Sir Mark Todd returns to training
Following a British Horseracing Authority (BHA) disciplinary hearing last week (14 April), the former Olympic eventing champion turned Flat trainer was given a four-month suspension, with two months of that deferred for two months, after he “accepted” he had breached a rule by engaging in “conduct prejudicial to the good reputation of horseracing” by striking a horse with a tree branch on 29 August 2020. The decision allowed him to resume training immediately. Mark told H&H he was “really looking forward to putting this all behind him”, saying: “It’s been a very tough two months, particularly on my family and myself. I would also like to express huge thanks to my family and my staff, and especially the owners who have supported me and stayed with me through all this, and also to the many people who have sent messages and letters of support throughout the period.”
Read more about Mark Todd’s disciplinary hearing
British Dressage champions crowned
Charlotte Dujardin claims the Horselight medium gold on Times Kismet at the Winter Dressage Championships.
The most talented up-and-coming dressage horses and riders in Britain across the levels have been in action at Hartpury for the 2022 NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships and the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships. The show has been packed with fantastic stories of triumph over adversity and brilliant stories of success from prelim to small tour, including a hat-trick of titles for Becky Moody and Charlotte Dujardin, so make sure you haven’t missed a moment with our online coverage.
Catch up with all the dressage action from Hartpury
Exciting new ride for Jack Whitaker
Twenty-year-old Jack Whitaker has taken over the reins of 13-year-old stallion Arena UK Winston, who has been a top ride for his cousin Ellen Whitaker for the past seven years. The pair made their debut in Leipzig, where they jumped round for just four faults in the CSI3* grand prix. Although Ellen has described Winston as “very easy to ride for a big [17.2hh] stallion”, she admits that there have been occasions when she has “struggled” and “felt over-horsed,” so it will be interesting to see what the future hold for this new partnership.
Find out what else Jack had to say
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