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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Ashton looks a picture in her Dogwood riding jacket

Over the weekend (25-26th June) our beautiful Dogwood model, Ashton Bricka sported the Dogwood Black Double Stripe Jacket for the first time at the Hickstead Derby. 


The West Sussex based rider told us, ‘I found the jacket was really cool, comfortable and breathable despite being a very hot day’.

Ashton has enjoyed great success over the years with her horses Drift and KD.  Producing them herself from 3 year olds, KD won the 4 year old Style and Performance at Scope festival and has qualified for Blue Chip every year of competing.  This year the pair has already qualified for two classes at the Scope festival and will also be at the Hickstead Royal International Horse Show in July.

Take a look at our riding jackets page now to see the full range of show jumping, showing and tweed jackets.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Dogwood to showcase new clothing line at Hickstead, Royal International

All ready for the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead? Whether you’re competing or coming to 'shop-until-you-drop', make sure you visit our stand, No.139A to take a look at the new Dogwood range of casual and competition clothing.

All set to unveil the new collection at the show, Dogwood clothing for Men and Women will be a range of polo tops, hoodies and rugby shirts.  Also on offer will be the new range of riding jackets, with three show jackets, three Tweed and an Event riders jacket.


You can already have a sneak peak at the new jackets here http://www.dogwoodlondon.co.uk/shop/equestrian-clothing/riding-jackets

A boot fitting service will also be available, free of charge, at the stand with our range of De Niro, Sergio Grasso and Brogini Italian long riding boots.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

H-ELP campaign for more humane training of Elephants

Elephants and Horses have never been two animals that spring to mind as two of a kind but when you look deeper, they have more in common than one could imagine. Firstly, they are both herd animals, both herbivores and new research by world renowned Elephant trainer, Andrew Mclean, has shown the world that there is much more to these beautiful animals.

Elephants have been domesticated in Asia for over six thousand years and are used as a working animal for many. In the wild they are accustomed to days of mud baths, eating vegetation and quiet companionship; but when they are captured as ‘working elephants’ this idyll can end up being markedly different, involving inhumane training techniques to demean the animal so they lose all sense of freedom and free will.

The H-ELP foundation has been working with Elephants and handlers to show a new way of working together. Dr Andrew Mclean, a former Australian horse trainer, hung up his riding boots to study Elephants, discovering that like Horses, Elephants learn in logic based manner. This enabled Mclean to train and teach Elephants in a humane way, using dressage techniques that form the basis of every equestrian discipline. The training methods were created in a step by step programme to give safety to both the Elephants as well as their handlers.

The H-ELP foundation was set up to raise awareness of plights of working elephants, to get involved please visit www.h-elp.org

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Laura Bechtolsheimer to star in BBC Olympic's documentary

Top hats and tailcoats at the ready as dressage rider, Laura Bechtolsheimer is to feature on this weekends BBC British Olympic Dreams documentary which focuses on British hopefuls for the London games next year.

British event rider, Piggy French featured on the show back in May and now its Gloustershire based, Laura Bechtolsheimer’s time to shine, taking BBC journalist, Ollie Williams behind the scenes

"Laura was a great candidate for the programme — she's one of the finest dressage riders in the world and one of Britain’s top prospects to secure a medal," said Ollie Williams.

"We spent a day filming at her yard - meeting her horses and family and learning how Laura and Alf grew up together and formed such a great partnership. And how's she's preparing for the London 2012.

"For the second part of the programme we went to Germany and met Totilas and Matthias Rath — who Laura used to go out with. So that is especially interesting — competing against her ex-boyfriend who's riding the best — and most expensive — horse in the world."

Journalist Ollie Williams will be finding out what makes the combination of Laura and the well known chestnut, Mistral Hojris (Alf) tick, and their future Olympic plans. The program will be aired at 1.15pm on the 18th June and will be available on BBC iPlayer up to 7 days after.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Edward Gal shimmers in golden riding boots

Dressage riders are known for there perfect image in and out of the saddle, but dressage rider Edward Gal has pushed the boundaries of the dressage etiquette being kitted out by his new sponsor in golden riding boots.

So are they the new ‘must have’ or slightly too daring for most? There has been a split decision on the Horse and Hound Facebook page with humorous comments such as "The Only Way is Essex called. They want their boots back."

Another person commented with a more light hearted approach to the boots saying: "Go ahead. If we are not having fun, why are we doing it?"

What's next to be made in gold I wonder?  Golden bridles, saddles...perhaps even riding hats!

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Thursday, June 9, 2011

Mary King celebrates her half century!

5 Olympic appearances, 6 team World and European gold medals and 4 British Open titles over a career of 30 years, Mary King is a true legend in the equestrian world and will be celebrating her 50th Birthday this month by sailing around Croatia.

"I feel rather guilty having a week off as I leave for Luhmühlen with Apache Sauce the day after I get home," said Mary.

Don’t threat, she won’t be hanging up her riding boots just yet with the hunger to ride in London Olympics next year despite being the most senior member of the team.

Mary explained: "I am still feeling very fit and hungry for success, so slowing down is certainly not on the cards at the moment."

Mary was asked if she would be retiring after London 2012 Olympics but is even considering 2016 Rio Olympics which she would be the same age as Badmintons oldest winner, Mark Todd.

"My son Freddie kept asking me the same question and I told him possibly after London 2012, but when he found out that Rio was hosting the next Games, he gave me permission to keep going until 2016 — he's a huge football fan and is very keen to go to Brazil."

"Now Toddy's back on the scene it makes me feel young again" joked Mary.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

New British Show jumping classes

Get out your riding boots and show jackets, BS have designed new classes for those jumping at 1m and below. The ‘club membership scheme’ will be starting this month for riders over 12 years of age which have not been placed in a 90cm National Amateur class, British Novice or Pony British Novice in the last 3 years.

The new club membership will cost £30 to register rider and one horse and instead of winning money, riders will gain points with a regional championship once a year, creating a ‘friendly’ and ‘welcoming’ atmosphere. ‘Club’ classes will be set up around the country allowing members to travel from region to region, gaining points. 

‘We want to encourage people to make the step into BS. The perception is that BS is elitist and you must be jumping at 1.20m to take part, but that’s not the case.’ said the director of sport Justine Naylor.

The new classes will be run over 70cm, 80cm, 90cm and 1m and riders will be allowed to compete in two regular BS shows a year without prize money or qualifications.