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For all enquiries, please don’t hesitate to phone Stable Equestrian on 01772 600555, email enquiries@stable-equestrian.net. Alternatively you can complete the online contact form below and we will reply as soon as possible.
Lisa Smith can be contacted on 07821 782135.
We are not currently open to casual callers but visits by appointment are always very welcome.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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Topstocks : lots of last minute present ideas, from stocking fillers to some luxury items.
With just a few days to go before the last posting day for delivery before Christmas it’s time to get over to the Top Stocks website for lots of last minute present ideas, from stocking fillers to some luxury items. Last order date is 18th for regular postage, or 20th for next day service (this will be more expensive so please contact me if this is required). These coin purses come in a wide variety of designs and with some pretty little detailing, they prove very popular with everyone. Prints range from various equine and country themes, completed with a Tibetan silver charm on the front and on the zipper pull. They are lined with some gorgeous cotton prints. Ideal to maybe pop an individual vintage stock pin inside as a special gift! They have many uses as big enough to hold bank cards, keys, bank notes and coins. Great to carry start money and change for much needed refreshments after you have finished competing! And at only £9.00 each are great for a stocking filler. Also ideal stocking fillers are the scrunchies. Made in the same fabrics as the riding stocks, so you make sure you are fully coordinated! These are not on the website so just contact me on email at info@top- stocks.co.uk and I can forward photos of what I have made up. These are only £8.00 each, so again make for a perfect small present. For a special present, what about pairing up a beautiful hand made riding stock with one of the vintage stock pins? Lots of gorgeous fabrics in silk and cotton – plain, printed, embroidered/beaded to suit all tastes. Stock pins are available in silver and gold with coloured stones and pearls. Prices start at £26.00 for stocks and £8.00 for pins. For those looking for a bargain there is a sale on clothing on the website – competition jackets, breeches, show shirts and casual riding items are included. There will be lots of new lines coming in for the 2020 season so these have to go! Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you next season ? Follow...
read moreWHAT TO EXPECT AT THIS YEAR’S OLYMPIA, THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW
The first International Horse Show took place in the Olympia halls in 1907. Olympia, The London International Horse Show, the event we see today, was started by Raymond Brooks-Ward in 1972. This year’s Show will take place on 16-22 December 2019 in the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington, London. The Show will play host to a packed timetable of all things equestrian and is expected to welcome over 90,000 visitors. It is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious equine competitions. The Show mixes top class equestrian action, including FEI World Cup™ Jumping, Dressage and Driving with family entertainment, such as The Saracen Horse Feeds Shetland Pony Grand National and The Kennel Club Dog Agility. With less than a week to go, here’s what you can expect at the 2019 edition of the Show: Elite International Competition The seven-day extravaganza will include three FEI World Cup™ events in Dressage, Jumping and Driving, all of which will feature the world’s best equestrian athletes. The action will begin with the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix supported by Horse & Hound on Monday 16 December, featuring Britain’s illustrious Olympic Champions, Charlotte Dujardin CBE and Carl Hester MBE. The FEI World Cup™action continues on Friday 20 December with the opening leg of the FEI Driving World Cup™ presented by Eurofip International before the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ on Saturday 21 December. The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ will host seven of the world’s top ten show jumpers, including the top two ranked riders in the world, Swiss compatriots Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs. Adding to the excitement of the class will be British stars Ben Maher and Scott Brash, who will be sure to have the crowd behind them, as they look to score a second consecutive home victory. In addition to the FEI World Cup™ events, top class international show jumping highlights include the Cayenne Puissance on Wednesday 18 December and the Longines Christmas Cracker on Friday 20 December, culminating with one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the week, the Turkish Airlines Olympia Grand Prix on Sunday 22 December. Dressage Unwrapped On Monday 16 December, the brand-new ‘Dressage Unwrapped’ masterclass will take place at Olympia, The London International Horse Show. The innovative and inspirational event will involve three of Britain’s most celebrated dressage riders, Carl Hester, Gareth Hughes and Richard Davison, sharing their secrets of the technical discipline with the Olympia audience. Over the course of ninety-minutes, they will uncover all aspects of dressage including; producing, training and managing dressage horses, with some help from their celebrity equestrian friends. They will also discuss the pressures of competition and what it takes to compete at the highest level. The crowd will be exposed to rare insight as each rider shares the tricks of the trade and their own unique experiences. Olympia Live Zone The hugely popular Live Zone is returning to the Show and will give spectators the opportunity to meet their favourite riders, as well as interact with some of the world’s most influential equestrian stars. A detailed Live Zone schedule is available below, however exact timings are subject to change. LIVE ZONE SCHEDULE: Monday 16 December 15.30 Meet a Dressage JudgeTBCInterview with Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester’s Groom Alan DaviesTuesday 17 DecemberTBC Interview with Dressage Champions Carl Hester & Charlotte Dujardin TBC Meet & Greet...
