Day two’s racing at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival today (12 March) will go ahead as planned, despite snow falling on the track this morning. No inspection of the course is required.

The snow lasted until around 8.30am, but there is no danger to today’s card, as it quickly turned into sleet and melted away. Temperatures are forecast to rise to around 9°C by the time the field set off for the opening race, the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, at 1.20pm.

Jon Pullin, Cheltenham’s clerk of the course, said at 8.50am: “We had a covering of snow this morning but it turned to sleet as forecast and that should soon disappear. The going for today remains good to soft on the [main] Old Course and is good to soft, good in places and soft on the top loop on the cross-country course.”

All routes into Cheltenham Festival are clear of snow so it won’t affect those attending today. Cheltenham is currently bathed in sunshine at a temperature of 6°C and spectators are arriving in their droves.

According to the Met Office, there will be sunny intervals and a chance of showers this afternoon, which could become heavy and wintry, especially over the hills. Showers will become more isolated later this afternoon with more in the way of sunshine. There will be brisk northerly winds in the west, making it feel chilly.

Cheltenham Festival day two racecard: Wednesday 12 March 2025

1.20pm: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade One)

2pm: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade One)

2.40pm: Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle

3.20pm: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase

4pm: BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade One)

4.40pm: Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Champion Chase

5.20pm: Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade One)

You can watch all of the action from today at Cheltenham on TV and, if you fancy trying to pick a winner, take a look at tips from industry experts to help you along the way.

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

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Some of us in the UK have recently found ourselves having to negotiate snowy weather, so H&H investigates whether it’s safe to ride on snow

It may look deep and crisp and even — but is riding on snow snow really safe? It’s a dilemma facing many owners whose horses become stable-bound when temperatures plummet.

At Jeremy Scott’s yard, high up on the outskirts of Exmoor National Park, the pointers and racehorses keep exercising through the white stuff — in certain conditions.

“It depends on the type of snow,” says trainer Camilla Scott. “Some snow balls up in the horses’ feet, but the soft, powdery stuff we ride on falls back out again, so we don’t have to put anything in their hooves. We ride across fields where we know the ground is good underneath, and we only walk and trot.

“A few horses don’t like the way the snow flicks up and hits their bellies, but most love being out in it,” adds Camilla, who advises exercising extra caution in thawing or icy conditions or where snow has drifted.

Riding on snow: Pads, studs and grease

Pads to prevent snow balling are more common in colder countries. Options include rubber bubble pads that “pop” the snow from the hoof, and tube-type rim pads that dislodge snowballs while allowing the frog and sole to breathe.

Riding on hard frost or ice is generally to be avoided, although horses in some snowbound parts of the world continue working with special studs or shoes that provide better traction.

Farrier Haydn Price points out that snow rarely lasts long enough in the UK to warrant the use of specialist products or methods.

“The old-fashioned method of greasing works well enough,” he says. “Coat the soles and the inside of the shoes with really thick, high-density industrial grease. It won’t hurt the hooves, in the short term, and it will stop snow balling up inside them.”

The barefoot question

Nic Barker, who runs a rehabilitation yard for horses with long-term lameness and hoof problems, reckons that horses are better in snow than a 4×4 vehicle.

“I love it when it snows,” says Nic. “We often get snowed in as we live up on Exmoor, but with a yardful of barefoot horses, that doesn’t mean time off. In fact, it means you have no excuse for avoiding exercising them, as barefoot horses revel in snowy conditions.

“Whereas snow can cause problems for shod horses — balling and freezing onto the metal in the shoe and creating dangerous snow ‘stilts’ — with a barefoot horse the snow simply falls out. They can carry on as normal, completely sure-footed.”

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There are some things that only horse owners know when it comes to snow...

1. Sledges are multi-purpose — as well as being great for tobogganing, they are excellent for transporting hay and water out to fields in deep snow.

2. A pep talk is needed to psych yourself up to fill a water bucket. No matter how well you insulate and wrap up your taps, you will still need to spend significant time with a kettle defrosting them each morning.

3. If you tip your frozen water bucket over to get the ice out, it will stay stuck fast however much you whack it, until you position it just over the gap between your welly boots and leg, at which point the whole chunk of ice will fly out closely followed by the rest of the remaining cold water.

4. Should the above happen, you will not have spare socks in the car.

5. The most basic horse care task seems to takes at least twice as long when there is snow on the ground. Is it even possible to do up/undo a rug in these temperatures?

6. Snow that lands on the track leading up to the yard defrosts at a rate approximately 200 times slower than snow that lands on any other surface.

7. You will be absolutely fine driving your car into the yard.

8. You will not be absolutely fine trying to drive it back out again.

9. If you have an automatic… No chance.

10. You have a 4X4? We’re jealous.

11. The horse that kicks the door down demanding to get out in the snow “are you crazy, owner, why would you imprison me?” will, on realisation there is no grass accessible, immediately demand to be brought back in again… “are you crazy, owner, why on earth would you put me in a field with no grass in it?”.

12. He will then scare the life out of you galloping round the field while you ask Siri to call the vet.

13. However many times you turn your ankle over on the rutty hard ground by the field entrance that is disguised under the snow, you will go over on the exact same spot each time you cross it.

14. Forks, shovels, rocks, grenades — none of these things will penetrate the top of the water trough in the field for a good 10 minutes of trying.

15. You will feel rather smug having got your full wheelbarrow to the muck heap, only for it to dive into a rock hard rut one metre away and eject its contents adjacent to the muck heap… And it will be an unsuitable distance to get away with not having to reload the barrow and try that manoeuvre again.

16. As you walk away, horses tucked up in their stables or bathing in the sun, light glistening off the pristine snow-lined trees, you’ll say “it does look quite beautiful, doesn’t it”…

• What lessons have you learnt from caring for your horses in the snow? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com including your name, nearest town and county for the chance to be published on the letter page in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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Usually each winter, the UK is covered with snow and ice at some point, and riders tend to give their horses time off work or keep them in stables if it is too icy for turn-out.

Steel shoes are lethally slippery on ice, and snow sticks to the metal, building up into snowballs so it looks like the horse is on stilts, which can cause the horse to trip and injure itself.

Yet many other places in the world are covered with snow and ice through much of the winter, and still, people keep on riding. H&H investigates how…

Amy Feineman, a trainer in Colorado, told us that all her horses go barefoot in the winter.

“They shed snow best that way,” she explained. “Our farrier even took pads off my one shod horse to give her better snow clearing.”

Barefoot horses don’t get snowballs, which makes sense if you think of mustangs in the snowy American west, or Przewalski’s horses in Mongolia.

However, not every horse can go barefoot and not every rider wants to. And while unshod horses don’t accumulate snowballs, barefoot provides very little traction on ice.

The western states like Colorado don’t get long term accumulations of ice on roads and paths, but the states in the Midwest and on the East Coast often do.

Chelsea Shield-Mas, a dressage rider in New York, said: “I use ice studs in New York — no snow pads as my horse has bar shoes behind and my farrier was concerned about pads being paired with those shoes.”

There are two different types of pads. One is a pad that covers the entire sole of the hoof, with a ball in the middle, often called a bubble pad. It is the most effective pad for getting rid of snowballs, but as with any full pad, it increases the risk of thrush because it prevents the exposure of the sole to the air and traps mud and dirt underneath.

When I lived in the United States, I used rim pads, a rubber tube riveted between the horseshoe and the foot that went round the edge of the shoe. According to The American Farrier’s Journal: “A full pad of any kind will eventually fill up with mud or sand, but the rim style No-Sno pad will leave the bottom of the hoof open and keep the hoof healthy. This pad will not have any negative effect in muddy conditions but will still be there when it snows again.”

The tube of the rim pad, combined with the frog, pushes the snow out of the hoof. The downside is that it’s not as effective at getting rid of snowballs as the bubble pads.

Jenna Calcaterra, a Virginia-based eventer who used to live in Massachusetts, preferred the full pads, saying: “The rim pads always got snow wedged under them.”

Rim pads and bubble pads provide some traction on snow, but where there is hard ice, you need studs of some sort. The most commonly used is borium, a substance containing hard steel which the farrier welds to the shoe. It impedes the natural lateral rotation of the limb on hard, dry surfaces, which can lead to lameness, so it’s best used in places where the snow and ice is likely to stick around for the majority of the winter.

Similarly, some riders and farriers opt for snow and ice nails, which are more or less normal horse shoe nails, but they extend beyond the plane of the shoe and have a hardened head. If all you’re doing is walking from the yard to the indoor arena or paddock, this may be enough. However, like any horseshoe nail, they wear out before the end of the shoeing cycle, and someone spending a lot of time hacking will find borium longer lasting.

Another option are screw-in studs, like the ones eventers and showjumpers use. These can (and should) be removed when the horse isn’t ridden or if it’s being ridden indoors but can be added if the rider knows they’re crossing icy ground. It means the horse doesn’t wear a traction device when it doesn’t need to, which is healthier for its limbs (and for its turn-out companions), but it requires the rider to take time maintaining the holes and screwing in the studs.

Shoeing horses for traction on ice isn’t entirely foreign to the UK. In the winter of 1788, the poet Robert Burns was riding through Wanlockhead, a village that sits at 467m of altitude in the Southern Uplands of Scotland, and found his horse sliding on the ice. Burns tried to persuade John Taylor, “man of influence” in the village, to convince the local farrier to add caulks to his horse’s shoes so Burns could ride instead of walk. In payment for his assistance, Burns wrote Taylor this poem:

H&H recommends that you communicate with your farrier to find the method that best suits your horse or pony.

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Snow has called a halt to proceedings as the organisers of Oasby Horse Trials (9-12 March) announce that the first two days of competition are cancelled.

The Lincolnshire event marked the second weekend of the British eventing season, after Epworth in North Lincolnshire and Poplar Park in Suffolk ran last weekend (4-5 March).

BEDE Events announced the cancellation of today’s (9 March) competition late last night, but in a further update this morning, organisers confirmed Friday (10 March) will also not go ahead.

“Following continued snowfall on Thursday morning and the forecast continuing to show snow for the remainder of the day, we have taken the decision to abandon all of Friday’s competition on the grounds of horse and rider safety,” said a BEDE spokesman.

“By taking this decision early we hope we can prevent riders travelling in inclement weather and it enables us to make alternative arrangements.”

Oasby runs classes from BE90 to intermediate level, with open intermediate sections A and B, intermediate sections C and D, novice section E, and open novice class scheduled today. Open intermediate sections G and H, intermediate section I, open intermediate under 21 section J and novice section K were scheduled for Friday.

More than 400 combinations had been due to start across Thursday and Friday, including world champions Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir, Laura Collett and London 52, Oliver Townend and As Is and Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, in the open intermediate sections.

