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PROJUMP LIKE A

JUMP LIKE A

PRO

PONYMAG.COM

THE UKS NO1 PONY MAGAZINE

Behind-the-scenes at Badminton Horse Trials

test yourHORSEY know-how

spring gearfor you

HOW TO STOP YOUR PONY GETTING FAT

Cool

accurate riderHOW TO BE AN

HACKINGCONFIDENCE

SORTED

May

2016

3.4

9Is

sue

812

9 7 7 0 0 3 2 4 2 5 1 8 8

0 5

2 PONY magazine PONY magazine 3

INSIDE your mag...LOUISE AND TED

VICTORIA AND FLYNN

Available on

PONY magazine, Marlborough House, Headley Road, Grayshott, Surrey GU26 6LG Tel 01428 601020 Email [email protected] Email Duggie at [email protected]

Team PONY Editor-in-Chief Louise Kittle Assistant Editor Laura Hodgson Editorial & Marketing Executive Victoria Rea Magazine Assistant Jessica LewisArt Editor Sarah Garland Designer Adam WittJunior Designer Rachel CresswellPublisher Zoe Cannon Marketing Manager Gemma ONeilMarketing Co-ordinator Alison HillGroup Advertising Manager Abi Cannon Advertisement Manager Sammy Backstrom Sales Executive Victoria HoweProduction Freda Jackson

Executive PONY Managing Director Kate Austin Publishing Director Terry Grimwood Commercial Director Marion OSullivan MBE Deputy Managing Directors Steve Moore, Andrea Moffatt

Smooth operation PONYOffice Manager Vicki Owen Accounts Manager Peggy Ainsworth Accounts Executive Sarah Smith Advertising enquiries 01428 601022 PONY subscriptions 01795 414818 Single copy 4.73 UK, 4.92 Europe, 5.38 RoW. Binder for 13 issues 8 UK, 11.50 Europe, 13 RoW (inc P&P). Call 01428 601020 to order. PONY magazine is published lovingly every four weeks by D J Murphy (Publishers) Ltd, Marlborough House, Headley Road, Grayshott, Surrey, GU26 6LG

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Every effort is made to ensure that the information and advice contained in these articles is correct and appropriate, but no

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PONY magazine supports social media safety to have a Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube account, you must be

at least 13 years old. Always get your parents permission, too.

Whos who?

Team PONY is getting super-excited for the competition season ahead. The build-up to the world-famous Badminton Horse Trials has begun and we cant wait to witness the thrills n spills action on cross-country day! Check out our behind-

the-scenes sneak peek on page 16. All the excitement has got us geared up and comp practice is in full swing!

I was really lucky to visit top eventer Izzy Taylors yard, where she gave her fab jumping advice to readers Poppy and Amy. They practised some handy exercises to help perfect their jumping rhythm essential for jumping a great round. Check it out on page 6, and you and your pony will be jumping like pros in no time!

Were busy organising tonnes of photoshoots here at PONY HQ, and are looking forward to getting out and about, snapping loads of fab pics! I cant wait to spend my days celeb-spotting at events and making sure ponies look glam for their close-ups. Weve just got to hope for sunshine! Until next month,

PONY team adventuresThis month...

xoxo

INSIDE your mag...

LAURA AND PIPER

Write to us at PONY mag, Marlborough House, Grayshott, Surrey GU26 6LGemail: [email protected]

JESSICA AND SUNNY

Our models perfect their jumping rhythm with Izzy Taylors advice


INSIDE your mag...

Check out our fab comp to

WIN FAB NAF

GOODIES! Turn to page 2

0

4 NOSY PONY Horsey news, views and goss

44 PONYGRAM Our fave #PoniesInPlaits

46 SHOUT OUT Your fab letters, ponies and pets

54 FESS UPS Your cringe moments revealed

66 IN THE FRAME Will your drawing feature?

See yourself in PONY!6 JUMP LIKE A PRO Follow Izzy Taylors advice

10 HACK WITH CONFIDENCE Follow our 25 top tips!

12 BE AN ACCURATE RIDER We show you how

Be a better rider

22 WEIGHT WATCHING TIPS Keep your pony trim and healthy

28 PONY ACADEMY Take our breathing paper!

32 READ THE SIGNS Pony body language explained

Pony care explained

16 BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS We go behind-the-scenes

18 PONY ONLINE! Whats happening on the web

20 WIN! Fab NAF goodies

26 PERSONALISE YOUR KIT Show off your creative side

36 PONY KNOWLEDGE QUIZ How much do you know?

38 AWESOME POSTERS Theyre super-cute

48 SPRING FASHION Stay stylish with this fab gear!

60 WIN IT! Loads of prizes up for grabs

68 CHARITY UPDATE News from fab horsey charities

70 PONIES FOR SALE Groom it, ride it, love it!

Other stuff

Great reading42 MEET WILLIAM FUNNELL Learn about his life with horses 52 PHOTOSTORY Cant keep up! Part two

58 READERS REAL LIVES Terrified of my instructor!

62 HELP! Tonnes of advice from experts

74 PHOEBE PETERS WRITES Big horse, big plans!

INSIDE your mag...CANT FIND PONY? WELL, THAT JUST

WONT DO!Call us on 01428 601020 or email [email protected] and tell us the shop, street name and town where its missing, and well be all

over it!

Pippa Funnell flies the Vicarage Ditch at Badminton! Check out page 16 for more.

Subscribe to PONY on page 56 and never miss an issue!

PROJUMP LIKE A

JUMP LIKE A

PRO

PONYMAG.COM




spring gearfor you


Cool


HACKINGCONFIDENCE

SORTED

May

2016

3.4

9Is

sue

812

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0 5

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Nosy pony!

A bareback showjumping challenge was held at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre, in aid of the Air Ambulance. With more than 100 entries, only 46 riders were lucky enough to be chosen to compete for the 1,500 prize pot. The showjumping course was set at 90cm, with a larger joker fence that knocked three seconds off competitors times, if cleared successfully. The event raised more than 2,700 for the charity, with the stands in the arena packed with spectators, and 12,000 people watching online. Check it out at bit.ly/BuryFarm.

Horsey news, views and goss!

Check out the impressive joker fence!

Bareback thrills and spills

I read mine with one of my fave ponies, Imp! MaddieSend us your pics to [email protected]

WHERE DO YOU READ YOURS?

Pho

tos:

Dia

na C

hap

pell,

E.S

. Pho

tog

raph

y, S

BM

Pho

tog

raph

ic

What a nice idea to go for a Walk, charlie! the lambs

are so cute!

sure! itll be fine. folloW me!

do you think We should go in there,

charlie?

uh-oh, look charlie, a

bull!

dont Worry, hes probably more scared

of us than We are of him!

What Was that you Were saying,

charlie?

ruuunn!!!

The misadventures of Charlie!


Make sure to keep an eye out for World Horse Welfares Invisible Horse Trail at Badminton Horse Trials. The charity has worked with sculptor Judy Boyt to create a herd of horses that will form a trail around the event. Each horse has been designed by a leading artist or personality. Visit the WHW stand to pick up your free map.

Follow the trail!

VIRAL VID!We cant have a viral video section without including the famous #DancePonyDance video from 3. If you havent seen Socks, the adorable moonwalking pony, head over to bit.ly/dancingpony to have a giggle! Do you have any funny pony-related videos? Send them over to us at [email protected]

Blue skies and sunshine? Weve got serious Ben Maher envy right now!@BenMaher1 Carolina will be my FEI horse this week in Wellington, we had a good start today ready for the week ahead

Laura Collett is snapped preparing for dressage on Grand Manoeuvre.@CollettEventing Grand Manoeuvre having the finishing touches done by @zanie2009 before his leading dressage test

We were seriously inspired watching top eventers in action last month!@ponymaguk Team PONYs Laura with our junior roving reporters at the Pippa Funnell and Piggy French lecture demo

New championships at HOYSHorse of the Year Show (HOYS) will be running a new Junior Mountain and Moorland Ridden Championship class for riders aged 1014. Its the first year a championship will be held for this age range at the prestigious show, and the class will be sponsored by LEGO Friends. It aims to support stars of the future, as well as Mountain and Moorland breeds. Qualifying shows start in April find a list of all qualifiers at bit.ly/hoys_mm

Meet the PONY Team

If youre at Badminton Horse Trials from 4-8 May 2016, make sure to visit the World of the Horse pavilion to check out

the PONY Mag stand, and say hello to the team!

