In this week’s international showjumping news round-up, we head straight to Spain where Great Britain’s Will Fletcher celebrates “the best day I could ever imagine” with the “feisty” mare Iwalinde who “tries her heart out every time she goes in the ring”.

Then at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, USA, a 24-year-old beats an Olympic gold medallist and the world number one to post her first ever five-star success. What a moment!

Read on for all this week’s international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: ‘The best day I could imagine’

Great Britain’s Will Fletcher and 12-year-old mare Iwalinde secured a victorious double on the CSI4* Andalucia Sunshine Tour in Spain this week. They started the week by topping the 1.50m Hipotels Trophy and concluded with victory in the 1.55m Dunas de Barbate Trophy grand prix.

“I can’t believe it,” said Will. “It takes an army and Iwalinde was fantastic – she’s a feisty girl and she tries her heart out every time she goes in the ring. She just gave me the best day I could ever imagine.”

Iwalinde is by VDL Zirocco Blue and Will co-owns her with John Walter. In the grand prix the pair beat French rider Penelope Leprevost (Baloubet De Talma), with Great Britain’s Simon Crippen third on Handsome. Matt Sampson produced what would have been the winning time in the four-way jump-off having taken the reins on Tim Gredley’s championship partner Medoc De Toxandria, but it came at the expense of eight faults.

• CSI4* Andalucia Sunshine Tour results

Aimez Moi posts another likeable performance

Sameh El Dahan and WKD Aimez Moi continued their winning form by heading a CSI3* 1.45m classic at Desert Circuit 9 in Thermal, California. Nine riders contested the jump-off and, from penultimate draw, the British rider rocketed to victory.

“She was brilliant. She was very, very quick on the turns,” said Sameh of the 15-year-old mare he co-owns with Joanne Sloan-Allen. “She covers a lot of ground at speed. I didn’t watch anybody else because I know she’s fast. I just stick to my plan and don’t get too distracted with the number of strides that other people are doing.”

• Desert Circuit results

Five-star debut success and why is the world number one riding in a brace?

THE $500,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* grand prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, USA, was won by 24-year-old Belgian rider Emilie Conter riding Portobella Van De Fruitkorf. In a seven-way jump-off she beat Olympic gold medallist Harry Charles (Sherlock) and world number one Henrik von Eckermann (King Edward) to post the first five-star victory of her career.

“I didn’t think I would beat these other riders, but I looked up and saw that I was in first,” she said. “It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m super happy with my horse and my team for making this happen.”

Emilie revealed she saw a really long distance to the final oxer during the jump-off.

“I heard Helena Stormanns scream ‘Go get it!’, so I took it,” she said. “We’ve come a long way. We took it very slow in the beginning because I always knew she was special. When I first started riding her, she was a bit colder but always had massive scope. When she was younger, she was not so impressed with the small jumps but now the bigger the fences, the better she jumps.”

“There are no words for her,” added Emilie, whose groom Lisa Sorg earned the $500 Double H Farm groom’s award.

Runner-up Harry Charles credited WEF for having “nearly as good an atmosphere as anywhere in the world”.

“I didn’t plan on jumping Sherlock in too many of the bigger classes under the lights; he’s still quite green at night, but tonight he jumped better than I could have hoped,” he said of the 12-year-old owned by his father Peter Charles and Stall Zet. “I thought the course-builder did a great job – you saw the perfect amount in the jump-off. I’m very happy with second place.”

Third-placed Henrik von Eckermann has been working hard behind the scenes to rebuild the confidence and turn around the fortunes of showjumping megastar King Edward.

“He jumped a very good indoor season but in the jump-offs that were full speed, I’m a guy who wants to win and pushed a little too much and we lost a little confidence,” said Henrik. “He feels good and is jumping better and better with every show.”

Henrik has also been recovering from a hand injury incurred in a fall which means he’s currently riding with a brace.

“In the ring, adrenaline is going and you want to do it and then afterwards you feel it, but it could have been worse and I’m happy that I’m able to continue riding,” he said. “Emilie did a fantastic job tonight and I’m very happy for her.”

• WEF results

Showjumping news: grand prix glory

Closer to home, Jack Whitaker (Equine America Valmy De La Lande) and Mark Edwards (Royale Tale) were CSI2* grand prix winners on the Italian Champions Tour and Jumping Gassin International in France respectively in another successful week for British riders on tour in Europe.

Zero is a “misunderstood” hero

Irish showjumper Darragh Kenny won WEF’s Adequan WEF Challenge Cup round nine with new ride Zero K in Florida.

“The first rounds have been pretty good, jump-offs haven’t been perfect,” he said. “I knew it was going to be very fast today, and she has a big stride, so a lot of the lines were connected. I could use her big stride and hopefully not make mistakes.”

Darragh describes Zero K as “very sensitive”.

“She’s special in her own way, but in the ring, she wants to do her best,” he said. “Sometimes she tries too hard, but it’s always in the right way, and that’s what I really like about her. She’s a little tense sometimes but for the most part she’s just misunderstood. She wants to be the best she can.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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

In this week’s international showjumping news round-up, there is plenty to celebrate for a unique team of Irish horses in the Nations Cup at Wellington International’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) – something team manager Michael Blake said he’d never seen “in 100 Nations Cups”.

A young British rider also posts a landmark first five-star victory in Doha, Qatar, and a highly anticipated rising British equine star achieves a watershed coming-of-age performance.

Read on for a round-up of the highlights of this week’s international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: “This team is a little unusual”

Ireland fielded a mix of Olympic veterans and team debutant horses for the $150,000 CSIO4* Nations Cup during week eight of WEF, which proved to be a winning formula as they topped a cracking contest between the 10 teams.

Pathfinder Darragh Kenny (Eddy Blue), David O’Brien (El Balou OLD), Shane Sweetnam (RR Combella) and Cian O’Connor with Fancy de Kergane topped the leaderboard ahead of Canada and the USA. Great Britain’s squad of Jessica Mendoza (I-Cap CL Z), Tim Gredley (Imperial HBF), Sameh El Dahan (Oscar-A) and Ben Maher (Ginger-Blue) finished in fourth.

“This feels amazing – I’m so lucky that my parents had their flights organised, all my students, my clients and my sponsors are here, we’ve had a great night,” said Irish squad debutant David, who jumped clear in round one, just adding two time-faults in the second leg for owners Chansonette and Leap Year Farms.

“It was a very strong team, I was thinking to myself how many times have the three of them [Shane, Cian and Darragh] competed for Ireland compared with some other teams. It’s really special for me to be sitting up here with three Olympians. They are so experienced.

“I came in on a horse who was willing to fight for me and who doesn’t want to knock any poles down. The horse has a long history and I got him because he was a difficult child, and he needed a continuing program. To me, he’s my number one, so every day we’re out for a long time and it’s a process to keep him focused. But results-wise, I’m very happy with him. He’s probably been the reason I was able to go out on my own and have a business.

“I’m delighted it paid off and everything came together. It’s a great atmosphere, when you come in the ring everything is pumped up. My heart was pumping, the horse’s heart was pumping. There was a big cheer when we cleared the last fence.”

Darragh Kenny jumped for clear and four on Kerry Anne LLC’s Eddy Blue.

“I love to ride for Ireland. It’s one of my favorite things, second to winning, of course,” he said. “But winning with an Irish team, that’s even better.

“Eddy Blue has never done two rounds like that before, but he seemed to step up to the occasion very well.”

Anchorman Cian O’Connor on Coolmore Showjumping’s Fancy De Kergane jumped clear in round one but was able to sit out round two, with team victory already in the bag.

“We saw a bit of everything in the course tonight,” said Cian. “Obviously, it plays a part with one round in the daytime then one at night. Both rounds were light, delicate and the plank was difficult to judge.

“This horse is only nine, so he’s just stepping up to this level. There aren’t many nine-year-olds able to do this, so I’m very happy with him. There’s something very special about the night classes here. So many people were here tonight and it’s one that everyone wants to win.”

