Loss of major event, battered horse in happy new home and other things the horse world is talking about
Horse & Hound’s daily debrief, brought to you every weekday morning
1. Another major event lost from Scotland
A shadow has been cast over the Scottish eventing calendar as another event announces it will not return next year – leaving just four British Eventing (BE) venues in the region. Organisers Kick on Events announced on 7 July with “huge regret” that Floors Castle International will not run in 2024.
Find out why the event will not run
2. Investigation into how horses show happiness
An investigation into how racehorses express positive emotions during interaction with humans should help people understand more about equine feelings – and potentially improve welfare and performance. Researchers from Hartpury University will work with representatives of Charles Sturt University, Australia, and Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) in New Zealand on the project.
What we can learn about horses’ emotions
3. Badly treated pony now helping children in new home
A yearling who was repeatedly beaten with a pole to “teach her a lesson” in front of shocked witnesses is now “being a horse” in a loving home, and helping children develop life skills. The pony, now named Bramble, was rescued by the RSPCA in 2020, after her owner was filmed beating her in a supermarket car park.
Read Bramble’s heart-wrenching story
You might also be interested in:
Riders and organisers speak out as more horse events are lost
Scotland left with just seven British Eventing fixtures as popular horse trials cancels
Man filmed ‘repeatedly beating’ pony with pole in supermarket car park
Horse beaten and kicked after road collapse is ‘part of the family’ in new loving home
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
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.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond 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

Sarah has worked at an equestrian journalist and editor since 2004 and has held the position of Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief since 2014. She has reported for Horse & Hound from major championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on horses and horse sport including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. She has owned and ridden horses since 1993, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university. While studying for a BSc at London School of Economics Sarah also worked for top British dressage rider Louise Spate.