SPOTTED!Weve been keeping an eye on all the latest celeb gossip over social media what have your

fave riders been up to?

bit.ly/ponyviralvid


Perfect your

Whether you love cross-country or showjumping, a good rhythm when jumping is the key to success. Top eventer, Izzy Taylor, gives her tips to perfect your rhythm

jumpingTh

anks

to

KB

IS In

sura

nce

for

thei

r he

lp w

ith

this

fea

ture

. To

find

out

mor

e ab

out

the

KB

IS N

SE

A T

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ing

Bur

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6 PONY magazine

rhythm

Our trainerIzzy Taylor competes at

four-star level and has

completed some of the

biggest events in the world,

including Badminton and

Burghley. She represented

Team GB at the 2013

and 2015 European

Championships, and is

sponsored by KBIS.


jumping Our model12-year-old Poppy has owned her 11-year-old gelding, Chorleys Viscount (Victor), for two years. They love eventing and compete at BE90 and BE100, a

nd

won the 14 years and under

KBIS NSEA Training Bursary

in 2015.

Our modelAmy is 16 years old an

d

owns seven-year-old mare,

Red Shelly (Shelly). They

compete in showjumping

and won the 15 years and

over KBIS NSEA Training

Bursary in 2015.

Top tip!Before you start jumping, make sure your canter is balanced and even.

PONY magazine 7

Why is rhythmimportant?A consistent rhythm around a course, whether showjumping or cross-country, is essential for a successful round. A good rhythm is where a ponys hoofbeats are even and regular, and it helps ponies to stay in balance.

In order to get a good rhythm over a fence, its important to first establish a balanced, rhythmical trot and canter before you begin jumping.

Work on a steady, even trot before you begin cantering. A trot that is too fast or unbalanced will affect the rhythm of the canter. If your ponys canter isnt balanced, he might misjudge the take-off and add in

an extra stride before the fence, or take off too far away.

Once his paces are balanced, start by jumping a cross-pole. It can be tempting to push your pony towards a fence, especially if you think you wont meet it correctly, but remember your pony has two eyes! He can judge the fence, too. Your job is to keep the rhythm and let the fence come to you.

...but a balanced, rhythmical approach produced a good jump

...but from a balanced canter,Amy gets a good jump

An unbalanced approach meant Victor met the fence in the wrong place and took off too early...

Warm up

Shellys paces were too fast with Amys reins too long...


Exercise 1

Exercise 2

In order to meet each fence well every time, you need to keep your pony balanced so the size and shape of your circle stays the same. Keep your inside leg on to push your pony out on the circle. If you allow him to fall in, it will have an affect on how close he gets to the fence. Count the number of strides your pony takes in between each fence and try to keep it the same each time.

Dont push your pony on or steady him as you ride the circle, as it will affect his rhythm. If you feel you need to make an alteration, do it as soon as you land. Never adjust your fave ponys speed on the last three strides before the fence.

It can take a few attempts before you get the hang of meeting the pole and fence well, and jumping from a consistent rhythm. With this exercise, if the rhythm isnt correct, its easily noticeable as your pony will meet the pole on an uneven stride, making his jump over the fence awkward. Its a good way to test yourself.

This exercise helps with rhythm and balance, and encourages your pony to produce a rounded jump.

Jumping on a circle helps improve your ponys rhythm.

Once you can complete exercise one confidently, make it more challenging by adding placing poles, one before and one after each fence.

This exercise helps you practise looking for your next fence, as riding on a circle means you have to continually look where you want to go to maintain balance.

Poppy and Victor didnt have a good rhythm on the approach, so they get an unbalanced jump...

...but do a much better job next time

Set it up Put down your placing pole three metres away from the base of the

fence (see page 9).


Top tip!Riders and ponies often

favour a rein and find exercises like these more comfortable on one rein. Always practise

your weakness. Start on the rein youre least comfortable on,

switch to your better rein to gain confidence, then

switch back again.

Take short walk breaks between work. When

youre having a break, use the time to think about

the things you really need to concentrate on.

If your pony makes a mistake, dont make a big deal out of it. If hes worried, give him a pat to boost his confidence. This is important because otherwise your pony could stress about the mistake he made and it will seem like a much bigger deal than it really is.

Exercise two is great for allowing ponies to take some of the responsibility and judge the fences for themselves without relying on their rider. Remember that its your job to maintain the rhythm. Let your pony work out where to take off for himself. Youll jump much more consistently when you let your pony take responsibility. Help each other out as the rider you keep the rhythm and your pony jumps the fence!

Placing poles

Rhythm and balance on approach = a great jump

If you work on keeping your ponys rhythm the same each time you approach a fence, the result should be a balanced approach and a great jump success!

Start with the placing poles three metres away from the base of the fence. Ask an experienced person to help you set up the poles and be an eye on the ground to judge whether your pony finds the distance too long or short. If your pony is struggling to reach the fence after the placing pole, move the pole closer to the fence. If hes getting too close to the fence after the placing pole, move it slightly further away.

Help each other out as the rider you keep the rhythm and

your pony jumps the fence!

10 PONY magazine

ways to haCK

Confident hacking = fun hacking. C

heck out our top tips

for hacking out with confidence so

you and your

fave pony can have a great time

!

25WITH CONFIDEN

CE

Take a friendA more experienced friend and pony will give you and your pony confidence, plus youll be able to take a lead from them if needed.

1

Be ready to reactIts easy to relax your riding out hacking, but ponies can be easily

spooked and will move quicker than you can react if youre not on the ball, so no sloppy riding!

2 Tech savvyIts really important to take your phone with you whenever you go

hacking, whether youre in a pair, a group or by yourself. Your phone is invaluable in case of an emergency, or to use as a map or compass if you get lost.

3

Spread the wordALWAYS let an adult know where youre going when you ride and

approximately how long youre going to be. Its important that someone is aware of your plans and knows when to expect you to return.

4

Make a planPlan out the route you want

to take before you set off.

Then you can concentrate

on having a fun ride rather than

worrying about navigation.

Maps or appsIf youre riding somewhere new (and even if you think you know where youre

going) take a mini map with you or download a map app on your smartphone for back-up.

No dramasAvoid hazards for example, if you know there are some roadworks your pony wont

like or a fallen tree you would have to jump, plan a different route. Dont create worries for yourself if you can avoid them.

Follower of (celeb) fashionFit your pony with a neckstrap. Lots of top riders ride with one,

particularly on young or inexperienced ponies. Youll gain confidence knowing youve got something to hold on to and itll stop you gripping your reins if you feel nervous.

Dont over do itStay within your capabilities. Out on a hack isnt the best place to try something

new youre safer in an arena. Dont be pressured into going for a gallop or jumping if youre not 100% confident.

Chatter happyIf youre nervous, talk or sing to your pony (not at full volume,

though, or you might unsettle him!). Chattering away will take your mind off anything youre worried about.

Foot followerIf you arent sure how your pony behaves with other ponies,

ask someone to walk out with you first. Having someone on the ground will give you both confidence.

11Communication is keyIf you meet a cyclist or a car thats approaching too fast,

dont be afraid to ask them to slow down or stop. Feeling confident communicating with other road and common users will make your hacks much more positive.

