Recent content by sportsmansB

I get small wrapped bales which are the size of a large hay bale (so substantially bigger than the bagged stuff- they are still £8 each but I'd say have more than double the amount in a bag) - for next year, if you have a local farmer who makes for the yard you could ask them to make a quantity...

I'd say it was a mixture. The Abi Lyle case had got some publicity at the time, but that was a long time before, and he had spun a story (as far as I remember) that it was her father who had pushed for it due to not wanting the relationship, and it was a load of nonsense. Lots of people...

Katie's Trust are really pushing now for better safeguarding in the industry, where predatory men can have so much influence over young people- controlling their livelihood, their home, their passion for horses, when they are often physically separated from their families. We are bringing them...

I'm also an accountant - though I now have a broader COO role which covers pretty much everything Depends a bit on what you consider 'well paid' I chose to prioritise my career and now earn a very good salary - but I put the hours in to get it. Our industry is not really a WFH type (private...

I keep my horses on a big competition yard where we do use the walker - they go on in the morning while being mucked out and to warm up / dry off after riding if needs be. I know some people hate them but sometimes it is unavoidable, with many horses to ride and less time to turn out / bring in...

Our eventing yard offers BHS qualifications alongside CAFRE (we are in NI) it is a block day release type thing so it works OK for us - as long as the block isn't the week of a home international, we had to get them to change it one time and now they check! To be honest having seen many many...

I guess often times these horses pass down within national federations through coaches etc however given that most of the kiwi jnrs / YR are not in the UK and the horse is, it opens it up to a wider pool. I think it is great if these horses get a few more years at lower levels with people who...

Just to add to this - pretty much everyone feels like their riding isn't progressing as much as they would like and they aren't as natural as everyone else! It just shows that you are dedicated and trying hard, tough it can be a bit disheartening Well done for broaching a challenging...

Maybe she doesn't want to upset you by discussing why she doesn't want you on the 5yo so much any more. That's a very impressionable age for a horse, and every single experience they have shapes their future in some way. Maybe after your schooling sessions she felt he wasn't progressing as well...

Mine have a shelter with woodchip (I just poo pick it) adjoining the concrete yard and an all weather area with road planings which sort of loops around the stables (they are closed) and shelter. It joins onto paddocks too but I can close them off in the worst of the weather. They do lie down in...

We do have one who lives in an anti cast roller unless he is in one particular field. He is in the roller at all times when in an enclosed space. When in said field he still rolls too close to the edge but the fencing set up (with electric tape inside the P&R) means that so far he hasn't caused...

I can't tell you who to avoid, but Eric Gillies, Bramhams and Coopers are all to my knowledge OK. We have used Greenvale too and found them OK. If you are willing to pay for a private 2 horse, then Graham Equine Transport (Danielle) is excellent - shes a former top level groom and really cares...

XC rounds of the day for me were Sarah Ennis on her lovely 10yo who despite over jumping everything kept it up right to the end, and the gorgeous grey mare from Luxembourg who looks very like (and had the same 'hold my beer I've got this' attitude) to my beloved and sadly departed horse of a...

For a horse at his age and stage I don't think there is ever harm in just leaving them for several months and seeing what you are left with. I know getting to that point is still a challenge (where you feel he is well enough to turn away) but if you can get through that in 6-8 weeks, move to...

Individual draw just out - D Day and Its Cooley Time are the individuals