Horse & Hound

Top stories

I ENJOYED Kate Johnson’s interview with Brough Scott this week (p16) – as a jockey and then journalist, Brough tells a good story. He recounts so many of those “I was there when…” moments with trademark charisma that puts the reader right back on the...

NEWS: FREE RIDING

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’ - Whyte Melville

All quite reasonable

“IF your horse finishes a training session thinking: ‘Well, that was all quite reasonable,’ you’ve probably done it right.” I enjoyed this quote from Anna Ross’s column (p14). The discussion about training methods continues, and we all want to be on...

SEDATIVE WARNING

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’

Sing – ‘It’s Christmas!’

HPOWER put on a Christmas cracker of a show at London, and H&H was proud to support the FEI World Cup dressage qualifier for the 21st year. The biggest talking point was Charlotte Dujardin’s comeback – London marked the Olympian’s highest-profile...

WINTER HEALTH FOR ALL HORSES

Two legends

VALEGRO and Uthopia, with their owners and respective riders Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester, changed the course of British dressage. For both horses, who spent their retirement together, as well as so many days on the road to greatness in...

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

The horses and heroes who wowed us all in 2025

Role models

WE hope you enjoy this week’s Advent calendar front cover, which has become a real favourite in recent years. Talking of favourites, we always want to know what you want from us to help you enjoy your passion for horses and horse sport. Please complete...

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’

Swift action

WE have a few treats in this week’s issue – first up, our 2026 wallplanner, beautifully illustrated by Emma Earnshaw, to pin on the kitchen or tack room wall to remind yourself of everything from farrier visits to when Badminton Horse Trials is on next...

Old stars and new voices

THIS week’s cover star is the fabulous former international showjumper Billy Angelo, now aged 22, who retired to join Bridget Skelton for some lower-level showjumping and now hacking. Managing veterans can be tricky – we’re forever hearing of horses...

VET: SOUNDNESS

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’ - Whyte Melville

Celebrating our heroes

AS we near the end of 2025, it’s time to celebrate the best of equestrianism with the H&H Awards, in partnership with NAF and Agria. Thousands of heartfelt and worthy nominations have been whittled down to a truly impressive shortlist in each category,...

‘She’s a beautiful horse’

Jayne Ross wins eighth supreme championship at Horse of the Year Show

WILLIAM FUNNELL

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’ - Whyte Melville

On the telly

AS an industry, we’re often frustrated as to why the wider public doesn’t have greater interest in equestrianism. We understand the joy of horses and horse sport – how can we encourage others to develop the same strong feelings? One often-quoted...

JOINT INJECTIONS

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’ - Whyte Melville

Pure genius

WHAT an incredible partnership Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo have, to win four five-stars, the toughest two twice, no less, and this time around with Ros adapting her riding style to account for her pregnancy. What an amazing athlete and savvy...

Complete Burghley form guide

Amateur glory at hunter championships

LET’S GO!

European Dressage Championships: ● The Brits and their major rivals ● How to follow all the action

The Princess Royal

● THE CODE THAT HELPS PREVENT POSITIVE DOPE TESTS ● EVENTING: BRITISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS ● EQUIFEST REPORT ● OLYMPIC JUMPING CHAMPIONS WOW LONDON

Hickstead superstars

FOLLOWING on from a thrilling Hickstead Derby Meeting in June, the Agria Royal International last week provided another treat. Craig Kiddier once again proved what a showman he is, raising excited cheers from the crowd in the rideoff, popping the hedge...

SILVER

PLUS: THE NEAR 90-YEAR-OLD HOYS STAR WHO ISN’T GIVING UP VET ADVICE: HELP YOUR HORSE WITH FLIES, HEAT AND SKIN ISSUES FIRST FESTIVAL OF HOUNDS CHAMPION FOR THE HAMPSHIRE HUNT

Resilience

WELL done to those riders “ying the “ag for Britain in last week’s youth championships (news, p5). To represent your country at such a young age is a tremendous achievement and bodes well for the future. Riders like Rachel Proudley have simultaneously...

Ready for the champs

THIS summer’s championships kick oŒ next week with the European Showjumping Championships in A Coruña. Reigning Olympic champions Britain are tipped for gold by H&H showjumping editor Jennifer Donald, with a fantastic squad of exciting newcomers...

‘The only thing I read’

IT’S surreal to be guest editing this magazine. H&H is the only thing I ever read as a child. My English teacher asked Mum at a parents’ evening how much reading I did and she replied: “The whole of H&H magazine once a week.” I remember how excited I...

what happened to record-seekers

Confident performers

ROS CANTER continues to surprise herself with five-star wins, picking up another at Luhmühlen (report, p38) last weekend, while the rest of us have become quite complacent about Ros’s incredible ability to perform under pressure on different horses at...