12

Know the codeIts rare not to come across any roads or lanes out

hacking, and its essential to be familiar with the Highway Code so you know what to do. Its important you know when its your right of way and when to give way to others.

13

Trusted companyHacking in a group is great fun, but make sure you ride out

with people you know you can trust. Ride with a sensible friend on an experienced pony.

14

Fluorescent

adolescent

Kit yourself out

in high-vis gear.

Its essential for road riding,

and handy when youre riding

across fields or tracks, as youll

be clearly seen by dog walkers,

cyclists and other riders.

Rain, rain, go awayPreparation is key. Check the weather before you ride, so

you can dress yourself and your pony accordingly, and venture out knowing youre ready for the elements!

18Dont strayStick to riding on bridleways and byways. That way,

youll know youre not riding anywhere you shouldnt be and the routes will be suitable for ponies.

19Easy does itStart off with short, slow rides and build

up to longer rides, then start introducing longer periods of trot and canter.

Switch it upDont always canter or gallop in the same

place. This will stop your pony anticipating a canter and make him less likely to get excited or take off.

21Homeward boundIf your pony picks up speed when you turn back towards

the yard or is likely to nap, avoid a canter towards home.

Use boundariesCantering in open spaces can be daunting, so start

off cantering in spaces with boundaries for example, a small field thats fenced off.

23Control checkCheck your control by slowing down the pace or asking your

pony to halt at various points during your ride. Its a good way to make sure your pony is listening to you.

Say cheese!If you feel nervous, remember to smile. Hacking is great fun, after all.

25

Get in lineWhen riding in a group, put young or inexperienced ponies on the inside on roads and behind an experienced pony on bridleways.

16Body armour: on!Hack out in your safety gear. Hats are ALWAYS essential, but wear your body protector, too. Extra safety gear never hurt!

17

PONY magazine 11

22

20

24

15

12 PONY magazine

accuracy!Whether you prefer dressage or jumping, being an accurate rider is super-important. Once youve got the basics down, cut out our shape exercises to take to the yard and practise!

CirclesA 20-metre circle is the most common movement youre likely to ride while schooling, so its a good idea to perfect this before you move on to trickier shapes.

Your circle should be made up of four points aim to touch each point for two strides, then continue in a curving line to your next point. For example, if you were riding a 20-metre circle on the right rein at

A, the first point would be at A, then halfway between the corner and E, then at X, then halfway between B and the corner, and finally back to A.

Its important to make sure youre not just following the track, as this will result in a wonky circle!

Get the hang of riding simple movements in the school first these are the foundation blocks to build on.

TransitionsA transition is a change of pace. It can be downwards (for example canter to trot), or upwards (for example walk to trot). Transitions dont just have to be from one pace to another you can do transitions within the pace for example from working trot to medium trot. Your instructor will often ask you to ride transitions at

certain markers around the school. To ensure your transitions are accurate, prepare at

least three strides before the marker, using a half-halt to balance your pony before you make a change of pace. Aim to make the transition as your body is in line with the marker.

A change of rein is ridden to change the direction you and your pony are riding around the school. Theyre most commonly ridden across the diagonals.

When you change the rein, its important to stay straight, so keep an even contact and wrap your legs around your ponys sides. Look around the corner to where you want to go, then position the marker youre aiming for between your ponys ears. Join the track just before the marker, so that your pony is fully on the track as your body is in line with the marker.

Top tip!

Always remember to look where youre going. If youre undecided, how

will your pony know where to go?

Top tip!

Follow the same principles to ride a 10m

or 15m circle just change where your four

points fall in the school.

Up yourChange of reinMaster the basicsMaster the basics

C

A

M

B

F

H

E

K

Top tip!

To ride a half-halt, wrap your legs around your ponys sides and close your hands around the

reins to contain his energy, then

release.

PONY magazine 13

Figure-of-eightA common mistake is to ride a figure-of-eight across the diagonal, but the correct way is to think of this shape as a series of 20m half-circles.

Start your figure-of-eight at A, and ride a 20m half-circle towards X. Straighten your pony up for two strides as you cross the centre line at X, before making a clear change of bend as you circle the other way towards C. Repeat the same pattern from C, across X to A, and voil a perfect figure-of-eight!

TeardropA teardrop shape (called a demi-vault) is achieved by riding a 10m half-circle, then returning to the track.

Ask your pony to bend as you start your 10m circle, and think of the first three points of your circle the first on the track, the second on the three-quarter line, and the third on the centre line.

As your ponys nose touches the centre line, look towards the track. Ride back to the track as if you were changing the rein, aiming to join it just before the marker, so that your pony is straight as your body is in line with the marker.

Top tip!

When riding a figure-of-eight in trot,

remember to change your diagonal at X, to help

your pony stay in balance.

turn over for more shapes to try!

Test your accuracy by giving these trickier shapes a go. Remember practice makes perfect!

super shapessuper shapesaccuracy!

Up your

C

A

M

B

F

H

E

K

C

A

M

B

F

H

E

K

Cut outand keep Teardrop

Figure-of-eight

Start1

32

4

Cut outand keep

14 PONY magazine

Three-loop serpentineSerpentines are made up of half-circles connected by straight lines. In a 20x40m arena, each half-circle should be 13.3m with each loop taking up an equal third of the school.

To prepare for your three-loop serpentine, use half-halts to balance your pony. Starting at A, look around the corner to ride your first half-circle you should touch the track just after F, and finish the half-circle between D and X. Ride straight across the centre line, and if youre trotting, change your diagonal so your pony expects a change of bend. Ride the second half-circle, touching the track at E and finishing between X and G. Ride straight across the centre line, change your diagonal, and look around the corner to ride the last half-circle, touching the track just before M, and finishing at C.

Two 10m half-circlesRiding two 10m half-circles requires a lot of balance from your pony. To begin with, practise this movement in walk to give you and your pony confidence.

To prepare for the first half-circle, look around the corner and as your ponys nose reaches E, turn your shoulders to the right. When your body reaches E, his shoulders should have left the track as he begins to turn. Look to X to finish the first half-circle, and ride two straight strides along the centre line. Only start your second half-circle once you have passed X, looking round towards B. Remember to keep riding your pony forwards, to prevent him falling in or turning too sharply. Aim to meet the track just before B, to ensure your pony is straight as you pass the marker.

super shapessuper shapes

C

A

M

B

F

H

E

K

C

A

M

B

F

H

E

K

Serpentine

Half circles

accuracy!Up your

X

G

D

Top tip!If your loops arent even, place cones

along the long side 13.3m from the

corners to act as a guide.

2

1

3

X

1

2

16 PONY magazine

Horse Trials!at Badminton

Behind-the-scenes Have you ever wondered what goes on behind-the-scenes at one of

the toughest events in the world?

We show you pics of top riders as

youve never seen them before!

Riders can hack around the

grounds to keep their horses

relaxed and happy.

Bikes are the best way to get around Badminton Park if youre not on a horse!

Some riders decorate their horses stables with flags and banners to create a home away from home!

Did you know?

The winner receives

a whopping

80,000 in prize

money!

Did you

know?The yo

ungest

rider ever to

win was only

18

years old.

Did you

know?Lucinda

Green

has won

Badminton six

times.

Insider tipTune into Radio Badminton at 106.1 FM for live commentary and discussion.

Insider tipPrepare for all weather conditions come armed with wet-weather gear as well as suncream and a hat to make sure youre not caught out.

The horses are well-pampered at the yard it takes a whole team and a lot of work to keep them looking as gorgeous as they do on TV!

Horses and ri

ders arrive o

n the

Tuesday, read

y to get settle

d

in before the

action kicks

off.