read moreTop Stocks are here to help you find the perfect gift for the equestrian in your life
Christmas is coming! Yes, there are only 6 weeks to go, but don’t panic – Here are a few of my favourite items which are sure to be the perfect present. Just in are the new cream coloured competition Agaso Cambridge breeches. I have stocked the everyday colours – anthracite, navy and mid grey – for a while and they have all proved very popular. The cream ones have been eagerly awaited. These are fantastic super comfortable breeches made with 4 way stretch, water repellent technical fabric, silicon full seat (gives a secure grip without being over the top sticky so you can still move in the saddle), slightly higher waisted with a wide waistband and no bulk stretch ankle cuffs. All colours are available in 24″-32″ and in short fit (for those shorter than 5″6″) and regular for those over 5′ 6″. These would be ideal for those wet hunting days, or competitions. For a spot of luxury, with practical sportswear properties there is the Findra range – tops, baselayers, headbands and bobble hats. Popular with riders have been the Betty neckwarmers in a myriad of fantastic colours – perfect hacking out gear if it’s a bit chilly to spot the cold seeping in. And the tops are great for layering up without bulk. The merino yarn that is used for the Findra range is an Italian sport merino that has the most amazing antibacterial and heat regulating properties, so it is not just for cold weather. With super fine weight, seamless knitting technology, thumbholes and shaped back seams these are true sportswear garments – designed for cycling, walking, running, and of course, horse riding. Made in the UK they are definetely fit for purpose! Silk or cotton riding stocks and stock pins make perfect stocking fillers – stocks range from £25-38, and pins £10-60. The stocks are all made with high quality fabrics in natural fibres – cotton, tana lawn cotton and silk. Many designs are available – florals, geometric, stripes, spots, etc, in almost every conceivable colour range. All handmade in small runs, giving the rider a sense of true individuality, especially if paired up with an often one off vintage stock pin. To match to your tweed you can pick out colours – there are often stripes or checks within the tweed – and accentuate these by picking a stock that highlights these colours. Keepers tweed is the easiest as everything goes with it – go contrasting with blues or reds, or tonal with greens or browns. For those who prefer a navy or black show jacket (or get to wear tails!), or hunt coat, there is a wide range of whites, creams and ivories. To really stand out from the crowd pick a silk stock with embroidery or beadwork. For the traditionalists there are plain silks and white on white or white on ecru cotton prints. These are nice and subtle but just that bit different from completely plain. All stocks come in a gift box which makes for handy storage, and a ‘how to tie your new stock’ illustration card. There is also a brilliant master class video, kindly shared by the Vintage Tackroom, on the website if anyone needs a reminder. For the ultimate finishing touch how about a vintage stock...
read moreHas British Eventing Lost It’s Way?: The Sport has changed but not sure its for the better!
Over the last few months I’ve been doing a lot of pondering over British Eventing and, in light of the recent price increases for membership and entry fees, I feel now is a good time to air my thoughts. I am sure some will agree and others not so much. I have also asked quite a few riders/owners across the different levels in different areas their thoughts on BE , and a lot have been thinking the same as me!! So lets get started!! Increased Fees Before abandonment insurance, if an event cancelled prior to the start of the event, they were liable to repay the entry fees. On that basis, they would let the event run and then abandon which meant we, the riders, didn’t get our fees back and incurred the extra expense of start fees and transport. So, from a riders’ perspective, from what I can see, the abandonment insurance is in place to repay my entry if the conditions are so bad that the event has to be abandoned after it’s started. In the whole scheme of things, that is actually quite rare for a grassroots eventer running one horse. If the abandonment insurance covers other situations, for example, poor weather in the weeks/days leading up to the event, it would feel like we, the riders, are paying to cover the potential losses of the organisers – before abandonment insurance, they would have been liable to refund entry fees anyway. In 2019 for grassroots levels, the abandonment insurance was 9.75% of the entry fee. In 2020, it will be 12.47%. That feels like an unreasonable percentage increase. In fact, 12.47% of the entry fee is an astronomic amount to pay for insurance. If an average grassroots eventer runs 10 events in a season, they will pay £90 in insurance. That’s one and a half competition entries. I think BE needs to review the need for abandonment insurance for competitors. In terms of entry fees, I think the sport is in difficulty at the moment. Entries, across the board, were down in 2019 with many citing the costs. BE needs to be encouraging more members into the sport as well as aiming to keep existing members, many of whom are migrating to much cheaper unaffiliated competition, and the way to do that is to offer incentives rather than hiking up costs. A £2-£4 increase might not seem much on a single entry fee but that, in addition to the hiked up insurance fees, adds up significantly over the season. To the one horse owner/rider it may not seem like a big increase but to producers of eventers, and owners who own more than one horse this cost adds up over the season. For multiple riders the costs are increased significantly. The published costs are not showing the increase in start fees, yet they are noted as subject to increase. For a BE80(t) entry, we are now looking at close on £100 for a single entry. For a multiple rider, like my daughter, with 2 horses running at the higher levels, we will be looking at close to £300 in entry/start fees for one single competition and that’s before adding in transport. For the amateur competitor, the sport is becoming unaffordable. It’s clear there has to...
