Tag Archives: Dressage

PREPARING FOR BADMINTON: EXCLUSIVE INSIGHT

April 12, 2017

Horse Scout catches up with two of their sponsored riders, Joseph Murphy and Gubby Leech, to find out what the month prior to riding at Badminton involves.

Most event riders grow up dreaming of riding at the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials, based in the heart of the Cotswolds. It takes years, sometimes decades of training and hard graft to reach the required 4* level and earn those elusive FEI points to be applicable to enter.

Horse Scout asks two of their sponsored riders, Joseph Murphy and Gubby Leech to provide insight into the one month leading up to the big event.

The horse’s training

Joseph Murphy, Irish Olympic event rider, is entered to ride Sportsfield Othello, a 16 year old gelding by Ricardo Z and out of Moyview Lady and co-owned with the brilliantly supportive Alison Schmutz.

Joseph explained that the first two weeks of April are focused on reaching the horse’s fitness goals with a mixture of galloping and swimming to build cardiovascular fitness and stamina. He gallops ‘Frankie’ every 3^rd and 5^th day followed by a swim and always icing the legs afterwards to reduce inflammation and prevent injury. In fact, Joseph ices the legs of all his horses after they are ridden each day. This fortnight is a ‘scary time for injuries’ said Joseph, and when you would look to do any necessary veterinary work to ensure the horse is in optimal condition.

This intense fitness work will then taper right down and the last two weeks of April focus on technical training, practising dressage movements from the test, agility jumping and specific exercises to fine tune the horse.

Gubby Leech, British 4* event rider, is entered on Antoinette Denham-Harding’s 12 year old ISH gelding Xavier, by Clover Echo and out of Knightfield Sally.

Gubby is based at the quiet and beautiful Clarendon Park Estate in Wiltshire. He does all his fitness training on the forgiving old turf in the grounds of the estate. There is a perfectly steep hill that Gubby does repetitions galloping up and letting Xavier rest on the way down. They do fitness work every four days and will have their last gallop on the Saturday before Badminton week, with a ‘pipe opener’ after dressage on the Friday afternoon. Gubby said ‘Xavier is a strong and electric horse’ so he puts a lot of work into him to keep the extra fizz to a minimum! The technical training involves weekly dressage training with Lizzie Murray throughout April and showjumping training with William Fox-Pitt. Xavier is a keen horse in the ring, sometimes making up too much ground in combinations. Practising grid exercises at home helps him to shorten his stride in doubles and trebles, especially if the course builder likes to use short distances.

The horse’s well-being

Joseph will turn ‘Frankie’ out every day on his own so he can have a pick of grass, relax and feel the sun on his back. Joseph chooses not to put protective boots on when turning Frankie out because he tends to be sensible in the field and he would rather keep the legs cool. Regular massages and some physiotherapy throughout April also help get Frankie in the best physical condition possible.

Gubby entrusts the multi-skilled Sue Devereux to keep Xavier in good condition. Sue is an equine vet, chiropractor and acupuncturist who will treat Xavier 2-3 times this April using a variety of techniques. In the stable, Xavier wears a magnetic rug and magnetic boots to optimise blood flow and recovery. He is turned out ‘bootless’ from the time he is ridden in the morning until 8pm when the horses get late feeds. This turnout time helps Xavier chill out and unwind.

Feeding

Joseph is very intuitive and he judges visually and by the feel of the horses on whether their feed needs increasing or decreasing. He monitors each horse closely to ensure it is fed the right mix of hard feed, haylage and supplements. Joseph slightly increases the feed on Frankie’s hardest days of work. Two weeks before Badminton Frankie’s feed regime will be set and won’t change leading up to the event. Joseph uses top quality feeds, Mervue supplements and he brings his own haylage over to Badminton from his base in Northern Ireland.

Like Joseph, Gubby also uses quality supplements to support the nutritional requirements of his horses. Gubby uses an organic lucerne which is soaked first and helps keep Xavier hydrated, in addition to using high quality linseed, a balancer and electrolytes. Xavier receives 3 feeds a day whilst having his weight, condition and energy closely monitored. He can very quickly go off his food at competitions so it is a fine art making sure he gets what he needs!

