The governing body for team chasing has changed its rules on rider falls ahead of this year’s spring season, after trialling the one-fall-and-out rule last year. From now on, any rider that falls will not be allowed to get back on and continue their round. This comes alongside several other changes to the rulebook for this season.
A small but brave combination – Annabelle Hague, 11, and Timmy, 27 – have drawn support for their obvious enjoyment of taking on this decent bank and ditch and more when out with the Cross Country Chasers recently (18 February). The group enjoys rides organised by Annabelle’s father Chris Hague, and Tom Lancaster.
(Image credit: JOHN HARWOOD)
Chris was former master of the North East Cheshire Drag Hunt, which amalgamated with the Cheshire Farmers Drag Hunt and became the Cheshire Drag Hunt. When that closed, members asked for something else. Chris said: “We couldn’t afford the hounds and everything, so this concept came of going out as a group, at the same pace as a drag hunt. We go by invitation of the farmers and give the money to charities of their choice.”
Former jockey Robert “Choc” Thornton has gone into partnership with a manufacturer and farrier Aron Tyler in order to pioneer a new part-rubber horseshoe called Equishox. Made of lightweight, vulcanised rubber with an aluminium core, Robert believes these shoes could suit racehorses particularly.
He was inspired by finding an original Öllöv SoftStep shoe – a vulcanised rubber shoe with a steel insert – in Aron’s van, with Aron explaining it was designed to reduce concussion on the forelimbs, and reduce the impact in the case of a knock.
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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.
