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TODD TALK: MAKING A MARK ON BADMINTON

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TODD TALK: MAKING A MARK ON BADMINTON

MITSUBISHI MOTORS BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS
Wed 2nd May- Sunday 6th May 2018
#MMBHT

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Winning Badminton is the stuff of dreams for any event rider. So when Sir Mark Todd claimed the title on his first attempt in 1980, it was one of the greatest sporting achievements of any rider. Ellie Kelly caught up with the legendary event rider known as Toddy, to hear about his Badminton memories and his expectations for this year.

“It was a complete surprise and definitely one of the greatest highlights of my career. Badminton always had this huge reputation and the history of being the first major Three Day Event in England. I have been coming for years, it still stands apart from other events. Burghley is amazing but to me Badminton is extra special, maybe because I have such great memories.”

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Badminton is unique in terms of the stabling and event set up, competing horses reside in beautiful stately stables adjoining one of the most important Stately Houses in the country. All this adds to the sense of occasion for riders and represents the tradition and history which entwines Badminton Horse Trials. Toddy sums it up: “There is something magical about taking your horses into those stables. Even now when I arrive, I still have the same feeling I did the very first time. Riding out around Badminton Park and going to the cocktail party in Badminton House with the Duke is also pretty special.”

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Toddy has won Badminton four times now. The first in 1980 on Southern Comfort, with Andrew Nicholson as his groom. He then had to wait until 1994 to win again, this time on Horton Point who was a catch ride he sat on for the first time the week of the event. The following year he displayed another masterful display of horsemanship after steering Bertie Blunt around most of the cross-country course with just one stirrup, after his leather broke. The following year (1996) he won with the same horse.

In 2000 Toddy retired from the sport and returned to his homeland of New Zealand to train racehorses. But he made a return to eventing in 2008, aged 52 and moved back to the UK. Just three years later he won his fourth Badminton title on Land Vision, making him the oldest rider ever to win, on his 20th Badminton completion. “To come back and win after being away from the sport was a particular highlight” he says. But there have also been some low points. “There have been plenty of disappointments at Badminton but I think when I lost a horse there, it was one of the worst moments of my career. It was a horse called Face the Music, who had won Burghley the previous year. He just slipped on take off for a fence and broke his leg.”

This year, Toddy has two horses entered for Badminton and he has high hopes for both of them. He rides the 14 year old Leonidas, owned by Di Brunsden and Peter Cattell. This is a talented horse he has had a long and somewhat checkered career with and is just as capable of winning a championship as crashing out dramatically. “Leonidas is a funny horse. Gentle in the stable but sharp to ride. He is mostly reliable but can do some funny things. He tripped up the step at the last World Championships, then had a disaster in the Showjumping in Rio, costing us a medal and he led the dressage at Burghley, then threw himself on the ground in the cross-country” Toddy says with a smile. “But he has always done well at Badminton. He’s been fourth twice and fifth once so I hope this will be his year because we are both running out of time.”

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Kiltubrid Rhapsody is his other ride. Once advertised for sale on Horse Scout, this horse will be contesting only his second Four Star. The eleven year old Irish bred is owned by Nicky Ryan and Dr Elizabeth Donald and Toddy took over the ride at the end of 2016. He describes the 17 hand impressive grey as “a genuine horse who can jump and do a good test, so he wouldn’t be without a chance.”

This year is a championship year with the FEI World Equestrian
Games being held in Tryon in September. Top riders like Toddy have a point to prove to selectors at this year’s Badminton. “I am lucky because I have a number of horses who could be in contention for the Worlds. The Championships will be Three Star but we are expecting a tough course” he explains. “These two horses will be in the line-up and I hope to have NZB Campino back, as he is just having a rest after an operation to remove a bone spur. Then I also have McLaren- he’s younger and less experienced than the others but he’s just magic to ride.”

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Besides Badminton and the World Equestrian Games, Toddy’s plans include contesting the Event Rider Masters Series. “I want to target as many of those as I can this year. The Series deserves our support. ERM is putting decent money into the sport and giving eventing coverage to a worldwide audience.”

