A deaf equine degree student is thriving in her work thanks to her “superhero” hearing dog.

Alvin joined 20-year-old Trinity Rogers at Myerscough College last month. The cocker spaniel supports her in daily life and at college.

“I am profoundly deaf in both ears, and grew up with hearing aids, before having cochlear implants when I was about 13,” Trinity said. “I have a language processing disorder which basically make it harder to remember instructions and information.

“I found out about Hearing Dogs for Deaf People a few years ago and I knew I would need one. I had to wait until I was 16 before I could apply, and the process went from there. It takes a long time to be matched, but I finally met Alvin last September and agreed to take him as my dog. It was a very hard journey at the start because my family and I had never had a dog before, so we had to build that relationship.

“Now, we can finally work together at ease, and although Alvin can decide to be cheeky, I love him to bits. He’s my best friend and my superhero. It has made my life so much easier, as it makes people aware of my deafness, so they do their best to take their time and support me. It has given my parents so much comfort in allowing me to grow independently knowing Alvin is there by my side to protect me.’’

Trinity is also supported by Myerscough’s inclusive learning team, and has extra support such as a note-taker in classes.

She added: “Alvin helps me at Myerscough by making sure I am not late for my lessons by alerting me to morning alarms, letting me know my new friends and staff are trying to get my attention, and alerting me to other things such as fire alarms and doorbells. But most importantly he just makes me laugh because he has a strong character, and gives you the best cuddles.

“I decided to study at Myerscough because they were very happy to have Alvin with me and give me any support I’d need. Also, I wanted to specifically study equine science and this course had the most interesting education I was looking for, as well as amazing staff.

“I’m loving it at Myerscough so much. I’m gaining so much confidence and I can be myself, whereas in the past I didn’t feel confident to do so.”

Trinity wants to work within equine veterinary medicine in future.

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“I think it will be very challenging but I don’t give up easily, even if someone has told me it’s not possible,” she said.

“Previously, medical professionals would tell my parents to not have high expectations for me because of my deafness, and I was bullied through school because of it, but I have proven them wrong. If you have a dream, never let go and fight for it, no matter what others say.’’

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a charity that trains dogs to alert deaf people to a variety of sounds, and provide emotional support. Their burgundy coats also signal to the public that they are with a deaf person. It costs £25,000 to take a puppy from birth to being partnered with a deaf person.

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When the pandemic caused the cancellations of a number of conferences, a group of education professionals decided to organise an online conference to enable equine science students to showcase their research instead. H&H finds out how it went and who won the prizes on offer for the best presentations...

An online conference showcasing the research of equine science students has demonstrated the “commitment and determination” of the next generation of equine health professionals.

The event on 15 July, was organised by David Marlin, Jane Williams of Hartpury University, Roberta Ferro De Godoy of Writtle University College and Lorna Cameron of University Centre Sparsholt, following the cancellation of conferences owing to the pandemic.

Fifty-seven students from 18 education centres took part and prizes were awarded for the best oral and poster presentations in the undergraduate and postgraduate categories, judged by Dr Marlin, Pat Harris of the Waltham Equine Studies Group and Helen Warren of Alltech.

The winners were: undergraduate poster Prevalence of ulcerative keratitis by Kirsty Stratfull, University of Nottingham; postgraduate poster The perceptions of quality veterinary care by different professional roles within a referral equine hospital by Freya Rook, University of Nottingham; undergraduate oral Effect of breast support on 3D relative displacement and upper-body muscle activity in female horse riders on an equine simulator by Rachel Smith, University Centre Sparsholt; postgraduate oral Competition level does not influence intersegmental coordination between the rider and a riding simulator in sitting trot by Celeste Wilkins, Hartpury University.

Dr Marlin said the high standard of research is an indication of not only the excellent work being conducted, but demonstrated the “commitment and determination” of the next generation of equine health professionals.

“It was extremely rewarding to see many students enjoy their moment as they took to the stage to present their research, which I’m sure will represent an important milestone in their future careers,” he said.

Dr Williams added the event had “exceeded expectations” with fantastic engagement from students and a wider equestrian audience.

“The students were amazing. It was great to see them take advantage of the opportunity to present their work and showcase the breadth and quality of applied research which is being undertaken to benefit equine health and welfare, as well as horse and rider performance, across higher education institutions,” she said.

Postgraduate student Ms Wilkins everyone was keen to get their take-home messages across to students, but also to the general horse world.

“My study was two years in the making and I was really proud of the innovative data analysis that I’ve been able to achieve,” she said.

“I plan to finish my PhD in early 2021 and I’m hoping to be able to make a difference in riders’ lives with the information from my PhD which focuses specifically on the techniques that result in greater harmony between horse and rider,” she said.

Undergraduates Nina Robinson, University Centre Bishop Burton, Lilly Harris, Reaseheath College and postgraduates Sue Nixon, University Centre Myerscough, and Isabeau Deckers, Hartpury University were highly commended.

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Britain scored a golden hat-trick at the student rider nations cup (SRNC) world finals in Poland.

The team of three claimed overall combined gold as well as a gold medal in the team dressage, and tied for first place with Austria in the team showjumping competition.

The squad’s performances throughout 2017 mean Britain also won the World University Equestrian Federation (AIEC) President’s Cup for the best overall combined team rankings from all SRNCs in a calendar year.

Sophie Hall, Rupert Batting and India Wishart made up the British team at Jaszkowo Riding Centre for the world finals (29-31 December) and also took home a host of individual medals.

