SUSSEX event rider Gemma Tattersall continues to achieve outstanding results in eventing. She has just won the Cazenove Capital Eventing Grand Prix at the Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show.

She competed with Santiago Bay, reaping £2,000 prize  money with an eight second margin over the showjumping and cross-country obstacles in show’s International Arena.

This top performance has earned her a place in the final at the Theraplate UK Liverpool International Horse Show later this year. She put in a memorable round, in which she tackled the final jump, a joker fence flawlessly and in impressive style.

This difficult fence had subtracted five seconds from many other competitors’ times when they failed to clear it.

Gemma Tattersall

Jay Halim and Abrisco finished second, with long-time leader Bill Levett taking third on Athleet V. The remaining two Liverpool places were filled by Emma Hyslop-Webb and Hannah Bate.

“It was a fantastic class,” said Gemma, who helped Britain to eventing team gold at the World Equestrian Games last September.

“It is my first time here at Bolesworth – I aim to be back for the young horse championship in August – and Santiago Bay is a very special horse. We have a great partnership. She always says yes to every question, and I had a fantastic time in there. She gave me a great ride.”

Santiago Bay

Gemma told reporters: “It is my first time here at Bolesworth – I aim to be back for the young horse championship in August – and Santiago Bay is a very special horse. We have a great partnership. She always says yes to every question, and I had a fantastic time in there. She gave me a great ride.”

Borde Hill Horse Trials take place from Saturday May 25 to Monday May 27 inclusive. The event is sponsored by JH Builders and Bill Kear Arenas and Gallops and will support Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.

The venue is located near Haywards Heath, West Sussex at RH16  1XP and all tracks make good use of the parkland and woodland settings.

Fences are well presented and dressed, with a mix of permanent fences and sturdy portables.

Howard Newitt pictured competing at a previous Borde Hill Horse Trials Photo: British Eventing

New changes will be introduced in all classes this year, providing fair and inviting challenges at all levels.

All areas of the event are meticulously prepared according to the ground conditions and
the course is preserved for the events only and is not open for schooling.

Officials at the event will be:

The selected British squad for the Saracen Horse Feeds Houghton International Horse Trials from May 23-26, in alphabetical order, are:

• Richard Coney (20) riding his own and Wendy Coney’s 11 year old bay gelding Kananaskis
• Piggy French (38) on Jennifer Saunders’ 11 year old bay gelding Cooley Monsoon
• Eliza Stoddart (26) and the Flint Syndicate’s 12 chestnut gelding Dick O Malley
• Bubby Upton (20) and Amy O’Connor and Rachel Upton’s 16 year old gelding Fernhill Rock Star

The British squad of four, who will compete on home soil for the first leg of the seven leg CCIO4*-S series, sees three riders, and all four horses, receive their first senior team call up for Team GBR. Led by GB team stalwart and recent Badminton CCI5*-L and team World Championship gold medalist, Piggy French is joined by Richard Coney, Eliza Stoddart and Bubby Upton, who will all make their first senior team appearance.

Gold medalist Piggy French will lead the team.
Photo courtesy of
piggyfrench.co.uk

Great Britain will head to the opening of the 2019 FEI Nations Cup series on home soil and as defending champions following their win on a total of 94 points last year. The 2019 series calendar is as follows:

• 23-26 May: Houghton International, Great Britain
• 5-8 June: Pratoni Del Vivaro, Italy
• 27-30 June: Strzegom, Poland
• 24-29 July: Camphire Cappoquin, Ireland
• 7-13 August: Le Pin au Haras, France
• 19-22 September: Waregem, Belgium
• 10-13 October: Boekelo, Netherlands

On a rather foggy Saturday February 16, Tina Cook, multi medal winning Olympian rider, came to Petworth Schooling Course, to open the new cross-country training venue for West Sussex.

Set in the beautiful South Downs National Park, this course is an easily accessed, friendly training venue near Petworth, West Sussex. The aim is to provide a place for everyone to feel welcome, from the novice to the more experienced.

Using knowledge from members of the P.S.C. team and technical support from Adrian Ditcham, (designer of the London 2012 Olympic cross-country course), this venue has something for everyone.

The opening day comprised four training sessions of riders being coached over a variety of obstacles spread across the site.

Petworth Schooling Course has fine facilities

Many equestrians in the area, will remember the Petworth Horse Trials, on which this site is partially based.

The focus of this latest venture is on the grass roots level of eventing, with plenty for riders from Pony Club to adults, this was seen in the mixture of riders attending the day. The addition of the 400m uphill grass gallops, makes this a must for anyone training and ensuring their horse is fit.

Tina commented on the great selection of jumps offered on the course. She also remarked that the undulating ground makes this a great site for schooling for novice riders and horses- right through to more established partnerships, including her own horses.

