A horse and rider’s plunge into a lake and other things the equestrian world is talking about

A terrifying experience

A rider who ended up entirely under water when her horse spooked and jumped into an innocuous-looking lake wants to worn others of the dangers. Laura Keam and Cruise went “into a black abyss” in Loe Pool, Portleven, Cornwall when the five-year-old gelding spooked. “He just jumped straight into the pool and I didn’t have time to take a breath; the next thing I knew, I was in darkness with a 600kg horse going mad next to me,” Laura said. “My friend’s horse was spooked too but thankfully she stayed on; she said she looked over and couldn’t see either of us, just bubbles where we’d disappeared under the water.”

Read more about Laura’s warning

The last five-star of the year

Pau Horse Trials is the final CCI5* of 2022, and it runs this year from 27-30 October. A strong line-up is poised for action in France, including Brits Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI, 2019 Burghley Horse Trials winners Pippa Funnell and MGH Grafton Street and 2021 Luhmühlen Horse Trials winners Mollie Summerland and Charly Van Ter Heiden. H&H has a dedicated reporter on site and will be bringing you all the action as it happens.

Keep up with the latest news from Pau

Rugging up

The UK is experiencing very mild autumn temperatures but winter is not far away. With that in mind, H&H has pulled together a selection of warm turnout rugs, plus how to pick the one that’s right for you and your horse. With different weights and fastenings, and those with and without neck covers, there will be a rug here to suit your horse

Browse winter turnouts

You might also be interested in:

‘We plunged into a black abyss’: rider’s bridleway warning after she and horse disappear under water

12 warm heavyweight turnouts for the winter

Subscribe to Horse & Hound this spring for great savings

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.

Eleanor Jones

H&H news editor

Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.