The Equestrian Blog

Be warned – Horsetail, Mares Tail or Scouring Rush

Just a quick question... As horse owners we're mostly all familiar with the battle against ragwort and how it has spread into every field, central reservation and grass verge in the country, but how many of us know anything about mares tail?

Horse or Mares Tail, (scientific name Equisetum Palustre), is toxic to horses and should in my opinion be equestrian enemy number one. It looks like it belongs in Jurassic Park and spreads like wildfire. From a few small patches last year my paddock is now covered in it and it looks as if it's spreading fast and here to stay.

I've been researching this plant and what I've discovered doesn't make for pleasant reading.. more at Mares Tail - Toxic To Horses

BSJA Launch New Series

Posted by debbie | Filed under Equestrian News, Show Jumping

The BSJA has launched a new £60,000 competition series at UK County Shows.

The series will run at Devon County, Royal Highland, South of England, Great Yorkshire, Royal Norfolk, New Forest, Pembroke and Royal Berkshire.

It will carry a total of £60,000 in prize-money and will be funded by the British Show Jumping Association Business Partnership and their county show venues.

The 1.50m eight class series will be run on a league table points system and will conclude at Royal Berkshire in September.

The league table will carry a bonus of £45,000 worth of rider ranking points with £10,000 of those going to the winner. Ranking points will be awarded in a sliding scale down to 8th place alongside the competition cash prizes.

"It's superb we have been able to introduce a series at this level that meet our objectives for assessing horse and rider, and is a great stepping stone for those capable of progressing to four and five star Nation's cup competitions," said newly appointed chairman of the international committee Clare Whitaker.

"This is a fantastic series made possible by the BSJA Business Partnership, which was formed with a view to bring like-minded businesses together through the sport to assist in delivery of medals for Great Britain" said the BSJA spokesman Maria Clayton.

Full Details on the BSJA website