Going on a long one
There’s seeing a lengthy stride, and then there are flyers like this, which are not seen so often. Young showjumper Nicole Lockhead Anderson and the super mare Chilli earned a ticket to the Voltaire Design Under 25 British Championship at the London International Horse Show in December with a sensational victory in Saturday’s qualifier at Aintree International Equestrian Centre. They won by less than half a second, and this breathtaking leap helped secure the title.
Read more about Nicole and Chilli’s round
Holding out for a hero
An Irish draught gelding has been hailed a “special hero” after he helped save the life of a critically ill pony who urgently needed a blood transfusion. Coral, a 9.2hh mare who was taken in by Redwings as part of a welfare case, was losing weight. Staff noticed redworm larvae in her faeces, and her condition deteriorated rapidly. But fellow Redwings resident Rourke, a healthy 17hh gelding, stepped forward as the “perfect” plasma donor for Coral. “She wouldn’t have survived without the intensive care she was given, and the plasma from Rourke was vital in getting her to turn the corner,” said Redwings vet Dawn Trayhorn.
Read about this lifesaving procedure
The incomparable Rummy
It was 27 years yesterday since three-time Grand National hero Red Rum died at the age of 30. H&H maps the story of a horse whose name is synonymous with that of the Aintree showpiece, from a run-of-the-mill sprinter bred for the Flat to a household name who completed 10 circuits over Aintree’s daunting fences while barely touching a twig.
Find out more about this very special horse
You might also be interested in:
‘I committed a long way out!’ young rider qualifies for London International with last-fence flyer
Red Rum: the three-time Grand National winner who ‘belonged’ at Aintree
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