Britain’s top-scoring dressage horse at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Rascher Hopes, has died aged 33 after a long and happy retirement. Known as Streaky to his friends, the gelding was produced to prix st georges level by Hilary Sawyer, who co-owned him with Leonie Porter, before the ride passed to Emile Faurie. In addition to their Olympic performance, Streaky and Emile represented the nation at the 2001 European Championships and the 2002 World Equestrian Games, and contributed to the team bronze medal at the 2003 European Championships at Hickstead. Emile said: “I knew Streaky would be a grand prix horse from the first time I saw him.”
Dentist Stevie Potter, a member of the recently formed UK Sports Dentistry Association, who is also a rider, warns others that “what you do in the first five minutes of your tooth falling out is crucial” when dealing with an adult tooth. She also encourages every rider to take a close-up selfie of their mouth and smile as it is now, in case they need reconstructive surgery in future. Stevie also promotes equestrians wearing a professionally fitted mouthguard, saying: “You could potentially save yourself from a life-changing dental injury where you lose a front tooth and you’ve got a lifetime of dental work and expense ahead of you.”
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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.
