Dressage legend Carl Hester has joined the ranks of riders supporting Wallace The Great’s bid for dressage glory.
The multiple Olympic medallist praises British Dressage (BD) for allowing mule Wallace, who was initially barred from being registered, to compete, in his column in today’s (12 July) H&H magazine.
“Well done to the BD board for its quick decision to realign the rules and allow Wallace the mule to compete in the Team Quest classes his rider is aiming for,” he wrote.
“After all, I started riding on a donkey, so I’m glad BD has taken up this great opportunity to expand its growing membership and, as a charity, to highlight its inclusiveness.”
“Once again, however, I am totally lost for words at some of the horrible comments on social media. At the end of the day, BD was following rules and should not be subjected to attacks that are totally out of order, and often personal.
“Now that Wallace gets his day in the arena, I hope those who were so quick off the mark to damn are just as quick to praise BD for their decision.”
H&H reported last month that rider Christie Mclean had applied for club membership for Wallace, who was found roaming the streets of Ireland and brought to England by the Donkey Sanctuary, but was refused.
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The rider had hoped to take part in team quest affiliated competition with Wallace The Great
At least one other mule has also been registered since Wallace was accepted: Fergus II has also joined BD ranks.
For more on Wallace, and Carl’s column, see H&H magazine, out today.
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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.