For more details of up and coming clinics at this top class facility, what’s available at P.S.C., as well as how to book in for individual sessions, please visit the website at www.petworthschoolingcourse.co.uk or find it on Facebook.

Could you help with the future of injury prevention in event horses?

The Animal Health Trust is working with British Eventing, the British Equestrian Federation and World Horse Welfare to investigate risk factors for injury and illness in horses competing in BE events.

They are seeking riders and owners of horses who have competed in all levels of BE competition to take part in the online survey:

To be eligible to take part in the survey; horses must have competed with British Eventing, at any level and in any number of events. If you would like to participate it is asked that one survey is completed per horse, and thank you for taking the time to complete it. All information provided is strictly confidential and no details will be passed on to any third parties.

Eventer Sam Griffiths competing at Houghton   Photo: British Eventing

Results from previous studies led by the Animal Health Trust, with support from British Dressage, the BEF and the FEI, have been used to advise trainers, riders and owners about how to prevent injury in dressage and show jumping horses.

As well as helping injury prevention in event horses, anyone who completes this questionnaire will be eligible for entry into a prize draw worth over £1000 (entry optional). The prize package includes:

• A lesson with Richard Waygood MBE, World Class Eventing Performance Manager
• A lesson with Piggy French, member of the 2018 World Championship gold medal winning team in Tryon
• A Fairfax Performance Bridle of your choice
• A Fairfax Performance Breastplate
• British Eventing rider and horse membership worth over £250
• Hy Fashion bundle worth £200, includes a jacket, breeches and shirt
• A framed pastel head study of your horse by acclaimed artist Yvonne Lamden Cooper
• A pair of Fairfax Calf Stirrup Leathers
• Back on Track goodies
• Cool down boots from Premier Equine
• British Eventing branded saddle cloth from Griffin NuuMed
• Gift voucher to spend on tickets to the SsangYong Blenheim Horse Trials
• Bottle of Cool Down from Absorbing

To enter the survey go to:

https://bequestionnaire2018.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/injuries-and-falls-in-british-eventing-horses

If you would like further information on the project please contact Carolyne Tranquille at the Animal Health Trust. Email: carolyne.tranquille@aht.org.uk Telephone: 01638 751908

Brendon Riding Centre at Pyecombe, Sussex, is hosting a series of eventing clinics this month. It begins with a Kristina Cook eventing clinic on Thursday January 24, in the Paris outdoor all weather arena with arena eventing fences.

Clinics are open to competing horses/ponies at 80cms level and above. Groups will be based on ability as stated on booking form and there will be one hours morning group sessions with a maximum  of four in a group.

Kristina Cook competing with Billy The Red
Photo: British Eventing

Groups may be amalgamated within two height levels dependant on attendees.

KristinaCook is a British three-day eventing rider  and the 2009 European Champion. A three-time Olympic medallist, she won individual and team bronze in Beijing 2008 and team silver in 2012 at her second Olympic appearance at London 2012 on Miners Frolic .
At the 2012 Olympics in London, Tina won silver in Team Eventing with partners Nicola Wilson, Zara Phillips, Mary King and William Fox-Pitt.

This Brendon clinic offers an excellent opportunity to train with an Olympian Eventing rider and trainer with an exciting range of eventing fences to help you and your horse compete to your best

This clinic will be followed a Gemma Tattersall eventing clinic on Tuesday February 5. On Friday February 22 Amber Barson-Greally will hold an Arena Eventing Clinic at Brendon.

Full details of these two clinics are available from Brendon or see:

http://www.brendonpyecombe.co.uk/training.asp

The 2019 British Eventing fixtures list for next season brings new venues and classes to the calendar, along with changes to international class codes.

Stapleton Manor in County Durham will host its first BE event on August 17-18 with classes up to novice.

Ten regular venues will hold new classes next year. Bicton, in April, will host a new CCI2*-S class , Warwick Hall, will hold four- and five-year-old championship qualifiers in July, and Burnham Market,will add an intermediate class.

Changes for Scotland include a new venue.Glamis Castle in Angus will run in August, following the loss of Hendersyde Park and Aswanley this year. Eglinton in June will be hosting a novice regional final, while Forgandenny in July will host a four- and five-year-old championship qualifier. Kirriemuir which previously ran twice will now run only on  May 4.

West Sussex event rider Gemma Tattersall competing with Arctic Soul
Photo: British Eventing

Other changes riders can look forward to include a new BE90Ou18 class, a BE90 exclusively for riders under the age of 18, andthe introduction of the BE80(T) regional finals for riders competing at grassroots levels, with the championship being hosted by Kelsall Hill, Cheshire on September 27-29.

A bumper event in June for Bramham International Horse Trials has been crowned with the announcement that fellow Yorkshire brand Equi-Trek has signed for a further three years as title sponsors.

