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ERA needs one rep for each BE region — Scotland and the North, Wales and Central North, Central South and South — and is looking for a broad range of riders from BE80 to advanced.

Apply by 9 June by emailing your contact details, the BE area you live in and a few words about yourself to regionalrep@eventridersassociationuk.org

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (20 May, ‘10)

Crowds of 6000 crammed into the stadium to witness Edward Gal’s 88.45% grand prix freestyle win on Moorland Stables and Moorland Investments black stallion.

Edward picked up the inaugural €25,000 riders award in the process, based on his results at Cannes, Hickstead, Palm Beach and Munich.

Only six horse and rider combinations contested this the “richest competition in dressage” — the prize fund is €100,000 at each of the five shows in the league.

World Dressage Masters CEO Anthony Kies was unconcerned by the lack of entries, explaining that the goal of the competition was to get quality not quantity.

Edward Gal said: “To get so much money for six minutes of riding is amazing.”

British riders finished a creditable joint third place with Germany on their return to the Meydan FEI Nations Cup super league in La Baule on Friday, 14 May (report in H&H magazine, 27 May). But Ellen was absent from the team at La Baule, having been replaced by David McPherson.

She told H&H: “I only have Ocolado at the moment and Rob wanted to interfere with the way I do everything.”

Problems started when Mr Hoekstra asked Ellen to take the horse to Lummen (29 April-2 May).

Ellen said: “I didn’t want to go as I thought it was too close to La Baule, but Rob would not listen.

“Then he didn’t want me to jump Ocolado at Newark and Notts County Show before La Baule.

“In the end, I decided the best thing would be for me to pull out of the team. I’m not trying to be awkward but I can’t work with somebody who won’t listen.”

She said she had not ruled out jumping for Britain again, just not this season with Ocolado.

Her father and manager Steven Whitaker added: “It’s not a matter of Ellen not wanting to jump for her country, but we won’t jump again until Rob Hoekstra is finished.

“We have to mix jumping for Team GB with making money. He has left us with no alternative.”

But British Equestrian Federation World Class performance director Will Connell said: “The riders wanted stronger management and leadership and that’s what Rob is delivering. The results in La Baule were good.”

Ellen is welcome to rejoin the British team, he added.

Mr Hoekstra did not wish to comment, saying: “I do not think team issues are best resolved through the press.”

But he said Ellen had agreed to jump at Lummen and La Baule and attend coaching at Fontainebleau in between, but instead she jumped at Newark and then pulled out of La Baule.

He said he rated Ellen very highly, but expected riders to be totally focused on the team.

Equi-Treks description of the new box….

“Britains’ largest horsebox builder, Equi-Trek, continue to build on their already succesful range of patented side loading horse trailers. The new Trail Treka ‘M’ has been developed to offer the huge benefits of side loading in a light weight trailer which has a gross weight of 2000kg enabling it to be towed legally and safely by smaller 4.4’s and some cars.

The Trail Treka ‘M’ has a gross weight of 2000kg, whilst the Trail Treka ‘L’ has a gross weight of 2500kg for those wishing to carry larger horses

Despite it’s impressive technical advancement, the all important aesthetics have not been compromised.

With stylish good looks, aerodynamic design, ease of towing and side loading, the large side ramp is beautifully balanced and pressure assisted which makes loading and unloading effortless even with only one person”.

It has been very successful for us so far, and only been ina few weeks, Anky’s clothing is so new a fresh and bring really different designs to the Horsey fashion world. Gersemi has its traditional feel to it with brilliant twists and we think both new line will be very popular.

There is other new lines to follow along with Dubarry Tweed and Horseware clothing, which we equally excited about and hope you are too

The Jenny Pitman and HEROS Challenge Cup is aimed at owners, loanees and riders of ex-racehorses who may not have considered showing before.

The horses will be judged on general conformation, manners and turnout, but will not be marked down for racing injuries.

Retraining of Racehorses, SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse and the Ex-Racers Club also hold showing series, but this is for the less experienced.

Jenny told H&H: “There is room for all four. Our series is aimed at those who aren’t going to get to Horse of the Year Show, but who want to give it a go and have put just as much time and effort in.”

There will be five qualifiers — at Ponies (UK) shows in Newbury, Newark and the David Broome Event Centre — and a £250-to-the-winner final judged by Jenny at the Newbury Show (19 September).

HEROS chief executive Grace Muir said: “We’re thrilled Jenny has agreed to this. The majority of the 80-100 horses we rehome each year go to people like those this series is aimed at.”

Chris Tyrer will be entering 11-year-old Vortex, who was trained Gay Kelleway and won over £300,000 as a racehorse.

“I’ve had Vortex a year and neither of us have ever shown before,” said Ms Tyrer. “I didn’t want to throw him in at the deep end, so this is perfect.”

• Horses must have raced under Rules. www.heroscharity.org

Miranda Michels, a former joint-master of the Radnor and West Herefordshire, spent last season crafting The Huntsman out of hammered and welded stainless and corten weathering steel.

“It was a major construction job, made in a draughty sheep shed on a Welsh hill farm,” said the sculptor.

“My inspiration is ‘the way we were’, but I would like to think it could be ‘the way we are now’.

“So I’ve decided 10 per cent of the sale will go to the Countryside Alliance to help make what the sculpture depicts a reality.”

A further 20% will be given to Hackney Holidays, a charity that gives inner-city children a chance to experience the countryside, and the Nginia School in Kenya.

The Huntsman will be exhibited at Cheriton Gardens in Hampshire from 18-26 June.

The award to the two-time Olympic rider and one of the sport’s greatest characters was one of 11 given out at during the BS awards ball in Birmingham on 6 April.

Around 500 guests attending the event at the Hilton Metropole, which was sponsored by the British Showjumping Business Partnership.