Shane Sweetnam and the mare RR Combella jumped for four faults in each round.

“That’s the purpose of giving her a chance in this – you really do learn a lot,” he revealed. “She showed her character and how good a horse she is. I think the rider could have done better, but I was very happy with her, especially at the end to go and give a solid round to make sure that we did win.”

Irish chef d’equipe Michael Blake said: “This team is a little unusual. In 100 and something Nations Cups that I’ve been involved in, I’ve never had a full team where none of the horses ever jumped a Nations Cup before. That shows true depth in that we could put out a team of new horses, very good horses, but still new horses.

“On paper we didn’t look like the favourites, but I knew we’d be hard to beat. Canada looked strong, the US looked very strong, but we had a lot of experience, and we know how to dig deep.

“We love to come here because the atmosphere is amazing. To see a full house, that’s what lifts you, it’s very special.”

• WEF Nations Cup results

“A big day in the office” for 20-year-old Olli Fletcher

British rising star Olli Fletcher described winning his first five-star class, at the LGCT of Doha, Qatar, as “a big day in the office” and he couldn’t have been happier with Alison Walton’s 12-year-old BP Pocahontas after winning the opening tw0-phase.

“It was an amazing show – the stadium and the arena are beyond anything I’d ever jumped in, so I’m happy the horses enjoyed it with some good results,” Olli told H&H. “Winning my first five-star is definitely a memory that won’t be forgotten, that’s for sure. It was very special.

“My mum and owners Alison and John Walton had come from South Africa to watch, which was lovely because they’ve been instrumental in my career,” added Olli, who also made his debut for GCL team Monaco Aces on Hello William. “Both the horse and I learnt a lot and we’re looking forward to the season ahead.”

Another five-star winner at the show was Ireland’s Denis Lynch with the mighty stallion Vistogrand.

• LGCT Doha results

Holly Smith’s 14-year-old stallion makes sensational comeback

Making a welcome return to the showjumping news headlines this week was Holly Smith’s 14-year-old stallion Fruselli, who jumped to a victory double after a year on the sidelines.

The flying duo landed the ClipMyHorse.TV grand prix on the CSI2* Andalucia Sunshine Tour in Spain, having topped the Vejer Trophy speed class on Thursday, where she beat Tabitha Kyle on last week’s six-bar winner Desterly. Holly described it as “a bit of an emotional” result after “a long road back from injury” for the stunning chestnut.

Guy Williams was among the other British winners this week on the tour, landing the 1.45m ranking class on 12-year-old stallion Ernie Of Greenhill Z.

• Andalucia Sunshine Tour results

Showjumping news: an emotional victory as LGCT season kicks off

The first Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) crown of the new season was earned by Belgium’s Abdel Saïd riding Bonne Amie in the €375,000 grand prix of Doha, Qatar, after a 10-way jump-off. The winning duo edged out Ireland’s LGCT grand prix first-timer Harry Allen on Calculatus by less than a quarter of a second, with Marcus Ehning third on relatively new ride Coolio 42.

“Bonne Amie is incredible, but she’s a big, sensitive lady and I struggled a little in the jump-offs last year,” said Abdel after securing his first LGCT grand prix victory. “I would maybe over-ride her a little, or not ride with enough feeling. But today it felt as though she matured and grew with some small changes and I’m thrilled it all came together. She truly deserves this win.”

Abdel has qualified for the new-look LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Playoffs in Riyadh this year.

• LGCT grand prix of Doha results

Tom Wachman and 15-year-old mare soar to glory

Next in this week’s showjumping news round-up is young Irish rider Tom Wachman, who teamed up with his European team gold and individual silver-winning 15-year-old mare Cathalina S (Salt N Pepa S x Sandro) to win a 1.45m speed class at WEF.

“I think I was the only one in the class to do five strides to the double of verticals,” said the 19-year-old. “Cathalina has a huge stride and that’s one of the big things for her, how she can be very quick in the speed classes. I think that’s where I probably won. She’s super.”

• WEF results

A winning streak for Ben Maher and a coming-of-age performance

And finally in this week’s international showjumping news round-up, the reigning Olympic champion Ben Maher celebrated a coming-of-age performance from rising star Point Break in the $200,000 CSIO4* grand prix at WEF, Florida.

The 10-year-old Swedish warmblood Action-Breaker x Balou Du Rouet stallion, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, produced the only double clear after a five-way jump-off.

“This is probably the biggest grand prix he’s won,” said Ben, who acquired the stallion as a six-year-old. “He’s just an incredible horse. He started at WEF in the seven-year-old jumpers. It wasn’t so long ago he was spooking off every golf cart and we were in the back arenas; I kept switching arenas trying to get the groundwork in. But he was always a very talented horse and he’s progressed very nicely.

“He’s a stallion and he’s had quite a few very nice foals now, but he’s like a pet when you’re not on him. But his athleticism is what separates him from the other horses. The way he can bend his body and move his shoulder allows my job to become much easier. I can ride at the jumps and trust that he can do the job for me.”

Earlier in the week, Ben had triumphed with Jane Clark’s 13-year-old mare Ginger-Blue in the WEF Challenge Cup, who also made her Nations Cup debut with Ben this week.

“It’s always special to win any FEI competition, especially here in Wellington; there’s a lot of good horse and rider combinations any week,” said Ben. “But there’s a lot of people that fly in especially for this week, so to start it like this is a confidence boost.

“There’s strength and depth in my team, both horses and people. It’s a great time to be able to ride right now,” added Ben, whose groom Kirsty Bond won the groom’s award in the grand prix.

• WEF results

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

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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

After a superb seven weeks, the Andalucía Sunshine Tour 2023, sponsored by l’a Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte’ and co-financed by the European Union, came to a close with a second CCI4* win on the trot for Irishman Mikey Pender and HHS Calais.

Mikey and Bravo Hughes’ 12-year-old gelding followed up last weekend’s win in the Suzuki grand prix with victory from last draw in the Andalucía Invitational Grand Prix, an Olympic qualifier, on 26 March.

“It’s amazing to win the grand prix here,” Mikey said. “Calais jumped outstanding today, there were 12 in the jump-off so it was a bit more difficult than last week. Then, I was lucky enough I didn’t have to jump off.

“It was quite fast, the class, and I think it was a brilliant course. The jump-off maybe didn’t suit me perfectly but we were lucky enough to come out with the right result.

“It’s absolutely incredible to win two grands prix here in a row and I think it builds up our season amazingly. I think we are ready to go to the big shows and thanks to the Sunshine Tour here for giving us the chance to hopefully build up for another brilliant season.”

There was another big win for Ireland yesterday, as Darragh Kenny ended the penultimate week of competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival at Wellington International with a win in the $226,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI4* grand prix on Oakland Vantures’ Vancouver Dreams.

He had qualified for the grand prix during the Adequan WEF Challenge Cup on Friday, but elected not to jump off with the 13-year-old mare, a strategy that paid off on Sunday.

“You don’t have to worry about the jumps in the jump-off, you just have to get the right spot,” he said. “She’s an incredible horse.”

“She’s like 15 out of 10 careful, so the most important thing is to get her to relax, come down a little bit and not stay up in the air,” said Kenny, who started riding the mare early this year, taking on the ride after Austria’s Max Kühner.

“She tried her guts out today and was brilliant. You can’t help but love her.”

Second and third place went to Lillie Keenan with Fasther and Nicola Philippaerts on H&M Luna van’t Ruytershof Z respectively; in fourth was Britain’s Sam Hutton on Casablanca-H.

What better way could there be of celebrating your 21st than by winning a four-star grand prix in style?

Britain’s Nicole Lockhead Anderson did just that on 27 March as she and her own eight-year-old Emerald Irish Cruise took top honours in the CSI4* Equipe Ladies Invitational. The victory topped off a super record at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain – Sunday’s was their ninth win of the seven-week tour.