India and Sophie won combined individual gold and silver respectively, Rupert took individual dressage silver and India bronze.

“We are absolutely delighted — I can’t quite believe it has happened and this makes all the hard work so worth it,” Sophie told H&H.

“There were some fantastic riders this year and we faced particularly tough competition from the Irish and German teams in the early rounds.

“To win gold in both the dressage and showjumping team competitions [at a SRNC] has made history for the British team and I feel so fortunate to have been a part of it.

“Riding alongside India and Rupert was just fantastic and having a big team of GB supporters made it extra-special. I cannot wait to see where 2018 takes us.”

She added that “the venue was stunning, the organisation immaculate and the horses fantastic”.

Article continues below…

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A horse and dray has been drafted in to take away re-usable items that would otherwise be binned from student

SRNCs run in a knock-out format, in which riders compete on unfamiliar horses, lent for the occasion, which makes it a test of horsemanship rather than a horse’s ability.

Teams also ride the first-round dressage test together as a trio, in a similar way to the CIC2* European Eventing Championship dressage.

The final dressage round involves two riders, who must each perform a set test at prix st georges level and a freestyle to music.

The final two riders in the showjumping competition face a course — usually around 1.30m — which they will jump on both horses used in the final.

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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A university has looked to the past to come up with a greener way of helping students get rid of unwanted clutter at the end of term.

A horse and dray has been drafted in to take away re-usable items that would otherwise be chucked out during the unenviable task of cleaning out student homes in Nottingham.

The added “horse power” will be making its way through the streets of Lenton — home to many of the city’s students — on bin collection dates.

The idea is part of a waste, recycling and charity collection drive, run by the University of Nottingham and Nottingham City Council.

Recent figures show there are around 27,000 students at Nottingham Trent and 33,000 at the University of Nottingham.

Each year, there is an “annual drive” to reduce the amount of waste generated when students move out, but this is the first time a horse and dray has been brought in to help.

Cllr Nicola Heaton, from Nottingham City Council, said she hopes the horse and trap will be an “engaging tool” to remind students of their responsibilities when it comes to rubbish.

The equine helper will come direct to students’ doors in a bid to cut down the amount of waste sent to landfill.

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Kirsty Mckeown, of the University of Nottingham, said the university has a “strong commitment” to sustainability.

“Students are living as part of the community and need to get rid of their waste like everyone else, but for many this will be their first experience of moving out,” she said.

“Reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill benefits everyone and hopefully the streets will look tidier as a result.

“We thought old-fashioned horse power would be a fun, and very green, way of encouraging students and other residents in the area to think about how they dispose of items that could be put to use by others.”

The idea is also being trialled in the Hungarian village of Nagyvázsony, where bin lorries have been replaced by cheaper and more environmentally friendly horse and carts.

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The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has launched a new bloodstock degree for equine students looking to work in the racing and performance horse industry.

The new BSc (Hons) degree in bloodstock and performance horse management begins in September 2016.

Students on the three-year course will study horse physiology, ethics and production issues affecting high performance horses.

The course also covers business theory and practice with an emphasis on equine businesses.

All students complete a 20-week placement in an equine-related business to gain valuable work experience.

“This is a unique BSc(Hons) degree that will take students on a journey of learning and development which is targeted specifically at the high-level performance horse industry,” said Dr Meriel Moore-Colyer, dean of the RAU’s school of equine management and science (SEMS).

“The blend of fundamental and production science in the context of performance horse business will produce the innovators of tomorrow and help develop and ‘future-proof’ this valuable section of the equine industry,” she added.

The degree course has been developed after consultation with the thoroughbred and racing industry.

Students will go on visits to racing and performance horse enterprises and gain an insight into the different facets of the European equine businesses.

The entry requirements for the new degree course are either three Cs at A level with a science subject desirable or three merits in a BTEC. English and maths GCSEs at a minimum of Grade C level are also needed.

Applicants should also have some practical experience.

There are 20 places available on the new course. For more details visit: www.rau.ac.uk

Formed in 2014 the SEMS offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses covering applied equine science and business, international equine and agricultural business management and equine studies (top-up) and an MSc in applied equine science.

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Students hoping to a pursue a career in the equestrian profession will now have a specialist site to help point them in the right direction.

A new website of equine-related college courses has been launched by recruitment specialists Equine Careers.

The website, launched earlier this month (10 December), gives details of the equine courses on offer at Hartpury College, Moreton Morrell, the Royal Agricultural University and Sparsholt College in Hampshire.

Equine Careers founder Emma Dyer said the range of courses on offer aims to “widen students’ horizons.”

“There wasn’t one place where the colleges could be compared and contrasted by potential students,” she said.

Other colleges offering equine courses are expected to be featured on the website in the coming weeks.

Equine science is currently one of the most popular courses Emma told H&H, followed by welfare and therapy courses.

“We’re actively seeking to promote useful, commercial skills. Equine science is vital to work in nutrition and feed,” she said.

Students looking at equine courses should seriously consider where the course is going to take them and the job opportunities available she advised.

“We’re geared to science, coaching and business management, slightly more commercially minded courses,” she added.

The new website — www.equine-careers.co.uk/equine-college-courses/ — is optimised for mobiles and tablets.

At Hartpury there are 14 equine courses listed ranging from diplomas in horse care and horse management to degree courses in equine science and new for 2016 equine science and therapy.

The college’s integrated masters equine science degree course covers nutrition, therapy and rehabilitation, breeding, behaviour and welfare, and health and disease.

