Latest from Horse & Hound in Rider-weight-debate

Opinion Does anyone really think a small thoroughbred should be asked to carry more than nearly 16 stone?

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:25:42 +0000

Opinion

A lot of people seem to be missing a big point about horse welfare, still.

It’s now nine years since the Great Yorkshire Show first asked people to dismount if they were not an appropriate size for the horses or ponies they were riding but there is still a big issue here.

H&H reported this week that Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) had brought in a new equine welfare framework, and that as part of this, its rules on rider-horse weight ratios were to be actively enforced.

The piece was posted on H&H social media and just about all the comments were as expected.

There was a lot of support for RoR, but there was also “whataboutery”; why is this being addressed when there are so many worse welfare issues. There was “what about big men riding, this is just misogyny”, there were people saying it’s fat-shaming. There were lots of comments about people who “ride light” and that a heavier but balanced rider is better than a lighter but less balanced one. There was even something about “skinny people bouncing about” and yanking mouths.

But this is about horse welfare. If you used the argument that this isn’t worth looking at because being beaten and starved is worse, you would then overlook most welfare issues, and horses or ponies being asked to carry excess weight is detrimental to their wellbeing.

It’s been said over and over again but this is not fat-shaming; it’s not about whether a rider is overweight or not, it’s about suitability of the rider-horse combination. You could be an 8st size zero and you would be too big for a 12.2hh pony. You could be 15st and medically overweight but absolutely fine to ride a bigger horse.

Yes, it is probably easier for a horse to carry a balanced 18 stone than an unbalanced load of the same weight – but it’s still 18 stone. If you were asked to carry a heavy load, it would be easier in a balanced rucksack on both shoulders and with wide padded straps than awkwardly swinging on one shoulder, but all the balance and careful loading in the world won’t make it weigh less.

And it’s not just weight – it’s size. A friend asked me to ride her 14.2hh a few years ago and although I was ok on the weight front, I was too tall. This meant the saddle that fitted the pony didn’t fit me, so my weight was wrongly distributed – I was too big for that pony, so I didn’t ride her.

The “suitably mounted” topic is a huge one, and of course a multitude of factors come into it; saddle fit, horse fitness, condition and conformation to name but a few. And it is a hugely sensitive topic that has to be dealt with appropriately – but it does have to be dealt with, as part of the commitment to always putting horse welfare first.

The RoR rules state that the total weight a horse should carry is ideally no more than 17% of its own bodyweight, the absolute maximum is 20%. For a 500kg thoroughbred, that’s 85kg (13st 5lb) or 100kg (15st 10lb). Does anyone really think a small thoroughbred should be asked to carry more than nearly 16 stone?

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The rider weight debate and why it’s not fat-shaming: H&H responds

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Rider size limits enforced as part of new welfare rules

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 18:13:25 +0000

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) has launched a “refreshed welfare framework” for competitions and events including its championships this week – including more active enforcement of rider size limits.

The charity for former racehorses published its new welfare rules and guidance on 1 August, ahead of The Jockey Club RoR National Championships (19-24 August). The document was “designed to ensure the wellbeing of retired racehorses and support their successful transition into new careers”.

“These rules are grounded in the principle that horse welfare is paramount, addressing both the physical and psychological needs of each animal,” the guide states.

A few days later, RoR announced that it had updated its horse-to-rider weight ratio rules, now in place for all RoR competitions, clinics, camps and parades. These state that the weight of rider and tack combined should “ideally not exceed 17% of the horse’s bodyweight”, and that the “absolute maximum permitted is 20%”.

“Too much weight can cause fatigue, lameness and behaviour changes,” an RoR spokesperson said.

“At the RoR National Championships 2025, our welfare stewarding team will be present, have access to a weighbridge and will award suitably mounted certificates to those meeting the guidelines.

“These rules aren’t about judgement, they’re about giving our ex-racehorses the best possible life after racing.”

This means that for a 500kg thoroughbred, the recommended maximum combined rider and tack weight is 85kg (13st 5lb), the absolute maximum is 100kg (15st 10lb).

Some riders said the move had a “body-shaming” element, but others were supportive.

Thoughtful comments

“Although much of the feedback was positive, there were also some valid questions and thoughtful comments,” an RoR spokesperson told H&H.

“In response to some of the points made, we’ve updated the certificate so it’s clear that recording the weight fields is now optional. The rider and horse will still need to be weighed to calculate the percentage, but the figures don’t need to be written on the certificate if the rider prefers, just the percentage.”

The spokesperson added that the refreshed welfare framework includes clearer guidance on raising concerns and formalisation of RoR’s partnership with the Welfare Stewarding group.

“This initiative is designed to support responsible ownership and celebrate good horsemanship, with welfare stewards now present at major RoR competitions following successful trials,” she said.

“The weight ratio has been part of RoR competition rules since 2016 but hasn’t been actively enforced this qualifying season. As a result, we’re taking a measured and flexible approach this year. This includes raising awareness of the rule – as we know many members may not have previously been aware of it – and introducing certificates to support and encourage good practice.

“Weighing is entirely optional. The Welfare stewarding team may invite combinations to be weighed; riders can decline, but this may result in elimination if the judge believes the horse’s way of going is compromised.

“We fully understand that this is a sensitive subject, weight can be a difficult or even triggering topic for many people but as a charity focused on the welfare of ex-racehorses, it’s essential we talk about this openly, fairly, and with compassion.”

Not “can I?” but “should I?”

Vet Malcolm Morley, world Horse Welfare director of UK, told H&H the charity rehomes those ridden horses and ponies who have potential to be ridden with a rider weight limit, determined thanks to thorough assessment by specialists and taking into account age, conformation and fitness.

“Ultimately this is about seeing it from the horse’s perspective – the horse doesn’t get to choose, but we do. So let’s make it normal to ask, ‘Is this still the right partnership?’” he said. “The question isn’t ‘Can I?’ but ‘Should I, be on this horse, right now?’”

Welfare group founder Amanda Stoddart-West told H&H the team is delighted to be working with RoR again at the championships.

“Our first attendance at the event came last year, and it’s wonderful RoR has embraced involving us again,” she said. “We hope this marks the beginning of a long-standing relationship where ‘putting the horse first’ truly means just that.

“Welfare is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re proud to play our part in encouraging the highest standards while promoting good horsemanship and offering support to members. This is a shared journey; one where we all come together for the greater good of the horse.

“RoR has worked incredibly hard to push this ethos forward, introducing initiatives such as the suitably mounted certificates; a fantastic way to recognise and reward members.

“One of the highlights of our role is presenting the good horsemanship awards at this and other events. Seeing the joy and pride on competitors’ faces is priceless – it makes everything we do feel so worthwhile.

“Above all, we see ourselves as ambassadors for the horse, offering support, guidance, and education wherever we can.”

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H&H showing editor Bethan Simons: ‘I’m putting my tin hat on as this needs to be said’

Bethan Simons — Wed, 28 May 2025 10:49:08 +0000

H&H showing columnist Rebecca Penny recently reminded readers to exercise prudence when posting online. I agree with her wholeheartedly; it’s important to equestrianism as a whole, let alone showing, that we, as representatives, are mindful of how we are perceived in an increasingly difficult social landscape.

But it is not enough. We must do more. We can’t afford to simply appear to “behave” when we post photos for the rest of the world to see. We must behave better towards each other and to our horses, on and offline.

I generally believe that what we put online is the best of us — a scrubbed up version of our lives and ourselves. If this is the case, I’ll decline an invitation to meet the “in real life” versions of some individuals commenting on showing posts on social media at the moment. They’re nothing more than bullies hiding behind screens, anonymity and the unrecognisable accent of the keyboard.

I recently interviewed an excited child and parent at a show; they had netted their biggest showing achievement to date. So I was surprised when said parent contacted me to ask that we didn’t publish their success after all.

Why? The pony and child had been subjected to such criticism online that said parent was afraid of further backlash. That child is seven years old. That parent worked hard to produce a pony to a superb standard — no mean feat. Why tarnish such a happy occasion? In this instance, an old saying springs to mind: “pick on someone your own size”.

They are not alone, and this is not the way to nurture the next generation of talented showmen and women or safeguard the future of our sport.

Being appropriately mounted

Now to get out my tin hat.

Let us be clear, weight guidelines exist with good reason. If the welfare of a horse is compromised due to the weight of its rider, it’s a problem that needs to be resolved. How we are addressing the issue, however, is equally concerning.

To begin with, I think that there is a difference between being inappropriately mounted due to weight, and inappropriately mounted due to that all-important factor in showing: “the picture”.

I know of several very small adults who have been told that the “picture isn’t right” when they ride smaller native breeds and they sometimes finish placed below combinations who have performed a lesser show as a result, even if it’s a case of preference – the picture – rather than because that adult exceeds the weight guidelines.

However, I believe when weight guidelines are exceeded and therefore welfare is a genuine concern, judges are reluctant to comment for fear of offending, backlash and condemnation. Yet, for me, judges are uniquely positioned to be able to discreetly comment and “vote” with their placings. Do we need to be more open about this problem and help judges develop a rhetoric to tackle this taboo subject in the ring? I’m not sure.

One thing I am absolutely certain of, however, is that the correct way to address this issue is not through online bullying so cruel and vitriolic it’s devastating. Neither is it the singling out and disqualifying of individuals in a collecting ring by welfare officers dubbed the “fat police”.

My heart broke for a teenage girl I saw removed from her Dales pony — a native bred over generations to carry significant weight, far exceeding her approximate UK size 14-16 — at a show. She was not, in my humble opinion, any heavier than other riders in the class, but she was less polished and her attire less up to date, and being alone rather than walking amongst the others, easy to pick out.

Such actions can only bring harm to a rider — a human being with feelings and with self-esteem that could be irrevocably damaged. Cruelty to horses has no place in our sport, but neither do discrimination, shaming and humiliation. They do not belong anywhere.

The need for safety stewards

Whilst I’m not sure stewards with scales are the answer, I do feel we’ve a need for increased stewards for safety purposes, especially around the pony and workers rings.

I heard a workers judge bellowing — rightly — from within her ring recently. A spare pole-cup was still dangerously in place on a practice fence. She also had to tell a child which direction to jump. This should not have been her responsibility.

Meanwhile the whole collecting ring was bedlam. For starters, it was tiny, with ponies whizzing up and down, over-zealous mums barking instructions and spare siblings hanging around — sometimes literally from the fence. Comical, really, if it didn’t pose such significant safety hazards for both competitors, their horses and spectators.

In the absence of such individuals to monitor either safety or welfare, we need to be better at policing ourselves and each other, albeit respectfully.

Remember, anything that reflects badly on showing online also reflects badly in real time, especially at county shows and leading fixtures where a spectator could just as easily be an experienced fellow as a curious member of the public.

We must be mindful of this, not to placate arguably overly “woke” sensibilities, but for our horses and for each other. This way our social licence might be renewed time and again. And deservedly.

Some rays of light

Showing societies are making changes, evolving what they do to try to increase inclusivity, engagement, and fun. It seems to be working.

Tweaks to the BSPS Winter championships schedule were rewarded with record entries, and I loved seeing so many take part in hobby horse competition at the Northern Ireland Festival.

That’s the way to ensure our children want to grow, improve and remain in this sport. Well done to organisers!

● What do you think is the best way forward when an unsuitably mounted rider arrives at a show to compete? Let us know your thoughts. Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

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‘Matching horses and riders is more complex than rider weight’: federation tackles ‘sensitive’ topic

Becky Murray — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 17:58:19 +0000

Rider weight limits have come under the spotlight again as it is agreed multiple factors should be considered when matching horses and riders – and that weight discussions should be approached carefully with young people.

Last month the Swedish equestrian federation spoke out on the topic, following reports in the Swedish media. The federation does not recommend having weight limits at riding schools, for children or adults, “for the good of the horse and the person”, and that weight limits go against Sweden’s national sports confederation’s guidelines for children and youth sports.

The federation said horse welfare “must always be central”, but that matching horses and riders is more complex than rider weight, and should be based on factors including horse breed and size, the horse’s training, rider ability and the riding activity.

“It is important to consider this overall picture,” the federation’s secretary general Johan Fyrberg told H&H.

“Most people who ride at Swedish riding schools are young girls, a group where weight is often a sensitive subject. As a sport, we should not contribute to this issue, as we know that it could have serious consequences such as eating disorders or other psychological problems. We see that instructors can match rider and horse perfectly fine without publicly pointing out a rider’s weight.”

Mr Fyrberg added that the federation’s stance is “not new” and that most coaches “handle this very well”.

“However, after this subject was raised in a few newspapers, we chose to be extra explicit with our recommendations,” he said.

Rider weight has been increasingly discussed in the UK, and last year the suitably mounted working group was formed to tackle incompatible horse-rider combinations. Researcher Tamzin Furtado, one of the group’s founders, told H&H it is “excellent” to see the Swedish federation considering mental health.

“I agree that some ‘blanket’ weight limits can be misleading; for example, policies that say, ‘No riders over a certain weight can attend this riding school,’ can be less helpful than having individual limits per horse, which might be regularly reassessed,” she said, adding that horse-to-rider weight ratios are an “important, albeit complex welfare issue”.

“We have strong evidence that it can be detrimental to horses to carry a load heavier than is ideal for that individual, though this is affected by fitness, build, breed, age, tack and other factors.”

Ms Furtado said that for young riders “discussing weight is very sensitive”.

“We need to engage carefully with the issue alongside advice from mental health professionals and psychologists,” she said.

Pony Club chief executive Marcus Capel told H&H the organisation has discussed rider weight “at length over the years” and he supports the Swedish federation’s recommendations.

“We are aware how sensitive the issue of body image is for young people. We have been working with mental health charity Riders Minds to promote and support positive mental health in our young people,” he said.

Oonagh Meyer, British Horse Society head of operations for approved centres, told H&H that rider ability, horse size and training should always be considered. “Alongside this, in the interests of equine welfare and safety, our approved centres have a rider size and weight limit for each of their horses and ponies,” she said.

“Although a sensitive issue, it is vital that anyone understands that the proprietor has restrictions in recognition of a rider’s height and weight. The priority has to be the welfare of the horse.”

Do you agree with the Swedish federation’s recommendations? Send your thoughts to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, and nearest town and county, for consideration for publication on our letters page.

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Suitably mounted: what does it mean? Your views sought on tricky topic

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 18:03:28 +0000

A group dedicated to ensuring horse-rider partnerships are suitable in all ways has launched its first major project.

The Suitably Mounted Group, set up last summer to help tackle the issue of incompatible horse-rider combinations, has released a questionnaire aiming to gather the industry’s views.

H&H reported in July 2023 that the group includes show organisers and researchers, as well as experts in veterinary and equine welfare – and human mental health. Members will collate and review existing research and are open to collaboration. They will also advise anyone who wants to introduce guidelines and put them in touch with those who have already done so.

Researcher Tamzin Furtado, one of the group’s founders, told H&H the study is about perceptions of the issues that affect being “suitably mounted”.

“The project came from discussions we were having; when you talk about rider size, how complex it is,” she said. “We need to talk about everything from tack fit to rider and horse fitness, horse conformation; it is very complex.”

Take the survey

Dr Furtado said most studies conducted so far have considered one variable, such as rider weight, at a time, and “although they are good science, we wanted to look at how these things interrelate and people’s perceptions of it”.

The group wants to hear from all areas of the industry – riders, owners, judges, tack fitters and veterinary professionals, for example – “any anyone you can think of”.

“We want to give everyone the chance to tell us what they think is important,” Dr Furtado said. “Do vets think horses’ conformation is more important or do riders think rider skill is more important than their weight? Physios may have views on rider issues that make a difference.”

“The point isn’t to be critical or to stop people riding,” she said. “It’s not about people being wrong, it’s about all of us updating our knowledge to make the right decisions.”

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The rider weight debate and why it’s not fat-shaming: H&H responds

H&H responds to the latest news on a big issue for the equestrian industry

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‘We applaud them’: new group set up to tackle the issue of oversized riders

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‘It sounds like hocus pocus’ but hypnotic gastric band and therapy help rider lose seven and a half stone in a year

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 19:51:58 +0000

A coach who has lost seven and a half stone said the money she paid for food aversion therapy and a hypnotic gastric band is the best she has ever spent – and it meant she could get back on a horse again.

Dawn Britnell, mother of five-star rider David Britnell, has gone from being sceptical about the treatment to “evangelical”, having dropped from 17 and a half stone to under 10 since last October.

She told H&H she hoped her story might help others in the equestrian world who are struggling with their weight.

“I used to eat till I was so full, eat more because I felt disgusted, then get something else because I hated myself,” she said. “That just doesn’t happen any more, and the joy of it – I can’t tell you. It’s brilliant.”

Dawn, who is now 59, had her first child aged 27, and “ever since, I’ve yo-yo dieted”.

“I think I had undiagnosed post-natal depression, and the pounds piled on,” she said. “So for 30 years, effectively, I’ve been doing that, it’s pretty unpleasant.

“I tried everything. I lost five stone on Lighter Life but because I hadn’t dealt with why I was overeating, it piled straight back on again.

“In May 2022, I went to see a horse I had with a friend and she took pictures; I looked at them and thought ‘Is that really me?’ When you’re that fat, for that long, you get body dysmorphia, so I’d thought I was a bit overweight. Then at Burghley, I was on the WOW stand, as I’m a WOW saddle-fitter, and someone said ‘Waddle over here, Dawn’.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Dawn said that made her “have a bit of a cry”, but also, she realised something else.

“There’s nowhere to sit down on the stand so you have to sit on one of the saddles,” she said. “That’s usually a pleasure as they’re lovely but I couldn’t get my leg over, so to speak! Then my hips hurt, and my back, and I struggled to get off. I had another little cry and thought ‘This has to change’. I was in a pretty bad place, mentally and physically, and something had to change.

“I was 17st 7lb, which at 5’4” is morbidly obese, I was pre-diabetic, my asthma was horrendous, my arthritis hideous and my self-esteem through the floor.”

