Western Morning News, The

First Moor Society Ride a Real Pleasure ; the First Dartmoor Pony Society Pleasure Ride Took Place in the Heart of Dartmoor with the Kind Permission of Min Cullam and Family at Challacombe Farm, Postbridge.

The first Dartmoor Pony Society pleasure ride took place in the heart of Dartmoor with the kind permission of Min Cullam and family at Challacombe Farm, Postbridge. Riders came from across the region to ride across the moor following two well-marked routes of five and 10 miles, with views towards Exmoor in one direction and Torbay in the other.

Sharon Enjoys Her Parelli Journey and Gains a 1-Star

L ike many others, Sharon Crabbe "fell" into Parelli Natural Horsemanship when a problematic horse failed to respond to all traditional training methods. "I've done more traditionally with horses than I ever have Parelli, so it's been a major change for me," explains Sharon who is BHS-trained and took her AI at the renowned Porlock Vale Equitation Centre.

De Niro Takes Stallion of the Year Title ; in Germany, the Privately Owned Dressage Stallion de Niro Is the Hanoverian Stallion of the Year 2008.

In Germany, the privately owned dressage stallion De Niro is the Hanoverian Stallion of the Year 2008. Born in 1993, he was already one of the most popular and fascinating stallions at the Stallion Approval in Verden in 1995. A year later, he completed his stallion performance tests in Adelheidsdorf, with the highest dressage score.

Top Natural Horsemanship Experts to Star at Third Annual Equine Fair ; Two of the Uk's Top Natural Horsemanship Experts Are to Visit North Devon's Annual Equine Fair Which Takes Place On Sunday November 16 at the Big Sheep, Family Tourist Attraction in Bideford.

Two of the UK's top natural horsemanship experts are to visit North Devon's annual Equine Fair which takes place on Sunday November 16 at the BIG Sheep, family tourist attraction in Bideford. Alison Jones spent more than six months training in the USA (including classes with both Pat and Linda Parelli as well as other Parelli Professionals). She is a Parelli 3-star Instructor based in Devon who offers private tuition and runs regular group courses to help people to understand and enjoy their...

Supple Up for the Best Advantage ; One of the Main Reasons That Horses Cannot Be Active Behind, and for the Hind Legs to Come Through More, Is Lack of Suppleness, Both Laterally and Over the Back.

One of the main reasons that horses cannot be active behind, and for the hind legs to come through more, is lack of suppleness, both laterally and over the back. It stands to reason that if a horse is stiff in any way, both in muscles and joints, it cannot use itself to its best advantage, and no amount of "big trots" will unstiffen the joints and build correct muscle for using those joints, and while it is essential for the horse to go forwards to the leg, and be sharp off the aids, it shou...

Be Part of 2009 John Smith's People's Race

T he search is on for wannabe jockeys as leading UK brewer Scottish & Newcastle announce details of the 2009 John Smith's People's Race . The third year of the charity amateur flat race will see jockeys attend a rigorous 'boot-camp' to ensure that riding ability and fitness levels meet the requirements of an expert panel which will include BBC racing presenter Clare Balding.

Grassroots Festival Awarded to Badminton ; in an Exciting Development for Its Amateur Riders, British Eventing has Announced That From 2010, the New Venue for Its Popular Grassroots Festival Will Be During the Illustrious Badminton Horse Trials, Sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors.

In an exciting development for its amateur riders, British Eventing has announced that from 2010, the new venue for its popular Grassroots Festival will be during the illustrious Badminton Horse Trials, sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors. Now in its third year, the vibrant festival brings together winners from intro and pre-novice regional qualifiers from around the country to contest the overall champion- ship.

Dream End to Fantastic Season for Young Katie

K atie House and My Little Pumpkin brought their phenomenal season to a perfect conclusion when they clinched a place on the English 128cm showjumping team at the English Home Pony International held at South View Equestrian Centre, Cheshire. This 11-year-old talented rider, who is a pupil at Queen's College, Taunton, maintained a cool head under extreme pressure at the hotly contested selection trials to represent England riding her mother Sharon's careful grey mare, My Little Pumpkin.

Sad Farewell to a Well Known 'Plymouth Boy'

A t the grand old age of 38, Mydas Touch was something of a Plymouth landmark. The coloured horse with the big white blaze that grazed the fields at Ernesettle Farm will be sadly missed by his own fan club. "People would always ask me how he was wherever I went," says his proud owner Michele Fairbrass who has had to say a sad farewell to the horse she bought from a dealer 28 years ago.

'Passionate' On Training Determined Riders ; Top International Dressage Trainer Conrad Schumacher has Been Training Horses and Riders at the Highest Level for Many Years. An Inspiration to Dressage Riders and Trainers Throughout the World, His System Enables Combinations to Train Up the Levels Correctly.

Top international dressage trainer Conrad Schumacher has been training horses and riders at the highest level for many years. An inspiration to dressage riders and trainers throughout the world, his system enables combinations to train up the levels correctly. When a rider has been working with Conrad for a period of time it becomes clear how his system works. Once the foundation is down and the rider's mental and physical basic preparation is complete then they can move up the levels becaus...

