I’ve enjoyed guest editing H&H this week. It was fun to chat openly with staff members Pippa Roome and Martha Terry about topics I feel passionately about, and interesting to see how the writers then went and canvassed views to create the features.
I was fascinated by owner Trevor Dickens’ thoughts on prize money — I agree the winner of a premier five-star should take home around £250,000 rather than the current £100,000. The volume of spectators should make it possible to fund better rewards for competitors.
Christopher Stone’s comments about building an audience for eventing through the Event Rider Masters (ERM) struck a chord, as the slick online ERM streaming has got my friends and family hooked on horse sport — so much so they’ve bought subscriptions to other sites too.I love young stallion Colmar and it was so sweet that rider Shane Breen said he is perfect. We’ll probably use him on some mares again next year.Crossing into different disciplines came up when I interviewed Pippa Funnell. It’s clear to her that good flatwork, sound training and creating a partnership are universal across all horse sports.Esib Power said top-level showjumping has made her more “enhanced and polished”; I believe it has made me sharper because such accuracy is required.
We joked about the fact Pippa is my idol at the interview, but it’s true. She’s become a friend, someone I chat to and turn to for advice. But to be in a situation where I had to think about my questions and be able to put them to her was amazing, so thank you to H&H for giving me that opportunity.
Ref Horse & Hound; 14 November 2019
