Happy Hacker? Or Just #Hackedoff?
How many readers out there describe themselves as ‘just a happy hacker’? And before you stop reading, yes, if you do compete as well, this article is also for you. Chances are you hack and also compete or show to varying degrees. Or perhaps you are one of those riders who is never happier than…
Read MoreNot Received Confirmation Email for Newsletter?
If you signed up for the Hereford Equestrian e-newsletter and didn’t receive the confirmation email, please sign up again using this link: https://herefordequestrian.us18.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=bc310abe53a90a950005a3079&id=16ac228db0
Read MoreDo You Think Fireworks Should Be Banned or Restricted?
Nearly 750,000 people have signed petitions about fireworks in the last three years. There are now 12 petitions calling for changes to the law. 11 call for greater restrictions on fireworks. The petition with the most signatures calls for a ban on fireworks being sold to and used by the public. There’s also a petition against…
Read MoreBritish Breeding Stallion Event – March 16th, 2019
British Breeding have confirmed that the Stallion Event will go ahead on 16th March at Addington Equestrian Centre, Bucks, with the implementation of strict biosecurity measures. The British Breeding Stallion Event, sponsored by Baileys Horse Feeds and organised by Breeding Partnership Ltd in association with Competition Stallions, was postponed from the original date in February…
Read MoreBrexit. Implications for Importing or Exporting Horses
What will the implications of Brexit be on importing or exporting horses and ponies? Most countries will have import rules for live animals, so if you’re planning to move a horse after 30th March 2019, you will need to talk to your importer, your vet and your transporter or agent. Blood tests will need to…
Read MoreGet Back on the Horse: Feel the Fear and Ride Anyway
I’m sitting in a chilly classroom on the campus of a local community college on a freezing Saturday morning. It’s a back to school moment complete with radiators that do nothing but emit worrying banging sounds worthy of the Victorian plumbing that orchestrated the school rooms of my youth. Desks are notably absent but rows…
Read MoreNew Business Directory
A new look, much improved business directory is now live on the website. Fewer categories and a good search bar should help you find the businesses and services you’re looking for. Some categories have sub-categories such as livery yards and training. Visit the new directory: www.herefordequestrian.co.uk/business-directory/ Create a new advert: To add your business to the…
Read MoreGuidance for the recent outbreaks of Equine Flu and other contagious diseases.
As of the 13th February 2019 the British Horseracing Authority decided to resume racing. Thousands of samples where taken and tested by the Animal Health Trust and they are cautiously optimistic that the current outbreak of equine flu is relatively contained to a small number of cases. The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) continues to closely…
Read MoreInformation about tetanus, flu, EVA, EVH and Ringworm
What are Vaccinations? Prevention is ultimately better than cure and vaccinations play an important role in preventing disease in horses. Vaccinations are used to: • reduce the risk of a disease outbreak occurring • reduce the spread of disease in the event of an outbreak • decrease the severity of illness in affected animals. Vaccinations…
Read MoreRide to Freedom – How I reconnected on the Mongolian Steppe by Katriona Shrives
I stared out the window of the plane at vast wilderness of Mongolia. It was our fourth year bringing guests to this incredible destination and although I was excited at the prospect of seeing great friends I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. With so much to do the…
Read MoreEquine Flu Outbreak
There is currently an outbreak of equine flu in the UK and Europe which is a highly contagious virus which spreads rapidly with an incubation period of just one to five days. Even vaccinated horses have been affected and racing has been brought to a halt in the UK while the virus is monitored. Symptoms: High…
Read More20th Anniversary for Westgate Labs and postal worm counts for horses
2019 marks a very special year for Westgate Labs as they celebrate their 20th anniversary of business helping to improve the way that horses are wormed in the UK. Laboratory founders, David and Gillian Booth, placed their first advert in Horse & Hound, 11th February 1999, and when forward thinking horse owners responded the concept…
Read MoreGirl Meets Horse – What To Do When That Happily Ever After Doesn’t Happen by Helen Watts
Girl meets Horse. Or guy meets horse. Or gender fluid person meets horse. Sorry, but the last two didn’t quite have the punch I wanted for a headline. Besides which, we all know women make up a disproportionately large proportion of the leisure horse sector. Hey – I’m just playing the numbers here. No bias…
Read MoreThinking about fitness – an article by Sam Goss
When you are thinking of going out and about with your horse, you really need to make sure that he or she has been working and is fit enough otherwise you can cause injuries like a damaged tendon or sprained ligament, or simply a gall or pulled muscle. We need to think about their bodies…
Read MoreThumbs up from Carl and Charlotte mean full steam ahead for Newent Valegro Sculpture Project
Sculptor Georgie Welch brought four months of detailed work to a successful conclusion on January 4th with the final acceptance of her original maquette of Valegro by Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin and Alan Davies. In a short interview featuring Valegro and the maquette Carl described it as a “most beautiful piece of work” and went…
Read MorePREPARATIONS WELL ADVANCED FOR BADMINTON 2019
As usual preparations for Badminton Horse Trials, in their 28th and final year under the record breaking sponsorship of Mitsubishi Motors, are well underway. This may be the 70th anniversary of the first competition but innovations are made with each running. The Event is now providing an E Ticketing service which should speed up entry…
Read MoreLooking for Mr. Ride – Is the Perfect Horse as Elusive as the Perfect Man?