Rider Fitness

Joseph rides all day long from the moment he wakes to the end of the day. He regularly competes 5 horses a day, even at Intermediate and Advanced level, meaning he is extremely fit from his time in the saddle. However, Joseph does extra core stability exercises to help improve his position, balance, core and overall fitness. He is following a 6 week core stability programme and he does the exercises before bed. Did you ever wonder what gives Andrew Nicholson, otherwise known as ‘Mr Stickability’ his amazingly secure seat? The answer is having a rock solid core.

Gubby is in the saddle riding horses back to back all day until the moment he gets home. Having two young children means most of his evening is spent overseeing bath-time and coaxing them to go to sleep! Gubby focuses on eating as healthy as possible, cutting out sugar and only has the occasional drink at special occasions, in order to maintain his perfect competition weight. His wife Sarah is an organic girl so the family gets fed very well!

Rider Mindset

Gubby has previously entered Badminton twice but sadly had to withdraw the horses before the event on both occasions. Combining this with a good Burghley experience in 2016 for this duo, Gubby feels ready. He is ‘in a good space, riding well and has a good partnership’ with his ride, Xavier.

Increasingly, top athletes are using Sports Psychologists to help give them the competitive edge. People talk about ‘marginal gains’ and this simply means that if you have a group of athletes, in this case riders, who are all equally talented on paper with equally talented horses, the rider who wins is the person who performs best on the day. Good sleep and being well rested, thriving under pressure, feeling confident, and focusing only on your performance and not worrying about those around you, are all factors that determine a rider’s overall performance. Doing these things well can make all the difference.

Joseph works with Charlie Unwin, Olympic Performance Psychologist across five sports. Since working with Charlie at the start of 2017, Joseph has been out winning most weekends this season and has never looked better! The work with Charlie helps Joseph to focus on what matters most when it comes to performance and to successfully block out all other distractions.

Horse Scout would like to thank Joseph and Gubby for sharing some of their practises and we wish them the best of luck for May! We look forward to an exciting four days of competition and wait in anticipation to see the new cross country course designed by Eric Winter. Only one question remains- who will be holding the famous Badminton trophy come Sunday afternoon?

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General

The Rising Popularity of Greys

November 29, 2016

Horse Scout are seeing more grey horses getting bought than ever- why is this?

If we go back a few years and look at stallions that have been particularly in vogue for the last decade, names like Cevin Z, Cicero Z, Lucky Sky and Corland come up. Go back even further and we all remember the illustrious Milton, ridden by Horse Scout Ambassador John Whitaker. These striking grey stallions have produced progeny that rival their own good looks and are proving to be world beaters in their own right.

There is an increasing trend of competition riders who are opting to buy a well bred and beautiful grey horse to compete. Even Charlotte Dujardin is part of the movement, riding her lovely dapple grey six year old Florentina, by Vivaldi. Perhaps in equestrian sports where there is a level of subjectivity like showing, pure dressage, and the dressage element of eventing, a head-turning grey will earn us a few extra marks? Or maybe we just want an attractive horse to look at?

Horse Scout are showcasing a number of extremely well bred grey horses that are bred for dressage, eventing, showjumping and showing.

Super Event Prospect by Myspires Revolution (Stanhope’s Diddicoy)

Sport Horse Grey Filly 3 years 16.2 hands. Prim is out of Twinkle Toes, graded with SHB GB, who is by Crown Graphite (Selle Francais). Awarded Higher First Premium at 2016 BEF Futurity in 3yo Eventing section. Qualified for the Futurity Equine Bridge selection day under saddle as four year old. Special opportunity for someone to own a stunning and kind horse with amazing potential.

Vodka Luge 6yo Grey Mare By Shutterfly

Out of a proven advanced event mare by Accondy. Now jumping around 1.10/1.15 BS. Placed, finishing on her dressage score at her first 90. Now competing 100’s unaffiliated finishing on her dressage score. She will be the whole package for someone, flashy type that’s easy enough for a amateur but plenty of talent for a professional to take on. Only broken last winter hence not at Novice level now.

