Members of Cool Ridings and Sport in Mind with Becky Moody (L to R: Tara, Aysha Naziri (Sport in Mind), Lydia Hetwood (Cool Ridings), Becky Moody (LIHS Ambassador), Jada, Keira, Deanna, Elise and Maddie) at the London International Horse Show Media Day at Trent Park Equestrian Centre in London on the 14th October 2025
A young showjumper who instinctively put her pony first and her Horse of the Year Show ambitions to one side has won respect and praise. Annabel Widdowson, 10, pulled up Whinney Lass after a stumble in the Enablelink Ltd 128cm championship; although the superstar mare regained her footing, the young rider jumped off, patted her and led her out. “It was heartbreaking but it’s so lovely what she did has been recognised,” her mother Kathleen told H&H. “She said [Whinney] felt like she was almost panicking a bit, so she just got off and gave her a cuddle, it’s as simple as that. We were just blown away by her maturity.”
Groundbreaking research has been able to put an annual social value of £1.2bn on equestrianism. British Equestrian (BEF) revealed figures found through a long-term project, at a launch event this month, explaining how these could be used to benefit the industry. “Horses change lives,” said BEF CEO Jim Eyre. “This is a truism for us in the know, but how do we prove it and articulate it to those that don’t? Today we’ll be putting the numbers and personal stories together, to give you that evidence.” Guests heard not only the figures and details of the research but also personal experiences of those whose lives have been profoundly changed by horses.
Irish showjumper Darragh Kenny has been provisionally suspended after a human anti-doping test relating to treatment he was prescribed for a medical condition. The test, taken at the European Championships in July, was positive for a prohibited medication, which Darragh explained was part of treatment he has been taking under medical supervision for ADHD. Darrah said he is “cooperating fully with the FEI and the International Testing Agency to clarify the circumstances surrounding this case”, and stressed that he had no intention of gaining any competitive advantage; his only aim was to “responsibly address a medical condition under professional guidance”.
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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.
