Carl Hester’s debut on KK Woodstock, and other things the horse world is talking about

1. Carl Hester’s debut on KK Woodstock

We can’t wait to watch Carl Hester as he makes his competitive debut on KK Woodstock, the Kroll family’s grand prix horse usually campaigned by Gareth Hughes. Gareth and the Krolls have handed Carl the ride on “Woody” for the summer. Carl’s options in which to qualify Woody to compete at the dressage World Championships this August are limited after the cancellation of Bolesworth CDI, but it will be great to see this pair in action at grand prix less than a month after Carl first sat on the 16-year-old son of Wolkentanz II. A host of other stars and ones to watch will be in attendance, not least Gareth himself with three exciting rides.

Find out who else to watch at Wellington CDI

2. Renewed hope for ban on lethal sky lanterns

There is hope of action following a renewed push for a total ban on sky lanterns “to safeguard property and animals”, with a Government petition topping more than 19,000 signatures. NFU launched a petition in May to Tory MP Jo Churchill, Defra parliamentary under secretary of state (minister for agri-innovation and climate adaptation). NFU vice-president David Exwood told H&H the organisation has heard from “plenty of farmers” about “the devastating damage sky lanterns have caused to buildings and fields on their farms and the gruesome injuries they can cause to livestock and other animals”.

Find out more about the petition

3. What a six-year-old just off the lead rein can do

A tiny showjumper who “defies physics” and dreams of one day winning at Hickstead – or riding in the Grand National – has been showing remarkable ability for one who only recently came off the lead rein. Six-year-old Ivy Thomas-Cook only had her first solo canter last August, and has since scored double clears in 70cm British Showjumping classes and developed a “need for speed” with her 128cm pony Whatever Trevor.

Read more about this young showjumping

You might also be interested in:

Countryside and firefighters unite in call for Government to ban sky lanterns

A new coalition, comprising 18 bodies including the Countryside Alliance and the British Horse Society, has written to environment minister

New calls for total ban on ‘devastating’ sky lanterns

The next Mikey Pender? Four-year-old boy with an eye for sharp turns hopes to make waves in showjumping

Who is KK Woodstock? Meet the horse everyone is talking about right now

Carl Hester picks up catch ride after En Vogue ruled out of World Championships

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Sarah Jenkins

H&H editor-in-chief

Sarah has more than 20 years experience as an equestrian journalist and editor. She has reported from major championships including the Europeans and the World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on equestrianism including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Sarah has ridden since childhood, owned horses and ponies for over 25 years, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university.