Category Archives: General

General content that covers a wide range of topics.

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Buying A Horse General Polo

Hazel Jackson – International polo player

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Hazel Jackson –  International polo player

Ever thought of giving polo a try? Hazel Jackson says it’s easier than you think. 

What’s your greatest achievement? 

Captaining the English ladies side and beating Argentina on home ground at the High Goal Ladies International in Cirencester in June 2016.

How did you get into polo?

When I was a kid at a local pony club along with my brother and sister and hand-me-down horses.

How old were you when you decided to make it your career?

At the age of 19, after I finished college, I went to work and play in New Zealand (Hawkes Bay, North Island) for six months. Then I did three seasons in Cheshire, with the winters in Argentina. It was hard work, but in Argentina I managed to get a really good job for a lady, Hana Grill, and I’m still working for her now.

Where do you spend most of your time… the UK or abroad?

I spend about four months a year in Argentina, around six in England and around two playing tournaments in other countries such as Barbados, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Texas and sometimes Africa.

It all sounds quite glamourous.

Yes, it is… Polo tournaments are always in stunning locations and there’s a fair bit of money involved.

Where is your favourite place to play polo?

I love Barbados. There are three main polo clubs (plus private fields on top), the people are really hospitable and the horses are lovely. Next year I get to go there twice, for the annual Battle of the Sexes tournament and a ladies tournament as well.

What is the most difficult thing about playing polo?

Getting the money to buy a decent string of horses — and it’s expensive to keep them, too.

How many horses do you own?

I run a string of eight but I only own three… My boss here — Roger White of Coombe Place at Overton Farm, Sway, New Forest — gives me five. You ideally need own your own string.

So how much do you have to pay for a decent polo pony?

Anywhere from £5,000 up to £200,000, with an average good horse costing £10k-£15k.

You could get an older horse (they’re at their peak at around eight to nine years old) with a few injuries for cheaper, or get one off the race track and retrain it.

What qualities do you look for in a polo pony?

We like them to be around 15.2hh and tend to go for the Irish and English thoroughbreds. A polo pony needs to be fast, very agile and have a good mouth so that it stops dead and works from the back end. We also like them to be ‘grunty’ — solid and powerful, capable of sustaining a few bashes in a ride off.

Is there one horse that stands out?

Isla, who’s based in England — she’s getting on a bit but she’s a machine.

You rarely travel horses abroad in polo, is it difficult to ride horses that you’ve never ridden before?

No. They’re really well trained and, as I typically ride five horses a game, I must have ridden hundreds of horses since I was 19, it’s natural.

Why so many horses?

Polo is incredibly demanding and strenuous on a horse which is why one horse is only officially allowed to play two chukkas with a break in between. I’d take five horses and try to ride five minutes on each horse. At the top tournaments in Argentina, some players would take 12-14 horses to a game with just three minutes on a horse before a break to get the best out of them.

That’s a lot of horses to keep fit…

Yes I can ride seven or eight horses a day singling (one at a time). They’re schooled to keep them finely tuned, but it’s common to ride one and lead up to four when you’re doing cardio work (45-60 minutes of walking and trotting). I’m doing that at the moment, while I’m chatting to you…

And what else do you do get them ready to compete?

The day before a game — and sometimes even on the morning of game days — we give them 10 minutes flat out for a change of air.

How do you improve your game?

My boyfriend, Ivan Gaona, an Argentinian polo player, has taught me a lot. I have also gained a lot watching video feedback of matches and taking advice from different people. Stick and ball practicing is essential and playing with players that are much better than me helps.

And is it a level playing field for men and women?

General men are naturally stronger and that gives them a slight advantage but, in general, it’s to do with the horses… it depends how well mounted you are.

What’s your ultimate goal?

To own a solid string of horses and to be one of the best female players in the world playing any 15 or 18 goal tournament.

What would you say to others considering to give polo a try?

It’s great fun and much more accessible than people think. And if you’re willing to work hard, it’s a great profession. There are plenty of schools around with safe horses, but beware… it’s very addictive!

And you’re 26, do you have to be young?

Obviously it’s good to be fit, but you can learn the sport when you are older and I think the oldest polo player is in their eighties!

Why Horse Scout?

The social media side is great, that you can follow other riders and horses.

Interview by Sam Lewis, Horse Scout inhouse Journalist & PR, August/September 2016

About Horse Scout

Find out more about polo and Hazel Jackson [[link to profile page]] 

 

 

 

 

 

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Buying A Horse General Horse Breeds Horses For Sale Jumping Showjumping

Talented jumping youngster by Zilverstar T x v.Concorde

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Concorde breeding and good looks with real talent and undeniable good looks. A 5 year old show jumper for sale stabled in East Sussex.