Dawn said she heard of Adrian Radford-Shute, of 1 Mind, as her son David had seen him after the loss of his Badminton horse Continuity.

“He fell apart when he lost ‘Brad’, he’d lost his best friend and his mojo, but Adrian stood him up and helped him carry on,” she said. “He got David over the trauma, of the injury, and Brad’s death – he’s done that for both of us.”

Dawn added: “When I saw how Adrian helped him, and heard he worked with people who needed to lose weight, it piqued my interest. Having had regression hypnosis before for the same issue, I was resistant and sceptical but talking to David, looking at the website, and taking into account my spiralling blood pressure, I decided to try.”

“In no time, I’d covered a side and a half of A4, and he said I was in a severe overwhelmed trauma state,” she said. “I thought ‘That’s probably why I’m here’. He said the reason I was overeating and binge-eating was because I didn’t have enough processing power left to deal with it.”

Adrian helped Dawn “dial down” each trauma, by asking her to focus on it and how she felt, and counting it down.

“It sounds like hocus pocus and people raise their eyebrows,” she said. “But after he’s counted it down, it doesn’t hurt. You turn off the pain of the memory.”

After the traumas had been dealt with, Adrian hypnotised Dawn. She said he took her, mentally, down two roads open to her: first he showed her becoming a bariatric patient, and “almost to the point of death; which was terrifying”.

“Then he draws you back and says that’s the wrong path, let’s take the right one,” she said. “He’d already asked me and knew I wanted to see my kids get married and my grandchildren, to ride again, to enjoy life. Then he took me down that path of joyousness, and asked me to look at the door to the wrong path, and go down the right one. I can still remember almost every word he said, and I lie in bed most mornings and check that the door to the bad path is locked, and the door to the right one open.”

Dawn said Adrian used aversion therapy to make sure she wasn’t tempted by her downfall; sweets, cakes, chocolate and biscuits. He asked her to imagine the taste of a certain sweet, then the taste of dog poo, were she to put that in her mouth, then the flavours mixing.

“Then he asks if you want any sweets, and you really, really don’t!” she said. “For eight months, I didn’t have sweets, cakes, biscuits or chocolate. I missed it horribly, but I was losing three pounds a week. The joy of seeing the scales go down is the best drug on the planet.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Dawn did eventually “get them switched back on”, so she can eat her favourites again, but she has transformed her approach to food. The hypnotic “gastric band” – Adrian hypnotised her into believing one is fitted – means she cannot eat the same quantities as before.

She is now “programmed” to determine whether a food is worth the calories it contains, and if it is, she eats it and enjoys it, and then stops.

Once she had reached her target weight, she allowed herself to get back on a horse – she had stopped riding her dressage horse Fantasmic when she got too heavy, but finally got back in the saddle of her daughter Roxanne’s horse Clooney this year. Owing to an Achilles injury she is not riding at the moment, but hopes to be back in the saddle next spring.

“Riding was all my Christmases come at once,” she said. “I’m now doing everything I wanted to; I do Pilates and Nordic walking, I can buy clothes in normal shops; I was an XXL and now I’m a medium. I was so embarrassed by the way I looked, I used to hide away not wanting to be seen. I’m never going back.”

Dawn hopes her story will help others; she said at least 30 people she has spoken to about her experience have seen Adrian themselves.

“All the way through, people have asked me what was going on, then said ‘That can’t work’,” she said. “But the evidence is standing here. I sound a bit evangelical about it but that’s because I am!”

Always consult your doctor before you start any diet or weight-loss plan.

‘Let’s keep this going’: awards for most harmonious horse and rider combinations at major show

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:53:42 +0000

The awarding of special prizes to the most harmonious horse and rider combinations at Equifest is just the start, it is hoped, in a positive change for the equestrian industry.

Four awards were given out on Saturday, 5 August, to the most suitable combinations. These were those who were not only an ideal match in terms of horse or pony and rider size, but also those about whom “everything just looked right”.

Amanda Stoddart-West is livestock and entries coordinator for the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS), which has for years enforced a strict rider weight limit everywhere on the showground. She was approached about the idea by Equifest show director Betsy Branyan, who she had helped with a similar rule at the Royal Three Counties show this summer.

Amanda and experienced steward Frank Grunnill spent the day talking to and assessing combinations on the showground.

“We picked those combinations that really stood out,” Mrs Stoddart-West told H&H. “The animals were in healthy condition, the rider suitable size, the rider was empathetic – not necessarily perfect or out to win rosettes, but we were looking for harmonious relationships, where everything looked right. The horses were happy and the whole picture was right.”

Georgie Lewis-Roberts with Fulford Mickey (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Mrs Stoddart-West said they picked four combinations; not necessarily the showiest or flashiest animals, but “really nice combinations”, and empathetic riders who gelled with their horses.

The overall winners were Jessica Paige Davies on Blue. Jessica said she was “absolutely amazed she was selected, let alone won”.

Another combination to win the award was Katie Lewis and Dublin Lass.

“I’ve had my mare 17 years and in lockdown I put a stone on. I didn’t ride her until I lost it again because I thought at 22, she didn’t need me adding more weight to her load as she got older.”

Georgie Lewis-Roberts was “over the moon” to be selected for an award with Fulford Mickey, and Jessica Lye said winning one with Duchers was “better than a first place”.

“I was nervous and excited about going in the main arena, but it is something I have always dreamt of and to go in there to collect an award of such importance was a dream come true,” she said.

Mrs Stoddart-West said other shows have been in touch about hosting the awards.

‘We applaud them’: new group set up to tackle the issue of oversized riders

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:45:10 +0000

A new “suitably mounted” working group aims to help tackle the issue of incompatible horse-rider combinations, across the industry.

The group has come together to address the issue of rider size and help those who are looking to tackle it. H&H has reported on rules and policies brought in by events and organisations, and one aim is to support others hoping to do the same.

Researcher Tamzin Furtado, one of those behind the group, told H&H it came about after discussion of the issue across the industry.

“This is for everyone,” she said. “Every riding school, event, organisation – all of us. Anyone who feels like they need someone to help tackle a tricky issue, there’s nowhere to go.

“I was working with Amanda Stoddart-West of the Great Yorkshire Show [GYS] on equine obesity, and she’s involved with the show’s rider-weight rules, and we were talking about how there are no resources for anyone who needs to think about this.”

Dr Furtado said the evidence on defining suitable rider size “can be confusing” and it can be difficult to know who to ask for advice.

“So I thought it would be good to have a resource, so people can ask questions of those on top of the literature we do have,” she said.

The group includes show organisers and researchers, as well as experts in veterinary and equine welfare – and human mental health. Members will collate and review existing research and are open to collaboration. They will also advise anyone who wants to introduce guidelines and put them in touch with those who have already done so.

“They can get advice from people who have been there,” she said. “We’ve got a mental health professional on board to make sure it’s done sensitively, as it can be a tricky issue.”

Dr Furtado added that so much needs to be taken into account when determining rider suitability, including equine conformation, condition and fitness. The group will also look at enforcement of any guidelines – some organisations have them but it is not clear how they are followed up, which she said must be in a way that is supportive of people and of horse welfare.

“It’s definitely not about people being overweight or not,” she added. “It’s about making sure the fit is right. As has been said, the ideal weight for a horse to carry is 0%, so we need to be on the conservative side.”

Mrs Stoddart-West, entries and livestock coordinator for the GYS, which brought in a maximum rider weight rule in 2016, is on the group. She told H&H she would like to see such guidelines across the board.

“It’s not just in the showing world, it’s an issue in several disciplines,” she said, adding that she has had comments from all over the world since the Royal Three Counties show followed the GYS’ lead in imposing a rider-weight rule.

“I’ve heard from people in Australia and the US saying they’d love to see this worldwide. I’ve been contacted by vets, breeders, judges, saddlers – the support has been phenomenal, and they all want to help.”

Mrs Stoddart-West added that they are building a “team” of people available to go to shows and events to help enforce such policies in a sensitive way.

“I’m delighted this group has been formed, and hopefully we can make a difference for horse welfare and the longevity of equestrianism.”

Imogen Burrows, chair of the British Equine Veterinary Association ethics and welfare committee, and member of the group, told H&H a mismatch in load or height can have serious equine health and welfare implications, “not least if the horse is unfit, older or has an underlying health condition”.

“This is a consideration for all disciplines, ridden and driven, with rules relating to height and weight already in place across many equestrian activities.

“We applaud this group for bringing together professionals from many fields who are able to tackle this delicate topic with the knowledge, science and sensitivity needed to support riders with best-practice information and preserve the wellbeing of our horses.”

Ms Burrows added that although “for many years the finger has been pointed” at showing as the main culprits in this issue, the group “greatly admires them for opening their doors to change”, such as on the healthy weight awards, which are making a difference.

“The working group is now striving to gather much needed evidence to support other groups and individuals, to give them the courage to address this welfare issue with justified confidence,” she said.

‘I’m proud we’ve done this’: 12 oversized riders asked to dismount at major show

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 16:18:34 +0000

Twelve people too big for the ponies they were riding were asked to dismount at the Royal Three Counties Show (16–18 June) – and a weight limit is likely to be brought in next year.

For the first time, and in the interests of equine welfare, the show applied a rule stating that anyone riding on the showground had to be “suitably mounted”. A welfare officer was brought in to ensure this was the case, with the result that 12 people, including some repeat offenders, were asked to dismount.

Show secretary Betsy Branyan told H&H the rule came in after issues at last year’s event.

“We saw several larger riders, especially on show ponies, and we thought we needed to do something,” she said. “It was getting beyond acceptable.”

The welfare officer was Amanda Stoddart-West, livestock and entries co-ordinator of the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS), which brought in a 20% weight limit for all riders, seven years ago.

“We didn’t go as far as the GYS but after this year, I’m seriously considering it,” Ms Branyan said. “There were riders whose stirrups were by the ponies’ knees, one man was pushing 5ft 9in on a 12.2hh – there was no doubt it looked wrong.”

Ms Branyan said the vet was involved on one occasion; the rider’s height was not excessive but her weight was thought to be, and it was agreed that the “rider to horse weight ratio was incorrect”, but others were pulled up as although their weight was not excessive, they were too tall for their mounts.

“I feel proud that, as a show, we’ve done this,” she added.

Mrs Stoddart-West told H&H that, at the show, she was in constant contact with the stable team and some of the stewards, and between them they covered the lorry parks and warm-up areas.

“It meant we could see what was going on, and it saddened me,” she said. “I saw one mother telling her eight-year-old child to ride on the bottom rein and keep the bit moving, so basically saw the pony’s mouth. Eventually, she got the child off and she got on. I thought, ‘Nope, this is supposed to be a child’s pony and shouldn’t need this.’”

Mrs Stoddart-West said she was “horrified” by some responses to her interventions.

“There were some who weren’t too heavy but they were too tall – knees over the ponies’ shoulders which resulted in them sitting on their loins, affecting the overall balance,” she said. “It’s not just about weight. I told them there are people who want to stop horses being ridden, and you’re giving them ammunition.”

She added that some were asked to dismount more than once, to the point they saw her approaching and did so before she arrived.

“That’s what we’re dealing with,” she said. “People who think there’s a different rule for them. I think next year, they’ll be using scales.”

“I’m delighted the Three Counties team is being so proactive, and everyone is working together, which is great.”

“Lots of other exhibitors came up to say thank you,” she added. “For trying to make it a level playing field – and for looking out for the welfare of the animals. It gives me hope we’re going in the right direction.”

World Horse Welfare deputy chief executive Tony Tyler told H&H the Three Counties team should be “applauded for not tolerating mismatched horse and rider combinations which are an obvious affront to horse welfare”.

“There are horses and ponies for all shapes and sizes and it’s all about ensuring the right match,” he said. “When the match is not right, we hope more shows will take a stand for the welfare of the horses and ponies, and for the future of equestrian competition.”

Pammy Hutton: ‘I use strong words, but this is urgent’

Pammy Hutton — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 10:30:27 +0000

British Horse Society Fellow, international dressage trainer and rider Pammy Hutton shares her views on strong words and actions, plus rider weight guidelines

When it comes to keeping horse sport in the public’s good books, I have to agree with Carl Hester (opinion, 17 November), when he said that my plea to “fight back” was too strongly worded. I use the term “fight” loosely; I call getting up in the morning a fight. The word was my father’s when he wanted to rally his troops with discipline.

Undoubtedly, we need a unified plan and then to stick to it. But what is the plan? And who will coordinate and finalise our blueprint to preserve equestrianism’s precious social licence to operate? Once again, it’s that British conundrum of getting all our governing bodies to pull together on behalf of the horse.

I’m part of the admin team on a noisy online group that discusses horses in sport, for the most part with negative comments. And that’s people supposedly on our side. Convincing the uninitiated is even harder. These are people who want horses kept only as pets and seem to want others to care – and pay – for them. So many aspects must now change beyond bits, spurs, whips, racing two-year-old horses and jumping into Badminton’s lake. Important though they are, this is bigger than all of them put together.

I was recently attacked on social media after posting this picture of my mare Ebony with a white, foamy mouth. Among more than 300 comments were those that expressed how stressed she was, how I should ride without a bridle, that I needed a vet and why I should stop riding her.

This image of Pammy Hutton’s mare Ebony, posted on social media, resulted in an avalanche of 300 comments including accusations of cruelty. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Then there’s the totally illogical reasoning that affiliated competition is cruel but unaffiliated is fine. Or that horses love hacking, but hate going to shows. Do these people know how cut-throat the unaffiliated scene can be, or that affiliated competitions offer checks for well-fitting tack, for example, which horses used solely for hacking do not benefit from?

It’s time to focus on what we can do for the horses’ benefit, and how they love to learn, work and have fun with us; time to be proactive rather than reactive. Yes, I use strong words, but this is urgent.

A weighty issue

With the festive season upon us, we need to consider a heavy issue. A local riding school has taken to weighing riders (with their clothes on!) and won’t take clients tipping the scales at more than 13st 7lb. A saddle adds another stone.

Here at Talland, we’ve not yet taken to weighing. However, at a recent assessment day, there was a person who I really didn’t want on any of our horses because of their weight. Luckily, the assessors found a tactful way to deal with the problem.

I teach several people who ride at inter I who are 15 stone and more, and they are good riders. Some heavy riders sit lightly and some average-sized riders sit as if they were 22 stone. What is an equine “weight carrier” and at what point is a light-boned horse not up to weight? How do we “weigh this up”?

The Riding for the Disabled Association – which adds a stone to riders’ weights as some can sit heavier, like many novice riders – has a helpful calculator on its website. Showing has weight rules, too.

British Dressage’s (BD) new general guideline of horses carrying no more than a total load of 20% of their bodyweight is to be welcomed – as is the word “general” because breed and type need careful consideration.

Now other sporting disciplines need to act on this, please.

Last, but not least

Finally, I’m wishing you, dear reader, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

● What do you think about BD’s new rider weight guidelines? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, local town and county for the chance to have your views published in a future edition of Horse & Hound magazine

This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 22 December, 2022

British Dressage brings in rider weight guidance for horse welfare

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 12:38:27 +0000

British Dressage (BD) has introduced guidelines on maximum rider weight for 2023 as part of its code of conduct for equine welfare.

It is recommended that, from January, the maximum load carried by any equid should not exceed 20% of its total body weight “based on a horse with a ‘good’ condition score”.

“British Dressage is committed to upholding the highest standards of welfare, health, and wellbeing for both horse and rider, and a central tenet of this is promoting a harmonious partnership,” the members’ handbook states.

“To achieve this, the rider should be the correct size for their horse and suitably mounted. The horse and rider partnership must be in balance, and the rider should not exert undue influence on or restrict the horse’s natural way of going. The rider should be proportionate to their horse, with the core stability, suppleness, and fitness necessary to achieve a harmonious way of going.”

It adds that when considering how much each equine should carry, its rider’s height and size should be taken into account, as well as the age, type, fitness, and body condition score of the horse, but the 20% is the general guide.

“It is the members’ responsibility to ensure that they respect these guidelines, in the interests of equine welfare,” the handbook states. “The purpose of this guidance is to ensure that a member’s way of riding is effective and sympathetic to their horse, and not a measure to prevent their participation.

“If any member feels that this may cause issues for their equine partnership, then it is recommended that they consult with their vet or coach for further expert advice. Additional training and education resources are also available on the BD website, including information on general health and fitness.”

BD chief executive Jasom Brautigam told H&H the guidance was introduced in response to questions and concerns raised by members and officials.

“In consultation with veterinary experts and World Horse Welfare, we wanted to provide some clarity around the acceptable ratio between horse and rider, but the focus is very much on equine welfare rather than rider weight,” he said.

“It is about size and proportionality, to ensure that a horse is suitably mounted to achieve a harmonious way of going.

“There are many different factors that should be taken into consideration: the core stability, suppleness, and fitness of the rider, as well as the age, type, fitness, and body condition score of the horse. Ultimately, the horse and rider partnership must be in balance, and the rider should not exert undue influence on or restrict the horse’s natural way of going. This is essentially what dressage is all about.”

Mr Brautigam stressed that the aim is to promote a way of riding that is effective and sympathetic, rather than a measure taken to prevent participation.

“We have a number of tools and resources available on our website relating to fitness, nutrition, mental health and physical wellbeing, and we are here to help and support our members achieve the best possible relationship with their equine partners,” he said.

He added that BD is providing further training for coaches and officials next year through its education programmes and continuing professional development strategy, covering various horse and rider welfare topics.

‘These modules will be made available to all our stakeholder groups, with the aim of delivering consistently high standards of equine and human welfare in our sport,” he said.

What do you think of the guidelines? Send your thoughts to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, and nearest town and county, for consideration for the H&H letters page

Pizazz or temperament: what is the future of the ridden show pony?

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 20:01:21 +0000

BREEDING for temperament over “pizazz”, and the possibility of taking a leaf out of racing’s book on aftercare, were put forward as suggestions for the way forward for plaited show ponies.