“We are in the process of finalising details of a day of intermediate/OI on Monday, 13 March. We will be in touch with all applicable entrants to offer the option to move their entry to Monday,” said a BEDE spokesman.

The weather has become increasingly worse in many parts of the UK throughout the week. The Met Office has issued a number of yellow and amber weather warnings for heavy snow and ice for parts of Scotland, northern and central England and Wales, due to be in place until Friday.

A British Dressage competition at Widmer Equestrian Centre, Buckinghamshire, was cancelled on Tuesday (7 March) owing to snow, and British Showjumping (BS) at Ponderosa Equestrian Centre in Newport, Wales, cancelled yesterday (8 March). A three-day BS show at Cabin Equestrian Centre in Aberdeenshire due to start tomorrow, has also been called off.

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Competitors and staff at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event woke up to an unexpected sight this morning (21 April) — inches of snow.

Hours before the first horse inspection of the first CCI5* of the year, snow fell on Lexington to a depth of about two inches.

Commentator John Kyle, who is in Kentucky to cover the event, told H&H he had seen pictures of the venue’s “iconic” bronze of eventer Bruce Davidson “absolutely covered in snow”.

“They’ve frequently had snow the week before the event but I don’t think they’ve ever had it on what’s considered a competition day,” he said.

Speaking at about 9am local time, 2pm British time, John said the temperature was about freezing, with a “feels like” of -8C. By the scheduled start time of the trot-up, at 8pm British time, the forecast was for 7C, although more rain or possibly snow is expected.

“I don’t think we’ll be too badly off for the rest of the week; Friday should be 16 or 17C,” John said. “I joked to someone the other day that when you pack for Kentucky, you have to take everything from a bikini to a sou’wester. Firstly because it’s eventing and secondly, it’s in Kentucky, which is all about southern charm and southern hospitality but definitely has a northern latitude.

“It’s not uncommon to have snow in April but they usually get away with it; fingers crossed, everything will be fine.”

A spokesman for the event told H&H the snow fell in the early hours of this morning.

“I checked and it has never before snowed during the week of the event. A year for firsts in so many ways!” he said. “We expect it to be gone by this afternoon’s 3pm jog.”

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The US National Weather Service for the area said there will be colder air in the wake of the snow, and that temperatures are likely to drop to around freezing tonight. The last time Louisville, Kentucky, had snowfall on 20 April was in 2003, the last record for a fall on 21 April was a trace in 1901.

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Racing on the snow can be dangerous and the jockeys require nerves of steel to battle it out on the frozen lake in St Moritz, Switzerland.

But like all equestrian disciplines, the welfare of horses and riders is paramount and a lot of preparation goes into the surface before racing kicks off.

Markus Berweger lives in St Moritz and is responsible for the safety and infrastructure on the frozen lake.

“As soon as the lake is frozen, we make 14 measurement points across it and once the ice thickness measures 27cm, we do a stress test on it using a seven-tonne pulley,” explained Markus.

“When we know that the load capacity is sufficient, we can start the infrastructure on the frozen lake.”

One thing that cannot be controlled in the luxury alpine resort is the weather, and Markus added that if there happens to not be enough snow, they create more using the snow machine.

As expected, the going on the track depends on how much snow there is.

“If it is very cold and the snow is well pressed, the ‘run’ can be hard and fast,” said Markus. “If it warms up it can become soft, while if we get too much snow it cannot be hard pressed and can get deep.”

Holes are drilled into the ice for the racing rails to go in. To fix them in place the holes are filled up with water, which is then frozen.

In between each race, a snowmobile is driven around the track, with metal chains attached to the back, to even out the surface.

“It can be problematic for us if there is heavy snow right before a race or if there is water in between the ice and snow layers,” added Markus. “This year, we had 30cm of snow, and an ice and snow thickness of between 35-45cm.”

For the first time, new technology was used to help with the preparations last year.

“We used a drone and a thermal imagery camera to check if there was any water in between the ice and snow cover,” he said. “We also used a GeoRadar [ground-penetrating radar machine], which allows us to see where there is water within the surface and therefore where it is safe to race.”

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The first ever pony race took place at White Turf earlier this month (February 2019) on the frozen lake at St Moritz.

The spectators, wrapped up against the wintry elements, were treated to a field of youngsters aboard their mini mounts battling it out on the snow, alongside the main Flat racing.

The ponies can be up to a height of 140cm, and one of the smallest in the field was in fact one the oldest ponies, aged 19. There are different categories depending on the size of the ponies.

One young rider gunning for glory is 10-year-old Gian von Ballmoos, who lives near Zurich, and has been visiting White Turf since he was a baby and has racing in his blood.

“My father and two uncles were amateur jockeys and my grandfather was a breeder,” said Gian, who is already a pony racing victor.

Racing on the snow takes some brave riding whatever age you are but these youngsters show boldness beyond their years, and are not fazed by the concept of racing on the frozen white stuff.

Wearing special face masks to protect them from the frozen kickback, the young riders look like proper mini jockeys — honing their skills in the saddle and donning racing silks and white breeches. The ponies too are tiny versions of their larger counterparts.

“It is cold riding on the snow, and the kickback is very hard,” explained Gian.

The young rider clearly loves his riding, and racing in particular, and he has some big ambitions too.

“My dream is to ride at Royal Ascot because I want to ride in front of The Queen,” he said with a smile.

Since it’s inception in 1907, the White Turf has grown in popularity and, alongside the Flat racing and pony racing, there is trotting races and skijoring, a race which sees horses pulling people on skis.

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

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Last week, before equine flu struck, heavy snow stopped play for many across the equestrian world, but horsey people are know for their sheer determination. Here’s how some of those in racing battled through the very wintry conditions...

1. An all-nighter

The team at Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard were able to get the horses out on the gallops thanks to their “trusty gallop man”, Rob Lee, who stayed up all night harrowing the gallops so they could be used in the morning — now that is dedication!

2. Snow at Seven Barrows

Champion trainer Nicky Henderson’s Lambourn base was hit hard with the white stuff, which meant the tractors were out in force. Fortunately for the team at Seven Barrows, there is an undercover exercise ring, which must be a saving grace at times like these…

3. Minus degrees at Dunlop’s

Lambourn-based Flat trainer Harry Dunlop managed to get his horses out onto the handy trotting ring for a leg stretch despite the inches of snow.

4. A mountain of snow

The team at Berkshire-based Jo Davis’ put the hard work in to clear the yard of snow, including digging out the horsewalker so that it could be used.

 5. Getting to the races

Flat jockey Rob Hornby had to dig himself out of his drive on the morning of Friday 1 February, in order to get to Lingfield Park Racecourse. Even though his remarkable efforts to get there did not yield him a winner, Rob picked up two third placings at the all-weather meeting in Surrey.

6. ‘Beautiful but unhelpful’

Point-to-point trainer Francesca Nimmo, who is based near Stratford, takes some very artistic shots in the frozen conditions, crediting James Pritchard and Joe Hutchings for their work throughout the night to ensure the gallops were usable in the morning.

7. What is this white stuff?

Snow hits the historic Bonita Racing Stables in Marlborough, Wiltshire, where National Hunt trainer Emma Lavelle is based, and the team do well to clear the pathways on the yard.

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

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While most of the equestrian world was either snowed under or put off by the freezing temperatures, these plucky combinations weren’t to be beaten by the second instalment of the ‘Beast from the East’ which reared its ugly head over the weekend.

Check out these 11 show ring winners who scored gold at the select few shows which ploughed on through the snow…

The Dowager and and Vicky Smith

The traditional coloured The Dowager, owned by Gaynia Gross, took the junior ridden class with Tally Gross on board at BSPS Area 2B. The mare also won the restricted coloured class with producer Vicky Smith at the helm.

Moyabbey George and Ailsa Vines

The five-year-old Class 1 Connemara stallion made his ridden debut a winning one with his owner Ailsa in the saddle. They made the trip to BSPS Area 2B to compete in the novice classes, where they won their section and took the novice title.

Roseberry Super Trooper and Sammi Elliott

The intermediate and part-bred contender Roseberry Super Trooper and his rider Sammi Elliott were unbeaten in their weekend of showing. Produced by Team Ahern, the duo were crowned part-bred champions at BSPS Area 6, and then champion intermediates and supreme of show at BSPS Area 17.

Greenholme Emblem and Kirsty Aird

At the BSPS Scottish winter show, Gwen Rae’s Fell pony stallion Greenholme Emblem won his working hunter pony class, the championship and the supreme of show accolade, with usual partner Kirsty Aird in the saddle.

Phoebe Price and Lostock First Whip

The Julie Templeton-produced Lostock First Whip and Phoebe Price has a successful day at BSPS Area 17, winning the open premier league show hunter class followed by the championship. A last minute decision to put ‘Stanley’ in the RIHS 15hh class paid off as the pair trotted off with the first place rosette and reserve championship title.

 Langfield Kaisa and Steph Carney

Also braving the Lancashire wind was Steph Carney and team who took both the open M&M and novice working hunter pony titles at BSPS Area 2B with the consistent Dartmoor stallion Langfield Kaisa.

Lucy Glover and Carrwood Shimmering Gold

Topping the M&M RIHS qualifiers at BSPS Area 17 was the Welsh A and B winners, Carrwood Shimmering Gold and Lucy Glover.

Annandale Augustus and Jessica Summers

Five-year-old Jessica Summers stood in for Annandale Augustus’s usual jockey Emilia Demetriou, who was unable to make it to BSPS Area 17 due to snow, and piloted the lead rein pony of hunter type to win his RIHS class, with producer Sharn Linney. Jessica also won and qualified on her own pony, Thistledown Kintra, earlier in the day.

Bricklefield Jack and Savannah Spillman-Penn and Rockeyview Eclipse and Tallie Spillman-Penn

Some healthy sibling rivalry was witnessed in BSPS Area 17’s Best of the Best supreme — taking the title was Bricklefield Jack and Savannah Spillman-Penn, while taking reserve was Rockleyview Eclipse and sister Tallie.

Wenden Choice and Jasmine Wharton

The combination of the Dartmoor Wenden Choice and Jasmine Wharton came to the fore at BSPS Scotland to win their lead rein class and take the RIHS ticket followed by the mini championship (Photograph by Sinclair Photography).

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Blizzards and strong winds forced competition to be abandoned mid-way through the second day at Lincolnshire Horse Trials.

Organisers of the British Eventing (BE) fixture had managed to go ahead with all classes on Friday (16 March) and Saturday morning.

However as the “mini beast from the east” arrived, conditions became too risky to continue.

“Regrettably competition at Lincolnshire Horse Trials on Saturday was partially abandoned at approximately 2pm due to the snow,” said a statement from BE.

Organisers and volunteers moved the showjumping to a new ring after Friday’s competition, and periodically moved the fences to fresh ground throughout the day.

But heavy snow and strong gusts scuppered the team’s efforts to carry on.

