Ten-year-old Arab Magnum may be scared of rocks – and a tortoise (which, to be fair, could resemble a rock that moves) – but he was happy to walk up to and communicate with a wild black rhino while accompanying his owner Touran Bristow loose in the game reserve they live on, in South Africa. “We were at the end of the ride when we saw the rhino on the road ahead,” explained Touran. “I was filming the rhino from a safe distance on quite a zoom, then Magnum just walked out from behind me, passed me and carried on towards the rhino; so confident, like he knew exactly what he was doing. I’ve lived in Africa for 10 years and have never seen anything like it. For two animals to have that level of curiosity – and a horse to have that level of brazenness, essentially – is something I’d never seen before.”
A coach whose stable yard went up in flames in minutes has spoken about the importance of having a fire safety plan – and for everyone on the yard to be aware of it. CCTV footage captured how quickly a fire spread at Tori Peter’s private yard in Lancashire when a hay store caught fire in September. Smoke could be seen at 5.59am, and by 6.11am, the flames had grown to “almost 30 feet”. The horses were safely evacuated and the fire brigade arrived within seven minutes of being contacted.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
“What happened was horrendous, but the horses were fine and if we can get more people to be safe, that’s a positive,” said Tori, adding that since the incident, when she has asked others about fire plans she has been concerned by how many do not have them or hold fire drills.
Paris Olympic dressage medallists Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle stood head and shoulders above the rest when scoring 91.14% in Gothenburg to record the highest mark of the World Cup season so far. The pair’s total – the highest mark horse and rider have ever achieved in their respective careers – included perfect 10s across the board for music and interpretation.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour on Mount St John Freestyle, pictured with judge Magnus Ringmark, show director Lotta Nibell and groom Sofia Manninen.
(Image credit: Kim C Lundin)
They finished more than 8% ahead of runners-up Maria von Essen and Invoice (82.5%) for Sweden; France’s Corentin Pottier and Gotilas Du Feuillard completed the podium on 81.47%. It was their second wide-margin win of the week, having won Friday’s grand prix by almost 10% on 83.37%.
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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.