16.1hh grey 5 year old gelding by Zilverstar T (Berlin) x Concorde 

This stunning young jumper for sale on Horse Scout is by Zilversar T has completed a sunshine tour and his producer, Louis Simmons, (see the professional producer and riders page on Horse Scout)  a prolific and reliable producer, describes this horse as brave and careful; two pre requisite for a successful partnership.
Louis says this horse has been working easily and correctly on the flat and is a promising future star on the competition circuit.
His bloodlines have created a well made jumping horse who is finding his job effortless and his bold approach is taking him well over fences.
A happy horse, easy to do stands well for the farrier and to be clipped, hacks out and makes your life easy by walking onto the lorry.
Zilversat T is a grand prix jumping stallion who took his place in the Olympic Arena this year and his jumping successes this year show just what a talented horse he is:
  •  Glock International Show Jumping  Glock’s Grand Prix 1.60m  – 4th
  •  Jumping Bourg en Bresse  Grand Prix de la ville de Bourg en Bresse 1.60m – 3rd
  •  Global Champions Tour  GNP Seguros 1.50m – 1st
  •  Global Champions Tour   American Invitational 1.55m -3rd
  •  CHI Al Shaqab  Grand Prix 1.60m – 5th
  •  VR Classics Performance Sales International 1.50m – 6th
  • Prestige Cup Zilveren Spoor Class 58 1.40m – 2nd

Concorde is a double purity for talent on his Dams side for three years Concorde has been listed as the stallion at stud with the most  offspring  at World Breeding Championships for young horses. Making this young horse for sale a popular choice…and with good reason. Concorde is a stallion who is also very popular with other Horse Scout profiled professional producers.  Aaron Millar likes a horse with Concerned Breeding (see Horse Scout blog here)

Horse Scout hosts some of the top breeders and producers in the UK and internationally.  If you are looking for a Horse for Sale Horse Scout is undoubtedly the place to start.

 

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General

Talking to Aaron Millar – International Event Rider

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Aaron Millar, international event rider

The Dorset-based rider gives his tips on training young event horses and explains how he’s building up a stable of top horses after a tragic road accident in 2015.

You had a serious car crash in 2015, are you fully recovered and what are your main goals?

Yes, I’m lucky… I’m now concentrating on building up the business. I lost quite a few horses to other riders after the accident – you can’t expect owners to wait for you to recover but it’s also taught be to rejig the business and I now have shares in all the horses.

So how are you building the business back up?

I have someone in Ireland who sends horses over. Anything good enough to go to the very top we keep. Anything else we keep, produce and sell. The plan is to have a top string of horses at all levels and to achieve that I’ve set up a syndicate of owners. Sarah Wild, a lady who used to work on Wall Street, helped me create an amazing business plan to offer investors.

And you also offer a scheme, Affordable Eventing, whereby you don’t have to invest large amounts of money?

Yes, it’s aimed at people who love the sport but can’t afford to be an owner. You invest a monthly fee, get the similar benefits as if you were the owner, but instead you have an interest in four horses that run. You get a day a month at the yard watching them trained, free entry to all BE fixtures and a share of the profit if they’re sold.

Tell us about your main horse.

I have a good advanced horse Leonardo VIII (Leo) who I compete at 3 star and who I’ve produced since a four-year-old. He’s 13 (2003) out of a TB mare and Dutch stallion (Maximillian Voltucky). He’s a real character and loves his job. He’s done Blenheim, placed in advanced classes.

Tell us about your other horses.

I could have bought a couple of really good established horses with the money from investors, but then there’s the risk that if one goes lame, there’s only one running, so instead I’ve chosen four or five top five-year-olds.

They’ve got serious potential….William Fox Pitt asked to buy a couple but they’re not for sale unless I get offered a ridiculous price I can’t refuse!

Friendship VDL is a 16.3hh six-year old gelding by Azteca VDL. He’s had some good placings at BE100.

Galoping B is a 16.2hh five-year old gelding by Bustique with a couple of placings at BE100.

Gold Flush is a 16.2hh five year old mare by Andiamo. I went to see a three-year old after my accident and I saw her in the corner. She’d just come over from Holland and had probably been on a farm or something as she clearly hadn’t been handled very much and looked a bit like an RSPCA case. I’m not sure what is was, but I just saw something in her. I bought her and sent her to my parents to be turned out to chill out and get fat, then brought her on slowly. She’s gone out as a five-year-old and been placed every time.

So what do you look for in an event horse?

Around 60 per cent thoroughbred and something that has quality movement, jump and temperament. I’m looking for a couple more – they’re hard to find! At the lower levels the foreign horses look smart but they’re not always careful and get tired at a high level if they jump huge over every fence. They can also get bored if they’ve gone from the stable to the school from a four-year old. The Irish, however, go hunting, they gallop hills, jump ditches, learn where their feet are and how to look after themselves and conserve energy. The cross country phase is so important now as we saw recently in Rio.

What tips would you give others looking to buy an event horse

Temperament is vital – finding a horse loves its job and wants to do it.

Riders who want an advanced horse will of course need something that has a little sharpness and to be able to dig deep. By sharpness I don’t mean something that whips round… I mean alert, switched on and able to deal and learn from its mistakes.

Any Horses for sale now (August 2016)?

I have one that would make an ideal junior young rider. It will easily jump a two-star advanced but for me it behaves too well… it just doesn’t have that spark I’m looking for to go to the very top.

What’s the best horse you’ve produced?