“A difficult decision to make, but the safety of our riders is paramount — we hope you all understand,” said a spokesman for the horse trials.

“Thank you to all competitors, judges, volunteers and officials for their support and hard work in keeping the event running for as long as it did.”

Riders were quick to thank the team on social media for keeping the competition going as far as they could.

The wintry weather also forced Aldon to abandon two of its three days of competition.

Heavy rain pulled the plug on Friday’s classes, but organisers managed to run a full day of eventing on Saturday. But snow resulted in the abandonment of all Sunday’s classes.

“A massive thank you to our amazing team of volunteers who braved Arctic conditions today [Saturday] to enable us to run — you are all truly awesome,” said a statement from the organisers.

Article continues below…

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The pipes are frozen, you need some sort of industrial digger to break the ice on the trough and you

The start of the eventing season has taken repeated blows over the past three weekends — 10 of the 11 events scheduled since 3 March have been forced to cancel some or all their days. Poplar Park managed to run both days on 10 to 11 March, but 15 competitors were unable to run across country on the second day due to fading light.

All point-to-point fixtures due to be held on 17 or 18 March were abandoned or rescheduled.

The first team chase of the season — the Beaufort at Sherston — was postponed and will now run on 25 March.

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

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

The pipes are frozen, you need some sort of industrial digger to break the ice on the trough and you are risking your life to get to the yard. But it seems that your horses are totally at ease with this week’s dump of the white stuff. What’s all the fuss about?

If you have a great snap of your horse in the snow, we’d love to see it. Please send it to hhpictures@timeinc.com by noon today (19 March 2018) and the best ones will feature in the magazine and/or online. Please include names and where the pictures were taken

'Beast from the East you say?' H&H news writer Lucy Elder's mare Poppy checks out this morning's dump of snow

Kayla Philpot's horse looks toasty warm in his rug

H&H news editor Eleanor Jones' Panther doesn't look too fussed about the white stuff...

"Here’s a picture of my 25-year-old pony Toffee getting a little snowy this morning. She had a lovely big yard filled with straw to go in but decided she’d stay out in the cold instead!" — Amelia Williams

“Here is my four-year-old part-bred native Wilkismoor Highwayman (William) enjoying his first real snow experience. We’re based in Royston, Hertfordshire and haven’t seen heavy snow for a number of years!” — Rebecca Sandell

“This is my colt Tynyfid Mytopia by Uthopia. He lives out with his little Welsh section A friend Tynyfid Chocolate Button. We live in Coleshill, Warwickshire, but Buttons was born and bred on my family hill farm in Ebbw Vale, South Wales, so this is just a sprinkling of snow to him.” — Gaynor Edwards

“This is a picture of my five-year-old Belgian warmblood mare Comet (Miss President) enjoying her first Irish snow day in Northern Ireland with temperatures dropping to -9C!” — Nichola Howarth

“This is my nine-year-old gelding ‘Pinky’ enjoying a naked roll in the snow in Bockleton, Worcestershire during the snow. He normally events at BE100 level.” — Lydia Greenman

Emily Denton’s six-year-old ex-racer Topaz (aka By The Light) in Northamptonshire

Samantha Wall's horse strikes a pose in the snow

“This is Duble the Grand National Shetland enjoying the snow at home in Ingatestone, Essex, owned by Poppy Dadson.” — Lianna Dadson

“Miniature mum and daughter duo Sassy (daughter) and Belle (mum) at Dell Ridge Farm in Kentucky! Causing mischief they rotate within the various catch pens on the farm and sometimes encounter one of our broodmares Talk Show (difficult to catch) and Sassy loves to give her what for!” — Lauren Melissa

“This is Lymebrooks Jenson, a three-year-old Irish Draught. We are based in Staffordshire and he had a lovely weekend prancing in the snow!” — Lauren Clarke

“This is Gizmo, wondering where his legs have gone in Shropshire!” — Danielle Hignett

“Here is a picture of Tiny Tony’s first time in the snow. He was a late foal born in September but thankfully he and his mum Indy have grown a very woolly coat like an Alpaca.” — Kirsty Simpson

“This is what my Highland Pony, Bertie (Blaeberry’s St Cuthbert) thinks of the snow in Warwickshire — you can’t eat it can you?!” — Claire Shand

“This is Lottie, a 10-year-old KWPN in the snow in Market Drayton, Shropshire” — Charlotte Thomas

“This is my six-year-old ISH Lislan Hazel (Hazel) playing in the snow in Staffordshire.” — Kate Oakes

“This is my pony Blue Cross Peggy. She is 18-years-old and 11hh. She lives out 24/7 and is never rugged. However, as you can see from the photograph she remains warm even during the harshest weather.” — Charlotte Bannister

“Here is a photo of Lisa Warner’s five-year-old KWPN Zebedee, and my 19hh Clydesdale Josh playing in the snow yesterday. Best friends! We're based in Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire.” — Fay Jeffery

“Here is my nine-year-old Section D Gwenin out in the Abergavenny snow yesterday.” — Bethan Powell

“This is a picture of me on my young Connemara Riversdale Merryweather (Merlin) enjoying a bareback ride in our school on Sunday afternoon. Our yard is in south Birmingham and we had a good 15-20cm of snow.” — Imogen Norton

“This is our Welsh Section D Maysmoor Ambassador (Russ) in the snow in Warwickshire.” — Amber Jackson-Fennell

“This is my cob Ace of Spades enjoying the snow in Ringoes, New Jersey, USA.” — Di Huns

“This is my lovely 14.2hh Jimmy loving the snow. We’re based in Belbroughton, in the West Midlands. He’s enjoying a snowy selfie and his surprise delivery of a large hay bale!” — Ali Sewell

“Here is a picture of Jamal De Juraire, an ex-showjumper who competed with Joelle Daugt to 1.55m. He is now 20 years old, enjoying a slower life as a dressage horse, based in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland.” — Kyle Hayes

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

Hot off the heels of the Winter Olympics and as we despair at our poor riding arenas suffering following the “Beast from the East” you might be tempted to indulge in a new sport to keep you ticking over, and what better suited to the current weather than snowboarding?

Snowboarding is about style, balance, control, strong leg and core muscles — it should be easy for an equestrian, right?

1. Placing your feet into stirrups comes as naturally as breathing. Strapping your feet to a solid wooden board however leaves you feeling as graceful as a baby deer on a skateboard.

2. You spend years perfecting keeping your heels down in the saddle. Similarly snowboarding requires you to use your “heel-edge” by dropping your heels. So far so good… And then your “toe-edge” bizarrely involves raising your heels and pointing your toes, going against everything you have ever known. Your legs will burn and your heels will feel like they have 10kg weights in them as you struggle to raise them.

3. To get up a mountain on a snowboard you have the aid of a “poma” which is a pulley-based ski-lift that sits between your legs and “should” allow you to glide up the mountain on your snowboard smoothly (unless you lose balance and fall off). This can then be compared to being dragged on the floor, through the mud by a starving pony to a feed bucket.

4. Whilst making your second attempt at the dreaded poma, you will find yourself begging and pleading with your snowboard to get you to the top of that mountain. We promise you will never feel silly talking to your horse again!

5. Snowboarders look effortlessly cool. They take matchy-matchy to an equestrian-worthy level with bright colourful jackets and salopettes. There should be a warning however that while bright pinks, yellows and greens look great standing up leaning against their snowboard, they do not look nearly as good tumbling down a mountain with legs and snowboard flailing in the air.

6. You will quickly learn an hour with your feet strapped to a snowboard equates to about four hours of non-stirrup work in the saddle. You will never complain about non-stirrup work again.

7. When you somehow find the balance to stand on your snowboard long enough to move back down the mountain you struggled to get up, the speed you pick up is comparable to a bolting ex-racehorse which you foolishly agreed to ride.

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8. You will never ever fall off a horse in one session as many times as you fall over on a snowboard — trust us.

9. In the arena, riders of all equestrian disciplines can be friends. On the slopes skiers and snowboarders are grave enemies. Skiers lurk around bends waiting for you to get the hang of it, and charge at you with their ski-poles making you jump out of the way and end up on a heap on the floor… Again.

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

With the mercury starting to climb in most parts of the UK, organisers are working to reschedule some fixtures abandoned due to last week’s snow.

The “Beast from the East” and Storm Emma resulted in a delay to the start of the affiliated eventing season.

All British Eventing’s (BE) fixtures — Isleham, Moreton, Epworth and Aston-le-Walls (1) — were cancelled.

“Obviously the snow meant that it was a hugely disappointing, although not totally unexpected, start to the season for everyone with all of the scheduled fixtures abandoned,” BE sport manager Debbie Pritchard told H&H.

“The snow is now clearing — however the weather forecasts for this coming week predict some heavy rain.

“We are therefore closely monitoring the forthcoming scheduled events and hope that the weather is on our side so that we can make a start to the 2018 season.”

Point-to-pointing was likewise a whiteout, with all six meetings scheduled for this weekend forced to cancel or reschedule.

The Duke of Beaufort’s has successfully rearranged its fixture at Didmarton for 10 March, while the Brecon & Talybont Hunt at Llanfrynach has rescheduled for 17 March.

Organisers of the Thurlow, which was set to take place at at Horseheath over the weekend, and the Derwent, which was scheduled to run at Charm Park on Sunday (4 March) are looking for new dates.

“It’s been a disappointing end to February, with some desperate weather causing several abandonments, including an entire weekend,” a Point-to-Point Authority spokesman told H&H.

“What has been fantastic though has been the swift response of our participants and organisers to re-schedule most fixtures that were lost.

“Great teamwork is crucial to pointing, and that has never been more apparent than during these testing times.”

Wellington Riding abandoned the final day of its British Dressage (BD) regional championships, which has been re-arranged for 7 March.

Summerhouse Equestrian Centre postponed its full regional championship schedule by a week. This will now run from 7 to 9 March.

Tamsyn Cowie, BD’s sport operations director, said: “When the weather warnings started to circulate, we began planning with our regional venues — we had plans, contingency plans and ultra-contingency plans.

“It’s sad to lose any competition days but where regionals are involved, it provides an extra challenge particularly as the weather threatened our last two, leaving no alternatives for riders to re-route.”

Ms Cowie added the “paramount consideration” was safety.

“We could not ask members to endanger themselves or their horses,” she said.

“We worked round the clock with the organisers to so they were in the best position possible to make any decision to cancel or postpone, made all the more difficult with ever-changing weather reports.

“Thankfully, with a herculean effort from the teams at Wellington and Summerhouse, the officials and volunteers involved and our regional and office teams, venues were able to postpone and communicate alternative arrangements for competitors within hours of the cancellation.

“It’s times like this that we can all be proud of the equestrian community — everyone was magnificent and thank you to all involved to make sure everyone has a fair chance to compete at a regional and be in with a chance of a place at the Winter Championships.”

