The Equestrian Blog

Best of British at Royal Windsor

The 2009 Royal Windsor Horse Show, 13-17 May, is to showcase the best of British top and up-and-coming equestrian talent with two new dressage competitions, sponsored by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) World Class Programme.

Two special competitions; The Prix St George for up and coming horses and the Grand Prix Kür, both sponsored by The World Class Programme, will take place on the opening day of the show. Entry is by invitation of the World Class Programme only.

Eight competitors enrolled on the WCP will be chosen to compete in each class in front of the country’s top judges and selectors. They will be chosen from all three WCP levels, performance, development and equine pathway, allowing potential British stars of the future to mix with current top riders.

WCP director Will Connell said:

This is a fantastic opportunity. The riders will have the chance to compete at one of the most prestigious outdoor shows in the country, the show’s organising committee can show what a great Europeans we have to look forward to and the public will be able to see some fantastic dressage.

For more info and to buy tickets, please visit the Royal Windsor Show Website.

Valentines Offer from Blenheim Horse Trials

Give your loved one a valentines present they will really enjoy, not just tickets to Blenheim Horse Trials, but also a cross country buggy tour around the cross country course.

Book tickets on the Blenheim Horse Trials website before February 14th and you can use the promotional code ‘VALENT09’ to add a cross country buggy tour to take you around the cross country course.

The dates for the 2009 Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials are the 10th - 13th September.

Terms and Conditions State;

The option to select a free cross country course golf buggy ride (voucher) will be available for all bookings made using the code VALENT09 before 14/02/09. The offer is one buggy ride per adult admission ticket booked for Thursday or Friday, buggies run Thursday and Friday only . Buggy rides must be selected at time of booking other tickets. Offer only valid on bookings made using appropriate code and is not valid in combination with any other offer.

Increased Costs for UK Horsebox Owners

You probably haven't been told yet, but it seems horsebox owners are to be hit with another cost.

From 31st March 2009 all horseboxes over 3.5tonnes and registred after 1st January 2000, must be fitted with additional wide angle mirrors. That's Class IV wide angle mirrors and Class V kerb mirrors.

Although the legislation isn't particularly focused on horsebox owners, it applies to horseboxes as certain sizes and weights fall within the weight limits associated with HGV's.

However the additional costs are in addition to legislation already in place covering;

• Anyone driving a horsebox for work or on a journey over 65km must hold an animal transport certificate.
• Driving in London will cost you £200 if your horsebox is over 3.5tonnes and doesn't have a certifcate showing it conforms to pollution standards.
• Own a horsebox over 7.5tonnes or own a 3.5tonne box registered after 1st January 2005 and you must fit, maintain and use a tachograph.

Don't worry though it's all in the name of safety. It seems the improper use, blind spots and incorrect fitting of mirrors attributes to the deaths of 400 pedestrians, cyclists and motorbike riders each year. Mainly as lorry drivers and horsebox drivers can't see the side nearest the pavement.

Clickto read the full European Commission Consultation Paper PDF.

Rightly or wrongly it is another cost at a time when all costs are rising steeply.

Maybe, this is another reason why you should trade in that horsebox for a smaller, more eco-friendly and fuel efficient trailer ....

Ifor williams HB511 horse trailer    £4,800.00

IFOR WILLIAMS Horse Trailer HB511 Box NEW IN BLUE    £4,399.00

IFOR WILLIAMS Horse Trailer HB511 Box NEW IN RED    £4,399.00

IFOR WILLIAMS Horse Trailer HB511 BOX NEW IN GRAPHITE    £4,399.00

IFOR WILLIAMS Horse Trailer HB511 BOX NEW IN SILVER    £4,399.00

IFOR WILLIAMS Horse Trailer Box HB511 BRAND NEW BLACK    £4,199.00

IFOR WILLIAMS Horse Trailer Box HB511 BRAND NEW SILVER    £4,099.00

IFOR WILLIAMS Horse Trailer HB506 BRAND NEW BLUE    £3,999.00

IFOR WILLIAMS Horse Trailer HB506 BRAND NEW BLACK    £3,999.00

IFOR WILLIAMS Horse Trailer HB506 BRAND NEW GRAPHITE    £3,999.00

IFOR WILLIAMS Horse Trailer HB506 Box BRAND NEW SILVER    £3,999.00

IFOR WILLIAMS Horse Trailer HB506 BRAND NEW RED Box    £3,999.00

The Ultimate Equestrian Figure?

If you're anything like me you don't just like horses, you like everything connected with horses. From horsey clothes to pictures of horses and especially collectable horse figures.

My house is 'tastefully', littered with equestrian figures of all shapes and sizes, made from bronze, porcelain and even silver. My favourite is my original Harriet Glen Jumping Horse, a bronze which cost me just under £2000 at Ascot races in the early 90's and I especially love my small collection of Royal Worcester horse heads.

But, I think the Chinese Tang Dynasty figure up for auction next week is one I would have the perfect place for. It looks magnificent and I am sorely tempted to max that credit card I just paid off and go for it. Have a look and see what you think, the auction is online on the 7th, 8th and 9th February and is hosted by, New Orleans Auction Galleries.

Lot No 178 describes the Chinese horse figure as;

Extremely Rare Chinese Black Clay Tomb Figure of a Horse, Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), the finely modeled figure standing on three feet with the fourth slightly lifted, wearing a riderless saddle, the mane, eyes, nostrils and saddle detail finely etched, the horse dynamically modeled with great strength and presence, presented on an acrylic base, h. 16", l. 17". Provenance: Blackamoor Antiques.

The use of black fired clay is unusual and rare in unglazed tomb figures and combined with the dynamic motion of this figure sets it apart from the mainstream of Tang equestrian figures. This piece has been thermoluminescent tested and the dating is confirmed by the testing.

The Auction Estimate is £3,500 to £5,600, ($5000 to $8000), would that be a wise investment or a ridiculous extravagance given the current state of affairs.

There are other Equestrian Figures to think about ...

Pfifer Perion Horse Stucken 1 Meissen Figurine    £7,219.78

Swarovski The Wild Horses Limited Edition mint cond    £3,100.00

AMAZING 1962 RUSSIAN MAJOLICA ART POTTERY FIGURE HORSE    £3,128.57

LLADRO Free As The Wind Horses Figurine 01001860 NEW    £3,035.49

LLADRO Born Free Horse Figurine 01001420 NEW MINT    £3,035.49

Mint Condition Classic German Dresden Napoleon on Horse    £2,406.59

ANTIQUE MEISSEN FIGURINE BLACKAMOOR TURK W HORSE    £2,105.77

SUPERB ROYAL DOULTON BLACK BEAUTY HORSE FIGURINE    £1,950.00

BESWICK HORSE COWBOY INDIAN 1377 1391 GRAHAM ORWELL    £1,700.00

20th Century 195 Meissen Horse Porcelain Figurine    £1,504.12

Herend Stallion Horse Rider Monumental Statue Figurine    £1,504.12

Antique Continental Majolica Pedestal w Horse Detail    £1,474.04

Or, should I just be sensible and invest in professional jump schooling for my lovely Winnie? Decisions, decisions...