I guess it was Allercombe Ellie whom I produced from a five-year-old up to three-star level. In 2014 she was selected for the World Games and for Rio with Izzy Taylor but unfortunately she never went as she was lame. Knowing I’ve produced a horse to that calibre is really exciting.

What horse will you never forget?

Stormstay (Henry) who took me to my first Badminton – we had a faultless round cross country. He also gave me two clear rounds at Burghley before I retired him.

Any tips for people training a young event horse?

If it’s a young horse then take it hunting. They learn how to conserve energy and really dig deep when they are tired. Fitness is vital for any event horse and they also need core strength so we do a lot of pole work on lunge. We have our show jumps and dressage arenas in a field – young horses move naturally forwards in a field, whereas in the school they’re often not in front of your leg. They tend to enjoy working much more if you go for a short hack first. You can generally tell a horse that goes from the box to the school and back.

Describe a typical working week for your young horses.

On a Monday they might be hacked then go in the school long and low.

We use a lot of raised trot poles on floor to help them strengthen their core and develop their trot, and canter poles to help their jumping.

On Tuesday they’re hacked then worked more ‘up together’ on the flat in the field or in dressage arena.

On Wednesday they’d jump – depending on the horse they might go through a grid in the school or jump in the field. They’ll also go for a canter afterwards.

Thursday is an easier day – they’ll be hacked or be lunged over poles.

Friday depends on whether they’re competing the next day. If they’re going to a show, they might have little pop over a jump or two, or work through a test.

All of our horses get time out religiously every day. My main aim is that I want them to enjoy their job and to be doing four star eventing at 13-14 years old.

What’s your goal?

To be at the stage I was before the accident. I want to get back to Badminton and Burghley but I’m not in a rush. I have some very nice young horses but I want a yard full of horses with a high value of £30k upwards. At the moment we make it work by selling horses at£15k-£20k. We need a couple more investors and horses.

Interview for Horse Scout by Sam Lewis

Follow Aaron Millar and keep up-to-date on his progress and the horses he has up for sale either through his profile page here or on our Horses for Sale pages by using these links.  We have also a blog about Aarons’ horses for sale. 

Zazou Snow by Concorde; Zazou Snow is connected by breeding to four other stallions advertised on our Stallions at stud pages

Aaron Millar also has a lovely young coloured horse April Shower for sale, to find out more link to his Horses for Sale page on the Horse Scout web site.

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British Dressage General Horse Riding Tips Horses For Sale Professional Rider Stallions

Talking to Charlie Hutton – International Dressage Rider

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Charlie Hutton – International dressage rider –  Talland School of Equitation, Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Want to know what Charlie Hutton looks for in a dressage horse, how to get that elusive 80% and what it was like growing up at Talland? The international dressage star chats to Horse Scout and reveals the characters of his top horses, plus his insights into training them and his students

 

You’re the son of Pammy Hutton… were you born in the saddle?

Well, I don’t remember this, but apparently I started out riding in a basket on the back of a pony when I was just two years old. And then not much later I was put on one of my mum’s friend’s Grand Prix horses and was bucked off. It was downhill from there!

So you were always into horses?

No, actually I was always into sport and loved rugby and rowing but I wasn’t really interested in dressage until I was 14. Before that my mum used to bribe me and give me a pound every time I had a lesson — and let’s just say I wasn’t rich!

So what was your favourite discipline and what did you want to be when you grew up?

I jumped and hunted but the truth is I was more interested in the sausage rolls and port!

In terms of a career, I had high hopes of becoming an architectural engineer but then I got the dressage bug.

What made you change your mind and enjoy dressage? A particular horse?

No, for me it just wasn’t satisfying to walk, trot and canter. It was when I had the ‘OMG moment’ as I started to understand that you can communicate with a horse in such a unique way in dressage. Dressage requires such a wonderful bond with horse and rider. I remember at 14, going up to my mum and telling her I wanted to ride seriously and she just laughed because I think by then she’d just given up hope.

What’s your biggest achievement to date?

I’m still waiting for it! Seriously, I haven’t got what I want yet.

But if I had to mention the ‘stand out’ moments it would be going to the Youth Olympics where I won team gold and individual silver. It gave me a real taste of what it must be like to be at an Olympics. Another memorable moment was at Bolesworth this year where Super Blue and I won the feature event beating Charlotte Dujardin — the lap of honour was really magical because there was Carl and I trotting around together as winners and Super Blue really gave me everything he had that night.

And your ultimate goal?

I’d like to be on a senior championship team in the next few years and I’ve always had it on my list to go to the Olympics, although I’ve realised that it’s harder in real life than on paper… as there’s a horse involved, it’s not just about how hard you train.

So who has — and still is — influential in your training?

My mother, Carl Hester and I also spent a few months with the German Olympic team training under Johnny Hilberath.

What were the big lessons they taught you?

My mum taught me a huge amount about test riding, and how to be crafty in the ring, while my time in Germany, instilled in me the basics and how to be quiet and discrete — you have to sit still (you can’t move at all).

Carl? Well, he picks up on things that you’ve been struggling with and revolutionises your way of going, often by saying one line that you go home with, think about, try and then discover it works. As he often says: “The simple way is the best way”. He is such a wonderful rider and is someone I have always looked up to.