Several British Showjumping fixtures have been rearranged following weekend cancellations, including the Small Pony Premier Show at Arena UK (new date 24-25 March).

The showing calendar was also hit, with new dates in the pipeline for some cancelled competitions.

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Most racing was abandoned, with the majority of racecourses opting to cancel or reschedule.

While some all-weather fixtures were able to run over the weekend, all turf racing was abandoned.

Southwell was the only fixture to go ahead on Friday (2 March), to the surprise of many in the industry given the weather warnings and travel advice.

A spokesman for the racecourse said the situation at Southwell was “carefully reviewed” and organisers spoke to a number of trainers whose horses were travelling to the fixture before deciding to go ahead.

He also confirmed the surrounding roads were clear at the time.

The Met Office has forecast further rain and snow in the north, with drier weather elsewhere this week.

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

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

Wide-spread cancellations have hit the equestrian world this week as the severe weather scuppers riders’ plans to start their spring competition season this week.

H&H brings you the latest updates from fixtures — this list will be updated frequently until 6pm on Friday (2 March) evening. Organisers and venues that would like their updates included should email lucy.elder@timeinc.com

Updates:

• 2 March, 6.20pm: The following BSPS shows have been cancelled: Cholwell Equestrian Centre Winter Wooly Charity Show (3 March) — new date to be confirmed; BSPS area 16 at Anvil Park Stud (3 March); Spring South East Show at Sands Farm (4 March); BSPS area 15 at Brook Farm (4 March); WFS Equestrian at Blue Sky Equestrian Centre (4 March) — rescheduled to 10 March at a new venue; Mid-Wales at Celaeron Equestrian Centre (3 March) — rescheduled to 11 March.
• 2 March, 6.01pm: The following British Showjumping fixtures have been cancelled: Harrogate Riding Centre (4 March), Crofton Manor (3 March), Badgworth Arena Show (3-4 Show), Keysoe (4 March)
• 2 March, 2.52pm: Both days of Moreton Horse Trials (3-4 March) have been abandoned
• 2 March, 11.18am: New dates have been arranged for the abandoned point-to-point fixtures. These are as follows: the Brecon & Talybont at Llanfrynach will now take place on 17 March; the Duke of Beaufort’s at Didmarton is rescheduled for 10 March; and the Derwent at Charm Park has two provisional future dates, either 10 or 18 March, more news to follow on this fixture
• 2 March, 11.03am: The latest British Showjumping fixtures to be cancelled this week are: Vale View (3 March), Carmarthen College (4 March), Chard Equestrian (4 March), Tall Trees Arena (3-4 March), Markfield Shows (4 March), Alnwick Ford (3 March), Badgworth Arena (3-4 March)
• 2 March, 11.02am: The Mid-Devon point-to-point at Cherrybrook on 4 March has been cancelled. Organisers are hoping to rearrange
• 2 March, 10.59am: The following racing fixtures have been abandoned: Doncaster (2-3 March), Newbury (2-3 March), Lingfield Park (2 March), Chelmsford City (2 March), Kelso (3 March), Huntingdon (4 March), Sedgefield (4 March
• 2 March, 10.50am: The British Show Pony Society (BSPS) area 1B working hunter show at Newton Rigg on 3 March has been cancelled, as has the BSPS area 2A show at Southview on 4 March
• 2 March, 10am: Eland Lodge has cancelled both its affiliated dressage fixture on 3 March and its unaffiliated dressage show on 4 March
• 1 March, 6.11pm: The first day of Moreton Horse Trials (3-4 March) has been abandoned. A site inspection will take place tomorrow, after which a decision will be made as to whether the event will go ahead on the Sunday
• 1 March, 4.23pm: The Beaufort point-to-point, which was due to be held at Didmarton on 3 March, has been postponed. Organisers are working to find an alternative date
• 1 March, 3.20pm: The following British Showjumping fixtures have been cancelled this week: Petely Wood (3 March), Field House (4 March), Dorset Showground (3 March), Rockrose (4 March), Addington Manor (2-4 March), Moorhouse (4 March), Arena UK (3-4 March), Blue Ridge (3 March), Duckhurst (3-4 March), Ian Stark Equestrian Centre (4 March), Forest Edge Arena (2-3 March), Bishop Burton (2-4 March), Crofton (2 March). More information can be found here
• 1 March, 3pm: The Thurlow point-to-point at Horseheath, which had been rescheduled to 4 March, has now been abandoned. Organisers are hoping to rearrange the fixture, but this will not be within the next two weeks
• 1 March, 12.39pm: Evening racing at Chelmsford City has been abandoned today
• 1 March, 12.28pm: Rockrose Equestrian Centre and Dorset Showground are the latest venues to cancel their British Showjumping fixtures this week. For a full list, click here
• 1 March, 11.58am: Aston-le-walls Horse Trials (3-4 March) has been abandoned
• 1 March, 11am: The Mid Surrey Farmers’ Draghounds point-to-point, which was scheduled to run on 4 March at Godstone, has been cancelled
• 1 March, 10.09am: Isleham Horse Trials (3-4 March) has been abandoned due to the weather
• 1 March, 10am: The small pony premier show at Arena UK, which was scheduled for this weekend, has been postponed. More details to follow.
• 1 March, 9.55am: Racing has been abandoned at at Kempton today and Newbury tomorrow
• 1 March, 9.54am: Epworth Horse Trials (3-4 March) has been abandoned due to the weather
• 1 March, 9.52am: Quainton Stud has cancelled its affiliated dressage show that was scheduled for 3 March
• 1 March, 9.50am: Wellington has cancelled its affiliated dressage regional championships, more details to follow
• 28 February, 6.28pm: Summerhouse Equestrian Centre has postponed its affiliated dressage regional championships. The fixture was set to take place this week and has been moved to 7-9 March. For more details, click here
• 28 February, 5.22pm: The Brecon & Talybont point-to-point at Llanfrynach on 3 March has been abandoned following an inspection earlier this afternoon.
  “The chief steward has concluded that with the course being currently frost-bound and with sub-zero temperatures, that it will not recover sufficiently in time for racing on Saturday, even without snow on the ground,” said a statement from the organisers.
  “Any new date for the potential to re-run this meeting will be discussed and any decisions made with regards to that will be announced in due course.”
• 28 February, 4.54pm: Isleham Horse Trials has posted the following message on its Facebook page: “Thank you for your comments we love starting the season and we are doing everything we can to run but this weather with unfortunately make the decision for us.
  “As posted yesterday decision will be made early Friday morning.
  “We do have snow now started 6 am and has snowed on and off but now current situation bright sunshine.”
  It will be posting further updates on its Facebook page and the BE website.
• 28 February, 4.30pm: The Derwent point-to-point, due to be held at Charm Park on 4 March, has been cancelled as the course is currently under between four and five inches of snow, with more forecast. Organisers are hoping to rearrange the fixture.
• 28 February, 3.54pm: The Thurlow Hunt point-to-point at Horseheath has been moved from 3 March to 4 March, subject to approval by the Point-to-Point Secretaries Association. A further decision about moving and running this meeting on 4 March is expected to be made by 9am tomorrow (Thursday, 1 March)
• 28 February, 3.30pm: Racing has been abandoned today at Wincanton, Market Rasen, Musselburgh and Newcastle; tomorrow at Ludlow and Taunton and at Doncaster on Friday. Racing has also been abandoned at Kelso on Saturday (3 March)
• 28 February, 3pm: A British Dressage (BD) spokesman said the organisation is aware members have expressed concerns about its competitions going ahead over the coming days due to the weather forecasts.“We are monitoring the situation closely and in discussion with the relevant venues, including Summerhouse who are hosting the Regionals from Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 March,” he added.
  “The decision whether or not to abandon or postpone events ultimately sits with the organiser, but the venue must be deemed to be safe for members to compete as the welfare of our riders and horses remains paramount.
  “At the moment there is no snow at Summerhouse and conditions are fine to go ahead, although the venue is within the amber warning zone from the Met Office so this will remain under regular review.
  “Members will need to make their own informed decisions as to whether or not it is safe to travel from their individual locations. We would strongly recommend that all competitors follow the advice provided by the Met Office.
  “A venue inspection will take place at Summerhouse at 4.00pm today (Wednesday) and again at 6.00am tomorrow (Thursday) and members are advised to keep an eye on the venue’s social media and BD website home page.”
• 28 February, 12.50pm: British Eventing (BE) is hoping events will go ahead this weekend, but will keep members updated as soon as it has information. It is asking members to ensure their mobile number is up to date on your entry, and in the mobile field of ‘my Details’, which can be found under the membership pages. BE will text members in the case of abandonment. The organisation is also urging competitors to check the event schedule page on the BE website or telephone the hotline (02477 087800) ahead of their journey to make sure the event is still due to go ahead.

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

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

Sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow are causing disruption for horse owners across the country.

With the severe weather forecast to continue for areas of Britain throughout the week, some equestrians are likely to see changes to their competition plans.

Click here for H&H’s latest fixture cancellation updates

The affiliated eventing season was set to start this weekend (3-4 March) at Isleham in Cambridgeshire. However, this has now been cancelled.

Vale View Equestrian has managed to go ahead with its British Showjumping fixture on Wednesday, although other venues have been hit by the “Beast from the East”.

Addington has cancelled its three-day showjumping show, which was set to run from 2 to 4 March, due to the weather.

Wellington Riding Centre in Hampshire also made the decision to cancel the final day of the British Dressage regional championships today (Thursday, 1 March).

Summerhouse Equestrian Centre in Gloucestershire was due to hold affiliated regional dressage championships this week (1-3 March), but these have now been postponed.

For those unable to ride at home, dressage rider Anna Ross has offered the use of her indoor arena in return for a £5 donation to the Emile Faure Foundation to anyone who can travel there safely.

The latest Met Office forecast is for bitterly cold temperatures and heavy, blustery snow for areas of the UK over the next five days.

A red weather warning for snow has been issued for parts of Scotland, with amber and yellow snow warnings for large swathes of England.

But it is hoped temperatures will climb gradually over the weekend.

The forecast for next week is also looking more hopeful — the Met Office states sleet and snow will move north across the country on Sunday into Monday.

It is likely to stay cold in the north next week, with temperatures in the south returning to near-normal for this time of year. The weather across the UK is likely to be more unsettled as the week progresses.

Article continues below…

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Equestrian breakdown company PRP Equine Rescue has advised owners to consider whether it is really necessary to travel their horses in extreme weather.

“If you don’t have to travel, you shouldn’t be travelling,” Claire Barker told H&H.

“If you want to take the risk yourself, ok, but what happens if you have a problem, break down and people have to get to you?”

She added that commercial vehicle companies that are contracted to provide breakdown assistance are already stretched when the weather is poor, meaning it can take longer for them to reach each case.

