FIFTEEN-year-old Argentinian bred, Carbonilla, proved to be the top polo pony for Charlie Walton and helped their team to victory in the Roodee International Challenge Cup tournament.

Charlie (20) is one of the most exciting young polo players in the UK and bought the former ride of Luke Tomlinson as a 12-year-old having played in the Argentine Open, Gold Cup and Queens Cup tournaments.

Having played polo for 10 years, Charlie has played across the globe, and with Carbonilla was part of the winning LDF Finance team collecting the coveted trophy and the £10,000 prize money.

Said Charlie: “It was Carbonilla’s last tournament of the season and she was fantastic and proved to be my best pony that day.

“I feed all the ponies on Equerry Sports Mix, giving them a high energy based feed to keep their energy up throughout the season.

“If some horses have been played hard and travelled a lot within a couple of weeks Equerry Conditioning Cubes are added to their feed to provide more protein in their diet to aid recovery.

“I have been feeding Equerry for three years and I really see the improvement in my horses.”

ELEVEN-year-old Scarlett Cox is having a fantastic season with her 13hh Palomino mare, Lillibet, who is looking and going better than ever since being fed on Equerry.

Lillibet was given to Scarlett’s mum, Emma, as a five-year-old, she had been backed and “written off” after being labelled as a big, lazy and stiff pony with no training.

Over the last four years Emma has been working hard to produce the pony for her daughter, Scarlett, and after several jockeys had declined to ride the pony in the early stages of training, Scarlett took up the reins at the start of the year.

Said Emma: “It has been a long haul producing Lillibet, she was very stiff through the shoulders and in the neck making turning extremely difficult. I went back to basics and spent three months on the ground with her, long reining and lunging.”

Now, no one would know that this stunning pony was almost given up on, added Emma: “The hard work has really paid off. Lillibet is a fantastic pony and she really looks after Scarlett, who only started riding her in February and they have come on in leaps and bounds!”

Equerry has played a key role in the development of Lillibet, positively influencing her condition, temperament and vitality.

Said Emma: “Equerry feeds has made a massive contribution towards producing Lillibet. She holds her weight and looks in fantastic condition all year around with the support from Equerry Conditioning Mash and Equerry Conditioning Cubes through the winter and Equerry High Fibre Cubes in the summer. The products help to keep Lillibet looking in good condition, full of health while maintaining energy for a naturally lethargic pony!

“With the support from the nutritionists and the range of feeds at Equerry, we have been able to balance the feeds to cater for Lillibet, depending on seasons and requirements. Through the summer Lillibet can hold grass which impacts on her energy levels, so we balance the Conditioning Cubes with High Fibre Cubes and reduce the Conditioning Mash. This blend provides enough energy for Lillibet without gaining too much weight.

“In winter we rely on Equerry Conditioning Mash with Equerry Conditioning Cubes for maintenance of condition and to provide sufficient energy. We have been absolutely thrilled with how well the products work for a pony whose nutritional needs can vary so much!”

This young partnership have certainly gelled quickly, racking up a tally of great results in only a short time. Said Emma: “No one would have ever thought that Lillibet would be competing in National showjumping competitions let alone be the local Riding Club champion at Intro and Prelim dressage.”

Scarlett and Lillibet are currently leading the points in the Antrobus Riding Club 60cm, 70cm and 80cm showjumping league as well as the Working Hunter championship. They recently won four out of four working hunter classes at the Bridgewater Riding Club Championships and went ring champion.

Scarlett is hoping to have a go at eventing next season as well as county Working Hunter classes and the national British Showjumping Stepping Stones competition.

Equerry Horse Feeds Senior Nutritionist, Louise Jones provides some advice when it comes to feeding treats.

Question:

You hear so many mixed views on giving horses and ponies treats. As a nutritionist do you feel they should be limited?

Answer

Everyone enjoys a treat once in a while and your horse is no different. Whether as a reward, or just because you love your horse, there’s nothing wrong with feeding them a small treat every now and then.

Apples and carrots are the most popular treats amongst horse owners. Contrary to popular belief feeding a fresh carrot or apple will not provide the horse with too much sugar. In fact, fresh carrots contain approximately 5% sugar, which is less than would be provided in hay.

However storing fresh fruit or vegetables can be a pain; as it tends to rot and can attract vermin. Equerry Minty Horse Treats are the perfect alternative. These low sugar treats combine the natural goodness of peppermint and spearmint and are completely cereal-grain free. Available in convenient 1.8kg tubs, they are easy to keep fresh and perfect to take with you in the horsebox.

Some horses can get too pushy if regularly fed treats by hand, in these cases it’s safest to put the treats in their feed bucket. Finally, remember that there are certain foods that aren’t suitable as treats, for example: chocolate, which contains banned substances (i.e. caffeine and theobromine).

If you need simplifying your horses feeding regimes simply call the Equerry Feedline for practical, friendly advice on 01845 565640

Equerry Horse Feeds are the latest company to confirm sponsorship at the exciting Equestrian.com Liverpool International CSI**** Horse Show.

