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

European Eventing Championships

Posted by debbie | Filed under Equestrian News

The FEI European Eventing Championships start today at Fontainebleau (FRA) and run until the 27 September. The championships include a full line-up of 18 nations who have nominated riders.

FEI Eventing Championships at Fontainbleau British hopes rest with Oliver Townend, winner of Badminton and Burghley this year, record seven-time European medalist William Fox-Pitt and Tina Cook, who won team and individual bronze at the 2008 Olympics. They are joined by three European newbies Lucy Wiegersma, Nicola Wilson and Piggy French.

France has won team silver 7 times since 1993 and individual gold with local hero Nicholas Touzaint in 2007, they have yet to win team gold.

Germany is seen as the strong favourite but hasn't won team gold for 40 years, a fact they are looking to change.

The European Eventing Championships began in 1953 and the UK can boast 20 team and 17 individual gold medals won by celibrated riders like Lucinda Green, Ian Stark, Pippa Funnell and Zara Phillips. Supreme Rock ridden by Pippa Funnell is the only horse to have won back-to-back titles, in 1999 and 2001. Ginny Elliot (GBR) is the only rider to have won the European title 3 times, which she did it in succession in 1985, 1987 and 1989. Ginny is now the Irish team trainer. William Fox-Pitt has won the most European medals with 5 team golds and 2 individual silvers. This will be his 7th European Eventing Championship.

This years course designer is Pierre Michelet and France has hosted the FEI European Championships twice before, in Haras du Pin (1969) and Pau (2001)

Follow the action and get full details of the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championship 2009 at www.fontainebleau2009.com