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LATEST NEWS:
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Uninsured driver who disabled horse rider and caused the death of her horse on Minchinhampton Common, while talking on mobile phone, escapes jail! An outrageous outcome....... click here for full story.
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More cancellations following the wet Spring - see What's On page.
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BHS Access Week to highlight efforts in the battle for equestrian access:
The British Horse Society Access Week 2008 will take place from 16-26 May, highlighting the work of BHS staff and volunteers, and raising awareness and money for Access campaigns. Click here to read more.
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Ever seen a horse do a somersault? Click here........
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Bill Jackson - Estate Agent, dons breeches after 45 years of not riding to raise money for Herefordshire RDA.
On Sunday 18th May, in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside surrounding Canwood Farm, Checkley, 10 teams of horse riders accompanied by their bike riding partner, will set off around a special 10 mile cross country course in a sponsorship ride for the Herefordshire Riding for the Disabled Charity.
In one of those teams taking part will be Bill Jackson who hasn't ridden for 45 years! Click here to read more and see how you can help. |
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CONGRATULATIONS to Rosie Thomas who had a very good first Badminton on Barry's Best. Clear cross country on a day which saw Olympic riders have falls and run outs. She finished 21st. Full results from Badminton can be seen here.
Rosie and her family run the Grafton Farm Riding Centre near Tenbury Wells in Worcestershire. Click here to visit their website to read more
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WARNING TO HORSE OWNERS AND SELLERS IN HEREFORDSHIRE & SURROUNDING AREAS - READ THIS!!
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ONLY CONNECT
From Presentable, the makers of Late Night Poker, an intelligent new quiz show for BBC 4 presented by Victoria Coren.
We are looking for teams of 3 people to take part in the series to be recorded in July in Cardiff. Ideally team members should be connected by a shared interest – a profession, a hobby or activity: antique buyers, investment bankers, equestrians, ramblers…
You’ll have excellent general knowledge, an appetite for thinking laterally and a keen eye for spotting connections.
If you are interested in taking part and are over 18 years old, please e-mail:
contestants@presentable.co.uk
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Don't forget to check the whats on page for cancelled or postponed events, but it may also be worth contacting organisers just to be sure your competition is on, in case they forget to let me know
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New Herefordshire Riding Stars Page.
This page will profile our local riding stars as well as our rising riding stars and we start with a profile of 10 year old Lucy Scudamore. Click here to read
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We've reached some new milestones during April with a total of 690,681 hits - just in one month!! Following early April excitement at exceeding over 25,000 hits on one day on a few occassions, we then smashed 30k hits a few times, with 30,700 hits ONE DAY - a record! Thanks for all your loyal support visitors!
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Terri Webb now offers insertion of a microchip called Saddle-trac to your saddles. this can help prevent theft and aid recovery of stolen saddles. Terri has also designed and developed a new dressage saddle. Read more here.
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BHS WALES - GUIDED RIDE MAY 2008
Michael Mosse is organising a guided ride along the Prince Llewellyn Ride to coincide with Access Week. The aim is to raise money to buy a Tramper All Terrain electric buggy to promote disabled access. The ride would be on the two weekends, 17th & 18th May and 24th & 25th May, either side of Access Week taking in half the route on each occasion with the option to do the whole route in one go during Access Week if there was sufficient demand. Entry would be by donation or by raising sponsorship. All proceeds would go to the Tramper Fund held by the BHS Powys Committee.
Michael can be contacted on 01650 521432 or through the details in the BHS Year Book.
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Visit the website www.maggieslaw.co.uk dedicated to Maggie the horse that was butcherd by youths with a meat cleaver. A campaign is on trying to get tougher sentencing as the maximum sentence is just 6 months! And you can sign an online petition - http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Maggies-Law/
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The Promise Auction held on Wednesday 23rd April in aid of the Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies was a great success, with good attendance. Over £3,000 was raised, which is a brilliant amount, and will certainly help all the horses and ponies at the horse hospital.
www.swhp.co.uk
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Herefordshire seeks its' equestrian stars from all and any field of equestrianism.
Are you a star or a rising star in your field of equestrianism in Herefordshire, or maybe you would like to nominate a star? The 'star' needn't necessarily be someone already competing on the International circuit, (although we do want to hear about those stars for sure) but could be someone who is showing the talent, or someone who is succeeding against all the odds, young or old!
Please email me at this website to nominate yourself or someone else. Please include as much information as possible. Emails should be sent to: sally@herefordequestrian.co.uk and put Herefordshire Star in the subject line. DON'T BE SHY!!
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Please check the What's On page for current cancellations and postponements due to wet ground.