Speaking at The Showing Council’s summer conference on 28 June, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher spoke of her concerns over some showing ponies, and possible solutions.

Ms Hamilton-Fletcher, an experienced equine vet, lifelong cross-discipline competitor and coach, who was involved in affiliated showing for years, gave a presentation on “Suitability of show riding ponies and their life after showing”.

“I see things from a number of perspectives and I think that’s useful here,” she said. “Showing has been wonderful for my daughter; it gives an insight into ringcraft, it’s helped with her dressage and when she went into eventing. There’s a lot to commend about a showing upbringing – but that should not be at the expense of the welfare of the ponies involved, and that’s why I’m here today.”

Asking whether the ridden show pony is fit for purpose, Ms Hamilton-Fletcher considered the rider size and weight debate.

Ms Hamilton-Fletcher said concerns cannot be ignored, and that this also applies to vets, adding: “We need to think more about our practices, especially for elite competition horses; we’re all victims of injecting joints, especially hocks, on demand, and that’s no longer good enough. Are we prioritising short-term performance gains over long-term welfare? Injecting hocks every six months on owner demand, or to gain extra points, is possibly not the right way to go.

“We need to think about this, and justify all we do in terms of welfare.”

Ms Hamilton-Fletcher said that although showing is not a high-risk discipline, with less risk of horse falls for example, it cannot be complacent.

Returning to the show riding pony, she said: “It’s a fabulous pony; beautiful, extravagant, elite, but sharp. That’s part of its wow factor, it wins classes, and unfortunately any characteristic that wins classes is selectively bred for. I’d suggest that being bred for movement and pizazz is being done at the expense of temperament. Some would say that doesn’t matter, but I’d argue that it does.”

Ms Hamilton-Fletcher said these ponies are shown as suitable for children, and this implies that temperament is suitable, adding: “Anyone selling a pony as such wouldn’t say, ‘Only suitable for a child if it’s ridden by someone much larger for half an hour or lunged continuously.’ That to me isn’t suitable for a child. It’s often said safety is key for these little riders, and to me that implies temperament.

“It’s said these aren’t classes for the safest pony but they’re for ponies suitable for children, so if that doesn’t mean safest, what does it mean?”

She explained that good temperament is not only beneficial in showing, it means the pony is more likely to have a second job and a “good life” later, as the biggest pony market is for versatile animals, and that some who are maybe not successful in the ring have few options.

“I see a lot of of similarities between racehorses and show riding ponies,” she said. “Those with better temperaments have a better chance to have a good life afterwards. Hats off to the racing industry for taking the steps they have [on aftercare]; this may be something for the showing societies to think about.”

“I see these ponies going to Pony Club camp and it’s a disaster,” she added. “They go back on the market, cheaper, and it goes wrong. It’s very, very sad to see.”

On the way forward, Ms Hamilton-Fletcher thought it would be worth conducting a survey on show riding ponies before and after showing, covering where they go, how many changes of homes, their health and lifespan. would support classes for ponies suitable for children, more emphasis on temperament in judging and breeding, and rules to stop unsuitably mounted riders working ponies in, as well as.

“I love these ponies, and feel sad when I come across them struggling,” she said. “It’s not what I want to see, and I’d like to see it being addressed.”

British Show Pony Society chair Paul Cook said the issue of rider weight can be a complex one, as “we’re mainly a children’s society, and we have age restrictions with ponies, but we have to be sensitive as many of our riders are young girls”.

“This is about education on people being unsuitably mounted,” he said. “We do have members’ conferences every year but we’re often speaking to the converted there. We’ve got to educate more widely, rather than dictating to people, and that’s what we’re doing.”

Adult riders on children’s ponies: the rider-age and size debate continues

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 12:03:40 +0000

THE removal of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers from the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) has sparked debate across the industry.

HOYS took some pony qualifiers from the GYS as the latter would not revoke its rider-age rule, by which ponies can only be ridden, anywhere on the showground by either the competitor, or another rider who is of the appropriate age for the class concerned.

H&H gathers views from across showing.

Julie Templeton: apply rules across the board

TOP show pony producer Julie Templeton believes riders’ size and weight should be key, rather than age, as she said in her recent H&H column.

She told H&H she believes those on all sides of the debate are on the same page, with horse and pony welfare “at the heart of all we do”.

She believes it was not fair for the GYS to lose its HOYS qualifiers, but thinks rules on rider size should apply across the board.

“My only concern with the GYS rule – and I think it’s appropriate the right-sized people ride the right-sized ponies – is that it should apply to all classes, not just target the plaited ponies,” she said.

“If you’re going to bring these things in, and with all the talk about social licence, we’ve got to protect our horses, their welfare and our industry. I wish it had been across the board.”

Julie pointed out that a 5ft 3in, lightweight adult cannot work in a 128cm show pony at the GYS, but a 5ft 10in lightweight adult could compete a Dartmoor pony.

“I don’t want to lose anyone their livelihood, and appreciate there’s a place for small adults working a pony in to give it confidence and set it up so the child has a positive experience,” she said. “Some of our children sadly only ride in the show ring, and it’s important they’re on ponies who understand and are straight, obedient, soft in the mouth and comfortable to ride.

“And we’ve got to be inclusive, for the children who may not have the facilities to ride at home; we want to encourage children from all backgrounds to enjoy riding.”

Julie also pointed out the exciting atmosphere at major county shows and that the classes concerned do not specify that they are looking for the safest ponies.

“There are lots of ponies for people to learn on at different levels,” she said. “One is the riding school pony, and if you want to change a show pony to a riding school one, that’s fine, let’s have a class for that. But at the moment, it’s for the best pony and the best pony might be a bit sharper and trickier.

“For it to be a positive experience, we want to help and support children until they’re confident to work the ponies in and haven’t left the industry because they’ve fallen off too many times.

“I completely understand the GYS rule, and they can put in place whatever rules they want, and it’s then a choice. You say to clients, ‘Let’s go there and have a lovely time,’ or ‘Actually, your pony might not fit in that environment.’ My overriding priority is the child’s safety and that they have a positive experience, so if we have a pony we think won’t cope, we’ll be honest with the client.

“They’re not robots and machines and we don’t want them to be – and one concern if you ban things is, what will then go on at home?”

Jill Perkins: wellbeing comes first

SHOWING would “find itself in hot water” if what went on in some lorry parks was lightlighted, a former British Show Pony Society (BSPS) judge believes.

Jill Perkins officiated at major shows in the UK and around the world.

“A child’s pony should be both beautiful and suitable,” she told H&H. “I would always look for a pony that was correct, a free-moving pony with perfect manners and really importantly, appears happy doing its job.

“As a judge, there was nothing worse than seeing a pony that had obviously been set up by an older rider. It does not present a pretty picture and it certainly doesn’t look natural when the child is just passenger rather than pilot, which is sadly too often the case.

“Now there is so much more information available, surely the physical and mental wellbeing of the ponies must come first. The relationship between pony and rider cannot be artificially created; a good judge should be able to recognise the true partnership.

“If your pony is set up by someone else and you are just plonked on board for the show ring, there is no real connection and frankly what is the point? You only have to consider the number of children who grew up riding show ponies and yet, possibly because of the pressured environment, they no longer ride as adults.”

Ms Perkins referenced the recent Showing Council webinar on social licence adding: “If a reporter or anyone chose to actually highlight what goes on in the lorry parks at most shows, I’m sorry to say showing would be find itself in hot water.

“We need to continue to do more to improve standards, and there are many other methods that can be used if we choose to open our minds and consider moving away from some of the outdated traditional ways – or maybe something as simple as more turnout, which was always good to settle an animal. Animal welfare should always be the top priority.”

Ms Perkins added that she believes the breeding of children’s showing ponies could be affecting the issue.

“Maybe we should be returning to breeding with a little more native blood?” she said. “Growing up, our ponies weren’t too hot for us to ride and if we came off a few times, then we were just put back on and tried harder. It taught us to ride and how to care and respect our ponies – often being told it’s an animal, not a machine! Or is it the way some are produced that means they need riding by bigger jockeys before they are considered safe for a child?

“Welfare needs to be considered right from the early days, including environment, handling and everything that forms the character of the animal.”

Paul Cook: properly prepared

BSPS chairman Paul Cook believes showing needs to be inclusive, and to ensure young jockeys have a positive experience, while horse welfare and rider safety are top priority.

Mr Cook told H&H that the BSPS “absolutely supports” the GYS on its size and weight rules, but does not agree with the rider-age rule.

“I think there are several parts to this,” he said. “We’re lucky in this country to have some beautiful, quality show ponies and show hunter ponies, and they need to be properly trained and the jockeys properly prepared.

“These classes cater for children from three years old – shows can be excitable places – and we’re talking about really quality, elite ponies. Some of the younger children need help working them in, and I think if the person riding the pony is suitably mounted, doing it correctly and supporting the child, that’s reasonable.”

Mr Cook said the BSPS has a clear welfare policy in its rule book, and there are stewards and judges to whom any welfare-related concerns can be reported at shows. He added that one consequence of the rider-age rule could be that it affected a child riding a 128cm pony in one class and a 138cm in the next who, with no one else to ride, would not be able to work the second pony in.

He said some producers might have horses in multiple classes and need someone else to warm up, so there is widespread precedent for working in under different riders. He pointed out that in (M&M) classes with no age limit, adults can ride ponies in the class and beforehand, but might not be able to work in the same ponies if they were entered in a first ridden class, for example.

“When we’ve got young children, we want to encourage them into the sport and make sure they have a positive experience,” he said, adding that although the ponies should be well-mannered in the ring, this is a big atmosphere, for which they should be properly prepared.

“We’ve got to think what’s right to give the child the right amount of confidence to enjoy their showing, on what are quality ponies. Saying a tiny tot has to do everything with their pony doesn’t seem to me the best way forward.

“We want children to go in the ring with the best chance of doing their best, with the ponies supporting them, and I’m not sure this rule allows that. There are plenty of rules to prevent people working ponies in when they’re unsuitably mounted, and I think it would be more helpful, if shows wanted to bring rules in like this, if there was consultation.

“I think there are better ways of educating people about doing the right thing than rules brought in with unforeseen consequences.

“I think we’re all on the same page – that horse welfare and rider safety are paramount and where children are concerned, we want them to really enjoy the sport.”

Amanda Stoddart-West: suitable for the job

THE welfare of horses and ponies in showing must be “greatly elevated” if the sport is to continue in the long term.

This is the view of Amanda Stoddart-West, entries and livestock coordinator of the GYS, which has been the first to introduce a number of welfare-related rules.

“Regardless of whether you feel the pony is a true child’s pony or not, seeing a pony forced to carry a rider that is far too heavy for that animal is not acceptable; we should be promoting the welfare of all animals, not accepting that a pony needs riding by a bigger person simply because it’s too hot for the job,” she told H&H. “Although the safety of children is obviously important, this should not under any circumstances be at the expense of the welfare of the pony; if a pony needs to be ridden by a larger, more experienced rider, maybe it’s just not suitable for that job.”

In response to the opinion that the classes are not titled “safest pony”, Mrs Stoddart-West countered that they do state “suitable for a child”.

“Or are children’s riding pony classes not really for children’s ponies and if not, why not?” she asked. “If this means potentially changing the dynamic, then wouldn’t this be a good thing? As well as the welfare aspect, at what point do we consider this from a fairness perspective, as surely a level playing field in all sport should be encouraged.”

Mrs Stoddart-West added that, as a child who grew up riding and looking after her own ponies, “I wonder how a child bonds, builds that trust or forms a relationship with a pony, if someone else does all the work?

“How does this encourage young riders to remain interested in showing? In hardly any other equestrian discipline do you see someone else riding the animal in before the class or competition.”

Mrs Stoddart-West also works in her spare time to improve welfare standards.

“Over the last few years, we have received photos, videos and reports from across the country from friends, exhibitors, judges, stewards and concerned bystanders,” she said.

“A few examples are photos of riders who are clearly far too big for their mounts, a video of a judge on a 12.2hh pony that is obviously struggling to carry him and ponies tied up really short overnight without hay or water, or being blindfolded until they enter the ring.

“In my opinion, the welfare of horses and ponies has to be greatly elevated within the showing sector, if we want to see riding and showing to continue in the long term.”

Julie Templeton: ‘Riders’ size and weight must be key, not their age’

Julie Templeton — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 11:05:14 +0000

Top pony producer Julie Templeton shares her thoughts on introducing rider size and weight rules in showing, and why she thinks this is more important than a rider’s age...

I READ a recent article on the H&H website (“It’s about equine welfare, not flattening ponies”, 24 February). The article is in part about Horse of the Year Show’s (HOYS) decision to remove some of its qualifiers for plaited ponies from the Great Yorkshire Show’s schedule, because the show would not drop its rider age rule with an open mind. However, I believe that HOYS’ removal of qualifiers is an unfair decision.

There are two key elements that need to be addressed head on, yet they seem to have been swept under the carpet. First, why is it that only plaited

pony classes are being targeted? If rules on rider size and weight are to be brought in, which I agree with, these should be brought in across all classes, including the mountain and moorlands and horses.

As it stands, a 5ft 3in, lightweight adult cannot work in a 128cm show pony at the Great Yorkshire as they are too old to ride it in a class, yet a 5ft 10in lightweight adult could potentially compete a Dartmoor pony in the ring. When the wording of the rule is finally agreed by the societies and the Showing Council, it needs to be implemented across the board and not just target the already dwindling plaited pony classes.

Second, the welfare issue should be about size and weight, not about age. Carl Hester’s grand prix horses don’t arrive at his yard ready made, in the same way our show animals don’t. They require backing, training and continual schooling by an educated and suitably sized rider.

Stating the ponies should be “children’s ponies” – and that they should be suitable to be ridden only by children eligible to ride them in the ring – implies that my seven-year-old, first-ridden jockey in her first year of showing would need to school and set up the pony for the ring.

The title of the class isn’t the “safest” pony; if it was, it would completely change the dynamic of showing as a sport. As long as any pony or horse is being worked in by someone of a suitable size, then there are no welfare issues.

If we set these ponies up correctly, especially for the very young jockeys, then we are guaranteeing that the child will have a safe, positive and enjoyable time in the ring and will hopefully want to continue their equestrian career, whether in the show ring or in another discipline.

An overdue rule

FINALLY, with my Showing Council hat on, I was disappointed to read Stuart Hollings’ comment on amateur rulings (opinion, 24 February). We have done so much collaborative work with all the member bodies in order to produce these amateur rulings which are deemed fair, easy to understand and the same across all societies.

All the associations involved took decisions back to their respective individual boards and the final rules were agreed by everyone around the table.

The rule against allowing people to choose judges for certain shows and then compete under the same judges in the ring is a ruling that has been long overdue. The changes now mean that an independent person is appointed to select judges for shows, something that many areas and shows already implement.

On the subject of the marks system, the society UK Ponies and Horses has never used marks in their qualifiers, favouring the importance of ring craft, the go-round and the final walk round.

Again, there was so much consultation work done prior to removing the marks system from all Royal International (RIHS) qualifiers. In fact, the British Show Pony Society even included the topic “How to judge without marks” in their most recent judge’s conference.

I applaud the societies for making these bold moves to benefit showing as a whole and for the RIHS in supporting them.

This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 10 March

‘It’s about equine welfare, not flattening ponies’: show speaks out on its rider-weight stance

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 11:09:37 +0000

Organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) have stressed the bigger picture in their horse welfare-related decisions and rules, as Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) “clarified” its removal of some of the show’s qualifying classes.

H&H reported on HOYS’ decision, which came about as the GYS would not drop its rider-age rule, brought in as people were still flouting the 20% maximum rider weight rule.

GYS has been the first to bring in a number of rules that are aimed at improved equine welfare, and have sparked debate.

“Everything we’ve implemented is firstly about equine welfare and as we have said before the level playing field [the rider-age rule] creates is an added bonus,” GYS entries livestock and entries coordinator Amanda Stoddart-West told H&H. “It’s all of those things that we should all be encouraging in our sport, rather than brushing them under the carpet.

The GYS also brought in a rule banning horses or ponies with trimmed whiskers from competing at this year’s show, which was praised by World Horse Welfare.

“We’re all in the spotlight, and we need to be looking at this for the longer term rather than just the next show,” Mrs Stoddart-West said.

“While we would always be open to discussion on any matter, [the rider-age] rule will not be removed as we wholeheartedly believe it benefits ponies not to be ‘bottomed’ or flattened by a larger person before entering the ring. Again, we would reiterate that a child’s pony should be just that, suitable for a child and not one that needs to be ridden into the ground first.

“Horse welfare is and will always be our highest priority.”

Horse welfare and rider size: HOYS issues statement on show’s lost qualifiers

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 17:13:20 +0000

Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) has put out a further statement to “clarify” the changes to its qualifiers at the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS).

H&H has reported that the GYS had lost its qualifiers for the show hunter pony, children’s riding pony, lead rein pony of hunter type and plaited lead rein/first ridden HOYS finals.

This was because when asked by HOYS to drop its rider-age rule, put in place as people were still flouting the 20% maximum rider weight rule, GYS organisers stood firm.

“Whilst it is not the show’s policy to comment on other shows, Horse of the Year Show takes equine welfare very seriously and would like to further clarify the changes to its qualifying classes at the Great Yorkshire Show for the 2022 season,” a spokesman for HOYS organiser Grandstand Media said.

“In the last two years, Horse of the Year Show has tried on two separate occasions to hold discussions with the Great Yorkshire Show organisers, both before the 2021 season about these new changes, and again prior to the 2022 qualifier allocation.

“The Great Yorkshire Show is, of course, able to create and enforce its own rules where it sees fit. However, these may not always align with the views of Horse of the Year Show and the relevant societies which these classes are affiliated to, and the show reserves the right not to allocate qualifying classes accordingly. Horse of the Year Show fully supports the Great Yorkshire Show on equine welfare but believes the implementation surrounding this rule needs further thought.”