Although everything that follows is true, some names have been changed to protect the identity of the horses. Back in the Saddle ‘Get back on the horse and do it again.’ Mortified and miserable I clamber to my feet. Cheeks flaming, but thankfully concealed by my cheap, ill-fitting jodhpurs, I dust myself off. A few…
Read MoreOwning a horse is a labour of love
The lows of winter – mud, wet rugs and dark days, which we are all no doubt currently experiencing, make it difficult to remember the highs – the clear rounds, the relaxing hacks and the accomplished feeling of cracking that dressage movement. I’ve managed to compound these miseries of winter by both owning my own…
Read MoreGetting ready for the lighter Evenings
Sam Goss entered the following article for the recent Hereford Equestrian blogging competition and won the runner up prize jointly with Ceri Belli. Here is Sam’s entry which was written before Christmas. Sam will regularly blog for Hereford Equestrian during 2019 and I’m sure you will find her articles very useful. Getting ready for the…
Read MoreBlog Contest Winners
Following the recent blogging competition, I am pleased to announce the winner is Helen Watts who will blog monthly for Hereford Equestrian and will sport her prize of a new Hereford Equestrian jacket when she is out and about. Helen’s response on hearing she had won was: “OMG! That is wonderful news….you’ve made my day! My…
Read MoreHappy New Year!
To everyone who visits Hereford Equestrian and especially those who use it regularly to buy or sell, find or advertise events and search the directory, Happy New Year! I hope it’s a healthy and fun year for you. Set yourself some realistic goals and have fun achieving them. There are new improvements coming to the…
Read MoreCalling Budding Bloggers
Entries for this competition have closed and the winners are now blogging regularly on the website: www.herefordequestrian.co.uk/directory/blogs/ Do you love recounting the tales of life with your horse/s or pony? Do you enjoy writing? Would you like to write a regular blog for the Hereford Equestrian website, maybe once a month? Hereford Equestrian is offering the…
Read MoreHISTORY MADE AT EATON HALL
It was a brave decision to move the North Herefordshire Hunt point-to-point to the Autumn, and to build a brand new course at a fresh venue. But the seeds of the first meeting will surely grow and flourish in future seasons. Eaton Hall Farm, home of the Price family, has been connected with jump racing…
Read MoreLEOMINSTER RACES START THIS SATURDAY!