Pippa Funnell

Vittoria Panizzon

Emily King

Mary King

Pho

tos:

Tre

vor

Mee

ks

Dogs are just as much at home at Badminton as the horses some of them are lucky enough to catch a lift!

The cross-country course is the

best

place to catch all the thrills and

spills.

Mary King is a legend of the spo

rt, and

will give you serious eventing in

spo!

Watch out for her daughter, Em

ily

King, who is hoping to compete

at

Badminton for the first time thi

s year.

The horses love to take

advantage of the lush grass

over the estate, and are treated

to a scenic grazing session in

front of Badminton House.

The horses even get

treated to a couple

of carrots in their

feed as a thank you

for all the hard work

they put in!

Did you

know?Andrew N

icholson

has completed th

e

event more times

than any other rid

er

an impressive 3

5

times!

Did you know?Chilli Morning is the only stallion to have won the event, ridden by William Fox-Pitt in 2015.

Insider tipMake sure to come and find the PONY stand in The World of the Horse pavilion and say hello to the team!

Insider tipTake bin bags to sit on if the grass is damp.

Insider tipWalk the cross-country course backwards to see as many celeb riders in action as possible.

Check out the prizes up for grabs! Plenty of top riders will have their eye on these over the weekend. Whos your favourite to win?

PONY magazine 17

William Fox-Pitt

Mary King

Tina Cook

Tim Price

18 PONY magazine

Join the discussion over on the PONY Facebook page, where we want to find out your opinion! Last month, we asked if you thought a ponys talent was wasted if he loved jumping but his owner didnt. You said...

Whats on the web?Follow PONY mag online to stay up-to-date with all the latest news, behind-the-scenes action and videos. Plus, keep an eye out for amazing competitions you never know what fab prizes you could win!

GET

INVOLV

ED

MOREVIDEOS

Staying straight when jumpingbit.ly/StayStraight

Quick tips to conquer XCbit.ly/ConquerXC

Behind-the-scenes with Laura Collettbit.ly/BTS_LauraC

PONY magazine is available as an App!

Available on

Yes if the owner was sold the pony as a talented jumper, but only rides him on the flat, then this is not fair because the pony isnt getting to do what he loves to do. A ponys happiness always comes first I say! Becky Ponies have no concept of talent, surely? They just go with the flow. If they like jumping, thats great, but Im pretty sure they are not thinking they are missing out on Hickstead! Sandra I think thats okay its not ideal, but its not bad. Its far worse if the pony absolutely hates jumping and the owner forces them to. Fran

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We all know that flies can be a nuisance as soon as the weather starts to get warmer, and it can seem like theres no escaping them! Find out how to keep your pony happy with our how-to video. bit.ly/FlyProtection

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the feed for those needing a

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OVER 15hh (over 500kg) eg. TB, ID etc84p per day675g per day (1lb)3 average coffee mugs per dayBag lasts 1 month

Eleven lucky readers will each win the Illuminating Eleven from NAF

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20 PONY magazine

Elevenwinners!

NAF has been making supplements to aid horse and pony health for more than 30 years. This prize is designed to help your pony look amazing this competition season.

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22 PONY magazine

Spring grass is filling the fields, and for many ponies it means an expanding waistline. Briony Mitchell, Senior Nutritionist at Baileys Horse Feeds, explains more

Our expertBriony Mitchell MSc (Hons)

is Senior Nutritionist at

Baileys Horse Feeds. She

is responsible for advising

horse owners and compiling

ration plans, as well as

product development

and reviewing nutritional

research.

Keep him trim

Wit

h th

ank

s to

Ba

ileys

Hor

se F

eed

s fo

r th

eir

help

wit

h th

is f

eatu

re, b

aile

ysho

rsef

eed

s.co

.uk

Did you know?Weightapes ar

e great for

tracking weight change, so us

e

them regularly at least once

a month and more often when

the grass is growing.

Keep him trim

All ponies love to eat, and one of their fave things is fresh, green grass. Although its full of nutrients that are

good for your pony, its also packed with calories that can cause him to gain weight. But maintaining a healthy weight is essential to guard against illnesses such as laminitis and help him stay fit, so watch his weight this spring. PONY mag shows you how.

Did you know?

Muscle weighs more than fat, so a fit, slim pony can be

surprisingly heavy.

PONY magazine 23

Keep him trim

How much does he weigh?Before you can manage your ponys weight, you need to work out what sort of condition hes in. There are many different ways to do this, including weightapes, formulas, weighbridges and body condition scoring (often called BCS). Ask an experienced adult to help you work out your ponys weight for example, your instructor. Weightapes give a good estimate of bodyweight. Pass the tape around your ponys tummy where his girth would lie and slope it back to behind his withers. Take the reading after he has breathed out. Weighbridges are essentially giant scales for ponies. Theyre really good for measuring your ponys weight, but are also super-expensive. If you get a chance to weigh your pony, weightaping him at the same time will help you work out how accurate your weightaping really is!

?Why do ponies get fat?Weight gain happens when a ponys nutritional intake is greater than his physical energy demands. In the wild, ponies have to travel long distances to find food and dont have protection from bad weather. However, because of the way we care for our ponies, they have access to lots of food, warm rugs, stables and field shelters, so they dont naturally lose weight. Look out for... Too much food Most ponies will get enough energy from forage (hay, grass and chaff) to maintain their weight, so this is where the focus should start when considering weight loss. Not enough work Its easy to assume your pony is working harder than he really is, meaning you feed him too many calories for the work hes doing. Speak to a nutritionist to help you calculate how much feed he really needs based on his workload. Over-rugging and protection from winter weather Its normal for ponies to burn energy in winter to keep warm in lower temperatures and bad weather. Over-rugging and stabling stop this from happening. Dont panic if your pony loses some weight in the winter its perfectly normal.

Did you know?Its important to feed a

balanced diet, even if your pony needs to lose weight. If youre not feeding the recommended

amount of hard feed, then youll need to add a balancer

or vitamin supplement to his feed.

Enough energy?Energy and calories are the same thing, so ensuring your pony has enough energy to do the work youre asking of him without causing him to gain weight can be tricky. Before adding high-energy (calorie) feeds, make sure hes fit enough for the work youre asking him to do, that his diet is balanced and that hes eating enough forage.

?Weigh scales

??

24 PONY magazine

Muzzle know-how

Never leave your pony in

a grazing muzzle for more

than 12 hours a day.

Strip grazing is good for tubby ponies

Grass controlAlways reduce how much your ponys eating gradually never all in one go.

Strip grazing reduces how much grass he eats. Move the fence regularly, so the rest of the field can recover and he always has access to some fresh grass. Making an odd-shaped paddock for example, an L or U shape, will encourage him to walk more, too.

Grazing muzzles control bite size and can reduce grass intake by up to 80%. However, its really important to introduce your pony to a muzzle slowly and carefully. For your pony to get enough grass, it must be at least five centimetres long.

Bare paddock turnout can be a good way to help weight loss, because you can control your ponys food intake very carefully. Its essential that you provide him with enough hay or haylage if he doesnt have access to any grass. Remember if you turn out in a bare paddock for part of the day, its essential to use a muzzle when your pony is in a normal field, to stop him making up for the grass he missed out on by stuffing himself!

Slowing his eating is a great way to reduce weight and prevent your pony becoming bored or stressed about lack of food... use small-holed nets hanging a few haynets around his stable will encourage him to move around more use a mix of hay, chaff and beet to encourage foraging behaviour use feed balls to entertain your fave pony while ensuring a steady trickle of fibre feed compressed fibre blocks rather than hay because theyre harder to eat, so they last longer

?

Hang lots of haynets to slow his eating

26 PONY magazine

Personaliseyour kit6Personalise

Step oneMake sure your saddlecloth is clean and free from pony hair and dust. Open it out so you can paint both sides.

