Riders see the funny side with April Fool’s Day pranks

Event rider Harry Meade had a heart-stopping moment in the trot-up at Belton CIC*** yesterday (1 April) when vets spun his horse, Wild Lone.

But the Gloucestershire-based rider had forgotten the date – and members of the ground jury were actually playing an April Fool’s Day trick.

Harry tweeted: “Ground jury announced my horse had failed. Stewards, vets, etc. looked very glum – then they all shouted April fools!”

Luckily, Harry saw the funny side and Wild Lone went on to have just one rail in the showjumping and jump clear cross-country.

Meanwhile, fans of US event rider, Boyd Martin, were surprised to read in his blog that his wife, German-born Silva Martin, was taking over the ride on his top horse – Neville Bardos (pictured).

Silva is a grand prix dressage rider.

The Eventing Nation website was in on the joke, declaring that “the conversion would make perfect sense” as Silva has competed Neville at the lower levels before.

It continues by asking “if London [the Olympics] might be possible?”.

And for any readers who were still taken in, the website reassures them: “Don’t worry folks – Silva received US citizenship a couple of years ago and Boyd tells me she will definitely be riding for the red, white and blue.”

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