Latest from Horse & Hound in Weg-pictures

Walk the WEG showjumping course [PICS]

Horse & Hound — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 12:49:31 +0000

Join the world’s best showjumpers as they walk the course for this afternoon’s individual qualifier at D’Ornano stadium.

The top four riders after today’s jumping will go forward to the final on Sunday, where all the riders will swap horses and start on a clean slate – the rider with the fewest faults at the end of the day wins!

If you enjoyed this gallery, why not ‘walk’ some more courses?

Walk the WEG eventing cross-country and showjumping courses

Horse & Hound’s eventing editor Pippa Roome brings you pictures of every fence on both the cross-country and showjumping courses, and shares her thoughts on the challenges being faced by horse and rider at the 2014 World Equestrian Games.

Walk the Burghley 2014 cross-country course

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Take a look at every fence on the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials cross-country course. It’s a true four-star with some big fences and some interesting tweaks and additions for this year. “It’s a big course and it will need a special horse to get around it,” said this year’s Badminton winner Sam Griffiths prior to riding round the course.

Walk the Badminton 2014 cross-country course

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Take a look at every fence on the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 4-star cross-

country course. This year’s course was designed by Giuseppe della Chiesa, who introduced a number of new fences. Two fences were removed from the course due to the conditions.

Walk the RIHS intermediate working hunter course at Hickstead 2014

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Here are pictures of the fences that intermediate working hunter competitors faced at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) in ring 5 on Sunday 3 August. As you will see, the fences are quite unusual and incorporate replicas of those found in the famous main arena at Hickstead, including banks and ditches. The class was won by Jasean Sprggett riding Mrs Melanie Banks-Browne’s Kidside Ferguson.

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

WEG vaulting gallery [PICS]

Pippa Roome — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 17:25:32 +0000

Take a look at our Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games vaulting gallery — the moves performed coupled with some incredible costumes make for awe-inspiring viewing.

Germany took the squad gold medal in the vaulting at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The German team’s routine, with one male in the six-person squad, displayed fantastic three-person movements, with the 11-year-old flyer being spun around the head of another team member standing on the horse. They scored 9.058 tonight for a final total of 8.724.

“It’s been quite hard for us to put it all together this year, but the team have been fighting well and improving throughout the season,” said lunger Jessica Schmitz.

Britain’s Joanne Eccles claimed the individual female vaulting gold medal at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Lunged as usual on WH Bentley by her father John, Joanne successfully defended the title she won four years ago in Kentucky. Her performance in the final freestyle was flawless for a score of 9.119, giving her an overall mark of 8.712.

“To have done it again four years on is incredible,” said Joanne. “We were helped by the stunning arena. This is as close as we’ll get to a home games and we’ve had so much support — it’s been a pretty amazing four days.”

Meanwhile Joanne and her sister Hannah Eccles collected the bronze in the vaulting pas de deux.

The Scottish sisters scored 8.580 for their Fire and Ice routine for an overall score of 8.575. [View a video interview with Joanne and Hannah after their performance]

“We could have done one extra move at the end [when Hannah is standing on Joanne’s shoulders] but we had a little discussion on the horse and decided we’d rather finish on a high than push it further — everything had been so tight and we have enough difficulty in the routine,” said Joanne.

WEG showjumping: fence designs celebrate the best of Normandy [PICS]

Horse & Hound — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:15:32 +0000

The showjumping course at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) has been designed by Frederic Cottier. As well as the courses themselves, Frederic is responsible for the designs of the individual fences, which celebrate the best of Normandy, as well as the event’s sponsors. They also include a nod to the previous and future WEG venues. Which of the fences is your favourite? I rather like the hand holding the paint brushes at fence five.

If you enjoyed this gallery, why not ‘walk’ some more courses?

Walk the WEG eventing cross-country and showjumping courses

Walk the Burghley 2014 cross-country course

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Walk the Badminton 2014 cross-country course

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Take a look at every fence on the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 4-star cross-

country course. This year’s course was designed by Giuseppe della Chiesa, who introduced a number of new fences. Two fences were removed from the course due to the conditions.

Walk the RIHS intermediate working hunter course at Hickstead 2014

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEG showjumping: warm-up day [PICS]

Horse & Hound — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 18:45:14 +0000

The water jump caused plenty of problems for the 179 riders who used the opportunity to jump a warm-up round on Tuesday (1 September) ahead of the start of the world showjumping championships on Wednesday. See who fared best in our picture gallery from the D’Ornano Stadium in Caen, Normandy.