We are proud to include Sir Mark Todd as one of our loyal Horse Scout members. He has used the site to advertise horses. “ It is a great idea and provides a good service to users. Horse Scout has embraced the internet age which is of course, how the world works today ”he says.

What I couldn’t live without:
I use everything from the Mark Todd Collection and I only put my name to something that offers quality and value.

My horses are fed on Key Flow feeds. It is nutritionally the perfect balance for sports horses and innovative in it’s formula.

My owners. I have a number of long-standing owners who I am so lucky with. They are friends as well as supporters.

 

Written by Ellie Kelly

Buying A Horse First Horse General Horse Advice Horses For Sale Sports Horses

Why You Should Consider Horse Shopping in Ireland

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Contrary to belief, a day out horse shopping in Ireland can be a fun and highly cost-effective way to view a multitude of extremely well bred, potential and proven, Irish competition horses in a short space of time.

Within an hour of Dublin airport, you will find several highly reputable breeders, producers and competition yards with quality stock for sale at sensible prices.  Ireland is renowned for many things but breeding great horses and making Guinness easily come top of the list.

Next time you are looking for your next competition horse, consider a quick day trip to Ireland instead of planning several long drives around England and Scotland to view individual horses. Why not view 6-8 horses in one day to find the horse of your dreams?

Equally, if you’re looking to buy more than one horse, you could plan a weekend trip in order to visit a few big yards. Some breeders and producers will offer overnight hospitality so you’ll leave Ireland having made new friends as well as buying new horses to add to your current string.

If you want to set your pulse racing then you should visit one of the many esteemed sports horse sales in Ireland. The atmosphere was electric at Goresbridge Go For Gold and the Supreme Sale of Showjumpers in November, and I have no doubt the horses they sold will be gracing the top of the leader boards in the very near future.

How To Get There

The cheapest and quickest way of getting to Ireland is typically by aeroplane; flights from most regional airports start from just £18! No need to pack a good book as you’ll be landing before you know it; the flight takes approximately one hour. Most Irish breeders help arrange pick up from the airport or will collect you in person.

Ferry is another option and costs range from £50-£180 depending on how far in advance you book and what date you travel on. The ferry isn’t the quickest or cheapest means of getting to Ireland but having your own car does mean you can drive around Ireland at your own leisure and travel further afield to view horses.

Travelling by train is the third option with return tickets from your own local train station starting at approximately £78.

Three Quality Irish-Based Horses For Sale on Horse Scout

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1.35m Perfect Young Rider Horse: ISH Bay Mare rising 8 years 16.1 hands.  Grade A mare with 375 points. She has multiple wins and placings at 1.30m – 1.35m level. She jumped clear in the Hankook 6/7 year old Grand final at Cavan Indoor Championships September 2016. She is a serious speed horse and tries her heart out in the ring. Would be a top horse for a competitive young rider or experienced amateur.

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Super Rising 7YO CIC* Event Horse: Beautiful grey ISH mare 17hh rising 7 years old by Carrick Diamond Lad. Placed 2nd as Reserve Champion at Dressage Ireland 4yr old Championships 2014.  Won at BE100, placed 2nd at Tullymurray CNC* – only her second ever 1* event.  6 Eventing Ireland points, 32 Dressage points. She would suit a competitive amateur rider or a professional to realise her full potential as she has been bred and produced to go all the way.

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Excellent 1.40m showjumper: Talented and experienced mare that has competed up to 1.40m level successfully in Ireland as an 8 yo. This big scopey mare has a good canter and a brilliant attitude in front of her fences. Proven to be brave and careful over her fences and should go on to jump even bigger tracks. Suitable ride for either amateur or professional rider.

 

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Buying A Horse Eventing Horse Breeds Horses For Sale Stallions At Stud

Grafenstolz – quality progeny for sale

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Grafenstolz – Top Quality stallion at stud

Grafenstolz at listed on Select Stallions Profile has a biography as long as your arm.  Standing for a very reasonable €900.00 he represents excellent value.  He is certainly a very popular stallion with Horse Scout s profiled professional producers.  He has five offspring listed on the Horse Scout for sale pages.

