A top rider’s well-timed pregnancy, plus other things the horse world is talking about

1. An incredibly well-timed pregnancy

Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus, pictured during the individual competition at the World Para Dressage Championships.

Congratulations to Natasha Baker and her husband Marc Jaconelli on the news they are expecting their first child. “It’s something we always wanted and planned for, but it’s happened quicker than we ever expected,” said Natasha, in an exclusive interview with HELLO! magazine.

Natasha discovered she was pregnant days after claiming two individual medals at the World Para Dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark, in August and is aiming to ride at the Paris Paralympics in 2024. “It’s a blessing – and it works out perfectly timing-wise for Paris,” she said.

Find out when baby Jaconelli is expected to arrive

2. The countdown to London is on…

Excitement ahead of the London International Horse Show continues to build here at Horse & Hound with news of the showjumpers who will be battling for glory at the ExCel (15-19 December). Will Harry Charles be able to defend his London grand prix and World Cup triumphs from 2021 as he takes on top-class competition, including seven of the world’s top-10 showjumpers? He will be facing stiff competition from his 2022 World Championships teammates Scott Brash, Joe Stockdale, Ben Maher and John Whitaker, as well as world number one and reigning world champion Henrik von Eckermann.

Find out who else is on the London Horse Show entries list

3. A male rider’s call for equality

A male grassroots rider, who says he “stuck out like a sore thumb” when he was learning to ride, is calling for the equestrian industry’s branding and marketing to be “a bit more encouraging and inclusive, and a bit less feminine.” Tim Barrett started riding as a teenager and now loans former racehorse Turnwood Boy. He told H&H riding and horses are part of his identity, but that he feels in the minority and that more could be done to encourage men to become involved at the lower levels.

Read more of Tim’s thoughts on the issue

You might also be interested in:

A 6ft 3in six-bar thriller, grand prix glory for Whitaker and a remarkable jump-off recovery – this week’s jumping round-up

‘Some days, breathing hurts’: young rider with chronic illness and 20-year-old horse hope to inspire others

Laura Collett’s London 52 lets rip and 5 other great bits of horsey social media this week

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Carol Phillips

H&H website editor

Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.