The huge undertaking of building a new point-to-point course and applying for an early fixture unfortunately did not attract a huge entry for Leominster Races at Eaton Hall this Saturday (24th) but most who have entered are expected to run, and a good day’s sport is anticipated. The flat, oval circuit fitting snugly between the…
Read MoreGLOBAL HERBS GREEN PACKAGING INITIATIVE
Following considerable and consistent end user demand for a reduction in plastic in packaging, Global Herbs has acted by initiating a plan to change its packaging, starting with the removal of plastic bags and scoops. The company ran a survey among customers to gauge the strength of feeling, which was overwhelmingly in favour of…
Read MoreUrgent Appeal To All Riders – Road Safety Parliament Debate
The British Horse Society is urging all riders to contact your MP to ensure the safety needs of equestrians are not forgotten in Monday’s parliamentary Road Safety Debate. Find your local MP contact details here. The Background On 19th October the Department of Transport made an announcement about a new and improved Highway Code to…
Read MoreNewent Valegro Sculpture Campaign
Sculptor Georgie Welch discusses winning the commission, meeting Valegro, being inspired by him and what it will take to realise the great horse in clay in this video: https://youtu.be/VKc_gZXOe2Q
Read MoreConsultation Confirms Public Support for a Valegro Sculpture in Newent
“Do you support the proposal to have a Sculpture of Valegro in Newent Town Centre”? This was the question the Newent Initiative Trust posed in its public consultation questionnaire to Newent residents and worldwide Valegro enthusiasts alike and it transpired that over 93% of people responding were in favour of the Sculpture. With public consultation…
Read MoreLedbury Vet Physio Helps Win Bronze for Britain at World Equestrian Games
Specialist Herefordshire equine physiotherapy practice Bradford’s Veterinary Physiotherapy is celebrating after helping one of the stars of British dressage scoop a bronze medal at the World Equestrian Games. Head of Practice Tim Bradford treated Spencer Wilton’s horse, Super Nova II, before the Games in North Carolina, USA. Thanks to Tim’s years of veterinary physio experience,…
Read More2019 to be the Final Year of Mitsubishi Motors Sponsorship
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…
Read MoreLouise Harwood to Race at Newbury
On the 8th November Herefordshire event rider Louise (Wiggy) Harwood joins 10 other jockeys to ride in the British Horse Society’s 2018 inaugural Charity Race Day at Newbury Racecourse to raise funds for the BHS’s vital work. The race is a mile long flat race and jockeys will have to pass 2 fitness tests before…
Read MorePress Release from Kings Equestrian Centre
“After much soul searching and nine brilliant years, Des, Caroline and I have made the hard decision to offer Kings E.C. for sale and for Des and I to retire. As many of you will know Des turned 75 this year and I am not that far behind and we have decided that now is…
Read MoreStrangles Case Confirmed at Hartpury
Hartpury College have published this post on their website: “28 September 2018 Please be aware that we have a confirmed case of Strangles bacterial infection at Hartpury Equestrian Centre affecting a horse. The horse is in isolation and we are working with the vets to ensure appropriate steps are in place to minimise risks to…
Read MoreLocal riders success at Monmouth BE
This year Monmouth BE horse trials was held at Howick Farm, a beautiful setting for a lovely event with perfect eventing weather for the horses and just a jacket needed near to hand for those watching. Watching the action is easy at Howick with it’s compact layout meaning you never had to walk far and…
Read MoreThe story of a Competition Winner’s photoshoot!
By Rachael Louise Fisher: In July, I entered a competition to win a photoshoot with the Horse & Dog Photographer, Hereford run by Hereford Equestrian. From about 50 people who submitted pictures of their horses onto the facebook post, my morgan mare Dior was chosen at random as the winner! I was pretty excited as…
Read MoreAn Important Step Forward – Valegro Sculpture for Newent
After a busy summer fund raising and raising awareness the team behind the Newent Initiative Trust’s plans to place a half-life sculpture of dressage superstar Valegro in the centre of the Gloucestershire market town of Newent are pleased to announce that they have commissioned local artist Georgie Welch to start work on maquette number 1…
Read MoreWorried about winter hay shortage?
One thing for certain, you don’t want your horses trampling what hay you’ve got into the ground. Here’s what Pacefeeder have to offer you:
Read MoreHOUSE HUNTING? New to the market – Hartpury, Gloucestershire
“The perfect environment for your family & horses” Superbly located 16.5 ACRE equestrian farm & family home; complete peace, privacy & fantastic views. Well located for prime equestrian venues; Hartpury College – 1½ miles, Cheltenham/Gloucester/M5. Let us fly you round: http://grantco.co/properties/51950_HFD170160
Read MoreTalented Herefordshire 15 Year Old gets through to HOYS
Olivia Davies, member of the North Hereford Hunt branch of the Pony Club, managed to gain a coveted place last weekend, to compete in the final of the British Showjumping Bronze League, being held at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in October this year. Olivia and her horse “Spoonie” gained a place…
Read MoreJapan Wins the 2* but Herefordshire’s Alice Pearson is 3rd.
