Tina Fletcher talks about Hello Sailor

Tina Fletcher, who rides in LAS riding hats, is one of the leading lady riders in the world with over 30 years of competition in the sport. Also a highly thought of BSJA accredited trainer, Tina has been part of countless Nations Cups teams and is on the 2012 Olympic Squad with her top team of horse’s Hello Sailor, Promised Land and Hello Dandy.

Every talented rider needs an equally talented horse. Sired by Kigali and out of an Indroctro mare, Tina’s top horse Hello Sailor is a beautiful KWPN gelding and is looking to the Olympics this summer. Standing at 16.3h and now at the age of 13, this cheeky chap still has a few quirks; here are five facts to know about Hello Sailor.

1)    Sailor is incredibly strong and difficult to turn to the left.
2)    He doesn’t jump well at home, tending to rush his fences.
3)    Sailor is like a Labrador dog to look after.
4)    He loves to lick everybody and that includes the cat!
5)    Ever since someone crashed into him at Towerlands Park and nearly knocked him over, he’s been extremely nervous in places where he has to go through the tunnel. For example, Horse of the Year show but he’s fine when he gets in the ring.

Zara Phillips retains Olympic hope after early season win

The London Olympics this summer are quickly approaching and we all itching to know who will feature in Greenwich Park in July. Already favourites for flying the flag is path finder, Nicola Wilson, Piggy French, Mary King and William Fox-Pitt but will our royal rider Zara Phillips be taking the 5th and final spot on the GB team?

After the loss of her 2006 World Equestrian Games winning partner, Toy town, Zara is facing stiff competition from the talent pool of riders such as Tina Cook, Pippa Funnell and Oliver Townend. All extremely successful riders in their own rights with each a major championship holder, it’s on every equestrian’s mind which riders will be taking the GB equestrian clothing across Greenwich Park in July.

Zara’s case for Olympic qualification has started strong this season taking a win at Tweseldown Horse Trials on Silver V and 14th, High Kingdom in the Open Intermediate Section C, competing against her other Olympic rivals such as New Zealander, Andrew Nicholson and Lucinda Fredericks. The Queens Grand daughter was proving her worth to team selectors, putting in a strong position after the Dressage, just 7.2 time faults cross country and a clear show jumping round.

So for me, I’m supporting ‘Team Zara’ as part of the Olympic Team this summer. Wouldn’t it be lovely to see a royal wearing a GB riding jacket this summer and maybe even a medal!

Bareback hunting for charity!

Hunting's a scary thought for most of us as it is but have you ever thought of taking off the horse tack and tackling the elements of the hunting field bareback?

That’s exactly what Peter Hunt is planning to do, scrapping the usual hunting clothing and tack on the last joint meet between Bilsdale and the Hurworths this season.

Crazy and brave, the stunt is in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes where Peter will have to survive the traditional Bilsdale gallop then tackle some 25 fences along the way.

“Ron [the horse Peter will be riding] will give anything a go,” said Peter “As long as I can stay with him, we’ll be fine.”

“People who’ve watched me jump bareback have commented that I am actually more stable without a saddle,” he said.

To make the fund raiser even more remarkable, Peter only started riding five years ago after his engagement to his wife, Jen. He will be riding her horse, Ron, across the hunting field without the vital pieces of horse tack.

To help towards the cause and donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/teams/withoutasaddle

Cavalry horse, Llamrei entertains with his sweeping skills

A YouTube sensation has occurred with 60,000 hits in just one week for the war horse, Llamrei. The amusing video shows the Household Cavalry horse astonishing the troopers by sweeping the yard with a broom in his teeth!

Ridden by Captain Alex Owen from Tintagel, Llamrei has used other horse tack for entertainment such as his grooming brush to clean his other regiment pals!

Captain Owen, 26, said: "One of the boys was standing there with a broom and Llamrei, who was tethered behind him, bit on the broom and started sweeping.

"He wasn't too successful at first but he's getting better."

Llamrei, who will be used this summer for public celebrations such as the Jubilee and the Olympics, is a 6 year old brought from Ireland for the regiment.

"Llamrei is very youthful and playful.

"Unlike some of the veteran horses, everything's quite exciting, so when he saw the troopers sweeping up he just wanted to get involved. He's quite an intelligent horse.

"I ride him in the morning and even though he's the youngest horse in the troop he's very good and doesn't scare easily.

"I thought long and hard and decided to name him after King Arthur's charger. It was rather frustrating when I discovered that the boys, instead of pronouncing it properly as 'Clam-rye', have been calling him Sausage."