Catriona has neigh problems in getting horses healthy

Scottish equestrian physiotherapist Catriona Goulding talks about her life in the welfare of horses. I had a farm and horse upbringing and as a child I noticed that animals responded well to being massaged. My own horse loved being tickled, which made me wonder about being a physiotherapist for horses. As an animal physio I…

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A helping hand at animal rehab centre

Eileen Gillen has been based at Belware Farm, in Aboyne, home to World Horse Welfare (formerly the International League for the Protection of Horses) since 1990. Eileen, a former qualified instructor, arrived at the farm after applying for the role of manager. She laughs: ‘I thought I’d give it three years and I’m now nearly…

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Meet the Royal Regiment of Scotland’s mascot

The well-known saying ‘good things come in small packages’ has never been more true than when describing the Royal Regiment of Scotland’s pony mascot, Cruachan IV. At just 11hh, what the nine-year-old Shetland pony lacks in height, he more than makes up for in personality, regularly grabbing headlines for his cheeky behaviour. The tradition of…

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Donkey sanctuary provides a welcoming home

As an animal lover, Rosemary Dale set up a donkey sanctuary and now dedicates her life to ensuring her four-legged friends have happy homes. Over the last 15 years she has dedicated herself entirely to running the Scottish Borders Donkey Sanctuary. The sanctuary was founded in 2003 as a haven for unwanted and abandoned donkeys…

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Show jumper Alex Barr is back in the saddle

Not one to let a riding accident dampen his spirits, top show jumper Alex Barr is still intent on fulfilling his equestrian ambitions. Back in 2012, a nasty fall left Alex, one of the country’s top show jumpers, in bed with two fractured vertebrae and a lot to think about. He says: ‘I was riding…

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The Stark truth about what Ian has done since retiring

Five-time Olympian, former European champion, three-time Badminton winner: Ian Stark is an equestrian legend. Since stepping back from the competition circuit in 2007, he has carved out a highflying career in course design, with three-star courses for Chatsworth, Bramham and Tattersalls under his belt, as well as a course for the European Championship at Blair…

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From chaser to chukka for top jockey Lucy

What happened when top jump jockey Lucy Alexander tried playing polo in Perth? Approaching Thom Bell’s yard we see that Lucy Alexander is already here. Scotland’s first and only female professional jump jockey stands facing us with her arms crossed, looking distinctly cold and wet. Lucy’s family have bred, trained and raced thoroughbreds for more…

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Game of Thrones actor Clive Russell climbs into the hot seat

Learning to ride a horse in his fifties has brought Clive Russell, the Fife-based Game of Thrones actor, a wealth of opportunities. After training in horsemanship for a part in the 1999 film The 13th Warrior – in which he played Norseman Helfdane alongside Antonio Banderas – his roles have repeatedly demanded that he take to the…

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Centre celebrates the hard work of young rider Maddy

A Scottish equestrian centre is highlighting the good work of a young employee Maddy Attridge, 24, has worked in the Equestrian Centre at the Mains of Taymouth, near Aberfeldy, for nearly two years. Originally from the Isle of Skye, she has been a keen horse rider since the age of 5. After learning to ride…

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Pair jump to victory at equestrian championships

Aberdeenshire’s Charley Hamilton and Nicole Lockhead Anderson jumped to victory in the Charles Britton Equestrian Construction Winter JA Classic Qualifiers at Morris Equestrian Centre. The centre, in Fenwick, Ayrshire played host to the most recent of classic qualifiers and the classes ran during their 148cm Pony Premier Show. The qualifiers saw the field of starters…

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