The organisers of British Eventing fixture Stafford Horse Trials have announced that this summer’s event will be the last at Park Farm, as plans for HS2 push forward. The horse trials has been on the BE calendar for 18 years and runs classes up to BE100plus level. “Despite the delay announced in the construction of HS2, the acquisition of land is still taking place due to time limits on royal assent and to commence environmental mitigation,” said the organisers, who added that the news did not come as a shock as they had been anticipating it for a few years, but they had hoped the HS2 delays might have meant the event could continue for longer.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - SEPTEMBER 15: Natasha Baker of Great Britain, onboard Cabral during Equestrian - Dressage - Individual Championship Test - Grade II Final on day 8 of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Equestrian Centre on September 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Loureiro/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Three-time Paralympian Natasha Baker has discussed the classification system in her H&H column, out in this week’s magazine. Natasha said that since London 2012, riders are being classified under a different process, while many who have been in the sport a long time are not being re-classified. “There is now a completely new panel of classifiers – of FEI-approved health professionals – and the process has changed,” Natasha said. “When I was classified, riding wasn’t taken into account; just various tests on a bed for strength and coordination. Now, they watch you ride, which is a significant change. How can this be fair?”
3. A horse cut free from a gate stored in the back of a horsebox
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Firefighters came to the aid of an eight-year-old mare when her legs became tangled in a gate in the back of a horsebox during transit on Sunday night (9 April). “On arrival, firefighters found a horse trapped in a horsebox and rescued her using cutting gear and tools,” said a spokesman for Avon Fire & Rescue. “Crews remained at the scene in case the vet and owner required further assistance, and helped to move the horsebox to a safe location.”
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Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