The spokesman reiterated HOYS’ statement that although it “always holds equine welfare as our highest priority, we also have a duty of care to the safety of the children riding in our qualifiers. We work closely with both the British Show Pony Society and the National Pony Society to ensure we are all driving the sport forwards in terms of fairness and welfare, and will continue to act as such, stepping in at our shows when we feel a pony is not suitably mounted”.

In response to the GYS’s explanation that the extra rule was brought in because people were flouting the 20% rule, the HOYS spokesman said: “Horse of the Year Show questions whether a more thorough policing of their previous rule regarding rider weight ratios would negate the need for these further restrictions.

“Horse of the Year Show supported the Great Yorkshire Show on their rule on anyone riding a horse or pony whose weight, including tack, is more than 20% of the animal’s weight, anywhere on the showground, and believe this addresses, should it be policed thoroughly, the concerns for equine welfare when it comes to being appropriately mounted.”

GYS entries livestock and entries coordinator Amanda Stoddart-West told H&H that by bringing up policing the rule in this way, HOYS is “surely acknowledging there is an issue”.

“If the policing had worked and everyone had abided by the 20% rule, we wouldn’t have had to bring in the extra rule,” she said. “Our show vet was regularly out at 3.30-4am in the lorry park still seeing people breaking the rule and he would ask them to dismount, only to see them on a different pony shortly afterwards. This is a serious problem that needed addressing.”

The Grandstand spokesman added that HOYS has a team of vets and FEI stewards at the show, “constantly assessing and policing the suitability of riders for their mounts during exercise time and warm-ups”.

“They have, over recent years, stepped in when there was an issue, and therefore we believe significant progress has been made in this area,” he said.

HOYS event director Jane Warmington added that the show “questions the logic” of the rider-age rule, “when applied to the ponies in question”.

“There are several examples where the pony would be eligible for multiple classes with widely varied age restrictions,” she said. “A Welsh section B pony could be entered in an M&M open ridden class and have a suitably mounted adult rider for the warm-up and the class. However, this same pony could also enter the show hunter pony class, but that same rider would not be able to warm the pony up if they are not under the relevant age restriction.

“Similarly, intermediate classes are age restricted for the rider at 25 years old, yet these same horses regularly compete in hack, riding horse and hunter classes with no upper age limit. We question what the difference between a 25-year-old riding this horse compared to a 26-year-old would be if they are both suitably mounted.”

The HOYS spokesman added that “a number of competitors” have been in touch to say the rule is “not workable in practice” and that they will not be able to attend if it is enforced.

Mrs Stoddart-West said she was surprised by this as the response she has had has been “overwhelmingly positive”.

“We’ve had people from Cornwall to Scotland saying they are going to enter this year for the first time to demonstrate their support for us,” she said. “We have had numerous comments from people all over the country saying how pleased they are that we are making this stand for horse welfare.”

She said the possible anomalies mentioned by HOYS have been raised before, adding: “Yes, we did receive a couple of emails and a phone call from Grandstand Media last year asking for the rule to be removed but, as this year, we refused for the same reasons. They had also asked how this was going to work when a small hunter may be ridden on a Tuesday by an adult and then be entered in the intermediates on the Thursday. We addressed this by adding the following to the regulation: ‘Where an animal is entered in multiple classes, the respective restrictions apply up to the conclusion of each class and thereafter immediately pass to those regulations associated with the next class; at all times the general rule about riders needing to be appropriately sized to their mount, is applicable’.”

The HOYS spokesman also said entries in the classes concerned had “declined, on average, 31.5% in the last three seasons”, adding: “As a result of this, exacerbated by the new rule, it is no longer viable to hold these qualifiers at Great Yorkshire Show.

“We hope this rule will be reconsidered for future Great Yorkshire Shows and welcome further discussion on this topic with the show organisers and relevant societies.”

Mrs Stoddart-West said the statistics show that entries had fluctuated, but no more so than in some other classes; the middleweight hunter in 2011 had 36 entries but in 2021 it had 17, and in each of the two years before that, it had 22 entries. She added that the rule will not be changed, as “Horse welfare is and will always be our highest priority”.

HOYS removes qualifiers after show stands firm on its rider-size rule

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 20:56:11 +0000

Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) has removed 10 qualifying classes from the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) owing to its rules on rider size.

The GYS (12-15 July) will not hold qualifiers for the show hunter pony, children’s riding pony, lead rein pony of hunter type or plaited lead rein/first ridden finals this year.

The move is a result of a new rule brought in by the GYS last year, and applauded by welfare charities, that means show animals can only be ridden by the riders entered to compete with them in certain classes. A substitute rider may only ride the animal outside the ring if he or she is eligible in age to compete in the same class.

The rule is in addition to the ban on anyone riding a horse or pony whose weight, including tack, is more than 20% of the animal’s weight, anywhere on the showground, which has been in place since 2016. The age rule was brought in as some people were still flouting the 20% rule.

World Horse Welfare was among those backing the rule but GYS entries and livestock coordinator Amanda Stoddart-West told H&H HOYS contacted the show’s organisers to ask them to drop it.

“We were contacted by [HOYS organiser] Grandstand Media who said they had received safety concerns regarding our rider rule and asked for it to be removed in order for us to be given the qualifiers for those particular classes,” she said.

“The rule was introduced for the 2021 show as despite having the 20% rider weight rule in place since 2016, we were still seeing riders who were far too big for the animals, warming up in the vehicle parks and so on. While safety obviously factors highly in all classes across the show, the wording for the classes states that the pony should be suitable for a child, so suitability must be a major consideration when entering any class.

“There are plenty of other ethical ways to settle a pony rather than simply putting a bigger jockey on it to warm it up, or maybe the pony is just not suitable for some reason. The phrase ‘taking the edge off it’ has been used but surely this comes down to suitability and if the pony is suitable for a child, then this shouldn’t be necessary.”

The show’s equine vet, Julian Rishworth, added: “It’s hard to see why a welfare-based decision is being punished and it appears to be sending very strange messages and not ones that reflect well on HOYS.”

A spokesman for HOYS confirmed the decision was made owing to the rider-age rule.

“Whilst Horse of the Year Show always holds equine welfare as our highest priority, we also have a duty of care to the safety of the children riding in our qualifiers,” a spokesman for Grandstand Media said.

“We work closely with both the British Show Pony Society and the National Pony Society to ensure we are all driving the sport forwards in terms of fairness and welfare, and will continue to act as such, stepping in at our shows when we feel a pony is not suitably mounted.

“As a result of this new rule and a decreasing number of entries in these classes at the Great Yorkshire Show in recent years, it is no longer viable to hold these qualifiers at the Great Yorkshire Show.”

Ms Stoddart-West said looking at the past few years’ entries, numbers in the affected classes had fluctuated but “probably no more so than in any other section”.

“For example, in 2013 we had 19 lead rein of hunter type ponies entered and in 2021 we had 17 entries in this class, which considering the circumstances surrounding last year doesn’t seem too bad,” she said. “Likewise in 2011, we saw 14 first ridden entries and in 2021 there were 15, or the 13.2hh children’s riding pony, which had 15 entries in 2011 and 16 last year.”

GYS CEO Nigel Pulling said: “We have also received a great deal of support across the equine sector from those who think welfare changes have been and are necessary in the showing world to ensure longevity, particularly in light of the Animal Welfare Act. Welfare is of the utmost importance here at Great Yorkshire and will remain at the top of the agenda for all animals on the showground at all times.”

Australian equestrian federation brings in guidance on maximum rider weight

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 17:56:59 +0000

Equestrian Australia (EA) has announced a new guide stating that the maximum load a horse is expected to carry should not exceed 20% of the horse’s weight.

EA said the guide, introduced as a horse welfare move, has been adopted by dressage and eventing, and other disciplines are considering following suit.

It means that the rider and equipment together should not weigh more than a fifth of the horse’s approximate weight.

EA said the purpose of introducing this guide — not a rule — is to “reinforce EA’s commitment to best practice striving for optimal health, safety and welfare of the athlete-horse combination”.

The federation said: “The weight combination of both horse and athlete can impact on the overall healthy and safe movement, biomechanics, positioning and balance of this combination on varying surfaces. These factors are all key elements in maintaining optimal welfare management for this combination.”

An online calculator can help assess how much a horse or pony should carry

The aim of the guide is also to “provide education and clarity and highlight awareness of Equestrian Australia’s expectations to athletes, coaches, owners, parents, judges, officials and the public on the aspect of a horse’s welfare and capacity to carry weight,” EA said.

“This guide will provide athletes, owners and parents with a reasonably accurate measurement of the maximum burden for a horse to carry. This guide will support coaches in conversations with their athletes about carrying capacity considerations, as they currently do, about choice of mount and all animal welfare aspects of horsemanship.

“This guide tailors the capacity of the horse across the entire height range to a standard accepted internationally, and ensures appropriate mounts for humans of every age and size.”

EA said international animal welfare guides “include advocacy for horse welfare on this issue”, and that the guide will “give our equestrian community a reasonably accurate measurement of the maximum burden for a horse to carry”.

Nothing will change in the assessment of a horse and its athletic performance by any judge and no one will be prevented from riding. EA added that weighing riders with their tack is common practice in endurance competitions but “this will NOT take place at any competition beyond endurance at this time”.

EA also pointed out that the maximum a horse should carry may be less for young horses, those recovering from injury or surgery or returning to work after a long break or pregnant mares, or adult riders schooling young ponies or horses.

What do you think about the guide? Send your thoughts to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and country, and you could win a bottle of Champagne Taittinger

Five years on, show’s rider size policy is making change

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 20:01:03 +0000

FIVE years on from the introduction of its rider weight limits, the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) is seeing results – as no one was asked to dismount at this year’s event.

The county show hit headlines in 2016 when it stated that anyone who weighed over 20% of their mount’s weight would be asked to dismount, with scales on hand in case the point needed to be proven.

Eight people were asked to dismount that first year but during the 2021 event (13–16 July) the scales – charged up in readiness – did not have to be used.

“That really is progress,” GYS livestock and entries co-ordinator Amanda Stoddart-West told H&H.

“I think people have just accepted it now. Unfortunately, it probably still goes on elsewhere, but here, people know it’s monitored and they can’t do it.”

Mrs Stoddart-West explained the issue was first raised by vets in a committee meeting in 2015, and the 20% maximum was set based on the most up-to-date scientific research into the effects of rider weight.

She added: “It’s been very rewarding to see real progress, with these changes now largely accepted by our exhibitors. We may have missed a few but most understand the reason for these rules and are happy to abide by them. We all knew this change would take some time to be accepted but we are now seeing a real difference.”

Mrs Stoddart-West said the show had had a lot of support this year for its enhancing of the rules; announcing that only the child entered, or another rider who would have been eligible for that class, could ride the pony concerned, anywhere on site (news, 6 May).

“The original concerns were raised by two of our vets regarding a coloured horse, so it wasn’t purely about ponies, although latterly we were seeing more and more adults riding in children’s ponies before their classes, hence the reason for the rule enhancement,” she said. “We all have a duty to protect horse welfare.

“It was heartening that during this year’s show, exhibitors and even tradestand holders were helping to see the rule was upheld. This has to be good news for the animals, and many warmly welcomed a level playing field. Hopefully, more shows will soon follow suit so this becomes the norm.”

Mrs Stoddart-West said it was hard to tell if the new rule affected entries; these were down slightly, but across the board, which may have been owing to Covid.

“Change takes time but people do seem to be accepting it now,” she said. “If every show took it on board, I think we’d see a major difference. A lot of people are resistant to changing how they’ve always done something, but we can’t stay as we were 50 years ago; nothing stands still and we hope we’re improving things for all horses and ponies while making things fairer for everyone.”

GYS vet Julian Rishworth told H&H when the rule was first introduced that one rider asked to dismount said, “What am I supposed to do, put a child on and have an accident?”

“But if the pony’s not suitable for a child, should it be shown as a child’s pony?” he asked.

He added this week: “I was so pleased to see ponies being worked in by children, or being lunged, and that they still gave their best in the show ring.”

World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers told H&H: “The Great Yorkshire Show was brave to be the first to introduce these guidelines, and five years on the benefits are being seen.

“This is not about rider weight as such but ensuring that riders are appropriately matched to their mounts, and the show’s pioneering approach has done much to raise awareness of this sensitive but important welfare issue, and paved the way for other show organisers to issue similar guidelines which should also be applauded.”

What do you think about adults riding ponies and the GYS’ rules? Send your thoughts to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and country, and you could win a bottle of Champagne Taittinger

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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.

Study aims to investigate links between excess rider weight and back pain in horses

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 15:46:14 +0000

The author of a study looking into rider weight and equine back pain hopes to find out whether there is a correlation between the two, and help inform future research.

Elysia Jones, who is studying equine sports coaching at Hartpury University, is asking as many riders as possible to complete her study, which will inform her dissertation.

She hopes to secure 1,000 responses to her questionnaire, which investigates how UK horse owners perceive the causes of back problems in their horses.

“This will help create an understanding of the factors that create back pain, how significantly rider weight influences back pain, and how owners recognise the cause of the problem,” she said. “Hopefully, this research can act as a platform for future studies to grasp a better understanding of how back pain is established and the impact of rider weight in true circumstances.”

Complete the questionnaire here

Elysia told H&H the topic of rider weight and its effect on horses is a taboo one, and one that interests her.

“It’s not something people like to go into too much, it’s very controversial,” she said.

The survey asks about respondents’ horses, and themselves, including questions on rider experience, saddle fit and the horse’s work, to investigate a range of different causes of back pain.

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“I’ve had about 120 responses so far and it’s an even split on whether people get their saddles fitted just to the horse, or to themselves as well, which is a big issue,” she said.

“My objectives are to find out the prevalence of back pain in UK horses, to find out what owners think causes it and to find out if there’s a correlation between rider weight and equine back pain.

“In my own view, up to a certain weight ratio, rider experience comes into play too but if a rider’s too heavy, you can’t change that; other studies have shown horses’ backs don’t work in the right way [under a too-heavy rider]. But I’m not saying rider weight is causing more back pain; I want to see what the results tell me.”

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.

New rider age rule sparks debate in showing circles H&H Plus

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 04 May 2021 12:36:00 +0000

The new rule, which would have applied last year had the show not been lost to Covid, concerns the ages of those riding any horse or pony on the showground. H&H speaks to the show, welfare experts and a producer to find out more

A NEW rule on rider age at the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) has sparked debate – and applause from welfare experts.

At this year’s event (13–16 July), equids may only be ridden by the riders who are entered to compete with them in certain classes. Any substitute rider may only ride the animal outside the ring if he or she is eligible in age to compete in the same class.

The rule, which would have applied last year had the show not been lost to Covid, is in addition to the ban on anyone riding a horse or pony whose weight, including tack, is more than 20% of the animal’s weight, anywhere on the showground, which has been in place since 2016.

A GYS spokesman said: “Animal welfare is of paramount importance and is an issue we take very seriously, without compromise. As such, our rules are very clear.”

GYS livestock and entries co-ordinator Amanda Stoddart-West told H&H the age rule had been brought in as some riders were doing their best to flout the 20% rule.

“We’ve had many emails from people saying ‘thank you, finally someone’s doing something about this’,” she said.

“This should ideally have come from breed or pony societies; it’s a shame a show has had to do it but at least it’s being discussed now. We’ve had supportive messages from judges too, saying it’s been needed for a long time.”

Producer Edward Young said he will not be entering the GYS this year, despite the fact it is his local and much-loved county show, owing to the rule.

“The GYS has taken a view on welfare, with the 20% rule, which hasn’t met a great deal of opposition,” he said. “But this is nonsensical.”

Mr Young gave the example of a girl at his yard who would have competed her 13.2hh followed by her 12.2hh in consecutive classes, so would not have been able to warm up the smaller pony.

“We’ve got a girl at the yard who’s within 20% so could warm up the other pony but that means taking another child, from another household, in Covid,” he said. “No one’s explained why a 7st 7lb adult isn’t abuse [in some classes] but a 7st 7lb child who’s too old is. My horse doesn’t know how old I am; he may have an opinion on my weight but he doesn’t care how old I am. I don’t see how they can hang this on the welfare peg, if the 20% rule is stuck to.”

Mr Young said he had heard the rule may have been to create a fairer playing field, as some children do not have lightweight adults to warm ponies up for them.

Ms Stoddart-West said it was based on welfare, and is needed as the 20% rule was not entirely complied with, but that the more level playing field is a not unwelcome effect.

“If people hadn’t tried to ignore the 20% rule, we wouldn’t have had to bring this one in,” she said.

World Horse Welfare deputy chief executive Tony Tyler told H&H: “We applaud the fact that the Great Yorkshire Show continues to set an example to others by taking steps that help ensure horses and ponies are not overworked and only ridden by appropriately sized riders at all times on the showground.”

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Eleanor Jones — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 16:32:21 +0000

A saddle fitter who has spoken out about the damage riders can cause if they are too heavy for their horses says the “elephant in the room” topic of rider weight must be addressed.

Kay Hastilow, a Society of Master Saddlers master saddle fitter and master saddler with some 45 years’ experience, posted a blog on her experiences, including seeing horses break down under unsuitably sized riders, this month.

She told H&H she refers to rider weight as “Voldemort”.

“It’s the name that mustn’t be spoken,” she said. “It’s not just causing discomfort, it’s damaging horses, and it has to be talked about.”

Kay, who has “more or less retired” now, described seeing horses at different stages.

“I can think of one client who had a fabulous eye for a horse,” she said “She’d get the horse home and it would go beautifully, and I’d fit it. Three months later, I’d go back and its back would be starting to go; the difference in the musculature is really noticeable in that time.

“Most of them lasted about a year before their backs or their hind legs went. I’d see the horse going from having a lovely straight, strong back to where its topline had completely gone.”

Kay cited another rider who competed her sport horse.