read moreShetland Pony Welfare Trust create a petition: All venues that hold firework displays to be licenced
will you sign it? Click this link to sign the petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/278293/sponsors/new?token=5Ev1T9t16egPGyU00rbE FIREWORKS SCARE ANIMALS TO DEATH The Shetland Pony Welfare Trust is a small Registered Charity and has for a number of years been suffering from the effects of Fireworks being set off only a few yards from its sanctuary, of rescued horses and ponies. Thousands of pet owners have similar issues All animals can be effected by fireworks and in some cases these can be devastating for owners and there pets We call upon the Secretary of state to secure that the risk of public use of fireworks is minimal and that only licenced venues can hold displays. A regulatory distance to be put in place for proximity of animals/buildings to the event The Shetland Pony Welfare Trust. Registered Charity 1093364 www.theshetlandponywelfaretrust.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/groups/301565983934509/Follow...
read moreEnd of British Summer Time – Keyflow Feeds
With the changes in the season and weather, it also signals a change in the management of our horses. We may already have changed to stabling them overnight and with recent heavy rain may be restricting turnout. We see the end of British Summer Time this weekend and the return of dark evenings, so riding time may be at a premium during the week.The horse has evolved to graze and roam for over 16 hours a day picking at a range of vegetation. In domestication we limit their freedom of choice and self selection of their diet. Last month we considered hay and forage choices. We need to be mindful of making the transition from grass to hay or haylage carefully. Forage changes need to be made as carefully and gradually as hard feed changes so the gut microbiome (living colonies in the hindgut) can adjust.The microbiome digests dietary fibre, and allows access to micronutrients that wouldn’t be available otherwise. Including a high quality probiotic in the daily ration helps to stabilise the gut population, limiting growth of the undesirable acidogenic bacteria and supporting a healthy hindgut pH. Pink Mash has been scientifically formulated to support the hind gut health of all horses and ponies. This delicious quick soak mash provides a significant source of highly digestible super fibre combined with the goodness of beetroot and linseed. World renowned probiotics from Protexin® and prebiotics are added to support and stabilise the microbial balance in the hind gut, allowing for more effective fibre fermentation, better feed conversion and general horse health. If you would like a Keyflow feeding regime please get in touch. The Keyflow Advice & Support Team Create a free nutritional support ticket by emailing advice@keyflowfeeds.com ph 01672 51 9000 keyflowfeeds.com Through Health, Comes Performance Keyflow Feeds | Temple Farm, Rockley, Marlborough, Wilts, SN8 1RU, United Kingdom Authorized representative: Cam Price, Email address: advice@keyflowfeeds.com, Phone Number: +44 (0)1672 519000, VATIN: GB129213628 Follow...
