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Valegro piaffing like a boss at 20, a major tack malfunction, and other things the horse world is talking about

Horse & Hound’s daily debrief, brought to you every weekday morning
Becky Murray Becky Murray

    • 1. Happy 20th birthday Valegro

    Charlotte Dujardin has marked her double Olympic champion’s birthday with a special video showing the pair performing a piaffe in the sunshine, describing him as always her “one in a million”. Valegro retired in December 2016 in a ceremony at Olympia and he remains a crowd favourite, whether attending demonstrations or meeting his fans at Carl Hester and Charlotte’s Gloucestershire base. “Blueberry” continues to be ridden regularly, usually by Carl and Charlotte’s groom Alan Davies, who was in attendance at both of Valegro’s gold medal-winning Olympic performances. “Valegro is like a police horse. I love riding him so much, and he loves it – you have to kick to come home on him,” said Alan.

    Watch Charlotte’s video

    2. A major tack malfunction across country

    Holly Woodhead and Benica B pictured competing at Keysoe International Horse Trials 2021.

    Holly Woodhead and Benica B pictured competing at Keysoe International Horse Trials 2021. Credit: Nico Morgan Media

    It’s every rider’s worst nightmare, and perhaps more so for Holly Woodhead who was coming down a steep hill on a cross-country track when her rein snapped. Holly and nine-year-old mare Benica B were on a dressage score of 28.2, and had enjoyed a clear showjumping round, when disaster struck in the final phase of the CCI3*-S competition at Somerford. “It makes me think should I go round with a spare pair of reins in future! But there was nothing I could have done, and she definitely didn’t do anything wrong. We live to fight another day,” said Holly.

    Find out how the disaster unfolded

    3. Prevention remains better than cure

    Horse owners have been urged to continue routine appointments, such as saddle fittings, and avoid cutting corners in essential horse care during the cost of living crisis

    As the cost of living crisis continues to cause concern, owners have been urged by industry experts not to cut corners in essential horse care in attempts to save money. The British Equine Veterinary Association and Farrier Registration Council are among those to warn that postponing vaccinations, delaying saddle fittings, or extending time between shoeings is creating a false economy, and could cost owners more in the long run.

    Read what the experts had to say

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    Becky Murray
    Becky Murray

    H&H senior news writer
    Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
    Becky Murray

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