“I have no words to describe how much I love this horse, she is my hero,” said Nicole, who won a brand new Equipe saddle.

AP McCoy’s daughter Eve took the win in the Heusdens Schäffer CSI1* grand prix at the Sentower Park youth meeting in Opglabbeek, Belgium, with her father’s Cocktail d’Azur.

Four riders jumped clear in the first round of the 1.30m class but the 15-year-old rider and 11-year-old gelding were the fastest by three seconds.

Sophie Evans, 16, came third in the 1.40m Aloga Auction Under 25 Grand Prix on ESM Equestrian’s Hatzidee PR, and Madison Seedhouse, also 16, came third in the Emmers Equestrian Pony Grand Prix, on ESM Equestrian’s Vaughann De Vuzit.

Shane Breen’s 13-year-old daughter Darcy, at her first international show, came third in the 1.25m Ashford Farm Children on Horses grand prix with Lea Popely’s Kunis.

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

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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

The weather on the Andalucia Sunshine Tour in Spain didn’t quite live up to its billing recently when strong winds kept competitors and organisers on their toes during the day’s showjumping classes.

But it was British rider Will Walker who bore the brunt of a particularly strong rogue gust of wind while jumping a CSI4* 1.35m two-phase class with the 11-year-old gelding Ustino.

“A few jumps had been blowing over and I’d joked beforehand, ‘As long as it doesn’t happen as you’re coming towards a fence…’ and that’s literally what happened!” says Will.

As you can see in the video below, the pair were just about to take off over fence two, a fairly substantial oxer, when the wings were blown towards them and the poles came toppling down.

“The jump was actually on a seven-stride distance so, luckily in a way, I was so committed on my distance that all I was thinking about was keeping it level,” Will tells H&H. “If it hadn’t been, I might have tried to pull out – but it happened just as we were about to take off so I’d got past the point of no return before I realised what was going on!

“I saw the back rail coming towards me – I thought ‘Well, I’ve just got to commit now’ – then suddenly the whole thing just blew from under him!”

Ustino can be seen pricking his ears briefly as the poles start falling, but the gelding does a sterling job of soaring over the gap left where the oxer once stood.

“It was surprising because he’s a horse who’s a bit scared of life really – he’s quite a nervous person,” reveals Will of the gelding who was bred by his owner Richard Jenkinson and has been with Will for more than six years. “But because we have a brilliant partnership now, he just does whatever I ask of him – so I think it was more a case of me saying ‘Yes do it’ and him believing in me.”

On landing, the pair managed to regroup and carry on to fence three, but Ustino wasn’t keen to go back near the scene of the incident.

“At first I thought, ‘Should I retire?’ as I wasn’t sure he would want to come to the next fence after that, but he just carried on as normal,” says Will. “But the problem came when we started the second phase as we had to come inside the fallen fence where the guys were busy trying to build it. That’s when his spookiness came out, he was having none of it – he said enough’s enough, I’m going round that!”

Will and Ustino eventually cleared the rest of the track, although “my time was pretty slow!” he says.

“The show was amazing – they tried really hard, but it was a particularly windy day! They had all the fences pegged down after that though,” adds Will, who enjoyed a very successful string of placings on the Sunshine Tour.

“So it was quite an unusual thing to happen – it was good timing for the video, though, that’s for sure!”

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

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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

POOR decision-making, a lack of cooperation and human error are among the factors contributing to the equine herpes (EHV-1) outbreak that brought horse sport across Europe to a halt during spring 2021, as the FEI concludes “mistakes were made”. 

The outbreak started in February when a number of horses who had been competing at the showjumping CES Valencia Spring Tour tested positive for EHV-1, and resulted in a six-week shutdown of equestrian sport across the continent. In total, 18 equines died during the outbreak, and 10 countries had confirmed cases. 

Concerns were raised at the time about the management of the outbreak and in March 2021 the FEI said it would conduct a “full and thorough investigation”. On 28 February 2022 the first section of a three-part report was published, providing a “comprehensive and factual picture” of the outbreak and analysis.

The report states that on 20 February, the FEI was first notified of horses with a fever at CES Valencia. The FEI told organisers to cancel the event – but the following day the show continued. It was eventually stopped that afternoon when the FEI warned disciplinary action would be taken if it did not stop immediately. 

That day, 131 horses from 11 countries left the venue without the “required health papers”. On 22 February the FEI traced and blocked all 752 horses from CES Valencia on the FEI database.

The rapid spread of EHV-1 at CES Valencia was investigated and factors included the number of horses on site sharing the same airspace, direct and indirect contact, and a lack of preventative measures. 

The FEI received information that examination on arrival at the venue “was not correctly conducted” and despite “numerous requests” for the organising committee to provide the FEI with its biosecurity contingency plan – a plan venues must have under FEI rules – this was never provided. 

The FEI was told there was “knowledge on site” at CES Valencia of an EHV-1 case in a horse who left the venue on 14 February and returned to France, but there was no official communication to the authorities, the FEI or those at the event. Although six horses onsite had a fever on 19 February and despite the knowledge of the French case, no action was taken to isolate sick horses at CES Valencia that day, and the FEI was not told immediately. 

The investigation included the Spanish Sunshine Tour at Vejer de la Frontera, where two horses showed signs of EHV-1, but none tested positive on site. According to sources, the report states, there was an “unwillingness” at the show to test horses specifically for EHV-1. The report states it is “likely” at least one of the horses who left CES Valencia for the Sunshine Tour from 7 to 14 February carried the virus and transmitted it to one or more horses – and examination on arrival at the Sunshine Tour “was not correctly conducted”.

The report concluded while it was “not possible to pinpoint” a single reason or person responsible for the outbreak, several risk factors were present including a lack of preparedness and compliance with regulations, combined with poor decision-making and a lack of cooperation with the FEI. 

“The disease itself was not the problem, rather it was the management of it, and unfortunately there were factors – including human error – that allowed the virus to spread much more rapidly than it would have done if the mandated biosecurity protocols had been followed correctly and immediately,” read the report.

“In hindsight, the FEI should have requested permission from the Spanish authorities to allow additional veterinarians on site more rapidly. The FEI did not send help earlier because FEI headquarters was not immediately informed how critical the situation was until alerted by an owner whose horse was seriously ill.”

The report said it was “clear mistakes were made, and everyone – including the FEI – has to take their share of responsibility where appropriate” – adding there has to be accountability for actions or non-actions that enabled the spread of the disease. 

CES Valencia did not respond to H&H’s request for a comment. A spokesman for the Sunshine Tour told H&H they did not wish to comment.

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

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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

A top Spanish equestrian centre will play home to the world’s largest “removable” indoor arena.

Vejer de la Frontera-based centre the Dehesa Montenmedio, host of the Sunshine Tour, has invested 750,000 euros (£640,000) into building a new 90x45m indoor arena. The arena, which is a tent-like structure rather than fixed, will add to the 20 grass and sand arenas on the site.

A spokesman for the centre said the arena, which will be first used in January 2022, will allow competitions to be held when weather conditions are not favourable and it offers “great versatility and functionality” owing to its “dismountable nature”.

“It has a two-layer roof of polyester textile membrane coated in PVC with high-frequency welded keder. The two layers form an air chamber that provides high thermal insulation and wind resistance,” said the spokesman, who told H&H that the centre does not have a building permit so they cannot build an arena with a fixed structure.

Sunshine Tour director Teresa Blazquez said the new arena is the “icing on the cake” for the centre.

“One of the keys to the success of the Sunshine Tour is that when in the rest of the world it is impossible to compete on outdoor tracks [all year round] due to the climate, we are the oasis of Europe. Everyone knows with us they are guaranteed to be able to compete outdoors, which is essential for young horses. Inexperienced horses come to the circuit and leave Montenmedio in good shape. Now with the new indoor we give them the possibility to alternate the indoor arena with the others.