read moreSSANGYONG BLENHEIM PALACE HORSE TRIALS: YOUNG BRITISH RIDER SNATCHES THE LEAD
Main image is courtesy of Adam Fanthorpe. and is of Will Rawlin – all rights reserved and are subject to copyright The SsangYong Blenheim Palace Horse Trials attracts more than 60,000 visitors each year, as well as the world’s leading event riders and many keen amateur competitors. It takes place annually in September (19th–22nd2019) and is the largest sporting event in Oxfordshire. Four days of demonstrations, displays and lectures, more than 200 trade stands and ancillary competitions and activities support and add further value to one of the world’s leading CCI4*-L events and the British championship CCI4*-S for 8/9yo horses. 19 September 2019 Young British rider Will Rawlin is in the lead in the principal CCI4*-L class after the first day of dressage at SsangYong Blenheim Palace Horse Trials. Riding 11-year-old VIP Vinnie, owned by his parents Miranda and Andrew, the Hungerford-based 25-year-old scored an excellent 24.2 in the highly competitive class. Will said: “He’s been going really well, and I felt confident coming into this, but in the warm-up he got tense, and when he gets tense, it’s quite difficult actually to ride him forward and get him going. A couple of times in there I was like, ‘oh God, oh God, keep going!’ – but he kept a nice outline and a good rhythm, and he was with me most of the way. “Although it’s a very strong field, and full of very good riders, I did feel confident coming in in my ability and my horse’s ability. This year we’ve had a couple of silly blips – and actually, the last time I rode him, I fell off, but it was all me! “I know if I stick to my plan and ride him properly then we should be home safely.” Will led after cross-country in the under-25 CCI4*-L at Bramham in June, but had a fence down in the showjumping to finish third. Piggy French, fresh from her silver team medal at the recent European Championships, rode Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry’s Brookfield Inocent into second place with a score of 25.4. Third is Australia’s Kevin McNab with 25.7 aboard new ride Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend. It was a good day for Piggy French, who also tops the CCI4*-S for eight- and nine-year-old horses – Britain’s most prestigious young horse class. She scored 26.7 with Jayne McGivern’s Calling Card, a nine-year-old by Caretino. Piggy said: “He’s a really beautiful horse – he’s stunning. Bar his changes, which he’s still a bit green at, he’s very impressive on the flat. He was beautiful to ride in there. He is green – this will be his first Advanced competition – and so I’ve come into it just really interested to see how he goes, and not really thinking that running flat out and getting the time will be what he’ll do this weekend. It’s more about the stepping-stone.” Sam Griffiths took second place for Australia with Viscount and Lady Rothermere’s Freestyler with a mark of 28.8. “Lady Rothermere bought him for herself to ride, and wanted a bit more mileage on him, so I’ve been riding him for about a year now,” said Sam. “He’s a really good jumper and a nice horse...
read moreBurghley 2019 Pippa Funnell’s Year – A Year To Remember! – British Riders Take The One Two Three!!
Main image is courtesy of Lucy Hall Photography – all rights reserved and are subject to copyright Wow what a year it has been and to think Burghley just happened in the blink of an eye and has left us for another year is quite scary!. Where do you start with a such a dramatic event that kept a fast pace throughout the four days! I guess we start by saying that there wasn’t the usual names there this year and it was missing riders like Mark Todd, Andrew Nicholson, Nicola Wilson, Micheal Jung, Harry Meade and Paul Tapner, but in hindsight I think it was nice to see some new faces and names getting the opportunity to compete at this prestigious event. Dressage: I still find two days of dressage a little tedious, but being an event rider myself this is probably because thats the phase I have the least enthusiasm for! despite this the turnout standard of these horses gets better and better and the horses and riders all looked very elegant if I do say so myself.. We saw some great dressage tests performed on the Thursday. With Burghley first timer Eliza Stoddart getting a cracking score of 28.7 with Tim Price snapping at her heals with 29.6 . Then Friday the second day of Dressage was just another level! and we saw the leaderboard change. Pippa Funnel who is renowned for always having a good dressage annihilated the field bringing in a score os 22.8 but Oliver Townend in second place does not leave you much room for error on the cross country and neither does Tim Price having two in the top eleven and Jonelle Price in the mix meant that these leaderboard could change. Piggy French has had a great year and was another one to watch so cross country was going to all to play for! British riders taking the top three placings with two others also in the top ten! The Americans also having three riders in the top ten which was a great start for them to. Dressage Results Judges : Christina Klingspor SWE-(E) , Nick Burton GBR-(C) , Xavier Le Sauce FRA-(M) No Horse Rider E C M Pen Pl 77 MGH GRAFTON STREET Pippa Funnell 201.0 198.5 203.0 22.8 1 81 BALLAGHMOR CLASS Oliver Townend 190.5 198.5 193.5 25.3 2 80 SPRINGPOWER Izzy Taylor 192.0 194.0 194.5 25.6 3 73 VERMICULUS Lauren Kieffer 189.5 197.5 185.0 26.7 4 52 HARBOUR PILOT Hannah-Sue Burnett 193.0 192.5 185.0 26.9 =5 63 VANIR KAMIRA Piggy French 189.0 190.0 191.0 26.9 =5 45 DENIRO Z Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp 183.5 186.0 189.0 28.4 =7 68 FAERIE DIANIMO Jonelle Price 182.5 195.0 181.0 28.4 =7 22 PRIORSPARK OPPOSITION FREE Eliza Stoddart 185.5 177.0 194.0 28.7 =9 82 RINGWOOD SKY BOY Tim Price 184.0 194.5 178.0 28.7 =9 No Horse Rider E C M Pen Pl 1 BANGO Tim Price 182.5 184.5 182.0 29.6 =11 29 REVE DU ROUET Sarah Bullimore 181.5 188.0 179.5 29.6 =11 Cross Country : Well lets face it this is the day that we are all waiting for and its the most thrilling day! This year was by far the most thrilling to watch in a long time, as...