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If you have any difficulty getting emails through at the moment, please use herefordequestrian@hotmail.com If there is still a problem, please ring me! 07767 396782
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Marie Stokes FBHS, former Vice Chairman of The British Horse Society, has died after a long illness.
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45 fantastic items at Promise Auction!!
The Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies is holding a Promise Auction at Llanarth Village Hall Nr Abergavenny on the Wednesday 23rd April 2008. We have many wonderful Items including 1. Spend a day with Mary King either at her yard in Devon or travel with her in her lorry to an event. 2. Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials – 2 tickets for Saturday 9th May 2009 NEXT YEAR (XC day) to include a car pass, tea & coffee throughout the day in the Mitsubishi Motors Hospitality Marquee for 2 people, lunch for 2 in the marquee with pre lunch drink and wine with lunch, and finally at approx 3.30 pm afternoon Tea for 2– what a wonderful day out. For a full list of items please see our website www.swhp.co.uk then click on Promise Auction.
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Success!! Click here to read the latest on the Amersham horses......
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The return of Amersham Horses
You may or may not be aware of the recent court ruling which has decreed that 29 of the equines rescued from Spindles Farm in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, must be returned to the Gray family, four members of which are awaiting trial on offences under the Animal Welfare Act (2006). A further 82 horses must be removed from the sanctuaries where they are currently housed, to be sold at public auction on May 3rd.
Obviously this ruling defies any logic and, while it will be hard to overturn, we are asking you to do what you can. To this end can you please take a couple of minutes to add your name to the online petition which has been organised by the National Equine Welfare Council Click here to sign the petition
The British Horse Society has expressed its outrage at the decision to return 29 donkeys and Shetland ponies to the family at the centre of the recent rescue operation at Spindles Farm in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. Read more......
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Thank you to everyone who attended the SHHSC Fun Ride at Caradoc on 5th April. Photos of the ride can be viewed and purchased from www.goytrephotographic.co.uk There were riders from South Wales, Birmingham, Hampshire …. 249 riders in total!
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Many thanks to all that supported the Charity Fun Ride on 30th March at
Wistaston Farm. The event was very successful and raised approx £900 each
for the Air Ambulance and Countryside Alliance.
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Do you know this horse? New entry on the Trace your Horse page.....click here
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Moreton Hall, a key part of Warwickshire College has been badly damaged by fire. The mansion houses administration offices, a restaurant, some dormitories for students and is also a prestigious setting for weddings, banquets and conferences. Click here for more.
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Search engine added to the website.
At last, but still in the testing stage - I have added a search engine powered by Google to this page of the website. Please let me know if you have any problems with it at all.......and let me know if you like it and find it helpful!
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Bill published to ease burdens on equine industry
A new Bill to protect responsible owners of animals from unfair compensation claims has been published today. The Bill, introduced by Stephen Crabb, Conservative Member of Parliament for Preseli Pembrokeshire, is due to receive its Second Reading in the House of Commons on Friday, 14th March. Click here to read more
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The Princess Royal is President of the Petplan National Riding Festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Founded in 1998, the Festival encourages new and lapsed riders to take up the reins and start riding. Click here to read more about the National Riding Festival
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As this is an unusually entry for the Whats On page, I am also giving it some space here in the News!
Barefoot trimming course to be held here at South Barn, Llangarron, Nr Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. HR9 6PF on 25-27th April 2008. Dan Guerrera is teaching the three days. For further details please contact me on 01989 770723/07771 553638 or e.knox@virgin.net.
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Major Breakthrough is announced in Battle Against Strangles
A new diagnostic blood test has been developed to combat the virulent horse disease Strangles.
The breakthrough has come after four years of research by scientists at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket.
The development of the test is part of the campaign ‘Breaking the Strangles Hold’, launched by the Animal Health Trust and The British Horse Society in February last year by the AHT’s President HRH The Princess Royal.
It has two main aims: to raise awareness among owners, riders and anyone involved in the health and welfare of horses, and to generate funds to support the vital research in the ongoing battle to eradicate the disease.
The blood test identifies horses that have recently been exposed to Strangles, enabling it to be nipped in the bud.
Oliver Wilson, campaign director at The British Horse Society, said: "It is fantastic news. This big breakthrough is a real boon to horse owners and I believe will lead to a significant drop in Strangles outbreaks. But there is still much to be done.
"The AHT's work to develop and test a fully effective vaccine against Strangles is ongoing. To support it we need to raise another £120,000 by the end of this year to reach the campaign target of £250,000."
