1. The passing of one of William Fox-Pitt’s great five-star rides
Parklane Hawk, who won both Burghley Horse Trials and Kentucky Three-Day Event with William Fox-Pitt, has died aged 22. William and his wife Alice are guest-editing next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, out 31 March, in which William talks about the six horses who made his career, including Catherine Witt’s Parklane Hawk. William says: “He was my first reserve horse for the London Olympics and when you consider his record, it might seem strange he never did teams, but I had a strong string at that time. He was an amazing galloper, but more of a five-star horse than a team horse. He was a beast, a machine of an athlete; across country he was hard core.”
William Fox-PItt and Parklane Hawk win Kentucky 2012.
Former British Equine Veterinary Association president Lucy Grieve has named her “pet hates”, having spent a great deal of her recent time myth-busting and helping horse owners update “some rather out-of-date knowledge”. Things that irritate Lucy include ignoring behavioural signs, indiscriminate worming, over-feeding and wound powder. There’s more…and we’re taking note to ensure we’re not guilty of any…
3. Sonnar Murray-Brown on his life-changing accident
International grand prix dressage rider Sonnar Murray-Brown was involved in a horrific car accident that left him with two broken legs at the age of 20. Since then he has made a comeback and faced further setbacks, which he discusses on episode 95 of The Horse & Hound Podcast. His attitude to pushing forward, without comparing your own journey to others’, is inspirational.
Sonnar Murray-Brown with his top horse Erlentanz TSF at his yard in the village of Bishop Norton near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire in the UK on 13th November 2020
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
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Sonnar Murray-Brown with his top horse Erlentanz TSF at his yard in the village of Bishop Norton near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire in the UK on 13th November 2020
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Sarah has worked at an equestrian journalist and editor since 2004 and has held the position of Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief since 2014. She has reported for Horse & Hound from major championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on horses and horse sport including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. She has owned and ridden horses since 1993, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university. While studying for a BSc at London School of Economics Sarah also worked for top British dressage rider Louise Spate.