“She was successful to start with but the horse’s topline went,” she said. “She was working it in a Pessoa to build the muscle, but I said all the problems could be solved if she lost two or three stone.

“She accepted she was overweight but that it was so hard [to lose it]. I think that horse went in the hocks, in the end.”

Kay said her post was aimed at starting a conversation about rider weight, as it is “one we have to have”. She said she has walked away from fittings, having stated that horse and rider are not of compatible sizes, and believes all professionals should try to have the right conversations if needed.

“We all need to be singing from the same hymn sheet,” she said. “Trainers should say it as well as fitters, but a lot of fitters are struggling to get going and they think if they offend their clients, they’ll lose business.

“We have to talk about this. If it’s in magazines like H&H, and brought up at instructors’ conferences as saddle-fitting refreshers, which it is — I always say if someone’s comfortable at the weight they are, it doesn’t bother me, until they sit on a horse that’s not suitable for that weight. That’s not fat-shaming, it’s absolutely horse welfare.”

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Kay stressed, as has been said before, that the issue is not riders’ being overweight themselves, rather it is being a suitable size for the horse in question.

‘If someone asks ‘Have you thought about your weight in relation to your horse?’ riders have to accept it, take it on board and not dismiss it as fat-shaming,” she said.

“If you put a rider in front of a keyboard and showed them someone riding in rollkur, or trimming whiskers, or thrashing their horse, they’d be up in arms, but if you said they’re being just as cruel as that, they’d be horrified.

“These people are often good riders who do everything for their horses; the best feed and care and equipment; everything except the one thing that would truly help them.”

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.

Olympic rider loses nearly five stone to return to the ring six years after retirement

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 17:28:15 +0000

Ludo Philippaerts is back in the saddle nearly six years after he retired, having lost nearly five stone, and intends to go back into the ring.

The Belgian showjumper, who rode at four Olympic Games and 10 senior European Championships, taking individual silver in 2001, and team gold in 1991 on the legendary Darco, retired in April 2015 aged 51.

Ludo wanted to focus on dealing, and the careers of his sons, twins Nicola and Olivier, Thibault and Anthony. But now, having undergone an operation, and lost 30kg, Ludo is “sharper than ever before”, a spokesman for the family said, and he plans to compete at Oliva, Spain, this week.

“Ludo prefers not to use the word ‘comeback’,” the spokesman said.

“After his physical transformation, he decided not only to pass on his experience by theory, but also in practice to his youngest sons Thibault and Anthony. Even though the love for the sport never disappeared, Ludo just rediscovered the pleasure of riding again a few months ago, causing a drive to compete again regularly at smaller competitions.”

Ludo said a ride last autumn brought back his motivation.

“I don’t want to call it a comeback, but I’m eager to start again,” he said.

“I’ve missed that the past five years. When I got back in the saddle in October, the joy of riding came back straight away.

“I’m just having fun, so much that I’d like to compete again. Not for the top sport, but for the pleasure it gives me. I hope that I can enjoy it for a long time.

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“This way, I can coach my sons not only in a theoretical way, but also in practice. We’ll see if I’m still able to show it on the higher fences, I can’t answer that yet.

“Going to shows with nice horses, enjoying myself and supporting my sons at the same time, that’s the goal I strive for.”

Ludo said the “huge transformation” in his weight played its part in his motivation to ride again.

“By ending my career, everything stopped and I put on weight. Half a year ago, I had enough of it, searched for help and became a different person. I’m glad that I took that step. I’m lighter, I feel better and I’m riding every day. I want to keep enjoying it, there’s no ‘must do’ any more, I only want to have fun. Enjoy myself and improve the horses for my kids, that’s it.”

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.

‘It’s given me my life’: rider loses two stone to get back in the saddle

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 06:07:03 +0000

A rider who has lost nearly two and a half stone to be able to ride says this has “changed everything”.

Nicky Pearsall was unable to join the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Saxon Group in January as, in accordance with RDA policy on horse-rider combination, she was not of a suitable weight for any of its horses.

As a result, she joined Weight Watchers, going from about 12st 7lb to 10st 1lb, and is now able to ride all seven of the group’s horses.

“I hadn’t ridden at that riding school before, and when I went, they realised they didn’t have a suitable horse,” Nicky told H&H.

“I was in shock. It gave me the impetus to go and lose weight, and it’s changed everything. It’s given me my life; losing the weight has meant I’m able to do things I’d never been able to think of doing.

“This has boosted my confidence, I’m a different person now.”

Nicky was one of two Saxon riders who took part in an RDA mid-west region musical ride at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe on 4 August as part of the RDA’s 50^th anniversary celebrations.

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(Image credit: Future)

The rider weight debate and why it’s not fat-shaming: H&H responds

H&H responds to the latest news on a big issue for the equestrian industry

(Image credit: Future)

Excess rider weight can cause lameness

Results of a landmark pilot study show the negative effect heavier riders can have on horse performance

(Image credit: Future)

“It was superb,” Nicky said. “I met Princess Anne, who gave me a rosette and a sash; it was the best thing I’ve ever done, and it was all possible because I’d lost the weight.

“If I didn’t ride, I’d fall to pieces; it brings the spark out in me like nothing else ever does.”

Nicky also works one day a week at the Wiltshire riding school, doing stable duties as well as supporting other RDA riders.

“It’s amazing to feel someone wants me, and needs my help,” she said.

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

Great Yorkshire Show sticks to its guns on rider weight despite ‘fat police’ comments

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 14:09:52 +0000

The Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) says it is determined to stick to its guns over rider weight despite comments over “fat police”, as nine people were asked to dismount this year.

GYS entries and livestock co-ordinator Amanda Stoddart-West told H&H there were no major issues on the first two days of the 2019 show, which ran from 9 to 11 July.

“But on the Thursday, nine people were asked to get off, which is disappointing,” she said.

“We make it really clear in the regulations, we send out a ‘read me’ stating it’s an important rule, we even put in the exhibitor pack that people need to make sure they’re an appropriate weight, so it becomes a bit frustrating that we still see it.”

Since the 2016 event, the GYS has stated that anyone riding a horse or pony anywhere on the showground should be of an appropriate weight for the animal. Anyone deemed by the veterinary team to be of a size or weight that “compromises the welfare of the horse/pony being ridden”, with the 20% rider to horse weight ratio as a guide, could be asked to dismount.

Ms Stoddart-West said there were “one or two people we kept an eye on” for the first two days, but Thursday, on which most of the ridden pony classes are held, was when the real issues were seen, mostly concerning adults working children’s ponies in.

“Someone actually walked into reception and said: ‘You’re the fat police, aren’t you?’ What do you say to that?” Ms Stoddart-West said. “She said she thought what we’re doing is great but the minute people see us or the vet, they text each other to say: ‘The fat police are coming’.

“But it’s nothing to do with being fat. We want everyone to ride, but on the right horse or pony, it’s nothing to do with their weight in itself.

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(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

The rider weight debate and why it’s not fat-shaming: H&H responds

H&H responds to the latest news on a big issue for the equestrian industry

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

Excess rider weight can cause lameness

Results of a landmark pilot study show the negative effect heavier riders can have on horse performance

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

“Surely by now, they realise they can’t get away with it at this show, so why do they still do it?”

Ms Stoddart-West said some of those asked to dismount argued their case; others saying, incorrectly, that GYS is the only show to take a stand on rider weight.

“We won’t be deterred; we will keep going,” she added.

“I heard someone say we’d gone PC mad but it’s got nothing to do with that. I hope people will start changing – but change is a long process.”

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

Royal Windsor Horse Show introduces rider rules for mini ponies

Alex Robinson — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 11:42:08 +0000

The Royal Windsor Horse Show has introduced a new rule that prevents “anyone over the age of 16” riding ponies that measure 122cm or under during working in and exercising at the 2019 show.

Rule number 34 states: “no persons over the age of 16 may ride a pony of 122cm or under anywhere on the show ground, or in the horsebox park that will compete in the following mini pony classes: 141, child’s first ridden pony; 142, child’s leading rein pony; 143, BSPS M&M ridden open leading rein; 144, BSPS M&M ridden open first ridden; 172, lead rein pony of show hunter type.”

It also states that if a competitor is found doing so “the person will be asked to dismount and the pony may be disqualified from competing”.

Royal Windsor originally set a height limit of 128cm, but has since revised the rule to reduce it to 122cm. It was also forced to clarify which classes it applied to due to competitor confusion.

The committee of Royal Windsor Horse Show said they decided to impose this rule after a number of incidents at last year’s event when leading rein and first ridden ponies were ridden in at length by adults.

They added: “it was felt the show could be open to accusation of poor horse welfare standards. It was the committee’s decision to use age as a deciding factor [for riders] rather than weight to avoid disputes. For clarification this is limited to [ponies up to] 122cms, does not include 128cms [ponies] and applies to mini pony classes.”

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(Image credit: David Miller)

Great Yorkshire Show asks ‘too heavy’ riders to dismount – again

The show was ‘disappointed’ 12 riders had to be asked to dismount, a year after it first took the action

(Image credit: David Miller)

Rebecca Penny: Falling victim to the ‘fat police’ H&H VIP

Horse & Hound's showing columnist discusses being asked to dismount at the Great Yorkshire Show

(Image credit: David Miller)

The annual show, which is held from 8-12 May, is the second major show to introduce such a rule. For the past two years, officials from the Great Yorkshire have asked competitors they deemed ‘too heavy’ to dismount their ponies during the warm up.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

Rider told she was too heavy to ride loses two stone to get back on board

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 13:04:05 +0000

A rider who has lost almost two stone since her vet told her she was too heavy for her pony says his words were the best possible motivation.

Paige Matthews had not realised how much weight she had gained until her 13.2hh Connemara/Arab mare Dream went lame.

Her vet asked how much she weighed but she did not own a set of scales, and was shocked to find her weight had crept up to 12st 7lb, which is an overweight BMI for her height of 5’4”.

“It was heartbreaking to be told I shouldn’t be riding her at that weight,” Paige told H&H.

“I’ve had her 11 years, since I was 10, so of course that’s the reason for some of the weight gain, but of course it was also going out for dinner, takeaways, going on holiday – it was a shock to find out what I weighed; I was a stone heavier than I’d thought.”

The vet recommended a smaller rider for Dream, but the 27-year-old mare is “not a novice ride”, or retirement.

“But she’s far too energetic for that,” Paige said. “I didn’t want to do either option.

“So I asked what would be the ideal weight, and decided to stop riding until I got there.”

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(Image credit: Future)

Excess rider weight can cause lameness

Results of a landmark pilot study show the negative effect heavier riders can have on horse performance

(Image credit: Future)

The rider weight debate and why it’s not fat-shaming: H&H responds

H&H responds to the latest news on a big issue for the equestrian industry

(Image credit: Future)

Paige joined her local Slimming World group last autumn and this week (28 February) she was due to have lost the two stone necessary for her to get back on board. She intends to lose one more stone to get to her target weight.

“I knew I’d be running straight up to the yard and getting back on!” she said.

“I can’t describe the sense of relief at knowing I can get back on and she’ll be happy and healthy. We’ll get back into work together as she’s not fit – she’s been lunged a few times but that’s it – that’s what’s been willing me on to lose weight.”

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

‘It’s abuse’: owner pledges not to ride again until she has lost three stone

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 11:04:30 +0000

An owner who found her increased weight was making her horse uncomfortable has vowed not to ride again until she has lost three stone.

Vicky Spence said her physio found sore areas on her 15hh traditional gypsy cob Lacey-May’s back.

“Her saddle fitted fine and she hadn’t had any problems when I was lighter so there was only one thing it could be,” Vicky told H&H.

“But when I asked the physio if it was because of me, she stumbled a bit. I said: ‘Come on, I’m a big girl, I can take it.’ And she said yes, it probably was.

“That doesn’t make me want to lock myself away and eat Maltesers; it makes me want to do something about it, and be able to ride my horse.

“In the mean time, she’s had her shoes off, she’s out in the field with her herd having a marvellous time until I’m light enough to ride her. Then hopefully she can be ridden for the rest of her life, rather than breaking in a few years’ time.”

Vicky said Lacey-May, now eight, underwent surgery last year for proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD), and that her rehabilitation this year involved a lot of long-reining and in-hand walking.

“So I lost a lot of weight, and felt much better for it, but then I started riding her again instead,” she said.

“I had an all-inclusive holiday, generally came off the wagon, and didn’t realise the weight was creeping back on until I started having problems.

“Lacey-May’s a stocky girl and I’d have thought she’d be fine and could carry me but clearly not, as there were no problems when I was lighter. People would say ‘Oh she’s fine, she can carry you’, and maybe she can, but not comfortably, and for me that’s the important thing.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Vicky commented on an H&H post about rider weight to share her story, and says she was overwhelmed by the support and positive comments from readers.

“It’s not fat shaming, it’s animal abuse,” she wrote. “If you are too heavy, you just are. Sort it out or get another rider for your horse.”

As H&H has previously reported, the scientist behind the rider weight research have always stressed there is no “fat-shaming” involved, it is about ensuring riders are of appropriate weight, and have appropriately-fitted saddles, for the horses they ride.

Vicky agrees.

“Ride a horse who’s appropriate for your size, or find a different rider, or do something about it,” she said. “If you’re too heavy, you need to change something, it’s your responsibility.

“I’ve had my horse since she was a foal and she’s very demonstrative; she lets me know if there’s something wrong. But many horses aren’t like that, they’re prey animals who don’t show pain or discomfort as they’d become targets.

“They’re trained to carry you so many will keep on doing it, even though they’re in pain. Just because something may not look like abuse, doesn’t mean it isn’t.

“I’ve had this horse since she was a foal and I’m not going to ruin her just because I’ve eaten too many pizzas.”

Vicky urged other riders to consider their horses’ behaviour as clues for any possible issues, ensure saddles are fitted regularly, and listen to any relevant professionals’ advice on whether or not they are of appropriate size.

“People say a horse is happy to carry them, but they’re stoic, and that’s what they’re trained to do,” she said. “There’s also talk about being a better rider and yes, of course a balanced rider is better than a heavy, unbalanced one – but you’re not suddenly two stone lighter just because you ride well.”

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(Image credit: Future)

Excess rider weight can cause lameness

Results of a landmark pilot study show the negative effect heavier riders can have on horse performance

(Image credit: Future)

The rider weight debate and why it’s not fat-shaming: H&H responds

H&H responds to the latest news on a big issue for the equestrian industry

Vicky said being able to ride again will be the best motivation when she starts her diet in earnest after Christmas, and as soon as she is able, plans to start long-reining Lacey-May, which will benefit the horse in terms of fitness, while also meaning more exercise for herself.

“At the moment, I can’t walk far because my knees hurt, I can’t walk up the field because I get out of breath” she said. “But once I’ve lost enough weight, we’ll be able to start getting fit together. We both need to be in a better place so we can move forward with our dreams.”

Have you worked to reduce your weight and/or improve your fitness specifically to benefit your horse? Or have you been told by an equestrian professional, such as a trainer, physiology that you need to do so? Let us know about your experiences by writing to hhletters@ti-media.com for a chance to see your views in H&H magazine and you could win a bottle of Champagne Taittinger (please include your name and address; letters may be edited).

Excess rider weight can cause back pain in horses

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 19:29:02 +0000

Heavier riders and unsuitable saddles can cause muscle tension and pain in horses, a study has shown.

This was the message from a paper presented by Dr Sue Dyson at the Saddle Research Trust (SRT) conference today (8 December).

Dr Dyson, head of clinical orthopaedics at the Centre for Equine Studies at the Animal Health Trust, was one of 15 eminent international vets, scientists and special guests presenting at the conference, on the theme of Horse, rider, saddlery interactions: welfare and performance at Nottingham University’s De Vere Conference Centre.

Dr Dyson explained her study on the effects of rider size and saddle fit on horses’ gait and behaviour, their response to palpation of the thoracolumbar area (the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine) and the dimensions of the same area.

It builds on previous work that has shown high rider to horse bodyweight ratios, or a tall, heavy rider in a saddle which is too small, can cause temporary lameness and discomfort.

She said researchers had assessed horses’ gait, signs of stress, the forces under the saddle, responses to palpation of the thoracolumbar area and changes in back dimensions, in horses ridden by four riders of similar ability but weight ranging from light to very heavy.

It was found saddle fit was “not ideal” for the heavier two riders, which influenced the direction and magnitude of the resulting forces. Both riders had to sit on the backs of the saddles, to accommodate their size, which altered distribution of the pressure, especially for the very heavy rider.

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(Image credit: Dr Sue Dyson)

Excess rider weight can cause lameness

Results of a landmark pilot study show the negative effect heavier riders can have on horse performance

(Image credit: Dr Sue Dyson)

Landmark study takes ‘first step’ in tackling rider weight

The research found rider weight has a ‘substantial temporary effect’ on horse movement and behaviour

(Image credit: Dr Sue Dyson)

A correlation between rider weight and average peak pressure under the saddle was found, with the heavier riders creating greater pressures.

The mean thoracolumbar width was also found to increase with the light and medium riders, a normal response, but it decreased with the heavy and very heavy riders. This was associated with an increase in back muscle tension for the heavy rider and increased muscle pain for the very heavy rider.

Dr Dyson stressed that the studies do not mean heavy people should not ride.

“The key is to ride a horse of suitable size and fitness and to make sure that the saddle is fitted correctly for both horse and rider, to minimise potential for pain and loss of performance,” she said.

For more news from the Saddle Research Trust conference, see Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 13 December

Great Yorkshire Show: rider weight debate continues as several asked to dismount

Alex Robinson — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 16:27:28 +0000

The Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) continued to implement its strict rider weight policy this year as a total of 13 riders were asked to dismount from their ponies during the three-day show at Harrogate show ground (10-12 July).

Amanda Stoddart-West, livestock and entries co-ordinator, said the first couple of days were an improvement on the previous year, with only one rider being asked to dismount each day.

On the third day — which hosts the majority of the ridden pony classes — a total of 11 riders were pulled up in the working-in arenas. No one was asked to dismount in the ring.

