Autumn 2022 Newsletter from our Chair Sam York FBHS

Wow, what can I say – what an incredible summer we’ve had, so full of events all of which have been fantastic, with such great variety. There really has been something for everyone and all of them encouraging “food for thought”.

It’s so important in this tough industry that we can have such a great support mechanism to tap into if needed. Our visits, events and study days are not only super educational but also quality time for us like-minded people to come together and discuss so many subjects and current challenges, as well as simply catch up with each other and set the world to rights. Our mental health is important and to have such a great network of people all facing the same highs and lows is incredibly valuable. So, let’s continue to be super kind to ourselves and each other and let’s look forward to even more great F&I events coming up in the autumn and winter months. And let’s not think about the dark nights drawing in and winter looming!

This summer unfortunately has not been all great highs – we have also experienced great sadness. Despite us all knowing that the day would come at some point, it was with such sorrow that we heard that Her Majesty The Queen finally passed away. What an incredible life she has led. I will not forget the moment I first heard she was not well and that HRH Princess Anne was going to go to her side. I knew they would not have released that statement without it being significant. I was out in South Africa working at the time but with the speed of social media and of course world news I was very soon up to speed with the sad announcement. I think we are all in agreement that she has been a fundamental part of our lives and especially as she has had such a love for the horse, not just within her own family but also worldwide. She was so fondly known for riding side-saddle back in 1947 at the Trooping the Colour, which she continued to do ever since, only moving from riding to travelling by horse-drawn carriage in 1987. She also had a great passion for her thoroughbred breeding and racing, branding her own famous colours of scarlet, purple hooped sleeves, and black cap. She saw many great wins and it was believed that she entered 3,441 races and won 566 – and during the year of 2021 alone, she won 36 races, putting her into the top 20 racehorse owners. She also won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2013 with her horse Estimate. She really was never happier than when she was attending an equestrian event of some sort. I have been lucky enough to be present several times at Windsor Horse Show where she would always be found watching her beloved Highland ponies being shown and she was genuinely in a very happy place. We all know she was still riding just a few months before she passed at the grand age of 96 years old. What an inspiration she was. The funeral was something I do not think we will ever forget; it was so fitting and I’m sure not a dry eye in the room when she passed her beloved Fell pony Emma for the last time.

I’m personally super proud of our own King’s Troop and Army riders and personnel, especially Captain Amy Cooper, one of my army eventing team riders, who led the coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where the lying-of-state started. Captain Amy Cooper won Bicton Horse Trials last year on her own horse McAllister and has worked endlessly with the training and rehearsals for this inevitable day. The army also engage in the BHS assessment system for all their instructors, and I’m determined that we get a few qualified and attend the F&I Annual Course soon.

Unfortunately, life’s rich tapestry can feel very cruel at times and nothing more cruel then taking a young life away from us before they have had chance to really get started. We were all deeply shocked to hear the tragic news that young Jack De Bromhead, just 13 years old, lost his life during pony racing in Co Kerry. Many of our F&I members were very honoured to have visited Henry De Bromhead’s yard and were so delighted to see young Jack riding work on a very suitable thoroughbred. What a racing star he was already. We acknowledged our heartfelt condolences as well as making a donation to the family’s chosen charity. Our thanks very much go to Faith Ponsonby who kept us informed throughout from the Republic of Ireland.

We also heard the sad news that Jane Wykeham Musgrave passed away, aged 92. Jane was a very influential lady, a BHSI and a BHS examiner back in her day.  I remember being very frightened of her during my Pony Club A test! Denise Aylmer-Aylmore has also left us, aged 98 – another stalwart BHSI and respected pony judge who last rode at the age of 94. Do see their excellent obituaries in H&H this week.

One of the most exciting things about looking forward is the F&I Annual Course which again looks to be a great two days. There will be all the same interesting activities going on including the ability to watch and engage in study groups, discussions, panels, talks and more. It really is a wealth of knowledge being delivered over the two days and it is arguably at least as valuable if not more valuable on foot, than if you bring a horse with you… so secure your place as soon as possible and that will help us to start to organise numbers for catering and timetables of all the additional activities. Please do contact me if there are any ideas you have for the conference, and we can ensure we facilitate as many ideas as possible. Unfortunately, Richard Davison FBHS cannot join us now, but we have Adam Kemp FBHS who we all know will be equally as brilliant. We also have Caroline Moore FBHS again for the jumping, we are so lucky to have her on board and we very much look forward to her challenging and thought-provoking exercises. We are just so lucky to have such world class trainers to ourselves for two full days. Yet again can I please remind you that our amazing Ann Bostock nearly-single-handedly organises this event, so please book and pay on time and communicate clearly with Ann – and let’s try and avoid too many changes and additional stress to her massive workload. As ever, let’s all be reminded that so many people work so incredibly hard behind the scenes with all these volunteer organisations. I would like to express my personal thanks yet again to Alison and Jude who really do put endless hours into this committee, with their quick responses and incredibly efficient administration skills they are second to none. On behalf of all the committee and the members, thank you both again!