Freestyle R Grey Gelding by Corland

Fantastic 16.2hh 6 yr old Dutch Bred by Corland out of an Inductro dam. A lovely horse who is fantastic on the flat and is already a winner in pure Dressage competitions at Novice level with scores up to 80% !!! He also really jumps, with scope to burn and all the credentials to be produced into a top class event horse. At present being competed on our behalf by Willa Newton.

Perfect Junior / YR Team Horse By Jumbo

Grey gelding 16.1hh 10yo with a near immaculate record at Novice, Intermediate and 1*, with the ability to continue this form at 2*. He has 67 BE points. He is incredibly reliable, consistently jumping double clears and always rises to the occasion. He has 3 correct paces, is very careful show jumping and bold cross country. Results include 1st Hambleden CIC1*, 3rd Rockingham Intermediate 2016, 6th Nunney Intermediate 2016, 7th Aston Intermediate 2016

Dressage

UK Dressage Producer: Stephen Hayes (UK/USA)

August 6, 2015

Classical principals from across the pond – Some lucky Uk riders have benefitted from Dressage Clinics with Dressage Producer Stephen Hayes this summer.

Now back in the USA Horse Scout offers congratulations to Stephen Hayes. Stephen Hayes, a Horse Scout Sponsored Rider, had a triple Grand Prix success, in New Jersey, on his ride Klouseau owned by karen Blanks.

Already Employed by Karen Blanks (Herself a dressage producer) to ride another of her horses Stephen undertook the ride of Klouseau; and with only a few weeks lead time Stephen worked hard to create a good working relationship and was impressed with the horses down to earth temperament.

Uk Dressage Producers will be interested to see Kolouseaus’ breeding. His Dam Kastanie X11 bred eight times to Charlie Chaplin (Embryo Transfer) producing a mixture of State Elite mares, grand Prix and International dressage horses. Kastanie XII herself and State Elite Trakehner. Her sire Arogno was a successful State Elite Stallion who bred proven international performance horses in all three disciplines.

Popular on the continent, the USA and with UK (woodcroft Stud) Producers, his sire is Charlie Chaplin (or E.H. Charly Chaplin) a well thought of Elite Approved Neumunster (1987) Trakehner Stallion with offspring in the USA and also closer to home. He was a prodigious Grand Prix horse winning over 46,000 Euro with his progeny (12012) netting over 100,000K between them. An eye catcher in the arena with his large white blaze he carries the coloured gene.

Stephen Hayes is an international Dressage Producer and has a profile on Horse Scout.

Stephen Hayes is a young but influential rider set to take the world stage. To find out more about Stephen read our Horse Scout Professional Bio Blog on his back ground here.

If you are interested in taking a clinic with Stephen then click through to his profile page on Horse Scout and follow his facebook page for information of when he will be visiting Britain again.

Dressage

Professional dressage trainer Review: Matt Hicks

July 12, 2015

With the Hartpury Festival of Dressage now being packed away and the riders on the road home. Its time to reflect on what you want form your own dressage training.

Expert Tuition with a Professional Dressage Trainer Matt Hicks; the ‘gentle man’ who has a deep understanding of a horses way of going and how to improve both horse and rider.

Matt Hicks has a keen eye for the difficulties the horses under his watchful eye are experiencing and can interpret the influence (for good or bad) of the rider may have on a horses way of going.

Matt Hicks’ experience in the schooling arena proves his expertise as a Dressage Trainer.

Matt Hicks has experience to pass on built on his own experience through a varied riding career both eventing and in the dressage arena. He trained initially with the late Debbie Johnson (Landford Stud) gaining experience in the event world to CCI3* before focusing on dressage in the 2002/3 seasons building his practice, equestrian career and knowledge base over the next 8 years before taking on the glorious Hurstbourne Equestrian Centre with his partner in 2011. The advantage of being tutored by a professional rider with a string of top class horses is that, for clients who need an understanding of the next level, Matt is keen for his pupils to experience how a movement should feel by allowing clients to have School Master Lessons on an Advance dressage horse.

Matt has taken full advantage of the facilities and his wonderful stable staff going from strength to strength taking six major titles between 2012 and last year both Nationally and Internationally.