The spokesman added that the president of the Spanish equestrian federation Javier Revuelta “checked first-hand” the execution of the project and was “very satisfied” Spanish equestrian sport has a new facility of this “magnitude and scope”, providing a “definitive boost” for the circuit to establish itself among the world elite of equestrian facilities.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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Two more horses have died from equine herpes virus (EHV-1) in Valencia – while cases have been confirmed in Belgium and France linked to the Sunshine Tour.

Yesterday (9 March) the FEI confirmed a horse had died at a veterinary clinic in Valencia, and today (10 March) a horse that had undergone colic surgery in Valencia was put down. This brings the total number of deaths relating to the Valencia outbreak to 12.

An FEI spokesman said 138 horses still remain on site in Valencia, 10 of whom are still being treated but do not have neurological symptoms. There are 14 in the university hospital in Valencia, and one in hospital in Barcelona.

In an update to the situation surrounding horses who had been at the Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, yesterday the FEI confirmed that a horse who had returned home from the venue to Belgium had tested positive for EHV-1.

“This horse, which was placed in isolation immediately on return to its home stables in Belgium, was a close in-contact to the first horse that developed a fever at the Vejer de la Frontera venue,” said the spokesman.

“This first horse was put into isolation on 26 February, displayed neurological signs on 4 March, and although it tested negative to EHV-1, that result was inconclusive. A second horse on the venue developed neurological signs on 5 March and was also transferred to the isolation stables.”

There has also been a positive case confirmed in France, at stables Haras du Ry, the base of Australian showjumper Amy Graham.

In a statement yesterday a spokesman for Haras du Ry said, with “much distress”, that six horses had tested positive for EHV-1 yesterday, following their return from the Sunshine Tour.

“Thankfully all horses are currently asymptomatic and are being monitored closely and treated with the best veterinary care possible. All eight horses that returned from Spain entered a strict biosecurity quarantine area upon their return on 3 March and have remained securely isolated,” read the statement.

“The horses were PCR tested on 8 March and we received the results this morning with six of the eight horses returning a positive test. Our horses were all up to date on their vaccinations, including EVH-1. We maintain our vaccination program diligently to help protect from disease. Unfortunately some have still contracted EVH-1 in Spain.”

Continued below…

EHV-1: FEI to investigate why show continued after organisers told to stop

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EHV not yet under control as 10 horses now dead *H&H Plus*

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The statement added that upon receiving the results, the stable had informed the French national federation, FEI, Equestrian Australia, the Sunshine Tour, and owners and clients. The team also informed the riders in stables close to Amy’s horses at the tour and any surrounding riders who may have had contact in Spain.

“The health of our horses and team is our priority and we will be taking every measure to ensure our horses make a full recovery and the virus remains contained,” said the spokesman.

“Our equestrian centre at Haras du Ry has been closed since our horses returned from Spain and no horses have left or arrived on the property in this time. Our stables will remain closed until further notice as we focus on our horses recovery and preserving the health of all horses and people at our facility.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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The situation is relating to the EHV-1 outbreak in Europe is improving but far from over. H&H speaks to authorities, riders and vets to find out the latest, and what is being done to protect UK horses

IMPROVEMENTS have been reported in Valencia, Spain, but the equine herpes virus (EHV-1) outbreak is “not yet fully under control” – as horses develop neurological signs at a second Spanish venue, and protocols are introduced for horses returning to the UK.

In the rapidly changing situation surrounding the outbreak, on 6 March the FEI athlete representative in Valencia reported that the medical condition of the horses there remains “stable”.

“While these were positive signs, the veterinary team stressed it is important to be aware that the disease was not yet fully under control,” said an FEI spokesman.

Criticisms have been made that authorities had not provided suitable stabling, more horses had died than had been reported and there were not enough vets on site.

The FEI reported on 3 March that its veterinary manager had organised a meeting in Valencia between the Spanish ministry, organisers, vets, the FEI athlete representative and the FEI team leader to help “resolve issues”, and agreement was reached on roles and treatment protocols. The FEI said some additional temporary stabling delivered was “not up to standard” and “unsuitable for larger horses” so replacements were organised.

On 4 March the FEI jumping director arrived in Valencia and held a meeting with organisers; a follow-up was organised to “ensure lines of communication remained open”. On 5 March the FEI athlete representative reported to the FEI veterinary directory that supplies were continuing to be delivered to the venue.

On 6 March the FEI confirmed support available for those in Valencia included extra grooms being made available and additional drivers being sought to help transport horses home. The FEI said stabling had arrived, a French team specialised in international quarantine stables had been providing recommendations on biosecurity, and the French team had provided an on site lab to help with monitoring.

On 8 March the FEI reported 10 horses had died since the outbreak began; two on site and three in hospital in Valencia, two in Barcelona and two in Germany. The spokesman said higher numbers had been stated on social media but nine was the “official” figure.

British rider Andrew Saethers, whose four horses in Valencia had had a fever, two of which also had neurological signs, told H&H it had been “a hard few weeks” but things seemed to be “levelling off”.

“I feel like I’m winning the battle of saving my horses, and I can’t wait to get home but I have no idea when that will be,” he said.

On 4 March a horse at the Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera developed neurological signs of EHV-1, but had reportedly tested negative to the disease. The horse had been in isolation two kilometres from the competition since 26 February.

Following a “full risk analysis” conducted by the Spanish ministry, on 4 March, the show organisers and the FEI, it was agreed the competition, originally scheduled to run until 28 March, could continue until 7 March. But on 5 March the FEI said there was “no choice” but to immediately shut down the competition after a second horse developed neurological signs.

On 7 March the FEI continued to follow up on the condition and veterinary care of the two horses and had requested an update from the primary veterinary delegate on the remaining horses at the venue.

To date, eight countries have confirmed EHV-1 cases; Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, and Qatar. A case in the USA was not linked to the European outbreak. Under FEI regulations 752 horses that had been in Valencia since 1 February are blocked in the FEI database until they have fulfilled necessary testing requirements.

In Doha, where the Global Champions Tour was taking place (4–6 March), four horses had arrived from Valencia on 20 February – one of which tested positive for EHV-1, having been kept in isolation since its arrival. All four horses will remain in isolation until 15 March.

British Showjumping (BS) and British Eventing (BE) announced all horses returning from France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Slovakia from 1 March should be isolated from horses which may attend BS or BE competitions and training and attended to by separate staff. It is “strongly advised” horses returning are separated from all other horses. The same applies to horses who have transited through these countries on their return. British Equestrian told H&H each BEF member body has adopted these protocols.

All horses on the premises, including those who have not travelled to Europe, must have monitoring and twice-daily temperature recording. They will be excluded from participation in all BEF member body competitions and activities until they have been free of clinical signs for 28 days, or appropriate testing and samples have been approved by Rossdales Laboratory.

David Rendle, chair of the British Equine Veterinary Association’s (BEVA) health and medicines committee told H&H BEVA had been working with BEF to provide guidelines, and the organisation “cannot stress how important it is” guidelines are followed.

“If people follow the guidelines then EHV will be contained; if they do not, more horses may die, the choice is stark and simple,” he said.

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British showjumper Jack Whitaker is one of the many riders facing an uncertain journey home after the Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, was cancelled.

Organisers announced on Thursday (4 March) that a horse who had previously been competing on the tour had started showing neurological signs similar to those associated with equine herpes virus (EHV-1) and that classes would be brought to a halt on Sunday, three weeks before the tour was due to finish.

“A lot of people are panicking; we’ve been told to stay put but people are trying to get out anyway,” Jack told H&H.

“I was a bit worried yesterday [Thursday] because we heard that a horse had tested positive, but there haven’t actually been any positive tests here – one of the biggest problems is all the rumours flying around.”

The horse in question had been in isolation since 26 February and, despite its clinical signs, has tested negative for the virus.

