1. Why horse sport’s place at future Olympics is not a given
FEI eventing and Olympic director Catrin Norinder issued a warning at the FEI eventing risk management seminar that “the [International Olympic Committee] IOC is putting a huge amount of pressure not only on us, but all the international federations involved in the Olympic Games, that we have to reduce the complexity, most of all the costs, and increase universality for the next Games if we actually want to stay there”. She added that there is “daily pressure” from the IOC, saying they are “still telling us that we have to be careful on all these things for Paris”.
Cute Girl, the winner of the seven-year-old CC3*-L WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships for young horses at Le Lion in 2021 under Australia’s Kevin McNab has been sold to 26-year-old US rider Hallie Coon. Hallie, who has represented the US on Nations Cup teams and competed to five-star level, has Olympic ambitions, with Paris 2024 a major target. “She’s got everything you dream of finding in a horse that will go all the way, and for someone who’s dreamed of representing the USA on the world stage my whole life, riding her makes it all feel tangible,” Hallie said. Hallie plans to syndicate the mare, with a small number of “traditional” syndicate shares available, plus one share split into “micro-syndicate” packages for an affordable option to allow more individuals to become involved in the sport.
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 21: Yasmin Pinchen of Great Britain clears a hurdle on Van de Vivaldi during the President of the UAE Showjumping Cup - Furusyiah Nations Cup Series presented by Longines on February 21, 2013 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jack Dabaghian/Getty Images for Longines)
(Image credit: Jack Dabaghian)
International showjumper Yazmin Pinchen has decided to step back from riding as she awaits the arrival of her second child – with plans to focus on her growing family and her equine breeding programme with 19-year-old stallion Van De Vivaldi going forwards. Yazmin and “Vinnie” competed at the 2011 young rider Europeans and in 2015 won the Bolesworth grand prix. “I’m trying to get some offspring from Vinnie,” Yazmin told H&H. “He’s still sound and probably capable of going on, but I thought with my baby due around the end of March, and realistically by the time I’m back, we’re going to have lost a whole breeding season so I thought at this time I should focus on that.” The H&H team wishes Yazmin the best of luck for the future.
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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.