read moreLAND ROVER BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS TO RUN A FIFTH DAY IN 2020
Main Image courtesy of Lucy Hall Photography – all rights reserved and are subject to copyright Next year one of the most popular televised outdoor sporting events in the UK, Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is set to open its doors to the public for five days. In 2020 this international competition will welcome some of the rapidly growing number of amateur eventing athletes, to compete in the entry level BE80 (T) Championship on behalf of the sport’s governing body British Eventing. This will take place on the Wednesday of the Event, along with the long-standing ‘First Horse Inspection’ for the main competition. Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials’ famous shopping village will also be open all day on the Wednesday. Event Director Elizabeth Inman said: “We see this as a natural progression: for amateur riders at grassroots level to have the opportunity to ‘compete at Burghley’ alongside our elite international, Olympic-level riders. We are confident this ticketed event will be well supported throughout the duration.” Next year Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will take place from Wednesday 2nd September – Sunday 6th September 2020. Tickets for all five days will be on sale in April 2020 from the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials Box Office. Follow...
read moreCAPTAIN MARK PHILIPS TO PASS ON THE BURGHLEY BATON IN 2021
Main Image credit @lrbht_official Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials’ cross country course designer Captain Mark Phillips will hand over to another renowned Eventing specialist, the USA’s Derek di Grazia in 2021. Having started his tenure as cross country course designer some 30 years ago, Captain Mark Phillips has built an enduring partnership with Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. His expertise and creativity continue to deliver epic competitions year after year; thrilling the crowds and challenging the World’s best riders to their limits. Mark is recognised as a true equestrian; a former Olympian and winner at 4* (now 5*) level, he is also a much respected and sought after coach and instructor. Captain Mark Phillips comments: “Whilst I am still enjoying every moment of work with Burghley’s fabulous team, I’m not getting any younger and want to retire while I still feel at the cutting edge and on top of my game.” Mark remembers his early years at Burghley and Bill Henson (then Event Director) telling him to “make Burghley, Burghley” something which has continued ever since. He adds: “I am grateful to the Event directors Bill and latterly Elizabeth Inman for all their support, which has helped me, to help them, make Burghley the event it is today.” Elizabeth Inman, Event Director at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials says: “Mark knows how we wonder every year at his ability to keep ‘pulling it out of the bag’ and next year (2020) will be particularly poignant as his swan song. Undoubtedly our cross country track – acknowledged as probably the most technically challenging test of all the 5* events, both from a competitor’s and designer’s perspective, has benefitted hugely from the superlative all round experience and skill that Mark Phillips has brought to the Event. “So yes, difficult shoes to fill, but softened by the good news that we are appointing Derek di Grazia into the role of course designer in 2021.” Derek di Grazia is recognised for safe, sensible, yet tough courses and has been one of the top cross country course designers in the USA for over 15 years. He is the appointed course designer for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Derek continues to compete at 4* level, is also a recognised coach and trainer and is known for his quiet, modest demeanour, demonstrating many of the very qualities that have worked so well during Mark’s tenure. Derek di Grazia says: “It is a great honour to be appointed course designer for this very special competition and I’m truly excited to have a chance to design the cross country phase within Burghley Park’s very unique landscape. It is a fantastic project to have in my sights following on from the 2020 Olympic Games.” Elizabeth Inman concludes: “We look forward with enthusiasm and confidence to this next chapter in the history of the Event and to Derek continuing to “make Burghley, Burghley”. Follow...
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