Monthly Archives: February 2013

Canterbury Horse Rescue Centre may put down its 25 horses if forced to close: This is Kent

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

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[This is Kent] An animal charity facing closure may be forced to put down 25 horses if urgent funds are not raised. Canterbury Horse Rescue Centre has been plunged into financial crisis after the recession caused donations to dwindle.

UNDER THREAT: Horses may have to be put down if the centre closes.

UNDER THREAT: Horses may have to be put down if the centre closes. Picture: Canterbury Horse Rescue Centre

Trustees have launched a desperate appeal for funds, in the hope of saving the last remaining equestrian charity in Kent – and the lives of the horses that live there.

Yard manager Stella King, 50, said: “We are currently caring for 25 animals who cannot be re-homed due to medical and behavioural issues.

“This will result in them having to be euthanased if we are forced into closure – which will happen in two weeks if we don’t raise enough money.

“There would be nowhere else for the animals to go. I don’t like the thought of it at all, but it’s a quality of life issue.

“The older horses with breathing difficulties or other medical problems would be put down. We would try to get other charities to take them, but everyone is suffering at the moment.”

The charity has been rescuing abandoned horses, mules, ponies and donkeys since it was founded in Sturry 10 years ago.

Stella, who lives in Staines Hill in Sturry, said it ran into difficulty after the economic climate forced supporters to stop donating.

She added: “The charity is very small. It doesn’t have loads of investors.

“The money donated goes straight into caring for the horses, their welfare and rehabilitation.”

The centre is called to the aid of horses found dumped in places such as cemeteries, cul-de-sacs and waste-grounds all over the South East.

Stella said: “If the charity shuts down, there will be no-one to respond to these emergencies, and ponies will end up dead in fields.

“We’ve been inundated with calls, but we’ve already had to start turning people down.”…..

Read the full story at This is Kent….

If you would like to help and for information about how to donate, visit…..

www.canterburyhorserescue.org

or

Visit the Canterbury Horse Rescue Centre Facebook page here…..

This is Kent
6th Feb, 2013

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Demand outstrips supply in equestrian property: Farminguk.com

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by in Equestrian News, United Kingdom

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[Farminguk.com] Estate agency Halls has appealed for more country properties with land and outbuildings to satisfy growing demand for tenants with equestrian interests.

Demand is outstripping supply,particularly for rental properties with land and stabling.

Demand is outstripping supply,particularly for rental properties with land and stabling. Photo: ruralandequestrian.com

Demand is outstripping supply, the agency said, particularly for rental properties with land and stabling.                          equihunter horseboxes

“Horse owners, in particular, are looking for rental properties that have land and stabling” Gemma Smart said.

“If you cannot afford to buy a property and you own a horse, it’s very expensive to keep it on livery.”                       horse lorry

She reported a busy rental market for all types of property, with Halls attracting a growing number of quality potential tenants searching for large houses in North Shropshire.

“The size of deposit that lenders now demand from buyers is making it difficult and, in many cases, impossible for people to get on the home ownership ladder,” she added.

“Halls’ recently opened lettings office in Ellesmere offers tailor-made solutions to make letting and management of residential property as easy as possible for landlords, including a comprehensive database of prospective tenants matching properties to the right people.”

Read the full story at farminguk.com…..

Farming UK

30th Jan, 2013

It all adds up for Jessica Mendoza at Addington Manor: Wiltshire Times

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by in Equestrian News, Showjumping, United Kingdom

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[Wiltshire Times] Tockenham showjumper Jessica Mendoza fended off competition from Britain’s top international riders to win the 1.50m Grand Prix on Nuggets L’Amandour at Addington Manor.

Jessica Mendoza riding Nuggets L’Amandour in the Addington Grand Prix

Jessica Mendoza riding Nuggets L’Amandour in the Addington Grand Prix (Pictured by Risto Aaltonen)

The 16 year old faced competition from around 50 others in the class, including top British competitors Tina Fletcher and Michael and Ellen Whitaker.

Mendoza was one of only eight in the jump-off, going early on, setting a fast clear round target which none of the others could beat.

