TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 02: (L-R) Gold medalists Oliver Townend, Laura Collett and Tom McEwen of Team Great Britain celebrate with their gold medals after the Eventing Jumping Team medal ceremony on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gamesat Equestrian Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
There is a stellar line-up for Pau Horse Trials, with 20 British riders heading to the French five-star (27-31 October) with at least one horse, including all three members of Britain’s gold medal-winning Tokyo Olympic team. Laura Collett, last year’s winner on London 52, will defend her title on five-star debutant Dacapo. Tom McEwen, who won Pau in 2019 on Toledo De Kerser, has entered five-star first-timer CHF Cooliser. And Oliver Townend will ride five-star debutant Ridire Dorcha as well as the experienced MHS King Joules. Not a bad start list!
2. A Lady Lloyd-Webber-bred yearling colt selling for £1.26m
A colt by Sea The Stars and bred by Lady Lloyd-Webber topped day two of the Book 1 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in Newmarket with the hammer coming down for 1.2 million guineas (£1.26m). The bay colt was the first in the three-day sale to reach seven-figures. “We never expected to break the million guinea barrier, because no one ever does, maybe Andrew is our lucky omen!” said Lady Lloyd-Webber, as her husband arrived just in time to see the bidding on the horse come to a close.
3. A legendary small hunter retiring on a high… to go hunting
Superstar intermediate and small hunter campaigner Louvaine Rooney has bowed out at the top – winning the small show hunter of the year title at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). The Cookson family’s home-produced star beat a tough field of 21 to give an overwhelmed Megan Cookson her first HOYS small hunter win. “He has nothing to prove — and he’s been happy in the field for most of the year,” said Megan, a full-time pharmacist who last won at HOYS in 2004 in first riddens. “Rooney will now chill in the field and go hunting with my dad.”
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Sarah has worked at an equestrian journalist and editor since 2004 and has held the position of Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief since 2014. She has reported for Horse & Hound from major championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on horses and horse sport including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. She has owned and ridden horses since 1993, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university. While studying for a BSc at London School of Economics Sarah also worked for top British dressage rider Louise Spate.
