Horse & Hound

Every week Horse & Hound brings horse lovers up-to-date with the latest news and event reports and provides expert equestrian advice on subjects including training and horse care, the latest equine products and feed. The weekly features inform and entertain inspiring readers to go out and ride to improve their horsemanship in every discipline from eventing to show jumping, dressage to showing, polo and hunting. It is also the must read for anyone wanting to buy or sell a horse.

What a win

Hat-trick heroes • Historic third Badminton for Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo

Concerns raised for industry’s future if AI is used to promote it • An AI-generated promotional video for the 2026 Aachen World Championships has prompted public outcry

HORSES

IN BRIEF

Colic misunderstandings influence owner decisions • A study looked into misconceptions on colic that can affect owners’ decisions, including on whether to opt for surgery

How safe are safety stirrups? Work needed on a standard • There is no safety standard for any stirrup, let alone those marketed as reducing risk to the rider in a fall

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Vigilance and reporting key after flu outbreaks • There has been a significant increase in reported cases since 1 April

GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK

Small changes to help the environment, the horses and ourselves • Equestrians are urged to join the “small change challenge” to make a big positive difference for all of us

And finally… Queen’s visit

LETTERS

Horse & Hound

‘Course was no use to us selectors’ • Mark Phillips analyses the Badminton cross-country and commentary

‘Will competitors stay closer to home?’ • Stuart Hollings on costs, the new HOYS in-hand format and surprise judges

Sir Ben Wallace • What makes a former cabinet minister with almost no personal experience of trail-hunting take up its cause, asks Catherine Austen, discovering a “man of the countryside” ready for the political battle ahead

Bestselling author • Jojo Moyes on a London riding childhood, being chased by park-keepers and horses as an oxygen mask

A breath of fresh air • Horses evolved to live outdoors and bringing them in exposes them to airborne irritants that can cause poor condition and illness. Kieran O’Brien MRCVS explains how to minimise the risk

Ready for action • Protect your horse on the cross-country course with this selection of boots, designed to offer an excellent shield against impact

‘THE MOST MAGICAL THING’ • The only story more compelling than that of a champion is of a fallen hero who comes back from the brink. Kate Johnson explores the stuff of fairy tales

A pair who define an era • Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo set a new Badminton record with their third win, as this superb horse helps Ros pull off the remarkable feat of performing as an elite athlete while also being a breastfeeding mother to a 15-week-old baby

OLDEST HORSE GIVES SWISS RIDER BEST FIRST-TIMER PRIZE

What a week! • Home-bred horses, perennial favourites and young stars at the landmark fences

An international look • Riders from six different nations fill the top six spots after the first phase, with Ros Canter well ahead and a little mare setting a personal best in second

“HE’S ALWAYS HAD A NICE BRAIN — HE’S VERY CUTE”

‘Horses’ way of going has improved’ • Christian de Coulon on the test, the judging and the standout rides

Speed ups the challenge • Eric Winter’s course shuffles the leaderboard significantly, with seven coming home fault-free, including a foot-perfect round for Ros Canter

“HE CAN OPEN HIS STRIDE AND CLOSE IT SO EASILY”

OWNER’S KNEE SURGERY LEADS TO A BADMINTON RUN

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