“The society has been pleased with what it’s seen this year with regards to riders on suitably sized ponies,” said Amanda. “However, Thursday did provide more cases due to the fact it is children’s pony day.

“The decision to ask someone to dismount is always made by a professional vet who then gives the rider the option to be weighed, which is done with the saddle. This year the GYS society has also invested in its own set of horse scales so the equine can be weighed — this is all about ensuring every rider is riding the right horse.”

Amanda added: “The the whole process is done as discreetly as possible. Our main concern is that animal welfare is our main priority.

“We have found a lot people complain about our system but decline the offer of being weighed when asked. Only one person out of the 13 went to be weighed and actually measured in. We have received a mixed reaction from the showing community but will continue to keep enforcing our rider weight policy in the future.”

Native pony specialist and H&H columnist Rebecca Penny — who has ridden small breeds for many years at all the major championships — was one of those asked to dismount during the warm-up on the second day of competition.

Rebecca was riding a Dartmoor pony and was pulled over by an official who said she looked too big for the pony.

“I was quite shocked at how it was done. The gentleman told me that I was over 20 per cent of the pony’s weight, after watching me ride it round. He had already made that presumption, without any sort of proof,” said Rebecca, who didn’t take the pony in the ring but watched it qualify for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) with another jockey, following the incident.

“I was offered the chance to be weighed but they didn’t weigh the pony. I do not believe it is possible to make a visual judgement of such a thing, and it is also impossible to know without weighing the pony.

“We have our ponies weighed at home and I know I am within the limits — it is too subjective, and there were several riders who looked bigger than me who actually made it into the small breeds classes. Some competitors have stopped bringing their small breed ponies in fear of the same happening to them.”

Rebecca believes she was told there was no way of weighing the pony, but GYS vet Julian Rishworth, the official who spoke to her, said it is possible she may have misunderstood what was being said, as weighing facilities were available.

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(Image credit: David Miller)

Overweight riders asked to dismount at show

The organising committee ruled that anyone deemed to be too heavy for their mount would be spoken to

(Image credit: David Miller)

Excess rider weight can cause lameness

Results of a landmark pilot study show the negative effect heavier riders can have on horse performance

(Image credit: David Miller)

Great Yorkshire Show asks ‘too heavy’ riders to dismount – again

The show was ‘disappointed’ 12 riders had to be asked to dismount, a year after it first took the action

“It feels like people are getting singled out and there doesn’t seem to be a pattern to it,” Rebecca added. “I also noticed the large breeds breeds aren’t even taken into consideration.”

Mr Rishworth said: “Every rider was offered the chance to have themselves and the pony weighed. It is possible there has been some confusion or that she misheard what was told.”

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

Heavy riders and high costs behind trekking centre’s closure

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 16 May 2018 12:34:04 +0000

A family-run Dartmoor trekking centre is to close after 35 years for reasons including increasing rider weight.

Owner Dee Dee Wilkinson has cited a number of reasons for the closure of Babeny Farm, Poundsgate, on 2 September, including increasing costs and the limited time families can take holidays – but also the rising number of heavier customers.

“Our public liability [indemnity limit] has gone up to £20m, which means the cost of the insurance is too high, then it’s £85 every set of shoes, plus vets, feed, wormers — it all adds up,” she told H&H.

“We get about eight weeks a year of really good business, because families can only come in the school holidays, and the rest of the year is hard work and high costs.”

Mrs Wilkinson explained that her horses are “amazing” as they have to be safe and reliable enough for complete beginners to ride on treks.

“And people have the expectation that nothing will go wrong, which is nice, but they’re living animals and even when you’re completely safety-conscious like us, there’s a risk,” she said.

“Then there are the customers who are 5’ tall and up to 16 stone, and expect to be able to balance on a horse. We have to use bigger horses because of the weight ratio but then you’ve got a very small, round person on a big horse, which is an accident waiting to happen.

“You can’t source big enough, safe enough, horses for these people.”

Mrs Wilkinson said the most extreme case in terms of potential riders was a woman who was 5’4” and 25 stone.

“I’d have been putting her at risk if I put her on a horse,” she said.

“I was concerned that she had no core strength and would have fallen off, and it’s a long way up. We’ve got a weight limit of 16 stone, and that’s limited to an hour’s ride.

“It’s difficult; we’ve got a couple of horses who can manage but I think there are 30% more of these heavier riders now than when I took over running the centre in 2014.”

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The rider weight debate and why it’s not fat-shaming: H&H responds

H&H responds to the latest news on a big issue for the equestrian industry

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Owners unite to fight obesity in the showring

A new group, Loving Owners Object to Fat (LOOF), have pooled their resources to install weighbridges at major shows throughout

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Excess rider weight can cause lameness

Results of a landmark pilot study show the negative effect heavier riders can have on horse performance

Mrs Wilkinson will concentrate on the farming side of the business and the livery yard she runs at Babeny Farm, with her husband Darren. The trekking horses will be sold “when the right homes are found”.

“It’s very sad as Babeny has provided a trekking service to customers far and wide, internationally and nationally for many years,” she added. “It’s given numerous happy memories to people and for many their first ever experience of being near and riding a horse. We have no doubt that it will be very sadly missed.”

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

This week’s edition (10 May) features our full report from Badminton, including in-depth analysis, expert comment, pictures and more. Plus, read our feature on the options for retiring your horse and in this week’s vet clinic we look into the challenges of equine surgery.

The rider weight debate and why it’s not fat-shaming: H&H responds

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 13:02:59 +0000

Opinion

Am I too big for my horse?

Discussing the most recent results of her landmark study into the effects of rider weight, the Animal Health Trust’s (AHT) Sue Dyson gave two very good general pieces of advice.

She said if someone has to ask the question, whether they’re too heavy or too big for a certain horse, the answer is probably yes, and also that if the whole picture looks wrong, it probably is.

We’ve all seen posts on social media from people asking this very question and they typically follow a similar pattern.

If anyone does try to suggest that yes, the rider does look a bit big, the poster will often become offended and reply: “Well he’s fine”.

Similarly, in posts asking along the lines of “I’m 5’8” and 11 stone, can I ride a 13hh?”, there will always be replies along the lines of “Well I’m 5’9” and 12 stone and I jump a 13hh, and he’s fine.”

But what does that mean; in what way is the horse “fine”? Is it just that he’s not buckling at the knees, that he’s carrying on doing what he’s asked to do?

Horses are stoic and tolerant by nature and will keep trying to please us despite any discomfort and even pain they may be feeling. They’re also prey animals, for whom in the wild, showing weakness or lameness can mean they don’t live long. They’re programmed to hide it.

Rider weight is a difficult and sensitive issue to approach. In many social media posts, someone will play the “fat-shaming” card. But it’s not about that. It’s not about being overweight. You could be a size zero supermodel, well under a healthy weight, let alone the ideal one, yet still be too heavy for a small pony.

You could be medically overweight, or even obese, by your BMI, but if your horse is big, strong and fit enough, with a saddle fitted well to you and him, and you’re fit and balanced, it’s possible you could ride him without an issue. And in the middle is a whole range of moderately sized, average-build riders who may not be overweight at all, and may never think about whether they’re too big for a certain horse.

The key here is having a suitable horse, and a suitable saddle.

If your saddle fits the horse but is too small for you – which could be down to height or length of leg rather than weight – you could end up sitting too far back, pushing everything out of alignment and balance and loading the horse’s back inappropriately, so even if you’re not too heavy, you could be causing a problem because you’re too big.

As Sue said, if you’re not sure, ask an expert. Are your shoulders, hips and heels in a straight line? Does the horse look happy? If someone says: “Oh he always grinds his teeth,” does that actually mean he’s always been uncomfortable?

If the picture looks wrong, it probably is. But if it looks right, that’s probably the case too.

Excess rider weight can cause lameness

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 09:02:20 +0000

Riders who are too heavy for their horses can cause temporary lameness, a landmark study has shown.

Results from a pilot research project into the effects of rider weight, announced today (8 March) at the National Equine Forum, show that a high rider to horse weight ratio can cause lameness and discomfort.

The unsoundness was temporary, and all horses finished last September’s study moving at least as well as they were at the start, but it showed that a rider who is above the appropriate weight can have a negative impact on a horse’s performance.

Dr Sue Dyson, head of clinical orthopaedics at the Animal Health Trust who led the study, said: “While all the horses finished the study moving as well as when they started, the results showed a substantial temporary effect of rider weight as a proportion of horse weight. The results do not mean that heavy riders should not ride, but suggest that if they do they should ride a horse of appropriate size and fitness, with a saddle that is correctly fitted for both horse and rider.

“We must remember that this is a pilot study: further work is required to determine if horse fitness, adaptation to heavier weights and more ideal saddle fit will increase the weight an individual horse can carry. This should help us further in our quest to develop guidelines for optimum rider: horse bodyweight ratios.”

The study involved six horses, each ridden in their usual tack by four riders of different weights. Gait, horse behaviour, heart and respiratory rates and alterations in back dimensions were among the factors assessed for each test.

All the sessions involving the heavy and very heavy riders were abandoned, all but one owing to the horses’ temporary lameness. The other was halted because the horse showed 10 of 24 behavioural markers previously identified by Dr Dyson as likely to express pain or discomfort.

An ethogram developed by Dr Dyson to assess behavioural markers was applied, and the scores that may reflect pain were “significantly higher” in the horses when ridden by the heavy and very heavy riders.

The issues of rider height and saddle fit were also raised; the heavy rider in the study was of similar weight to one horse’s owner but was nearly a foot taller. The test rider sat towards the back of the horse’s usual saddle, overloading the cantle and making it harder for him to be balanced.

World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers said: “These pilot results are certainly not surprising but are very significant in adding vital evidence to inform an appropriate rider: horse weight ratio. It is common sense that rider weight impacts equine welfare, however many might not fully understand or recognise this.

“What is desperately needed is basic guidance to help riders identify a horse or pony that is right for them and this research is a vital step in that direction.”

Article continues below…

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Overweight riders asked to dismount at show

The organising committee ruled that anyone deemed to be too heavy for their mount would be spoken to

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Warning as well-meaning owners ‘make horses’ lives a misery’

Over-rugging and rider and horse obesity are among the issues affecting horses in this country, World Horse Welfare has warned

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Great Yorkshire Show asks ‘too heavy’ riders to dismount – again

The show was ‘disappointed’ 12 riders had to be asked to dismount, a year after it first took the action

Further information will be released from this pilot study, while more research is also planned, into both weight and the effect of saddle fit on what is appropriate.

The study was supported by World Horse Welfare, the Saddle Research Trust, Frank Dyson, the British Equestrian Federation, the British Horse Society, the Pony Club, Polocross, the Showing Council, the Showing Register, the Society of Master Saddlers, Riding for the Disabled, British Eventing, British Dressage, the British Horse Foundation, the Worshipful Company of Saddlers and Endurance GB.

See this week’s (8 March) Horse & Hound magazine for more on the study and its results.

Overweight rider has gastric bypass for the sake of her horse

Sarah Radford — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 11:32:48 +0000

A showing rider has shed eight stone after deciding to have gastric bypass surgery for the welfare of her horse.

Amanda Firman, 51, from Hartfield in Sussex, was concerned she was too heavy for her show hunter Ted and was also desperate to lose weight for the sake of her own health.

Just two days after competing in the SEIB Search for a Star final at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2015, she went in for the operation at Spire Gatwick Park Hospital in Horley, Surrey.

Amanda Firman competing before she had surgery. Credit D Barta. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

She opted for a bypass procedure that reduces the size of the stomach and reroutes the intestine. It is thought the bypass gives a better chance of sustained weight loss than gastric bands.

In the two years since the surgery, Amanda has dropped five dress sizes to a 10-12 and is now aiming to qualify for HOYS again in 2018.

“When I took part last time I weighed 20 stone, which I didn’t feel was good for my horse’s back,” she said. “I even had to have my riding jacket made specially as I was a size 22.”

Amanda after surgery (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Aside from feeling awkward in the saddle, Amanda’s weight caused her a range of issues and she often found herself tired and in pain. She developed arthritis in her knees and ankles and would take up to two hours to muck out a stable.

While she knew her size was to blame, she found dieting a struggle.

“I was taking pain killers five times a day and having steroid injections – it was like self-inflicted pain because my weight was causing it,” she said.

“I kept trying to diet but gave up. There were too many temptations in the way and I had no will power, so I would put the weight back on again.”

Amanda’s weight gain had been sparked 10 years earlier when she was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).

The debilitating condition led her to seek out high-sugar foods to try and source some energy.

“People don’t realise what a debilitating condition it is. I struggled to put one foot in front of the other and used to cry in the shower just because I was so tired,” she explained.

“I ate the wrong things — chocolate, fizzy pop, cakes, biscuits — anything sweet that would give me a kick for a while. Eating became a problem and the more tired I became the more I needed an energy boost to get me through the next hour or so.”

Amanda Firman after surgery with her husband Colin (Image credit: Picasa)

Amanda found herself stuck in a vicious circle, eating more and becoming increasingly inactive. She reduced her working hours to part-time in order to cope and could only ride her horse for a few minutes at a time before exhaustion kicked in.

“I kept trying to diet but my fatigue always got the better of me, so for my health and the health of my horse — I was always worried I was too heavy for him — I decided to have surgery,” she said.

Before she could have the operation, her bariatric surgeon Mr Simon Monkhouse put her on a strict 800 calorie-a-day diet for two weeks. The pre-op weight loss is designed to reduce fat around the liver and make surgery safer.

Two days after surgery, Amanda was discharged from hospital. She was back to work the following week and was riding a few weeks later.

Her weight reduced quickly as the bypass meant she could only eat very small portions at a time, gradually building to a tea-plate sized meal for dinner.

She also has to take daily supplements because her body now absorbs fewer vitamins and minerals and has to be careful not to eat rich food which can lead to nausea.

“I can still eat anything I like, but much smaller portions and now what I eat is more valuable. I make sure it is the right thing, but I am not a total saint and will have a piece of chocolate or a biscuit, and occasionally love a duck wrap,” she said.

Amanda in her new side saddle habit (Image credit: creditUnknown)

By June last year, nine months after the operation, Amanda had shed eight stone and found the pain in her joints had disappeared.

She bought a new house with stables and land with her husband Colin and also treated herself to a new horse — a handsome hunter called Johnnie The Fox, who she hopes to begin competing in HOYS qualifiers in 2018.

While Amanda still suffers with ME, the tiredness is no longer aggravated by joint pain and excess weight. She is up at 5am to head to the stables, and can ride up to 40 minutes at a time.

“I have had to learn to ride slim,” she said. “Before, I was so fat, I just sat there. And now, not having pain in my ankles and knees, has made a huge difference. I have the determination to do more.”

Her surgeon Mr Monkhouse said: “Weight loss surgery is not going to make a dent in the obesity levels of the nation, but it does make a massive difference to individuals like Amanda. It can change their lives forever in a positive way, and put certain health conditions such as arthritis and diabetes into remission.”

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

Warning as well-meaning owners ‘make horses’ lives a misery’

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 17:33:46 +0000

We must ask “why we are still sleep-walking down this road”, World Horse Welfare’s chief executive has warned, as many horses’ lives are made miserable from good intentions.

In his summing-up of the charity’s annual conference yesterday (30 November), Roly Owers said all those who deal with equines “must be open to learning more about them”.

He said education – and behaviour change – is key to protecting those who could otherwise become “invisible horses of the future”, the title of this year’s conference.

“We have made huge progress in equine health and welfare, but too many of us still fail to learn lessons – fail to challenge the status quo – which can and does result in profound invisible suffering,” he said.

“For more than a decade, alarm bells have been ringing about how our horses and ponies are getting fatter and about emerging conditions such as equine metabolic syndrome, yet owners continue to overfeed, under-exercise and generally pamper their equines like pets.

“We rug Shetlands in winter, thoroughbreds in summer whatever the weather, making their lives a misery and all too often leading to an early death through debilitating diseases such as laminitis. Collectively we have to ask why we find ourselves still sleep-walking down this road.”

Mr Owers went on to cite aggressive training methods and over-competing as welfare issues, adding that we should take more time to listen to what horses are telling us.

“But yet still too many people assume behaviour not to their liking is the horse’s fault,” he said. “This myth desperately needs busting.”

Research

Mr Owers spoke about Animal Health Trust research into lameness and September’s ground-breaking study into rider weight as issues also affecting welfare.

“We understand that with so much information out there – both on and offline – and more scientific evidence being generated all the time, it can feel like a proverbial minefield where owners do not know which way to turn,” he said. “This is why it is so important to listen to your vet, your farrier and to charities like World Horse Welfare.

“But we also need to challenge ourselves whether we are really open to new ideas – most especially ones that we initially might not agree with.”

Mr Owers’ second point was the importance of governments, companies and regulators in ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, adding: “So many laws have been, in part, introduced or shaped by us and other organisations – but they amount to a hill of beans if no one takes heed of them, or authorities have no resources or political will to enforce them.”

World Horse Welfare welcomed the government’s recent ruling on CCTV in slaughterhouses and its commitment to animal sentience in UK law, but Mr Owers repeated the charity’s previous calls on equine identification being “fundamental to protecting horse welfare”, adding that he looks forward to the Central Equine Database.

“Thirdly and finally, we must deal with the world as it is, and offer workable solutions, not just talk about how we want it to be,” he concluded. “Our world is changing, but not always for better: fake news, political and cultural divisions, climate change, inequality, intolerance, the insecurity of food supplies and financial systems, cybercrime and terrorism.

“But there is also the rise in the power of the people, the greater ease of communication, the building of communities across borders and more information, data and opportunities for positive change than ever before. How do we best harness this opportunity to create a world that makes the invisible horses, visible, and that prevents invisibility happening in the first place?

