Horse_amp_amp_Hound__06_February_2018

NEWSInsider
IN BRIEF
FOLLOWER DIES IN
HUNTING FALL
A RIDER has died in a “tragic
accident” while out with the
Fernie on 31 January.
The 54-year-old suffered
fatal injuries in a fall.
A statement released by
the Fernie read: “Our sincere
condolences are with his
family and friends at such
a difficult time for them,
and we ask that everyone
respects their privacy as they
overcome such a devastating
and early loss.
“Both the joint-masters of
the hunt and the gentleman’s
family would like to extend
their immense thanks to
the emergency services and
others who were present
at the accident for all their
assistance at the time.”
MPS CHANGE MINDS
ON FIREWORKS
FIREWORKS campaigners
have welcomed a “change in
attitudes” from MPs.
A petition calling for a ban
on the public use of fireworks
and for the government
to collect statistics about
related incidents was
debated in parliament on 29
January after receiving more
than 111,000 signatures.
It was started by horse
owner Julie Doorne, who
has been lobbying with the
Firework Abatement Group
for a change to the laws.
“I think there has been a
massive groundswell among
politicians,” she told H&H.
RACING TO REVIEW
ITS DOPING RULES
A FULL review of racing’s
anti-doping rules will be
conducted by the British
Horseracing Authority (BHA)
this year.
The review will involve
consultation with the
National Trainers’ Federation
and the Racehorse Owners’
Association, among others.
BHA chief executive Nick
Rust said the organisation’s
zero-tolerance of prohibitedat-all-times
substances is the
right approach.
He added the rules about
this and how they affect
those responsible for horses
need to be clear, as do the
penalties when these rules
are broken.
“We want our rules to be
fair to all concerned,” he said.
OBITUARIES
Bay Lane was a horseman throughout his life, riding into his 80s
BENJAMIN FRANK
(BAY) LANE
A PIONEERING showjumper, Mr
Lane died on 29 January aged 89.
A slip of the tongue resulted in
his nickname — when he was born,
Mr Lane’s father announced “it’s
a bay!”, which stuck.
When he was young his
father would often lift him on
to the backs of plough horses.
He became more involved in
his father’s farming and dealing
business as he grew up. His riding
career also blossomed as he
progressed from gymkhanas to
international showjumping.
Mr Lane was a member of the
first British Nations Cup team to
travel abroad following World War
II, competing in Nice in 1948.
His top horse, Trueman, was
found on a trip to Dublin Horse
Show in the 1950s.
The combination won speed
classes at the Horse of the Year
Show in three consecutive years
from 1959 to 1961.
He was also a familiar figure
on the West Warwickshire hunting
field and had a passion for racing
and point-to-pointing. A true
horseman until his death, Mr
Lane continued to buy and ride
youngsters until the age of 83.
His funeral is to take place at
St James’ Church, Alveston, Warks,
on 12 February.
STEPHEN DAVENPORT
AN expert horseman, Mr
Davenport died on 24 January
aged 73.
He was showjumping and
hunting before he was 10, and
went on to enjoy a successful
racing career. He became
champion amateur in 1964,
riding 192 winners that season
and finishing fourth in the Grand
National aboard the 66/1 shot
Eternal. After turning professional,
one of his greatest victories
was with Surcharge in the 1968
Topham Chase at Aintree.
Mr Davenport set up a training
yard at Mobberley, Cheshire,
before establishing a successful
breeding programme.
Among the top horses he bred
were international showjumpers
Jordan II, One Man, Newton Nickel
and Zoe II.
Malcolm Jefferson had his first
Cheltenham success in 1994
MALCOLM JEFFERSON
THE Cheltenham Festival-winning
trainer died on 2 February aged 71.
Mr Jefferson’s first success
at the Festival came in 1994 with
Tindari in the Hurdle Final. The
following year he became the
first British trainer to win the
Champion Bumper, with Dato Star.
In 2012 he saddled a double
of winners at the Festival, Cape
Tribulation and Attaglance.
“His experienced and guiding
hand has benefited not only the
horses and staff in his care, but
the racing community in Malton
and the north for many years,” said
BHA chief executive Nick Rust.
MICHAEL HIGGENS
ONE of Ireland’s best-known
hunting figures, Mr Higgens died
on 28 January aged 76.
Master of the Tipperary for 18
seasons, he bred a first-class pack
of modern foxhounds.
He started his career with the
late Captain Charlie Barclay of
the Puckeridge in Britain, before
venturing to the Findon Harriers
in Victoria, Australia. He decided
Ireland was more suited to him
and moved to north Wexford in the
late 1960s to serve as kennelhuntsman
at the Island. In 1970 he
was appointed master of the East
Galway, moving to the Tipperary as
master and huntsman in 1973.
Mr Higgens was a successful
breeder of foxhounds; the
Tipperary hounds won many
classes in Britain and at
Peterborough. He was also
a respected hound judge on
both sides of the Irish Sea.
He later hunted the Avondhu
for a season in the 1990s and
helped breed the Golden Vale
hounds, moving on to the
Kilmoganny in 1993, where he
served for six seasons.
After retiring in 1999, he
continued to hunt and this year
rode with the Tipperary to mark
his 50th season in Ireland.
BRIGIT POWELL
A DEDICATED dressage judge,
owner and supporter of the sport,
Mrs Powell died in January at the
age of 84.
A chance meeting with
Isobel Wessells at a judges’
course in Cornwall led to a great
partnership. Mrs Powell expressed
an interest in buying a horse with
Isobel, which resulted in her
co-owning Isobel’s grand prix
horse Chagall.
She was an active member of
the British Dressage Supporters
Club and frequently judged at
shows in Cornwall and Devon.
PETER CASEY
MULTIPLE Grade One-winning
trainer Mr Casey died on 27
January aged 82.
The Irishman enjoyed
three Grade One victories with
Flemenstar. The first of these
came at Leopardstown in January
2012. His stable star went on
to win the Powers Gold Cup at
Fairyhouse that April, before
taking the John Durkan Chase at
Punchestown in December 2013.
His funeral was held on 31
January in Balscadden.
Peter Casey was a multiple
Grade One-winning trainer
Pictures by RacingFotos.com and trevor-meeks-photography.co.uk
10 Horse & Hound 8 February 2018