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

Lack of Equestrian Sponsorship Causing Cancellations

Posted by admin | Filed under Equestrian News

Equestrian Event Sponsorship 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.