“World Horse Welfare believes change can best be achieved by offering real-world, workable solutions.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Overweight riders asked to dismount at show

The organising committee ruled that anyone deemed to be too heavy for their mount would be spoken to

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Heavy riders have impact on horse welfare

Riding schools have told H&H they are having to change the way they work to accommodate increasingly heavy clients. But

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Owners struggling to spot overweight horses

A survey has found that owners could be struggling to see when a horse is overweight

Mr Owers explained that this included not calling for bans on issues such as tethering, as this is likely to drive movements underground and therefore make the horses involved less visible still.

“We have to listen to each other, no matter where we are on the spectrum of animal rights or animal welfare, industry or charity, or whether we consider horses pets or farm animals,” he said. “We all view horses in our own individual ways and we must understand each other’s perspectives if we are to work together to build a better future for them.”

For more from the conference, see next week’s H&H magazine, out 7 December.

Riders’ and horses’ weight a major ‘silent’ welfare issue

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 06:07:10 +0000

Weight is one of the biggest welfare issues facing British horses today, according to a leading charity.

World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers said both equine and human weight are issues; overweight horses and riders who are of inappropriate size for their mounts are both causes for serious concern.

Mr Owers said that at a recent sponsored cross-country ride, he saw “a lot” of riders who were not of an appropriate weight for the horses or ponies they were on.

“For me, this is a ‘silent’ but hugely significant problem which can be severely detrimental to equine welfare,” he added.

“An initial study by the Animal Health Trust [AHT], in partnership with a number of organisations including the British Equestrian Federation and World Horse Welfare, found there was a definite temporary effect of rider weight as a proportion of horse weight on gait and behaviour, but we need more research.

“The goal is to put together practical guidance which will help riders assess if they are an appropriate weight for their horse, as current guidelines related to bodyweight ratios are quite crude and can be misleading – particularly as an overweight horse is certainly not more capable of carrying a heavier rider – in fact the opposite is true.”

The research, which was carried out in September at World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm, Norfolk, involved six horses and four riders.

The riders all rode “to a reasonable standard”, and their weight was variously classed as light, moderate, heavy and very heavy.

The AHT said that although the data collected is still being analysed, initial findings confirmed a “substantial temporary effect of rider weight as a proportion of horse weight (but not necessarily body mass index per se) on gait and behaviour”.

Article continues below…

(Image credit: David Miller)

Overweight riders asked to dismount at show

The organising committee ruled that anyone deemed to

(Image credit: David Miller)

Heavy riders have impact on horse welfare

Riding schools have told H&H they are having

(Image credit: David Miller)

Should young children be riding in Wilkie and beval bits?

At this year’s Horse of the Year Show

“This study highlights the need for further research for which additional funding will be required,” said the AHT spokesman at the time.

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

Landmark study takes ‘first step’ in tackling rider weight

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 06:07:27 +0000

Rider weight has been found to have a “substantial temporary effect” on horses’ movement and behaviour, initial findings of a landmark study have shown.

Researchers led by the Animal Health Trust’s (AHT) Dr Sue Dyson have “taken the first step towards tackling the issue of rider weight” in a pilot project.

Six horses and four riders took part in the study, which ran from 4-8 September.

The riders all rode “to a reasonable standard” but their weight was variously classed as light, moderate, heavy and very heavy.

“Each rider rode each horse, in a randomised order, and performed a standardised 30-minute exercise protocol that consisted mainly of trot and canter,” said an AHT spokesman, who added that the horses were ridden in their usual tack and that gait was monitored subjectively and objectively, taking into account behaviour, forces under saddle, alterations in back dimensions, as well as heart and respiratory rates and salivary cortisol levels.

“The aim of this stage of the study was to determine whether there were measurable differences in these outcomes among riders of different weights,” said the spokesman.

“All horses finished the study moving as well as when they started.

“Data analysis is ongoing but researchers can confirm there was a substantial temporary effect of rider weight as a proportion of horse weight (but not necessarily body mass index per se) on gait and behaviour.

“It appears that any adverse influence of less than ideally fitting tack was accentuated markedly by heavier riders. This study does not mean that heavy riders should not ride, but suggests that if they do they should ride a horse of appropriate size and fitness, with a saddle that is correctly fitted for both horse and rider.”

The researchers said they owed a “huge debt of gratitude” to the owners of the horses, and to World Horse Welfare, whose facilities were used.

(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Overweight riders asked to dismount at show

The organising committee ruled that anyone deemed to

(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Could your horse help save others from overweight riders?

The Animal Health Trust is looking for horses

(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Great Yorkshire Show asks ‘too heavy’ riders to dismount – again

The show was ‘disappointed’ 12 riders had to

The research came about after recent controversy over rider weight, which led to World Horse Welfare and the British Equestrian Federation setting up an initiative to raise funds for research into the issue.

“This study highlights the need for further research for which additional funding will be required,” said the AHT spokesman.

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

Great Yorkshire Show asks ‘too heavy’ riders to dismount – again

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 06:02:48 +0000

The Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) said it is “frustrated” by the fact people had to be asked to dismount as they were too heavy for their rides – a year after it first took a stand on the issue.

Of the 12 people asked to dismount during the 2017 show (11-13 July) four chose to be weighed, all of whom were found to be more than 25% of their ponies’ weight, let alone the 20% set as maximum by the show.

Livestock and entries co-ordinator Amanda Stoddart-West said it was “disappointing to be in the same position” as last year’s show, at which eight people deemed too heavy, each more than 20% of the horse’s weight, were asked to dismount.

“It’s a sad state,” she told H&H. “All we’re doing is protecting horse welfare, but I don’t know how you go about changing the whole attitude.”

The GYS schedule stated that action would be taken regarding riders of inappropriate weight for their mounts, whether during, before or after classes, and the same message was displayed on signs on the showground.

But Mrs Stoddart-West said most of the offenders were adults on ponies, sometimes riding for “hours” in preparation for a child to compete, and that some of those who were asked to dismount were less than polite.

“It’s in our regulations, but they seemed to think they were above it,” she said.

“We were told we didn’t understand the sport, that we were getting at the profession, encouraging eating disorders. One argument was that there’s no scientific proof behind the maximum weight but usually, if the picture looks wrong, it probably is.”

Mrs Stoddart-West said that although arguments ensued when riders were asked to dismount, the decision also had a number of supporters.

“Having been screamed and shouted at, to then hear people coming up saying well done and that we were doing the right thing made it worth it.

“We don’t want to sound arrogant but if people want to come to our show, they have to abide by our rules.

Open M&M Small Breeds Championship (Image credit: Steve Dawe)

Overweight riders asked to dismount at show

The organising committee ruled that anyone deemed to

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

RoR to disqualify overweight riders at shows

Riders deemed to be too heavy for their

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Could your horse help save others from overweight riders?

The Animal Health Trust is looking for horses

“We’re not trying to change the world, we just want people on the right horses. We will keep going with it.”

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

Could your horse help save others from overweight riders?

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 18:12:33 +0000

The Animal Health Trust (AHT) is asking owners to volunteer their horses to help in a “ground-breaking” study on rider weight.

The AHT aims to develop guidelines for the appropriate rider to horse weight ratio, a topic which has been hitting the headlines in recent years.

“There is an apparent growing problem of riders who are oversized for their horses,” said an AHT spokesman. “It has become a hot topic within the industry and has thankfully drawn attention to the welfare risk to horses, which the AHT seeks to help resolve.”

The spokesman said there is currently a lack of “reliable” scientific research on which to base guidelines for appropriate rider weight.

The Great Yorkshire show last year asked riders to dismount if they weighed more than 20% of their horses’ weight, while Retraining of Racehorses set the maximum at 17% at its competitions.

“However, excessive rider size has clear welfare implications for horses and ponies in all types of work,” added the AHT spokesman. “Riders who are too heavy for their horses or ponies can cause chronic back pain and lameness, as well as giving the horse a negative association to being ridden as they pre-empt pain.

“There is therefore an urgent need to start to provide some evidence-based guidelines to the equine industry as to what constitutes excessive rider size, under different circumstances.”

Horses put forward for the study must weigh 450-550kg, (approximately 15-16hh) be in regular work and capable of two 30-minute sessions per day. They must be vaccinated against flu and tetanus, capable of working “on the bit” in walk, trot and canter and available from 3-8 September.

Horses will be stabled at World Horse Welfare’s Snetterton base throughout the study and travel costs will be reimbursed.

“The aim of this study is to investigate whether there are any short term measurable differences when horses are ridden,” said the spokesman. “During the study each horse will be ridden by four competent riders of different weights.

“Owners of the horses will have access to free advice from experts, including vets, saddle fitters, nutritionists and professional riders. Your horse will be given a free saddle-fit assessment and any adjustments will also be carried out free of charge.

(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Overweight riders asked to dismount at show

The organising committee ruled that anyone deemed to

(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Rules proposed to tackle issue of overweight riders

Judges could deduct marks from anyone deemed to

(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

RoR to disqualify overweight riders at shows

Riders deemed to be too heavy for their

“Whether you have a happy hacker happy to help, a youngster in need of some life experience, or a riding school horse who would enjoy a change of scenery – the AHT needs volunteers. If you horse is able to take part, they would be helping to take the weight off many other horses’ shoulders, for which they and the AHT would be very grateful.”

Email equine.centre@aht.org.uk or call 01638 751908.

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

Overweight riders, Rio disqualifications — and more of 2016’s most-read news stories

Gemma Redrup — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 12:25:18 +0000

2016 was a year full of incredible highs and sadly, some terrible lows too. Here are the most-read news stories on Horseandhound.co.uk from the past 12 months

1. Overweight riders asked to dismount at show

Read by +185,500 website visitors

Eight people were asked to dismount at the Great Yorkshire Show (12-14 July) as they were deemed to be too heavy for their rides.

2. Rio showjumping: riders disqualified for excessive use of whip and spurs

Read by +140,000 website visitors

Nicola Philippaerts BEL riding Zilverstart (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Two riders were disqualified in the first round of showjumping at the Rio Olympics. One was for overuse of the whip and the other for using his spurs excessively. Belgian individual competitor Nicola Philippaerts was riding Zilverstar T — a 12-year-old KWPN stallion by Berlin. The horse refused twice at 11b, the second part of the difficult double on the final line of fences. Nicola, 23, was then disqualified by the ground jury for excessive use of his spurs. The Netherlands’ Jur Vrieling was riding Zirocco Blue and had two refusals, one at 4b — the second part of the treble — and one at 11a. He and the 12-year-old stallion by Mr Blue were disqualified after the ground jury deemed the rider to have used his whip excessively.

3. British groom suffers head injury during Rio dressage medal ceremony

Read by +126,000 website visitors

Robbie Sanderson was injured during the team dressage medal ceremony at the Rio Olympics (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Robbie Sanderson, a British groom working for the German team at the Rio Olympics was injured in the team medal ceremony. He was leading Sönke Rothenerger’s nine-year-old Cosmo 59, who was part of the German gold medal winning team, when the horse reared up and struck out, catching him on the head and knocking him to the ground.

4. Horror fall at Paralympic dressage in Rio

Read by +117,000 website visitors

Ashley Gowanlock (CAN) & Di Scansano - Individual Championship Test Grade Ib – Rio 2016 Paralympic Games – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 14 September 2016 (Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

There was panic at the equestrian stadium in Rio when Canadian rider Ashley Gowanlock suffered a dramatic fall at the end of her individual championship test. Ashley was taken to hospital as a precaution, but suffered no serious injuries, just bruising and a slightly sprained ankle.

5. Liverpool International winner disqualified amid a storm of controversy: ‘I’m heartbroken and feel I’ve been unfairly punished’

Read by +106,000 website visitors

Young showjumper Richard Howley (pictured) was stripped of his win in the under-25 class on Clane K at the Equestrian.com Liverpool International horse show, disqualified from the remainder of the competition and handed an FEI yellow card after walking his horse in-hand in a non-designated area on 2 January.

6. Valegro’s retirement date confirmed: and his possible new rider

Read by +103,000 website visitors

Charlotte Dujardin GBR winner of the gold medal during the Grand Prix Freestyle for the individual Dressage competition at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Deodoro near Rio, Brazil on 15th August 2016 kisses kiss valegro (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The moment Carl Hester revealed that Valegro would not compete again and that he would be retired at Olympia Horse Show.

7. Injured British groom update: ‘I could hear Charlotte Dujardin shouting. ‘He needs an ambulance!”

Read by +102,000 website visitors

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The British groom working for the German team at the Olympics in Rio who was injured in the team dressage prize-giving assured Horse & Hound that he is “really fine”. Robbie Sanderson was taken to hospital immediately after the incident, but was discharged within an hour and a half. “I’m phenomenally well,” said Robbie. “It really looked a lot worse than it was. It was just the wrong place at the wrong time and a shame it had to happen in front of everyone.”

8. Gothenburg warm-up video causes heated debate online

Read by +75,000 website visitors

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

A video of Penelope Leprevost appearing to use excessive force while warming up for a class in Gothenburg, where the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping final took place, sparked heated debate online.

9. Uthopia to be sold at auction without reserve

Read by +77,000 website visitors

Carl Hester and Uthopia (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

The announcement that the Olympic team gold medal winning horse Uthopia was to be sold at public auction on 27 May. There was no reserve price set.

10. Walk the Rio Olympics cross-country course: pictures of every fence

Read by +68,000 website visitors

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

If you wanted to walk the Rio Olympics cross-country course but your bank account didn’t quite allow for the airfare to Brazil, our fence-by-fence pictures were the next best thing to taking a stroll around the Deodoro venue yourself.

RoR to disqualify overweight riders at shows

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 10:08:52 +0000

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is the latest organisation to crack down on riders of unsuitable weight at its competitions by disqualifying anyone deemed to be too heavy for their mount.

The body announced this week (26 October) that it “reserves the right to disqualify competitors if in the opinion of the officials there is a mismatch between the weight and size of the rider and the horse”.

A statement said there has been “widespread concern that the welfare of certain horses is being compromised by overweight riders”.

RoR welfare consultant Brigadier Paul Jepson told H&H a number of people had been in contact about the issue.

“It’s been noticed there are a number of riders whose weight and level of riding ability is not a good fit for their retrained racehorses and it’s clearly not right,” he said.

“I think it’s a problem across the equestrian word, but it’s really about trying to get people matched to appropriately sized horses.”

RoR’s policy states that “as a general guide”, the weight of rider and saddle should be no more than 17% of the horse’s optimum bodyweight, “consistent with a body condition score of 3/5”. It adds that this means a 500kg thoroughbred can carry up to 13.5 stone.

“That’s a general guide, but there are so many variables,” Brig Jepson said.

“A slightly overweight but experienced rider on a fit horse is going to be much better than an unfit, overweight horse ridden by a not very balanced or skilled overweight rider.

“This is a bit of guidance, we’re not trying to stop anyone riding. Some people really enjoy their riding – but whether their horses enjoy it so much is another matter.

“We’re just saying, please get a horse appropriate to your size and level of skill.”

Brig Jepson said that if a rider is deemed too heavy at an RoR show, he or she will be spoken to by an official.

“Hopefully it can be done with feeling and diplomacy,” he added. “We don’t want to smack these people in the face.

“The fact they’re in that situation is probably from ignorance and they need guidance, but if we can get the message across to stop them acquiring an inappropriate horse in the first place, that would be best.”

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The judge’s decision on each case will be final.

“In the sort of competition we’re talking about, there can’t be any quibbling,” Brig Jepson said. “If the judge has decided you shouldn’t be competing on that horse, that has to be it.

“We’re trying to get the message out there to stop it happening, rather than to cure a problem that already exists – it’s educational.”

HOYS to crack down on riders of unsuitable weight

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 11:50:48 +0000

Riders who are deemed to be of an unsuitable weight for their mounts could be asked to dismount at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) – and the vet’s decision will be final.

Competitors qualified for HOYS (5-9 October) have been informed that their suitability will be assessed at the show.

A spokesman for organisers Grandstand Media said “equine welfare is of paramount importance”, hence the decision to assess riders this year.

The move follows a push from across the equestrian industry to ensure horses’ welfare is not compromised by the weight of those riding them.

A Grandstand spokesman said: “All riders must at all times be of an appropriate size and weight for the horse/pony being ridden.”

This includes horses and ponies being warmed up or exercised anywhere at HOYS, including exercise areas, collecting rings and vehicle parks, at any time of day or night.

The spokesman added that HOYS reserves the right to “take further action” against any exhibitor or professional producer who “permits any person (including an exhibitor and/or professional producer) to ride a horse or pony when the size and/or weight of the rider compromises the welfare of the horse/pony being ridden”.

The welfare issue will be determined by the HOYS veterinary team.

“This will include vets, stewards and officials having the authority to require the rider to dismount to enable a member of the on-site veterinary team to determine whether or not in the opinion of the vet, the rider is of an appropriate size and weight for the horse/pony,” the spokesman added.

“The decision of the vet shall be final.”

Related articles:

H&H reported in August that riders deemed of an unsuitable weight at the Great Yorkshire Show were asked to dismount.

It has also emerged that member bodies from across the industry are working together on the issue, and that the Animal Health Trust has proposed research into the ideal rider to horse weight ratio.

Rules proposed to tackle issue of overweight riders

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 09:55:28 +0000

Two rules are being proposed to combat the issue of riders who are too heavy for their mounts at showing events.

The Showing Register (TSR) has consulted a number of senior judges, show organisers and exhibitors as part of its work on guidelines aimed at addressing the issue and its related welfare concerns.

TSR policy advisor Gail Chapman has now written to interested parties asking for feedback on its proposals, which cover riders working in as well as those in the show ring itself.

Ms Chapman wrote: “We have had an unprecedented response and the consensus seems to be that two rules are required.

“One for inside the ring, when it would be a deduction of marks so the judge does not need to directly engage with a child or adult, and a second rule which is for shows and may be already covered in a show’s rules.”

Ms Chapman added that there is currently no agreed ideal ratio of riders’ to horses’ weight, so it would be up to judges to decide whether or not people are suitably mounted.