About the stallion at stud Grafenstolz

Awarded premium status by the Trakehner Verband. In 2000, as a two year old campaigning in both show jumping, eventing and dressage arena Grafenstolz become the first horse ever to qualify for the finals of the stallion testing in jumping, eventing and dressage all in the same year as a 6 year old.  Proving his breeding versatility.  He later, in the same year proved himself again by winning the World Championships for young event horses in france and then as a seven year old wining his first advanced event.  He went on to win bronze at eight in the Gernam championships and was placed twice at international 3* competitions also winning a 2*. Being awarded his verband status in 2006.  He continued to event successfully but also made ripples in the show jumping arena with his fantastic puissance attempt clearing 2 meters (just under 7 feet).  As if this was not enough he then took to the Dressage circuit achieving 69% and winning his first Grand Prix!

You can link to the Grafenstolz Stallion at Stud profile page here.

HIs first UK crop took top Elite scores including an all time record in 2010, with an average of High First Premium he has to be anyones choice for top class competition genetics.   Of ten finalists that year five young horses where by Grafenstolz, he followed this the next year again breaking the record for Elite scores.

Grafenstolz stamps his progeny with superb good looks, athleticism and the best movement – indeed indeed Select Stallions endorse his stock as “picture perfect copies of their father”

Connections to Grafenstolz on Horse Scouts Horses for Sale listings and in our professionals profiled pages.

In Yorkshire there is On N Over, who has bred her own foal. Described as working well on the flat and showing an excellent technique over a fence, Jolyse Bell-Syer, her producer in North Yorkshire  says her grid work, is true and she happily tackles courses and even more tricky questions such as skinnies and corners.  Described as having an excellent attitude to her work and a lovely horse to handle and work with she is marketed at £10,000.

You can visit her profile and contact Jolsye from her profile page on Horses for Sale on Horse Scout by using this link.

Produced by Jolyse Bell-Syer rrofessional event rider and producer based in N. Yorks 

Another attractive Grafenholz youngster also born in 2013 is the British Sports Horse Stx Treacle Toffee. As can be seen from his profile picture he is compact and powerful, Vicky Laing his producer describes him as kind natured and good to do and a comfortable ride with good easy paces. A perfect prospect for British Young Event Horse with an eye to an eventing career.

Visit Stx treacle Toffee’s Horses for Sale on Horse scout Profile by using this link

The professional producer Vicky Laing  is based in rutland  visit her profile and see her other horses for sale on Horse Scout 

A younger 16.2hh 3 year old by Grafenholz, Faerie Mikado is also listed on Horse Scouts Horses for Sale pages, she is well handled and described as bred to event with a dam by Mayhill and is for sale through Trisha Rickards who also has a Royaldik 3 year old for sale too listed on Horse Scout.

These are all lovely horses for sale but Grafenstolz offspring are also proudly listed by their campaigners and Charlotte Agnew based on Gloucestershire also has a very good-looking Grafenholz gelding who is now 7.  Use this link to find out more about this lovely horse.

Grafenstolz is also listed at stud with The Stallion Company here

Horses For Sale

Are you looking for a coloured horse?

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A fantastic collection of coloureds at Country Farm Stud.

Karen Raine’s fantastic set up in Lancashire has every combination of coloured horse that you can imagine!, What a place, an equitation centre ‘par excellance’ and also a world renowned stud.  The majority of her Sports Horse Stallions are Homogenous coloureds (i.e. coloured stalliions which breed similar coloured foals) Established for 20 years Country Farm Stud has grown from a small family run stud to one of the largest Sports Horse Stud Farms in the UK with the underlying reason for this growth being customer referrals and recognition.

As well as standing the stallions there are many other sides of the business into which it has diversified. These now include semen freezing & storage along with other stallion services & has attained DEFRA approval for EU export of semen. It is an approved A.I centre for chilled semen & also has a large education & training department.

As well as various plain competition stallions we are t he home of three of only seven Performance Elite Graded Coloured stallions in the UK & the only Premier Performance Elite Graded stallion in the UK.