Snow can also mean it could take longer for horse transporter companies to reach a breakdown.

“Don’t just consider: can I get from A to B, think about what could happen if you get stuck on the way,” added Ms Barker.

“Consider that the conditions can change significantly during the day.”

She said thankfully PRP does not see an increase in calls as owners are generally sensible about only travelling if really necessary.

“It is worth remembering that the same vehicle contractors are called on to attend accidents as breakdowns,” added Ms Barker.

“This means they are more stretched during periods of bad weather which can result in longer than average ETAs for breakdown assistance.”

Ms Barker also recommended if owners have to travel, that they are well prepared, with plenty of warm rugs for their horses and clothes and drinks for themselves, and to ensure the lorry is well ventilated.

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

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

If you’re after glamour on the snow, mixed with fun-filled equestrian sport, there is no place better than the Snow Polo World Cup in St Moritz, Switzerland.

With a record 18,500 spectators over three days watching a total of six matches, plus a whopping 1,400 bottles of Perrier-Jouët champagne, the world’s only high-goal polo tournament on snow lived up to its reputation as the social and sporting highlight of the polo winter season.

Horse & Hound takes a sneak peek behind the scenes during the winter spectacle.

Ponies are walked back after the match

Some musical entertainment for the spectators

One pair of visitors pose for a picture

Spectators at St Moritz also know how to party

One furry friend wraps up to watch the polo action

The match umpire keeps an eye on proceedings

Spectators keep it chic while wrapped up for the cold

One player scores for his side

Ponies are tacked up ahead of their match, with straw placed on top of the snowy surface

Visitors to St Moritz are treated to a stunning array of food

A tad chilly? Champagne is served in style

Visitors get a polo taster and try out their swing during a special training day

Players fight it out during one of the exciting matches

One dedicated player takes time to warm up ahead of his game

One flexible player swaps ponies during his match

The St Moritz glitz and glamour continues outside

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

As temperatures plummeted last week, parts of Britain were covered in anything from a dusting to a blanket of snow. But what did your horses make of the white stuff?

‘Fred my warmblood lives out and loves the snow. Here he is with little Lucy, my friend’s Shetland, 
and Bella my whippet having a whizz.’ — Jane Mitchell

‘This is Finn enjoying the snowfall in Mow Cop (Stoke-On-Trent)... Typically, after six months of no riding — due to lameness — it snowed!’ — Paige Pearce

‘This is my horse Honey playing in the snow. High-five anyone? How high can her leg go?!’ — Heather Whiteford

‘This is me and Ruby in the snow in Katesbridge, Northern Ireland.’ — Amy Lennon

'Malaki in the snow...' — Claire Yearsley

‘Here are my two Norwegian Fjord geldings Minty and Loki playing together in the snow. They look so at home in the snow. Even though they are fully clipped, 10 minutes in the school without rugs doesn't seem to bother them as they play!’ — Melissa Thomson

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

With snow falling heavily around parts of Britain — making life on the yard near-impossible — we'd understand if you never wanted to see the white stuff again. But with the Snow Polo World Cup in St Moritz (27-29 January 2017) fast approaching, we celebrate snow in it's other (more glamorous) guise, with pictures from last year's tournament...

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With snow forecast for some parts of the UK later this week, Lottie Butler finds out how to get prepared and avoid a total lock-down

Snow on a crisp winter’s day can be beautiful and picturesque when it first falls, but all too quickly becomes hazardous and frustrating, and can make simple stable tasks a real chore.

However, with a bit of preparation, snow needn’t cause a total lock-down.

For event rider Louisa Milne Home, based in the hills above Milnathort in Scotland, dealing with snow is a regular occurrence in winter, but something that doesn’t impact on her training schedule too much. “We’re up at 690ft, so if it snows, it will be here,” she says.

“As such, I like to have the horses back in work earlier than most to account for lost days. It means that, when they do have days off due to snow, it’s quite a nice break for them.”

Louisa — and a few other riders based in colder climes — tell us how they keep going through the snow.

Don’t delay — clear, then grit

The biggest problem with snow is when it compacts and turns to ice. Ice is a serious slipping hazard for horse and human alike, and much harder to get rid of. Clearing the snow first thing isn’t a particularly appealing job, but it should be a priority.

“We always get the snow shovels out first thing to clear paths to the stables, the horse walker, the muck heap and the fields, and then we salt it immediately. You have to do it straight away because as soon as you walk on it, you compact it to ice,” says Louisa. “We use rock salt on the yard, but table salt on the horse walker to avoid damaging the rubber flooring. After we use the walker, we always sweep and salt it again so the muck doesn’t freeze to the surface. It’s a lot of work, but worth it.”

Similarly, be careful when there’s a thick frost — it can be just as dangerous as snow. “We always ensure we have plenty of grit — it keeps for years and it’s always better to have it in stock rather than have to chase around for it when you desperately need it,” says Jenny Levett, wife of eventer Bill.

Protect your water supply

Frozen water pipes can cause havoc with the stable routine — over the winter months, make sure you keep water pipes well insulated. Similarly, ensure that you drain hoses and put them away after use so they don’t freeze up over night. Filling up water containers the night before and storing them indoors is a good backup option.

Some stables are equipped with heaters: “We have automatic drinkers that have an electric heat cable placed up the pipes to stop the drinkers freezing,” explains Louisa. “Water from these is also generally tepid, which is better for the horses.”

However, in the absence of water heaters, make sure you break the ice on water troughs at least twice a day. You can save your hands by using a pitchfork or a strong plastic colander to scoop out the ice chunks. Alternatively, try leaving a football in the tank to stop it from re-freezing. For horses reluctant to drink icy water, you can top up their buckets with warm water to take the chill off.

Turn out when you can…

“Unless it’s blowing a blizzard, try to keep turning your horse out,” advises Dani Sussman, an eventer based in Colorado. “Horses are better off keeping to their routine, and often love a roll in some fresh snow.” While we may want to stay tucked up inside, horses used to turn-out will almost always prefer to be in the field. “Some of our younger or older horses get left out all year with a field shelter, and they’re as fat as butter with just hay!” says Louisa.

However, do note that the extra weight of snow can cause branches to fall into paddocks or damage fencing, as well as covering up hazardous icy patches. Be sure to check the field thoroughly, and make sure there is shelter available. In addition, make sure that, if your horses are turned out full-time, you can still reach them in the snow. “We always position a supply of hay and haylage near the fields before the snow comes,” advises Jenny.

…but if you can’t…

There will be occasions when you just can’t turn out safely. “About five years ago, we had snow about a foot deep,” says Grace Moran, an amateur eventer based in Scotland. “Our poor Shetland got so depressed going out that we kept him stabled for a few days. He couldn’t really move around in that depth of snow!”

If you can’t turn out, try to make sure the horses get a chance to stretch their legs — even just a walk in hand if it is safe to do so. “Nothing is worse than trying to turn horses out the after they have been locked inside for 24 hours and telling them to ‘gingerly’ walk across the snow and ice to the paddock. They are like kites!” says Dani.

Note that, if there is a hard frost, horses that suffer from laminitis shouldn’t be turned out. Frosted grass is high in fructans, which can cause laminitis in prone horses.

Keep moving

“Generally, fluffy, powdery snow is good for riding on, but if you can make a snowball from it, it will compact in the horses’ feet and they’ll be walking on platforms,” says Louisa. “When the snow is right, trotting and cantering through the fields is a great workout for the horses — it’s a bit like a water treadmill.” American eventer Sharon White agrees. “And the cold is great for their tendons and ligaments — just like icing after a tough workout!”

However, be cautious when riding in the snow. Make sure you know your path and what might be hiding underneath. You can help prevent snow balling up in your horse’s shoes by applying Vaseline to the hoof. Even so, have a hoof pick handy for when you get back to a hard surface — just in case.

If you are doing lots of riding in the snow, consider your horse’s footwear. “The horses that live outside full time at our facility have snow pads on for the winter,” says Dani. “These rubber pads fit under the shoe and have a raised rubber rim that lines the inside of the shoe. They prevent the snow from balling up and give the horse more traction.”

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Riding on snow: is it safe?

Be sensible

Sometimes, it’s just not worth the risk of riding out. It’s not just you and the horse on the roads. “We avoid hacking unless the road is black and dry — we don’t want to risk injuries or bruised feet,” says Louisa. If you can’t ride out, stick to the sand school where possible. “We clear a track in our school and then work the horses there. We try to keep them moving and maintain a routine as much as possible,” adds Jenny.

Keeping warm

“Good hay will keep horses warm and their stomachs happy,” says Sharon. The process of digesting forage produces a lot of heat.

And for humans a suitable winter wardrobe is essential to getting through the winter, and layers are key. “I never go anywhere without a nice padded gilet. I keep it on all day everyday and it is a great layer. I am also a big fan of woollen base layers,” says Louisa.

You can also buy polar breeches to add a layer to your legs, and don’t forget a good pair of gloves and boots.

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As yet another corner of Britain was covered in snow last night, it seemed only right that we celebrate (or commiserate, depending on your point of view) by sharing some of your snowy tweets.

From racing to hunting and everything in between, the snowy scenes sure do make for a great photo opportunity — although getting anything done can prove a problem.

Be sure to make the most of the wintery surroundings on camera now though — as excitingly (and quite terrifyingly) it’s only 92 days until the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and a little over 16 weeks until the day of the Investec Derby on the Epsom Downs.

Fingers crossed that by this time on 10 March, all of the white stuff will be replaced by bright sunshine when the Cheltenham Festival kicks off

Snow doesn’t stop play for Charlie Hills’ Group One winner, Just The Judge

Thank goodness this wasn’t the scence prior to racing at Sandown last weekend

There were magical scenes in Newmarket this morning as horses went out on exercise

We wonder if this was the first sight of snow for this lovely filly foal

Lady Cecil’s string brave the elements

Indeed it looks like Market Rasen’s decision to abandon today’s racing was a justified one

We bet this Australian event rider doesn’t get weather like this in his native country

Perhaps cross-country schooling will be off the cards today

A hardy soul helps exercise the cavalry horses in Hyde Park, London this morning

Now this is what you call dedication to the cause…

One of Kitty King’s event horses voices his opinions on the weather

If you have any pictures you would like to add to this gallery, simply Tweet them to us at @horseandhound

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Some of Britain’s top polo players will be heading to St Moritz, Switzerland next month to play in the Snow Polo World Cup (30 January – 1 February).

There are seven nations representing four-high goal teams including six British players.

Max Charlton (7) and fellow Brit Chris Hyde (7) will be aiming for a hat-trick having won the tournament in 2013 and 2014 alongside Australia’s Jonathan Munro Ford. This year Jonathan’s Cartier team will be joined by new member, Jamie Morrison (3).