His success and his fabulous competition rides are supporting his claim to equestrian prowess and experience in the Grand Prix arena The lovely Excalibur, who has 287 BD points to date is owned jointly with Ms Annie Bacharach and campaigned at FEI Inter 2 . This season Matt Hicks has already, already taken 6 points and a steady stream of the ribbons. This expressive 10 year old is by the Warendorfs Ehrentusch himself a grand prix horse who has 17 progeny competing in the international dressage arena.

In Sheepcote Walnut an AES gelding from the proven performance dressage lines bred by the Pincus family who had several successes on their horses at the recent Hartpury Festival of Dressage. Sheepcote Walnut is By Sheepcote Wurlitzer Owned by Serena and David Pincus who is by Weltmyer/Worldcup , and was successfully ridden at grand prix by David. His other progeny competing at grand prix include Sheepcote Whistle. The Pincus’ are undoubted experts in their field with successes for Sheepcote horses at this weekends Hartpury Festival of Dressage.

His other ride on the syndicated El Zorro, whose antics are all part of his up beat approach to his job! Is by the KWPN Amsterdam by Argentinus out of Touch of Class (by Tin Rocco x Barsoi xx) a dressage stallion who stood in Spain his dam Toline was also a KWPN horse. El Zorro is highly successful and Matt Competes him at FEI PSG having started his competitive career in 2009 he has now amassed an impressive BD 363 points to date.

The Duke (X), a handsome grey is now competing at Medium and is aimed at the Winter Championships. Ali Hincliffe (Matts right hand girl!) campaigned him last year.

And the nine year old Flemming offspring, Balance, out of KWPN mare Kaylee. A hansome Bay owned by Matt Himself, who, I believe, is competing at Advanced and Medium Advanced with Matt.

As a professional Dressage Trainer Matt Excells with the youngsters in his stable.

A young stallion (2011) Gaudeamus by Florencio 1 (Sensation) x Ulfia x Jazz (WBSFH top 5 Dressage Stallion 2013 and 2014) owned by Matt with Mrs Ali Hill and Mr Terry Hill.

The Hugely successful Chameur by Florencio 1 (sensation) x Elite KWPN Trendy also by x Jazz 2010 Champion KWPN Spring Stallion 2012 PAVO Cup winner (Edward Gals’ ride Glock Zonik is by Chameur) reflects the possibility of Gaudeamus as a stallion for the future.

The combined Florencio x Jazz bloodlines are extremely popular, and successful; the progeny exhibiting the grace, elevation and power of their breeding lines. White socks are definitely a feature of the line along with an elegant head and intelligent look.

At year older Fiderschwung by Fidertanz (Grand Prix Dr.) by Fidermark I (Grad.Prix Dr.) x Sandro Hit 1 lines (WSBFH top 8 2013 and 7 2014) again owned by Matt along with Mrs Sandra Thomas an elegant chestnut with the build so liked by Matt strong through the shoulder and second thigh with a well set refined neck and the modern longer back which give these horses their ground covering advantage. Fiderscwung has started his competitive career and gaining a respectable 4^th place at his BYHN5OQ last month.

His third Young horse Skyscraper is by Secano (2006 Holstein Champion) Cor De La Bryere lines x Donna. An attractive well made iron grey Oldenburg with characteristically long legs on top of lovely black feet. A young horse with a lot of growing to do yet but an interested look in a calm face with well set ears and nostrils, he looks like he will make a nice picture for the judges in the arena in time, for his owners Ms Annemarie Dolan and Mr Mathew Metcalfe

Matt Hicks as Hicks Equestrian is a BD Accredited Coach, a professional dressage and eventing trainer and an International Dressage Rider who operates for his friendly 5* competition yard Hurstbourne Equestrian Centre which is on a large private estate.

Matt has both long and short term clients horses at livery for training and all levels are catered for

Racing

Eldorado – This stallion is striking in every sense: Will he be gold?

May 20, 2015

WSC Dressage’s wonderful young horse Eldorado is competing consistently and causing a stir with dressage judges and attracting new admirers at every outing. Eldorado has demonstrated all the desirable traits of a dressage stallion and the showed his superior qualities in the dressage arena as a 4 year old which points to, potentially, a performance horse of the highest caliber.