“Guidance could be offered from breed societies, vets, welfare organisations and other interested parties,” she added.

The first proposed rule states that judges would deduct marks from the 50 on offer for a horse’s manners and way of going, adding that: “If no marks are used when judging, the rider should be placed out of the prizes”.

The second rule covers officials and judges at TSR-affiliated shows, who would advise riders warming up ponies or horses for another party “that they must be of a suitable size and weight (as a guide they should be of similar size or less than a suitable rider in the ring).”

Related articles:

Officials would be supported by TSR if they ask any rider to dismount, and any verbal or physical abuse towards the official would be reported to TSR.

All interested parties are invited to an open consultation event in Stoneleigh on 4 December.

To submit feedback or for more information, email info@theshowingregister.co.uk

Overweight riders asked to dismount at show

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 05:58:49 +0000

EIGHT people were asked to dismount at the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS, 12-14 July) as they were deemed to be too heavy for their rides.

Vet Julian Rishworth, acting on a regulation set by the show’s committee, spoke to adults riding children’s ponies in the warm-up area on the Thursday of the show.

The committee had ruled that the maximum rider weight allowed would be 20% of the horse’s weight.

“We’ve been trying to tackle this very thorny issue for a while now,” Mr Rishworth told H&H.

“It comes down to horses who are too fat and riders who are too heavy for horses, which are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

“The weight of horses is a subjective issue to tackle but with riders’ weight, you can be more objective.

“We decided the more pressing welfare concern was jockeys who are too heavy or an inappropriate size.”

Research

Mr Rishworth said the committee set the 20% figure having looked into the results of various pieces of research, and that a set of scales was available, should any rider question the judgment.

“We said: ‘I’m sorry sir, you’re too big, please get off’, and all but one did,” Mr Rishworth said. “There were about eight adults riding kids’ ponies.

“It was interesting to see the reaction; other people working in came over and said ‘congratulations’. I think it’s generally recognised as a problem.”

Mr Rishworth said overweight riders are “absolutely a welfare issue”, and at future shows, horses and ponies warming up while carrying people who do weigh more than the 20% may be prevented from competing.

“Is it any less a welfare issue that it’s being ridden outside the ring?” he said. “No. Does it give that competitor an unfair advantage?

“One person we asked to dismount said: ‘What am I supposed to do, put a child on and have an accident?’ But if the pony’s not suitable for a child, should it be shown as a child’s pony?”

GYS livestock and entries co-ordinator Amanda Stoddart-West said the man who did argue when asked to dismount would be sent a letter informing him that he had ignored a show official and gone against a show regulation.

“We’re not saying people shouldn’t ride, just that they should be on the right size animals,” she said. A 12hh pony being ridden by a big adult is just wrong.”

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Tom Best, who was judging ridden mountain and moorland Horse of the Year Show qualifying classes at the GYS, also spoke to some competitors about the issue.

“One was embarrassed and said she was riding it as her daughter wasn’t confident and she wanted it to have big ring experience but others thought they were quite entitled to be bigger riders on smaller ponies,” he told H&H.

“There’s a growing feeling among judges and the showing community that something needs to be done.”

Katie Jerram: Are some riders too heavy for their ponies? H&H VIP

Horse & Hound — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 14:55:41 +0000

The season has started with a familiar debate resurfacing. Are some mountain and moorland (M&M) riders too heavy for their ponies?

Discussion centres on classes for Welsh sections A and B, which are obviously not bred or built to carry as much weight as, say, Highlands. However, there is another side to this question, which is often overlooked.

Riders who may not be too heavy for their ponies but are taller than ideal often pull up their stirrups to try and make themselves look shorter in the leg, thus presenting what they feel is a more balanced picture. Doing this does nothing for your riding or your pony.

Instead, it teaches you to ride behind the movement, with a fixed hand, rather than riding from your legs, seat and core muscles. By riding from your seat, I mean using your weight as a directional aid, not driving your weight into the saddle.

Before anyone points out that jockeys ride with even shorter stirrups, race riding is a unique discipline. Jockeys keep their weight out of the saddle; whereas we show riders need to use our weight to help our horses and ponies without hindering them.

Let’s encourage novices

A new season underlines the importance of novice classes and why we need more opportunities for novice workers. We all have our favourite shows for bringing out horses in flat classes, but workers lose out.

Open classes, with courses of eight to 12 fences at a maximum height of 1.14m (3ft 9in), are a huge challenge for less experienced horses, even if they are bold and naturally talented. No matter how much work you put in at home, nothing is a substitute for the real thing, but shows offering proper rustic courses designed to encourage novice horses, and venues offering them for hire, are as rare as hens’ teeth.

Like most riders, I take horses showjumping through the winter to build all-round experience. But while you still need to jump in a rhythm, showjumping courses aren’t built to encourage the same flowing strides judges want to see from a working hunter. Arena eventing is another option, but again, it’s a different challenge.

A new series?

British Show Pony Society (BSPS) members have a winter circuit and can find ideal opportunities for novice working hunter ponies. It’s sometimes possible to compete novice horses at BSPS shows hors concours, but although this presents you with a well-designed rustic course, it will be built on shorter distances.

So come on, show organisers: you’re missing a trick and losing out on entry fees. If you hold a working show horse class, run novice working hunter entries afterwards. Ditto local working hunter classes, as at South Suffolk Show — rebrand it as a novice worker class, with special prizes for the highest-placed local entries.

Open working hunter classes aren’t starter material. I’d love to see a novice worker series over 1m (3ft 3in) courses with a final at a prestigious show, ideally the Royal International Horse Show.

I would put my money on it attracting sponsors, competitors and spectators — what do you think?

Ref: Horse & Hound; 24 March 2016

Calls for new rider weight rule in the show ring

Tricia Johnson — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 07:25:45 +0000

A call for guidelines on suitable weight limits for showing riders who compete on small ponies received overwhelming support at The Showing Register’s (TSR) “Future of Showing” debate at Stoneleigh on Sunday (21 February).

Currently, a rider’s age dictates the size of plaited ponies they can partner, and there are no restrictions in native ranks, where small breeds such as Welsh section A and Dartmoor are often ridden by adults.

A statement from World Horse Welfare expressing general concern about overweight riders prompted debate organiser Gail Chapman to include the subject.

“It’s not a question of ‘if’ showing will have to regulate itself on this issue but ‘when’, so now is the time to talk about it,” she said.

“The welfare of the animals must always be at the forefront of any decision.

“There is a belief that rider weight isn’t an issue for small natives because traditionally, they carried farmers on the mountains. But as some people have pointed out, this was off the bridle in a straight line — as opposed to modern schooling methods, which place entirely different stresses on these ponies.”

The subject had already prompted considerable response on the TSR website.

“As soon as it went live, we knew we had a scorching hot topic,” added Gail. “We’ve had more than 120 comments both for and against the need for regulation.”

After lively debate from the floor, the practicality — and possible health and safety repercussions — of implementing and policing set weight limits was rejected as unworkable, and the vote advising society-issued guidelines instead was carried unanimously.

Tony Tyler, of World Horse Welfare, will take the TSR’s findings to the National Equine Forum in London (3 March).

“The issue of rider weight is currently attracting considerable interest across the entire equine community,” he said. “Riders must be aware of the limits of their animal’s weight-carrying capability.”

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Debate panel member Sandy Anderson, head of Horse of the Year Show organiser Grandstand Media, has bred Welsh section A ponies for many years.

“I breed ponies for children to ride and my personal view is that I don’t like to see adults on them,” he said.

“It’s up to the societies to decide their policies but from a showing point of view, it’s all about the overall picture and the judge has the power to demote any inappropriate combinations.”

Ref: H&H: 25/02/16

Heavy riders have impact on horse welfare

Amy Mathieson — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:00:45 +0000

As the population gets heavier, riding schools are having to adopt new measures for larger clients. Proprietors are being forced to have “delicate” conversations with overweight riders, keep scales in the office and source larger animals.

In a report released last month, the Government said 61.3% of adults and 30% of children in England are “overweight or obese”, while the average clothes size for women is 16, compared with a 12 20 years ago.

This has been reflected in equestrianism. Out of 14 riding schools across the UK contacted by H&H, 10 said they had seen an increase in heavier riders.

Last month, a survey on rider weight by Duchy College in Cornwall was picked up by the national press, with headlines such as “The horses saddled with our obesity epidemic” and “People are just too fat to be riding”.

The study by Dr Hayley Randle and student Emma Halliday, which was published in the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour, looked at 152 riders and horses in Devon and Cornwall. They found a third of riders were too heavy for their horses.

The British Equestrian Veterinary Association (BEVA) president says riders should weigh no more than 15% of their horse’s weight. This means a 600kg horse should carry a maximum of 90kg (14st), or the rider will be putting the animal’s back and legs under excess strain.

But a third of riders in Dr Randle’s research weighed more than that 15% — putting equine welfare at risk.

“I wasn’t surprised by the result,” she said. “Weight is an issue that needs to be addressed. My main worry is the amount of stalwart horses that plod along carrying more than they should be, with riders not realising.”

Many riding schools told H&H they had been forced to turn down riders recently, with enquiries from people weighing up to 20st.

Several, including Sunshine Riding in Luton, Cavendish Farm in Derbyshire and Mount Mascal in Kent, said they are now looking to buy larger, sturdier animals — and not just for adult clients.

And don’t be surprised if you’re weighed at a riding school nowadays.

BEVA’s president says lameness and back problems are often caused by heavy riders, and that some are not suited to their horses.

“Perhaps as an industry we should look to develop better weight guidelines,” he said. “Often a problem is not an overweight rider, but a rider on a too small horse.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (11 April 2013)

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Researcher Tamzin Furtado, one of the group’s founders, told H&H the study is about perceptions of the issues that affect being “suitably mounted”.

Dr Furtado said most studies conducted so far have considered one variable, such as rider weight, at a time, and “although they are good science, we wanted to look at how these things interrelate and people’s perceptions of it”.

The group wants to hear from all areas of the industry – riders, owners, judges, tack fitters and veterinary professionals, for example – “any anyone you can think of”.

“We want to give everyone the chance to tell us what they think is important,” Dr Furtado said. “Do vets think horses’ conformation is more important or do riders think rider skill is more important than their weight? Physios may have views on rider issues that make a difference.”

Responses will help shape future research, Dr Furtado added, and also communication with the industry. The group is also reviewing all related research.

“The point isn’t to be critical or to stop people riding,” she said. “It’s not about people being wrong, it’s about all of us updating our knowledge to make the right decisions.”

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‘It sounds like hocus pocus’ but hypnotic gastric band and therapy help rider lose seven and a half stone in a year

She told H&H she hoped her story might help others in the equestrian world who are struggling with their weight.

“I used to eat till I was so full, eat more because I felt disgusted, then get something else because I hated myself,” she said. “That just doesn’t happen any more, and the joy of it – I can’t tell you. It’s brilliant.”

Dawn, who is now 59, had her first child aged 27, and “ever since, I’ve yo-yo dieted”.

“I think I had undiagnosed post-natal depression, and the pounds piled on,” she said. “So for 30 years, effectively, I’ve been doing that, it’s pretty unpleasant.

“I tried everything. I lost five stone on Lighter Life but because I hadn’t dealt with why I was overeating, it piled straight back on again.

Dawn said that made her “have a bit of a cry”, but also, she realised something else.

“I was 17st 7lb, which at 5’4” is morbidly obese, I was pre-diabetic, my asthma was horrendous, my arthritis hideous and my self-esteem through the floor.”

“He fell apart when he lost ‘Brad’, he’d lost his best friend and his mojo, but Adrian stood him up and helped him carry on,” she said. “He got David over the trauma, of the injury, and Brad’s death – he’s done that for both of us.”

Dawn explained that Adrian’s approach helped her tackle the cause of her overeating. He asked her to write down traumas she had suffered, such as the loss of her father and her brother, and Brad, falls and accidents, and allocate each a number from one to 10 related to the scale of the trauma.

Adrian helped Dawn “dial down” each trauma, by asking her to focus on it and how she felt, and counting it down.

“It sounds like hocus pocus and people raise their eyebrows,” she said. “But after he’s counted it down, it doesn’t hurt. You turn off the pain of the memory.”

After the traumas had been dealt with, Adrian hypnotised Dawn. She said he took her, mentally, down two roads open to her: first he showed her becoming a bariatric patient, and “almost to the point of death; which was terrifying”.

Dawn said Adrian used aversion therapy to make sure she wasn’t tempted by her downfall; sweets, cakes, chocolate and biscuits. He asked her to imagine the taste of a certain sweet, then the taste of dog poo, were she to put that in her mouth, then the flavours mixing.

“Then he asks if you want any sweets, and you really, really don’t!” she said. “For eight months, I didn’t have sweets, cakes, biscuits or chocolate. I missed it horribly, but I was losing three pounds a week. The joy of seeing the scales go down is the best drug on the planet.”

Dawn did eventually “get them switched back on”, so she can eat her favourites again, but she has transformed her approach to food. The hypnotic “gastric band” – Adrian hypnotised her into believing one is fitted – means she cannot eat the same quantities as before.

She is now “programmed” to determine whether a food is worth the calories it contains, and if it is, she eats it and enjoys it, and then stops.

Dawn hopes her story will help others; she said at least 30 people she has spoken to about her experience have seen Adrian themselves.

“All the way through, people have asked me what was going on, then said ‘That can’t work’,” she said. “But the evidence is standing here. I sound a bit evangelical about it but that’s because I am!”

Always consult your doctor before you start any diet or weight-loss plan.

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‘Let’s keep this going’: awards for most harmonious horse and rider combinations at major show

Mrs Stoddart-West said they picked four combinations; not necessarily the showiest or flashiest animals, but “really nice combinations”, and empathetic riders who gelled with their horses.

The overall winners were Jessica Paige Davies on Blue. Jessica said she was “absolutely amazed she was selected, let alone won”.

Another combination to win the award was Katie Lewis and Dublin Lass.

Katie said: “I really love the idea of it and it got a good conversation going about it on social media, with people saying more shows need to do something similar.

“I’ve had my mare 17 years and in lockdown I put a stone on. I didn’t ride her until I lost it again because I thought at 22, she didn’t need me adding more weight to her load as she got older.”

Georgie Lewis-Roberts was “over the moon” to be selected for an award with Fulford Mickey, and Jessica Lye said winning one with Duchers was “better than a first place”.

“I was nervous and excited about going in the main arena, but it is something I have always dreamt of and to go in there to collect an award of such importance was a dream come true,” she said.

Mrs Stoddart-West said other shows have been in touch about hosting the awards.

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‘We applaud them’: new group set up to tackle the issue of oversized riders

Researcher Tamzin Furtado, one of those behind the group, told H&H it came about after discussion of the issue across the industry.

“This is for everyone,” she said. “Every riding school, event, organisation – all of us. Anyone who feels like they need someone to help tackle a tricky issue, there’s nowhere to go.

“I was working with Amanda Stoddart-West of the Great Yorkshire Show [GYS] on equine obesity, and she’s involved with the show’s rider-weight rules, and we were talking about how there are no resources for anyone who needs to think about this.”

Dr Furtado said the evidence on defining suitable rider size “can be confusing” and it can be difficult to know who to ask for advice.

“So I thought it would be good to have a resource, so people can ask questions of those on top of the literature we do have,” she said.

“They can get advice from people who have been there,” she said. “We’ve got a mental health professional on board to make sure it’s done sensitively, as it can be a tricky issue.”

“It’s definitely not about people being overweight or not,” she added. “It’s about making sure the fit is right. As has been said, the ideal weight for a horse to carry is 0%, so we need to be on the conservative side.”

“I’ve heard from people in Australia and the US saying they’d love to see this worldwide. I’ve been contacted by vets, breeders, judges, saddlers – the support has been phenomenal, and they all want to help.”

Mrs Stoddart-West added that they are building a “team” of people available to go to shows and events to help enforce such policies in a sensitive way.

“I’m delighted this group has been formed, and hopefully we can make a difference for horse welfare and the longevity of equestrianism.”

“This is a consideration for all disciplines, ridden and driven, with rules relating to height and weight already in place across many equestrian activities.

“We applaud this group for bringing together professionals from many fields who are able to tackle this delicate topic with the knowledge, science and sensitivity needed to support riders with best-practice information and preserve the wellbeing of our horses.”

Ms Burrows added that although “for many years the finger has been pointed” at showing as the main culprits in this issue, the group “greatly admires them for opening their doors to change”, such as on the healthy weight awards, which are making a difference.

“The working group is now striving to gather much needed evidence to support other groups and individuals, to give them the courage to address this welfare issue with justified confidence,” she said.

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‘I’m proud we’ve done this’: 12 oversized riders asked to dismount at major show

Show secretary Betsy Branyan told H&H the rule came in after issues at last year’s event.

“We saw several larger riders, especially on show ponies, and we thought we needed to do something,” she said. “It was getting beyond acceptable.”

“We didn’t go as far as the GYS but after this year, I’m seriously considering it,” Ms Branyan said. “There were riders whose stirrups were by the ponies’ knees, one man was pushing 5ft 9in on a 12.2hh – there was no doubt it looked wrong.”

“I feel proud that, as a show, we’ve done this,” she added.

Mrs Stoddart-West told H&H that, at the show, she was in constant contact with the stable team and some of the stewards, and between them they covered the lorry parks and warm-up areas.

Mrs Stoddart-West said she was “horrified” by some responses to her interventions.

She added that some were asked to dismount more than once, to the point they saw her approaching and did so before she arrived.

“That’s what we’re dealing with,” she said. “People who think there’s a different rule for them. I think next year, they’ll be using scales.”

“I’m delighted the Three Counties team is being so proactive, and everyone is working together, which is great.”

“Lots of other exhibitors came up to say thank you,” she added. “For trying to make it a level playing field – and for looking out for the welfare of the animals. It gives me hope we’re going in the right direction.”

Opinion Does anyone really think a small thoroughbred should be asked to carry more than nearly 16 stone?