The problem of insufficient safe, fresh drinking water being quickly and easily available to grooms working at international shows has been raised by the International Grooms Association (IGA) as it launches its “Hydrated happy grooms” campaign. The initiative is designed to encourage show organisers and venues to provide “hydration stations” in stable areas and beside arenas, so grooms are not forced to work while dehydrated at FEI events. In the IGA’s 2022 Member Voice Survey, grooms described working while dehydrated as being “often just a reality you are forced to struggle through”, a situation that the IGA says has to change.
The FEI is eyeing a move away from using fingers as a measure of noseband tightness.
(Image credit: Steve Bardens)
The FEI is looking to change its noseband rules by moving away from fingers as a form of measurement to using an “FEI objective measuring tool” for checking tightness. The move would also include elimination and a yellow card for those found to be using over-tightened nosebands in competition. If agreed, the new rule would apply across all disciplines.
Tower Clyde and Mathew Lawrence were Heritage supreme champions at the BSPS championships.
(Image credit: David Miller)
Our thoughts are with all connections of leading Highland pony stallion Tower Clyde, who has been put down aged 19 after a short illness. Clyde was the first Highland to qualify for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in-hand supreme final, which he did on two occasions. Clyde was shown under saddle by Mathew Lawrence, winning at HOYS and finishing third overall in the M&M supreme final at Olympia. They were champions at Royal Windsor and took the Heritage supreme title at the BSPS championships.
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.
