DITCHEAT, SOMERSET - FEBRUARY 10: National hunt trainer Paul Nicholls poses alongside Cyrname during a stable visit at Manor Farm Stables ahead of the Betfair Ascot Chase meeting on February 10, 2020 in Ditcheat, Somerset. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Our 130th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast features an exclusive interview is with 13-time champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls. He talks about his flying start to the season, his top horses, life at Ditcheat, plans and aims for the rest of this season. Plus he takes a look back at some of the all-time greats that he has trained such as Kauto Star and the horses behind the turning point in his career. Our news team then discuss crucial decisions for the Paris Olympics, rules on blood and riding dangerously and antibiotic use in horses. Finally, veterinary equine behaviourist Dr Gemma Pearson talks about training horses who buck or rear and the reasons they might display such behaviour. We hope you will enjoy listening.
Episode 130 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, our popular audio service, is available every Thursday morning, is now live.
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Our 130th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast features an exclusive interview is with 13-time champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls. He talks about his flying start to the season, his top horses, life at Ditcheat, plans and aims for the rest of this season. Plus he takes a look back at some of the all-time greats that he has trained such as Kauto Star and the horses behind the turning point in his career..
“I’d love to win another Gold Cup. I’ve won four – I think there’s a couple of people who have trained five winners and I’d like to match that” – Paul Nicholls on his ultimate goals for the rest of this season
Our news team then discuss calls for updated legislation from veterinary professionals and the ongoing work to promote better employment practice in the horse world.
“Ingmar De Vos gave us the stark reminder that we are only as good as our last Games as we head rapidly towards Paris” – H&H’s Lucy Elder on what the president of the FEI had to say at the recent FEI General Assembly
Dr Gemma Pearson talks about training horses who buck or rear and the reasons they might display such behaviour.
“The first take-home message is pain, and if it’s not pain, it’s probably pain – almost all the horses I see bucking or rearing have pain as a component” – Dr Gemma Pearson
We would love to hear your feedback on all our podcasts, so please do send your thoughts to pippa.roome@futurenet.com
Horse & Hound Podcast: episode 130
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Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