Another British trio — Max Hutchinson (3), Richard Le Poer (6), James Harper (6) — will be playing in the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel team alongside Ireland’s Richard Fagan.

The other two teams — BMW and Trois Pommes — will be made up of a mixture of players from Switzerland, Argentina, Italy and Germany.

The defending champions Cartier will open the tournament on Friday 30 January when they take on the Trois Pommes.

St Moritz was the birthplace of snow polo with the first tournament being played on the town’s frozen lake in 1985.

The tournament is also famous for its glitz and glamour. Every year more than 12,000 private jets land in the resort which a large proportion touching down for the tournament.

The prestigious event attracts 15,000 spectators including European royalty and some of Hollywood’s biggest names.

Team lists:

Team Trois Pommes

1 Tutti Wolfensberger (1) Team Captain

2 Cedric Schweri (0)

3 Pepe Riglos (6)

4 Piki Diaz Alberdi (7)

Team BMW

1 Rommy Gianni (1) Team Captain

2 Paolo Netzsch (1)

3 Dario Musso (7)

4 Lucas Labat (6)

Team Badrutt’s Palace Hotel

1 Richard Fagan (1)Team Captain

2 Max Hutchinson (3)

3 Richard Le Poer Beresford (6)

4 James Harper (6)

Team Cartier

1 Jonathan Munro Ford (0)

2 Max Charlton (7)

3 Chris Hyde(6)

4 Jamie Morrison (3)

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If you are missing the polo season already, why not head to one of these incredible venues to watch snow polo? The variant of the traditional game, which is usually played on a smaller pitch, started in St Moritz in the 1980s, but is now spreading worldwide. Here is H&H’s guide to some of the best places to catch the action this winter.

1. France

The Polo Masters Tour will be visiting three French venues more commonly known for skiing — Val d’Isere (4-7 January), Megève (22-25 January) and Courchevel (29 January-1 February). The competition in Courchevel claims to be the highest polo tournament in the world — played at 2,007m altitude.

2. China

If you are more into skyscrapers than alpine landscapes then head for the FIP Snow Polo World Cup at the Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club in Tianjin, China (28 January-8 February). The tournament, which is often played on artificial snow, will see 12 nations compete to take the coveted title. England try to defend the title this year.

3. Switzerland

If glitz and glamour are your thing then St Moritz, Switzerland could be the venue for you. The Snow Polo World Cup (29 January-1 February) is played on the town’s frozen lake. Every year more than 12,000 private jets land in the resort which a large proportion touching down for the tournament. The prestigious event attracts 15,000 spectators including European royalty and some of Hollywood’s biggest names. So grab your fur coat and blend in with the “locals”.

4. AustriaSnow polo will return to Kitzbuhel in Austria for a 13th time this new year (15-18 January). The tournament offers free admission across the weekend and hosts a VIP party on the Saturday night for 700 guests. One of Germany’s best known polo players, Thomas Winter, is a fan of the tournament. “The Kitzbuehel Snow Polo World Cup is for me the best polo tournament on snow,” he said. “I love this event, it is well organized and the atmosphere is awesome!”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (13 November 2014)

Want to know more about polo?

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If you are interested in learning how to play polo, you may be pleased to hear you don't need to

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Spruce Meadows has been forced to battle with more than 25cm of snow (pictured above and below) to get the annual Masters competition underway.

The Canadian venue (pictured left as it normally looks) was forced to cancel Wednesday’s competition (10 September) after the downfall caused power cuts and damaged numerous trees at the site

“It wasn’t about conditions for the sport,” said Spruce Meadows’ senior vice-president Ian Allison.

“There was no electricity — we couldn’t

conduct commerce, there’s no bathrooms or phones and no emergency response capacity.

“We’ve never had to reschedule a day.”

More than 150 staff worked to clear the snow and fallen branches to allow the show to kick-off on Thursday (11 September).

Temperatures were set to climb and Mr Allison was confident that the competition can now get back on track.

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Rain, snow and hail have combined to force another slew of cancelled competitions.

Aldon Horse Trials abandoned at lunchtime on Saturday, 16 March, losing that afternoon’s classes and all of Sunday’s, due to bottomless going and hailstorms — the first time it has cancelled for 20 years.

And Swalcliffe lost both days (16 and 17 March) due to torrential rain, followed by snow.

Poor weather also saw the cancellation of affiliated dressage at Richmond Equestrian Centre on 17 March and the loss of five out of 14 point-to-point meetings.

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Event riders returning to northern Europe from Portugal’s Barroca d’Alva have been stranded due to snow. One rider resorted to twitter and a French chicken farmer to alleviate her drastic situation.

Dutch rider Merel Blom, who finished second in the CIC*** on the Badminton-bound Rumour Has It, started tweeting last night after she was stuck for 13 hours with four horses on the French autoroute near Compiegne.

“Now out of water for the horses. Trying to melt snow for them. Getting sick and tired of the situation,” she tweeted, followed by: “Pls retweet! If someone has information or can help, we are with 4 horses on the A1 (Estreés Denicourt,exit D1029), for 30 hours now. Help!”

Merel had 30 responses offering help, but due to the horsebox’s location in the middle of the autoroute, “almost no one could do anything”, Merel told H&H.

“But while we were walking the horses this morning — three of us and four horses — in and out of lorries on the icy highway, a group of French people came along to help,” said Merel. “It’s been amazing.”

Merel ran out of water and hay last night, and was shocked that the French authorities offered no help. When her horsebox batteries and fuel also ran out, she drove her moped on an emergency recce.

“I was looking for cows — any type of farm that might have some hay,” said Merel. “Finally I found a chicken farmer who offered me some straw. He and his friend drove his tractor with straw, and even some hay, on to the highway for my horses.”

Finally, 32hr after her first tweet, at lunchtime today (Wednesday) the traffic started to move.

“It’s still terrible weather, but I hope I’ll be home in six hours,” said Merel. “The horses are going straight to the vets to be monitored for 48hr. I need to sleep.”

UK-based Dutch rider Althea Bleekman was also snowbound in France after competing at Barroca, with five horses.

“Looks like we’re staying in France at least until tomorrow morning. Stupid snow,” she tweeted this morning (Wednesday), having settled her horses in “some lovely stables [while we] wait for the snow to clear so we can get a boat home!”

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First flooding and now snow — 2013 has not begun well for equestrianism, with weather conditions forcing cancellations across the UK.

Heavy snow has fallen across the UK, with the worst affected areas north-east and south-east England and south-east Wales.

Eventing’s jumping and style (JAS) series started on 12 January, but already fixtures at Hartpury, Arena UK, Forest Edge and Berkshire College have been cancelled.

Much racing is at an unscheduled halt at the moment. Friday’s (25 January) cards at Doncaster and Huntingdon have already been lost as well as Saturday’s (26 January) fixtures at Doncaster and Uttoxeter. Cheltenham’s Festival Trials day on Saturday is also uncertain, but officials are hopeful it will go ahead.

“We have already lost 21 fixtures so far in 2013. That is as many as we lost in the whole of 2011,” said BHA spokesman Robin Mounsey.

The weather also meant that Addington High Profile Show (20-22 January) was called off, meaning disappointment for dressage fans.

All of Britain’s gold-winning 2012 dressage team were to compete, including Charlotte Dujardin on Carl Hester’s London Olympic ride Uthopia.

Addington Manor and British Dressage (BD) have not been able to agree on a date on which to reschedule the show.

Organiser Tim Price had wanted to run on 1-3 March, but BD felt it would be too close to Myerscough Premier League (6-8 March).

BD said the show would now not be rescheduled.

Addington Manor is considering its future as a BD venue, said Mr Price.

Hunts have also been affected by the weather, with some choosing to meet on foot rather than cancel altogether.

Around 30 followers braved sub-zero temperatures on Saturday for the Woodland Pytchley’s meet at Bushy Lawns, near the hunt’s kennels.

Secretary Mark Ferguson explained: “The roads are passable, but you would not want to take a horse out — we shall try to hunt on foot as much as we can.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (24 January 2013)

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As snow brings most of the horse world to a standstill, Horse & Hound brings together our favourite social media pictures and comments from top riders around the UK.

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As snow arrives across the UK, H&H will keep you up to date with details of the latest cancellations.

Dressage

Addington High Profile show will not take place this weekend. BD hopes to reschedule.

Rockingham Forest Riding Club’s dressage at Moulton College on Sunday is cancelled.

Unaffiliated dressage at Brackenhurst on Sunday 20 January has been cancelled.

Unaffiliated dressage at The College EC, Keysoe on Saturday 19 January has been cancelled.

Showjumping

British Showjumping’s Officials Conference at Pencoed College on Saturday 19 January 2013 has been cancelled.

This weekend’s 148cm Pony Premier Show at The Hand EC will not be held.

Bury Farm EC, Bucks has cancelled its Friday evening clear round and unaffiliated jumping on Saturday.

Unaffiilated Show Jumping at Patchetts on Saturday 19th January has been cancelled.

The senior BS show due to take place at Brook Farm Training Centre in Essex on Wednesday 23 January 2013 has been cancelled due to weather conditions.

Eventing

Jump Training at Forest Edge on Saturday 19 January has been abandoned.

Jump Training at Berkshire College on Sunday 20 January has also been abandoned.

JAS at Hartpury College on Saturday 19th January has been abandoned.

A number of BE training courses this weekend, including the Be Prepared Workshop at BCA on Saturday, have been cancelled.

A decision will be made on Saturday morning re JAS at Arena UK on Sunday 20 Jan.

Point-to-point

Sunday’s meetings of West Percy at Alnwick and Midlands Area Club at Thorpe will not take place due to freezing conditions.

The West Percy at Alnwick has been rescheduled for Sunday 3 February.

Racing

Today’s meetings at Chepstow and Wolverhampton are off.

Saturday’s meetings at Ascot, Haydock and Taunton will not go ahead.

Other events

Redwings’ Aylsham Visitor Centre and Oxhill centre in Warwickshire are both closed to the public today due to the weather.

The BHS, British Eventing, British Dressage and British Showjumping have all closed their offices early.

If you know of an event which has been cancelled due to the snow please email details to hheditor@ipcmedia.com and we will add it to our round-up.

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Members of the Brocklesby refused to let the snow get in the way of a good time when winter tightened its grip on the Lincolnshire wolds earlier this month.

With the temperature at -10 °C on a Friday evening, it was clear there was no prospect of hunting.

So, fuelled by “several gins”, sporting artist Daniel Crane, wife Ali and their guest Paul Scott from the Bicester with Whaddon Chase – a former H&H “hunt swapper” – decided to hold an impromptu “show”.

Paul said: “We booked Caistor EC. I was the guest judge and we decided to hold a show hunter class and chase-me-Charlie.”

Ten competitors braved the cold. Event rider Ginny Rose scooped both classes on her former Horse of the Year Show worker Out Of Order, clearing 4ft 6in in the chase-me-Charlie.