Eldorado’s Horse Scout stallion listing shows that he was awarded with being the Reserve National Champion for 4 year old Dressage Horses at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage, and that later on in the year, at the British Dressage National Championships he completely outshone his nearest rivals to go one better and become the 4 year old Potential International Dressage Horse National Champion. WSC Dressage and Eldorado have already swept the board at Novice, Elementary and Medium. In normal tests Eldorado is praised for his excellent gaits and good submission time after time. He is currently winning Novice tests with up to 78%.

WSC Dressage is very excited to present this truly spectacular young stallion. Eldorado has it all; excellent conformation and faultless mechanics in his basic paces with outstanding natural swing, suppleness and suspension. His natural talent is complimented with exceptional rideability and a first class temperament with a brilliant attitude to work. Every stride that Eldorado takes is uphill, with unrivalled impulsion, giving his rider a feeling of incredible controlled power. Eldorado demonstrated all of these qualities in the dressage arena as a 4 year old. He was awarded with being the Reserve National Champion for 4 year old Dressage Horses at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage, but later on in the year at the British Dressage National Championships he completely outshone his nearest rivals to go one better and become the 4 year old Potential International Dressage Horse National Champion. Eldorado is Anglo European Studbook (Approved) Breeders Elite and accepted for the Oldenburg 70 day test.

His sire Special D (S: Metall sire of Utopia) is himself a grand prix horse, and as a youngster was the Champion dressage horse of Holland as both a 4 and 5 year old in their Pavo Cup competition. On His Dams side Damiro (five 9’s and two 8.5s in his performance test) was the sire of champions in both the jumping arena and also Le Byou p. top USA Dressage sire.

Stallions At Stud

Handsome and Classic Licensed Hanoverian: Classic Juan

May 19, 2015

Witchan Farm Stud stands Classic Juan a 16.2h Dark Bay Licensed Hanoverian Stallion with nothing but good feedback on breeders forums for the progeny he is siring. The consensus is he throws classic form with a laid back approach and easy temperaments, and their photographs show he passes on his handsome head too..

Classic Juan has the Cor De La Bryere line on his sires side and the fabulous state stallion Werther (Wendekreis). On his Dam’s side he has Don Juan; powerful and impressive “Hanoverian Stallion of the Year” in 1997. His progeny have earned more than 75 million Euros in competitions. One of his very successful offspring is Dulf. With his rider Leslie McNaught he was part of the Swiss team that won the silver medal at the European Show Jumping Championships in Hickstead 1999. So if you are looking for the archetypal Hanoverian this breeding is first class. Classic Juans’ Horse Scout listing has some great photos which show his classic conformation well.

Bred and started at the German Hanoverian State Stud in Celle Classic Juan was born in 2000. After his rigorous 300 day performance test he was bought by Witcham House Farm Stud.

Proving his performance talent he is turning his abilities to a Dressage career.

Classic Juan won 26 affiliated classes and is graded Medium with 157 BD Points. Classic Juan qualified for 2007 winter semis in music at Elementary and Medium also qualified for Rhinegold International young horse championships at Hickstead as a 5 and 6 year old. Classic Juan also events successfully with 2 wins at BE100 and numerous placings and in 2012 he has been Show Jumping with 6 wins from 8 starts.

Since Classic Juan (CJ) started breeding his foals have been winning at County Shows, Hanoverian Regionals and placed up to third at the British Dressage Breeders Nationals and the Hanoverian Annual Shows. He is proving very popular with Breeders as his foals have his beautiful head, good conformation and brave personality. His colt scored 8.8, the highest mark for a dressage foal in the Futurity Evaluations in 2006. His offspring Classic Prada was awarded the highest mark ever 9.75 and Elite Premium in 2008 the judges gave her 3 x 10s for movement. 2 of his foals have also been awarded first Premiums for Eventing. Classic Juan was one of the only stallions to receive a stallion progeny performance award by the British Equestrian Federation 2009 when Classic Juan led the Sire rankings for overall and for Dressage.

You can find Classic Juans’ profile page on www.horsescout.co.uk here : http://www.horsescout.co.uk/horses/profile/710

Stallions

A leading light for Hanoverian Breeding: Flamengold

May 19, 2015

Flammengold a stunning black 16.3h Hanoverian/Hessen stallion who stands at Witcham House Farm Stud. Owned by Katy-Holder-Vale in partnership with Volker Brodhecker. Flamengold shares his stud duties between Germany and the UK where he stands at The Witcham Stud in Cambridgeshire.