Unfortunately, due to a very busy schedule, Oonagh Meyer has decided to step down from the committee. She has done some incredible work especially on the more technical aspects of the organisation that are vital in this day and age, and she will be very much missed by us all. Luckily she will be on the end of the phone whenever we need her.

I have been super busy with the International Group for Equestrian Qualifications (IGEQ). We have our two days of examiner training and then the Annual Conference which is being held in South Africa this year. The title is “Through the eyes of the horse” and the whole conference will be geared towards increasing awareness of, and developing strategies for, federations, governing bodies, coaches and riders to move forward with social licence to operate. Anyone can join us in IGEQ for their annual conference and it’s a great way to experience different equestrian cultures around the world and share good practice. See the Facebook page “IGEQ” or the website https://igeq.org. I am also considering setting up a pilot exchange programme for coaches, allowing coaches to experience coaching practice in different countries and broaden people’s experience and understanding of traveling internationally to coach. Let me know if anyone would be interested in this type of programme in the future.

We have had so many great activities this year, but to mention a few, Jen Morris’s Scottish “Bridging the gap – physio to coach” was a very informative day, focused on how physiotherapists and coaches can work together for the benefit of the riders. Although there are currently only a few F&I members in Scotland, it is extremely important that we still provide the F & I members with activities in their own areas. Also, on this occasion Jen managed to make a respectable profit by opening it up to non-F&I members and it was a great advert and encouragement for people to aspire to become members in the future. Well done Jen and BHS Scotland – a resounding success.

Other events included the interesting Saddle Research Trust Forum on 6th August at Ingestre, aiming to protect Equestrianism’s Social License to Operate in 2022 and Beyond. This day was super thought-provoking and has caused much healthy debate on this very sensitive and complex subject of which we all need to be become more aware. I am thinking of setting up a working group that can look at ways that F&I can be proactive with advice and support. This is a subject we will be discussing again at the Annual Course in January 2023. Again, let me know your thoughts and if you would like to be part of that working group.

We have had our fabulous course walks again at Badminton and Burghley which are always very popular and a great chance to have some expert insight to riding, and/or coaching riders over these world-renowned courses. The discussions ranged far and wide, around design, challenges and appropriateness of these courses today.

We have also had a super day at Newmarket, where we were highly privileged to be able to have a guided tour of Dalham Hall Stud and the top stallions and their top stud fees. Dalham, owned by Sheikh Mohammed, is a no-expense-spared operation and it was an incredible opportunity to see a stud on this scale and how it is managed. In the afternoon we also had the chance to visit Peter O’Sullevan house where we saw the amazing facilities for jockey rehabilitation and for strength and conditioning and fitness. They offer bespoke programmes for the riders, depending on what they need, whether it be rehabilitation following a fall or simply trying to improve their fitness.

As a complete contrast, F&I Ladies Day at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) at Hickstead was a chance to enjoy a summer day out as guests of the BHS. Members and friends and family were given the opportunity to enjoy the entertainment with fantastic viewing over the main Longines International Arena. And of course lunch! Ably hosted by the Director of Education, Tracy Casstles, and organised by the highly efficient Jeanette Poile.

Again with all our events please visit the website where you can read all the reports that give a great overview and detail, all written by our wonderful members who have attended.

So what’s next? Well, Wednesday 12th October we have the morning at the British Racing School in Newmarket organised by the amazing Ann Bostock. I’ve attended this school previously, it’s a great insight to how our jockeys can get started in the racing industry but also very interesting to see rider fitness, nutrition and well-being as well as “fall technique” being trained and addressed. Being sport horse riders and trainers, we can still take so much from this information, even if we are not particularly knowledgeable about the racing aspects. A highly recommended day out.

And not to be missed – a social night out in London on Friday 18th November, hosted by our very own Vice-Chair Nick Turner FBHS! Make a weekend of it and let’s again enjoy meeting up and spending some quality time together. And before we know it we’ll all be at the Annual Course! January 4th and 5th, Keysoe, don’t miss it!

Massive thanks to everyone who has organised and co-ordinated these amazing events and for all the superb communications about them via Alison Craig (via email), Sally Newcomb (on our website) and Sam Champney-Warrener (on our closed Facebook page).

We are truly an amazing organisation!

Sam York FBHS
Friday 7th October 2022