“The show hunter class was hysterical,” said Paul. “There were lots of unclipped horses and people in jeans cantering on the wrong leg.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (23 February 2012)

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While frozen pipes and pushing wheelbarrows through the standing snow makes caring for horses harder work than normal for us humans, it seems H&H readers’ horses have been enjoying the white out this weekend. We hope you enjoy watching these videos, shared with us by H&H readers.

If you would like to submit your ‘horses in the snow’ video from the past weekend for inclusion in this playlist, email the youtube link to hheditor@ipcmedia.com for consideration.

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An owner has been banned from keeping equines for 18 months after leaving her horse tethered by the road without enough feed during the snow and cold of last winter.

Traveller Debora Smith, 21, said she left the 18-year-old cob tethered by a road in Holtby, North Yorks, because she did not have a paddock or stable to keep him in.

The RSPCA removed him from the site after concerns over his condition, but he was subsequently put down owing to an unrelated issue. It was estimated that the piebald had not received veterinary treatment for seven years.

Smith pleaded guilty to neglecting to keep her animal properly fed. She was fined £100, plus a £15 victim charge and £200 prosecution costs.

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Eleven officers from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue and an RSPCA inspector received RSPCA Certificates of Commendation on Wednesday (30 March) for their heroic rescue of a horse from a frozen lake on Christmas Day 2010.

Officers spent more than two hours painstakingly chipping away the ice with an axe in order to pull thoroughbred mare “Ghillie” out of the frozen water at Patshull Park Hotel Golf and County Club in Pattingham, Shropshire.

The specialist water rescue team, a water officer, a fire engine and the rescue tender appliance from Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stafford Fire Stations arrived to find only the horse’s head and neck visible above the ice.

Ghillie was paddling in the water and was out of her depth. It is believed she fell into the frozen lake when the ice gave way and it refroze around her.

Had it not been for Melanie Brown from Sedgley, who was out enjoying a crisp Christmas morning stroll, alerting the emergency services, eight-year-old Ghillie would almost certainly have drowned.

The firefighters put inflated walkways around the horse and started breaking the ice.

When pulled from the freezing water, Ghillie’s condition was critical.

RSPCA Inspector Jackie Hickman assisted Ghillie’s owner, equine vet Sue Taylor, with emergency first aid removing excess water from the horse using straw and rugs, warming her up by providing heat from a gas fire heater.

Ms Hickman said: “The firefighters worked extremely hard in sub zero temperatures to save Ghillie’s life. Even though they were very cold and tired, not once did they complain as they had a genuine interest in the horse’s welfare.

“The officers worked tirelessly in the interest of animal welfare when most people were at home tucking into Christmas dinner. It was really rewarding for me to work with such a compassionate and dedicated crew.”

Fire station manager, Mick Daniels said: “The rescue of a horse is always difficult as even the most placid horse can be very dangerous when panicked or stressed.

“We are all very pleased we managed to save the horse, it was a fantastic team effort, and I think most of us were home in time to enjoy Christmas pudding!”

Miss Taylor added: “Ghillie has always been a nosey and adventurous horse but this time it was very nearly the end of her!

“But she escaped relatively unscathed except for a wound on her leg and a burn on her neck.

“I cannot thank the fire and rescue officers enough and Melanie [Brown] for alerting them.”

Awards were made to:

RSPCA inspector Jackie Hickman

David Cook — firefighter

Helen Green — firefighter

Simon Taylor — crew manager

Darren Jones — firefighter

Liam Hickey — watch manager

Paul Chapman — firefighter

Andrew Harvey — firefighter

Paul Radcliffe — crew manager

Matt Jenkinson —firefighter

Mick Daniels — station manager

Stan Cooper — station manager

For more up-to-date news, see the current issue of Horse & Hound (31 March, 2011)

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A riding school in the Scottish Highlands has come up with a novel way of keeping itself in business and its horses and ponies fit during this year’s prolonged snowy period.

Newtonmore Riding Centre’s proprietor Ruaridh Ormiston has invested in a sleigh to start giving sleigh-driving lessons. Ruaridh collected the coach, designed to be pulled by one pony, on 16 December.

He said: “We used to have a sleigh at Newtonmore, but sold it in the mid-90s because of the lack of snow. We have been doing a lot of pony sledging this year, so buying this sleigh was a natural progression as it will allow us to give lessons to the general public.”

Ruaridh has worked with sleighs and sledges for 35 years. One of his earliest experiences was using a Shetland pony stallion, Twinkle, to pull a mountain rescue stretcher sledge.

“I’m in the process of building two more wooden sleighs designed for bigger horses, which will carry six people each,” he said.

As well as riding in the snow and sleigh driving, Newtonmore also offers Ski Joring (pictured right), a winter sport which is new to Scotland but popular in North America and Europe and uses a horse to pull a person on skis.

“We will be concentrating on winter sports this year to enable us to keep operating through the cold spell and to keep the horses and ponies fit,” said Ruaridh.

For more information visit www.newtonmoreridingcentre.com

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Hunter hireling businesses are being hit hard as horsesport across the UK continues to suffer due to the effects of the bad weather.

The snow, ice and frost has made it impossible for many packs to get out, which has had a serious financial impact on both hunts and the businesses that rent horses to people wanting to ride with them.

Lesley Douglas from Roxburghshire in Scotland supplies horses for the Duke of Buccleuch’s and Jed Forest Foxhounds. For 10 days she has not been able to get the horses out of the stable, let alone to meets.

“We were riding in the snow, but this frost is impossible. We can’t risk turning them out — they are expensive horses and I worry they’ll slip and injure themselves,” she said.

Ms Douglas is losing much of her income. She usually hires out four to six horses a week at £150 each. She also employs two staff in her riding school business, which she has had to close temporarily.

“I’m halfway through selling a horse, but no one can get here to vet it, so that has stalled too. And I’ve had to cancel the farrier. It’s having a knock-on effect on everyone.”

A slip can prove fatal

Jill Carenza of Cotswold Riding in Glos, who rents horses for numerous hunts including the VWH, North Cotswold and Warwickshire, had a hunter put down after it slipped on the yard recently. She hasn’t been able to hire her horses out for two weeks.

“We’ve been hit very hard — usually we have 20-25 horses out on a Saturday at £220 for a half day. Luckily, we have insurance but smaller yards, who can’t afford this, must really feel it. It’s bound to affect the sport as a whole.”

And Sue Clarke, in West Yorkshire, who has 19 horses in work, said everything has ground to a halt for the past fortnight. She also supplies horses for films and TV and warned that you can’t rely solely on a hireling business.

“We’re keeping them fit in the indoor school, but overheads are double. Work takes twice as long, they eat more to keep warm and water is carried to the yard by hand,” she added.

The weather has also wreaked havoc on wider horse sport, causing the cancellation of 49 race meetings between 27 November and 21 December, three point-to-points and several British Dressage and British Showjumping fixtures over the past month.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (23 December 2010)

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The Hayes Golden Button Challenge, the Ledbury’s New Year’s Eve hunt ride, has been postponed until 15 January.

Heavy snow and dismal forecasts meant the race was called off well in advance to give competitors and attendees a chance to reorganise their New Year.

Now into its fifth year the ride takes place by the banks of the River Severn between Forthampton and Tirley, and comprises a three-mile gallop across country.

Horses and riders jump some 25 fences consisting of natural hedges, timber and ditches.

Past winners are team chaser Yvonne Goss, flat-race jockey Eddie Ahern, point-to-point rider Patrick Millington and Grand National-winning jump jockey Paul Carberry.

There is also a team competition and human running race.

Sixty horses have already entered the race and those entries will stand, but the race has also been reopened.

If you would like to take part, contact Louise Daly, tel: 07721 1956599.

If ground conditions are still unsuitable for 15 January, it will be run on 12 February — either two weeks before or two weeks after the Melton Hunt Club Ride on 30 January.

The Ledbury hunt ball on 31 December will go ahead as planned.

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Snow, ice and frost are impacting on horsesport around the country, leaving hunts, businesses and riders already fearing a repeat of last winter’s cancellations and economic losses.

Hunts across the UK have been forced to cancel meets this week, with several going out on foot.

The Ledbury lost 14 days last season and had to cancel its meet on Monday (29 November) due to heavy frost.

“If any day is lost due to bad weather it is reflected in our revenue and dictates the rest of the season,” said secretary Helen Smith.

“We have to hope it’s not as bad as last year. The loyal subscribers will stay, but if the bad weather continues, we’re likely to lose out on those who cherry pick and buy day tickets.”

The Cottesmore, which lost 16 days last season, was also cancelling its 30 November meet as H&H went to press.

“The financial implications are frightening,” said secretary Clare Bell. “To have to cancel hunts as early as November is a real worry.”

Following 2ft of snow and a bad forecast the Ratcheugh Racing Club has abandoned its point-to-point fixture at Alnwick on 12 December, fearing the course could not be prepared in time.

Northern Racing Club’s Tony Hogarth described it as “extremely disappointing”.

“There will be a financial loss and it’s also frustrating for those who have been preparing horses for this early meeting,” he added.

Two British Showjumping events have been postponed — Moorhouse Equestrian Centre’s junior show (28 November) and Bishop Burton’s senior show (30 November).

“There’s heavy snow, people can’t get here,” said a Bishop Burton spokesman. “We’ll lose momentum, but it’s safer to reschedule.”

Racing was badly affected last year, with 53 meetings lost in December and January.

As H&H went to press on Monday, nine race meetings had been cancelled in the past week with this number looking set to rise.

Jockeys are already feeling the loss with cancelled meetings meaning less income.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) estimated that jockeys alone lost £500,000 in earnings during last season’s cold spell.

“Let’s pray this is not a repeat of last year,” tweeted jockey Mark Bradburne last week.

“The BHA is doing all it can to keep racing going through this prolonged cold period,” a spokesman told H&H.

“The transferral of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle from Newcastle to Newbury was a great success and we have since rearranged Southwell’s jump meeting [30 November] to an all-weather Flat card.

“While it has a negative impact on the Levy and the industry in general, everything is being done to host meetings where possible.”

Other losses include the Royal Wessex Yeomanry Ride, due to take place on Saturday (27 November) at Badminton, and the Melton Hunt Club ride on 28 November, which will now be held on 12 December.

This article was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound, 2 December ’10

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Two search planes, a helicopter, a thermal-imaging camera and dozens of searchers were all scrambled in Duluth, Minnesota to find a missing horse.

El Nino — a 10-year-old quarter horse — bolted while being led to his field on 7 February and was missing in woods near his owners Scott and Chris Frisby’s home for six days.

El Nino was spotted by the search plane on Saturday and Mr Frisby buckled on his snow shoes to wade through snow that was up to his waist in places to where the horse had been seen.

