The Equestrian Blog

Ben Maher aiming high at Windsor

Ben Maher lies second, just 1.83 penalty points off the lead, going into the final day of the European Championship Showjumping at Windsor Castle.

The 26-year-old is aiming high in an effort to join John Whitaker, Paddy MacMahon, David Barker and David Broome as Britain's only individual title-winners.

Italy's Natale Chiaudani leads, with Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Albert Zoer and Steve Guerdat also pressing Maher.

Lack of Equestrian Sponsorship Causing Cancellations

As more and more Equestrian Events are cancelled it seems the economic situation is becoming a little grim for Equestrian Sponsorship.

It's not just local shows but well established annual events are cancelling due to a lack of sponsorship; because of the the inclement weather or due to a lack of funds because of the cancellation of the previous years event.

It would seem that equestroian event organisers may have to start thinking about what horse riders can afford in the current economic climate.

• Auchinleck in Ayrshire, has cancelled three years running.
• Gleneagles horse trials on 20 September has been cancelled as organisers didn't feel able to approach sponsors in the current financial climate.
• The 30th Spring Hill Horse Trials and Country Fair, billed as the United Kingdom’s biggest one-day eventing show, has been cancelled as it could only raise £3000 of the £12000 running cost.
• Salperton (27-28 June) was cancelled due to a lack of sponsors.
• Hutton International (22-23 August) was also cancelled because of a lack of sponsorship.

And it's not just in the UK, top events in the USA are also suffering because of a lack of sponsorship.

• The seventh annual Beacon Hill Grand Prix was cancelled just weeks before its June opening date.
• The New Jersey, Garden State, Combined Driving Event was cancelled with both sponsorship donations and entries down.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is the governing body for equestrian sports, and USEF sanctioned events are penalized if they cancel within three months of an event. However, USEF Competitions Director Leigh Anne Claywell says that due to this year’s extraordinary economic climate the USEF has waived penalties for some cancelled events.

So, it seems horse owners and riders are being more selective when choosing what events they’re going to, instead of competing in all the equestrian events they can.

It just may help organisers if they take a serious look at class entry costs if they wish to attract entrants.

No riders means no spectators and no spectators means no income for trade stands or food outlets.

Ian Stark, Event Rider in Hospital

Ian Stark is in hospital after suffering a brain bleed.

The 55-year-old former Olympic event rider is in the University Hospital of Wales undergoing tests to determine the cause of the brain bleed.

Scottish event rider Ian has won four silver medals at three Olympic Games, as well as gold, silver and bronze at the European and World championships. He was European champion in 1991 and won Badminton three times, in 1986, 1988 and 1999. Ian retired from international competition in 1997.

Ian Stark was recently selected as cross-country course-designer at Bramham Horse Trials taking over from Sue Benson who is designing the course for the 2012 Olympics.

Ian won Bramham four times; in 1983 (Sir Wattie), 1984 (Charlie Brown IV), 1985 (Deansland) and 1996 (Forest Glen). Bramham will be his first time designing at CCI*** level in the UK.

We wish him well...

Michael Whitaker suspended in horse doping case

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has confirmed British rider Michael Whitaker has been provisionally suspended after his mount Thackeray tested positive in a competition last May at La Baule, France.

The FEI said Thackeray would remain grounded until the B sample has been analysed.

Michael Whitaker believes the synthetic hormone altrenogest was administered to the horse with its feed. The substance is found in Regu-Mate and is used as an anti-irritant in hot conditions.

Younger brother of British showjumping champion John Whitaker, Michael could now miss the European Championships which take place at Windsor at the end of August.

Regu-Mate promotional material lists its benefits and uses as ...

Regu-Mate the proven performer for performance mares - When you’re campaigning a mare, every advantage counts. That’s why more and more trainers are turning to Regu-Mate to suppress estrus and make their mares’ performances more predictable.

• Regu-Mate effectively suppresses estrus in 95 percent of mares after 3 days of treatment.
• When treatment is discontinued, mares exhibiting regular estrous cycles return to estrus within 4 to 5 days following treatment and continue to cycle normally.
• Regu-Mate can help alleviate moodiness and temperament changes associated with estrus.
• It’s easy to administer – orally or top-dressed on grain.

Good To See British Vaulting Heading To Aachen

A full British contingent of two senior teams, three female and two male individual vaulters and six horses are off to Aachen this weekend for the annual CVIO at the World Equestrian Festival from 26th June to 5th July.

There will be around 150 participants with almost 40 individual vaulters from the individual nations that were placed 1st-12th at the World Championships in 2008 or at the European Championships in 2007.

Joanne Eccles leads the British hopes and the British vaulting squad includes the first and second-placed teams from the two British selection trials and sisters Joanne and Hannah Eccles, who competed last year as individuals. They are joined by Lucy Phillips and her Austrian horse Pitucelli and male vaulters Ross Foreman and Phillip Beasley who are making a comeback following a year off.

Hopefully the British Vaulting Team will do well and continue to encourage local vaulters like the team at Grove House in Misterton, Nottinghamshire...

If you're interested in equestrian vaulting check out http://www.vaulting.org.uk/ .

The annual CHIO Aachen World Equestrian Festival in Aachen Germany, has been a major fixture on the international equestrian calendar for over one hundred years. You can find out more at http://www.chioaachen.com/default_e.asp