There are also equestrian sports coaching and equine business management degree courses on offer.

At Moreton Morrell in Warwickshire there are 12 degree courses listed ranging from equine performance coaching to equine business management and the racing industry.

In Cirencester the Royal Agricultural University has BSc degree courses in equine management, international equine and agricultural business management, bloodstock and performance horse management and an MSc in applied equine science.

At Sparsholt equine students can take a diploma in equine and rider performance, a BSc in equestrian performance management or equine science or an MSc in equine behaviour, performance and training.

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British student riders have celebrated the start of the 2015 university equestrian season with a double victory.

The GB team of Sophie Wragg (Cardiff university), Georgie Wood (Royal Holloway) and Steph Gunn (Harper Adams) claimed gold in both the combined (dressage and showjumping) and the showjumping competitions in Belgium earlier this month (2-4 April).

There were 15 nations competing at the event held in Leuven. Ireland finished as runners up in the combined, while Poland claimed silver in the showjumping.

The weekend started off with dressage.

“The British team produced a neat team test with only a minor error, finishing in sixth position after dressage,” said a spokesman for the GB team.

Steph made it through to the second round of the individual dressage competition, but narrowly missed out on the third round finishing in seventh place.

In the showjumping all British team members made it through to the second round.

Steph and Georgie then progressed to the third round but unfortunately drew the same horse ruling out the chance of an all British showjumping final.

Both completed fast rounds but an unlucky pole for Georgie meant that Steph went through to the final against Swedish rider Jocelin Lillenau.

In the final Jocelin had four faults on the first horse and eight faults on the second.

The first ride for Steph was clear until the last fence when she had a late pole. However, she went on to produce a clear round on the second horse claiming gold for showjumping.

Georgie finished fifth and Sophie finished seventh individually.

All the British riders finished individually in the top 12 — with Georgie 12th, Sophie ninth and Steph taking individual silver.

The next competition is hosted by Romania in May.

In January the GB university team took home team gold at the Student Riders’ World Finals in Florida narrowly beating Ireland to the top spot.

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British student riders were celebrating last week as the Team GB university equestrian team were crowned world champions at the AIEC Student Riding World Finals in Florida (30 December-1 January).

The team of Lottie Kennedy, Jess Campbell and Lauren Innes (pictured top) took the victory in the gold league, pipping 2013 World Champions, Ireland, to the top spot.

Ireland’s team of Brian Morrison, James Brennan and Peter O’Donnell finished first in the show jumping and third in dressage to give them silver in the overall combined event.

The podium in the gold league was completed by Belgium in bronze position.

This victory propelled Britain from third in the yearly rankings to first, to win the 2014 President’s Cup.

The GB team riders all finished in the top 10, with Oxford University student Lauren Innes (pictured right) taking the individual silver medal, Jess Campbell claiming 7th and Lottie Kennedy coming 10th.

“We knew we had a strong team but with so many talented riders from around the world we’re thrilled to have had such an amazing result,” said Lauren.

She was narrowly beaten to the individual gold medal by Ireland’s grand prix showjumper Brian Morrison. Britta Vanschoenwinkel took the individual bronze for Belgium.

Unlike standard Student Riding Nations Cups (SRNCS), the World Finals have two leagues ­— gold and silver.

Nations gain points during the year in the SRNCS’ series with the top six countries competing in the coveted gold league and the remaining nine countries in silver.

British individual rider Steph Gunn came eighth individually in the silver league and was part of a mixed international team that won overall silver, which included Irish rider Tori Dixon.

GB team representative Henry Womersley-Smith said the win in Florida has “topped off a great year and bodes well for 2015.”

“It is also brilliant to have support from the British Equestrian Federation once again and the team and I would like to thank them very much,” he added.

The competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre in Florida was hosted by the American Student Rider Organisation.

Countries competing this year included Britain, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, USA, France, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada.

The AIEC series resumes in March in Belgium; for more information visit www.gbstudentriders.co.uk

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The British team returned home victorious from the Student Riding Nations Cup (SRNC) in Pompadour, France earlier this month (14-16 November).

The team of Lauren Innes, Steph Gunn and Ellie Robinson won team gold in the combined competition — which comprises dressage and showjumping — as well as gold in the showjumping and silver in the dressage. This was their best result this season.

In keeping with the tradition of student competitions, riders partnered borrowed horses supplied by the host nation.

Individually, 22-year-old Leeds University dentistry student Ellie Robinson took showjumping silver after a head-to-head battle with Germany’s Esteban Benítez.

“I was really excited to get to the final round of the showjumping,” said Ellie. “We had experienced both fantastic and challenging horses during the previous rounds and I knew the final would be no different. The course was great with some real opportunities to cut inside fence

s and get a good time.”

Harper Adams University student Steph Gunn made it through to the dressage final against Germany’s Malte Eitenmuller, where both competitors rode a prix st georges (PSG) level test and a freestyle test to music. Just 1% separated the top two.

“Getting to the dressage final was a surprise and a bit of a panic as I had little experience riding some of the movements,” admitted Steph. “The horses, the great people and the great parties helped me through!”

Team representative Henry Womersley Smith, said: “We are all extremely pleased with the team’s latest result, which now puts Great Britain in a prime position for the World Finals in Florida next month. I wish the four riders travelling out there the best of luck.”

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British students were celebrating last month (22-24 August) after securing team bronze at the Student Riding Nations Cup.

