A new bill tightening restrictions on hunting in Scotland were passed on Tuesday (24 January). The legislation includes a pre-emptive ban on trail-hunting. It also introduces a two-dog limit on flushing foxes to guns, with exceptions granted in limited circumstances under a new NatureScot licensing scheme. The bill was branded “unjustified and unnecessary” by the Scottish Countryside Alliance director Jake Swindells.
The four-star event horse has been sold to the US for seven-time Olympian Phillip Dutton. British eventer Emily King has been “lucky enough” to ride the 10-year-old by Namelus R for Peter and Susan Kerr-Dineen and their daughter Minnie for three years, after he started his eventing career with Stephen Smith and Minnie. Irish event horse agent Carol Gee has been instrumental in a number of purchases of horses from Europe for Phillip, including his 2016 Olympic individual bronze medallist Mighty Nice, and was involved in bringing this new partnership together, along with Andrew Williams. “The plan always was to sell him, but the owners were keen for him to go to a good rider who could continue to produce him to best of his ability,” Emily told H&H. “It was good timing when we heard Phillip was looking. He came and tried the horse and they got on so well. He’s a phenomenal horse and Phillip is obviously a phenomenal rider.”
The equestrian world must take responsibility to reduce its environmental impact. Water company United Utilities is collaborating with horse owners to help improve their land management, with the view of helping their equines – and protecting water sources. “We want to encourage owners to act responsibly,” said Utilities catchment manager Kate Snow. “Looking at a piece of land, some people might just think of it as somewhere to turn their horse out, rather than considering the environment. And many people don’t know that what they’re doing potentially could be having an impact.”
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