And you also teach/coach?

Yes too much! Last year I taught over 2,000 lessons and I freelance all around the world in Europe and America.

At what level do you instruct?

Any! I teach anyone willing and I get a thrill seeing people improve whatever their level.

What’s the hardest thing about being a coach?

Improving the connection with horse and rider. The rider needs to be able to feel… you can’t just say ‘kick now’, ‘half halt now’. It’s so subtle but it’s the difference between getting 70% to 80%.

Any tips on how to achieve this?

It’s appropriate to the person I’m teaching and I’m learning that being a coach is more about being a counsellor and psychologist. Some people take it far too seriously and improve when they’re reminded to go out, have fun and enjoy it. Others need their back side kicking because they can do it but they’re all airy fairy… then there’s the complex person with a huge amount of ability (but doesn’t believe it) and switches between ‘I can’t do it’ and then ‘I can’ and puts too much pressure on.

If I had to give one tip that applies to a lot of students it would be ‘Be brave — trust your instincts and have confidence’.

And you also coach your wife Abi… is that challenging?

I would say ‘no’ she would probably say ‘yes’.

At first it was hard, I wanted her to do better than anyone else and got too intense but Carl warned me: “Rather than you making your wife cry and go into another man’s arms, why not let me do that and let her run into yours”. I now try to take the pressure off and Abi has learnt that when she thinks I’m not right, I sometimes am (especially when I have video footage to prove it!)

How do you keep fit?

I ride around five to seven horses a day… I love sport and staying fit and do quite a bit of running and play squash from time to time.

Tell us about your top horses?

At the top level, there’s Super Blue, a 17hh, 11-year-old gelding by Showstar, owned by Judy Peploe. I’ve had the ride since 2013 and he’s now training at Grand Prix and competing at middle tour. He’s not much of a thinker but it suits his nature to let me set the rules. He’s also a bit spooky and notorious for standing on his hind legs in prize givings.

I’m also riding an exciting future prospect called Hawkins Rosanna, a powerhouse with huge potential and ability. She’s an eight-year old chestnut mare by Ruben Royale and again, owned by Judy Peploe. I’ve been riding her for 18 months and it’s taken a long time to discuss with her the principles of dressage — at the beginning it was her way or the highway! I’ve now built up a relationship and she’s listening more. It’s been a true test of character to be patient and not to worry that she’s behind in her development. I am lightly competing at elementary and medium and plan to do more at medium and advanced medium later this year.

So do you prefer geldings?

No, I’ve ridden geldings, mares and stallions and every horse is different. I had a mare that I trained that was so easy it took just four days to teach piaffe!

You can’t just put label on it but mares generally take a bit longer because hormones involved.

So do you look more towards breeding when buying a dressage horse?

To a degree, yes. Breeding is good on paper for when it comes to selling a horse. It increases value if there’s a particular stallion that’s famous.

And do you prefer a certain bloodline or type of horse?

If I have a choice I’d probably choose a German horse over Dutch but generally they don’t have to have big movement, I just want them to move loosely through the back and show elasticity and natural suppleness. It’s important to look more to their paces, ability and desire to learn.

How do you keep your horses fit, strong, supple — and happy?

We’re very fortunate at our yard to have a steep hill leading up to a ridgeway so we do a lot of work  up that in walk or at a very slow trot to strengthen their hind quarters — if they have a slight weakness, going up a hill slowly helps them to move their legs in straight fashion.

They’re also lunged in the EquiAmi to encourage them to stretch loose, long and low and we also use polework — it’s important to keep a varied routine.

Why Horse Scout?

It has sleek and stylish branding and there’s plenty of content from horses and stallions to riders and trainers — it’s unique to have it all combined together in one place.

Interview by Sam Lewis

Find out more on Horse Scout

Find out more about Charlie Hutton from The Talland School of Equitation and also those wonderful horses that Charlie Hutton campaigns and produces. At horse Scout we are always very grateful for these great tips from top professional riders especially when looking for horses for sale.  Charlie Hutton talks about his Wife Abi Hutton.  We have also interviewed Abigail Hutton, you can read the interview here or connect with her Professional Rider and Coach profile on Horse Scout by using this link.

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General Horses For Sale Showjumping Stallions Stallions At Stud

Heartbreaker sibling connections on Horse Scout

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Bently Van de Heffinck and his son, Heartbreaker, have a great number of sibling connections on Horse Scout.

Modern Jumping Stallions listed on Horse Scout

 Bently Van de Heffinczk’s son Heartbreaker is ranked 6th in the WBSFH Showjumping stallions  2015 and we have several of their progeny listed on the Horse Scout Horses For Sale pages.

Owned by The Stallion Company this stunning 16.3hh bay stallion Bently Van De Heffinck combines the best of modern jump breeding.  His sire line is through Darco and Clinton with Heartbreaker, the classic modern stallion, producing the enormously successful stallion Cornet Obolensky.  Gently Van de Huffinck has already produced a crop of impressive French and Belgian champions.

He not only passes on his talent and powerful conformation but also it is apparently that his youngsters are mentally well able to cope with the pressures of top competition.