The British team of three was made up of Hector Payne, Lottie Kennedy and Rory Newton-Dunn (pictured above with the event organisers).

They took on riders from 14 nations including America at the three-day dressage and showjumping competition at Wellington Riding in Hampshire.

The Netherlands took team gold in the combined competition and gold in the dressage.

Spain took top honours in the showjumping, with Britain taking bronze.

The 45 competitors taking part were all on horses lent for the competition by local owners and Wellington Riding.

21-year-old Birmingham University sports and exercise student Lottie Kennedy took individual silver in the dressage (pictured right).

“During the final two tests I tried to give it my all as it’s not every day that you get to ride two amazing grand prix horses,” she said.

In the showjumping Cardiff University student Rory, 22, took the individual silver medal.

In the final he jumped against Spain’s Victoria Gargallo over a 1.20m course.

“It was a real honour to compete against some of the most talented young riders,” said Rory.

Former student riders include World Equestrian Games bronze medallist William Fox-Pitt.

Full results

Individual combined:

1 – Esteban Benitez Valle (ESP)

2 – Milou Anthonisse (NED)

3 – Rory Newton-Dunn (GBR)

Individual dressage:

1 – Esteban Benitez Valle (ESP)

2 – Lottie Kennedy (GBR)

3 – Marcia Dominicus

Individual showjumping:

1 – Victoria Garqallo Garcia (ESP)2 – Rory Newton-Dunn (GBR)

3 – Milou Antonisse (NED)

Team combined:

1 – Netherlands

2 – Germany

3 – Great Britain

Team dressage:

1 – Netherlands

2 – Ireland

3 – Great Britain

Team showjumping:

1 – Netherlands

2 – Germany

3 – Spain

For more information visit www.gbstudentriders.co.uk

Find out more about getting back into the saddle at university

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Students are being offered free entry to top-class Flat racing over the “Weekend of Champions” later this year (17-18 October).

The racing action includes six Group One races across Dubai future champions day at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile (17 October), and QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on (18 October).

The Ascot student day is sponsored by Sheikh Fahad al Thani of QIPCO Holding, whose passion for racing started when he was a student in London.

“It is important that British racing is proactive in introducing more young people to this wonderful sport,” he said.

The first 2,000 students to apply will be given free tickets.

This year’s initiative follows on from last year’s inaugural National Student Raceday.

Sophie Jenkins, a recent graduate from Nottingham University, attended the National Student Raceday 2013.

“Last year was a lot of fun and many of the students who attended had never been racing before,” she said. “To be offered the chance to attend the Weekend of Champions completely free is amazing, and I am sure that even more will go this year.”

For tickets for the Ascot meeting, visit the website and use the promotional code STUDENTSBCD.

Students will only be able to register for one ticket and will only be granted admission with a valid photo student ID.

To apply for up to four tickets to the Dubai Future Champions day, go to the Newmarket racecourse website and use the promotional code STUDENT14.

Amy Starkey, from the Jockey Club said: “We recognise that many people start their passion for racing at a young age and believe that the quality of the racing on offer will be a perfect introduction to our sport.”

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A new equine masters degree programme is being run at Sparsholt College from this September.

The MSc course in equine behaviour, performance and training is based at the Sparsholt’s Winchester site, and is validated by the University of Portsmouth.

“There are currently a number of equine masters courses available elsewhere but these have a different focus. Our Masters combines all the relevant elements of equitation science and the management, training and welfare of the ridden horse,” explains course tutor, Lorna Cameron.

“There has been a rise in research interest in this area which collectively aims to improve the welfare and performance of the ridden horse in diverse situations,” she adds.

Students will take units in equestrian training, equestrian performance, applied animal behaviour science, and complete an independent research project.

The course can be studied over 2 years part-time, or 1-year full time. For more details visit www.sparsholt.ac.uk

Students who love horseracing will have discounted entry to racecourses on the first ever “national student raceday” later this year.

On 26 October six racecourses — Aintree, Newbury, Doncaster, Chepstow, Stratford-on-Avon and Wolverhampton – will offer cheap entry to students.

The day is being arranged by Lovetheraces and tickets are just £10.

Great British Racing, the organisation that promotes racing to new audiences, will also be providing selected universities with free transport to nearby racecourses.

The day will has strong Flat and National Hunt fixtures, including Old Roan Chase Day at Aintree, Racing Post Trophy Day at Doncaster and St Simon Stakes Day at Newbury.

“We’ve seen the success of student race days in Ireland and are keen to introduce increasing numbers of young people to the delights of British racing so our own National Student Raceday seemed the perfect opportunity,” said Rod Street of Great British Racing.

“We’re particularly pleased that all six courses agreed to support the day which was chosen due to its close proximity to the start of term.”

Visit www.lovetheraces.com for further information

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A new mentoring programme to support equine students has been launched by Oxford Brookes University in partnership with Abingdon and Witney College.

The programme will offer students studying a BSc degree in equine science and thoroughbred management access to experts who will provide career advice via an online forum.

The mentors will offer advice in horseracing and bloodstock from a grass roots level through to governance, finance and marketing.

Founder of the mentor programme Annie Bishop said: “Despite all of our recent grads entering successfully into the job market on completion of their degree, in a challenging environment we want to offer our students a head start by creating access to experts who can provide advice and guidance on developing a career within horseracing and bloodstock.

“We are very grateful to the members of the mentoring program and hope to roll this out across all of our equine courses in the near future.”