“Obviously I’m trying to keep my horses away from the other horses and I’m doing everything to keep them as safe as possible, but I’m not panicking,” explained Jack. “I will stay till Sunday then try to leave when I can. But it’s all a bit up in the air.

Continues below…

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Two more horses die in EHV-1 outbreak, but FEI says Valencia situation has improved

One horse, who had been kept in isolation, has tested positive for EHV-1 in Doha

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US shows are taking precautions in light of an Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) case in Florida

“As long as you have the right health papers, you can leave whenever you like, it’s just getting the right health papers but that’s the difficult bit. They originally said it would take two weeks to get them, but today I was told we could get them more quickly, just not yet.”

Even with the right health papers, there is the worry that it might not be possible to sort out any stopover stables, which is why several British riders have made the decision to hold their horses in Spain where they at least have immediate veterinary access, rather than risking any of their horses becoming sick on the journey home.

“We need to work together to minimise the spread of this virus and we greatly appreciate the cooperation and understanding demonstrated by all the riders, owners, sponsors and other team members involved,” said the show organisers.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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The Sunshine Tour will be brought to an early finish after a horse started showing neurological signs similar to those associated with Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1).

The horse has been in isolation since 26 February, more than 2km away from the main competition site in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, and despite its clinical signs, has tested negative for the virus.

The tour, which had been due to run until 28 March, will now end on Sunday (7 March).

Organisers explained this will give time for an “ordered departure of horses”.

The statement from the organisers said the horse arrived at Dehesa Montenmedio, where the showground is located, from its home yard in Belgium and was “fit and healthy” with no signs of illness.

The horse competed for the first two weeks of the tour, and on the first day of competition on the third week (22 February). Four days later (26 February), a vet notified the organisers that the horse had a fever.

“The horse was immediately isolated by the organising committee of the Sunshine Tour, in stables that are more than 2km away from the actual showground,” said the statement, adding that the FEI was notified.

“At first the [signs] that the horse was expressing appeared to be those of piroplasmosis, and the horse was given a blood test for piroplasmosis and a PCR for rhinoneumonitis, both results were negative.

“Over subsequent days both the competition vets and the FEI vets monitored the horse’s fever and condition twice a day. After a few days the fever had subsided.”

It said the horse showed neurological signs for the first time yesterday morning (4 March).

“At 4.30pm on 4 March, the organising committee of the Sunshine Tour met with the FEI, the [Spanish equestrian federation] and the ministry of agriculture where it was decided to close the show down at the end of competition on Sunday.

“The above organisations have carried out a complete risk analysis and have come to an agreement between them that to guarantee an ordered departure of the horses, the event will continue until 7 March.

“We need to work together to minimise the spread of this virus and we greatly appreciate the cooperation and understanding demonstrated by all the riders, owners, sponsors and other team members involved.”

The cancellation follows the halt of the CES Valencia Spring Tour, around 800km away, in February owing to an EHV-1 outbreak.

Article continues below…

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On Monday (1 March), the FEI announced all international competition in 10 countries on the European mainland was cancelled, with immediate effect, until 28 March. This was due to the “rapid evolution of a very aggressive strain of the neurological form” of EHV-1, that originated in Valencia and had led to outbreaks in other European countries.

The jumping tours that were already under way — including those in Portugal and Italy, as well as the now cancelled Opglabbeek fixture in Belgium and Sunshine Tour in Vejer — were allowed to continue, under strict conditions, to prevent large numbers of horses being moved at the same time.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Grooms planning to travel to Europe for work after 1 January have been urged to be aware of key changes that will apply after Brexit — as well as implications of the coronavirus.

With no trade deal as yet to apply after Britain’s departure from the EU, and the 31 December leaving date approaching, it looks likely that the European health insurance card (EHIC) will no longer be valid.

This means that from 1 January, Brits will not be eligible for free or very cheap healthcare, as is currently the case for EHIC holders.

The British Grooms Association (BGA) has warned grooms that travel insurance is a must if they are working abroad.

“Even if there is a deal and the EHIC remains, an EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance,” a BGA spokesman said. “Take out travel insurance before your trip.”

The BGA added that grooms must buy travel insurance that specifically covers them for working abroad, as many policies do not.

There are also insurance implications of Government advice regarding the coronavirus pandemic. Currently, the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to most of Europe, including Spain and Portugal.

Nicky Blakely, of PJ Hayman adventures travel insurance, said: “Unfortunately the insurers’ definition of work does not include sporting activities as they do not provide essential services to the general public or businesses.

“Whilst we appreciate people wanting to travel, there is nothing that would persuade insurers to accept competition riding/showjumping or grooms as essential work.

“Anyone who has travelled against [Foreign Office] advice will not be covered by their policy.”

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The BGA spokesman said: “So right now, even if you have travel insurance, it would be invalid.

“That means any groom (or rider) who is planning to travel to the Sunshine Tour, or is already in Spain or Portugal, will be there with absolutely no health care protection. Who is going to pay for medical costs?

“The BGA is very concerned about the wellbeing of grooms who will be travelling abroad, maybe without little choice to do so, and feels that this issue must be raised. It is also important to note that this issue is not just applicable to grooms, but also riders.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Being in charge at Horse & Hound has been a very different experience for me — I’m certainly not a journalist! But I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s made me think a lot more about what goes into putting together a magazine like this each week. I hope you enjoy reading the finished product as much as I did.

Despite my recent new editorial duties, I haven’t given up my day job — I’m now competing on the Atlantic Tour in Portugal, having been on the Spanish Sunshine Tour before that. There’s a huge British contingent out here — there were 57 riders in Spain and, when you consider the other tours going on abroad at the moment, there must be well in excess of 100 riders out of the country at this time of year.

That’s making a big difference to the events back home and I feel sorry for the organisers of the Premier Shows in the UK — they are really suffering, but I’m not sure what can be done to help them.

We’ve been coming here for about 10 years and there are more and more people joining us each year. Obviously the weather is a massive factor, but you can also bring lots of horses, jump as much as you want every day and there are classes for young horses, amateur riders and everything from 1.30m to 1.50m for the professionals, with rankings classes every week and decent prize money.

My daughter Louise and I have brought 12 horses from six-year-olds upwards — some young ones and some new ones, and it’s a great education for them. If you have one bad day you can drop them down and get them going again. There are 13 rings, grass and sand, and they change the arenas around so the horses are seeing different things. It’s all about the experience. The numbers in each class can be the downside though — we had 115 in the small grand prix this week — meaning everything takes longer than you think. But it’s a small price to pay for several weeks in the sun!

Ref: H&H 2 April, 2015

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British and Irish flags were flying worldwide at the weekend (21-22 March) as four grands prix — from USA to Italy — were won by the home nations.

Guy Williams and nine-year-old gelding Basic landed the final CSI3* grand prix on the five-week Spanish Sunshine Tour in a one-two for Di and Pennie Cornish, who also co-own the runner-up Caritiar Z, ridden by Phillip Miller.

“He had a good rest before we brought him here then he’s been jumping in the main ring here once a week. This class was the main aim so it worked out,” Guy told H&H.

On the CSI3* Toscana Tour in Italy, 18-year-old Jessica Mendoza triumphed in the 1.50m grand prix riding the 14-year-old mare Spirit T.

“Spirit T loves the grass here — she always jumps amazingly well,” said Jessica, drawn second last of the 15 jump-off contenders, four of whom produced double clears.

Over in Germany at the CSI4* Braunschweig, Denis Lynch and Abbervail Van Het Dingeshof not only scooped Sunday’s grand prix — and collected the keys to a Volkswagen Tiguan car — but the victory sealed an outstanding hat-trick of wins over three days with the 15-year-old gelding.

“He’s had an unbelievable amount of seconds in his career so it’s great to get the wins in,” said Denis, recording his fourth five-star win of 2015 with the son of Non Stop.