The Horse Trust's Chief Executive Brigadier Paul Jepson said: “We are delighted our funding for this project has been so fruitful. This represents major progress in our battle to reduce the suffering caused by this common and debilitating disease.”
Peter Webbon, Chief Executive of the Animal Health Trust, said: “Our research scientists have a particular interest in the diagnosis and prevention of Strangles and the development of this diagnostic test is a major milestone. Huge thanks go to all of those who have supported the campaign.”
Strangles is the most commonly diagnosed infectious horse disease around the world. It can prove fatal. Clinical signs include fever, profuse nasal discharge and abscessed lymph nodes of the head and neck. The swelling of these lymph nodes may, in severe cases, restrict the airway, hence the name ‘Strangles’.
The blood test is ideal for screening horses prior to movement, competition or sales and will be available from 1 March this year.
The next big step is to produce a new effective vaccine, which would be a major breakthrough in protecting horses and ponies around the world.
The campaign needs public support. Ways to help include making a donation, holding a fundraising event, keeping a collection box or buying a ‘Breaking the Strangles Hold’ polo shirt.
Clothing brand Puffa has teamed up with the campaign and produced a range of polo shirts to help raise funds ( www.puffa.com). The campaign is also being supported by Horse & Hound magazine.
Further details of the Animal Health Trust’s work can be found at www.aht.org.uk.
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Equestrian Forum calls for increased access now!
Members of the Equestrian Access Forum have presented Jonathan Shaw, Minister for the Horse Industry, with a petition calling for increased equestrian access.
Graham Cory, Chairman of the Equestrian Access Forum, and Forum members Caroline Clayden, Catriona Cook and Mark Weston handed over the petition which is signed by more than 23,000 concerned equestrians
The petition stated: "More opportunities for off-road horse riding and driving are needed now. We ask the Government to deliver a comprehensive network of off-road horse riding and driving routes now."
Mr Weston, the BHS's Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, said: “This petition demonstrates the groundswell of support from grass-roots riders who are concerned at the lack of provision for equestrians in our Rights of Way Network.
“Government and Local Authorities must think about and provide for the needs of equestrians in the same way as they do walkers and cyclists.’
For further information and pictures, please contact: Hannah Brown, Executive, Access and Publications, The British Horse Society, 01926 707813 or h.brown@bhs.org.uk
Horse lovers encouraged to join the BHS Ride for Access
The British Horse Society is encouraging riders and carriage drivers throughout the UK to hold a BHS ‘Ride for Access’ to raise money for the Access Fighting Fund.
Ride organisers can get a Ride For Access pack by contacting The British Horse Society headquarters - enabling them to publicise their event, raise funds and invite others to join in.
The Access Fighting Fund was set up in 2007, after a fight to save a bridleway in Oxfordshire left the BHS with a bill for £30,000 costs.
BHS Director of Access, Safety and Welfare Mark Weston, said: “Horse riders only have access to 22 percent of the public rights of way network, while carriage drivers only have access to five percent.
“It is therefore imperative that we have the necessary funds to protect these rights of way, especially as these cases more often than not need to be defended either at court or at public inquiry.”
Henry Whittaker, BHS Access Senior Executive, said: “Organising a Ride For Access is a fun, sociable way of raising funds for the BHS, and getting together with other riders in your area.”
The British Horse Society’s Access Week (16-26 May), when BHS staff, volunteers and members hold events to raise awareness of equestrian access issues, will be used as the focus for these rides. However, they can be organised at any time during the year to raise funds for the Fighting Fund.
For further information, or to obtain a Ride for Access pack, please contact: Hannah Brown, Access Executive, The British Horse Society on 01926 707813 or h.brown@bhs.org.uk
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The first two months of 2008 have seen an increased demand for properties with land to fulfill the requirements of the “Happy Hacker”. A growing number of buyers are searching for the ideal country home with a couple of acres and stables. Click here to read more, then click 'press release'.