Listed by The Stallion Company on Horse Scouts Stallion Listings pages Bently Van De Heffinczk has progeny on Horse Scouts for sale pages

Heartbreaker sibling connections and also horses for sale.

A talented KWPN/Belgian jumping mare who is ready to affiliate can be seen in Ifield with professional producer Elliot Rowe who also has a number of other horses for sale.

Orlando Stallion by Heartbreaker, listed as a Stallion at Stud on Horse Scout; a successful stallion in his own right with proven competition stock. This  copy powerful young stallion has a very reasonably priced fee. Standing with The Stallion Company along side his sibling  HSF Valantino who was hugely successful as a four and five year old, but who, after moving to USA has since died.  British breeders are given the opportunity to take advantage of a limited stock of his semen through The Stallion Company

Another Heartbreaker Stallion Temple Tamability stands for Jack Hopson in Northaw in Nottinghamshire as a Breeders Elite SEIS Stallion was voted by the KWPN as their 2015 Horse Of The Year and is one of the highest ranking stallion in Holland and Belgium.  Not only is he hugely successful on the international circuit but his progeny are also very successful.

Horses for Sale by Heartbreaker listed on Horse Scout

 Broodmare for sale by Heartbreaker  – Zeth A , and also  a lovely young horse with a lot of talent to show is for sale in East Sussex with Elliot Rowe.

 

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General Horses For Sale Stallions At Stud

Royaldik – The Stallion Company

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Royaldik – a fabulous Bay Oldenburg Stallion standing 16.2hh

Horse Scout never misses a connection and Royaldik is the sire of Treworrian (Warrior) a 2013 impressive looking bay gelding who is showing “an impressive jump”. Listed in Horse Scout Horses For Sale pages and produced at the Preci Spark Event Horses competition and breeding yard in Lowesby, Leicestershire.  The horses bred here from proven mares are found in the top stables including with Ollie Townsend, and have competed as far away as Australia.

Treworrian (Warrior) looks every bit as classy as his sire Royaldik who is a classic thoroughbred type sporthorse, built to please with first class conformation and top class movement this elegant Stallion profiled on Horse Scout shows himself with a correct jump and a stunning hind leg movement. Percy Spark Event Horses have used Royaldik with great success in their breeding programme with Tregida taking Elite Premium at the Futurity Awards along with many others featuring in their ribbons also by Royaldik.
His progeny are recognised as having exceptional readability and temperament scores Royaldik himself scoring the highest in his own performance testing at both 30 and 70 day performances with success in the competition arena in both show jumping and dressage.
His pedigree reads like a royal decree! with a suburb line up in both eventing and dressage.  His sire Royal Diamond brings the legendary Rubinstein who competed at Grand Prix at the age of 9 and his dam is full sister to the epic Thoroughbred stallion Heraldik xx who sired two gold medal event horses Butts Abrades and Butts Leon, who came 2nd at Badminton, a Chastworth winner and competitors in the European Dressage Championships and by 2015 he had no less than five horses at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. 
Heraldik xx  currently is the 3rd highest ranking Event Station on the WBFS listing, and he has consistently been ranked in the top 3 since 2008.  Rhdiamant, Royaldik’s full brother, has been ranked 3rd as a dressage stallion by the The World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH).

Find out more about this successful Oldenburg Stallion, who is with The Stallion Company, through his Horse Scout Stallion Listing by clicking this link – Royaldik on Horse Scout

British Dressage Dressage General Horse Advice Professional Rider

Abigail Hutton – International Dressage Rider

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Abigail Hutton, International Dressage Rider based in Oxfordshire

Since arriving at Talland in 2009, Abigail’s rapid rise in the world of dressage has been nothing short of impressive. Here she talks to Horse Scout about her goals and tips for keeping competitive horses happy.

When did you start to ride competitively?

I come from a non-horsey family and I was happy hacker until I was about 23 when I went to work for a show jumper in Ireland. I had always been interested in dressage and in 2009 my life changed when Pammy Hutton offered me a scholarship to be a working pupil at The Talland School of Equitation in Gloucestershire.

So that’s where you met your husband Charlie Hutton, Pammy’s son?

Yes, I arrived on a Sunday and met Charlie on the Tuesday and that was that!

How difficult did you find the transition to dressage and did Charlie help?

I had to play catch up and was given a schoolmistress, Amo, to start out competing at medium advanced! I had some crap scores, but some good ones too, and eventually rode Amo to Inter 2 and in two regional championships. That opened up the doors to take on more rides.
Charlie is a huge help and I train frequently with him — he is brutally honest with me!

Do you train with anyone else?

I have regular sessions with Carl Hester and sometimes with my mother-in-law Pammy Hutton.

What do you struggle with most?

I guess I struggled with my seat and posture as I hadn’t ridden from a young age and i’m a natural sloucher. Putting your neck in back collar really makes you sit up. Also, I had a long battle with competition nerves and I just found that just going out more and more really helped. I’m going to start pilates too.
What are your career highlights over the last year or so?
I’ve ridden at three National Championships and represented Ireland at Hartpury, Hickstead and Saumur CDIs in 2015. I also placed in the top five at Hickstead International with Armagnac and had a win at Keysoe Premier League with my young horse, Giraldo, owned by Lotty Chatterton.