As world leaders in luxury horse transportation, Equi-Trek provides the perfect partnership for Bramham as the event is world renowned for producing champions of the future.  The full Equi-Trek range, from trailers to HGV lorries, will be at the heart of next year’s event, June 6 – 9  .

Action at  Bramham Horse Trials this year          Photo courtesy of Bramham

The showcase CCI4*-L winner  in 2019 will take away a cheque for more than £5,750- but even more coveted is the brand new Equi-Trek Sonic 3.5 tonne horsebox that will be awarded to the winner for a whole year.

Mr Bramham himself, William Fox-Pitt has been lucky to given the keys to a Sonic on two occasions and has now added one to his fleet of vehicles at his Dorset base.  And being a truly international event, should the winner come from foreign shores, it is no problem as Equi-Trek boasts a global dealer network.  2018 victor Yoshi Oiwa from Japan and this year’s champion Julia Krajewski are both based in Germany and have enjoyed a left hand drive Sonic.

William Fox Pitt competing     :Photo courtesy of  Kit Houghton

Equi-Trek’s Managing Director Tom Janion commented; “Equi-trek is honoured to renew for a further three years of support at Bramham.  We have a wonderful relationship with the team and showcasing our extensive range of trailers and horse boxes in the stunning parkland against the backdrop of Bramham Park alongside world class equestrian competition is perfect for us. We’re a proud Yorkshire brand and are equally proud to align with Yorkshire’s best loved equestrian celebration.”

The online Box Office for the 2019 event opens on 1 December – just five weeks away. In celebration of the partnership news, Bramham and Equi-Trek have teamed up to bring fans an amazing competition.

Anyone who makes a ticket purchase between the box office opening and  January 15 2019 will be entered into a prize draw to win a complementary weekend hire of an Equi-Trek Sonic horsebox, which at 3.5 tonnes, can be driven on a standard car licence! Terms and conditions apply.

Tickets for next year’s event make the perfect Christmas present and buying now means you beat the rush and guarantees the tickets you want, not to mention some healthy discounts!  Visit www.bramham-horse.co.uk to see what’s on offer.

After a record-breaking twenty eight years as title sponsor of the Badminton Horse Trials, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has decided to withdraw after the 2019 Event.

Badminton is recognised as one of the world’s greatest sporting contests. Mitsubishi Motors has played an enormous role in maintaining the prestige of this ultimate test of all round horsemanship.

Plenty of action is ensured at Badminton each year Photo: John Simpson

Badminton celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2019 and recently has had year-on-year record attendances with 185,000 spectators during this year’s competition.

Said event director Hugh Thomas, “It is always sad when a very successful partnership comes to an end, and especially when over the years event and sponsor have developed a genuine friendship, however when one door closes another one opens and it will be exciting to see where that leads.”

Rob Lindley, Managing Director at Mitsubishi Motors in the UK commented “We have had an outstanding collaboration with the Badminton Horse Trials and it has played an important part in raising the profile of our brand and our vehicles over the years. Badminton 2019 will be as prestigious as ever and we wish the event the greatest success for the future.”

This departure from sponsoring the key event now leaves the door open for other major companies to step into the breach and apply to take over this key sponsorship role.

British Eventing has announced the appointment of London based agency, The Sports Consultancy as a rights marketing agent to support in the sale of sponsorship rights for the governing body of eventing in the UK.

The UK is the largest market globally for international eventing events and world ranked riders as demonstrated through strong participation numbers, large event attendance with over one million people attend eventing events in the UK annually and British Eventing’s 120 strong medal haul in international competition since 2000.

The Sports Consultancy’s rights marketing team, under the overall leadership of Marc Hope, brings a wealth of equestrian experience having represented and secured partnerships for the FEI in recent years.

David Holmes CEO of British Eventing

More widely the business has firmly established itself as a rights marketing specialist in Major Events and Olympic and Commonwealth sports having also represented and secured numerous agreements for the IAAF World Championships London 2017, World Para Athletics Championships London 2017, IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018, British Athletics, European Indoor Athletics Championships Glasgow 2019, Team Scotland and Volvo Ocean Race alongside other premium sport and entertainment properties.

“We’re pleased to be working with The Sports Consultancy to maximise British Eventing’s opportunities to bring new revenue into the sport” commented David Holmes, CEO of British Eventing. Our commercial strategy has seen a huge amount of work to reposition and define British Eventing’s offer, now bolstered by our recent double gold medal success at the World Equestrian Games, so it’s great to see it all being put into action”.

Commenting on the appointment, The Sports Consultancy’s head of equestrian sales, Anais Bernier said: “We are proud to be representing British Eventing, it is the ultimate equestrian test for a horse and rider combination and is followed by a very defined demographic that we know is of interest to many commercial partners.

With our strong contacts in the equestrian sector and deep understanding of which brands are suited, we are confident we can help secure strong corporate partners.”