From his photographs on the Horse Scout stallion listings page you can see why he is so popular with breeders. He not only has that particularly eye catching presence of a well made black horse he also has a clearly elevated pace and elasticity to his movement. Flammengold had a good performance test with high rideability points. South German Dressage Champion 2000 with top mark of 8 at Advanced Medium level. Has also won and been placed at PRIX ST GEORGES and INTERMEDIARE with high marks. He is very laid back and straightforward to ride. Has won 10 Prix St Georges Classes and 2 Inter 1.

His Sire, Florestan 1, Internationally renowned as a dressage sire. Sired 50 licenced Stallions and 200 State Premium Mares. Progeny competing internationally Dressage and to date have won €256,000. Also had many National champions. Winner of his Licencing and performance test with outstanding Dressage 127.15 and jumping 128.69 marks. He has a very high Dressage breeding index of 166. Florestan has proved an iImportant dressage sire. Most important westphalian stallion of the last 20 years; Dam line:2194303 Erlenkette – Died 2012-01-02 – offspring won about 1,8 million Euro up to 2012.

Since Flammengold started breeding his foals have been winning Foal Shows,and Hessen Regionals in Germany. He is proving very popular with Breeders as his foals have his beautiful head, good conformation and his dark colour. In Germany, Frank Sinatra competing Grand Prix and is a licenced stallion. In England Peter Storr with Fabioso(see below) won at the Nationals and is now winning at Grand Prix. Florina H ridden by David Rumsey is now also winning at Grand Prix. In addition to all these UK based successes, Flammengold also has a large number of progeny competing successfully at dressage and jumping in Germany. In England at Futurity, Flammengold’s foals have received 32 Higher First Premiums and 2 Elites for dressage.

You can find The Witcham Hanovarians Stallion listings on Horse Scouts Stallion listing pages or go straight to Flamengolds page here:

http://www.horsescout.co.uk/horses/profile/708

Stallions

Everyone’s excited about Elroon the Happiest of Hanoverians

May 19, 2015

Are you looking for the Hanoverian Sire for all round performance?: Elroon at Witcham Farm House Stud on Horse Scout Stallion Listings will definitely press all the right buttons. Elroon was born in 2001 and Licensed by the Hanoverian Verband in 2003. A Black Tobiano Hanovarian standing 16.2hh. Witcham House Farm Stud, Elroon was imported him from Germany in January 2004. Elroon then returned in the Autumn of 2004 to pass his performance test at Adelheidsdorf and was awarded high marks for temperament, character and rideability. He has an adoring public and you can see why when you visit his listing on the Horse Scout website.. Horse Scout Blogger notes that Whitcham House Farm Stud are very proud of his offspring who carry his striking presence and movement. Elroon gave a fantastic performance in SEIB British Breeding Young Horse Evaluations in 2005. Winning the Dressage and Show Jumping sections. A week later Elroon qualified for The British Dressage Panacur Potential International Dressage Horse National Championships. Elroon placed third in Burghley Young Event Horse National Qualifier with the best jumping mark of the day. 2006 – Upgraded to Elementary and has 92 points. Again qualified for The British Dressage Panacur Potential International Dressage Horse National Championships and also Rhinegold Potential International Dressage Horse at Hickstead. Elroon has won affiliated Dressage since he started competing early in 2005. Scores regularly in the high sixties and seventies. With outstanding all round ability Elroon is a potential star for Show Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. To date Elroon has now won 64 Affiliated Dressage classes. In 2012 Elroon qualified for Nationals at Medium, and Regionals in 2013 & 2015 at Advanced Medium and music. Since Elroon started breeding his foals have won at Hanoverian Regional Shows, and been placed up to third at the British Dressage Breeders Show and the Hanoverian Annual Show. He is very popular with breeders as his foals have superb movement and commanding presence. In 2006 the smart black foal El Vino scored 8.4 and El Spice scored 8.2 in the British Equestrian Federation Futurity Championships. 2008 saw El Porche score 8.3, El Sweetie 8.4 and several others scored well and Qualified for British Hanoverian Show. 2009 4 foals with first premiums in dressage and 2 in Eventing. 2010 2 foals first premiums, a yearling first premium, and a 3 year old also awarded first premium Futurity. Elice was awarded Elite Candidate Hanoverian show and also won the Verband plate for the best British bred mare. In Futurity to date, he has sired 24 First Premiums. Ridden progeny are now winning affiliated dressage classes with high scores and qualifying for Regionals. An eventer now placed in his first 1 Star. Elroons sire Escudo was Hanoverian Stallion of the Year 2009/ Escudo I was also a successful competition horse. He won the Hanoverian Show Jumping Championships on Dobrock under Joachim Winter in 1996, and he became Vice Bundeschampion in Warendorf. Witcham House Faarm Stud has two other stallions, Classic Juan and Flamengold listed on www.horsescout.co.uk and you can find Elroons profile here: http://www.horsescout.co.uk/horses/profile/711

