News Archive

British equestrian rider Townend injured in fall

Townend fell at fence No. 20 while riding Ashton Cruise Master on Saturday afternoon. Townend was conscious when he was taken to the University of Kentucky hospital, the horse was examined and sustained no injuries.

The annual competition this year also serves as a major trial run for the U.S.-hosted World Equestrian Games.

Townend was aiming for a Rolex Grand Slam by winning the Badminton Horse Trials, Burghley Horse Trials and the Kentucky Rolex in succession.

New Rules

The rules have changed regarding those who drive small horseboxes on L plates from Tuesday 6th April 2010.

 The rule dictates who can supervise them, these were brought in by the Driving standards Agency.

Drivers who passed their car test before 1997 are permitted to tow trailers with a car and drive horseboxes weighing under 7.5 tonnes without taking  the catagory C1 horsebox test, and until April 6 2010 they could also supervise those drives who need to take the C1 test.

Now only drivers who have passed the horsebox test can accompany learners in small lorries. Pre-1997 passers can continue to sit in with trailer drivers.

Boredom Breaker Warning

The supplier of an equine boredom breaker has warned that copies of the product, said to be circulating in the trade, could be dangerous.
Wholesaler B. Jenkinson & Son has sold its own brand, 20 sided Elico Decahedron for ten years - and claims a copy is not made to the same standards.
The Elico Decahedron, distinguished by its white triangular label, is made in Britain from food/military grade, virgin plastic.  Jenkinsons says the copy is in a reclycled material which may contain impurities. It is also thought to be blow moulded, so may not be as strong as the rotary moulded original.
Both equine toys have been laboratory tested by the manufacturers of the Elico Decahedron. When a 4kg pointed weight was dropped two metres onto each boredom breaker in turn, the "copy" cracked along a seam while the Elico product sustained a small indentation but no damage.
Jenkinsons said -"We want to warn customers that these copies could be dangerous. These products are designed to be played with by horses, but we don't want a horse getting hurt. We're also concerned that these copies are besmirching our good name.

British Dressage Rule Change