Tell us about your other top horses?

I have another 12-year-old horse called Don Dino, a 17.1hh Hanovarian gelding, which belonged to Charlie but as he has kissing spine the vet suggested he should have a lighter rider. He’s really talented and we have qualified for the Nationals at advanced medium.
Then there’s Starlet Blue, a nine-year-old mare owned by Judy Peploe. She’s premium graded in Germany but very inexperienced so we’re competing at novice and elementary.
I also ride Giraldo, a really special five-year-old gelding owned by Lotty Chatterton.   I’m off to Hickstead young horse champs with him (national and international class). He has been getting 80% scores and has a really amazing big uphill balanced canter and is really adjustable. And his brain and attitude… I’ve never known anything like it — he just loves to work!

What tips would you give to other riders?

Train hard but don’t take it too seriously — it has to be fun.
Most riders put too much pressure on themselves and their horses but that can make things worse. If you get a bad mark, it can only get better! And if you’re having a bad day when you’re schooling, just go for a canter.

What are your goals?

To keep riding for a living, have happy horses and have fun.
Of course I’d also like to win a national title, go on international big tour and ultimately ride for the Irish team at the Olympics.

Any tips to help keep horses sound and happy?

Horses thrive on routine but don’t be afraid to experiment. Some of my horses do a couple of days dressage, then a hack on Wednesday, then dressage again and have the weekend off. Others have a jump day or a canter day in the middle and Dino only does dressage twice a week — he hacks and canters the rest.
Be patient and take note of what makes your horse feel the best, but don’t worry about breaking it every once in a while — sometimes routine may alter for a show so you need to be relaxed about it!
I’m also a serious fan of getting your stirrups up and working in a light seat to get your horse forward and loose in the back — it’s also great fun! Dressage horses are being bred with so much power and energy now, I think you have to be up for a bit of adrenaline to keep them fresh in their minds and entertained. I also take Giraldo to the water treadmill once a week. (see our blog about Hydrotherapy)

Why Horse Scout?

It looks professional and is it’s clever how horses and riders connect and how you can see the history of a horse and who used to ride it. I also like the fact that there are some great horses for sale but many at realistic prices.

images provided by Judy Peploe

Find out more about Abigail Hutton on Horse Scout

Abi Hutton has a profile on Horse Scouts’ Professional Rider Pages which goes into detail about her career and what she can offer you.  It also has some lovely photos; click through and follow Abigail Hutton on Horse Scout.

 

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Buying A Horse Eventing General Horses For Sale Professional Rider Rio 2016

Kathryn Robinson Talks to Horse Scout

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Kathryn Robinson, Canadian event rider 
Naunton, England, with our Horse Scout reporter before setting off for the week of her life

International Event Rider , Kathryn Robinson, talks to Horse Scout about her career and her tips for buying an event horse

What are your biggest achievements?

Being chosen to represent my country (I was born in Canada and my mother is Canadian) and ride in the Olympics at Rio. I was travelling as reserve but due to a horse being lame, I’m now part of the team.
I was short-listed for London 2012 and in 2014 was selected for the WEG but was unable to compete because of a technical hitch with the paperwork. I’ve placed 7th at Pau four-star.

Tell us about your top horse, Let it Bee, who you’ll be riding for Canada in South America.

He’s a 15-year old German-bred gelding by Lamerto out of Baroness. I got him as a 7-year old from a guy that had bought him from an auction but was fed up as he had started to stick his tongue out. If I looked at him now I would never buy him — he’s so long, hence his nickname Limousine — and not put together to be a top event horse. But I bought him to do some pre novices to get my confidence back and just kept going. His best discipline is dressage and although he can be a bit hot at a one-day event, he’s very good at a three day and has been extremely consistent this year.

And you rode at Badminton for the first time earlier this year?

Yes, my aim was to complete, which I did with a double clear. I wasn’t the quickest cross country but I didn’t want to over phase him.

How did you get into eventing?

I didn’t grow up in a horsey family but I always loved them and belonged to the local pony club as a teenager. I stopped riding around the age of 16 and then didn’t take it up again until my 20s when I became a working pupil Samantha Albert, a Canadian-born eventer who rides for Jamaica.
She found me my first event horse, Hugo Simon, and I ended up doing quote well on him, competing in one and two stars and coming second at a one star in Portugal.

Who else would you say has been influential?

My fiancee Giovani Ugolotti (the Italian event rider) as he really helped me regain my confidence after losing Hugo. Gio’s my best coach — always honest and no, we don’t argue that much as neither of us can be bothered! We also both visit Henriette Anderson for dressage.

Tell us about some of your other horses.

Suttogo Georg is a 7-year-old, German-bred ex-show jumper who is nippy, spooky but a really good jumper. His weakest link is dressage but he’s not naughty, he’s just never been taught and I hope that will fall into place by next year and we can move up the grades.
I have another 7-year-old called Linus, a 6-year-old named Calling Card and a four-year old called Castello.

