Lincolnshire Horse Trials is the county’s biggest equestrian event of the year. This year was no exception with record entries leaving many balloted out.

The XC course lived up to it’s name of being very technical and having a couple of trick fences catching even the professionals out. Oliver Townsend appeared to be the main attraction for the spectators who came to watch from across the county.

Riders came from across the country, including some famous faces to compete CCI* as an early season run preparing for Badminton International Horse Trials.

Local riders came out on top once again with Gina Ruck making her entrance to the young rider U21 class known with a win finishing on her dressage score on 32.0.

Katy Hurst and Weston IV were on form again with a win in the Open Novice class, qualifying them for the Grassroots championships held at Badminton Horse Trials later this year.

Rebecca Howe had a spectacular fall on her young horse, leaving the plastic pig shattered in it’s house but went on to win on her other horse Smurf.

Brocklesby Pony Club held their annual One Day Event last week at Brocklesby Park Point to Point. The wonderful setting provided a brand new XC course, which rode well whilst having a few challenges that caught many out.

For many, this was the first event of the season after Oasby horse trials balloted 280 people out. There were horses and riders of all ages of abilities there and a good day was enjoyed by all.

The later classes had a large number of entries with the open having a record number of entries with people preparing for the oncoming BE events.

The open section was won by Lucy Bullas riding Master Jack 11 finishing on a mark of 40.2. Lucy said: “ I’m extremely happy with todays result, Jack was a superstar and so I’m looking forward to the rest of the season on him.”

Katy Hurst had a successful day on her horse Weston IV in which she took third in the open and a third on Miss N Tillett’s horse Grange Koleman in the pre novice. Katy also had a good run on her retrained racehorse Stanley in his first event. Katy said:” I have had an excellent day today, it’s very rare you have good local ODE’s but Brocklesby is a fine example of what can be achieved at local level when people are committed.”

THE Whitaker name in the equestrian world is one that will never be forgotten. With such a large Yorkshire family with every member in the top best 100 show jumpers of all time, it really is a pleasure when you finally get the chance to meet up with one.
Joe Whitaker took time from his busy schedule and his April Fools day to give a handful of local riders the lesson they will never forget. Joe (22) has such a large collection of competitions under his belt including junior European Champion that I caught up with him whilst he was teaching 8-year old Amelia Lawn.

 Although Joe is in line to follow the success of his uncles John and Michael Whitaker, and sister Ellen Whitaker on the

 “I grew up with all the ponies and help I needed, I had it made for me, but I think there are young children out there who dedicate all their time to the sport and don’t get the break they need,” he continued.

 Amelia Lawn (8) from Grimsby who had a lesson with Joe said: “ He is a really good teacher, he made me concentrate and work really hard. I had lots of fun at the same time though.”

Horse owners everywhere are having a huge sigh after a cold, snowy winter. The grass is growing, the sun is shining and the nights are slowly becoming lighter which can only mean one thing, summer is on its way!

 For the unlucky few however, it means it’s that time of year again where the horses are drunk on spring grass and it’s time for a good old game of ‘catch me if you can’. Although, unlike the game you played as a school child, playing with your noble steed is certainly nobody’s idea of fun.

Being the kind people we are here at Equestrian Lincs, we have put together some tips to help you catch your equine friend.

 If you are catching your horse or pony, you are taking their freedom again after months of being cooped up in a stable. It is therefore essential to make sure he associates being caught with something he likes, for example praising him or giving him a treat. If every time you catch him he has to work, then you’re fighting a loosing battle.

 If you know your horse isn’t going to catch, enter the field quietly in a non-threatening manner. Stop for a few minuets or even stand with your back to them and take small steps backwards, creating your horses’ interest in you. 

If your pony runs from you straight away, there is no point chasing him, you will never win. Taking a bucket off food into the field should entice the horse to come to you – a little bribery never hurt anybody. Be sure not to use food every time though or you may be left with a horse that will only catch with food.

 This failing, leave the horse in the field until it is begging to come in may teach it a lesson or two!

LINCOLNSHIRE riders are starting this season in top form. Our homebred eventers have had a busy winter producing top young horses and the results are paying off.  Equestrian Lincs has caught up with a handful of our young riders to find out what it is they are doing to put Lincolnshire Riders on the map.

Holly said: “ My biggest achievement was when I was selected to ride on the pony European dressage team, I stole my sisters pony for it so when she wasn’t selected, she wasn’t too happy. It was my first major competition though so I was really happy.’

Holly went on to be reserve for the European eventing team a year later. Since then 17 year-old Woodhead has been on the JRN eventing championship teams 2008 and 2009 becoming the first under 18 to be selected for both teams.

Holly is now aiming for the junior teams going to Portugal this year with her horse, The French One, now 14years old. And hopes to be selected once again for the European teams next year with her six year old horse Lumpison.

“Being labeled an Olympic prospect is so exciting, but I know I will have to work hard. My biggest dream is to be an Olympic gold medalist and an overall successful horsewoman and trainer, “ concluded Holly. 

Katy Hurst (28) has started the season in style. After a cold winter buried in snow for two months, dedicated Katy dug her way to the indoor school so she could keep her horses In work. Katy’s recent achievements include wins at Osberton and Oasby on Lee McCarthys ‘Tunezja’. Weston IV came out on form with a third at Lincolnshire Horse Trials round a tough course and just missing out on the placing’s a week later at Belton International.

Katy’s top ride this season is Weston IV who is competing at Intermediate and 1* level. This season Katy aims to qualify Weston for the CCI2* at Osberton as well as Ms Meriel Berties ‘Tulla Clover’ for the 6 year-old class.

The 28 year-old from Ravendale has numerous achievements to date including being placed at the British Eventing Grassroots National Championships held at Badminton International Horse Trials in 2010. Katy was also on the winning team at the national riding club horse trials for Dressage and Eventing.

Katy is now looking forward to a bright future with her chain of young horses, she said: “All I ever want is to end the season with my bones in tact and healthy horses. But my next ambition is to get to 4* level and compete at the likes of Badminton and Burghley.”

Rebecca Howe(18) from Alford is now feeling the benefit of her years of hard work. Her biggest achievement to date is being part of the winning Midlands JRN team at the championships held at Weston Park.

With four eventers and a show jumper under her name, Rebecca has started the season with pleasing results. Lincolnshire horse trials proved a successful day round a testing course. Rebecca won the local rider novice on her horse ‘smurf’ and continued the day with a double clear on her second ride ‘Echo’ in the U21 local rider class.

Rebecca has huge ambitions to now be selected for the Young Rider squad at Blair Castle this year. She then aims to aim her horse Smurf at CCI**** to be a strong contender to make the 2016Olympic team

Aiming Smurf for 3 star next year and then four star in 2-3 years and the 2016 Olympics