Once we tidy things up he should be a low 40s scorer.”

Another British rider, Emily Lochore, had a slight scare when Hexmaleys Heydey took fright and didn’t want to go through the archway into the arena. But Ingrid Klimke, the competitor before her, quickly grasped the situation, turned round and trotted back into the arena to give her a lead.

Tomorrow’s CCI4* cross-country starts at 9.45am local time (8.45am in Britain). The class has a small entry this year, with just 38 pairs competing. The supporting CIC3* riders take on the cross-country in the afternoon.

View course pictures from Luhmühlen here. There will be more updates from the event over the weekend. Full report in H&H this week, out Thursday, 25 June.

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Nicky Roncoroni’s four-star horse Trig Point has suffered further complications following a tooth extraction.

The 13-year-old by Ghareeb had an upper 11 tooth (the last molar up under the eye) taken out on 18 November 2014 as he had a slab fracture.

The trauma of the extraction caused some bleeding in the sinus. This then became infected, although the original tooth site was healing well and X-rays and a CT scan showed no direct correspondence from the tooth area to the sinuses.

Repeated courses of antibiotics followed and treatment including having a catheter inserted. It seemed like Trig Point was on the mend and he was back in jumping and galloping work, but then the infection reappeared. He underwent surgery and spent three and a half weeks in B&W Equine Hospital.

On 12 February, H&H reported that Trig Point was back home at Nicky’s Gloucestershire yard and on the mend.

However, now he has suffered a further re-infection and yesterday (Wednesday 4 March) had bilateral sinus flap surgery at Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket.

Nicky reported on Facebook: “He has recovered from the anaesthetic, but the next few weeks will be critical with risks of infection of the surgical site and also from the bacterial superbug that has plagued him for so long.

“As our surgeons said, they and we have done all we can, it is now over to him to fight with all the mightyness he has. Come on big man… We are rooting for you and missing you like hell.”

Trig Point was 14th at Pau CCI4* in 2012 and completed Badminton the following year with a cross-country jumping clear.

He has won two CIC3*s, at Ballindenisk in 2012 and Montelibretti in 2013, when he led the British Nations Cup team to victory. He incurred a minor leg injury at Montelibretti, so had last season off, but was back on form and aimed at Badminton in May before these problems.

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Nicky Roncoroni’s four-star horse Trig Point is back home recovering after complications from a tooth extraction left him “almost at death’s door”.

The 13-year-old by Ghareeb had an upper 11 tooth (the last molar up under the eye) taken out on 18 November as he had a slab fracture.

“The vets said there could be possible complications, but that there were normally less problems with this tooth than with the nine or 10 tooth. We weren’t expecting anything drastic, but the issues have been ongoing since then,” Nicky told H&H.

The trauma of the extraction caused some bleeding in the sinus. This then became infected, although the original tooth site was healing well and X-rays and a CT scan showed no direct correspondence from the tooth area to the sinuses.

Repeated courses of antibiotics followed and treatment including having a catheter inserted. It seemed like Trig Point was on the mend and he was back in jumping and galloping work, but then the infection reappeared.

“He ended up going to B&W Equine Hospital for three and a half weeks and they found he’d been affected by a strain of the pseudomonas bacteria,” said Nicky. “I’ve been trying to get to the bottom of why it happened, but he’s just been very unlucky. It’s rare to get a bilateral sinus infection [both sinuses], rare to get this particular bacteria and rare for it to get so bad.

“He’s had a pretty rough time. Without wanting to sound dramatic, he was very sick — there was a point where the vets were saying if this antibiotic didn’t work they weren’t sure where to go next.

“The vets [Jo Suthers and Ollie Crowe at B&W and Henry Tremaine from Bristol vet school, who operated on Trig Point] have been as thorough as they can be, but you just feel so helpless not knowing if he’s going to be alright.”

Trig Point returned home to Nicky’s Gloucestershire yard on 11 February.

“The guys at the clinic did a great job, but he was very happy to be home,” said Nicky. “We’re not out of the woods yet as it could re-infect, but we’ll be monitoring him every second of the day and fingers crossed he is on the way to recovery.

“He is meant to have light exercise straight away — to stimulate the sinuses and as the bacteria don’t like oxygen — so I had him out for 20min this morning (Thursday 12 February) and he was bursting out of himself. It amazes me what horses can fight off, bearing in mind three weeks ago he was almost at death’s door.”

Trig Point was 14th at Pau CCI4* in 2012 and completed Badminton the following year with a cross-country jumping clear.

He has won two CIC3*s, at Ballindenisk in 2012 and Montelibretti in 2013, when he led the British Nations Cup team to victory. He incurred a minor leg injury at Montelibretti, so had last season off, but was back on form and aimed at Badminton in May before this latest drama.

“We may aim him at Luhmühlen [in June] if there are no more setbacks, but he will let us know [what’s right],” said Nicky. “He doesn’t owe us anything and you do have to be very careful when a horse has this been ill, especially a horse as generous as him – he’d never say he’s in pain, he just keeps going.”

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Team GBR closed to within two points of Germany in the FEI Nations Cup eventing series — after an impressive win in Montelibretti, Italy last weekend.

Britain finished nearly 40 penalties ahead of the Italian hosts, with a three-man German team in third.

The British riders — who were all competing in their first Nations Cup — took individual first, second, fourth and sixth places.

Nicky Roncoroni and the 10-year-old Ghareeb gelding, Trig Point, headed the leaderboard.

Nicky, Emilie Chandler (Coopers Law), Paul Sims (Calador) and Dani Evans (Raphael II) all achieved clear cross-country round within the time, the only nation to do so.

“It was a very pleasing result,” said squad manager Philip Surl. “When we walked the course we thought there were quite a few places where you could make a mistake, and also that the time would be hard to achieve.

“It was quite a logistical challenge for us to get down to Montelibretti and involved two overnight stops, but the horses all arrived well and we had a couple of personal bests in the dressage [for Nicky and Paul].”

Whereas Germany fielded their top championship combinations at Fontainebleau, Houghton Hall and Aachen, Britain has used the series to give younger riders team experience. Dani Evans has only just graduated from young rider ranks.

This weekend, Laura Collett, Lucy Wiegersma, Izzy Taylor, Sarah Bullimore and Jodie Amos will travel to Waregem in Belgium this weekend for penultimate leg of the Nations Cup.

The final event of the series takes place in Boekelo, Holland (10-13 October).

For a full report, see next week’s magazine (3 October).

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