The Horse & Hound Podcast 56: Showing’s Vicky Smith | Olympic teams and other news | Standing quietly on box at shows
In our 56th weekly episode of the first series of The Horse & Hound Podcast, PE teacher turned showing producer Vicky Smith talks to H&H showing editor Alex Robinson about making the switch, her great start to the 2021 season and the most exciting horses in her current team. Moving on to the week’s top news stories, H&H editor and Olympic reporter Pippa Roome is joined by fellow Tokyo reporters Polly Bryan and Lucy Elder to discuss the dressage and para dressage nominated entries, while news editor Eleanor Jones explains the impact on major shows of ‘freedom day’ being pushed back, and a new initiative to attract more children into horse riding. We also welcome Jason Webb, who specialises in starting young horses and retraining those with problems, who will be giving advice on how to teach a horse to stand quietly on a lorry or trailer while at a show.
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In episode 56, successful showing producer Vicky Smith talks to H&H showing editor Alex Robinson about about her decision to bring her career as a school teacher to an end to focus on producing show horses full-time, some special HOYS memories and the horses she’s excited about this season.
“He was fifth at HOYS so the next year we decide to go again, and he won and was champion – the rest is history. He definitely is the one who has a lot to answer for…” – Vicky Smith on the brilliant coloured cob Life Of Riley
Moving on to the week’s top news stories, H&H editor Pippa Roome is joined by her fellow Tokyo reporters Polly Bryan and Lucy Elder to discuss who’s made the nominated entries list for the dressage and para dressage, and who they think will be heading to Tokyo. Our news editor Eleanor Jones also talks about how major shows and the sport of horse racing have responded to ‘freedom day’ being pushed back, as well as a new initiative from the British Horse Society to encourage more children to take up horse riding.
“If I had to put money on it, I would say Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester and Lottie Fry will be the [British Olympic dressage] team… the travelling reserve is a much harder one to predict” – H&H dressage editor and Tokyo reporter Polly Bryan
In this week’s advice section, we welcome Jason Webb, who specialises in starting young horses and retraining those with problems, who will be giving advice on how to teach horses to stand quietly on a lorry or trailer while at shows.
“This skill doesn’t start by just loading your horse up, going to an event and hoping for the best. It starts at home…” – Jason Webb
We hope you will enjoy our latest episode and would love to hear your feedback, so please do send your thoughts to pippa.roome@futurenet.com
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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.