If you enjoyed this gallery, why not take a look at some more WEG pictures?

WEG showjumping: fence designs celebrate the best of Normandy [PICS]

The showjumping course at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) was designed by Frederic Cottier. As well as the courses themselves, Frederic was responsible for the designs of the individual fences, which celebrate the best of Normandy, as well as the event’s sponsors. They also include a nod to the previous and future WEG venues.

Behind the scenes at the WEG eventing venue [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Scroll through our photos of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games eventing dressage and cross-country venue at Haras du Pin. Highlights include the veterinary clinic, the main arena and the riders’ and chef d’equipes’ accommodation, known as Snooze Boxes.

WEG: 10 photos of mud at Hara du Pin [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

We know you all want to see it, so here you go — the mud at Haras du Pin, venue for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games eventing dressage and cross-country.

World Equestrian Games: H&H dips into the archives [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

We’ve gone into the archives to take a look back at the games through the past few decades — from Kentucky and Rome, to Jerez and The Hague – right back to the inaugural event in Stockholm in 1990.

WEG begins with stunning opening ceremony [PICS/VIDEO]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Equestrian athletes from 74 nations and more than 100 horses took part in the opening ceremony of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in the D’Ornano Stadium on Saturday night (23 August) in front of a sellout crowd of 21,000 spectators.

WEG eventing: walk the showjumping course

Pippa Roome — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 12:56:56 +0000

The final showjumping phase of the eventing competition at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is now underway at the D’Ornano stadium in Caen, Normandy. See pictures of the fences the riders will be facing above and the course plan below.

How to watch the showjumping phase

Full report on the final showjumping phase on HorseandHound.co.uk later today.

Previous WEG eventing news

(Image credit: Pippa Roome)

WEG eventing: all British horses pass trot-up

The British team will fight for medals today in the final phase of the WEG eventing after passing the final

(Image credit: Pippa Roome)

WEG eventing: Germany in team gold after Ingrid Klimke’s jumping penalties removed

Ingrid Klimke's cross-country jumping penalties have been removed from today's WEG eventing results, putting the Germans in team gold and

(Image credit: Pippa Roome)

WEG eventing: Britain’s William Fox-Pitt poised for individual gold

William Fox-Pitt produced a masterful cross-country performance to head the leader board individually and help Britain sit in team silver

(Image credit: Pippa Roome)

WEG eventing: Germany holds double gold after dressage; William Fox-Pitt in silver

Sandra Auffarth snatched the lead in the WEG eventing dressage as the final rider this afternoon, while Britain is close

If you enjoyed this gallery, why not ‘walk’ some more courses?

Walk the WEG eventing cross-country and showjumping courses

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Walk the Burghley 2014 cross-country course

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Walk the Badminton 2014 cross-country course

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Take a look at every fence on the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 4-star cross-

country course. This year’s course was designed by Giuseppe della Chiesa, who introduced a number of new fences. Two fences were removed from the course due to the conditions.

Walk the RIHS intermediate working hunter course at Hickstead 2014

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEG dressage: highlights in pictures

Horse & Hound — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 16:36:23 +0000

H&H's Storm Johnson brings you dressage highlights from the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

If you enjoyed this gallery, why not browse our other picture collections? From Oliver Townend’s career to Grand National winners:

WEG dressage: highlights in pictures

H&H’s Storm Johnson brings you dressage highlights from the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014

WEG individual reining: in pictures

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Action from the second individual qualifying round of the reining competition at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014, which is being held in Caen Exhibition Centre. One British rider has qualified for the individual final after Team GBR finished in eighth place in the team competition.

Oliver Townend’s career in pictures

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Before eventer Oliver Townend headed off to Normandy for

World Equestrian Games (WEG) 2014, we took a look back at his career in pictures — from competing at WEG in 2006 with Flint Curtis to clinching the Badminton title in 2009.

Imperial Cavalier retires: his career in pictures

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Following the news that Mary King’s top horse Imperial Cavalier (Archie) has been retired from top-level competition H&H looks back at highlights of this special horse’s amazing career from our picture archives

Grand National winners: in pictures

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The world’s most famous horse race, The Grand National, is watched by millions of viewers worldwide. Over the years many popular horses have taken the spoils — with some surprise winners too. H&H looks back in pictures at some of our favourite past victors including Red Rum and Mr Frisk.

Nick Skelton: His career in pictures

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

To mark Nick Skelton joining the H&H team as guest editor, we look back through the H&H picture archives at some highlights of his career.