When El Nino was found, tired and hungry, he was chewing on the bark of a poplar tree.

“He’s got a few marks from being scratched by branches but he’s doing OK,” said Mrs Frisby. “You can see his ribs a little more but we’ll soon get him back on track.”

The Frisbys say they would never have found the horse without the use of the air support — which they paid for themselves, with donations from friends and colleagues.

“It’s incredible. The people at work, the emotional support and friends family and neighbours all pitched in,” said Mrs Frisby.

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First riders showed resourcefulness during weeks of snow, then resignation as the ground thawed to oozing mud. And some sports are left counting the cost of the dramatic conditions.

Five point-to-points have so far been postponed and three abandoned — the Point-to-Point Owners’ and Riders’ Club’s Barbury Castle meeting, North Norfolk and the Dunston Harriers.

“Cancellation means a great loss of revenue to the hunt,” said Dunston Harriers senior master Nigel Trevithick. “It’s disappointing, but we have to put safety first.”

He said many meetings might have trouble with the thaw. “The ground is hock-deep now,” he added.

Racing hit across UK

Jump racing returned to action on Saturday (16 January) for the first time since 3 January, having lost 53 meetings since 14 December. The British Horse Racing Authority estimates that jockeys alone suffered around £500,000 in lost earnings.

All-weather surfaces have been a saving grace for the sport — on Wednesday last week (13 January) Southwell racecourse made history by hosting the country’s first all-weather flat racecard solely for jumps horses.

The Polytrack gallops at Newmarket and Lambourn have been kept open largely thanks to the efforts of staff working round the clock to keep them sifted.

With the gallops at Greystoke Park, Cumbria, under a blanket of snow last week, trainer Nicky Richards shipped eight of his horses to Newmarket.

“I can’t canter big injury-prone horses on frozen snow, so Newmarket was a much better option,” he said.

Horses lose fitness

British Showjumping (BS) says more than 100 shows have suffered commercial losses.

“Many horses are not being kept competition fit, too, so despite the thaw it could be a while before competitor numbers are back up,” said a BS spokesman.

Many riders, including show producer Robert Walker, got through the deep freeze by boxing horses to indoor schools. “It’s a chore but they’re ticking over,” he said.

The first British Eventing Jumping and Style competition of the season, due to take place on 17 January at Merrist Wood, fell victim to the snow.

But many eventers who would usually have started their horses on roadwork before this week have remained relaxed. Cheshire-based Polly Stockton has moved her top horses to show jumper Robert Bevis’s Wrexham yard, which has an indoor school.

Lucy Wiegersma from Devon said: “We’ve been driving 30 minutes to an indoor school, it’s getting expensive though. But Shaabrak and Woodfalls Inigo Jones, who I’m aiming at Badminton, have been in work since early December.”

And the Fredericks, on Salisbury Plain, have coped fine — thanks to an equine treadmill they bought in December.

“It would have been a complete disaster without it,” said Clayton. “It’s especially useful for the four I’m taking to Barroca [4 March].”

British Dressage (BD) reports 18 competition cancellations but the weather had less impact on the sport than other disciplines.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (21 January, ’10)

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Two event riders from Cheshire found a novel way of passing the time during “the big freeze” — organising their wedding.

While their base in Crowton, Cheshire lay deep in snow for weeks, event riders Hayden Hankey and Dee Kennedy planned and organised their wedding and honeymoon in 12 days.

The couple had originally planned to get married in the summer. But while they couldn’t get their horses out to competitions, or even exercise properly — “and had nothing better to do” — they decided to bring their nuptials forward.

Their wedding takes place at Nunsmere Hall in Sandiway, Cheshire on Thursday (21 January). After that, Hayden and Dee will escape the wintery weather to honeymoon in the Maldives.

Then it will be back to work — Dee, who won Osberton CCI** in 2009 with Chequers Boy, hopes to aim the horse at his first advanced this season, while Hayden says he has “lots of nice young horses to bring out show jumping and eventing”.

Dee competed at Badminton Horse Trials for the first time last year, and wrote an weekly online diary for Horse & Hound in the build up as well as a daily audio diary when she was at the event itself.

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Welsh farmers who keep ponies and other livestock on areas of archeological and conservational importance have been given permission to put out hay by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The government announced the temporary relaxation of the rules today (15 January) to help livestock farmers feed their animals in the freezing weather.

Farmers whose land falls within “agri-environment” schemes which normally impose restrictions on supplementary feeding will now be able to give their livestock additional feed during the cold period.

This temporary relaxation may continue for four days after the snow has cleared if the ground remains frozen but will cease once the ground thaws.

To reduce damage to environmental features the Welsh Assembly Government has offered the following guidance:

• Feeding areas should be moved regularly wherever possible
• Leftover hay should be completely removed to reduce damage to the sward after the snow has thawed
• Feeding should not take place on archaeological features
• On moorland and common land, where landowners restrict the practice of supplementary feeding, graziers should consider whether to inform them of their intention to feed during this period of adverse weather
• Farmers on SSSI-designated land must contact the Countryside Council for Wales before undertaking supplementary feeding

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Weeks of solid ground, snow and ice have put paid to almost all horse sport in the UK.

Lauren Humphries of Arena UK in Grantham said: “We had to cancel our show for last weekend [10 January], which was a big qualifier for Hickstead.

“First, the car park was like a skating rink and second, people couldn’t get their horses out here.”

Tim Price of Addington Manor, in Bucks, said: “We haven’t been able to hold any dressage since before Christmas and our three show jumping days have been a disaster because we haven’t had enough people.”

Oldencraig in Surrey has cancelled all its shows, too.

Owner Ian Winfield, said: “Fortunately, we have an indoor school, lungeing arena and horse-walker so exercising the horses hasn’t been too much of a problem, which helps immensely as we cannot turn any of the horses out.”

£10,000 in lost lessons

Some riding schools are not doing much better.

John Sillett, general manager of Wellington Riding in Hampshire, said the weather has cost them around £10,000 in cancelled lessons.

“We’re at the epicentre of all the bad weather,” he said, “and to make things worse, we had a power cut that lasted for three days.”

Hunts hope for respite

Hunts are soldiering on — on foot and quad bike — since the weather has made riding to hounds impossible.

The Ludlow has not been mounted since 15 December, but continues to meet on foot to exercise hounds.

“It’s pretty grim,” said joint-master Bob Smith. “We have about 6in of snow, but it’s the ground that’s the killer.

“I just hope it goes away before the end of the season.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (14 January, ’10)

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The snow has claimed its fair share of equine casualties this week, with fire and rescue crews being kept busy up and down the country.

Yesterday in Worcestershire an elderly horse died in Feckenham, after falling over in the snow.

Firefighters were called to the incident yesterday evening, and helped the 15hh horse to its feet — it had fallen in the field.

Although the animal was winched to its feet, it was unable to bears its own weight. The owner called a vet and decided it was best to put the horse to sleep.

On Tuesday, 12 January, another horse was put down after falling in the snow on Birmingham Road in Bromsgrove.

On Sunday, a dad of six had to be rescued from frozen water by firefighters after trying to aid the rescue of his daughter’s horse in West Yorkshire.

Nigel Selby, 41, was helping the fire and rescue crew pull five-year-old gelding Harry from the frozen Wintersett Reservoir near Wakefield when he, too, fell in the water.

Mr Selby had been walking Harry in-hand when the horse pulled away from him, trotted in the direction of the reservoir and fell through the ice.

And firefighters were out again on Saturday, 9 January, rescuing a pony trapped in ice in the River Ouzel near Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire.

Some time during the night the piebald pony had fallen into the stream, and became stuck as the water turned to ice around him.

He was spotted by passers-by on Saturday morning, and pulled out of the ice by firefighters in dry suits.

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For Scandinavian-born dressage rider and trainer Kyra Kyrklund, the recent bad weather has been little more than a walk in the park.

Kyra’s yard is based in West Sussex, where they had 30cm of snow last week.

She says: “I’m from Finland, where we get a lot of snow in the winter. I’m completely used to this and knew what to do straight away.

“As soon as the snow began to fall we started shovelling it away and creating pathways for the horses, because once people walk on it, it becomes compact and difficult to move.”

Unfortunately once the snow struck Kyra was low on staff, with one groom ill with the flu and another stranded in Finland, unable to get back due to the closure of Gatwick Airport.

However, she remains unfazed by the weather, which has been grabbing headlines across the country, “Learning from experience, when you get weather like this you have to prioritise things, like making sure you have enough feed and shavings.”

Luckily, her yard has the benefit of an indoor school, where she has been exercising the horses in hand for half an hour each day, but she has been wary about turning them out.

“I haven’t turned them out as they are very fresh and young and would get over excited at the sight of snow. It would just be too risky.”

A pony charity in the south west is appealing to locals to keep an eye on Dartmoor ponies in the cold weather and snow.

The South West Equine Protection is worried that due to the cold weather and heavy snowfall many Dartmoor ponies do not have access to food and water. And last night the snowfall over the moors was especially heavy (12 January).

SWEP recently appealed to the public for food for the ponies and some hay has now been brought to the moors by locals and the charity — but the SWEP is now worried about the lack of water.

“We’re especially concerned about the Roborough Downs area as there is no natural source of water there so we put troughs out — but they are all frozen up,” said a spokesman from SWEP.

“There is also little grazing on that part so ponies there are getting in trouble quicker than on the open moors. There’s no value in what grass there is either so the ponies are now living on their bodyweight.

“We are urging locals and dog walkers to check water troughs to ensure they are not frozen up, and if they are to break the ice for the ponies. The pipes to the troughs are also frozen so we are trying to go round filling them up.”

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Arctic weather wreaked havoc at the British Show Pony Society Winter Championships (21-23 March) at Arena UK in Lincolnshire, where 3ins of snow greeted competitors and officials on the final day (Easter Sunday).

Classes due to take place on grass were re-scheduled onto all-weather surfaces and into the two indoor arenas. In the end only five classes were lost. The final evening championship performance was also canceled in the interests of safety, although The Winter Open Supreme and Overall Supreme of Show did take place.

Show chairman, Tony Asplin, said: “We were concerned about the going, and rearranged the whole of Sunday’s schedule to bring the classes indoors or on to all-weather surfaces. This was a tremendous achievement, which has been appreciated by competitors.

“To aid a safer journey home for exhibitors, it was thought better to bring championships forward [to follow the classes as they were completed], and cancel the evening performance.”

Eight of the temporary stables lost their roofs in the wind during the show, which also caused chaos in the working hunter ring where stands were heavily sandbagged to keep them upright. Meanwhile heavy showers of sleet during the show’s opening day forced some classes to come to a halt while the worst of the weather passed.

Read H&H’s full report on the BSPS winter championships, on sale 3 April ’08

• Were you at this show? Share your snowy stories on the H&H forum

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