The Tokyo Olympic team gold medal-winning partnership of Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class made a winning start to their 2022 season. The pair scored a new personal best in the dressage of 18.9, and took top honours in an open intermediate (OI) section at Poplar Park (5 March). Oliver also won the other OI class with Swallow Springs, previously campaigned by Andrew Nicholson. “Ballaghmor Class felt very fresh and pleased to be out,” said Oliver. “He did a really nice test, showjumped very well and breezed round the cross-country with very little effort at all – he was never at the races.”
The discussion surrounding rider size and weight in showing continues, with H&H columnist Julie Templeton sharing her thoughts on the topic and raising a point regarding consistency.
“There are two key elements that need to be addressed head-on, yet they seem to have been swept under the carpet. First, why is it that only plaited pony classes are being targeted? If rules on rider size and weight are to be brought in, which I agree with, these should be brought in across all classes, including the mountain and moorlands and horses,” she says.
Santini (pictured, left) parading with the Beaufort hounds at Didmarton.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Santini delighted crowds at the Beaufort point-to-point at Didmarton on Saturday (5 March). He paraded with the Beaufort hounds, with trainer Polly Gundry in the saddle, as part of a freshen-up ahead of the big race next Friday (18 March) and to highlight the important link between pointing, hunting and National Hunt racing. “He loves going to parties and he loves a trip out,” said Polly.
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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.