“I just had one tactic in that jump-off and that was to win — it’s worth giving it a shot when you’ve got a jeep on offer!”

In Florida, the 1.60m World Cup qualifier grand prix at Live Oak International went to Cian O’Connor, who has a serious prospect in the form of the nine-year-old stallion Good Luck. Going head-to-head with Beezie Madden (Vanilla), the Irishman recorded the only double clear of the competition to lift the $16,500 top prize.

“This is only our seventh show together so I’m very excited about this one — he just cruised round,” Cian told H&H. “It was difficult to go clear, but that’s what a World Cup qualifier is supposed to do. Good horses, like good cream, will rise to the top.”

Don’t miss the full details about how the British and Irish riders got on abroad — and see the full scope of Cian’s new stallion in images — in this week’s Horse & Hound, out Thursday, 26 March.

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One thing British showjumping has lacked in recent years is strength in depth. But recent grand prix results around the world have shown that things are definitely on the up.

On the Sunshine Tour alone, we’ve had several podium placings — and a lot are coming from a swelling group of younger riders. Even though none of them are in the top world rankings, you can see the talent coming through.

It’s particularly good to see recent grand prix victor William Whitaker among them. He had to take a step back after he left Michael Whitaker’s yard, but he’s started to get one or two nice horses. With a bit of backing, he could be up there with Ben Maher and Scott Brash.

It doesn’t matter how well you ride, you still need good horses to win grands prix. We’ve always moaned that it’s success we’ve needed to attract good owners. Hopefully on the back of Great Britain’s recent triumphs, we can maintain the support we’ve had from owners — and add new ones.

Bringing the sport home…

Having several new high-profile international shows in Britain this year is another way to keep owners interested.

People ask why we can’t attract the top international riders to Great Britain. Well, if you provide a five-star fixture and good money, they’ll come. But if it’s a choice between a

three-star in Belgium or France and one here, then obviously they’re going to avoid the boat ride.

I’ve always thought Royal Windsor was a sleeping giant — we’ve never really made as much of the venue as we could. Hopefully, its new three-star status will earn the support it needs from riders and crowds.

Bolesworth organiser Nina Barbour has a three-year vision in which she hopes to take the show to five-star level and I really hope it works. But it’s also great to see one of our mainstay events, Hickstead, attracting a new title sponsor for the Derby.

Five-star shows — including the Global Champions Tours and Nations Cups — are really

something to aspire to. So wouldn’t it be great to have owners keen to help our young riders reach the top 30 in the rankings so they can contest these shows, both at home

and abroad?

…and taking it overseas

Rob Hoekstra tells me that, as reigning Olympic and European champions, we’ve been invited to compete in all eight of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup top league

competitions this year — not just the four at which we bid for points.

This means that, as well as playing about with his top players and World Equestrian Games contenders, Rob can test new names, without the pressure of chasing points — although we still like to win!

There are a lot of capable riders out there and this competition from young talent is healthy for me and the other senior team members. We’re still on a high from recent championship successes, but we need to qualify for the Olympics and it’s a lot easier to do it at this year’s WEG rather than leaving it till next year’s Europeans, when it becomes a bit of a lottery.

Last year, we didn’t have Nick Skelton and Big Star, so if you put him back in the equation, plus a few new names, as well as returning riders such as Tim Gredley — who

proved his credentials with a double clear in the recent Nations Cup in Florida — it’s a very exciting time.

Have bed, will travel

Sunday nights are party nights on the Spanish Sunshine Tour and, because my staff work so hard, I’m happy to let them join in the fun — as long as they’re ready and able to

work again the following morning.

With this in mind, my new lad Luke, on his first trip abroad, found himself in a bit of a dilemma after a particularly late one last week. Being the conscientious worker he is, he didn’t want to risk being late for work so he decided to go straight to the stables, filled a

wheelbarrow with rugs and fell fast asleep in this makeshift bed. Of course, he was still snoring when everyone turned up the next morning and the resulting photos were shared all over social media.

Within hours, I had Luke’s concerned mother on the phone asking whether the accommodation I’d arranged for her son was really up to standard…

William’s comment was first published in Horse & Hound (20 March, 2014)

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Kate, Jane, Mum and I are on the plane back to Blighty having been inundated with friends’ joyfully regalling us of the sleet and snow that we are to return to. We’ve had a great time in Spain and super results so we are feeling ready to take on the Great British Weather. Sticking to our new team motto — ‘you can’t take it with you’ — we drank our last bottle of Champagne at Gibraltar airport.

Our final competitions were a success. In the grand prix I’m delighted that MK and I scored 69.43% to come second with three out of five judges scoring me over 70%. I will go to my grave happy now that five-star judge Peter Holler has given me a good score at this level. It was by far the best grand prix we have ever done and it was great to prove that last week’s result wasn’t a one off. Pegasus really feels like he is flying now, with much more expression in his half passes and piaffe passage. I’m very proud of him, as are his new sponsors ‘Horse Online’.

In our last competition, the grand prix freestyle to music, we scored 72.3% using the same routine we did at Olympia in 2010. I’m very relieved to report that I remembered the way this time. We were second, which was absolutely fair as the winner’s programme was much harder than mine, which we designed when MK was new to grand prix.

The eventual winner was piaffing and passaging away one-handed to a Spanish song at the end of his programme. So great was his showmanship that I did wonder (jealously) at one point if he was going to use his spare hand to get a microphone out and lip synch in the style of Beyonce at the presidential inauguration. This has inspired me to create a new programme for MK with a much increased degree of difficulty and hopefully even more marks — although don’t worry, there won’t be any singing!

The Connell family’s Ulia and I won the owners’ final and she has been rather smugly modelling a rather nice baby blue rug with the Montenmedio logo on it since. After a rest she’ll go to the regionals with my stable jockey Beth Bainbridge, who has her qualified in three classes. Sarah Thomas’ Marinetty, who is also destined for the regionals, has been eyeing Ulia’s rug jealously as he received a silver ashtray (!) for his win in the prix st georges.

Our team of drivers flew in last night and are armed with sour sweets, bananas and Trivial Pursuit on the iPad to entertain them as they drive the 1,500 miles back from southern Spain to Salisbury. They invented some new games on the way here including chair running, where you lift your legs up and pedal them in the air (not the driver obviously), and they will stop over in Madrid and Bordeaux on the way home.

I’ve learnt a lot from my time here on Sunshine Tour and feel, in this, my last blog it might be of service to share my findings, which are:

• Bryl cream and wet look gel are still perfectly acceptable in Spain… even on horses
• Dogs are free to roam (and mate) during your test and a rider must not lose concentration because of this
• All the shops really do close for siesta, but the bars remain open
• It is considered perfectly sensible to pile six people, a baby and two dogs onto a moped to ride around the show ground as this will save fuel and therefore protect the environment
• And finally… riders must never eat an Octopus the night before an important competition!

Adios,

Anna

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See reports from the Spanish Sunshine Tour in the next two editions of Horse & Hound magazine

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My ‘babysitting job’ with the Thomas family’s fabulous Marinetty TSF has paid off as we have finally broken the Spanish stranglehold on the Sunshine Tour and won the international prix st george. Needless to say I’m absolutely delighted.

The test felt really good and we beat Spanish team rider Beatrice Ferrer Salat by the smallest of margins… just point one of a percentage point. It just shows it’s all in the detail. Marinetty is a real ‘sportsman’ — he always tries so hard, was mistake free throughout and had his feet round his ears in his extensions.

Not to be outdone little Ulia won the owners class today too! I’m finally grateful that my dogs at home are so badly behaved as there was quite a commotion going on in the background during our test. Ulia is accustomed my own dogs appalling behavior at home so she soldiered on oblivious to the noise.

My dog training skills (or lack of!) have been the butt of many a joke in the past, but now I hope my regular critics will realise that Benjy and Bodge’s lack of education is all part of the masterplan. I’m so pleased with Ulia, she’s competing at a much higher level than she ever has before and has really done herself, and her owners the Connell family, proud.