Euros talk

IT is great to see Bubby Upton enjoying a landmark career win at senior level, having achieved so much already in her young career – while also having overcome serious challenges. As Pippa Roome writes (report, p38), Bubby leads the next generation of...

Inspiration

SO many of us have fond memories of childhood summers filled with equestrian pursuits – from Pony Club rallies to long lazy hacks with saddlebag picnics. The smell of fly spray and haylage brings thoughts of those halcyon days flooding back. Perhaps...

Andrew Nicholson’s Badminton highs

Andrew Nicholson’s Badminton highs

Windsor magic

WELL done to all the winners at Royal Windsor, who triumphed under blue skies in The King’s back garden. There are few better settings in which to compete, soak up the atmosphere and gain experience while all connections are happy in their...

A BREEDER’S DUTY

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’ - Whyte Melville

FORGELAND HYDE PARK

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’ - Whyte Melville

Eventers assemble

AS we celebrate a fantastic start to the five-star eventing season at Defender Kentucky, we look forward to Mars Badminton Horse Trials. Tina Cook walked this year’s Badminton course (p34), pointing out how impactful the cumulative effect will be. And...

Embracing uncertainty

I WATCHED an interesting TED Talk recently by academic Brené Brown, where she explains beautifully the need for vulnerability and embracing uncertainty and the many benefits the two can bring. Uncertainty is something people have very much moved away...

PONY CLUB REPORT

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‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’

A fond farewell to the Heythrop’s master and huntsman

STOWE BEAGLES

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’ - Whyte Melville

MARK PHILLIPS

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’ - Whyte Melville

VETTING DEBATE

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’ - Whyte Melville

FOSTERING FOALS

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’

STABLE FIRE WARNING

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’

2025 ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE SEASON

- Whyte Melville

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’

Achieving your dreams

THIS week Gemma Stevens talks about her as yet unachieved ambitions in eventing – she wouldn’t mind a Badminton win, or an Olympic medal – but meanwhile she’s been taking the showjumping world by storm (interview, p16). Beating John Whitaker in the...

How to buy your perfect horse

The first woman to finish the Grand National

The f irst woman to f inish the Grand National

Spotting brilliance

HAVING a knack for spotting a diamond in the rough, or a young horse from a field of 30 that will go on to achieve great things, is an enviable skill. Even those who can do this seem to struggle to put their finger on what it is they see that others...

Plus advice that launched riders’ careers

Ones to watch in 2025

Katie Magee is aiming for a Badminton debut this year

LEGEND BOOMERANG

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’

Merry Christmas

THIS is our last publication before Christmas as our London International report issue comes out on Saturday, 28 December, which is the quickest we could get it to you with printing and distribution limitations. If, like me, you’ve still got Christmas...

VET: DEHYDRATION

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’

PLUS: REVIEW OF THE YEAR

Being honest

IN his column this week, William Funnell asks why any rider should have to justify their way of life (p14). I’m sure this is a sentiment many will agree with. Why should anyone taking an ethical approach to their life’s work have to apologise for...

TOP RIDERS REMEMBER THEIR BEST DAYS

● STEPHEN CLARKE: THE WAY WE WERE ● BECOMING A RIDER AGAINST THE ODDS ● DIGITAL TENDON SHEATH PROBLEMS ● OPINION: CARL HESTER

An eventing star is born

IT was a treat to see a “new” name win the last ve-star of the eventing season, in Pau, France – cover star D. Day and rider Caroline Harris beating the favourites in the wettest of ground after hours of relentless rain threatened to cancel...

BETTER WORMING

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’ - Whyte Melville

Hitting the jackpot

EVENTING is an extraordinary sport. Two weeks ago, in glorious sunshine in the USA, just 38% of starters £nished a £ve-star cross-country course (Mark Phillips, p14), with the winner Oliver Townend claiming his ninth victory at the level. Then last...

WINTER FEEDING

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’ - Whyte Melville

DAME JILLY COOPER

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’

OSBERTON REPORT

‘I FREELY ADMIT THAT THE BEST OF MY FUN I OWE IT TO HORSE AND HOUND’

A winner to relate to

THERE are a large percentage of top riders who are most ably supported by their partners – to the point that many might admit they wouldn’t be where they are without them. One such couple, the Robertson-Carriers, recently wed and went on to win the...