“Without a doubt, this would be Jess’s biggest win to date. It was one of the biggest tracks you get in national competitions and knowing that we can hold our own against the very best in the country makes the future look good,” said father and trainer Paul.

“I’m so happy with that. The horse went really well for me,” added Jessica.

It has been a good month for Mendoza who – in addition to taking home £9,000 in prize money from the Addington Grand Prix – has been accepted on to the World Class Development Programme.

The programme works with talented riders to maximise their potential and deliver success on the international stage, with the Rio Olympics in mind….

Read the full story at the Wiltshire Times…..

Wiltshire Times
1st Feb, 2013

Riding high – Equestrian sports bask in Olympic success: The Oxford Times

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by in Dressage, Equestrian News, Eventing, Olympics, Showjumping, United Kingdom

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[The Oxford Times] Following London 2012, Britain is officially the best country in the world at Olympic horse riding. Team GB aced the equestrian event with three gold medals, one silver and one bronze.

The club has welcomed 20 new members since the Olympic games.

The club has welcomed 20 new members since the Olympic games. Photo: Pigeon House Equestrian

With more than 20 stables and equestrian centres in the county, Oxfordshire is a great place to learn. Sarah Hill, who runs Pigeon House Equestrian near Woodstock, said the club has welcomed 20 new members since the Olympic games.

Ms Hill, 42, from North Leigh, near Witney, said: “It has been really good for the sport.

“The British are great riders, going back years and years.”        equihunter horseboxes

She said it takes 18 months for a rider to build up the necessary bond with their horse.

Olympic horse riders compete in three disciplines – dressage, show jumping, and eventing, which combines the first two skills with cross-country racing.

Ms Hill’s 17-year-old daughter, Olivia Abdolrazaghi, is in training to become a professional horse rider, and hopes one day to compete in the Olympics.

Next year she will take part in eventing competitions, for which she had to register with the governing body, British Eventing.                  horse lorry

Miss Abdolrazaghi said: “It is a very competitive environment, but I like the thrill of it.”

At each event, the competitors first walk the cross-country course with their trainers to memorise the route……

Read the full story at The Oxford Times…..

The Oxford Times – Pete Hughes
5th Feb, 2013

Contact: Sarah Hill – Pigeon House Equestrian

Telephone: 01993 881628
Email: info@horse-rides.co.uk

New Site Found for Essex Based Equestrian Centre: The Enquirer

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by in Dressage, Equestrian News, Eventing, Showjumping, United Kingdom

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[The Enquirer] An equestrian centre in jeopardy has been offered a new home by Basildon Council to safeguard the future of the centre for riders and their horses.

The current centre only has a lease with the Homes and Communities Agency until March 2014.

The current centre only has a lease with the Homes and Communities Agency until March 2014. Image: Longwood EC

Longwood Equestrian Centre, based in Dry Street, Basildon, have been offered a new home by Basildon Council next to Wat Tyler Country Park.

The current centre only has a lease with the Homes and Communities Agency until March 2014. The Agency owns the land and is developing proposals in partnership with the Council and South Essex College to create new family housing, that will in turn help to fund a new £30m town centre college campus.

The new campus on Market Square, received the go ahead by the Council’s Development Control and Traffic Management Committee by a narrow margin on Tuesday, 29 January.              horse lorry              equihunter horseboxes

Basildon Council and the HCA have been working to find a new site for the owners of Longwood, and announced on Tuesday that land next to Wat Tyler has been offered to the Centre on a long lease, subject to further work to determine the suitability of the site.

The centre will also get a significant sum from section 106 planning contributions to help it relocate, on the condition that it remains in the Borough.  This gives the centre owner the flexibility to also look for private land within the Borough in the knowledge that financial assistance will still be available even if he does not choose the council owned site.

Councillor Malcolm Buckley, cabinet member for regeneration, says: “I am delighted that we are able to offer this alternative site to the Longwood Equestrian Centre.  We recognise that this is a popular facility, and have been committed to keeping it within the borough.

“We have been doing all that we can to find a suitable relocation site within the Council’s ownership and I am pleased that we can now make this offer subject to further work to determine its suitability, along with financial help to facilitate a move.  I now look forward to seeing the centre’s proposals for the future.”