And they are all German?

Yes, I like the German horses and we have a good agent out there who I trust and has good eye.

So what would your advice be for others when buying a horse; particularly an event horse?

Go with someone you trust and who can be helpful with regards to the breeding.
Some great stallions produce very nice young horses but they don’t all go on to be a top event horse — look at those with good competition records.

And do you favour any bloodlines?

Linus and Calling Card are by Heraldic — but as he is so old it’s impossible to find them anymore.
We have three in the yard by Duke of Hearts. I just gave the ride on Duke of Champion to Gio… he just grew so big that I felt I couldn’t physically help him show jumping. Gio is pleased… he just got a 6-year-old at novice!

What single thing has changed your riding for the better?

I’ve always suffered from nerves and can freeze at a competition. This year I’ve seen two sports psychologists and they’ve been really helpful giving me exercises to stay focused — it has literally transformed my performance.

And next year is a big year… your wedding to Giovanni. Is it all organised?

The venue is… it’s at my parent’s house. Other than that, the only thing I’ve done is buy the dress! And we’re also going to have to have a mini honeymoon as the date is in the middle of the eventing season!
Kathryn Robinson has a professional Rider profile page on Horse Scout.  Click through and see her horses and read about her career as a professional Event rider and trainer.
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Eventing General Horses For Sale Professional Rider

Giovanni Ugolotti Talks

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Giovanni Ugolotti the Italian Event Rider, Gloucestershire, 33

The international event rider talks to Horse Scout about his top horses, his favourite bloodline and what makes a good event horse.

 Tell us about your top horse Oplitas.

He’s a 15-year old, 17hh bay gelding by the thoroughbred Fines, and out of the Hanoverian Golf I mare, Berganza, full brother of Armada and Nereo. (see our blog about these two fabulous horses)
I’ve had him four years now (he was formerly produced and ridden by Andrew Nicolson) and he is really good cross country. He is quite sensitive and, although perhaps naturally a girl’s ride, I get on well with him — but you need to be on the right side of him! He is quite grumpy in his stable, stroppy about being groomed, doesn’t like attention and is happiest in the field!

So Oplitas clearly has good breeding — do you think that’s essential in an event horse?

I always look at the percentage of blood. For me, a 4-star eventer has to have about 65%-70% thoroughbred — and the brain to want to do the job… For something less serious you don’t need as much blood.

So do you have a favourite blood line?

At the moment I like the German thoroughbred, Duke of Hearts, and I have three of its offspring in the yard. They have enough blood to be a proper event horses, good brains to be trainable and they are good jumpers too.

What are your top tips when buying an event horse, other than its bloodline?

You can look at a video of them — they have to be well put together — but at the end of the day you need to sit on them and feel them. And they must have a good (trainable) brain.

Tell us about some of your other top horses.

He’s been off a year following a bone chip to his stifle, but we have started bringing Stilo Kontika (Condios/Blue Labamba) back into work and hope to start competing him in the autumn. He was ranked best horse for the Italian team in 2014, placed 5th at a CCI 3star and took me to my first Europeans in Malmo (double clear). He is really strong — and sometimes is a struggle to hold him cross country! Then there’s DaCapo 277, a 17hh, 10-year old gelding out of Duke of Hearts XX. He did his first advanced at Little Downham in June and he will be my best on the flat and a really good jumper.

So, Giovanni Ugolotti How/why did you become a professional rider?

I began riding at around six but it wasn’t until I joined the army at around 18 or 19 that my professional career with horses really began. I had planned to stay for one year but ended staying for six. Most of my training came from there, we were riding a lot of young horses up to advanced level. I’m lucky that my job is my passion.

You’re engaged to fellow Olympic event rider Kathryn Robinson (Olympic rider for Canada). Tell us about your partnership and are you competitive with each other?

We sometimes have arguments but it’s great having someone to keep an eye on you every day. We are competitive but we push each other to do better. Kathryn would say my strengths are that I’m calm, collected and focused on job in hand. For me, I admire her patience. Our wedding is planned for next year.

Do you train with anyone else?

Once a week we train dressage with Henriette Anderson – 20 mins away from Cranford Stud.

So what’s your weekly schedule for the horses in competition?

We school on the flat twice a week, jump once, take the young ones cross country a week before an event and the good ones will go up the gallops every four days. They’ll all get a day off the day after a competition, then I’ll lunge them the day after that, normally in a pessoa.

And what’s the best tip you’ve ever been given?

That if you keep training and believing that what you do is right, the result will come eventually.

Why Horse Scout?

Innovation… when you look for a horse that you want to buy, you can enter all your criteria, listing everything from its height to the level it’s at… You can also network and promote yourself as a rider.

Find out more on Horse Scout

To find out more about Cranford Stud Eventing and to view Horse Scouts Professional Profile page for Gianono Ugolotti use this link.
Giovanni has an amazing track record and has horses for sale from his yard in Gloucestershire listed on his Horse Scout Profile Contessa V is one of them.  If you are looking for a Stunning black 16’2″ mare who is just 7 years old this Hanovarian by Conteur out of a Medoc mare is described as  ‘delightful’ and ‘very easy to do’. This horse already has 24 foundations points and has been ridden by an 18 year old.
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Buying A Horse Dressage General Horses For Sale Professional Rider

Shaun Mandy, Horse & Hound’s blogger

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Shaun Mandy – Horse & Hound blogger, dressage rider and coach talks to Horse scout about his practice.