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Professional Rider

How to compete using a “Class Ticket”. Tried and Tested, Job Done!

April 9, 2015

Yesterday Horse Scout Blogger spotted that you could get a free class ticket on the British Dressage facebook page but “What are class tickets?”

By buying a class ticket, you can enter one British Dressage class without being a member or having a registered horse. You can use class tickets to compete and will be eligible to win rosettes and prize money, but will not receive BD points or qualification, except for Area Festivals and Combined Training Championships. If a rider using a class ticket wins a qualifier other than those specified above, qualification will pass to the next eligible competitor. You can buy a class ticket from the British Dressage Web site. These are also available in the competition section of this website. You will need to pay the usual class entry fee and abide by British Dressage Rules rules.

British Dressage say: Much more than just a ticket to compete!

If you are already competing in unaffiliated dressage competitions and want to get more involved in this fantastic sport then British Dressage is the place for you! Much more than just a ticket to compete, BD, the National Governing body for the sport in the UK, is a nationwide club for all things dressage, offering training, competitions, information and social opportunities for all. Your horse can earn nationally recognised BD points and you can qualify to take part in prestigious Championships or Festivals.

Most of all affiliated dressage is accessible. Complete competition schedules and lists of training days arrive on your doormat every two months as part of BD magazine. The BD website also carries this vital information (and much more!), and staff at the BD office are on hand during office hours to answer any queries you have. From where to go and what to wear, to competing internationally and representing your country – British Dressage is working to help you get the most out of your sport.

Getting Started

All affiliated shows are open to the public and the major championships are excellent opportunities to see the best at all levels and particularly the nation’s dressage celebrities competing for prestigious national titles. You may also want to go along to your local affiliated venue to check out the facilities and the competition!

You can get a taste for affiliated competition without becoming a full BD member by using class tickets available through the BD shop or by entering Prelim classes.

Class tickets cost £8 each and each ticket allows you to enter one affiliated dressage class without being a member or having your horse registered. You can win rosettes and prize money but you will not receive BD points or any qualifications. You can also use Class Tickets to gain the score sheets needed to qualify to enter an Area Festival.

More information about class tickets here

Horses For Sale

Be a Brilliant Buyer – And your Professional Trader will find you a perfect partner.

April 6, 2015

Be a Brilliant Buyer – And your Professional Trader will find you a perfect partner.

The advantages of buying form a professional Trader is that their reputation rides with you. Top Tips for making right decisions when buying a horse.

Many of Horse Scouts Professional Trainers and riders also sell horses. Generally they buy in or breed horses which they train and compete before selling on. Sometimes they do the same with horses owned by sponsors or clients. This is true across all disciplines, Eventing, Showjumping, Dressage, Showing and Endurance etc. This is part of their business. Their skill is in being able to make the most of a horse, to optimise its potential at whatever level. You can be sure that a young horse will have had the best start to its training, a horse with competitive potential will have been carefully progressed and given the right opportunities and in the case of rehabilitation or retraining a horse will be back on track and ready to go on to lead a happy useful life.

When horses do well in their competitive arena (or, if they are new to the discipline or young, they will be gaining experience at grass roots level) with a top trainer on board, their successes are a reflection of the trainers skill and reputation. Horses which are bought to the market fit for purpose help a professional trader build a reputation and repeat custom. It is not in the interest of a professional rider to produce horses which are going to fail to support their business by being suitable for purpose. Professional riders have the skill and experience to ride all sorts of different horses and know how to ensure that each horse is given a prgramme which is right for them.

