The Equestrian Blog

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 ....

NEW IFOR WILLIAMS HORSEBOX LOOK    £4,000.00

Ifor Williams Horse Trailer HB506 HB 506    £3,599.99

Ifor williams HB510 Horse trailer    £3,250.00

ifor williams 505 horse trailer    £3,100.00

ifor williams 510 horse trailer    £2,895.00

Ifor Williams HB510 blue horsebox horse trailer HB 510    £3,350.00

Ifor Williams HB510 Maroon Double Horse Trailer    £3,200.00

Ifor Williams HB505 Double Horse Trailer    £2,600.00

Ifor Williams HB505 Trailer 2005 essex    £2,600.00

ifor williams horse box    £2,550.00

Ifor Williams Trailer    £2,500.00

IFOR WILLIAMS 510 CLASSIC NO RESERVE HORSE TRAILER    £2,450.00

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 ...

GERMAN PORCELAN XTRA LARGE NAPOLEON ON REARING HORSE    £5,498.53

GERMAN PORCELAN STAGE COACH w LADY 2 HORSES    £2,260.51

ANTIQUE MEISSEN FIGURINE BLACKAMOOR TURK W HORSE    £2,138.32

PILLIN Bulbous Round Bottle Vase w Man Woman Horses    £1,619.01

Herend Stallion Horse Rider Monumental Statue Figurine    £1,527.36

Stig Lindberg Big studio Horse in very god condition    £1,145.53

ALDO NASON HORSE SCULPTURE UNIQUE MUSEUM PIECE SIGNED    £1,038.61

MGM HOTEL Music 30” COACH CARRIAGE 4 HORSES Dresden    £977.51

Herend Rearing Stallion with Horse Trainer Figure    £950.00

DAUM Malik Horse Crystal Collectible Hinsberger Signed    £916.42

Herend Nude Apollo Stallion Horse Rider Statue Figurine    £916.42

A RARE BESWICK CANADIAN MOUNTIE on BROWN HORSE    £720.00

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

The Long Horse Ride – Beijing to London by 2012

Dreams do come true...

Megan Lewis, a former teacher, now horse owner and Welsh pony breeder woke up one day, turned to her husband Iestyn and said... "What would you say if I told you I wanted to ride from Beijing to London between the Olympics to raise money for Schoolchildren for Children?"; to his credit, Iestyn didn't bat an eyelid and the challenge was on.

Megan planned it, organised it and is well on the way to reaching London in 2012, with the second stage of this impressive trail ride due to start in april 2009.

Megan's aims and objectives are as impressive as the ride itself and she aims to ...

• Bring a message of goodwill from Beijing in the Beijing Olympic year to London in the London Olympic year.
• To raise money for the charity Schoolchildren for Children and in China for the China Children and Teenagers fund.
• To raise awareness of the history, geography and culture of countries en route.
• To research and/or promote local breeds of horse en route.

So, do you fancy joining Megan for the second stage. There are some places available on this extraordinary equestrian adventure, with nothing promised except a wealth of unique experiences you will never forget.

Check out, support or join Megan at ... The Long Horse Ride website.