NEWS

Irish show jumper Dennis Lynch raised an incredible £163,000 for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and took the time this week to visit the Equine rescue and research centre in Mallow, Co. Cork to see the money being put to good use.

Based in Germany, Dennis used his contacts on the Global Champions Tour to raise money for the charity and in turn help tackle the Equine Crisis in Ireland. It’s been highlighted that the crisis is due to a number of factors such as horses and ponies being extremely undervalued and the over breeding of animals. However, there is also the economic downturn globally with things like horse supplies, food and bedding being more expensive than ever.

Olympia is celebrating nearly 40 years of entertaining the country with world class equestrian sport. The stylish event, held from 13-19 December 2011, is billed as ‘the world’s biggest equestrian party’ has confirmed two exciting new additions. Also, the shopping village which is bigger and better than ever has 16 brand new exhibitors and stands with everything from horse supplies to equestrian clothing!

30/11/2011

A surprising figure as result of a survey funded by the Horses Trust has revealed that an estimated 40% of horses sustain injuries each year.

The research suggests that 13% of traumatic injuries occur during ridden exercise while a large proportion of 62% of injuries happen while turned out in the field according to research by Rosie Owen.

"This Horse Trust-funded research shows that horses get injured relatively frequently - much more often than you would expect,"

"Interestingly, most of the injuries happen during turnout, rather than during ridden exercise." said Rosie.

Robert Whitaker is in the spotlight this week after winning the bareback puissance jumping, clearing 2.12metre wall.  Competing at the Stockholm International Horse Show, Robert cleared the huge wall to take the competition on Mandy Hall's and Clare Whitaker's 8 year old gelding, Waterstone II.

The 24^th November was an important day for the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) as they celebrate the federations 90^th birthday and the 1000 day countdown to the World Equestrian Games in 2014.

The FEI started back in 1921 when representatives from all over the world came together to form an international federation. Countries such as Norway, Sweden, Japan, Belgium, France and Italy came together, recognizing the rapid development in equestrian sports and Olympic recognition. International rules were now essential and so the first president Baron du Tiel of France was elected.

From then to now, current FEI President, HRH Princess Haya, commented: "The FEI was founded in 1921 at a small gathering in troubled post-war Europe; now, 90 years later, the FEI is an international organization with 132 Member Federations and is in charge of almost 3,000 events organized all over the world. More than 50,000 horses and 32,000 riders, drivers and vaulters are today registered with the FEI,"

"What an incredible journey it has been and what an incredible journey it will continue to be over the next 90 years."

The FEI will carry on from strength to strength with the next big event for the federation happening in just less than 1000 days from now. The birthday celebrations saw the unveiling of the Alltech FEI World Games logo at the Caen Fine Arts Museum, a horse’s head and a human head superimposed together, demonstrating the unique bond between horse and rider without the horse tack and horse riding equipment.

The famous and beautiful thirty-foot sculpture of a horse head which sat in the South Downs is travelling to its new home in Australia to serve as a memorial to the late polo player, patron and entrepreneur, Kerry Packer.

Schoolchildren from nineteen schools across Greenwich have been involved in a workshop designing a special jump to be part of the prestigious Olympic Games cross country course next year.

The schools have sent in 117 designs to organisers LOCOG which are all based on the children’s ideas about Greenwich. Inspiration was drawn from local land marks and the Millennium Dome; and plans are that the designs will be incorporated into the area around the fences called the ‘jump zone’.

Willie Carson, the retired Jockey turned racing presenter isn’t ready to hang up his riding boots just yet, staring in 2011’s ‘I’m a celebrity…get me out of here!’

The Country Land and Business Association is urging for riders to wear high visibility horse tack and equestrian clothing after reports of nearly 3,000 horse related accidents on the roads each year.

With days during to a close earlier and conditions generally much darker throughout the winter months, it becomes difficult for drivers to see horses. Riders need to make a conscious effort to make them and their horse as visible as possible, using fluorescent equipment such as covers for riding hats, tabards and exercise horse rugs.

A winter campaign is going forth by Bradford South Horsewatch co-ordinator, PCSO Julie Hansord, urging people to think carefully about purchasing a horse and the number of horses that are under their care.

Horse owners have been warned that there is no excuse for leaving animals illegally tethered on private land and allowing them to get loose, creating dangerous situations on public highways.

“As the owner, you are responsible for every horse you own. There are no excuses as to why your horse would be loose on the highway or tethered illegally on private or council land. Likewise it is not acceptable to leave your horse in a garden without being fed and adequately cared for.” Julie Hansord commented at a meeting about the campaign held in Yorkshire.

Julie also explained that the penalties for not looking after your horse to the adequate standard can be significant. Horses totally rely on us for their well being and if a horse is found loose it can be seized and the owner fined.

“A horse is totally dependent on the owner, it is irresponsible for people to buy a horse when they cannot care for them, having no stable, grazing or the knowledge that is required.

“If children want to learn to ride, please consider taking them to a riding school, which caters for both adults and children of all abilities and levels.” Said Julie.

Throughout the campaign from Horsewatch, information and support will be provided for owners in crime prevention, keeping your equestrian equipment safe, particularly horse rugs and horse tack.