Step twoTo write your fave ponys name, stick some lines of tape about four cm apart from each other where you want to write his name. These will act as a guide.

You will need...You will need...A plain saddlecloth

Thick fabric paintScissorsSticky tapeIron-on gems

Style up yourpony kit with our fab

make! Follow ourstep-by-step guideto personalise your

saddlecloth

PONY magazine 27

Step threeWrite your ponys name between the pieces of tape. As our saddlecloth is for Duggie, weve written his fancy show name, Lakeview Knight.

Step fourOnce youve written his name, get creative! Weve used cool silver paint to dot inside the letters, but you can do whatever you like.

Step fiveNow its time to paint the other side. We chose a sparkly star design, but there are loads of designs you can try, from snowflakes to flames, or a cool pattern - whatever you think reflects your fave ponys personality.

Step sixLeave to dry overnight. Make sure to leave your saddlecloth where it wont get knocked or smudged.

Step sevenAdd some bling to your saddlecloth with iron-on gems. Ask an adult to help you do this, and make sure the paint is completely dry first.

Step eightTake your saddlecloth to the yard and impress your mates with your design skills. All the other ponies will be totally jealous they dont have their own personalised kit!

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Most of the horses and ponies which come to our podiatry clinic are on the tubby side.Our management system enables you to deal with tubbiness in the simplest way.

We have an enviable success rate. Our clients animals are given a diet based on Laminitis Trust Approved Feeds, Formula4 Feet, and depending on blood test results, NoMetSyn and Vitex4 Equids.

TLC Frog Supports are used routinely to improve the animals comfort.Weight Tapes give you a reliable means of recording your animals weight changes. Formula4 Feet

provides all the micronutrients your horse or pony needs to recover its health and to rebuild tissues. NoMetSyn is our product of choice for the stubbornly tubby cases and Vitex4 Equids

is for those showing long or curly coats!Rely on the Laminitis Trust Feed Approval Mark;

it is the only one which is not self-approved!

Equi Life Ltd Tel: 01249 890784 www.equilife.co.uk (secure online ordering available)

NoMetSyn is our product of choice for the stubbornly tubby cases and Vitexis for those showing long or curly coats!

Rely on the Laminitis Trust Feed Approval Mark;

Equi Life Ltd Tel: 01249 890784 www.equilife.co.uk

NoMetSyn is our product of choice for the stubbornly tubby cases and Vitexis for those showing long or curly coats!

Rely on the Laminitis Trust Feed Approval Mark; Rely on the Laminitis Trust Feed Approval Mark;

Equi Life Ltd Tel: 01249 890784 www.equilife.co.uk Equi Life Ltd Tel: 01249 890784 www.equilife.co.uk

Tendency Tubbiness A5.indd 2 16/02/2016 10:45

28 PONY magazine

Join thePONY Academy!PONY Academy!

join in...All topics and

questions are based on features in

previous issues of PONY magazine.

Prove your pony knowledge by taking a PONY Academy certificate

The PONY Academy is open to everyone

why not have a go?

Everyone who passes will receive a fab PONY

Academy certificate!

If you score highly, youll receive a silver (merit)

or a gold (distinction) star!

PONY Academy papers appear every few months

in PONY mag how many certificates will you

gain? Go on, show off your pony knowledge!

Complete your paper opposite and send it with a stamped, self-addressed A4 envelope to the address on the back

of the paper

How to gain your certificate

PONY magazine 29

This month, our paper is all about breathing and your ponys respiratory system. Answer as many of the questions as you can, but dont worry if theres an answer you dont know you can still send us your paper for marking. This paper is based on the feature that appeared in the October 2015 issue of PONY.

Which of these make up a ponys respiratory system?

Large airways, small airways and lungs

Lungs only

Small airways and lungs

Large airways and lungs

How many breaths should an average, healthy pony take per minute when hes at rest?

58

1020

Exactly 25

3040

A ponys respiratory system enables him to breathe. What else does it help with?

Sense of taste

Digestion

Ridden performance

Sense of smell and communicating (snorting, squealing and neighing)

Which of the following are respiratory problems?

Colic, mud fever and thrush

Sweet itch, arthritis and laminitis

Equine flu, strangles and lungworm

Tetanus, ringworm and over-reaching

A common respiratory issue is RAO. What does RAO stand for?

Reduced Available Oxygen

Recurrent Airway Obstruction

Recent Airway Obstacle

Reluctant Air Organ

11

22

33

44

What are bronchioles?

Another name for the small airways

The tubes through which blood flows into the lungs

Small sacs where the exchange of oxygen into a ponys bloodstream takes place

Nothing. Its a made up word

55

Why is it important to take extra care to regularly muck out the stable of a pony who suffers from respiratory issues?

Because ponies with respiratory problems need to lie down more than other ponies

Because ammonia in urine can irritate the respiratory tract

Because ponies with respiratory problems have a very sensitive sense of smell, so they dont like the smell of poo

You shouldnt muck out every day when your pony has respiratory problems, because it creates dust that will make him cough

66

77

Breathingthis month:this month:

30 PONY magazine

Now send your completed paper to: PONY Academy Breathing paper, PONY magazine, Marlborough House, Headley Road, Grayshott, Surrey GU26 6LG

IMPORTANT!Ensure all these things are included with your paper so we can send your certificate.

I am enclosing:

r My completed paperr A large, A4 envelope with my name and address on.

This envelope MUST have postage for a large envelope and be correct for the country of destination (for Ireland, please ensure an Airmail Large 2nd class stamp is on the envelope).

We are unable to send certificates to entries without a correctly stamped and self-addressed A4 envelope included with the paper. This is not the envelope you send your entry to us in!

DJ Murphy (Publishers) Ltd will hold and collect your personal information to process your entry. From time to time we may provide you with details of our other products and services. Please tick if you do not wish to receive this information by r post or by email r. We will not pass your details on to third parties.

Name:

Address:

Postcode: Age:

Email:

Do you have your own pony?:

Signature of parent or guardian:

How can you tell if a pony is breathing heavily?

His nostrils will flare and you will see his sides moving in and out

He will curl his upper lip to draw in as much oxygen as he can

He will stick his tongue out and pant (similar to the way a dog does!)

You wont be able to tell as there arent any obvious physical signs of an increased breathing rate

Which of the following are NOT signs of a respiratory problem?

Coughing (especially when eating and exercising)

Nasal discharge (snot) that is thick, yellow or green in colour, or smelly

Increase in respiratory rate

Crib biting

Which body parts does a pony use to move air in and out of his lungs?

Muscles in his chest, diaphragm and abdomen

Muscles in his abdomen and back

His diaphragm only

Muscles and ligaments in his chest, abdomen and back

Which of these action plans can help prevent your pony developing a respiratory problem?

Only ride him when the weather is dry because damp weather makes it harder for him to breathe and never feed him hay

Make sure he lives in for half the day and out for half the day so his environment is varied

Turn him out in the field for as long as possible, and if he comes into a stable, use dust-free bedding and ensure the stable is well ventilated at all times

There arent any measures you can take some ponies just develop respiratory problems

COMPLETE THIS FORM

AND SEND EVERYTHING ON

THE LIST so we can MARK

YOUR PAPER

Soaking hay before its fed to ponies minimises fungal spores that are released into the air. How long should you soak hay for to achieve this?

Approximately 20 minutes

Between two and three hours

At least 24 hours

Just dunking it in water for a few seconds will do the trick

88

99

1010

1111

1212

STELLAR OPPORTUNITIESEquipping you for an Equestrian Career

Stonars Equestrian Centre now offers EQL courses in Horse Care and Management to Level 3 and the

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Our riding programmes dovetail with your academic studies so you can get the best of both worlds.

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speak pony?Can you...