Farewell to Headley Britannia: H&H celebrates her life in pictures

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

After the sad news that Headley Britannia has been put down after a cross-country schooling accident, H&H looks back at highlights of this special mare’s career from our picture archives.

Carl Hester in pictures: from the archives

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

To celebrate Carl Hester joining the Horse & Hound team as our guest editor, we take a look back through the H&H picture archives at interesting moments throughout his career.

Behind the scenes at WEG eventing venue [PICS]

Pippa Roome — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:05:40 +0000

Scroll through our photos of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games eventing dressage and cross-country venue at Haras du Pin.

Highlights include the veterinary clinic, the main arena and the riders’ and chef d’equipes’ accommodation, known as Snooze Boxes.

If you enjoyed this gallery, why not take a look at some more WEG pictures?

WEG showjumping: fence designs celebrate the best of Normandy [PICS]

WEG: 10 photos of mud at Hara du Pin [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

We know you all want to see it, so here you go — the mud at Haras du Pin, venue for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games eventing dressage and cross-country.

World Equestrian Games: H&H dips into the archives [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEG begins with stunning opening ceremony [PICS/VIDEO]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEG showjumping warm-up day [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEG: 10 photos of the mud at Haras du Pin [PICS]

Pippa Roome — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:45:09 +0000

We know you all want to see it, so here you go — the mud at Haras du Pin, venue for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games eventing dressage and cross-country.

If you enjoyed this gallery, why not take a look at some more WEG pictures?

WEG showjumping: fence designs celebrate the best of Normandy [PICS]

Behind the scenes at the WEG eventing venue [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

World Equestrian Games: H&H dips into the archives [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEG begins with stunning opening ceremony [PICS/VIDEO]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEG showjumping warm-up day [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEG individual reining: in pictures

Horse & Hound — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:15:29 +0000

Action from the second individual qualifying round of the reining competition at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which is being held in Caen Exhibition Centre. One British rider has qualified for the individual final after Team GBR finished in eighth place in the team competition.

Reining reports and videos

WEG reining: Josh Collins flies the British flag

Good news for Britain from Caen Exhibition Centre as Josh Collins qualifies for the individual reining final

WEG reining: Jessica Sternberg talks to H&H [VIDEO]

H&H caught up with 24-year-old reiner Jessica Sternberg after her ride at Caen Exhibition Centre

(Image credit: Paul Carley)

WEG team reining: USA continue to dominate

Jane Carley reports from Normandy where Team USA continue to dominate, while Team GBR slip down to eighth place

(Image credit: Paul Carley)

British reiners sit fifth overnight at WEG

Jane Carley reports from the first day of the reining competition in Normandy

(Image credit: Paul Carley)

British reiners give WEG venue the thumbs up

British reiners gave the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games the thumbs up on day one of competition

(Image credit: Paul Carley)

WEG reining: four horses ruled out at trot-up

All five of the British horses go forwards to the first two days of the reining competition, reports Jane Carley

And if you enjoyed this gallery, why not browse some of our other picture collections?

WEG dressage: highlights in pictures

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

H&H’s Storm Johnson brings you dressage highlights from the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Oliver Townend’s career in pictures

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Before eventer Oliver Townend headed off to Normandy for World Equestrian Games (WEG) 2014, we took a look back at his career in pictures — from competing at WEG in 2006 with Flint Curtis to clinching the Badminton title in 2009.

Imperial Cavalier retires: his career in pictures

Mary King riding Imperial Cavalier (Image credit: TREVOR MEEKS)

Following news that Mary King’s top horse Imperial Cavalier (Archie) has been retired from top-level competition H&H looks back at highlights of this special horse’s amazing career from our picture archives

Grand National winners: in pictures

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Nick Skelton: His career in pictures

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

To mark Nick Skelton joining the H&H team as guest editor of this week’s magazine, we look back through the H&H picture archives at some highlights of his career.

Farewell to Headley Britannia: H&H celebrates her life in pictures

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

After the sad news that Headley Britannia has been put down after a cross-country schooling accident, H&H looks back at highlights of this special mare’s career from our picture archives.

Carl Hester in pictures: from the archives

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

To celebrate Carl Hester joining the Horse & Hound team as our guest editor of the magazine this week, we take a look back through the H&H picture archives at interesting moments throughout his career.

Walk the WEG cross-country course [PICS]

Pippa Roome — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 19:48:10 +0000

Horse & Hound's eventing editor Pippa Roome brings you pictures of every fence on the course, and shares her thoughts on the challenges being faced by horse and rider

Take a virtual course-walk round the cross-country track at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) with our complete set of course photos.