On the final day of the NAF Five Star Hartpury International Horse Trials, it was Japan’s Ryuzo Kitajima and Vick Du Gisros JRA who stole the limelight in the NAF Superflex CCI2*. Ireland’s Aoife Clark was in the lead ahead of Ryuzo after the dressage but retired on the cross-country leaving Ryuzo in pole position…
Read MoreCook is back on top
At the end of a thrilling day of cross-country at the NAF Five Star Hartpury International Horse Trials, Britain’s Tina Cook and Billy The Red reigned supreme in the NAF Magic CIC3*. Sitting in 5th place overnight after the dressage, Tina and Billy The Red pulled off a beautiful clear round showjumping before heading out…
Read MoreKing leads the charge
Kitty King and Ceylor L A N currently top the NAF Magic CIC3* leaderboard at the end of day two of the NAF Five Star Hartpury International Horse Trials dressage on a score of 22.3. King sits three marks clear of second-placed Alexander Bragg and Zagreb on 25.5 while overnight leader Aoife Clark and Fernhill…
Read MoreIreland leads the NAF Magic CIC3* dressage on day one
After a super first day of dressage at the NAF Five Star Hartpury International Horse Trials, Ireland’s Aoife Clark and Fernhill Adventure head the provisional Magic CIC3* dressage leaderboard with 25.5, two marks clear of runner-up Sam Ecroyd and Wodan III. France’s Sebastien Cavaillon and Sarah D Argouges lie in third with 29. Ben Lee…
Read MoreYoung stars shine at Hartpury
Day one of the NAF Five Star Hartpury International Horse Trials showcased the stars of the future in the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse qualifier. A cool breeze and light cloud cover on an otherwise blue sky was the perfect climate for riders to showcase the eventing stars of the future. Harry Horgan and Sara…
Read More****STOP PRESS ****
HOUSE HUNTING ? Then prick your ears up. Coming Soon: Hartpury, Gloucestershire – Idyllically located equestrian farm & family home; complete peace & privacy yet well placed for prime equestrian venues and Cheltenham/Gloucester/M5. What to know more ? Click: grantco.co/properties/51950_HFD170160
Read MoreHorse health professionals rally to determine best practice as “Equitape” horse wormer to be discontinued from October 2018.
From October 2018 the wormer brand, Equitape®, commonly used to treat tapeworm infection will be discontinued from sale in the UK. This wormer is the only licenced product for horses containing praziquantel as a single active ingredient. Going forward, it will only be available in ‘combination wormers’ also containing either ivermectin or moxidectin, the drugs…
Read MoreHereford Equestrian is 15 years old today!
On 23rd July 2003 the Hereford Equestrian website was launched, initially with just a few pages of information such as what’s on and the beginnings of a directory helping you find services and businesses such as saddlers and livery yards in Herefordshire. Classified ads were soon added as was more content and coverage was expanded too, to…
Read MoreAnd the winner is…
The winner of the horse photoshoot with Hereford horse & dog photographer Mel is Rachel Louise Fisher. Congratulations Rachel, Mel will be in touch with you soon. The horse & dog photographer specialises in fine-art style, tailored photoshoots designed to capture beautiful and special memories of yourself and your horses and dogs. On a typical shoot,…
Read MoreLedbury PC Members in UK Under 19 Polocrosse Team
Meg Smith from Newent, Nat Gilder from Stoke Orchard and Josh Smith from Tirley are currently on tour in South Africa representing the UK as members of the UK Under 19 Polocrosse team. Josh and Nat are both members of the Ledbury Hunt Pony Club while Meg is a former member. They were all initially…
Read MoreCharlotte Dujardin reigns on with seven victories in the Festival of Dressage 2018
Sunday 8 July 2018 Spectators enjoyed incredible performances by top Olympic riders Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester and Fiona Bigwood on the final day of the Hartpury Festival of Dressage 2018 (Sunday 8 July). It was another fantastic day for Olympic Gold medallist Charlotte. The dressage sensation picked up two more titles to total seven wins…
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