Paull Khan, racing director of Weatherbys added: “I look forward to playing a part, alongside others on the mentors’ panel, in advising and guiding those who are at that exciting, yet uncertain stage, of preparing to set out on their career journeys in racing.”

Members of the Mentoring Programme

Andrew and Anna-Lisa Balding — Park House Stables

Joanna Murray and Jenna King — Smith and Williamson Accountants

Paull Kahn — Racing Director, Weatherbys

Richard Knight — Bloodstock Agent

Kit Arkwright — Racing for Change

Michelle Douglas — British Horseracing Authority

Harriet Rochester — HRSM, Sports Marketing and PR

Caroline Turnbull — Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

Sam Hoskins — Next Generation Club

Sarah Stoneham, Lone Oak Stud — Veterinary and Research

Louise Jones — Dodson and Horrell

For further information visit – www.brookes.ac.uk/studying/courses/undergraduate/2013/equine

An A-level student from Pulborough, West Sussex beat nearly 150 riders to take the senior schools individual title at yesterday’s (26 July) Hurstpierpoint College national schools and Pony Club jumping championships at Hickstead.

Hurstpierpoint College pupil Millie Singleton – who plans to take a gap year bringing on young horses – won the championship with her 10-year-old gelding O’Breche De Laurvale.

“I’ve been competing at Hickstead in the international shows for the past four years, and to win in the main arena is very special,” said Millie, who has ridden at the British Jumping Derby Meeting and and the Royal International Horse Show in 1.25, 1.35m and Foxhunter classes.

“[O’Breche De Laurvale’s] still in Grade C and relatively inexperienced, but he has the heart of a lion. I got him last summer and started competing at 1m level, and we quickly progressed up to Foxhunter classes.”

Wellington College took the senior schools team competition – having last won the title in 1992 – and St Leonards Mayfield red team won the junior schools section.

The individual junior schools winner was Katinka Brogaard from Godolphin School red team on Sprite II.

The Warwickshire Hunt branch claimed the Pony Club title for the first time. And the Iveagh branch from County Down continued its run of success at the championships, with Aoife Dooley adding a fourth individual title to its name.

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Equine studies students from the UK and Ireland are encouraged to enter their theses now for the Eqvalan Duo Thesis of the Year award.

Applications are invited from first degree students on honours bachelor’s courses at agricultural and equine universities and colleges in Britain and Ireland.

The winner of the 2011 award was Lisa Randle from Warwickshire College, with her thesis “Prevalence of Obesity and Health Issues in Mature Leisure Horses in the Midlands of the UK: An Equine Body Condition Survey.”

To submit a thesis, students should contact Catherine Stuart at the Royal Agricultural Society of England by email – catherines@rase.org.uk

The deadline for submission is Friday 20 July and the final shortlist will be announced in early September.

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British students (right) enjoyed success in a World Finals championship field of 45 international riders from 15 countries including Canada and the USA over the New Year.

The EQUINAvet UK AIEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants Cavaliers) SRNC (Student Riders Nations Cup) World Finals were held at Vale View Equestrian Centre, Leics, from 29 December to 1 January.

This was the culmination of the international events held throughout 2011 for student riders and for the first time the World Finals used a silver and gold league system.

In the silver league, British rider Henry Womersley Smith joined up with Saskia Schildkamp (The Netherlands) and Maria Svantemark (Sweden) to form Team International 2 and top the leader board.

Henry made the final round of the dressage phase and was just beaten to the gold medal by his team-mate Saskia. Overall, Henry finished eighth (combined dressage and jumping scores).

Team GB (Victoria Adderley, Izzy Edmundson and Alison Rountree) excelled themselves in the dressage of the gold league – contested by the top six countries from all SRNC events through the year – to win that phase.

In the combined team rankings, the British team took the bronze, with victory going to the German team (left), led by overall individual winner Jorgen Kohlbrandt, who was joined by Britta Knaup and Sylvia Mallison.

Student riding events at both national and international level are based on the idea of competitors riding unfamiliar horses with only a short warm-up, competing directly against others riding the same mount in a knockout style contest.

The events are also reputed for their social side and the competitors were joined by 100 supporters to enjoy a varied programme of entertainment and parties.

There was a live band on Thursday and a Rubik’s cube-themed party on Friday, where revellers started by wearing the six different colours of the cube and aimed to end the night wearing one colour – by swapping clothes. There was also a New Year’s Eve gala dance and dinner, with sponsors and judges present.

The British team members were keen to thank the event’s new title sponsor EQUINAvet UK and the other companies who supported them, including Musto, EquusSphere, Darlow rosettes and Harbro feed and country store, as well as Vale View Equestrian Centre for providing fantastic facilities.

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Two men accused of pulling a mounted police officer from his horse during the student fees protest appeared in court on 10 February.

Christopher Hilliard, 22, and a 17-year-old youth have been released on bail following an appearance at the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

The men from Cheshire are both charged with committing violent disorder in London’s Parliament Square on December 9 last year.

Neither man entered a plea and they are due to return to the court on March 24 for the case to be committed Crown Court.

They were among six defendants in court accused of committing offences during the demonstration.

Charlie Gilmour, son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, was due to be in court however his case has been postponed.

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Protesters in Westminster, London reportedly attacked police horses with missiles, firecrackers, sticks and metal bars during yesterday’s (9 December) demonstration against an increase to student fees.

National papers have reported that missiles included metal bolts, concrete and heavy-based traffic cones. The sticks came from placards and the iron bars from dismantled barriers.