The WEG cross-country at Haras du Pin is the brainchild of Pierre Michelet, the renowned French designer who is also responsible for the tracks at Pau, Saumur and Fontainebleau, among others.

H&H eventing editor Pippa Roome’s thoughts on the course

This is a long course. The optimum time is unconfirmed, but rumoured to be around 11min 30sec, which is pushing at the maximum distance for four-star.
There’s a lot of terrain. Not big hills, but much like Gatcombe and Bramham, you are always on a camber and having walked it, I can confirm it’s exhausting.
The going will play a big part. The ground is already very soft and it’s still raining.
The course has quite a lot of loops round fields and back out again. Near the end, you go through the final water (fences 30/31) and feel like you’re on the way home, then have to turn away again. This could be disheartening for tired horses and riders will need to keep their enthusiasm up.
This is a creative course, with interesting features such as the big drop before an arrowhead into water (fence 9) and the angled skinny ditch (fence 11).
Pierre Michelet has asked the question for which he is so well known several times — opening horses up over a big fence and then tempting them with a forward distance to a skinny, perhaps on a curving line. A good example is the question at fences 21/22, where a big hedge and ditch is followed by a triple brush arrowhead and a corner, all on a right-handed turn.
The water fences will be influential — there are three of them, all of which look tricky.
There are quite a few plain fences between the difficult complexes — I expect most problems to be grouped at four or five combinations, although plain fences could also cause problems as the course takes its cumulative toll.
There’s a lot of brush on the top of fences, adding height, which will mean extra effort for the horses.
Did I mention it’s going to be muddy? Very muddy.

World Equestrian Games: H&H dips into the archives [PICS]

Horse & Hound — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 11:46:41 +0000

As the this year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy are now in full-swing, we’ve gone into the archives to take a look back at the games through the past few decades — from Kentucky and Rome, to Jerez and The Hague – right back to the inaugural event in Stockholm in 1990.

Find out how to watch WEG on TV

If you enjoyed this gallery, why not take a look at some more WEG pictures?

WEG showjumping: fence designs celebrate the best of Normandy [PICS]

Behind the scenes at the WEG eventing venue [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEG: 10 photos of mud at Hara du Pin [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

We know you all want to see it, so here you go — the mud at Haras du Pin, venue for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games eventing dressage and cross-country.

WEG begins with stunning opening ceremony [PICS/VIDEO]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEG showjumping warm-up day [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEG begins with stunning opening ceremony [PICS/VIDEO]

Horse & Hound — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 18:58:01 +0000

The event, which marked the start of two weeks of elite equestrian sport, included a hi-tech lightshow and a display by popular French horseman Lorenzo. There were also speeches from FEI president Princess Haya and President of the games organising committee Laurent Beauvais. The games were officially opened by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls.

If you enjoyed this gallery, why not take a look at some more WEG pictures?

WEG showjumping: fence designs celebrate the best of Normandy [PICS]

Behind the scenes at the WEG eventing venue [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEG: 10 photos of mud at Hara du Pin [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

We know you all want to see it, so here you go — the mud at Haras du Pin, venue for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games eventing dressage and cross-country.

World Equestrian Games: H&H dips into the archives [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEG showjumping warm-up day [PICS]

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

H&H visits the World Equestrian Games venue in Normandy

Horse & Hound — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 09:00:22 +0000

If you’re one of the lucky ones with Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) tickets (23 August-7 September), have you made time to explore Normandy as part of your trip?

Even if you’re not attending the Games, it’s worth considering this part of France as a future holiday destination, with the family or alone.

With an impressive array of French-bred horses grazing in every field, racecourses in each town and equine art decorating every restaurant wall, it is a haven for the horse lover.

H&H’s Emily Secrett visited the region to find out more. Take a look at her pictures here, and read her full report in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (26 June 2014).

Looking to line up your next riding holiday? How about a trip to Anglesey?

Week in pictures: 27 June 2014

Horse & Hound — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 15:00:53 +0000

Horse & Hound’s photographers have been whizzing around the globe this week snapping showjumping and dressage action in Rotterdam, as well as checking out the World Equestrian Games venue in Normandy.

A bit closer to home, they’ve been catching the eventing at Salperton and showjumping and showing at the Royal Highland Show.

And if you enjoyed our feature in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine (26 June 2014) — where dressage legend Charlotte Dujardin goes back to her roots by riding 2 show horses — then you can have a look at some behind the scenes pictures below.

Stuck for things to do this week? Take a look at our list of horsey activities to keep you busy