Racing to return to Essex?

The future of Great Leighs Racecourse has been the subject of much speculation over the past few months – even years, will it be sold, will it be built on, and most importantly will racing ever take place there again? 

Good news to all you racing fans! The racecourse is set to become a “world class venue” thanks to new investors. Its new owner, MC Racetracks Limited, plans to build a hospitality complex followed by a state of the art grandstand in 2014. MC Racetracks bought the racecourse from Royal Bank of Scotland subsidiary, West Register Limited a fortnight ago.

Speculation had been rife for some months that MC Racecourses would acquire the site; at an Essex County Council meeting on 23rd September, a solicitor representing Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), David Dagg, told councillors: “The potential owner, MC Racecourses Ltd, has already been in negotiations with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and hopes to be running Great Leighs again within two years.” – sending the rumour mill into overdrive.

West Register bought Great Leighs from the adminstrator in 2010, and this project will mark a fresh start for the racecourse, which went into administration and closed less than a year after its first public race meeting in May 2008.

Its new owner, MC Racetracks Limited, plans to build a hospitality complex followed by a state of the art grandstand in 2014.

MC Racetracks chief executive Tony James said: “This has been a long and complicated process but to finally exchange contracts has been a tremendous achievement and we can now look forward to next year when the hard work will really begin.”

MC Racetracks approached the British Horseracing Association earlier this year for help in the licensing process, the new owners will start the licensing process in January.

Dog is charmed by horse in New York

A breed dog French bull dog was mad to see a horse New York police that he was "working" on the move Mind Wall Street.

The dog is a feast for the horse and tries to call him to play. The video of the animalsis the newest Internet sensation.

Watch the video (in English):

World number one, race horse dies after jumping

A sad chapter marked the fourth stage of the Equestrian World Cup, held in Veronain Italy. Hickstead, the world's number one horse, ridden by leading the world rankings, Canadian Eric Lamaze, collapsed suddenly and died, making the competition was halted. We still do not know the reasons why the seals to death.


The organization of the World announced that Hickstead was already dead when he received first aid veterinarians. Shaken, the other participants in solidarity toLamaze and decided not to continue the stage, making a minute of silence in honor of the animal.

In partnership with the horse, Eric Lamaze won the bronze at the World EquestrianGames. President of the International Equestrian Federation, Princess Hayalamented death. "Hicktstead really was a horse in a million. My heart goes out toEric and everyone who had a connection with this wonderful horse. It was anirreparable loss, but Hickstead never be forgotten. We are very pleased to havebeen able to meet you, "he said.

See the video below the time Hickstead suffers collapse (WARNING: the imagesare strong and can upset people more sensitive)

10 Halloween Costume Ideas for Your Horse

With less than a week til Halloween, we would hope most of you would have your costumes all ready for any fancy dress show you might be attending. If you haven’t. what are you waiting for? To give you a helping hand, here are 10 costume ideas for you and your horse/pony (Thanks to www.thefw.com for the original list/photos)

This pony show was clearly BYOB. (Bring your own boom box.) But where are the trainer’s fingerless gloves and cardboard scraps for b-boy headspins? Because Black Beauty is ready to break it down.

The hip bone’s connected to the…tail bone, obviously. This costume would also be a fine choice for Night Stalker, Skeletor's “evil armored battle steed” from 'He-Man.'

If the trail rides don’t work out, this horse is considering a career with the Navy Seals. Until then, he’ll stick with his hoof floaties. Safety first!

Call it the 'My Little Pony on the Prairie' look. We just want to know who’s Half Pint, who’s Blind Mary and where Pa is with the feed pail.

Jinkies! This poor pony would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for you meddling kids. (Not pictured? His jockey, Velma.) Zoinks!

Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions on a sesame seed saddle. We already feel bad for this quarter-pounder quarter horse, but her rider’s costume takes things to a full combo meal of mortification.

'Yo ho, yo ho, a pony's life for me. Arrrrrrgh! Give me some carrot rum!' Cap’n Black Mane is clearly over the eye patch thing. Just toss him a sugar cube (it's trough-or-treat time) and leave him with a little dignity.

We want this horse swaying her hips on our dashboard and serving us a Pu-Pu platter. That is all.

A stallion with a smoking jacket and a bunny on each flank. Wonder how many mares he has waiting for him back at the paddock?

There’s something about this bewitching horse's mug(gle) that puts a spell on us. We’re betting he wins the Hogwarts Derby by a broomstick.

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Gaddesden RDA’s “best pony” retires to The Horse Trust

A much-loved pony that helped countless disabled children learn to ride at Gaddesden Place RDA Centre in Hemel Hempstead has retired to The Horse Trust’s sanctuary in Speen, Buckinghamshire.
The fabulous twenty-year-old Strathardle Clunie, has worked at Gaddesden Place RDA for the last five years giving rides to local children with physical and learning disabilities. Before she arrived at Gaddesden in April 2006, Clunie worked for a number of years at Aldershot RDA.

“Clunie is the best RDA pony we’ve come across,” said Sheila Finnie, the Group Organiser at Gaddesden Place RDA. “Clunie mothered the disabled riders and was very, very patient with them. She would happily stand still all day so a disabled child could safely mount her, even if they were kicking and screaming.”

Sheila said riding ponies like Clunie, a 14hh grey highland mare, has many benefits for children with disabilities.

“Riding enables disabled children to exercise, learn new skills and build relationships with the helpers and ponies. Ponies have a very calming influence on children with learning disabilities, and can help improve the strength and co-ordination of children with physical disabilities,” said Sheila.

Gaddesden Place RDA Centre, which is based at Briden’s Camp, Hemel Hempstead, offers riding lessons to around ninety disabled riders each week.  Sheila added that all the volunteers at Gaddesden RDA group are delighted that The Horse Trust has taken in Clunie, who needs to retire as she has become lame.

“We’re so thrilled that The Horse Trust has taken Clunie in. She’s so special and it’s lovely to know that she’ll be well looked after and will enjoy the retirement she deserves,” said Sheila. “We don’t have the grazing or space to keep retired ponies and its hard to find a good home for them, so I felt a big weight lifted off my shoulders when The Horse Trust offered her a home.”

The Horse Trust offers sanctuary to horses, ponies and donkeys that have retired from working life, or have suffered and need special treatment. The charity, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, looks after around ninety equines at its sanctuary in Speen, Buckinghamshire.

“We’re delighted to offer a home to Clunie after her hard work for the Gaddesden Place RDA,” said Jeanette Allen, Chief Executive Officer of The Horse Trust. “It sounds like Clunie has given a lot of joy to children with disabilities and we hope she will have a happy and healthy retirement at the sanctuary.

The Horse Trust depends on the support of the public to offer retirement to working horses. It costs the charity an average of £10 per day to look after each horse at the sanctuary, which includes the costs of grooms, forage, farriery and veterinary care. To donate to The Horse Trust, please visitwww.horsetrust.org.uk, or contact the charity on             01494 488 464       or info@horsetrust.org.uk