{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}
Trending:

HS2 hits eventing, the fairness of para classification and other things the horse world is talking about

Horse & Hound’s daily debrief, brought to you every weekday morning
Becky Murray Becky Murray

    • 1. The loss of a long-standing event to HS2

    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.

    Read what the organisers had to say

    2. Para classification

    Natasha Baker riding Cabral at the Rio Paralympics

    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?”

    Read Natasha’s column in full

    3. A horse cut free from a gate stored in the back of a horsebox

    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.”

    Read the full story

    You might also be interested in:

    Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

    Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout major shows like London International and more with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

    Becky Murray
    Becky Murray

    H&H senior news writer
    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.
    Becky Murray

    You may like...