How Eventing Cross Country fences are being made safer

View the video from World Horse Welfare and British Eventing here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvwBd_MrQBs  - please share across your pages.

A new video has been released by World Horse Welfare and British Eventing, explaining some of the work that British Eventing has been doing in recent years to continue to make the sport safer.

The UK’s leading horse charity, World Horse Welfare visited the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in May 2013 to film BE’s frangible pin* being tested with the BE testing pendulum and rig as part of BE’s on-going safety initiatives.

BE National Safety Officer Jonathan Clissold discusses the developments that have taken place in the last decade with Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare, Roly Owers, whilst Martin Herbert from the research engineering company ADHQ explains the pin testing in action and the safety merits gained by the pins.

Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare, Roly Owers says: “World Horse Welfare fully supports the responsible use of horses in sport and as such we have been an independent welfare adviser to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) for the nearly 30 years.  We recognise that when we use horses for anything, especially in sport, there will always be an element of risk, but there is so much we can do to reduce the risks as far as practically possible.

“We were present at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials to find out about the latest work of British Eventing to make the cross country phase as challenging a test for horse and rider whilst also being as safe as possible.  One of the improvements that British Eventing has developed, based on many years of research, is the use of frangible pins that reduces the risk of injury to horse and rider from falls whilst still keeping the integrity of the fences.  And this year we saw a very good example of how effective these pins can be, providing a great example of British Eventing and the FEI putting welfare at the heart of the sport.” [See video link at top of release.]

BE Chief Executive, Mike Etherington-Smith says: “BE continually strives to find ways of improving safety across the sport. This video is a great showcase of our commitment to safety to the outside world and it is fantastic to be recognised for this by World Horse Welfare.”

The safety testing took place at Badminton by the kind permission of Hugh Thomas, director of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

View British Eventing’s Safety Manifesto and research developments page here: http://www.britisheventing.com/page.asp?section=202&sectionTitle=Safety+Research+and+Development+Programme

*A frangible pin is a deformable device which will cause a cross country fence to collapse when loaded with a total of 15 kilonewtons (7.5 kN on each pin).

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About World Horse Welfare

Visit World Horse Welfare’s website here: www.worldhorsewelfare.org

World Horse Welfare (Registered charity no: 206658 and SC038384), is an international horse charity that improves the lives of horses in the UK and worldwide through education, campaigning and hands-on care of horses.  Since we were founded in 1927, our whole approach has been practical, based on scientific evidence and our extensive experience, and focused on delivering lasting change across the full spectrum of the horse world.

In the UK our dedicated network of Field Officers investigate and resolve welfare problems, and we run four Rescue and Rehoming Centres where horses in need can receive specialist care, undergo rehabilitation and find loving new homes through our rehoming scheme – the largest of its kind in the UK. Our international training programmes alleviate the suffering of thousands of working horses by providing essential knowledge for horse owning communities in the developing world. We also work tirelessly to change legislation and attitudes to horse welfare through campaigns and education, including our founding campaign to end the suffering endured by the tens of thousands of horses transported long-distance across Europe to slaughter each year. We support the responsible use of horses in sport, and are an official welfare arm of the Fédération Equestre Intemationale (FEI) and welfare advisors to the British Horseracing Authority.

About British Eventing

Visit British Eventing’s website here: www.britisheventing.com

We, British Eventing, are the national governing body for the sport in Great Britain. Eventing is a unique combination of all the disciplines of dressage, cross country over fixed fences and show jumping in one exciting activity. It’s a sport that engages all ages and has equal opportunities to compete. We regulate as well as schedule more than 190 events throughout Britain that cater for nearly 94,000 entries per season (Mar-Oct). British Eventing has more than 11,000 members and provides access to cater for riders from grassroots to those performing at international level.

To deliver the sport on a national basis to the highest standard, we train hundreds of volunteers, officials, riders and technical support teams. The result is that we have successful European medal winning teams at Pony, Junior, Young Rider and Senior level.

For more information, please contact: Amy Fordham at amyfordham@worldhorsewelfare.org or 01953 497 248/ 07792 332 795 or Nina Lloyd Jones at nina.lloyd-jones@britisheventing.com or 02476 698 855/ 07872 685 510.

Alzheimer’s Research UK’s involvement as charity of the year for the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials was a huge success. The charity is on target to raise thousands of pounds for pioneering dementia research as a result of this prestigious equestrian event.

As the UK’s leading dementia research charity, Alzheimer’s Research UK specialises in finding preventions, treatments and a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The cost of dementia to the UK economy is estimated to be £23bn a year – more than heart disease and cancer combined. In spite of this, funding for dementia research still lags far behind other serious diseases and the charity relies on public donations to progress its ground-breaking research.

Champion supporters of Alzheimer’s Research UK Jamie and Vicki Graham, from Wiltshire, nominated the charity for selection for this premier occasion in world eventing. Jamie was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s five years ago, at just 59. Since then the couple have made it their mission to do everything they can to support the charity’s pioneering research.

Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

“We were proud to be chosen as charity of the year for the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, and hugely grateful to our Champion supporters Jamie and Vicki Graham for nominating us. The Trials provided a tremendous platform to raise money and awareness and gave us a wonderful opportunity to tell more people about dementia and the progress science is making.

“Thanks to the generosity of the thousands of spectators who attended the Trials, we collected £25,000 during the event and donations are still coming in. To put that into perspective, every £20 raised will pay for an hour of world-class research and the amount will make a fantastic contribution to help us progress. Countless people shared their personal stories of dementia with us and pledged their support.

The Badminton Horse Trials were such a success for Alzheimer’s Research UK in so many ways and that is due to the help of numerous people, including our army of 150 volunteers who worked tirelessly. Hugh Thomas and his team at the Trials office made us feel most welcome and supported us throughout. In addition, we were thrilled to be embraced by a line-up of distinguished equestrians who endorsed our involvement – William Fox-Pitt and Tina Cook together with Richard Meade, Daisy Berkeley and Nick Gauntlett who also led course walks to boost our funds.

“Our involvement in this major equestrian event will hold long term benefits for Alzheimer’s Research UK and the 820,000 people and their families living with dementia today. It enabled us to reach a far wider audience and highlight the need for more investment into dementia research. It also brought some of our family of new and existing supporters closer as they worked side by side as volunteers, with a joint focus of striving to defeat dementia. Support from events like Badminton plays a key part in helping us continue our crucial research.”

For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK and how to support the charity’s vital dementia research call 0300 111 5 555 or visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org

See:  http://www.goldeneye.biz   for more details.

A presentation to executive producer Chris Lewis will be made at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, 6 May 2013. The presentation celebrates the instrumental role Chris played in the successful TV coverage of the equestrian events at the London 2012 Olympic Games and more widely acknowledges the remarkable contribution he has made to equestrian sport coverage on TV through his involvement.

Chris has enjoyed a career in television sport production which has so far spanned five decades. He first worked at an Olympic Games in 1972 in Munich, where as a young floor manager he was at the centre of the BBC’s coverage of the hostage crisis.
Up to his retirement from the BBC in 2006 he produced coverage from other big sporting occasions including; boxing, snooker, athletics and motor racing as well as ten football World Cups and was one of the BBC’s main horse racing producers before he took on equestrian sport in 1999. With his own production company, Chris Lewis Media, he looks after television coverage of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, and is credited with introducing the ‘Jimmy Jib’ into equestrian coverage, a small crane type arrangement, now in common use, that can swoop up and down in a limited space.
The pictures and coverage from Greenwich, the venue for the 2012 Olympic equestrian events received much praise from a world-wide audience and were attributed as part of the reason for the success of London 2012 by FEI President, Princess Haya
BBC equestrian and Olympic commentator Mike Tucker said; “The venue at Greenwich was described as sensational and the pictures it provided as the best ever seen at an Equestrian Olympic Games. In general it was felt that they took our sport into homes that had no idea what equestrian sports were about and that to me is legacy. It was a huge team effort, but one that was put together and led by Chris Lewis.”
Andrew Finding the Chief Executive of the British Equestrian Federation said; “Chris is one of those people that have played a significant yet little known and appreciated part in our sport. It is easy to take for granted the pictures and images of televised equestrian events particularly perhaps because of the stunning visuals from Greenwich – and yet they are all due to the creativity and skill of Chris Lewis and his team. On behalf of the viewing public, our sports and our community, I express our gratitude to Chris. His imagination, preparation and leadership for and during the Olympic Games in London was remarkable. It meant that our sport “went global” on TV.
The presentation made by British Equestrian Federation Chairman, Keith Taylor, will take place in the main arena before the showjumping phase of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials on Monday May 6th at approximately 1.30pm.

In a nail-biting showjumping finale, New Zealander Jonathan (“Jock”) Paget turned in the performance of his career so far to lift the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials trophy.

Lying second overnight, the 29-year-old Badminton first-timer rode an immaculate clear aboard Francis Stead’s Clifton Promise to pile the pressure on the overnight leader Michael Jung with La Biosthetique Sam. The reigning Olympic, World and European Champion looked to have victory in the bag, but a late-falling rail at the final fence saw his chances of adding Badminton to his CV evaporate.

“I used to watch videos of Badminton, thinking it would be cool to be there one day – and now I am!” said Jock. “[Clifton Promise] is quite tricky – it’s like riding two different horses. But I’ve asked him a lot of questions over the past week and he’s answered every one.”

Michael was philosophical in defeat: “[Sam] jumped today with a lot of power. Perhaps I came into the final fence a little fast and flat, but I have been very happy with him all week. [Coming to Badminton] has been a great experience – the weather and the conditions have been fantastic.”

Andrew Nicholson’s clear round on Deborah Sellar’s Nereo was enough to secure him third spot when William Fox-Pitt and Catherine Witt’s Parklane Hawk lowered a rail and slipped to fifth. This means that Pippa Funnell’s Rolex Grand Slam achievement of being only rider ever to have won Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley consecutively, still stands.

