We can’t expect the big broadcasters and mass media to warm to us unless we get our own house in order and demonstrate how enthralling equestrian sport can be.
I’m still awaiting the call from Jeremy Clarkson… but, seriously, we need an X Factor-type operation, perhaps at four or five big centres around the country, with everything from liberty horses to scurry driving on the programme.
We need entertainment and fun brought back to our shows. There are plenty of home-grown heroes with masses of personality, humour and charisma within our sport. Yet the public rarely gets to see them.
There will be a packed house for the London International Horse Show, where Britain’s best riders will be on show. Perhaps they could be persuaded to appear more often, say to put on demos for learning and fun, at other shows?
Yes, of course, it all costs money. But surely this would be an investment for the future of the wider equestrian industry – for the sake of jobs, businesses and the horses.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Talking of investment, I wonder what else could have been achieved with the money spent on the British Horse Society’s latest rebrand and new logo. It doesn’t do anything for me…
Pammy Hutton says: the horses know best
How do we decide which horsey products to buy? Is it what we see advertised, promoted on social media, or as recommended by friends?
In my experience, it’s often our horses who know best. So perhaps we should listen to them instead of telling them what they’ll like after buying it.
As a rider and trainer, I’ve been lucky enough to benefit from working with various saddle brands over the years.
One company in particular has provided me with the best dressage saddles ever. I rode in the same one for more than 25 years – so long that I even got my leg pulled about it mid-test. So that’s the company I remained with for three decades.
Then, recently, I was offered a fantastic deal with another make of saddles. They sounded fabulous – and one model was associated with a top Olympian.
Well, long story short… one horse hates the original saddles and lets me know with ears back and tail swishing, yet loves the one with the famous name.
My other horse won’t travel straight or happy in the “famous name” saddle, but loves my loyal, older saddles. It makes no difference how many times they are fitted perfectly, the horses decide.
Pammy Hutton on new rules
I’ve always used my voice when competing, but have only once been heard! Yes, I’m one of the ventriloquists who are welcoming BD’s and British Riding Clubs’ (BRC) new rule to allow “discreet” voice aids in competition. Maybe now I’ll call out “seven” in a “Strictly” voice every time I pass the judges…
In another move, which represents a significant cultural shift, nosebands are no longer to be compulsory when competing with BRC.
Perhaps the answer is to let riders decide how their horses go best and are happiest? Although if tack rules go to extremes, safety must be considered.
Importantly, no new rule is a panacea. Removing the noseband won’t fix heavy hands, bad riding or poor saddle fit. And using the voice isn’t a shortcut for feel or timing.
The need for us all to learn and improve as riders never changes.
Signing off from 2025
Finally, I wish all my readers and their horses a merry Christmas and a great 2026.
● How do you think equestrian sport could bring back more fun and atmosphere without losing its roots? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your thoughts to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine
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
Pammy Hutton is joint principal of Talland School of Equitation and an international dressage rider and trainer. She is a Fellow of the British Horse Society and has competed internationally in eventing, being reserve for the Montreal Olympics. Pammy is the daughter of the late Molly Sivewright, is married to Brian Hutton and mother to successful dressage riders Charlie and Pippa. A regular Horse & Hound columnist, you can read Pammy’s views in the magazine or digital subscribers can view them online below.