Leading industry players have recognised the benefits of supporting this new venture which takes place at the fantastic Echo Arena in Liverpool – January 1 to 3, 2016.

This New Year equestrian extravaganza includes the £45,000 Equestrian.com Liverpool International Grand Prix as well as many other top-level show jumping classes.

The Equerry Horse Feeds 4* 1.45m Speed Class takes place on the Sunday afternoon performance and is set to get the audience clapping and cheering as leading competitors vie for the excellent prize fund on offer.

Said Katy Mickle of Equerry Horse Feeds: “The Equestrian.com Liverpool International Horse Show looks set to be three great days of top class competition and entertainment and we are delighted to have a stand at the event and be supporting the speed class.”

Added Show President Nina Barbour: “We are very fortunate to have so many fantastic brands and businesses supporting Liverpool International Horse Show 2016 and very much look forward to working alongside them to make the event a huge success.”

This star studded equestrian extravaganza will provide a wonderful New Year celebration and open Olympic year with a bang!

Liverpool International Horse Show promises to be an action-packed event, with fantastic shopping, great competition, thrilling entertainment and great food and drink.

To book your tickets for Liverpool International Horse Show or for more information go to www.liverpoolhorseshow.com

British star Robert Whitaker carried his blistering form into day three of the Ashford Farm CSI**** Bolesworth International by winning another headline four-star class on Saturday.

The 32-year-old Yorkshire man followed up his victory with Catwalk IV in Friday’s 1.55m competition by collecting his second successive £7,260 winner’s purse, landing the 1.45m jump-off class, sponsored by Equerry Horse Feeds.

With Catwalk taking a breather ahead of contesting Sunday’s Redrow Homes Grand Prix, Whitaker turned to the tried and tested 14-year-old bay stallion USA Today as his latest Bolesworth challenger.

And he did not disappoint, clocking 38.49 seconds to conquer a tight, twisting jump-off course that generated mishaps for several of the 18 combinations that made it through round one.

Irish contender Captain Michael Kelly finished second on Drumiller Lough, just 17 hundredths of a second behind Whitaker, with another Irish duo – Edward Doyle and Mullaghdrin Touch the Stars – third, just in front of Jade Burgess and Severly Hille.

“The first round was quite tricky, but there were quite a few clears, and I had a good draw in the jump-off, which helped,” said Whitaker, whose run of recent successes will undoubtedly keep him firmly on the Great Britain selection radar ahead of the European Championships in Germany later this summer.

“If you are first to go in a jump-off when there are so many clears, it’s difficult. It just worked out well for me, really.

“There weren’t too many clears in the jump-off – they were having a lot of faults everywhere – and it was taking a bit of jumping.

“I didn’t make a plan to go as quickly as I did, it just sort of worked out well. I can’t complain.

“I think it suited him out there today. There were a lot of tight turns, like from fence one to two, and he is so careful. He didn’t play around, like he can do.

“He’s 14 now, but he is really fit and healthy and has been second in good classes at St Gallen and Windsor recently.”

Equerry Minty Horse Treats make the perfect reward for your horse and have a lovely spearmint flavour.

A healthy treat option, Minty Horse Treats are low in sugar and cereal-grain free so they won’t cause any problems or ‘fizz’.

Equerry Minty Horse Treats are great for when your horse deserves that little something extra or just to show him how much you care this Christmas!

Equerry Minty Horse Treats are £6 and are available in a 1.8kg tub.

Ayrshire based Jennifer Garland has been enjoying great success with her stunning Riding Horse, Jemoon Tambourine Man who looks a picture of health.

Jennifer bought the eight-year-old by Jemoon Celtic Warrior in March 2013 and attributes much of his accomplishments to his Equerry feed which keeps him looking in tip top condition.

‘Norman,’ as he is known at home has been Supreme Champion in five out of seven recent competitions and took the Reserve Championship spot in the other two classes, to mark their considerable achievements.

The pair recently gained their ticket to the Royal International Horse Show, for a second consecutive year, at Puddledub Spring Show much to Jennifer’s delight.

“When I started to add Equerry Condition Cooler Mash to his feed I quickly saw a massive difference in his general bloom and condition. It has produced fantastic results and as a bonus Norman really enjoys his feed, goes really well and looks great.

“The Equerry Condition Cooler Mash has been an excellent addition to his feed since the beginning of the year. It’s amazing, he had a full summer coat by the middle of February and I ended up cutting down his ration by March,” she added.

With Norman in superb condition and feeling brilliant too, the rest of the season looks bright for the combination.

He is due to compete in two Horse of the Year Show qualifiers shortly and will also compete at the Royal Highland Show, The Scottish Horse Show and the Riding Horse section at the RIHS.

Jennifer is full of praise for the feed and often gets compliments about Norman’s condition and enquiries as to what she feeds him.

