Olympic eventer Vittoria Panizzon has said it is good to be back “behind happy ears” having returned to competition after a year out. She made her eventing reappearance on Wednesday, 14 May riding 11-year-old DHI Jackpot. They finished seventh in section K of the Aston-le-Walls open intermediate.
“I’m really grateful to have been on a horse that made my first run back a real pleasure. It was great to be behind happy ears and on a horse enjoying himself, that was the nicest bit,” Vittoria told H&H.
The equestrian world has paid tribute to Charles de Kunffy, the classical trainer, respected horseman, judge and author, who died on 14 April. Mr De Kunffy was a mentor to many and taught riders of all levels.
He believed that “the honour of teaching the traditions of the great equestrian arts commands an instructor to perform with equal dedication and thoroughness whether teaching a beginning or coaching an Olympic gold medallist”.
He touched the lives of thousands of equestrians and their horses through his knowledge, intellect and extraordinary body of work found in his books and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Can London 52 win Luhmühlen for a second time?
The entries for Germany’s five-star event have been released and among the 23 British entries are the 2023 winners Laura Collett and London 52, who will be aiming for a fourth five-star win. Laura is also entered with Hester, who achieved her first five-star completion at Luhmuhlen last year.
Recent Badminton Horse Trials winner Ros Canter will try to keep the five-star ball rolling with two entries – Izilot DHI and MHS Seventeen. Kitty King will also start among the favourites, with 2023 Luhmühlen five-star runner-up Vendredi Biats.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
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.