We prepared for today by getting extremely lost in the town again last night trying to find a Morrocan restaurant. And then got lost on the way back as well. I’m thinking of tying a ball of string to our door handle and unravelling it as we go along so we don’t get lost every night!

The town is made up of very high identical looking white buildings so it’s a tricky business finding our way around. I haven’t been drinking since I’ve been here so far, but I think I might allow myself a big Sangria tonight in celebration as I don’t have any tests to ride tomorrow 🙂

Adios,

Anna

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A very successful week one of the Spanish Sunshine tour is over and I’m very happy that all the horses have been in the top three in all of their classes. I can’t quite believe it’s gone so well and I’m really proud of the horses.

Marinetty and I competed in the international prix st georges and did a lovely test to finish second with over 68%, while Ulia has punched well above her weight competing at a new level to come second three times and is learning so fast I can hardly keep up! I think she’ll be out at prix st georges by the end of the year.

Pegasus MK (pictured top right) did his best ever international grand prix, which was great as his new owner, Jane from Horse Online, came to watch him. He was second with 8s for piaffe, passage and the zig zag to finish on over 68%. I’m particularly pleased with our improved zig zag as I’ve been working on it like mad at home. When we started grand prix it resembled a wasp in a jam jar, as we buzzed frantically from side to side, so I’m very pleased my efforts have paid off as it felt very balanced. He feels on great form — really fit, wanting to show off and is piaffing like a demon.

Following our successful grand prix, I had a slight geographical moment of madness in the grand prix freestyle. I turned the wrong way and had to do some highly imaginative last-minute moves to get us back on track. We did finish with the music, but my floorplan confused the judges and affected our marks for choreography (which was unsurprising as I was extremely confused myself). Anyway, we came still came third, as his technical score was very good, but I have been kicking myself hard ever since!

We enjoyed the traditional ‘end of week’ party, which all the dressage competitors attend before starting it all again next week. We were shown a short cut to the village of Vecha by a rather inebriated ‘helper’ a couple of nights ago, but have failed to reproduce the journey, resulting in us getting lost several times for about an hour. This is no mean feat bearing in mind that the village is only 5min away on the long route. I’ve decided to fill Kate [Roland] up with Jack Daniels (her favorite tipple) tonight and to see if it helps her remember the way! Tomorrow we have further reinforcements in the shape of my Mum, Pat, and Chloe Chaplain, who are coming out to help.

The flies out here are quite bad so most of the competitors have adopted the new sport of ‘international fly swatting’ in our attempts to protect our horses. Andy Murray would be really proud of some of our moves. We have new judges coming out this week (for dressage, not fly swatting) so I hope we can build on our good work from the first week . The few days in between the competitions will give me a chance to build on our weaker bits and polish our strengths.

Adios,

Anna

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It’s happy days (so far) from sunny Spain.

Marinetty and I have competed in our first prix st george and I’m delighted we came second, despite a couple of miscommunications during the test. Beatrice Ferrer Salat, one of Spain’s top riders, won the class. The judges were rather at odds with two having her below me and the other marking 6% above the other two. My scores were pretty similar though and we ended up just under 68%. I’m really pleased with Mr M and it was a great chance to get to know each other better in a competition environment.

Ulia has done really well. This is her first ever trip abroad and was also her first test at advanced medium level. We scored 69% for another second place. I’m so pleased with her, she tried really hard and took the international arena in her stride. We won two exercise bandages with the montenmedio logo on so our mission now is to win another two so we can dress all four of her legs.

Kate [Roland] and I are well and truly into the Spanish spirit now. We are being guided through their tour by Beatrice’s groom of many years, Robbie Sanderson, who was originally from Basingstoke and still wears Union flag underpants on a daily basis. We have also been educating some non-horsey British holidaymakers, who wandered into the showground. We have obviously done well as today they told us that they think dressage is ‘the bollocks’ and intend to support us tomorrow wearing their GB football shirts and waving a Union flag tea towel!

Last night all the dressage competitors made a trip to a very lively local bar to watch Real Madrid play Barcelona and share a huge paella. This went a lot better than the night before when we couldn’t understand the menu, asked the waiter to order for us and ended up eating octopus, so we have decided we need to improve our Spanish at a great rate. I’ll be riding lots more tests over the weekend so will report back next week — Adiós for now!

Anna

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I’m just survived the steep decent into Gibraltar airport on my way to the Spanish Sunshine Tour, which for the uninitiated is a two week international dressage show in the far south of Spain.

This happy turn of events has been made possible thanks to the recent purchase of my international grand prix horse Pegasus MK (see pic), enabling me to retain the ride. This came as an enormous surprise and I’m very grateful to his former owner Peter Bowles, and his new one, Jane Sewell, for making it possible for us to stay together.

Jane and I had the conversation regarding the purchase of MK following a fairly jolly night [!] at the pub quiz in Cholderton, so when I woke up the following morning I thought I had dreamt it! Jane already has two horses in training at our yard, and is launching a new website called ‘Horse Online’, so she’s pretty busy.

As well as MK, I have two other horses to compete here in Spain: Marinetty and Ulia. I’m ‘baby sitting’ Marinetty for his owners, the Thomas family. His usual rider, Sarah Thomas, is at university in the USA at the moment. They were second at the Biarritz CDI last year and Sarah will be competing him at young rider level once she is ‘released’ from school. Marinetty loves to work and is fairly devastated if the lorry goes to a party without him, so he’s here for small tour to keep him entertained until Sarah is back to compete him herself.

The other horse is quite new to me, she’s called Ulia (aka Lolly) and belongs to the Connell family. I think she’s going to be pretty smart, but as she’s never been abroad she’s coming to do the ‘owners’ class. This is an open class at advanced medium level, which is a great way for inexperienced horses to learn about international shows. Every one of our practice competitions for the three horses were cancelled due to snow so it’s going to be a baptism of fire!

The journey to southern Spain is quite an undertaking. The horses travelled from our yard in Wiltshire to Portsmouth and took the ferry to Caen, before making three overnight stops along the way to the showground. According to my yard manager Gina Suddaby, who drove the horses down here, Lolly is fine and Marinetty is taking it all in his stride, but I’m going to need some glue when I get on MK as he’s broncing like a three-year-old whenever he leaves the box!

I’ve got my great ‘Altogether Equestrian’ team helping me here. In addition to Gina, my good friend Kate Rowland is coming tomorrow, MK’s new owner Jane Sewell visits later this week, Chloe Chaplain, who’s my apprentice, is coming out to learn the international grooming ropes in the second week before travelling back with the horses, and last but certainly not least, my Mum, Pat, is also joining us.

I’m happy to say our new lorry — christened ‘Violet the Volvo’ — gave the horses a great ride to get here so let’s hope I do too!

Anna

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Robert Maguire (Two Mills Showtime) and David McPherson (Pilgrim) were second and fourth respectively in the grand prix during the fourth leg of the Spanish Sunshine Tour.

Laura Renwick’ rode Limelight De Breve into runner-up spot in the small grand prix. Robert Whitaker was the sole British big tour winner, with a table C victory on Nureev Du Houssoit.

Young rider Laurie Bartram enjoyed a two-phase victory on Man About Town, and Tony Pearson won a speed class on Tender Moment. Finally, Sharon Quigley ran out the easy winner of the small tour grand prix on Lugana Beach.

The other British small tour winner was Kerry Grimster with Laughton’s Dream in a jump-off class.

Laura Renwick won the young horse grand prix on Kirsch. John Renwick won the other young horse class, taking the top two places in the two-phase on Baloubet Nice & Easy and Twister X.

Read this report in full, with photos and further analysis, plus reports from other top show jumping shows around Britain and Europe, in this Thursday’s Horse & Hound (22 March, ’07)

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H&H diarist Anna Ross-Davies triumphed in the grand prix on week three of the Spanish Sunshine Tour in her first season at the level.