However as a buyer you also have responsibilities to ensure that a Professional Trader can help you make the right choice when buying a horse.

When you look through the Horses for Sale listings on a site like Horse Scout you certainly have a lot of good horses to choose from.

However, it is fair to say that buyers have an obligation to honestly represent their skill level, the accommodations they can offer a horse, and their intentions to the seller they are contacting.

There are certainly an infinite number of tales that illustrate less than ideal partnerships but to be fair to the sellers it can come down to the failure of the buyers to asses their own situation or communicate honestly with the seller. Remember that no horse is ever “finished.” They are sensitive creatures that continue to learn new behaviors throughout their lives. A novice horse person can inadvertently “undo” professional training faster than a terrier will snatch and swallow the family hamster. Here are some thoughts about buyers responsibilities.

If you make an appointment to go look at a horse, don’t leave the seller hanging by not turning up. If you can’t make it for some reason, or will be later than scheduled, call your seller. It’s the polite thing to do, after all.
If the horse’s price is more than you want to spend, ask the seller whether it’s negotiable before you make an appointment. If the seller says no, you won’t be wasting your time or his.
Bring your hard hat, and wear appropriate clothing and footwear for riding. Do not assume to wear spur of to carry a whip.
You can ask if it’s okay to bring your own saddle. A seller would need to be sure your saddle is in good repair (intact tree, leather not weak or rotten, etc), and that it fits the horse you are trying. This provides two advantages. You’ll be using tack that’s familiar, and you’ll know whether your saddle fits the horse you’re considering.
Turn your cell phone off while you are trying a horse. It’s rude to take the seller’s time with personal calls and a suddenly ringing phone may frighten the horse.
Do not bring your dog. Many farms have their own dogs, and the sellers won’t appreciate the disruption of yours running around. Also, your dog may chase or injure the seller’s horses, or other animals.
If you have small children and plan to include them, bring along someone to mind the kids while you concentrate on the horse. Unattended children with horses can be extremely dangerous.
Be honest about your abilities and level of riding. If you have an ethical seller, he will want to sell you a suitable horse. If your seller is an experienced horse person, he’ll know pretty quickly how adept you are by watching you with his horse, so don’t fudge; it’s not worth it.
A horse is an individual and frequently develops a relationship with the person who rides it most often. If your seller rides the horse first and the horse seems very well trained, don’t be disappointed if the horse doesn’t perform quite as well when you get on. Even subtle differences in riding technique can produce very different responses from the horse. It may just be a matter of time and a little professional help before you and your new horse become a team.
Don’t be surprised if the seller wants you to begin in a small area, like a paddock or round pen. He may want to assess your skills, for your own safety and for that of the horse. However, be wary of a seller who doesn’t offer a larger area (a ring, arena or pasture) once he’s comfortable with your abilities. Dishonest sellers know that a horse may be fine in a round pen but will bolt for the hills in a open pasture.
Ask the seller about the horse’s daily routine and feeding schedule. A horse that is turned out every day and is eating grass or a little hay could turn into an entirely different horse if you buy it, keep it in a stall and feed it grain. Ask your seller about the level of activity the horse is accustomed to; is it ridden every day, every week, once a month? If you buy a horse that has been worked regularly, but you plan to ride once a month, your horse may not be as easy to handle after a month of leisure. Conversely, if the horse goes from being ridden once a month to your enthusiastic regime of five days a week, the horse may become sore (as you probably will). You’ll go home and relax in your hot tub. Your new horse might buck, rear, kick, toss its head, or refuse to move because that’s the only way it has to indicate pain.
Take note of the bridle and bit used by your seller. Consider buying something similar if the horse works well and seems relaxed.
If you are shopping for a horse for your child, its looks, cosmetic blemishes and color should be the least important factors in choosing. Look for an older horse, and plan to spend more.

Your seller might ask you:

Details of your experience with horses

What sort of support you’ll have; for example, a trainer, a very experienced friend, riding lessons, etc

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April 12, 2017