“I knew I had to jump a clear round and I was focused on what I had to do,” said Andrew. “Nereo is a very good jumper and he jumped very well. It’s been an exciting week with the Rolex Grand Slam and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of it.”

Germany’s Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo rose one place from fifth to fourth with a final day clear, while Italian Stefano Brecciaroli and Apollo VD Wendi Kurt Hoeve rounded off the top six.

The top six in this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials:

1 Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise NZL (39.7)

2 Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam GER FBW (40)

3 Andrew Nicholson and Nereo NZL (40.2)

4 Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo GER (42.5)

5 William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk GBR (44)

6 Stefano Brecciaroli and Apollo VD Wendi Kurt Hoeve (46.8)

For the full results click here.

The Czech-bred thoroughbred stallion Heraldik was well represented at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. The former grand prix showjumper and world number one eventing sire was responsible for Sam Griffiths’ Happy Times (15th), Ingrid Klimke’s FRH Butts Abraxxas (16th), Kai-Steffen Meier’s TSF Karascada M (23rd) and Andreas Dibowski’s Butts Leon (eliminated at the final horse inspection). He is also the dam-sire of runner-up La Biosthetique-Sam.

Those at the top of the leaderboard represent a diverse range of bloodlines. The winner, Clifton Promise, is a New Zealand thoroughbred (by Engagement out of Darn Style), as is fifth-placed ex-racehorse Parklane Hawk, who is by Grosvenor out of a mare by Brilliant Invader, sire of many international event horses including 1996 Olympic gold medallist Reddy Teddy.

Of the remaining top five, third placed Nereo was bred in Spain by former rider Ramon Beca and is by the thoroughbred Fines out of Berganza by the Hanoverian Golfi, while Sandra Auffarth’s Opgun Louvo is French-bred Selle Francais by Shogoun II, who was an international show jumper under Philipe Le Jeune and Eric Navet.

Tom McEwen’s ride, the 13-year-old thoroughbred Dry Old Party is another to have made the transition from the track to eventing. He ran seven times during his two years in training with Peter Winkworth. He is by Un Desperado (sire of three time gold cup winner Best Mate) out of a mare by Torus. Elizabeth Power’s September Bliss (26^th) also started life on the racecourse. He was previously trained by Jessica Harrington in Ireland and ridden in races by Elizabeth’s brother, Robert. He is by Norwich (a son of Top Ville) out of mare by Good Thyne.

The top 10 after cross-country in the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials have all passed this morning’s trot-up. The top three, Michael Jung’s La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, Jonathan Paget’s Clifton Promise and William Fox-Pitt’s Parklane Hawk, all come forward for this afternoon’s final showjumping phase.

Three horses were withdrawn overnight – Lauren Shannon’s Zero Flight (number 52), Ludwig Svennerstal’s Alexander (number 26) and Mark Todd’s Ravenstar (number 119).

Six were sent to the holding box: Jonathan Paget’s Clifton Lush, Caroline Powell’s Boston Two Tip, Sebastian Mateu’s Born Again, Nicola Wilson’s Opposition Buzz, Andreas Dibowski’s Butts Leon and Jim Newsam’s Magennis. Only one of these – Butts Leon – was not accepted.

This leaves 65 combinations to come forward for showjumping. The lower-placed riders begin their final test at 10.45am, while showjumping for the top 20 riders will start at 1.30pm.

American rider, Colleen Rutledge, shares her experiences after cross country at her first Badminton.

This year’s Badminton field included 20 first-timers – five of whom currently lie in the top 10.

Aside from the overnight leader Michael Jung and runner-up Jonathan Paget, Germany’s Sandra Auffarth and America’s Tiana Coudray both had dream debut rides, finishing the day in fifth and 10^th places respectively.

Sandra added just 1.2 time penalties to her dressage score of 41.3.

“I had a great ride.  It was my first time here, so I didn’t know how he would cope with the distance and the terrain of the cross-country. I didn’t want to push him too hard which is why I got a few time penalties,” she said.

Tiana was sporting an ear-to-ear grin after her foot-perfect ride on Ringwood Magister, which left her with two time penalties to add to her dressage score of 43.3.

“He’s a fantastic horse and he tried his heart out out there,” she said afterwards.  “He got better and better the further round the course we went. I didn’t feel like we were completely on-song in the warm-up – which is a bit of a worry at Badminton – but we soon got in the groove.”

Tiana’s only anxious moment came when a bandage on Ringwood Magister’s leg unravelled itself before the Lake.

“I noticed it as I was approaching the Mitsubishi Pick-Ups, but luckily it broke off and didn’t get in the way.”

Tina said of tomorrow’s showjumping: “I don’t want to jinx us, but he’s normally a very good jumper on the final day. I wouldn’t want to be sitting on anything else.”

Of the other first-timers, France’s Astier Nicolas and Piaf De B’Neville’s clean sheet elevated them into the top 20 – they currently lie 17^th – while Tom McEwen and Dry Old Party achieved the same feat to rise from equal 32^nd after dressage to 19^th.