Exempt Hunting Dates ; Four Burrow Hunt

Four Burrow Hunt Meets at 11am prompt

Kelly Makes First Bd Outing a Winning One

R eturning to competition after a 10 year break, Kelly Smith scored more than 70 per cent to post a double win at Badgworth Arena, marking her first British Dressage outing as a triumphant success. "I just wanted him to go out and behave himself," said Kelly, who took the restricted section of the prelim qualifier riding her own Master Jasper. "I've had him for two years, but it's taken that long to get used to him as he's been a bit quirky," added Kelly, who works as an account manager in Ta...

Pressure As Guest Judges Revealed ; Mild Panic Set in This Week When I Found Out That Arlene Phillips From Strictly Come Dancing and the Musical Genius Himself, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Are to Be Guest Judges.

Mild panic set in this week when I found out that Arlene Phillips from Strictly Come Dancing and the musical genius himself, Andrew Lloyd Webber, are to be guest judges. Nothing like adding to the pressure! Strictly is my favourite TV programme, so I am excited that Arlene is involved, but she is quite scary. Internationally renowned Jennie Loriston-Clarke, Isobel Wessels, Frances Verbeek and Andrew Gardner have been announced as the official judges for the dressage.

Financial Help at Hand for Equestrian Businesses ; Turmoil in Britain's Banking Industry has Curtailed Many Potential Enterprises From Starting Up or Expanding Through Its Inability to Lend Vital Capital, but the Wessex Reinvestment Society Is Bucking the Trend by Encouraging Entrepreneurs to Apply for Its Loans.

Turmoil in Britain's banking industry has curtailed many potential enterprises from starting up or expanding through its inability to lend vital capital, but the Wessex Reinvestment Society is bucking the trend by encouraging entrepreneurs to apply for its loans. Servicing Devon, Dorset and Somerset, the community owned social enterprise offers loans to start-up businesses or those which want to expand or diversify. It also offers up to 16 hours pre-lending business support and 20 hours post ...

Knowles and Harvey Make Impact for Westcountry Clubs in Mansfield ; Top Westcountry Junior Internationals Katie Knowles and Jo Harvey Left Their Mark On the Saucony English Cross-Country Relay Championships.

Top Westcountry junior internationals Katie Knowles and Jo Harvey left their mark on the Saucony English Cross-Country Relay Championships. Truro-born Knowles unleashed a storming run on the third and final stage at Berry Hill Park, Mansfield, to haul her club Bristol & West AC from sixth to third spot in the Under-20 women's event.

Ashley Brook Finds Way Back to Victory ; Sometimes Fairy-Tales Do Happen in Racing, and One Came to Pass at Exeter Yesterday As Ashley Brook Proved That He Is Back to His Scintillating Best, Following His Brilliant Win in the William Hill Gold Cup.

Sometimes fairy-tales do happen in racing, and one came to pass at Exeter yesterday as Ashley Brook proved that he is back to his scintillating best, following his brilliant win in the William Hill Gold Cup. After a glittering novice career, the ten-year-old had failed to sparkle since he crashed out of the Champion Chase in 2005. Even a racecourse gallop at Exeter before Aintree's April meeting had failed to enthuse him, and trainer Kevin Bishop was pondering what to do next. "If he didn't g...

Carroll Is Loving Life Back with the Reds ; Richard Carroll Is Really Enjoying Life Back at Redruth As They Make a Concerted Bid to Win Promotion From National League Two.

Richard Carroll is really enjoying life back at Redruth as they make a concerted bid to win promotion from National League Two. The 33-year-old second-row forward returned to the Recreation Ground during the summer after a one-season absence, during which time he helped Mounts Bay win the National Three South title.

Young Saints Are Too Potent for Pilgrims ; Emile Mpenza Suffered Another Injury Mishap Yesterday As a Strong Plymouth Argyle Reserve Team Were Demolished by a Skilful Southampton Second Xi at Home Park.

Emile Mpenza suffered another injury mishap yesterday as a strong Plymouth Argyle reserve team were demolished by a skilful Southampton second XI at Home Park. The Saints fell behind to an early goal by Jamie Mackie, but eventually came out on top with a 4-1 victory in an entertaining totesportcasino.com Combination Cup fixture - thanks largely to a hat-trick by home-grown youngster Jamie White.

Exeter Overcome Battling Yeovil ; Eric Odhiambo Staked His Claim for a Short-Term Deal at Yeovil Town by Bagging Both of Their Goals in a Reserves' Clash at Exeter City, but It Was Not Enough to Stop the Glovers From Slipping to a 3-2 Defeat at St James' Park.

Eric Odhiambo staked his claim for a short-term deal at Yeovil Town by bagging both of their goals in a reserves' clash at Exeter City, but it was not enough to stop the Glovers from slipping to a 3- 2 defeat at St James' Park. Odhiambo spent last week training in south Somerset and, with Russell Slade keen to add to his attacking options, the 19 year-old was given the chance to catch his manager's eye against an experienced Grecians' side.

Buckle Salutes Winning Mentality ; Torquay United Manager Paul Buckle Hailed His Side's Winning Mentality As They Extended Their Unbeaten Run to 12 Games in All Competitions with a 3-0 Setanta Shield Success Over Weymouth Last Night.

Torquay United manager Paul Buckle hailed his side's winning mentality as they extended their unbeaten run to 12 games in all competitions with a 3-0 Setanta Shield success over Weymouth last night. The Gulls were always in control of their third-round tie at Wessex Stadium, capping a consummate performance with two first- half goals from Tim Sills and one in the second half from Elliot Benyon.