Karen Raine Stud owner & Manager is an Equine Lecturer with Cert Ed qualification, NVQ Assessor & specialist Breeding & Performance Horse Assessor as well as a BHS Int SM & A.I technician. In putting these qualifications to use the Education and Training side of the business has grown with extension to the training facilities. Both full and part time students are taken for Work Based Diploma Courses (NVQ) throughout the year. We pride ourselves in producing employable students who have gone onto very good careers within the industry both here and abroad.

Country Farm Stud also has some fantastic coloureds for sale including Country Class Act at £2,750 last years quality colt foal (can geld) by Country Top Dollar out of a Lone Rnager mare. Super sport horse youngster who has the conformation, presence and paces to exceed in any sphere.

Country Joker at £3,950 a Stunning 3 year old gelding currently standing approx 16hh. He was to keep but I just don’t have the time to do him justice. This young man has it all, as a foal he won the SHB NW points over the season and took 2 Championships and a Reserve Supreme. He is out of a retired show jumping mare who went on to become a prolific show brood mare and also has numerous Grade A show jumpers in his pedigree. He has the looks movement and conformation to make a HOYS show horse and has the scope to show jump or event. Pictures are in his winter woollies but even so his quality shines through. He is well handled and can be backed if required, and :

Country Polka Dot  £3,950 a striking 5 year old homozygous Sports Horse Mare 16hh by Dual Elite Graded stallion out of Clover Hill mare. Very unusually marked this mare will stand out in a crowd, hard to see on pictures but she has paw prints on both sides. A super ridden or breeding prospect this mare has it all breeding, paces and jump. Backed and turned away to mature she is now back in work. She has three established elevated paces, hacks out and jumps coloured and rustic courses. She has the most super temperament in and out of the stable and is a pleasure to own and work with. Only for sale as we do not have time to compete this super mare.

These horses are all noted as being suitable for or with potential as: all rounder, showing or sports horses.

Horse Scout is very pleased to see such a high profile breeder and centre on its lists, so welcome to Karen Raine.

Buying A Horse

10 helpful hints when buying or selling horses

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Horse Scout has a great website for buyers and sellers alike. The sales and professional pages are full of information and clear to read.  This makes it so much easier for both buyers and sellers. Having all relevant information sorted into categories make it easy to make informed choices when looking at the horses form or potential.  Good photographs make a difference to a viewers initial decision and Horse Scout offers both stills and video footage.

10 Helpful Hints when Buying or Selling Horses

1. As a seller write your advert carefully and be accurate in your description, don’t advertise your horse 100% in traffic if you have only ever ridden him down quiet country lanes. Both Sellers and Buyers should keep a copy of the advert which can be useful if there is a dispute in the future.

  1. If you are having the horse vetted which is always recommended, do not use the regular vet of the seller. You must instruct an independent vet and pay for the vet direct.
  2. If it is important that the horse is good to load, ask to see him load. If you ask the seller to confirm that the horse is vice free get the seller to warrant that the horse is vice free by writing it down. As a Seller, if you have told the Buyer that the horse is green and has never been ridden out alone before, for example, write this down and ask the buyer to sign it acknowledging the fact.
  3. Don’t buy a horse without its passport.
  4. Be realistic about your abilities – don’t over horse yourself.
  5. If you discover a problem with your horse inform the seller immediately and keep copies or notes of all correspondence.
  6. When you go to try or look at a horse to buy always take an experienced person with you if you are a novice.
  7. If the Seller is selling on behalf of someone else, if appropriate contact the Owner direct. Whenever looking at a horse ask lots of questions about vices, what it has done, its breeding, competition record, laminitis, sweet itch, lameness etc.
  8. Cut your losses – If all has gone wrong and you end up with an unsuitable horse, come to terms with the fact and don’t always insist on litigation which can be expensive, consider selling it to a more suitable home. As a Seller, if a horse proves to be unsuitable for a Buyer consider taking the horse back and finding an alternative buyer, if the horse is genuine this shouldn’t be a problem.
  9. Always have a written contract, with details of the buyer, seller, price and warranties (if any) given signed by both parties.