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Police are urging horse owners to postcode their saddlery. This may not prevent tack theft, but will aid in the return of your possessions. For further info, contact the crime reduction officer at your local police station, or find your nearest Horsewatch group on www.ukhorsewatch.org.uk
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In Horse & Hound this week
Stolen miniature pony returns home thanks to freezemark
Miniature Shetland pony Megan has been reunited with her owner after an RSPCA officer notices her freezemark
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/redirect/?link=295454
Ladies in racing recognised by Cheltenham Racecourse
Six ladies are short-listed for "the outstanding contribution made by a lady to jump racing" award to be presented at next week's Cheltenham Festival
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/redirect/?link=295455
Oliver Townend picks up early win at Isleham Horse Trials
The eventing season got underway at the weekend with Oliver Townend demonstrating early form as he triumphed in the open intermediate
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/redirect/?link=295456
Kieren Fallon loses final appeal against ban
The troubled jockey has lost his final appeal to reduce his 18-month worldwide ban
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/redirect/?link=295457
Marie Edgar's Everest Sure Thing dies aged 28
Horse & Hound remembers Everest Sure Thing, who partnered Marie Edgar to win a record number of show jumping medals at young rider level
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/redirect/?link=295458
Two horses killed in suspicious stable fire
A full police investigation has been launched after two miniature horses died in a suspicious fire at stables near Rochester
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/redirect/?link=295459
The Racehorse Sanctuary receives £20,000 from charity auction
A charity lunch and auction at Fontwell Park Racecourse has raised more than £20,000 for The Racehorse Sanctuary, West Sussex
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/redirect/?link=295460
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Motorist is hurt and a horse dies after car runaway horse incident.
In Worcestershire, a motorist was hurt when his car was in collision with loose horse on the A46 near Evesham.
The driver suffered concussion and neck injuries when his car left the road and went into a field. Later, the runaway horse was struck by a lorry and later died.
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Plans for a multi-million pound cattle market in Hereford have been submitted after officials spent more than 12 months working on the details. See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/7262558.stm
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I have today received another email regarding a theft:
STOLEN!!!! 19th-20th feb 2008!! From Ford shrewsbury!!
Two wheelbarrows (1 black 1 green-chillington) used to transport 2 saddles ( 1 Kes 17" nearly new black gp, 1 18" english black leather well worn with big scratch from barbed wire in knee roll, also slit in underside panel where stuffing is coming out!) ( 1 brand new gfs bridle black full size, with rubber reins 1 loveson cob size black bridle as new, with rubber reins, one no name black cob size bridle inc rubber reins new, also old E.Jeffries cob size black/brown running martingale, and a full size black leather breastplate which has loads of extra holes put in it) With the saddles there were 3 throwgood elastic end girths 44", 46"
and 48", a well worn black polypad almost grey now! gp style. a throwgood non slip black gp style numnah underside is rubber type material to prevent slipping! both saddles had collegiate stirrup leathers black and two sets of stirrups one normal with worn black treads the other was anti shock with thick white treads!! if anyone tries to sell you these or you see them please call me on 07717390432 or report to police immediately thank you!!!!!!
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Access new information at bhs.org.uk
The British Horse Society’s Access Department has released revised advisory leaflets. The information is available free at the BHS website, www.bhs.org.uk
The leaflets have been produced as part of an ongoing campaign to update the Access Department’s literature, providing information for rights of way officers, new or experienced riders and landowners on aspects of good practice.
· Standards and Dimensions gives details of good practice in constructing and maintaining equestrian paths, for the rights of way professional or interested rider.
· Finding Bridleways is useful for new riders who would like to try riding out, and for riders who move into a new area.
· Clearing Rights of Way provides practical guidance to anyone wishing to hold a clearing party.
· Stallions on Bridleways provides advice for riders and keepers of animals on how best to avoid problems when keeping stallions near to equestrian rights of way.
· Riding on Beaches and Riding on Estuaries both provide lists of available riding.
New information has also been produced on how to start a bridleways group, and affiliating it to the BHS.
BHS Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, Mark Weston, said: “The production of these revised leaflets is part of our ongoing work to inform riders, land managers and anyone involved with rights of way on how best to deal with issues surrounding equestrianism”.
For more information, please contact: Hannah Brown, BHS Executive Access and Publications, on 01926 707813 h.brown@bhs.org.uk or Pat Regan, BHS Administrator Access on 01926 707712 access@bhs.org.uk
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More saddlery thefts in Shropshire. I have just received the following email:
"I live in Shropshire near Roddington and last night £15,000 of tack around 12 Saddles and 20 Bridles were Stolen from our yard. The police also informed us that another 3 yards were broken into with a 5 mile radius from us on the same night. This is a recent issue in Shropshire with organised crime. Please can you ask people to be extra careful as these people seem to check out an area and make there way by foot to your premises proceed to rob you and walk away. Its not just the issue of the tack being stolen but it is hard to get the right tack for horse and rider and this is the most distressing."
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The British Horse Society bites back at dog attacks
The British Horse Society's Access and Safety departments have received a number of reports of poorly controlled dogs interacting negatively with horses, and would like to gather more information regarding the scale of this problem. Director of Access Safety and Welfare, Mark Weston, said: "We would encourage anyone who has suffered as the result of a dog attack to fill in the form on our website, so that we can gauge how widespread this problem is." |