Said Jennifer: “The Equerry range is great quality, my horse looks fantastic, has a great top line, shiny coat and my feed bills have dropped. I wouldn’t feed Norman anything else!”

WHEN Liz Eadon purchased Jack Daniels X from Ireland in February 2014, he looked like a “stick insect.” Liz tried tirelessly to build him up and whilst he did well last season in Novice Working Hunter classes, he still really lacked condition. The now seven-year-old was weak behind and really lacked topline.

Said Liz: “I had tried everything and then saw an offer for Equerry Condition Cooler Mash at Argo Feeds and thought I would give it a go.”

The results speak for themselves and Jack Daniels has since strengthened hugely, his behind is double the size and he has also really improved in his shoulder and neck.

Added Liz: “Whilst gaining remarkable condition, he remained calm and his temperament was unaltered by his new diet of Equerry Condition Cooler Mash. With showing, the horse must remain calm. He has always had a great temperament and this hasn’t changed since being on Equerry, which is great.”

I have been absolutely amazed in how fast the results are. In six weeks, I have never seen a transformation like it. Besides my own horse, Equerry Condition Cooler Mash has given great results to a couple of my livery clients’ horses, which were really weak and are now blossoming. This feed is exceptional.”

This season, he has been well placed at the two shows he has attended. He was third at White Rose County and sixth at Nottinghamshire County Show out of 40 competitors with a clear round in the Novice Working Hunter. He will continue to be campaigned as a novice before being stepped up to the open ranks later in the season.

Do you enjoy light schooling, pleasure rides, hacking out, and maybe some local competing and are looking for the ideal feed for your horse?

For those in light to medium work, forage alone will not be sufficient to meet all of your horses’ nutritional demands. So if you need a low calorie option for a good doer or a palatable ‘Non-Heating’ mix for a picky horse, there will be a product to suit your horse in the Equerry horse feed range.

For horses at rest or in light work Equerry High Fibre Cubes are high in fibre, are cereal-grain-free and low in starch and sugar. The energy level is similar to hay at 8.5 MJ/kg making them ideal for horses needing a ‘Non-Heating’ feed or for good-doers that need a low calorie intake. Feeding Equerry High Fibre Cubes will provide your horse with vitamins and minerals including magnesium.

Equerry Cool Cubes or Cool Mix are a great choice for those in light work as they are low energy and high in fibre making them suitable for fizzy horses whilst ensuring their vitamin and mineral requirements are met.

For horses doing more work and competitions the Equerry Horse & Pony Cubes and Horse & Pony Mix provide a higher energy level to support the work and include good quality protein to support muscle tone and development. The addition of oil will promote a shiny coat and the high fibre formula together with added vitamins and minerals creates a balanced diet which will help keep your horse performing at its best.

If you are currently feeding Equerry why not enter your horse to be our horse of the month on our Facebook page?

I am very fortunate to still own my very first pony who is now 18-years-old.  We have done everything together and he is a massive part of my life.  During the winter he has lost some weight can you help.

The Equerry Nutrition Team answer…

It’s completely understandable that you want to provide your first pony with the best nutritional care now that he is a veteran.  Weight loss is a common problem for older horses. However, if your pony is dropping weight on a diet that once kept him in ideal condition it’s important to firstly rule out any underlying clinical condition. We recommend that your vet carries out a full equine MOT to rule out any problems such as Cushing’s or liver disease.

One of the most common reasons for weight loss in older horses is age-related deterioration in their dental health, which can make chewing forage difficult or even impossible. Your vet will be able to diagnose any dental problem.  However, useful checks that you can carry out yourself are to monitor for any signs of quidding or evidence of larger quantities of longer stems of fibre in your pony’s droppings.  If poor dental condition is the root of your pony’s weight loss then this can easily be addressed by feeding Equerry High Fibre Nuts as a soaked gruel, instead of his normal forage.

Provided your pony is not suffering from any underlying clinical problem Equerry Veteran Mix is the ideal bucket feed.  It is specifically formulated for older horses and is flavoured with spearmint to tempt even the fussiest feeder. Equerry Veteran Mix will provide your pony with higher levels of calories and quality protein to help him maintain condition and muscle tone.  However, do remember that if your pony is retired he will not have the same well-developed muscles as a horse in work.

Research has suggested that as horses’ age they may become less efficient at extracting nutrients from their feed. To help maintain digestive efficiency and support a healthy hind-gut Equerry Veteran Mix contains added yeast.  Evidence also suggests that the older horse’s immune system may be compromised and this can increase the risk of illness. Choosing a feed that contains raised levels of antioxidants, such as Equerry Veteran Mix, is thought to benefit the older horse by helping to maintain correct immune function.

Equerry Veteran Mix is fully-balanced and when fed at the recommended rate will provide your pony with the correct levels of vitamins, minerals and trace-elements. As a guide a pony weighing 250kg would need 1-1.5kg Equerry Veteran Mix daily. This should be divided into at least 2 small meals, fed at least 4 hours apart.