1. Have we seen the last of Joules?
The future looks bleak for the fashion and home retailer that holds deep ties with the equestrian world. After rescue talks failed, Joules announced yesterday (14 November) that its board was intending to appoint administrators. Joules in its current guise began in 1989 with Tom Joule selling clothing on a stand at a country show in Leicestershire. Now with some 1,600 employees, Joules has around 130 stores in the UK alongside its online arm, is stocked in leading stores and has stands at major equestrian events. The company’s colourful designs are a frequent sight within the UK horse world, while the firm has created official clothing collections for Badminton and Burghley Horse Trials for many years as well as supporting horse sport through sponsorship.
2. A part-bred Connemara winning at CSI5*
Nayel Nassar and El Conde on their way to success in Toronto.
Congratulations to Egyptian showjumper Nayel Nassar, who sped to victory in the $74,000 Centennial Cup at the CSI5* Royal Horse Show in Toronto, USA, riding Evergate Stables’ El Conde. This 11-year-old gelding boasts Connemara bloodlines on his dam-side and was bred in Belgium by former world champion Philippe Le Jeune.
“He’s really my type of horse,” said Nayel, 31, who was making his debut in Toronto. “We clicked really well from the get-go. He’s small and fast and has a lot of blood. He’s always looking for the next fence. He is such a fighter in every sense of the word. He’s a great guy.”
Catch up with other recent international showjumping news
3. Competing couple celebrates timely success
Marta Renilla pictured on Zalando
A husband and wife have celebrated an “extraordinary day” when they each picked up championship wins on horses that were originally meant for the other to ride. On the opening day of the 2022 US Dressage Finals at Kentucky Horse Park (10 November), Anartz Chanca won the intermediate II adult amateur class on his 10-year-old gelding Dazzle, on 66.76%, while his wife Marta Renilla won the third-level open championship with her family’s Zalando MR, on 73.25%.
Find out how they came to be riding horses intended for each other
You might also be interested in:
Horse bought for 85p triumphs at national finals after 14-hour drive
‘He’s worth his weight in gold’: owner of hermaphrodite horse speaks up to share her story
When the lunger becomes the lunged and 5 other great bits of horsey social media this week
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
