Council to promote London 2012 driving centre, a decide calling out RSPCA witnesses, and different issues the horse world is speaking about

Is it the top of the highway for London legacy centre?

Deep disappointment and frustration are among the many feelings expressed to H&H following the information that the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s cupboard has authorised the sale of the Greenwich Equestrian Centre in Shooters Hill. The £1.6m metropolis equestrian centre was constructed as a part of the London 2012 Olympic legacy with funding from Sport England and British Equestrian (BEF), amongst others. “Easing monetary pressures” on the council was cited as the explanation for agreeing to the sale. British Equestrian’s head of participation Mandana Mehran Pour advised H&H: “We’re deeply upset by Greenwich council’s determination, particularly with out prior engagement with British Equestrian or Sport England.”

Learn extra about this determination

A surprising RSPCA courtroom case

Choose Pattinson has accused the RSPCA’s witnesses of getting a “hidden agenda”, as he cleared a horse proprietor of “impeccable” character of welfare expenses her vets mentioned ought to by no means have been introduced. Kirsten Fock was discovered harmless of all 4 expenses introduced in opposition to her by the RSPCA, at Aldershot Magistrates Courtroom on 6 December after a trial. The charity seized 24 of her horses final October; two have been put down at Kirsten’s premises and extra quickly afterwards. “I discover Ms Fock to be a completely truthful and dependable particular person,” the decide mentioned. “She is dedicated to her animals [and] has devoted her life to rescuing these equines from sure demise in a Belgian slaughterhouse. That is additionally my impression of her: that she is a exceptional girl of the very best integrity and information of equine welfare. From the proof I’ve heard, it could be shocking if she would knowingly or negligently permit any of her equines to undergo.”

Learn what else the decide needed to say

Tributes paid to a leaping hero

Showjumper Laura Kraut has paid an emotional tribute to her fantastic associate of the previous 9 years, the tremendous gray Confu, who has retired from sport on the age of 17. The pair have been core to USA groups in Nations Cups, together with on the Barcelona last in 2017. In addition they gained four-star grands prix in Wellington, Florida, and one of many duo’s earliest five-star achievements was claiming victory within the Aachen velocity stakes in 2016.

Laura Kraut and St Bride’s Farm’s Confu compete within the King George V Gold Cup on the Royal Worldwide in 2019. Credit score: Peter Nixon

“He has been a loyal pal and competitor, all the time accepting any problem that was put in entrance of him,” mentioned Laura. “We used to joke that he was all the time up for something we requested of him, he was that child within the schoolroom that raised his hand to volunteer!”

Learn the total tribute to this particular horse

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H&H web site editor

Carol is an skilled journalist and editor, who can be a passionate beginner rider and devoted horse proprietor, having ridden since childhood. She has a specific curiosity within the emotional well-being and moral coaching of horses, alongside veterinary issues, having garnered intensive first-hand expertise of quite a few equine well being situations via greater than 30 years of horse possession.