Understanding your ponys body language and his natural behaviour is essential for developing a good relationship with him. Ponies show certain behaviours at

certain times and you can use this to help you learn more about what hes trying to tell you. Its important to remember that every pony is an individual different ponies respond to situations in different ways just like people do!

Anna Saillet explains how to understand what your pony is trying to tell you

Ponies are prey animals (this means that in the wild they are preyed on by animals higher up the food chain), so they will run away when they feel theyre in danger. Although its a ponys natural instinct to use his flight response, he might use a different one, especially when flight isnt an option for example, if hes in a stable.

FlightFighting isnt a typical response for ponies to use. Its risky in the wild because when a pony fights with another pony, hes at risk of becoming injured, which could affect his ability to escape from predators or other types of danger. So, ponies use their fight response as a last resort.

Fight

32 PONY magazine

PART 2

Thefour FsWhen ponies are scared, they will respond to the situation in one of four ways, called the four Fs...


Ponies often freeze when theyre frightened or unsure for example, if they see a plastic bag flapping in a hedge when youre out hacking. Remember that this is a natural behaviour response to danger and dont get cross with your pony if he does this give him time to look at the scary thing, rather than immediately trying to push him past it.

FreezeThis behaviour normally happens when a pony wants to do something, but is confused or scared at the same time for example, if he wants to approach an object, but is scared of it, too. He might show you this by pawing at the ground, jogging on the spot or snatching at food, but not actually eating anything.

Fiddle about

PONY magazine 33

When youre trying to understand your fave ponys behaviour, its important to look at situations from his point of view, rather than from yours.

A ponys natural response is to run away from danger, so anything that stops him from doing this can be stressful. You probably think that holding a ponys leg up to pick out his hoof is completely normal,

but this could be frightening for him because it puts him in a very vulnerable position.

Ponies are very social animals and rely on other ponies for safety and emotional support. But we often ask ponies to leave their companions when we take them out of the field or ask them to go for a hack by themselves, and this can make them feel unsafe.

Pony perspective

Did you know?Many of the everyday activities we do with our ponies may seem easy and understandable to us, but are actually very unnatural for ponies.

34 PONY magazine PONY magazine PB

In the stable...Some ponies can be bargy or difficult to manage in the stable. This can be because its unnatural for them to be enclosed in a small space, where they arent able to make

contact with other horses. Bargy behaviour is often

linked to stress or anxiety for example, if your pony is super-

keen to get out of his stable in the morning, hes probably anxious to join the

herd. Making small changes to his environment and routine (such as putting him in a stable where he can see another pony or letting him out as early as possible in the morning) can help to reduce your ponys stress levels.

Tacking up...If your pony is tricky to tack up, think about why this might be - every behaviour ponies display has a purpose. Think about what happens to your pony when he behaves like this. If he tries to bite you when you put his saddle on, do you give up and not ride him? Think about why he might have started showing this behaviour. Is his saddle uncomfortable? Or is his skin pinched when the girth is fastened?

This behaviour is your ponys only way of communicating to you that he is uncomfortable he cant speak to you, so read his body language. Every time you ignore your ponys signals, you have chosen to ignore his best efforts to communicate his discomfort. Stop and think about what hes trying to tell you and make it your mission to adjust things so he doesnt feel the need to demonstrate the unwanted behaviour anymore.

Read the signsPonies try to communicate with us through body language. They use different methods of communication in different situations. Here are some signs to look out for.

In the field...Its a common problem to have trouble catching a pony. Before you act, its important to understand why he doesnt want to be caught. He might think youre playing a game when you go to catch him, or he could be afraid of you. In his eyes, you turn into a scary monster when you chase him around the field and wave things at him! When you do catch him, maybe you get cross with him because its taken a long time, so you shout at him and frighten him. All he learns from this is that hes punished when hes caught, so hes better off not being caught at all.

If you have trouble catching your pony, work on changing the way he reacts to being caught. Try approaching him, dropping a treat on the floor and walking away. After doing this a few times, he may approach you. At this point, surprise him by dropping a treat in the field and walking away, leaving him in the field. By repeating this, youll build up your ponys positive experiences with you.

Pay AttentionWatch your fave pony

s body language and

behaviour. Keep a mental note of anything

that you think could be contributing to a

behavioural pattern. That way, you can

prevent the behaviour escalating.

Top tip!Dont ride your pony every time you bring him in from

the field. Instead, build his trust by catching him just for a feed, groom or

wither scratch!

Bank of trustThink about

the process as a bank

of trust. You must deposi

t enough

into the bank (by using kin

d,

understanding behaviour)

before

you can withdraw anythin

g.

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If you havent already heard of the trend thats taken the horsey world by storm, then Pikeur and Eskadron are here to help! Matchy-matchy is the name used to describe matching your clothes with your ponys accessories. We all like to look cool for lessons, or even just for hacking out, and matchy-matchy helps you do just that. It makes even the simplest outfit look super-cool and fun!

Chestnuts look great in green, while bays are well-suited to bright colours, such as pink. Meanwhile, greys allow you to experiment with pastel shades.

Feeling a little unsure? Why not begin with a saddlecloth and co-ordinating grooming bag or headcollar? If youre feeling more adventurous, choose a bright gilet or even a matching ear bonnet for your pony!

Matchy-matchyMatchy-matchy

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36 PONY magazine

The great PONY

generalknowledge

The great PONY

generalknowledgeThink you know your stuff? Take our quiz to test your knowledge, and earn bragging rights over your mates! quiz!quiz!

1. On what colour of pony are melanomas most commonly found?

2. What side should you mount, dismount and lead a horse from?

3. Who is the only rider to have won the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing?

4. How many penaltieswould you get for a firstrefusal cross-country?

5. On which horse did Scott Brash win Team Gold in the2012 Olympics?

6. What is the smallest breed of pony?

7. How many stages to a jump are there?

8. What is a pelham?

9. What is a crupper?

10. What is the differencebetween a mule and a hinny?

11. Why might you use overreach boots?

12. What is a trakehner fence?

13. What is Valegros stable name?

14. What breed of horse has onefewer pair of ribs than other breeds?

15. What year was the first Badminton?

16. Which rider completed Badminton with only one stirrup?

17. Which combination won Burghley three times in a row?

18. Where are a ponys blind spots?Photo:

FE

I/Am

y K

athe

rine

Dra

goo,

Hip

po F

oto/

Dir

k C

arem

ens

PONY magazine 37

Answers:

1. Grey

2. The left although you

should be able to get on

and off from both sides

just in case of emergency

3. Pippa Funnell

4. 205. Hello Sanctos

6. Falabella

7. Five

8. A bit

9. A piece of tack used

to stop a saddle slipping

forwards

10. A mule has a donkey

father and a horse mother.

A hinny has a horse father

and donkey mother

11. They are used to

protect a ponys heels from

over-reaching

injuries (when his hind hoof

strike the back of his

front feet)

12. A XC fence with a ditch

beneath a rail

13. Blueberry

14. Arabs

15. 1949

16. Mark Todd

17. Andrew Nicholson and

Avebury

18. Directly in front and

behind him

19. Akhal Teke

20. Thoroughbreds

21. Poll

22. Withers

23. Red

24. Lipizzaners

25. Leg

26. Four

27. By assessing his teeth

28. John Whitaker

29. Ragwort

30. A stripe down the

centre of a ponys back,

along his spine

19. Which breed of h

orse is nickna

med

the Golden Ho

rse due to thei

r shiny

coats?

20. What breed are

racehorses?

21. What is the point

between a

ponys ears ca

lled?

22. What point do y

ou measure a

ponys height

from?

23. What colour ribb

on should a po

ny

wear in his tai

l if he kicks?

24. What breed of h

orse is closely

associated wit

h the Spanish

Riding

School of Vien

na?

25. On which part of

a ponys body

might you find

a splint?

26. How many inche

s are in a hand

?