Skirmishes between police and a minority of protesters began at 2pm, ahead of MPs voting by a majority of 21 to raise maximum annual tuition fees to £9,000.

As attacks by protestors escalated, mounted police charged.

No horse was seriously hurt, according to initial reports. All were wearing plastic eye shields, leg armour and nose guards.

One mounted officer, however, according to reports, suffered severe neck injuries after being pulled from his horse, and another’s legs were trampled.

At least one rider was thrown when a protestor’s firework spooked a horse. Mostly though the well-trained horses remained steadfast under a barrage of loud noises, flashes and projectiles.

In all, nine officers and 22 protesters were hurt in the clashes in and around Parliament Square.

The Metropolitan Police Service was unavailable for comment this morning.

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Three students spend a day in the life of an equine lawyer after winning the inaugural Dalton’s Solicitors’ Equine Lawyer Studentship.

The aspiring solicitors — Sophie Phillips, Emma Green and Lee Cooper — spent a day with equine lawyer Sarah Jordan learning core elements of equine law, including equine contracts, equestrian property transactions and equine disputes.

They applied for the studentship by providing short essays to equine specific questions posed by Ms Jordan.

Michael Dalton, senior partner, of the practice in Petersfield, Hampshire, said that the firm had received a large number of applications of a high calibre but the three students chosen were clearly passionate in their desire to specialise in equine law.

Sophie Phillips, who travelled from Stratford for the sessions on 12 July said: “My day at Daltons was a fantastic opportunity to explore my passion for equine law further.

“I was able to engage in all kinds of equine legal matters from property sales to purchase disputes and ultimately realise what it would be like to practice as an equine lawyer.”

Sarah was delighted with the enthusiastic approach the students took with the tasks set them and as a result Dalton’s is planning to make this an annual national award.

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Great Britain’s student riders experienced a golden four days in Holland at the end of May, winning the Nations Cup event held at De Mortel.

Fifteen nations from all over the world were represented, including Canada, USA, Ireland and Germany. Each team comprised three riders with Philippa Castro, Becky Woolven and Hannah Patchitt (pictured left to right) representing Britain.

Becky, a final year student at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, also took the individual gold medal. Philippa and Hannah, both graduates of Leeds University, finished fifth and ninth.

British team manager Kate Allen said: “I’m over the moon with the results and all three girls finishing in the top 10 was absolutely fantastic. It really was a very exciting result for GB.”

The Nations Cup is organised by a French founded body AIEC (The World of Student Riding), whose aim is to develop and coordinate international university equestrian sport.

The Student Riders Nations Cups (SRNCs) involve a showjumping and dressage competition. The competitors are provided with horses to compete on; a different one for each round and there are five for both the showjumping and the dressage.

The tricky part is that the students are only allowed to ride the horses for five minutes before the showjumping or dressage test, taking two practise jumps in the showjumping. The best to ride each horse gets through to the next round.

The finals rounds are a huge test of rider ability as the jumps can be up to 1.40m and the dressage is to prix st george level.

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Equine Careers today launches a new service to help college students find professional work placements in equestrian and related businesses like Weatherbys.

The Student Placement Service will match businesses with students looking for a few weeks or months experience in equine-related sales, marketing or administration.

Emma Dyer, founder and director of Equine Careers, says: “Students can often be at a loss when searching for work placements, while businesses can often benefit from giving experience to the right person, but they don’t know how to locate them.”

The Student Placement Service will be hosted on the Equine Careers website, which Dyer set up as a database for freelance equestrian sales agents in March 2009, after she was made redundant from an equine marketing job. The company has since won a BETA International Innovation Award.

Students and businesses can sign up for the Student Placement Service on the Equine Careers website for an annual fee: £10 for students and £250 for businesses. That fee covers limitless searches throughout the year.

“All students will be vetted to make sure that businesses are getting what they want, not someone who’s going to give up after a couple of days” assures Dyer.

Visit www.equine-careers.co.uk

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Could students be the answer to horseracing’s image problem?

Working groups for the Racing for Change board — the project tasked with making racing accessible to a wider audience — think so.

They have suggested that students should be targeted to help broaden the sport’s fanbase. Ideas afoot include university race nights, hosted with student unions, and subsidised transport and entry to racecourses.

Joanne Gunn from the Racehorse Owners Association is on one of the working groups.

“Encouraging an interest in racing among students would sow the seeds of a longer-term passion for the sport,” she said.

Young people are firmly on the radar of Racing for Change. A new racing club for young adults aged 18-25 is also to be trialled. It will be free to join and give members discounted entry at many racecourses.

The new club also intends to lease several racehorses for members.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (28 January, 10)

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Some 45 student-riders from 15 nations travelled to Ireland to compete in the Student Riders’ Nations’ Cup (SNRC) World Finals 2010 last weekend (2-3 January).

Britain took the winner’s laurels in both the team dressage section and the team combined section of the competition.

Team member Joanna Honey had a particularly successful weekend, also securing individual gold in the combined section and individual silver in the dressage.

In the team show jumping, Belgium emerged victorious.

The competition, which was held at Ravensdale Lodge Equestrian Centre in Dundalk, Co. Louth, was the fourth and final SNRC of 2009 and attracted riders from as far away as Egypt, Canada and the USA.

During the competition, sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland, riders competed on borrowed horses in dressage, show jumping and combined competitions.

Cups were also presented to the countries that had accumulated the best results in each competition throughout the year.

