equine news A visit to The Household Cavalry
As we all know horses have played a big part in the life of our Royal Family, and none more so than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
So to be invited to deliver a day course for the Her Majesty’s soldiers at the Hyde Park Barracks, home to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, seemed too good to be true for Nottinghamshire based Gillian Higgins, founder of Horses Inside Out.
Military horses have to carry very heavy weights and stand immobile for long periods, so this can result in sore backs. Gillian’s remit as part of a training programme, was to teach the soldiers some basic skeletal anatomy and show them Pilates and stretch-type exercises they could do with their horses in order to make them more comfortable. However, a few weeks later she was contacted by the Lance Sergeant who asked if she would consider returning to the Barracks and paint a horse with its skeleton to show HM The Queen the anatomical aspect of the training given previously. HM The Queen was visiting to the barracks to officially name her latest drum horse. Perseus a magnificent nine-year-old animal, with the most wonderful feathers, will carry the drummer in the Household Cavalry Band. The Queen heard how Household Cavalry drum horses carry the rank of Major and are senior to all other animals in the Army.
HM The Queen listens as Gillian points out the anatomy of the hip
Perseus is currently undergoing intensive, specialised training for the role as the Blues and Royals Drum Horse, and is set to pass out on the Queen’s Birthday Parade next June Her Royal Highness, accompanied by Prince Charles were also invited to inspect ‘the lines’ and see some aspects of the soldiers equine training. Gillian was really honoured to meet her Majesty and explain how the bone structure, which had been painted on the horse, helped to teach soldiers about equine anatomy. During her brief encounter with the Quinn, the painted horse (who behaved impeccably), the Queen showed a real interest in the painting and the anatomy and, like so many people who see painted horses, was particularly interested to discover how the paint is removed! Gillian said, “It was a great honour to have been invited. HM The Queen was particularly interested in aspects of the neck and hip.”
www.horsesinsideout.com
An evening with the stars
William Whitaker in action Photo by Jon Stroud Media
On the 28th November an exclusive group of celebrity equestrians will gather for the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund ‘Evening with the Stars’ at the RAF Private Members Club in Mayfair.
Stars in the hot seat include British showjumper William Whitaker, Irish eventer Jonty Evans, ITV news presenter and equestrian Alastair Stewart OBE and David Mould, a former National Hunt jockey who rode for high-profile owners such as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Sir Winston
Churchill. The event will be hosted by top equestrian TV presenter and commentator Steven Wilde. The evening will raise vital funds for this unique equestrian charity as well as being a fantastic night out and a chance to mingle with the stars.
Guests can enjoy pre dinner drinks in the Churchill Bar followed by a three course fine dining menu and wine in the Ballroom of this prestigious venue.
Numbers are strictly limited - for further information
www.mdirf.co.uk
BEF votes for change
Quinn, all painted up and ready for the Royal Visit
Her Majesty asked Gillian many questions about her work
Muffin the Mule retires
One of Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s most beloved rescued residents – Muffin the mule – is taking a bow from the charity’s popular Adoption Scheme. Muffin was saved from slaughter when he was just a foal, becoming a Redwings “Adoption Star” in 1987 shortly after his arrival at Redwings’ Caldecott visitor centre, near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk. Now, after three decades, Muffin will take a step back from the limelight and retire from the scheme. This means he will no longer be available for adoption, although he will keep in touch with his existing sponsors and his fans can still continue to visit him at his home. Lynn Cutress, Redwings’ Chief
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Executive, said: “Our magnificent Muffin celebrated his 30th birthday with a big party this year, and while he remains in good health for his age, we couldn’t think of a more fitting time for him to take a well-earned retirement.”
www.redwings.org.uk
The BEF’s member bodies recently voted unanimously, at an Extraordinary General Meeting, to approve new Articles of Association for the BEF, the key milestone in achieving compliance with UK Sport and Sport England’s A Code for Sports Governance. The new structure sees a change in the relationship between the BEF Council and the board, as required by the Code. A new board of 12 directors will be chaired by an interim independent Chair, Ed Warner OBE, the former Chair of UK Athletics, a post he held for over a decade.
Says Ed: “The new board and I will work with our members to achieve a secure and positive future for the BEF, where compliance with A Code for Sports Governance, across all its requirements, will form part of business as usual, not simply a box-ticking exercise. Our interest is in supporting the entire equestrian world with integrity and objectivity, from our multi-medal winning Equestrian Team GBR to a child having their first riding lesson; from team sponsors to fans; from volunteers to charitable donors.”
Bits with bling
The Shine Bright Edition bits are available across Sprenger’s KK Ultra and RS Dynamic ranges and feature Swarovski crystal embellishments at the ends of the mouthpiece for some added sparkle. FEI and BD legal. Available in: Crystal, Aquamarine, Chrysolite, light Colorado Topaz, Provence lavender and vintage rose. RRP: from £132.00 to £174.00.
For stockists: 01352 763350 or
www.zebraproducts.co.uk
www.theequinesite.co.uk
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