27. How do you dete

rmine a ponys

age?

26. Who rode the fam

ous horse, Milt

on?

29. Name the well-k

nown yellow p

lant

that is poisono

us to ponies.

30. What is a dorsal

stripe?

How did you do?How did you do?0-10 correctUh oh, you might need to brush up on your horsey general knowledge! Make a start by reading up on all those old PONY magazines you have lying around, then try our quiz again!

11-20 correctYoure pretty good on pony general knowledge, but you still have a fair amount to read up on. Keep doing what youre doing, and youll be a pony boffin before you know it.

21-30 correctWowzer youre a true pony genius! If anyone has a pony-related question, youre the person to ask. It must be all those PONY mags youve read over the years good work!

ponymag.com

Reade

rscho

ice

Vot

e on

line

at p

ony

mag

.com

to

pick

a p

oste

r fo

r ne

xt m

onth

!

F lying over a huuuuuge fence in style

42 PONY magazine

Meet... We asked top

showjumper

and three-time Hickstead

Derby winner, William Funnel

l,

about his life with horses

How did it feel when you first won the Hickstead Derby?Really great!

Whats the proudest moment in your career?Winning the Hickstead Derby for the third time. The reception I got from the crowd was amazing!

Whos been your most memorable horse and why?Mondriaan, because of his achievements at Hickstead in the Derby and in other international events over many years. He also made an amazing recovery from colic and came back into international competition.

Who was your first pony? He was a black, 30-year-old Shetland called Tom, who we bought from the circus. I started riding when I was three years old.

Whats the biggest disappointment in your horsey career?I just missed winning the Hickstead Derby when I was 17 years old it was my first ride in the Derby. I was gutted at the time.

What would you do if you werent a professional rider?Riding is the only thing Ive ever wanted to do.

What were your first horsey experiences growing up?Going hunting with my father. He was an amateur huntsman with the Tickham Hunt in Kent and a real horseman. I remember

riding alongside him out hunting, determined to keep up. I did a bit of cross-country when I was younger, but always preferred showjumping.

Who was your horsey idol when you were growing up?John Whitaker. John and Milton were the ultimate showjumping team to me and John still rides with the same style and technical ability that he always did. We have competed on the circuit and the British Team together for years, but I still have the same admiration for him.

Whats the best piece of horsey advice youve been given?Be patient. Whether youre schooling or competing a young horse or a veteran showjumper, its important to be aware of your horse he must work for you, not because of you. Only when you work as a team will you be successful.

What qualities make a good showjumping horse?A good brain, paces and ability.

How can you tell if a young horse has what it takes?When I free school youngsters over fences I can gauge their ability and confidence, and their willingness to try the fence.

What advice would you give young riders aspiring to be a showjumper?Riding well between fences is as important as jumping them. William

tackles the Hickstead Derby Bank!

William Funnell

Name: William Ross Norman Funnell

Date of birth: 10 February 1966

Profession: Showjumper

Biggest achievements: William is a three-time Hickstead Derby winner, having won in 2006, 2008 and 2009. He has also won more than 20 international titles and has represented Great Britain all over the world

Top horses: Mondriaan (retired), Billy Congo

Fact: William is married to top eventer Pippa Funnell

get to know...get to know...

@justgalloping

@my_blue_and_whit

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B G Equestriansponsored by

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be letting y

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themes ea

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your chan

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on this pag

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Ponygramon Instagram! Check out

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This month, we wanted to see you and your smart p

onies with

@ponymaguk

Our instagrammer of the month will receive a B G Equestrian hoodie

INST

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MMER OF THE MO

NTH

@mygeldingThis is my pony, Ch

arlie. Ive had him for

a year and weve done so much toget

her.

Weve done showing, cross-country,

jumping and recently joined the Pony

Club.

Hes 21, but can gallop faster than yo

ud

think! Hes such a good pony, I dont kn

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Instagrammer

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46 PONY magazine

ShoutOut!

Best buddies This picture is of my best friends and our ponies on a hack to the beach. The tide was out and the beach was covered in seaweed, but we didnt mind. We went for a gallop, it was so much fun!

Robyn

When I first joined the Mid Suffolk Pony Club and went to my first rally, I didnt know what to expect, but I had so much fun! Ive been going to rallies ever since and last summer I went to camp. I was a bit nervous about going, but everyone was really supportive and helped me loads. Ive come on leaps and bounds since I started, going from cross-poles to jumping confidently around courses. The instructors are lovely and are great at boosting my confidence. I cant wait until my next rally!

Kiri-jay Orris

Jumping JiggiMeet Jigsaw! I call him Jiggi, hes my best friend. We plan to do lots of showjumping, cross-country and go to Pony Club camp this year. Hes the most amazing pony I could ever wish for. Thank you, Jiggi!

Alex Dixon

Marvellous MinstrelIve had Minstrel for just over a year and he has been the best friend ever. I dont know where I would be without him. He always looks after me and is a total star. I love him so much!

Jessica Holloway

MY PONY CLUB

PONY magazine 47

ARIAT Awesome

The Ariat Stormstopper boot is super-comfy and perfect for a day on the yard. Available in brown or navy, in sizes 38.5. RRP 109.99

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Lovely LoulaI want to say a special thank you to my pony, Loula. Shes a fab pony and always looks after me. I love her so much!

Abbie Lucas

pony of the month

Zazzy is...

Beneath all the cotton wool is Zazzy! Hes so versatile and never complains, I think he trusts me 100%! We whizz around cross-country courses, try our best at dressage and weve even had a go at polo! Hes the best pony ever, he didnt mind being in this fancy dress costume and he can even bow for a polo!

Lolly Dogger

SUPER-CUTE PETS

Holly owned by Charlotte

Yasmin owned by Sophie

Smokey and Sweep owned by Lucy

Wonderful BertieI absolutely love reading PONY mag! This is Bertie and I riding on our local beach. Bertie loves licking everything, especially his treacle lick. He also loves rolling in the field after it rains and getting all muddy!

Amber BlackConfident CasperBefore I got Casper, Id lost all my confidence and I was about to give up riding. When my mum found Casper, it was love at first sight. Without him I wouldnt be the rider I am today. We have an unbreakable bond. Hes an incredible pony and always makes me laugh. Hes my best friend.

Holly Foskett

Pony pirate!This is my first pony, Rihanna, dressed up as Captain Jack Sparrow and me as Elizabeth Swann. I love Rihanna to bits, shes the best pony ever.

Ruby Forbes

Id like to shout out to everybody at Buxton Riding School. Especially the amazing pony, Georgie, who has helped me overcome my fear of jumping. Ive ridden there for more than five years and I love it! Jess Redman

48 PONY magazine

Step into SpringStep into SpringFrom fab tops and jackets to super-stylish accessories, chec

k out our top fashion picks for spring!

Look cool at the yardBrilliant base layers and perfect polos - whatever the British weather throws your way, youl

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PONY magazine 49

Step into SpringStep into SpringToggi Revo polo shirt

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LuvPonies Wild striped sleeve rugby shirt

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Noble Outfitters Ashley performance top

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Funky Filly Eventer personalised base layer

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50 PONY magazine

Stay warm on cool daysLightweight coats and gilets to keep you cosy and dry, if spring showers head

your way

Felix Bhler Loreen quilted jacket

Colours: Navy, anthracite, dark brown or blackSizes: XSXLRRP 34.90kramer.co.ukHarry Hall Hickleton

junior jacket

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Shires Team thermal gilet

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Mountain Horse Team jacket junior

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Harrys Horse Loulou Eton softshell jacket

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Style it upAwesome accessories to brighten up your outfit when youre at the yard

Jolly Tots Capz stars hat silk

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Just Chaps Just Fun half chaps with purple stars

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Rockfish Tall and Lacey wellies

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Carrots All Over Horses calf socks

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SSG All-Weather gloves

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Treehouse Sporting Colours Harlequin lycra hat cover

RRP 38treehouseonline.co.uk

52 ponymag.com

Emily is struggling to get the hang of jumping and her mum has threatened to stop her lessons if she doesnt improve. Can she and her friends find a way for her to stay at the riding school?