Hosts Ireland came away with two of the overall trophies, winning the President’s Cup 2009, as well as the World Final Show jumping Cup 2009. Germany was awarded the World Final Dressage Cup 2009.

“It was a brilliant weekend, and I’d like to thanks all our sponsors and especially the competitors who travelled from all over the world to take part,” said Natalie Quinlivan, Chef d’Equipe of the Irish Team, who also won the National Accumulator class.

“It was an added bonus to win both cups too! We thought we’d take the President’s Cup, but it was terrific to win the Show Jumping Cup as well.”

For full results listings, visit www.horsesportireland.ie

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Riders from 16 countries will descend on Dundalk in Ireland on New Year’s Eve for the Student Riders’ Nations Cup (SRNC) World Finals 2009 (31 December-2 January).

The event will see 54 young riders, from countries including Egypt, Norway, Poland and the USA, competing in dressage and show jumping.

All will ride borrowed horses and the competition takes place at Ravensdale Lodge Equestrian Centre in Co Louth.

The British team includes 19-year-old Eilidh Middleton, from Finzean Aberdeenshire (pictured above).

Eilidh, who is studying management at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, said: “I am delighted to have been selected and feel honoured to be riding for my country in the world finals — the biggest competition I have competed in yet.”

Joining Eilidh on the British team are Jo Honey and Danni Jackson.

Irish team chef d’equipe Natalie Quinlivan, who is also part of the organising committee, said: “We are very excited at the prospect of hosting an event of this calibre and feel it is a great opportunity to promote Irish equestrianism and horses across the world.”

The SRNC World Finals are supported by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI). HSI chairman Joe Walsh thanked everyone who was involved in the event, especially those who provided the horses for the competition.

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Great Britain’s student riders are on top of the world after taking the World Number 1 ranking for show jumping.

In the Student Riding Nations Cups rankings, announced on 1 January, the British squad was in first place for show jumping and in second for both dressage and combined rankings (covering both disciplines).

Hannah Westropp, equestrian chairman for the British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS), said: “After a clean sweep of wins over the four Student Riding Nations Cups across the World in 2008, the British squad had gained an unassailable lead before the World Finals in Luxembourg, in December 2008, where once again they were the lead nation.

“In addition to this the squad ranked as World Number 2 for both dressage and combined rankings in a close contest with Germany for the second year in a row.

“Squad members hope to go one better in 2009, starting their campaign at the Belgian Nations Cup in March.”

At the World finals, the team of Bea Meitiner (of Aberystwyth University), Fiona Davidson (Hartpury College) and Rebecca Stephen (Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen) made the podium in all three team ranking events, including winning team gold in the dressage.

Meitiner capped a successful year with individual overall bronze.

Student Riding Nations Cups (SRNC’s) are competitions on borrowed horses for higher education students that combine dressage and show jumping.

For more information visit www.britishuniversityequestriansport.co.uk

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Queen Ethelburga’s College in Yorkshire is using Shire horses to attract more pupils into horse riding.

Staff at H&H were intrigued when the private school in York placed an advertisement in the 18 September issue, looking for Shires measuring at least 18hh.

Provost Brian Martin explained that by offering rides around the college estate and introducing pupils to the impressive animals, more would be tempted into riding in general.

“I’m certain the interest in the equestrian side of things will grow,” he said.

The college recently upgraded its Royal Court Equestrian Centre which has new stables, a horse sauna, changing rooms, offices and classrooms, and Mr Martin wants pupils to take full advantage.

The response to the advertisement has been excellent and Mr Martin says the college is hopeful it has found four Shires perfect for the job. The two matching pairs are used to pulling drays and could well end up showing at local events.

“I think it will lead to better interaction with the local community,” said Mr Martin.

Equestrianism is taken extremely seriously at Queen Ethelburga’s — the day and boarding co-educational school holds its own horse shows and almost a third of pupils take riding lessons.

www.queenethelburgas.edu

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Around 25 equine students gathered outside Lackham College, Wiltshire on Tuesday 12 June to protest over the axing of their courses.

A college spokesman said the decision to terminate the three equine courses was due to the high costs associated with their high running costs.

A new course — animal science and welfare — starting in September will involve elements of the previous animal care and equine programmes.

In all 11 current students are affected by the change

The spokesman said: “Equine courses will be phased out over the next 12-15 months. Existing students who are affected by the closures will be supported in completing their course by the college.”

There are also fears over the future of a Riding for the Disabled group, which uses the facilities at Lackham.

The spokesman added: “The college is currently working with the RDA to develop an action plan.”

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The International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) is offering bursaries worth up to £3,000 to students at each of the country’s veterinary schools, enabling them to visit the one of the charity’s projects in the UK or abroad.

The ILPH is launching the Equine Veterinary Undergraduate Bursary scheme to encourage the advancement of veterinary education and equine welfare and to familiarise final-year vet students with the work of the charity.

Initially, one bursary will be available to each of the UK veterinary schools at the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and London, as well as at University College, Dublin.

The new school at the University of Nottingham will be included later when it has clinical students.

ILPH scientific adviser Dr Andrew Higgins explained: “This is an exciting opportunity to help students to learn more about horse welfare at the coal face.

“We particularly hope to be able to place successful applicants in some of our projects overseas, such as in Mexico, Romania or South Africa”.

Application forms are available from Dr Higgins and must be supported by a university. The annual deadline for submission of applications will be 31 January 2008.

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University riders from across the world will contest the AEIC (Association Internationale des Etudiants Cavaliers) World Cup Finals at Kingswood Equestrian Centre, Wolverhampton next month.

