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.

Thinking ahead

Mixed reaction to 2026 HOYS judging format • In a return to the 2024 system, some judges have been confirmed, but not who will sort which class

Horses who sleep better learn better, study finds • Those who had less rapid eye movement sleep gave up more easily on a monitored learning task than others

HORSES

OBITUARIES

IN BRIEF

Police investigate dealer after concerns raised by clients • Lynn Robertson denies any wrongdoing but officers are looking into client complaints

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK

Scottish horse owners asked for welfare law help • The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruely to animals has released its manifesto ahead of May’s elections

And finally… hedging vets

LETTERS

Horse & Hound

‘Riders, show us your best trick’ • Pippa Roome considers what we could learn from the Winter Olympics

‘Shows will need your support’ • Stuart Hollings on HOYS levies and showing’s role in nurturing careers

Emma Martin • The reigning national endurance champion tells Martha Terry about the full-circle moment of completing her second 160km ride, her sport’s unique camaraderie and what makes a horse a winner

Stunt-performing show rider • From performing at HOYS to doubling in Disney films, Hannah Miller-Burton on dealing with challenges and rewiring her brain to learn to fall off

Travel sickness • Shipping fever is a serious travel-related risk. Karen Coumbe MRCVS explains what it is, and why prompt recognition of cases is crucial

New in the ring • Refresh your kit for the season ahead with the latest innovations for you and your horse

The stallion who has it all • Champion progeny across eventing and showjumping, exceptional rideability and lasting soundness have cemented Diarado as one of Europe’s leading modern sires. Pippa Roome explores his story

12 of the best Diarado progeny

ICSI: miracle tool or misunderstood risk? • As ICSI becomes routine in sport horse breeding, Oscar Williams examines the science, the performance data and the myths that refuse to fade

‘Great races sell the sport’ • After years of Irish domination, the 2026 Cheltenham Festival could be a turning point for British hopes. Jennifer Donald meets some of the leading contenders

A different perspective • Almost a year on from his final day hunting the Duke of Beaufort’s hounds, Matt Ramsden reflects on how his attitude to the winter, weather and hunting itself has changed

Linehan is a Cotswold Hero • The Heythrop’s Maurice Linehan bags his third hunt ride victory of the season

‘Sport of the highest order’ • In the latest of his series about great foxhunters he knew personally, Alastair Jackson discusses Dermot Kelly, whose reign at the Meynell is remembered as a golden time

Berlin hits top form • A holiday from competition helps the grand prix winner, while a new purchase for China makes his mark

THE PERFECT SCHOOLMISTRESS

From whim to winning • A breakthrough for a horse bought on a whim, four-title dominance and a switched-discipline success story headline this week’s action

COB FINDS HIS CALLING

Silver sweep for Isaacs

BACK FROM THE BRINK

Catching the...