Read the full story at The Enquirer…..

The Enquirer
6th Feb, 2013

For further enquiries about the Longwood Equestrian Centre….

Call:  01702 202520 – During Office Hours 

Email: info@longwoodec.com

Address:
Longwood Equestrian Centre
Dry Street
Basildon
Essex
SS16 5NG

Equestrian interests soar in China: Horse & Hound

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by in Asia, Equestrian News, Showjumping

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[Horse & Hound] A riding population of 150,000 may not sound impressive, but starting from zero less than a decade ago, Chinese equestrianism is clearly going places.

Western breeds are popular, Warmbloods, Arabs and Quarter horses are favoured.

Western breeds are popular, Warmbloods, Arabs and Quarter horses are favoured. Image: courtesy xinhuanet.com

The world’s fastest growing economy has a new cash-rich middle class who, buoyed by interest from the 2008 Olympic Games, has quickly embraced “status” pursuits such as horse sport and golf.                                         equihunter horseboxes

Until recently, only a few hundred horses, mostly racers, were imported.

But in 2012, 2,000 thoroughbreds and sport horses — mostly from France, Germany, Ireland and Holland — entered China.

About 600 riding clubs cater for 50,000 serious riders and a further 100,000 ride weekly.

Li Yanyang, publisher of China’s main equestrian magazine, Horsemanship, believes growth is 15-20% a year and that £60million was spent on new facilities between 2010 and 2012

Western breeds are popular, Warmbloods, Arabs and Quarter horses are favoured.

“But local breeds and local crosses are cherished,” added Li Yanyang. “These horses are good doers and sturdy, their main appeal.”

China’s proud history was based on the back of warrior horses. Millions of indigenous ponies still work in rural areas, notably inner Mongolia and Xinjiang.

But because China has no culture of leisure riding and suffers from harsh winters, westernised activity is based round club-style resorts with multiple indoor schools.

They are mostly around Beijing and the affluent Yangtse and Pearl River deltas, the so-called “factory of the world”…..

Read the full story at Horse & Hound…..

Horse & Hound
5th Feb, 2013

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Royal Windsor Horse Show celebrates 70th Anniversary: Sidmouth Herald

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by in Dressage, Equestrian News, Showjumping, United Kingdom

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[Sidmouth Herald] The Royal Windsor Horse Show this year celebrates its 70th Anniversary and tickets are now available.

The event is to be held in the private grounds of Windsor Castle from May 8 to May 12.

The event is to be held in the private grounds of Windsor Castle from May 8 to May 12. Photo courtesy of RWHS

This classic English Horse Show was started in 1943 by Count Robert Orssich and Mr Geoffrey Cross to raise money for the war effort and has run every year since, with the exception of 2001 when the outbreak of foot and mouth stopped the Show. The first show was attended by all of the Royal Family including the then Princess Elizabeth. Her Majesty The Queen has attended the Show every year since.

This year’s Show will be a special event in celebration of its 70 years with outstanding equestrian and military displays being included in its packed programme. One of the highlights will be The Musical Drive of The Kings Troop with its teams of 68 horses pulling six one and a half ton World War One guns will perform complex movements at a pace, including the famous criss-cross.                           equihunter horseboxes

In addition The Household Cavalry will perform their Musical Ride at the Show, treating the Windsor audience to a display of speed and precision from the 26 horses and riders.

The packed programme of Jumping and Showing classes annually attracts over 3,000 entries and 45,000 visitors. Royal Windsor is a celebration of all things equestrian. On top of the 170 Jumping and Showing Classes runs The Land Rover International Carriage Driving Grand Prix, one of the most important events in the European Driving Calendar. In addition the Show entertains with, fun pony and junior rider competitions such as The Shetland Pony Grand National and the DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games, traditional military competitions including The Best Turned Out Trooper and Military Tent Pegging competitions and grass roots jumping including over 15 classes run by The British Horse Society.

Simon Brooks-Ward, Event Director, commented: “We are immensely looking forward to……

Read the rest of this story at Sidmouth Herald 24…..

Sidmouth Herald
5th Feb, 2013

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