Anna broke Olympian Carl Hester’s invincible run of wins as she rode Donald McTaggart’s 16.2hh bay gelding Liebling II to a 68% victory.

Anna has been in training with Ulla Salzgeber in Germany over the winter, while travelling back and forth to her role as yard manager at Patchetts Equestrian Centre, Hertfordshire.

“’Lenny’s been such an excitable horse in the past and we’ve had our share of ups and downs, but I always thought he’d be good at this level,” said Anna. “I’ve always put my back into it but I still can’t quite believe it’s happened.”

Full report in Horse & Hound 22 March, 07

15 March, ’07

Carl Hester’s exceptional form has continued into the third week of the Spanish Sunshine Tour (13-18 March). Yesterday he scooped first place in the junior prelim owner’s class with T Movistar, having earned a score of 72.762%. The latest victory ensures he has won all 11 classes he has entered so far on the tour.

Britain’s Judy Harvey also had a good day yesterday with Fitzcerraldo. The pair scored 71.917% to win the Prix St Georges, breaking the 70% barrier for the first time on the tour. Laura Ferrier and Demanio earned 69.833%, for second place.

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Carl Hester’s run of unbeatable form continues in Spain – he has now scored 11 wins including the CDI grand prix and grand prix special with Lecantos.

“Lecantos is fantastic and I’m learning something different about him from every test,” said Hester. “He has now won five classes with 70% or more except one, which he won with 69%.”

In week two Hester also won the CDN grand prix with Pro-Set, and the owners junior team and prelim test with TMovistar, ensuring he has won every class he has entered so far on the tour.

For the full results of the Spanish Sunshine tour, visit: www.sunshinetour.net

Read Horse & Hound’s in-depth dressage coverage from Spain in this Thursday’s magazine (15 March, ’07)

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John and Robert Whitaker joined the Spanish Sunshine Tour for week three and they made an immediate impact. John won the first day’s major jump-off on Cruising’s Mickey Finn, then his son, Robert, scored a terrific grand prix victory with Finbarr V. Richard Davenport finished in 10th place in the grand prix with Olibero.

There were five Britons in the money in the small grand prix, including James Davenport (Lulu), Robert Bevis (Kanon De Lambarde) and William Funnell (Cortaflex Billy Birr), behind the Egyptian winner Karim El Zoghby on Raisa. Tony Pearson gained two comfortable small tour wins on Tender Moment.

Laura Renwick’s young horse supremacy continued. She won a five-year-old two-phase on Oxford De Breve, before maintaining her unbeaten six-year-old record. Not to be outdone, Laura’s husband, John, headed the seven-year-old grand prix on Baloubet Nice & Easy. Jemma Kirk was close behind with Tosca.

Read this report in full, with photos and further analysis, plus reports from elite jumping shows around Britain, in this Thursday’s Horse & Hound (15 March, ’07)

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Britain’s riders finished the second show of the Spanish Sunshine Tour with eight individual victories.

Robert Bevis finished third in the grand prix on Connery behind the Spanish winners, Rutherford Latham and Jaina De Barnevil. Laura Renwick and Limelight De Breve were second in the small grand prix, behind Egyptian rider Karim El Zoghby on Raisa.

The Britons had to be content with second places in many other big tour classes. Laura and Limelight were runners-up in a jump-off class, while Henry Turrell (Racy), Robert Maguire (Two Mills Showtime), Jemma Kirk (Perth) and Andrew Davies (Sir Graditz) also collected good second spots.

Emily Smallman won a small tour speed on First Edition, while Tony Pearson picked up three class wins to Ireland’s Ivan Dalton’s one.

The Brits won four out of six young horse classes, including two grands prix. Laura Renwick (Beluga/Kirsch) took the top two places in the six-year-old two-phase and the grand prix, while husband John finished third in the seven-year-old grand prix on Baloubet Nice & Easy.

Tony Pearson was second with Fan Fair behind Ivan Dalton (Variant) in the five-year-old two-phase. The tables were turned in the grand prix, with Laura Renwick third on Oxford De Breve.

Read this report in full with photos and comment, plus reports of other top show jumping competitions around Britain, in this week’s Horse & Hound (8 March, ’07)

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British riders have excelled during the first week of competition on the Spanish Sunshine Tour, with Carl Hester and Nicky Barrett scooping a multitude of wins.

Hester clocked up five wins on his two horses at Vejer de la Frontera (28 February – 4 March 2007), winning the the intermediaire II (70.78%), grand prix (69.667%) and grand prix special (71%) with new ride and team hope Lecantos. Hester also won two owners class junior team tests on board Sarah Tyler-Evans’ T.Movistar. Meanwhile Barrett won two prix st georges as well as an intermediaire I in the small tour with Faberge 50.

Hester has been riding the 11-year-old Lecantos for just four months and is very excited about the future. Lecantos is owned by Irish dressage and event rider Sasha Stewart, who is one of Hester’s pupils.

“Lecantos gives me the same feeling as my previous top horse Escapado,” Hester said. “He has all the qualities you need to make a great horse; he’s really special. We brought him here to decide whether he is good enough and ready to try for the British team this year and this weekend has proved he is a 70% horse.”

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Britain’s riders were quickly into the winning groove in Vejer de la Frontera. Laura Renwick won two big tour classes with Perfect and was fifth in the small grand prix on Limelight De Breve. She also headed a British one-two-three in day two’s two-phase six-year-old class on Beluga and finished second on Kirsch. Young rider Kerry Grimster took third place with Roller Coaster.

In Thursday’s young horse finals, Laura was third on her five-year-old Oxford De Breve before winning the six-year-old class with Beluga . British-based Irishman Ivan Dalton won the five-year-old class on Variant.

Honours in the small grand prix went to Ireland, courtesy of Billy Twomey on Wertherroschen, while Spanish rider Jesus Garmendia scored a popular grand prix victory with Maddock. William Funnell enjoyed a win on the final day when Billy Birr beat his team-mates Sian Price (Rambo III) and Jo Pay (Randi’s Gold) in a speed class.

There were four British small tour wins. Tony Pearson scored two of them in speed and two-phase classes on Tender Moment, while Sharon Quigley and Lugana Beach picked up a speed class and young rider Laurie Bartram and Man About Town galloped to victory in a two-phase.

Read this report in full with photos and further comment, plus reports from the cream of jumping shows around Britain, in this Thursday’s Horse & Hound (1 March, ’07)

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British Olympic team member Richard Davison is making great strides with his up-and-coming ride Hiscox Karachi on the Spanish Sunshine Tour.

The partnership produced its best result to date when finishing second in the grand prix freestyle in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain with a score of 72%. The German-bred gelding, by Warkant, moved up three places in the freestyle from fifth place in the grand prix.

Former pony and young rider medal winner Maria Eilberg also enjoyed success in the grand prix freestyle, moving up from 18th in the grand prix to finish third in the kür, just behind Richard, on 69.33% with Two Sox.

Bronze team medallists at the 2003 European Dressage Championships, Nicola McGivern and Active Walero, continued their consistent form by finishing third in the grand prix and second in the grand prix special.

Denmark’s Lone Jorgensen and Ludewig G won the grand prix and the freestyle classes with scores of 71.833% and 74.78% respectively. Alexandra Simons de Ridder from Germany took the grand prix special.

In the small tour classes, Carl Hester continued to fly the British flag with Pro-Set. They continued their good form from the first week to take second in the prix st georges with nearly 71%, behind Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer Salat and Cassandro, and win the intermediaire I with nearly 73%.

In the six-year-old section of the FEI young horse classes, Sarah Millis has been unbeatable with Timberland III. The pair won both the FEI six-year-old preliminary test with 78.8% and the FEI six-year-old final with a staggering 83.6%.

For the full results, visit: www.sunshinetour.net

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