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Death of the late Queen Mother’s horse, a just-married national dressage champion, and other things the horse world is talking about

Horse & Hound’s daily debrief, brought to you every weekday
Sarah Jenkins Sarah Jenkins

    • 1. Farewell to late Queen Mother’s horse

    A former racehorse who was both bred and owned by the late Queen Mother has died aged 31. “Kody” was out of a mare called First Romance, a favourite of the Queen Mother’s. Under the name King’s Rhapsody, he won over hurdles and a bumper when trained by Nicky Henderson, and went on to enjoy a second career with Elaine Buck, spending 20 years as a much-loved “dream horse” who did well in dressage, showing and showjumping. He retired from all riding activity five years ago, as he developed a sarcoid in the girth area and Elaine had to have a shoulder operation. “He was happy right to the end,” she said.

    All about this much-loved horse

    2. Robertson-Carrier on top form at National Dressage Champs

    Lewis Robertson-Carrier has had a cracking fortnight – marrying partner Olivia Robertson-Carrier and then being crowned national champion with Diego V at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. Gareth Hughes topped the grand prix freestyle on Classic Goldstrike while Lewis and Diego V won the grand prix, but it is the combination of both scores that decides the overall champion. A former national champion and Olympic gold medallist, Laura Tomlinson, was also on great form, telling us her ambitions are as great as ever and dominating on day two.

    Read all our coverage from the National Dressage Championships

    Lewis Carrier national champion at national dressage championships

    Lewis Robertson-Carrier and Diego V are crowned national champions at the 2024 National Dressage Championships. Credit: Kevin Sparrow

    3. Horses rescued from “field of death” reunited with those who helped them

    A group of horses rescued from a “field of death” in Harefield, in the London borough of Hillingdon, have been reunited with the women who fought to save them. The horses were living without shelter or veterinary care, in an area littered with hazards. Residents initially banded together to provide hay and water, hosting fundraising events to support them, before seeking further help from World Horse Welfare.

    Field officers from the charity had been monitoring the horses but were unable to trace an owner, as none of the equines were microchipped. The charity was hampered further by the fact the land was owned by a consortium of more than 70 people. Also, where the horses’ basic needs were being met by the women who wanted to help them, this made building a case to take them away difficult – a challenge organisations repeatedly face.

    Find out all about this moving case and reunion

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    Sarah Jenkins
    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.
    Sarah Jenkins

    Kate Johnson author block

    Kate Johnson
    Sarah Jenkins

    Freelance journalist
    Born in Australia and bought up in the Midlands, Kate has ridden since childhood. After completing her degree and living abroad for several years, she became an award-winning BBC radio producer and Channel 4 documentary producer after which she became a freelance journalist, contributing to the Daily Mail, The Times, The Telegraph and others. She also collaborated with top jumps trainer Nicky Henderson OBE, to write his best-selling memoir, Nicky Henderson: My Life in 12 Horses. She owns currently cares for retrained National Hunt racehorse, Stop the Show.
    Kate Johnson

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