Cant keep up!

Yeah, weve been

sharing lessons

for years!

Part two

You cant stop having lessons!

You guys, Im just no good at jumping.

Ill never be able to impress my mum.

Yay! Amazing!

Yeah, I mean you

just need practice,

right?

Well help you practise!

I guess we can try...

Practise balancing in your jumping position!

Just try the trotting poles first.

Dont be down, well get it sorted. Cmon, itll be fun!

Woooo!

Well done, Bertie!

Dont say that! We can help you.

ponymag.com 53

Cant keep up!

Really?

Hattie and Bailey as Emily and Bertie

April and Onyx as Taylor and Mars

Millie and Joey asCara and Pumpkin

Bella and Albi as Beth and George

Sure! Lets meet tomorrow at 10am and get started!

Hi guys.

Well done! That looked great.

The end

I think she can do it!

Me too, she just doesnt

believe she can.

See! You can jump!You guys looked great.

Pretend its the same as the poles

- no big deal!

Okay, just do exactly the same with the jump.

Hey! We groomed Bertie

for you. Lets go!

We knew you could do it.

Lets keep encouraging her.

The next day

I cant wait for Mum to see this!

FESS UP!

Not so smartieMy gran and I went for a hack on our ponies, Lily and Smartie. It was the first time Id gone out on a hack with Smartie, as Id only got him the day before. As we turned for home, I could feel my saddle tilting to the side. I told Gran, but she told me to wait as we were nearly home. As we stopped to let a car pass, my saddle slipped even further and I slid off onto the road, in clear view of the lady driving the car, who stopped and asked if I was okay. Luckily I was fine, but I couldnt remount so I had to lead Smartie the rest of the way home! Katie

Trot, what?I was in my first ever riding les

son and one of the

instructors asked if I knew how to trot. Not wanting to

admit I didnt, I said yes. When the pony I was riding

started to trot, I bounced around all over the place! The

instructor stopped the pony and asked again if I knew how

to trot. I was so embarrassed!

Anna

Muddy mayhemWe were moving all t

he ponies at my yard to another

field as their old field had become really m

uddy. Id only

been at the yard for a few weeks so I was s

till getting

to know everyone. I went to help catch the

ponies and,

when I was called, I ran forwards, not notici

ng that I was

knee-deep in mud! My wellies were stuck a

nd I landed

face first in the mud, making my pale jodh

purs and my

face filthy. Everyone was laughing at me!

Lily

I was out on a hack with my pony, Flash, and was really happy, singing at the top of my voice as we went along. It was really early in the morning so I didnt think anyone would be about. But as we turned a corner, a big group of walkers appeared. I knew they had heard me singing! I turned bright red as we passed each other, and I couldnt even look up as I said good morning!Annie

Dust a quick pit stop!I was at my weekly riding less

on on my fave pony,

Dusty, when the instructor said we could jump. When

my turn finally came, I cantered straight towards the

fence and just as we were meant to take off, Dusty

stopped. I tried to turn him around to have another go,

but he was doing a poo! Everyone was laughing their

heads off and I was mortified. To make matters worse,

Dusty then looked at the other ponies and decided

to walk around the jump and rejoin the ride. I was too

busy being embarrassed to stop him!

Isabelle

Singing sensation

Got a totally embarrassing moment youll dare to share? Go on! Send them

to the usual PONY address or email.

Share your cringes and the

red-faced shame with us!

TotalEMBARRASSMENT!

TotalEMBARRASSMENT!

MEGAEMBARRASSMENT!

EPICEMBARRA

SSMENT!

MEGAEMBARRASSME

NT!

54 PONY magazine

Your perfect pony breed

only3.49!

Pippa Funnells

jumping secrets!

Next Month...

Caring for mares

Improve your ponys paces

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58 PONY magazine

Terrified ofmy instructor!

Shaking, I turned my pony, Henry, up the centre line. Look for your marker, Isla, get your act together! bellowed my instructor, Fran, from her favourite perch

on the arena fence. I turned my head and tried to scan the other side of the arena for the C marker, but the tears that were filling my eyes meant it was all a blur. I rode as straight as I could and asked Henry to stop at the point I hoped was X.

Are you on X? Fran called.I hesitated. I didnt know. I couldnt see properly

through the huge tears that were threatening to leave my eyes at any second.

ARE YOU ON X? Fran yelled, louder than I had ever heard her yell before. Tears streamed down my face and splashed onto Henrys neck.

Oh not this again, you dont get extra marks in a dressage test for crying, you know? Fran rolled her eyes. Right, well, I suppose weve done enough for today. Just walk Henry round.

Fran smirked as she hopped down from the fence. Just as I thought she was leaving and relief started to creep in, she turned and said, You let that pony down. Her words caused a surge of new tears. Im so sorry, Henry, I whispered, as Frans words bounced around in my head.

Does Mum know best?That evening at the dinner table, Mum questioned me excitedly about the lesson. So... did you and Henry learn lots? You really are lucky to have such a good instructor, Isla.

Hmmm, I agreed half-heartedly, wondering how anyone could think Fran was a good instructor.

Ive gone ahead and booked you another lesson for next Friday, Mum continued. My heart dropped and panic rushed through me.

What? I squeaked. Another lesson next week, Mum said softly,

puzzled by my sudden alarm.But... but... I dont want another lesson! I couldnt

think straight. All I knew was that I couldnt go through another lesson with Fran.

Why not? Mum questioned.I didnt know what to say. There were too many

thoughts rushing around my head. Fran coaches some great riders, Mum continued.

Itll be good for you and Henry. I gawked for a minute, then stared back at my dinner and accepted my fate: next Friday, me, Henry and an hour with Fran.

Being braveFriday morning dawned. As soon as I opened my eyes, my heart started racing. I cycled to the yard and started getting Henry ready. I hardly had the strength to do up my girth I was so nervous. I warmed up and soon heard Frans familiar bark, Dont just dawdle like that! Push him on! After a few minutes of trot work, I felt a lump start to rise in my throat as Fran yelled at me for riding a serpentine loop too shallow. Just as I was about to let my emotions take over, I saw Mums car pull

up. She got out and walked up to the arena, but Fran was too busy criticising me to notice.

Come on, more leg! What have I told you? Frans annoyance increased.

My misery mustve been clear, because the next voice I heard was Mums. Excuse me! She called, sternly. Dont talk to my child like that! Relief overwhelmed me as Fran span

round and stared at Mum. They spoke in low voices for a few seconds while I dabbed away my tears.

Isla, take Henry out for a short hack to cool him down. This lesson is over, Mum said, firmly.

No more FranI arrived back at the yard and led Henry to his stable. Mum soon appeared. Isla, why didnt you tell me Fran was being so hard on you?

I didnt want you to be cross, I said, quietly. Then I explained it all how Fran had made me cry and told me I wasnt good enough for Henry, and how scared Id been before my lessons. Well, you dont need to worry anymore. Well get you a new instructor. Mum smiled and gave Henry a pat.

A lesson learntI now have lessons with a new instructor whos lovely and really understanding. Henry and I are doing well and are growing in confidence all the time. I guess some instructors and people just dont mix. I just found out the hard way.

I felt a lump start to rise in

my throat as Fran yelled at me

Isla loves riding her pony, Henry, but is terrified of her instructor, Fran. Can Isla face her fears and carry on with her lessons?

Pose

d by

mod

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hors

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rider

uk.c

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Brilliant riding and horse care

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ponymag.com 61

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