The event (29 December to 1 January) will stage both show jumping and dressage competitions, and 18 countries are entered.

Riders will use borrowed British horses and the organisers are looking for suitable candidates.

If you know of a horse with the ability to compete in show jumping 90cm-1.15m, or dressage prelim to medium, who would like to be a star on the international stage, email jamievet@mac.com or tel: 07855 365941.

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Equine students are being invited to submit their theses for the chance to win the Eqvalan Duo Equine Thesis of the Year Award.

The competition, run by the Royal Agriculture Society and sponsored by animal health company Merial, is open to equestrian students from any UK university or college. The winner will receive £500, an engraved trophy and five-year membership to the Royal Agriculture Society.

Co-ordinator of the award Chris Taylor said: “The [competition] demonstrates not only the quality of our equine students but also the hard work universities put in to educate them. It is also a chance for our equine managers of the future to showcase the best academic research in the industry.”

Last year’s winner was Rachel Kay from Nottingham Trent University (H&H news, 23 November 2006). Miss Kay’s study proved that horses experience less stress when travelling with a mirror in their horsebox.

The deadline for submissions is 27 July, with the shortlist to be announced in early September. The shortlisted students will then be asked to present their theses to a panel of judges and an audience of industry-based professionals.

For more information email Mr Taylor at chris@rase.org.uk.

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British students will take part in the French student racing championship for the first time this year. Two teams, from Oxford and Cambridge Universities, are heading to France to ride in the inaugural international students’ race at Longchamp on Easter Sunday (8 April).

Organised by L’Association des Cavaliers de Course Amateurs de France (L’ACCAF), the French amateur jockeys’ association, student racing is highly popular in France, with students from many universities competing to qualify for the Championnat de France des Grandes Écoles. This final, supported by France-Galop (the French Jockey Club) and sponsored by the PMU (the French version of the Tote) takes place at St Cloud Racecourse on 1 May.

German, English and French students will ride against each other in a seven-furlong flat race on the qualifying day at Longchamp. The first two home will qualify for the final, which is part of a card that features the Group Two Prix du Muguet and Group Three Prix de Cleopatre.

“It’s a great chance to do something completely different,” said former member of the British junior eventing team Sam Cutts, who will captain the Cambridge squad. “We’re really hoping the international races will take off and we might get British student racing going as a result.”

Sam’s team is made up of Natalie McGoldrick, Emma Kenney-Herbert and Helen Jamieson. Emma’s brother, Ed Kenney-Herbert, is captaining the Oxford team, joined by Tracey Underwood, Katharine Streit and Jessica Head. Only Ed and Natalie have race-riding experience, although Emma plans to point-to-point her horse this season, but they are riding out for nearby trainers and will attend a training weekend in Chantilly next month at L’École des Courses Hippiques, one of five racing schools in France.

The horses are selected from those at the racing school, and the students draw them at random before the race.

Harold Gential, L’ACCAF’s representative in Britain, said: “We wanted to mirror the international aspects of racing under Rules, and we hope to get more countries involved in the years to come.”

Harold rode in the races himself in 2005 and 2006, and says: “Riding at Longchamp is an unbelievable experience, and the winner is interviewed by Equidia [the French racing channel], so it’s a dream come true.”

• This news report was first published on Horse & Hound’s Young Rider pages (1 February, ’07)

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Demand for places at vet schools in Britain and Ireland is now so great that students desperate to study veterinary medicine are relocating to countries as far afield as Hungary to get their qualifications.

About one in 10 applicants to study the subject at Glasgow and Edinburgh is successful, even though the number of places for Britain’s six vet schools has risen — in 1998, 426 UK-trained new vets graduated, compared to nearly 500 in 2003.

Millie Steward-Wood, 21, is in her first year studying vet medicine at St Istvan University, Budapest, in Hungary, which runs a five-year degree. The school is accredited by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education and its degree is accepted for registration to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

“I applied to English universities, but didn’t get in,” she said. “I thought I’d reapply next year, but then a vet told me about a girl with straight As who’d done work experience at his practice but failed to get into a British university. She had found her degree course in Hungary on the Internet. I sent my CV and application, then took an entrance exam in Dublin last July with 20 Irish students. Within days St Istvan sent an e-mail saying I’d been accepted.”

Millie, from Oxford, began the course, which mainly takes Scandinavians, plus a growing number of Irish (last year there were 800 applicants for 90 places to study veterinary medicine at University College Dublin) and the occasional Brit, last September. The course was set up in 1992 and tuition fees are £10,560 a year.

“Coming here is probably the best decision I’ve ever made,” she said. “But living in Budapest is an adventure. I can fly home for £45 return, and it’s seven hours door to door. The cost of living is cheaper than in England, but rising.”

The university claims that graduates of the degree, which is taught in English, have an equal chance of employment with graduates in their home countries. A spokesman for the RCVS said that holders of recognised EU qualifications — such as Millie’s course — are entitled to practise here.

“Our membership department has had to cope with a host of new EU accession countries that are now recognised,” he said. “The output of UK graduates has been growing steadily as more university places are created, but the number of places is determined within the higher education system. It’s always been a subject more people have wanted to do than there are places.”

And in Hungary, just like in Britain, it is an increasingly female-dominated subject: in both countries, almost 80% of students are girls, compared to five years ago, when it was about 68% in the UK and 50% on the English-speaking course in Hungary.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (24 March ’05)

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