A colourful character within the world of dressage, Shaun Mandy has been trained by some prolific names in the business. Here he gives us the lowdown of his life with horses and shares his tips on buying, backing and training youngsters.

 

How did you get into riding?

I grew up on a fruit farm in South Africa with a riding school on the neighbouring farm. Fascinated by horses, I dragged my mum to the school, began riding and never stopped. I was crazy on eventing despite the fact that from the age of 12, my instructor, Hillary (now a lifelong friend) said I’d always end up in dressage!

Have you worked for anyone famous?

I moved to the UK around 15 years ago when I was 17 for a placement at the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy in the New Forest. From there I became a groom for Pippa Funnell and then Olympic gold medallist, Jane Holderness Roddam, at West Kington Stud where I got a lot of experience riding young horses and eventing.

And in the world of dressage?

I was given a horse that had bottled it cross country by the Dutch rider Eddy Stibbe. I then began training with Jenny Loriston-Clarke followed by Pammy Hutton, but the real turning point was when I decided to pack my bags (and my horse, Poppy, and dog, Pringle) and moved to Denmark to train with Hasse Hoffmann, a top trainer and author. I stayed for 18 months often riding around 10 horses a day from youngsters up to Grand Prix level before returning to the UK in 2015. I now train with Peter Storr and rent eight stables at Gainfield Farm, employ a groom and apprentice, and take in horses to produce, alongside competing my own horses.

Tell us a bit about your own horses.

My top horse is Euphoria E (Inky), a Dutch seven-year-old by Uthopia — I own half of him. We’ve just stepped up to advanced medium, came second at Wellington’s Premier League with 68.55% and we are aiming for PSG in the spring. At the regionals, Inky felt awesome in the Medium test getting many 8s, but unfortunately three costly mistakes meant we finished 9th on 67.47% — one judge summed it up well (see pic) just little disappointing when it’s so close to being super!
My other horse, D.I. Dompadour (Poppy), whom I own outright, was also doing advanced medium with the aim of PSG in 2017, until she had colic surgery recently which means she’s out for the rest of the year now. She’s talented but tricky with everything taking a long time — she’s eight years old now.
I also ride another Dutch gelding, a four-year old called Houston V (Huey) by Tango x Goodtimes, and have high hopes for him. We’ve competed in a couple of four-year-old classes and placed third at Hartpury scoring 78.8%. The next step is novice tests and five-year-old classes next year.

Do you buy and sell horses?

I recently went to Germany with Lorain Nixon, who owns Houston to buy two gorgeous three-year-old fillies. One Furstenball x Sandro Hit (Bella) and the other by Vitalis x Florestan 1 (Bonny). I backed both, sold one within a month, but hope to sell the other after doing some four-year-old classes next year.

So what do you look for when buying a youngster?

Natural ability is good to see when you’re buying an unbacked three-year-old or younger — it’s about watching them move loose in a school. I like to see them as natural as possible in their paces so trying to get them not too excited when chasing them around. Attitude is very important to me and a trainable mind. The walk and canter are also important. Looking for a walk with a good overtrack and an uphill canter with active hind leg. For the purpose of selling on, it helps to have well-known breeding using proven dressage sires and grandsires.

And your tips for backing a horse?

Sounds obvious but a horse learns a good habit as quickly it learns a bad one — so make sure you do everything carefully, slowly and correctly.
And if you have an ‘oops’ moment and scare it by doing something a little too quickly, go straight back and repeat it even slower to ensure they are 100% happy, rewarding them for their patience.

We’re envious… you’ve been taught by some highly reputable trainers — give us one tip that stands out in your mind even today.

It has to be a quote from Hasse, from my time with him in Denmark: “Ride with colour”.
It means to have a plan in your mind when you school and to mix things up — it’s easy to just put a horse through it’s paces but think what you are working towards and make it fun.

So you now train horses and riders up to four-star advanced eventers… Any tips you frequently incorporate into your work?

Make sure you change gears frequently when riding, especially in your trot and canter work. Inky can get stuck in a canter and I really need to think of changing the gear three or four times when going down the long side of the arena. It helps Inky tune into my signals but also strengthens by making him take more weight behind.

So what are your future goals, Shaun Mandy?

To continue training horses and riders, get more sponsors and owners onboard, to ride international GP and, eventually, get to the Olympics!

And your thoughts on Horse Scout?

Networking is so important for any rider in order to get and retain sponsors and owners. There hasn’t really been one place that you can do this until now. It’s pretty cool being able to control your own profile and those of your own horses, whether they’re for sale or not.
…end

– If you would like to keep a horse at livery or train with Shaun Mandy, who also takes competition liveries and producing/sales liveries then visit his Yard Profile on Horse Scout and  find more information on the fantastic facilities at Gainfield Farm – Shaun Mandy Dressage 

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